JP2005177164A - Game system using communication network, and program for its game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the update operation of a memory card being a membership card by recording information recorded in the memory card where the number of the times of game effective use is completed to a new memory card which is purchased by a player. <P>SOLUTION: In a game machine for a game system using a communication network, the memory card which is purchased by the player is provided with a carry-over history inquiry means and a memory card carry-over means. The carry-over history inquiry means is for inquiring a game management server whether carry-over is performed to a memory card which is sold already. When carry-over is not performed yet as the result of the inquiry of a carry-over history and the number of times of game effective use recorded in the recording part of the memory card is completed, the memory card carry-over means records data about a prescribed data item among data items recorded in this memory card to the new memory card purchased by the player. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention includes a game machine connected to a communication network such as the Internet, and a game management server that manages and manages a game system using these game machines, and a memory card such as an IC card purchased by a player is stored in the game machine. With regard to a game system that allows a game to be played by being read by the player, in particular, when the effective use count of the memory card purchased by the player has expired, the effective use count of the game is recorded on the expired memory card. The present invention relates to a game system and a program for recording information stored in a memory card newly purchased by a player.

  Conventionally, a game system has been proposed in which a plurality of game machines are connected to a communication network such as the Internet to execute game application software. A game system using such a communication network is constructed by connecting a game machine installed in a game center in each place and a game management server for managing and managing the play of these game machines to the communication network. ing. In a game system using such a communication network, for example, every month, the game management server is configured so that a player who is registered as a member plays a game (score, number of wins, losses, etc.) The number of points and the like are counted for each game application software, and prizes and prizes are awarded to high scorers. In addition, it has been proposed that the ranking of scores obtained by a player is also disclosed via a Web page (homepage).

  Furthermore, as an operation mode of a game system using a communication network, a game in which a score obtained by playing with a plurality of game machines for specific application software competes with each other using a network, a so-called network game. There is an event competition (hereinafter referred to as event game). In this event game, the game management server counts the play results such as the scores given in each game machine during the event period, competes for ranking and win / loss, and announces top scorers and gives prizes and prizes Is. This event game is also held at one venue in a game center, when it is held in Japan via a communication network such as the Internet, or a game machine installed in a foreign country. It is possible to participate in As described above, when a game machine installed in a foreign country participates in an event game or the like, it is necessary to consider the time difference between the country and the region where the game machine is installed.

In addition, when a player registered as a member of the game system starts playing a game, the game machine is caused to read a card storing the player's authentication information, and the player inputs his / her authentication number. Thus, the player is authenticated.
Many proposals have already been made for game systems using such communication networks. For example, the following patent documents have been proposed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-300130 (Specifications, pages 4 to 10, FIG. 1) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-136747 (Specifications, pages 7 to 13, FIGS. 1 and 2)

  Patent Document 1 discloses a game system in which a game device and a game server device installed in an information center are connected via a communication line. The game apparatus includes means for optically reading a card having personal authentication information printed on a print medium in the form of a two-dimensional code, and a player who plays the game inputs personal authentication information such as a user ID and a password. It is described that there is no need to perform an operation. Furthermore, since the personal information of each player is stored in the personal information database of the information center and managed centrally in Patent Document 1, the player can use any game center game device. It is described that the game up to the previous game can be continued.

  In Patent Document 2, a management server installed in a gaming machine manufacturing company is connected to a hall computer installed in a game hall via the Internet, and this hall computer is provided for each gaming machine individually. A game system is disclosed in which the ID unit is connected, and the ID unit transmits the information of the gaming machine and the personal identification information of the gaming machine user to the management server via the hall computer and the Internet. Further, in Patent Document 2, the gaming machine information management system calculates a point corresponding to the identification information of the gaming machine user, and when it is determined that the point has exceeded a predetermined value, It describes that the data of the shipping instruction is transmitted to the server of the prize shipping company.

  The inventions described in the above Patent Documents 1 and 2 are game systems in which a plurality of game machines are connected to a communication network, but procedures for registering a member who can obtain the benefits of the game system and issuing a new membership card It does not describe the takeover procedure.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to use a communication network that allows a game to be played by causing a game machine to read a memory card (member card) that records the number of times a game can be used effectively by a player. In this game system, when the number of effective use of the game has expired, the game machine is used for the memory card newly purchased by the player with the information recorded on the memory card for which the effective use of the game has expired. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a game system using a communication network which is handed over and recorded by a simple operation.

The present invention includes a game machine having a memory card reading and writing means and connected to a communication network, and a game management server connected to the communication network and managing the operation of the game system. A game system that starts playing a game by transmitting an access code recorded in a recording unit of the purchased memory card to the game management server,
The memory card includes a unique access code preset for each memory card, a game effective usage count that is updated and recorded each time a game is played using the memory card, and a history of the game It has a recording unit that records data, etc.
The game machine
The memory card purchased by the player transmits an access code recorded on the memory card to the game management server to inquire whether the memory card already sold has been transferred or not. Inquiry means;
If the memory card has not been taken over by the already-sold memory card and the effective use count of the memory card has expired, the transfer history inquiry means records the memory card in the memory card. Memory card transfer means for recording data on a predetermined item among the data items being recorded on a memory card newly purchased by the player;
This is a game system using a communication network equipped with.

Furthermore, the game management server that constitutes the present invention records, for each access code, a history of whether or not the memory card already sold as management data for grasping the usage status of the memory card has been taken over. A memory card management table having a takeover flag to be recorded;
Further, with respect to the access code transmitted by the takeover history inquiry means, the memory card corresponding to the access code is taken over to the memory card already sold with reference to the takeover flag in the memory card management table. A game system using a communication network including a takeover history confirmation means for confirming whether or not the information is transmitted and transmitting the confirmation result to the game machine.

