JP2007222678A - Portable electronic-creature existence device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable electronic-creature existence device in which electronic creatures are able to voluntarily communicate with or mix well with one another. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic-creature existence device 21 carried by a user includes a greeting-signal transmitting means for wireless transmitting a specified greeting signal to other electronic-creature existence device nearby, a greeting signal receiving means for receiving the specified greeting signal by the wireless transmission from another electronic-creature existence device nearby and a reporting means for reporting reception to the user when the specified greeting signal is received through the receiving means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic living thing survival apparatus that a user enjoys carrying.

  Conventionally, when a predetermined signal is output wirelessly (such as infrared rays) from a portable device, and there is a person with the same type of portable device, the portable device is It is known to inform the owner that there is a person with a portable device. This is a mobile goods released in February 1998 by a company called Airfork (Ashiya City, Hyogo) under the product name “Love Getty”, and is sold as a tool that can be used as a starting point to get acquainted with many people. (The following is an article in the introduction column of a magazine. “Love Getty” is for men and women, and the lamp flashes when men and women approach within a 5 meter radius. "Karaoke" and "Friends" are three choices for mobile goods that you can put in date mode with your opponent. ")

  Also, an article titled “Accidental Encounter, Terminal Bibbi Astel Kansai New PHS reacts in the same radio range” in the Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun dated June 26, 1998 reported the following contents: . “Astel Kansai will release a PHS terminal“ Coofy ”on July 31st, which allows users to exchange information not only with friends but also with others nearby. Using the PHS transceiver function, multiple terminals react with each other when they enter the same radio wave range. Coofy is equipped with “Angel Wave mode” for transmitting and receiving radio waves from the transceiver. When two terminals set to the same mode enter a transceiver range with a radius of 100 to 150 meters, they react with each other by sound and vibration of the main body. If the other party is registered in the terminal phone book, the name and PHS number are displayed. You can make a call after confirming that the responding partner is a friend. Because the transceiver function is used, calls can be made outside the Astel Kansai area. "

  Furthermore, “Tamagotchi” provided by Bandai Co., Ltd. is famous as a portable electronic pet device. This “Tamagotchi” is a portable game device in which a character is displayed in a key ring-type small liquid crystal display device, and a user takes care of the character and nurtures the food. This kind of electronic organism breeding / breeding apparatus is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-7-160459 (Sharp), JP-A-7-160853, JP-A-8-309032, JP-A-9-237328, JP-A-9-237328. Various technical proposals have been made in 9-237329, JP-A-10-69212, JP-A-10-69213, JP-A-10-69214 (all of which are Casio computers), etc. Note that all of the above eight publications are incorporated in the present specification as related art of the present application).

  In addition, "Digital Monster" (abbreviation: Digimon) sold by Bandai Co., Ltd. is also famous. This “Digimon” is basically the same as “Tamagotchi”, but the users (players) who cultivate characters similar to dinosaurs and cultivate the same Digimon gather and dock each other's Digimon equipment ( It is now possible to “compete to win and lose” by fighting each other's Digimon. Furthermore, “Pocket Monster” (abbreviation: Pokemon), which is a game software for the portable game machine “Game Boy” provided by Nintendo Co., Ltd., is also famous. This Pokemon is a game where each user (player) captures a large number of Pokemon (with various characters) in the game, but when the user (player) wants, Game machines can be connected electrically with cables, and the captured Pokémon can fight to compete for victory or defeat.

  First, the “Love Getty” mentioned above and “New PHS” from Astel Kansai send a predetermined signal to other terminals that are close by accident during road traffic, etc. In any case, “intervening electronic organisms” is not expected at all.

  On the other hand, the above-mentioned “Tamagotchi” is a device that nurtures electronic creatures such as electronic pets. However, the interaction with other users is only the interaction between users, and the devices of “Tamagotchi” are “user initiatives ( “Spontaneous and automatic interaction / communication without any special user operation” is not planned at all. In addition, the above “Digimon” and “Pokemon” are gathered by two or more players, and each device is electrically connected with a cable (conductor) to fight the “Digimon” character or “Pokemon” character. However, this is only done based on the agreement between the users (players), and the “Digimon” breeding devices and the “Pokémon” game devices are “(regardless of the user). ) "Spontaneous communication and exchange without permission" is not planned at all.

  In addition, the above-mentioned publication of the electronic biological breeding / breeding apparatus discloses that electronic pet character data is exchanged between portable devices wirelessly. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-309032 discloses that “the type data of the dog character data transmitted from the infrared communication circuit 15 of another electronic notebook and its birthday data are transmitted via the infrared communication circuit 15 of this electronic notebook. Received ("paragraph number 0035 in the specification of the publication)" and other ideas such as "matching process" with characters transmitted from other electronic notebooks are disclosed. However, the transmission of dog characters from other electronic notebooks in this publication is based on the premise that the users discuss each other in advance. "When two or more users happen to be close by chance, It is not assumed at all that electronic creatures bred by other users voluntarily communicate and exchange greetings or exchange information (without any special user interaction). .

