JP2001038042A - Portable electronic creature existing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To support an opportunity to permit users to know each other by providing a transmitting means for transmitting a greeting to be received by means of another electronic creature existing device in a nearby area and a receiving means for receiving the greeting signal transmitted from the another electronic creature existing device. SOLUTION: A portable electronic pet growing device 21 is operated by the user and is provided with an input part 1 including a keyboard, a touch panel, a microphone, a camera or a scanner, or the like, which is operated by the user and with an output part 2 including a liquid crystal display and a speaker, or the like, by which electronic pet data or user data, or the like, transmitted from the another device is displayed. Besides, it is also provided with a control part 3 and a recording part 4 where the recording areas of an electronic pet growing part 5, a greeting and response signal recording part 6, an electronic pet data recording part 7, a pet owner data recording part 8, an another electronic pet data recording part 9 and an another pet owner data recording part 19 are set so that data are transmitted/received through a signal and a data exchange part 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable electronic creature survival device that is carried and enjoyed by a user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a predetermined signal is output from a certain portable device by radio (such as infrared rays), and when a person having the same type of portable device is nearby, the portable device blinks light. Is known to notify the owner that there is a person having the same type of portable device in the vicinity. This is a portable product released in February 1998 by a company called "Air Volk" (Ashiya-shi, Hyogo) under the brand name of "Love Getty". It is sold as a tool that can be used as a starting point to get to know many people. (An article in the introduction section of a magazine is quoted below. "" Love Getty "is available for men and women, and the lamp flashes when men and women approach within a radius of 5 m. This is a portable item that allows you to enter dating mode with your opponent by selecting karaoke and friends. ”)

[0003] In an article titled "Accidental encounter, terminal BibiBi Aster Kansai new type of PHS reacts in the same radio range" in the Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun on June 26, 1998, the following contents were reported. Have been. “Aster Kansai will launch a KHS phone, a PHS terminal that allows accidental information exchange not only with friends but also with others in the vicinity.
Released on the 1st. Using the transceiver function of the PHS, when a plurality of terminals enter the same radio range, they react with each other. Kuffee has an "Angel Wave Mode" that transmits and receives transceiver radio waves. When two terminals set in the same mode enter the range of the transceiver having a radius of 100 to 150 meters, they react with each other by sound or vibration of the main body. If the person is in your phone book,
The name and PHS number are displayed. Make sure that the person you respond to is a friend before calling. Since the transceiver function is used, calls can be made outside the area of Astell Kansai. "

[0004] Furthermore, "Tamagotchi" provided by Bandai Co., Ltd. has been famous as a portable electronic pet device. This “Tamagotchi” is a portable game device in which a character is displayed on a small key-ring type elliptical liquid crystal display device, and a user takes care of the character such as eating and nurturing the character. This kind of electronic creature raising and breeding apparatus is disclosed in, for example,
No. 9 (Sharp), JP-A-7-160853, JP-A-8-309032, JP-A-9-237
Various technical proposals in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 328, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-237329, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-69212, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-69213, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-69214 (all of which are Casio Computer). (Note that all of the above eight publications are incorporated herein as related art of the present application).

[0005] Also, "Digital Monster" (abbreviation: Digimon), also sold by Bandai Co., Ltd., is famous. This "Digimon" is basically the same as "Tamagotchi", but it raises a character similar to a dinosaur, and users (players) who are raising the same Digimon gather and dock each other's Digimon equipment ( (Electrically connected / coupled) so that each Digimon can "fight and compete against each other". further,
"Pokémon" (abbreviation: Pokemon), which is game software for the portable game machine "Game Boy" provided by Nintendo, is also famous. This Pokemon is a game in which each user (player) captures a large number of Pokemon (various characters) in the game, but when the user (player) wishes, Game machines can be electrically connected to each other with cables, and captured Pokemon can fight each other to compete for victory.

[0006]

First, the above-mentioned "Love Getty" and the "new type PHS" in Astell Kansai send predetermined signals to other terminals that happen to be close to them, such as while on a road, to get acquainted with each other. It gives the "trigger" to become and talk, but in any case, "intervening electronic creatures" is not expected at all.

On the other hand, the above “Tamagotchi” is a device for cultivating electronic creatures such as electronic pets. However, the interaction with other users is merely an exchange between users, and the devices of “Tamagotchi” are different from each other. Spontaneous and automatic interaction without any initiative (e.g.
Communication is not planned at all. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned "Digimon", "Pokemon", etc., two or more players gather and electrically connect each device with a cable (conductor) to fight a "Digimon" character or a "Pokemon" character. Competition for victory or defeat is performed based on the agreement between the users (players) only, and the breeding devices of “Digimon” and the game devices of “Pokemon” are “(regardless of the user) ) Voluntary communication and exchanges are not planned at all.

