JPWO1998041299A1 - Portable virtual lifeform breeding simulation game console - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] The case 2 is roughly egg-shaped. A liquid crystal display 3 is provided on the front, on which a virtual pet is displayed. Operation buttons 4a, 4b, and 4c below the liquid crystal display 3 are used to perform various operations for raising the virtual pet inside the game machine 1. The back of the case 2 is provided with a cover 10 for battery replacement, as well as electrodes 11a and 11b for connecting the game machine 1 to other game machines via hardware to exchange information. Next to the electrodes 11a and 11b, engagement means 12 is provided that serves as both alignment means and fixing means to ensure that the corresponding electrodes 11a and 11b of the two game machines are in proper contact with each other.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Portable Virtual Lifeform Raising Simulation Game Console Technical Field The present invention relates to a portable virtual lifeform raising simulation game console that executes a virtual lifeform raising simulation within the portable game console.

BACKGROUND ART Simulation game consoles that allow players to virtually raise virtual creatures, such as virtual pets, inside palm-sized portable game consoles have become widely accepted.

This palm-sized game console allows players to raise a virtual pet created through software over a long period of time. The virtual pet expresses emotions such as laughter and anger, and exhibits physiological responses such as sleeping, getting sick, and defecating, giving the player the feeling of raising a real pet. The console consists of a wristwatch-sized LCD display, a micro-central processing unit (CPU) and its peripheral circuits, a timer, memory for storing the game content, and an attractively designed palm-sized case that contains all of these components.

The popularity of these game consoles is likely due to several factors: they provide a virtual experience similar to that of raising a real pet; because they are software-based virtual pets, they require less effort than real pets, allowing people in circumstances where pet care is not possible in real life to easily experience the virtual experience of raising a pet; the virtual pets have their own wills and do not necessarily develop as expected, which is similar to real pets; their development varies depending on how the operator raises them; the falling prices of electronic components such as semiconductor integrated circuits make them affordable enough for even children to purchase; and the miniaturization of components has made the game consoles small and compact, allowing users to take their virtual pets with them at all times.

In conventional portable virtual pet raising simulation game consoles, the virtual pets raised within them are contained within the game console itself and do not interact with virtual pets raised on other game consoles. However, real pets engage in various interactions with other individuals, such as reproductive activities. Therefore, by incorporating such interactions with other individuals into the game console in a simulated manner, virtual pets can be made to resemble more real pets. Furthermore, because the virtual pet's entity is information processed within the game console, transferring this information to another game console allows the virtual pet to be transferred to that other game console, thereby stimulating new interests.

Furthermore, real animals sense their surroundings through their senses of sight, smell, hearing, touch, etc., and then behave in a variety of ways based on these perceptions. Therefore, the behavior of real animals is extremely complex. However, in conventional portable virtual pet raising simulation game consoles, the behavior of the virtual pet being raised is primarily determined by time and the operator's input, such as through button presses. This has created a significant gap between the virtual creatures raised in conventional portable virtual pet raising simulation game consoles and real pets.

The present invention was made in light of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a portable virtual creature raising simulation that allows virtual creatures in one game console to negotiate with virtual creatures in other game consoles, allows virtual creatures to be transferred to other game consoles, and further enables a pet raising simulation that more closely resembles a real pet.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above objectives, the first invention is a portable virtual lifeform raising simulation game machine that executes a virtual lifeform raising simulation, characterized by comprising hardware and software means for maintaining at least two virtual lifeforms within a single game machine, and input/output means for exchanging information about the virtual lifeforms with other game machines.

The input/output means may be electrically connected to other game machines to exchange information about the virtual life form with the other game machines, or may be wirelessly or optically connected to other game machines to exchange information about the virtual life form with the other game machines in a non-contact manner.

The portable virtual lifeform breeding simulation game machine may also have a reproduction simulation function using virtual lifeforms contained in multiple game machines.

The first invention, as described above, allows multiple virtual life forms to reside within a single game machine by receiving information about virtual life forms being raised within that machine from another game machine via the input/output means. This allows, for example, a reproduction simulation to be carried out using multiple virtual life forms, or, when one player is unable to care for a virtual life form for some reason, the player can transfer the virtual life form's information to another player's game machine and ask for its care, thereby creating a new level of excitement not found in existing game machines.

