JP2000294076A - Sheet-shaped foot switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent slipping on a sheet surface when stepping on for a player or slipping and falling on it, by providing a non-slip means in a region where at least push switch is placed on the surface of a sheet body that is a part of a surface and making the top layer. SOLUTION: A foot switch device 200 comprises a foot switch portion 210 of a thin layer having a quadrangular shape and a thick mat portion 220 in a quadrangular shape placed under it. The foot switch portion 210 has a six- layer structure comprising, from upside to downside, a first sheet 211 comprising EMMA made transparent body, a printed second sheet 212 made of soft PVC, a third sheet 213 where carbon is applied to the entire rear surface made of soft PVC, a fourth sheet 214 made of urethane, a fifth sheet 215 where carbon is applied to an adequate position on a PET made surface, and a sixth sheet 216 made of EVA. In addition, parallel linear grooves (non-slip means) are formed one side of diagonal lines of the foot switch portion 210.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an internal arrangement of a push switch having a predetermined surface shape and capable of detecting a stepping operation in at least one of a plurality of regions formed by dividing the surface shape. The present invention is particularly suitable for a sheet-shaped foot switch capable of detecting a step operation of a game apparatus in which a player guides a step (foot movement) or the like to perform a dance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A home mat switch for inputting a plurality of data to a device and operating an image terminal connected to the device is known (Japanese Patent No. 2816837). This mat switch is a sheet-like foot switch in which a plurality of push switches capable of detecting a stepping operation of a user are internally provided, and specifically, a switch area provided for inputting a plurality of data to a device. , An upper electrode sheet, a spacer, and a lower electrode sheet are sequentially laminated, and a switch operation is performed by a user performing an operation of stepping on a switch area.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned mat switch, no measures are taken to prevent the user from stepping on the surface on which the user performs the stepping operation, so that the user may slip when performing the stepping operation. Was.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet-like foot switch whose surface is provided with slip prevention measures.

[0005]

A sheet-like foot switch according to the present invention has a predetermined surface shape, and performs a stepping operation on at least one of a plurality of regions formed by dividing the surface shape. It is a sheet-like foot switch in which a detectable push switch is internally disposed, and forms a part of the surface shape,
A non-slip means is provided on at least a region where the press switch is arranged on the surface of the uppermost sheet. According to the present invention, the non-slip means provided at least for the area where the pressing switch is disposed on the surface of the uppermost sheet body causes the player or the like to slide on the sheet surface at the time of the stepping operation or to slip over and fall down. Can be prevented. Therefore, the player or the like can reliably perform the switch operation by performing the operation of stepping on the area on the surface of the sheet member where the pressing switch is arranged.

[0006]

FIG. 1 is an overall external view of a home game machine to which the present invention is applied. The game machine includes a game machine main body 100, a controller 22 connected to the game machine main body 100, and for inputting various instructions of a player;
A foot switch device 200 connected to the game machine body 100 for detecting a step operation of the player in the dance game, and a television monitor (hereinafter, referred to as “monitor”) connected to the game body 100 and displaying a screen of the dance game. The game machine body 100 includes a cassette type recording medium 30 in which program data of a dance game and the like are recorded.
It is removable. Note that, here, the footswitch device 200 is connected to one of the interfaces 20 and 20a for the controller 22 described later on the game machine body 100 (FIG. 2), but two controllers 22 are connected. Has interfaces 20, 2
0a can also be connected to the controller 22. In that case, the foot switch device 200 may be connected to another interface 4 of the game machine main body 100, which will be described later (FIG. 2).

FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram showing an example of a game system using the game machine. The game machine main body 100 of the game system includes a CPU 1, a bus 2 including an address, data, and control bus connected to the CPU 1, and each component connected to the bus 2.

The bus 2 includes a graphics data generation processor 3, an interface circuit 4, a main memory 5, a ROM 6, a decompression circuit 7, a parallel port 8, a serial port 9, a drawing processor 10, and a buffer 1.
1, audio processor 13 and buffer 14, decoder 17 and buffer 18, interface circuit 20,
20a and memories 21 and 21a are connected.

A television monitor 12 is connected to the drawing processor 10, a speaker 16 is connected to the audio processor 13 via an amplifier circuit 15, a recording medium driver 19 is connected to a decoder 17, and an interface circuit 20 is connected to the interface circuit 20. , The memory 21 and the controller 22 are connected to each other.
a and the foot switch device 200 are connected.

[0010] Here, the form of the above-mentioned game system differs depending on the use. That is, the game machine body 100
In the case where the monitor 12 is configured for home use as described above, the monitor 12 and the speaker 16 are separate from the game machine body. On the other hand, when the game system is configured for business use, all the components shown in FIG. 2 are housed in one integrated housing.

In the case where the game system is configured with a personal computer or a workstation as a core, the monitor 12 corresponds to a display for a computer, and includes a drawing processor 10, an audio processor 13, and a decompression circuit 7. Correspond to a part of the program data recorded on the recording medium 30 or hardware on an expansion board mounted on an expansion slot of the computer, respectively. The interface circuit 4, the parallel port 8, the serial port 9 and the interface circuit 20 Corresponds to the hardware on the expansion board mounted in the expansion slot of the computer. The buffers 11, 14, and 18 respectively correspond to areas of the main memory 5 or an extended memory (not shown).

In the present embodiment, a case will be described as an example where the game system is configured for home use as described above.

