GAME INPUT DEVICE AND GAME SYSTEM USING THE SAME

Abstract

A game input device and a game system using the same are described. The game system includes a physical object, a position detector, and a game console. The physical object has an identification tag, and identification information of the physical object is recorded in the identification tag. The position detector detects position information of the physical object and reads the identification information of the physical object. The game console stores and runs game software, and has a communication interface capable of communicating with the position detector to obtain the position information and the identification information of the physical object and then update a configuration of a corresponding virtual role in the game environment (a role data table) according to the position information and the identification information of the physical object. A game player can control a progress of a game by simply using the physical object and the position detector.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 097141693 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Oct. 29, 2008 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game operating equipment and a game system, and more particularly to a game system integrating a physical object and a game input device, which enables a game player to control a progress of a game and change a configuration of a corresponding virtual role in a game environment in the game by using the physical object and the input device.

2. Related Art

In recent years, the development trend of game software has changed from the traditional competition over image quality into a competition over the interactive interface. With the rapid development of the Internet and the significant improvement in hardware performance of personal computers, online games and strategy games have become quite popular these days.

ROC Patent No. M307440 has disclosed an online game doll, which includes a doll body, an electronic tag (readable or rewritable) embedded in the doll body, doll accessories, electronic tags (readable or rewritable) embedded in the accessories, and a connecting device assembly. The connecting device assembly can be connected to a computer (or a game console) for data transmission, and includes a data reading device for reading (or rewriting) the electronic tags embedded in the doll body and doll accessories and a data transmission interface connected to the computer (or the game console). The technology of this patent mainly functions to enable a virtual role in a game to have the same appearance as a real doll. The role in the game can present the same appearance and accessories as the doll by identifying the electronic tags embedded in the doll body and doll accessories. A game player creates the virtual role in the game by collecting real dolls and clothing accessories thereof. ROC Patent No. I279242 has disclosed a recognizable model designed according to an online game involving multiple character roles, pets, stage artifacts, pieces or equipment. The recognizable model includes a body and an identifiable chip disposed inside the body. The identifiable chip has a specific serial number that corresponds to one of the character roles, pets, stage artifacts, pieces or equipment of the online game.

Basically, in ROC Patent No. M307440 and ROC Patent No. I279242 described above, virtual data is stored in the physical tags, and is symbolized by a physical shape for passive burglarproof purpose; however, storage of the identity account as well as the interactive interface of the game are still based on the input from a keyboard and a joystick, so that the operational difficulty and fluency of the game remain unchanged, and no new game method is provided. U.S. Pat. No. 7,081,033B1 has disclosed a playing method for increasing the joy of fighting and adding fighting scenes by inputting object IDs. Different from ordinary strategy and management games that require selecting from and interacting with a lot of objects, for a real-time interactive game involving multiple objects, some playing methods for specific subjects are available. The present invention provides a new playing method suitable for management, puzzle, and strategy games, and also provides a solution for the problem of real-time storage and computation caused by real-time appearance and disappearance of a physical object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a game input device, which simplifies an operation interface and shortens a learning time of conventional game software.

The game input device is adapted to communicate with a game console responsible for running game software. In a preferred embodiment, a game input device may include a physical object and a position detector. The physical object has an identification tag, which records identification information of the physical object. The identification information is corresponding to one virtual role in a game. The physical object is placed on a surface of the position detector. The position detector can detect position information of the physical object on the surface of the position detector, read the identification information in the identification tag, and transmit in real-time the position information and the identification information to the game software in the game console. Accordingly, the game software can update a configuration of a corresponding virtual role in the game according to the position information and the identification information of the physical object. A game player can easily control a progress of the game and change the configuration of the corresponding virtual role in a game environment in the game by simply using the physical object and the position detector.

The present invention is also directed to a game system that can control a progress of a game by using a physical object.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the game system may include a game input device, a game console, and a display.

The game input device includes a physical object and a position detector. The physical object has an identification tag, and identification information of the physical object is recorded in the identification tag, such that the physical object is corresponding to one virtual role in the game. The position detector can detect position information of the physical object on the position detector and read the identification information of the physical object.

