KR20010085665A - Dance game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a dance game device capable of enjoying various dances as a game by detecting the actions of a player other than steps. CONSTITUTION: This dance game device 1 is provided with music reproducing devices 20, 23 reproducing prescribed music, a display device 8 displaying prescribed images, a detecting device 12 installed at least at one position on the outer periphery of a region A where the player is located to output the signals related to the actions of the player in the prescribed detection region extended in the vertical direction, guiding devices 20, 22 guiding a series of dance actions related to the music to the player through the display device 8, and an evaluating device 20 discriminating the actions of the player based on the signals from the detecting device 12 and comparing the discriminated actions with the actions guided by the guiding devices 20, 22 to evaluate the actions of the player.

Description

Dance game device {DANCE GAME DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a dance game apparatus for instructing a player in a dance operation in conjunction with playback of a song.

As a dance game apparatus of this kind, for example, the publication of Japanese Patent No. 3003851 includes a footrest provided with a plurality of foot switches, a monitor provided to face a player located on the foot switch, and is adapted to a predetermined dance music. A game device is disclosed in which a series of steps is guided to a player through a monitor screen, the player's steps according to the guidance are detected by a foot switch, and the guided steps are compared with the steps actually performed to evaluate the player's skill.

The choreography of dance often includes elements other than steps, and some dances are characterized by the choreography of hands. However, in the conventional dance game apparatus, the operation other than the step is not guided or evaluated, and the type of dance is limited to the main step of the dance.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-112072, a plurality of infrared sensors are arranged around a stage at which the player must climb, and each part of the player is made using the change of the sensor output when the player extends the hand or foot onto the sensor. Detecting the operation of is disclosed. However, the game device described in this publication merely indicates which sensor reacted on the screen according to the motion of the player's limbs, or operates the character on the screen according to the player's operation, and does not function as a dance game.

An object of the present invention is to provide a dance game apparatus in which motions other than the player's step are detected to enable various dances to be enjoyed as a game.

1 is a perspective view of an embodiment in which the present invention is configured as an arcade game machine.

2 is a front view of the game machine of FIG.

3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

4 is a cross sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2;

5 shows the arrangement of the distance sensor attached to the frame of the top unit.

6 is a diagram illustrating a mutual relationship between detection areas of respective distance sensors.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an entry / exit operation of a detection target with respect to a detection area of a distance sensor and a response pattern of a sensor according thereto; FIG.

8 is a functional block diagram of a control system of the game machine of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a part of data recorded on the DVD-ROM of FIG. 8; FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen for choreography guidance displayed on a screen based on the choreography procedure data of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a modification of FIG. 10. FIG.

12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an actual game screen.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a schematic procedure of game processing executed in the game machine of FIG. 1; FIG.

14 is a diagram showing a display example in the case of guiding continuous operation over a detection region of a plurality of detection apparatuses, and an example of a response pattern of a sensor thereto.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart of a determination criterion determination process that can be executed to compare the discrepancy between choreography procedure data and actual operation timing based on signals of a plurality of distance sensors.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing>

1: dance game machine

2: main unit

2a: casing

3: stage unit

3a: dance floor

3b: light emitting unit

3d: lighting

5, 15: speaker unit

6: coin checking device

6a: coin slot

7: input device

8: monitor

9, 9: lighting

11: frame

12: motion detection device

13: distance sensor

20: main control unit

21: input switch

22: image processing unit

23: sound processor

24: dimming control unit

40: top unit controller

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, this invention is demonstrated. In addition, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference number of an accompanying drawing is attached in parentheses, However, this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by this.

According to the invention of claim 1, the song reproducing apparatuses 20 and 23 for reproducing a predetermined song, the player dance area A prepared for the player to perform a dance operation, and the player recognizes from the dance area. A display device 8 for displaying a predetermined image at a possible position, a detection device 12 for non-contact detection of the player's motion in the dance area, and outputting a signal correlated with the player's motion; Guide devices 20 and 22 for guiding the player through the display device a series of dance operations, which are a reference stored in advance in association with the song in association with the playback, and the player's based on the signal from the detection device. A dance game device having an evaluation device 20 for evaluating a motion of the player in accordance with the determined motion and a series of dance motions as the reference. It solves the above problems.

According to the present invention, when a player performs an operation such as, for example, putting his hand into the detection area of the detection device in the dance area, the output signal from the detection device changes in response to the operation, and this change is directed to the evaluation device. do. As a result, various dances can be enjoyed as a game by applying not only the step operation like the conventional dance game apparatus but also the movement of the hand across the space as the evaluation target.

