JPH0191887A - Game machine for commercial use - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To play a multiplayer game in the same game space while using plural game machines by connecting the plural independent game machines for single player through a data transmission line and mutually exchanging game data. CONSTITUTION: When all respective game machines 10-a, 10-b and 10-h are set to game start mode, a timer 50 of the game machine 10-a is counted down and when it becomes '0'. at the same time, a game start signal is transmitted from the game machine 10-a to the other game machines so that these respective game machines 10-a, 10-b and 10-h can simultaneously start the game. The players of the respective game machines 10-a, 10-b and 10-h can mutually start the multiplayer game on the same conditions in the same game space and the interest of the game can be more improved. When the game is started, these three game machines 10-a, 10-b and 10-h mutually exchange the game data through a transmission line 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an arcade game device, and particularly to an arcade game device in which a plurality of players can play simultaneously in the same game space.

[Prior Art] With the spread of video games, 1. Today, various types of game machines are being developed and put into practical use. However, most conventional game machines are designed as single-player types in which games are played within a completely independent game space. Therefore, even if multiple identical game consoles are installed,
Each player could only play the game alone against the computer.

Therefore, for example, if multiple driving game machines are installed, it is possible for multiple players to use each of these game machines to play a game in which they compete together in the same game space on their driving techniques. I can't do it,
The problem was that it lacked interest.

Focusing on these points, various multiplayer game machines have been developed.

This multiplayer game machine is designed so that multiple players can play together in the same game space at the same time, making the game even more interesting.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a conventional multiplayer game machine, in which objects A, B, and C to be operated by a plurality of players are displayed on the same screen. Each player has each operation section 100A, 100 provided on the panel.
By operating B and 100C individually, you can play together in the same game space.

An example of such a multiplayer game machine is "Gauntlet" manufactured by Atari.

Further, FIG. 14 shows an example of another multiplayer game machine, and this game machine includes each operation section 100A.
, 100B, and 100C, and are formed to display a game screen representing a common game space on each display.

Examples of such game machines include Nintendo's RVS Tennis.

However, in such a conventional multi-player game machine, the respective operation units ]-○○A, 100B, and 100C are integrated into the same game machine. The number of people who can play in the same game space is determined by the operation section 100.
It is limited by the number of A, 100B, and 100C.

Therefore, for example, in the multiplayer game machines shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, only a maximum of three players can play the game, and if more players want to play in the same game space. There was a problem that it was not possible to do so, and lacked flexibility.

Further, such a conventional game machine is formed as a dedicated machine for multi-player games, and a plurality of operation units 100A, 100B, 100C and a display unit are provided in one game machine. The cost per unit is extremely high compared to this single-player type game machine, and there is a problem in that the number of machines installed in a game hall cannot be easily increased.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to use a plurality of independent game machines that can independently play single-player games, and to The object of the present invention is to provide arcade game devices that can play a multiplayer game together in a game space, and in particular, each game device can start a multiplayer game at the same time.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the arcade game device of the first invention according to the present application comprises a plurality of independent game machines including the components described in the following a to g. are connected via a data transmission line so that they can exchange game data with each other, and a plurality of game machines simultaneously start playing games in the same game space.

a; Player input means through which the player inputs a game start instruction signal.

b; Timer means for starting the game.

C: When a game start instruction signal is input from the player input means in the attract mode, the timer means is driven to switch its calculation mode from the attract mode to the game start mode, and also sends a game ready signal to other game machines. A first calculation means for transmitting.

d; When the timer means times up in the game start mode, the second calculation means switches its own calculation mode from the game start mode to the game mode, and transmits a game start signal to another game machine.

e; Third computing means that switches its own computing mode from the attract mode to the game ready mode when a game ready signal is input from another game machine during the attract mode.

f; A fourth calculation means that switches its own calculation mode from the game ready mode to the game start mode when a game start instruction signal is input from the player input means in the game ready mode.

g; Fifth computing means that switches its own computing mode from the game start mode to the game mode when a game start signal is input from another game machine in the game start mode.

