U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,726

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the invention is specifically described.

FIGS. 1 and 2are a front view and a right side view of a game system according to this embodiment, respectively. In this embodiment, description is given on an example in which two players compete each other by hitting and swinging motions.

A game system1is provided with a base table2, a television (TV) monitor3provided on the base table2for displaying game contents, microphones4provided at the opposite sides of the TV monitor3and used for inputting voices, four signal generating devices5placed on a placing portion2aprojecting forward at the top of the base table2, woofer loudspeaker units6provided inside the opposite side portions of the base table2, a loudspeaker7designed for the entire frequency band and provided above the TV monitor3, illumination-effect lamps8provided above the loudspeaker7, a coin inserting device9provided on a front surface2bof the base table2, two switch operation units14provided in left and right positions of the front surface2b, and a control system40to be described later which is provided inside the game system1.

Each switch operation unit14is, as shown inFIG. 3, comprised of three operation buttons14a,14b,14cand one slide switch14d. The triangular operation buttons14aand14bprovided at the opposite sides of the rectangular operation button14care pressed to select a music number and a degree of difficulty of a game based on a sound output from the loudspeaker7and a content of an image displayed on the TV monitor3. This operation button14cis also used to decide whether a single-player game or a duel-player game is to be played. For example, the single-player game is selected when the operation button14cof the switch operation unit14provided at the left side of the front surface2b, whereas the duel-player game is selected when the operation button14cof the switch operation unit14provided at the right side of the front surface2b. It is assumed that the operation buttons14a,14band14cof the left switch operation unit14on the front surface2bare operated in the case that the single-player game is selected, and the operation buttons14a,14band14cof the left and right switch operation units14are operated in the case that the duel-player game is selected. The slide switch14dprovided at an upper part of each switch operation unit14is adapted to change types of sound modulation to be described by being slid to left and right, and a gauge portion14efor measuring a sliding amount is provided around a slidable range of the slide switch14d.

Each loudspeaker unit6includes, as shown inFIG. 4, a box-shaped mount portion lab which is mounted inside the front surface2bof the base table2and has an entirely open ceiling surface and a bottom surface open in its center, a transparent tubular body10having a circular cross section and suspended from the mount portion10bvia L-shaped supporting members10e, a woofer loudspeaker11which is so provided inside the tubular body10via a supporting member11aas to face upward, and a mount portion10con which the supporting member11ais mounted and which is mounted on a bottom plate2cof the base table2.

The tubular body10is coupled to the mount portion10bby mounting the L-shaped supporting members10ein four positions of a bottom surface10dof the mount portion10bto support the tubular body10. A clearance13is formed between the upper edge of the tubular body10and the bottom surface10dso as to cause sounds created by the speaker11to come out. A tubular member12having a circular cross section is mounted on the bottom surface10din such a manner as to surround an upper part of the tubular body10, and the sounds from the loudspeaker11coming out through the clearance13propagate downward inside the tubular member12to come outside. Inside the mount portion10bis provided a light source mount portion15, in which a light source16is mounted. Light from this light source16is guided down through an opening in the center of the bottom wall of the mount portion10bto illuminate the speaker11and its neighboring members.

FIG. 5is a plan view showing the signal generating device5,FIG. 6is a section along6—6ofFIG. 5, andFIG. 7is a right side view of the signal generating device5.

The signal generating device5includes a lower part5A, an upper part5B, a cord5C and a belt5D. A circular member comprised of four layers: i.e. first to third layers20,21,22placed one over another in this order, and a fourth layer23provided above the third layer22with a space24defined therebetween, is provided in the lower part5A. The second layer21is made of a metal plate, and tubular portions21aprojecting upward are formed in four positions of the upper surface thereof. The third layer22is made of, e.g. a resin circular plate and is formed with through holes22ain four positions corresponding to the tubular portions21a. The fourth layer23is made of, e.g. a metal plate, and is formed with through holes23ain four positions corresponding to the tubular portions21a. The tubular portions21apenetrate through the through holes22a,23a, and screws25ahaving heads of a larger diameter than the through holes22a,23aare mounted into the tubular portions21afrom above to make the second to fourth layers21,22and23into a unit. Further, ring-shaped spacers25for ensuring the space24are provided between the third and fourth layers22,23while having the tubular portions21ainserted through holes formed inside them. The spacers25are preferably made of, e.g. a foamed urethane or like soft material which can be restored to its original shape.