A second invention for achieving the above object is a portable virtual creature raising simulation game machine that executes a virtual creature raising simulation, characterized by having at least one sensor selected from a group of sensors consisting of a microphone, light sensor, temperature sensor, vibration sensor, gravity sensor, magnetic sensor, gas sensor, and humidity sensor, and having software means for causing the virtual creature to react based on signals from the sensor.

The second invention, based on the above, provides a game machine with at least one sensor, making it possible to simulate a virtual creature reacting to the surrounding conditions detected by the sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows front and rear views of a portable virtual pet raising simulation game machine according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an overall block diagram of the portable virtual pet raising simulation game machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the main components of a portable virtual pet simulation game machine according to a second embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a detailed block diagram of the sensor section according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 shows an overall block diagram of the portable virtual pet simulation game machine according to the second embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows front and rear views of a portable virtual pet raising simulation game machine (hereinafter referred to as the "game machine") according to a first embodiment, and Figure 2 is an overall block diagram of the game machine according to the first embodiment.

In Figure 1, the case 2 of the game console 1 of this embodiment is roughly egg-shaped, with an exterior shape similar to that of existing game consoles. A liquid crystal display (LCD) 3 is provided on the front, displaying a virtual pet, which moves and performs various operations. The operation buttons 4a, 4b, and 4c below the LCD 3 are used as transfer control switches for various operations related to raising a virtual pet within the game console and for sending and receiving necessary information between other game consoles. They are also used to set the built-in clock, set the virtual pet's characteristics, and operate other games besides the virtual pet raising simulation game. A small hole 5 is provided at the top of the case 2, through which a key chain or similar can be passed for convenient portability.

The back of the case 2 is provided with a battery replacement cover 10 and electrodes 11a and 11b, which allow this game console to connect to other game consoles via hardware for information exchange. Next to electrodes 11a and 11b, there is an engagement mechanism 12, which serves as both an alignment mechanism and a fixing mechanism to ensure proper contact between the corresponding electrodes 11a and 11b of the two game consoles. Under normal conditions, electrodes 11a and 11b and engagement mechanism 12 are covered by a cover (not shown). When making contact, the electrodes of the two game consoles can be brought into contact by removing this cover. Such electrodes 11a and 11b and engagement mechanism 12 are not found in existing game consoles.

As shown in Figure 2, the game console contains a micro-CPU 20 that controls the game, a timer 21 that provides a reference for various time-related controls, a memory 22 that stores the game content program and multiple parameters that characterize the virtual pet, a display control unit 23 that controls the display on the LCD display 3, an input/output control unit 24 that controls the input and output of information by connecting electrodes 11a and 11b with electrodes on other game consoles, and an input port 25 that mediates the exchange of data between the CPU 20 and the control buttons 4a, 4b, and 4c. Furthermore, while existing game consoles only have the functionality to raise a single virtual pet, the game console of this embodiment has the hardware and software capabilities to raise at least two or more virtual pets. This allows the player to reproduce with virtual pets from other game consoles and give birth to offspring, as well as to temporarily transfer and care for virtual pets from other game consoles. To achieve this, the software program includes a function that decodes virtual pet information received from an external source and recreates it as a virtual pet. Hardware-wise, writable and readable memory (e.g., RAM) 22 must have sufficient capacity to store information about multiple virtual pets, and the CPU 20 must also have the functionality to process information about multiple virtual pets. However, since high-speed operation is not required for a simulation game like this embodiment, a commercially available, low-cost CPU can be sufficient to operate it. However, even if a virtual pet is moved to another game console, that virtual pet will grow independently and will not be directly affected by the virtual pet originally on that game console.

A virtual pet's substance is information consisting of several parameters that characterize it. These include the virtual pet's gender, weight, appearance, personality, intelligence, age, cries, species, and behavior patterns. The virtual pet raising simulation itself is similar to existing game consoles, requiring care, such as incubating the egg and feeding and training it after it hatches. However, depending on how the pet is raised, the software allows the virtual pet to have various personalities as it grows. As a result, each virtual pet's weight, appearance, personality, and other characteristics will differ.

Among the virtual pet's characteristics, the gender parameter may be preset using the operation button (setting means) 4a before the game begins. Furthermore, the operation button 4a may be used to set the virtual pet's weight, appearance, personality, intelligence, age, and other parameters before the game begins. Once these parameters are set, the CPU 20 performs calculations based on the set parameters, and the state of the virtual pet at the start of the game is not just that of an egg, but also that of a specific point in the virtual pet's growth process.

