Information processing system and information processing device

Abstract

This information processing system comprises: a toy 10 which can be touched by a user's hand or stepped on by the user's foot; and an information processing device 20. The toy 10 includes: a plurality of pressure sensors for detecting the pressure at a plurality of positions in the thickness direction of the toy; and a communication unit 52 for transmitting the detection values of the plurality of pressure sensors to the information processing device 20 when the user comes into contact with the toy 10. The information processing device 20 includes: a communication unit 32 for receiving the detection values of the plurality of pressure sensors; and a control unit 30 for identifying the user in contact with the toy 10 from the sensor detection values at the plurality of positions on the toy 10.

Description

Information processing system and information processing device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for controlling a toy that a user can play with by touching it with their hands or stepping on it with their feet.

[0002] In recent years, the widespread use of information devices such as smartphones and tablets has made their use by children common. Prolonged use of information devices by children not only increases the risk of vision loss, but can also lead to a decline in physical strength due to lack of exercise.

[0003] It is known that exercise strengthens children's muscles and bones and also has a positive effect on their mental health. To maintain children's health, it is desirable to create an environment where children can exercise while having fun. Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for controlling toys, which are devices that users can play with by touching them with their hands or stepping on them with their feet.

[0004] An information processing system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing system in which a toy that a user can touch with their hands or step on with their feet is communicatively connected to an information processing device, wherein the toy has a plurality of pressure sensors that detect pressure in the thickness direction of the toy at a plurality of positions, and a first communication unit that transmits the detection values ​​of the plurality of pressure sensors when the user touches the toy to the information processing device, and the information processing device has a second communication unit that receives the detection values ​​of the plurality of pressure sensors, and a control unit that identifies the user that has touched the toy from the sensor detection values ​​at a plurality of positions on the toy.

[0005] Another aspect of the information processing device of the present disclosure is an information processing device that is communicatively connected to a toy that a user can touch with their hands or step on with their feet, and is equipped with a communication unit that receives detection values ​​from multiple pressure sensors provided on the toy, and a control unit that identifies a user who has touched the toy from the detection values ​​from the multiple pressure sensors.

[0006] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a toy according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system including a plurality of toys; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks of an information processing device and a toy; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of electronic components inside a toy; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a displayed game list; (a) and (b) are diagrams showing a state in which a plurality of toys are placed on a floor surface; (a) and (b) are diagrams showing a state in which a plurality of toys are placed on a floor surface; (a) and (b) are diagrams showing an exploded perspective view of a toy; (b) is an exploded perspective view of a toy; (c) is a cross-sectional view of a toy; (d) is a diagram showing the top surface of a toy; (e) is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of pressure sensors; (f) is a diagram showing a user wearing a toy;

[0007] FIG. 1 shows an example of the appearance of a toy 10 according to an embodiment. The toy 10 is a circular electronic device configured to be touchable by a child user with their hands or stomped on with their feet, and has a substantially flat shape so that any part of the toy 10 can be easily touched with their hands or stomped on with their feet. The top surface of the toy 10 does not need to be completely flat, and may have some curvature. To make the toy 10 portable for children, it is preferable that the weight of the toy 10 be approximately 400 to 700 grams and the diameter be approximately 25 to 30 cm.

[0008] 2 shows the configuration of an information processing system 1 including a plurality of toys 10. The information processing system 1 includes a plurality of toys 10 and an information processing device 20 having a display 40. The toys 10 and the information processing device 20 are communicably connected to each other and have the function of transmitting and receiving necessary information and / or data.

[0009] When a user plays indoors, the toy 10 and the information processing device 20 may be connected using wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The toy 10 and the information processing device 20 may be connected via a wireless LAN (local area network), a mobile phone network, or a relay network. The toy 10 and the information processing device 20 can be connected via various communication paths, and it is preferable that the communication path be automatically switched as needed. Note that although it is preferable that the toy 10 and the information processing device 20 are connected wirelessly, they may also be connected via a wired connection using a cable or the like.

[0010] In the embodiment, the information processing device 20 functions as a control tower in the information processing system 1, executes a game program, and controls the progress of a game played using one or more toys 10. The information processing device 20 may be a portable information device such as a smartphone or a tablet, a laptop or desktop personal computer, or a portable or console game device.

