JP2010221004A - Game device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable game device for executing a display performance on the basis of an information holding medium mounted on the device. <P>SOLUTION: The portable game device displays symbols on a transmissive liquid crystal display so that the symbol displayed on the surface of the information holding medium and the same symbol displayed on the display are superimposed and viewed through the display on the basis of information for identifying the character of a game acquired from the information holding medium when the information holding medium is mounted on a mounting part existing on the back side of the transmissive liquid crystal display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique related to a game device.

  Various portable game devices are known. Among them, there are game devices disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a game apparatus that uses a memory card that is detachable from the game apparatus as a storage medium for the game program. When the memory card is inserted into the game device, the game device allows the sticker attached to the back surface of the memory card to be seen through the liquid crystal screen so that the picture of the seal is displayed on the game screen. It can be used as a background.

  Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a game device that registers characters that can be used in a game based on a cartridge that is detachable from the game device. In addition to the information for identifying the character, the game device obtains information for determining a variation of the character from the cartridge, so that the character can be used. Can have variations.

JP-A-11-57210 JP 2008-194320 A

  However, in the above-described game device, for example, when an information holding medium such as a cartridge holding information about a game character is mounted on the game device, a display effect on the display unit is executed based on the information holding medium. Can not do it.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game device capable of executing a display effect based on an information holding medium attached to the device, for example.

  The present invention can be realized as a game device, for example. A game device is a game device that executes a game, and is an information holding medium that holds identification information for identifying a character of the game, a table that registers a plurality of symbols representing the characters in association with each other, and identification information. In addition, a mounting unit to which an information holding medium having a symbol displayed at a predetermined position on the surface is mounted and a display unit for displaying a game screen, which is mounted on a mounting unit provided on the back side of the display unit Display means capable of visually recognizing the surface of the information holding medium through the display means, acquisition means for acquiring character identification information from the information holding medium mounted on the mounting portion, and acquisition means from the table Extracting means for extracting a symbol related to the identification information acquired by the detecting means, detecting means for detecting that the information holding medium is attached to the attaching portion, and detecting the information holding medium by the detecting means. When known, the symbols extracted by the extracting means are displayed so as to be superimposed on the symbols on the information holding medium in the area on the display means where the symbols on the information holding medium are visually recognized through the display means. And a display control means.

  According to the present invention, for example, a game device capable of executing a display effect based on an information holding medium attached to the device can be provided.

, It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the portable game device 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of hardware constitutions of portable game device 100 concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the cartridge 300 inserted in the portable game device 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. , It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of reload operation in the portable game device 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an uneven portion 302 in the cartridge 300 according to the first embodiment. It is a table | surface figure which shows an example of the generation method of the parity which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data signal and parity which concern on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the reload process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. , , , It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the display part 101 in the reload process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the character table 1000 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display form of the character which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the cartridge 1200 inserted in the portable game device 100 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. , , It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of each component which comprises the cartridge 1200 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the uneven | corrugated | grooved part 1202 in the cartridge 1200 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the character table 1500 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail according to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
<Configuration of game device>
In the first embodiment, a case where the game device according to the present invention is applied to a portable game device will be described. FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are diagrams showing an example of the appearance of the portable game apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1a shows a case where the portable game device 100 is viewed from the front, and FIG. 1b shows a case where the side (right side) of the portable game device 100 is viewed in the direction of the arrow 110 in FIG. 1a. Yes. In FIG. 1 and the following drawings, portions used in the following description are mainly shown. For example, portions that are not the gist of the present embodiment, such as a power switch, are not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1 a, the portable game device 100 includes a display unit 101 configured with a transmissive liquid crystal display, operation buttons 102 a to 102 c, and an LED 103. Various game screens such as a character display described later are displayed on the display unit 101. The display unit 101 includes a touch panel on the surface thereof. The operation buttons 102a to 102c and the touch panel on the display unit 101 function as input means for the player of the portable game apparatus 100 to input various operation instructions. The LED 103 emits light according to player operations and game progress.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 1b, the portable game device 100 includes a slot portion 104 on the back side of the display portion 101 into which a cartridge for holding information relating to game characters is inserted. Inside the slot portion 104, a reading portion 105 for reading unevenness formed on the surface of the cartridge and a slide detection portion 106 for detecting a slide operation of the cartridge are arranged. That is, the cartridge is an “information holding medium” in the present invention, and the slot portion 104 corresponds to the “mounting portion”. The reading unit 105 corresponds to an “acquiring unit”, and the reading unit 105 and the slide detection unit 106 constitute a “detecting unit”. Needless to say, the cartridge, the slot unit 104, the reading unit 105, and the slide detection unit 106 are merely examples of an information holding medium, a mounting unit, an acquisition unit, and a detection unit, and are not limited thereto. Therefore, the mounting method of the cartridge serving as the information holding medium to the slot portion 104 is not necessarily limited to insertion, and is included in the concept of “mounting” in relation to the slot portion 104 serving as the mounting portion. It can be modified in various ways.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the portable game device 100 according to the first embodiment. Each part of the portable game apparatus 100 is connected to each other via a bus 200. The display unit 101, the LED 103, and the reading unit 105 are the same components as those in FIG.

