JP2000126445A - Game device, and communication device for game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a communication condition quickly known by displaying the communication condition with another game device using signals, letters, and patterns in a game which transmits/receives game data by radio between plural game devices. SOLUTION: A game cartridge 2 in which a game program is stored and a communication unit 3 to transmit/receive communication data by radio to/from a portable game device possessed by another player are mounted on a game device body 1 to enable a player to fight a game against another player. A liquid crystal display unit 6 is placed on an almost central part of the game device body 1. Various marks, letters, or patterns to represent a communication condition with another player are properly read out according to a command by CPU 9 of the game device body 1 based on communication data from another portable game device or according to only the judgement of CPU 99 and displayed on the liquid crystal unit 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a game device capable of playing a game with another game device by wireless communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are many communication-type game devices capable of playing a battle game and the like, which transmit and receive communication data by wire. In recent years, there have been proposed devices which play games while transmitting and receiving communication data wirelessly. Transmission and reception of communication data by radio is performed by optical communication such as infrared rays or radio communication using a predetermined frequency band.

As a prior art relating to radio communication, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-151274, a competitive game machine in which a plurality of players are divided into two groups and play on the same screen has been proposed. I have.

[0004]

However, if the game is actually performed while transmitting and receiving communication data by radio wave communication, the transmission and reception timing of the communication data may be shifted, or the game may be owned by a player who has not participated in the game. It is very difficult to maintain a good communication state due to a communication error due to interference with communication data from the device or the player leaving the communication range of radio waves. When this communication error occurs, the player cannot grasp the cause of the communication error and forcibly shuts down the power of the game device and resets the game device. .

There is almost no disclosure in the above-mentioned gazettes about a solution to these problems, and it is difficult to transmit and receive communication data effectively by radio wave communication.

Furthermore, in recent years, game devices have become more portable, and as a result, the size of the display unit for displaying the progress of the game has been reduced due to the progress of miniaturization. Needs to be as simple as possible. Moreover, in recent years, the number of people who are not good at reading sentences has been increasing, and the information to be notified tends to be simplified.

An object of the present invention is to provide a game device and a game communication device that can solve these problems.

[0008]

The invention according to claim 1 is a game device which progresses a game while transmitting and receiving communication data between a plurality of game devices by radio communication with each other by radio waves. A communication control unit for controlling the transmission and reception of data, a display unit for displaying the progress of the game to the game player, and a communication state for wireless communication with another game device on the display unit using symbols, characters, or pictures. And a control unit for displaying the information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the game device according to the first aspect, the symbol, character, or pattern detects a communication error of communication data received by the control unit from another game device, Characters are displayed on the display unit according to a command from the control unit in response to the detected communication error.

A third aspect of the present invention is the game apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the display unit and the control unit are provided in a game machine main body, and the communication control unit is a game communication device. And the game communication device is detachably attached to the game machine main body.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device for a game device for transmitting and receiving communication data between a plurality of game devices by wireless communication using radio waves, and transferring the transmitted and received communication data to a game machine body. The game communication device includes a communication control unit that controls transmission and reception of communication data, and displays a game progress status that changes based on communication data received from another game device to a game player. Unit and a control unit for prompting the progress of the game are provided detachably with respect to the main body of the game machine, the communication state in wireless communication with other game devices in the display unit using symbols, characters or patterns. Is displayed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the communication device for a game device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the symbol, character, or picture indicates a communication error of communication data received by the control unit from another game device. It is detected and displayed on the display unit according to a command of the control unit in response to the detected communication error.

[0013] The invention of claim 6 is the first to fifth aspects of the present invention.
3. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the symbols, characters, or patterns are individually displayed on the display unit in correspondence with each of the other game devices.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, in one embodiment of the game apparatus according to the present invention, a portable game machine is used as a game apparatus, and communication data is transmitted and received between a plurality of portable game machines by radio communication with each other. The case where the game is advanced while performing the game will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram for explaining functions of the portable game machine used in the present embodiment.

The portable game machine includes a control unit, an operation unit, and a control unit for executing a game program and prompting progress of the game.
And a game machine main body 1 having a display unit and the like. The game machine main body 1 has a game cartridge 2 corresponding to a storage medium storing a program of a game desired to be played by a game player, and other components. By installing the communication unit 3 corresponding to a game communication device that transmits and receives communication data by radio waves to and from another portable game machine possessed by the game player, the user can play a battle game with another game player. It is possible. The communication unit 3
May be provided integrally in the game machine body 1 as shown.

The game cartridge 2 has a game program 4a, a plurality of image data 4b, and a plurality of sound data 4b.
c is stored in the ROM 4 in advance.

The game machine main body 1 includes a RAM 5 functioning as a working memory for loading a game program 4a and the like in the ROM 4 and executing various processes;
A liquid crystal display unit 6 as a display unit for displaying the image data 4b in the image as an image and displaying the progress of the game to the game player, and a sound reproduction as a sound reproduction unit for reproducing the sound data 4c in the ROM 4 as sound. Unit 7
A key input unit 8 as an operation unit for performing various operation inputs related to game operations; and a CPU 9 as a control unit including a microprocessor or the like that executes the game program 4a and controls each unit in the game device. ing. Each component is connected to the CPU 9 in a state where the game cartridge 2 and the communication unit 3 are connected to the game machine main body 1 as shown in FIG.

The liquid crystal display unit 6 drives the liquid crystal display unit 6 at a high speed based on a plurality of image data 4b in order to display a character image on the liquid crystal display panel of the liquid crystal display unit 6 as if it were moving. Display drive circuit 10 is connected.

The image data 4b includes not only a character image, a background image, and characters appearing with the progress of the game, but also symbols and characters that inform a game player of a communication state in wireless communication with another game device. Or a picture is memorized. The CPU 9 performs control to appropriately display these symbols, characters, or pictures.

Various types of symbols, characters or pictures are used. For example, as a sign! , *,? , ＄ and #
It is possible to use numbers, such as Roman numerals, Japanese characters such as Hiragana, Katakana, or Kanji, as well as alphabets, etc. , Or various pictures such as a plurality of vertical bars can be used. The above-described examples are only a part, and the invention is not limited to these, and a wide variety of things can be used.

The sound reproducing unit 7 is provided with a sound reproducing circuit 11 for reproducing the sound data 4c as sound using a speaker.

