JPH0639146A - Controller device for tv game - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] To provide a controller device for a video game, in which a plurality of operators can individually operate the keys of the video game device for one person from separate controllers. [Structure] Therefore, the individual switches of the dip switch 11 provided in the adapter 2 are made to correspond to the individual keys of the two wireless controllers 1A and 1B, and the switches are turned on / off to allow the user to check the individual keys. 1
It is preset whether or not the controller A or 1B is operated, and the adapter 2 side receives these individual key press information, and the CPU 9 synthesizes the inputs of both controllers 1A and 1B according to the set key assignment, The output interface 10 is configured to send to the game apparatus body 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a controller for a video game device, and more particularly to the controller device used by a plurality of people.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a so-called video game device using a home-use television receiver or the like as a monitor has become widespread, and a command from a game operation controller is used in addition to a general wired communication system for operability / There are also many wireless formats to improve handling. Conventionally, many of these types of game devices are designed for single-person operation, but in reality, two or more people often enjoy the game,
In that case, in addition to the method of operating the same controller in turn, a method in which the objects that can be operated by each operator appear on the monitor at the same time, or a method of communicating between game devices, etc. there were.

[0003]

However, in the case of use by a plurality of persons, the game apparatus main body and the game software were originally designed exclusively for a plurality of operators.

Even if the game device is originally for one player, if the game input key operation is relatively complicated for beginners, there are two keys, such as a move key and other function keys. People (or more) may share the key operation and enjoy it.
Since it is necessary for each person (or two or more persons) to share different key operations from the same controller, it is necessary to proceed with the game in an unnatural posture.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above situation, and provides a controller means for a video game device in which a plurality of operators can individually operate the keys of the one-player game device from separate controllers. Has an aim.

[0006]

Therefore, in the present invention, a plurality of wireless controllers for wirelessly transmitting key input information, a receiver for receiving the key input information of each of these controllers, and the key. In order to send the synthesized key input to the input assignment setting means, a synthesizing means for synthesizing the key input of each controller according to the assignment setting means, and the game device body which sends the image / audio signal on the monitor. Or an adapter consisting of the output interface circuit of
A plurality of controllers are connectable, and an input interface circuit for receiving a key input from each controller, a key input assignment setting means, and a combining means for combining the key input of each controller according to the setting means And an output interface circuit for transmitting the key input synthesized to the game apparatus main body for transmitting an image / sound signal on a monitor, so that each of the keys is assigned in accordance with the key input assignment setting to the plurality of controllers. It is intended to achieve the above-mentioned object by making it possible to share the input.

[0007]

With the above-described configuration of the present invention, even in the case of a game for one person, a plurality of people can enjoy the game in their own comfortable posture by arbitrarily assigning and setting a plurality of controller operation key inputs. Also, in the case of a game in which the key operation is relatively complicated, it is possible for a plurality of people to share the operation key input, so that the user can concentrate on the simple key operation.

[0008]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the controller device according to the present invention. The feature of this embodiment is that the key inputs of a plurality of controllers are combined according to the key input assignment setting, and the same signal as that operated from a single controller is sent to the game device main body, so that a plurality of keys can be combined in any combination. It is possible to assign key operations to the controller.

(Structure) This embodiment relates to the case of a wireless controller that wirelessly communicates the key depression information of the controller to the adapter. In FIG.
1A and 1B are a plurality (two cases are shown) of wireless controllers, and 2 receives each key operation signal and sends it as a video / audio control signal to a monitor (not shown) via the game apparatus body 3. Is an adapter.

Each of the controllers 1A and 1B is provided with key input sections 4a and 4b, which are assigned and set in advance, each radio transmitter 5 and transmission antenna 6. on the other hand,
The adapter 2 includes a receiving antenna 7 and a receiver 8 corresponding to the controllers 1A and 1B. 9 is CP
U and 10 are output interfaces, and 11 is a dip switch for setting the allocation.

(Operation) Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. First, each switch of the DIP switch 11 is made to correspond to each key of each controller 1A, 1B,
By turning on / off the switch, the user presets which controller 1A or 1B is used for input operation for each key.

Each controller 1A, 1B wirelessly sends the key-press information to the adapter 2 by each transmitter 5. On the adapter 2 side, the receiver 8 corresponding to each of the controllers 1A and 1B receives the individual key depression information, and the CPU 9 synthesizes the inputs of both controllers 1A and 1B according to the key assignment set by the dip switch 11. . The output interface 10 reproduces on the monitor a state in which the wireless controllers 1A and 1B are viewed as if they were connected from a single controller when viewed from the game apparatus main body 3 according to the synthesized key depression information. It

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a controller device according to the second embodiment when the key press information is communicated by wire. In this embodiment as well, a plurality of controllers will be described for two cases. 1C, 1D
Is two controllers, 2a is an adapter for connecting to the game apparatus main body 3a, and 12 is each controller 1
Input interface for C, 1D, 13 for CPU, 14
Is an output interface to the game apparatus body 3a, and 11 is a DIP switch.

Next, the operation will be described. Similar to the case of the first embodiment, first, the individual switches of the dip switch 11 are made to correspond to the individual keys of the controllers 1C and 1D, and the switches are turned on / off, so that the user can select the individual keys. Set whether to operate with 1C or 1D controller.

The input interface 12 performs key scanning with respect to each of the controllers 1C and 1D, and detects a key depression state. The CPU 13 controls both controllers 1C, 1 according to the key assignment set by the DIP switch 11.
Combine the inputs of D. The output interface 14 reproduces on the monitor a state as if a single controller were connected when the controllers 1C and 1D were viewed from the game apparatus body 3a according to the combined push-down information.

(Other Embodiments) In each of the above embodiments, the case where the plurality of controllers is two has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of controllers may be three or more. Absent. Further, in the case of the second embodiment, each controller 1C, 1D, etc. may be provided with a connector for connection instead of directly connecting them.

Further, in each of the embodiments, the setting switch may be provided for each function unit, for example, in the case of the move key and the bullet firing key, without assigning the setting switch to each key. Further, a numeric keypad and a display such as an LCD may be used instead of the DIP switch 11, and the key assignment may be assigned to a frequently used person by using the learning function.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention, the key input assignment of each controller is preset by the key input assignment setting means regardless of whether the controller of this type is wireless or wired. According to the above, since the key inputs of the controllers are combined and the same signal as that operated from a single controller is sent to the game apparatus main body, the key operation can be assigned to a plurality of controllers in an arbitrary combination, Multiple operators can share their respective roles and enjoy the game in a comfortable posture.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1A, 1B Wireless controller 1C, 1D controller 2, 2a Adapter 3, 3a Game device body 4a, 4b Key input 5 Transmitter 8 Receiver 10, 14 Output interface 11 DIP switch (key input assignment setting means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of wireless controllers for wirelessly transmitting key input information, a receiver for receiving the key input information of each of these controllers, the key input assignment setting means, and the assignment setting means in accordance with the assignment setting means. It is composed of an adapter including a synthesizing unit for synthesizing the key input of each controller, and an output interface circuit for transmitting the synthesized key input to the game apparatus main body for transmitting an image / sound signal on a monitor, A video game controller device, wherein the key input can be shared according to a key input assignment setting to the plurality of controllers. 2. A plurality of controllers are connectable, and an input interface circuit for receiving a key input from each controller, a key input assignment setting means, and a key input of each controller are combined according to this setting means. And a output interface circuit for transmitting the key input synthesized to the main body of the game device for transmitting an image / sound signal on a monitor, according to a key input assignment setting to the plurality of controllers. A video game controller device characterized in that the key input can be shared.