JP2006174916A - Match request system in video game device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a match request system in a video game device in which a user can make his/her own character fight with a specified rival and play a match against another player without the constraints of playing place and time. <P>SOLUTION: Traveling data from a game machine 1b are stored in a server unit 14 and a match request is transmitted to an opponent specified by WEB contents or a game machine body. The match request is transmitted from the server unit 14 to a game machine played by a specified player. For instance, when the player of the game machine 1d is an opponent to whom a match is requested, the opponent player selects whether or not to accept the match request, and when accepting the match request, play is performed together with the reproducing image of the play data of a challenger. A challenge result is stored in the server unit and the challenger can view the result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a battle request system in a TV game device that allows a player to store play data of his / her character in a battle game by designating a specific opponent in a network server or the like and play against the specified opponent.

There has been provided a game system in which a virtual battle is played with another player stored in a network server or game machine body. This game system takes out a lot of play data already registered in a network server or the like and plays against it.
This is a game in which a large number of unspecified players download one of a large number of play data and play a game, and the player who has accumulated the play data in a network server or the like cannot specify only a specific opponent.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a general configuration example of a conventional game system using a network.
Play data (records of players who played, player's running information in the case of race games, etc.) from a myriad of game machines 50a-50n such as commercial TV game machines and home game machines installed in the store are network servers. Updated to the device 51 and recorded in the storage unit. The specific play data is marked (designated) with WEB content 52 (accessed to a network by a personal computer or a mobile phone) linked to the game.
As authentication means for connecting a player playing a game machine and a WEB content user, a storage device, ID, and password containing a magnetic card or a semiconductor element are used. For example, when the player plays a game on the game machine 53, the above authentication is performed. Thus, the player's play data marked from the network server device 51 can be downloaded and played.
As used herein, “match” means “pseudo match” against recorded travel data.

The applicant of the present application has proposed to adopt a configuration substantially similar to FIG. 8 (Patent Document 1).
This proposal provides a database server for recording and managing three-dimensional image data of played games uploaded from a number of racing game machines through communication lines together with other game data. Access to the database server, download 3D image data related to one game selected from the games recorded in the database server together with other game data, and download the racing car image of the downloaded game to competitors As described above, a racing game is played while being displayed on a monitor together with an image of a racing car controlled by the player, and a “pseudo battle” can be performed with other players.
However, since the player is selected by another player regardless of the player's intention of the uploaded play data, the player uploaded to the server cannot play against an opponent who wants to challenge.
JP 2003-320164 A

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a battle request system in a TV game device that allows a player to battle his / her character by designating a specific rival and can play against other players without being restricted by a play place or time. There is.

In order to achieve the above object, claim 1 of the present invention provides an opponent designation means for designating an opponent to whom a challenge is sent, an authentication means for authenticating a player, and a battle request creation means for creating a challenge for the designated opponent. And one or more game machines having transmission means for transmitting the play data and the challenge information, and a server device for receiving and recording the play data and the challenge information and transmitting the challenge information to the game machine. The opponent is designated by the opponent designation means, and the play data is stored in the server device together with the challenge status information, so that only the designated opponent can be challenged for the play data. It is characterized by that.
Claim 2 of the present invention is an authentication means for authenticating a player, and when play data to which a challenge letter is attached is transmitted at the start of the game, the challenge letter receiving means for receiving the challenge data and the challenge letter receiving means for challenge. One or more game machines having a challenge letter determining means for deciding whether to accept or reject the challenge letter when the play data with a letter attached is received, Receiving and recording winning / losing result information, and a server device for transmitting the play data and the winning / losing result information that has been challenged to the game machine. The play data and the winning / losing result information are recorded in the storage unit of the server device so that the challenger can view the winning / losing result information.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the opponent designation means is provided in a mobile phone, a personal computer or other mobile information device that can access the game machine or the server device.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second, or third aspect, the authentication means performs authentication by inserting a magnetic card or the like into a card deck provided in the game machine, or a storage device incorporating a semiconductor element. Is provided in a game machine, or authentication is performed by inputting an ID or a password into the game machine.

