JP2011161028A - Game device, game control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output sound in such a manner that players other than a player by whom the sound wants to be heard do not hear it as much as possible. <P>SOLUTION: A detection part 301 detects positions of two players and those of a plurality of speakers. A specifying part 302 specifies a listener player who listens to sound from among the two players. A selection part 303 selects a first speaker for outputting first sound to the listener player and a second speaker for outputting second sound for mutually canceling the first sound at positions of non-listener players other than the listener player from among the plurality of speakers on the basis of the detected position. An output part 304 causes the selected first speaker to output the first sound and causes the selected second speaker to output the second sound. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game apparatus, a game control method, and a program for realizing these by a computer so as to output the sound so that it can be heard by a player other than the player who wants to hear the sound as much as possible.

  Rhythm games are known in which buttons and foot switches are operated in synchronization with the rhythm of music and the display on the screen. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a rhythm game in which two players lined up side by side on a monitor compete for scores to be added based on the good timing of operating a foot switch.

  Many of such rhythm games emit a predetermined sound toward the player at a timing when the player operates a button or a foot switch or when a score obtained by the player reaches a predetermined score.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for enhancing the sense of presence when reproducing audio.

JP 2001-137415 A Japanese Patent No. 3074813

  However, a player's ear may include a sound emitted toward the player in addition to a sound emitted toward the player. For this reason, the player may not be able to concentrate on the play due to the sound unrelated to his play. Therefore, there is a demand for a technique that makes it difficult for other players to hear the sound that is heard by a predetermined player using the crosstalk cancellation technique disclosed in Patent Document 2. Such problems are related not only to competitive games such as rhythm games but also to games that can be played simultaneously by two players within a predetermined range, such as cooperative games such as shooting games. It is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a game device, a game control method, and the like suitable for outputting the sound so that it can be heard by a player other than the player who wants to hear the sound as much as possible. It is an object to provide a program to be realized by a computer.

  In order to achieve the above object, a game apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a detection unit, a specification unit, a selection unit, and an output unit, and is configured as follows.

  First, the detection unit detects the positions of two players and the positions of a plurality of speakers. For example, the detection unit obtains a relative position with respect to the game device for each of the two players by the following method. That is, the detection unit obtains a relative position of the player with respect to the game device based on an image captured by the imaging device held by the player. Specifically, the detection unit causes the imaging device to image a region including a plurality of light sources included in the game device, and determines the game device from the positional relationship of the plurality of light sources in an image obtained by the imaging. The relative position of the player with respect to is determined.

  In addition, the detection unit obtains a relative position with respect to the game device for each of the plurality of speakers, for example, by the following method. In other words, the detection unit causes the speaker to output a predetermined sound and inputs the sound to two microphones held by two players. And a detection part calculates | requires the relative position with respect to the said game device of the said speaker by performing sound source localization based on the two audio | voices each input into the two microphones.

  A plurality of speakers can constitute a 5.1 ch surround system. In this case, the ideal arrangement of the plurality of speakers is predetermined. Further, an ideal arrangement of the two players is also determined according to the arrangement of the plurality of speakers. As described above, when the positions of the two players and the positions of the plurality of speakers are determined in advance, the detection unit indicates the predetermined positions of the two players and the positions of the plurality of speakers. Information may be read from the storage device. Alternatively, the detection unit may detect the positions of two players and the positions of a plurality of speakers input by the player via an input device or the like. In addition, when the most positions of the positions of the two players and the positions of the plurality of speakers are determined, the detection unit determines these accurate positions by the above-described method based on these most positions. It may be detected.

  And a specific part specifies the listening player who hears a voice among two players. For example, a target player who hears a predetermined sound such as a sound effect, such as a player who has acquired an item, a player who has performed a predetermined operation input, or a player who has acquired a predetermined score, is identified as the listening player.

  Here, the selection unit selects a later-described first speaker and a later-described second speaker from a plurality of speakers. The first speaker is a speaker that outputs the first sound such as the above-described sound effect to the listening player. The second speaker is a speaker that outputs the second sound. Here, the second sound is a sound that mutually cancels with the first sound at the position of the non-listening player other than the listening player. Typically, the second sound is a sound having an opposite phase to the first sound. The non-listening player is a player who does not want to hear the first sound to be heard by the listening player.

  Then, the output unit causes the selected first speaker to output the first sound and causes the selected second speaker to output the second sound. That is, the output unit causes the first speaker to output the first sound toward the listening player, and causes the second speaker to output the second sound toward the non-listening player.

According to the game device of the present invention, the non-listening player listens to the first sound and listens to the second sound that cancels out with the first sound. Therefore, the first sound does not enter the ear of the non-listening player, or enters the ear of the non-listening player after the first sound is attenuated. For this reason, the non-listening player can concentrate on his / her play without worrying about the sound uttered toward the listening player.
According to the game device of the present invention, the sound can be output so that the player other than the player who wants to hear the sound can hear as little as possible.

  In the game device of the present invention, the selection unit can be configured as follows.

That is, the selection unit selects the speaker having the largest ratio of the distance to the non-listening player to the distance to the listening player as the first speaker. In the present invention, the first speaker is a speaker that outputs the first sound toward the listening player. Here, since the first sound is a sound that only the listening player wants to hear, it is desirable that the first sound is not attenuated as much as possible until reaching the listening player, but is attenuated as much as possible until reaching the non-listening player. On the other hand, the sound output from the speaker is attenuated in proportion to the square of the distance. Therefore, it is desirable that the distance from the first speaker to the listening player is short, and it is desirable that the distance from the first speaker to the non-listening player is long. That is, the speaker having the largest ratio of the distance to the non-listening player to the distance to the listening player is appropriate as the first speaker.
According to the game device of the present invention, the player who wants to hear the sound can hear the sound as much as possible, and the player who does not want to hear the sound can hear the sound as much as possible.

