Video game system and method with enhanced three-dimensional character and background control due to environmental conditions

• US 6,139,433 A
• Filed: 06/05/1997
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Miyamoto, Shigeru, Nishiumi, Satoshi, Nishida, Yasunari, Kawagoe, Takumi
• Primary Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US08/870,100
• Time in Patent Office: 1,244 Days
• Field of Search: 463/31, 463/30, 463/32, 463/34, 463/7, 345/473, 345/474, 345/475, 345/121, 345/123, 345/125, 345/126
• US Class Current: 463/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• 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 13/49 Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5252 using two or more virtual cameras concurrently or sequentially, e.g. automatically switching between fixed virtual cameras when a character changes room or displaying a rear-mirror view in a car-driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5255 according to dedicated instructions from a player, e.g. using a secondary joystick to rotate the camera around a player's character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5258 by dynamically adapting the position of the virtual camera to keep a game object or game character in its viewing frustum, e.g. for tracking a character or a ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/55 Controlling game characters or game objects based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/577 using determination of contact between game characters or objects, e.g. to avoid collision between virtual racing cars
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game
• 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 2300/6653 for altering the visibility of an object, e.g. preventing the occlusion of an object, partially hiding an object
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6661 for changing the position of the virtual camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6669 using a plurality of virtual cameras concurrently or sequentially, e.g. automatically switching between fixed virtual cameras when a character change rooms
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6676 : by dedicated player input
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6684 : by dynamically adapting its position to keep a game object in its viewing frustrum, e.g. for tracking a character or a ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 : Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/0474 : characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04759 : Light-sensitive detector, e.g. photoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 : the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 : User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/51 : at application loading time, e.g. accepting, rejecting, starting or inhibiting executable software based on integrity or source reliability
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 : in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/85 : interconnection devices, e.g. bus-connected or in-line devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0382 : Plural input, i.e. interface arrangements in which a plurality of input device of the same type are in communication with a PC
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2109 : Game systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 : Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 : Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 : Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/10 : Geometric effects

Abstract

A video game system includes a game cartridge which is pluggably attached to a main console having a main processor, a 3D graphics generating coprocessor, expandable main memory and player controllers. A multifunctional peripheral processing subsystem external to the game microprocessor and coprocessor is described which executes commands for handling player controller input/output to thereby lessen the processing burden on the graphics processing subsystem. The video game methodology involves game level organization features, camera perspective or point of view control features, and a wide array of animation and character control features. The system changes the "camera" angle (i.e., the displayed point of view in the three-dimensional world) automatically based upon various conditions and in response to actuation of a plurality of distinct controller keys/buttons/switches, e.g., four "C" buttons in the exemplary embodiment. The control keys allow the user at any time to move in for a close up or pull back for a wide view or pan the camera to the right and left to change the apparent camera angle. Such user initiated camera manipulation permits a player to better judge jumps or determine more precisely where an object is located in relation to the player controlled character. The video game system and methodology features a unique player controller, which permits control over a character'"'"'s exploration of the three-dimensional world to an unprecedented extent. A player controlled character may be controlled in a multitude of different ways utilizing the combination of the joystick and/or cross-switch and/or control keys and a wide range of animation effects are generated.

Claims

1. A video game system for use with a display unit which displays a player object and other objects in a video game as a three-dimensional image, comprising:

an input device having an operations control member for generating player control data indicative of an amount of inclination and a direction of said operations control member in response to a player'"'"'s manipulation;

first image data generating storage locations for storing data for generating first image data for displaying a player object;

second image generating storage locations for storing data for generating second image data for displaying an environmental condition in a three-dimensional space where the player object exists;

program storage locations for storing environmental state related instructions for determining, at least in part in response to the second image data, whether the environmental condition in which the player object is to be displayed is a condition which requires a change in the display state of the player object;

a display processing system for generating first three-dimensional display data for the display of the player object, based on the manipulation state of said input device, the first image data and the execution of environmental state related instructions and for generating a second three-dimensional display data for displaying the environmental conditions in which the player object exists based on the second image data; and

(g) image signal generating circuitry outputting an image signal to said display unit based on the first and second three-dimensional display data generated by said display processing system system.

