Game apparatus, game machine manipulation device, game system and interactive communication method for game apparatus

• US 20040067793A1
• Filed: 04/15/2003
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Satoshi Shinohara, Toshio Honda
• Original Assignee: Satoshi Shinohara, Toshio Honda
• Inventors: Shinohara, Satoshi, Honda, Toshio
• Application Number:
  US10/414,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20040067793A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• 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 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• 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 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit

Abstract

By transmitting function information indicative of functions of a game machine manipulation device CT10, previously stored therein, to a game machine main body 27 with a command from the game machine main body 27, it is possible to retrieve functions of the game machine manipulation device CT10 required for the game machine main body 27 and to set the retrieved functions of the game machine manipulation device CT10 in the game machine manipulation device CT10. Further, by transmitting function information indicative of consumed power of respective response means 21, 51 of the game machine manipulation device CT10, which is previously stored in the game machine manipulation device CT10, to the game machine main body 27 with a command from the game machine main body 27, it is possible to determine response means 21, 51 required for the game machine main body 27 and a power value to be applied to the response means, and to set the determined information to the response means 21, 51 of the game machine manipulation device CT10.

Claims

1. A game apparatus having a reproducing function for a recording medium and having bidirectional communication means for receiving data of manipulations performed by a plurality of manipulation members from a game machine manipulation device and for transmitting predetermined control data to said game machine manipulation device, wherein:

information regarding how a response means performs a response action is fetched as function information from the game machine manipulation device, the response means performing a response according to an instruction from the game apparatus and being possessed by said game machine manipulation device, and

said predetermined control data is transmitted to the game machine manipulation device based on said function information from said game machine manipulation device.

2. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said information regarding how a response means performs the response action includes at least one of the following actions of the response means;

a vibrating action, a light generating action, and a sound generating action.

3. A game apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

said information regarding how a response means performs the response action is of said vibrating action of the response means and includes vibration manner types as information of the vibrating action.

4. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said function information includes information of a combination of the response means which are operable simultaneously in accordance with an instruction from the game apparatus.

5. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said function information includes information representing a mode that is able to be set by the game machine manipulation device.

6. A game apparatus having a reproducing function for a recording medium and having bidirectional communication means for receiving data of manipulations performed by a plurality of manipulation members from a game machine manipulation device and for transmitting predetermined control data to said game machine manipulation device, wherein:

information as function information including each current consumption value of at least one of response means that perform a response action according to an instruction from the game apparatus is fetched, said response means being possessed by said game machine manipulation device,

gross current consumption values of all of said response means, which are prepared for performing the response action in accordance with ongoing game contents, are obtained based on said function information,

when the gross current consumption value is larger than a predetermined specified value, either of the following is performed so as to make the gross current consumption value be not more than the specified value;

predetermined control data is generated to limit a current consumption value of a response means having a large current consumption value, out of all the response means which are prepared for performing the response action, and

predetermined control data is generated to limit the current consumption values of all the response means which are prepared for

performing the response action, and

said predetermined control data is transmitted to the game machine manipulation device so as to make all the response means which are prepared for performing the response action perform the response action.

7. The game apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

a current consumption waveform having a large current consumption value is a rectangular wave, and the limitation of the current consumption value of the response means is made by modifying both the rise (front end) and the decay (tail end) of the rectangular wave into stairs-shaped waves by partially notching the rectangular wave.

8. The game apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

a limitation of the current consumption value of the response means having a large current consumption value is made by a reduction of amplitude of a current consumption waveform.

9. The game apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said predetermined control data includes data representing current to be applied, a voltage to be applied and a time to be applied.

10. The game apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said function information includes information regarding how a response means performs the response action.

11. The game apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

said information regarding how the response means performs the response action represents at least one of the following actions of the response means;

a vibrating action, a light generating action, and a sound generating action.

12. The game apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

said information regarding how the response means performs the response action is of a vibrating action of the response means and includes vibration manner types as information of the vibrating action.

13. The game apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said function information includes a combination information of the response means which are operable simultaneously in accordance with an instruction from the game apparatus.

14. The game apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:

said function information includes information representing a mode that is able to be set by the game machine manipulation device, and

the mode of the game machine manipulation device is set based on said function information.

15. The game apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:

said function information includes identification information of said game machine manipulation device.

16. The game apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:

said function information includes information representing either of an analogue mode and a digital mode, which are communication control modes for said game machine manipulation device, and

said game machine manipulation device is set either of said analogue mode and said digital mode.

17. The game apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:

said function information includes either of operation information and pose information for a communication control mode switching manipulation member of said game machine manipulation device; and

said function information is selectively provided to said game machine manipulation device so as to set said communication control mode switching manipulation member of said game machine manipulation device in an operative state or in a pose state.