The game console stores and runs game software, and has a communication interface capable of communicating with the position detector to obtain the position information and the identification information of the physical object and then change a configuration of a corresponding virtual role in the game software according to the position information and the identification information of the physical object.

The display is electrically connected to the game console to display contents and a progress of the game.

The present invention also provides a method for controlling a game system. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the following steps:

game software is run on a game console. An event processing program, a role database, and a role data table are loaded into the game console, and a game environment and a virtual role are created;

position information of a physical object in a game input device and identification information of the physical object are obtained;

when it is found that a new physical object is disposed in the input device, a virtual role corresponding to the physical object is created in the game environment and the role data table is updated;

when it is found that the physical object is removed from the input device, the virtual role corresponding to the physical object in the game environment is deleted and the role data table is updated;

the corresponding event processing program is executed according to the position information and the identification information of the physical object, and a configuration of the relevant virtual role in the game is updated; and

a game picture is displayed on a display.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the game system may be implemented as an online game, and the input device and the display may be installed on a client and communicate with a server that runs the game software via a communication interface such as a network interface card (NIC).

According to the above preferred implementations of the present invention, a game player can control a progress of a game and update a configuration of a corresponding virtual role in a game environment by simply using the physical object and the position detector, which is suitable for management, puzzle, and strategy games, and also provides an easy operation interface for controlling the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows the hardware architecture of a game system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a position detector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a position detector according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of functions of game software according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of control steps of game software according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of some detailed steps of game software according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows steps of a role growth processing program according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows steps of a role influence processing program according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows steps of a role behavior processing program according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a structure of a game system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows a structure of a game system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 shows a structure of a game system according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the hardware architecture of a game system according to a preferred embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the game system includes a game input device 10, a game console 20, and a display 30.

The game input device 10 includes at least one physical object 11 and a position detector 12. The physical object 11 has an identification tag 110 therein, and identification information of the physical object 11 is recorded in the identification tag 110 such that the physical object 11 is corresponding to one virtual role in the game. The position detector 12 has a communication interface 14, and can detect position information of the physical object 11 on the position detector 12 and read the identification information of the physical object 11.

The game console 20 stores and runs game software 21. The game console 20 has a communication interface 201, which is capable of communicating with the communication interface 14 of the position detector 12 to obtain the position information and the identification information of the physical object 11. The game software 21 can change a configuration of a corresponding virtual role in the game environment according to the position information and the identification information of the physical object 11.

A display 30 communicates with the game console 20 to display a game picture.

The physical object 11 is corresponding to a unique virtual role in the game. The physical object 11 may be, for example, a chessman, a doll, a plush toy, or the like. The identification tag 110 of the physical object 11 is used to record data related to the physical object 11. The identification tag 110 may be implemented in different manners, for example, as a resistor having a specific resistance value, an integrated circuit (IC) chip, or a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

The position detector 12 can be used for placing the physical object 11. The position detector 12 can detect the position information of the physical object 11 on the position detector 12, read the identification information in the identification tag 110, and transmit in real-time the position information and the identification information to the game software 21 in the game console 20 via the communication interface 14. The position detector 12 is the main difference of the present invention from a conventional game system.

FIG. 2 discloses a position detector 12 according to a preferred embodiment. The position detector 12 is provided with a plurality of slots 130 arranged in an array on a surface thereof, and uses one digital processing unit 131 and a matrix detection circuit (n, m) formed by two multiplexers 132 and 133. A slot 130 with position coordinates of (Xn, Ym) is disposed at each intersection point of the matrix detection circuit (n, m). Persons skilled in the art should understand that, when the digital processing unit 131 sequentially connects the circuit of each slot 130 by scanning through the two multiplexers 132 and 133, if a physical object 11 that uses a resistor as the identification tag 110 is inserted into one of the slots 130, the resistor is electrically conducted during the scanning. A voltage value is obtained by using a bleeder circuit on the matrix detection circuit. The voltage value is then transmitted to the digital processing unit 131 so as to obtain a resistance value of the identification tag 110 on the slot 130 as the identification information (for example, 1 Ω indicates a watermelon). Then, the resistance value is transmitted to the game software 21 in the game console 20 via the communication interface 14. The game software 21 will look up a preset role database to find a virtual role ID in the game corresponding to this identification tag 110 according to an “identification information-role ID comparison table” (see Table 2 below) predefined in the role database. In another aspect, the position information of the physical object 11 having the identification tag 110 on the position detector 12 can also be obtained according to the sequence of scanning the matrix detection circuit (n, m).

