U.S. Pat. No. 7,115,031

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, a game system of this embodiment includes a plurality of portable game machines100,100, . . . (four in this embodiment) and one video game machine200. The video game machine200is individually connected to the portable game machines100,100, . . . using connection cables400,400, . . . and is connected to a CRT300using a video cable500. A DVD-ROM30stored with a game program is attached to the video game machine200. The game program is executed by the video game machine200and each portable game machine100, whereby a predetermined game world is provided to players. Each game machine100is utilized as a game controller, and each player performs a game operation by one's portable game machine100.

It is noted that in this exemplary embodiment the video game machine200and the portable game machine100are respectively game machines “NINTENDO GAME CUBE (trademark)” and “GAME BOY ADVANCE (trademark)” manufactured and sold by the applicants' assignee of the present invention.

The game world is displayed on an LCD20provided on each portable game machine100and the CRT300. Each LCD20is displayed with a different game world (individual game screen) every player, and the CRT300is displayed with a common game world (common game screen) common to each player. That is, the LCD20functions as an individual display, the CRT300functions as a common display, and therefore, each player executes a game viewing the CRT300and one's LCD20.

A plurality of player characters Ch1to Ch4appear in a three-dimensional space shown inFIG. 2in the game of this embodiment (hereinafter “player character” is referred merely to as “character”). The characters Ch1to Ch4are operatively assigned to the respective portable game machines100,100, . . . one by one, and each player moves one's character to an arbitrary direction utilizing a direction instructing key (cross key)10cprovided on the portable game machine100.

The common game screen displayed on the CRT300is formed by a two-dimensional space shown inFIG. 3. That is, a plane image based on a viewpoint (second viewpoint) viewing the three-dimensional space shown inFIG. 2from directly above is displayed on the CRT300, and therefore, where the characters C1to C4exist can be recognized by this plane image. On the other hand, the three-dimensional space based on a viewpoint (first viewpoint) viewing from a rear oblique upper position of one's character is displayed on the LCD20of the portable game machine100. Specifically, the three-dimensional space extending forward one's character is displayed on the individual game screen. Accordingly, when the character Ch1is moved in order of position a→position b→position c, a display of the LCD20of the portable game machine100which operates the character Ch1is changed as shown in a manner ofFIG. 4(A)→FIG. 4(B)→FIG. 4(C).

Where each player operates an A button10aor a B button10bprovided on the portable game machine100, the operation screen is switched between the common game screen and one's individual game screen. Specifically, where the A button10ais selected, the common game screen is selected as the operation screen, and where the B button10bis selected, one's individual game screen is selected as the operation screen. An operation required to move the character Ch1from the position a to the position c is different between the case the common game screen is selected as the operation screen and the case one's individual game screen is selected as the operation screen.

In a case the common game screen is the operation screen (referring toFIG. 3), the character Ch1is moved from the position A to the position B by operating the direction instructing key10cin order of right→right→right→upper→left. Furthermore, the character Ch1is moved from the position B to the position C by operating the direction instructing key10cin order of left→upper. On the other hand, in a case one's individual game screen is the operation screen (referring toFIG. 4(A)toFIG. 4(C)), the character Ch1is moved from the position A to the position B by operating the direction instructing key10cin order of upper→upper→upper→left→left. Furthermore, the character Ch1is moved from the position B to the position C by operating the direction instructing key10cin order of upper→right.

A map M simplifying the game world is also displayed on the individual game screen. The map M is displayed at the same viewpoint as the plane image shown inFIG. 3, and all characters Ch1to Ch4also appear on the map M. A display manner of the map M is switched betweenFIGS. 4(A) to4(C) andFIG. 5in accordance with the setting of the operation screen. That is, where the individual game screen is the operation screen, the map M is displayed in a reduced manner at the upper of the screen as shown inFIG. 4(A) toFIG. 4(C), and where the common game screen is the operation screen, the map M is displayed in an enlarged manner at the center of the screen as shown inFIG. 5. Such the emphasis or non-emphasis of the map M allows the operator to smoothly progress the game with viewing only the individual game screen.