The present invention also includes a game machine having memory card reading and writing means and connected to a communication network, and a game management server connected to the communication network and managing the operation of the game system. A program for the game machine in a game system that starts playing a game by transmitting an access code recorded in a recording unit of the memory card purchased by a person to the game management server,
The memory card includes a unique access code set in advance for each memory card, an effective number of times that a game can be played using the memory card, and a game played by the player using the game machine. Including a recording unit that records history data of games played,
The game machine program is:
Reading the recording part of the memory card when the player starts playing the game;
Inquiry history inquiry step of inquiring whether the memory card of the player has been taken over to a memory card already sold by sending the access code recorded on the memory card to the game management server When,
If the memory card has not been taken over by the already sold memory card and the number of times of effective use of the memory card has expired by the processing of the handover history inquiry step, A memory card takeover step of recording data relating to a predetermined item among the recorded data items in a memory card newly purchased by the player;
Is a game machine program in a game system using a communication network.

  In the present invention described above, the transfer to a memory card newly purchased by the player indicates the following. That is, when the number of effective game use times of the memory card has expired (for example, when “0” is recorded), information stored in the memory card for which the effective use number of games has expired, for example, the user ID, the number of common points The game history data and the like are transferred to the memory card newly purchased by the player and written.

  The game system using the communication network of the present invention has the following effects. (1) When the effective number of times of use of a game purchased by a player and recorded on a memory card having the role of a membership card expires, the player purchases new game history information etc. recorded on the memory card. When playing a game using the memory card, the card read / write device installed in the game machine can be used to take over and record without burdening the player. Thereby, it is possible to save the time and effort for the player to apply again for the attribute information related to the name of the player who is a member of the game system.

(2) According to the above (1), when the number of times of effective use of the game has expired, the player can immediately play a game by purchasing a new memory card and taking over the memory card. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an overall system configuration for carrying out the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1, 2, 3, 4 are game centers installed in various places, and the game centers 1, 2, 3, 4 have game machines 5a, 5b, 5c,..., 6a, 6b, respectively. , 6c, ..., 7a, 7b, ..., 8a, ... are installed. In the present invention, the game machine may include a game machine operated by an individual. In the present invention, the game centers 1, 2, 3, 4,... Can include game centers installed in foreign countries as well as in Japan.

  A game management server 9 manages and manages the game system of the present invention, and includes a workstation or a high-speed and large-capacity personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer). An operator of the game management server 9 is a manufacturer of game machines or the like, or a game system management service provider using a network.

  Game machines 5a, 5b, 5c,..., 6a, 6b, 6c,..., 7a, 7b,. It is connected to a communication network 11 that is the Internet through a provider 10 established in various places. Further, the game machines 8 a installed in the game center 4 are not connected to the communication network 11. In the present invention, as will be described later, the history data of the game played on the game machine 8 not connected to the communication network 11 is also stored in the game management server 9 when played on the game machine connected to the communication network 11. So that you can send. The communication network 11 may connect each game machine 5a,..., And the game management server 9 using a dedicated communication line in addition to the above-described Internet communication network.

  A card vending machine 13 for selling the memory card 12 is installed in the game centers 1, 2, 3, etc. that own the game machines connected to the communication network 11. The memory card 12 includes an IC card having a recording unit capable of recording a large amount of data. This memory card 12 is used when a player registered as a member who can obtain a privilege (service) using the game system of the present invention plays a game using each game machine, In addition, it has the role of a membership card for recording game history data, which is the result of playing the game. Further, there is only one type of game that can be played using one memory card 12, and when the game is played for the first time after purchasing the memory card 12, a game ID for identifying the played game Is recorded in the recording unit. The game ID is an identification code having a predetermined number of digits set in advance for identifying each game application software 18a2 (shown in FIG. 3), and is stored in each game application software.

  In the recording unit of the memory card 12, an access code having a predetermined number of digits is recorded at the time of manufacture, and the print display unit 12a on the front surface (back surface or back surface) of the memory card 12 as shown in FIG. An access code 12b recorded on the memory card 12 is printed. The access code 12b is a unique number assigned to each memory card 12 in order to identify each manufactured memory card 12, and is composed of numerals or alphanumeric characters. In the example shown in FIG. 2, “1234 5678 9012 3456” composed of 16-digit numbers is printed as the access code 12b. In the game system of the present invention, the access code 12b serves as an authentication number for authenticating the player when the player who is a member plays the game. Further, the access code 12b is used as an access number (login data) for accessing a Web page that the game system of the present invention makes available to members only from a personal computer using a mobile phone or the general Internet.

  The access code 12b recorded in the recording unit of the memory card 12 is an ASCII code, for example, the number “1” is recorded as 1-byte “31” in hexadecimal, and this is displayed on the print display unit 12a. “1” is printed as a character.

  14 is an information center (mobile server) operated by a telephone company, and 15a, 15b, and 16c are mobile phones (mobile phone terminals) owned by the player. The information center 14 is, for example, “i-mode” provided by “NTT DOCOMO”, “EZweb” provided by “KDDI”, or “J-SKY” provided by “J Phone”. It is an information center for Internet connection services via a mobile phone network.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the telephone company information center 14 is capable of data communication with the game management server 9 via the communication network 11. The game management server 9 and the information center 14 may be connected using a dedicated communication line. As described above, the information center 14 may be used when a player accesses a web page of the game system using a mobile phone, or the player obtains a privilege using the game system of the present invention. When a registration application procedure is performed as a possible member, it is used as a relay means with the game management server 9.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a personal computer owned by a player connected to the communication network 11 via the provider 10 or a general person. Using this personal computer 16, the player can browse a Web page that the game system makes available to members by inputting the access code 12b described above. Also, a general person who is not a member may use this personal computer 16 to view a part of the Web page.

  Each game machine 5a, 5b, 5c, ..., 6a, 6b, 6c, ..., 7a, 7b, ..., 8a, ... is a display device or various operation devices or storage devices for playing a game. A game machine body including a RAM, a card read / write device (not shown) for reading and writing data in the memory card 12, and data communication with the game management server 9 via the communication network 11. A communication interface circuit (not shown) and the like.

