Dance game apparatus and step-on base for dance game

• US 6,410,835 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2001
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Company Limited (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Konami Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Suzuki, Toshifumi, Takahashi, Kazuya, Takeda, Toru, Okita, Katsunori
• Primary Examiner(s): Donels, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US09/775,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20010004861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 844/64.R, 844/64.A, 273/440, 273/455, 463/7, 434/247, 434/250, 434/255, 434/256
• US Class Current: 84/464.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/214 for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/53 involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5375 for graphically or textually suggesting an action, e.g. by displaying an arrow indicating a turn in a driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/814 Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/843 involving concurrently two or more players on the same game device, e.g. requiring the use of a plurality of controllers or of a specific view of game data for each player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1068 being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/303 for displaying additional data, e.g. simulating a Head Up Display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/305 for providing a graphical or textual hint to the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6081 generating an output signal, e.g. under timing constraints, for spatialization
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/63 for controlling the execution of the game in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 : according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 : Athletics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8047 : Music games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8088 : involving concurrently several players in a non-networked game, e.g. on the same game console

Abstract

Rhythm sensations can be represented in time to music by using the entire body and to create powerfulness and rhythm sensations. Stepping position indication data which is set by a rhythm setting section is read from a stepping position indication data memory, and the stepping position instruction contents are scrolled and displayed on a monitor by a scroll display control section, thereby performing instructions of the stepping position and the stepping operation timing. When the fact that a player steps on a step-on base section in accordance with the display contents of the monitor is detected by a cable switch and this is input from a stepping operation monitor section, a score proportional to the timing deviation is calculated by an amount-of-deviation detection/totaling section, and next, an evaluation is performed by the rhythm setting section. Then, the next stepping position indication data is set according to the evaluation result.

Claims

1. A dance game apparatus comprising:

music output means for outputting one piece of music from at least one stored piece of music;

a floor panel having a step-on base section;

said step-on base section comprising a top panel and a support member which supports the panel;

detection means for detecting a stepping operation on said step-on base section;

said detection means comprising stepping sensors interposed between said panel and said support member at mutually opposing positions of said panel;

said stepping sensors comprising longitudinally extending conductive sections having a longitudinal length, one of said conductive sections being moveable laterally relative to another of said conductive sections at any one of a plurality of positions along the longitudinal length of said one conductive section to effect contact with said other conductive sections at any one of a plurality of corresponding contact positions such that said stepping sensors detect stepping on said step-on base sections at plural locations corresponding to said plurality of corresponding contact positions, guidance means for performing a stepping operation instruction to said step-on base section in time with said music;

measurement means for measuring a time deviation between the timing of a stepping operation instruction and the time at which the fact that said step-on base section is stepped on is detected by said detection means; and

evaluation means for providing a higher score the smaller the measurement result.

2. A dance game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said stepping sensors comprise a load receiving member having two leg portions extending perpendicular to one another, one of said leg portions being an upright leg portion which is transversely slidable relative to said longitudinally extending conductive sections.

3. A dance game apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said load receiving member has a longitudinal length parallel to the longitudinal length of said conductive sections, the longitudinal length of the load receiving member being ½

to ⅓

of the longitudinal length of the conductive sections.

5. A dance game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guidance means comprises stepping operation instruction content storage means for storing a plurality of types of stepping operation instruction contents having different levels of difficulty and selectively outputs, from said stepping operation instruction content storage means, a stepping operation instruction having a level of difficulty corresponding to the evaluation result from said evaluation means.

4. A dance game apparatus comprising:

music output means for outputting one piece of music from at least one stored piece of music;

a floor panel having a step-on base section;

said step-on base section comprising a top panel and a support member which supports the panel;

detection means for detecting a stepping operation on said step-on base section;

said detection means comprising stepping sensors interposed between said panel and said support member at mutually opposing positions of said panel;

guidance means for performing a stepping operation instruction to said step-on base section in time with said music;

measurement means for measuring a time deviation between the timing of a stepping operation instruction and the time at which the fact that said step-on base section is stepped on is detected by said detection means; and

evaluation means for providing a higher score the smaller the measurement result;

said stepping sensor comprising a switch having an elastically deformable construction, the switch comprising first and second longitudinally extending conductive members each having a longitudinal length and disposed in parallel in such a manner as to be spaced from one another;

a longitudinally extending relay conductive member for providing a variation of electrical open-circuit and short-circuit between the first and second conductive members by moving laterally toward or away from the first and second conductive members at any one of a plurality of positions along the longitudinal length of said relay conductive member to effect contact with said first and said conductive members at any one of a plurality of corresponding contact positions such that said stepping sensors detect stepping on said step-on base sections at plural locations corresponding to said plurality of corresponding contact positions; and

an elastic support member which supports said first and second conductive members at a position spaced from the relay conductive member.