When this virtual pet has grown to a certain stage, it becomes possible to perform a reproductive simulation of this virtual pet. For example, if the virtual pet is male, the electrodes 11a and 11b of this game console are electrically connected to the electrodes 11a and 11b of another game console where a female virtual pet is being raised. Then, by performing a predetermined operation, the virtual pet from one game console is moved to the other game console, where it will engage in reproductive behavior.

At this point, the virtual pets may be allowed to judge their compatibility with each other. In other words, mating a male and female does not necessarily result in reproduction; rather, reproduction may or may not occur based on the results of their mutual compatibility assessment. If compatibility is incompatible, one of the virtual pets may display or vocalize a message, such as "I hate you." This allows for a more realistic simulation game. Compatibility is determined based on the appearance, personality, and weight of the other virtual pet. After the reproduction simulation is completed, the transferred virtual pet is returned to its original game console. If reproduction is successful, the female virtual pet can be programmed to lay eggs or give birth to pups after a certain gestation period. If eggs are laid, they can be programmed to hatch only if the temperature is maintained within a certain range for a certain period of time, and eggs cannot hatch if temperature control is poor.

A virtual pet born as a child can be raised in a simulation, just like a virtual pet that existed from the beginning. A newborn virtual pet inherits some of its parent's characteristics. One way to do this is to represent all of the parameters that characterize the virtual pet using 26 levels from A to Z, and then perform some kind of calculation for each parameter based on the father's and mother's values. The resulting value becomes the child virtual pet's value for that parameter. However, it's considered more interesting as a game if this calculation is performed randomly, rather than simply averaging, to ensure unpredictable results.

The newly born virtual pet can be raised on either the mother's or father's game console, but the choice of where to raise it will affect its personality. Once the child grows, another reproduction simulation can be performed there. Meanwhile, the parent virtual pet will die when it reaches a certain age. In this way, virtual pets can be raised for generations.

The compatibility evaluation results from the reproduction simulation are also stored as data for the rated party, and this data influences the virtual pet's growth. For example, regardless of whether or not the pet actually reproduces, a good evaluation can boost the rated party's confidence, which in turn can have a positive impact on their appearance and personality, or vice versa. In existing game consoles, the primary factor influencing the individual's growth process is the player's actions. In other words, the game console of this embodiment allows data and evaluations obtained from virtual pets on other game consoles to significantly influence the growth process, resulting in growth patterns that the player cannot predict. This element of surprise creates a pet-raising simulation game that is closer to real life.

By enabling the exchange of data between other game consoles and the ability to raise multiple virtual pets on a single game console, new simulation games become possible. For example, if a player is unable to care for their virtual pet for some reason, they can temporarily leave their virtual pet with someone else by transmitting only their virtual pet's information to another game console. In this case, the history of how the virtual pet was cared for by the player could affect the virtual pet's care, potentially affecting the pet's upbringing in ways the owner could not have anticipated when it was returned to its original game console. For example, overfeeding could cause the pet to become overweight, or conversely, underfeeding could cause the pet to become ill. This type of setup further enhances the enjoyment of simulation games.

The hardware required to realize the above-mentioned virtual pet raising simulation game requires significantly less functionality than the popular high-definition, high-speed shooting games. Therefore, by using sophisticated semiconductor devices, such as a CPU, the above-mentioned functionality can be fully realized in a palm-sized game console.

The above discussion describes a case where electrodes 11a and 11b are provided on the back of the game console for exchanging information with other game consoles. While this method is considered the best form for a low-cost, easily adopted game console, other implementations are possible, such as direct connection via cable, or data exchange via wireless or optical communication. Data can also be exchanged over telephone lines. Using telephone lines allows data to be sent anywhere with a telephone, allowing virtual pets to be moved to distant locations, further increasing the fun of the game.

Additionally, rather than simply leaving virtual pets at a friend's game console, a business model could be envisioned, such as installing a game boarding machine in a toy store, similar to a real-life pet hotel, where virtual pets could be left for a fee and cared for by specialized staff. In this case, the game boarding machine could be equipped with features not available on individual game consoles, such as quickly restoring a sick or weakened virtual pet to health.

As described above, this embodiment is not a simulation game that can be enjoyed solely on a single console, as is the case with existing portable virtual lifeform raising simulation game consoles. Rather, it allows players to not only enjoy the game on a standalone console, but also to breed with virtual lifeforms from other consoles or transfer virtual lifeforms to other consoles. Multiple players can bring their own consoles and raise their own virtual lifeforms while interacting with each other, creating a new level of excitement by allowing players to enjoy a simulation game that feels more like real lifeforms. Furthermore, because this type of game console can be enjoyed across multiple consoles, it is possible to provide a portable virtual lifeform raising simulation game console that, once accepted by the market, will further stimulate demand.