  When playing a game using each game machine 5a,... Constituting the system of the present invention, a cassette-like medium (hereinafter referred to as a ROM cartridge) 18 storing game application software in a ROM is set in the game machine body. Then, a program such as game software is read into the RAM. One ROM cartridge 18 stores game application software 18a2 (shown in FIG. 3) which is one type of game software. The game application software stored in the ROM cartridge 18 is a fighting game, a mahjong game, a puzzle game, a role playing game, or the like that can be enjoyed on a conventional video game machine.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the ROM of the ROM cartridge 18 described above, in addition to the game application software 18a2, a game machine operation control program 18a1 for controlling the operation of the entire game machine, and data recorded in the memory card 12 are stored. A memory card reading program 18a3 for performing a reading process, a memory card writing program 18a4 for performing a data writing process to the memory card 12, a network communication program 18a5 for performing a communication process with the game management server 9, and the like are stored. . The card read / write device, the memory card reading program 18a3, the memory card writing program 18a4, and the like described above constitute the memory card reading means and writing means of the present invention. Each of the above programs can be developed using an assembler language, C language, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a game management server 9 that manages and manages the game system of the present invention includes a communication interface (I / F) circuit unit 9a, a management function unit 9b that supervises this management, and is necessary for this management A management database 9c for recording and storing various kinds of data is provided. Among these, the communication interface circuit unit 9a is composed of a logic circuit 9a1 and the like for performing data communication with each game machine 5a connected to the communication network 11.

The management function unit 9b is composed of various programs for managing and managing the game system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, these programs include a system operation management program 9b1, a communication management program 9b2 for performing communication with the game machine 5a,.
Web information service program 9b3 for performing communication with the mobile server 14, disclosure of information relating to the game system, and member registration application via a Web page, mail distribution for performing mail distribution processing to members of the game system, etc. A program 9b4 is provided.

  The system operation management program 9b1 includes a server operation control program 9b11 for controlling the operation of the game management server 9, and a member registration management program 9b12 for registering and authenticating members who play games using the game system of the present invention. , A play record management program 9b13 that performs a process of tabulating game history data, which is a result of playing a game using each game machine 5a,..., Determination of monthly top ranked players and event game winners, prizes and prizes A prize-winner management program 9b14 for performing the payment process of the game, a game machine operation result management program 9b15 for collecting and managing the operation results and sales information of each game machine, and a memory for managing the usage status of the memory card 12 manufactured and sold It consists of a card management program 9b16, etc. Each program constituting the management function unit 9b can be created using a script language such as assembler language, C language, HTML, or Perl.

  The management database 9c of the game management server 9 is composed of various databases (data tables) for recording and storing various data necessary for executing the programs of the management function unit 9b. These data tables are stored in an external storage device such as a hard disk device of the game management server 9 with file names. The management database 9c includes, for example, a user information management table t1, a play record management table for each user game t2, a game machine operation record management table t3, a memory, and the like, as shown in FIGS. It consists of a card management table t4, etc. These management tables t1 to t4 are stored in the game machine when the player makes a membership registration application for the game system and whenever the player plays on the game machine connected to the communication network 11. Each time the history data is transmitted to the game management server 9, the recorded content of the predetermined data item is recorded or updated.

  The user information management table t1 shown in FIG. 5 is created for each player (user) registered as a member who can obtain a privilege using the game system, and a user ID and access for identifying this user. Data relating to a code, name, birthday, address, e-mail address, game center ID for identifying a game center registered as a member, the total number of common points, and the like are recorded. Among these points, the common point indicates the number of points given each time the user who has registered as a member plays a game using the memory card 12, for example, once the game is played. Each time a new member of the game system is registered, the user information management table t1 additionally records data on attribute information such as the name and date of birth of the new user by the processing of the member registration management program 9b12. Then, every time the user plays with a game machine connected to the communication network 11, history data of the played game is transmitted to the game management server 9, so that the user information management is performed by the processing of the above-described play record management program 9b13. The common point cumulative number in the table t1 is added and updated.

  The user game-by-user game play record management table t2 shown in FIG. 6 is created for each game ID played for each user ID. In the table t2, the accumulated number of acquired points, the maximum number of acquired points, the minimum number of times each time game history data is transmitted from the game machine connected to the communication network 11 by the processing of the above-described play record management program 9b13. The number of acquired points, the number of wins, the number of losses, the number of plays, the play time, etc. are accumulated and recorded. The above-described prizewinner management program 9b14 refers to the user game-by-game play record management table t2 and performs, for example, a process of determining higher rank players by game ID for each month. Although the details of the user ID will be described later, the user ID is an ID for identifying a player registered as a member of the game system, and is an identification code automatically set by the member registration management program 9b12. is there.

  The game machine operation result management table t3 shown in FIG. 7 is created when game history data is transmitted from a game machine connected to the communication network 11, and the game machine ID for identifying each game machine, And an operator ID of the game machine, a game ID for identifying game application software that can be played by inserting a ROM cartridge into the game machine, location information such as a country or region where the game machine is installed, a store, a game, etc. Data related to center ID, last (latest) game play date, number of times played, play time (minutes and seconds), game machine sales information, failure / maintenance information indicating game machine failure history and maintenance history, etc. are recorded and recorded, respectively. Updated. This game machine operation result management table t3 is updated by processing such as the above-described play result management program 9b13.

  The memory card management table t4 shown in FIG. 8 is created for each memory card 12 on which the access code 12b is recorded in order to manage information on the usage status of the memory card 12 manufactured and requested to sell to each game center. The In the memory card management table t4, for each access code, the usage status of the memory card 12 such as a card manufacturing date, a card ID, a user ID, a usage start date, a usage start game center ID, a takeover flag, and a valid flag is grasped. Management data for each is recorded. Further, in the memory card management table t4, data recorded in the memory card 12 as shown in FIG. 9, that is, the number of effective game use times to the total play time shown in the B column of FIG. 9, and the C, D, E columns The history data of the game shown may be recorded.