Invention of Claim 2 is the dance game apparatus of Claim 1 WHEREIN: The said detection apparatus is provided in the upper side of the said dance area | region, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

When the detection device is provided above the player in this manner, there is no fear that the player will step on and damage the detection device. Therefore, the detection apparatus can be simply configured, and the reliability of the detection apparatus is also increased.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the dance game apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, a plurality of detection devices are provided around the dance area. According to the present invention, the motion in each direction of the hand or foot according to the dance of the player can be detected.

In the dance game device according to claim 3, in the dance game device according to claim 3, a plurality of distance sensors 13a, 13b, and 13c for outputting a signal corresponding to a distance to a detection target are provided in each of the plurality of detection devices. It is characterized by being arranged at predetermined intervals according to the area.

According to the present invention, an operation relating to one direction from the player is detected by the plurality of distance sensors. In addition, since a plurality of distance sensors are arranged in the circumferential direction as viewed from the player, for example, when the hand is rotated back and forth, the direction of the motion can be determined based on the reaction order of each sensor.

Invention of Claim 5 is the dance game apparatus of Claim 4 WHEREIN: The said distance sensor is a reflection type sensor which used infrared light, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. According to the distance sensor using infrared light, there exists an advantage that motion can be detected in a short time compared with the distance sensor using other detection waves.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the dance game apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, the evaluation apparatus determines the operation of the player based on the reaction patterns of the plurality of distance sensors. As described above, when detecting the player's motion using a plurality of distance sensors, for example, in which order each sensor detects the player's hand or the like, it is compared with the case where the motion is detected by a single distance sensor. More information can be obtained, and based on the information, the player's motion can be specifically identified and the result can be reflected in the evaluation.

In the dance game apparatus according to claim 6, in the dance game apparatus according to claim 6, the evaluation apparatus determines the direction of the movement of the player based on the response patterns of the plurality of distance sensors. It is characterized by. When the time when the plurality of distance sensors detects the player's hand or the like is shifted in the same order as the arrangement order of these distance sensors, it can be determined that the player has made an operation from one end side to the other end side in the arrangement direction of the distance sensors. . In this way, the direction of the operation is determined and included in the evaluation, thereby enabling a more advanced evaluation.

According to the invention of claim 8, in the dance game apparatus according to claim 1, the detection device places the detection area downward on the upper side of the area where the player should be located, and the player is located in front of the display device. The ascending stage unit 3 is provided, and the stage unit is provided with an identification unit 3b for identifying the detection area to the player so that the stage unit is located almost on an extension of the detection area by the detection device. It is done.

According to the present invention, since the player can reliably identify the detection area of the detection device, the operation failure is reduced.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the dance game apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the identification portion is configured as a light emitting portion 3b incorporating a lighting lamp 3d. In this case, the detection area of the detection device can be displayed to the player more clearly. When the detection device detects the player's motion, the player can easily confirm that the user's motion is detected by turning on or blinking the light of the corresponding light emitting unit.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the dance game apparatus according to claim 1, the plurality of detection apparatuses are provided around the dance area, and the guide apparatus is configured to designate at least one detection apparatus that the player should detect the motion of. And informing the player of the timing at which the entry operation should be made to the detection area of the designated detection device.

According to the present invention, even if the player does not know the choreography procedure of the dance, the dance can be enjoyed by simply entering the hand or the like at the designated timing with respect to the detection area of the designated detection device.

The invention of claim 11 is the dance game apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the guide apparatus is capable of guiding a player to a timing so as to perform a retreat operation from the designated detection region. In this way, the player can be instructed to stop the motion of the detection device as it is with the hand or the like for a certain period of time. As a result, a so-called "pause" motion is realized in a game, and the player can enjoy a more realistic dance.

In the dance game device according to claim 10 or 11, the guide device is configured to allow a player to perform an operation of traversing detection areas of a plurality of detection devices that are adjacent to each other in order along the arrangement direction of these detection devices. Characterized in that can be guided. In this way, not only does the player put his hand or the like into the detection area of the detection device in accordance with the instruction, but also the operation of turning the hand over a plurality of detection areas can be realized in the game. As a result, the dance motion pattern is diversified, thereby increasing the excitement of the dance game apparatus.

<Example>

1 is a perspective view of an embodiment in which the present invention is configured as an arcade game machine installed in a game center or the like. 2 is a front view thereof, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2. As apparent from these drawings, the dance game machine 1 includes a main body unit 2, a stage unit 3 disposed in front of the main body unit 2, and a saw provided above the stage unit 3. The unit 4 is provided.

The main unit 2 has a casing 2a of vertical length. On the front side of the casing 2a, a woofer unit 5 for bass reproduction, a coin checking device 6 for determining the authenticity of coins introduced from the coin inlet 6a, an input device 7 used for selecting a game mode, etc. (Fig. 2), a monitor 8 and the like are provided. Illumination lamps 9 and 9 using fluorescent tubes of vertical length are provided on both sides of the front surface of the main body unit 2.