[0008] The above-mentioned application publication of the electronic creature raising / breeding device discloses that data of electronic pet characters is exchanged wirelessly between portable devices. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-309032 discloses that "type data of dog character data transmitted from the infrared communication circuit 15 of another electronic organizer and its birthday data are transmitted via the infrared communication circuit 15 in this electronic organizer. Received ”(paragraph number 0035 of the specification of the publication)
This is disclosed, and ideas such as “match-making process” with characters transmitted from other electronic organizers are disclosed. However, the transmission of dog characters from other electronic organizers in this publication is based on the premise that users will discuss them in advance, and it is assumed that "when two or more users happen to be nearby by chance, It is not expected that electronic creatures bred by other users will voluntarily exchange greetings and exchange information (without needing special user operations). " .

The inventor of the present invention makes it appropriate to use electronic creatures living in the portable electronic creature survival device not as mere "game tools" but as actual "communication tools" between humans. Think. In other words, the present inventor simply refers to “electronic creatures such as electronic pets (virtual creatures on the screen of a portable device)” as “objects for empathy such as familiarity of the user or for reducing user loneliness. Instead of just using it, electronic creatures will spontaneously communicate and interact with each other, which in turn will become a `` trigger '' and `` intermediary '' and lead to interaction between users of the portable electronic creature survival device I thought that there was a need for a technology to develop it into something new. The present invention has been made in view of such a problem of the related art, and a mobile phone in which electronic creatures can voluntarily communicate and exchange with each other (without understanding a special operation of a user). It is an object of the present invention to provide a type electronic living thing survival device.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems Definition of terms. First, terms used in the present invention are defined.
The external shape of the "portable electronic living being device" of the present invention may be a key holder type such as a conventional "Tamagotchi", or a body-mounted type such as an earring type or a broach type,
Rings, belts, pendants, earrings, etc. may be configured to have the same function as the mobile phone, PHS (simplified mobile phone), and portable information terminal (PD).
A), it may be configured as a built-in type in a wristwatch, a portable notebook personal computer (computer), or the like, may be built in a bag or shoes, or attached to the surface of a bag or shoes, It may be incorporated into a doll or a stuffed toy that has a “cute feeling”. The “electronic creature” of the present invention includes electronic pets (virtual electronic pets and fictitious animal pets on a display screen that simulate dogs, cats, and birds) and electronic plants (real flowers and real animals). Simulated trees, fictitious plants, virtual entities on the screen), electronic child characters, electronic monster characters, etc.
Including various types. In addition, the “survival” of the “electronic organism survival device” of the present invention includes various modes and types of survival such as breeding, breeding, and living. In the present invention,
"Greeting signal", for example, may be a voice signal indicating the cry of the e-organisms, "Hello", "Hello", "Hello" may be a simple signal that symbolizes the meaning (such as signal such as audio signal or image signal) However, it may be a message or sentence that says, "My name is ... will you be a friend?" In addition, the content of the "greeting signal" is described in the following "data on electronic creatures (electronic creature data) itself (this is also a kind of" self-introduction text as a greeting ").
) May be used, or the data described below (user data)
Itself ". In this specification, the "greeting signal" to be returned may be referred to as a "response signal". Further, in the present invention, "spontaneous communication" between electronic creatures means "communication without any special operation of a user (automatically and automatically)". Also,
In the present invention, the transmission of the "greeting signal" may be, for example, a radio transmission to a peripheral area at a predetermined time set by the user (for example, every 3 seconds, every 30 seconds, every 3 minutes). Alternatively, wireless transmission may be always performed outdoors, or wireless transmission may be performed by a user's operation only when the user desires. Further, in the present invention, “notification means for notifying a user when a greeting signal is received” is light,
This is to alert the user or notify predetermined information by sound (sound / voice), vibration, or the like. Further, in the present invention, the “notifying means for notifying the surrounding people of the existence or location of the electronic creature” is a device that calls attention to surrounding people or notifies predetermined information by light or sound. It is. In the present invention,
The "greeting signal transmission means" described below converts the greeting signal into infrared,
Transmission is performed using various media such as electromagnetic waves such as radio waves and ultrasonic waves (the "transmission means" such as "greeting reply means" and "electronic biological data transmission means" are almost the same). . In the present invention, the “notifying means” described below
For example, by light, sound (such as the sound of electronic creatures), voice (voices such as "Hello" of electronic creatures), or vibration, the presence or location of electronic creatures to the surrounding people, It is notified by the five senses, and is composed of a light-emitting body, a speaker, a vibration (vibration body), and the like. Thereby, the electronic creature sends a signal or information indicating its existence to another portable electronic creature survival device owned by the surrounding person by transmitting the greeting signal (at this time, as described above, On the side of the portable electronic living device that sent the greeting signal, the user can be informed of this by light, sound, or vibration.) For example, the user can be notified of the existence or location of himself or herself to the surrounding people. In other words, this makes it possible to notify the surrounding people of the existence of oneself more reliably.