  The present inventor believes that it is appropriate to make an electronic creature that lives in a portable electronic creature survival device not just a “game tool” but an actual “tool for communication” between humans. In other words, the present inventor simply selects “electronic creatures such as electronic pets (virtual creatures on the screen of portable devices)” as “objects of emotional transfer such as user friendliness” or eases user loneliness. It is not just used as an electronic device, but electronic organisms communicate and interact with each other spontaneously, and as a result, it becomes an opportunity and an intermediary, and leads to interaction between users of portable electronic biological survival devices. I thought that there was a need for technology to develop things.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a problem of the prior art, and is a portable device in which electronic organisms can spontaneously communicate and exchange with each other (without understanding a user's special operation). An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic living organism survival device.

(Definition of terms)
First, terms used in the present invention are defined. The external shape of the “portable electronic living organism device” of the present invention may be a key holder type such as a conventional “Tamagotchi”, a body-mounted type such as an earring type or a brooch type, or a ring, a belt, a pendant or an earring. It may be configured to have both shape and function, etc., or may be built in a mobile phone, PHS (simple mobile phone), personal digital assistant (PDA), wristwatch, or portable notebook computer (computer) It may be configured as a doll, or it may be built into a bag or shoe or attached to the surface of a bag or shoe, or itself as a shape of a doll or stuffed toy, etc. You may make it incorporate in what has.
In addition, the “electronic creature” of the present invention includes an electronic pet (a virtual electronic pet or a fictitious animal pet on a display screen that simulates a dog, cat, or bird), an electronic plant (a real flower or This includes various types of things such as imitating trees and fictitious plants, virtual existence on the screen), electronic child characters, electronic monster characters, and the like. In addition, “survival” of the “electronic biological survival apparatus” of the present invention includes various modes and types of survival such as breeding, breeding, and life.
Further, in the present invention, "greeting signal" may be, for example, a voice signal indicating the cry of an electronic organism, "Hello" simple signal (audio signal or the image signal symbolizing the meaning such as "Hello", "Hello" Or a message / sentence that says "My name is ... Would you like to be friends?" Further, the content of the “greeting signal” may be “data related to electronic life (electronic biological data) itself (which can also be a kind of“ introduction of self-introduction text ””) described later. It may be “data relating to a user who lives an electronic organism (user data) itself”. In this specification, the “greeting signal” to be returned may be referred to as “response signal”. Further, in the present invention, the electronic creatures “spontaneously communicate with each other” means “communicate with each other without any special operation by the user”.
In the present invention, the “greeting signal” is transmitted, for example, (1) wirelessly toward a surrounding area at a predetermined time preset by the user (for example, every 3 seconds, every 30 seconds, every 3 minutes). It may be transmitted, (2) it may be transmitted wirelessly all the time outdoors, or (3) it may be transmitted wirelessly by the user's operation only when the user desires.
In the present invention, the “notification means for notifying the user when a greeting signal is received” alerts the user by light, sound (sound / sound), vibration, etc. It informs information. Further, in the present invention, “notification means for notifying surrounding people of the existence of an electronic organism or its location” is to alert the surrounding people by light or sound or to notify predetermined information. It is.
In the present invention, a “greeting signal transmitting means” described later transmits a greeting signal using various media such as infrared rays, electromagnetic waves such as radio waves, and ultrasonic waves (hereinafter referred to as “greeting reply means”). "Transmission means" such as "electronic biological data transmission means" is substantially the same).
Further, in the present invention, “notification means” described later is the presence of an electronic organism by, for example, light, sound (sound of an electronic creature, etc.), voice (sound of an electronic creature such as “here”), or vibration. Alternatively, the location of the person is notified to the surrounding people by the five senses, and is constituted by a light emitter, a speaker, a vibration (vibration body), or the like. As a result, the electronic creature sends a signal or information indicating its existence to another portable electronic living thing possessed by the surrounding person by sending the greeting signal (at this time, as described above, On the side of the portable electronic living thing device that has sent the greeting signal, the user can be notified of this by light, sound, or vibration). Etc. can be used to inform the surrounding people of the existence and whereabouts of oneself. In other words, this makes it possible to inform the surrounding people more reliably of the existence of oneself.

