OPERATION TOOL, OPERATION INPUT EVALUATION METHOD, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND GAME DEVICE

• US 20090111580A1
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc.
• Original Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc.
• Inventors: NAKAJIMA, Nobutaka
• Application Number:
  US12/258,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20090111580A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• 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 13/814 Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• 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 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8047 Music games

Abstract

A game controller is placed in an operation tool 2, and the player hits the operation tool 2 as if to play a virtual drum. A body portion 4 of the operation tool 2 is formed of styrene foam. The game controller is fitted into a fitting section 18. An impact due to the hitting operation is buffered, and is detected as a change in acceleration by an acceleration sensor provided in the game controller. A game device determines the type of operation input based on an axial direction for which an acceleration differential value (quick change) equal to or larger than a reference value has been detected and the position of the game controller.

Claims

1. An operation tool comprising:

a fitting section that is formed in such a shape that a game controller including an acceleration detection section is fitted into the fitting section;

an operation input area that is hit or rubbed by a player; and

a transmission section that transmits a hitting or rubbing force applied to the operation input area to the game controller fitted into the fitting section.

2. The operation tool as defined in claim 1,

the operation input area being a planar area that intersects a detection direction of the acceleration detection section.

3. The operation tool as defined in claim 1,

the operation input area including an elevation/depression section, elevations and depressions being successively or intermittently formed in the elevation/depression section.

4. The operation tool as defined in claim 1,

the acceleration detection section detecting accelerations along a plurality of directions;

and

the operation input area including areas that respectively intersect the detection directions of the acceleration detection section.

5. The operation tool as defined in claim 1,

the transmission section being formed of an elastic foam material such as urethane foam or styrene foam, or an elastic material such as rubber.

6. The operation tool as defined in claim 1,

the fitting section being provided in the transmission section, and the fitting section and the transmission section being formed integrally.

7. The operation tool as defined in claim 6,

the transmission section forming an operation tool main body and being integrally formed with the operation input area.

8. The operation tool as defined in claim 6, further comprising:

an outer casing section that can hold and receive the transmission section in a given position in a state in which the game controller is fitted into the fitting section,

the outer casing section having the operation input area, and a force applied to the operation input area being transmitted to the game controller through the outer casing section and the transmission section.

9. The operation tool as defined in claim 1, her comprising:

a leg portion that maintains the placement position of the operation tool.

10. The operation tool as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a covering section that is formed of an impact buffer member and covers the operation tool.

11. The operation tool as defined in claim 1,

the game controller including a strap;

and

the operation tool further comprising an insertion section, the strap of the game controller fitted into the fitting section being exposed through the insertion section.

12. The operation tool as defined in claim 1,

the operation tool being generally in the shape of a guitar;

the fitting section being formed in a neck portion;

the operation input area being formed in a body portion; and

the fitting section being shaped so that the game controller is held by and fitted into the fitting section in a state in which an operation area of the game controller is exposed.

13. The operation tool as defined in claim 1,

the operation tool being generally in the shape of a guitar;

the fitting section being formed in a body portion;

the operation input area being formed in a neck portion; and

the fitting section being shaped so that the game controller is held by and fitted into the fitting, section in a state in which an operation area of the game controller is exposed.

14. The operation tool as defined in claim 12,

the operation input area including an operating section that is formed in the shape of a button or a lever.

15. The operation tool as defined in claim 13,

the operation input area including an operating section that is formed in the shape of a button or a lever.

16. The operation tool as defined in claim 15,

the operation input area including a plurality of the operating sections;

and

the transmission section transmitting forces input to the plurality of operating sections to the game controller in different directions.

17. An operation input evaluation method executed by a computer that includes a communication section, the operation input evaluation method comprising:

instructing a player to perform an operation input at a given timing;

receiving a detection signal from the acceleration detection section of the game controller held in the fitting section of the operation tool as defined in claim 1 by controlling the communication section;

detecting whether or not the player has performed the operation input based on the received detection signal; and

evaluating the operation input based on whether or not the player has performed the operation input at the given timing.

18. The operation input evaluation method as defined in claim 17,

the operation input being detected by detecting whether or not the player has performed the operation input based on a quick change value obtained by differentiating an acceleration indicated by the received detection signal.

19. The operation input evaluation method as defined in claim 17,

a determination reference signal corresponding to each type of operation input being defined in advance;

the instructing of the player to perform the operation input at the given timing including instructing the player to perform a given type of operation input at the given timing;

the operation input evaluation method further comprising determining the type of operation input performed by the player based on the received detection signal; and

the operation input being evaluated based on whether or not the player has performed the instructed operation input at the given timing.

20. The operation input evaluation method as defined in claim 19,

the determination reference signal being defined based on a quick change value obtained by differentiating an acceleration;

and

the type of operation input performed by the player being determined based on a quick change value obtained by differentiating an acceleration indicated by the received detection signal.

21. The operation input evaluation method as defined in claim 17,

a production effect process being defined in advance corresponding to each type of operation input;

and

the operation input evaluation method further comprising performing the production effect process corresponding to the type of the operation input that has been determined.

22. The operation input evaluation method as defined in claim 17, further comprising:

determining the position of the operation tool or the game controller based on an acceleration indicated by the received detection signal; and

performing a given production effect process corresponding to the determined position.

23. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute the method as defined in claim 17.

24. A game device comprising:

the operation tool as defined in claim 1;

a game controller held in the fitting section of the operation tool;

a timing instruction section that instructs a player to perform an operation input at a given timing;

a reception section that receives a detection signal from the acceleration detection section of the game controller;

an operation input detection section that detects whether or not the player has performed the operation input based on the received detection signal; and

an evaluation section that evaluates the operation input based on whether or not the timing instructed by the timing instruction section coincides with the timing detected by the operation input detection section.