JPH06198075A - Game controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the progressive game machine high in operability by providing a moving amount signal generating means for generating a moving amount signal corresponding to a moving amount from an origin, judging means for judging the level of the moving amount signal, and control means for positively or non-positively controlling a character corresponding to the judgement. CONSTITUTION:An acceleration signal (a) generated at an acceleration sensor AS is amplified to a desired signal level by an amplifying means 4 and converted to a digital signal through a threshold means 5 by an A/D converting means 6. This digital signal is processed by a CPU 7, the acceleration signal (a) is turned to a speed signal (b) by an integrating means 8 and further, a moving amount signal (c) is obtained by an integrating means 9. Corresponding to the comparison of the moving amount signal (c) with a reference signal (d) at a comparing means 2, a control means 3 is kept opened or closed. Thus the character can be controlled only by moving the controller from the origin in a certain direction and as long as the controller is kept in the shifted state from the origin in a certain direction, the continuous move control of the game character is enabled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a computer game,
It relates to a highly preferred device for controlling games called video games, TV games and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A game control device using a mechanical opening / closing switch is typical.

[0003]

However, the operability is not always good, and especially long-time operation is not preferable. In addition, as a game of this kind, three-dimensional or pseudo-3
Dimensional screens are promising in the future. As a matter of course, the control device that can be used for such a game is inconveniently operated by simply following the conventional mechanism, and further innovative operability is required. The present invention provides an innovative game control device with extremely excellent operability.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems] As described in the claims.

[0005]

According to the present invention, the judgment means (or the comparison means for comparing the movement amount signal with the reference signal) for judging the magnitude of the movement amount signal is used without utilizing the change of the movement amount signal substantially continuously. ) Is the first feature. That is, a determination (or comparison) is made with a certain point as a boundary. Further, the movement amount signal exists even after the movement of the control device is stopped, and it is easy to determine the magnitude of the movement amount signal (or compare the movement amount signal with the reference signal). Next, the second feature is that a control means is provided for controlling the character to be active or inactive (or different states) corresponding to the judgment (or comparison). In response to the determination (or comparison), the control state for the character is clearly different. That is, the control for the character can be controlled (or maintained) in the active state by moving and stopping the control device at least a certain amount from the origin, and as long as the control device is stopped at the origin, the control for the character Can be controlled (or maintained) in the inactive state. Further, if the control means, which is the second feature, is configured and expressed based on a direct function, different binary values (or “open or closed”, or “H or L level ") is controlled (or maintained), and the control means is closed (or" any one value ") by moving the control device in the direction from the origin at least by a certain amount and stopping it. Or "L level") control (or,
Maintained). As described above, the game character can be controlled by simply moving the device in the free space from the origin in the directions of X, -X, Y, -Y. The control means is controlled (or maintained) to be closed (or "any one value" or "L level"), for example, as long as the device is maintained in a state shifted from the origin in a certain direction. For example, continuous movement control of game characters is possible. The control sensation of the game character is not much different from that when using a conventional control device, and there is no discomfort, and the operability is remarkably good. Especially when the game character needs to be controlled in 6 directions, such as when controlling the game character in three dimensions, a particular advantage is exhibited. Also, by appropriately selecting the reference signal value (or the judgment value), there is no change in the state of the control means with respect to a minute displacement from the origin of the device, and a minute shaking of the hand holding the device or movement of the device. Allows a moderate amount of play regarding the game and allows the game to proceed smoothly. Also,
If the reset means for resetting the acceleration signal, the velocity signal, or the movement amount signal is provided, the origin can be changed and the game can be operated again without any trouble, which is convenient when moving the place where the device is operated or handing the device to another person. is there.

