Operating device, information processing system, information processing method, and computer program

Abstract

A controller 6 transmits, to an information processing device 10, operation information which indicates an operation input by a user and to which one of a plurality of pieces of setting information is applied. Action modes for switching the setting information in the controller 6 include a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is an action mode for switching the setting information to be applied in the controller 6 in accordance with control from the information processing device 10. The second mode is an action mode for switching the setting information to be applied in the controller 6 in accordance with a prescribed input by the user.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to data processing technology, and particularly relates to an operating device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a computer program. [Background Art]

[0002] In recent years, controllers capable of storing a plurality of pieces of setting information related to operations on the controller and allowing a user to switch between setting information have become increasingly widespread. The setting information includes, for example, key assignment information customized by a user. [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0003] When a user switches the setting information of a controller, a key assignment different from that expected by the active application may be applied.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that suppresses application of setting information different from the setting information expected by an active application to a controller. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, an operating device according to one aspect of the present invention, which is an operating device for inputting a user's operation, includes: a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of setting information related to behaviors of the operating device; a transmitting unit that transmits operation information indicating an input user's operation, the operation information having any one of the plurality of pieces of setting information applied thereto, to an external information processing apparatus; and a switching unit that switches the setting information applied in the operating device. The operation modes of the switching unit include: a first mode in which the setting information applied in the operating device is switched according to control of the information processing apparatus; and a second mode in which the setting information applied in the operating device is switched according to a predetermined input by a user.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is an operating device. This device is an operating device to which user operations are input, and comprises a storage unit that stores a plurality of setting information relating to the behavior of the operating device, and a processor. The processor transmits operation information indicating the input user operation, to an external information processing device to which one of the plurality of setting information is applied, and the processor switches the setting information to be applied in the operating device. The operating modes of the processor relating to the switching of setting information include a first mode in which the setting information to be applied in the operating device is switched according to the control of the information processing device, and a second mode in which the setting information to be applied in the operating device is switched in response to a predetermined input by the user.

[0007] A further aspect of the present invention is an information processing system. This information processing system comprises an operating device into which user operations are input, and an information processing device that executes an application. The operating device stores a plurality of setting information relating to the behavior of the operating device, and the information processing device transmits control data to the operating device instructing it to switch the setting information to be applied to the operating device based on the execution status of the application, and the operating device switches the setting information to be applied based on the control data transmitted from the information processing device.

[0008] A further aspect of the present invention is an information processing method. This method is an operating device to which user operations are input, and the operating device includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of setting information relating to the behavior of the operating device, and performs the steps of: transmitting operation information indicating the input user operation, to an external information processing device to which one of the plurality of setting information is applied; and switching the setting information to be applied by the operating device, wherein the operating mode of the switching step includes a first mode in which the setting information to be applied by the operating device is switched according to the control of the information processing device, and a second mode in which the setting information to be applied by the operating device is switched in response to a predetermined input by the user.

[0009] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, as well as conversions of the expression of the present invention between computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, etc., are also valid embodiments of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent configuration information different from the configuration information expected by the active application from being applied to the controller. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the top view of the controller. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the rear side of the controller. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of the controller. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the controller. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of an information processing device. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of interaction between an information processing device and a controller. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the output report structure. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the output report structure. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of the analog stick settings screen. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of the output report structure. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of a sensitivity curve. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of the trigger settings screen. [Figure 15] This figure shows an example of the output report structure. [Figure 16] It is a diagram illustrating a set value of a dead zone. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing an example of a trigger setting screen. [Figure 18] It is a flowchart showing the operation of a controller. [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing a configuration example of an input report. [Figure 20] It is a diagram showing a notification mode of profile switching to which the third feature is not applied. [Figure 21] It is a diagram showing a notification mode of profile switching to which the third feature is applied. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0012] Figure 1 shows an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes an information processing apparatus 10, a display device 4, and a controller 6. The information processing apparatus 10 of the embodiment is a stationary game console. As a modification, the information processing apparatus 10 may be a computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone capable of executing applications such as games.

[0013] The controller 6 is an operation device that accepts input operations from a user for information processing (e.g., a video game) executed by the information processing apparatus 10. The controller 6 sequentially transmits operation information indicating operations input by the user to the information processing apparatus 10. The controller 6 can also be referred to as a game controller. The information processing apparatus 10 and the controller 6 are connected via a wired or wireless connection. In the embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10 is assumed to be a device installed in a user's home or the like, but as a modification, the functions of the information processing apparatus 10 in the embodiment may be implemented in a server installed on a cloud that provides cloud services (such as cloud gaming) via the Internet or the like. The controller 6 may communicate with the server via a terminal or communication device installed in the user's home or the like.

[0014] The display device 4 may be a television having a display that outputs images and a speaker that outputs sound, or it may be a computer display. The display device 4 may be connected to the information processing device 10 by a wired cable or by a wireless connection. When the information processing device 10 receives operation information provided by the controller 6, it reflects that operation information in the processing of the system software or application software and displays an image related to the processing result on the display device 4.

[0015] This section describes the overview and features of the information processing system 1 in the embodiment. The controller 6 in this embodiment stores user-customized configuration information regarding the operation of the controller 6 (hereinafter also referred to as "profile information" or simply "profile") in non-volatile memory. The profile information includes configuration information regarding the behavior of the controller 6. The controller 6 can store multiple profile information sets and can switch between the applicable profile information depending on the user's operation.

[0016] The profile information may include predetermined settings for operation of the controller 6. The profile information may also include settings related to generating operation information input to the information processing device 10 based on input operations to the controller 6. Furthermore, the profile information may include information referenced when converting analog values ​​detected in response to operation inputs to the controller 6 into digital values. Finally, the profile information may include settings related to the intensity of feedback (e.g., vibration, light emission, sound, etc.) in the controller 6.

[0017] Furthermore, the profile information may include setting information related to changing the image generation mode by the information processing device 10 and the image display mode by the display device 4 based on the operation input to the controller 6. The profile information may also include setting information related to changing the audio output mode from the information processing device 10 or headphones (not shown) based on the operation input to the controller 6. Furthermore, the profile information may also include setting information related to changing the chat mode based on the operation input to the controller 6.

[0018] Furthermore, the profile information may include settings information related to the microphone. These settings may include, for example, information on whether the microphone's noise cancellation function is on or off, information on whether the microphone mute function is on or off, and information on the microphone's volume settings.

[0019] The profile information in this embodiment includes the profile ID and name, button assignment information, sensitivity-related information for the analog input device, and corresponding button information. The button assignment information indicates the various actions, commands, and functions that the user has assigned to each button of the controller 6. In other words, the button assignment information indicates the assignment status of various actions, commands, and functions to each button. The corresponding button information is the identification information of the button of the controller 6 to which the profile information is associated, and is, for example, information indicating the ○ button 72 and × button 73 described later.

[0020] The sensitivity-related information for the analog input device includes information indicating the setting value for the sensitivity of the analog input device. The sensitivity of the analog input device defines the magnitude of the operation recognized by the information processing device 10 in relation to the magnitude of the operation actually input by the user to the analog input device (e.g., tilt amount or rotation amount). The magnitude of the operation recognized by the information processing device 10 can also be said to be the magnitude of the operation input for data processing in the information processing device 10. The sensitivity setting value may be the ratio of the amount of operation actually input to the analog input device to the amount of operation recognized by the information processing device 10.

[0021] Furthermore, the sensitivity-related information of the analog input device includes dead zone information for the analog input device, including, for example, the setting value for the dead zone. The dead zone can also be called a dead zone, and it is a range in which the operation input to the analog input device is not accepted. In other words, the dead zone is a range in which the operation input to the analog input device is ignored. The setting value for the dead zone may be a range of values ​​for the tilt amount or rotation amount that corresponds to the dead zone. Thus, the profile information of the embodiment includes the setting information for the analog input device of the controller 6. As will be described later, the controller 6 of the embodiment is equipped with an analog stick and a trigger button as analog input devices.

[0022] The inventors recognized, as their first objective, that there is a need for an intuitively understandable operating interface for the user in the adjustment mode for adjusting the analog input devices of the controller.

[0023] As a first feature of the information processing system 1 to solve the first problem described above, the controller 6, in adjustment mode, transmits to the information processing device 10 both a first value adjusted using the setting information being adjusted and a second value to which the setting information being adjusted has not been applied, as values ​​related to the user's operation input to the analog input device. The information processing device 10 displays an image representing the relationship between the first value and the second value on the setting screen in adjustment mode.

[0024] Furthermore, the inventors have recognized that, as a second problem, if a user switches the profile information applied by the controller 6, a key assignment different from the one expected by the application running on the controller 6 (also called the active application) may be applied.

[0025] To solve the second problem described above, a second feature of the information processing system 1 is that the operating modes of the controller 6 include a first mode in which profile information is switched according to the control of the information processing device 10, and a second mode in which profile information is switched in response to a predetermined input from the user. The information processing device 10 instructs the controller 6 to switch the applicable profile information based on the execution status of the application.

[0026] Furthermore, the inventors recognized that a third problem is that when the switch in profile information is notified to the user by vibration or light emission of the controller 6, it may be difficult to distinguish between the notification from the application to the user and the notification to the user accompanying the switch in profile information, which could cause confusion for the user.

[0027] To solve the third problem described above, a third feature of the information processing system 1 is that when the profile information applied to the controller 6 is switched, the information processing device 10 activates the notification device of the controller 6 in a predetermined pattern after a period of time has elapsed during which the notification device of the controller 6 is not activated, thereby notifying the change in profile information.

[0028] The button configuration of controller 6 will now be described. Figure 2 shows the top view of controller 6. The user operates controller 6 by grasping the left grip portion 78b with their left hand and the right grip portion 78a with their right hand. The top surface of the controller 6 housing is provided with input sections: directional buttons 71, a right analog stick 77a, a left analog stick 77b, and operation buttons 76. The directional buttons 71 are configured to allow input in eight directions: up, down, left, right, and diagonally. In this embodiment, they include an up button 71a, a left button 71b, a down button 71c, and a right button 71d. The four types of operation buttons 76 are marked with different colors and different shapes to distinguish them. The operation buttons 76 include a circle button 72, a cross button 73, a square button 74, and a triangle button 75.

[0029] The right analog stick 77a and the left analog stick 77b, also called control sticks, thumbsticks, or joysticks, are used to input direction and tilt. The tilt amount can also be described as the angle to which the right analog stick 77a or left analog stick 77b is tilted. The right analog stick 77a and the left analog stick 77b also function as push-buttons that sink downward when pressed by the user and return to their original position when released. Hereafter, the right analog stick 77a and the left analog stick 77b will be collectively referred to as "analog stick 77". The operation buttons 76, directional buttons 71, and analog sticks 77 are used to operate applications (e.g., games) running on the information processing device 10.

[0030] On the top surface of the casing, a touchpad 79 is provided in the flat area between the directional buttons 71 and the operation buttons 76. In addition to detecting touch from the user's finger, the touchpad 79 also functions as a push-button that depresses downward when pressed by the user and returns to its original position when the user releases their hand. Furthermore, a speaker 89 and a microphone 91 are provided on the top surface of the casing.

