Breeding simulation apparatus for virtual creatures

• US 20060287032A1
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Bandai, Kabushiki Kaisha WiZ
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Bandai, Kabushiki Kaisha WiZ
• Inventors: Yokoi, Akihiro
• Application Number:
  US11/497,741
• Publication Number:
  US 20060287032A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/67 adaptively or by learning from player actions, e.g. skill level adjustment or by storing successful combat sequences for re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6027 using adaptive systems learning from user actions, e.g. for skill level adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8058 Virtual breeding, e.g. tamagotchi

Abstract

It is a purpose of this invention to provide a simulation for breeding a virtual creature for growing the virtual creature while disciplining or training the virtual creature by treatments in respect of breeding applied by a player to the virtual creature in a screen. The apparatus is provided with mark display units 17 and 19 individually displaying a plurality of kinds of the treatments in respect of breeding the virtual creature individually by marks 17a, 17b, 17c . . . , 19a, 19b, 19c, . . . and is provided with key switches SW1, SW2 and SW3 for inputting a corresponding one of the treatments by selecting a specific mark from the plurality of marks. It has a storing unit for storing control data in respect of breeding the virtual creature and a control unit whereby when one of the treatments for breeding the virtual creature is inputted by operating the key switches SW1, SW2 and SW3, the control data in correspondence therewith is read from the storing unit and a control processing in respect of breeding the virtual creature is conducted based on the read control data, and a virtual creature display unit for displaying the fostered virtual creature.

Claims

1-4. -4. (canceled)

5. A processor controlled method for simulating the effect of interactive operations of one or more inputs by a human operator on a virtual environment displayed on a portable display means comprising the steps of:

displaying an initial virtual environment;

receiving a real time input by the operator;

establishing a changing time for the virtual environment based on the input real time;

providing an interaction call indication based on the time within the virtual environment;

detecting operation of the one more inputs by the operator; and

automatically displaying a changed virtual environment based upon the time within the virtual environment and said detected input operations.

6. A method as set out in claim 5, further comprising the steps of:

determining if the input operation is within a predetermined time after said call indication; and

changing the displayed virtual environment based on said determining step.

7. A method as set out in claim 6, wherein the interaction call indication is an audible sound.

8. A method as set out in claim 6, wherein the interaction call indication is a visual indication.

9. A method as set out in claim 6, wherein the steps of providing an interaction call indication is repeated a plurality of times.

10. A method as set out in claim 9, wherein the virtual environment is changed based on the number of times that the determining means determines that the input was operated within the predetermined time.

11. An apparatus simulating nurturing a virtual creature comprising:

a mark display unit for displaying a plurality of kinds of marks corresponding to treatments for nurturing the virtual creature on a predetermined area of a display;

input apparatus adapted to accepting inputs corresponding to one or more of the treatments by selecting a specific one of the plurality of marks;

a storing unit storing nurturing control;

a control unit, whereby when one of the treatments is input from the input apparatus, the control data corresponding to the input treatment is read from the storing unit and control processing is conducted based on the read control data; and

a virtual creature display unit displaying the virtual creature on an area adjacent to the plurality of marks corresponding to treatments on the predetermined area of the display.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit comprises setting means for setting one or more growth stages in accordance with growing the virtual creature;

and

the storing unit stores data corresponding to a plurality of kinds of virtual creatures having different appearances at each of the growth stages.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein:

the control unit further comprises calling means for indicating that the virtual creature makes a call during a growth procedure;

determining means for determining the contents of the treatments in response to the calls during the growth procedure when the virtual creature reaches a growth stages;

selecting means for selecting one of the virtual creatures from the stored plurality of kinds of virtual creatures based on a result of a determination by the determining means; and

changing means for changing the virtual creature which has reached a growth stage into a selected one of the virtual creatures; and

wherein the simulation apparatus further comprises means for a wireless connection to a data source or to another simulation apparatus for nurturing a virtual creature.

14. The simulation apparatus for nurturing a virtual creature according to claim 13,

wherein the storing unit stores data corresponding to a plurality of kinds of virtual creatures having different appearances and powers at each of the growth stages;

wherein the calling means provides a call for growing the virtual creature and a call necessary for promoting a power;

wherein the inputting means includes means for taking care of the virtual creature in response to the call for growing the virtual creature and means for conducting training in response to the call for promoting the power; and

wherein the determining means determines a degree of care and a degree of training.

15. The simulation apparatus for nurturing a virtual creature according to claim 13,

wherein the control unit further comprises warring means for simulating a war based on battle data from the other simulation apparatus for nurturing a virtual creature input via a connecting means and battle data of the simulation apparatus for nurturing a virtual creature;

and

wherein the virtual creature wins or loses providing a determining means for determining which virtual creatures wins or loses the war.