The portable game machine100and the video game machine200are specifically constructed as shown inFIG. 6. The portable game machine100is provided with a connector12, and the video game machine200is provided with a plurality of connectors34,34, . . . . The connector12is connected to a CPU16via an I/O interface14, and the connector34is connected to a CPU38via an I/O interface36. Connectors400aand400bprovided at both ends of the connector400are connected to the connectors12and34, respectively, and therefore, communication between the CPU16and the CPU38can be established.

The I/O interface36of the video game machine200is connected with a DVD drive32. The DVD ROM30is stored with game program/data for the video game machine200and game program/data for the portable game machine100as shown inFIG. 7, and these program/data are read out by the DVD drive32.

Referring toFIG. 7, the game program/data for the video game machine200includes a program for program transfer PGC1, a display control program PGC2, a key information receiving program PGC3, a position information renewal program PGC4, a position information transmitting program PGC5, game world data DGC1, character data DGC2, and etc. Furthermore, the game program/data for the portable game machine100includes a display control program PGB1, a key information transmitting program PGB2, a position information receiving program PGB3, a position information renewal program PGB4, game world data DGB1, map data DGB2, character data DGB3, and etc.

The program for program transfer PGC1is a program for transferring the game program/data for the portable game machine100to each portable game machine100. The display control program PGC2is a program for displaying the common game screen shown inFIG. 3on the CRT300on the basis of the game world data DGC1, the character data DGC2and the position information. The key information receiving program PGC3is a program for receiving key information (A button data, B button data or direction data) transmitted from the portable game machine100. The position information renewal program PGC4is a program for renewing the position information of the characters Ch1to Ch4according to the received key information. The position information transmitting program PGC5is a program for transmitting the renewed position information to each portable game machine100.

The game world data DGC1is data for reproducing the game world on the CRT300and is, for example, drawn in a two-dimensional manner as shown inFIG. 8(A).

The character data DGC2is data for reproducing the characters Ch1to Ch4in the game world and is, for example, drawn in a three-dimensional manner as shown inFIG. 8(B).

Returning toFIG. 7, the display control program PGB1included in the game program/data for the portable game machine100is a program for displaying the individual game screen shown inFIGS. 4(A) to4(C) orFIG. 5on one's LCD20on the basis of the game world data DGB1, the map data DGB2, the character data DGB3, and the position information. The key information transmitting program PGB2is a program for transmitting, to the video game machine200, the key information indicative of which one of the A button10a, the B button10band the direction instructing key10cis operated. The position information receiving program PGB3is a program for receiving the position information transmitted from the video game machine200. The position information renewal program is a program for renewing current position information by the received position information.

The game world data DGB1is data for reproducing the game world on one's LCD20and is drawn in the three-dimensional manner as shown inFIG. 9(A). The map data DGB2is data for displaying the map of the game world on one's LCD20and is drawn in the two-dimensional manner as shown inFIG. 9(B). The viewpoint of the map based on the map data is the same as the viewpoint of the game world based on the game world data shown inFIG. 8(A). The character data DGB3is data for reproducing the characters Ch1to Ch4in the game world or the map, and is drawn in the three-dimensional manner as shown inFIG. 9(C).

Returning toFIG. 6, the game program/data for the video game machine200is stored in a RAM40. The RAM40is also formed with a table40aholding the position information of the characters Ch1to Ch4and an operation screen flag for determining the operation screen of each portable game machine100. According toFIG. 10, the position information is constructed by posture data (moving direction data) and location data of the characters. Furthermore, where the operation screen flag is set, the CRT300is determined to be the operation screen, and where the operation screen flag is reset, one's LCD20is determined to be the operation screen.

The CPU38executes the program for program transfer PGC1and transfers the game program/data for the portable game machine100to each portable game machine100. When the game is started, the CPU38executes the above-described programs PGC2to PGC5. First, the CPU38requests an image processing unit42to execute image processing so as to display on the CRT300the common game screen in an initialized state. When the key information is received from the portable game machine100, the CPU38renews the position information or the operation screen flag of the table40aaccording to the key information. When the position information is renewed, the CPU38transmits the renewed position information to each portable game machine100, and requests the image processing unit42to renew any one position of the characters Ch1to Ch4.

