Movement Information Processing System

Abstract

The movement information processing system of the present invention includes a screen 5 which displays via a projector 6 guide images GG which induces stepping movements of the feet of players on mats 30 and mats for players where each of the mats 30 detects the stepping position and the stepping movement of each player with respect to the guide images GG. The detected results are evaluated by an evaluation means 116, 120 via a communication section 16 and the evaluation results are displayed on the screen with an image presentation processing control section 112. The system provides exercise guide images that induce players a variety of movements in a highly recognizable manner regardless of the number of players.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a movement information processing system comprising a control unit adapted to present, on a single presentation unit, a guide image for giving instruction for various movements to a plurality of players, and a plurality of terminal units prepared in accordance with the number of the players so as to detect respective movements of the players.

BACKGROUND ART

Heretofore, there has been proposed a game system designed to allow a domestic television adapted to display a screen image for giving instruction for dance step positions, a first terminal units which is a sheet-shaped foot switch and a second terminal unit which is also a sheet-shaped foot switch, to be connected to a dance game apparatus (Patent Publication 1).

In this game system, up to two players can concurrently play a dance game with respect to one domestic television. The dance game apparatus is also designed to calculate and display a consumed calorie amount of each player which has been consumed depending on stepping movements of each player during the dance game.

The above game system is designed to automatically distinguish between a 1P play mode for playing the game by one player and a 2P play mode for playing the game by two players, from a state of input to the foot switches, and change a subsequent processing accordingly. Specifically, in the 1P play mode, a step-position guide image is displayed on the domestic television only for one player. In the 2P play mode, the step-position guide image is displayed on a display screen of the domestic television for each of the two players, i.e., on each of two divided display regions of the screen. In this manner, the display screen is divided into small screens according to the number of players, and thereby the number of players who can play the game using one dance game apparatus is limited to up to two. In other words, an image screen having a desired size can be ensured only if the display screen is provided on a player-by-player basis. Moreover, the players play the game while watching on their respective step-position guide images. Thus, in the game using image screens provided for players individually, a function of fomenting a sense of unity between them becomes poor.

It is an object of the present invention to present a guide image for giving instruction for various movements to a plurality of players, irrespective of the number of the players, so as to provide the guide image with enhanced visibility.

It is another object of the present invention to provide, on an image screen, a presentation region for presenting information about each of a plurality of players, and present, in the presentation region, information about a movement state of the player relative to each of a plurality of terminal units, so as to allow the player to visually check his/her movement state.

Patent Publication 1: JP 2003-38696A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a movement information processing system which comprises a control unit adapted to present, on a single presentation unit, a guide image for giving instruction for various movements to a plurality of players, and a plurality of terminal units prepared in accordance with the number of the players, and each adapted to detect a movement of an associated one of the players. Each of the terminal units includes a first communication section operable to transmit a result on the detection of the movement of the associated player, to the control unit, and the control unit includes a second communication section operable to receive a signal indicative of the detection result from the first communication section in each of the terminal units, evaluation means operable, based on the detection result signal received by the second communication section, to evaluate the movement of the player relative to each of the terminal units, and annunciation means operable to provide a result on the evaluation to an annunciation section so as to annunciate the evaluation result. This makes it possible to present the guide image for giving instruction for various movements to the players, irrespective of the number of the players, so as to provide the guide image with enhanced visibility.

The control unit may include presentation control means to present the guide image on the presentation unit. The presentation control means is operable to create a plurality of presentation regions for presenting contents related to respective ones of the terminal units, on an image screen of the presentation unit, in a personalized manner with respect to each of the terminal units, and present information about a movement state of the player relative to each of the terminal unit, in a corresponding one of the presentation regions. This makes it possible to present respective movement states of the players in the personalized presentation regions on the image screen of the presentation unit, individually. Thus, each of the players can obtain information about the movement state only by looking at his/her personalized presentation region, so as to facilitate visual checking of information about the movement state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view showing a training gym which employs a movement information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a general block diagram of a control unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of a mat.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a mat holder, wherein (a) shows a first example, and (b) shows a second example.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an acceptance apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mat.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a software of a main CPU of the control unit.

FIG. 8 is a screen diagram showing one example of an entry screen image.

FIG. 9 is a screen diagram showing one example of a lesson screen image.

FIG. 10 is a screen diagram showing one example of a result screen image.

FIG. 11 is a screen diagram showing one example of a lesson-termination screen image.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a processing in the main CPU of the control unit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a processing in the main CPU of the control unit.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of an acceptance CPU.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an interrupt processing.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a consumed-calorie calculation processing.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a stepping detection processing in a mat CPU.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an event annunciation processing in the mat CPU.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a processing of creating an original of a guide image for stepping positions of the mat.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing other examples of the mat, wherein (a) is an elongated-shaped mat designed to allow a player to sidle along a longitudinal direction thereof, and (b) is two elongated-shaped mats arranged parallel to each other to form two lanes in such a manner as to guide a player in a frontwardly/rearwardly movable manner in a longitudinal direction thereof.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view showing a training gym which employs a movement information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, one room inside a certain gym is used as a training room.

In FIG. 1, an entrance/exit E2 is formed in a portion (rear end wall) of an approximately quadrangular-shaped training room 1, and an entering/leaving management apparatus 2 is disposed at the entrance/exit E2. The training room 1 has a mat storage area internally and in a vicinity of the entering/leaving management apparatus 2, and a mat holder 4 is placed at the mat storage area to store a plurality of mats.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, there is a front desk inside the gym separately. At the front desk, a player who wishes to receive a training lesson shows a personal card having personal information recorded thereon, for example, to a desk clerk. Then, a portable transponder TP adapted, for example, to be detachably worn on player's wrist, is handed over to the player at the front desk. The transponder TP is a type which internally comprises a memory for storing predetermined information thereon, and a communication section including an antenna for writing/reading information in/from the memory. This type is known as a personal authentication tag. An after-mentioned acceptance apparatus 20 installed in the front desk is used for reading/writing personal information from/in the personal card, and further writing predetermined personal information in the transponder TP.

The entering/leaving management apparatus 2 is provided with a communication section 3 which comprises an antenna wirelessly connected to the acceptance apparatus. The communication section 3 is operable to approximately continuously output a read request signal, and, when the transponder TP of a player approaching the entering/leaving management apparatus 2 transmits personal information in response to the request signal, to read the personal information. Through this operation, the acceptance apparatus 20 can identify a player who enters the training room 1. Then, an operation of linking between respective ones of a plurality of players and a plurality of mats to clarify which of the mats each of the player uses is performed by the entering/leaving management apparatus 2, as will be described later. The mat holder 4 provided in the mat storage area is adapted to store a required number (in this embodiment, at least twelve) of mats 30 for use in training. Respective structures of the mat 30 and the mat holder 4 will be described later. Identification information, e.g., a different number (identification number), is attached to each of the mats 30 in a visible manner. In FIG. 1, eleven mats 30 for players receiving the lesson are placed on a floor to form three rows consisting of four mats, three mats and four mats, respectively, which are arranged in order from the front of the training room. Each of the mats 30 is placed at a predetermined position corresponding to the identification number of the mat 30. For example, it is preferable to describe the identification numbers indicative of respective positions of the mats, and closing lines each conforming to a size of the mat, on the floor. Although the details will be described later, a player is requested to perform an operation of selecting one of the mats 30 using the entering/leaving management apparatus 2. Then, after the selection, the player picks up the mat 30 having a selected identification number from the mat holder 4, and puts down the mat 30 at the predetermined position. One mat 30 at a frontmost position of the training room 1 is used for an instructor. The mat holder 4 illustrated in FIG. 1 is in an empty state.

A projection screen 5 having a predetermined size and serving as a presentation unit is disposed at a front end of the training room 1 to extend upwardly and face rearwardly, and a projector 6, such as liquid-crystal type, is provided at a rear end of an upper portion (ceiling) of the training room 1 to project an image onto an image screen of the projection screen 5. Each of the players looks at a guide image (see GG in FIG. 9) which is presented on the projection screen 5 to give instruction for training, and moves on the mat 30 in conformity to contents instructed by the guide image. An instructor monitor 7 is composed, for example, of a liquid-crystal monitor or a CRT monitor, and designed to display thereon the same contents as those of the guide image presented on the projection screen 5, so as to allow the instructor facing rearwardly, i.e., the players, to look at the same guide image. A pair of audio-output speakers 8 are disposed, respectively, on right and left sides of the front end of the training room 1, through an amplifier unit 8a. Further, a required number of video cameras 9 are disposed at approximately the same positions. In this embodiment, two video cameras 9 are disposed on the right and left sides of the training room 1, respectively.

A conventional projector may be employed as the projector 6. For example, the projector 6 comprises a white light source, an optical filter for spectrally dividing white light into red, blue and green components, three liquid-crystal panels disposed on a downstream side of the optical filter and on respective ones of light paths of the three color components to receive respective ones of image signals of the three color components, a dichroic mirror for combining the three color image lights transmitted through the liquid-crystal panels, and a projecting optical lens system.

A control unit 10 is disposed at an appropriate position (in this embodiment, on the right side of the front end) of the training room 1 to operate this system.

