JP3363121B2 - Dance game equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dance game apparatus which is designed to allow a game player to perform a dance mainly by inducing hand movement.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a dance game apparatus has been widely known in which a dance feeling can be enjoyed by performing a step operation on a floor surface body in accordance with the contents sequentially instructed in accordance with music to be played. That is, this dance game device has a voice output section for playing music, a monitor for instructing a step operation, and a predetermined number of squares (cells) for performing a step operation with arrows pointing in different directions. ).

In this dance game device, a static mark is displayed on the monitor, while marks corresponding to the squares to be stepped on the monitor are scroll-displayed, and when the scroll-displayed mark overlaps the static mark, the square is displayed. The timing is set so that the player can step on his / her eyes, whereby the game player is instructed to perform a step operation.

Therefore, the game player can enjoy the feeling of dancing by using the whole body by stepping on the corresponding square on the floor surface body according to the step operation instruction displayed on the monitor. You can get a reputation as a game based on whether you can hit the squares on the street.

[0005]

Although the dance game device configured as described above is extremely entertaining, it is necessary to perform a predetermined step motion with respect to the floor surface body so that the dance game device can be freely operated. There was a problem of being constrained. There is also a problem in that the structure of the floor panel becomes complicated and the game device becomes large because it is necessary to output a detection signal when the square is stepped on.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to further enhance the fun by expanding the degree of freedom of the operation of the game player, and to make the size smaller than the conventional one. It is an object to provide a dance game device.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 provides a space in which a detected object is inserted by a game player by providing a space projecting forward from the housing of the game device. A detection unit that is formed on the front side and that detects a movement of the detected object to the space by the game player, and a guide unit that instructs the game player to perform the movement of the detected object to the space. And the space has an upper space and a lower space, and the detection means provided so as to project forward from the game apparatus housing is disposed above the detection means and substantially directly below the detection means.
The lower detection means is placed, the upper detection means is
The operation of inserting the detected object into the upper space is performed by the detection means.
The lower space is detected in the lower space,
Of the object to be detected in the space below the detection means.
It is known that the guide means includes a first lane corresponding to the upper detection means and a second lane corresponding to the lower detection means, and the first lane includes a first lane from a lower side to an upper side. The first movement mark portion moves toward the second reference mark position, and the second movement mark portion moves from above to the second reference mark position below in the second lane. When the first movement mark portion reaches a predetermined position, the sending operation to the upper space is instructed, and when the second movement mark portion reaches the predetermined position, the sending operation to the lower space is instructed. It is characterized by being a thing.

According to this structure, when the first and second movement mark portions reach the predetermined positions, an instruction to send the object to be detected to the upper space or the lower space is issued, and in response to the sending operation instruction. The dance game is mainly executed by the upper body by inserting the detected object such as a hand into the upper space or the lower space. As described above, in the dance game device, the detected object such as the hand is extended to the upper space or the lower space. Therefore, the detected object such as the hand is extended from the front side or the left, right, top, and bottom. It is possible to operate as desired.

[0009] Further, it is possible to hold a fan, a ladle, etc. in the hand so that they can be pushed out to the upper space or the lower space, and in particular, it is possible to extend the knees or feet to the lower space. Further, it is possible to arbitrarily move the lower body such as the waist and legs in accordance with the inserting operation of the hand or the like. As a result, the degree of freedom of movement of the game player is significantly increased, and the volatility of the game progress (how to play) is increased. As a result, the game player becomes extremely entertaining.

Further, since the moving directions of the first moving mark portion and the second moving mark portion respectively correspond to the arrangement positions of the upper detecting portion and the lower detecting portion, the game player can feel the hand and the like. It is possible to recognize the sending direction of the detected object, and the game can proceed smoothly.

[0011]

1 is an external perspective view of a dance game device according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the right side, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view as seen from above. In these figures, the dance game device 10 is designed to induce the game player to carry his / her hand so that the upper half of the body mainly performs the dance.
A first upper detection unit 14 disposed at a position corresponding to the upper left of the audio / video output unit 12, and the audio / video output unit 12
Second upper detector 14 'arranged at a position corresponding to the upper right of the first and lower first detector 14' arranged at a position corresponding to the left of the longitudinal intermediate portion of the audio image output unit 12 16, a second lower detection unit 16 ′ arranged at a position corresponding to the right side of the vertical middle portion of the voice image output unit 12, and a second lower detection unit 16 ′ disposed along the floor installation surface of the voice image output unit 12. The mat portion 18 is provided.

The dance game apparatus 10 has the first
Of the game player positioned facing the upper detection unit 14 and the first lower detection unit 16 of the game player, and the game player positioned facing the second upper detection unit 14 ′ and the second lower detection unit 16 ′ of Although it is configured for two-player play in which the game is executed at the same time, it is also possible for one-player play by a game player located in either one of them.

The voice image output unit 12 includes a rhythm sound output unit 22 located at the bottom of the housing 20, a monitor 24 located at the top of the housing 20, the rhythm sound output unit 22 and the monitor 24.
It is composed of an operation section 26 arranged between them, and a pair of left and right speakers 28 for music performance located above the monitor 24.

The rhythm sound output section 22 outputs the rhythm of music as a heavy bass sound, and is constructed, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the resonance box 221 is provided inside, and the horn 2 is attached to the front plate 222 of the resonance box 221.
Low frequency rhythm speaker 224 with 23 directed forward
Is attached. This rhythm speaker 224
The rhythm sound is output at a predetermined low frequency. Further, on the front plate 222, a cylindrical body 225 is attached above the rhythm speaker 224 in a penetrating state so as to send the resonance sound forward.

The rhythm sound output section 22 configured as described above
In the resonance space of the resonance box 221, the rhythm sound output from the rhythm speaker 224 is emitted forward while the front plate 222 and the cylindrical body 225 are vibrated by the rhythm sound. . The rhythm sound output unit 2
A coin slot 30 is provided at the center position of the upper part of 2. When a coin is inserted into the coin slot 30, the coin insertion detector 32 detects that the coin has been inserted.

The monitor 24 is provided with a CRT capable of color display, a liquid crystal display, etc., and displays various images such as a demo screen before the game starts, a menu screen at the game start, and a predetermined game screen after the game starts. The display surface 241 is installed at a position substantially the same as the eye level of the game player standing on the mat portion 18 or on the floor, that is, at a position where the player normally comes into his / her eyes in a dancing posture. It is like this.

At the left end position and the right end position, the operation unit 26 selects one song name from a plurality of song names displayed on the display surface 241 of the monitor 24 at the start of the game or selects the difficulty level of the game. And a pair of left and right selection buttons 261 for selecting one-player play or two-player play, and a confirm button 262 for confirming the selected song title, difficulty level, and the like. Each pair of the select button 261 and the confirm button 262 is set so that it can be operated by either side of the game player when playing two players, and can be operated at either the left or right position when playing one player. Is set to. Confirm button 2
62 is set to operate also as a start button at the start of the game.

The speaker 28 outputs a selected song or the like, and the frame 3 attached to the upper surface of the housing 20.
It is attached to the left and right positions of 4. This speaker 28
Moreover, it is also possible to output the rhythm in combination with the music performance. A display panel 36 for displaying a game name (for example, “DANCING GENERATION”) is provided on the upper surface of the frame 34, and a plurality of lamps 38 for illumination are provided below the display panel 36.

The first upper detector 14 detects a hand (object to be detected) that the game player located on the left side extends into the upper space (for example, the space corresponding to the chest of the game player). Yes, the first upper left detection unit 141 located on the left side attached to the front left position of the frame 34
And a first upper right detector 142 located on the right side. The second upper detection unit 14 ′ is for detecting a hand (detected body) that the game player positioned to the right has extended to the upper space (for example, a space corresponding to the chest of the game player). The second upper left detection unit 14 located on the left side attached to the front right position of the frame 34
1'and a second upper right detector 142 'located on the right side.

These first and second upper left detectors 141,
141 ′ and the first and second upper right detection units 142, 142 ′
Have the same configuration, and are configured as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, for example. 4 is an external perspective view thereof, FIG. 5 is a top view thereof, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

In these figures, the first and second upper left detectors 141 and 141 'and the first and second upper right detectors 14 are shown.
2, 142 'has an arc bottomed shape at one end (left end in FIG. 6) and an opening shape at the other end (right end in FIG. 6).
A cylindrical portion 42 serving as a base having a through hole 40 formed on the lower surface,
A circular upper cover body 44 attached to the upper surface of the tubular portion 42, a circular lower cover body 46 attached to the lower surface of the tubular portion 42, and a pair of upper and lower attachment portions 48 are provided. Mounting member 50 inserted and fixed in the cylindrical portion 42
And a detection element 54 mounted on a mounting plate 52 disposed inside the tubular portion 42 and having a tip portion projecting downward from the through hole 40, and two upper and lower stages mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 42. And a light emitting body 56 that is provided. The first and second upper left detection units 141 and 141 'and the first and second
The upper right detectors 142 and 142 ′ of the
It is attached to the frame 34 by a pair of 0 attachment portions 48.

