JP2002066130A - Game device and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] An object of the present invention is to realize a rhythm game in which a player can actively play a game many times without causing fatigue. SOLUTION: A game device stores words in association with a rank of a hitting pattern of a Japanese drum and a number of a bar to be inputted. Then, it is determined which rank the hit pattern input by the player corresponds to,
Words corresponding to the determined rank and the input measure number are sequentially selected to generate and display a sentence. For example,
According to the correspondence table 100 shown in FIG.
When the performance of rank C is input in the bar, the word "of father" is selected. Subsequently, if the player performs in the order of rank B in the second measure, rank B in the third measure, rank A in the fourth measure, rank A in the fifth measure, and so on, the final result is that "the father's mole , Came to my eyes, waited for me, sunny stage ".

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine for executing a given rhythm game by determining an input pattern of a player.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various games (hereinafter referred to as rhythm games), such as music games and dance games, that appeal to the rhythm and sound of a player have been developed. There are various types of these games. For example, there is a case where a player simply performs input according to performance symbols displayed on a display in accordance with music to be output without the purpose of clearing an enemy character or obstacle. In such a game, the player's sense of rhythm is questioned, and how to grasp the timing of input is the key to the progress of the game. That is, rather than enjoying the development of the game, the user enjoys the music and rhythm itself. As an input method, a type of pressing a button of a controller, a performance type of hitting, touching or pressing an input device imitating a musical instrument,
Alternatively, there is a dance type in which the game device detects the movement of the player and makes a determination.

[0003]

In such a rhythm game, it is common to provide a player with a problem by displaying a performance or dance instruction. That is, the player only passively clears the displayed music / dance, and the player does not actively perform the input freely. In addition, there are few games that judge the player's active input and evaluate or display a corresponding effect.

The form of response to a player's input varies depending on the type of rhythm game. However, in a game that simply asks the player for a sense of rhythm, a score corresponding to good input timing is output. It is common to evaluate by By this score evaluation, the player grasps his or her sense of sound and rhythm and aims for a high score for himself, and stimulates the competitiveness by publishing the obtained score to his friends, magazines, Internet websites, etc. Have fun playing the same song or step again. However, the evaluation based on the score alone is not attractive enough to challenge the same game stage again when the player clears the game once, obtains the highest score, or gets tired of the song or step.

[0005] Alternatively, a trial is performed such that the player cannot go to the next stage unless a predetermined song or step is cleared, and the player reaches the final stage by performing trials one after another, completing all stages. There are also things that can be done. In such a game, the player must clear the current stage
You will play the same stage many times, but for beginners who do not have a sense of input operation or those who have no sense of sound or rhythm, if the game does not progress as expected, it will make you feel that it is not interesting There is fear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to realize a rhythm game in which a player can actively play a game many times without causing fatigue.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, a storage means for storing a plurality of fixed patterns and a plurality of expressions in association with each other (for example, FIG. An input pattern is generated based on the input table of the player detected by the input detection means (for example, the input unit 10 shown in FIG. 14) and the input detection means for detecting the input of the player. And an input pattern generation unit (e.g., an input pattern generation unit 220 shown in FIG. 14) for performing a similar operation to the input pattern generated by the input pattern generation unit from among a plurality of fixed patterns stored in the storage unit. And a determination unit for determining an expression corresponding to the selected fixed pattern (for example, a similarity determination unit 222 shown in FIG. 24), the determination unit display and / or output to output means for the determined represented by (e.g., characterized by comprising a display unit 30) of Figure 14, the.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information storage medium for storing information for executing a given game by giving a given expression in response to an input from a player,
An input pattern is generated based on information for storing a plurality of fixed patterns and a plurality of expressions in association with each other and an input of the player, and a pattern similar to the input pattern is generated from the plurality of fixed patterns. When selected, information for displaying or / and outputting an expression corresponding to the selected fixed pattern is provided.

Here, the expression includes sounds, music, images, sentences, characters, and the like. For example, in a dance game, when a movement of a player is detected and a similar fixed pattern is selected, an image corresponding to the fixed pattern is determined, and the image is displayed on a display. To output an expression, the expression is displayed on a display screen, output as sound, FD, MD,
This includes storing in a storage medium such as a memory or printing on paper or the like.

According to the first or tenth aspect of the present invention, the game apparatus selects a fixed pattern similar to the input pattern based on the player's input, determines and displays an expression corresponding to the fixed pattern. Or output. Therefore, the player can perform an original free input and enjoy an expression corresponding to the free input, instead of a monotonous way of enjoying (inputting) the content set by the game device faithfully.

Further, as in the invention according to claim 2, in the game device according to claim 1, the expression may be a linguistic expression. Here, the linguistic expression means including a phrase, a sentence, a word, a character, a phrase, or the like.

[0012] Also, as in the invention according to claim 11, in the information storage medium according to claim 10, the expression may be a linguistic expression.

According to the second or eleventh aspect of the present invention, the player can enjoy the linguistic expression displayed or output from the game device in response to his / her own input.
For example, if the name of a fixed pattern is displayed in response to the input by the player, the player can grasp which pattern the result of freely input corresponds to.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the game apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the input pattern generating means sequentially generates input patterns at given intervals as time elapses. The determination means may sequentially determine expressions based on the sequentially generated input patterns, so that a continuous series of expressions may be output to the player by the output means.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the information storage medium according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, the input patterns are sequentially generated at given intervals as time passes, and the input patterns are sequentially generated. By determining the expressions sequentially based on the input pattern, information for outputting a continuous series of expressions to the player may be stored.

According to the third or twelfth aspect of the present invention, an input pattern based on the player's input is sequentially generated as time passes. In addition, the sequentially generated input patterns are determined to be similar to the standard patterns. Therefore,
Since a plurality of fixed patterns are selected for a plurality of input patterns by the player, a plurality of expressions corresponding to the fixed patterns are also selected. For this reason, a continuous series of expressions is formed by a combination of a plurality of expressions, and the variety of expressions can be increased.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the game apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the storage means stores the plurality of fixed patterns and / or the expressions in a given format. The input pattern generation unit generates an input pattern at the given interval, and the determination unit selects the input pattern from the plurality of fixed patterns stored in the storage unit. The fixed pattern similar to the input pattern generated by the input pattern generating means may be selected in accordance with the input interval of the player, and an expression corresponding to the selected fixed pattern may be determined.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information storage medium according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects, the plurality of fixed patterns or / and expressions are divided at predetermined intervals. Separately storing and generating an input pattern at the given interval, and selecting a fixed pattern similar to the input pattern from the fixed pattern and / or the expression corresponding to the interval at which the input pattern was generated. At the same time, information for determining an expression corresponding to the selected fixed pattern may be stored.

