Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
W000/28732 Ca o23i76ss 2000-07-06 PCT/JP99106163
1
DESCRIPTION
PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE, METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME
AND SOFTWARE RECORDING MEDIUM
BACKGROUND Oh' THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable electronic device that is used as
an
auxiliary memory unit of an information device containing an entertainment
system
such as a video game unit, and a method and a software recording medium for
operating this portable electronic device.
Background of the Invention
A conventional memory card (child machine or ancillary machine) that is
loaded into a host device such as an information device, e.g., a video game
machine,
and thus used is normally provided with an interface for connection with the
main unit
(parent machine or host machine) as an information device and a nonvolatile
memory
element for storing data.
Fig. lA shows an example of the constitution of the main elements of a
i conventional memory card. The conventional memory card 10 is provided with a
control unit 11 for controlling the operation, a connector 12 for connection
with a
terminal provided inside the slot of the information device, etc., and a
nonvolatile
memory 16 for storing data, and the connector 12 and nonvolatile memory 16 are
connected to the control unit 11.
The control unit 11 consists of a microcomputer. Additionally, a flush memory
such as an EEPROM, for example, is used as the nonvolatile memory 16.
Furthermore
a microcomputer is used as the control means for interpreting the protocols in
the
connection interface with the information device, etc.
WO 00/28732 CA 02317685 2000-07-06 pCT/JP99/06163
2
Fig. 1B shows the control elements in the control unit 11 of a conventional
memory card 10.
Thus, conventional memory card 10 is provided only with a main unit
connection interface for connecting with the main unit such as an information
device
and a memory interface for inputting/outputting data to/from the nonvolatile
memory.
Additionally, conventional video game units such as household TV game
devices possess a function whereby game data, etc., is stored in an auxiliary
memory
unit. The memory card is used as this type of auxiliary storage device for a
video
game unit.
Fig. 2 shows an example of a conventional video game unit which uses a
memory card as an auxiliary storage device. The main unit 2 of the
conventional video
game unit 1 is housed in a roughly square-shaped case, and includes a disk
loading part
3, into the center portion of which is loaded an optical disk that is the
recording
medium on which the application program of the video game is recorded, a reset
switch 4 for resetting the game as desired, a power switch S, a disk operation
switch 6
for operating the insertion of the aforesaid optical disk, and, for example,
two slots 7A
and 7B.
The memory card 10 that is used as the auxiliary storage device is inserted
into
slot 7A or 7B, and, for example, the results, etc., of a game that has been
played on the _
video game unit 1 are sent from a control means (CPU) 19 and written into the
nonvolatile memory 16. Multiple operating units (controllers), not shown in
the
L drawing, are also connected to the slots 7A and 7B, allowing competitive
games, etc.,
to be played simultaneously by multiple players.
In this connection, providing the ancillary machine that is connected through
the memory card slot of the video game machine, etc., which is the host
machine, with
other program executing functions has been considered. Such an ancillary
machine
.i
could be used unmodified as a portable electronic device, and by facilitating
i
WO00/28732 CA 02317685 2000-07-06 PCT/JP99/06163
3
communication with other devices, could lead to an expanded range of
applications
and the creation of new demand.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable electronic
device
that can be connected to a host machine and enables a remote operation of
other
!, devices by using the ancillary machine itself, a method for operating this
portable
_:3
electronic device and a memory medium for storing application programs .
In order to achieve this and other objects the portable electronic device of
the
present invention is a portable electronic device, which can be connected to a
host
machine having program execution functions, which has, independently from the
aforesaid host machine, an input means, an output means, and a control means,
and
' which comprises:
a means which stores a remote control operation program transferred from a
recording medium of the host machine,
i
a control means which executes said remote control operation program,
~i
a display means which displays a remote control operation information in
accordance
with said remote control operation program; and
an output means which outputs operating signals to an object machine in
accordance with said remote control operation information.
The remote control operation information has a hierarchical structure of
operation
' wherein each hierarchy is selected by the input means and displayed by said
display
means.
Additionally, a recording medium according to the present invention is a
i
recording medium which is loaded into a host machine having a program
executing
function and in which information is stored that can be transferred to a
portable
I
! electronic device connected to the host machine, wherein remote control
operation
WO00/28732 CA 02317685 2000-07-06
PCT/JP99/06163
4
information is recorded as contents of a menu in addition to the transfer
program and
the transfer menu display program.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figs. lA and 1B show an example of the configuration of important parts of a
conventional memory card device;
Fig. 2 shows an example of a video game unit that uses a memory card of Fig.
lA as an auxiliary memory unit;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the exterior of a video game unit as a host device
which
uses a portable electronic device that constitutes an embodiment of the
present
invention as an ancillary machine;
Fig. 4 is a rear view of the video game unit of Fig. 3, showing the form of a
slot
in the video game unit used as a host machine;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the video game unit used as a host machine;
Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of
the main parts of the video game unit used as a host machine;
.I
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the exterior of an embodiment of a portable
electronic
device according to the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the exterior of an embodiment of the portable
electronic device of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable electronic
device
i
according to the present invention in a state in which the cover member is
open;
Fig. 10 is a front view of the exterior of an embodiment of the portable
electronic device of the present invention;
2$ Figs. 11A and 11B show a block diagram of an example of the configuration
of
the important parts of the portable electronic device according to the present
invention;
WO 00/28732 CA 02317685 2000-07-06 PCT/JP99/06163
Fig. 12 shows the wireless communication function of the portable electronic
device according to the present invention;
Fig. 13 shows the coordinated operation between the portable electronic device
as the ancillary machine and the video game unit main unit used as the host
machine;
Fig. 14 shows the flow of program data that is downloaded from the video
game unit main unit (host machine) to the portable electronic device
(ancillary
machine};
Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure for downloadin o
g f Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 shows a separate flow of program data that is downloaded from the
aforesaid video game unit main unit (host machine} to the portable electronic
device
(ancillary machine);
Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure for downloading of Fig. 14;
i Fig. 18 is a diagram for explaining the recorded content of the CD-ROM;
i
i Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing a series of steps in processing on the host
machine side;
Fig. 20 diagrammatically shows a display screen of the television receiver;
Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing a series of steps in the processing on the
ancillary machine side;
Fig. 22 is a block diagram showing from the nonvolatile memory of the
ancillary machine to the display part;
Fig. 23 diagrammatically shows display contents and the operating elements of
the ancillary machine;
i
Figs. 24A-24C show lower-layer display contents;
Fig. 25 shows one example of the display contents of "+";
Fig. 26 is an enlargement view of the display contents of Fi . 23'
g
Fig. 27 shows an example of character display contents;
Fig. 28 is an enlargement view of the display contents of Fig. 25;
WO 00/28732 CA 02317685 2000-07-06
PCT/JP99/06163
6
Fig. 29 is an explanatory view of the hierarchical display for operations of
an
air conditioner; and
Fig. 30 is a flowchart of the hierarchical display.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described referring to
the drawings. Here, the .portable electronic device which serves as an
embodiment of
the present invention can be used both as a memory card used in an
entertainment
system such as a video game unit which serves as the host machine or the
parent
machine and alone as a portable miniature game machine. The host device is not
limited to the video game machines, and the portable electronic device which
serves as
the ancillary machine or the child machine need not necessarily have a memory
card
function.