The game machine body 1 has a built-in battery 18.
Alternatively, a power switch 12 for turning on / off power supply from an external power supply and a light emitting device 13 such as an LED that emits light when the portable game machine is in an active state in conjunction with the turning on of the power switch 12 are provided. It is connected.

The communication unit 3 includes a communication control unit 14 for performing various communication controls related to game progress and the like, and a transmission / reception unit 15 connected to the communication control unit 14 for transmitting and receiving communication data.
And transmitting communication data to another game device via the antenna 16 and receiving communication data from another portable game machine. Note that the communication unit 3 of the present embodiment may come off from the game machine main body after the power is once activated,
When the power supply in the communication unit 3 is exhausted and transmission / reception of communication data with another portable game machine is performed for a certain time (for example, 10
When the game unit is interrupted (for a second) or when the game player performs a key input operation using the operation means to cancel the activation of the power supply, the power supply of the communication unit 3 is turned off.
Further, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the communication control unit 14 performs control so as to perform time-division synchronous wireless communication.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an external configuration of the portable game machine of the present embodiment, and shows a state in which the communication unit 3 is mounted on the game machine main body 1. The game cartridge 2 is a game machine main body 1 not shown in this figure.
It is designed to be inserted from the insertion opening on the side surface of the camera.

At a substantially central portion of the surface of the main body 1 of the game machine,
The liquid crystal display panel 6a of the liquid crystal display unit 6 is provided. On the left side of the liquid crystal display panel 6a, an operation pad 8a for direction indication including a four-way switch and the like is provided, and on the right side, two push buttons 8b including a push switch are provided. The key input unit 8 including the operation pad 8a and the push button 8b enables the game player to input his / her own intention when executing the game. A power switch 12 and a light emitting device 13 are arranged above the operation pad 8a. An opening 21 for transmitting sound generated from the speaker 7a of the sound reproducing unit 7 to the outside is provided below the operation pad 8a.

Next, the function of the communication unit 3 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a communication control unit in the communication unit 3 of the present embodiment.

The communication control unit 14 includes a microprocessor, peripheral circuits, and the like, a communication data processing unit 31 for converting game information exchanged with the CPU 9 and communication data for wireless communication, and a time division system. A communication allocation control unit 32 corresponding to a communication allocation control unit for setting allocation of a communication data transmission / reception period when performing communication by a communication unit, and a timing control unit 33 corresponding to a timing control unit for adjusting a transmission / reception timing of communication data. Have.

When transmitting / receiving communication data to / from another portable game machine, the communication data processing unit 31 of the communication control unit 14
In, the game information sent from the CPU 9 is modulated and converted into communication data (here, a modulation signal for communication in a radio frequency band), and the transmission and reception unit 15 performs power amplification and the like and emits it as an electromagnetic wave from the antenna 16. At this time, the communication allocation control unit 32 allocates a period for transmitting the communication data, and the timing control unit 33 adjusts the transmission timing and transmits the communication data at an appropriate timing during a predetermined transmission allocation period.

When receiving communication data from another portable game machine, the sparse reception unit 15 receives the communication data via the antenna 16 during a predetermined reception allocation period allocated by the communication allocation control unit 32. The communication data is transmitted to the communication control unit 14
Is demodulated in the communication data processing unit 31 and transferred to the CPU 9 as game information.

In the portable game machine of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform wireless communication by selecting either the time-division synchronous type or the asynchronous type. It is possible to use a specific slot for synchronous communication that specifies and allocates each of the portable game machines and an unspecified slot for asynchronous communication that does not specify and allocate each of the portable game machines. ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, since there are a plurality of specific slots and each specific slot is divided into a plurality of channels, it is possible to allocate a plurality of portable game machines to one specific slot. FIG. 4A shows portable game machines that compete against each other (for example, A1 and A2).
2, A3, A4) are assigned to channels in the same slot, and FIG. 4 (b)
Indicates that the portable game machines that are competing with each other (for example, A
1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8) are assigned to two adjacent slots. In these figures, the direction in which time flows is a horizontal direction from left to right. For example, in FIG. 4A, for example, A1, B1, C1, D1, each channel of an unspecified slot, A2, B2 Time flows sequentially in the direction... A time corresponding to the sum of the specific slot and the unspecified slot in one row is one cycle of communication.

Next, a method of displaying the communication state of the wireless communication with another portable game machine on the liquid crystal display unit 6 using symbols, characters, or pictures will be described.

As described above, various symbols, characters, or patterns are stored in the game cartridge 2 in advance as image data 4b. The communication state of each symbol, character, or pattern is stored in the game program 4a in advance in accordance with information from the communication control unit 14, and the like. The description has been made in advance by, for example, FIG. The symbols, characters, or patterns are read out as appropriate according to a command from the CPU 9 of the game machine main body 1 based on communication data received from another portable game machine, or as determined by only the CPU 9 of the game machine main body 1, and displayed on a liquid crystal display. Displayed in unit 6.

Hereinafter, the details of the display of the communication state will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG. 5 and the change of the specific display example shown in FIG.

When a competitive game is played by a plurality of players, such as four players, the display of the communication state is performed independently at a predetermined position determined on the liquid crystal display panel 6a for each game player of the opponent. It is assumed that these displays are arranged in a line.

First, the first game player activates the communication unit 3 by activating the power switch 12 of the game machine main body 1, and communication data from another portable game machine (a carrier signal consisting of a simple electromagnetic wave is also transmitted). (Including data) is waited for a predetermined number of cycles of wireless communication. Here, it is determined whether communication data has been received from another portable game machine. However, as a matter of course, the order N in which the player participated in the game by wireless communication is the first (N = 1).
Therefore, communication data from another game player cannot be received, and the assigned number is acquired as the first game player. Then, since no communication data is received from another portable game machine, at a predetermined position on the liquid crystal display panel 6a given to the own portable game machine,! (Refer to (a) in FIGS. 5 and 6). At this time, a predetermined position on the liquid crystal display panel 6a corresponds to each of the portable game machines that have not received communication data! Is displayed in advance. ! The number that displays the symbol is
It is set in advance by the game program 4a. For example, if three or four players can play a game, first, only the largest number of opponent game players (three)! May be displayed, and after deciding to play the game with three players, one display may be erased to two.

