U.S. patent application number 11/886142 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-19 for movement information processing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Konami Sports & Life Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Mitsuru Kodama, Toshimitsu Oishi, Toru Okubo, Motoki Toyama.
Application Number | 20080146329 11/886142 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36991625 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080146329 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kodama; Mitsuru ; et
al. |
June 19, 2008 |
Movement Information Processing System
Abstract
The movement information processing system of the present
invention includes a screen 5 which displays via a projector 6
guide images GG which induces stepping movements of the feet of
players on mats 30 and mats for players where each of the mats 30
detects the stepping position and the stepping movement of each
player with respect to the guide images GG. The detected results
are evaluated by an evaluation means 116, 120 via a communication
section 16 and the evaluation results are displayed on the screen
with an image presentation processing control section 112. The
system provides exercise guide images that induce players a variety
of movements in a highly recognizable manner regardless of the
number of players.
Inventors: |
Kodama; Mitsuru; (Nerima-ku,
JP) ; Oishi; Toshimitsu; (Musashino-shi, JP) ;
Okubo; Toru; (Edogawa-ku, JP) ; Toyama; Motoki;
(Nerima-ku, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JORDAN AND HAMBURG LLP
122 EAST 42ND STREET, SUITE 4000
NEW YORK
NY
10168
US
|
Assignee: |
Konami Sports & Life Co.,
Ltd.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
36991625 |
Appl. No.: |
11/886142 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
March 13, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2006/304918 |
371 Date: |
September 11, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/10 20130101;
A63F 2300/1068 20130101; A63F 13/54 20140902; A63F 13/814 20140902;
A63F 2300/8047 20130101; A63F 13/10 20130101; A63B 2244/22
20130101; A63F 13/06 20130101; A63F 13/5375 20140902; A63B 69/00
20130101; A63B 21/00047 20130101; A63B 23/0458 20130101; A63B
71/0622 20130101; A63B 2071/063 20130101; A63F 13/213 20140902;
A63F 13/214 20140902; A63B 2220/17 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/31 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 14, 2005 |
JP |
2005-071185 |
Claims
1. A movement information processing system comprising: a control
unit adapted to present, on a single presentation unit, a guide
image for giving instruction for various movements to a plurality
of players; and a plurality of terminal units prepared in
accordance with the number of the players, and each adapted to
detect a movement of an associated one of said players, wherein:
each of said terminal units includes a first communication section
operable to transmit a result on said detection of the movement of
said associated player, to said control unit; and said control unit
includes a second communication section operable to receive a
signal indicative of said detection result from said first
communication section in each of said terminal units, evaluation
means operable, based on said detection result signal received by
said second communication section, to evaluate the movement of the
player relative to each of said terminal units, and annunciation
means operable to provide a result on said evaluation to an
annunciation section so as to annunciate said evaluation
result.
2. The movement information processing system as defined in claim
1, wherein said presentation unit is combined with said
annunciation section.
3. The movement information processing system as defined in claim
1, wherein said control unit includes presentation control means to
present said guide image on said presentation unit, said
presentation control means being operable to create a plurality of
presentation regions for presenting contents related to respective
ones of said terminal units, on an image screen of said
presentation unit, in a personalized manner with respect to each of
said terminal units, and present information about a movement state
of the player relative to each of said terminal unit, in a
corresponding one of said presentation regions.
4. The movement information processing system as defined in claim
3, wherein said presentation control means includes layout setting
means operable, according to said evaluation result obtained by
said evaluation means, to set respective positions of said
presentation regions on said image screen of said presentation
unit.
5. The movement information processing system as defined in claim
2, which includes event annunciation means operable, when the
evaluation result obtained by said evaluation means for a specific
one of said terminal units meets a predetermined condition, to
identify said specific terminal unit, and execute a special
attraction for said evaluation result.
6. The movement information processing system as defined in claim
5, wherein said event annunciation means is operable to execute
said special attraction on said presentation unit using an
image.
7. The movement information processing system as defined in claim
5, wherein said event annunciation means includes voice output
means adapted to output said special attraction using voice.
8. The movement information processing system as defined in claim
5, which includes linking means operable to set a correspondence
between identification information of each of said terminal units,
and identification information of each of the players, which
includes player's name information, wherein said event annunciation
means is operable to annunciate with the inclusion of said player's
name information during said special attraction.
9. The movement information processing system as defined in claim
5, wherein: said first communication section has a signal-receiving
function; said second communication section has a
signal-transmitting function; said control unit is operable, when
the evaluation result obtained by said evaluation means for a
specific one of said terminal units meets said predetermined
condition, to transmit to said specific terminal unit a signal for
giving an instruction to execute said special attraction; and each
of said terminal units includes motivational annunciation means
having at least one of a light generation section, a sound
generation section and a vibration generation section, said
terminal unit being operable, when it receives said signal for
giving an instruction to execute said special attraction, through
said first communication section, to instruct said event
annunciation means to perform an annunciation operation for said
special attraction.
10. The movement information processing system as defined in claim
1, wherein said evaluation means includes response evaluation means
operable to evaluate a response of the player relative to each of
said terminal units, to said guide image.
11. The movement information processing system as defined in claim
1, which includes a guide information storage section, and a
speaker, wherein: said guide information storage section is adapted
to store said guide image in association with each of a plurality
of music pieces; said guide image is a pre-produced image for
giving instruction for player's stepping in at least one of a
frontward/rearward direction and a rightward/leftward direction;
said speaker is adapted to output one or more of said music pieces
selected from said guide information storage section; said
presentation control means is operable to present said guide image
for giving instruction for said player's stepping, in
synchronization with output ones of said music pieces; and each of
said terminal units has a mat shape which is formed with two or
more stepping regions on at least one of a front/rear side and a
right/left side relative to a home position set at a predetermined
position, each of said stepping regions being provided with a
sensor adapted to detect a stepping movement independently.
12. The movement information processing system as defined in claim
11, wherein said evaluation means includes an exercise-amount
evaluation section adapted to evaluate an exercise amount of the
player associated with each of the terminal units, based on a
result on said detection of the stepping movement against said
sensor.
13. The movement information processing system as defined in claim
12, wherein: said exercise-amount evaluation section is operable to
summate the evaluation of the exercise amount of the player
associated with each of the terminal units; and said annunciation
means is operable to present a result on said summation when the
exercise is completed.
14. The movement information processing system as defined in claim
1, which includes one or more image-taking units disposed to take
individual images in positions corresponding to respective ones of
said terminal units, wherein: said presentation control means is
operable to additionally present the images taken by a specific one
of said image-taking units, on said presentation unit.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a movement information
processing system comprising a control unit adapted to present, on
a single presentation unit, a guide image for giving instruction
for various movements to a plurality of players, and a plurality of
terminal units prepared in accordance with the number of the
players so as to detect respective movements of the players.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Heretofore, there has been proposed a game system designed
to allow a domestic television adapted to display a screen image
for giving instruction for dance step positions, a first terminal
units which is a sheet-shaped foot switch and a second terminal
unit which is also a sheet-shaped foot switch, to be connected to a
dance game apparatus (Patent Publication 1).
[0003] In this game system, up to two players can concurrently play
a dance game with respect to one domestic television. The dance
game apparatus is also designed to calculate and display a consumed
calorie amount of each player which has been consumed depending on
stepping movements of each player during the dance game.
[0004] The above game system is designed to automatically
distinguish between a 1P play mode for playing the game by one
player and a 2P play mode for playing the game by two players, from
a state of input to the foot switches, and change a subsequent
processing accordingly. Specifically, in the 1P play mode, a
step-position guide image is displayed on the domestic television
only for one player. In the 2P play mode, the step-position guide
image is displayed on a display screen of the domestic television
for each of the two players, i.e., on each of two divided display
regions of the screen. In this manner, the display screen is
divided into small screens according to the number of players, and
thereby the number of players who can play the game using one dance
game apparatus is limited to up to two. In other words, an image
screen having a desired size can be ensured only if the display
screen is provided on a player-by-player basis. Moreover, the
players play the game while watching on their respective
step-position guide images. Thus, in the game using image screens
provided for players individually, a function of fomenting a sense
of unity between them becomes poor.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to present a guide
image for giving instruction for various movements to a plurality
of players, irrespective of the number of the players, so as to
provide the guide image with enhanced visibility.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide, on
an image screen, a presentation region for presenting information
about each of a plurality of players, and present, in the
presentation region, information about a movement state of the
player relative to each of a plurality of terminal units, so as to
allow the player to visually check his/her movement state.
[0007] Patent Publication 1: JP 2003-38696A
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention
provides a movement information processing system which comprises a
control unit adapted to present, on a single presentation unit, a
guide image for giving instruction for various movements to a
plurality of players, and a plurality of terminal units prepared in
accordance with the number of the players, and each adapted to
detect a movement of an associated one of the players. Each of the
terminal units includes a first communication section operable to
transmit a result on the detection of the movement of the
associated player, to the control unit, and the control unit
includes a second communication section operable to receive a
signal indicative of the detection result from the first
communication section in each of the terminal units, evaluation
means operable, based on the detection result signal received by
the second communication section, to evaluate the movement of the
player relative to each of the terminal units, and annunciation
means operable to provide a result on the evaluation to an
annunciation section so as to annunciate the evaluation result.
This makes it possible to present the guide image for giving
instruction for various movements to the players, irrespective of
the number of the players, so as to provide the guide image with
enhanced visibility.
[0009] The control unit may include presentation control means to
present the guide image on the presentation unit. The presentation
control means is operable to create a plurality of presentation
regions for presenting contents related to respective ones of the
terminal units, on an image screen of the presentation unit, in a
personalized manner with respect to each of the terminal units, and
present information about a movement state of the player relative
to each of the terminal unit, in a corresponding one of the
presentation regions. This makes it possible to present respective
movement states of the players in the personalized presentation
regions on the image screen of the presentation unit, individually.