FIG. 2 is a general block diagram of the control unit. A main CPU 11 is provided as a means to generally control an operation of this system, and connected to a ROM 12 which pre-stores a predetermined program, required image information and various data necessary for processing, and a RAM 13 which temporarily stores processing data, through a bus. In the form of image data, the ROM 12 stores image information, such as: a plurality of images which are elements forming a training screen image, and adapted to be presented while being switched according to a progress of the training (e.g., a pre-training start image, a post-training termination image); a reference mark and a sequence mark (guide image) which are used as images during the training; a plurality of image elements for describing, in a portion of the image screen, a plurality of after-mentioned personalized presentation regions each serving as a personal data field for a specific one of the mats and a player linked to the specific mat, and for describing, in each of the presentation regions, a corresponding one of the mat identification numbers, and a corresponding one of player's names (registered names or nickname); and an image element for a special attraction. The ROM 12 also stores music information for playing a plurality of music pieces. The music information is stored together with association information for allowing the music pieces to be played in conjunction with the guide image, such as information about respective timings of the music pieces. Further, the ROM 12 stores a program for evaluating a timing and response of player's movement relative to the guide image, and a program for calculating an exercise amount, such as consumed calories, from the player's movement.

An imaging-processing processor 14 is operable, based on an imaging command issued by the main CPU 11, to read required image data from the ROM 12 so as to perform an imaging processing to a display area of the RAM 13, and repeatedly output an image to the projector 6 in a predetermined fast cycle (e.g., 1/60 seconds). In this embodiment, the guide image is configured to contain a positional instruction of on which of front, rear, right and left regions of the mat 30a a player steps by his/her foot or feet. As shown in FIG. 9, the guide image GG is presented using a major region (in this embodiment, an approximately central region) of an image screen 50, as its presentation region. The guide image GG comprises four stationary reference marks RM which are presented in an upper region of the image screen 50 to indicate, respectively, leftward, rearward, frontward and rightward directions, and one or more sequence marks SM which are presented in alignment with each of the stationary marks RM in an upward/downward direction, in such a manner as to move upwardly from a lower region of the image screen 50 at a predetermined scroll speed, so that the guide image GG serves as a means to give notice and instruction on a timing of stepping movement. At a timing when one of the sequence marks SM overlaps with a corresponding one of the reference marks RM, each of the players steps on an instructed one of the regions of the mat 30. The imaging-processing processor 14 is configured to allow an image taken by the video cameras 9 to be additionally presented as a background image.

An audio-processing processor 15 is operable to write ADPCM data of the music piece read from the ROM 12, in a work area of the RAM 13, and read out the ADPCM data stored in the work area as a sound source, using a clock signal with a frequency, for example, of 44.1 KHz. The audio-processing processor 15 is also operable to subject the ADPCM data read from the work area to various processings, such as pitch conversion, noise addition, envelope setting, level setting and reverb addition, and then output the processed music pieces from the speakers 8 as audio, through to the amplifier unit 8a.

Data of the music pieces and the guide image may be loaded from an external memory through a driver (not shown). For example, a DVD, a CD-ROM, a hard disk, an optical disk, a flexible disk or a semiconductor memory may be employed as the above external memory. In the case where image data, audio data and/or program data are read from an external memory through a driver, the read data is loaded in the RAM or the audio-processing processor 15 through a decoder (not shown). Along with a progress of the music playing, the guide image pre-created in association with respective playing time of the music pieces is output to the projector 21 in synchronization with the playing times.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the mat. As shown in FIG. 3A, the mat 30 serving as a terminal unit (controller) has a predetermined shape, such as a rectangular shape of about 1 m square. As shown in FIG. 3C, the mat 30 comprises: a spacer 31 made of a resilient material, such as urethane, and formed to have a predetermined thickness, for example, of several to ten-odd mm, so as to serve as a base member; four sheet-shaped separate electrodes 32 attached onto an upper surface of the spacer 31 correspondingly to respective ones of the four stepping regions; a common electrode 33 attached to an entire lower surface of the spacer 31; four electrode-protective top sheets 34 attached onto respective upper surfaces of the separate electrodes 32; a hard reinforcing sheet 35 formed to have a required thickness and attached onto a lower surface of the common electrode 33; a bottom sheet 36 attached onto a lower surface of the reinforcing sheet 35; and two antislip mats 37, 38 made of an antislip material, or subjected to an antislip surface treatment, and attached onto respective entire outer surfaces of the top and bottom sheets. A strip-shaped member 39 placed along an outer peripheral portion of the mat 30 to extend from a top surface to a bottom surface of the mat 30 is sewn with the mat 30 in an upward/downward direction thereof to integrate the outer peripheral portion of the mat 30, as shown in FIG. 3C. Each of the electrode-protective top sheets 34 has an upper surface layer having an appearance, e.g., color, different from those of the remaining components, so that a player can visually recognize the stepping regions.

A board case 300 housing a circuit board for operation control and others is attached to one edge (in FIG. 3A, a central region of an upper end) of the mat 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the board case 300 internally comprises a battery 301 which is detachable relative to the mat 30, a mat control section 302 equipped with a CPU (central processing section) and mounted to the circuit board, and a communication section 303 (first communication section) having an antenna for communicating with the control unit 10. The board case 300 is further provided, but not shown, with a connecting terminal of a charging plug connected to the battery 301, in an exposed manner. Although not viewable in FIG. 3, the board case 300 may be provided with a device serving as an after-mentioned event annunciation section 304 (see FIG. 6), for example, at least one of a light generator (e.g., light-emitting diode), a sound generator (e.g., speaker) and a vibration generator (e.g., piezoelectric vibrator). The term “special attraction” means an event to be executed when an evaluation result of a mat, exactly an evaluation result of player's movement, meets a predetermined condition (e.g., when a specific one of a plurality of mats is ranked within the top three positions). In this event, a fact, for example, that a specific mat (i.e., a player of the specific mat) was one of the three best is annunciated together with the special attraction.

An entry button 306 is a switch serving as a manual operation device for initiating communication with the control unit 10, and disposed at an appropriate position of the outer peripheral portion of the mat 30 (in this embodiment, in a vicinity of the board case 300). An LED 3061 is provided as a means to check that the entry button 306 is pressed, and adapted to be turned on as a result of the pressing operation. The entry button 306 is likely to be pressed twice or erroneously trampled during training. Thus, the mat control section 302 is operable, when a no-input state of the mat 30 continues for a predetermined time, e.g., for 3 minutes, after the entry button 306 is pressed once and a built-in timer or the like is activated, to automatically set the entry button 306 in its OFF state. In an actual training, the communication with the control unit 10 is not initiated even if a player simply picks up the mat 30 from the mat holder 4, but the communication through the communication section 303 is initiated when the player presses the entry button 306 after placing the mat 30 at a predetermined position of the floor. According to this communication, an indication “READY” is presented in the personalized presentation region DA for the player on the image screen 50, as will be described later. An indication character before the “READY” is “Waiting Signal”. This system configuration is employed to avoid useless power consumption in the mat 30 when the entry button 306 is not pressed, and allow a player to personally check that the mat 30 of the player normally operates. If the “READY” is not presented on the image screen despite pressing the entry button 306, the player can recognize that the mat 30 has a problem, such as failure or insufficiency of battery charge. In this case, the player contacts with the instructor to ask a countermeasure, such as replacement with another mat 30.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the separate electrodes 32 are disposed, respectively, on front, rear, right and left sides (in FIG. 3A, upper, lower, right and left sides) relative to a central home position. A predetermined level of voltage is applied from the mat control section 302 to the separate electrodes 32, individually, to allow a contact between each of the separate electrodes 32 and the common electrode 33 to be detected, independently. Specifically, a predetermined number of holes 311 each having a required diameter are dispersedly formed in a region of the spacer 31 having each of the separate electrodes 32 attached thereon, to extend in a thickness direction of the spacer 31. Thus, when a player steps on a specific one of the separate electrodes 32 from above, the resilient spacer 31 is compressed and deformed to allow the specific separate electrode 32 to be brought into contact with the common electrode 33 through the holes 311 so as to detect the stepping movement. The four front, rear, left and right separate electrodes 32, the spacer 31 and the common electrode 33, form front, rear, left and right stepping sensors Sf, Sb, Sl, Sr, wherein the suffixes f, b, l, r indicate front, rear, left and right, respectively.

Returning to FIG. 2, each of the video cameras 9 is a camera capable of continuously taking an image. The video camera 9 comprises a conventional image-pickup optical system and a conventional image-pickup device. A picked-up image signal can be loaded in the control unit 10 through a bus connecting between the video camera 9 and the main CPU 11. The loaded picked-up image signal may be presented in the central region of the after-mentioned image screen 50 in FIG. 9, as a background of the sequence marks SM in a superimposed manner. For example, an image of a player who obtained a high evaluation may be taken to execute an event such that the image is presented in the image screen 50. The video camera 9 is further provided with a changing section 91 adapted to change a direction of the image-pickup optical system. This direction-changing section 91 is a conventional direction-changing mechanism which comprises a horizontal mechanism section adapted to swingingly move a video camera body in a horizontal direction, a vertical mechanism section adapted to swingingly move the video camera body together with the horizontal mechanism section in a vertical direction, and two separate drive sources, such as motors, adapted to drive the respective swing movements of the horizontal and vertical mechanism sections. The direction-changing section 91 is operable, in response to receiving a direction-changing signal from the main CPU 11, to adjust the direction of the image-pickup optical system. Further, in the video camera 9, a zoom lens and a drive mechanism for the zoom lens are built in the image-pickup optical system to variably change an image pickup magnification or control zooming so as to maintain a predetermined image magnification regardless of a distance to each of the mats.

