JP2007160065A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which unifies a music to be reproduced with a music reproduction device with a game. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine 1 is provided with a signal input part 4 which is interposed between the music reproduction device 100 and a voice output device 103 and loads a music reproduction signal to be output from the music reproduction device 100, an analysis means 10 for analyzing the music reproduction signal, and a game control part 11 adapted to reflect the result of the analysis by the analysis means on the control of games. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine having a function of analyzing a music playback signal.

There has not been provided a game machine that can use music reproduced by a music reproduction device such as a portable audio player and reflect, for example, the music in game contents or output the music. As a game machine having a voice recognition function, a game machine that analyzes a voice signal input from a microphone and reflects the analysis result in a character form has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-29649 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game machine in which music and a game played on a music playback device are fused.

  The first game machine (1) of the present invention includes a signal input unit (4) for capturing a music playback signal output from the music playback device (100), an analysis means (10) for analyzing the music playback signal, The above problem is solved by providing a game control unit (11) that reflects the analysis result of the analysis means in the control of the game.

  According to the first game machine of the present invention, the music playback signal of the music played back on the music playback device is an analog signal. The analog signal is taken in from the signal input unit, analyzed by the analysis means, The analysis result is reflected in the game control by the game control means. Thereby, the music reproduced by the music reproducing device can be reflected in the game. Furthermore, since any music can be selected and played on the music playback device, it is possible to enjoy a game using various music as materials compared to the case of using music prepared in advance in a game machine. .

  The music reproduction signal is waveform data composed of a plurality of waves, and the analysis object of the analysis means includes, for example, all of the waveform data such as the frequency, wavelength, amplitude, period, peak value, etc. Contains elements. The analysis content includes, for example, analysis of musical features such as music genre and tempo, as well as analysis of the sound itself such as the pitch, size, length, strength, and chord or single tone of the reproduced sound. As a game in which the analysis result of music is reflected, for example, there is a game in which the user inputs a tempo in accordance with the analyzed tempo, and a game in which the user performs a predetermined operation when a reproduced sound has a predetermined pitch.

  A display unit for displaying a predetermined image may be further provided, and the game control unit may reflect the image on at least one of the character form and the action displayed on the display unit based on the analysis result. Thereby, for example, the character can be danced according to the tempo of the music to be played, or different characters can be displayed according to the genre of the music to be played, thereby enhancing the interest of the game. it can.

  It is interposed between the line output terminal (101) of the music playback device and an audio output device (103) for converting the music playback signal output from the line output terminal, and is output from the line output terminal. A bypass path (R1) for passing the music playback signal to the audio output device and a path (R2) for taking the music playback signal into the analysis unit may be provided. As a result, the music playback signal from the music playback device is taken into the analysis unit and also output to the audio output device through the bypass path. Therefore, the user can enjoy the game based on the analysis result of the music while listening to the music output from the music output device.

  The second game machine of the present invention includes a signal input unit (4) for capturing a music playback signal output from the music playback device (100), and converting the music playback signal captured by the signal input unit into an audio signal. The above-mentioned problem is solved by providing the audio output unit (103, 20) for performing a bypass path (R1) for passing the music reproduction signal and a game control unit (11) for controlling a predetermined game. To do. According to the second game machine, a game provided by the game machine can be enjoyed while listening to music played on the music playback device. In particular, when the music playback device is a portable audio player and the sound output unit is provided in the earphone, it is possible to enjoy the game while listening to the user's favorite music and without being restricted by the place where the game is played. The audio output unit may be provided inside the game machine as a speaker, or may be configured outside the game machine like an earphone.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, the first game machine of the present invention takes in a music playback signal of music to be played back, analyzes the taken-in music playback signal, and reflects the analysis result on game control. Thereby, the game machine which can reflect the music reproduced | regenerated with the music reproduction apparatus in a game can be provided. Moreover, the music playback device can select and play any music, so that it can enjoy a game using various music as a material compared to the case of using music prepared in advance in a game machine. . In addition, the second game machine of the present invention also controls the game while taking the music playback signal from the music playback device and passing it to the audio output unit, so that the user can enjoy the game while listening to the favorite music. . Thereby, the game machine which united the music and game which are reproduced with music reproduction equipment can be provided.

  FIG. 1 shows a portable game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. The game machine 1 is used in combination with the portable music player 100 and includes a housing 2 and an LCD 3 as a display device attached to the front surface of the housing 2. The case 2 is provided with a line input terminal 4 and a phone terminal 5. The line input terminal 4 is connected to the line output terminal 101 of the portable music player 100 via a relay cable 102. The phone terminal 5 is connected to the earphone 103. That is, the game machine 1 of this embodiment is used by being interposed between the portable music player 100 and the audio output device to be combined therewith. The sound output device combined with the music player 100 is not limited to the earphone 103. That is, the portable music player 100 only needs to be able to output a music reproduction signal for audio conversion to various audio output devices such as speakers and headphones, and details such as the format of the recording medium and the reproduction method are not limited. Absent. Furthermore, the music player is not limited to a portable player, and any player that outputs music in home audio, television, and commercially available portable electronic games may be used.