Thus, each of the players can obtain information about the movement
state only by looking at his/her personalized presentation region,
so as to facilitate visual checking of information about the
movement state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view showing a training gym
which employs a movement information processing system according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a general block diagram of a control unit.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of a mat.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a mat
holder, wherein (a) shows a first example, and (b) shows a second
example.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
acceptance apparatus.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the
mat.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a software of a main CPU
of the control unit.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a screen diagram showing one example of an entry
screen image.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a screen diagram showing one example of a lesson
screen image.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a screen diagram showing one example of a result
screen image.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a screen diagram showing one example of a
lesson-termination screen image.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a processing in the
main CPU of the control unit.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a processing in the
main CPU of the control unit.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of an acceptance
CPU.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an interrupt processing.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a consumed-calorie calculation
processing.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a stepping detection processing in
a mat CPU.
[0027] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an event annunciation processing
in the mat CPU.
[0028] FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a processing of
creating an original of a guide image for stepping positions of the
mat.
[0029] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing other examples of the mat,
wherein (a) is an elongated-shaped mat designed to allow a player
to sidle along a longitudinal direction thereof, and (b) is two
elongated-shaped mats arranged parallel to each other to form two
lanes in such a manner as to guide a player in a
frontwardly/rearwardly movable manner in a longitudinal direction
thereof.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view showing a training gym
which employs a movement information processing system according to
one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, one
room inside a certain gym is used as a training room.
[0031] In FIG. 1, an entrance/exit E2 is formed in a portion (rear
end wall) of an approximately quadrangular-shaped training room 1,
and an entering/leaving management apparatus 2 is disposed at the
entrance/exit E2. The training room 1 has a mat storage area
internally and in a vicinity of the entering/leaving management
apparatus 2, and a mat holder 4 is placed at the mat storage area
to store a plurality of mats.
[0032] Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, there is a front desk
inside the gym separately. At the front desk, a player who wishes
to receive a training lesson shows a personal card having personal
information recorded thereon, for example, to a desk clerk. Then, a
portable transponder TP adapted, for example, to be detachably worn
on player's wrist, is handed over to the player at the front desk.
The transponder TP is a type which internally comprises a memory
for storing predetermined information thereon, and a communication
section including an antenna for writing/reading information
in/from the memory. This type is known as a personal authentication
tag. An after-mentioned acceptance apparatus 20 installed in the
front desk is used for reading/writing personal information from/in
the personal card, and further writing predetermined personal
information in the transponder TP.
[0033] The entering/leaving management apparatus 2 is provided with
a communication section 3 which comprises an antenna wirelessly
connected to the acceptance apparatus. The communication section 3
is operable to approximately continuously output a read request
signal, and, when the transponder TP of a player approaching the
entering/leaving management apparatus 2 transmits personal
information in response to the request signal, to read the personal
information. Through this operation, the acceptance apparatus 20
can identify a player who enters the training room 1. Then, an
operation of linking between respective ones of a plurality of
players and a plurality of mats to clarify which of the mats each
of the player uses is performed by the entering/leaving management
apparatus 2, as will be described later. The mat holder 4 provided
in the mat storage area is adapted to store a required number (in
this embodiment, at least twelve) of mats 30 for use in training.
Respective structures of the mat 30 and the mat holder 4 will be
described later. Identification information, e.g., a different
number (identification number), is attached to each of the mats 30
in a visible manner. In FIG. 1, eleven mats 30 for players
receiving the lesson are placed on a floor to form three rows
consisting of four mats, three mats and four mats, respectively,
which are arranged in order from the front of the training room.
Each of the mats 30 is placed at a predetermined position
corresponding to the identification number of the mat 30. For
example, it is preferable to describe the identification numbers
indicative of respective positions of the mats, and closing lines
each conforming to a size of the mat, on the floor. Although the
details will be described later, a player is requested to perform
an operation of selecting one of the mats 30 using the
entering/leaving management apparatus 2. Then, after the selection,
the player picks up the mat 30 having a selected identification
number from the mat holder 4, and puts down the mat 30 at the
predetermined position. One mat 30 at a frontmost position of the
training room 1 is used for an instructor. The mat holder 4
illustrated in FIG. 1 is in an empty state.
[0034] A projection screen 5 having a predetermined size and
serving as a presentation unit is disposed at a front end of the
training room 1 to extend upwardly and face rearwardly, and a
projector 6, such as liquid-crystal type, is provided at a rear end
of an upper portion (ceiling) of the training room 1 to project an
image onto an image screen of the projection screen 5. Each of the
players looks at a guide image (see GG in FIG. 9) which is
presented on the projection screen 5 to give instruction for
training, and moves on the mat 30 in conformity to contents
instructed by the guide image. An instructor monitor 7 is composed,
for example, of a liquid-crystal monitor or a CRT monitor, and
designed to display thereon the same contents as those of the guide
image presented on the projection screen 5, so as to allow the
instructor facing rearwardly, i.e., the players, to look at the
same guide image. A pair of audio-output speakers 8 are disposed,
respectively, on right and left sides of the front end of the
training room 1, through an amplifier unit 8a. Further, a required
number of video cameras 9 are disposed at approximately the same
positions. In this embodiment, two video cameras 9 are disposed on
the right and left sides of the training room 1, respectively.
[0035] A conventional projector may be employed as the projector 6.
For example, the projector 6 comprises a white light source, an
optical filter for spectrally dividing white light into red, blue
and green components, three liquid-crystal panels disposed on a
downstream side of the optical filter and on respective ones of
light paths of the three color components to receive respective
ones of image signals of the three color components, a dichroic
mirror for combining the three color image lights transmitted
through the liquid-crystal panels, and a projecting optical lens
system.
[0036] A control unit 10 is disposed at an appropriate position (in
this embodiment, on the right side of the front end) of the
training room 1 to operate this system.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a general block diagram of the control unit. A
main CPU 11 is provided as a means to generally control an
operation of this system, and connected to a ROM 12 which
pre-stores a predetermined program, required image information and
various data necessary for processing, and a RAM 13 which
temporarily stores processing data, through a bus. In the form of
image data, the ROM 12 stores image information, such as: a
plurality of images which are elements forming a training screen
image, and adapted to be presented while being switched according
to a progress of the training (e.g., a pre-training start image, a
post-training termination image); a reference mark and a sequence
mark (guide image) which are used as images during the training; a
plurality of image elements for describing, in a portion of the
image screen, a plurality of after-mentioned personalized
presentation regions each serving as a personal data field for a
specific one of the mats and a player linked to the specific mat,
and for describing, in each of the presentation regions, a
corresponding one of the mat identification numbers, and a
corresponding one of player's names (registered names or nickname);
and an image element for a special attraction. The ROM 12 also
stores music information for playing a plurality of music pieces.
The music information is stored together with association
information for allowing the music pieces to be played in
conjunction with the guide image, such as information about
respective timings of the music pieces. Further, the ROM 12 stores
a program for evaluating a timing and response of player's movement
relative to the guide image, and a program for calculating an
exercise amount, such as consumed calories, from the player's
movement.
[0038] An imaging-processing processor 14 is operable, based on an
imaging command issued by the main CPU 11, to read required image
data from the ROM 12 so as to perform an imaging processing to a
display area of the RAM 13, and repeatedly output an image to the
projector 6 in a predetermined fast cycle (e.g., 1/60 seconds). In
this embodiment, the guide image is configured to contain a
positional instruction of on which of front, rear, right and left
regions of the mat 30a a player steps by his/her foot or feet. As
shown in FIG. 9, the guide image GG is presented using a major
region (in this embodiment, an approximately central region) of an
image screen 50, as its presentation region. The guide image GG
comprises four stationary reference marks RM which are presented in
an upper region of the image screen 50 to indicate, respectively,
leftward, rearward, frontward and rightward directions, and one or
more sequence marks SM which are presented in alignment with each
of the stationary marks RM in an upward/downward direction, in such
a manner as to move upwardly from a lower region of the image
screen 50 at a predetermined scroll speed, so that the guide image
GG serves as a means to give notice and instruction on a timing of
stepping movement. At a timing when one of the sequence marks SM
overlaps with a corresponding one of the reference marks RM, each
of the players steps on an instructed one of the regions of the mat
30. The imaging-processing processor 14 is configured to allow an
image taken by the video cameras 9 to be additionally presented as
a background image.
[0039] An audio-processing processor 15 is operable to write ADPCM
data of the music piece read from the ROM 12, in a work area of the
RAM 13, and read out the ADPCM data stored in the work area as a
sound source, using a clock signal with a frequency, for example,
of 44.1 KHz. The audio-processing processor 15 is also operable to
subject the ADPCM data read from the work area to various
processings, such as pitch conversion, noise addition, envelope
setting, level setting and reverb addition, and then output the
processed music pieces from the speakers 8 as audio, through to the
amplifier unit 8a.
[0040] Data of the music pieces and the guide image may be loaded
from an external memory through a driver (not shown). For example,
a DVD, a CD-ROM, a hard disk, an optical disk, a flexible disk or a
semiconductor memory may be employed as the above external memory.
In the case where image data, audio data and/or program data are
read from an external memory through a driver, the read data is
loaded in the RAM or the audio-processing processor 15 through a
decoder (not shown). Along with a progress of the music playing,
the guide image pre-created in association with respective playing
time of the music pieces is output to the projector 21 in
synchronization with the playing times.
[0041] FIG. 3 shows the structure of the mat. As shown in FIG. 3A,
the mat 30 serving as a terminal unit (controller) has a
predetermined shape, such as a rectangular shape of about 1 m
square. As shown in FIG. 3C, the mat 30 comprises: a spacer 31 made
of a resilient material, such as urethane, and formed to have a
predetermined thickness, for example, of several to ten-odd mm, so
as to serve as a base member; four sheet-shaped separate electrodes
32 attached onto an upper surface of the spacer 31 correspondingly
to respective ones of the four stepping regions; a common electrode
33 attached to an entire lower surface of the spacer 31; four
electrode-protective top sheets 34 attached onto respective upper
surfaces of the separate electrodes 32; a hard reinforcing sheet 35
formed to have a required thickness and attached onto a lower
surface of the common electrode 33; a bottom sheet 36 attached onto
a lower surface of the reinforcing sheet 35; and two antislip mats
37, 38 made of an antislip material, or subjected to an antislip
surface treatment, and attached onto respective entire outer
surfaces of the top and bottom sheets. A strip-shaped member 39
placed along an outer peripheral portion of the mat 30 to extend
from a top surface to a bottom surface of the mat 30 is sewn with
the mat 30 in an upward/downward direction thereof to integrate the
outer peripheral portion of the mat 30, as shown in FIG. 3C. Each
of the electrode-protective top sheets 34 has an upper surface
layer having an appearance, e.g., color, different from those of
the remaining components, so that a player can visually recognize
the stepping regions.
