JP2000157732A - Portable electronic game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable electronic-game device which enables actions from a player by a means except operating buttons, provides variety for a progress in a character rearing game, and utilizes the characteristics of a portable type. SOLUTION: A portable electronic game device is provided with an operating means, a display part 2, a temperature sensor 3 to detect outside temperature of the device, and a processing part 1 to receive signals from the operating means to perform predetermined processing, and to display a game screen on the display part 2. The processing part 1 receives signals from the operating means, makes a game progress according to a predetermined procedure, receives signals from the temperature sensor 3, has the physical strength of a game character consumed according to the temperature, and displays the message of HOT/COLD.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable electronic game device capable of enjoying a game anytime and anywhere, and more particularly to a portable electronic game device for a breeding game for breeding characters.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Video game devices using computers are gaining in popularity. In recent years, portable electronic game devices that are small, lightweight and portable have been put on the market, and are becoming widespread. As this type of game device, a liquid crystal display device (LC
There is a scenario in which the game character D) is provided and the game characters displayed here are cultivated.

[0003]

In a conventional portable electronic game device, a processor operates according to a program stored in advance, and causes the game to proceed according to a predetermined scenario. Therefore, the scenario was fixed and the progress of the game tended to be monotonous. By providing a plurality of scenarios, the progress of the game can be complicated, but the program becomes complicated and the burden is placed on the player, and the original features of a simple game may be lost.

[0004] Further, in the conventional portable electronic game device, a player's action is possible only through operation buttons. This point is the same as other video game devices, and does not take advantage of the feature of being portable. It was hard to say that it was small enough to fit in your hand and that you could take it with you anywhere, anytime you wore it.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and can provide a variety of progress of a game without complicating a device and a program, change a game scenario, and change a game scenario. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable electronic game device capable of increasing the interest of the user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable electronic game device which enables a player to act by means other than the operation buttons and can make use of the characteristics of being portable.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an operation unit, a display unit, a sensor for detecting a situation outside the apparatus, and a signal from the operation unit and the sensor. Receiving a signal from the operating means, and performing a predetermined process on the display unit to display a game screen on the display unit. The processing unit proceeds with the game according to a predetermined procedure. In addition, the progress of the game is changed by receiving a signal from the sensor.

[0008] As the sensor, for example, a temperature sensor,
A pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, an acoustic sensor, and a pressure sensor are conceivable. For example, in the case of a barometric pressure sensor, the scenario can be changed in relation to the weather condition (for example, the character becomes unsatisfactory in a low pressure and becomes good in a high pressure), and in the case of a humidity sensor, it is related to the humidity. (For example, an umbrella is sullen when the humidity is high, and the mood is bad when the humidity is low). In the case of the acoustic sensor, the scenario is Can be changed (for example, when the surrounding noise is loud, the ears are displeased, and when the noise is low, you can be healthy)
In the case of a pressure sensor, the scenario can be changed according to the pressure applied to the housing of the game (for example, health can be restored by acupressure on a predetermined portion).

Preferably, the state of the character in the game changes according to an external situation detected by the sensor. For example, when the environment is suitable for survival, the physical fitness level increases, and otherwise the physical fitness level decreases and the patient becomes ill.

[0010] Preferably, when the game includes a plurality of stages, the external condition detected by the sensor is a condition when the stage shifts. For example, a stage cannot be transferred unless conditions suitable for the next stage are reached (temperature suitable for spawning,
You cannot lay eggs unless you have a quiet environment.)

[0011] Preferably, when the character changes when moving through the above-mentioned steps, the type of the character in the next step is determined according to the external situation in the previous step. For example, the type of the character is automatically determined in a state suitable for the environment of the previous stage (a tropical animal if the previous stage is hot, and a fur if the previous stage is cold).

[0012] Preferably, a message is displayed to alert the player to a change in the environment. For example, it ’s hot, it ’s cold,
It's dank, noisy, painful, etc.

Further, the present invention comprises an operation means, a display section, and a processing section for receiving a signal from the operation means, performing a predetermined process, and displaying a screen of a character breeding game on the display section. Receiving a signal from the operation means, the processing unit proceeds with the character breeding game according to a predetermined procedure, and leaves a descendant when the character of the game reaches a predetermined stage. Is repeatedly performed.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
This will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the portable electronic game device. The processing unit 1 includes a read-only memory (ROM) for storing a game program, and a RAM for temporarily storing data, and advances a game in a predetermined scenario according to the game program. The processing unit 1 includes an oscillator XTAL for supplying an operation clock.
Is connected. Note that the processing unit 1 also operates in a sleep mode in which the operation of a part with large power consumption is automatically stopped in order to suppress battery consumption. Switches 5a to 5d
Is for the player to operate. The switch 5a is an operation mode switching switch (CHANGE MODE), the switch 5b is a selection switch (SELECT) for switching the mode, the switch 5c is a decision switch (CHOOSE) for selecting the mode or operation, and the switch 5d is a cancel switch (CANCEL) for canceling the selection. It is. Outputs of these switches are input to the processing unit 1. The processing unit 1 performs a predetermined operation based on the signals from the switches 5.

