JP2000061146A - Game system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of an operating device for a game machine and to prevent erroneous operation by optionally and programatically set the function of each operation switch of at least a second operation means in the first and second operation means so as to make it possible to change the definition of the operation switch. SOLUTION: A direction instructing operation device (direction instructing switch) 12 being the first operation means and an operation instructing operation device (operation instructing switch) 13 being the second operation means are arranged on left and right positions on the surface of the housing 11 of the operation device for a game machine 10. In addition, an operation instructing operation device being a third operation means is provided on the side surface of the housing 11 positioned at the upper parts of these instructing operation devices 12 and 13. Then the operation of a character is instructed by the operation of the operation device 13 and this operation device 13 can be used as a direction instructing operation device instructing the moving direction of the character by setting the functions of four push button switches based on an operation function setting program.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game system, and more particularly to changing the definition of the function of at least one operation switch among a plurality of operation switches included in a controller or a joystick connected to a video game machine by a program. Regarding possible game systems.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game system in which a game machine operating device (or game machine operating device) is connected to a game machine and a storage medium (for example, a ROM cartridge) storing a game program is mounted, The plurality of operation switches included in the operation device have a certain function, and the function cannot be changed by a program. For example, a controller of a home-use video game machine (product name “FAMILY COMPUTER”) manufactured and sold by the applicant of the present invention is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-159132 (corresponding to USP.
87200), a cross switch is provided on one (left) side of the operation surface of the housing, and the moving direction of the character is fixedly set by the up, down, left, and right of the cross switch. In addition, 2 on the other (right) side of the operating surface of the housing
Each push-button switch is provided, and the function of each push-button is fixedly set for each game software as a function other than the movement direction instruction (that is, an operation instruction switch for jumping, obtaining an item, making an attack, etc.). It was

[0003]

With the recent advancement and complexity of game contents, it is required to increase the number of operation switches. However, if the number of operation instruction switches is increased, the operation space is required accordingly. It becomes difficult to operate and may cause an incorrect operation. Therefore, it is desired that the same operation switch has a plurality of functions and that the function of each operation switch can be changed by a program.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a game system in which the function and / or definition of the operation switches included in the game machine operating device can be programmatically changed by the player's selection. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game system to which an operating device for a game machine is connected, which has excellent operability, can prevent erroneous operations, and can be applied to a wide variety of games.

[0006]

A game system according to the present invention is connected to a video game machine including a processing means for performing processing for a game based on a game program stored in a storage medium, and a video game machine. And a game machine operating device for inputting a signal for instructing and inputting a change in the game image when operated by the player, the game machine operating device comprising a housing, a first operating means, and a second operating device. It is composed of an operating means and a first substrate.

The housing is held by the left and right hands of the player. The first operation means is arranged on one side in the horizontal direction on the one main surface of the housing and at a position operable by a certain finger of one of the left and right hands of the player. Used for turning. The second operation means is arranged on the other side in the horizontal direction on the one main surface of the housing, at a position where it can be operated by a certain finger of the player's left or right hand, and is arranged at four intersecting positions. It has four push button switches. A circuit pattern is formed on the substrate such that an electric signal is derived in accordance with each operation of the first operating means and the second operating means. In addition to the game program processed by the processing means, the storage medium further stores a program (function setting program) for defining functions corresponding to at least four push button switches of the second operation means.

[0008]

The player sandwiches the housing with the palms of both hands and operates the first operation means and the second operation means with a certain finger (for example, thumb) on the left and right. The processing means performs the game processing corresponding to the function in which the signal based on the operation state of the second operation means is defined based on the function setting program.

