JP2001156942A - Portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To add a game function to a portable telephone set or the like and to apply a gamble function to that game. SOLUTION: This terminal is provided with communication means 11 and 12 for communicating information with a party through a service operator, operation means 22 and 23 for instructing communication in the case of performing this communication, a display means 24 for displaying information in the case of communicating that information and a memory 26. In a talk mode, information can be transmitted or received with the party instructed by the operation means 22 and 23 through the service operator. In a game mode, a program loaded in the memory 26 can be run. In the case of running this program, an image to be provided by running that program is displayed on the display means 24, charging is performed to running of this program and a bonus in applied according to the run result of this program.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable information terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As personal digital assistants (PDAs) having a wireless communication function, there are an electronic organizer, a dedicated electronic mail machine, and a mobile phone.

[0003] Some electronic organizers and mobile phones have a game function. With this game function, for example, when arriving at a meeting place a little earlier than the appointment time, it is possible to kill time until an opponent comes.

[0004]

However, until now, even if a portable telephone is provided with a game function, only the portable telephone and a small game machine are physically integrated. The game function and the communication function of the mobile phone are not linked. You can only play games on mobile phones.

[0005] In view of the above, the present invention seeks to expand the degree of satisfaction as a game machine when a PDA such as a mobile phone is provided with a game function.

[0006]

Therefore, in the present invention, a game function is provided to a PDA such as a portable telephone, and the game function is linked to a communication function. Then, using the communication function, the game is provided with a billing function and a reward payment function.

That is, for example, a communication means for communicating information with a partner through a service operator, an operating means for instructing the communication when performing the communication, and a communication means for performing the communication when performing the communication. It has a display means for displaying the information and a memory, and in the case of the first operation mode, the transmission or reception of the information is performed between the service operator and the partner specified by the operation means. In the second operation mode, the program loaded in the memory can be executed. When the program is executed, an image obtained by executing the program is displayed on the display means. At the same time, the execution of this program is charged, and a reward is given according to the execution result of this program. It is an Unishi was portable information terminal. Therefore, a fee is paid and a reward is paid for the execution of the game and the result.

[0008]

FIG. 1 shows a portable telephone 1 according to the present invention.
0 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to the mobile phone 10.
Is a transmitter 11, a receiver 12, a baseband circuit 13,
It has a transmitting / receiving circuit 14 and a transmitting / receiving antenna 15.

[0009] In this case, the baseband circuit 13 transmits an A / A signal to the audio signal output from the transmitter 11 during transmission.
A transmission encoding process such as D conversion (analog / digital conversion) or data compression is performed to form a transmission baseband signal. Further, the baseband circuit 13 performs reception decoding processing such as data expansion and D / A conversion (digital / analog conversion) on the received baseband signal output from the transmission / reception circuit 14 during reception, The transmitted voice signal is supplied to the receiver 12.

The baseband circuit 13 also processes various data transmitted and received between the portable telephone 10 and a base station (not shown). That is, at the time of data transmission, a microcomputer 21 described later is used.
Is encoded and supplied to the transmission / reception circuit 14. When a received data packet is output from the transmission / reception circuit 14, the data packet is decoded into original data and supplied to the microcomputer 21.

The transmission / reception circuit 14 converts a transmission baseband signal output from the baseband circuit 13 into a predetermined transmission signal, transmits the transmission signal from the transmission / reception antenna 15, and converts the transmission signal from the reception signal received by the transmission / reception antenna 15. The baseband signal is demodulated and supplied to the baseband circuit 13.

Further, the portable telephone 10 has a microcomputer 21 for system control. Then, various data and commands are accessed between the microcomputer 21 and the baseband circuit 13 and the transmission / reception circuit 14, so that the intended operation of the mobile phone is realized.

Further, the microcomputer 21 includes:
As input operation means, for example, dial keys or various operation keys 22 and a jog dial 23 are connected, and as display means, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) 24 is connected. The LCD 24 can display various characters, numerals, symbols, images, and the like by combining on / off of dots arranged in a matrix.

The microcomputer 21 has a speaker 2 for outputting a ringtone, a game sound effect, and the like.
5 and the memory 26 are connected. This memory 26
For example, the memory is made nonvolatile by using a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) memory backed up by a battery or by using a flash memory. Then, in the memory 26, data necessary for a telephone call, such as a speed dial, is stored.