In the following description, first, an example of a video game machine as the
host machine is described in which the portable electronic device which serves
as an
'i embodiment of the present invention is used as an ancillary machine.
Fig. 3 shows the external appearance of a video game unit serving as the host
machine to which the portable electronic device that serves as an embodiment
of the
present invention is attached. The video game unit 1 has the purpose of
reading a - -
game program recorded on an optical disk, for example, and executing the game
in
accordance with directions from the user (game player). Here the phrase
"executing
the game" means principally controlling the progress, display, sound effects,
ete., of
the game.
A main unit 2 of the video game unit 1 is housed in a roughly square-shaped
case, and comprises a disk loading part 3, into the center portion of which is
loaded an
optical disk such as a CD-ROM that is the recording medium on which the
application
program of the video game is recorded, a reset switch 4 for resetting the game
as
WO 00/28732 Ca o 2 31 ~ 6 s 5 2 0 0 0 - o ~ - 0 6 PCT/JP99/06163
7
desired, a power switch S, a disk operation switch 6 for operating the
insertion of the
aforesaid optical disk, and, for example, two slots 7A and 7B.
The recording medium for supplying the application program is not limited to
optical disks, and the application program may also be supplied via a
communication
line.
Two operating devices 20 can be connected to slots 7A and 7B, allowing two
users to play competitive games, etc. Additionally, the aforesaid memory card
or
portable electronic device that serves as an embodiment of the present
invention may
also be inserted into slot 7A or 7B. Fig. 3 shows, as an example, a structure
in which
twin slots 7A and 7B are provided, but the number of slots is not limited to a
twin
system.
The operating device 20 has first and second operating parts 21 and 22, an L
button 23L, an R button 23R, a start button 24, and a selection button 25, and
also has
i operating parts 31 and 32 which are able to perform an analog operation, a
mode
selection switch 33, which selects the operating mode of these operating parts
31 and
32, and a display part 34, which displays the operating mode selected. A
vibrating
I
i mechanism not shown in the figure is also provided inside the operating
devices 20.
~i
Fig. 4 shows the form of slots 7A and 7B provided on the front face of the
main
unit 2 of the video game unit 1. .
"! 20 In the embodiment, slots 7A and 7B each are formed in two stages. The
upper
stages are provided with memory card insertion parts 8A and 8B, into which the
memory card 10 or a portable electronic device 100 described below is
inserted, and
i
the lower stages are provided with controller connection parts (jacks) 9A and
9B, to
1
w which the connection terminal part (connector) 26 of the controller 20 is
connected.
The insertion openings (slots) of the memory card insertion parts 8A and 8B
are formed so as to have an oblong shape in the horizontal direction, and the
corners at
both ends on the lower side thereof are given a more rounded form than the
corners at
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO 00/28732 PCTlJP99l06163
8
both ends on the upper side, thereby providing a structure which prevents the
memory
card or portable electronic device from being mistakenly inserted upside-down.
The
memory card insertion parts 8A and 8B are also provided with shutters which
protect
the connection terminals that are provided inside in order to obtain
electrical
connection.
The controller connection parts 9A and 9B also are formed so that the two
corners on the lower side of the insertion openings, which have an oblong
shape in the
horizontal direction, are given a more rounded form than the corners at both
ends on
the upper side, thereby providing a structure which prevents the connection
terminal
part 26 of controller 20 from being mistakenly inserted upside-down, and also
have
structure in which the insertion holes are given a different form than the
memory card
insertion parts 8A and 8B, in order to prevent the insertion of the memory
card or
portable electronic device by error.
Fig. 5 shows a state in which a portable electronic device 100 which serves as
an embodiment of the present invention described below is inserted into the
memory
card insertion part 8A of the slot 7A on the front of the video game machine
1.
Next, Fig. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a circuit
configuration of the important parts of the video game unit 1.
The video game unit 1 includes a control system 50 having a central processing
unit (CPU) 51 and its peripherals, a graphics system 60 having a graphic
processing
unit (GPU) 62 or like device which performs graphic functions on a frame
buffer 63, a
sound system 70 comprising a sound processing unit (SPU) or like device which
generates music, sound effects, etc., an optical disk control part 80, which
controls the
optical disk on which application programs are recorded, a memory card 10
which
stores signals from the controller 20 and to which the commands from the user
are
i
input, game settings, etc., a communication control part 90, which controls
the input
I
I
V1~0 0012832 CA 02317685 2000-07-06
PCT/JP99/06163
9
and output of data from the portable electronic device 100 described below and
a bus
BUS or the like by which the aforesaid parts are connected.
The control system 50 includes a CPU 51, a peripheral control part 52, which
performs control functions such as an interrupt control and direct memory
access
(DMA) transfer control, a main memory 53 comprising a random access memory
(RAM), and a read-only memory (ROM) 54, which stores programs for the so-
called
operating system, etc., that controls the main memory 53, graphics system 60,
sound
system 70, ete. The term "main memory" here refers to one that is able to
execute
programs on its memory.
The CPU 51 performs control of the entire video game unit 1 by running the
operating systems stored in the ROM 54, and comprises, for example, a 32-bit
RISC
(restricted instruction set computer)-CPU.
' When the power is switched on, this video game unit 1 runs the operating
systems stored in the ROM 54, and thereby the CPU 51 of the aforesaid control
system
50 carries out control of the aforesaid graphics system 60, sound system 70,
etc. When
the operating systems are run, the CPU 51, after performing general initiation
of the
video game unit 1 such as operation validation, controls the aforesaid optical
disk
control part 80, and runs the application program such as a game stored in the
optical
' disk. As it runs this game or other program, the CPU 51 controls the
graphics system
60, sound system 70, etc., in accordance with input from the user, and
controls the
display of images in the generation of sound effects and music.
Additionally, the graphics system 60 is provided with a geometry transfer
'', engine (GTE) 61, which performs processing such as coordinate
transformation, a
GPU 62; which performs plotting in accordance with plotting directions from
the CPU
51, a frame buffer 63, which stores the images plotted by the GPU 62, and an
image
decoder 64, which decodes image data that has been compressed and encoded by
means of orthogonal transformation such as discrete cosine transformation.
.----. ~w____..
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO 00/28732 PCT/JP99/06163
The GTE 61 is provided with, for example, a parallel processor which performs
a plurality of calculations in parallel, and is able to perform at a high
speed coordinate
transformation, light source calculation, and matrix or vector operations in
accordance
with the operation requirements from the aforesaid CPU 51. Specifically, for
example,
5 when this GTE 61 performs an operation of flat shaping whereby plotting is
performed
in the same color on 1 triangular polygon, it is able to perform the
coordinate
calculation of a maximum of about 1,500,000 polygons in 1 sec, and by this
means,
high-speed coordinate calculation can be performed while the load on the CPU
51 in
this video game unit is reduced.
10 Additionally, the GPU 62 performs plotting of polygons, etc., on the frame
buffer 63 in accordance with plotting commands from the CPU 51. The GPU 62 is
able to perform plotting of a maximum of approximately 360,000 polygons in 1
sec.