The circuit architecture of a position detector 12 according to another preferred embodiment is basically the same as the above embodiment in FIG. 2, while in this embodiment, the identification tag 110 in the physical object 11 is an IC chip having a memory function. When the physical object 11 having the IC chip is inserted into a slot 130, the digital processing unit 131 can also obtain the identification information stored in the IC chip and the position information of the physical object 11 on the position detector 12.

FIG. 3 discloses a position detector 12 according to another preferred embodiment. The position detector 12 has a digital processing unit 131, two RFID readers 134 and 135, and a reader antennas 136 formed by two RFID multiplexers 132 and 133. The identification tag 110 in the physical object 11 is an RFID tag. When the physical object 110 having the RFID tag is disposed on the position detector 12, the digital processing unit 131 can also obtain the identification information stored in the RFID tag and the position information of the physical object 110 on the position detector 12.

In a preferred embodiment, a role database is stored in the position detector 12, and an “identification information-role ID comparison table” is recorded in the role database. Here, the identification information may be the resistance value of the resistor, the identification information in the IC chip, or the identification information stored in the RFID tag as described above. Once the position detector 12 obtains the identification information of the physical object 11, a role ID of a corresponding virtual role in the game can be immediately found in the position detector 12, and this role ID and the position information of the physical object 11 on the position detector 12 are transmitted to the game software 21.

In a preferred embodiment, the identification tag 110 in the physical object 11 is an element having a memory function and capable of performing a read/write operation on the identification information stored in the identification tag 110, such as an IC chip, or an RFID tag. Meanwhile, configuration information of the virtual role corresponding to this physical object 11 in the game may also be written into the identification tag 110 capable of performing the read/write operation during the game. A game player may insert this physical object 11 into a position detector 12 of another player for interacting and communicating with the other player about the game content. Besides this, achievements made by the virtual role in the game may also be written into the identification tag 110 of this physical object 11 so as to use the achievements to exchange for game awards via a physical channel or to make other relevant commercial activities.

The functions of the game software 21 disclosed in the present invention may also include a sound processing program. The sound processing program can play preset sounds via a sound output device (for example, a loudspeaker or sound output interface) according to the progress of the game, so that the game players can enjoy the sound effect and relevant sounds of the game.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of functions of the game software 21 according to the present invention, which illustrates content of the game software and the operation relationship between the functions of the game software. Referring to FIG. 4, the game software 21 includes an environment database, a role database, a role data table, a physical object control program, a role control program, an event processing program, an event trigger program, and an image processing program.

The environment database stores environment data such as a game scene and object data in a game environment during the game.

The role database includes image data and a role ID of the virtual role and an “identification information-role ID comparison table”.

The role data table records the role ID that has appeared in the game and configuration data of the virtual role.

The physical object control program works with the position detector 12 to determine whether the physical object 11 appears, disappears, or moves, and generates real-time information of the physical object 11 at the same time.

The role control program updates a configuration of the corresponding virtual role in the role data table according to the real-time information of the physical object 11.

The event processing program at least includes a role growth processing program, a role influence processing program, a role behavior processing program, and event parameters. The configuration of the corresponding virtual role in the role data table is updated by the processing programs according to processing results of events.

The event trigger program triggers the corresponding event processing program according to the real-time information of the physical object 11.

The image processing program displays a game picture and an image of the virtual role on the display 30 according to the configuration data and the environment data of the virtual role in the game.

A representative example is provided and illustrated as follows.