[0042] A board case 300 housing a circuit board for operation
control and others is attached to one edge (in FIG. 3A, a central
region of an upper end) of the mat 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the
board case 300 internally comprises a battery 301 which is
detachable relative to the mat 30, a mat control section 302
equipped with a CPU (central processing section) and mounted to the
circuit board, and a communication section 303 (first communication
section) having an antenna for communicating with the control unit
10. The board case 300 is further provided, but not shown, with a
connecting terminal of a charging plug connected to the battery
301, in an exposed manner. Although not viewable in FIG. 3, the
board case 300 may be provided with a device serving as an
after-mentioned event annunciation section 304 (see FIG. 6), for
example, at least one of a light generator (e.g., light-emitting
diode), a sound generator (e.g., speaker) and a vibration generator
(e.g., piezoelectric vibrator). The term "special attraction" means
an event to be executed when an evaluation result of a mat, exactly
an evaluation result of player's movement, meets a predetermined
condition (e.g., when a specific one of a plurality of mats is
ranked within the top three positions). In this event, a fact, for
example, that a specific mat (i.e., a player of the specific mat)
was one of the three best is annunciated together with the special
attraction.
[0043] An entry button 306 is a switch serving as a manual
operation device for initiating communication with the control unit
10, and disposed at an appropriate position of the outer peripheral
portion of the mat 30 (in this embodiment, in a vicinity of the
board case 300). An LED 3061 is provided as a means to check that
the entry button 306 is pressed, and adapted to be turned on as a
result of the pressing operation. The entry button 306 is likely to
be pressed twice or erroneously trampled during training. Thus, the
mat control section 302 is operable, when a no-input state of the
mat 30 continues for a predetermined time, e.g., for 3 minutes,
after the entry button 306 is pressed once and a built-in timer or
the like is activated, to automatically set the entry button 306 in
its OFF state. In an actual training, the communication with the
control unit 10 is not initiated even if a player simply picks up
the mat 30 from the mat holder 4, but the communication through the
communication section 303 is initiated when the player presses the
entry button 306 after placing the mat 30 at a predetermined
position of the floor. According to this communication, an
indication "READY" is presented in the personalized presentation
region DA for the player on the image screen 50, as will be
described later. An indication character before the "READY" is
"Waiting Signal". This system configuration is employed to avoid
useless power consumption in the mat 30 when the entry button 306
is not pressed, and allow a player to personally check that the mat
30 of the player normally operates. If the "READY" is not presented
on the image screen despite pressing the entry button 306, the
player can recognize that the mat 30 has a problem, such as failure
or insufficiency of battery charge. In this case, the player
contacts with the instructor to ask a countermeasure, such as
replacement with another mat 30.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 3A, the separate electrodes 32 are
disposed, respectively, on front, rear, right and left sides (in
FIG. 3A, upper, lower, right and left sides) relative to a central
home position. A predetermined level of voltage is applied from the
mat control section 302 to the separate electrodes 32,
individually, to allow a contact between each of the separate
electrodes 32 and the common electrode 33 to be detected,
independently. Specifically, a predetermined number of holes 311
each having a required diameter are dispersedly formed in a region
of the spacer 31 having each of the separate electrodes 32 attached
thereon, to extend in a thickness direction of the spacer 31. Thus,
when a player steps on a specific one of the separate electrodes 32
from above, the resilient spacer 31 is compressed and deformed to
allow the specific separate electrode 32 to be brought into contact
with the common electrode 33 through the holes 311 so as to detect
the stepping movement. The four front, rear, left and right
separate electrodes 32, the spacer 31 and the common electrode 33,
form front, rear, left and right stepping sensors Sf, Sb, Sl, Sr,
wherein the suffixes f, b, l, r indicate front, rear, left and
right, respectively.
[0045] Returning to FIG. 2, each of the video cameras 9 is a camera
capable of continuously taking an image. The video camera 9
comprises a conventional image-pickup optical system and a
conventional image-pickup device. A picked-up image signal can be
loaded in the control unit 10 through a bus connecting between the
video camera 9 and the main CPU 11. The loaded picked-up image
signal may be presented in the central region of the
after-mentioned image screen 50 in FIG. 9, as a background of the
sequence marks SM in a superimposed manner. For example, an image
of a player who obtained a high evaluation may be taken to execute
an event such that the image is presented in the image screen 50.
The video camera 9 is further provided with a changing section 91
adapted to change a direction of the image-pickup optical system.
This direction-changing section 91 is a conventional
direction-changing mechanism which comprises a horizontal mechanism
section adapted to swingingly move a video camera body in a
horizontal direction, a vertical mechanism section adapted to
swingingly move the video camera body together with the horizontal
mechanism section in a vertical direction, and two separate drive
sources, such as motors, adapted to drive the respective swing
movements of the horizontal and vertical mechanism sections. The
direction-changing section 91 is operable, in response to receiving
a direction-changing signal from the main CPU 11, to adjust the
direction of the image-pickup optical system. Further, in the video
camera 9, a zoom lens and a drive mechanism for the zoom lens are
built in the image-pickup optical system to variably change an
image pickup magnification or control zooming so as to maintain a
predetermined image magnification regardless of a distance to each
of the mats.
[0046] A communication section 16 (corresponding to a second
communication section) is provided as a means to wirelessly
transmit and receive information to/from the communication section
303 in each of the mats 30. In this communication, each of the mats
30 may use a different encoding format or a different carrier
frequency for signal transmission, to identify from which of the
mats 30 the information received by the communication section 16 is
transmitted. Further, when the communication is performed in a
bidirectional manner, the communication section 303 in each of the
mats 30 may be configured to transmit a signal in response to a
signal transmission request from the communication section 16, so
as to eliminate the risk of cross talk.
[0047] Instead of providing different carrier frequencies, another
technique may be employed in which data additionally having
individual identification information is continuously transmitted
in a common frequency band, and the communication section 16
receives all the data and determines that only data having valid
identification information is valid, so as to reflect the valid
data on a program. In this embodiment, the communication with the
mats 30 is performed in a wireless manner. Alternatively, the
communication may be performed in a wired manner even though it is
necessary to take time and effort for setup.
[0048] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the mat
holder, wherein (a) shows a first example, and (b) shows a second
example. As shown in FIG. 4, the mat holder 4 is generally formed
as a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped frame body. Specifically,
the mat holder 4 comprises: a rectangular-shaped bottom plate 41
having a width dimension equivalent to that of the mat 30 and a
size allowing a required number (in this embodiment, twelve) of the
mats to be supported in an upstanding posture and in a parallel
arrangement; twelve guide members 42 each having a sectionally
angled-C shape with an open upper edge and extending upwardly from
each of opposite lateral edges of the bottom plate 41 at
predetermined intervals along a longitudinal direction of the
bottom plate 41; a frame member 43 formed in the same rectangular
shape as that of a peripheral edge of the bottom plate 41 and
connected to respective upper ends of opposed lateral edges of each
of the guide members 42; four casters 44 attached to a bottom
surface of the bottom plate 41 to allow the mat holder 40 to be
moved; and a pushing handgrip 45 provided at one longitudinal edge
of the frame member 43.
[0049] In the first example illustrated in FIG. 4(a), based on the
above structure, each of the mats 30 having the board case 300
oriented downwardly is moved downwardly from above the frame member
43 while guiding right and left edges of the mat 30 along the right
and left edges of the guide member 42, until the board case 300
comes into contact with a bottom edge 421 of the guide member 42.
In this manner, the mats 30 can be stored in such a manner as to be
positioned on the respective horizontal bottom edges 421 of the
guide members 42. A charging connector 422 is attached to an upper
surface of the horizontal bottom edge 421 of each of the guide
members 42 at a contact position with the board case 300 of a
corresponding one of the mats 30. Thus, in conjunction with the
storing operation, each of the connectors 422 can be connected to
the charging plug provided in the board case 300 of a corresponding
one of the stored mats 30. The connectors 422 are combined together
as an integral lead wire 46 through respective conventional AC-DC
converter-type charge control circuits, and a plug 461 connectable
to a socket of a commercial power supply is attached to an distal
end of the lead wire 46. The plug 461 at the distal end of the lead
wire 46 is connected to the commercial power supply to charge the
built-in batteries 301 during storage of the mats.
[0050] The second example illustrated in FIG. 4(b) is employed when
the battery 301 in each of the mats 30 is designed to be detachable
relative to the board case 300, wherein each of the mats 30 is
stored in the mat holder 4 while orienting the board case 300
upwardly. In this example, instead of providing the charging
connecter 422 in each of the guide members 42, a charge section 47
for the batteries 301 is integrally provided at an appropriate
position (in this embodiment, in a vicinity of the pushing handgrip
45) to cope with a storable number of the mats. The charge section
47 is formed with a plurality of plug-in slots 471 for allowing the
respective batteries 301 to be inserted thereinto, and internally
equipped with a plurality of charging electrodes each contactable
with an electrode (not shown) of the battery 301, and a plurality
of conventional AC-DC converter-type charge control circuits (not
shown). The charge control circuits (not shown) associated with the
respective pug-in slots 471 are connected to a lead wire 46 having
a distal end provided with a plug 461 connectable to a commercial
power supply. Thus, in an operation of storing the mat 30, the mat
30 is stored after detaching the battery 301 therefrom, and the
detached battery 301 is inserted into the plug-in slot 471. The
plug 461 at the distal end of the lead wire 46 is connected to the
commercial power supply to charge the inserted battery 301 through
the charging electrode associated with the plug-in slot 471 during
storage of the mats.