Furthermore, the frame buffer 63 has a so-called duel port RAM, and is able to
perform plotting from the GPU 62 or data transfer from the main memory and
read-out
of data for display at the same time. The frame buffer 63 has a capacity of,
e.g., 1 MB,
and is handled as a matrix composed of 1024 horizontal pixels and 512 vertical
pixels
'i each having 16 bits. This frame buffer 63, in addition to a display region
that is output
as video output, is also provided with a color lookup table (CLUT) region,
which
stores a CLUT which is referred to when the GPU 62 performs the plotting of
polygons, etc., and a texture region, which stores the raw material (texture)
to be
inserted (mapped) into the polygons, etc., plotted by the GPU 62 by coordinate
transformation during plotting. The CLUT region and texture region are
automatically
i
changed according to changes, ete., in the display region.
I
The aforesaid GPU 62, in addition to the aforesaid flat shading, is able to
i
perform Gouraud shading, which determines the color inside a polygon by
interpolation from the color of the vertices of the polygon, and texture
mapping
whereby a texture stored in the aforesaid texture region is pasted on a
polygon. When
WO00/28732 Ca o231~6s5 2000-0~-06 PCTlJP99106163
11
Gouraud shading or texture mapping is performed, the aforesaid GTE 61 is able
to
perform the coordinate calculation of a maximum of approximately 500,000
polygons
in 1 sec.
Additionally, the image decoder 64, by means of control from the aforesaid
CPU 51, decodes image data for still or moving pictures that is stored in the
main
memory 53 and stores it in the main memory 53.
The reproduced image data is stored via the GPU 62 in the frame buffer 63, and
thereby can be used as background for images plotted by the aforesaid GPU 62.
The sound system 70 is provided with an SPU 71, which generates music,
sound effects, etc., as directed from the CPU S 2, a sound buffer 72, in which
sound
wave data, etc., from this SPU 71 is stored, and speakers 73, which emanate
the music,
sound effects, etc., generated by the SPU 71.
The SPU 71 is provided with an adaptive differential PCM (ADPCM) decoding
function, whereby voice data obtained by, e.g., performing ADPCM on 16-bit
voice
', 25 data using a 4-bit differential signal, is reproduced, a reproducing
function whereby
sound effects, etc., are obtained by reproducing waveform data stored in the
sound
buffer 72, a modulation function, which modulates and reproduces waveform data
stored in the sound buffer 72, etc.
Being provided with these functions, the sound system 70 can be used as a so-
called sampling sound source that generates music, sound effects, etc., based
on
waveform data stored in the sound buffer 72 as directed from CPU 51.
The optical disk control part 80 is provided with an optical disk unit 81,
which
reproduces programs, data, etc., recorded on the optical disk, a decoder 82,
which
decodes programs, data, etc., that have been recorded with an error correction
code
(ECC) added, and a buffer 83, which accelerates the read-out of data from the
optical
disk 81 by temporarily storing data from the optical disk device. The sub-CPU
84 is
connected to the aforesaid decoder 82.
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO 00/28732 PCT/JP99/06163
12
Additionally, as the voice data or audio data(referred to as audio data
hereinafter) that is read from the optical disk unit 81 and recorded on the
optical disk,
in addition to the aforesaid ADPCM data, so-called PCM data obtained by
analog/digital conversion of audio signals can also be used.
S As ADPCM data, for example, audio data recorded by representing the
differential in 16-bit digital data in 4 bits, is decoded by the decoder 82,
then is
supplied to the aforesaid SPU 71, and after processing such as digital/analog
conversion is performed by the SPU 71, is used to drive the speaker 73.
Additionally, as PCM data, for example, audio data recorded as 16-bit digital
data is decoded by the decoder 82 and then used to drive the speaker 73.
The communication control part 90 includes a communication control unit 91,
which controls communications with the CPU 51 via the bus BUS, and said
communication control unit 91 is provided with a controller connecting part 9,
to
which the controller 20 that inputs directions from the user is connected, and
memory
card insertion parts 8A and 8B, to which the memory card 10, which serves as
an
auxiliary memory unit for storing game setting data, etc., and the portable
electronic
device 100 described below are connected.
The controller 20 connected to the controller connecting parts 9A and 9B has,
e.g., 16 direction keys, which allow the user to inputs directions, and in
accordance
with directions from the communication control unit 91, transmits status of
the
:..;,~
direction keys at a rate of approximately 60 times per second to the
communication
control unit 91 by synchronous communication. The communication control unit
91
then transmits the direction keys status of the controller 20 to the CPU 51.
By this means, directions from the user are input into the CPU 51, and the CPU
51 performs processing according to the directions from the user based on the
game
program, etc., it is running.
W O 00/28732 Ca o 2 317 6 s 5 2 0 0 0 - 0 7 - 0 6 PCTIJP99/06163
13
Here, in performing program read-out, image display, or plotting, etc., it is
necessary to transmit large quantities of image data among the aforesaid main
memory
53, GPU 62, image decoder 64, decoder 82, etc., at a high speed. For this
reason, in
this video game unit, by performing control from a peripheral control part 52
bypassing the CPU 51, it is possible to perform so-called DMA transmission,
whereby
data can be transmitted directly among the aforesaid main memory 53, CPU 62,
image
decoder 64, decoder 82, etc. By this means, the load placed on the CPU S1 by
data
transmission can be lightened, and high-speed data transmission can be
achieved.
Furthermore, when it is necessary to store setting data, etc., of a game that
is
being run, the aforesaid CPU 51 transmits stored data to the communication
control
unit 91, and the communication control unit 91 writes this data from the CPU
51 into
the memory card 10 or portable electronic device 100 that is inserted into the
aforesaid
memory card insertion part 8A or memory card insertion part 8B.
Here, a protection circuit for preventing electrical damage is incorporated
into
the aforesaid communication control unit 91. The aforesaid memory card 10 and
~i portable electronic device 100 are isolated from the bus BUS, and can be
detached
while the power of the device main unit is switched on. Accordingly, when, far
example, the storage capacity of the aforesaid memory card 10 or portable
electronic
,i
. ', device 100 is no longer sufficient, a new memory card can be inserted
without .
switching of the power to the device main unit. Thus, a new memory card can be
inserted without losing necessary game data required to be backed up, and the
necessary game data can be written into the new memory card.
The parallel I/0 interface (PIO) 96 and serial I/0 interface (SIO) 97 are
interfaces for connecting the video game unit 1 with the aforesaid memory card
10 or
portable electronic device 100.
1\ext, the portable electronic device that serves as an embodiment of the
present
invention is described. The following description is based on the premise that
the
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO 00/Z8732 PCT/JP99/06163
14
portable electronic device 100 according to the present invention is inserted
into the
host machine video game unit 1 described above and is used as an ancillary
machine.
The portable electronic apparatus 100 which serves as an ancillary machine is
inserted into the memory card insertion part 8A or 8B provided in the slot 7A
or 7B of
the video game unit 1 that serves as the host machine, and can be used as an
independent memory card for the multiple operating devices 20 that are
connected.
For example, in the case where two users (game players) are playing the game,
two
portable electronic devices 100 may be provided with conventional functions of
recording individual game results, etc.
In order to bring the connecting terminal and the ground terminal in their
electrically connected states first when the memory card 10 or portable
electronic
device 100 is inserted into a memory card insertion part 8, the conductor of
the
connecting terminal for grounding or for electrical connection with the
connector of
the aforesaid memory card 10 or portable electronic device 100 is formed so as
to be
longer than the other terminals. The reason for this is to secure the safety
and stability
of the electrical operation, and the connecting conductor of the memory
insertion part 8
of the video game unit 1 may be formed so as to be longer, or both may be
formed so
as to be longer. In order to prevent insertion errors, the leis and right
forms of the
',
connector part are made asymmetrical.