(Example of Configuration of Home Game System) Each component shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The graphics data generation processor 3 plays a role as a so-called coprocessor of the CPU 1. That is, the graphics data generation processor 3 performs coordinate conversion and light source calculation, for example, calculation of matrices and vectors in a fixed-point format by parallel processing. The main processing of the graphics data generation processor 3 is based on the coordinate data of each vertex in the two-dimensional or three-dimensional plane of the image data supplied from the CPU 1, the movement amount data, and the rotation amount data. The processing includes obtaining an address on the display area of the target image and returning the address data to the CPU 1 again, and calculating the luminance of the image according to a distance from a light source that is virtually set.

The interface circuit 4 is for an interface of a peripheral device, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball. The ROM 6 stores program data as an operating system of the game system. Speaking of personal computers, BIOS (Basic Input Output Syst
em).

The decompression circuit 7 provides an MPEG (Mov)
ing Picture Engineering Group) and JP for still images
Decompression processing is performed on a compressed image that has been compressed by intra-coding according to the EG (Joint Picture Engineering Group). Decompression processing is decoding processing (VLC: Variab
le Length Code), inverse quantization, IDCT (Inverse Discrete Cosin
e Transform) processing, intra-image restoration processing, and the like.

The drawing processor 10 performs a drawing process on the buffer 11 based on a drawing command issued by the CPU 1.

The buffer 11 has a display area and a non-display area. The display area is an area for developing data to be displayed on the display surface of the monitor 12.

In the present embodiment, the non-display area is
This is a storage area for texture data, color pallet data, and the like, in addition to data defining a skeleton, model data defining a polygon, animation data for causing a model to move, and pattern data indicating the contents of each animation.

Here, the texture data is two-dimensional image data. The color pallet data is data for specifying a color such as texture data. These data are recorded in the non-display area of the buffer 11 by the CPU 1 once from the recording medium 30 or divided into a plurality of times according to the progress of the game.

The drawing commands include a drawing command for drawing a three-dimensional image using polygons and a drawing command for drawing a normal two-dimensional image. Here, the polygon is a two-dimensional image of a polygon, and in the present embodiment, a triangle or a quadrangle is used.

A drawing command for drawing a three-dimensional image using polygons includes polygon vertex address data on the display area of the buffer 11 and texture address data indicating the storage position on the buffer 11 of the texture data to be attached to the polygon. , Color pallet address data indicating the storage position of the color pallet data indicating the color of the texture data on the buffer 11, and luminance data indicating the luminance of the texture.

Among these data, the polygon vertex address data on the display area is used by the graphics data generation processor 3 to convert the polygon vertex coordinate data in the three-dimensional space from the CPU 1 into the movement amount data and rotation amount of the screen itself. By performing coordinate transformation based on the data, 2
This is replaced with polygon vertex coordinate data on the dimension. The luminance data is determined by the graphics data generation processor 3 from the position indicated by the polygon vertex coordinate data after the coordinate conversion from the CPU 1 based on the distance between the light sources virtually arranged.

The polygon vertex address data indicates an address on the display area of the buffer 11, and the drawing processor 10 determines the texture corresponding to the range of the display area of the buffer 11 indicated by three or four polygon vertex address data. Write data.

One object is composed of many polygons. The CPU 1 stores the coordinate data of each polygon in the three-dimensional space in the buffer 11 in association with the corresponding skeleton vector data. When the character is moved on the display surface by the operation of the controller 22,
In other words, when expressing the movement of the character itself, or when changing the viewpoint position at which the character is viewed, the following processing is performed.

That is, the CPU 1 sends the graphics data generation processor 3 the three-dimensional coordinate data of the vertices of each polygon held in the non-display area of the buffer 11, the coordinates of the skeleton, and the data of the rotation amount. The obtained movement amount data and rotation amount data of each polygon are given.

Graphics data generation processor 3
Calculates sequentially three-dimensional coordinate data after movement and rotation of each polygon based on the three-dimensional coordinate data of the vertices of each polygon and the movement amount data and rotation amount data of each polygon.

The 3 of each polygon thus determined
Of the dimensional coordinate data, the horizontal and vertical coordinate data are supplied to the rendering processor 10 as address data on the display area of the buffer 11, that is, polygon vertex address data.

The drawing processor 10 displays a triangular or quadrangular display area of the buffer 11 indicated by three or four polygon vertex address data.
The texture data indicated by the previously assigned texture address data is written. As a result, on the display surface of the monitor 12, an object in which texture data is pasted on a large number of polygons is displayed.

A drawing command for drawing a normal two-dimensional image includes vertex address data, texture address data, color palette address data indicating a storage position on the buffer 11 of the color palette data indicating the color of the texture data, and texture data. And luminance data indicating luminance. Of these data, the vertex address data is transmitted to the graphics data generation processor 3 by the CP.
The vertex coordinate data on the two-dimensional plane from U1 is CP
Based on the movement amount data and rotation amount data from U1,
This is coordinate data obtained by performing coordinate conversion.

The audio processor 13 includes a recording medium 30
The ADPCM data read from the buffer 14 is described in the buffer 14, and the ADPCM data stored in the buffer 14 is used as a sound source. Then, the audio processing processor 13
The DPCM data is read with a clock having a frequency of, for example, 44.1 KHz.

Then, the audio processor 13 performs processing such as pitch conversion, noise addition, envelope setting, level setting, and reverb addition on the ADPCM data read from the buffer 14.

The audio data read from the recording medium 30 is a PCM such as a CD-DA (Compact Disk Digital Audio).
In the case of data, it is converted into ADPCM data by the audio processor 13.

The processing of the PCM data by the program data is performed directly on the main memory 5. The PCM data processed on the main memory 5 is supplied to the audio processor 13 and converted into ADPCM data, subjected to the above-described various processes, and output from the speaker 16 as audio.

