JPH09155066A - Competition center equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a multiplayer participated game (such as a race) by moving competitive objects (such as automobiles) with the hands of participants themselves while effectively utilizing the easiness of computer game device. SOLUTION: Participant data collected from respective competition participants are read (step 102) and while referring to common basic form data, the model (such as the automobile to be used for the competition) of competition participant is virtually generated for each competition participant based on these participant data (step 104). Penalty is set to each model by evaluating the degree of result, etc., (step 106) and while considering the penalty, the game is virtually executed (step 107). The participant data of each competition participant are composed of the history of operations when each competition participant virtually produces the model from the basic form data in advance.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a competition center device for playing a competition based on data brought by participants.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a game center including an arcade type computer game device is actively operated as an entertainment facility and an amusement facility. As a game device in a game center, there is a one-to-machine type, but there is also a type in which a plurality of users participate together while using the machine. For example, there is a game device that simulates a car race. Here, each participant is required to have each parameter (eg, fuel consumption, aerodynamic performance, gear ratio,
The performance of tires) is set to simulate the case of racing on an actual or imaginary racing course, and it is displayed on the screen as a real-time image. Since the condition setting is arbitrary in the case of a computer game device, it is possible to execute a situation that cannot be actually realized, for example, a race to Jupiter by a manned space rocket using an antigravity engine. . However, in such a game device, for example, in the case of a car race, the car itself displayed on the screen is not unique to the game device and is not assembled by the user. Therefore, the user allocates it to himself. There are problems such as not being able to adapt to the car being used, lacking in fun, and ending up in a temporary play.

On the other hand, it is also practiced that each person actually brings a model produced or tuned and actually races. In this case, in order to level out the competition conditions, regulations (rules), for example, regulations on total weight and exhaust volume are set, and a model is produced and tuned within the frame. Since each person races with a model that he or she put his hands into, the problem as in the computer game device described above does not occur, but a model that shows reasonable motor performance is reasonably expensive and races There are problems in terms of easy enjoyment, such as restrictions on places and race conditions.

In addition to the above, it is conceivable to race in a real car or a ship, but this requires a high level of skill and a large amount of capital, and it is extremely difficult to participate, even if you look at it.

[0005]

Considering a multi-user participation type game (game) using an automobile, a ship, an aircraft, a robot or the like, as described above, according to the computer game device, an arbitrary condition is satisfied. Can be set up and executed easily, but it is not interesting because it is not the participant's own car or ship. On the other hand, when using a model or a real product, there is a problem that it cannot be easily executed. Hereinafter, regardless of whether it is a model, a genuine article, or a thing that does not exist but is displayed on the display screen of a computer, the above-mentioned automobile, ship, aircraft,
Items such as robots that allow participants to compete with each other in the competition are called competition objects.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a competition center device capable of playing a competition with an object by the participants themselves, while taking advantage of the advantages of the computer game device.

[0007]

A competition center apparatus of the present invention is a competition center apparatus for executing a competition by an object for each competition participant, and a basic shape data storage section storing basic shape data and a basic shape data. Based on the above, a processing device that virtually generates a competition object from the participant data of the competition participant for each competition participant, and virtually executes and displays the competition by the generated competition object, and has a basic shape. The data includes at least the shape data of each part that composes the athletic object, and the participant data indicates that the athletic participant preliminarily assembled each part based on the basic shape data to produce the athletic object. It is data accumulated based on the operation history of.

Here, "virtually" means to be displayed on a display screen of a computer or the like, like an automobile or an aircraft displayed on the screen of a conventional computer game device (thus, it exists as data in the computer). However, it means that there is no real thing. Virtually creating an athletic object means creating a virtual athletic object only by data processing in the computer (although displayed as necessary).

In the present invention, the competition object of each competition participant is virtually generated on the basis of the participant data brought by each competition participant, and the generated competition object is used to generate a virtual object like a normal computer game device. Execute and display the competition. Therefore, each competition participant will have the competition with his own hand.