The tubular portion 42, the upper cover body 44, the lower cover body 46, the mounting member 50 and the mounting plate 52 are made of, for example, synthetic resin. Further, the upper cover body 44 has a through hole 58 formed in the center thereof, and the lower cover body 4
6 has a through hole 60 formed in the center thereof, but the upper cover body 44 has a through hole 5 formed by a lid 62.
8 is in a closed state.

The detection element (transceiver) 54 is a light emitting element 541 including an infrared light emitting diode or the like connected to a transmission circuit (which includes an oscillation circuit, a modulation circuit, a drive circuit, etc.).
And a receiving circuit (composed of an amplifying circuit, a detecting circuit, etc.)
Light receiving element 5 consisting of a phototransistor connected to
And a light emitting element 5 that drives the transmission circuit.
A pulsed infrared ray (infrared ray which is modulated by a pulse and intermittently outputted) is sent out from the lower part 41 through the through hole 60 of the lower cover body 46, and is present in the sending direction. The light receiving element 542 receives the infrared light reflected by the object to be detected (light-shielding body) such as the above and has a non-contact structure in which a detection signal is output from the receiving circuit.

The first and second upper left detecting portions 141 and 141 'and the first and second upper right detecting portions 14 configured as described above
2, 142 ′ are infrared rays emitted from the light emitting element 541 when the game player extends his or her hand into the space below each of the detection units, and the infrared ray emitted from the light emitting element 541 is reflected by the extended hand and is received by the light receiving element 542. By doing so, it detects the hand movement.

These first and second upper left detectors 141, 1
41 'and the 1st, 2nd upper right detection parts 142, 142'
Are first and second lower left detectors 161, 161 'and first and second lower detectors 161, 161', which will be described later, in the first lower detector 16 and the second lower detector 16 'arranged below the respective detectors.
Between the second lower right detectors 162 and 162 ′ (that is,
Regarding the first upper left detection unit 141, the first lower left detection unit 1
61, between the first upper right detection unit 142 and the first lower right detection unit 162, and between the second upper left detection unit 141 ′ and the first lower left detection unit 161 ′, the second The upper right detection unit 142 'of (1) has a detection range that can be detected when the hand is extended to the second lower right detection unit 162').

The first and second upper left detectors 141, 1
41 ′ and the first and second upper right detection units 142 and 142 ′, the detection ranges thereof are the first and second lower left detection units 161, 161 ′ and the first and second lower right detection units 16 described above.
If ones that are set to positions lower than the installation positions of 2, 162 'are adopted, the first and second lower left detecting portions 161, 161' and the first and second lower right detecting portions 162,
Even when a hand is extended in a state of coming into contact with the upper surface of 162 ′, it is possible to effectively prevent undetectability due to product variations in the detection range and the like.

In this case, the first and second lower left detectors 1
61, 161 'and the first and second lower right detectors 162, 1
The infrared rays reflected on the upper surface of 62 'are the first and second upper left detecting portions 141, 141' and the first and second upper right detecting portions 14 '.
It must not be returned to 2,142 '. Therefore, the first and second lower left detectors 161, 161 '
In addition, an infrared absorbing material is provided on each upper surface of the first and second lower right detectors 162 and 162 ′, and the first and second lower left detectors 1 are provided.
61, 161 'and the first and second lower right detectors 162, 1
The upper surfaces of 62 'are attached to the first and second upper left detection units 141, 14
It is necessary to have a shape such that the infrared rays emitted from the 1'and the first and second upper right detection units 142, 142 'are reflected sideways.

The light-emitting body (light-emitting portion) 56 is made of acrylic resin having high transparency and has a substantially circular cross-section and a light passage portion 561 curved in a U-shape over its entire length. The light passage portion 561 is attached to both ends of the light passage portion 561. The light source units 562 and 563 are provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the light passage portion 561 is integrally formed with a reflecting portion 564 made of white colored acrylic resin at a portion facing the cylindrical portion 42. One light source unit 562 is, for example, red or orange (the first and second upper left detection units 141 and 141 ′ and the first and second upper left detection units 141 and 141 ′.
The second upper right detectors 142, 142 'emit red light, and the first and second lower left detectors 161, 161' and the first and second lower right detectors 162, 162 'emit orange, for example. The other light source unit 563 emits green light, for example.

As the light source, for example, a light emitting diode that emits red or orange light and a light emitting diode that emits green light can be used, or a light emitting diode that emits white light can be provided with a red filter or an orange filter. And those provided with a green filter can be used. Of course, it is possible to use other light sources such as a filament light bulb other than the light emitting diode.

Of these light sources, the first and second upper left detectors 141 and 141 'and the first and second upper right detectors 14
For No. 2, 142 ', for example, a red light source is turned on during normal lighting when the game player's hand is not extended, and detection lighting is performed when the hand is extended at a predetermined timing corresponding to the sending operation instruction. Sometimes, for example, a green light source is turned on instead of the red light source. Further, the first and second lower left detecting portions 161 and 161 'and the first and second lower right detecting portions 162 and 162' are, for example, orange when normally lit when the game player's hand is not extended. When the detection light is turned on when the light source is turned on and the hand is extended at a predetermined timing corresponding to the sending operation instruction, for example, a green light source is turned on instead of the orange light source.

The game player can confirm that the player has extended his / her hand at a predetermined timing corresponding to the sending operation instruction by confirming that the green light is turned on. In addition,
When a light source of red, orange, green, or the like is turned on, the light emitting body 56 reflects the color light inside the light passage portion 561 and is conducted from one end side to the other end side, so It will appear to be emitting light.

The first lower detection section 16 detects a hand that the game player located on the left side extends into the lower space (for example, the space below the waist of the game player to the lower space), and the operation section 26. From the first lower left detecting portion 161 located on the left side and the first lower right detecting portion 162 located on the right side, which is attached to the substantially C-shaped frame body 66 fixedly provided at the front left side position of It is configured. Second lower detector 1
6'is for detecting the hand of the game player located to the right in the lower space (for example, the space below the waist of the game player to the space below), and is fixed to the front right position of the operation unit 26. It is composed of a second lower left detection portion 161 ′ located on the left side and a second lower right detection portion 162 ′ located on the right side, which is attached to a substantially C-shaped frame body 68 that is provided.

The first lower left detecting section 161 is located substantially directly below the first upper left detecting section 141, and the first lower right detecting section 162 is located substantially directly below the first upper right detecting section 142. is doing. In addition, the second lower left detection unit 161 ′ is located substantially directly below the second upper left detection unit 141 ′, and the second lower right detection unit 162 ′ is substantially directly below the second upper right detection unit 142 ′. positioned.

These first and second lower left detectors 161,
161 'and the first and second lower right detectors 162, 162'
All have the same configuration, and basically have the same configuration as that shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, but as shown in FIG. 70
Is attached to the attachment plate 52.
The other constituent members except the sensing element 70 of FIG. 8 are the same as those shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, and therefore the description thereof is omitted by using the same reference numerals.

That is, this sensing element (handset) 70
Like the detection element 54, is a light emitting element 701 including an infrared light emitting diode connected to a transmission circuit (including an oscillation circuit, a modulation circuit, a drive circuit, etc.) and a reception circuit (amplification circuit, detection circuit). A light receiving element 702 formed of a phototransistor or the like connected to a circuit, etc., and a transmission circuit is driven to emit a pulsed infrared ray (modulated by a pulse and intermittently output from the light emitting element 701). Infrared) is sent out downward through the through hole 60 of the lower cover body 46, and the infrared light reflected by the hand existing in the sending direction is received by the light receiving element 702, thereby receiving circuit. It has a non-contact structure in which a detection signal is output from the.

The sensing element 70 is the sensing element 54.
Emits a pulsed infrared ray substantially right below, while it emits a pulsed infrared ray to a position slightly inclined to the front (game player side). Further, in this detection element 70, the detection element 54 is
While it is possible to detect when the hand is extended between the position directly below and the position slightly above the upper surface of the mat portion 18, it is possible to detect it, while the position directly below the detecting element 70 and about 20 cm from the detecting element 70. The detection is possible only when the hand is extended between the position and the position spaced downward. The reason why the detection element 70 is provided is as follows.
That is, when reaching the lower space, the hand may not reach sufficiently depending on the game player, but even in such a case, the smooth progress of the game is not hindered.

The first and second lower left detectors 161, 161 'and the first and second lower right detectors 16 configured as described above.
Reference numerals 2, 162 ′ denote infrared rays emitted from the light emitting element 541 or the light emitting element 701 when the game player extends his or her hand into a space immediately below each of the detection sections and a space spaced apart by about 20 cm below the detection sections. While being detected by the light-receiving element 542 or the light-receiving element 702 to detect the insertion operation of the hand, a space between a position spaced about 20 cm downward from each detection portion and a predetermined position on the mat portion 18 is detected. When the game player extends his or her hand, the infrared ray sent from the light emitting element 541 is reflected by the hand and is received by the light receiving element 542, so that the insertion operation of the hand is detected.