The recording medium driver 19 is, for example, a CD-R
OM drive, hard disk drive, optical disk drive, flexible disk drive, silicon disk drive, cassette medium reader, and the like.

The recording medium 30 is, for example, a CD-ROM, hard disk, optical disk, flexible disk, semiconductor memory, or the like.

The recording medium driver 19 reads out image, sound, and program data from the recording medium 30 and supplies the read data to the decoder 17. Decoder 17
Indicates that the reproduced data from the recording medium driver 19 is E
An error correction process using a CC (Error Correction Code) is performed, and the data subjected to the error correction process is supplied to the main memory 5 or the audio processor 13.

The memories 21 and 21a are, for example, a holder and a card type memory. The card type memory is for holding various game parameters, for example, for holding the state at the time of termination.

The controller 22 includes a first left button 22L1, a second left button 22L2, a first right button 22R1, and a second right button 22R as externally operable operating means.
2. Up key 22U, down key 22D, left key 22L, right key 22R, start button 22a, select button 22b, first button 22c, second button 2
2d, a third button 22e and a fourth button 22f,
It is operated by the player. Up key 22U, down key 22D, left key 22L, and right key 2
In 2R, the player gives the CPU 1 a command to move the character on the screen, for example, up, down, left, and right. The start button 22a is for the player to instruct the CPU 1 to start the game program data loaded from the recording medium 30. The select button 22b is used by the player to instruct the CPU 1 to make various selections regarding game program data loaded from the recording medium 30 to the main memory 5. The functions of the first left button 22L1, the second left button 22L2, the first right button 22R1, and the second right button 22R2 differ depending on the game program data loaded from the recording medium 30.

The foot switch device 200 is an operation means that can be operated from the outside similarly to the controller 22, and is operated by a player performing a stepping operation (step operation) thereon. Hereinafter, a configuration example of the foot switch device will be described.

(Structural Example of Foot Switch Device) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the foot switch device 200 is a thin-layer foot switch portion (sheet-like foot switch) 210 having a square shape (predetermined surface shape). And a thick mat portion 220 of the same quadrangular shape, for example, laid thereunder. Except for a start button and a select button area (not shown) arranged on both left and right sides of an electrode assembly 217a described later, the foot switch section 210 has a 3 × 3 area (hereinafter referred to as a “square”) in the square shape. ), And a home position, which is the area where the player stands first, is arranged in the center square, and the front, rear, left, and right squares of the center square (areas on both sides in the vertical direction as viewed from the home position) A foot switch (press switch) capable of detecting a stepping operation is internally provided in a region on both sides in the lateral direction), and a transparent member made of EMMA (ethylene-methyl-methacrylate) is provided from top to bottom. 1 sheet (sheet body) 211, a printed second sheet 212 made of flexible PVC, a third sheet coated with carbon on the entire back surface made of flexible PVC 13, No. 4 made of urethane
, A fifth sheet 215 coated with carbon at appropriate positions on the surface made of PET, and a sixth sheet 216 made of EVA. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the six-layered sheets is fixed with a polyester tape 218 at its peripheral portion so as not to be shifted from each other to form the foot switch section 210. In addition, each material is an example, and any material may be used as long as it has the same properties.

Of the above sheets, the first sheet 211
Since the player steps directly on the player, durability is required, and a device devised against slippage in order to ensure a preferable stepping action by the player is employed. In the present embodiment, the first sheet 211 is made of the above-described EMMA, which is a material that is unlikely to cause slippage, and the sheet surface is subjected to, for example, shallow groove processing over the entire surface. For example, a groove is formed by a hot roller, a press or cutting. As the groove pattern, a pattern of linear grooves (non-slip means) 211a, 211a,... Parallel to one of the diagonal lines of the foot switch section 210 is formed as shown in FIG. In this manner, the diagonal direction is changed in the dance game, as described later, by changing the stepping position on the front, rear, left and right squares with respect to the center square which is the home position. This is because the formation of the straight groove may cause the player to slip when performing a stepping-out operation parallel to the groove. By forming the direction of this straight groove parallel to one of the diagonal lines of the foot switch unit 210, the front and rear and left and right directions intersect with the stepping-out direction of the foot, so that a non-slip component exists. It will be. In addition, you may form in parallel to both of a diagonal line. Further, from the viewpoint of the slip prevention effect, for example, the groove pitch is preferably about 2 mm and the groove depth is about 0.02 mm, and the groove cross section is preferably wedge-shaped or rectangular.

The second sheet 212 is printed via the transparent first sheet 211 so that the position of the foot switch (press switch) can be recognized. For example, arrow marks (→, ←, ↑, ↓) indicating directions from the center are printed at the positions of the front, rear, left and right foot switches with respect to the center. By performing printing on the second sheet 212, it is possible to prevent the print content from being erased even when the player repeatedly performs the stepping operation.

Carbon is applied to the entire back surface of the third sheet 213, and this carbon forms the common electrode 213a of the foot switch. Carbon is suitable as an electrode of a foot switch because it can be coated with a thin film and has excellent conductivity and pressure resistance.