However, since it is premised on the execution of some kind of competition (game), some kind of regulation is required for the competition object. Therefore, in the present invention, basic shape data common to each competition participant is defined, and what is accumulated based on the operation history when the competition object is prepared in advance based on this basic shape data is used as participant data. Since the amount of data of the participant data is much smaller than the detailed shape data of the object, it is easy to carry the participant data. The basic shape data is CD-
It may be distributed in advance in a large-capacity recording medium such as a ROM. Since the center side also prepares basic shape data, the competition object can be accurately reproduced from the participant data based only on the operation history.

Further, in order to reflect the skill and effort of each competition participant, each competition object can be evaluated before the competition is started, and the competition can be executed in consideration of the evaluation result. Since the participant data is based on the operation history, it is possible to judge, for example, whether or not the burr is left as it is, or whether or not the assembling accuracy is high or low, and these can be used as evaluation criteria. The more burr you have, the more air resistance you have, so make it a huge disadvantage in competitions where you are exercising at high speeds.
In addition, among the parts included in the basic shape data, those that can be selectively selected and those that are options may be set, and the competition result may be influenced depending on which one is selected.

As the competition object, specifically, an assembled model type such as a plastic model is assumed. An actual plastic model is usually marketed in the form of a plate (initial member) in which each component is connected to a connecting member. Therefore, in the present invention, the basic shape data including the data corresponding to the plate is used, and when each participant creates the participant data in advance, the shape of the cut when each part is separated from the plate is the participant. It should be reflected in the data. Since the shape of the cut is directly connected to the shape and height of the burr, the shape of the cut may be taken into consideration in the evaluation.

In the present invention, an acquisition means for acquiring participant data brought by each competition participant can be connected to the processing device. In this case, each competition participant creates participant data at a place different from the competition center device, and brings the participant data through a floppy disk or a network, for example. And network interfaces. Alternatively, a terminal device may be provided in the competition center device, and competition participants may create participant data using this terminal device.

[0014]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a competition center device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This competition center device includes a processing device 11 and
A memory 12 connected to the processing device 11, and a processing device 11
A communication interface 13 connected to the
Connected to the processing device 11, a competition program storage unit 14 for storing a competition program for executing a competition, a basic shape data storage unit 15 for storing basic shape data, an evaluation parameter storage unit 17 for storing evaluation parameters, and a processing unit 11. Interface 18, a large display 19 connected to the interface 18, and a plurality of participant terminals 21 in the center connected to the communication interface 13. Further, the communication interface 13 stores a plurality of participant terminals 22 outside the center via the network 17. The processing device 11 reads the participant data of each competition participant, virtually generates the competition object from the participant data for each competition participant based on the basic shape data, and based on the evaluation parameter, The generated competition object is evaluated, the competition by these competition objects is virtually executed in consideration of the evaluation result, and the progress of the competition is displayed on each participant terminal 21, 22 and the large display 19. Since a competition (game) is executed, a large display 19 is provided here to create a realistic sensation.

The participant terminals 21 and 22 have a structure in which a display unit such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display panel, an input unit such as a mouse or a keyboard, a floppy disk drive, and a CPU are integrated. The competition participant may send the participant data to the processing device by mounting the floppy disk containing the participant data in the floppy disk drive, or may create the participant data using the participant terminals 21 and 22. You may. Since images showing the progress of the competition are displayed one by one on the display unit of the participant terminal, the network 17 connecting the participant terminal 22 outside the center and the center is at least a down line (a line from the center to the terminal side). For, it is desirable to be a high-speed line.

Next, the execution of a game using this game center device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, it is assumed that an assembly model type is used as the competition object.