A communication section 16 (corresponding to a second communication section) is provided as a means to wirelessly transmit and receive information to/from the communication section 303 in each of the mats 30. In this communication, each of the mats 30 may use a different encoding format or a different carrier frequency for signal transmission, to identify from which of the mats 30 the information received by the communication section 16 is transmitted. Further, when the communication is performed in a bidirectional manner, the communication section 303 in each of the mats 30 may be configured to transmit a signal in response to a signal transmission request from the communication section 16, so as to eliminate the risk of cross talk.

Instead of providing different carrier frequencies, another technique may be employed in which data additionally having individual identification information is continuously transmitted in a common frequency band, and the communication section 16 receives all the data and determines that only data having valid identification information is valid, so as to reflect the valid data on a program. In this embodiment, the communication with the mats 30 is performed in a wireless manner. Alternatively, the communication may be performed in a wired manner even though it is necessary to take time and effort for setup.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the mat holder, wherein (a) shows a first example, and (b) shows a second example. As shown in FIG. 4, the mat holder 4 is generally formed as a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped frame body. Specifically, the mat holder 4 comprises: a rectangular-shaped bottom plate 41 having a width dimension equivalent to that of the mat 30 and a size allowing a required number (in this embodiment, twelve) of the mats to be supported in an upstanding posture and in a parallel arrangement; twelve guide members 42 each having a sectionally angled-C shape with an open upper edge and extending upwardly from each of opposite lateral edges of the bottom plate 41 at predetermined intervals along a longitudinal direction of the bottom plate 41; a frame member 43 formed in the same rectangular shape as that of a peripheral edge of the bottom plate 41 and connected to respective upper ends of opposed lateral edges of each of the guide members 42; four casters 44 attached to a bottom surface of the bottom plate 41 to allow the mat holder 40 to be moved; and a pushing handgrip 45 provided at one longitudinal edge of the frame member 43.

In the first example illustrated in FIG. 4(a), based on the above structure, each of the mats 30 having the board case 300 oriented downwardly is moved downwardly from above the frame member 43 while guiding right and left edges of the mat 30 along the right and left edges of the guide member 42, until the board case 300 comes into contact with a bottom edge 421 of the guide member 42. In this manner, the mats 30 can be stored in such a manner as to be positioned on the respective horizontal bottom edges 421 of the guide members 42. A charging connector 422 is attached to an upper surface of the horizontal bottom edge 421 of each of the guide members 42 at a contact position with the board case 300 of a corresponding one of the mats 30. Thus, in conjunction with the storing operation, each of the connectors 422 can be connected to the charging plug provided in the board case 300 of a corresponding one of the stored mats 30. The connectors 422 are combined together as an integral lead wire 46 through respective conventional AC-DC converter-type charge control circuits, and a plug 461 connectable to a socket of a commercial power supply is attached to an distal end of the lead wire 46. The plug 461 at the distal end of the lead wire 46 is connected to the commercial power supply to charge the built-in batteries 301 during storage of the mats.

The second example illustrated in FIG. 4(b) is employed when the battery 301 in each of the mats 30 is designed to be detachable relative to the board case 300, wherein each of the mats 30 is stored in the mat holder 4 while orienting the board case 300 upwardly. In this example, instead of providing the charging connecter 422 in each of the guide members 42, a charge section 47 for the batteries 301 is integrally provided at an appropriate position (in this embodiment, in a vicinity of the pushing handgrip 45) to cope with a storable number of the mats. The charge section 47 is formed with a plurality of plug-in slots 471 for allowing the respective batteries 301 to be inserted thereinto, and internally equipped with a plurality of charging electrodes each contactable with an electrode (not shown) of the battery 301, and a plurality of conventional AC-DC converter-type charge control circuits (not shown). The charge control circuits (not shown) associated with the respective pug-in slots 471 are connected to a lead wire 46 having a distal end provided with a plug 461 connectable to a commercial power supply. Thus, in an operation of storing the mat 30, the mat 30 is stored after detaching the battery 301 therefrom, and the detached battery 301 is inserted into the plug-in slot 471. The plug 461 at the distal end of the lead wire 46 is connected to the commercial power supply to charge the inserted battery 301 through the charging electrode associated with the plug-in slot 471 during storage of the mats.

As above, the mat holder 4 in each of the above examples is designed to allow the mats 30 to be collectively stored in a compact and easy manner and to be movable. This makes it possible to contribute to effective utilization of a floor space in the training gym, for example, when the training using the movement information processing system is not performed. If the plurality of mats 30 is stored in such a manner as to be stacked in a horizontal posture, and a specific one of the mats 30 to be used by a player is located at a lower position of the stack, it is difficult to pull out the specific mat 30. In contrast, the above mat holder makes it possible to pick up the mat in a significant smooth manner. In addition, the mat holder is designed to readily the charging operation for the mats in the storage state. Thus makes it possible to readily perform a series of inserting, storing and charging operations so as to provide excellent handleability.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the acceptance apparatus. The acceptance apparatus 20 comprises an acceptance CPU 21, a personal-card reader/writer device 22, an antenna 23 for writing predetermined information in the transponder TP using a radio wave, and a mat selection section 24. The personal-card reader/writer device 22 is disposed at the front desk, to read personal information, such as name, gender, age, body weight and training record of a player who wishes to receive a training lesson, from the personal card of the player having the personal information recorded thereon, when the player enters the gym, and update the information, such as the training record, when the player leaves the gym. The mat selection section 24 is provided in the entering/leaving management apparatus 2, and equipped with a monitor 241, a touch panel 242 and a mat selection information generation section 243. The touch panel 242 is a conventional type comprising a transparent pressure-sensitive thin-film member, and provided on a screen of the monitor 241 in a laminated manner.

The acceptance CPU 21 includes a personal information reading/writing section 211, a transponder writing section 212, an image display control section 213, a mat selection detection section 214 and a linking processing section 215. The personal information reading/writing section 211 is operable, when a personal card is inserted into a slot of the personal-card reader/writer device 22 during entrance to the gym, to read the personal information from the personal card, and, when the personal card is inserted into the personal-card reader/writer device 22 during leaving from the gym, to update the training record of the personal card. The transponder writing section 212 is operable, after completion of reading of the personal information from the personal card, to write at least information allowing a person (player) to be identified, i.e., identification information, such as player's name or an acceptance number, into the portable transponder TP to be handed over to the player, through the antenna 23. When the acceptance number is written into the transponder TP, the acceptance apparatus 20 may be configured to associate the player's name with the acceptance number so as to allow the player's name to be identified using the acceptance number as collating information.

The image display control section 213 is operable, when the communication section 3 provided in the entering/leaving management apparatus 2 receives the personal information from the transponder TP of a player who is entering the training room 1 through the entrance/exit E2, to detect the received personal information and display a plurality of mat identification numbers serving as a mat selection screen image, on the monitor 241 so as to prompt the player to select one of the mats.

As the mat identification numbers, the same numerals as those printed on the respective actual mats 30 may be displayed. Alternatively, the mat identification numbers may be displayed, for example, in the following manner. A plurality of characters provided correspondingly to the respective mats 30 (representing the respective mats 30 in a pseudo manner) are displayed on the monitor 241. As each of the characters, a numeral, an alphabet letter and a graphic (e.g., animal) are displayed in an associated manner to identify each of the mats 30. The numeral and others identifying each of the mats 30 are set to conform to those printed on the actual mat 30.

In concurrence with the display of the mat identification numbers, a mat selection message “Please select one of the mats to be used” is displayed on the monitor 241. Previously-selected one or more of the mats and the remaining non-selected mats are displayed on the monitor 241 in a distinguished manner. For example, the identification number of the previously-selected mat is displayed with low brightness, and the identification number of the non-selected mat is displayed with high brightness. When the player presses a display position of one (e.g., numeral “7”) of the identification numbers of the non-selected mats in the selection screen, the touch panel 242 will output a signal indicative of the pressed position. Then, in response to receiving the pressed-position signal, the mat selection information generation section 243 outputs the selected mat identification number to the acceptance CPU 21. In response to receiving the mat identification number information transmitted from the mat selection information generation section 243, the mat selection detection section 214 detects the completion of the mat selection. At this moment, a linking between the player and the mat is completed, and a message “Your mat is No. 7” is displayed on the monitor 21. A next player selects one of the mats other than the No. 7 selected by the preceding player, and subsequently the mats to be used by following players will be determined in the same manner. Each of the players picks up a specific one of the mats 30 from the mat holder 4, for example, the mat 30 having the numeral “7” printed thereon, and places the specific mat 30 at a predetermined position of the floor. Alternatively, the mats may be pre-placed on the floor by gym staffs to allow each of the players to directly go to a position where the selected mat is placed.

The linking processing section 215 is operable, in response to detection of the completion of the mat selection, to cross-check the identification information of the transponder TP received from the communication section 3, with the mat identification information, and the identification information of the transponder TP with the personal information, so as to perform a linking processing of linking between respective ones of the players and the mats. The player-mat linked information is sent to the main CPU 11.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mat 30. In addition to the battery 301, the mat CPU 302, the communication section 303, the event annunciation section 304 and the stepping sensors 3f to 3r, the mat 30 includes a mat identification information memory 305. The mat identification information memory 305 is adapted to readably store the identification number identifying each of the mats 30. The mat CPU 302 includes a transmitting-information generation section 3021, a received-information processing section 3022, and a power source checkup processing section 3023. The transmitting-information generation section 3021 is operable to associate identification information read from the mat identification information memory 305 with stepping detection information of one or more of the stepping sensors 3f to 3r so as to form transmitting information, and transmit the transmitting information to the communication section 16 of the control unit 10 through the communication section 303, in a predetermined cycle (e.g., in a cycle of a few tenths of a second).