According to the above configuration, the player who uploaded the play data can compete with the desired opponent without being restricted by the place and time to play, and the player who has challenged the battle result can know.
In addition, opponents who are challenged can also refuse the challenge in consideration of their own level, etc., and since they are given the right to choose a match, they will receive a match only for specific challengers Is possible.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a game machine case that employs a battle request system according to the present invention, and is an example of a race game case 1 in which two race game machines 1a and 1b are arranged in parallel.
Display units (displays) 7a and 7b are provided in front of each racing game machine, and handles 4a and 4b and shift levers 5a and 5b are provided in front of each seat. Further, accelerators 6a and 6b and brakes 8a and 8b are provided at the lower part. In addition, coin insertion portions 2a and 2b are arranged between the respective racing game machines 1a and 1b. A race game can be performed not only between the race game machines 1a and 1b but also with a race game device (not shown) via a network server.
Each race game machine can play a race game to be challenged by specifying the opponent to challenge by using WEB content from a mobile phone, personal computer, etc. at the start of the race. When the race results have been accumulated in the network server, the contents can be downloaded and displayed on the display. On the other hand, when a challenge is received, a race game can be played by determining whether to accept or reject the challenge.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the flow of play data and a battle request of the battle request system according to the present invention.
The opponent who can request the battle can be specified by a WEB content that can be accessed with a personal computer or a mobile phone, or an opponent who is marked on the game machine body.
When the game machine 1b specifies a battle request partner and completes the race game, the play data (running data) is accumulated in the storage unit of the network server device 14. Along with the play data, challenge information (competition request) is also transmitted.
When the player of the game machine 1d is a battle request partner, when the game is started on the game machine 1d, a battle request message is displayed on the display of the game machine 1d. When the player of the game machine 1d receives a request, the battle is started. For other game machines, the same operation and operation are performed when a battle request is received.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a game machine circuit of the battle request system according to the present invention.
The coin insertion unit 2 is connected to the coin-related device 23, and the coin-related device 23 receives the inserted coin and sends the data to the input / output control device 24. The operation unit 21 includes an accelerator, a shift lever, a brake, a handle, and the like, and these pieces of information are sent to the input / output control device 24. Further, there are an execution button, a selection button, and the like, which are sent to the input / output control device 24 in the same manner. The input / output control device 24 sends the received data to the CPU 20 via the bus 25. Further, a card insertion unit 3 for inserting a recording medium 15 such as a magnetic card for storing an ID for authentication of each individual is provided. The card insertion unit 3 is connected to a card control unit 31, and the card control unit 31 reads player-recognized ID data from the inserted recording medium 15. The ROM 29 stores a control and execution program for the race game and necessary data, and the RAM 30 is used as a work area when the CPU 20 performs calculations. The RAM 30 also temporarily stores created data and read data.

The game machine is connected to the server device 14 via the input / output control device 24 and the network. Other game machines are connected in the same manner. In the sound processing unit 27, music signal output processing such as BGM is performed in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 20, and music or the like flows from the speaker during the demonstration or during the game.
The CPU 20 creates a challenge request for a player who is marked (designated) by WEB content that can be accessed by a personal computer or a mobile phone, and creates a challenge for any player, from another player to the player of the game machine. When race data with a challenge letter is accumulated in the server device 14, the challenge letter receiving unit 20c that receives this information has already been played, and as a result, the information is accumulated in the server device 14, and the game machine If the player is a challenger, the result information is downloaded and displayed on the image display unit 7, the challenge result display control unit 20d, the race data, and the challenge information attached thereto are uploaded to the server device 14. The race data storage unit 20e to be stored in the storage unit 14a and the program read from the ROM 29 It has the functions of the game control unit 20a that performs processing racing game controls the entire reading game machine according beam.
Here, the race data (running data) includes course, vehicle type, time, registration date and time, steering wheel for each frame, accelerator, brake, vehicle position, speed, information on whether it hits a wall or grips. . A frame indicates one game process, and is usually every 1/60 seconds.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the operation and operation procedure of the side requesting the battle and the side receiving the battle request.
In this system, the race data and challenge information are accumulated in the server device by the challenger's play (flow (1)), the challenger's play and the result information are accumulated in the server device. Operations and actions (flow (2)) and operations and actions (flow (3)) in which the challenge side receives the battle result from the server device.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart for explaining the flow of a battle request and transmission, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of an operation of a game machine, a personal computer, etc. and an image displayed on the display in the flowchart of FIG.
When a coin is inserted from the coin insertion unit 2, it is stored in the coin related device 23, and coin information is sent to the CPU 20 via the input / output control device 24 (step (hereinafter referred to as "S") 001). When the magnetic card 15 is inserted into the card insertion unit 3, the game control unit 20a reads ID information by the card control unit 31 and authenticates the player (S002). When no magnetic card is inserted, a screen for prompting insertion of the magnetic card is displayed on the image display unit 7. FIG. 5B (a) shows a state where a player sits in one of the game housings, inserts a magnetic card, and performs authentication. As a result, when the magnetic card is not inserted and the player cannot be authenticated, the process branches to a normal race game flow (not shown) in which the race data is not uploaded to the server device.

