Simulating musical instruments

• US 8,636,572 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2011
• Issued: 01/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems Incorporated (Epic Games, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems Incorporated (Epic Games, Inc.)
• Inventors: Applewhite, Douglas R., Bennett, Bryn, Dubrofsky, Sylvain, Monsalvatge, Michael, Schmidt, Daniel A., Sharpe, Matthew J., Teasdale, Daniel C.
• Primary Examiner(s): GARNER, WERNER G
• Application Number:
  US13/049,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20110312397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 463/7, 463 30- 35
• US Class Current: 463/7
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• 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 13/537 using indicators, e.g. showing the condition of a game character on screen
• 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 13/814 Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• 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 2300/305 for providing a graphical or textual hint to the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6063 for sound processing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 Score computation
• 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

The invention provides displaying, in a lane, a section of repeatable inputs in a sub-lane of the lane. Cue data is loaded from a data file, which includes duration data and a plurality of cues to be displayed in the sub-lane. Then, the plurality of cues and a section indicator are displayed in the sub-lane, with the section indicator based on the duration data and indicating that the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs. Then, a timer is started that is independent of a timing window of any cue of the plurality of cues. Then, it is determined if an input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches a timing threshold. If it is, the timer is restarted and the plurality of cues is maintained as repeatable inputs. If it is not, the section indicator is modified to indicate that the plurality of cues are not repeatable inputs.

Claims

1. A method for assigning a success condition for a section of repeatable inputs displayed in a sub-lane of a lane, executed on a game platform in communication with a display, the method comprising:

(a) displaying, on the display, a plurality of cues of the sub-lane, wherein the plurality of cues are associated with a first section having repeatable inputs;

(b) starting a timer during the first section having repeatable inputs, the timer associated with a first timing threshold;

(c) determining if a player input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the first timing threshold, and if the player input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the first timing threshold, assigning a first success condition;

(d) restarting the timer based on whether the player input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the first timing threshold; and

(e) repeating steps (c) and (d) during the first section having repeatable inputs based on whether the player input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the first timing threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

if the player input for the sub-lane is not received before the timer reaches the first timing threshold, assigning a score based on determining if the player input is within a timing window associated with a cue of the plurality of cues in the sub-lane.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if the player input is not received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the first timing threshold:

(f) determining if a threshold number of inputs is received for the sub-lane during timing windows of a threshold number of cues in the plurality of cues; and

(g) if the threshold number of inputs is received for the sub-lane during the timing windows of the threshold number of cues of the plurality of cues, repeating steps (b) through (c).

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the threshold number of inputs is one.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if the player input is not received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the first timing threshold:

(f) setting a successful input counter to zero;

(g) restarting the timer;

(h) determining if the player input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches a second timing threshold after it is restarted;

(i) if the player input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the second timing threshold, incrementing the successful input counter, and

(X) if the successful input counter equals a threshold number of successful inputs, repeating steps (b) and (c), and

(Y) if the successful input counter is less than the threshold number of successful inputs, repeating steps (g) and (h); and

(j) if the player input is not received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the first second timing threshold, repeating steps (f) through (h).

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the threshold number of successful inputs is two.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(f) displaying, on the display, a second plurality of cues of a second sub-lane that are associated with the first section having repeatable inputs;

(g) starting a second timer during the first section having repeatable inputs, the second timer associated with a second timing threshold; and

(h) determining if a player second input for the second sub-lane is received before the second timer reaches the second timing threshold, and if so, restarting the second timer and assigning a second success condition.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first timing threshold and the second timing threshold are equal.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the second timing threshold is based on the first timing threshold.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising repeating steps (a) through (h), and assigning the first success condition and the second success condition only if the received player input of step (c) and the received player second input of step (h) alternate.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising repeating steps (a) through (h), and assigning the first success condition and the second success condition only if the received player input of step (c) and the received player second input of step (h) are received in a predetermined pattern.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising repeating steps (g) and (h) during the first section having repeatable inputs based on the second success condition.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein a value of the first timing threshold is a function of a number of sub-lanes that include repeatable inputs.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if the player input is received further comprises determining if the player input is a specific first fret value.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising, if the player input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the first timing threshold:

(f) determining if a player second input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the first timing threshold; and

(g) determining if the player second input is a second specific fret value, and if the player second input is the second specific fret value, assigning a second success condition.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein assigning the first success condition and the second success condition comprises assigning the first success condition and the second success condition only if the received player input of step (c) and the received player second input of step (f) are received in a predetermined pattern.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising displaying a section indicator in the sub-lane, wherein the section indicator is based on duration data associated with the plurality of cues, and wherein the section indicator indicates that the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

if it is determined that the player second input is the second specific fret value, maintaining the plurality of cues as repeatable inputs; and

if it is determined that the player second input is not the second specific fret value, modifying the section indicator to indicate that the plurality of cues are not repeatable inputs.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein maintaining the plurality of cues as repeatable inputs comprises maintaining the plurality of cues as repeatable inputs only if the player input and the player second input are received in a predetermined pattern.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a score for a player based on the determined first success condition.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a section indicator in the sub-lane, wherein the section indicator is based on duration data associated with the plurality of cues, and wherein the section indicator indicates that the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

if it is determined that the player input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the first timing threshold, maintaining the plurality of cues as repeatable inputs; and

if it is determined that the player input is not received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the first timing threshold, modifying the section indicator to indicate that the plurality of cues are not repeatable inputs.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein modifying the section indicator to indicate that the plurality of cues are not repeatable inputs comprises at least one of:

i) removing the section indicator, ii) dimming the section indicator, iii) changing at least one of a position, a color property, a lighting property, a texture property, a size, a shape property, and a marking on the section indicator, and iv) disconnecting cues if the plurality of cues are connected.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein maintaining the plurality of cues as repeatable inputs comprises modifying the display of the plurality of cues such that they fade out of view.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein, if a subsequent player input is not received before the timer reaches the first timing threshold, modifying the display of the plurality of cues such that they reappear.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the section indicator is displayed in at least a portion of a plurality of sub-lanes.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the section indicator indicates that the plurality of cues is a section of repeatable inputs by at least one of:

i) glowing, ii) flashing, iii) highlighting, iv) changing at least one of a position, a color property, a lighting property, a texture property, a size, a shape property, and a marking on the section indicator, and v) connecting the plurality of cues.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the section indicator is displayed as a bounding box around the plurality of cues.

