Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Data storage or retrieval
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-22
2001-07-31
Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Data storage or retrieval
C463S001000, C463S007000, C463S009000, C463S031000, C463S043000, C273S15300J, C273S15300J, C273S15300J, C273S15300J
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267676
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a game machine, an image processing method for use with the game machine, and a recording medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to a game machine, an image processing method for use with the game machine, and a recording medium, wherein an object of operation is moved within a virtual space comprising an object of operation, a plurality of types of dropping objects, and objects surrounding the object of operation.
2. Description of Related Art
A “Link-of-Blocks Video Game Machine” described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 227480/1995 (HEI 7-227480) or a like game machine has already been available as a game machine in which objects, such as blocks, drop. In a game machine of this kind (hereinafter referred to as a “link puzzle game”), the objective of the game is extinction of blocks. When unextinguished blocks are stacked to a predetermined game-over line defined in a game display area, the game is terminated. In order to provide amusement to the player, the game employs a technique of extinguishing blocks in a linked manner. Such a technique provides a mere refreshing sensation to the player when he extinguishes blocks in a linked manner, but fails to provide a sense of tension, which is commonly observed in games other than the link puzzle game.
Further, the conventional link puzzle game is intended to extinguish blocks and offers a stationary game screen which is lacking in dynamic changes.
As set forth, the conventional link puzzle game fails to provide a sense of tension, and game screens are lacking in dynamic changes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been conceived to solve the problems of the related art and is aimed at providing a game machine, an image processing method for use with the game machine, and a recording medium, wherein an object of operation capable of being moved by a player is set within a screen, the game is terminated when the object of operation enters a predetermined situation, to thereby provide a sense of tension, and a screen can be dynamically changed by means of scrolling the screen of a game in accordance with movement of the object of operation.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game machine which moves an object of operation within a virtual space, the virtual space having the object of operation, a plurality of types of objects to drop and a plurality of types of objects surrounding the object of operation, the game machine comprising: display means for indicating the status of the object of operation and a display area including the object of operation, the plurality of types of objects to drop and the plurality of types of objects surrounding the object of operation in the virtual space; object drop means for causing an object to drop in the virtual space; sandwich-state determination means for determining as to whether or not the object of operation is sandwiched between a dropping object and another object located around the object of operation; linked destruction means for causing a dropping object to destroy surrounding objects in a linked manner, to thereby extinguish the thus-destroyed objects from the display area; object-of-operation movement means for moving the object of operation within the virtual space; and surrounding object destruction means for causing the object of operation to destroy surrounding objects, to thereby extinguish the thus-destroyed objects from the display area, wherein the object of operation is prevented from being sandwiched between the dropping object and another object around the object of operation, and the object of operation is moved in the direction in which an object drops, by means of destroying surrounding objects.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method for use with a game machine which moves an object of operation within a virtual space, the virtual space having the object of operation, a plurality of types of objects to drop and a plurality of types of objects surrounding the object of operation, the method comprising: a display step for indicating the status of the object of operation and a display area including the object of operation, the plurality of types of objects to drop and the plurality of types of objects surrounding the object of operation in the virtual space; an object drop step for causing an object to drop in the virtual space; a sandwich-state determination step for determining as to whether or not the object of operation is sandwiched between the dropping object and another object located around the object of operation; a linked destruction step for causing a dropping object to destroy surrounding objects in a linked manner, to thereby extinguish the thus-destroyed objects from the display area; an object-of-operation movement step for moving the object of operation within the virtual space; and a surrounding object destruction step for causing the object of operation to destroy surrounding objects, to thereby extinguish the thus-destroyed objects from the display area, wherein the object of operation is prevented from being sandwiched between the dropping object and another object surrounding the object of operation, and the object of operation is moved in the direction in which an object drops, by means of destroying surrounding objects.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium which has been stored a computer program for executing an image processing method for use with a game machine which moves an object of operation within a virtual space, the virtual space having the object of operation, a plurality of types of objects to drop and a plurality of types of objects surrounding the object of operation, the method comprising: a display step for indicating the status of the object of operation and a display area including the object of operation, the plurality of types of objects to drop and the plurality of types of objects surrounding the object of operation in the virtual space; an object drop step for causing an object to drop in the virtual space; a sandwich-state determination step for determining as to whether or not the object of operation is sandwiched between the dropping object and another object located around the object of operation; a linked destruction step for causing a dropping object to destroy surrounding objects in a linked manner, to thereby extinguish the thus-destroyed objects from the display area; an object-of-operation movement step for moving the object of operation within the virtual space; and a surrounding object destruction step for causing the object of operation to destroy surrounding objects, to thereby extinguish the thus-destroyed objects from the display area, wherein the object of operation is prevented from being sandwiched between the dropping object and another object surrounding the object of operation, and the object of operation is moved in the direction in which an object drops, by means of destroying surrounding objects.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, wherein the computer data signal is computer readable program code means for executing an image processing method for use with a game machine which moves an object of operation within a virtual space, the virtual space comprising the object of operation, a plurality of types of objects to drop, and a plurality of types of objects surrounding the object of operation comprising: computer-readable program code means for indicating the status of the object of operation and a display area including the object of operation, the plurality of types of objects to drop and the plurality of types of objects surrounding the object of operation in the virtual space; computer-readable program code means for causing an object to drop in the virtual space; computer-readable program code means for determining whethe
Cherubin Yveste G.
Harrison Jessica J.
Lyon & Lyon LLP
Namco Ltd.
LandOfFree
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