[0051] As above, the mat holder 4 in each of the above examples is
designed to allow the mats 30 to be collectively stored in a
compact and easy manner and to be movable. This makes it possible
to contribute to effective utilization of a floor space in the
training gym, for example, when the training using the movement
information processing system is not performed. If the plurality of
mats 30 is stored in such a manner as to be stacked in a horizontal
posture, and a specific one of the mats 30 to be used by a player
is located at a lower position of the stack, it is difficult to
pull out the specific mat 30. In contrast, the above mat holder
makes it possible to pick up the mat in a significant smooth
manner. In addition, the mat holder is designed to readily the
charging operation for the mats in the storage state. Thus makes it
possible to readily perform a series of inserting, storing and
charging operations so as to provide excellent handleability.
[0052] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the
acceptance apparatus. The acceptance apparatus 20 comprises an
acceptance CPU 21, a personal-card reader/writer device 22, an
antenna 23 for writing predetermined information in the transponder
TP using a radio wave, and a mat selection section 24. The
personal-card reader/writer device 22 is disposed at the front
desk, to read personal information, such as name, gender, age, body
weight and training record of a player who wishes to receive a
training lesson, from the personal card of the player having the
personal information recorded thereon, when the player enters the
gym, and update the information, such as the training record, when
the player leaves the gym. The mat selection section 24 is provided
in the entering/leaving management apparatus 2, and equipped with a
monitor 241, a touch panel 242 and a mat selection information
generation section 243. The touch panel 242 is a conventional type
comprising a transparent pressure-sensitive thin-film member, and
provided on a screen of the monitor 241 in a laminated manner.
[0053] The acceptance CPU 21 includes a personal information
reading/writing section 211, a transponder writing section 212, an
image display control section 213, a mat selection detection
section 214 and a linking processing section 215. The personal
information reading/writing section 211 is operable, when a
personal card is inserted into a slot of the personal-card
reader/writer device 22 during entrance to the gym, to read the
personal information from the personal card, and, when the personal
card is inserted into the personal-card reader/writer device 22
during leaving from the gym, to update the training record of the
personal card. The transponder writing section 212 is operable,
after completion of reading of the personal information from the
personal card, to write at least information allowing a person
(player) to be identified, i.e., identification information, such
as player's name or an acceptance number, into the portable
transponder TP to be handed over to the player, through the antenna
23. When the acceptance number is written into the transponder TP,
the acceptance apparatus 20 may be configured to associate the
player's name with the acceptance number so as to allow the
player's name to be identified using the acceptance number as
collating information.
[0054] The image display control section 213 is operable, when the
communication section 3 provided in the entering/leaving management
apparatus 2 receives the personal information from the transponder
TP of a player who is entering the training room 1 through the
entrance/exit E2, to detect the received personal information and
display a plurality of mat identification numbers serving as a mat
selection screen image, on the monitor 241 so as to prompt the
player to select one of the mats.
[0055] As the mat identification numbers, the same numerals as
those printed on the respective actual mats 30 may be displayed.
Alternatively, the mat identification numbers may be displayed, for
example, in the following manner. A plurality of characters
provided correspondingly to the respective mats 30 (representing
the respective mats 30 in a pseudo manner) are displayed on the
monitor 241. As each of the characters, a numeral, an alphabet
letter and a graphic (e.g., animal) are displayed in an associated
manner to identify each of the mats 30. The numeral and others
identifying each of the mats 30 are set to conform to those printed
on the actual mat 30.
[0056] In concurrence with the display of the mat identification
numbers, a mat selection message "Please select one of the mats to
be used" is displayed on the monitor 241. Previously-selected one
or more of the mats and the remaining non-selected mats are
displayed on the monitor 241 in a distinguished manner. For
example, the identification number of the previously-selected mat
is displayed with low brightness, and the identification number of
the non-selected mat is displayed with high brightness. When the
player presses a display position of one (e.g., numeral "7") of the
identification numbers of the non-selected mats in the selection
screen, the touch panel 242 will output a signal indicative of the
pressed position. Then, in response to receiving the
pressed-position signal, the mat selection information generation
section 243 outputs the selected mat identification number to the
acceptance CPU 21. In response to receiving the mat identification
number information transmitted from the mat selection information
generation section 243, the mat selection detection section 214
detects the completion of the mat selection. At this moment, a
linking between the player and the mat is completed, and a message
"Your mat is No. 7" is displayed on the monitor 21. A next player
selects one of the mats other than the No. 7 selected by the
preceding player, and subsequently the mats to be used by following
players will be determined in the same manner. Each of the players
picks up a specific one of the mats 30 from the mat holder 4, for
example, the mat 30 having the numeral "7" printed thereon, and
places the specific mat 30 at a predetermined position of the
floor. Alternatively, the mats may be pre-placed on the floor by
gym staffs to allow each of the players to directly go to a
position where the selected mat is placed.
[0057] The linking processing section 215 is operable, in response
to detection of the completion of the mat selection, to cross-check
the identification information of the transponder TP received from
the communication section 3, with the mat identification
information, and the identification information of the transponder
TP with the personal information, so as to perform a linking
processing of linking between respective ones of the players and
the mats. The player-mat linked information is sent to the main CPU
11.
[0058] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the
mat 30. In addition to the battery 301, the mat CPU 302, the
communication section 303, the event annunciation section 304 and
the stepping sensors 3f to 3r, the mat 30 includes a mat
identification information memory 305. The mat identification
information memory 305 is adapted to readably store the
identification number identifying each of the mats 30. The mat CPU
302 includes a transmitting-information generation section 3021, a
received-information processing section 3022, and a power source
checkup processing section 3023. The transmitting-information
generation section 3021 is operable to associate identification
information read from the mat identification information memory 305
with stepping detection information of one or more of the stepping
sensors 3f to 3r so as to form transmitting information, and
transmit the transmitting information to the communication section
16 of the control unit 10 through the communication section 303, in
a predetermined cycle (e.g., in a cycle of a few tenths of a
second).
[0059] The received-information processing section 3022 is
operable, in response to receiving a
spatial-attraction-annunciation command signal transmitted from the
communication section 16 of the control unit 10, to determine
whether the command signal is transmitted to its own mat, and, if
the command signal is transmitted to its own mat, instruct the
event annunciation section 304 to execute an event annunciation
processing. Specifically, when the event annunciation section 304
is a light generator, it will be turned on or blinked. When the
event annunciation section 304 is a sound generator, it will output
a player's name and/or a sound effect. When the event annunciation
section 304 is a vibration generator, it will output an acoustic
effect. It is understood that the event annunciation section 304
may be a combination of two of the above generators or may include
all the generators.
[0060] The power source checkup processing section 3023 is provided
according to need. The power source checkup processing section 3023
is operable to check up a remaining capacity of the battery 301 and
perform an annunciation indicative of insufficiency of battery
charge through a warning device optionally disposed at an
appropriate position of the mat 30.
[0061] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a software of the main CPU
11 of the control unit 10. A program progress control section 111
is operable, based on a program stored in the ROM, to controllably
advance a training support processing in a time-elapse
direction.
[0062] An image presentation control section 112 is operable to
send a required image signal to the projector 6 through the
imaging-processing processor 14 and instruct the projector 6 to
project the image onto the projection screen 5. A screen image to
be presented includes an entry screen image illustrated in FIG. 8,
a lesson screen image illustrated in FIG. 9, a result screen image
illustrated in FIG. 10 and a lesson-termination screen image
illustrated in FIG. 11. The entry screen image illustrated in FIG.
8 presents a content of a lesson, a name of an instructor, a
photographic image of the instructor, and a plurality of players
who join the lesson. In order to present information about each of
the players, a plurality (in this embodiment, eight) of
personalized presentation regions DA are set at respective
predetermined positions of the image screen 50 (see FIG. 8). The
presentation regions DA are arranged on respective right and left
sides of the image screen 50 in a vertical direction at even
intervals. In this embodiment, DA1 to DA8 are assigned to the
presentation regions correspondingly to the identification numbers
1 to 8 (in this case, the identification numbers of the mats 30 are
1 to 8). As mentioned above, the laying position of each of the
mats 30 in the training room 1 is pre-determined, and therefore the
communication 16 can receives the identification number information
of the mat 30 laid down on the floor, from the communication
section 303 thereof, to recognize a laid-down state (i.e., whether
the entry button 306 of the mat 30 is in a pressed state, or
whether a player has performed entry for joining the training,
after placing the mat 30 on the floor).
[0063] In each of the presentation regions DA, the identification
number of the mat 30, player's name, and an indication of whether
the operation of laying down the mat 30 on the floor is completed,
are presented. For example, if the operation is completed
(identification numbers 1, 2, 4), player's name and a character
"READY" will be presented. If only the operation of selecting one
of the mats is completed, but the selected mat is not laid down
(identification numbers 3, 5), a character "Waiting Signal" is
presented. Further, if the mat selection operation is not completed
(identification numbers 6, 7, 8), only a character "No Entry" is
presented. The program progress control section 111 is configured
to be kept in a standby state for a predetermined waiting time, or
until the number of players reaches a predetermined value (in this
embodiment, eight).
[0064] In the lesson screen image illustrated in FIG. 9, the
reference marks RM disposed in the upper region of the image screen
50 to indicate the frontward, rearward, rightward and leftward
directions are presented in the following order from the left side:
RM1, RMb, RMf and RMr, and the corresponding sequence marks SM are
presented below each of the reference marks in such a manner as to
move upwardly from the lower edge of the image screen 50 at a
predetermined scroll speed. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9,
two sequence marks SMf corresponding to the reference mark RMf are
presented in a time-elapse direction (in FIG. 9, an upward/downward
direction). This scroll presentation is achieved by sequentially
shifting an image-forming position of each of the sequence marks
SMf upwardly by predetermined bits during an operation of rewriting
an image to be formed in the display area of the RAM 13. A timing
of presenting the sequence mark SM at the lower edge of the image
screen 50 is determined by calculating back from a time when the
sequence mark SM overlaps the corresponding reference mark RM,
while taking account of the scroll speed.
