JPH0134070B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a television game device using a television receiver as a display medium.

Traditionally, television receivers have been used in the following ways:
It was simply a means of displaying programs produced by a television broadcasting station, or a means of displaying programs output from a video playback device. However, recently, television game devices using television receivers as display media have been put into practical use, and the scope of use of television receivers has been expanded. In the conventional television game devices mentioned above, the information for displaying images is usually stored in a fixed storage device (ROM).
The image that is stored in advance in the computer and to be displayed is composed of a collection of fine points. For this reason, conventional television game devices have the drawback of requiring a large capacity storage device to display images.

Incidentally, recently, microcomputers using a one-chip microprocessor have been developed and put into practical use. Generally, a keyboard is used as an information input means for this type of microcomputer, and a printer or a television receiver is used as an information output means. When a television receiver is used as an information output means of a microcomputer, a character display device called a video RAM is used as an interface between the microcomputer and the television receiver. When this character display device inputs character data corresponding to the characters, numbers, and symbols to be displayed, it outputs a character code corresponding to this character data, and displays the characters, numbers, and symbols on the screen of the television receiver. The game can be played by arranging and displaying symbols in an arbitrary state and moving or erasing the letters, numbers, and symbols.

This invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to display characters, numbers, and symbols that can be directly input using an information input means,
To provide a new television game device which can be executed by moving or erasing numbers and symbols.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a television game device according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a keyboard device for inputting letters, numbers, and symbols, and this keyboard device 1 is provided with key switches that correspond one-to-one to each of the various letters, numbers, and symbols. When any key switch is operated on this keyboard device 1, a character code such as ASCII or JIS code corresponding to the key switch is output. This character code is supplied to the code conversion circuit 2. The code conversion circuit 2 is for converting the character code supplied from the keyboard device 1 into a character code in a format that can be used by the arithmetic processing circuit 3. The character code converted by the code conversion circuit 2 is temporarily stored in the input buffer circuit 4 and then supplied to the arithmetic processing circuit 3. The arithmetic processing circuit 3 is designed to specify an arbitrary address in the memory circuit 6 by supplying arbitrary address data to the memory circuit 6 via the address bus 5. Thereafter, a series of microinstructions and data previously stored in the address area of the designated address are supplied to the arithmetic processing circuit 3 via the data bus 7. The arithmetic processing circuit 3 performs arithmetic operations based on a series of supplied microinstructions and data.
After performing logical operations and code conversion processing, a character code corresponding to the characters, numbers, and symbols to be recognized and displayed, and a raster scanning cathode ray to be described later that is attached to this character code and which should recognize and display the characters, numbers, and symbols. Address data is output according to the display screen position of the tube display device. The character code is once stored in a data buffer circuit 8 and then supplied to a RAM (random access memory) 9. This RAM 9 can store character codes for 16 rows x 32 columns, for example. On the other hand, the address data output from the arithmetic processing circuit 3 is temporarily stored in the address buffer circuit 10 and then supplied to the address data switching circuit 11. Another address data is also supplied to this address data switching circuit 11 from a synchronizing signal generating circuit 12. The address data switching circuit 12 selectively supplies the address data supplied from the address buffer circuit 10 to the RAM 9 during a character code write operation of the RAM 9, and also supplies the address data supplied from the synchronization signal generation circuit 12 during a character code read operation. Address data is selectively supplied to RAM9. That is, the RAM 9 stores the character code generated by the arithmetic processing circuit 3 in the address area specified by the address data also generated by the arithmetic processing circuit 3, and also stores the character code specified by the address data supplied from the synchronization signal generation circuit 12. The character data stored in the address area is read out. The character code read from the RAM 9 is supplied to the character generator circuit 13. The character generator circuit 13 stores in advance character patterns that are in one-to-one correspondence with the characters, numbers, and symbols that can be input using the keyboard device 1. The corresponding character code is now output. The character code output from the character generator circuit 13 is supplied to the video signal generation circuit 14. This video signal generation circuit 14 also includes the synchronization signal generation circuit 12.
Various synchronization signals such as horizontal synchronization and vertical synchronization output from the The video signal generation circuit 14 converts patterns of letters, numbers, symbols, etc. according to the character code supplied from the character generator circuit 13 into raster scanning cathode lines according to various synchronization signals supplied from the synchronization signal generation circuit 12. A video signal to be displayed on the display screen of a tube display device (hereinafter simply referred to as a display device) 15 is output. Note that a series of microprograms can be input into the arithmetic processing circuit 3 in advance through a program input device 16.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be explained. The game to be executed on this television game device consists of alphabetical characters "A" to "F" arranged in advance on the display screen of the display device 15 as shown in FIG. Arrange 3 columns in parallel, and then alternately arrange 1 column with this string of English letters.
