Rearing simulation apparatus

• US 20020132654A1
• Filed: 11/13/2001
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WiZ Co., Ltd. (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: WiZ Co., Ltd. (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Akaishi, Susumu
• Granted Patent: US 6,722,973 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/006 based on simulated virtual individual or collective life forms, e.g. social simulations or particle swarm optimisation [PSO]

Abstract

There is provided a rearing simulation apparatus which can dramatically produce further rearing pleasure for a player by allowing the player to rear and grow an imaginary living body of the rearing simulation apparatus and constructing the rearing simulation apparatus not only to display information but also to move or run, the rearing simulation apparatus comprising a memory means for memorizing control data related to the rearing of the imaginary living body, a control means for reading out control data corresponding to an input related to the rearing when the input is entered from the input means and executing control processing related to the rearing of the imaginary living body based on the control data so read out, a display means for displaying rearing information related to the imaginary living body and an operating means adapted to be operated by the information obtained from the control means, whereby the results of the rearing by the rearing means are displayed on the display means and the operating means is operated based on the results of the rearing by the rearing means.

Claims

1. A rearing simulation apparatus comprising rearing means for rearing an imaginary living body and input means for implementing the rearing of said imaginary living body, wherein a player responds to and deals with appeals or requests from said imaginary living body to take care of or train said imaginary living body for growing the same, said rearing simulation apparatus being characterized by provision of memory means for memorizing control data related to the rearing of said imaginary living body, control means for reading out control data corresponding to an input related to said rearing when said input is entered from said input means and executing control processing related to the rearing of said imaginary living body based on said control data so read out, display means for displaying rearing information related to said imaginary living body and operating means adapted to be operated by said information obtained from said control means, whereby the results of said rearing by said rearing means are displayed on said display means and said operating means is operated based on the results of said rearing by said rearing means.

2. A rearing simulation apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the operating speed of said operating means is varied based on the results of said rearing by said rearing means.

3. A rearing simulation apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rearing simulation apparatus is formed such that the external appearance thereof imitates that of a figured matter and wherein leg portions or tires are provided on said rearing simulation apparatus so as to make said apparatus movable.

4. A rearing simulation apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a player sets the number of times of operations of said operating means for said imaginary living body based on information on an optional distance entered by said player from said input means so as to make said imaginary living body run said optional distance.

5. A rearing simulation apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rearing simulation apparatus holds a capability characteristic for varying the operating speed of said operating means, and wherein in a case where said player tries to make said rearing simulation apparatus run an optional distance, the operating speed of said operating means is varied by reflecting said capability characteristic and results of said rearing by said rearing means.

6. A rearing simulation apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a switch for confirming the condition of the imaginary living body is provided on the rearing simulation apparatus, whereby with the switch being operated the condition of the imaginary living body is informed of through the operation of the rearing simulation apparatus by activating the operating means based on information on the rearing.

7. A rearing simulation apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said imaginary living body so reared and grown can play a computer match against another imaginary living body stored in said memory means.

8. A rearing simulation apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rearing simulation apparatus comprises clocking means for allowing said imaginary living body to age, so that the age of said imaginary living body is retained and memorized in said memory means and connecting means for connecting said rearing simulation apparatus with a different rearing simulation apparatus for communicating information on said imaginary living body and information on a different imaginary living body obtained from said different rearing simulation apparatus in a case where the age of said imaginary living body falls within an optional range, allowing both or either of said imaginary living bodies to change to the same or a different kind of imaginary living body as or from before said connection while retaining said information on said imaginary living body and said information on said different imaginary living body in said memory means, and resetting the age retained in said memory means of said rearing simulation apparatus for change to an optional age.

9. A rearing simulation apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rearing simulation apparatus comprises operation stopping means for stopping the operation of said operating means so that said player can stop the operation of said operating means as required.

10. A rearing simulation apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rearing simulation apparatus is formed such that the external appearance thereof imitates a racehorse, and wherein a motor or power spring is used for said operating means.