The image processing unit42draws the game world in a VRAM44on the basis of the game world data DGC1stored in the RAM40and draws the characters Ch1to Ch4in the VRAM44on the basis of the character data DGC2stored in the RAM40and the position information of the table40a. Herein, each of the characters Ch1to Ch4is disposed at a position indicated by the location data and directed to a direction indicated by the posture data.

An encoder46reads out image data formed by the game world and the characters Ch1to Ch4from the VRAM44, and converts the read image data to a composite image signal. The converted composite image signal is applied to the CRT300via the video cable500, and whereby, the common game screen shown inFIG. 3is displayed on the CRT300.

The game program/data for the portable game machine100transmitted to the portable game machine100is stored in a RAM18by the CPU16. The RAM18is also formed with a table18aas shown inFIG. 11. According toFIG. 11, the position information of the characters Ch1to Ch4is held in the table18a.

When the game is started, the CPU18requests the image processing unit22to execute image processing so as to display on the LCD20the individual game screen in an initial state. When any one of the A button10a, the B button10band the direction instructing key10cis operated, the CPU18transfers the key information to the video game machine200. Furthermore, in receiving the position information from the video game machine200, the CPU18rewrites the position information of the table18aby the received position information, and requests the image processing unit22to renew the image.

The image processing unit22draws an image of three-dimensional space viewed from a rear oblique upper position of one's character and a map image in a VRAM24on the basis of the game world data DGB1, the map data DGB2and the character data DGB3stored in the RAM18, and the position information of one's character stored in the table18a. At this time, where the operation screen is the CRT300, the reduced map image is drawn, and where the operation screen is the LCD20, the enlarged map image is drawn. An LCD driver26drives the LCD20in accordance with the image data drawn in the VRAM24, and therefore, the individual game screen shown inFIGS. 4(A) to4(C) orFIG. 5is displayed on the LCD20.

Specifically, the CPU38of the video game machine200and the CPU16of the portable game machine100process flowcharts shown inFIG. 12toFIG. 17. It is noted that processing of the CPU38is executed according to the game program/data for the video game machine, and processing of the CPU16is executed according to the game program/data for the portable game machine.

Referring toFIG. 12first, the CPU38of the video game machine200performs initializing processing in a step S101, and performs a negotiation for establishing communication between respective portable game machines100,100, . . . in a step S103. When the communication is established, the game program/data for the portable game machine is transmitted to each portable game machine100in a step S105, and after completion of the transmitting processing, a game process is executed in a step S107. When a power off operation is performed in the middle of the game process, the process is completed.

The CPU16of the portable game machine100also performs the initializing processing in a step S201, and performs the negotiation processing between the video game machine200in a step S203. When the communication is thus established, the process proceeds to a step S205, and then, receiving processing of the game program/data transmitted from the video game machine200is performed. After completion of the receiving processing, the game process is performed in a step S207, and when the power off operation is performed in the middle of the game process, the process is completed.

The game process in the step S107complies with subroutines shown inFIG. 13toFIG. 16. First, all operation screen flags held in the table40ashown inFIG. 10are set in a step S111, and all position information held in the same table40aare initialized in a step S113. Setting the operation screen flag allows each of the portable game machines100,100, . . . to select the LCD20for the operation screen. Furthermore, the initialization of the position information allows each of the characters Ch1to Ch4to be directed to a predetermined direction at a predetermined position. A processing requirement is applied to the image processing unit42so as to display the common game screen on the CRT300in a step S115. The CRT300is displayed with the common game screen shown inFIG. 3.

It is determined whether or not the A button data is received in a step S117, it is determined whether or not the B button data is received in a step S123, and it is determined whether or not the direction data are received in a step S129. When the A button data is received, “YES” is determined in the step S117, and it is specified that from which portable game machines100,100, the A button data is transmitted in a step S119(specification of the transmission source). In a following step S121, the table40ashown inFIG. 10is accessed, and the operation screen flag assigned to the portable game machine100of the transmission source is set. When the A button data is transmitted from the portable game machine100operating the character Ch1, the operation screen flag of the character Ch1is set.

When the B button data is received, the process proceeds from the step S123to a step S125so as to specify the transmission source of the B button data. In a step S127, the operation screen flag assigned to the portable game machine100of the transmission source is reset contrary to the step S121. Where the operation screen flag is set, the CRT300functions as the operation screen, and where the operation screen flag is reset, one's LCD20functions as the operation screen.