According to the fourth or thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of fixed patterns and / or expressions are sorted and stored at predetermined intervals. Then, a pattern similar to the input pattern is selected from the stored fixed patterns according to the interval at which the input pattern is generated based on the player's input, and an expression corresponding to the selected fixed pattern can be determined. Therefore, for example, if a given interval is defined as a bar in music and different expressions are made to correspond to each bar with respect to the standard pattern, two input patterns based on the player's input will be one and the same standard pattern. Even if it is determined that the input pattern is similar to the pattern, different measures are selected if the measures in which the input pattern is generated are different. Therefore, it is possible to generate a series of sentences based on continuous input by the player by associating phrases such as subjects, modifiers, and predicates with each fixed phrase as an expression for each fixed pattern. Becomes

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the game apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the storage means determines whether or not the fixed pattern can be selected by the determination means, or Along with storing the determination target availability of the expression corresponding to each fixed pattern separately, based on the selection history of the fixed pattern by the determination unit, selection availability of the fixed pattern stored in the storage unit, Alternatively, changing means for changing whether or not the expression can be determined (for example, the rendering unit 22 shown in FIG.
4) may be provided.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information storage medium according to any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the plurality of fixed patterns or the plurality of forms of the selection object for the expression are divided. In addition to storing the information separately, information for changing the form of selection of the selection of the fixed pattern or the expression may be stored based on the selection history of the fixed pattern.

According to the invention of claim 5 or 14, based on the selection history of the fixed pattern, it is possible to change the fixed pattern to be subsequently selected or the availability of the expression to be determined. Therefore,
For example, when the history of the input by the player becomes a specific selection history, the expression A is made to correspond to the fixed pattern a selected thereafter, but when any other input is executed, Then the fixed pattern a selected
A special expression (hidden expression) can be provided, for example, such that expression B is made to correspond to. in this way,
By providing an expression that is not executed unless a specific input is made, it is possible to diversify the effect of the game and double the player's desire to play the game.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the game apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the fixed pattern or the expression has an attribute, respectively.
It is also possible to provide a rendering means for performing a rendering in accordance with the attribute of the fixed pattern selected by the determining means or the attribute of the expression determined by the determining means.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information storage medium according to any one of the tenth to fourteenth aspects, wherein the fixed pattern or the expression is stored with an attribute added thereto. Information for performing an effect according to the attribute of the fixed pattern or expression selected based on the input pattern may be stored.

According to the present invention, not only the expression based on the input pattern is executed for the input from the player, but also an effect corresponding to the fixed pattern or the attribute added to the expression. Can be performed.
For example, an effect such as adding an attribute such as + or-to each expression, executing the expression selected for the input pattern by the player, and displaying a character according to the attribute can be performed. in this way,
In addition to executing one expression (effect) corresponding to the fixed pattern selected by the player's input, a plurality of effects can be executed in association with the selected fixed pattern. For this reason, the player can enjoy the game from multiple sides.

The effect by the expression selected in accordance with the input pattern and the effect according to the attribute may be effects independent of each other or effects assisting each other. For example, by adding an attribute as a score to each fixed pattern, executing the expression corresponding to the fixed pattern selected by the player input, and displaying the score of the selected fixed pattern, such as presentation by the expression and attributes, etc. May be independent of each other. Alternatively, in the case where a sentence is generated as an expression, the effect may be a mutually assisting effect, such as making a character determined by an attribute added to each expression (words, characters, etc.) read the generated sentence. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the game apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects includes a performance instructing unit for instructing the player to perform a given music. A game device for executing a music performance game by determining the level of input of the player with respect to the given music, and executing the performance instruction means in one or a plurality of parts of the given music. Instead, the input pattern generation unit and the determination unit may be made effective. Here, the one or more parts in the music may be a part in one piece of music, or may be a plurality of discrete parts,
It may be all in one song.

According to the invention of claim 7, in one music (for example, in one music), the game device gives a music performance to the player, and the player can play freely. Two types can be provided. Therefore, the player can passively execute the given performance or, conversely, actively perform the free performance.

[0029] In the game apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the performance instructing means may instruct the performance of the given music in measure units of the question music. When giving a performance instruction, the name of the bar may be displayed.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the name of the measure can be displayed in the performance instruction executed in units of measures. Therefore, for example, if the name of the bar is displayed immediately before the performance instruction of the bar is displayed, if the player has memorized the performance of the bar, the player can see the name of the bar well, and thus the player can view the bar name well. It is possible to play and develop a more interesting game for the player. Also, by displaying the names of measures in this way, it is possible to provide the player with an opportunity to store a plurality of performances in association with the names. For this reason, the player can not only perform the memorized measures better at the timing that he / she can freely play, but also enjoy various expressions and effects by performing as desired.

In the case of percussion instruments such as taiko and Japanese taiko,
Generally, there are several performance patterns, and it is relatively easy to determine the similarity between an input pattern and a fixed pattern stored in the game device in advance. Therefore,
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the game device according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the input detection means may have a shape imitating a Japanese drum.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, the present invention will be described as being applied to a professional taiko game device in which a player performs a music performance by hitting an input device imitating a taiko with a repellent, but the present invention is applied. Things are not limited to this.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the Japanese drum game device according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure,
An input device imitating a Japanese drum (hereinafter, Japanese drum input device 1) is provided in a housing 300 of the Japanese drum game device in the present embodiment.
10), an operation key 308 for the player to operate a selection screen and the like, a speaker 310 for generating sound effects and music, a woofer 312 for generating bass, and a display 314 for displaying a game screen. Etc. are provided. In FIG. 1, a Japanese drum input device 11 is shown.
Two 0s are provided, one of which is operated by the first player, and the other is operated by the second player.

FIG. 2 shows the Japanese drum input device 110 shown in FIG.
It is the external appearance perspective view which expanded. As shown in FIG. 2, the Japanese drum input device 110 includes a cylindrical side portion and a hit portion 120 for detecting an input by a player's repulsion (an impact by being hit). An impact (pressure) sensor is fixed to the hit portion 120. When an input (strike) by the player is detected, an electric signal corresponding to the detected striking force is generated and output to a processing system of the main unit of the Japanese drum game device. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the hitting portion 120 includes a substantially circular circular region 122 and a ring-shaped circular region 12 serving as an outer edge thereof.
6 and these areas are further divided into left and right parts. That is, the hit portion 120 includes the right semicircular region 124a, the left semicircular region 124b, and the right semicircular region 1
28a and a left semicircular arc region 128b, each of which is provided with an impact sensor to independently detect a striking force. That is, the right semicircular region 124a and the right semicircular region 128a are for mainly detecting the right hand, and the left semicircular region 124b and the left semicircular region 128b are for mainly detecting the left hand input.

Also, in general, when the central portion of the skind surface of a Japanese drum is hit, a low sound "don" sounds and the side (edge)
When you hit, a slightly dry sound is heard
Right semi-circular region 124a and left semi-circular region 1 of hit portion 120
When an input to the right half-arc region 128a and the left half-arc region 128b is detected, a lightly dry sound such as "cut" is output when an input to the right half-arc region 128a and the left half-arc region 128b are detected. It is constituted so that. In the following, the right semicircular region 124a and the left semicircular region 12
There are two types of hits detected by the hit portion 120 with respect to 4b: normal "don" and "strong hit" when hitting harder. On the other hand, the impact detected by the impacted portion 120 on the right semi-arc region 128a and the left semi-arc region 128b is:
One type of "cut".