The mat portion 18 is made of a soft material such as rubber or a hard material such as plastic, and a circular first mark 181 is formed at a position substantially directly below the first lower left detection portion 161. Then, a circular second mark 182 is formed at a position substantially directly below the first lower right detection portion 162. Further, a circular third mark 183 is formed at a position substantially directly below the second lower left detection portion 161 ′,
A circular fourth mark 184 is formed at a position substantially directly below the second lower right detection portion 162 ′.

As a result, the game player visually recognizes the first to fourth marks 181 to 184 of the mat portion 18 to detect the first upper left upper detection portion 14 located above.
1, first upper right detection unit 142, second upper left detection unit 14
1 ′ and the second upper right detector 142 ′, or the first lower left detector 161 and the first lower right detector 16 located below.
2, the second lower left detector 161 'and the second lower right detector 1
Each position of 62 'can be confirmed.

Next, a method of using (playing) the dance game apparatus 10 will be schematically described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen displayed on the display surface 241 of the monitor 24. In this figure, dance screens are displayed on the left and right sides of the display surface 241 of the monitor 24 so that the dancer DA can dance to the music being played. In addition, in the central portion of the display surface 241 of the monitor 24, for each game player, a first upper detection unit 14, a first lower detection unit 16, a second upper detection unit 14 ', and a second lower detection unit are provided. A guide display unit GH for giving an instruction (timing instruction) for a hand inserting operation to each lower space of 16 'is displayed. In other words, the guide display unit GH is for guiding (guiding) the insertion operation of the hand to the game player.

The guide display section GH is composed of a game player guide display section GH1 located on the left side and a game player guide display section GH2 located on the right side. These guide display parts GH1 and GH2 are respectively arranged in four lanes L1 and L arranged in the vertical direction.
2, L3, L4 are provided.

Lane L on the left side of the center of the guide display section GH1
2 corresponds to the first upper left detecting unit 141 in the first upper detecting unit 14, and the lane L3 on the right side of the center.
Is the first upper right detection unit 1 in the first upper detection unit 14.
It corresponds to 42. In addition, the guide display section GH1
The leftmost lane L1 corresponds to the first lower left detection unit 161 in the first lower detection unit 16, and the rightmost lane L4 is the first lower right detection unit in the first lower detection unit 16. It corresponds to 162.

The lane L2 on the left side of the center of the guide display section GH2 corresponds to the second upper left detection section 141 'in the second upper detection section 14', and the lane L3 on the right side of the center is the second lane L2. This corresponds to the second upper right detection unit 142 'in the upper detection unit 14'. The lane L1 at the left end of the guide display unit GH2 corresponds to the second lower left detection unit 161 'in the second lower detection unit 16', and the lane L4 at the right end is the second lower detection unit 1 '.
6'corresponds to the lower right detector 162 '.

These guide display portions GH1 and GH2 are
Normally, the same sending operation instruction content (instruction pattern) is displayed. Therefore, referring to FIG. 10 for one guide display section GH1, a first instruction example of the sending operation (first instruction) Pattern) will be described. That is, the ring-shaped reference mark (stationary mark) SM1 is statically displayed on the upper end of the lane L2, and the ring-shaped reference mark SM2 is statically displayed on the upper end of the lane L3. On the other hand, the ring-shaped movement mark MM1 moves from the lower end of the lane L2 toward the upper end, and the ring-shaped movement mark MM2 moves from the lower end of the lane L3 toward the upper end. The black arrow indicates the moving direction of the moving marks MM1 and MM2.

This moving mark MM1 is the reference mark SM1.
When it coincides with, the game player is urged to extend, for example, his left hand into the space below the first upper left detection section 141 (the second upper left detection section 141 ′ in the case of the guide display section GH2) in accordance with the coincidence timing. The sending operation will be instructed. Similarly, when the movement mark MM2 matches the reference mark SM2, the first upper right detection unit 142 (or the second upper right detection unit 142 ′ in the case of the guide display unit GH2) of the game player matches the matching timing. For example, a sending operation for instructing to put out the right hand in the lower space is instructed.

Each of the movement marks MM1 and MM2 sequentially moves at the same speed from the lower end to the upper end of each lane at a predetermined interval according to the rhythm of the music being played. Therefore, the game player visually recognizes the display surface 241 of the monitor 24, and the movement marks MM1 and MM2 change to the reference marks SM1 and SM1.
At the timing of sequentially reaching SM2 (the arrival timing may be the same or different for the movement marks MM1 and MM2), for example, the left and right hands are sequentially arranged in the first upper left detection unit 141 and the first upper right detection unit. 142 (guide display section G
In the case of H2, the second upper left detector 141 'and the second upper right detector 142') are provided in respective lower spaces. The hand out may be pulled back immediately in preparation for the next sending operation, or may be pulled back in accordance with the next sending operation instruction.

The movement marks MM1 and MM2 are displayed in red, for example. That is, the movement mark MM
The display colors of 1 and MM2 are set to the first upper left detection unit 141 and the first
Upper right detection unit 142 (in the case of the guide display unit GH2, the second upper left detection unit 141 ′ and the second upper right detection unit 14).
2 ′) by setting the same color as the normal lighting color of each light emitter 56, the movement marks MM1 and MM2, the first upper left detection unit 141, and the first left detection unit 141 for each game player.
Upper right detection unit 142 (in the case of the guide display unit GH2, the second upper left detection unit 141 ′ and the second upper right detection unit 14).
2 ') can be intuitively associated.

The ring-shaped reference mark SM3 is statically displayed at the lower end of the lane L1, and the ring-shaped reference mark SM4 is statically displayed at the lower end of the lane L4. On the other hand, the ring-shaped movement mark MM3 moves from the upper end of the lane L1 toward the lower end, and the ring-shaped movement mark MM4 moves from the upper end of the lane L4 toward the lower end. The black arrow indicates the moving direction of the moving marks MM3 and MM4.

This moving mark MM3 is the reference mark SM3.
When it coincides with, the game player is urged to extend, for example, his or her left hand into the space below the first lower left detection unit 161 (the second lower left detection unit 161 ′ in the case of the guide display unit GH2) in accordance with the coincidence timing. The sending operation will be instructed. Similarly, when the movement mark MM4 matches the reference mark SM4, the first lower right detection unit 162 (or the second lower right detection unit 162 ′ in the case of the guide display unit GH2) is matched with the game player at the matching timing. ), A sending operation is instructed to prompt the user to put out his right hand.

These movement marks MM3 and MM4 are sequentially moved at the same speed from the upper end to the lower end of each lane at predetermined intervals in accordance with the rhythm of the music being played. Therefore, the game player, for example, left and right at the timing at which the movement marks MM3, MM4 sequentially reach the reference marks SM3, SM4 (the arrival timing may be the same or different at the movement marks MM3, MM4). The first lower left detecting section 161 and the first lower right detecting section 162
(In the case of the guide display unit GH2, the second lower left detection unit 16
1'and the second lower right detection unit 162 ') are provided in respective lower spaces. Of course, the hand extended into each space may be pulled back immediately in preparation for the next sending operation, or may be pulled back in accordance with the next sending operation instruction.

The movement marks MM3 and MM4 are displayed in orange, for example. That is, the movement mark MM
The display colors of 3 and MM4 are set to the first lower left detection unit 161 and the first lower left detection unit 161.
Lower right detection part 162 (second in the case of the guide display part GH2)
Lower left detector 161 'and second lower right detector 162')
By setting the same color as the normal lighting color of each light-emitting body 56 in FIG.
Correspondence between M3 and MM4 and the detection units 161 and 162 (the detection units 161 ′ and 162 ′ in the case of the guide display unit GH2) can be intuitively performed.

Since the guide display section GH is displayed in this manner, the game player located on the left side, for example, can move the left and right hands to the first upper left detection section 141 and the first upper left detection section 141 in accordance with the sending operation instruction of the guide display section GH1. The upper right detection unit 142, the first lower left detection unit 161, and the first upper right detection unit 162 are sequentially provided in the lower spaces, so that the upper body can dance in accordance with the rhythm of the music being played.

The game player on the right side is
For example, the left and right hands are matched with the sending operation instruction of the guide display unit GH2 by the second upper left detection unit 141 ′, the second upper right detection unit 142 ′, the second lower left detection unit 161 ′, and the second lower right detection unit. By sequentially presenting to each lower space of 162 ', it becomes possible to dance with the upper body in accordance with the rhythm of the music being played. Needless to say, the left and right game players may move the lower body at the same time according to the movement of the upper body.