  The game machine 1 functions as a relay that passes the music playback signal output from the line input terminal 4 of the music player 100 to the earphone 103, analyzes the music playback signal output from the music player 100, and the analysis result thereof. It has a function as a game machine that provides a user with a game according to the above. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a part related to the function of determining the tempo by taking in the music reproduction signal in the control system provided in the game machine 1. The game machine 1 processes a bypass path R1 for passing an analog audio reproduction signal from the line input terminal 4 as a signal input unit to the phone terminal 5 and an audio reproduction signal captured from the line input terminal 4 via the branch path R2. And a control unit 11 that captures an output signal of the signal processing unit 10. The paths R1 and R2 are each composed of three lines of a right channel, a left channel, and an earth channel, but in the figure, only one is shown.

  The signal processing unit 10 includes a low-pass filter (LPF) 12 that passes only the low frequency component of the music reproduction signal captured from the line input terminal 4, an integration circuit 13 that integrates the low frequency component that has passed through the LPF 12, An A / D converter 14 that converts the output signal of the circuit 13 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the control unit 11 is provided. The frequency range through which the LPF 12 passes is set to 1000 Hz or less, for example.

  The control unit 11 is configured as a computer unit that combines a microprocessing unit (MPU) and peripheral devices necessary for the operation of the MPU, for example, storage devices such as RAM and ROM. The control unit 11 is connected to the LCD 3 described above as a control target, and is also connected to an input device 20 for giving game instructions and the like, and a speaker unit (SP) 21 for generating sound, sound effects, and the like. . Further, the phone terminal 5 is also connected to the connection path to the speaker unit 21.

  The control unit 11 provides various game functions to the user by executing processing such as displaying a game screen on the LCD 3. As a function attached to the game, the control unit 11 also has a function of analyzing the output signal of the signal processing unit 10 and discriminating the genre of music. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 11. When the control unit 11 reads a predetermined control program from the storage device 25 and executes it, a tempo determination unit 30 and a game control unit 31 are generated as logical devices inside the control unit 11. The tempo discriminating unit 30 discriminates the tempo of music from the output signal of the signal processing unit 10 and gives the discrimination result to the game control unit 31. The game control unit 31 executes the game according to a predetermined game program (not shown). The game control in the game control unit 31 reflects the tempo determination result.

Next, processing relating to tempo discrimination by the game machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 shows a tempo determination processing routine executed by the tempo determination unit 30 of the control unit 11. When an integral value signal is output from the signal processing unit 10, the output signal is sequentially captured and stored in the internal buffer of the control unit 11. The tempo discriminating unit 30 sequentially processes the signal of the integrated value stored in the internal buffer by repeatedly executing the tempo discriminating routine of FIG. 3 at a predetermined sampling cycle at a predetermined cycle. In the first step S1 of the tempo discriminating routine, the tempo discriminating unit 30 takes in an integrated value waveform having a time length corresponding to a predetermined sampling period Ts from the internal buffer. An example of the integrated value waveform captured here is shown. In the subsequent step S2, the tempo determination unit 30 extracts a feature that correlates with the tempo of the acquired integrated value waveform. For example, the low frequency component of the music playback signal is strongly influenced by the regular base rhythm contained in the music, and the irregular waveform of the low frequency component is dulled in the integrated waveform, and the rule due to the base rhythm The typical waveform appears more clearly. Therefore, the peak interval Tp of the integrated value waveform, in other words, the interval Tp between the maximum values, is considered to have a strong correlation with the music tempo. Therefore, a clue for determining the tempo can be obtained by obtaining the peak interval Tp in the sampling period Ts as a feature of the integrated waveform. When the peak interval Tp is not constant, an average value, median value, mode value, etc. may be obtained as the peak interval Tp.

  In the subsequent step S3, the tempo discrimination unit 30 discriminates the music tempo using the features extracted from the integrated value waveform. For example, the tempo can be determined by converting the peak interval Tp into BPM (Beat Per Minute). Alternatively, the music tempo may be distinguished in advance into a plurality of stages, and the tempo may be determined according to which stage the peak interval Tp belongs to. Then, in the next step S4, the tempo determination unit 30 outputs the obtained tempo to the game control unit 31, thereby ending the tempo determination processing routine.

  On the other hand, the game control unit 31 reflects the tempo determined by the tempo determination unit 30 in the control of the game. One example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows an animation speed setting process routine executed by the game control unit 31 to control the operation speed of the animation displayed on the LCD 3 when the game is executed. This routine is executed when a tempo determination result is given from the tempo determination unit 30. In the animation speed setting routine, the game control unit 31 reads the tempo from the tempo determination unit 30 in the first step S11, and determines whether or not the current tempo has changed from the previously read tempo in the next step S12. . If it has changed, the game control unit 31 proceeds to step S13, and changes the operation speed of the animation displayed on the LCD 3 to an operation speed corresponding to the tempo read this time. The animation operation speed can be realized, for example, by changing the rate of the reproduction speed specified in the moving image data in accordance with the tempo. Then, after changing the animation operation speed, the game control unit 31 ends the current routine. If it is determined in step S12 that the tempo has not changed, the game control unit 31 skips step S13 and ends the routine.