Assuming that a plurality of types of competition programs are prepared in advance in the competition program storage unit 14, first, the competition type is selected (step 101). here,
The game-type competition shall be selected. You can also choose the content of the competition that cannot be realized in the real world. Then, the participant data of each competition participant is read into the processing device 11 (step 102), and the competition parameters are set by each competition participant (step 103). The competition parameter is a parameter that is determined when the competition is executed, such as an initial fuel load amount. Competition parameters generally consist of multiple items, and values can be set individually for each, but there is an upper limit for the sum of the values of all items, and each competitor will be balanced under the constraint of this upper limit. Set the parameters for your model. FIG. 3 shows an example of a display screen for setting competition parameters when an automobile race is assumed. A setting bar 25, which is an icon of a bar graph, is displayed, and the game parameters can be determined by defining the boundaries between the items by dragging with the cursor 26 of the mouse so that the total sum is 100% or less.

Next, referring to the basic shape data read out from the basic shape data storage unit 15, a model (competition object) of each competition participant is virtually created from the participant data of each competition participant. (Step 104). As will be described later, the model created here is the same as the model created by the competition participants in advance for creating participant data.
At this time, the process of assembling the model of each competition participant may be reproduced and displayed on the participant terminals 21 and 22 of each competition participant.

It is judged whether the above process has been performed for all the participants (step 105). If not, the process returns to step 102. If all the participants have been completed, then the evaluation parameter storage unit The model of each participant is evaluated using the evaluation parameters stored in 16 as the criteria (step 106). Specifically, the participant data is verified, and, for example, a penalty is given to a model with many burrs and poor assembly accuracy. Of course, the evaluation criteria may be changed depending on the type of competition. Then, the game is executed (step 107). The game is run in such a way that penalizing models are at a disadvantage. The progress of the game is displayed on the participant terminals 21 and 22 and the large display 19. When the game ends, the process ends.

The execution process of the competition (game) has been described above. However, as the competition, there is also a case where only the quality of the assembled model is judged, that is, a case where a virtually produced model is held. I can think. Furthermore, it is possible to play a one-to-one game between two competition participants outside the center via this competition center device.

Next, the creation of participant data will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration for creating participant data, which is realized by using, for example, a personal computer or a home game device, and as described above, each participant terminal 21, 22 may be configured as shown here. Here, a case will be described in which, in a virtual space displayed on a display device, each part is cut off from a plate that is an initial member and assembled to create a plastic model type competition object while creating participant data.

With reference to the input device 31 such as a mouse and the basic shape data 35, the participant data 3 of each competition participant
6, a processing engine unit 32 for manufacturing 6, a manufacturing tool file 33 storing data of tools used in a virtual assembly process, and a display device 34 for displaying each assembly process. ing. Participant data 36
Will eventually be stored on a floppy disk,
It is transmitted to the competition center device via the network. As described above, the basic shape data 35 is the same data among the athletes, and includes the shape data of each part (part) that constitutes the plastic model, the connection relationship on the plate, and the connection part of the connection member. It includes data such as shape.

Considering the procedure for assembling an actual plastic model, the phase of separating the parts from the plate,
It is roughly divided into the phase of assembling separated parts. After separating some parts, some assembly is done,
Since it is possible to perform work such as cutting off some of the remaining parts, the phase is to cut off the parts at the beginning, and then these two phases can be freely switched between, and finally assembled. It becomes a phase.

Therefore, when creating participant data,
The processing engine unit 32 displays on the display device 34 a parts window corresponding to the separation phase and an assembly window corresponding to the assembly phase. The participants of the competition can freely change the windows at any time, and virtually assemble them in each window displayed on the display device 34 using a mouse or the like under a graphic user interface. Do the work.

