JP2006296879A - Typing game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a typing game apparatus which enables the execution of a sufficiently enjoyable game while especially keeping beginners from suffering disadvantage concerning a type which makes a typing game possible using music data. <P>SOLUTION: In the typing game apparatus 1, a typing mode or a rhythm mode is selected by a game mode selection processing (S5). After the selection of the rhythm mode, an input area to be composed by a plurality of keys in a keyboard 6 is set by a rhythm game execution processing (S9). When a key is input by a player, the input area to which the key input by the player belongs is judged and it is also judged whether the input of the key is correct or incorrect from the result of the judgment of the input area and a rhythm game criterion reference data. Only if belonging to the input area designated, any key can be input, thereby enabling even players unskilled in the input with the keyboard 6 to sufficiently enjoy the game. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a typing game apparatus in which a typing game using music data is executed, and in particular, a typing game apparatus capable of executing a game that is not disadvantageous to a typing game beginner and can be fully enjoyed. It is about.

Currently, music games are gaining popularity as games played at game centers, home game machines, and the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In these music games, a player selects a song and inputs it with an input means at a timing designated by a symbol mark or the like displayed on a display means such as a display as the music progresses. Configured to progress.
JP 2004-201813 A

On the other hand, there is a typing game in which a character string displayed on a display means such as a display is input by an input means such as a keyboard, and a score based on the correctness of the input result is competed. These typing games are also installed in a game center or the like. Has been enjoyed by many players.
Even in such a typing game, a typing game in which the lyrics of the music are input with a keyboard at a predetermined timing along with the reproduction of the music selected by the player, as in the music game described in Patent Document 1. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-268534 A

  At present, the penetration rate of personal computers has improved, and there are many opportunities to input with a keyboard. However, there are not many people who are skilled in keyboard input. Accordingly, there are more players who are not good at keyboard input, and these players tend not to enjoy the games in the typing game, and therefore tend to avoid typing games.

Therefore, the typing game described in Patent Document 2 is configured to give more time to accept a key input operation to a typing game beginner who is not good at typing games by slowing down the music playback tempo, Even typing game beginners can enjoy typing games.
Furthermore, in the typing game described in Patent Document 2, the game results of the previous typing game (number of mistakes, type of key input by mistake, etc.) are analyzed, and music is automatically selected according to the analysis result. It is disclosed. As a result, music that matches the skill of the player is selected, so even a typing game beginner can enjoy the typing game.

However, the typing game described in Patent Document 2 is a mode in which lyrics are input along with the reproduction of music, and the player usually wants to enjoy the typing game and the music itself.
That is, when a typing game novice is rescued by the method of changing the music playback tempo described above, the music playback tempo is changed, which greatly impairs the original charm of the music. As a result, the attractiveness of the music is greatly impaired, and the typing beginner feels stressed.
In the typing game described in Patent Document 2, the game results of the previous typing game (number of mistakes, type of key input by mistake, etc.) are analyzed, and music is automatically selected and selected according to the analysis result. A typing game based on the set music is executed. However, in this case, a typing game beginner cannot select a desired piece of music. That is, a typing game beginner cannot select a desired piece of music and is forced to play a typing game with a piece of music that he / she does not want. As a result, a typing game novice who has been forced to make an unintentional typing game feels a great stress, so that his willingness to play again in the typing game is greatly reduced.
That is, in the above-mentioned patent document 2, even a typing game beginner can execute the typing game itself. As a result, there is a problem that the attractiveness of the typing game cannot be fully enjoyed.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention relates to a typing game apparatus in which a typing game using music data is executed, and in particular, a game that does not give a disadvantage to a typing game beginner and can be fully enjoyed. An object of the present invention is to provide a typing game apparatus that can be executed.

  In order to solve this problem, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to display means for displaying images (for example, the first liquid crystal display 3 and the second liquid crystal display 4) and a keyboard having a plurality of keys (for example, Keyboard 6), music data, storage means (for example, HDD 55) for storing determination reference data in which keys to be input relating to music data and key input timings are defined, and a game based on the music data And a game control means (e.g., CPU 51) for proceeding with the keyboard, the keyboard (e.g., keyboard 6) with respect to the keyboard (e.g., keyboard 6), comprising a plurality of keys. An input area setting means (for example, CPU 51) for setting an input area and the determination area data include the input area setting. An input area determination means for determining an input area to which the input key belongs based on the input of the key, including input area specifying data for specifying one input area among the input areas set in the stage (for example, CPU 51) and correct / incorrect determination means (for example, CPU 51) for determining whether the key input is correct or not based on the determination result of the input area determination means (for example, CPU 51) and the determination reference data. And

  The invention according to claim 2 is the typing game apparatus according to claim 1 (for example, the typing game apparatus 1), wherein the storage means (for example, the HDD 55) is an input area indicating a setting pattern of the input area. A plurality of pattern data is stored, and input area pattern selection means (for example, CPU 51) for selecting one input area pattern data from the plurality of input area pattern data is provided, and the input area setting means (for example, CPU 51) The input area is set on the keyboard based on the selection result of the input area pattern selection means (for example, the CPU 51).

In the typing game apparatus according to claim 1, the character string displayed on the display unit is input based on the song data stored in the storage unit, the keyboard input result, and the song data stored in the storage unit. The typing game can be executed based on the determination reference data that defines the key to be input and the timing of key input related to the music.
Further, in the typing game apparatus, the input area setting means sets an input area composed of a plurality of keys among the keys arranged on the keyboard for the keyboard. Of the input areas set by the input area setting means, input area specifying data for specifying one input area is included.
Therefore, when the player inputs the key, the input area to which the key input by the input area determination means belongs is determined, and the correct / incorrect key input is determined by the correctness determination means based on the determination result and the determination reference data. Determine.
Accordingly, if the key input by the player is a key belonging to the input area specified by the input area specifying data, it is determined that the input is correct, so even a player who has not operated the keyboard can play the music sufficiently. You can enjoy a game based.
In addition, since a game in which input is performed on an input area using a keyboard and a game in two modes, which are different from a typing game, can be executed, a variety of games that can be executed on the typing game device are generated, and the player is bored. There is no.

In the typing game apparatus according to claim 2, in the typing game apparatus according to claim 1, the input area pattern selection means performs one input from the storage means storing a plurality of input area pattern data indicating the setting pattern of the input area. It is possible to select area pattern data and set an input area on the keyboard based on the selection result.
Thereby, since the player can arbitrarily select an input area setting pattern, it is possible to play with various input area setting patterns. Therefore, the player can play with a set pattern of the input area that matches his skill, and can give satisfaction to various players.
Also, by executing a game in which the number of input areas set in the input area setting pattern is different and the number of input areas is increased step by step, even a player who is unfamiliar with the operation of the keyboard You will get used to the keyboard. Therefore, since the keyboard operation will gradually approach the actual typing operation, even a novice typing game beginner who is unfamiliar with the keyboard operation will be able to enjoy the typing game without discomfort. You can learn such skills.

Hereinafter, a typing game apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment embodied in a case-type typing game apparatus installed in a game center or the like.
Here, the typing game apparatus according to the present embodiment is a game apparatus that reproduces music from a speaker and executes a game in accordance with music that flows. Here, in the present embodiment, the lyrics of the music are sequentially displayed on the display, and the player instructs the typing game to play by sequentially typing the displayed lyrics on the keyboard and the input in accordance with the rhythm of the music The rhythm input display to be displayed is displayed on the display, and a rhythm game to be played can be executed by performing a keyboard input operation based on the rhythm input display.
Note that the typing game and the rhythm game executed in the typing game apparatus according to the present embodiment are composed of a plurality of stages according to the number of music numbers of the music to be played back, and when one stage is completed. When the number of typographical errors of the player is less than a predetermined number, the game proceeds to the stage corresponding to the music of the next music number, and the typing game and the rhythm game can be continuously performed.
First, a schematic configuration of the typing game apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typing game apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 2 that forms the outer shape of the typing game apparatus 1, a main game screen (FIG. 3B, FIG. 4B, and FIG. 5 (B), FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) are displayed, and an image (FIG. 3 (A)) that is located above the first liquid crystal display 3 and that is related to effects such as promotional videos and advertisements. 4A and FIG. 5A), a center panel 5 provided below the first liquid crystal display 3 and provided with a coin or card slot, A keyboard 6 on which a player performs an operation related to a game, a pair of lighting devices 7 provided at both ends on the front side of the housing 2, and a pair of speakers 8 disposed on the left and right sides of the second liquid crystal display 4 , Above the second liquid crystal display 4 It is basically formed from such five spotlights 11 arranged. Each component will be described below.

The first liquid crystal display 3 is a liquid crystal display that is disposed at a predetermined angle at the center of the front side of the housing 2, and is inclined rearward at a predetermined angle.
In the first liquid crystal display 3, the lyric input and rhythm input display of the music played through the speaker 8 at the time of executing the typing game or the rhythm game, the player input result, the score associated therewith, etc. Display of game information related to the progress of the game (information required by the player for the progress of the game) is performed (FIGS. 3B, 4B, 5B, 6 and 7). reference).

On the other hand, the second liquid crystal display 4 disposed separately above the first liquid crystal display 3 is a liquid crystal display similar to the first liquid crystal display 3, but the second liquid crystal display 4 is a game when executing a typing game and a rhythm game. An effect image related to the effect is displayed.
Here, the effect image displayed on the second liquid crystal display 4 is different from the display content mainly displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 described above, and is not directly required for the progress of the game by the player. It has an auxiliary role to excite typing games and rhythm games.
For example, in the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a song of an artist is reproduced as a song, and the player advances the game by performing input based on lyrics or rhythm input display using the keyboard 6. At this time, a promotion video (hereinafter abbreviated as PV) related to the music is displayed on the second liquid crystal display 4 (see FIGS. 3A, 4A, and 5A). Therefore, a typing game or a rhythm game under a realistic situation in which the figure of the artist singing is displayed along with the performance of the music becomes possible, and the player is not bored.
The display contents displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 and the second liquid crystal display 4 will be described in detail later.

  The center panel 5 is provided with a coin insertion slot 9 and a card insertion slot 10. The coin insertion slot 9 is an insertion slot into which a coin such as a 100 yen coin is inserted. A coin sensor 63 is disposed at the coin slot 9, and when a coin is inserted into the coin slot 9, a coin detection signal is output to the CPU 51 via the coin sensor 63 (see FIG. 12). Then, the CPU 51 detects that a coin has been inserted based on the coin detection signal.

The card insertion slot 10 is an insertion slot into which an IC card (not shown) containing an IC tag in which a game result in the typing game apparatus 1 is recorded is inserted. A card sensor 64 (described later) and a card reader / writer 65 are disposed inside the card insertion slot 10 (see FIG. 12).
Here, the IC card used in the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is the result of the game (typing game and rhythm game) up to the previous game of the owned player (acquired score (score), points, etc.). Is stored in a built-in IC tag.
When the IC card is inserted into the card insertion slot 10, the card sensor 64 detects that fact. The card reader / writer 65 can read the game result stored from the IC tag built in the IC card and write the game result executed by the player to the IC tag.
That is, by inserting an IC card into the card insertion slot 10 and performing a predetermined operation, the game result stored in the IC card can be read and displayed on the typing game apparatus 1 (S3 in FIG. 14). Thereby, the player can confirm the history of his game information. Further, at the end of execution of the typing game and the rhythm game, the current game result can be stored in the IC tag (S12 in FIG. 14).