The first layer20is fitted on such a disk-shaped unit of the second to fourth layers21,22,23while covering the upper periphery, the entire side and bottom surfaces thereof. The bottom surface of the first layer20serves as a hitting surface A for hitting a body of a game player, members near him or the like. The first layer20is made of rubber or like elastic material in order to alleviate an impact.

Four tubular members26stand on the upper surface of the fourth layer23. These tubular members26are mounted by inserting screws27into through holes formed inside the tubular members26from above and engaging the leading ends of the screws27into screw holes (not shown) formed in the fourth layer23. Four corners of a printed circuit board28are tightly held between the four tubular members26and the heads of the screws27. Specifically, through holes having a smaller diameter than the tubular members26and the heads of the screws27are formed at the four corners of the printed circuit board28, and the shafts of the screws27are inserted into these through holes to hold the printed circuit board28. An acceleration sensor31for detecting a swinging motion is provided on the upper surface of the printed circuit board28, whereas an impact sensor30for detecting a hitting motion is provided on the upper surface of the fourth layer23.

The upper part5B provided on the lower part5A includes a substantially semispherical cover32, and an upper portion of the cover32partly project to form a projecting portion32a. The cord5C is drawn out through the projecting portion32a. An other end of the cord5C is coupled to the front surface2bof the base table2(see FIG.1). The cover32has its bottom surface held in contact with the upper end of the first layer20of the lower part5A and is coupled to the lower part5A via four screws33.

Belt fixing members34are provided in two positions of the cover32, and the belt5D is mounted in mount holes34aformed in the belt fixing devices34. The belt5D includes a belt main body35and a so-called surface fastener36having hooks36aat one side and loops36bat the other side. The belt main body35is an elongated strip, and one side thereof is introduced through one mount hole34aand folded and has its overlapping portion fastened by a locking member37, whereas the other side thereof is instructed through the other mount hole34aand folded and has the surface fastener36mounted on its overlapping portion. By adjusting an overlapping area of the surface fastener36, the signal generating device5can be securely fixed to a game player's hand regardless of the size of his hand, i.e. regardless of whether the game player is a child or an adult.

The impact sensor30takes advantage of a piezoelectric effect of a piezoelectric material using a ferroelectric. Directions in which the piezoelectric material elongates and contracts are assumed to be detecting directions. The impact sensor30is provided such that the detecting directions are normal to the fourth layer23and a detecting surface is in contact with the fourth layer23.

On the other hand, the acceleration sensor31is adapted to output with respect to an X-axis and a Y-axis and is provided such that directions of the X- and Y-axes which are detecting directions are parallel to the bottom surface of the first layer20serving as the hitting surface A. Accordingly, the detecting directions of the acceleration sensor31are normal to the detecting directions of the impact sensor30. The detecting directions of the acceleration sensor31and those of the impact sensor30may not be necessarily normal to each other. In other words, the detecting directions of the impact sensor30may obliquely intersect with the fourth layer23or the directions of the X- and Y-axes which are the detecting directions of the acceleration sensor31may be inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the first layer20.

Detection signals of these sensors30,31are sent to the control system40for executing a game via the cord5C.

Although the impact sensor is used for detecting a hitting motion in the above description, an other sensor may be used instead. Further, although the acceleration sensor is used for detecting a swinging motion, an other sensor may be used instead.

