JP2018130212A - game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of suppressing a change of peripheral environment in the case that a video in a real space is used as a game space.SOLUTION: A game machine GM uses a display device DP of a head mount type displaying a game space in the way that it is visualized via a guidance part DP1 guiding a user's line of sight by covering the user's field of view, and provides a music game of a composite type using an AR game screen 30 including a real space image 33 in accordance with a visual field range of the user using, for example, the display device DP as at least a part of the game space. The game machine GM is provided with a case 1 including: a stage part 3 where a chair 8 is arranged at a position where the display device DP is used in the way that the user plays a music game; and an encircling part 4 which encircles the stage part 3 so as to form the user's visual field range in the state that the user is seated on the chair 8 by being positioned ahead of the chair 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention uses a head-mounted display device that displays a game space so as to be viewed through a guiding unit that guides the user's line of sight by covering the user's field of view, and a user who is using this display device The present invention relates to a game machine that provides a game that uses an image of a real space according to the visual field range as at least part of the game space.

  Using a head-mounted display device that displays a game space so as to be visually recognized through a guide unit that guides the user's line of sight by covering the user's field of view, There is a game machine that provides a game that uses an image of the corresponding real space as at least a part of the game space. For example, as such a head-mounted display device, a game system using a head-mounted display that is mounted on the head so as to cover both eyes of the user is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-158895

  In the game system of Patent Document 1, the game screen is displayed in a limited field of view through a head-mounted display that is mounted so as to cover both eyes, so the influence of the surrounding environment on the game is small. For this reason, for example, it is not necessary to provide an effect or the like for the purpose of increasing the affinity with the game screen. As a result, the game system of Patent Document 1 is configured to be used in an open space. That is, it does not have a housing or the like that accommodates the user.

  In addition, as described above, since the head-mounted display covers both eyes and restricts the user's field of view, it is necessary to consider the surrounding environment during play. Specifically, for example, when a user's free movement is allowed during play, there is a possibility that surrounding objects may become an obstacle to such movement, so there are not many objects in the user's movement range. It is preferable not to be placed. For this reason, for example, in the game system of Patent Document 1, an input device having an operation button or the like is provided, and a play action is input through an operation on the operation button or the like. That is, an operation on an operation button or the like is used as a play action so that the user's action during play is restricted to the fingertip. As a result, when a head-mounted display is used, it is used in an open space where there is no obstacle around the user's range of motion, even when the user's field of view is limited, rather than being limited by walls or the like. This is often preferred. However, since the surrounding environment changes from time to time in such an open space, such a change must be taken into consideration when using an image of a real space corresponding to the surrounding environment as a game screen. As a result, the use of the real space is limited, or it is necessary to take a lot of time to consider such changes.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine that can suppress a change in the surrounding environment when an image of a real space is used as a game space.

  The game machine of the present invention uses a head-mounted display device that displays a game space so as to be visually recognized through a guiding unit that guides the user's line of sight by covering the user's field of view. A game machine that provides a game that uses an image of a real space according to a visual field range of the user in use as at least a part of the game space, wherein the display is performed so that the user sits and plays the game. A stage part in which a chair is arranged at a position where the device is used, and an enclosure part that surrounds the stage part so as to form a visual field range of the user in a state of sitting on the chair by being positioned on the front side of the chair And a housing in which is provided.

The figure which shows the external appearance of the game machine which concerns on one form of this invention. The figure which shows typically sectional drawing in the II-II line | wire of FIG. The figure which shows the structure of the principal part of the control system of a game machine. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the flow of a music game. The schematic diagram which shows typically an example of the AR game screen displayed on the display surface of a display apparatus as AR game space. The schematic diagram which shows typically an example of the SR game screen displayed on the display surface of a display apparatus as SR game space. The schematic diagram which shows typically an example of the VR game screen displayed on the display surface of a display apparatus as VR game space. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a display switching process routine.

  Hereinafter, a game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the game machine GM may be configured as a business (commercial) game machine. Commercial game machines are game machines that allow a predetermined range of games to be played for a fee or free of charge. As an example, the game machine GM may provide a music game for a fee. That is, for example, the game machine GM may provide a music game in a range corresponding to the price in exchange for consumption of a predetermined price.

  Specifically, the game machine GM may include a housing 1, for example. Moreover, the housing | casing 1 may be provided with the accommodating part CA and the control panel part 2, for example. The accommodating part CA is a part that forms a space for accommodating a user inside. For example, the user may play a music game in the housing part CA, that is, inside the housing 1.

  For example, the accommodating part CA may include a stage part 3, an enclosure part 4, and an opening part 5. The stage part 3 is a part for a user to play a game. For this reason, the stage part 3 may be used as a part for carrying a user. In other words, the stage unit 3 may function as a range in which the user can act within the housing 1. The stage unit 3 may function as a part of the enclosure unit 4. Alternatively, the stage unit 3 may be omitted. In this case, for example, a common carpet may be used instead of the stage unit 4 so that a common background (floor surface) is formed in each game machine GM. Further, for example, when the floors of the stores 4 are common, when such a SR game space described later is not significantly affected, such a carpet may be omitted. That is, the lower part of the housing 1 may be open to the floor surface or the like.

  The enclosure part 4 is a part located so as to surround the stage part 3. For example, the enclosure unit 4 includes a front wall 4a positioned in front when the user plays a game in the stage unit 3, two side walls 4b positioned on the left and right side surfaces, and a ceiling plate 4c forming a ceiling above. May be included. The opening 5 is a portion that opens to connect the inside and the outside of the housing 1. In the opening 5, for example, a column part 6 may be further provided. The column part 6 is a part extending from the ceiling plate 4c to the stage part 3 so as to divide the opening part 5 into the left and right. As a result, the opening part 5 located in the right and left so that the pillar part 6 may be pinched | interposed may be provided in the accommodating part CA.