In the Japanese drum game device according to the present embodiment, the player enjoys the game by hitting the Japanese drum input device 110 shown in FIG. The Japanese drum performance game according to the present invention includes a question mode and an ad-lib mode. The question mode is a mode in which the player plays the Japanese drum input device 110 in accordance with the performance symbols displayed on the display 314. On the other hand, the ad-lib mode is a mode in which the player freely plays the Japanese drum input device 110.

FIG. 4A shows an example of performance symbols displayed on the display 314 in the question mode. According to the figure, the performance symbols in the Japanese drum performance game according to the present embodiment include a don symbol 500, a bracket symbol 502, and a blow symbol 504. The don symbol 500 is the right semicircular region 1 in the Japanese drum input device 110.
24a or the left semicircular region 124b
Is the right half arc region 128a or the left half arc region 128b
Indicates hitting. In addition, a hard hit symbol 504 indicates that the right semicircular region 124a or the left semicircular region 124b is hit. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image in the question mode. According to FIG. 4B, performance symbol movement areas 512 and 514 are displayed on the left and right sides of the character 510 existing at the center. The performance symbols are output from the upper ends of the performance symbol movement areas 512 and 514, and hit positions 516 and 158 below the character 510.
Move up to. The player indicates that the playing symbol is the hit position 51.
At 6,158, the Japanese drum input device 110 is hit (input) at a proper timing.

On the other hand, in the ad-lib mode, the player
A desired performance can be freely performed. And
The Japanese drum game device generates a sentence as a result of the player's free performance and displays the sentence on the display 314. In the present embodiment, a sentence for the performance of the player is generated using the characteristics of the Japanese drum. In general, Japanese drums have some basic striking patterns, and a song is created by combining a plurality of these patterns. That is, the basic striking pattern of a Japanese drum is made to correspond to a plurality of words (for example, phrases and words, etc.), words corresponding to the pattern played (input) by the player are selected, and the sentences are arranged in order. Generate.

Note that the ad-lib mode and the question mode are
Although each game may be set as a completely independent game, a Japanese drum playing game in which the ad-lib mode and the question mode are mixed in one song will be described in detail below.

Hereinafter, a method of generating a sentence in the ad-lib mode will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence table 100 that stores words output for a batting pattern input by a player in association with the rank of the input pattern and the bar number. According to the figure, an ad-lib performance of five measures is defined in one tune. The correspondence table 100 stores different words according to the rank of the pattern and the number of the bar in the song. Then, depending on the player, 5
When one blow pattern is input, words are determined according to the rank of each pattern and the order of input, and are connected to finally generate a sentence. For example, according to the correspondence table 100 shown in FIG. 5, when the player inputs a performance of rank C in the first measure, the word "of father" is selected. Next, when the player inputs a performance of rank B in the second bar, the word "mole" is selected. The player continues to rank B in the third measure,
If the performance is performed in the order of rank A in the fourth measure, rank A in the fifth measure, the sentence "Father's mole, come to my eyes, wait long, fine stage" will be completed. Becomes

Further, as shown in FIG.
Each of the words stored in 00 is set with an attribute such as + or-. The Japanese drum game device generates and displays a sentence as a result of the player performing the ad-lib performance, and executes an effect corresponding to a combination of attributes added to the words in the generated sentence. In particular,
When the player has finished playing one song, the Japanese drum game device determines the attributes added to the selected word, and displays a character corresponding to the number of each attribute. For example, if a word with an attribute of + is selected for all five measures, a strong wrestler character is selected, if + is one for -4, a salaryman character is selected, and so on. The character is set corresponding to. Then, an effect is performed in which the character determined according to the generation of the text is made to read the generated text.

As described above, the attributes are added to the words, the sentence is displayed as a result of the player's input, and the display according to the combination of the attributes of the selected words is executed. It can be further expanded. Further, if the attributes are set irrespective of the rank of the fixed pattern, the player can enjoy the effect regardless of whether the input is good or bad.

According to the correspondence table 100 shown in FIG. 5, one word corresponds to one rank and one bar number. In this way, one word may correspond to the combination of each rank and bar number, but the word to be selected may be changed under some conditions. That is, in the ad-lib mode, when the player performs a specific input,
In the following measures, hidden words that are not selected when other inputs are made are displayed. In particular,
For example, a history of a fixed pattern or a rank determined to be similar to the input pattern is stored, and some words in the correspondence table in subsequent bars are changed according to the history. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence table 100 when a hidden word is provided, and shows a case where an ad-lib performance of five measures is defined in one music. According to the figure, when the ranks of A, B, C, and A are sequentially selected for the player input of the first four measures, 5
The word of the bar is determined from the hidden table 102. On the other hand, when a rank other than the above combination is selected for the player input of the first four measures, the word of the fifth measure is determined from the normal correspondence table 100.

Of course, it is not necessary to limit the combination of ranks (that is, the history of inputs that can be used by the hidden table) to one type, and a plurality of types may be used. Also, the hidden table changed according to the history in the correspondence table is
One type may be used, or a plurality of types may be set corresponding to each history. As described above, by setting the hidden words according to the input history of the player, the generated sentences can be diversified, and the player can execute various patterns to entertain.

The process of determining which rank a player's performance falls into is performed by determining which of a plurality of pre-stored fixed patterns the input pattern generated based on the player's input is similar to. Done by The fixed pattern is data necessary for reproducing a hit pattern of a Japanese drum, and is data serving as a reference for determining which hit pattern the input pattern is similar to. In addition, a rank according to the difficulty level is added to the fixed pattern.

The input pattern will be described below.
The processing system of the Japanese drum game device generates an input pattern in one bar based on the player's input detected by the Japanese drum input device 110. That is, the time of one bar is defined, and an input pattern is generated based on the player's input detected within the defined time. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the input pattern. The data configuration is composed of 48 character strings corresponding to the right and left sides of the Japanese drum input device 110, respectively. Specifically, the time of one defined bar is divided into 48 equal parts, it is determined whether or not an input is detected within the divided time, and a character corresponding to the input result is applied. On the right side of the Japanese drum input device 110, the corresponding character is a character “1” for normal input in the right semicircular region 124a, a character “2” for a hard hit in the right semicircular region 124a, and a character “2” in the right semicircular region 128a. The input is the character “3”, and the case where no input in any area is detected is the character “0”.

Similar characters are assigned to the left semicircular region 124b and the left semicircular arc region 128b. Then, data of 48 characters are generated on the right and left sides of the Japanese drum input device 110, respectively, and the two are set as a set to form an input pattern of one bar. The input pattern shown in FIG.
The first line is data detected on the right side of the Japanese drum input device 110, and the second line is data detected on the left side of the Japanese drum input device 110.

Next, the fixed pattern will be described. As with the input pattern, the data configuration of the fixed pattern
Defined by a string of eight characters. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a fixed pattern in one bar. The fixed pattern shown in FIG. 8A has a rest “0”, a right semicircular region 124a and a left semicircular region 124b.
(Hereinafter simply referred to as semicircular region 124) bang “2”,
The combination of the right half-arc region 128a and the left half-arc region 128b (hereinafter, simply referred to as the semi-circular region 128) with the hit “3” makes it possible to obtain “Dodon-Dodon.
It expresses the sound of "kakakaka". Similarly, FIG.
The fixed pattern shown in (b) has a rest “0”, a hit “1” in the semicircular area 124, and a hit “3” in the semicircular area 128.
It is composed of the following and expresses the sound of "don-ka-don-ka". In addition, the fixed pattern shown in FIG. 8C is composed of a rest “0” and a hit “1” in the semicircular region 124, and expresses a sound “Don Don Don Don”. In this way, a basic striking pattern played relatively frequently on a Japanese drum is represented by character string data and stored as a fixed pattern.

