Game apparatus

The present invention is to provide a game apparatus with good operability which includes a card reader and a touch panel display and enables a player to operate a card even without looking the card reader with eyes and to perform an input operation while looking the touch panel display. The present invention includes a touch panel display, and a card reader including a panel on which a card used in a game is set. The present invention further includes a display support section which supports the touch panel display, and a panel support section which supports the panel of the card reader. Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the display support section supports the touch panel display such that at least a portion of the touch panel display is located above at least a portion of the panel in a vertical direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a game apparatus. More specifically, the game apparatus of the present invention has a touch panel display and a card reader on which a card is set. Furthermore, the game apparatus of the present invention can advance a game by displaying various images on the touch panel display while reading unique information from the card by the card reader.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a game apparatus which allows a player to play a game by using a plurality of cards with a code having unique data printed thereon is known (for example, Patent Literature 1). That is, the conventional game apparatus has a play field on which an arbitrary card is selectively set, a card data reading means which reads data of a card set on the play field, an image generating means which generates an image corresponding to card data read by the card data reading means, and a display means which displays a game image generated by the image generating means.

Further, as disclosed in Patent Literature 2, a game apparatus which allows a player to play a game by using a card and has a card reader and a touch panel display is also known. The game apparatus of Patent Literature 2 generates a character image based on card data read by the card reader, and displays the character image on the touch panel display. Furthermore, when the player touches the character image through the touch panel display, an operation instruction on a character is input to the game apparatus and a game is advanced based on the input operation instruction. Thus, in recent years, the game apparatus mounted with the card reader and the touch panel display is attracting attention because it can provide various games which are different in taste from conventional games.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literatures

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, in the game apparatus of Patent Literature 2, with respect to the standing position of the player, the card reader for setting an arbitrary card is provided at the front side, a 7-segment indicator is provided at the back side of the card reader, and the touch panel display is provided at the more back side of the 7-segment indicator. Therefore, the player needs to set an arbitrary card on the card reader or to stretch out his hand to the touch panel display which is slightly distant from the card reader, when operating the touch panel display while moving the set card. Thus, when the touch panel display is distant from the card reader, it is difficult for the player to operate the touch panel display with the other hand while operating the card on the card reader with one hand.

Further, as in the game apparatus of Patent Literature 2, when the touch panel display is distant from the card reader, the player has to look the card reader when operating the card on the card reader and has to look the touch panel display when operating the touch panel display. Therefore, problematically, game operability is degraded because it is difficult for the player to operate the touch panel display while operating the card on the card reader.

Particularly, when a game executed by the game apparatus is displayed on the touch panel display and is advanced in real time (for example, in the case of an action game and a simulation game), there is also a situation in which the player has to continuously operate the touch panel display and the card on the card reader almost simultaneously. In this situation, the player needs to operate the card with his eyes taken off the card reader while always looking the touch panel display. However, problematically, as described above, when the touch panel display is distant from the card reader, the player cannot concentrate on the game which is displayed and advanced on the touch panel display, because it is difficult for the player to look off the card reader when operating the card. Therefore, the game apparatus of Patent Literature 2 is considered to be unsuitable for a game in which the situation changes in real time.

Therefore, currently, there is required a game apparatus with good operability which includes a card reader and a touch panel display and enables a player to operate a card even without looking the card reader with eyes and to perform an input operation while looking the touch panel display.

Solution to Problem

Hence, the inventors of the present invention obtained knowledge as a result of devoted study of means for solving the above problem of the conventional invention that, by locating at least a portion of the touch panel display above the card reader in a vertical direction, it is possible for the touch panel display to be close to the card reader, and it is easy for the player to operate the touch panel display and the card on the card reader simultaneously. That is, by this configuration, the player can operate the card even without looking the card reader, and can perform an input operation while looking the couch panel display. Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention arrived at solving the problem of the conventional technique based on the above knowledge, and made the present invention.

More specifically, the present invention has the following configuration.

The present invention relates to a game apparatus.

The game apparatus of the present invention includes a touch panel display10, and a card reader20including a panel21on which a card used in a game is set.

Further, the game apparatus of the present invention includes a display support section30which supports the touch panel display10, and a panel support section40which supports the panel21of the card reader20.

Furthermore, the display support section30supports the touch panel display10such that at least a portion of the touch panel display10is located above at least a portion of the panel21in a vertical direction.

As in the above configuration, by locating the touch panel display10above the panel21of the card reader20, both the touch panel display10and the panel21come into the view of the player. Therefore, the player can easily operate the card on the card reader20even while looking the touch panel display10.

Further, by locating the touch panel display10above the panel21of the card reader20, the touch panel display10becomes close to the panel21. Therefore, the player can easily operate the touch panel display10and the card on the panel21simultaneously.

In the present invention, preferably, the display support section30may support the touch panel display10such that a gap is formed between the touch panel display10and the panel21.

As in the above configuration, since a gap is formed between the touch panel display10and the panel21of the card reader20, the player can operate the card on the panel21without being disturbed by the touch panel display10even when the touch panel display10is located above the panel21. Therefore, preferably, the height between the touch panel display10and the panel21may be a level allowing the entrance of the player's hand (for example, 50 mm to 150 mm).

In the present invention, when a side close to the standing position of the player with respect to the game apparatus is defined as a front side and a side distant from the standing position of the player is defined as a back side, it may be preferable the display support section30supports the touch panel display10such that a portion of the front side of the touch panel display10is located above a portion of the back side of the panel21in the vertical direction.

As in the above configuration, since the touch panel display10is located above a portion of the back side of the panel21in the vertically direction from the viewpoint of the standing position of the player, the player can easily touch the touch panel display10while operating the card on the panel21.

In the present invention, preferably, a step section47may be formed at a position contacting at least an end edge of the front side of the panel21.

