JP2003299872A - Game system and game method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a player to operate directly to an object in a game space and to prevent the player from feeling a boundary between a real space and a game space. <P>SOLUTION: A gaseous screen is generated by using gas generated by a dry ice machine and a smoke machine. It is preferable that the gas is difficult to diffuse when the screen is inserted between air jets. If the object on the screen is stabbed with a sword, e.g. the stuck part to the object is hidden by the screen, visual sensory illusion as if the object is stuck with the sword is given to the player. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game device in which a player plays a game while watching a screen displayed on a monitor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a game device for a player to play a game while watching a screen displayed on a monitor, various devices have been provided. For example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-35025
Boxing game 2 is listed. In this game, a player holds a glove-shaped operation article in his hand and punches at an enemy displayed on the monitor. Accelerometers etc. are attached to the glove, and the type of punch (straight, upper,
Hook) is detected. Enemies on the monitor sway to the left or right or recoil and fall, depending on the type of punch detected.

Further, in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-96856, when a player swings or pokes with a sword-shaped operation object (actual operation object), a virtual operation object having a similar shape to the actual operation object is actually used. A game device (hereinafter, referred to as a sword game) that makes a movement similar to that of an operation article on a screen is disclosed. In this sword game, the real operation object and the virtual operation object have similar shapes and their movements are synchronized, so that the player can have an illusion that he or she directly operates the virtual operation object.

[0004]

The boxing game described above is more interesting because the punching action of the player himself is reflected in the game development. However, in this boxing game, the player throws a punch toward the screen, but does not directly hit the enemy. Therefore, even if an effect in which the enemy is hit by a punch is displayed on the screen, the player cannot feel the punch being hit either visually or physically, and there is a feeling of poor reality.

In the above-mentioned sword game, the player can get a sense of his or her own play effect to some extent by seeing the virtual operation object moving in synchronization with the actual operation object hitting the enemy. However, even in this sword game, since the operation of the actual operation object is not directly exerted on the displayed object such as an enemy, it is desired to further enhance the reality. That is, there has not yet been provided a game device in which a player existing in the real space directly works on an object in the game space and does not feel the boundary between the real space and the game space.

An object of the present invention is to provide a game system and a game method in which a player existing in a real space directly works on an object in the game space. Another object of the present invention is to provide a game system and a game method in which the player does not feel the boundary between the real space and the game space.

[0007]

The invention 1 provides a game system having the following components. -Spouting unit for spouting fluid for forming a fluid screen-Operation means for outputting an operation signal indicating the operation content by the player-Game control for controlling the progress of the game based on the operation signal from the operation means Means, display control means for generating an image showing the progress of the game, image projection means for projecting the image generated by the display control means onto a fluid screen formed by the fluid ejected from the ejection unit.

The fluid from the ejection unit forms a fluid screen. The player uses the operating means to work on the image projected here. The game progresses according to the operation signal and the result of the operation is displayed on the fluid screen, so that the player can play the game as if the object in the game space is there. This game device can be applied to various game contents. For example, if you apply it to the sword game described above, you can directly "cut" the enemy object displayed on the screen,
Operations such as "poke" can be performed. Further, if applied to the boxing game described above, it is possible to directly punch the enemy object displayed on the screen. In addition, the present invention can be applied to any game as long as it is a game that operates an object in the game space by using an operation unit that generates an operation signal.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a game system according to the first aspect, further including a suction unit for sucking the fluid ejected from the ejection unit. Inhaling the ejected fluid has advantages that it is easy to prevent diffusion of the fluid and smooth the fluid screen. A third aspect of the present invention provides a game system according to the second aspect, wherein the ejection unit and / or the suction unit is configured to smooth the fluid screen.

By smoothing the fluid that easily diffuses, the image projected on the surface can be made clearer. A fourth aspect of the present invention provides the game system according to the third aspect, wherein the ejection unit and / or the suction unit includes an air shower device and / or an air jet device.

The fluid ejected by the air shower device or the air jet device can be smoothed, and the image projected on the surface can be made clear. Invention 5 is the above Invention 3
Or 4, the ejection unit includes: a fluid ejection port arranged in a row for ejecting the fluid;
And a game system having an air ejection port arranged in a row with the fluid ejection port interposed therebetween and ejecting air.

By sandwiching the flow of the fluid from both sides with an air curtain or an air jet, it is possible to prevent the diffusion of the fluid and form a smooth fluid layer. As a result, the image projected by the image projection means becomes clearer. Invention 6 is
In the above invention 5, there is provided a game system in which the suction unit has a suction port for sucking the fluid at a position facing the fluid ejection port.

By inhaling the fluid ejected from the ejection unit with the inhalation unit provided on the opposite side, it is possible to prevent the diffusion of the fluid and to easily keep the fluid layer in a screen shape. Invention 7 is the invention of any one of Inventions 1 to 6,
The fluid is CO2 gas obtained by vaporizing dry ice, smoke gas obtained by vaporizing a smoke liquid,
A gaming system is provided that is one or more fluids selected from the group consisting of water and oil.

