Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – In a game requiring an element of a participants physical...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-22
2004-02-24
Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3714)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
In a game requiring an element of a participants physical...
C463S036000, C463S001000, C482S008000, C482S902000, C482S009000, C434S247000, C434S250000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06695694
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a game machine, a game machine control method, an information storage medium, a game distribution device, and a game distribution method. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for enhancing attractiveness of a game in which, for example, a player enjoys dance steps while listening to game music.
2. Description of the Related Art
A music-oriented game machine employing a dedicated controller having a plurality of marks attached thereon each indicative of a step position defined thereon and a sensor for determining whether or not a player's foot or feet is/are placed on a particular step position, is popular. A typical example of such a game machine or software may include “Beat Mania™” and “Dance, Dance, Revolution™” both manufactured and sold by Konami Corporation. In these games, the player can enjoy the feeling of dancing by stepping on the dedicated controller in accordance with game music.
In such a music-oriented game machine, timing at which the player is required to step on each step position is determined according to the rhythm of game music and stored in the form of data, and a gradually approaching step timing is indicated on a display as for each of the plurality of step positions based on the step timing data. The player, referring to the display and listening to the music, puts their foot or feet on a guide step position or positions on the dedicated controller. The player's performance is evaluated based on the extent of difference between the timing at which the player actually stepped on the dedicated controller and the step timing defined by the step timing data. The player can enjoy the feeling of dancing in this manner, while taking notice of their game score.
In a conventional music-oriented game machine, the player's performance is evaluated simply based on the step timing defined by step timing data. However, when considering the distinctive feature of a music-oriented game such that the player does exercise to enjoy the feeling of dancing, it is desirable that the player's performance be evaluated from a point other than a game score, and to present this evaluation to the player. This can make even any games other than music-oriented games more attractive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been conceived in view of the above, and aims to provide a game machine which evaluates a player's game playing performance from new point of view so that the game becomes more attractive. The present invention also aims to provide a game machine control method, an information storage medium, a game distribution device, and a game distribution method for implementing such a game machine.
In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game machine allowing a player to enjoy stepping while listening to game music, comprising step detection means for detecting whether or not the player puts their foot or feet on each of a plurality of step positions; change judgement means for judging, based on a detection result on the step position, according to which, of a plurality of pattern changes, a state of the player's feet relative to the plurality of step positions has changed to; energy consumption amount calculation means for calculating, based on the determined pattern change, an energy consumption amount due to a change of the state of the player's feet; accumulative energy consumption amount calculation means for calculating an accumulative energy consumption amount by accumulating an energy consumption amount calculated after a predetermined timing; and accumulative energy consumption amount reporting means for reporting the accumulative energy consumption amount calculated to the player.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for controlling a game machine allowing a player to enjoy stepping while listening to game music, comprising the steps of: detecting whether or not the player puts their foot or feet on each of a plurality of step positions; judging, based on a result of determination on the step position, which, of a plurality of pattern changes, a state of the player's feet relative to the plurality of step positions has changed to; calculating, based on the determined pattern change, an energy consumption amount due to a change of the state of the player's feet; calculating an accumulative energy consumption amount by accumulating an energy consumption amount calculated after a predetermined timing; and reporting the accumulative energy consumption amount calculated to the player.
In the present invention, a detection is made as to whether or not the player puts their foot or feet on each of the plurality of step positions, and a judgement is then made, based on the result of the detection, as to which, of a plurality of pattern changes, the state of the player's feet relative to the plurality of step positions has changed to. Further, based on the determined pattern change, how much energy the player has consumed by changing their feet's state is calculated. An energy consumption amount calculated after a predetermined timing is accumulated for calculation of an accumulative energy consumption amount. An accumulative energy consumption amount is reported to the player, for example, either in the form of a physical unit (such as calorie) or after commutation into an amount of food or exercise. As a result, the player can know an amount of energy they have consumed by playing the game. In other words, the player's game playing performance is evaluated from a new point of view, and reported to the player. This can resultantly impart a new point of enjoyment to a music-oriented game.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game machine, comprising a controller for inputting an operation signal; change judgement means for judging according to which, of a plurality of pattern changes, the operation signal input from the controller has changed to; energy consumption amount calculation means for calculating, based on the determined pattern change, the player's energy consumption amount corresponding to a change of the operation signal input from the controller; accumulative energy consumption amount calculation means for calculating an accumulative energy consumption amount by accumulating an energy consumption amount calculated after predetermined timing; and accumulative energy consumption amount reporting means for reporting the accumulative energy consumption amount calculated to the player.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information storage medium storing a program for having a computer having a controller for inputting an operation signal, to function as a game machine having change judgement means for judging according to which, of a plurality of pattern changes, the operation signal input from the controller has changed to; energy consumption amount calculation means for calculating, based on the determined pattern change, the player's energy consumption amount corresponding to a change of the operation signal input from the controller; accumulative energy consumption amount calculation means for calculating an accumulative energy consumption amount by accumulating an energy consumption amount calculated after a predetermined timing; and accumulative energy consumption amount reporting means for reporting the accumulative energy consumption amount calculated to the player.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game distribution device for providing a game program for having a computer having a controller for inputting an operation signal, to function as a game machine having change judgement means for judging according to which, of a plurality of pattern changes, the operation signal input from the controller has changed to; energy
Ishikawa Hirotaka
Nagaoka Kei
Nishibori Takashi
Takase Yasumi
Tamura Akinori
Hughes S. Thomas
Konami Corporation
Rada, II Alex F. R. P.
LandOfFree
Game machine, game device control method, information... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Game machine, game device control method, information..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Game machine, game device control method, information... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3280698