JPH07102255B2 - Programmable controller for game consoles - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a controller used for a computer game such as a video game, and particularly to an external input terminal for inputting an external signal provided in a game machine. The present invention relates to a programmable controller for a game machine, which is used by connecting and can output the same signal to a game machine as a plurality of keys are operated in a specific order by one key operation.

(Prior Art) A method of using a controller used in a conventional video game will be described by taking a home video game machine (hereinafter, abbreviated as a video game) as an example.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a standard controller attached to a video game, and the standard controller 30 is a controller code.
Connected to the game base by 34.

Two video controllers are usually connected to a video game so that two players can play a competitive game, but since the functions of the two controllers are almost the same, only one controller will be described here.

Standard controller 30 has single contact A button 31 and B button 3
2, start button 35, reset button 36, and 4 keys (up key 33U, down key 33D, right key 33R, left key 33L)
Key switches such as the key button 33 having

Hereinafter, each key switch function of the standard controller will be described as an example in which a karate game is played.

In the karate game, each key button functions as follows.

Start button 35 ... Game start key Reset button 36 ... Pause key for temporarily stopping the game A button 31 ... Key for mainly punching B button 32 ... Key for mainly kicking Up key 33U ... Mainly character Key to make jump Down key 33D… Key to crouch character Right key 33R… Key to move character mainly to the left Left key 33L… Key to move character to the left When the key game starts, two characters fighting each other will appear on the TV screen, and if you want to punch the opponent here, first operate the right key 33R, left key 33L to reach the appropriate distance. And press the A button 31 there. Similarly, in order to give a kick, the B button 32 is pushed after approaching the opponent to an appropriate distance.

By the way, in video games, in order to make the character perform many actions with limited key switches, it may be required to press multiple keys at the same time or to press multiple keys in a specific order in a short time. is there.

For example, in the air game, the up key 33U and the B button 3
Pressing 2 at the same time kicks the knee, and the upper key 33U and the A button
If you press 31 at the same time, the head is struck.

Furthermore, the operation for performing a special move that can cause great damage to the opponent is also more complicated than when performing other moves.

For example, to perform a special move in the karate game, press the down key 33D for 0.1 to 0.3 seconds → press the down key 33D and the right key 33R at the same time for 0.1 to 0.3 seconds within a preset short time → right It is required to press the key 33R and the B button 32 at the same time for 0.1 to 0.3 seconds.

By the way, although the standard controller as described above is configured to be applicable to all games, it may be inconvenient to use depending on the contents of the game. An external signal input terminal is provided for connecting a controller with a tick or other optional device.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The above-described conventional technology has the following problems.

(1) If the key operation for causing the character of the game to perform a desired operation of the player, such as selection of a skill in a fighting game or shooting of a missile in a shooting game, the expert loses interest if it is too easy, and reverse. If it is too difficult, beginners will lose interest.

Therefore, the key operation method cannot be set to a level of difficulty that makes everyone happy at all times, and it has not been possible for everyone to enjoy one game regardless of the skill level of the player.

Further, even when a skilled player and a beginner compete, the difference in ability appears as a result, so that the skilled player and the beginner cannot enjoy the game equally.

(2) In a game in which the difficulty level increases according to the progress of the game, or in a game in which the scene changes depending on the progress, if a certain situation cannot be cleared and the game ends in that part, The next game often has to be played from the beginning.

For example, in a martial arts game such as the above-mentioned karate game, your opponent will become stronger each time you win the game, and you will not lose interest, but if you lose the game, you start from the game with the weakest opponent. Must.

Therefore, if you want to play a match with an opponent who has defeated the player, you must win all opponents up to that point, and if you lose in the middle of the match There was a problem that I could not play, and I had to play many games with weak opponents.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, to enable a beginner to play in the same manner as an expert, and to provide a programmable controller which does not require repeated operations up to already cleared scenes. To do.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized in that the following means are provided.

(1) A programmable controller having a play mode and a registration mode, a plurality of key switches for playing a game, an operation signal generating means for outputting an operation signal according to the operation contents of the key switches, and the operation An operation signal converting means for converting the signal into single operation information and outputting the information, and a means for selecting a play mode or a registration mode,
Means for generating an execution address of first storage means, which will be described later, first storage means for storing single operation information that is sequentially input in the registration mode as continuous operation information, and the continuous operation information for the play mode. An operation information conversion means for sequentially reading out, converting this into an operation signal and outputting the operation signal is provided.

(2) In the play mode, the second storage means for storing all of the single-operation information from the start of the game as the total operation information, and in the play modes of the next and subsequent times, the single-operation information is used instead of the single-operation information. And means for outputting from the start.

(Operation) According to the configuration described above, the following operation and effects are achieved.

(1) Since continuous operation information can be output, the character cannot perform a desired action unless a plurality of key switches are operated in a specific order during a short time during the game execution. Even in this case, it is possible to output the same signal as when a plurality of key switches are operated in a specific order by one key operation, and even an unfamiliar player can fully enjoy the game. Like

(2) All the key operation information from the start of the game is stored as all operation information, and this is output instead of the single operation information from the start of the next and subsequent games, so the progress of the previous game Can be faithfully reproduced.