The environment database stores environment data of a watermelon field, as shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1
			Display	Relative Position
Object		Image	Position	Coordinates (x, y) on
ID	Object Name	No.	(X, Y)	the Position Detector
F001	Watermelon	Img001	X1, Y1	No
	field
P001	Planting point	Img002	X2, Y2	x2, y2
P002	Planting point	Img002	X3, Y3	x3, y3
P003	Planting point	Img003	X4, Y4	x4, y4
H001	Farmhouse	Img004	X5, Y5	x5, y5
. . .	. . .	. . .	. . .	. . .

Therefore, once the game is started, the game software 21 will find required object data from Table 1 according to the game environment setting, and then obtain images and display positions of the objects, so as to create the game environment and display content thereof on the display 30.

The role database respectively stores the content of Table 2 “identification information-role ID comparison table”, and at least image data related to virtual roles as shown in Table 3.

TABLE 2
Identification
Information Role ID
1 Ω         W001
10 Ω        W002
100 Ω       W003
. . .       . . .

	TABLE 3
	Role ID	Role Name	Role Image No.
	W001	Watermelon	Wimg001
	W002	Hami melon	Wimg002
	W003	Pumpkin	Wimg003
	. . .	. . .	. . .

A possible embodiment is illustrated as follows. When a game player inserts a physical object 11 representing a watermelon into a position with position coordinates of (x2, y2) in the position detector 12 and the identification tag 110 of the physical object 11 has a resistance value of 1 Ω, the game software 21 will display an image Wimg001 of the watermelon at a planting point with position coordinates of (X2, Y2) in the game environment based on the data of Table 1 and Table 2.

It can be seen from the above example that, currently, the game player has planted a watermelon (Role ID: W001) at a planting point (Object ID: P001; Display Position: X2, Y2) of the watermelon field in the game environment. That is, there is a watermelon in the current game environment. Therefore, the data recorded into the role data table is as shown in Table 4 below.

TABLE 4
			Display	Relative Position
	Identification	Time of	Position	Coordinates (x, y) on the
Role ID	Information	Addition	(X, Y)	Position Detector
W001	1 Ω	Time001	X2, Y2	x2, y2
. . .	. . .	. . .	. . .	. . .

FIG. 5 discloses a method for controlling a game system of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, in the method, the game software controls the game progress through the following steps:

1. game software 21 is run on a game console 20. An event processing program, a role database, and a role data table are loaded into the game console 20, and a game environment and a virtual role are created;

2. position information of the physical object 11 on a position detector 12 and identification information of the physical object 11 are obtained;

3. when it is found that a new physical object 11 is disposed on the position detector 12, a virtual role corresponding to the physical object 11 is created in the game environment and the role data table is updated;

4. when it is found that the physical object 11 is removed from the position detector 12, the virtual role corresponding to the physical object in the game environment is deleted and the role data table is updated;

5. the corresponding event processing program is executed according to the position information and the identification information of the physical object 11, and configuration data of the relevant virtual role in the role data table is updated; and

6. a game picture is displayed on a display 30.

A basic function of Steps 3-5 is to constantly scan whether the configuration of the physical object 11 placed on the position detector 12 changes (including addition, removal, or position change of the physical object 11) or not by the position detector 12. In other words, it is constantly scanned whether the position information of the physical object 11 placed on the position detector 12 and the identification information of the physical object 11 are consistent with a configuration of the corresponding virtual role in the game or not. FIG. 6 further illustrates a specific preferred embodiment of Steps 3-5, which includes the following steps:

a. the identification information of the current physical object 11 and the position information of the physical object 11 on the position detector 12 are scanned one by one, and are recorded as “real-time actual data”;

b. a role ID of a virtual role corresponding to the physical object 11 in Step a and position information of the virtual role in the game are obtained by looking up the role data table, and are recorded as “real-time virtual data”;

c. if the “real-time actual data” is consistent with the “real-time virtual data” or there is no trigger event that has not been processed, Step a is repeated. Otherwise, the inconsistent virtual role is defined as a “virtual role currently to be processed”, and the following steps are performed (that is, there is still a trigger event that has not been processed in a trigger event queue to be processed);

d. when the “real-time actual data” and the “real-time virtual data” have more than one piece of inconsistent data, Step e is performed; otherwise, Step f is performed;

e. a priority weight parameter table preset in the game software 20 is looked up to obtain a priority processing sequence of the virtual role, and the first virtual role to be processed in the priority processing sequence is defined as the “virtual role currently to be processed”;

f. an event triggered by the “virtual role currently to be processed” is processed;

g. the role configuration of the relevant virtual role in the role data table is updated; and

h. Steps a-h are repeated;

