JP2003033573A - Growth simulation device utilizing network - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a growth simulation device utilizing a network which enables solicitation of characters grown within own electronic appliances to be participated in various events within virtual spaces on the Internet that let them act freely. SOLUTION: There are arranged a work station 13 and a terminal 11 connected to the network 3 and portable electronic appliances 1 connected to the terminal 11. The portable electronic appliances 19 each have a fostering means for making a virtual living body grow and a transmitting means for transmitting data pertaining to the virtual living body grown. The terminal 11 has a receiving means for receiving the data pertaining to the virtual living bodies from the portable electronic appliances 19 and an access means for accessing the work station 13. The access means has a transmission means for transmitting the data pertaining to the virtual living bodies to the work station and a participation demand means for making demands for soliciting the virtual living bodies grown with the portable electronic appliances to be participated in the events on the network.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention utilizes a network in which a virtual life form raised by a portable electronic device can be further raised on a network such as the Internet or can be freely played by participating in various events. The present invention relates to a training simulation device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the Internet has been in the spotlight in mass media such as newspapers and magazines. This Internet is a large-scale horizontally distributed network that is spread around the world in a cobweb-like or chain-like manner. Users make full use of their personal computers to collect various desired information via the Internet. Or you can enjoy the game on the Internet. For example,
Various types of WW are available on the Internet for various purposes.
A W (WORLD WIDE WEB) server is provided, and by accessing the WWW server for the game, the game prepared there can be enjoyed.

[0003]

However, when a WWW server for games is accessed to play, for example, a card game or other various games, it is preset using the cards, characters, and items prepared there. The game is played according to the rules described above, and it is not possible to allow the characters and the like who have grown up in the electronic devices owned by them to participate in the game space.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above problems, and allows a character who has grown in his / her own electronic device to participate in various events in a virtual space on the Internet to freely perform activities. It is an object of the present invention to provide a training simulation device using a network capable of performing.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized by comprising the following requirements. (A) Have a workstation connected to the network. (B) Having a terminal device connected to the network via a public line or a dedicated line. (C) Having a portable electronic device connectable to the terminal device. (D) The portable electronic device has a fostering unit for fostering a virtual creature, and a transmitting unit for transmitting data on the fostered virtual creature. (E) The terminal device has a receiving means for receiving data on the virtual life form and an access means for accessing the workstation. (F) The access means includes transmission means for transmitting data regarding the virtual life form to the workstation,
To have a participation requesting means for making a request to participate in an event on the network by a virtual life form trained by a portable electronic device. (G) The workstation has a program relating to the event and a storage unit that stores a plurality of types of virtual life forms that participate in the event and are active. (H) Each virtual life form that participates in and participates in an event on the network is associated with a virtual life form developed by a portable electronic device. (I) The workstation has a specifying unit that decodes the data on the virtual life form transmitted from the terminal device and specifies the corresponding virtual life form on the network. (U) The workstation has a participation means for reading the specified virtual life form from the storage means and participating in an event on the network when the participation request is made.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the following requirements are added to claim 1. That is, (a) the workstation has a storage means for storing data relating to eggs or species of a plurality of types of virtual life forms. (B) The terminal device has a capturing unit that captures data regarding an egg or a seed of a virtual life form from the workstation. (C) The terminal device has a transmission means for transmitting the captured data regarding the egg or the seed of the virtual life to the portable electronic device. (D) The portable electronic device has a receiving unit that receives data relating to an egg or a seed of a virtual life form from the terminal device. (E) The breeding means breeds the eggs or seeds of the virtual life form received from the terminal device.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the following requirements are added to claim 1 or claim 2.
That is, (a) the portable electronic device has an input unit for inputting a procedure related to the growth of a virtual life form. (B) The breeding unit has a control data storage unit that stores control data relating to the breeding of virtual life forms. (C) When the treatment related to the breeding is input from the input unit, the breeding unit reads the control data corresponding to the treatment from the control data storage unit to grow the virtual life form based on the read control data. Having a breeding control unit that performs such control. (D) The portable electronic device has a display unit for displaying the fostered virtual creature.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the following requirements are added to claim 3. That is, (a) the growth control unit has a setting unit that sets one or more growth stages according to the growth of the virtual life form. (B) The growth control unit has a virtual life object storage unit that stores a plurality of types of virtual life objects having different shapes for each growth stage. (C) Selection means for selecting the next stage virtual life form from a plurality of types of virtual life forms stored in the virtual life form storage unit when the virtual life form reaches the growth stage. To have. (D) The growing control unit has a changing unit that changes the virtual life form that has reached the growth stage to the selected virtual life form.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A training simulation device using a network according to claim 1 includes a plurality of types of workstations 5a, ... 5n connected to a large-scale network 3 as shown in FIG.
.. 7n connected to a plurality of terminal devices 11 are connected to the small scale networks 7a ,. The terminal device 11 is a personal computer owned by the user. The large-scale network 3 is not limited to a horizontally distributed network in which a plurality of networks are arranged in a cobweb-like or chain-like manner, the so-called Internet, and is also applied to a large-scale network such as a super highway. A user's terminal device may be connected to the large-scale network 3 directly via a public line or a dedicated line. Further, the above-mentioned small-scale networks 7a, ... 7n are connection providers that connect users' personal computers to the Internet.
Not only so-called provider networks, but also closed networks that can be accessed only by specific authorized users in advance, for example, so-called intranets built using "walls" such as firewalls, regional type A closed net, such as a dedicated network constructed by a cable television station, is also included. Further, the plurality of types of workstations 5a, ... 5n
Is configured to include, for example, a WWW server that manages a home page, an FTP server that manages various data and files, a mail server that manages electronic mail, and the like. The public line network 9 connecting the small-scale networks 7a, ... 7n and the terminal device 11 may be an ordinary analog telephone line or a digital ISDN line. Of course, the network and the terminal device 11 may be connected using a dedicated line that is always connected.