The fourth sheet 214 is used as a spacer which can be elastically deformed until its thickness becomes almost zero when the player steps on the player. And a plurality of small holes 214a, 214a,
Are dispersedly provided so as to correspond to at least one or more of the back surface of the human foot. The fifth sheet 215 is coated with carbon in a part of the surface, that is, in the individual squares at the front, rear, left, and right with respect to the center, and the carbon forms the individual electrodes 215a to 215d of the foot switch. When the player steps on the fourth seat 2
The common electrode 213a of the third sheet 213 is electrically connected to at least one of the individual electrodes 215a to 215d of the fifth sheet 215 through the fourteen small holes 214a, 214a,. Small holes 214a, 21
The size of 4a,... Is set to such a size as not to be crushed and completely closed at the time of the stepping action of the player, for example, about 10 mm in diameter. Note that the positions of the small holes 214a, 214a,... May be dispersed so as to be uniform over the entire surface of the fourth sheet 214, depending on processing convenience. Thus, the common electrode 213a of the third sheet 213, the individual electrode 215a of the fourth sheet 214 and the fifth sheet 215
215d, foot switches are respectively formed at square positions corresponding to the four printed arrows.

The sixth sheet 216 is made of EVA as a material to withstand repetition of the player's stepping action and to have appropriate hardness to prevent plastic deformation of the foot switch. Further, a front electrode assembly for electrically connecting the common electrode 213a of the third sheet 213 and the four individual electrodes 215a to 215d of the fifth sheet 215 to the interface 20a of the game machine main body 100. The wiring is patterned and printed up to 217a, and the electrode assembly 217a has an electric wire cable 217b.
Is connected. At the tip of the electrode assembly 217a, FIG.
Is provided with a connection terminal portion 217c detachable from the interface 20a shown in FIG.

It should be noted that a game selection switch (press switch) can be additionally provided in addition to the above four foot switches. In that case, the game selection switch is provided in a portion where the foot switch is not provided, for example, in two squares diagonally forward with respect to the center of the foot switch portion 210. Then, an appropriate mark (for example, a circle and a cross) indicating the position of the game selection switch is printed on the second sheet 212 at that position, and a small hole 214 is formed on the fourth sheet 214.
are provided, and individual electrodes 215e and 215f are formed on the fifth sheet 215. Two game selection switches are formed by the individual electrodes 215e and 215f and the common electrode 213a of the third sheet 213.

The mat section 220 is composed of nine (3 × 3) rectangular mat pieces (mat sections) each slightly larger than the heel of the player's foot. As shown in FIG. 7, mat pieces 222 to 225 corresponding to the positions where the foot switches are formed are arranged in front, rear, left and right with a center piece 221 as one of the mat pieces as a center, and four mat pieces 226 to 225 in the remaining portion. 229 are arranged, and each is engaged via an engagement portion formed of an inverted wedge-shaped projection and a groove.

As shown in FIG. 8, the center piece 221 is formed such that only one of the four sides has an engaging portion 221a different from the engaging portions 221b to 221c of the other three sides. This is because, among the four mat pieces 222 to 225 directly engaged with the center piece 221, the shape of the mat piece 222 arranged at the front is different from the other. That is, the mat piece 222 needs to be formed slightly longer by the amount of the electrode assembly 217a as described above, while the other mat pieces 223 are formed.
225 are the same shape, so that there is no problem even if the shape of the engaging portion is the same, sharing can be achieved, thereby facilitating the assembling work. Specifically, the engaging portion 221
The shape of the combination of the inverted wedge-shaped projection and groove shown in FIG. 7A is inverted from that of the other engagement portions 221b to 221d. The size of the protrusions and the grooves is determined to be appropriate so as to have strength enough to withstand repeated steps of the player.

Each of the mat pieces 221 to 229 is made of resin in order to obtain a soundproofing effect. Of these, the mat pieces 222 to 225 facing the foot switch are used.
Is made of a relatively soft sponge, polyethylene or the like. On the other hand, other mat pieces 226-
229 is made of relatively hard material such as EVA. By making each mat have a hardness difference depending on whether it is facing the foot switch or not, the player himself sinks into the mat to some extent when stepping on the grid position of the foot switch, but when stepping on other grid positions Because of the difference in the feeling that the foot switch does not sink, the user can easily recognize whether or not the foot switch is at the cell position without having to check the foot step by step during the game. The hardness difference can be realized not only by the material but also by surface processing or shape. For example, a substantial number of hemispherical convex bodies may be formed on the surface to give a foot a foreign-body sensation, thereby giving a substantial sense of hardness.

The foot switch section 210 is provided on the mat section 2
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, four points are fixed on the upper surface of the pad 20 by hook-and-loop fasteners 230 to prevent the two from shifting during the game. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, the foot switch section 210 is attached to the upper surface of the mat section 220 by the hook-and-loop fastener 2.
30 and the other transparent sheet 240
, So that the displacement between the two hardly occurs. In this case, it is desirable that the mat section 220 be of an integral type in terms of manufacturing. However, even if it is a split type, it is possible to make it possible to engage the wrapped one as a unit. Further, a groove for preventing slip is formed on the surface of the sheet 240.

(Schematic Operation of Home Game System) Next, the schematic operation of the game system will be described with reference to FIG. A power switch (not shown) is turned on, and power is supplied to the game system. At this time, if the recording medium 30 is loaded in the recording medium driver 19,
The CPU 1 instructs the recording medium driver 19 to read out program data from the recording medium 30 based on the operating system stored in the ROM 6. As a result, the recording medium driver 19 allows the recording medium 3
From 0, image, sound and program data are read.

The read image, sound and program data are supplied to a decoder 17 where an error correction process is performed. The image data on which the error correction processing has been performed in the decoder 17 is supplied to the expansion circuit 7 via the bus 2, and after being subjected to the above-described expansion processing,
The data is supplied to the drawing processor 10, and is written in the non-display area of the buffer 11 by the drawing processor 10.