Further, the arcade game device of the second invention according to the present application connects a plurality of independent game machines including the components described in the following a to f through a data transmission line to mutually exchange game data. It is characterized in that it is formed so that it can be given and received, and that a plurality of game machines can start playing games in the same game space at the same time.

a; Player input means through which the player inputs a game start instruction signal.

b; Timer means for starting the game.

C: When a game start instruction signal is input from the player input means in the attract mode, the timer means is driven to switch its calculation mode from the attract mode to the game start mode, and also sends a game ready signal to other game machines. A first calculation means for transmitting.

d; Second calculation means that switches its own calculation mode from the game start mode to the game mode when the timer means times up in the game start mode.

e; Third calculation means that drives the timer means and switches its own calculation mode from the attract mode to the game ready mode when a game ready signal is input from another game machine during the attract mode.

f; A fourth calculation means that switches its own calculation mode from the game ready mode to the game start mode when a game start instruction signal is input from the player input means in the game ready mode.

[Example] Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred example of the arcade game device according to the present invention. They are connected in a loop via a data transmission line 12.

The game machines 10-a and 1O-b-10-ri of the present invention are configured to be able to play single-player games independently, and can also be played by other players by exchanging game data with each other via the transmission line 12. It is also characterized in that it is configured so that a multiplayer game can be played together with the game machine in the same game space at the same time.

Further, in this embodiment, various types of transmission lines can be used as the transmission line 12, and in this embodiment, a two-wire baseband system with a transfer rate of about IMbps is adopted.

FIG. 3 shows a specific configuration of the game machine 10 used in this embodiment.

The game machine 10 of the embodiment includes a calculation control section 20 and a display section 22.
, communication interface 24, I10 interface 26
, a player input section 28 and a coin insertion section 30.

The arithmetic control unit 20 receives signals input from the player input unit 28 and the coin insertion unit 30 via the I10 interface 26, and game data transmitted and received with other game machines via the communication interface 24. Based on the above, various calculations are performed and a game screen is displayed on the display unit 22.

By the way, in order to play a multiplayer game using a plurality of independent game machines 10, it is necessary to perform group settings to specify the game machines 10 that will participate in the multiplayer game before starting the game.

For this reason, the calculation control unit 20 of the embodiment includes a group setting unit 20-1 that performs the group setting, and a game calculation unit 20 that starts the game and performs game calculations after setting the group.
-2.

The second characteristic feature of the present invention is that this group setting section 20
-1, it is possible for multiple game machines participating in multiplayer to start the game at the same time.

FIG. 1 shows a specific configuration of the group setting section 20-1, and the group setting section 20-1 of the embodiment includes a first calculation section 40, a second calculation section 42, a second calculation section 42, and a second calculation section 42. It is formed using a third calculation section 44, a fourth calculation section 46, a fifth calculation section 48, and a timer 50.

Here, the timer 50 is formed using a timer counter that counts down at predetermined time intervals and times up when the count reaches ten.

Further, the first calculation unit 40 executes the flow 1 shown in FIG.
00-1.

That is, when the game calculation section 20-1 is set to the attract mode and a game start instruction signal is input from the player input section 28, the timer 50 is driven. At the same time, the first calculation unit 40 switches the calculation mode of the game calculation unit 20-2 from the attract mode to the game start mode, and also transmits the game ready signal to other sources via the communication interface 24 and the transmission line 12. It is transmitted to the game machine 10.

Further, the second calculation unit 42 executes the flow 1 shown in FIG.
00-2.

That is, this game calculation section 42 is similar to the game calculation section 20.
-2 is set to the game start mode, when the timer 50 times up, the game calculation unit 2
The calculation mode of 0-2 is controlled to be switched from the game start mode to the game mode. At the same time, a game start signal is transmitted to other game machines 10 via the communication interface 24 and transmission line 12.

Further, the third game calculation section 44 is configured to execute a flow 100-3 shown in FIG. 5.

