JP3675136B2 - Game system and electronic camera device with game processing function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to image combination display and image selection technology, and more particularly to an electronic camera device having a game processing function based on a captured image, and a game system in which the electronic camera device is connected to a display device such as a television monitor. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
When a user or animal or robot or object represented on the CRT is operated to compete for points, or a plurality of patterns are moved or rotated, and the user stops moving or rotating at a desired time There are slot machine games and computer games (hereinafter simply referred to as games) that obtain points by matching or combining the pictures.
Such a game is performed by a slot machine installed in a so-called pachinko parlor, a personal game device having a display device and an operation panel such as an MPU (microprocessor) and CRT, and an operation game machine incorporating an MPU. Although it can be played, it can also be played by operating a game program using a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) or the like as well as such a dedicated game machine.
[0003]
Normally, a game is configured to give a score when a predetermined combination is obtained when a picture image is moved or rotated by a player's operation and stopped at a desired point in time. It is devised to elevate.
Some of the above games are mechanically configured in slot machines, but in game-dedicated machines, a picture is expressed on the CRT by a control program and a game program (usually a plurality of game programs) built in the ROM, and the user A series of game operations are executed according to the instruction (play). In this case, the picture is expressed and operated on the CRT by the game program based on data and parameters incorporated with the program or data and parameters recorded on the built-in recording medium.
[0004]
When a computer is used to display an image on a CRT or TV monitor and a series of game operations are performed, a commercially available game program is installed on the personal computer and the data and parameters incorporated together with the game program. Alternatively, based on data and parameters supplied together with the game program, the game program is expressed on the CRT or television monitor under the control of the OS of the personal computer.
[0005]
On the other hand, in recent years, digital cameras have been developed and marketed as electronic still cameras for the general public.
A subject image captured by a digital camera is recorded on a storage medium as image data through photoelectric conversion, signal conversion, signal processing, and the like by a CCD or the like.
Many digital cameras are equipped with a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and such digital cameras display images (through images) periodically taken from the CCD on the display device, so that the user can display them. You can capture (and record and save) a desired image by pressing the shutter button at the timing you want to capture while viewing and checking the image displayed using the device instead of the viewfinder (recording mode). The image information recorded on the recording medium can be read out and displayed on the display device (reproduction mode).
[0006]
Therefore, when a user shoots a certain subject, the recording result can be read from the recording medium immediately after recording and reproduced and displayed on the display device, so even if there is a shooting mistake or the imaging result is not liked. It has the convenience that an optical camera can take again.
In addition, the digital camera is characterized by the fact that the image is recorded as digital data, so that it is not only used as a photo shooter as an electronic substitute for an optical camera, but also for creating image data by a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer). It has been used as an image processing apparatus.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when a game is played on a game-dedicated machine or a personal computer, a picture is expressed based on data and parameters previously incorporated in a game program or data and parameters recorded on a recording medium, and a series of games is executed by the game program. Although the motion is performed, the pictures that perform the game motion are displayed by parameters and a game program based on fixed data given in advance. It should be noted that most of the image data is graphic data, and the image is represented graphically, and a game operation is not given to the image obtained on the spot.
[0008]
When a game is played on a personal computer, the game operation is performed based on data stored in the game program or image data provided in advance by the game program maker once on a recording medium on the personal computer side. In principle, it has been impossible to obtain a desired image by observing a subject at a desired angle and perform a game operation based on the desired image.
[0009]
Here, since the inventor can record a desired image while displaying a subject on a display device (usually a liquid crystal display) in the digital camera, a game operation based on a combination of images captured by the digital camera is displayed on the liquid crystal display of the digital camera. The idea was that it was possible to play a game based on a captured image that could not be performed by a game operation by a game-dedicated machine or a personal computer by being configured to be expressed / executed on a TV monitor.
In addition, from the above idea, it is possible to add entertainment applicability in addition to the applicability of digital cameras such as photo recording and image data generation by giving game functions to digital cameras, and the range of use of digital cameras becomes wider. Is expected.
[0010]
The present invention has been made on the basis of the above idea, and provides an electronic camera device with a game processing auxiliary function for executing a series of game operations based on a captured image, and is connected to a display device such as a television monitor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game system that executes the above-described series of game operations on the screen of the display device based on a game processing auxiliary function.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  A game system according to a first aspect of the present invention captures a subject image and displays it on a display device, a recording mode in which a desired image of the captured subject image can be recorded on a recording medium, and an image recorded on the recording medium. In addition to having a playback mode for playback and image display,The operation of selecting m images out of n images stored in the recording medium at random and displaying them on the display device is repeated, and the display operation is stopped based on the operation timing of the operation unit by the user. An electronic camera including a score display in which a control unit evaluates a combination of m images displayed at that time and / or a game mode for outputting a notification signal for notification by voice, sound, light, or text Equipment,
An external image playback device connected to the electronic camera device, and images output from the electronic camera device are displayed on the display device of the external image playback device in the display order on the electronic camera device.Displaying the score and / or notifying the external image reproduction device by voice, sound, light or text upon receiving the notification signalIt is characterized by.