As an example, it is possible to use the above-mentioned gas or liquid as the fluid. Of course, gases or liquids other than those listed here can be used for the fluid screen. Invention 8 is the game system according to any one of Inventions 1 to 7, wherein the image projection means is configured so that a shadow of a player who plays toward a fluid screen formed by the ejection unit does not appear on the fluid screen. I will provide a.

If the shadow of the player appears on the image projected on the fluid screen from the image projecting means, for example, a projector, and a part of the image is lost, the progress of the game itself is hindered. Therefore, by configuring the projector so that the shadow of the player who plays toward the fluid screen does not appear on the fluid screen, it is possible to provide a game system that can be played comfortably.

A ninth aspect of the present invention provides the game system according to the eighth aspect, wherein the image projection means is disposed obliquely forward of the fluid screen formed by the ejection unit. By arranging the image projecting means obliquely in front of the fluid screen, the image can be projected without impairing the degree of freedom of the player.

A tenth aspect of the present invention provides the game system according to the eighth aspect, wherein the image projection means is installed on the back side of the fluid screen formed by the ejection unit. For example, there is no problem that the shadow of the player is reflected in the image projected from the projector onto the fluid screen and a part of the image is lost, which hinders the progress of the game itself.

Invention 11 provides a game system including the following components. A screen formed using a stretchable material, a frame supporting the screen, an operation means for outputting an operation signal indicating the operation content of the player, a game based on the operation signal from the operation means Game control means for controlling the progress, Display control means for generating an image showing the progress of the game, Image projection means for projecting the image generated by the display control means on the screen.

The player works on the object displayed on the screen by using the operation means. The operation result is projected on the screen. Since the screen has elasticity, if it is applied to, for example, a boxing game, the visual sensation and response of punching to the opponent are reproduced. Therefore, the player can enjoy the game without paying attention to the boundary between the game space and the real space.

A twelfth aspect of the invention provides a game system according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the screen has a notch. The notch allows the operating means of the player to penetrate the screen. For example, when applied to the sword game, it is possible to perform operations such as "push" and "cut".

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention provides a game system according to the eleventh aspect or the twelfth aspect, wherein the screen is formed by arranging stretchable tape-shaped or string-shaped materials. For example, a screen may be formed by arranging spandex-containing threads, strings, tapes, etc. without a gap. When applied to the sword game, it is possible to give the player a sense of "cutting" no matter where the cutting is done on the screen.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention provides the game system according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the image projecting means is configured so that the shadow of the player who plays toward the screen does not appear on the screen. If the shadow of the player is projected on the image projected on the fluid screen from the image projection means, for example, a projector, and a part of the image is lost, the progress of the game itself is hindered.
Therefore, by configuring the projector so that the shadow of the player who plays toward the fluid screen does not appear on the fluid screen, it is possible to provide a game system that can be played comfortably.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention provides the game system according to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the image projecting means is arranged diagonally forward of the screen. By arranging the image projection means diagonally in front of the screen, it is possible to project an image without impairing the degree of freedom of the player. A sixteenth aspect of the present invention provides the game system according to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the image projection means is installed on the back side of the screen.

For example, there is no problem that the shadow of the player is reflected in the image projected from the projector onto the fluid screen and a part of the image is lost, which hinders the progress of the game itself. Invention 17 provides a game method including the following steps. A jetting step for forming the fluid screen by using a jetting unit for jetting a fluid for forming a fluid screen, an operation signal outputting step for outputting an operation signal indicating an operation content by the player, based on the operation signal A game control step of controlling the progress of the game, an image generation step of generating an image showing the progress of the game, and an image projection step of projecting the image generated in the image generation step onto the fluid screen.

This method is executed in the game system according to Invention 1. Invention 18 provides a game method including the following steps. An operation signal output step of outputting an operation signal indicating the operation content by the player, a game control step of controlling the progress of the game based on the operation signal, and an image generation step of generating an image showing the progress of the game. An image projection step of projecting the image generated in the image generation step onto a screen formed using a stretchable material.

This method is executed in the game system according to the eleventh aspect.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION <First Embodiment> (1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a game system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This game system has a game device 1, a jetting device 20, an inhaling device 21, a projector 22, a speaker 23, and an operating section 24. The game device 1 includes a CPU 10, a ROM 13, a RAM 14,
It has a GPU 15, a frame buffer 16, an SPU 17, and a position sensor 18. The CPU 10 advances the game described later based on the OS recorded in the ROM 13 and the game data stored in the RAM 14. The ROM 13 stores an OS for causing each part of the game system to perform a basic operation. The RAM 14 is used as a work area for temporarily storing various game data read from a semiconductor memory (not shown) or the like as needed.

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 15
Writes a CG image composed of a combination of polygons in the frame buffer 16 based on the calculation result of the CPU 10. The CG image rendered by the GPU 15 is temporarily recorded in the frame buffer 16. This CG image is passed to the projector 22 and projected on the screen described later. The rendering process by the GPU 15 and the recording in the frame buffer 16 are continuously performed, so that a CG image including a moving image element, for example, a motion of a character is projected on the projector 22.