  The keyboard 6 is disposed on the front surface of the housing 2 so as to protrude toward the front side. As described later, the keyboard 6 includes “alphabetic characters (A to Z)”, “kana (an)”, “numbers (0 to 0). 9) ”, a Japanese 108 keyboard in which a plurality of character input keys for inputting characters such as“ symbol (period, comma) ”and function keys such as enter key, cursor key, and space key are arranged (see FIG. 9). During the game, the player advances the game (typing game or rhythm game) by inputting keys corresponding to characters, symbols, numbers, and the like. Further, prior to the start of the game, after the end of the game, and the like, commands such as selection of a song to be played and a game to be executed, and start of execution of the game are performed based on the operation of each key. The keyboard configuration will be described in detail later.

In addition, a pair of lighting devices 7 are disposed at both front side ends of the housing 2. Each illuminating device 7 includes a cylindrical transparent member, 24 full-color LEDs that can be lit in full color, and a light blocking member.
The cylindrical transparent member is a lenticular lens formed in a cylindrical shape, and is fixed to the housing 2 with the longitudinal direction of the cylinder up and down. Further, 24 full-color LEDs are fixed to the light blocking member at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction. A light blocking member having a full color LED fixed thereto is inserted into the transparent member. Accordingly, 24 full-color LEDs are arranged at equal intervals in the illumination device 7.
In the illuminating device 7 having such a configuration, when one full-color LED emits light, due to the effect of the lenticular lens of the transparent member, from the outside, one ring-shaped light emitting mode (hereinafter referred to as the left-right direction) "Light emitting ring").
That is, by controlling the light emission mode of the 24 full-color LEDs, it is possible to represent a maximum of 24 light emitting rings stacked in the vertical direction, depending on the music played on the typing game apparatus 1. It is possible to perform various lighting effects and to perform lighting effects according to the player's type progress. For example, lighting effects such as changing the position and color of the light-emitting ring, changing the position and light color of the light-emitting ring according to certain rules, and turning the light-emitting ring on and off are possible. It is.

  Speakers 8 are disposed on the left and right sides of the second liquid crystal display 4. The speaker 8 is an output device that outputs music, sound effects, and the like that are reproduced in the typing game apparatus 1. Specifically, at the time of executing the typing game, music and sound are output at a specified tempo based on the sound data and performance data of the music stored in the HDD 55 (see FIG. 12).

  Next, each display content displayed on the 1st liquid crystal display 3 and the 2nd liquid crystal display 4 is demonstrated in detail using FIG. 2 thru | or FIG. The display contents displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 and the second liquid crystal display 4 are basically composed of three patterns before the game starts, during the game execution, and after the game ends.

First, display contents before the game start will be described with reference to FIG. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams showing display contents displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 before the game is started.
Here, in the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, according to a typing game in which the game progresses by inputting lyrics of the music to be played, and a rhythm input display that is displayed in accordance with the rhythm of the music to be played. The rhythm game in which the game progresses can be executed by operating the keyboard 6.
That is, after a predetermined amount of coins is inserted into the coin insertion slot 9 and before the typing game is started, first, as shown in FIG. A game mode selection screen 12 for selecting the contents of the game to be executed is displayed. That is, on this game mode selection screen 12, an operation of selecting either a “typing mode” for executing a typing game or a “rhythm mode” for executing a rhythm game is performed in this game.

The game mode selection screen 12 includes a mode display unit 13 that displays game modes of “typing mode” and “rhythm mode”, and a mode selection cursor 14 that can select one of the mode display units 13.
The mode display unit 13 indicates a game mode of the game to be performed this time. As shown in FIG. 2A, the game mode selection screen 12 displays a mode display section 13 indicating “typing mode” and a mode display section 13 indicating “rhythm mode”.
Here, the mode display unit 13 in the “rhythm mode” is formed with a difficulty level display unit 13 a that indicates a difficulty mode when the rhythm game is executed.
In the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a rhythm game can be executed with three levels of difficulty of “MODE 1”, “MODE 2”, and “MODE 3”.

  The mode selection cursor 14 can be moved up, down, left and right on the mode display unit 13 and the difficulty level display unit 13a by operating a cursor key 114 (see FIG. 6) of the keyboard 6. When the enter key 112 (see FIG. 6) is pressed in a state where the mode selection cursor 14 is positioned on the display unit displaying the desired game mode and difficulty level, the game mode for playing the game and the difficulty of the game mode are displayed. Mode setting data indicating the degree setting is stored in the RAM 54.

Here, the difficulty level setting of the rhythm game will be briefly described. First, in “MODE 1”, the keys arranged on the keyboard 6 are associated so as to belong to two input areas (see FIG. 16), and when the rhythm game is executed, the first liquid crystal display 3 is related to the two input areas. The rhythm input display appears.
That is, in “MODE 1”, as shown in FIG. 16, five keys (20 in total) from the “1” key, “Q” key, “A” key, and “Z” key of the character input key 111 are moved to the right. Key), the first input area 117a is configured, and the character input key 111 with the "6" key, the "Y" key, the "H" key, and the "N" key has five keys to the right (20 keys in total). The second input area 117b is configured.
Therefore, in the rhythm game of “MODE 1”, when the rhythm input display for instructing the input of the first input area 117a is displayed, any key that belongs to the first input area 117a is input. Even so, it is determined that the input is correct. At this time, if a key that does not belong to the first input area 117a, such as a key that belongs to the second input area 117b or a function key 115, is input, an error is input. The same applies to the case where a rhythm input display for instructing input in the second input area 117b is displayed.

  As described above, when the rhythm game is executed with the difficulty level setting “MODE 1”, the keys belonging to the first input area 117 a and the second input area 117 b are displayed in accordance with the rhythm input display displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3. The rhythm game progresses by inputting according to the input timing. That is, unlike the case where the typing game is executed, there is no need to completely match the key that needs to be input, and any one of the 20 keys belonging to the input area indicated by the rhythm input display may be input. Thereby, since strict key input is not requested | required, even the player who is not used to the input with the keyboard 6 can fully enjoy the game with the typing game apparatus 1. FIG.

In “MODE 2”, the keys arranged on the keyboard 6 are associated so as to belong to three input areas (see FIG. 17), and when the rhythm game is executed, the first liquid crystal display 3 is associated with the three input areas. The rhythm input display appears.
As shown in FIG. 17, in “MODE 2”, as in the case of the difficulty level setting “MODE 1”, the first input area 117a and the second input area 117b are set, and the space key 116 is It is set as the input area 117c.
Accordingly, as in the case of the above-described difficulty level setting “MODE 1”, when the rhythm input display instructing the input in the first input area 117a and the second input area 117b is displayed, the input instructed by the rhythm input display If there are 20 keys belonging to the area, any key is determined to be correct input.
Here, when the rhythm input display instructing the input of the third input area 117c is displayed, even if a total of 40 keys belonging to the first input area 117a and the second input area 117b are entered, Is not determined, and is determined as a correct input only when the space key 116 is input.
Therefore, when the number of input areas that must be taken into consideration when the input is increased, the difficulty level of the rhythm game is increased as compared with the above-described difficulty level setting “MODE 1”.
Thus, in the rhythm game with the difficulty level setting “MODE 1”, the rhythm game with the difficulty level setting “MODE 2” is performed for the player whose skill of key input has improved so that it cannot be fully enjoyed. Thus, it is possible to provide a new interest called a rhythm game with a higher degree of difficulty.

Further, in “MODE 3”, the keys arranged on the keyboard 6 are associated so as to belong to four input areas (see FIG. 18), and when the rhythm game is executed, the first liquid crystal display 3 is associated with the four input areas. The rhythm input display appears.
As shown in FIG. 18, in “MODE 3”, the first input area 117a is configured by five keys (10 keys in total) from the “1” key of the character input key 111 and the “Q” key to the right. The second input area 117b is composed of five keys (10 keys in total) in the right direction from the “6” key and the “Y” key.
Further, the third input area 117c is composed of five keys (10 keys in total) in the right direction from the “A” key and “Z” key, and five keys (in the right direction of the “H” key and “N” key ( The fourth input area 117d is configured with a total of 10 keys).
In the “MODE 3” rhythm game, any key that belongs to the input area indicated by the rhythm input display can be input. The “MODE 1” and “MODE 2” However, since there are four input areas in total, a more advanced input operation is required. Therefore, in the above “MODE 1” and “MODE 2”, even an unsatisfactory player can enjoy the game sufficiently.

  On the game mode selection screen 12, the keyboard 6 is operated, and the mode selection cursor 14 is used to set the “typing mode” and “rhythm mode” game modes and the difficulty setting “MODE 1” and “MODE 2” in the “rhythm mode”. When “MODE 3” is selected, mode setting data indicating the selected game mode and difficulty level setting is stored in the RAM 54.

Next, the music selection screen 15 displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 after setting the game mode on the game mode selection screen 12 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The song selection screen 15 includes a playable song name display unit 16 that displays the titles of songs that can be played, a song selection cursor 17 that can select any of the playable song name display units 16, and a song selection cursor 17. The selected song name display unit 18 displays the song name of the selected song, and the selected artist name display unit 19 displays the artist name of the song selected by the selection cursor.

  The playable song name display unit 16 shows the names of songs that can be played in the current typing game apparatus 1 (up to 8 songs in the present embodiment). Here, the playable music displayed by the playable music name display unit 16 is a music for which music data is stored in the HDD 55 described later (see FIGS. 12 and 13), and the stored music data is It is managed by the server 80 (see FIG. 11) and updated sequentially. Therefore, the player can select and play from a plurality of music pieces including the latest music piece updated by the server 80. The playable song name display unit 16 may display not only the song name but also the artist's photo and PV.

The song selection cursor 17 can be moved up and down and left and right on the playable song name display section 16 by operating the cursor key 114 (see FIG. 9) of the keyboard 6, and the selected song name display section 18 and the selected artist name display section. 19 shows the song name and artist name of the song in the playable song name display unit 16 where the song selection cursor 17 is currently located.
Then, when the enter key 112 (see FIG. 9) is pressed in a state where the song selection cursor 17 is positioned on the playable song name display unit 16 where the song name of the desired song is displayed, the song to be played is determined, and the game A game based on the game mode selected on the mode selection screen 12 is started.

Next, display contents during game execution will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 (A) and 4 (A) are schematic diagrams showing display contents displayed on the second liquid crystal display 4 during execution of the typing game. FIGS. 3 (B) and 4 (B) 5 is a schematic diagram showing display contents displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 during execution of a typing game. FIG.
FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram showing display contents displayed on the second liquid crystal display 4 during execution of the rhythm game, and FIG. 5B shows the rhythm with the difficulty level setting “MODE 1”. It is the schematic diagram which showed the display content displayed on the 1st liquid crystal display 3 at the time of performing a game. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing display contents displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 when a rhythm game is executed with the difficulty setting “MODE 2” using the same music as FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing display contents displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 when the rhythm game is executed with the difficulty level setting “MODE 3”.

  First, display contents during execution of the typing game will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B show the first liquid crystal display 3 and the second liquid crystal display 4 when the typing game is started by selecting the music (a) sung by the male artist on the music selection screen 15. It is explanatory drawing which shows each display content. 4A and 4B show the first liquid crystal display 3 and the second liquid crystal display when the typing game is started by selecting the music (b) sung by the female artist on the music selection screen 15. It is explanatory drawing which shows each display content of 4. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when the game is started by selecting the music (a), the second liquid crystal display 4 shows a male artist who sings the music (a) played through the speaker 8. The PV image 20 is displayed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the music (b) is selected and the game is started, the second liquid crystal display 4 sings the music (b) played through the speaker 8. A PV image 20 of a female artist is displayed.
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B, the first liquid crystal display 3 has a main game related to the progress of the typing game in parallel with the display of the PV video 20 on the second liquid crystal display 4. A screen 21 is displayed.

