JP3093698B2 - Bowling consoles and bowling alley systems - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bowling console for automatically counting a bowling game score, and a bowling alley system comprising a plurality of bowling consoles and a host computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional general bowling alley, a bowling console for detecting the falling state of a pin after throwing a ball and counting the score of a bowling game is provided in front of a lane. A bowling alley system is constructed by providing a host computer for transmitting data to and from a console on the front side.

[0003] In addition to displaying a score on a console CRT or an overhead CRT provided on a bowling console and displaying a game different from the bowling game at a predetermined timing, a new game is offered to a customer. Some ingenuity is provided to provide services.

[0004]

According to the conventional bowling console and bowling alley system, the work of the front staff can be saved, and the bowler can concentrate on the bowling game, so that the bowling game proceeds smoothly as a whole. And the turnover of the bowling alley is improved. As a result, the bowling alley has improved management efficiency,
For bowlers, bowling games and bowling alleys become more attractive due to the addition of new game functions and the like.

[0005] However, even if a game that is simply developed on a CRT screen is added, if the user does not have the interactivity, he or she will be tired of it quickly and hardly lead to an increase in the number of games.

Meanwhile, in electronic devices such as electronic notebooks and electronic game machines, an image display device for displaying the growth process of an organism such as an animal or a plant as an image is disclosed in JP-A-7-160.
No. 853 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,646. Such a game that simulates the growth process of a living thing or breeds a virtual pet has a high degree of interactivity, and can give a novel feeling not found in a conventional so-called arcade game or the like.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide bowlers with the fun of simulating the growth process of living things and breeding and raising virtual pets, in addition to the fun of competing for the bowling game score. An object of the present invention is to provide a bowling console and a bowling alley system that increase the number of bowling games and increase the sales for the bowling alley.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a bowling console for detecting a falling state of a pin after a ball is thrown and counting a bowling score is used to display the growth process of an organism. Display data generating means for generating a plurality of display data, and element selecting means for selecting one or several of a plurality of elements for growing the living thing by a pin falling state by a ball throw,
Display means for simulating a growth process according to the selection of those elements and displaying display data of one of the plurality of display data.

[0009] As described above, by using the bowling console, one or several of the growth elements of the living thing are selected in accordance with the pin falling state by throwing the ball, the growth process is simulated, and the result is displayed. ,
While playing the bowling game, it is possible to raise a virtual pet or the like by the bowling game, thereby adding a new fun to the bowling game.

[0010] The element selection is performed based on the contents of the bowling game score in addition to the pin falling state due to the ball throw, as described in claim 2.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an element is selected by an input operation unit such as a key input unit or a touch panel of the bowling console. Thus, a virtual pet breeding / raising game can be performed more interactively by simulating the growth process of living things while playing the bowling game. In addition, since the key input unit and the touch panel of the bowling console are used, it is not necessary to newly provide an input device for the breeding / raising game.

In the bowling alley system according to the present invention, a plurality of the bowling consoles are provided, each of which is connected to a host computer via a local area network. A means for downloading a program or data for realizing the element selecting means and the display means to each of the bowling consoles is provided in the host computer. With this configuration, a program or data for simulating the growth process of the organism used in each console can be updated substantially collectively from the host computer, so that display data representing the growth process of the organism such as a new virtual pet can be easily displayed. Will be rewritten.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a bowling alley system. Here, a plurality of consoles 1a, 1b,... 1m provided for two lanes and an office unit 3 provided in an office are respectively provided in a front management device corresponding to a host computer according to the present invention provided in the front. You are connected through a local area network.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the console. In the figure, reference numerals 21a and 21b denote CRTs for displaying scores and simulation results of the growth process of living organisms, and reference numerals 27a and 27b denote keyboards used for instructions such as bowler name correction, score correction, and game settlement. .

