Computer-readable recording medium where game billing program is recorded and video dame device

• US 20060148546A1
• Filed: 02/19/2004
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Company Limited (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Konami Corporation
• Inventors: Fujiwara, Yutaka, Oda, Masahiko, Kitakaze, Yusuke, Fukuda, Yoshito, Inoue, Yoshihisa, Nishiyama, Masahiro
• Application Number:
  US10/544,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20060148546A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/6
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/27 characterised by a large display in a public venue, e.g. in a movie theatre, stadium or game arena
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/32 using local area network [LAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/537 using indicators, e.g. showing the condition of a game character on screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/57 Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/303 for displaying additional data, e.g. simulating a Head Up Display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/308 Details of the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/404 characterized by a local network connection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 characterized by details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5513 involving billing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/64 : for computing dynamical parameters of game objects, e.g. motion determination or computation of frictional forces for a virtual car
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 : Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8023 : the game being played by multiple players at a common site, e.g. in an arena, theatre, shopping mall using a large public display

Abstract

A CPU includes a distance calculation section which calculates a distance by which an automobile moves along a course in a game space; a gas-mileage calculation section which calculates a gas mileage of the automobile; a charged-money calculation section which calculates a fuel quantity which is virtually consumed by dividing the gas mileage into the movement distance and calculates a charged sum of money using this fuel quantity.

Claims

1. A computer-readable recording medium in which a game money-charging program is recorded, the game money-charging program charging a player a sum of money for a game in which a vehicle that virtually consumes fuel is moved in a game space wherein a computer is rendered to function as:

a distance calculating means for calculating a distance by which the vehicle moves along a predetermined route that is set in advance in the game space;

a gas-mileage calculating means for calculating a gas mileage of the vehicle; and

a charged-money calculating means for calculating the quantity of fuel which is virtually consumed by dividing the gas mileage into the movement distance and calculating a charged sum of money based on this quantity of fuel.

2. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 1 wherein:

the computer is rendered to function further as a remaining-quantity storing means for storing the remaining quantity of fuel; and

the charged-money calculating means calculates a charged sum of money, using the remaining quantity of fuel when the preceding game ends.

3. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 2 wherein:

the computer includes a monitor; and

the computer is rendered to function further as a fuel displaying means for displaying the remaining quantity of fuel in the monitor.

4. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 1 wherein:

the computer is rendered to function further as a parameter storing means for storing a parameter which determines the gas mileage of the vehicle, and a parameter determining means for accepting an input from the outside and determining the parameter; and

the gas-mileage calculating means calculates the gas mileage, using the parameter which is determined by the parameter determining means.

5. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 4 wherein:

the parameter storing means includes a vehicle storage section which stores in advance identification information on a plurality of kinds of vehicles;

the parameter determining means includes a vehicle selection section which accepts an input from the outside and selects a kind of vehicle from among the plurality of kinds of vehicles which are stored in the vehicle storage section; and

the gas-mileage calculating means calculates the gas mileage based on the kind of vehicle which is selected by the vehicle selection section.

6. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 5 wherein:

the parameter storing means includes a formation-element storage section which stores in advance identification information on a plurality of kinds of vehicle formation elements, with respect to at least one vehicle formation element among a plurality of vehicle formation elements which form the vehicle;

the parameter determining means includes a formation-element selection section which accepts an input from the outside and selects a kind of formation element from among the plurality of kinds of formation elements which are stored in the formation-element storage section; and

the gas-mileage calculating means calculates the gas mileage based on the kind of formation element which is selected by the formation-element selection section.

7. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 6 wherein in the formation-element selection section, a selectable kind of vehicle formation element is set in advance according to the kind of vehicle which is selected by the vehicle selection section.

8. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 1 wherein the gas-mileage calculating means accepts, from the outside, an operation input for determining the direction in which the vehicle moves and the speed at which the vehicle moves and calculates the gas mileage based on this operation input.

9. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 1 wherein:

the computer is rendered to function further as a fuel storing means for storing in advance identification information on the kind of fuel which is virtually consumed in the vehicle, and a fuel selecting means for accepting an input from the outside and selecting a kind of fuel from among a plurality of kinds of fuels which are stored in the fuel storing means; and

the charged-money calculating means calculates a charged sum of money based on the kind of fuel which is selected by the fuel selecting means.

10. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 1 wherein:

the computer is rendered to function further as a course storing means for storing in advance route information on a plurality of courses, and a course selecting means for accepting an input from the outside and selecting a course from among the plurality of courses; and

the distance calculating means calculates a movement distance along the route of the selected course.

11. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 10 wherein the course storing means stores route information on a plurality of courses which each have a different distance from a starting point to a goal point.

12. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 9 wherein the charged-money calculating means calculates a charged sum of money, based on the course which is selected by the course selecting means.

13. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to any claim 10 wherein:

the computer includes a monitor; and

the course selecting means displays the plurality of courses in the monitor so that a choice can be made.

14. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 1 wherein:

the computer is rendered to function further as a game executing means for executing the game, a cast-money calculating means for calculating a sum of money which is the amount of a coin that is cast from the outside, and a money deciding means for deciding whether or not the cast money is equal to, or more than, the charged money; and

if the money deciding means decides that the cast money is equal to, or more than, the charged money, then the game executing means permits executing the game.

15. A computer-readable recording medium in which a game money-charging program is recorded, the game money-charging program charging a player a sum of money for a game in which a vehicle is virtually moved in a game space wherein a computer is rendered to function as:

a movable-distance calculating means for calculating a distance by which the vehicle can move per a predetermined unit charged money in the game space; and

a charged-money calculating means for calculating an accumulative distance by which the vehicle moves from the start of the game in the game space and calculating a charged sum of money using this accumulative movement distance and the movable distance.