The stage unit 3 is provided to provide a place where the player dances, and has a flat and hollow box structure in which plate materials are combined. The upper surface of the stage unit 3 is configured as a dance floor 3a, and a dance space A as a player dance area is formed between the dance floor 3a and the top unit 4. The dance floor 3a is provided with eight light emitting parts 3b,... 3b so as to draw a regular octagon. Each light emitting part 3b is covered with a translucent lens 3c, for example, and an illuminating lamp 3d such as an LED is provided inside the lens 3c (see Fig. 3). Further, the light emitting portion 3b may be covered with a cover having no lens effect. An appropriate mark or the like may be displayed on the cover. For example, an arrow indicating the direction of each light emitting portion 3b when the player standing at the center of the dance floor 3a (the center of the square octagon drawn by the light emitting portion 3b) is displayed on the light emitting portion 3b. You may also do it.

The top unit 4 is a dance floor along the two front support posts 10a and 10a provided at the front left and right of the stage unit 3 and the rear support posts 10b and 10b protruding from the upper end of the main unit 2. It is supported just above (3a). The top unit 4 has a generally octagonal frame 11. The center of the octagon that the frame 11 draws coincides with the center of the dance floor 3a. Each side of the frame 11 extends in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of each of the opposing light emitting portions 3b. As shown in FIG. 5, motion detection devices 12... 12 are attached to each side of the frame 11. In addition, the frame 11 is provided with illumination lamps 14a and 14b composed of a strobe lamp, a spot lamp, and the like, and a speaker unit 15.

The motion detection device 12 is provided for detecting the motion of the hand of the player located on the dance floor 3a. Each detection device 12 has three sensors 13a, 13b, and 13c. One sensor 13b is disposed at the center of each side of the frame 11, and the other two sensors 13a and 13c are disposed at the same distance with respect to the center sensor 13b. In addition, when it is not necessary to distinguish three sensors 13a, 13b, and 13c below, it is described with the sensor 13.

Each sensor 13 emits infrared light toward the measurement object, receives the reflected light from the measurement object, and detects the distance to the measurement object based on the phase difference between the exit position and the incident position of the infrared light. Reflective distance sensor. The detection area of each sensor 13 is generally directly downward, and the light emitting part 3b of the dance floor 3a is located on the extension. Therefore, the player can roughly grasp the detection area of each detection apparatus 12 by the light emission part 3b.

The distance between each sensor 13a-13c is adjusted so that each detection area may not mutually overlap (refer FIG. 6). However, when the detection area of each sensor 13 is enlarged by moving away from the sensor 13, a detection target range of a predetermined height is set on the dance floor 3a so that the detection areas do not overlap with each other in that range. Just do it. Since the game machine 1 of the present embodiment requests the player to choreograph the hand movement, the detection target range is set as the range where the hand is expected to be positioned when the player stands on the dance floor 3a. The sensor 13 is not limited to a distance sensor using infrared light, and various sensors may be used. However, according to the distance sensor using the infrared light, there is an advantage that the reaction speed is faster than the sensor using the ultrasonic wave or the like.

In the case where a distance sensor is used as the sensor 13, when a detection target (including a player's hand or foot) enters into the detection area of the sensor 13, the distance from the sensor 13 to the target is determined. The correlated signal (hereinafter, referred to as distance signal) is output from the sensor 13. However, in the game machine 1, the distance signal when there is no detection object in the detection area of the sensor 13 is used as the reference signal, and the state in which the reference signal is output is turned off and the detection object is detected. The player's hand or foot enters the detection area of the sensor 13 and processes the state in which the distance signal is changed (the state in which the sensor 13 responds to the detection object) as the ON of the sensor 13.

In the present embodiment, since a plurality of sensors 13 are provided in one detection device 12, the motion of the player can be detected in a wide range by supplementing the narrowness of the detection area of each sensor. Further, the player's motion can be detected in more detail based on the response pattern of each sensor 13 in one detection device 12. An example thereof will be described with reference to FIG. 7. 7A to 7E show the positional relationship between the detection areas of the three sensors 13a, 13b, and 13c and the detection target, respectively, and the left side shows each sensor 13a corresponding to these. 13b and 13c are timing charts showing signal changes (on and off).

FIG. 7A illustrates a case in which the player puts his hand (detection target) only into the detection area of the sensor 13b in the center of the three sensors 13a, 13b, and 13c constituting one detection device 12. As shown in FIG. 7B shows a reaction pattern when the player puts his hand over the detection areas of the two sensors 13a and 13b. All of these reaction patterns are reaction patterns detected when the player moves his or her hands back and forth in a direction substantially perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the sensor 13.