29. A method for assigning a success condition for a section of repeatable inputs in at least two sub-lanes of a lane, executed on a game platform in communication with a display, the method comprising:

(a) loading cue data from a data file, the cue data comprising duration data and a first plurality of cues to be displayed in a first sub-lane and a second plurality of cues to be displayed in a second sub-lane;

(b) displaying, on the display, the first plurality of cues, a first section indicator corresponding to a first section, the second plurality of cues, and a second section indicator corresponding to a second section, the first and second section indicators based on the duration data and each indicating that the respective first and second plurality of cues are repeatable inputs;

(c) starting a first timer during the first section, associated with a first timing threshold, for the first sub-lane and a second timer during the second section, associated with a second timing threshold, for the second sub-lane;

(d) determining if a player first input is received for the first sub-lane before the first timer reaches the first timing threshold;

(e) determining if a player second input is received for the second sub-lane before the second timer reaches the second timing threshold;

(f) if it is determined that at least one of the player first and player second inputs are received for the respective first and second sub-lanes before the respective first and second timer reaches the respective first and second timing threshold;

maintaining at least one of the first and second plurality of cues as repeatable inputs,

assigning the respective success condition associated with the player first input and the player second input, and

restarting the respective first and second timer as long as the success condition is determined; and

(g) if it is determined that at least one of the player first input and the player second input is not received for the respective first and second sub-lanes before the respective first and second timer reaches the respective first and second timing threshold, modifying the respective first and second section indicator to indicate the respective first and second plurality of cues are not repeatable inputs.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein for step (g), if it is determined that the at least one player first and player second input is not received for the respective first or second sub-lanes before the respective first and second timer reaches the respective first or second timing threshold, modifying both the first and second section indicator to indicate the respective first and second plurality of cues are not repeatable inputs.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising determining a score for a player associated with the player first input or the player second input based on the determined success condition.

32. A method for assigning a success condition for a section of repeatable inputs in a sub-lane of a lane, executed on a game platform in communication with a display, the method comprising:

(a) loading cue data from a data file, the cue data comprising duration data and a plurality of cues to be displayed in the sub-lane;

(b) displaying, on the display, the plurality of cues in the sub-lane, the plurality of cues indicating that they are repeatable inputs in a first section having repeatable inputs;

(c) starting a timer associated with a timing threshold during the first section having repeatable inputs;

(d) determining if a player input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold;

(e) if it is determined that the player input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold, maintaining the plurality of cues as repeatable inputs, assigning a first success condition, and restarting the timer as long as the player input is provided before the timer reaches the timing threshold; and

(f) if it is determined that the player input is not received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold, modifying the plurality of cues to indicate that the plurality of cues are not repeatable inputs.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising, if the player input is not received before the timer reaches the timing threshold:

(g) determining if a threshold number of inputs is received for the sub-lane during a timing window of one of the plurality of cues; and

(h) if the threshold number of inputs is received for the sub-lane during the timing window of the threshold number of cues of the plurality of cues, restarting the timer and modifying the plurality of cues to indicate the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs again.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the threshold number of inputs is one.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising, if the player input is not received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold:

(g) setting a successful input counter to zero;

(h) restarting the timer;

(i) determining if the player input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold;

(j) if the player input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold, incrementing the successful input counter, and

(X) if the successful input counter equals a threshold number of successful inputs, modifying the plurality of cues to indicate the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs, and

(Y) if the successful input counter is less than the threshold number of successful inputs, repeating steps (h) through (i); and

(k) if the player input is not received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold, repeating steps (g) through (i).

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the threshold number of successful inputs is two.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the plurality of cues indicates that the plurality of cues is a section of repeatable inputs by at least one of:

i) glowing, ii) flashing, iii) highlighting, iv) changing at least one of a position, a color property, a lighting property, a texture property, a size, a shape property, and a marking on the plurality of cues, and v) connecting the plurality of cues.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein modifying the plurality of cues to indicate that the plurality of cues are not repeatable comprises at least one of:

i) dimming the plurality of cues, ii) changing at least one of a position, a color property, a lighting property, a texture property, a size, a shape property, and a marking on the plurality of cues, and iii) disconnecting cues if the plurality of cues are connected.

39. The method of claim 32, wherein determining if the player input is received further comprises determining if the player input is a specific first fret value.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising, if the player input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold:

(g) determining if a player second input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold;

(h) determining if the player second input is a second specific fret value;

(i) if it is determined that the player second input is the second specific fret value, maintaining the plurality of cues as repeatable inputs and assigning a second success condition associated with the player second input; and

(j) if it is determined that the player second input is not the second specific fret value, modifying the plurality of cues to indicate the plurality of cues are not repeatable inputs.

41. The method of claim 40, maintaining the plurality of cues as repeatable inputs only if the received player input of step (d) and the received player second input of step (g) are received in a predetermined pattern.

42. The method of claim 32, further comprising determining a score for a player based on the determined success condition.