[0013]
  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera device with a game processing function that captures a subject image and displays the subject image on a display device, a recording mode in which a desired image of the captured subject image can be recorded on a recording medium, and a recording medium It has a playback mode for playing back recorded images and displaying the images. Of the n images stored in the recording medium, m images are randomly extracted and played back, and arrayed on the display device. Game image setting means,When the user starts the operation unit, the gameThe operation of arranging and displaying the game images on the display device by the image setting means is repeated, and the userOf the operation unitBased on the timing of the stop operation, the array display operation is stopped, and the combination of images at that timeThe control unitGame execution means for outputting an evaluated score display and / or a notification signal for notification by voice, sound, light or character.
[0014]
  In the electronic camera device with a game processing function according to the second aspect of the present invention, n images are differently selected from images recorded on a recording medium.It may be n imagesAlternatively, it may be an image of n patterns previously registered in the recording medium.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<Game Type of First Embodiment>
The game type according to the first embodiment of the electronic camera device of the present invention is a game type for evaluating a combination of display images. A desired plurality of images recorded in a recording medium are reproduced and arranged at random. Then, the arrangement display of each image is further changed at random by the user's operation, and the combination of the images at the time of stop is evaluated by stopping at a desired timing or after a certain period of time, and the score display or voice, sound, light A game function for outputting notification information for notifying the user with characters, etc., connected to an external image playback device such as a TV monitor, the electronic camera device as a game operating device, and the external image playback device as a display device As a game system, a multiplayer game, for example, a game play can be enjoyed at a party venue. It is also possible to display an image on the liquid crystal display of the electronic camera device and play a game by the electronic camera device alone.
[0021]
Furthermore, in the first embodiment, in order to make it easier for the user to grasp the timing (chance) of the movement stop of the image and to evaluate the combination of the image arrangement, the image and the image may be displayed in combination.
Examples of games belonging to the game type of the first embodiment include picture matching games such as a slot game, a card game, and a flower card game.
[0022]
<Game Type of Second Embodiment>
The second embodiment of the electronic camera device of the present invention is a game type that designates one of a plurality of displayed images, displays the plurality of images at random, and displays the screen of the display device. The point means such as a cursor or OSD (0n Screen Display) is operated in the system, and then it is stopped after a desired timing or a certain period of time, and evaluation is performed according to the type of image corresponding to the position where the point means is stopped. It has a game function for giving a chance to the operator or the person of the pointed image, and outputting notification information for notifying it, and is connected to an external image playback device such as a TV monitor, and the electronic camera device is As a game system using a game controller and an external image playback device as a display device, a multiplayer game, for example, a lottery play of presents at a party venue, etc. , It is possible to enjoy a matchmaking game play. Examples of games belonging to the game type of the second embodiment include a roulette game, a prize acquisition game, and a matchmaking game.
[0023]
<Game Type of Third Embodiment>
Further, the third embodiment of the electronic camera device of the present invention is a game type for designating one subject in a group image, and a desired one of a group image obtained by capturing a plurality of subject images at a time. The collective image is displayed on the display device, and the point means such as the cursor and OSD (0n Screen Display; insertion display) is operated at random in the screen of the display device, and then stopped at a desired timing or after a certain period of time. A game function that evaluates according to the type of subject image corresponding to the stopped position of the point means, thereby giving a chance to the operator or the person of the subject image on the screen pointed to, and outputting notification information to notify it A game system that is connected to an external image playback device such as a TV monitor, the electronic camera device is a game controller, and the external image playback device is a display device. As in the same manner as in the second embodiment, massively multiplayer game, for example, lottery play and gifts at a party venue or the like, it is possible to enjoy a matchmaking game play. Similarly to the case of the second embodiment, an image can be displayed on the liquid crystal display of the electronic camera device and a game can be played by the electronic camera device alone. Examples of games belonging to the game type of the third embodiment include a roulette game, a prize acquisition game, a matchmaking game, and the like, similar to the game type of the second embodiment.
[0024]
<Circuit configuration example>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of an electronic camera (digital camera) to which the present invention is applied. The game types of the first to third embodiments described above can be implemented.
1A, the digital camera 100 includes an image input system 10, a control unit 20, an operation unit 30, a display unit 40, a recording unit 50, and an interface 81.
The image data input system 10 includes an optical system 11, a signal conversion unit 12, a signal processing unit 13, a video output terminal unit 14, and a DRAM (dynamic RAM) 15.
[0025]
The optical system 11 includes an optical system mechanism 11 such as an imaging lens and a diaphragm, and forms an image of light from the subject on the CCD of the signal conversion unit 12 at the subsequent stage.
The signal conversion unit 12 includes a CCD, a CCD drive timing signal generation circuit, a CCD drive vertical driver, a sample hold circuit, and an A / D converter (not shown), and is connected to the CCD via the preceding optical system 11. The imaged image is converted into an electrical signal, converted into digital data (hereinafter referred to as YUV data), and output for one frame at a constant cycle.
[0026]
The signal processing unit 13 performs color process processing on the output from the signal conversion unit 12 and writes it as a digital luminance and color difference multiplexed signal (YUV data) in the buffer. The YUV data written in the buffer is also stored in the DRAM 15. DMA (direct memory access) transfer to specified area and expand.
The signal processing unit 13 also reads the YUV data written in the DRAM 15 during recording and storage, performs data compression (JPEG compression) processing, and records the data on the recording medium 51 of the recording unit 50. Further, the image data stored and recorded in the recording medium 51 is subjected to decompression (JPEG decompression) processing to reproduce YUV data, and the video data is output to an external video display device (for example, a television monitor) via the video output terminal 14. , Expanded to a VRAM (video RAM) 41. Furthermore, an image reduction means (not shown) can be provided to reduce the reproduced image as necessary.