When the direction data is received, the process proceeds from the step S129to a step S131so as to specify the transmission source of the direction data as above-described manner. In a step S133, the position information assigned to the portable game machine100of the transmission source is renewed in accordance with the subroutines shown inFIG. 15andFIG. 16. After completion of the renewal processing, the renewed position information is transmitted to each portable game machine100in a step S135. In a following step S137, so as to renew the common game screen according to the renewed position information, a corresponding processing request is applied to the image processing unit22. A character, i.e. an operation object of the portable game machine100of the transmission source is moved to the direction according to the renewed position information. It is determined whether or not a power off operation is performed in a step S139, and if “No” is determined, the process returns to the step S117, however; if “YES” is determined, the process is restored to a hierarchical upper level of a routine.

Referring toFIG. 15andFIG. 16, the renewal processing of the position information will be described. In a step S141first, the table40ashown inFIG. 10is accessed and a state of the operation screen flag assigned to the transmission source of the direction data is determined. If the operation screen flag is in a reset state (i.e. the LCD20is the operation screen), processes from steps S143to S161are executed, however; if the operation screen flag is in a set state (i.e. the CRT300is the operation screen), processes from steps S163to S183are executed.

A direction indicated by the direction data is determined in the steps S143, S145and S147. If the direction data indicates “left direction (left side of the direction instructing key10c)”, “YES” is determined in the step S143, and the position information assigned to the transmission source is renewed in respective steps S151and S153. A direction or posture indicated by the position information (moving direction) is rotated 90 degrees in a counterclockwise direction in the step S151, and a location indicated by the position information (a coordinate value) is renewed according to the renewed moving direction in the step S153. For example, when the direction data indicative of the “left direction” is received from the portable game machine100operating the character Ch1in a state (a state A) that the direction data and the location data of the position information of the character Ch1indicate “X” and (x, y)=(0, 0), respectively, the direction data is renewed form “x” to “y” and the location data is renewed to (x, y)=(0, 1).

When the direction data indicates “right direction (right side of the direction instructing key10c)”, “YES” is determined in the step S145, and the direction data indicated by the position information is rotated 90 degrees in a clockwise direction in the step S155. Then, the location data indicated by the position information is renewed according to the renewed moving direction in the step S157. When the direction data indicative of “right direction” is received from the portable game machine100operating the character Ch1in the above described state A, the direction data and the location data (x, y) indicated by the position information of the character Ch1are renewed from “x” to “−y” and from (0, 0) to (0, −1), respectively.

When the direction data indicates “rear direction (lower side of the direction instructing key10c)”, “YES” is determined in the step S147, the direction data indicated by the position information is inverted 180 degrees in the step S159, and the location data indicated by the position information is renewed in accordance with the renewed moving direction in the step S161. When the direction data indicative of “rear direction” is received from the portable game machine100operating the character Ch1in the above described state A, the direction data and the location data (x, y) indicated by the position information of the character Ch1are renewed from “x” to “−x” and from (0, 0) to (−1, 0), respectively.

When the direction data indicates “forward direction (upper side of the direction instructing key10c)”, the process proceeds from the step S147to the step S149, and the location data indicated by the position information is renewed in accordance with a current moving direction. When the direction data indicative of “forward direction” is received from the portable game machine100operating the character Ch1in the above described state A, the position data (x, y) is renewed from (0, 0) to (1, 0) without renewing the direction data.

The individual game screen displayed on one's LCD20is changed according to the moving of one's character. Accordingly, where the individual game screen is the operation screen, the renewed moving direction is determined with reference to the current moving direction of the character. Furthermore, which one of “x” or “y” forming the location data is to be renewed is determined depending on x/y of the renewed direction data, and whether “1” is added or subtracted is determined depending on +/−of the renewed direction data. After completion of the step S153, S157, S161, or S149, the process is restored to the hierarchical upper level of the routine.