  In the game device of the present invention, the selection unit can be configured as follows.

That is, the selection unit selects, as the second speaker, the speaker having the longest distance from the line where the first sound and the second sound cancel each other to the listening player. The line where the first sound and the second sound cancel each other is the locus of the position where the first sound is most difficult to hear. That is, the first sound is easily heard when the distance from the line increases. Therefore, it is desirable to select the positions of the first speaker and the second speaker so that the distance from the line to the listening player is the longest. For example, when the second sound is output from the second speaker in the opposite phase to the first sound at the same timing as the first sound is output from the first speaker, The distance from the first speaker is the locus of the same position as the distance from the second speaker. In this case, the line is a perpendicular bisector connecting a line connecting the first speaker and the second speaker.
According to the game device of the present invention, the player who wants to hear the sound can hear the sound as much as possible, and the player who does not want to hear the sound can hear the sound as much as possible.

  In the game device of the present invention, the selection unit can be configured as follows.

That is, the selection unit selects the speaker having the smallest ratio of the distance to the non-listening player to the distance to the listening player as the second speaker. In the present invention, the second speaker is a speaker that outputs the second sound toward the non-listening player. Here, since the second sound is a sound that mutually cancels out with the first sound at the position of the non-listening player, the second sound is not attenuated as much as possible until reaching the non-listening player, and before reaching the listening player. It is desirable to attenuate as much as possible. Therefore, it is desirable that the distance from the second speaker to the listening player is long, and it is desirable that the distance from the second speaker to the non-listening player is short. That is, the speaker having the smallest ratio of the distance to the non-listening player to the distance to the listening player is appropriate as the second speaker.
According to the game device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the player who wants to hear the sound from hearing the sound that cancels out the sound at the position of the player who does not want to hear the sound as much as possible.

  In the game device of the present invention, the output unit can be configured as follows.

In other words, the output unit adjusts the output timing of the second sound so that the first sound and the second sound most cancel each other at the position of the non-listening player, and outputs the second sound. Adjust the level. In order for the first sound and the second sound to cancel each other most at the position of the non-listening player, the first sound and the first sound have the same output level as the first sound. It suffices that the second sound having the opposite phase reaches the position of the listening player at the same time. Here, assuming that the output timing and output level of the first sound are predetermined, the output timing and output level of the second sound should be adjusted. Therefore, the time from the output timing of the first sound to the output timing of the second sound is the distance from the first speaker to the non-listening player and the distance from the second speaker to the non-listening player. The difference is divided by the speed of sound. The ratio between the output level of the first sound and the output level of the second sound is the square of the distance from the first speaker to the non-listening player and the distance from the second speaker to the non-listening player. Proportional to the square.
According to the game device of the present invention, the sound can be output so that the player other than the player who wants to hear the sound can hear as little as possible.

  In order to achieve the above object, a game control method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a detection unit, a specification unit, a selection unit, and an output unit, and controls a game executed by two players. Is a game control method that includes a detection step, a specific step, a selection step, and an output step, and is configured as follows.

  First, in the detection step, the detection unit detects the positions of two players and the positions of a plurality of speakers. For example, the detection unit obtains a relative position with respect to the game device for each of the two players by the following method. That is, the detection unit obtains a relative position of the player with respect to the game device based on an image captured by the imaging device held by the player. Specifically, the detection unit causes the imaging device to take an image of an area including a plurality of light sources included in the game device, and based on the positional relationship between the plurality of light sources in the image obtained by the imaging, The relative position of the player is obtained.

  In addition, the detection unit obtains a relative position with respect to the game device for each of the plurality of speakers, for example, by the following method. In other words, the detection unit causes the speaker to output a predetermined sound and inputs the sound to two microphones held by two players. And a detection part calculates | requires the relative position with respect to the said game device of the said speaker by performing sound source localization based on the two audio | voices each input into the two microphones.

  A plurality of speakers can constitute a 5.1 ch surround system. In this case, the ideal arrangement of the plurality of speakers is predetermined. Further, an ideal arrangement of the two players is also determined according to the arrangement of the plurality of speakers. As described above, when the positions of the two players and the positions of the plurality of speakers are determined in advance, the detection unit indicates the predetermined positions of the two players and the positions of the plurality of speakers. Information may be read from the storage device. Alternatively, the detection unit may detect the positions of two players and the positions of a plurality of speakers input by the players. In addition, when the most positions of the positions of the two players and the positions of the plurality of speakers are determined, the detection unit determines these accurate positions by the above-described method based on these most positions. It may be detected.

  And in a specific process, a specific part specifies the listening player who hears a voice among two players. For example, a target player who hears a predetermined sound such as a sound effect, such as a player who has acquired an item, a player who has performed a predetermined operation input, or a player who has acquired a predetermined score, is identified as the listening player.

  Here, in the selection step, the selection unit selects a first speaker described later and a second speaker described later from the plurality of speakers. The first speaker is a speaker that outputs a first sound to the listening player. The second speaker is a speaker that outputs the second sound. Here, the second sound is a sound that mutually cancels with the first sound at the position of the non-listening player other than the listening player. Typically, the second sound is a sound having an opposite phase to the first sound. The non-listening player is a player who does not want to hear sound such as sound effects to be heard by the listening player.

