Switchable Display Output for Multiplayer Game Screen Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional game systems require a stationary monitor for gameplay, limiting the ability to play games by splitting the screen at desired locations.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a display, an external image output device, and a computer processor that generates a game image for multiplayer play, allowing switching between internal and external displays based on the number of operation devices used, with restrictions on the number of players to optimize display size and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a stationary monitor is used for gameplay, then the display is fixed in location, but the ability to play games by splitting the screen at desired locations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The information processing apparatus is designed to function both as a portable device with an integrated display and as a stationary device that outputs to external displays. The switchable output mechanism enables the same hardware to serve multiple display configurations, allowing screen splitting gameplay at various locations without requiring separate devices for each mode.
2Quantity of substance
If the display screen is split for multiplayer play, then multiple users can play simultaneously, but the display areas become too small when many users are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from using a single small display (portable device) to connecting with external displays, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the display area. This allows the game image to be rendered on a much larger external screen while maintaining the same number of players, thereby increasing the display area size available to each player.
3Area of moving object
If an external display is used for multiplayer play, then a larger display screen can be used, but the number of players is restricted to maintain appropriate display area sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of supported players based on the detected display configuration. When an external display is detected, the system allows a larger number of players to be supported, as the larger display area can accommodate more players while maintaining appropriate individual display areas. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the player limit to the available display resources.
4Ease of operation
If a portable device with integrated display is used, then mobility is improved, but the display size is limited
Solution Approach 1:
An external display acts as an intermediary between the portable information processing apparatus and the user. The portable device maintains its mobility advantages while the external display provides the desired large display area. The switchable output mechanism enables the portable device to connect to external displays when needed, effectively extending the display capability without sacrificing portability.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus performs predetermined game processing based on operation inputs from a plurality of operation devices and generates a game image based on the game processing. Then, in accordance with the number of the operation devices used for the game processing, the information processing apparatus generates a game image for multiplayer play using a split screen, and performs a restriction process for, in a case where an output destination to which the game image is to be output is a display, placing a restriction so that multiplayer play is not performed by players exceeding a predetermined number of players, and in a case where the output destination to which the game image is to be output is an external display, not placing the restriction.