[0031] A home button 80 is located between the right analog stick 77a and the left analog stick 77b. The home button 80 is used to turn on the power of the controller 6 and the information processing unit 10, and at the same time activate the communication function for wireless connection with the information processing unit 10. After the controller 6 is connected to the information processing unit 10, the home button 80 is also used to display a menu screen or home screen on the information processing unit 10. The menu screen or home screen is a screen that allows the user to select the function or application to be executed by the information processing unit 10.

[0032] The CREATE button 81 is located to the left of the touchpad 79. The OPTIONS button 82 is located to the right of the touchpad 79. The CREATE button 81 and the OPTIONS button 82 are used to input user instructions to the OS (Operating System) or system software in the information processing device 10. In other words, the CREATE button 81 and the OPTIONS button 82 are buttons used to call up (operate) the functions of the OS (Operating System) or system software in the information processing device 10. Both the CREATE button 81 and the OPTIONS button 82 may be formed as push-buttons.

[0033] The light-emitting unit 86 is provided on the lower edge of the touchpad 79. The light-emitting unit 86 may include LEDs. The light-emitting unit 86 includes multiple lamps (five lamps in the example in Figure 2) and displays information about the controller number that identifies the controller, and information about the status of the controller 6, based on the lighting patterns of the multiple lamps (i.e., combinations of lit and unlit states). The light-emitting unit 86 is controlled to the lighting pattern specified by the application running on the information processing device 10. In addition, when the profile information applied to the operation of the controller 6 is switched, the light-emitting unit 86 is controlled for a short time to a predetermined lighting pattern that indicates that the profile information of the controller 6 has been switched.

[0034] Vertically elongated light-emitting sections 85 are provided to the left and right of the touchpad 79. The light-emitting sections 85 have red (R), green (G), and blue (B) LEDs and light up according to the light emission color information transmitted from the information processing device 10.

[0035] The right function button 88a and the left function button 88b (hereinafter collectively referred to as function button 88) are buttons that change or extend the functions of other buttons. In this embodiment, when an operation is input to the operation button 76 while an operation is input to the function button 88, the profile information applied to the operation to the controller 6 is switched to the profile information associated with the type of operation button 76 that was operated together with the function button 88. The right function button 88a and the left function button 88b may be functionally identical. In that case, the same function is provided regardless of whether the left or right button is operated.

[0036] Figure 3 shows the rear side of the controller 6. A touchpad 79 extends from the top surface of the controller 6's housing, bending outwards, from the upper part of the rear side of the housing. On the rear side of the housing, the R1 button 83a, R2 button 84a, L1 button 83b, L2 button 84b, right trigger stopper 87a, and left trigger stopper 87b are provided in symmetrical positions along the longitudinal direction. The R1 button 83a and R2 button 84a are operated by the user's right index finger and middle finger, respectively, while the L1 button 83b and L2 button 84b are operated by the user's left index finger and middle finger, respectively.

[0037] The upper R1 button 83a and L1 button 83b are configured as push-buttons, while the lower R2 button 84a and L2 button 84b are configured as rotatable trigger-type buttons. The R2 button 84a and L2 button 84b, like the right analog stick 77a and left analog stick 77b, are capable of analog output and output a value corresponding to the amount of rotation. The R2 button 84a and L2 button 84b are collectively referred to as trigger buttons 84.

[0038] The right trigger stopper 87a is a component that adjusts or limits the rotation range of the R2 button 84a. The left trigger stopper 87b is a component that adjusts or limits the rotation range of the L2 button 84b. The right trigger stopper 87a and the left trigger stopper 87b are collectively referred to as the trigger stopper 87. The right trigger stopper 87a and the left trigger stopper 87b can each be set to one of three stages: stage 1, stage 2, or stage 3. In stage 1, the maximum rotation angle is 26 degrees, in stage 2, the maximum rotation angle is 14 degrees, and in stage 3, the maximum rotation angle is 10 degrees.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the controller 6 is configured with various input units (various buttons, sticks, etc.). The user inputs operations into the input units of the controller 6 while viewing the menu screen or game screen displayed on the display device 4.

[0040] Figure 4 shows the hardware configuration of the controller 6 in this embodiment. In addition to the hardware shown in Figures 2 and 3, the controller 6 includes an oscillator 90, a memory unit 92, a communication control unit 94, and a processor 96. The processor 96 performs various data processing and controls the operation of various hardware components. The processor 96 may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, and a SoC (System on a chip).

[0041] The vibrator 90 provides tactile stimulation to the user by vibrating based on a control signal from the processor 96. The vibrator 90 may include a voice coil motor (VCM). The vibrator 90 and the light-emitting unit 86 operate as a notification device that notifies the user of various information. The vibrator 90 provides notification through tactile information, and the light-emitting unit 86 provides notification through visual information.

[0042] The storage unit 92 stores data that is referenced or updated by the processor 96. The communication control unit 94 controls communication with external devices. In this embodiment, the communication control unit 94 communicates wirelessly with the information processing device 10, but in a modified example, the communication control unit 94 may communicate with the information processing device 10 via wired connection.

[0043] Figure 5 shows the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 in this embodiment. The information processing device 10 includes a main power button 20, a power-on LED 21, a standby LED 22, a system controller 24, a clock 26, a device controller 30, a media drive 32, a USB module 34, a flash memory 36, a wireless communication module 38, a wired communication module 40, a subsystem 50, and a main system 60.

[0044] The main system 60 includes a main CPU, main memory and memory controller, and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The GPU is primarily used for processing game programs. These functions may be configured as a System on a Chip (SoC) and formed on a single chip. The main CPU has the function of starting the OS and executing applications installed in the storage unit (e.g., flash memory 36 or auxiliary storage device not shown) in the environment provided by the OS. The main system 60 also has the function of controlling the display content on the display device 4.

[0045] Subsystem 50 includes a sub-CPU, main memory (memory), and a memory controller, but does not include a GPU. The number of circuit gates in the sub-CPU is less than that of the main CPU, and the operating power consumption of the sub-CPU is less than that of the main CPU. The sub-CPU operates while the main CPU is in standby mode, and its processing functions are limited in order to keep power consumption low. The sub-CPU and memory may be formed on separate chips.

[0046] The main power button 20 is an input unit that receives user input and is located on the front of the housing of the information processing device 10. It is operated to turn the power supply of the information processing device 10 to the main system 60 on or off. Hereinafter, "main power on" means that the main system 60 is in an active state, and "main power off" means that the main system 60 is in a standby state. The power on LED 21 lights up when the main power button 20 is turned on, and the standby LED 22 lights up when the main power button 20 is turned off.

[0047] The system controller 24 detects when the user presses the main power button 20. When the main power is off and the main power button 20 is pressed, the system controller 24 recognizes the press as an "on command". On the other hand, when the main power is on and the main power button 20 is pressed, the system controller 24 recognizes the press as an "off command". The system controller 24 may also obtain power on / off commands similar to those described above from the operation input from the controller 6.

[0048] The main CPU has the function of executing game programs installed on a designated memory unit or ROM medium 44, while the sub-CPU does not have such a function. However, the sub-CPU has the function of accessing the memory unit and sending and receiving data to and from external devices. The sub-CPU is configured with only these limited processing functions and can therefore operate with less power consumption compared to the main CPU. These functions of the sub-CPU are executed when the main CPU is in standby mode.

[0049] Clock 26 is a real-time clock that generates current date and time information and supplies it to the system controller 24, subsystem 50, and main system 60.

[0050] The device controller 30 is configured as a Large-Scale Integrated Circuit (LSI) that performs information transfer between devices, similar to a southbridge. As shown in the figure, devices such as the system controller 24, media drive 32, USB module 34, flash memory 36, wireless communication module 38, wired communication module 40, subsystem 50, and main system 60 are connected to the device controller 30. The device controller 30 absorbs the differences in electrical characteristics and data transfer speeds of each device and controls the timing of data transfer.

[0051] The media drive 32 is a drive device that drives a ROM medium 44 containing application software such as games and license information, and reads programs and data from the ROM medium 44. The ROM medium 44 is a read-only recording medium such as an optical disc, magneto-optical disc, or Blu-ray disc.

[0052] The USB module 34 is a module that connects to external devices via a USB cable. The flash memory 36 is an auxiliary storage device that constitutes the internal storage. The wireless communication module 38 communicates wirelessly with the controller 6, for example, using a communication protocol such as Bluetooth (trademark or registered trademark) or IEEE 802.11. The wired communication module 40 communicates with external devices via a wired connection and connects to the internet or a server, for example, via an access point (not shown).

[0053] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the controller 6. Each block shown in the block diagrams of this specification can be realized in hardware terms by elements such as a computer processor, CPU, and memory, as well as electronic circuits and mechanical devices, and in software terms by computer programs loaded into memory, etc., but here, the functional blocks that are realized through the cooperation of these components are depicted. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combinations of hardware and software.

[0054] The controller 6 comprises a storage unit 100 and a processing unit 110. The storage unit 100 corresponds to the storage unit 92 in Figure 4 and stores data that is referenced or updated by the processing unit 110. The storage unit 100 includes a profile storage unit 102.

[0055] The profile storage unit 102 includes a non-volatile memory for storing multiple profile information. The profile storage unit 102 stores each of the multiple profile information in association with different slots and operation buttons 76. In this embodiment, the profile storage unit 102 stores up to four profile information in association with four slots (slots 1 to 4) and four operation buttons 76 (circle button 72, cross button 73, square button 74, triangle button 75).

[0056] In this embodiment, when the controller 6 is shipped from the factory, a default profile is stored in the profile storage unit 102, associated with slot 1 (for example, the triangle button 75). The default profile is profile information in which key assignments, sensitivity, dead zones, etc., are set to default values. The default profile cannot be edited or deleted by the user. Slots 2 to 4 allow the user to save new customized profile information, edit existing profile information, and delete it.

[0057] The processing unit 110 includes an output report receiving unit 112, an input report transmission unit 114, an operation detection unit 116, an operation information generation unit 118, an operation information transmission unit 120, a switching unit 122, and a notification control unit 124. A computer program (e.g., firmware) implementing at least some of these functions may be stored in the storage unit 92 of the controller 6. The processor 96 of the controller 6 may perform at least some of these functions by reading this computer program into main memory and executing it.

[0058] The output report receiving unit 112 receives output reports, which are control data transmitted from the information processing device 10 to the controller 6 at predetermined intervals. The input report transmitting unit 114 transmits input reports, which are notification data transmitted from the controller 6 to the information processing device 10, based on the reception of the output reports.

[0059] The operation detection unit 116 detects user operations input to the controller 6. User operations include, for example, pressing buttons, tilting the analog stick 77, and rotating the trigger button 84. The operation detection unit 116 detects analog values ​​associated with operations on the analog input devices (in this embodiment, the analog stick 77 and the trigger button 84), converts them to digital, and passes the converted digital values ​​to the operation information generation unit 118.