As in the above configuration, since the step section47is provided at a position contacting the end edge of the front side of the panel21, the player can abut an arbitrary card on the step section47and arrange the card at the end edge of the front side of the panel21. For example, in a case where game advancement changes under the condition that a specific card is located in a region of the front side of the panel21, since the step section47is provided, the player can easily locate the specific card in the region of the front side of the panel21. Further, by providing the step section47at the position contacting the end edge of the front side of the panel21, it is possible to prevent the card from dropping from the panel21.

In the present invention, the display support section30may be provided with a sensor50for sensing a card set on the panel21or a human hand which handles the card. The sensor50may be a known sensor such as an infrared sensor, an area sensor, a CCD image sensor, or a CMOS image sensor.

Since a portion of the touch panel display10is located above a portion of the panel21of the card reader20, the present invention may employ a configuration in which a portion of the display support section30extends above the panel21. Therefore, by attaching the sensor50to the display support section30, it is possible to detect a card set on the panel21or a human hand which handles the card. For example, the sensor50may be used to detect the disposition position of a card on the panel21and the position of the player's hand which handles the card, and the disposition position of the card on the panel21and the position of the hand may be displayed on the touch panel display10based on the detected information. By this means, the player can easily know the disposition position of the card on the panel21and the position of his hand just by looking the touch panel display10even without looking the panel21.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, according to the present invention, since the touch panel display10is located above the panel21of the card reader20, both the touch panel display10and the panel21come into the view of the player. Accordingly, the player can easily operate the card on the card reader20even while looking the touch panel display10.

Further, according to the present invention, since the touch panel display10is located above the panel21of the card reader20, the touch panel display10becomes relatively close to the panel21. Accordingly, the player can easily operate the touch panel display10and the card on the panel21simultaneously.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment for implementing the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiment described below, and incorporates embodiments obtained by adequately modifying the following embodiment in a range obvious for one of ordinary skill in art.

In addition, in the drawings of the present application, orthogonal coordinate axes of X axis, Y axis and Z axis are set for easy understanding of the 3D direction. InFIG. 1or the like, the X axis represents a horizontal direction, the Y axis represents a vertical direction, and the Z axis represents a depth direction.

Further, in the specification of the present application, “front side” and “back side” respectively represent the front side and the back side of a game apparatus in the depth direction (Z axis direction) with respect to the standing position of a player.

Furthermore, in the specification of the present application, “A to B” represents “A or more and B or less”.

1. Housing Structure of Game Apparatus

First, a housing structure of a game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating an outlook of a game apparatus1according to an embodiment. Further,FIG. 2is a schematic cross-sectional view taken line Y-Y illustrated inFIG. 1. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the game apparatus1of the present invention basically includes a touch panel display10, a card reader20, and a housing2which supports the touch panel display10and t card reader20. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the present invention can be appropriately applied to a so-called arcade game apparatus.

The touch panel display10displays various image data as images visible to a player, and has a configuration in which the coordinate on a display screen touched by the player can be detected. The touch panel display10can detect contact of the player's finger according to a known electrostatic capacitance method, electromagnetic induction method, infrared scan method, resistance film method or ultrasonic surface acoustic wave method, and obtain coordinate information. Further, the card reader20has an approximately rectangular panel21on which a plurality of cards C is set. In a game provided by the game apparatus of the present invention, a card C with an identification code printed at least one of the front surface or the rear surface thereof is used. When the card C is set on the panel21, the card reader20is configured to read the identification code printed on the card C and obtain unique card information of the card. The panel21has a flat plane21′ on which a plurality of cards C can be set and can be slidably moved.

The configurations of the touch panel display and the card reader are known as illustrated in, for example, Patent Literature 1 or Patent Literature 2. The present invention can employ a known touch panel display and card reader appropriately.

Further, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the game apparatus1includes the housing2. The housing2supports the touch panel display10and the panel21of the card reader20at a position which can be operated by the player. That is, as illustrated in the schematic cross-section view ofFIG. 2, the housing2includes a display support section30which supports the touch panel display10, and a panel support section40which supports the panel21of the card reader20. Furthermore, various electronic devices for operating the touch panel display10and the card reader20and various electronic devices for executing a game by using the touch panel display10and the card reader20are provided inside the housing2. A game system of the game apparatus1will be described below, and a structure of the housing2of the game apparatus1will be described herein.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the panel support section40supporting the panel21of the card reader20is a base portion of the housing2. The panel support section40basically includes a top plate41, a bottom plate42, a front plate43, a rear plate44, a left plate45, and a right plate46, and is formed in the shape of a box by these plate members. According to the design of the housing2of the game apparatus1, the plate members41to46may be appropriately refracted or curved, and decorative members may be appropriately attached to the plate members41to46. A plurality of leg members42ais attached to the bottom plate42of the panel support section40. The housing2may be installed on a flat ground surface through the plurality of leg members42a.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the top plate41of the panel support section40is formed in the shape of a plane which is parallel to the installation surface of the game apparatus1. The panel21of the card reader20is attached to the top plate41.

First, in the top plate41, an approximately rectangular opening41ais provided at the front side from the viewpoint of the standing position of the player. The opening41acommunicates through the panel support section40which is formed in the shape of a box.

Further, in the top plate41, at an edge portion of the opening41a, a step section47one step lower than a top surface41′ is formed. That is, as for the step section47, a portion of the top plate41is recessed in the inward direction of the housing2, and a step wall is formed at the edge portion of the opening41a.

Still further, in the edge portion of the opening41a, at the lowermost position of the step section47, a flange41bprotruding toward the center of the opening41ais formed. The flange41bis at least formed at the front edge of the back edge of the opening41a, and is preferably formed at the entire edge of the opening41a.