6. A step-on base for a dance game, said step-on base comprising:

a top panel;

a support member for supporting the panel; and

detection means for detecting the action of a load on the panel, wherein said detection means comprises stepping sensors interposed between said panel and said support member at mutually opposing positions of said panel, said stepping sensors comprising elongated conductive sections having a longitudinal length, one of said conductive sections being moveable laterally relative to another of said conductive sections at any one of a plurality of positions along the elongate length of said one conductive section to effect contact with said other conductive section at any one of a plurality of corresponding contact positions such that said stepping sensors detect stepping on said step-on base sections at plural locations corresponding to said plurality of corresponding contact positions.

7. A step-on base for a dance game comprising a top panel, a support member for supporting the panel, and detection means for detecting the action of a load on the panel, said detection means comprising stepping sensors interposed between said panel and said support member at mutually opposing positions of said panel, said stepping sensors comprising a switch having an elastically deformable construction, said switch comprising first and second longitudinal extending conductive members each having a longitudinal length and disposed in parallel in such a manner as to be spaced from one another, a longitudinal extending relay conductive member for providing a variation of electrical open-circuit and short-circuit between the first and second conductive members by moving toward or away from the first and second conductive members at any one of a plurality of positions along the longitudinal length of said relay conductive member to effect contact with said first and second conductive member at any one of a plurality of corresponding contact positions along the longitudinal length of said first and second conductive member such that said stepping sensors detect stepping on said step-on base sections at plural locations corresponding to said plurality of corresponding contact positions;

and an elastic support member which supports said relay conductive member and which supports said first and second conductive members at a position at which the relay conductive member is spaced from the first and second conductive members.

8. A step-on base for a dance game according to claim 7, wherein said stepping sensors comprise a plurality of said switches, at least two of said switches having their longitudinal lengths disposed perpendicular to one another.

9. A step-on base for a dance game according to claim 7 wherein said stepping sensors comprise a load receiving member having two leg portions extending perpendicular to one another, one of said leg portions being an upright leg portion which is transversely slidable relative to said longitudinally extending conductive members.

10. A step-on base for a dance game according to claim 9 wherein said load receiving member has a longitudinal length parallel to the longitudinal length of said conductive members, the longitudinal length of the load receiving member being ½

to ⅓

of the longitudinal length of the conductive members.

11. Dance apparatus for use by a player comprising:

an output device for outputting a rhythmic piece;

a plurality of actuateable parts for actuation by a player'"'"'s feet;

a display unit displaying first and second display parts, said first display parts having a recognizable relationship with corresponding actuateable parts;

a guidance unit effecting display of relative movement between said first and second display parts;

said guidance unit including a control section for controlling said relative movement to display a matching relationship between said first and second display parts in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece to thereby direct the player to actuate said actuateable parts with the player'"'"'s feet in timed relationship with the displayed matching relationship between the first and second display parts and thereby in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece such that the player is thereby directed to dance in rhythm with said rhythmic piece.

12. Dance apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said second display parts have a recognizable relationship with corresponding first display parts.

13. Dance apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said first display parts comprise moving display parts which move along parallel loci, said second display parts comprising stationary display parts disposed within respective corresponding loci, said control section of said guidance unit effecting mating of said moving display parts with corresponding stationary display parts in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece.

14. Dance apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said moving display parts move along the respective parallel loci in spaced array such that the player views the spaced moving display parts prior to the occurrence of said mating whereby the player thereby anticipates the timing for actuating said actuateable parts.

15. Dance apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said moving display parts move along the respective parallel loci in sequence such that the player views the moving display parts prior to the occurrence of said mating and thereby anticipates the sequence for actuating said actuateable parts.