SPU (Sound Processing Unit) 17
Reproduces music and sound effects based on audio data such as music data and various sound effect data recorded in a semiconductor memory (not shown). The reproduced sound is amplified by the speaker 23. The position sensor 18 detects the position of the operation article in the real space R where the player exists. Here, the operation article is an input means for acting on an arbitrary object in the game by the player operating the operation article in the real space R. Position sensor 1
8 detects the position of such an operation article and passes it to the CPU 10. The position of the operation article in the passed real space R is the CPU 10
Is converted into a position in the game space G by. As the position sensor 18, for example, a pair of optical sensors for detecting light from a light emitting element attached to the operation article, a pair of ultrasonic sensors for receiving ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic transmitter attached to the operation article, An imaging device such as a CCD camera for detecting the movement of the player or the operation article may be used.

The operation section 24 includes the operation article, buttons, switches, levers and the like. The operation article can be used not only as input means but also as output means. For example, when the operation article is provided with a vibrating means and an object in the game space G collides with the operation article, CP
It can be mentioned that the vibrating means is vibrated by a signal from U10.

The ejection device 20 ejects a fluid for forming a screen. As the screen fluid, CO2 gas obtained by vaporizing dry ice, gas such as smoke gas obtained by vaporizing oil-based or water-based smoke liquid, and liquid such as water or nonflammable oil can be considered. . The generated gas is preferably white smoke. This is because it is easy to display the image projected from the projector 22. It is preferable that the ejection device 20 ejects an air shower, an air jet, or the like in addition to the fluid for functioning as a screen. This is because the diffusion of the screen fluid is suppressed by an air shower or the like, and the surface of the fluid is smoothed so as to function as the screen. Such a jetting device 20 can be realized by, for example, combining an air shower device or an air jet device for a clean room used in the chemical or food industry with a dry ice machine or a smoke machine used for a stage device or the like. . The dry ice machine is a device that reacts hot water with dry ice to generate CO2 gas. For example, CUMULS (GIMMI
CK). A smoke machine is a device that vaporizes smoke liquid to generate smoke gas such as white smoke. For example, Rosco, F-100, and Super Smoke (all manufactured by GIMMICK) can be mentioned.

The inhaler 21 is a device for inhaling the gas, liquid or air ejected by the ejector 20. Spouting device 20
The screen can be formed between the jet port of the suction device and the suction port of the suction device 21 by facing each other. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the fluid forming the screen from diffusing and obtain a smooth fluid screen. The inhaler 21 can be realized by applying a filter unit for a clean room used in the semiconductor industry, for example.

The projector 22 displays the GPU 1 on the fluid screen formed by the ejection device 20 and the suction device 21.
Project the image from 5. The projector 22 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use a projector having a keystone correction function. The trapezoidal correction function is, for example, a function of adjusting an image so that the image is not distorted even when it is obliquely projected on the screen. As such a projector, for example, VPL-HS1FP (SONY Co., Ltd.)
Manufactured). In addition, the projector 22
May be arranged at any position as long as the image can be projected on the screen without disturbing the game player's play. In order to project an image on the screen, additional optical means may be arranged outside the projector and used together, if necessary.

(2) Example of Game System (2-1) Configuration of Game System Next, a competitive game system, which is one specific example of the game system, will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
2A is an external perspective view of the competitive game system, FIG. 2B is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a side view thereof. This competitive game system includes a frame 100 and a squirting unit 10.
1, CCD camera 104a, b, speaker 105a,
b, the projector 106 and the sword-shaped operation article 200. A computer that functions as the game apparatus 1 is built in the frame body 100 (not shown). Built-in computer, CCD cameras 104a, 104b, projector 106, ejection unit 101, and inhalation unit 1
10 is connected by a signal line (not shown). Further, the frame body 100 and the sword-shaped operation article 200 are RS232C.
Are connected by a signal line capable of bidirectional communication.