Figs. 7 through 9 show the exterior of the portable electronic device 100 of
the
present invention. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a portable electronic device I00,
Fig. 8 is a
perspective view showing the state in which the cover member 110 for
protection of
the connector parts is closed, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a state in
which the
cover member 110 is open.
As shown in Figs. 7 through 9, the portable electronic device 100 of the
present
invention is constituted so as to have a housing 101 and is provided with an
operating
part 120 having one or more operating elements 121 and 122 for performing
event
WO 00/28732 CA 02317685 2000-07-06 PCTl,1P99/06163
input, various selections, etc., the display part 130, comprising a liquid
crystal display
(LCD) or similar device, and a window part 140 for wireless communication by
infrared rays, for example, using a wireless communication means described
below.
The housing 101 comprises an upper shell lOla and lower shell 101b, and
5 houses a substrate I51 (see Fig. 10) on which a memory element and the like
are
mounted. This housing 101 can be inserted into a slot 7A or 7B in the main
unit of the
video game unit 1, and on the side face of one side thereof is provided with a
connector
part 150 (see Fig. 9 and Fig. 10) on which an oblong window is formed.
The window part 140 is formed on the front-end portion of the housing 101,
10 which is formed in a roughly semicircular shape. The display part 130 is
formed on
the upper face of the housing 101 and occupies approximately half of the
region of this
upper face positioned near the window part 140. The operating part 120 is
disposed on
the part which forms the side opposite to the window part 140 on the upper
face of the
housing 101, occupying approximately half of the surface of this upper face.
This
15 operating part 120 is farmed in a roughly square shape and is supported so
that it can
be turned (opened and closed) in relation to the housing 101, comprising a
cover
member 110, which has one or more operating elements 121 and 122, and switch
depression parts 102 and 103, which are placed in positions where they can be
opened
and closed by means of said cover member I10 on the housing 101.
The operating elements 121 and 122 are arranged so as to be pierced through
the cover element 110 from the upper face to the lower face of the cover
element 110.
These operating elements 121 and 122 are supported by means of said cover
element
' 110 and can be moved in a protruding or sinking direction in relation to the
upper face
of the cover member 110.
The switch depression parts 102 and 103 have depression elements that can be
moved in a protruding or sinking direction in relation to the upper face of
the housing
101 and are held on said housing 101. The depression elements when depressed
from
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO 00/28732 PCT/JP99/06163
16
above depress a depression switch such as a diaphragm switch formed on the
surface
of the substrate 151 inside the housing 101.
The switch depression parts 102 and 103 are placed in a position corresponding
to the position of the operating elements 121 and 122 when the cover member
110 is
closed. Specifically, when the cover member 110 is in its closed position, if
either of
the operating elements 121 and 122 is pressed in a sinking direction with
regard to the
upper face of the cover member 110, this operating element 121 or 122
depresses the
corresponding depression switch inside the housing 101 via the depression
element of
the corresponding switch depression part 102 or 103.
Inside the window of the connector part 150, as shown in Fig. 10, the power
and signal terminals 152 are arranged together on the substrate 151.
The form, dimensions, etc., of the connector part 150 are made so as to be
compatible with a conventional memory card 10 used in the video game unit 1.
Fig. 11A is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the
main parts of the portable electronic device.
The portable electronic device 100, like the conventional memory card 10
described above, is provided with a control unit 41 for controlling its
operation, a
connector 42 for connecting with the slot of the information device, etc., and
a
nonvolatile memory 46 which is an element used to store data.
The control unit 41 consists of a microcomputer; for example, and has a
program memory part 41a which serves as the program storage means.
Additionally, a
semiconductor memory device such as a~flush memory, in which the recording
status
remains even after power is cut off, may be used as the nonvolatile memory 46.
The
portable electronic device 100 according to the present invention is
constituted so as to
be provided with a battery 49 as described below, but it may also use a static
random
access memory {SRAM) that is able to input and output data at a high speed as
nonvolatile memory 46.
W O 00/28732 Ca o 2 31 ~ 6 s 5 2 0 0 0 - o ~ - 0 6 PCT/JP99/06163
17
The portable electronic device 100 differs in that, in addition to the
constitution
described above, it is also provided with an operation (event) input unit 43
such as
operating buttons for operating the programs that are stored in it, a display
unit 44 such
as a liquid crystal display (LCD), which serves as a display means for
displaying
various types of information according to the aforesaid program, a wireless
communication device 48, for transmitting and receiving data with another
memory
card, etc., by means of an infrared rays, etc., and a battery 49, which
provides power to
the aforesaid parts.
The portable electronic device 100 also houses the miniature battery 49 as a
power supplying means. Thus, it can be operated independently even after being
l removed from the slot 7A or 7B of the video game unit 1 that is the host
machine. A
rechargeable secondary battery may also be used as the battery 49. The
portable
electronic device 100 (ancillary machine) is constituted so that when it is
inserted into
a slot 7A or 7B of the video game unit 1 that is the host machine, it is
supplied with
', 15 power from the host video game unit 1. That is, a power terminal 49t is
connected to
i
the connection terminal of the battery 49 with a diode 49d interposed
therebetween to
prevent reverse flow, and inserted into a slot on the host machine such as the
aforesaid
video game unit 1, power is supplied from the host machine to the ancillary
machine,
. and when a secondary battery is used, recharging of the secondary battery
can also be _
performed.
The portable electronic device 100 is further provided with a clock 45, a
speaker 47 or the like which is a sound emanating means that emanates sound in
accordance with the aforesaid program, or the like. The aforesaid parts are
each
connected to the control unit 41 and are operated under the control of the
control unit
41.
Fig. 11B shows control elements of the control unit 41. In the conventional
memory card 10, only a main unit connection interface for connection with the
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO 00/28732 PCT/JP99/06163
18
information device and a memory interface for inputting and outputting data to
and
from the memory are provided. However, in the portable electronic device 100
of the
present invention, in addition to the aforesaid interfaces, a display
interface, an
operating input interface, a voice interface, a wireless communication
interface, a clock
control, and a program download interface are also provided.
Thus, since the portable electronic device 100 is constituted so as to provide
the
control unit (microcomputer) 4I with an interface (driver) for controlling the
functions
added by means of this embodiment independently from the main unit (host
machine)
connection interface and nonvolatile memory control that are its conventional
functions, compatibility with the conventional functions can be maintained.
Moreover, since the portable electronic device 100 is constituted so as to be
provided with features such as an input means 43 such as button switches for
operating
the program being run and a display unit 44, which uses a liquid crystal
display (LCD),
ete., when running game applications, it can be used as a portable game unit.
Furthermore, since this portable electronic device 100 has a function whereby
application programs downloaded from the main unit of the video game unit 1
are
stored in a program memory part 41a in the microcomputer 41, application
programs
' and various types of driver software that are run on the portable electronic
device 100
can be easily changed. - _
As explained above, the portable electronic device 100 of the present
invention
is able to control operations independently from the video game unit 1. Thus,
on the
portable electronic device 100 side, data produced by applications stored in
the
program memory part 41a that is the program storage means can be created
independently from the application software on the side of the video game unit
1.
Furthermore, coordinated operation (linking) between the portable electronic
device
l0U and video game unit 1 also can be achieved by exchanging this data with
the video
game unit 1.