18. The game apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:

a mode represented by said function information is transmitted as a setting command exclusively for said game machine manipulation device at an arbitrary timing.

19. A game machine manipulation device being connected to a game apparatus and having bidirectional communication means for transmitting data of manipulations performed by a plurality of manipulation members to said game apparatus and for receiving predetermined control data from said game apparatus, comprising:

a response means which performs a response action according to an instruction from the game apparatus, and

a storing means for storing, as function information, information regarding how the response means performs the response action, wherein,

said function information stored in said storing means is transmitted to the game apparatus in accordance with an information request command from the game apparatus.

20. A game machine manipulation device according to claim 19, wherein:

plural types of response means each having a variety of functions, respectively, are provided as response means,

the storing means stores information regarding the response action for each of the plural types of response means, and

said function information including the information regarding the response action for each of the plural types of response means is transmitted in accordance with the information request command from the game apparatus.

21. A game machine manipulation device according to claim 20, comprising at least two of the following as said response means:

a first actuator which causes vibration in a predetermined vibration manner,

a second actuator which causes vibration in a manner different from that caused by the first actuator,

a light generating means which generates light, and

a sound generating means which generates sound.

22. A game machine manipulation device according to claim 20, wherein:

said function information includes information of a combination of the response means which are operable simultaneously in accordance with an instruction from the game apparatus, out of the plural types of response means.

23. A game machine manipulation device according to claim 19, wherein:

said function information includes information representing a mode which is able to be set by the game machine manipulation device.

24. A game system comprising

a game machine manipulation device being connected to a game apparatus and having bidirectional communication means for transmitting data of manipulations performed by a plurality of manipulation members to said game apparatus and for receiving predetermined control data from said game apparatus, and

said game apparatus having a reproducing function for a recording medium and having bidirectional communication means for receiving data of manipulations performed by a plurality of manipulation members from said game machine manipulation device and for transmitting predetermined control data to said game machine manipulation device, wherein:

the game machine manipulation device is provided with a response means which performs a response action according to an instruction from the game apparatus and a storing means for storing information as function information regarding how the response means performs the response action, and transmits the function information stored in the storing means in response to a information request command from the game apparatus, and

the game apparatus transmits the information request command to the game machine manipulation device, fetches the function information based on the information request command from the game machine manipulation device and transmits the predetermined control data to the game machine manipulation device, based on the function information.

25. A game system according to claim 24, wherein:

said game machine manipulation device comprises, as said response means, plural types of response means each having various functions, respectively,

said storing means stores information regarding a response action for each of the plural types of the response means, as said function information, and

said function information including the information regarding the response action for each of the plural types of response means is transmitted to said game apparatus in accordance with the information request command from the game apparatus.

26. A game system comprising

a game machine manipulation device being connected to a game apparatus and having bidirectional communication means for transmitting data of manipulations performed by a plurality of manipulation members to said game apparatus and for receiving predetermined control data from said game apparatus,

said game apparatus having a function of reproducing a recording medium and having bidirectional communication means for receiving data of manipulations performed by a plurality of manipulation members from said game machine manipulation device and for transmitting predetermined control data to said game machine manipulation device, wherein:

the game machine manipulation device comprises at least one response means which performs a response action according to an instruction from the game apparatus and a storing means for storing information including each current consumption value for each of the response means as a function information, wherein,

said function information stored in the storing means is transmitted to the game apparatus in response to the information request command from the game apparatus, and wherein,

said game apparatus transmits the information request command to the game machine manipulation device and fetches the function information as a response to the information request command from the game machine manipulation device,

gross current consumption values of all of said response means to be prepared for performing a response action in accordance with ongoing game contents are obtained based on said function information,

when the gross current consumption value is larger than a predetermined specified value, either of the followings is performed so as to make the gross current consumption value be not more than the specified value;

predetermined control data is generated to limit a current consumption value of a response means having a large current consumption value, out of all the response means to be prepared for performing the response action, and

predetermined control data is generated to limit the current consumption values of all the response means to be prepared for performing the response action, and

said predetermined control data is transmitted to the game machine manipulation device so as to make all the response means which are prepared for performing the response action perform the response action.

27. A game system according to claim 26, wherein:

said game machine manipulation device comprises as said response means with plural types of response means having a variety of functions,

said storing means stores information including a current consumption value for each of the plural types of response means as a function information, and

the function information including the current consumption value information of the plural types of said response means is transmitted to the game apparatus in response to the information request command from the game apparatus.

28. A game system according to claim 26, wherein:

a current consumption waveform having a large current consumption value is a rectangular wave, and the limitation of the current consumption value of the response means is made by modifying both the rise and the decay of the rectangular wave into stairs-shaped waves by partially notching the rectangular wave.