[0009]

According to the present invention, in the second operation means having four push button switches arranged at four intersecting positions, the second operation means is an operation instruction operation for instructing the movement of the character. In addition to being used as a device, it can also be used as a direction instructing device for instructing the moving direction of the character by setting the functions of these four push button switches based on the function setting program. In addition, the function can be programmatically set arbitrarily by the player for each operation switch of at least the second operation means of the first operation means and the second operation means, and the definition of the operation switch can be changed. The system is obtained. As a result, the player can set the switch that generates the signal that is input most frequently to the switch that is arranged in the place where it is the easiest to operate according to the player's preference. More specifically, when the player frequently uses the function of jumping, even if the switch that generates a signal to jump in the initial state of the game is arranged in a position that is difficult for the player to operate, Switch that generates a signal to jump based on the function setting program prior to the start of
It can be set as a function of a switch arranged at a position where the player can easily input. Therefore, the first and / or second operating means can be easily operated, and the operability can be improved. Also, compared to the case where a large number of switches are provided for each function on one main surface of the housing,
It can prevent erroneous operation.

[0010]

1 and 2 are external views of an embodiment of a game machine operating device applied to a game system of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1 is a perspective view seen from the surface thereof, and FIG. The perspective view seen from the back surface is shown.

In the figure, a game machine operating device (or game machine operating device) 10 includes a housing 11. On one main surface (front surface) of the housing 11, a direction indicating operation device (also referred to as a direction indicating switch) 1 as an example of a first operation means.
2 and an operation instruction operation device (also referred to as an operation instruction switch) 13 which is an example of a second operation means are arranged on the left and right. In addition,
The arranging positions of the direction indicating operation device 12 and the operation indicating operation device 13 may be reversed right and left. Further, the housing 1 located above the direction indicating operation device 12 or the operation indicating operation device 13
At least one operation instruction operating device (also referred to as an operation instruction switch) 14 which is an example of a third operation means is provided on the side surface (back surface) of the first operation unit.

More preferably, the operation instruction manipulator 14 is
One pair (two in total) is provided on the left and right above the direction indicating operation unit 12 and the operation indicating operation unit 13. In the figure, when two operation instruction operating devices are provided, one is 14a and the other is 14a.
It is indicated by the reference numeral of b. The operation instruction manipulator 14 is used to instruct an operation state different from that of the operation instruction manipulator 13.

Further, in the game machine operating device 10, a select switch 15a and a start switch 15b are provided at an intermediate position between the direction instructing device 12 and the operation instructing device 13.

3 to 5 are detailed views of the operating device for a game machine, in particular, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the operating device seen from the back side, FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view, and FIG. Indicates.

Next, a detailed embodiment of the game console 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The housing 11 is divided into an upper half 111 and a lower half 112,
The plane shape is an eyeglass shape in which the central portion of the lower long side of the ellipse is cut out in a laterally elongated shape so that it can be easily grasped by the palm. The direction indicating operation device 12 is provided on one (left in the figure) arcuate portion, and the operation indicating operation device 13 is provided on the other arcuate portion. More preferably, the housing 1
In order to provide a stable feeling when grasped, and to make it easier to operate by fitting it to the player's hand, 1 has a swelling arcuate surface and a gentle back surface as shown in FIG. 5 described later. It is selected to have an arcuate shape.

The direction indicating operation device 12 is, for example, an actual open sho 58.
The technology disclosed in No. 159132 is used.
That is, the direction indicating operation device 12 includes a cross-shaped key top 121, a rubber contact 123 having four contacts 122 formed under the key top 121, and the rubber contact 123 having a contact circuit (not shown) formed therein. First substrate (main substrate) 1
It is placed on top of 6 and configured. The four contacts 122 and the contact circuit work as a switch for instructing one of the four directions of up, down, left and right by pressing one of the up, down, left and right push points of the key top 121. And the upper half 111
A hole 113 for inserting the key top 121 is formed in the left arc-shaped portion of the.