[0027]
As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, and a ROM 23.
The CPU 21 is connected to the above-described circuits and a power supply switch (not shown) via a bus line, controls the entire digital camera 100 by a control program stored in the ROM 23, and outputs a status signal from the operation unit 30. Correspondingly, execution control of each function of the digital camera, for example, execution control at the time of execution of each mode process by each mode processing means stored in the ROM 23 is performed.
The RAM 22 is used for temporary storage of data or processing results and an intermediate work area.
The ROM 23 is a recording medium for recording the above-described control program, the game processing means 110, other mode processing, programs for executing other functions of the digital camera 100, and OSD data. PROM, FROM (flash ROM), etc. Used. These programs can be configured to be stored in a removable recording medium (for example, a flash memory) other than the ROM 23.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 30 includes a processing mode changeover switch 101, function selection buttons 31 to 36, a main switch 102, a shutter button 37, an output button 38, and a recording / reproduction mode changeover switch 103, plus (+). A switch or button such as the button 104 or the minus (−) button 105 is a component, and when these switches or buttons are operated, a status signal is sent to the CPU 21. The display unit 40 includes a display device 42 such as a VRAM 41 and a liquid crystal display (LCD).
[0029]
The recording unit 50 accommodates a recording medium 51 (using a flash memory in the embodiment) such as a flash memory or a memory card, and records image data from the image data input system 10 on the flash memory 51 under the control of the CPU 21. In some cases, the pattern image data is registered in the flash memory 51 in advance.
The interface 81 exchanges data between the digital camera 100 and an external device such as a printer, personal computer, other digital camera, or CD-ROM. Transmission (output) of the image data recorded on the recording medium 51 to an external device is performed based on output means (program) (not shown) when the output button 38 is depressed.
[0030]
<Appearance example of device>
FIG. 2 is a perspective view (back view) of an embodiment of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied.
On the upper surface of the digital camera 100, a processing mode switching switch (slide switch) 101 for switching between a normal processing mode, a special processing mode, and a game mode, function selection buttons 31 to 36, and a main switch 102 for starting the digital camera 100 A shutter button 37 and an output button 38 are provided.
On the back, a recording / reproduction mode switch 103 for switching between the recording mode and the reproduction mode in the normal processing mode, a plus button 104 and a minus button 105, an optical viewfinder 106, and a liquid crystal display 42 for image display are provided. .
In addition, an imaging lens unit and a finder unit are provided on the front surface (front surface) (not shown). Further, a video output terminal 14 and a power storage unit are provided on the bottom (not shown).
[0031]
<Example of DRAM 15 Area Setting>
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of setting each image area in the DRAM 15 taking the circuit configuration of the digital camera 100 of FIG. 1 as an example.
In the example of FIG. 3, the same DRAM 15 is used for recording the YUV data from the signal processing unit 13, the YUV data to the VRAM 41 and the external video display device, and the YUV data to the data compression / decompression unit 14. For this purpose, by preparing a plurality of image areas (buffers) divided into several areas as shown in FIG. 3 as the configuration of the image data recording area (image buffer) on the DRAM 15, An area can be set as a designated image area. In FIG. 3, symbol 151-1 is an image buffer for a through image or a reproduced image, 151-2 to 151-n are image buffers for capturing a plurality of images for a game, and 152 is a picture and an image. It is used as a composite image buffer when combining, 153 is a pointer table storage area, 154 is a spare area, and an OSD image buffer is secured when displaying OSD. Reference numeral 155 denotes a work area (working area).
[0032]
<Example of processing mode>
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a processing mode of the digital camera 100. The processing mode of the digital camera 100 is roughly divided into a normal mode including a recording and playback mode, a special shooting mode such as close-up shooting, and a game mode. Switching to the normal mode, special shooting mode, and game mode is performed by switching the processing mode switching switch 101. In the normal mode and special shooting mode, the recording mode and playback mode are switched by operating the recording / playback mode switching switch 103. . In the game mode, operation functions for the game mode are assigned to the function buttons 31 to 36, the plus button 104, and the minus button 105.
The branching to each mode by switching each switch is a mode determination means (in the embodiment, for branching to a corresponding mode processing circuit or program by examining a status signal sent from the operation unit 30 to the CPU 21 by operating each switch. This is done by a program).
[0033]
[Recording mode]
The recording mode is an imaging mode in which image data periodically fetched from the CCD is displayed as a through image on the liquid crystal display 42, and the user presses the shutter button 37 down at a timing when he / she wants to take in while visually confirming the through image. A recording / saving mode for saving the image data displayed at that time from the DRAM 15 to the flash memory 51 is included, and when the mode is shifted to the recording / saving mode, the contents of the image buffer 151 are JPEG-compressed and recorded in the flash memory 51. .
When the mode switch 103 is switched to the recording mode, the imaging mode is set, and the recording / saving mode is set by depressing the shutter button 37 at a desired timing.
[0034]
[Playback mode]
The playback mode is a page feed mode in which image data recorded in the flash memory 51 is read out and played back in order to select an image, and is sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal display 42. The reproduced image data (image data) is displayed on a personal computer, printer, or the like. An output mode for outputting (transmitting) to an external device is included.