  In the output step, the output unit causes the selected first speaker to output the first sound and causes the selected second speaker to output the second sound. That is, the output unit causes the first speaker to output the first sound toward the listening player, and causes the second speaker to output the second sound toward the non-listening player.

According to the game control method of the present invention, the non-listening player listens to the first sound and listens to the second sound that cancels out with the first sound. Therefore, the first sound does not enter the ear of the non-listening player, or enters the ear of the non-listening player after the first sound is attenuated. For this reason, the non-listening player can concentrate on his / her play without worrying about the sound uttered toward the listening player.
According to the game control method of the present invention, it is possible to output the sound so that the player other than the player who wants to hear the sound can hear as little as possible.

A program according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to cause a computer to function as each unit of the game device or to cause the computer to execute each step of the game control method.
The program of the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable information recording medium such as a compact disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, digital video disk, magnetic tape, and semiconductor memory. The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. The information recording medium can be distributed and sold independently of the computer.

  According to the present invention, there are provided a game device, a game control method, and a program for realizing these by means of a computer suitable for outputting the sound so that it can be heard as little as possible by a player other than the player who wants to hear the sound. can do.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing device in which a game device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is realized. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a controller unit. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the game device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the game control process which the game device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure which shows the position of a player, and the position of a speaker. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of selecting the 1st speaker in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of selecting the 2nd speaker in 1st Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the audio | voice signal output from a 1st speaker. It is a graph which shows the audio | voice signal output from a 2nd speaker. It is a flowchart which shows the game control process which the game device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of selecting the 2nd speaker in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of selecting the 1st speaker in 2nd Embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following, for ease of understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus dedicated to a game will be described. However, in various information processing apparatuses such as various computers, PDAs (Personal Data Assistants), and mobile phones. Similarly, the present invention can be applied. That is, the embodiment described below is for explanation, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a typical information processing device in which the game device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is realized. Hereinafter, with reference to this figure, the game device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(Configuration of information processing device)
The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an interface 104, a controller unit 105, an external memory 106, and an image processing unit. 107, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) -ROM drive 108, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 109, an audio processing unit 110, and an RTC (Real Time Clock) 111.

  A DVD-ROM storing a game program and data is loaded into the DVD-ROM drive 108 and the information processing apparatus 100 is turned on to execute the program, thereby realizing the game apparatus of the present embodiment. .

  The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 100 and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data. The CPU 101 acquires various types of data from each component, processes the various types of data by various calculations, and provides the data to each component as data and control signals. In the CPU 101, various types of data are temporarily stored in a cache included in the CPU 101, and are further acquired in a register included in the CPU 101, and then various calculations are performed.

The ROM 102 stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after the power is turned on, and when this is executed, the program recorded on the DVD-ROM is read out to the RAM 103 and execution by the CPU 101 is started. The
The ROM 102 stores an operating system program and various data necessary for operation control of the entire information processing apparatus 100.

  The RAM 103 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the DVD-ROM and other data necessary for game progress and communication. In addition, the RAM 103 also temporarily stores various information transmitted from various devices connected to the information processing apparatus 100 and various information to be transmitted to various devices.

  The controller unit 105 connected via the interface 104 receives an operation input performed when the player executes the game. Hereinafter, the controller unit 105 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an external view for explaining an outline of the controller unit 105.

  The controller unit 105 includes a controller 210 and a sensor bar 220 as shown in FIG. The information processing apparatus 100 is connected to the sensor bar 220 and the display 290 via predetermined cables.

The controller 210 has an appearance similar to a remote control such as a television, for example, and is connected to the information processing apparatus 100 wirelessly (by wireless communication). The player plays the game by holding the controller 210 with one hand. In the information processing apparatus 100, holding the controller 210 with the right hand is determined as a correct (standard) way of holding.
The sensor bar 220 is formed in a bar shape having a predetermined length, and is appropriately fixed on the top of the display 290 along the direction of the screen. In the sensor bar 220, one light emitting element 221 is embedded at each end. Note that the number of light emitting elements 221 to be embedded is an example, and may be larger than these numbers.
The sensor bar 220 receives power from the information processing apparatus 100 and causes the light emitting element 221 to appropriately emit light.

When the CCD camera 211 is arranged at the tip and the tip is directed to the display 290, the controller 210 captures an image including the two light emitting elements 221 (two light emitting points) of the sensor bar 220. In addition, the controller 210 includes a wireless communication unit therein, and sequentially transmits information of captured images to the information processing apparatus 100 by wireless communication.
Then, the information processing apparatus 100 appropriately acquires the position and orientation of the controller 210 based on the positional relationship between the two light emitting points in the image sent from the controller 210. For example, the CPU 101, the image processing unit 107, and the like analyze the positional relationship between two light emitting points visible from the controller 210, calculate the spatial position of the controller 210 and the direction of the tip (the direction of the longitudinal axis), Finally, it is obtained where the player is operating the controller 210 on the screen.
Note that such measurement of the position of the controller 210 is performed, for example, every vertical synchronization interrupt (1/60 seconds).

The controller 210 includes a triaxial acceleration sensor inside, and can measure the movement of the controller 210 in the triaxial direction. Note that the movement of the controller 210 may be measured by an angular velocity sensor, an inclination sensor, or the like instead of such an acceleration sensor.
The controller 210 sequentially transmits such measurement results (for example, acceleration information for each of the three axes) to the information processing apparatus 100.
The information processing apparatus 100 detects the movement of the controller 210 based on the measurement result sent from the controller 210. For example, a motion such as the player swinging, twisting, or striking the controller 210 and its moving direction are acquired.
Note that such movement of the controller 210 is also detected, for example, every vertical synchronization interrupt.