A game station 13 which is a workstation is provided on the large scale network 3. The game station 13 is a server that operates on a UNIX (registered trademark) workstation. The UNIX (registered trademark) workstation is a computer in which a plurality of users can access and use one computer.
In addition, the game station 17 which is a workstation
May be connected to the small-scale network 7a.
In this case, the connection company having the small-scale network 7a manages the game station 17.

A portable electronic device 19 is connectably provided to the terminal device 11. The terminal device 11 and the portable electronic device 19 are connected by a cable or a signal line. Alternatively, the terminal device 11 and the portable electronic device 19 may be connected by optical communication. Alternatively, the portable electronic device 19 itself may be directly removably connected to the terminal device 11.

The portable electronic device 19 has a fostering means for fostering a virtual creature and a transmitting means for transmitting data relating to the fostered virtual creature. As the virtual life form, pet animals such as dogs and cats, other various animals and plants, and various imaginary creatures are used. In addition, the terminal device 11 includes a receiving unit that receives data regarding the virtual life form from the portable electronic device 19, and the game station 13 or 17.
Have access means for accessing. The access means uses the game station 1 to obtain data about virtual life forms.
3 or 17, and a portable electronic device 19
It has a participation requesting means for making a request to participate in an event on the network by the virtual life form raised in. Then, the game stations 13 and 17 have a program relating to the event and a storage unit that stores a plurality of types of virtual life forms that participate in the event and are active. The above-mentioned event is a concept including not only individual games and entertainments in which a player independently participates, but also so-called multi-player games when a plurality of players participate in the same game or entertainment. Each virtual life entity participating in and participating in an event on this network has a portable electronic device 19
It is associated with the virtual life form raised in. In addition, the game stations 13 and 17 decode the data about the virtual life form transmitted from the terminal device 11 and specify the virtual life form corresponding to the data on the virtual life form. It has a participation means for reading the specified virtual life form from the storage means and participating in an event on the network.

The invention according to claim 2 adds the following requirements to claim 1. That is, the game stations 13 and 17 have a storage unit that stores data regarding eggs or seeds of a plurality of types of virtual life forms. Then, the terminal device 11 receives the data regarding the eggs or seeds of the virtual life form from the game stations 13 and 17, and the transmission for transmitting the data regarding the eggs or seeds of the virtual life form that has been received to the portable electronic device 19. Have means. The portable electronic device 19 has a receiving unit that receives data regarding the eggs or seeds of the virtual life form from the terminal device 11, and the breeding unit raises the received eggs or seeds of the virtual life form.

The invention according to claim 3 is obtained by adding the following requirements to claim 1 or claim 2. That is, the portable electronic device 19 has an input unit for inputting a treatment relating to the raising of the virtual life form, and a display section for displaying the raised virtual life form. Further, the breeding unit has a control data storage unit that stores control data relating to the breeding of the virtual life, and when a treatment relating to the breeding is input from the input unit, the control data corresponding to this is stored in the control data storage unit. It has a breeding control unit that controls the breeding of a virtual life based on the read control data.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is such that the following requirements are added to claim 3. That is, the breeding control unit is a setting unit that sets one or more growth stages according to the growth of virtual life forms, and a virtual life form storage unit that stores a plurality of types of virtual life forms having different shapes for each growth stage. When,
Selection means for selecting the next stage virtual life form from a plurality of types of virtual life forms stored in the virtual life form storage unit when the virtual life form reaches the growth stage, and a virtual life form reaching the growth stage And a changing means for changing the selected virtual life form.

The breeding control unit has setting means for setting one or more growth stages according to the growth of the virtual life form. The growth stage set by this setting means and the virtual life of the next stage. An example in which the body grows and changes will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 6, four growth stages are set. The image KT1 at the seed stage of the first generation changes into a virtual life form of the image KT2 or KT3 at the larval stage of the second generation when it hatches after 5 minutes and reaches the first growth stage, for example. When the virtual life further grows and reaches the second growth stage after, for example, 3 days, an image KT of the third generation larval stage is obtained.
It changes into a virtual life form of 4, KT5, KT6, or KT7. When the virtual lifeform further grows and reaches the third growth stage after, for example, four days have passed, the virtual lifeform changes to any one of the images KT8 to KT15 of the fourth generation adult stage. Images of the 4th generation adult stage KT8 to KT15
After changing to any of the above virtual life forms, only when a certain condition is met with a predetermined condition, the process moves to the fourth growth stage and becomes a virtual life form of the image KT16, KT17 of the fifth generation superadult stage. Change. This super-adult stage image KT16, K
T17 is a so-called hidden character and does not always appear. Although four kinds of growth stages are set in the example shown in FIG. 6, the present invention is not limited to this, and one growth stage or five or more arbitrary growth stages may be set. Further, the above-mentioned virtual life form may be not only a fantasy creature, but also a creature simulating a real mammal or human. In this case, an egg image may be used as the first generation seed stage image KT1.

Next, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of types of workstations 5a, ... 5n connected to the large-scale network 3 and a small-scale network 7a connected to the large-scale network 3 are connected.
7n are provided, and the small-scale network 7a, ...
A plurality of terminal devices 11 are connected to 7n via the public line network 9. This terminal device 11 is a terminal device owned by the user. The terminal device 11 includes a portable electronic device 1
9 is detachably connected. The game station 13 is connected to the large-scale network 3 and the game station 17 is connected to the small-scale network 7a.