[0035]
[Game mode]
When the user selects the game mode, the game mode is entered. In this case, a plurality of game programs (game execution means (FIG. 6)) are stored in the ROM 23, and a menu is displayed when the game mode is changed to allow the user to select a desired game execution. Alternatively, the digital camera 100 may be configured such that the recording medium for the game program can be exchanged, and the user can set the recording medium on which the desired game program is recorded.
[0036]
The game mode includes a game setting mode in which a user (game operator) prepares for a game start in accordance with the type of game and a play mode in which the game is actually executed based on the selected image. A game image selection mode for selecting desired n reproduced images and a game image setting for selecting m (1 ≦ m ≦ n) images from among the n images for display. Includes set mode to prepare for the start.
When the user selects the game mode, the game mode is selected at the same time as the game mode, and the mode is changed to the reproduction mode.
When the user selects a desired image in the page feed mode, the image data (image data after decompression processing) is temporarily recorded in the image buffer 151-1, and the game selection mode is restored.
When a plurality of images are selected depending on the type of game, the mode is changed again to the reproduction mode, the user selects the next image in the page feed mode, is recorded in the image buffer 152, and is returned to the game selection mode. By repeating such an operation, n desired images (different images) necessary for the game are sequentially recorded in the image buffers 151-1 to 151-n.
In addition, when a meaning (for example, a score or a winning combination) is given to the combination and arrangement of images depending on the type of game, a frame or OSD is displayed on the liquid crystal display 42, or a picture is synthesized (overlapping). It is configured to display, and it is possible to select a regenerated image having a uniform size.
[0037]
In the set mode, a prescribed number m is selected from the selected m images and displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 by a method prescribed in the game (at random or designated by the user). The number of arrays and the combination method will be described later.
When the camera holder (game operator) at that time of the user presses the game start button, the mode changes to the play mode. A plus button 104 can be used as a game start button, and a minus button 105 can be used as a stop button for repeated image display or a stop button for the operation of the point means.
[0038]
<Game system>
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a game system including the digital camera 100 and the external image display device 200. In this example, a home television receiver (TV) is taken as an example of the external image display device 200.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the user connects the video output terminal unit 14 of the digital camera 100 and the video input terminal 201 of the TV 200 with the cable 210, the game image stored in the game image buffer 156 is displayed when the mode is changed to the play mode. Data (YUV data) is output to the TV 200 and displayed as a start image on the screen 202 (the same start image or operation information is displayed on the liquid crystal display 41 of the digital camera 100).
[0039]
After that, when a series of game operations are executed on the digital camera 100 side in accordance with the method and timing defined in the game, the combination of images on the screen, the point state, etc. change in the same way as on the digital camera 100 side (or When the change is stopped, a notification signal and score information for notifying the game participant to that effect are output to the TV 200.
Based on the notification signal, the TV 200 informs the user by voice, sound, or ODS on the screen, and displays score information and the like on the screen.
[0040]
If the digital camera 100 and the TV 200 are connected by the cable 210, the digital camera 100 outputs game image data, a notification signal, a score signal, and the like in the game image buffer 156 to the TV 200, and the TV 200 When a series of game operation displays in the play mode is performed on the screen (size in comparison with the liquid crystal display 42) 202 and the digital camera 100 and the external image display device 200 are not connected by the cable 210, The liquid crystal display 41 of the digital camera 100 can be configured to display a series of game operation displays in the play mode. In this case, a voice generation circuit, a buzzer, or the like may be provided in the digital camera 100 in order to notify the user by voice, sound, or ODS on the screen based on the notification signal. Further, when the TV 200 is connected by the cable 210, a status signal from the video output terminal unit 14 is sent to the control unit 20.
[0041]
<Game processing means>
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the game processing means 110, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the game processing means 110.
In FIG. 6, the game processing unit 110 includes a game image selection unit 111, a start image setting unit 112, a game execution unit 113, and a video data output determination unit 114. Hereinafter, the operation of the game processing means 110 will be described based on FIG. 6 and FIG.
The game processing means 110 is activated when the game mode is selected and the mode determination means transits to the game mode, and displays a menu for selecting a game type on the liquid crystal display 42 to prompt the game operator to select. When the game operator selects a game, the game image selection means 111 is activated (S0).
In addition, you may comprise so that a game may be allocated to the function buttons 31-35, without displaying the menu of game selection.
[0042]
[Select Game Image]: Game Image Selection Mode
The game image selection means 111 branches to the playback mode process, and the image playback / fast forward means sequentially reproduces the image data recorded in the flash memory 51 and displays it in a fast forward manner to prompt the user to select a game image. When an image is selected (S1), the game image selection mode is restored and the image data is stored in the image buffer 151-1 of the DRAM 15 (S2).
In the case of a game in which a picture is displayed in association with a game image, in S2, the start image setting means 112 takes out the picture data from the memory in which the picture image data is registered (the flash memory 51 in the embodiment). And the user is allowed to specify the correspondence with individual image data. The result of the designation is registered in a game image pointer table 90 described later. In the case of a game in which a picture is displayed in association with a game image, the start image setting means 112 may be configured to automatically associate the picture with image data. In this case, the association between the picture and the game image may be made in order from the first picture and the image, respectively, and the result of the association is registered in a game image pointer table 90 described later.