[0011] 3 shows functional blocks of the information processing device 20 and the toy 10. The toy 10 includes a processing unit 50 and a communication unit 52. The processing unit 50 includes a sensor unit 54, a light-emitting unit 56, a speaker 58, a user information acquisition unit 68, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 70, and a control unit 72. The sensor unit 54 includes multiple sensors that detect contact by the user. The sensors may be pressure sensors that detect pressure applied perpendicularly to the top surface of the toy 10, i.e., pressure applied in the thickness direction of the toy 10. The sensor unit 54 includes multiple pressure sensors that detect pressure in the thickness direction of the toy 10 at multiple positions, and the multiple pressure sensors may be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction below the circular top surface of the toy 10.

[0012] The light-emitting unit 56 has a plurality of light-emitting bodies capable of emitting light. The light-emitting unit 56 has a plurality of LEDs arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction at positions equidistant from the center, and lights up the side of the toy 10 and its vicinity. The plurality of LEDs can each be lit in an independent color, and lighting is controlled according to light-emitting instructions supplied from the information processing device 20. The light-emitting unit 56 may be a tape LED in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged at equal intervals on a long piece of insulating tape.

[0013] The functionality of the components in toy 10 may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuitry, and / or combinations thereof, configured or programmed to perform the functions described herein. A processor is considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry that includes transistors and other circuitry. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in a memory.

[0014] In this specification, a circuit, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to realize or performs the described functions, which may be any hardware disclosed herein or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or perform the described functions.

[0015] If the hardware is a processor that is considered to be a type of circuitry, the circuitry, means, or unit may be a combination of hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0016] 4 shows an example of the layout of electronic components inside the toy. In this example, the sensor unit 54 has a first pressure sensor 54a, a second pressure sensor 54b, a third pressure sensor 54c, and a fourth pressure sensor 54d, which are arranged at 90-degree intervals around the circumference, and the distance from the center point to each pressure sensor is equal. Each pressure sensor detects the pressure applied by the user to the top surface of the toy 10.

[0017] The top surface of the toy 10 is an operation surface operated by the user, and is divided into a plurality of divided regions based on the positions of a plurality of pressure sensors. In this embodiment, four pressure sensors are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction below the toy operation surface, thereby dividing the operation surface (top surface) of the toy 10 into four divided regions: a first region 60a, a second region 60b, a third region 60c, and a fourth region 60d. Here, each divided region has a fan shape with the same central angle (90 degrees), and in each divided region, the pressure sensors are arranged on a line that passes through the center point (the vertex of the fan) and divides each divided region in half.

[0018] Therefore, when the first region 60a is pressed by the user, the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor 54a is the highest compared to the pressure detected by the other pressure sensors. Similarly, when the second region 60b is pressed by the user, the pressure detected by the second pressure sensor 54b is the highest compared to the pressure detected by the other pressure sensors. When the third region 60c is pressed by the user, the pressure detected by the third pressure sensor 54c is the highest compared to the pressure detected by the other pressure sensors. When the fourth region 60d is pressed by the user, the pressure detected by the fourth pressure sensor 54d is the highest compared to the pressure detected by the other pressure sensors. By arranging multiple pressure sensors at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in this manner, the sensor unit 54 can identify the divided region pressed by the user. When the user presses multiple divided regions simultaneously, the sensor unit 54 may be able to identify the multiple divided regions pressed simultaneously. The communication unit 52 transmits the detection values ​​detected by each pressure sensor to the information processing device 20 at a predetermined sampling period.

[0019] The multiple light emitters in the light emitter 56 are arranged at positions a predetermined distance from the center point so as to surround the multiple pressure sensors. The number of light emitters may be several tens to several hundreds. The more light emitters that can be independently lit, the more various light emission patterns the light emitter 56 can generate. The lighting of the multiple light emitters is controlled according to light emission instructions supplied from the information processing device 20.

[0020] The speaker 58 is disposed in the central region and outputs sounds in accordance with sound output instructions supplied from the information processing device 20. The speaker 58 may output, for example, the results of the game.

[0021] The toy 10 has an identification number (toy ID) for uniquely identifying itself. When the power is turned on and the toy 10 becomes active, it connects to the information processing device 20 so as to be able to communicate with the information processing device 20 and notifies the information processing device 20 of its own toy ID. The information processing device 20 acquires the toy IDs from all toys 10 in the vicinity that are in an active state, and identifies the toys 10 that can be used in the game. The information processing device 20 may periodically poll the toys 10 that have acquired the toy ID to check whether they are maintaining an active state.

[0022] The information processing device 20 includes a control unit 30, a communication unit 32, a display 40, a speaker 42, and a microphone 44. The control unit 30 has a function of executing applications such as games.