W O 00/28732 ca o 2 3 m 6 s s 2 0 0 0 - o ~ - 0 6 PCT/JP99106163
19
Moreover, since the portable electronic device 100 is provided with a clock
45,
time data can be shared with the side of the video game unit 1. Specifically,
not only
can time data be mutually synchronized, but also data for controlling in real
time the
progress of the games being run independently can be shared.
Fig. 12 schematically shows the state in which wireless communication is
performed between portable electronic devices 100 according to the present
invention.
In this way, by sending and receiving data via the window part 140 which forms
a
wireless communication window for carrying out wireless communication by
infrared
rays, etc., in the wireless communication device 48, the portable electronic
device 100
is able to exchange internal data with a plurality of memory cards. The
aforesaid
internal data may also include data stored in the memory means in a memory
card
transferred from an information device such as a video game unit.
in the embodiment described above, the portable electronic device 100 is used
as an auxiliary memory unit of the video game unit, but the object of
application is not
limited to video game units, and the device may also be used, e.g., for
retrieval of
various types of information.
As described above, the portable electronic device 100 is able to share with
the
main unit of a video game unit 1 game data produced by a microcomputer 41 as a
control means, time data obtained by the clock 45 in the memory card, data
produced
by a separate memory card and obtained through the wireless communication
device
48, etc.
Fig. 13 schematically shows the state in which coordinated operation is
performed between a video game unit 1 as a host machine and a portable
electronic
device 100 as an ancillary machine.
As a coordinated operation, an example is described in which an optical disk
(CD-ROM), as a recording medium on which an application software program is
recorded, is loaded into the host machine video game unit 1, and a program
read from
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO UO/28?32 PCT/JP99/06163
this disk is downloaded to an ancillary machine, i.e., portable electronic
device 100,
inserted into slot 7A or 7B in the main unit of the video game unit 1.
Fig. 14 shows the flow of data when the application program of a video game
supplied from an optical disk (CD-ROM) loaded into a disk loading part 3 of a
video
5 game unit 1, i.e., a host machine, is directly transferred (downloaded) to
the program
memory part 41a which serves as the program storage means in a microcomputer
41
that is the control means of the portable electronic device 100 used as an
ancillary
machine via a CPU 51 which is the control means of the video game unit 1.
Fig. 15 shows the downloading procedure in Fig. 14.
10 In step STl, the application program of a video game that is run on the
microcomputer inside the portable electronic device 100 which serves as an
ancillary
machine (and is referred to below simply as the "ancillary machine") is read
as data
from a CD-ROM loaded into the disk loading part 3 of the video game unit 1
which
serves as the host machine (and is referred to below simply as the "host
machine"). As
15 described above, this application program is separate from that generally
run on the
parent machine video game unit 1.
Next, in step ST2, the CPU 9 which is the control means of the host machine
issues a "program download request command" to the microcomputer 41 which is
the
control means of the portable electronic device 100, i.e., the ancillary
machine. The
20 CPU 9 then carries out polling in order to receive "program download
permission
status" from the microcomputer 41. Here, the term "polling" refers to a
process that
performs a service in conjunction with determining whether there has been a
service
request.
In step ST3, the microcomputer 41 on the side of the portable electronic
device
100 which is the ancillary machine receives a "program download request
command"
from the CPU 9 of the host machine.
W O 00/28732 Ca o 2 31 ~ 6 s 5 2 0 0 0 - o ~ - 0 6 PCTIJP99106163
21
Then, in step ST4, when the microcomputer 41 on the ancillary machine side
completes the routine being performed, if a status becomes one in which it is
able to
download the program, it sends "program download permission status" to the CPU
9 of
the host machine.
Next, in step STS, when the CPU 9 of the host machine receives the "program
download permission status" from the microcomputer 41 on the ancillary machine
side,
it transfers (downloads) the program that has been read from the CD-ROM, etc.,
in
step ST1 to the program memory 41a which is the program storage means of the
portable electronic device 100 and then writes the program therein. The CPU 9
then
performs polling in order to receive the "program start permission status"
from the
microcomputer 41.
At this time, the address of the program memory part 41a in which the
downloaded data is written is managed by the microcomputer 41. In the
foregoing
description, an example was discussed in which a program downloaded from a
host
machine is stored in the program memory part 41a in the microcomputer 41, but
it may
also be stored in a memory device such as an SRAM that is able to input and
output
data at a high speed.
In step ST6, the microcomputer 41 of the memory card receives the program
transferred from the host machine as data and writes it into the program
memory part _
41a. At this time, from the view of the CPU 9 of the host machine, it appears
that the
program data is being written directly into the program memory part 41a of the
portable electronic device 100. Moreover, as explained above, the address of
the
program memory 41a is managed by the microcomputer 41.
Next, in step ST7, when the microcomputer 41 of the portable electronic device
100 that is the ancillary device assumes a status in which it is able to
receive and
execute final program data from the host machine, it sends "program start
permission
status" back to the CPU 9 of the main unit.
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO 00/28732 PCT/JP99/06163
22
In step STB, the CPU 9 of the host machine receives the "program start
permission status" from the microcomputer 41 of the portable electronic device
100
and issues a "program start command."
Next, when the microcomputer 41 of the portable electronic device 100
receives the "program start command" from the CPU 9 of the host machine, it
operates
the program from a predetermined specified address.
By means of the procedure described above, an application program can be
transferred directly (downloaded) from the video game unit 1 which is the host
machine to the program memory part 41a of the microcomputer 41 of the portable
electronic device 100 that is the ancillary machine inserted therein.
As described above, the means for providing the application program is not
limited to a recording medium such as an optical disk, and a program may also
be
supplied via a communication line. In this case, only step ST1 in the
procedure
described above differs.
In this connection, the foregoing description of the downloading procedure
i
concerns a downloading procedure used in the direct downloading of an
application
i program from a video game unit 1 that is the host machine to the program
memory part
41a in the microcomputer 4I that is the control means of the portable
electronic device
100 which is the ancillary machine inserted therein.
In contrast, there may also be cases where, after the CPU 9 of the host
machine
__._.
has downloaded the data of the application program into the nonvolatile memory
46 in
the portable electronic device 100 that is the ancillary machine, this data is
copied into
the program memory part 41a in the microcomputer 41 and run.
Fig. 16 shows the flow of data in such a case. Specifically, after the
application
program of the video game supplied from the optical disk, etc., that is loaded
into the
disk loading part 3 of the video game unit 1 that is the host machine has been
transferred (downloaded) to the nonvolatile memory 46 in the portable
electronic
WO 00/28732 ca o 2 31 ~ 6 s 5 2 0 0 0 - o ~ - 0 6 pCT/JP99/06163
23
device 100 that is the ancillary machine via the CPU 9 that is the control
means of the
video game unit 1, it is copied into the program memory part 4Ia in the
microcomputer
41 that is the control means and executed.
Fig. 17 shows the above-mentioned downloading procedure.
In step ST11, first a video game application program that is to be run on the
microcomputer in the portable electronic device 100 that is the ancillary
machine is
read out as data from a CD-ROM that is loaded into the disk loading part 3 of
the video
game unit 1, i.e., the host machine.
Next, in step ST12, the CPU 9 that is the control means of the host machine
transfers (downloads) the program data that has been read from the CD-ROM to
the
nonvolatile memory 46 of the portable electronic device 100 that is the
ancillary
machine. This procedure is the same as when data backup is performed in a
conventional video game unit.