[0043]
If the game requires selection (extraction) of a plurality (n) of game images, the process branches again to the playback mode process for selecting the next image, and the next image of the selected image is played back in order and displayed in fast-forward display. When the user is prompted to select the next image and the user selects a game image, the game image selection mode is restored and the image data is stored in the image buffer 151-2. By repeating such an operation, image data of desired n game images (images different from each other) necessary for the game are stored in the image buffers 151-1 to 151-n. The process proceeds to the means 112 (S3).
Note that instead of selecting n game images in S2 and S3, it is possible to select n images and store them in the image buffer 151-1 (˜151-n).
[0044]
[Start Screen Settings]: Set mode
When the storage of the game image data is finished in S3, the start image setting means 112 is activated, and m (1 ≦ m ≦ n) game images out of the image data of n game images stored in the DRAM 15. The image data corresponding to the combination is reproduced and displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display 42 (S4).
In the above S4, in the case of the game of the first embodiment (evaluation game of combinations of display images) and the game of the second embodiment (one designated game among a plurality of displayed images), m pieces to be selected are selected. A plurality of game images (1 <m ≦ n) are arranged and displayed at random as will be described later (FIG. 9), but are defined according to the type of each game (the specified conditions include the type of game, the screen There is a physical limit depending on the size of the message, and a limit on probability (for example, a limit on the chance acquisition rate (described later)).
Further, in the case of the game of the third embodiment (designation game for one subject in the collective image), there are one m game images to be selected, and designation is made from among the n images according to the user designation. Is done.
[0045]
When the game start button (plus button 104) is pressed after the start image is displayed in S4, the video signal external transmission flag set by the video data output determination means 114 is checked, and the video signal external transmission flag is on. In step S5, image data and display information of the displayed image are sent to the external image display device 200, and the game execution unit 113 is transitioned to (S5).
An embodiment for each game type of the start image setting means 112 will be described later (see Examples 1 to 3).
When the video signal external transmission flag is off in S6, the game is played based on the start image displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 only on the digital camera 100 side.
[0046]
[Run Game]: Game Mode
The game execution unit 113 checks the video output flag set by the video data output determination unit 114, and when the video output flag is on, sends it to the external image display device 200 in the display order of the image data.
In the case of the first embodiment, the game execution means 113 determines the image according to the conditions given by the operation of the buttons (plus button 104 and minus button 105) of the game operator based on the start image that differs for each game. The combination of images is evaluated by repeating or stopping the operation of changing the combination of the image (Example 1). In the case of the second and third embodiments, the point means is moved or stopped on the screen to make a point. A notification signal for evaluating an image or subject at a position corresponding to the means, giving a chance to the person concerned, outputting a notification signal, and notifying the participant of game result notification information such as sound effects, sound, light, etc. Output (Examples 2 and 3).
An embodiment for each game type of the game execution means 113 will be described later (see Examples 1 to 3).
[0047]
[Judgment of connection with external video playback device]
The video data output determination means 114 checks the status signal sent from the video output terminal 14 to the control unit 20 and detects the status signal that means that the digital camera 100 and the external video playback device 200 are connected by the cable 210. The video output flag is turned on in the event that it has been turned off, and turned off otherwise. The video output flag is secured in an appropriate area of the RAM 22 or DRAM 15.
[0048]
<Game image array display and combination method>
The start image setting means 112 reproduces m pieces of image data selected by the game image selection means 111 and temporarily stored in the image buffer 151-1 (151-n), and is specified on the liquid crystal display 42 according to the type of game. Display in the form that will be displayed. In the case of the game of the first embodiment (evaluation game of combinations of display images) and the embodiment 2 (one at random selection game among a plurality of displayed images), a plurality of images are physically displayed. Since the images are displayed on a limited liquid crystal screen, the images are reduced to a size defined by the type of game as shown in FIG.
[0049]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of game images and their arrangement, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a method for combining game image arrangements. In the examples of FIGS. 8 and 9, the number of game images n = 5 and the number of display images m = 3, and three images (m = 3) are one-dimensionally arranged on the screen for explanation. The two-dimensional array (m = c × d) may be used.
In FIG. 8, (a) is an example showing five game images (person images) selected by the game image selection means 111, and A1 (father), A2 (mother), A3 (infant), A4 (kindergarten). (Child), A5 (nurse) are shown as game images, and (b) shows an example of an array display of three images selected at random from the above five images by the execution means 113. In this example, A1 (father) , A2 (mother), A3 (infant) are displayed.
[0050]
In FIG. 9, five game images A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 are selected by the game image selection means 111 and stored in the image buffers 151-1 to 151-5, respectively, and the start screen is set by the start image setting means 112. In this example, three game images are selected at random from five game images and displayed on the start screen.
In the example of (a), after game images A2, A4, and A3 are arranged and displayed as start images in this order, an operation of displaying three game images at random from five game images by executing the game is performed. A state in which the operation is stopped after repeating is shown, and images A5, A1, and A4 are displayed on the stop screen.
In the example of (b), the game images A1, A3, and A4 are arranged as start images in this order, and the operation of displaying three game images at random from the five game images by executing the game is repeated. In this state, the operation is stopped and images A1, A2, and A3 are displayed on the stop screen.
[0051]
In the game, a score or the like is given to the combination of the three images on the stop screen. If the arrangement of A1, A2, and A3 (the order of arrangement is the same) is the highest score, the probability is 1/120, and the combination of the three images (the order of arrangement may be fixed) is the highest. Then, the probability is 1/20. Since there is a possibility that the probability is too low at a party or the like, in the embodiment, the simple combination of images is the highest score, but even in this case, the larger the game image number n or the arrangement number m, the higher the match. Therefore, it is desirable to appropriately determine the values of n and m according to the type and nature of the game.
For the combinations, numbers 1 to n are assigned to the game images, numbers 1 to n are created for the number of arrays (m), and a random number generation circuit or a random number generation routine (program) is used for each array. This can be done by randomly assigning game numbers to the array.
[0052]
For example, in the case of FIG. 8, since the number of game images n = 5 and the number of arrays m = 3, the number 1 to 5 is randomly assigned to the first array and the game image number 1 is assigned to the second. Also, the game image number 2 is assigned at random to the number 1 to 5 for the arrangement of the game images, and the game image number 3 is assigned at random to the number 1 to 5 for the third arrangement. As a result, game image combinations A1, A2, and A3 are obtained. In practice, if n <10, three-digit numbers 111 to 555 are randomly selected (retry if 0 is included), and the result (for example, 123) for each digit. The combination may be determined by associating the number with the game image.
[0053]
<Game image pointer table>
In the game image pointer table 90, when the game is of a type that displays a combination of a pattern and an image (Example 1), the n pattern image data registered in the flash memory 51, the selected n game images, and Are set in the pointer table storage area 153 of the RAM 22 or the DRAM 15.
FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the game image pointer table. The game image pointer table 90 includes a game image number 91 assigned to the game image, a pointer 92 indicating the position of the game image data on the DRAM 15, and a flash memory 51 for picture image data. A pointer 93 or the like indicating the upper position is written.
[0054]
<Point means and its operation>
In the case of a game type (Examples 2 and 3) that designates one of a plurality of images displayed on the screen or a plurality of subject images of the collective image as in the second and third embodiments, A means (point means) for indicating an image or a subject image is required.
In this embodiment, a cursor bright spot that moves at random in the screen or an OSD having a specific shape (a figure such as an asterisk, an animal, a person image (so-called character), or an object image) is used as a point means. The OSD may be highlighted (inverted, color-enhanced, blinking, rotated, etc.) in the selected image (whole or part) or in the vicinity or vicinity thereof. The OSD shape data is registered in the ROM 23 in advance.
[0055]
The point means is recorded in the spare area 154 of the DRAM 15 according to the type of game, displayed together with the game image by the start image setting means 112, moved within the screen by the game execution means 113, and automatically after a desired timing or a fixed time. To be stopped. In this case, when the stop position of the point means is not on the image or the subject image or within the predetermined distance, the game operator may be notified to give a punishment game, or the game operator may be allowed to retry. In this case, the movement may be continued without stopping, and the point unit may be stopped when the point means is on the image or the subject image or within a predetermined distance.
[0056]
The moving speed of the point means may be constant during the game, but in the embodiment, the moving speed is changed several times during the game. Further, the moving direction of the point means may be a constant direction, but may be zigzag or may appear on the screen at random.
In addition, a game in which an image (or a subject image) is specified at random from a plurality of images one by one (for example, a plurality of prizes are graded, and the first prize is given to the first designated person In the case of a chance game in which a second prize is given to the next designated person), the same image (or subject image) may not be designated again. In this case, it can be configured so as to avoid duplicate selection by setting a flag as to whether or not it has been selected in the other information column of the aforementioned game image pointer table.
[0057]
<Example>
As described above, in the game mode, the digital camera 100 repeats the operation of reproducing a desired image among images captured by the user and recorded on the recording medium, and repeatedly displaying them in combination, at a desired timing or for a predetermined time. Stop after the lapse, evaluate the combination of images or the position of the point means at that time, and output a score display or a notification signal (notification data) for notifying the participant by voice, sound, light, text, etc. .
In the following embodiment, it is assumed that the digital camera 100 is connected to the television monitor 200 as shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, examples of main types of games applicable to the digital camera 100 will be described.
[0058]
[Example 1]
FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a display screen of a slot game as an example of the game type of the first embodiment. The number of arrangements is m = 3, and the game images in each arrangement are randomly assigned from n game images. This is an example showing the result of repeating the operation of selecting and displaying and stopping at a desired timing. (A) is an example in which three images are arranged, and a score of 100 is given to this combination. Moreover, (b) is an example in which three related images (parent and child) are arranged, and a score 50 is given to this combination.
[0059]
Here, since the game according to the first embodiment gives a score depending on the combination of images, it is desirable in terms of game execution that it is easy to identify the combination such as what kind of image combination is. When only a person image is displayed as shown in FIG. 11, there are cases where there are images of similar appearance, clothes, hairstyles, or only ordinary person images without features may be selected as game images. In such a case, since the image cannot be distinguished immediately, the fun of the game is halved and it becomes easy to get bored. Therefore, in the embodiment, a pattern that can be discriminated by anyone is displayed together with an image. In addition, you may comprise so that only a design may be displayed, without selecting and displaying an image.
[0060]
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a game type display screen according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the start image setting means 112 and the game execution means 113 in the first embodiment.
In FIG. 12, (a) is a game image, (b) is an example of a picture displayed in association with a game image, (c) is an example of a game image and a picture displayed in association with each other, and (d) is a game. The example which synthesize | combined and displayed the pattern matched with the image is shown.
[0061]
The game type operation of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the game operator operates the plus button 104 and the minus button 105 to select five images A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 as game images as shown in FIG. It is written in the image buffers 151-1 to 141-5 (T1).
Correspondingly, when the spade pattern B1, the heart pattern B2, the crown pattern B3, the diamond pattern B4, and the clover B5 registered in advance in the flash memory 51 are selected, the pointer table storage area of the DRAM 15 is selected. In the game image pointer table 90 set to 153, a game image number, a pointer indicating the position of the game image data on the DRAM 15, a pointer indicating the position of the image data of the pattern on the flash memory 15 and the like are written (T2). .
A combination of three game images is randomly selected from the five game images (T3).
The pattern image data corresponding to the three selected images is taken out from the flash memory 51, combined with the three selected game images, and displayed on the screen (start screen) of the liquid crystal display 42 (T4).
In T4, the image to be displayed on the start screen is selected at random, but the image to be displayed on the start screen is arranged in a certain meaningful image arrangement (for example, a combination of images that mean the highest score (FIG. 11 (c) or (See (d))) may be selected and displayed.
[0062]
When the game start button (plus button 104) is pressed after the display of the start image at T4, a combination of three game images is randomly selected from the five game images and the corresponding picture image data is stored in the flash memory. The operation of taking out from 51, combining with the selected three game images, and displaying on the screen (start screen) of the liquid crystal display 42 is repeated until the minus button 105 is pressed (T5).
When the minus button 105 is pressed, the operation of T5 is stopped, the combination of images at that time is evaluated, a score is displayed, and a notification signal for notifying the participant by voice, sound, light, text, etc. (Notification data) is output. As a result, on the TV monitor 200 side, three images and scores are displayed, and a character display, sound, sound, or light is emitted to inform the participant of the game result (T6).
When the plus button 104 is pressed again at T6, the combination of images is displayed with its display speed changed, and this is repeated until the minus button 105 is pressed. When the minus button 105 is pressed, the game is ended (T7).
[0063]
[Example 2]
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a roulette game display screen as an example of the game type of the second embodiment, and six game images A1, A2, A3, A4 with an arrangement number m = 6. A5 and A6 are selected and displayed from n game images, and the operation of moving the point means (in this example, Δ mark) 141 at random in the screen 140 is repeated and stopped after a desired timing or a predetermined time has elapsed. In this example, since the point means 141 is stopped at the position of the image A4, the girl of this image has a chance (for example, a prize, a right to select a partner, a right to become a game operator, etc.) ) Is given.
Note that the images to be arranged and displayed are not limited to human images, and may be, for example, articles such as prizes, animals, plants, vehicles, entertainment facilities, travel destinations, and the like.
In this case, the game operator (game operator) obtains a chance to obtain or use the one corresponding to the position where the point means 141 is stopped. That is, if the array display image is a prize, the prize or a score instead of the prize is obtained, if it is a vehicle, the right to ride it is obtained, and if it is an amusement facility or a destination, the right to go there is obtained. Also, if the stop position of the point means 141 does not point to the game image or is not located at a distance from the game image, a penalty game is imposed on the game operator or a retry is allowed (that Such a notification).
[0064]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the start image setting unit 112 and the game execution unit 113 in the second embodiment.
Hereinafter, the operation of the game type of the second embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
When the game operator operates the plus button 104 and the minus button 105 to select six images A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, and A6 as shown in FIG. 15, the corresponding image data is the image. It is written in the buffers 151-1 to 141-5 (U1).
The OSD data of the point means 141 is read from the ROM 23 (U2).
The six selected images are reproduced and displayed in a predetermined arrangement (2 × 3 in FIG. 15), and the point means 141 is positioned at a predetermined position on the screen and displayed as a start image (U3). In this case, the point means 141 may be blinked so as to be distinguishable from the displayed game image, or may be rotated. Further, the point means 141 may be a cursor.
[0065]
When the game start button (plus button 104) is pressed after the start image is displayed at U3, the point means 141 repeats the operation of moving within the screen until the minus button 105 is pressed (U4).
When the minus button 105 is pressed, the operation of the point means 141 is stopped, the relationship with the image at the stop position of the point means 141 is evaluated, score display and chance display are performed, and voice, sound, light, characters, etc. are displayed. A notification signal (notification data) for notifying the participant is output. As a result, the TV monitor 200 displays the image and the score, and displays the game result to the participants by emitting characters, sound, sound, or light (U5).
[0066]
When the plus button 104 is pressed again at U5, the point means 141 moves at random in the screen and is repeated until the minus button 105 is pressed. When the minus button 105 is pressed, the game is ended (U6). If the plus button 104 is kept pressed in S6, the moving speed of the point means is increased, and if the minus button 105 is kept pressed, the moving speed of the point means is slowed, and may be stopped when a predetermined time elapses.
[0067]
[Example 3]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a chance game display screen as an example of the game type of the third embodiment, which is selected from one selected group image (n = 1). A subject image (m = 5) is displayed in the collective image.
In this example, the point means (in this example, a dice) 161 is moved at random on the screen 160 and the result of stopping at a desired timing or a predetermined time is shown. In this example, the point means 161 is an infant. Since it is stopped at the position, a chance (for example, a prize, a right to select an opponent, a right to become a game operator, etc.) is given to the child of this image.
Note that the images to be arranged and displayed are not limited to human images, and may be images such as prizes, animals, plants, vehicles, entertainment facilities, travel destinations, etc., as in the second embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the start image setting unit 112 and the game execution unit 113 in the third embodiment.
[0068]
Hereinafter, the operation of the game type of the third embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
When the game operator operates the plus button 104 and the minus button 105 to select a group image as shown in FIG. 15 as a game image, the corresponding image data is written into the image buffer 151-1 (V1).
The OSD data of the point means 161 is read from the ROM 23 (V2).
The selected collective image is reproduced and displayed, and the point means 161 is positioned at a predetermined position on the screen and displayed as a start image (V3). In this case, the point means 161 may be blinked so as to be distinguishable from the game image, or may be rotated. Further, the point means 161 may be a cursor.
[0069]
When the game start button (plus button 104) is pressed after the start image is displayed at V3, the point means 161 repeats the operation of moving within the screen until the minus button 105 is pressed (V4).
When the minus button 105 is pressed, the operation of the point means 161 is stopped, the relationship with the subject at the stop position of the point means 161 is evaluated, score display or chance display is performed, and voice, sound, light, text, etc. are displayed. A notification signal (notification data) for notifying the participant is output. As a result, on the TV monitor 200 side, the score is displayed, and the game result is notified to the participant by emitting characters, sound, sound, or light (V5).
[0070]
When the plus button 104 is pressed again at V5, the point means 161 moves at random in the screen and is repeated until the minus button 105 is pressed. If the minus button 105 is pressed, the game is ended (V6). If the plus button 104 is continuously pressed in S6, the moving speed of the point means is increased. If the minus button 105 is continuously pressed, the moving speed of the point means is decreased. May be.
[0071]
Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the electronic camera device according to the present invention is capable of taking pictures, creating image data, and using pictures taken by the user to match pictures such as a slot game, a card game, and a card game, a roulette game, and a prize acquisition. Game play such as selection games such as games and matchmaking games can be performed.
[0073]
Since the game system can be configured by connecting the electronic camera device to an external image playback device such as a television monitor, it is possible to enjoy game play using images taken at a site such as a wedding or party venue.
In addition, since an image can be displayed on the liquid crystal display of the electronic camera device and a game can be played by the electronic camera device alone, it is possible to enjoy the game by one person or several people in a car or the like using images taken during a trip or the like it can.
[0074]
As described above, in the electronic camera device with a game processing function of the present invention, since a game operation can be given to an image, it is based on a newly captured image that cannot be performed by a game operation using a conventional game machine or a personal computer. You can play games. Further, by providing the electronic camera device with a game assist function, in addition to the applicability of the digital camera such as photographic recording and image data generation, entertainment applicability can be added and the range of use of the digital camera becomes wider.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view (back view) of an embodiment of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of setting each image area in a DRAM.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a processing mode of a digital camera.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a game system including a digital camera and an external image display device.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of game processing means.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the game processing means.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a game image and its arrangement.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a method for combining game image arrays.
FIG. 10 is a configuration example of a game image pointer table.
FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a display screen of a slot game as an example of the game type of the first embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a game type display screen according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a start image setting unit and a game execution unit in the game type of the first embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a roulette game as an example of a game type according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a start image setting unit and a game execution unit in the game type of the second embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a chance game display screen as an example of a game type according to the third embodiment;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a start image setting unit and a game execution unit in the game type of the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
14 Video output terminal (terminal)
42 Liquid crystal display (display device)
51 Flash memory (recording medium)
100 Digital camera (electronic camera device with game processing function)
111 Image selection means for games
112 Start screen setting means
113 Game execution means
200 TV device (external image playback device)
202 TV screen (display device)
A1, A2, ..., A6 Game image
B1, B2, ..., B6

Claims (4)

A recording mode in which a subject image is captured and displayed on a display device, and a desired image among the captured subject images can be recorded on a recording medium, and a playback mode in which an image recorded on the recording medium is reproduced and displayed. The display operation based on the operation timing of the operation unit by the user by repeatedly selecting m images out of n images stored in the recording medium at random and displaying them on the display device. And a game mode for outputting a score display in which the control unit evaluates a combination of m images displayed at that time and / or a notification signal for notification by voice, sound, light, or text. Including an electronic camera device;
The external image playback device connected to the electronic camera device displays images output from the electronic camera device on the display device of the external image playback device in the display order on the electronic camera device, and receives the notification signal. A game system characterized in that a score display and / or notification by voice, sound, light, or character is given to the external image playback device . A recording mode in which a subject image is captured and displayed on a display device, and a desired image among the captured subject images can be recorded on a recording medium, and a playback mode in which an image recorded on the recording medium is reproduced and displayed. has the m pieces of image among the recording media already stored n images reproduced removed at random, the display and the game image setting means for sequences displayed on the device, the operation of the start operation by the user The game image setting means repeatedly repeats the operation of displaying the game images on the display device, stops the array display operation based on the timing of the stop operation of the operation unit by the user, and the combination of images at that time and having a game execution means for outputting a notification signal for the control unit is informed by the score display and / or voice or sound, light and character were evaluated Over-time processing functions with electronic camera device.  3. The electronic camera device with game processing function according to claim 2, wherein the n images are n different images selected from images recorded on the recording medium.  3. The electronic camera device with game processing function according to claim 2, wherein the n images are images of n images registered in advance in a recording medium.

Images