Next, when the second game player operates the power switch of the main body of the game machine to start the communication unit, the liquid crystal display panel 6a displays on the liquid crystal display panel 6a given to the second portable game machine. In place
! Changes from the symbol display to the blinking display of the * symbol (Fig. 5
And (b) in FIG. 6). In this way, the third person, 4
Each time the game player participates in the battle game in sequence, the! From the display of the symbol *
The display changes to a blinking symbol. Then, when all the opponents are completed, all (three) opponents' * symbols are displayed in a blinking state. In the present embodiment, the number X of determined game participation is four, but the number is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 5, until the game player who last participates in communication becomes the game player as shown in FIG. Flow is repeatedly performed.

Next, when the game is actually played after the game players participating in the battle game have been prepared, when communication data is received from the portable game machine of the opponent, the * symbol indicates that communication is actually in progress. It is displayed (it can be set to no display) (see (c) in FIGS. 5 and 6). FIG. 6 shows a case where communication data is received from the second game player in the order of participation in the communication data. That is, when playing a game with four players, when the game player is watching whether the display state of the symbol “*” is blinking or just displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 6a, it is determined which game player is in which order. It is possible to easily and easily understand the communication status such as whether or not communication data has been transmitted.

If no communication data is received from another portable game machine within 30 seconds after the last reception of communication data from another portable game machine, no communication data is received. At a predetermined position on the liquid crystal display panel 6a given to the portable game machine! Blinks the symbol. Then, when this state continues for a certain period of time (for example, three minutes), the power supply of the communication unit 3 is forcibly turned off. Accordingly, the power-on of the communication unit 3 possessed by the game player who is trying to play the communication battle game is forcibly turned off. However, when two, three, or four players can play the game, the game is started at a desired timing according to the intentions of the game players or by transmitting and receiving communication data. At this time, it corresponds to the portable game machine of the game player who did not participate in the game! Is erased to make it easier for the game player who is playing the game to understand the number of people participating in the game. Of course, all displays may be left.

A case where a communication error has occurred will be described.

When transmission / reception of communication data with another portable game machine is temporarily interrupted and is waiting for recovery, at a predetermined position on the liquid crystal display panel 6a corresponding to the interrupted portable game machine. Is displayed (see (d) in FIGS. 5 and 6), and if the temporary break state continues for 30 seconds or more,? Is flashed (see (e) in FIGS. 5 and 6) to notify the game player that communication is not possible. (D) in FIG.
(E) shows a case where the communication data received from the game player who participated in the third communication game has caused a communication error. As a result, the game player can quickly understand who has caused the communication error, and can easily deal with the communication error. In FIG. 5, N is the order of participation in the communication, and X is the number of people participating in the game.

The transmission / reception unit 15 determines whether or not communication data has been received from another portable game machine at each timing of a channel in the specific slot where the same game is played. Whether or not the information has been received is transmitted to the CPU 9 of the game machine body 1 as information from the communication control unit 14. The time during which communication data is not received from another portable game is counted by reading a clock signal in a clock display function provided in advance in the game machine main body 1.

Whether or not communication data is actually transmitted / received to / from another portable game machine is determined by determining whether the communication data processing unit 31 of the communication control unit 14 is performing processing.
This is performed by being transmitted from the communication control unit 14 to the CPU 9 of the game machine main body 1.

Further, the determination that the transmission / reception of communication data with another portable game machine is interrupted temporarily and is waiting for recovery is made by receiving from at least one portable game machine among the portable game machines participating in the game. Communication data to be transmitted to the communication data processing unit 3 at the timing of the timing control unit 33.
1 cannot perform the processing, or the communication data processing unit cannot convert to the communication data as the game information and cannot process the communication data, and a communication error occurs. The information is transmitted to the game machine body 1 and is detected by the CPU 9. As described above, since the communication state can be detected by the CPU 9 by the above-described method and the symbol, character, or picture corresponding to the communication error can be displayed, the communication state at that time can be more reliably determined by the game player. Can be notified. In the present embodiment, the display position of the symbol is fixed, and the display is performed by one character that requires 8 dots vertically and 8 dots horizontally in the liquid crystal display. The display of this symbol is performed by a general liquid crystal display driving method such as a predetermined liquid crystal display driving method described in Japanese Patent Application No. 73431/1998.

As described above, when there are two or more other portable game machines, for example, even if a communication error occurs, which portable game machine has a communication error, such as which portable game machine has a communication error, It is possible to easily and quickly grasp whether or not the communication status is displayed for the communication status, for example, by notifying the communication to a game player having a portable game machine having a communication error. It is possible to quickly and easily take a measure against an error, and it is possible to quickly grasp which game player is currently transmitting the communication data, and to promptly transmit the communication data to the game player so as to transmit the communication data. It is possible to encourage.

Next, another communication status display will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the power switch 12 of the game machine body 1
To activate the communication unit 3 and wait for a predetermined number of periods of wireless communication to receive communication data (including a carrier signal consisting of a simple electromagnetic wave in the communication data) from another portable game machine. Call for a communication partner. At this time, the liquid crystal display panel 6a determines that a communication partner is being recruited! (FIGS. 7 and 8)
(See (a) in the figure.) When communication data is received from the portable game machines of the number required for playing the game, the communication partner is satisfied, the symbol * is displayed in a blinking state, the communication data is confirmed, and the communication is enabled. Is notified to the game player (see (c) of FIGS. 7 and 8). Also, if you do not have the required number of games to play! Symbol is still displayed. After that, if the number required for playing the game has not been satisfied even after 30 seconds have elapsed,! Is flashed (see FIGS. 7 and 8B). When this state continues for a certain period of time (for example, one minute), the power supply of the communication unit 3 is forcibly turned off. In addition, when communication data is received from the required number of portable game machines to play a game, the * symbol is displayed in a blinking state, and then the communication data is actually transmitted and received with other portable game machines. During the operation, an asterisk (*) is displayed (see (d) of FIGS. 7 and 8). What is the case when transmission / reception of communication data with another portable game machine is temporarily interrupted and waiting for recovery? Is displayed (see (e) of FIGS. 7 and 8),
What if the temporary break continues for more than 30 seconds? Flashes to notify the game player that communication is not possible.