The game stations 13 and 17 which are workstations have a program relating to an event and a storage means for storing a plurality of types of virtual life forms that participate in the event and are active. Each virtual life form that participates in and is active in an event on this network is associated with a virtual life form raised by the portable electronic device 19. In addition, the game stations 13 and 17 decode the data about the virtual life form transmitted from the terminal device 11 and specify the virtual life form corresponding to the data on the virtual life form. It has a participation means for reading the specified virtual life form from the storage means and participating in an event on the network.

The terminal device 11 has a control device, a storage unit, a keyboard, a monitor, a modem and the like. Further, the terminal device 11 has a receiving means for receiving data on the virtual life form from the portable electronic device 19, and an access means for accessing the game station 13 or 17. This access means connects to the game station 13 or 17 by transmitting an ID number and a password. Then, the access means transmits the data about the virtual lifeform to the game station 13 or 17, and a participation request for requesting the virtual lifeform raised by the portable electronic device 19 to participate in the event on the network. Have means. In addition, the terminal device 11 acquires the data regarding the egg or the seed of the virtual life form from the game station 13 or 17, and the portable electronic device 19 with the acquired data regarding the egg or the seed of the virtual life form.
It has a transmitting means for transmitting to.

Next, the portable electronic device 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a front view of the portable electronic device 19, and a liquid crystal display 21 is provided at a substantially central portion of the portable electronic device 19. Liquid crystal display 2
Reference numeral 1 is a display unit for displaying the raised virtual life form. Further, the liquid crystal display 21 is provided with a liquid crystal display 22 for displaying various parameters, time information and the like which will be described later. The meal mark 2 is displayed above the liquid crystal display 22.
3a, a play mark 23b, and a study mark 23c are provided. Also, on the lower side of the liquid crystal display 22, an aesthetic mark 24a, a medicine mark 24b, and a status mark 24c.
And are provided. The meal mark 23a is a mark for feeding the virtual life form, the play mark 23b is a mark for playing a game with the virtual life form, and the study mark 23c is a mark for teaching the virtual life form. Further, the aesthetic mark 24a is a mark for improving the appearance of the virtual life form, the medicine mark 24b is a mark for giving a medicine to the virtual life form for treatment, and the state mark 24c is a state of the virtual life form. Is a mark for displaying with various parameters. As the above-mentioned various parameters, for example, satiety, goodness, wiseness, degree of appearance, etc. are set as the first parameter. Further, age, weight, type, degree of physical condition, etc. are set as the second parameter. It should be noted that the parameters relating to the virtual life form are not limited to the above, and it is possible to use appropriate parameters such as personality and care. Of course, each parameter is appropriately updated as an internal parameter even when the numerical value is not displayed on the liquid crystal display 22.

Around the liquid crystal display 21, four push button switches, that is, selection switches 26a, 26 are provided.
b, a decision switch 27, and a cancel switch 28 are provided. These selection switches 26a, 26
b, the decision switch 27, and the cancel switch 28 form an input means, and a treatment relating to the growth of the virtual life can be input. That is, by operating the selection switch 26a or 26b, the meal mark 23a, the play mark 23b, the study mark 23c, the beauty treatment mark 24
It is possible to sequentially select a, the medicine mark 24b, and the state mark 24c. The decision switch 27 is a selection switch 26.
It is a switch for determining the mark selected by a or 26b. The cancel switch 28 is a switch for canceling the determined mark. A reset switch (not shown) is provided on the back surface of the portable electronic device 19. The selection switch 26a is made to correspond to the meal mark 23a, the play mark 23b, and the study mark 23c, and the selection switch 26b is set to the beauty mark 24a, the medicine mark 24b, and the state mark 24.
It may be configured to correspond to c. With this configuration, the selection switch 26a can select only the meal mark 23a, the play mark 23b, and the study mark 23c, and the selection switch 26b can select only the beauty mark 24a, the medicine mark 24b, and the status mark 24c. Therefore, the input operation can be performed quickly. Further, the selection switches 26a and 26b can switch the display of the first parameter and the second parameter.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the circuit section 30 incorporated in the portable electronic device 19. The circuit unit 30 includes a microcomputer (MPU).
31 is provided. The microcomputer 31 is connected to the liquid crystal display 21 and the switch operation unit 25. The switch operating unit 25 includes the selection switches 26a and 26b and the decision switch 27 described above.
And a cancel switch 28. The microcomputer 31 is also connected to the speaker 35.
The speaker 35 outputs a sound effect or the like, and a piezoelectric buzzer or the like may be used instead of the speaker. Further, the microcomputer 31 is connected to the serial port driver 37, and the serial port driver 37
Is detachably connected to the terminal device 11 via a connector 39.