A direction indicated by the direction data is also determined in steps S163, S165and S167shown inFIG. 16. If the direction data indicates “right direction (right side of the direction instructing key10c)”, “YES” is determined in the step S163, the direction data indicated by the position information is set into “x” in the step S169, and the location data “x” indicated by the position information is renewed by “1” to the plus (+) side in the step S171. When the direction data indicative of “right direction” is received from the portable game machine100operating the character Ch1at a time the direction data and the location data (x, y) included in the position information of the character Ch1indicates “x” and (0, 0), respectively, such as the above-described state A, the direction data indicated by the position information is not renewed, and the location data (x, y) is renewed from (0, 0) to (1, 0).

If the direction data indicates “left direction (left side of the direction instructing key10c)”, “YES” is determined in the step S165, the direction data indicated by the position information is set to “−x” in the step S173, and the location data “x” indicated by the position information is renewed by “1” to the minus (−) side in the step S175. When the direction data indicative of “left direction” is received from the portable game machine100operating the character Ch1in the above-described state A, the direction data and the location data (x, y) indicated by the position information of the character Ch1are renewed from “x” to “−x” and from (0, 0) to (−1, 0), respectively.

If the direction data indicates “upper direction (upper side of the direction instructing key10c)”, “YES” is determined in the step S167, the direction data indicated by the position information is set to “y” in the step S177, and the location data “y” indicated by the position information is renewed by “1” to the plus (+) side in the step S179. When the direction data indicative of “upper direction” is received from the portable game machine100operating the character Ch1in the above-described state A, the direction data and the location data (x, y) indicated by the position information of the character Ch1are renewed from “x” to “y” and from (0, 0) to (0, 1), respectively.

If the direction data indicates “lower direction (lower side of the direction instructing key10c)”, “NO” is determined in the step S167, the direction data indicated by the position information is set to “−y” in the step S181, and the location data “y” indicated by the position information is renewed by “1” to the minus (−) side in the step S183. When the direction data indicative of “lower direction” is received from the portable game machine100operating the character Ch1in the above-described state A, the direction data and the location data (x, y) indicated by the position information of the character Ch1are renewed from “x” to “−y” and from (0, 0) to (0, −1), respectively.

Since the CRT300is displayed with the common game screen at the fixed viewpoint, when the CRT300is the operation screen, a character is moved to a direction indicated by the direction data. After completion of the step S171, S175, S179or S183, the process is restored to the hierarchical upper level of the routine.

The game process (step S207inFIG. 12) of the portable game machine100complies with a subroutine shown inFIG. 17. First, whole position information held in the table18ashown inFIG. 11is initialized in a step S211. A processing request for displaying the map M in a reduced manner on the LCD20is applied to the image processing unit22in a step S213, and a processing request for displaying the game world at the viewpoint with reference to one's character on the LCD20is applied to the image processing unit22in a following step S215. Thus, the individual game screen of an initialized state shown inFIG. 4(A) is displayed on the LCD20of the portable game machine100operating the character Ch1.

Successively, an operation state of an operation device10is determined in each of steps S217, S223, and S229, it is determined whether or not the position information is received in a step S233, and it is determined whether or not the power off operation is performed in a step S237.

Where the A button10ais pressed, “YES” is determined in the step S217, the A button data is transmitted to the video game machine200in a step S219, and the processing request for displaying the map M in an enlarged manner is applied to the image processing unit22in a step S221. After completion of the step S221, the process returns to the step S215. Where the B button10bis pressed, the process proceeds from the step S223to a step S225so as to transmit the B button data to the video game machine200. A processing request for displaying the map M in a reduced manner is applied to the image processing unit22in a following step S227.

Accordingly, when the A button10ais pressed in a state the individual game screen shown inFIG. 4(A) is displayed on the LCD20, a display of the LCD20is renewed fromFIG. 4(A) toFIG. 5. When the B button10bis pressed in a state the individual game screen shown inFIG. 5is displayed, the display of the LCD20is returned fromFIG. 5toFIG. 4(A).

When the direction instructing key10cis pressed, “YES” is determined in the step S229, and the direction data is transmitted to the video game machine200in a step S231. The direction data indicative of “right direction” is transmitted when “right” is instructed by the direction instructing key10c, the direction data indicative of “left direction” is transmitted when “left” is instructed, the direction data indicative of “upper direction” is transmitted when the “upper” is instructed, and the direction data indicative of “lower direction” is transmitted when the “lower” is instructed. After completion of the step S231, the process returns to the step S215.