Although the signal generating device has the hitting surface A in the above description, it may be a bar having no hitting surface A such as a bat or may be something like a glove in which the game player's hand is insertable. The signal generating device may be fitted on the game player's wrist instead of being held in hand.

FIG. 8is a block diagram showing the construction of the control system40.

The control system40executes the game in accordance with a game program stored in a CD-ROM41as a second storage means and includes a microprocessor as a main component which provides a main controller42, an image controller45, a sound controller47, a main storage43as a storage for the main controller42, etc., an image data storage46, a sound data storage48, and a lamp driving device44for executing a processing necessary to turn on and off the lamps8in response to a command from the main controller42.

Image data stored in the CD-ROM41are stored in the image data storage46. The image controller45reads the image data from the image data storage46and outputs them to the monitor3at specified timings.FIGS. 9,11to18show contents of images displayed on the monitor3.

FIG. 9shows a display content at the start. Identified by50A is a display showing a content of explanation given at the start of the game. It should be noted that gloves inFIG. 9refer to the signal generating devices5.

FIG. 11shows a display content representing a content of a selection mode of a music number played during the game. Identified by52A,52B,52C are displays representing the music number selection mode, explanation of the selecting operation, and the selected music number. The selected music number is outputted as a background sound.

FIG. 12shows a display content representing contents of instructions to shout at the microphone4after the start of an introduction. Identified by53A,53B and53G are displays representing contents of instructions and a display representing a shouting voice, e.g. “HAAA-!”. At the time of this display, a disk jockey instructs a content of shouting and a shouting timing by voice. The shouting timing is instructed by temporarily changing the color of 5 letters, i.e. “HAAA—” of the display53G of the display screen one by one at a specified speed from the left. The game player may shout following the color change. Instead of changing the color, a mark such as an arrow may be moved letter by letter. The moving or changing speed may not be constant, and may be partly changed. In this embodiment, two kinds of voices are inputted to the microphone4(hereinafter also referred to as a voice input member). However, in the case that the game player does not input his voice, sounds based on the sound data stored in the CD-ROM41are generated.

FIG. 13Ashows a display content after the start of the game,FIG. 13Bis a display showing instruction marks53afor the hitting motion, andFIG. 13Cis a display showing instruction marks53bfor the swinging motion.

L1, L2, L3, L4inFIG. 13Aare virtual lines on which the instruction marks (timing notes)53a,53bmove. The instruction marks53afor the hitting motion are so displayed as to move up straight on the respective virtual lines (scroll-display). On the other hand, the instruction marks53bfor the swinging motion are so displayed as to move up straight on the respective virtual lines (scroll-display) and to transversely swing. L1, L2, L3, L4are the virtual line for the left hand of the left player, the virtual line for the right hand of the left player, the virtual line for the left hand of the right player, and the virtual line for the right hand of the right player, respectively. In the case of the single-player game, the virtual lines L1, L2are used because the left switch operation unit14is used.

The signal generating device5is hit or swung during a specified period within which the instruction marks53a,53bcoincide with reference marks53A1,53A2,53A3,53A4provided in reference positions53C on the respective virtual lines L1, L2, L3, L4. While this display is made, a background sound of the music number to be described later comes out through the loudspeakers7and11. If the signal generating device5makes a corresponding motion during the specified period within which the instruction marks53a,53bcoincide with the reference marks53A1,53A2,53A3,53A4, either one kind of sound set in advance corresponding to each one of the instruction marks52a,53bor the inputted voice comes out through the loudspeakers7and11.

FIG. 14shows a display content representing the completion of the music number.

FIG. 15shows a display content representing scores. The score at the left side ofFIG. 15is of the left player. The number of times of perfect-coincidence is displayed in a display area54A; the number of times of great coincidence in a display area54B; the number of times of good coincidence in a display area54C; the number of times of bad coincidence in a display area54D; the number of times of miss coincidence in a display area54E; the number of maxcombo in a display area54F; the score in a display area54H; and a level of the game result in a display area54G. Classifications of perfect, great, good, bad and miss coincidences, the maxcombo, the score and the level of the game result are described later.

