Toy

Abstract

Provided is a toy 10 which can be touched by a hand or stepped on with a foot of a user. The toy 10 comprises: a plurality of pressure sensors that detect pressure in the thickness direction at different positions; an acquisition unit 72 that acquires voltages outputted from each of the plurality of pressure sensors; and a control unit 74 that adjusts the sensitivity of at least one of the pressure sensors on the basis of the outputted voltages from the plurality of pressure sensors.

Description

toy

[0001] The present disclosure relates to 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, the present disclosure aims to provide a toy that is a device that users can play with by touching it with their hands or stepping on it with their feet.

[0004] A toy according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a toy that can be touched by a user with a hand or stepped on with a foot, and is equipped with a plurality of pressure sensors that detect pressure in the thickness direction of the toy at different positions, an acquisition unit that acquires the voltage output from each of the plurality of pressure sensors, and a control unit that adjusts the sensitivity of at least one pressure sensor based on the output voltage of the plurality of pressure sensors.

[0005] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a toy of an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system equipped with 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 game list displayed on a display; (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 exploded perspective views of a toy; (a) and (b) are exploded perspective views of a toy; (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of a toy; (a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a case equipped with electronic components; (a) and (b) are diagrams showing a state in which the case is tilted; (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the configuration of a pressure sensor; (b) are diagrams showing the top surface of a toy.

[0006] 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 desired location 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.

[0007] 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, which are devices, and an information processing device 20 having a display 40. The toys 10 and the information processing device 20 are communicatively connected to each other and have the function of transmitting and receiving necessary information and / or data. The toys 10 and the information processing device 20 are preferably connected wirelessly, but may also be connected by wire using a cable or the like.

[0008] 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.

[0009] 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, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 70, an acquisition unit 72, and a control unit 74. The sensor unit 54 includes multiple sensors that detect contact by the user. The sensors may be pressure sensors that detect pressure applied vertically 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 different positions, and the multiple pressure sensors may be arranged at equal intervals around the circumference. The acquisition unit 72 acquires analog voltages output from each of the multiple pressure sensors.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] FIG. 4 shows an example of the layout of electronic components inside the toy. In this example, the sensor unit 54 includes 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, with each sensor being the same distance from the center point. Each pressure sensor detects the pressure applied by the user to the top surface of the toy 10. By arranging the four pressure sensors in this manner, the top surface of the toy 10 can be divided into four regions: a first region 60a, a second region 60b, a third region 60c, and a fourth region 60d. Each region has a fan shape with the same central angle (90 degrees), and the pressure sensors in each region are arranged on a line that passes through the center point (the apex of the fan) and divides each region in half.

[0015] 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 region pressed by the user. When the user presses multiple regions simultaneously, the sensor unit 54 may be able to identify the multiple 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.

[0016] 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 or the control unit 74.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] The information processing device 20 includes a control unit 30, a communication unit 32, a display 40, and a speaker 42. Various games that can be played by the user through physical activity are provided in the information processing system 1. When the user wishes to start a game, the user operates the information processing device 20 to cause a game list to be displayed on the display 40.

[0020] 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. As an example, the following describes how to play the "Color Pattern Guessing Game" at the top of the list.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] (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.

[0025] (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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] (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 light-emitting units 56 emit light based on the light-emitting instructions.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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. When the top surface of the host toy 10a is pressed with the orientations of the toys 10b to 10e aligned in this way, the control unit 30 recognizes that preparations are complete and starts the color pattern guessing game.

[0030] (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 light-emitting unit 56 emits light 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.

[0031] 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 light-emitting unit 56 emits light based on the light-emitting instruction.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 7B shows a state in which user B has stepped on toy 10c with his / her foot. When user B determines that the lighting color pattern of toy 10c matches the lighting 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 with his / her foot, 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. Therefore, the control unit 30 in the information processing device 20 recognizes from the comparison result of the detection values ​​of each pressure sensor that the user of the blue team has touched the toy 10c, and determines that the blue team has won the game.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 8 and 9 show exploded perspective views of the toy 10, and Fig. 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 are omitted where appropriate.

[0037] 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 bottom 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 is configured to be substantially flat, and the side surfaces 106 have a curved shape that protrudes radially outward.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The plurality of protrusions 304 and the plurality of depressions 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 depressions 208 are provided at 90-degree intervals in the circumferential direction. Pressure sensors are provided inside the depressions 208, and here, a first pressure sensor 54a may be provided in depression 208a, a second pressure sensor 54b in depression 208b, a third pressure sensor 54c in depression 208c, and a fourth pressure sensor 54d in depression 208d.