The received-information processing section 3022 is operable, in response to receiving a spatial-attraction-annunciation command signal transmitted from the communication section 16 of the control unit 10, to determine whether the command signal is transmitted to its own mat, and, if the command signal is transmitted to its own mat, instruct the event annunciation section 304 to execute an event annunciation processing. Specifically, when the event annunciation section 304 is a light generator, it will be turned on or blinked. When the event annunciation section 304 is a sound generator, it will output a player's name and/or a sound effect. When the event annunciation section 304 is a vibration generator, it will output an acoustic effect. It is understood that the event annunciation section 304 may be a combination of two of the above generators or may include all the generators.

The power source checkup processing section 3023 is provided according to need. The power source checkup processing section 3023 is operable to check up a remaining capacity of the battery 301 and perform an annunciation indicative of insufficiency of battery charge through a warning device optionally disposed at an appropriate position of the mat 30.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a software of the main CPU 11 of the control unit 10. A program progress control section 111 is operable, based on a program stored in the ROM, to controllably advance a training support processing in a time-elapse direction.

An image presentation control section 112 is operable to send a required image signal to the projector 6 through the imaging-processing processor 14 and instruct the projector 6 to project the image onto the projection screen 5. A screen image to be presented includes an entry screen image illustrated in FIG. 8, a lesson screen image illustrated in FIG. 9, a result screen image illustrated in FIG. 10 and a lesson-termination screen image illustrated in FIG. 11. The entry screen image illustrated in FIG. 8 presents a content of a lesson, a name of an instructor, a photographic image of the instructor, and a plurality of players who join the lesson. In order to present information about each of the players, a plurality (in this embodiment, eight) of personalized presentation regions DA are set at respective predetermined positions of the image screen 50 (see FIG. 8). The presentation regions DA are arranged on respective right and left sides of the image screen 50 in a vertical direction at even intervals. In this embodiment, DA1 to DA8 are assigned to the presentation regions correspondingly to the identification numbers 1 to 8 (in this case, the identification numbers of the mats 30 are 1 to 8). As mentioned above, the laying position of each of the mats 30 in the training room 1 is pre-determined, and therefore the communication 16 can receives the identification number information of the mat 30 laid down on the floor, from the communication section 303 thereof, to recognize a laid-down state (i.e., whether the entry button 306 of the mat 30 is in a pressed state, or whether a player has performed entry for joining the training, after placing the mat 30 on the floor).

In each of the presentation regions DA, the identification number of the mat 30, player's name, and an indication of whether the operation of laying down the mat 30 on the floor is completed, are presented. For example, if the operation is completed (identification numbers 1, 2, 4), player's name and a character “READY” will be presented. If only the operation of selecting one of the mats is completed, but the selected mat is not laid down (identification numbers 3, 5), a character “Waiting Signal” is presented. Further, if the mat selection operation is not completed (identification numbers 6, 7, 8), only a character “No Entry” is presented. The program progress control section 111 is configured to be kept in a standby state for a predetermined waiting time, or until the number of players reaches a predetermined value (in this embodiment, eight).

In the lesson screen image illustrated in FIG. 9, the reference marks RM disposed in the upper region of the image screen 50 to indicate the frontward, rearward, rightward and leftward directions are presented in the following order from the left side: RM1, RMb, RMf and RMr, and the corresponding sequence marks SM are presented below each of the reference marks in such a manner as to move upwardly from the lower edge of the image screen 50 at a predetermined scroll speed. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, two sequence marks SMf corresponding to the reference mark RMf are presented in a time-elapse direction (in FIG. 9, an upward/downward direction). This scroll presentation is achieved by sequentially shifting an image-forming position of each of the sequence marks SMf upwardly by predetermined bits during an operation of rewriting an image to be formed in the display area of the RAM 13. A timing of presenting the sequence mark SM at the lower edge of the image screen 50 is determined by calculating back from a time when the sequence mark SM overlaps the corresponding reference mark RM, while taking account of the scroll speed.

The image presentation control section 112 is also operable to additionally present a training image of the instructor pre-created as a background image. Alternatively, the video cameras 9 may selectively pick up an image of a specific one of the players, for example, who has high instantaneous response as will be described later, to additionally present the image. Further, the image presentation control section 112 is operable, in synchronization with a timing of the overlapping between the reference mark RMf and the sequence mark SMf or at a desired timing regardless of a presence or absence of the overlapping timing, to present a guide image for instructing the players to perform another movement, such as a fisted-hand image GH, as a movement of hands, at an appropriate position of the image screen 50 in an easy-to-understand manner. The players are instructed to perform a movement of throwing out their arm just after the fisted-hand image GH is presented. This allows a movement in the lesson to include not only exercise for the lower body but also exercise using the upper body so as to provide further challenging or worthwhile exercise. Although the system according to this embodiment is not specifically configured to detect the fisting (movement of hands or arms), it may be configured such that a portable wraparound-type acceleration sensor is worn on player's hand or arm, and a detection result is wirelessly transmitted to the communication section 16 in the same manner as that in the mat 30, so as to evaluate the movement of the hands or arms.

Returning to FIG. 7, a communication processing section 113 is operable to periodically acquire stepping detection information from the communication section 303 of each of the mats 30 through the communication section 16 while identifying the information on a mat-by-mat basis using the mat identification information, and transmit information about instruction for the special attraction annunciation through the communication section 16. An operation information reading section 114 is operable to acquire the stepping detection information transmitted from the communication section 303 of each of the mats 30 and received by the communication processing section 113, so as to detect a stepping movement timing and a stepping position. A linked-information acquisition section 115 is operable to acquire the player-mat linked-information linked by the linking processing section 215 of the acceptance apparatus 20.

A response evaluation section 116 is operable to measure a time lag between a timing when the sequence mark SM overlaps with a corresponding one of the reference marks RM, and a timing when each of the players actually steps on a stepping position of the mat 30 instructed by the image of the sequence mark SM, so as to evaluate response for each of the mats. For example, when the player steps on the instructed stepping position of the mat 30 in concurrence with the timing when the sequence mark SM overlaps with the corresponding reference mark RM, it will be evaluated that the mat, i.e., the player, has high response. The response, i.e., the time lag, is converted into a certain point (or the time lag is directly used as a point), and the point is added to a last point. In order to determine to which of the sequence marks SM the stepping movement of the player relative to the mat 30 corresponds, a predetermined time period before and after the timing when the sequence mark SM overlaps with the corresponding reference mark RM is defined as a time-lag detecting time window. Then, if the stepping movement relative to the mat 30 is performed within the predetermined time window, the time lag may be measured. If the stepping movement is performed out of the predetermined time window, it may be determined that no stepping movement relative to the mat 30 has been performed with respect to the corresponding sequence mark SM.

The evaluation of the response is divided into a plurality of ranks, for example, five ranks consisting of “AA”, “A”, “B”, “C” and “D” in descending order of response. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a character “Rank AA” is presented in the presentation region DA1. Thus, at a time when the lesson is terminated, a player having a lower point (i.e., smaller time lag) obtains higher evaluation.

Further, based on an evaluation result of response in each reference evaluation time period (e.g., 10 seconds), i.e., an evaluation result of instantaneous response, during the lesson, the best player is extracted, and a special attraction is presented to the player. For example, when the player associated with the presentation region DA1 is the best, a character “No. 1” is presented in the presentation region DA1 as the special attraction, as shown in FIG. 9. In the same manner, in the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the three best mats (i.e., three best players) are extracted for the special attraction, and characters “No. 2” and “No. 3” are presented in the presentation regions DA7 and DA4, respectively.

A ranking processing section 117 is operable, based on the evaluation result of the instantaneous response, to determine ranking from a top rank to a predetermined rank. An event processing section 118 is operable to present an indication for the special attraction on one of the presentation regions associated with a player having the highest evaluation of the instantaneous response. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, a character image SG of “No. 1” is presented in association with the presentation region DA1. In addition to the player having the highest evaluation of the instantaneous response, an indication for the special attraction may be presented to a player in a predetermined rank, in this example, the three best players. In FIG. 9, the character “No. 2” is presented in the presentation region DA7 associated with the player having the 2nd-highest evaluation of the instantaneous response, and the character “No. 3” is presented in the presentation region DA4 associated with the player having the 3rd-highest evaluation of the instantaneous response.

The above special attraction is designed to present a character image SG, such as “No. 1”, in the presentation region. Alternatively or in combination with this technique, the entire presentation region may be blinked or repeatedly magnified/demagnified; or only the character image SG may be blinked or may be repeatedly magnified/demagnified or may be magnified up to the remaining presentation regions after momentarily deleting the remaining presentation regions; or a special image, such as a smile character, may be popped up in the presentation region. That is, as to the special attraction using an image, a specific one or more of the presentation regions may be presented in such as manner as to be visually clearly different from the remaining presentation regions, and in a distinct manner. In the above embodiment, a player for the special attraction is determined in each reference evaluation time period, such as 10 seconds. Alternatively, in case of taking training or exercise according to music pieces, a player for the special attraction may be determined at a time when each of the music pieces is completed.