On the other hand, the score at the right side ofFIG. 15is of the right player. The number of times of perfect coincidence is displayed in a display area55A; the number of times of great coincidence in a display area55B; the number of times of good coincidence in a display area55C; the number of times of bad coincidence in a display area55D; the number of times of miss coincidence in a display area55E; the number of maxcombo in a display area55F; the score in a display area55H; and a level of the game result in a display area55G.

FIG. 16shows a display content in the case that the name of the game player is entered in the ranking, wherein56A denotes a display representing an operation-procedure and56C denotes a display representing the entered name.

FIG. 17shows a display content representing an example of the ranking in which top10of the game players who played the game and their scores are listed from the best player.

FIG. 18shows a display content after the completion of a series of game contents. The game ends when this display is made.

Data used to make the above displays are stored together with background images in the image data storage46, and the image controller45reads the image data from the image data storage46in the above sequence and contents of the control and cause the monitor3to display them.

An operating content as a program necessary to control the entire operation of the game system1is written in the main storage43, and the data stored in the CD-ROM41are also stored therein. The main storage43may be comprised of, e.g. a ROM and a RAM or of only a ROM.

Detection signals from the impact sensor30and the acceleration sensor31, sound data obtained by converting voices into electrical signals by the voice converting means including the microphones4(as voice input member) and further converting the electrical signals into digital signals by an unillustrated analog-to-digital converter, and a detection signal from an unillustrated coin detector provided in the coin inserting device9are inputted to the main controller42via an interface (I/O)42a. The sound data inputted via the microphones4are sent to the sound data storage48. The main controller42is, as shown inFIG. 19, provided with a signal judging section42A, a signal input timing judging section42B, an evaluating section42C and a coin number detecting section42D.

The signal judging section42A judges whether the respective detection signals from the impact sensor30and the acceleration sensor31are specified signals. In this embodiment, the signal judging section42A judges that a swinging motion has been made when only the detection signal from the acceleration sensor31is received, and a hitting motion has been made when the detection signal from the impact sensor30is received. This judgment is made because the signal is not outputted from the impact sensor30at the time of the swinging motion and both the impact sensor30and the acceleration sensor31may output detection signals at the time of the hitting motion. By making this judgment, an error detection can be prevented.

The signal input timing judging section42B judges at which timings the respective detection signals from the impact sensor30and the acceleration sensor31were inputted. Four periods of, e.g. perfect, great, good and bad are set. These periods have such a specific construction that the good period shorter than the bad period is set inside the longest bad period, the great period shorter than the good period is set inside the good period, and the perfect period shorter than the great period is set inside the great period. The centers of the perfect, great, good and bad periods coincide with each other. The signal input timing judging section42B judges in which period the signal input timing falls and judges that the corresponding motion is perfect if the signal was inputted within the perfect period, great if the signal was inputted within the great period, good if the signal was inputted within the good period, and bad if the signal was inputted within the bad period.

The evaluating section42C estimates a game result based on a signal received from the signal input timing judging section42B. Specifically, the evaluating section42C calculates the numbers of the perfect, great, good and bad motions and judges a miss motion if a motion different from the instruction mark was made, no motion was made despite the fact that the instruction mark was displayed or the signal input timing corresponding to the motion made lies outside the bad period. Further, if the perfect motions continue, the largest of the numbers of continuous perfect motions is obtained as the maxcombo. In this example, SSS, SS, S, A, B, C, D, F are set as levels representing the game results. These numbers and letters are displayed on the monitor3(see FIG.15). Here, the score and the level are determined based on a ratio of the number of the signals judged to be perfect, great or good by the signal input timing judging section42B to a total number of the marks53a,53bset in the evaluating section42C. The marks53a,53bmay be those stored in the CD-ROM41beforehand. Alternatively, the evaluating section42C or the like may successively add the number of the marks53a,53bin accordance with the program.

