Simulating Musical Instruments

• US 20110312397A1
• Filed: 03/16/2011
• Published: 12/22/2011
• 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., Teasdale, Daniel C., Sharpe, Matthew J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,636,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 displaying, in a lane, a section of repeatable inputs in a sub-lane of the lane, executed on a game platform in communication with a display and a simulated instrument, comprising:

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

(b) displaying, on the display, the plurality of cues and a section indicator in the sub-lane, the section indicator based on the duration data and indicating that the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs;

(c) starting a timer, the timer independent of a timing window of any cue of the plurality of cues;

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

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

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

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in step (b), the plurality of cues further indicating that the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs; and

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

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

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

(h) 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, restarting the timer and modifying the section indicator to indicate the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs again.

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

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if the 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 an input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold;

(j) if the 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 section indicator to indicate the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs, and

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

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

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

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the section indicator is displayed in at least a portion of a plurality of sub-lanes.

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

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising, if the input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches a timing threshold:

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

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

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

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

10. The method of claim 9, maintaining the plurality of cues as repeatable inputs only if the received input of step (d) and the received second input of step (g) are received in a predetermined pattern.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the section indicator indicates that the plurality of cues is a section of repeatable inputs by one or more of:

glowing, flashing, highlighting, changing one or more of a position, a color property, a lighting property, a texture property, a size, a shape property, or a marking on the section indicator, or connecting the plurality of cues.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the section indicator to indicate that the plurality of cues are not repeatable comprises one or more of:

removing the section indicator, dimming the section indicator, changing one or more of a position, a color property, a lighting property, a texture property, a size, a shape property, or a marking on the section indicator, or disconnecting cues if the plurality of cues are connected.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the section indicator is displayed bounding the plurality of cues.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein, step (e) further comprises modifying the display of the plurality of cues such that they fade out of view.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, if a subsequent input is not received before the timer reaches the timing threshold, modifying the display of the plurality of cues such that they reappear.

16. A method for displaying, in a lane, a section of repeatable inputs in at least two sub-lanes of the lane, executed on a game platform in communication with a display and a simulated instrument, comprising:

(a) loading cue data from a data file, the cue data comprising a 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, the second plurality of cues, and a second section indicator, 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 and second timer for the respective first and second sub-lanes, the first and second timers independent of a timing window of any cue of the respective first or second plurality of cues;

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

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

(f) if it is determined that first or second input is received for the respective first or second sub-lanes before the respective first or second timer reaches the respective first or second timing threshold, restarting the respective first or second timer and maintaining the first or second plurality of cues as repeatable inputs; and

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

17. The method of claim 16, wherein for step (g), if it is determined that first or second input is not received for the respective first or second sub-lanes before the respective first or 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.

18. A method for displaying, in a lane, a section of repeatable inputs in a sub-lane of the lane, executed on a game platform in communication with a display and a simulated instrument, comprising:

(a) loading cue data from a data file, the cue data comprising a 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;

(c) starting a timer, the timer independent of a timing window of any cue of the plurality of cues;

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

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

(f) if it is determined that the 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.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising, if the 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 the 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 windows 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.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the threshold number of inputs is one.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising, if the 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 an input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold;

(j) if the 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 inputs, repeating steps (h) through (i); and

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

22. The method of claim 21, wherein if the threshold number of successful inputs is two.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the plurality of cues indicates that the plurality of cues is a section of repeatable inputs by one or more of:

glowing, flashing, highlighting, changing one or more of a position, a color property, a lighting property, a texture property, a size, a shape property, or a marking on, or connecting the plurality of cues.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein modifying the plurality of cues to indicate that the plurality of cues are not repeatable comprises one or more of:

dimming the plurality of cues, changing one or more of a position, a color property, a lighting property, a texture property, a size, a shape property, or a marking on the plurality of cues, or disconnecting cues if the plurality of cues are connected.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein determining if the input is received further comprises determining if the input is a specific first fret value.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising, if the input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches a timing threshold:

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

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

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

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

27. The method of claim 26, maintaining the plurality of cues as repeatable inputs only if the received input of step (d) and the received second input of step (g) are received in a predetermined pattern.

28. A method for scoring a section of repeatable inputs displayed in a sub-lane of a lane, executed on a game platform in communication with a display and a simulated instrument, comprising:

(a) displaying, on the display, a plurality of cues of a sub-lane that will be scored as repeatable inputs;

(b) starting a timer, the timer independent of a timing window of any cue of the plurality of cues; and

(c) determining if an input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches a timing threshold, and if the input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold, restarting the timer and assigning a score to a player.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

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

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising, if the input is not received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold:

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

(e) 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).

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the threshold number of inputs is one.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising, if the input is not received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches the timing threshold:

(d) setting a successful input counter to zero;

(e) restarting the timer;

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

(g) if the 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, repeating steps (b) and (c), and

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

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

33. The method of claim 32, wherein if the threshold number of successful inputs is two.

34. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

(d) displaying, on the display, a second plurality of cues of a second sub-lane that will be scored as repeatable inputs;

(e) starting a second timer, the second timer independent of a timing window of any cue of the second plurality of cues; and

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

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the timing threshold and the second timing threshold are equal.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the second timing threshold is based on the timing threshold.

37. The method of claim 34, further comprising repeating steps (a) through (f), but assigning the score and second score to the player only if the received input of step (c) and the received second input of step (f) alternate.

38. The method of claim 34, further comprising repeating steps (a) through (f), but assigning the score and second score to the player only if the received input of step (c) and the received second input of step (f) are received in a predetermined pattern.

39. The method of claim 28, wherein the length of time of the timing threshold is a function of the number of sub-lanes that include repeatable inputs.

40. The method of claim 28, wherein determining if the input is received further comprises determining if the input is a specific first fret value.

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

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

(e) determining if the second input is a second specific fret value, and if the second input is a second specific fret value, assigning a second score to the player.

42. The method of claim 41, assigning the score and second score to the player only if the received input of step (c) and the received second input of step (e) are received in a predetermined pattern.