U.S. patent application number 12/879387 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-10 for method and apparatus for providing game service in a portable terminal.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hyoung-Il Kim, Tae-Jun Park.
Application Number | 20110059797 12/879387 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43648200 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110059797 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Hyoung-Il ; et
al. |
March 10, 2011 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING GAME SERVICE IN A PORTABLE
TERMINAL
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing a game in a portable
terminal are provided. The method includes outputting an audio
signal for indicating a specific indication through a speaker,
obtaining user's motion data, and determining whether the user's
motion data corresponds to the specific indication.
Inventors: |
Kim; Hyoung-Il;
(Seongnam-si, KR) ; Park; Tae-Jun; (Gwacheon-si,
KR) |
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
43648200 |
Appl. No.: |
12/879387 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2300/8047 20130101;
A63F 13/211 20140902; A63F 13/428 20140902; A63F 13/54 20140902;
A63F 13/44 20140902; A63F 13/814 20140902; A63F 13/28 20140902;
A63F 2300/105 20130101; A63F 2300/204 20130101; A63F 13/46
20140902; A63F 13/92 20140902 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/35 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 10, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0085247 |
Claims
1. A method of providing a game in a portable terminal, the method
comprising: outputting an audio signal for indicating a specific
indication through a speaker; obtaining user's motion data; and
determining whether the user's motion data corresponds to the
specific indication.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user's motion data comprises
at least one of a movement direction, an acceleration, and a
rotation direction.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user's motion data is
obtained by using at least one of a gyro sensor, a terrestrial
magnetism sensor, and an acceleration sensor.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the user's
motion data corresponds to the specific indication comprises:
obtaining sensor data corresponding to the specific indication; and
comparing whether the obtained sensor data is identical to the
user's motion data.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein obtaining the sensor data
corresponding to the specific indication comprises obtaining sensor
data pre-mapped to the audio signal for indicating the specific
indication.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein obtaining the sensor data
corresponding to the specific indication comprises: detecting the
audio signal for indicating the specific indication; and
determining sensor data corresponding to the detection result among
pre-stored sensor data.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein obtaining the sensor data
corresponding to the specific indication comprises: detecting the
audio signal for indicating the specific indication; and generating
sensor data corresponding to the detection result according to a
predetermined rule.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a score
according to whether the user's motion data corresponds to the
specific indication.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting an audio
signal indicating a result according to whether the user's motion
data is an operation corresponding to the specific indication.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein an audio signal for indicating
the specific indication is output during a specific time period or
at specific time intervals.
11. An apparatus for providing a game in a portable terminal, the
apparatus comprising: an output unit for outputting an audio signal
for indicating a specific indication through a speaker; a motion
detection sensor for obtaining a user's motion data; and a
controller for determining whether the user's motion data
corresponds to the specific indication.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the motion detection sensor
obtains the user's motion data by measuring at least one of a
movement direction, an acceleration, and a rotation direction.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the motion detection sensor
comprises at least one of a gyro sensor, a terrestrial magnetism
sensor, and an acceleration sensor.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controller obtains
sensor data corresponding to the specific indication, and compares
whether the obtained sensor data is identical to the user's motion
data.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the controller obtains
sensor data pre-mapped to the audio signal for indicating the
specific indication.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the controller detects the
audio signal for indicating the specific indication, and determines
sensor data corresponding to the detection result among pre-stored
sensor data.
17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the controller detects the
audio signal for indicating the specific indication, and generates
sensor data corresponding to the detection result according to a
predetermined rule.
18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controller determines a
score according to whether the user's motion data corresponds to
the specific indication.
19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the output unit outputs an
audio signal for indicating a result according to whether the
user's motion data is an operation corresponding to the specific
indication.
20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the output unit outputs an
audio signal for indicating the specific indication during a
specific time period or at specific time intervals.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) to a Korean patent application filed in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office on Sep. 10, 2009 and assigned Serial
No. 10-2009-0085247, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to a method and
apparatus for providing a game service in a portable terminal, and
in particular, to a method and apparatus for providing games using
motion detection.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Various functions have been incorporated in portable
terminals to satisfy various demands of users. For example, these
functions not only include the general utilization of the portable
terminals such as e-mails, Internet surfing, simple games, etc.,
but also include the reproduction of moving images such as movies
or music videos, reproduction of Codec files such as MPEG audio
layer III (MP3) or Windows Media Audio (WMA), and portable
terminals equipped with cameras can also be taken into account.