The coin number detecting section42D judges that a single-player game is possible in the case that one detection signal is detected by the coin detector (not shown) while judging that a duel-player game is possible in the case that two detection signals is detected by the coin detector. Whether the single-player game or the duel-player game is to be played is actually decided by operating the operation button14cas described above.

The sound data storage48is so constructed as to store, for example, about 60 kinds of sound data in the respective storage areas. The sound data stored in the storage areas include the sound data stored in the CD-ROM41and signals (sound data) obtained by converting voices given by a game player into electrical signals by the microphones4and further converting the electrical signals into digital signals by the unillustrated analog-to-digital converter. Such sound data are set in one-to-one correspondence with the instruction marks53a,53b.

FIG. 20is a diagram showing part of the storage areas of the sound data storage48. In this shown example, the sound data stored in the CD-ROM41are stored in the storage areas other than sound data blocks3and5, and the sound data relating to the voices sampled by the microphones4are stored in the sound data blocks3and5. In the case that no voice is inputted by the game player or the like, the sound data set beforehand are stored. Here, the sound data blocks3and5are referred to as sound block data A and B, respectively.

In the sound data storage48are also stored number data relating to address numbers of the storage areas of the sound data storage48storing the respective sound data described above. If the signal judging section42A judges the detection signal inputted from the impact sensor30or the acceleration sensor31to the main controller42is a specified signal, the main controller sends a signal to the sound controller47, which in turn reads the sound data of the corresponding address number from the sound data storage48and outputs it to a sound mixing device49. This output is made based on a timing at which the sensor30or31generated the signal. However, in the case of the miss or bad motion, the sound output may not be performed. In other words, the sound data may be read from the sound data storage48and outputted if the signal has been inputted to the signal input timing judging section42B during the good, great or perfect period.

The sound controller47has a function of processing the sound data, e.g. a sound modulating function.FIG. 24is a block diagram showing the sound modulating function of the sound controller47. The sound controller47includes first to fifth sound modulating sections47A to47E and a sound changing section47F. The first sound modulating section47A is of the frequency modulating type (hereinafter, modulation 1); the second sound modulating section47B of the amplitude modulating type (hereinafter, modulation 2); the third sound modulating section47C of the type changing the sound level of voices lying within at least part of frequency regions divided at specified intervals (hereinafter, modulation 3); the fourth sound modulating section47D of the type thinning out voices lying within part of the frequency regions (hereinafter, modulation 4); and the fifth sound modulating section47E of the type expanding and compressing at least part of sound waves with respect to a time axis (hereinafter, modulation 5). The sound changing section47F further changes the degree of sound modulation of these sound modulating sections47A to47E.

In the sound controller47thus constructed, the sound data read from the sound data storage48is modulated by the corresponding sound modulating section47A to47E and/or sound changing section47F according to the preprogrammed type of modulation for the corresponding one of the instruction marks53a,53b. The type (or degree) of modulation is changed by the sound changing section47F for inputting a signal corresponding to the operational position of the slide switch (referred also to as a slider)14d. For instance, the types of sound modulation at the upper part ofFIG. 10are selected if the slide switch14dis set at left-side positions, whereas those at the lower part ofFIG. 10are selected if the slide switch14dis set at right-side positions.

The sound data modulated by the sound controller47are outputted to the sound mixing device49.

FIG. 21is a table showing an example of sound modulations applied to the voices sampled by the microphones4.

In this shown example, the sound data blocks1,4are not modulated because being the sound data stored in the CD-ROM41, whereas the sound data blocks A and B storing the sound data relating to the voices sampled by the microphones4are subjected to the modulations 1 and 3 for the corresponding ones of the instruction marks53a,53b. The modulation which can be changed according to a slid amount of the slide switch14dcan be applied to all the sound data read from the sound data storage48. Although the modulations 1 and 3 are performed in the example ofFIG. 21, desired one(s) of the modulations 1 to 5 can be applied.