After authenticating the player, the game control unit 20a determines whether or not the other party has already been specified in the game-linked WEB content (S003).
When a match request is issued to another car, that is, a challenge is issued, before starting the game, an operation for specifying the course and opponent to be played is performed using game-linked web contents that can be accessed in advance by a personal computer or a mobile phone. . In such a case, it is desirable to select from among cars that are close to their own records. FIG. 5B (b) shows a state in which the screen of the game-linked WEB content is displayed on the display unit of the personal computer, and the names of the players are arranged in time order. Your time (2'06 "156) 'is also displayed, and it is necessary to specify the opponents before and after it so that the challenge is not rejected.
Note that the battle request designation can be designated not by WEB content but by a dedicated terminal or game machine main body in the game center.

When the designation of the opponent is completed, the game control unit 20a passes control to the battle request creation unit 20b. The battle request creation unit 20b adds a challenge creation mode to the game mode select (S004). If no opponent is specified, the challenge creation mode is not added.
Next, the game control unit 20a displays a screen for selecting a game mode, and allows the player to select a game mode from the screen (S005). When the player selects the challenge creation mode using the operation unit 21, a screen for starting the race is displayed in that mode, and the race is started (S006). On the other hand, if another mode is selected, the process branches to the normal game flow.
FIG. 5B (c) shows a mode example to be selected. In addition to the race mode and time attack mode, a challenge creation mode is also displayed.

The game control unit 20a performs a race process in accordance with the player's operation (S007), and the race data storage unit 20e records race running data in the RAM 30 for each frame (S008). The above S007 and S008 are repeated until the end of the race.
FIG. 5B (d) shows a screen example during the race. When it is determined that the race is over (S009), the traveling data with the challenge information is transmitted to the server device 14 via the input / output control device 24 and recorded in the storage unit 14a of the server device 14 (S010).
When the recording of the running data with the challenge information on the server device 14 is completed, the game control unit 20a displays a transmission confirmation on the image display unit 7 via the image processing unit 26 (S011).
FIG. 5B (e) shows a transmission confirmation display example. In this example, the expiration date from the challenge to playing the game is 7 days, and if the challenge is not received within 7 days from the record, this challenge becomes invalid. The expiration date can be changed with WEB content or a game machine.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart for explaining a flow in which a challenger receives a battle request.
In another game machine, when a coin is inserted from the coin insertion unit 2, the coin information is received in the coin related device 23 and sent to the CPU 20 via the input / output control device 24. When the game control unit 20a subsequently inserts the magnetic card 15 into the card insertion unit 3, the card control unit 31 reads the ID information and authenticates the player in the same manner as in FIG. 5A (FIG. 6B (a ) S101, S102).
The game control unit 20a accesses the server device 14, reads out the contents of the storage unit 14a, and checks whether or not a challenge letter has arrived for itself. That is, a search is made as to whether or not there is travel data with a challenge letter addressed to him / her (S103). If there is a challenge letter addressed to itself, control is passed to the challenge letter receiving unit 20c, and the challenge letter receiving unit 20c adds the challenge mode to the game mode selection (S104). This is to set the challenge mode to be selectable on the screen for selecting the game mode.

