Program, information storage medium, and image generation system

• US 20070270223A1
• Filed: 05/02/2007
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc., Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Harada, Takahiro, Nonaka, Toyokazu, Ono, Yasushi
• Granted Patent: US 9,044,669 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/303 for displaying additional data, e.g. simulating a Head Up Display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/646 for calculating the trajectory of an object
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8011 Ball

Abstract

An image generation system performs a game process of causing a game character to make a predetermined movement for a given object based on an operation input from an operation section including an acceleration sensor and causing the given object to move in an object space. The image generation system includes: an operation input detection section which detects whether or not a plurality of operation inputs including a first operation input and a second operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement have been performed based on an output value from the acceleration sensor; a character movement control section which controls the game character to make a predetermined movement based on the first operation input; and an object movement control section which controls a movement state of the given object based on at least one of the first operation input and the second operation input.

Claims

1. A program causing a computer to function as:

a game processing section which performs a game process of causing a game character to make a predetermined movement for a given object based on an operation input from an operation section including a movement sensor and causing the given object to move in an object space; and

an image generation section which generates an image of the object space viewed from a virtual camera;

the game processing section including;

an operation input detection section which detects whether or not a plurality of operation inputs including a first operation input and a second operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement have been performed based on an output value from the movement sensor;

a character movement control section which controls the game character to make a predetermined movement based on the first operation input; and

an object movement control section which controls a movement state of the given object based on at least one of the first operation input and the second operation input.

2. The program as defined in claim 1,

wherein the character movement control section controls the game character to make a predetermined movement based on the first operation input;

and

wherein the object movement control section controls the movement state of the given object based on the second operation input.

3. The program as defined in claim 1,

wherein the operation input detection section detects whether or not the operation input has been performed based on the output value from the movement sensor and an operation input from an operation input section other than the movement sensor provided in the operation section.

4. The program as defined in claim 1,

wherein the object movement control section controls at least one of a moving direction, a moving path, and a moving pattern of the given object based on at least one of the first operation input and the second operation input.

5. The program as defined in claim 1,

wherein the object movement control section detects information on orientation or rotation based on at least one of the first operation input and the second operation input, and controls at least one of a moving direction, a moving path, and a moving pattern of the given object based on the information on orientation or rotation.

18. The program as defined in claim 1,

wherein the game processing section includes an adjustment section which sets an initial setting operation period in which an initial setting operation input is accepted, and adjusts a reference value for determining the output value from the movement sensor based on the output value from the movement sensor obtained by the operation section in the initial setting operation period;

and

wherein the operation input detection section detects the operation inputs by determining the output value from the movement sensor based on the adjusted reference value.

22. The program as defined in claim 1,

wherein the game processing section includes a movement display object display control section which performs a display control process of a movement display object for displaying information of the movement of the game character performed when the operation inputs have been detected;

and

wherein the image generation section generates a game image including the movement display object.

26. The program as defined in claim 1,

wherein the game processing section includes a movement state display object display control section which performs a display control process of a movement state display object for displaying information about control of the movement state of an object performed when the operation inputs have been detected;

and

wherein the image generation section generates a game image including the movement state display object.

30. The program as defined in claim 1,

wherein the operation input detection section sets a time limit corresponding to each of the operation inputs, and does not accept each operation input when the time limit for each operation input has expired.

34. The program as defined in claim 1,

wherein the operation input detection section sets a total time limit for the operation inputs, sets a time limit for a subsequent operation input based on a time required for a preceding operation input and the total time limit, and does not accept an operation input when the set time limit has expired.

38. The program as defined in claim 1,

wherein the operation input detection section detects whether or not the operation inputs have been performed based on an output value from a first movement sensor provided in a first controller and an output value from a second movement sensor provided in a second controller.

42. A computer-readable information storage medium storing the program as defined in claim 1.

6. A program causing a computer to function as:

a game processing section which performs a game process of causing a game character to make a predetermined movement for a given object based on an operation input from an operation section including a movement sensor and causing the given object to move in an object space; and

an image generation section which generates an image of the object space viewed from a virtual camera;

the game processing section including;

an operation input detection section which detects whether or not an operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement has been performed based on an output value from the movement sensor;

a character movement control section which controls the game character to make a predetermined movement based on the operation input; and

an object movement control section which controls a movement state of the given object based on the operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement.

7. The program as defined in claim 6,

wherein the object movement control section detects information on orientation or rotation based on the operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement, and controls at least one of a moving direction, a moving path, and a moving pattern of the given object based on the information on orientation or rotation.

