JP3254810B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine for controlling the progress of a game in accordance with an operation performed by an operator playing the game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a game control signal output device which outputs a control signal for controlling the progress of a game according to an operation performed by an operator playing the game. When the operator operates, a control signal for performing the action desired by the operator in the set situation is output, and the control signal is input to the control unit of the game machine body, so that the situation selection by the operator is performed. The game progresses as it is performed.

The control signal is output by manually operating a lever, button, or the like. For example, one hand selects and instructs the direction of travel, and the other hand instructs the start of an attack or the like. be able to. By the way, in the current game, the game content is becoming more sophisticated and complicated in order to increase the sense of unity between the game situation and the operator, and accordingly, the types of control signals are also increasing. In a recently provided virtual reality (virtual experience) game, the operator himself appears in a situation set by image display, and his / her behavior is controlled by a control signal output from a game control signal output device. Therefore, it is desired that the operation of the game control signal output device and the change of the situation on the screen be integrated.

[0004]

However, when a control signal is output by manually operating a lever, a button or the like, only two types of operations can be performed with both hands, and no further types of operations are possible. There was a problem. Similarly, in the operation of the game control signal output device in the virtual reality game, for example, an operator on the screen changes direction by operating a lever to output a control signal, and the game control signal output device is turned on. There is a problem that the operation and the movement of the operator on the screen are not linked as a real experience.

An object of the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and increases the types of control signals to be output, and allows the user to experience the operation of the game control signal output device and the movement of the operator on the screen. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game machine which can be linked with the game machine.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a game machine for controlling the progress of a game in accordance with an operation performed by an operator who plays a game, wherein the operator is provided on a chair on which the operator sits. A displacement unit that is displaced in conjunction with a displacement operation of the upper body of the operator that rotates about an axis perpendicular to a seated seat, a detection unit that detects a displacement amount of the displacement unit, and the detection unit An output unit that receives a detection signal from the controller and outputs a control signal corresponding to the displacement movement of the upper body, and a game image in which a line of sight of the operator is switched in accordance with the control signal output from the output unit And a display unit for displaying the display, and controlling the progress of the game in accordance with the control signal output from the output unit. In the above-described game machine, the lower limb is provided on a chair on which the operator sits down, and detects a displacement operation of the lower limb of the operator, and a lower limb receiving a detection signal from the lower limb displacement detector. And a lower limb displacement output unit that outputs the control signal corresponding to the displacement operation of (1).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game machine for controlling the progress of a game in accordance with an operation performed by an operator who plays a game, provided on a chair on which the operator sits, and A detecting unit that detects whether or not the position has been displaced forward of the knee of the operator; an output unit that receives a detection signal from the detecting unit and outputs a control signal corresponding to the displaced operation; And a display unit that displays a game image in accordance with the progress of the game, and controls the progress of the game in accordance with the control signal output from the output unit. In addition, the above object is to provide a game machine that controls the progress of a game by an operation of an operator who plays a game. A backrest that rotates with respect to a seat surface of a chair to be hung, a detection unit that detects an amount of displacement due to the rotation of the backrest, and the upper body of the operator that receives a detection signal from the detection unit An output unit that outputs a control signal corresponding to the displacement operation of the game, and a display unit that displays a game image in accordance with the progress of the game, wherein the display unit displays the game image in accordance with the progress of the game. This is achieved by a game machine characterized by controlling progress.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the detection section detects the displacement of the upper body of the operator based on the output signal from the displacement section which is displaced in conjunction with the displacement movement of the operator sitting on the chair. In response to the detection signal from the unit, the output unit outputs a control signal corresponding to the displacement operation, and the display unit displays a game image in which an operator's line of sight is switched according to the control signal output from the output unit. As a result, the progress of the game can be controlled by the movement of the operator's upper body.