A position setting section 119 is provided according to need. The position setting section 119 is operable to change a position of the presentation region DA associated with a player having the highest evaluation of the instantaneous response, to a predetermined position in the image screen (in this embodiment, a top position on the left side of the image screen 50). In this case, respective positions of the presentation regions for the remaining players will be lowered by one step. In FIG. 9, the presentation region DA associated with the mat having the identification number “1” is presented at the top position on the left side at this time (a last position of the presentation region DA associated with the mat having the identification number “1” is unknown). In this case, the presentation region of each of the players will be moved according to changes in the evaluation. Thus, in order to allow each of the players to recognize his/her presentation region clearly and quickly, a different background color or a different pattern formed of a plurality of background colors may be applied to each of the presentation regions associated with the respective players; or a name or nick name of each of the players may be largely presented on a portion of the associated presentation region; or outer peripheral edges of the presentation region may be formed in various shapes, such as a circular shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a star shape and a rhomboid shape. Any one or a combination of two or more of the above techniques may be employed.

The ROM 12 stores a reference calorie value to be consumed depending on the front, rear, left and right stepping positions (stepping types), in the form of table data classified by gender, age and body weight. In this embodiment, an exercise amount evaluation section 120 is adapted to evaluate an exercise amount based on a level of calorie consumption resulting from exercise. The exercise amount evaluation section 120 is operable to read the stepping detection information transmitted from the communication section 303 of each of the mats 30 and received by the communication processing section 113, so as to extract the presence or absence of a stepping, and a stepping type, with respect to each of the mats 30, and read the reference consumed calorie value for each stepping so as to add the read reference consumed calorie values to an current consumed calorie value. As shown in FIG. 9, the consumed calorie value of each of the players is presented at a position adjacent to an associated one of the presentation regions DA. For example, “31.3 kcal” is presented just above the presentation regions DA1.

The image presentation control section 112 is operable to present the result image illustrated in FIG. 10, every time a lesson corresponding to one music piece is terminated. A summation processing section 121 is operable, with respect to each music piece, to calculate a rank of each of the players, 1st to 3rd ranks concerning the response, and a consumed calorie value for each of the players, and further calculate a rank of average response of all the players simultaneously receiving the lesson (in FIG. 10, a character “A” is presented on a central region of the image screen 50), and a sum of consumed calorie values of all the players (in FIG. 10, “274.9 kcal” is presented on a lower region of the image screen 50). The summation processing section 121 is also operable, when a predetermined number (in this embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, seven) of successive music pieces for the lesson is completed, i.e., the lesson is terminated, to calculate an average rank in the predetermined number of music pieces and perform a summation processing of consumed calorie values. The image presentation control section 112 is operable, based on a calculation result obtained by the summation processing section 121 through the summation processing, to present the lesson-termination screen image illustrated in FIG. 11.

As above, the average rank of all the players joining the common lesson is presented in the final image screen. That is, an evaluation of a sort of class consisting of members receiving the lesson is presented. It is assumed that this system is employed, for example, in a training gym, and therefore participating members in a lesson on each day of a week might be pre-fixed. In this case, a gum planning staff may organize a project of competing in evaluation on the common lesson between respective groups of members in different days of a week or between classes (the name of a class having high evaluation is placed on a message board on the Internet or in the gym, and some benefit is given to participating members of a top class in a week). Through such a project, a sense of unity between members of each class becomes stronger, which leads to enhanced persistence of participating members and contributes to ensure the number of gym membership. Thus, this system is not only enjoyable for players but also beneficial to gym management.

A video camera control section 122 is operable to generate a direction-changing (horizontal/vertical direction) signal for orienting the video camera 9 toward the mat 30 associated with a player having the best evaluation obtained by the response evaluation section 116, and output the direction-changing signal to the changing section 91. The respective laying positions of the mats 30 are pre-determined as mentioned above. Thus, the changing section 91 is pre-adjusted to orient the video camera 9 toward each of the players so as to pre-acquire information about horizontal and vertical directions of the video camera 9 to allow the video camera control section 122 to perform the above processing. In case of using two video cameras 9, a group of players to be covered by each of the video cameras 9 is pre-determined, and the video camera control section 122 is operable, based on information about the mat 30 associated with a player having the best evaluation obtained by the response evaluation section 116, to controllably adjust a direction of one of the video cameras 9 which covers the player, and instruct the video camera 9 to transmit a picked-up image to the communication section 16.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts for explaining a processing in the main CPU of the control unit 10. When acceptance information is received from the acceptance apparatus 20, and then an entry signal is received from the mat 30, a receiving processing is performed (Step S1), and an entry screen image is presented and updated every time a new entry signal is received (Step S3). Then, it is determined whether a predetermined time period for acceptance has elapsed, or whether the number of players has reached a predetermined value (Step S5). If NO, the receiving processing for acceptance information will be continued until the predetermined time period elapses or the number of players reaches the predetermined value.

When the predetermined time period has elapsed or the number of players has reached the predetermined value, it is initiated to play a first one of a plurality of music pieces making up a lesson music (Step S7), and it is synchronously initiated to present a guide image GG corresponding to the music piece (Step S9). Then, received information transmitted from the mats 30 and received by the communication section 16 is acquired (Step S11). If the acquired received information includes stepping detection information indicative of the presence of stepping movement, a time lag between a timing of overlapping between the reference mark RM and the sequence mark SM and a timing of the detection of stepping is calculated for each of the mats (Step S13). Then, a response point is calculated from the calculated time lag in each of the mats, and added to (accumulated with) a current point value of a corresponding one of the mats (Step S15). If there is no stepping detection information indicative of the presence of stepping movement, Steps S13 and S15 will be skipped.

Subsequently, it is determined whether a predetermined time period (e.g., 10 seconds as mentioned above) has elapsed (Step S17). If the predetermined time period has not elapsed, the routine skips to Step S27. If the predetermined time period has elapsed, the mats 30 are ranked (Step S19), and then the arrangement of respective presentation regions DA associated with the mats is determined (Step S21). Then, 1st to 3rd players in evaluation of instantaneous response point in a predetermined time period (in this embodiment, 10 seconds) are extracted (Step S23), and a special attraction image SG is presented in each of the presentation regions DA associated with the 1st to 3rd players (Step S25). Then, a consumed calorie value is calculated with respect to each of the mats 30 from the stepping detection information in each of the mats 30, and a summation processing for consumed calorie values is performed (Step S27).

Then, it is determined whether the first music piece in the lesson music is completed (Step S29). If the first music piece is not completed, the routine returns to Step S17, and the same processing as that described above will be repeated. If the first music piece is completed, an evaluation result for the first music piece is calculated, and the result screen image illustrated in FIG. 11 is presented (Step S31).

Then, it is determined whether there is one or more remaining music pieces in the lesson music (Step S33). If there are the remaining music pieces, a next one of the remaining music pieces is set up (Step S35), and the routine returns to Step S7 to perform the same processing as that described above. If all of the music pieces making up the lesson music are completed, a total evaluation is performed, and the lesson-termination screen image illustrated in FIG. 12 is presented (Step S37).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of the acceptance CPU. An interrupt processing relative to the mat selection section 24 is firstly permitted (Step S51), and it is determined whether a personal card is inserted into the personal card reader/writer device 22 (Step S53). When a personal card is inserted, a processing of reading personal information from the personal card is performed (Step S55). Then, predetermined personal information is written into the memory of the transponder TP (Step S57). Then, it is determined whether there is an input for mat selection (Step S59). If there is no input for mat selection, subsequent Steps will be skipped. If there is the input for mat selection, a linking processing is performed (Step S61). Then, obtained linked information is transferred to the main CPU 11 (Step S63), and the routine is terminated.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the interrupt processing. When the presence of the transponder TP carried by a player is detected by the communication section 3 of the entering/leaving management apparatus 2 (Step S71), a mat selection screen image is displayed on the monitor 241 (Step S73). Then, it is determined whether an input for mat selection by a player through the touch panel 242 is detected (Step S75). The image display control section 213 is kept in a standby state until the determination is made. If the input for mat selection is detected, this routine is terminated.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing of calculating a consumed calorie value. Firstly, a stepping type is determined based on the stepping detection information transmitted from each of the mats 30 and received by the communication section 16 (Step S81). Then, a reference consumed calorie value of the determined stepping type, according to body weight, gender and age extracted from personal information of each player, is read from a table memory in the ROM 12, and added to a current consumed calorie value of the mat 30 (i.e., player) corresponding to the read reference consumed calorie value (Step S83).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a stepping detection processing in the mat CPU 302. A power supply checkup processing is firstly performed (Step S91), and it is determined whether there is a detection signal from at least any one of the stepping sensors Sf, Sb, Sl, Sr (Step S93). If there is no detection signal, information about absence of detection is created as stepping detection information (Step S95), and an instruction on transmission is issued at a predetermined time (Step S101). If there is the detection signal, a stepping position is determined (Step S97), and stepping detection information indicative of the stepping position and the presence of detection is created (S99). Then, an instruction on transmission is issued at a predetermined time (Step S101).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a special-attraction annunciation processing in the mat CPU 302. It is firstly determined whether there is information received from the communication section 303 (Step S111). If there is no received information, the routine returns to the initial step. If there is the received information, it is determined whether the received information relates to its own mat 30 (Step S113). If the received information does not relate to its own mat 30, the routine returns to the initial step. If the received information relates to its mat 30, an operation instruction signal for a special attraction annunciation is created and output to its own event annunciation section 304 (Step S115).