[0006]

EXAMPLES Next, various examples embodying the present invention will be described. However, the present invention should not be limitedly interpreted based on matters peculiar to only the examples, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. , The matters specified in the claims or the matters substantially equivalent to the matters shall be determined.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has an acceleration sensor AS.
A movement amount signal generating means 1 for generating a movement amount signal c based on the acceleration signal a generated by the acceleration sensor AS;
A game control device is provided with a comparison means 2 for comparing the movement amount signal c with a reference signal d, and a control means 3 which is kept open or closed corresponding to the comparison. Generally, the movement amount signal c may be generated after the speed signal b is intermediately generated. The prior application for claiming priority (Japanese Patent Application No. 4-26955).
No. 0) is, of course, as follows when the items that can be paraphrased by the superordinate concept or the obvious equivalent substitution items are shown. In other words, the movement amount signal generating means 1 for generating the movement amount signal c based on the acceleration signal a generated in the acceleration sensor AS is not limited to the specific means of the acceleration sensor AS, but in other words, it is the origin of the device in the free space. Obviously, it becomes the movement amount signal generating means 1 for generating the movement amount signal c corresponding to the movement amount from.
The comparison means 2 for comparing the movement amount signal c with the reference signal d is, of course, an obvious and equivalent one which may be a determination means for determining the magnitude of the movement amount signal c. That is, the comparing means 2 shown in FIG. 1 or others can be replaced by the determining means. The control means 3 may be referred to as control means 3 for controlling the character to be active or inactive (or different states) corresponding to the determination (or comparison) in consideration of the control on the character. . Also, as a matter of course, open or closed (or “different binary”) or “H or L” corresponding to the determination (or comparison).
Level ”) and the verdict (or
Open or closed (or "different 2
"Value", or "controlled by" H or L level "). The reason is that, for example, it is obvious that the control signal is serially time-divisionally output by using a shift register, a data selector, a multiplexer, or other appropriate means in the subsequent stage of the control means 3 or in the subsequent stage of the control means 3 itself. In this case, an apparent open / close cycle state occurs. Then, for example, the expression of being maintained in the closed state may be considered as not including the apparent opening / closing cycle state. That is the replacement. The open / close cycle state is, for example, a state in which a closed signal for activating a character is output to a specific portion of the open signal for each cycle of serial signal output of the shift register. In addition to this, considering that the reception signal of the computer main body corresponding to the activation of the character is in a true open / close cycle state which is not apparent, the expression of being closed is more appropriate. And these matters are naturally applied to each of the following embodiments.

The acceleration sensor AS detects two-dimensional or three-dimensional acceleration, and includes a piezoresistive semiconductor element, a capacitance detection type semiconductor element, a strain gauge element, an electromagnetic element, a magnetic fluid type element, a piezoelectric element and other appropriate means. Composed of. In particular, piezoresistive semiconductor devices are even more promising in the future. The acceleration sensor AS used is preferably one having excellent ultralow frequency response. For example, the response is good in the frequency band of about 200 Hz or less at the acceleration signal frequency,
However, it is preferable that the response is lowered in the frequency band higher than that. Accelerometer A with such characteristics
Correspondence when it is difficult to obtain by S itself will be described later.

The acceleration signal a generated in the acceleration sensor AS is amplified to a desired signal level by the amplification means 4, and is converted to a digital signal by the A / D conversion means 6 via the threshold value means 5 having an appropriate value. It This digital signal is the CPU
Signal processing is performed at 7. That is, the acceleration signal a becomes the velocity signal b by the integrating means 8, and the moving amount signal c is further obtained by the integrating means 9. Then, in response to the comparison between the movement amount signal c and the reference signal d (by the comparison means 2), the control means 3 is maintained open or closed. Then, the output signal of the control means 3 is supplied to the computer main body. Of course, this signal and other signals may be serially supplied to the computer main body by the CPU 7 in a time division manner. The signal processing for generating the velocity signal b and the movement amount signal c based on the acceleration signal a does not need to be strict integration as long as the movement amount signal c that is practical can be generated. The development of more suitable algorithms makes the present invention even more meaningful. In addition, what is shown within a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1A is a single integrated circuit device 10. The memory may be incorporated in the single integrated circuit device 10, or the memory may be another integrated circuit.