Next, the game control unit 20a displays a screen for selecting a game mode, and allows the player to select a mode (S105). When the challenge is received, the game mode select screen is a screen including the challenge mode. If no challenge is received, the game mode selection screen does not include the challenge mode. FIG. 6B (b) shows an example of a game mode selection screen, in which a race mode, a time attack mode, and a challenge mode are displayed.
When a screen including the challenge mode is displayed and the player selects the challenge mode using the operation unit 21, the screen allows selection of whether or not to receive the challenge mode (S106). On the other hand, if another mode is selected, the process branches to the normal game flow. When a screen that does not include the challenge mode is displayed, the screen branches to the normal game flow regardless of which screen is selected.

If the player receives a challenge in S106, the game control unit 20a displays a screen for starting the race and starts the race (S110). This is a challenge to win or lose in a race.
If the challenge is not received, a screen for selecting whether to decline the challenge or to hold the challenge is displayed, and the player is made to select (S107). Refusing the challenge means refusing the game, and holding the challenge is for the time being. FIG. 6B (c) shows an example of a screen on which the description of the rank, course, and used vehicle type of the challenged player can be selected, and the game can be selected to receive, hold, or reject.
When the player selects “Decline Challenge” with the operation unit 21, the server device 14 is accessed via the input / output control device 24, and rejection information is recorded in the storage unit 14a of the server device 14 (S108). If “Do not refuse challenge” is selected, the challenge is put on hold (S109). In any case via S107, the process returns to the game mode selection in S105.

At the race start point when a challenge is received, one's own car will start along with the car regenerated by the challenger's running data.
The game control unit 20a performs a race process according to the player's operation (S111), and records the race running data in the RAM 30 for each frame by the race data storage unit 20e (S112). S111 and S112 are repeated until the end of the race.
FIG. 6B (d) shows an example of the screen of the opponent's car (challenge) 35 and his / her car (challenge) 36 during the race. When it is determined that the race is over (S113), the running data, the winning / losing result, and the conclusion information at this time are transmitted to the server device 14 via the input / output control device 24 and recorded in the storage unit 14a of the server device 14 (S114). .

When the game control unit 20a finishes recording the running data, the winning / losing result, and the conclusion information to the server device 14, the game control unit 20a displays a confirmation on the image display unit 7 via the image processing unit 26 (S115).
FIG. 6B (e) shows a confirmation display example. In this example, a description that the challenger has won and its cumulative win / loss are displayed, and a message that the result of the game has been sent to the challenger is displayed.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart for explaining a flow in which a challenger receives a battle result.
The player who is the challenger inserts a coin and inserts a magnetic card to play the game, and confirms the coin insertion and recognizes the player in the same manner as S001 and S002 in FIG. 5A (S201, S202). ).
FIG. 7B (a) shows a state in which a player sits on one of the game housings, inserts a magnetic card, and performs authentication.
The game control unit 20a accesses the server device 14, reads the contents of the storage unit 14a, and checks whether the settlement information has arrived for itself (S203). If there is settlement information addressed to itself, control is passed to the challenge result display control unit 20d, and the challenge result display control unit 20d adds the challenge result mode to the game mode selection (S204). That is, a menu for confirming win / loss is added to the game mode select screen.

Next, the game control unit 20a displays a screen for selecting a game mode, and causes the player to select a mode from the screen (S205). When the challenge result is received, the game mode select screen is a screen including the challenge result mode. If no challenge result has been received, the game mode selection screen does not include the challenge result mode.
FIG. 7B (b) shows an example of the game mode selection screen. The race mode, time attack mode, and challenge result mode are displayed.
When a screen including the challenge result mode is displayed and the player selects the challenge result mode using the operation unit 21, the result display will indicate on the image display unit 7 whether the result has been settled, timed out, or rejected. (S206).