Content of the present invention. 1. A greeting signal transmission for wirelessly transmitting a "predetermined greeting signal by an electronic creature" so that the electronic creature survival device carried by the user is received by another electronic creature survival device in a nearby area. Means, and a greeting signal receiving means for receiving a “predetermined greeting signal by the electronic creature” wirelessly transmitted from another electronic creature survival device in a nearby area, Electronic biological survival device. 2. In the above item 1, the greeting signal transmitting means transmits a greeting signal at predetermined time intervals. 3. In the above item 1, further includes detection means for detecting that another person or another electronic living being is present in a nearby area, wherein the greeting signal transmission means transmits a greeting signal based on an output from the detection means. A portable electronic creature survival device, characterized in that: 4. In the above 1, 2 or 3, the portable electronic living being surviving apparatus further comprises: a notifying means for notifying a user when a predetermined greeting signal is received by the greeting signal receiving means. 5. In any one of the above items 1 to 4, furthermore, when a predetermined greeting signal is received by the greeting signal receiving means, the portable electronic living creature that transmitted the greeting signal is spontaneously (( A portable electronic living being device, characterized by including a greeting signal returning means for wirelessly returning a predetermined greeting signal (without requiring a special operation of a user). 6. In any one of the above items 1 to 5, further, electronic living thing data recording means for recording data on electronic living things, and electronic living thing data recorded in this electronic living thing data recording means together with the greeting signal or the greeting signal. Separately, electronic biological data transmitting means for transmitting, electronic biological data receiving means for receiving electronic biological data wirelessly transmitted from another electronic biological survival device, and electronic biological data received by the electronic biological data receiving means And an output unit for outputting the information. 7. In any one of the above items 1 to 6, further comprising:
Data recording means, and user data transmitting means for transmitting user data recorded in the user data recording means together with the greeting signal or separately from the greeting signal (for example, following the greeting signal); A user data receiving means for receiving user data wirelessly transmitted from another electronic living being device;
Output means for outputting the user data received by the data receiving means. 8. Any one of the above items 1 to 7, further comprising: a greeting transmission notifying means for notifying a nearby person of the existence or location of the transmitting electronic creature when transmitting the greeting signal. A portable electronic biological survival device. 9. Any one of the above items 1 to 8, further comprising: a greeting reception notifying means for notifying a nearby person of the existence or location of the receiving electronic creature when the greeting signal is received. A portable electronic biological survival device. 10. In any of the above items 5 to 9,
A portable electronic-creature-survival device, comprising: a greeting-reply notifying unit for notifying a surrounding person of the existence or location of the electronic creature on the reply side when returning the greeting signal. 11. In any one of the above items 1 to 10, further comparing the electronic biological data or user data transmitted from the other portable electronic biological survival device with its own electronic biological data or user data, A similarity or compatibility degree determining means for determining the similarity or compatibility degree between the electronic creature and the user, and a determination result output means for outputting a determination result by the similarity or compatibility degree determination means. A portable electronic biological survival device. 12. In any one of the above items 1 to 10, further comparing the electronic biological data or user data transmitted from the other portable electronic biological survival device with its own electronic biological data or user data, The similarity or compatibility degree determination means for determining the similarity degree or compatibility degree between the electronic creatures or the users, and when the similarity degree or compatibility degree is determined to be relatively high by the similarity or compatibility degree determination means, A determination notification means for making a predetermined notification to notify the user of the fact. 13. In any one of the above items 1 to 12, furthermore, between the two portable electronic creature survival devices located in an area close to each other, electronic creatures can communicate with each other wirelessly, exchanging squeals between them, and conducting conversations. Spontaneous communication means for voluntarily performing "exchange of information" such as exchanges, game exchanges, battle exchanges, matchmaking exchanges without the user's special operation, Portable electronic biological survival device.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a portable electronic pet growing apparatus 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an input unit for operating a device by a user, and includes an keyboard, a touch panel, a microphone (for voice input), a camera or a scanner (for image input), and the like. An output unit 2 is used by a user to display an electronic pet, to display electronic pet data and user data transmitted from another electronic pet breeding apparatus, and to generate a predetermined alarm. , Speakers and the like. Also, this output unit 2
Light-emitting diodes to alert the user to certain precautions and to notify certain facts by flashing light, vibration, sound,
A vibrator and buzzer are also provided. That is,
The output unit 2 not only displays an image of the electronic pet or outputs a cry or sound of the electronic pet, but also outputs a greeting signal from another external electronic pet cultivating apparatus when receiving a greeting signal. It also has a function as a notifying means for notifying the user (owner) by blinking, sound (buzzer sound), vibration (vibration), and the like. Reference numeral 3 denotes a control unit which includes a microcomputer for processing data according to a predetermined program.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a "data rewritable recording device" such as a flash memory. The recording device 4 includes an electronic pet breeding unit 5, a greeting / reply signal recording unit 6, an electronic pet data recording unit 7, an owner (user) data recording unit 8, another electronic pet data recording unit 9, and an electronic pet data recording unit 9 shown in FIG. The recording area of the other owner data recording unit 10 is
Is set. The electronic pet breeding unit 5 stores data and a computer program for breeding an electronic pet such as “Tamagotchi”.
OM (read only memory). The greeting / reply signal recording unit 6 records a predetermined greeting signal or reply signal (this "reply signal" is also a kind of "greeting signal") to be transmitted to other nearby electronic pet breeding apparatuses. are doing. Further, the electronic pet data recording unit 7 stores data relating to the electronic pet (own), for example, the name, image, squeal (sound data), profile (type of electronic pet, age, favorite food, favorite) of the own electronic pet. Message to other electronic pets (e.g., "let's play together", "let's fight", "let's squeeze", "let's play janken" by text or voice message)
Is recorded. The owner (user) data recording unit 8 stores data on the owner (user) of the user,
For example, the name of the owner, an image (picture of a face, an illustration of a portrait, animation), a profile (age, hobby, etc.), and a message (text or voice message) to another owner are recorded. The other electronic pet data recording unit 9 records data on another electronic pet transmitted from another portable electronic pet breeding apparatus. Further, the other owner data recording unit 10 records data on the owner of another electronic pet transmitted from another electronic pet breeding apparatus.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a greeting signal, a reply signal, electronic pet data, or owner data recorded in the recording device 4 to the outside by radio, and a greeting signal transmitted from the outside by radio, A signal / data transmitting / receiving unit for receiving a reply signal, electronic pet data, or owner data. The transmission / reception unit 11 uses, for example, an electromagnetic wave such as an infrared ray or a weak radio wave to send a greeting signal or electronic pet data within a range of several meters to several tens of meters.
Transmit and receive wirelessly. A simple signal such as a greeting signal may be transmitted by ultrasonic waves or light. Further, the transmission / reception unit 11 is controlled by the control unit 3 to always or automatically at predetermined intervals (every several seconds, at intervals of several tens of seconds, or at intervals of several minutes)
The greeting signal is transmitted wirelessly to the outside.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 22 denotes another electronic pet breeding apparatus, the internal structure of which is the same as that of the electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 described above.
FIG. 2 shows these two electronic pet growing apparatuses 2.
It is a figure for explaining the communication procedure (protocol) of the signal and data exchanged between 1 and 22. As described above, the greeting signal is automatically transmitted from the signal / data transmission / reception unit 11 to the outside from these two electronic pet raising devices 21 and 22 at a predetermined time interval. Therefore, the two devices 21 and 22 happen to coincide with each other, for example, within a range of several meters to several tens of meters (within a range in which the greeting signal from the transmission / reception unit 11 reaches by the electromagnetic wave or the like) “a nearby area”. (In other words, when two or more users happen to approach by chance because each user usually carries it), for example, a human body detecting unit 31 described later.
(Or the user may set the control unit 3 to automatically transmit a greeting signal at predetermined time intervals when the user goes out). A greeting signal (from the pet breeding apparatus 21) indicating the presence of an electronic pet, for example, "Hello,
Is generated, and the other (the electronic pet breeding apparatus 22 in this example) receives it (step 1 in FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, the “greeting signal”
May be transmitted wirelessly to a nearby area at predetermined time intervals set by the user (for example, every 3 seconds, every 30 seconds, every 3 minutes), or may be constantly transmitted wirelessly outdoors. Alternatively, the radio transmission may be performed by the user's operation only when the user desires.

