Simulated visual display system for a game device

• US 5,320,351 A
• Filed: 05/28/1992
• Issued: 06/14/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1991
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Sega Enterprises LTD.
• Original Assignee: Sega Enterprises LTD.
• Inventors: Suzuki, Hisashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US07/891,982
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 273/86 B, 273/85 F, 273/85 G
• US Class Current: 463/6
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00665 using inductance
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/246 Computer generated or synthesized image
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2463 on a screen, e.g. using a video projector
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/14 Coin operated
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/143 electric

Abstract

An arcade game which can have simulated objects, such as race horses traversing a simulated race track, can further have video images generated which will represent the same positional relationship of the objects. The track can positionally sense the actual position of the moving objects and an image forming circuit can be responsive to the positional data to generate computer images from a variety of angles based on background images of the track and of the individual horses to project a realistic computer image for observers.

Claims

1. An improved arcade game having simulated objects moving across a support surface comprising:

means for moving the individual simulated objects across the support surface;

a display screen;

means for monitoring the position of the simulated objects on the support surface and providing positional signals; and

image formation means for generating simulated images on the display screen of the simulated objects in the same positional relationship they occupy on the support surface in response to the positional signals including an image parameter memory and a character image memory.

2. The arcade game of claim 1 wherein the means for monitoring includes an array of wires and oscillator coils on the means for moving the simulated objects for inducing a current in the array of wires indicative of the position of the object.

3. The arcade game of claim 1 wherein the means for moving includes a carrier member mounted for self-propulsion beneath the support surface.

4. The arcade game of claim 3 further including means for wireless communications between the image formation means and the carrier member.

5. The arcade game of claim 1 wherein the image formation means includes a character image setting circuit for providing positions of the simulated images, a background image generating circuit for providing a background image, and a priority circuit for selectively outputting images of the simulated images and background images whereby the displayed images will change in correlation with the position of the simulated objects on the support surface.

6. An improved arcade game having simulated objects moving across a support surface comprising:

a display screen;

means for moving the individual simulated objects across the support surface including a motor driven carrier member positioned underneath the support surface and connected to a simulated object by a force field through the support surface;

means for monitoring the position of the simulated objects on the support surface and providing positional signals, and

image formation means for generating simulated images on the display screen of the simulated objects in the same positional relationship they occupy on the support surface in response to the positional signals including an image parameter memory, a character image memory, a character image setting circuit for providing positions of the simulated images from the image parameters and character image memories and a background image generating circuit for providing a background image whereby the displayed images will change in correlation with the position of the simulated images on the support surface.

7. The arcade game of claim 6 wherein the simulated objects are riders and racing horses.

8. The arcade game of claim 6 wherein the means for monitoring includes oscillator coils on the carrier member.

9. The arcade game of claim 6 further including wireless means for activating the oscillator coils and motors on the carrier member.

10. An improved arcade game having simulated physical objects moving across a support surface and simultaneously display computer generated video displays of the simulated objects, comprising:

a support surface simulating an environment of the arcade game;

a plurality of simulated objects to provide individual players of the arcade game;

a display screen mounted for enabling a viewer to watch the play action of the simulated objects on the support surface and the display screen;

means for providing a play action of the arcade game;

means for moving the individual simulated objects across the support surface including a motor driven carrier member positioned underneath the support surface and connected to a simulated object by a force field through the support surface;

means for monitoring the position of the simulated objects on the support surface and providing positional signals, and

image formation means for generating simulated images on the display screen of the simulated objects in the same positional relationship they occupy on the support surface in response to the positional signals including an image parameter memory, a character image memory, a character image setting circuit for providing positions of the simulated images from the image parameters and character image memories and a background image generating circuit for providing a background image whereby the displayed images will change in correlation with the position of the simulated images on the support surface.