The memory 26 also stores a game program. In this case, the game will be a repetition of the same game when the game ends. ・ Slot machine, poker, horoscope, etc. The game is composed of multiple stages (faces) and clears each stage. Role-playing games and virtual creature breeding games.

In some games, the difficulty level changes during repetition. Generally, a game belonging to a term has a smaller program size than a game belonging to a term. Further, the game belonging to the item can be a single program as a whole, and the game belonging to the item can be an independent program for each stage.

Further, the game program is stored in the memory 26.
(1) For games such as slot machines, where the time required for obtaining results is short, or for general games,
0 is prepared in the memory 26 before shipment. (2) Games such as role-playing games that take a long time to produce a result, or games that are not common, are performed using the communication function of the mobile phone 10 by a game maker (an organization that provides the game, (For example, a company) to the memory 26. And so on.

If the game belongs to the item and the program is independent for each stage, the game can be prepared in the memory 26 for each stage by the method of item (2).

Further, gambling is added to each game. Therefore, a game fee is charged for each game. Furthermore, as a result of the game, when the player (the subscriber of the mobile phone 10) wins, a reward (prize) of the amount set for the game is paid.

In this case, as for the charging method, for a game in which a game result is obtained in a short time, such as the game in the item (A), for example, three games are made one game, and one game is charged. As for the game of the item (B), a game in which the game result is not obtained in a short time is charged for the play time. (C) For a game that does not lose the execution result, such as “horoscope”, a free or fixed game fee is applied. And so on.

Further, the method of collecting the game fee is as follows: (a) A service operator (telephone company, communication company, etc.) subscribing to the portable telephone 10 collects the game fee, such as dial Q2. Pay the game fee (less commission) to the game maker. (b) The game maker withdraws from a bank account or the like through a credit company with which the contractor of the mobile phone 10 is contracted.
And so on.

The method of paying the reward is as follows: (a) The game maker transfers the reward to a bank account or the like with which the contractor of the mobile phone 10 has contracted. (A) When a user purchases a product at a store or the like to which a game maker has contracted, the points are points that can be used as the price. And so on.

Further, in order to make the game fee and the reward amount correspond to the game, a data table 30 as shown in FIG. 2 is prepared in the memory 26 for each game. The data table 30 has various data related to the game prepared in the memory 26. Maker telephone number: data of the telephone number of the game maker Game maker ID: identification code of the company providing the game User ID: Recite code given to the user by the game maker User phone number: Data of the telephone number of the mobile phone 10 Game ID: Identification code assigned to the game Game result: Data indicating the game result (win / loss, score, etc.) Game Execution time: Data indicating the time during which the game was executed Number of parameters: Data indicating the number n of valid parameters that follow The parameters 1 to n: Data used arbitrarily by the game maker. The parameters 1 to n include, for example, (i) in the case of the game described in the above item, when the next game is executed, data indicating the execution start position; (ii) in the case of the competitive game, There are various types of data. Note that the format of the data table 30 is common to all games.

In order to link the above-mentioned game function with the communication function, the microcomputer 21 is provided with a routine 100 as shown in FIG. 3, for example. The details of this routine 100 will be described later. FIG. 5A shows an example of the appearance of the mobile phone 10.

Further, in order to realize collection of a game fee and payment of a reward for the execution of the game, for example, a system as shown in FIG. 4 is constructed. That is, FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 50 indicates a service operator who has contracted the mobile phone 10, and reference numeral 60 indicates the mobile phone 1.
0 indicates a game maker that provides a game to be executed. When transmitting and receiving game programs and data, the mobile phone 10 and the game maker 60 are connected to each other through the service operator 50.

The game maker 60 has a server 61.
Is prepared. The server 61 is provided with a game program for providing the game to the mobile phone 10 by the method described in (2). In addition, server 6
1, a file is prepared for each user. And
In this user file, for each game executed on the mobile phone 10, information on the game, that is, data such as "game ID", "game result", "game usage time", game fee and bounty amount, etc. Is saved.

The data stored in the user file is used for collecting a game fee, paying a reward, issuing a bill or a statement, and the like. In addition, the method of collecting the game fee and the method of paying the reward are the methods described in the items (a) and (b) and the methods (a) and (a).

In such a configuration, each function or process is executed as follows.

[Talk Mode] This is a case in which a call is made using the mobile phone 10. This call mode is realized by the same method as that of a general mobile phone.

That is, the voice signal from the transmitter 11 is
The signal is supplied to the baseband circuit 13 and subjected to transmission encoding processing. The signal after the processing is supplied to the transmission / reception circuit 14 to be a predetermined transmission signal, and this signal is transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna 15 to the base station. .