[0065] The image presentation control section 112 is also operable
to additionally present a training image of the instructor
pre-created as a background image. Alternatively, the video cameras
9 may selectively pick up an image of a specific one of the
players, for example, who has high instantaneous response as will
be described later, to additionally present the image. Further, the
image presentation control section 112 is operable, in
synchronization with a timing of the overlapping between the
reference mark RMf and the sequence mark SMf or at a desired timing
regardless of a presence or absence of the overlapping timing, to
present a guide image for instructing the players to perform
another movement, such as a fisted-hand image GH, as a movement of
hands, at an appropriate position of the image screen 50 in an
easy-to-understand manner. The players are instructed to perform a
movement of throwing out their arm just after the fisted-hand image
GH is presented. This allows a movement in the lesson to include
not only exercise for the lower body but also exercise using the
upper body so as to provide further challenging or worthwhile
exercise. Although the system according to this embodiment is not
specifically configured to detect the fisting (movement of hands or
arms), it may be configured such that a portable wraparound-type
acceleration sensor is worn on player's hand or arm, and a
detection result is wirelessly transmitted to the communication
section 16 in the same manner as that in the mat 30, so as to
evaluate the movement of the hands or arms.
[0066] Returning to FIG. 7, a communication processing section 113
is operable to periodically acquire stepping detection information
from the communication section 303 of each of the mats 30 through
the communication section 16 while identifying the information on a
mat-by-mat basis using the mat identification information, and
transmit information about instruction for the special attraction
annunciation through the communication section 16. An operation
information reading section 114 is operable to acquire the stepping
detection information transmitted from the communication section
303 of each of the mats 30 and received by the communication
processing section 113, so as to detect a stepping movement timing
and a stepping position. A linked-information acquisition section
115 is operable to acquire the player-mat linked-information linked
by the linking processing section 215 of the acceptance apparatus
20.
[0067] A response evaluation section 116 is operable to measure a
time lag between a timing when the sequence mark SM overlaps with a
corresponding one of the reference marks RM, and a timing when each
of the players actually steps on a stepping position of the mat 30
instructed by the image of the sequence mark SM, so as to evaluate
response for each of the mats. For example, when the player steps
on the instructed stepping position of the mat 30 in concurrence
with the timing when the sequence mark SM overlaps with the
corresponding reference mark RM, it will be evaluated that the mat,
i.e., the player, has high response. The response, i.e., the time
lag, is converted into a certain point (or the time lag is directly
used as a point), and the point is added to a last point. In order
to determine to which of the sequence marks SM the stepping
movement of the player relative to the mat 30 corresponds, a
predetermined time period before and after the timing when the
sequence mark SM overlaps with the corresponding reference mark RM
is defined as a time-lag detecting time window. Then, if the
stepping movement relative to the mat 30 is performed within the
predetermined time window, the time lag may be measured. If the
stepping movement is performed out of the predetermined time
window, it may be determined that no stepping movement relative to
the mat 30 has been performed with respect to the corresponding
sequence mark SM.
[0068] The evaluation of the response is divided into a plurality
of ranks, for example, five ranks consisting of "AA", "A", "B", "C"
and "D" in descending order of response. For example, as shown in
FIG. 9, a character "Rank AA" is presented in the presentation
region DA1. Thus, at a time when the lesson is terminated, a player
having a lower point (i.e., smaller time lag) obtains higher
evaluation.
[0069] Further, based on an evaluation result of response in each
reference evaluation time period (e.g., 10 seconds), i.e., an
evaluation result of instantaneous response, during the lesson, the
best player is extracted, and a special attraction is presented to
the player. For example, when the player associated with the
presentation region DA1 is the best, a character "No. 1" is
presented in the presentation region DA1 as the special attraction,
as shown in FIG. 9. In the same manner, in the example illustrated
in FIG. 9, the three best mats (i.e., three best players) are
extracted for the special attraction, and characters "No. 2" and
"No. 3" are presented in the presentation regions DA7 and DA4,
respectively.
[0070] A ranking processing section 117 is operable, based on the
evaluation result of the instantaneous response, to determine
ranking from a top rank to a predetermined rank. An event
processing section 118 is operable to present an indication for the
special attraction on one of the presentation regions associated
with a player having the highest evaluation of the instantaneous
response. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, a character image
SG of "No. 1" is presented in association with the presentation
region DA1. In addition to the player having the highest evaluation
of the instantaneous response, an indication for the special
attraction may be presented to a player in a predetermined rank, in
this example, the three best players. In FIG. 9, the character "No.
2" is presented in the presentation region DA7 associated with the
player having the 2nd-highest evaluation of the instantaneous
response, and the character "No. 3" is presented in the
presentation region DA4 associated with the player having the
3rd-highest evaluation of the instantaneous response.
[0071] The above special attraction is designed to present a
character image SG, such as "No. 1", in the presentation region.
Alternatively or in combination with this technique, the entire
presentation region may be blinked or repeatedly
magnified/demagnified; or only the character image SG may be
blinked or may be repeatedly magnified/demagnified or may be
magnified up to the remaining presentation regions after
momentarily deleting the remaining presentation regions; or a
special image, such as a smile character, may be popped up in the
presentation region. That is, as to the special attraction using an
image, a specific one or more of the presentation regions may be
presented in such as manner as to be visually clearly different
from the remaining presentation regions, and in a distinct manner.
In the above embodiment, a player for the special attraction is
determined in each reference evaluation time period, such as 10
seconds. Alternatively, in case of taking training or exercise
according to music pieces, a player for the special attraction may
be determined at a time when each of the music pieces is
completed.
[0072] A position setting section 119 is provided according to
need. The position setting section 119 is operable to change a
position of the presentation region DA associated with a player
having the highest evaluation of the instantaneous response, to a
predetermined position in the image screen (in this embodiment, a
top position on the left side of the image screen 50). In this
case, respective positions of the presentation regions for the
remaining players will be lowered by one step. In FIG. 9, the
presentation region DA associated with the mat having the
identification number "1" is presented at the top position on the
left side at this time (a last position of the presentation region
DA associated with the mat having the identification number "1" is
unknown). In this case, the presentation region of each of the
players will be moved according to changes in the evaluation. Thus,
in order to allow each of the players to recognize his/her
presentation region clearly and quickly, a different background
color or a different pattern formed of a plurality of background
colors may be applied to each of the presentation regions
associated with the respective players; or a name or nick name of
each of the players may be largely presented on a portion of the
associated presentation region; or outer peripheral edges of the
presentation region may be formed in various shapes, such as a
circular shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a star
shape and a rhomboid shape. Any one or a combination of two or more
of the above techniques may be employed.
[0073] The ROM 12 stores a reference calorie value to be consumed
depending on the front, rear, left and right stepping positions
(stepping types), in the form of table data classified by gender,
age and body weight. In this embodiment, an exercise amount
evaluation section 120 is adapted to evaluate an exercise amount
based on a level of calorie consumption resulting from exercise.
The exercise amount evaluation section 120 is operable to read the
stepping detection information transmitted from the communication
section 303 of each of the mats 30 and received by the
communication processing section 113, so as to extract the presence
or absence of a stepping, and a stepping type, with respect to each
of the mats 30, and read the reference consumed calorie value for
each stepping so as to add the read reference consumed calorie
values to an current consumed calorie value. As shown in FIG. 9,
the consumed calorie value of each of the players is presented at a
position adjacent to an associated one of the presentation regions
DA. For example, "31.3 kcal" is presented just above the
presentation regions DA1.
[0074] The image presentation control section 112 is operable to
present the result image illustrated in FIG. 10, every time a
lesson corresponding to one music piece is terminated. A summation
processing section 121 is operable, with respect to each music
piece, to calculate a rank of each of the players, 1st to 3rd ranks
concerning the response, and a consumed calorie value for each of
the players, and further calculate a rank of average response of
all the players simultaneously receiving the lesson (in FIG. 10, a
character "A" is presented on a central region of the image screen
50), and a sum of consumed calorie values of all the players (in
FIG. 10, "274.9 kcal" is presented on a lower region of the image
screen 50). The summation processing section 121 is also operable,
when a predetermined number (in this embodiment as shown in FIG.
11, seven) of successive music pieces for the lesson is completed,
i.e., the lesson is terminated, to calculate an average rank in the
predetermined number of music pieces and perform a summation
processing of consumed calorie values. The image presentation
control section 112 is operable, based on a calculation result
obtained by the summation processing section 121 through the
summation processing, to present the lesson-termination screen
image illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0075] As above, the average rank of all the players joining the
common lesson is presented in the final image screen. That is, an
evaluation of a sort of class consisting of members receiving the
lesson is presented. It is assumed that this system is employed,
for example, in a training gym, and therefore participating members
in a lesson on each day of a week might be pre-fixed. In this case,
a gum planning staff may organize a project of competing in
evaluation on the common lesson between respective groups of
members in different days of a week or between classes (the name of
a class having high evaluation is placed on a message board on the
Internet or in the gym, and some benefit is given to participating
members of a top class in a week). Through such a project, a sense
of unity between members of each class becomes stronger, which
leads to enhanced persistence of participating members and
contributes to ensure the number of gym membership. Thus, this
system is not only enjoyable for players but also beneficial to gym
management.
[0076] A video camera control section 122 is operable to generate a
direction-changing (horizontal/vertical direction) signal for
orienting the video camera 9 toward the mat 30 associated with a
player having the best evaluation obtained by the response
evaluation section 116, and output the direction-changing signal to
the changing section 91. The respective laying positions of the
mats 30 are pre-determined as mentioned above. Thus, the changing
section 91 is pre-adjusted to orient the video camera 9 toward each
of the players so as to pre-acquire information about horizontal
and vertical directions of the video camera 9 to allow the video
camera control section 122 to perform the above processing. In case
of using two video cameras 9, a group of players to be covered by
each of the video cameras 9 is pre-determined, and the video camera
control section 122 is operable, based on information about the mat
30 associated with a player having the best evaluation obtained by
the response evaluation section 116, to controllably adjust a
direction of one of the video cameras 9 which covers the player,
and instruct the video camera 9 to transmit a picked-up image to
the communication section 16.
[0077] FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts for explaining a processing
in the main CPU of the control unit 10. When acceptance information
is received from the acceptance apparatus 20, and then an entry
signal is received from the mat 30, a receiving processing is
performed (Step S1), and an entry screen image is presented and
updated every time a new entry signal is received (Step S3). Then,
it is determined whether a predetermined time period for acceptance
has elapsed, or whether the number of players has reached a
predetermined value (Step S5). If NO, the receiving processing for
acceptance information will be continued until the predetermined
time period elapses or the number of players reaches the
predetermined value.