In order to make the function of the control means 3 easy to understand, in terms of analog, for example, the movement amount signal c is the reference signal d.
The control means 3 is maintained in the closed state when the value exceeds the reference value, and the control means 3 is maintained in the open state when the movement amount signal c does not exceed the reference signal d. That is, by moving the device in a certain direction from the origin, the movement amount signal c
When the control signal exceeds the reference signal d, the control means 3 is switched to the closed state until the control means 3 was kept open, and the closed signal is supplied to the computer main body to control the game character (for example, move). Controlled). This control state continues until the device is returned to the origin, and when the device is returned to the origin, the control means 3 is kept open and stopped.

Thus, the game character can be controlled in the free space simply by moving the device in the directions of X, -X, Y, -Y from the origin. Then, as long as the device is kept in a state of being shifted in a certain direction from the origin, the control means 3 is kept closed, for example, so that continuous movement control of the game character is possible. This has the same effect as pressing and holding the direction control switch button in the conventional control device to keep it closed, and in the present invention, this function is obtained only by spatially shifting the device from the origin. . The control sensation of the game character is not much different from that when using a conventional control device, and there is no discomfort, and the operability is remarkably good. Especially when the game character needs to be controlled in 6 directions, such as when controlling the game character in three dimensions, a particular advantage is exhibited. Further, it can be made compatible with the conventional control device, which is also useful in this respect. Further, by appropriately selecting the reference signal d value, there is no change in the state of the control means 3 with respect to a minute displacement from the origin of the device, and a minute shaking of the hand holding the device or an appropriate play regarding the movement of the device. To allow the game to proceed smoothly.

Further, there is provided reset means for resetting the acceleration signal a, the speed signal b or the movement amount signal c.
To operate the reset means, the reset operation unit 11 (switch) is operated to give a signal to the CPU 7. And
When the reset signal R is given to the integrating means 9 that generates the movement amount signal c, for example, it is preferable to continue operating (for example, continue pressing) the reset operation unit 11. With this, since the movement amount signal c is not generated even if the device is moved, the origin can be easily changed, and if the operation of the reset operation unit 11 is stopped again at another origin, the game operation can be started without trouble, and the place where the device is operated. This is convenient when, for example, moving the device or handing the device to another person. Alternatively, the reset operation unit 11 may be operated for a moment after the device is moved to the desired origin. As a result, the movement amount signal c is reset and becomes the origin, and the game operation can be started again without any trouble. Further, when the origin is changed in a configuration in which the reset signal R is given to the integrating means 8 and the speed signal b is reset, it is preferable to continue operating the reset operation unit 11. When the acceleration signal a is reset by the reset signal R, the reset operation unit 1
It is sufficient that the acceleration signal a is short-circuited (grounded) to the common line side by the operation of 1, and the same operation is also good.

Next, when the trigger operating section 12 which is generally used for firing bullets is operated, a closing signal is output to the computer main body through the CPU 7. It should be noted that if the trigger operating section 12 is operated violently by firing bullets or the like, the movement amount signal c may be generated due to the vibration of the device and the game character may be inadvertently moved. It is desirable that the CPU 7 has a function capable of automatically performing continuous fire as long as it is held (for example, kept pressed). For example, it is preferable that the CPU 7 has a function of generating a cycle signal about 5 to 50 times per second only by pressing and holding the trigger operating unit 12.

