Abstract: In an automatic recording mode, an action sensor 6 detects acceleration depending on motion of a user 9 in a three-dimensional space, displays the number of steps as computed on the basis of the detected acceleration on an LCD 35 as equipped therewith, and records it. In a manual recording mode, the action sensor 6 records behavior information and body information as inputted by the user 9. In a communication mode, the action sensor 6 transmits the information recorded in the automatic recording mode and the manual recording mode to a cartridge 4 while the cartridge 4 visualizes the information. In the communication mode, the action sensor 6 inputs the acceleration information to the cartridge 4 in real time, and provide the user 9 with various contents using a video image to be displayed on a television monitor 5 in cooperation with the cartridge 4.

Abstract: A cycle B and a phase P of a stepping motion of a player are detected by a mat 2. It is assumed that a time X from time when an event EVn is set until time when the next event EVn+1 is set is B. A time Z from base time 0 of the clock tF until time when the event EVn is set is B?(R?P). The term R represents a remainder obtained by dividing a time TA by the cycle B. The time TA is a time until a moving object obj, which is generated in accordance with the setting of the event EVn, reaches a mat image 58. In this way, the moving object obj is controlled in accordance with the stepping motion of the player.

Abstract: A sensing baseball game apparatus (10) has a game machine (12) connected to a television monitor (18). A bat input device (32) is provided with an acceleration sensor. An acceleration signal is transmitted by an infrared-ray LED (34) to an infrared-ray receiving part of the game machine (12) whereby the game machine (12) determines a moving speed of the bat input device (32) to calculate a moving parameter of a ball to be batted. Accordingly, a batted ball is moved in the game scene according to the parameter.

Abstract: A mat unit 7 is provided with four foot switches SW1 to SW4 each of which detects stepping motion as input from a player. A processor 11 displays a player character 21 which travels in virtual space on a television monitor 5 on the basis of a result of detection by the mat unit 7, and furthermore arranges tasks 23L, 23C and 23L in the virtual space. The player chooses one which is different from the other two from among the tasks 23L, 23C and 23L. The processor 11 performs correctness/incorrectness determination on the basis of the result of the detection by the mat unit 7.

Abstract: The image sensor 15 of the information processing apparatus 1 can capture the retroreflective sheet 17 subjected to infrared light emitted from the infrared emitting diodes 11 since the retroreflective sheet 17 is exposed when the open-close portion 19 is opened. Therefore, it is possible to detect the input device 3. On the other hand, when the open-close portion 19 is closed, the image sensor 15 can not capture the retroreflective sheet 17 since the reflective sheet 17 is not exposed. Therefore, the input device is not detected.

Abstract: A stroboscope is utilized as an input device of a golf game system (10), for example. The golf game system includes a game machine (12) as an information processing apparatus and a golf-club-shaped input device (14), and within a housing of the game machine, an imaging unit (28) is housed, and the imaging unit is provided with an image sensor (40) and an infrared-LED. By utilizing the infrared-LED, an infrared ray is intermittently emitted to a predetermined range of an upper portion of the imaging unit. Accordingly, the image sensor intermittently images a reflective body provided in the golf-club-shaped input device moving within the range. Such the stroboscope image processing of the reflective body enables calculation of a velocity, and so on as an input of the game machine.

Abstract: A sensing baseball game apparatus (10) has a game machine (12) connected to a television monitor (18). A bat input device (32) is provided with an acceleration sensor. An acceleration signal is transmitted by an infrared-ray LED (34) to an infrared-ray receiving part of the game machine (12) whereby the game machine (12) determines a moving speed of the bat input device (32) to calculate a moving parameter of a ball to be batted. Accordingly, a batted ball is moved in the game scene according to the parameter.

Abstract: A method of detecting an image of a reflective object includes the steps of: capturing an exposure image by an image sensor while an LED is ON; down-sampling an exposure image signal from the image sensor to a first digital signal by comparing the level of the first image signal with a first reference level; capturing a dark image by the image sensor while the LED is OFF; down-sampling a second image signal from the image sensor to a second digital signal by comparing the level of the second image signal with a second reference level; computing an image of difference between the exposure image and the dark image by subtracting the second digital signal from the first digital signal; and specifying the image of the reflective object by locating a bright point remaining in the image of difference.

Abstract: This is provided with a plurality of retroreflective sheets each of which is attached to a screen and retroreflectively reflects received light, an imaging unit which photographs the retroreflective sheets, and an MCU which analyzes a differential picture obtained by photographing. The MCU detects, from the differential picture, a shade area corresponding to a part of the retroreflective sheet which is covered by a foot of a player. The detection of the shade area corresponds to the detection of the foot of the player. Because, in the case where the foot is placed on the retroreflective sheet, the part corresponding thereto is not captured in the differential picture, and is present as a shade area. It is possible to detect a foot without attaching and fixing a reflecting sheet to the foot.