Next, in step ST13, the microcomputer 41 that is the control means of the
portable electronic device 100 receives as data the application program
transferred
from the CPU 9 of the host machine by the same procedure as used in a
conventional
data backup, and writes it into the nonvolatile memory 46.
Next, in step STl4, when the microcomputer 41 of the portable electronic
device 100 receives a "program start request command" from the CPU 9 of the
host
machine, it copies data of a designated size from the address designated by
the
aforesaid command in the nonvolatile memory 46 to the program memory part 41a
in
the microcomputer 41.
The microcomputer 41 of the portable electronic device 100 then executes the
program copied to the program memory part 41a from that start address.
By means of this procedure, a program of application software can be
transferred (downloaded) as data from the video game unit 1 that is the host
machine
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO 00/28732 PCT/JP99/06163
24
via the nonvolatile memory 46 to a program memory part 41a in the
microcomputer 41
of the portable electronic device 100 that is the ancillary machine inserted
therein.
The application program that is downloaded from the video game unit 1 that is
the host machine to the portable electronic device 100 that is the ancillary
machine is
generally separate from that which is operated on the video game unit 1 that
is the host
machine. Of course, the aforesaid application program that has been downloaded
may
be run on both the video game unit 1 and the portable electronic device 100.
However,
in this case, the CPU on the video game unit 1 side and the microcomputer on
the
portable electronic device 100 side are restricted to being the same
processor.
Next, a coordinated operation is described whereby the application software
program downloaded by the procedure described above from the video game unit 1
that is the host machine is executed independently by the portable electronic
device
100 that is the ancillary machine, and operation is performed while those
execution
results are again exchanged with the video game unit 1.
y 15 Here, attribute data of a protagonist or character appearing in a so-
called role-
playing game or the like that is run on the video game unit 1 that is the host
machine is
downloaded to the portable electronic device 100 that is the ancillary
machine. The
aforesaid attribute data is data expressing level of growth, qualities, etc.
Next, by developing a protagonist or character in a program carried out by the
- _
microcomputer 41 in the portable electronic device 100 that is the ancillary
machine,
those attributes can be changed independently of the program that is run on
the main
unit of the video game unit 1 that is the host machine.
The portable electronic device 100 that is this embodiment of the invention is
constituted so that it can be operated independently and is small in size so
that it is
convenient for carrying. The user (game player) is able to import and develop
a
protagonist or character by means of a program that is run on this portable
electronic
device 100. The attributes of the protagonist or character who has been
developed by
W000/28732 CA 02317685 2000-07-06 PCT/JP99/06t63
the user can be transferred (uploaded) from the portable electronic device 100
to the
main unit of the video game unit 1. In this case, the protagonist or character
having
changed attributes can be imported into and operated in the program that is
being run
on the video game unit 1 that is the host machine.
As described above, it is possible to construct video games that can be run in
coordinated operation by sharing and changing attribute data of protagonists,
etc., in
both the video game unit 1 that is the host machine and the portable
electronic device
100 that is the ancillary machine.
Up to this point it has been described how the portable electronic device 100
10 that is the ancillary machine can be used as a portable game in relation to
the video
game unit, and how a video game can be run in coordinated operation with the
video
game unit. However, the present inventor also discovered in developing this
invention
that when removed from a conventional game machine, this portable device 100
can be
used as an operating device having independent input/output operation
functions.
15 Specifically, by further development of the independent game function by
downloading, this portable electronic device 100 can be used as a general-use
operating device by downloading software, and in this embodiment includes
application as a remote control unit.
,~i
Furthermore, since this ancillary machine, i.e., the portable electronic
device
20 100 itself, has a size that allows it to be enclosed in the palm of the
hand of an adult,
the surface 130 has a limited surface area, and the operating parts 120
include only
operating elements 121 and 122. Thus, a function that is able to substitute
for a
plurality of input operation buttons as in a remote control unit (abbreviated
as a
"remote") that is an attachment to a normal television receiver, etc., becomes
necessary.
25 In this embodiment, an arrangement is used whereby simple and clear
operations are
performed by display and operation along the lines of the thinking process of
the
operator using the small display part 130 and the few operating elements 12I
and 122.
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO 00/28732 PCT/JP99/06t63
26
Fig. 18 shows an example of a recording medium such as an optical disk which
is loaded into the disk loading part 3 of the host machine, showing a CD-ROM
on
which an operation application program for an operating device is recorded. As
is
clear from this drawing, a download program, menu display program, remote
operating
program and calculator program are recorded on the CD-ROM.
Here, the procedure related to downloading is described. First the process
sequence on the device side is described referring to the flowchart shown in
Fig. 19.
In the initial step S441 the CD-ROM is driven, in step S442 a database is
read,
and in step S443 control menus are displayed. The process flow then advances
to the
next step S444.
Step S444 branches depending upon whether or not a menu displayed in step
5443 has been selected. Specifically, if a menu has been selected, then as
"YES" the
process advances to step 5445, and if a menu has not been selected, it returns
to step
I S443 as "NO."
In step S445 a preview of the selected menu is displayed. The process then
advances to step S446.
Step S446 branches according to whether or not selection has been made.
Specifically, if the selected menu is decided upon, then as "YES" the process
advances
to step S447, and if the selected menu is not decided upon, then the process
returns to -
step S443 as "NO."
In step S447, the selected menu data, i.e., the remote menu, is transferred to
the
i, ancillary machine, and the process advances to the next step S448.
Step S448 branches according to whether or not this sequence of processes has
been ended. If "finished" has been selected, then as "YES" the series of
processes is
ended, and if "finished" is not selected, then as "NO" the process returns to
step S443.
Next, the screen display is described referring to the screen display shown in
Fig. 20.
In Fig. 20, the display screen of, for example, a television receiver is
shown.
WOOOI28732 ca o23m6ss 2000-0~-06 P~T/JP99/06163
27
Here, a roughly rectangular display window 231 tin the left side of the
display
screen 200 and a roughly rectangular preview window 233 on the upper right of
the
display screen 200 are opened.
An operating menu is shown in the display window 231. The menu displayed
in this display window 231 is displayed inverted so that a specified operation
such as
remote control can be performed.
A preview image of the menu selected is displayed in the preview window 233.
Next, the series of steps in the processing performed on the ancillary machine
side are described referring to the flowchart shown in Fig. 21.
The initial step S451 branches according to whether or not the device is
connected to the host machine. Specifically, when connected to the host
machine, it
advances to step S452 as "YES," and when not connected to the host machine, it
returns as "NO."
In step S452, data is saved according to directions from the host machine.
This
series of processes is then ended.
In this way, the operating menu (remote control) of the CD-ROM can be
downloaded to the ancillary machine from the host machine. By means of this
downloading, the remote control application program and graphic data are
stored in the
nonvolatile memory 46 as shown in Fig. 22 in the ancillary machine. This
program -
and data are necessary to the ancillary machine for remote control operation
and
' display, and the remote control operation program is started and run while a
user is
i
viewing the display screen of the display part 130. In this case, graphic data
is first
displayed on the initial screen in the display part 130 via a buffer 46B shown
in Fig. 12.
