Game device, game device control method, information storage medium, game distribution device, and game distribution method

• US 20010014620A1
• Filed: 02/15/2001
• Published: 08/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: KCE Tokyo Incorporated, Konami Corporation (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: KCE Tokyo Incorporated, Konami Corporation (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Nobe, Kazuhiko, Kuraishi, Hidetoshi
• Application Number:
  US09/783,328
• Publication Number:
  US 20010014620A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/7
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/338 using television networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5375 for graphically or textually suggesting an action, e.g. by displaying an arrow indicating a turn in a driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/814 Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00129 with a compact disc player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/305 for providing a graphical or textual hint to the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/308 Details of the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/409 Data transfer via television network
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 characterized by details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/552 for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6018 : where the game content is authored by the player, e.g. level editor or by game device at runtime, e.g. level is created from music data on CD
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 : Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 : according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 : Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8047 : Music games
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0008 : Associated control or indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0058 : Transmission between separate instruments or between individual components of a musical system G10H1/0083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/40 : Rhythm
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/141 : Games on or about music, i.e. based on musical knowledge, e.g. musical multimedia quizzes
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2230/015 : PDA [personal digital assistant] or palmtop computing devices used for musical purposes, e.g. portable music players, tablet computers, e-readers or smart phones in which mobile telephony functions need not be used
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/265 : CATV transmission, i.e. electrophonic musical instruments connected to community antennas or cable television networks
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/305 : Internet or TCP/IP protocol use for any electrophonic musical instrument data or musical parameter transmission purposes

Abstract

To realize a music-oriented game allowing the use of a commercially available music information storage medium, such as a commercially available music CD, or a network distribution as a means for obtaining original data of game music. In a game device of which controller is operated by a player in accordance with game music, game program code and game data are stored in a CD-ROM. The game data includes operation timing data, which is necessary when using the music recorded in a predetermined commercially available music CD, as game music. The recorded content of a commercially available music CD is read using a CD-ROM reader 24. When that commercially available music CD is the predetermined commercially available music CD, music is reproduced as game music based on the recorded content of that commercially available music CD, and a guidance is shown on a monitor based on the operation timing data whereby timings at which the player is required to operate the controller in accordance with the game music is instructed to the player.

Claims

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

commercially available music CD reproducing means for reading recorded content from a commercially available music CD to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read;

commercially available CD judgement means for reading recorded content from a commercially available music CD to judge whether or not the commercially available music CD is a predetermined commercially available music CD based on the recorded content read;

operation timing data storage means for storing operating timing data indicative of timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced based on the recorded content read from the predetermined commercially available music CD; and

music game execution means for causing the commercially available music CD reproducing means to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read from the commercially available music CD, in response to a judgment such that the commercially available music CD, of which recorded content is read by the commercially available music CD judgment means, is the predetermined commercially available music CD, and for guiding timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced, based on the operation timing data.

2. A game device according to

claim 1

, wherein

the commercially available music CD judgement means includes judgement data storage means for storing beforehand at least a part of the recorded content of the predetermined commercially available music CD as judgement data, and judges whether or not the commercially available music CD, of which recorded content is read by the commercially available music CD judgement means, is the predetermined commercially available music CD by comparing the judgement data and the recorded content of the commercially available music CD, read by the commercially available music CD judgement means.

3. An information storage medium storing game program code and game data for causing a computer to function as a game device having a controller operated by a player in accordance with game music, the computer being equipped with a commercially available music CD reproducing function for reading recorded content from a commercially available music CD to reproduce music based on the recorded content read, wherein

the information storage medium stores operation timing data, as at least a part of the game data, indicative of timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced based on the recorded content read from a predetermined commercially available music CD, and program code, as at least a part of the game program code, for causing the computer to function as

commercially available music CD reproducing means for reading recorded content from a commercially available music CD to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read by using the commercially available music CD reproducing function;

commercially available CD judgement means for reading recorded content from a commercially available music CD by using the commercially available music CD reproducing function to judge whether or not the commercially available music CD is the predetermined commercially available music CD based on the recorded content read; and

music game execution means for causing the commercially available music CD reproducing means to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read from the commercially available music CD, in response to a judgement such that the commercially available music CD, of which recorded content is read by the commercially available music CD judgement means, is the predetermined commercially available music CD, and for guiding timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced, based on the operation timing data.

