Image processing device, electronic playing device, and storage medium for tv game machine

• US 7,008,322 B1
• Filed: 03/17/2000
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega
• Inventors: Suzuki, Yuu, Miyagushi, Hideaki
• Primary Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US09/700,545
• Time in Patent Office: 2,181 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463 30- 35, 273/148.B, 434/118, 434/307.R, 434/308, 434/309, 434/258
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/323 between game devices with different hardware characteristics, e.g. hand-held game devices connectable to game consoles or arcade machines
• 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 13/55 Controlling game characters or game objects based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• 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 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games

Abstract

A practice mode can be inserted into an RPG program without giving the player a sense of boredom. Because the distinction between the practice mode and the game is eliminated, the player is not given the sense that the progress of the game is being interrupted and the problem of the player losing interest can be resolved. Also, because of the construction of a new training system wherein training for special moves, that are difficult to remember, is easily stored on the screen, the player can focus on the progress of the game and can have increased interest in the game.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

prompt processing means for processing a prompt that provides training for a key operation corresponding to a special action of a first character of a game;

means for presenting the prompt relating to the special action through a dialogue spoken by a second character to the first character, the dialogue being incorporated into a situation from the game and suggesting the key operation corresponding to the special action to a player; and

determining means for determining whether a key operation by the player correctly matches the key operation corresponding to the special action suggested by the prompt and for generating a result of the determination.

2. The image processing apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said image processing means further comprises:

recognition means for recognizing the player key operation.

3. The image processing apparatus, according to claim 2, further comprising repeat prompt processing means for outputting repeat prompts such as corrective advice, suggesting said key operation corresponding to the special action, to said output means in the case where there is no match in the result of the determination by said determining means.

4. The image processing apparatus, according to any of claims 1 through 3, wherein said image processing means displays symbols for a plurality of keys to be operated on a sub-screen, according to the result of the determination by said determining means.

5. The image processing apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said sub-screen display is executed in the case when a match is not affirmed even when said result of the determination by said determining means is generated a plurality of times.

6. The image processing apparatus, according to any of claims 1 through 3, wherein, said key operations corresponding to the special action of the first character comprise a series of operations, and each of said operations in said series is output in said prompt while being shown by an action of the first character.

7. The image processing apparatus according to any of claims 1 through 3, wherein the image processing apparatus is configured as an electronic game apparatus.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said image processing means displays symbols for a plurality of keys to be operated on a sub-screen, according to the result of the determination by said determining means.

10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said sub-screen display is executed in the case when a match is not affirmed even when said result of the determination by said determining means is generated a plurality of times.

11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said image processing means displays symbols for a plurality of keys to be operated on a sub-screen, according to the result of the determination by said determining means.

12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said sub-screen display is executed in the case when a match is not affirmed even when said result of the determination by said determining means is generated a plurality of times.

8. A video game storage medium that stores program code for executing an image processing method, said medium comprising:

program code for recognizing a key operation by a player;

program code for processing a prompt that provides training for a key operation corresponding to a special action of a first character of a game;

program code for presenting the prompt relating to the special action through a dialogue spoken by a second character to the first character, the dialogue being incorporated into a situation from the game and suggesting the key operation corresponding to the special action to the player; and

program code for determining whether the key operation by the player correctly matches the key operation corresponding to the special action suggested by the prompt and for generating a result of the determination.

13. The video game storage medium of claim 8, further comprising:

program code for displaying symbols for a plurality of keys to be operated on a sub-screen, according to the result of the determination by said program code for determining.

14. The video game storage medium of claim 13 further comprising:

program code for displaying said sub-screen in the case when a match is not affirmed even when said result of the determination by said program code for determining is generated a plurality of times.

16. The video game storage medium of claim 8, further comprising program code for repeatedly outputting the prompt when the player key operation fails to match the key operation corresponding to the special action suggested by the prompt.

15. An image processing method comprising:

processing a prompt that provides training for a key operation corresponding to a special action of a first character of a game;

presenting the prompt relating to the special action through a dialogue spoken by a second character to the first character, the dialogue being incorporated into a situation from the game and suggesting the key operation corresponding to the special action to a player; and

determining whether a key operation by the player correctly matches the key operation corresponding to the special action suggested by the prompt.