Whether or not communication data has been received from the portable game machines of the number required for playing the above-mentioned game is determined at each timing of the channel in the specific slot where the same game is played. The communication control unit 14 determines whether the transmission / reception unit 15 has received communication data from the communication device.
Is transmitted to the CPU 9 of the game machine main body 1 as information from the game machine 1. In addition, the count of the time required to satisfy the number required for playing the game is determined by the game machine main unit 1.
It is performed by reading a clock signal in a clock display function provided in advance in the device.

The determination as to whether communication data is actually transmitted / received to / from another portable game machine is the same as the above-described method. Further, the determination that transmission / reception of communication data with another portable game machine is temporarily interrupted and waiting for recovery is the same as the above-described method.

The contents described above are only a few examples.
For example, detecting means for detecting in advance the radio wave intensity of communication data received from another portable game machine when the own portable game machine is out of an area where data can be transmitted and received from another portable game machine. It is also possible to display the deviation of the communication area by a predetermined symbol, character or picture by detecting the radio wave intensity, and it is possible to display various other communication states.

In the game device of the present embodiment, the communication state at that time can be notified to the game player by a simple symbol display, so that the game player can immediately communicate with another game device without reading a long sentence. Understand, for example, if a communication error occurs, it is possible to immediately understand the cause, so it is easy to take measures to return the communication error to normal, and to perform good communication while performing radio communication by radio waves It is possible to play a game with another game device while maintaining the communication state.

In the present embodiment, the display of only symbols is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to display the communication state by displaying various characters or patterns as described above. . In addition, the display method is not limited to flashing display.For example, a plurality of symbols, characters or patterns are displayed in a side-by-side state, a pitch interval of a flashing time in a flashing display is changed, and a display position is changed. (For example, by scrolling the star mark horizontally, vertically, or diagonally like a shooting star), the meaning of the communication status that the game player wants to be notified can be changed accordingly. It is possible.

The display of the communication state by the symbols, characters, or figures described in the present embodiment is merely an example, and what kind of symbols, characters, or figures are used, or which communication state is used at what position. How to display it may be determined as appropriate.

When the communication unit 3 is attached to the game machine main body 1, the game device of the present embodiment can perform a battle game while performing radio communication by radio waves. Is removed from the game machine main body 1 and a game cartridge 2 storing an appropriate game program not for wireless communication is mounted on the game machine main body 1, it is possible to play a game using the portable game machine alone. .

In the present embodiment, the communication unit 3 is provided separately from the game machine main body 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the communication control unit 14 in the communication unit 3 is provided in advance to the game machine main body 1. It can be built in. of course,
The above-mentioned wireless communication function can be mounted or built in a dedicated game machine in which the game cartridge 2 is built in the game machine body 1 in advance.

Further, in the present embodiment, only the case where the time-division synchronous wireless communication is performed has been described. However, the asynchronous wireless communication can be performed using the timing at which the unspecified slot is allocated. Yes, and during synchronous wireless communication using a specific slot,
It is also possible to perform asynchronous wireless communication with each other at the timing assigned as an unspecified slot with reference to this specific slot, and the present invention is not limited to these wireless communication systems and has the above-described effects. It is.

In this embodiment, the game device is described as a portable game device. However, the game device of the present invention is not limited to this, and a wireless communication unit may be attached to or incorporated in a home game device or a personal computer. The present invention is also applicable to a game in which a communication game is played.

Further, in the present invention, it is possible to inform the game player of various contents by displaying information related to the game in the communication state by displaying simple symbols, characters, or pictures. In this case, other information may be added.

The mounting state of the game machine main body and the game communication device according to the present invention may be, for example, a case where a convex portion or a concave portion is provided on the outer surface of the game machine body, and the concave portion or the convex fit into the game communication device. The portion may be provided on the outer surface, or may be attached with screws or bolts. Various attachment methods can be used as long as the portion can be detached.

[0060]

According to the present invention, the communication state in the transmission and reception of communication data with another game apparatus can be notified to the game player by displaying simple symbols, characters, or pictures. Without having to read the information, quickly understand the state of communication with other game devices, for example, even if a communication error has occurred, it is possible to immediately understand the cause, so that the communication error is returned to normal It is easy to take measures, and it is possible to play a game with another game device while maintaining a good communication state while performing wireless communication using radio waves.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the communication state can be determined by the control unit detecting a communication error by a predetermined method and displaying a symbol, character, or picture corresponding to the communication error. It is possible to more reliably notify the game player of the communication state at that time.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the game communication device for controlling the communication is detachably provided on the game machine main body, for example, it is easy to mount the game communication device on the game machine main body. It is possible to play a game by wireless communication during work, and when a game other than wireless communication is desired, the game communication device can be detached from the game machine body and the size can be reduced to a convenient state for handling. This makes it possible to simplify the configuration of the control unit of the game machine body because the main communication control is not performed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the communication control unit is provided in the game communication device, and communication data transmitted / received to / from another game device can be transferred to the game machine main body. The main control related to communication can be executed, for example, the control in the game machine main body can be simplified, and accordingly, the control for displaying the communication state can also be simplified.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the symbols, characters, or patterns are individually displayed on the display unit in correspondence with each of the other game devices. Even in the case where the game device is present, it is possible to easily and quickly grasp which game device is displaying the communication state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram for explaining functions of a portable game machine used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an external configuration of the portable game machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a communication control unit in the communication unit 3 of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a time chart illustrating an example of allocation of a communication data allocation period according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow of displaying a communication state according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating display of a communication state that changes along the flow of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow of displaying a communication state according to the embodiment;

8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display of a communication state that changes along the flow of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine main body 2 Game cartridge 3 Communication unit 4a Game program 4b Image data 6 Liquid crystal display unit 6a Liquid crystal display panel 9 CPU (control part) 14 Communication control part 15 Transmission / reception part

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 27, 1999 (1999.10.
27)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Full text

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Document Name] Statement

Title: Game device and communication device for game device

[Claims]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a game system for
The present invention relates to a game device capable of playing a game through communication .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are many communication-type game devices capable of playing a battle game and the like, which transmit and receive communication data by wire. In recent years, there have been proposed devices which play games while transmitting and receiving communication data wirelessly. Transmission and reception of communication data by radio is performed by optical communication such as infrared rays or radio communication using a predetermined frequency band.

As a prior art relating to radio communication, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-151274, a competitive game machine in which a plurality of players are divided into two groups and play on the same screen has been proposed. I have.