On the upper part of the frame 100, the ejection unit 10
1 is attached with the ejection port 102 facing downward.
The ejection port 102 of the ejection unit 101 is provided so as to face the suction port 103 provided on the floor surface. The ejection unit 101 ejects gas and air at high speed from the ejection port 102, and this is sucked into the suction port 103 to form a gas layer (hereinafter referred to as a screen S) sandwiched between air jets. CC is located diagonally above and behind the ejection unit 101.
The D cameras 104a and 104b are attached, for example, at a predetermined height from the ceiling. The CCD cameras 104a and 104b detect light from a light emitting element attached to a predetermined position of the sword-shaped operation article 200. Speakers 105a and 105b for outputting game background music and sound effects are provided on the left and right sides of the front surface of the ejection unit 101. Further, at a position diagonally ahead of the position where the screen S is to be formed, the projector 106 is fixed at a predetermined height from the ceiling, and the screen S
Project the image onto. The position of the projector 106 is adjusted so that the shadow of the player who plays in front of the screen S does not appear on the screen. The player's reference standing position is indicated by a footprint 107 in front of the frame 100. A unit including a start button 114 and a coin slot 115 is arranged near the frame 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ejection unit 101
Is connected to an external gas generator 109 via a pipe 108 provided in the frame 100. The gas generated by the gas generator 109 is ejected from the ejection unit 101 through the pipe 108. On the other hand, the suction port 103 provided on the floor is connected to the suction unit 11 via the discharge pipe 118.
It is connected to 0. The gas sucked from the suction port 103 is discharged to the outside by the suction unit 110 through the discharge pipe 118.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the ejection unit 1
01 outlet 102 and suction unit 110 suction port 1
It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of 03. The air outlets 102a and 102c for ejecting gas are arranged so as to sandwich the air outlets 102a and 102c. Similarly, a suction port 1 for sucking gas
03b is arranged so as to be sandwiched by suction ports 103a and 103c for sucking air. By arranging the jet port 102 and the suction port 103 in this way, as shown in FIG. 7C, the air jets sandwich the flow of gas from the top to the bottom, and the screen S, which is a flat gas layer, is Layer air jet L
Formed during. As described above, when the screen S is formed by discharging the gas from the upper side to the lower side, it is preferable to use a gas having a higher specific gravity than air, for example, CO2. In this case, a dry ice machine may be used as the gas generator 109. It is also possible to form the screen by using a liquid such as water instead of the gas. In this case, a pump for raising water to the ejection unit 101 is used instead of the gas generator 109. Then, the water may be returned from the suction unit 110 to the pump (spouting unit 101) and circulated.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the range of the real space R that can be detected by the CCD cameras 104a and 104b. The same figure (a)
Shows a plan view of the real space R, and FIG. 8B shows a side view of the real space R. The real space R is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped having a width W, a depth D, and a height H. The width W is a pair of CCD cameras 10.
It corresponds to the distance between 4a and 4a. Height H is CCD 104
It corresponds to the height from the floor surface of a and b. The depth D of the real space R can be divided into a rear depth D1 and a front depth D2 from the position where the screen S is formed. That is, the CCD is located to the rear of the screen S, in other words, to the position beyond the screen S as seen from the player.
It is included in the detection range of the camera. This is for detecting the position of the sword-shaped operation article 200 that has penetrated the screen S when the player performs an action such as poking or cutting an enemy on the screen S with the sword-type operation article 200.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the sword-shaped operation article 200. The sword-shaped operation article 200 has a grip portion 201.
And a blade portion 202. The blade portion 202 is made of a transparent resin or the like, and has two different points Q along the axial direction inside the blade portion 202.
Two light emitting elements 203a and 203b are attached to 1 and Q2. Light from the light emitting elements 203a and 203b is emitted from the CCD.
It is detected by the cameras 104a and 104b, respectively. The light emitting element can be configured using a plurality of LEDs. Vibrating means 204 for vibrating the sword is preferably provided inside the grip portion 201. Sword-shaped operation object 200
When hits an enemy on the screen S or another object in the game space G, the sword-shaped operation article 200 can be vibrated by the vibrating means 204 to increase the presence. The vibrating means 204 can be realized by using, for example, an eccentric cam and a motor for rotating the eccentric cam. In addition, it is preferable that switches 205a and 205b be provided on the grip 201 so that a menu appearing on the screen S can be selected. Further, a cable 206 that transmits a current for driving the vibrating means 204 is attached to the grip 201.

(2-2) Overview of Competitive Game FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a scene of the competitive game in the competitive game system shown in FIG. In this game, enemies with weapons such as swords appear one after another and attack the player. The player directly performs an action such as “poke” or “cut” the enemy object displayed on the screen S with the sword-shaped operation article 200. For example, when a “poke” motion is performed, the part of the sword-shaped operation article 200 that is stabbed by the enemy object projects beyond the screen and disappears from the player. As described above, the player uses the sword-shaped operation article 20.
You can use 0 to work directly on objects in the game space G. Moreover, the object in the game space is as if there, and gives the player a visual illusion of working on the object. Therefore, the player does not feel the boundary between the game space G and the real space R, and can have a realistic experience.

(2-3) Process Performed by CPU The process performed by the CPU 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 again.
The CPU 10 has a game control unit 11 and a space conversion unit 12. The space conversion unit 12 performs a coordinate conversion process for converting the position of the light emitting elements 203a and 203b attached to the sword-shaped operation article 200 in the real space R into the position in the game space G. The space conversion unit 12 performs coordinate conversion processing at predetermined time intervals Δt1, for example, every 16 msec. The position in the game space G can be represented by, for example, three-dimensional coordinates of the game space G. Based on the obtained game space coordinates, it is determined whether or not the sword-shaped operation article 200 has hit the object in the game space G.

The game control unit 11 determines, based on the game space coordinates of the sword-shaped operation article 200, whether or not any object has hit the sword-type operation article 200. For this determination, the game control unit 11 determines that the past predetermined time Δ
The game space coordinates of the sword-shaped operation article 200 within t2 are stored. FIG. 8 shows two points Q1 on the sword-shaped operation article 200,
It is a conceptual explanatory diagram of a trajectory table that stores the game space coordinates of Q2 in time series for a predetermined time of 256 msec. This table is held in the RAM 14.

The game control section 11 calculates a plane representing the locus of the blade section 202 using the locus table, and determines whether or not the sword-shaped operation article 200 has hit depending on whether or not there is an object in the game space G in the plane. Is determined. The game control unit 11 also updates the life of the enemy according to the result of the hit determination. Further, the game control section 11 determines the vibrating means 204 of the sword-shaped operation article 200 according to the result of the hit determination.
The process of vibrating and the process of outputting the sound effect are performed.