  Here, the main game screen 21 displays a lyrics display unit 22 that displays the lyrics of the phrase that is currently being played in a kanji notation and the like, and separately displays the lyrics that are displayed in the lyrics display unit 22 in a roman character. The romaji display unit 23 showing the input result input by the player typing on the keyboard 6 and the lyric phrase currently displayed on the lyric display unit 22 and the romaji display unit 23 at what number (stage) Further, a music status display unit 25 that displays the number of phrases counted from the beginning of the song number, an input result display unit 26 that displays a player's type correct / incorrect determination result, and a game to date A score display unit 27 for displaying the score (score), points, etc. acquired by the artist, and a song information display unit 28 for displaying the name and song name of the artist currently performing It is configured.

The lyrics display section 22 is a display section that displays the lyrics for one phrase of the currently played music. Therefore, the game progresses when the player inputs the lyrics displayed on the lyrics display section 22 with the keyboard 6.
Here, when the player correctly inputs the displayed lyrics, the score is gradually added, and when the lyrics are input incorrectly, the score is not added. Is added.
If the number of mistakes of this type is greater than or equal to a predetermined number at the end of one of the song numbers (stages) constituting the song, the game ends at that point (see S58 in FIG. 20). ).

  Similar to the lyrics display section 22, the romaji display section 23 displays the lyrics for one phrase of the currently played music, but displays the same lyrics in roman letters. Further, among the displayed lyrics, the character string 23A already typed by the player is moved to the lower stage in comparison with the character string 23B before the type, and the character typed up to the present is displayed to the player. Can be notified.

In addition, the song status display unit 25 corresponds to the number of the song number of the lyrics phrase currently displayed on the lyrics display unit 22 and the Roman character display unit 23 and the numbered phrase counted from the beginning of the song number. Is displayed. Here, the typing game according to the present embodiment has a plurality of stages (for example, first to third) according to the number of music numbers of the music to be played (for example, one music is composed of Nos. 1 to 3). Composed of stages). For example, FIG. 3B shows that the 15th phrase of the first stage is currently displayed. FIG. 4B shows that the fifth phrase of the second stage is currently displayed.
Each time a player completes input of one phrase, a numerical value 25A indicating the number of phrases is incremented by one, and each time one stage of input ends, a numerical value 25B indicating the number of stages (song number) is incremented by one. Is added. Thereby, it is possible to notify the player of the current number of stages (music number) and the number of phrases that have been typed so far.

  The input result display unit 26 is a display unit that displays a player type correct / incorrect determination result. When a correct character is input at a correct timing in the key input, “PERFECT” is displayed. If a correct character is input but there is a difference in input timing, “GOOD” is displayed. On the other hand, when an incorrect character is input regardless of the key input timing, “MISS” is displayed.

The score display unit 27 is a display unit that displays the score (score) and points that the player has acquired so far. Here, the score (score) is added by correctly typing according to the character strings displayed on the lyrics display unit 22 and the Roman character display unit 23. Then, when the corresponding character is typed at the same timing as the sound of the music to be played, a score is further added.
On the other hand, points are added one point at a time when a sentence for one phrase is input without typing errors (S55 in FIG. 20).
Then, the score (score) and points are added until the game ends, and when the IC card is inserted into the card insertion slot 10, the score (score) and points acquired at the end of the game are Stored in the IC card.

  The song information display section 28 displays the title of the song currently selected and the name of the artist that the player has selected at the start of the game.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B, the main game screen 21 in the first liquid crystal display 3 is provided with an independent image area 101 at the upper center portion thereof. And in the independent image area | region 101, the PV image | video 20 currently displayed on the 2nd liquid crystal display 4 is displayed at the same timing.

  Next, display contents during execution of the rhythm game will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B), the same music (song (a) sung by a male artist) as the example of the typing game shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows each display content of the 1st liquid crystal display 3 at the time of performing a rhythm game with the difficulty level of "1", and the 2nd liquid crystal display 4. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the rhythm game is executed by selecting the music (a), the second liquid crystal display 4 is played through the speaker 8 as in the case of the typing game described above. A PV image 20 of a male artist who sings the song (a) is displayed.
On the other hand, a main game screen 21 relating to the progress of the typing game is displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 in parallel with the display of the PV video 20 on the second liquid crystal display 4.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5B, the main game screen 21 when the rhythm game is executed has substantially the same configuration as the display when the typing game is executed. That is, also on the main game screen 21 when the rhythm game is executed, the lyrics display unit 22, the music status display unit 25, the input result display unit 26, the score display unit 27, the music information display unit 28, and the independent image area 101, and this is the same configuration as the main game screen 21 at the time of executing the typing game described above. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted, and the main game screen 21 at the time of executing the typing game and the rhythm game are omitted. The components that differ from the main game screen 21 at the time of execution will be described.

On the main game screen 21 at the time of execution of the rhythm game, an input area display unit 44 simulating the keyboard 6 is displayed at the lower center of the screen. The input area display unit 44 displays an input area set according to the difficulty level of the rhythm game set on the game mode selection screen 12 so as to be identifiable.
Accordingly, when the rhythm game is executed with “MODE 1” as in the display example of FIG. 5B, the input area display unit 44 displays the first input area 117a shown in FIG. The second input area 117b is “blue”, and the input area is displayed in a different display color. By displaying the input area display unit 44, the player can determine the input area of the rhythm game that the player is currently playing.

On the main game screen 21 when the rhythm game is executed, a rhythm input display display portion 43 is formed instead of the Roman character display portion 23 formed on the main game screen 21 when the typing game is executed. The rhythm input display / display unit 43 displays the input timing of the keyboard 6 in one phrase of the currently played music and the rhythm input display 45 indicating the input area. , 45c, 45d, and so on).
Here, the rhythm input display 45 is displayed in conjunction with the display of the lyrics display unit 22 based on the rhythm input display data stored in the rhythm input display data storage area 56F. One rhythm input display 45 is displayed directly below one certain character in one phrase displayed on the lyrics display unit 22. Therefore, the player can grasp that the timing at which the character immediately above the rhythm input display 45 is pronounced by the reproduction of the music becomes the input timing of the input area indicated by the rhythm input display.
The rhythm input display 45 is displayed in the same display color as the display color of the input area displayed in the input area display unit 44. For example, as shown in the display example of FIG. 5B, when the rhythm game is being executed with “MODE 1”, the input area display unit 44 indicates that the first input area 117a should be input. When the rhythm input display 45a displayed in “red”, which is the display color of the first input area 117a displayed at, is displayed and indicates that the second input area 117b should be input, the input area display unit 44 A rhythm input display 45b displayed in “blue”, which is the display color of the second input area 117b displayed in FIG.

As described above, the player visually recognizes the rhythm input display 45 displayed on the lyrics display unit 22, the input area display unit 44, and the rhythm input display display unit 43, and listens to the music to thereby instruct the input. The input timing of the area and the key corresponding to the input area can be grasped.
Here, when the player inputs a key corresponding to the input area specified in the displayed rhythm input display 45, the score is gradually added, and when a key not corresponding to the specified input area is input. No score is added, and the number of misses is added as the number of incorrect inputs.
If the number of mistakes of this type is greater than or equal to a predetermined number at the end of one of the song numbers (stages) constituting the song, the game ends at that point (see S78 in FIG. 21). ).

  As in the case of the typing game, the rhythm input display display unit 43 displays the rhythm input display 45 already input by the player or the rhythm input display 45 whose input timing has been lost due to the reproduction of the music. Compared with the display position of the display 45, the display is moved to the lower stage and displayed. Thereby, it is possible to clearly grasp the rhythm input display 45 to be input in the future.

  Next, display contents when the rhythm game is executed with the difficulty level setting of “MODE 2” and “MODE 3” will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows the display contents of the first liquid crystal display 3 when the rhythm game is executed with the difficulty level of “MODE 2” by selecting the song (a) sung by the male artist on the song selection screen 15. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram, and FIG. 7 shows the first liquid crystal display 3 when the rhythm game is executed with the difficulty level of “MODE 3” by selecting the song (a) sung by the male artist on the song selection screen 15. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display content of.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the rhythm game is executed with “MODE 2” or “MODE 3”, the second liquid crystal display 4 is similar to the case where the rhythm game is executed with “MODE 1”. The PV video 20 is displayed, and the first liquid crystal display 3 displays the main game screen 21 when the rhythm game is executed.
Here, the difference between the main game screen 21 executed in “MODE 1” and the main game screen 21 executed in “MODE 2” or “MODE 3” will be described with reference to FIG. Based on FIG. 7, it demonstrates in detail.

As shown in FIG. 6, the main game screen 21 when the rhythm game is executed in “MODE 2” is basically the same as the main game screen 21 related to “MODE 1” shown in FIG. It is.
Here, in the rhythm game in “MODE 2”, as described above, the three input areas of the first input area 117a, the second input area 117b, and the third input area 117c are set (see FIG. 17). The rhythm game progresses by inputting keys belonging to one input area.
Accordingly, in the main game screen 21 related to “MODE 2”, the input area display unit 44 displays the first input area 117a shown in FIG. 17 as “red”, the second input area 117b as “blue”, and the third input. The area 117c is “yellow”, and the input area is displayed in a different display color. Here, as shown in FIG. 17, in “MODE 2”, the space key 116 is set as the third input area 117 c, and therefore corresponds to the space key 116 in the input area display unit 44 imitating the keyboard 6. The part is displayed in “yellow” display color.

On the main game screen 21 related to “MODE 2”, the rhythm input display 45 includes a rhythm input display 45 a displayed in a “red” display color indicating the first input area 117 a and a second input area 117 b. The rhythm input display 45b displayed in the “blue” display color and the rhythm input display 45c displayed in the “yellow” display color indicating the third input area 117c are used, and the rhythm input display data storage area 56F is used. Based on the stored rhythm input display data, it is displayed on the input area display unit 44 in units of one phrase.
As described above, each rhythm input display 45 is displayed directly below one certain character in one phrase displayed on the lyrics display unit 22. Therefore, the player can grasp that the timing at which the character immediately above the rhythm input display 45 is pronounced by the reproduction of the music becomes the input timing of the input area indicated by the rhythm input display.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the main game screen 21 when the rhythm game is executed in “MODE 3” is basically the same as the main game screen 21 related to “MODE 1” and “MODE 2”. (See FIGS. 5B and 6).
Here, in the rhythm game in “MODE 3”, as described above, four input areas of the first input area 117a, the second input area 117b, the third input area 117c, and the fourth input area 117d are set (see FIG. 18), by inputting keys belonging to the above four input areas, the rhythm game proceeds.
Accordingly, in the main game screen 21 related to “MODE 3”, the input area display unit 44 displays the first input area 117a shown in FIG. 18 as “red”, the second input area 117b as “blue”, and the third input. The area 117c is “yellow” and the fourth input area 117d is “green”, and the input areas are displayed in different display colors.

On the main game screen 21 related to “MODE 3”, as the rhythm input display 45, a rhythm input display 45a displayed in a “red” display color indicating the first input area 117a and a second input area 117b are provided. Rhythm input display 45b displayed in the “blue” display color, “rhythm” input display 45c displayed in the “yellow” display color indicating the third input area 117c, and “green” indicating the fourth input area 117d. The rhythm input display 45d displayed in the display color is used, and is displayed on the input area display unit 44 in units of one phrase based on the rhythm input display data stored in the rhythm input display data storage area 56F.
Also in the rhythm game of “MODE 3”, each rhythm input display 45 is displayed directly below one certain character in one phrase displayed on the lyrics display unit 22. Therefore, the player can grasp that the timing at which the character immediately above the rhythm input display 45 is pronounced by the reproduction of the music becomes the input timing of the input area indicated by the rhythm input display.