The microcomputer 31 has a timer 3
2 and a memory 33. The timer 32 has a clock pulse generation circuit that divides an oscillation pulse of a constant cycle from an oscillator (not shown) to generate a clock pulse, and a time information output circuit that outputs time information based on the clock pulse. The time is counted based on the time information. Then, the microcomputer 31
According to the time information output from the timer 32, various parameters of the virtual creature are calculated and sequentially changed. The memory 33 has a semiconductor memory such as a ROM and a RAM. The ROM stores various game programs, control data for raising virtual creatures, and the like. The microcomputer 31 and the serial port driver 37 constitute a transmitting means for transmitting data regarding the virtual life to the terminal device 11, and a receiving means for receiving data regarding the virtual life from the terminal device 11. Also,
The microcomputer 31 has a raising means for raising a virtual life form. The above-mentioned raising means reads the control data corresponding to the raising treatment from the ROM when the treatment relating to the raising is inputted from the input means, and controls the raising of the virtual life based on the read control data. Parts. In addition, the breeding control unit includes a setting unit that sets one or more growth stages according to the growth of the virtual life form, and a virtual life form storage unit that stores a plurality of types of virtual life forms having different shapes for each growth stage. (ROM), selection means for selecting the next stage virtual life form from a plurality of types of virtual life forms stored in the virtual life form storage unit when the virtual life form reaches the growth stage, and Changing means for changing the reached virtual life form to the selected virtual life form.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the circuit section 30 incorporated in the portable electronic device 19. The microcomputer 31 shown in FIG.
The memory 34 stores the unique ID number and password set in the portable electronic device 19 or the unique ID number and password set by the user who is the owner of the terminal device 11. Therefore, when the terminal device 11 accesses the game station 13 or 17, the ID number and password are used. The components other than those shown above are the same as those shown in FIG. 3, and the same components are given the same numbers and their detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the circuit section 30 incorporated in the portable electronic device 19. The microcomputer 31 shown in FIG.
And a ROM 38 for storing various software is connected to the microcomputer 31. Further, the microcomputer 31 is connected to the connector 39 via the parallel interface 37. Therefore,
Since various data are transmitted in parallel between the portable electronic device 19 and the terminal device 11, the data can be transmitted at high speed. The components other than those described above are the same as those shown in FIG. 3, and the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation will be described. First, the operation of the portable electronic device 19 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. When the portable electronic device 19 is purchased and the power is first turned on, the date, the current time, etc. are set. After that, the life time of the virtual life is determined based on this time. Therefore, the virtual life object will operate along the real time zone. For example, the living time is set such that the user gets up at 9:00 am to start activities and goes to bed at 8:00 pm. In addition, the portable electronic device 1
When the reset switch provided on the back surface of 9 is turned on (step S2), the process related to the initialization is executed.
That is, internal parameters are set to initial values in step S3, interrupt vector settings are performed in step S4, and initial screen pattern settings are performed in step S5.
Then, initialization related to timer interrupt permission, push button switch operation interrupt permission, and serial communication interrupt permission is performed (step S6, step S7, step S).
8). This completes the initialization (step S9).
Then, the initial screen is displayed, and the seed image KT1 of the virtual life is displayed on this initial screen. Here, for example, an image in the shape of an egg is displayed, and after 5 minutes, the egg is broken and a virtual life form of the image KT2 or KT3 of the larval stage is born and displayed.

Next, the interrupt process by the push button switch operation (step S10) will be described. Step S1
When any push button switch is operated at 0, the process proceeds to step S11, and it is determined whether or not a virtual life object exists. When it is determined in step S11 that a virtual life exists, a corresponding process is executed via step S12.

For example, the player operates the selection switches 26a and 26b of the switch operating section 25 to operate the meal mark 23a.
By selecting and selecting this with the determination switch 27, meals such as honey, vegetables, and rice can be given (step S13). As a result, the satiety degree (tummy parameter) and the goodness degree (goodness parameter) of the virtual life form are increased. Similarly, the player operates the switch operation unit 25.
The state of the virtual life object can be displayed by various parameters by operating the push button switch of to select and determine the state mark 24c (step S1).
7). Then, the player can take appropriate measures or care while confirming this parameter. That is, when the degree of discomfort of the virtual life form is lowered, the player plays the game with the virtual life form by operating the push button switch of the switch operation unit 25 to select and determine the play mark 23b. Can be played (step S14).
As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of suspicion of the virtual life form. Further, the player can teach the virtual life form by operating the push button switch of the switch operating section 25 to select and determine the study mark 23c (step S14). This raises the smartness parameter of the virtual creature. In addition, the player operates the push button switch of the switch operation unit 25 to display the aesthetic mark 24.
By selecting and deciding a, the appearance of the virtual life form can be improved. This increases the appearance degree (appearance parameter) of the virtual life form. In addition, the player can give medicine to a virtual life form having a bad physical condition by operating the push button switch of the switch operating section 25 to select and determine the medicine mark 24b. This makes it possible to improve the physical condition parameters of the virtual life form. Further, the player can clean the toilet by flushing the waste when the appropriate switch set in advance, for example, the selection switch 26a is pressed for a predetermined time or more, for example, 5 seconds or more (step S15). Then, the player can put the virtual life object to sleep by turning off the light when a preset appropriate switch, for example, the selection switch 26b is pressed for a predetermined time or more, for example, 5 seconds or more (step S16). When the above process is completed, the process proceeds to step S18, and the interrupt process by the push button switch operation is completed.

In the same manner as above, the player frequently checks the state of the virtual life form with various parameters and appropriately takes appropriate measures, whereby the care level is increased and the virtual life form grows to have a good character. It will move to the growth stage of.
On the other hand, if the player does not take proper measures and care often, the degree of care is reduced and the virtual life forms with poor character develop.

As described above, when the virtual life form reaches an appropriate growth stage, the microcomputer 31 selects the virtual life form of the next stage from a plurality of types of virtual life forms stored in the memory 33. Change to the selected virtual life form. Here, the microcomputer 31 selects the next stage virtual life form from a plurality of types of virtual life forms according to the degree of care or treatment up to that point. As mentioned above, if the player cares diligently and takes appropriate measures, a virtual life form with a good character will be selected from multiple types of virtual life forms, so it will not take much action after that. become. On the other hand, if the player does not take care of it and does not take appropriate measures, a virtual life form with a poor personality will be selected from among multiple types of virtual life forms. After that, the number of calls from virtual creatures increases and the player's burden becomes heavier.