When the position information is received form the video game machine200, the process proceeds from the step S233to a step235so as to rewrite the position information. Specifically, the table18ashown inFIG. 11is accessed, and the current position information is rewritten by the received position information. Where the position information is returned in response to an operation of the direction instructing key10cprovided on one's portable game machine100, the position information of one's character is rewritten by the returned position information. On the other hand, where the position information is transmitted in response to an operation of the direction instructing key10cprovided on another portable game machine100, the position information corresponding to the portable game machine100is rewritten by the transmitted position information. After completion of the step S235, the process returns to the step S215.

Accordingly, when one's portable game machine100is operated utilizing the direction instructing key10cin order of “upper”→“upper”→“upper”→“right” →“right” at a time the individual game screen shown inFIG. 4(A) is displayed, the display of the LCD20is shifted fromFIG. 4(A) toFIG. 4(B).

When the power off operation is performed, “YES” is determined in a step S237, and the process is restored to the hierarchical upper level of the routine.

As understood from the above description, the RAM18(first memory) provided on the portable game machine100is stored with the position information of the characters Ch1to Ch4(S211). The RAM40(second memory) provided on the video game machine200is also stored with the position information of the characters Ch1to Ch4(S113). The LCD20of the portable game machine100(individual display) is displayed with the game world based on the first viewpoint with reference to one's character on the basis of the position information stored in the RAM18(S215). On the other hand, the CRT300(common display) is displayed with the game world based on the second viewpoint capable of viewing the characters Ch1to Ch4on the basis of the position information stored in the RAM40(S115, S137).

The portable game machine100is provided with the A button10aand the B button10b(switching instructing key) for switching the operation screen between the CRT300and the LCD20, and the direction instructing key10cfor instructing one's character to move to an arbitrary direction. The A button data (switching instructing information) is transmitted to the video game machine200when the A button10ais operated (S219), the B button data (switching instructing information) is transmitted to the video game machine200when the B button10bis operated (S215), and the direction data (direction instructing information) is transmitted to the video game machine200when the direction instructing key10cis operated (S231).

The video machine200, when the A button data or the B button data is received (S117, S137), switches a setting of the operation screen of the portable game machine100of the transmission source according to the received data (S121, S127). Furthermore, the video game machine200, when the direction data is received (S129), renews the position information of the character operated by the transmission source on the basis of the direction data and the setting of the operation screen by the transmission source (S133). The renewed position information is transmitted to the portable game machine100(S135). In the portable game machine100, the position information stored in the RAM18is rewritten by the position information received from the video game machine200(S235). Thus, one's character displayed on the CRT300and one's LCD20is moved to a direction corresponding to the viewpoint of the game world displayed on the operation screen. The setting of the operation screen can be arbitrarily switched, and therefore, it is possible to improve an operationality of the game utilizing the direction instructing key.

The LCD20is also displayed with the map of the game world capable of viewing positions of the characters Ch1to Ch4in a reduced manner (S213). The map is enlarged in response to an operation of the A button10a(S221) and is reduced in response to an operation of the B button10b(S227). Accordingly, it is possible to progress the game with continuously viewing one's LCD, and therefore, the operationality is improved at this point.

It is noted that although the map on the individual game screen is enlarged/reduced in accordance with the setting of the operation screen in this embodiment, in place of this, a display of the map may be turned on/off, or a color of the game world displayed in a three-dimensional manner and a color of the map may be relatively changed. In the former case, there is a need to omit the process in the step S213shown inFIG. 17, to execute a display processing of the map in place of the enlargement display processing of the map in the step S221and to execute non-display processing of the map in place of the reduction display processing of the map in the step S227. Furthermore, in the latter case, there is a need to perform a reduction processing of the color of the map in the step S213and step S227and to perform an emphasis processing of the color of the map in the step S221.

Furthermore, although the two-dimensional game world shown inFIG. 3is displayed on the CRT in this embodiment, the three-dimensional game world shown inFIG. 18may be alternatively displayed on the CRT. In addition, if the game world viewed from a front oblique upper position is displayed as shown inFIG. 19, the operability is more improved.

Furthermore, although this embodiment is described with utilizing the game moving the plurality of characters Ch1to Ch4in the game world shown inFIG. 2, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the racing game shown inFIG. 21.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.