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a processing of creating an original of a guide image for stepping positions of the mat. In order to perform this processing, an instructor may use the control unit 10 or may use another computer. One of a plurality (e.g., several ten to several hundred) of music pieces (music units) stored in a memory section is selected (Step S121), and the selected music piece is acoustically output through a speaker or the like, i.e., played (Step S123). Simultaneously, a step-creation screen image is displayed on a monitor or the like, and a processing of inputting stepping positions using predetermined four keys [e.g., F (front), B (rear), L (left), R (right)] of a keyboard is permitted (Step S125). Then, it is determined whether playing of the selected music piece is completed (Step S127). If the selected music piece is not completed, the routine returns to Step S125, the same processing as described above will be repeated. If the selected music piece is completed, it is determined whether a next one of the remaining music pieces is selected (Step S129). If the next music piece is selected, a processing of associating the next music piece with the last music piece in such a manner as to clarify that the next music piece is subsequent to the last music piece is performed (Step S131), and the routine returns to Step S123. If no music piece is further selected, it is determined that the original creation processing is terminated, and the previously-selected music pieces are connected together to form one lesson music (original music). The lesson music is stored in a predetermined memory section. For example, a playing time of each of the pre-stored music pieces is in the range of about several to ten-odd minutes. Given that a lesson time is about 1 hour, one lesson music is created using several to ten-odd music pieces (in the example illustrated in FIG. 11, seven music piece). Some of the music pieces are pre-associated with stepping positions as a default, and these music pieces can also be appropriately selected. In this case, the stepping-position input processing may be performed to appropriately modify the pre-set stepping positions. If such a modification is unnecessary, the creation steps may be skipped to perform only the association processing for connecting the music pieces.

In case of using a computer other than the control unit 10, a created original music may be written in the ROM 12 of the control unit 10. Alternatively, the created original music may be downloaded from an external recording medium, and played by the control unit 10 through a recording medium drive (not shown) of the control unit 10.

The present invention may employ the following modifications.

(1) The movement information processing system according to the above embodiment may be used as a gaming system as well as a training system.

(2) While the mat in the above embodiment is formed in an approximately square shape, the shape of the mat is not limited to the square shape, but may be a circular shape. Further, while the mat is designed to have four front, rear, left and right stepping positions, the stepping positions may further include one or more diagonal positions. Alternatively, the mat may have a predetermined number of stepping positions arranged around the central home position. It is understood that the position of the home position is not limited to the center of the mat.

(3) As another example of the mat, an elongated-shaped mat may be employed to guide a movement of a player in a longitudinal direction thereof. Ladder-patterned mats as shown in FIG. 20 (a) (b) may be used for training including a movement in a longitudinal direction thereof. The mat 130 in FIG. 20(a) is a type of guiding a movement based lateral lines arranged at intervals allowing a player to sidle along the longitudinal direction thereof. This mat 130 has the same thicknesswise structure as that illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein an electrode corresponding to the common electrode 33 is laid down over the entire longitudinal length of the mat 130, and an electrode corresponding to the separate electrode 32 is divided into a plurality of pieces each having a predetermined size in the longitudinal direction to has a grid structure. Thus, a stepping movement relative to the longitudinal grids can be detected. A plurality of players stand on the elongated-shaped mat 130 at intervals of a predetermined number of the grids, and a guide image for giving instruction for side stepping is presented on the projection screen 5. The guide image is necessary to have only the reference marks RMl, RMr and the sequence marks SMl, SMr in the guide image illustrated in FIG. 9, and presented in a scrolling manner so as to enable the response evaluation, as with that in FIG. 9. Alternatively, a plurality of codes may be described on respective ones of a predetermined number of stepping positions corresponding to a play area for one player, so as to allow each of the stepping positions to be handled as an absolute position, and the guide image may be configured based on these codes. For example, given that six continuous stepping positions are assigned to one player, six characters “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, “F” are described (as absolute positions) on respective ones of the grids of the mat 130, and the guide image is configured to move respective images of these characters in a scrolling manner.

The mat 230 in FIG. 20(b) is a type in which two elongated-shaped mats 230 are arranged parallel to each other to form two lanes in such a manner as to guide a player in a frontwardly/rearwardly movable manner in a longitudinal direction thereof. This mat 230 has the same thicknesswise structure as that illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein an electrode corresponding to the common electrode 33 is laid down over the entire longitudinal length of the mat 230, and an electrode corresponding to the separate electrode 32 is divided into a plurality of pieces each having a predetermined size in the longitudinal direction to has a grid structure. Thus, a stepping movement relative to the longitudinal grids can be detected. A plurality of players stand on the elongated-shaped mats 230 at intervals of a predetermined number of the grids, and a guide image for giving instruction for frontward and rearward movements to right and left legs of each of the players is presented on the projection screen 5. The guide image is necessary to have only the reference marks RMf, RMb and the sequence marks SMf, SMb in the guide image illustrated in FIG. 9, as images for guiding the right and left legs, and presented in a scrolling manner so as to enable the response evaluation, as with that in FIG. 9. In this case, stepping positions configured to be handled as absolute positions may be employed in the same manner as that in the above example.

In each of the mats illustrated in FIG. 20(a) (b), when the stepping positions are detected without being handled as absolute positions, conformability or adequacy of a movement relative to the guide image may be determined based on lag between respective detection signals of a current stepping position and a next stepping position. These mats 130, 230 are suitable as exercise equipment for rehabilitation, and geriatric training equipment, and usable in rehabilitation institutions, and nursing and personal care facilities.

(4) As to detection of a movement of a human body, a movement of hands and arms may be included in addition to the stepping movement of legs as in the above embodiment. For example, the mat 30 may be formed in a smaller size to allow a plurality of patients who sit on a seats to slap a position of the small-sized mat according to instruction of a guide image while looking at the guide image, so as to play a game while improve their reflexes. As a presentation unit to be used in such a case, for example, in training performed in a limited space on some level, such as a medical center, a large-size television may be used as well as a projection screen to which an image is presented using a liquid-crystal projector.

(5) In the above embodiment, the respective presentation regions DA associated with 1st to 3rd players in the instantaneous response evaluation are moved to specific positions. Alternatively, only a position of the 1st player may be changed, or a ranking of all the players may be calculated to allow all the presentation regions DA to be subjected to positional change according to the calculated ranking. If the presentation regions of all the players is arranged in a vertical direction of the image screen according to the ranking, a part of the players having the presentation regions in lower positions are likely to be demotivated in exercise. Thus, instead of arranging the presentation regions of all the players according to the ranking, only a predetermined number (e.g., three) of high-ranked players are preferably presented as “current three best” in an upper region of the image screen.

(6) In the above embodiment, on the side of the control unit 10, the special attraction is executed on an image screen 50 of the projection screen 5. Alternatively or in conjunction therewith, a voice may be generated in such a manner as to call out a name or nickname, for example “(name), you rank first!”, using the speaker 8. In this case, data of a fixed phrase of evaluation, such as “you rank first!” or “quite well!” after name, is pre-stored in the ROM 12. Then, during a special attraction presentation, the main CPU 11 is operable to, after reading the fixed phrase data in conjunction with the completion of the linking processing, create a sentence by connecting the fixed phrase data to the end of player's name or nickname stored in the RAM 13, and produce voice from the speaker 8. When the calling-out is performed as the special attraction, a sound volume of the music piece during training may be lowered or vanished in conjunction with the calling-out processing, to allow the players to clearly hear the calling-out. In this configuration where the special attraction annunciation is executed only on the side of the control unit 10 (presentation in the image screen or annunciation using the speaker 8), information communication can be achieved only by unidirectional communication from the mat 30 to the control unit 10, so as to allow the configuration to be simplified.

(7) In the configuration where the special attraction annunciation is executed in the event annunciation section 304 of the mat 30, an information communication scheme is bidirectional communication between the mat 30 and the control unit 10. In this case, the special attraction annunciation is executed using the mat 30 of a player (beneath player's feet). This makes it possible to highly motivate the player. In addition, the event is executed at a position adjacent to the player's body, such as feet or hands, and thereby the player can recognize the evaluation reliably and sensationally without visually checking his/her presentation region DA on the presentation unit located away from the player. Further, an element to be recognized is any one or a combination of two or more of light, sound and vibration. That is, the player does not recognize the special attraction by visual checking. Thus, the player can recognize his/her evaluation while looking at the guide image and concentrating on training or the like. The configuration in the section (6) also has an advantage of allowing a player to concentrate on training or the like. In the event annunciation section 304 employing the light generator, a mode of annunciation as a means to execute the special attraction for the mats associated with 1st to 3rd players in the instantaneous response evaluation may be configured to be continuously changed. For example, light may be blinked in a faster cycle as the rank becomes higher, or a brightness level or light color may be changed depending on ranking.