  The CPU 201 uses the program and data stored in the ROM 203, data temporarily stored in the RAM 202, and the like to control the entire portable game device 100 and execute game processing. In addition, a timer (not shown) is provided in the CPU 201, and the CPU 201 can measure time.

  The RAM 202 is an area for temporarily storing data being processed, an area for temporarily storing the reading result of the reading unit 105 and the detection result of the slide detection unit 106 as data, and the CPU 201 executes various processes. Various areas such as a work area used when doing so are provided as appropriate.

  The ROM 203 stores programs and data for causing the CPU 201 to control the entire portable game apparatus 100 and to execute game processing. The data includes a character table described later. The data of the table is appropriately loaded into the RAM 202 and used in processing.

  The operation unit 204 corresponds to the operation buttons 102a to 102c and the touch panel on the display unit 101, and receives an operation from the player. The sound output unit 205 outputs sound such as an operation sound when a button or a touch panel is operated, a sound effect according to the progress of the game, and the like.

  The cartridge detection unit 206 includes a reading unit 105 and a slide detection unit 106 and detects a cartridge inserted into the slot unit 104. The reading unit 105 detects insertion of a cartridge, reads information recorded on the cartridge, and stores the read information in the RAM 202. That is, it functions as “acquiring means” in the present invention. The slide detection unit 106 detects a cartridge slide operation inside the slot unit 104 and stores the detection result in the RAM 202. That is, the cartridge detection unit 206 including the reading unit 105 and the slide detection unit 106 corresponds to “detection unit”.

  In the present embodiment, the cartridge can be slid within the slot 104, but the sliding operation is not necessarily required. It is sufficient that a cartridge as an information holding medium is attached to the slot portion 104 as an attachment portion in some form. In that case, the slide detection unit 106 is not essential, and simply detects the attachment of the cartridge into the slot portion 104. If it is good.

  Further, the reading unit 105 serving as “acquiring means” may also serve as “detecting means”. In that case, the reading unit 105 serving as the “acquiring unit” detects that the mounting to the slot unit 104 is performed when the identification information held in the cartridge is read. As described above, the “acquiring means” and the “detecting means” can be variously modified as long as their functions can be achieved.

<Configuration of cartridge>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the cartridge 300 inserted into the portable game apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The cartridge 300 is used as an information holding medium for holding information for identifying a character in a game and inputting the information to the portable game apparatus 100. The cartridge 300 stores information corresponding to any one of the characters in the game.

  A symbol 301 representing a character corresponding to information held by the cartridge 300 is displayed at a predetermined position on the surface of the cartridge 300. The display method may be printing directly on the surface of the cartridge 300, or may be affixing a seal of the symbol 301, or a convex or concave portion having the shape of the symbol 301 may be formed. That is, any display method may be used as long as the symbol 301 is visible. In this embodiment, a character name is set using an element symbol, and the character name is a symbol 301. FIG. 3 shows a cartridge 300 on which the element symbol H (hydrogen) is displayed as an example of the symbol 301. The player can identify the character corresponding to the cartridge 300 by visually recognizing the symbol 301.

  On the upper surface of the cartridge 300, a concavo-convex portion 302 representing information related to the character 301 is disposed. The concavo-convex portion 302 is configured by, for example, a combination of a concave portion corresponding to the bit 0 and a convex portion corresponding to the bit 1. As will be described later, the concavo-convex portion 302 represents information for identifying a character by the combination. As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge 300 may be provided with a strap hole 303 for attaching a strap.

<Reload operation method>
In the present embodiment, the player can use the character corresponding to the cartridge 300 on the portable game apparatus 100 by inserting the cartridge 300 into the slot portion 104 and performing an operation of sliding in the inserted state. can do. Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as “reload”. 4a and 4b are diagrams illustrating an example of a reload operation in the portable game device 100 according to the first embodiment.

  First, the player inserts the cartridge 300 in the direction of the arrow 401 along the upper end portion of the slot portion 104 as shown in FIG. As described above, since the display unit 101 is a transmissive liquid crystal display, the player can visually recognize the cartridge 300 inserted through the display unit 101. At that time, the reading unit 105 acquires information on the cartridge 300 based on whether or not a switch (not shown) provided in the reading unit 105 in the slot unit 104 is pressed by the uneven portion 302 of the cartridge 300. At the same time, the read result is stored in the RAM 202.

  After inserting the cartridge 300 to the innermost part of the slot 104, the player performs an operation of sliding the cartridge 300 in the direction of the arrow 402 toward the lower end of the slot 104 as shown in FIG. When the cartridge 300 reaches the lower end of the slot 104, the slide detector 106 inside the slot 104 detects that the cartridge 300 has reached the lower end. The slide detection unit 106 stores the detection result in the RAM 202. The slot portion 104 includes a guide mechanism (not shown) so that the player can easily slide the cartridge 300. As the guide mechanism, for example, in order to limit the slide direction of the cartridge 300 to a specific direction, a protrusion that contacts the cartridge 300 may be provided in the slot portion 104 along the slide direction.

  Thereafter, the player takes out the cartridge 300 slid to the lower end portion of the slot portion 104 in the direction of the arrow 403, whereby the reloading operation is completed.

  Note that the CPU 201 may cause the LED 103 to emit light based on the reading result of the reading unit 105 and the detection result of the slide detection unit 106. For example, the CPU 201 may cause the LED 103 to emit light when the slide detection unit 106 detects the cartridge 300 after successful reading by the reading unit 105. Thereby, the player can visually confirm the success of the reload operation.

(How to read cartridges)
Here, the reading method of the cartridge 300 will be described more specifically. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the uneven portion 302 in the cartridge 300 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, white portions represent concave portions, and black portions represent convex portions. The concavo-convex portion 302 has a data signal portion 501 and a synchronization signal portion 502, and each is constituted by a combination of a concave portion and a convex portion. When the cartridge 300 is inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow 500 with respect to the slot portion 104, the switch is pressed when each convex portion in the concave and convex portion 302 passes through the reading portion 105.

  Since the synchronization signal is a fixed signal, all cartridges 300 have a common configuration with respect to the synchronization signal portion 502. When the cartridge 300 is inserted into the slot portion 104, first, a start trigger of the synchronization signal portion 502 is detected by pressing a switch. As a result, the reading unit 105 starts reading the data signal and the synchronization signal. Subsequent to the start trigger, the switches are sequentially pressed by convex portions regularly arranged in the synchronization signal portion 502. The reading unit 105 identifies each signal in the data signal portion 501 with reference to the pressed position of the switch in the synchronization signal portion 502.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the data signal portion 501 of each cartridge 300 includes an 8-bit data signal (d0 to d7), a 1-bit start signal (s0), a 2-bit parity (p0, p1), and 1 Concavities and convexities corresponding to the bit termination signal (e0) are provided. The data signal is expressed by 8-bit information that differs for each character of the game. In FIG. 5, the start signal 511 is a recess (s0 = 0) and the end signal 512 is a protrusion (e0 = 1), which is common to all cartridges 300.

  The parity of the data signal portion 501 is used for error detection in the specified data signal. The parity is generated by a remainder operation (mod) based on the number N of times that the switch is pushed by the convex portion of the data signal (the number of 1s in d0 to d7). Here, FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of a parity generation method according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, parities p1 (602) and p0 (603) are generated based on the remainder 601 calculated by ((N + 1) mod4). Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data signal and the parity according to the first embodiment. The start trigger is not shown. As shown at 701, when the data signal is 1 (1 in binary), the remainder 601 is 2, and the parities are p1 = 1 and p0 = 0. As indicated by 702, when the data signal is 6 (110 in binary), the remainder 601 is 3, and the parity p1 = 1 and p0 = 1. The parity generated as described above based on the data signal is recorded in the data signal portion 501 of the cartridge 300.

  The data signal and parity read by the reading unit 105 are stored in the RAM 202 as digital signals. The CPU 201 can determine the presence / absence of an error in the read result of the data signal based on whether the data signal and the parity have the relationship shown in FIG.

<Reload processing procedure>
Next, a reload process performed using the portable game device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the reload process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the display unit 101 in the reload process according to the first embodiment. Note that programs and data for causing the CPU 201 to execute processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 are stored in the ROM 203, and the CPU 201 executes processing using the programs and data according to the present embodiment. The portable game device 100 executes each process described below.

  First, in step S801, the CPU 201 determines whether to start a reload operation. Here, for example, the CPU 201 executes the determination process based on whether or not the start of the reload operation is selected in the main menu by the player's operation using the operation unit 204. As a result, when the reload operation is started (“YES” in step S801), the process proceeds to step S802.

  When the reload operation is started, in step S802, the CPU 201 starts measuring time by a timer. The timer is used for determining a timeout in the reload operation. When the time measurement by the timer is started, in step S803, the CPU 201 displays a screen (reload screen) indicating that the reload operation can be executed for the player on the display unit 101, and accepts the reload operation by the player. To start. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S804.

  In step S804, the CPU 201 determines whether or not an elapsed time by the timer has passed a predetermined time. If a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of accepting the reload operation (“NO” in step S804), the process proceeds to step S809. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not elapsed ("YES" in step S804), the process proceeds to step S805 and continues to accept the reload operation. Even before the predetermined time has elapsed, when the operation unit 204 is operated by the player, the process of proceeding to S809 may be executed.

  In step S805, the CPU 201 determines whether a reload operation has been performed. The CPU 201 executes the determination process based on the detection result of the cartridge detection unit 206. If the reload operation has not been performed (“NO” in step S805), the process returns to step S804, and the CPU 201 repeats the processes in steps S804 and S805 until the reload operation is performed or a predetermined time elapses. If a reload operation has been performed (“YES” in step S805), the process proceeds to step S806.

  Here, FIG. 9a shows an example of a display screen of the display unit 101 when a reload operation is performed. As shown in FIG. 9a, since the display unit 101 is a transmissive liquid crystal display, the cartridge 300 inserted into the slot unit 104 is viewed through the liquid crystal display together with the symbol 301 on the surface. Further, the cartridge 300 inserted into the slot portion 104 is slid in the direction of the arrow 901.

  In step S806, the CPU 201 determines whether the reload has succeeded. The determination process can be realized by checking the parity of the data signal based on the reading result in the reading unit 105. That is, the CPU 201 determines that the reload has failed when an error is detected in the data signal. On the other hand, if no error has been detected in the data signal, it is determined that the reload has succeeded. As a result of the determination process, when the CPU 201 determines that the reload has failed (“NO” in step S806), the CPU 201 returns to step S803 and continues to accept the reload. At this time, the display unit 101 may display that the reloading has failed. On the other hand, if the CPU 201 determines that the reloading was successful (“YES” in step S806), the CPU 201 proceeds to step S807.

  In step S <b> 807, the CPU 201 specifies a character corresponding to the cartridge 300 based on the data signal of the reading result and the character table. Here, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the character table 1000 according to the first embodiment. 10, in the character table 1000, a character name 1001, a data signal value (decimal number) 1002, a registration flag 1003, and a plurality of main body data 1004 related to a character are associated and registered. These data are stored in the ROM 203, loaded into the RAM 202, and used for processing.

  In the character name 1001, a name given to each character is set. Further, the data signal value assigned to the corresponding character is set in the data signal value 1002. The data signal value corresponds to identification information held by each cartridge 300. The registration flag 1003 is a flag that is set based on the presence / absence of a reload operation by the player. When the flag is 0, the character has not been reloaded. When the flag is 1, the character has already been reloaded. The main body data 1004 includes image data for displaying a corresponding character on the display unit 101, image data for displaying a symbol corresponding to the character, and various parameters for using the character in a game. included. As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, the symbol 301 displayed on the cartridge 300 is a character name 1001.

  The CPU 201 uses the character table 1000 to specify a character having the same data signal value 1002 as the data signal value of the reading result of the cartridge 300. For example, when the data signal value is 1, the character is specified as H (1011). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S808.

  In FIG. 9 a, when the cartridge 300 moved by the sliding operation in the direction of the arrow 901 reaches the lower end portion inside the slot portion 104, it is detected by the slide detection portion 106. Based on the detection result, in step S808, the CPU 201 performs an effect of displaying the symbol 301 on the cartridge 300 on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 101. At that time, the CPU 201 may cause the player to confirm the successful reload by causing the LED 103 to emit light.

  Here, the CPU 201 extracts the image data included in the body data 1004 of the specified character from the character table 1000 and executes display control to display on the display unit 101, thereby realizing the display effect. When the cartridge 300 is located at the lower end portion of the slot portion 104, the image data is stored in the region on the display unit 101 where the symbol 301 on the cartridge 300 is viewed through the display unit 101. This is image data for displaying the same symbol 911. That is, when the image data is displayed on the display unit 101, the symbol 301 on the cartridge 300 seen through the liquid crystal display and the symbol 911 on the liquid crystal display appear to be superimposed on the display unit 101. It becomes. Thereby, it is possible to realize a display effect that gives the player the impression that the symbol 301 on the cartridge 300 has been read on the liquid crystal display.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9b and 9c, the CPU 201 continues to display the symbol 911 until and after the cartridge 300 is extracted from the slot portion 104 in the direction of the arrow 902. Thereafter, the process returns to step S803.

  In step S803, after the reload screen is displayed again, if timed out in step S804, the process proceeds to step S809. In step S809, the CPU 201 determines whether the reload has been successful at least once. Here, when it is determined that the reload operation has not been performed once because the reload operation has not been executed once before the predetermined time has elapsed (“NO” in S809), the process proceeds to step S812. Transition. Further, in step S812, the CPU 201 displays a message indicating that the time is over on the liquid crystal display of the display unit 101, and ends the process. On the other hand, if the CPU 201 determines that the reloading has succeeded at least once (“YES” in S809), the CPU 201 proceeds to step S810.

  In step S <b> 810, the CPU 201 executes an effect of displaying an image of a character that has been successfully reloaded on the display unit 101. The CPU 201 realizes the processing by acquiring image data included in the body data 1004 of the identified character and displaying it on the display unit 101. Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a character display form according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 shows a character image 1101 whose character name is H. Note that a display effect that gradually changes from the symbol 911 to the character image 1101 may be performed before the character image 1101 is displayed on the display unit 101. In that case, image data necessary for display may be stored in the ROM 203 in advance as the main body data 1004 of the character.

  After the processing in step S810, the process proceeds to step S811. In step S811, the CPU 201 executes registration processing of the character with respect to the portable game device 100 so that the player can use the character displayed on the display unit 101 in the game. Specifically, the CPU 201 realizes the processing by setting 1 to the registration flag 1003 of the character table 1000, for example. In FIG. 10, since the registration flag 1003 of the character 1013 is 1, the character has already been registered. Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9C, when registering the character 1011 whose symbol and character name correspond to H, the CPU 201 sets 1 in the registration flag 1003 of the character. With the above registration process, a series of reload processes is completed.

  It should be noted that the player can execute the reload operation a plurality of times from the start of accepting the reload operation until a timeout (elapse of a predetermined time). In other words, in FIG. 8, the processes of steps S803 to S808 can be repeatedly executed until a time-out occurs in step S804. Thereby, the player can continuously register characters corresponding to the plurality of cartridges 300 to the portable game apparatus 100. FIG. 9d shows an example of the display screen of the display unit 101 when a plurality of reload operations are continuously executed. FIG. 9D shows a case where the character H cartridge 300 is reloaded first, and then the character O cartridge 300 is reloaded.

In that case, another character generated by combining these characters may be registered together. For example, in the character table 1000 in FIG. 10, a character H (1011) if the character O (1012) and is reloaded continuously, CPU 201 performs a process of registering a character _H 2 O a combination thereof (1021) Just do it.

  Characters that can be used in the game are registered in the portable game device by the above-described reload process. The player can execute the game using the characters registered by the reload process. For example, the player can play against an enemy character appearing in the game using a character selected from the available characters.

  In addition, a pictorial book mode for confirming the characters registered in the portable game device is prepared, and various parameters such as abilities and attributes of each character are displayed on the display unit 101. As a result, the player can check the various parameters of each registered character by executing the pictorial book mode, and can also check how much the character has been collected.

  As described above, the portable game device according to the first embodiment acquires the information for identifying the character from the cartridge inserted into the slot portion on the back side of the transmissive liquid crystal display, thereby allowing the character to be played in the game. Make it available. Further, when the information recorded on the cartridge is successfully acquired, the same symbol as the symbol is displayed in the area on the display where the symbol displayed on the surface of the cartridge is visually recognized through the transmissive liquid crystal display. Display so that they overlap each other. Thereby, when the portable game device acquires information recorded on the cartridge, the portable game device can realize a display effect as if the symbol displayed on the surface of the cartridge is read on the transmissive liquid crystal display. it can.

[Second Embodiment]
In the game device, various variations can be added to the character by giving parameters according to the attribute, type, and the like to the character that can be used in the game, and these are used for the execution of the game. In the second embodiment, as a modification of the first embodiment, a case where a cartridge that is an information holding medium is configured according to parameters given to each character in the game will be described. In addition, below, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part which is common in 1st Embodiment, such as a structure of the portable game device 100, and it demonstrates centering on a different part.

<Configuration of cartridge>
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the cartridge 1200 inserted into the portable game apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. Although the cartridge 1200 is different in appearance from the cartridge 300 of FIG. 3 in the first embodiment, the cartridge 1200 holds identification information for specifying any one of the characters in the game. At a predetermined position on the surface of the cartridge 1200, a symbol 1201 symbolizing a character corresponding to information held by the cartridge is displayed. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a character name is set using an element symbol, and the character name is a symbol 1201. In FIG. 12, the element symbol N (nitrogen) is displayed as an example of the symbol 1201.

  Further, an uneven portion 1202 including identification information corresponding to the character of the symbol 1201 is disposed on the upper surface of the cartridge 1200. As in the first embodiment, the concavo-convex portion 1202 is configured by, for example, a combination of a concave portion corresponding to the bit 0 and a convex portion corresponding to the bit 1. In FIG. 12, only the unevenness relating to the data signal portion is drawn on the unevenness portion 1202, but as will be described later, the unevenness relating to the synchronization signal portion is also actually formed in the vicinity of the data signal portion. Is done.

  The difference from the cartridge 300 of the first embodiment is that the cartridge 1200 is configured such that the player can freely assemble and assemble them based on a plurality of parts configured according to the parameters relating to the character. Is a point. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the external appearance of each component constituting the cartridge 1200 according to the second embodiment. Here, in the present embodiment, as parameters related to the character, attribute information indicating the attribute of the character and type information indicating the type of the character are used as examples. The identification information held by the cartridge 1200 includes attribute information and type information, and each character is identified by a combination of attribute information and type information. The cartridge 1200 is configured by detachably connecting a part 1301 shown in FIG. 13a, a part 1302 shown in FIG. 13b, and a part 1303 shown in FIG. 13c.

  The component 1301 shown in FIG. 13A has uneven portions corresponding to the character attribute information in the uneven portion 1311, and the cartridge 1200 is assembled by mounting the components 1302 and 1303 on the component 1301. A portion 1321 in FIG. 13A forms a frame that is recessed from the peripheral portion thereof, and has a structure in which components 1302 and 1303 can be sequentially overlapped and fitted into the portion. Reference numerals 1322 and 1323 denote stoppers when the components 1302 and 1303 are mounted on the frame 1321. Note that the stopper may be disposed at any position on the contour portion of the frame 1321. Further, the component 1301 may have a different color according to each attribute information, so that the player can check the attribute information of the component 1301 based on the color.

  The component 1302 in FIG. 13B includes unevenness corresponding to the character type information in the uneven portion 1312. The player can combine the type information held by the part 1302 and the plurality of attribute information by assembling the cartridge 1200 by mounting the part 1302 for each of the plurality of parts 1301 holding different attribute information. it can. That is, since each character is identified based on attribute information and type information, the player assembles a cartridge 1200 having identification information corresponding to a plurality of characters having different attributes, based on one component 1302. Can do. As described above, when the cartridge is configured such that the character identification information is generated based on the combination of a plurality of parts, the number of cartridges is less than that of preparing the cartridge individually for each character as in the first embodiment. There is an advantage that a large number of characters can be reloaded using a number of parts. In the present embodiment, as an example, four pieces of attribute information and 20 types of information are prepared as character parameters. In this case, based on these 24 parts, reloading can be executed for 80 types of characters by combining the parts. On the other hand, according to the first embodiment, it is necessary to prepare 80 cartridges in order to reload the same number of characters.

  Here, symbols representing the characters may be displayed as shown by 1324 in FIG. 13b so that the player can confirm the characters corresponding to the identification information that can be created based on the part 1302. The display is not limited to the display using symbols, and may be any display that allows the player to identify the character, such as a display using a character image. In FIG. 13b, N, Re (rhenium), Ru (rudenium), He are used as characters corresponding to identification information created by combining a plurality (four types) of components 1301 having different attribute information based on the component 1302. (Helium) is displayed. That is, the player holds identification information corresponding to N, Re, Ru, and He by combining the plurality of (four types) of components 1301 having different attribute information held by the component 1302 based on the display of 1324. It can be recognized that it can be an information holding medium.

  As in this embodiment, when there are four parts 1301 each holding different attribute information and twenty parts 1302 each holding different type information, these 24 parts are combined into one container (bag). If it is housed and sold in a package such as a box or a box, the price per container increases. Therefore, in the present embodiment, one container includes at least one of four types of components 1301, and at most three types (number of all types −1) 1301 and 20 components 1302. Some of them, for example, 5 are accommodated and sold. As a result, the number of parts to be accommodated is reduced, so the price per container can be lowered, and the psychological resistance at the time of purchase by the player can be reduced. However, in this case, if the player has an intention to purchase the container multiple times, the sales of the entire container may be reduced. Therefore, if a display such as 1324 in FIG. 13b is performed on the part 1302, a player who sees the part 1302 has at most three types (all types of number −1) in one container as described above. Since only 1301 is accommodated, it is recognized that in order to obtain identification information corresponding to all characters displayed in 1324, the accommodated part 1301 must purchase a different container again. Will do. In this way, the player is presented with a 1324 display of characters corresponding to the identification information that can be obtained by purchasing different containers. Therefore, the player is motivated to purchase a plurality of containers. Can be given.

  In the part 1303 of FIG. 13c, a symbol 1201 symbolizing a character is displayed at a predetermined position on the surface. The component 1303 is made of, for example, a thin and transparent plastic sheet, and only the black painted portion is opaque. When the part 1303 is superimposed on the part 1302, 1325 is configured as a small window through which the character display 1324 corresponding to the symbol 1201 can be seen. Accordingly, the position of the small window 1325 changes so that the character is displayed in 1324 in accordance with the symbol 1201. The player can configure the cartridge 1200 by selecting the parts 1303 and assembling them based on the identification information created according to the attribute information and type information of the parts 1301 and 1302. Note that the display method of the symbol 1201 can be realized by various methods as in the first embodiment. For example, a seal with a symbol 1201 may be attached to the part 1303, or the symbol 1201 may be directly printed. Further, a convex portion or a concave portion having the shape of the symbol 1201 may be formed.

  Next, FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the uneven portion 1202 in the cartridge 1200 according to the second embodiment. Similar to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, the concavo-convex portion 1202 includes a data signal portion 1401 and a synchronization signal portion 1402, and each is configured by a combination of a concave portion and a convex portion. When the cartridge 1200 is inserted into the slot portion 104 in the direction indicated by the arrow 1400, the switch is pressed when each convex portion (the portion indicated by black) passes through the reading portion 105.

  In FIG. 14, reference numeral 1403 denotes an uneven portion 1311 provided on the component 1301, and 1404 denotes an uneven portion 1312 provided on the component 1302. Compared to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, in FIG. 14, the 1-bit start signal (s0) in FIG. 5 is replaced with a data signal, the data signal becomes 9 bits, and character attribute information is shown. It is separated into a 3-bit attribute data signal (d6 to d8) and a 6-bit type data signal (d0 to d5) indicating character type information. Further, a parity (p1) is assigned for the attribute data signal, and a parity (p0) is assigned for the type data signal by 1 bit each. When reading each data signal, the reading unit 105 performs error detection using the parity assigned to each data signal. Note that the termination signal 1405 is common to all components 1302.

  Parity (p0) and parity (p1) are remainders using the number N0 (number of 1s in d0 to d5) and N1 (number of 1s in d6 to d8), respectively, of the number of times the switch is pushed by the convex portion of the corresponding data signal. It is generated based on the remainder calculated by the calculation ((N0 + 1) mod2, (N1 + 1) mod2). For example, when each residue is 0, parity p0 (or p1) = 0 is generated, and when each residue is 1, parity p0 (or p1) = 1 is generated.

  The attribute data signal, type data signal, and their parity read by the reading unit 105 are stored in the RAM 202 as digital signals. The CPU 201 can determine whether or not there is an error in the reading result of each data signal based on whether or not each data signal and the corresponding parity have the above-described relationship.

<Reload processing procedure>
In the present embodiment, the flow of the reload process performed using the portable game apparatus 100 is the same as that in FIG. 8 in the first embodiment, and therefore, different parts will be mainly described below.

  Steps S801 to S805 are the same as in the first embodiment. In step S806, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the reloading is successful based on the presence or absence of an error in the attribute data signal and the type data signal acquired from the components 1301 and 1302. As a result of the error detection process using each parity described above, the CPU 201 determines that the reload has failed when an error is detected in any data signal. On the other hand, if no error is detected in both data signals, it is determined that the reload has succeeded. As a result of the determination process, when the CPU 201 determines that the reload has failed (“NO” in step S806), the CPU 201 returns to step S803 and continues to accept the reload. On the other hand, if the CPU 201 determines that the reloading was successful (“YES” in step S806), the CPU 201 proceeds to step S807.

  In step S <b> 807, the CPU 201 specifies the character corresponding to the cartridge 1200 based on the data signal and character table of the read result. Here, FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the character table 1500 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, an attribute data signal value 1502 and a type data signal value 1503 are used instead of the data signal value 1002 in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment. A plurality of character names 1501, attribute data signal values 1502, type data signal values 1503, registration flags 1504, and body data 1004 relating to characters are registered in association with each other. These data are stored in the ROM 203, loaded into the RAM 202, and used for processing.

  As shown in FIG. 15, an attribute data signal and a kind data signal having different combinations are assigned to each character. The CPU 201 uses the character table 1500 to identify a character having the same signal values 1502 and 1503 as the attribute data signal and type data signal of the reading result of the cartridge 1200. For example, if the attribute data signal value 1503 is 2 and the type data signal value 1502 is 1, the character is specified as Ru (1521). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S808.

  Steps S808 to S812 are the same as in the first embodiment. Although not shown in the character table 1500 of FIG. 15, another character generated by combining a plurality of characters may be registered as in the first embodiment. In that case, when the player continuously performs the reload operation a plurality of times, the CPU 201 executes a display effect similar to that of the first embodiment for another character that is a combination of the characters registered in each reload operation. Furthermore, by changing the registration flag of the character table 1500 to 1, the character can be used in the game.

  As described above, in the portable game device according to the second embodiment, the cartridge used for the reloading operation is configured so that the player can assemble from a plurality of parts. Further, attribute information and type information given to each character in the game are held for each part of the cartridge, and each character is identified by a combination thereof. Thereby, in addition to the effect of the display effect in 1st Embodiment, a variation can be added with respect to the character which can be utilized in a game.

[Other Embodiments]
The above processing (for example, processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 in the above embodiment) is stored as a program in a storage medium such as a CD-R, DVD-R, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, flash memory, etc. By causing the computer to read (install or copy) the program stored in the storage medium, the computer can perform the above processing. Therefore, it is obvious that such a program and storage medium are also within the scope of the present invention.

100: portable game device 101: display units 102a, 102b, 102c: operation buttons 103: LED
104: Slot part (mounting part)
105: Reading unit 106: Slide detection unit 201: CPU
202: RAM
203: ROM
204: Operation unit 205: Audio output unit 206: Cartridge detection unit 300: Cartridge (information holding medium)
302: Concavity and convexity

Claims (5)

A game device for executing a game,
A table for registering a plurality of identification information for identifying a game character and a symbol representing the character;
An information holding medium for holding the identification information, and a mounting portion on which the information holding medium on which the symbol is displayed is mounted at a predetermined position on the surface;
Display means for displaying a game screen, the display means capable of allowing the surface of the information holding medium attached to the attachment portion provided on the back side of the display means to be seen through the display means When,
Obtaining means for obtaining the identification information of the character from the information holding medium attached to the attachment unit;
Extraction means for extracting the symbol related to the identification information acquired by the acquisition means from the table;
Detecting means for detecting that the information holding medium is mounted on the mounting portion;
When the information holding medium is detected by the detecting means, the symbol extracted by the extracting means is in an area on the display means where the symbol on the information holding medium is visually recognized through the display means. Display control means for displaying the image so as to be superimposed on the symbol on the information holding medium. The display control means includes
The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the symbol displayed on the display unit is changed to an image of the character corresponding to the identification information. The display control means includes
If the identification information is further acquired from the different information holding medium by the acquisition means after the acquisition means acquires the identification information from the information holding medium, the image of the character corresponding to the combination of the identification information The game device according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays the game device. The display means includes
A transmissive liquid crystal display,
The information holding medium is
Provided with a concavo-convex portion formed on the surface based on the identification information,
The acquisition means includes
4. The identification information according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is acquired based on whether or not a switch provided in the mounting portion is pressed by the uneven portion of the information holding medium. The game device described. The identification information of each character registered in the table is:
Including attribute information indicating an attribute of the character and type information indicating a type of the character,
The information holding medium is
A first part that holds the attribute information, a second part that holds the type information, and a third part that displays the symbol at a predetermined position on the surface are configured to be detachable. And
The acquisition means includes
When the information holding medium is mounted on the mounting unit, the attribute information is acquired from the first component, and the type information is acquired from the second component,
The extraction means includes
5. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the symbol related to both the attribute information and the type information acquired by the acquisition unit is extracted from the table. 6. .

Images