First, the parts window will be described. FIG. 5 shows the parts window 50. A large space for displaying the plate 40 and the like is provided at the center of the parts window 50. The plate 40 has a configuration in which a plurality of parts (parts) 41 are connected to the connection member 42, and by cutting at each connection portion,
The parts 41 are separated. The plate 40 is displayed based on the basic shape data 35, but the parts that have already been separated are not displayed here. At the left end of the parts window 50, tool icons 51 for competitors to select tools are arranged in order from the upper end side. In the example shown,
The top is the nipper and the second is the cutter. Besides, tool icons 51 such as scissors and nail clippers may be prepared. The desired tool icon 51 is selected with the cursor 49 of the mouse and the tool is selected by clicking the mouse. On the other hand, at the right end of the parts window 50, from the upper end side, "parts", "assembly"
A transition button 53 such as is arranged. Transition button 53
Indicates a transition between windows by clicking the mouse. Since the parts window 50 is actually displayed here, only the transition button 53 of “parts” is changed in color.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the processing in the disconnection window. First, the tool is selected by the operation of the mouse by the competitor (step 11).
1) Next, parameters such as the cutting position and angle, and how to apply the force at the time of cutting are set (step 11).
2). Parameter setting is also performed by operating the mouse in the parts window 50, as described later. Then, it confirms with the participants whether the set value is acceptable (step 113). If the set value is not acceptable, the process returns to step 111. If the set value is acceptable, depending on the type of tool and the parameter. The shape of the cut edge is calculated (step 114), the data is saved in the file of the participant data 36 as the part is cut off so as to have the cut edge shape based on the calculation result (step 115), and the shape of the cut edge part is calculated. Is displayed on the display device 34 (step 11).
6). Then, it is confirmed whether the process is finished (step 11
7) If the other parts are to be continuously separated, the process returns to step 111, and if not, the process ends.

FIGS. 7A to 7D show examples of screens that actually appear in the parts window 50 during the separation process. Note that in FIGS. 7B to 7D, contour lines and the like on the screen are not shown in order to avoid complication.

First, as shown in FIG. 7A, a desired tool icon 51 is clicked with a mouse cursor 49 displayed on the screen. Here, it is assumed that the nipper is selected. As a result, the mouse cursor 49 changes to the nipper icon 54, and the icon 54 is moved to a desired position to be cut by the mouse operation. Here, the component 41 and the connecting member 42
It is assumed that the icon 54 is positioned at the connection point with. Once the icon 54 is located at the desired location (for example,
When the tip of the nipper is located at the connection point mentioned above), click the left mouse button. As a result, the tip position of the nipper is fixed there, and the cursor 49 appears again apart from the icon 54.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the tip of the icon 54 (the position to be cut) is dragged by dragging the root side (the side held by hand) of the nipper icon 54 with the mouse cursor 49. As shown by the arrow in the figure, the icon 54 rotates about the center of the arrow, and the desired cutting angle is set by adjusting the rotation angle appropriately. Then, by double-clicking on the icon 54, the icon 5 showing that the nipper is opened by hand is displayed.
The icon 54 changes to 5, and a bar graph icon 56 showing the strength of force appears. Here, FIG.
As shown in (c), cursor 4 on the hand of icon 56
When 9 is positioned and the left button of the mouse is pressed and held, the hand opening angle becomes larger or smaller, and the bar portion of the bar graph icon 56 becomes longer or shorter accordingly. repeat. The state where the bar is shortened is shown in FIG. 7 (d). The opening of the nipper (the length of the bar of the bar graph icon 56) represents the force when cutting with the nipper, and the competitors press the left mouse button until the force value becomes the desired value. Continue, set the power when cutting. Then, the disconnection is executed by double-clicking the left button of the mouse.

When the cutting is executed, as described above, the processing engine unit 32 calculates the shape of the cut, and the result is stored in the file of the participant data 36 and reflected in the display content. The calculation of the cut shape is
It is performed based on the parameters (selected tool, cutting position, cutting angle, force value) set by the competition participants as described above. Specifically, the shape of the cut end and the amount of protrusion (height) of the burr are determined by the tool, the cutting position and the cutting angle, and at that time, the error value determined based on the force value should be reflected in the shape. To In addition, in this specification, when the height of the burr is not particularly referred to, the shape of the cut includes the height of the burr. Further, when the force is extremely small, it is possible not to break. The shape of the cut may be actually obtained from these parameters by numerical calculation, but since the amount of calculation is enormous, several patterns are prepared in advance for the shape of the cut and the amount of protrusion of the burr. The combination of these patterns should be determined by a simple calculation with the parameters set by the competitors. FIG. 8A shows the parts window 50 immediately after the cutting is performed. As shown in the drawing, a display is made at the cutting position (in the example shown, a thick line arranged at the connecting portion between the component 41 and the connecting member 42), and an enlarged view of the cutting portion (inside the broken line in the drawing) is shown in another window 57. Is displayed in. In the illustrated example, the cut 44 has an oblique shape. Further, FIG. 8B shows an example of the patterns 58 prepared in advance as the shapes of the cut edges. Further, FIG. 8C shows an example of a pattern 59 prepared in advance as a protrusion amount of burrs formed after cutting.