[0023] The functionality of the components in the information processing device 20 may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, configured or programmed to perform the functions described herein. A processor is considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry including transistors and other circuits. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in a memory.

[0024] In this specification, a circuit, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to realize or performs the described functions, which may be any hardware disclosed herein or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or perform the described functions.

[0025] If the hardware is a processor that is considered to be a type of circuitry, the circuitry, means, or unit may be a combination of hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0026] Various games that users can play by moving their bodies are provided in the information processing system 1. When a user wants to start a game, the user operates the information processing device 20 to display a game list on the display 40.

[0027] 5 shows an example of a game list displayed on the display 40. When the user selects a game from the game list, the control unit 30 starts the game program for the selected game and notifies the user by outputting information necessary for preparing for the game from the speaker 42. The following describes how to play the "Color Pattern Guessing Game" at the top of the list.

[0028] When the color pattern guessing game is selected from the game list, the control unit 30 starts a program for the color pattern guessing game. The color pattern guessing game is a game in which two users compete against each other, and each player must find a toy 10 that presents the same color pattern as the color pattern presented by the host toy 10 before his or her opponent.

[0029] The color pattern guessing game uses five toys 10, with one toy 10 being used as a host that presents a color pattern combining multiple colors. The remaining four toys 10 also present color patterns combining multiple colors, but only one toy 10 presents the same color pattern as the color pattern presented by the host, and the other three toys 10 present color patterns different from the color pattern presented by the host. In this game, the condition for victory is to find the toy 10 that presents the same color pattern as the host before the opponent. Note that the difficulty of the game can be increased by using six or more toys 10, and the difficulty can be decreased by using four or fewer toys 10. The control unit 30 proceeds with the color pattern guessing game based on the detection values ​​of the sensor unit 54 transmitted from the toys 10.

[0030] Before the game starts, the control unit 30 outputs necessary preparation information by voice from the speaker 42. In the following, it is assumed that five toys 10 are prepared on a placement surface such as the floor or the ground. FIG. 6( a) shows a state in which five toys 10 are placed randomly on the floor. In this example, toys 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e are placed. The information processing device 20 has already acquired a toy ID from each toy and recognizes that toys 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e are in an active state.

[0031] (Step 1) When the speaker 42 outputs a voice message saying, "Press and hold the top surface to determine the host," the user presses and holds the top surface of any one of the five toys 10a to 10e. In the toy 10 that has been pressed and held, the sensor unit 54 detects the pressure applied when the user presses and holds the top surface, and the communication unit 52 transmits the detection value of the sensor unit 54 together with its own toy ID to the information processing device 20. In this example, the user presses and holds the top surface of the toy 10a, and the communication unit 52 of the toy 10a transmits the detection value (sensor value) of the sensor unit 54 together with its own toy ID (ID_A) to the information processing device 20. In the information processing device 20, when the communication unit 32 receives the sensor value and toy ID (ID_A) of the toy 10a, the control unit 30 recognizes the toy 10a as the host.

[0032] (Step 2) Next, when a voice message saying "Please press the top surface of the first terminal" is output from the speaker 42, the user presses the top surface of any one of the remaining four toys 10b to 10e. In this case, the user presses the top surface of the toy 10b, and the communication unit 52 of the toy 10b transmits the detection value (sensor value) of the sensor unit 54 together with its own toy ID (ID_B) to the information processing device 20. In the information processing device 20, when the communication unit 32 receives the sensor value and toy ID (ID_B) of the toy 10b, the control unit 30 recognizes the toy 10b as the first terminal.

[0033] Next, when the speaker 42 outputs a voice message saying, "Please press the top surface of the second terminal," the user presses the top surface of any one of the remaining three toys 10c to 10e. In this case, the user presses the top surface of toy 10c, and the communication unit 52 of toy 10c transmits the sensor value together with its own toy ID (ID_C) to the information processing device 20. This causes the control unit 30 to recognize toy 10c as the second terminal. This preparation process is performed two more times, and the control unit 30 recognizes toy 10d as the third terminal and toy 10e as the fourth terminal.

[0034] (Step 3) When the control unit 30 recognizes the four terminals, the control unit 30 generates light-emitting instructions for lighting the light-emitting units 56 of the four terminals in two colors, and the communication unit 32 transmits the light-emitting instructions to the four toys 10b to 10e. For example, the light-emitting instructions may be instructions to light the light-emitting elements arranged in the first area 60a and the second area 60b in "red" and light the light-emitting elements arranged in the third area 60c and the fourth area 60d in "blue." When the communication unit 52 receives the light-emitting instructions in the toys 10b to 10e, the control unit 72 causes the light-emitting units 56 to emit light based on the light-emitting instructions.