Further, a signal transmitted from the base station is received by the antenna 15, the received signal is supplied to the transmission / reception circuit 14, and a baseband signal is extracted, and this signal is supplied to the baseband circuit 13 and transmitted to the other party. Is decoded, and this audio signal is supplied to the receiver 12.

At the start of the call and during the call, data processing necessary for the call is performed by the microcomputer 21.
Executed in Also, data necessary for this call is transmitted to and received from the base station through the baseband circuit 13 and the transmission / reception circuit 14.

[Game Mode] This is the mobile phone 10
In this case, the game is executed by
The following processing is executed by the microcomputer 21.

That is, when the game key 22G of the operation keys 22 is pressed, the processing of the microcomputer 21 starts from step 101 of the routine 100. Next, in step 102, the menu of the game that can be executed by the mobile phone 10 is displayed. Is displayed on the LCD 24, the process proceeds to step 103, and a game can be selected.

Then, when the operation key 22 or the jog dial 23 is operated to move the cursor to the game name of the target game and instruct the selection, the target game is selected, and the processing is performed from step 103 to step 104.
Proceed to. Note that a key for selecting a telephone number or the like stored in the mobile phone 10 can be used for moving and selecting a cursor.

In step 104, when the game selected in step 103 is charged, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, a screen for asking whether the selected game is charged but to be executed is displayed on the LCD 24, as shown in FIG. 5B. Is done. Then, when “not start” is selected, the routine 100 ends in step 104,
If "start" is selected, the process proceeds to step 11
Proceed to 1 and wait for the start of the game.

Then, for example, when the game key 22G is pressed, the process proceeds to step 112, where the game selected in step 103 can be executed. At the time of execution of this game, the operation key 22 or the jog dial 2
3 is used as input means, and the LCD 24 and the speaker 25 are used as output means.

For example, among the operation keys 22, the keys △ and た め for selecting the telephone number of the other party at the time of making a call are used in the game. In addition, images such as the progress of the game and scenes are displayed on the LCD 24, and sound effects are output from the speaker 25.

When the game for one time is completed, or when the game is in the middle of the game but is temporarily stopped, the process proceeds to step 113, and corresponds to the game executed in step 112 in the data table 30 in FIG. The data of the “game result” and the “game execution time” are stored in the data table 30. Then, in step 114, the game result is displayed on the LCD 24 as shown in FIG. 5C, for example. That is, a win or loss (or a temporary stop), a score, an award amount, or the like for the game is displayed.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 115, where the data table 30 shown in FIG.
Among them, the data of the “maker telephone number” is extracted from the data table 30 corresponding to the game executed in step 112. Then, a call is made to the telephone number of the extracted data, and the mobile phone 10 is connected to the server 61 of the game maker 60 of the game executed in step 112.

Subsequently, at step 116, the data table 30 corresponding to the game executed at step 112 is read from the memory 26, and the data table 30 is sent to the game maker 60. Then, the game maker 60 confirms or authenticates the mobile phone 10 by using the “user ID” and the “user's telephone number” in the transmitted data table 30.

Further, in the game maker 60, in the data table 30 sent,
As a result, the data of the “game result” and the “game usage time” stored in the data table 30 are stored in the user file corresponding to the user at this time. Further, the amounts of the game fee and the reward are calculated from the “game result”, the “game time”, and the “game ID”, and these amounts are also stored in the user file of the server 61.

When the above-mentioned storage processing is completed, the processing proceeds to step 117, where the portable telephone 10 and the server 6
1 is released and the game maker 6
The telephone line between 0 is cut off. Next, step 118
Is displayed on the LCD 24, the user is asked whether the game executed in step 112 is to be executed again (if the game is temporarily interrupted, whether to restart the game).

When a key operation indicating that the game is not to be executed again is performed, the process proceeds from step 118 to step 119, and this routine 100 is terminated.
Therefore, the game is ended.

However, when a key operation indicating that the game is to be executed again is performed in step 118, the process proceeds from step 118 to step 121. In this step 121, the program of the game to be executed again is downloaded from the server 61. It is determined whether it is necessary to do so.

That is, for example, as in the item game,
If the game has a small program size and the entire program is stored in the memory 26, there is no need to download the program from the server 61. However, since the program size is large and the entire program cannot be stored in the memory 26 as in the game of the item, for example, the game for each stage is stored in the memory 26 by dividing the program for each stage into the server 61. You need to download from.