In this case, in the device 21, when transmitting the greeting signal, the control unit 3 controls the output unit 2 to
It outputs predetermined light, flashing light, sound, voice, and the like in order to notify the presence of its own electronic pet to others around it.
Also, in the device 22, when the greeting signal is received, the control unit 3 in the device 22 controls the output unit 2 to determine the presence of the own electronic pet to other people around it (for example, the received greeting signal In order to notify the user of the transmitted electronic pet), a predetermined notification such as a predetermined light, flashing light, sound, or voice is output. Further, the control unit 3 in the device 22 notifies the user of the self (the electronic pet survival device 22) that "a greeting signal has been received from the electronic pet of another electronic pet breeding device" together with the output of this notification. For this purpose, predetermined notification is performed by using predetermined light, blinking light, sound, voice, vibration, or the like.

The electronic pet cultivation apparatus 2 which has received the greeting signal
In 2, the signal / data transmission / reception section 11 sends a signal indicating that "greeting signal has been received" to the control section 3, and the control section 3 receives this signal and automatically responds to the signal (here also an electronic signal). pets and exists, there 3 a signal indicating that received a greeting signal from there, transmits a signal) which means that, for example, "Hello", the side of the device 21 receives this (step 2 ). That is,
The electronic pet breeding device 22 also has the same configuration as the device 21, so that when the control unit receives a greeting signal from another device 21, the control unit automatically generates a reply signal (greeting). Signal). In addition,
When transmitting this response signal, in the device 21, the control unit 3 controls the output unit 2 to notify the surrounding people of the presence of their own electronic pet, by using a predetermined light, flashing light, sound, Outputs audio, etc. As described above, the normal “greeting” between the electronic pets that accidentally approach each other, such as passing by accident on the road, is spontaneously performed without any special operation by each user.

