Patents Assigned to Sega Enterprises
  • Patent number: 6652376
    Abstract: A driving game, wherein players having various driving skills—from beginners to those advanced—may enjoy both aspects of amusement and simulation in consistency. The game device of the present invention has an element for providing to a player a plurality of different movement modes upon moving the vehicle along a traveling line. Upon selection of a desired movement mode, a vehicle-driving game relating to the driving mode selected by the player is executed. Included in this plurality of driving modes are an assist mode in which auto-brake control is performed and a training mode in which various indications, such as the timing of the braking point, are given.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Shigeru Yoshida, Takuji Masuda, Takanori Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20030199316
    Abstract: Provides a game machine with exceptional interactivity capable of ascertaining players' psychological states from player's voices and actions. It is a game device for executing a prescribed game program in response to information input by players. Comprises a device for recognizing voices or actions made by players, and a processing board for ascertaining the condition of recognized voices and actions, and, for a given voice or given action, modifying the game device response processing operations to the voice or action in response to the condition of the voice or action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Tomoji Miyamoto, Yasushi Watanabe, Junichi Itonaga, Tomio Kikuchi, Muneoki Kamata
  • Patent number: 6632138
    Abstract: An object is to provide a free-entry type of race game apparatus wherewith a player can join at any time. This is a race game that simulates an endurance race in which many vehicles run for a long period of time. The vehicles are continually running on the track. (ST 1), from which number a player selects any vehicle at will (ST 3) and joins the race in progress (ST 4, 5). The game is terminated on the basis either of a pass count indicating the number of cars passed (or passed by) (ST 6), or a limiting time (ST 7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Narito Serizawa, Manabu Washio, Hiroyuki Izuno
  • Patent number: 6629887
    Abstract: Provided is a game device using game tokens with a newly added element not found in conventional game devices. In the present token game device, the token game processing system and the video game processing system are linked. That is, the processing of the video game in the satellite unit (2) is commenced in accordance with whether or not a token hit the target (3). The processing contents of the video game are altered in accordance with the player's operation of the lever (23). Then, tokens are paid out to the player in accordance with the processing results of such video game. Therefore, the player is able to enjoy various operations, and provided is a game in which the player will not lose interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Mitsuru Todaiji, Susumu Murata, Makoto Tanaka, Katsumi Kobayashi, Tetsuya Hamada, Kazuhiro Hagino, Takashi Semuna
  • Publication number: 20030186741
    Abstract: A small screen which enables a player to easily grasp the situation of a game field as well as the positional relationship between the game objects is displayed on a game screen in a game device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hayashida, Atsushi Ueno, Taishi Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20030186740
    Abstract: To provide an image processing device, image processing method, and data processing method for a game device providing novel game features. In a multiple-player game device 1 comprising mutually coupled input mechanisms 31, it is possible for a game to be played by fewer people than the aforementioned number of players, by using a portion of the input mechanisms 31, the coupling of the input mechanisms other than the input mechanisms used by the fewer number of players being disengaged in cases where a game is played by a fewer number of players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Takeshi Goden, Shigeyuki Iwase, Kimio Tsuda
  • Patent number: 6616535
    Abstract: An IC card system for a game machine using an IC card includes a game token input device for inputting a game token onto the IC card based on the amount of money deposited. The IC card system also includes a game device that decreases the number of game tokens stored on the IC card when the IC card is used with the game device. The IC system also includes a totaling device that determines the number of tokens inputted by the game token input device and the number of tokens used by the game devices, at a particular location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignees: Schlumberger Systems, Toppan Label Co., Ltd., Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutao Nishizaki, Shin Iwagami, Futoshi Itoh, Shingo Dote
  • Publication number: 20030160783
    Abstract: The invention provides an image processing unit for a shooting game in which suitable images can be displayed according to a given situation, and in which more exciting and easy-to-manipulate images are displayed. Coordinate values for objects in three-dimensional virtual space are established on the basis of prerecorded object shape data, view point positions are established on the basis of distances x1 and x2 from predetermined objects defined in three-dimensional virtual space (for example, the positions are lower when the distance is shorter, and higher when the distance is longer), the coordinate values established as described above are received, and the coordinate values are converted to a visual field coordinate system as seen from the view points established in the manner described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SEGA ENTERPRISES, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Saikawa, Shinichi Ogasawara, Hirotsugu Kobayashi, Tetsuo Shinyu, Yuji Sugimori
  • Patent number: 6607445
    Abstract: A game execution method and game equipment are disclosed. A central processing unit is provided to control the execution of a game program. Information related to a player is employed among a plurality of application programs to control displayed images of a character etc. according to the player's behavior or property. During the execution of the first application program, a player data corresponding to player's input operation is stored into a memory. The player data is then updated according to a player's input operation while the second application program different from the first program is being executed. Also, the player data having been updated by the first program may be updated corresponding to a player's further input operation during the execution of the first program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Gendo, Kazuhiro Baba, Takashi Iizuka
  • Patent number: 6607443
    Abstract: Provides a game machine with exceptional interactivity capable of ascertaining players' psychological states from player's voices and actions. It is a game device for executing a prescribed game program in response to information input by players. Comprises a device for recognizing voices or actions made by players, and a processing board for ascertaining the condition of recognized voices and actions, and, for a given voice or given action, modifying the game device response processing operations to the voice or action in response to the condition of the voice or action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Tomoji Miyamoto, Yasushi Watanabe, Junichi Itonaga, Tomio Kikuchi, Muneoki Kamata
