Game device, game control program, and method for controlling golf game

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9802117-B2
Application number	US-201414450513-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 4, 2014
Priority date	Jun 3, 2011
Publication date	Oct 31, 2017
Grant date	Oct 31, 2017

Abstract

A game device includes: a screen image generating unit that generates and displays an image of a golf course, a landing point control unit that displays a marker indicating a predicted landing point of a ball, and a shot control unit operative to control a shot. Upon receiving an input instruction for moving the position of the marker, the landing point control unit moves the position of the marker by, changing the azimuth angle of the marker in a continuous manner along with a movement of an indicated position and by changing the radius of the marker discretely, when the position of the marker is represented by a two-dimensional polar coordinate system of which the origin point is a current ball position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A game device having a processor for executing playing a golf game, the game device comprising:
an input device comprising at least one button located on a housing of the game device;
a tri-axial gyro sensor for measuring an orientation of the game device when held by a user;
a display device for displaying an image of a golf course of the golf game on the display device;
wherein the processor determines a success of a power shot in the golf game by executing the steps of:
a. acquiring a first input instruction from the input device by the user using the processor;
b. acquiring a second input instruction from the input device after the first input instruction within a first predetermined time period using the processor;
c. if the second input instruction occurred within the first predetermined time period, acquiring a first orientation of the game device from the tri-axial gyro sensor when the second input instruction is received;
d. setting the first orientation as a reference orientation;
e. receiving a third input instruction from the input device within a second predetermined time period after the second input instruction;
f. if the third input instruction occurred within the second predetermined time period, acquiring a second orientation of the game device from the tri-axial gyro sensor when the third input instruction is received;
g. measuring an angular displacement of the game device between the first orientation and the second orientation; and
h. if the angular displacement is greater than a first angular displacement and within a range of a second angle, executing the power shot by displaying a character performing the power shot on the display device.

2. A method for determining a success of a power shot in a golf game executed on a game device, the method comprising:
a. reading out data of the golf game from a storage device,
b. generating an image of the golf game on a display device
c. acquiring a first input instruction from an input device, wherein the input device is a button on a housing of the game device operated by a user holding the game device;
d. acquiring a second input instruction from the input device after the first input instruction within a first predetermined time period;
e. if the second input instruction occurred within the first predetermined time period, acquiring a first orientation of the game device from a tri-axial gyro sensor in the game device when the second input instruction is received;
f. setting the first orientation as a reference orientation in a memory of the game device;
g. receiving a third input instruction from the input device within a second predetermined time period after the second input instruction;
h. if the third input instruction occurred within the second predetermined time period, acquiring a second orientation of the game device from the tri-axial gyro sensor when the third input instruction is received;
i. measuring an angular displacement of the game device between the first orientation and the second orientation; and
j. if the angular displacement is greater than a first angular displacement and within a range of a second angle, executing the power shot by displaying a character in the golf game performing the power shot.

Assignees

• Sony Computer Entertainment Inc
• Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc

Inventors

• Kotsugai Yoshinori
• Suzuki Kentaro
• Muramori Masashi
• Hashimoto Hirofumi

Classifications

• A63F2300/105

  using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes · CPC title

• A63F13/426

  involving on-screen location information, e.g. screen coordinates of an area at which the player is aiming with a light gun · CPC title

• A63F13/218

  using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player · CPC title

• A63F13/5372

  for tagging characters, objects or locations in the game scene, e.g. displaying a circle under the character controlled by the player · CPC title

• A63F13/44

  involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot · CPC title