[0004]

However, if the game is actually performed while transmitting and receiving communication data by radio wave communication, the transmission and reception timing of the communication data may be shifted, or the game may be owned by a player who has not participated in the game. It is very difficult to maintain a good communication state due to a communication error due to interference with communication data from the device or the player leaving the communication range of radio waves. When this communication error occurs, the player cannot grasp the cause of the communication error and forcibly shuts down the power of the game device and resets the game device. .

There is almost no disclosure in the above-mentioned gazettes about a solution to these problems, and it is difficult to transmit and receive communication data effectively by radio wave communication.

Furthermore, in recent years, game devices have become more portable, and as a result, the size of the display unit for displaying the progress of the game has been reduced due to the progress of miniaturization. Needs to be as simple as possible. Moreover, in recent years, the number of people who are not good at reading sentences has been increasing, and the information to be notified tends to be simplified.

[0007] The present invention has an object to provide a game apparatus and a game communication device can solve such these problems.

[0008]

The invention according to claim 1 is a game device which progresses a game while transmitting and receiving communication data between a plurality of game devices by radio communication with each other by radio waves. A communication control unit for controlling the transmission and reception of data, a display unit for displaying the progress of the game to the game player, and a communication state for wireless communication with another game device on the display unit using symbols, characters, or pictures. And a control unit for displaying the information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the game device according to the first aspect, the symbol, character, or pattern detects a communication error of communication data received by the control unit from another game device, Characters are displayed on the display unit according to a command from the control unit in response to the detected communication error.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game apparatus comprising:
The game progresses while transmitting and receiving communication data by communication with each other.
Game device, which is a communication device.
Communication control unit that controls the transmission and reception of
A display unit for displaying the progress of the game, and the display
The communication status with other game devices in the
Or a control unit for displaying using a picture or a pattern.
The number, character or pattern is determined by the control unit with other game devices.
Communication error, and responds to the detected communication error.
Displayed on the display unit by the command of the control unit.
A game device characterized by the following.

[0011] The invention of claim 4 is claim 1 or claim 1.
3. The game device according to claim 3, wherein the display unit and the control unit
The control unit is provided in the game machine body, and the communication control unit is a game control unit.
Game communication device, wherein the game communication device is
It is detachably attached to the game console itself.
You.

[0012] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game apparatus comprising:
Communication data is transmitted and received between each other by wireless communication using radio waves.
Transfer the communication data sent and received by the game machine
A communication device for a game device,
The communication device includes a communication control unit for controlling transmission and reception of communication data.
Communication data received from another game device
The game progress that changes based on the game
The display unit that displays the information and the control unit that prompts the progress of the game
It is provided detachably with respect to the
The display unit allows wireless communication with another game device.
Communication status is displayed using symbols, characters, or pictures.
It is characterized by

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game system according to the fifth aspect.
A communication device for a communication device, wherein said symbol, character or picture
Is the communication data received by the control unit from another game device.
Data communication error and responds to the detected communication error.
Displayed on the display unit by the command of the control unit.
And features.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the first to sixth aspects.
The game device according to any one of the above,
Characters or patterns are displayed on the display unit on each of the other game devices.
Are displayed individually in correspondence with.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, in one embodiment of the game apparatus according to the present invention, a portable game machine is used as a game apparatus, and communication data is transmitted and received between a plurality of portable game machines by radio communication with each other. The case where the game is advanced while performing the game will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram for explaining functions of the portable game machine used in the present embodiment.

This portable game machine has a control unit, an operation unit, and a control unit for executing a game program and prompting the progress of the game.
And a game machine main body 1 having a display unit and the like. The game machine main body 1 has a game cartridge 2 corresponding to a storage medium storing a program of a game desired to be played by a game player, and other components. By installing the communication unit 3 corresponding to a game communication device that transmits and receives communication data by radio waves to and from another portable game machine possessed by the game player, the user can play a battle game with another game player. It is possible. The communication unit 3
May be provided integrally in the game machine body 1 as shown.

The game cartridge 2 has a game program 4a, a plurality of image data 4b, and a plurality of sound data 4b.
c is stored in the ROM 4 in advance.

The game machine body 1 includes a RAM 5 functioning as a working memory for loading a game program 4a or the like in the ROM 4 and executing various processes,
A liquid crystal display unit 6 as a display unit for displaying the image data 4b as an image and displaying the progress of the game to the game player, and a sound reproduction as a sound reproduction unit for reproducing the sound data 4c in the ROM 4 as sound. Unit 7
A key input unit 8 as an operation unit for performing various operation inputs related to game operations; and a CPU 9 as a control unit including a microprocessor or the like that executes the game program 4a and controls each unit in the game device. ing. Each component is connected to the CPU 9 in a state where the game cartridge 2 and the communication unit 3 are connected to the game machine main body 1 as shown in FIG.

The liquid crystal display unit 6 drives the liquid crystal display unit 6 at high speed based on a plurality of image data 4b in order to display a character image as if moving on the liquid crystal display panel of the liquid crystal display unit 6. Display drive circuit 10 is connected.

As the image data 4b, in addition to character images, background images, characters, etc. appearing with the progress of the game, symbols, characters, and the like that inform a game player of a communication state in wireless communication with another game device. Or a picture is memorized. The CPU 9 performs control to appropriately display these symbols, characters, or pictures.

Various types of symbols, characters or pictures are used. For example, as a sign! , *,? , ＄ and #
It is possible to use numbers, such as Roman numerals, Japanese characters such as Hiragana, Katakana, or Kanji, as well as alphabets, etc. , Or various pictures such as a plurality of vertical bars can be used. The above-described examples are only a part, and the invention is not limited to these, and a wide variety of things can be used.

The sound reproducing unit 7 is provided with a sound reproducing circuit 11 for reproducing the sound data 4c as sound using a speaker.

The game machine body 1 has a built-in battery 18.
Alternatively, a power switch 12 for turning on / off power supply from an external power supply and a light emitting device 13 such as an LED that emits light when the portable game machine is in an active state in conjunction with the turning on of the power switch 12 are provided. It is connected.

