PROGRAM EXECUTION SYSTEM, PROGRAM EXECUTION DEVICE,...

Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Perceptible output or display

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C463S031000, C463S032000, C463S037000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06602139

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a program execution system that has at least one operation device connected to a program execution device that executes programs and inputs operation requests from the user into the program execution device, the program execution device, a recording medium on which are recorded programs and data to be used by the program execution system, the program itself, and a method for switching viewpoint and a method for switching aim on a display device of the program.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As information devices such as program execution systems that include video game machines, there are entertainment systems that allow one to play games while manipulating operation devices while the system displays on the screen of a television receiver the content of the game, which is stored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.
The program execution device and operation device of such an entertainment system is usually connected by a serial interface, and when a clock signal is sent from the program execution device, key switch information, etc. that corresponds to user operations is sent synchronized to the clock signal.
Recently, systems have been developed and made practical in which operation devices have been equipped with built-in vibration generation means to provide vibration to the user upon request from outside (for example, from the program execution device), so as to give the user various types of vibration in response to user operations, for example during the course of playing a game.
If, for example, one changes the viewpoint or moves a virtual aim on display, using an operation device, usually this is done by manipulating direction keys called plus-sign keys; with these plus-sign keys, the operation of going in a direction determined by the key, such as leftward or upward, is simple, but the operation tends to become difficult for intermediate directions such as diagonally upward to the left or diagonally downward to the right.
Moreover, because the angle cannot be freely modified with a direction such as diagonally upward or downward to the left or somewhat leftward, one is forced to change the viewpoint in a simple direction, which creates the problem that in, for example, a shooting game or adventure game, the game proceeds in simple, boring ways.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a program execution system, a program execution device, a recording medium, a program itself, and a method for switching viewpoint and a method for switching aim on the display of the program execution device, that make it possible to sensually ascertain the direction in which one wishes to switch a viewpoint and/or aim when manipulating an operation device, and to enjoy game development that one does not grow tired of.
This and other objects are attained by a program execution system comprising a program execution device that executes programs, at least one operation device that inputs operation requests by the user as operation instructions to the program execution device, and a display device that displays images output from the program execution device, a discrimination means that distinguishes the switching direction of the viewpoint in the display device based on a combination of output information output from the operation device in accordance with operation instructions from the user to first and second leftward instruction buttons and first and second rightward instruction buttons provided on said operation device, and a display switching means that switches said viewpoint to the switching direction distinguished by the discrimination means.
The program execution device of this invention, to which can be connected at least an operation device that outputs operation requests by a user as operation instructions and a display device for displaying images, comprises a discrimination means that distinguishes the switching direction of the viewpoint in the display device based on a combination of output information output from the operation device in accordance with operation instructions from the user to first and second leftward instruction buttons and first and second rightward instruction buttons provided on the operation device, and a display switching means that switches said viewpoint to the switching direction distinguished by the discrimination means.
On a recording medium of this invention are recorded a program and data used by a program execution system that includes a program execution device that executes programs, at least one operation device that inputs operation requests by the user as operation instructions to the program execution device, and a display device that displays images output from the program execution device. The program comprises a discrimination step that distinguishes the switching direction of the viewpoint in the display device based on a combination of output information output from the operation device in accordance with operation instructions from the user to first and second leftward instruction buttons and first and second rightward instruction buttons provided on the operation device, and a display switching step that switches said viewpoint to the switching direction distinguished by the discrimination step.
The program of this invention may be used in an entertainment system that has a program execution device that executes programs, at least one operation device that inputs operation requests by the user as operation instructions to said program execution device, and a display device that displays images output from said program execution device. The program comprises a discrimination step that distinguishes the switching direction of the viewpoint in the display device based on a combination of output information output from the operation device in accordance with operation instructions from the user to first and second leftward instruction buttons and first and second rightward instruction buttons provided on the operation device, and a display switching step that switches the viewpoint on the display device to the switching direction distinguished by the discrimination step.
In this way, when, for example, one wishes to switch the viewpoint to the left, it is done by using the two of the four buttons that are arranged on the left side for horizontal instructions. The switching direction to which the viewpoint in the display device is to be switched is distinguished by means of the discrimination means based on a combination of output information outputted from the operation device in accordance with operation instructions from the user, then the viewpoint is switched to the distinguished switching direction by means of the display switching means.
In this case, it suffices if the output information is data that includes the ON/OFF component of said buttons and to which the direction components that correspond to the buttons are allocated, and the discrimination means is provided with a switching direction discrimination means that distinguishes the switching direction according to a combination of these components.
Using the plus-sign keys, if the viewpoint is to be switched, say, leftward, it is done by manipulating the leftward key, but if the viewpoint is to be switched diagonally upward to the left or diagonally downward to the left, it is necessary to operate the upward key or downward key simultaneously with the leftward key. That is, it is necessary to operate keys that are not directly related to the leftward direction, and for a player who operates the operation device for the first time or a player who plays a video game for the first time, it is impossible to grasp sensually the direction to which one is trying to switch the viewpoint.
In the present invention, if one wishes to switch the viewpoint to, say, the left, it suffices to simultaneously operate the two buttons for horizontal direction indication that are arranged on the left side. By operating one or the other of said two buttons, the viewpoint is switched diagonally upward to the left o

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