  According to the above aspect, it is possible to synchronize the tempo of the music that the user listens using the music player 100 and the operation speed of the animation displayed on the LCD 3. Thereby, the sense of unity between music and the game can be strengthened, thereby enhancing the interest of the game or music appreciation.

  FIG. 6 shows another form in which the determination result of the music tempo is reflected in the game control. In this embodiment, the user operates the input device 20 at a timing synchronized with the tempo of music reproduced by the music player 100, thereby competing for an operation that matches the tempo of music. In order to realize such a game, the game control unit 31 receives a game start instruction given via the input device 20 and executes the tempo match game processing routine of FIG. In the first step S21 of this routine, the game control unit 31 determines whether or not the tempo is output from the tempo determination unit 30. If it is output, the game control unit 31 proceeds to step S22, and the input operation content of a predetermined key switch (not shown) provided in the input device 20 is transferred from the key input buffer provided in the control unit 11 to a predetermined value. Only a time length equivalent amount (for example, a time length equivalent amount equal to the period Ts in the tempo discrimination unit 30) is captured. In the next step S23, the game control unit 31 reads the tempo output from the tempo determination unit 30. In subsequent step S 24, the game control unit 31 compares the coincidence between the key input timing and the tempo of the music read from the tempo determination unit 30. Further, in the next step S25, the game control unit 31 updates the score of the game according to the degree of coincidence compared in step S24. In this case, the score is updated so that the higher the matching degree, the higher the score. Thereafter, the game control unit 31 proceeds to step S26 to determine whether or not the music has ended. For example, when the state where the tempo value output from the tempo determination unit 30 is 0 continues for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), it may be determined that the music has ended. If it is determined that the music has not ended, the game control unit 31 returns to step S21. On the other hand, if it is determined that the music has ended, the game control unit 31 proceeds to step S27 and executes a predetermined game end process. For example, processing such as display of game results and generation of events according to game results is executed here. After finishing the process of step S27, the game control part 31 finishes the routine of FIG. According to this embodiment, it is possible to enjoy an operation in accordance with the music reproduced by the music player 100. Since the music player 100 can reproduce any music, it is possible to enjoy a game using various music as materials.

  The present invention is not limited to the above form, and can be implemented in various forms. For example, the signal processing unit is not limited to the one having a single integration circuit for the low frequency component, and two or more integration circuits are provided for the low frequency component to give a difference in each passing frequency range. The tempo may be determined using an output signal from the integration circuit. The signal processing unit may be configured as a hardware device combining circuit elements such as IC and LSI, or may be configured as a logical device combining MPU and software. Each of the tempo determination unit and the game control unit may also be configured as a hardware device. The signal input unit is not limited to the line input terminal. For example, a device that receives a playback signal transmitted from a music playback device using radio waves such as FM radio waves and converts it into a music playback signal may be used as the signal input unit. The game control unit is not limited to the form shown in FIG. 5 or 6, and the music tempo determination result may be reflected in the game control in various forms. For example, various modes may be employed in which the music tempo is reflected in the motion speed of the character, or the music tempo is reflected in the game difficulty level. In the above embodiment, the tempo determination result is reflected in the game control. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the above processing is performed based on the analysis of the pitch, strength, and length of the sound based on the waveform data. It can also be reflected.

FIG. 6 illustrates a state in which a portable game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention is disposed between a portable music player and an earphone. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portion related to tempo discrimination in the control system of the game machine of FIG. The flowchart which shows the tempo discrimination | determination processing routine performed in a tempo discrimination | determination part. The figure which shows the example which extracts the characteristic correlated with a tempo from the integrated value waveform of a low frequency component. The flowchart which shows the animation speed setting process routine performed in a game control part. The flowchart which shows the tempo match game processing routine performed in a game control part.

Explanation of symbols

1 game machine 2 case 4 line input terminal (signal input part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Signal processing part 11 Control unit 30 Tempo discrimination | determination part 32 Game control part 100 Portable music player (music reproduction apparatus)

Claims (4)

A signal input unit for capturing a music playback signal output from a music playback device;
Analyzing means for analyzing the music reproduction signal;
A game machine comprising: a game control unit that reflects an analysis result obtained by the analysis unit in game control. A display unit for displaying a predetermined image;
The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the game control unit reflects the analysis result on at least one of a form and an action of a character displayed on the display unit.   The music playback signal output from the line output terminal is inserted between the line output terminal of the music playback device and an audio output device that converts the music playback signal output from the line output terminal. The game machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a bypass path for passing to the output device; and a path for taking the music reproduction signal into the analysis unit. A signal input unit for capturing a music playback signal output from a music playback device;
A bypass path for passing the music reproduction signal to an audio output unit for converting the music reproduction signal captured by the signal input unit into an audio signal;
A game machine comprising a game control unit that controls a predetermined game.

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