2. A video game system according to claim 1, wherein

said display processing system is operable to generate a first three-dimensional display data in which a change based on the manipulation of said input device affects the player object generated by said first image data generating means when said display processing system determines the environmental condition does not require a change in the display state of the player'"'"'s object, and

said display processing system is operable to generate the second three-dimensional display data in which both a change based on the manipulation of said input device and a change determined by the environmental state affect player object display generated by said first image data generating storage locations when said processing system determines that an environmental condition exists which changes the display state of the player'"'"'s object.

3. The video game system according to claim 2, wherein:

said second image data includes image data representing an environmental condition, said display processing system changing the simulated operation of the player object depending upon said environmental condition, and wherein said three-dimensional display data processing system generates first three-dimensional display data in which the player object display is modified as a function of the manipulation state of said input device and an environmental condition.

4. The video game system according to claim 1, wherein:

said second image data includes image data representing an environmental condition which is used to change the motion velocity of the player object;

said three-dimensional display data processing system is operable to generate first three-dimensional display data in which a change is made to the motion velocity of the player object determined by the manipulation state of said input device and the detected environmental condition.

5. The video game system according to claim 1, wherein:

said second image data includes image data representing an environmental condition which upon detection may change both the operation and the motion velocity of the player object;

said three-dimensional display data processing system being operable to generate the first three-dimensional display data in which a change is made with respect to both the operation and the motion velocity of the player object determined by the manipulation state of said input device and the detected environmental condition.

6. A video game system for use with a display unit for displaying a player object and other objects in a video game as a three-dimensional image, comprising:

an input device having an operations control member for generating player control data indicative of an amount of inclination and a direction of said operations control member in response to a player'"'"'s manipulation;

first image data storage locations for storing data for generating first image data for displaying the player object;

second image data storage locations for storing data generating second image data for displaying a plurality of other objects including a plurality of types of terrain states in a three-dimensional space in which the player object exists;

program storage locations for storing terrain state detecting instructions for detecting the type of terrain state where the player object exists based on the image data generated from said second image data storage locations, and for storing motion amount changing instructions for changing the distance a player object is to be moved in one display frame based on the inclination amount of said input device and the type of detected terrain states;

a three-dimensional display generating data processing system for generating first three-dimensional display data for the display of the player object based on the first image data and the motion amount to be changed based upon executing the motion amount changing instructions and for generating second three-dimensional display data for the display of at least one of said other plurality of objects based on the second image data; and

an image signal generating circuit outputting an image signal to said display unit based on the first and second three-dimensional display data generated by said three-dimensional display data generating processing system.

7. The video game system according to claim 6, wherein:

said terrain state detecting instructions include terrain inclination instructions for detecting an inclination state of the terrain.

8. The video game system according to claim 6, wherein said terrain state detecting instructions include terrain material detecting instructions for detecting a terrain material.

9. The video game system according to claim 6, wherein said motion amount detecting instructions are executed to change the distance the player object is to be moved in one display frame based upon a combination of the inclination amount of said input device, the inclination state of the terrain and the material of the terrain.

10. A video game system for use with a display unit for displaying a player object and others object in a video game as a three-dimensional image, comprising:

an input device having an operations control member for generating player control data indicative of an amount of inclination and a direction of said operations control member in response to a player'"'"'s manipulation;

first image data storage locations for storing data for generating first image data for displaying the player object;

second image data storage locations for storing data for generating second image data for displaying a plurality of other objects in a three-dimensional space in which the player object exists;

program storage locations for storing motion mode instructions for determining whether the player object based on the inclination amount of said input device is to be in a first motion mode or a second motion mode;

a three-dimensional display data processing system for generating first three-dimensional display data for the display of the player object based on the first image data and the execution of said motion mode instructions and for generating second three-dimensional display data for the display of the plurality of other objects based on the second image data;

wherein said three-dimensional display data processing system;

generates first three-dimensional display data in which a predetermined first modification is made to the player object'"'"'s motion based upon data generated by said first image data when the execution of said motion mode instructions indicates the first motion mode, and

generates second three-dimensional display data in which a predetermined modification is made to the player object'"'"'s motion based upon data generated by said first image data when the execution of said motion mode instructions indicate the second motion mode; and

an image signal generating circuit outputting an image signal to said display unit based on the first and second three-dimensional display data generated by said three-dimensional display data processing system.