16. Dance apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said moving display parts move along the respective parallel loci in sequence such that the player views the moving display parts prior to the occurrence of said mating and thereby anticipates the sequence for actuating said actuateable parts.

17. Dance apparatus according to claim 11 comprising an evaluation unit evaluating the player'"'"'s performance by comparing the timing of the correspondence of the first and second display parts and the timing that the player actuates said actuateable parts.

18. Dance apparatus for use by a player comprising:

an output device for outputting a rhythmic piece;

a plurality of actuateable parts for actuation by a player'"'"'s feet; and

a display unit displaying actuation instructions to the player in timed relationship with the rhythmic piece, said actuation instructions including an anticipatory instruction phase and an action instruction phase, said action instruction phase displaying instructions to the player indicating the time that the player is to actuate the acutateable parts in timed relationship with the output of said rhythmic piece such that the player is thereby directed to move the player'"'"'s feet in timed relationship with the output of the rhythmic piece, said anticipatory instruction phase being displayed prior to display of said action instruction phase such that the player thereby anticipates when to actuate the actuateable parts.

19. Dance apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said anticipatory instruction phase provides a display representing progressively diminishing time remaining prior to display of said action instruction phase.

20. Dance apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said action instruction phase outputs timed instruction signals in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece, said actuateable parts outputting actuation signals when actuated by the player'"'"'s feet, and an evaluation unit receiving said instruction signals and said actuation signals and providing an evaluation of the player'"'"'s performance based on deviation between said instruction signals and said actuation signals.

21. Dance apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said evaluation unit provides an evaluation of the player'"'"'s performance based on the time difference between the instruction signals and the actuation signals.

22. Dance apparatus for use by a person comprising:

an output device for outputting an ordered flow of signals;

a plurality of actuateable parts for actuation by a person'"'"'s feet;

a display unit displaying first and second display parts, said first display parts having a recognizable relationship with corresponding actuateable parts; and

a guidance unit effecting display of relative movement between said first and second display parts, said guidance unit including a control section for controlling said relative movement to display a matching relationship between said first and second display parts in synchronism with said ordered flow of signals to thereby provide a display directing the person to effect actuation of said actuateable parts by the person'"'"'s feet in synchronism with said ordered flow of signals.

23. Dance apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said second display parts have a recognizable with corresponding first display parts.

24. Dance apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said ordered flow of signals represents a rhythmic piece.

25. Dance apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said correspondence between said first and second display parts occurs in timed relationship with said ordered flow of signals.

26. Dance apparatus according to claim 22 comprising a comparison unit comparing the timing of the correspondence of the first and second display parts and the timing that the person'"'"'s feet actuate said actuateable parts.

27. Apparatus for directing a person to dance comprising:

an output device for outputting a rhythmic piece;

a plurality of actuateable parts for actuation by a person'"'"'s feet;

a display unit displaying first display parts having a recognizable relationship with corresponding actuateable parts, said display unit having display screen parts; and

a guidance unit effecting display of relative movement between said first display parts and said display screen parts, said guidance unit including a control section for controlling said relative movement to display a matching relationship between said first display parts and said display screen parts in synchronism with said rhythmic piece to thereby provide a display useable b the person to effect actuation of said actuateable parts with the person'"'"'s feet in synchronism with said rhythmic piece such that the person is thereby directed to dance in rhythm with the rhythmic piece.

28. A method for directing a person to dance comprising:

outputting a rhythmic piece;

providing a plurality of actuateable parts for actuation by a person'"'"'s feet;

displaying first and second display parts, said first display parts having a recognizable relationship with corresponding actuateable parts;

displaying relative movement between said first and second display parts;

controlling said relative movement to display a matching relationship between said first and second display parts in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece to thereby provide a visual display representative of said rhythmic piece; and

directing said person to dance by moving said person'"'"'s feet in rhythmic with said rhythmic piece by viewing said visual display.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein said second display parts have a recognizable relationship with corresponding first display parts.

30. A method according to claim 28 wherein said directing step directs the person to actuate said actuateable parts with the person'"'"'s feet in timed relationship with the displayed correspondence between the first and second display parts and thereby in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece.

31. A method according to claim 28 wherein said step of displaying said first display parts comprises moving said first display parts along separate and parallel loci.