Next, the assembly window will be described. FIG. 9 shows the assembly window 60. At the center of the assembling window 60, a large space for displaying the virtual space in which the assembling is performed is provided.
In this virtual space, a metaphor 62 that resembles a desk is displayed, and the plate 40 and the plate 4 are placed on the desk.
Parts 41 separated from 0, a plastic model 45 in the process of assembly, and the like are displayed. The part 41 saves the shape of the cut end and the height of the burr determined at the time of separation in the parts window 50 as they are. At the left end of the assembling window 60, tool icons 61 for the competitors to select tools are arranged in order from the upper end side. Here, the top is the adhesive and the second is the file for burring. In addition to this, a tool icon 61 such as a toothpick or a brush for applying an adhesive may be prepared. A tool is selected by the mouse. Further, like the parts window 50, command buttons 52 and transition buttons 53 are arranged.

When the tool icon 61 of the adhesive itself is selected instead of the brush or toothpick for applying the adhesive, the operation of actually applying the adhesive is not performed,
It is assumed that the operation of joining two parts to each other or joining a part to a model in the process of assembly is performed. On the other hand, when the toothpick or the brush itself is selected, the bonding is not performed, but the adhesive is applied to a certain component in the same manner as the separation in the component window 50.

Next, the processing in the assembling window 60 will be described by taking the joining of parts as an example. Click the adhesive tool icon 61 with the cursor 49, and
When the two parts 41 to be joined to each other are clicked, an enlarged screen for joining appears as shown in FIG. 10 (a). If a convex portion 46 and a concave portion 47 that engage with each other are present in each component 41, the corresponding convex portion 46
By designating the concave portion 47 and the concave portion 47 with the cursor 49, both parts 41 are joined. At this time, by clicking or dragging the outer periphery or center of the component 41, the component 41 moves in each of the three axes in the virtual space and also rotates around the three axes. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the bonding positions (gluing positions) 48 may be designated and bonded. In addition, if the component 41 permits joining to an arbitrary position, the posture in each axial direction is determined by the mouse as described above, and then the component is arranged at the desired position by dragging. Good.

These processings are carried out by the processing engine unit 32 in the same manner as in the above-mentioned disconnection. However, “Select Tool” in step 111 of the flowchart of FIG.
In addition, the instruction of joining by specifying the tool icon 61 of the adhesive itself is also included. Then, the history thus assembled is stored in the file of the participant data 36 in step 115.

The structure of the basic shape data 35 is shown in FIG.
1 will be described. The parts library is composed of basic parts data, which is three-dimensional vector data representing the part number (part number) and the shape of each part, and further, the positional relationship and the connection part in the state of being connected to the plate 40. It is composed of data including the shape.

Next, the participant data 36 will be described. The participant data 36 is actually two files, that is, the script file 7 in which operation procedures are recorded one by one.
1 and a result file 72 indicating the result of the operation. 12 (a) is a diagram for explaining the timing of data collection for the participant data 36, FIG. 12 (b) is a diagram showing the structure of the script file 71, and FIG. 12 (c) is a result file 72. It is a figure explaining the data structure of. The processing engine unit 32 adds to the script file 71 each time an operation is performed by a competitor. Each record of the script file 71 corresponds to one procedure, and includes the part number of the part to be operated, the tool used and the type of operation, and the parameters (position, position, etc.) at the time of operation.
Angle, force, opponent, etc.). On the other hand, the result file 72 is a file that records what kind of change has occurred in a certain component as a result of a certain operation. The result file 72 is generated for each operation, but the parts that have not changed by the operation are not described. Specifically, the result file 72 shows the positional relationship vector data between the parts changed by the operation, the correction vector data for each part, and which part and which part are actually attached by the adhesive. It is composed of joining relation data. Of course, the shape of the cut end, the height of the burr, etc. are reflected in the result file 72, and the result is recorded even when the burr is shaved. Further, when the assembling is completed, a final result file in which all these result files 72 are put together is output.