Therefore, recently portable terminals have evolved from a
communication device for simple voice telephony to a digital
convergence device that provides convenience and entertainment to
users by integrating various useful functions.
[0006] In particular, in recently launched devices that appeal to
users, the portable terminals can be used as portable game devices
(e.g., Sony's PSP or Nintendo's NDS). Conventional portable game
devices using portable terminals provide games which require the
use of a keypad. For example, the portable terminal can provide a
music game using the keypad in such a manner that a user presses a
key button of the keypad while watching a bit indication displayed
on a screen in accordance with the music. However, such a game has
many disadvantages in that a user's behavior is limited during the
game since the user has to press buttons one by one while watching
the screen of the portable terminal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention has been made to address at least the
above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the
advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present
invention is to provide a method and apparatus for providing games
using motion detection in a portable terminal.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
method and apparatus for providing games in a portable terminal, in
which an audio signal is output to allow a user to perform a motion
corresponding to the audio signal and to determine whether the
motion is correctly performed.
[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
method and apparatus for providing games in a portable terminal, in
which sensor data is mapped to an audio signal and the mapped
sensor data is compared with data obtained by detecting a user's
motion.
[0010] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
method of providing a game in a portable terminal is provided. The
method includes outputting an audio signal for indicating a
specific indication through a speaker, obtaining a user's motion
data, and determining whether the user's motion data corresponds to
the specific indication.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
an apparatus for providing a game in a portable terminal is
provided. The apparatus includes an output unit for outputting an
audio signal for indicating a specific indication through a
speaker, a motion detection sensor for obtaining user's motion
data, and a controller for determining whether the user's motion
data corresponds to the specific indication.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of
certain embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent
from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a portable terminal
according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a process of performing a game by using
motion detection in a portable terminal according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Various embodiments of the present invention are described
in detail herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings, the same or similar components may be designated
by the same or similar reference numerals, although they are
illustrated in different drawings. Further, detailed descriptions
of constructions or processes known in the art may be omitted for
clarity and conciseness in the description of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a portable terminal
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, the portable terminal includes a motion
detection sensor 100, an audio output unit 110, a controller 120, a
memory 130, a display unit 140, and an input unit 150.
[0018] The motion detection sensor 100 measures a movement
direction, an acceleration, a rotation direction, etc., resulted
from a motion of a user of the portable terminal under the control
of the controller 120 and provides the measurement result to the
controller 120. The motion detection sensor 100 may include at
least one of a gyro sensor, a terrestrial magnetism sensor, and an
acceleration sensor.
[0019] The audio output unit 110 outputs an audio signal
corresponding to music or sound to a speaker (not shown) during a
specific time period or at specific time intervals under the
control of the controller 120.
[0020] The controller 120 controls and processes an overall
operation of the portable terminal. According to the present
invention, the controller 120 includes a motion game controller 122
to output the audio signal. In this case, the controller 120
controls and processes a function for determining a score by
detecting the motion of the user to determine whether the motion
corresponding to the audio signal is correctly performed. That is,
the motion game controller 122 loads music or sound pre-stored in
the memory 130 and provides it to the audio output unit 110.
Further, the motion game controller 122 obtains data in association
with detection of the user's motion from the motion detection
sensor 100 and compares the data with sensor data pre-mapped to the
music or sound. The sensor data mapped to the music or sound may be
predetermined. After detecting the music or sound, the motion game
controller 122 may generate sensor data corresponding to the
detection result according to a predetermined method or may
determine the sensor data by selecting the sensor data
corresponding to the detection result among the pre-stored sensor
data. For example, sound corresponding to `to the right` may be
detected to generate sensor data to be generated when the portable
terminal moves to the right, or sensor data corresponding to
movement to the right may be searched for from a pre-stored sensor
data table so that the found data is mapped to a signal
corresponding to `to the right`.
[0021] The motion game controller 122 may determine a score
according to whether the data obtained by detecting the user's
motion matches the sensor data, or may determine the score
according to similarity between the data obtained by detecting the
user's motion and the sensor data. That is, a specific score may be
given only when the data obtained by detecting the user's motion
matches the sensor data and otherwise may not be given, or the
score may be given depending on a level according to the similarity
between the data obtained by detecting the user's motion and the
sensor data. Of course, if a difference between the data obtained
by detecting the user's motion and the sensor data is less than a
threshold, it can be determined that the two pieces of data are
identical.
