JP2003175276A - Entertainment system and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To plot the contents of a game in an unexpected way by affecting a selected user according to requests from other users. <P>SOLUTION: This entertainment system is provided with a user setting process means 206 for setting information about users of the entertainment system 14 to create a user information table 204; an event processing means 210 for taking information inputted from one or more operating devices 12 and performing processes according to this input information without dropout to create an event processing table 208; a vibration setting process means 214 for extracting only information about vibrations from the event processing table 208 to register into a vibration output table 212 the kinds of vibrations for users to whom the vibrations should be imparted; and a vibration output processing means 216 for creating, according to the vibration output table 212 and the user information table 204, vibration instruction data Dv including the kinds of vibrations for output to the actual users to whom the vibrations should be imparted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an entertainment device for executing various programs, an operation for inputting a user's operation request to the entertainment device, which is connected to the entertainment device and has a vibration generator inside. The present invention relates to an entertainment system including a device, and a recording medium recording a program to be downloaded to the entertainment device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an information device (entertainment system) such as an entertainment device including a video game machine, while displaying game contents stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM on a screen of a television receiver, There are some which are operated by an operation device to advance a game.

The entertainment system and the operating system in this entertainment system are usually connected by a serial interface, and when a clock is sent from the entertainment system, a key switch corresponding to a user operation from the operating system in synchronization with the clock. Information is sent.

In recent years, means for exerting a physical influence on the user, for example, vibration, is provided in the operating device in response to a request from the outside (for example, an entertainment device). A system which gives various vibrations to a user so as to respond to a user's operation has been developed and put into practical use (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0005]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-313736 (FIG. 1,
Paragraphs [0001], [0022] to [0024], [0
030], [0032] to [0033])

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-741 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
(Paragraphs [0010], [0036])

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention The present invention provides a user with an influence as a response to an operation of a user while a game is in progress, or a request from another user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an entertainment system capable of unexpectedly expanding game contents so as to have an impact, and making it possible to perform a battle with a realistic sensation in a battle game.

Another object of the present invention is to give an influence to a user based on a request from another user, in addition to giving an influence as a response to an operation of the user while a game is in progress. It is to provide a recording medium in which a program capable of affecting is recorded.

[0008]

An entertainment system according to the present invention includes an entertainment device for executing various programs, a vibration generator internally connected to the entertainment device, and a user's operation request. In an entertainment system including an operating device for inputting to the entertainment device, a request receiving unit for receiving a request sent from another user to give vibration to the operating device of the user, and a receiving unit for receiving the request. It is characterized in that it has a selecting means for selecting an operating device to be vibrated in response to a given request, and a vibration instructing means for giving a vibration instruction to the vibration generator of the operating device selected by the selecting means.

Further, the recording medium according to the present invention has an entertainment device for executing various programs, a vibration generator internally connected to the entertainment device, and a request for operation by a user to the entertainment device. An entertainment system comprising an operating device for inputting, a request receiving means for receiving a request sent from another user to give vibration to the operating device of the user, by a request received by the request receiving means, A computer-readable recording medium in which a selection unit for selecting an operating device to be vibrated and a program for functioning as a vibration instructing unit for giving a vibration instruction to a vibration generator of the operating device selected by the selecting unit are recorded. is there.

In the above configuration, the vibration type is included in the request from the other user, and the vibration instructing means selects the vibration according to the vibration type by the vibration generating device of the operating device selected by the selecting means. May be instructed to.

Further, the entertainment system according to the present invention has an entertainment apparatus for executing various programs, a vibration generator connected to the entertainment apparatus, and a user's operation request to the entertainment apparatus. In an entertainment system including an operating device for inputting, request receiving means for receiving a request including a vibration type sent from another user to give vibration to the operating device of the user, and received by the request receiving means. And a vibration instruction means for instructing the vibration generating device to perform a vibration according to the vibration type included in the generated request.

[0012] Further, the entertainment system is equipped with an entertainment system for executing various programs, an operation system connected to the entertainment system, having a vibration generation system therein, and inputting a user's operation request to the entertainment system. The entertainment system includes a request receiving unit that receives a request including a vibration type sent from another user to give a vibration to the operating device of the user, and the vibration included in the request received by the request receiving unit. It is a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a vibration according to a type to function as a vibration instructing device for instructing the vibration generating device is recorded.

In these inventions, the vibration type may be determined according to the type of operator operated by the other user at once.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an entertainment system and a recording medium according to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as an entertainment system according to the embodiment) will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 24.

As shown in FIG. 1, the entertainment system 10 according to the present embodiment comprises an entertainment device 14 to which an operating device 12 is detachably mounted.

The entertainment device 14 is for reading a program recorded on, for example, an optical disk and executing a game, for example, in response to an instruction from a user (for example, a game player). The execution of the game mainly means controlling the progress of the game and controlling the display and sound.

The body 1 of the entertainment device 14
6 is housed in a substantially quadrangular casing, and has a disc mounting portion 18 in the center of which an optical disc such as a CD-ROM that is a recording medium for supplying an application program such as a video game is mounted. A reset switch 20 for arbitrarily resetting the program currently being executed, a power switch 22, a disk operation switch 24 for operating the mounting of the optical disk, and, for example, 2
It is provided with two slot portions 26A and 26B.

The recording medium for supplying the application program is not limited to the optical disc, and the application program may be supplied via a communication line.

Two operating devices 12 can be connected to the slots 26A and 26B, so that two users can play a battle game or the like. In addition, this slot portion 26
A conventionally used memory card 30 or a portable information terminal 32 (see FIG. 4) can be inserted into A and 26B. In addition, in FIG. 1, two slots 26A,
Although the structure in which 26B is provided is illustrated, the number is not limited to two systems.

The operating device 12 includes the first and second operating portions 4
0, 42, third and fourth operation parts 44, 46, a start button 48, and a selection button 50, and a vibration imparting mechanism is provided inside thereof. This operating device 12
The details will be described later.

FIG. 2 shows the entertainment device 14
Slot portion 26A provided on the front surface of the main body 16 of
26B is shown.

In the present embodiment, the slot portions 26A, 2
Each of 6B is formed in two stages, and the upper part thereof is provided with the memory card insertion portions 60A and 60B into which the memory card 30 and the portable information terminal 32 described above are inserted,
Controller connection portions (jacks) 64A and 64B to which the connection terminal portion 62 (connector; see FIG. 1) of the operation device 12 is connected are provided in the lower stage thereof.

The insertion holes (slots) of the memory card insertion portions 60A and 60B are formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape,
The corners at the lower ends are more rounded than the corners at the upper ends, so that the memory card 30 and the portable information terminal 32 are not inserted in the wrong direction.
Further, the memory card insertion portions 60A and 60B are provided with shutters for protecting the connection terminals provided therein for obtaining an electrical connection.

On the other hand, controller connecting portions 64A and 64B
Is formed in a shape in which the corners at the lower ends of the insertion hole having a horizontally long rectangular shape are rounded more than the corners at the upper ends, so that the connection terminal portion 62 of the operating device 12 is oriented in the wrong direction. The structure is such that the memory card 30 and the portable information terminal 32 are not connected and the shape of the insertion hole is different from that of the memory card insertion parts 60A and 60B.