(Content of the present invention)
1. Sending a greeting signal for wireless transmission of a “predetermined greeting signal from an electronic creature” so that it can be received by another electronic creature survival device in a nearby area that is carried by the user And a greeting signal receiving means for receiving a “predetermined greeting signal by the electronic creature” transmitted wirelessly from another electronic creature survival device in a nearby area. Electronic biological survival device.
2. 3. The portable electronic living thing survival apparatus according to the above 1, wherein the greeting signal transmitting means transmits a greeting signal every predetermined time.
3. In 1 above, it further includes detecting means for detecting that there is another person or another electronic living thing survival device in a nearby area, and the greeting signal transmitting means transmits a greeting signal based on the output from the detecting means A portable electronic living thing survival device characterized by that.
4). 2. The portable electronic living thing survival apparatus according to the above 1, 2, or 3, further comprising a notifying means for notifying a user when a predetermined greeting signal is received by the greeting signal receiving means.
5). In any one of 1 to 4 above, when a predetermined greeting signal is received by the greeting signal receiving means, the other portable electronic living thing survival apparatus that has transmitted the greeting signal voluntarily ( A portable electronic living thing survival device comprising greeting signal reply means for replying a predetermined greeting signal wirelessly without requiring any special operation of the user.
6). In any one of 1 to 5 above, the electronic biological data recording means for recording data relating to the electronic living thing, and the electronic biological data recorded in the electronic biological data recording means together with the greeting signal or the greeting signal Separately, the electronic biological data transmitting means for transmitting, the electronic biological data receiving means for receiving the electronic biological data wirelessly transmitted from other electronic biological survival devices, and the electronic biological data received by the electronic biological data receiving means A portable electronic living organism survival device comprising:
7). In any one of 1 to 6 above, user data recording means for recording data relating to a user of an electronic organism, and user data recorded in the user data recording means together with the greeting signal or the greeting Separately from the signal (for example, following the greeting signal), user data transmitting means for transmitting, user data receiving means for receiving user data wirelessly transmitted from other electronic living thing devices, And an output means for outputting the user data received by the user data receiving means.
8). Any one of the above 1 to 7, further comprising: a greeting transmission notification means for notifying surrounding people of the presence or location of the transmitting electronic creature when transmitting the greeting signal. A portable electronic biological survival device.
9. Any one of the above 1 to 8, further comprising: a greeting reception notification means for notifying the surrounding people of the presence or location of the electronic creature on the receiving side when the greeting signal is received. A portable electronic biological survival device.
10. Any one of the above items 5 to 9, further comprising: a greeting reply notification means for notifying surrounding people of the presence or location of the electronic creature on the replying side when returning the greeting signal. A portable electronic biological survival device.
11. In any one of 1 to 10 above, the electronic biological data or user data transmitted from another portable electronic biological living device is compared with the own electronic biological data or user data, and both A degree of similarity or compatibility degree judging means for judging the degree of similarity or affinity between electronic organisms or users, and a judgment result output means for outputting a judgment result by the degree of similarity or affinity degree judging means A portable electronic biological survival device.
12 In any one of 1 to 10 above, the electronic biological data or user data transmitted from another portable electronic biological living device is compared with the own electronic biological data or user data, and both When the similarity or compatibility degree determination means for determining the similarity or compatibility degree between the electronic organisms or the users and the similarity or compatibility degree determination means determines that the similarity or compatibility degree is relatively high, A portable electronic living thing survival device comprising: determination notification means for making a predetermined notification to notify the user of the fact.
13. In any one of the above 1 to 12, further, electronic living organisms communicate wirelessly between two portable electronic living thing survival devices in areas close to each other, and exchange of calls and conversations between each other. It features a voluntary communication means for voluntarily performing “information exchange” such as exchange, game exchange, battle exchange, match exchange, etc. without any special user operation. Portable electronic biological survival device.

  (1) As described above, according to the present invention, users of electronic creatures can talk and get acquainted with electronic creatures as “intermediates and opportunities”. In other words, in our daily lives, people who meet for the first time often have conversations and acquaintances with their pets and children as “starts” and “middles”. In the above, pets were mentioned, but as with acquaintances via pets, acquaintances are often made through children (the same age that a mother who took an infant to the park and played it) I often get acquainted with a mother who has an infant.)

  (2) According to the present invention, the electronic creature of the portable electronic living thing survival device can take on the functions of “intermediation” and “start” of communication by such pets and children. Therefore, according to the present invention, the “additional value” is added as a “communication tool” to which a new function / role (function / role of mediating communication between users) of an electronic organism or an electronic organism survival apparatus is added. More, "real creatures such as real pets" (real pets and other creatures are pet owners who have become acquainted with each other and have a conversation with each other. It often contributes to live communication between users).