Therefore, in step 121, it is determined whether or not the program needs to be downloaded from the server 61. When the program does not need to be downloaded, the process returns from step 121 to step 112.
Therefore, the previously executed game can be executed again.

If it is determined in step 121 that the program needs to be downloaded from the server 61, the process proceeds from step 121 to step 122.
Then, in step 122, step 115
Similarly, the mobile phone 10 is connected to the server 61 of the game maker 60 of the game executed in step 112. At this time, the "user ID", "user telephone number", and "game maker ID"
, The mobile phone 10 is also confirmed.

Subsequently, in step 123, a necessary program, for example, a program of the next stage, is downloaded from the server 61 to the memory 26. Then, after that, in step 124, the connection with the server 61 is released, and the telephone line with the game maker 60 is cut off, and the process returns to step 111. Therefore, the game waits for the start of the game.
When 2G is pressed, in step 112, step 12
3 allows the downloaded game to be executed.

Therefore, according to the portable telephone 10 of FIG. 1, for example, at the time of a meeting, a game can be played while killing time until an opponent comes, and if the game is won, a prize can be obtained.

[Summary] According to the portable telephone 10 of FIG. 1, a game can be played, and the game is provided with an entertainment function of gambling, so that the game is more effective and enjoyable. .

When considered as a business model,
Supplier of mobile phone 10, service operator 5
0, a game maker 60, a service operator for collecting game fees and paying bounty,
Can provide business or business in a wide range of fields.

[Others] In the above description, for example, since the game is executed in a running vehicle, even if it is attempted to transmit the data of the game result in step 116, if the data cannot be transmitted normally, this is stored in the data table 30. In addition, the next time the user tries to execute the game, the untransmitted data of the previous game result may be transmitted to the game maker 60 before the execution of the game.

When a game program is downloaded from the server 61 in step 123, for example,
You can also charge for the download. further,
If a routine similar to steps 122 to 124 is prepared, a new game program can be downloaded from the server 61 to the mobile phone 10.

Further, the server 61 can be shared by a plurality of game makers. Further, a microcomputer for executing the game can be provided separately from the microcomputer 21 for control.

[0056]

According to the present invention, for example, a game can be played with a portable telephone, and gambling entertainment can be enjoyed. In addition, when considered as a business model, a business or business can be provided in a wide range of fields.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one form of a data table.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: mobile phone, 11: transmitter, 12: receiver, 13
... Baseband circuit, 14 ... Transceiver circuit, 15 ... Transceiver antenna, 21 ... Microcomputer, 22 ... Operation keys, 23 ... Jog dial, 24 ... LCD, 25 ... Speaker, 26 ... Non-volatile memory, 30 ... Data table,
50: service operator, 60: game maker, 61
... server, 100 ... routine

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 15/00 H04B 7/26 109M (72) Inventor Toyoaki Kishimoto 6-7-35 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. Sony Corporation F-term (reference) 2C001 AA08 AA17 BB01 BB02 BB07 BD03 BD07 CA01 CA04 CB01 CB02 CB08 CC03 DA06 5K025 BB10 DD06 5K027 AA11 BB01 FF01 FF22 HH26 MM17 5K067 AA29 FF13 FF02 5K101 KK18 LL12 NN18 NN22 NN48

Claims (2)

[Claims] A communication means for communicating information with a partner through a service operator; an operating means for instructing the communication when the communication is performed; and an information means for performing the communication when the communication is performed. And display means for displaying the information, and in the case of the first operation mode, a state in which the information can be transmitted or received with the other party specified by the operation means through the service operator. In the case of the second operation mode, the program loaded into the memory can be executed. When the program is executed, an image obtained by executing the program is displayed on the display unit. In addition, mobile phones are charged for the execution of this program, and rewards are given according to the execution results of this program. Information terminal. 2. A communication circuit for transmitting and receiving a voice signal of a call to and from a partner through a service operator; operating means for selecting the partner of the call; and selecting the partner of the call when selecting the partner of the call. A display unit for displaying related information; and a memory. In the case of the first operation mode, the communication unit is connected to the party selected by the operation unit through the service operator, and the call is realized. In the case of the operation mode 2, the program loaded in the memory can be executed. When the program is executed, an image obtained by executing the program is displayed on the display means. Are charged for the execution of the program, and rewards are given according to the execution results of the program. Data indicating the magnitude, portable information terminal to be sent to the provider of the program through the service operator.