Next, the device 21 transmits an "inquiry signal as to whether electronic pet data can be sent from here", and the device 22 receives this (step 3 in FIG. 2). The device 22 transmits a "reply signal indicating that transmission is allowed", and the device 21 receives this reply signal (step 4). Then, the device 21 transmits its own electronic pet data (name, image, bark, profile, etc.), and the device 22 receives this data (step 5). Next, the device 22 transmits “an inquiry signal for inquiring whether electronic pet data may be sent from here”, and the device 21 receives the inquiry signal (step 6). Device 21
Sends a "reply signal indicating that it is OK to send"
Receives this reply signal (step 7). Then, the device 22 transmits its own electronic pet data, and the device 2
1 receives this data (step 8). Communication between these electronic pets is spontaneously performed by each electronic pet without any special operation by each user. further,
If the user wishes (for example,
If it is set that communication is performed according to a procedure as described below in step S9), the apparatus 21 transmits an "inquiry signal for inquiring whether owner data can be sent here" from the apparatus 21. 22 receives (step 9). Then, from the device 22, "You may send it,
Is transmitted and received by the device 21 (step 10). In response, “owner data” is transmitted from the device 21 and received by the device 22 (step 1).
1). Thereafter, a "query signal as to whether owner data may be sent from here" is transmitted from the device 22, and received by the device 21 (step 12). Device 2
1 transmits a "signal indicating that transmission is allowed", and the device 22 receives this (step 13). Then, “owner data” is transmitted from the device 22 and received by the device 21 (step 14).

In this embodiment, step 1 in FIG.
When the greeting signal is transmitted, the electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 (self) may output information or a signal indicating the presence and location of the electronic pet (self) by a predetermined sound or light. This information or signal is, for example, such as the meaning of the voice or signal that an acoustic show a "cry" and "Hello" in the electronic pet. Thus, a person around the electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 can know the presence and location of the electronic pet (self) (when walking with an actual pet dog or the like, the pet Although the presence and the location of the person can be known to the surrounding people by the squeal and the like, the same can be realized for the electronic pet according to the present embodiment.) Step S1 in FIG.
In the above, when the greeting signal from the electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 is received by the other electronic pet breeding apparatus 22, the electronic pet breeding apparatus 22 also transmits “information such as a bark indicating the existence of oneself” or the like. A signal may be output. Also in this case, it is possible to notify surrounding people (including the user of the electronic pet raising device 21) that the electronic pet (the electronic pet raising device 22) is present. Also, in step 2 of FIG. 2, if the electronic pet breeding apparatus 22 returns a response signal, the electronic pet breeding apparatus 22 may similarly output information or a signal such as the above-mentioned cry. Good. In this case, the fact that this electronic pet has returned the reply signal to the other party is notified to the surrounding people, in particular, to the user of the electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 that has transmitted the greeting signal,
I can let you know.

As described above, (2)
The “electronic pet data” and “owner data” exchanged between the two electronic pet breeding apparatuses are
Is recorded in the "other electronic pet data recording unit 9" and the "other pet data recording unit 10" in the recording device 4 via the control unit 3 from the transmission / reception unit 11. The user outputs the “other electronic pet data” and “other owner data” recorded in this manner to the output unit 2 by the control unit 3 to display the image and profile of the electronic pet and the owner. On the display, and can hear the sound of another electronic pet and the message of another owner by voice from the speaker.

The user of the device 22 that has received the greeting signal from the device 21 in step 1 of FIG.
When the light-emitting diode, speaker, or vibrator provided in the output unit 2 is operated (the control unit operates the light-emitting diode, speaker, vibrator, or the like to notify the user when the greeting signal is received) (Preprogrammed in this manner) to notify (notify) that a greeting signal from another external electronic pet has arrived. In addition, the user of the device 21 that has received the response signal from the device 22 in step 2 of FIG. 2 controls the control unit 3 (when the control unit 3 receives a response signal from the outside, the output unit 2 It is programmed to operate the light emitting diode, speaker, vibrator and the like to notify the user), and the user is notified (notified).

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the two users carrying the electronic pet breeding apparatuses 21 and 22 approach each other, the electronic pet cultivating apparatuses 21 and 22 approach each other. Means that each other's electronic pets voluntarily and automatically exchange greetings (that is, without waiting for the user's special operation) (communicate wirelessly), and furthermore, data on each other's electronic pets and each other Since the data about the owner (user) of the user is exchanged wirelessly, each user stops and greets and talks to each other, friends, and acquaintances via the electronic pet, that is, using the electronic pet as an "intermediation" and "trigger". Can be In general, when walking a "real pet" such as a dog, the pets "bark", "jump or quarrel" as a "trigger" to engage in conversation or This is what we often experience on a daily basis, where people who take a walk get acquainted with each other as pets, but according to the present embodiment, the same applies to "electronic pets". Can also occur. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a new function / role (function / role of mediating communication between users) of the electronic pet or the electronic pet breeding apparatus can be provided, and the added value can be further increased.