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention is as described in Example 1 below.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a portable electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an input unit for a user to operate a device, which includes a keyboard, a touch panel, a microphone (for voice input), a camera, a scanner (for image input), and the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes an output unit used to display an electronic pet or display electronic pet data or user data transmitted from another electronic pet breeding apparatus, or to generate a predetermined alarm. And a speaker. The output unit 2 is also provided with a light emitting diode, a vibrator, a buzzer, and the like for alerting the user to a predetermined attention and notifying a predetermined fact by flashing light, vibration, and sound. That is, the output unit 2 not only displays an image of an electronic pet or outputs an electronic pet's cry or voice, but also receives a greeting signal from another external electronic pet breeding device. It also has a function as a notification means for notifying the user (owner) by flashing light, sound (buzzer sound), vibration (vibration), or the like. A control unit 3 includes a microcomputer that processes data in accordance with a predetermined program.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a “recording device capable of rewriting data” such as a flash memory. The recording device 4 includes an electronic pet breeding unit 5, a greeting / response signal recording unit 6, an electronic pet data recording unit 7, an owner (user) data recording unit 8, another electronic pet data recording unit 9, and A recording area of another owner data recording unit 10 is set. The electronic pet breeding unit 5 records data and a computer program for growing an electronic pet such as “Tamagotchi” (note that the program is recorded in a ROM (Read Only Memory) built in the microcomputer). You may). The greeting / response signal recording unit 6 records a predetermined greeting signal or response signal (this “response signal” is also a kind of “greeting signal”) to be transmitted to other nearby electronic pet breeding apparatuses. is doing. In addition, the electronic pet data recording unit 7 is data related to the electronic pet (self), for example, the name, image, cry (sound data) of the electronic pet, profile (type of electronic pet, age, favorite food, favorite Messages to other electronic pets (for example, “Let's play together,” “Let ’s fight,” “Let ’s do it,” “Let ’s play”, etc.). In addition, the owner (user) data recording unit 8 stores data related to the owner (user), for example, the name of the owner, images (face photos, caricature illustrations, animations), profiles (age, hobbies, etc.), etc. A message (text or voice message) to the owner is recorded. The other electronic pet data recording unit 9 records data related to other electronic pets transmitted from other portable electronic pet breeding apparatuses. Further, the other owner data recording unit 10 records data related to owners of other electronic pets transmitted from other electronic pet breeding apparatuses.

  Further, 11 is a greeting signal, a response signal, electronic pet data, or owner data recorded in the recording device 4 is wirelessly transmitted to the outside, and a greeting signal, a response signal is transmitted wirelessly from the outside. This is a signal / data transmission / reception unit for receiving electronic pet data or owner data. The transmission / reception unit 11 transmits and receives a greeting signal and electronic pet data wirelessly using, for example, electromagnetic waves such as infrared rays and weak radio waves so as to reach a range of several meters to several tens of meters. A simple signal such as a greeting signal may be transmitted by ultrasonic waves or light. Further, the transmission / reception unit 11 is controlled by the control unit 3 and automatically transmits a greeting signal to the outside constantly or automatically every predetermined time (every few seconds, every tens of seconds, or every few minutes). is doing.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 22 denotes another electronic pet growing apparatus, and the internal structure is the same as that of the electronic pet growing apparatus 21. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a communication procedure (protocol) of signals and data exchanged between these two electronic pet breeding apparatuses 21 and 22.

As described above, greeting signals are automatically transmitted from the signal / data transmission / reception unit 11 to the outside from the two electronic pet breeding apparatuses 21 and 22 as described above. Therefore, these two devices 21 and 22 happen to happen to be “neighboring areas” within a range of, for example, several meters to several tens of meters (within a range where the greeting signal from the transmission / reception unit 11 reaches by the electromagnetic waves). For example, based on an output from the human body detection unit 31 described below (or when two or more users accidentally approach each other because they are usually carried by each user) (or The control unit 3 may be set to automatically send a greeting signal every predetermined time when going out), and greetings from either (from the electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 in this example) A signal (a signal indicating the presence of an electronic pet, for example, a signal indicating a greeting “here”) is issued and received by the other (in this example, the electronic pet growing device 22) (step in FIG. 2). 1).
In this embodiment, the “greeting signal” is transmitted, for example, to (1) a surrounding area at a predetermined time preset by the user (for example, every 3 seconds, every 30 seconds, every 3 minutes). May be wirelessly transmitted, (2) may be wirelessly transmitted outdoors, or (3) wirelessly transmitted by the user's operation only when the user desires.

  In this case, in the device 21, when the greeting signal is transmitted, the control unit 3 controls the output unit 2 to notify the others of the existence of its own electronic pet. Outputs blinking, sound, voice, etc. Also in the device 22, when the greeting signal is received, the control unit 3 in the device 22 controls the output unit 2 to indicate the presence of its own electronic pet (for example, the received greeting signal is received). In order to notify the user of the other electronic pet that has transmitted, a predetermined notification by a predetermined light, blinking light, sound, voice, or the like is output. In addition, the control unit 3 in the device 22 notifies the user of the self (electronic pet survival device 22) that “the greeting signal from the electronic pet of another electronic pet breeding device has been received” along with the output of this notification. Therefore, predetermined notification is performed by predetermined light, flashing light, sound, sound, vibration, or the like.

