JP2007069025A - Game control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game control device, constructed to have a higher degree of freedom in holding a case. <P>SOLUTION: In this game control device, a first case 20a held by one hand in a free space and a second case 20b held by one hand in a free space are separately provided, and the first case 20a and the second case 20b are limited in maximum space between them by a cord C interposed between them. The first case 20a incorporated with an acceleration sensor AS and held by one hand in a free space and the second case 20b held by one hand in a free space are separately provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a highly preferred apparatus for controlling games called computer games, video games, TV games and the like.

Such a game control device is generally provided with a horizontally long case as disclosed in Patent Document 1.
Japanese Utility Model Publication 2-91595

  However, since the case is configured to be held with both hands, the hands must always be maintained at equal intervals. As a result, the relative movement of both arms is constrained, and use over a long time is not preferable. For example, some people suffer from stiff shoulders. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game control device having a structure with a higher degree of freedom for holding a case.

The first structural invention separately provides a first case configured to be grasped with one hand in free space and a second case configured to be grasped with one hand in free space, The case and the second case are game control devices characterized in that the maximum distance between them is limited by a code interposed therebetween.
In the second structure invention, the first case configured to be grasped with one hand in the free space with the built-in acceleration sensor and the second case configured to be grasped with one hand in the free space are separately provided. A game control apparatus provided in the above.
In the second structural invention, the first case and the second case may be characterized in that a maximum distance between them is limited by a cord interposed therebetween.
The maximum distance may be smaller than the distance between both hands when a person separates both hands to the maximum.

According to the first structural invention, each of the first case and the second case can be grasped with one hand, and the first case and the second case can be grasped within the range of the maximum distance while grasping the first case and the second case. It becomes relatively movable. In this case, it is not necessary to always keep both hands at equal intervals, so that it can be used for a longer time, and a game control device suitable for a game of a long time can be provided. Further, by setting the maximum distance to an appropriate length, it is possible to limit the range of relative movement of both arms more than necessary, so that fatigue of both arms due to excessive movement can be prevented. Furthermore, for example, when playing a game while standing, even if one of the cases is inadvertently released, the possibility of the case falling and colliding with the floor is reduced, and the case is less likely to be damaged.
According to the second structural invention, the first case and the second case can be grasped with one hand, respectively, and the first case and the second case can be relatively moved while grasping. . In this case, it is not necessary to always keep both hands at equal intervals, so that it can be used for a longer time, and a game control device suitable for a game of a long time can be provided. In addition, even if the second case is moved, the effect is not easily transmitted to the first case with the built-in acceleration sensor, so that a special effect is obtained that it is difficult for inadvertent acceleration to be applied to the acceleration sensor.
In the second structural invention, if the maximum distance between the first case and the second case is limited by the cord interposed between the first case and the second case, the maximum distance is set appropriately. By making the length longer, it is possible to limit the range of relative movement of both arms more than necessary, so fatigue of both arms due to excessive movement can also be prevented. Furthermore, for example, when playing a game while standing, even if one of the cases is inadvertently released, the possibility of the case falling and colliding with the floor is reduced, and the case is less likely to be damaged.
In addition, if the maximum distance is smaller than the distance between both hands when a person has the maximum distance between both hands, it is possible to limit the range of relative movement of both arms more than necessary. It can prevent fatigue of both arms due to overpass. Furthermore, for example, when playing a game while standing, even if one of the cases is inadvertently released, the possibility of the case falling and colliding with the floor is reduced, and the case is less likely to be damaged.

  Next, various embodiments including embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, the embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments, and the present invention should not be limitedly interpreted based on matters peculiar to such embodiments. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the matters shown in the claims of the claims and matters substantially equivalent to the matters.

The reference embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes an acceleration sensor AS, a movement amount signal generating unit 1 that generates a movement amount signal c based on an acceleration signal a generated in the acceleration sensor AS, and the movement amount signal c as a reference signal d. A game control device is provided that includes a comparison means 2 for comparison and a control means 3 that is maintained open or closed corresponding to the comparison. In general, the movement amount signal c is preferably generated after intermediate generation of the speed signal b.
In the previous application related to the priority claim (Japanese Patent Application No. 4-269550), naturally, the matters that can be paraphrased by the superordinate concept or the obvious equivalent equivalent items are as follows.
In other words, the movement amount signal generating means 1 that generates the movement amount signal c based on the acceleration signal a generated in the acceleration sensor AS is not limited to the specific means of the acceleration sensor AS. It is obvious that the movement amount signal generating means 1 generates the movement amount signal c corresponding to the movement amount from the first position.
Of course, the comparison means 2 for comparing the movement amount signal c with the reference signal d is self-evident and equivalent as a determination means for determining the magnitude of the movement amount signal c. That is, the comparison means 2 shown in FIG. 1 or other figures can naturally be replaced with a determination means.
The control means 3 may be referred to as control means 3 for controlling the character to be active or inactive (or different states) in response to the determination (or comparison) in view of the control over the character. .
In addition, of course, the expression that is maintained open or closed (or “different binary values” or “H or L level”) corresponding to the determination (or comparison) and the determination (or comparison) Correspondingly, expressions that are controlled to be open or closed (or “different binary” or “H or L level”) can be interchanged. This is because, for example, it is obvious that the control signal is serially time-division output using a shift register, a data selector, a multiplexer, or other appropriate means after the control means 3 or after the control means 3 itself. In this case, an apparent open / close cycle state occurs. Then, for example, the expression of being kept closed may be received unless it includes an apparent open / close cycle state. This is a replacement. The open / close cycle state is, for example, a state in which a close signal for activating a character is output at a specific position of the open signal for each cycle of serial signal output of the shift register. In addition to this, considering that the acceptance signal of the computer main body corresponding to the activation of the character is in a true open / close cycle state which is not apparent, the expression of being controlled to be closed is more appropriate.
These matters are naturally applied to the following embodiments as well.

  The acceleration sensor AS detects two-dimensional or three-dimensional acceleration, and is composed of a piezoresistive semiconductor element, a capacitance detection type semiconductor element, a strain gauge element, an electromagnetic element, a magnetic fluid type element, a piezoelectric element, and other appropriate means. The In particular, a semiconductor element containing a piezoresistor is more promising in the future. The acceleration sensor AS to be used should be excellent in ultra-low frequency response. For example, it is preferable that the responsiveness is good in the frequency band of about 200 Hz or less in the acceleration signal frequency, but the responsiveness is lowered in the frequency band higher than that. A case where it is difficult to obtain such characteristics with the acceleration sensor AS itself will be described later.

  The acceleration signal a generated in the acceleration sensor AS is amplified to a desired signal level by the amplification means 4 and converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion means 6 via the threshold value means 5 having an appropriate value. This digital signal is processed by the CPU 7. That is, the acceleration signal a is converted into a speed signal b by the integrating means 8, and a moving amount signal c is obtained by the integrating means 9. Then, the control means 3 is kept open or closed corresponding to the comparison (by the comparison means 2) between the movement amount signal c and the reference signal d. The output signal of the control means 3 is supplied to the computer main body. Of course, this signal and other signals may be time-divisionally supplied in series to the computer main body by the CPU 7. Note that the signal processing for generating the speed signal b and the movement amount signal c based on the acceleration signal a does not have to be strict integration, and it is sufficient if the movement amount signal c sufficient for practical use can be generated. More appropriate algorithm development makes this reference embodiment more meaningful. Further, a single integrated circuit device 10 is shown in a two-dot chain line in FIG. The memory may be incorporated in a single integrated circuit device 10, or the memory may be a separate integrated circuit.

In analogy to make the function of the control means 3 easy to understand, for example, in a state where the movement amount signal c exceeds the reference signal d, the control means 3 is kept closed, and the movement amount signal c changes the reference signal d. In the state where it does not exceed, the control means 3 is kept open.
That is, when the movement amount signal c exceeds the reference signal d by moving the device in a certain direction from the origin, the control means 3 that has been kept open until then is switched and kept closed. A close signal is supplied to the computer main body to control the game character (for example, movement control). This control state continues until the apparatus is returned to the origin, and when the apparatus is returned to the origin, the control means 3 is maintained open and stopped.

As a result, the game character can be controlled simply by moving the device from the origin in the direction of X, -X, Y, -Y, etc. in free space. And as long as the device is maintained in a state shifted from the origin in a certain direction, the control means 3 is kept closed, for example, so that continuous movement control of the game character, for example, is possible. This is the same effect as keeping the directional control switch button pressed and kept closed in the conventional control device, and in this embodiment, this function only shifts the device spatially from the origin. can get. The control feeling of the game character is not much different from the case where the conventional control device is used, and the operability is much better. In particular, a special advantage is exhibited when control in six directions is required, such as when three-dimensional control of a game character is performed. And it can also have compatibility with the conventional control apparatus, and this point is also beneficial.
In addition, by appropriately selecting the reference signal d value, there is no change in the state of the control means 3 with respect to a minute displacement from the origin of the device, and a small play of the hand holding the device or an appropriate play with respect to the movement of the device. Allows the game to proceed smoothly.

Further, reset means for resetting the acceleration signal a, the speed signal b, or the movement amount signal c is provided. In order to make the reset means function, the reset operation unit 11 (switch) is operated to give a signal to the CPU 7. And when the reset signal R is given to the integration means 9 which produces | generates the movement amount signal c, it is good to continue operating the reset operation part 11, for example (for example, continuing pressing). Thereby, since the movement amount signal c is not generated even if the device is moved, the origin can be easily changed. If the operation of the reset operation unit 11 is stopped again at another origin, the game operation can be started without any trouble, and the device is operated. This is convenient when moving the device or handing the device to another person. Alternatively, the reset operation unit 11 may be operated for a moment after the apparatus is moved to a desired origin. As a result, the movement amount signal c is reset and becomes the origin, and the game operation can be started again without any trouble.
When the origin is changed in the configuration in which the reset signal R is given to the integrating means 8 and the speed signal b is reset, it is preferable to continue operating the reset operation unit 11. Further, when the acceleration signal a is reset by the reset signal R, it is sufficient that the acceleration signal a is short-circuited (grounded) to the common line side by the operation of the reset operation unit 11, and the same operation is also good. .

  Next, when a trigger operation unit 12 that is generally used for bullet firing or the like is operated, a close signal, for example, is output to the computer main body via the CPU 7. It should be noted that if the trigger operation unit 12 is frequently operated with bullets or the like, the movement amount signal c may be generated due to the vibration of the device, which may cause an inadvertent movement of the game character. It is desirable that the CPU 7 has a function capable of automatically firing as long as it is held (for example, keeps pressing). For example, the CPU 7 may be provided with a function of generating a cycle signal of about 5 to 50 times per second simply by continuously pressing the trigger operation unit 12.

The circuit device used to implement the present embodiment includes at least an acceleration sensor AS, an amplifying means 4 for amplifying an output signal from the acceleration sensor AS, and an A / D conversion of the output signal from the amplifying means 4. An integrated circuit device for a game control device in which the A / D conversion means 6 that performs the processing and the CPU 7 that processes the output signal from the A / D conversion means 6 are formed as a single integrated circuit device is desirable. In FIG. 1A, the threshold circuit 5 is further added and integrated, and the integrated circuit device 10 is shown in a two-dot chain line. As described above, the memory may be incorporated in the single integrated circuit device 10, or the memory may be another integrated circuit.
Note that at least the acceleration sensor AS, the amplification means 4 for amplifying the output signal from the acceleration sensor AS, and the A / D conversion means 6 for A / D converting the output signal from the amplification means 4 are provided as a single unit. Of course, it may be formed as an integrated circuit device.

  As another invention element, a game control device including at least an acceleration sensor AS and a response frequency of an acceleration signal processing system in a range of about 200 Hz or less is disclosed. In the present embodiment, for example, a filter that realizes such a characteristic is provided between the acceleration sensor AS and the amplifying unit 4, or a capacitor is connected in parallel to the feedback resistance of the amplifying unit 4 to thereby amplify the amplifying unit 4 itself. Use as a means. By doing so, the game does not respond to a relatively high frequency component of vibration generated when the device is accidentally hit or rubbed, so that it is difficult to perform inadvertent control of the game, and damping that damps the vibration The number of members can be reduced or not particularly required. This frequency range sufficiently satisfies the upper limit of acceleration at which the control device can be moved by a human hand, and game control by moving the device has no particular hindrance.

In the above example, the CPU 7 is used for digital signal processing, but analog processing as shown in FIG. In the case of analog processing, the waveform shaping means 13 is provided after the threshold means 5, and the integration means 8 and 9, the comparison means 2, and the control means 3 are provided thereafter. The switch opening / closing output of the trigger operation unit 12 is directly sent to the computer. Of course, as described above, the outputs of the control means 3 and the trigger operation unit 12 may be time-divisionally output in series via a shift register, a data selector, a multiplexer, or other appropriate means. Further, the waveform shaping means 13 may be provided in front of the A / D conversion means 6 in FIG.
FIG. 2B shows a waveform diagram of each part. The movement amount signal c is compared with the reference signal d by the comparison means 2, and the control means 3 is kept open or closed corresponding to the comparison. For example, the control means 3 is kept closed when the movement amount signal c exceeds the reference signal d, and the control means 3 is kept open when the movement amount signal c does not exceed the reference signal d. It is.
In addition, in a circuit condition in which the movement amount signal c is displaced from the zero level to the lower side (negative side) (for example, positive and negative two power supply type), another reference signal is provided on the lower side (negative side) of the zero level. In this case, the movement amount signal c is compared with two kinds of reference signals. Therefore, the determination means for determining the magnitude of the movement amount signal c includes determination means for determining the magnitude of the movement amount signal c.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of an actual use state of the present embodiment. As another inventive element, at least the acceleration sensor AS (or a movement amount signal generating means for generating a movement amount signal corresponding to the movement amount from the origin of the apparatus in free space) is provided. Disclosed is a game control device provided with a grasping portion 21 that can be grasped with one hand in shape. This control device is connected to a computer 22, and the computer 22 is connected to a display 23. In this embodiment, a game control device integrated circuit device 10 within a two-dot chain line in FIG. The power is supplied from the computer 22. In the illustrated example, it is shown that the direction of the character 24 of the display 23 can be proportionally easily controlled simply by moving the device in the X, -X, or the like direction. As long as the device is maintained in a state shifted from the origin in a certain direction, the control means 3 is kept closed, for example, so that the continuous movement control of the character 24 is also very simple.

The control device of FIG. 3 is shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4 (A), and the reset operation unit 11 that is mainly pressed with the thumb at the end of the case 20 is pressed by the belly of the index finger near the end of the side of the case 20. A trigger operation unit 12 suitable for being operated is provided. Conversely, the trigger operation unit 12 may be provided at the end of the case 20 and the reset operation unit 11 may be provided near the end of the side surface of the case 20. Further, in the same figure (B) showing the embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion including the acceleration sensor AS and the reset operation unit 11 and the trigger operation unit 12 are separated and configured by code branching, and each case 20a, It is provided in 20b, and each grasps and operates grasping parts 21a and 21b with one hand. If it carries out like this, the vibration at the time of operating the trigger operation part 12 will be hard to be transmitted to the acceleration sensor AS. Reference numerals 25a and 25b denote switch blocks.
That is, the first structural invention derived from the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4B includes a first case 20a configured to be grasped with one hand in free space, and one hand in free space. The second case 20b configured so as to be grasped by the first case 20b is provided separately, and the first case 20a and the second case 20b are limited in their maximum distance by the cord C interposed therebetween. It is nothing but a game control device characterized by being.
Next, the second structural invention derived from the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 (B) is a first case 20a which is built in an acceleration sensor AS and can be grasped with one hand in free space. And the second case 20b configured to be grasped with one hand in the free space is nothing but a game control device characterized by being provided separately.
In the second structural invention, the first case 20a and the second case 20b are characterized in that their maximum distance is limited by the cord C interposed therebetween. .
Further, as apparent from FIG. 4 (B), the maximum distance is characterized by being smaller than the distance between both hands when a person separates both hands to the maximum.

  FIG. 5 shows a remote-controlled game control device, which also includes at least an acceleration sensor AS (or a movement amount signal generating means for generating a movement amount signal corresponding to the movement amount from the origin of the apparatus in free space). No. 20 discloses a game control apparatus provided with a grasping portion 21 that is substantially elongated and can be grasped with one hand. And since it is a remote control type, a battery 26 is incorporated. FIG. 2A is a pistol type, and is provided with two types of reset operation units 11 (corresponding to resetting of the integrating means 8 and 9 respectively) and a trigger operation unit 12. In the figure (B), the bottom area is slightly increased so that it can be placed on a floor or a table. Reference numeral 11 denotes a reset operation unit, and reference numeral 12 denotes a trigger operation unit, which is suitable for being pressed by an index finger.

In the above example, the grasping parts 21, 21a, 21b that can be grasped with one hand are provided in the cases 20, 20a, 20b, and the game control can be performed by grasping the grasping parts 21, 21a in a free space and simply performing a moving operation. It is possible. Thereby, the game character can be operated in proportion to the movement operation of the grasping units 21 and 21a. That is, in order to move the game character, the device is simply moved in the desired direction.
Also, if the amount of movement to a point at which the control means 3 changes state when the game control device is moved from the origin is about 1 cm to about 5 cm on one axis (for example, the X axis, for example, the −X axis,. Good for. This is related to the value of the reference signal d and, as described above, there is no change in the state of the control means 3 with respect to a minute displacement from the origin of the device. Moderate play regarding movement is allowed, and the movement of the character does not require an extreme movement of the device, reducing arm fatigue.

Next, FIGS. 6 and 7 are reference embodiments in which the trigger operation is realized by another means, and at least an acceleration sensor AS is provided. The acceleration sensor AS is a three-dimensional acceleration sensor, and the two-dimensional acceleration of the acceleration sensor AS. The game control device uses the sensor unit AS (X, Y) for two-dimensional movement control of the character 24 and uses the remaining one-dimensional acceleration sensor unit (Z) for trigger control of the character 24. That is, an acceleration signal is generated in the one-dimensional acceleration sensor unit (Z) simply by grasping the grasping unit 21 and displacing it by a predetermined amount in the depth direction of the double-headed arrow 27 (although it may be forward), the same function as described above. The state of the control means changes through the means, and a trigger signal (for example, a closing signal) is output from the CPU 7. In this way, the character 24 can be easily triggered by the movement operation in the depth direction of the apparatus, and by this trigger operation, for example, the bullet 28 is fired from the character 24 as shown in the figure (the apparatus is maintained in the state in which the apparatus is moved in the depth direction). Thus, the CPU 7 can also have a continuous fire function having a function of generating a cycle signal of about 5 to 50 times per second.
In order to move the character 24, it is only necessary to move the device in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. The acceleration signal generated in the two-dimensional acceleration sensor unit AS (X, Y) is processed to change the state of the control means. Bring. The reset operation unit 11 is the same as that in the above-described embodiment.
In other words, in other words, a movement amount signal generating means for generating a movement amount signal corresponding to the movement amount from the origin of the apparatus at least in free space is provided, and the movement amount signal generating means is a three-dimensional movement amount signal generating means. The two-dimensional movement amount signal generation means (X, Y) of the movement amount signal generation means is used for two-dimensional movement control of the character 24, and the remaining one-dimensional movement amount signal generation means (Z) is used as the character 24. It may be used for trigger control.

  Next, FIG. 8 shows a reference embodiment of still another control device, and at least the acceleration sensor AS (or a movement amount signal generating means for generating a movement amount signal corresponding to the movement amount from the origin of the apparatus in free space). The case 20 is provided with a grasping portion 21 that is substantially elongated and can be grasped with one hand, and an operation surface 29 provided on the upper end side thereof is, for example, a push button type that can be operated with a finger of another hand. Various configured trigger operation units 12 (for example, jumping a character, taking an item, utilizing an item taken, firing a bullet, interrupting a game, starting a game, etc. The game control device provided with the reset operation unit 11 is disclosed. Also in this reference embodiment, the game control device integrated circuit device 10 within the chain double-dashed line in FIG. Moreover, the microphone 30 may be provided in the operation surface 29, for example, and various direction operation or trigger operation may be enabled by voice recognition. In addition, the bottom area of the lower end side of the grasping part 21 is made large so that it can be placed on the floor or table without falling down. And it is the same as that of other embodiment that a character can be easily direction-controlled by moving an apparatus to directions, such as X and -X.

  FIG. 9 shows still another reference embodiment, which includes at least an acceleration sensor AS (or a movement amount signal generating means for generating a movement amount signal corresponding to the movement amount from the origin of the apparatus in free space). 20 is provided with a grasping portion 21 that is substantially elongated and can be grasped with one hand, and on the top and side thereof, various trigger operations configured by push buttons so that the grasping portion 21 can be operated with each finger. A game control device provided with a section 12 is disclosed. Also in this reference embodiment, the game control device integrated circuit device 10 is provided in the case 20. In addition, the bottom area of the lower end side of the grasping part 21 is made large so that it can be placed on the floor or table without falling down. Further, as shown in the drawing, a part of the trigger operation unit 12 such as a game start / interrupt function and a select function, and the reset operation unit 11 may be provided in the wide portion on the bottom side. And it is the same as that of other embodiment that a character can be easily direction-controlled by moving an apparatus to directions, such as X and -X.

  (A) Circuit block diagram showing a reference embodiment, (B) Functional block diagram   (A) Circuit block diagram showing another reference embodiment, (B) Waveform diagram of each part   External perspective view showing an example of an actual use state of the reference embodiment   (A) External perspective view showing the control device of FIG. 3 in an enlarged manner, (B) External perspective view showing an embodiment according to the present invention.   (A) Appearance perspective view showing another reference embodiment, (B) Appearance perspective view showing still another reference embodiment   Circuit block diagram showing another reference embodiment   External appearance perspective view which shows the example of an actual use condition by reference embodiment of FIG.   External perspective view showing still another reference embodiment   (A) Appearance perspective view showing still another reference embodiment, (B) Plan view

Explanation of symbols

20a first case 20b second case C code AS acceleration sensor

Claims (4)

  A first case configured to be grasped with one hand in free space and a second case configured to be grasped with one hand in free space are provided separately, the first case and the second case Is a game control device characterized in that a maximum interval between them is limited by a code interposed between them.   A feature is that the first case, which has a built-in acceleration sensor and can be grasped with one hand in free space, and the second case, which is structured to be grasped with one hand in free space, are provided separately. Game control device to play.   3. The game control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a maximum interval between the first case and the second case is limited by a code interposed therebetween.   4. The game control device according to claim 1, wherein the maximum interval is smaller than an interval between both hands when a person separates both hands to the maximum.

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