As described above, when the rhythm game is executed, any difficulty level setting of “MODE 1”, “MODE 2”, and “MODE 3” is set on the main game screen 21. An input area display section 44 indicating an input area determined according to the setting and a rhythm input display 45 displayed in the same display color as the input area displayed on the input area display section 44 are displayed.
Thereby, the player can confirm which input area should be input by confirming the display color of the input area display unit 44 and the rhythm input display 45.
Further, each rhythm input display 45 is displayed directly below one certain character in one phrase displayed on the lyrics display unit 22. Therefore, the player can grasp that the timing at which the character immediately above the rhythm input display 45 is pronounced by the reproduction of the music becomes the input timing of the input area indicated by the rhythm input display.

Next, the display content after the game ends will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing display contents displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 after the game is over.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the execution of the typing game or the rhythm game is finished, the game result screen 30 showing the game result of the currently executed game (either the typing game or the rhythm game) is displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3. The
The game result screen 30 includes a miss count display unit 31 that displays the number of misses of the type in the current game, an acquisition point display unit 32 that displays the acquired points, and an acquired score display unit that displays the acquired scores (scores). 33 and a name input display section 34 for prompting the player to input the name of the player who played the game.

  Then, by referring to the game result screen 30, the player can recognize the number of misses in the current game, the acquired points, and the score (score). In addition, by inputting an arbitrary name using the keyboard 6 in the name input display unit 34, it is possible to register the acquired score in the ranking. The registered ranking list is displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 or the second liquid crystal display 4 in a demonstration screen or the like.

  Next, the keyboard 6 provided in the typing game apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a keyboard provided in the typing game apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of any one of a plurality of keys provided on the keyboard.

As shown in FIG. 9, the keyboard 6 inputs “English letters (A to Z)”, “Kana”, “Numerals (0 to 9)”, “Symbols (period, comma)”, and the like. A Japanese 108 keyboard in which a plurality of character input keys 111 and function keys 115 such as an enter key 112, a shift key 113, a cursor key 114, and a space key 116 are arranged.
During the game, the player advances the game by inputting the character input key 111 or the space key 116. On the other hand, prior to the start of the game, after the end of the game, and the like, commands such as selection of a song to be played and game mode, and start of execution of the game are performed based on the operation of the function keys 115.
As will be described later, light emitting LEDs are disposed inside various keys of the keyboard 6 and are configured to emit light in various modes based on control signals from the CPU 51.

  Here, the key internal structure of the keyboard 6 will be described with reference to FIG. The plurality of keys arranged on the keyboard 6 have the same internal structure. Accordingly, the following description will be given by taking the internal structure of one character input key 111 as an example of the plurality of keys arranged on the keyboard 6, and description of the other character input keys 111 and function keys 115 will be omitted. To do.

As shown in FIG. 10, the character input key 111 basically includes a base plate 150, a switch circuit board 151, a light emitting circuit board 152, a key top 153, an urging mechanism 154, a full color LED 155, and the like.
In this regard, the switch circuit board 151 laid on the base board 150 is provided with a pair of electrodes 156 disposed immediately below the center of the key top 153.
Further, the light emitting circuit board 152 laid on the switch circuit board 151 is provided with an opening 157 for exposing the pair of electrodes 156, and the periphery of the opening 157 is a full color. A full color LED 155 that can be lit is provided.

An urging mechanism 154 is provided between the light emitting circuit board 152 and the key top 153, and the urging mechanism 154 urges the key top 153 to the opposite side of the switch circuit board 151. Further, an electrode 158 protrudes near the center of the key top 153 toward the switch circuit board 151.
Accordingly, if the key top 153 is pressed, the electrodes 158 projecting from the key top 153 can be brought into contact with the pair of electrodes 156 provided on the switch circuit board 151. Therefore, the key top 153 is pressed. This can be transmitted as an electrical signal flowing through the switch circuit board 151. That is, the key switch 159 is constituted by these three electrodes 156 and 158.
The urging mechanism 154 may be composed of only an elastic body, or may be composed of an elastic body or a bridging mechanism, and the configuration thereof is not limited.

The key top 153 is formed of a translucent material (for example, transparent acrylic, transparent plastic, etc.), and key information 160 such as letters, numbers, and symbols is printed in black on the surface plane portion. . Further, the surface on the key top 153 side of the light emitting circuit board 152 is also printed in black.
Therefore, when the full color LED 155 is turned off, the translucent key top 153 appears in black, which is the color of the surface of the light emitting circuit board 152. Therefore, the key information printed in black on the black key top 153 appears. 160 becomes difficult to recognize.
On the other hand, when the full color LED 155 is lit, the translucent key top 153 appears in the color in which the full color LED 155 is lit. Become.

  And in the keyboard 6, the key switch 159 in each key is connected to the transmission circuit not shown. The transmission circuit is connected to the CPU 51 of the typing game apparatus 1 via an interface unit 52 (hereinafter referred to as I / O) described later. Therefore, the type of the pressed key can be specified by transmitting an electric signal from the key switch 159 of the pressed key to the CPU 51 via the transmission circuit. The transmission circuit is mounted on the switch circuit board 151.

In the keyboard 6, a full color LED 155 inside the key is connected to the light emission control circuit 62. Further, the light emission control circuit 62 is connected to the CPU 51 via the I / O 52 (see FIG. 12). Therefore, the full color LED 155 in the key can be turned on with the color specified by the CPU 51 via the light emission control circuit 62.
Specifically, in the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when there is a key input during the typing game and when it is determined that the correct type is made, the character input key 111 that is pressed is pressed. To emit blue light. Further, when there is a key input and it is determined that the wrong type has been made, the pressed character input key 111 is lit in red, and the correct key to be input is lit in green. Further, when there is no key input, only the correct key to be input is illuminated in green.

As shown in FIG. 11, the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is connected to the server 80 via a network N capable of bidirectional communication such as the Internet. Based on the data transmitted from the server 80, the music data stored in the HDD 55 (see FIG. 12) of the typing game apparatus 1 can be updated.
Therefore, it is possible to change the types of music that can be played by the typing game apparatus 1 by updating the music data, and by managing the typing game apparatuses installed in each game store in a lump. The data update work is also easy.

Next, a configuration related to the control system of the typing game apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the typing game apparatus according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 12, the control system of the typing game apparatus 1 is electrically connected to the CPU 51 that controls various controls such as game processing operations in the typing game apparatus 1, the ROM 53 and the RAM 54 connected to the CPU 51, and the CPU 51. Peripheral device (actuator).

The CPU 51 is a central processing unit that performs arithmetic processing according to various commands. The I / O 52 is a connection unit that directly and indirectly electrically connects the first liquid crystal display 3, the second liquid crystal display 4, the keyboard 6, the illumination device 7, the speaker 8, the spotlight 11, and the like to the CPU 51.
The ROM 53 is a non-volatile read-only memory that stores a calculation program for operating a flowchart described later. The ROM 53 stores an input area determination table used in input area determination processing described later.
The RAM 54 is a memory that temporarily stores various data calculated by the CPU 51, and also stores the number of player type mistakes in the typing game, the score (score) acquired, the points acquired, and the like. . Similarly, the player's mistake count, score, points, etc. in the rhythm game are also stored in the RAM 54.
Also, in the RAM 54, the lyrics data and rhythm input display data of the music data used in the current game among a plurality of music data stored in the HDD 55 to be described later are divided in units of phrases and temporarily stored. Is done.

The HDD 55 is a storage device that stores music data used when a game is executed in the typing game apparatus 1. Here, the music data includes video data, performance data, audio data, lyrics data, typing game determination reference data, rhythm input display data, rhythm game determination reference data, lighting device light emission pattern data, keyboard light emission pattern data, and deadline data. It is configured and stored in each storage area of the music data storage area 56 formed in the HDD 55 (see FIG. 13).
Also, a plurality of pieces of music data are stored in the music data storage area 56 (a maximum of eight in this embodiment), and each piece of data stored based on the data transmitted from the server 80 as described above is stored. The music data is updated as needed. Then, the type of the song name displayed on the song selection screen 15 (see FIG. 2B) is changed based on the type of the song data stored in the song data storage area 56 and is selected on the song selection screen 15. A game is played based on the music data corresponding to the music (see FIGS. 3 to 5).

Here, the music data storage area 56 formed in the HDD 55 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a music data storage area.
As shown in FIG. 13, the music data storage area 56 of the typing game apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of storage areas (in this embodiment) corresponding to the number of music data that can be stored (8 music in this embodiment). 1st storage area to 8th storage area), and for each storage area, a video data storage area 56A, a performance data storage area 56B, an audio data storage area 56C, a lyrics data storage area 56D, and a typing game determination reference data storage area 56E. A rhythm input display data storage area 56F, a rhythm game determination reference data storage area 56G, a lighting device light emission pattern data storage area 56H, a keyboard light emission pattern data storage area 56I, and a time limit data storage area 56J are provided.

Here, each data storage area constituting the storage area formed in the music data storage area 56 will be described. The video data storage area 56A is a storage area for storing video data related to the PV video 20 (see FIGS. 3A, 4A, and 5A) among the music data. Therefore, when the typing game is executed, the video data related to the PV video 20 is read from the video data storage area 56A and displayed on the independent image area 101 and the second liquid crystal display 4 in the first liquid crystal display 3 at the same timing. The
The performance data storage area 56B is a storage area for storing performance data related to accompaniment by a musical instrument or the like output from the speaker 8 among the music data.
The sound data storage area 56 </ b> C is a storage area in which sound data related to the singing voice sung by the artist output from the speaker 8 is stored.
The lyric data storage area 56D is a storage area for storing lyric data related to document data of the lyrics of music among the music data. As described above, when the game is executed, the lyrics data of the music is divided for each phrase and stored in the RAM 54. Then, along with the progress of the music, it is sequentially read out from the RAM 54 in units of one phrase and displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 (FIGS. 3B, 4B, 5B, 6 and 6). (See FIG. 7).

  The typing game determination reference data storage area 56E stores timing game determination reference data that is read out as a reference for character correctness determination and input timing correctness determination of the characters typed by the player when the typing game is executed. Storage area. Then, the CPU 51 adds the number of misses, points, points, and the like as described later based on the stored timing game determination reference data and the operation signal from the keyboard 6.

The rhythm input display data storage area 56F is a storage area for storing the rhythm input display data indicating the input timing to be input and the input area to be input when the rhythm game is executed, among the music data. This rhythm input display data is read from the rhythm input display data storage area 56F when the typing game is executed, divided into one phrase unit of music, and stored in the RAM 54. And according to progress of reproduction | regeneration of a music, it displays on the 1st liquid crystal display 3 sequentially per 1 phrase unit of the said music (refer FIG. 5 (B), FIG. 6, FIG. 7).
The rhythm input display data storage area 56F stores rhythm input display data for each difficulty level setting of “MODE 1”, “MODE 2”, and “MODE 3”.
Therefore, by executing the rhythm game and setting the difficulty level at the time of execution on the game mode selection screen 12, rhythm input display data corresponding to the set difficulty level setting is read out.

The rhythm game determination reference data storage area 56G stores rhythm game determination reference data that is read out as a reference for correct / incorrect determination of the key input by the player and correctness of input timing during execution of the rhythm game. Storage area. In the rhythm game determination reference data storage area 56G, the input area data indicated by the rhythm input display data and the timing to be input for each rhythm input display 45 (one character of the lyrics corresponding to the rhythm input display 45). Rhythm game determination reference data composed of timing data that is defined) is stored. Similarly to the rhythm input display data, “MODE 1”, “MODE 2”, “MODE 3” Rhythm game determination reference data for each difficulty level setting is stored.
Therefore, the CPU 51 adds the number of misses, points, points, and the like as described below based on the rhythm game determination reference data corresponding to the set difficulty level setting and the operation signal from the keyboard 6.