In the above embodiment, the electronic pet breeding apparatus has been described. However, the present invention relates to an electronic kid character breeding apparatus, an electronic kid character education and fostering apparatus (a game for educating and fostering a child character). It is needless to say that the present invention can be similarly applied to various electronic creatures such as a device, an electronic human character living device, an electronic monster character breeding device, and an electronic plant cultivation device.

Next, other configurations and operations of the present embodiment other than those described above will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the portable electronic pet growing apparatus 21 includes:
A human body detection unit 31 including an infrared sensor, a heat sensor, and the like is provided. The human body detecting unit 31 detects the presence of another person in the nearby area. In the present embodiment, as described above, a greeting signal may be transmitted every predetermined time, but is not so.
A greeting signal may be transmitted under the control of the control unit 3 that has received an output from the human body detecting unit 31 only when the human body detecting unit 31 detects the presence of another person in the nearby area. In this way, it is possible to prevent the greeting signal from being transmitted every predetermined time even when there is no other person around.

In the present embodiment, the electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 is connected to another electronic pet breeding apparatus 22 by
A “similarity and compatibility degree determination unit” 32 for determining the similarity and compatibility degree of both electronic pets and determining the similarity and compatibility degree of both users is provided.
The determination unit 32 includes, for example, the device 21 and the device 2
Exchange the electronic pet data between the two and compare the data of birthday, constellation of birthday, blood type, favorite food, favorite play, etc. in both electronic pet data with each other. Together (a kind of “matchmaking”), the “similarity and compatibility” of both electronic pets is determined. The contents of this determination result can be displayed as characters or graphics or output as voice or sound by sending it to the output unit 2 via the control unit 3. In the present embodiment,
As a result of this determination, when it is determined that the “similarity or compatibility degree” between both electronic pets is higher than a certain level, the control unit 3 controls the output unit 2 to that effect.
The user or surrounding people are notified by predetermined sound, voice, light, vibration, or the like. Similarly, in the present embodiment, the user data is exchanged between the device 21 and the device 22, and the birthdays of both users are exchanged.
Data such as age, gender, constellation of birth date, blood type, hobby, favorite food, favorite play, etc. are compared with each other (a kind of “matchmaking”), and “similarity” between both users Degree and compatibility degree ". The content of the determination result (for example, “good compatibility” or “poor compatibility”) is sent to the output unit 2 via the control unit 3 to be displayed as characters or figures, or to be output as voice or sound. Can be. Further, in the present embodiment, when the result of this determination is that the “similarity or compatibility” between both users is higher than a predetermined level, the control unit 3 controls the output unit 2 and Is notified to the user or the surrounding people by predetermined sound, voice, light, vibration or the like.

In the present embodiment, the electronic pet breeding device 21 is connected to another electronic pet breeding device 22.
The electronic pets voluntarily exchange information (communicate and exchange information) without the intervention of the user's operation, and perform predetermined conversations, games, battles (battles), matchmaking, etc. Spontaneous communication unit "33 (see FIG. 1). The “voluntary communication unit” 33 includes, for example, a recording area in which data of a plurality of conversation patterns, a plurality of game patterns, and a plurality of battle patterns are recorded. And an area in which a program for selecting an appropriate one of the plurality of patterns is recorded.

The spontaneous communication unit 33 exchanges a greeting signal between the two electronic pet breeding devices 21 and 22 in the nearby area, and then, for example, outputs data indicating that one of the electronic pet breeding devices is "let's talk". When the other sends a response signal corresponding to the response, the electronic pets select one of a plurality of predetermined "conversation patterns" and communicate with each other in accordance with the "protocol" of the selected pattern. ,
It is a conversation where you talk about your name, birthday, favorite food, and so on. The “similarity and compatibility degree determination unit” 32 determines the similarity and compatibility between both electronic pets based on information (including data related to electronic pets) exchanged in this conversation. (The above-described series of conversational exchanges and the determination operation of the compatibility degree can be said to be a kind of “matchmaking” mode).