  A cross-shaped key 212 is arranged on the upper surface of the controller 210, and the player can input an instruction specifying an arbitrary direction. An A button 213 and various buttons 215 are also arranged on the top surface of the controller 210, and the player can input instructions associated with these buttons.

  On the other hand, the B button 214 is disposed on the lower surface of the controller 210. The B button 214 has a depression formed on the surface to be pressed, and can be operated so that the player pulls the trigger.

  A plurality of small holes 216 are provided on the upper surface of the controller 210 so that clear sound can be output from a speaker embedded therein.

The indicator 217 on the upper surface of the controller 210 is appropriately lit so that the player can identify even when a plurality of controllers 210 are used.
The power button 218 prepared on the top surface of the controller 210 instructs, for example, turning on / off the power of the information processing apparatus 100.

  Further, a vibration mechanism such as a vibrator is disposed inside the controller 210 so that vibration can be generated in response to instruction information sent from the information processing apparatus 100.

  Thus, the operation, position, and the like of the controller 210 can be obtained by the combination of the controller 210 and the sensor bar 220. Note that the measurement of the position of the controller 210 and the like is not limited to the method in which the CCD camera 211 captures the light emission point (light emitting element 221) of the sensor bar 220, and other methods can be applied as appropriate. For example, the position of the controller 210 or the like may be obtained from the time difference of wireless communication between two points via the sensor bar 220, or the controller 210 or the like based on the principle of triangulation using ultrasonic waves or infrared rays. May be determined.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In the external memory 106 detachably connected via the interface 104, data indicating the progress of the game is stored in a rewritable manner. For example, the player can appropriately record these data in the external memory 106 by inputting an instruction via the controller unit 105.

  A DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108 stores a program for realizing the game and image data and audio data associated with the game. Under the control of the CPU 101, the DVD-ROM drive 108 performs a reading process on the DVD-ROM loaded therein, reads out necessary programs and data, and these are temporarily stored in the RAM 103 or the like.

  The image processing unit 107 processes the data read from the DVD-ROM by an image arithmetic processor (not shown) included in the CPU 101 or the image processing unit 107, and then processes the processed data on a frame memory ( (Not shown). The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronization timing and output to the display 290. Thereby, various image displays are possible.

  The image calculation processor can execute a two-dimensional image overlay calculation, a transmission calculation such as α blending, and various saturation calculations at high speed. In addition, the polygon information arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space and added with various kinds of texture information is rendered by the Z buffer method, and a rendered image is obtained by overlooking the polygon arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space from a predetermined viewpoint position. High speed execution of the obtained operation is also possible. In particular, a function for calculating the degree to which a polygon is illuminated by a typical (positive) light source such as a point light source, a parallel light source, or a cone light source is made into a library or hardware so that it can be calculated at high speed.

  Further, the CPU 101 and the image arithmetic processor cooperate to draw a character string as a two-dimensional image in the frame memory or draw it on the surface of each polygon according to the font information that defines the character shape. Is possible. The font information is recorded in the ROM 102, but it is also possible to use dedicated font information recorded in the DVD-ROM.

  The NIC 109 is used to connect the information processing apparatus 100 to a computer communication network (not shown) such as the Internet, and is a 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used when configuring a LAN (Local Area Network). Or an analog modem for connecting to the Internet using a telephone line, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Modem) modem, or a cable television line for connecting to the Internet. Cable modems and the like, and an interface (not shown) for interfacing these with the CPU 101.

  The audio processing unit 110 converts audio data read from the DVD-ROM into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal from a speaker (not shown) connected to the audio processing unit 110. In addition, the sound processing unit 110 generates sound effects and sound data to be generated during the control of the game under the control of the CPU 101, and outputs sound corresponding thereto from the speaker.

  When the audio data recorded on the DVD-ROM is MIDI data, the audio processing unit 110 refers to the sound source data included in the audio data and converts the MIDI data into PCM data. In addition, when the audio data is compressed audio data such as ADPCM format or Ogg Vorbis format, the audio processing unit 110 expands the audio data and converts it into PCM data. The PCM data is subjected to D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion at a timing corresponding to the sampling frequency, and output to a speaker or the like, thereby enabling voice output.

  The audio processing unit 110 performs A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion on an analog signal input from a microphone (not shown) at an appropriate sampling frequency to generate a PCM format digital signal.

  The RTC 111 is a time measuring device including a crystal resonator and an oscillation circuit. The RTC 111 is supplied with power from the built-in battery and continues to operate even when the information processing apparatus 100 is powered off.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 uses a large-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk so as to perform the same function as the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the external memory 106, the DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108, and the like. You may comprise.

(Configuration of game device)
Next, the structure of each part of the game apparatus 300 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to drawings. Note that the game device 300 will be described as a device that executes a role-playing game that is played simultaneously by two players.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game apparatus 300 includes a detection unit 301, a specification unit 302, a selection unit 303, and an output unit 304.

  The detection unit 301 detects the positions of two players and the positions of a plurality of speakers. The detection unit 301 is realized by, for example, the CPU 101, the interface 104, the controller unit 105, the image processing unit 107, the audio processing unit 110, and the like.

  The specifying unit 302 specifies a listening player who can hear the sound among the two players. The specifying unit 302 is realized by the CPU 101, for example.