4. A method for controlling a game device equipped with a commercially available music CD reading and reproducing function and having a controller operated by a player in accordance with game music, the method comprising:

a commercially available music CD reproducing step of reading recorded content from a commercially available music CD to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read by using the commercially available music CD reproducing function;

a commercially available CD judgement step of reading recorded content from a commercially available music CD by using the commercially available music CD reproducing function to judge whether or not the commercially available music CD is a predetermined commercially available music CD based on the recorded content read;

an operation timing data obtaining step of obtaining operating timing data indicative of timings at which a player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced based on the recorded content read from the predetermined commercially available music CD; and

a music game execution step of effecting reproduction of music as game music at the commercially available music CD reproducing step based on the recorded content read from the commercially available music CD, in response to a judgement such that the commercially available music CD, of which recorded content is read at the commercially available music CD reproducing step, is the predetermined commercially available music CD, and of guiding timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced, based on the operation timing data.

5. A game distribution device for distributing game program code and game data for causing a computer to function as a game device having a controller operated by a player in accordance with game music, the computer being equipped with a commercially available music CD reproducing function for reading recorded content from a commercially available music CD to reproduce music based on the recorded content read,

wherein

the game distribution device distributes operation timing data, as at least a part of the game data, indicative of timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced based on the recorded content read from a predetermined commercially available music CD, and program code, as at least a part of the game program code, for causing the computer to function as

commercially available music CD reproducing means for reading recorded content from a commercially available music CD to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read by using the commercially available music CD reproducing function;

commercially available CD judgement means for reading recorded content from a commercially available music CD by using the commercially available music CD reproducing function to judge whether or not the commercially available music CD is the predetermined commercially available music CD based on the recorded content read; and

music game execution means for causing the commercially available music CD reproducing means to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read from the commercially available music CD, in response to a judgement such that the commercially available music CD, of which recorded content is read by the commercially available music CD judgement means, is the predetermined commercially available music CD, and for guiding timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced, based on the operation timing data.

6. A game distribution method for distributing game program code and game data for causing a computer to function as a game device having controller operated by a player in accordance with game music, the computer being equipped with a commercially available music CD reproducing function for reading recorded content from a commercially available music CD to reproduce music based on the recorded content read, the method comprising:

an operation timing data distribution step of distributing operation timing data, as at least a part of the game data, indicative of timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced based on the recorded content read from a predetermined commercially available music CD; and

a program distribution step of distributing program code, as at least a part of the game program code, for causing the computer to function as

commercially available music CD reproducing means for reading recorded content from a commercially available music CD to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read by using the commercially available music CD reproducing function;

commercially available CD judgement means for reading recorded content from a commercially available music CD by using the commercially available music CD reproducing function to judge whether or not the commercially available music CD is the predetermined commercially available music CD based on the recorded content read; and

music game execution means for causing the commercially available music CD reproducing means to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read from the commercially available music CD, in response to a judgement such that the commercially available music CD, of which recorded content is read by the commercially available music CD judgement means, is the predetermined commercially available music CD, and for guiding timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced, based on the operation timing data.

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

commercially available music reproducing means for reading recorded content from a commercially available music information storage medium which records at least music data, to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read;

commercially available music information storage medium judgement means for judging whether or not the commercially available music information storage medium, recording content of which is read by the commercially available music reproducing means, is a predetermined commercially available music information storage medium;

operation timing data storage means for storing operating timing data indicative of timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced based on the recorded content read from the predetermined commercially available music information storage medium; and

music game execution means for causing the commercially available music reproducing means to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read from the commercially available music information storage medium, in response to a judgement such that the commercially available music information medium, of which recorded content is read by the commercially available music reproducing means, is the predetermined commercially available music CD, and for guiding timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced, based on the operation timing data.

8. An information storage medium storing game program code and game data for causing a computer to function as a game device having a controller operated by a player in accordance with game music, the computer being equipped with a commercially available music information storage medium reproducing function for reading recorded content from a commercially available music information storage medium which records at least music data, to reproduce music based on the recorded content read, wherein

the information storage medium stores operation timing data, as at least a part of the game data, indicative of timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced based on the recorded content read from a predetermined commercially available music information storage medium, and program code, as at least a part of the game program code, for causing the computer to function as

commercially available music information storage medium reproducing means for reading recorded content from a commercially available music information storage medium to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read by using the commercially available music information storage medium reproducing function;

commercially available music information storage medium judgement means for reading recorded content from a commercially available music information storage medium by using the commercially available music information storage medium reproducing function to judge whether or not the commercially available music information storage medium is the predetermined commercially available music information storage medium based on the recorded content read; and

music game execution means for causing the commercially available music information storage medium reproducing means to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read from the commercially available music information storage medium, in response to a judgement such that the commercially available music information storage medium, of which recorded content is read by the commercially available music information storage medium judgement means, is the predetermined commercially available music information storage medium, and for guiding timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced, based on the operation timing data.