  The card ID is a code number automatically set by the member registration management program 9b12. The card ID can be set by the following procedure. When a player purchases the memory card 12 and reads the memory card 12 into a card read / write device to play a game, the access code 12b recorded on the memory card 12 from the game machine is sent to the game management server 9. Sent. The member registration management program 9b12 of the game management server 9 refers to the memory card management table t4, and if the card ID corresponding to the access code 12b is not registered in the memory card management table t4, this card ID is automatically Set (issue) to. That is, when the access code 12b is transmitted from the game machine, the member registration management program 9b12 accesses the access code 12b when the card ID corresponding to the access code 12b transmitted with reference to the memory card management table t4 is not registered. It can be determined that the code 12b is transmitted from the game machine to the game management server 9 for the first time. Therefore, the memory card 12 in which the card ID is set becomes data indicating that this memory card has been sold. The card ID is composed of numbers having a predetermined number of digits or alphanumeric characters, and for example, additional numbers are given in the order of setting.

  A player who wants to obtain a privilege by playing a game using this game system must first enroll in a Web information service (Web information service net using a mobile phone) that provides information on the game system. . As described above, this membership is performed using, for example, “i-mode” of the Internet connection service provided by “NTT DOCOMO” via a mobile phone network. For example, by registering the Web information service net in the “i-mode” My Menu, information related to the game system can be browsed via the Web information service net using a mobile phone.

  Next, a description will be given of a procedure in which a player applies for member registration to obtain a privilege by playing with a game machine constituting the game system. First, the player purchases the memory card 12 and accesses the web information service of the game system from his mobile phone. Next, the access code 12b printed on the memory card 12 is input to link to the member-specific Web page, the member registration Web page is opened, and the player's name, address, date of birth, e-mail address, etc. Enter information and send. Data entered by the player using the mobile phone is transmitted to the game management server 9 via the information center 14. Then, the Web information service program 9b3 of the game management server 9 operates the member registration management program 9b12. For the received access code 12b, the member registration management program 9b12 refers to the memory card management table t4 to determine whether or not a user ID corresponding to the access code 12b has already been registered. If the user ID is not registered as a result of this determination, the member registration management program 9b12 automatically issues (sets) a user ID consisting of a predetermined number of digits or alphanumeric characters, and the memory card management table t4. Is stored in the user ID column, and attribute information such as the player's name is newly registered in the user information management table t1 in association with the user ID and the access code 12b. By such program processing, the player can apply for membership registration of the game system very easily using his / her mobile phone.

  As described above, the memory card management table t4 provided in the game management server 9 includes the access code 12b set for all the cards manufactured for the memory card 12 and before the sales request to the game center after the manufacture, Since the card ID set when the player purchases the memory card 12 and plays the game for the first time is recorded, the sales status of the memory card 12 and the inventory by game center are processed by the processing of the memory card management program 9b16. It becomes possible to immediately grasp the situation.

  The memory card 12 used in the game system has a preset number of times that a game can be played using one memory card 12 (game effective use count), and is recorded in the memory card 12. As the number of times of effective use of the game, for example, a value of “500” is recorded as an initial value. Each time the player plays one game, the number of times of effective use of the game is subtracted and recorded in the memory card 12. For this reason, when the number of times of effective use of the game recorded on the memory card 12 expires and becomes 0, it becomes impossible to play the game using the memory card 12. Therefore, if the player wants to play a game as a member of the game system, he / she needs to purchase a new memory card 12. At this time, when a player who is a member of the game system newly purchases the memory card 12, there is no operation for the player to re-register attribute information such as name in the user information management table t1. You should do it. In addition, among the game history data recorded on the old memory card 12 whose effective use count has expired, common data such as the common point cumulative number and the user ID are also stored in the newly purchased new memory card 12 (inherited). )There is a need.

  The takeover flag recorded in the memory card management table t4 is a memory card 12, for example, a player who has newly sold data of a predetermined data item recorded in the old memory card 12 purchased by the player. This is information indicating whether or not data has been written to the newly purchased new memory card 12, that is, a flag indicating whether or not the handover has been completed. By the processing of the memory card management program 9b16, for example, “0” is recorded in the takeover flag when no takeover is performed, and “1” is recorded when the takeover is completed.

  The valid flag recorded in the memory card management table t4 is information recorded to prevent unauthorized use even when the number of effective game uses of the memory card 12 is not 0, such as the memory card management program 9b16. By the processing, for example, “1” is recorded when it can be used, and “9” when it cannot be used.

  In the recording unit of the memory card 12, information on data items as shown in FIG. 9, that is, an access code, a user ID, a game ID, a game effective use count, a common point cumulative count, a game machine not connected to the network. The number of common points accumulated when playing at (offline game machine common points accumulated number), the total number of play times, the total play time (minutes and seconds), the game history data of the play results, and the like are recorded. Among these, the access code in the A column to the game ID shown in FIG. 9 is data unique to this card, and the effective use count of the game in the B column to the total play time are updated and recorded every time the player plays the game. Each data in the history data column of the game in column C is common history data such as the play date, the number of times played, and the number of common points acquired when the game with the corresponding game ID is played. Furthermore, the acquisition points, the number of wins / losses, the number of rises, game continuation information, etc. in column D are game history data recorded corresponding to the game ID. For example, when the game ID is game application software related to a fighting game. The number of wins and losses, the number of skills acquired, etc. are recorded. In the case of a mahjong game, the number of times of ups and transfers is recorded, and in the case of a role playing game or a puzzle game, the cleared step, clear side, unclear side Such game continuation information is recorded.

