JPH06225975A - Controller for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the reading-out operation of registered information by providing exclusive keys for registration and reading-out, equipped on a controller contained inside and manipulate complicated keys and high speed keys without troubles on playing games. CONSTITUTION:A controller 1 is provided with a plurality of keys 103-107 instructing geme manipulation, instruction switches 110, 120 of registration, instruction keys 111-113, 121, 122 of reading-out, on the operation desk 10. These operational informations are output from the SW/Key. The operational informations of a plurality of operation keys pushed down in succession after the instruction switches 110, 120 are stored and registered in RAM by a microcomputer in turn in the pushing-down order. When the registered reading-out instruction key is operated, the operation informations are read out by the microcomputer in the pushing-down order of the registered operation keys and output to the game machine 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a controller mainly connected to a main body of a video game machine and having a plurality of operation keys.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a video game machine or the like has a controller connected to the game machine main body with a cable, and a player can enjoy a game by skillfully operating a plurality of operation keys on the controller. It is done like this. In addition, depending on the content of the game, it is not uncommon for the game strategy to be determined by how quickly the multiple operation keys are operated or how the multiple operation keys are operated in succession in a timely manner. Only the expert,
There is a problem that such games cannot be enjoyed. In addition, some game machines can follow high-speed operations that exceed the normal operation speed, but since such quick operations are not possible in practice, game development is not possible. It is done only within the range limited by nature,
It is hard to say that the game performance has been fully brought out.

Conventionally, operation information is stored between a video game machine and a controller, and operation information is stored and repeated to improve the learning effect of game software.
There has been proposed an office computer in which an overlapping operation and a complicated operation are stored in advance and reproduced when necessary to reduce the operation load (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-93026).

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention JP-A-63-93
The one described in Japanese Patent No. 026 publication is applied to a video game machine, and is limited in that it is interposed between the game machine and the controller, and the operation information is stored and repeated to repeat the game software. In addition, as in the case of the office computer, there is no description about the specific operation and configuration of how to store the operation data and reproduce it.

According to the present invention, a dedicated key for registration and reading is provided on the controller, and the registration information reading operation is facilitated so that the game operation is not hindered, and complicated key operations and high-speed key operations are performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a controller of a game machine that enables the above.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a plurality of operation keys for instructing a game operation are provided on an operation surface, and operation information from the operation keys is output to a game machine main body to progress a game. In a controller of a game machine, a registration control switch, a storage means, and a registration control means for storing and registering operation information of the plurality of operation keys pressed after the registration instruction switch is pressed in the storage means in the order of pressing. And a read instruction key arranged on the operation surface for instructing to read out the registered content, and operation information is read out in the order in which the registered operation keys are pressed when the read instruction key is operated, to the game machine main body. And a read control means for outputting.

The read control means may read the operation information at a predetermined speed (claim 2).

Further, a timer is used to measure each depression interval of the operation key, the registration control means registers the operation information of the operation key in the storage means in association with the depression interval, and the read control means comprises the above. The operation information may be read according to the pressing interval (claim 3).

Further, a timer is used to measure the pressing time of the operation key, the registration control means registers the operation information of the operation key in the storage means in correspondence with the pressing time, and the read control means operates the operation. The information may be read only during the pressing time (claim 4).

Further, the read control means may read the operation information continuously a plurality of times (claim 5).

Further, the read control means may repeatedly read the operation information during the pressing operation of the read instruction key (claim 6).

Further, it is preferable to provide at least two read instruction keys (claim 7).

Further, it is preferable to provide an informing means for indicating a registration instruction by pressing the registration instruction switch (claim 8).

[0014]

According to the present invention, when the registration instruction switch is pressed to shift to the registration mode, and the desired operation keys are successively pressed according to the desired key operation following this pressing, the registration control means The operation information of the operation key pressed at this time is stored in the storage means in the order of operation and registered. On the other hand, when the read instruction key arranged on the operation surface is pressed while the game is in progress, operation information is read in the order of pressing the registered operation keys and is output to the game machine main body. The game development is executed according to the order of the issued operation keys.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the read operation information is performed at a predetermined speed. This speed may be set higher than the speed at which the player can sequentially press the operation keys.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the presence or absence of the blank signal is confirmed, and when it is present, the operation information is performed at a predetermined speed. When it is not present, it is read by any other method.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the operation information to be read is read at an interval corresponding to the pressing interval of each operation key at the time of registration, and a continuous delicate operation timing of the operation key is always reproduced. .