[0078] When the predetermined time period has elapsed or the number
of players has reached the predetermined value, it is initiated to
play a first one of a plurality of music pieces making up a lesson
music (Step S7), and it is synchronously initiated to present a
guide image GG corresponding to the music piece (Step S9). Then,
received information transmitted from the mats 30 and received by
the communication section 16 is acquired (Step S11). If the
acquired received information includes stepping detection
information indicative of the presence of stepping movement, a time
lag between a timing of overlapping between the reference mark RM
and the sequence mark SM and a timing of the detection of stepping
is calculated for each of the mats (Step S13). Then, a response
point is calculated from the calculated time lag in each of the
mats, and added to (accumulated with) a current point value of a
corresponding one of the mats (Step S15). If there is no stepping
detection information indicative of the presence of stepping
movement, Steps S13 and S15 will be skipped.
[0079] Subsequently, it is determined whether a predetermined time
period (e.g., 10 seconds as mentioned above) has elapsed (Step
S17). If the predetermined time period has not elapsed, the routine
skips to Step S27. If the predetermined time period has elapsed,
the mats 30 are ranked (Step S19), and then the arrangement of
respective presentation regions DA associated with the mats is
determined (Step S21). Then, 1st to 3rd players in evaluation of
instantaneous response point in a predetermined time period (in
this embodiment, 10 seconds) are extracted (Step S23), and a
special attraction image SG is presented in each of the
presentation regions DA associated with the 1st to 3rd players
(Step S25). Then, a consumed calorie value is calculated with
respect to each of the mats 30 from the stepping detection
information in each of the mats 30, and a summation processing for
consumed calorie values is performed (Step S27).
[0080] Then, it is determined whether the first music piece in the
lesson music is completed (Step S29). If the first music piece is
not completed, the routine returns to Step S17, and the same
processing as that described above will be repeated. If the first
music piece is completed, an evaluation result for the first music
piece is calculated, and the result screen image illustrated in
FIG. 11 is presented (Step S31).
[0081] Then, it is determined whether there is one or more
remaining music pieces in the lesson music (Step S33). If there are
the remaining music pieces, a next one of the remaining music
pieces is set up (Step S35), and the routine returns to Step S7 to
perform the same processing as that described above. If all of the
music pieces making up the lesson music are completed, a total
evaluation is performed, and the lesson-termination screen image
illustrated in FIG. 12 is presented (Step S37).
[0082] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of the
acceptance CPU. An interrupt processing relative to the mat
selection section 24 is firstly permitted (Step S51), and it is
determined whether a personal card is inserted into the personal
card reader/writer device 22 (Step S53). When a personal card is
inserted, a processing of reading personal information from the
personal card is performed (Step S55). Then, predetermined personal
information is written into the memory of the transponder TP (Step
S57). Then, it is determined whether there is an input for mat
selection (Step S59). If there is no input for mat selection,
subsequent Steps will be skipped. If there is the input for mat
selection, a linking processing is performed (Step S61). Then,
obtained linked information is transferred to the main CPU 11 (Step
S63), and the routine is terminated.
[0083] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the interrupt processing. When the
presence of the transponder TP carried by a player is detected by
the communication section 3 of the entering/leaving management
apparatus 2 (Step S71), a mat selection screen image is displayed
on the monitor 241 (Step S73). Then, it is determined whether an
input for mat selection by a player through the touch panel 242 is
detected (Step S75). The image display control section 213 is kept
in a standby state until the determination is made. If the input
for mat selection is detected, this routine is terminated.
[0084] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing of calculating a
consumed calorie value. Firstly, a stepping type is determined
based on the stepping detection information transmitted from each
of the mats 30 and received by the communication section 16 (Step
S81). Then, a reference consumed calorie value of the determined
stepping type, according to body weight, gender and age extracted
from personal information of each player, is read from a table
memory in the ROM 12, and added to a current consumed calorie value
of the mat 30 (i.e., player) corresponding to the read reference
consumed calorie value (Step S83).
[0085] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a stepping detection processing in
the mat CPU 302. A power supply checkup processing is firstly
performed (Step S91), and it is determined whether there is a
detection signal from at least any one of the stepping sensors Sf,
Sb, Sl, Sr (Step S93). If there is no detection signal, information
about absence of detection is created as stepping detection
information (Step S95), and an instruction on transmission is
issued at a predetermined time (Step S101). If there is the
detection signal, a stepping position is determined (Step S97), and
stepping detection information indicative of the stepping position
and the presence of detection is created (S99). Then, an
instruction on transmission is issued at a predetermined time (Step
S101).
[0086] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a special-attraction annunciation
processing in the mat CPU 302. It is firstly determined whether
there is information received from the communication section 303
(Step S111). If there is no received information, the routine
returns to the initial step. If there is the received information,
it is determined whether the received information relates to its
own mat 30 (Step S113). If the received information does not relate
to its own mat 30, the routine returns to the initial step. If the
received information relates to its mat 30, an operation
instruction signal for a special attraction annunciation is created
and output to its own event annunciation section 304 (Step
S115).
[0087] FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a processing of
creating an original of a guide image for stepping positions of the
mat. In order to perform this processing, an instructor may use the
control unit 10 or may use another computer. One of a plurality
(e.g., several ten to several hundred) of music pieces (music
units) stored in a memory section is selected (Step S121), and the
selected music piece is acoustically output through a speaker or
the like, i.e., played (Step S123). Simultaneously, a step-creation
screen image is displayed on a monitor or the like, and a
processing of inputting stepping positions using predetermined four
keys [e.g., F (front), B (rear), L (left), R (right)] of a keyboard
is permitted (Step S125). Then, it is determined whether playing of
the selected music piece is completed (Step S127). If the selected
music piece is not completed, the routine returns to Step S125, the
same processing as described above will be repeated. If the
selected music piece is completed, it is determined whether a next
one of the remaining music pieces is selected (Step S129). If the
next music piece is selected, a processing of associating the next
music piece with the last music piece in such a manner as to
clarify that the next music piece is subsequent to the last music
piece is performed (Step S131), and the routine returns to Step
S123. If no music piece is further selected, it is determined that
the original creation processing is terminated, and the
previously-selected music pieces are connected together to form one
lesson music (original music). The lesson music is stored in a
predetermined memory section. For example, a playing time of each
of the pre-stored music pieces is in the range of about several to
ten-odd minutes. Given that a lesson time is about 1 hour, one
lesson music is created using several to ten-odd music pieces (in
the example illustrated in FIG. 11, seven music piece). Some of the
music pieces are pre-associated with stepping positions as a
default, and these music pieces can also be appropriately selected.
In this case, the stepping-position input processing may be
performed to appropriately modify the pre-set stepping positions.
If such a modification is unnecessary, the creation steps may be
skipped to perform only the association processing for connecting
the music pieces.
[0088] In case of using a computer other than the control unit 10,
a created original music may be written in the ROM 12 of the
control unit 10. Alternatively, the created original music may be
downloaded from an external recording medium, and played by the
control unit 10 through a recording medium drive (not shown) of the
control unit 10.
[0089] The present invention may employ the following
modifications.
[0090] (1) The movement information processing system according to
the above embodiment may be used as a gaming system as well as a
training system.
[0091] (2) While the mat in the above embodiment is formed in an
approximately square shape, the shape of the mat is not limited to
the square shape, but may be a circular shape. Further, while the
mat is designed to have four front, rear, left and right stepping
positions, the stepping positions may further include one or more
diagonal positions. Alternatively, the mat may have a predetermined
number of stepping positions arranged around the central home
position. It is understood that the position of the home position
is not limited to the center of the mat.
[0092] (3) As another example of the mat, an elongated-shaped mat
may be employed to guide a movement of a player in a longitudinal
direction thereof. Ladder-patterned mats as shown in FIG. 20 (a)
(b) may be used for training including a movement in a longitudinal
direction thereof. The mat 130 in FIG. 20(a) is a type of guiding a
movement based lateral lines arranged at intervals allowing a
player to sidle along the longitudinal direction thereof. This mat
130 has the same thicknesswise structure as that illustrated in
FIG. 3, wherein an electrode corresponding to the common electrode
33 is laid down over the entire longitudinal length of the mat 130,
and an electrode corresponding to the separate electrode 32 is
divided into a plurality of pieces each having a predetermined size
in the longitudinal direction to has a grid structure. Thus, a
stepping movement relative to the longitudinal grids can be
detected. A plurality of players stand on the elongated-shaped mat
130 at intervals of a predetermined number of the grids, and a
guide image for giving instruction for side stepping is presented
on the projection screen 5. The guide image is necessary to have
only the reference marks RMl, RMr and the sequence marks SMl, SMr
in the guide image illustrated in FIG. 9, and presented in a
scrolling manner so as to enable the response evaluation, as with
that in FIG. 9. Alternatively, a plurality of codes may be
described on respective ones of a predetermined number of stepping
positions corresponding to a play area for one player, so as to
allow each of the stepping positions to be handled as an absolute
position, and the guide image may be configured based on these
codes. For example, given that six continuous stepping positions
are assigned to one player, six characters "A", "B", "C", "D", "E",
"F" are described (as absolute positions) on respective ones of the
grids of the mat 130, and the guide image is configured to move
respective images of these characters in a scrolling manner.
[0093] The mat 230 in FIG. 20(b) is a type in which two
elongated-shaped mats 230 are arranged parallel to each other to
form two lanes in such a manner as to guide a player in a
frontwardly/rearwardly movable manner in a longitudinal direction
thereof. This mat 230 has the same thicknesswise structure as that
illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein an electrode corresponding to the
common electrode 33 is laid down over the entire longitudinal
length of the mat 230, and an electrode corresponding to the
separate electrode 32 is divided into a plurality of pieces each
having a predetermined size in the longitudinal direction to has a
grid structure. Thus, a stepping movement relative to the
longitudinal grids can be detected. A plurality of players stand on
the elongated-shaped mats 230 at intervals of a predetermined
number of the grids, and a guide image for giving instruction for
frontward and rearward movements to right and left legs of each of
the players is presented on the projection screen 5. The guide
image is necessary to have only the reference marks RMf, RMb and
the sequence marks SMf, SMb in the guide image illustrated in FIG.