  The recording timing of each data item to the recording unit of the memory card 12 is as follows. For example, the data item relating to the column A shown in FIG. 9 is the initial data, and the access code is as described above when the memory card 12 is manufactured or manufactured. Recorded during the sales request. Further, the user ID and the game ID are recorded under the control of the game machine operation control program 18a1 based on the data transmitted from the game management server 9 when the player plays the game for the first time. The data items in column B are updated (added or subtracted) and recorded when the player finishes the game, and the data in columns C and D are also recorded every time the player finishes the game. Whether all the history data of these games are recorded on the memory card 12 or, for example, whether data for the past 15 times are recorded may be arbitrarily set in consideration of the recording capacity of the memory card 12.

  In the game system of the present invention, the game continuation information is stored in the game history data as described above (column D in FIG. 9). As a result, the player played a continuous game such as a role-playing game on a game machine connected to the communication network 11, and later played the subsequent game on a game machine not connected to the communication network 11. In this case, the card read / write device of the game machine can read the game continuation information recorded on the memory card 12 and play the subsequent game. In addition, since the history data of a game played on a game machine not connected to the communication network 11 is also recorded on the memory card 12, the game machine operation will be performed the next time the game machine connected to the communication network 11 is played. The history data of this game can be transmitted to the game management server 9 under the control of the control program 18a11.

  As described above, when the player purchases the memory card 12, the maximum number of uses that can be played when the player purchases the memory card 12 is recorded as an initial value in the column of the number of effective games used recorded in the memory card 12. Each time the game is played, the effective game usage count is subtracted by 1 under the control of the game machine operation control program 18a11, and when the effective game usage count becomes “0”, the memory card 12 is stored. Unable to use and play games. Therefore, the player purchases a new memory card 12 as described above when the usage limit number of his / her memory card becomes “0”. Note that the current value of the number of effective game uses is displayed on the display device of the gaming machine under the control of the server operation control program 9b11 when the player is playing the game.

  Note that the above-mentioned effective number of times of use of the game is the maximum value for which the game can be played, for example, 100 hours, when the game ID (game type) is a continuous game such as a role-playing game. To be recorded in the memory card 12.

  The transmission completion flag recorded in the game history data column of the memory card 12 (data in column E shown in FIG. 9) is the game history data recorded in the memory card 12 (A, B, C, This is information for identifying whether or not the data in column D) has been transmitted to the game management server 9. When a game machine connected to the communication network 11 is played, the game history data is transmitted to the game management server 9 under the control of the game machine operation control program 18a1 upon completion of the play. “1” is recorded in the flag. When playing with a game machine not connected to the communication network 11, the game history data cannot be transmitted to the game management server 9, so “0” is recorded in the transmission completion flag. Thereby, when a player plays with a game machine connected to the communication network 11 and this play is finished, the game machine operation control program 18a1 of the game machine checks the recorded content of the transmission completion flag, When “0” is recorded, it is possible to perform processing for transmitting each data in the columns A to D shown in FIG. 9 to the game management server 9. When the transmission of these data is completed, “1” is recorded in the transmission completion flag column.

  By adopting such means, the game system of the present invention allows the player to connect to the communication network 11 at a later date even when a player who is a member plays with a game machine not connected to the communication network 11. Since the history data of this game can be transmitted to the game management server 9 when played with the game machine that has been played, it is possible to provide a game system that does not give a disadvantage to the player.

  Next, with respect to the game system using the communication network of the present invention having the above-described configuration, a procedure for a player to play a game and a process procedure of the game system associated therewith will be described. A player who wants to obtain a privilege by playing a game using this game system, as described above, is a charging site (mobile phone web information service) entrusted to a mobile phone company or the like by the operator of this game system. It is necessary to join. Then, after the player purchases the memory card 12 and plays the game, the player accesses the Web page of the Web information service from his / her mobile phone, and subsequently inputs the access code 12b printed on the memory card 12. Then, by accessing a member-only Web page, it is possible to apply for membership registration of the game system. An example of this procedure will be described with reference to FIG.

(Procedure 1)
A player joins the Web information service of this game system. As described above, the player uses his / her mobile phone to use, for example, “i-mode” of the Internet connection service provided by “NTT DOCOMO” via the mobile phone network. Can be done.

(Procedure 2)
The player purchases one memory card 12 by inserting a predetermined amount into the card vending machine 13. In the memory card 12 purchased by the player, the access code 12b is recorded in the recording section in advance, and the access code 12b is printed on the back surface or the front surface of the memory card 12 as shown in FIG. ing.

(Procedure 3a)
The player presses the game start button of the game machine and inserts the purchased memory card 12 into the card read / write device of the game machine. When the game machine operation control program 18a1 of the game machine detects the signal of the game start button, it performs a process of displaying “Please insert a card into the card reader” on the display device in (Processing g1). At this time, the player inserts a predetermined amount of coins (or medals) into the game machine.

  When the memory card 12 is inserted into the card read / write device of the game machine, the game machine operation control program 18a1 reads the data recorded in the memory card 12 into the card read / write device and stores it in the RAM in (Process g2). Then, the process of transmitting the access code 12b stored in the memory card 12 from the data stored in the RAM to the game management server 9 together with the command data is performed. In (process s1), the member registration management program 9b12 of the game management server 9 retrieves whether or not an access code corresponding to the access code 12b is recorded in the memory card management table t4 when receiving the access code 12b. When a search is made, the data content of the card ID column recorded in correspondence with the access code is checked. For example, when “space” is recorded, the access that has been transmitted for the first time is checked. If it is determined that it is a code, the card ID is automatically set as described above, and the set card ID is recorded in the corresponding access code column of the memory card management table t4. The card ID is returned to the game machine.

  When the game machine operation control program 18a1 of the game machine receives this card ID in (Process g3), it sends a user ID transmission request to the game management server 9 and transmits the received card ID.