[0043] 11 shows an example of case 200 with electronic components mounted on housing surface 212. In this example, circuit board 220 and battery 222 are fixed to reinforcing ribs 210 formed on housing surface 212. Electronic components such as a communication module that constitutes communication unit 52, IMU 70, a microcomputer for power management, memory, and a processor that constitutes acquisition unit 72 and control unit 74 are provided on circuit board 220. Although not shown, conductors that transmit sensor values ​​are provided between pressure sensors provided in recess 208 and circuit board 220, and the processor acquires detection values ​​from the multiple pressure sensors via the conductors.

[0044] In the embodiment, the pressure sensor is sandwiched between the upper surface of the protrusion 304 and the end surface of the recess 208. Therefore, the pressure sensor is constantly subjected to pressure due to the weight of the case 200 and the lid 100. As shown in Figure 11, electronic components are arranged on the housing surface 212 of the case 200, and the weight of the case 200 is uneven, so that the case 200 placed on the bottom plate member 300 is not horizontal with respect to the bottom plate member 300 but is slightly tilted.

[0045] 12(a) shows a state in which the case 200 is tilted relative to the bottom plate member 300. In this state, the pressure due to the weight received by the first pressure sensor 54a, the second pressure sensor 54b, the third pressure sensor 54c, and the fourth pressure sensor 54d are not equal. Therefore, when the toy 10 is not being pressed by the user, the pressure values ​​detected by the first pressure sensor 54a, the second pressure sensor 54b, the third pressure sensor 54c, and the fourth pressure sensor 54d do not match.

[0046] 12(b) shows a state in which the case 200 is tilted due to an inclined floor. Even in this state, the pressure values ​​detected by the first pressure sensor 54a, the second pressure sensor 54b, the third pressure sensor 54c, and the fourth pressure sensor 54d do not match. Therefore, it is preferable to configure each pressure sensor so that the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor can be corrected to adjust the sensor sensitivity.

[0047] 13 shows the configuration of pressure sensor 80 in this embodiment. This pressure sensor 80 corresponds to first pressure sensor 54a, second pressure sensor 54b, third pressure sensor 54c, and fourth pressure sensor 54d, which are sandwiched between the upper surface of protrusion 304 of bottom plate member 300 and the end surface of recess 208 of case 200.

[0048] The pressure sensor 80 has a voltage divider circuit in which a force sensing resistor (FSR) 82, whose resistance value changes when pressure is applied, and a variable resistor 84 are connected in series, and the acquisition unit 72 acquires the voltage (V_OUT) output from the voltage divider circuit. The acquisition unit 72 converts the acquired analog voltage (V_OUT) into, for example, an 8-bit digital signal and supplies it to the control unit 74.

[0049] In this voltage dividing circuit, a pressure sensitive resistor 82 is provided on the ground side, and a variable resistor 84 is provided on the power supply voltage side. The pressure sensitive resistor 82 in this embodiment is a sensor having a characteristic that its electrical resistance value decreases as the applied pressure increases, and the output voltage (V_OUT) changes according to the applied pressure. The power supply voltage is Vcc, and the resistance value of the pressure sensitive resistor 82 is R ＦＳＲ , the resistance value of the variable resistor 84 is R ＶＡＲ Then, the output voltage (V_OUT) is calculated as follows: V_OUT = (Vcc * R ＦＳＲ ) / (R ＶＡＲ +R ＦＳＲ In this voltage dividing circuit, as the applied pressure increases, the resistance value R ＦＳＲ becomes smaller, the output voltage (V_OUT) decreases.

[0050] The variable resistor 84 is incorporated in a digital potentiometer and changes its resistance value R ＶＡＲ The resistance value R of the variable resistor 84 is set. ＶＡＲ When the resistance value R of the variable resistor 84 is decreased, the output voltage (V_OUT) becomes higher. ＶＡＲ The output voltage (V_OUT) decreases as the resistance value R ＶＡＲ Reducing the resistance R to increase the output voltage (V_OUT) means increasing the range of change in the output voltage (V_OUT) relative to the pressure. ＶＡＲ By reducing the resistance value R ＶＡＲ Increasing the resistance R to reduce the output voltage (V_OUT) means reducing the variation range of the output voltage (V_OUT) relative to the pressure. ＶＡＲ In the embodiment, the control unit 74 controls the resistance value R of the variable resistor 84. ＶＡＲ By changing the value of the pressure sensor 80, the sensitivity of the pressure sensor 80 can be adjusted.