Furthermore, the panel21of the card reader20is inserted into the opening41aof the top plate41. The edge of the panel21abuts on the flange41bformed at the edge of the opening41e. Thus, the panel21is attached to the top plate41of the panel support section40. By this means, the panel21is supported by the panel support section40. Further, by providing the panel21at the opening41a, it is possible to irradiate infrared rays (invisible light) from the bottom side of the panel21, analyze light reflected from the card C, and read the identification code printed on the card C.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, preferably, by the above structure, the panel support section40may support the panel21of the card reader20to be parallel to the installation surface of the game apparatus1. By this means, by installing the game apparatus1on the flat ground surface, the panel21of the card reader20is also maintained to be horizontal. Since the panel21is set to be horizontal, the player can easily set the card C on the panel21and can easily slide the set card C.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 2, in a state where the panel21is attached to the top plate41, since the step section47is formed at the edge of the panel21, a height difference occurs between the top surface41′ of the top plate41and the plane21′ of the panel21. That is, the plane21′ of the panel21is set to be one step lower than the top surface41′ of the top plate41. Thus, since the plane21′ of the panel21is set to be lower than the top surface41′ of the top plate41, the card C set on the plane21′ of the panel21can be prevented from dropping from the panel21.

Further, an object of the present invention is to enable the player to slide the card C set on the panel21even without looking the panel21. In this regard, since the plane21′ of the panel21is set to be lower than the top surface41′ of the top plate41, the player can easily know the position of the edge of the panel21on which the card C is set. That is, since the player can know the position of the edge of the panel21by abutting the card C on the wall of the step section47, the player can easily slide the card C to a desired position even without looking the panel21.

InFIG. 2, the height difference between the top surface41′ of the top plate41and the plane21′ of the panel21is represented by a symbol YS. Preferably, a value of the height difference YS may be at least greater than a value of the thickness of the card C used in the game. For example, preferably, the value of the height difference YS may be 1 mm to 50 mm, 5 mm to 40 mm, or 10 mm to 30 mm.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the position of the top plate41is recessed downward to form the step section47; however, the step section47may be formed by uplifting the periphery of a portion of the top plate41to which the panel21is attached. To sum up, the step section47is provided at a position abutting on the edge of the panel21, and is one step higher than the panel21.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the display support section30is attached to the top plate41of the panel support section40which acts as a base portion. The display support section30is provided at the back side of the top plate41of the panel support section40to which the panel21is attached, and has a constant upward height. In the present embodiment, the display support section30includes a base portion31which connects with the panel support section40and extends upward, an inclined portion32which connects with the base portion31and extends upward while inclining to the front side, and a display attachment portion33which is provided at the end of the front side of the inclined portion32. The touch panel display10is attached to the display attachment portion33of the display support section30. By this means, the touch panel display10is supported above the panel support section40by the display support section30.

In addition,FIG. 2illustrates an example in which the display support section30and the panel support section40are formed as separate bodies; however, the display support section30and the panel support section40may also be formed as an integrated body.

In the present invention, the touch panel display10is supported by the display support section30such that a portion thereof is located above the panel21of the card reader20in the vertical direction (Y axis direction). That is, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, the inclined portion32of the display support section30extends upward to the top side of the panel21in the vertical direction while inclining to the front side. Consequently, the touch panel display10attached to the display attachment portion33located at the front leading end of the inclined portion32is located above the panel21in the vertical direction. Thus, in the present invention, a portion of the touch panel display10overlaps a portion of the panel21of the card reader20in the vertical direction.

Hereinafter, the position relation between the touch panel display10supported by the display support section30and the panel21supported by the panel support section40will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 2.

InFIG. 2, a symbol YH represents the distance of a gap which is formed between the plane21′ of the panel21and a bottom end10′ of the touch panel display10. Preferably, the gap distance YH is secured to the extent that the player's hand does not contact the bottom end10′ of the touch panel display10(or the bottom end of the display attachment portion33) when the player operates the card C set on the panel21. In addition, when the touch panel display10is attached to the display attachment portion33, the gap distance YH is set also in consideration of the width of a flange portion of the display attachment portion33. For example, preferably, the gap distance YH may be 30 mm to 400 mm, 50 mm to 300 mm, or 100 mm to 200 mm. When the gap distance YH is less than 30 mm, it is difficult to insert the end of the player's hand between the touch panel display10and the panel21and it is difficult to operate the card C. Accordingly, it may be preferable that the gap distance YH is set to be 30 mm or more. On the other hand, when the gap distance YH is more than 400 mm, it is difficult for the player to capture the touch panel display10and the panel21in his vision simultaneously. That is, a general human vision is considered to be an upward 60° and a downward 70°. Therefore, when the gap distance YH is more than 400 mm, in the range of the touch panel display10and the panel21being reached by the hand, it is difficult to capture the panel21at the end of the vision while looking the touch panel display10. Therefore, preferably, the gap distance YH may be set to be 400 mm or less such that the player can operate the touch panel display10and the card on the panel21simultaneously.

Further, inFIG. 2, a symbol ZD represents a total depth of the panel21. Furthermore, a symbol ZO represents the depth of a region overlapping a portion of the touch panel display10in the vertical direction, among the depth of the panel21. As illustrated inFIG. 2, at a back side portion in the Z axis direction, the panel21overlaps a front side portion of the touch panel display10in the vertical direction. When the total depth ZD of the panel21is 100%, it may be preferable that the depth ZO of a region overlapping the touch panel display10is 5% to 50%, 10% to 40%, or 15% to 30%. When the depth ZO of the overlapping region is less than 5%, since the distance from the frontmost edge of the panel21to the touch panel display10is increased excessively, the operability is degraded. Therefore, it may be preferable that the depth ZO of the overlapping region is 5% or more. On the other hand, when the depth ZO of the overlapping region is more than 50%, since the player is disturbed by the touch panel display10, it is difficult for the player to stretch out his hand to the most back side edge of the panel21. Accordingly, it may be preferable that the depth ZO of the overlapping region is 50% or less. Further, it may be preferable that the depth ZO of the overlapping region is 5 mm to 300 mm, 50 mm to 200 mm, or 100 mm to 150 mm in an actual dimension.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 2, at the front side in the Z axis direction, the panel21has a portion which does not overlap the touch panel display10in the vertical direction. Further, at the back side in the Z axis direction, the touch panel display10has a portion that does not overlap the panel21in the vertical direction. Thus, since the touch panel display10and the panel21overlap each other with good balance in the vertical direction, the operability of the touch panel display10and the panel21can be compatible.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the touch panel display10is supported by the display support section30such that it is inclined at a predetermined angle to the plane21′ of the panel21. Preferably, an inclination angle θ of the touch panel display10with respect to the plane21′ of the panel21may be 30° to 80° or 45° to 60°. Thus, by inclining the touch panel display10at the above angle, a portion of the front side of the touch panel display10and a portion of the back side of the panel21can be located to overlap each other in the vertical direction. Furthermore, when a portion of the front side of the touch panel display10and a portion of the back side of the panel21overlap each other in the vertical direction, the player can easily know that the panel21is located at an under side thereof, just by looking the touch panel display10. Accordingly, the operability of the touch panel display10and the panel21located under the touch panel display10is improved.