Next, a second instruction example (second instruction pattern) of the sending operation in the guide display portions GH1 and GH2 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 showing the guide display portion GH1. In FIG. 11, each lane L1, L2, L3, L
Reference marks SM1, SM2, SM3 and SM4 are statically displayed at the upper end of each of the four marks, and moving marks MM1, MM2 and
The MM3 and MM4 are adapted to move from the lower end toward the upper end. Also in this case, the movement marks MM1, MM2, M
M3 and MM4 are fiducial marks SM1, SM2, SM3 and S
You will reach out at the same timing as M4.

In the first instruction pattern shown in FIG. 10, the fiducial mark SM1 corresponding to the first upper detecting section 14 (the second upper detecting section 14 'in the case of the guide display section GH2) located on the upper side. , SM2 are statically displayed on the upper end of the lane, and the reference marks SM3 and SM4 corresponding to the first lower detection unit 16 (the second lower detection unit 16 ′ in the case of the guide display unit GH2) located below are displayed. It is statically displayed at the bottom of the lane, and the moving directions of the moving marks MM1 and MM2 and the moving marks MM3 and MM4 are the first upper detecting section 14 and the first lower detecting section 16 (the second display in the case of the guide display section GH2). Since the upper detection unit 14 'and the second lower detection unit 16') are in opposite directions to each other, it is easy to identify the upper and lower sides, but in the second instruction pattern shown in FIG. 11, the reference mark SM1, SM2, S M3 and SM4 are all statically displayed at the top of the lane, and move marks MM1, MM2 and MM
Since the moving directions of 3 and MM4 are all the same and the upper and lower sides cannot be identified, the difficulty level of the game becomes slightly higher.

Next, a third instruction example (third instruction pattern) of the sending operation in the guide display portions GH1 and GH2 will be described with reference to FIG. 12 showing the guide display portion GH1. In FIG. 12, the two lanes L1 and L4 at both ends are not used, but the two lanes L2 and L3 at the center are used, and the first upper detection unit 14 and the first lower detection unit 16 (guide display unit GH2 In this case, the second upper detection unit 14 'and the second lower detection unit 16') are instructed to perform the sending operation.

That is, the reference mark SM1 is statically displayed on the upper end of the lane L2, and the first upper left detection unit 1 is displayed from the lower end.
41 (in the case of the guide display unit GH2, the second upper left detection unit 1
41 ′) moves the moving mark MM1 toward the upper end, and at the same time, the first lower left detector 161
(In the case of the guide display unit GH2, the second lower left detection unit 16
The movement mark MM3 corresponding to 1 ') moves toward the upper end. Further, the reference mark SM2 is statically displayed at the upper end of the lane L3, and the moving mark MM2 corresponding to the first lower left detection unit 161 (the second lower left detection unit 161 ′ in the case of the guide display unit GH2) is displayed from the lower end to the upper end. And the first lower right detection unit 1 at a predetermined interval.
62 (second lower right detection unit 1 in the case of the guide display unit GH2)
The movement mark MM4 corresponding to 62 ') moves toward the upper end. In the third instruction pattern shown in FIG. 12, since the movement marks of different detection units move to one lane, the difficulty level of the game becomes higher than that of the second instruction pattern.

In the present embodiment, each movement mark M
The evaluation of the game result varies depending on the amount of deviation from the timing at which M1 and MM2 reach the reference marks SM1 and SM2. That is, the movement mark MM
When the timing when 1 and MM2 reach the reference marks SM1 and SM2 and the timing when the hand reaches out are exactly the same, the evaluation is "Perfect", and the "Goo" is sequentially calculated according to the deviation amount.
It has become a "d" rating and a "Bad" rating. Further, the movement marks MM1 and MM2 are the reference marks SM1 and S.
When you reach out when M2 does not match
It is supposed to be an "ss" rating.

FIG. 13 shows a dance game device 10 of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of FIG. That is, the control unit 100 including a computer or the like is arranged in an appropriate place inside the audio / video output unit 12. This control unit 100
Is for integrally controlling the operation control of the dance game apparatus 10.

The control unit 100 has a cartridge type ROM 101 which is a built-in type or a detachable recording medium for storing a game program, and a RAM 102 for temporarily storing and storing processing data. The recording medium that stores the game program may be a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or the like.

The control unit 100 also includes a performance data memory 104, a dance image memory 109, and a mark memory 11.
1 and the display memory 113, the song title selection unit 103, the sending operation instruction data storage unit 105,
Sequence data setting unit 106, deviation amount detection / integration unit 1
07, evaluation unit 108, dance image setting unit 110, scroll display control unit 112, sending operation monitoring unit 114, light source lighting control unit 115, coin insertion determination unit 116, instruction pattern selection determination unit 117, and difficulty level selection determination unit 118. Equipped with each functional unit. Note that the sending operation instruction data storage unit 105, the sequence data setting unit 106, the mark memory 111, and the scroll display control unit 112 include the monitor 2
The guide display unit GH is displayed on the display surface 241 of No. 4 to constitute a guide unit for guiding the game player to perform the inserting operation of the hand or the like. In addition, the evaluation unit 108 constitutes an evaluation unit that performs timing evaluation for the insertion operation of the hand in association with the instruction from the guide unit.

The song title selection unit 103 receives the instruction signal from the operation unit 26 and executes the process of selecting the corresponding song title. The performance data storage unit 104 stores music data for each song name, that is, performance data of each song in association with the song name. Performance data of a song designated by a selection signal from the song name selection unit 103 is stored in the performance data storage unit 104. D / not shown in chronological order
The music is supplied to the A converter and is output to the speaker 28 and the rhythm speaker 224 as performance music through an amplifier circuit (not shown).

The sending operation instruction data storage unit 105 stores the spatial position (that is, the position where the game player should extend his hand).
First and second upper left detectors 141 and 141 ′, first and second
Upper right detectors 142, 142 ', first and second lower left detectors 161, 161', and first and second lower right detectors 16
Data (hereinafter referred to as address data) relating to each of the lower spaces 2, 162 ') and a beat position corresponding to the output timing of this address data (relative time position of each address data in one bar, or 1 A large number of pieces of sending position instruction data (hereinafter, referred to as one sending operation data) for one sending operation, which is made up of data (hereinafter referred to as sending beat data) relating to a time distribution ratio of each address data in a bar. Is.

Specifically, this address data is associated with the spatial positions associated with the movement marks MM1 to MM4 scroll-displayed on the display surface 241 of the monitor 24. For example, as shown in FIG. In addition, the address data “1” is stored in the “upper left space”, which is a space below the first upper left detection unit 141 and the second upper left detection unit 141 ′.
The address data "2" is stored in the "upper right space" which is a space below the upper right detection unit 142 and the second upper right detection unit 142 '.
The first lower left detection unit 161 and the second lower left detection unit 161 ′
Address data "3" in the lower left space, which is the space below
However, the first lower right detection unit 162 and the second lower right detection unit 16
Address data "4" is associated with the "lower right space" which is the space below 2 '.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of one-placement operation data are arranged in time series to form the spatial position indicating data for one bar (in FIG. 15, six 1's). One bar is composed of the sending operation data.). That is, in FIG. 15, when the time length required for scrolling one bar is 100, for example, the address data “2” is set at the timing of “0”.
Address data "3" at the timing of "12.5"
.. indicates that the address data "4" is output at the timing "75". By outputting these address data, a movement mark is displayed at one end of a predetermined lane and the lane moves toward the reference mark at the other end.

This sending operation instruction data storage unit 105
Stores, for example, data grouped in units of 4 bars in a table format. This table is classified and prepared according to the performance data stored in the performance data storage unit 104, and also classified by tempo speed for low tempo and high tempo.

The sequence data setting unit 106 selects a table having predetermined sending operation instruction data from the plurality of tables stored in the sending operation instruction data storage unit 105, and monitors the sending operation instruction data of this table. It is set as sequence data which is the source of the instruction pattern to be scroll-displayed on the 24 display surfaces 241.

The deviation amount detecting / accumulating unit 107 measures the deviation amount from the sending operation instruction and the result of the actual sending operation, and obtains the cumulative deviation amount for the sending operation instruction data for four bars, for example. is there. This shift amount can be obtained, for example, by measuring the timing shift between the two with an internal timer 107a or the like.

The evaluation unit 108 gives a score according to the deviation amount obtained by the deviation amount detection / integration unit 107, for example, every four measures (the smaller the deviation amount is, the higher the evaluation is, the higher the score is. By adding these to the whole of the music played, the evaluation (that is, the dance evaluation) of the actual hand insertion action by the game player is performed. A plurality of sound effects (cheers, onomatopoeia, etc.) are registered in the ROM 101, and the evaluation unit 10
Depending on the rating from 8 (especially good or bad) R
Read the appropriate sound effect from the OM101 and use the speaker 2
Outputting from 8 can give a more realistic feeling.

The dance image storage unit 109 stores the dance image displayed on the monitor 24, for example, for each minute corresponding to the sending operation instruction data of one group (4 bar unit). It has a table to store.