Further, according to the present invention, the detecting section detects the amount of displacement of the foot of the operator based on an output signal from the displacement section which is displaced in conjunction with the displacement of the position of the foot of the operator sitting on the chair. In response to the detection signal from the detection unit, the output unit outputs a control signal corresponding to the displacement operation, and the display unit displays a game image corresponding to the progress of the game. Can control the progress of the game.
Further, according to the present invention, the detection unit detects the amount of displacement of the upper body of the operator by an output signal from the displacement unit that is displaced in conjunction with the rotation of the backrest by the operator sitting on the chair, In response to the detection signal from the detection unit, the output unit outputs a control signal corresponding to the displacement operation, and the display unit displays a game image corresponding to the progress of the game. Can control the progress of the game.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a game control signal output device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, a game control signal output device 10 has a displacement unit 11, a detection unit 12, and an output unit 13, and the operation of an operator P is transmitted to the displacement unit 11. The transmitted displacement amount is detected by the detection unit 12, and a control signal S based on the detected displacement amount is output from the output unit 13 and input to the game machine main body E.

A head-mounted display (HMD) 14 and headphone 15 as output means, and a swivel chair 16 and a trigger stick 17 as input means are connected to the game machine main body E, respectively.
6 functions as the game control signal output device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the operator P sits on the swivel chair 16, holds the trigger stick 17 in his hand, and wears a head-mounted display (HMD) 14 and headphones 15 on the head (see (a)). ). The swivel chair 16 is installed at the center of the booth B partitioned by a columnar partition, and the operator P enters one of the plurality of booths B and sits on the swivel chair 16 to play a game (( b)).

In the figure, the operator P has only one trigger stick 17, but the operator may hold the trigger stick 17 in both hands and use two trigger sticks. A data glove worn on the hand may be used. This game machine body E
Is a so-called virtual reality (virtual experience) game, in which the operator himself appears in a situation set by image display and advances the game.

During the execution of the game, the operator P has a recognition that he / she has entered the stereoscopic image obtained through the two monitors provided on the head-mounted display 14, and at the same time, the operator P , A 3D sound or a sound effect corresponding to the stereoscopic image can be heard via the headphones 15. The swivel chair 16 is, as shown in FIG.
8 and a support 19 for fixing and holding the seat 18. The support 19 is formed by an upper support 19 a and a lower support 19 b which are vertically divided into two sections in a horizontal section substantially in a horizontal plane. (See (a)).

A slider 20 is provided at the lower end of the upper support 19a.
Are provided, and a plurality of contacts 21 on which the slider 20 slides are formed in a ring shape at the upper end of the lower support portion 19b (see (b)). In the contact state, the upper support 19a is rotatably connected to the lower support 19b about the vertical axis O. A so-called slide volume is formed by the slider 20 and the contact 21.

Therefore, the seat 18 can be freely rotated on the plane with respect to the lower support 19b (see the arrow in the figure), and the operator P sitting on the seat 18 can turn his / her body. It can be oriented in any direction together with the part 18. At the same time, the rotation amount of the seat 18 is output as a voltage output by the output unit 13.
Can be output to The seat 18 includes a seat 18a positioned substantially horizontally, and a backrest 18b having a lower end connected to one end of the seat 18a and rotating so as to be able to approach and separate from the seat 18a ((c)). See back) 18b,
The operator P is displaced integrally with the upper body in conjunction with a displacement operation in which the upper body of the operator P leans in the front-rear direction (see the arrow in the figure). The seating surface 18a and the backrest 18b have a connection structure similar to that of the upper support 19a and the lower support 19b having the slider 20 and the contact 21.

Therefore, the backrest 18b can be freely rotated with respect to the seating surface 18a, and the operator P sitting on the seat 18 can tilt the upper body together with the backrest 18b at an arbitrary angle. it can. At the same time, the amount of rotational displacement of the backrest 18b can be output to the output unit 13 as a voltage output. Therefore, the upper support portion 19a and the backrest 18b serve as the displacement portion 11 that is displaced in conjunction with the displacement operation of the upper body of the operator P sitting on the swivel chair 16 and the lower support portion 19b and the seating surface 18.
a functions as the detection unit 12 that detects the amount of displacement of the displacement unit.

The output unit 13 detects the input voltage and performs CPU processing to form a display screen corresponding to the detected voltage. The screen output from the output unit 13 is input to the game machine main body E as a control signal S, and is displayed on the head mounted display 14 as a stereoscopic image composed of a two-dimensional screen angle centered on the operator P himself / herself. . Next, the operation of the game control signal output device will be described.