  The control panel unit 2 is a part where various devices are provided. For example, as such various devices, the control panel unit 2 may be provided with a control panel. The control panel is a known input device for inputting various operations related to the game. Furthermore, the control panel unit 2 may be configured to store, for example, a fee collection device for collecting a fee, a control unit for providing a music game, or the like as various devices. Similarly, various connections such as an input device (for example, an input device having a bar-shaped operation unit described later) or a display device for displaying various images are input to the control panel unit 2, for example. Equipment may be arranged. Moreover, the control panel part 2 may be arrange | positioned inside the pillar part 6, for example. That is, you may arrange | position inside the accommodating part CA so that it may be located in the shadow (inner side) of the pillar part 6. FIG.

  Furthermore, the housing 1 may be provided with a position detection device 7 inside the accommodating part CA, for example. Specifically, for example, two position detection devices 7 may be arranged at the two corners of the ceiling plate 4c so as to be positioned diagonally in the accommodating part CA. These position detection devices 7 are, for example, the storage unit CA when the user's action is used as a play action via a rod-like (type used by being gripped by the user) operation unit as described later. It may be used to detect the position of the rod-like operation unit in the inside. In addition, the game machine GM may be provided with various input devices and output devices provided in a normal business game machine such as a power switch, a power lamp, or a speaker. Is omitted.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a chair 8 may be disposed in the housing part CA (inside the housing 1). That is, the housing | casing 1 may be comprised so that a user may sit on the chair 8 in the accommodating part CA, and may play a music game. Specifically, for example, the chair 8 may be disposed in the vicinity of the control panel unit 2 on the stage unit 3 for convenience of operation. Further, in this case, between the chair 8 and the control panel unit 2 so as to allow execution by a third party (a person other than the user who plays the game) of various settings such as operation of the control panel unit 2 and input device. May be spaced apart. That is, the chair 8 may be disposed with a space for a third party to be interposed between the chair 8 and the control panel unit 2. On the other hand, in the case where an input device for inputting a user's play action, a display device for displaying a game space for playing a game, and the like are arranged on the control panel unit 2, a user sitting on them in a chair In order to be usable, the chair 8 is disposed at a position where an input device, a display device, or the like is used. In other words, the chair 8 is arranged on the stage unit 3 so that an interval that allows both the intervention of a third party and the use of the input device is formed between the chair 8 and the control panel unit 2, for example. Good.

  Furthermore, the chair 8 may be arranged at a predetermined interval from the enclosure 4 so as to allow the user's movement as a play action. For example, as the predetermined interval, an interval for allowing an operation performed by the user at least while sitting on the chair 8 may be employed. Specifically, the chair 8 may be arrange | positioned so that it may face the direction of the front wall 4a, for example. That is, the chair 8 may be arranged so that the user sits facing the direction of the front wall 4a. And you may arrange | position so that the space | interval for accepting a user's operation | movement between the front walls 4a may be opened. Similarly, the chair 8 may be arrange | positioned so that the space | interval for accepting a user's operation | movement may be opened also between the side wall 4b on either side. That is, when the user is sitting there, the chair 8 is allowed to move between the front wall 4a and the side wall 4b so as to allow the user's movement to the left and right and to the front. And the side distance may be different). In other words, the enclosure part 4 may be provided so as to form a predetermined interval for allowing the user's movement between the front and the side of the chair 8. In addition, when a user sits on the chair 8 and plays, since a space | interval is formed also between the ceiling boards 4c, an upward operation | movement may be permitted naturally.

  Next, the main part of the control system of the game machine GM for realizing a music game will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a control system of the game machine GM. As shown in FIG. 3, the game machine GM includes a control unit 10 as a computer, a storage unit 11, a display device DP, a position detection device 7, an input device 12, and a value collection device 13. It has been. The storage unit 11, the display device DP, the position detection device 7, the input device 12, and the value collection device 13 are all connected to the control unit 10. The control unit 10, the storage unit 11, and the value collection device 13 may be housed in the control panel unit 2, for example.

  The control unit 10 may be configured as a computer unit that combines, for example, a microprocessor and various peripheral devices such as an internal storage device (for example, ROM and RAM) necessary for the operation of the microprocessor. The control unit 10 can be connected to various input devices or output devices similar to those of other known game machines such as the above-described speaker. However, those illustrations are omitted.

  The display device DP is a well-known display device that displays various images according to the output signal of the control unit 10. For example, the display device DP may display a game space used for the progress of a music game. In addition, the display device DP is, for example, a game space including various images for producing virtual reality (hereinafter sometimes referred to as VR) as such a game space (hereinafter sometimes referred to as VR game space). May be displayed. Further, for example, the display device DP may include a guide portion DP1 and a display surface DP2 in order to display such a VR game space. The guiding part DP1 is a part for guiding the user's line of sight to the game space. For example, the guide portion DP1 may be formed to guide the user's line of sight to the display surface DP2 by covering the user's field of view. The display surface DP2 is a part for displaying a game screen corresponding to the game space. For example, game screens corresponding to various game spaces such as the VR game space described above may be displayed on the display surface DP2. In addition, the display surface DP2 may be accommodated in, for example, a housing part in which the guide part DP1 is formed so as to be visually recognized through the guide part DP1. The display device DP may be used so as to look into the display surface DP2 exposed to the tip of the guide portion DP1 through such a housing portion.