[0035] Then, the control unit 30 outputs a voice message from the speaker 42 saying, "Please align the orientation of the four terminals so that red or blue is displayed in front of the players. When you are ready, press the top surface of the host." The two users competing align the orientation of the four toys 10b to 10e so that red or blue is displayed in front of each user.

[0036] FIG. 6( b) shows a state in which the orientations of the four toys 10b to 10e are aligned. In this example, the areas lit in red are directed toward user A, and the areas lit in blue are directed toward user B. Therefore, user A is on the "red team," and user B is on the "blue team." In this example, the areas lit in red are the first region 60a and the second region 60b, and the areas lit in blue are the third region 60c and the fourth region 60d. Therefore, the first region 60a and the second region 60b are located on user A's side, and the third region 60c and the fourth region 60d are located on user B's side. In this way, in the color pattern guessing game, the first region 60a and the second region 60b are assigned as user A's operation regions, and the third region 60c and the fourth region 60d are assigned as user B's operation regions. When the top surface of the host toy 10a is pressed with the toys 10b to 10e aligned, the control unit 30 recognizes that preparations are complete and starts the color pattern guessing game.

[0037] (Step 4) First, the control unit 30 transmits a light-emitting instruction to the host toy 10a to light up the light-emitting unit 56 in a color pattern that combines multiple colors. This light-emitting instruction may be an instruction to light up the light-emitting elements arranged in the first region 60a in "yellow," the light-emitting elements arranged in the second region 60b in "green," the light-emitting elements arranged in the third region 60c in "red," and the light-emitting elements arranged in the fourth region 60d in "blue." When the communication unit 52 of the toy 10a receives the light-emitting instruction, the control unit 72 causes the light-emitting unit 56 to light up based on the light-emitting instruction. In this game, the toy 10a first lights up in the instructed color pattern, and users A and B check the color pattern presented by the toy 10a.

[0038] Then, the control unit 30 transmits to each of the toys 10b to 10e a light-emitting instruction to light up the light-emitting unit 56 in a color pattern that combines multiple colors. When the communication unit 52 of each of the toys 10b to 10e receives the light-emitting instruction, the control unit 72 causes the light-emitting unit 56 to emit light based on the light-emitting instruction.

[0039] 7A shows five toys 10a to 10e lit up. Users A and B search for toys 10b to 10e that are lit up with the same color scheme as toy 10a. Here, toy 10c is emitting light based on a light-emitting instruction to light the light-emitting elements arranged in the first region 60a in "red," the light-emitting elements arranged in the second region 60b in "blue," the light-emitting elements arranged in the third region 60c in "yellow," and the light-emitting elements arranged in the fourth region 60d in "green." The lighting color scheme of toy 10c matches the lighting color scheme of toy 10a.

[0040] 7B shows a state in which user B has stepped on toy 10c. When user B determines that the illumination color pattern of toy 10c matches the illumination color pattern of host toy 10a, user B steps on the front area of ​​toy 10c, i.e., third area 60c and / or fourth area 60d. In toy 10c, communication unit 52 transmits sensor values ​​detected by sensor unit 54 to information processing device 20. The transmitted sensor values ​​include the detection values ​​of first pressure sensor 54a, second pressure sensor 54b, third pressure sensor 54c, and fourth pressure sensor 54d. Because user B is stepping on third area 60c and / or fourth area 60d, which are included in the operation area assigned to user B, the pressure indicated by the detection values ​​of third pressure sensor 54c and fourth pressure sensor 54d is higher than the pressure indicated by the detection values ​​of first pressure sensor 54a and second pressure sensor 54b.

[0041] The control unit 30 identifies the user who touched the toy 10c based on the sensor detection values ​​in the operation areas of the toy 10c assigned to each of the users A and B. Specifically, the control unit 30 averages the detection values ​​of the first pressure sensor 54a and the second pressure sensor 54b to derive the sensor detection value in the operation area of ​​the user A, and averages the detection values ​​of the third pressure sensor 54c and the fourth pressure sensor 54d to derive the sensor detection value in the operation area of ​​the user B. The control unit 30 compares the sensor detection values ​​in the respective operation areas, and when it determines that the sensor detection value in the operation area of ​​the user B is higher, it identifies the user who touched the toy 10c as user B of the blue team and determines that user B of the blue team has won the game.