The dance image setting unit 110 receives a setting signal corresponding to the degree of difficulty from the sequence data setting unit 106, selects a predetermined dance image from the table, and reads it out for each group to display it on the display screen of the monitor 24. 241
Is displayed in a predetermined display area.

The mark memory 111 has a guide display section GH.
Lanes L1 to L4 of FIG. 9 and the like are stored as lane data, and lanes L1 to L4 (or lane L2) are stored.
And L3), the reference marks SM1 to SM4 (or the reference marks SM1 and SM2) and the movement marks MM1 to MM4 are displayed on each of the lanes L1 to L4 (or each of the lanes L2 and L3). It is stored as mark data).

The scroll display control unit 112 reads the sequence data set by the sequence data setting unit 106, reads the lane data from the mark memory 111, and reads the lanes L1 to L4 (or the lanes L2 and L2 on the display surface 241 of the monitor 24). While displaying as L3), predetermined mark data is read from the mark memory 111 and each lane L1 to L4 (or lanes L2 and L4) is read.
3) to the reference marks SM1 to SM4 (or the reference mark S
M1 and SM2) are displayed, and the movement marks MM1 to MM4 corresponding to the lanes L1 to L4 (or lanes L2 and L3) are sequentially referenced at predetermined intervals based on the sent beat data on the display surface 241 of the monitor 24. Mark SM
1 to SM4 (or reference marks SM1 and SM2) are scroll-displayed.

That is, the sequence data setting unit 106
The one group (for example, in units of 4 bars) of the sending operation instruction data set in step S1 and read from the sending operation instruction data storage unit 105 corresponds to the image data read from the mark memory 111 ( It is replaced with the reference mark and the movement mark) and is temporarily taken into the display memory 113. In this display memory 113, two consecutive data of one group are written so that the images of the movement marks MM1 to MM4 are always displayed on the display surface 241 of the monitor 24 without interruption during scroll display.

Then, the scroll display control unit 112
The movement mark data is read from the display memory 113 and displayed as a scroll image on the display surface of the monitor 24. In this way, in addition to the unscrolled dance image, scrolled moving marks are sequentially transferred to the display memory 113, and the contents of the display memory 113 are repeatedly read out at a cycle of 1/60 seconds or the like by a known display scanning means. In addition to being displayed, the delivery operation instruction mark is scroll-displayed on the display surface 241 along each lane on the display surface 241, and the dance image is displayed in a moving image as a background image.

The sending-out operation monitoring unit 114 detects each of the detection units 141, 142, 141 ', 142', 161, 16 when the game player's hand is inserted into a predetermined space.
By detecting whether or not 2, 161 ′ and 162 ′ have changed from off to on, the game player's hand insertion operation is monitored. This ON signal is sent to the deviation amount detection / integration unit 107, and the deviation amount detection / integration unit 10
At 7, the sending operation is monitored from the ON signal and the signal sent from the scroll display control unit 112.

The light source lighting control section 115 detects each of the detecting operations of the hand of the hand to the space corresponding to the sending operation instruction data from the sending operation instruction data storage section 105.
1,142,141 ', 142', 161,162,1
It outputs a lighting signal for individually lighting and displaying the light emitting bodies 56 of 61 'and 162', and turns on or lights the corresponding light emitting bodies 56 when the sending operation instruction timing and the actual sending operation timing match. The color is changed.

In this embodiment, the first and second upper left detectors 141 and 141 'and the first and second upper right detectors 1 are provided.
The light-emitting bodies 56 of 42 and 142 ′ are lit in red during normal lighting, and are changed to green when the hand is extended at a predetermined timing in accordance with the sending operation instruction.
Further, the light emitting bodies 56 of the first and second lower left detecting portions 161, 161 'and the first and second lower right detecting portions 162, 162' are lit in orange during normal lighting, and the sending operation instruction is given. When the hand is extended at a predetermined timing, the color is changed to green. The lighting or the lighting color of the light emitting body 56 can be changed, for example, by using the data output from the deviation amount detecting / accumulating unit 107.

The coin insertion discriminating section 116 discriminates whether or not a predetermined coin has been inserted into the coin insertion slot 30. This determination is performed based on a detection signal output from the coin insertion detection unit 32 when a predetermined coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 30.

The instruction pattern selection determining section 117 determines whether or not any of the first instruction pattern or the third instruction pattern of the sending operation instruction shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 is selected at the start of the game. Is. This determination is made by, for example, the display surface 21 of the monitor 24 at the start of the game.
4 is executed based on a selection signal output by operating the select button 261 and the confirm button 262 of the operation unit 26 from the menu screen displayed in FIG.

The difficulty level selection determining section 118 determines whether or not a predetermined game difficulty level is selected at the start of the game. This game difficulty level is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Through the instruction pattern shown in FIG. 12, two levels of high level and low level are set according to the moving speed of the moving mark and the number of moving marks appearing per unit time.
It is executed based on a selection signal output by operating the selection button 261 and the confirm button 262 of the operation unit 26 from the menu screen displayed on the display surface 214 of the monitor 24 at the start of the game.

Next, the game operation of this dance game device will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 27.

FIG. 16 is a main flowchart of the game operation. First, the coin insertion discriminating unit 116 is based on the detection signal output from the coin insertion detecting unit 32 as to whether or not a coin has been inserted into the coin insertion slot 30. Is determined (step ST1). The selection of one-player play or two-player play is automatically selected and set by the coin insertion determination unit 116 according to the number of coins to be inserted.

If the determination is affirmative in step ST1, the game progress, precautions, etc. are displayed on the display surface 241 of the monitor 24 (step ST3). FIG. 17 is a diagram showing one screen for explaining how to proceed with the game, and explains that the hand is extended to the upper right when the movement mark matches the reference mark on the guide display section GH. In addition,
If the determination is negative in step ST1, the system waits for a fixed time until a coin is inserted.

Then, the display surface 241 is switched to the instruction pattern selection screen. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing this selection screen, and the instruction pattern of the contents shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 is “TY.
PE-A "(corresponding to the first instruction pattern)," TYPE-B "(corresponding to the second instruction pattern) and" TYPE-C "(corresponding to the third instruction pattern) are displayed in a list, and the selection button Two
A predetermined instruction pattern is selected by operating 61 and the confirm button 262 (step ST5).

When "TYPE-A" is selected, the game screen of FIG. 9 described above is displayed on the display surface 241, and the sending operation instruction is given to the game player.
When "B" is selected, the game screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the display surface 241 to instruct the game player to perform a sending operation, and when "TYPE-C" is selected, the game screen shown in FIG. Is displayed on the display surface 241, and a sending operation instruction is given to the game player. The game screen shown in FIG. 19 corresponds to the instruction pattern in FIG. 11 described above, and the game screen shown in FIG. 20 corresponds to the instruction pattern in FIG. 12 described above.

Subsequently, the display surface 241 is switched to the difficulty level selection screen. On this screen, a list of two levels of difficulty is displayed, and a predetermined difficulty is selected by operating the select button 261 and the confirm button 262 (step ST7).

Then, the display surface 241 is switched to the music title selection screen. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing this selection screen. For example, images corresponding to song titles are vertically and horizontally displayed in a list at the top of the screen, and when a predetermined song is selected by operating the select button 261 and the confirm button 262, a display surface 241 is displayed. An image corresponding to the selected song title is enlarged and displayed at the center of the, and performance data corresponding to the song title selected by the song title selection unit 103 is read from the performance data storage unit 104 (step ST9). The read performance data is stored in RAM1.
No. 02 is temporarily stored and is output from the speaker 26 (step ST11).

When the intro performance is started, a table having the rhythm of the beat number corresponding to the selected song is designated from the sending operation instruction data storage unit 105, and the table is set as the first two group data. At a predetermined position of, for example, the sending operation instruction data having a low level of difficulty is set, and a dance image of the difficulty corresponding to the rhythm and the difficulty of the set sending operation instruction data is set in the dance setting section. It is set by 110 (step ST13).

The first two parts of the sending operation instruction data
When the group data is set, the background dance image is displayed for one of the group data, and the instruction pattern screen of any of FIG. 9, FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 is displayed according to the selected instruction pattern. The reference marks SM1 to SM4 (or S, which are statically displayed in each lane)
The movement marks MM1 to MM4 are scroll-displayed for M1 and SM2) (step ST15). When the scroll display of the movement marks MM1 to MM4 is started, the deviation amount detection / accumulation unit 107 performs a monitoring process (step ST17). The monitoring process is performed for each group of data (step ST19), and when the monitoring result for one group of data is sent to the evaluation section 108, the evaluation section 108 performs evaluation based on the monitoring result (step S).
T21).