Displays 6 lines of failure lines with 3 lines of symbols "?" arranged in parallel as 16 characters. And if the game player chooses one of the English letters "A" to "F"
After selecting one and displaying the selected alphabetic character at the upper left corner of the display screen, the game can be started by moving this alphabetic character arbitrarily up, down, left or right to a predetermined position on the screen. finish. By the way, the input English characters can only pass through only the same type of English characters on the fault line displayed on the display screen in advance. Furthermore, the player can pass through any position among the symbols "?" arranged in three rows, but this position cannot be checked by the game player, but can be set in advance by the program. The passable positions in the rows of the three symbols "?" can be set independently for each row.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart representing a series of microinstructions inputted by the program input device 16 and stored in the storage circuit 6 in advance. A description will be given below based on the processing steps of a series of microinstructions expressed in this flowchart. First, when a program is started to be executed by the program input device 16, the arithmetic processing circuit 3 generates the start address data of the program inputted in advance. By inputting this head address data to the memory circuit 6 via the address bus 5, a specific address of the memory circuit 6 is specified, and the memory circuit 6 is configured to perform the process step a stored in this address area. Read microinstructions. The microinstruction for executing processing step a is executed by the arithmetic processing circuit 3.
is input. Next, the arithmetic processing circuit 3 executes step a, thereby becoming ready to accept data from the input buffer circuit 4. After executing step a, the next address is specified in the storage circuit 6,
A microinstruction for executing the next processing step b stored in this address area is read out. When this microinstruction is input, the arithmetic processing circuit 3 outputs a character code such that nothing is displayed on the display screen of the display device 15, that is, a blank code, and also outputs a series of address data used for storing in the RAM 9. Output.
Next, the data buffer circuit 8 temporarily stores the blank code output from the arithmetic processing circuit 3 and then
Output to RAM9. On the other hand, the address buffer circuit 10 temporarily stores the address data sequentially output from the arithmetic processing circuit 3 and then outputs it to the address data switching circuit 11. Further, the address data switching circuit 11 outputs input address data. Thereafter, the RAM 9 sequentially stores the input blank codes in the address areas specified by the address data output from the address data switching circuit 11. As a result, blank codes are stored in all 16 rows x 32 columns of the RAM 9 at positions where character codes are stored. After the blank code is stored in the RAM 9, the synchronization signal generation circuit 12 generates and outputs a series of address data. Next, the address data switching circuit 11 outputs the address data input from the synchronizing signal generating circuit 12. This address data is
Input to RAM9. Thereafter, the RAM 9 sequentially reads out the character codes stored in the address area designated by the address data input from the address data switching circuit 11. This character code is input to the character generator circuit 13. The character generator circuit 13 outputs a character code corresponding to the input character code. At this time, since all character codes are blank codes, the character generator circuit 13 does not output any character codes. This video signal generation circuit 14
outputs a video signal in response to a synchronization signal input from the synchronization signal generation circuit 12. After that, the display device 15 performs display according to the video signal. At this time, since no character code is output from the character generator circuit 13, nothing is displayed on the display device 15, and the pointer _P0 blinks at the original position on the display screen of the display device 15, as shown in FIG. 2b. Is displayed. That is, in processing step b, the display device 15
The display screen will be completely cleared. Next, in processing step (hereinafter simply referred to as step) c,
It is determined whether a key switch for starting the game has been operated. When a key switch other than the key switch for starting the game is operated in step c, the program proceeds to step d, where characters and the like corresponding to the key switch operated in step c are displayed on the display screen of the display device 15. is displayed. That is, when an arbitrary key switch, such as a character key switch, of the keyboard device 1 is operated, the keyboard device 1 outputs a character code corresponding to this key switch. Next, this character code is input to the code conversion circuit 2. The code conversion circuit 2 converts the input character code into a character code that can be used by the arithmetic processing circuit 3 and outputs it. Next, the buffer circuit 4 is connected to the code conversion circuit 2.
This character code is output after temporarily storing it in memory. Furthermore, in step c above, it is determined whether the key switch for starting the game is the "RUB OUT" key, and the "RUB OUT" key is pressed.
If it is not the ``OUT'' key, the character code is directly sent to the data buffer circuit 8, and the character corresponding to the operated key switch is displayed on the display device 15.
If it is determined in step c that the "RUB OUT" key switch has been operated, the process proceeds to step e. In step e, the display screen of the display device 15 is cleared again. After the display screen is cleared, proceed to step f. In step f, the display device 15
The words "GAME START" are displayed on the display screen to confirm that the game has started. Next, in step g, a blinking pointer _P0 is displayed at the upper left corner of the display screen of the display device 15 at a position next to "GAME START". Step h
Then, it is determined whether the next key switch has been operated or not, and if no key switch has been operated, this step h is repeatedly executed. In this step h, in order to input a character to be moved on the display screen of the display device 15 (hereinafter referred to as a moving character), for example, the key switch "A" for inputting the English letter "A" is operated. When it is determined, the process proceeds to the next step i. At step i, the character corresponding to the key switch operated at step h is stored.