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the configuration of the keyboard shown in FIG. In the figure, function keys are used as function keys corresponding to the display contents displayed below the CRTs 21a and 21b shown in FIG. The cursor key is used for selecting a bowler when a score is displayed. Numeric keys and other keys are used for correcting a score.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portion for performing score processing and the like in one lane of one console.
The CPU 11 executes a program written in the ROM 12 in advance. The RAM 13 temporarily stores score information when executing the program, and also includes a living thing (hereinafter referred to as a “virtual pet”).
Say ) Is used as various working areas such as temporary storage of information indicating the growth process. The pin camera 16 captures an image of the bowling pin alignment position, and the image processing circuit 15 performs certain image processing on the video signal to generate digital image data. The CPU 11 reads the digital image data and detects the standing / falling state of the bowling pin. The display interface 18 includes a display memory for storing display contents to be displayed on the CRT, and generates and outputs a display signal according to the contents. Reference numeral 19 denotes a switch circuit, which switches between input of a video signal from an externally supplied video playback device and a display signal from the display interface 18, and switching of output to an overhead CRT 20 or a console CRT 21. For example, if the display signal from the display interface 18 is an overhead CRT
20 is switched to output to both the console CRT 21 and the display interface 18.
The contents written in the display memory in the section are overhead C
The information is displayed on both the RT 20 and the console CRT 21 at the same time. Further, if the video signal input is switched so as to be provided to the overhead CRT 20, a video image is displayed on the overhead CRT 20. Display contents such as a score display for these CRTs are performed by the CPU 11 writing data to a display memory in the display interface 18. CPU1
1 switches the switch 19 via the I / O port 22. The ball passage sensor 24 is provided at a predetermined position in the lane and detects that the ball has been thrown. CP
U11 reads the state of the sensor via the I / O port 23. The sound reproduction circuit 25 is a circuit that reproduces some sound effects and synthesized voices. The CPU 11 supplies the sound reproduction circuit 25 with data of the sound effects and synthesized voices to be reproduced, and outputs the data from the speaker 30. I do. The CPU 11 reads the key operation contents of the keyboard 27 via the interface 26. When the keyboard 27 is not used, the console CRT 21
Is provided with a transparent touch panel 29 on the display surface. CPU11
Reads the contents of the operation via the interface 28. The LAN interface 14 controls communication with a local area network.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the front management device. The CPU 41 executes a program previously written in the ROM 42 and a program loaded from the hard disk drive 48 into the RAM 43. LA
The N interface 44 controls communication with the local area network. The CRT 46 displays the status of each lane and console in a list and displays an image to be used for front management. The CPU 41 performs display by writing display data into a display memory in the interface 45. The hard disk drive 48 and the floppy disk drive 50 are used for storing programs to be executed by the front management device and data used for executing the programs, and for storing programs to be executed by the console and data used for executing the programs. C
The PU 41 reads these programs and data via the interfaces 47 and 49. For example, a program and display data for displaying the growth process of the virtual pet are input from the floppy disk drive device 50. The printer 52 prints a score sheet at the time of settlement of the bowling game.
1 to output print data. The keyboard 54 performs an input such as a bowler name and the like, and an instruction for charge settlement, and the CPU 41 reads the key operation contents via the interface 53.

The configuration of the office unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 is basically the same as that of the front management apparatus, and performs processing for management in the office. This office unit 3
May input a program and data for displaying the growth process of the virtual pet on a console from a floppy disk or the like, and download the program and data to each console via a local area network.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of an explanation screen of the virtual pet raising game on the console. As will be described later, this screen is displayed at the start of the bowling game. Here, an overall explanation display such as "The virtual game grows from 0 to 10 years old in the first game" is displayed in the display area A1.

In the display area A2, the correspondence between three pins out of the ten pins and the elements for raising the virtual pet is displayed together with the pin arrangement pattern. In this example, three pins of the first, fourth, and tenth pins are used for selecting three elements for raising a virtual pet, and these three pins are referred to as point pins. In the first game, Pin 1 is “Benkyo”, Pin 4 is “Snack”, Pin 10 is “Rice”
Point pin. On the right-hand side is a description of the point pin, such as, "You can earn points for lunch, snacks, and rice by defeating the pin. The position of the point pin is displayed at the bottom left of the screen when each bowler throws." I do.

In the display area A3, three parameters indicating the condition of the virtual pet are displayed as check meters. In the first game, "Tummy", "Discipline",
The three parameters of “OK” are displayed in a bar graph form. On the right side, a description of the check meter is displayed, such as "A check meter indicating the state of the virtual pet is displayed when each bowler throws the ball to accurately know the condition of the virtual pet."