  Specifically, for example, as such a display device DP, a head-mounted display device (a so-called head mounted display. Hereinafter, such a display device DP may be referred to as an HMD) may be employed. The HMD is a well-known display device in which the above-described casing and display device are combined together. The HMD is generally configured to limit the user's field of view to the display of the game space via, for example, the above-described guiding part DP1 so that the user's consciousness can enter the game space. In many cases, such an HMD is attached to a user's head through a wearing belt or the like in a hands-free manner (so that the hand can freely move). Further, the HMD may be configured to display an image (image) of the current real space located in the user's visual field range when worn on the user's head. In such a case, for example, the HMD may be provided with a camera (photographing device) for photographing the current real space located in the visual field range. As an example, such an HMD may be used as the display device DP. That is, as an example, the head-mounted display device DP is configured to use an image in the real space according to the visual field range of the user as at least a part of the game space while being mounted on the user's head. It's okay. Furthermore, the head-mounted display device DP displays an augmented reality game space (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an AR game space) in which the real space is expanded by adding a virtual image to the video in the real space, for example. It may be configured as follows.

  The input device 12 is a known input device for inputting a user's play action. For such input, the input device 12 may output, for example, a signal corresponding to a play action to the control unit 10. Moreover, the input device 12 may be comprised so that a user's operation | movement can be input as such a play act, for example. More specifically, the input device 12 may include, for example, an operation unit 12a operated by a user. Moreover, such an operation part 12a may be comprised by the rod shape, for example. And the operation | movement which shakes the operation part 12a to various directions like a racket used in sport tennis may be employ | adopted as a play act through such a rod-shaped operation part 12a. That is, the input device 12 may be configured to input, as a play action, the same operation as when a tennis racket is shaken via the operation unit 12a. Also, for example, when the user sits on the chair 8 and plays a game as described above, such an operation of swinging the tennis racket is mainly performed in front of the chair 8, the left and right sides, and above. The action to be performed may be used as a play act.

  The position detection device 7 is a known detection device for detecting the position of an object. For example, the position detection device 7 may be configured to detect the position of the operation unit 12a as the target position. That is, when the rod-like operation unit 12a is swung in various directions by the user, the position of the operation unit 12a (the movement locus of the operation unit 12a) may be detected. Specifically, for example, the position detection device 7 may include two position detection devices 7 arranged at two corners of the ceiling board 4c as described above. And these two position detection apparatuses 7 are comprised so that infrared rays may be inject | emitted toward the operation part 12a based on the signal from the control unit 10 (or by a predetermined period under self-control), for example. It's okay. The operation unit 12a may be configured to receive infrared rays from each position detection device 7. And the operation part 12a acquires a self-position by calculating a position based on the difference of the receiving timing of the infrared rays inject | emitted from two position detection apparatuses 7, etc., for example, and outputs it to the control unit 10 Alternatively, the reception result may be output to the control unit 10 and the control unit 10 may calculate the position of the operation unit 12a.

  The position detection device 7 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a camera may be used as the position detection device 7. Alternatively, when the operation unit 12a (or the input device 12) is provided with a gyro sensor or the like capable of calculating its own position, the position detection device 7 may be omitted. On the other hand, in order to improve accuracy, these various methods such as an infrared ray and a gyro sensor may be combined.

  The value collection device 13 is a known device for collecting a predetermined value. For example, a card reader or a coin collection device may be used as such a value collection device 13. Specifically, for example, when a consideration stored in a card is used as a predetermined consideration, a card reader that reads and consumes the remaining amount of the consideration may be used as the consideration collection device 13. Similarly, when a coin is used as a predetermined value, a coin collecting device that collects the coin may be used as the value collecting device 13. The value collection device 13 may output a signal corresponding to the collection result to the control unit 10.

  On the other hand, the storage unit 11 is a known unit that stores information such as various data. For example, the storage unit 11 may be configured by, for example, a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, a flash SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like so that the storage can be held without supplying power. The storage unit 11 stores a game program 14 and game data 15. The game program 14 is a computer program necessary for the game machine GM to provide a music game. Along with the execution of the game program 14, for example, a game providing unit 17 may be provided inside the control unit 10. The game providing unit 17 executes various processes necessary for providing a music game. The game providing unit 17 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware and a computer program. Various other logical devices may be provided inside the control unit 10. However, those illustrations are omitted.

  The game data 15 is data that is referred to when the game program 14 is executed. The game data 15 may include various data necessary for providing a music game, for example. In addition, for such data, for example, image data for displaying an image (including game space) on the display device DP, music data for causing a speaker to play music, and appropriate play action should be executed. Sequence data for guiding the execution time may be included.

  Further, the image data as described above may include, for example, video data 16. The video data 16 is data for displaying a pre-captured video on the display device DP. Specifically, as an image captured in advance, for example, an image in a real space at a time different from the real space at the time when the user is using the display device DP (current real space) may be used. Further, the video of the real space at another time point may be used as at least a part of the game space as an alternative reality space that replaces the video of the real space at the current time. That is, the video data 16 may be configured to display the video of the enclosure 4 at another time point on the display device DP instead of the current enclosure 4. Then, the alternative reality space using the video of the enclosure 4 at another time point may be used for displaying on the display device DP as a game space (hereinafter also referred to as SR game space).

  The SR game space may use a plurality of alternative reality spaces. Further, for example, the alternative reality space to be used for the SR game space may be determined according to various conditions such as a play situation from these alternative reality spaces. In these cases, the video data 16 may be configured to cause the display device DP to display a video of a real space at a different time corresponding to each alternative real space. Further, the game data 15 includes, for example, ID management data (used for various ID management such as a user ID for identifying each user) and play data (past play record or unique to each user). Used to manage settings etc.). However, those illustrations are omitted.

  Next, a music game provided by the game machine GM will be described. The game machine GM provides a composite music game as an example. The music game is a type of timing game that evaluates the execution time of an appropriate play action. In the music game, a time coincident with the rhythm of the music is used as such an execution time. In other words, the music game is a type of timing game that requires the user to perform an appropriate play action at a time corresponding to the rhythm of music. For example, the music game may guide such execution time through the display device DP. Further, for example, the display device DP may guide such execution time through a display of a game space including a reference sign that functions as a reference for the current time and an instruction sign corresponding to each execution time. Specifically, for example, in such a game space, each execution time may be guided through a relative displacement that occurs so that the positions of the instruction signs and the reference signs coincide at each execution time. And when a play act is actually performed by the user, you may evaluate a play act based on such execution time.