9, as images for guiding the right and left legs, and presented in
a scrolling manner so as to enable the response evaluation, as with
that in FIG. 9. In this case, stepping positions configured to be
handled as absolute positions may be employed in the same manner as
that in the above example.
[0094] In each of the mats illustrated in FIG. 20(a) (b), when the
stepping positions are detected without being handled as absolute
positions, conformability or adequacy of a movement relative to the
guide image may be determined based on lag between respective
detection signals of a current stepping position and a next
stepping position. These mats 130, 230 are suitable as exercise
equipment for rehabilitation, and geriatric training equipment, and
usable in rehabilitation institutions, and nursing and personal
care facilities.
[0095] (4) As to detection of a movement of a human body, a
movement of hands and arms may be included in addition to the
stepping movement of legs as in the above embodiment. For example,
the mat 30 may be formed in a smaller size to allow a plurality of
patients who sit on a seats to slap a position of the small-sized
mat according to instruction of a guide image while looking at the
guide image, so as to play a game while improve their reflexes. As
a presentation unit to be used in such a case, for example, in
training performed in a limited space on some level, such as a
medical center, a large-size television may be used as well as a
projection screen to which an image is presented using a
liquid-crystal projector.
[0096] (5) In the above embodiment, the respective presentation
regions DA associated with 1st to 3rd players in the instantaneous
response evaluation are moved to specific positions. Alternatively,
only a position of the 1st player may be changed, or a ranking of
all the players may be calculated to allow all the presentation
regions DA to be subjected to positional change according to the
calculated ranking. If the presentation regions of all the players
is arranged in a vertical direction of the image screen according
to the ranking, a part of the players having the presentation
regions in lower positions are likely to be demotivated in
exercise. Thus, instead of arranging the presentation regions of
all the players according to the ranking, only a predetermined
number (e.g., three) of high-ranked players are preferably
presented as "current three best" in an upper region of the image
screen.
[0097] (6) In the above embodiment, on the side of the control unit
10, the special attraction is executed on an image screen 50 of the
projection screen 5. Alternatively or in conjunction therewith, a
voice may be generated in such a manner as to call out a name or
nickname, for example "(name), you rank first!", using the speaker
8. In this case, data of a fixed phrase of evaluation, such as "you
rank first!" or "quite well!" after name, is pre-stored in the ROM
12. Then, during a special attraction presentation, the main CPU 11
is operable to, after reading the fixed phrase data in conjunction
with the completion of the linking processing, create a sentence by
connecting the fixed phrase data to the end of player's name or
nickname stored in the RAM 13, and produce voice from the speaker
8. When the calling-out is performed as the special attraction, a
sound volume of the music piece during training may be lowered or
vanished in conjunction with the calling-out processing, to allow
the players to clearly hear the calling-out. In this configuration
where the special attraction annunciation is executed only on the
side of the control unit 10 (presentation in the image screen or
annunciation using the speaker 8), information communication can be
achieved only by unidirectional communication from the mat 30 to
the control unit 10, so as to allow the configuration to be
simplified.
[0098] (7) In the configuration where the special attraction
annunciation is executed in the event annunciation section 304 of
the mat 30, an information communication scheme is bidirectional
communication between the mat 30 and the control unit 10. In this
case, the special attraction annunciation is executed using the mat
30 of a player (beneath player's feet). This makes it possible to
highly motivate the player. In addition, the event is executed at a
position adjacent to the player's body, such as feet or hands, and
thereby the player can recognize the evaluation reliably and
sensationally without visually checking his/her presentation region
DA on the presentation unit located away from the player. Further,
an element to be recognized is any one or a combination of two or
more of light, sound and vibration. That is, the player does not
recognize the special attraction by visual checking. Thus, the
player can recognize his/her evaluation while looking at the guide
image and concentrating on training or the like. The configuration
in the section (6) also has an advantage of allowing a player to
concentrate on training or the like. In the event annunciation
section 304 employing the light generator, a mode of annunciation
as a means to execute the special attraction for the mats
associated with 1st to 3rd players in the instantaneous response
evaluation may be configured to be continuously changed. For
example, light may be blinked in a faster cycle as the rank becomes
higher, or a brightness level or light color may be changed
depending on ranking.
[0099] (8) In the above embodiment, the linking between the mat 30
and a player is performed by the transponder TP and the mat
selection section 24 of the acceptance apparatus 20. Alternatively,
the mat 30 may be designed to have a function of authenticate the
transponder TP. Specifically, the mat 30 may comprise an antenna
for reading personal information written in the memory of the
transponder TP, and a storage section for temporarily storing the
read personal information. In this case, when a player presses the
entry button 306 of the mat 30, the stored personal information is
associated with the mat identification information to form a
transmitting signal, and the transmitting signal is transmitted to
the control unit 10 through the communication section 303 of the
mat 30 and the communication section 16, so that the control unit
10 can recognize the linking between the mat 30 and the player.
This allow the player to omit the operation of selecting one of the
mats using the entering/leaving management apparatus 2 so as to
provide enhanced usability. Alternatively, a staff or an instructor
may learn about player's name and identification information of the
mat 30 from a player before initiation of a lesson, and directly
enter the player's name and the identification information of the
mat 30 into the control unit 10 using an input section, such as a
keyboard, of the control section 10, to allow the control unit 10
to recognize the linking between the mat 30 and the player.
[0100] (9) In the above embodiment, an average of response
evaluation ranks and a sum of consumed calorie values of all the
players are presented in the result image screen and the
lesson-termination image screen illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.
Alternatively, the presentation may be performed with respect to
each group. For example, the players may be divided into right and
left groups according to the laying positions of the mats 30 in the
training room, and an average of response evaluation ranks and a
sum of consumed calorie values may be presented on a group-by-group
basis. This makes it possible to foster a sense of unity in each of
the groups of players who receive training together, and arouse a
spirit of competition.
[0101] (10) In the above embodiment, the respective laying
positions of the mats 30 are pre-determined. Alternatively, the
system may be configured to allow the mats to be laid down at any
positions. In this case, the communication section 16 of the
control unit 10 and the communication section 303 of the mat 30 may
be designed to have a relatively wide directivity. Further, in
order to allow the video camera 9 to pick up an image of a specific
one of the players, a distinctive element, e.g., a different
pattern, may be provided on a surface of each of the mats 30, and
respective picked-up images of the mats 30 may be pre-registered,
so that each of the mats 30 is identified based on an image of the
mat 30 picked up during training, by use of a conventional pattern
recognition technique. Thus, respective laying positions of the
mats 30 can be identified to allow the video camera 9 to be
controllably oriented in a direction for taking an image of a
specific player (mat 30). In this modification, a player can place
the mat selected using the entering/leaving management apparatus 2,
at a desired position, instead of a pre-designated position on the
floor of the gym. This allows the player to be released from a
bothersome operation of finding out a designated position so as to
provide enhanced usability, and reflect his/her preference so as to
increase feelings of satisfaction.
[0102] As described above, a movement information processing system
according to the present invention comprises a control unit adapted
to present, on a single presentation unit, a guide image for giving
instruction for various movements to a plurality of players, and a
plurality of terminal units prepared in accordance with the number
of the players, and each adapted to detect a movement of an
associated one of the players. Each of the terminal units includes
a first communication section operable to transmit a result on the
detection of the movement of the associated player, to the control
unit, and the control unit includes a second communication section
operable to receive a signal indicative of the detection result
from the first communication section in each of the terminal units,
evaluation means operable, based on the detection result signal
received by the second communication section, to evaluate the
movement of the player relative to each of the terminal units, and
annunciation means operable to provide a result on the evaluation
to an annunciation section so as to annunciate the evaluation
result.
[0103] In movement information processing system of the present
invention, the guide image for giving instruction for various
movements to the players is presented on the single presentation
unit under control of the control unit, and each of the players
moves in conformity to contents of a movement instruction indicated
by the guide image, using one of the plurality of terminal units
adapted to detect respective movements of the players. The movement
of the player is detected by the terminal unit, and a result of the
detection is transmitted to the control unit through the first
communication section. When a signal from the first communication
signal of each of the terminal units is received by the control
unit through the second communication section, the evaluation means
evaluates the result of the movement relative to each of the
terminal units, based on the received signal, and the annunciate
means annunciates a result of the evaluation to the annunciation
section. This makes it possible to present the guide image for
giving instruction for various movements to the players,
irrespective of the number of players, so as to provide the guide
image with enhanced visibility.
[0104] Preferably, the presentation unit is combined with the
annunciation section. According to this feature, the evaluation
result presented by the annunciation means is presented on the
single presentation unit presenting the guide image. This makes it
possible to eliminate the need for providing the annunciation
section separately, and allow each of the players to look at the
single presentation unit so as to visually check the evaluation
result as well as the guide image.
[0105] Preferably, the control unit includes presentation control
means to present the guide image on the presentation unit, wherein
the presentation control means is operable to create a plurality of
presentation regions for presenting contents related to respective
ones of the terminal units, on an image screen of the presentation
unit, in a personalized manner with respect to each of the terminal
units, and present information about a movement state of the player
relative to each of the terminal unit, in a corresponding one of
the presentation regions.
[0106] According to this feature, the presentation regions for
presenting contents related to respective ones of the terminal
units, on an image screen of the presentation unit, are created in
a personalized manner, and information about a movement state of
the player relative to each of the terminal unit is presented in a
corresponding one of the presentation regions. Thus, a movement
state of each of the players is presented in a corresponding one of
the presentation region on an image screen of the presentation
unit. Thus, each of the players can obtain information about the
movement state only by looking at his/her personalized presentation
region, so as to facilitate visual checking of information about
the movement state.
[0107] Preferably, the presentation control means includes layout
setting means operable, according to the evaluation result obtained
by the evaluation means, to set respective positions of the
presentation regions on the image screen of the presentation unit.
According to this feature, at least one of the presentation regions
is moved to a position closer to a specific position, e.g., upper
position of the image screen, according to the evaluation result.