29. A game system according to claim 26, wherein:

a limitation of the current consumption of the response means having a large current consumption value represents a reduction of amplitude of a current consumption waveform.

30. A game system according to claim 26, wherein:

said predetermined control data includes data representing current to be applied, a voltage to be applied and a time to be applied.

31. A game system according to claim 26, wherein:

said function information includes information representing a mode which is able to be set by the game machine manipulation device, and

said game apparatus sets the mode of the game machine manipulation device based on the function information.

32. A game system according to claim 31, wherein:

said function information includes information representing either of an analogue mode and a digital mode, which are communication control modes for said game machine manipulation device, and

said game machine manipulation device is set in either of an analogue mode and a digital mode.

33. A bidirectional communication method for a game apparatus for receiving data of manipulation performed by a plurality of manipulation members from a game machine manipulation device and for transmitting predetermined control data to said game machine manipulation device, said bidirectional communication method comprising the steps of:

transmitting information request command to the game machine manipulation device,

receiving function information as a response to said information request command, which is stored in a nonvolatile storing means possessed by said game machine manipulation device and which is able to be set from said game apparatus and relates to a function of said game machine manipulation device, and

setting a function of said game machine manipulation device based on said function information from the game machine manipulation device.

34. A bidirectional communication method for a game apparatus according to claim 33, wherein:

said function information includes information representing either of an analogue mode and a digital mode, which are communication control modes for said game machine manipulation device, and

said game machine manipulation device is set in either of said analogue mode and said digital mode.

35. A bidirectional communication method for a game apparatus according to claim 33, wherein:

said function information includes either of operation information and pose information of a communication control mode switching manipulation member of said game machine manipulation device; and

said function information is selectively provided to said game machine manipulation device so as to set said communication control mode switching manipulation member of said game machine manipulation device in an operative state or in a pose state.

36. A bidirectional communication method for a game apparatus for receiving data of manipulation performed by a plurality of manipulation members from a game machine manipulation device and for transmitting predetermined control data to said game machine manipulation device, said bidirectional communication method comprising the steps of:

transmitting an information request command to said game machine manipulation device,

receiving from said game machine manipulation device as a response to said information request command, a function information including information regarding how a response means, which is possessed by said game apparatus, performs a response action, said response means performing the response action according to an instruction from said game apparatus, and

transmitting a predetermined control data to said game machine manipulation device based on said function information of said game machine manipulation device.

37. A bidirectional communication method according to claim 36, wherein said function information includes information representing a mode which is able to be set by said game machine manipulation device.

38. A bidirectional communication method for a game apparatus for receiving data of manipulation performed by a plurality of manipulation members from a game machine manipulation device and for transmitting predetermined control data to said game machine manipulation device, said bidirectional communication method comprising the steps of:

transmitting an information request command to said game machine manipulation device,

receiving function information as a response to said information request command, including each current consumption value of at least one of response means that is possessed by said game machine manipulation device and performing a response action according to an instruction from the game apparatus,

obtaining a gross current consumption value of all of said response means to be prepared for performing a response action in accordance with ongoing game contents based on said function information,

when the gross current consumption value is larger than a predetermined specified value, either of the following is performed so as to make the gross current consumption value be not more than the specified value;

generating predetermined control data to limit a current consumption value of a response means having a large current consumption value, out of all the response means to be prepared for performing the response action, and

generating predetermined control data to limit the current consumption values of all the response means to be prepared for performing the response action, and

transmitting said predetermined control data to the game machine manipulation device so as to make all the response means which are prepared for performing the response action perform the response action.

39. A bidirectional communication method according to claim 38, wherein:

a current consumption waveform having a large current consumption value is a rectangular wave, and the limitation of the current consumption value of the response means is made by modifying both the rise and the decay of the rectangular wave into stairs-shaped waves by partially notching the rectangular wave.

40. A bidirectional communication method according to claim 38, wherein:

a limitation of the current consumption of the response means having a large current consumption value represents a reduction of amplitude of a current consumption waveform.

41. A bidirectional communication method according to claim 38, wherein:

said predetermined control data includes data representing current to be applied, a voltage to be applied and a time to be applied.

42. A bidirectional communication method according to claim 38, wherein:

said function information includes information indicating a mode that is able to be set by the game machine manipulation device, and the mode of the game machine manipulation device is set based on said function information.

43. A bidirectional communication method according to claim 38, wherein:

said function information includes information representing either of an analogue mode and a digital mode, which are communication control modes for said game machine manipulation device, and

said game machine manipulation device is set in either of said analogue mode and said digital mode.