The housing2of the game apparatus1has been described above, focusing on the support structures of the touch panel display10and the panel21of the card reader20. In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the housing2of the game apparatus1may be provided with a button-type operating unit160, an audio output unit190for outputting a audio, an IC card reading/recording unit194, a coin inserting unit196for receiving the insertion of a coin, a coin discharging unit197for returning a coin to the player, and a card discharging unit198for discharging a card received in the housing.

2. Specific Configuration of Game Apparatus

Next, a game system of the game apparatus1according to the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the game apparatus1according to the present invention.

The game apparatus1according to the present embodiment includes the touch panel display10and the card reader20as described above. Furthermore, the game apparatus1advances a game by displaying one or more player objects on the touch panel display10with respect to a card C set on the card reader20and controlling the movement of one selected from the one or more player objects displayed.

That is, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the game apparatus1of the present invention basically includes a touch panel display10, a card reader20, and a game body section100which advances a game by displaying information read by the card reader20on the touch panel display10.

In the present embodiment, the touch panel display10includes a display11which can display images of a plurality of player objects present in game space, and a touchscreen12which overlaps the front surface of the display11to input the coordinate on a display screen of the display11.

Further, the card reader20includes a panel21on which a card C with a code having predetermined card information printed thereon is set, and an image sensor23which detects card information by reading the code of the card set on the panel21.

Furthermore, the game body section100includes at least a game information memory unit180, an image processing unit130, and a game processing unit120.

The game information memory unit180stores information about a player object in association with card information. The image processing unit130performs control to read the information about the player object from the game information memory unit180based on the card information detected by the image sensor23of the card reader20, and display an image of the read player object on the display11of the touch panel display10. Still further, the game processing unit120advances a game according to a game program based on the input information from the touch panel display10and the card reader20.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the touch panel display10has the display11and the touch screen12. The touch panel display10is formed by disposing the touch screen12formed using a transparent material, in front of the display10which can display images. The display11is a display apparatus such as a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an OELD (Organic Electro Luminescence Display). The display11outputs and displays various pieces of information which the player requires to use the information processing apparatus, as a still image or a movie according to an input signal from the game body100. Further, the touch screen12can detect contact of the player's hand or finger according to a known electrostatic capacitance method, electromagnetic induction method, infrared scan method, resistance film method or ultrasonic surface acoustic wave method, and obtain information about the coordinate of the touch position. The positional relationship between the display11and the touch screen12is mutually linked, and the touch screen12can acquire information about the coordinate of a touch position on the display screen displayed on the display11. By this means, the touch screen12can detect contact of the player's finger, and obtain the information about the coordinate on the screen of the display11which the player's finger contacted. The coordinate information acquired by the touch screen12is stored in a temporary memory unit170of the game body100. Further, the touch screen12supports so-called multitouch of, when, for example, the player touches a plurality of points, acquiring information about coordinates of a plurality of these points. Furthermore, the game apparatus1preferably has the comparatively large touch panel display10mounted thereon. This is because a portion of the touch panel display10and a portion of the panel21of the card reader20overlap each other in the vertical direction and the touch panel display10is located to be close to the player. Thus, even if it includes a large-size touch panel display10, according to the housing structure of the game apparatus1of the present invention, the player can touch easily the full scope of the touch panel display10. For example, the touch panel display100is preferably displays of 10 inches to 75 inches, 16 inches to 40 inches or 28 inches to 38 inches.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the card reader20is an apparatus which can capture an image of an identification code recorded in a card C, and has a panel21, a light source22and an image sensor23. For example, an illustration of a player object used in a game is printed on the surface of the card C, and an identification code for identifying the player object printed on the surface is recorded on the back surface of the card C. Further, for example, an identification code is printed on the back surface of the card C using an ink which cannot be viewed by means of visible light, and a pattern printed using black and white appears when specific invisible light is radiated on the card. The identification code is printed using a special ink which absorbs invisible light such as infrared ray and, when infrared ray is radiated on the back surface of the card C, the invisible light radiated on a portion except the black portion of the identification code is reflected. For example, the identification code of the card C has at least an identification number of a player object drawn in the card and information related to, for example, an orientation of the card recorded therein.

The panel21is provided on the upper surface of the card reader20, and a plurality of cards C can be set on the panel21. Further, inside the housing2of the game apparatus1, for example, the light source22which radiates infrared ray (invisible light) on the back surface of the card C set on the panel21, and the image sensor23which acquires the infrared ray reflected from the back surface of the card C set on the panel21and captures an image of a pattern of card data recorded in the card C are provided. The light source22is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) which emits invisible light such as infrared ray or ultraviolet ray which is invisible to the eyes. The image sensor23is, for example, an image capturing element which captures an image of an identification code by means of infrared ray which is reflected on the back surface of the card C and is incident on the housing2. Further, the card reader20can acquire unique card information of the card C by analyzing this identification code. The card information acquired by the card reader20is transmitted to a processing unit110of the game body100, and stored in the temporary memory unit170.