The rank of the fixed pattern is set according to the difficulty of hitting the fixed pattern. For example, in FIG. 8, the fixed pattern shown in FIG. 8A is a pattern of a somewhat difficult hit because of a large number of hits in one bar with a strong hit, and a high rank is set (for example, a rank A and a high rank). Do). On the other hand, the fixed pattern shown in (b) is considered to be a simple striking pattern because the timing for hitting is simpler and the hitting strength does not need to be changed as compared with the fixed pattern in (a). Can be Therefore, this is set to the rank below the fixed pattern shown in (a) (for example, rank B). Further, since the fixed pattern of (c) simply hits the semicircular region 124 monotonously with the same strength, it is considered to be the simplest fixed pattern among the three fixed patterns, and this is set to the lowest rank. (For example, rank C). In this way, the ranks are assigned according to the difficulty level of the standard patterns and the number of the standard patterns.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a fixed pattern table 130 in which fixed patterns and their ranks are stored in association with each other. The fixed pattern table 130 is a table used when an input pattern is generated and a pattern most similar to the input pattern is selected. Also, a rank is stored in association with each fixed pattern.
Therefore, when the fixed pattern most similar to the input pattern is determined, the corresponding rank can be read. Note that the relationship between a fixed pattern and a rank may be one-to-one, or a plurality of fixed patterns may correspond to one rank.

Next, similarity determination between an input pattern and a fixed pattern will be described. In the following, a method of calculating the similarity of a fixed pattern to an input pattern one by one and employing the fixed pattern having the highest similarity will be described. However, the similarity determination is not limited to this, and a plurality of fixed patterns may be determined. Any one may be used as long as only one closest to the input pattern is selected from among.
Also, the method of calculating the similarity need not be limited to the following method.

In this method, when the fixed pattern and the input pattern completely match, the similarity is set to 1, and when the character arrangement of the input pattern is different from the character arrangement of the fixed pattern, the degree of difference is different. The value of the similarity is 1 according to
To reduce from. Specifically, the similarity is calculated for each of the characters “1, 2, 3 (hereinafter, these characters are generally referred to as a leading character and treated separately from rest 0)” arranged in the character string of the fixed pattern. . That is, with respect to one leading character existing in the character string of the fixed pattern, how many characters are separated from the corresponding leading position in the input pattern with respect to the leading position of the fixed pattern. A value obtained by subtracting the number of distant characters from the total number of characters constituting the character string is used as a numerator, and a fraction using the total number of character strings as a denominator is generated.
Two similarities. Further, the same calculation is performed for a number of leading patterns in the fixed pattern, and the calculated similarity of the entire fixed pattern is calculated by multiplying all calculated leading similarities.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating the similarity. In FIGS.
The second line shows an example of a character string of a fixed pattern, and the second line shows an example of a character string of a corresponding input pattern. FIG.
When determining the similarity of the character strings shown in (a), first, the position of the leading “1” of the fixed pattern is compared with the position of the leading “1” of the input pattern. In FIG. 9A, since each of the leading numbers exists at a position separated by four characters, the similarity is (1).
2-4) / 12 = 2/3. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10B, when a plurality of different leading figures are included in the fixed pattern shown in the first row, the calculation is performed for each leading figure arranged in the fixed pattern. The similarity in this case is ((12-4) /
12) × ((12−6) / 12) = 1/3. Also, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), when a plurality of the same type of common pattern is included in the fixed pattern, the fixed pattern and the input pattern are linked in order from the left. That is, the leading “1” of the fourth character from the left of the fixed pattern shown in the first row of FIG. 11C corresponds to the leading “1” of the fourth character from the left of the input pattern shown in the second row.

As shown in FIG. 10 (d), when the number of the input patterns is not enough for the fixed pattern or when there is not the same kind of the input pattern, In this case, it is assumed that the corresponding number of input patterns is separated from the total number of character strings. That is,
The numerator is (total number−total number), and the similarity is 0. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 10E, when the number of input patterns is larger than the number of fixed patterns,
Similar to the case of FIG. 10C, the similarity is calculated by associating a fixed pattern with a leading input pattern in the order of detection from the left.

Then, the fixed pattern having the highest calculated similarity is adopted as the one corresponding to the input pattern.
When there are two or more fixed patterns having the highest similarity, the fixed pattern to be used is narrowed down to one, for example, a pattern having a higher rank is selected. However, according to the above description, even when a pattern close to a fixed pattern with a large number of leading numbers is input, the similarity to another fixed pattern with a small number of leading numbers may be higher. For example, when determining the similarity of the input pattern with respect to the fixed pattern shown in FIG. 11, the similarity of the fixed pattern is higher than the similarity of the fixed pattern. In order to prevent such a problem, the calculated similarity value may be further multiplied by (1 / (the number of surplus input +1)).

As described above, a plurality of data of the basic striking pattern of a Japanese drum are set as fixed patterns, and a rank is assigned to each of them according to the striking difficulty.
Further, words corresponding to each rank are set variously according to the order of measures. In addition, in the fixed pattern with high rank,
The player may be able to indirectly recognize the level of his or her own input by making a change such as applying a fancy, cool word and applying a sad or sarcastic word as the rank becomes lower.

Therefore, the player can freely play the taiko drum and enjoy various sentences according to the result of the performance. Also, beginners of Japanese drums,
Even for players without a sense of rhythm, various sentences are displayed so that they can be enjoyed in the same way as advanced players. Also,
Because the quality of the output word changes depending on the rank (for example, the difference between cool words and ironic words)
Advanced users can enjoy a sense of superiority, and beginners can enjoy the sarcastic words and sentences displayed.

According to the above description, it is premised that some basic patterns of the Japanese drum, that is, fixed patterns, are known to the player. Of course, even if the player does not know the fixed pattern of the Japanese drum, it is acceptable, but in that case, only a certain easy pattern or a destructive pattern can be input, and the variety of the input pattern is poor, so the output is The sentence is fixed, and may cause the player to feel tired.

In order to solve this problem, in a question mode in which a performance symbol is set and a player imitates the symbol, the name of a fixed pattern to be set in one measure is displayed immediately before the performance symbol is displayed. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the names of fixed patterns are displayed. According to the figure, “Father Father” is displayed in the name display area 520 provided above the character 510. Therefore, the player knows that the bar of “Father's Day” will be set. Thus, just before performing in the quiz mode,
By displaying the names of the fixed patterns to be executed from now on, it is possible for the player to grasp the timing of striking each fixed pattern, the strength and position of the striking, and the like, and to remember the name in association with the name. In addition, by displaying the name of the fixed pattern immediately before the question, it is possible to prompt the prediction of the performance to be set. That is, the player can acquire a high score in the question mode by memorizing the fixed pattern in association with the name, and in the ad-lib mode, the player can select a desired one of various learned hit patterns. By inputting (hitting) in accordance with the pattern, the variety of generated sentences can be enjoyed.