Then, subsequently, the next one group data (that is, the third one group data for the first one group data) is set (step ST
23), the dance image corresponding to the set one group set data is set (step ST2).
5). That is, the movement marks MM1 to MM4 for one group of data that have been evaluated have already scrolled out from the display surface 241, and the movement marks MM1 to MM4 based on the next one group of data scroll on the display surface 241. Since it is being displayed, one group data set subsequently is set one by one. In addition, depending on the evaluation processing result in step ST21, the difficulty level of one group data set next may be increased or decreased by one rank, for example.

Next, it is determined whether or not the game is over (step ST27). This determination is performed based on information such as whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the game, whether or not the performance of the selected song has ended, or whether or not the evaluation result is maintained above a certain level. If the game has not ended, the process returns to step ST15 and the display surface 24
The dance image on 1 and the guide display portion GH are continuously displayed, and the processes of steps ST15 to ST25 are sequentially repeated for each group of data.

When it is determined that the game is over, the evaluation result of the player's dance, which is the final content of the evaluation section 108, is displayed on the display surface 241 to inform the game player (step ST29). FIG. 22 is a screen showing the evaluation result which is the final content displayed on the display surface 241. This figure shows the evaluation results in the case of two-player play, in which the total score (TOTAL SCORE) of each of the two game players is displayed on the left and right of the bottom edge, and the total score is displayed on top of that.
The equilateral triangle is divided into left and right and color display (displayed by dots in the figure) corresponding to the total score of each game player is performed.

Further, the rankings corresponding to the total points are displayed at the lower left and right ends of the triangle.
Here, the game player on the left is displayed in 22nd place,
The 23rd place is displayed for the game player on the right side. Further, classes set corresponding to the total score are displayed at the upper left and right ends of the triangle. Here, C class is displayed for both left and right game players,
At the same time, "NORMAL DANCER" indicating that the dancer has an average skill is displayed.

Further, instead of displaying the evaluation result of FIG. 22,
The evaluation result as shown in FIG. 23 can be displayed. In this figure, the total score (SCORE) of each of the two game players is displayed on the left and right sides of the bottom edge, and the “Perfect” rating and “Good” of the two game players on the left and right sides from the bottom edge to the central area are displayed. Evaluation, "Ba
The number of "d" evaluations and "Miss" evaluations are color-coded and displayed on a three-dimensional circular graph. At the upper left and right ends, a level (here, “B” for both game players) classified based on the ratio of each evaluation is displayed.

In the case of single player play, the evaluation results as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 are displayed. This FIG. 24 corresponds to FIG. 22 in the case of two-player play, and FIG. 25 corresponds to FIG. 23 in the case of two-player play. Also, in the case of two-player play and single-player play, name entry can be performed when the ranking is within the tenth place, for example. FIG. 26 shows a screen for inputting this name entry. Two boxes are placed in each of the three rectangular frames located on the left and right sides of the center.
A person's name can be entered in alphabets or three letters. This input can be performed by operating the select button 261 and the confirm button 262 from the alphabets and symbols displayed at the top.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing a subroutine of "monitoring process" of step ST17. In this figure, the variable i indicating the number of beats of one group data is 1
Is set (step ST31). Then, the sending operation monitoring unit 11 actually sends the sending operation instruction for the first beat.
ON signals from the first and second upper detectors 14 and 14 ′ and the first and second lower detectors 16 and 16 ′ obtained from the reference marks S, and the movement marks MM1 to MM4 are set to the reference marks S.
With respect to the time point at which M1 to SM4 (or SM2 and SM3) are completely overlapped, the ± time deviation of the actual delivery time is measured as deviation time data (step ST33).

In this measurement, the cycle of one beat is used as the reference mark S.
Time direction based on M1 to SM4 (or SM1 and SM2) (stroke direction of movement marks MM1 to MM4)
Are set by dividing by ± 1/2 cycle at a time, and the detected actual marks at the time when the movement marks MM1 to MM4 completely overlap the reference marks SM1 to SM4 (or SM1 and SM2) within this divided period. It is performed by measuring the time difference from the time of sending.

Since the points at which the movement marks MM1 to MM4 completely match the reference marks SM1 to SM4 (or SM1 and SM2) are calculated from the cycle of one beat, the corresponding points from the sending operation monitoring section 114 are 1, 2nd upper part detection part 14, 14 'and 1st, 2nd lower part detection part 1
It is possible to obtain the deviation time data from the detection time of the ON signal input on condition that the hand is extended to the space below 6,16 '. In addition, erroneous first and second upper detectors 14 and 14 'and erroneous first and second lower detectors 16 and 16'.
If a hand is extended to the space below, it is treated as if it was not extended. In this case, a stricter negative evaluation may be given. It is also possible to count the number of erroneous sending operations and forcibly end the game when the number of times reaches a predetermined number.

Then, the timing shifted by the 1/2 cycle and the reference marks SM1 to SM4 (or SM1 and S).
M2) and the movement mark movement marks MM1 to MM4 are completely overlapped with each other, for example, converted into a score of 0 to 100 (step ST35). For example,
In the case where the actual insertion operation is performed at the time of a 1/2 cycle deviation in either of the ± directions, the 0 point is the reference marks SM1 to SM4 (or SM1 and SM2) and the movement mark MM1.
If the actual sending operation is performed when the MM4 completely overlaps with each other, the score is 100 points.

Then, the movement marks MM1 to M for one beat
When the score conversion of the deviation time data for M4 is completed,
The variable i is incremented by 1 (step ST3
7) Then, it is determined whether the variable i is less than a predetermined number K (step ST39). The predetermined number K has a value of 5 when one group of data has four beats and a value of nine when one group of data has eight beats, respectively, and is the number of beats held by the table selected in the sending operation instruction data storage unit 105. Is set according to. Now, with 4 beats as 1 group data,
If the variable i is less than 5, the process returns to step ST33 and the score is obtained for the next movement marks MM1 to MM4 in the same manner as described above. Then, when the variable i becomes 5 (YES in step ST39), the score for 4 beats has been obtained. Therefore, each score in the variable i = 1 to 4 is multiplied by the weighting coefficient to evaluate one group data. Score processing is performed to obtain (step ST41).

For example, since it is difficult to take rhythms on the second and fourth beats as compared to the first and third beats, the weighting coefficient is set to those scores for the first and third beats, for example. 1
2.5% is multiplied by, for example, 25% for the second beat and 50%, for example, for the fourth beat, and the score at 100 points is scored. It should be noted that the weighting factor in the case where one group of data is composed of 8 beats may be appropriately allocated so as to be 100% as a whole. Further, the weighting coefficient can be set to a desired value, or the coefficient can be uniformly set to, for example, 2
It may be 5% (4 beat mode) or 12.5% (8 beat mode).

In the dance game device of the present invention, as described above, the detection unit for detecting the action of the hand or the like to move into the predetermined space by the game player, and the action of the action of the hand or the like to move into the predetermined space with respect to the game player. Guide means for giving instructions,
The game player is provided with an evaluation unit that evaluates the insertion action of the hand in association with the instruction of the guide unit. It is possible to operate as it is.
It is also possible to hold a fan, a ladle, etc. in the hand so that they can be pushed out to a predetermined space, and it is also possible to put out the knees and feet to the lower space, while making it easier to put out the hands and the like. It is also possible to optionally move the lower body such as the waist and legs. As a result, the degree of freedom of movement of the game player is significantly increased, and the volatility of the game progress (how to play) is increased. As a result, the game player becomes extremely entertaining.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications as described below can be adopted.

(1) In the above embodiment, the first and second upper detectors 14 and 14 'and the first and second lower detectors 1 are used.
Although it is described that the game is executed mainly by extending the hand to each of the lower spaces 6 and 16 ', the game can be executed by extending the other member held by the hand. In particular, the first and second lower detectors 1
In the space below 6, 16 ', the game can be executed by extending the knees or the toes instead of the hands. In the present invention, what is inserted into the lower space of each of the first and second upper detecting portions 14 and 14 'and the first and second lower detecting portions 16 and 16' is collectively referred to as "detected body".

(2) In the above embodiment, the first and second upper detectors 14 and 14 'and the first and second lower detectors 1 are provided.
Reference numerals 6 and 16 'are for detecting an object to be detected by utilizing infrared rays, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various sensors can be adopted as long as they are sensors having a non-contact structure using light other than infrared rays or ultrasonic waves or radio waves. It is also possible to detect the object to be detected by using an image pickup device such as a CCD. Furthermore, it is also possible to use a sensor having a contact structure. In this case, a sensor (detection unit) may be arranged in a space within reach.

(3) In the above embodiment, the first and second upper detectors 14 and 14 'are installed at a height where the player can reach out his / her chest from the chest. May be installed above. Further, although the first and second lower detection units 16 and 16 ′ are installed at a height where the player can reach out his / her waist around the game player, he / she can reach out from a position higher than his waist. It may be installed at a height that allows it, or it may be installed at a height that allows the hand to be extended around the knee or the like lower than the waist. In short, it suffices that the upper space and the lower space where the hands and the like are to be extended are defined with the waist or the knee as a boundary.