The audio data that has been subjected to the error correction processing in the decoder 17 is supplied to the main memory 5 or the audio processor 13 and written into the main memory 5 or the buffer 14.

The program data subjected to the error correction processing in the decoder 17 is supplied to the main memory 5 and written into the main memory 5. Hereafter, C
The PU 1 proceeds with the game based on the game program data stored in the main memory 5 and the content specified by the player via the controller 22 and the foot switch device 200. That is, the CPU 1 appropriately controls the image processing, the audio processing, and the internal processing based on the content of the instruction from the player via the controller 22 and the foot switch device 200.

In the present embodiment, the control of the image processing means the calculation of the coordinates of each skeleton, the calculation of the vertex coordinate data of the polygon, and the obtained three-dimensional coordinates from the pattern data corresponding to the animation designated by the character. Graphics data generation processor 3 for data and viewpoint position data
, And issuance of a drawing command including address data and luminance data on the display area of the buffer 11 obtained by the graphics data generation processor 3.

The control of the audio processing is to issue an audio output command to the audio processor 13 and to designate the level, reverb and the like. The control of the internal processing is, for example, an operation or the like in accordance with an operation of the controller 22.

(Function of Game System) FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the main part of FIG. The control unit viewed from the functional aspect of the present game system comprehensively controls the operation control of the game system. The control unit includes a song name selection unit 103, a performance data memory 104, a step position instruction data memory 105, a deviation amount detection / integration unit 106
Rhythm setting unit 107, dance image memory 108
, Dance setting section 109, scroll display control section 11
0, a mark memory 111, and a stepping operation monitoring unit 112.
6, connected to the controller 22 and the foot switch device 200.

The music title selection section 103 receives the instruction signal from the controller 22 and the foot switch device 200 and executes a corresponding music title selection process. The music data memory 104 stores music data for each music piece, that is, music data of each music piece in association with the music piece name, and receives the selection signal from the music piece name selection section 103 to store the music piece data specified by the music piece. The signals are sequentially output to the speaker 16.

The step position indicating data memory 105 stores step position indicating data corresponding to a rhythm such as the number of beats (for example, 4 beats or 8 beats) as shown in FIG.
Many are stored in a table format according to the degree of difficulty. In addition to the number of beats, a table for storing the step position instruction data is prepared for different rhythms of the same number of beats, for example, for the number of music types of a song or the number corresponding to each song. In the case of four beats, each step position instruction data is constituted by one set data of four time-series instruction contents, and in the case of eight beats, each step position instruction data is constituted by one set data of eight time-series instruction contents. Is configured.
One set of data is written in each area of the table of FIG. In terms of rhythm, in the case of four beats, for example, various ones are prepared such that all four beats have the same interval, the first two beats are short, and the last two beats are late. It is preferable that a plurality of types of step position instruction data having the same difficulty level is prepared. Then, a table corresponding to the music specified by the music name selection unit 103 is selected. In the present embodiment, one set of data in the selected table is output to the speaker 16.

The deviation amount detection / integration unit 106 measures the deviation amount from the instruction of the stepping operation and the result of the actual stepping operation, and in this embodiment, measures the timing deviation between the two with an internal timer or the like, and obtains one set of data. This is for calculating an integrated deviation amount with respect to minute step position instruction data. Rhythm setting unit 107
In accordance with the integration result from the deviation amount detection / integration unit 106 with respect to the first tread position instruction data, as described later, only one rank is set with respect to the one set data set two times before the third set and the subsequent set data. The evaluation for level up or level down is performed, and the result is output as a setting signal. The rhythm setting unit 10
7 is also output to the dance setting unit 109.

The dance image memory 108 stores a dance image displayed on the display surface of the monitor 12 every minute corresponding to one set data, and is a table for storing a dance image corresponding to a song title or a rhythm. have. As shown in FIG. 12B, a plurality of dance images of each table are stored according to the degree of difficulty. Further, it is preferable that a plurality of types of dance images having the same difficulty level are prepared. The dance setting unit 109 includes the rhythm setting unit 1
In response to the setting signal corresponding to the degree of difficulty from 07, the dance images for the third and subsequent set data are read out from the selected table.

The scroll display control unit 110 controls the monitor 1
2 for scroll display on the display surface of No. 2. The step position instruction data set by the rhythm setting unit 107 and read from the step position instruction data memory 105 for one set of data is replaced with image data (hereinafter referred to as a step position instruction mark) and temporarily stored in the mark memory 111. It is taken in. In this mark memory 111,
In the scroll display, two consecutive sets of data are written so that the image of the step position indication mark can always be displayed on the display surface of the monitor 12 without interruption. The scroll display control unit 110 sequentially writes the tread position indicating mark from the mark memory 111 as a scroll image in the buffer 11 (FIG. 2) so as to shift the read address at predetermined time intervals. In this way, in addition to the dance image which is not scrolled, the scrolling step position indicating mark is sequentially transferred to the buffer 11, and the contents of the buffer 11 are repeatedly repeated at a cycle of 1/60 second or the like by a known display scanning means. While being read out and displayed, a step position indication mark is scroll-displayed on the display surface of the monitor 12 and a dance image is displayed as a moving image as a background image.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the display screen of the monitor 12 (in the form of one set of data for four beats). In FIG. 13, the player plays a game on the footswitch device 200 and the dance image D is displayed. The background and the tread position indication marks M1 to M4 that sequentially scroll downward from the upper part of the screen at a predetermined speed are displayed in the order of M1, M4, M2, and M3. Still marks S1 to S4 indicating lower left, upper right and right marks displayed at the lower end of the display surface are used to give a timing instruction, and a state in which the scrolled mark M completely overlaps (coincides with) the still mark S is a stepping operation. Guide the timing. At the timing when the mark M completely overlaps the still mark S, the display brightness or the display color of the still mark S is temporarily changed to clearly indicate the coincidence of the timing. In this embodiment, the marks M1 to M4 are marks M1 of a left-pointing arrow,
c, the mark M2 of the downward arrow is the foot switch 200
b, the upward arrow mark M3 is the foot switch 200
a, Right arrow mark M4 is foot switch 200d
Respectively. In the figure, the difficulty level of the dance image is relatively low.