19. The program as defined in claim 6,

wherein the game processing section includes an adjustment section which sets an initial setting operation period in which an initial setting operation input is accepted, and adjusts a reference value for determining the output value from the movement sensor based on the output value from the movement sensor obtained by the operation section in the initial setting operation period;

and

wherein the operation input detection section detects the operation input by determining the output value from the movement sensor based on the adjusted reference value.

23. The program as defined in claim 6,

wherein the game processing section includes a movement display object display control section which performs a display control process of a movement display object for displaying information of the movement of the game character performed when the operation input has been detected;

and

wherein the image generation section generates a game image including the movement display object.

27. The program as defined in claim 6,

wherein the game processing section includes a movement state display object display control section which performs a display control process of a movement state display object for displaying information about control of the movement state of an object performed when the operation input has been detected;

and

wherein the image generation section generates a game image including the movement state display object.

31. The program as defined in claim 6,

wherein the operation input detection section sets a time limit corresponding to the operation input, and does not accept the operation input when the time limit for the operation input has expired.

35. The program as defined in claim 6,

wherein the operation input detection section sets a total time limit for the operation inputs, sets a time limit for a subsequent operation input based on a time required for a preceding operation input and the total time limit, and does not accept an operation input when the set time limit has expired.

39. The program as defined in claim 6,

wherein the operation input detection section detects whether or not the operation input has been performed based on an output value from a first movement sensor provided in a first controller and an output value from a second movement sensor provided in a second controller.

43. A computer-readable information storage medium storing the program as defined in claim 6.

8. A program causing a computer to function as:

a game processing section which performs a game process of causing a game character to make a predetermined movement for a given object based on an operation input from an operation section including a movement sensor and causing the given object to move in an object space; and

an image generation section which generates an image of the object space viewed from a virtual camera;

the game processing section including;

an operation input detection section which detects whether or not a first operation input and a second operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement have been performed based on an output value from the movement sensor;

an object movement control section which controls a movement state and a movement result of the given object based on the first operation input; and

a character movement control section which controls the game character to make a predetermined movement based on the second operation input.

9. The program as defined in claim 8,

wherein the object movement control section sets a power value as a game parameter based on the first operation input, and controls the movement state and the movement result of the given object based on the power value.

10. The program as defined in claim 9,

wherein the object movement control section controls the game character to make a movement for storing the power value based on the first operation input.

11. The program as defined in claim 8,

wherein the operation input detection section detects whether or not the operation section is held in a predetermined posture based on the output value from the movement sensor, and determines that the first operation input has been performed when the operation section is held in the predetermined posture.

12. The program as defined in claim 8,

wherein the operation input detection section determines presence or absence of the first operation input, or start or completion of the first operation input based on the output value from the movement sensor and an operation input from an operation input section other than the movement sensor provided in the operation section.

13. The program as defined in claim 8,

wherein the object movement control section detects duration of the first operation input, and determines a power value stored by the first operation input based on the duration.

14. The program as defined in claim 8,

wherein the operation input detection section sets a first operation input acceptance time, and does not accept the first operation input when the acceptance time has expired.

20. The program as defined in claim 8,

wherein the game processing section includes an adjustment section which sets an initial setting operation period in which an initial setting operation input is accepted, and adjusts a reference value for determining the output value from the movement sensor based on the output value from the movement sensor obtained by the operation section in the initial setting operation period;

and

wherein the operation input detection section detects the operation inputs by determining the output value from the movement sensor based on the adjusted reference value.

24. The program as defined in claim 8,

wherein the game processing section includes a movement display object display control section which performs a display control process of a movement display object for displaying information of the movement of the game character performed when the operation inputs have been detected;

and

wherein the image generation section generates a game image including the movement display object.

28. The program as defined in claim 8,

wherein the game processing section includes a movement state display object display control section which performs a display control process of a movement state display object for displaying information about control of the movement state of an object performed when the operation inputs have been detected;

and

wherein the image generation section generates a game image including the movement state display object.

32. The program as defined in claim 8,

wherein the operation input detection section sets a time limit corresponding to each of the operation inputs, and does not accept each operation input when the time limit for each operation input has expired.

36. The program as defined in claim 8,

wherein the operation input detection section sets a total time limit for the operation inputs, sets a time limit for a subsequent operation input based on a time required for a preceding operation input and the total time limit, and does not accept an operation input when the set time limit has expired.

40. The program as defined in claim 8,

wherein the operation input detection section detects whether or not the operation inputs have been performed based on an output value from a first movement sensor provided in a first controller and an output value from a second movement sensor provided in a second controller.