That is, this third calculation unit 44 is the game calculation unit 20
-2 is set to attract mode, if a game ready signal is input from another game machine 10,
The calculation mode of the game calculation unit 20-2 is switched from the attract mode to the game ready mode.

Further, the fourth calculation unit 46 performs the flow 10 shown in FIG.
0-4.

That is, the fourth calculation unit 46 is the game calculation unit 20-2.
When a game start instruction signal is input from the player input unit 28 when the game controller 20-2 is set to the game ready mode, the mode of the game calculation unit 20-2 is controlled to be switched from the game ready mode to the game start mode.

Further, the fifth calculation unit 48 executes the flow 1 shown in FIG.
00-5.

That is, this fifth calculation unit 48 is the game calculation unit 20
-2 is set to game start mode,
When a game start signal is input from another game machine 10, the calculation mode of the game calculation unit 20-2 is controlled to be switched from the game start mode to the game mode.

The present invention has the above configuration, and its operation will be explained next.

First, each game machine 10-a, 10-b, not shown in FIG.
- When the 10-h is powered on, each game machine 10 runs a self-test program and informs the other game machines via the transmission line 12 whether or not its own game machine is operational. At this time, if the game machine 10 is malfunctioning or is not powered on, the data input section and output section are automatically bypass-connected by a changeover switch (not shown).

As a result, even if some devices are not operating, the system as a whole can be operated.

Such a check as to whether the device is operable or not is performed periodically even after the power is turned on.

Here all games @ 10-a, 1o-
The explanation will be given assuming that b...10-h are operable.

Next, it is assumed that after each game machine 10 is powered on, three players come and face the three game machines 10-a, 10-b, and 1o-h.

At this time, each of these game machines 10-a, 10-b and 10
-h are all controlled to attract mode, and the display section 2
2, a calculation game screen by a computer is displayed as an attract game screen.

At this time, it is assumed that the player of the game machine 10-a inserts a coin and inputs a start instruction signal from the input unit 28. As a result, the game@10a switches from the attract mode to the game start mode, and the game machine 1
The timer 50 built into 0-a starts counting. Here, the game start mode means a standby state for starting the game.9 At the same time, the game machine 10-a outputs a game ready signal to other machines via the transmission line 12.

Therefore, all remaining games @10-b, 10-c...
10-h is controlled to switch from the attract mode to the game ready mode, and the game ready screen displays a confirmation message on the display unit 22 asking whether or not to play a multiplayer game together with the game machine 10a, as shown in FIG. will be displayed as .

Therefore, while the game ready screen is being displayed, the remaining two players operate their game machines 10b,
By inserting a coin into the game machine 10-b and inputting a game start instruction signal from the input section 28, each of these game machines 10-b
, 10-h are controlled to switch from the game ready mode to the game start mode, and the game can be started at the same time in the same game space as the game machine 10-a.

Note that the game starts when the timer 50 of the game v110-a counts down to 0, so the players of the game machines 10-b and 10-h must insert coins before the countdown ends. Unless a game start instruction signal is input, a multiplayer game cannot be started at the same time as the game machine 10-a.

Then, when all of the game machines 10-a, 10-b, and 10-ri are set to the game start mode, the game machine 1
At the same time as the timer 50 of 0-a counts down to 0, a game start signal is transmitted from the game machine 10-a to the other game machines, and each of these game machines 10-a,
Players 10-b and 1o-h will start the game at the same time.

In this manner, according to the present invention, game machines 10-a, 10-b, and 10-h operated by three players start a multiplayer game simultaneously in the same game space.

Therefore, each of these games filO-a, 10-su, 1
Players 0-h can start a multiplayer game under the same conditions in the same game space, making the game even more interesting.

When the game starts, these three game machines 10-a, 10-b, and 10-h transmit and receive game data to and from each other via the transmission line 12. For this reason, for example, if the 10-a game machine is near the car being operated, the 10-a
If there are cars operated by game machines 10-b and 10-h, those cars are naturally displayed on the display screen of game machine 10-a.

