JPH11309270A - Input/output device, control device for input/output device, control method of input/output device for fishing game and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use an imitation rod for general-purpose game device and so on by measuring the rotary amount of handle against a handle support means and the position of the handle support means and outputting both results. SOLUTION: The support body position measuring equipment, for example using an angular velocity sensor, is set inside of support body 102 of controller 101 to measure the position of controller 101 when a player grips the controller 101 and operates it like a fishing rod. And a handle 103 is set at the right side of controller 101 to operate like a reel handle and make it possible to do winding and release of reel. The rotary amount is measured with the rotary amount measuring equipment set in the support body 102. Various button 104 is set on the support body 102 to be able to set and display a fishing place or a tackle and so on. Connecting the support body 102 to a general-purpose game device with a cord 105, it is possible to use it on the general-purpose game device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fishing game input / output device, a fishing game input / output device control device, a fishing game input / output device control method, and an information recording medium. A fishing game input / output device that can be used as a simulation rod in an information processing device such as a general-purpose game device or a general-purpose computer, a control device for the fishing game input / output device, a control method for the fishing game input / output device, and information recording. Regarding the medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, fishing games have been proposed for enjoying virtual fish and articles which are calculated and processed by an information processing device such as a game device or a computer.

In such a fishing game, a player operates an input / output device imitating a fishing rod and a handle of a reel. The input / output device outputs data on the attitude of the fishing rod and the amount of rotation of the handle to the information processing device.

[0004] The information processing apparatus generates a virtual fishing rod image based on the transmitted data, data stored by the information processing apparatus, and the like, and displays the image on a screen of a display device.

[0005] The information processing apparatus determines whether or not a fish or an article has been caught on this fishing rod. If it is determined that a fish or an article has been caught, this information is displayed on a screen.
A command to vibrate the input / output device is output. The input / output device that has received the command to vibrate vibrates itself.

[0006] When the player knows that a fish or an article has been caught, the player changes the posture of the fishing rod or rotates the handle. The input / output device outputs this data to the information processing device. The attitude of the fishing rod is changed by changing the attitude of the input / output device. For example, the following attitude changes are conceivable, but in practice, the player changes the attitude by combining these. (A) Changing the posture by raising or lowering the input / output device. The relative height of the front end and the rear end of the input / output device as viewed from the player is changed. That is, the inclination of the input / output device (fishing rod) with respect to the vertical direction is changed. (B) Changing the posture by twisting the input / output device. Generally, the handle of the input / output device is often provided on the right side when viewed from the player, but the position of the handle is changed around the central axis of the input / output device (fishing rod). That is, the twist of the input / output device (fishing rod) in the vertical direction is changed. (C) Changing the posture by swinging the input / output device left and right.
The relative angle between the front end and the rear end of the input / output device as viewed from the player is changed. That is, the direction of the input / output device (fishing rod) with respect to the horizontal direction is changed.

The information processing apparatus generates an image of a state where a fish or an article is being caught based on the input posture of the fishing rod or the amount of rotation of the handle, and displays the image on a screen.

[0008] By repeating these processes until a fish or an article is caught or detached from a fishing rod, a fishing game proceeds.

Therefore, there is a great demand for providing a more realistic and powerful fishing game.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 50-27636 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-27663 disclose a fishing game input / output device and a fishing game device main body that can be used as a simulation rod for such a fishing game.
174681, JP-A-3-7979, JP-A-3-7980, JP-A-3-7981, JP-A-7-248743, JP-A-8-196742
There are some which have been disclosed such as Japanese Patent Publication No.

[0011] In these, a simulated fishing rod is integrated with the fishing game apparatus and fixed, or a load device for connecting the simulated fishing line to the reel of the simulated rod and winding the simulated fishing line is separately provided and fixed to the ground or the like. Then, by winding the simulated fishing line, a load is applied when the handle of the reel is rotated.

[0012]

However, in the conventional structure of such a simulated rod, the following problems have occurred.

In a configuration in which the simulated rod is integrated with the game device, it is necessary to reduce the weight of the game device itself, so that a powerful image cannot be provided to the player. In addition, since there is a limit to the diversity of fish and article data due to size restrictions, there is a problem that the fun of the game is reduced. Further, in a configuration in which the simulation rod is fixed in a protruding manner to a fishing game apparatus provided with a display device such as a television device, the degree of freedom in swinging the simulation rod is reduced, and a problem occurs in that the sense of reality is reduced.

On the other hand, in a configuration in which the simulation rod and the game apparatus main body are connected via a simulation fishing line and a communication code,
The load that rotates the handle when fish or goods are hung,
Provided by a load device that winds up a simulated fishing line. For this reason, a device for fixing the load device to the ground or preventing the simulated fishing line from becoming entangled is required, which causes a problem that the entire game device becomes large.