The communication unit 3 includes a communication control unit 14 for performing various communication controls related to the progress of the game, and a transmission / reception unit 15 connected to the communication control unit 14 for transmitting and receiving communication data.
And transmitting communication data to another game device via the antenna 16 and receiving communication data from another portable game machine. Note that the communication unit 3 of the present embodiment may come off from the game machine main body after the power is once activated,
When the power supply in the communication unit 3 is exhausted and transmission / reception of communication data with another portable game machine is performed for a certain time (for example, 10
When the game unit is interrupted (for a second) or when the game player performs a key input operation using the operation means to cancel the activation of the power supply, the power supply of the communication unit 3 is turned off.
Further, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the communication control unit 14 performs control so as to perform time-division synchronous wireless communication.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the external structure of the portable game machine according to the present embodiment, and shows a state in which the communication unit 3 is mounted on the game machine main body 1. The game cartridge 2 is a game machine main body 1 not shown in this figure.
It is designed to be inserted from the insertion opening on the side surface of the camera.

At a substantially central portion of the surface of the game machine body 1,
The liquid crystal display panel 6a of the liquid crystal display unit 6 is provided. On the left side of the liquid crystal display panel 6a, an operation pad 8a for direction indication including a four-way switch and the like is provided, and on the right side, two push buttons 8b including a push switch are provided. The key input unit 8 including the operation pad 8a and the push button 8b enables the game player to input his / her own intention when executing the game. A power switch 12 and a light emitting device 13 are arranged above the operation pad 8a. An opening 21 for transmitting sound generated from the speaker 7a of the sound reproducing unit 7 to the outside is provided below the operation pad 8a.

Next, the function of the communication unit 3 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a communication control unit in the communication unit 3 of the present embodiment.

The communication control unit 14 comprises a microprocessor, peripheral circuits, and the like, and converts a game data exchanged with the CPU 9 into communication data for wireless communication with a communication data processing unit 31; A communication allocation control unit 32 corresponding to a communication allocation control unit for setting allocation of a communication data transmission / reception period when performing communication by a communication unit, and a timing control unit 33 corresponding to a timing control unit for adjusting a transmission / reception timing of communication data. Have.

When transmitting / receiving communication data to / from another portable game machine, the communication data processing unit 31 of the communication control unit 14
In, the game information sent from the CPU 9 is modulated and converted into communication data (here, a modulation signal for communication in a radio frequency band), and the transmission and reception unit 15 performs power amplification and the like and emits it as an electromagnetic wave from the antenna 16. At this time, the communication allocation control unit 32 allocates a period for transmitting the communication data, and the timing control unit 33 adjusts the transmission timing and transmits the communication data at an appropriate timing during a predetermined transmission allocation period.

In the case of receiving communication data from another portable game machine, the data is received by the sparse reception unit 15 via the antenna 16 during a predetermined reception allocation period allocated by the communication allocation control unit 32. Communication data is transmitted to the communication control unit 14
Is demodulated in the communication data processing unit 31 and transferred to the CPU 9 as game information.

In the portable game machine according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform wireless communication by selecting either the time-division synchronous type or the asynchronous type. It is possible to use a specific slot for synchronous communication that specifies and allocates each of the portable game machines and an unspecified slot for asynchronous communication that does not specify and allocate each of the portable game machines. ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, since there are a plurality of specific slots and each specific slot is divided into a plurality of channels, it is possible to allocate a plurality of portable game machines to one specific slot. FIG. 4A shows portable game machines that compete against each other (for example, A1 and A2).
2, A3, A4) are assigned to channels in the same slot, and FIG. 4 (b)
Indicates that the portable game machines that are competing with each other (for example, A
1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8) are assigned to two adjacent slots. In these figures, the direction in which time flows is a horizontal direction from left to right. For example, in FIG. 4A, for example, A1, B1, C1, D1, each channel of an unspecified slot, A2, B2 Time flows sequentially in the direction... A time corresponding to the sum of the specific slot and the unspecified slot in one row is one cycle of communication.

Next, a description will be given of a method of displaying the communication state of the liquid crystal display unit 6 in wireless communication with another portable game machine using symbols, characters, or pictures.

As described above, various symbols, characters, or pictures are stored in the game cartridge 2 in advance as image data 4b. The communication state of each symbol, character, or pattern is stored in the game program 4a in advance in accordance with information from the communication control unit 14, and the like. This has been described in advance by, for example. The symbols, characters, or patterns are read out as appropriate according to a command from the CPU 9 of the game machine main body 1 based on communication data received from another portable game machine, or as determined by only the CPU 9 of the game machine main body 1, and displayed on a liquid crystal display. Displayed in unit 6.

Hereinafter, the details of the display of the communication state will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG. 5 and the change of the specific display example shown in FIG.

When a competitive game is played by a plurality of players such as four players, the display of the communication state is performed independently at a predetermined position determined on the liquid crystal display panel 6a for each game player of the opponent. It is assumed that these displays are arranged in a line.

First, the first game player activates the communication unit 3 by activating the power switch 12 of the game machine main body 1 to communicate data from another portable game machine (communication is also performed with a carrier signal consisting of a simple electromagnetic wave). (Including data) is waited for a predetermined number of cycles of wireless communication. Here, it is determined whether communication data has been received from another portable game machine. However, as a matter of course, the order N in which the player participated in the game by wireless communication is the first (N = 1).
Therefore, communication data from another game player cannot be received, and the assigned number is acquired as the first game player. Then, since no communication data is received from another portable game machine, at a predetermined position on the liquid crystal display panel 6a given to the own portable game machine,! (Refer to (a) in FIGS. 5 and 6). At this time, a predetermined position on the liquid crystal display panel 6a corresponds to each of the portable game machines that have not received communication data! Is displayed in advance. ! The number that displays the symbol is
It is set in advance by the game program 4a. For example, if three or four players can play a game, first, only the largest number of opponent game players (three)! May be displayed, and after deciding to play the game with three players, one display may be erased to two.

Next, when the second game player operates the power switch of the game machine main body to start the communication unit, the liquid crystal display panel 6a displays on the liquid crystal display panel 6a given to the second portable game machine. In place
! Changes from the symbol display to the blinking display of the * symbol (Fig. 5
And (b) in FIG. 6). In this way, the third person, 4
Each time the game player participates in the battle game in sequence, the! From the display of the symbol *
The display changes to a blinking symbol. Then, when all the opponents are completed, all (three) opponents' * symbols are displayed in a blinking state. In the present embodiment, the number X of determined game participation is four, but the number is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 5, until the game player who last participates in communication becomes the game player as shown in FIG. Flow is repeatedly performed.

