JP2007082635A - Method of outputting/inputting game data in video game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of outputting/inputting game data without using a special recording medium or device in transmitting game data such as information on the result of a game or interim information between game machines. <P>SOLUTION: The following steps are executed: [a] a step for displaying image code data 120 including the data on the current situation of the game on a video display screen 12a of a first video game machine 1A on the play, [b] a step for capturing the image code data 120 by a digital camera 2 a player has, [c] a step for displaying the image code data 120 captured/recorded by the digital camera 2 on a monitor screen 21 of the digital camera and taking in the data by an image take-in means 17 of a second video game machine 1B, and [d] a step for decoding the image code data 120 by the second video game machine 1B and continuing or restarting the game. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a game data input / output method in a video game machine.
More specifically, in a video game machine installed in a game center or the like (in some cases, a home video game machine), when the previous game is continued at a later date, the result of the previous game The present invention relates to a game data input / output method using video code that enables game data such as information and intermediate information to be transmitted to a later video game machine without requiring a dedicated memory medium or device. .

In conventional game devices, data such as game result information and intermediate information is temporarily stored at the end of the game and used for the next game play, for example, a special record such as a portable memory device or a magnetic card. There has been a need for a system that uses a medium or a device, or that reads data stored in an external server or the like via a communication network with a password or the like.
That is, for example, in the invention described in Patent Document 1 below, a game continuation key card storing game resumption information and a writing / reading device thereof are required.

  However, using such a special recording medium or device is expensive for the game machine provider, and for the user (player), the recording medium must be carried or stored, or It was necessary to remember and record passwords, which was cumbersome and inconvenient.

JP 2000-005439 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a special recording medium or the like when transferring data such as game result information and intermediate information between game machines. It is an object to provide a game data input / output method that can be transmitted without using a device.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, data such as game result information and intermediate information is converted into a unique two-dimensional code or the like, and this is converted to a video output device of a game, for example, a TV monitor screen as needed, or Output and display when the scene changes. Players can shoot this arbitrarily with a camera phone or digital camera, and display it on the LCD screen of the camera phone or reproduce it on paper printed by a printer for the next game play. By capturing and capturing with a CCD camera or the like of a simple game device, the data to be transferred from the previous game machine can be transmitted to the new game machine and reflected in the subsequently executed game. Is.

Specifically, the game data input / output method in the video game machine according to the present invention is:
At least a game operation unit, a game calculation control device, an image processing circuit, a video display device, and an image capturing means, and the game calculation control device includes at least a CPU, a program memory, a work RAM, A computer program for executing a game is installed in the program memory, and the CPU operates the computer program in cooperation with the program memory and work RAM in response to an input signal from a game operation unit operated by a player. A first video game machine configured to perform an operation under operation and display the calculation result on the display device via the image processing circuit, and a second video game machine having the same configuration as the first video game machine The game data input / output method between Step d above, wherein, namely;
[A] In the first video game machine being played, a game recorded in the video game machine at a predetermined time by a player input operation from the game operation unit of the first video game machine or automatically Based on the information, an operation for creating image code data including game current data necessary for continuing or restarting the game in the future and displaying the image code data on the video display screen of the video game machine A step of realizing a computer program installed in a video game machine by performing calculation by the game calculation control device;
[B] photographing image code data displayed on the video display screen of the first video game machine with a digital camera possessed by the player;
[C] When the game played on the first video game machine is continuously performed on the second video game machine, the image code data photographed and recorded by the player with the digital camera is recorded on the monitor of the digital camera. Displaying or printing out on a screen and capturing it by image capturing means provided in the second video game machine;
[D] In the second video game machine, based on the current state data of the game in the first video game machine when the image code data taken in by the image take-in means is decoded and the image code data is taken. Realizing the operation of continuing and restarting the game on the second video game machine by calculating and executing the computer program installed in the second video game machine by the game calculation control device;
A game data input / output method in a video game machine.