The identification code of the card C has at least an identification number of a player object drawn in the card and information related to, for example, an orientation of the card recorded therein. Hence, by referring to an object table stored in the game information memory unit180or the temporary memory unit170based on the card information acquired from the card reader20, the processing unit110of the game body100can learn a status, a type, a name and an attribute of the player object recorded in the card C and, moreover, the characteristics of the player object matching the orientation or the position of the card C. An example of a player object is a game character. Further, the image sensor23of the card reader20detects the position at which infrared ray light is reflected from the back surface of the card C, so that the processing unit110of the game body100can calculate the position at which the card C is set on the panel21as coordinate information. Furthermore, the image sensor23continuously detects reflection positions of infrared ray, so that it is possible to obtain information that the card C set on the panel21moves from a certain position to another position.

Still further, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the panel21of the card reader20is preferably partitioned into a plurality of areas. The number of partitions of the panel21can be, for example, 2 to 10. In an example illustrated inFIG. 4, the panel21of the card reader20is divided into two of an offensive area A1(first area) and a defensive area A2(second area). As illustrated inFIG. 4, an offensive area A1is an area which is provided at the back side of the panel21in the Z axis direction. Further, a defensive area A2is an area which is provided at the front side of the panel21in the Z axis direction. This area is divided according to the coordinate on the panel21, and the panel21is not physically divided. Therefore, the player can slide each card C between the offensive area A1and the defensive area A2. By acquiring the position of each card C on the panel21as coordinate information, the processing unit110of the game body100can decide which one of the offensive area A1and the defensive area A2the position of each card C belongs to.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 4, in the game apparatus of the present invention, a step section47is formed one step higher than and along the edge of the panel21. Therefore, the player can easily move the card C to the offensive area A1by abutting the card C on the step section47of the back side of the panel21. Likewise, the player can easily move the card C to the defensive area A2by abutting the card Con the step section47of the front side of the panel21. Therefore, even without looking each card C, by touching the step section47of the edge of the panel21or each card C, the user can easily know which of the offensive area A1and the defensive area A2each card C is located at. Accordingly, the player can move the card C on the panel21without looking the panel21while looking the touch panel display10.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the rectangular card C can be set vertically or horizontally on the panel21of the card reader20. In this case, the processing unit110of the game body100can decide whether the card C is set vertically or horizontally, based on detection information from the card reader20. For example, an identification code is printed on the back surface of the card C. This identification code includes information related to the orientation of the card. Consequently, the processing unit110of the game body100can decide whether the card C is set vertically or horizontally by reading the identification code by means of the card reader20and analyzing the orientation of the card C based on the read identification code.

The game body100has the processing unit110, and reads and executes a game program and controls an entire operation of the game apparatus according to the game program. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the game body100has the following configuration.

The processing unit110performs various processing such as control of the entire system, an instruction to give a command to each block in the system, game processing, image processing and audio processing. The function of the processing unit110can be realized by hardware such as various processors (for example, a CPU or a DSP) or an ASIC (for example, a gate array), or a given program (game program).

The processing unit110includes a game processing unit120, an image processing unit130and an audio processing unit150. More specifically, the processing unit110includes a main processor, a coprocessor, a geometry processor, a drawing processor, a data processing processor, and a four arithmetic operation circuit or a generalized arithmetic operation circuit. These processors and circuit are adequately coupled through a bus, and can receive and send signals. Further, the processing unit110may have a data extension processor for extending compressed information.

Meanwhile, the game processing unit120performs various game processings such as processing of displaying an object on the display11based on card information acquired by the card reader20, processing of scrolling the position of a view point (the position of a virtual camera) or an angle of view (a rotation angle of the virtual camera) on the display11, processing of arranging an object such as a map object in object space, processing of selecting an object, processing of moving the object (motion processing), processing of calculating the position or the rotation angle of the object (the rotation angle around an X, Y or Z axis), processing of receiving coins (price), processing of setting various modes, processing of advancing a game, processing of setting a selection screen, hit check processing, processing of computing a game result (achievement or score), processing of allowing a plurality of players to play a game in common game space or game-over processing, or processing of issuing the cards, based on input data from the touch screen12, the card reader20and an operating unit160and a game program.

The image processing unit130performs various image processings according to, for example, an instruction from the game processing unit120. The game processing unit120reads image information of an object and game space from the game information memory unit180based on information about the position of a view point and an angle of view, and writes the read image information in the temporary memory unit170. The game processing unit120supplies scroll data for moving the view point to the image processing unit130. The image processing unit130reads image information per frame from the temporary memory unit170based on given scroll data, and has the display11display images of the object and the game space according to the read image information. By this means, the display11displays the object and the game space based on the view point. Further, the image processing unit130moves the view point in the game space according to the coordinate inputted to the touch screen12. Furthermore, the image processing unit130reads frames from the temporary memory unit170based on the information about the moving view point, and has the display11display the read image. Thus, by scrolling the view point in the game space, the display screen transitions.

Further, the image processing unit130reads the card information acquired from the temporary memory unit170by the card reader20, and refers to the object table stored in a game information memory unit180based on this card information. Furthermore, the image processing unit130reads image data of the player object associated with the card information from the temporary memory unit170or the game information memory unit180based on link information stored in the object table. Still further, the image processing unit130generates the player object in the game space according to the image data of the read player object, and has the display11display the object.

The game processing unit120controls a behaviour of the object which appears in the game space, based on the information about the coordinate inputted to the touch screen12, the orientation or the position of the card set on the card reader20and operation information from other operating unit160(a lever, button or a controller). For example, the game processing unit120refers to the coordinate information of the player object displayed on the display11and the coordinate information inputted to the display11, and decides whether or not the player touches the player object. That is, the game processing unit120decides that the user touched and selected the player object when position information inputted to the touch screen12and position information of the player object match. Further, when an operation or an instruction is given to the selected player object, processing matching a game program is performed according to the operation or the instruction.