[0060] The operation information generation unit 118 identifies one of the multiple profile information stored in the profile storage unit 102 as the profile information to be applied to the operation input to the controller 6 (hereinafter also referred to as the "applicable profile"), based on instructions from the user or the information processing device 10. Based on the user operation input to the controller 6 detected by the operation detection unit 116 and the applicable profile, the operation information generation unit 118 generates user operation information to be transmitted from the controller 6 to the information processing device 10. The operation information generation unit 118 generates operation information that includes values ​​adjusted based on the applicable profile for values ​​related to the user operation input to the analog input device.

[0061] For example, when an operation of a first tilt amount is input to the analog stick 77, the operation information generation unit 118 may determine a second tilt amount of the analog stick 77 to be input to the information processing device 10 based on the sensitivity and dead zone size indicated by the applicable profile. The operation information generation unit 118 may then generate operation information indicating the second tilt amount of the analog stick 77.

[0062] The operation information transmission unit 120 transmits the user's operation information generated by the operation information generation unit 118 to the information processing device 10. Alternatively, the operation information transmission unit 120 may transmit the operation information to the information processing device 10 using the input report transmitted from the controller 6 to the information processing device 10.

[0063] The switching unit 122 switches the profile information applied by the controller 6 when a predetermined switching instruction is input. The operating modes of the switching unit 122 include a host master mode as the first mode and a device master mode as the second mode. The host master mode is an operating mode in which the applied profile is switched according to the control of the information processing device 10. The device master mode is an operating mode in which the applied profile is switched in response to a predetermined input from the user. The device master mode can also be described as an operating mode in which the switching unit 122 switches the applied profile when it detects a predetermined input from the user, regardless of whether or not there is an instruction from the information processing device 10.

[0064] The default operating mode of the switching unit 122 is device master mode. The switching unit 122 switches its operating mode from device master mode to host master mode, provided that it receives control data from the information processing device 10 instructing it to switch to host master mode. The switching unit 122 stores information about the slots corresponding to the currently applied profile in the profile storage unit 102.

[0065] The notification control unit 124 activates the notification device by inputting an activation signal to the notification device based on instructions from the information processing device 10. The instructions from the information processing device 10 may be, for example, instructions from an application running on the information processing device 10. In addition, when the applicable profile is switched in the controller 6, the notification control unit 124 inputs an activation signal to the notification device and activates the notification device in a predetermined manner indicating the switching of the applicable profile. As previously described, the notification device includes a light-emitting unit 86 and a vibrator 90. The notification control unit 124 controls notifications to the user by controlling the lighting and extinguishing of the light-emitting unit 86 and controlling the vibration of the vibrator 90.

[0066] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 comprises a storage unit 200 and a processing unit 210. The processing unit 210 performs various information processing. The processing unit 210 is implemented by the processor of the information processing device 10, and may be implemented, for example, by the main system 60 shown in Figure 5. The storage unit 200 stores data that is referenced or updated by the processing unit 210. The storage unit 200 may include the flash memory 36 and ROM medium 44 shown in Figure 5.

[0067] The memory unit 200 includes an application memory unit 202 and a profile memory unit 204. The application memory unit 202 stores data for applications (e.g., game programs) that can be executed on the information processing device 10.

[0068] The profile storage unit 204 stores the profile information of the controller 6 as notified by the controller 6. Similar to the profile storage unit 102 of the controller 6, the profile storage unit 204 stores up to four profile information associated with the four slots and the four operation buttons 76 (○ button 72, × button 73, □ button 74, △ button 75). The profile storage unit 204 also stores information about the currently applied profile in the controller 6 as notified by the controller 6. Specifically, it stores which of slots 1 to 4 corresponds to the applied profile.

[0069] The processing unit 210 includes an input report receiving unit 212, an output report transmission unit 214, a profile information acquisition unit 216, an operation information receiving unit 218, an application execution unit 220, a setting screen generation unit 222, a display control unit 224, and a switching instruction unit 226. A computer program implementing at least some of these multiple functions may be stored in the storage unit 200 of the information processing device 10. The processor of the information processing device 10 (for example, the main system 60) may perform at least some of these multiple functions by reading this computer program into main memory and executing it.

[0070] The output report transmission unit 214 transmits output reports, which are control data transmitted from the information processing device 10 to the controller 6 at predetermined intervals. The input report reception unit 212 receives input reports, which are notification data transmitted from the controller 6 to the information processing device 10 in response to the receipt of output reports.

[0071] The profile information acquisition unit 216 acquires information from the controller 6 connected to the information processing device 10 regarding multiple user-selectable profiles stored in the controller 6. The profile information acquisition unit 216 also acquires information from the controller 6 regarding the currently applied profile in the controller 6. The profile information acquisition unit 216 stores this information in the profile storage unit 204.

[0072] The operation information receiving unit 218 receives user operation information for the controller 6 transmitted from the controller 6 connected to the information processing device 10.

[0073] The application execution unit 220 executes applications (for example, game programs or system software) stored in the application storage unit 202. For example, the application execution unit 220 advances the game according to the user's input to the controller 6 and sequentially generates images (hereinafter also referred to as "game screens") that show the progress of the game.

[0074] The settings screen generation unit 222 generates data for the settings screen of the controller 6's analog input device based on user operation information for the controller 6 while the application is running (for example, while the game screen is being displayed).

[0075] The display control unit 224 controls the display of information and images on the display device 4. For example, the display control unit 224 displays the game screen on the display device 4 by outputting game screen data generated by the application execution unit 220 to the display device 4. The display control unit 224 also displays the settings screen on the display device 4 by outputting settings screen data generated by the settings screen generation unit 222 to the display device 4.

[0076] The switching instruction unit 226 instructs the controller 6 to switch the applicable profile when a predetermined user operation is input or in response to an instruction from a running application.

[0077] The operation of the information processing system 1 with the above configuration will now be explained. First, we will explain the operation of the first feature of the information processing system 1. Figure 8 shows an example of the interaction between the information processing device 10 and the controller 6.

[0078] (S1 in Figure 8) The operation detection unit 116 of the controller 6 detects user operations input to the analog input device. In normal mode, the operation information generation unit 118 of the controller 6 adjusts values ​​related to user operations input to the analog input device (hereinafter also referred to as "operation amount") based on the applied profile and generates operation information including the adjusted value. The adjusted value may be, for example, a value indicating the tilt amount of the right analog stick 77a reflecting the applied profile, or a value indicating the rotation amount of the R2 button 84a reflecting the applied profile. The operation information transmission unit 120 of the controller 6 transmits the operation information including the adjusted value based on the applied profile to the information processing device 10.

[0079] (S2 in Figure 8) The output report transmission unit 214 of the information processing device 10 periodically and repeatedly transmits output reports to the controller 6. When a user operation instructing the controller 6 to switch to the adjustment mode of the analog input device is input via the controller 6, the output report transmission unit 214 transmits an output report to the controller 6 that includes the instruction to switch to the adjustment mode.

[0080] Figures 9 and 10 show examples of the output report configuration. Figure 9 shows the configuration of item A in the output report, and Figure 10 shows the configuration of item B in the output report. Item A contains flag data that enables or disables the settings of other items in the output report. Item B contains data that specifies the controller's operating mode and applied profile. If the operating mode control bit of item A in Figure 9 is set to 1, the operating mode bit sequence of item B in Figure 10 becomes active. The operating mode bit sequence can be set to one of the following values: normal mode, left analog stick adjustment mode, right analog stick adjustment mode, or trigger button adjustment mode. The output report transmission unit 214 sets the value of the operating mode bit sequence based on the user's operation in setting mode. The controller 6 (operation information generation unit 118) transitions to an adjustment mode corresponding to the value of the operating mode bit sequence in the received output report.

[0081] Furthermore, when a user operation is input to instruct the controller 6 to switch to the adjustment mode for the analog input device, the setting screen generation unit 222 of the information processing device 10 generates a setting screen for the user to input setting values ​​for the analog input device. The display control unit 224 of the information processing device 10 displays the setting screen for the analog input device on the display device 4. The setting screen for the analog input device includes the setting screen for the analog stick 77 and the setting screen for the trigger button 84.

[0082] First, let's explain how to adjust the analog stick 77 of controller 6. When switching to the analog stick 77 adjustment mode, the setting screen generation unit 222 of the information processing device 10 generates the analog stick setting screen.

[0083] Figure 11 shows an example of the analog stick settings screen 130. The analog stick settings screen 130 in Figure 11 shows the content for setting the sensitivity and dead zone of the analog stick 77 of the controller 6. The analog stick settings screen 130 includes a setting target selection field 132, a sensitivity pattern selection field 134, a sensitivity curve adjustment gauge 136, a dead zone adjustment gauge 138, a sensitivity curve image 140, and a setting status image 148.

[0084] The setting target selection field 132 is a screen element in the analog stick setting screen 130 that allows the user to select the type of analog stick 77 to be configured (in this example, either the right analog stick 77a or the left analog stick 77b). In Figure 11, the left analog stick 77b is selected.

[0085] The sensitivity pattern selection field 134 is a screen element that allows the user to select a specific pattern from a set of predetermined sensitivity curve patterns. The sensitivity curve is a curve (including straight lines) that shows the relationship between the tilt angle of the analog stick 77 and the output value. Specifically, the sensitivity curve is a curve that correlates the magnitude of the operation input by the user to the analog stick 77 (hereinafter also referred to as the "user input operation amount") with the magnitude of the operation recognized in the data processing of the information processing device 10 (hereinafter also referred to as the "system recognized operation amount"). The user input operation amount can also be said to be the actual tilt amount or tilt angle of the analog stick 77. The system recognized operation amount can also be said to be the tilt amount or tilt angle of the analog stick 77 that is input to the data processing of the information processing device 10 (in this example, the application execution unit 220).

[0086] Multiple sensitivity curve patterns may include linear, delayed, and quick. Linear is a pattern where the system-recognized operation amount increases in proportion to the increase in the user input amount, and is the default pattern where the slope of the sensitivity curve is constant. Delayed is a pattern where the increase in the system-recognized operation amount is gradual when the user input amount is small, and increases sharply as the user input amount increases. Quick is a pattern where the increase in the system-recognized operation amount is large even when the user input amount is small, and the system-recognized operation amount reaches its upper limit early.

[0087] The sensitivity curve adjustment gauge 136 is a screen element that adjusts the correspondence between the amount of user input operation on the analog stick 77 and the amount of operation recognized by the system, and specifically, it is a screen element that adjusts the slope or curvature of the sensitivity curve. The sensitivity curve adjustment gauge 136 includes a slider that indicates the sensitivity value of the analog stick 77. The dead zone adjustment gauge 138 is a screen element that adjusts the range of the dead zone of the analog stick 77 (in other words, the size of the dead zone). The dead zone adjustment gauge 138 includes a slider that indicates the dead zone value of the analog stick 77.