[0015] In addition, as information processing devices such as general-purpose game devices and general-purpose computers have already become widespread, there is a demand for realizing a powerful fishing game with these information processing devices.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem. An input / output device for a fishing game, which can be used as a simulation rod for a fishing game in an information processing device such as a general-purpose game machine or a general-purpose computer, It is an object to provide a control device for an input / output device for a game, a control method for the input / output device for a fishing game, and an information recording medium.

[0017]

The invention for achieving the above object is the following invention.

A first invention is a fishing game input / output device comprising the following means. (A) supporting means having a rotating handle, (b) rotation amount measuring means for measuring the amount of rotation of the handle relative to the supporting means, (c) attitude measuring means for measuring the attitude of the supporting means, d) output means for outputting the rotation amount of the handle measured by the rotation amount measuring means and the attitude of the support means measured by the designated measuring means.

In the present invention, the support means has a rotating handle, the rotation amount measuring means measures the amount of rotation of the handle relative to the support means, the attitude measuring means measures the attitude of the support means, and the output means measures the rotation. The rotation amount of the handle and the attitude of the support means are output.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fishing game input / output device which can be used as a simulation rod for a fishing game in an information processing device such as a general-purpose game device or a general-purpose computer.

In particular, the fishing game input / output device according to the present invention can be provided independently of an information processing device such as a general-purpose game device or a general-purpose computer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the attitude measuring means measures a tilt of the support means in a vertical direction and a twist of the support means in a vertical direction. It is a game input / output device.

In the present invention, the attitude measuring means measures the inclination and the twist of the supporting means with respect to the vertical direction. For example, the attitude is measured by providing two sensors using gravity as attitude measurement means in the support means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fishing game input / output device that does not measure the orientation of the support means with respect to the horizontal direction.

A third invention is the input / output device for a fishing game according to the first or second invention, further comprising the following means. (E) vibration input means for inputting a command to vibrate the support means, and (f) vibration means for vibrating the support means in accordance with the command input by the vibration input means.

In the present invention, the vibration input means inputs a command to vibrate the support means, and the vibration means vibrates the command means in accordance with the command input by the vibration input means.

According to the present invention, for example, a vibration when a fish hits a fishing rod can be expressed, and a more realistic and powerful input / output device for a fishing game can be provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the input / output device for a fishing game according to the first to third aspects, further comprising the following means. (G) load input means for inputting a command to apply a load when rotating the handle with respect to the support means;
(H) load means for applying a load when rotating the handle with respect to the support means in accordance with a command input by the load input means.

In the present invention, the load input means inputs a command for applying a load when rotating the steering wheel to the command means, and the load means controls the rotation of the handle according to the command input by the load input means. Give the load.

According to the present invention, it is possible to express, for example, the weight and resistance when a fish or an article is placed on a fishing rod, and to provide a more realistic and powerful input / output device for a fishing game.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling an input / output device for a fishing game provided with support means having a handle, comprising the following steps. (A) measuring a rotation amount of the handle with respect to the support means; (b) measuring an attitude of the support means; (c) measuring the rotation amount of the handle and the measured Outputting the attitude of the support means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method of controlling a fishing game input / output device which can be used as a simulation rod for a fishing game in an information processing device such as a general-purpose game device or a general-purpose computer.

Further, in the fifth invention, the step of measuring the attitude of the support means further comprises measuring an inclination of the support means with respect to a vertical direction and a twist of the support means with respect to the vertical direction. A method for controlling a fishing game input / output device is disclosed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for controlling a fishing game input / output device that does not measure the orientation of the support means with respect to the horizontal direction.

Further, in the fifth invention, there is disclosed a control method of a fishing game input / output device, further comprising the following steps. (D) inputting a command to vibrate the support means, and (e) vibrating the support means in accordance with the input command.

According to the present invention, for example, a vibration when a fish hits a fishing rod can be expressed, and a more realistic and powerful control method of a fishing game input / output device can be provided.

In the fifth invention, a control method of a fishing game input / output device, further comprising the following steps, is disclosed. (F) inputting a command to apply a load to the support means when rotating the handle; and (g) applying a load to rotate the handle relative to the support means in accordance with the input command. Giving steps.

According to the present invention, it is possible to express, for example, the weight and resistance when a fish or an article is placed on a fishing rod, and to provide a more realistic and powerful control method of a fishing game input / output device. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control device for a fishing game input / output device for outputting a rotation amount of a steering wheel and a posture of a support means, wherein the control means includes the following means. (A) measurement amount input means for inputting the amount of rotation of the handle output by the fishing game input / output device and the attitude of the support means; and (b) the handle input from the measurement amount input means. Display means for generating an image corresponding to the support means from the amount of rotation of the support means and the attitude of the support means, and displaying the image.

In the present invention, the measured amount input means inputs the amount of rotation of the handle output by the fishing game input / output device and the attitude of the support means, and the display means displays the rotation of the handle input by the measured amount input means. An image corresponding to the support unit is generated from the amount and the attitude of the support unit, and the image is displayed.

According to the present invention, a control device for controlling a fishing game input / output device that can be used as a simulation game fishing rod can be used as a dedicated control device or an information processing device such as a general-purpose game device or a general-purpose computer. It can be realized and provided.