  In the electronic pet breeding apparatus 22 that has received the greeting signal, the signal / data transmission / reception unit 11 sends a signal indicating that “greeting signal has been received” to the control unit 3, and the control unit 3 receives this signal and automatically to, reply signal (and there are electronic pet is also here, if there 3 with a signal indicating that the received a greeting signal from there, the signal with the meaning of, for example, "Hello") to send, device 21 This side receives this (step 2). That is, since the electronic pet breeding apparatus 22 has the same configuration as that of the apparatus 21, when the control unit receives a greeting signal from another apparatus 21, the control unit automatically generates a response signal. (Greeting signal) is returned. In the case of transmitting this response signal, in the device 21, the control unit 3 controls the output unit 2 to notify the surrounding people of the presence of its own electronic pet. Output sound, voice, etc. As described above, a normal “greeting” between electronic pets that have come close by chance, such as passing by a road, is spontaneously performed without any special operation of each user.

  Next, the device 21 transmits an “inquiry signal as to whether electronic pet data can be sent from here”, and the device 22 receives this (step 3 in FIG. 2). The device 22 transmits a “reply signal that it may be sent”, and the device 21 receives this reply signal (step 4). Then, the device 21 transmits its own electronic pet data (name, image, call, profile, etc.), and the device 22 receives this data (step 5). Next, the device 22 transmits an “inquiry signal for inquiring whether electronic pet data can be sent from here” and the device 21 receives it (step 6). The device 21 transmits a “reply signal that it can be sent”, and the device 22 receives this reply signal (step 7). Then, the electronic pet data is transmitted from the device 22, and the device 21 receives this data (step 8). Communication between these electronic pets is performed spontaneously by each electronic pet without any special operation of each user. Further, when the user desires (for example, when the user has set communication in advance in the procedure of step S9 and later described below), the device 21 reads “Even if owner data is sent from here. An inquiry signal for inquiring whether or not it is good is transmitted and received by the apparatus 22 (step 9). Then, a “reply signal that you can send” is transmitted from the device 22 and received by the device 21 (step 10). In response, “owner data” is transmitted from the device 21 and received by the device 22 (step 11). Thereafter, an “inquiry signal as to whether owner data can be sent from here” is transmitted from the device 22 and received by the device 21 (step 12). The device 21 transmits a “signal indicating that it can be sent”, and the device 22 receives it (step 13). Then, “owner data” is transmitted from the device 22 and received by the device 21 (step 14).

  In this embodiment, when transmitting the greeting signal in step 1 of FIG. 2, information or signal indicating the presence and location of the electronic pet (self) is transmitted from the electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 (self) by a predetermined sound or light. You may make it output. This information or signal is, for example, such as the meaning of the voice or signal that an acoustic show a "cry" and "Hello" in the electronic pet. Thereby, the people around the electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 can know the existence of the electronic pet (self) and the location of the electronic pet (self). The presence and whereabouts are known to the surrounding people by screaming, etc., but the same is true for electronic pets according to this embodiment. 2, when the other electronic pet breeding apparatus 22 receives the greeting signal from the electronic pet breeding apparatus 21, the electronic pet breeding apparatus 22 also receives the “own presence” as described above. Information or signal such as a cry indicating “” may be output. Also in this case, it is possible to notify surrounding people (including the user of the electronic pet growing device 21) that the electronic pet (the electronic pet growing device 22) is present there. In addition, when the electronic pet breeding apparatus 22 returns a response signal in step 2 of FIG. 2, the electronic pet growing apparatus 22 similarly outputs information or a signal such as the above-mentioned call. Good. In this case, inform the surrounding people, in particular, the user of the electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 who has sent the greeting signal, that this electronic pet has returned a reply signal to the other party. Can do.

  The “electronic pet data” and “owner data” received from the outside as described above (exchanged between two electronic pet breeding apparatuses) are transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 11 of the apparatuses 21 and 22 via the control unit 3. The data is recorded in “another electronic pet data recording unit 9” or “another owner data recording unit 10” in the recording device 4. In addition, the user outputs “other electronic pet data” and “other owner data” recorded in this way to the output unit 2 by the control unit 3, thereby displaying the images and profiles of the electronic pet and owner. It can be displayed and visually recognized, and other electronic pets and other owners' messages can be heard from the speaker.

  Note that the user of the device 22 that has received the greeting signal from the device 21 in step 1 of FIG. 2 operates the light emitting diode, speaker, or vibrator provided in the output unit of the device 22 (the control unit When the greeting signal is received, it is programmed in advance to activate the light emitting diode, speaker, vibrator, etc. to notify the user) , Let them know (notify). Further, the user of the device 21 that has received the response signal from the device 22 in step 2 of FIG. 2 is controlled by the control unit 3 (when the control unit 3 receives an external response signal, the output unit 2 Are programmed to activate the light emitting diodes, speakers, vibrators, etc., and notify the user).