(4) In the above embodiment, the first upper left detection section 141 and the first upper left detection section 141 are provided on the upper side for the game player on the left side.
Upper right detection unit 142 is installed, and the first lower left detection unit 161 and the first lower right detection unit 162 are installed in the lower part, while the second upper left detection unit 141 is installed in the upper part for the right game player. 'And the second upper right detection unit 142' are installed, and the second lower left detection unit 161 'and the second lower detection unit 161' are installed at the bottom.
Although the lower right detection unit 162 ′ is installed, the upper and lower detection units of each game player may be provided with either the left or right detection unit. It is also possible to install three or more in the left-right direction.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, although it is configured for two-player play, for example, a first upper left detecting section 141 and a first upper right detecting section 142 are installed in the upper part and a first upper left detecting section 142 is installed in the lower part.
A lower left detection unit 161 and a first lower right detection unit 162 can be installed to provide a configuration for single-player play only. In this way, even if it is configured for single player play,
Both the upper part and the lower part may be provided with only one of the left and right detection units, and it is also possible to install three or more detection units in the left and right direction.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the guide display portion GH is displayed on the display surface 241 of the monitor 24 so that the guide operation of the game player's hand or the like is guided at the timing when the reference mark and the movement mark match. However, various types of guide means can be adopted.

For example, the first and second upper detectors 14, 1
A lane is formed by continuously arranging a large number of light emitters such as light emitting diodes in the vertical direction corresponding to each of 4'and the first and second lower detection units 16 and 16 '. And
The illuminator at one end of each lane is turned on as a reference mark, while each illuminator is sequentially flashed from the other end toward the illuminant of the reference mark, and the game player at the same timing as the reference mark. It is also possible to guide a sending operation of a hand or the like. In this case, the light-emitting body that sequentially flashes toward the reference mark constitutes the movement mark.

Further, each lane is composed of a plurality of vertically moving belts, and a light emitting body or the like serving as a moving mark is attached to a predetermined position of each belt, while another end serving as a reference mark is provided at an end in the vertical direction. It is also possible to configure the guide means by fixing the illuminant or the like and moving the belt so as to move the illuminator that becomes the movement mark toward the illuminant that becomes the reference mark.

In any case, for those corresponding to the first and second upper detectors 14 and 14 ', the reference mark is set at the upper end, and the moving mark is moved from the lower side toward the upper reference mark. , First and second lower detectors 16 and 1
As for 6 ', the reference mark is set at the lower end and the moving mark is moved from above to the reference mark at the lower end, the moving direction of each moving mark is the first and second upper detection. Since the positions corresponding to the parts 14 and 14 'and the first and second lower detection parts 16 and 16' correspond to each other, the game player can sensuously recognize the direction of the insertion motion of the detected object such as a hand. The game can proceed smoothly.

Further, the moving mark portion does not instruct the sending operation when it coincides with the reference mark portion, but the moving mark portion reaches the preset front position of the reference mark portion and instructs the sending operation. You may do it.

(6) In the present embodiment, the evaluation is sequentially and cumulatively performed for each group of data, and the evaluation result at the final point is used as the evaluation of the game player by the monitor 24.
However, instead of this, it is possible to adopt various other evaluation methods, such as averaging the evaluation contents of each group of data to obtain the overall evaluation. it can.

(7) In the present embodiment, the sending operation instruction to the predetermined space is performed based on the performance of the music, but the performance of the music is not always necessary, and the display, light, and sound from the guide means are used. It can also be applied to a game device that only issues a sending operation instruction by voice or the like.

(8) In the present embodiment, one group data to be set is set to be delayed by one in order to prevent image interruption in scroll display, but it may be delayed by two. Further, in the case of the mode in which the scroll display is not performed, it is not particularly necessary to delay by one, and therefore it is possible to set the data immediately after.

(9) In the present embodiment, the light emitting element 56 has the detecting portions 141, 142, 141 ', 142', 161, 1 respectively.
62, 161 ', 162' are integrally provided,
The light-emitting body 56 does not necessarily have to be integrally provided as long as it is provided at least in the vicinity of each detection unit.

(10) In the present embodiment, the game player is described as dancing, but the monitor 24
You may make it display a play character on the display surface 241 of this, and let this character perform a dance. That is, the guide display unit GH is displayed on the display surface 241 of the monitor 24.
While providing a guide display area for displaying the character and a character display area for displaying the character, the game player causes the character to perform a dance by operating the operation member (terminal) according to the guide of the guide display unit GH. You can also In this case, the sensor is displayed in the character display area, and the game player operates the operation member (terminal device) according to the guide of the guide display unit GH to cause the character to perform a dance by touching the sensor. You can also

As described above, the present invention forms a space in front of the game player in which the object to be detected is inserted by the game player by being provided so as to project forward from the game device housing. And a guide means for instructing the game player to perform the operation of sending out the detected object to the space, and the space includes an upper space and a lower space. The detection means, which is provided so as to project forward from the game device housing, is arranged substantially directly below the upper detection means and the detection means.
And the lower detection means placed above the upper detection means.
The operation of sending the detected object to the space between the space below the detection means.
The lower detection means sends the detected object to the lower space.
The motion is detected in the space below the detection means.
The guide means includes a first lane corresponding to the upper detection means and a second lane corresponding to the lower detection means, and the first lane is provided with a first reference mark position from below to above. While the first moving mark portion moves, the second moving mark portion moves from the upper side to the lower second reference mark position in the second lane, and the first moving mark portion reaches the predetermined position. In this case, when the second movement mark portion reaches a predetermined position, the sending operation to the upper space is instructed, and when the second movement mark portion reaches a predetermined position, the sending operation to the lower space is instructed.

[0121] This allows the game player to perform his or her own actions by extending the detected object such as the hand from the front or from the left, right, up, or down. It is also possible to hold a fan, a ladle, etc. in the hand so that they can be pushed out to a predetermined space, and it is also possible to put out the knees and feet to the lower space, while making it easier to put out the hands and the like. It is also possible to optionally move the lower body such as the waist and legs. As a result, the degree of freedom of movement of the game player is significantly increased, and the arbitrariness of the progress of the game is increased, resulting in a very entertaining game.

Further, since the moving directions of the first moving mark portion and the second moving mark portion correspond to the arrangement positions of the upper detection portion and the lower detection portion, respectively, the game player sensuously moves his or her hand or the like. It is possible to recognize the sending operation direction of the detected object, and the game can proceed smoothly.

Further, in the present invention, the first reference mark portion may be provided at the first reference mark position, and the second reference mark portion may be provided at the second reference mark position. . As a result, the game player can reliably recognize the direction in which the detected object such as the hand is to be pushed out, and the game can proceed more smoothly.

Further, according to the present invention, when the position of the first moving mark portion coincides with the position of the first reference mark portion, an instruction for a sending operation to the upper space is performed, and the position of the second moving mark portion is changed. It is also possible to instruct the sending operation to the lower space when is coincident with the position of the second reference mark portion. As a result, the game player can easily grasp the timing of the sending operation of the detected object such as the hand, and the game can be smoothly advanced.

Further, according to the present invention, the guide means is a mark storage means in which the first and second movement mark portions and the first and second reference mark portions are stored, and the first and the first from the mark storage means. Display means for reading the second movement mark portion and the first and second reference mark portions and displaying them on the display surface may be provided. This facilitates the construction of the guide means,
It is possible to reliably guide the hand of the game to the player.

Further, according to the present invention, the first and second movement mark portions may be scroll-displayed on the display surface toward the first and second reference mark portions. As a result, the game player can reliably execute the hand-out operation by gazing at the scroll-displayed movement mark.

Further, according to the present invention, the upper detecting means includes an upper left detecting means for detecting an operation of delivering the detected object to the left space and an upper right detecting means for detecting an operation of delivering the detected object to the right space. In addition to the above, the lower detection means includes a lower left detection means for detecting an operation of delivering the object to the left space and a lower right detection means for detecting an operation of the delivery of the object to the right space. The lane is the first corresponding to the upper left detection means.
Of the upper left lane and the first upper right lane corresponding to the upper right detecting means, and the second lane corresponds to the second lower left lane corresponding to the lower left detecting means and the second lower right lane corresponding to the lower right detecting means. And the first movement mark portion is the first
A first upper left movement mark portion for moving the upper left lane and a first upper right movement mark portion for moving the first upper right lane, and the second movement mark portion moves for the second lower left lane. 2 lower left movement mark part and 2nd lower right movement mark part which moves a 2nd lower right lane, The 1st reference mark part is the 1st upper left reference mark part located in a 1st upper left lane. And a first upper right reference mark portion located in the first upper right lane, and the second reference mark portion has a second lower left reference mark portion and a second lower right lane located in the second lower left lane. The second lower right reference mark portion located at may be provided. As a result, the range of motion of the hand for the game player is further expanded, while instructions for the sending motion become more complicated, which makes the game player even more interesting.