The process of switching between the question mode and the ad-lib mode during the execution of the Japanese drum performance game, the process of reading out the name of the fixed pattern to be set, and the like are performed in a performance table storing the settings for each executable song. Execute based on FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the performance table 140. In the performance table 140, a bar number, a mode symbol for determining a question mode and an ad-lib mode, a name of a fixed pattern, and a fixed pattern are associated with each executable song. Is memorized. According to the figure, mode “1” indicates the question mode, and mode “2” indicates the ad-lib mode. For this reason, in each measure, the name of the fixed pattern and its data are stored in the measure in which the mode “1” is set.
On the other hand, the measure set in the mode "2" does not store the name of the fixed pattern and its data, because the measure corresponds to the measure of the player's free performance.

Next, a block configuration for realizing this embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block according to the present embodiment. In the figure, the functional block includes an input unit 10, a processing unit 20, a display unit 30, a sound output unit 32, a storage unit 40, and a temporary storage unit 42.

The input unit 10 includes a Japanese drum input device 110 shown in FIG. 2 and operation keys (for example, operation keys 308 shown in FIG. 1) for the player to make various selections and settings. When the hit section 120 detects a player hit, the Japanese drum input device 110 outputs the hit signal to the processing section 20 as a hit input signal. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the hit portion 120 of the Japanese drum input device 110 includes four regions for detecting an input (strike) of the player, and each of the regions is detected by an impact sensor arranged in each region. Is output to the processing unit 20. The operation key outputs the detected input to the processing unit 20 as an operation signal.

The processing section 20 controls the entire system, issues commands to each block in the system, game processing, image processing,
It performs various processes such as sound processing, and its function is performed by various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.) or ASI
It can be realized by hardware such as C (gate array or the like) or a given program. Further, the processing unit 20 includes:
Mainly, a game operation unit 22, an image generation unit 24, a sound generation unit 2
6 is included, and the processing unit 20 outputs a strike detection signal (electric signal) from each area of the Japanese drum input device 110 in the input unit 10.
Is input to the input pattern generation unit 220 and the sound generation unit 26 in the game calculation unit 22 to output signals corresponding to the detected hit detection signals.

The game calculation unit 22 executes various processes such as a selection screen setting process, a music selection process to be output, and a bar time setting process based on the game program 402 read from the storage unit 40. In addition, the game calculation unit 22
When an operation signal for executing a Japanese drum performance game is input from the input unit 10, an image and a BGM of a designated song in the Japanese drum performance game are displayed and output in accordance with the game program 402 stored in the storage unit 40. Is output to the image generation unit 24 and the sound generation unit 26.

The game calculation section 22 includes an input pattern generation section 220, a similarity determination section 222, a rendering section 224, and a question section 226. The game calculation section 22 executes a mode determination process during the progress of the game, and responds to the determined mode. Function each part. Specifically, the game calculation unit 22 measures the time, reads the performance table 140 before the bar time set by the bar time setting process has elapsed, and sets the mode corresponding to the bar number to be executed next. Determine. Then, when the measure time elapses, the mode is switched. In the ad-lib mode, the input pattern generation unit 220, the similarity determination unit 222, and the production unit 224 are operated. On the other hand, in the question mode, the question section 226 is made to function.

When the measure is determined to be in the ad-lib mode by the mode determination of the game calculation section 22, the input pattern generation section 220 divides the measure time defined by the measure time setting process into 48 parts, and It is determined whether or not a batting input signal has been input from the input unit 10 (Japanese drum input device 110) within the specified time, and an input pattern is generated. That is, if there is no input within the divided time, 0 is selected, and if there is an input, one of the leading "1, 2, 3" characters corresponding to the type of the striking input signal is determined. , And two types of character strings corresponding to both left and right sides are generated as input patterns. Then, the generated character string data of the input pattern is output to similarity determination section 222.

When an input pattern is input from the input pattern generation unit 220, the similarity determination unit 222
Is read out, and a fixed pattern most similar to the input pattern is selected. Then, the rank corresponding to the selected fixed pattern is determined and stored in history data 150 as shown in FIG. The history data 150 is data for storing a bar number and a rank, and is stored in the temporary storage unit 42.

When the performance of one tune is completed, the rendering unit 224 reads out the history data 150 generated by the similarity determination unit 222 from the temporary storage unit 42, and
The correspondence table 100 is read from 0 and the history data 1
A text based on the text 50 is generated and output to the image generation unit 24. At this time, if there is a hidden table in the correspondence table 100, it is determined whether the combination of ranks stored in the history data 150 corresponds to the hidden table, and if the combination of ranks corresponds to the hidden table, Determines the word of the corresponding measure from the hidden table. In addition, the character added to each word is determined by determining the attribute added to each word, and the data of the character is output to the image generation unit 24.

The question section 226 displays the name of a fixed pattern of a bar to be executed next, and executes processing for determining the type and timing of a performance symbol to be output. That is, when the instruction signal is input from the game operation unit 22, the question unit 226 reads out the fixed pattern name corresponding to the measure number designated by the game operation unit 22 from the performance table 140, and Output to Further, it determines the type and output timing of the performance symbol based on the data of the fixed pattern and outputs it to the image generation unit 24.

The image generation unit 24 includes a game calculation unit 22,
It executes processing for generating image data in response to an image display instruction, a character code, character data, a performance symbol display instruction, and the like, which are input from the rendering unit 224 and the question unit 226, and includes a CPU, a DSP, and an image generation unit. It is configured by hardware such as a dedicated IC and a memory. Then, the image generation unit 24 outputs the generated image data to the display unit 30.

The sound generation unit 26 reads out sound data (not shown) specified by the game calculation unit 22 from the storage unit 40, converts the sound data into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to the sound output unit 32. In addition, the sound generation unit 26 includes the input unit 10 (the Japanese drum input device 11).
The corresponding sound data is read from the storage unit 40 from the impact detection signal input from step 0), converted into an electric signal, and output to the sound output unit 32. Specifically, for example, in response to a striking input signal input from the semicircular arc region 128 of the Japanese drum input device 110, sound data for reproducing a dry sound of “click” is input from the semicircular region 124. Reproduces the sound data for reproducing the lightly bounced sound "Don" for the input striking input signal, and reproduces the heavy and low-sounding sound for the striking input signal from the semicircular area 124. The sound data to be read is read from the storage unit 40.

The display unit 30 is for displaying and outputting image data input from the image generation unit 24 on a display screen, and can be realized by hardware such as a CRT, an LCD, and an HMD.

The sound output section 32 outputs sound according to the electric signal input from the sound generation section 26, and can be realized by a speaker, a bass woofer, or the like.

The storage unit 40 includes a game program 402 for the processing unit 20 to execute the present game, an effect program for executing a game effect process, an ad-lib mode process, and a question mode process, which will be described later. In addition to programs such as a program and a bar name display program, a fixed pattern table 130 storing fixed patterns and their ranks in association with each other, a correspondence table 100 storing words and attributes corresponding to ranks and bar numbers, and data of fixed patterns Performance table 1 that stores names in association with
40, etc. are stored. Further, the storage unit 40 stores the BGM
And sound data for reproducing various sounds generated when a Japanese drum is hit. The storage unit 40 stores a CD
-ROM, game cassette, IC card, MO, FD,
This is realized by hardware such as a DVD, a memory, and a hard disk.