According to an instruction from the game processing unit120based on a game program, the audio processing unit150generates various audio data such as sound effects and BGM.

Functions of the game processing unit120, the image processing unit130and the audio processing unit150may all be realized by hardware or may all be realized by programs. Alternatively, these functions may be realized by both of the hardware and the programs.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, for example, the image processing unit130has a geometry processing unit132(three-dimensional coordinate computing unit) and a drawing unit140(rendering unit).

The geometry processing unit132performs various geometry computations (three-dimensional coordinate computation) such as coordinate transformation, clipping processing, perspective transformation and light source calculation. Further, object data (for example, top coordinate, top texture coordinate or brightness data of the object) for which geometry processing has been performed (perspective transformation has been performed) is stored in a main memory172of the temporary memory unit170and kept. The geometry processing unit132may include a normal vector processing unit134. The normal vector processing unit134may perform processing of rotating a normal vector of each top of the object (a normal vector on a plane of the object in a broad sense) according to a rotation matrix from a local coordinate system to a world coordinate system.

The drawing unit140draws the object in a frame buffer174based on the object data for which geometry computation has been performed (perspective transformation has been performed) and a texture stored in a texture memory unit176. The drawing unit340includes, for example, a texture mapping unit142and a shading processing unit144. More specifically, the drawing unit140can be implemented by a drawing processor. The drawing processor is connected to the texture memory unit, various tables, a frame buffer and a VRAM, and is further connected with the display. The texture mapping unit142reads an environment texture from a texture memory unit176, and maps the read environment texture on the object. The shading processing unit144performs shading processing with respect to the object. For example, the geometry processing unit132calculates a light source, and obtains the luminance (RGB) of each top of the object based on information about a light source for shading processing, an illumination model, and a normal vector of each top of the object.

The operating unit160allows a player to input operation data. The function of the operating unit160is realized by a controller having, for example, a lever, a button and hardware. Processing information from the operating unit160is sent to the main processor through a serial interface (I/F) or the bus.

The game information memory unit180stores game programs, objects displayed on the display11and information related to image data in game space. The game information memory unit180is, for example, a ROM, and is realized by a non-volatile memory such as an optical disk (CD or DVD), a magnetooptical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, a hard disk or a magnetic tape. The processing unit110performs various processings based on information stored in this game information memory unit180. The game information memory unit180stores information (programs or the programs and data) for executing means of the present invention. Part or all of information stored in the game information memory unit180may be written to the temporary memory unit170when, for example, a power is applied to the system.

The information stored in the game information memory unit180includes, for example, at least two of a program code for performing predetermined processing, image data, audio data, shape data of a display object, table data, list data, information for instructing processing of the present invention and information for performing processing according to the instruction. For example, the table data includes data of an object table which stores a status, a type, a name and an attribute of an object, and characteristics of the object matching the orientation or the position of the card, in association with an identification number of the object. The status of the object is information in which, for example, a moving speed, a hit point, offense power and defence power are stored as numerical values. The game processing unit120can decide superiority and inferiority of, for example, the moving speed, the hit point and the offense power of each object by referring to the status stored in the object table. Thus, the game processing unit120changes the game progress when the card is horizontal or vertical.

Furthermore, the characteristics of the object matching the orientation of the card are data which changes according to the orientation of the card set on the panel21of the card reader20. For example, as to objects related to a given card, the object table stores information which is different when the card is vertically set or horizontally set. For example, when the card is vertically set and horizontally set, the status of the object may change.

Further, the characteristics of the object matching the position of the card is data which changes according to the position at which the card is set on the panel21of the card reader20. For example, as to objects related to a given card, the object table stores information which is different when the card is positioned in the offensive area A1(first area) and when the card is positioned in the defensive area A2(second area). For example, when the card is positioned in the offensive area A1and when the card is positioned in the defensive area A2, the status of the object may change. Thus, the game processing unit120changes game advancement between the case where the card is located at the offensive area A1and the case where the card is located at the defensive area A2.

The audio output unit190outputs the audio data generated by the audio processing unit150as an actual sound. The function of the audio output unit190can be realized by hardware such as a speaker. An audio output is applied audio processing by a sound processor connected to, for example, the main processor through the bus, and is outputted from the audio output unit such as the speaker.

A communication unit192is an arbitrary unit which performs various controls for performing communication with an outside (for example, a host server or another game apparatus). By connecting the game apparatus with a host sever on a network or another game apparatus through the communication unit192, it is possible to play a match play or a combination play of a game. The function of the communication unit192can be realized by various processors, hardware such as a communication ASIC or a program. Further, a program or data for executing a game apparatus may be distributed from an information storage medium of a host apparatus (server) to the game information memory unit180through the network and the communication unit192.

The IC card reading/recording unit194may read data from an IC card including an integrated circuit, or may record data on the IC card. The IC card reading/recording unit194may perform data reading/recording by contact or non-contact. For example, the IC card reading/recording unit194may read/write data by inserting the IC card, or may read/write data by approaching or contacting the IC card. When the IC card reading/recording unit194is a non-contact type, the IC card reading/recording unit194is realized by hardware such as an RFID reader. For example, player identification information for specifying a player having the IC card is recorded in the IC card. When the player identification information is read from the IC card by the IC card reading/recording unit194, the game processing unit120communicates with a host server through the communication unit192, and downloads player information such as the game advancement state of the player, personal information (for example, sex and age) of the player, and save data of the game from the host server, based on the player identification information. The game processing unit120executes the game based on the downloaded player information.

The coin inserting unit196receives a game fee (coin) from the player. The game processing unit120calculates the total amount of coins inserted into the coin inserting unit196, and performs processing of starting the game when the total amount of the coins is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. On the other hand, when receiving a return request for a game fee (coins) from the player, the game processing unit120extracts coins from a coin accumulating unit (not illustrated) provided in the housing, and discharges the coins from the COIN RETURNING UNIT197.

