IP Library Granted Patent US 6,964,607
Granted Patent B2
US 6,964,607 · App. 09/959,762 · Granted Nov 15, 2005

Game system and game method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,964,607
App. No.
09/959,762
Granted
Nov 15, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

There is provided a game system which can change the configuration of an image based on the detected illuminating position of a light illuminating device to improve the effect of a game. The game system includes a light detection section which detects a position of a spotlight on a screen formed by an infrared light emitting section, an area setting section which sets a given specified area based on the position of the spotlight detected by the position detection section, and an image effect section which displays an image so that the specified area is displayed in a manner different from that of an area other than the specified area.

Claims (71)

1. A game system, comprising:

specifying means for specifying a specified position on a screen by a player;

means for setting a specified area based on the specified position; and

image effect means for displaying an image with a game effect in which visibility of an area other than the specified area is lower than visibility of the specified area.

2. The game system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the image effect means displays the image with a game effect in which luminance of an area other than the specified area is lower than luminance of the specified area.

3. The game system according to claim 1 , further comprising position detection means for detecting the specified position.

4. The game system according to claim 3 , further comprising imaging means for imaging the screen to generate imaging signals,

wherein the specifying means includes light illumination means for projecting a spotlight from the specifying means to the specified position, and

wherein the position detection means detects the specified position by detecting a position of the spotlight projected onto the screen based on the imaging signals.

5. The game system according to claim 3 ,

wherein the specifying means includes a light detection section that receives light from the screen, and

wherein the position detection means detects the specified position based on a timing at which the light detection section receives the light and on data of image scanning position.

6. The game system according to claim 1 , further comprising specified area changing means for changing at least one of a size and shape of the specified area.

7. The game system according to claim 1 ,

wherein the specifying means includes a shooting device, the specifying means usable for specifying a direction of sight of the shooting device, and

wherein the player performs a shooting game by aiming the shooting device at a target displayed on the screen, thereby specifying the specified position on the screen.

8. The game system according to claim 1 , further comprising simulated illumination means for simulating an effect of illuminating the specified area on the screen,

wherein the specifying means specifies a simulated illuminating direction of the simulated illumination means, and

wherein the game system is capable of executing an exploration game in which an object on the screen is sought by specifying the specified position on the screen in the simulated illuminating direction of the simulated illumination means.

9. A game system, comprising:

a shooting device including a simulated searchlight and specifying means for specifying a specified position on a screen;

position detection means for detecting the specified position;

means for setting a specified area as an area illuminated by the simulated searchlight based on the specified position detected by the position detection means; and

image effect means for displaying an image with a game effect in which visibility of an area other than the specified area is lower than visibility of the specified area.

10. The game system according to claim 9 ,

wherein the image effect means displays the image with a game effect in which luminance of an area other than the specified area is lower than luminance of the specified area.

11. The game system according to claim 9 , further comprising imaging means for imaging the screen and generating imaging signals,

wherein the specifying means includes light illumination means for projecting a spotlight from the specifying means to the specified position, and

wherein the position detection means detects the specified position based on the imaging signals.

12. The game system according to claim 9 ,

wherein the specifying means includes a light detection section that receives light from the screen, and

wherein the position detection means detects the specified position based on a timing at which the light detection section receives the light and on data of image scanning position.

13. The game system according to claim 9 , further comprising specified area changing means for changing at least one of a size and shape of the specified area.

14. The game system according to claim 9 , further comprising simulated illumination means for simulating an effect of illuminating the specified area on the screen,

wherein the specifying means specifies a simulated illuminating direction of the simulated illumination means, and

wherein the game system is capable of executing an exploration game in which an object on the screen is sought by specifying the specified position on the screen in the simulated illuminating direction of the simulated illumination means.

15. A game method, comprising:

specifying a specified position on a screen;

setting a specified area based on the specified position; and

displaying an image with a game effect in which visibility of an area other than the specified area is lower than visibility of the specified area.

16. The game method according to claim 15 ,

wherein displaying the image comprises displaying the image with a game effect in which luminance of an area other than the specified area is lower than luminance of the specified area.

17. The game method according to claim 15 , further comprising detecting the specified position on the screen.

18. The game method according to claim 17 , further comprising imaging the screen to generate imaging signals,

wherein the specifying means includes light illumination means for projecting a spotlight from the specifying means to the specified position, and

wherein detecting the specified position comprises detecting a position of the spotlight projected onto the screen based on the imaging signals.

19. The game method according to claim 17 , further comprising receiving light from the screen,

wherein detecting the specified position comprises detecting the specified position based on a timing at which the light detection section receives the light and on data of image scanning position.

20. The game method according to claim 15 , further comprising changing at least one of a size and shape of the specified area.

21. The game method according to claim 15 , further comprising:

aiming a shooting device at a target displayed on the screen, thereby specifying the specified position on the screen.

22. The game method according to claim 15 , further comprising simulating an effect of illuminating the specified area on the screen,

wherein specifying the specified position comprises specifying a simulated illuminating direction,

the game system method further comprising executing an exploration game in which an object on the screen is sought by specifying the specified position on the screen in the simulated illuminating direction.

23. A game method, comprising:

specifying a specified position on a screen;

detecting the specified position;

setting a specified area as an area illuminated by a simulated searchlight based on the detected specified position; and

displaying an image with a game effect in which visibility of an area other than the specified area is lower than visibility of the specified area.

24. The game method according to claim 23 ,

wherein displaying the image comprises displaying the image with a game effect in which luminance of an area other than the specified area is lower than luminance of the specified area.

25. The game method according to claim 23 , further comprising imaging the screen to generate imaging signals,

wherein the specifying means includes light illumination means for projecting a spotlight from the specifying means to the specified position, and

wherein detecting the specified position comprises detecting a position of the spotlight projected onto the screen based on the imaging signals.

26. The game method according to claim 23 , further comprising receiving light from the screen, and

wherein detecting the specified position comprises detecting the specified position based on a timing at which the light detection section receives the light and on data of image scanning position.

27. The game method according to claim 23 , further comprising changing at least one of a size and shape of the specified area.

28. The game method according to claim 23 , further comprising simulating an effect of illuminating the specified area on the screen,

wherein specifying the specified position comprises specifying a simulated illuminating direction,

the game method further comprising executing an exploration game in which an object on the screen is sought by specifying the specified position on the screen in the simulated illuminating direction.

Assignments (6)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 8, 2016
From: BANDAI NAMCO GAMES INC.
To: BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 038037/0864 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 29, 2014
From: NAMCO BANDAI GAMES INC.
To: BANDAI NAMCO GAMES INC.
Reel/Frame 033061/0930 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Nov 15, 2007
From: NAMCO BANDAI GAMES INC.
To: NAMCO BANDAI GAMES INC.
Reel/Frame 020206/0292 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Sep 10, 2007
From: NAMCO BANDAI GAMES INC.
To: NAMCO BANDAI GAMES INC
Reel/Frame 019834/0562 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 15, 2006
From: NAMCO LIMITED/NAMCO LTD.
To: NAMCO BANDAI GAMES INC.
Reel/Frame 017996/0786 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 16, 2001
From: SASAKI, SATOSHI
To: NAMCO LTD.
Reel/Frame 012324/0027 →