Patents Assigned to Konami Digital Entertainment
  • Publication number: 20090253502
    Abstract: In a game device (301) for showing to a player the directions in which movement may be possible in a game where a character is moved between objects in a virtual world, an input receiving unit (305) receives an instruction input for moving a character within the object where the character is located or to another object, an index calculation unit (303) calculates an index indicating the degree to which movement will fail in a case where movement from the object where the character is located to another object is presumed, an image display unit (304) that displays an image associated with the calculated index in a location associated with the direction of the other object, and a character moving unit (306) that moves the character on the object where the character is located, or moves the character to another object, or fails to move the character to another object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kiyomoto, Kentaro Nagayama
  • Patent number: 7597622
    Abstract: A game device including a player image acquisition section 50 for receiving an image of a player from image capture means in charge of image capturing of the player, a game processing section 54 for executing various types of games, and in each of the games, outputting and displaying a game image as a combination result of the image of the player captured by the image capture means and a basic game image corresponding to the game, and a reference image generation section 58 for generating a plurality of reference game images by combining the image of the player captured by the image capture means and each of a plurality of reference basic game images corresponding to at least a part of the games, and outputting and displaying a reference image including the reference game images. With such a game device, the player is helped to understand play requirements relating to image capturing by the image capture means on a game basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasumi Takase
  • Publication number: 20090247260
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drawing machine and a game apparatus using the same by which it is easier to give the participants of the drawing an impression like drawing is carried out fairly when the computer drawing in which a winning-probability of each of drawing-objects is changed is carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Goto, Kazuhiro kusuda, Daisuki Sato, Shingo Yasuda, Yuichi Nakahara
  • Publication number: 20090247303
    Abstract: First consecutive action determination means determines whether or not a pitcher character consecutively or repeatedly performs a predetermined action at a predetermined frequency. Consecutive action execution flag-on means turns on a consecutive action execution flag indicating execution of consecutive actions to an on-state. Warning display means displays a warning on a first display unit of a first terminal device used by a first game player responsible for a malicious play. Second predetermined action determination means determines whether or not the pitcher character consecutively or repeatedly performs a predetermined action in accordance with the operation of a first operation unit after the warning display means displays the warning. First disciplinary action execution means executes a first disciplinary action for the first game player when the pitcher character consecutively or repeatedly performs the predetermined action after the warning display means displays the warning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20090233713
    Abstract: To provide a game system that enables a degree of difficulty of an occurrence of a predetermined game event to be changed depending on a degree of proficiency of a player in a game in which the predetermined event is made to occur when a controller is operated according to specific procedures. The present invention relates to a game system including one or more controllers. In the game system, a determining unit (52) determines whether or not a criterion operation data string has been inputted from the controller, a game event generation unit (58) generates a predetermined game event according to a result of the determination made by the determining unit (52), and the determining unit (52) changes the criterion operation data string based on a result of a past determination on at least one of the one or more controllers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akinori Tamura, Takao Yamagishi
  • Publication number: 20090224481
    Abstract: A game machine (1) includes a game board (3) having a housing section opened on a game surface, a target which is provided to the housing section so as to freely appear and disappear, and a target driving mechanism which is provided into the game board and allows the target (9) to appear and disappear from and into the housing section. The game machine is provided with a supporting pedestal (2) which supports the game board, a rotation driving device (20) which rotates the game board supported to the supporting pedestal about a pivot axis line RC extending to a direction where the line crosses the board surface in a reciprocating manner, and a tilt giving mechanism which is provided between the supporting pedestal and the game board and gives a motion to the game board according to the rotating motion of the game board about the pivot axis line RC so that the game board tilts with respect to the pivot axis line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigehito Mukasa, Koki Atobe, Hironori Takahashi, Kazufumi Koike
  • Publication number: 20090228556
    Abstract: A message string output system which allows increased input motivation of a user with respect to a specific string is provided. A point information storage (48) stores point information in correspondence with user identification information. A specific string storage (44) stores a specific string. A user identification information acquiring unit (34) acquires user identification information corresponding to a message string which is input by an input unit (30). A judging unit (36) judges whether or not the message string which is input by the input unit (30) contains the specific string stored in the specific string storage (44). A point information updating unit (40) updates, based on a judgment result by the judging unit (36), point information stored in the point information storage (48) in correspondence with the user identification information acquired by the user identification information acquiring unit (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Motoki Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20090227373
