JP2001046748A - Tv game device, and control signal transmitting method for tv game - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device capable of facilitating the storage of a controller. SOLUTION: A game station 2 to/from which a software cartridge for a game can be inserted/removed is placed on a TV 1, an output end of the game station 2 is connected to an AV input terminal of the TV 1, and users 8, 9 operate operation means of controllers 6, 7, so wireless remote control signals S1, S2 are transmitted from the controllers 6, 7. The remote control signals S1, S2 are received by a signal receiving part 12 provided in the game station 2, thereby video signals to control game software in the game software cartridge 11 are outputted from the game station 2 based on the remote control signals S1, S2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless remote control signal (hereinafter, referred to as a "remote control signal") from a controller when a user operates an operating means of the controller.
The present invention relates to a video game device and a video game control signal transmission method that allow a user to enjoy a video game with a wireless remote control by transmitting “remote control” to a game station.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, when a video game device is used to enjoy a video game, a game station 2 is first connected to an AV input terminal (audio / visual input terminal) of a television receiver 1 as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 6 is connected to the input terminal of the game station 2 via the cords 4 and 5, and the television receiver 1 and the game station 2 are connected to the power outlet 10. In this state, the game software cartridge 11 is removably loaded into the game station 2, and the users 8 and 9 operate the operation means such as predetermined switches provided on the controllers 6 and 7, respectively. A control signal is transmitted to the game station 2 through the codes 4 and 5.
Based on the control signal, the game software installed in the game software cartridge 11 is controlled, and the data is transmitted from the game station 2 to the television receiver 1 through the code 3, and the game image is displayed on the television receiver 1. It is projected.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional video game apparatus, the codes 4, 5 are provided between the game station 2 and the controllers 6, 7, respectively.
This code is connected to Game Station 2
And the controllers 6 and 7.
For this reason, it becomes a troublesome state between the users 8 and 9 and the television receiver 1, and when a person crosses between the users 8 and 9 and the television receiver 1, the cords 4 and 5 become an obstacle,
As the number of controllers connected to the game station 2 increases, the number of codes increases, which further complicates the game. Accordingly, in some cases, a person crossing between the television receiver 1 and the controllers 6 and 7 may trip.

Further, when the video game device is cleared after the game is over, storing the codes 4 and 5 becomes troublesome.
Further, the distance between the game station 2 and the controllers 6, 7 is
Are limited to the lengths of the cords 4 and 5 connecting the user, and when the number of users increases, the users come into contact with each other and become troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and facilitates storage of a controller, allows a user to play a game at an arbitrary distance from a game station, and allows the users to play games. It is an object of the present invention to provide a video game device and a video game control signal transmission method that can comfortably enjoy a video game by eliminating complexity due to contact.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a method for transmitting a control signal for a video game according to the present invention comprises: a game station having a game software cartridge removably mounted therein; A wireless remote control signal from the controller to the game station.

Further, the television game apparatus of the present invention has a receiving unit connected to an AV input terminal of a television receiver, removably loaded with a game software cartridge, and receiving a wireless remote control signal. A game station, and a controller for transmitting the wireless remote control signal to the reception unit by a user's operation of an operation unit.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a video game device and a video game control signal transmission method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the video game device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the same parts as those in the conventional example of FIG. The game station 2 may be installed at a predetermined position. In the first embodiment, the case where the game station 2 is mounted on the upper surface of the television receiver 1 is exemplified. An output terminal of the game station 2 is connected to an AV input terminal of the television receiver 1 through a cord 3. Note that a terminal for inputting an image signal and an audio signal can be used as the AV input terminal. As the AV input terminal, for example, an input terminal dedicated to a video game for inputting an image signal and an audio signal output from a game station, and a video input terminal for inputting an image signal and an audio signal output from a video recorder There is.

[0009] The television receiver 1 and the games station 2 are both connected to a power outlet 10. The game station 2 is loaded with a game software cartridge 11 that can be inserted and removed. The parts up to the above are the same as the conventional example shown in FIG. However, the first embodiment is different from the above-described conventional example in the following points, and is a feature of the first embodiment.

That is, the connection between the game station 2 and the plurality of controllers 6 and 7 is different from the connection by the above-mentioned cable by wire, and the controllers 6 and 7 are wirelessly connected.
By operating operating means such as a switch, a joystick, a stack pointer, and the like provided on the remote controller 7, remote control signals S1 and S2 are transmitted. The remote control signals S1 and S2 are provided on the front of the game station 2 and are received by the receiver 12. This wireless remote control signal S1,
S2 is transmitted by a predetermined control signal transmission medium such as ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, and radio waves.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the video game device according to the present invention configured as described above will be described. In the description of this operation, the method of transmitting a control signal of a video game according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the television receiver 1 and the game station 2 are brought into an operable state in which the television receiver 1 and the game station 2 are connected to the power outlet 10.

In this state, first, although not shown in FIG. 1, push buttons and the like as operating means provided on the upper surfaces of the controllers 6 and 7 are used by the users 8 and 9.
Are operated, the remote control signals S1 and S2 are transmitted to the game station 2 wirelessly according to the operation of the push button switch.

The push button switch includes, for example,
To indicate the up, down, left, and right directions, an upward “△” mark, a downward “▽” mark, a left horizontal “△” mark, a right horizontal “△” mark, and the like are provided. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, switches provided with “+” marks may be provided at predetermined positions on the upper surfaces of the controllers 6 and 7 instead of or in combination with the above “Δ” marks. . Further, although not shown, a track point or a joystick may be provided.