In the above embodiment, the virtual creature is described as a virtual pet, but the virtual creature is not limited to this and may be, for example, a virtual human, a virtual dinosaur, or a virtual beast. Furthermore, the operator may be able to freely select a virtual pet or virtual human, etc., according to their own preferences using the operation buttons.

Furthermore, if the virtual lifeform is a virtual human, the player may be able to set blood type and date of birth as parameters characterizing the virtual lifeform. This allows the player to freely designate the virtual human not only as a baby, but also as a child, parent, or lover. Therefore, for example, if the player sets various parameters characterizing the player's virtual lifeform (male), such as occupation and height in addition to gender, the player can then conduct a training simulation to train the virtual lifeform. In this case, the player can electrically connect the two game consoles via electrodes to another player who has set a female virtual human as the virtual lifeform, and the two players can assess their compatibility and engage in reproductive activity based on that compatibility. Furthermore, entrusting one's virtual human to someone else for training can result in that virtual human developing differently than if the player were to train it alone. The development process can also vary depending on the data and evaluations obtained from the virtual human on the other player's game console. Thus, according to this embodiment, you can raise a virtual human while interacting with other game consoles, allowing you to enjoy a more realistic raising simulation than is possible with conventional game consoles.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. The external shape of the game console of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, so illustrations of the external shape are omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game console 50 of this embodiment includes an ultra-compact CPU 20 that controls the game, a timer 21 that serves as the basis for various time-related controls, a memory 22 that stores game content programs, and a display control unit 23 that controls the display on the LCD display 3. These components are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and are therefore designated by the same reference numerals. In addition to these components, the present embodiment also includes a sensor unit 30 that includes various sensors that detect various external phenomena.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing in detail the inside of the sensor unit 30 shown in FIG.

In the figure, the light sensor 31 can be used, for example, to simulate a virtual pet sleeping when it's dark but not sleeping when it's bright. The temperature sensor 32 can be used, for example, to simulate a virtual pet sensing heat or cold, or to simulate a virtual pet incubating an egg that won't hatch unless the temperature is appropriate. The microphone 33 can be used to simulate a virtual pet responding to sound. In this case, the virtual pet can respond to simple words, such as the virtual pet's name, but to reduce the burden on the software or CPU, it can also indicate that loud noises are annoying.

The vibration sensor 34 can be used, for example, to simulate a virtual pet becoming upset if it is not walked daily, and to measure the number of steps taken during each walk. This allows the game console of this embodiment to be used for purposes such as providing a fun, game-like health management service for elderly or sick people. The gravity sensor 35 can be used, for example, to simulate a virtual pet becoming upset if it is not carried in a certain orientation, such as head-up, or to simulate a pet that will not fall asleep unless it is placed on its side at night. The magnetic sensor 36 can be used, for example, to detect the magnetic field of a weak magnet attached to a similar game console, allowing the user to know when a companion is nearby.

As described above, by providing various sensors and making the virtual pet appear as if it has various senses, it is possible to simulate raising a pet that is closer to a real pet, and depending on how the program is written, the possibilities for play are greatly expanded. Note that interface 37 in Figure 4 is the interface means for connecting each of sensors 31-36 to CPU 20.

It should be noted that the sensors 31-36 described above are merely examples, and not all of the sensors shown in Figure 4 are necessarily required. Sensors other than those shown in Figure 4 may also be provided. For example, if a gas sensor for detecting carbon monoxide is provided, the game console can also be used to detect gas leaks, providing new applications. Furthermore, if a humidity sensor is provided, a simulation can be performed in which a virtual creature sweats when the humidity exceeds a certain level.

In the case of a simulation game such as the one in this embodiment, high speed operation is not required, so it can be run satisfactorily on a commercially available, inexpensive CPU.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to breed with a virtual pet from another game console to produce offspring, or to temporarily transfer and care for a virtual pet from another game console. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, necessary information can be exchanged between the two game consoles. Operations for exchanging this information are also performed using the operation buttons 4a, 4b, and 4c shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is an overall block diagram of a portable virtual pet simulation game console according to the second embodiment, and also illustrates the process of connecting two game consoles 50 together.