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, when the read instruction key is pressed, the operation information is continuously read a predetermined number of times.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the operation information is repeatedly read during the pressing operation of the read instruction key.

According to the invention described in claim 7, different key operations can be registered for each read instruction key.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, that fact is notified during registration, so that it is easy to distinguish from a normal game operation.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external structure of a controller of a game machine according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 is a controller for instructing game development, 2 is a cable including a signal line, a power supply line, etc.
(See FIG. 1). In addition,
This game machine has a monitor 5 as a game display section as shown in FIG. 1, and a game screen is displayed on this monitor 5. The game display section may be composed of a liquid crystal or other member.

In FIG. 2, the controller 1 has a size and shape in consideration of operability and gripping property, and its operation surface 10
A plurality of operation keys, which will be described later, are arranged at positions in consideration of operability. Reference numeral 101 is a select key for selecting the game content, and 102 is a start key for instructing the start of the game. The operation keys 103 to 107 are for instructing game development, and the operation key 103 has respective built-in switches that can be pressed up, down, left and right, and is used when moving a character or the like up, down, left and right. Operation keys 104-1
07 is used for various functions depending on the type of game, for example, for instructing various instructions for attacking an enemy and their timing.

Read instruction keys 111 to 113 are provided inside the operation keys 104 and 105 on the right side of the drawing, and the operation switch 10 is provided.
The reading instruction keys 121 and 122 are arranged in a circular arc shape inside the numeral 3. The key operation information, which will be described later, can be registered in each of these read instruction keys.

In addition, a registration instruction switch 110 for instructing registration in the program mode, its display LED 110a, and a registration instruction switch 12 for instructing registration in the real-time mode are divided into a left portion and a right portion in the center.
0 and its display LED 120a are arranged in pairs. A blank key 130, which is one of the operation keys, is arranged in the approximate center.

As will be described later, the read instruction key 111 mentioned above.
Numerals 112 to 121 and 122 are for repeatedly instructing the reading of the registered key operation information (repeat function) during the pressing operation of the key, and the read instruction key 113 is pressed once and then the start key 102 and the blank key are pressed. 130,
Or repeatedly instruct to read the registered key operation information until another read instruction key is pressed (repeat function +
Hold function). Then, the read operation information is output to the game machine main body 4 via the cable 2 and the connector 3, and is processed as operation information of the operation keys 103 to 107 in the same manner as a normal operation key, thereby developing the game. Is advanced.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal block of a controller of a game machine according to the present invention. In the controller 1, a microcomputer 11 for inputting / outputting various data and performing a process for registration and reading described later, SW / KEY section (hereinafter referred to as operation signal generation means) 12 for outputting operation signals of various switches and keys, gate array 13 for outputting operation signals to the game machine main body 4, guiding them to the microcomputer 11 side, and switching passages. Also, it is provided with a RAM 14 for storing information from the microcomputer 11 as necessary, and an internal memory such as a ROM for storing a registration process described later and a read program therefor. The microcomputer 11 has a built-in timer, or uses a timer built in the game machine body 4 in advance, so that in the registration process described later, the reference clock from there can be used to measure the time. That is, the microcomputer 11 monitors the pressed state of the operation key at a cycle of 1/60 seconds, for example.

The microcomputer 11, the gate array 13 and the RAM 14 are supplied with power via the connector 3 and the power supply line in the cable 2, and a large capacity capacitor is used as a backup of the RAM 14.
The RAM 14 may be externally attached to the controller 1 if necessary.

Next, the key operation registration process will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the flow chart shown in FIG. 3 shows the registration instruction processing in the program mode, in which the registered key operation information is read at a predetermined speed.

When the registration instruction switch 110 for instructing registration in the program mode is pressed (the ON signal is output from the operation signal generating means 12), this flow chart is started, and the LED 110a is first turned on (step S2). Next, it is determined whether or not the player has turned on the read instruction key (step S4). That is,
Read instruction keys 111 to 113, 121, which are desired to be registered
Any one of 122 is pressed. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the read instruction key 111 is selected and pressed as a desired key. When this read instruction key 111 is turned on (YES in step S4), LE
D110a shifts from lighting to blinking (step S
6).

