Patent ID: 6278985
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: G06N

Abstract:
A virtual element selection device for use in electronically growing virtual life in an electronic game device, comprising:indication means for providing a visual indication as a user input to said game device;numerating means for numerating the visual indication into a number data signal;a neural network for classifying the number data signal into one of a plurality of class numbers which corresponds to the number data signal, said neural network having an output layer including an N.times.M matrix of units, where N and M are integers, and one of said class numbers corresponding to each unit,a reference table for storing a plurality of elements concerned with growth of the virtual life, said reference table having an N.times.M matrix of cells corresponding to said N.times.M matrix of units in said output layer of said neural network, each cell corresponding to a species of said element;an image memory for storing images of the respective elements; andjudging means coupled to the neural network, the reference table, and the image memory for judging whether or not the; element of the virtual life is modified into a modified element with reference to the class number;means for modifying at least one element of the virtual life; anddisplay means for displaying to the user the user input and the image of the modified element when the element of the virtual life is modified in playing said game device;wherein the indication means provides the visual indication drawn by the user on the display means in the form of an input map; andsaid numerating means being for numerating the input map into the numerical data signal.