Next, the interrupt processing by the timer (step S20) will be described. In step S21, the internal time variable is advanced. Subsequently, a process relating to a tummy parameter (step S22), a process relating to a good mood parameter (step S23), a process relating to a wiseness parameter (step S24), a process relating to an age parameter (step S25), a process relating to a weight parameter (step S).
26), processing related to type parameter (step S2)
7), processing relating to physical condition parameters (step S28)
To execute. In step S29, the animation process is executed, and in step S30, the timer interrupt process ends. The contents of each process will be described in detail later.

Next, an interrupt process (step S31) by serial communication from the terminal device 11 which is a personal computer will be described. When the transmission information from the terminal device 11 is received in step S32, the content is ID.
Determine whether the request is for a number or something else. Here, if the content requests the ID number, the process proceeds from step S33 to step S34, the ID number is transmitted to the terminal device 11, and the interrupt process by serial communication is ended (step S35). If the content of the transmission information from the terminal device 11 is other than that requesting an ID number, the process proceeds from step S33 to step S36, and the ID number existing in the header of the transmission information is extracted. In step S37, it is determined whether or not the extracted ID number matches its own ID number. If they match, the process proceeds from step S37 to step S38. In step S38, it is determined whether the content of the transmission information is a parameter change request or a transmission request. If it is determined in step S38 that the content of the transmission information is a parameter change request, the process proceeds from step S38 to step S39 to change the parameter. If it is determined in step S38 that the content of the transmission information is a parameter transmission request, the process proceeds from step S38 to step S40.
The parameter is transmitted and the serial communication interrupt process is ended (step S41). Here, as the parameters to be transmitted, all or some of the various parameters described above are transmitted in response to a request from the terminal device 11.
If it is determined in step S37 that the ID numbers do not match, the serial communication interrupt process ends at that point (step S42).

Next, the operation of the terminal device 11 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the internal flag and the login information are cleared, and a transition is made to a standby state (steps S51 and S52). When the user's request is a display request for another page in this standby state, the process proceeds to step S54 via step S53, and it is determined based on the internal flag whether or not the user has logged in. If it is determined in step S54 that the user has not logged in yet, the process proceeds to step S55 to display an error. The process returns from step S55 to step S51. If it is determined in step S54 that the user has not logged in, the process proceeds to step S56, in which the login information including the user ID number and the password is transmitted to the game station 13 that is the server.
Send page request information. Succeedingly, in a step S57, the content of the response information from the game station 13 is judged, and when the error information is returned from the game station 13, the process proceeds to a step S58 to display the error. The process returns from step S58 to step S51. When the page information is returned from the game station 13, the process proceeds from step S57 to step S59 to process and display the returned page information. The process returns from step S59 to step S52.

If the user's request is a login request, the process advances from step S53 to step S60 to request the portable electronic device 19 for parameters. Succeedingly, in a step S61, it is determined whether or not the normal parameter is returned from the portable electronic device 19, and when the normal parameter is returned, the process proceeds to a step S62, and the game station 13 is supplied with the user ID number and the password. And the parameters from the portable electronic device 19 are transmitted. Succeedingly, in a step S63, the content of the response information from the game station 13 is determined, and when the content of the response information is a message approving the login, the process proceeds to a step S64, a login flag is set and the login information is stored. .
Succeedingly, in a step S65, a login acceptance message is displayed on the screen. The process returns from step S65 to step S52. If it is determined in step S63 that the content of the response information from the game station 13 is a login refusal message, the flow advances to step S66 to display a login refusal message on the screen. From step S66 to step S5
Return to 1. If the normal parameters are not returned from the portable electronic device 19 or the error parameters are returned in step S61, the process proceeds to step S67 to display an error. The process returns from step S67 to step S52.

If the user's request is a logout request, the flow advances to step S70 via step S53 to determine based on the internal flag whether or not the user has logged in. If it is determined in step S70 that the user has not logged in yet, the process proceeds to step S71 to display an error. The process returns from step S71 to step S51. If it is determined in step S70 that the user has logged in, the process advances to step S72 to request the game station 13 for data to be transmitted to the portable electronic device 19.
Succeedingly, in a step S73, the content of the response information from the game station 13 is judged, and when the normal data is returned from the game station 13, the step S73 is performed.
Proceed to 74 to transfer this normal data to the portable electronic device 19. Succeedingly, in a step S75, a logout is displayed. The process returns from step S75 to step S51. If the error data is returned from the game station 13 or if the data is not returned, the process proceeds from step S73 to step S76 to display an error. The process returns from step S76 to step S52.

Next, the operation of the game stations 13 and 17 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S81, a state of waiting for a request from the terminal device 11 is set, and when request information is transmitted from the terminal device 11, the process proceeds to step S82, and the ID number and password of the user included in this request information. Is compared with the contents stored in advance in the database. In step S83, it is determined whether or not the user's ID number and password included in the request information match the contents stored in the database in advance. If they match, steps S83 to S84.
Go to. In step S84, the content of the request information from the terminal device 11 is decoded, and when the content of the request information is a page request, steps S84 to S8.
Go to 5. In step S85, the database is updated in accordance with the game content based on the data in the database, the ID number, and the page transmission request content. Then step S86
Then, a page according to the content of the game is created using the data in the database, the ID number, and the page template and transmitted to the terminal device 11. The process returns from step S86 to step S81 via A.