[0088] The analog stick settings screen 130 includes two images that show both the sensitivity and dead zone of the analog stick 77 on a common scale (in other words, a common standard). One image is a sensitivity curve image 140 that shows the sensitivity and dead zone along an axis relating to the magnitude of the operation input by the user to the analog stick 77. The other image is a setting state image 148 that shows the sensitivity and dead zone based on the distance from the center, which is based on the magnitude of the operation input by the user to the analog stick 77. The setting screen generation unit 222 places the sensitivity curve image 140 and the setting state image 148 on the analog stick settings screen 130.

[0089] The sensitivity curve image 140 includes objects (initial sensitivity curve 146 and adjusted sensitivity curve 144) that show the sensitivity curve, arranged in a graph area where the magnitude of the operation input by the user to the analog stick 77 is on the horizontal axis and the magnitude of the operation recognized by the information processing device 10 is on the vertical axis. The initial sensitivity curve 146 shows the initial value of the sensitivity curve defined by the pattern selected in the sensitivity pattern selection field 134. The adjusted sensitivity curve 144 shows the sensitivity curve after adjustment using the sensitivity curve adjustment gauge 136. The sensitivity curve image 140 also includes objects (dead zone 142) that show the range of the dead zone, arranged along the horizontal axis of the graph area. The dead zone 142 in Figure 6 shows that 18% of the tilt amount that the user can input from the stationary position (in other words, the initial position) of the analog stick 77 is the dead zone.

[0090] The setting state image 148 includes an image showing the input unit to be configured (left analog stick 77b in Figure 11), and information regarding sensitivity and dead zone is superimposed on this image. Specifically, the setting state image 148 includes multiple concentric circles (level lines 150) centered on the stationary position (in other words, initial position) of the analog stick 77, showing the magnitude of operation in multiple stages from that stationary position. The multiple level lines 150 may include three level lines 150 showing 100%, 75%, and 50% of the maximum value of the operation magnitude. The level lines 150 can also be described as contour lines relating to the magnitude of operation.

[0091] The configuration image 148 includes a dead zone 152, which is a first object indicating a dead zone. The dead zone 152 indicates the range of the dead zone by its distance from the stationary position of the analog stick 77, i.e., from the center of the circle indicated by the level line 150. The configuration image 148 also includes an adjusted control amount indicator 154 and an unadjusted control amount indicator 156. Both the adjusted control amount indicator 154 and the unadjusted control amount indicator 156 indicate the magnitude of the operation on the analog stick 77 by their distance from the center. Furthermore, both the adjusted control amount indicator 154 and the unadjusted control amount indicator 156 indicate the tilting direction of the analog stick 77 by the direction in which the line extends from the center.

[0092] The adjusted operation amount indicator 154 displays the value of the user's operation input to the analog stick 77, adjusted using the profile information being adjusted in adjustment mode (e.g., left analog stick adjustment mode). In other words, it displays the amount of operation of the analog stick 77 recognized by the information processing device 10 when the profile information being adjusted is applied to the controller 6. The profile information being adjusted includes, for example, the sensitivity setting value defined by the sensitivity curve adjusted by the sensitivity curve adjustment gauge 136 and the dead zone adjustment gauge 138.

[0093] The unadjusted control amount indicator 156 displays a value related to the user's operation input to the analog stick 77, without applying the profile information being adjusted in adjustment mode. Specifically, the unadjusted control amount indicator 156 displays a value derived using the user's operation input to the analog stick 77 and a linear sensitivity curve, regardless of the profile information being adjusted in adjustment mode. The value displayed by the unadjusted control amount indicator 156 is the default value of the analog stick 77's operation amount recognized by the information processing device 10 based on the user's operation input to the analog stick 77. Although the term "unadjusted" is used, the analog stick 77 has already been adjusted during the manufacturing and shipping of the controller 6 at the factory.

[0094] The settings status image 148 is an image that shows the sensitivity of the analog stick 77 based on the sensitivity curve set by the user on the analog stick settings screen 130. Specifically, the settings status image 148 is an image that shows the relationship between the adjusted value using the profile information being adjusted, as shown by the adjusted control amount indicator 154, and the value to which the profile information being adjusted has not been applied, as shown by the unadjusted control amount indicator 156.

[0095] On the analog stick settings screen 130, the user selects a desired pattern from among several predetermined sensitivity curve patterns in the sensitivity pattern selection field 134. Here, we assume that the delay pattern has been selected. The settings screen generation unit 222 places the initial sensitivity curve 146 defined by the delay pattern onto the sensitivity curve image 140. The settings screen generation unit 222 also places an adjusted sensitivity curve 144, which reflects the settings of the sensitivity curve adjustment gauge 136 and the dead zone adjustment gauge 138, onto the sensitivity curve image 140.

[0096] (S3 in Figure 8) The output report transmission unit 214 of the information processing device 10 sends an output report to the controller 6 that includes information about the peaks of the line graph (adjustment sensitivity curve 144 in Figure 11) representing the sensitivity characteristics of the analog stick 77 specified on the analog stick setting screen 130.

[0097] Figure 12 shows an example of the output report configuration. Figure 12 shows the configuration of item C in the output report when in left analog stick adjustment mode or right analog stick adjustment mode. Item C contains the setting value entered in the setting screen (for example, the analog stick setting screen 130 or the trigger setting screen 300 described later). Each cell in Figure 12 is a 1-byte value. The "Number of setting points" specifies the number of vertices in the adjustment sensitivity curve 144. In this embodiment, the maximum number of vertices that can be specified is 4, but it is not limited to this, and more than 4 vertices may be specified.

[0098] The "setting point n" (where n is a value from 1 to 4) specifies the magnitude of the input value from the center of the return position of the analog stick 77 (i.e., the initial position when idle) for the vertex n of the adjustment sensitivity curve 144. The position specified here is represented by a circle centered on the return position of the analog stick 77. The "setting point n" can be a value from 0 to 255, with the center being 0 and the outermost edge being 255.

[0099] The "Setting Gain n" (where n is a value from 1 to 4) specifies the magnitude of the output value from the center for the peak n of the adjustment sensitivity curve 144. The "Setting Gain n" specifies a value from 0 to 255, with the center being 0 and the outermost output value being 255.

[0100] Figure 13 shows an example of a sensitivity curve. In the example in Figure 13, the output report transmission unit 214 of the information processing device 10 sets the information of vertices 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the adjusted sensitivity curve 144 into item C in the output report. Figure 13 shows an example of setting item C based on the adjustment sensitivity curve 144. Number of points set: 4 Setting point 1: Input value 1, Setting gain 1: 0 (Information from vertex 1) Setting point 2: Input value 2, setting Gain 2: Output value 1 (information from vertex 2) Setting point 3: Input value 3, setting Gain 3: Output value 2 (information from vertex 3) Setting point 4:255, setting gain 4:255 (information for vertex 4)

[0101] Returning to S2 in Figure 8, we will now explain the adjustment of the trigger button 84 of the controller 6. When transitioning to the adjustment mode for the trigger button 84, the setting screen generation unit 222 of the information processing device 10 generates a trigger setting screen.

[0102] Figure 14 shows an example of the trigger setting screen 300. The trigger setting screen 300 in Figure 14 includes content for setting the dead zones of the controller 6's trigger buttons 84 (R2 button 84a and L2 button 84b). The trigger setting screen 300 includes the R2 dead zone setting area 302a, the R2 behavior confirmation area 304a, the L2 dead zone setting area 302b, and the L2 behavior confirmation area 304b.

[0103] The R2 dead zone setting area 302a is the area for setting the dead zone for the R2 button 84a, and the L2 dead zone setting area 302b is the area for setting the dead zone for the L2 button 84b. In this embodiment, the start and end points of the effective range are specified as percentages in the R2 dead zone setting area 302a and the L2 dead zone setting area 302b. In other words, the boundaries between the effective range and the dead zone are specified at both the start and end points. In the example in Figure 14, the entire input range of the R2 button 84a is specified as the effective range, and 50% of the end point of the input range of the L2 button 84b is specified as the effective range.

[0104] The R2 behavior confirmation area 304a is an area where the magnitude of the system input value corresponding to the rotation operation of the R2 button 84a is displayed, and an operation amount indicator 306 (not shown in Figure 14) indicating the amount of operation (system input value) of the R2 button 84a is displayed. The L2 behavior confirmation area 304b is an area where the magnitude of the system input value corresponding to the rotation operation of the L2 button 84b is displayed, and an operation amount indicator 306 indicating the amount of operation (system input value) of the L2 button 84b is displayed. The dead zone is displayed with relatively low brightness, and the effective range is displayed with relatively high brightness.

[0105] As S3 in Figure 8, the user enters the dead zone setting value for the R2 button 84a into the R2 dead zone setting area 302a, and / or enters the dead zone setting value for the L2 button 84b into the L2 dead zone setting area 302b. The output report transmission unit 214 of the information processing device 10 sends an output report to the controller 6 that includes the setting values ​​entered in the R2 dead zone setting area 302a and the setting values ​​entered in the L2 dead zone setting area 302b.

[0106] Figure 15 shows an example of the output report structure. Figure 15 shows the structure of item C in the output report when the trigger button adjustment mode is active. Each cell in Figure 15 is a 1-byte value. Figure 16 is a diagram explaining the dead zone settings. Each cell in item C is specified with a value between 0 and 255, where 0 represents the trigger button 84 in the released state and 255 represents the trigger button 84 in the fully stroked state. The dead zone on the starting side is called the release dead zone, and the dead zone on the ending side is called the full stroke dead zone.

[0107] Returning to Figure 15, the output report transmission unit 214 sets the left trigger release dead zone of item C to a value obtained by converting the input value of the start point in the L2 dead zone setting area 302b of the trigger setting screen 300 to a value between 0 and 255. The output report transmission unit 214 also sets the left trigger full stroke dead zone of item C to a value obtained by converting the input value of the end point in the L2 dead zone setting area 302b of the trigger setting screen 300 to a value between 0 and 255. The output report transmission unit 214 also sets the right trigger release dead zone of item C to a value obtained by converting the input value of the start point in the R2 dead zone setting area 302a of the trigger setting screen 300 to a value between 0 and 255. The output report transmission unit 214 also sets the right trigger full stroke dead zone of item C to a value obtained by converting the input value of the end point in the R2 dead zone setting area 302a of the trigger setting screen 300 to a value between 0 and 255.

[0108] (S4 in Figure 8) In the analog input device adjustment mode, the operation information generation unit 118 of the controller 6 obtains the setting value of the analog input device set in the output report acquired by the output report receiving unit 112. The operation information generation unit 118 uses the setting value of the analog input device set in the output report as profile information during adjustment (hereinafter also referred to as "adjustment profile") to generate operation information. The adjustment profile includes, for example, the characteristics of the sensitivity curve being adjusted and the range of the dead zone being adjusted.

[0109] The operation detection unit 116 performs A / D conversion on the output from the analog input device regarding the user's operation of the analog input device at a predetermined sampling rate and obtains the output value. The operation information generation unit 118 generates operation information in the adjustment mode of the analog input device, which includes both adjusted operation values ​​and unadjusted operation values ​​as values ​​related to the user's operation input to the analog input device with respect to the output value. The adjusted operation value is a value related to the user's operation input to the analog input device that has been adjusted using the adjustment profile. The unadjusted operation value is a value related to the user's operation input to the analog input device to which the adjustment profile has not been applied.