The temporary storage section 42 has a work area for temporarily developing programs and data required when the processing section 20 executes various processes, and temporarily stores the history data 150. The temporary storage unit 42 is realized by a RAM or the like.

Next, the game effect processing, ad-lib mode processing, and question mode processing executed by the game calculation unit 22 will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the game effect processing. In FIG. 3, when an operation signal for starting a game is input from the input unit 10, the game calculation unit 22 determines a mode (Step S).
1). That is, the performance table 140 is read, and the mode corresponding to the measure number of the designated music piece is determined.

If it is determined in step S1 that the mode is the ad-lib mode, an instruction signal is output to the input pattern generation section 220 and the similarity determination section 222 to execute the ad-lib mode processing (step S2). On the other hand, if it is determined that the mode is the question mode, an instruction signal is output to the question section 226 to execute the question mode process (step S).
3).

When the various processes are completed in step S2 or S3, the game calculation section 22 determines whether or not the performance of one music has been completed (step S4). If not, the process returns to step S1 to execute the next bar.

At step S4, when the performance of one tune is completed, the correspondence table 100 is read, and a word corresponding to the rank of each bar stored in the history data 150 in the temporary storage section 42 is selected. A sentence is generated by joining (step S5). Next, when the effect is determined by determining the attribute added to each word (step S6),
This processing ends.

Next, the ad-lib mode process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the figure, the input pattern generation unit 220 determines whether or not there is a strike input signal from the input unit 10 within a time obtained by dividing the time of one bar into 48, and if so, the type of the strike input signal. Is selected according to, if not, the character "0"
Is selected (step S10). Next, the input pattern generation unit 220 determines whether or not the time of one measure has ended (step S11), and if not, returns to step S10. On the other hand, when the time of one bar ends, the input pattern is generated from the two character strings corresponding to the left and right sides by arranging the 48 characters selected in step S10 (step S12), and the similarity determination is performed. Part 22
Output to 2.

When the input pattern is input from the input pattern generation unit 220 in step S12, the similarity determination unit 222 reads the fixed pattern table 1 from the storage unit 40.
30 to determine which of the standard patterns the input pattern is most similar to (step S1).
3). Then, the similarity determination unit 222 reads the rank added to the determined fixed pattern, writes the bar number and rank at that time into the history data 150 (step S14), and ends this processing.

Next, the question mode processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the same figure, the question section 226 stores the performance table 14 from the storage section 40.
0 is read out (step S20), and the bar name corresponding to the music number and bar number presented at that time is stored in the image generation unit 24.
And the bar name is displayed on the display unit 30 (step S21).

Next, data of a fixed pattern corresponding to the program number and the bar number of the performance table 140 is read out, and
The type of the performance symbol in the bar and the timing of display are measured, the data of the performance symbol is output to the image generation unit 24, and the performance symbol is displayed on the display unit 30 (step S22). Then, the question section 226 determines whether or not the bar has ended (step S23), and if not, returns to step S22. On the other hand, when the bar ends, this processing ends.

Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the device shown in FIG.
2, RAM 1004, information storage medium 1006, sound generation I
C1008, image generation IC 1010, I / O port 10
Reference numerals 12 and 1014 are connected to each other via a system bus 1016 so that data can be input and output therebetween. A display device 1018 is connected to the image generation IC 1010, and a speaker 1020-1 and a woofer 1020-2 (low-range sound reproduction speakers) are connected to the sound generation IC 1008.
The I / O port 1012 includes a control device 102
2. Wadaiko input device 110 is connected, I / O port 1
The communication device 1024 is connected to 014.

The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores programs, image data for expressing a display object, sound data, play data, and the like. For example, in a home game device, a CD-ROM, a game cassette, a DVD, or the like is used as an information storage medium for storing a game program or the like, and a memory card or the like is used as an information storage medium for storing play data. In the arcade game device, a memory such as a ROM or a hard disk is used. In this case, the information storage medium 1006 is stored in the ROM 1
002.

The program stored in the information storage medium 1006, the system program (initialization information of the apparatus main body) stored in the ROM 1002, the control apparatus 102
CPU 1000 according to a signal input by
Performs control of the entire apparatus and various data processing. RAM1
A storage unit 004 is used as a work area or the like of the CPU 1000, and includes an information storage medium 1006 and a ROM.
The given contents of the field 1002 or the operation result of the CPU 1000 are stored.

Further, this type of apparatus is provided with a sound generation IC 1008 corresponding to the sound generation unit 26 and an image generation IC 1010 corresponding to the image generation unit 24 shown in FIG. Can be suitably output. The sound generation IC 1008 is the information storage medium 1
An integrated circuit that generates game sounds such as sound effects and background music based on information stored in the ROM 006 and the ROM 1002, and sounds when a Japanese drum is hit. Is the speaker 1020-1
And woofer 1020-2. Also,
The image generation IC 1010 includes a RAM 1004, a ROM 10
02, an integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display device 1018 based on image information output from the information storage medium 1006 or the like. The display 1018
It is intended to include display devices such as CRTs, LCDs, TVs, plasma displays, liquid crystal plasma displays, and projectors.

The communication device 1024 exchanges various types of information used inside the game device with the outside. The communication device 1024 is connected to another game device to transmit and receive given information according to the game program. It is used for transmitting and receiving information such as a game program via a communication line.

The various processes described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15 include programs including an effect program, a word selection program, a bar name display program, and the like for performing the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The stored information storage medium 1006 and the CP operating according to the program
U1000, image generation IC 1010, sound generation IC 100
8 and the like. Note that the image generation IC 101
0, processing performed by the sound generation IC 1008, etc.
000 or a general-purpose DSP or the like.

The control device 1022 is equivalent to a game controller, an operation panel, and the like, and is a device for allowing a player to select a game type such as a mini game or a performance game, or to input a designation of a tune to the main body of the device. . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the Japanese drum input device 110 detects an input to the left and right sides by the player.

[0092] Each function in the present embodiment is implemented by executing a program stored in the information storage medium as described above.
Although it may be realized by executing by the PU, all of them may be realized by hardware. That is, each unit in the processing unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 14 may be configured by various processors and the like, and each process may be executed by each. Alternatively, it may be executed by both hardware and a program. For example, a processor for generating an input pattern, a processor for performing similarity determination, and the like are incorporated, and the CPU outputs an instruction signal for causing each processor to execute processing. A program for inputting and outputting various data may be stored in the information storage medium.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example in which the present invention is applied to a home game machine. In the figure, the player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while watching the game image projected on the display device 1200. Information necessary for playing a game such as a game program, and programs such as a rendering program, a word selection program, a bar name display program, a fixed pattern table 130, a correspondence table 100, a performance table 140, sound data and image data Is a CD-ROM, an information storage medium that can be mounted on the main unit.
ROM 1206, IC card 1208, memory card 1
212 and the like. Hereinafter, these information, programs, tables, and data are referred to as storage information. In addition, the history data 150 illustrated in FIG. 15 is temporarily stored in a memory such as a RAM included in the home game device 1210. Then, the game device 1210 performs the above-described game effect processing, ad-lib mode processing, and the like based on the programs and data stored in the information storage medium.
Execute the question mode processing and the like. Note that these processes are
This is realized by a processing device such as a CPU included in the game device 1210.