Abstract: The image sensor 15 of the information processing apparatus 1 can capture the retroreflective sheet 17 subjected to infrared light emitted from the infrared emitting diodes 11 since the retroreflective sheet 17 is exposed when the open-close portion 19 is opened. Therefore, it is possible to detect the input device 3. On the other hand, when the open-close portion 19 is closed, the image sensor 15 can not capture the retroreflective sheet 17 since the reflective sheet 17 is not exposed. Therefore, the input device is not detected.

Abstract: The image sensor 15 of the information processing apparatus 1 can capture the retroreflective sheet 17 subjected to infrared light emitted from the infrared emitting diodes 11 since the retroreflective sheet 17 is exposed when the open-close portion 19 is opened. Therefore, it is possible to detect the input device 3. On the other hand, when the open-close portion 19 is closed, the image sensor 15 can not capture the retroreflective sheet 17 since the reflective sheet 17 is not exposed. Therefore, the input device is not detected.

Abstract: Indication objects are displayed on a television monitor at the intervals in agreement with the rhythm of music, such that the player can generate musical tones in synchronization with music by striking the strike surface of a music game console in the appropriate timing as indicated by indication objects. In this case, the tone quality of the strike sound changes in the progress of music on the basis of strike sound indicating information.

Abstract: By indicating order of inputting by two rackets RK1 and RK2 in a task displaying area 178 displayed on a television monitor 100 and having a user memorize the order, and further by having the user perform input operation at indicated timing, it is possible to test extent of short term memory of the user based on whether or not the input operation is performed using the indicated racket in the indicated order. Since the input operation is performed by swinging the rackets RK1 and RK2, it is possible to test the short term memory of the user while moving a body.

Abstract: Each time stepping motion of a player by a stepper 1 is detected, one firework object 214 appears on a television monitor 100 and then disappears. Each a predetermined number of times of the stepping motion of the player is detected, a more spectacular firework object than that of one step is displayed. If the player performs the stepping motion by frequency as a quota shown in a quota display section 212, this screen is finished.

Abstract: A stroboscope is utilized as an input device of a golf game system (10), for example. The golf game system includes a game machine (12) as an information processing apparatus and a golf-club-shaped input device (14), and within a housing of the game machine, an imaging unit (28) is housed, and the imaging unit is provided with an image sensor (40) and an infrared-LED. By utilizing the infrared-LED, an infrared ray is intermittently emitted to a predetermined range of an upper portion of the imaging unit. Accordingly, the image sensor intermittently images a reflective body provided in the golf-club-shaped input device moving within the range. Such the stroboscope image processing of the reflective body enables calculation of a velocity, and so on as an input of the game machine.

Abstract: A method of detecting an image of a reflective object includes the steps of capturing an exposure image by an image sensor while an LED is ON; down-sampling an exposure image signal from the image sensor to a first digital signal by comparing the level of the first image signal with a first reference level; capturing a dark image by the image sensor while the LED is OFF; down-sampling a second image signal from the image sensor to a second digital signal by comparing the level of the second image signal with a second reference level; computing an image of difference between the exposure image and the dark image by subtracting the second digital signal from the first digital signal; and specifying the image of the reflective object by locating a bright point remaining in the image of difference.

Abstract: A tennis game system includes a game machine connected to a television set via an AV cable, and a racket-shaped input device for inputting operation to the game machine. A game player instructs a ball striking player to strike a ball on a monitor screen by operating the racket-shaped input device. At this time, a game processor included in the game machine calculates a predicted return position of a ball returned by the opposite player, compares a current position of the ball striking player with the predicted return position, and judges whether the predicted return position is within a ball strikable range for the ball striking player. If a judgment means judges that the predicted return position is out of the ball strikable range, a ball striking position movement means, i.e. the game processor moves the ball striking position.

Abstract: The guide objects 40L and 40R instruct the movements of the respective left and right hands. The image sensor 54 captures images of the input instruments 3L and 3R which are worn on left and right hands respectively and the cursors 70L and 70R are connected with the movements of the input instruments 3L and 3R by processing the result of the imaging. A series of the processing and transmission of information in the order of the eyes, the visual nerve, the brain, the motor nerve, and the hands and arms are performed inside of a human body, which are not performed in a normal life, by making the operator perform the independent motions of the respective left and right hands, which are not performed in a normal life.

Abstract: An imaging unit captures images of the retroreflective sheets worn on both legs. A multimedia processor detects step and jump of a player on the basis of the pictures obtained by the image capturing to reflect to a video image and thereby the interactive system is constituted. It is possible to support a user so as to continuously perform a stepping exercise while reducing an economical burden of the user and realizing the space saving.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheet 32 is provided on the inner surface of a transparent member 44. A belt 40 is attached to the transparent member 44 along the bottom surface thereof in the form of an annular member. An operator inserts middle and annular fingers into the belt 40 in order that the transparent member 44 is located on the palm of the hand. The information processing apparatus 1 can determine an input operation when a hand is opened so that the image of the retroreflective sheet 32 is captured, and determine a non-input operation when a hand is closed so that the image of the retroreflective sheet 32 is not captured.