In any case, these push switches,
By operating operation means such as a track pointer and a joystick, a wireless remote control signal S
1 and S2 are transmitted to the game station 2. The remote control signals S1 and S2 are received by the receiver 12 of the game station 2. By receiving the control signal in the receiving unit 12, the game software of the game software cartridge 11 loaded in the game station 2 is executed based on the control signal corresponding to the operation means of the controllers 6 and 7, and The content of the executed game software is displayed on the television receiver 1.

As described above, the remote control signals S1 and S2 are wirelessly transmitted between the game station 2 and the controllers 6 and 7 without using a code. When the is stored in a storage or the like, the cord does not become an obstacle as in the above-described conventional example, and the storage becomes easier. Also, a wireless remote control signal S
1 and S2, the game station 2
Is set on the upper surface of the television receiver 1, for example, so that the distance between the television receiver 1 and the users 8, 9 is 5 m,
m, the user can enjoy the game even at a distance such as m. Therefore, even when a person crosses between the users 8 and 9 and the television receiver 1, the player can stay between the game station 2 and the controllers 6 and 7. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of inaccuracies such as stumbling on the tecord.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the video game apparatus and the video game control signal transmission method according to the present invention. In the first embodiment, when the game station 2 is set on the upper surface of the television receiver 1 and the remote control signals S1 and S2 are transmitted wirelessly from the controllers 6 and 7,
In some cases, transmission is performed using a medium having a straight line such as infrared rays or microwaves. In such a case, if the controllers 6 and 7 are arranged obliquely with respect to the game station 2 and the television receiver 1 and approximately five controllers are arranged side by side, 7, remote control signals S1, S2,.
May not reach the receiver 12 of the game station 2.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, a relay station 13 is installed between the game station 2 and the controllers 6, 7,... (In the second embodiment, about five controllers are used). . A receiving unit 14 is provided at a predetermined position on the front side of the relay station 13. A transmission unit (not shown) is provided on the back side of the relay station 13. By providing the receiving unit 14 and the transmitting unit in the relay station 13 in this manner, the wireless remote control signals S1, S2,... Sn transmitted from the controllers 6, 7,.
4 and transmitted from the transmission section of the relay station 13 to the reception section 12 of the game station 2 again.
11 can also be transmitted.

By providing the relay station 13 as described above, when about five controllers 6, 7,... Are arranged side by side, the remote controller transmitted from the controller not facing the front from the game station 2 Even if the signals S1, S2,... Sn exist, the signals can be transmitted to the game station 2 via the receiving unit 14 and the transmitting unit of the relay station 13 without any trouble. Therefore, a game with a plurality of people can be enjoyed without facing the front of the television receiver 1. In each of the above embodiments, the case where the controllers 6, 7,... Are separately provided has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
May be stored in the same case so that the operation means can be operated from the upper surface of the case.

[0019]

As described above, according to the video game control signal transmitting method of the present invention, the wireless remote control signal is transmitted from the controller to the game station. In this case, the code is not in the way, and it is easy to store the controller when the controller is stored after the game is over, and if the game station is set on the television receiver, it can be separated by a predetermined distance at a relatively long interval. Even can play video games.

Further, according to the video game apparatus of the present invention, since the control signal is wirelessly transmitted from the controller to the game station, it is not necessary to lay a code between the game station and the controller. The code is not in the way, and the controller can be easily stored when the controller is stored after the game is over.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of a video game device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the video game device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a conventional video game device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... TV receiver, 2 ... Game station, 3 ...
... Code, 6,7 ... Controller, 8,9 ... User, 10 ... Power outlet, 11 ... Game software cartridge, 12,14 ... Reception unit, 13 ...
... Relay station, S1, S2, S11, Sn ... Remote control signal.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A game station in which a game software cartridge is removably mounted is connected to an AV input terminal of a television receiver, and a wireless remote control signal is transmitted from a controller to the game station. A control signal transmission method for a video game. 2. The video game control signal transmission method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless remote control signal is transmitted to the game station via a relay station. 3. The video game control signal transmission method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless remote control signal is an ultrasonic wave. 4. The video game control signal transmission method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless remote control signal is infrared. 5. The video game control signal transmission method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless remote control signal is a radio wave. 6. An AV input terminal of the television receiver receives an image signal and an audio signal output from a video recorder or a video game dedicated input terminal for inputting an image signal and an audio signal output from the game station. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input terminal is a video input terminal for inputting. 7. A game station connected to an AV input terminal of a television receiver, having a receiving section for removably loading a game software cartridge and receiving a wireless remote control signal, and operation means for a user. And a controller for transmitting the wireless remote control signal to the receiving unit by the operation of (1). 8. The wireless communication system according to claim 8, wherein
8. The video game device according to claim 7, wherein a remote control signal is transmitted to said game station via a relay station. 9. The video game apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the wireless remote control signal is based on an ultrasonic wave. 10. The video game apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said wireless remote control signal is based on infrared rays. 11. The wireless remote control signal according to claim 7, wherein the signal is a radio wave.
Or the video game device according to claim 8. 12. An AV input terminal of the television receiver,
A video input terminal for inputting an image signal and an audio signal output from a video recorder, or a video game input terminal for inputting an image signal and an audio signal output from the game station. Item 12. The video game device according to any one of Items 7 to 11.