In this state, a series of input operations for desired key operations can be started. Here, a series of key operations (operation information) of "up / up / down / down / left / right / left / right / AB /" (where "." Means the blank key 130). A case where registration is performed for each key operation (steps S8 and S10) will be described.

That is, first, the upper switch of the operation key 103 is turned on, and that effect is stored and registered in the RAM 14. Next, it is determined whether or not the registration instruction switch 110 is turned on (step S12). If it is not turned on, the process returns to step S8, the blank key 130 which is one of the operation keys is turned on, and the registration is performed in the same manner. Next, it is determined whether or not the registration instruction switch 110 is turned on (step S12), and if not turned on, step S
Returning to 8, the upper switch of the operation key 103 is turned on,
This content is further registered. This operation is sequentially repeated, and finally the blank key 130 is turned on to register the contents. Then, when the registration instruction switch 110 is turned on (YES in step S12), the LED 110a is turned off (step S14) to notify that the registration process is completed.

When the read instruction key 111 is turned on while the game is in progress, the operation information "up / up / down / down / left / right / left / right / A / B." For example, in this example, the data is repeatedly read at a cycle of 1/3 second (= 20 × 1/60) and output to the game machine body 4. This predetermined speed is set to be equal to or higher than the limit of the player's operation speed, or is set to a normal speed. Further, by providing a change switch (not shown) or the like, the reading speed can be appropriately changed to a desired speed. You may make it available.

The reading instruction keys 111 to 113, 12
When operation information is registered for any one of 1,122, when the key is turned on while the game is in progress, the operation information is repeated continuously at a predetermined speed during the ON period. Then read. Also, the read instruction key 11
3 when operation information is registered, the game is in progress, and when this key is turned on, the start key 10
2, the operation signal is repeatedly read until either the blank key 130 or another read instruction key is turned on. As another reading method, it is also possible to read the registered operation information continuously a predetermined number of times when a predetermined read instruction key is turned on. Next, the flowchart shown in FIG. Shows a registration instruction process in the real-time mode, in which registered key operation information is sequentially read at intervals corresponding to the pressing interval of each key at the time of registration.

The registration instruction switch 120 for instructing registration in the real-time mode is pressed (operation signal generating means 12
When the ON signal is output from), this flowchart starts. Note that steps S22 to S26 are the same as those in FIG.
Since it is the same as steps S2 to S6, the description thereof will be omitted.

After step S28, a series of input operations for desired key operations can be started. Here, as described above, the operation information "up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, A,
A case of registering a series of key operations of "B" will be described. In the real time mode, as described below, the ON / OFF state of the operation key is read and registered as it is every 1/60 seconds using a timer.

That is, first, a key state reading instruction signal is input from the timer every 1/60 seconds (step S2).
8) Along with this, the state of the operation key at that time, that is, the ON switch of the upper switch of the operation key 103 is read here (step S30), and then it is determined whether or not the registration instruction switch 110 is turned on (step S30). S3
2) If not ON, the process proceeds to step S34, that effect is registered in the RAM 14, and the process returns to step S28. Then, after the next 1/60 second, the state of the operation key is read and the registration process is performed in the same manner. In this way, regardless of whether the state of the upper switch of the operation key 103 is ON or OFF, it is sequentially registered as it is in 1/60 second units. When this operation is repeated and the button B of the operation key 105 is finally turned on, this is registered, then the registration instruction switch 110 is turned on (YES in step S32), and the LE is selected.
D110a is turned off (step S36), and the completion of the registration process is notified.

When the read instruction key 111 is turned on during the game signal, the operation information "up, up, down,
"Lower, left, right, left, right, A, B" are repeatedly read at the same timing as each key operation and output to the game machine body 4. As a result, by pressing the read instruction key 111 when the game is developed, the key operation is sequentially performed at exactly the same timing as that at the time of registration, and for example, a delicate key operation timing is reproduced. The game development can be advantageously promoted to the player.

The read instruction keys 111 to 113, 12
When the operation information is registered for any one of 1,122, when the key is turned on during the game progress, the operation information is repeatedly read continuously during the on period. Be done. Further, when the operation information is registered with respect to the read instruction key 114, the game is in progress, and when this key is turned on, any one of the start key 102, the blank key 130, or another read instruction key is displayed. The operation signal is repeatedly read until is turned on.