The operation instruction operation device 13 includes key switches 13a to 13d arranged at four positions which are orthogonal or intersect with each other. Each of the key switches 13a to 13d has a cylindrical key top 131. Each key top 131 is formed with a protrusion 132 protruding around the base thereof. Then, in the upper half 111, there are 4 orthogonal or intersecting.
An insertion hole 114 is formed at a predetermined distance from the center of the direction, and a cylindrical guide protrusion 115 is formed on the back surface thereof.
On the inner wall or side surface of the guide protrusion 115, the protrusion 132
A groove or streak-shaped notch 116 for guiding the is formed. Below the key tops 131, each key top 131
A rubber contact 133 is provided for elastically holding the. The rubber contact 133 is made of elastic rubber in which four contact portions 134 corresponding to the respective key tops 131 are integrally fixed. Then, the contact portions 1 of the rubber contacts 133 are provided on the portions of the substrate 16 located below the key tops 131.
A contact circuit (not shown) corresponding to 34 is formed. A cord 17 is connected to the board 16 in order to transmit the operating states of the switches 12, 13, 14 and 15 to a processing unit (CPU; not shown) of a game machine main body (not shown). In addition, the signal processing circuit 1 shown in FIG.
8 is attached.

These key switches 13a to 13d are
Which operation is performed is determined by the game program, and each key switch 1 is operated by the operating device 10 itself.
Since the functions of 3a to 13d are not specified, the A operation ~
It is called as a switch that directs the D operation. Therefore, the key tops 131 included in the surface of the upper half 111 or the key switches 13a to 13d corresponding to the respective positions.
The symbols A to D are attached to the respective surfaces of the.

The operation instruction operating device 14 (or 14a, 14)
b) includes a key top 141 having a narrow width and a narrower width than the thickness of the housing 11. This key top 141
Has one end (a part near the center) of the housing 11
Is rotatably supported by a shaft 142 supported by a bearing 117 formed on the back surface of the upper half 111, and the other end (a portion near either the left or right outer side of the housing 11).
Is an open end, and is arcuate along the arc of the housing 11 as it approaches the open end. Each key top 141
The inside of the open end of the rubber contact 14 has a contact portion 144 formed on the center back surface thereof and has a rectangular planar shape.
3 is arranged. A holding member 145 is formed integrally with the upper half 111 at the position of the key top 141 in the rotation direction. The holding member 145 serves as a stopper that regulates the rotation angle of the open end within a certain range, and the rubber contact 1
Hold 43. Specifically, the holding member 145 is formed by facing a pair of U-shaped protrusions having grooves into which the rubber contacts 143 can be inserted. In addition, rubber contact 1
A second substrate (auxiliary substrate) 146 is provided below 43 and the holding member 145. The substrate 146 is inserted into, for example, holes formed near the left and right corners of the substrate 16,
The substrate 16 is fixed in a state perpendicular to the substrate 16, and a contact circuit (not shown) corresponding to the contact portion 144 of the rubber contact 143 is formed on the surface thereof. Thereby, the key top 14
When 1 is rotated, the contact portion 144 of the rubber contact 143 is brought into parallel contact. The contact circuit of the substrate 146 is connected to a part of the circuit pattern of the substrate 16 via the lead wire 147.

Next, the game machine operating device 10 of this embodiment
The case of assembling will be described. First, the upper half 111 is placed face down as shown in FIG. 3, and the key top 1 is placed on the upper half 111.
21 is inserted downward into the hole 113, and the rubber contact 123 is placed thereon. Also, four key tops 1
31 is inserted into each hole 114 so that the protrusion 132 is guided by the guide protrusion 115, and the rubber contact 133 is inserted thereon.
Will be posted. In addition, the rubber contact 143 has the holding member 14
5, and one end of the two shafts 142 is inserted into each shaft hole 117, and then the hole formed at one end of each key top 141 is pivotally supported by the shaft 142. Further, the rubber contact 151 in which the select switch 15a and the start switch 15b are integrated is inserted into the hole 118 of the upper half 111. Then, with the substrate 146 positioned at a position facing the holding member 145, the substrate 16 is placed on the rubber contacts 123 and 133, and then the upper half 11
1 is covered with a lower half 112 and screwed.