[0110] The operation information transmission unit 120 of the controller 6 transmits operation information, including both adjusted and unadjusted operation values, to the information processing device 10. Both adjusted and unadjusted operation values ​​are in the range of 0 to 255. If a dead zone is set in the analog input device, the adjusted operation value will be the system input value (a value of 0 to 255) in the effective range excluding the dead zone.

[0111] In this embodiment, the operation information generation unit 118 uses a default sensitivity curve in which the manipulated variable input to the analog input device and the system input value are linear to derive a system input value corresponding to the manipulated variable input to the analog input device, and treats this system input value as the unadjusted manipulated value. Therefore, the unadjusted manipulated value is linear with respect to the manipulated variable input to the analog input device. On the other hand, the adjusted manipulated value may be nonlinear with respect to the manipulated variable input to the analog input device, as shown in the adjusted sensitivity curve 144 in Figure 13, for example.

[0112] In adjustment mode, the setting screen generation unit 222 of the information processing device 10 updates the display content of the setting screen for the analog input device based on the adjusted and unadjusted operating values ​​indicated by the operation information transmitted from the controller 6.

[0113] For example, the settings screen generation unit 222 updates the position of the adjusted operation amount indicator 154 in the settings state image 148 of the analog stick settings screen 130 shown in Figure 11 based on the adjusted operation value. The settings screen generation unit 222 also updates the position of the unadjusted operation amount indicator 156 in the settings state image 148 based on the unadjusted operation value. In this way, in the settings state image 148, the relationship between the adjusted operation amount indicator 154 (adjusted operation value) and the unadjusted operation amount indicator 156 (unadjusted operation value) changes according to the user's settings for the sensitivity curve of the analog stick 77. This makes it possible to present the sensitivity characteristics of the analog stick 77 based on the current adjustment value to the user in an easy-to-understand manner.

[0114] Furthermore, the setting screen generation unit 222 updates the operation amount indicator 306 of the trigger setting screen 300 shown in Figure 14 according to the unadjusted operation value and the adjusted operation value. For example, as shown in Figure 14, if the operation amount of the L2 button 84b is within the dead zone range, the setting screen generation unit 222 sets the movable range of the operation amount indicator 306, which includes both the dead zone and the effective range, to 0 to 255, and displays the operation amount indicator 306 with a length corresponding to the unadjusted operation value.

[0115] On the other hand, as shown in the trigger setting screen 300 of Figure 17, if the amount of operation of the L2 button 84b is within the effective range (outside the dead zone range), the setting screen generation unit 222 sets the possible range of the operation amount indicator 306 within the effective range to 0 to 255 and displays the operation amount indicator 306 with a length corresponding to the adjusted operation value. This makes it possible to present the sensitivity characteristics of the trigger button 84 based on the current adjustment value to the user in an easy-to-understand manner.

[0116] In S4, the following processes (1) and (2) are repeated: (1) The information processing device 10 sends an output report to the controller at a predetermined communication cycle. (2) Based on the adjustment profile set in S3, the controller 6 generates operation information including both adjusted and unadjusted operation values ​​for user operations input to analog input devices such as the analog stick 77 and trigger button 84, acquired at a predetermined sampling timing, and sends it to the information processing device 10.

[0117] (S5 in Figure 8) The user adjusts and updates the sensitivity curve (including the dead zone) of the analog stick 77 while checking the setting status image 148 on the analog stick setting screen 130. The user also adjusts and updates the dead zone of the trigger button 84 while checking the R2 behavior confirmation area 304a and L2 behavior confirmation area 304b on the trigger setting screen 300. The output report transmission unit 214 of the information processing device 10 sends an output report containing information on the updated profile being adjusted to the controller 6.

[0118] (S6 in Figure 8) The operation information generation unit 118 of the controller 6 generates new operation information, including both adjusted and unadjusted operation values, based on the updated information of the profile under adjustment, in response to user operations on the analog input device. The operation information transmission unit 120 of the controller 6 transmits the new operation information to the information processing device 10.

[0119] (S7 in Figure 8) The user checks the setting status image 148 on the analog stick setting screen 130, or the R2 behavior confirmation area 304a or L2 behavior confirmation area 304b on the trigger setting screen 300, and inputs an operation to the controller 6 to signal the end of the adjustment mode. When the user operation to signal the end of the adjustment mode is input via the controller 6, the output report transmission unit 214 of the information processing device 10 sends an output report to the controller 6 that includes the instruction to end the adjustment mode (in other words, an instruction to return to normal mode). The controller 6 (operation information generation unit 118) then switches to normal mode according to the received output report.

[0120] The first feature of the information processing system 1 of the embodiment is described below. The output value from the analog input device of the controller 6 is converted from analog to digital in the controller 6. Therefore, the information processing device 10 alone cannot correctly reflect the output value before and after the sensitivity curve change of the analog input device on the setting screen. In the information processing system 1 of the embodiment, both the adjusted operating value that reflects the profile being adjusted and the unadjusted operating value that does not reflect the profile being adjusted are provided from the controller 6 to the information processing device 10. This makes it possible to provide the user with a setting screen that displays the correct adjusted and unadjusted operating values, and a setting screen that makes the sensitivity characteristics of the analog input device easy to understand intuitively.

[0121] Next, we will explain the operation of the second feature of the information processing system 1. Figure 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the controller 6 regarding the second feature.

[0122] The initial state of the controller 6 (switching unit 122) is device master mode, and the controller 6 (switching unit 122) starts up in device master mode (S10). The switching unit 122 refers to the profile storage unit 102 and selects the most recently used profile, for example the profile used when the power was turned off, as the applicable profile to be used to generate operation information (S11). The switching unit 122 obtains information on the slots corresponding to the applicable profile (hereinafter also referred to as "active slots") from the profile storage unit 102.

[0123] The input report transmission unit 114 of the controller 6 transmits an input report to the information processing device 10 containing information about the applied profile, specifically information about the active slot (S12). The profile information acquisition unit 216 of the information processing device 10 stores the information about the active slot of the controller 6 indicated in the input report, that is, the information about the current applied profile in the controller 6, in the profile storage unit 204.

[0124] Figure 19 shows an example of the configuration of an input report. Figure 19 shows the configuration of item D in the input report. Item D in the input report is set to a value that indicates the status of the controller. The operation mode bit is set to the current operation mode of controller 6, specifically a value that indicates host master mode or device master mode. The active slot bit sequence is set to a value that indicates the currently active slot (one of slots 1 to 4).

[0125] If the information processing device 10 supports profile switching of the controller 6, the switching instruction unit 226 of the information processing device 10 sends an output report to the controller 6 that includes an instruction to switch to host master mode when the controller connection is detected. The data in this output report is explained below. Output report shown in Figure 9: If 1 is specified for the switching mode control bit of item A, the switching mode bit of output report shown in Figure 10: item B becomes active. In this case, a value indicating host master mode is specified for the switching mode bit, but a value indicating device master mode can also be specified.

[0126] When the output report receiving unit 112 of the controller 6 receives an output report containing an instruction to switch to host master mode (Y in S13), the switching unit 122 of the controller 6 switches the operating mode to host master mode (S14). If no output report containing an instruction to switch to host master mode has been received (N in S13), the process in S14 is skipped and the device master mode is maintained.

[0127] In host master mode, the instruction to switch the applied profile from the information processing device 10 to the controller 6 is executed when a predetermined profile switching operation is input, and also based on the execution status of the application in the information processing device 10. The profile switching operation is performed by simultaneously pressing the function button 88 and the operation button 76 of the controller 6. For example, simultaneously pressing the left function button 88b and the square button 74 is a profile switching operation that specifies the profile associated with the square button 74 as the switching destination. Similarly, simultaneously pressing the right function button 88a and the circle button 72 is a profile switching operation that specifies the profile associated with the circle button 72 as the switching destination.

[0128] When the operation information received from the controller 6 indicates a profile switching operation, the switching instruction unit 226 of the information processing device 10 sends an output report to the controller 6 that includes an instruction to switch to the profile specified in that profile switching operation.

[0129] Furthermore, the switching instruction unit 226 causes the controller 6 to send an output report containing instructions for switching the applicable profile, based on the execution status of the application in the application execution unit 220. For example, the switching instruction unit 226 may cause the controller 6 to send an output report specifying the profile defined by the application to be executed (e.g., the default profile) as the new applicable profile. Alternatively, the switching instruction unit 226 may cause the controller 6 to send an output report specifying the profile instructed by the currently running application as the new applicable profile.

[0130] In the output report shown here, the switching mode control bit for item A in the output report shown in Figure 9 is set to 1, and the switching mode bit for item B in the output report shown in Figure 10 is set to a value indicating host master mode. Furthermore, the identification information of the slot (active slot) corresponding to the profile to be switched to is specified in the active slot bit column of item B. Note that if the switching mode bit is set to 0, i.e., the value indicating device master mode is specified for the switching mode bit, the value in the active slot bit column is ignored.

[0131] When the switching instruction unit 226 sends an output report to the controller 6 that includes a switching instruction for the applicable profile, it stores information indicating the target profile in the profile storage unit 204, for example, it stores information about the active slot in the profile storage unit 204.

[0132] If the profile switching mode is host master mode (Y in S15) and an output report specifying a new active slot is received (Y in S16), the switching unit 122 of the controller 6 checks whether a profile corresponding to the new active slot specified in the output report is stored by referring to the profile storage unit 102. If a profile corresponding to the new active slot specified in the output report is stored (Y in S17), the switching unit 122 switches the applied profile to the profile corresponding to the new active slot (S18). In other words, if the information specifying a particular profile included in the output report corresponds to one of the multiple profile information stored in the profile storage unit 102, the switching unit 122 switches the applied profile to the above-mentioned specific profile.

[0133] If a profile corresponding to the new active slot specified in the output report is not stored in the profile storage unit 102 (N in S17), the process in S18 is skipped and the previously applied profile is maintained. Also, if an output report specifying a new active slot has not been received (N in S16), the processes in S17 and S18 are skipped and the previously applied profile is maintained.

[0134] When the profile switching mode is device master mode (N in S15), the profile switching is performed autonomously by the controller 6, that is, solely through internal processing of the controller 6. Specifically, when the operation detection unit 116 detects input for a profile switching operation (Y in S19), the switching unit 122 switches the applied profile to the profile specified in the profile switching operation (S20), if a profile corresponding to the operation button 76 (slot) specified in that profile switching operation is saved. If no input for a profile switching operation is detected (N in S19), the process in S20 is skipped, and the previously applied profile is maintained.

[0135] When a predetermined termination condition is met, such as the power of controller 6 being turned off (Y in S21), the process shown in Figure 18 is terminated. If the termination condition is not met (N in S21), the process returns to S12. During operation, controller 6 periodically sends an input report containing information on the currently applied profile to the information processing device 10.