Fig. 22 shows the initial screen displayed on the ancillary machine. The size
of
display is one which can be easily viewed in light of the size of the display
part 130 of
the ancillary machine. In other words, several characters can be displayed in
the
display part 130 in the vertical and horizontal directions. As an initial
screen, the
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO 00/28732 PCT/JP99/06163
28
operating menu of a television receiver, VTR recorder, or air conditioner is
displayed.
Specifically, remote control switching-on "TV" for a television receiver,
channel
selection "CH" and volume selection "VOL" of a television receiver, remote
control
switching-on "VTR" for a VTR recorder, and channel selection "CH" and
operation
selection "CONT" for a VTR recorder are displayed.
Additionally, as an air conditioner operating menu, although not shown in Fig.
23, remote control switching on "AIRCON" of the air conditioner, or the air
conditioner operation selections of cooling "CL," warming "WA," and drying
"DY"
may be displayed. In this display, by shifting the display screen upward by
the
20 operation of depressing the upper stage 121U of the operating elements
1218, 121D,
121U, 1218, 122 of the ancillary machine, for example, the air conditioning
functions
of "AIRCON, CL, WA, DY" can be displayed on the display part 130, and the
s
operating menu of "TV, CH, VOL" of the television receiver "TV" that is here
removed from display part 130 can be displayed again on the display part 130
by
depressing the lower stage 121D of the operating elements.
Thus, although depending upon the capacity of the nonvolatile memory 46 of
the ancillary machine, several types of operating menus to be performed by
remote
control operation besides those for a television receiver, VTR recorder, or
air
conditioner can be stored, and their operating menus can be displayed by shift
operation using the operating elements 121U and 121D.
The operating menu of the television receiver will be now described. When
remote control operation of a television receiver is performed, for example,
by moving
a cursor under the "TV" display inside the display part 130 in Fig. 21, and
setting "TV"
in the operating element 122 of the confirmation key, power to the television
receiver
can be switched on. When the operating element 122 is depressed in this case,
naturally it is necessary for the window part 140 to which the command is
transmitted
by infrared rays to be facing the television receiver.
WOOOI28732 CA 02317685 2000-07-06 PCT/JP99/06163
29
After power to the television receiver has been switched on by selection
setting
of the "TV" display, channel selection can be performed by switching the
cursor to the
"CH" display. When the channel selection "CH" is set in the operating element
122, a
display of "+" or "-" appears in the display part 130, and as shown in Fig.
24A, in the
case of "+," for example, by depressing the operating element 1218, the
channel
number can be switched in the direction of increase as shown in Fig. 24A, or
the case
of "-," the channel number can be switched in the downward direction by
depressing
the operating element 121L. Thus, the desired channel can be confirmed by
depressing
the operating element 122. In this case, the display "+" or "-" can be
returned to the
initial screen of the display part 130 by means of this confirmation.
Additionally, the volume display "VOL" exists to the side of the channel
display "CH," and by moving the cursor to this volume display "VOL," e.g.,
movement
of the operating element 1208, the volume can be selected. Then, when the
selection
'i "VOL" of volume is set using the operating element 122, a display of "+" or
"-"
appears in the display part 130 in the same way as in channel selection
described above,
and in the case of "+," for example, by depressing the operating almond 1218,
volume
is increased as shown in Fig. 24B, or, by depressing the operating element
121L in the
case of "-," volume is reduced. Then, by depressing the operating element 122
at the
desired volume, that volume can be confirmed, and the display screen returns
to the
initial screen.
Fig. 25 shows the image display of the volume increase display "+," and Fig.
26 shows an enlarged image display. Here, for example, the numbers 1, 8, 16,
24, and
32 in the vertical and horizontal directions in the display shown in Fig. 26
indicate
pixel numbers of the liquid crystal, and indirectly represent the size of the
liquid
crystal screen.
In inputting power, channel selection, and volume selection in the aforesaid
television receiver, power input is selected, for example, by setting the
cursor on "TV"
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO 00!28732 PCT/JP99/06163
by means of the operating element 122, "+" and "-" display can be made
together with
the power input by moving the cursor to the channel "CH" or volume "VOL"
display,
or the setting confirmation and screen return operations can be performed
merely by
depressing operating element 121U, 121D, 1218, or 121L without moving the
cursor.
S For example, after displaying of "+" and "-" in the next hierarchy by
confirmation by depressing the operating element 122 after moving the cursor
by the
depression of operating elements 121U, 121D, 1218, and 121L and in selection
using
operating elements 1218 and 121L, a method or operating system for the same
operating elements can be set as those suitable for returning to the initial
screen by
10 depressing operating element 121U or 121D after confirmation, for example,
by
depressing the same operating elements twice. This can also be said with
regard to the
remote control operation of a VTR recorder and the remote control operation of
an air
.;
1 conditioner.
i
Next, returning to Fig. 23, the remote control operation of a VTR recorder is
15 discussed. By moving the cursor to the "VTR" display in the initial screen
and
depressing the operating element 122, the power of that VTR recorder facing
the
window part 140 is switched on. Then, by moving the cursor to the channel
display
"CH" in the initial screen and depressing the operating element 122, the
screen is
switched to the same display of "+" or "-" in the same way as with the channel
display -
20 "CH" of the television receiver described above.
Next, by operating the operating elements 121L and 1218, in the case of "+,"
by depressing the operating element 1218, the channel number can be switched
in the
increasing direction, or in the case of "-," by depressing the operating
element 121L,
the channel number can be switched in the downward direction. The device may
also
25 be constituted so that, when the operating element 121L is operated with a
"+" display,
the display switches to a "-" display, and when the operating element 1218 is
operated
in a "-" display, the display switches to a "+" display.
r WO00/28732 ca o231~6s5 2000-0~-06 PCT/JP99106163
31
In this way, after switching to the desired channel, that channel can be
confirmed by depressing the operating element 122, and at the same time the
display
screen of the display part 130 is returned to the initial screen.
Furthermore, in the remote control operation of the VTR 32 recorder shown in
Fig. 3, when the cursor is moved to the "CONT" display of the initial screen
and the
operating element 222 is depressed, the operating display shown in Fig. 24C
appears
on the screen. Specifically, a character display of the operating functions of
a VTR
recorder appears, the display is moved in the right-hand direction in Fig. 24C
by
depressing the operating element 1228, i.e., the display is switched in the
order of F ~
FF ~ RW ~ ST ~ PO -~ RE, and the display is moved in the left-hand direction
in
Fig. 24C by depressing the operating element 122L, i.e., the display is
switched in the
order of F ~ RE -j PO ~ ST -~ RW ~ FF ~ F.
Then, by depressing the operating element 122 in the desired operating mode,
that operating mode is established, and the screen display returns to the
original screen.
Fig. 27 shows the actual display status in the remote control operation of a
VTR recorder when the "CONT" display of the initial screen is set. Here, the
character
display of "forward" or "F" is shown.
Fig. 28 shows an enlarged view of the liquid crystal display screen of Fig.
27.
Fig. 29 shows the remote control operation display of an air conditioner. In
Fig.
2U 29, the air conditioner display is shown in the initial screen in the upper
stage, the
middle stage shows the screen display of the next hierarchy when the cooling
"CL"
display is set in the initial screen, and the lower stage indicates the
display of the
i
' lower-level hierarchy when the temperature "TEMP" display is set on the
screen of the
middle stage. In this lower-level hierarchy, "t" display or "-" display is
performed as
in the case of "CH" display or "VOL" display in the television receiver
described
above or "CH" display in a VTR recorder.