As described above, when the operation instruction operation unit 13 is configured by arranging the four key switches 13a to 13d in four directions orthogonal to or intersecting each other, when the key switches 13a to 13d are pressed. It can be used as a game software operating device that requires two-direction directional operating devices by performing a determination process as one of up, down, left, and right directional instructions based on program processing. For example, in a game in which a tank is driven, the left turn indicator 12
Push the upper or lower push point to instruct forward or backward rotation of the tank's left caterpillar, and press the key switch 13a or 13d above or below the right operation instructing device 13 for the tank's right caterpillar. It is possible to instruct forward or backward rotation of the. As a result, the direction and operation instruction manipulators 12 and 1
When 3 is pressed, it moves forward (straight), when direction and operation instruction operating devices 12 and 13 are pressed down, it moves backward,
By pressing the upper side of either one of the direction and operation instruction operating devices 12 and 13 and the lower side of the other, it is possible to use it so that the lower side is swung. In the case of this tank game, the operation instruction manipulator 14 is used to issue a gun or missile launch command. In other words, in the game process, the game process is performed by associating a signal based on the operation state of the operation instructing operation device 13 with the function for which the function is set. Also,
Even in a game that requires only one system of direction indicating operation device, the operation indicating operation device 13 is used as a direction indicating operation device, while the up, down, left and right push points of the direction indicating operation device 12 are used as operation instruction operating devices. If you program it to be used as
It can also be used as a game console operating device that is easy for left-handed players to operate.

Thus, the motion instruction manipulator 13 can be used both as a motion command manipulator for instructing the motion of the character and a direction manipulating manipulator for instructing the moving direction of the character as in the conventional case. In this case, it is not necessary to increase the area of the main surface of the housing and it is not necessary to increase the number of operation switches as compared with the case where a second direction indicating operation device is newly provided separately from the operation indicating operation device 13. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the undesired operation switch from being accidentally pressed (erroneous operation), and by pressing the operation switch at a familiar position, a game machine operation device and a game system having excellent operability can be obtained.

By the way, in the above description, the case where one or two operation instruction operation devices 14 are provided on either one of the left and right sides or both of the left and right sides has been described. You may provide four pieces. That is, the housing 1
1 is made thicker and arranged in two rows on the left or right side of the housing, or two pieces are arranged in two rows each on the left and right (a total of four pieces are arranged), and the player uses the index finger and the middle finger of the left and right keys respectively. It may be configured to operate the top.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing a usage state of the game machine operating device. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Next, a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

The operating device 10 constructed as described above is
It is used as shown in FIG. That is, the player
Lightly grip the left and right arc-shaped portions of the housing 11 with the left and right palms, and move the position of the left thumb or change the inclination to press the four points of the cross-shaped key top 121 up, down, left and right. , The moving direction of the character or the cursor displayed on the game screen (not shown) is instructed. In this regard, the player instructs the operating state by pressing any one of the four key switches 13a to 13d while moving the position of the right thumb. Further, in connection with the operation of the direction instruction switch 12 and / or the operation instruction switch 13, the player moves the left and right forefinger (or middle finger) to the left and right key tops 1.
It is lightly applied to 41 and pressed respectively as needed. When the key top 141 is pushed by the tip of the index finger (or middle finger) or the ball part of the finger, the release end is pushed down with the one end pivotally supported as a fulcrum, and the rubber contact 143 in the housing 11 is pushed down to push down the substrate 146. By shorting the contact circuit, an electrical signal is derived from the contact circuit.

Referring to FIG. 7, the game system of this embodiment is basically the same as the game machine operation described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 on the television (or video) game machine main body 20. The game machine main body 20 is further equipped with a memory cartridge 30.

A signal processing circuit 18 is built in the game machine operating device 10. The signal processing circuit 18 includes a shift register capable of parallel input / serial output, and a signal indicating whether or not each operation switch 12, 13, 14a, 14b is pressed (ON or OFF) is given to a corresponding bit of the shift register. . The signal processing circuit 18 is provided in the game machine body 2
When a parallel write signal is given from a microprocessor (CPU) 21 of 0, each instruction operation device 12, 13 and 1
Switches 12a-12d, 13a-13 included in
The pressing signals based on the operations of d, 14a and 14b are read as parallel inputs, and when the serial read signal is given, the operation switches 12, 13, 1 are synchronized with the clock signal.
A signal indicating the operation state of 4a and 14b is output in series, and I
/ O port 22 to load bit serially. C
The PU 21 has an I / O port 2 based on a program in a memory (ROM) 31 included in the game cartridge 30.
The data indicating the operation state of the operating device 10 loaded in No. 2 is determined based on the program set in the memory 31, and the game process is executed according to the determination result.