FIG. 3 shows a memory card insertion portion 60A of the slot portion 26A on the front surface of the entertainment apparatus 14,
The state where the portable information terminal 32 is inserted is shown.

Next, the structure of the entertainment apparatus 14 will be described with reference to FIG. The entertainment device 14 is a central processing unit (CPU: Central Pr
a control system 72 including an ocessing unit 70 and peripheral devices thereof, a graphic system 78 including an image processing device (GPU: Graphic Processing Unit) 76 that performs drawing in the frame buffer 74, and a musical sound, a sound effect, and the like. Sound processing unit (SPU: Sound Processing Unit)
) Etc., an optical disk control section 82 for controlling an optical disk on which an application program is recorded, a signal from the operation device 12 to which an instruction from the user is input, and game settings and the like are stored. A communication control unit 84 for controlling input / output of data from / to the memory card 30 or the portable information terminal 32, a bus BUS to which the above units are connected, and the like are configured.

The control system 72, CPU 70, interrupt control and direct memory access (DMA: Direct Mem).
ory Access) Peripheral device control unit 86 that controls transfer, etc.
And random access memory (RAM: Random Access)
Main memory (main storage device) 88 including
The main memory 88, the graphic system 78, the sound system 80, and the like are provided with a read-only memory (ROM) 90 in which programs such as a so-called operating system are stored. The main memory 88 referred to here is one that can execute a program on the memory.

The CPU 70 controls the entire entertainment apparatus 14 by executing the operating system stored in the ROM 90, and is composed of, for example, a 32-bit RISC-CPU.

Then, the entertainment device 14
When the power is turned on, the CPU 70 of the control system 72
By executing the operating system stored in the ROM 90, the CPU 70 controls the graphic system 78, the sound system 80, and the like. When the operating system is executed, the CPU 70 initializes the entertainment apparatus 14 as a whole, such as checking the operation, and then controls the optical disk control unit 82 to apply an application program such as a game recorded on the optical disk. To execute.

By executing the program such as this game,
The CPU 70 controls the graphic system 78, the sound system 80, etc. according to the input from the user to control the display of images, the generation of sound effects, and the generation of musical sounds.

Further, the graphic system 78 is
Geometry Transfer Engine (GTE) 94 for processing such as coordinate conversion, and CP
GPU76 that draws in accordance with drawing instructions from U70
And a frame buffer 74 for storing the image drawn by the GPU 76, and an image decoder 96 for decoding the image data compressed and encoded by orthogonal transform such as discrete cosine transform.

The GTE 94 has, for example, a parallel operation mechanism for executing a plurality of operations in parallel, and can perform coordinate conversion, light source calculation, calculation of a matrix or a vector at high speed in response to a calculation request from the CPU 70. It is like this. Specifically, the GTE 94 is designed to be capable of performing coordinate calculation of up to about 1.5 million polygons per second in the case of performing flat shading in which the same color is drawn on one triangular polygon, for example. This allows the entertainment apparatus 14 to reduce the load on the CPU 70 and perform high-speed coordinate calculation.

Further, the GPU 76 draws a polygon or the like on the frame buffer 74 according to a drawing command from the CPU 70. This GPU76 is
A maximum of about 360,000 polygons can be drawn in one second.

Further, the frame buffer 74 is composed of a so-called dual port RAM, and is capable of simultaneously performing drawing from the GPU 76 or transfer from the main memory and reading for display.

The frame buffer 74 is, for example, 1M.
It has a capacity of bytes, 16 bits each, 10 horizontal
It is handled as a matrix of 24 pixels and 512 pixels in the vertical direction. In addition to the display area that is output as video output, the frame buffer 74 also stores a color look-up table (CLUT) that the GPU 76 refers to when drawing a polygon or the like. GPU converted to the area and coordinates when drawing
A texture area for storing a material (texture) to be inserted (mapped) in a polygon or the like drawn by 76 is provided. These CLUT area and texture area are dynamically changed according to the change of the display area and the like.

In addition to the above-described flat shading, the GPU 76 pastes the Gouraud shading for complementing the color of the vertex of the polygon to determine the color inside the polygon and the texture stored in the texture area to the polygon. Texture mapping can be performed. When performing these Gouraud shading or texture mapping, the GT
E94 can perform coordinate calculation of up to about 500,000 polygons per second.

Further, the image decoder 96 is the CPU
Under the control of 70, the image data of the still image or the moving image stored in the main memory 88 is decoded and stored in the main memory 88.

The reproduced image data is GP
By storing it in the frame buffer 74 via U76, it can be used as the background of the image drawn by the GPU 76.

The sound system 80 includes a CPU 70.
SP that generates musical sounds, sound effects, etc. based on instructions from
A U98, a sound buffer 100 for recording waveform data and the like by the SPU 98, and a speaker 102 for outputting a musical sound, a sound effect, etc. generated by the SPU 98 are provided.

The SPU 98 stores in the sound buffer 100 an ADPCM decoding function for reproducing, for example, 16-bit audio data as 4-bit differential signals and adaptively predictively coded (ADPCM: Adaptive Diffrential PCM) audio data. It is provided with a reproducing function for generating a musical sound, a sound effect, etc. by reproducing the existing waveform data, a modulating function for modulating and reproducing the waveform data stored in the sound buffer 100, and the like.

By having such a function, the sound system 80 can be used as a so-called sampling sound source for generating a musical sound, a sound effect, etc. based on the waveform data recorded in the sound buffer 100 according to an instruction from the CPU 70. You can do it.

The optical disk control unit 82 is provided with an optical disk device 92 for reproducing a program, data, etc. recorded on the optical disk and, for example, an error correction code (ECC: Error).
A decoder 104 for decoding a program, data, etc. recorded with a Correction Code) added thereto, and a buffer 106 for temporarily reading data from the optical disc by temporarily storing the data from the optical disc device 92. Is equipped with. A sub CPU 108 is connected to the decoder 104.

As the audio data recorded on the optical disk read by the optical disk device 92, there is so-called PCM data obtained by analog / digital converting an audio signal in addition to the ADPCM data described above.

As ADPCM data, for example, audio data recorded by representing the difference of 16-bit digital data by 4 bits is recorded by the decoder 104 and then supplied to the above-mentioned SPU 98, and the SPU 98 performs digital / analog. After processing such as conversion, the speaker 1
Used to drive 02.

Audio data recorded as PCM data, for example, 16-bit digital data is decoded by the decoder 104 and then used to drive the speaker 102.

Further, the communication control section 84 controls the communication with the CPU 70 via the bus BUS.
An operating device 12 provided with 10 and for inputting instructions from a user
And a memory card insertion section 60 to which a memory card 30 as an auxiliary storage device for storing game setting data and a portable information terminal 32 are connected.
A and 60B are provided in the communication device 110.