In this case, instead of inputting to the Japanese drum input device, the operation buttons of the game controllers 1202 and 1204 are changed to respective regions (right semicircular region 124a, left semicircular region 124b) in the Japanese drum input device shown in FIG. , The right half-arc region 128a and the left half-arc region 128b)
A configuration in which the player makes an input may be adopted. Alternatively, the player may perform a performance by operating the character displayed on the display device 1200 by the game controllers 1202 and 1204 and causing the character to virtually hit a Japanese drum. Alternatively, a dedicated input device imitating a small Japanese drum is used as the game device 1210.
The configuration may be such that the player can be connected to the main body so that the player can play using this dedicated input device.

FIG. 21 shows a host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n (hereinafter simply referred to as a terminal 1300) connected to the host device 1300 via a communication line 1302.
An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game device including a game device 304 is described. In addition, the storage information may be, for example, an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300.
To be stored.

If the terminal 1304 has a CPU, an image generation IC, and a sound generation IC and can generate a game image and a game sound in a stand-alone manner, the host device 1300 outputs the game image and the game sound. A game program or the like for generating a game sound is delivered to the terminal 1304. On the other hand, if it cannot be generated standalone,
The host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound,
This is transmitted to the terminal 1304 and output at the terminal 1304.

The present invention is not limited to those described in the above embodiments, but various modifications can be made. For example, in the present embodiment, the time length of the input pattern of the player and the time length of the fixed pattern stored in the game device body are
Although the time is described in units of one measure, it is needless to say that the length may be in units of a plurality of measures. Alternatively, the number of hits by the player may be defined, and the rank may be determined according to the time length of the hit interval.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the data of the input pattern and the fixed pattern is composed of two character strings of 48 characters, one of which is data for the right hand and the other is data for the left hand. However, switching may be performed according to the dominant hand of the player.

Further, a word corresponding to each fixed pattern is +
Alternatively, the description has been given of the effect example in which the attribute of-is added, and when one song ends, a character corresponding to the accumulated attribute is displayed. However, the attribute and the production method to be added to each word are not limited to these. For example, α type, β type, γ
A number of types such as type,... May be attached to each word as an attribute to determine which type of word is most frequently used in one song, and an effect for each applicable type may be executed. For example, α type is extremist human, β
The personality may be determined in such a manner that the type is romanticist, the γ type is passionate, and the type including all types is emotionally unstable and incoherent. Of course, more attributes than the number of measures in one song may be set and added to each word. In this case, an effect corresponding to the type of attribute accumulated as a result of the performance of one music is executed.

Alternatively, instead of adding an attribute to a word corresponding to each fixed pattern, an attribute may be added to a fixed pattern or a corresponding rank. For example, a score may be assigned to each fixed pattern as an attribute, and the score corresponding to each fixed pattern selected in one piece of music may be added to display a total score.

In the present embodiment, the hidden table to be selected in subsequent measures is provided according to the fixed pattern selected by the player input or the history (combination) of the ranks. It is not necessary to limit the trigger for displaying a table or a hidden word to a combination of ranks or the like. For example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2A, when the input pattern input by the player at the n-th measure is similar to the specific rank k, all the words corresponding to each rank of the (n + α) -th measure in the correspondence table 104 are replaced. Hidden table 106
(FIG. 22 (b)) is adopted so that a hidden word is selected. Alternatively, in FIG. 22A, when the fixed pattern k is selected in the nth measure, only the words corresponding to one fixed pattern t in the n + α measures may be changed (FIG. 22C). . In this case, even if the player inputs an input pattern similar to a specific fixed pattern k in the nth bar, hidden characters will not be displayed unless the fixed pattern t is input in the n + α bar. .

Alternatively, the correspondence table 108 is set as shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), a tree-like configuration may be used which branches and subdivides each time a bar elapses. That is, in FIG. 23, the table 108-1 is adopted in the first measure. Then, for example, when the rank a is selected in the first measure, the table a is adopted in the second measure. Then 2
When rank a is selected in the measure, the table aa is adopted in the third measure. On the other hand, when the rank b is selected in the second bar, the table adopted in the next bar may be configured to depend on the previous history, for example, the table ab is adopted. In this case, words may be stored in each table in each measure in association with the rank, and the address of the table adopted in the next measure may be stored. As a result, a sentence can be generated without following the history of the rank. In this way, by making the correspondence table branch and subdivide according to the rank selected for each bar, it is possible to prevent inconsistency in the generated sentences and to reduce the variety of sentences. It can be further increased.

Alternatively, only when a specific fixed pattern is selected, a fixed pattern to be newly selected may be added in a subsequent bar. Specifically, in the correspondence table 104 shown in FIG. 24A, for example, when a fixed pattern corresponding to the rank b is selected in the nth bar, the fixed pattern corresponding to the rank z is added to the selection target. I do. Then, a table 104 'of words corresponding to the rank z and the subsequent bar number is added to the correspondence table 104 (see FIG. 24B). As described above, if an input similar to a specific fixed pattern is not executed, an input similar to a specific fixed pattern may not be selected.

Alternatively, when a specific fixed pattern is input in a specific bar, a modifier may be added to the beginning or end of the sentence finally displayed. For example, when a specific input is made, a compliment such as “cool” is always added to the beginning of the sentence. Or
When the similarity of a specific fixed pattern is equal to or greater than a given value by the similarity determination, a word corresponding to the fixed pattern (or rank) in the bar may be changed to a hidden word.

In the present embodiment, it has been described that the player can perform completely freely in the ad-lib mode. However, a configuration may be adopted in which some fixed patterns of performance symbols (music scores and the like) are displayed on the display, and the player can freely select and play the performance symbols. Furthermore, some combinations of fixed patterns displayed on the display may be prepared according to the difficulty level, so that the player can freely select a set of fixed patterns. In this way, by displaying the fixed pattern to the player in advance, the number of fixed patterns to be subjected to similar determination can be reduced, and the processing can be reduced.

Alternatively, the fixed pattern to be selected may be changed for each bar. For example, different combinations of fixed patterns are displayed for each bar. And
The player selects a desired pattern from a combination of fixed patterns displayed for each bar and executes an input. At this time, the fixed pattern and the displayed word may be in one-to-one correspondence.

In the present embodiment, the name of the bar (fixed pattern) is displayed before displaying the performance symbol of each bar in the question mode.
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be during the display of the performance symbols of the fixed pattern, that is, during the performance, or after the performance of each fixed pattern. Alternatively, the names of all the fixed patterns that have been set may be displayed after the performance of one music has been completed. Or before you start playing one song,
The name of the fixed pattern to be set may be displayed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the performance symbols are described as having the shape shown in FIG. 4A, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any symbols may be used. For example, a note or a specific mark indicating a hitting position or strength may be displayed to notify the timing of hitting, or an instructor character may be displayed,
It may be such that it is hit according to the gesture.

