Game peripherals

Abstract

To provide an information holding body capable of accurately detecting an identification code, and to provide a related technology.SOLUTION: An information holding body 10 has a body part 11, a first region 13 provided on the body part 11 and having an identification code attached thereto for holding game information, a second region 14 provided on the body part 11 and arranged around the first region 13, a covering part 12 capable of covering the body part 11, and an opening 17 provided on the covering part 12. According to the fact that the body part 11 is covered with the covering part 12, the second region 14 is covered with the covering part 12, and the first region 13 is exposed from the opening 17.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information storage medium, a toy set, and a game system, and more particularly to an information storage medium including an identification code such as a two-dimensional code, a toy set including the information storage medium, and a game system including the toy set.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, game devices that can read game information from a card (information storage medium) with an identification code or the like for holding game information have been in circulation. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a two-dimensional code written on a card is detected by a detection unit of a game device, and game content can be executed in the game device based on the detected information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, when detecting a two-dimensional code using a detection unit, the user himself / herself needs to align the position of the detection unit. Therefore, the position of the two-dimensional code and the detection unit needs to be adjusted by moving the game device. Therefore, when a person who is not dexterous, such as a child, is the user, there is a risk that the two-dimensional code cannot be detected reliably. In addition, Patent Document 1 does not disclose any measures for preventing misrecognition of the two-dimensional code.

[0005] The main object of the present application is to provide an information storage medium capable of accurately detecting an identification code. Other problems and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A brief overview of some of the representative embodiments disclosed in this application is as follows:

[0007] In one embodiment, the information holder includes a first main body, a first region provided on the first main body and marked with an identification code for holding game information, a second region provided on the first main body and arranged around the first region, a covering portion capable of covering the first main body, and a first opening provided in the covering portion. Here, as the covering portion covers the first main body, the second region is covered by the covering portion and the first region is exposed at the first opening. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the game peripheral device is a game peripheral device that holds a game device having a detection unit for detecting an identification code from an information holder to which an identification code is attached, comprising: a main body having a holding space for holding the game device; an exposed portion provided on the outer circumference of the main body and exposing the detection unit; and a fitted portion provided on the outer circumference of the main body and fitting into a fitted portion provided on the information holder, wherein the exposed portion is positioned so as to be able to align with the identification code when the fitted portion is fitted into the fitted portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment, an information holder capable of accurately detecting identification codes can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the information holder in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the information holder in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the game peripheral device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the protrusions of the game peripheral device and the recesses of the information holder in Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the game device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing a game peripheral device equipped with a game accessory device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing the game system in Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings used to describe the embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for members having the same function, and repeated descriptions of them will be omitted. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, descriptions of the same or similar parts will not be repeated in principle, except when particularly necessary.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) <Configuration of information holder 10> The information holder 10 in Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Note that the information holder 10 may also constitute part of the toy set 100 together with the game peripheral device 20 described later. In other words, the information holder 10 may be sold on the market independently, or the toy set 100 including the information holder 10 may be sold on the market.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the information holder 10 has a main body 11 and a covering portion 12 that can cover the main body 11. Figure 1 shows the main body 11 exposed from the covering portion 12, and Figure 2 shows the main body 11 covered by the covering portion 12.

[0013] The main body 11 includes a first region 13 to which an identification code for holding game information is attached, and a second region 14 arranged around the first region 13. The identification code attached to the first region 13 is, for example, a two-dimensional code. Various patterns can be applied to the identification code to correspond to various game information. In addition, the two-dimensional code in Embodiment 1 also includes a code in which data cells are colored, or a code in which data cells are deformed and made three-dimensional. Furthermore, a one-dimensional code may be used instead of a two-dimensional code, as long as it can hold game information.

[0014] In the second area 14, at least one of, for example, a pattern related to game information and an explanation is attached as a decoration. In FIG. 1, a pattern 16 representing a character or the like related to game information is attached to a part of the second area 14. An explanation about the character may be attached to another part of the second area 14, or other decorations may be attached. In this way, by attaching a decoration such as the pattern 16 to the second area 14, the user can recognize the outline of the game information included in the identification code of the first area 13.

[0015] In FIG. 1, the identification code of the first area 13 and the pattern 16 of the second area 14 are, for example, seals, and these seals are attached to the main body 11. However, these may be directly drawn on the main body 11, or may be attached to the main body 11 by other means other than seals. Also, in the present embodiment, the identification code and the decoration attached to the main body 11 are attached to a predetermined surface of a sheet-like article, and an article having a holding part capable of holding the sheet-like article may be used as the information holding body 10 in a state where it holds the sheet-like article with the identification code and the decoration attached.

[0016] A connecting part 15a is provided on the main body 11, and a connecting part 15b that can be connected to the connecting part 15a is provided on the covering part 12. By displacing the covering part 12 with respect to the main body 11 in a state where the connecting part 15b is connected to the connecting part 15a, the second area 14 is covered by the covering part 12, and the first area 13 is exposed at the opening 17, and a covering state can be obtained, and an exposed state where the first area 13 and the second area 14 are exposed from the covering part 12.