Therefore, each player can compete with each other's driving techniques and enjoy the game even more.

Note that since the screen of a video game is usually updated every 1/60th of a second, the game data of each game machine 10 can be transmitted around the loop-shaped transmission line 12 in synchronization with this. preferable.

Next, while the three game machines 10-a, 10-b, and 10-h are in operation, three other players come and play 10-d.
, 10-e, and 10-f are used to start a game.

At this time, for example, when the player of the game machine 10-d inserts a coin and inputs a start instruction signal from the input section 28, the player of the game machine 10-C110-d, which is currently not in use, and the 10-
The same game ready screen as described above is displayed on the display units 22 of the devices e, 10-f, and 10-g.

Therefore, when the players of the game machines 10-e and 10-f insert coins and input the start instruction signal, the three game machines 10-d, 10-e, and 10-f play the same game machine. A multiplayer game will be started simultaneously within the game space.

In this way, with the game device of this embodiment, a plurality of different groups within the same game system can play a multiplayer game under the same conditions for each group.

Further, when a player who comes by himself starts playing a game at the vacant game machine 10-c, he starts playing a single player game in his own group.

In this way, with the apparatus of this embodiment, a single player game can be played using only the - game machine 10-c.

Also, the game machines 10-a and 1 that were playing the game first
When the game of 0-b, 10-h ends, 10-a, 1
Four game machines, 0-b, 10-c, and 10-h, are vacant, but the device of this embodiment can play the same game again using the vacant game machines. It can be performed.

In this way, according to the device of this embodiment, an arbitrary group can be formed within the plurality of game machines 10-a, 10-b, IC)-h, and games in the same space can be played within each group. They can start at the same time.

Therefore, with the device of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the operating rate of the game machines 10, and the game machines 10 set in a group can simultaneously start games in the same space. For example, in a driving game, the game can be made even more interesting within the same group.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a plurality of independent game machines 10
are connected to each other via a transmission line 12.

In this way, the number of game consoles 10 can be increased or decreased as needed, and the optimal number of game consoles 10 can be installed in consideration of the size of the game hall and other conditions to enjoy multiplayer games. be able to.

FIG. 6 shows another example of the group setting section 20-1, and FIG. 7 shows a flowchart showing the group setting operation.

A characteristic feature of this embodiment is that the second calculation section 42 and the third calculation section 44 are operated in the flowcharts 100-2 and 100- shown in FIG.
3.

That is, in this embodiment, when the timer 50 times up while the game calculation unit 20-2 is set to the game start mode, the second calculation unit 42 changes the calculation mode of the game calculation unit 20-2. Controls switching from game start mode to game mode.

Further, this third calculation unit 44 is configured to perform calculations on other game machines 10 when the own game machine is set to the attract mode.
When the game ready signal is input from the timer 50,
The controller is configured to control the user's game console by switching it from attract mode to game ready mode.

By doing so, this embodiment does not use the fifth arithmetic unit 48 that was required in the first embodiment.
Groups can be set to start multiplayer games at the same time within the same game space.

In the above embodiment, the case where a plurality of independent game machines 10 are connected in a loop via the transmission line 12 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other devices as necessary. Each branch network can be constructed using transmission lines 12.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of game machines 10 may be connected in a star configuration via a central station 60. In this case, the central station lacks a game j
It is preferable to centrally provide the game calculation units 20-2 of a10a, 10b, and so on.

Further, FIG. 9 shows a network when a plurality of independent game machines 10 are connected in a tree shape, and FIG. 10 shows a network when a plurality of game machines 10 are connected in a mesh shape. FIG. 11 shows an example of a network in which a plurality of game machines are connected via a bus, and FIG. 12 shows an example of a network in which a loop type and a star type are not combined.

Further, the present invention can be applied to various multiplayer games, such as driving games, multiplayer games in which multiple players cooperate and compete in various sports, and certain game spaces. The present invention can be applied to various games such as role-playing games in which a plurality of players chase, hide, and shoot at each other.