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

music data reproducing means for obtaining music data from a music data distribution server via a communication network to reproduce music as game music based on the music data obtained;

music data judgement means for judging whether or not the music data obtained by the music data reproducing means is predetermined music data;

operation timing data obtaining means for obtaining operation timing data indicative of timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced based on the predetermined music data; and

music game execution means for causing the music data reproducing means to reproduce music as game music based on the music data, in response to a judgement such that the music data obtained by the music data reproducing means is the predetermined music data, and for guiding timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced, based on the operation timing data.

10. An information storage medium storing game program code and game data for causing a computer to function as a game device having a controller operated by a player in accordance with game music, wherein the information storage medium stores, as at least a part of the game program code, program code for causing the computer to function as

music data reproducing means for obtaining music data from a music data distribution server via a communication network to reproduce music as game music based on the music data obtained;

music data judgement means for judging whether or not the music data obtained by the music data reproducing means is predetermined music data;

operation timing data obtaining means for obtaining operation timing data indicative of timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced based on the predetermined music data; and

music game execution means for causing the music data reproducing means to reproduce music as game music based on the music data, in response to a judgement such that the music data obtained by the music data reproducing means is the predetermined music data, and for guiding timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced, based on the operation timing data.

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

a commercially available music information storage medium reproducer which reads recorded content from a commercially available music information storage medium recording at least music data, to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read;

a commercially available music information storage medium judgement unit which judges whether or not the commercially available music information storage medium, of which recorded content is read by the commercially available music information storage medium reproducer, is a predetermined commercially available music information storage medium;

an operation timing data storage medium which stores operating timing data indicative of timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced based on the recorded content read from the predetermined commercially available music information storage medium; and

a music game execution unit which causes the commercially available music information storage medium reproducer to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read from the commercially available music information storage medium, in response to a judgement such that the commercially available music information storage medium, of which recorded content is read by the commercially available music information storage medium reproducer, is the predetermined commercially available music information storage medium, and guides timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced, based on the operation timing data.

12. An information storage medium storing game program code and game data for causing a computer to function as a game device having a controller operated by a player in accordance with game music, the computer being equipped with a commercially available music information storage medium reproducing function for reading recorded content from a commercially available music information storage medium recording at least music data, to reproduce music based on the recorded content read, wherein

the information storage medium stores operation timing data, as at least a part of the game data, indicative of timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced based on the recorded content read from a predetermined commercially available music information storage medium, and program code, as at least a part of the game program code, for causing the computer to function as

a commercially available music information storage medium reproducer which reads recorded content from a commercially available music information storage medium to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read by using the commercially available music information storage medium reproducing function;

a commercially available music information storage medium judgement unit which reads recorded content from a commercially available music information storage medium by using the commercially available music information storage medium reproducing function to judge whether or not the commercially available music information storage medium is the predetermined commercially available music information storage medium based on the recorded content read; and

a music game execution unit which causes the commercially available music information storage medium reproducer to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read from the commercially available music information storage medium, in response to a judgement such that the commercially available music information storage medium, of which recorded content is read by the commercially available music information storage medium reproducing function, is the predetermined commercially available music information storage medium, and guides timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced, based on the operation timing data.

13. Game program code for causing a computer to function as a game device having a controller operated by a player in accordance with game music, the computer being equipped with a commercially available music information storage medium reproducing function for reading recorded content from a commercially available music information storage medium recording at least music data, to reproduce music based on the recorded content read, the game program code for

receiving operation timing data, as at least a part of the game data, indicative of timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced based on the recorded content read from a predetermined commercially available music information storage medium;

reading recorded content from a commercially available music information storage medium to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read by using the commercially available music information storage medium reproducing function;

reading recorded content from a commercially available music information storage medium by using the commercially available music information storage medium reproducing function to judge whether or not the commercially available music information storage medium is the predetermined commercially available music information storage medium based on the recorded content read; and

causing the commercially available music information storage medium reproducing function to reproduce music as game music based on the recorded content read from the commercially available music information storage medium, in response to a judgment such that the commercially available music information storage medium is the predetermined commercially available music information storage medium; and

guiding timings at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced, based on the operation timing data.