Next, when the game is actually played after all the game players participating in the battle game have been prepared, when communication data is received from the portable game machine of the opponent, the * symbol indicates that communication is actually in progress. It is displayed (it can be set to no display) (see (c) in FIGS. 5 and 6). FIG. 6 shows a case where communication data is received from the second game player in the order of participation in the communication data. That is, when playing a game with four players, when the game player is watching whether the display state of the symbol “*” is blinking or just displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 6a, it is determined which game player is in which order. It is possible to easily and easily understand the communication status such as whether or not communication data has been transmitted.

If no communication data is received from another portable game machine after 30 seconds from the last reception of communication data from another portable game machine, no communication data is received. At a predetermined position on the liquid crystal display panel 6a given to the portable game machine! Blinks the symbol. Then, when this state continues for a certain period of time (for example, three minutes), the power supply of the communication unit 3 is forcibly turned off. Accordingly, the power-on of the communication unit 3 possessed by the game player who is trying to play the communication battle game is forcibly turned off. However, when two, three, or four players can play the game, the game is started at a desired timing according to the intentions of the game players or by transmitting and receiving communication data. At this time, it corresponds to the portable game machine of the game player who did not participate in the game! Is erased to make it easier for the game player who is playing the game to understand the number of people participating in the game. Of course, all displays may be left.

Next, a case where a communication error occurs will be described.

When transmission / reception of communication data with another portable game machine is temporarily interrupted, and is waiting for recovery, at a predetermined position on the liquid crystal display panel 6a corresponding to the interrupted portable game machine. Is displayed (see (d) in FIGS. 5 and 6), and if the temporary break state continues for 30 seconds or more,? Is flashed (see (e) in FIGS. 5 and 6) to notify the game player that communication is not possible. (D) in FIG.
(E) shows a case where the communication data received from the game player who participated in the third communication game has caused a communication error. As a result, the game player can quickly understand who has caused the communication error, and can easily deal with the communication error. In FIG. 5, N is the order of participation in the communication, and X is the number of people participating in the game.

The determination as to whether or not communication data has been received from another portable game machine is made by the transmission / reception unit 15 transmitting and receiving communication data from the other portable game machine at each timing of the channel in the specific slot where the same game is played. Whether or not the information has been received is transmitted to the CPU 9 of the game machine body 1 as information from the communication control unit 14. The time during which communication data is not received from another portable game is counted by reading a clock signal in a clock display function provided in advance in the game machine main body 1.

Whether or not communication data is actually transmitted / received to / from another portable game machine is determined by determining whether or not the communication data processing unit 31 of the communication control unit 14 is performing processing.
This is performed by being transmitted from the communication control unit 14 to the CPU 9 of the game machine main body 1.

Further, the determination that the transmission / reception of communication data with another portable game machine is interrupted temporarily and is waiting for recovery is made by receiving from at least one portable game machine among the portable game machines participating in the game. Communication data to be transmitted to the communication data processing unit 3 at the timing of the timing control unit 33.
1 cannot perform the processing, or the communication data processing unit cannot convert to the communication data as the game information and cannot process the communication data, and a communication error occurs. The information is transmitted to the game machine body 1 and is detected by the CPU 9. As described above, since the communication state can be detected by the CPU 9 by the above-described method and the symbol, character, or picture corresponding to the communication error can be displayed, the communication state at that time can be more reliably determined by the game player. Can be notified. In the present embodiment, the display position of the symbol is fixed, and the display is performed by one character that requires 8 dots vertically and 8 dots horizontally in the liquid crystal display. The display of this symbol is performed by a general liquid crystal display driving method such as a predetermined liquid crystal display driving method described in Japanese Patent Application No. 73431/1998.

As described above, when there are two or more other portable game machines, for example, even if a communication error occurs, which portable game machine has a communication error, It is possible to easily and quickly grasp whether or not the communication status is displayed for the communication status, for example, by notifying the communication to a game player having a portable game machine having a communication error. It is possible to quickly and easily take a measure against an error, and it is possible to quickly grasp which game player is currently transmitting the communication data, and to promptly transmit the communication data to the game player so as to transmit the communication data. It is possible to encourage.

Next, another display of the communication state will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the power switch 12 of the game machine body 1
To activate the communication unit 3 and wait for a predetermined number of periods of wireless communication to receive communication data (including a carrier signal consisting of a simple electromagnetic wave in the communication data) from another portable game machine. Call for a communication partner. At this time, the liquid crystal display panel 6a determines that a communication partner is being recruited! (FIGS. 7 and 8)
(See (a) in the figure.) When communication data is received from the portable game machines of the number required for playing the game, the communication partner is satisfied, the symbol * is displayed in a blinking state, the communication data is confirmed, and the communication is enabled. Is notified to the game player (see (c) of FIGS. 7 and 8). Also, if you do not have the required number of games to play! Symbol is still displayed. After that, if the number required for playing the game has not been satisfied even after 30 seconds have elapsed,! Is flashed (see FIGS. 7 and 8B). When this state continues for a certain period of time (for example, one minute), the power supply of the communication unit 3 is forcibly turned off. In addition, when communication data is received from portable game machines of the number required for playing a game, the symbol * is displayed in a blinking state, and then communication data is actually transmitted / received to / from another portable game machine. During the operation, an asterisk (*) is displayed (see (d) of FIGS. 7 and 8). What is the case when the transmission / reception of communication data with another portable game machine is temporarily interrupted and waiting for recovery? Is displayed (see (e) of FIGS. 7 and 8),
What if the temporary break continues for more than 30 seconds? Flashes to indicate to the game player that communication is not possible.

It is determined whether or not communication data has been received from the portable game machines of the number required for playing the above-mentioned game. The communication control unit 14 determines whether the transmission / reception unit 15 has received communication data from the communication device.
Is transmitted to the CPU 9 of the game machine main body 1 as information from the game machine 1. In addition, the count of the time required to satisfy the number required for playing the game is determined by the game machine main unit 1.
It is performed by reading a clock signal in a clock display function provided in advance in the device.

The determination as to whether communication data is actually transmitted / received to / from another portable game machine is the same as in the above-described method. Further, the determination that transmission / reception of communication data with another portable game machine is temporarily interrupted and waiting for recovery is the same as the above-described method.