[0042] When the control unit 30 recognizes that the blue team has won, the control unit 30 generates a light-emitting instruction to light up the light-emitting elements of the four toys 10b to 10e in blue, and the communication unit 32 transmits the light-emitting instruction to the four toys 10b to 10e. As a result, the light-emitting units 56 of the toys 10b to 10e light up in blue, informing users A and B that the blue team has won. For example, if both users A and B step on the toy 10c with their feet at almost the same time, the control unit 30 can make it clear that user B is the winner by lighting up the light-emitting units 56 of the toys 10b to 10e in blue.

[0043] The control unit 30 preferably synchronizes the clocks of the multiple toys 10 using a broadcast packet in order to simultaneously light up the light-emitting units 56 of the multiple toys 10 in blue. By synchronizing the clocks of the multiple toys 10, the light-emitting units 56 of the toys 10b to 10e can simultaneously light up in blue.

[0044] At this time, the control unit 30 may generate sound data relating to the result of the color pattern guessing game and output the sound from the speaker 42. For example, the speaker 42 may output a sound such as "The blue team wins." The control unit 30 may also cause the communication unit 32 to transmit sound data relating to the preparation, progress, and result of the color pattern guessing game to at least one of the toys 10a to 10e. In the toy 10, the communication unit 52 may receive the sound data, and the speaker 58 may output a sound based on the sound data to inform the user of the preparation, progress, and result of the game.

[0045] The structure of the toy 10 will now be described. Figures 8 and 9 show exploded perspective views of the toy 10, and Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the toy 10. To facilitate understanding of the internal structure of the toy 10, illustrations of electronic components provided inside the toy 10 have been omitted where appropriate.

[0046] The toy 10 of the embodiment includes a lid 100 that forms the top surface 102 and side surfaces 106 of the toy 10, a base plate member 300 that forms the bottom surface 302 of the toy 10, and a case 200 that is placed in the internal space formed between the lid 100 and the bottom plate member 300. The bottom surface 302 of the base plate member 300 has a flat area that comes into contact with a placement surface such as a floor, the ground, or a tabletop. The lid 100 covers the top surface 202 of the case 200 and is rotatably engaged with the bottom plate member 300. The top surface 102 of the lid 100, which is operated by the user, is configured to be substantially flat, and the side surfaces 106 have a curved shape that protrudes radially outward.

[0047] The lid 100 is formed of a transparent or translucent material to allow light output from the light emitter to pass therethrough. The lid 100 may be formed of a material that diffuses the light output from the light emitter, and may be subjected to a surface treatment such as embossing to diffuse the light. The light emitting unit 56 is provided on a side surface 206 of the case 200. As described above, when the light emitting unit 56 is a tape LED, the tape LED may be attached to the side surface 206 so as to surround the entire periphery of the toy. By attaching the tape LED to the side surface 206, multiple LEDs are provided concentrically around the periphery of the toy, making it possible to light up the side surface 106 of the lid 100 and its vicinity.

[0048] The bottom plate member 300 is provided with a locking component 310 for locking the lid 100. The locking component 310 has a structure in which a lever 306 and a locking device 308 are connected by a connecting shaft. A plurality of locking components 310 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and in this embodiment, three locking components 310 are provided at 120-degree intervals in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the lever 306, which rotates around the connecting shaft, is disposed on the bottom surface 302 side, and the locking device 308 is disposed on the case mounting surface 312 side. In the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the locking device 308 protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery of the bottom plate member 300 and is capable of locking the inner peripheral edge 108 of the lid 100.

[0049] A speaker accommodating hole 204 for accommodating the speaker 58 is provided in the central region of the top surface 202 of the case 200, and a plurality of sound emission holes 104 for emitting sound from the speaker 58 to the outside are formed in the central region of the top surface 102 of the lid body 100.

[0050] The bottom plate member 300 has a plurality of protrusions 304a, 304b, 304c, and 304d on the case mounting surface 312, and the case 200 has a plurality of recesses 208a, 208b, 208c, and 208d on the storage surface 212. The plurality of protrusions 304a, 304b, 304c, and 304d (hereinafter referred to as "protrusions 304" unless otherwise specified) are inserted into the plurality of recesses 208a, 208b, 208c, and 208d (hereinafter referred to as "recesses 208" unless otherwise specified) to restrict horizontal movement of the case 200 relative to the bottom plate member 300. Note that the plurality of recesses 208 fit loosely into the plurality of protrusions 304, and do not restrict up-and-down (vertical) movement of the case 200 relative to the bottom plate member 300. That is, the recessed portion 208 and the protruding portion 304 may be fitted together in a loose fit state.

[0051] The multiple protrusions 304 and the multiple recesses 208 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, four protrusions 304 are provided at 90-degree intervals in the circumferential direction, and four recesses 208 are provided at 90-degree intervals in the circumferential direction. Pressure sensors are provided inside the recesses 208, and here, a first pressure sensor 54a may be provided in recess 208a, a second pressure sensor 54b in recess 208b, a third pressure sensor 54c in recess 208c, and a fourth pressure sensor 54d in recess 208d. The pressure sensors are sandwiched between the top surfaces of the protrusions 304 and the end surfaces of the recesses 208. Therefore, the pressure sensors in this embodiment are constantly subjected to pressure due to the weight of the case 200 and the lid 100.

[0052] Although not shown, a circuit board and a battery are fixed on ribs formed on the housing surface 212 of the case 200. The circuit board is equipped with electronic components such as a communication module that constitutes the communication unit 52, the IMU 70, a microcomputer for power management, a memory, and a processor that constitutes the control unit 72, and is supplied with power from the battery. Conductors that transmit sensor values ​​are provided between the pressure sensors provided in the recesses 208 and the circuit board, and the processor acquires the detection values ​​of the multiple pressure sensors via the conductors.

[0053] 11 shows the top surface 102 of the toy 10. The top surface 102 of the toy 10 is divided into four areas: a first area 60a, a second area 60b, a third area 60c, and a fourth area 60d, by a first pressure sensor 54a, a second pressure sensor 54b, a third pressure sensor 54c, and a fourth pressure sensor 54d, which are arranged at 90-degree intervals in the circumferential direction. For example, when four people play a buzzer quiz, the fact that the top surface 102, which is the user operation surface, is divided into four areas can be used to share one toy 10 as answer buttons. For example, a buzzer quiz application can assign the first area 60a to user A, the second area 60b to user B, the third area 60c to user C, and the fourth area 60d to user D as their respective operation areas, allowing one toy 10 to be shared by four people.

[0054] In a buzzer quiz application, the control unit 30 issues a quiz (question) through the speaker 42. When the user knows the answer, they press their own operation area to gain the right to answer. The control unit 30 in the information processing device 20 monitors fluctuations in the detected values ​​of the first pressure sensor 54a, the second pressure sensor 54b, the third pressure sensor 54c, and the fourth pressure sensor 54d to identify the operation area that was pressed first. Specifically, the control unit 30 identifies the pressure sensor whose sensor value first exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby identifying the user assigned to the area corresponding to that pressure sensor and granting that user the right to answer the quiz. When the user speaks an answer, the control unit 30 may acquire the user's spoken voice from the microphone 44 and use a voice recognition function to determine whether the user's answer is correct or incorrect.

[0055] In the toy 10 of the embodiment, four pressure sensors are provided at 90-degree intervals in the circumferential direction, but five or more pressure sensors may be provided at intervals narrower than 90 degrees in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the pressure sensors may not be provided only on one circumference, but may be distributed at various positions below the toy operation surface.

[0056] 12 shows an example of the arrangement of pressure sensors below the toy operation surface. In this example, twelve pressure sensors 54a to 54l are provided. Eight pressure sensors 54a to 54h may be provided on one circumference at 45-degree intervals, and four pressure sensors 54i to 54l may be provided on the inner circumference at 90-degree intervals. Providing a large number of pressure sensors in the toy 10 makes it possible to measure with high precision the pressure distribution on the operation surface when the operation surface is pressed.

[0057] When a user steps on the operation surface of the toy 10, the size and shape of the sole of the foot and the way in which the sole of the foot applies pressure vary from user to user. For example, the shape of the sole of the foot and the way in which the sole of the foot applies pressure differ greatly between a child and an adult, so the pressure distribution derived from the detection values ​​of the multiple pressure sensors 54a to 54l differs significantly and can be distinguished. In this way, each person's way of stepping on the operation surface is unique.

[0058] Therefore, the control unit 30 learns in advance the pressure distribution when multiple users step on the operation surface of the toy 10. As a result, when the control unit 30 acquires detection values ​​from multiple pressure sensors from the toy 10 to identify the pressure distribution, it can identify the user who stepped on the toy 10 by comparing the detection values ​​with the learning result. For example, the control unit 30 may measure in advance the pressure distribution when each user steps on the operation surface, and identify the user who stepped on the toy 10 by finding the pressure distribution that is closest to the currently identified pressure distribution. Note that the control unit 30 may create a model based on machine learning of the pressure distribution when multiple users step on the operation surface of the toy 10, and input the currently identified pressure distribution into the model to identify the user who stepped on the toy 10.

[0059] The above is a method for identifying a user when the user steps on the toy 10 with his / her foot, but the user can also be identified by a similar user identification method when the user touches the toy 10 with his / her hand.

[0060] As another method for identifying a user, the user information acquisition unit 68 of the toy 10 may acquire information for identifying the user (user ID) directly from the user to identify the user. The user information acquisition unit 68 of the embodiment has a reader / writer function for near field communication (NFC) and acquires the user ID recorded on an NFC tag worn by the user. Since the communication distance of NFC is short, about 10 cm, the user information acquisition unit 68 acquires the user ID of a user who has come into contact with the toy 10, but does not acquire the user ID of a user who has not come into contact with the toy 10 (is far from the toy 10).

[0061] When the tag game is selected from the game list shown in FIG. 5 , the control unit 30 starts the tag game program. The tag game is played by multiple users, and each user wears two toys 10 on the front and back of their body and an NFC tag on their wrist. For example, the NFC tag may be worn on the wrist as a wristband. In the tag game, a user is initially designated as the Oni, and the Oni toy 10 lights up in red, while the toys 10 of the remaining users light up in blue.

[0062] 13 shows a user wearing the toy 10. In the tag game, the toy 10 is attached to both the back and the ventral sides of the user. Note that the toy 10 may be attached to either the back or the ventral sides of the user.

[0063] In order to classify the multiple users, the control unit 30 specifies the lighting color of the light-emitting unit 56 of the toy 10 attached to each user. The control unit 30 generates a light-emitting instruction to light the light-emitting unit 56 of the toy 10 attached to the user who will be the Oni (hereinafter simply referred to as the "Oni") in red, and generates a light-emitting instruction to light the light-emitting unit 56 of the toys 10 attached to the other users (hereinafter referred to as the "players") in blue. Therefore, the toy 10 attached to the Oni lights up in red, while the toy 10 attached to the player lights up in blue. By color-coding in this manner, the players can tell who is the Oni.

[0064] When the Oni touches a player's toy 10, the user information acquisition unit 68 of the touched player's toy 10 acquires the Oni's user ID from the Oni's NFC tag. The toy 10 transmits the acquired Oni's user ID to the information processing device 20 along with the detection value of the sensor unit 54 and the toy ID of the toy 10. The control unit 30 in the information processing device 20 acquires the Oni's user ID and checks the fluctuation in the sensor detection value to determine that the player has been touched by the Oni. Therefore, the control unit 30 changes the illumination color of the player's toy 10 to red and manages the player's status as Oni. In the tag game, the number of Oni increases as time passes.

[0065] When a large number of people are participating in the tag game, it may take some time from when a player's toy 10 is touched by the Oni until the lighting color of the light-emitting unit 56 of the toy 10 changes to red due to processing delays, etc. Since the user determines whether the player is the Oni or not based on the lighting color of the light-emitting unit 56, it is desirable that the lighting color of the touched player's toy 10 change to red as soon as possible.

[0066] Therefore, the control unit 72 of the toy 10 may automatically and promptly change the lighting color of the light-emitting unit 56 to red on the condition that the user information acquisition unit 68 acquires the user ID of the Oni and the sensor value of the sensor unit 54 has changed. To realize this lighting control, the toy 10 needs to be notified of the user ID of the Oni from the information processing device 20. By having the control unit 72 autonomously control the lighting in this way, the player and the Oni can immediately recognize that the player has become the Oni. Even if the toy 10 subsequently acquires an instruction to emit light in red from the information processing device 20, the light-emitting unit 56 of the toy 10 is already emitting light in red, and the red lighting color is maintained.

[0067] When all players become the Oni within the time limit, the control unit 30 ends the Oni game. In the Oni game, by using NFC, it is possible to easily identify the user (Oni) who has come into contact with the toy 10.

[0068] The present disclosure has been described above based on a number of embodiments. These embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of the respective components and processing processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. In the embodiments, a toy 10 that a user can play with by touching it with their hands or stepping on it with their feet has been described, but the toy 10 may be one aspect of an electronic device.

[0069] In the embodiment, the bottom plate member 300 has multiple protrusions 304 on the case mounting surface 312, and the case 200 has multiple recesses 208 on the storage surface 212, but in a modified example, the bottom plate member 300 may have multiple recesses on the case mounting surface 312, and the case 200 may have multiple protrusions on the storage surface 212.

[0070] In the embodiment, it has been described that the communication unit 32 in the information processing device 20 communicates with multiple toys 10 via wireless connections. The communication unit 32 may include multiple communication modules and a management module that manages the wireless connections of the multiple communication modules. By configuring the communication unit 32 in this manner, it is possible to make the number of toys 10 connected to each communication module the same. For example, if one communication module is connected to three toys 10 and another communication module is connected to one toy 10, the management module may switch the communication path so that each communication module is connected to two toys 10. The communication unit 32 may include three or more communication modules, and it is preferable that the management module manages the connections between the toys 10 and the communication modules so that the communication load of each communication module is substantially equal.

[0071] The present disclosure may include the following aspects. [Item 1] An information processing system in which a toy that a user can touch with their hands or step on with their feet is communicatively connected to an information processing device, wherein the toy comprises: a plurality of pressure sensors that detect pressure in a thickness direction of the toy at a plurality of positions; and a first communication device that transmits detection values ​​of the plurality of pressure sensors to the information processing device when the user touches the toy, and the information processing device comprises: a second communication device that receives the detection values ​​of the plurality of pressure sensors; and a circuit configured to identify a user who has touched the toy from the sensor detection values ​​at the plurality of positions on the toy. [Item 2] The information processing system according to item 1, wherein the circuit identifies a user who has touched the toy based on sensor detection values ​​in an operation area of ​​the toy that is assigned to each user in an application being executed. [Item 3] The information processing system according to item 1, wherein the circuit identifies a user who has touched the toy based on a pressure distribution determined from the sensor detection values ​​at the plurality of positions on the toy. [Item 4] An information processing device communicatively connected to a toy that a user can touch with their hands or stomp on with their feet, the information processing device comprising: a communication device that receives detection values ​​from a plurality of pressure sensors provided in the toy, and a circuit configured to: identify a user who has touched the toy from the detection values ​​from the plurality of pressure sensors. [Item 5] The information processing device according to Item 4, wherein the circuit identifies a user who has touched the toy based on sensor detection values ​​in an operation area of ​​the toy assigned to each user in an application being executed.

[0072] The present disclosure can be used in the technical field of controlling toys used in games.

[0073] 1...information processing system, 10...toy, 20...information processing device, 30...control unit, 32...communication unit, 40...display, 42...speaker, 44...microphone, 50...processing unit, 52...communication unit, 54...sensor unit, 54a...first pressure sensor, 54b...second pressure sensor, 54c...third pressure sensor, 54d...fourth pressure sensor, 56...light emitting unit, 58...speaker, 60a...first area, 60b...second area, 60c...third area, 60d...fourth area, 68...user information Information acquisition unit, 70... IMU, 72... control unit, 100... lid, 102... top surface, 104... sound emission hole, 106... side surface, 108... inner peripheral edge, 200... case, 202... top surface, 204... speaker accommodating hole, 206... side surface, 208a, 208b, 208c, 208d... recessed portion, 212... accommodating surface, 300... bottom plate member, 302... bottom surface, 304a, 304b, 304c, 304d... protrusions, 306... lever, 308... locking device, 310... locking part, 312... case mounting surface.

Claims

1. An information processing system in which a toy that a user can touch with their hands or step on with their feet is communicatively connected to an information processing device, wherein the toy has a plurality of pressure sensors that detect pressure in the thickness direction of the toy at a plurality of positions, and a first communication unit that transmits the detection values ​​of the plurality of pressure sensors when the user touches the toy to the information processing device, and the information processing device has a second communication unit that receives the detection values ​​of the plurality of pressure sensors, and a control unit that identifies the user who has touched the toy from the sensor detection values ​​at a plurality of positions on the toy.

2. The information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that the control unit has a function of executing an application, and the control unit identifies a user who has touched the toy based on sensor detection values ​​in an operation area of ​​the toy assigned to each user in the application.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit identifies the user who has touched the toy based on a pressure distribution determined from sensor detection values ​​at multiple positions on the toy.

4. An information processing device that is communicatively connected to a toy that a user can touch with their hands or step on with their feet, comprising: a communication unit that receives detection values ​​from multiple pressure sensors provided on the toy; and a control unit that identifies the user who has touched the toy based on the detection values ​​from the multiple pressure sensors.

5. The information processing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit has a function of executing an application, and the control unit identifies a user who has touched the toy based on a sensor detection value in an operation area of ​​the toy assigned to each user in the application.

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