Operating device 12 connected to the connection terminal section
Has, for example, 16 instruction keys for inputting an instruction from a user, and according to an instruction from the communication device 110, changes the state of the instruction key to the communication device 110 60 times per second by synchronous communication. Send about. Then, the communication device 110 transmits the state of the instruction key of the operation device 12 to the CPU 70.

Thus, the instruction from the user is sent to the CPU 7
0 is input, and the CPU 70 performs processing in accordance with an instruction from the user, based on the game program or the like being executed.

Here, the main memory 88 and the GPU 7
6, between the image decoder 96, the decoder 104, etc.,
It is necessary to transfer a large amount of image data at high speed when reading a program, displaying an image, drawing, or the like.

Therefore, this entertainment device 14
Then, as described above, the main memory 88 and the GPU are controlled by the control of the peripheral device control unit 86 without going through the CPU 70.
It is possible to perform so-called DMA transfer for directly transferring data between the 76, the image decoder 96, the decoder 104 and the like. As a result, the load on the CPU 70 due to data transfer can be reduced, and high-speed data transfer can be performed.

When it is necessary to store the setting data and the like of the game being executed, the CPU 70 transmits the stored data to the communication device 110. The communication device 110 writes the data from the CPU 70 into the memory card 30 or the portable information terminal 32 inserted in the slot of the memory card insertion unit 60A or the memory card insertion unit 60B.

Here, the communication device 110 has a built-in protection circuit for preventing electrical breakdown. The memory card 30 and the portable information terminal 32 are separated from the bus BUS, and can be attached and detached with the entertainment apparatus main body 16 powered on. Therefore, the memory card 30 and the portable information terminal 3 are
When the storage capacity of 2 becomes insufficient, a new memory card 30 or a portable information terminal 32 can be inserted without shutting off the power supply of the entertainment apparatus body 16. Therefore, a new memory card 30 or a portable information terminal 32 is inserted and the necessary data is transferred to the new memory card 30 or a portable information terminal 32 without losing the game data that needs to be backed up. Can be written on.

The parallel I / O interface (PIO) 112 is prepared for expansion, and the serial I / O
The interface (SIO) 114 is connected to an external interface described later, for example.

Next, the operating device 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described with reference to. As shown in FIG. 5, the operating device 12 is formed into a spectacles shape, and a housing body is composed of an upper case 120 and a lower case 122 that can be divided into upper and lower parts. First and second operation support portions 124 and 126 that project in a horn shape and are gripped and supported by the palms of both hands are formed on both longitudinal ends of the housing body.

In addition, a start select portion 128, which is a switch used for starting and selecting a game, is formed in a constricted portion at the center of the housing body, and a circular shape is formed at symmetrical positions on both sides of the housing body. ,
The above-described first and second operation portions 40 and 42 each including a plurality of switch groups arranged in the substantially central portion thereof and the side surface on the side wall surface side of the front portion of the housing body at symmetrical positions,
It is mainly composed of the above-mentioned third and fourth operation portions 44 and 46 which are composed of a plurality of switches which can be operated by the forefinger and the middle finger.

The start select section 128 includes the above-described start button 48 and selection button 50 which are arranged at an intermediate position between the first operation section 40 and the second operation section 42. The selection button 50 is for selecting a difficulty level or the like when starting a game, for example.
8 is a switch for actually starting the game.

The first operation portion 40 is an end portion of the housing main body, and has a hollow portion 130 corresponding to a substantially cross-shaped concave portion in a circular central portion, and four hollow portions 130 in the hollow portion 130. Key tops 132a, 132b, 132c, 1 of
The structure is provided with a window portion 134 for allowing 32d to project outward from the inside. The window 134 has a structure in which the heads of the four key tops 132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d are arranged to face each other in the cross direction so as to be aligned with the substantially cross-shaped recess 130.

The second operating section 42, as shown in FIG.
A recessed portion 136 corresponding to a recess having a substantially cross shape is provided in the central portion of the circular shape, and the recessed portion 136 having the cross shape.
Cylindrical key tops 1 at the top, bottom, left and right
38a, 138b, 138c, 138d has a structure having four cylindrical portions 140 each having an opening having a size capable of projecting outward from the inside.

Each of the four key tops 138a, 1
On the top surfaces of 38b, 138c, and 138d, an identification code that is easy to visually recognize, so that the function of the switch can be easily identified,
For example, marks (marks) that represent functions such as ○, △, □, ×
Is attached. In addition, these key tops 138a, 13
The lower ends of 8b, 138c, 138d and the lower portion of the tubular portion 140 are provided with unique protrusions and notches so as not to enter the other tubular portions 140 during assembly.

The third and fourth operating portions 44 and 46 are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, an opening 142 formed by projecting on the front side wall surface of the first and second operation portions 40, 42 and having two rows of elongated holes in parallel with the projecting wall surface vertically. ,
The operation instruction operation switch is formed by projecting outwardly the key tops 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d having an elongated shape that fits substantially into the opening 142.

When the operating device 12 having such a configuration is used, it is connected to the entertainment device 14 via the connection terminal portion 62 (see FIG. 1) of the operating device 12, and the entertainment device 14 is connected to a television receiver or the like. Connect to your monitor. And, normally, the operating device 1
2 with the fingers of both hands, the first to fourth operation units 40, 42,
A game is played by operating a group of operation buttons 44 and 46 to instruct the movement of a motion target such as a character on the monitor screen.

Further, in the operating device 12, the response means 150 is arranged in a predetermined space inside the housing body.

That is, the housing main body composed of the upper case 120 and the lower case 122 has the first operation support portion 124, which is a portion of the lower case 122 that projects in an angular shape.
In addition, the response means arranging section 1 for mounting the response means 150
The structure is provided with 52.

The first and second operation parts 4 of the lower case 122
As shown in FIG. 5, 0 and 42 are provided with a cylindrical mounting portion 154 for mounting a board and a switch group, and a rectangular shape is provided on the front side of the first and second operation portions 40 and 42. The third and fourth operation parts 44 and 46 are provided so as to project.

In the lower case 122 having such a structure, as a space in which the response means 150 can be installed, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the first and second operations for gripping and supporting the palms of both hands. Parts of the support parts 124, 126,
Alternatively, the space existing at the front position of the constricted start select portion 128 can be used. In the present embodiment, the first operation support portion 124 gripped by the palm of the left hand
It has a structure that is stored in the.

Here, the response means 150 is, as shown in FIG. 6, a motor 156 and a rotating shaft 15 of the motor 156.
8 has a structure in which a cylindrical rotating portion 160 is attached at a position eccentric with respect to 8. In such a structure, when the motor 156 is rotationally driven, the rotating unit 160 is eccentrically rotated to generate vibration, and this vibration is transmitted to the user as a kind of physical influence.

This vibration is the first vibration in FIGS.
The operation device 12 as a whole is vibrated by being transmitted not only to the operation support portion 124 but also to the casings of the lower case 122 and the upper case 120. The degree of vibration such as the strength and period of the vibration generated by the eccentricity is determined by the motor 1 of the response means 150.
The rotation speed and torque of 56 can be changed arbitrarily, and thereby the strength of the response means 150 can be changed.