Thus, each of the players can readily figure out a level of
evaluation on his/her movement from a position of the presentation
region associated with the player. If the presentation regions of
all the players is arranged in a vertical direction of the image
screen according to ranking of the evaluation, a part of the
players having the presentation regions in lower positions are
likely to be demotivated in exercise. Thus, instead of arranging
the presentation regions of all the players according to the
ranking, only a predetermined number (e.g., three) of high-ranked
players may be presented as "current three best" in an upper region
of the image screen. Further, in this case, the presentation region
of each of the players will be moved according to changes in the
evaluation. Thus, in order to allow each of the players to quickly
recognize his/her presentation region, a different background color
or a different pattern formed of a plurality of background colors
may be applied to each of the presentation regions associated with
the respective players; or a name or nick name of each of the
players may be largely presented on a portion of the associated
presentation region; or outer peripheral edges of the presentation
region may be formed in various shapes, such as a circular shape, a
triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a star shape and a rhomboid
shape. Any one or a combination of two or more of the above
techniques may be employed.
[0108] Preferably, the movement information processing system
includes event annunciation means operable, when the evaluation
result obtained by the evaluation means for a specific one of the
terminal units meets a predetermined condition, to identify the
specific terminal unit, and execute a special attraction for the
evaluation result.
[0109] According to this feature, when a specific one of the
terminal units obtains an evaluation meeting the predetermined
condition, the event annunciation means identifies the specific
terminal unit, and execute a special attraction for the evaluation
result. The term "special attraction" means an event to be executed
when an evaluation result of the terminal unit, exactly an
evaluation result of player's movement, meets the predetermined
condition (e.g., when a specific one of the terminal units is
ranked within the top three positions). In this event, a fact, for
example, that a specific one of the terminal units (i.e., a player
of the specific terminal unit) was one of the three best is
annunciated together with the special attraction. Thus, the player
playing using the specific terminal unit can have a sense of
satisfaction in his/her play while feeling the joy and proud of
being selected and highly evaluated in the plurality of players,
and finds great pleasure and entertainment in playing, whereby the
player is motivated to continue the play or obtain higher
evaluation. This makes it possible to achieve a movement
information processing system having strong attraction relative to
players. In addition, the special attraction can motivate nearby
players associated with other terminal units. This is also
advantageous to management of a training gym in facilitating
acquiring customers based on introduction of this system.
[0110] Preferably, the event annunciation means is operable to
execute the special attraction on the presentation unit using an
image. According to this feature, the special attraction is
presented on the pre-set presentation unit in the form of an
image.
[0111] Preferably, the event annunciation means includes voice
output means adapted to output the special attraction using voice.
According to this feature, the special attraction is output from
the voice output means in the form of voice. In this manner, the
special attraction is performed using voice, for example, voice
offering much praise to a specific terminal unit. This allows a
player to recognize that he/she now obtain a predetermined
evaluation, while visually checking the guide image and
concentrating on training, without particularly looking at his/her
presentation region on the image screen.
[0112] Preferably, the movement information processing system
includes linking means operable to set a correspondence between
identification information of each of the terminal units, and
identification information of each of the players, which includes
player's name information, wherein the event annunciation means is
operable to annunciate with the inclusion of the player's name
information during the special attraction.
[0113] According to this feature, a correspondence between the
identification information of the terminal unit and the
identification information of each of the players including
player's name information is set by the linking means. Thus, in
various processings, identification information of the terminal
unit can be used as identification information of the player. This
makes it possible to present player's name or generate a voice
message including player's name, for example, during the special
attraction. For example, characters or voice message "TOM, you are
the best" are presented or generated. In this system, during the
special attraction, insured of a number of a terminal unit or the
like, name or nickname of a specific player linked to (i.e.,
associated with) the terminal unit is present or generated as a
voice message, to annunciate an evaluation result so as to allow
the player to feel pleasure, satisfaction and pride in meeting a
target and receiving high evaluation, and strongly have a sense of
superiority to other player through calling-out of his/her name or
nickname in front of others. Further, the player will have a sense
of participation in training using this system, and a high degree
of probability for wishing to re-join the training. This allows a
facility introducing this system to readily acquire repeaters.
[0114] Preferably, the first communication section has a
signal-receiving function, and the second communication section has
a signal-transmitting function. In this case, the control unit is
operable, when the evaluation result obtained by the evaluation
means for a specific one of the terminal units meets the
predetermined condition, to transmit to the specific terminal unit
a signal for giving an instruction to execute the special
attraction, and each of the terminal units includes motivational
annunciation means having at least one of a light generation
section, a sound generation section and a vibration generation
section, the terminal unit being operable, when it receives the
signal for giving an instruction to execute the special attraction,
through the first communication section, to instruct the event
annunciation means to perform an annunciation operation for the
special attraction.
[0115] According to this feature, the first communication section
has a signal-receiving function, and the second communication
section has a signal-transmitting function. Thus, when an
evaluation result obtained by the evaluation means for a specific
one of the terminal units meets the predetermined condition, the
control unit can transmit an instruction signal of special
attraction, to the specific terminal unit through the second
communication section. Further, each of the terminal devices
includes the event annunciation section having at least one of the
light generation section, the sound generation section and the
vibration generation section. Thus, in response to receiving the
instruction signal of special attraction through the first
communication section, the event annunciation section of the
specific terminal unit can perform an annunciation operation for
the special attraction. That is, in the present invention, even
when the first communication section has only a signal-transmission
function, and the second communication section has only a
signal-receiving function, the detection result can be transmitted
from the terminal unit to the control unit to allow the control
unit to evaluate the detection result, and therefore an intended
object of the present invention can be achieved. In the above
configuration where the first communication section additionally
has a signal-receiving function, and the second communication
section additionally has a signal-transmitting function, the
special attraction can be executed at not only the control unit but
also the terminal unit, or only at the terminal unit, so as to
achieve further effective event. When the special attraction is
executed at the terminal unit as in this embodiment, the event
(special attraction) is executed at a position adjacent to the
player's body, such as feet or hands, and thereby the player can
recognize the evaluation reliably and sensationally without
visually checking his/her presentation region on the presentation
unit located away from the player. Further, an element to be
recognized is any one or a combination of two or more of light,
sound and vibration. That is, the player does not recognize the
special attraction by visual checking. Thus, the player can
recognize his/her evaluation while looking at the guide image and
concentrating on training or the like.
[0116] Preferably, the evaluation means includes response
evaluation means operable to evaluate a response of the player
associated with each of the terminal units, to the guide image.
According to this feature, a higher evaluation can be obtained from
the response evaluation means as a player moves in conformity with
a timing of movement instruction of the guide image, with higher
accuracy. This function can be suitably used in evaluation of
physical exercise based on movements (training or game) and
physical exercise for recovering of movement function or nerve
function.
[0117] Preferably, the movement information processing system
includes a guide information storage section, and a speaker,
wherein: the a guide information storage section is adapted to
store the guide image in association with each of a plurality of
music pieces; the guide image is a pre-produced image for giving
instruction for player's stepping in at least one of a
frontward/rearward direction and a rightward/leftward direction;
the speaker is adapted to output one or more of the music pieces
selected from the guide information storage section; the
presentation control means is operable to present the guide image
for giving instruction for the player's stepping, in
synchronization with output ones of the music pieces; and each of
the terminal units has a mat shape which is formed with two or more
stepping regions on at least one of a front/rear side and a
right/left side relative to a home position set at a predetermined
position, each of the stepping regions being provided with a sensor
adapted to detect a stepping movement independently. According to
this feature, the guide image for giving instruction for player's
stepping relative to in at least one of a frontward/rearward
direction and a rightward/leftward direction is presented on the
presentation unit in synchronization with a music piece to be
output. When a player steps on a stepping region formed in at least
one of front, rear, right and left sides relative to a mat-shaped
home position located at a predetermined position, the stepping
movement relative to the stepping region is detected. Thus,
player's movement performed in conformity to the instruction of the
guide image for stepping positions is detected, and a result of the
detection is evaluated.
[0118] Preferably, the evaluation means includes an exercise-amount
evaluation section adapted to evaluate an exercise amount of the
player associated with each of the terminal units, based on a
result on the detection of the stepping movement against the
sensor. According to this feature, based on a result on the
detection of the stepping movement against the sensor, the
evaluation means evaluate an exercise amount of the player
associated with each of the terminal units. For example, the
exercise amount is converted to a consumed calorie value, and the
consumed calorie value is evaluated.
[0119] Preferably, the exercise-amount evaluation section is
operable to summate the evaluation of the exercise amount of the
player associated with each of the terminal units, and the
annunciation means is operable to present a result on the summation
when the exercise is completed. According to this feature,
regardless of whether an evaluation result is presented during
exercise, an evaluation result of exercise amount is presented in
total when the exercise is terminated. Thus, each of the players
can know a total exercise amount, such as a total consumed calorie
value, which has been consumed by stepping movements between
initiation and completion of music pieces.
[0120] Preferably, the movement information processing system
includes one or more image-taking units disposed to take individual
images in positions corresponding to respective ones of the
terminal units, wherein the presentation control means is operable
to additionally present the images taken by a specific one of the
image-taking units, on the presentation unit. According to this
feature, under control of the presentation control means, a video
image picked up by the specific video camera is additionally
presented on the presentation unit, on a certain condition or after
being arbitrarily selected. This makes it possible to present an
image of a player located at a position corresponding to a terminal
unit, selectively and additionally as a live video, so as to
motivate the player.
[0121] In place of the live video, a still image of a player having
the best evaluation at the present moment may be presented.
[0122] In this specification, an element or component described as
means for achieving a certain function is not limited to a
structure or configuration described in this specification to
achieve the certain function, but includes any other structure or
configuration, such as a unit, component or element, capable of
achieving the certain function.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0123] In the movement information processing system of the present
invention, the guide image for giving instruction for various
movements is presented on the single presentation unit to a
plurality of players, and each of the terminal units associated
with respective ones of the players detects a movement of the
player. The movement of the player is evaluated based on a result
of the detection for each of the players, and a result of the
evaluation is annunciated to the annunciation section. This makes
it possible to present the guide image for giving instruction for
various movements to a plurality of players, irrespective of the
number of the players, so as to provide the guide image with
enhanced visibility.
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