Game machine, game music output method, information storage medium, game program distribution device, and game program distribution method

• US 20010012795A1
• Filed: 02/07/2001
• Published: 08/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Company Limited (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Konami Corporation
• Inventors: Asami, Yuichi, Sekiguchi, Masafumi, Miyazawa, Atsumu
• Granted Patent: US 6,991,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/1
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0008 Associated control or indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/026 for games, e.g. videogames
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/091 for performance evaluation, i.e. judging, grading or scoring the musical qualities or faithfulness of a performance, e.g. with respect to pitch, tempo or other timings of a reference performance
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/141 Games on or about music, i.e. based on musical knowledge, e.g. musical multimedia quizzes teaching of music per se G09B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/145 Multiplayer musical games, e.g. karaoke-like multiplayer videogames
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/151 Musical difficulty level setting or selection
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/311 MIDI transmission G10H2240/056 takes precedence

Abstract

To output music other than original music, which is suitable to keep a player excited, in the place of a part of the original music, such as a beginning or ending thereof, which is unsuitable to serve as game music. When main part end timing TE arrives while outputting original music MO1, connection music MI2, correlated with original music MO2, which is next game music, begins playing. Subsequently, when original music reproduction start timing TP arrives while outputting the connection music MI2, reproduction of the original music MO2, correlated with the connection music MI2, begins

Claims

1. A game machine, comprising:

first original music output means for outputting at least a main part of first original music containing the main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto;

second original music output means for outputting at least a main part of second original music containing a preamble and the main part subsequent thereto;

connection music output means for outputting predetermined connection music; and

timing control means for controlling the second original music output means and the connection music output means such that main part end timing of the first original music coincides with start timing of the connection music, and that main part start timing of the second original music coincides with output end timing of the connection music.

2. A game machine according to

claim 1

, further comprising:

volume control means for controlling an output volume of the post-amble of the first original music.

3. A game machine according to

claim 1

or

claim 2

, further comprising:

volume control means for controlling an output volume of the preamble of the second original music.

4. A game machine according to any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein

a tempo of the connection music is determined based on a tempo of the main part of the first original music.

5. A game machine according to any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein

a tempo of the connection music is determined based on a tempo of the main part of the second original music.

6. A game machine according to any one of claims 1 through 3, further comprising:

connection music tempo control means for controlling a tempo of the connection music so as to gradually vary from a tempo based on a tempo of the main part of the first original music to a tempo based on a tempo of the main part of the second original music.

7. A game machine, comprising:

original music storage means for storing audio data concerning at least a main part of original music containing the main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto;

connection music storage means for storing audio data concerning predetermined connection music;

original music output means for outputting the main part of the original music based on the audio data concerning the main part;

connection music output means for outputting the connection music based on the audio data concerning the predetermined connection music during a period when at least the post-amble of the original music must be output after completion of outputting the main part.

9. A game machine according to

claim 7

or

claim 8

, wherein a tempo of the connection music is determined based on a tempo of the main part of the original music.

8. A game machine, comprising:

original music storage means for storing audio data concerning at least a main part of original music containing a preamble and a main part subsequent thereto;

connection music storage means for storing audio data concerning predetermined connection music;

original music output means for outputting the main part of the original music based on the audio data concerning the main part;

connection music output means for outputting the connection music based on the audio data concerning the predetermined connection music during a period when at least the preamble of the original music must be output before start of outputting the main part.

10. A game machine, comprising

original music storage means for storing audio data concerning original music containing a main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto;

original music end timing storage means for storing main part end timing data indicative of main part end timing of the original music;

connection music storage means for storing audio data concerning predetermined connection music;

original music reproduction means for outputting the original music based on the audio data concerning the original music;

main part end timing monitoring means for monitoring main part end timing based on the main part end timing data while outputting the original music;

connection music output means for beginning outputting the connection music upon arrival of the main part end timing; and

original music volume control means for reducing an output volume of the original music upon arrival of the main part end timing.