Response unit arranging section 1 provided in the lower case 122
As shown in FIG. 5, reference numeral 52 denotes a structure provided at the bottom of the portion of the first operation support portion 124 with which the palm comes into contact, and the motor 156 of the response means 150 can be fixed.

In this way, the response means 150 is attached to the first operation support portion 124 of the lower case 122, that is, the portion which is gripped and supported by the palm of the left hand.
As shown in, when the operation device 12 is connected to the entertainment device 14 and the entertainment device 14 is connected to the monitor 162 such as a television receiver or the like to play a game, the timing determined by the type of the game or a predetermined value is determined. It is designed to be subject to vibration.

For example, when the opponent is defeated or attacked by the opponent in the fighting game, when the target is hit in the shooting game, or when the moving target is an airplane, for example, when the attack is performed on the screen In the above, the motor 15 of the response means 150 is driven by a specific response signal from the entertainment device 14.
6 is rotationally driven to vibrate the entire operating device 12 for a certain period of time.

In this way, the operation device 12 itself vibrates in response to the operation of the operation button by the user, and this vibration is fed back to the user as a sensation, further improving the sense of presence. You can

As described above, in order to drive the response means 150 to vibrate the operating device 12 as a whole, the operating device 12 and the entertainment device 14 must have a bidirectional communication function. Is.

As shown in FIG. 10, this bidirectional communication function can be performed by connecting the connection device 62 for bidirectional serial communication with the operation device 12 to the entertainment device 14.

The operation device 12 has a bi-directional communication function, which includes a serial I / O interface SIO for performing serial communication with the entertainment device 14 and a parallel I / O interface PIO for inputting operation data from a plurality of operation buttons. , A one-chip microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) that is a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and a motor driver 164 that rotationally drives the motor 156 of the response unit 150.
6 is rotationally driven by the voltage and current supplied from the motor driver 164.

On the side of the entertainment device 14, a serial I / O interface SIO for serial communication between the operating devices 12 is provided. When the connecting terminal portion 62 of the operating device 12 is connected, this connecting terminal portion is connected. 6
2 is connected to the serial I / O interface SIO on the operation device 12 side, and is configured to be able to perform bidirectional communication means, that is, bidirectional serial communication. The other detailed configuration of the entertainment device 14 is omitted.

Signal lines and control lines for bidirectional serial communication are connected from the entertainment device 14 to the operation device 12.
Data line TXD (Tr
ansmit X'for Data), a data transmission signal line RXD (Received X'for Data) for transmitting data from the operation device 12 side to the entertainment device 14 side, and data lines for each data transmission signal line TXD, RXD. A signal line SCK (Serial Clock) for extracting the serial synchronization clock,
Control line DTR (Data Terminal Ready) for establishing and interrupting communication of the operating device 12 on the terminal side
And a control line DSR (Data Set Ready) for flow control for transferring a large amount of data.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the cable including the signal line and the control line for performing the bidirectional serial communication has a power source directly taken from the power source of the entertainment apparatus 14 side in addition to the signal line and the control line. Cable 166
The power supply cable 166 is connected to the motor driver 164 on the operating device 12 side, and the motor 15
A power supply for rotating 6 is supplied.

In the bidirectional serial communication procedure having such a configuration, for example, the entertainment device 14 communicates with the operating device 12, and the first to fourth operating portions 40, 4 are connected.
In order to capture the operation data (button information) of the operation buttons 2, 44, 46, the entertainment device 14 first outputs the selection data to the control line DTR. As a result, the controller device 12 confirms that the selection has been made by the control line DTR, and enters the waiting state for receiving the subsequent signal line TXD. Then, the entertainment device 14 sends an identification code indicating the operating device 12 to the signal line TXD for data transmission. As a result, the controller device 12 receives this identification code from the signal line TXD.

When the operation device 12 recognizes the identification code, the communication with the entertainment device 14 is started thereafter. That is, control data and the like are transmitted from the entertainment device 14 to the operation device 12 side via the data transmission signal line TXD, and conversely, operation data and the like operated by the operation buttons are transmitted from the operation device 12 to the data transmission device. It is transmitted to the entertainment apparatus 14 via the signal line RXD. In this way, bidirectional serial communication is performed between the entertainment device 14 and the operating device 12,
In this communication, the entertainment device 14 uses the control line DTR.
The process ends by outputting the selection stop data through.

If the bidirectional serial communication function is provided in this manner, the operation data of the operation buttons mainly from the operation device 12 side can be transmitted to the entertainment device 14 side and the entertainment device 1
From the fourth side, vibration instruction data for rotating the motor 156 of the response means 150 can be sent to the operating device 12 side via the data transmission signal line TXD. The vibration instruction data for rotating the motor 156 is preset by the CD-ROM set in the entertainment device 14, and the entertainment device 14 operates the operation device 12 itself according to the motion target of the user who plays the game. Feedback is provided by vibration transmission for a fixed time. This point will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11 with reference to FIGS. 5 and 10.

A specific CD-ROM is mounted on the entertainment device 14, the start button 48 of the operation device 12 shown in FIG. 5 is used to instruct the start of the game, and the selection button 50 is operated to set various functions. First
A game is played by operating the fourth operation units 40, 42, 44, and 46.

With the start of the game, the microcomputer including the CPU, RAM and ROM of the operating device 12 shown in FIG.
It constantly monitors whether the data is sent from the side via the serial I / O interface SIO. The vibration instruction data includes the voltage and current control signals for driving the motor 156 shown in FIG. 10 and the time for driving the motor 156.

During the progress of the game, if the vibration instruction data is included in the data sent from the entertainment device 14, the motor driver 164
The voltage supplied from the entertainment device 14 is supplied to the motor 156 for a predetermined time.

That is, the vibration instruction data in the data signal received by the operating device 12 is determined in step S1, processed by the microcomputer in step S2, and the motor driver 164 shown in FIG. 10 is driven in step S3. Vibration is generated in step S4.

If the operation button is operated in step S5 when it is not the vibration instruction data in step S1, the operation data operated in step S6 is transferred to the microcomputer via the parallel I / O interface PIO shown in FIG. Is entered. The operation data input to the microcomputer is processed by the microcomputer in step S2,
In step S7, the data is converted into serial data, as shown in FIG.
It is transmitted to the entertainment apparatus 14 via the serial I / O interface SIO indicated by 0.

When the entertainment device 14 receives the operation data converted into serial data, step S
At 8, the hit state is determined by comparing the data of the operation target with the received serial data.
Here, the hit state means a state in which, for example, a virtual laser beam emitted by the user hits a virtual target in operation.

If the data of the operation target and the serial data match in step S9, that is, if there is a hit, the operation target hit in step S10 is displayed on the screen of the monitor 162, and in step S11. The vibration instruction data is output, converted into serial data in step S12, and returned as a specific response signal to the operation device 12 via the serial I / O interface SIO shown in FIG.

This vibration instruction data is obtained in steps S1 to S
As described in Section 3, when detected by the microcomputer of the operating device 12, the motor driver 164 shown in FIG. 10 supplies power to the motor 156 to rotate it, and the rotation causes the entire operating device 12 to vibrate.

If there is no hit, the operation target based on the operation button is displayed on the screen of the monitor 162 in step S13 and the next operation button operation from the operation device 12 is performed in step S5. Get to work.

The operation instruction device 12 receives the vibration instruction data generated when the above-mentioned hit occurs as a specific response signal from the entertainment device 14. However, the one way communication is performed from the entertainment device 14. It may be configured to send it to the operation device 12.

Next, an instruction is given to the characteristic function of the entertainment system 10 according to this embodiment, that is, the physical influence imparting means (the motor 156 in the operating device 12, the parameters referred to by the game program, etc.). The function of performing (influence giving instruction function) will be described.

The program (influence giving instruction means 200) for realizing the influence giving instruction function is downloaded from the specific CD-ROM reproduced in the entertainment apparatus 14 in advance to the main memory 88 of the entertainment apparatus 14 through a predetermined process. By doing so, the entertainment device 14 is operated.

An external interface (eg, multi-tap) 202 is connected to the entertainment apparatus 14 through an external terminal (eg, serial I / O) 114, as shown in FIG. The external interface 202 can be connected to a plurality of (for example, four) operation devices 12 at a time, and a plurality of users can enjoy, for example, a battle game.

Of course, the external interface 20
2 may be connected to the communication device 110.

First, the structure of the influence giving instruction means 200 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the influence imparting instruction unit 200 includes a user setting processing unit 206 that sets information about the user of the entertainment apparatus 14 and creates a user information table 204, and one or more operation devices. The event processing means 210 which takes in the input information from 12 and performs the processing according to the input information without fail and creates the event processing table 208, and the event processing table 2.
The vibration output table 212 indicates the vibration type for the user who should give vibration by extracting only the information on vibration from 08.
Based on the vibration setting processing means 214 which is sequentially registered in the table, the vibration output table 212 and the user information table 204, the vibration instruction data Dv including the vibration type is created and output to the actual user to whom the vibration should be given. On the other hand, it is configured to have a vibration output processing means 216 that executes a physical influence that should be given to a virtual user as a parameter change, and an end determination means 218 that determines whether or not the game has ended.

The user setting processing means 206 includes the external interface 202 and the communication device 110 (see FIG. 12).
Of the external interface 202 to which the operating device 12 is connected (port number) and the communication device 110 to which the operating device 12 is connected (port number). Number).

As the definition of the port numbers, for example, the two ports of the communication device 110 are port numbers 1 and 2, and the plurality of ports of the external interface 202 are port numbers 3, 4, 5, 6 ... You can

Also, by numbering a plurality of users who use the entertainment apparatus 14, it is advantageous in constructing software. Therefore, for example, the operating device 1 connected to the communication device 110
Numbers are assigned in order from the user who uses 2, and then the users who use the plurality of operating devices 12 connected to the external interface 202 are sequentially assigned user numbers starting from the smallest port number. There are ways to go.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, in the case where two operating devices 12 are connected to the communication device 110 and four operating devices 12 are connected to the external interface 202, they are connected to the communication device 110. Was done 2
The user numbers 1 and 2 are given to two users who use one operating device 12, and then the external interface 202
4 using 4 operating devices 12 connected to each
Port numbers are assigned to human users in ascending order of port numbers, such as user numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6.

When one operating device 12 is connected to the communication device 110 and three operating devices 12 are connected to the external interface 202, a user who uses the operating device 12 connected to the communication device 110. To each of the three users who use the three operation devices 12 connected to the external interface 202, and the user numbers 3, 4 and 5 are assigned in ascending order of the port numbers. To give.

Of course, when, for example, the three operating devices 12 are connected only to the external interface 202, the user numbers 1, 2 and 3 are assigned to three users in ascending order of port numbers. Give.

By the way, the user who uses the operating device 12 is a human being and can be defined as an actual user. On the other hand, for example, when playing a competitive game, the computer may be the opponent. In this case, the computer can be defined as a virtual user. Since this virtual user cannot incorporate the concept of port number, it is convenient to handle it as a unique code indicating that it is a computer, for example. Further, the user number of the virtual user may be assigned a number after the user number of the real user.

The breakdown of various tables will be described based on these definitions. First, in the user information table 204, as shown in FIG. 14, port numbers or codes (codes indicating virtual users) are recorded in record units. Registered in. The record number of the user information table 204 corresponds to the user number, and for example, the number of the port (port number) to which the operating device 12 used by the actual user assigned as the user number 1 is connected. Is registered in record 1.

As shown in FIG. 15, the event processing table 208 includes, for each record, a processing type (vibration or the like) based on input data from the operating device 12 or a computer's judgment and, for example, a real user who should give vibration. User number and its operation attribute, for example, operation key type (○, △,
Codes indicating (□, ×, combinations of these, etc.) are stored. If the process is not related to vibration,
As the operation attribute, the result of the operation based on the input content or the operation based on the judgment of the computer is stored.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the vibration output table 212, each record stores one or more vibration types based on the type of operation key. For example, FFH can be used as the initial value (invalid value).

Drive signal table 2 showing the breakdown of vibration types
An example of 68 is shown in FIG. In this example, the type 1 corresponding to the operation key ◯ indicates that the motor 156 installed in the operation device 12 is “constantly driven at a predetermined rotation speed”, and the type 2 corresponding to the operation key x is , The motor 156
To "to change the rotation speed at a constant cycle"
The type 3 corresponding to the operation key □ indicates “changing the rotation speed at random” for the motor 156, and the type 4 corresponding to the operation key Δ indicates “intermittent rotation of the motor 156”. It is shown that.

The type 5 corresponding to the operation keys ◯ + × (the operation keys ◯ and × are operated simultaneously) indicates that the motor 156 is “driven at a predetermined number of rotations at a constant cycle”.

Next, the configuration of various processing means constituting the influence giving instruction means 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the user setting processing means 206 detects the presence / absence of connection of the external interface 202 and the like, and sets the allowable connection number setting means 230 for setting the allowable number that the operating device 12 can connect to. It is configured to have a table creating unit 232 that creates the user information table 204 by detecting the presence or absence and the presence or absence of a virtual user, and a process completion determining unit 234 that determines the completion of the user setting process. .

The event processing means 210 includes a record reading means 236 for sequentially reading records from the user information table 204, and the operating device 12 operated by an actual user.
Of the input data of the above, and performs a calculation based on the input content, or a calculation unit 238 that performs a calculation based on the determination result of the computer, and a vibration relation determination for determining whether or not the calculation result has a vibration relation. The means 240 and the vibration related code, the user number calculated by the operation, and the operation attribute are registered in the corresponding record of the event processing table 208 in the case of the vibration relation. The event processing table 20 in which the type code according to the request and the calculation result are registered in the corresponding record
8 and a processing completion determining unit 244 for determining completion of event processing.

The vibration setting processing means 214 has a record reading means 246 for sequentially reading records from the event processing table 208, a vibration relation judging means 248 for judging whether or not the processing types have a vibration relationship, and the above-mentioned read. Table creating means 250 for creating the vibration output table 212 based on various information registered in the record;
Process completion determining means 252 for determining the completion of the vibration setting process
And is configured.

The vibration output processing means 216 includes a first record reading means 254 for sequentially reading records from the user information table 204 and a second record reading means 256 for sequentially reading records from the vibration output table 212.
And a user discriminating means 258 for discriminating whether the person to be influenced is a real user or a virtual user, and the user discriminating means 2
When the determination result in 58 is the actual user, the vibration instruction data creating means 260 for creating the vibration instruction data Dv to be transferred to the operating device 12 and the created vibration instruction data Dv are targeted. Vibration instruction data output means 262 for outputting to the operation device 12, and the user discrimination means 25
8 has a parameter changing unit 264 for changing the numerical value of the physical parameter referred to by the game program and a process completion determining unit 266 for determining the completion of the vibration output process when the determination result in 8 is a virtual user. Is configured.

Next, the processing operation of the influence giving instruction means (program) 200, for example, the processing operation of the influence giving instruction means 200 operating together with the game program of the competitive game will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. .

First, in step S101 in FIG. 18, the game program of the competitive game and the influence imparting instruction means 200 according to the present embodiment are read from the specific CD-ROM and transferred to the main memory 88 of the entertainment apparatus 14, In step S102, the impact imparting instruction means 200 is activated, and in step S103, the game program is activated. The impact giving instruction means 200 is set to operate in a time-sharing manner (time-sharing method) with the game program.

In the game program, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, first, in step S201, the game screen is displayed. Then, in step S202,
The battle game is processed, the input data sent through the operation device 12 is sequentially processed, and the image display and various parameters are changed according to the input.

Then, in step S203, it is determined whether or not the winning or losing is decided. If not, the process returns to step S201, the battle game process is performed again, and if the winning or losing is decided. Is the next step S20
In step 4, it is determined whether or not the game is over. If it is determined that the game is not over, step S
Returning to 201, the battle game process is performed again, and when it is determined that the game is over, the game end flag is set in the next step S205, and this game program ends.

On the other hand, the influence giving instruction means 200 according to the present embodiment first displays the selection screen in step S301 of FIG. This selection screen displays, for example, a message indicating that the number of users (real users or virtual users) participating in the competitive game should be input, and a frame in which a numerical value indicating the number of users is displayed by the input operation. It

Then, in the next step S302,
For example, the number of users (real users or virtual users) who participate in the battle game is input. The input of the number of people is performed through any of the plurality of operating devices 12 connected to the entertainment device 14.

Next, in step S303, the user setting process starts. This user setting process is performed by the user setting processing unit 206 in FIG. 13, and sets the information about the user of the entertainment apparatus 14 to create the user information table 204. After the user setting process is completed, the event process is started in step S304. This event processing is the event processing means 2 of FIG.
10, the input information from one or more operation devices 12 is taken in, the processing according to the input information is performed without omission, and the event processing table 208 is created.

After the event processing is completed, the vibration setting processing is started in step S305. This vibration setting processing is performed by the vibration setting processing means 214 in FIG. 13, and extracts only the information on the vibration from the event processing table 208 and sequentially registers the vibration type for the user to whom the vibration is given in the vibration output table 212.

After the vibration setting process is completed, the vibration output process is started in step S306. This vibration output processing is performed by the vibration output processing means 216 in FIG. 13, and based on the user information table 204 and the vibration output table 212, the vibration instruction data Dv including the vibration type is given to the actual user to whom the vibration should be given. While creating and outputting, the physical effect that should be given to the virtual user is executed as a parameter change.

After the vibration output processing is completed, other arithmetic processing is performed in step S307, and then, in step S308, it is determined by the end determination means 218 whether or not the game is finished. This determination is made based on whether or not the game end flag is set. If it is determined that the game has not ended,
Returning to step S304, event processing, vibration setting processing, vibration output processing, and other arithmetic processing are performed again.

Then, in step S308,
If it is determined that the game has ended, this influence imparting instruction process ends.

Next, the user setting process in step S303, the event process in step S304, the vibration setting process in step S305, and the vibration output process in step S306 will be described in order with reference to FIGS. explain.

First, in the user setting process, first, in step S401 of FIG. 21, the allowable connection number setting means 230 is set.
Through, it is determined whether or not the external interface 202 is connected. This determination is performed, for example, by referring to the status flag indicating the connection status of the hardware.

If the external interface 202 is connected, the process proceeds to the next step S402, and the allowable connection number setting means 230 similarly determines the allowable connection number M from the type (ID or the like) of the external interface 202.
At this time, the operating device 1 connected to the communication device 110
If 2 is also usable, the allowable number of connections M, for example, “2”, which is the allowable number of connections of the operating device 12 to the communication device 110, is further added.

If the external interface 202 is not connected, the process proceeds to step S403 and the allowable connection number setting means 230 is also used as the allowable connection number M, which is the allowable connection number of the operating device 12 to the communication device 110, for example, "2". Is defined.

When the processing in step S402 or step S403 is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S404,
The initial value “1” is stored in the index register i used for searching the port of the external interface 202 or the communication device 110, and the initial value “1” is stored in the index register j used for searching the record of the user information table 204. To store.

Next, in step S405, the table creating means 232 determines whether or not the operating device 12 is connected to the i-th port. Operating device 1
If 2 is connected, the process proceeds to the next step S406, and the port number i is stored in the jth record of the user information table 204 through the table creating means 232. Next, in step S407, the value of the index register j is updated by +1.

When it is determined that the operation device 12 is not connected to the i-th port at the stage where the processing in step S407 is completed or in step S405, the process proceeds to the next step S408 and the value of the index register i. Is updated by +1.

Then, in step S409, the user information table 204 of all port numbers to which the operating device 12 is connected is processed through the processing completion judging means 234.
It is determined whether or not the registration to the is completed. This determination is
It is performed depending on whether the value of the index register i is larger than the allowable number M of connections.

If the value of the index register i is less than the allowable number of connections M and it is determined that the processing is not completed,
The process returns to step S405, and the processes after step S405 are repeated. If all the port numbers to which the operation device 12 is connected are registered, the next step S41
The process proceeds to 0 and the table creating means 232 determines whether or not there is a virtual user this time. This determination is
It is performed depending on whether the value of the index register j is the same as the number N of people.

If it is determined that the value of the index register j is equal to the number N of persons and a virtual user exists, the process proceeds to the next step S411, and the table creating means 232 causes the virtual record at the jth record of the user information table 204. Stores a code indicating the user.

When the process in step S411 ends or when it is determined in step S410 that there is no virtual user, the user setting process ends.

Next, in the event processing, first, in step S501 of FIG. 22, the initial value "1" is stored in the index register i used for record search of the user information table 204 and the event processing table 208.

Next, in step S502, the user information table 20 is read through the record reading means 236.
The contents of the i-th record from 4 are read.

Next, in step S503, the calculating means 238 determines whether or not the contents of the record belong to the actual user. This determination is made based on whether or not the content of the record is a code indicating a virtual user.

When the content of the record is not the code indicating the virtual user but the actual user, the process proceeds to the next step S504, and the calculating means 238 causes
The port corresponding to the port number stored in the record (external interface 202 or communication device 11
The input information from the operation device 12 connected to the corresponding port (0) is received.

Then, in step S505, the operation means 238 calculates the received input information to determine what operation has been performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that the user is a virtual user, the flow advances to step S506 to receive the computer's determination (calculation result, etc.). Next, in step S507, the calculation means 238 calculates the judgment result of the computer to determine what kind of judgment was made.

Steps S505 and S507
In the case of vibration-related information, for example, the information obtained by the calculation in 1 is a vibration-related code, the number of the user to whom the vibration should be given (user number), and the type of operation button (operation attribute).

When the processing in step S505 or the processing in step S507 is completed, the next step S
Proceeding to 508, the vibration relation determining means 240 determines whether or not the current operation content or the determination result is vibration relation.

If there is a vibration relation, the next step S5
In step 09, the table creation means 242 stores the vibration code, the user number, and the operation attribute based on the calculation result in the i-th record of the event processing table 208.

If it is determined in step S508 that there is no vibration relationship, the process proceeds to step S510 and the event processing table 20 is processed by the table creating means 242.
In the i-th record of No. 8, the type code according to the request and the calculation result are stored.

When the processing in step S509 or the processing in step S510 is completed, the next step S
After proceeding to 511 and updating the value of the index register i by +1, in the next step S512, the contents of the operation or judgment of this operation are performed for all the users registered in the user information table 204 through the processing completion judging means 244. It is determined whether the content is registered in the event processing table 208. This determination is made depending on whether the value of the index register i is larger than the number N of persons.

When the value of the index register i is equal to or less than the number N of persons and it is determined that the processing is not completed, the process returns to the step S502, and the processing of the step S502 and thereafter is repeated. If all the operation contents or judgment contents of this time are registered in the event processing table 208, this event processing ends.

Next, in the vibration setting processing, first in step S601 of FIG. 23, the event processing table 208
The initial value "1" is stored in the index register i used for searching the record of the.

Next, at step S602, the event processing table 2 is read by the record reading means 246.
The contents of the i-th record from 08, that is, the contents of operation or judgment of the user corresponding to the user number i are read.

Next, in step S603, the vibration relationship determining means 248 determines whether or not there is a vibration relationship. This determination is made based on whether or not a code relating to vibration is registered in the content of the record.

If there is a vibration relationship, the following step S6
In step 04, the user number registered in the record is read out by the table creating means 250 and stored in the index register j used for record search of the vibration output table 212.

Next, in step S605, the operation attribute registered in the record is read out through the table creating means 250, and the drive signal table 26 is read.
The vibration type corresponding to the operation attribute is calculated from 8.

Next, in step S607, the indexed vibration type is sequentially registered in the jth record of the vibration output table 212 by the table creating means 250. At this point, the vibration type for the user who should give the vibration is registered.

At the stage where the processing in step S607 is completed or when it is determined in step S603 that there is no vibration relationship, the process proceeds to the next step S608, the value of the index register i is updated by +1 and then in step S609. Through the processing completion determination means 252, it is determined whether or not all the information related to vibration among the information registered in the event processing table 208 has been registered in the vibration output table 212. This determination is made depending on whether the value of the index register i is larger than the number N of persons.

If the value of the index register i is equal to or less than the number N of persons and it is determined that the processing is not completed, the process returns to the step S602, and the processing of the step S602 and the subsequent steps are repeated. Then, when all the information regarding the current vibration is registered in the vibration output table 212, the vibration setting process ends.

Next, in the vibration output process, first, in step S701 of FIG. 24, the index register i used for searching the record of the vibration output table 212.
The initial value “1” is stored in.

Next, in step S702, the contents of the i-th record from the user information table 204, that is, the user number i, is read through the first record reading means 254.
The code indicating the port number or virtual user corresponding to is read.

Next, in step S703, the contents of the i-th record from the vibration output table 212, that is, the port number or virtual user to be given to the user corresponding to the user number i is read through the second record reading means 256. The code indicating

Next, in step S704, the initial value "1" is stored in the index register j used for searching for the vibration type, and in the next step S705, the j-th record from the relevant record in the vibration output table 212 is stored. Read the vibration type.

Next, in step S706, it is determined whether or not the read vibration type is valid. This determination is made based on whether the read vibration type is FFH indicating invalidity.

If the vibration type is valid instead of FFH indicating invalid, the process proceeds to the next step S707, and the user discriminating means 258 discriminates whether or not the user to whom the vibration is applied is the actual user. It This determination is made based on whether or not the content registered in the read record of the user information table 204 is a code indicating a virtual user.

If the content is not a code indicating a virtual user but an actual user, in step S708, the vibration instruction data creation means 260 is used to enter the port number registered in the relevant record of the user information table 204. The vibration instruction data Dv including the current vibration type information is created. The vibration type information includes voltage and current control signals for driving the motor 156 and the time for driving the motor 156 according to the vibration type.

Next, in step S709, the vibration instruction data output means 262 outputs the generated vibration instruction data Dv. External interface 20
2 and the communication device 110 constantly monitor the output vibration instruction data Dv, and send the vibration instruction data Dv to the operation device 12 connected to the port corresponding to the port number registered in the vibration instruction data Dv.

Upon receiving the vibration instruction data Dv from the entertainment apparatus 14, the operating device 12 rotationally drives the motor 156 based on the vibration type information stored in the vibration instruction data Dv to operate the operating device 12. Vibration corresponding to the vibration type is given to the actual user who is doing the work.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S707 that the user is a virtual user, step S710.
Then, the parameter changing means 264 changes the numerical value of the parameter corresponding to the vibration type among the physical parameters referred to by the game program. For example, the values of the parameters relating to the operation speed on the screen and the situation determination ability are changed.

When the processing in step S709 or the processing in step S710 is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S711, and the value of the index register j is incremented by +1.
After updating, the process returns to step S705, the next vibration type is read from the record in the vibration output table 212, and the process according to the vibration type is performed.

Then, in step S706,
If it is determined that the vibration type is invalid, the process advances to the next step S712, and the value of the index register i is incremented by +1.
After updating, in step S713, the process completion determining unit 266 determines whether or not all the processes for the vibration types registered in the vibration output table 212 are completed. This determination is made depending on whether the value of the index register i is larger than the number N of persons.

If the value of the index register i is equal to or less than the number of persons N and it is determined that all the processes are not completed, the process returns to the step S703, the information regarding the next user and the vibration type to be given to the user. Is read out and the vibration according to the vibration type is given to the actual user, or the value of the physical parameter of the virtual user is changed. Then, when all the processes for the vibration types registered in the vibration output table 212 are completed, this vibration output process ends.

As described above, in the entertainment system 10 according to the present embodiment, the entertainment device 14 controls the operating device 12 operated by a selected user among a plurality of users from other users. On the basis of the above requirement, the influence imparting instruction means 200 for outputting an instruction for generating a physical influence (such as vibration) is incorporated, so that a certain user, while looking at the screen of the television receiver, for example, the operating device. When performing a predetermined operation using 12, the physical influence can be exerted on the selected user according to a request from another user.

In this case, the selected user will encounter an unexpected situation such as a mistake in the operation due to sudden physical influence or a temporary interruption of the operation. That is, for example, in addition to giving a physical influence as a response to the operation of the user while the competitive game is in progress, the user can be influenced based on a request from another user. , It is possible to develop the game contents unexpectedly, and it is possible to make a battle with a realistic sensation in a battle game.

In particular, in the present embodiment, when the selected user is an actual user, that is, a human being, an instruction is given to the response means 150 in the operating device 12 operated by the actual user to actually use it. Since vibration is given to the user, for example, when a plurality of users are enjoying a competition game, the operation device 12 is vibrated by the intention of the user to physically obstruct the operation of the opponent. Thus, it becomes possible to make the operation itself difficult or induce an operation error.

As a result, it is possible to make the battle more realistic than before. In addition, since it is not known when it will be disturbed, it is possible to increase the sense of urgency and enable unexpected game development.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the selected user is a virtual user, that is, a user on a computer, the physical parameters of the virtual user are influenced. Since the virtual user is an imaginary existence (character), the operating device 12 is not actually used. Therefore, the parameters of the virtual user, such as the operation speed on the screen and the situation determination ability, are influenced. As a result, it is possible to develop a game with a sense of reality in a game in which a computer, which tends to be dry, is used as an opponent.

Further, in the present embodiment, the number of operating devices 12 connected to the entertainment device 14 and the identification factor (port number etc.) of each operating device 12 are detected, and the detected number of operating devices 12 is calculated. Since the user setting processing means 206 for performing the corresponding setting processing is incorporated, the user (real user and virtual use) who has issued a request to physically affect a certain selected user. Person) can be accurately recognized and the selected user can be surely given a physical influence.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the request from the user is an instruction (instruction to give vibration, etc.) that affects the selected user, it should be given to the selected user. Since the degree of influence (vibration type, etc.) is set according to the content of the request (operation attribute, etc.), if vibration is the physical impact that should be given to the selected user, the vibration type It is possible to give a corresponding influence, to give a small vibration, a gentle vibration, a large vibration, etc. arbitrarily, and it is possible to further develop a game with a realistic feeling.

The entertainment system and recording medium according to the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments,
It goes without saying that various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0176]

As described above, according to the entertainment system of the present invention, for example, in addition to giving an influence as a response to a user's operation during the progress of a game, a request from another user is used. As a result, the game contents can be unexpectedly developed by influencing the user, and in a competitive game, a realistic battle can be possible.

Further, according to the recording medium of the present invention, for example, in addition to giving an influence as a response to the operation of the user while the game is in progress, the user is requested to request the operation from another user. It is possible to provide a program capable of influencing the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an entertainment system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a state of a slot portion in the entertainment device.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the entertainment device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example of a main part of the entertainment system device.

FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of the operating device with a lower case removed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a motor that is a response means incorporated in the operating device and an eccentrically mounted rotating portion.

FIG. 7 is a right side view showing a state in which the operating device is vibrating.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a mounting position of a response unit incorporated in the operating device.

FIG. 9: Connecting the operating device to the entertainment device,
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where an entertainment device is connected to a monitor to play a game.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a main part that performs bidirectional serial communication between the operation device and the entertainment device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing of operation data and vibration instruction data of the operating device and the entertainment device by the microcomputer.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection example of the operation device to the entertainment device.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an impact giving instruction means according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a breakdown of a user information table.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a breakdown of an event processing table.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a breakdown of a vibration output table.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a breakdown of a drive signal table.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of an influence imparting instruction unit (program) which operates together with a game program of a competitive game, for example.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of processing operation of a game program.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the impact giving instruction means.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the user setting processing means.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the event processing means.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of vibration setting processing means.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the vibration output processing means.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Entertainment system 12 ... Operating device 14 ... Entertainment device 62 ... Connection terminal part 110 ... Communication device 114 ... Serial I / O interface (SIO) 150 ... Response means 156 ... Motor 200 ... Impact giving instruction means 202 ... External interface 204 ... User information table 206 ... User setting processing means 208 ... Event processing table 210 ... Event processing means 212 ... Vibration output table 214 ... Vibration setting processing means 216 ... Vibration output processing means 260 ... Vibration instruction data creating means 262 ... Vibration instruction data Output means 264 ... Parameter changing means

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hajime Saito             7-1, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd.             Sony Computer Entertainment             Within (72) Inventor Fumiaki Hara             7-1, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd.             Sony Computer Entertainment             Within (72) Kenji Kaido, Inventor             7-1, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd.             Sony Computer Entertainment             Within F term (reference) 2C001 AA06 BC08 CA01 CB01 CB06                       CB08 CC00 CC08 CC09

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An entertainment apparatus for executing various programs, and an operation apparatus connected to the entertainment apparatus, having a vibration generator inside thereof, and inputting a user's operation request to the entertainment apparatus. In the entertainment system, a request receiving unit for receiving a request sent from another user to give vibration to the operating device of the user, and an operating device to be vibrated according to the request received by the request receiving unit. An entertainment system, comprising: a selection unit that performs a vibration instruction and a vibration instruction unit that gives a vibration instruction to a vibration generator of the operating device selected by the selection unit. 2. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein a request from the other user includes a vibration type, and the vibration instructing means selects a vibration according to the vibration type by the selecting means. Entertainment system characterized by instructing a vibration generator of an operating device. 3. An entertainment device for executing various programs, and an operation device connected to the entertainment device, having a vibration generator inside thereof, and inputting a user's operation request to the entertainment device. In the entertainment system, a request receiving unit that receives a request including a vibration type sent from another user to give vibration to the operating device of the user, and the request included in the request received by the request receiving unit. An entertainment system comprising: a vibration instructing means for instructing the vibration generating device to generate a vibration according to a vibration type. 4. The entertainment system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the vibration type is determined according to a type of an operator operated by the other user at a time. 5. An entertainment apparatus for executing various programs, and an operation apparatus connected to the entertainment apparatus, having a vibration generator inside thereof, and inputting an operation request by a user to the entertainment apparatus. An entertainment system, request receiving means for receiving a request sent from another user to give vibration to the operating device of the user, and selects an operating device to be vibrated according to the request received by the request receiving means. A computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon, the program causing the selection unit to function as a vibration instruction unit that gives a vibration instruction to the vibration generator of the operating device selected by the selection unit. 6. The recording medium according to claim 5, wherein the request from the other user includes a vibration type, and the vibration instructing unit selects a vibration according to the vibration type by the selecting unit. A recording medium characterized by instructing a vibration generator of an operating device. 7. An entertainment device for executing various programs, an operation device connected to the entertainment device, having a vibration generator inside thereof, and inputting an operation request by a user to the entertainment device. An entertainment system, request receiving means for receiving a request including a vibration type sent from another user to give vibration to the operating device of the user, the vibration included in the request received by the request receiving means A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a vibration instructing unit to instruct the vibration generating apparatus to vibrate according to the type is recorded. 8. The recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the vibration type is determined according to the type of operator operated by the other user at one time.