The circuit device used for implementing the present invention includes at least an acceleration sensor AS, an amplification means 4 for amplifying an output signal from the acceleration sensor AS, and an A / D output signal from the amplification means 4. An integrated circuit device for a game control device in which the A / D converting means 6 for converting and the CPU 7 for processing the output signal from the A / D converting means 6 are formed as a single integrated circuit device is desirable. Figure 1 (A)
Then, it is further integrated by adding a threshold value means 5,
What is shown within the chain double-dashed line is the integrated circuit device 10.
As described above, the memory is used as the single integrated circuit device 10.
Or the memory may be a separate integrated circuit. At least the acceleration sensor AS, the amplification means 4 for amplifying the output signal from the acceleration sensor AS, and the A / D conversion means 6 for A / D converting the output signal from the amplification means 4 are integrated into a single unit. Of course, it may be formed as an integrated circuit device.

As another invention element, there is disclosed a game control device including at least an acceleration sensor AS and having a response frequency of an acceleration signal processing system within a range of about 200 Hz or less. In the present embodiment, for example, a filter that realizes such characteristics is provided between the acceleration sensor AS and the amplifying means 4, or a capacitor is connected in parallel to the feedback resistance of the amplifying means 4 so that the amplifying means 4 itself is a narrow band type amplifying means. It is good to By doing this, it does not respond to the relatively high frequency component of the vibration generated when the device is inadvertently hit or rubbed, so it is difficult to inadvertently control the game, and damping that damps the vibration The number of members can be reduced or not particularly required. Further, this frequency range sufficiently satisfies the upper limit of the acceleration at which the control device can be moved by a human hand, and the game control by moving the device does not cause any trouble.

In the above example, the CPU 7 is used for digital signal processing, but analog processing as shown in FIG. In the case of analog processing, the waveform shaping means 13 is provided after the threshold means 5, and then the integrating means 8 and 9, the comparing means 2, and the controlling means 3 are provided. The switch opening / closing output of the trigger operating unit 12 is directly sent to the computer. Of course, as described above, the outputs of the control unit 3 and the trigger operation unit 12 may be serially time-division output via a shift register, a data selector, a multiplexer, and other appropriate units. Also, the waveform shaping means 1
3 may be provided in front of the A / D conversion means 6 in FIG. FIG. 2B shows a waveform diagram of each part, in which the movement amount signal c is compared with the reference signal d by the comparison means 2 and the control means 3 is maintained open or closed corresponding to the comparison. For example, when the movement amount signal c exceeds the reference signal d, the control means 3
Is kept closed, and the control means 3 is kept open when the movement amount signal c does not exceed the reference signal d. Circuit conditions in which the movement amount signal c is displaced from the zero level to the lower side (negative side) (for example, positive / negative dual power supply type)
For example, another reference signal may be provided on the lower side (negative side) of the zero level. In this case, the movement amount signal c is compared with two types of reference signals. Therefore, the determination means for determining the magnitude of the movement amount signal c includes a determination means for determining the magnitude of the movement amount signal c.

FIG. 3 shows an example of actual use of the present invention. This is also another invention element, at least the acceleration sensor AS
(Or, a movement amount signal generating means for generating a movement amount signal corresponding to the movement amount from the origin of the device in the free space) is provided, and the case 20 is provided with a grasping portion 21 having a substantially elongated tubular shape and graspable by one hand. A game control device is disclosed.
This controller is connected to a computer 22, which in turn is connected to a display 23. In this embodiment, a case 20 is provided with the game control device integrated circuit device 10 within the chain double-dashed line in FIG. In addition, power is supplied from the computer 22. In the illustrated example, it is shown that the character 24 of the display 23 can be proportionally and easily controlled in direction simply by moving the device in the X, -X, or other directions. Then, as long as the device is kept in a state shifted from the origin in a certain direction, the control means 3 is kept closed, for example, so that continuous movement control of the character 24 is very simple.