When the above-mentioned "for example, one transmits data of"let's talk "and the other returns a corresponding reply signal, one of a plurality of predetermined" conversation patterns "is selected. According to the selected pattern, the electronic pets exchange conversations such as talking about their names, birthdays, favorite foods, etc. according to the "protocol" of the selected pattern. The operation for "selecting one of the conversation patterns" will be described next. Electronic pet raising device 21 according to the present embodiment
Includes a calendar section 34 for recording calendar (calendar) data serving as data for determining the day of the week and the season, a clock section 35 for measuring the time at that time, and a location at that time. Current position identification unit for measurement (GPS = Global Positioning System, or
A PHS (using a simple mobile phone or the like) having a narrow radio wave coverage area of the base station) 36 is provided. The data from the calendar unit 34, the timing unit 35, and the current position specifying unit 36 are sent to the spontaneous communication unit 33 via the control unit 3. The spontaneous communication unit 33 uses a program included in the communication unit 33 to determine the current situation (scene / situation) determined from the calendar, time, current position, etc., from among a plurality of conversational exchange patterns. ) "). Then, the spontaneous communication unit 33 exchanges the conversation by wireless transmission according to the selected conversation pattern.

The above description has been made with reference to an example in which the electronic pets voluntarily (arbitrarily) exchange conversations without requiring user operation. However, the present embodiment is limited to conversational exchanges. For example, electronic pets also voluntarily (without user operation) in accordance with mutually predetermined protocols, such as game exchange, battle (battle) exchange, matchmaking exchange, etc. )It can be carried out. Further, by adopting the current artificial intelligence technology, it is possible for the electronic pets to exchange highly flexible conversations and games without following the predetermined protocol.

That is, in the present embodiment, not only the exchange of the protocol shown in FIG. 2 but also the electronic creatures automatically and spontaneously (without assuming the operation of the user) “conversation” and “talking”. It is possible to program the control to continue. It is possible to make electronic creatures conduct regular routine conversations with each other using current technology (for example, using technology of "artificial intelligence" or "agent"). For example, when two electronic creatures meet, one sends a signal to "Let's play Janken" to the other, and when the other responds "Good," then both go to the other, goo, choki , And the par is transmitted, the result of the game is played, and the results are shared by both parties (that is, the results are displayed on the output units 2 of the electronic pet breeding apparatuses 21 and 22). Is possible with current technology.

In the present embodiment, for example, the following “game exchange” can be performed between two electronic pet cultivation apparatuses. In the following example, for example,
"Each arbitrarily selects one of the three symbols A, B, and C to determine the outcome, and repeats it three times.
The third round of ABC game (provisional name) ", in which the first to third round determines the win / loss. In the third round of ABC game, it is assumed that the rule “A is stronger than B. B is stronger than C. C is stronger than A” is predetermined. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the human body detecting section 31 incorporated in one electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 detects the presence of another person in the nearby area (when step S21 is YES),
A greeting signal is transmitted from the user (step S2)
2). Thereafter, it is determined whether a response signal (greeting signal) from another electronic pet breeding apparatus 22 has been received within a predetermined time, for example, within three seconds (step S23). If this determination is NO, the process ends. If this determination is YES, a signal is sent from the device 21 stating that "ABC three round game is not performed?" (Step S24). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a signal of "you may play the third round of ABC game" is returned from the other device 22 within 3 seconds (the response signal is received) (step S25). If this determination is NO, the process ends. If the determination is yes, both sides start the game. As the operation of the device 21, first, one pattern is selected from a plurality of combinations of A, B, and C (step S26). For this selection, for example, the user may determine a plurality of patterns and the order of each of the patterns in advance, and select the patterns in accordance with the order (or transmit from the clock unit 35 or the current position specifying unit 36). Alternatively, one of the patterns may be selected by a computer program recorded in advance according to the characteristic data of the time and place at that time.) In this example, it is assumed that the electronic pet of the device 21 has selected the pattern “A for the first time, C for the second time, and B for the third time”. On the other hand, it is assumed that the electronic pet on the side of the other device 22 has selected the pattern "B for the first time, C for the second time, and A for the third time".

After the game is started, both sides transmit the first one (the first one of the selected patterns). The "first time A" is transmitted from the device 21 (step S27). Next, the device 21 is connected to another device 22.
It is determined whether or not the first time (from this example, "first time B") has been received (step S28). If this determination is NO, the process ends. If this determination is YES, the device 21
The first win or loss of this game between the electronic pet of the device 22 and the electronic pet of the device 22 is determined (step S29). In this case, since the device 21 emits “A” and the device 22 emits “B”, the electronic pet on the device 21 wins from the rule “A is stronger than B” (device 2).
Two sides lose). Hereinafter, in the same manner, the second and third games are performed, and the result is determined (step S).
30 to step S35). Then, after the third round, the total of each win from the first round to the third round is totaled, the total win or loss is determined (step S36), and the determination result is displayed on the output unit of the apparatus 21 or 22 (step S36). Step S37).