Therefore, the previously cleared portion can be cleared at the same time if it is executed based on all the operation information, and it is not necessary to repeat the same portion.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a programmable controller which is an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the programmable controller 1 is attached to the game machine main body 9 and is a conventional standard controller 30.
And an operation signal generator 3 for outputting an operation signal SG1 corresponding to the operation content of the key switch 2 for playing a game to the game machine main body 9 through the external input terminal 10, and The operation signal SG1 is a single operation information SG indicating the type of the operated key switch 2 and its operation time.
The operation signal converting means 4 for converting into 2 and outputting it, and the address generating means 6 for generating the execution address signal SG4 of the first storing means 5 described later according to the operation contents of the key switch 12.
A first storage means 5 for sequentially inputting the single operation information SG2 from the execution address and storing at least one of these as continuous operation information, and an operation mode of the first storage means 5 as a play mode or a registration mode. Signal to select (RD
Signal, WR signal) according to the operation contents of the key switch 13, and a single operation information SG2 which constitutes the continuous operation information in the play mode.
The operation information conversion means 8 for sequentially reading from the execution address of the storage means 5, converting the operation address into the operation signal SG3, and outputting the game start signal and the reset signal according to the operation contents of the key switch 14. It is composed of a start / reset signal output means 11.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the programmable controller 1 of the present invention, and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 or 3 represent the same or equivalent portions.

The mode selection switch 44 is a switch for setting the operation mode of the controller to the play mode or the registration mode, and corresponds to the key switch 13 (FIG. 1).
The operation selection switches 41 to 43 are all the first storage means 5
It is a switch for selecting and outputting a plurality of continuous operation information registered in, and corresponds to the key switch 12.

The A button 31, the B button 32, and the four-contact key switch 33 correspond to the key switch 2 described with reference to FIG. 1, and the start button 35 and the reset button 36 correspond to the key switch 14.

FIG. 2 shows the contents of continuous operation information registered in the first storage means 5 by operating the key switch 2 in the registration mode. The continuous operation information has a configuration in which the single operation information 20 composed of the information about the on time of the key switch and the information indicating the type of the key switch turned on is the minimum unit, and is arranged in the order of operation. Has become.

For example, if the A button 32 is turned on for 1 second and then the key switches are both kept off for 2 seconds, and then the B button 31 is turned on for 3 seconds, the single operation information regarding the above is 1S, and the single operation regarding the above. The information is 2S, and the single operation information related to the above is 3S.
Is registered in the storage means 5.

The operation of the programmable controller 1 having such a configuration will be described below by taking the case of playing the karate game as an example.

When the player operates the key switch 2 in the play mode, an operation signal corresponding to the operation content is output from the operation signal generating means 3 to the game machine main body 9 through the external input terminal 10, and the game is enjoyed in the same manner as in the conventional case. be able to.

On the other hand, in the case of registering continuous operation information for causing the game character to perform a special move, if the mode selection switch 44 is operated to control the mode signal output means 7 before the game starts, the mode signal output means 7 The WR signal is output to the first storage means 5, and the first storage means 5 is ready for data storage.

Next, when, for example, the operation selection switch 41 of the key switch 12 is pressed, the execution address signal for designating the address for storing the continuous operation information is output from the address generation means 6 to the first storage means 5. .

Next, the information for operating the character continuously is input by operating the key switch 2. As described above, the special move is to press the down key 33D for 0.1 to 0.3 seconds → the down key 33D and the right key 33R at the same time. Press for 0.1 to 0.3 seconds → The right key 33R and the B button 32a are simultaneously pressed for 0.1 to 0.3 seconds.

First, when the down key 33D is pressed for 0.2 seconds, the pulse signal SG1 corresponding to the operation is input to the operation signal converting means 4. In the operation signal converting means 4, the pulse signal SG1
Is converted into single operation information (SG2) indicating that the down key 33D is pressed for 0.2 seconds, and the single operation information is output to the first storage means 5.

The first storage means 5 stores the single operation information as 1S at the set address. In the same manner, press the down key
The single operation information indicating that the 33D and the right key 33R are simultaneously pressed for 0.2 seconds is 2S, and the single operation information indicating that the right key 33R and the key button 32a are simultaneously pressed for 3 seconds is 3S.
Is sequentially stored as, and a series of information consisting of 1S + 2S + 3S becomes continuous operation information for performing a special move.

Hereinafter, a method of using the continuous operation information registered in this way in the game will be described.

The game is started by pressing the start button 35 after operating the mode selection switch 44 to convert the operation mode of the controller into the play mode. When the operation mode is converted to the play mode, the RD signal is output from the mode signal output means 7 to the first storage means 5, and the first storage means 5 is ready for data output.

When performing a special move during the execution of the game, the operation selection switch 41 is turned on at a desired timing. Then the first
From the address selected by the operation selection switch 41 of the storage means 5, individual single operation information constituting the continuous operation information registered in advance as described above is sequentially read out to the operation information conversion means 8.

The operation information conversion means 8 sequentially converts each single operation information into an operation signal and outputs it.