  The composite music game is a game in which a music game as described above and another type of game are combined in a composite manner. Specifically, for example, the game machine GM may provide a tennis-type music game in which elements of the tennis game are combined with the above-described music game as such a composite-type music game. The tennis-type music game is a type of game that guides the execution time when the operation of swinging the tennis racket is to be performed according to the rhythm of the music. For example, such an execution time may be guided through a game space in which a tennis ball corresponding to the above-described indication sign moves so as to reach the reference sign at each execution time. And when the operation | movement which shakes a racket with respect to such a tennis ball is performed, you may change the advancing direction etc. of a tennis ball according to the operation | movement.

  In a tennis-type music game, the actual execution time of such an action may or may not be evaluated based on the execution time when the tennis ball should reach the reference sign, that is, the original execution time. Good. For example, when the actual execution time is evaluated, the reproduction of the sound effects (including the reproduction of a part of the performance) may be adopted as the evaluation result, or a score may be given. Alternatively, a combination of these may be used.

  Similarly, a tennis ball (a tennis ball that has been hit back) whose traveling direction or the like has changed according to the motion of swinging the racket may or may not be evaluated. Specifically, for example, a hit tennis ball may be evaluated in the same manner as so-called sports tennis. That is, for example, such a tennis ball may be evaluated directly when it is directly hit within a predetermined range and an opponent (including a computer) fails to return. Alternatively, when a tennis ball that has been hit back collides with an opponent, the tennis ball may be evaluated as the amount of damage to the opponent based on the collision speed, direction, position, etc. of the tennis ball. That is, the tennis-type music game may be configured as a battle-type game in which a battle is played with an opponent through a tennis ball.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the flow of a music game. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the music game may include an introduction process, a guidance process, and a play process in this order. In each of these steps, different types of game spaces may be displayed on the display device DP. Specifically, the game space of the tennis-type music game is not only a play game space for displaying a tennis ball or the like as described above, but also various games such as a guide game screen for executing rule guidance. It may contain a screen. A tennis-type music game may be realized through such various game spaces.

  The introduction process (step S1) is a process for shifting (introducing) the user's consciousness from the real world (space) to the game world (space). For example, in the introduction process, the game space for transition may be displayed on the HMD type display device DP. For example, in such a transition game space, in order to connect between the real space and the game space, an image of the real space that falls within the visual field range of the user may be used. Specifically, for example, the AR game space described above may be used as such a game space for transition. That is, in the introduction process, for example, a video in which a virtual image is added to a video in real space located in the visual field range of the user in a state where the HMD type display device DP is mounted on the head is displayed on the display device DP as a game space. May be.

  The guidance step (step S2) is a step of guiding various information related to the music game. For example, as such various information, various premise information such as a music game world view, settings, and rules may be guided. For example, in the guidance process, a guidance game space may be displayed on the HMD type display device DP. In such a guidance game space, for example, an image for further improving the virtuality of the AR game space may be used so that the transition from the real space to the game space further proceeds. Specifically, for example, the SR game space described above may be used as such a guidance game space. As described above, the SR game space may be configured to use, for example, an image of a real space at a time different from the real space at the time when the user is using the display device DP. Further, for example, an image obtained by adding a change (development) to the current real space image may be used as the real space image at another time point. That is, in the guidance process, the SR game space to which the change is added to the AR game space may be displayed on the HMD type display device DP so that the transition of the user to the game space further proceeds from the introduction process.

  A play process (step S3) is a process for a user to actually play a music game. For example, in the play process, a game space for play may be displayed on the HMD display device DP. For example, in such a game space, an image of a virtual game space may be used so that the game space completely transitions from the real space. Specifically, for example, the VR game space described above may be used as such a game space for play. As described above, the VR game space may be configured as a game space including various images for producing virtual reality. Further, such a VR game space may not include a real space image. That is, in the play process, the VR game space configured as a complete virtual space may be displayed on the HMD type display device DP so that the transition to the game space is completed.

  As an example, a tennis-type music game includes three processes that respectively use an AR game space, an SR game space, and a VR game space so that the transition from the real space to the game space proceeds gradually. May be. That is, a tennis-type music game may progress through such a game space transition. Note that, for example, a guidance process for guiding the end of play through the SR game space at the end of the game, that is, after the end of the play process, and an introduction process for shifting to the real space through the AR game space may be provided. Good.

  Next, the AR game space, the SR game space, and the VR game space will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of an AR game screen displayed on the display surface DP2 of the display device DP as an AR game space. As shown in FIG. 5, the AR game screen 30 includes a real space image 31 and a virtual image 32.

  The real space image 31 is an image for expressing an image of the real space. In the AR game screen 30, the real space image 31 may be configured to display an image of the current real space. The example of FIG. 5 shows an example of the AR game screen 30 when the user is facing the front direction while sitting on the chair 8, that is, when the front side is in the visual field range of the user. In this case, the enclosure portion 4 that forms the visual field range of the user sitting on the chair 8 is displayed as the real space image 31 on the AR game screen 30. More specifically, the real space image 31 includes, for example, an enclosure image 33 corresponding to the enclosure 4 located in the visual field range of the user. The enclosure image 33 may include, for example, a front wall image 33a, left and right side wall images 33b, and a ceiling board image 33c respectively corresponding to the front wall 4a, the left and right side walls 4b, and the ceiling board 4c. Furthermore, the real space image 31 may include, for example, a stage image 34 corresponding to the stage unit 3 and a device image 35 corresponding to the position detection device 7 according to the user's line-of-sight direction.