In particular, the control device according to the present invention can be provided independently of the fishing game input / output device.

According to a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, in the attitude of the support means input by the measurement amount input means, the inclination of the support means with respect to the vertical direction, and the vertical direction of the support means With a twist on
A direction estimating means for calculating and estimating the direction of the support means in the horizontal direction, wherein the display means inputs the orientation of the support means in the horizontal direction estimated by the direction estimating means and the measurement amount input means; Generating an image corresponding to the supporting means from the inclination of the supporting means with respect to the vertical direction and the twist of the supporting means with respect to the vertical direction. It is a control device of the output device.

In the present invention, the measured amount input means inputs the tilt and twist of the support means with respect to the vertical direction, and the direction estimating means detects the tilt of the support means with respect to the vertical direction and the twist of the support means inputted by the measured quantity input means. Estimating the orientation with respect to the horizontal direction, the display means, from the inclination and twist with respect to the vertical direction of the support means input by the measured quantity input means and the orientation with respect to the horizontal direction of the support means estimated by the orientation estimation means, to the support means Generate the corresponding image.

According to the present invention, a fishing game which realizes a realistic and powerful fishing game even when controlling a fishing game input / output device having a simple structure in which the orientation of the support means in the horizontal direction is not measured. And a control device for the input / output device.

In an eighth aspect based on the sixth or seventh aspect, the fishing game input / output device further comprises vibration input means for inputting a command to vibrate the support means.
A control device for a fishing game input / output device comprising the following means. (C) vibration determining means for determining whether or not to vibrate the support means based on the rotation amount of the handle input by the measured amount input means and the attitude of the support means;
(D) vibration output means for outputting a command to vibrate the support means to the vibration input means of the fishing game input / output device when the vibration determination means determines that the support means is to be vibrated.

In the present invention, the vibration determining means determines whether or not to vibrate the support means based on the rotation amount of the handle input by the measured quantity input means and the attitude of the support means. If it is determined that the support means is to be vibrated, a command to vibrate the support means is output to the vibration input means of the fishing game input / output device.

According to the present invention, if a command to vibrate is output to the input / output device for a fishing game, it is possible to express, for example, a vibration when a fish is hit on a fishing rod, thereby providing a more realistic and powerful fishing. A control device for a game input / output device can be provided.

According to a ninth aspect, in the sixth to eighth aspects, the fishing game input / output device further includes load input means for inputting a command for applying a load when rotating the steering wheel. A method for controlling an input / output device for a fishing game, characterized by comprising means. (E) load determining means for determining whether or not to apply a load when rotating the handle, based on the attitude of the support means input by the measured quantity input means and the rotation amount of the handle; f) load output means for outputting a load application command to the load input means of the fishing game input / output device when the load determination means determines that a load is applied when rotating the handle.

In the present invention, the load determining means determines whether or not a load is applied when rotating the handle, based on the attitude of the support means input by the measured quantity input means and the amount of rotation of the handle. The output means outputs a command to apply the load to the load input means of the fishing game input / output device when the load determining means determines that a load is applied when rotating the steering wheel.

According to the present invention, for example, it is possible to express the weight and resistance when a fish or an article is placed on a fishing rod, and to provide a more realistic and powerful control device for a fishing game input / output device. .

A tenth invention is a control method of a fishing game input / output device for outputting a rotation amount of a steering wheel and a posture of a support means, wherein the control method includes the following steps. (A) inputting the amount of rotation of the handle output by the fishing game input / output device and the attitude of the support means; and (b) inputting the amount of rotation of the handle and the support means. And generating an image corresponding to the supporting means from the posture of the subject and displaying the image.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control method for controlling a fishing game input / output device that can be used as a simulation rod for a fishing game.

Further, in the tenth aspect, among the input postures of the support means, the support means may be determined from a tilt of the support means in a vertical direction and a twist of the support means in a vertical direction. Calculating and estimating the orientation of the support means with respect to the horizontal direction, and the displaying step comprises, among the orientation of the support means with respect to the horizontal direction estimated by the orientation estimating means and the input attitude of the support means, A method for controlling an input / output device for a fishing game, wherein an image corresponding to the supporting means is generated from a tilt of the supporting means with respect to a vertical direction and a twist of the supporting means with respect to a vertical direction. .

According to the present invention, a fishing game which realizes a realistic and powerful fishing game even when controlling a fishing game input / output device having a simple structure in which the horizontal direction of the support means is not measured. And a control method of the input / output device.

In the tenth invention, the input / output device for a fishing game further comprises vibration input means for inputting a command to vibrate the fishing game input device, and comprises the following steps: A method for controlling an output device is disclosed. (C) determining whether or not to vibrate the fishing game input / output device based on the input rotation amount of the handle and the attitude of the support means; and (d) determining the Outputting a command to vibrate the fishing game input / output device to the vibration input means of the fishing game input / output device when it is determined that the fishing game input / output device is vibrated;

According to the present invention, if a command to vibrate is output to the fishing game input / output device, for example, the vibration when a fish hits a fishing rod can be expressed, and a more realistic and powerful fishing A method for controlling a game input / output device can be provided.