[0136] The profile information acquisition unit 216 of the information processing device 10 identifies the currently applied profile in the controller 6 based on the input report transmitted from the controller 6. If the applied profile of the controller 6 stored in the profile storage unit 204 does not match the applied profile notified in the input report, the profile information acquisition unit 216 displays predetermined information on the display device 4 via the display control unit 224. This information may include content indicating errors or alerts. This information may also include content prompting the user to take predetermined action, such as restarting or initializing the controller 6 or the information processing device 10.

[0137] According to the second feature of the information processing system 1 of the embodiment, the ability of the controller 6 to operate in the first mode prevents a profile different from the profile (e.g., key assignment) expected by the application running on the information processing device 10 from being applied to the controller 6. Furthermore, the ability of the controller 6 to operate in the second mode allows the user to select a desired profile even when the controller 6 is connected to a device that does not support profile control.

[0138] Next, the third feature of the information processing system 1 will be described. Figure 20 shows a notification mode for profile switching when the third feature is not applied. Figure 20 shows a situation where the applied profile is switched from the profile of slot 1 to the profile of slot 2. The application execution unit 220 of the information processing device 10 sends an output report to the controller 6 that includes data instructing the user to be notified by vibration or light emission, depending on the execution status of the application. The notification control unit 124 of the controller 6 operates the vibrator 90 according to the vibration pattern specified by the application, and also operates the light emission unit 86 according to the lighting pattern specified by the application, as transmitted from the information processing device 10.

[0139] Furthermore, when the applicable profile is switched by the switching unit 122, the notification control unit 124 controls the vibrator 90 and the light-emitting unit 86 to notify the user of the profile switch. The profile switch vibration pattern is a predetermined vibration pattern for notifying the profile switch, and includes the vibration mode and vibration duration. Similarly, the profile switch lighting pattern is a predetermined lighting pattern (also called a light-emitting pattern) for notifying the profile switch, and includes the lighting mode and lighting duration. The light-emitting unit 85 may also be used for notification.

[0140] As shown in Figure 20, when the vibrator 90 is operating according to the application's specifications and the profile is switched, the vibration pattern of the profile switch is inserted into the vibration pattern of the application, making it difficult for the user to distinguish between the vibration of the application and the vibration of the profile switch. Similarly, when the light-emitting unit 86 is operating according to the application's specifications and the profile is switched, the lighting pattern of the profile switch is inserted into the lighting pattern of the application, making it difficult for the user to distinguish between the lighting of the application and the lighting of the profile switch.

[0141] Therefore, in the controller 6 of the embodiment, a predetermined delimiter period is provided at least before the period during which profile switching is notified by vibration. The delimiter period is a period during which the pattern of stimuli and information provided to the user's senses, such as touch and sight, is different from that provided by the application (in other words, it changes from the pattern provided by the application). In the embodiment, the delimiter period includes a mute period during which the vibrator 90 is not vibrated and a mute period during which the light-emitting unit 86 is not illuminated. In the embodiment, a mute period during which the vibrator 90 is not vibrated is further provided after the period during which profile switching is notified by vibration. Similarly, a mute period during which the light-emitting unit 86 is not illuminated is provided before and / or after the period during which profile switching is notified by light emission.

[0142] Figure 21 shows a notification mode for profile switching with the third feature applied. The above mute period includes a first vibration mute period 310, a second vibration mute period 312, a first light emission mute period 314, and a second light emission mute period 316. In the embodiment, the lengths of the first vibration mute period 310, the second vibration mute period 312, and the second light emission mute period 316 are 70 milliseconds, and the length of the first light emission mute period 314 is 71 milliseconds. The length of each mute period is not limited thereto. The mute periods may be set to different lengths for vibration and light emission, and may also be set to different lengths before and after the notification period.

[0143] The notification control unit 124 detects when the applicable profile in the controller 6 is switched by the switching unit 122. When the notification control unit 124 detects a switch in the applicable profile in the controller 6, it activates the oscillator 90 in the profile switching vibration pattern after the first vibration mute period 310 has elapsed. At the same time, when the applicable profile in the controller 6 is switched, the notification control unit 124 activates the light-emitting unit 86 in the profile switching illumination pattern after the first light-emitting mute period 314 has elapsed.

[0144] When the notification control unit 124 detects a change in the applicable profile in the controller 6, it stops the operation of the oscillator 90 as instructed by the information processing device 10. For example, if the notification control unit 124 detects a change in the applicable profile in the controller 6 and the oscillator 90 is being operated as instructed by the information processing device 10, it stops the operation of the oscillator 90 as instructed by the information processing device 10 and starts the first vibration mute period 310. In the following description, the instruction from the information processing device 10 can also be said to be an instruction from an application running on the information processing device 10.

[0145] Furthermore, if the applicable profile in the controller 6 is switched, the notification control unit 124 may gradually reduce and then stop the operation of the oscillator 90 in accordance with the instructions from the information processing device 10 before the start of the first vibration mute period 310 (so-called fade-out).

[0146] The notification control unit 124 restricts the operation of the vibrator 90 during the first vibration mute period 310. In this embodiment, the notification control unit 124 does not operate the vibrator 90 during the first vibration mute period 310, even if it receives an operation instruction for the vibrator 90 from the information processing device 10. As a modification, the notification control unit 124 may operate the vibrator 90 in a predetermined pattern indicating that it is a mute period, regardless of whether or not it has received an operation instruction for the vibrator 90 from the information processing device 10 during the first vibration mute period 310.

[0147] When the notification control unit 124 detects a change in the applicable profile in the controller 6, it stops the operation of the light-emitting unit 86 as instructed by the information processing device 10. For example, if the notification control unit 124 detects a change in the applicable profile in the controller 6 and the light-emitting unit 86 is being operated as instructed by the information processing device 10, it stops the operation of the light-emitting unit 86 as instructed by the information processing device 10 and starts the first light-emitting mute period 314.

[0148] The notification control unit 124 restricts the operation of the light-emitting unit 86 during the first light-emitting mute period 314. In this embodiment, during the first light-emitting mute period 314, even if the notification control unit 124 receives an operation instruction for the light-emitting unit 86 from the information processing device 10, it does not operate the light-emitting unit 86 and maintains the off state. As a modified example, during the first light-emitting mute period 314, the notification control unit 124 may operate the light-emitting unit 86 in a predetermined pattern indicating that it is a mute period, regardless of whether or not it has received an operation instruction for the oscillator 90 from the information processing device 10.

[0149] The notification control unit 124 operates the vibrator 90 according to the profile switching vibration pattern to notify the user of the profile switching, and then restricts the operation of the vibrator 90 during the second vibration mute period 312. In this embodiment, the notification control unit 124 does not operate the vibrator 90 during the second vibration mute period 312. As a modification, the notification control unit 124 may operate the vibrator 90 in a predetermined pattern indicating that it is a mute period, regardless of whether or not it has received an operation instruction for the vibrator 90 from the information processing device 10 during the second vibration mute period 312.

[0150] After the second vibration mute period 312 has elapsed, the notification control unit 124 returns to a state in which it operates the oscillator 90 based on instructions from the information processing device 10. Alternatively, after the end of the second vibration mute period 312, the notification control unit 124 may gradually increase the operation of the oscillator 90, as instructed by the information processing device 10, to a normal level (so-called fade-in).

[0151] The notification control unit 124 activates the light-emitting unit 86 according to the profile switching illumination pattern to notify the user of the profile switching, and then restricts the operation of the light-emitting unit 86 during the second light-emitting mute period 316. In this embodiment, the notification control unit 124 does not activate the light-emitting unit 86 during the second light-emitting mute period 316, even if it receives an operation instruction for the light-emitting unit 86 from the information processing device 10. As a modification, the notification control unit 124 may activate the light-emitting unit 86 during the second light-emitting mute period 316 in a predetermined pattern indicating that it is a mute period, regardless of whether it has received an operation instruction for the oscillator 90 from the information processing device 10. After the second light-emitting mute period 316 has elapsed, the notification control unit 124 returns to a state in which it activates the light-emitting unit 86 based on an instruction from the information processing device 10.

[0152] The notification control unit 124 activates the vibrator 90 for a time determined by the profile switching vibration pattern after the first vibration mute period 310 has elapsed. The notification control unit 124 also activates the light-emitting unit 86 for a time determined by the profile switching light-emitting pattern after the first light-emitting mute period 314 has elapsed. In this embodiment, the time determined by the profile switching vibration pattern is 140 milliseconds, while the time determined by the profile switching illumination pattern is 500 milliseconds. That is, the notification control unit 124 activates the light-emitting unit 86 for a longer period than the operating time of the vibrator 90 in conjunction with the profile switching. By continuing the notification by light emission longer than the notification by vibration, the user can be more reliably made aware of the profile switching. Note that the operating times of the vibrator 90 and light-emitting unit 86 in profile switching notifications are not limited to those described above.

[0153] The notification control unit 124 inputs an operation command signal to the vibrator 90 after the first vibration mute period 310 has elapsed, and inputs an operation command signal to the light-emitting unit 86 after the first light-emitting mute period 314 has elapsed. As previously described, the first light-emitting mute period 314 (71 milliseconds) is longer than the first vibration mute period 310 (70 milliseconds). That is, the notification control unit 124 inputs an operation command signal to the vibrator 90 after the first vibration mute period 310 has elapsed, and then inputs an operation command signal to the light-emitting unit 86 after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since that input.

[0154] The standby time can also be described as the difference between the first vibration mute period 310 and the first light emission mute period 314. The standby time is determined based on a pre-measured delay time from the input of an operation instruction signal to the oscillator 90 until the oscillator 90 starts operating (for example, the drive delay time of the VCM). In this embodiment, the standby time is 1 millisecond. Alternatively, the standby time may be determined based on the difference between the time required for a person to perceive vibration and the time required for a person to perceive light, as determined by experiments or other means.

[0155] According to the third feature of the information processing system 1 of the embodiment, it is possible to easily distinguish between notifications from an application running on the information processing device 10 to the user via the notification device of the controller 6 (vibrator 90 and light-emitting unit 86 in the embodiment) and notifications to the user regarding the switching of profiles applied by the controller 6.

[0156] The present invention has been described above based on examples. These examples are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in combinations of each component and each processing process, and that such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0157] A modified example is described below. The information processing device 10 may further include a notification control unit. When the switching instruction unit 226 switches the profile applied to the controller 6, the notification control unit of the information processing device 10 may display information related to the profile switching on the display device 4 via the display control unit 224. The information related to the profile switching may include the name of the target profile and key assignment information.

[0158] Let's describe another variation. If the switching instruction unit 226 of the information processing device 10 switches the applied profile in the controller 6 based on the execution status of the application, it may store information about the profile before the switch (such as the slot number) in the profile storage unit 204. If the execution of the application that caused the switch in the applied profile in the controller 6, for example, an application that requests a specific profile (such as a system settings screen that requests the default profile), has finished, the switching instruction unit 226 may revert the applied profile of the controller 6 to the profile before the switch stored in the profile storage unit 204.