The sound mixing device49has a digital-to-analog converting function and is adapted to covert the sound data from the sound controller47into an analog signal and output it as a real sound through the loudspeakers7and11. The sound data of the background sound stored in the CD-ROM41is directly inputted to the sound mixing device49, which in turn converts the received sound data into an analog signal and outputs as a real sound through the loudspeakers7and11.

The CD-ROM41is detachably mounted in the game system1. The data and program stored in the CD-ROM41are read by an unillustrated data reading means, and image-relating ones of the read data and program are stored in the image data storage46, sound-relating ones thereof are stored in the sound data storage47, and the remainder is stored in the main storage43.

The image data stored in the CD-ROM41include, for example, the displays50A to56C displayed on the monitor3as shown inFIGS. 9to18, and the image control programs stored in the CD-ROM41include, for example, the image data reading timings. The sound data stored in the CD-ROM41include, for example, the sound data to be stored in the sound data storage48(excluding the voices inputted through the microphones4) and the background sounds, and the sound control programs stored in the CD-ROM41include, for example, the sound data reading timings.

The remaining data and programs stored in the CD-ROM41include, for example, a lamp turning program. The lamp turning program is inputted to the main controller42via the interface42a, the main controller42sends a command signal based on this program to the lamp driving device44, and the lamp driving device44controllably turns on the corresponding one(s) of a plurality of lamps8in accordance with the received command signal from the main controller42. Since the CD-ROM41is detachably mounted as described above, another storage medium storing other music numbers and different positions of the instruction marks can be set in the game system1.

Although the main controller, the image controller and the sound controller are separately formed inFIG. 8, they may be formed into a unit or divided into two units according to the present invention.

FIGS. 22 and 23are a flow chart executed in the game system according to this embodiment.

First, prior to the start of the game, in Step ST1, displays and sound output (demonstration) are made to introduce the contents of the game, operation procedure, ranking up to the present, etc., and the image shown inFIG. 9is, for example, displayed on the monitor3, and how to play the game is explained through the loudspeakers7and11. Simultaneously, it is discriminated whether one or more coins have been inserted (Step ST2).

If one or more coins have been inserted, a game title, e.g. “Rap Freaks' is displayed on the monitor3for a predetermined time (Step ST3), and a specified selection screen is then displayed on the monitor3(Step ST4).

A game player selects a single-player game or a dual-player game. It is then successively discriminated whether the selection has been completed (Step ST5) and whether a start button has been pushed (Step ST6). When the start button is discriminated to have been pushed, a specified explanation screen is displayed (Step ST9).

Subsequently, it is discriminated whether a predetermined time has elapsed (Step ST10). If the discrimination result is affirmative, a multitude of selectable music numbers are displayed on the monitor3(Step ST11). During this display, the game player selects a desired music number from the displayed music numbers.

It is then discriminated whether the selection of the music number has been completed (Step ST12), and the name of the selected music number is displayed on the monitor3as shown inFIG. 11(Step ST13) if the selection has been completed.

Subsequently, it is discriminated whether another predetermined time has elapsed (Step ST14). If the discrimination result is affirmative, an introduction is started and a voice sampling instruction is given by displaying the screen for the voice sampling shown in FIG.12and outputting the voice through the loudspeakers (Step ST15). In accordance with this instruction, the game player speaks or shouts a sentence of the instructed content at the microphone4, and his voice is stored in the specified storage area of the sound data storage48.

It is then discriminated whether the voice sampling has been completed (Step ST16), and the game is started (Step ST17) if the voice sampling has been completed. As the game is started, the game content shown inFIG. 13Ais displayed on the monitor3, and the game player moves the signal generating member5in response to the instruction marks53afor the hitting motion and the instruction marks53bfor the swinging motion. During the game, a life is administered by the accumulation of evaluations made by the main controller42. This life administration is such that a life gauge increases upon a good evaluation (perfect, great) and decreases upon a bad evaluation (bad, miss). If the life gauge runs short, the game is over.