A liquid crystal display (LCD) 2 is connected to the processing section 1 and displays game characters, various statuses, menus, and the like. A buzzer 4 driven by a transistor Q is also connected to the processing unit 1. A coil L is also connected to the buzzer 4 in parallel.

The processing section 1 is also connected to a temperature sensor 3 such as a thermistor. Based on the signal from the temperature sensor 3, the processing section 1 performs a predetermined process according to the temperature.
The temperature sensor 3 detects the situation of the surrounding environment. For this reason, the portable electronic game apparatus provides various game scenarios according to changes in the environment and displays the situation of the environment. be able to. Note that, in addition to the temperature sensor, various sensors such as a temperature (air temperature) sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, an acoustic sensor, and a pressure sensor may be provided.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the outer shape of the portable electronic game device. 2A shows a front view, and FIG. 2B shows a right side view. As can be seen from the figure, this game device is shaped like a penguin. An LCD 2 is placed on the penguin's belly, and operation switches 5
a to 5d are arranged. In addition, a temperature sensor 3 is arranged between both feet at the lower part of the torso. The temperature sensor is built into a protrusion that looks like a penguin egg. This is a feature related to the game device imitating a penguin. As is well known, certain penguins have a habit of holding an egg between their feet and mimic this, and by placing a temperature sensor 3 here, the penguin warms the egg and warms the temperature sensor 3 so that the child hatches. This is intended to make the game interesting by associating it with a game scenario described later.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the LCD 2. 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes a dot display section of 30 × 32 dots in length and width, 22 denotes a temperature display segment, 23 denotes a status display, 24 denotes a message display, 25 denotes an item display, and 26 denotes a mini game display. The status display 23 is for displaying a health level, physical strength, possession points, and temperature status. The message display 24 is for receiving a message from the character. Item display 25
Is for using vitamins and drugs in game scenarios. The mini game display 26 is for earning points required for using items. The dot display section 21 also displays information such as time, along with the characters of the game.

In the status display, an average temperature, a maximum / minimum temperature, and a temperature graph for each hour from 10 hours ago to the present can be displayed together with the health level, physical strength, possession points, and the like.

The portable electronic game device according to this embodiment operates as a game and also operates as a thermometer mode for simply displaying temperature and a clock mode for simply displaying time. This mode switching is possible with the switch 5a. Note that the temperature display is continued in any mode. In addition, to save battery power, if left for 3 minutes, the system will automatically enter sleep mode and the screen will turn off. When any switch is pressed, the game screen is displayed again. It should be noted that even if the screen disappears in the thermometer mode / clock mode, the game screen returns to the redisplay mode. However, only when the power is turned on, it starts from the clock mode.

Next, the operation of the portable electronic game device will be described with reference to FIG.

In the initial state, the game starts from the character's child (S1). First, an egg appears and a baby is born. At this time, a character is selected by setting the temperature. Character types include "egg",
There are three types, "young" and "adult". Eggs are displayed in one pattern (16 × 16 dots), but juveniles are displayed in four patterns (16 × 16). By having a plurality of patterns, movement can be expressed. Adult character patterns are further subdivided into "normal" (4 patterns, 1 pattern)
8 × 24), “weakness” (2 patterns, 18 × 24),
"Joy" (2 patterns, 16x16), "heat" (2
Pattern, 16 × 16), “Cold” (2 patterns, 1 pattern)
6 × 16) and “disease” (2 patterns, 16 × 16). The indications "hot" and "cold" are specific to this embodiment.

Next, in the training period (S2), the character gradually grows and evolves into an adult by the operation of the player.
In addition, maintaining the game apparatus main body at a temperature that is comfortable for the character (this is a healthy and comfortable temperature for the player) is a condition for training. For example, when suddenly entering a room with strong cooling (heating), the character depletes physical strength by issuing a message "It's cold (it's hot)." At the same time, this is also a message that the player may be harmful to the health of the player, so be careful.
For example, when the temperature is lower than 5 ° C., it is “cold”, when it is 5 ° C. or more and less than 15 ° C., it is “normally” when it is 15 ° C. or more but less than 28 ° C., “when it is 28 ° C.
It is classified as "hot" when the temperature is over ℃.

As a result, a completely new game characteristic is created, in which the player himself or herself heats and cools the portable game to advance the game. You can warm up your eggs in your pocket to return them, go to cool places for hot characters, and enjoy the game even more. As a training element, the environment surrounding the mobile game itself is changed. This is different from the conventional training game, and the present invention can be said to be closer to a true training game.