The continuous operation signal output based on this continuous operation information is the same as the operation signal continuously output when the key switches are operated in order, so the game machine determines that a special move command has been input. .

A plurality of continuous operation information can be registered in the first storage means 5, and other continuous operation information can be registered or read by operating the operation selection switches 42 and 43 in the same manner as described above. You can

Thus, according to the present invention, by one key operation,
The same signal as when a plurality of key switches are operated in a specific order can be output to the main body of the game machine, so that even an inexperienced player can fully enjoy the game.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.
The same reference numerals as those in the drawings represent the same or equivalent parts.

In the present embodiment, in the play mode, all single operation information from the start of the game is stored as all operation information.
And a start signal is input to the operation signal converting means 4 and the operation information converting means 8 so that all the operation information can be operated by a single operation from the start of the game in the play mode after the next time. It is characterized in that it outputs instead of information.

The operation of the controller having the above configuration will be described below.

In the programmable controller of this embodiment, when the start button is first pressed in the registration mode, the start signal is input to the game machine body 9 and the operation signal converting means 4, and the game is started on the game machine body 9.

On the other hand, the operation signal converting means 4 operates the single operation information SG according to the operation of the key switch 2 after the start signal is input.
2 is output to the second storage means 15, whereby all the single operation information from the start of the game is registered in the second storage means 15 as all operation information.

The single operation information also includes a signal when not operated, that is, a signal indicating a time when none of the key switches 2 is pressed. In addition, when the special move by the continuous operation information is executed during the game, the continuous operation information is also registered in the second storage unit 15.

When all the operation information is input in this way and the start button is pressed in the play mode from the next time onward, a start signal is input to the game machine body 9 and the operation information converting means 8 to start the game on the game machine body 9. On the other hand, the operation information conversion means 8 reads out all the operation information registered in advance from the second storage means 15 at the same time as the game starts, converts it, and outputs it to the game machine body.

According to the present embodiment, the operation contents of the key switch from the start to the end of the game can be registered at an accurate timing from the start, so that the same game progress state can be reproduced in the next and subsequent games. .

Therefore, if you register the contents of the key operation when the game can be advanced to the earliest,
From the next time onward, the game can be reliably advanced to at least that part, so there are cases where the game ends with a mistake before reaching the position where the game has advanced to the earliest. Disappear.

Since the second storage means 15 of this embodiment requires a large capacity memory, it is preferable to use an external storage memory.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the programmable controller of the present invention is described as being used instead of the standard controller, but the programmable controller is only for inputting continuous operation information or / and all operation information and reading the information. The standard key controller may be used for normal key operation, and both keys may be shared during game execution.

Further, although the present invention is applied to the controller for the video game in the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, key operation similar to that of the video game is required. When applied to a portable computer game equipped with a liquid crystal display device, it becomes possible to provide a game machine in which a key operation program is possible.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects are achieved.

(1) Even if the character cannot perform a desired action unless a plurality of key switches are operated in a specific order within a short time during the game execution, the desired action is performed. The key operation to be performed by the character may be registered in advance, and the same signal as the operation of a plurality of key switches in a specific order may be output to the game machine main body by one key operation if necessary. Since it is possible, even an inexperienced player can fully enjoy the game.

(2) Store all key operation information from the start of the game,
Since this is output to the main body of the game machine instead of the key operation information from the next game start, the progress of the previous game can be faithfully reproduced.

Therefore, it is not necessary to play the same portion repeatedly because the previously cleared portion can be similarly cleared.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of continuous operation information registered in the first storage means. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a standard controller for a video game. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the programmable controller 1. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. 1 ... Programmable controller, 2 ... Key switch, 3 ... Operation signal generating means, 4 ... Operation signal converting means, 5 ... First storage means, 6 ... Address generating means,
7: mode signal output means, 8: operation information conversion means,
9 ... Game console body, 10 ... External input terminal, 11 ... Start / reset signal output means, 12, 13, 14 ... Key switch, 15 ... Second storage means, 30 ... Standard controller, 41 , 42, 43 …… Operation selection switch, 44 …… Mode selection switch

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A programmable controller having a mode for playing a game by key operation and a mode for registering key operation content, wherein a plurality of key switches for playing the game and operation contents of the key switch are provided. Operation signal generating means for outputting an operation signal, operation signal converting means for converting the operation signal into single operation information indicating the type of operated key switch and operation time thereof, and outputting the play mode or registration mode. Means for outputting a signal for selecting the execution address, means for generating an execution address of a first storage means, which will be described later, and in the registration mode, the single operation information is sequentially input from the execution address and at least this is used as continuous operation information. A first storage means for storing one, and single operation information constituting the continuous operation information in the play mode. A programmable controller for a game machine, comprising: operation information conversion means for sequentially reading from the execution address of the first storage means, converting the operation address into an operation signal and outputting the operation signal. 2. In a play mode, a second storage means for storing all single operation information from the start of the game as all operation information, and in next and subsequent play modes, all operation information instead of the single operation information. The programmable controller for a game machine according to claim 1, further comprising means for outputting from the start of the game.