JP2003210836A - Video game toy - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video game device wherein a game can be enjoyed by linking a virtual world with the actual world by forming the game machine body by imitating a character appearing in the game. <P>SOLUTION: This video game toy comprises a main toy element 1 and a subsidiary toy element 2. In this case, the main toy element 1 is equipped with a processing means 6 which performs a game processing based on a game program stored in a memory 5, and outputs an image signal and a sound signal to a monitor device 3, a first control means A which is controlled by a player, and a receiving means 9 which receives control information which is transmitted from the subsidiary toy element 2. The subsidiary toy element 2 is equipped with a second control means B which is controlled by the player, and a transmitting means which transmits control information of the second control means B. When the main toy element 2 does not receive the control information from the subsidiary toy element 1, the game is developed based on the first control means A, and when the control information is received from the subsidiary toy element 2, the game is developed based on the second control means B. <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 a video game toy, and more particularly to a video game toy including a combination of a main toy body and a sub toy body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, home-use video game devices have rapidly spread, and have pervaded homes to the extent that they are essential for daily play. Many video game devices have a configuration in which a game console main body and a TV are connected with a dedicated cable, a storage medium storing a game program is loaded into the game console main body, and a game program transferred from the storage medium to the video game device is The game is set to expand.

[0003]

However, in order to play different games, the storage medium (game cassette) storing the game program may be exchanged, but the desired game cassette is searched for and the game currently in use is searched for. There is a problem that it is necessary to replace the cassette, and other games cannot be enjoyed casually, and it is expensive to purchase the game cassette. Moreover, the main body of the game machine is generally formed in a box shape, and when the game is not performed, the game machine body is simply a box body, which causes a problem of clogging the place.

The present invention solves the above problems and links a virtual world with the real world so that a more interesting game can be enjoyed and a video game toy that can be displayed and enjoyed when not playing a video game is provided. The task is to provide.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, a video game toy according to the present invention is characterized by the following requirements. (A) A video game toy has a shape such as a robot, a memory for storing a game program, a game process is performed based on the game program stored in the memory, and an image signal and a sound signal are output to a monitor device. A small toy body having a processing means for controlling the main toy body, a first operating means operated by the player, and a second operating means operated by the player and having the shape of a robot or the like. (B) The sub toy body has a transmitting means for transmitting the operation information of the second operating means, and the main toy body has a receiving means for receiving the operation information transmitted from the sub toy body. (C) When the main toy body does not receive the operation information from the sub toy body, the main toy body executes the game program related to the main toy body and the first operation is performed. This performs the game based on the means, to perform a game developed based on the second operation means and executes a game program associated with the sub-toy body when receiving the operation information from the sub-toy body

The sub toy body has a memory for storing at least two pieces of identification information, and a selection means for selecting specific identification information from the identification information. The selection means selects the identification information. The identification information may be added to the operation information and transmitted from the transmission means, and the main toy body that has received the operation information may execute the game development corresponding to the sub toy body based on the identification information.

Further, the video game toy may have the following requirements. (A) The game program stored in the memory of the main toy body includes a competitive game of at least two characters. (B) The main toy body is added to operation information transmitted from at least two sub toy bodies. A sub-toy body can be identified from the identification information provided, and a battle game can be performed in which the character and sub-toy body in the above game program correspond to each other.

It is preferable that the sub toy body can be united with the main toy body.

[0009]

1 shows an example of a video game toy according to the present invention. This video game toy has a main toy body 1 in the form of a robot and a small sub toy body 2 in the form of a robot. The main toy body 1 and the monitor device 3 are connected via a signal cable 4 to form a video game device as a whole.

The main toy body 1 is formed so as to reversibly change from one type of robot toy to another type of dinosaur (not shown). In this main toy body 1, at least one game program related to the above-mentioned one form (for example, robot toy form),
At least one associated with other forms (eg, dinosaur forms)
A memory 5, which stores two game programs, recognizes the form of the main toy body 1, reads a game program corresponding to the form from the memory 5, processes the game, and outputs a video signal and an audio signal to the monitor 3, which is the monitor device 3. The processing means 6 for outputting to the first, which is operated in advancing the game
AV jack connector for inserting the plug of the signal button 4 for connecting to the monitor device 3, the enter button 7 which is the operating means A, the infrared receiving portion 9 which is the receiving means for receiving the infrared signal transmitted from the sub toy body 2. 10 and a light gun section 11 imitating a cannon cannon are provided.
Reference numeral 12 is a power LED that lights up when the power is ON.
A reset button 3 resets the game.

A housing recess 8 for housing the sub toy body 2 is formed in the body portion of the main toy body 1, and when the sub toy body 2 is housed in the housing recess 8, the sub toy body 2 is the main toy body 1. It is designed to make up the head.