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the two users carrying the electronic pet breeding apparatuses 21 and 22 approach each other, when the respective electronic pet breeding apparatuses 21 and 22 approach each other, Of electronic pets voluntarily and automatically (ie, without waiting for user's special operation) to exchange “greetings” (wireless communication), and further, data on each other's electronic pets and their owners ( Users) communicate with each other wirelessly, so that each user can stop and greet and talk to them through electronic pets, that is, “intermediate” and “start”, and become acquaintances / friends / acquaintances Can do. In general, when walking a “real-life pet” such as a dog, pets can “talk”, “play and fight”, have a conversation, We often experience that pets become acquainted with each other as walks, but according to this example, the same thing can be said about “electronic pets”. Can also be generated. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a new function / role (function / role of mediating communication between users) of the electronic pet or the electronic pet breeding apparatus can be added to increase the added value.

  In the above embodiment, the electronic pet breeding apparatus has been described. However, the present invention relates to an electronic child character training apparatus, an electronic child character education / nurturing apparatus (game apparatus for educating / nurturing a child character), Of course, various electronic creatures such as an electronic human character life device, an electronic monster character breeding device, and an electronic plant cultivation device can be similarly applied.

  Next, other configurations and operations of the present embodiment than those described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, a portable electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 includes a human body detection unit 31 that includes an infrared sensor, a thermal sensor, and the like. The human body detection unit 31 detects the presence of another person in a nearby area. In the present embodiment, as described above, a greeting signal may be transmitted every predetermined time, but this is not the case, only when the human body detection unit 31 detects the presence of another person in the nearby area. You may make it transmit a greeting signal by control of the control part 3 which received the output from the human body detection part 31. FIG. In this way, it is possible to prevent waste of transmitting a greeting signal every predetermined time even when there are no other people around.

  In this embodiment, the electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 determines the similarity and compatibility of both electronic pets with the other electronic pet breeding apparatus 22, and the similarity between both users and A “similarity and compatibility determination unit” 32 for determining the compatibility is provided. For example, the determination unit 32 exchanges both electronic pet data between the device 21 and the device 22, and the birthday, birthday constellation, blood type, and preference in the two electronic pet data. By comparing data such as favorite food and favorite play with each other (a kind of “match”), the “similarity and compatibility” between both electronic pets is determined. The contents of the determination result can be displayed as characters or graphics, or output by voice or sound, by being sent to the output unit 2 via the control unit 3. In this embodiment, when it is determined that the “similarity or compatibility” between the two electronic pets is higher than a certain level, the control unit 3 controls the output unit 2. This is notified to the user or a person around it by predetermined sound, voice, light, vibration, or the like.

  Similarly, in the present embodiment, both the user data are exchanged between the device 21 and the device 22, and the birth date, age, sex, constellation of the date of birth and blood of both users. Data such as type, hobby, favorite food, favorite play, etc. are compared with each other (a kind of “match”), and “similarity and compatibility” between both users are determined. The contents of the determination result (for example, “good compatibility”, “bad compatibility”, etc.) are sent to the output unit 2 via the control unit 3 and displayed as characters or graphics, or output by voice or sound. Can do. Further, in this embodiment, when the “similarity or compatibility” between both users is higher than a predetermined level as a result of this determination, the control unit 3 controls the output unit 2 to Is notified to the user or a person around it by predetermined sound, voice, light, vibration, or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the electronic pets exchange information with each other without any user operation between the electronic pet breeding device 22 and the other electronic pet breeding device 22 ( A “spontaneous communication unit” 33 (see FIG. 1) is provided for performing predetermined conversations, games, battles (battles), matchmaking, and the like by communicating and exchanging information. The “spontaneous communication unit” 33 executes, for example, a recording area in which data of a plurality of conversation exchange patterns, a plurality of game exchange patterns, and a plurality of battle exchange patterns are recorded, and each of these patterns is executed. And an area in which a program for selecting an appropriate one of the plurality of patterns is recorded.

  The spontaneous communication unit 33 exchanges greeting signals with each other between the two electronic pet breeding apparatuses 21 and 22 in the nearby area, and then, for example, one of them transmits data “Let's talk”. When the other responds with a response signal corresponding thereto, one of a plurality of predetermined “conversation patterns” is selected, and the electronic pets make their own according to the “protocol” of the selected pattern. The conversation involves talking about names, birthdays, and favorite foods. Based on information exchanged in this conversation (including data related to electronic pets), the “similarity and compatibility determination unit” 32 determines the similarity and compatibility of both electronic pets. (The above-described series of conversation exchanges and compatibility determination operations can be said to be a kind of “matching” mode).