Subsequently, it is discriminated whether the life still exists and whether the music number has ended (Steps ST18, ST19).

If the life is discriminated to have ended (NO in Step ST18) or if the music number is discriminated to have ended (YES in Step ST19), a display is made to inform the end of the music number (Step ST20). Specifically, a message “CLEARED” as shown inFIG. 14is displayed on the monitor3if the music number is played to the end, whereas a message “FAILURE” is displayed if the music number is ended upon exhaustion of the life.

Subsequently, it is discriminated whether a predetermined time has elapsed (Step ST21). If the discrimination result is affirmative, a game result as shown inFIG. 15is displayed on the monitor3(Step ST22). This game result is a result of evaluation of the evaluating section42C as to whether the game player made the hitting motions and the swinging motions in response to the instruction marks53a,53bwithin a predetermined period while holding the signal generating device5.

It is then discriminated whether the entry of the name is necessary (Step ST23). This discrimination is made by the evaluating section42C by discriminating whether the score of the game player is equal to or above a reference value upon the end of the music number, i.e. whether this score satisfies a name entry condition. If the entry of the name is necessary, a name entry screen shown inFIG. 16is displayed on the monitor3(Step ST24), and the game player performs a name entry operation accordingly.

Subsequently, it is discriminated whether the entry of the name has been completed (Step ST25), and a ranking as shown inFIG. 17is displayed (Step ST26) if the discrimination result is affirmative. If the entry of the name is not necessary (NO in Step ST23), this routine directly proceeds to Step ST26to display the ranking.

Subsequently, it is discriminated whether a predetermined time has elapsed (Step ST27). If the discrimination result is affirmative, the game is ended and a message “GAME OVER” shown inFIG. 18is displayed on the monitor3(Step ST28).

According to this embodiment, when the game player makes a motion based on the content of an instruction relating to an electrical signal data, the sound generating means generates a voice corresponding to the electrical signal data which is inputted through the voice input member in response to the content of the instruction. Thus, not only the specified sounds set in the game system beforehand, but also voices inputted and converted into the electrical signal data by the converting means (voice converting means) such as those of the game player himself and those of the game player's friend can be outputted from the game system, thereby making the game extremely interesting and enjoyable.

Although the two signal generating members are held in both hands of each of the two game players in the foregoing embodiment, one signal generating member may be held in one hand of each of the two game players according to the present invention. In such a case, the instruction marks may be displayed using two of the virtual lines L1to L4. Further, the inventive game system may be constructed such that a single game player plays the game.

The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment, and may be embodied as follows.

(1) The instruction marks are scroll-displayed by being moved with respect to the reference marks in specified positions in the foregoing embodiment. However, according to the present invention, the reference marks may be scroll-displayed while the instruction marks are arranged in specified positions. In such a case, marks having substantially the same shape as the instruction marks of the foregoing embodiment or arrows may be used as reference marks.

(2) In the foregoing embodiment, the game is such that the hitting and swinging motions are made in response to the instruction marks53a,53band the voice inputted through the microphone4is outputted based on such motions. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other kinds of motions may be made in response to other kinds of instructions, and the voice inputted through the microphone4may be outputted based on such motions. An example of the other kind of motion in response to the other kind of instruction is as follows. An operation lever stands on a plane in such a manner that it can be inclined in any direction of 360° from its vertical position, and inclining directions of the operation lever are displayed on a display screen as contents of instructions. The operation lever is inclined in the instructed direction (may be located within a specified angle range). This is merely an example, and various other motions may be adopted.

(3) Although the sound controller47includes the first to fifth sound modulating sections47A to47E in the foregoing embodiment, it may include only one, two or more of these five sound modulating sections47A to47E according to the present invention.