FIG. 7 shows steps of a role growth processing program according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the steps shown in FIG. 7 includes the following steps:

7A. Convert the position information of the physical object into a virtual position in the game environment;

7B. Invoke an “operation table illustrating the relationship between position and growth” according to a role ID;

7C. Look up the “operation table illustrating the relationship between position and growth” (parameters A and B) according to the virtual position;

7D. Change the growth configuration of the role according to parameters A and B, and update the role configuration in the role data table; and

7E. Return to the main program loop of the game software.

The virtual role has different growth changes at different positions. The growth change of the virtual role corresponding to each physical object 11 is based on the following Table 5 “operation table illustrating the relationship between position and growth”. The growth of the role is then correspondingly processed by steps shown in FIG. 7. Afterwards, the role configuration in the role data table is updated.

TABLE 5
Role ID	Virtual Position	Parameter A	Parameter B
01	X = 0 Y = 0	+10	+5
01	X = 1 Y = 2	+20	0
01	X = 2 Y = −1	−10	−5

FIG. 8 shows steps of a role influence processing program according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the steps shown in FIG. 8 includes the following steps:

8A. Set a target role that is influenced currently;

8B. Obtain virtual positions of all influencing roles and the target role;

8C. Calculate which roles influences the target role, and list IDs of the roles;

8D. Look up a “range of influence between roles and operational table of influence” one by one according to the role IDs so as to perform adding and multiplying operations on parameters of the target role;

8E. Change the parameters A and B of the role; and

8E when the “Number of influence roles=0”, Return to the main program loop of the game software; otherwise, Return to step 8A.

The virtual role may influence other virtual roles within a preset range of influence due to its position. Each virtual role in the game may be processed according to the following Table 6 “range of influence between roles and operational table of influence” and through steps shown in FIG. 8. Afterwards, the role configuration in the game is updated.

TABLE 6
		Operational Mode of Influence
Role ID	Range of Influence	Parameters on Other Roles
0	X = 0-1, Y = 0-1	A + 3 & B + 1
1	X = 0-2, Y = 0	A + X & B − 1
2	X = −2-2, Y = −1-1	B + Y

FIG. 9 shows steps of a role behavior processing program according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the steps shown in FIG. 9 includes the following steps:

9A. Set two physical objects C and D for attacking and defending;

9B. Obtain role IDs and virtual positions of the physical objects C and D;

9C. Calculate the damage of C given by “Damage of C=Attack of D−Defense of C”, if the position of C is within an attack range of D;

9D. Calculate the damage of D given by “Damage of D=Attack of C−Defense of D”, if the position of D is within an attack range of C; and

9E. Return to the main program loop of the game software.

The behavior of each virtual role in the game may be processed according to the following Table 7 “table of role behavior parameters” and through steps shown in FIG. 9. Afterwards, the role configuration in the game is updated.

TABLE 7
		Formula for	Formula for
		Calculating Attack	Calculating Defense
Role ID	Attack Range	Capability	Capability
0	X = −3-3, Y = −3-3	9 + X − Y	3 + X + Y
1	X = −1-1, Y = −1-1	20 − X	4 + Y
2	X = 0-5	8	0 + X − Y

An embodiment of attack and defense processing of a role is described as follows.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as an online game. The game console 20 running the game software 21 is used as a server in a network environment. The input device 10 and the display 30 are installed at a client and communicate with the game console 20 running the game software 21 on the server via a communication interface such as a network interface card (NIC). In a preferred embodiment, electronic equipment having a display screen and a host, such as a personal computer and a notebook, is used to implement the client equipment (referring to FIG. 10). However, in other preferred embodiments, the game console 20, the input device 10, and the display 30 may also be integrated into an embodiment aspect as shown in FIG. 1. In addition, in another preferred embodiment, the game console 20 may also be integrated with a game manipulator 40 such as a game joystick having an eight-direction joystick and relevant buttons (referring to FIG. 12).