[0051] The control unit 74 adjusts the sensitivity of at least one pressure sensor 80 based on the output voltage (V_OUT) of the plurality of pressure sensors 80 (i.e., the first pressure sensor 54a, the second pressure sensor 54b, the third pressure sensor 54c, and the fourth pressure sensor 54d). In order to adjust for variations in sensitivity due to imbalance in the weight, the control unit 74 adjusts the resistance value R of the variable resistor 84 in at least one pressure sensor 80 based on the output voltages of the plurality of pressure sensors 80 when the toy 10 is not being pressed by the user. ＶＡＲ For example, the control unit 74 may set the resistance value R of the variable resistor 84 in at least one pressure sensor 80 so that the output voltages of the pressure sensors 80 are equal when the toy 10 is not being pressed by the user. ＶＡＲ may be determined.

[0052] The control unit 74 controls the resistance value R of the variable resistor 84 in at least one pressure sensor 80 based on the tilt of the case 200 detected by the IMU 70. ＶＡＲ 12(a) and 12(b), when the case 200 is tilted from the horizontal plane, the pressure of its own weight applied to the plurality of pressure sensors 80 varies, resulting in variations in sensing sensitivity. Therefore, the control unit 74 may perform calibration to eliminate variations in sensor sensitivity at the timing when the IMU 70 detects that the case 200 is tilted. Specifically, the control unit 74 adjusts the resistance value R of the variable resistor 84 in the pressure sensor 80 so that the output voltages of the plurality of pressure sensors 80 are equal when the toy 10 is not being pressed by the user. ＶＡＲ Calibration may be performed to adjust the

[0053] 14 shows the top surface 102 of the toy 10. In this embodiment, the top surface 102 of the toy 10 is divided into 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 is divided into four areas allows the four people to share one toy 10 as answer buttons. For example, by assigning 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, one toy 10 can be shared by four people. At this time, 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 area that was pressed first. Specifically, the control unit 30 identifies the pressure sensor whose sensor value first exceeded a predetermined threshold, and grants the right to answer the quiz to the user assigned to the area corresponding to that pressure sensor.

[0054] When four people play a buzzer quiz, the force with which they press the top surface 102 varies depending on their gender and age. Children generally press with less force than adults. In a buzzer quiz, the control unit 30 grants the right to answer on the condition that the sensor value exceeds a predetermined threshold. Therefore, even if a user presses the top surface 102, if the sensor value does not exceed the predetermined threshold, the user is not granted the right to answer.

[0055] Therefore, before the start of the buzzer quiz, each user may be asked to press their assigned area, and the control unit 74 may adjust the sensitivity of the pressure sensor based on the output voltage of the pressure sensor at that time. During calibration, the control unit 74 may make an announcement through the speaker 58 to encourage multiple users to press their assigned areas in turn, and may determine the resistance value of the variable resistor 84 in at least one pressure sensor based on the output voltage of the pressure sensor when the multiple users press their assigned areas in turn. In addition to the announcement, the control unit 74 may also cause the light-emitting unit 56 to emit light to indicate the area to be pressed by the user. For example, when measuring the pressing force of user A, the control unit 74 may output a voice message from the speaker 58 to user A saying, "Please press the first area," and may also light up the light-emitting element arranged in the first area 60a. This allows user A to know that he or she should press the first area 60a. After all four users have pressed the upper surface 102, the control unit 74 adjusts the resistance value R of the variable resistor 84 in the pressure sensor based on the sensor value when each user pressed, so that the peak output is equal, for example. ＶＡＲ You may adjust the

[0056] When the toy 10 is placed on a floor, it may be placed across a hard flooring material and a soft mat. The soft mat absorbs shock, reducing the sensitivity of the pressure sensors located on the mat. Therefore, before starting the application, the user is asked to press the first area 60a, the second area 60b, the third area 60c, and the fourth area 60d with the same force, and the control unit 74 records the detection values ​​of each pressure sensor when each area is pressed. The control unit 74 may then adjust the sensitivity of the pressure sensors so that the peak outputs in each area are equal when pressed.