If the content of the request information from the terminal device 11 is a parameter setting (registration) request, the process proceeds from step S84 to step S87. In step S87, the above parameters are set in the database. The process returns from step S87 to step S81 via A. When the content of the request information from the terminal device 11 is a parameter read request, the process proceeds from step S84 to step S88. In step S88, the above parameters are read from the database. Succeedingly, in a step S89, the read parameters are transmitted to the terminal device 11. Step S89
Through A to return to step S81. If it is determined in step S83 that the ID number and password of the user included in the request information from the terminal device 11 do not match the contents stored in the database in advance, the process proceeds from step S83 to step S90. In step S90, the error response is returned to the terminal device 11. Then, the process returns from step S90 to step S81 via A.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, step S of FIG.
The process related to the tummy parameter in 22 will be described in detail. The tummy parameter, or satiety, is, for example,
It decreases by 1 every 2 minutes, and increases by eating. Therefore, the tummy parameter decreases when the player does not take care of the meal for the virtual life object, and when the tummy parameter becomes 0, the virtual life object cannot move. When the number of tummy parameters is reduced in this way, the process proceeds from step S101 to step S102, and it is determined whether the value of the tummy parameter is equal to or less than a certain value. Here, if it is determined that the value of the tummy parameter is equal to or less than a certain value, the process proceeds to step S103, and a message indicating that the stomach is hungry is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21,
The speaker 35 is sounded to notify that the user is hungry.
As a result, the process relating to the tummy parameter ends (step S104).

Next, referring to FIG. 11, step S of FIG.
The processing relating to the cleansing parameter in 23 will be described in detail. The joyfulness parameter, that is, the gracefulness, is decreased by 1 every 3 minutes, for example, and the player takes care of meals, play, study, esthetics, etc. Gen parameter is increased or decreased. If the number of this parameter is reduced, the process proceeds from step S111 to step S112, and it is determined whether the value of the parameter is less than or equal to a constant value X1. here,
If it is determined that the value of the fine parameter is equal to or less than the constant value X1, the process proceeds to step S113, the message indicating that the user is in a bad mood is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21, and the speaker 35 is sounded to be in a bad mood. To inform. Succeedingly, in a step S114, it is determined whether or not the value of the above-mentioned fine parameter is a specific value X2 (X2> X1) or less. Here, when it is determined that the value of the cleansing parameter exceeds the constant value X1 and is equal to or less than the specific value X2, the process proceeds to step S115. In step S115, a random number is generated and the personality parameter is lowered when the random number has a certain value, for example, an odd number. Then, the process proceeds to step S116, and it is determined whether or not the value of the fine parameter exceeds a specific value X2.
Here, if the value of the kigogen parameter exceeds the specific value X2, the process proceeds to step S117 to generate a random number, and if the random number is a certain value, for example, an even number, the personality parameter is increased. As a result, the processing regarding the good-bye parameter is completed (step S118).

Next, referring to FIG. 12, step S of FIG.
The process related to the smartness parameter in 24 will be described in detail. The cleverness parameter decreases by 1 every 5 minutes, for example, and increases by studying. Step S121
Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the “Gokigen” parameter is a certain value or more. Here, when it is determined that the value of the good luck parameter is a certain value or more, step S12
Proceed to step 2 to determine whether the value calculated from the age parameter is equal to or greater than the current wisdom. Here, if it is determined that the value calculated from the age parameter is equal to or greater than the current wiseness, the process proceeds to step S123. Step S123
Then, a random number is generated and it is determined whether the random number has a certain value, for example, an odd number. When it is determined that the random number generated in step S123 is a certain value, for example, an odd number, the process proceeds to step S124 to increase the smartness parameter. As a result, the process related to the smartness parameter is finished (step S125).

Next, referring to FIG. 13, step S in FIG.
The process relating to the age parameter in 25 will be described in detail. In the process related to the age parameter, the sub-counter is used, and the sub-counter is incremented by 1 every one hour, for example (step S131). Step S1
At 32, it is determined whether or not the value of the sub-counter reaches a certain value, for example, 24. Here, when it is determined that the value of the sub-counter has reached a certain value, for example, 24, the sub-counter is cleared (step S133) and the age parameter is incremented by 1 (step S134). Therefore, every 24 hours, the age parameter increases by 1 year. As a result, the process relating to the age parameter ends (step S135).

Next, referring to FIG. 14, step S of FIG.
The processing relating to the weight parameter in 26 will be described in detail. The weight parameter of the virtual life object decreases by 1 every 5 hours, for example, and the virtual life object dies when it falls below a preset minimum weight for each growth stage. In step S141, it is determined whether or not the value of the abdominal parameter is greater than or equal to a certain value, and when it is determined that the value of the abdominal parameter is greater than or equal to the certain value, the process proceeds to step S142. In step S142, the weight parameter is increased. As a result, the process relating to the weight parameter ends (step S143).

Next, referring to FIG. 15, step S of FIG.
The process related to the type parameter in 27 will be described in detail. This type parameter represents the type of virtual life form. In step S151, it is determined whether or not the age of the virtual lifeform has reached the age of type change. If it is determined that the age of type change has been reached, the process proceeds to step S152. In step S152, the type parameter of the next stage and the type change age are set based on the personality, weight, wiseness, age, and current type parameters. As a result, the processing relating to the type parameter is completed (step S153).