Further, in the tenth aspect, the fishing game input / output device further includes load input means for inputting a command for applying a load when rotating the handle.
A method for controlling a fishing game input / output device, comprising the following steps, is disclosed. (E) determining whether to apply a load when rotating the handle, based on the input rotation amount of the handle and the posture of the support means; and (f) determining the handle by the step. Outputting a load application command to the load input means of the fishing game input / output device, when it is determined that a load is applied when rotating.

According to the present invention, for example, it is possible to express the weight and resistance when a fish or an article is put on a fishing rod, and to provide a more realistic and powerful control method for a fishing game input / output device. .

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is an information recording medium recording a program having the following steps for controlling a fishing game input / output device for outputting a rotation amount of a steering wheel and a posture of a support means. (A) inputting the amount of rotation of the handle measured and output by the input / output means and the attitude of the support means; and (b) inputting the amount of rotation of the handle.
Generating an image corresponding to the supporting means from the attitude of the supporting means, and displaying the image;

According to the present invention, an information recording medium on which a program is recorded is easily distributed or sold as a software product independently of an information processing device such as a fishing game input / output device, a general-purpose game device, and a general-purpose computer. Will be able to do it. If the program recorded on the information recording medium of the present invention is executed by an information processing device such as a general-purpose game device or a general-purpose computer, the control device for the fishing game input / output device according to the above invention and the fishing device according to the above invention A control method of the game input / output device can be realized, and in particular, if the fishing game input / output device according to the above invention is used together with the control device, a more realistic and powerful fishing game can be provided. it can.

[0062]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The following embodiments are given for explanation and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can adopt an embodiment in which some or all of the components of the embodiments described below are replaced with equivalents.
These embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an external view of an embodiment of a fishing game input / output device (controller that can be connected to a general-purpose game device) according to the present invention. FIG.
(B) is a right side view thereof. An embodiment of a fishing game input / output device (controller) will be described with reference to FIG. Although an embodiment for a right-handed player will be described below, an embodiment in which all or a part of the left and right sides are reversed may be employed.

The controller 101 includes a support 102 that is gripped by the player and supports the entire controller. For example, the player holds the support 102 with the left hand or both hands as if the controller 101 is a fishing rod, and changes the attitude of the support 102 and thus the controller 101.

An attitude measuring device 11 for measuring the attitude of the support 102 is provided inside the support 102 of the controller 101.
1 (not shown in FIG. 1). When an angular velocity sensor is used in the attitude measuring device, the angle can be obtained by integrating the output of the sensor with respect to time. Also,
When an angular acceleration sensor is used, the angle can be obtained by integrating the output of the sensor twice over time. In this case, the tilt, twist, and horizontal orientation of the support 102 can be measured.

On the other hand, when an angle sensor using gravity can be used, the tilt and twist of the support 102 can be measured, but it is difficult to measure the orientation in the horizontal direction. Therefore, when using two angle sensors that can measure a change in the angle around one axis, the inclination and twist of the support 102 can be measured directly or indirectly by numerical conversion by using two angle sensors.

As the angle sensor, an analog sensor which can measure an arbitrary angle from 0 to 180 degrees with analog gravity can be used. For example, every 15 degrees,
The inclination is from 45 degrees to 1 from vertical downward to upward
The range of 0 to 45 degrees may be measured with a right twist and a left twist with respect to 35 degrees, respectively. The measurement range and accuracy of the angle sensor can be changed as appropriate.

This method is advantageous in that the number of sensors and the cost can be reduced as compared with the above method. The handling of the horizontal direction when this method is adopted will be described later.

A vibration device 113 (FIG. 1) for vibrating the support 102 is provided inside the support 102 of the controller 101.
(Not shown) can be arranged. The vibration device
Rotating an eccentric weight with a drive device such as a motor,
Vibration is generated by intermittently driving the metal tongue with an electromagnet. A known vibration device used for a mobile phone, a pager, or the like can be used.

On the right side of the controller 101, a support 1
A handle 103 having a rotation shaft that rotates with respect to the handle 02 is disposed. For example, when there is an indication that a fish or an article can be caught, as if the handle 103 is a reel handle, the player can use the handle 10 with his right hand.
By operating 3, a reel winding operation and a reel opening operation are performed.

A rotation measuring device 112 (not shown in FIG. 1) for measuring the rotation of the rotating shaft of the handle 103 is arranged inside the support 102 of the controller 101. Furthermore, a rotating load device 1 for measuring that can apply a load when the player rotates the rotating shaft of the handle 103.
14 (not shown in FIG. 1).

The rotation amount measuring device may be capable of measuring an arbitrary angle in an analog manner, or may generate a pulse every 45 ° rotation, for example. Although it is difficult to measure the absolute position of the rotation from the reference position in the embodiment that generates the pulse, the reel of the fishing rod generally rotates only in one direction, as will be described later. There is no problem in obtaining.