32. A method according to claim 28 wherein said step of displaying said second display parts comprises scrolling said second display parts.

33. A method according to claim 28 wherein said step of displaying said first display parts comprises displaying said first display parts as moving along separate loci, said step of displaying said second display parts comprising displaying said second display parts as disposed in respective corresponding loci, said displaying of correspondence between said first and second display parts occurring when one first display part moving along one locus mates with a respective corresponding second display part disposed along said one locus.

34. A method for directing a person to dance comprising:

outputting a rhythmic piece;

providing a plurality of actuateable parts for actuation by a person'"'"'s feet;

displaying action instructions in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece;

directing the person to dance by actuating said actuateable parts with the person'"'"'s feet in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece; and

displaying anticipatory instructions prior to display of said action instructions such that the person thereby anticipates the time to actuate the actuateable parts.

35. A method according to claim 34 wherein said displaying of anticipatory instructions displays progressively diminishing time remaining to the display of the corresponding action instructions.

36. A method for directing a person to dance comprising:

outputting an ordered flow of signals;

providing a plurality acuateable parts for actuation by a person'"'"'s feet;

displaying first and second display parts, said first display parts having a recognizable relationship with corresponding actuateable parts;

displaying relative movement between said first and second display parts; and

displaying a matching relationship between said first and second display parts in synchronism with said ordered flow of signals to thereby provide a visual display to direct the person to dance by effecting actuation of said actuateable parts by said player'"'"'s feet in synchronism with said ordered flow of signals.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein said second display parts have a recognizable relationship with said first display parts.

38. A method according to claim 36 wherein said outputting of an ordered flow of signals comprises outputting a rhythmic piece.

39. A method according to claim 36 comprising comparing deviation between correspondence of the first and second display part and actuation of the actuateable parts by the player'"'"'s feet.

40. A method according to claim 36 wherein said step of displaying correspondence between said first and second display parts in synchronism with said ordered flow of signals comprises displaying correspondence between said first and second display parts in timed relationship with said ordered flow of signals.

41. A method according to claim 36 wherein said step of displaying correspondence between said first and second display parts in synchronism with said ordered flow of signals comprises displaying correspondence between said first and second displayed parts in sequential relationship with said ordered flow of signals.

42. A dance game method comprising;

outputting a rhythmic piece;

providing actuateable parts for actuation by a game player'"'"'s feet;

providing a display unit;

displaying sequential and timed instructions on said display unit in timed relationship with the output of said rhythmic piece;

directing the player to dance by actuating the actuateable parts with the player'"'"'s feet in sequence and in timed relationship with said display of sequential and timed instructions on said display unit and thereby in time with said rhythmic piece;

said step of directing the player comprising displaying on said display unit first display parts having a recognizable relationship with respective corresponding actuateable parts, displaying on said display unit second display parts having a recognizable relationship with respective corresponding first display parts, effecting relative movement between said first and second display parts, and displaying on said display unit matching relationships between said relatively moving first and second display parts in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece; and

evaluating the player'"'"'s performance based on deviation between the directed time to actuate said actuateable parts and the time the game player'"'"'s feet actuates said actuateable parts.

43. A dance game method according to claim 42 wherein said step of displaying said first display parts comprises displaying said first display parts as moving display parts moving along parallel loci, said step of displaying said second display parts comprising displaying said second display parts disposed along said loci, said instructing step comprising instructing the game player to actuate said actuateable parts when one moving display part moving along one locus mates with one second displayed part disposed in said one locus.

44. A dance game method according to claim 42 wherein said step of displaying said moving display parts comprises displaying said moving display parts as moving along the respective loci in spaced array, said instructing step including enabling the game player to view the spaced and moving display parts prior to the occurrence of said mating of each moving display part with its respective corresponding second display part, whereby the player anticipates upcoming dance steps.

45. A dance game method comprising:

outputting a rhythmic piece;

providing a plurality of actuateable parts for actuation by a player;

providing a display unit having display screen parts;

displaying first display parts on said display unit having a recognizable relationship with corresponding actuateable parts;

displaying relative movement between said first display parts and said display screen parts;

controlling said relative movement to display a matching relationship between said first display parts and said display screen parts in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece to thereby provide a visual display representative of said rhythmic piece; and

directing a player to dance by effecting actuation of said actuateable parts by the player'"'"'s feet in accordance with said visual display.