According to an instruction from the game processing unit120, the card discharging unit198discharges a card from a card accumulating unit (not illustrated) which accumulates a plurality of cards. Preferably, the discharged card has an identification code printed on the rear surface or the front surface and can be used in the game. When determining that the game result satisfies a predetermined condition, the game processing unit120may discharge a predetermined number of cards through the CARD DISCHARGING UNIT198. The player receives the card discharged by the card discharging unit198, and may use the received card in the next game. Further, when a predetermined amount or more of coins has been received from the player, the game processing unit120may discharge a card from the card discharging unit198without executing the game. By this means, the player may purchase only a card through the game apparatus1of the present invention.

[Operation Example of Game Apparatus]

Next, an operation example of the game apparatus employing the above configuration will be described. Hereinafter, the system of the game executed by the game apparatus will be described using an example. For example, the game apparatus according to the present invention can play a match game using communication such as Internet. In this match game, each game user plays a match by having a plurality of player objects (game characters) appear in one game space. In an example of the game described below, the player performs an instruction operation such as appearance, movement, offense and defense of each player object through, for example, the touch panel display10and the card reader20to beat enemy objects (Enemy), conquer a tower and break a stone.

FIG. 5conceptually illustrates states of the touch panel display10and the card reader20when a game is actually played using the game apparatus according to the present invention. InFIG. 5, a reference symbol PR indicates right hand of the player, and a reference symbol PL indicates left hand of the player. The user sets desired cards C1to C7on the card reader20. The identification code is printed on the back surface of each of the cards C1to C7. When reading the identification code of each of the cards C1to C7, the card reader20analyzes card information based on the identification code, and transmits card information to the processing unit310of the game apparatus. Further, the card reader20can learn the orientation and the position of each of the cards C1to C7. In an example illustrated inFIG. 5, on the card reader20, the cards C1, C2, C5and C6are vertically set, and the cards C3, C4and C7are horizontally set. Further, in the example illustrated inFIG. 5, on the card reader20, the cards C1, C4and C6are positioned in the offensive area A1, and the cards C2, C3, C5and C7are positioned in the defensive area A2. Information detected by the card reader200is transmitted to the processing unit110, and the processing unit110refers to the object table stored in the game information memory unit180(or the temporary memory unit170) based on the card information and information about, for example, the orientation of the card and the position of the card, and reads information (for example, image data and a status) about the player object associated with the card information. The processing unit110has the touch panel display10display images based on the read image data.

In an example illustrated inFIG. 5, the touch panel display10displays the images of the cards in a lower area of the touch panel display10. The images of the cards displayed on the touch panel display10match an arrangement order of each of the cards C1to C7set on the card reader20and the orientation of each of the cards C1to C7. That is, the processing unit110determines the locations and directions of actual cards C1to C7set on the panel21based on the information read by the card reader20, and displays images of the respective cards C1to C7on a portion of the touch panel display10in the directions and positions corresponding to the actual card C1to C7. That is, the processing unit110may display the images of the respective cards C1to C7on the touch panel display10in the relative positions and the same arrangement order as the actual cards C1to C7set on the panel21. Thus, by displaying the image of each of the cards C1to C7set on the card reader20, on part of the touch panel display10, the user can learn an arrangement and the orientation of each of the cards C1to C7by viewing the touch panel display10without visually checking the card reader20.

In addition, the touch panel display10may display information about which of the offensive area A1and the defensive area A2the respective cards C1to C7set on the panel21is located at, by an icon or a cursor.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 5, the player objects (game characters) O1to O6associated with the cards C1to C6are displayed on the display screen of the touch panel display10. Each player object has a unique status, a type, a name, an attribute and characteristics matching the orientation or the position of the card. The status of the player object is information in which, for example, a moving speed, a hit point, offense power and defense power are stored as numerical values. These pieces of information are stored in the object table in association with identification information of each player object. While it is possible to set player objects the cards of which are vertically arranged to carry out normal offenses, it is possible to set player objects the cards of which are horizontally arranged to carry out special offenses. Further, while it is possible to make a setting to increase numerical values of offence power of the player objects the cards of which are positioned in the offensive area A1, it is possible to make a setting to increase numerical values of defense power of player objects the cards of which are positioned in the defensive area A2. Furthermore, in the example illustrated inFIG. 5, the player object (O7) associated with the card C7is not displayed on the touch panel display10. To have the object (O7) appear in the game space, the image of the card C7displayed on the touch panel display10is touched, and the image of the card C7is dragged to the position at which a call gate is displayed. When the image of the card C7is dropped at the position at which a call gate is displayed, the player object (O7) associated with the card C7appears in the game space, and is displayed on the touch panel display10. In addition, the position coordinate of the call gate in the game space is stored in the game information memory unit180and the temporary memory unit170, and the position of the call gate is learned by the game processing unit120.

FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b)illustrate examples of an operation of moving player objects displayed on the touch panel display10. When the user touches the touch panel display10, the touch panel display10obtains the coordinate of the touch position. The processing unit110refers to the coordinate of the touch position and the coordinate at which the player object is displayed, and decides whether or not the coordinate of the touch position and the coordinate at which the player object is displayed match. When the touch position and the position of the player object match, the processing unit110learns that the player object was selected. In an example inFIG. 6(a), the player object O4is selected. Further, when the user touches the display screen of the touch panel display10in a state where the player object O4is selected, the processing unit110stores the coordinate of the touch position in the temporary memory unit. Particularly, when the user touches a plurality of points in a state where the player object O4is selected, the processing unit110stores the coordinates of the touch positions in the temporary memory unit together with information about the touch order. Further, the processing unit110performs processing of moving the player object O4touched and selected by the user to a point which the user touches next. The moving speed varies per player object. Then, the processing unit110reads a numerical value of the moving speed related to the player object O4from the object table. Further, the player object O4is moved from the first point to a moving destination point based on the numerical value of the read moving speed. Furthermore, when a plurality of points is touched, the selected player object O4is sequentially moved to each point according to the touch order. In addition, when the moving player object O4encounters an enemy object during movement or arrives at a tower, processing of playing a match with the enemy object or processing of conquering the tower only needs to be performed similar to the known game system.