First, an operator P who plays a virtual reality game sits on a swivel chair 16, wears a head mounted display 14 and headphones 15 on the head, and holds a trigger stick 17 in his hand. When the game starts, the operator P has a recognition that he or she has entered the stereoscopic image obtained via the head-mounted display 14, and the operator P itself proceeds as a character in the game.

During the game, for example, in a scene where the characters look around to determine the direction in which the characters should go,
The operator P, sitting on the floor, turns his / her body in a desired direction. At this time, the seat 18 also rotates together with the upper body, and the amount of rotational displacement of the seat 18 is output to the output unit 13 as a voltage output via the slider 20 that slides on the contact 21. The output unit 13 outputs a control signal S based on the detected displacement amount to the game machine main body E.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the seat 18 is turned rightward from the front (see (a)) (see (b)) and further turned right (see (c)). In response to this, the game machine body E displays the stereoscopic image of the monitor M displayed on the head mounted display 14 from the front direction (see (a)) to the right direction (see (b)) and further to the right direction (see (c)).
Switch to.

Similarly, an operator P sitting on the swivel chair 16
When the backrest 18b is displaced in conjunction with the inclination of the torso, the amount of rotation of the backrest 18b is sent to the output unit 13 as a voltage output, and a control signal S based on the detected displacement is transmitted to the game machine. Output to the main unit E. Here, through the rotation of the seat portion 18 and the inclination of the backrest 18b, the lateral view movement and the vertical direction movement due to the displacement of the upper body of the operator P are performed.

As described above, since the direction of the operator P can be changed on the screen by actually turning his / her body in a desired direction, the operation of the game control signal output device and the movement of the operator P on the screen can be changed. Can be linked as real experiences to easily enjoy more realistic virtual experiences. (Second embodiment) Game control signal output device 3 of this embodiment
Numeral 0 has a sensor (detection unit) 31 and an output unit 32, and the operation of the operator P is performed by the lower limb (leg or foot) instead of the upper body in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the game control signal output device 30 is provided on the swivel chair 16 on which the operator P sits, instead of the displacement unit 11 and the detection unit 12, and the leg of the operator P who sits down. And a sensor 31 for detecting a displacement movement of the foot,
An output unit 32 that receives a detection signal from the sensor 31 and outputs a control signal S corresponding to a displacement operation, instead of the output unit 13
It has the same configuration as that of the game control signal output device 10 except for having

As the sensor 31, an infrared sensor made of, for example, an infrared light emitting diode is used. As shown in FIG. 6, the infrared ray can be emitted toward the foot or leg of the operator P. The swivel chair 16 is mounted on a column 19. This sensor 31 allows the operator P sitting on the swivel chair 16 to position the foot almost directly below the knee and
(See (a)), and does not respond when the foot is positioned in front of the knee and separated from the support 19 (see (b)), and has a certain detection distance. The detection signal is output to the output unit 32.

Therefore, the sensor 31 functions as a detecting unit for detecting the displacement operation of the lower leg of the operator. In response to the control signal S output from the output unit 32, the game machine main body E stops the characters on the stereoscopic image when, for example, the sensor 31 is responding, and advances the characters when the sensor 31 is not responding.

By disposing the sensor 31 on the upper support 19a, the displacement of the leg or foot of the operator P can always be detected in conjunction with the rotation of the seat 18.
The sensor 31 is moved downward so that there is no undetectable range.
By arranging a plurality of pieces around b, the displacement operation can always be detected similarly (see FIG. 6A). Next, the operation of the game control signal output device will be described.

The operator P, who is sitting on the swivel chair 16 and playing the virtual reality game, is a character of the game and is proceeding with the game. S
Is input to the game machine main body E to control the movement of the characters. The movement of the characters during the progress of the game can be controlled by the game control signal output device 30. When the operator P positions the foot close to the support portion 19, the sensor 31 reacts to the lower limb, and When the operator P steps forward, the sensor 31 does not respond to the lower limbs and moves in the direction in which the operator P is facing.