(2-4) Process Flow FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the flow of the overall process procedure in the competitive game system. The flow of processing of the present game system will be specifically described below with reference to this figure. First, the player inserts the coin slot 1 of the game system.
The following processing is started by inserting a coin into 15.

Step S1: The game control section 11 causes the ejection device 20 (the ejection unit 101 and the gas generation device 109).
And the suction device 21 (corresponding to the suction unit 110). As a result, CO
Gas such as 2 starts to be ejected, and the screen S is ejected 1
02 and the suction port 103. Step S2: The game control section 11 reads a game program and data necessary for the progress of the game from the semiconductor memory (not shown) or the like into the RAM 14.

Step S3: The game control section 11 performs the following steps S4 to S15 at predetermined time intervals, for example, 16 msec intervals. Step S4: The space conversion unit 12 detects the position of the sword-shaped operation article 200 in the real space R (the positions of the points Q1 and Q2). Step S5: The space conversion unit 12 converts the detected position coordinates of the points Q1 and Q2 in the real space R into position coordinates in the game space G. The game space coordinates are passed to the game control unit 11 and written in the trajectory table.

Step S6: The game control section 11 is shown in FIG.
Based on the trajectory table as shown in
It is determined whether 00 hits an arbitrary object (for example, an enemy object) in the game space G. "Ye
If "s" is determined, the process proceeds to step S7, and if "No" is determined, the process proceeds to step S9, which will be described later. Step S7: The game control unit 11 causes the sword-shaped operation article 200.
When hits an enemy object, the life of that enemy object is subtracted.

Steps S8 and S9: The game control section 11 may vibrate the vibrating means 204 of the sword-shaped operation article 200 (S8). In addition to the visual sense, the player can feel the response of the sword-shaped operation article 200 hitting an object in the game space. Furthermore, the game control unit 11 may output a sound effect indicating that the game has been hit (S9). The player can further hear the hit.

Step S10: When the enemy object attacks, the game control section 11 judges whether or not the player's sword-shaped operation article 200 defends against the attack of the enemy object, and based on the judgment result, the remaining life of the player's life. Calculate the amount. For example, when it is detected that the sword-shaped operation article 200 of the player is at a predetermined position, it is determined that the player hits the sword of the enemy object, and the player determines that the attack of the enemy is protected. On the other hand, when the sword-shaped operation article 200 of the player is not in the predetermined position, it is determined that the sword-shaped operation article 200 is not hit by the sword of the enemy object that has attacked, it is determined that the player has been damaged, and the life of the player Subtract.

Step S11: The game control section 11 judges whether the life of the player is 0 or the player has cleared the stage. If none of the above applies, the process returns to step S3 and the above process is repeated. If any of the above is true, the process proceeds to step S12. Steps S12, S13, S14, S15, S16: The game control section 11 determines whether or not the player has cleared the stage (S12). If the result is determined to be "Yes", the result is displayed (S13), and an instruction as to whether or not to continue the game is accepted (S14). If the continuation is not instructed here, the game control unit 11 causes the ejection device 20 and the inhalation device 2 to operate.
1 is stopped, and the process ends (S15). If it is determined in step S12 that the player has not cleared the stage, the process proceeds to step S16. In this case, the game control unit 11 displays that the game is over (S1
6), the process ends (S15).

In this game system, the player directly works on an object in the game space G projected on the screen as if it were there. Therefore, the player can enjoy a realistic game without visually perceiving the boundary between the real space R and the game space G. <Second Embodiment Example> (1) Overall Configuration FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a game system according to a second embodiment example of the present invention. This game system includes a game device 1, a jetting device 20, an inhaling device 21, a projector 22, a speaker 23, an operating unit 24, a screen 25,
It has an acceleration detector 30 and a player detector 40. In the figure, the elements designated by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment have the same functions. Screen 25
It is made of elastic cloth or non-woven fabric, blinds, tape, etc. An image is projected on the screen 25 from the projector 22.

The acceleration detecting section 30 includes a three-axis acceleration sensor provided on the operation article for the player to work on the image projected on the screen 25. Player detector 4
0 has a function for detecting the position of the player.
Specifically, the ultrasonic transmitter 41 and the pair of ultrasonic sensors 4
2, 43, ultrasonic transmitter 41, and ultrasonic sensors 42, 4
The player detection unit 40 can be formed by using the drive unit 44 that drives 3 and the position calculation unit 45 that calculates the position of the player in the real space R. The ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transmitter 41 are reflected by the player's body, and some of them are received by the ultrasonic sensors 42 and 43. Position calculation unit 45
Uses the distance data obtained by measuring the time from the transmission point to the rise of the received signal and based on the time difference, the distance between the ultrasonic transmitter 41 and each of the receiving devices 42 and 43, and height information. The position coordinates of the player in the real space R are calculated.