The control device of FIG. 3 is shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 4 (A), and the reset operation portion 11 which is mainly pressed by the thumb is operated at the end of the case 20 and the reset finger 11 is provided near the end of the side of the case 20 with the index finger. Trigger operation unit 12 suitable for being pressed by the belly
To provide. On the contrary, the trigger operation part 12 is provided at the end of the case 20.
The reset operation unit 11 may be provided near the end of the side surface of the case 20. Further, in FIG. 2B, a portion including at least the acceleration sensor AS and the reset operation unit 11
And the trigger operating unit 12 are separated by code branching and provided in different cases 20, and each of them is operated by grasping the grasping unit 21 with one hand. This makes it difficult for vibrations when operating the trigger operating unit 12 to be transmitted to the acceleration sensor AS. In addition, 25 is a switch block.

FIG. 5 shows a remote control type game control device, and again, at least the acceleration sensor AS (or,
The game control is provided with a movement amount signal generating means for generating a movement amount signal corresponding to the movement amount of the device in the free space from the origin, and the case 20 is provided with a grasping portion 21 having a substantially elongated tubular shape and capable of grasping with one hand. A device is disclosed. Since it is a remote control type, it has a built-in battery 26. FIG. 1A shows a pistol type, which is provided with two types of reset operating parts 11 (corresponding to resetting of the integrating means 8 and 9) and a trigger operating part 12. The one shown in FIG. 6B has a slightly larger bottom area so that it can be placed on the floor or a table.
Reference numeral 11 is a reset operation unit, and 12 is a trigger operation unit, which is suitable for being pressed by the pad of the index finger.

In the above example, the grasping portion 2 that can be grasped with one hand
1 is provided in the case 20, and the game can be controlled by grasping the grasping portion 21 in the free space and simply moving the grasping portion 21. This allows the game character to be operated in proportion to the moving operation of the grasping section 21. That is, in order to move the game character, simply move the device in the desired direction. In addition, the amount of movement to the point where the control means 3 changes the state when the game control device is moved from the origin is on one axis (for example, the X axis, for example, -X).
It is sensuously good if the axis is about 1 cm to about 5 cm. This has a relation with the value of the reference signal d, and as described above, the control means 3 is provided for a minute displacement from the origin of the device.
Since there is no change in the state of, the slight shaking of the hand holding the device,
Alternatively, since a moderate amount of play relating to the movement of the device is allowed and the device does not require extreme movement to move the character, fatigue of the arm can be reduced.

Next, FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example in which the trigger operation is realized by another means, and at least the acceleration sensor AS is provided,
The acceleration sensor AS is a three-dimensional acceleration sensor, and the two-dimensional acceleration sensor unit AS (X, Y) of the acceleration sensor AS is used for two-dimensional movement control of the character 24, and the remaining one-dimensional acceleration sensor unit ( Z) is used for controlling the trigger of the character 24. That is, the grasping portion 21 is grasped and the double arrow 2
An acceleration signal is generated in the one-dimensional acceleration sensor unit (Z) only by displacing a predetermined amount in the depth direction (may be in the front direction) of 7, and the state of the control unit changes via the same function unit as described above. Trigger signal from CPU 7 (eg close signal)
Is output. In this way, you can easily trigger the character 24 by moving the device in the depth direction,
By this trigger operation, for example, a bullet 28 is fired from the character 24 as shown in the figure (the device is maintained in a state of being moved in the depth direction so that the CPU 7 has a function of generating a cycle signal of about 5 to 50 times per second). It is also possible to use a rapid fire function. It is the same as the above-described example that the device can be simply moved to move the character 24. The acceleration signal generated in the two-dimensional acceleration sensor unit AS (X, Y) is processed to change the state of the control means. Bring The reset operation unit 11 is similar to the above-mentioned example. In other words, in other words, at least the movement amount signal generating means for generating a movement amount signal corresponding to the movement amount from the origin of the device in the free space is provided, and the movement amount signal generating means is 3
A two-dimensional movement amount signal generating means, wherein the two-dimensional movement amount signal generating means (X, Y) of the movement amount signal generating means is used for controlling the two-dimensional movement of the character 24, and the remaining one-dimensional movement amount signal is generated. The means (Z) may be used for controlling the trigger of the character 24.