In the present embodiment, a portable electronic pet growing apparatus for growing electronic pets as a hobby by a user such as “Tamagotchi” is shown as an electronic living apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, "electronic creatures" living in an electronic creature survival device are:
An “electronic secretary” character used by the user for business purposes may be used. Anyway, a character that can perform “some kind of exchange” with the user is included in the “electronic creature” of the present invention. For example, this "electronic secretary" character sends a message such as "Let's be friends" or "I'm looking for friends" to a device carried by a person passing by on the road with the user. You may make it transmit via interaction with a living thing.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, users of electronic creatures can have conversations and become acquainted with each other using electronic creatures as “intermediation / initiative”. In other words, in our daily life, people who meet for the first time often have conversations or get acquainted with pets and children as "triggers" and "middlemen". In the above, pets were mentioned, but just as with pets, they often became acquainted through children (a mother who took an infant to a park and played it was around the same Often get acquainted with mothers who have infants.) According to the present invention, the electronic creature of the portable electronic creature survival device can fulfill such functions of “intermediation” and “trigger” of communication by the pet and the child.
Therefore, according to the present invention, the added value is added as a “communication tool” to which a new function / role (function / role of mediating communication between users) of the electronic creature or the electronic creature survival device is added. "Pet and other creatures" (real pets and other creatures can have their pets and other pets get to know each other or have a conversation Often contributes to the real communication between users).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a portable electronic pet growing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication procedure (protocol) when the electronic pets of the two portable electronic pet breeding apparatuses according to the embodiment of the present invention exchange greetings and the like with each other.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the two portable electronic pet breeding apparatuses according to the embodiment of the present invention when the electronic pets spontaneously communicate game exchanges with each other.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 1, 2000 (200.11.
1)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All figures

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

Claims (13)

[Claims] An electronic creature survival device carried by a user, and wirelessly transmits a "predetermined greeting signal by an electronic creature" so as to be received by another electronic creature survival device in a nearby area. Greeting signal transmitting means for receiving, and a greeting signal receiving means for receiving a “predetermined greeting signal by electronic creature” wirelessly transmitted from another electronic creature survival device in a nearby area. A portable electronic biological survival device. 2. The portable electronic creature survival device according to claim 1, wherein the greeting signal transmitting means transmits a greeting signal at predetermined time intervals. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detecting unit for detecting that another person or another electronic living being is present in a nearby area, wherein the greeting signal transmitting unit is based on an output from the detecting unit. And transmitting a greeting signal. 4. The portable type according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying means for notifying a user when a predetermined greeting signal is received by said greeting signal receiving means. Electronic biological survival device. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising, when a predetermined greeting signal is received from another living organism for living beings by the greeting signal receiving unit, the greeting signal is transmitted. A portable electronic creature survival device, comprising: a greeting signal returning unit that spontaneously returns a predetermined greeting signal wirelessly to the portable electronic creature survival device. 6. The electronic creature data recording means for recording data on electronic creatures according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a greeting signal for storing the electronic creature data recorded in the electronic creature data recording means. With or separately from the greeting signal,
Electronic biological data transmitting means for transmitting; electronic biological data receiving means for receiving electronic biological data of another electronic biological living apparatus wirelessly transmitted from another electronic biological living apparatus; Output means for outputting electronic biological data of another electronic biological survival device,
A portable electronic creature survival device, comprising: 7. The user data recording means according to claim 1, further comprising: user data recording means for recording data relating to a user of the electronic creature;
User data transmitting means for transmitting data together with or separately from the greeting signal, and a user for receiving user data of another electronic creature survival device transmitted wirelessly from another electronic creature survival device A portable electronic creature survival device, comprising: data reception means; and output means for outputting user data of another electronic creature survival device received by the user data reception means. 8. The greeting transmission notifying means according to claim 1, further comprising: when transmitting the greeting signal, a greeting transmission notifying unit for notifying a surrounding person of the existence or location of the electronic creature on the transmitting side. A portable electronic creature survival device, comprising: 9. A greeting reception notifying means according to claim 1, further comprising, when the greeting signal is received, notifying surrounding people of the existence or location of the electronic creature on the receiving side, A portable electronic creature survival device, comprising: 10. The greeting reply notifying means according to claim 5, further comprising, when replying the greeting signal, notifying a nearby person of the existence or location of the electronic creature on the reply side, A portable electronic creature survival device, comprising: 11. The electronic biological data or user data of another portable electronic living thing device transmitted from another portable electronic biological living device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: Electronic biological data or user data;
A similarity or compatibility degree determination unit that determines the similarity or compatibility degree between both electronic creatures or the user, and a determination result output unit that outputs a determination result by the similarity or compatibility degree determination unit. A portable electronic organism survival device, comprising: 12. The electronic biological data or user data of another portable electronic living thing transmitted from another portable electronic biological living apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: Electronic biological data or user data;
Comparing the two electronic creatures or the user to determine the degree of similarity or compatibility between the two electronic creatures or the user. If the similarity or compatibility degree is relatively high by the similarity or compatibility degree determination means, And a determination notification means for making a predetermined notification to notify the user when the determination is made, the portable electronic living being surviving device. 13. An electronic living thing between two portable electronic living thing devices according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: Spontaneous communication means for voluntarily exchanging information such as bark exchange, conversation exchange, game exchange, battle exchange, matchmaking exchange without user's special operation A portable electronic biological survival device, characterized in that: [0001]