Next, in step j, an allowable key switch operation interval time is set. In step k, it is determined whether or not the number of allowed operation errors N, which will be described later, is 3. If it is determined in step k that N=3, the process proceeds to step l. In step 1, as shown in FIG. 2a, alphabetic characters, for example, "A" to "F" are arranged in an arbitrary arrangement on the display screen of the display device 15 in three parallel columns with 16 characters per column. At the same time, fault lines are displayed that are arranged in three parallel columns with symbols "?" and each row has 16 characters, alternating with this row of English characters. On the other hand, in step k, N≠3
If it is determined that this is the case, the process proceeds to step m. In step m, it is determined whether N is 2 or not. If it is determined in this step m that N=2, the process proceeds to step n;
Then, as shown in FIG. 2a, the arrangement of English letters on the displayed obstacle line and the passable position and passability probability of the column in which "?" is displayed are changed. Then proceed to step l and this step l
The fault line after the above changes is displayed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step m that N≠2, the process proceeds to step o. In step o, it is determined whether N is 1 or not. If N is determined to be 1 at step o, the process proceeds to step p. In step p, the arrangement of alphabetic characters and the passable position and pass probability of the column in which "?" is displayed are changed again in step n. Then, the process advances to step 1, and in this step 1, the fault line after the above change is displayed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step o that N≠1, that is, N=0, the process advances to step q. After the display screen of the display device 15 is cleared in step q, the process proceeds to step r. In step r, the word "UNLUCKY!" is displayed on the display screen of the display device 15 to make it clear that the game could not be executed to the end.
Then, the program proceeds to step s, in which timer processing is executed to display the word for a predetermined period of time. After completing step s, the process returns to step a and waits until the next game starts.

After the fault line is displayed in step 1, the process advances to step t. At step t, the display device 15 for the characters stored at step i is displayed.
The display position is set to the upper left corner of the display screen. Next, proceed to step u. In step u, the second
Along with the six rows of fault lines displayed in step k as shown in FIG. 2C, the moving letter "A" is displayed at the upper left corner of the display screen, that is, at the original position, as shown in FIG. 2C. Next, proceed to step v. In step v, it is determined whether or not the permissible key switch operation interval time has finished counting (this means that no switch was turned on during the timing period) after the timing started in step u. It is determined whether the If it is determined in step v that the timer has not yet counted the allowable key switch operation time interval, the process proceeds to step w, and if it is determined that the timer has finished counting, the process proceeds to step x. The fact that the timer has finished counting in step v means that the key switch operation by the game player is slow, and in step x the display screen that has been displayed so far is completely cleared. Then proceed to step y. At step y, the word "MORE SPEEDY!" is displayed to make the game player recognize that key switch operations in the games that have been executed so far are slow. Then, the program proceeds to step z, in which timer processing is executed to display the word for a predetermined period of time. After executing step z, the process returns to step a and waits until the next game starts. Step w
Then, it is determined whether any one of the key switches "W", "X", "Y", and "Z" for specifying the moving direction of the moving character "A" input in step h has been operated. Here, the key switch "W" is a key switch for moving the moving character displayed in step u to the right side of the display screen by one character. Also key switch "X",
"Y" and "Z" respectively display moving characters at the bottom of the screen,
This is a key switch for moving one character upwards or to the left. In this step w, the above "W", "X",
If it is determined that a key switch other than "Y" or "Z" has been operated, the process returns to step t. On the other hand, if it is determined in step w that any of the key switches "W", "X", "Y", and "Z" has been operated, the process advances to step w. In the step key, the moving direction of the moving character is set in accordance with the key switch determined in step w. Next, move on to Steps Pro.
In this step process, it is determined whether the moving character has passed through the sixth column of the obstacle line displayed on the display screen. At this point, since the moving character has not yet passed through the first column of the obstacle line, a negative determination is made and the process proceeds to the next step. In the stepper, if the moving character moves in the direction set in the stepper,
It is determined whether the moving character can pass.
Here, if movement is not possible, it is said that an operation error has been made. If it is determined that an operation error has been made in the step, the process advances to step 2. In this step, 1 is subtracted from the number of operation errors N. After this, the process returns to step k. On the other hand, if it is determined in the above step that no operational error has been made, the process returns to the step u and the moving character is displayed in a moving manner. If the display state of the display screen in step w is as shown in FIG. 4
Move by character. After this, the display state of the display screen becomes as shown in FIG. 2e. Next, in order to pass through the first row of obstacle lines, the game player operates key switch "X" twice in succession. As a result, the moving character passes through the obstacle line in the first column, and the display screen becomes as shown in FIG. 2f. In the same manner, the game player presses the key switches "W", "X", "Y",
Select and operate one of "Z" to move the moving character. In this way, the key switches "W", "X",
By arbitrarily operating "Y" and "Z", the game player causes the moving characters to pass through the obstacle lines one after another. In the step-pro, the moving characters are shown in Figure 2g.
When it is determined that the vehicle has passed the obstacle line in the 6th column as shown in FIG. At step HO, it is determined whether the allowable number of operation errors N is 3 or not.
If it is determined in this step that N=3, that is, if it is determined that six rows of fault lines have been passed without a single operational error, the process advances to step 1. At the next step, the word ``Goritsupa!'' is displayed to let you know that you have successfully passed the moving characters without making a single operational error. On the other hand, if it is determined in the step that N≠3, the process advances to the step. In step, it is determined whether N is 2 or not. If it is determined in this step that N=2, that is, the moving character will be 6 times due to one operation error.
When it is determined that the line has passed the obstacle line, the process proceeds to the next step. In this step, the word ``Ritsupa!'' is displayed to recognize and display that the character was able to pass the moving character with only one operation error. On the other hand, if it is determined in the step that N≠2, the process advances to the step. In this steppuri, the word ``Gokurosama'' is displayed. After executing the above steps, the program advances to step NU, in which timer processing is executed to display each of the words for a predetermined period of time. After the execution of the step, the process returns to step a and waits until the next game starts.