[0022] In addition, the motion game controller 122 controls and
processes a function for outputting sound, which indicates whether
the user's motion is correctly performed, to the speaker (not
shown) by loading the sound from the memory 130 according to the
determined score.
[0023] The memory 130 stores various programs and data for an
overall operation of the portable terminal. According to the
present invention, the memory 130 stores music or sound. In this
case, the music or sound stored in the memory 130 is stored by
mapping to the sensor data for each specific duration. Further, the
memory 130 stores sound which indicates accuracy of the user's
motion.
[0024] The display unit 140 displays status information,
alphanumeric characters, still images, and moving images generated
during the operation of the portable terminal. In particular, the
display unit 140 displays a music or sound list stored in the
memory 130.
[0025] The input unit 150 includes a plurality of function keys to
provide the controller 120 with data corresponding to keys to be
selected by the user. In particular, an item is selected from the
music or sound list displayed in the display unit 140 and is
provided to the controller 120.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a process of performing a game by using
motion detection in a portable terminal according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, the portable terminal enters a game
mode in step 201. Then, in step 203, the portable terminal displays
an available music or sound list for the game on a screen so as to
determine whether music or sound for the game is set by a user.
[0028] If the music or sound is set, proceeding to step 205, the
portable terminal loads sensor data corresponding to the set music
or sound. Herein, the sensor data corresponding to the music or
sound may be predetermined, or may be generated in such a manner
that the music or sound is detected by the motion game controller
122 and then is generated on the basis of the detection result
according to a predetermined method, or may be selected from
pre-stored sensor data. For example, sound corresponding to `to the
right` may be detected to generate sensor data to be generated when
the portable terminal moves to the right, or sensor data
corresponding to movement to the right may be searched for from a
pre-stored sensor data table so that the found data is mapped to a
signal corresponding to `to the right`.
[0029] In step 207, the portable terminal reproduces the set music
or sound according to a predetermined rule and then outputs it
through a speaker. In step 209, the portable terminal detects a
user's motion by using the motion detection sensor 100. That is,
the portable terminal measures a movement direction, an
acceleration, a rotation direction, etc., resulted from a motion of
the user of the portable terminal and generates data obtained by
detecting the user's motion. Herein, the predetermined rule implies
a method of continuously reproducing corresponding music or sound
seamlessly or a method of reproducing a specific part of the music
or sound in every specific interval.
[0030] In step 211, the portable terminal determines a score by
comparing the loaded sensor data and the data obtained by detecting
the user's motion. The portable terminal may determine a score
according to whether the data obtained by detecting the user's
motion matches the sensor data, or may determine the score
according to similarity between the data obtained by detecting the
user's motion and the sensor data. That is, a specific score may be
given only when the data obtained by detecting the user's motion
matches the sensor data and otherwise may not be given, or the
score may be given depending on a level according to the similarity
between the data obtained by detecting the user's motion and the
sensor data. Of course, if a difference between the data obtained
by detecting the user's motion and the sensor data is less than a
threshold, it can be determined that the two pieces of data are
identical.
[0031] In step 213, the portable terminal outputs sound which
indicates accuracy of the motion according to the determined score.
In step 215, the portable terminal evaluates whether reproduction
of the set music or sound ends. If the reproduction of the set
music or sound does not end, the process returns to step 207, and
the subsequent steps are repeated. Otherwise, if the reproduction
of the set music or sound ends, the process proceeds to step 217,
where the portable terminal reports a final score to the user by
using the determined score. In this case, the final score may be a
score obtained by accumulating determined scores or may be an
average score of the determined scores.
[0032] Thereafter, the procedure of FIG. 2 ends.
[0033] According to embodiments of the present invention, a
portable terminal provides a game in such a manner that an audio
signal is output to allow a user to perform a motion corresponding
to the audio signal, a user's motion is detected by using a motion
detection sensor, and the detection result is compared with sensor
data mapped to the audio signal. Therefore, the user can enjoy the
game without having to watch a screen.
[0034] While the present invention has been shown and described
with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention
is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by
the appended claims and their equivalents, and all differences
within the scope will be construed as being included in the present
invention.
* * * * *