  The selection unit 303 selects a first speaker and a second speaker from a plurality of speakers based on the detected position. The first speaker is a speaker that outputs the first sound to the listening player, and the second speaker cancels the first sound at the position of a non-listening player other than the listening player. 2 is a speaker that outputs the sound of 2; The selection unit 303 is realized by the CPU 101, for example.

  The output unit 304 causes the selected first speaker to output the first sound and causes the selected second speaker to output the second sound. The output unit 304 is realized by the CPU 101 and the audio processing unit 110, for example.

(Operation of game device)
Next, the operation of the game apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a game control process executed by the game device 300 according to the present embodiment. The game control process shown in FIG. 4 is a process that is continuously executed while the power of the game apparatus 300 is on.

  First, the CPU 101 detects the position of the player and the position of the speaker (step S101). Here, a procedure for detecting the position of the player and the position of the speaker will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the position of the player relative to the game apparatus 300 is defined as the player position, and the position of the speaker relative to the game apparatus 300 is defined as the speaker position. Further, the CPU 101 will be described as detecting the position of the speaker after detecting the position of the player.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, speakers 511 to 515 are arranged around a player 531 as a first player and a player 532 as a second player. Further, it is assumed that the player 531 holds the microphone 521 and the player 532 holds the microphone 522. Here, the speakers 511 to 515 and the microphones 521 and 522 are respectively connected to the sound processing unit 110 of the game apparatus 300.

  First, the CPU 101 causes the player 531 to image the sensor bar 220 using the controller 210. Then, the CPU 101 obtains the relative position of the controller 210 with respect to the display 290 based on the position and brightness of the two light emitting elements 221 in the image obtained by imaging. Similarly, the CPU 101 causes the player 532 to image the sensor bar 220 using the controller 210, and obtains the relative position of the controller 210 with respect to the display 290 from the image obtained by the imaging. Here, the obtained position of the controller 210 is treated as the position of the player 531 or the player 532 that holds the controller 210.

  Next, the CPU 101 outputs a predetermined sound from the speaker 511 and collects the sound with the microphone 521 and the microphone 522. Then, the CPU 101 analyzes audio data obtained by converting the analog audio signal supplied from the microphone 521 and audio data obtained by converting the analog audio signal supplied from the microphone 522. Then, the CPU 101 obtains the relative position of the speaker 511 with respect to the microphone 521 and the microphone 522 from the volume and phase obtained by the analysis. Here, the position of the player 531 and the position of the player 532 have already been obtained. Therefore, the CPU 101 treats the position of the microphone 521 as the position of the player 531 and treats the position of the microphone 522 as the position of the player 532, so that the position of the speaker 511 relative to the microphone 521 and the microphone 522 is determined. The position of the speaker 511 can be obtained. Similarly, the CPU 101 outputs predetermined sound to each of the speakers 512 to 515 and obtains the positions of the speakers 512 to 515 based on the obtained sound data.

  When the CPU 101 ends the process of step S101, it determines whether or not a sound effect output event has occurred (step S102). The sound effect output event is an event for outputting a sound effect to any one of the player 531 and the player 532. For example, a sound effect output event may be that any player acquires an item or any player acquires a score exceeding a predetermined score.

  If the CPU 101 determines that a sound effect output event has not occurred (step S102: NO), it executes the processing of step S102. On the other hand, when determining that a sound effect output event has occurred (step S102: YES), the CPU 101 identifies a listening player (step S103). Note that the listening player is a player to whom a sound effect corresponding to the sound effect output event is output in the sound effect output event. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the listening player is the player 531.

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S103, it selects the first speaker from the speakers 511 to 515 (step S104). The first speaker is a speaker that generates a first sound that is a sound effect corresponding to the sound effect output event. Digital sound data representing the first sound is stored in advance in a DVD-ROM or the like.

  Here, a method for selecting the first speaker from the speakers 511 to 515 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows the positional relationship between the speakers 511 to 515 and the players 531 and 532. In FIG. 6, the position of the speaker 511 is indicated as S1, the position of the speaker 512 as S2, the position of the speaker 513 as S3, the position of the speaker 514 as S4, and the position of the speaker 515 as S5. Further, the position of the player 531 is indicated as P1, and the position of the player 532 is indicated as P2.

  First, the CPU 101 has a ratio of D21 which is a distance from S1 to P2 with respect to D11 which is a distance from S1 to P1, a ratio of D22 which is a distance from S1 to P2 with respect to D12 which is a distance from S2 to P1, The ratio of D23 which is the distance from S3 to P2 with respect to D13 which is the distance from S3 to P1, the ratio of D24 which is the distance from S4 to P2 with respect to D14 which is the distance from S4 to P1, and from S5 to P1 The ratio of D25, which is the distance from S5 to P2, with respect to D15, which is the distance of. Then, the CPU 101 identifies the largest ratio among the obtained ratios. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the ratio of D24 to D14 is the largest. In this case, the speaker 514 is selected as the first speaker. The speaker 514 is a speaker that is relatively close to the listening player and relatively far from the non-listening player.

  CPU101 will select the 2nd speaker from the speakers 511-513 and 515, after complete | finishing the process of step S104 (step S105). The second speaker is a speaker that generates the second sound. The second sound is a sound that cancels out the first sound at the position of the non-listening player. The digital voice data representing the second voice is generated based on the digital voice data representing the first voice.