  When the server operation control program 9b11 of the game management server 9 receives this user ID transmission request in (process s3), the server management control program 9b11 searches the memory card management table t4 for the returned card ID, and the card ID has already been found. Search whether it is set and registered. And the process which returns the data currently recorded on the user ID column recorded corresponding to the searched card ID to a game machine is performed. In this case, since the player plays the game for the first time using the purchased memory card 12, for example, a space is recorded in this user ID column (meaning that the user ID is not set). ing. The server operation control program 9b11 transmits this user ID data to the game machine.

  When the game machine operation control program 18a1 of the game machine receives the user ID in (process g4), it records this user ID in the user ID column of the recording unit of the memory card 12. In this case, since the user ID is not set, a space is recorded in the memory card 12. Subsequently, a transmission request for attribute information of the player corresponding to the user ID is transmitted to the game management server 9. At this time, the user ID is also transmitted.

  When receiving the player attribute information transmission request, the server operation control program 9b11 of the game management server 9 searches the memory card management table t4 for the returned user ID in (process s4), and this user ID. It is searched whether or not is already set and registered. If the corresponding user ID is already registered in the memory card management table t4, the user information management table t1 is searched for this user ID, and attribute information such as the player's name related to the corresponding user ID is retrieved. And the like are extracted and stored in the RAM, and then the attribute information and the like are transmitted to the game machine. In this case, since the user ID has not been set, the attribute information of the player to be transmitted to the game machine is a space, or processing for transmitting to the game machine a command indicating that the user information has not been set is performed.

  When the game machine operation control program 18a1 of the game machine receives the player's attribute information or the like in (Process g5), the game machine's name, the total number of common points, and the like are displayed on the display device.

(Procedure 3b)
A player plays a game. The execution of the game proceeds according to the control of the game application software 18a2 mounted on the ROM cartridge 18.

(Procedure 3C)
When the game machine operation control program 18a1 detects the end of the game in (Process g6), it transmits the game history data to the game management server 9 together with the access code, the user ID, and the game ID shown in the column A of FIG.

  When the game management server 9 receives the game history data from the game machine, in (process s5), the server operation control program 9b11 operates the play record management program 9b13, the game machine operation record management program 9b15, etc. Control is performed so as to perform update processing of data recorded in the management table t1, the user game-specific play result management table t2, and the game machine operation result management table t3. When this update process is completed, the server operation control program 9b11 transmits an “update complete” signal to the game machine in (process s6).

  When the “update completion” signal is received from the game management server 9, the game machine operation control program 18 a 1 of the game machine executes a process of recording the history data of the current game in the recording unit of the memory card 12 in (process g 7). Let Subsequently, in (Process g8), the game machine operation control program 18a1 determines the data content of the user ID transmitted from the game management server, and the user ID is not registered, that is, the privilege of this game system is obtained. If the application for membership registration has not been made, “Please apply for membership registration” is displayed on the display device to prompt the player to apply for membership registration. Subsequently, in (process g9), the game machine operation control program 18a1 executes a process of ejecting the memory card 12 from the card read / write device and displays “Please receive the card” on the display device.

(Procedure 3d) (Procedure 4)
After receiving the memory card, the player uses his mobile phone 17a or the like to access a Web information service page of a mobile phone such as i-mode that accepts a membership registration application for the game system of the present invention. Subsequently, according to the display of the accessed web page, the access code 12b printed on the purchased memory card 12 is input, the member-specific web page is opened, and attribute information such as the player's name is input and transmitted. To do. Then, as described above, the input access code 12b and the attribute information such as the player's name are transmitted to the game management server 9, and the user ID is set according to the processing of the member registration management program 9b12 in (Processing s7). The set user ID and player attribute information are registered in the user information management table t1. Thereby, the player is registered in the user information management table t1 as a member who can obtain the benefits of the game system.
In the above steps 1 to 4, when the game is played for the first time using the memory card 12 purchased by the player, the user ID is not set. Therefore, when the game is played next time, the user ID is stored in the memory card 12. Is recorded.

  Note that the above-described procedures 1 to 4 are operation procedures in which the player applies for membership registration after purchasing the memory card 12 and playing the game. In the case of this operation procedure, history data of a game played with a user ID not set cannot be immediately recorded and updated in the user game-specific play record management table t2 or the like after the game ends. As means for recording and updating history data of a game played in a state in which the user ID is not set in the play result management table t2 for each user game, the following program processing can be performed.

(1) When game history data for which a user ID has not been set is transmitted from the game machine, the game management server 9 creates a file for storing the history data of these games for each card ID. Then, when the user ID is set, the file is searched for the card ID corresponding to the user ID, and the history data of the game related to the card ID is recorded and updated in the user game-specific play result management table t2 and the like. I do.

(2) Since the game machine operation control program 18a1 of the game machine records the game history data in the memory card 12, the transmission of the game history data to be played and recorded in the memory card 12 with the user ID not set is completed. In the flag column, “0” is recorded, and when the player plays after the user ID is set, the history data of this game is transmitted to the game management server 9.

  The above steps 1 to 4 are procedures for applying for membership registration after the player purchases the memory card 12 and plays the game. You can also apply for membership registration using, and then play the game.

  In the above procedure 4, the attribute information related to the player who has applied for membership registration is registered in the user information management table t1 of the game management server 9. This is made possible by embedding an address, a file name, etc., linking to the game management server 9 from the Web page of the mobile phone, and the Web information service program 9b3 of the game management server 9 operating the member registration management program 9b12. In addition, although this player registration application operation demonstrated that a player performed from his mobile phone, a player operates the personal computer 16 from home and accesses the information service Web of this game system, and a player Member registration means may be employed in which the access code 12b of the purchased memory card 12 is used as login data to open a member-specific Web page to input player attribute information.

  When the player plays the game after completing the application for membership registration for obtaining the benefits of this game system, the player's operation procedure and the processing contents of the game machine and the game management server 9 program are shown in FIG. 10 (procedure 3a) and subsequent processes will be executed, and different items will be described below.

(1) In (process s1) of the game management server 9 shown in FIG. 10, when an access code is transmitted from the game machine, a memory card management table t4 indicates whether or not a card ID corresponding to this access code is registered. Search by referring to. If no search is made, error processing is performed.