The lighting device light emission pattern data storage area 56H and the keyboard light emission pattern data storage region 56I emit light from the music device light emission pattern data for causing the lighting device 7 to emit light and the full color LED 155 provided in the key. This is a storage area in which keyboard light emission pattern data is stored.
In the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the pair of lighting devices 7 is controlled by the light emission control circuit 62 during the game based on the stored lighting device light emission pattern data. ) To control light emission.
Further, the full color LED 155 provided inside the key is controlled to emit light in each light emission mode (light emission color, lighting / extinguishing) by the light emission control circuit 62 during the execution of the typing game based on the stored keyboard light emission pattern data. The
In addition, as a light emission pattern of the full color LED 155, for a beginner of a typing game, a light emission pattern for assisting key input by sequentially lighting a key to be input with a light emission color different from the light emission color of the entire keyboard 6, There is a pattern that changes the emission color of all keys arranged on the keyboard 6 in accordance with the image of the music.

  The expiration date storage area 56J is a storage area in which expiration date data relating to the expiration date of the song data is stored in the song data. The expiration date data is a date when the song data can be used (use start date). , It is composed of two date data of the date when the music data becomes unusable (use end date). This time limit data is used together with the timer 58 (see FIG. 12) to manage the expiration date of each piece of music data, and is controlled by the CPU 51 so that a typing game using music data whose usage date has expired cannot be played.

Here, returning to FIG. 12, the control system of the typing game apparatus 1 will be described.
The game communication means 57 converts the signal sent out by the typing game apparatus 1 into a signal in a transmittable format according to the communication format such as a telephone line or a LAN cable, and transmits the signal to the server 80 and transmitted from the server 80. This is a device that receives the received signal and converts it again into a signal that can be read by the typing game apparatus 1. The game communication means 57 is connected to the server communication means 81 of the server 80 via a network N capable of bidirectional communication such as the Internet (see FIG. 11).

  Further, a timer 58 is connected to the CPU 51. The information of the timer 58 is transmitted to the CPU 51, and the CPU 51 manages the expiration date of the stored music data from the information of the timer 58 and the expiration date data stored in the expiration date data storage area 56J of the HDD 55.

The display control circuit 60 is connected to the CPU 51 via the I / O 52, and controls the display contents of the first liquid crystal display 3 and the second liquid crystal display 4 in accordance with the calculation processing result of the CPU 51. is there. Here, the display control circuit 60 includes a program ROM, an image ROM, an image control CPU, a work RAM, a VDP (video display processor), a video RAM, and the like.
The program ROM stores an image control program related to display on the first liquid crystal display 3 and the second liquid crystal display 4 and various selection tables. In particular, an independent image area 101 is provided in the first liquid crystal display 3, and an image control program and various selection tables necessary for displaying the PV image 20 at the same timing on the independent image area 101 and the second liquid crystal display 4 are provided. Stored.
The image ROM also has dot data for forming images such as a song selection screen 15 (see FIG. 2) and a main game screen 21 (see FIGS. 3 to 7) displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3, for example. Is stored.
Then, based on the parameters set by the CPU 51, the image control CPU follows the image control program stored in advance in the program ROM, and selects the first liquid crystal display 3 and the second liquid crystal from among the dot data stored in advance in the image ROM. The image displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 is determined. The VDP forms an image corresponding to the display content determined by the image control CPU and outputs the image to the first liquid crystal display 3 and the second liquid crystal display 4.

Thereby, for example, in the standby state, a demonstration screen including PV, advertisements, ranking list, etc. of an arbitrary song is displayed, and after a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 9, a song is displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3. A selection screen 15 (see FIG. 2) is displayed.
When a typing game is being executed in the typing game apparatus 1, the lyric data constituting the music data is displayed for each phrase on the first liquid crystal display 3, and already based on the input result of the keyboard 6. When the rhythm game is executed by performing control or the like to move the character string 23A typed by the player to the lower stage compared to the character string 23B before the type, the music data is configured on the first liquid crystal display 3. The rhythm input display data to be displayed is displayed for each phrase, and based on the input result of the keyboard 6, the rhythm input display 45 already input is moved to the lower stage compared to the rhythm input display 45 before input, etc. I do.
On the other hand, the second liquid crystal display 4 displays PV, which is video data constituting music data. Further, an independent image area 101 is provided at the center upper portion of the main game screen 21 in the first liquid crystal display 3, and the PV is displayed at the same timing in the independent image area 101 and the second liquid crystal display 4.

  The sound control circuit 61 is connected to the CPU 51 via the I / O 52 and is also connected to the speaker 8. Then, when the game is executed and the music data stored in the music data storage area 56 of the HDD 55 is read, the performance data and audio data constituting the music data are converted into a sound signal by the sound control circuit 61, and the speaker. 8 is output.

  The light emission control circuit 62 is connected to the CPU 51 via the I / O 52, and is also connected to the illumination device 7 and a full color LED 155 (see FIG. 10) disposed inside the key. When the music data stored in the music data storage area 56 of the HDD 55 is read by the CPU 51, the light emission control circuit 62 controls the light emission mode of the full color LED 155 based on the keyboard light emission pattern data constituting the music data. In addition to the lighting device light emission pattern data constituting the music data, the light emission mode of the lighting device 7 is controlled based on a typing game execution processing program (see FIG. 20), a rhythm game execution processing program (see FIG. 21), etc., which will be described later. To do.

  Returning to FIG. 12, a keyboard 6 is connected to the CPU 51. A key switch 159 provided inside each key of the keyboard 6 transmits that the key top 153 has been pressed down as an electrical signal flowing through the switch circuit board 151. The CPU 51 performs control to execute various operations corresponding to each key based on the switch signal output from each key switch 159 when each key is pressed.

  The coin sensor 63 is a sensor that detects a coin (for example, a 100 yen coin) used as a price for executing the typing game in the typing game apparatus 1. The coin sensor 63 is disposed inside the coin insertion slot 9 and is connected to the CPU 51 via the I / O 52. Accordingly, the coin sensor 63 transmits a coin insertion signal to the CPU 51 based on the insertion of the coin from the coin insertion slot 9. Then, the CPU 51 can execute the game by detecting a coin insertion signal corresponding to a predetermined amount (for example, 200 yen).

  The card sensor 64 is a sensor that detects whether or not an IC card is inserted into the card insertion slot 10, and the card reader / writer 65 reads / reads data from / to an IC tag disposed on the IC card. It is a device that performs writing. The card sensor 64 and the card reader / writer 65 are both disposed inside the card insertion slot 10 and connected to the CPU 51 via the I / O 52. When an IC card is detected by the card sensor 64 and a predetermined operation is performed, the card reader / writer 65 uses the card game result of the previously executed typing game or rhythm game as an IC. Read from the tag (S3 in FIG. 14). At the end of the typing game, a new game result (acquired points or points) is written to the IC tag (S12 in FIG. 14).

The spotlight control circuit 66 is connected to the CPU 51 and the spotlight 11 via the I / O 52. Then, the spotlight control circuit 66 controls the light emission mode of the spotlight 11 based on the command of the CPU 51, and particularly when the light emission mode of the illumination device 7 is controlled by the above-described light emission control circuit 62 or the like. By causing the spotlight 11 to emit light while rotating, the lighting effect in the lighting device 7 is made flashy.
Accordingly, the lighting mode of the spotlight 11 for controlling the lighting effect in the lighting device 7 is controlled in the lighting device light emission pattern data constituting the music data stored in the music data storage area 56 of the HDD 55. Content for is added.

  Further, the CPU 51 is connected with a control timer 59 capable of timing in units of 1/10 second. The control timer 59 is a time measuring device used when executing various control programs described later. In the present embodiment, the timing is started particularly when the typing game is started, and is referred to when the correctness of the input timing in the typing game and the rhythm game is determined.

Next, the main processing program of the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the main processing program of the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
14, 15, and 19 to 22 are stored in the ROM 53 and RAM 54 provided in the typing game apparatus 1 and executed by the CPU 51.

As shown in FIG. 14, first, in S <b> 1, the CPU 51 determines whether or not an IC card is inserted into the card insertion slot 10 based on a detection signal from the card sensor 64.
If it is determined that an IC card is inserted (S1: YES), it is determined in S2 whether or not a data content confirmation request from the player has been received. On the other hand, if it is determined that the IC card is not inserted (S1: NO), the process proceeds to S4.

Here, in the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when the shift key 113 of the keyboard 6 is pressed before the coin is inserted and the IC card is inserted into the card insertion slot 10, the first liquid crystal display 3 is displayed. A list of game results recorded on the IC card is displayed. Thereby, the player can check the history of his game results.
Therefore, in the determination of S2, it is determined whether or not the shift key 113 is pressed based on the operation signal from the keyboard 6. When it is determined that the shift key 113 has been pressed (S2: YES), the data of the IC tag built in the IC card is read by the card reader / writer 65, and the first liquid crystal display 3 is read based on the read data. A list of game results is displayed (S3).

In S4, a start acceptance process is performed. Specifically, in the start acceptance process, it is determined whether or not a coin (100 yen coin or the like) has been inserted into the coin insertion slot 9 by a predetermined amount (200 yen in the present embodiment). Until a predetermined amount of coins is inserted, the apparatus stands by in a standby state in which a demo play game screen, a PV of an arbitrary musical piece, a promotional screen, a demo screen including a list of ranking data, and the like are displayed on the display.
In the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 9, the coin sensor 63 detects the coin and a coin detection signal is output to the CPU 51. Thereby, the CPU 51 can determine whether the player has inserted coins.
When a predetermined amount of coins is inserted and the start acceptance process (S4) ends, the process proceeds to a game mode selection process (S5).

In the game mode selection process (S5), a process for setting the game mode of the game to be executed this time is performed. That is, the game mode selection screen 12 is displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3, and the above-described “typing mode” and “rhythm mode” game modes and the rhythm game difficulty “MODE 1”, “ From the settings of “MODE 2” and “MODE 3”, the player selects an arbitrary setting.
Thus, the player can arbitrarily select a typing game and a rhythm game, and can select an arbitrary difficulty level from three levels of difficulty when selecting a rhythm game. In other words, the range of game selection is widened and a variety of games can be played, so that the player does not get bored with the game.
The game mode selection process will be described later in detail with reference to the drawings, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

  Subsequently, in S6, a music selection process for selecting a music to be used for execution of the current typing game is performed. In the music selection process, the music selection screen 15 (see FIG. 3) is displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 based on the type of music data stored in the music data storage area 56 of the HDD 55 as will be described later. Set the music to be used in. The music selection process (S6) will be described in detail later with reference to the drawings.

  When the music selection process (S6) determines the music used in the current typing game, in S7, the CPU 51 determines that the game mode set in the game mode selection process (S5) is the typing mode. Judge whether or not. In the game mode selection process (S5), when the typing game mode is set (S7: YES), the process proceeds to a typing game execution process (S8). On the other hand, when the rhythm mode is set in the game mode selection process (S5) (S7: NO), the process proceeds to the rhythm game execution process (S9).

  In the typing game execution process (S8), a typing game is performed in which a music is played based on the music selected in the music selection process (S6) and scores and points are added based on the input result of the keyboard 6. Continue until the end condition is met. When the predetermined end condition is satisfied and the typing game is finished, the typing game execution process (S8) is finished, and the process proceeds to S10. Here, the details of the typing game execution process (S8) will be described later with reference to the drawings.