  Here, a method for selecting the second speaker from the speakers 511 to 513 and 515 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows the positional relationship between the speakers 511 to 515 and the players 531 and 532. In FIG. 7, the position of the speaker 511 is indicated as S1, the position of the speaker 512 as S2, the position of the speaker 513 as S3, the position of the speaker 514 as S4, and the position of the speaker 515 as S5. Further, the position of the player 531 is indicated as P1, and the position of the player 532 is indicated as P2.

  First, when the CPU 101 generates a first sound from S4 and generates a second sound from S1 that most cancels the first sound at P2, the CPU 101 generates the first sound and the second sound. D1 that is the distance from P41 to P1 is obtained from the line L41 that most cancels the voice. In addition, when the CPU 101 generates the first sound from S4 and generates the second sound that most cancels with the first sound from S2, the CPU 101 generates the first sound and the second sound. D2 that is the distance from P42 to P1 is obtained from the line L42 that most cancels out the voice. Then, the CPU 101 generates the first sound from S4, and when the second sound that most cancels the first sound is generated from S3 in P2, the first sound and the second sound D3 that is the distance from P43 to P1 is obtained from the line L43 that is the most canceling line with the voice. Furthermore, when the CPU 101 generates the first sound from S4 and generates the second sound that most cancels with the first sound from P5 in P2, the CPU 101 generates the first sound and the second sound. D5, which is the distance from P45 to P1, is obtained from L45, which is the line that most cancels out with the voice.

  And CPU101 calculates | requires the largest thing among D1-3,5. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that D3 is the largest. In this case, the speaker 513 is selected as the second speaker. Note that the speaker 513 generates the second sound at the position of the listening player when the second sound is generated so that the first sound and the second sound cancel each other at the position of the non-listening player. This is a speaker that is considered to be relatively less affected by noise. L41 is a trajectory in which the difference between the distance from S4 and the distance from S1 is constant and includes P2. L42 is a trajectory including a constant difference between the distance from S4 and the distance from S2, and includes P2. L43 is a trajectory including a constant difference between the distance from S4 and the distance from S3, and includes P2. Furthermore, L45 is a trajectory including a constant difference between the distance from S4 and the distance from S5, and includes P2.

  When the CPU 101 finishes the process of step S105, it adjusts the output timing of the second sound (step S106), and then adjusts the output level of the second sound (step S107). Here, a method for adjusting the output timing of the second sound and the output level of the second sound will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

  First, it is assumed that the function representing the first voice is V1 (t) whose waveform is indicated by a solid line in FIG. 8A. Here, assuming that the second sound is a sound having a phase opposite to that of the first sound, the function representing the second sound is −V1 (t) whose waveform is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 8A. Here, when the first sound is output from S4 and the second sound is output from S3, the first sound and the second sound are output at a position where the distance from S4 is the same as the distance from S3. Voices cancel each other most.

  On the other hand, in P2, it is necessary to adjust the output timing of the second sound so that the first sound and the second sound cancel each other most. That is, the function representing the second sound is assumed to be −V1 (t−t0) whose waveform is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 8B. Here, t0 represents the time obtained by dividing the difference between the distance from S4 to P2 and the distance from S3 to P2 by the speed of sound.

  Further, in P2, it is necessary to adjust the output level of the second sound so that the first sound and the second sound most cancel each other. That is, the function representing the second sound is assumed to be −KV1 (t−t0) whose waveform is indicated by a solid line in FIG. 8B. Here, K represents a value obtained by dividing the square of the distance from S3 to P2 by the square of the distance from S4 to P2. This is determined based on the reason that the voice becomes smaller in inverse proportion to the square of the distance from the sound source.

  Eventually, assuming that the function representing the first sound output from S4 is V1 (t) and the function representing the second sound output from S3 is −KV1 (t−t0), the line on L43 that includes P2 In position, theoretically no sound can be heard. In this way, by adjusting the output timing of the second sound and the output level of the second sound, it is possible to prevent the sound emitted to the listening player from being heard at the position of the non-listening player. .

  When the CPU 101 ends the process of step S107, the CPU 101 outputs the first sound and the second sound (step S108). Specifically, the CPU 101 controls the sound processing unit 110 to output the first sound represented by V1 (t) to the speaker 514 and the first represented by −KV1 (t−t0). 2 is output to the speaker 513.

  When the CPU 101 ends the process of step S108, the process returns to step S102.

  According to the game apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, the speaker having the largest ratio of the distance to the non-listening player who does not want to hear the first sound to the distance to the listening player who wants to hear the first sound is the first speaker. Is selected as the first speaker that outputs the sound. For this reason, even when the second sound that cancels the first sound is output from the second speaker at the position of the non-listening player, the influence of the second sound at the position of the listening player is reduced. Be expected. Further, according to the game apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, the speaker having the longest distance from the line where the first sound and the second sound cancel each other to the listening player is selected as the second speaker. Is done. For this reason, it is expected that the influence of the second sound at the position of the listening player is further reduced. In addition, according to the game apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, the output timing of the second sound and the second sound so that the first sound and the second sound most cancel each other at the position of the non-listening player. The output level is adjusted. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the first sound from being heard at the position of the non-listening player.

(Second Embodiment)
The game apparatus 300 according to the first embodiment shows an example in which the second speaker is selected after the first speaker is selected. However, the order of selecting the first speaker and the second speaker may be reversed. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the first speaker is selected after the second speaker is selected will be described.

(Configuration of game device)
The configuration of each part of the game apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the configuration of the game apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment is basically the same as that of the game apparatus 300 according to the first embodiment.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the game apparatus 300 includes a detection unit 301, a specification unit 302, a selection unit 303, and an output unit 304.