Next, FIG. 8 shows another control device example, and at least an acceleration sensor AS (or a movement amount signal generating means for generating a movement amount signal corresponding to the movement amount from the origin of the device in free space). The case 20 is provided with a grasping portion 21 having a substantially elongated tubular shape that can be grasped by one hand, and the operation surface 29 provided on the upper end side thereof is, for example, a push button type so that it can be operated by a finger of another one hand. Various configured trigger operation units 12 (for example, jumping a character, taking an item, utilizing an item taken, firing a bullet, interrupting a game, starting a game, etc. use)
And a game control device provided with the reset operation unit 11. Also in this embodiment, the case 2 shown in FIG.
The game control device integrated circuit device 10 within the dashed line is provided. Further, the microphone 30 may be provided, for example, in the operation surface 29 to enable various directional operations or trigger operations by voice recognition. The bottom surface of the grasping portion 21 has a large bottom area so that the grasping portion 21 can be placed on the floor or a table without falling down. As in the other embodiments, the direction of the character can be easily controlled by moving the device in the X, -X, etc. directions.

Further, FIG. 9 shows still another control device example, and at least an acceleration sensor AS (or a movement amount signal generating means for generating a movement amount signal corresponding to the movement amount from the origin of the device in the free space). The case 20 is provided with a grasping portion 21 having a substantially elongated tubular shape that can be grasped with one hand, and various types of push buttons or the like are provided on the upper surface and side surfaces so that the grasping portion 21 can be operated with each finger. The game control device provided with the trigger operation part 12 of is disclosed. Also in this embodiment, the integrated circuit device 10 for the game control device is provided in the case 20. The bottom surface of the grasping portion 21 has a large bottom area so that the grasping portion 21 can be placed on the floor or a table without falling down. Further, as shown in the drawing, a part of the trigger operation unit 12 such as a game start / interruption function and a select function and the reset operation unit 11 may be provided in the wide portion on the bottom surface side. As in the other embodiments, the direction of the character can be easily controlled by moving the device in the X, -X, etc. directions.

[0024]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present invention has the effect of providing an innovative game control device with excellent operability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram of the same.

FIG. 2A is a circuit block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a waveform diagram of each part.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing an example of an actual use state of the present invention.

4A is an external perspective view showing the control device of FIG. 3 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 4B is an external perspective view showing another example of the control device.

5A is an external perspective view showing another example of the control device. FIG. 5B is an external perspective view showing another example of the control device.

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

7 is an external perspective view showing an example of an actual use state by the control device of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing still another control device example.

FIG. 9A is an external perspective view showing still another control device example, and FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 AS acceleration sensor 1 moving amount signal generating means 2 comparing means (judging means) 3 controlling means a acceleration signal b speed signal c moving amount signal d reference signal R reset signal

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A moving amount signal generating means for generating a moving amount signal corresponding to a moving amount from an origin of an apparatus in free space, and a judging means for judging the magnitude of the moving amount signal (or the moving amount signal as a reference signal). And a control means for controlling (or maintaining) the character to be active or inactive (or different states) in response to the determination (or comparison). . 2. A moving amount signal generating means for generating a moving amount signal corresponding to a moving amount from the origin of the device in free space, and a judging means for judging the magnitude of the moving amount signal (or the moving amount signal as a reference signal). And a control means for controlling (or maintaining) different binary values (or “open or closed” or “H or L level”) corresponding to the determination (or comparison). A game control device equipped with. 3. The game control device according to claim 1, wherein the movement amount signal generation means generates the movement amount signal based on the acceleration signal generated by the acceleration sensor. 4. The game control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement amount signal generating means intermediately generates a velocity signal based on the acceleration signal generated by the acceleration sensor and then generates the movement amount signal. 5. The game control device according to claim 1, further comprising reset means for resetting the acceleration signal, the speed signal or the movement amount signal.