Further, in this embodiment, the timing for displaying the word corresponding to the fixed pattern selected by the similarity determination is described as when all the performances have been completed. However, the fixed pattern similar to the input pattern is determined. Then, as soon as the corresponding word is determined, the word may be displayed sequentially.

Also, an example of the effect of displaying the generated text on a display and making the character determined by the attribute read aloud has been described. However, the generated text may be output only by voice. Alternatively, it may be printed and output on paper such as a postcard or a bookmark, or may be stored in a storage medium such as a player's FD or a memory card.

Further, in the present embodiment, a game in which a Japanese drum is played has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to other rhythms and music games. For example, the present invention can be applied not only to a game for playing a percussion instrument such as a drum, a cymbal, a lyre, a xylophone, and a piano but also to a dance game instead of a Japanese drum. In the dance game, a configuration may be adopted in which a sensor using infrared rays or the like for detecting the movement of the player is provided, a movement pattern of the player is generated, and the pattern is compared with a fixed pattern.

[0112]

According to the present invention, a game device (Japanese drum game device) stores various words in association with a plurality of fixed patterns and bar numbers in music. And
When an input pattern based on a player input is generated, it is determined whether the generated pattern is similar to any of the fixed patterns stored in advance. Then, a word corresponding to the selected fixed pattern and the bar number at which the input pattern was generated is selected. Further, a sentence as a result of the player input is generated by sequentially arranging a plurality of selected words. Therefore, the player can not only execute the performance instructed by the game device, but also freely play on the game device and enjoy the sentence as the performance result.

In the present invention, an attribute is added to each word, the selected word is displayed, and an effect corresponding to the attribute is executed. Therefore, the player can enjoy the effect as a result of the free performance from multiple aspects. In addition, since words for which the expression execution is determined are provided according to the input history of the player, it is possible to provide a motivation for causing the player to execute various input patterns and input orders.

Further, there are provided two kinds of modes, a question mode in which the game apparatus gives a music performance to the player, and an ad-lib mode in which the player can freely play. In the question mode, the name of the measure (fixed pattern) to be set is displayed immediately before the question. For this reason, the player can predict the performance to be presented next by looking at the name of the bar, and can perform better. Also, by displaying the bar names,
The player gets a chance to learn the form of the performance in each bar, and can freely execute the learned performance. Therefore, in the ad-lib mode, the player can execute various performances associated with the names of the measures and learned, and can enjoy various combinations of words (sentences) and effects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a housing of a Japanese drum game device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of a Japanese drum input device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a hit portion of the Japanese drum input device.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a performance symbol. (B)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence table.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence table when there is a hidden table.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of an input pattern.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a fixed pattern.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a fixed pattern table.

FIG. 10 shows a fixed pattern (first row) and an input pattern (2
The figure for explaining an example of the method of calculating the similarity of (line).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a character string of a fixed pattern. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a character string of a fixed pattern.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a character string of an input pattern.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displaying names of fixed patterns.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a performance table.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block in this embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of history data.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a game rendering process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an ad-lib mode process.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining a question mode process.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration for realizing the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example in which the present invention is applied to a home-use game device.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game terminal connected to a host device via a communication line.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a modification of the correspondence table.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a modification of the correspondence table.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a modification of the correspondence table.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 input unit 20 processing unit 22 game calculation unit 220 input pattern generation unit 222 similarity determination unit 224 production unit 226 question unit 24 image generation unit 26 sound generation unit 40 storage unit 402 game program 100 correspondence table 130 fixed pattern table 140 performance table 42 Temporary storage unit 150 History data

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for storing a plurality of fixed patterns and a plurality of expressions in association with each other, an input detection means for detecting an input of a player, and an input detection means for detecting an input of the player. Input pattern generating means for generating an input pattern based on an input; and selecting a pattern similar to the input pattern generated by the input pattern generating means from a plurality of fixed patterns stored in the storage means. A game apparatus comprising: a determination unit for determining an expression corresponding to a selected fixed pattern; and an output unit for outputting the expression determined by the determination unit. 2. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the expression is a given language expression. 3. The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input pattern generation means sequentially generates input patterns at given intervals according to a lapse of time, and based on said sequentially generated input patterns. A game device, wherein the determining means sequentially determines expressions, and a series of continuous expressions are output to the player by the output means. 4. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the plurality of fixed patterns and / or the expressions separately at given intervals. The input pattern generating means generates an input pattern at the given interval, and the determining means corresponds to an input interval of the player from among the plurality of fixed patterns stored in the storage means, A game device, wherein the fixed pattern similar to the input pattern generated by the input pattern generating means is selected, and an expression corresponding to the selected fixed pattern is determined. 5. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the storage means determines whether or not the fixed pattern can be selected by the determination means, or the expression of the expression corresponding to each fixed pattern. The storage unit stores the determination target availability of the determination unit and, based on the selection history of the fixed pattern by the determination unit, changes the selection availability of the fixed pattern stored in the storage unit or the determination availability of the expression. A game device comprising changing means. 6. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the fixed pattern or the expression has an attribute, respectively, and an attribute of the fixed pattern selected by the determining means or the determining means. A game device comprising: an effect means for effecting an effect in accordance with an attribute of an expression determined by the method. 7. The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: performance instructing means for instructing said player to play a given music, wherein said player has a performance instruction means for instructing said player to play a given music. A game device for executing a music playing game by determining the input superiority, the input pattern generating means, and the execution instruction means in one or a plurality of parts of the given music, A game device, wherein the determining means is enabled. 8. The game apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the performance instructing means issues a performance instruction for the given music in units of measures of the music to be asked, and, in the performance instruction, inputs a name of the measure. A game device for displaying. 9. The game device according to claim 7, wherein said input detecting means has a shape imitating a Japanese drum. 10. An information storage medium for storing information for executing a given game by giving a given expression in response to a player's input, wherein a plurality of fixed patterns and a plurality of expressions are respectively stored. Generating an input pattern based on information to be stored in association with the input of the player,
An information storage medium comprising information for outputting an expression corresponding to the selected fixed pattern when a pattern similar to the input pattern is selected from the plurality of fixed patterns. 11. The information storage medium according to claim 10, wherein said expression is a linguistic expression. 12. The information storage medium according to claim 10, wherein the input patterns are sequentially generated at given intervals with time, and the expressions are sequentially generated based on the sequentially generated input patterns. An information storage medium storing information for outputting a series of continuous expressions to the player by determining. 13. The information storage medium according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of fixed patterns and / or expressions are separately stored at predetermined intervals, and the predetermined intervals are stored. To generate an input pattern, and the fixed pattern corresponding to the interval at which the input pattern was generated or /
And an information storage medium for selecting a fixed pattern similar to the input pattern from the expressions, and storing information for determining an expression corresponding to the selected fixed pattern. 14. The information storage medium according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of fixed patterns or said selection target for said expression is stored, and a fixed pattern is selected based on a selection history of said fixed patterns. Alternatively, an information storage medium storing information for changing whether or not the expression can be selected. 15. The information storage medium according to claim 10, wherein an attribute is added to the fixed pattern or the expression, and the fixed pattern is selected based on the input pattern. An information storage medium for storing information for performing an effect according to an attribute of a pattern or expression.