Input device for game

• US 20020032054A1
• Filed: 09/07/2001
• Published: 03/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hosoya, Hayato
• Application Number:
  US09/949,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20020032054A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/35
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/424 involving acoustic input signals, e.g. by using the results of pitch or rhythm extraction or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1081 Input via voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6072 of an input signal, e.g. pitch and rhythm extraction, voice recognition

Abstract

A maximum value of the magnitude of sound detected by a microphone is detected by a peak hold circuit and is sent to a CPU. A discriminating unit is provided in the CPU. In the discriminating unit, plural thresholds are set and it is discriminated which threshold the maximum value exceeds. Any of switching means H, M and L is switched according to the discrimination and a switching signal is generated. According to a type of the switching signal, proceedings of a game program vary.

Claims

1. An input device for a game, comprising sound detecting means that detects external sound;

and a discriminating unit that discriminates the magnitude of sound detected by the sound detecting means, wherein when the magnitude detected by the discriminating unit of sound is equal to/larger than a predetermined value, a switching signal is sent to a game machine storing a game program.

2. An input device for a game according to claim 1, wherein a controller that sends a signal to the game machine by wire or radio is provided in a position apart from the game machine, and wherein the sound detecting means, the discriminating unit and a control unit that sends the switching signal to the game machine are provided to the controller.

3. An input device according to claim 1, wherein, in the discriminating unit, plural thresholds are set, wherein the discriminating unit discriminates which threshold the magnitude detected by the discriminating unit of sound exceeds, wherein a different switching signal is sent to a game machine depending upon the exceeded threshold, and wherein the game machine changes the proceedings of a game program according to a type of the switching signal.

4. An input device for a game according to claim 1, wherein display means or sounding means for giving guidance for operation related to game contents according to a game program is provided, and wherein the game machine is operated so that when guidance for operation is given from the display means or the sounding means, the game program is turned to a standby mode for receiving the switching signal and the game program proceeds when the switching signal is received in the standby mode or after predetermined time elapses without receiving the switching signal.