In the display area A4, an explanation display of the entire game, such as "Obtain a point pin displayed at the lower left of the screen and frequently operate the keys to bring up your virtual pet that is pleasant and energetic." Do. In the display area A5, for example, in the case of the first game, "If the number of learning pins is small, the virtual pet's disciplinary parameter goes down and selfish insects appear. The explanation about the discipline key is displayed. In the display area A6, in the first game, "If you get a lot of rice pins, the stomach parameters of the virtual pet will increase and the poo will appear. If you press the cleaning key, the poo will disappear and the genki parameters will increase. ”, And the display area A7 shows in the display area A7 that, during the first game,“ If you get more snack pins, the physical condition of the virtual pet will deteriorate, and insects will appear. If you press the key, The insects disappear,
The energy parameters have been increased. Is displayed. Further display area A
In FIG. 8, examples of the above-mentioned "selfish insects", "unchi", and "drug insects" are displayed.

The display indicated by F at the lower right of the screen indicates the function of the function key, and the game is started by operating the function key corresponding to the start key. If the function key corresponding to the cancellation of the nurturing game is operated, the normal bowling game is started without executing the nurturing game of the virtual pet.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show an example of the score display of the first game on the console, wherein FIG. 6A shows a state in which an element selection key for raising a virtual pet is displayed, and FIG. 6B shows an element selection key for raising a virtual pet. Is not displayed. (A)
In the example, the point pin is displayed in the display area A11 and the check meter is displayed in the display area A12. A10 is an area for displaying a bowling game score, and as shown by C11, C12, and C13 in an empty area (a range in which the score of a frame after the current frame of each bowler is to be displayed). The virtual pet characters raised by each bowler are displayed. Specifically, these characters C11, C12, C13
Displays as if the character itself is freely moving left and right in the vacant area.

The background color of the column displaying the bowler name in the score display area A10 is used as a cursor. That is, the background color of a certain bowler name is displayed in a color different from the background color of another bowler name, and this is used as a selection display of the raising element for the virtual pet raised by the bowler. In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the bowler Suzuki's virtual pet is selected, and at this time, the function keys corresponding to any of "discipline", "clean", and "chusha" are among the function keys. Is operated, the child raising element for the virtual pet C13 raised by Bowler Suzuki is selected. If the function key corresponding to the "return" key is operated, the function of the function key is switched,
As shown in (B), the function key "TV
"Switch" (key for switching whether to display video image or score for overhead CRT), "score correction" (key operated when manually correcting score), "child care game" (Fig. 6
(A key for returning to the display shown in (A) again), and a key display of "game settlement" (a key operated at the end of the game).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the childhood flow of the virtual pet and the contents of the point pins and the check meter in the first game. As shown in FIG.
In the frame, the character in the egg state is displayed, in the fourth to sixth frames, one of two types of characters in the middle childhood is displayed, and in the seventh to the ninth frames, one of the two types of characters in the late childhood is displayed. indicate. In the tenth frame, the first character of the childhood is displayed as shown later. Each character is assigned a character, and a growing character is appropriately determined according to the selection of the nursing element by throwing the ball and operating the key. For example, at the time of the third frame, depending on whether the check parameter of the check meter is “selfish” or “serious”,
One of the characters is determined (grown) and displayed in the fourth frame.

The point pin in the first game is (B)
As shown in FIG. 5, the first pin is a point pin for "OK", the fourth pin is a "snack", and the tenth pin is a point pin for "rice". In addition, the check meter in the first game is composed of three parameters of “stomach”, “discipline”, and “gokin” as shown in (C), and these are displayed in the form of a bar graph.