As described above, since the movement of the characters can be controlled by the position of the foot with respect to the swivel chair 16, it is possible to perform another operation other than the movement with the hand, and at least three types of operations including both hands are performed. Operation becomes possible. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the displacement of the upper body or lower limb of the operator includes vertical movement, expansion and contraction, or a state in which the operator is fixed to a chair. Movements associated with the movement of the entire body, such as rotation in the azimuth,
Movement accompanying local movement such as muscle contraction due to tension,
Alternatively, a change in body temperature or the like may be used.

The displacement unit may be a headrest, an armrest, a lumbar support, or the like as long as it is linked to these displacement operations. The detection unit may be any unit that detects the displacement state accompanying the displacement operation. It may be a temperature sensor or a sound sensor for detecting the sound of stroking the floor with feet.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the types of control signals to be output can be increased, and the operation of the game control signal output device and the movement of the operator on the screen can be linked as a real experience. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a game control signal output device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2A and 2B show an operator playing a game, and FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram of a state where the operator is seated on a swivel chair in one booth;
(B) is an explanatory view of an operator in a plurality of booths.

3A and 3B show a swivel chair, wherein FIG. 3A is a schematic explanatory view showing a state in which a support portion is bisected, FIG. 3B is a structural explanatory view of a slider and a contact point, and FIG. FIG.

4A and 4B illustrate a relationship between a seat and a monitor, wherein FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the seat is facing the front, FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the seat is rotated to the right, (C) is an explanatory view of a state where the seat has been further turned to the right.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a game control signal output device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6A and 6B show an operation state of an operator sitting on a swivel chair, wherein FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a sensor has reacted, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a state where the sensor does not respond.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Game control signal output device 11 ... Displacement part 12 ... Detection part 13 ... Output part 14 ... Head mounted display (HMD) 15 ... Headphone 16 ... Rotating chair 17 ... Trigger stick 18 ... Seat part 18a ... Seat surface 18b ... Backrest DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 ... Support part 19a ... Upper support part 19b ... Lower support part 20 ... Slider 21 ... Contact point 30 ... Game control signal output device 31 ... Sensor (detection part) 32 ... Output part B ... Booth E ... Game machine main body P ... Operator S: Control signal

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An operation performed by an operator playing a game,
In a game machine for controlling the progress of a game, provided on a chair on which the operator sits, the upper body of the operator rotating about an axis perpendicular to a seating surface on which the operator sits A displacement unit that displaces in conjunction with the displacement operation, a detection unit that detects a displacement amount of the displacement unit, and an output unit that receives a detection signal from the detection unit and outputs a control signal corresponding to the displacement operation of the upper body And a display unit that displays a game image in which the line of sight of the operator has been switched according to the control signal output from the output unit, and according to the control signal output from the output unit. A game machine for controlling the progress of the game. 2. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the lower limb displacement detector is provided on a chair on which the operator sits, and detects a displacement motion of the lower limb of the operator. A lower limb displacement output unit that receives the detection signal of (i) and outputs the control signal corresponding to the lower limb displacement operation. 3. An operation performed by an operator playing a game,
In a game machine for controlling the progress of a game, the game device is provided on a chair on which the operator sits down, and detects whether or not the position of the leg of the operator sitting down is displaced forward of the knee of the operator. A detection unit; an output unit that receives a detection signal from the detection unit and outputs a control signal corresponding to the displacement operation; and a display unit that displays a game image according to the progress of the game. A game machine for controlling the progress of the game in accordance with the control signal output from the unit. 4. An operation performed by an operator playing a game,
In a game machine that controls the progress of a game, a backrest that rotates with respect to a seat surface of a chair on which the operator sits, in conjunction with a displacement operation in which the upper body of the operator tilts back and forth, A detection unit that detects a displacement amount due to the rotation of the backrest unit; an output unit that receives a detection signal from the detection unit and outputs a control signal corresponding to the displacement operation of the body of the operator; A display unit for displaying a game image in accordance with the progress of the game; and controlling the progress of the game in accordance with the control signal output from the output unit.