On the other hand, in the rhythm game execution process (S9), a rhythm game in which music is played based on the music selected in the music selection process (S6) and scores and points are added based on the input result of the keyboard 6, Continue until a predetermined termination condition is met.
Here, in the rhythm game, unlike the typing game, an input area is set in the keyboard 6 based on the difficulty level setting (“MODE 1”, “MODE 2”, “MODE 3”) in the rhythm game. The input area of the input key is determined from the input result 6. Based on the input area of the input key and the rhythm game determination reference data stored in the rhythm game determination reference data storage area 56G, the correctness of the input area and the correctness of the input timing are determined. Based on the score and points are added. When the predetermined ending condition is satisfied and the rhythm game is ended, the rhythm game execution process (S9) is ended, and the process proceeds to S10.
Since the rhythm game execution process (S9) will be described in detail later with reference to the drawings, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

In S10, a game result display for displaying the game result screen 30 (see FIG. 8) on the first liquid crystal display 3 based on the game result executed in the typing game execution process (S8) or the rhythm game execution process (S9). Processing is performed (S10).
The game result screen 30 displays the number of misses in the current game stored in the RAM 54, the points acquired, and the score (score) acquired, and a name input display that prompts the player to input the name of the player who played the game. Part 34 is displayed. Further, when the keyboard 6 is operated in this state, the characters input to the name input display unit 34 are displayed based on the operation signal. After completing the game result display process (S10), the process proceeds to S11.

In S <b> 11, the CPU 51 determines whether or not an IC card is inserted into the card insertion slot 10 based on a detection signal from the card sensor 64. If it is determined that an IC card is inserted (S11: YES), the points acquired in the current typing game stored in the RAM 54 and the acquired scores (scores) are determined by the card reader / writer 65. Are written in the IC tags built in the IC cards respectively (S12).
The data written here can be referred to by the data content display process (S3) at the next game.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the IC card is not inserted (S11: NO), the process is terminated.

Here, each process which comprises a main control program is demonstrated in detail, referring drawings.
First, the game mode selection process (S5) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the game mode selection processing program.
When the process proceeds to the game mode selection process (S5), first, the CPU 51 displays the game mode selection screen 12 (see FIG. 2A) on the first liquid crystal display 3 (S21).
Accordingly, the first liquid crystal display 3 has a mode display unit 13 indicating game modes of “typing mode” and “rhythm mode”, and rhythm game difficulty levels “MODE 1”, “MODE 2”, and “MODE 3”. A difficulty level display portion 13a to be displayed and a mode selection cursor 14 to indicate setting conditions selected by the player are displayed.

  In S22, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the cursor key 114 has been input. Here, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the cursor key 114 is input based on the operation signal of the cursor key 114 transmitted from the keyboard 6. When the cursor key 114 is input (S22: YES), the mode selection cursor 14 is moved based on the operation of the cursor key 114 (which key has been input up, down, left, or right) (S23), S22 Return to. On the other hand, when the cursor key 114 is not input (S22: NO), the process proceeds to S24.

In S24, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the enter key 112 has been input. Here, when the enter key 112 is input (S24: YES), based on the settings corresponding to the mode display section 13 and the difficulty display section 13a where the current mode selection cursor 14 is located, the game mode of the current game The mode setting indicating the difficulty level is determined. The determined mode setting is stored in the RAM 54 as mode setting data (S25). After the mode setting data is stored in the RAM 54, the game mode selection process (S5) is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the enter key 112 has not been pressed (S24: NO), the process returns to the determination process of S22 again.
Here, the relationship between the selection state of the mode selection cursor 14 in S25 and the mode setting data to be set will be specifically described. For example, when the mode selection cursor 14 is positioned on the mode display unit 13 indicating the typing mode, mode setting data indicating the execution of the typing game is stored in the RAM 54. On the other hand, when the mode selection cursor 14 is positioned on any one of the difficulty level display portions 13a, mode setting data indicating the difficulty level of the ranking mode is stored in the RAM 54 as the ranking game is executed. Thus, after the mode setting data is stored in the RAM 54, the game mode selection process (S5) is terminated.

  Next, the music selection process program executed in the music selection process (S6) in the main control program will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the music selection processing program according to this embodiment.

  When the process proceeds to the music selection process (S6), the CPU 51 first obtains the music name and artist name (up to eight types in the present embodiment) of the music related to the stored music data from the music data storage area 56 of the HDD 55. (S31).

Based on the song name and artist name of the song acquired in S31, the song selection screen 15 (see FIG. 2B) is displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 (S32).
On the song selection screen 15, a list of the acquired song names is displayed in the playable song name display unit 16, and the selected song name display unit 18 and the selected artist name display unit 19 are selected by the song selection cursor 17. The song name and artist name of the song are displayed.

Subsequently, in S33, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the cursor key 114 is input. Here, whether or not the cursor key 114 is input is determined based on the operation signal transmitted from the keyboard 6.
If it is determined that the cursor key 114 has been pressed (S33: YES), the music displayed on the first liquid crystal display 3 based on the operation of the cursor key 114 (which key has been pressed up, down, left, or right) The selection cursor 17 is moved in the pressed direction (S34).

  In S35, the display of the selected song name display unit 18 and the selected artist name display unit 19 is changed to the song name and artist name corresponding to the newly selected song by the song selection cursor 17 moved in S34. Thereafter, the process returns to the determination process of S33.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the cursor key 114 has not been pressed (S33: NO), it is determined whether or not the enter key 112 has been pressed (S36). If it is determined that the enter key 112 has been pressed (S36: YES), the music at which the music selection cursor 17 is currently positioned is set as the music for the current game, and the music selection result is stored in the RAM 54. (S37). By selecting and determining the music to be used in this game, the music selection process (S6) is terminated and the process returns to the main control program.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the enter key 112 is not pressed (S36: NO), the process returns to the determination process of S33 again.

  Next, the typing game execution processing program executed in the typing game execution processing (S8) in the main control program will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the typing game execution processing program according to the present embodiment.

When the game mode selection process (S5) and the music selection process (S6) execute the typing game and the music to be used in the typing game is determined, the process proceeds to the typing game execution process (S8). The used typing game is executed.
When the process proceeds to the typing game execution process (S8), first, in S41, the CPU 51 reads data indicating the music selected by the music selection process (S6) from the RAM 54, and stores the music data in the HDD 55 based on the data. The music data corresponding to the selection result of the music selection process (S6) is read out of the music data stored in each storage area (see FIG. 13) of the area 56. At this time, the lyric data stored in the lyric data storage area 56D is divided for each phrase and temporarily stored in the RAM 54.

Next, in S42, the CPU 51 causes the first liquid crystal display 3 to display the main game screen 21 (see FIGS. 3B and 4B). At this time, the independent image area 101 is formed at the upper center of the main game screen 21 in the first liquid crystal display 3.
At this time, no character strings are displayed on the lyrics display portion 22 and the Roman character display portion 23 on the main game screen 21, and the score and score display on the score display portion 27 are also "0". Further, at this time, the PV video 20 is not displayed in the independent image area 101.

Subsequently, in S43, the CPU 51 reads the video data stored in the video data storage area 56A, and displays the independent video area 101 on the first liquid crystal display 3 and the PV video 20 on the second liquid crystal display 4 at the same timing. Start (see FIGS. 3A and 4A).
Also, accompaniment music and sound are output via the speaker 8 based on the performance data stored in the performance data storage area 56B and the sound data stored in the sound data storage area 56C. As a result, the music is played and the PV video 20 is reproduced accordingly.

  Next, in S44, the CPU 51 acquires the lyrics for one phrase of the lyrics data stored in the RAM 54, and sets the corresponding character string to the lyric display section 22 of the main game screen 21 in accordance with the tempo at which the music is played. Each of them is displayed on the Roman character display unit 23. In this way, the first liquid crystal display 3 displays the main game screen 21 in parallel with the performance of music and the display of the PV video 20 on the second liquid crystal display 4 (see FIGS. 3B and 4B). ).

  Thereafter, the CPU 51 calculates the number of characters n of one phrase based on the acquired lyrics data of one phrase (S45), and substitutes 0 for an arbitrary variable m stored in the RAM 54 (S46). Here, the arbitrary variable m is a variable used for character input determination for each character forming one phrase, and is incremented by one every time input determination for one character is completed (S53). Therefore, in each input determination process repeatedly performed in the following S47 to S54, when m = t (0 ≦ t ≦ n−1), input determination of the character located at the t + 1th position from the beginning of one phrase is performed. It will be.

  In S <b> 47, the CPU 51 determines whether or not a key input by the character input key 111 has been performed based on an operation signal from the keyboard 6. When it is determined that there is a key input (S47: YES), the control timer 59 stores the input timing data indicating the input timing of the key in the RAM 54. Thereafter, a correct / incorrect determination process of the input key is performed based on the type of the pressed key, the input timing data, and the typing game determination reference data stored in the typing game determination reference data storage area 56E (S48). .

In the correctness determination process (S48), when the key corresponding to the Roman character displayed on the Roman character display section 23 (see FIGS. 3B and 4B) of the main game screen 21 is input, the correct type is used. It is recognized that there is. If it is determined that a key other than the corresponding key has been input, the number of misses is incremented by one.
Further, when a corresponding key is input, it is also determined whether the key input timing coincides based on the typing game determination reference data. The coincidence of the timing is determined based on the input timing defined in the determination reference data and the input timing data. If the correct key is input but the input timing does not match, only the score based on the input of the correct key is added. If the correct key is input at the correct input timing, the correct key input is performed. A score based on key input at the correct timing is added together with a score based on.
After performing correct / incorrect determination for key input, the process proceeds to S51.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no key input (S47: NO), a character string corresponding to one phrase is displayed on the main game screen 21 for a predetermined time (when the first character of one phrase is input). After (S44), when other characters are input, the score calculation process is performed (measured after (S52).) Whether or not the time has passed is determined based on the information of the control timer 59 ( S49). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S49: NO), the process returns to the determination process of S47.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S49: YES), one is added to the number of misses in the current game stored in the RAM 54, assuming that no key input by the player has been made (S50). ).

  In S51, key emission processing is performed by the full color LED 155 provided inside the key of the keyboard 6. Specifically, in the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when there is a key input (S47: YES) and when it is determined that a correct key input has been made, the pressed character input key 111 is displayed in blue. Make it emit light. If there is a key input (S47: YES) and it is determined that an incorrect key input has been made, the pressed character input key 111 is emitted in red, and the correct key to be input is emitted in green. Let Further, when there is no key input (S47: NO), the correct key to be input is illuminated in green.

In S52, score calculation processing is performed based on the determination result of the correctness determination processing (S48). In the score calculation process (S52), the player's score (score) in the current game stored in the RAM 54 is added.
That is, as a result of the determination by the correctness determination process (S48), if the correct key is input but is not input within the input period, only the score based on the input of the correct key is added, and the correct key is determined. When the input is made within the input period, the score based on the key input at the correct timing is added together with the score based on the correct key input.

Thereafter, in S53, the variable m stored in the RAM 54 is read, "+1" is added, and the variable m is stored again. Subsequently, in S54, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable m has reached n-1, that is, whether or not the character input determination for each character forming one phrase has been completed.
When it is determined that the value of the variable m has not reached n−1 (S54: NO), the process returns to S47 again, and among the characters constituting one phrase, the character positioned in the next order is returned. Input judgment is performed.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the variable m has reached n−1 (S54: YES), the input of one phrase has been completed, and the process proceeds to S55.

  In S55, point addition processing is performed. In the point addition process (S55), points are determined when it is determined that the input has been completed without making a typo (including determination of a typo after a predetermined time (S50)) for n characters constituting one phrase. Add one. That is, for n characters constituting one phrase, points can be obtained when the correct key is input regardless of whether the input timing is correct or incorrect.