Next, referring to FIG. 16, step S in FIG.
The processing relating to the physical condition parameters in 28 will be described in detail. At night, the physical condition parameter increases by 5, for example, every one hour. That is, the physical condition is restored according to the time when the virtual living body sleeps. In step S161, it is determined whether or not to change the value of the physical condition parameter based on the tummy parameter, the good mood parameter, and the weight parameter. For example, every time one hour has passed, the tummy parameter and the chewy parameter are monitored, and if the tummy parameter value at this time is, for example, 50 or more, the value of the physical condition parameter is increased by 10. Further, if the value of the healthy parameter is 0, for example, the value of the physical condition parameter is decreased by 5 (step S162).
Succeedingly, in a step S163, it is determined whether or not the value of the physical condition parameter is the illness level. Here, if the illness level is set, it is confirmed whether or not the illness flag is set (step S164), and if the illness flag is not set, a new illness flag is set (step S16).
5). Succeedingly, in a step S166, a sick sound is emitted from the speaker 35 to notify that the sickness has occurred. As a result, the processing relating to the physical condition parameters is completed (step S167).

Next, the overall operation will be described with reference to FIG. The player has a WWW built in the terminal device 11.
A communication software such as a browser is activated to access the game station 13 via the modem and the public line network 9, the small-scale networks 7a, ... 7n, and the large-scale network 3. As shown in FIG. 17, the login screen is displayed in step ST1, and the terminal device 11 or the portable electronic device 19 is displayed.
It is required to enter the unique ID number and password set in. If the input ID number or password is incorrect, or if the terminal device 11 and the game station 13 are not connected, the process proceeds to step ST3 to display an error screen. Further, even when the terminal device 11 and the game station 13 are connected to each other, if there is no virtual life form in the portable electronic device 19, the process proceeds to step ST5 to obtain a seed for capturing the seed of the virtual life form. The screen is displayed. In step ST <b> 7, the seed of the virtual life form taken from the game station 13 is transmitted to the portable electronic device 19. This allows the virtual creature to grow within the portable electronic device 19 at the player's will.

Next, when the terminal device 11 and the game station 13 are connected and the virtual electronic device exists in the portable electronic device 19, the process proceeds to step ST9 and the status screen is displayed. This status screen is an initial screen of a so-called homepage opened in the game station 13. The status screen is provided with various icons such as an output icon for virtual life, an output icon for various parameters, an icon for logout, etc. By selecting this icon, the corresponding command or request can be input. Here, the player transmits a data and various parameters relating to the virtual life form to the game station 13 and makes a request for participation in the event on the network by the virtual life form raised by the portable electronic device 19 of the player. You can The game station 13 has a program related to an event and a storage unit that stores a plurality of types of virtual life forms that participate in and act on the event, and each virtual life that participates in and operates on the event on this network. The body is associated with the virtual life form raised by the portable electronic device 19. In addition, the game station 13 decodes the data on the virtual life form transmitted from the terminal device 11 and specifies the virtual life form on the network corresponding to the data, and the specifying means when the participation request is made. By having the participation means for reading the virtual life form from the storage means and participating in the event on the network, and by allowing the virtual life form of the player to participate in various events, the game player can enjoy playing through the virtual life form. it can.

When the player wants the virtual life form to participate in the search event, the process proceeds to step ST11 to display the search screen. On this search screen, the virtual life form can be released on a preset map. This allows virtual creatures to move freely on this map, communicate with other virtual creatures when they meet,
You can make more friends. Further, according to a command from the player, it is possible to further move to search for various items, and to battle with other virtual life forms. On the search log screen of step ST13, the action record of the virtual life entity that participated in the search event is displayed, and this action record is updated every 15 minutes. In step ST15,
You can participate in chat events, and you can enjoy simple conversations with other virtual life forms through your own virtual life forms. At step ST17, it is possible to participate in a contest event. This contest is held once a day, and the winners of each time are collected, and once a month
A big contest will be held. Each contest is held at each stage of the growth of the virtual life form, that is, for each class of larva, larva, and adult, and is examined in consideration of the appearance, wiseness, and character of each virtual life form. Here, a contest that emphasizes appearance, a contest that emphasizes wisdom,
It is possible to hold contests with appropriate tastes, such as contests that emphasize personality.

When the player releases the connection between the terminal device 11 and the game station 13, the logout screen is displayed in step ST25 and the connection can be terminated. At this time, the virtual life form that has participated in the above-mentioned event can be continued to participate in the event. In this case, the connection is terminated without moving the data of the virtual life form to the terminal device 11 in step ST27. Further, when the player wants to cancel the participation in the event of the virtual life form when releasing the connection between the terminal device 11 and the game station 13, the data of the virtual life form is sent to the terminal device 11 in steps ST28 and 29. It can be moved to terminate the connection. The data of the virtual life object thus moved to the terminal device 11 is the original portable electronic device 1
9 is transmitted to the player, so that the player can further grow the virtual creature in the portable electronic device 19.

[0049]

As described above, the invention according to claim 1 is connectable to a workstation connected to a network, a terminal device connected to the network via a public line or a dedicated line, and a terminal device. Portable electronic device. The portable electronic device has a fostering means for fostering a virtual creature and a transmitting means for transmitting data relating to the fostered virtual creature. Further, the terminal device has a receiving means for receiving data about the virtual life form from the portable electronic device and an access means for accessing the workstation, and the access means transmits the data about the virtual life form to the workstation. And means for requesting participation in the event on the network of the virtual life form trained by the portable electronic device.
The workstation has a program relating to the event and a storage unit that stores a plurality of types of virtual life forms that participate in and act in the event, and each virtual life form that participates in and operates in the event on this network. Are associated with virtual life forms grown on the portable electronic device. Further, the workstation decodes the data on the virtual life form transmitted from the terminal device and specifies the virtual life form on the network corresponding to the data, and the virtual machine specified when the participation request is made. Since there is a participation means for reading the life form from the storage means and participating in the event on the network, the virtual life form grown in one's own portable electronic device is allowed to participate in various events on the Internet and freely operate. It has the effect of being able to.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, the data regarding the egg or the seed of the virtual life can be easily taken in from the workstation to the portable electronic device through the terminal device. It can be raised with expectation that it will grow into a virtual life form, and it will be possible to nurture a gentle heart for living things by seriously dealing with it as if you are raising an actual creature, which is also suitable for education It is possible to provide various devices. Further, there is an effect that the virtual life form grown in one's own portable electronic device can participate in various events on the Internet and can be freely activated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the portable electronic device comprises an input means for inputting a procedure for raising a virtual life form, and a control data storage section for storing control data for raising a virtual life form. When a treatment relating to breeding is input from the input means, control data corresponding to the treatment is read from the control data storage unit, and control relating to the breeding of the virtual life is performed based on the read control data. Since it is configured, there is an effect that it is possible to seriously deal with animals as if they were raising actual creatures and to nurture a gentle heart for living things, and to provide a device suitable for education. Further, there is an effect that the virtual life form grown in one's own portable electronic device can participate in various events on the Internet and can be freely activated.