Next, FIG. 7C shows a reaction pattern when the player puts his hand into the detection area of the at least one sensor 13, holds the state for a while, and then removes the hand from the detection area. In FIG. 7D, when the player moves his hand according to the arrangement direction of the three sensors 13a to 13c, that is, the user moves his hand to cross the detection area of each sensor 13a to 13c in order. The reaction pattern in the case is shown. In this case, the direction in which the hand is moved can also be determined by the order in which the sensors 13a to 13c are turned on.

In addition, in FIG. 7E, the player puts his hand into the detection area of any one of the sensors 13a, and then retreats the hand once from the detection areas of the sensors 13a to 13c and detects another sensor. The reaction pattern in the case of putting a hand into an area is shown. As apparent from the comparison between Fig. 7D and Fig. 7E, by identifying whether or not each sensor 13 has detected a hand in order, the player continues in the arrangement direction of the sensor 13. It can be determined whether the hand has moved.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the plurality of detection devices 12 are provided in the space around the player to enable the detection of which direction the player has reached, as well as the plurality of detection devices 12 in each of the detection devices 12. Since the sensor 13 is provided, even the operation direction of the hand of the player can be discriminated based on the response pattern of each sensor 13.

In addition, in this embodiment, since the sensor 13 is attached downward to the top unit 4 on the head of the player, the ceiling of the indoor lighting or the top unit 4 where the game machine 1 is installed is installed. Since the light from the lamps 14a and 14b does not directly enter the sensor 13, there is little possibility that error detection will occur. In addition, there is no fear that the player will step on the sensor 13 and be damaged.

8 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the game machine 1. The control system of the game machine 1 has a main control unit 20 mounted on the main unit 2 and a top unit control unit 40 mounted on the top unit 4. Each of the control units 20 and 40 includes a CPU and various peripheral parts such as a RAM, a ROM, and a clock generator as main memory devices necessary for the operation thereof, and various operations and processes required for the progress of the game according to a predetermined program. You can run

The main control unit 20 is connected to an input switch 21 constituting the input device 7 (refer to FIG. 2) (only two are shown in the figure) and a coin confirmation device 6, and an image processing unit ( 22), the sound processing unit 23 and the dimming control unit 24 are connected respectively. The image processing unit 22 generates and outputs a video signal for drawing an image corresponding to the data on the monitor CRT 8 in response to the output of the image drawing data from the main control unit 20. In response to the output of the pronunciation data from the main control unit 20, the sound processing unit 23 generates an audio signal for outputting a musical sound, a voice or the like corresponding to the data, and the speaker unit 5, 15) The dimming control unit 24 controls the lighting state of the lamp 9 in response to the dimming control signal sent from the main control unit 20. In addition, although only the illumination lamp 9 was shown in FIG. 8, an illumination lamp is installed also around the woofer speaker 5, for example.

In addition, a DVD-ROM drive 25 is connected to the main control unit 20. In response to a request from the CPU of the main control unit 20, the DVD-ROM drive 25 reads out a program or data for a game from the DVD-ROM 50 as a storage medium and outputs it to the main control unit 20. The main control unit 20 is also connected to the dimming control unit 26 in the stage unit 3 via a predetermined communication cable. The dimming control part 36 controls the lighting state of the illumination lamp 3d (refer FIG. 3) installed in the light emission part 3b in response to the dimming control signal sent from the main control part 20. FIG.

The distance sensor 13 ... 13 and the light control part 41 mentioned above are connected to the top unit control part 40, respectively. The top unit control unit 40 monitors the distance signal of each sensor 13 at regular intervals, and transmits the information corresponding to the monitoring result to the main control unit 20. In addition, the top unit controller 40 outputs a dimming control signal to the dimming control unit 41 in response to a request from the main control unit 20, and the dimming control unit 41 responds to the dimming control signal to illuminate the lights 14a and 14b. To control the lighting status of the lights:

The control device of the game machine 1 according to the combination of the main control unit 20 and the top unit control unit 40, and the image processing unit 22, the sound processing unit 23, and the dimming control unit 24, 26, 41 connected thereto. Is composed. The control device functions as a computer that executes a predetermined dance game in accordance with the program recorded on the DVD-ROM 50, so that the game machine 1 functions as a dance game device. In this dance game apparatus, any one song is selected from the plurality of pieces of music data recorded on the DVD-ROM 50 in accordance with the player's operation and reproduced from the speaker units 5 and 15. In conjunction with the reproduction of the song, the choreography procedure of the dance is guided to the player through the monitor 8. When the player moves his hand in the front, rear, left, and right directions according to the guidance, the motion is detected by the sensor 13, and the detected motion is compared with the choreography contents guided through the monitor 8 to evaluate the skill of the player.