44. A computer-readable information storage medium storing the program as defined in claim 8.

15. A program causing a computer to function as:

a game processing section which performs a game process of causing a game character to make a predetermined movement for a given object based on an operation input from an operation section including a movement sensor and causing the given object to move in an object space; and

an image generation section which generates an image of the object space viewed from a virtual camera;

the game processing section including;

an operation input detection section which detects whether or not operation inputs including a first operation input and a second operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement have been performed based on an output value from the movement sensor; and

a movement control section which controls the game character to make a first movement set corresponding to the first operation input based on the first operation input, and controls the game character to make a second movement set corresponding to the second operation input based on the second operation input.

16. The program as defined in claim 15,

wherein the game processing section includes a character movement control section which controls the game character to make a predetermined movement based on at least one of the first operation input and the second operation input.

17. The program as defined in claim 15,

wherein the operation input detection section determines that the first operation input or the second operation input has been performed when detecting that the operation section is held in a predetermined posture or remains stationary based on the output value from the movement sensor.

21. The program as defined in claim 15,

wherein the game processing section includes an adjustment section which sets an initial setting operation period in which an initial setting operation input is accepted, and adjusts a reference value for determining the output value from the movement sensor based on the output value from the movement sensor obtained by the operation section in the initial setting operation period;

and

wherein the operation input detection section detects the operation inputs by determining the output value from the movement sensor based on the adjusted reference value.

25. The program as defined in claim 15,

wherein the game processing section includes a movement display object display control section which performs a display control process of a movement display object for displaying information of the movement of the game character performed when the operation inputs have been detected;

and

wherein the image generation section generates a game image including the movement display object.

29. The program as defined in claim 15,

wherein the game processing section includes a movement state display object display control section which performs a display control process of a movement state display object for displaying information about control of the movement state of an object performed when the operation inputs have been detected;

and

wherein the image generation section generates a game image including the movement state display object.

33. The program as defined in claim 15,

wherein the operation input detection section sets a time limit corresponding to each of the operation inputs, and does not accept each operation input when the time limit for each operation input has expired.

37. The program as defined in claim 15,

wherein the operation input detection section sets a total time limit for the operation inputs, sets a time limit for a subsequent operation input based on a time required for a preceding operation input and the total time limit, and does not accept an operation input when the set time limit has expired.

41. The program as defined in claim 15,

wherein the operation input detection section detects whether or not the operation inputs have been performed based on an output value from a first movement sensor provided in a first controller and an output value from a second movement sensor provided in a second controller.

45. A computer-readable information storage medium storing the program as defined in claim 15.

46. An image generation system comprising:

a game processing section which performs a game process of causing a game character to make a predetermined movement for a given object based on an operation input from an operation section including a movement sensor and causing the given object to move in an object space; and

an image generation section which generates an image of the object space viewed from a virtual camera;

the game processing section including;

an operation input detection section which detects whether or not a plurality of operation inputs including a first operation input and a second operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement have been performed based on an output value from the movement sensor;

a character movement control section which controls the game character to make a predetermined movement based on the first operation input; and

an object movement control section which controls a movement state of the given object based on at least one of the first operation input and the second operation input.

47. An image generation system comprising:

a game processing section which performs a game process of causing a game character to make a predetermined movement for a given object based on an operation input from an operation section including a movement sensor and causing the given object to move in an object space; and

an image generation section which generates an image of the object space viewed from a virtual camera;

the game processing section including;

an operation input detection section which detects whether or not an operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement has been performed based on an output value from the movement sensor;

a character movement control section which controls the game character to make a predetermined movement based on the operation input; and

an object movement control section which controls a movement state of the given object based on the operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement.

48. An image generation system comprising:

a game processing section which performs a game process of causing a game character to make a predetermined movement for a given object based on an operation input from an operation section including a movement sensor and causing the given object to move in an object space; and

an image generation section which generates an image of the object space viewed from a virtual camera;

the game processing section including;

an operation input detection section which detects whether or not a first operation input and a second operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement have been performed based on an output value from the movement sensor;

an object movement control section which controls a movement state and a movement result of the given object based on the first operation input; and

a character movement control section which controls the game character to make a predetermined movement based on the second operation input.

49. An image generation system comprising:

a game processing section which performs a game process of causing a game character to make a predetermined movement for a given object based on an operation input from an operation section including a movement sensor and causing the given object to move in an object space; and

an image generation section which generates an image of the object space viewed from a virtual camera;

the game processing section including;

an operation input detection section which detects whether or not operation inputs including a first operation input and a second operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement have been performed based on an output value from the movement sensor; and

a movement control section which controls the game character to make a first movement set corresponding to the first operation input based on the first operation input, and controls the game character to make a second movement set corresponding to the second operation input based on the second operation input.