By operating any key switch of the keyboard device 1 in this manner, a game can be executed in which characters, numbers, and symbols are displayed on the display device 15 and the characters, numbers, and symbols are moved.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment; for example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the fault lines displayed on the display screen are alternately displayed with English character strings and "?" strings. , for example, two columns of "?" may be displayed in succession. Further, in the above embodiment, the fault line displayed on the display device 15 is a string of English character strings and the symbol "?", and the input moving characters are made to pass through the position of the same character on the fault line of the English character string. We have explained the case of running the game, but this applies even if the fault line is, for example, as shown in Figure 4, where three rows of alphabetic characters "X" and three rows of symbols "?" are displayed. good. In this case, a blank is provided at an arbitrary position in each of the three rows of alphabetic characters "X", and the moving character is made to pass through this blank portion.

As explained above, according to the present invention, there is provided a novel television game device that displays characters, numbers, and symbols that can be directly input using a key input device, and that can be executed by moving or erasing the characters, numbers, and symbols. Can be provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of an embodiment of the television game device of the present invention, FIGS. 2 a to g are display screen state diagrams for explaining the above embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the above embodiment. flowchart for,
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state of the display screen in a modified example of the invention. 1...Keyboard device, 3...Arithmetic processing circuit,
6...Storage circuit, 9...RAM, 11...Address data switching circuit, 12...Synchronization signal generation circuit,
13...Character generator, 14...Video signal generation circuit, 15...Display device, 16...Program input device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A key input device equipped with a game start command key, a movement character designation key, and a movement direction designation key, and a character RAM and a character generator having a plurality of storage areas; a display control device that converts a character code output from a character generator into a character pattern based on the character code stored in each storage area and displays the character pattern on a television receiver;
The game control device includes a game control device connected to the key input device and the display control device, and the game control device detects when the game start command key is operated and inputs data into a predetermined memory in the character RAM. A predetermined obstacle character, number, or symbol code is written in the area, and when the movement character designation key is operated, this is detected and the character, number, or symbol code is moved to a specific storage area other than the predetermined storage area. is written, and when the movement direction specification key is operated, this is detected and the type of movement direction specification key operated in the storage area adjacent to the storage area in which the movement character, number, symbol code is written is detected. The moving characters, numbers, and symbol codes are moved to the specified storage area only when the characters, numbers, and symbol codes stored in the specified storage area satisfy a predetermined condition. TV game device. 2. The television game device according to claim 1, wherein the game control device is a programmed data processing device.