In this embodiment, the player input section 28 and the coin insertion section 30 are used together as player input means, and when the player input section 28 is operated after inserting a coin into the coin insertion section 30, a game start instruction is issued. It is configured to output a signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the player input means can have various configurations as necessary. For example, in a coin insertion type game machine, the coin insertion section 30 itself can be used as a player input means, and the game start instruction signal can be outputted simply by inserting a coin. In addition, in a game machine that uses cards instead of coins, a card input section and a player input section 28 are used in combination as player input means, and when the player input section 28 is operated after setting a card, the player input section 28 is operated. What is necessary is just to form it so that a start instruction signal is output.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, a plurality of independent single-player game machines are connected via a data transmission line and mutually transmit and receive game data, thereby allowing a plurality of games to be played. When playing a multiplayer game in the same game space using multiple game consoles, game start signals, game ready signals, etc. are sent and received between each game console via the transmission line before each game console starts the game. By configuring game consoles to switch modes appropriately, it is possible to set up a group that starts a multiplayer game using multiple game consoles at the same time, and each player in the group can play multiplayer games under the same conditions. This has the effect of allowing you to enjoy the game.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a preferred first embodiment of the arcade game device according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram showing the specific configuration of each game machine shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display section of the game machine controlled to the game ready mode; FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a block circuit diagram of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a second embodiment shown in FIG. 8 to 12 are explanatory diagrams of various network connections of a plurality of game machines. FIGS. 13 and 14 are explanatory diagrams of conventional multi-player game machines. 10... Game machine 12... Data transmission line 20... Arithmetic control section 20-1... Group setting section 20-2... Game computing section 22... Display section 24... Communication interface 28... Player input section 40... First computing section 42... Second computing section 44... Third computing section 46... Fourth computing section 48... Fifth computing section 50...・Timer. Agent Patent attorney Yuki Fuse (and 1 other person) Fig. 2 Fig. 8 Fig. 10 Fig. 10-d IQ-C Fig. 9 Fig. 11 10-e IQ-d Fig. 12 Fig. 13

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of independent game machines including the components described in the following a to g are connected via a data transmission line so that they can exchange game data with each other, and at the same time multiple game machines are connected to the same A commercial game device characterized by starting a game within a game space. a; Player input means through which the player inputs a game start instruction signal. b; Timer means for starting the game. c; When in the attract mode, when a game start instruction signal is input from the player input means, the timer means is driven to switch its calculation mode from the attract mode to the game start mode, and also sends a game ready signal to other game machines. A first calculation means for transmitting. d; When the timer means times out in the game start mode, the second calculation means switches its own calculation mode from the game start mode to the game mode, and transmits a game start signal to another game machine. e; Third calculation means that switches its own calculation mode from the attract mode to the game ready mode when a game ready signal is input from another game machine during the attract mode. f; Fourth calculation means that switches its own calculation mode from the game ready mode to the game start mode when a game start instruction signal is input from the player input means in the game ready mode. g; Fifth calculation means that switches its own calculation mode from the game start mode to the game mode when a game start signal is input from another game machine in the game start mode. (2) A plurality of independent game machines including the components described in the following a to f are connected via a data transmission line so that they can exchange game data with each other, and at the same time multiple game machines are connected to the same A commercial game device characterized by starting a game within a game space. a: Player input means through which the player inputs a game start instruction signal. b; Timer means for starting the game. c; When in the attract mode, when a game start instruction signal is input from the player input means, the timer means is driven to switch its calculation mode from the attract mode to the game start mode, and at the same time sends a game ready signal to other game machines. A first calculation means for transmitting. d; Second calculation means that switches its own calculation mode from the game start mode to the game mode when the timer means times out in the game start mode. e; Third calculation means that drives the timer means and switches its own calculation mode from the attract mode to the game ready mode when a game ready signal is input from another game machine during the attract mode. f; A fourth calculation means that switches its own calculation mode from the game ready mode to the game start mode when a game start instruction signal is input from the player input means in the game ready mode.