The game processing is, for example, image processing for moving or changing the main character displayed on the game screen, and is executed by the image processing processor (PPU) 23 under the control of the programs of the CPU 21 and the memory 31. It At this time, the tone generator circuit 24 causes the CPU 2
1 and an analog signal for generating game music or sound effects under the control of the program of the memory 31.

The switch 1 included in the operation instruction operation unit 13
3a to 13d and the switches 14a and 14b included in the operation instruction manipulator 14 have an instruction function.
A program (that is, a program for defining the function as described in paragraph number 0021) so that the player can selectively set it at the start of the game.
Is stored in the ROM 31.

During the game, the CPU 21
Determines the function of the operated switch based on the switch definition program stored in the ROM 31, and executes the normal game processing based on the function of the switch determined to be the game program stored in the ROM 31. Run.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front side external perspective view of an example of a game machine operating device applied to a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the back side appearance of the game console of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the game console of FIG. 1 viewed from the back side.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the game console of FIG.

5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a main part of the game machine operating device shown in FIG. 1;

6 is an illustrative view showing a usage state of the game machine operating device in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention (FIG.
Block diagram of the game console system to which the controller for the game console of

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Game console operating device 11 housing 12 Directional operating device as an example of first operating device 13 Operation instruction operation device as an example of second operation device 14 Operation instruction operation device as an example of third operation device 141 key top 143 rubber contact 145 holding member 146 substrate 16 substrates 20 Game console body 30 memory cartridge 31 ROM that stores programs

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A video game machine including processing means for carrying out processing for a game based on a game program stored in a storage medium, and a change of a game image connected to the video game machine and operated by a player. A game machine operating device for inputting a signal for instructing input of the game machine, wherein the game machine operating device is a housing grasped by the left and right hands of a player, and a horizontal direction on one main surface of the housing. First operation means arranged on one side in the direction and operable by a finger of one of the left and right hands of the player, and used at least for indicating the direction of the character by the operation, the housing It is the other side in the horizontal direction on one main surface and is a position that can be operated by a finger of the other hand of the player on either side. And a second operation means having four push button switches arranged at four intersecting points, and an electric signal is derived in response to each operation of the first operation means and the second operation means. The storage medium defines a function corresponding to at least four push button switches of the second operation means, in addition to the game program processed by the processing means. A function setting program for attaching is further stored, and the processing means sets the functions of the plurality of push points of the second operating means based on the function setting program, and the processing means sets the function of the second operating means. A game system, wherein a game process is performed by causing a signal based on an operation state to correspond to the defined function. 2. A video game machine including processing means for carrying out processing for a game based on a game program stored in a storage medium, and a change of a game image when connected to the video game machine and operated by a player. A game machine operating device for inputting a signal for instructing input of the game machine, wherein the game machine operating device is a housing grasped by the left and right hands of a player, and a horizontal direction on one main surface of the housing. First operation means arranged on one side in the direction and operable by a finger of one of the left and right hands of the player, and used at least for indicating the direction of the character by the operation, the housing It is the other side in the horizontal direction on one main surface and is a position that can be operated by a finger of the other hand of the player on either side. And a second operation means having four push button switches arranged at four intersecting points, and an electric signal is derived in response to each operation of the first operation means and the second operation means. The storage medium defines a function corresponding to at least four push button switches of the second operation means, in addition to the game program processed by the processing means. A function setting program for attaching is further stored, and the processing means sets the functions of the plurality of push points of the second operating means based on the function setting program, and the processing means sets the function of the second operating means. A game process is performed by making a signal based on an operation state correspond to the defined function, whereby the second operation unit is operated by a player. Wherein the direction instruction operation unit for instructing the moving direction of the character for the game, that is usable by switching operation instruction and functionally operating device for instructing the movement of the character, the game system.