The step operation monitoring unit 112 includes four foot switches 200 a to 200
This is to detect whether or not 200d has changed from off to on. The stepping action monitoring unit 112 processes the on points of the four foot switches 200a to 200d which are first turned on as detection data, and detects the on state of each foot switch in an identifiable manner.

(Game Operation) Next, the game operation of the present game system will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIG. 14 and FIGS.

FIG. 15 shows a main flowchart of the game operation. First, when it is detected that the start button 22a of the controller 22 is turned on, a song name selection screen is displayed on the screen of the monitor 12 (step ST3). On this screen, for example, song names are displayed vertically and horizontally in a list, and when a desired song is selected from among them using the up key 22U or the like of the controller 22 or the game selection switch 200e of the foot switch device 200, the song title selection section is displayed. 10
3 reads out the performance data corresponding to the selected music title from the performance data memory 104, temporarily stores it in the buffer 14 (FIG. 2), and outputs it to the speaker 16 (step ST5). When the intro performance is started, a table having a rhythm of the number of beats corresponding to the selected music is designated from the step position indication data memory 105, and further a predetermined position of the table is set as the first two sets of data. For example, the step position instruction data having an intermediate level of difficulty is set, and the dance setting unit 109 sets a dance image of difficulty according to the rhythm and the difficulty of the set step position instruction data. (Step S
T7).

When one set of the first two sets of the step position indicating data is set, one set of the set data is overlaid on the background dance image D as shown in FIG. Display surface 3 as position indicating mark M
1 is scrolled up (step ST9). When the scroll display of each step position indication mark starts, a monitoring process is performed by the shift amount detection / integration unit 107 (step ST11). The monitoring process is performed in units of one set of data (step ST13). When a monitoring result for one set of data is transmitted to the rhythm setting unit 107, the rhythm setting unit 107 performs an evaluation based on the monitoring result (step S13).
T15).

Then, in response to the evaluation result, the next one set of data (that is, the third one set of data that is evaluated based on the monitoring result of the first one set of data) is set, and the set one is set. The dance image D corresponding to the set data is set (step ST17,
19). That is, the step position indicating mark for one set of data to be evaluated has already been scrolled out of the display surface 31, and the step position indicating mark based on the next one set of data is being scrolled displayed on the display surface 31. Therefore, one set of data set based on the evaluation result is set with one delay.

Next, it is determined whether or not the game has ended, that is, whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the game, whether or not the performance of the selected music has ended, or whether or not a predetermined dance evaluation has been maintained at a certain level or higher. Is determined (step ST21). If the dance has not ended, the process returns to step ST9, where dance image D on display surface 31 is displayed.
The display of the step position indication mark M is continued, and the processing of steps ST9 to ST19 is sequentially repeated for each set data.

When it is determined that the game is over, the evaluation result for the dance of the player, which is the final content of the rhythm setting section 107, is displayed on the display surface 31 (step ST2).
3) The player is notified.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the "monitoring process" in step ST11. In the figure, a variable i indicating the number of beats of one set of data is set to 1 (step ST31). The ON signal from 200d (FIG. 11) is detected, and ± time deviation from the actual stepping time with respect to the time when the mark M completely overlaps the stationary mark S is measured as deviation time data (step ST33).
In this measurement, the cycle of one beat is set by dividing the cycle by ± １ ／ cycle in the time direction (stroke direction of the mark M) with respect to the stationary mark S, and the mark M is stationary during the divided period. This is performed by measuring a time difference between the time point when the mark completely overlaps the mark S and the detected actual stepping time point. Since the time when the mark M completely matches the stationary mark S is obtained from the calculation for one beat, the on-state input from the stepping operation monitoring unit 111 on the condition that the corresponding stepping unit 13 is stepped on is set. Time lag data is obtained from the signal detection time. When the wrong footswitches 200a to 200d are stepped on, it may be treated as not being stepped on, or may be given a stricter negative evaluation, for example. Alternatively, the number of erroneous steps may be counted, and the game may be forcibly terminated when the number of steps reaches a predetermined number.

Then, the interval between the timing shifted by １ ／ cycle and the timing when both marks M and S completely overlap is represented by, for example, converted into 0 to 100 points (step ST35). For example, if an actual stepping action is performed at a time point shifted by 周期 cycle in any of the ± directions, 0 point is obtained.
If the actual stepping operation is performed when both marks M and S completely overlap, 100 points are given.

When the conversion of the score of the shift time data to the mark M for one beat is completed, the variable i is incremented by 1 (step ST37), and it is determined whether or not the variable i is less than a predetermined number K (step ST37). ST39). The predetermined number K is 5 when one set data includes four beats,
When one set data consists of 8 beats, the value 9 is
The setting is made in accordance with the number of beats of the table selected in the step position indicating data memory 105. If the variable i is less than 5 as one set of data for four beats, step S
Returning to T33, a score is obtained for the next mark M in the same manner as described above. When the variable i becomes 5 (YES in step ST39), points for four beats have been obtained. Therefore, each score in the variables i = 1 to 4 is multiplied by a weighting coefficient to evaluate one set of data. (Step ST41). For example, since it is more difficult to take a rhythm on the second and fourth beats than on the first and third beats, the weighting factor is 12.5% for those scores on the first and third beats. 25 for the second beat
Multiplied by 50% for the fourth beat and 10%
A score out of 0 is scored. The weighting coefficient when one set of data is composed of eight beats may be appropriately allocated so as to be 100% as a whole. Further, a desired value can be set as the weighting coefficient, or the weighting coefficient is uniformly set to 25.
% (4 beats) or 12.5% (8 beats).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the "evaluation process" in step ST15. In the figure, for the score obtained in step ST41,
It is determined whether it is large, medium, or small. Large is when the score is 80 to 100, medium is when the score is 21 to 79, and small is when the score is 0 to 20.

If the score is 20 points, one set data to be set next is set with the difficulty lowered by one rank from the current rank (step ST53). The dance image D to be set is set so that the difficulty level is reduced by one rank from the current rank (step ST55). If the score is between 21 and 79, the data of the same rank as the current rank is set as the one set data to be set next (step ST57), and the dance image D to be set next is set.
Is set to the same difficulty as the current rank (step ST59). In both the step position instruction data table and the dance image D table, a plurality of types of data are stored for the same difficulty level. In the same rank data setting, different types of data are used. What is necessary is just to set it. For example, the degree of difficulty may be changed in the direction of the difficulty shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B within the range of the data of the same rank, or may be set randomly from within the same rank. On the other hand, if the score is 80 to 100 points, one set data to be set next is set with the difficulty increased by one rank with respect to the current rank (step ST61). The dance image D to be set is set so that the difficulty level is increased by one rank with respect to the current rank (step ST63).

When the processing for setting the next step position instruction data and dance image is completed, the current score is converted into an evaluation point (step ST65) and integrated with the evaluation point immediately before (step ST67).

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining the evaluation points. FIG. 14A shows a state where the evaluation points have risen and is stable at a high level. FIG. 14B shows a state where the evaluation points have risen slightly. , Then shows a stable figure at a lower level. The horizontal axis represents the time width of one set of data, and the vertical axis represents the rank. The thin line represents the width of each rank from the highest rank S to the lowest rank D. The evaluation results are sequentially performed for each set of data as shown in FIG. 14, and the final evaluation can be obtained by integrating the evaluations at each time, so that the player's sense of rhythm and dance ability are effected on the player. It is possible to be notified.

As described above, the sheet-like foot switch according to the present invention has a predetermined surface shape, and steps on at least one of a plurality of regions formed by dividing the surface shape. A sheet-shaped foot switch internally provided with a pressure switch capable of detecting a pressure, wherein a non-slip means forms a part of the surface shape and at least an area where the pressure switch is disposed on the surface of the uppermost sheet body. Is provided. According to the present invention, the non-slip means provided at least for the area where the pressing switch is disposed on the surface of the uppermost sheet body causes the player or the like to slide on the sheet surface at the time of the stepping operation or to slip over and fall down. Can be prevented. Therefore, the player or the like can reliably perform the switch operation by performing the operation of stepping on the area on the surface of the sheet member where the pressing switch is arranged.

In the above embodiment, a home position is provided on the surface of the first sheet, and grooves 211a, 211a,... Are formed in a direction inclined from the home position to the position where the foot switch is arranged. Are provided only in a region where a foot switch or the like is arranged, and the grooves 211a, 211a are provided.
May be different for each region. In that case, the grooves 211a, 211a ...
Can surely intersect with the stepping-out direction, so that the occurrence of slippage can be more effectively and reliably prevented. Furthermore, the formation direction direction is substantially 45 ^o tilting or, if it is a direction which is inclined to both the substantially +45 ^o approximately -45 ^o, the groove 211a, the slip occurrence in 211a ... are stepping motion effect Can be prevented.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the number of foot switches is four is exemplified.
, Three or five or more. Their arrangement is also arbitrary. The same applies to the game selection switch.

Further, in the above embodiment, the entire mat portion 220 including the 3 × 3 mat pieces 221 to 229 is substantially square, but the entire mat portion including the 3 × 3 mat pieces may be circular. . Further, the present invention is not limited to the 3 × 3 mat pieces, but may be a center piece and an appropriate number of mat pieces divided in the circumferential direction around the center piece.

Further, in the above embodiment, two types of hardness differences between the mat pieces are prepared so as to be able to recognize whether or not they are at the grid positions of the foot switches. Three or more types may be prepared so as to be able to recognize the centerpiece or recognize which game selection switch is at the grid position.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the engaging portion of the center piece and the engaging portion of the other mat piece are both planar wedge-shaped projections or grooves or a combination thereof is exemplified. However, the engaging portion of the center piece and the engaging portion of the other mat piece are not limited to planar ones. For example, the engaging portion is wrapped and a concave portion (or a convex portion) is formed in the upper half of one piece. Forming
A convex portion (or concave portion) may be formed in the lower half of the other piece so that both can be engaged three-dimensionally.

In the above-described embodiment, as the non-slip groove pattern formed on the surface of the seat including the foot switch, straight grooves 211a, 211a parallel to one of the diagonal lines of the foot switch portion 210 as shown in FIG. , ... pattern was formed, but the groove pattern was
Various patterns such as a curved line, a polygonal line or a combination thereof, or a straight groove, a wavy line, a curved line, a polygonal line or a combination thereof in the above two directions, and a hatched pattern are conceivable. Further, it may be concentric about the center.

Further, in the above embodiment, the sheet foot switch capable of detecting the step operation of the dance game by the home game machine has been exemplified. However, the application range of the present invention is not limited to this. It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to all of the game inputting operation with a foot, such as a game that emits a sound, or a game that is used as a general switch operation aid.

[0086]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the seat foot switch has a predetermined surface shape, and detects a stepping operation on at least one of a plurality of regions formed by dividing the surface shape. A sheet-like foot switch in which a possible push switch is internally arranged, wherein a non-slip means is provided on at least a region where the above-mentioned push switch is arranged on a surface of a sheet body which is a part of the above-mentioned surface shape and is an uppermost layer. It is characterized by having. According to the present invention, the non-slip means provided at least for the area where the pressing switch is disposed on the surface of the uppermost sheet body causes the player or the like to slide on the sheet surface at the time of the stepping operation or to slip over and fall down. Can be prevented. Therefore, the player or the like can reliably perform the switch operation by performing the operation of stepping on the area on the surface of the sheet member where the pressing switch is arranged.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the slip preventing means is a plurality of grooves formed on the surface of the sheet body, it is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of slip in the stepping operation.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the seat body has a home position, and the groove is formed in a direction inclined from the home position to a position where each push switch is disposed, The grooves intersect with the stepping-out direction, so that the occurrence of slippage can be more effectively prevented.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the groove is provided only in the area where the pressing switch is arranged, and the forming direction of the groove is different in each area. The direction crosses the stepping direction with certainty, and the occurrence of slippage can be more effectively and reliably prevented.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the groove is formed in a direction inclined at approximately 45 ^° , the groove can effectively prevent the occurrence of slippage in the stepping operation.

[0091] According to the invention of claim 6, since the formation direction of the grooves is a direction inclined to both the substantially +45 ^o approximately -45 ^o, the occurrence of slippage in the groove stepping motion more effectively Can be prevented.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the predetermined surface shape is a square shape, and the groove is formed parallel to a diagonal direction of the square shape, so that the groove intersects the stepping direction. The occurrence of slip can be more effectively prevented.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the rectangular shape is divided into 3 × 3 areas, the home position is arranged in a central area, and the areas on both sides in the vertical direction when viewed from the home position. Since the respective push switches are arranged in the regions on both sides in the horizontal direction, the grooves intersect with the stepping-out direction, so that the occurrence of slip can be more effectively prevented.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the sheet is made of ethylene-methyl-methacrylate, it is possible to more effectively prevent the occurrence of slippage in the stepping operation in combination with the above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall external view of a home game machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram illustrating an example of a game system using the game machine.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a foot switch unit in the foot switch device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a mat unit in the foot switch device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of a foot switch unit,
(A) is a plan view, and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA '.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a groove pattern on a first sheet surface.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a detailed structure of a mat section.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a detailed structure of a center piece.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing an example of a state in which a foot switch unit is attached to an upper surface of a mat unit.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing another example of a state in which a foot switch unit is attached to an upper surface of a mat unit.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a main part of the game system.

12A and 12B are diagrams showing a memory map, in which FIG. 12A shows a state in which a large number of tread position data is stored in a table format according to difficulty, and FIG. 12B shows a table in which dance images are stored according to difficulty; It is a figure showing the state where many are stored in the form.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a monitor display surface.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of evaluation points.

FIG. 15 is a main flowchart illustrating a game operation.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of “monitoring process” of step ST11 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of “evaluation processing” of step ST15 in FIG. 15;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 12 monitor 16 speaker 22 controller 100 game machine main body 200 foot switch device 200a-200d foot switch (press switch) 200e, 200f game selection switch (press switch) 210 foot switch section 211 first sheet (sheet body) 211a groove (Anti-slip means) 212 second sheet 213 third sheet 214 fourth sheet 215 fifth sheet 216 sixth sheet 220 mat part 221 center piece 222-229 mat piece

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A sheet-like foot switch having a predetermined surface shape and internally provided with a push switch capable of detecting a stepping operation in at least one or more of a plurality of regions formed by dividing the surface shape. A sheet-like foot switch comprising a part of the above-mentioned surface shape, wherein a non-slip means is provided on at least a region where the above-mentioned pressing switch is arranged on a surface of a sheet member as an uppermost layer. 2. The seat type foot switch according to claim 1, wherein said slip preventing means is a plurality of grooves formed on a surface of said sheet body. 3. The sheet body has a home position, and the groove is formed in a direction inclined with respect to a direction from the home position to a position where each of the push switches is arranged. Sheet foot switch. 4. A sheet-like sheet according to claim 3, wherein said groove is provided only in a region where said pressing switch is arranged, and a direction in which said groove is formed is different for each region. Foot switch. 5. The sheet-like foot switch according to claim 3, wherein the groove is formed in a direction inclined at approximately 45 ^° . 6. The forming direction of the groove is approximately + 45 ^° and approximately −4.
The sheet-like foot switch according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the direction is inclined in both directions of 5 ^° . 7. The seat-shaped foot switch according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined surface shape is a square shape, and the groove is formed parallel to a diagonal direction of the square shape. 8. The rectangular shape is divided into 3 × 3 areas,
8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the home position is disposed in a central region, and each pressing switch is disposed in a region on both sides in the vertical direction and a region on both sides in the horizontal direction when viewed from the home position. Sheet foot switch. 9. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein said sheet is made of ethylene-methyl-methacrylate.
9. The sheet-like foot switch according to any one of claims 1 to 8.