IP Library Granted Patent US 9,138,649
Granted Patent B2
US 9,138,649 · App. 13/122,990 · Granted Sep 22, 2015

Game control program, game device, and game control method adapted to control game where objects are moved in game field

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,138,649
App. No.
13/122,990
Granted
Sep 22, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a game device, a game control unit arranges an object in a three-dimensional space provided in a game field. A temperature-distribution simulator simulates a physical phenomenon on a two-dimensional plane, onto which a three-dimensional space is projected, in reference to a distribution-data storage unit. The game control unit applies the simulated physical phenomenon on an object in the three-dimensional space. A mycelial-growth simulator similarly simulates a physical phenomenon on a two-dimensional plane.

Claims (36)

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium with a game control program embedded thereon to be implemented by a computer system, the game control program comprising:

an arrangement module configured to arrange an object in a three-dimensional space provided in a game field and store data indicating a position of the arranged object in an object database;

a simulator module configured to simulate a physical phenomenon on the three-dimensional space by simulating a physical phenomenon on a two-dimensional plane onto which the three-dimensional space is projected, disregarding a direction of one of dimensions of the three-dimensional space, and by reflecting a result of simulation in the disregarded direction; and

a control module configured to apply the simulated physical phenomenon on the object in the three-dimensional space, wherein

the simulator module configured to simulate a physical phenomenon retrieves, from a storage unit that stores a value of physical characteristic in each of a plurality of meshes, each mesh obtained by dividing the two-dimensional plane into a plurality of computational meshes, a value of physical characteristic in a mesh and a value of physical characteristic in a surrounding mesh thereof, to calculate the value of physical characteristic in the mesh based on the value of physical characteristic in the surrounding mesh, and to store the calculated value of physical characteristic in the storage unit;

the arrangement module arranges a spore of mycelia for decomposing the object and an ignition item for burning the object in the three-dimensional space, and stores data indicating a position of the spore and the ignition item in the object database;

the simulator module includes a mycelia growth simulator configured to refer to the object database, allow the mycelia to grow from the spore in accordance with a predetermined condition for growth, and store distribution of the mycelia in the storage, and also includes a temperature distribution simulator configured to refer to the object database, cause the ignition item to ignite the object in accordance with a predetermined condition for burning, and store distribution of temperature in the three-dimensional space in the storage;

when the arrangement module arranges the spore in the three-dimensional space, the control module causes the mycelia growth simulator to simulate growth of the mycelia, deletes data for the object that has been in contact with the mycelia for a predetermined period of time from the object database, determining that the object is decomposed; and

when the arrangement module arranges the ignition item in the three-dimensional space, the control unit causes the temperature distribution simulator to simulate distribution of the temperature and deletes data for the object that has reached a predetermined temperature, the predetermined temperature being associated with the object, from the object database, determining that the object is burned.

2. The medium according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a module configured to generate a screen that displays the three-dimensional space, wherein

the module, which is configured to simulate a physical phenomenon, simulates a physical phenomenon on a two-dimensional plane obtained by projecting the three-dimensional space on a plane parallel to the screen.

3. A game device having a processor, a display and a storage unit, the game device comprising:

an arrangement unit configured to arrange an object in a three-dimensional space provided in a game field shown on the display and store data indicating a position of the arranged object in an object database;

a simulator configured to simulate a physical phenomenon on the three-dimensional space by simulating a physical phenomenon on a two-dimensional plane onto which the three-dimensional space is projected, disregarding a direction of one of dimensions of the three-dimensional space, and by reflecting a result of simulation in the disregarded direction; and

a control unit configured to apply the simulated physical phenomenon on the object in the three-dimensional space, wherein

the simulator retrieves, from the storage unit that stores a value of physical characteristic in each of a plurality of meshes, each mesh obtained by dividing the two-dimensional plane into a plurality of computational meshes, a value of physical characteristic in a mesh and a value of physical characteristic in a surrounding mesh thereof, calculates the value of physical characteristic in the mesh based on the value of physical characteristic in the surrounding mesh, and stores the calculated value of physical characteristic in the storage unit;

the arrangement unit arranges a spore of mycelia for decomposing the object and an ignition item for burning the object in the three-dimensional space, and stores data indicating a position of the spore and the ignition item in the object database;

the simulator includes a mycelia growth simulator configured to refer to the object database, allow the mycelia to grow from the spore in accordance with a predetermined condition for growth, and store distribution of the mycelia in the storage, and also includes a temperature distribution simulator configured to refer to the object database, cause the ignition item to ignite the object in accordance with a predetermined condition for burning, and store distribution of temperature in the three-dimensional space in the storage;

wherein when the arrangement module arranges the spore in the three-dimensional space, the control module causes the mycelia growth simulator to simulate growth of the mycelia, deletes data for the object that has been in contact with the mycelia for a predetermined period of time from the object database, determining that the object is decomposed; and

when the arrangement module arranges the ignition item in the three-dimensional space, the control unit causes the temperature distribution simulator to simulate distribution of the temperature and deletes data for an object that has reached a predetermined temperature, the predetermined temperature being associated with the object, from the object database, determining that the object is burned.

4. A game control method executed on a game device having a processor comprising:

arranging, using the processor, an object in a three-dimensional space provided in a game field on a display of the game device and storing data indicating a position of the arranged object in an object database;

simulating a physical phenomenon on the three-dimensional space by simulating a physical phenomenon on a two-dimensional plane onto which the three-dimensional space is projected on the display, disregarding a direction of one of dimensions of the three-dimensional space, and by reflecting a result of simulation in the disregarded direction; and

applying and displaying the simulated physical phenomenon on the object in the three-dimensional space, wherein

the simulating includes:

retrieving, from a storage unit of the game device, wherein the storage unit stores a value of physical characteristic in each of a plurality of meshes, each mesh obtained by dividing the two-dimensional plane into a plurality of computational meshes, a value of physical characteristic in a mesh and a value of physical characteristic in a surrounding mesh thereof;

calculating the value of physical characteristic in the mesh based on the value of physical characteristic in the surrounding mesh; and

storing the calculated value of physical characteristic in the storage unit;

the arranging further includes:

arranging a spore of mycelia for decomposing the object and an ignition item for burning the object in the three-dimensional space, and storing data indicating a position of the spore and the ignition item in the object database;

the simulating further includes:

a mycelia growth simulator configured to refer to the object database, allow the mycelia to grow from the spore in accordance with a predetermined condition for growth, and store distribution of the mycelia in the storage; and

a temperature distribution simulator configured to refer to the object database, cause the ignition item to ignite the object in accordance with a predetermined condition for burning, and store distribution of temperature in the three-dimensional space in the storage;

when the spore is arranged in the three-dimensional space, causing the mycelia growth simulator to simulate growth of the mycelia, deleting data for the object that has been in contact with the mycelia for a predetermined period of time from the object database, determining that the object is decomposed; and

when the ignition item is arranged in the three-dimensional space, causing the temperature distribution simulator to simulate distribution of the temperature and deleting data for the object that has reached a predetermined temperature, the predetermined temperature being associated with the object, from the object database, determining that the object is burned.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 6, 2017
From: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
To: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 043761/0577 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 6, 2017
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 043761/0975 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 7, 2015
From: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 036008/0561 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2011
From: MATSUSHITA, HIROKAZU; MATSUDA, TARO; KOJIMA, HIDEHITO
To: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 026481/0175 →