[0057] Also, assume that two users A and B face each other across the toy 10, with the first area 60a positioned in front of user A and the third area 60c positioned in front of user B, and that an application such as a game is being executed. In the application, user A presses the first area 60a, and user B presses the third area 60c. However, if users A and B press the second area 60b or the fourth area 60d, it becomes difficult for the control unit 30 of the information processing device 20 to determine which user pressed the top surface 102. Therefore, the control unit 74 may increase the sensitivity of the first pressure sensor 54a and the third pressure sensor 54c relatively more than the sensitivity of the second pressure sensor 54b and the fourth pressure sensor 54d, making it easier to detect whether the first area 60a or the third area 60c has been pressed.

[0058] The control unit 74 adjusts the resistance value R of the variable resistor 84 of at least one pressure sensor in accordance with an instruction from an application such as a game. ＶＡＲ The application determines whether the button has been pressed based on a threshold value specific to the application. When an instruction to increase or decrease the sensitivity is supplied from the application, the control unit 74 may adjust the sensitivity of the pressure sensor in accordance with the instruction.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] The present disclosure may include the following aspects. [Item 1] A toy that can be touched by a user's hand or stepped on with a foot, the toy comprising: a plurality of pressure sensors that detect pressure at different positions in a thickness direction of the toy; and a circuit configured to: obtain a voltage output from each of the plurality of pressure sensors; and adjust the sensitivity of at least one of the pressure sensors based on the output voltages of the plurality of pressure sensors. [Item 2] The toy according to item 1, in which the pressure sensor has a voltage divider circuit including a variable resistor. [Item 3] The toy according to item 2, in which the voltage divider circuit is a circuit in which a pressure-sensitive resistor and the variable resistor are connected in series. [Item 4] The toy according to item 2, in which the circuit adjusts the sensitivity of the pressure sensor by changing the resistance value of the variable resistor. [Item 5] The toy according to item 2, in which the circuit determines the resistance value of at least one of the variable resistors based on the output voltages of the plurality of pressure sensors when the toy is not being pressed by the user. [Item 6] The toy according to item 2, further comprising an IMU, wherein the circuit determines a resistance value of at least one of the variable resistors based on a tilt detected by the IMU. [Item 7] The toy according to item 2, wherein the circuit determines a resistance value of at least one of the variable resistors based on output voltages of the plurality of pressure sensors when the toy is pressed by a user. [Item 8] The toy according to item 7, further comprising a light-emitting unit that can emit light, wherein the circuit causes the light-emitting unit to emit light to indicate a location where the user presses. [Item 9] The toy according to item 2, wherein the circuit determines a resistance value of at least one of the variable resistors according to instructions from an application. [Item 10] The toy according to item 1, wherein the plurality of pressure sensors are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0062] The present disclosure can be used in the field of toys used in games.

[0063] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...information processing system, 10...toy, 20...information processing device, 30...control unit, 32...communication unit, 40...display, 42...speaker, 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, 70...IMU, 72...acquisition unit, 74...control unit, 80...pressure sensor, 82...pressure sensitive resistor, 84...variable resistor, 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, 210...rib, 212...accommodating surface, 220...circuit board, 222...battery, 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. A toy that can be touched by a user with their hands or stepped on with their feet, comprising: a plurality of pressure sensors that detect pressure in the thickness direction of the toy at different positions; an acquisition unit that acquires the voltage output from each of the plurality of pressure sensors; and a control unit that adjusts the sensitivity of at least one of the pressure sensors based on the output voltages of the plurality of pressure sensors.

2. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor has a voltage divider circuit including a variable resistor.

3. The toy according to claim 2, wherein the voltage dividing circuit is a circuit in which a pressure-sensitive resistor and the variable resistor are connected in series.

4. The toy according to claim 2, wherein the control unit adjusts the sensitivity of the pressure sensor by changing the resistance value of the variable resistor.

5. The toy according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit determines the resistance value of at least one of the variable resistors based on the output voltages of the plurality of pressure sensors when the toy is not being pressed by the user.

6. The toy according to claim 2, further comprising an IMU, wherein the control unit determines the resistance value of at least one of the variable resistors based on the tilt detected by the IMU.

7. The toy according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines the resistance value of at least one of the variable resistors based on the output voltages of the pressure sensors when the toy is pressed by the user.

8. The toy according to claim 7, further comprising a light-emitting unit that can emit light, wherein the control unit causes the light-emitting unit to emit light to indicate the location where the user should press.

9. The toy according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines the resistance value of at least one of the variable resistors in accordance with an instruction from an application.

10. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensors are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

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