11. A game machine, comprising:

original music storage means for storing audio data concerning original music containing a preamble and a main part subsequent thereto;

main part start timing storage means for storing main part start timing data indicative of main part start timing of the original music;

connection music storage means for storing audio data concerning predetermined connection music;

original music reproduction start timing storage means for storing original music reproduction start timing data indicative of original music reproduction start timing during a period when the connection music is output;

connection music output means for outputting the connection music based on the audio data concerning the connection music;

original music reproduction start timing monitoring means for monitoring original music reproduction start timing based on the original music reproduction start timing data during a period when the connection music is output;

original music reproduction means for beginning reproduction of the original music while suppressing an output volume for the original music, upon arrival of original music reproduction start timing;

main part start timing monitoring means for monitoring main part start timing based on the main part start timing data after reproduction of the original music was started; and

original music volume control means for increasing an output volume for the original music upon arrival of the main part start timing.

12. A game machine according to

claim 11

, wherein

the original music reproduction means begins reproduction of the original music while maintaining the output volume at zero.

13. A game music output method, comprising:

an original music output step of outputting at least a main part of first original music containing the main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto; and

a connection music output step of outputting predetermined connection music during a period when the post-amble of the original music must be output.

14. A game music output method, comprising:

an original music output step of outputting at least a main part of second original music containing a preamble and the main part subsequent thereto; and

a connection music output step of outputting predetermined connection music during a period when the preamble of the original music must be output.

15. A game music output method, comprising:

a first original music output step of outputting at least a main part of first original music containing the main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto;

a second original music output step of outputting at least a main part of second original music containing a preamble and the main part subsequent thereto; and

a connection music output step of outputting predetermined connection music during a period between main part end timing of the first original music and main part start timing of the second original music.

16. An information storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute

an original music output step of outputting at least a main part of first original music containing the main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto;

and

a connection music output step of outputting predetermined connection music during a period when the post-amble of the original music must be output.

17. An information storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute

an original music output step of outputting at least a main part of second original music containing a preamble and the main part subsequent thereto;

and

a connection music output step of outputting predetermined connection music during a period when the preamble of the original music must be output.

18. An information storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute

a first original music output step of outputting at least a main part of first original music containing the main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto;

a second original music output step of outputting at least a main part of second original music containing a preamble and the main part subsequent thereto; and

a connection music output step of outputting predetermined connection music during a period between main part end timing of the first original music and main part start timing of the second original music.

19. A game program distribution device for distributing a program for causing a computer to execute

a first original music output step of outputting at least a main part of first original music containing the main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto;

a second original music output step of outputting at least a main part of second original music containing a preamble and the main part subsequent thereto; and

a connection music output step of outputting predetermined connection music during a period between main part end timing of the first original music and main part start timing of the second original music.

20. A game program distribution method for distributing a program for having a computer to execute

a first original music output step of outputting at least a main part of first original music containing the main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto;

a second original music output step of outputting at least a main part of second original music containing a preamble and the main part subsequent thereto; and

a connection music output step of outputting predetermined connection music during a period between main part end timing of the first original music and main part start timing of the second original music.

21. A game machine having a controller operated by a player in accordance with game music, comprising:

original music output means for outputting, as a part of the game music, at least a main part of original music containing a preamble, the main part, and a post-amble in this order;

connection music output means for outputting predetermined connection music;

original music determination means for determining next original music to output;

timing control means for controlling the original music output means and the connection music output means such that the connection music is output during a period between main part end timing of original music currently output and main part start timing of the next original music to output.

22. A game machine of which controller is operated by a player in accordance with game music, comprising:

input means for setting a play condition including a number of players and difficulty;

play condition storage means for storing the play condition set; and

game advancing means for advancing a game according to the play condition stored during successive reproduction of the game music based on a plurality of pieces of original music,

wherein,

the game advancing means includes

original music output means for outputting, as a part of the game music, at least a main part of original music containing a preamble, the main part, and a post-amble in this order;

connection music output means for outputting predetermined connection music;

original music determination means for determining next original music to output; and

timing control means for controlling the original music output means and the connection music output means such that the connection music is output during a period between main part end timing of the original music currently output and main part start timing of the next original music to output.

23. A game machine according to

claim 22

, wherein

the game advancing means further comprises timing guidance image display means for displaying timing guidance image in conformity with the play condition stored in the play condition storage means, for guiding timing at which the player is to operate the controller in accordance with the game music.

24. A game machine according to

claim 22

or

claim 23

, wherein the original music determination means determines original music to output based on a random number.

25. A game machine, comprising:

a first original music output unit which outputs at least a main part of first original music containing the main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto;

a second original music output unit which outputs at least a main part of second original music containing a preamble and the main part subsequent thereto;

a connection music output unit which outputs predetermined connection music; and

a timing controller which controls the second original music output unit and the connection music output unit such that main part end timing of the first original music coincides with start timing of the connection music, and that main part start timing of the second original music coincides with output end timing of the connection music.

26. A game machine, comprising:

original music storage for storing audio data concerning at least a main part of original music containing the main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto;

connection music storage for storing audio data concerning predetermined connection music;

an original music output unit which outputs the main part of the original music based on the audio data concerning the main part; and

a connection music output unit which outputs the connection music based on the audio data concerning the predetermined connection music during a period when at least the post-amble of the original music must be output after completion of outputting the main part.

27. A game machine, comprising:

original music storage for storing audio data concerning at least a main part of original music containing a preamble and a main part subsequent thereto;

connection music storage for storing audio data concerning predetermined connection music;

an original music output unit which outputs the main part of the original music based on the audio data concerning the main part; and

a connection music output unit which outputs the connection music based on the audio data concerning the predetermined connection music during a period when at least the preamble of the original music must be output before start of outputting the main part.

28. A game machine, comprising

original music storage for storing audio data concerning original music containing a main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto;

original music end timing storage for storing main part end timing data indicative of main part end timing of the original music;

connection music storage for storing audio data concerning predetermined connection music;

an original music reproduction unit which outputs the original music based on the audio data concerning the original music;

a main part end timing monitor for monitoring main part end timing based on the main part end timing data while outputting the original music;

a connection music output unit which begins outputting the connection music upon arrival of the main part end timing; and

an original music volume controller for reducing an output volume of the original music upon arrival of the main part end timing.

29. A game machine, comprising:

original music storage for storing audio data concerning original music containing a preamble and a main part subsequent thereto;

main part start timing storage for storing main part start timing data indicative of main part start timing of the original music;

+P1 connection music storage for storing audio data concerning predetermined connection music;

original music reproduction start timing storage for storing original music reproduction start timing data indicative of original music reproduction start timing during a period when the connection music is output;

a connection music output unit which outputs the connection music based on the audio data concerning the connection music;

an original music reproduction start timing monitor for monitoring original music reproduction start timing based on the original music reproduction start timing data during a period when the connection music is output;

an original music reproduction unit which begins reproduction of the original music while suppressing an output volume for the original music, upon arrival of original music reproduction start timing;

a main part start timing monitor for monitoring main part start timing based on the main part start timing data after reproduction of the original music was started; and

an original music volume controller for increasing an output volume for the original music upon arrival of the main part start timing.

30. A computer program for

outputting at least a main part of first original music containing the main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto;

and

outputting predetermined connection music during a period when the post-amble of the original music must be output.

31. A computer program for

outputting at least a main part of second original music containing a preamble and the main part subsequent thereto;

and

outputting predetermined connection music during a period when the preamble of the original music must be output.

32. A computer program for

outputting at least a main part of first original music containing the main part and a post-amble subsequent thereto;

outputting at least a main part of second original music containing a preamble and the main part subsequent thereto; and

outputting predetermined connection music during a period between main part end timing of the first original music and main part start timing of the second original music.