According to the above preferred implementations of the present invention, a game player can control a progress of a game and update a configuration of a corresponding virtual role in a game environment by simply using the physical object 11 and the position detector 12, which is suitable for management, puzzle, and strategy games, and also provides a simple operation interface for controlling the game.

Claims

1. A game input device, communicating with a game console, and inputting relevant data of a virtual role in a game environment into the game console for controlling and influencing a configuration of the virtual role in the game environment, comprising:

a physical object, having an identification tag, wherein identification information of the physical object is recorded in the identification tag, and the identification information is corresponding to the virtual role in the game; and

a position detector, having a communication interface, and for detecting position information of the physical object on the position detector, reading the identification information of the physical object, and transmitting the position information and the identification information to the game console via the communication interface.

2. The game input device according to claim 1, wherein the physical object is a chessman, a doll, or a plush toy.

3. The game input device according to claim 1, wherein the identification tag is a resistor, the position detector comprises a matrix detection circuit, a slot with position coordinates of (X, Y) is disposed at an intersection point of the matrix detection circuit, the resistor is inserted into the slot, and the position detector obtains a resistance value of the resistor as the identification information and transmits the identification information and the position coordinates to the game console via the communication interface.

4. The game input device according to claim 1, wherein the identification tag is an integrated circuit (IC) chip, the position detector comprises a matrix detection circuit, a slot with position coordinates of (X, Y) is disposed at an intersection point of the matrix detection circuit, the IC chip is inserted into the slot, and the position detector obtains the identification information stored in the IC chip and transmits the identification information and the position coordinates to the game console via the communication interface.

5. The game input device according to claim 1, wherein the identification tag is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the position detector comprises a matrix RFID tag sensing antenna, and the matrix RFID tag sensing antenna obtains the identification information stored in the RFID tag and position coordinates of the RFID tag on the position detector, and transmits the identification information and the position coordinates to the game console via the communication interface.

6. The game input device according to claim 1, wherein the identification tag has a memory function and is capable of performing a read/write operation on the identification information stored in the identification tag.

7. The game input device according to claim 1, wherein the position detector stores a role database, an “identification information-role ID comparison table” is recorded in the role database, the position detector finds a role ID of the corresponding virtual role in the game in the position detector according to the identification information of the physical object, and transmits the role ID and the position information of the physical object on the position detector to the game console.

8. A game system, capable of providing a game environment with a virtual role, comprising:

a game input device, comprising at least one physical object and a position detector, wherein the physical object has an identification tag, identification information of the physical object is recorded in the identification tag such that the physical object is corresponding to one virtual role in the game, and the position detector has a communication interface, and detects position information of the physical object on the position detector and reads the identification information of the physical object; and

a game console, storing and running game software and having a communication interface capable of communicating with the communication interface of the position detector to obtain the position information and the identification information of the physical object, wherein the game software changes a configuration of the corresponding virtual role in the game environment according to the position information and the identification information of the physical object.

9. The game system according to claim 8, wherein the physical object is a chessman, a doll, or a plush toy.

10. The game system according to claim 8, wherein the identification tag is a resistor, the position detector comprises a matrix detection circuit, a slot with position coordinates of (X, Y) is disposed at an intersection point of the matrix detection circuit, the resistor is inserted into the slot, and the position detector obtains a resistance value of the resistor as the identification information and transmits the identification information and the position coordinates to the game console via the communication interface.

11. The game system according to claim 8, wherein the identification tag is an integrated circuit (IC) chip, the position detector comprises a matrix detection circuit, a slot with position coordinates of (X,Y) is disposed at an intersection point of the matrix detection circuit, the IC chip is inserted into the slot, and the position detector obtains the identification information stored in the IC chip and transmits the identification information and the position coordinates to the game console via the communication interface.