[0128]

As described above, the present invention forms a space in front of the game player in which the object to be detected is inserted by the game player by projecting forward from the housing of the game device. The space has an upper space and a lower space, and has a detection means for detecting the action of the game player to move the detected object into the space, and a guide means for instructing the game player to perform the action of moving the detected object into the space. The detection means, which has a space and is provided so as to project forward from the game device casing, is located directly below the upper detection means and the detection means.
Has a lower detection means arranged and the upper detection means is an upper part
The operation of sending the object to be detected into the space is performed below the detection means.
The lower detection means detects the difference between the detected object and the lower space.
This is for detecting the take-out operation in the space below the detection means.
The guide means includes a first lane corresponding to the upper detection means and a second lane corresponding to the lower detection means, and the first lane is provided with a first reference mark position from below to above. While the first moving mark portion moves, the second moving mark portion moves from the upper side to the lower second reference mark position in the second lane, and the first moving mark portion reaches the predetermined position. When this is done, an instruction is made for an operation of delivering to the upper space, and when the second movement mark portion reaches a predetermined position, an instruction of an operation of delivering to the lower space is instructed.

Therefore, it is possible to realize a dance game apparatus in which the degree of freedom of the operation of the game player is expanded to further enhance the entertainingness and the size of the dance game apparatus can be made smaller than the conventional one. Further, since the moving directions of the first movement mark portion and the second movement mark portion correspond to the arrangement positions of the upper detection portion and the lower detection portion, respectively, the game player sensuously detects a hand or the like. The direction in which the body is pushed out can be recognized, and the game can proceed smoothly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a dance game device according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from the right side.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the dance game device according to the embodiment of the present invention viewed from above.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a rhythm sound output unit of the dance game device shown in FIG.

4 is an external perspective view of a detection unit used in the dance game device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the detection unit shown in FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the detection unit shown in FIG.

7 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of a light-emitting body arranged in the detection unit shown in FIG.

8 is a cross-sectional view of a lower detection unit adopted in the dance game device shown in FIG.

9 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen displayed on the monitor of the dance game apparatus shown in FIG.

10 is a diagram showing an example of an instruction pattern on a guide display unit of the game screen shown in FIG.

11 is a diagram showing another instruction pattern example of the guide display unit of the game screen shown in FIG.

12 is a diagram showing still another instruction pattern example of the guide display portion of the game screen shown in FIG.

13 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the dance game device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between address positions and spatial positions of a hand in the dance game device shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the stored contents of a sending operation instruction data memory in the dance game device shown in FIG.

16 is a main flowchart illustrating a game operation of the dance game apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a game screen explaining how to use (play) the dance game device shown in FIG. 1;

18 is a diagram showing a selection screen of an instruction pattern on a guide display unit in the dance game device shown in FIG.

19 is a diagram showing a selection screen for selecting an instruction pattern on a guide display unit in the dance game device shown in FIG.

20 is a diagram showing a selection screen of an instruction pattern on the guide display unit in the dance game device shown in FIG.

21 is a diagram showing a song title selection screen displayed on the monitor of the dance game device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

22 is a diagram showing evaluation results displayed on the monitor of the dance game device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing another evaluation result displayed on the monitor of the dance game device shown in FIG. 1.

24 is a diagram showing an evaluation result of one-player play displayed on the monitor of the dance game device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing another evaluation result of single-player play displayed on the monitor of the dance game device shown in FIG. 1.

26 is a diagram showing a name entry input screen in the dance game device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

27 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of "monitoring process" in the main flowchart shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Dance Game Device 12 Audio / Video Output Unit 14 First Upper Detecting Unit (Detecting Means) 14 ′ Second Upper Detecting Unit (Detecting Means) 16 First Lower Detecting Unit (Detecting Means) 16 ′ Second Lower Detecting Part (detection unit) 18 Mat part 22 Rhythm sound output unit 24 Monitor (display unit) 26 Operation unit 28 Speaker 30 Coin insertion slot 32 Coin insertion detection unit 54, 70 Detection element 56 Light emitter 100 Control unit 101 ROM 102 RAM 111 Mark Memory (mark storage unit) 114 Sending operation monitoring unit 115 Light source lighting control unit (light emission control unit) 141 First upper left detection unit 142 First upper right detection unit 161 First lower left detection unit 162 First lower right detection unit 141 'Second upper left detecting unit 142' Second upper right detecting unit 161 'Second lower left detecting unit 162' Second lower right detecting unit 107a Timer (measuring means) 1 lane (second lane, second lower left lane) L2 lane (first lane, first upper left lane) L3 lane (first lane, first upper right lane) L4 lane (second lane, Second lower right lane SM1 reference mark (first reference mark portion, first upper left reference mark portion) SM2 reference mark (first reference mark portion, first upper right reference mark portion) SM3 reference mark (first 2 reference mark portion, second lower left reference mark portion) SM4 reference mark (second reference mark portion, second lower right reference mark portion) MM1 movement mark (first movement mark portion, first upper left movement) Mark part) MM2 move mark (first move mark part, first upper right move mark part) MM3 move mark (second move mark part, second lower left move mark part) MM4 move mark (second move mark) Part, second (Bottom right movement mark part)

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-6-54935 (JP, A) JP-A-7-155467 (JP, A) JP-A-7-227478 (JP, A) JP-A-9-81310 (JP , A) JP 11-300034 (JP, A) JP 2000-37491 (JP, A) JP 2000-254351 (JP, A) JP 2001-9076 (JP, A) JP 2001-17738 ( JP, A) JP 2001-62019 (JP, A) JP 2001-70639 (JP, A) JP 2001-137543 (JP, A) JP 2001-224853 (JP, A) JP 2001-255980 ( JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A63F 13 / 00-13 / 12

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A space for a detected object to be inserted by a game player is formed in front of the game player by being provided so as to project from the housing of the game device, and the detected object in the space by the game player. And a guide means for instructing the game player to send out the detected object to the space, the space having an upper space and a lower space, The detection means provided so as to project forward from the game device housing is an upper detection device.
The lower detection hand, which is disposed directly below the intelligence means and the detection means.
The upper detection means has a step
Detecting the sending operation of the intellectual body in the space below the detection means,
The lower detection means is for delivering the detected object to the lower space.
An operation is detected in a space below the detection means, and the guide means includes a first lane corresponding to the upper detection means and a second lane corresponding to the lower detection means, and the first lane corresponds to the first lane. The first moving mark portion moves from the lower side to the upper first reference mark position on the lane, and the second moving lane moves to the second lane from the upper side to the lower second reference mark position on the second lane. When the movement mark portion moves and the first movement mark portion reaches a predetermined position, an instruction to perform an operation of delivering to the upper space is performed, and when the second movement mark portion reaches a predetermined position, the movement mark portion is moved. A dance game device characterized by instructing a sending operation to a lower space. 2. A first reference mark portion is provided at the first reference mark position, and a second reference mark portion is provided at the second reference mark position. The dance game device according to claim 1. 3. The position of the second moving mark portion is instructed when the position of the first moving mark portion coincides with the position of the first reference mark portion, and the instruction of the sending operation to the upper space is performed. 3. The dance game apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the position of the second reference mark portion coincides with the position of the second reference mark portion, an instruction for a sending operation to the lower space is issued. 4. The mark storage means for storing the first and second movement mark portions and the first and second reference mark portions, and the guide means for storing the first and second marks from the mark storage means.
4. The dance game device according to claim 2, further comprising display means for reading the second movement mark portion and the first and second reference mark portions and displaying them on a display surface. 5. The first and second movement mark portions are scroll-displayed on the display surface toward the first and second reference mark portions. Dance game device. 6. The upper detecting means includes upper left detecting means for detecting a sending operation of the detected object to the left space and upper right detecting means for detecting a sending operation of the detected object to the right space, The lower detection unit includes a lower left detection unit that detects a movement of the detected body to the left space, and a lower right detection unit that detects a movement of the detected body to the right space, the first lane Is a first corresponding to the upper left detecting means
Upper left lane and a first upper right lane corresponding to the upper right detection means, the second lane corresponds to a second lower left lane corresponding to the lower left detection means and a second lower right lane corresponding to the lower right detection means. The lower left lane, the first movement mark portion includes a first upper left movement mark portion that moves in the first upper left lane and a first upper right movement mark portion that moves in the first upper right lane. Be prepared
The second movement mark portion includes a second lower left movement mark portion that moves in the second lower left lane and a second lower right movement mark portion that moves in the second lower right lane, and the first The reference mark portion of No. 1 includes a first upper left reference mark portion located in the first upper left lane and a first upper right reference mark portion located in the first upper right lane,
The second reference mark portion may include a second lower left reference mark portion located in the second lower left lane and a second lower right reference mark portion located in the second lower right lane. The dance game device according to any one of claims 2 to 5.