(2) In (process s3) of the game management server 9 shown in FIG. 10, when a transmission request for a card ID and a user ID corresponding to the card ID is transmitted from the game machine, the user ID corresponding to the card ID is changed. Whether it is registered or not is searched with reference to the memory card management table t4. If no search is made, error processing is performed.

(3) In (processing g4) of the game machine shown in FIG. 10, when the user ID is transmitted from the game management server 9, the transmitted user ID matches the user ID recorded on the memory card. To check (authenticate). By this process, the identity of the user ID recorded in the memory card and the user ID registered in the memory card management table t4 of the game management server is checked, so that the forgery of the memory card 12 can be found.

  Subsequently, when the game effective usage count recorded on the memory card 12 purchased by the player has expired, that is, “0”, the information recorded on the memory card whose game effective usage count has expired is stored in the game. The procedure for taking over the new memory card 12 newly purchased by the user and the processing contents of the game machine and the game management server 9 will be described with reference to FIG. This takeover program process may be added after (process g1) in FIG.

(Procedure 11)
The player presses the game start button of the game machine, and inserts the memory card 12 (hereinafter referred to as the old memory card 12) into the card read / write device of the game machine. When the game machine operation control program 18a1 of the game machine detects the signal of the game start button, it performs a process of displaying “Please insert a card into the card reader” on the display device (process g11).

(Procedure 12) (Process g12) (Process g13)
The player inserts the old memory card 12 into the card read / write device. When the game machine operation control program 18a1 detects the insertion of the old memory card 12 in (process g12), the game machine operation control program 18a1 reads the information recorded in the recording unit of the old memory card 12 and stores it in the RAM. Subsequently, the game machine operation control program 18a1 transmits the access code 12b stored in the old memory card 12 from the data stored in the RAM together with the takeover history inquiry command to the game management server 9 (process g13). To do. This process (process g13) constitutes a takeover history inquiry means of the present invention.

(Processing s11) (Processing s12)
When the server operation control program 9b11 of the game management server 9 receives the access code 12b of the old memory card 12 in (process s11), the server management control program 9b11 searches the memory card management table t4 and accesses the access code corresponding to the old memory card 12. The recorded contents of the takeover flag (shown in FIG. 8) are confirmed from the data in which information related to 12b is recorded. As a result of this confirmation, when “0” is recorded in the takeover flag, it is determined that “not succeeded”, and when “1” is recorded, “takeover has been completed”. Send the confirmation result to the game machine. These processes (process s11) and (process s12) constitute a takeover history confirmation unit of the present invention.

(Process g14) (Process g15)
When the game machine operation control program 18a1 of the game machine receives the “untaken” command from the game management server 9 in (Process s12), it is recorded in the old memory card 12 read into the RAM in (Process 15). It is checked whether or not the value of the number of effective games used is “0”. If a “takeover” command is received from the game management server 9 or if the value of the number of times of effective use of the game is not “0” as a result of the check in (Process g15), the process proceeds to (Procedure 15). Is ready to start.

  In the process (process g15), the reason for checking whether or not the value of the number of times of effective use of the game is “0” is that the player newly purchases the old memory card 12 owned by the player. It is more convenient for the player to transfer to the memory card 12 by allowing the player to access the Web information service of the system using a mobile phone at home or the like. When the player takes over to the memory card 12 newly purchased by the player using a mobile phone, even if the value of the number of times of effective use of the game of the old memory card 12 is not “0”, the new memory card 12 is transferred. Takeovers may be made. Therefore, in the present invention, since the game machine is used to transfer to the memory card 12 newly purchased by the player, the value of the number of times the game is effectively used for the old memory card 12 is “0”. This is because it is a more friendly game system for the player if the transfer to the new memory card 12 is performed.

(Process g16) (Procedure 13) (Procedure 14)
If the value of the effective game use count recorded in the old memory card 12 is determined to be “0” in the process (process g15), “the effective game use count becomes 0 is displayed on the display device of the game machine. "Please purchase a new card and insert it into the card reader." In (Procedure 14) (Procedure 15), the player inserts the newly purchased new memory card 12 into the card read / write device of the game machine.

(Process g17) (Process g18)
The server operation control program 9b11 of the game management server 9 reads the access code 12b recorded in the new memory card 12 newly purchased by the player, and this access code 12b and the old memory card stored in the RAM. 12 access codes 12b are transmitted to the game management server 9 together with commands.

(Processing s13)
When the server operation control program 9b11 of the game management server 9 receives the access code 12b recorded in the new memory card 12 and the old memory card 12, the server management control program 9b11 stores the data corresponding to the old access code 12b in the memory card management table t4. “1” is recorded in the takeover flag. Recording this “1” indicates that the player's old memory card 12 has been transferred to the new memory card 12 newly purchased by the player.

(Processing s14) (Processing s15)
In (process s14), the server operation control program 9b11 of the game management server 9 stores the card ID and user ID recorded in the old memory card 12 in the recording unit corresponding to the new access code 12 of the memory card management table t4. Write (copy) the data on the file as it is. Also, in the user information management table t1 shown in FIG. 5, a new one-record recording area corresponding to the new access code 12b is secured and recorded for the same user ID. Then, a process of writing the attribute information such as name and the like and the common point cumulative number recorded corresponding to the old access code 12b as it is in the area for recording information on the new access code 12b is performed. In (Process s14), the card ID of the old memory card 12 is not recorded in the new memory card 12 as it is, but a new card ID is set by executing (Process s1) in FIG. 10 described above. May be. Subsequently, through (Processing s15), the server operation control program 9b11 transmits a “takeover complete” command to the game machine.