The second video game machine may be a video game machine other than the first video game machine, or may be the same video game machine as the first video game machine.
The image code data may be a monochrome QR code (two-dimensional code), but a larger amount of data can be transmitted by using a color QR code.
A digital camera owned by the player may be arbitrary, but a digital camera built in a mobile phone is suitable because it is almost always carried when going out.
It is recommended that the first and second video game machines have a function for aligning the captured image code data in order to decode the image code data captured by the image capturing means. The
Of the first and second video game machines, at least the first video game machine is attached with a color liquid crystal monitor smaller than the video display apparatus and displayed on the video display apparatus. It is also recommended to display the image code data on the small color liquid crystal monitor at the same time so that a person other than the player can take a picture and enjoy the subsequent games separately.

The characteristics of the game data input / output method according to the present invention are listed as follows.
(1) The game data input / output method of the present invention is suitable for use in a case-type video game machine installed mainly in a facility such as a game center. However, application to home video game machines is not excluded.
(2) In the video game machine for carrying out the method of the present invention, during the game play, at a specific place in the video display screen,
a: Parameters such as the position, physical strength, magic, and number of items operated by the player b: Parameters such as the placement position, type, and number of enemy characters in the field c: Various information such as score and game elapsed time A function for displaying in real time image code data formed by converting game data into a two-dimensional code (QR code) or the like is preferably provided in real time.
(3) A video game machine for carrying out the method of the present invention is provided with a small color liquid crystal monitor for displaying the same two-dimensional code at exactly the same timing as the two-dimensional code is displayed on the video display screen. Therefore, it is possible for other people to take a picture without mainly disturbing the play of the game player.
(4) The above two-dimensional code is not a combination of conventional white and black blocks, and it is possible to provide a much larger amount of information by preparing a plurality of colors for each block.
(5) A video game machine for carrying out the method of the present invention is provided with image capturing means such as a color CCD camera for reading image code data of a two-dimensional code for displaying game data.
(6) In a video game machine for carrying out the method of the present invention, an image coming from the camera is displayed on a specific portion in the video display screen, and a necessary image location is adjusted by adjusting the image displayed on the screen. A function is provided that allows to be read within the specified frame.
(7) A video game machine for carrying out the method of the present invention has a function of analyzing the data of the two-dimensional code read above and converting it into data usable for a game.
(8) A video game machine for carrying out the method of the present invention has a function of using the data converted above and starting the game from the state in which the two-dimensional code that is the basis of the data is displayed. Make it.

Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, the mobile phone with a camera and the digital camera that are widely used today without using special recording media or devices can be used for data such as game result information and intermediate information. It can be used to communicate between game machines.
By displaying the image code data in real time on the video display screen, the player can cut out the progress of the game in seconds, and can play immediately after the next time from the cut out progress.
In this way, for example, if the game data immediately before a difficult scene is converted into image code data and shot, even if the game is over, it can be redone as soon as possible, and there is a story branch After you clear one branch destination, you can immediately advance the game from the branch source to another story branch destination.
In the present invention, the fact that the game can be performed not at the timing prepared by the game software but at the timing arbitrarily selected by the play or the side is a factor for enjoying the game.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a game data input / output method according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a video game machine used when the game data input / output method according to the present invention is implemented;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display state of a video display screen of a video game machine when the game data input / output method according to the present invention is implemented,
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the image code data captured by the second video game machine is aligned when the game data input / output method according to the present invention is performed;
FIG. 5 is a float chart when the game data input / output method of the present invention is executed.

In FIG. 1, 1A is a first video game machine, 1B is a second video game machine, 2 is a mobile phone incorporating a digital camera, 11 is a game operation unit of the video game machine, 12 is a video display device, 17 is an image capturing means, and 21 is a monitor screen of the mobile phone.
In the present invention, after the game on the first video game machine 1A is interrupted or ended, the image code data 120 representing the game data at that time is shot with the mobile phone 2 with a digital camera, In a state where the image code data 120 is displayed on the monitor screen 21 of the mobile phone 2, the monitor screen 21 is photographed by a digital camera or the like provided in the image capturing means 17 of the second video game machine 1B, and the image code The game is resumed on the second video game machine 1B by decoding the data and taking over the game situation at the time when the game was interrupted or ended on the first video game machine 1A.
The first video game machine 1A and the second video game machine 1B may be the same video game machine in the same game center or the like. Alternatively, the same video game machine in the same or different game center or the like. It may be a video game machine.

  FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration of the first and second video game machines for carrying out the game data input / output method according to the present invention. In FIG. Is a video display device, 12a is a video display screen, 120 is image code data displayed on the video display screen, 13 is a game calculation control device, 13a is a CPU, 13b is a program memory comprising a storage device such as a hard disk drive, 13c Is a work RAM, 13d is a ROM, 13e is a clock circuit, 14 is an image processing circuit, 15 is a sound circuit, 16 is a speaker, 17 is an image capturing means such as a digital camera, 18 is a fee collection device, and 19 is a data bus. is there.

When the player inserts fees such as coins and medals into the fee collection device 18, the game is started and the progress of the game is displayed on the video display screen 12a.
The player plays a game by operating a push button, a joystick, or the like of the game operation panel 11 while watching the video display screen 12a.
The CPU 13a in the game arithmetic and control unit 13 executes a game program recorded in a program memory 13b such as a hard disk drive, advances the game according to the program, and executes a computer program necessary for the present invention. Then, the image code data 120 including the current status data of the game is created, and an arithmetic process necessary for displaying it on the video display screen 12a is performed.
The RAM 13c exchanges and records data necessary for the operation of the CPU 13a.
The ROM 13d stores character data, image data, audio data, and the like displayed on the video display device 12 for a game, as well as various data and programs of relatively small size necessary for backing up the operation of the CPU 13a. . If the program memory 13b is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive, character data, image data, etc. may be recorded there.
The clock circuit 13e oscillates clock pulses necessary for performing time management from the start of the game to game over, other time management necessary for the progress of the game, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the display state of the video display screen 12a when a game is being played on the first video game machine 1A.
On the video display screen 12a, for example, a state of an aerial battle game is displayed as shown in the figure, and image code data 120 is displayed at the lower right portion of the screen, for example. The display of the image code data 120 may be performed when the game is ended or interrupted by a player input operation from the game operation unit (11), but may be automatically performed in real time. .
As shown in the figure, it is recommended to use a two-dimensional code (QR code) as the image code data 120, and it is recommended to use monochrome, preferably in color in terms of information amount.
As described above, the game data encoded as the image code data 120 includes (a) parameters such as the position of the character operated by the player, physical strength, magic power, number of items, and (b) enemy characters in the field. Parameters such as placement position, type, number of individuals, (c) information such as score and game elapsed time, and the like.

  In FIG. 4, when the image code data 120 photographed with the mobile phone 2 with the digital camera is captured by the image capturing means 17 of the second video game machine 1B, the first code code 120 is decoded. A state is shown in which the image code data 120 displayed on the video display screen 12a of the video game machine 1B of No. 2 is aligned with a joystick or push button provided on the operation unit 11.

  FIG. 5 shows a float chart when the game data input / output method of the present invention is executed.

In the following, steps for executing the method of the present invention will be described.
[A] In the first video game machine 1A being played, a player input operation from the game operation unit 11 of the first video game machine in real time or at a predetermined time such as when the game is ended or interrupted Or automatically, based on the game information recorded in the video game machine 1A, the image code data 120 including the current data of the game necessary for continuing or restarting the game is created. It is displayed on the video display screen of the video game machine 1A. This operation is realized by calculating and executing the computer program installed in the first video game machine 1A by the game calculation control device 13.

[B] Next, the image code data 120 displayed on the video display screen 12a of the first video game machine 1A is photographed by a digital camera 2 (usually a digital camera built in a mobile phone) possessed by the player. .
[C] After that, when the game played on the first video game machine 1A is continuously performed on the second video game machine 1B, the image code data 120 photographed and recorded by the player with the digital camera 2 is used. Is displayed or printed out on the monitor screen 21 of the digital camera, and is captured by the image capturing means 17 provided in the second video game machine 1B.

  [D] In the second video game machine 1B, the game on the first video game machine 1A when the image code data 120 taken in by the image take-in means 17 is decoded and the image code data is photographed. The game is continued and restarted on the second video game machine 1B based on the current status data. This operation is realized by calculating and executing the computer program installed in the second video game machine by the game calculation control device 13.