As described in detail above, in the inventive game system, when the game player makes a motion based on the content of instruction relating to the electrical signal data, the sound generating means generates the predetermined voice corresponding to the electrical signal data based on the content of instruction. Accordingly, not only the specified sounds set in the game system beforehand, but also voices converted into the electrical signal data by the converting means such as those of the game player himself and those of the game player's friend can be outputted from the game system, thereby making the game extremely interesting and enjoyable.

Summing up the aforementioned descriptions, a game system of this invention in which a game player make motions in response to contents of instructions displayed on a display screen and generating predetermined sounds corresponding to the contents of instructions, the game system comprising:a voice converting means having an voice input member for inputting voices of the game player and for converting the voices input through the voice input member into electrical signal data,a storage means for storing the electrical signal data obtained by the voice converting means together with predetermined sound-relating data corresponding to the contents of instructions,a sound generating means for generating voices from the corresponding electrical signal data based on the motions of the game player corresponding to the contents of instructions when the game player makes motions in response to the contents of instructions.

In this game system, when the game player makes a motion based on the content of instruction relating to the electrical signal data, the sound generating means generates the voice inputted through the voice input member corresponding to the electrical signal data based on the content of instruction.

Accordingly, not only the specified sounds set in the game system beforehand, but also voices inputted and converted into the electrical signal data by the converting means such as those of the game player himself and those of the game player's friend can be outputted from the game system, thereby making the game extremely interesting and enjoyable.

In the game system, the sound generating means may include a data processing means for processing the electrical signal data of the voices and generates voices corresponding to the electrical signal data processed by the data processing means.

With this construction, since the data processing means of the sound generating means processes the electrical signal data of the voices, voices different from those of the game player and his friend can be outputted from the game system.

To this end, the data processing means may have one, two or more of a frequency modulating function; an amplitude modulating function; a function of changing the sound level of voices lying within at least part of frequency ranges divided at specified intervals; a function of thinning out sounds lying within part of the frequency ranges; and a function of expanding and compressing at least part of sound waves with respect to a time axis.

The aforementioned game system may further comprises a signal generating means for generating a signal based on the motion made by the game player, wherein the sound generating means outputs a sound when the signal generating means generates a signal within a predetermined period.

With this construction, the game can be made further interesting since no sound is outputted unless the game player makes the motion within the predetermined period.

Moreover, the game system may further comprises a second storage means in addition to the storage means, wherein a second electrical signal data stored in the second storage means is stored in the storage means, and the sound generating means generates a sound corresponding to the second electrical signal data.

Furthermore, in the aforementioned game system, the data processing means processes the second electrical signal data, and the sound generating means generates a sound based on the processed second electrical signal data.

The aforementioned game system may further comprise a changing means for changing a degree of data processing by the data processing means, wherein the changing means changes the degree of data processing applied to at least one of the electrical signal data and the second electrical signal data.

With this construction, eccentric or strange voices can be outputted since the game player can further change the degree (or type) of sound processing, with the result that the game can be made even more interesting.

In the aforementioned game system, sounds relating to the second electrical signal data and background sounds may be stored in the second storage means, and the sound generating means outputs the background sounds without modification.

With this construction, the voices of, e.g. the game player, his friend and others can be ad-libbed while the background sounds are outputted.

In the aforementioned game system, an instruction regarding a timing to input a voice to the voice input member of the voice converting means is preferred to be displayed on the display screen at a specified moving speed.

Here, the moving speed of the means for instructing the timing may be constant or partly changed.

In the aforementioned game system, the sound generating means may generate a predetermined sound corresponding to the electrical signal data instead of generating a voice if no voice is input to the voice input member of the voice converting means.

This invention is based on a Japanese Patent Application Serial No. 11-253686 filed on Sep. 7, 1999, thus the contents thereof are incorporated by reference.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to embraced by the claims.