Information processing system, information processing program, and information processing method

Abstract

This information processing system comprises: a controller that includes a vibrator and allows user operation in a plurality of states including a first state in which the controller is operated on a work surface and a second state in which the controller is operated away from the work surface; and a control unit that vibrates the vibrator when a predetermined condition is satisfied. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, if the operation state of the controller is the first state, the control unit vibrates the vibrator more strongly than in the second state.

Description

Technical Field

[0007] ,

[0001] This disclosure relates to information processing for controlling a controller provided with a vibrator.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a controller provided with a vibrator has been known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above technology, there was room to provide appropriate vibrations to the user when using a new controller.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In view of the above points, for example, the following configuration examples can be cited.

[0006] (Configuration 1) Configuration 1 includes a controller capable of user operation in a plurality of states including a first state in which it is provided with a vibrator and operated on a work surface, and a second state in which it is operated away from the work surface, and a control unit that vibrates the vibrator when a predetermined condition is satisfied. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit vibrates the vibrator more strongly when the operation state of the controller is in the first state than when it is in the second state.

[0007] Even if the same intensity of vibration is output to the controller, the user's perception may differ depending on whether the controller is on the work surface (first state) or not (second state). In this regard, the above configuration example makes it possible to make the perceived vibration similar when the controller is in the first state and the second state, provided that the predetermined conditions are met.

[0008] (Configuration 2) Configuration 2 is a configuration in which, after the control unit starts the vibration when the controller's operating state is in the first state, the intensity of the vibration may not change even if the controller's operating state changes from the first state to the second state, until the control related to the vibration is completed.

[0009] (Composition 3) Configuration 3 is a configuration in which, after the control unit starts vibration when the controller's operating state is in the second state, the intensity of the vibration may not change even if the controller's operating state changes from the second state to the first state, until the control related to the vibration is completed.

[0010] According to the above configuration example, the risk of discomfort arising from changes in vibration intensity during the vibration process, once the vibration has started at a predetermined strength, can be reduced.

[0011] (Composition 4) Configuration 4 is one of the above configurations 1 to 3, in which the control unit may change the frequency at which the vibrator vibrates depending on whether the controller is in the first state or the second state.

[0012] According to the above configuration example, it is possible to vibrate at a frequency corresponding to the state, and the perceived vibration in the first state and the second state can be made closer.

[0013] (Composition 5) Configuration 5, in any of the above configurations 1 to 4, may further include a vibration setting unit in which the user can set at least one of the vibration intensity of the oscillator in the first state and the second state.

[0014] According to the above configuration example, the perceived vibration can be made more similar between the first and second states. It is conceivable that there will be individual differences among users in how hard they press the controller against the work surface in the first state and how they hold the controller in the second state. Therefore, by allowing users to set the intensity of the vibration in each state themselves, the optimal degree to which the perceived vibration in each state can be confirmed and set by the user. As a result, the perceived vibration can be made more similar between the first and second states, taking into account the individual differences mentioned above.

[0015] (Composition 6) Configuration 6 may further include a determination unit that determines whether the controller is on the work surface, in any of the above configurations 1 to 5. The first state may be the state in which it is determined that the controller is on the work surface, and the second state may be the state in which it is determined that the controller is not on the work surface.

[0016] According to the above configuration example, it is possible to determine whether the first or second state is in place by determining whether or not the controller is placed on the work surface. This allows the vibration intensity to be automatically adjusted according to the state of the controller.

[0017] (Composition 7) Configuration 7 is one of the above configurations 1 to 5, in which the controller may further include a physical switch that the user can operate to switch between two states. The first state may be the state when the switch is in the third state, and the second state may be the state when the switch is in the fourth state.

[0018] According to the above configuration example, it is possible to determine whether the controller is in the first or second state based on the state of a physical switch provided on the controller. Furthermore, the user can explicitly set the state of the controller by toggling the switch.

[0019] (Composition 8) Configuration 8 may be such that, in any of the above Configurations 1 to 5, the first state is a state in which a predetermined process is executed in response to a predetermined operation on the controller, and the second state is a state in which a process different from the predetermined process is executed in response to the predetermined operation.

[0020] According to the above configuration example, it is possible to execute an appropriate process according to the operation state of the controller, such as a difference in the way of holding the controller, and to provide an appropriate vibration strength according to each state.

[0021] (Configuration 9) Configuration 9 may be such that, in any of the above Configurations 1 to 8, the controller may have a shape that can be held by a user with one hand.

[0022] When the controller is held and operated with one hand, the user squeezes the controller, making it easier to feel the vibration of the controller. In this regard, when the controller is operated without squeezing, there is a possibility that the physical sensation of the vibration of the controller will be felt weaker due to the difference between the case of squeezing and the case of not squeezing. According to the above configuration example, it is possible to reduce the difference in physical sensation due to such a way of holding the controller.

[0023] (Configuration 10) Configuration 10 may be such that, in any of the above Configurations 1 to 9, the controller may be capable of mouse operation on a work surface.

Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to the present disclosure, appropriate vibration control can be performed according to the usage mode of the controller.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] Block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing system 1 [Figure 2] An example of the appearance of the controller 4 [Figure 3] An example of the operation mode of the controller 4 [Figure 4]An example of controller 4's posture [Figure 5] An example of how to operate the controller 4. [Figure 6] An example of various data stored in the storage unit 22 of the information processing device 2. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating the details of game processing. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] One embodiment will be described below.

[0027] [Hardware configuration of information processing device 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. In Figure 1, the information processing system 1 comprises an information processing device 2, a display unit 3, and a controller 4. The information processing device 2 comprises a processor 21. The processor 21 is an information processing unit that executes various information processing operations performed by the information processing device 2. In this embodiment, the processor 21 is composed of a SoC (System-on-a-chip) that includes at least a CPU (Central Processing Unit) function and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) function. In other embodiments, the CPU and GPU may be configured separately. The processor 21 executes various information processing operations by executing information processing programs stored in the storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 may be, for example, an internal storage medium such as flash memory or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), or it may be configured to utilize an external storage medium mounted in a slot (not shown). The information processing device may be, for example, a game device, a personal computer, or a server.

[0028] Furthermore, the information processing device 2 includes a communication unit 23 for communicating with other information processing devices and predetermined servers.

[0029] Furthermore, the information processing device 2 includes an input device communication unit 24 for the information processing device 2 to communicate with various input devices via wired or wireless communication. In this embodiment, an example of an input device using a controller 4 will be described.

[0030] Furthermore, a display unit 3 (for example, a monitor) is connected to the information processing device 2 via an image and sound output unit 25. The processor 21 outputs images and sounds generated by the execution of the above-mentioned information processing to the display unit 3 via the image and sound output unit 25.

[0031] Next, we will describe the controller 4. First, we will describe an example of the appearance and usage of the controller 4 assumed in this embodiment.

[0032] Figure 2 shows an example of the external appearance of the controller 4. In the example shown in Figure 2, the controller 4 comprises a roughly plate-shaped housing 41. In this embodiment, the main surface of the housing 41 (the front surface in the front-rear direction shown in Figure 2) is roughly rectangular in shape. In this embodiment, the housing 41 is elongated in the left-right direction as shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, the lower corner portion of the main surface of the housing 41 in Figure 2 is more rounded than the upper corner portion.

[0033] The controller 4 can be held in a vertical orientation, as shown in Figure 3. Although not shown in the illustration, it can also be held in a horizontal orientation. When the controller 4 is held horizontally, it may be held with both hands, with the right side facing upwards as shown in Figure 2, and the left side facing left.

[0034] The shape of the housing 41 is arbitrary, and in other embodiments, the housing 41 does not have to be substantially plate-shaped. Also, the housing 41 does not have to be rectangular in shape, but may be semicircular, for example. Furthermore, the housing 41 does not have to be vertically elongated in shape.

[0035] In Figure 2, the controller 4 is equipped with an analog stick 42 as a directional input unit. The controller 4 is also equipped with four operation buttons 43-46 (specifically, A button 43, B button 44, X button 45, and Y button 46). Furthermore, the controller 4 is equipped with a home button 47. As shown in Figure 2, these analog stick 42, each of the operation buttons 43-46, and the home button 47 are provided on the main surface of the housing 41.

[0036] The controller 4 also includes an R button 48. In the example shown in Figure 2, the R button 48 is located on the lower right portion of the side of the housing 41. In this embodiment, since the lower right portion of the housing 41 has a rounded shape, the R button 48 has a rounded shape corresponding to the roundness of that lower right portion of the housing 41. The number and position of the operation buttons on the controller 4 are arbitrary. For example, an operation button may be provided on the upper side of the controller 4, which is particularly used when the controller is held horizontally. Also, for example, another operation button may be provided on the main surface of the controller 4.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, an opening 50 for a mouse sensor is provided on the upper side of the controller 4. The controller 4 has a mouse operation sensor 103. The mouse operation sensor 103 is located inside the mouse sensor opening 50. The mouse operation sensor 103 is, for example, an optical mouse sensor. The mouse operation sensor 103, although not shown in the figure, includes, for example, a light source and a light receiving sensor. The controller 4 may also be equipped with a lens for focusing the light emitted from the light source and / or the light guided to the light receiving sensor.

[0038] By providing the mouse operation sensor 103 described above, the controller 4 can also be used as a mouse. When the controller 4 is placed on a work surface so that the surface on which the mouse sensor opening 50 is provided (the upper surface in Figure 2) faces the work surface, the mouse sensor opening 50 is in a position close to the work surface. Therefore, the mouse sensor opening 50 can effectively capture reflected light from the work surface. Figure 4 shows the posture when the controller 4 is used as a mouse. When the controller 4 is used as a mouse, at least a portion of the upper surface of the controller 4 is in contact with the work surface. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the controller 4 is used as a mouse. As shown in Figure 5, the user's palm is positioned so as to cover the lower surface of the controller 4. The user's right thumb is positioned on the front side. For example, the user's right thumb rests on the analog stick 42. The user's right index finger is positioned on the R button 48.

[0039] As described above, the controller 4 of this embodiment can be operated in multiple states, including a state in which the controller 4 is mainly operated away from the work surface, such as when it is held and operated with one hand as shown in Figure 3, or when it is held and operated with both hands, and a state in which the controller 4 is mainly in contact with the work surface and operated as a mouse, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. In the following description, the state in which the controller 4 is in contact with the work surface and operated as a mouse will be referred to as the "contact state." The state in which the controller 4 is operated away from the work surface will be referred to as the "separated state." Note that even when it is being operated as a mouse, for example, if the user lifts the controller 4 to adjust its position, it may enter the separated state.

[0040] Returning to Figure 1, the hardware configuration of the controller 4 will be explained. In Figure 1, the controller 4 includes a communication control unit 101 that communicates with the information processing device 2. The communication control unit 101 is connected to the various components described later. In this embodiment, the communication control unit 101 can communicate with the information processing device 2 both by wired communication via a predetermined connection terminal (not shown) and by wireless communication without using the connection terminal. For example, the controller 4 can be detachably attached to the information processing device 2, and when attached, wired communication may be performed. In this example, the case of wireless communication will be explained. That is, the communication control unit 101 performs wireless communication with the input device communication unit 24. Wireless communication between the input device communication unit 24 and the communication control unit 101 is performed according to the Bluetooth® standard, for example.

[0041] Each button 102 of the controller 4 (specifically, the four operation buttons 43-46, the home button 47, and the R button 48) and the analog stick 42 repeatedly output information about the operations performed on them to the communication control unit 101 at appropriate intervals.

[0042] The mouse operation sensor 103 detects the reflected light from the ground surface of the light source. The detection result of the mouse operation sensor 103 is repeatedly output to the communication control unit 101 at appropriate intervals.

[0043] The communication control unit 101 acquires information related to the input (specifically, information related to the operation or detection results from the sensor) from each input unit. The communication control unit 101 transmits operation data, including the acquired information (or information that has been processed in a predetermined manner), to the information processing device 2. The operation data is transmitted repeatedly at a rate of once at predetermined intervals. The interval at which information related to the input is transmitted to the information processing device 2 may or may not be the same for each input unit.

[0044] When the above operation data is transmitted to the information processing device 2, the information processing device 2 can know the input made to the controller 4. For example, the information processing device 2 can know the operation of each button 102 and the analog stick 42 based on the operation data. In addition, the information processing device 2 can know the movement parameters (e.g., direction of movement and distance of movement) related to the movement of the controller 4 relative to the work surface based on the detection results of the mouse operation sensor 103. Furthermore, the information processing device 2 in this example can determine whether the controller 4 is grounded or not, in other words, whether it is in the grounded state or the separated state, based on the operation data.

[0045] Furthermore, the controller 4 includes an oscillator 107. In this embodiment, the oscillator 107 is controlled by a command from the information processing device 2. That is, when the communication control unit 101 receives the above command from the information processing device 2, it drives the oscillator 107 according to the command. Here, the controller 4 includes an amplifier 106. When the communication control unit 101 receives the above command, it outputs a control signal corresponding to the command to the amplifier 106. The amplifier 106 amplifies the control signal from the communication control unit 101 and generates a drive signal to drive the oscillator 107, which is then supplied to the oscillator 107. This causes the oscillator 107 to operate. The oscillator 107 may be any type of actuator that generates vibration.

[0046] [Regarding the processing assumed in this embodiment] Next, an overview of the information processing assumed in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the controller 4 is vibrated when predetermined conditions are met in information processing, such as game processing. One example of a situation in which the controller 4 is vibrated is when predetermined conditions are met in game processing and an explosion effect is executed in the game. Another example is when the player character is moved in response to predetermined user operations in game processing. Another example of a situation other than game processing in which the controller 4 is vibrated is when the system software notifies the user of news reception. In this embodiment, when the controller 4 is vibrated due to the fulfillment of predetermined conditions for such vibration, if the controller 4 is in the grounded state, the vibration is controlled to be stronger than when it is separated from the ground. In this example, as an example of control to make the vibration stronger, the amplitude is increased to make the vibration stronger. Here, when the controller 4 is in the ground, the vibration escapes to the work surface, so it is conceivable that the user will feel the vibration less compared to when it is separated from the work surface. In other words, even if the same vibration strength is output, the user's perception may be weaker when the controller 4 is placed on the work surface than when the controller 4 is lifted. From this perspective, in this embodiment, when the predetermined conditions for vibration are met and the controller 4 is in a grounded state, the controller is controlled to vibrate more strongly than when it is in a separated state. This brings the perceived vibration closer in the mouse operation state and the controller operation state when the predetermined conditions are met.

[0047] The details of the processing according to this embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, as an example of information processing, a game process that vibrates the controller 4 during the explosion scene described above will be explained as an example.

[0048] [Examples of data used] Next, the various data used in the processing of this embodiment will be described. Figure 6 is a memory map showing an example of various data stored in the storage unit 22 of the information processing device 2. The storage unit 22 stores the game application 601, operation data 608, vibration flag 612, and the like.

[0049] The game application 601 includes a game program 602 and game data 603. The game program 602 is a program for executing game processing according to this embodiment.

[0050] Game data 603 consists of various types of data used in the game processing. In Figure 6, game data 603 includes vibration control data 604. The vibration control data 604 includes vibration data 606 for the grounded state and vibration data 607 for the separated state. In this example, the vibration control data defines the vibration content during explosion scenes in the game. For example, the vibration control data is called when the player character uses a bomb in response to user input, or when an explosion scene is played in the video played during the game. The vibration data 606 for the grounded state defines the vibration content for vibrating the controller 4 when it is grounded. The vibration data 607 for the separated state defines the vibration content for vibrating the controller 4 when it is separated. Each data set includes, as an example, amplitude information and frequency information for a certain period of time. In this embodiment, the amplitude is set to be larger when it is grounded than when it is separated, as described above. In other embodiments, for example, different vibration frequencies may be set for the grounded state and the separated state. In this case, the vibration frequency will also change depending on the state of the controller 4. For example, the grounded state may be set to a higher frequency or a lower frequency than the separated state. By changing the frequency according to the state of controller 4, the perceived vibration in both states can be made more similar.

[0051] For the sake of explanation, this example shows only one vibration control data 604; however, multiple vibration control data 604 may be provided depending on the situation in which the controller 4 is to be vibrated.

[0052] Although not shown in the diagram, game data 603 also includes data on various objects that appear in the game, as well as various image and sound data.

[0053] Operation data 608 is data that indicates the operation performed on the controller 4. Operation data 608 includes button operation data 609, stick operation data 610, and mouse operation data 611. Button operation data 609 is data that indicates the pressed state of the various buttons. Stick operation data 610 is data that indicates the input direction and input amount of the analog stick 42. Mouse operation data 611 is data that indicates the detection result of the mouse operation sensor 103.

[0054] The vibration flag 612 is a flag that indicates whether or not the controller 4 (more precisely, the vibrator 107) is currently being controlled to vibrate (vibration control). When vibration control is in progress, the vibration flag 612 is set to "on". The initial value of the vibration flag 612 is "off".

[0055] [Example flowchart] Next, an example of a flowchart for the game processing will be described. In this embodiment, the flowchart shown below is realized by one or more processors reading and executing programs stored in one or more memories. Furthermore, this flowchart is merely one example of the processing process. Therefore, the processing order of each step may be changed if the same result can be obtained. Also, the values ​​of the variables and the thresholds used in the judgment step are merely examples, and other values ​​may be used as needed.

[0056] Figure 9 is a flowchart detailing an example of game processing according to this embodiment. The processing loop of steps S1 to S12 in Figure 7 is repeated multiple times per second depending on the frame rate.

[0057] First, in step S1, the processor 21 obtains operation data 608.

[0058] Next, in step S2, the processor 21 determines whether the controller 4 is currently performing vibration control based on the vibration flag 612. Specifically, if the vibration data defined by the grounding state vibration data 606 or the separated state vibration data 607 is being played back, it is determined that vibration control is in progress. If the result of this determination is that vibration control is not in progress (NO in step S2), then in step S3, the processor 21 determines whether the conditions for starting vibration control of the controller 4 (vibration start conditions) have been met. If the result of this determination is that the vibration start conditions have not been met (NO in step S3), the process proceeds to step S11 described below. On the other hand, if the vibration start conditions have been met (YES in step S3), in step S4, the processor 21 sets the vibration flag 612 to ON.

[0059] Next, in step S5, the processor 21 determines whether the controller 4 is in the grounded state or the separated state based on the mouse operation data 611. That is, it determines whether the controller 4 is placed on the work surface in the posture shown in Figure 4. Any method can be used for this determination, but for example, based on the mouse operation data 611, if the reflected light is detected, it is determined to be in the grounded state, and if it is not detected, it is determined to be in the separated state. Alternatively, for example, it may be determined that the controller 4 is in the grounded state when a change in the value related to the reflected light occurs, that is, when it is detected that the controller 4 is moving on the work surface.

[0060] If the above determination determines that the grounding state is met (YES in step S5), in step S6, the processor 21 starts reproducing the vibration data defined in the grounding state vibration data 606 corresponding to the satisfied vibration start conditions. After that, the process proceeds to step S11, which will be described later.

[0061] On the other hand, if the above determination determines that the device is not in a grounded state, i.e., in a separated state (NO in step S5), then in step S7, the processor 21 starts reproducing the vibration data defined by the separated state vibration data 607 corresponding to the satisfied vibration start conditions. After that, the process proceeds to step S11, which will be described later.

[0062] Here, as described above, the vibration intensity for the grounded state is pre-set to be stronger than that for the separated state. Therefore, as a result of the control described above, for example, even in the same explosion scene, controller 4 will vibrate more strongly when it is grounded than when it is separated.

[0063] Next, we will explain the process when, as a result of the determination in step S2, it is determined that vibration control is in progress (NO in step S2). In this case, first, in step S8, the processor 21 continues the vibration data playback process. Next, in step S9, the processor 21 determines whether or not the vibration data playback has finished. If, as a result of this determination, the vibration data playback has finished (YES in step S9), in step S10, the processor 21 sets the vibration flag 612 to off. After that, the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if the vibration data playback has not yet finished (NO in step S9), the process in step S10 is skipped.

[0064] Through the control described above, in this embodiment, when the controller 4 is performing vibration control, even if the state of the controller 4 changes, the vibration control continues at the intensity defined by the vibration data being played back. In other words, if vibration control is started when the controller 4 is in a grounded state, even if the state changes to a separated state during that vibration, the vibration intensity will remain at the intensity for the grounded state and will not change. The same applies in the reverse case. This type of control reduces the risk of causing discomfort to the user due to changes in vibration intensity during vibration by the controller 4.

[0065] Next, in step S11, the processor 21 performs other game processing and outputs game images and sounds that reflect the results of that processing.

[0066] Next, in step S12, the processor 21 determines whether the conditions for terminating the game process have been met. If the conditions are not met (NO in step S12), the process returns to step S1 and is repeated. If the conditions are met (YES in step S12), the game process is terminated.

[0067] Thus, in this embodiment, when the controller 4 is in a grounded state, where it is placed on the work surface and operated, the controller 4 is controlled to vibrate more strongly than when it is in a separated state, where it is operated away from the work surface. This makes the perceived vibration under predetermined conditions similar whether the controller 4 is placed on the work surface or not.

[0068] [Differentiation] In the above-described embodiment, the case in which vibration data for vibrating the controller 4 is prepared in advance was explained as an example. In other embodiments, the system may be configured so that the user can set the vibration intensity in the grounded state and the vibration intensity in the separated state.

[0069] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the controller 4 is determined to be in a grounded or separated state based on mouse operation data 611. However, the determination of whether it is grounded or separated may be made by other means. For example, the determination of whether it is grounded or separated may be made by an acceleration sensor or a gyroscope sensor if the controller 4 is equipped with one, or by an external camera or the like.

[0070] Regarding the vibration control data 604 described above, the example above shows an example where it is pre-prepared as part of a game application (part of game data). As another example, the information processing device 2 system may have vibration control data. For example, when a predetermined notification condition on the system is met, vibration based on the vibration control data held by the system may be realized.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the game application had vibration data for a grounded state and vibration data for a separated state as vibration data corresponding to a certain vibration initiation condition. However, for example, the game application may have only one vibration data corresponding to a certain vibration initiation condition and output the vibration data (hereinafter referred to as the basic vibration data) by changing it according to the state of the controller 4. For example, when the controller 4 is in a grounded state, vibration control may be performed by amplifying the amplitude of the basic vibration data. Alternatively, when the controller 4 is in a separated state, vibration control may be performed by decreasing the amplitude of the basic vibration data. The basic vibration data may be vibration data for when the controller 4 is in a grounded state or vibration data for when it is separated.

[0072] As another example, the game application may output vibration data to the system regardless of the state of the controller 4, and the system may perform processing according to the state of the controller 4. For example, the game program may be configured to output both ground-contact vibration data 606 and separated-contact vibration data 607 to the system when a predetermined vibration start condition is met. The system may then perform vibration control using either one of these depending on the state of the controller 4. Alternatively, the game application may output basic vibration data to the system, and the system may modify the basic vibration data according to the state of the controller 4.

[0073] Another example is a game application or system that generates vibration data each time in response to the vibration start conditions described above. In this case, the strength of the generated vibrations may be varied by taking into account the state of controller 4 at that time.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was given in which the processor 21 determines whether the controller 4 is in a grounded state or a separated state. In other embodiments, however, the controller 4 itself may be configured to determine its state instead of the processor 21.

[0075] Furthermore, the controller 4 may or may not be aware of its own state. In the latter case, for example, the controller 4 may not be aware of its own state and may always send the same set of input signals to the information processing device 2, which then determines and stores the state of the controller 4.

[0076] Furthermore, the user may be able to set the vibration intensity when the controller 4 is grounded and / or separated. For example, the user may be able to set how much stronger or weaker the vibration intensity is in the grounded and separated states compared to a reference vibration intensity. Alternatively, the user may be able to set how much stronger the vibration intensity is in the grounded state compared to the separated state.

[0077] Furthermore, the above embodiments and modifications illustrate how the intensity of vibration is controlled depending on whether the controller 4 is in a grounded state or a separated state. In addition, the intensity of vibration may be controlled according to the operating state of the controller 4. For example, the intensity of vibration may be controlled depending on whether the controller 4 is mainly operated as a grip controller like a general game controller, separated from the ground, such as when it is held and operated with one hand as shown in Figure 3 or when it is held and operated with both hands (hereinafter referred to as the "controller operating state"), or whether it is mainly operated as a mouse on a work surface, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 (hereinafter referred to as the "mouse operating state"). Specifically, when the controller 4 is in the mouse operating state, the vibration may be stronger than when it is in the controller operating state. Note that in the mouse operating state, the controller 4 is mainly operated on a work surface, so it can be said to correspond to an operating state on a work surface, similar to the grounded state described above. In the controller operating state, the controller 4 is mainly lifted and operated, so it can be said to correspond to an operating state away from the work surface, similar to the separated state described above. When controller 4 is in mouse operation mode, as mentioned above, vibrations may escape onto the work surface. In addition, because controller 4 is not held firmly in a grip as it is in controller operation mode, but rather rested on, the user's perception of vibrations may be further weakened. Therefore, by making the vibration stronger in mouse operation mode than in controller operation mode, a similar vibration sensation can be provided regardless of how controller 4 is being used.

[0078] Furthermore, the processing performed for the same input input may differ between mouse operation and controller operation. For example, the processing performed in an application or system when the R button 48 is pressed may differ between mouse operation and controller operation. Alternatively, operations on some input inputs may be ignored in some operation states. Or, if an input input for directional control, such as an analog stick 42, is operated in a certain direction, different processing corresponding to the direction may be performed in mouse operation and controller operation. For example, the interpretation of directional input may differ between mouse operation and controller operation.

[0079] The method for determining whether the controller 4 is operating as a mouse or as a controller is not particularly limited. For example, the controller 4 may have a physical switch that can be switched by the user, and the processor 21 may determine which state it is based on the state of the physical switch. Alternatively, the information processing device 2 may perform a process to allow the user to specify the operating state of the controller 4 to be used at startup or during startup. In this process, the information processing device 2 may, for example, determine that the controller 4 is in a grounded state when a predetermined button on the controller 4 is pressed, and determine that the controller 4 is in a separated state when another predetermined button is pressed. Alternatively, the user may be able to arbitrarily select the above operating state from the game application or system settings menu.

[0080] Furthermore, the one-handed operation state as shown in Figure 3 and the operation state in which the controller 4 is held and operated with both hands may be set as separate operation states. In this case, the vibration may be weaker than that of the mouse operation state in either operation state, or at least in one of the operation states the vibration may be weaker than that of the mouse operation state. Furthermore, there may be three or more other operation states for the controller, and there may be other operation states in addition to or instead of the controller operation state and the mouse operation state.

[0081] Furthermore, although the controller 4 was capable of mouse operation in the above embodiment, it is not required to be capable of mouse operation. For example, instead of mouse operation, the controller 4 may be tilted while being placed on the ground, or pressed against the ground. Also, although the controller 4 was capable of being operated while being lifted in the above embodiment, it may be capable of mouse operation only. Even if only mouse operation is possible, it may still be possible to operate the buttons on the controller 4 when it is separated from the controller.

[0082] In other embodiments, in addition to changing the intensity of vibration as described above according to the state of the controller 4, or instead of changing the intensity, other parameters related to vibration may be changed. For example, consider a control that creates the illusion for the user that they are being pulled in one direction by vibration. In this case, the parameters related to vibration may be changed so that the sensation is similar when the device is in contact with the ground and when it is separated from the ground.

[0083] In other embodiments, for example, the controller 4 may be controlled to not vibrate when it is in the grounded state. Conversely, the controller 4 may be controlled to not vibrate when it is in the separated state.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example of control was shown in which, when the controller 4 is started to vibrate while in a grounded state, the vibration intensity is not changed even if the state of the controller 4 changes to a separated state during vibration control. In this regard, in other embodiments, the vibration intensity may be changed according to the state of the controller 4 even during vibration. For example, if the controller 4 changes to a separated state while being vibrated based on vibration data for the grounded state, the control may be switched to vibration data for the separated state in response to the change in state.

[0085] Furthermore, although the above embodiment illustrates the case where there is one controller 4, two or more controllers 4 may be used. In this case, the same processing may be performed on a specific or unspecified controller 4 among the two or more controllers 4, or the same processing may be performed on all of the two or more controllers.

[0086] Furthermore, the above embodiment described a case in which the above processing is performed on a single information processing device 2. The information processing device 2 may include multiple storage devices and processors. The processing may be divided among these and executed by each of them. In addition, the information processing device may be a server, and the above processing may be performed in a distributed system consisting of multiple information processing devices including the server. [Industrial applicability]

[0087] The information processing system, information processing program, and information processing method described herein can provide information processing that causes a controller to vibrate appropriately. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0088] 2. Information Processing Device 4 controllers 21 processors 22 Memory section 24 Input Device Communication Unit

Claims

1. A controller equipped with a vibrator, capable of user operation in multiple states, including a first state in which it is operated on a work surface and a second state in which it is operated away from the work surface, The system includes a control unit that vibrates the vibrator when predetermined conditions are met, The control unit is an information processing system that, when the predetermined conditions are met, vibrates the vibrator more strongly when the controller is in the first state than when it is in the second state.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts the vibration when the operating state of the controller is in the first state, and does not change the intensity of the vibration even if the operating state of the controller changes from the first state to the second state until the control related to the vibration is completed.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts the vibration when the controller is in the second state, and until the control related to the vibration is completed, the intensity of the vibration does not change even if the controller's operating state changes from the second state to the first state.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the frequency at which the vibrator vibrates depending on whether the controller is in the first state or the second state.

5. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration setting unit that allows a user to set at least one of the vibration intensity of the oscillator in the first state and the second state.

6. The information processing system further includes a determination unit that determines whether the controller is on the work surface, The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first state is determined to be a state in which the controller is located on the work surface, and the second state is determined to be a state in which the controller is not located on the work surface.

7. The controller further includes a physical switch that allows the user to switch between two states. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first state is the state when the switch is in the third state, and the second state is the state when the switch is in the fourth state.

8. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first state is a state in which a predetermined process is executed in response to a predetermined operation on the controller, and the second state is a state in which a process different from the predetermined process is executed in response to the predetermined operation.

9. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the controller is shaped so that a user can grasp it with one hand.

10. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the controller is a controller capable of mouse operation on the work surface.

11. A processor in an information processing system that includes a controller equipped with an oscillator and capable of user operation in multiple states, including a first state in which it is operated on a work surface and a second state in which it is operated away from the work surface, When the predetermined conditions are met, the vibrator is vibrated, An information processing program that, when the predetermined conditions are met, causes the oscillator to vibrate more strongly than when the controller is in the first state than when it is in the second state.

12. A processor in an information processing system that includes a controller equipped with an oscillator and capable of user operation in multiple states, including a first state in which it is operated on a work surface and a second state in which it is operated away from the work surface, When the predetermined conditions are met, the vibrator is vibrated, An information processing method in which, when the predetermined conditions are met, the operating state of the controller is the first state, the vibrator is vibrated more strongly than when it is in the second state.

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