Each character has an individual health level and physical strength, and the physical strength changes depending on the temperature condition. For example, -3 for "cold", -1 for "slightly cold",
The value changes by +1 for "normal", -1 for "slightly hot", and -3 for "hot". Further, when it changes rapidly, it changes by -3 or -1 depending on the degree. In addition, when changing from a young body to an adult, or from an adult to an adult, the temperature situation or the temperature change is considered.
For example, it is considered as a condition necessary for change, or as a parameter for determining what character will be after the change. For example, when the average temperature of the previous character is cold (hot), the new character is forcibly determined to be a furry cold region (naked tropical type). On the other hand, if the average temperature of the previous character is appropriate,
The player can select any one of a common type, a cold region type, and a tropical type character. Similarly, physical fitness and health are also affected.

When the physical strength becomes zero, the patient becomes ill. If the illness does not recover, you will die and the game will be over. To cure the disease, use the “medicine” item.
It is also possible to perform an action of heating at a temperature of 4 ° C. or more and less than 38 ° C. for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes). The warming speeds recovery. This leads to the image of nursing,
It is expected to provide unprecedented fun.

Also, a message corresponding to the time is displayed. For example, "Good morning" in the morning, "Ohidara" at noon, "Good night" at night, and the like.

When the character changes, a specific pattern (for example, an explosion pattern) is displayed.

In the training period (S2), there are special skills, events, and mini games. As a mini game, three thermometers whose temperature display fluctuates are displayed, and these are displayed as 10
There is a game that stops exactly at 0 ° C.

Next, when the character grows sufficiently and satisfies certain conditions, an adult lays eggs (S3).

Next, the laid eggs are warmed (S4). It hatches when warmed with human skin for about 1 hour.

Then, the egg returns, and the process returns to step S1 to start a breeding game for the second-generation infant.

The feature of the game scenario of FIG. 4 is that the child grows up and becomes an adult, leaving a descendant, and the game proceeds again with the descendant.
In a normal game device, the character either dies of illness during growth, or dies of senescence even if it grows up safely, and ends after the death of the character. On the other hand, the scenario of this game continues by spawning,
You can continue the game. This scenario is in line with the fact that the seeds of life are inherited, is a natural scenario and is acceptable. Also, considering that many players are children, it is preferable that the game be continued as a succession to the next generation of descendants rather than the game ending in death. This portable electronic game device has such advantages.

The second characteristic is that the eggs are warmed and hatched after laying. This is in line with nature's providence, and is an act of the player directly acting on the game scenario via the temperature sensor 3, which is different from the operation switch. In the past, it was only possible to work on the game scenario exclusively through switches, and such a work was first introduced in the device of the present invention. Since the act of warming the egg indicates the parent's affection for the child, it is considered that incorporating such an act into the game scenario is also favorable for emotional education.

In the above description, the temperature sensor has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to other sensors. For example, in the case of a barometric pressure sensor, a scenario can be changed in relation to a weather condition (for example, a character becomes malfunctioning in a low pressure,
In the case of a humidity sensor, the scenario can be changed in relation to the humidity (for example, the umbrella is sullen when the humidity is high, and the mood is good when the humidity is low). In the case of, the scenario can be changed in relation to speech, ambient noise (for example,
If the surrounding noise is loud, the ears will be displeased, and if the noise is low, the patient will be healthy.) In the case of a pressure sensor, the scenario can be changed according to the pressure applied to the game housing (for example, a predetermined portion). Acupuncture restores health).

In this specification, means does not necessarily mean physical means, but also includes a case where the function of each means is realized by software.
Further, the function of one unit may be realized by two or more physical units, or the function of two or more units may be realized by one physical unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a portable electronic game device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a shape of a portable electronic game device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of a liquid crystal display (LCD) of the portable electronic game device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the portable electronic game device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Processing part 2 Liquid crystal display (LCD) 3 Temperature sensor 4 Buzzer 5 Switch 21 Dot display part 22 Temperature display segment 23 Status display icon 24 Message display icon 25 Item display icon 26 Mini game display icon

Claims (4)

[Claims] An operation means, a display, a sensor for detecting a situation outside the apparatus, and a signal received from the operation means and the sensor perform predetermined processing to display a game screen on the display. A processing unit for displaying, wherein the processing unit receives a signal from the operation unit, progresses the game according to a predetermined procedure, and changes a progress of the game by receiving a signal from the sensor. A portable electronic game device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The portable electronic game device according to claim 1, wherein a state of the character in the game changes according to an external situation detected by the sensor. 3. The portable electronic game device according to claim 1, wherein when the game includes a plurality of stages, an external situation detected by the sensor is a condition for shifting to the stages. 4. A processing unit comprising: an operation unit; a display unit; and a processing unit that receives a signal from the operation unit, performs a predetermined process, and displays a screen of a character breeding game on the display unit. Receives a signal from the operating means, advances a character breeding game according to a predetermined procedure, and leaves a descendant when the character of the game reaches a predetermined stage, and repeatedly advances the game for this descendant. A portable electronic game device characterized by the above-mentioned.