[0017] In other words, a connecting part 15a integrated with the main body 11 is provided at an end of the main body 11, a connecting part 15b integrated with the covering part 12 is provided at an end of the covering part 12, and the connecting part 15a and the connecting part 15b are connected to each other. Then, by moving the main body 11 or the covering part 12 around the mutually connected connecting part 15a and connecting part 15b as an axis, it is possible to switch between the above covering state and the above exposed state.

[0018] The covering portion 12 is provided with an opening 17 that penetrates the covering portion 12. The opening area of the opening 17 is substantially the same as the area of the first region 13. Therefore, in response to the covering portion 12 covering the main body portion 11, the second region 14 is covered by the covering portion 12, and the first region 13 is exposed at the opening 17.

[0019] As will be described in detail later, the identification code of the first region 13 can be detected by the detection unit 33 of the game accessory device 32. At this time, it is desirable that the detection operation be performed in a state where the main body portion 11 is covered by the covering portion 12, and it is performed in a state where the first region 13 is exposed at the opening 17.

[0020] As described above, a second region 14 having various decorations such as a pattern 16 is provided around the first region 13. If the detection operation is performed in a state where the entire main body portion 11 is not covered by the covering portion 12, the decoration of the second region 14 may be confused with the identification code of the first region 13, and there is a risk of misrecognition due to the decoration of the second region 14.

[0021] In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, since the detection operation is performed in a state where only the first region 13 is exposed at the opening 17, the risk of the above misrecognition can be suppressed, and the identification code can be detected accurately. <00*0103> Also, a concave portion 18 is provided on the surface of the covering portion 12 near the opening 17 and in a state where the first main body portion 11 is covered by the covering portion 12. The concave portion 18 can be fitted with the convex portion 23 of the game peripheral device 20. The relationship between the concave portion 18 and the convex portion 23 will be described in detail later.

[0023] <Configuration of the game peripheral device 20> Hereinafter, the game peripheral device 20 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The game peripheral device 20 constitutes a part of the toy set 100 together with the information storage body 10.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the game peripheral device 20 has a main body 21, a mounting section 22, a protrusion 23, an opening 24, and an opening / closing section 25.

[0025] The mounting section 22 is located inside the main body 21 and is provided for mounting the game accessory 32, which will be described later. In other words, the mounting section 22 is a space for mounting the game accessory 32. A part of the main body 21 can be opened and closed at the opening / closing section 25, and the game accessory 32 can be inserted into or removed from the mounting section 22 via the opening / closing section 25.

[0026] The opening 24 is provided on the outer circumference of the main body. When the game accessory 32 is mounted on the mounting section 22, the detection section 33 of the game accessory 32 is exposed at the opening 24 (see Figure 6).

[0027] The protrusion 23 is provided on the outer circumference of the main body and is located near the opening 24. The protrusion 23 can also be fitted into the recess 18 of the information holder 10.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the shapes of the recess 18 and the protrusion 23 are almost the same, but it is desirable that they are not shapes that exhibit rotational symmetry, such as a perfect circle or a regular polygon. If the shapes of the recess 18 and the protrusion 23 were perfect circles, the game peripheral device 20 could be joined to the information holder 10 in various orientations. Alternatively, the game peripheral device 20 could rotate relative to the information holder 10 around the fitted recess 18 and protrusion 23 as axes.

[0029] This makes it difficult to align the opening 17 of the information holder 10 with the opening 24 of the game peripheral device 20, and thus difficult to align the openings 17 and 24. Consequently, it becomes difficult to align the detection unit 33 exposed in the opening 24 with the identification code of the first region 13 exposed in the opening 17, and the time required for the detection operation increases.

[0030] In Embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 4, the shape of the recess 18 and the shape of the protrusion 23 are almost the same, and the shapes are not rotationally symmetrical. When the protrusion 23 is fitted into the recess 18, the rotation of the main body 21 relative to the information holder 10 is restricted. Therefore, the game peripheral device 20 can only be joined to the information holder 10 in a specific orientation and does not rotate relative to the information holder 10.

[0031] Therefore, the process of positioning openings 17 and 24 toward each other can be easily performed, making it easier to detect the identification code. Furthermore, the time required for the detection operation can be reduced.

[0032] <Configuration of game device 30 and game system 200> The game device 30 and game system 200 in Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 7 shows the game system 200 in Embodiment 1, which comprises a toy set 100 (information holder 10, game peripheral device 20) and the following game device 30.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the game device 30 comprises a game main unit 31 and a game accessory device 32. The game accessory device 32 is attached to the game main unit 31 but is detachable from the game main unit 31.

[0034] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the game main unit 31 includes an execution unit 37, a control unit 36 ​​electrically connected to the execution unit 37, and a receiving unit 35 electrically connected to the control unit 36.

[0035] The execution unit 37 is configured to include, for example, a monitor and an image processing unit, and can execute game content based on control signals from the control unit 36. The control unit 36 ​​can control the game content executed in the execution unit 37 and can process information transmitted from the receiving unit 35. The receiving unit 35 can receive information transmitted from the game accessory device 32.