The pulse may be generated by attaching a switch to the rotation axis of the handle 103 or by attaching a slit or a reflection plate to the rotation axis and detecting the rotation by an optical sensor.

The load applied by the rotary load device is a torque in the direction opposite to the rotation direction when turning the handle 103 in the direction of winding the fishing line. This torque may be made to have an arbitrary magnitude in an analog manner, or the magnitude of the torque may be divided into four or six steps. With this configuration, it is possible to express the weight of the fish and the weight of the article, and the resistance when pulling them, thereby increasing the sense of realism and power.

In the conventional simulated fishing rod input device, the load is applied via the simulated fishing line, whereas in the present invention, the load when rotating the reel handle is controlled by the controller 10.
1 provided by a rotary load device built in. Therefore, the whole fishing game device can be made much smaller than before, and problems such as tangling of the simulated fishing line do not occur.

In many cases, the reel of an actual fishing rod is configured to be rotatable only in one direction (the direction of winding the fishing line). Therefore, the handle 103 can be configured to be rotatable only in one direction (the direction in which the fishing line is wound) by using a known reverse rotation prevention mechanism. With this configuration, the sense of reality can be further increased.

Various buttons 104 are arranged on the upper surface of the center of the support 102 of the controller 101. These buttons 104 may select a fishing spot, a course, a gimmick, a bait, a lure, and the like in a fishing game.
A menu is displayed on the screen, and by selecting an item from the menu, the player can instruct these selections. Various controllers such as direction buttons arranged in a cross shape, figures such as ○, □, △, ×, and buttons with letters A, B, C etc. These operations are performed using.

In order to be able to replace the controller 101 of the present invention with a controller that is provided as standard equipment in a general-purpose game device, buttons 104 similar to those of the controller of the standard device are arranged. However, these buttons 104
It is also possible to take an embodiment which is not provided with.

Further, in the actual fishing rod, switches and levers for releasing the clutch between the reel and the fishing line and allowing the fishing line to come out freely are used. The role of these switches and levers is described above. Button 104 can be assigned.

From the front end of the support 102 of the controller 101, that is, from the back side when viewed from the player, the cord 1
The extension of the cord 105 is connected to the connector 10.
6 is connected. The connector 106 is connected to the main body of the game device, and the controller 101 and the general-purpose game device communicate via the cord 105 and the connector 106.
The controller 101 includes a cord 105 and a connector 1
Via 06, the posture of the support 102 measured by the posture measuring device, the rotation amount of the handle 103 measured by the rotation amount measuring device, and the like are transmitted to the general-purpose game device.
On the other hand, the general-purpose game device issues a command to apply a load by the rotating load device, a command to vibrate the vibration device, and the like to the controller 101 via the code 105 and the connector 106.

If power is required to operate the device provided in the controller 101, the code 105
Power can be supplied from the general-purpose game device via the connector 106 and the connector 106.

In the present embodiment, the general-purpose game device and the controller 1
01, and infrared communication or wireless communication using radio waves can be used as an interface in place of the code 105 and the connector 106. In this embodiment, the attitude of the controller 101 can be changed more freely than in the case of a wired connection. For example, the swing-up and swing-down operations of trying to fly the tip of the fishing line as far as possible can be increased, so that the realism and power can be increased.

FIG. 6 is an external view of a controller according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the realism and power are increased by making the shapes of the fishing rod and the reel similar to the real ones.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a fishing game input / output device (controller) according to the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the controller 101
2, a cord 105, a connector 106,
2, a button 104, a posture measuring device 111, a rotation amount measuring device 112, a vibration device 113, a rotation load device 11
4 are arranged, these are the cord 105 and the connector 1
06 to a general-purpose game device. The rotation amount measurement device 112 and the rotation load device 114 are connected to the handle 103 via a switch, an optical sensor, a gear, or the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a fishing game input / output device (controller) according to the present invention. The embodiment in FIG. 3 is a method for realizing the controller 101 itself as an information processing device such as a computer. The button 104 and the posture measuring device 11 are provided inside the support 102.
1. In addition to the rotation amount measurement device 112, the vibration device 113, and the rotation load device 114, a RAM / ROM (Random Access Me
storage device 115 such as mory / Read Only Memory (random access memory, read only memory), and CPU (Ce)
An ntral processing unit (central processing unit) 116 is arranged, and these are connected by a bus 117. The bus 117 is connected to an interface 118, and the interface 118 performs communication with the general-purpose game device via the code 105 and the connector 106. In this embodiment, complicated processing can be performed by the controller 101 itself.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a general-purpose game machine to which a fishing game input / output device (controller) of the present invention is connected. Game device 300 shown in FIG.
Are the CPU 301, the main memory 302, the OS RO
M (Operating System Read Only Memory) 303, sound processor 304, graphic processor 306, CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only M)
emory) A decoder 307 and a communication device 308 are provided. Each unit is connected by a bus 309.