The light gun unit 11 is rotatably supported on the main body of the toy in the vertical direction, and the light from the raster is focused on the light receiving element 16 by the condenser lens provided at the tip, and the player presses the decision button 7. Based on the electric signal output from the light receiving element 16 at the timing, the control unit 6 detects the landing position from the X and Y coordinates of the raster scanning position of the monitor device 3, and hits the target from the landing position and the target position. It is possible to judge whether or not it has been done.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the video game toy, in which the CPU as the processing means 6 stores the control program, image data, voice data, etc. necessary for executing the game via the bus line 30. A memory 5, a video processor 31 for generating a game screen, and an audio processor 32 for generating a game sound are connected, the video processor 31 and the audio processor 32 are connected to the AV jack connector 10, and the audio signal and the video signal are It is input to the television which is the monitor device 3 via the signal cable 4. In addition, the tact switch SW1 of the decision button 7, the detection switch SW2 for detecting a form change, the reset switch SW3, and the bus line 30 via the I / O port 33.
An LED 12 that emits light when the power is turned on is connected, and an A / D conversion unit 34 that converts an infrared signal received by the infrared light receiving unit 9 into a digital signal is connected via an I / O port 35.

Based on the detection result of the detection switch SW2, the CPU 6 determines whether the main toy body 1 has one form (for example, robot form) or another form (for example, dinosaur form).
The character corresponding to the detection result of the detection switch SW2 is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 3.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the sub toy body 2 is in the form of a small robot and is turned on when the infrared transmitting LED 20 which is a transmitting means and the second operating means B are operated on the front surface. A transmission confirmation LED 21 is arranged, and a determination button 22 and a left button 2 which are second operation means are provided on the back surface.
3, right button 24 and switching button 2 which is a selection means
5 are arranged.

The switching button 25 is used when two players each have a sub toy body 2 and play two characters on the monitor, and the first character displayed on the monitor is the first sub character. Toy body 2
Then, when controlling the second character with the second sub toy body 2, the identification information is added in addition to the control information output when the enter button 22, the left and right buttons 23, 24 are pressed. It has become.

The sub toy body is, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4, a tact switch SW corresponding to the decision button 22.
4, rubber switch S corresponding to the left and right buttons 23, 24
W5, SW6 and a slide switch SW7 corresponding to the switching button 25 are connected to the control circuit 26, and the control circuit 26 transmits a control signal corresponding to the enter button 22, left / right buttons 23, 24 from the infrared transmission LED 20 and controls the control. The transmission confirmation LED 21 for confirming that the signal has been transmitted is turned on.

The switching button 25 is used for the two sub toy bodies 2 when a competitive game is played with the two sub toy bodies 2.
The identification information corresponding to the vertical position of the switching button 25 is selected from the identification information stored in the memory 27 built in the control circuit 26. The setting positions of the switching buttons 25 of the two sub toy bodies 2 may not be the same. This identification information is transmitted together with the control signal, and the main toy body 1 side can recognize which sub-toy body 2 the control signal is transmitted from and can be reflected in the game.

Next, an example of the operation mode of the video game toy will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. When the power is turned on, a title screen is displayed on the monitor device 3 (step ST1) and waits for the player to press either the enter button 7 of the main toy body 1 or the enter button 22 of the sub toy body (step ST2). ), It is determined whether or not the pressed decision button is the decision button 7 of the main toy body 1 (step ST3), and the decision button 7 of the main toy body 1 is determined.
If so, go to step ST4 to execute the shooting game, and when the game is over (step ST
5) Return to the title screen of step ST1 and wait for the decision button to be pressed again.

When the decision button 22 of the sub toy 2 is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST6 and waits for the decision button 22 of the sub toy 2 to be pressed again (step ST7). If the identification information added to the control signal of the pressed decision button is the same identification information, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the same identification information is output twice from one sub toy body 2. When it is determined that the one-person battle game has been executed and the game is over (step S).
T9), the screen returns to the title screen of step ST1 and waits for the determination button to be pressed again.

If the identification information determined in step ST7 is not the same identification information, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the determination button of the second sub toy body 2'is pressed to transmit different identification information. And proceed to step ST10,
When the two-person battle game is executed and the game is over (step ST11), the screen returns to the title screen of step ST1 and waits for the determination button to be pressed again.

In the shooting game, as shown in FIG. 7A, the character a is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 3.
And target b are displayed, and a shooting game in which the target b is shot is possible. Therefore, in order to avoid an attack from the target b, the main toy body 1 is largely moved to the left or right so that the light gun unit 11 does not receive the light of the raster so that the character a is displayed on the screen. The target can be attacked by moving the light gun unit 11 to the left or right and pushing the decision button 7 at an appropriate timing while firing the light gun unit 11 to fire the cannon c.

In the one-person battle game, as shown in FIG. 7B, one's character a and the opponent's character d are displayed on the screen of the monitor device 3, and the opponent's character d moves according to the program. The character a can be operated by an operation signal transmitted from the sub toy body 2. By moving the right and left buttons 23 and 24, the character can be moved and the decision button 22 can be pressed at an appropriate timing to operate the opponent. The character d can be attacked. At this time, the operating means of the main toy body 1 does not function.