  On the other hand, the virtual image 32 is a virtual image that does not exist in the real space. That is, for example, the AR game screen 30 may be configured as an augmented reality space in which the virtual image 32 is added to the video of the current real space (the enclosure image 33 or the like). Further, for example, the virtual image 32 may guide the user's line of sight so that the AR game space and the SR game space are smoothly connected. That is, the virtual image 32 may be used to guide the user's visual field range to the visual field range that is smoothly connected to the SR game space. Specifically, for example, when the video of the enclosure 4 at another time point in which the SR game space was previously photographed is used, the visual field range to be positioned at the start time point may be determined in advance. . For example, in such a case, the virtual image 32 is displayed at the position corresponding to the visual field range at the start time of the SR game space so that the user's visual field range is guided to the visual field range at the start time of the SR game space. You may move according to the end time. Further, the virtual image 32 may be displayed so as to cover the visual field range of the user at the end of the AR game screen, for example, in order to hide changes associated with switching between the AR game space and the SR game space.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of an SR game screen displayed on the display surface DP2 of the display device DP as an SR game space. As shown in FIG. 6, the SR game screen 40 includes a real space image 31, similar to the AR game screen 30. On the other hand, on the SR game screen 40, the real space image 31 may be configured to display an image of the real space at a different time instead of the current real space.

  The example of FIG. 6 shows the SR game screen 40 corresponding to the same visual field range as the example of FIG. In this case, the real space image 31 includes another enclosure image 43 corresponding to the enclosure 4 at a different time instead of the current time. Moreover, as long as it looks like the enclosure part 4 of the game machine GM, another enclosure part 4 installed in another game machine GM or another facility etc. as this kind of enclosure part 4 of another time May be used. For this reason, another enclosure part image 43 is also different from the enclosure part image 33. For example, the other enclosure part image 43 corresponds to the front wall 4a, the side wall 4b, and the ceiling board 4c different from the enclosure part 4 of the game machine GM. The front wall image 43a, the side wall image 43b, and the ceiling board image 43c may be included. Furthermore, the real space image 31 is also displayed on the stage unit 3 and the position detection device 7 different from the case 1 of the game machine GM, for example, in addition to the AR game screen 30 according to the user's line-of-sight direction. Another corresponding stage image 44 and device image 45 may be included. Then, for example, a development that cannot be realized by the enclosure part 4 of the game machine GM may be added to another enclosure part image 43 of the SR game screen 40. Further, as such development, for example, a change may be given so that a space forming the storage unit CA of the game machine GM is expanded.

  Specifically, for example, the front wall image 43a of another enclosure part image 43 may be given a change in which the vicinity of the center is broken left and right and moved (opened) to the left and right in a sliding manner. That is, the front wall image 43a may change so as to slide from the center to the left and right. In addition, an effect that a person enters the accommodating part CA from the cracked part (open part) of the front wall image 43a, that is, a person enters the stage image 44 from the outside of the front wall image 43a. Various changes may be imparted. More specifically, compared to the AR game screen 30, for example, a human image 46 for three people may be added to the SR game screen 40 as the front wall image 43 a is opened (moved left and right). For example, various kinds of information may be guided through these person images 46 (for example, when these person images 46 speak). Furthermore, the external image 47 may be displayed in the broken part of the front wall image 43a. For example, as such an external image 47, an image in which a space (which may be the same) different from the actual placement location of the game machine GM spreads on the other side (outside) of the front wall image 43a may be displayed. .

  For example, such a change that the front wall image 43a opens to the left and right may be realized by photographing another enclosure 4 that actually has the front wall 4a that opens to the left and right. That is, it may be realized through an image of another actual enclosure 4. Alternatively, such a change may be realized by subsequent processing of the front wall image 43a. Similarly, for example, when the front wall 4a that is actually opened to the left and right is photographed as the external image 47, an actual background image located on the other side of the front wall 4a may be displayed. When a space other than the actual space is added beyond the image 43a, an appropriate image may be displayed through processing. Moreover, in order to produce continuity with the VR game space, an image related to the VR game space such as an image of the VR game space may be used as such an appropriate image.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an example of a VR game screen displayed on the display surface DP2 of the display device DP as a VR game space. Further, the example of FIG. 7 shows an example in which the tennis-type music game is configured as a battle-type tennis game. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the VR game screen 50 may include, for example, a reference line image 51, a ball image 52, a racket image 53, and an enemy image 54.

  The reference line image 51 is an image that functions as a reference indicating a predetermined time. For example, the reference line image 51 may be formed in a rectangular shape in order to produce a game space (three-dimensional effect). Specifically, the reference line image 51 may be formed in a rectangular shape that extends outward so as to indicate the limits in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the game space. Moreover, the reference line image 51 may show the beat of the rhythm of music (music piece) as a predetermined time, for example. The reference line image 51 may include a plurality of reference line images 51 indicating each beat. Specifically, for example, the reference line image 51 may include a first reference line image 51A and a second reference line image 51B so as to be sequentially positioned from the near side to the far side (depth direction). Further, the depth direction may function as a time axis indicating the passage of time as it goes from the back side to the near side. The first reference line image 51A on the foremost side may function as a reference line image 51 corresponding to the best timing (execution time) at which the racket should be shaken. That is, for example, the first reference line image 51A may function as the above-described reference sign.

  The ball image 52 is an image that functions as the tennis ball described above. For example, the ball image 52 may include a first ball image 52A corresponding to a tennis ball to be hit and a second ball image 52B corresponding to the tennis ball after being hit. That is, the first ball image 52A may be changed to the second ball image 52B when an operation of swinging an appropriate racket is executed. Further, the first ball image 52A and the second ball image 52B may be distinguished through a difference in color scheme.