11. For use with a video game system console having a game program executing processing system to execute said video game program to create a display simulating a three-dimensional world, and at least one player controller having a joystick control member and a plurality of control keys and operable by a player to generate video game control signals, a portable storage device for controlling the operation of said video game system console comprising:

a memory media for storing video game instructions and graphics and sound data;

interface circuitry for coupling said video game instructions and said graphics and sound data retrieved from said memory media to said video game system console;

said video game instructions including instructions for causing said game program executing processing system to display a player-controlled character and to respond to changes in the joystick position to control the direction of motion of the player-controlled character, and further including instructions in said memory media control said game program executing processing system to detect whether a player controlled character is moving on a sloped surface and to modify the character'"'"'s moving speed as a function of the slope of the surface.

12. A portable storage device according to claim 11, wherein instructions in said memory media control said game program executing processing system to display the character in a running motion if the amount of joystick angular rotation is above a first predetermined value.

13. A portable storage device according to claim 12, wherein instructions in said memory media control said game program executing processing system to display the character in a running motion which is at a higher rate than when the amount of joystick angular rotation is at said first predetermined value, if the amount of joystick angular rotation is at a second predetermined value greater than the first predetermined value.

14. A portable storage device according to claim 11, wherein instruction in said memory media control said game program executing processing system to display the character in a walking motion if the amount of joystick angular rotation is below a predetermined value.

15. A portable storage device according to claim 11, wherein instructions in said memory media control said game program executing processing system to display the character in one of an acceleration running mode and a deceleration running mode.

16. A portable storage device according to claim 15, wherein instructions in said memory media control said game program executing processing system to apply a different relationship between the amount of joystick change and the speed of motion in the acceleration and the deceleration modes.

17. A portable storage device according to claim 11, wherein said instructions control said game program executing processing system to detect whether a player controlled character is moving on an upwardly inclined sloped surface relative to the character'"'"'s direction of movement.

18. A portable storage device according to claim 11, wherein instructions in said memory media control said game program executing processing system to display the character in a running motion with the upper body tilted forward if the amount of joystick angular rotation is above a first predetermined value.

19. A portable storage device according to claim 11, wherein instructions in said memory media control said game program executing processing system to detect whether the player controlled character is turning in a predetermined direction and to display the character with the upper body in the direction of the turn.

20. A portable storage device according to claim 11, wherein instructions in said memory media control said game program executing processing system to detect whether a player controlled character is being subjected to an environmental condition and to control the character'"'"'s movement as a function of the detected environment condition.

21. A portable storage device according to claim 20, wherein said environmental condition is the wind and the character is controlled to be moved in the direction of the wind.

22. A portable storage device according to claim 20, wherein said environmental condition is the condition of the terrain on which the character is disposed and the character'"'"'s movement is controlled as a function of the terrain condition.

23. A portable storage device according to claim 11, wherein instructions in said memory media control said game program executing processing system to detect whether the player controlled character has been motionless for a predetermined period of time and to control the motion of the character to be indicative of inactivity.

24. A portable storage device according to claim 23, wherein said character is displayed to be in a sleeping state.

25. For use with a video game system console having a game program executing processing system to execute said video game program to create a display simulating a three-dimensional world, and at least one player controller having an operations control member and a plurality of control keys and operable by a player to generate video game control signals, a portable storage device for controlling the operation of said video game system console comprising:

a memory media for storing graphics data including data for displaying an environmental condition in a three-dimensional space where the player object exists, said memory media further storing video game instructions including environmental state related instructions;

interface circuitry for coupling said video game instructions and said graphics data retrieved from said memory media to said video game system console;

said environmental state related instructions including instructions for causing said game program executing processing system to determine, at least in part in response to said data for displaying an environmental condition, whether the environmental condition in which the player object is to be displayed is a condition which requires a change in the display state of the player object.