16. A video game apparatus which executes a game in which a vehicle that virtually consumes fuel is moved in a game space comprising:

a distance calculating means for calculating a distance by which the vehicle moves along a predetermined route that is set in advance in the game space;

a gas-mileage calculating means for calculating a gas mileage of the vehicle; and

a charged-money calculating means for calculating the quantity of fuel which is virtually consumed by dividing the gas mileage into the movement distance and calculating a charged sum of money based on this quantity of fuel.

17. A computer-readable recording medium in which a game money-charging program is recorded, the game money-charging program charging a player a sum of money for a game in which a vehicle that virtually consumes fuel is virtually moved along a course which is selected from among a plurality of courses that are set in a game space wherein a computer is rendered to function as:

a cast-money calculating means for calculating a cast sum of money which is the amount of real money which is a real currency that is cast from the outside or virtual money as a game value which is used only in the game and can be exchanged for the real money;

a fuel giving means for giving the player the quantity of virtual fuel which corresponds to the cast money;

a course storing means for storing a fuel consumption which is the quantity of fuel that the vehicle virtually consumes when the vehicle is virtually moved along a course, so that the fuel consumption corresponds to each of a plurality of courses; and

a game-execution deciding means for deciding whether or not the game can be executed using a course, according to whether or not the quantity of fuel which is given by the fuel giving means for each course is equal to, or more than, the fuel consumption which is stored in the course storing means.

18. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 17 wherein:

the computer is rendered to function further as a remaining-fuel calculating means for reading, from the course storing means, a fuel consumption in the course where the vehicle was moved in the preceding game, subtracting the fuel consumption from the quantity of fuel which is given by the fuel giving means, and calculating the remaining quantity of fuel when the preceding game ends; and

the game-execution deciding means decides whether or not the game can be executed, according to whether or not the remaining quantity of fuel at the end of the preceding game which is calculated by the remaining-fuel calculating means for each of the plurality of courses is equal to, or more than, the fuel consumption in the corresponding course which is stored in the course storing means.

19. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 17 wherein the remaining-fuel calculating means adds the quantity of fuel which is given by the fuel giving means, every time the real money or virtual money is cast from the outside.

20. A computer-readable recording medium in which a game money-charging program is recorded, the game money-charging program charging a player a sum of money for a game in which a vehicle that virtually consumes fuel is virtually moved in a game space wherein a computer is rendered to function as:

a cast-money calculating means for calculating a cast sum of money which is the amount of real money which is a real currency that is cast from the outside or virtual money as a game value which is used only in the game and can be exchanged for the real money;

a fuel giving means for giving the player the quantity of virtual fuel which corresponds to the cast money;

a reference-mileage setting means for setting a reference gas mileage as the gas mileage at the time when the vehicle moves on a predetermined reference condition;

a gas-mileage calculating means for accepting an operation input for the vehicle from the outside at each predetermined interval and calculating a gas mileage using this operation input and the reference gas mileage;

a consumed-fuel calculating means for calculating a fuel consumption as the quantity of fuel which the vehicle virtually consumes using the gas mileage which is calculated by the gas-mileage calculating means at each predetermined interval;

a remaining-fuel calculating means for adding the quantity of fuel which is given by the fuel giving means, subtracting the fuel consumption which is calculated by the consumed-fuel calculating means at each predetermined interval and calculating a remaining fuel quantity as the remaining quantity of fuel; and

a game-execution deciding means for permitting the player to execute the game, if the remaining fuel quantity is plus.

21. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 20 wherein:

the computer is rendered to function further as a course storing means for storing a course condition which corresponds to a position in a course; and

the gas-mileage calculating means reads, from the course storing means, a course condition which corresponds to a position of the vehicle in a course at each predetermined interval and calculates a gas mileage, also using this course condition.

22. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 20 wherein:

the computer includes a monitor; and

the computer is rendered to function further as a fuel displaying means for displaying the remaining fuel quantity in the monitor.

23. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 22 wherein, if the remaining fuel quantity is equal to, or less than, a predetermined value, then the game-execution deciding means displays, in the monitor, information which prompts the player to cast the real money or virtual money so that the player can continue executing the game.

24. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 21 wherein:

the computer is rendered to function further as a parameter storing means for storing a parameter which determines the reference gas mileage, and a parameter determining means for accepting an input from the outside and determining the parameter; and

the reference-mileage setting means calculates the reference gas mileage, using the parameter which is determined by the parameter determining means.

25. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 24 wherein:

the parameter storing means includes a vehicle storage section which stores in advance identification information on a plurality of kinds of vehicles;

the parameter determining means includes a vehicle selection section which accepts an input from the outside and selects a kind of vehicle from among the plurality of kinds of vehicles which are stored in the vehicle storage section; and

the reference-mileage setting means calculates the reference gas mileage based on the kind of vehicle which is selected by the vehicle selection section.

26. The computer-readable recording medium in which the game money-charging program is recorded according to claim 25 wherein:

the parameter storing means includes a formation-element storage section which stores in advance identification information on a plurality of kinds of vehicle formation elements, with respect to at least one vehicle formation element among a plurality of vehicle formation elements which form the vehicle;

the parameter determining means includes a formation-element selection section which accepts an input from the outside and selects a kind of formation element from among the plurality of kinds of formation elements which are stored in the formation-element storage section; and

the reference-mileage setting means calculates the reference gas mileage based on the kind of formation element which is selected by the formation-element selection section.