  The racket image 53 is an image for hitting back the ball image 52 (tennis ball) as an operation of swinging the racket. For example, the position of the racket image 53 may change in accordance with an operation on the operation unit 12a of the input device 12. Specifically, for example, the position of the racket image 53 may change so as to move (operate) in accordance with a change in the position of the operation unit 12a in the real space. Then, when the position of the racket image 53 matches the position of the first ball image 52A, the first ball image 52A may be changed to the second ball image 52B. That is, in such a case, the first ball image 52A (tennis ball) may be hit back. For example, as the racket image 53, an image having a shape imitating a tennis racket may be used.

  The enemy image 54 is an image showing an enemy to be defeated through the music game. For example, the enemy image 54 may function as the appearance position of the ball image 52. That is, the enemy image 54 may emit the first ball image 52A from the back side toward the front side so as to reach each reference line image 51 at each beat, for example. The enemy image 54 may disappear when the damage is caused by the collision with the second ball image 52B and the damage becomes a predetermined value or more, for example. That is, when the second ball image 52B is used to damage the enemy image 54 by a predetermined value or more, the enemy image 54 may be knocked down and the music game may be cleared. It should be noted that the music game may be ended when it is cleared when the enemy image 54 is damaged by a predetermined value or more, or the total damage given to the enemy image 54 when the music game is ended is a predetermined value or more. In this case, it may be cleared.

  Next, the display switching process will be described. The display switching process is a process for switching display of various game spaces. For example, the display switching process may be used to sequentially switch between the AR game space, the SR game space, and the VR game space. More specifically, as described above, the AR game space is realized through the display of the AR game screen 30, the SR game space is displayed through the display of the SR game screen 40, and the VR game space is realized through the display of the VR game screen 50. Good. That is, the display switching process may be used to sequentially switch the AR game screen 30, the SR game screen 40, and the VR game screen 50. Furthermore, the introduction process, the guidance process, and the play process may be provided through the display of these game screens 30, 40, and 50, for example. Therefore, the display switching process may be used, for example, to realize the introduction process, the guidance process, and the play process in order.

  For example, the display switching process may be realized by the control unit 10 of the game machine GM through the routine of FIG. Specifically, the routine of FIG. 8 may be executed by the control unit 10 through the game providing unit 17. Note that the control unit 10 of the game machine GM can execute various known processes in addition to this process. However, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a display switching process routine for realizing the display switching process. The routine of FIG. 8 may be executed when the game start condition is satisfied, for example. Further, the game start condition may be satisfied, for example, when a predetermined consideration is collected. Furthermore, the game start condition may include various operations necessary for starting the game, such as selection of a play mode and various initial settings.

  When the routine of FIG. 8 is started, the game providing unit 17 first displays the AR game screen 30 on the display device DP in step S11. Specifically, for example, the game providing unit 17 may generate the augmented reality space by adding the virtual image 32 to the video of the current current space (for example, the enclosure 4) captured by the display device DP. And the game provision part 17 may display on the display apparatus DP the game screen for expressing AR game space using such augmented reality space as the AR game screen 30. FIG.

  In subsequent step S <b> 12, the game providing unit 17 displays the SR game screen 40 on the display device DP. More specifically, the game providing unit 17 uses an SR game space (for example, an image of the enclosure 4 at another time point) from an AR game space (for example, a game space using the image of the enclosure 4 at the current time). The SR game screen 40 is displayed on the display device DP based on the video data 16 so as to be switched to (game space). Further, for example, such switching may be executed after a predetermined period has elapsed since the start of display of the AR game screen 30. That is, for example, in step S12, the game providing unit 17 may control the display of the display device DP so that the display of the display device DP is switched from the AR game screen 30 to the SR game screen 40 after a predetermined period has elapsed.

  In the next step S <b> 13, the game providing unit 17 displays the VR game screen 50 on the display device DP. More specifically, the game providing unit 17 displays the VR game screen 50 on the display device DP so that the game space can be further switched from the SR game space to the VR game space (for example, a completely virtual game space). . For example, such switching may be executed after a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of display of the SR game screen 50. Further, for example, the reproduction time of the video in the alternative reality space displayed by the video data 16 may be adopted as such a predetermined period. That is, for example, the game providing unit 17 may switch the display on the display device DP from the SR game screen 40 to the VR game screen 50 after the reproduction of the video in the alternative reality space based on the video data 16 in step S13. And the game provision part 17 complete | finishes this routine, after finishing the process of step S13. Thereby, the display of the display device DP is switched in the order of the AR game screen 30, the SR game screen 40, and the VR game screen 50. That is, the game space is switched in the order of the AR game space, the SR game space, and the VR game space. And an introduction process, a guidance process, and a play process are realized through such switching of the game space.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the game machine GM is provided with the housing 1 having the accommodating portion CA. And a user plays a game in accommodating part CA. Moreover, the accommodating part CA has the enclosure part 4 located in the visual field range of the user who is playing. For this reason, even if the video of the real space in the visual field range is used as a game space, the real space that falls within the visual field range of the user who is playing is used (at least the enveloping portion 4). It can be fixed to some extent. Thereby, the change of the surrounding environment when the image | video of real space is used as a game space can be suppressed. As a result, for example, there is no sense of incongruity even if the video of the enclosure 4 at a different time (including the case of another place) is used as the real space video instead of the current enclosure 4 (real space) The video of the real space (for example, another enclosure 4) at a different time can be used as the game space from the original video of the real space (for example, the enclosure 4). Specifically, although it seems that the video of the enclosure 4 located in the current visual field range is used as well as the AR game space in which the virtual image 32 is added to the video of the enclosure 4 at the present time, The SR game space to which a change that should not occur in the enclosure 4 is added to the game.