  The detection unit 301 detects the positions of two players and the positions of a plurality of speakers. The detection unit 301 is realized by, for example, the CPU 101, the interface 104, the controller unit 105, the image processing unit 107, the audio processing unit 110, and the like.

  The specifying unit 302 specifies a listening player who can hear the sound among the two players. The specifying unit 302 is realized by the CPU 101, for example.

  The selection unit 303 selects a first speaker and a second speaker from a plurality of speakers based on the detected position. The first speaker is a speaker that outputs the first sound to the listening player, and the second speaker cancels the first sound at the position of a non-listening player other than the listening player. 2 is a speaker that outputs the sound of 2; Here, the selection unit 303 selects the speaker having the smallest ratio of the distance to the non-listening player to the distance to the listening player as the second speaker. The selection unit 303 is realized by the CPU 101, for example.

  The output unit 304 causes the selected first speaker to output the first sound and causes the selected second speaker to output the second sound. The output unit 304 is realized by the CPU 101 and the audio processing unit 110, for example.

(Operation of game device)
Next, the operation of the game apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a game control process executed by the game device 300 according to the present embodiment. The game control process shown in FIG. 9 is a process that is continuously executed while the power of the game apparatus 300 is on.

  First, the CPU 101 detects the position of the player and the position of the speaker (step S201). Also in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the position of the player is obtained by analyzing an image obtained by the player imaging the sensor bar 220 using the controller 210. Further, the position of the speaker is obtained by analyzing audio data obtained by converting an analog audio signal held by a player and supplied from a microphone that collects audio output from the speaker.

  When the CPU 101 ends the process of step S201, it determines whether or not a sound effect output event has occurred (step S202).

  If the CPU 101 determines that a sound effect output event has not occurred (step S202: NO), it further executes the process of step S202. On the other hand, when determining that a sound effect output event has occurred (step S202: YES), the CPU 101 specifies a listening player (step S203). Also in this embodiment, it is assumed that the listening player is the player 531.

  When the CPU 101 finishes the process of step S203, the CPU 101 selects a second speaker from the speakers 511 to 515 (step S204). The second speaker is a speaker that generates the second sound. The second sound is a sound that cancels out the first sound at the position of the non-listening player. The digital voice data representing the second voice is generated based on the digital voice data representing the first voice.

  Here, a method for selecting the second speaker from the speakers 511 to 515 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows the positional relationship between the speakers 511 to 515 and the players 531 and 532. In FIG. 10, the position of the speaker 511 is indicated as S1, the position of the speaker 512 as S2, the position of the speaker 513 as S3, the position of the speaker 514 as S4, and the position of the speaker 515 as S5. Further, the position of the player 531 is indicated as P1, and the position of the player 532 is indicated as P2.

  First, the CPU 101 has a ratio of D21 which is a distance from S1 to P2 with respect to D11 which is a distance from S1 to P1, a ratio of D22 which is a distance from S1 to P2 with respect to D12 which is a distance from S2 to P1, The ratio of D23 which is the distance from S3 to P2 with respect to D13 which is the distance from S3 to P1, the ratio of D24 which is the distance from S4 to P2 with respect to D14 which is the distance from S4 to P1, and from S5 to P1 The ratio of D25, which is the distance from S5 to P2, with respect to D15, which is the distance of. Then, the CPU 101 specifies the smallest ratio among the obtained ratios. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the ratio of D23 to D13 is the smallest. In this case, the speaker 513 is selected as the second speaker. The speaker 513 is a speaker that is relatively far from the listening player and relatively close to the non-listening player.

  When the CPU 101 finishes the process of step S204, the CPU 101 selects the first speaker from the speakers 511 to 513, 515 (step S205). The first speaker is a speaker that generates a first sound that is a sound effect corresponding to the sound effect output event. Digital sound data representing the first sound is stored in advance in a DVD-ROM or the like.

  Here, a method for selecting the first speaker from the speakers 511, 512, 514, and 515 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 shows the positional relationship between the speakers 511 to 515 and the players 531 and 532. In FIG. 11, the position of the speaker 511 is indicated as S1, the position of the speaker 512 as S2, the position of the speaker 513 as S3, the position of the speaker 514 as S4, and the position of the speaker 515 as S5. Further, the position of the player 531 is indicated as P1, and the position of the player 532 is indicated as P2.

  First, the CPU 101 obtains D31 which is a distance from P3 to P1, D32 which is a distance from P3 to P2, D34 which is a distance from P3 to P4, and D35 which is a distance from P3 to P5. And CPU101 specifies the largest thing among D31, D32, D34, and D35. In this embodiment, D35 is the largest. In this case, the speaker 515 is selected as the first speaker. Note that the speaker 515 is the speaker having the longest distance from the speaker 513, and the second sound is generated so that the first sound and the second sound cancel each other at the position of the non-listening player. Furthermore, the speaker is considered to be relatively less affected by the second sound at the position of the listening player.

  When the CPU 101 ends the process of step S205, the CPU 101 adjusts the output timing of the second sound (step S206), and then adjusts the output level of the second sound (step S207). Here, the method of adjusting the output timing of the second sound and the output level of the second sound is as described in the first embodiment. That is, if the function representing the first sound is V1 (t), the function representing the second sound is −KV1 (t−t0). In this way, by adjusting the output timing of the second sound and the output level of the second sound, it is possible to prevent the sound emitted to the listening player from being heard at the position of the non-listening player. .