  Note that, for example, when one of the above-mentioned data “send“ conversation ”is transmitted and the other responds with a response signal corresponding thereto, one of a plurality of predetermined“ conversation patterns ”is selected, According to the selected protocol, the electronic pets exchange conversations such as talking about their name, birthday, favorite food, etc. Next, the operation when “select one of” will be described. In the electronic pet breeding apparatus 21 according to the present embodiment, a calendar unit 34 that records calendar (calendar) data, which is data for determining the day of the week and season, and a timing unit for measuring the time at that time 35, and a current position specifying unit (GPS = global positioning system or a PHS with a base station having a narrow coverage area = a simple mobile phone) 36 for measuring the location at that time It has been. Data from the calendar unit 34, the time measuring unit 35, and the current position specifying unit 36 are sent to the spontaneous communication unit 33 via the control unit 3. The voluntary communication unit 33 determines the current situation (scene / situation) determined from the calendar, time, current position, etc., from among a plurality of conversation exchange patterns by a program included therein. ) ”Is selected. Then, the spontaneous communication unit 33 performs conversation exchange by wireless transmission according to the selected conversation pattern.

  The above is an example of “an exchange of conversations spontaneously (without permission) between electronic pets without requiring user operation”. However, in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the exchange of conversations. , For example, exchanges of games, battles, battles, etc., are performed voluntarily (without user operation) between electronic pets according to a predetermined protocol. Can do. In addition, by adopting the current artificial intelligence technology, it is also possible for electronic pets to exchange conversations and games with high flexibility without following the predetermined protocol.

  In other words, in this embodiment, not only the exchange of the protocol of FIG. 2 above, but also electronic organisms continue “conversation” and “chat” automatically and spontaneously (without assuming user operation). It is possible to program the control unit. It is possible to have a routine conversation between electronic creatures even with current technology (for example, using “artificial intelligence” or “agent” technology). For example, when two electronic creatures meet each other, a signal is sent from one to the other "Let's fight for janken", and when the other responds "Good", then from both sides to the other, goo, choki , By sending a signal indicating one of the pars, the game of Janken is played, and the result of the victory and loss is shared by both sides (that is, the result of winning and losing is displayed on the output unit 2 of both electronic pet breeding devices 21 and 22) Can be done with current technology.

  In this embodiment, for example, the following “game exchange” can be performed between two electronic pet breeding apparatuses. In the following example, for example, “Any one of the three symbols A, B, and C is chosen, and both sides decide the victory and defeat, and repeat it three times, for the first to the third total. A description will be given by taking an ABC third round game (tentative name), “determining victory or defeat by (total)” as an example. In this ABC 3rd round game, it is assumed that a rule “A is stronger than B. B is stronger than C. C is stronger than A” is predetermined. Below, it demonstrates with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the human body detection unit 31 incorporated in one of the electronic pet breeding devices 21 detects the presence of another person in a nearby area (when step S21 is YES), a greeting signal is transmitted from the user. (Step S22). Thereafter, it is determined whether a response signal (greeting signal) from another electronic pet breeding apparatus 22 has been received within a predetermined time, for example, within 3 seconds (step S23). If this determination is NO, the process ends. When this determination is YES, a signal “Do not play ABC3 round game?” Is transmitted from the device 21 (step S24). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a signal saying “You can play the ABC 3rd round game” is returned from another device 22 within 3 seconds (step S25). If this determination is NO, the process ends. If this determination is yes, both sides start the game. As an operation on the device 21 side, first, one pattern is selected from a plurality of combinations of A, B, and C (step S26). For this selection, for example, the user may determine a plurality of patterns and the order of each pattern in advance, and select according to the order (or transmitted from the time measuring unit 35 or the current position specifying unit 36). Any one of the patterns may be selected by a computer program recorded in advance according to the characteristic data of the time and place at that time). In this example, it is assumed that the electronic pet of the device 21 selects the pattern “A for the first time, C for the second time, B for the third time”. On the other hand, it is assumed that the electronic pet on the other device 22 side selects “pattern B for the first time, C for the second time, and A for the third time”.

  After the game starts, both sides transmit the first one (the first one in the selected pattern). The device 21 transmits “first A” (step S27). Next, the device 21 determines whether or not the first device (in this example, “first B”) has been received from the other device 22 (step S28). If this determination is NO, the processing ends. If this determination is YES, a first win / loss of this game between the electronic pet of the device 21 and the electronic pet of the device 22 is determined (step S29). In this case, since the device 21 side issues “A” and the device 22 side issues “B”, the electronic pet on the device 21 side wins from the rule that “A is stronger than B” (the device 22 side is I will lose). In the same manner, the second and third games are determined to determine the outcome (from step S30 to step S35). When the third round is performed, the total of the first and third rounds is totaled to determine the total win / loss (step S36), and the determination result is displayed on the output unit of the apparatus 21 and the apparatus 22 ( Step S37).