In order to enable such a game, as shown in FIG. 9, the waveform data for each song for reproducing each song used in the game and the data for determining the choreography procedure for each song are recorded in a predetermined format. . The waveform data of the song is recorded on the DVD-ROM 50 in a compressed state, for example, in MP3 (MPEG Layer-3) format. When the game is executed, the waveform data of the song is loaded into a predetermined area in the RAM provided by the main control unit 20. At the time of reproduction of the song, waveform data of the song in the RAM is decoded by the CPU of the main control unit 20 and output to the sound processing unit 23. The sound processing unit 23 converts the digital waveform data of this provided tune into an analog audio signal and outputs it to the speaker units 5 and 15. In this way, the music reproducing apparatus is formed by the main control unit 20 and the sound processing unit 23. In this way, when the waveform data of a song is loaded into the RAM, the time required from the selection to the start of playback is shortened, for example, a medley that continuously reproduces a plurality of songs can be easily realized. However, the waveform data of a song may be recorded on the DVD-ROM 50 in, for example, a CD-DA format, and the encoded waveform data may be directly sent from the DVD-ROM drive 25 to the sound processing unit 23. . In that case, the song reproducing apparatus is constructed in accordance with the DVD-ROM drive 25 and the sound processor 23.

As shown in Fig. 9, data defining the choreography procedure for each song is prepared in a plurality of pieces by varying the difficulty of each song. For example, when three difficulty levels of "EASY", "NORMAL" and "HARD" are prepared in the game, choreograph procedure data is created for each of these difficulty levels. The created data is recorded in the DVD-ROM 50 in association with the song. In addition to the data shown in Fig. 9, various image data, data describing the correspondence relationship between music and choreography procedures, and the like are recorded in the DVD-ROM 50 as necessary, but the details are omitted.

10 and 11 show main parts of an image for choreography procedure guidance displayed on the screen 8a of the monitor 8 based on the choreography procedure data described above. Fig. 10A shows a display example when the difficulty is "EASY", and Fig. 10B shows a display example when the difficulty is "NORMAL", and Figs. 11A to 11C show a difficulty level of "EASY". "HARD" is an example of display.

In the example of FIG. 10A, a scroll region 100 of a predetermined range is set on the monitor 8, and the stop marks 101a to 101e in the form of arrows in the vicinity of the upper end thereof are represented by reference numeral 101. Yes) can be arranged in the left and right directions (horizontal direction). In addition, the scroll area 100 also displays movement marks 102a to 102e (sometimes referred to by reference numeral 102) in the form of arrows. The direction indicated by the arrows of the respective marks 101a to 101e and 102a to 102e corresponds to the direction of the choreography operation requested by the player. That is, the marks 101a and 102a mean the movement forward from the player, and the marks 101b and 102b mean the movement to the diagonal right front when viewed from the player, and the marks 101c and 102c are seen from the player. It means the movement toward the right side, and the marks 101d and 102d mean the movement to the diagonal left front view from the player, and the marks 101e and 102e mean the movement to the left side when viewed from the player.

Each moving mark 102a to 102e is scrolled from the lower end of the scroll area 100 toward the upper end at the tempo according to the performance of the song. Then, when the movement marks 102a to 102e coincide (overlap) with the stop marks 101a to 101e, the timing at which the hand must be moved in the direction indicated by the marks 101 and 102 comes. That is, the player standing on the dance floor 3a puts his / her hand under the detection device 12 positioned in the direction indicated by these marks 101 and 102 when the marks 101 and 102 overlap, and this detection is performed. It is guided to turn on at least one of the sensors 13a-13c constituting the device 12.

Thus, in the example of (a) of FIG. 10, the direction of choreography operation is performed by targeting the range from the right side to the left side of the player according to the respective stop marks 100a to 10e and the moving marks 102a to 102e. The timing is announced to the player.

As apparent from the above description, the choreography procedure data is data in which the movement mark 102 coincides with the stop mark 101 for each operation direction. In other words, the timing of the operation corresponds to the position in the music. The position can be specified by, for example, dividing a measure of a song into a predetermined number of beats (for example, 16 beats), assigning a serial number to each beat from the beginning of the song, and specifying the number of beats. The frame line indicating the scroll region 100 may be displayed on the screen, or the display may be omitted. The scroll area 100 may be further divided into thin track-shaped areas for each of the stop marks 100a to 10e, and these divisions may be distinguished by the player. For example, the scroll area 100 may be divided by a dividing line or the like for each stop mark 100a to 10e.

During the execution of the game (when music is played), the choreography operation included in the predetermined display range (e.g., the next two measures from the next screen rewrite time) is detected based on the data defining the choreography procedure. The display coordinates of the marks 102a to 102e on the next screen are calculated according to the detected timing and direction of each operation, and the image data of the next scroll region 100 is created according to the calculation result. . This process is repeated at a predetermined cycle so that the marks 102a to 102e are scrolled as described above.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10A, a long object 103 having a predetermined length in a scroll direction (up and down direction) may be added to some moving marks 102. The long object 103 requests the player to continuously turn on the sensor 13 in the direction indicated by the mark 102 by the time according to the length of the long object 103.