  Although not shown in the illustrated video game machine, in addition to the video display device 12, a smaller color liquid crystal monitor is attached, and image code data 120 similar to that displayed on the video display device 12 is provided. It is also recommended to display on the small color liquid crystal monitor at the same time.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said Example, In the range of the objective, all the modified examples which those skilled in the art can easily imagine from said description are included.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, according to the present invention, data such as game result information and intermediate information can be transmitted between game machines without using a special recording medium or device. It is possible to provide a game data input / output method.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the input / output method of the game data based on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the video game machine used when implementing the game data input / output method which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display state of the video display screen of a video game machine in the case of implementing the game data input / output method which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which aligns the image code data taken in with the 2nd video game machine when implementing the game data input / output method which concerns on this invention. It is a float chart in the case of performing the game data input / output method of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B Video game machine 11 Game operation unit 12 Video display device 12a Video display screen 120 Image code data 13 Game calculation control device 13a CPU
13b Program memory (storage device)
13c Work RAM
13d ROM
13e clock circuit 14 image processing circuit 15 sound circuit 16 speaker 17 image capturing means 18 fee collection device 19 data bus 2 digital camera (mobile phone with digital camera)

Claims (8)

At least a game operation unit (11), a game calculation control device (13), an image processing circuit (14), a video display device (12), and an image capturing means (17), the game calculation control The device (13) includes at least a CPU (13a), a program memory (13b), and a work RAM (13c), and a computer program for game execution is installed in the program memory (13b). The CPU (13a) executes the computer program in cooperation with the program memory (13b) and the work RAM (13c) in response to an input signal from the game operation unit (11) operated by the player. The calculation result is displayed on the display device (12) via the image processing circuit (14). A game data input / output method between a first video game machine (1A) configured as described above and a second video game machine (1B) having the same configuration as the first video game machine (1A). A game data input / output method comprising the steps described in the paragraph.
[A] In the first video game machine (1A) being played, the video game is played at a predetermined time by a player input operation from the game operation unit (11) of the first video game machine or automatically. Based on the game information recorded in the machine (1A), image code data (120) including the current data of the game necessary for continuing or restarting the game in the future is created, and this is generated as the video game machine (1A). The step of realizing the operation to be displayed on the video display screen of () by calculating and executing the computer program installed in the first video game machine (1A) by the game calculation control device (13).
[B] A step of photographing the image code data (120) displayed on the video display screen (12a) of the first video game machine (1A) with the digital camera (2) possessed by the player.
[C] The image captured and recorded by the player with the digital camera (2) when the game played on the first video game machine (1A) is continuously performed on the second video game machine (1B). The code data (120) is displayed or printed out on the monitor screen (21) of the digital camera, and the code data (120) is captured by the image capturing means (17) provided in the second video game machine (1B).
[D] In the second video game machine (1B), the first video game when the image code data (120) captured by the image capturing means (17) is decoded and the image code data is photographed. The game arithmetic and control device of the computer program installed in the second video game machine for the operation of continuing and restarting the game on the second video game machine (1B) based on the game current data on the machine (1A) A step realized by executing the calculation according to (13).   The game data input / output method according to claim 1, wherein the second video game machine (1B) is a video game machine other than the first video game machine (1A).   The game data input / output method according to claim 1, wherein the second video game machine (1B) is the same video game machine (1A) as the first video game machine (1A).   The game data input / output method according to claim 1, wherein the image code data is a monochrome QR code.   The game data input / output method according to claim 1, wherein the image code data is a color QR code.   The game data input / output method according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera (2) possessed by the player is a digital camera built in a mobile phone.   In order to decode the image code data (120) captured by the image capturing means (17) in the first and second video game machines (1A, 1B), the captured image code data The game data input / output method according to claim 1, further comprising an alignment function of (120).   Among the first and second video game machines, at least the first video game machine (1A) is attached with a color liquid crystal monitor smaller than the video display device (12), and the video display device. The game data input / output method according to claim 1, wherein the same image code data (120) as that displayed in (12) is simultaneously displayed on the small color liquid crystal monitor.

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