The CPU 301 includes a cache memory and a GTE (GeomeTric Engine; graphics data generation processor) therein. Cache memory is
Access can be made faster than the main memory 302. This is because there is no need to go through the bus 309. The cache memory stores data near an address recently used by the CPU 301, a program near an address currently being executed, and a program near an address expected to be executed in the future. Therefore, it is possible to increase the speed of the repetition calculation and the like.

The GTE is a coprocessor of the CPU 301, and performs coordinate conversion of images of a fishing rod, a fish, an article, and a background, and performs matrix vector calculation for light source calculation.

The main memory 302 temporarily stores programs and data. The OS ROM 303 is a memory that stores an operating system.

The graphics processor 306 is connected to the television device 315 via the video output 310. The television device 315 is a CRT (Cathode Ra).
display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD).

The graphic processing processor 306
CP according to polygon drawing command from PU 301
Based on the coordinate data, color data, and the like obtained in U301 (GTE), an image of a fishing rod, a fish, an article, and a background is generated and displayed on the television device 315. These can be generated as polygon graphics.

The graphic processing processor 306
The still image data and the animation data read from the CD-ROM via the D-ROM encoder 307 and the CD-ROM drive 320 are transmitted to the television device 31.
5 can be reproduced and displayed. Note that the graphic processor 306 can also perform animation display in which images drawn on a two-dimensional plane are sequentially changed.

The communication device 308 can be connected to the controller 101 which can be used as the simulation fishing rod shown in FIG. The communication device 308 includes the posture of the support 102 of the controller 101, the rotation amount of the handle 103,
4 is transferred to the CPU 301,
A command to vibrate the support 102 based on a command from the PU 301, a command to apply a load to the rotation of the handle 103, and the like are transferred to the controller 101.

Further, data is read from or written to the memory card based on a command from the CPU 301. Drive control. The memory card can be removably attached to the communication device 108 and has a nonvolatile memory. The memory card can hold data (for example, fishing results) stored therein even when the memory card is removed from the communication device 108. Also, this memory card itself,
It can also be realized as a computer including a storage device (RAM or ROM) and a control device (CPU).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control for realizing a fishing game in the embodiment of the general-purpose game machine to which the input / output device (controller) for a fishing game of the present invention is connected.

First, the CPU 301
The data of the attitude of the support 102 transmitted from step 01 is acquired (step S401).

Next, the CPU 301 uses the GTE and the graphics processor 306 on the basis of the data of the posture and the data recorded in the main memory 302 or the CD-ROM, to use a fishing rod, a fishing line, a fish, an article or the like. An image such as a background is generated and displayed on the television device 315 (step S402). In addition, sound can be output from the television device 315 by using the sound processor 304 as appropriate.

Next, it is checked by calculation whether a virtual fish or article has been hooked on a fishing line (step S4).
03). Fish and article data can be pre-loaded into the main memory 302 from a CD-ROM. If not (step S403; No), the process returns to step S401. If yes (step S4
03; Yes), the process proceeds to step S404.

The CPU 301 outputs a command for vibration to the controller 101 (step S40).
4). In the controller 101 receiving this, the vibrating device 113 vibrates, and the player can feel the hit with fish or the like.

Next, the CPU 301 acquires the attitude and the rotation amount of the handle 103 transmitted from the controller 101 (step S405).

Further, the CPU 301 determines in step S4
Similarly to the image 02, an image of a fishing rod, a fishing line, a fish, an article, a background, and the like is generated and displayed on the television device 315 (step S406). This step S406
Then, when a fish or an article is caught, these images are also generated and displayed. For example, there are an image showing a state in which a fishing line raises water by cutting the surface of the water, an image showing a shadow of a fish being blurred in water, and an image showing a state in which a fish or an article is gradually being caught.

Then, the CPU 301 examines the amount of rotation of the steering wheel 103 transmitted from the controller 101, and determines the magnitude of the load applied to the rotation of the steering wheel based on the value, the data of the fish or the goods on which the rotation has occurred, and the like. Is transmitted to the controller 101 (step S40).
7). The rotating load device of the controller 101 changes the magnitude of the load according to this command, and the player can feel the fish sink, the resistance, the weight of the article, and the like.

Then, CPU 301 determines whether a fish or an article has been caught (step S408). This depends on how far the device has been cast (ie, how vigorously the controller 101 has been swung down), how much the fishing line has been wound (ie, how much the handle has been rotated), and the fishing rod. Can be determined on the basis of data such as whether the operation has been successfully performed (that is, how the controller 101 has been shaken). When the fish is caught (step S40)
8; Yes) is the end of one game.

When it is determined that the fish is still hooked on the fishing line (step S408; hooked)
Returns to step S404, when it is determined that the fish has deviated from the fishing line device (step S40).
8; departure) returns to step S401.

With such a game device control method,
A realistic and powerful fishing game can be provided. Further, a program for realizing these control methods can be recorded on an information recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and sold separately.

