Background sound switching apparatus, background-sound switching method, readable recording medium with recording background-sound switching program, and video game apparatus

• US 6,599,195 B1
• Filed: 10/05/1999
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Company Limited (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Konami Computer Entertainment Osaka, Konami Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Inoue, Hideto, Araki, Shigeru, Uehara, Kazuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHERUBIN, YVESTE GILBERTE
• Application Number:
  US09/412,477
• Time in Patent Office: 1,393 Days
• Field of Search: 463/30, 463/31, 463/35, 463/43, 345/419, 345/427, 345/32, 381/17-18, 381/61, 381/63, 381/123, 381/306, 381/310, 273/435, 700/94
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video 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 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6063 for sound processing
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 15/04 Sound-producing devices G10K15/02 takes precedence

Abstract

A background-sound switching method and apparatus is provided for switching of background-music data. A partitioning code represents an end position of a phrase of background sounds outputted through a speaker. A switching instruction device outputs a switching-instruction signal which causes switching from the background-sound data being outputted to a D/A converter to other background-sound data. Following output of the switching-instruction signal, a data-number controller stores in RAM a data number which defines a next background-sound data to be outputted to the D/A converter. A code detector detects the partitioning code of the background-sound data being outputted. At each time the partitioning code is detected, a switching controller determines whether or not the data number is stored in the RAM and, if the data number is stored in the RAM, the background-sound data being outputted is switched to the other background-sound data defined by the data number.

Claims

1. A background-sound switching apparatus comprising:

display means for displaying variations of events;

sound-generating means for generating background sounds;

background-sound-data storing means containing a plurality of background-sound data each of which is time-series data of an audio composition prepared to correspond to the events and includes partitioning codes at predetermined partitioning positions within the audio composition for transitioning to another one of the plurality of background-sound data;

output control means for sending the background-sound data to the sound-generating means from the background-sound-data storing means to generate background sounds;

code-detecting means for detecting the partitioning code in the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means;

switching instruction means for outputting an instruction signal for switching from the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means to another one of the background-sound data; and

switching control means for switching from the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means to the another one of the background-sound data in synchronous with detection of the partitioning code detected following output of the instruction signal.

2. A background-sound switching apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the background-sound data includes music data, and the partitioning code is provided at the end position of a phrase of the music data.

3. A background-sound switching apparatus as claimed in claims 1, wherein the switching instruction means outputs the instruction signal according to the variation of the events.

4. A background-sound switching apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switching instruction means outputs the instruction signal according to the variation of the events.

5. A background-sound switching apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

stand-by-data storing means containing identification data for defining the another one of the background-sound data, and

data-number control means for storing the identification data in the standby-data storing means upon output of the instruction signal;

wherein the switching control means determines whether or not the identification data is stored in the standby-data storing means when the partitioning code is detected, and if the identification data is stored, the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means is switched to other data defined by the identification data.

6. A background-sound switching apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

standby-data storing means containing identification data for defining the another one of the background-sound data, and

data-number control means for storing the identification data in the standby-data storing means upon output of the instruction signal;

wherein the switching control means determines whether or not the identification data is stored in the standby-data storing means when the partitioning code is detected, and if the identification data is stored, the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means is switched to the another one of the data defined by the identification data.

7. A background-sound switching apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

standby-data storing means containing identification data for defining the another one of the background-sound data, and

data-number control means for storing the identification data in the standby-data storing means upon output of the instruction signal;

wherein the switching control means determines whether or not the identification data is stored in the standby-data storing means when the partitioning code is detected, and if the identification data is stored, the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means is switched to the another one of the data defined by the identification data.

8. A background-sound switching method for switching from a plurality of background-sound data prepared corresponding to variations of events to be displayed in display means, said plurality of background-sound data being audio compositions containing partitioning codes provided at predetermined partitioning positions within the audio compositions of the plurality of background-sound data for transitioning to another one of the plurality of background-sound data, detecting the partitioning code of the background-sound data being outputted to sound-generating means, and switching from the background-sound data outputted to the sound-generating means to other background-sound data in synchronization with detection of the partitioning code outputted following output of an instruction signal which causes switching from the background-sound data to be outputted to the sound-generating means to the another one of the background-sound data.