In the choreography procedure data for "EASY", the direction of choreography movement to the player was limited to five directions of right side, diagonal right front, front, diagonal left front, and left side, but in "NORMAL" mode, diagonal right rear, In addition, three directions of the rear left and rear diagonal directions are added to the motion instruction direction, and the choreography motion in a total of eight directions may be guided to the player. An example of display in that case is shown in Fig. 10B. In this example, the stop marks 101f, 101g, and 101h representing the rear, the diagonal right rear, and the diagonal left rear respectively overlap the stop marks 101a, 10b, and 10d1 representing the front, diagonal right front, and diagonal left front, respectively. Is displayed. In addition to the movement display marks 102a to 102e, in the scroll region 100, movement display marks 102f, 102g, and 102h indicating rear, diagonal right rear, and diagonal left rear, respectively, are shown in the stop marks 101f, 101g, and 101h. And the left and right directions are displayed.

On the other hand, in the example of Figs. 11A and 11B, the choreography operation in the eight directions is similarly guided, but each stop mark 100a to 101h is not overlapped and is arranged in a left and right line, so that the chord operation in Fig. ). FIG. 11A is an example in which the scroll region 100 of FIG. 10A is expanded to the left, and the stop marks 101f, 10g and 10h are arranged in the extended portion thereof. b) expands the scroll area 100 of (a) of FIG. 1O equally to the left and right, and in the extended part of the right side, the stop mark 101g of the diagonal right back and the stop mark 101f of the back are extended, and the left extended part Is an example in which the stop mark 101h at the rear left and the diagonal and the stop mark 101f at the rear are respectively displayed. In addition, although the arrangement | positioning method of the stop marks 101a-1O1h is common to the example of FIG. 10B, FIG. 11 (c) is a state where some moving marks 102a, 102f, 102b, and 102g overlap. Scrolls. As a result, simultaneous operation in a plurality of directions is guided.

12 shows an example of a screen actually displayed on the monitor 8. The game screen 120 includes a main display unit 121, a title display unit 122, a score display unit 123, and a gauge 124. In the main display section 121, the above-mentioned still marks 101a to 101e and the moving marks 102a to 102e are displayed, and as a background image thereof, a moving image or a still image for raising the mood of the game is displayed. The title display unit 122 displays information such as the song name of the song currently playing. The score display unit 123 scores and displays the player's skills. The gauge 124 is for displaying the evaluation of the play from the start of the song to the present time in a bar graph form. In addition, although various images and information may be displayed on the game screen 120, the detail is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of game processing executed by the CPU of the main control unit 20 to execute the above-described game. When the player inserts a predetermined number of coins from the coin inlet 6a and determines that the coins are genuine from the coin confirming device 6, a predetermined game start signal is transmitted from the coin confirming device 6 to the main control unit 20. Outputted to the CPU, the CPU starts the processing of FIG.

In the process of Fig. 13, first, a mode select is performed in which the player selects a game mode (step S1). As the selectable mode, for example, the EASY mode, the NORMAL mode, and the HARD mode are prepared in order of low difficulty. If the mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S2 to perform stage select. In stage select, the player selects a song to be danced from now on by operating the input device 7. In the case of inputting a coin of a predetermined unit, the player can play a predetermined number of stages, and one stage is connected to one song.

If a song is selected, processing proceeds to step S3, and various data (choreography procedure data, etc.) necessary for the game are loaded into the RAM of the main control unit 20, and the environment necessary for running the game is set. When this is done, the process proceeds to step S4 to start playing the selected song.

Subsequently, various operations (such as calculation of display coordinates) necessary for scrolling the moving mark 102 on the screen are executed based on the choreograph data used in the current stage (step S5). When it ends, it progresses to step S6 and the process of evaluating the player's operation | movement for the predetermined process target period (from the time of the previous process of step S6 to the time of this process) is performed. This evaluation compares the player's motion detected by the sensor 13 with the choreography motion determined by the choreograph procedure data during the processing target period, and scores and gauges are displayed on the score display unit 123 according to the coincidence situation. It is the process of calculating the gauge amount of 124. The higher the correspondence between the choreography operation determined by the choreography procedure data and the operation detected by the sensor 13, the higher the score and the calculation is performed so that the gauge amount is increased.

After the evaluation, the evaluation result determines whether the game stop condition is satisfied (step S7). For example, it is determined that the game is stopped when the gauge 124 decreases from the predetermined amount. If the stop condition of the game is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S8 to determine whether or not the song has been played back (played) to the predetermined end position. If it is not the end position, the process returns to step S5.