As shown in FIG. 5, the game machine 50 contains an ultra-compact CPU 20 for controlling the game, a timer 21 that serves as the basis for various time-related controls, a memory 22 that stores the game content program, a display control unit 23 that controls the display on the liquid crystal display device 3, a sensor unit 30 that detects various external phenomena, and an input/output control unit 40 that controls the input and output of information when electrodes 11a and 11b are brought into contact with electrodes of another game machine 1.

Like the game machine of the first embodiment, the game machine of this embodiment is equipped with the hardware and software functions necessary to raise at least two virtual pets. This allows for reproduction simulation with virtual pets from other game machines, resulting in offspring, or for virtual pets from other game machines to be temporarily transferred and cared for. The game machine of the second embodiment is primarily characterized by its inclusion of a sensor unit 30, and the reproduction simulation function is not essential. However, by providing a magnetic sensor 36, compatibility can be determined by simply bringing the two pets into close proximity, using the magnetic sensor 36 shown in FIG. 4 and a magnet (not shown) installed on the game machine, prior to actual electrode contact.

In this embodiment, as well, data can be exchanged with other game machines by, for example, connecting directly with a cable, or by wireless or optical communication. Data can also be exchanged over a telephone line.

As described above, this embodiment includes at least one sensor selected from a group of sensors consisting of a microphone, light sensor, temperature sensor, vibration sensor, gravity sensor, magnetic sensor, gas sensor, and humidity sensor. This allows for simulations in which a virtual creature reacts to the surrounding conditions detected by these sensors. As a result, the virtual pet's behavior is determined not only by time and the operator's actions, but also by the surrounding conditions detected by the sensors, making it possible to simulate raising a virtual creature with a feeling closer to that of a real pet.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the virtual creature may be a virtual human rather than a virtual pet, and the virtual pet or virtual human may be freely set using the operation buttons. Other functions and effects are the same as in the first embodiment.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the portable virtual lifeform raising simulation game machine according to the present invention can be used in the field of portable virtual lifeform raising simulation game machines that perform virtual lifeform raising simulations within a portable game machine.

───────────────────────────────────────────────────── (Note) This publication is based on the publication published internationally by the International Bureau of Patents (WIPO). The effect of the international publication of the Japanese patent application (Japanese utility model registration application) related to this publication arises pursuant to Article 184-10, Paragraph 1 of the Patent Act (Article 48-13, Paragraph 2 of the Utility Model Act) and is unrelated to this publication.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A portable virtual lifeform raising simulation game machine that simulates the raising of virtual lifeforms, characterized by comprising: hardware and software means for allowing at least two or more virtual lifeforms to exist within a single game machine; and input/output means for exchanging information about the virtual lifeforms with other game machines. 2. The portable virtual creature raising simulation game machine according to claim 1, wherein the input/output means electrically connects to another game machine to exchange information about the virtual creature with the other game machine. 3. The portable virtual life form raising simulation game machine according to claim 1, wherein the input/output means transmits and receives information about the virtual life form to and from other game machines in a non-contact manner via wireless or optical communication. 4. The portable virtual lifeform breeding simulation game machine according to claim 1, 2, or 3, having a reproduction simulation function using virtual lifeforms contained in multiple game machines. 5. The portable virtual creature raising simulation game machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the virtual creature is a virtual pet or a virtual human. 6. The portable virtual creature raising simulation game machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, further comprising setting means for setting at least one of the virtual creature's gender, weight, appearance, personality, cry, species, and date of birth. 7. A portable virtual lifeform raising simulation game machine for simulating the raising of a virtual lifeform, comprising at least one sensor selected from a group of sensors consisting of a microphone, light sensor, temperature sensor, vibration sensor, gravity sensor, magnetic sensor, gas sensor, and humidity sensor, and software means for causing the virtual lifeform to react based on signals from the sensors. 8. The portable virtual creature raising simulation game machine according to claim 7, further comprising: hardware and software means for allowing at least two virtual creatures to exist within a single game machine; and input/output means for exchanging information about the virtual creatures with other game machines. 9. The portable virtual creature raising simulation game machine according to claim 8, wherein the input/output means electrically connects to another game machine to exchange information about the virtual creature with the other game machine. 10. The portable virtual creature raising simulation game machine according to claim 8, wherein the input/output means transmits and receives information about the virtual creature to and from other game machines in a non-contact manner via wireless or optical communication. 11. The portable virtual lifeform raising simulation game machine according to claim 8, 9, or 10, which has a function for conducting a reproduction simulation between the virtual lifeforms contained in other game machines.