[0159] Let's describe another variation. In the above embodiment, vibration and light emission were used as means of notifying the user of profile switching, but as a variation, sound may be used. The notification control unit 124 of the controller 6 may notify the user of profile switching by controlling the speaker 89 according to a predetermined profile switching sound pattern when the applicable profile is switched by the switching unit 122, and outputting a predetermined sound from the speaker 89 indicating profile switching. Furthermore, a mute period may be provided before and after the period in which the profile switching is notified by sound, during which the speaker 89 does not output sound.

[0160] Any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. The new embodiments resulting from these combinations possess the combined effects of each of the embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be performed by each component described in the claims can be achieved by each component shown in the embodiments and modifications individually or in combination thereof.

[0161] The technical concepts described in the above embodiments and modifications can be expressed in the manner described in the following sections. [Item 1-1] An analog input device that receives user input, A storage unit for storing setting information of the analog input device, A generation unit that generates operation information including values ​​adjusted based on the setting information for values ​​related to user operations input to the analog input device, A transmission unit that sends the generated operation information to an external information processing device, Equipped with, The generation unit generates operation information, including a first value and a second value, relating to the user's operation input to the analog input device, in the adjustment mode of the analog input device. The first value is a value obtained by adjusting the value related to the user's operation input to the analog input device using the setting information being adjusted in the adjustment mode. The second value is the value to which the setting information being adjusted has not been applied. Operating device. This operating device helps provide an information processing device with an intuitively understandable operating interface for adjusting an analog input device, based on a first value with the setting information being adjusted applied and a second value without the setting information being adjusted applied. [Item 1-2] The second value is linear with respect to the manipulated variable input to the analog input device, while the first value is nonlinear with respect to the manipulated variable input to the analog input device. The operating device described in item 1-1. According to this operating device, although the first value may deviate from the user's perception, by providing it together with a second value that aligns with the user's perception to the information processing device, it is possible to support the information processing device in providing an intuitively understandable adjustment interface for the user. [Item 1-3] The aforementioned setting information is related to sensitivity. The operating device described in item 1-1 or 1-2. This control device can assist in adjusting the sensitivity of analog input devices. [Item 1-4] The information relating to the sensitivity includes a value that converts the manipulated variable input to the analog input device. The operating device described in item 1-3. This control device can assist in adjusting the value that converts the manipulated variable input to the analog input device, thereby improving the sensitivity of the analog input device. [Items 1-5] The information relating to the sensitivity includes the dead zone setting value of the analog input device. The operating device described in item 1-3 or 1-4. This control device can assist in adjusting the dead zone of analog input devices, which is a measure of the sensitivity of analog input devices. [Items 1-6] The analog input device is an analog letter. An operating device as described in any of items 1-1 to 1-5. This control device can assist in adjusting the analog stick. [Items 1-7] The aforementioned analog input device is a trigger button. An operating device as described in any of items 1-1 to 1-5. This control device can assist in adjusting the trigger button. [Items 1-8] An analog input device that receives user input, A storage unit for storing setting information of the analog input device, Equipped with a processor, The processor generates operation information that includes values ​​related to user operations input to the analog input device, adjusted based on the sensitivity indicated by the setting information. The aforementioned processor transmits the generated operation information to an external information processing device. The processor generates operation information, including a first value and a second value, relating to the user's operation input to the analog input device, in the adjustment mode of the analog input device. The first value is a value obtained by adjusting the value related to the user's operation input to the analog input device using the setting information being adjusted in the adjustment mode. The second value is the value to which the setting information being adjusted has not been applied. Operating device. This operating device helps provide an information processing device with an intuitively understandable operating interface for adjusting an analog input device, based on a first value with the setting information being adjusted applied and a second value without the setting information being adjusted applied. [Items 1-9] It comprises an information processing device and an operating device, The aforementioned operating device is An analog input device that receives user input, A storage unit for storing setting information of the analog input device, A generation unit that generates operation information including values ​​adjusted based on the setting information for values ​​related to user operations input to the analog input device, A transmission unit that transmits the generated operation information to the information processing device, Equipped with, The generation unit generates operation information, including a first value and a second value, relating to the user's operation input to the analog input device, in the adjustment mode of the analog input device. The first value is a value obtained by adjusting the value related to the user's operation input to the analog input device using the setting information being adjusted in the adjustment mode. The second value is the value to which the setting information being adjusted has not been applied. The information processing device places an image representing the relationship between the first value and the second value included in the operation information on the setting screen of the analog input device. Information processing system. According to this information processing system, the information processing device can provide a user-friendly, intuitive setting screen for adjusting analog input devices, based on a first value with the setting information being adjusted applied and a second value without the setting information being adjusted applied. [Items 1-10] The image representing the relationship between the first value and the second value is an image representing the sensitivity of the analog input device. Information processing systems as described in items 1-9. This information processing system can present the sensitivity of the analog input devices of the operating device in an intuitively easy-to-understand manner. [Item 1-11] The information processing device repeatedly transmits control data to the operating device. When the user selects to adjust the analog input device, the information processing device transmits control data, including an instruction to transition to the adjustment mode, to the operating device. Information processing systems as described in item 1-9 or 1-10. According to this information processing system, the operating device can be switched to adjustment mode in response to user input. [Item 1-12] The information processing device transmits control data to the operating device, which includes information about the peaks of a line graph representing the sensitivity characteristics of the analog input device specified on the setting screen. An information processing system as described in any of items 1-9 through 1-11. This information processing system allows for the efficient transmission of the sensitivity characteristics of the analog input device specified on the settings screen to the operating device. [Items 1-13] The information processing device transmits control data, including information about the dead zone of the analog input device specified on the setting screen, to the operating device. An information processing system as described in any of items 1-9 through 1-12. According to this information processing system, information about the dead zone of the analog input device specified on the settings screen can be transmitted to the operating device. [Items 1-14] An operating device comprising an analog input device that receives user input and a storage unit that stores setting information for the analog input device, The steps include generating operation information that includes values ​​related to user operations input to the analog input device, adjusted based on the setting information, The steps include transmitting the generated operation information from the operating device to an external information processing device, Execute, The above generation step generates operation information including a first value and a second value relating to the user operation input to the analog input device in the adjustment mode of the analog input device, The first value is a value obtained by adjusting the value related to the user's operation input to the analog input device using the setting information being adjusted in the adjustment mode. The second value is the value to which the setting information being adjusted has not been applied. Information processing methods. This information processing method helps provide an intuitive and user-friendly operating interface for adjusting an analog input device, based on a first value with the settings being adjusted applied and a second value without the settings being adjusted applied. [Items 1-15] An operating device comprising an analog input device that receives user input and a storage unit that stores setting information for the analog input device, A function that generates operation information including values ​​adjusted based on the setting information for values ​​related to user operations input to the analog input device, A function to transmit the generated operation information from the operating device to an external information processing device, To make it happen, The function that generates the above generates operation information including a first value and a second value relating to the user's operation input to the analog input device in the adjustment mode of the analog input device. The first value is a value obtained by adjusting the value related to the user's operation input to the analog input device using the setting information being adjusted in the adjustment mode. The second value is the value to which the setting information being adjusted has not been applied. Computer program. According to this computer program, it is possible to realize an operating device that helps provide an intuitively understandable operating interface for the user to adjust an analog input device based on a first value with the setting information being adjusted applied and a second value without the setting information being adjusted applied.

[0162] [Item 2-1] An operating device on which user operations are input, A storage unit that stores multiple setting information related to the behavior of the aforementioned operating device, Operation information indicating user operations, wherein operation information to which any of the multiple setting information is applied is transmitted to an external information processing device; A switching unit for switching the setting information applied by the aforementioned operating device, Equipped with, The operating modes of the switching unit include a first mode in which setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to the control of the information processing device, and a second mode in which setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to a predetermined input by the user. Operating device. According to this operating device, the provision of a first mode prevents the application of setting information to the operating device that differs from the setting information expected by the application running on the information processing device. Furthermore, the provision of a second mode allows the user to select the desired profile even when the controller 6 is connected to a device that does not support profile control. [Item 2-2] The switching unit operates in the first mode when it receives control data of predetermined content from the information processing device, and operates in the second mode when it does not receive control data of predetermined content. The operating device described in item 2-1. This operating device enables the information processing device to operate in the first mode if it supports setting information switching control, and in the second mode if it does not support setting information switching control. [Item 2-3] The switching unit receives control data that includes information specifying specific setting information stored in the storage unit. The operating device described in item 2-2. This operating device allows switching the setting information applied to the operating device according to the specifications from the information processing device. [Item 2-4] The switching unit, when the information specifying the setting information received while operating in the first mode matches any of the multiple setting information stored in the storage unit, switches the setting information to be applied to the operation information. The operating device described in item 2-2 or 2-3. According to this operating device, incorrect operation of the operating device can be prevented by switching the setting information when the specification from the information processing device is correct. [Item 2-5] The system further includes a notification unit that notifies the information processing device of the operating mode of the switching unit and the currently applied setting information. An operating device as described in any of items 2-1 to 2-4. This operating device allows the information processing device to understand and manage the operating mode of the switching unit and the currently applied settings. [Item 2-6] The switching unit operates in the second mode when the operating device is started. An operating device as described in any of items 2-1 to 2-5. This operating device allows the second mode to be set as the default operating mode, and enables switching to the first mode in response to instructions from the information processing device. [Item 2-7] The switching unit applies the most recently applied setting information to the operation information when the operating device is started. An operating device as described in any of items 2-1 to 2-6. This control device allows for the application of appropriate configuration information upon startup. [Item 2-8] An operating device on which user operations are input, A storage unit that stores multiple setting information related to the behavior of the aforementioned operating device, Processor and Equipped with, The processor transmits operation information indicating the user's input, to an external information processing device, applying one of the multiple setting pieces of information to the operation information. The processor switches the setting information to be applied by the operating device. The operating modes of the processor for switching the setting information include a first mode in which the setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to the control of the information processing device, and a second mode in which the setting information applied by the operating device is switched in response to a predetermined input by the user. Operating device. According to this operating device, the provision of a first mode prevents the application of setting information to the operating device that differs from the setting information expected by the application running on the information processing device. Furthermore, the provision of a second mode allows the user to select the desired profile even when the controller 6 is connected to a device that does not support profile control. [Item 2-9] An operating device into which user operations are input, An information processing device that runs an application, Equipped with, The operating device stores a plurality of setting information relating to the behavior of the operating device, The information processing device transmits control data to the operating device that instructs the switching of setting information to be applied to the operating device based on the execution status of the application. The operating device switches the applicable setting information based on the control data transmitted from the information processing device. Information processing system. According to this information processing system, by providing a first mode in the operating device, it is possible to suppress the application of setting information to the operating device that differs from the setting information expected by the application running on the information processing device. Furthermore, by providing a second mode in the operating device, even if the operating device is connected to a device that does not support profile control, the user can select the desired profile. [Item 2-10] The control data includes data specifying the setting information for the switching destination. The information processing system described in item 2-9. According to this information processing system, the information processing device can control the setting information for the switching destination in the operating device. [Item 2-11] When the information processing device executes a specific application, it transmits control data to the operating device that specifies the setting information defined in the specific application as the setting information for the switching destination. The information processing system described in item 2-10. According to this information processing system, the configuration information expected by the application running on the information processing device can be applied to the operating device. [Item 2-12] The information processing device stores the setting information currently applied to the operating device, The operating device notifies the information processing device of the setting information being applied, If the information processing device stores setting information currently applied to the operating device and the setting information currently applied notified by the operating device does not match, it displays predetermined information on the screen. An information processing system as described in any of items 2-9 through 2-11. According to this information processing system, if a discrepancy occurs in the settings information being applied between the operating device and the information processing device, predetermined information such as alert notifications and error displays can be presented to the user. [Item 2-13] An operating device into which user operations are input, and which includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of setting information relating to the behavior of the operating device, The steps include sending operation information indicating user operations to an external information processing device, wherein operation information to which any of the multiple setting information is applied is transmitted; The steps include switching the setting information applied by the aforementioned operating device, Execute, The operation mode of the switching step includes a first mode in which setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to the control of the information processing device, and a second mode in which setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to a predetermined input by the user. Information processing methods. This information processing method allows the operating device to operate in the first mode, thus preventing the application of configuration information to the operating device that differs from the configuration information expected by the application running on the information processing device. Furthermore, since the operating device can also operate in the second mode, the user can select the desired profile even if the operating device is connected to a device that does not support profile control. [Item 2-14] An operating device into which user operations are input, and which includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of setting information relating to the behavior of the operating device, Operation information indicating user actions, with a function to send operation information to an external information processing device to which any of the multiple setting information is applied; The aforementioned operating device has a function to switch the setting information to be applied, To make it happen, The operating modes of the switching function include a first mode in which the setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to the control of the information processing device, and a second mode in which the setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to a predetermined input by the user. Computer program. According to this computer program, the operating device can be operated in a first mode, which prevents the application of configuration information to the operating device that differs from the configuration information expected by the application running on the information processing device. Furthermore, the operating device can also be operated in a second mode, allowing the user to select the desired profile even when the operating device is connected to a device that does not support profile control.

[0163] [Item 3-1] A control device that receives input for user actions when playing an application, The notification device for the user, A notification control unit that activates the notification device, A storage unit that stores multiple setting information related to the behavior of the aforementioned operating device, A switching unit that switches the setting information to be applied to the operating device when a predetermined switching instruction is input, Equipped with, When the notification control unit detects a change in the setting information applied to the operating device, it activates the notification device in a predetermined pattern after a predetermined first interval has elapsed to notify the change in the setting information. Operating device. This control device makes it easy to distinguish between notifications from running applications to the user and notifications to the user related to switching configuration information. [Item 3-2] If a change in setting information applied to the operating device is detected, and the notification device is activated by an instruction from the application, the notification control unit stops the operation of the notification device in response to the instruction from the application and starts the first interval period. The operating device described in item 3-1. According to this control device, even if there is a command from the application, the operation of the notification device can be stopped, thereby ensuring a first interval period. [Item 3-3] After activating the notification device to notify of the change in the setting information, the notification control unit restricts the operation of the notification device during a predetermined second interval. The operating device described in item 3-1 or 3-2. This control device helps to easily distinguish between notifications of setting changes and notifications from applications to the user by ensuring a second period in which the operation of the notification device is restricted (for example, the notification device is not activated). [Item 3-4] After the second interval has elapsed, the notification control unit returns to a state in which it operates the notification device based on instructions from the application. The operating device described in item 3-3. This control device allows for a clear separation between the operation of the notification device in response to a change in settings and its activation based on application instructions, while simultaneously returning to the normal state where the notification device is activated based on application instructions. [Item 3-5] The notification control unit, during the first interval, restricts the operation of the notification device even if it receives an operation instruction from the application. An operating device as described in any of items 3-1 to 3-4. This control device allows for securing a first period during which the operation of the notification device is restricted (for example, the notification device is not activated). [Item 3-6] The notification device includes a vibration device and a light-emitting device, The notification control unit, after the elapsed of the first interval period, operates the vibration device for a first hour and the light-emitting device for a second hour that is longer than the first hour. An operating device as described in any of items 3-1 to 3-5. This control device makes it easier for users to reliably recognize when settings are being switched. [Item 3-7] The notification device includes a vibration device and a light-emitting device, The notification control unit, after the first interval has elapsed, inputs an operation instruction signal to the vibration device, and after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the input of the operation instruction signal to the vibration device, inputs an operation instruction signal to the light-emitting device. The aforementioned waiting time is determined based on the delay time from the input of an operation instruction signal to the vibration device until the vibration device starts operating. An operating device as described in any of items 3-1 to 3-6. This control device minimizes the time lag between the activation timing of the light-emitting device and the activation timing of the vibration device. In other words, it minimizes the time lag between when the user perceives the light emission from the device and when the user perceives the vibration from the device. This reduces the likelihood of the user feeling uncomfortable or irritated. [Item 3-8] A control device that receives input for user actions when playing an application, Processor and A notification device for the user controlled by the aforementioned processor, A storage unit that stores multiple setting information related to the behavior of the aforementioned operating device, Equipped with, When a predetermined switching instruction is input, the processor switches the setting information to be applied to the operating device. When the processor detects a change in the setting information applied to the operating device, it activates the notification device in a predetermined pattern after a predetermined first interval has elapsed to notify the change in the setting information. Operating device. This control device makes it easy to distinguish between notifications from running applications to the user and notifications to the user related to switching configuration information. [Item 3-9] An operating device that receives input from a user playing an application, comprising a notification device for the user and a storage unit that stores a plurality of setting information related to the behavior of the operating device, The steps include: switching the setting information applied to the operating device when a predetermined switching instruction is input; When a change in setting information applied to the aforementioned operating device is detected, after a predetermined first interval has elapsed, the notification device is activated in a predetermined pattern to notify the change in setting information. An information processing method that performs the following. This information processing method makes it easy to distinguish between notifications from a running application to the user and notifications to the user related to the switching of configuration information. [Item 3-10] An operating device that receives input from a user playing an application, comprising a notification device for the user and a storage unit that stores a plurality of setting information related to the behavior of the operating device, A notification control function that activates the aforementioned notification device, A function that switches the setting information applied to the operating device when a predetermined switching instruction is input, To make it happen, When the operating device detects a change in the setting information, the notification control function activates the notification device in a predetermined pattern after a predetermined first interval has elapsed to notify the user of the change in the setting information. Computer program. This computer program enables the creation of an operating device that helps easily distinguish between notifications from running applications to the user and notifications to the user related to the switching of configuration information. [Industrial applicability]

[0164] The present invention can be applied to operating devices, information processing systems, information processing methods, and computer programs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 1 Information processing system, 6 Controller, 10 Information processing device, 77 Analog stick, 84 Trigger button, 118 Operation information generation unit, 120 Operation information transmission unit, 122 Switching unit, 124 Notification control unit, 220 Application execution unit, 222 Settings screen generation unit, 224 Display control unit, 226 Switching instruction unit.

Claims

1. An operating device on which user operations are input, A storage unit that stores multiple setting information related to the behavior of the aforementioned operating device, Operation information indicating user operations, wherein operation information to which any of the multiple setting information is applied is transmitted to an external information processing device; A switching unit for switching the setting information applied by the aforementioned operating device, Equipped with, The operating modes of the switching unit include a first mode in which the setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to the control of the information processing device, and a second mode in which the setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to a predetermined input by the user. The switching unit operates in the first mode when it receives control data of predetermined content from the information processing device, and operates in the second mode when it does not receive control data of predetermined content. Operating device.

2. The switching unit receives control data that includes information specifying specific setting information stored in the storage unit. The operating device according to claim 1.

3. The switching unit, when the information specifying the setting information received while operating in the first mode corresponds to any of the multiple setting information stored in the storage unit, switches the setting information to be applied to the operation information. The operating device according to claim 1.

4. The system further includes a notification unit that notifies the information processing device of the operating mode of the switching unit and the currently applied setting information. The operating device according to claim 1.

5. The switching unit operates in the second mode when the operating device is started. The operating device according to claim 1.

6. The switching unit applies the most recently applied setting information to the operation information when the operating device is started. The operating device according to claim 1.

7. An operating device on which user operations are input, A storage unit that stores multiple setting information related to the behavior of the aforementioned operating device, Processor and Equipped with, The processor transmits operation information indicating the user's input, to an external information processing device, applying one of the multiple setting pieces of information to the operation information. The processor switches the setting information to be applied by the operating device. The operating modes of the processor for switching the setting information include a first mode in which the setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to the control of the information processing device, and a second mode in which the setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to a predetermined input by the user. The processor operates in the first mode when it receives control data of predetermined content from the information processing device, and operates in the second mode when it does not receive control data of predetermined content. Operating device.

8. An operating device into which user operations are input, An information processing device that runs an application, Equipped with, The aforementioned operating device is A storage unit that stores multiple setting information related to the behavior of the aforementioned operating device, A transmission unit that transmits operation information indicating user operations to the information processing device, wherein operation information to which any of the multiple setting information is applied, The operating device has a switching unit that switches the setting information to be applied, The operating mode of the switching unit of the operating device includes a first mode in which setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to the control of the information processing device, and a second mode in which setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to a predetermined input by the user. The information processing device transmits control data to the operating device that instructs the switching of setting information to be applied to the operating device based on the execution status of the application. The switching unit of the operating device operates in the first mode when it receives the control data from the information processing device, and operates in the second mode when it does not receive the control data. Information processing system.

9. The control data includes data specifying the setting information for the switching destination. The information processing system according to claim 8.

10. When the information processing device executes a specific application, it transmits control data to the operating device that specifies the setting information defined in the specific application as the setting information for the switching destination. The information processing system according to claim 9.

11. The information processing device stores the setting information currently applied to the operating device, The operating device notifies the information processing device of the setting information being applied, If the information processing device stores setting information currently applied to the operating device and the setting information currently applied notified by the operating device does not match, it displays predetermined information on the screen. The information processing system according to claim 8.

12. An operating device into which user operations are input, and which includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of setting information relating to the behavior of the operating device, The steps include sending operation information indicating user operations to an external information processing device, wherein operation information to which any of the multiple setting information is applied is transmitted; The steps include switching the setting information applied by the aforementioned operating device, Execute, The operation mode of the switching step includes a first mode in which setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to the control of the information processing device, and a second mode in which setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to a predetermined input by the user. The switching step involves operating in the first mode if control data of predetermined content is received from the information processing device, and operating in the second mode if control data of predetermined content is not received. Information processing methods.

13. An operating device into which user operations are input, and which includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of setting information relating to the behavior of the operating device, Operation information indicating user actions, with a function to send operation information to an external information processing device to which any of the multiple setting information is applied; The aforementioned operating device has a function to switch the setting information to be applied, To make it happen, The operating modes of the switching function include a first mode in which the setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to the control of the information processing device, and a second mode in which the setting information applied by the operating device is switched according to a predetermined input by the user. The switching function operates in the first mode when it receives control data of predetermined content from the information processing device, and operates in the second mode when it does not receive control data of predetermined content. Computer program.

Images