If it is determined in step S8 that the song has reached the end position, it is determined whether or not the stage is clear. One stage is connected to one song, and the stage is cleared if one song can be played at a predetermined level or more (for example, the amount of the gauge 124 at the end point or more). When the stage is cleared, the process proceeds to step S10, where it is determined whether or not the player has played all the playable stages in the range where the player has put coins. If it is determined to be negative, the next stage is selected in step S11, and the processing returns to step S3. When all stages are complete | finished, a process progresses to step S12, the image which shows that the game was cleared is displayed on the monitor 8, and game processing is complete | finished. When it is determined that step S7 is affirmative, when it is determined that step S9 is negative, the process proceeds to step S13, where an image indicating game over is displayed on the monitor 8, and the game process ends.

In the above embodiments, the player's motion may be evaluated in various ways. As the simplest method, as shown in Fig. 7 (a) or (b), among the three sensors 13a, 13b, 13c constituting one detection device 12, the sensor 13 is first There is a method of comparing the timing of the operation (time when the marks 101 and 102 should overlap) with the warm time Ta and the choreography procedure data. On the other hand, when the long object 103 as shown in FIG. 10 (a) is displayed, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), each of the time Ta at which the same sensor 13 is turned on and time Tb at which it is turned off are detected. What is necessary is just to compare operation start time and operation end time corresponding to the long object 103 prescribed | regulated by these time and choreograph procedure data, and it should judge based on these degree of agreement.

In addition, when the reaction pattern shown in FIG. 7 (d) is obtained, the hand is not turned on and the sensor 13 is turned back and forth, but the hand is moved forward or backward, or forward or backward from the side of the player. It seems to move smoothly from side to side. At this time, for example, when the time Tb at which the central sensor 13b is turned on is determined as the time representative of a series of operations, the timing and the timing specified by the choreograph procedure data are compared to evaluate these agreements. do.

In the game machine of the present embodiment, since the arrangement order of the circumferential directions of the detection devices 12 provided in the top unit 4 and the arrangement order of the stop marks 101 on the screen coincide, By arranging two or more moving marks 102 which should be displayed adjacently while being displaced by a predetermined amount up and down as shown in Fig. 14A, hands from the front side to the side, the rear side to the horizontal side, or the reverse direction thereof are viewed. Substantial choreographed movements to orbit are substantially guided. For this guidance, for example, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), when a pattern is obtained in which the sensors 13 of the detection device 12 on the front, diagonal front, and right sides react in sequence, the player displays the guide. By understanding the content, it can be judged that the hand is moving smoothly and can provide a high evaluation.

On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 14C, when no continuity is found between the reaction patterns of the respective sensors 13, for example, the respective detection devices 12 on the front, diagonally forward, and lateral sides are provided. Even if the at least one sensor 13 detects the hand at the timing specified by the marks 101 and 102, the operation is an intermittent dance operation that only extends the hand in order to the front, diagonally forward, and horizontally. You can judge that. In this case, evaluation is relatively lower than when the reaction pattern of FIG. 14B is obtained. In addition, in order to understand that the player needs a continuous choreographed motion, for example, as shown in FIG. 14 (a), the moving marks 102... Differentiation display such as enclosing 104 may be performed to emphasize the interrelationship of the moving marks 102 to the player.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for determining a determination reference time for comparing with the data representing the choreography procedure from the signals of the three sensors 13a to 13c of one detection apparatus 12. This process is repeatedly executed by the CPU of the main control unit 20 at a predetermined cycle when reproducing the music.

In the process of Fig. 15, it is first determined whether any one of the sensors 13 detects the motion of the player's hand (step S21), and if it is determined that the sensor 13 detects the position, the position and the detection timing of the detected sensor 13 are acquired. And stored in the RAM (step S22). Next, the detected operation is compared with the past detection history up to that time (step S23), and it is judged whether the current continuous operation is continuing based on the comparison result (step S24). For example, if the detection history is not recorded for the same detection device 12 in the past in a predetermined range from the current detection time point, it is considered that the operation is newly started just below the detection device 12. In other words, it is determined that the present invention is not in the middle of continuous operation.

If step S24 becomes negative, it is determined whether or not the present operation has been detected by the central sensor 13b (step S25). When the motion is detected by the sensor 13b in the center, since the sensor 13a or 13c on either end side detects the motion, recording of the continuous motion is started (step S26). This is because the reaction may be gradually switched to the sensor 13b at the center and the sensor at the opposite side. After the start of recording of the continuous operation, the current cycle is finished.