A method for calculating and estimating the horizontal direction from these data when only the inclination and the twist are obtained as the posture data of the support 102 will be described below.

When a fishing person swings a fishing rod, the angle of the left hand supporting the grip of the fishing rod often changes. For example, when the fishing rod is swung to the left, the fishing rod is twisted such that the palm of the left hand is facing up and the back of the hand is facing down. The amount of the twist varies depending on the inclination of the fishing rod with respect to the vertical direction. Therefore, even when the horizontal swing in the horizontal direction cannot be measured, this can be calculated and estimated from the inclination and twist of the fishing rod.

For example, the inclination of the fishing rod is
Although the embodiment in which the step and the twist of the fishing rod are measured in seven steps at intervals of 15 degrees has been described above, the horizontal left and right swing directions can be set in advance for each of these 49 types. This can be measured by experiment.

In these cases, the process of calculating and estimating
It can be realized as follows. The main memory 302 stores in advance a 7 × 7 array of 49 types of elements,
The PU 301 determines which of the above seven stages the amount of the acquired inclination and twist of the fishing rod is in, and according to this numerical value, a specific row (a tilt stage) and a specific column (a twist column) of the array. Obtain the value stored in step). This value is the orientation of the fishing rod with respect to the horizontal direction estimated by calculation.

It is also possible to correct this set value for each player. For example, a setting screen of the direction of the fishing rod is displayed on the television device, the direction in the horizontal direction is designated, and the player is instructed to swing the controller 101 in that direction. The tilt and twist data obtained when the player shakes the controller 101 are acquired, and based on the data, a table having the above 49 types of items is filled in as needed.

In this embodiment, the controller 101
Since the horizontal direction can be estimated only by providing a relatively inexpensive angle sensor that can detect rotation around two axes or two angle sensors that can detect rotation around one axis, the controller 101 The size of
While the cost can be reduced, a realistic and powerful fishing game can be provided as in the case where the angular velocity sensor and the like are provided. The number of angular velocity sensors and angular acceleration sensors (the number of detectable rotation axes)
It is also possible to use this embodiment, and this embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention.

When the controller according to the present invention is not used, the program recorded on the information recording medium according to the present invention is executed by the general-purpose game device using, for example, a general-purpose game device and a controller attached as standard. Can also. In this case, the controller attached as standard transmits data corresponding to the posture of the support and the amount of rotation of the handle, for example, data such as how many times a button is pressed in a given time to the general-purpose game device. Therefore, this embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Further, the controller according to the present invention can be electrically connected to a remote device such as a manipulator to apply a real fish or article to a fishing game. In this case, the object to be caught is not a virtual fish or article calculated by the information processing machine but a real fish or article, but this embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0114]

The present invention has the following effects.

First, it is possible to provide a fishing game input / output device that can be used as a simulation rod for a fishing game in an information processing device such as a general-purpose game device or a general-purpose computer, and a control method thereof.

In particular, the fishing game input / output device according to the present invention can be provided independently of an information processing device such as a general-purpose game device or a general-purpose computer.

Second, it is possible to provide a fishing game input / output device that does not measure the orientation of the support means with respect to the horizontal direction and a control method thereof.

Thirdly, it is possible to provide a more realistic and powerful input / output device for a fishing game and a control method therefor, which can express, for example, a vibration when a fish hits a fishing rod.

Fourthly, it is possible to provide a fishing game input / output device which can express the weight and resistance when a fish or an object is placed on a fishing rod, and which is more realistic and powerful, and a control method therefor. it can.

Fifth, a control device and a control method for controlling a fishing game input / output device that can be used as a simulating rod for a fishing game can be provided by a dedicated control device or an information processing device such as a general-purpose game device or a general-purpose computer. Can be implemented and provided. In particular, the control device according to the present invention can be provided independently of the fishing game input / output device.

Sixth, even in the case of controlling a fishing game input / output device having a simple configuration in which the orientation of the support means in the horizontal direction is not measured, a fishing game which realizes a realistic and powerful fishing game is realized. Control device and control method for an input / output device can be provided.

Seventh, by outputting a command to the fishing game input / output device to vibrate, it is possible to express, for example, the vibration when a fish hits a fishing rod, providing a more realistic and powerful feeling. A control device and a control method for a certain fishing game input / output device can be provided.

Eighth, for example, a control device and a control method for a fishing game input / output device that can express the weight and resistance when a fish or an object is placed on a fishing rod, and that is more realistic and powerful. be able to.

Ninth, an information recording medium on which a program for realizing the control device and the control method described above is recorded as a software product is provided independently of information processing devices such as a fishing game input / output device, a general-purpose game device, and a general-purpose computer. And can be easily distributed and sold. If the program recorded on the information recording medium of the present invention is executed by an information processing device such as a general-purpose game device or a general-purpose computer, the control device for the fishing game input / output device according to the above invention and the fishing device according to the above invention A control method of the game input / output device can be realized, and in particular, if the fishing game input / output device according to the above invention is used together with the control device, a more realistic and powerful fishing game can be provided. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an embodiment of a fishing game input / output device (controller) according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a fishing game input / output device (controller) of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a fishing game input / output device (controller) of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a general-purpose game device to which a fishing game input / output device (controller) of the present invention is connected.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control for realizing a fishing game in the embodiment of the general-purpose game device to which the input / output device for a fishing game (controller) of the present invention is connected.