The above is only a partial example,
For example, detecting means for detecting in advance the radio wave intensity of communication data received from another portable game machine when the own portable game machine is out of an area where data can be transmitted and received from another portable game machine. It is also possible to display the deviation of the communication area by a predetermined symbol, character or picture by detecting the radio wave intensity, and it is possible to display various other communication states.

In the game device of the present embodiment, the communication state at that time can be notified to the game player by a simple symbol display, so that the game player can immediately communicate with another game device without reading a long sentence. Understand, for example, if a communication error occurs, it is possible to immediately understand the cause, so it is easy to take measures to return the communication error to normal, and to perform good communication while performing radio communication by radio waves It is possible to play a game with another game device while maintaining the communication state.

In the present embodiment, the display of only symbols is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to display the communication state by displaying various characters or pictures as described above. . In addition, the display method is not limited to flashing display.For example, a plurality of symbols, characters or patterns are displayed in a side-by-side state, a pitch interval of a flashing time in a flashing display is changed, and a display position is changed. (For example, by scrolling the star mark horizontally, vertically, or diagonally like a shooting star), the meaning of the communication status that the game player wants to be notified can be changed accordingly. It is possible.

The display of the communication status using symbols, characters, or graphics described in the present embodiment is merely an example, and what kind of symbols, characters, or graphics are used, or which communication status is used at which position. How to display it may be determined as appropriate.

When the communication unit 3 is attached to the game machine main body 1, the game device of the present embodiment can perform a battle game while performing wireless communication by radio waves. Is removed from the game machine main body 1 and a game cartridge 2 storing an appropriate game program not for wireless communication is mounted on the game machine main body 1, it is possible to play a game using the portable game machine alone. .

In the present embodiment, the communication unit 3 is provided separately from the game machine main body 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The communication control unit 14 in the communication unit 3 is provided to the game machine main body 1 in advance. It can be built in. of course,
The above-mentioned wireless communication function can be mounted or built in a dedicated game machine in which the game cartridge 2 is built in the game machine body 1 in advance.

Further, in the present embodiment, only the case where the time-division synchronous wireless communication is performed has been described. However, the asynchronous wireless communication can be performed using the timing at which the unspecified slot is allocated. Yes, and during synchronous wireless communication using a specific slot,
It is also possible to perform asynchronous wireless communication with each other at the timing assigned as an unspecified slot with reference to this specific slot, and the present invention is not limited to these wireless communication systems and has the above-described effects. It is.

In this embodiment, the game device is described as a portable game device. However, the game device of the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to a game in which a communication game is played.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to notify the game player of various contents by displaying information about the game in the communication state by displaying simple symbols, characters or pictures. In this case, other information may be added.

The mounting state of the game machine main body and the game communication device according to the present invention may be determined, for example, by providing a convex portion or a concave portion on the outer surface of the game machine body. The portion may be provided on the outer surface, or may be attached with screws or bolts. Various attachment methods can be used as long as the portion can be detached.

[0061]

According to the present invention, the communication state in the transmission and reception of communication data with another game apparatus can be notified to the game player by displaying simple symbols, characters, or pictures. Without having to read the information, quickly understand the state of communication with other game devices, for example, even if a communication error has occurred, it is possible to immediately understand the cause, so that the communication error is returned to normal This makes it easier to take measures, for example, it is possible to play a game with another game device while maintaining a good communication state while performing wireless communication using radio waves.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, it is possible for the control unit to detect a communication error by a predetermined method and to display a symbol, character or picture according to the communication error. Therefore, the communication state at that time can be more reliably notified to the game player.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, communication is controlled.
The game communication device is provided detachably on the game machine body.
So, for example, a game communication device can be
Play games by wireless communication with simple tasks such as mounting
It is possible to play games other than wireless communication.
When desired, connect the game communication device from the game console itself.
Removal and miniaturization for convenient handling
And control of the game console itself.
The configuration can be simplified because the main communication control is not performed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a game communication device is provided.
Provide a communication control unit in the device, and send and receive with other game devices
It is possible to transfer communication data to the game console itself
The communication control unit executes the main communication control.
It is possible, for example, to control the game machine itself
To simplify communication and display communication status accordingly.
Control can be simplified.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, symbols, characters,
Is a pattern corresponding to each of the other game devices on the display
Since they are displayed individually, for example, two other game devices
Even if there are more than one,
Status is displayed easily and quickly
It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram for explaining functions of a portable game machine used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an external configuration of the portable game machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a communication control unit in the communication unit 3 of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a time chart illustrating an example of allocation of a communication data allocation period according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow of displaying a communication state according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating display of a communication state that changes along the flow of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow of displaying a communication state according to the embodiment;

8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display of a communication state that changes along the flow of FIG. 7;

[Description of Signs] 1 game machine main body 2 game cartridge 3 communication unit 4a game program 4b image data 6 liquid crystal display unit 6a liquid crystal display panel 9 CPU (control unit) 14 communication control unit 15 transmission / reception unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A game device for advancing a game while transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication between radio waves between a plurality of game devices, the game device comprising: a communication control unit for controlling transmission and reception of communication data; A display unit that displays the progress of the game to a game player, and a control unit that displays a communication state of wireless communication with another game device on the display unit using symbols, characters, or pictures. Game device. 2. The display device according to claim 2, wherein said symbol, character, or pattern detects a communication error in communication data received by said control unit from another game device, and in response to the detected communication error, issues an instruction from said control unit. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game device is displayed by: 3. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit and the control unit are provided in a game machine main body,
The game device, wherein the communication control unit is provided in a game communication device, and the game communication device is detachably attached to the game machine body. 4. A game device communication device for transmitting and receiving communication data between a plurality of game devices by wireless communication using radio waves, and transferring the transmitted and received communication data to a game machine body. The apparatus includes a communication control unit that controls transmission and reception of communication data, and further includes a display unit that displays, to a game player, a progress state of a game that changes based on communication data received from another game apparatus, and a progress of the game. And a control unit that prompts the user to perform the communication. The display unit is configured to display a communication state in wireless communication with another game device using symbols, characters, or pictures on the display unit. A communication device for a game device. 5. The symbol, the character, or the pattern is displayed on the display unit by the control unit detecting a communication error of communication data received from another game device in accordance with the detected communication error. The communication device for a game device according to claim 4, wherein the communication device is displayed. 6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the symbols, characters, or patterns are individually displayed on the display unit in correspondence with each of the other game devices. Game equipment.