    Abstract: The present invention is related to reducing difference between a period of time elapsing until a first moving object moving in conjunction with a motion of a first character passes through a plane and a period of time elapsing until a second moving object released by a second character passes through he plane. A first moving object moving in conjunction with a motion of a first character is displayed on an image display unit with image data for the first moving object. Then, arrival time elapsing since a second moving object is released by a second character until the second moving object arrives at a predicted passage plane is computed based on velocity of the second moving object and distance from a position of the second moving object when the first moving object starts performing a motion to the predicted passage plane. Next, a control unit executes processing of correcting base arrival time for reducing absolute value of difference between the base arrival time and the arrival time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nariaki YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20090221373
    Abstract: A player can be prevented from successively using an object that affects the outcome of a match in a network competition game executed among a plurality of clients via a network. An object is selected at the end of a match event of competition game by a client on the basis of action frequency of an object that has participated in a match event. Next, a notification about the object selected at this point is sent to a server and the object is managed in the server as an object that can not appear in a new match event. A notification about the object being managed in the server is sent to the client if a new match event is to be executed in the client. At this point, the client executes a process for selecting an object from among a plurality of objects excluding the notified object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20090221356
    Abstract: A game apparatus is provided that determines an operation result based on a player's input operation with respect to an operation instruction and comprises: an operating unit that is divided into a plurality of subregions and that has at least one input region formed from some or all of the subregions; a region display pattern table 333 that, for each game difficulty level, stores a region display pattern that assigns a specific input region to each of the subregions; an input region forming unit 325 that reads out the region display pattern that accords with the game difficulty level from the storing unit and forms the input region in the operating unit based on the region display pattern that was read out; and a determining unit 324 that determines the operation result based on the operation instruction given to the player and the input region wherein the player's input operation is accepted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoko MATSUMOTO, Hiroyuki MASUDA, Masanori KONO, Yoshito FUKUDA
  • Publication number: 20090215526
    Abstract: The present invention provides a game apparatus that comprises: an operation instructing unit 323 that outputs an operation instruction to a player; an operating unit, which is provided with one or a plurality of output regions, that accepts an input operation from the player; an outputting unit, which is provided to the operating unit corresponding to each of the output regions, that outputs one output pattern or any one of a plurality of output patterns to the corresponding output region; a changing unit 325, which is provided to the operating unit, that changes the output state of the output pattern output by at least one outputting unit in accordance with the game difficulty level; a determining unit 324 that determines an operation result based on the operation instruction and the output pattern output to the output region of the operating unit that accepted the player's input; and a game executing unit 321 that controls the execution of the game based on the determination result of the determining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoko MATSUMOTO, Hiroyuki MASUDA, Masanori KONO, Yoshito FUKUDA
  • Publication number: 20090215542
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to allow a character to prepare for participating in a match-up event. The present program is configured to execute processing of controlling a match-up event in a game. A first character in the match-up event is displayed on a first screen with first character's image data. Then, a second character standing by for participating in the match-up event is recognized by a control unit with second character's recognition data. Next, a preparation start command is issued by the control unit for causing the second character to start preparation for participating in the match-up event. When the preparation start command is issued by the control unit, a second character preparing for participating in the match-up event is displayed on a second screen with second character's image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuya TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20090209336
    Abstract: A CPU (511) of game device (50) generates bullet trajectory information when a bullet is fired at an opponent character by a player by operating a gun unit (56), and it transmits the bullet trajectory information to an echo server. The CPU (511), upon receiving the bullet trajectory information from the echo server, generates information showing a result of a determination as to whether the bullet has hit the opponent character based on the position information of a player character and the received bullet trajectory information. In a case in which a game device (50) is specified as the echo server, a game information set generated at game device (50) and a game information set received from an opponent game device are sent to opponent game devices (50) in an order in which game information sets are received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Onodera, Shintaro Osato, Hajime Wakuda, Shinpei Makino
  • Publication number: 20090200366