A characteristic system of the game executed by the game apparatus according to the present invention has been mainly described above. A known game apparatus which has a card reader or a known game apparatus which has a touch panel display can be adequately applied to other game processings.

3. Other Embodiments

Next, a game apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of a housing of a game apparatus according to another embodiment.FIG. 7illustrates a cut state of the housing of the game apparatus at the same position asFIG. 2. Hereinafter, another embodiment of the game apparatus will be described, focusing on the difference from the above-described embodiment. In addition, inFIG. 7, the same element as in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same symbol, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the game apparatus1according to the present embodiment further includes a sensor50for detecting the position of any one or both of a card C set on the panel21and a human hand PR which handles the card C.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, in order to detect a card C and a player's hand (right hand), the sensor50needs to be provided at a position at which the entire plane21′ of the panel21of the card reader20can be sensed. Therefore, the sensor50is attached to the display support section30which supports the touch panel display10. That is, as described above, the display support section30supports the touch panel display10such that a portion of the touch panel display10is located above a portion of the panel21of the card reader20in the vertical direction (Y axis direction). Therefore, at least a portion of the display support section30is located above the panel21of the card reader20in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the sensor50may be attached to a portion of the display support section30dwhich is located above the panel21in the vertical direction. By this means, as illustrated inFIG. 7, the sensor50is located above the panel21in the vertical direction and is set to look down the panel21, in order to sense the entire plane21′ of the panel21. The sensor50may be a known sensor such as an infrared sensor, an area sensor, a CCD image sensor, or a CMOS image sensor. The sensor50includes, for example, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The sensor50can obtain the position of the card C and the player's hand PR as coordinate information by receiving light irradiated from the light emitting unit by the light receiving unit and analyzing the received light.

More specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 7, the sensor50is attached to a position of the inclined portion32of the display support section30which faces the panel21. As described above, the inclined portion32of the display support section30connects with the base portion31, and extends upward to the top side of the panel21in the vertical direction while inclining to the front side. Therefore, by attaching the sensor50to the inclined portion32of the display support section30, a sensing light can be irradiated onto the entire plane21′ of the panel21. The information analyzed by the sensor50is transmitted to the processing unit110.

In the present embodiment, the coordinate information on the panel21detected by the sensor50and the coordinate information on the panel21detected by the card reader20are linked by the processing unit110. For example, it may be preferable that the same coordinate value is obtained in both of the case where the coordinate of the card C set on the panel21is detected by the sensor50and the case where the coordinate of the card C set on the panel21is detected by the card reader20. The sensor50obtains the position of the player's hand PR handling the card C as the coordinate information on the panel21. On the other hand, the card reader20obtains the position of the card C on the panel21as coordinate information. By this means, based on the coordinate value of the position of the player's hand PR obtained by the sensor50and the coordinate value of the position of the card C obtained by the card reader20, the processing unit110can determine whether the card C on the panel21is touched by the player's hand PR. When the coordinate value of the position of the player's hand PR corresponds to the coordinate value of the position of the card C, the processing unit110determines that the card C is touched by the player. On the other hand, when the coordinate value of the position of the player's hand PR does not correspond to the coordinate value of the position of any card C on the panel21, or when the coordinate value of the position of the player's hand PR is not obtained, the processing unit110determines that the card C is not touched by the player. When determining that the card C on the panel21is touched by the player's hand PR, the processing unit110may perform processing of displaying the information on the touch panel display10.

LikeFIG. 5,FIG. 8conceptually illustrates the states of the touch panel display10and the panel21of the card reader20when a game is actually executed by the game apparatus. Further,FIG. 8conceptually draws the sensor50which senses on the panel21.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, the card reader20detects coordinate information of the respective cards C1to C7on the panel21, and the processing unit110receives the coordinate information of the respective cards C1to C7from the card reader20. By this means, the processing unit110displays images of the respective cards C1to C7on the touch panel display10, corresponding to the actual arrangement and direction of the respective cards C1to C7set on the panel21. Still further, player objects O1to O7corresponding to the respective cards C1to C7are also displayed on the touch panel display10.

In this state, the player's hand (right hand) PR contacts the card C7, among the plurality of cards C1to C7set on the panel21of the card reader20. When the player's hand PR enters into the sensing region of the sensor50, the sensor50detects the coordinate position of the hand PR on the panel21. The coordinate information of the player's hand detected by the sensor50is transmitted to the processing unit110. The processing unit110determines that the coordinate information of the player's hand PR received from the sensor50matches with the coordinate information of the card C7on the panel21. By this means, the processing unit110can determine that the player's hand PR contacts the card C7.

Furthermore, when determining that the player's hand PR contacts the card C7, the processing unit110may highlight an image of the card C7displayed on the touch panel display10. InFIG. 8, the highlighted image is represented by a symbol HL. Examples of the highlighting may include enclosing the edge of the card image with a frame, flickering the card image, changing the color of the card image, and displaying an icon near the card image. By this means, the player can instantaneously know which card the player contacts, by looking the touch panel display10even without looking the panel21. Further, the processing unit110may also highlight an image of the player object O7associated with the card C7, in addition to the image of the card C7which is contacted by the player. By this means, the player can instantaneously know which card the player contacts, including the correspondence relation between the card and the player object.

In the specification of the present application, the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above as an example with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and incorporates changed or modified embodiments obtained based on the description of the specification of the present application within a range obvious for one of ordinary skill in art.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention relates to, for example, an arcade-type game apparatus. Therefore, the present invention can be suitably used in the game industry.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST