JP2010198542A - Server device, communication system, service method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server device etc. suitable to efficiently perform communication between the server device and a plurality of terminal devices. <P>SOLUTION: In the server device 201 for transmitting and receiving information to/from the plurality of terminal devices, a memory 301 stores a history of times when information is transmitted and received and a transmission scheduled time to each terminal device, a transmission unit 302 transmits information for a terminal to the terminal device when the current time becomes any of transmission scheduled times, a receiving unit 303 receives information for a server transmitted from the terminal device, an estimation unit 304 estimates a reception scheduled time for receiving the information for the server from the stored history and the transmission scheduled time, and an updating part 305 updates the transmission scheduled time so as to prevent the transmission scheduled time from overlapping the estimated reception scheduled time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a server device, a communication system, a service method, and a program for realizing them on a computer, which are suitable for efficient communication between the server device and a plurality of terminal devices.

  Conventionally, in a communication game via the Internet, a plurality of terminal devices communicate with each other, and any one of the terminal devices that communicate with each other serves as a server device (host device), or the game is performed in a predetermined server device. A method in which calculation processing of progress is concentrated, and other terminal devices perform screen display based on display information transmitted from the server device, and transmit input information from the user in the terminal device to the server device. There is something that adopts.

  As a technique related to such a technique, there is a technique for reducing the communication load as disclosed in Patent Document 1 listed below.

  In such a communication game, generally, display information is periodically sent from the server device to the terminal device, and input information is regularly sent from the terminal device to the server device. That is, information is transmitted and received intermittently between the server device and the terminal device.

Japanese Patent No. 3496150

  However, the communication delay between the terminal device and the server device varies depending on the communication environment in which each terminal device is placed. On the other hand, if the time when the information transmitted from each terminal device arrives at the server device is too close, the packets may collide, causing trouble in the calculation processing of the server device or increasing the communication load due to the loss of the packets. is there.

  Therefore, there is a need for a technique for appropriately adjusting the time at which information is transmitted from the server device to each terminal device so that the time at which the server device receives the information transmitted from each terminal device is distributed. .

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and is suitable for efficient communication between a server device and a plurality of terminal devices, a communication system, a service method, and a computer. The purpose is to provide a program for realizing this.

  In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.

  A server device according to a first aspect of the present invention transmits and receives information to and from each of a plurality of terminal devices, and includes a storage unit, a transmission unit, a reception unit, an estimation unit, and an update unit, and is configured as follows.

  That is, the storage unit stores a history of times when information is transmitted / received to / from each of the plurality of terminal devices, and a scheduled transmission time associated with each of the plurality of terminal devices.

  Typically, when the terminal address information is transmitted from the server device to the terminal device, the server address information is transmitted from the terminal device to the server device in response thereto, and these are in a pair relationship. Therefore, the server device manages information transmission / reception times. The scheduled transmission time means the time when the terminal address information should be transmitted next to the terminal device.

  On the other hand, when the current time is one of a plurality of scheduled transmission times, the transmission unit transmits the terminal address information to the terminal device associated with the scheduled transmission time.

  For example, if time measurement using a real-time clock, timer interruption, or the like is used, the server device can know that the scheduled transmission time has been reached.

  Further, the receiving unit receives server address information associated with the terminal address information transmitted from the terminal apparatus that has received the terminal address information among the plurality of terminal devices.

  The server address information received here is paired with the previously transmitted terminal address information and responds to this. The time when the information addressed to the server is received is stored in the storage unit as a history of the time when the information was sent and received.

  Then, the estimation unit receives the server address information associated with the transmission of the terminal address information at the scheduled transmission time from the stored history and each of the stored multiple scheduled transmission times. Estimate the scheduled reception time.

  With respect to a certain terminal device, it can be estimated that the interval between the time when the terminal address information is transmitted and the time when the server address information is received from the terminal device after the transmission is substantially constant in the terminal device. Therefore, the estimation unit estimates the scheduled reception time from the scheduled transmission time based on the transmission / reception history of information stored in the storage unit.

  On the other hand, the update unit sets the scheduled transmission time so that the plurality of stored scheduled transmission times and the plurality of scheduled reception times estimated by the estimation unit with respect to the plurality of scheduled transmission times do not overlap. Update.

  As described above, if the scheduled transmission time is determined, the scheduled reception time for the scheduled transmission time can be estimated based on the history of information transmission / reception. Therefore, the updating unit resets the scheduled transmission time so that the predetermined scheduled transmission time and the estimated scheduled reception time are distributed as uniformly as possible and do not overlap.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the time which transmits / receives information in a server apparatus can be disperse | distributed as much as possible, and communication can be performed efficiently.

  The server device according to the present invention intermittently transmits and receives information to and from each of the plurality of terminal devices R [1], R [2],..., R [N] once every predetermined time T. It can be configured as follows.

  Considering the case where the present invention is applied to a communication game, the screen update interval in the terminal device is typically a vertical synchronization period (or an integer multiple thereof). Therefore, the screen update interval corresponds to the predetermined time T. Display information to be displayed on the screen of the terminal device is transmitted as information addressed to the terminal once from the server device to the terminal device during the predetermined time T, and the operation input of the user of the terminal device is transmitted from the terminal device to the server device. Input information is transmitted as server-addressed information.

  On the other hand, for each of the integers i = 1, 2,..., N, from the terminal device R [i] corresponding to the transmission after the terminal address information is finally transmitted to the terminal device R [i]. The transmission / reception interval m [i] until the server address information is finally received is stored as a time history, and the next scheduled transmission time s [i] at which the terminal address information is to be transmitted next to the terminal device R [i] Is memorized.

  For each of the integers j = 1, 2,..., N, the transmission unit transmits the terminal address information to the terminal device R [j] when the current time reaches the scheduled transmission time s [j].

  The receiving unit receives the server address information transmitted from the terminal device R [k] for each of the integers k = 1, 2,.

  When the server address information transmitted from the terminal device R [k] is received, the updating unit updates the transmission / reception interval m [k] based on the difference between the current time and the scheduled transmission time s [k].

  In other words, in the present invention, the latest transmission / reception interval from the transmission of terminal-addressed information to the reception of server-addressed information is adopted as the history of information transmission / reception time.

Furthermore, after the transmission / reception interval m [k] is updated, the estimation unit is given a value r as a candidate value for the scheduled transmission time s [k].
s [1], s [2], ..., s [k-1], r, s [k + 1], ..., s [N]
The scheduled reception time for receiving the server address information associated with the terminal address information transmitted to each of the
s [1] + m [1], s [2] + m [2], ..., s [k-1] + m [k-1], r + m [k], s [k + 1] + m [k + 1],…, s [N] + m [2]
Estimated.

  That is, in the present invention, the scheduled reception time s [j] + m [j] from the terminal device R [j] is estimated from the scheduled transmission time s [j] to the terminal device R [j].

  Further, the update unit obtains a time p obtained by adding the predetermined time T to the current value of the scheduled transmission time s [k], and the result obtained by dividing the obtained time p by the predetermined time T is a truncated floor (p / T) from any time between time floor (p / T) × T and time [floor (p / T) +1] × T determined for transmission time s [k] The next value q is selected, and the scheduled transmission time s [k] is updated with the selected next value q.

  Here, the range for selecting the next value q of the scheduled transmission time s [k] is from time floor (p / T) × T to time [floor (p / T) +1] × T. This is because information is transmitted and received between the server device and the terminal device R [k] once during the predetermined time T.

Here, the update unit
(1) Scheduled transmission time when the value p is given as a candidate value for the scheduled transmission time s [k] to the estimation unit
s [1], s [2], ..., s [k-1], p, s [k + 1], ..., s [N]
And scheduled reception time
s [1] + m [1], s [2] + m [2], ..., s [k-1] + m [k-1], p + m [k], s [k + 1] + m [k + 1],…, s [N] + m [2]
Minimum value of each time interval in the time sequence in which
(2) Scheduled transmission time when the estimation unit is given the next value q as a candidate value for the scheduled transmission time s [k].
s [1], s [2], ..., s [k-1], q, s [k + 1], ..., s [N]
And
s [1] + m [1], s [2] + m [2], ..., s [k-1] + m [k-1], q + m [k], s [k + 1] + m [k + 1],…, s [N] + m [2]
Minimum value of each time interval in the time sequence in which
, The next value q is selected so that the minimum value of the interval (2) is equal to or greater than the minimum value of the interval (1).

  That is, the scheduled transmission time and the scheduled reception time are sorted to obtain the minimum value of the interval. The smaller this minimum value is, the more likely it is that the packet transmission / reception times will collide, and the calculation processing in the server device will be more difficult.

  Therefore, typically, the next value q is selected so that the minimum value of the next interval is as large as possible as compared with the minimum value of the current interval.

  According to the present invention, the server apparatus can easily estimate the scheduled reception time by using the nearest interval of the information transmission / reception time, and can set the information transmission / reception time so as not to overlap as much as possible. become.

  In the server device of the present invention, the update unit selects a plurality of candidates for the next value q from the time floor (p / T) × T to the time [floor (p / T) +1] × T. Then, the minimum value of the interval for each of the candidate and the value p can be obtained, and the value having the maximum minimum value can be selected as the next value q.

  Use the steepest descent method or simulated annealing method to minimize the variance / standard deviation in the statistical distribution of the interval between the scheduled transmission time and the scheduled reception time when determining the next value q and other scheduled transmission times. It is good also as calculating | requiring the optimal arrangement | positioning which does.

  However, the transmission / reception interval in the communication between the terminal device and the server device varies depending on the communication status, and it is often sufficient to adopt a simple calculation method instead of a complicated calculation method.

  The present invention is based on such an idea, and selects a plurality of candidates for the next value q, and adopts the minimum value of the interval between times in a time string in which the scheduled transmission time and the scheduled reception time are sorted as evaluation values. , A value having the maximum evaluation value is selected from the value p and each of the candidates.

  As a method for the update unit to select a plurality of candidates for the next value q, for example, the time from floor (p / T) × T to time [floor (p / T) +1] × T is divided at a predetermined interval. A method of selecting each time as a candidate for the next value q, or from the time floor (p / T) × T to the time [floor (p / T) +1] × T, There is a method of selecting a plurality of candidates at random.

  According to the present invention, the server device can appropriately arrange the scheduled transmission time with a simple calculation.

  A communication system according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to include a plurality of terminal devices and the server device described above.

  Here, each of the plurality of terminal devices includes a terminal-side receiving unit and a terminal-side transmitting unit.

  Here, the terminal side receiving unit receives the terminal addressed information transmitted from the server device, and the terminal side transmitting unit transmits the server addressed information to the server device every time the terminal addressed information is received.

  For example, in the case of realizing a communication game, the state information of the player of each terminal device (or other terminal device) currently participating in the game is designated as the information addressed to the terminal. The state information of the player updated based on the instruction operation of the player of the terminal device is designated. Typically, the processing executed between reception and transmission is fixed, so the time from reception to transmission is almost constant, and the server device appropriately sets the time delay of the communication path with each terminal device. Can be estimated.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the time at which information is transmitted and received in the server device can be distributed as much as possible, and communication can be executed efficiently.

  A service method according to another aspect of the present invention is executed by a server device that transmits / receives information to / from each of a plurality of terminal devices, and the server device includes a storage unit, a transmission unit, a reception unit, an estimation unit, and an update unit. The configuration is as follows.

  Here, the storage unit stores a history of times when information is transmitted / received to / from each of the plurality of terminal devices, and a scheduled transmission time associated with each of the plurality of terminal devices.

  On the other hand, in the transmission step, when the current time becomes one of a plurality of scheduled transmission times, the transmission unit transmits the terminal address information to the terminal device associated with the scheduled transmission time.

  Further, in the receiving step, the receiving unit receives server address information associated with the terminal address information transmitted from the terminal apparatus that has received the terminal address information among the plurality of terminal devices.

  Then, in the estimation step, the estimation unit is configured to receive, from the stored history and each of the plurality of stored transmission scheduled times, server address information associated with transmission of terminal addressed information at the scheduled transmission time. To estimate the scheduled reception time.

  On the other hand, in the update process, the update unit is configured so that the plurality of stored transmission scheduled times and the plurality of reception scheduled times estimated by the estimation unit with respect to the plurality of transmission scheduled times do not overlap. Update the scheduled transmission time.

  A program according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to cause a computer to function as each unit of the server device.

  The program of the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable information storage medium such as a compact disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, digital video disk, magnetic tape, and semiconductor memory.

  The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. The information storage medium can be distributed and sold independently from the computer.

  According to the present invention, a server device, a communication system, a service method, and a program for realizing these on a computer are provided that are suitable for efficient communication between the server device and a plurality of terminal devices. can do.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary structure of the typical information processing apparatus which can function as a server apparatus of this embodiment by running a program. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the server apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, and a terminal device. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the server apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the service process performed in a server apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows distribution of the transmission scheduled time at the time of employ | adopting time p as a transmission scheduled time, and reception scheduled time. It is explanatory drawing which shows distribution of the transmission scheduled time and reception scheduled time when time q is employ | adopted as transmission scheduled time. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the terminal device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the game process performed with the terminal device which concerns on this embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following, for ease of understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is realized using a game information processing device will be described. However, the embodiment described below is for explanation, and the present invention is described. It does not limit the range.

  Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a typical information processing apparatus that can function as a server apparatus according to the present embodiment by executing a program. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a read only memory (ROM) 102, a random access memory (RAM) 103, an interface 104, a controller 105, an external memory 106, and an image processing unit 107. And a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc ROM) drive 108, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 109, an audio processing unit 110, and a microphone 111. Various input / output devices can be omitted as appropriate.

  A DVD-ROM storing a game program and data is loaded into the DVD-ROM drive 108 and the information processing apparatus 100 is turned on to execute the program. A terminal device that communicates with the server device is realized.

  Further, in order to make the portable game machine portable, it is possible to use a ROM cassette slot instead of using the DVD-ROM drive 108. In this case, the server apparatus of this embodiment is implement | achieved by inserting the ROM cassette with which the program was recorded, and running the said program.

  In addition to this, even in a system in which a game is advanced by connecting a terminal device to a dedicated server device, the dedicated server device is essentially an information processing device although there are some differences in calculation capability and device configuration. The configuration is the same as that of the device 100.

  The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 100 and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data. Further, the CPU 101 uses arithmetic operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division, logical sum, logical product, etc. using an ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) (not shown) for a storage area called a register (not shown) that can be accessed at high speed. , Logic operations such as logical negation, bit operations such as bit sum, bit product, bit inversion, bit shift, and bit rotation can be performed. In addition, the CPU 101 itself is configured so that saturation operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division for multimedia processing, vector operations such as trigonometric functions, etc. can be performed at a high speed, and those provided with a coprocessor. There is.

  The ROM 102 records an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after the power is turned on, and when this is executed, the program recorded on the DVD-ROM is read out to the RAM 103 and execution by the CPU 101 is started. The The ROM 102 stores an operating system program and various data necessary for operation control of the entire information processing apparatus 100.

  The RAM 103 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the DVD-ROM and other data necessary for game progress and chat communication. Further, the CPU 101 provides a variable area in the RAM 103 and performs an operation by directly operating the ALU on the value stored in the variable, or temporarily stores the value stored in the RAM 103 in the register. Perform operations such as performing operations on registers and writing back the operation results to memory.

  The controller 105 connected via the interface 104 receives an operation input performed when the user executes the game.

  The controller 105 does not necessarily have to be externally attached to the information processing apparatus 100, and may be formed integrally.

  The controller 105 of the portable terminal device includes various buttons and switches, and handles these pressing operations as operation inputs. In addition, in the information processing apparatus 100 using the touch screen, the user traces the trace of the touch screen using a pen or a finger as an operation input.

  The external memory 106 detachably connected via the interface 104 stores data indicating game play status (past results, etc.), data indicating the progress of the game, and log of chat communication in a network battle ( Data) is stored in a rewritable manner. The user can record these data in the external memory 106 as appropriate by inputting an instruction via the controller 105.

  A DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108 stores a program for realizing the game and image data and audio data associated with the game. Under the control of the CPU 101, the DVD-ROM drive 108 performs a reading process on the DVD-ROM loaded therein, reads out necessary programs and data, and these are temporarily stored in the RAM 103 or the like.

  The image processing unit 107 processes the data read from the DVD-ROM by an image arithmetic processor (not shown) included in the CPU 101 or the image processing unit 107, and then processes the processed data on a frame memory ( (Not shown). The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronization timing and output to a monitor (not shown) connected to the image processing unit 107. Thereby, various image displays are possible.

  As a monitor of a portable game machine, a small liquid crystal display is typically used. When a touch screen is used as the controller 105, a display panel of the touch screen functions as a monitor. As a monitor of a game machine for playing at home, a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or a plasma display can be used.

  The image calculation processor can execute a two-dimensional image overlay calculation, a transmission calculation such as α blending, and various saturation calculations at high speed.

  Also, polygon information arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space and added with various texture information is rendered by the Z buffer method, and the polygon arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space from the predetermined viewpoint position is determined in the direction of the predetermined line of sight It is also possible to perform high-speed execution of operations for obtaining rendered images.

  Further, the CPU 101 and the image arithmetic processor operate in a coordinated manner, so that a character string can be drawn as a two-dimensional image in a frame memory or drawn on the surface of each polygon according to font information that defines the character shape. is there.

  The NIC 109 is used to connect the information processing apparatus 100 to a computer communication network (not shown) such as the Internet, and conforms to the 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used when configuring a LAN. An analog modem for connecting to the Internet using a telephone line, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, a cable modem for connecting to the Internet using a cable television line, etc. These are configured by an interface (not shown) that mediates between these and the CPU 101.

  The audio processing unit 110 converts audio data read from the DVD-ROM into an analog audio signal and outputs the analog audio signal from a speaker (not shown) connected thereto. Further, under the control of the CPU 101, sound effects and music data to be generated during the progress of the game are generated, and the corresponding sound is output from a speaker, headphones (not shown), and earphones (not shown). Output.

  When the audio data recorded on the DVD-ROM is MIDI data, the audio processing unit 110 refers to the sound source data included in the audio data and converts the MIDI data into PCM data. If the compressed audio data is in ADPCM format or Ogg Vorbis format, it is expanded and converted to PCM data. The PCM data can be output by performing D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion at a timing corresponding to the sampling frequency and outputting it to a speaker.

  Furthermore, a microphone 111 can be connected to the information processing apparatus 100 via the interface 104. In this case, the analog signal from the microphone 111 is subjected to A / D conversion at an appropriate sampling frequency so that processing such as mixing in the sound processing unit 110 can be performed as a PCM format digital signal.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 uses a large-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk so as to perform the same function as the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the external memory 106, the DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108, and the like. You may comprise.

  In addition, it is possible to adopt a form in which a keyboard for receiving a character string editing input from a user, a mouse for receiving various position designations and selection inputs, and the like are connected. In addition, a general-purpose personal computer can be used instead of the information processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 100 described above corresponds to a so-called consumer game machine, but the server of the present invention is used on various computers such as a mobile phone, a portable game machine, a karaoke apparatus, and a general business computer. An apparatus can be realized.

  For example, a general computer, like the information processing apparatus 100, includes an image processing unit that includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, DVD-ROM drive, and NIC and has simpler functions than the information processing apparatus 100. In addition to having a hard disk as an external storage device, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, and the like can be used. Further, not the controller 105 but a keyboard or a mouse is used as an input device.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the server device and the terminal device according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the server device 201 is connected to a plurality of terminal devices 221 via the Internet 241 so as to be communicable to realize a communication game system.

  Both the server device 201 and the terminal device 221 are typically realized by executing a predetermined program in the information processing apparatus 100 having the same configuration.

  That is, when the communication game program is executed in the information processing apparatus 100, each information processing apparatus 100 makes an inquiry to an introduction server (not shown) and introduces another information processing apparatus 100 that plays the communication game together. Ask.

  The introduction server selects the information processing apparatus 100 that plays the communication game together, and selects one functioning as the server apparatus 201 from the information processing apparatus 100. Then, the information processing apparatus 100 is introduced to the other information processing apparatus 100 by notifying which one functions as the server apparatus 201 and which functions as the terminal apparatus 221.

  The server device 201 manages the progress of the communication game.

  In addition, the server device 201 and each terminal device 221 accept an input of an instruction operation of a user who uses the information processing device 100, displays the status of the communication game progressed by the server device 201 on the screen, and presents it to the user To do.

  For this reason, display information to be displayed on the screen is transmitted from the server apparatus 201 to the terminal apparatus 221 once in the vertical synchronization period (or an integer multiple thereof). 201 is notified of the user's instruction operation performed in the terminal device 221.

  Even in a mode other than the communication game, there may be a situation in which the server device 201 exchanges information with each of the plurality of terminal devices 221 so that the number of times of communication per unit time is constant. Therefore, in order to facilitate understanding, information communicated from the server device 201 to the terminal device 221 is hereinafter referred to as terminal addressed information, and information communicated from the terminal device 221 to the server device 201 is referred to as server addressed information below. I will call it.

  Upon receiving the terminal address information transmitted from the server device 201, each terminal device 221 transmits the server address information to the server device 201 in response to this.

  Network communication is performed by exchanging packets. However, in order to perform efficient communication, it is desirable that packets do not collide as much as possible. Therefore, it is preferable that the time at which the terminal address information is transmitted from the server device 201 to each terminal device 221 and the time at which the server device 201 receives the server address information from each terminal device 221 are distributed as much as possible.

  Here, the communication path between each terminal device 221 and the server device 201 depends on which part of the Internet 241 the terminal device 221 is connected to, and what device is used for the communication. The situation is different.

  Therefore, even if the time for transmitting the server address information after receiving the terminal address information is the same for each terminal device 221, the time required for the round trip of the information differs depending on the communication path.

  On the other hand, with regard to a certain terminal device 221, it can be expected that the time required for information to and from the server device 201 takes a certain value although there is a statistical fluctuation.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the server device 201 manages the time interval from when the terminal address information is transmitted to a certain terminal device 221 to when the server address information is received from the terminal device 221, so that the transmission time and the reception time are It is supposed to adjust automatically so as not to collide as much as possible. Details will be described below.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server apparatus 201 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The server apparatus 201 according to the present embodiment transmits / receives information to / from each of the plurality of terminal apparatuses 221, and includes a storage unit 301, a transmission unit 302, a reception unit 303, an estimation unit 304, and an update unit 305. This is realized by executing a predetermined program in the information processing apparatus 100.

  Here, the storage unit 301 is realized by the RAM 103, a hard disk, or the like, and a history of times when information is transmitted / received to / from each of the plurality of terminal devices 221 and a scheduled transmission time associated with each of the plurality of terminal devices 221. , Is stored.

  As the time history, it is simplest to store the time when the terminal address information was sent to each terminal device 221 in the past and the time when the server address information was received from each terminal device 221 in the past. In addition, the time interval between the time when the terminal address information was last transmitted to each terminal device 221 and the time when the server address information transmitted by each terminal device 221 was received in response to the transmission (hereinafter referred to as “transmission / reception”). It is also possible to store “interval”).

  The scheduled transmission time indicates the time when the terminal addressed information should be transmitted next to each terminal device 221, and the server device 201 adjusts this information appropriately so that the transmission time and the reception time are as uniform as possible. Break it out and avoid collisions.

  On the other hand, the transmission unit 302 is realized by the NIC 109 under the control of the CPU 101, and when the current time becomes one of a plurality of transmission scheduled times, the terminal unit 221 associated with the scheduled transmission time is sent to the transmission unit 302. Send information addressed to the terminal.

  Then, the terminal device 221 that has received the terminal address information transmits the server address information to the server device 201 in response.

  Further, the receiving unit 303 is realized by the NIC 109 under the control of the CPU 101, and receives server address information transmitted from each of the plurality of terminal devices 221.

  The update unit 305 is realized by the cooperation of the RAM 103 and the CPU 101. When the server address information is received from any of the terminal devices 221, the update unit 305 transmits the terminal address information corresponding to the server address information. The transmission / reception time of the information stored in the storage unit 301 is updated based on the time and the reception time of the information addressed to the server.

  The estimation unit 304 is realized by the cooperation of the RAM 103 and the CPU 101, and the terminal at the scheduled transmission time is determined from the stored history and each of the stored scheduled transmission times. The scheduled reception time at which the server address information associated with the transmission of the address information is received by the receiving unit 303 is estimated.

  As described above, the transmission / reception interval for each terminal device 221 can be expected to be substantially constant although there is random fluctuation. Therefore, the estimation unit 304 estimates the scheduled reception time from the scheduled transmission time based on the transmission / reception history of information stored in the storage unit 301.

  Then, the update unit 305 performs the transmission schedule so that the plurality of stored transmission scheduled times and the plurality of reception scheduled times estimated by the estimation unit 304 with respect to the plurality of transmission scheduled times do not overlap. Update the time.

  As described above, if the scheduled transmission time is determined, the scheduled reception time for the scheduled transmission time can be estimated based on the history of information transmission / reception. Therefore, the updating unit 305 resets the scheduled transmission time so that the predetermined transmission scheduled time and the estimated reception scheduled time are distributed as evenly as possible and do not overlap.

  Hereinafter, the method according to this embodiment will be described in more detail. Here, in order to facilitate understanding, the server apparatus 201 intermittently performs a plurality of terminal apparatuses 221 R [1], R [2],..., R [N] once every predetermined time T. Information shall be sent and received.

  Further, in the storage unit 301, for each of the integers i = 1, 2,..., N, the terminal device 221 R [corresponding to the transmission after the terminal address information is finally transmitted to the terminal device 221 R [i]. The transmission interval m [i] from when i] until the last server address information is received is stored as a history of time, and the scheduled transmission time when the terminal address information is to be transmitted to the terminal device 221 R [i] next time Assume that s [i] is stored.

  From the above assumption, when the terminal addressed information s [i] is transmitted to the terminal device 221 R [i] for each of the integers i = 1, 2,..., N, the terminal device 221 R [i] is transmitted. The expected value (the most likely time) of the time when the server address information transmitted from is received is s [i] + m [i].

  Hereinafter, in order to facilitate understanding, the current time that can be acquired by a real-time clock or timer interrupt is expressed by a variable t.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control flow of service processing executed by the server apparatus 201. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  When the service process is started, the server apparatus 201 performs various initializations (step S401). In the present embodiment, the storage unit 301 is initialized as follows.

That is, based on the current time t at the final stage of initialization, for each of the integers i = 1, 2,.
s [i] ← t + i × T / N;
m [i] ← T / (2 × N)
Initialize as follows. Here, “←” means substitution.

  The former arranges each scheduled transmission time at regular intervals during a predetermined time T, and the latter arranges the corresponding scheduled reception time immediately after each scheduled transmission time at regular intervals during the predetermined time T. Is to be placed.

  In addition, initialization may be performed based on a final value in the previous communication game, or initialization may be performed using an appropriate random number.

  Next, the server apparatus 201 sorts the scheduled transmission times s [1], s [2],..., S [N] in order of time (step S402). Then, a setting is made so that a timer interrupt occurs at the latest scheduled transmission time s [j] from the current time t, that is, the first scheduled transmission time s [j] (step S403).

  Further, a setting is made so that a reception interrupt is generated when an information packet arrives at the NIC 109 (step S404).

  Furthermore, when the server device 201 is caused to function as a communication game terminal, a vertical synchronization interrupt is also set (step S405). In this case, the period of the vertical synchronization interrupt (or a predetermined constant multiple thereof) is the predetermined time T.

  If the server device 201 is a dedicated game server that is not in the same position as each terminal device 221, the display on the server device 201 is not necessary. In this case, the display update interval in each terminal device 221, that is, the period of vertical synchronization interrupt of the information processing apparatus 100 that implements the terminal device 221 (or a predetermined constant multiple thereof) is the predetermined time T.

  Then, it waits until a timer interrupt, a reception interrupt, or a vertical synchronization interrupt occurs (step S406). During this standby, various calculation processes for advancing the communication game and a generation process for generating an image to be displayed on the monitor of the server device 201 in the RAM 103 are typically executed in a coroutine manner. Is.

  If an interrupt occurs, the type is examined (step S407).

  If the interrupt is a timer interrupt (step S407; timer), since the current time t coincides with one of the scheduled transmission times s [j], the transmission unit 302 of the server apparatus 201 performs the timer interrupt. The terminal addressed information is transmitted to the terminal device 221 R [j] corresponding to the scheduled transmission time s [j] that causes the error (step S408), and the process returns to step S402.

  When the interrupt is a vertical synchronization interrupt (step S407; vertical synchronization), the image processing unit 107 is controlled to transfer and display the image generated in the RAM 103 (step S409). The operation status of the controller 105 of the information processing apparatus 100 that implements the server device 201 is checked (step S410), reflected in the game progress status (step S411), and the process returns to step S402.

  When the interruption is a reception interruption (step S407; reception), the reception unit 303 of the server apparatus 201 receives the server address information transmitted from any of the terminal apparatuses 221 R [k] (step S412). .

Then, the update unit 305 of the server device 201 calculates a difference t−s [k] between the current time t and the time s [k] at which the terminal address information was last transmitted to the terminal device 221 R [k]. Calculate the storage unit 301
m [k] ← t-s [k]
(Step S413).

Then, a time p serving as a reference for the next scheduled transmission time for the terminal device 221 R [k]
p ← s [k] + T
(Step S414).

  Then, the following processing (steps S415 to S419) is performed to obtain a time q at which the scheduled transmission time and the scheduled reception time vary more uniformly than the time p, and this is obtained as the terminal device 221 R [ k] is a new scheduled transmission time.

  FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing a distribution of scheduled transmission times and scheduled reception times when time p is adopted as the scheduled transmission time. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing the distribution of scheduled transmission times and scheduled reception times when time q is adopted as the scheduled transmission time. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to these drawings.

  In these figures, the horizontal axis t means the passage of time, the black circle is the scheduled transmission time, the white circle is the scheduled reception time, the length of the line segment connecting the black circle and the white circle is the estimated transmission / reception interval, respectively. Represents.

  The scheduled transmission time for the terminal device 221 to be updated is indicated by a white square, and the scheduled reception time is indicated by a black square.

  5A shows the scheduled transmission time s [3] of the terminal device R [3] among the terminal devices R [1], R [2], R [3], R [4], and R [5]. An example of p is shown. In this example, as can be seen from the time axis t, the time p and the time s [1] + m [1] are too close to each other, and there is a possibility that a process conflict occurs.

  FIG. 5B illustrates an example in which a time q different from the time p is set as the scheduled transmission time s [3]. In this example, the distribution of each time on the time axis t is more uniform than the example shown in FIG. 5A.

  5A is the time interval 501a between p and s [1] + m [1], while the minimum value of the time interval at each time in FIG. 5B is s. A time interval 501b between [1] + m [1] and s [2] + m [2], and the time interval 501b is larger than the time interval 501a.

  Therefore, it is considered that the process conflict can be avoided by updating the scheduled transmission time so as to increase the “minimum value of the time interval in the time sequence in which the scheduled transmission time and the scheduled reception time are sorted”.

  A method for obtaining the time q will be specifically described below.

  That is, the candidates v [1], v [2],..., V [M] for the next scheduled transmission time for the terminal device 221 R [k] are changed from the time floor (p / T) × T / T) +1] × T is appropriately selected (step S415). Here, floor (•) is an operation for truncating the decimal point of a given argument. Further, the value of the constant M may be approximately the same as the number N of the terminal devices 221, but can be arbitrarily selected.

Here, as a method for selecting candidates v [1], v [2],..., V [M], the following may be considered.
(1) M uniform random numbers are generated from the value floor (p / T) × T to the value [floor (p / T) +1] × T, and each of them is a candidate v [1], v [2 ], ..., v [M].
(2) For each of the integers h = 1, 2, ..., M,
v [h] = floor (p / T) x T + h x T / M
And The candidates are selected at regular intervals during a predetermined time T.
(3) Adjacent times in a time sequence in which other scheduled transmission times s [1], s [2], ..., s [k-1], s [k + 1], ..., s [N] are sorted M are selected in descending order of intervals, and the midpoints of the adjacent times are set as candidates v [1], v [2],..., V [M].

Next, the estimation unit 304 of the server device 201 sets each of the time p and the candidates v [1], v [2],..., V [M] as the candidate value r for the scheduled transmission time.
s [1], s [2], ..., s [k-1], r, s [k + 1], ..., s [N]
The estimated reception time for receiving the server address information associated with the terminal address information transmitted to each of the information is estimated (step S416).

Each scheduled reception time is based on a value stored in the storage unit 301.
s [1] + m [1], s [2] + m [2], ..., s [k-1] + m [k-1], r + m [k], s [k + 1] + m [k + 1], ..., s [N] + m [N]
The simplest method is to store a history of past transmission times and reception times to some extent, and based on the changes, estimate the transmission and reception intervals using an attenuation average, etc. It is also possible to obtain the scheduled time.

  Then, the update unit 305 of the server apparatus 201 transmits the time p and the candidate v [1], v [2],. The estimated scheduled reception times are sorted to obtain the minimum value of the time interval of the obtained time sequence (step S417).

  If the time sequence obtained here is completely uniform, the N scheduled transmission times and the N scheduled reception times are arranged at equal intervals. The upper limit of “minimum value” is T / (2 × N).

  Further, when there are the same values in the time series, the “minimum value of the time interval in the time series” is 0. This means that a collision occurs in transmission and reception.

  In other words, the smaller the “minimum value of the time interval of the time sequence” is, the more easily information collision occurs. In addition, the larger the “minimum value of the time interval in the time sequence” is, the more dispersed the transmission / reception timing is.

Therefore, the update unit 305 of the server apparatus 201 estimates when the value is assumed to be the candidate value r from among the time p and the candidates v [1], v [2],..., V [M]. A value q that maximizes the minimum value estimated by the unit 304 is selected (step S418);
s [k] ← q
As described above, the storage unit 301 is updated (step S419).

  Then, the received server address information is reflected in the progress of the game (step S420), and the process returns to step S402.

  Thus, in the present invention, based on past transmission / reception conditions, in particular, transmission / reception intervals, by preventing future transmission / reception as much as possible, the calculation processing load and communication load in the server apparatus 201 are reduced, Efficient processing can be performed.

  It is also possible to obtain an optimum arrangement that minimizes the variance / standard deviation in the statistical distribution of the interval between the scheduled transmission time and the scheduled reception time by using the steepest descent method, the simulated annealing method, or the like.

  However, in consideration of fluctuations in the communication status, it is considered that there are many cases where the scheduled transmission time is adjusted by simple calculation as in the present embodiment.

  In addition, the server apparatus 201 having different NICs 109 for transmission and reception employs a mode in which only the scheduled reception time is subject to evaluation when obtaining the degree of uniformity of the time sequence variation. May be.

  Moreover, even if any of p, v [1], v [2], ..., v [M] is adopted, if the minimum value of the time interval is the same, s [k] is used as p. Various modes can be adopted, such as adopting one, randomly adopting one, or selecting one having the smallest time interval variance and standard deviation.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the terminal device 221 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the terminal device 221 includes a receiving unit 601 and a transmitting unit 602.

  Here, the receiving unit 601 receives terminal address information transmitted from the server device 201.

  On the other hand, the transmission unit 602 transmits server address information to the server apparatus 201 every time the terminal address information is received by the reception unit 601.

  When the terminal device 221 is realized by the information processing apparatus 100, the reception unit 601 and the transmission unit 602 are realized by the NIC 109 operating under the control of the CPU 101.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of game processing when a communication game is provided in the terminal device 221. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  This processing is started when the CPU 101 reads out and executes the program recorded on the DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108 in the RAM 103 in the information processing apparatus 100.

  That is, when this process is started, the CPU 101 initializes the RAM 103 and the like and prepares to start a communication game (step S701). At this time, processing such as establishment of communication with the server device 201 and initialization of the game state are performed.

  First, the CPU 101 inspects the pressing state of the controller 105 to acquire a user instruction operation (step S702), and reflects the instruction operation in the game state stored in the RAM 103 (step S703).

  Next, the CPU 101 checks the NIC 109 to check whether the terminal address information has arrived from the server device 201 (step S704). If not reached (step S704; No), the process proceeds to step S709. If it has been reached (step S704; Yes), it is received and expanded in the RAM 103 (step S705), and the information specified in the terminal addressed information is reflected in the game state stored in the RAM 103. (Step S706).

  Based on the current game state stored in the RAM 103, the CPU 101 generates server address information to be transmitted to the server device 201 in the RAM 103 (step S707), and controls the NIC 109. The server address information is transmitted to the server device 201 (step S708).

  Next, the CPU 101 generates an image to be displayed on the screen in the RAM 103 based on the current game state stored in the RAM 103 (step S709), and waits until a vertical synchronization interrupt occurs (step S709). S710).

  Note that during this standby, processing such as dialogue processing with the user (steps S702 to S703) and communication processing with the server device 201 (steps S704 to S708) may be repeated as appropriate.

  When the vertical synchronization interrupt occurs, the CPU 101 controls the image processing unit 107 to transfer and display the image in the RAM 103 on the monitor (step S711), and returns to step S702.

  It should be noted that interaction processing (steps S702 to S703), communication processing (steps S704 to S708), drawing processing (steps) using the pressing operation interrupt of the controller 105, the reception interrupt to the NIC 109, and the vertical synchronization interrupt. Processing such as S709 to S711) may be executed in parallel.

  When the configuration as described above is employed, the time from when the terminal device 221 receives the terminal address information from the server device 201 to when the server device 201 transmits the server address information becomes substantially constant. For this reason, the server apparatus 201 can appropriately estimate the delay time of the communication path with the terminal apparatus 221.

  According to the present invention, a server device, a communication system, a service method, and a program for realizing these on a computer are provided that are suitable for efficient communication between the server device and a plurality of terminal devices. can do.

100 Information processing apparatus 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Interface 105 Controller 106 External Memory 107 Image Processing Unit 108 DVD-ROM Drive 109 NIC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Audio | voice processing part 111 Microphone 201 Server apparatus 221 Terminal device 241 Internet 301 Storage part 302 Transmission part 303 Reception part 304 Estimation part 305 Update part 601 Reception part 602 Transmission part

Claims (8)

A server device that transmits and receives information to and from each of a plurality of terminal devices,
A storage unit that stores a history of times when information is transmitted to and received from each of the plurality of terminal devices, and a scheduled transmission time associated with each of the plurality of terminal devices.
When the current time is one of the plurality of scheduled transmission times, a transmission unit that transmits terminal address information to the terminal device associated with the scheduled transmission time,
A receiving unit that receives server address information associated with the terminal address information transmitted from the terminal apparatus that has received the terminal address information among the plurality of terminal devices;
From the stored history and each of the stored plurality of scheduled transmission times, the server reception information associated with the transmission of the terminal addressed information at the scheduled transmission time is received by the receiving unit. An estimation unit for estimating
An updating unit that updates the scheduled transmission time so that the plurality of stored scheduled transmission times and the plurality of scheduled reception times estimated by the estimation unit with respect to the plurality of scheduled transmission times do not overlap. A server device comprising: The server device according to claim 1,
The server device intermittently exchanges information with each of the plurality of terminal devices R [1], R [2],..., R [N] once at a predetermined time T,
In the storage unit, for each of the integers i = 1, 2,..., N, the terminal device R [i] responding to the transmission after the terminal address information was last transmitted to the terminal device R [i]. The transmission / reception interval m [i] until the server address information is finally received is stored as a history of the time, and the scheduled transmission time s [i] at which the terminal address information is to be transmitted next to the terminal device R [i]. Is remembered,
For each of the integers j = 1, 2,..., N, when the current time is the scheduled transmission time s [j], the transmission unit transmits terminal address information to the terminal device R [j],
The receiving unit receives the server address information transmitted from the terminal device R [k] for each of the integers k = 1, 2,..., N,
When the server address information transmitted from the terminal device R [k] is received, the updating unit updates the transmission / reception interval m [k] based on a difference between a current time and the scheduled transmission time s [k]. And
After the transmission / reception interval m [k] has been updated, the estimation unit is provided with a value r as a candidate value for the scheduled transmission time s [k], and the estimated transmission time
s [1], s [2], ..., s [k-1], r, s [k + 1], ..., s [N]
The scheduled reception time for receiving the server address information associated with the terminal address information transmitted to each of the
s [1] + m [1], s [2] + m [2], ..., s [k-1] + m [k-1], r + m [k], s [k + 1] + m [k + 1],…, s [N] + m [2]
And
The update unit obtains a time p obtained by adding the predetermined time T to the current value of the scheduled transmission time s [k], and a truncated floor ( p / T) is determined from any time between time floor (p / T) × T and time [floor (p / T) +1] × T, and the scheduled transmission time s [k ] Next value q, and update the scheduled transmission time s [k] with the selected next value q,
With
The update unit
(1) Scheduled transmission time when the estimation unit is given the value p as a candidate value for the scheduled transmission time s [k]
s [1], s [2], ..., s [k-1], p, s [k + 1], ..., s [N]
And scheduled reception time
s [1] + m [1], s [2] + m [2], ..., s [k-1] + m [k-1], p + m [k], s [k + 1] + m [k + 1],…, s [N] + m [2]
Minimum value of each time interval in the time sequence in which
(2) Scheduled transmission time when the estimation unit is given the next value q as a candidate value of the scheduled transmission time s [k].
s [1], s [2], ..., s [k-1], q, s [k + 1], ..., s [N]
And
s [1] + m [1], s [2] + m [2], ..., s [k-1] + m [k-1], q + m [k], s [k + 1] + m [k + 1],…, s [N] + m [2]
Minimum value of each time interval in the time sequence in which
In contrast, the minimum value of the interval (2) is equal to or greater than the minimum value of the interval (1).
The server device, wherein the next value q is selected. The server device according to claim 2,
The update unit selects a plurality of candidates for the next value q from the time floor (p / T) × T to the time [floor (p / T) +1] × T, and the candidate and The server apparatus, wherein a minimum value of the interval for each of the values p is obtained, and a value having the maximum minimum value is selected as the next value q. The server device according to claim 3,
The updating unit sets each of the time intervals between the time floor (p / T) × T and the time [floor (p / T) +1] × T at a predetermined interval to the next value q. A server device that is selected as a candidate. The server device according to claim 3,
The update unit randomly selects a plurality of candidates for the next value q from the time floor (p / T) × T to the time [floor (p / T) +1] × T. A server device as a feature. A communication system comprising a plurality of terminal devices and a server device,
(A) The server device
A storage unit that stores a history of times when information is transmitted to and received from each of the plurality of terminal devices, and a scheduled transmission time associated with each of the plurality of terminal devices.
When the current time is one of the plurality of scheduled transmission times, a server-side transmission unit that transmits terminal address information to the terminal device associated with the scheduled transmission time,
Among the plurality of terminal devices, a server-side receiving unit that receives server address information associated with the terminal address information transmitted from the terminal device that has received the terminal address information,
From the stored history and each of the stored plurality of scheduled transmission times, the server reception information associated with the transmission of the terminal addressed information at the scheduled transmission time is received by the receiving unit. An estimation unit for estimating
An updating unit that updates the scheduled transmission time so that the plurality of stored scheduled transmission times and the plurality of scheduled reception times estimated by the estimation unit with respect to the plurality of scheduled transmission times do not overlap. With
(B) The terminal device
A terminal-side receiving unit that receives terminal-addressed information transmitted from the server device;
A communication system comprising: a terminal-side transmission unit that transmits server address information to the server device each time the terminal address information is received. A service method executed by a server device that transmits / receives information to / from each of a plurality of terminal devices, wherein the server device includes a storage unit, a transmission unit, a reception unit, an estimation unit, and an update unit, and the storage unit includes , A history of times when information is transmitted / received to / from each of the plurality of terminal devices, and a scheduled transmission time associated with each of the plurality of terminal devices are stored,
When the current time is one of the plurality of scheduled transmission times, the transmitting unit transmits terminal address information to the terminal device associated with the scheduled transmission time,
A receiving step in which the receiving unit receives server address information associated with the terminal address information transmitted from the terminal device that has received the terminal address information among the plurality of terminal devices;
The estimation unit receives, from the stored history and each of the stored plurality of scheduled transmission times, server address information associated with transmission of terminal address information at the scheduled transmission time by the reception unit. An estimation process for estimating a scheduled reception time,
The scheduled transmission time so that the updating unit does not overlap the plurality of stored transmission scheduled times and the plurality of scheduled reception times estimated by the estimation unit with respect to the plurality of scheduled transmission times. A service method comprising: an update step of updating A program for causing a computer to send and receive information to and from each of a plurality of terminal devices, wherein the program
A storage unit that stores a history of times when information is transmitted to and received from each of the plurality of terminal devices, and a scheduled transmission time associated with each of the plurality of terminal devices.
When the current time is one of the plurality of scheduled transmission times, a transmission unit that transmits terminal address information to the terminal device associated with the scheduled transmission time,
A receiving unit that receives server address information associated with the terminal address information transmitted from the terminal apparatus that has received the terminal address information among the plurality of terminal devices;
From the stored history and each of the stored plurality of scheduled transmission times, the server reception information associated with the transmission of the terminal addressed information at the scheduled transmission time is received by the receiving unit. An estimation unit for estimating
An updating unit that updates the scheduled transmission time so that the plurality of stored scheduled transmission times and the plurality of scheduled reception times estimated by the estimation unit with respect to the plurality of scheduled transmission times do not overlap. A program characterized by functioning as

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