  When the CPU 101 ends the process of step S207, the CPU 101 outputs the first sound and the second sound (step S208). Specifically, the CPU 101 controls the sound processing unit 110 to output the first sound represented by V1 (t) to the speaker 515 and the first represented by −KV1 (t−t0). 2 is output to the speaker 513.

  When the CPU 101 ends the process of step S208, the process returns to step S202.

  According to the game apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, the speaker having the smallest ratio of the distance to the non-listening player who does not want to hear the first sound to the distance to the listening player who wants to hear the first sound is the second speaker. Is selected as the second speaker that outputs the sound. For this reason, even when the second sound that cancels the first sound is output from the second speaker at the position of the non-listening player, the influence of the second sound at the position of the listening player is reduced. Be expected. Further, according to the game apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, the speaker having the longest distance from the second speaker is selected as the first speaker. For this reason, it is expected that the influence of the second sound at the position of the listening player is further reduced. In addition, according to the game apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, the output timing of the second sound and the second sound so that the first sound and the second sound most cancel each other at the position of the non-listening player. The output level is adjusted. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the first sound from being heard at the position of the non-listening player.

(Modification)
In the first and second embodiments, the image output by the imaging device held by the player is analyzed, the position of the player is specified, and the microphone that collects the sound that is held by the player and output from the speaker is output. An example in which the position of the speaker is specified by analyzing the audio data is shown. However, a device such as an imaging device, a depth sensor, or a microphone is installed in the vicinity of the game device, and the game device analyzes signals output from these devices to identify the position of the player and the speaker. It may be a configuration.

  Further, the position of the player and the position of the speaker may be determined in advance. In this case, information indicating the position of the player and the position of the speaker may be stored in a DVD-ROM or the like. Further, information indicating the position of the player and the position of the speaker may be received from the player via the controller unit 105.

  In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the first sound desired to be heard by the listening player is completely canceled by the second sound at the position of the non-listening player. However, for example, the output timing of the second sound and the output level of the second sound may be appropriately adjusted so that the influence of the second sound becomes as small as possible at the position of the listening player. Even in such a case, the effect of the present invention can be obtained.

  The method for selecting the first speaker or the second speaker is not limited to the method disclosed in the first and second embodiments. It should be noted that the first speaker and the second speaker are selected so that the first sound is canceled as much as possible at the position of the non-listening player and is not affected by the second sound at the position of the listening player. Is desirable.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a game apparatus, a game control method, and the like that are suitable for outputting the sound so that the player other than the player who wants to hear the sound can hear the sound as much as possible. A program can be provided.

100 Information processing apparatus 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Interface 105 Controller unit 106 External memory 107 Image processing unit 108 DVD-ROM drive 109 NIC
110 Audio processing unit 111 RTC
210 Controller 211 CCD Camera 212 Cross Key 213 A Button 214 B Button 215 Button 216 Hole 217 Indicator 218 Power Button 220 Sensor Bar 221 Light Emitting Element 290 Display 300 Game Device 301 Detection Unit 302 Identification Unit 303 Selection Unit 304 Output Units 511 to 515 Speakers 521, 522 Microphones 531, 532 Player

Claims (7)

A game device for controlling a game executed by two players,
A detection unit for detecting the positions of the two players and the positions of a plurality of speakers;
Of the two players, a specifying unit for specifying a listening player who hears sound,
Based on the detected position, the first speaker that outputs a first sound from the plurality of speakers to the listening player, and a position of a non-listening player other than the listening player, the first speaker A selection unit that selects a second speaker that outputs a second sound that mutually cancels the sound;
A game apparatus comprising: an output unit that causes the selected first speaker to output the first sound and causes the selected second speaker to output the second sound. . The game device according to claim 1,
The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a speaker having a largest ratio of a distance to the non-listening player to a distance to the listening player as the first speaker. The game device according to claim 1 or 2,
The selection unit selects, as the second speaker, a speaker having the longest distance from the line where the first sound and the second sound cancel each other to the listening player. Game device to play. The game device according to claim 1 or 2,
The game apparatus, wherein the selection unit selects a speaker having a smallest ratio of a distance to the non-listening player to a distance to the listening player as the second speaker. The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The output unit adjusts the output timing of the second sound so that the first sound and the second sound most cancel each other at the position of the non-listening player, and the second sound Adjusting the output level of the game device. A game control method executed by a game device that includes a detection unit, a specification unit, a selection unit, and an output unit and controls a game executed by two players,
A detection step in which the detection unit detects the positions of the two players and the positions of a plurality of speakers;
A specifying step in which the specifying unit specifies a listening player for listening to the voice among the two players;
Based on the detected position, the selection unit outputs a first sound from the plurality of speakers to the listening player and a position of a non-listening player other than the listening player. A selection step of selecting a second speaker that outputs a second sound that mutually cancels with the first sound;
The output unit includes an output step of causing the selected first speaker to output the first sound and causing the selected second speaker to output the second sound. A game control method. Computer
A program for causing a game device to control a game executed by two players,
The program causes the computer to
A detection unit for detecting the positions of the two players and the positions of a plurality of speakers;
Of the two players, a specifying unit for specifying a listening player who hears sound,
Based on the detected position, the first speaker that outputs a first sound from the plurality of speakers to the listening player, and a position of a non-listening player other than the listening player, the first speaker A selection unit that selects a second speaker that outputs a second sound that mutually cancels the sound;
A program for causing the selected first speaker to output the first sound and causing the selected second speaker to output the second sound. .

Images