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WU 00/28732 PCT/JP99106163
32
Thus, the screen display of the next hierarchy is shown when the display is
set,
and the lower stage shows the display of a lower-level hierarchy when the
temperature
"TEMP" display is set in the mid-level screen. In this lower-level hierarchy,
"+"
display or "-" display is performed as in the case of "CH" display or "VOL"
display in
the television receiver described above or "CH" display in a VTR recorder.
In the operation shown in Fig. 29, by confirming the setting by depressing the
operating element when cursor designation of the "AIRCON" display has been
made
by means of an operating element 121U, 121D, 1218 or 121L, the power to the
air
conditioner is switched on, by cursor designation and confirming the setting
of the
"CL" display for cooling, the cooling "CL" display is performed, and the
temperature
is selected by cursor designation of the temperature "TEMP" display and the
display
thereof, and the selection of temperature is performed in accordance with the
"+"
display or "-" display.
In this example, the movement of the cursor is performed, for example, by
means of operating elements 121U, 121D, 1218 and 121L, the confirmation of
setting
is performed by operation of the operating element 122, increase and decrease
are
performed, for example, by the operating elements 1218 and 121L, and by
determination of the lowest-level display "+" or "-", the display can be made
to return
to the initial screen. -
In this remote control display for an air conditioner, it is clear from the
size of
the screen that the initial screen can be obtained as described above by, for
example,
shifting the information, but this operation can easily be obtained by a shift
operation,
etc., using the buffer 46B shown in Fig. 22. In Fig. 29, the "WA" display
indicates
warming, the "DY" display indicates drying, and "AIRVOL" display indicates
blow
volume.
WO00/28732 CA 02317685 2000-07-06 pCT/JP99/06163
33
Using the initial screen of Fig. 23 as a standard, the remote control
operation of
a television receiver, remote control operation of the VTR recorder, and
remote control
operation of an air conditioner were explained above.
A flowchart of the remote control operation is shown referring to Fig. 30. By
initiating the program routine, first determination of whether or not the
initial screen is
displayed is made in step 200, and when operation has not yet been performed,
the
initial screen shown in Fig. 23 is displayed {step ST201).
Next, moving to the next evaluation block ST202, it is determined whether or
not the type of machine has been selected. Specifically, in the example given
above, it
is determined whether the remote control display "TV" for the television
receiver, the
remote control display (VTR) a VTR recorder, or the remote control display
"AIRCON" of the air conditioner has been selected, and if none has been
selected,
display remains in the initial screen.
When one of the machine types has been selected by moving the cursor, in the
next step ST203, it is determined whether the operation object {OP object) has
been
selected. Specifically, it is determined whether "CH" display or "VOL" display
has
',, been selected in remote control display of the television receiver,
whether "CH"
display or "CONT" display has been selected in the remote control display of
the VTR
recorder, or whether "CL," "WA," or "DY" display has been selected in the
remote
control display of the air conditioner. In this step ST203, if it is found
that selection
has not been made, the initial screen remains, and if selection has been made,
the
i process advances to step ST204.
In this step ST204, "-1" is displayed; this "-1" designates the layer
immediately
below in the hierarchical display and here indicates moving to the display in
the layer
immediately below the initial screen. In other words, in the television
receiver, this
indicates the "+" and "-" display, which is the display in the layer
immediately below
"CH" and "VOL" display, in a VTR recorder it indicates the "+" or "-" the
display or
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO 00/28732 PCT/JP99/06163
34
the F, FF, RW, ST, RE, P0, etc., character display, which is the display in
the layer
immediately below "CU" and "CONT", and in the air conditioner, it indicates
the
display of the middle level shown in Fig. 29.
After processing in step ST204, the process flow again returns to step ST200,
and it is determined whether or not the initial screen is displayed. Here,
since the
designation of lower-layer display has been designated in step ST204, step
ST204 is
"NO," and moves to the display in step ST205. In step ST205, the lower-layer
display
designated as described above in step 204 is performed.
In other words, the "+" and "-" display or character display is performed in
the
television receiver, and in the air conditioner, for example, the display of
the middle
row in Figure 29 is performed.
Next, in step ST206, it is determined whether or not selection has been made
with regard to display of the aforesaid second hierarchy; when such selection
has not
been made, the process remains in the display screen of step ST205, and when
selection has been made, the process flow moves to the evaluation block for
completion or noncompletion. In this evaluation block ST207, for example,
return to
the initial screen in accordance with the operating element 122 as described
above is
made a trigger, and when display exists as far as a third hierarchy as shown
in the
bottom row in Fig. 29, selection is not yet completed, the process advances to
step
ST208, and designation of the third hierarchy in the bottom row in Fig. 29,
i.e., "+"
display or "-" display, is performed. In this case, the flow returns to step
ST200, and in
step ST205, the "+" display or "-" display in the bottom row in Fig. 29 is
performed.
Then, when the hierarchical displays are finally exhausted, step ST207 is
completed,
and program reaches END.
In the foregoing description, the invention was based on the concept of
wireless
remote control operation by infrared rays using the wireless communication
function
of the ancillary machine, i.e., the portable electronic device. Accordingly,
numerous
WO 00128732 CA 0 2 317 6 8 5 2 0 0 0 - 0 7 - 0 6 PCT/,IP99/06163
types of devices can be controlled merely by changing the software, so long as
they are
devices having wireless remote control operation of this type, and, for
example, the
invention can be used in a wide variety of devices such as remote commanders
far so-
called radio cassettes, including portable radios, tape, and CD players, and
remotes for
5 electric fans, etc.
In particular, application programs or graphic data on a CD-ROM, or, in some
cases, audio output, can be downloaded to the portable electronic device, and
by
making the display have a hierarchical structure irrespective of the type of
device, a
simple universal operation becomes possible. Moreover, the portable electronic
device
10 as stated above is extremely compact, and by downloading becomes highly
useful as
an independent remote control operating device.
In the present invention, the starting point is an auxiliary device for the
I videogame machine, and the downloading of videogame software, but the
usefulness
of such a portable electronic device in the future may serve high-density
recording of
15 programs and changing the programs in recording media, and goes beyond game
machines in its universal applicability to all types of devices.
As explained above, by means of the present invention including a means
which stores a remote control operation program transferred from the recording
medium of the host machine, a control means, which executes this remote
control
20 operation program, a means which displays remote control operation
information in
accordance with the aforesaid remote control operation program, and an output
means,
which outputs operating signals to an object machine in accordance with the
aforesaid
remote control operation information in a portable electronic device, which
can be
connected to a host machine having program execution functions, and which has,
25 independently from the aforesaid host machine, an input means, output
means, and
j control means, the portable electronic device can be provided with a remote
control
function independent from the game machine, and an operating device having
CA 02317685 2000-07-06
WO 00/28732 PCT/JP99/06153
36
universal application that is able to perform a remote control operation
easily can be
obtained.
Moreover, in a recording medium which can be loaded into a host machine
having a program executing function, and in which information that can be
transferred
to a portable electronic device connected to that host machine is recorded, by
obtaining
a recording medium in which remote control operation information is recorded
as the
contents of a menu in addition to the transferred program and transferred menu
display
program, the transfer of the remote control operation using that game machine
becomes possible and a remote control operation having universal application
becomes
possible.
..