Next, in S56, the CPU 51 finishes the input determination of the phrase of the stage corresponding to one of the plurality of song numbers (usually one song is composed of Nos. 1 to 3) constituting the song. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that the input determination of all phrases for one stage is not completed (S56: NO), the process returns to S44, and the lyrics of the next phrase are acquired from the RAM. Thereby, the character strings corresponding to the lyrics of the next phrase are displayed on the lyrics display portion 22 and the Roman character display portion 23 on the main game screen 21, respectively.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the input determination of all phrases for one stage has been completed (S56: YES), it is determined whether the input determination of phrases for all stages (all songs in the music) has been completed. (S57).

If it is determined that all stages have been completed (S57: YES), the typing game execution process is terminated regardless of the points owned by the player, and the process returns to the main control program. On the other hand, if it is determined that all the stages have not been completed (S57: NO), is the player's typographical error count added up in the correctness / incorrectness determination process (S48) or S50 less than a predetermined number of times? It is determined whether or not (S58).
The typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of stages according to the number of music numbers of the music to be played back, and continues the stage related to the next music number when one stage is completed. In order to perform the game, the condition is that the number of typographical errors from the start of the game is less than a predetermined number (for example, the number of typographical errors is to continue the second game after playing the portion corresponding to the first game). Less than 20 times, less than 35 times to continue to play number 3 after playing the part corresponding to number 2).

  If it is determined that the number of typographical errors of the player stored in the RAM 54 is less than the predetermined number (S58: YES), the process returns to S44, and the lyrics corresponding to the first phrase of the next song number Is obtained from the RAM 54, and the character strings corresponding to the lyrics are displayed on the lyrics display unit 22 and the Roman character display unit 23, respectively. Then, input determination processing is performed in the same manner. On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of typographical errors of the player is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (S58: NO), the typing game execution process (S8) is terminated and the process returns to the main control program.

  Next, the rhythm game execution processing program executed in the rhythm game execution processing (S9) in the main control program will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the rhythm game execution processing program according to the present embodiment.

When the game mode selection process (S5) and the music selection process (S6) determine the execution and difficulty level of the rhythm game and the music to be used in the rhythm game, the process proceeds to the rhythm game execution process (S9) and is selected. A typing game using music is executed.
When the process proceeds to the rhythm game execution process (S9), first, in S61, the CPU 51 reads data indicating the music selected by the music selection process (S6) from the RAM 54, and stores the music data in the HDD 55 based on the data. Music data corresponding to the selection result of the music selection process (S6) is read out of the music data stored in each storage area (see FIG. 10) of the area 56. At this time, the lyric data stored in the lyric data storage area 56D is divided for each phrase and temporarily stored in the RAM 54.
At this time, the input area of the keyboard 6 is read based on the mode setting data stored in the RAM 54 and the difficulty level setting (any one of “MODE 1”, “MODE 2”, and “MODE 3”) indicated by the mode setting data. Is set (see FIGS. 16 to 18).

Next, in S <b> 62, the CPU 51 displays the main game screen 21 (see FIGS. 5B, 6, and 7) on the first liquid crystal display 3. At this time, the independent image area 101 is formed at the upper center of the main game screen 21 in the first liquid crystal display 3.
At this time, the lyrics display section 22 and the rhythm input display display section 43 are not displayed with the lyrics display section 22 and the rhythm input display display section 43 on the main game screen 21, and the score display section 27 also displays the score and score. 0 ”. Further, at this time, the PV video 20 is not displayed in the independent image area 101.

Subsequently, in S63, the CPU 51 reads the video data stored in the video data storage area 56A, and displays the independent image area 101 on the first liquid crystal display 3 and the PV video 20 on the second liquid crystal display 4 at the same timing. Start (see FIG. 5A).
Also, accompaniment music and sound are output via the speaker 8 based on the performance data stored in the performance data storage area 56B and the sound data stored in the sound data storage area 56C. As a result, the music is played and the PV video 20 is reproduced accordingly.

  Next, in S64, the CPU 51 acquires one phrase each of the lyrics data and the rhythm input display data stored in the RAM 54, and displays them in the lyrics display section 22 of the main game screen 21 in accordance with the tempo at which the music is played. Displays the lyric data for one corresponding phrase, and displays the rhythm input display 45 for one corresponding phrase on the rhythm input display display 43. Thus, the first liquid crystal display 3 displays the main game screen 21 in parallel with the performance of the music and the display of the PV video 20 on the second liquid crystal display 4 (see FIG. 5B, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7). ).

Thereafter, the CPU 51 calculates the number of rhythm input displays constituting the acquired rhythm input display data for one phrase, that is, the number y of rhythm input displays 45 existing within one phrase period of the lyrics data (S65). Then, 0 is substituted into an arbitrary variable x stored in the RAM 54 (S66).
Here, the arbitrary variable x is a variable used for input determination with the keyboard 6 with respect to the rhythm input display 45 displayed within a period in which the music for one phrase is reproduced. Every time the determination is completed, 1 is added (S73). Accordingly, in each input determination process repeatedly performed in S67 to S74 below, when x = t (0 ≦ t ≦ y−1), input determination of the character positioned at the t + 1th position from the head of one phrase is performed. It will be.

  In S <b> 67, the CPU 51 determines whether or not a key input by the character input key 111 or the space key 116 has been performed based on an operation signal from the keyboard 6. When it is determined that there is a key input (S67: YES), the control timer 59 stores the input timing data indicating the input timing of the key in the RAM 54. Thereafter, an input determination process for key input is performed based on the type of the pressed key, the input timing data, and the rhythm game determination reference data stored in the rhythm game determination reference data storage area 56G (S68).

In the input determination process (S68), it belongs to the input area designated by the rhythm input display 45 displayed on the rhythm input display display section 43 (see FIGS. 5B, 6 and 7) of the main game screen 21. When the key to be input is input, it is recognized as the correct input. When it is determined that a key other than the key belonging to the input area designated by the rhythm input display 45 is input, the number of misses is incremented by one.
When a key belonging to the input area indicated by the rhythm input display 45 is input, the coincidence of the timing of the key input is also determined based on the rhythm game determination reference data. This timing coincidence is determined based on the input timing defined in the determination reference data and the input timing data stored in the RAM 54. If the correct key is input but the input timing does not match, only the score based on the input of the correct key is added. If the correct key is input at the correct input timing, the correct key input is performed. A score based on key input at the correct timing is added together with a score based on.
After performing input determination for key input, the process proceeds to S71.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no key input (S67: NO), it is determined based on the information of the control timer 59 whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (S69).
Here, the predetermined time is a time determined based on the timing data of the rhythm game determination reference data of the music stored in the rhythm game determination reference data storage area 56G. Specifically, when the rhythm input display 45 located at the head of one phrase is input, the rhythm input display 45 for one phrase is displayed on the rhythm input display display unit 43 on the main game screen 21 (S64). This is the time until the lyric corresponding to the rhythm input display 45 located at the beginning of one phrase is reproduced (the time defined by the timing data of the lyric). When inputting other rhythm input display 45, the time from when the score calculation process is performed (S62) until the lyrics corresponding to the rhythm input display 45 are reproduced (timing data of the lyrics) The time specified by
If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (the time defined by the timing data of the lyrics has not been reached) (S69: NO), the process returns to S67.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S69: YES), the time specified by the timing data of the lyrics has elapsed, and during that time, no key input by the player has been performed. Assuming that the input timing is missed, 1 is added to the number of misses in the current game stored in the RAM 54 (S70).

  In S71, a key emission process is performed by the full color LED 155 provided inside the key of the keyboard 6. Specifically, in the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when there is a key input (S67: YES), and when it is determined that a key belonging to the correct input area has been input, the pressed character input All the keys in the input area to which the key 111 belongs are caused to emit blue light. If there is a key input (S67: YES) and it is determined that a key input belonging to the wrong input area has been made, all the keys in the input area to which the pressed character input key 111 belongs are displayed. All the keys in the input area to which the correct key to be input belongs are illuminated in green. Further, when there is no key input (S47: NO), all the keys belonging to the correct input area to be input are made to emit green light.

In S72, score calculation processing is performed based on the determination result of the input determination processing (S68). In the score calculation process (S72), the player's score (score) in the current game stored in the RAM 54 is added.
That is, as a result of the determination by the input determination process (S68), if a key belonging to the correct input area has been input but does not coincide with the input timing, only the score based on the input of the key belonging to the correct input area When a key belonging to the correct input area is input at a timing that matches the input timing, a score based on the key input at the correct timing is added together with a score based on the key input belonging to the correct input area. The

Thereafter, in S73, the variable x stored in the RAM 54 is read, "+1" is added, and the variable x is stored again. Subsequently, in S74, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable x has reached y-1, that is, whether or not the input determination for all the rhythm input displays 45 within the period during which one phrase is reproduced has been completed. .
When it is determined that the value of the variable x has not reached y−1 (S74: NO), the process returns to S67 again and is positioned in the next order in the rhythm input display 45 constituting one phrase. Input determination of the rhythm input display 45 is performed.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the value of the variable x has reached y−1 (S74: YES), all inputs of the rhythm input display 45 existing within the period during which one phrase is reproduced have been completed. Therefore, the process proceeds to S75.

  In S75, a point addition process is performed. In the point addition process (S75), points are determined when it is determined that the input has been completed without making a mistake (including a mistake determination (S70) due to the passage of a predetermined time) on the n rhythm input displays 45 constituting one phrase. Add one. That is, for n rhythm input displays 45 constituting one phrase, points can be obtained when keys belonging to the correct input area are input regardless of whether the input timing is correct or incorrect.

Next, in S76, the CPU 51 finishes the input determination of the phrase of the stage corresponding to one of the plurality of song numbers (usually one song is composed of Nos. 1 to 3) constituting the song. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that the input determination of all phrases for one stage has not been completed (S76: NO), the process returns to S64, and the lyrics data and rhythm input display data of the next phrase are acquired from the RAM 54. To do. As a result, the character string corresponding to the lyrics of the next phrase is displayed on the lyrics display section 22 in the main game screen 21, and the rhythm input display 45 corresponding to the next phrase is displayed on the rhythm input display display section 43.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the input determination of all phrases for one stage has been completed (S76: YES), it is determined whether the input determination of phrases for all stages (all songs of the music) has been completed. (S77).

If it is determined that all stages have been completed (S77: YES), the rhythm game execution process (S9) is terminated regardless of the points owned by the player, and the process returns to the main control program. On the other hand, if it is determined that all the stages have not been completed (S77: NO), whether or not the number of player mistakes up to the present added in the input determination process (S68) or S70 is less than a predetermined number. Is determined (S78).
The typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of stages according to the number of music numbers of the music to be played back, and continues the stage related to the next music number when one stage is completed. In order to play the game, the number of mistakes from the start of the game is less than a predetermined number of times (for example, to play number 2 continuously after playing the portion corresponding to number 1, the number of typing mistakes 20 Less than 35 times to play No. 3 after playing the part corresponding to No. 2).

  If it is determined that the number of typographical errors of the player stored in the RAM 54 is less than the predetermined number (S78: YES), the process returns to S64, and the lyrics corresponding to the first phrase of the next song number Data and rhythm input display data are acquired from the RAM 54, a character string corresponding to the lyrics is displayed on the lyrics display unit 22, and a rhythm input display 45 corresponding to the lyrics is displayed on the rhythm input display display unit 43. Then, input determination processing is performed in the same manner. On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of typographical errors of the player is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (S78: NO), the rhythm game execution process (S9) is terminated and the process returns to the main control program.

