Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – In a game including a simulated projectile
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-30
2004-07-27
Nguyen, Kim (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
In a game including a simulated projectile
Reexamination Certificate
active
06767282
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to video game systems in which a player manipulates a virtual interface device within a game space, wherein a virtual interface device represents a real interface device that the player within a real space manipulates.
2. Background Information
In conventional video golf games used in the home or in video game arcades, for example, the swinging motion of an object (i.e., the golf club) in the game space is controlled by pushing buttons or by pulling levers. However, controlling objects by manipulating buttons or levers gives a player a feeling that the game is not realistic, and does not provide a game that allows a player to experience the real charm of golf. Accordingly, most people who play video golf games turn out to be people who simple love to play video games. To begin with, commands that instruct which object within the game space is moved and in what direction are assigned to the buttons and levers in advance. Thus, movement of the object by means of the buttons and levers is limited by the combinations of action patterns preset in the game.
On the other hand, golf simulation devices have been offered in which a golf player can practice easily. However, these devices take up too much space and are quite expensive, and thus are not favored by video game arcade operators.
In order to manipulate golf balls more naturally, for example, H10-214155A discloses an input device shaped like a golf club, in which the movement of the input device is detected and the swing motion thereof is input. An acceleration sensor is installed at the inside of the head. If the acceleration level of the head detected by the acceleration sensor exceeds a certain level, the input device determines that the player intends to hit a ball.
However, a full swing of a golf club requires a large amount of space around a player, and it also requires an increase in the space in which the input device is set. In addition, swinging a golf club is risky at a video game arcade because there are often many people present. Moreover, in order to allow a player to naturally enjoy a golf game, it is not enough that a player can hit a golf ball by swinging a golf club. For example, in order to allow a player to hit a ball in a particular direction with a club, it is necessary to create visual factors that provide the player with targets. In addition, when a player plays a real golf game, he chooses his favorite club from amongst a variety of golf clubs and uses it. Accordingly, a golf game in which he uses only one kind of golf club won't satisfy a golf player, and won't attract general users other than people who simply like to play video games.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a video game device that allows a player to feel the charms of a variety of different games. Another object of the present invention is to provide a video game device that does not take up a lot of space. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a video game device that is safe to use.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a game device is provided in which a real interface device operated by a player within a real space is represented by a virtual interface device in a virtual space. The virtual interface device in the game device includes a virtual contact unit and a virtual operation unit. The virtual contact unit is a portion of the virtual interface device that a virtual player who manipulates the virtual interface device contacts in order to operate the virtual interface device. The virtual operation unit is a portion of the virtual interface device that manipulates an object operated by the virtual interface device.
The game device includes:
(a) position detection means for detecting the position of the real interface device within the real space, wherein the real interface device is shaped like the virtual contact unit, conversion means for converting the detected real position of the real interface device into a virtual position within the virtual space that is a virtual position of the virtual contact unit within the virtual space,
(b) calculating means for calculating the virtual position of the virtual operation unit based on the virtual position of the virtual contact unit,
(c) operating means for moving the virtual operation unit within the virtual space so that its movement follows the movement of the real interface device with in the real space, which repeatedly causes the real position of the real interface device to be detected by the position detective means, the virtual position of the virtual contact unit to be calculated by the converting means, and the virtual position of the virtual operation unit to be calculated by the calculating means.
Assume, for example, that the video game device is a golf game device. The virtual interface device is a virtual golf club within a game space. The virtual contact unit corresponds to the virtual grip and the virtual operation unit corresponds to the virtual head. The real interface device is shaped like a grip of a golf club or that of a mini golf club that is much shorter than a golf club. Or suppose that the video game device is a tennis game device. In this case, the virtual interface device is a virtual tennis racket within a game space. The virtual contact unit corresponds to the virtual grip and the virtual operation unit corresponds to the virtual racket face. The real interface device is shaped like a grip of a tennis racket or that of a mini tennis racket that is much shorter than a tennis racket. Or suppose that the video game device is a baseball game device. In this case, the virtual interface device is a virtual bat. The virtual contact unit corresponds to the grip of the virtual bat and the virtual operation unit corresponds to the upper on third of the virtual bat. The real interface device is shaped like a grip of a bat or that of a mini bat that is much shorter than a baseball bat.
If the video game device is a golf game device, a player swings a grip-type real interface device, then the movement of the virtual head of the virtual golf club is calculated. If the game device is a tennis game device, and a player swings a grip-type real interface device, the movement of the virtual racket face is calculated. If the game device is a baseball game device, a player swings the grip-type real interface device, then the movement of the portion of the virtual bat within the virtual game space that hits a ball is calculated.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the game device further includes:
(a) display means for displaying the virtual operation unit, and
(b) position determining means for determining a display position at which the virtual operation unit is displayed on a screen, based on the virtual position of the virtual operation unit.
In this game device, the operating means causes the real position of the real interface device to be detected by the position detecting device, the virtual position of the virtual contact unit to be calculated by the converting means, the virtual position of the virtual operation unit to be calculated by the calculating means, and the display position of the virtual operation unit to be determined by the position determining means, with these actions being executed repeatedly. The operating means displays the movement of virtual operation unit so that it follows the movement of the real interface device.
Assume, for example, the video game device is a golf game device. The device determines the virtual position of the virtual grip, and calculates a position at which a straight line intersects with the ground of the virtual space. The line goes through the virtual position of the virtual grip and has a certain inclination. The device regards the intersection as the virtual position of the virtual head and displays the virtual head. The game device detects the movements of the grip-type real interface device and displays the movement of the
Matsuyama Shigenobu
Nakagawa Shin-ichi
Niihama Naoki
Konami Corporation
Nguyen Kim
Shinjyu Global IP
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