[0036] The game accessory device 32 also includes a detection unit 33 and a transmission unit 34 electrically connected to the detection unit 33. The game accessory device 32 is also provided with operating devices such as buttons 40 and a stick 41 for the user to operate the game content on the execution unit 37.

[0037] The detection unit 33 includes, for example, a camera and an image processing unit, and can detect the identification code in the first area 13 and transmit the game information held in the identification code to the transmission unit 34. The transmission unit 34 can transmit the information to the receiving unit 35 of the game main unit 31. The communication between the transmission unit 34 and the receiving unit 35 is contactless, for example, wireless.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, the game accessory 32 is mounted on the mounting section 22 of the game peripheral device 20. With the game accessory 32 mounted on the mounting section 22, the detection section 33 is exposed through the opening 24. The buttons 40 and the stick 41 are exposed through other openings provided in the main body 21 of the game peripheral device 20.

[0039] With the game accessory device 32 mounted on the mounting section 22, the main body 11 of the information holder 10 covered by the covering section 12, and the protrusion 23 fitted into the recess 18, the detection section 33 is capable of detecting the identification code. At this time, the identification code exposed in the opening 17 and the detection section 33 exposed in the opening 24 are separated by a predetermined distance in the fitting direction of the recess 18 and the protrusion 23, so that the detection section 33 can detect the identification code.

[0040] For example, if the detection unit 33 and the first region 13 are in contact, it becomes difficult for the camera of the detection unit 33 to read the identification code of the first region 13. By maintaining a predetermined distance between the detection unit 33 and the identification code, it becomes easier to focus the camera of the detection unit 33 on the identification code. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the detection unit 33 can be improved. In Embodiment 1, the depth of the recess 18, the length of the protrusion 23, the position of the opening 17, and the position of the opening 24 are designed so that the predetermined distance described above is maintained when the protrusion 23 is fitted into the recess 18.

[0041] The method for acquiring a series of game information by the game system 200 in Embodiment 1 will be explained below with reference to Figure 7. This method for acquiring a series of game information is basically performed when the game accessory device 32 is mounted on the mounting section 22, the main body section 11 is covered by the covering section 12, and the recessed section 18 and the convex section 23 are fitted together.

[0042] First, the detection unit 33 detects the identification code in the first area 13 and transmits the game information held in the identification code to the transmission unit 34. Next, the transmission unit 34 transmits the game information transmitted from the detection unit 33 to the receiving unit 35. Next, the receiving unit 35 transmits the received game information to the control unit 36. Next, the control unit 36 ​​causes the execution unit 37 to execute the game content based on the game information transmitted from the receiving unit 35.

[0043] In this way, the game information held by the information holder 10 can be reflected in the game content played by the game device 30.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described in detail based on embodiments above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from its essence.

[0045] For example, the toy set 100 may have not just one information holder 10, but multiple information holders 10. In that case, the multiple information holders 10 do not need to contain the same game information, but may each contain different game information. That is, the identification code of each first area 13 of the multiple information holders 10 may consist of different patterns.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the game device 30 is described as being composed of a game main unit 31 and a game accessory 32 that is detachable from the game main unit 31, with the game accessory 32 mounted on the game peripheral device 20. However, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration, and the same effects as in this embodiment can be obtained by mounting part or all of the game machine 30, in which the game main unit 31 and the game accessory 32 are integrated, on the game peripheral device 20, and configuring the detection unit 33 of the game main unit 31 to be exposed through the opening 24. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 10 Information carrier 11 Main body 12 Covering part 13 First area 14 Second area 15a, 15b connection part 16 designs 17 Opening 18 recesses 20 Gaming Peripherals 21 Main body 22 Mounting section 23 Convex part 24 openings 25 Opening / Closing Section 30 game devices 31 Game console 32 Game Accessories 33 Detection unit 34 Transmitter 35 Receiving section 36 Control Unit 37 Execution Department 40 buttons 41 Sticks 100 Toy Set 200 Game Systems

Claims

1. A game peripheral device having a detection unit for detecting an identification code from an information holder to which an identification code is attached, The main body has a holding space for holding the game device, An exposed portion is provided on the outer circumference of the main body portion, exposing the detection portion, A fitting portion is provided on the outer circumference of the main body and fits into a fitting portion provided on the information holder, Equipped with, The exposed portion is positioned to allow alignment of the exposed portion and the identification code when the fitting portion is fitted to the fitted portion, in a game peripheral device.

2. In the game peripheral device according to Claim 1, A game peripheral device in which the fitting portion is composed of a protrusion and the fitted portion is composed of a recess into which the protrusion can be fitted.

3. In the game peripheral device according to Claim 2, A game peripheral device in which the portion where the convex portion and the concave portion join together has substantially the same shape.

4. In the game peripheral device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The fitting portion is configured such that, when fitted to the fitted portion, the detection portion faces a specific orientation relative to the identification code, in a game peripheral device.

5. In the game peripheral device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The fitting portion is configured in a shape that restricts the rotation of the main body relative to the identification code when fitted to the fitted portion, in a game peripheral device.

Images