If the winner has been settled, winning or losing is displayed (S207), and the screen shown in the upper column of FIG. 7B (c) ("Challenge result, you lose. Cumulative 7 wins, 3 losses" You are the winner. Cumulative 8 wins and 2 losses ") is displayed.
If the time expires, the expiration date is displayed (S208), and the screen shown in the lower left of Fig. 7B (c) ("The challenge has expired without being opened. There is no change in the number of wins and losses. "Total 7 wins 2 losses") is displayed.
If it is rejected, a message indicating that it has been rejected is displayed (S209), and a screen as shown in the lower right of Fig. 7B (c) ("The challenge was rejected for the convenience of the other party. "Total 7 wins 2 losses") is displayed.
After the challenge result is displayed in this way, the game control unit 20a deletes the challenge result information from the server device 14 (S210). Thereafter, the process returns to the determination of whether there is settlement information in the server in S203.
On the other hand, if another mode is selected in S205, the process branches to a normal game flow. If a screen that does not include the challenge result mode is displayed, the screen branches to the normal game flow regardless of which screen is selected.
As shown in FIG. 7B (d), it is possible to view the challenge result in the game-linked WEB content in the same manner using a mobile phone or a personal computer.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which player authentication is performed by reading an ID in a magnetic card has been described. However, it is also possible to authenticate by inputting a storage device incorporating a semiconductor element, an ID, and a password. Moreover, although the embodiment about a race game was described, if it is a game which can set the same conditions (for example, a course in a race game) and compete without competing directly with the opponent (such as a battle game), Applicable. For example, it can also be used for a dancing game in which evaluations are competed by scores. In such a case, a challenge letter is attached to the dance data performed by the user and uploaded to the server device, and the other party who has received the challenge plays the dance data and competes for dance.

  A battle request system using an arcade center commercial TV game machine, a home TV game machine, WEB content, and a server device, in which play data is stored in the server device and a pseudo battle can be performed on the play data. is there.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the game machine housing | casing which employ | adopts the battle | competition request | requirement system by this invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating the play data of the battle | competition request | requirement system by this invention, and the flow of a battle | competition request. It is a block diagram which shows embodiment of the circuit of the game machine of the battle | competition request | requirement system by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of the procedure of operation and operation | movement of the side which receives a battle request, and the side which receives a battle request. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a battle | competition request | requirement and transmission. It is a figure which shows the example of an image displayed on operation | movement of a game machine, a personal computer, etc. and a display in the process of the flowchart of FIG. 5A. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow which receives a battle | competition request | requirement. It is a figure which shows the example of an image displayed on operation | movement of a game machine, a personal computer, etc. and a display in the process of the flowchart of FIG. 6A. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow which receives a battle result. It is a figure which shows the example of an image displayed on operation | movement of a game machine, a personal computer, etc. and a display in the process of the flowchart of FIG. 7A. It is the schematic which shows the general structure of the conventional game system using a network.

Explanation of symbols

1 Race game chassis
1a, 1b race game machine
2, 2a, 2b Coin insertion part 4a, 4b Handle 5a, 5b Shift lever 6a, 6b Accelerator 7a, 7b Display part (display)
8a, 8b Brake 20 CPU
21 Operation Unit 23 Coin Related Device 24 Input / Output Control Device 25 Bus 26 Image Processing Unit 27 Sound Processing Unit 28 Speaker 29 ROM
30 RAM

Claims (4)

An opponent designation means for designating an opponent to send a challenge to,
One or more game machines having authentication means for authenticating a player, battle request creation means for creating a challenge for a specified opponent, and transmission means for transmitting own play data and the challenge information;
A server device that receives and records the play data and challenge information and transmits the challenge information to the game machine;
The opponent is designated by the opponent designation means, and the player's play data is stored in the server device together with challenge information, so that only the designated opponent can be challenged for the play data. A battle request system in a TV game device. Authentication means for authenticating a player, and when play data with a challenge letter is transmitted at the start of the game, a challenge letter receiving means for receiving the play data and a play with a challenge letter attached by the challenge letter receiving means One or more game machines having a challenge determination means for determining whether to accept or reject the challenge when receiving data;
A server device that receives and records the play data that has been challenged and its win / loss result information, and transmits the play data that has been challenged and its win / loss result information to the game machine;
When a challenge letter is received, the opponent play data is played and played, the play data and win / loss result information are recorded in the storage unit of the server device, and the challenger can view the win / loss result information A battle request system in a TV game device.   2. The battle request system for a TV game device according to claim 1, wherein the opponent specification means is provided in a mobile phone, a personal computer or other mobile information device that can access the game machine or the server device.   The authentication means authenticates by inserting a magnetic card or the like into a card deck provided in the game machine, or provides a storage device incorporating a semiconductor element in the game machine, or inputs an ID or password to the game machine. 4. The battle request system for a TV game device according to claim 1, wherein authentication is performed.

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