If it is determined in step S24 that the continuous operation is being continued, the process proceeds to step S27 to determine whether or not the continuous operation has been completed (completed). For example, when the reaction with the sensors 13a and 13b changes from the past detection history and the sensor 13c responds to a hand at this time, the continuous operation | movement with respect to the said detection apparatus 12 is complete | finished. Is determined, the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, a time period representing the terminated continuous operation is determined as the determination reference time. For example, in the example of FIG. 7D, it is determined that the continuous operation is terminated by the motion detection by the third sensor 13c, and the timing Tb at which the central sensor 13b reacts is determined as the determination reference time. do. After the determination, the recording of the continuous operation is stopped in step S29, whereby the determination criterion determination processing of one cycle ends.

When the sensor 13b in the center responds to the player's hand in step S25, the process proceeds to step S28 at that point in time, and the timing when the sensor 13b in the center is turned on is determined as the determination reference time as described above. If it is determined in step S27 that the continuous operation has not been completed, the processing of one cycle is ended without determining the determination reference time.

If no operation is detected in step S21, the processing proceeds to step S30. In step S30, the non-detection of this operation determines whether or not the continuous operation recorded up to that time has been interrupted. For example, when the reaction is recorded in order with the sensors 13a and 13b up to the previous time, and in this process, when no reaction is detected in either of the sensors 13a to 13c, the undetected time interval is determined by the sensor ( It is judged that the continuous operation which traverses the three sensors 13a-13c in order failed unless it is determined that it corresponds to the space (non-detection area) between the detection areas of 13a-13c. If it is determined that the continuous operation has been stopped, a time period representative of the operation up to that time is determined as the determination reference time (step S31). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S30 that the continuous operation has not been interrupted, the processing of one cycle is ended without determining the determination reference time.

This invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, You may implement in various forms. For example, the stage unit 3 is provided with a device (for example, a foot switch which responds to step operation, may be infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, or the like) that detects the movement of the player's foot and installs a hand movement. Both of the foot movements may be requested to the player as choreography of the dance. Guidance of choreography operation to the player may be accomplished by changing the display by the scroll area 100 or adding a live action movie or the like containing the dance scene on the monitor 8.

In the above embodiment, the movement of the player's hand has been described in particular as choreography. However, as long as the detection area of the sensor 13 is reached, the foot 13 or other parts of the body of the player are detected by the sensor 13. Of course, dancing can also be used.

As described above, according to the dance game device of the present invention, since at least one detection device is provided on the outer periphery of the area where the player should be located, and the detection device has a detection area extending in the vertical direction, By guiding the movement of the player's hand or the like, it is possible to detect the actual motion of the player's hand and the like by the detection device and evaluate the evaluation device. As a result, various dances can be enjoyed as a game without being limited to the step operation as in the conventional dance game apparatus.

Claims (12)

A song reproducing apparatus for reproducing a predetermined song, A dance area for the player prepared for the player to perform a dance action, A display device for displaying a predetermined image at a position where a player can see from the dance area; A detection device for non-contact detection of the player's motion in the dance area and outputting a signal correlated with the player's motion; A guide device for guiding the player through the display device a series of dance operations which become a reference stored in advance in association with the song in association with the reproduction of the song; An evaluation device that determines the player's motion based on the signal from the detection device, and evaluates the player's motion in contrast to the determined motion and the series of dance motions as the reference. Dance game device comprising a. The method of claim 1, A dance game device, characterized in that the detection device is provided above the dance area. The method according to claim 1 or 2, A dance game device, characterized in that a plurality of detection devices are provided around the dance area. The method of claim 3, Each of the plurality of detection devices is provided with a plurality of distance sensors for outputting a signal corresponding to a distance to a detection target, arranged at predetermined intervals in accordance with the dance area. The method of claim 4, wherein The distance sensor is a dance game device, characterized in that the reflection sensor using the infrared light. The method according to claim 4 or 5, The evaluation device is a dance game device, characterized in that for determining the operation of the player based on the response pattern of the plurality of distance sensors. The method of claim 6, The dance game device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation device determines the direction of the player's motion based on the response patterns of the plurality of distance sensors. The method of claim 1, While the detection device is provided above the dance area with the detection area downward, a stage unit is provided in front of the display device, and the stage unit is generally provided with the detection area by the detection device. A dance game device, characterized in that it is located under an extension, and is provided with an identification unit for identifying the detection area to the player. The method of claim 8, A dance game device, characterized in that the identification unit is configured as a light emitting unit incorporating a lamp. The method of claim 1, A plurality of detection devices are provided around the dance area, and the guide device designates at least one detection device for which the player should detect the motion, and a timing at which an entry operation must be performed into the detection area of the designated detection device. Dance game device, characterized in that to guide the player. The method of claim 10, And the guide device is capable of guiding a player to a timing at which the retreat operation from the designated detection area should be performed. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein The said guide apparatus can guide a player the operation which traverses the detection area of several detection apparatus which mutually adjoins in order according to the arrangement direction of these detection apparatuses, The dance game apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.