Originally, the work procedure should be reproducible only with the script file 71, but the result file 72 is also used because the calculation time is required if only the script file 71 is reproduced. If you want to reproduce the process of assembling an object (model) at the time of competition, you can use a script file. Without doing such a thing, suddenly create an object and evaluate it. If so, you only need to refer to the final result file. As described above, the total data amount of vector data (total data amount of the result file 72) that changes in the process of assembling the plastic model is larger than the data amount of the basic shape data 35 that describes the detailed shapes of all the parts 41. Thought to be much smaller. Incidentally, the data amount of the script file 71 is considered to be smaller. Therefore, no matter how large the basic shape data 35 is, it is easy to bring the participant data 36 for the competition, and the competition center device can accurately reproduce the competition object.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, by bringing the participant data created by each participant from the common basic shape data, an object to be played by each participant can be displayed in the competition center device. It can be virtually reproduced, and this has an effect that it is possible to play a game with an object by the participants themselves, while taking advantage of the advantage of the computer game device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a competition center device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of executing a competition.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when setting competition parameters.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration for creating participant data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a parts window.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing by a processing engine unit.

FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D are diagrams showing an example of a screen when a separation process is performed.

FIG. 8 (a) is a diagram showing an example of a screen after the process of detaching is performed, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a cut end, and (c)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the amount of protrusion of burr after cutting.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an assembly window.

10 (a) and 10 (b) are diagrams showing an example of a screen when an assembly process of parts is performed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a structure of data in a parts library.

12A is a diagram illustrating the timing of collecting participant data, FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a configuration of a script file during participant data, and FIG. 12C is a diagram illustrating a script file during participant data. It is a figure explaining the data structure of a result file.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Processing Device 12 Memory 13 Communication Interface 14 Competition Program Storage 15 Basic Shape Data Storage 16 Evaluation Parameter Storage 17 Network 18 Interface 19 Large Display 21,22 Participant Terminal 31 Input Device 32 Processing Engine 33 Production Tool File 34 Display Device 35 Basic shape data 40 Plate 41 Parts 42 Connection member 50 Parts window 60 Assembly window 101-107, 111-117 steps

Front page continued (72) Inventor Norio Nonaka, 1-4, Yata-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Sony Music Entertainment Inc.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A competition center device for executing a competition by an object for each competition participant, wherein a basic shape data storage unit storing basic shape data, and the competition for each competition participant based on the basic shape data. A processing device that virtually generates the competition object from the participant data of the participants, and virtually executes and displays the competition by the generated competition object, and the basic shape data includes the competition object. When at least the shape data of each part constituting the above is included, the participant data is prepared in advance by the competition participant by assembling the parts virtually based on the basic shape data. A competition center device characterized by being data accumulated based on operation history. 2. An evaluation parameter storage unit for storing an evaluation parameter is further provided, wherein the processing device evaluates the generated competition object based on the evaluation parameter, and executes the competition in consideration of the evaluation result. The competition center device according to claim 1. 3. The competition object is represented as an assembly model in which each of the parts is separated from an initial member composed of a plurality of the parts connected to each other via a connecting member, and the participant data includes: The competition center apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising data regarding a shape of a cut when the part is separated from the initial member, and the shape of the cut is taken into consideration when the object is evaluated. 4. The competition center device according to claim 1, wherein an acquisition unit for acquiring the participant data is connected to the processing device. 5. The competition center apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a terminal device for each competition participant to generate the participant data in advance is connected to the processing device.