(2) Example of Game System (2-1) Configuration of Game System FIG. 11 shows a boxing game system which is an example of the game system shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. The figure and the same figure (b) are top views. The boxing game system includes a frame 100, a screen 116, and an arm 11 formed in a U shape in the player's play space.
1, the projector 106 and the gloves 2000a and 2000b. Each of the gloves 2000a and 2000b has a built-in triaxial acceleration sensor therein, and is connected to a computer (not shown) in the frame 100 by a signal line.

The screen 116 is made of, for example, a stretchable cloth. The stretchable cloth is obtained by using spandex or the like. The screen 116
The upper and lower parts are fixed to the frame 100 and the support member 120 on the floor by a plurality of springs 117. The player feels a response due to the elasticity of the screen 116 when he punches at the opponent, so that the sense of presence is increased.

An ultrasonic transmitter 112 is provided at the center of the front of the arm 111, and an ultrasonic sensor 113 is provided at its left and right symmetrical positions.
a and b are provided. The ultrasonic wave transmitter 112 and the ultrasonic wave sensors 113a and 113b are an example of the player detection unit 40, and are connected to a computer in the frame 100 by a signal line. Speakers 105a and 105b for outputting game BGM and sound effects are provided on the left and right of the upper portion of the frame 100. Further, in the diagonally front of the screen 116, for example, the projector 106 is fixed at a predetermined height from the ceiling,
The image is projected on the screen 116. Projector 10
The position of 6 is adjusted so that the shadow of the player who plays in front of the screen 116 does not appear on the screen. The projector 106 uses the signal line (not shown) for the frame 100.
Connected to the computer inside. A unit including a start button 114 and a coin slot 115 is arranged near the frame 100.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the globe 2000. This figure is a side sectional view of the right hand globe 2000b. The left-handed globe 2000a has the same structure. The glove 2000 is made of resin or the like and has a shape similar to that used in boxing competitions. The globe 2000 includes a main body 210 and a grip portion 21.
Have one. The player can fit the glove 2000 to a fist by wearing the glove 2000 and holding the grip portion 211. 3 in main body 210
An axial acceleration sensor 2124 is provided. The triaxial acceleration sensor 2124 is mounted on the sensor board 2123,
The sensor board 2123 is divided into an upper casing 2 and a lower casing 2.
It is fixed at 121. The casing 2121 is fixed to a plate 212 embedded in the main body 210.
The triaxial acceleration sensor 2124 detects triaxial components in the x, y, and z directions, and when acceleration occurs, outputs a voltage of each axial component according to the acceleration. The output voltage is transmitted to the computer in the frame body 100 by a signal line.

(2-2) Outline of Boxing Game Referring again to FIG. 11, the outline of the boxing game system will be described. FIG. 11 shows a scene of the boxing game. In the boxing game, the opponent is displayed on the screen, and the player performs boxing with the opponent object, which is the opponent. If the position of the player detected by the player detection unit 40 when the enemy object makes a punch is in the line-of-sight direction of the enemy object, it is determined that the enemy object has hit the player. Also, the enemy object is damaged depending on the type of punch of the player. Player is on screen 25
By directly punching the enemy object displayed above, it is possible to visually feel that oneself is directly working on the object in the game space G. Furthermore, when the punch is released, it is possible to feel the response due to the elasticity of the screen 116. If the player outputs a sound effect when the player throws a punch, it is audibly felt that the punch hits the opponent. Therefore, the player can have a realistic experience without feeling the boundary between the game space G and the real space R.

(2-3) CPU Processing The processing performed by the CPU 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 again. The CPU 10 includes a game control unit 11 and a punch determination unit 1
2 and. The punch determination unit 12 determines the type of punch as either upper, straight, or hook based on the waveform change of the output voltage of each triaxial acceleration sensor. That is, the punch determination unit 12 determines the punch type based on the maximum value and the minimum value of the waveform pattern of the voltage from each acceleration sensor, the amplitude, the number of peak appearances, the integrated value, and the like.

The game control section 11 includes a player detection section 40.
Based on the position of the player calculated by, it is determined whether the punch of the enemy object hits the player. Specifically, the game control unit 11 converts the player position in the real space R calculated by the player detection unit 40 into position coordinates in the game space G. When the game position coordinates of the player are in the direction of the punch that the enemy object has rolled out, it is determined that the enemy punch has hit the player. Further, when determining that the punch of the enemy object has hit the player, the game control unit 11 may visually display that the player has received the punch of the opponent by shaking the image of the entire screen, for example. In addition, the game control unit 11 subtracts the life of the enemy object when the player shoots a punch. Furthermore, the enemy object sways to the left or right according to the type of punch, or falls on its back.

(2-4) Process Flow FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the overall process procedure in the boxing game system. Less than,
The processing flow of the present game system will be specifically described with reference to this figure. For ease of explanation, in the following explanation, the case where only one stage is prepared for the boxing game is taken as an example. The following processing is started by the player inserting a coin into the coin insertion slot 115 of the boxing game system.

Step S21: First, a game program and data necessary for the progress of the game are read into the RAM 14 from a semiconductor memory or the like (not shown). Step S22: The game control unit 11 obtains the position coordinates of the player in the game space G from the position of the player in the real space R detected by the player detection unit 40.

