Dual Virtual Camera Game System for Multiplayer Perspective Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multiplayer games struggle to display game images effectively on a single display device, making it difficult for players to view and play simultaneously, especially when one player's actions are visible to the other, reducing strategic and enjoyable gameplay experiences.

Innovation Solution

A game system utilizing two virtual cameras to generate and display distinct game images on separate devices, allowing players to view the game from different perspectives without interfering with each other's operations, using a game apparatus, operating device, and hand-held device that transmit and receive operation data and images, enabling intuitive gameplay and strategic independence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If game images are displayed on a single display device for multiplayer games, then device complexity is reduced, but players cannot view game images effectively and perform operations simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer's ability to view and operateVSAvoiddisplay device configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single display device into multiple independent display devices, with each player having their own dedicated display. This segmentation allows each player to view game images from their respective perspectives without interfering with other players, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity by distributing display functions across multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by providing each player with a customized display perspective tailored to their role. The first player views the game space from a first perspective while the second player views from a second perspective, allowing each player to optimize their viewing experience for their specific operations without affecting others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If game images show the pitcher's perspective from the batter side, then conventional baseball game viewing is maintained, but the pitcher player cannot view game images effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepitcher player's ability to view and operateVSAvoidpitcher's view of game space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by generating different game images with different perspectives for different players. The first game image is generated with a first perspective suitable for the batter player, while the second game image is generated with a second perspective suitable for the pitcher player, allowing each player to see the game space from their operational viewpoint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional single-perspective approach by providing multiple perspectives simultaneously. Instead of all players viewing from the same batter-side perspective, the system generates inverted or alternative perspectives for different players, allowing the pitcher player to view the game space from a perspective that enables effective operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If one player's operations are visible to the other player on the same display, then multiplayer interaction is simplified, but strategic gameplay is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegameplay efficiencyVSAvoidstrategic gameplay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the game information display by providing separate game images to different players. Each player receives game images generated from their specific perspective, which prevents them from directly observing the other player's operations and decision-making process, thereby maintaining strategic gameplay while still enabling multiplayer interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that generates and distributes customized game images to each player. This intermediary system (the image generation and distribution mechanism) mediates between the game state and player perception, allowing strategic gameplay by controlling what each player sees without preventing multiplayer interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9199168B2Game system, game apparatus, storage medium having game program stored therein, and game process method

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 NINTENDO CO LTD

AI summary

A game system includes a game apparatus, an operating device, and a hand-held device. The game apparatus performs a game control process based on first operation data representing a first player's operation on the operating device and second operation data representing a second player's operation on the hand-held device. The game apparatus generates a first game image for the first player, which is an image of a virtual game space and represents a result of the game control process, based on a first virtual camera set in the game space. The game apparatus also generates a second game image for the second player, which is an image of the game space, based on a second virtual camera set in the game space. The first game image is displayed on a first display device provided independently of the hand-held device. The second game image is displayed on a second display device of the hand-held device.