12. The game system according to claim 8, wherein the identification tag is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the position detector comprises a matrix RFID tag sensing antenna, and the matrix RFID tag sensing antenna obtains the identification information stored in the RFID tag and position coordinates of the RFID tag on the position detector, and transmits the identification information and the position coordinates to the game console via the communication interface.

13. The game system according to claim 8, wherein the game software comprises:

an environment database, storing environment data during the game;

a role database, comprising image data and a role ID of the virtual role and an “identification information-role ID comparison table”;

a role data table, recording the role ID that has appeared in the game and configuration data of the virtual role;

a physical object control program, working with the position detector to determine whether the physical object appears, disappears, or moves, and generating real-time information of the physical object at the same time;

a role control program, updating a configuration of the corresponding virtual role in the role data table according to the real-time information of the physical object;

an event processing program, comprising a role growth processing program, a role influence processing program, a role behavior processing program, and even parameters; and

an event trigger program, adapted to trigger the corresponding event processing program according to the real-time information of the physical object.

14. The game system according to claim 13, wherein the game software controls the game by the following steps:

loading the event processing program, the role database, and the role data table into the game console, and creating a game environment and a virtual role;

obtaining the position information of the physical object on the position detector and the identification information of the physical object;

when it is found that the new physical object is disposed on the position detector, creating a virtual role corresponding to the physical object in the game environment and updating the role data table;

when it is found that the physical object is removed from the position detector, deleting the virtual role corresponding to the physical object in the game environment and updating the role data table; and

executing the corresponding event processing program according to the position information and the identification information of the physical object, and updating configuration data of the relevant virtual role in the role data table.

15. The game system according to claim 8, further comprising:

a display, communicating with the game console to display a game picture; and

an image processing program, displaying the game picture and an image of the virtual role on the display according to the configuration and the environmental data of the virtual role in the game.

16. A game system, comprising a game console capable of providing a game environment with a virtual role, an image of the virtual role, and an image of the game environment, and further comprising:

a game input device, comprising at least one physical object and a position detector, wherein the physical object has an identification tag, identification information of the physical object is recorded in the identification tag such that the physical object is corresponding to one virtual role in the game, and the position detector has a communication interface, and detects position information of the physical object on the position detector, reads the identification information of the physical object, and transmits the position information and the identification information to the game console via the communication interface; and

a display, communicating with the game console to display the image of the virtual role and the image of the game environment, wherein a configuration of the virtual role varies with the position information and the identification information of the physical object.

17. The game system according to claim 16, wherein the physical object is a chessman, a doll, or a plush toy.

18. The game system according to claim 16, wherein the identification tag is a resistor, the position detector comprises a matrix detection circuit, a slot with position coordinates of (X, Y) is disposed at an intersection point of the matrix detection circuit, the resistor is inserted into the slot, and the position detector obtains a resistance value of the resistor as the identification information and transmits the identification information and the position coordinates to the game console via the communication interface.

19. The game system according to claim 16, wherein the identification tag is an integrated circuit (IC) chip, the position detector comprises a matrix detection circuit, a slot with position coordinates of (X,Y) is disposed at an intersection point of the matrix detection circuit, the IC chip is inserted into the slot, and the position detector obtains the identification information stored in the IC chip and transmits the identification information and the position coordinates to the game console via the communication interface.

20. The game system according to claim 16, wherein the identification tag is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the position detector comprises a matrix RFID tag sensing antenna, and the matrix RFID tag sensing antenna obtains the identification information stored in the RFID tag and position coordinates of the RFID tag on the position detector, and transmits the identification information and the position coordinates to the game console via the communication interface.

21. The game system according to claim 16, wherein the identification tag has a memory function and is capable of performing a read/write operation on the identification information stored in the identification tag.

22. The game system according to claim 16, wherein the position detector stores a role database, an “identification information-role ID comparison table” is recorded in the role database, the position detector finds a role ID of the corresponding virtual role in the game in the position detector according to the identification information of the physical object, and transmits the role ID and the position information of the physical object on the position detector to the game console.