11. An improved arcade game having simulated objects moving across a support surface comprising:

means for moving the individual simulated objects across the support surface;

a display screen;

means for monitoring the position of the simulated objects on the support surface and providing positional signals, including an array of wires and oscillator coils on the means for moving the simulated objects for inducing a current in the array of wires indicative of the position of the object; and

image formation means for generating simulated images on the display screen of the simulated objects in the same positional relationship they occupy on the support surface in response to the positional signals.

12. The arcade game of claim 11 wherein the image formation means includes an image parameter memory and a character image memory.

13. The arcade game of claim 11 wherein the means for moving includes a carrier member mounted for self-propulsion beneath the support surface.

14. The arcade game of claim 13 further including means for wireless communications between the image formation means and the carrier member.

15. The arcade game of claim 11 wherein the image formation means includes a character image setting circuit for providing positions of the simulated images, a background image generating circuit for providing a background image, and a priority circuit for selectively outputting images of the simulated images and background images whereby the displayed images will change in correlation with the position of the simulated objects on the support surface.

16. An improved arcade game having simulated objects moving across a support surface comprising:

means for moving the individual simulated objects across the support surface, including a carrier member mounted for self-propulsion beneath the support surface;

a display screen;

means for monitoring the position of the simulated objects on the support surface and providing positional signals; and

image formation means for generating simulated images on the display screen of the simulated objects in the same positional relationship they occupy on the support surface in response to the positional signals.

17. The arcade game of claim 16 wherein the image formation means includes an image parameter memory and a character image memory.

18. The arcade game of claim 16 further including means for wireless communications between the image formation means and the carrier member.

19. The arcade game of claim 16 wherein the image formation means includes a character image setting circuit for providing positions of the simulated images, a background image generating circuit for providing a background image, and a priority circuit for selectively outputting images of the simulated images and background images whereby the displayed images will change in correlation with the position of the simulated objects on the support surface.

20. An improved arcade game having simulated objects moving across a support surface comprising:

means for moving the individual simulated objects across the support surface;

a display screen;

means for monitoring the position of the simulated objects on the support surface and providing positional signals; and

image formation means for generating simulated images on the display screen of the simulated objects in the same positional relationship they occupy on the support surface in response to the positional signals, including a character image setting circuit for providing positions of the simulated images, a background image generating circuit for providing a background image, and a priority circuit for selectively outputting images of the simulated images and background images whereby the displayed images will change in correlation with the position of the simulated objects on the support surface.

21. The arcade game of claim 20 wherein the means for monitoring includes an array of wires and oscillator coils on the means for moving the simulated objects for inducing a current in the array of wires indicative of the position of the object.

22. The arcade game of claim 20 wherein the image formation means includes an image parameter memory and a character image memory.

23. The arcade game of claim 20 wherein the means for moving includes a carrier member mounted for self-propulsion beneath the support surface.

24. The arcade game of claim 23 further including means for wireless communications between the image formation means and the carrier member.

25. An improved arcade game having sa simulated three-dimensional object moving across a support surface comprising:

means for moving the simulated object across the support surface;

a display screen positioned adjacent the support surface to enable an observer to view the three-dimensional object at one location and the display screen at a different location;

means for monitoring the position of the simulated three-dimensional object on the support surface and providing a positional signal; and

image formation means for generating a simulated image on the display screen representative of the three-dimensional simulated object in the same positional relationship it occupies on the support surface in response to the positional signal.

26. The arcade game of claim 25 wherein the means for monitoring includes an array of wires and oscillator coils on the means for moving the simulated object for inducing a current in the array of wires indicative of the position of the object.

27. The arcade game of claim 25 wherein the image formation means includes an image parameter memory and a character image memory.

28. The arcade game of claim 25 wherein the means for moving includes a carrier member mounted for self-propulsion beneath the support surface.

29. The arcade game of claim 28 further including means for wireless communications between the image formation means and the carrier member.

30. The arcade game of claim 25 wherein the image formation means includes a character image setting circuit for providing positions of the simulated images, a background image generating circuit for providing a background image, and a priority circuit for selectively outputting an image of the simulated image and background image whereby the displayed image will change in correlation with the position of the simulated object on the support surface.