(Process g19)
The game machine operation control program 18a1 of the game machine includes a user ID, a game ID recorded in the old memory card 12 stored in the RAM, and a common point accumulated number that is a data item described in the B column shown in FIG. Recorded data relating to predetermined data items such as total play time (minutes: seconds) and game history data described in columns C, D, and E are written as they are into a new memory card 12 newly purchased by the player (copy) ) Process. This processing (procedure g19) constitutes the memory card takeover means of the present invention. In this (process g19), although not shown in FIG. 9, an item (card version information) for recording a memory card takeover history is provided as a data item to be recorded on the new memory card 12, and the card version information You may make it record the access code 12b of the old memory card 12 which handed over to the column. Similarly, this card version information may also be recorded in the memory card management table t4.

(Procedure 15)
When the process (process g19) is completed, the takeover process of the player's old memory card 12 to the new memory card 12 newly purchased by the player is completed. When the player plays a game using the new memory card 12, the process is executed according to (Procedure 3a) to (Procedure 3d) shown in FIG.

  In the above procedure, when the player starts the game, the game machine program checks the takeover of the memory card 12, and if the number of effective game use has expired, the player is sent to the new memory card 12. However, in this system, when the number of effective use of the memory card becomes “0” after the game is over, the game machine operation control program 18a1 of the game machine is displayed on the display device. It is also possible to display to urge the transfer of the memory card, for example, to perform the process after (procedure 13) shown in FIG. 11 and transfer to the new memory card 12.

  As described above, when the number of effective game use of the memory card 12 purchased by the player has expired, the player immediately purchases a new memory card at the game center and uses the game machine as described above. The transfer from the memory card 12 to the new memory card 12 can be performed by a simple operation. When this handover operation is completed, the player can play the game again.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure of this invention. It is a front view of a memory card, and is a figure for demonstrating the print display part of an access code. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the software memorize | stored in the ROM cartridge used for this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the game management server shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the data item recorded on the user information management table which comprises the management database of a game management server. Similarly, it is a figure for demonstrating an example of the data item recorded on the play performance management table classified by user game which comprises the management database of a game management server. Similarly, it is a figure for demonstrating an example of the data item recorded on the game machine performance management table which comprises the management database of a game management server. Similarly, it is a figure for demonstrating an example of the data item recorded on the memory card management table which comprises the management database of a game management server. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the data item recorded on the recording part of a memory card. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure at the time of a player playing a game with the game system of this invention, and the processing content of the program of a game machine and a game management server. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a procedure for transferring a memory card purchased by a player to a memory card newly purchased by a player and processing contents of a game machine and a game management server program when the number of effective use of the memory card purchased by the player has expired. is there.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3, 4: Game center 5a, 5b, 5c,...: Game machine (connected to communication network)
6a, 6b, 6c, ...: Game machine (connected to communication network)
7a, 7b, ...: Game console (connected to communication network)
8a, ...: Game machine (not connected to communication network)
9: Game management server 9a: Communication interface circuit unit 9a1: Logic circuit 9b: Management function unit 9b1: System operation management program 9b11: Server operation control program 9b12: Member registration management program 9b13: Play performance management program 9b14: Winner management program 9b15: Game machine operation result management program 9b16: Memory card management program 9b2: Communication management program 9b3: Web information service program 9b4: Mail distribution program 9c: Management database 10: Provider 11: Communication network 12: Memory card 12a: Print display section 12b: Access code 13: Card vending machine 14: Information center (mobile server)
15a, 15b, 16c: Mobile phone 16: Personal computer 18: ROM cartridge 18a1: Game machine operation control program 18a2: Game application software 18a3: Memory card read program 18a4: Memory card write program 18a5: Network communication program t1: User information management table t2: Play result management table for each user game t3: Game machine operation result management table t4: Memory card management table

Claims (3)

A game machine including a memory card reading and writing means and connected to a communication network; and a game management server connected to the communication network and managing the operation of the game system, wherein the game machine has the memory purchased by a player A game system in which a game play is started by transmitting an access code recorded in a recording unit of a card to the game management server,
The memory card is
Record the unique access code set in advance for each memory card, the number of times the game is effectively used and updated every time the game is played using the memory card, the history data of the game, etc. With a recording unit,
The game machine
The memory card purchased by the player transmits an access code recorded on the memory card to the game management server to inquire whether the memory card already sold has been transferred or not. Inquiry means;
If the memory card has not been taken over by the already-sold memory card and the effective use count of the memory card has expired, the transfer history inquiry means records the memory card in the memory card. Memory card transfer means for recording data on a predetermined item among the data items being recorded on a memory card newly purchased by the player;
A game system using a communication network characterized by comprising: The game management server
For each access code, a memory card management table having a takeover flag for recording a history of whether or not the memory card already sold as management data for grasping the use status of the memory card is taken over. ,
Further, with respect to the access code transmitted by the takeover history inquiry means, the memory card corresponding to the access code is taken over to the memory card already sold with reference to the takeover flag in the memory card management table. 2. A game system using a communication network according to claim 1, further comprising takeover history confirmation means for confirming whether or not the game is performed and transmitting the confirmation result to the game machine. A game machine including a memory card reading and writing means and connected to a communication network; and a game management server connected to the communication network and managing the operation of the game system, wherein the game machine has the memory purchased by a player A program for the game machine in a game system configured to start playing a game by transmitting an access code recorded in a recording unit of a card to the game management server,
The memory card includes a unique access code set in advance for each memory card, an effective number of times that a game can be played using the memory card, and a game played by the player using the game machine. Including a recording unit that records history data of games played,
The game machine program is:
Reading the recording part of the memory card when the player starts playing the game;
Inquiry history inquiry step of inquiring whether the memory card of the player has been taken over to a memory card already sold by sending the access code recorded on the memory card to the game management server When,
If the memory card has not been taken over by the already sold memory card and the number of times of effective use of the memory card has expired by the processing of the handover history inquiry step, A memory card takeover step of recording data relating to a predetermined item among the recorded data items in a memory card newly purchased by the player;
A game machine program in a game system using a communication network.

Images