(8) In the above embodiment, the linking between the mat 30 and a player is performed by the transponder TP and the mat selection section 24 of the acceptance apparatus 20. Alternatively, the mat 30 may be designed to have a function of authenticate the transponder TP. Specifically, the mat 30 may comprise an antenna for reading personal information written in the memory of the transponder TP, and a storage section for temporarily storing the read personal information. In this case, when a player presses the entry button 306 of the mat 30, the stored personal information is associated with the mat identification information to form a transmitting signal, and the transmitting signal is transmitted to the control unit 10 through the communication section 303 of the mat 30 and the communication section 16, so that the control unit 10 can recognize the linking between the mat 30 and the player. This allow the player to omit the operation of selecting one of the mats using the entering/leaving management apparatus 2 so as to provide enhanced usability. Alternatively, a staff or an instructor may learn about player's name and identification information of the mat 30 from a player before initiation of a lesson, and directly enter the player's name and the identification information of the mat 30 into the control unit 10 using an input section, such as a keyboard, of the control section 10, to allow the control unit 10 to recognize the linking between the mat 30 and the player.

(9) In the above embodiment, an average of response evaluation ranks and a sum of consumed calorie values of all the players are presented in the result image screen and the lesson-termination image screen illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. Alternatively, the presentation may be performed with respect to each group. For example, the players may be divided into right and left groups according to the laying positions of the mats 30 in the training room, and an average of response evaluation ranks and a sum of consumed calorie values may be presented on a group-by-group basis. This makes it possible to foster a sense of unity in each of the groups of players who receive training together, and arouse a spirit of competition.

(10) In the above embodiment, the respective laying positions of the mats 30 are pre-determined. Alternatively, the system may be configured to allow the mats to be laid down at any positions. In this case, the communication section 16 of the control unit 10 and the communication section 303 of the mat 30 may be designed to have a relatively wide directivity. Further, in order to allow the video camera 9 to pick up an image of a specific one of the players, a distinctive element, e.g., a different pattern, may be provided on a surface of each of the mats 30, and respective picked-up images of the mats 30 may be pre-registered, so that each of the mats 30 is identified based on an image of the mat 30 picked up during training, by use of a conventional pattern recognition technique. Thus, respective laying positions of the mats 30 can be identified to allow the video camera 9 to be controllably oriented in a direction for taking an image of a specific player (mat 30). In this modification, a player can place the mat selected using the entering/leaving management apparatus 2, at a desired position, instead of a pre-designated position on the floor of the gym. This allows the player to be released from a bothersome operation of finding out a designated position so as to provide enhanced usability, and reflect his/her preference so as to increase feelings of satisfaction.

As described above, a movement information processing system according to the present invention comprises a control unit adapted to present, on a single presentation unit, a guide image for giving instruction for various movements to a plurality of players, and a plurality of terminal units prepared in accordance with the number of the players, and each adapted to detect a movement of an associated one of the players. Each of the terminal units includes a first communication section operable to transmit a result on the detection of the movement of the associated player, to the control unit, and the control unit includes a second communication section operable to receive a signal indicative of the detection result from the first communication section in each of the terminal units, evaluation means operable, based on the detection result signal received by the second communication section, to evaluate the movement of the player relative to each of the terminal units, and annunciation means operable to provide a result on the evaluation to an annunciation section so as to annunciate the evaluation result.

In movement information processing system of the present invention, the guide image for giving instruction for various movements to the players is presented on the single presentation unit under control of the control unit, and each of the players moves in conformity to contents of a movement instruction indicated by the guide image, using one of the plurality of terminal units adapted to detect respective movements of the players. The movement of the player is detected by the terminal unit, and a result of the detection is transmitted to the control unit through the first communication section. When a signal from the first communication signal of each of the terminal units is received by the control unit through the second communication section, the evaluation means evaluates the result of the movement relative to each of the terminal units, based on the received signal, and the annunciate means annunciates a result of the evaluation to the annunciation section. This makes it possible to present the guide image for giving instruction for various movements to the players, irrespective of the number of players, so as to provide the guide image with enhanced visibility.

Preferably, the presentation unit is combined with the annunciation section. According to this feature, the evaluation result presented by the annunciation means is presented on the single presentation unit presenting the guide image. This makes it possible to eliminate the need for providing the annunciation section separately, and allow each of the players to look at the single presentation unit so as to visually check the evaluation result as well as the guide image.

Preferably, the control unit includes presentation control means to present the guide image on the presentation unit, wherein the presentation control means is operable to create a plurality of presentation regions for presenting contents related to respective ones of the terminal units, on an image screen of the presentation unit, in a personalized manner with respect to each of the terminal units, and present information about a movement state of the player relative to each of the terminal unit, in a corresponding one of the presentation regions.

According to this feature, the presentation regions for presenting contents related to respective ones of the terminal units, on an image screen of the presentation unit, are created in a personalized manner, and information about a movement state of the player relative to each of the terminal unit is presented in a corresponding one of the presentation regions. Thus, a movement state of each of the players is presented in a corresponding one of the presentation region on an image screen of the presentation unit. Thus, each of the players can obtain information about the movement state only by looking at his/her personalized presentation region, so as to facilitate visual checking of information about the movement state.

Preferably, the presentation control means includes layout setting means operable, according to the evaluation result obtained by the evaluation means, to set respective positions of the presentation regions on the image screen of the presentation unit. According to this feature, at least one of the presentation regions is moved to a position closer to a specific position, e.g., upper position of the image screen, according to the evaluation result. Thus, each of the players can readily figure out a level of evaluation on his/her movement from a position of the presentation region associated with the player. If the presentation regions of all the players is arranged in a vertical direction of the image screen according to ranking of the evaluation, a part of the players having the presentation regions in lower positions are likely to be demotivated in exercise. Thus, instead of arranging the presentation regions of all the players according to the ranking, only a predetermined number (e.g., three) of high-ranked players may be presented as “current three best” in an upper region of the image screen. Further, in this case, the presentation region of each of the players will be moved according to changes in the evaluation. Thus, in order to allow each of the players to quickly recognize his/her presentation region, a different background color or a different pattern formed of a plurality of background colors may be applied to each of the presentation regions associated with the respective players; or a name or nick name of each of the players may be largely presented on a portion of the associated presentation region; or outer peripheral edges of the presentation region may be formed in various shapes, such as a circular shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a star shape and a rhomboid shape. Any one or a combination of two or more of the above techniques may be employed.

Preferably, the movement information processing system includes event annunciation means operable, when the evaluation result obtained by the evaluation means for a specific one of the terminal units meets a predetermined condition, to identify the specific terminal unit, and execute a special attraction for the evaluation result.

According to this feature, when a specific one of the terminal units obtains an evaluation meeting the predetermined condition, the event annunciation means identifies the specific terminal unit, and execute a special attraction for the evaluation result. The term “special attraction” means an event to be executed when an evaluation result of the terminal unit, exactly an evaluation result of player's movement, meets the predetermined condition (e.g., when a specific one of the terminal units is ranked within the top three positions). In this event, a fact, for example, that a specific one of the terminal units (i.e., a player of the specific terminal unit) was one of the three best is annunciated together with the special attraction. Thus, the player playing using the specific terminal unit can have a sense of satisfaction in his/her play while feeling the joy and proud of being selected and highly evaluated in the plurality of players, and finds great pleasure and entertainment in playing, whereby the player is motivated to continue the play or obtain higher evaluation. This makes it possible to achieve a movement information processing system having strong attraction relative to players. In addition, the special attraction can motivate nearby players associated with other terminal units. This is also advantageous to management of a training gym in facilitating acquiring customers based on introduction of this system.

Preferably, the event annunciation means is operable to execute the special attraction on the presentation unit using an image. According to this feature, the special attraction is presented on the pre-set presentation unit in the form of an image.

Preferably, the event annunciation means includes voice output means adapted to output the special attraction using voice. According to this feature, the special attraction is output from the voice output means in the form of voice. In this manner, the special attraction is performed using voice, for example, voice offering much praise to a specific terminal unit. This allows a player to recognize that he/she now obtain a predetermined evaluation, while visually checking the guide image and concentrating on training, without particularly looking at his/her presentation region on the image screen.

Preferably, the movement information processing system includes linking means operable to set a correspondence between identification information of each of the terminal units, and identification information of each of the players, which includes player's name information, wherein the event annunciation means is operable to annunciate with the inclusion of the player's name information during the special attraction.

According to this feature, a correspondence between the identification information of the terminal unit and the identification information of each of the players including player's name information is set by the linking means. Thus, in various processings, identification information of the terminal unit can be used as identification information of the player. This makes it possible to present player's name or generate a voice message including player's name, for example, during the special attraction. For example, characters or voice message “TOM, you are the best” are presented or generated. In this system, during the special attraction, insured of a number of a terminal unit or the like, name or nickname of a specific player linked to (i.e., associated with) the terminal unit is present or generated as a voice message, to annunciate an evaluation result so as to allow the player to feel pleasure, satisfaction and pride in meeting a target and receiving high evaluation, and strongly have a sense of superiority to other player through calling-out of his/her name or nickname in front of others. Further, the player will have a sense of participation in training using this system, and a high degree of probability for wishing to re-join the training. This allows a facility introducing this system to readily acquire repeaters.

Preferably, the first communication section has a signal-receiving function, and the second communication section has a signal-transmitting function. In this case, the control unit is operable, when the evaluation result obtained by the evaluation means for a specific one of the terminal units meets the predetermined condition, to transmit to the specific terminal unit a signal for giving an instruction to execute the special attraction, and each of the terminal units includes motivational annunciation means having at least one of a light generation section, a sound generation section and a vibration generation section, the terminal unit being operable, when it receives the signal for giving an instruction to execute the special attraction, through the first communication section, to instruct the event annunciation means to perform an annunciation operation for the special attraction.