    Abstract: An image display apparatus increases user's buying intention by creating a highly original image character and providing users with product information they do not obtain yet. Identification information determination means determines identification information attached to a product and displays an image corresponding to the product on a display apparatus. Combinable component search means retrieves image data of one or more components that constitute another product identified with another identification information and that can be combined with the plurality of components that constitute the product corresponding to the determined identification information. The product image and an image selected from among the retrieved images are combined to make a new image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Noboru Kasahara
  • Publication number: 20090205031
    Abstract: A log-in information receiving unit (203) receives log-in information sent from a terminal (13). A user authentication unit (204) authenticates a user based on the relationship between to-be-authenticated information included in the log-in information and authentication information stored in an authentication information storage unit (201). When the user is authenticated, unique information included in the log-in information is stored in a historical information storage unit (202). A terminal authentication unit (205) authenticates the terminal (13) based on the history of the unique information stored in the historical information storage unit (202). When different pieces of unique information have amounted to ten pieces then, for example, the terminal authentication unit (205) detects an unauthorized use by a third party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Sato, Shoji Mori, Hidehisa Takahashi, Koji Kuri
  • Publication number: 20090201262
    Abstract: In a line shape processing device (201) for receiving an entry of a line shape via a mouse, a touch panel, etc. and processing the line shape, an entry receiving unit (202) receives an entry of information indicating whether a touch pen pushes the touch panel or not, and the pushed position if so. When pushing continuously occurs, a coordinate storage unit (203) stores, for each position included in a line segment joining a place pushed immediately before and a place pushed currently, the y-coordinate value of that position in association with the x-coordinate value of that position. A display unit (205) displays the line shape by acquiring, in an order regarding the x-coordinate values, the x-coordinate values and y-coordinate values stored in the coordinate storage unit (203), and plotting dots at positions within a screen designated by the x-coordinate values and the y-coordinate values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriaki Okamura
  • Patent number: 7568965
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transformable toy with which the user can enjoy the transforming process of the figure of the toy much more than ever. A movable toy includes an assembly composed of a plurality of components. The assembly is mounted onto an upper body of a toy doll to constitute an exterior 30 for the upper body of a toy robot. The assembly includes a first assembly constituent section, a second assembly constituent section, and a third assembly constituent section. The first assembly constituent section (13A, 14, 15) is disposed in a front side of the toy doll. The second assembly constituent section (11, 13B, 17) is connected to the first assembly constituent section and disposed in a back side of the toy doll. A handle (16A, 16B) composing the third assembly constituent section connects the first and second assembly constituent sections. The first, second and third assembly constituent sections are assembled together in an annular shape to constitute the exterior 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Toriyama, Tetsuro Itami, Shinichi Hanamoto, Koji Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7563150
    Abstract: A remote control toy system includes a plurality of sets each including a transmitter and a movable machine controlled on the basis of a control signal transmitted from the transmitter. An attack signal is transmitted from the movable machine on the basis of an attack order contained in the control signal and transmitted from the transmitter in response to an attack operation of a user. Damages due to an attack are processed and executed on a movable machine that has received the attack signal. Each of the movable machines includes a device for storing own offensive power information, a device for generating the attack signal that contains the offensive power information, a device for transmitting the attack signal, and a device for executing processing to make a degree of damage different, according to the offensive power discriminated from the received attack signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yamaguchi, Ryoji Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20090181771
    Abstract: The present invention is related to controlling a video game in which ability of a game character is adjusted on the basis of events in the video game. For example, in a baseball video game, if the game player operating a pitcher character keeps selecting a pitching trajectory that a batter character is bad at hitting the ball object, the extent that the batter character is bad at hitting the ball object in the pitching trajectory will be gradually reduced. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the pitcher character to make the batter character out. Accordingly, advantageous level for the pitcher character will be reduced. Therefore, imbalance of the baseball video game is to be solved between the pitcher character and the batter character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daisuke SOGABE
  • Publication number: 20090180624
    Abstract: A calculating unit (201) arranges a three-dimensional spatial body containing a listening point within a virtual space in a voice processor (200). The three-dimensional spatial body is constituted by a group of predetermined unit figures. The calculating unit (201) acquires a distribution of a region and an amount of overlap between a region occupied by the three-dimensional spatial body and a region occupied by predetermined objects. A modifying unit (202) modifies reflected sounds of sounds by the predetermined objects based on the distribution of the region of overlap and the amount of overlap acquired by the calculating unit (201). An outputting unit (203) outputs the reflected sounds modified by the modifying unit (202).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nakayama