Further, the registration process of the key operation in this embodiment is performed while the game is not in progress. For example, the registration process in the real time mode is performed by the registration instruction switch 120.
Since only the ON operation of is added, it is possible to register the key operation during the game progress as it is.
In addition, the number of registration key operations is, for example, “up”, “•”,
At least one or more, such as “right / B”, may be used. Further, for example, the registration in the program mode may be up to 8 seconds, and the registration in the real-time mode may be up to 30 seconds. The above "up" registration is advantageous when the upper switch of the operation key 103 is turned on for a desired time.

The registration process in the real time mode may be performed by the following operation. That is, the ON time of the operation key at the time of registration and the time until the next operation key is turned ON are sequentially reset by resetting the timer each time, and this time and the contents of the operation key are registered in association with each other. You may do it.

[0043]

According to the present invention, the operation information of a plurality of operation keys is stored in the storage means in the order of pressing and registered, and when the read instruction key arranged on the operation surface is operated, the operation key registered as described above. Since the operation information is read out in the order of pressing and output to the game machine body, a complicated series of key operations, a series of key operations that may be repeatedly operated,
In addition, registration and reading operations of a series of key operations at normal operation speeds and above can be facilitated without hindering game operations.
Enables complex key operations and high-speed key operations.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since a series of key operations are output at the same pressing interval as at the time of registration,
It can be reproduced reliably when subtle key operation timing is required.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the operation time of each operation key is output at the same time as that at the time of registration. Therefore, when a delicate key operation timing is required for each key, etc. Can be reliably reproduced.

According to the invention of claim 7, a series of key operations of at least two types can be registered, and various key operations can be supported.

According to the invention described in claim 8, it is easy to identify that the registration process is in progress.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal block of a controller of a game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a controller of the game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a registration instruction process in a program mode.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing registration instruction processing in a real-time mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Controller 2 Cable 3 Connector 4 Game Console Main Body 5 Monitor 10 Operation Surface 11 Microcomputer 12 SW / KEY Section (Operation Signal Generating Means) 13 Gate Array 14 RAM 103-107 Operation Keys 110 Program Mode Registration Instruction Switch 120 Real Time Mode Registration Instruction Switch 120 110a, 120a LED 111-113, 121, 122 130 Blank key

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yoshitaka Murayama 2-27-13 Shimoigusa, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, 102 Ikugawa Corp. (72) Inventor Tsuneharu Kazeoka 3-50-5, Higashioizumi, Nerima-ku, Tokyo ( 72) Inventor Kazuaki Nakano 6-3 Gamohoncho, Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A registration instruction in a controller of a game machine which has a plurality of operation keys for instructing a game operation on an operation surface and outputs operation information from the operation keys to a game machine main body to perform a game progress. A switch, a storage means, a registration control means for storing and registering operation information of the plurality of operation keys pressed after the pressing of the registration instruction switch in the storage means in the order of pressing, and a registration control means arranged on the operation surface. Is
A read instruction key for instructing to read out the registered contents, and a read control means for reading out operation information in the order in which the registered operation keys are pressed and outputting the operation information to the game machine body when the read instruction key is operated. The controller of the game machine characterized by. 2. The controller of the game machine according to claim 1, wherein the read control means reads the operation information at a predetermined speed. 3. The controller of the game machine according to claim 1, wherein a timer is used to measure each press interval of the operation key, and the registration control means stores operation information of the operation key in association with the press interval. A controller of a game machine characterized in that the read control means reads the operation information according to the pressing interval. 4. The controller of the game machine according to claim 1, wherein a timer is used to measure the pressing time of the operation key, and the registration control means stores the operation information of the operation key in the storage means in association with the pressing time. A controller of a game machine characterized in that the reading control means reads out the operation information only during the pressing time. 5. The controller of the game machine according to claim 1, wherein the read control means is configured to read the operation information continuously a plurality of times. 6. The controller of the game machine according to claim 1, wherein the read control means is configured to repeatedly read the operation information during a pressing operation of the read instruction key. 7. The game machine controller according to claim 1, wherein at least two read instruction keys are provided. 8. The controller of the game machine according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for indicating a registration instruction by pressing a registration instruction switch.