46. Dance apparatus for use by a player comprising:

an output device for outputting a rhythmic piece;

a plurality of actuateable parts for actuation by a player'"'"'s feet;

a display unit displaying first and second display parts, said first display parts having a recognizable relationship with corresponding actuateable parts; and

a guidance unit effecting display of relative movement between said first and second display parts, said guidance unit including a control section for controlling said relative movement to display correspondence between said first and second display parts in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece to thereby direct the player to actuate said actuateable parts with the player'"'"'s feet in timed relationship with the displayed correspondence between the first and second display parts and thereby in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece such that the player is thereby directed to dance in rhythm with said rhythmic piece;

said first display parts comprising moving display parts which move along parallel loci, said second display parts comprising stationary display parts disposed within respective corresponding loci, said control section of said guidance unit effecting mating of said moving display parts with corresponding stationary display parts in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece.

47. Dance apparatus according to claim 46 wherein said moving display parts move along the respective parallel loci in spaced array such that the player views the spaced moving display parts prior to the occurrence of said mating whereby the player thereby anticipates the timing for actuating said actuateable parts.

48. A method for directing a person to dance comprising:

outputting a rhythmic piece;

providing a plurality of actuateable parts for actuation by a person'"'"'s feet;

displaying first and second display parts, said first display parts having a recognizable relationship with corresponding actuateable parts, said step of displaying said first display parts comprising moving said first display parts along separate and parallel loci;

displaying relative movement between said first and second display parts;

controlling said relative movement to display correspondence between said first and second display parts in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece to thereby provide a visual display representative of said rhythmic piece; and

directing said person to dance by moving said person'"'"'s feet in rhythmic with said rhythmic piece by viewing said visual display.

49. A method for directing a person to dance comprising:

outputting a rhythmic piece;

providing a plurality of actuateable parts for actuation by a person'"'"'s feet;

displaying first and second display parts, said first display parts having a recognizable relationship with corresponding actuateable parts, said step of displaying said first display parts comprises displaying said first display parts as moving along separate loci, said step of displaying said second display parts comprising displaying said second display parts as disposed in respective corresponding loci;

displaying relative movement between said first and second display parts;

controlling said relative movement to display correspondence between said first and second display parts in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece to thereby provide a visual display representative of said rhythmic piece, said displaying of correspondence between said first and second display parts occurring when one first part moving along one locus mates with a respective corresponding second display part disposed along said one locus; and

directing said person to dance by moving said person'"'"'s feet in rhythmic with said rhythmic piece by viewing said visual display.

50. A dance game method comprising;

outputting a rhythmic piece;

providing actuateable parts for actuation by a game player'"'"'s feet;

providing a display unit;

displaying sequential and timed instructions on said display unit in timed relationship with the output of said rhythmic piece;

directing the player to dance by actuating the actuateable parts with the player'"'"'s feet in sequence and in timed relationship with said display of sequential and timed instructions on said display unit and thereby in time with said rhythmic piece; and

said step of directing the player comprising displaying on said display unit first display parts having a recognizable relationship with respective corresponding actuateable parts, displaying on said display unit second display parts having a recognizable relationship with respective corresponding first display parts, effecting relative movement between said first and second display parts, and displaying on said display unit matching relationships between said relatively moving first and second display parts in timed relationship with said rhythmic piece;

said step of displaying said first display parts comprising displaying said first display parts as moving display parts moving along parallel loci, said step of displaying said second display parts comprising displaying said second display parts disposed along said loci, said instructing step comprising instructing the game player to actuate said actuateable parts when one moving display part moving along one locus mates with one second displayed part disposed in said one locus;

evaluating the player'"'"'s performance based on deviation between the directed time to actuate said actuateable parts and the time the game player'"'"'s feet actuates said actuateable parts.

51. A dance game method according to claim 50 wherein said step of displaying said moving display parts comprises displaying said moving display parts as moving along the respective loci in spaced array, said instructing step including enabling the game player to view the spaced and moving display parts prior to the occurrence of said mating of each moving display part with its respective corresponding second display part, whereby the player anticipates upcoming dance steps.