According to this feature, the first communication section has a signal-receiving function, and the second communication section has a signal-transmitting function. Thus, when an evaluation result obtained by the evaluation means for a specific one of the terminal units meets the predetermined condition, the control unit can transmit an instruction signal of special attraction, to the specific terminal unit through the second communication section. Further, each of the terminal devices includes the event annunciation section having at least one of the light generation section, the sound generation section and the vibration generation section. Thus, in response to receiving the instruction signal of special attraction through the first communication section, the event annunciation section of the specific terminal unit can perform an annunciation operation for the special attraction. That is, in the present invention, even when the first communication section has only a signal-transmission function, and the second communication section has only a signal-receiving function, the detection result can be transmitted from the terminal unit to the control unit to allow the control unit to evaluate the detection result, and therefore an intended object of the present invention can be achieved. In the above configuration where the first communication section additionally has a signal-receiving function, and the second communication section additionally has a signal-transmitting function, the special attraction can be executed at not only the control unit but also the terminal unit, or only at the terminal unit, so as to achieve further effective event. When the special attraction is executed at the terminal unit as in this embodiment, the event (special attraction) is executed at a position adjacent to the player's body, such as feet or hands, and thereby the player can recognize the evaluation reliably and sensationally without visually checking his/her presentation region on the presentation unit located away from the player. Further, an element to be recognized is any one or a combination of two or more of light, sound and vibration. That is, the player does not recognize the special attraction by visual checking. Thus, the player can recognize his/her evaluation while looking at the guide image and concentrating on training or the like.

Preferably, the evaluation means includes response evaluation means operable to evaluate a response of the player associated with each of the terminal units, to the guide image. According to this feature, a higher evaluation can be obtained from the response evaluation means as a player moves in conformity with a timing of movement instruction of the guide image, with higher accuracy. This function can be suitably used in evaluation of physical exercise based on movements (training or game) and physical exercise for recovering of movement function or nerve function.

Preferably, the movement information processing system includes a guide information storage section, and a speaker, wherein: the a guide information storage section is adapted to store the guide image in association with each of a plurality of music pieces; the guide image is a pre-produced image for giving instruction for player's stepping in at least one of a frontward/rearward direction and a rightward/leftward direction; the speaker is adapted to output one or more of the music pieces selected from the guide information storage section; the presentation control means is operable to present the guide image for giving instruction for the player's stepping, in synchronization with output ones of the music pieces; and each of the terminal units has a mat shape which is formed with two or more stepping regions on at least one of a front/rear side and a right/left side relative to a home position set at a predetermined position, each of the stepping regions being provided with a sensor adapted to detect a stepping movement independently. According to this feature, the guide image for giving instruction for player's stepping relative to in at least one of a frontward/rearward direction and a rightward/leftward direction is presented on the presentation unit in synchronization with a music piece to be output. When a player steps on a stepping region formed in at least one of front, rear, right and left sides relative to a mat-shaped home position located at a predetermined position, the stepping movement relative to the stepping region is detected. Thus, player's movement performed in conformity to the instruction of the guide image for stepping positions is detected, and a result of the detection is evaluated.

Preferably, the evaluation means includes an exercise-amount evaluation section adapted to evaluate an exercise amount of the player associated with each of the terminal units, based on a result on the detection of the stepping movement against the sensor. According to this feature, based on a result on the detection of the stepping movement against the sensor, the evaluation means evaluate an exercise amount of the player associated with each of the terminal units. For example, the exercise amount is converted to a consumed calorie value, and the consumed calorie value is evaluated.

Preferably, the exercise-amount evaluation section is operable to summate the evaluation of the exercise amount of the player associated with each of the terminal units, and the annunciation means is operable to present a result on the summation when the exercise is completed. According to this feature, regardless of whether an evaluation result is presented during exercise, an evaluation result of exercise amount is presented in total when the exercise is terminated. Thus, each of the players can know a total exercise amount, such as a total consumed calorie value, which has been consumed by stepping movements between initiation and completion of music pieces.

Preferably, the movement information processing system includes one or more image-taking units disposed to take individual images in positions corresponding to respective ones of the terminal units, wherein the presentation control means is operable to additionally present the images taken by a specific one of the image-taking units, on the presentation unit. According to this feature, under control of the presentation control means, a video image picked up by the specific video camera is additionally presented on the presentation unit, on a certain condition or after being arbitrarily selected. This makes it possible to present an image of a player located at a position corresponding to a terminal unit, selectively and additionally as a live video, so as to motivate the player.

In place of the live video, a still image of a player having the best evaluation at the present moment may be presented.

In this specification, an element or component described as means for achieving a certain function is not limited to a structure or configuration described in this specification to achieve the certain function, but includes any other structure or configuration, such as a unit, component or element, capable of achieving the certain function.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In the movement information processing system of the present invention, the guide image for giving instruction for various movements is presented on the single presentation unit to a plurality of players, and each of the terminal units associated with respective ones of the players detects a movement of the player. The movement of the player is evaluated based on a result of the detection for each of the players, and a result of the evaluation is annunciated to the annunciation section. This makes it possible to present the guide image for giving instruction for various movements to a plurality of players, irrespective of the number of the players, so as to provide the guide image with enhanced visibility.

Claims

1. A movement information processing system comprising: a control unit adapted to present, on a single presentation unit, a guide image for giving instruction for various movements to a plurality of players; anda plurality of terminal units prepared in accordance with the number of the players, and each adapted to detect a movement of an associated one of said players,wherein:each of said terminal units includes a first communication section operable to transmit a result on said detection of the movement of said associated player, to said control unit; andsaid control unit includes a second communication section operable to receive a signal indicative of said detection result from said first communication section in each of said terminal units,evaluation means operable, based on said detection result signal received by said second communication section, to evaluate the movement of the player relative to each of said terminal units, andannunciation means operable to provide a result on said evaluation to an annunciation section so as to annunciate said evaluation result.

2. The movement information processing system as defined in claim 1, wherein said presentation unit is combined with said annunciation section.

3. The movement information processing system as defined in claim 1, wherein said control unit includes presentation control means to present said guide image on said presentation unit, said presentation control means being operable to create a plurality of presentation regions for presenting contents related to respective ones of said terminal units, on an image screen of said presentation unit, in a personalized manner with respect to each of said terminal units, and present information about a movement state of the player relative to each of said terminal unit, in a corresponding one of said presentation regions.

4. The movement information processing system as defined in claim 3, wherein said presentation control means includes layout setting means operable, according to said evaluation result obtained by said evaluation means, to set respective positions of said presentation regions on said image screen of said presentation unit.

5. The movement information processing system as defined in claim 2, which includes event annunciation means operable, when the evaluation result obtained by said evaluation means for a specific one of said terminal units meets a predetermined condition, to identify said specific terminal unit, and execute a special attraction for said evaluation result.

6. The movement information processing system as defined in claim 5, wherein said event annunciation means is operable to execute said special attraction on said presentation unit using an image.

7. The movement information processing system as defined in claim 5, wherein said event annunciation means includes voice output means adapted to output said special attraction using voice.

8. The movement information processing system as defined in claim 5, which includes linking means operable to set a correspondence between identification information of each of said terminal units, and identification information of each of the players, which includes player's name information, wherein said event annunciation means is operable to annunciate with the inclusion of said player's name information during said special attraction.

9. The movement information processing system as defined in claim 5, wherein: said first communication section has a signal-receiving function;said second communication section has a signal-transmitting function;said control unit is operable, when the evaluation result obtained by said evaluation means for a specific one of said terminal units meets said predetermined condition, to transmit to said specific terminal unit a signal for giving an instruction to execute said special attraction; andeach of said terminal units includes motivational annunciation means having at least one of a light generation section, a sound generation section and a vibration generation section, said terminal unit being operable, when it receives said signal for giving an instruction to execute said special attraction, through said first communication section, to instruct said event annunciation means to perform an annunciation operation for said special attraction.

10. The movement information processing system as defined in claim 1, wherein said evaluation means includes response evaluation means operable to evaluate a response of the player relative to each of said terminal units, to said guide image.

11. The movement information processing system as defined in claim 1, which includes a guide information storage section, and a speaker, wherein: said guide information storage section is adapted to store said guide image in association with each of a plurality of music pieces;said guide image is a pre-produced image for giving instruction for player's stepping in at least one of a frontward/rearward direction and a rightward/leftward direction;said speaker is adapted to output one or more of said music pieces selected from said guide information storage section;said presentation control means is operable to present said guide image for giving instruction for said player's stepping, in synchronization with output ones of said music pieces; andeach of said terminal units has a mat shape which is formed with two or more stepping regions on at least one of a front/rear side and a right/left side relative to a home position set at a predetermined position, each of said stepping regions being provided with a sensor adapted to detect a stepping movement independently.

12. The movement information processing system as defined in claim 11, wherein said evaluation means includes an exercise-amount evaluation section adapted to evaluate an exercise amount of the player associated with each of the terminal units, based on a result on said detection of the stepping movement against said sensor.

13. The movement information processing system as defined in claim 12, wherein: said exercise-amount evaluation section is operable to summate the evaluation of the exercise amount of the player associated with each of the terminal units; andsaid annunciation means is operable to present a result on said summation when the exercise is completed.

14. The movement information processing system as defined in claim 1, which includes one or more image-taking units disposed to take individual images in positions corresponding to respective ones of said terminal units, wherein: said presentation control means is operable to additionally present the images taken by a specific one of said image-taking units, on said presentation unit.