9. A readable recording medium containing a plurality of background-sound switching program which switches background sounds generated by outputting the plurality of background-sound data prepared corresponding to variations of events displayed on display means, said plurality of background-sound data being audio compositions, comprising:

partitioning codes provided at predetermined positions of the background-sound data within said audio compositions of the plurality of background-sound data for transitioning to another one of the plurality of background-sound data;

a signal-outputting step for outputting an instruction signal which causes switching from one of the plurality of background-sound data outputted to the sound-generating means to another one of the plurality of background-sound data; and

a switching step for switching from the one of the plurality of background-sound data outputted to the sound-generating means to the another one of the plurality of background-sound data in synchronization with detection of the partitioning code outputted following output of the instruction signal.

10. A video game apparatus comprising:

a background-sound switching apparatus including;

display means for displaying variations of events;

sound-generating means for generating background sounds;

background-sound-data storing means containing a plurality of background-sound data which is time-series data of an audio composition prepared to correspond to the events and including partitioning codes at predetermined partitioning positions within said audio compositions of the plurality of background-sound data for transitioning to another one of the plurality of background-sound data;

output control means for sending the plurality of background-sound data to the sound-generating means from the background-sound-data storing means to generate background sounds;

code-detecting means for detecting the partitioning code in the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means;

switching instruction means for outputting an instruction signal for switching from one of the plurality of background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means to another one of the plurality of background-sound data; and

switching control means for switching from the one of the plurality of background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means to the another one of the plurality of background-sound data in synchronous with detection of the partitioning code detected following output of the instruction signal;

program-storing means containing a game program;

externally-operable operating means; and

display control means for controlling images displayed on the display means according to the game program.

11. A video game apparatus comprising:

a background-sound switching apparatus including;

display means for displaying variations of events;

sound-generating means for generating background sounds;

background-sound-data storing means containing a plurality of background-sound data each of which is time-series data of an audio composition prepared to correspond to the events and including partitioning codes at predetermined partitioning positions within the audio composition, wherein the background-sound data of the audio compositions include music data, and the partitioning code is provided at the end position of a phrase and before a next phrase of the music data within a respective one of the plurality of background-sound data for transitioning to another one of the plurality of background-sound data;

output control means for sending the background-sound data to the sound-generating means from the background-sound-data storing means to generate background sounds;

code-detecting means for detecting the partitioning code in the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means;

switching instruction means for outputting an instruction signal for switching from the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means to other background-sound data; and

switching control means for switching from the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means to the another one of the background-sound data in synchronous with detection of the partitioning code detected following output of the instruction signal;

program-storing means containing a game program;

externally-operable operating means; and

display control means for controlling images displayed on the display means according to the game program.

12. A video game apparatus comprising:

a background-sound switching apparatus including;

display means for displaying variations of events;

sound-generating means for generating background sounds;

background-sound-data storing means containing a plurality of background-sound data each of which is time-series data of an audio composition prepared to correspond to the events and including partitioning codes at predetermined partitioning positions within said audio compositions of the plurality of background-sound data for transitioning to another one of the plurality of background-sound data;

output control means for sending the background-sound data to the sound-generating means from the background-sound-data storing means to generate background sounds;

code-detecting means for detecting the partitioning code in the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means;

switching instruction means for outputting an instruction signal for switching from the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means to other background-sound data, wherein the switching instruction means outputs the instruction signal according to the variation of the events; and

switching control means for switching from the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means to the another one of the background-sound data in synchronous with detection of the partitioning code detected following output of the instruction signal;

program-storing means containing a game program;

externally-operable operating means; and

display control means for controlling images displayed on the display means according to the game program.