Step S23: The game control section 11 determines whether or not the player has performed a punching operation. This determination is made based on whether the punch determination unit 12 notifies the punch type. If "Yes" is determined, the process proceeds to step S24, and if "No" is determined, the process proceeds to step S28 described later. Steps S24, S25, S26: Game control unit 11
When the player performs the punching motion, may determine whether the enemy object is hit (S2).
4). This determination is made based on the position guarded by the enemy object and the punch type, for example. Then, when it is determined that the player performs a punching motion and hits at a position where the enemy object is not guarded, a hit display such as staggering or falling of the enemy object is displayed (S2).
5), the life of the enemy object is subtracted (S26).

Step S27: Next, the game control section 1
1 determines whether or not the life of the enemy object remains. When the life of the enemy object does not remain, the process proceeds to step S31 described later and the game ends. When the life of the enemy object remains, the process proceeds to step S28. Steps S28, S29, S30: The game control section 11 determines whether or not the enemy object has punched. When hit, it is determined whether or not the player has bypassed the punch of the enemy object (S29). When the player has bypassed the punch of the enemy object, it is determined whether or not the stage has been cleared (S30). "No"
If so, the process returns to step S22 to clear the stage, or the life of the enemy object becomes zero,
The above process is repeated until the player's life becomes zero. If it is determined that the stage is cleared in step S30, the process proceeds to step S31.

Step S31: The game control section 11 carries out a game ending process. For example, the life of the player and the life of the enemy object are displayed, and the process ends. Step S32: When the player does not punch the enemy object, the game control section 11 subtracts the life of the player (S32). If the player's life remains after the subtraction, the process returns to step S30 (S33), and it is determined whether or not the game is cleared.
If the player's life does not remain, the process proceeds to step S31 to end the game.

In this boxing game system, the player directly punches the enemy object projected on the screen S as if the opponent were at that location. The player feels the visual feeling that he directly hits the enemy object with his own punch and the response when hitting. Therefore, the player can enjoy a realistic game without feeling the boundary between the game space G and the real space R.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 14 is an external perspective view showing the case where the game system according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is applied to the competitive game system described above.
In this competitive game system, the screen 119 is formed of a piece of blind cloth. The cloth pieces are cloths having a predetermined width and having stretchability, and the screens 119 are formed by arranging the cloth pieces side by side so that there is no gap. The upper part and the lower part of each cloth piece are fixed to the upper part of the frame 100 and the floor by, for example, a spring 117. When the player makes a "push" or a "cut", the tip of the sword protrudes beyond the screen 119 from the cut of the cloth piece, so that the presence of the game can be enhanced by a simple means. The screen 119 may have vertically long cloth pieces arranged in the horizontal direction as shown in the drawing, or may have horizontally long cloth pieces arranged in the vertical direction. Further, it is possible to form the screen 119 by narrowing the width of each cloth piece constituting the screen 119 and arranging, for example, a tape or a thread having stretchability. In this case, the tip of the sword protrudes beyond the screen 119 at an arbitrary position where the player sticks, and the image on the screen 119 is less disturbed, which is preferable.

<Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 15A shows the structure of FIG.
The external appearance perspective view at the time of applying the game system which concerns on the example of 1st Embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 16B is its plan view and FIG. 16 is its side view. In the figure, the components indicated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 11 have the same configurations and functions.

The boxing game system has a frame 10
0, inhalation unit 1 mounted on the top of frame 100
10, a spray unit 101 embedded in the floor facing the suction unit 110, an arm 111 formed in a U shape in the player's play space, a projector 106, and gloves 2000a, 2000b. Inhalation unit 11
0 is installed above the frame 100 with the suction port 103 facing downward toward the floor. The ejection unit 101 is embedded in the floor with its ejection port 102 facing upward and facing upward. It is preferable that the ejection port 102 and the suction port 103 are arranged such that the gas port for the screen S is sandwiched by the air jet ports. Arm 1
An ultrasonic transmitter 112 is provided at the center of the front of 11, and ultrasonic sensors 113a and 113b are provided at left and right symmetrical positions.

As shown in FIG. 16, the ejection unit 101
Is connected to the gas generator 109 by a pipe 108,
The gas generated by the gas generator 109 and the air jet are ejected from the ejection port 102. The gas blown out from the ejection port 102 is sandwiched between two air jet layers and is sucked into the upper suction port 103. As described above, when the gas is ejected from the lower side to the upper side, it is preferable to use a gas lighter than air, for example, a smoke gas obtained by vaporizing a smoke liquid. In that case, a smoke machine can be used as the gas generator 109.

FIG. 17 shows a scene of play in the boxing game system shown in FIG. The player is
By directly punching the enemy object projected on the screen S as if the opponent were in that place, it is possible to enjoy a realistic game without feeling the boundary between the game space G and the real space R. it can.

<Other Embodiments> (A) The projector 106 is not limited to the diagonally front side of the screen. Behind each screen, for example, the fluid screen S (see FIGS. 4 and 16), the screen 116 formed of stretch cloth (see FIG. 11), the screen 119 formed of cloth pieces (see FIG. 14), and the like. The projector 106 may be installed. When an image is projected from behind the screens 116 and 119 using stretch cloth or cloth pieces, it is preferable to adjust the transparency of the cloth so that the image clearly stands out on the front surface. For example,
A semitransparent cloth or a white cloth is preferably used. (B) The present invention also includes a program for executing the method of the present invention and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program. Here, as the recording medium, a computer-readable / writable flexible disk, hard disk, semiconductor memory, CD-ROM, DVD,
Magneto-optical disks (MO) and others.