Next, the input determination process program executed in the input determination process (S68) of the rhythm game execution process (S9) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the input determination processing program.
In the rhythm game execution process (S9), the key input of the keyboard 6 is made (S67: YES), and when the process proceeds to the input determination process (S68), the CPU 51 first determines the input area to which the input key belongs. A determination process (S81) is executed.
In the input area determination process (S81), the CPU 51 first reads an input area determination table (see FIG. 23) from the ROM 53, and the key type, mode setting data, and input area determination table input in S67. The input area to which the input key belongs is specified based on the above.

  After the input area to which the input key belongs is specified by the input area determination process (S81), the CPU 51 matches the input area to which the input key belongs with the input area data of the rhythm game determination reference data in S82. Judge whether or not If the input area to which the input key belongs matches the input area data (S82: YES), the process proceeds to S83. On the other hand, if the input area to which the input key belongs is different from the input area indicated by the input area data (S82: NO), the process proceeds to S84, the number of misses stored in the RAM 54 is read, and "1" is set. After adding, store again. After adding 1 to the number of misses (S84), the input determination process (S68) is terminated, and the process returns to the rhythm game execution process (S9).

  In S83, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the key input timing is correct based on the rhythm game determination reference data. Specifically, the CPU 51 reads the input timing data stored in the RAM 54 and the input timing data of the rhythm game determination reference data, and based on whether or not the input timing data matches the input timing data. Make a decision. If key input is performed at the correct timing (S83: YES), “input result: PERFECT” is stored in the RAM 54 as an input determination result (S86). After the input result is stored in the RAM 54, the input determination process (S68) is terminated and the process returns to the rhythm game execution process (S9). On the other hand, if the input timing data and the input timing data of the rhythm game determination reference data do not match and it is determined that the key input is not performed at the correct timing (S83: NO), “input result: GOOD” Is stored in the RAM 54 as an input determination result (S85). After the input result is stored in the RAM 54, the input determination process (S68) is terminated and the process returns to the rhythm game execution process (S9).

Here, the input determination table used in the input area determination process (S81) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of an input area determination table.
As shown in FIG. 23, in the input area determination table, every difficulty level setting (“MODE 1”, “MODE 2”, “MODE 3”) is set for all keys arranged on the keyboard 6. The input area to which it belongs is defined. Therefore, by specifying the input key based on the input signal transmitted from the input key and reading the difficulty level setting from the mode setting data stored in the RAM 54, the input to which the input key belongs. The area can be determined.

For example, based on the input area determination process (S81) shown in FIG. 5B when inputting the first rhythm input display 45 (rhythm input display 45a) of one phrase of “do not hesitate”. explain. In this case, since the difficulty level setting is “MODE 1”, it is determined that the input is correct by performing any one of the 20 keys belonging to the first input area 117a (see FIG. 16). Become.
Here, when the player inputs the “A” key, as shown in FIG. 23, the input of the “A” key in “MODE 1” is “first input area” according to the input area determination table. To be judged. Therefore, in this case, it is determined in S82 that the key belongs to the correct input area.
On the other hand, when the player inputs the “H” key, it is determined as the “second input area” based on the mode setting data “MODE 1” of the difficulty level setting and the input area determination table. Therefore, in this case, in S82, it is determined that a key belonging to an input area different from the input area data of the rhythm game determination reference data is input (S82: NO), and the number of misses is added once. (S84).
In addition, when the player inputs the space key 116 or other keys, the input of the key is based on the input signal indicating the input key, the mode setting data, and the input area determination table. It is determined as “invalid” that does not belong to any one of the first input area 117a and the second input area 117b. In this embodiment, in this case, it is determined that a miss input is made as it is (S82: NO), and the number of misses is added once (S84).

  As shown in FIG. 23, the space key 116 is determined as “third input area” when the space key 116 is input in the case of “MODE 2”. In other words, when the rhythm input display 45c is an input target when the rhythm game is executed in “MODE 2”, the input of the space key 116 is determined to be an input of a correct input area. On the other hand, when the other rhythm input display 45a and rhythm input display 45b are input targets, they are treated as “miss” as an input in an incorrect input area.

As described above, in the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the typing game can be executed by selecting either “typing mode” or “rhythm mode” in the game mode selection process (S5). It is also possible to execute a rhythm game.
When the rhythm game is executed, an input area is set for the character input key 111 and the space key 116 arranged on the keyboard 6, and the input area to which the key input by the player belongs is determined by the input area determination process (S81). Identified. The input determination process (S68) determines the correctness of the input area related to the key input and the correctness of the input timing from the input area to which the input key belongs, the input timing thereof, and the rhythm game determination reference data. The score is added by the calculation process (S72).
On the other hand, in the typing game, it is a mistake if the instructed key is not input at a specified timing. Here, since a typing game beginner is unfamiliar with keyboard input, he / she searches for a key to be input, and as a result, it is difficult to input a correct key at a correct timing.
In this regard, in the rhythm game, any key that belongs to the input area indicated by the rhythm input display 45 displayed on the rhythm input display display unit 43 is input correctly because any key is input. The possibility of missing a key is reduced. Therefore, even a novice typing game can sufficiently enjoy a rhythm game using the typing game apparatus 1.

  In the rhythm game in the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the rhythm game is executed using the keyboard 6 in the same manner as when the typing game is executed. The game is suitable for a beginner to gradually learn the operation of the keyboard 6.

Furthermore, in the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the rhythm game in two input areas and the rhythm game in three input areas are performed by setting the difficulty level in the rhythm game in the game mode setting process (S5). It is possible to select from three types of rhythm games in four input areas. Thereby, the player can enjoy a rhythm game in various modes.
Then, by gradually increasing the difficulty level from the rhythm game with a small input area to the rhythm game with a large input area, the rhythm game in a state similar to the input with the keyboard 6 is executed.
For example, in the case of a typing game beginner who has hardly touched the keyboard 6, first, a rhythm game with the difficulty level setting “MODE 1” is performed, and when the rhythm game with “MODE 1” is used, the difficulty level setting “ Play a rhythm game in "MODE 2". In this way, by gradually increasing the difficulty level of the rhythm game after getting used to the difficulty level setting, it is possible to learn operations close to actual input operations while getting used to input with the keyboard 6. .
As a result, a person who is a beginner in a typing game who is unfamiliar with the operation with the keyboard 6 gradually gets used to the input operation with the keyboard 6, so that he / she can acquire enough skills to fully enjoy the normal typing game. Can do.

  In the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, no limitation is imposed on the music selected in the music selection process (S6) regardless of whether the typing game is executed or the rhythm game is executed. In addition, since the reorganization that impairs the attractiveness of the music is not performed, the player can enjoy the game with the desired music and can enjoy the attractiveness of the selected music as it is.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning.
For example, in this embodiment, in the rhythm game, 2 to 4 input areas can be set by setting the difficulty level, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. That is, it is possible to set many input areas.
For example, in addition to the first input area 117a to the fourth input area 117d set by the difficulty level setting “MODE 3”, the space key 116 is added as a new input area, and a rhythm game can be executed in five input areas. It is good.
Further, the input area setting mode is not limited to the mode shown in FIGS. For example, the character input keys 111 may be set for each column in the vertical direction of the keyboard 6 (specifically, a column of “1” key, “Q” key, “A” key, “Z” key). good. It goes without saying that an input area composed of a plurality of columns may be set.
And it is good also as a structure which uses one key which comprises the designated input area.

Further, in the rhythm game in the typing game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the full color LED 155 disposed inside the key is caused to emit light based on the input result of the keyboard 6, but the full color LED 155 of each key is used. May always be illuminated so that the input area to which the key belongs can be identified. In this case, light is emitted so as to be linked with display colors of the respective input areas displayed in the input area display unit 44 (in the case of the present embodiment, “red”, “blue”, “yellow”, “green”). Thus, the player can easily determine the input area. In particular, since a typing game novice often visually recognizes the hand to confirm the input key, the input area can be easily identified.
In this case, the key light emission process (S71) at the time of the rhythm game is performed by giving the player the correct or incorrect key input result by changing the light emission mode such as light emission in a color different from that of the above-described embodiment, blinking, or extinction. It is desirable to be configured to notify

  In the present embodiment, the enter key 112 disposed on the keyboard 6 is used to make a decision for controlling the typing game apparatus 1, but a decision button is provided separately from the enter key 112. May be disposed in the housing.

It is a perspective view of the typing game device concerning this embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which showed the display content displayed on a 1st liquid crystal display before a typing game start. (A) is the schematic diagram which showed the 1st liquid crystal display which displayed the game mode selection screen, (B) is the schematic diagram which showed the 1st liquid crystal display which displayed the music selection screen. (A) is a schematic diagram showing display contents displayed on the second liquid crystal display during execution of the typing game, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing display contents displayed on the first liquid crystal display during execution of the typing game. is there. (A) is a schematic diagram showing display contents displayed on the second liquid crystal display during execution of the typing game, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing display contents displayed on the first liquid crystal display while the typing game is in progress. is there. (A) is a schematic diagram showing display contents displayed on the second liquid crystal display during execution of the rhythm game, and (B) is displayed on the first liquid crystal display during execution of the rhythm game with the difficulty level setting “MODE 1”. It is the schematic diagram which showed the displayed content. It is the schematic diagram which showed the display content displayed on the 1st liquid crystal display at the time of performing the rhythm game by difficulty level setting "MODE 2". It is the schematic diagram which showed the display content displayed on the 1st liquid crystal display at the time of performing the rhythm game by difficulty level setting "MODE 3". It is the schematic diagram which showed the display content displayed on a 1st liquid crystal display after completion | finish of a typing game. It is the top view which showed the keyboard with which the typing game apparatus which concerns on this embodiment was equipped. It is the schematic sectional drawing which cut | disconnected any one of the some key provided in the keyboard. 1 is a system block diagram showing a system including a typing game apparatus and a server according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows typically the control system of the typing game device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the music data storage area of HDD of the typing game device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the main process program of the typing game device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the game mode selection process program of the typing game device which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the input area set when performing a rhythm game by difficulty level setting "MODE 1". It is explanatory drawing of the input area set when performing a rhythm game by difficulty level setting "MODE 2". It is explanatory drawing of the input area set when performing a rhythm game by difficulty level setting "MODE 3". It is a flowchart of the music selection process program of the typing game apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the typing game execution processing program of the typing game apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the rhythm game execution processing program of the typing game apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the input determination processing program at the time of the rhythm game execution of the typing game apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the input area determination table used at the time of the rhythm game execution of the typing game device which concerns on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Typing game device 3 1st liquid crystal display 4 2nd liquid crystal display 6 Keyboard 51 CPU
55 HDD

Claims (2)

Display means for displaying an image;
A keyboard having a plurality of keys;
Storage means for storing determination data that defines music data, a key to be input regarding the music related to the music data, and a timing of key input;
In a typing game apparatus comprising: game control means for progressing a game based on the music data;
An input area setting means for setting an input area composed of a plurality of keys among keys arranged on the keyboard with respect to the keyboard;
The determination criterion data includes input area designation data for designating one input area among the input areas set by the input area setting means,
An input area determination means for determining an input area to which the input key belongs based on the input of the key;
A typing game apparatus comprising: a correct / incorrect determination means for determining correct / incorrect key input based on a determination result of the input area determination means and the determination reference data. The typing game apparatus according to claim 1,
The storage means stores a plurality of input area pattern data indicating the setting pattern of the input area,
Comprising input area pattern selection means for selecting one input area pattern data from the plurality of input area pattern data;
The typing game apparatus characterized in that the input area setting means sets an input area on a keyboard based on a selection result of the input area pattern selection means.

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