13. A video game apparatus comprising:

a background-sound switching apparatus including;

display means for displaying variations of events;

sound-generating means for generating background sounds;

background-sound-data storing means containing a plurality of background-sound data each of which is time-series data of an audio composition prepared to correspond to the events and including partitioning codes at predetermined partitioning positions within audio compositions of the plurality of background-sound data for transitioning to another one of the plurality of background-sound data, wherein the background-sound data includes audio compositions of music data, and the partitioning code is provided at an end position of a phrase of the music data;

output control means for sending the background-sound data to the sound-generating means from the background-sound-data storing means to generate background sounds;

code-detecting means for detecting the partitioning code in the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means;

switching instruction means for outputting an instruction signal for switching from the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means to other background-sound data, wherein the switching instruction means outputs the instruction signal according to the variation of the events; and

switching control means for switching from the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means to the another one of the background-sound data in synchronous with detection of the partitioning code detected following output of the instruction signal;

program-storing means containing a game program;

externally-operable operating means; and

display control means for controlling images displayed on the display means according to the game program.

14. A background-sound switching apparatus comprising:

display means for displaying variations of events;

sound-generating means for generating background sounds;

background-sound-data storing means containing a plurality of background-sound data each of which is time-series data prepared to correspond to the events and includes partitioning codes at predetermined partitioning positions at an end of at least one phrase, and before a next phrase, within a respective one of the plurality of background-sound data for transitioning to another one of the plurality of background-sound data;

output control means for sending the background-sound data to the sound-generating means from the background-sound-data storing means to generate background sounds;

code-detecting means for detecting the partitioning code in the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means;

switching instruction means for outputting an instruction signal for switching from the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means to another one of the background-sound data; and

switching control means for switching from the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means to the another one of the background-sound data in synchronous with detection of the partitioning code detected following output of the instruction signal.

15. The background-sound switching apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

standby-data storing means containing identification data for defining the another one of the background-sound data, and

data-number control means for storing the identification data in the standby-data storing means upon output of the instruction signal;

wherein the switching control means determines whether or not the identification data is stored in the standby-data storing means when the partitioning code is detected, and if the identification data is stored, the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means is switched to other data defined by the identification data.

16. A background-sound switching method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of background-sound data each of which is time-series data prepared and includes partitioning codes at predetermined partitioning positions at an end of at least one phrase, and before a next phrase, within a respective one of the plurality of background-sound data for transitioning to another one of the plurality of background-sound data;

sending the background-sound data to a sound-generating means from the background-sound-data storing means to generate background sounds;

detecting the partitioning codes in the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means; and

switching from the background-sound data outputted to the sound-generating means to other background-sound data in synchronization with detection of the partitioning code outputted following output of an instruction signal for switching from the background-sound data outputted to the sound-generating means to the another one of the background-sound data.

17. The background-sound switching method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

storing identification data for defining the another one of the background-sound data, and

reading and storing the identification data in a standby-data storing means upon output of the instruction signal; and

determining whether the identification data is stored in the standby-data storing means when the partitioning code is detected, and if the identification data is stored, switching the background-sound data output by the sound-generating means to the another one of the data defined by the identification data.

18. A readable recording medium containing a background-sound switching program which switches background sounds which executes the following steps:

providing a plurality of background-sound data each of which is time-series data prepared and includes partitioning codes at predetermined partitioning positions at an end of at least one phrase, and before a next phrase, within a respective one of the plurality of background-sound data for transitioning to another one of the plurality of background-sound data;

sending the background-sound data to a sound-generating means from the background-sound-data storing means to generate background sounds;

detecting the partitioning codes in the background-sound data being outputted to the sound-generating means; and

switching from the background-sound data outputted to the sound-generating means to other background-sound data in synchronization with detection of the partitioning code outputted following output of an instruction signal for switching from the background-sound data outputted to the sound-generating means to the another one of the background-sound data.

19. The readable recording medium of claim 18 wherein the program further executes the following steps:

providing identification data for defining the another one of the background-sound data, and

reading and storing the identification data in a standby-data storing means upon output of the instruction signal; and

determining whether the identification data is stored in the standby-data storing means when the partitioning code is detected, and if the identification data is stored, switching the background-sound data output by the sound-generating means to the another one of the data defined by the identification data.