  The housing 1 is also provided with a stage unit 3 on which a chair 8 for a user to sit and play is arranged. For this reason, a user's operating range can be restrict | limited to some extent through such a chair 8. FIG. Thereby, it can also suppress that the enclosure part 4 gives trouble to a user's play, for example. Therefore, it is possible to provide a music game that uses, as a play act, a forward or sideward movement while sitting on the chair 8 while using an image of the real space. More specifically, it is possible to provide a tennis-type music game that employs a rod-like operation unit 12a as a play action by swinging a racket. As a result, when a display device DP of a type that covers the user's field of view is used, the application of the real space video is expanded (for example, use of the SR game space) and the freedom of play is improved (for example, only by the operation of the fingertip). In other words, it is possible to achieve both the adoption of an action of moving the arm).

  Further, for example, when an image in which various changes are added to the enclosure 4 is prepared in advance as an image of a real space at another time point, by using such an image, the current enclosure 4 ( It is possible to provide an effect as if the current various changes are occurring in the real space. By adding such changes, the transition from the real space to the virtual space can be gradually advanced. Thereby, natural transition to a virtual game space can also be realized. Further, when the AR game space including the virtual image 32 that guides the line of sight is continuously switched from the AR game space to the SR game space, such a virtual image 32 is used to suppress a sense of incongruity that may occur when the game space is switched. be able to. For this reason, it is possible to seamlessly (more naturally) connect the video in the current real space (AR game space) and the video to which the change is given (SR game space).

  In addition, when switching to the complete virtual VR game space through the SR game space, the SR game space, that is, the alternative reality space (although it looks like the current real space, in fact, before switching to the VR game space, The transition from the real space to the VR game space can be realized more smoothly by interposing the video of another real space). Further, for example, when the SR game space includes an image related to the VR game space, that is, the game space using the video of the enclosure 4 at another time includes the image related to the VR game space. In addition, since the SR game space and the VR game space can be more seamlessly connected, the transition to a completely virtual game space can be realized more naturally. By these, the interest property of a game can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 of the game machine GM functions as the video display means of the present invention by executing the routine of FIG. 8 through the game providing unit 17. Further, the storage unit 11 of the game machine GM functions as data storage means of the present invention by storing the video data 16.

  This invention is not limited to the above-mentioned form, It can implement with a suitable form. For example, in the above-described form, both the AR game space and the SR game space are displayed on the display device DP. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, only one of these may be displayed as a game space. That is, either the current real space image or another real time image may be used as at least a part of the game space.

  In the above-described embodiment, a completely virtual VR game space is used as a play game space. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, at least one of an AR game space and an SR game space may be used as a game space for play. That is, the VR game space may be omitted.

  Further, in the above-described form, the game machine GM provides a tennis type music game as a composite type music game. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the game machine GM may provide a composite music game combined with various other games such as a baseball type and a soccer type. In addition, the game machine GM is not limited to a composite music game, and the game machine GM is an action game, a role-playing game, an adventure game, a simulation game, Various games such as a puzzle game, a card game, a shooting game, and a sports game may be provided.

  Further, the display device DP and the input device 12 may not be provided in the game machine GM. For example, as such a display device DP and input device 12, a portable user terminal such as a smartphone owned by each user (for example, functioning as the display device DP by being housed in a casing as described above) May also be used.

  Furthermore, the game machine GM is not limited to a commercial game machine. As the game machine GM, for example, as long as the housing 1 is provided, an appropriate form such as a home-use game machine may be adopted. In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 10 and the storage unit 11 are provided in the game machine GM. However, the game machine of the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the control unit 10 and the storage unit 11 may be logically provided on the network using cloud computing. That is, the game machine GM may be configured as a terminal for providing the processing result of the control unit 10 through a network.

  Hereinafter, an example of the present invention obtained from the above contents will be described. In addition, in the following 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.

  The game machine of the present invention is a head-mounted type that displays a game space (30, 40, 50) so as to be visually recognized through a guide unit (DP1) that guides the user's line of sight by covering the user's field of view. A game machine (GM) that uses a display device (DP) to provide a game that uses an image of a real space according to the visual field range of the user who is using the display device as at least a part of the game space. A stage part (3) in which a chair (8) is arranged at a position where the display device is used so that the user can sit and play the game, and the chair by being located on the front side of the chair And a housing (1) provided with a surrounding part (4) surrounding the stage part so as to form a visual field range of the user in a sitting state.

  According to the present invention, the enclosure is provided with the enclosure so as to be positioned in the visual field range of the user who is playing the game. For this reason, using such an enclosure, the real space that falls within the visual field range of the user who is playing can be fixed to some extent (at least in the area of the enclosure). Thereby, the change of the surrounding environment when the image | video of real space is used as a game space can be suppressed. As a result, for example, there is no sense of incongruity even if an image of an enclosure at a different time (including the case of another place) is used as a real space image instead of the current enclosure. From the beginning, the video of the real space at another time can be used for the game space. The housing is also provided with a stage unit on which a chair for a user to sit and play is placed. For this reason, a user's operation | movement range can be restrict | limited to some extent through such a chair. Thereby, it can also suppress that an enclosure part disturbs a user's play, for example. As a result, when a head-mounted display device of a type that covers the user's field of view is used, it is possible to achieve both the expansion of the use of the image in the real space and the improvement of the freedom of play. By these, the interest property of a game can also be improved. Note that the head-mounted display device is not limited to a hand-free (such as a glasses-type or goggles-type) attached to the head (so that the hand can freely move), and is held by the hand so as to cover the field of view, for example. May be used. That is, the term “head-mounted display device” includes various display devices that affect the field of view.

  As a game space, an image of an appropriate real space may be used. For example, as described above, an image in the current real space may be used as such a real space image, or a real space image at another time (including a case of another location) may be used. May be. Specifically, for example, as one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, an image (43) of an enclosure at a different time point from the current enclosure included in the visual field range of the user when the display device is used. ) For storing video data (16) for displaying on the display device, and video display means for displaying the video of the enclosure at the other time point on the display device as a video of the real space. (10) and the aspect further provided may be employ | adopted. In this case, for example, by preparing in advance an image in which various changes are added to the enclosure as an image of a real space at a different time, it seems as if the change has occurred in the current enclosure (real space). Can be provided. Further, by adding such a change, the transition from the real space to the virtual space can be gradually advanced. Thereby, natural transition to a virtual game space can also be realized.