The invention according to claim 4 further comprises setting means for setting one or more growth stages according to the growth of the virtual life form, and a plurality of types of virtual life forms having different shapes for each growth stage. A virtual life storage unit for storing, and a selection means for selecting a next-stage virtual life form from a plurality of types of virtual life forms stored in the virtual life form storage unit when the virtual life form reaches a growth stage Since the virtual life form that has reached the growth stage is configured to have the changing means for changing the selected virtual life form, if the player diligently cares and takes appropriate measures, a plurality of types of A virtual life form with a good personality will be selected from the virtual life forms, and it can grow into a virtual life form with a good personality or a poor personality depending on the degree of care of the player. To provide highly entertaining devices An effect that can be. As described above, since the virtual life forms change unexpectedly depending on the care and discipline of the player, it is possible to provide a highly entertaining device that does not get tired.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a training simulation device using a network according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a portable electronic device.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a first embodiment of a portable electronic device.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a second embodiment of the portable electronic device.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a second embodiment of the portable electronic device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a branch associated with the growth of a virtual life in a growth simulation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the portable electronic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the workstation according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the process relating to a tummy parameter.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing in detail the processing related to a cleansing parameter.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail a process related to a smartness parameter.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of processing relating to an age parameter.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of processing regarding a weight parameter.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing relating to the type parameter.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of processing relating to a physical condition parameter.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the overall operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 Large-scale network 5a workstation 5n workstation 7a Small network 7n Small network 11 terminal devices 13 game stations 17 Game Station 21 LCD display

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takao Kondo             Toyogi Prefecture Shimotsuga-gun Mibu Town Toy Town 3-             6-20 Bandai Technical Design Co., Ltd.             In the in-center F term (reference) 2C001 AA17 BA05 BA06 BB05 BC05                       CA02 CB01 CB04 CB08 CC03                       CC08

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A training simulation device using a network, which has the following requirements. (B) Have a workstation connected to the network. (B) Having a terminal device connected to the network via a public line or a dedicated line. (C) Having a portable electronic device connectable to the terminal device. (D) The portable electronic device has a fostering unit for fostering a virtual creature, and a transmitting unit for transmitting data on the fostered virtual creature. (E) The terminal device has a receiving means for receiving data on the virtual life form and an access means for accessing the workstation. (F) The access means includes transmission means for transmitting data regarding the virtual life form to the workstation,
To have a participation requesting means for making a request to participate in an event on the network by a virtual life form trained by a portable electronic device. (G) The workstation has a program relating to the event and a storage unit that stores a plurality of types of virtual life forms that participate in the event and are active. (H) Each virtual life form that participates in and participates in an event on the network is associated with a virtual life form developed by a portable electronic device. (I) The workstation has a specifying unit that decodes the data on the virtual life form transmitted from the terminal device and specifies the corresponding virtual life form on the network. (U) The workstation has a participation means for reading the specified virtual life form from the storage means and participating in an event on the network when the participation request is made. 2. A training simulation device using a network according to claim 1, characterized in that the following requirements are met. (A) The workstation has a storage unit that stores data regarding eggs or species of a plurality of types of virtual life forms. (B) The terminal device has a capturing unit that captures data regarding an egg or a seed of a virtual life form from the workstation. (C) The terminal device has a transmission means for transmitting the captured data regarding the egg or the seed of the virtual life to the portable electronic device. (D) The portable electronic device has a receiving unit that receives data relating to an egg or a seed of a virtual life form from the terminal device. (E) The breeding means breeds the eggs or seeds of the virtual life form received from the terminal device. 3. A training simulation apparatus using a network according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the following requirements are met. (A) The portable electronic device has an input means for inputting a procedure for growing a virtual life form. (B) The breeding unit has a control data storage unit that stores control data relating to the breeding of virtual life forms. (C) When the treatment related to the breeding is input from the input unit, the breeding unit reads the control data corresponding to the treatment from the control data storage unit to grow the virtual life form based on the read control data. Having a breeding control unit that performs such control. (D) The portable electronic device has a display unit for displaying the fostered virtual creature. 4. A training simulation device using a network according to claim 3, characterized in that it has the following requirements. (A) The breeding control unit has setting means for setting one or more growth stages according to the growth of the virtual life form. (B) The growth control unit has a virtual life object storage unit that stores a plurality of types of virtual life objects having different shapes for each growth stage. (C) Selection means for selecting the next stage virtual life form from a plurality of types of virtual life forms stored in the virtual life form storage unit when the virtual life form reaches the growth stage. To have. (D) The growing control unit has a changing unit that changes the virtual life form that has reached the growth stage to the selected virtual life form.