FIG. 6 is an external view of an embodiment of a fishing game input / output device (controller) according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Controller 102 Support body 103 Handle 104 Button 105 Code 106 Connector 111 Attitude measurement device 112 Rotation amount measurement device 113 Vibration device 114 Rotation load device 115 Storage device 116 C
PU 117 bus 118 interface 300 general-purpose game device 301C
PU 302 Main memory 303 O
S ROM 304 Sound processor 306 Graphic processor 307 CD-ROM encoder 308 Communication device 309 Bus 315 Television device 320 CD-ROM drive

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An input / output device for a fishing game, comprising: (A) supporting means having a rotating handle; (b) rotation amount measuring means for measuring the amount of rotation of the handle relative to the supporting means; (c) attitude measuring means for measuring the attitude of the supporting means; d) output means for outputting the rotation amount of the handle measured by the rotation amount measuring means and the attitude of the support means measured by the designated measuring means. 2. The input / output for a fishing game according to claim 1, wherein the attitude measuring means measures a tilt of the supporting means in a vertical direction and a twist of the supporting means in a vertical direction. apparatus. 3. The input / output device for a fishing game according to claim 1, further comprising the following means. (E) vibration input means for inputting a command to vibrate the support means; and (f) vibration means for vibrating the support means in accordance with the command input from the vibration input means. 4. The input / output device for a fishing game according to claim 1, further comprising the following means. (G) load input means for inputting a command to apply a load when the handle is rotated with respect to the support means, and (h) the load means with respect to the support means according to the command input by the load input means. A load means that applies a load when rotating the handle. 5. A method of controlling an input / output device for a fishing game, comprising a support means having a rotating handle, comprising the following steps. (A) measuring the amount of rotation of the handle relative to the support means; (b) measuring the attitude of the support means; and (c) measuring the amount of rotation of the handle and measuring the measured amount of rotation. Outputting the attitude of the support means. 6. A control device of a fishing game input / output device for outputting a rotation amount of a steering wheel and a posture of a support means, wherein the control device includes the following means. (A) measurement amount input means for inputting the rotation amount of the handle output by the fishing game input / output device and the attitude of the support means; and (b) the handle input by the measurement amount input means. Display means for generating an image corresponding to the support means from the amount of rotation of the support means and the attitude of the support means, and displaying the image. 7. The method according to claim 7, wherein, of the postures of the support unit input by the measurement amount input unit, the inclination of the support unit with respect to the vertical direction and the twist of the support unit with respect to the vertical direction determine the position of the support unit. A direction estimating means for calculating and estimating a direction with respect to a horizontal direction, wherein the display means includes a direction of the supporting means with respect to a horizontal direction estimated by the direction estimating means, and the support 7. The fishing according to claim 6, wherein an image corresponding to the supporting unit is generated from a tilt of the supporting unit in the vertical direction and a twist of the supporting unit in the vertical direction among the postures of the unit. Control device for game input / output device. 8. The fishing game input / output device further comprises vibration input means for inputting a command to vibrate the fishing game input / output device,
8. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:
3. The control device for an input / output device for a fishing game according to claim 1. (C) vibration determining means for determining whether or not to vibrate the fishing game input / output device based on the rotation amount of the handle input by the measured amount input means and the attitude of the support means; d) Vibration output means for outputting a command to vibrate to the vibration input means of the fishing game input / output device when the vibration determination means determines that the fishing game input / output device is to be vibrated. 9. The fishing game input / output device further includes load input means for inputting a command to apply a load when rotating the steering wheel, and includes the following means. 8. The control device for a fishing game input / output device according to any one of 8. (E) load determining means for determining whether or not a load is applied when rotating the handle, based on the attitude of the support means input by the measured quantity input means and the rotation amount of the handle; f) load output means for outputting a load application command to the load input means of the fishing game input / output device when the load determination means determines that a load is applied when rotating the steering wheel. 10. A control method of a fishing game input / output device for outputting a rotation amount of a steering wheel and a posture of a support means, comprising the following steps. (A) inputting the amount of rotation of the handle output by the fishing game input / output device and the attitude of the support means; and (b) inputting the amount of rotation of the handle and the support means. And generating an image corresponding to the supporting means from the posture of the subject and displaying the image. 11. An information recording medium on which is recorded a program comprising the following steps for controlling a fishing game input / output device for outputting a rotation amount of a steering wheel and a posture of a support means. (A) inputting the amount of rotation of the handle output by the fishing game input / output device and the attitude of the support means; and (b) inputting the amount of rotation of the handle and the support means. And generating an image corresponding to the supporting means from the posture of the subject and displaying the image.