FIG. 8 is a display example of the game in progress in the fifth frame and the ninth frame as described above.
This display is performed before the first throw of the frame or the ninth frame. The display of the game is displayed in the display area A21. For example, "Predict the number of pins you will defeat. Press the" more "key if you expect more than the number of cards drawn by the virtual pet, or the" less "key if you expect less. If you win, or if you defeat the same number of cards as the virtual pet, the meter will increase. Is displayed. The number of cards drawn by the virtual pet (4 in this example) is determined by generating random numbers. At this time, the average value and the variation of the generated random numbers may be automatically changed as appropriate so that the bowler's ability is determined from the score and an appropriate number is displayed. For example, the average value of the number of pin falls of the first shot of each frame from the first frame to the fourth frame is obtained,
The value may be determined as the number obtained by subtracting the virtual pet.

If the "many" key is selected and the number of actually defeated pins is five, a character in a good mood is displayed as shown in FIG. Is increased accordingly, and if the prediction is disappointed, a character in a bad mood is displayed as shown in (C), and the fineness parameter is reduced accordingly.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example at the end of the first game, in which the display pattern of the character is changed from childhood to childhood as shown in (A) → (B) → (C). What to be the first character of the boyhood is determined in a predetermined relationship by three parameters of the check meter at the end of the first game.

If the bowler operates the "next game" key, the game proceeds to the second game. As shown in FIG. 9, at the end of the first game, a part of the growth process of the virtual pet is displayed, and a display or sound output for inviting the user to the second game is performed, so that the growth of the virtual pet is performed. In combination with the expected feelings of the bowler, the number of cases where the player continues to the second game increases.

As described above, in the first game, the child care game of the virtual pet is performed in the childhood, but in the second game, the child care game of the childhood is performed, and in the third game, the child care game of the adolescent is performed in the same manner. FIG. 10 shows the flow of the child-rearing game of the second game, the contents of the point pin child-rearing elements, and the contents of the three parameters of the check meter. In boyhood, a character corresponding to Madonna appears in any of the fourth to sixth frames and thereafter. There are a plurality of madonnas, and which madonna appears among them is determined by a predetermined method according to the way of growth in the first game.

The point pin in the second game is (B)
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first pin is a point pin of “love”, the fourth pin is a “love letter”, and the tenth pin is a point pin of “sports”. Further, the check meter in the second game is composed of three parameters of "body", "observation" and "genki" as shown in (C), and these are displayed in the form of a bar graph.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the score display of the second game on the console, wherein (A) shows a state before the appearance of Madonna, and (B) shows a state after the appearance of Madonna. In the example of (A), C21 and C2 are set in an empty area (a range in which the score of a frame subsequent to the current frame of each bowler is to be displayed) in the area for displaying the bowling game score.
As shown by 2, C23, the characters of the virtual pets raised by each bowler are displayed. In the example of (B), the Madonna characters m21, m22, and m23 are displayed together with the characters C21, C22, and C23. These Madonna characters are also characters C21, C22, C
23, the display is moved in the left-right direction.

FIG. 12 shows a display example of an in-progress game played in the fifth and ninth frames of the second game. This display is performed before the first throw of the fifth or ninth frame. The display of the game is displayed in the display area A21. For example, "Expect the number of pins you will beat. If you expect it to be an odd number of 1,3,5,7.9,9 pins, expect the left key to be an even number of 2,4,6,8,10 pins. If you do, press the right key. If you win the virtual pet and win the virtual pet, the spirit parameter will increase. The gutter is off. " Note that whether the virtual pet faces left or right (right in this example) is determined by generating a random number.

If the "left" key is selected and the number of pins actually defeated is an even number, a character in a good mood is displayed as shown in FIG. If the number is odd, a character in a bad mood is displayed as shown in (C), and the energy parameter is reduced accordingly.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing two display examples at the end of the second game, in which (A) → (B) → (C).
The result of the first love with Madonna is displayed. FIG. 13 shows the case where the result of the first love was successful, and FIG. 14 shows the case where the result was not successful. The success or failure of the first love fulfillment is determined by a predetermined method according to the compatibility with Madonna and the way of growth of the second game.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example at the end of the second game, in which the display pattern of the character is changed from boyhood to adolescence as shown in (A) → (B) → (C). What the first character of the adolescence is made is determined in a predetermined relationship by three parameters of the check meter at the end of the second game.

If the bowler operates the "next game" key, the game proceeds to the third game. As shown in FIG. 15, at the end of the second game, a part of the growth process of the virtual pet is displayed, and a display or sound output for inviting the user to the third game is performed. In combination with the feelings of the bowler who expects the game, the number of cases of continuing to the third game increases.

FIG. 16 shows the flow of the adolescent raising game of the third game, the contents of the point pin raising element, and the contents of the three parameters of the check meter. In adolescence, a character corresponding to Madonna appears in any of the fourth to sixth frames and thereafter. There are a plurality of madonnas, and the madonna to appear among them is determined by a predetermined method according to the way of growth in the second game.

The point pin in the third game is (B)
As shown in the figure, the first pin is a point pin of “present”, the fourth pin is “play”, and the tenth pin is a point pin of “work”. Further, the check meter in the third game is composed of three parameters of "work", "health", and "health" as shown in (C), and these are displayed in the form of a bar graph.

FIG. 17 is a display example of a game in progress in the fifth and ninth frames of the third game, and this display is performed before the first throw of the fifth or ninth frame. The display of the game is displayed in the display area A21. For example, "This game is a marriage game. Expect the number of pins you will beat. 1.3.5.5.7.9
If you think it's an odd number of pins, change the odd key to 2.4.6.
If you expect it to be an even number of 8.10 pins, press the even number key. The marriage parameter will be up if the speculation is successful. The gutter is off. Is displayed. Whether the virtual pet selects an odd number or an even number (in this example, an odd number) is determined by generating a random number.

If the "odd" key is selected and the number of pins actually defeated is an odd number, a character in a state compatible with the madonna is displayed as shown in FIG. The marriage parameter is increased accordingly, and if it is an even number, a character in a bad mood is displayed as shown in (C), and the marriage parameter is reduced accordingly.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are diagrams showing two display examples at the end of the third game, in which (A) → (B) → (C).
The result of marriage success with Madonna is displayed. FIG.
8 is the case where it goes well, and FIG. 19 is the case where it goes wrong. The success or failure is determined by a predetermined method according to the compatibility with Madonna and the way of growth of the third game.

Next, examples of storage of various data for executing the above-described virtual pet raising game will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 20 shows display data of the character and the Madonna character during the growth process of the virtual pet. Bowra nurtures children, childhood,
It is stored in advance for each adolescence and for each character. In this example, four types of display data are provided for each character. Even if the characters are the same, for example, FIG.
As shown in (A), (B), and (C), it is necessary to display some expressions separately, and for that purpose, some display data are prepared for each character. As shown in (B), the Madonna character is also stored in advance for each childhood and adolescence and for each Madonna character, and each Madonna character has a pattern with different facial expressions and face directions. Reading and writing these display data to the display memory is nothing but generating display data. In addition, only some display data of the basic character is prepared in advance, and display data of an intermediate pattern is generated by morphing, enlargement / reduction of the display pattern, vertical / horizontal inversion, rotation, aspect ratio. New display data may be generated each time various change operations such as change are performed.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the correspondence between various raising elements in the first to third games. The assignment of point pins, the assignment of function keys, and the assignment of each parameter of the check meter are different for each childhood, boy, and adolescent, but these are only different from what is displayed on the screen. Since common movements are common, a display screen is generated by referring to these data in each of the first game, the second game, and the third game.

FIG. 22 shows data indicating the method of increasing or decreasing each parameter of the check meter in childhood, boyhood, and adolescence. For example, the “stomach” parameter in childhood is one of the point pins “Gohan Pin”. Number of falls,
It is determined by a function using the number of falls of the "snack pin" and the number of pitches as variables. That is, the function is determined in advance so that the points of the tummy parameter increase as the number of falls of the rice pin and the snack pin per pitch increases. Further, for example, in a childhood, the training parameter is determined by a function of the number of falling pins and the number of pitches.
That is, as the number of falling of the learning pins per pitch increases, the point of the training parameter increases.
These functions may be determined in advance by mathematical expressions, or may be prepared in advance as table data. Instead of finding the absolute value of the number of points for each parameter each time, the number of points may be increased or decreased each time a pitch is made, depending on whether or not the corresponding point pin has fallen.

FIG. 23 shows data indicating the conditions under which the above-mentioned "selfish insects", "drug insects" and "poos" appear. For example, when the training parameter of the check meter becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value d12 in childhood, "selfish insect" is displayed. Also, for example, when the cumulative number of falls of a snack pin in a childhood exceeds a predetermined value C12,
Is displayed. Also, the value of the tummy parameter (point)
When the value exceeds a predetermined value d11, "poo" is displayed. As described above, when a display requiring any countermeasure is performed, the display is canceled by operating the function key. For example, when the insect is displayed, the display of “bug” is erased by operating the function key of “chusha” in FIG.
At the same time, the cumulative number of snack pins is reset.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a state of the virtual pet raising game for each bowler. In this example, the left lane and the right lane each have 6 characters, and the maximum of 12 bowlers have the current character code of the virtual pet, the values of the first, second, and third parameters indicating the condition of the virtual pet, And data of status display other than the check meter. The current state of the virtual pet is updated by rewriting these data, and the display of characters and the like is performed by reading these data and generating display data during the display processing.

The processing procedure for performing the bowling game score processing and the virtual pet raising game based on the various data described above will now be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIGS. 25 to 27 are flowcharts showing the overall processing procedure. As shown in FIG. 25, 1 is set as data of the number of games to start with the first game (n1). Subsequently, an explanation screen of the virtual pet raising game as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed (n2). Then, it waits for an operation such as a start key (n3). Here, if the parenting game stop key is operated, the state is set so that the subsequent processing related to the parenting game is not performed (n4). Here, if the start key is operated, the score is initialized (n5). That is, it is set to be the first throw of the first frame of the first bowler. Then, the current score state is displayed (n6). In this score display, a pitching guidance display for bowlers to be pitched is performed. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the current frame is a frame in which the above-described mid-game should be performed (n7). Since the first frame is not a frame in which the game is played in the middle, if a pitch is performed thereafter, a remaining pin (a pin that has not fallen) is detected (n8 → n9).

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 26, the above three parameters of the check meter are changed according to the result of the remaining pin detection by the current pitch (n10). The update of the check parameter may be performed not only according to the remaining pin detection result but also according to the score count value at that time. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the current frame is a frame in which the mid-game should be performed (n11). Since the first frame is a frame in which no game is played, the score content is updated in accordance with the current pitch, and the number of pitches (the number of pitches), bowler number (of the next bowler to be pitched) are updated. Number), and update the frame number (n11 → n14 → n1)
5). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the character should be changed by updating the number of frames or the like (n1).
6). If the character has not yet been changed, it is determined whether or not the Madonna character is to be made to appear (n18). If the state is not yet a state to appear, the score information (data indicating the current score state) is transmitted to the front management device (n2).
0). The processing of steps n7 to n20 described above is repeated until the tenth frame is reached.

If the above-mentioned processing is repeated and the frame in which the game is to be played is reached, steps n7 → n31 →
The process of n32 is performed. That is, FIG.
(A), as shown in FIG. 17 (A), an in-game description is displayed and a key selection operation is read. Then, after the pitch is performed, n11 → n12 → n according to the number of remaining pins.
Step 13 is performed. That is, FIGS. 8B and 8C, FIG.
2 (B) (C), as shown in FIGS. 17 (B) (C),
The result of the halfway game is displayed, and then the corresponding parameter of the check meter is increased or decreased according to the result of the halfway game. For example, in the middle game in the first game (childhood), the “good-luck” parameter is increased or decreased according to the result of the middle game.

In the case where the character change frame is obtained during the repetition of the above-mentioned steps n7 to n20, the character is determined by the predetermined determination method as described above and displayed (n16 → n17). . At this time, a sound effect or a synthesized voice corresponding to the growth is output. If the frame number is updated and the frame in which the Madonna character should appear is determined, the Madonna is determined by the above-described determination method, and the character is displayed (n
18 → n19). At this time, a sound effect or a synthesized voice corresponding to the appearing Madonna is output.

If a certain period of time has elapsed in the state of waiting for a pitch in step n8, the parameters of the check meter are changed accordingly (n33 → n34). For example, in the first game (childhood), the points of the first parameter (stomach) are reduced. This state appears on the check meter, which encourages pitching.

When the processing of the tenth frame is completed, for example, the processing for displaying the final screen shown in FIG. 9 is executed (n22). After that, as shown in FIG. 27, a process corresponding to the key operation content is performed. Here, if the "next game" key is operated, the number of games is incremented by 1, and the process returns to step n2 in FIG. 25 (n23 → n24 → n2). If the game settlement key is operated, a game end command is transferred to the front management device, and a series of processes is ended (n25 →
n26). When the score correction key is operated, a process for correcting the score is performed (n27 → n28).

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the contents of the final screen processing in step n22. On the end screen of the first game, as shown in FIG. 9, the growth of the virtual pet from childhood to childhood is performed by displaying the animation of the character, and a display and voice output for inviting the next game are performed (n70 → n71). → n72). On the final screen of the second game, the above-mentioned first love result is determined, and an audio display is performed together with an animation display according to the fulfillment result (n73 →
n74 → n75 → n76, n77). Then, display and voice output for inviting the next game are performed (n78). Third
In the game, as described above, marriage success or failure is determined, and in response to that, an animation is displayed and a voice is output (n79 → n80 → n81 → n82, n83).

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing by various key operations. For example, if the function key corresponding to the "fostering game key" is operated in the function key display state of FIG. 6B, the fostering function key is displayed as shown in FIG. 6A (n41 → n).
42). When any of the nursing function keys is operated, the processing described later is performed (n43 → n44). When the cursor key is operated, the cursor display position of the bowler name is moved (n45 → n46). This cursor key is used by each bowler to raise a cursor on his or her bowler name when raising his or her virtual pet. This cursor display is performed by displaying the background of the column displaying the bowler name in a specific color as described above.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the contents of the above-mentioned nurturing function key processing. Here, the first game (childhood) is shown as an example. For example, if the discipline key is operated in the display state of the selfish insect, the selfish insect state is released and the discipline parameters are increased (n51 → n52 → n53 → n54). Further, for example, if the cleaning key is operated in a state in which the poo is displayed, the poo display state is released and the fine parameter is increased (n55 → n56 → n57 → n).
58). Similarly, if the joystick key is operated in the insect bug display state, the state is released and the smart parameter is increased. In addition, the total number of snack pin falls which is the cause of the insect bug display state is reset (n59 → n60 → n61 → n62 → n63). When the return key is operated, the display returns to the normal function key display (n64 → n65).

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for character movement display. First, the position where the character should be displayed is determined. Then, the current score is displayed, and the character is displayed over the determined character display position (n91 → n92 → n93). Thereafter, the character display position is changed to a slightly shifted position, and the above processing is repeated at a predetermined cycle (n94 → n92...). As a result, in the score display of each bowler, a character that moves randomly left and right is displayed in an empty frame area. In this flowchart, the loop processing is simply repeated, but this processing is actually performed in parallel with other processing by multitasking or multithreading by interrupt processing for the CPU.

Next, the contents of processing relating to data transmission between the console and the front management device will be described with reference to FIGS.

The console receives data from the front management device as shown in FIG. If bowling name data is transferred from the front management device at the start of the bowling game, the data is set as data for displaying a score (n101 → n102 → n103). When the console receives (downloads) the program and data for executing the virtual pet raising game from the front management device, it writes the program and data in a predetermined area of the RAM (n104 → n105).

The front management device is as shown in FIG.
If data is received from the console and it is a game end command, the fee for the bowling game is settled and the score is printed. In this score printing, each character in the growth process of the virtual pet and the character of the final virtual pet are printed at predetermined positions (n11).
1 → n112 → n113 → n114). Information for printing this character may be received from the console. When the score information is received from the console, the score information of the corresponding lane is updated (n115 → n116).

As shown in FIG. 34, the front management device reads the program and data of the virtual pet raising game written on a floppy disk or the like, and
Download it to each console sequentially.

In the above description, the operation using the console is mainly performed using the keyboard. However, the same operation can be performed by directly touching the CRT using the touch panel.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the introduction of Madonna in childhood and adolescence has been described as an implicit assumption that the characters of childhood and adolescence are male. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. Conversely, the gender of the character may be distinguished. For example, at the time of reception at the front desk, enter the gender of each bowler, transfer this to the console as bowler information along with the bowler name, and the console automatically identifies male and female characters according to the gender of the bowler You may make it select.

In the above embodiment, the pairing of the virtual pet raised by each bowler with another virtual pet (in this embodiment, Madonna) is performed. You may make it select from the virtual pet which raises. Further, the virtual pet to be the opponent does not need to be a bowler virtual pet bowling in the same lane, and may be a bowler virtual pet bowling in another lane. In other words, the growth process may be simulated so that the virtual pets raised by each bowler do not grow independently, but grow together with the virtual pets raised by other bowlers.

[0069]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, one or several of the growth elements of the living thing are determined by using the bowling console according to the state of the pin falling due to the ball being thrown or the content of the score of the bowling game. By selecting and simulating the growth process and displaying the results, it is possible to raise a virtual pet etc. by the bowling game while playing the bowling game, which makes the bowling game a new fun Will be given. In addition, since the virtual pet grows as the game progresses, the number of games increases due to the feelings of the bowler who expects the growth of the virtual pet. This allows
For bowling alleys, sales will improve.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a virtual pet breeding / raising game based on a simulation of a growth process of a living organism can be performed more interactively while performing a bowling game. In addition, since the key input unit and the touch panel of the bowling console are used, it is not necessary to newly provide an input device for the breeding / raising game.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a program or data for simulating the growth process of a living creature such as a virtual pet used in each console can be substantially collectively updated from the host computer. It becomes possible to easily rewrite display data indicating a growth process of an organism such as a virtual pet.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a bowling alley system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a console and a configuration of a keyboard.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a console.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a front management device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a description screen of a virtual pet raising game on a console.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a score display of a first game on a console.

FIG. 7 shows the flow of the virtual pet raising game in the first game, allocation of point pins, and check meter 3;
Diagram showing examples of two parameters

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an intermediate game in the first game.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a final screen of the first game.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of a virtual pet raising game in a second game, an example of three parameter assignments of a point pin, and a check meter.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a score display of a second game on a console.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an intermediate game in a second game.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a final screen of the second game.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of a final screen of the second game.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example of a final screen of the second game.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of a virtual pet raising game in the second game, assignment of point pins, and three parameters of a check meter.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an intermediate game in the third game.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example of a final screen of the third game.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a display example of a final screen of the third game.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of display data when a virtual pet is displayed as a character.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between each element of virtual pet raising in the first to third games.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of data for determining each parameter of the check meter in the childhood, the boyhood, and the adolescence of the virtual pet.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of condition data for performing each state display.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a configuration example of data representing a game state for each bowler;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the console.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the console.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the console.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the final screen in the console.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to a key operation on the console.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to operation of a nursing function key on the console.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for displaying a character on a console.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the contents of data transmission processing in the console.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the contents of data transmission processing in the front management device.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the contents of download processing in the front management device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21a, 21b-console CRT 27a, 27b-keyboard

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A bowling console for detecting a falling state of a pin after throwing a ball and counting a bowling score, comprising: a display data generating means for generating a plurality of display data representing a growth process of living things; Element selecting means for selecting one or some of a plurality of elements for growing the living thing by the pin falling state, and simulating a growth process according to the selection of the elements to display the plurality of displays. A bowling console, comprising: display means for displaying display data of one growth process among the data. 2. The bowling console according to claim 1, wherein said element selecting means selects said element based on the contents of a bowling game score in place of said pin falling state. 3. The bowling console according to claim 1, wherein an input operation unit of the bowling console is included in the element selecting means. 4. A plurality of display data showing a growth process of an organism.
Display data generating means for generating data,
Multiple to grow the creature by pin falling condition
Element selection means for selecting one or several of the elements
And simulate the growth process according to the selection of those elements
The growth process of one of the plurality of display data.
Ball throwing, comprising: display means for displaying display data.
Detecting the falling state of the pin afterwards and calculating the bowling score
A plurality of bowling consoles are provided, and each of the bowling consoles is connected to a host computer via a local area network. A means for downloading to the bowling consoles is provided in a host computer.