  • Patent number: 6603479
    Abstract: The present invention provides a picture processing device capable of realizing the detailed shape and pattern of a display object which is far away from a viewpoint and which attracts a game player's attention. For example, a display object (or player) in a soccer game is composed of a small number of polygons to be displayed on a CRT-type display, etc. when the display object is far away from the viewpoint (or camera position). However, even if the player is at a far position, the player will attract the game player's attention when a ball is passed to the player. If the number of polygons composing the player is small in such a situation, the game player will gain an unnatural impression. For example, assuming that a ball rolls to a certain player and this player obtains priority, a priority mark will be displayed above the player's head. Then, it is determined whether or not the player with the priority mark is close to a certain viewpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Satoshi Mifune, Masaki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6600485
    Abstract: A method for generating polygon data from NURBS (non-uniform rational B-spline) data representing a parametric surface and an image display apparatus using that method are disclosed. In the method for generating polygon data, NURBS object data are coordinate-converted to coordinates having the viewing point as the origin, in correspondence with the advance of a program. Furthermore, the level of detail wherewith the object is drawn on the display is determined, the number of divisions into polygons when converting NURBS object data to objects configured by polygons is found, according to the determined level of detail wherewith objects are drawn, and vertices of polygons converted to according to that number of divisions are computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Yoshida, Shinichi Furuhashi, Toshihiro Nakane, Naoki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6593673
    Abstract: In an electronic device mounting an electronic circuit module on which electronic components are mounted and having a fan that discharges air from inside the electronic device to an outside of a component when the electronic circuit module operates, the electronic device having an exhaust port provided on a side wall of the component, a duct provided so as to contact the exhaust port on an inside of the component, and a fan portion provided on the duct inside the component. Accordingly, the exhaust from the fan portion passes through the duct and is discharged from the exhaust port, with the airflow generated inside the component able to prevent a rise in temperature inside an electronic circuit module such as a personal computer or television game device due to heat generated from the electronic components mounted on an electronic circuit module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Sugai, Teruaki Kuwana, Katsunori Gendo
  • Patent number: 6592455
    Abstract: A game device comprises operational input means 30, 40 for inputting operational signals supplied by operation of game players, game control means 10 for controlling a game, based on the operational signals of the operational input means 30, 40, and game display means 20 for displaying the game controlled by the game control means 10, the operational signals of the operational input means 40 being displayed by the game display means 20. The game player can confirm game operations they made. As a result, the game player can relatively readily see their game operations they made without stress given to them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsu Okano, Tadashi Kagawa
  • Publication number: 20030130031
    Abstract: Provided is a driving game, wherein players having various driving skills—from beginners to those advanced—may enjoy both aspects of amusement and simulation in consistency. The game device of the present invention moves an object in a virtual three-dimensional space pursuant to operations from a player and generates images of the moving state of such object. This game device is provided with an element for providing to a player a plurality of different movement modes upon moving the vehicle along a traveling line; an element for enabling a player to select a desired movement mode from such plurality of different movement modes; and an element for executing a vehicle-driving game relating to the driving mode selected by the player. Included in this plurality of driving modes are an assist mode in which auto-brake control is performed and a training mode in which various indications, such as the timing of the braking point, are given.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Shigeru Yoshida, Takuji Masuda, Takanori Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6585593
    Abstract: A game device comprises operational input means 30, 40 for inputting operational signals supplied by operation of game players, game control means 10 for controlling a game, based on the operational signals of the operational input means 30, 40, and game display means 20 for displaying the game controlled by the game control means 10, the operational signals of the operational input means 40 being displayed by the game display means 20. The game player can confirm game operations they made. As a result, the game player can relatively readily see their game operations they made without stress given to them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsu Okano, Tadashi Kagawa
  • Publication number: 20030119587
    Abstract: In a simulation game machine for play on the basis of images of three-dimensionally constituted terrain features and characters which are represented as if viewed from a prescribed camera within s a virtual space, allows the viewing point to be shifted in three dimensions while looking over a stage, thereby enhancing the interest of the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Noriyoshi Ohba, Kenichi Ono
  • Patent number: 6582300
    Abstract: A game machine executes a game program in response to a control signal given by rotating imitation mechanism driven by a player to display an object corresponding to the player on a display device. The game machine includes a rotation detector, a control unit, and a display for displaying the ski course with the trace of the skis according to the display data of the trace generated by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Watanabe, Hideki Inoue, Yuji Sugimori, Makoto Sugawara
  • Patent number: 6582308
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device which allows character aspects to be changed continuously. The present device is capable of displaying a cursor point and a character in standard aspect on a screen, and by transforming and displaying character aspect in accordance with parameters for defining characters, moving the cursor point in line with movement commands from peripheral devices, and continuously changing the parameters which define the character in line with the movement of the cursor point, serves continuously to transform and display character aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Tatsuo Yamajiri, Satoshi Sakai, Manabu Kusunoki, Yukio Futatsugi, Kenichi Ikejiri
  • Patent number: D482040
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
    Inventors: Katsunori Itai, Yu Suzuki