[0072]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game system in which a player directly works on an object in the game space. Further, by using the present invention, it is possible to provide a game system in which the player does not visually feel the boundary between the real space and the game space.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a game system according to a first embodiment example.

FIG. 2 is a battle game system which is a specific example of the game system shown in FIG. (A) External perspective view (b) Plan view

FIG. 3 is a side view of the competitive game system of FIG.

FIG. 4A is a layout view of ejection ports in the competitive game system of FIG. (B) A layout view of the suction ports in the competitive game system of FIG. 2. (C) An explanatory view showing the formation of the screen S.

5 is a detection range of a CCD camera in the battle game system of FIG. (A) A plan view of the detection range (b) A side view of the detection range.

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a sword-shaped operation article in the battle game system of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a scene of play in the competitive game system of FIG.

8 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of a trajectory table generated by a game control unit in the game system of FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing performed by a CPU in the game system of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a game system according to a second embodiment.

11 is a boxing game system which is a specific example of the game system shown in FIG. (A) External perspective view (b) Plan view

12 is a structural diagram of a glove-shaped operation article in the boxing game system in FIG.

13 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing performed by a CPU in the game system of FIG.

14 is a boxing game system which is another specific example of the game system of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a battle game system which is another specific example of the game system of FIG. (A) External perspective view (b) Plan view

16 is a side view of the competitive game system shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a scene of play in the boxing game system of FIG. 15.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Game device 20: Ejection device 21: Inhaler 22: Projector 23: speaker 24: Operation unit

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yukio Kobayashi             4-3-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Konami             Within the corporation (72) Inventor Shigemi Fujiike             4-3-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Konami             Within the corporation F-term (reference) 2C001 AA03 CB01 CB03 CB04 CC01                       CC08 DA05 DA06                 2K103 CA01 CA60 CA78

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A spouting unit for spouting a fluid for forming a fluid screen, an operation means for outputting an operation signal indicating an operation content by a player, and a game progress based on an operation signal from the operation means. A game control means for controlling, a display control means for generating an image showing the progress of the game, and an image for projecting the image generated by the display control means on a fluid screen formed by fluid ejected from the ejection unit. A game system including a projection means. 2. The game system according to claim 1, further comprising a suction unit that sucks the fluid ejected from the ejection unit. 3. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the ejection unit and / or the suction unit is configured to smooth the fluid screen. 4. The game system according to claim 3, wherein the ejection unit and / or the suction unit includes an air shower device and / or an air jet device. 5. The ejection unit includes a fluid ejection port that ejects the fluid, the fluid ejection port being arranged in a row, and an air ejection port that is arranged in a row with the fluid ejection port sandwiched therebetween and ejects air. The game system according to claim 3, which has. 6. The suction unit has a suction port for sucking the fluid at a position facing the fluid ejection port,
The game system according to claim 5. 7. The fluid is selected from the group consisting of CO2 gas obtained by vaporizing dry ice, smoke gas obtained by vaporizing a smoke liquid, water, and oil.
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is the above fluid. 8. The image projection means is configured so that a shadow of a player who plays toward a fluid screen formed by the ejection unit is not projected on the fluid screen. The game system described in Crab. 9. The game system according to claim 8, wherein the image projection means is disposed obliquely forward of the fluid screen formed by the ejection unit. 10. The game system according to claim 8, wherein the image projection means is installed on the back side of a fluid screen formed by the ejection unit. 11. A screen formed by using a stretchable material, a frame body for supporting the screen, an operation means for outputting an operation signal indicating an operation content by a player, and an operation signal from the operation means. A game control means for controlling the progress of the game, a display control means for generating an image showing the progress of the game, and an image projection means for projecting the image generated by the display control means on the screen. Including the game system. 12. The game system according to claim 11, wherein a notch is formed on the screen. 13. The game system according to claim 11, wherein the screen is formed by arranging stretchable tape-shaped or string-shaped materials. 14. The game system according to claim 11, wherein the image projecting means is configured so that a shadow of a player who plays toward the screen is not projected on the screen. 15. The game system according to claim 14, wherein the image projecting means is disposed diagonally forward of the screen. 16. The game system according to claim 14, wherein the image projection means is installed on the back side of the screen. 17. A jetting unit for jetting a fluid for forming a fluid screen, the jetting step for forming the fluid screen, an operation signal outputting step for outputting an operation signal indicating the operation content by the player, and the operation. A game control step of controlling the progress of the game based on a signal, an image generating step of generating an image showing the progress of the game, and an image projecting the image generated in the image generating step onto the fluid screen. A game method including a projection step. 18. An operation signal output step of outputting an operation signal indicating an operation content by a player, a game control step of controlling the progress of the game based on the operation signal, and an image showing the progress status of the game. And a screen projecting step of projecting the image created in the image creating step onto a screen formed of a stretchable material.