  In addition, only one of the current real space image and another real time image may be used as the real space image, or both may be used. For example, in an aspect in which an image of a real space at another time point is used as an image of the real space, the image display means can display the image (33) of the enclosure at the current time by the image display means. In this case, the current enclosure video is further displayed on the display device as the real space video so that the video of the current enclosure and the video of the enclosure at the other time can be sequentially switched in this order. You may let them.

  When an image of the current real space is used as the game space, the image of the current real space may be used as it is, or processing may be added to the image of the current real space. For example, addition of a virtual image that does not exist in the current real space may be employed as such processing. That is, a so-called augmented reality space (a space in which a virtual image is added to the current real space) may be used as the game space. Specifically, for example, in an aspect in which the current enclosure video is used as a real-space video, the video display means displays the current enclosure video on the display device when the display device displays the current enclosure video. The virtual image is added to the video of the current enclosure by adding a virtual image (32) for guiding the user's visual field to the visual range to be located at the start of the video of the enclosure at the time The augmented reality space may be displayed on the display device so that the augmented reality space (30) is used as the game space. In this case, for example, in the case where an image with various changes added to the enclosure is used as an image of a real space at another time point, an image of the enclosure at the present time and an image of the enclosure to which the change is added are displayed. You can connect seamlessly (more naturally).

  For example, the game play may be executed in a game space using the above-described real space, or may be executed in a game space that does not use the real space. That is, the game space may further include, for example, a completely virtual virtual space that does not use a real space image. Specifically, for example, in an aspect in which the video of the enclosure at another time point is displayed on the display device, the video display means may switch the video of the enclosure at the other time point to an image (50) in the virtual space. In addition, an image of the virtual space may be further displayed on the display device as at least a part of the game space. In this case, the transition from the real space to the virtual space can be realized more smoothly by interposing the video of the surrounding portion at another time point before the image of the virtual space is switched. In addition, for example, when a video to which an image related to a virtual space image is added is used as a video of an enclosure at another time, the video of the enclosure at another time and the image of the virtual space are seamlessly displayed. Therefore, the transition to the virtual space can be realized more naturally.

  Various modes may be adopted as a play act in the game space. And an enclosure part may be formed in the various aspects according to such various play acts. Similarly, the enclosure may be formed in various ways as long as it is located within the user's field of view. For example, when the user's field of view is limited to the front, the enclosure may be configured as a front wall (the shape may be appropriate). Alternatively, when the left and right sides are also included in the visual field range, the enclosure may have left and right side walls (the shape may be appropriate). In addition, the enclosure includes a ceiling (the shape may be appropriate) when the upper part is included in the user's visual field range, and a rear wall (the shape may be appropriate) when the rear part is included. It's okay. For example, when the enclosure is surrounded by a 360 degree wall or the like, the enclosure may be further provided with an entrance for the user to enter and exit. Furthermore, for example, when an operation on the operation unit is adopted as a play action, the interval between the enclosure unit and the chair may be an interval that does not allow the user to move. On the other hand, for example, when a user's action is used as a play action, an interval allowing such an action may be provided between the enclosure and the chair. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, an input device (12) for inputting an operation for the front and side of the user as a play act in the game space is connected, and the enclosure part is A predetermined interval for allowing the user's movement may be formed between the front and side of the chair. In this case, it is possible to provide a game that uses at least forward and side movements as play acts while using a real-space image.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 3 Stage part 4 Enclosure part 8 Chair 10 Control unit (video display means)
11 Storage unit (data storage means)
12 Input device 16 Video data 30 AR game screen (augmented reality space)
31 Real Space Image (Real Space Video)
32 Virtual images 40 SR game screen (image of the enclosure at another time)
50 VR game screen (virtual space image)
GM game machine DP display device

Claims (6)

The field of view of the user who is using the display device using a head-mounted display device that displays the game space so as to be viewed through a guiding unit that guides the user's line of sight by covering the user's field of view A game machine that provides a game using an image of a real space according to a range as at least a part of the game space,
A stage unit in which a chair is placed at a position where the display device is used so that the user sits and plays the game, and the user sits on the chair by being positioned on the front side of the chair. A game machine, comprising: a housing provided with a surrounding portion surrounding the stage portion so as to form a visual field range. Data storage means for storing video data for causing the display device to display an image of an enclosure at a time different from the current enclosure included in the visual field range of the user at the time when the display device is used;
Video display means for displaying on the display device the video of the enclosure at the other time as the video of the real space;
The game machine according to claim 1, further comprising:   When the display device is capable of displaying the video of the current enclosure, the video display means is continuously switched in the order of the video of the current enclosure and the video of the enclosure of the other time. The game machine according to claim 2, wherein an image of the current enclosure is further displayed on the display device as an image of the real space.   The video display means is configured to guide the user's visual field range to a visual field range to be located at a start time of the video image of the enclosure at the other time when the video of the current enclosure is displayed on the display device. To display the augmented reality space on the display device so that the augmented reality space in which the virtual image is added to the video of the current enclosure is used as the game space. The game machine according to claim 3.   The video display means further causes the display device to display an image of the virtual space as at least a part of the game space so that the video of the enclosure at the other time is switched to an image of the virtual space. The game machine as described in any one of -4. An input device is connected to input an action for the front and side of the user as a play act in the game space,
The said enclosure part is located so that the predetermined space | interval for allowing the said user's operation | movement may be formed between the front and the side of the said chair. Game machine.

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