# US 8,465,352 B2 · Game device, image generation method, information recording medium and program > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,352 B2 - Document ID: US8465352B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/744,916 - Filed: 2008-11-26 - Published: 2010-12-02 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2007-11-28 - Assignees: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Yasuhiro Kawabata - Inventors: Yasuhiro Kawabata - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465352B2 ## CPC - A63F 13/10 - A63F 13/837: Shooting of targets - A63F 13/45: Controlling the progress of the video game - A63F 13/577: using determination of contact between game characters or objects, e.g. to avoid collision between virtual racing cars - A63F 2300/643: by determining the impact between objects, e.g. collision detection - A63F 2300/646: for calculating the trajectory of an object - A63F 2300/8076: Shooting - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A plane defining unit (241) defines a horizontal plane in the field of view, within whose bounds an own character exists. A block division unit (242) divides the defined plane into a plurality of blocks. An aiming position selecting unit (243) randomly selects a predetermined number of aiming positions, which are arbitrary positions in each of the blocks thus divided. An reaching determining unit (244) determines whether a bullet can reach each of the target positions thus selected, based on a positional relationship with an opponent character, who conducts shooting, and the like. An aiming position deciding unit (245) randomly decides one target position from among the target positions determined to be reachable. An image generating unit (250) generates a game image including the own character attacked by a bullet shoot at the decided target position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A game device wherein an opponent character shoots an object toward an own character in a virtual space, the device comprising: a dividing unit divides a predetermined plane in a field of vision, within whose bounds the own character exists, into a plurality of blocks; a selecting unit randomly selects a predetermined number of arbitrary target positions in each of the blocks thus divided, each arbitrary target position being in an area of one of the blocks which excludes an area corresponding to the own character; a determining unit determines whether the object can reach each of the target positions thus selected, based on a positional relationship with the opponent character, who is an attacker; a deciding unit randomly decides at least one target position from among the target positions determined to be reachable; and an image generating unit generates a game image including the own character attacked by the object being shot at the decided target position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The game device according to claim 1, wherein the dividing unit divides a horizontal plane with a predetermined shape and a variable length in a depth direction, into a predetermined number of blocks, based on a virtual viewpoint position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The game device according to claim 1, wherein the selecting unit selects, the target positions except an area corresponding to the own character in each of the blocks. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The game device according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines whether the object can reach target positions based on whether an obstacle is present or absent on paths between a position of the opponent character and the target positions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The game device according to claim 4, wherein even when an obstacle exists on the path, the determining unit determines that the object can reach a target position if the obstacle is located near the own character in the field of vision; and when the deciding unit decides a target position on whose path an obstacle exists, the image generating unit generates a game image of the object colliding the obstacle. ### Claim 6 An image generation method performed by a game device comprising a calculating unit and a drawing unit, wherein an opponent character shoots an object toward an own character in a virtual space, the method comprising: a dividing step, wherein the calculating unit divides a predetermined plane in a field of vision, within whose bounds the own character exists, into a plurality of blocks; a selecting step, wherein the calculating unit randomly selects a predetermined number of arbitrary target positions in each of the blocks thus divided, each arbitrary target position being in an area of one of the blocks which excludes an area corresponding to the own character; a determining step, wherein the calculating unit determines whether the object can reach each of the target positions thus selected, based on a positional relationship with the opponent character, who is an attacker; a deciding step, wherein the calculating unit randomly decides at least one target position from among the target positions determined to be reachable; and an image generating step, wherein the drawing unit generates a game image including the own character attacked by the object being shot at the decided target position. ### Claim 7 A non-transitory information recording medium recording a program that causes a computer, wherein an opponent character shoots an object toward an own character in a virtual space, to act as: a dividing unit divides a predetermined plane in a field of vision, within whose bounds a character exists, into a plurality of blocks; a selecting unit randomly selects a predetermined number of arbitrary target positions in each of the blocks thus divided, each arbitrary target position being in an area of one of the blocks which excludes an area corresponding to the own character; a determining unit determines whether the object can reach each of the target positions thus selected, based on a positional relationship with the opponent character, who is an attacker; a deciding unit randomly decides at least one target position from among the target positions determined to be reachable; and an image generating unit generates a game image including the own character attacked by the object being shot at the determined target position. ### Claim 8 A program stored on a non-transitory information recording medium that causes a computer, wherein an opponent character shoots an object toward an own character in a virtual space, to act as: a dividing unit divides a predetermined plane in a field of vision, within whose bounds a character exists, into a plurality of blocks; a selecting unit randomly selects a predetermined number of arbitrary target positions in each of the blocks thus divided, each arbitrary target location being in an area of one of the blocks which excludes an area corresponding to the own character; a determining unit determines whether the object can reach each of the target positions thus selected, based on a positional relationship with the opponent character, who is an attacker; a deciding unit randomly decides at least one target position from among the target positions determined to be reachable; and an image generating unit generates a game image including the own character attacked by the object being shot at the decided target position.