In the two-person battle game, as in the one-person battle game, one's own character a and the opponent's character d are displayed on the screen of the monitor device 3 (see FIG. 7).
(See (b)), the opponent character d can be operated by the second operation means B ′ provided on the opponent sub toy body 2, and the character a is provided on the own sub toy body 2. The second operation means B can be operated, and the respective characters can be moved by operating the left and right buttons 23, 24, 23'24 ', and the decision buttons 22, 22' can be pressed at appropriate timings. By doing so, they can attack each other's characters.

As described above, the main toy body 1 is not shaped like a box like a conventional video game device, but is formed by imitating a character appearing in the game, and operating means are integrally provided. Therefore, the main toy body 1 that is actually operated and the character that appears on the screen of the monitor device 3 can be integrally recognized, and the game can be advanced by simply operating the controller provided with operation buttons. It is possible to provide a video game device that is enjoyable for a young person, especially since the virtual game world is linked to the real world, and the fun of the game is doubled.

Moreover, since the main toy body 1 and the sub toy body 2 are shaped like robots, it is possible to leave the game and play with only the main toy body 1 and the sub toy body 2 and to display them when not in use. Because it is possible, the problem of blocking the place is solved.

Then, the main toy body 1 alone can be used for a game, the integrated sub toy body 2 can be used to play a battle game with an opponent who moves by a program, and the two toy bodies 2 can be used. Can be used to play a battle game with an opponent operated by the sub toy body 2 of another player, so that one person or two people can play the game.

Moreover, how to play the game changes depending on whether or not the sub toy body 2 is used without exchanging a storage medium such as a game cassette storing the game program, or whether or not a plurality of sub toy bodies 2 are used. You can enjoy a realistic game that cannot be enjoyed with a conventional video game device that simply selects a game by operating the controller.

[0029]

According to the invention of claim 1, since the main toy body 1 and the sub toy body are not box-shaped but are formed by imitating characters appearing in the game, the main toy actually operated The toy body 1 and the character appearing on the screen of the monitor device 3 can be recognized as a unit, and can be enjoyed in the conventional video game device in which the game is simply advanced by operating the controller provided with operation buttons. An unrealistic sense of reality, that is, the virtual world and the real world are linked to each other to further double the fun of the game, and it is possible to provide a video game device that is especially enjoyable for young children.

Moreover, the main toy body-based game or the sub toy body-based game can be selected depending on whether or not the operation signal is transmitted from the sub-toy body, which is visually and operationally easy to understand. Even young children can enjoy video games.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the main toy body can develop a game corresponding to the sub toy body based on the identification information added to the operation information received from the sub toy body, so that the game program is stored. It is possible to play the game without changing the storage medium such as the game cassette.

According to the invention of claim 3, the sub-toy body is identified from the identification information added to the operation information transmitted from the two sub-toy bodies, and the two characters displayed on the screen are respectively sub-played. Since it corresponds specifically, it is possible to simplify the two-player battle game without performing special operations such as selecting the game method from the menu screen,
It is possible to provide the best games for the young.

According to the invention of claim 4, the sub toy body can be combined with the main toy body, and the toy body having one shape can be configured as a whole, so that the toy body can be displayed and enjoyed. At the same time, it is possible to open the player due to problems such as loss of the sub toy body and annoyance during storage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a video game toy according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main toy body.

3A and 3B are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a sub toy body.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a video game toy.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a usage mode of the video game toy.

6A and 6B are perspective views illustrating a usage mode of the video game toy.

7A and 7B are explanatory views of an example of a game displayed on a monitor device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 main toy body 1 2 sub toy body 3 monitor 5 memory 6 Processing means (CPU) 9 Receiving means (infrared receiver) 20 Transmitting means (infrared transmitting LED) 25 Selection means (switch button) A First operation means B Second operation means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A video game toy having the following requirements. (A) A video game toy has a shape such as a robot, a memory for storing a game program, a game process is performed based on the game program stored in the memory, and an image signal and a sound signal are output to a monitor device. A small toy body having a processing means for controlling the main toy body, a first operating means operated by the player, and a second operating means operated by the player and having the shape of a robot or the like. (B) The sub toy body has a transmitting means for transmitting the operation information of the second operating means, and the main toy body has a receiving means for receiving the operation information transmitted from the sub toy body. (C) When the main toy body does not receive the operation information from the sub toy body, the main toy body executes the game program related to the main toy body and the first operation is performed. This performs the game based on the means, to perform a game developed based on the second operation means and executes a game program associated with the sub-toy body when receiving the operation information from the sub-toy body 2. The sub toy body has a memory for storing at least two pieces of identification information, and a selection means for selecting specific identification information from the identification information, and the sub-toy body is selected by the selection means. The video game according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is added to the operation information and transmitted from the transmitting means, and the main toy body that has received the operation information executes a game development corresponding to the sub toy body based on the identification information. toy. 3. The following requirements are provided,
The video game toy according to claim 1 or 2. (A) The game program stored in the memory of the main toy body includes a competitive game of at least two characters. (B) The main toy body is added to operation information transmitted from at least two sub toy bodies. A sub-toy body can be identified from the identification information provided, and a battle game can be performed in which the character and sub-toy body in the above game program correspond to each other. 4. The video game toy according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the sub toy body can be united with the main toy body.