  In this embodiment, a portable electronic pet breeding apparatus for growing an electronic pet as a hobby by a user such as “Tamagotchi” is shown as an electronic living thing survival apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the “electronic creature” that survives in the electronic creature survival device may be an “electronic secretary” character that the user uses for business purposes. Anyway, any character capable of “something exchange” with the user is included in the “electronic creature” in the present invention. For example, this “electronic secretary” character can send messages such as “Let's be friends” or “Recruiting friends” to other electronic devices on a device carried by a person passing by on the road. You may make it transmit via the exchange with living organisms.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a portable electronic pet breeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the communication procedure (protocol) when the electronic pet of the two portable electronic pet breeding apparatuses of the Example of this invention exchanges greetings etc. mutually. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement when the electronic pet of two portable electronic pet breeding apparatuses of the Example of this invention communicates exchange of a game spontaneously.

Claims (13)

An electronic biological survival device carried by the user,
Greeting signal transmission means for wirelessly transmitting a “predetermined greeting signal by an electronic organism” so that it is received by other electronic organism survival devices in a nearby area;
A greeting signal receiving means for receiving a "predetermined greeting signal by an electronic creature" transmitted wirelessly from another electronic living thing survival device in a nearby area;
A portable electronic living thing survival device characterized by including. 2. The portable electronic living thing survival apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the greeting signal transmitting means transmits a greeting signal at predetermined time intervals. The claim 1, further comprising:
Including detection means for detecting that there is another person or another electronic living thing survival device in a nearby area,
The portable electronic living thing survival apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The said greeting signal transmission means transmits a greeting signal based on the output from this detection means. In claim 1, 2 or 3, further
Informing means for notifying the user when a predetermined greeting signal is received by the greeting signal receiving means,
A portable electronic living thing survival device characterized by including. In any one of Claims 1-4, Furthermore,
When a predetermined greeting signal is received from another electronic living thing survival device by the greeting signal receiving means, a predetermined greeting signal is voluntarily sent to the other portable electronic living thing survival device that transmitted the greeting signal. Greeting signal reply means for replying wirelessly,
A portable electronic living thing survival device characterized by including. In any one of Claim 1-5, Furthermore,
Electronic biological data recording means for recording electronic biological data;
Electronic biological data transmitting means for transmitting the electronic biological data recorded in the electronic biological data recording means together with the greeting signal or separately from the greeting signal;
An electronic biological data receiving means for receiving electronic biological data of another electronic biological living device wirelessly transmitted from the other electronic biological living device;
An output means for outputting the electronic biological data of another electronic biological survival device received by the electronic biological data receiving means;
A portable electronic biological survival device comprising: In any one of Claim 1-6, Furthermore,
A user data recording means for recording data relating to electronic biological users;
User data transmitting means for transmitting user data recorded in the user data recording means together with the greeting signal or separately from the greeting signal;
User data receiving means for receiving user data of another electronic living organism device wirelessly transmitted from another electronic living organism device;
An output means for outputting user data of another electronic living thing received by the user data receiving means;
A portable electronic biological survival device comprising: In any one of Claim 1-7, Furthermore,
When transmitting the greeting signal, a greeting transmission notification means for notifying the surrounding people of the presence or location of the transmitting electronic creature,
A portable electronic biological survival device comprising: In any of claims 1 to 8, further
When receiving the greeting signal, a greeting reception notification means for notifying the surrounding people of the presence or location of the electronic creature on the receiving side,
A portable electronic biological survival device comprising: In any of claims 5 to 9, further
When replying the greeting signal, greeting reply notification means for notifying the surrounding people of the presence or location of the electronic creature on the reply side,
A portable electronic biological survival device comprising: In any of claims 1 to 10, further
Compare the electronic biological data or user data of other portable electronic biological living devices transmitted from other portable electronic biological living devices with their own electronic biological data or user data. Or similarity or compatibility determination means for determining similarity or compatibility between users;
A determination result output means for outputting a determination result by the similarity or compatibility degree determination means;
A portable electronic living thing survival device characterized by including. In any of claims 1 to 10, further
Compare the electronic biological data or user data of other portable electronic biological living devices transmitted from other portable electronic biological living devices with their own electronic biological data or user data. Or similarity or compatibility determination means for determining similarity or compatibility between users;
When the similarity or compatibility degree determination means determines that the similarity or compatibility degree is relatively high, a determination notification means for making a predetermined notification to inform the user of the fact,
A portable electronic living thing survival device characterized by including. In any of claims 1 to 12, further
Between two portable electronic living thing survival devices in an area close to each other, electronic creatures communicate with each other wirelessly, exchanging calls, conversations, games, battles, matchmaking Voluntary means of communication for exchanging information, such as communication, without relying on any special user actions,
A portable electronic biological survival device comprising:

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