JP2013099557A - Game device, and game program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel game device and a novel game program.SOLUTION: This game device 12 includes an input/output processor 42a, and downloads download data from a download server 104 connected via a network according to an instruction of the input/output processor 42a. The downloading is executed according to a schedule including at least distribution source information (including access information to the download server 104). The schedule is stored in each application. The download data are stored in a flash memory 44 identifiably in each application. For example, when executing the application, the download data corresponding to the application are used. Thereby, the downloading can be performed independently of the execution of the application.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game device and a game program, and in particular, for example, a game device and a game that include a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from a network and a storage unit and that can execute an application that uses data downloaded via the network. Regarding the program.

  An example of this type of background art is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This Patent Document 1 describes the following communication game device. A main system having a main CPU for controlling execution of a game by a game program; and a communication subsystem having a sub CPU for executing a plurality of different communication function tasks. The communication subsystem includes the main CPU and the sub CPU. It has an accessible shared memory and further has a resource management task function for managing resources of the shared memory for the plurality of different communication function tasks.

JP 2004-57515 A

  However, when the communication subsystem of Patent Document 1 receives a command from the main system, it executes download in accordance with the command. For this reason, downloading is not executed independently of the main system. In addition, the communication subsystem is only downloaded for a specific game program running on the main system.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a novel game device and game program.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a game device and a game program capable of executing download for the game application independently of execution of the game application.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a game device and a game program that can be downloaded for a plurality of game applications.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.

  A first invention is a game device that includes a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from a network, and a storage unit, and is capable of executing an application that uses data downloaded via the network. An application processing unit that has a download data storage area for storing download data, executes an arbitrary application designated by the user, a task storage unit that stores communication schedule data including at least download destination information for each application, and a task storage The communication schedule data is read from the means, the communication unit is made to communicate with the network based on the communication schedule, the predetermined data is downloaded, and the target application downloaded from the network can be identified. Download management means for executing processing for storing the load data in the download data storage area for each target application, the application processing means, when the download data for the application exists in the download data storage area, It is a game device that uses data via a network by performing processing including download data acquisition processing for reading download data for the application.

  In the first invention, the game device includes a communication unit that transmits / receives data to / from the network, and a storage unit, and can execute an application that uses data downloaded via the network. The storage unit has a download data area, and this download area stores the received download data. The application processing means executes an arbitrary application designated by the user. The task storage unit stores communication schedule data including at least download destination information (such as an address of a download server) for each application. The download management unit downloads predetermined data by causing the communication unit to communicate with the network based on the communication schedule. Further, the download management means executes a process of storing download data downloaded from the network and capable of identifying the target application in the download data storage area for each target application. That is, the download data is stored in association with the target application. When there is download data for the application in the download data storage area, the application processing means uses the data via the network by performing processing including download data acquisition processing for reading the download data.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, downloading can be performed independently of the application, and downloading can be performed even when the application is not being executed, and the user does not need to sequentially issue download instructions while the application is being executed. Therefore, data of a plurality of applications can be downloaded.

  A second invention is a game device according to the first invention, wherein the application processing means further performs a task registration process for storing the communication schedule data in the task storage means.

  In the second invention, the application processing means executes a task registration process for storing the communication schedule data in the task storage means. That is, a download task for the application is registered during execution of the application.

  According to the second invention, the application can cause the game machine to appropriately download the application.

  In the third aspect of the invention, the communication schedule data includes the remaining number of download attempts, and the download management means updates the remaining number of times by decreasing the number of downloads each time the download is attempted. It is a game device as described in invention.

  In the third invention, the communication schedule data includes the remaining number of download attempts. The download management means decreases the remaining number of times each time a download is attempted.

  According to the third invention, by limiting the number of downloads, it is possible to prevent a download attempt from being continued indefinitely even when data is no longer needed, and the user does not delete unnecessary schedules himself. Get better.

  In the fourth invention, the download management means deletes the communication schedule data whose remaining number of times has become 0 from the task storage means.

  In the fourth invention, the download management means automatically deletes the communication schedule data from the task storage means when the remaining number of downloads becomes zero.

  According to the fourth invention, similarly to the third invention, by limiting the number of downloads, it is possible to prevent a download attempt from being continued indefinitely even if data is no longer needed, and further unnecessary. The user does not have to delete the schedule himself.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the download management means further performs an error detection process for detecting a communication error, and does not update the remaining number of times when an error is detected. is there.

  In the fifth invention, the download management means further performs an error detection process for detecting a communication error due to a cause such as a stop of the download server. In such a case, the remaining number of download attempts is not updated.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the download from ending without being able to try the download due to a network or server error.

  The sixth invention further includes time output means for outputting data representing time, and the communication schedule data includes an interval for trying download, and the download management means includes the time when the download is attempted, the interval, The game device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention determines a scheduled time for the next download attempt based on the above.

  In the sixth invention, the time output means outputs data representing the time. The communication schedule data includes an interval between download attempts. The download management means determines a scheduled time for the next download attempt based on the download attempt time and the download attempt interval. That is, the download task is scheduled.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set download repetition at an appropriate timing.

  In the seventh invention, the communication schedule data further includes an excess time indicating how much the download time may be delayed from the scheduled time for the next download attempt, and the download management means downloads from the scheduled time. The schedule is deleted when the excess time has passed without trying.

  In the seventh invention, the communication schedule data includes an excess time (allowable time) indicating how much the download time may be delayed from the scheduled time for the next download attempt. The download management unit deletes the communication schedule data when the download is not attempted and the excess time elapses.

  According to the seventh aspect, when there is a period during which downloading is not attempted for some reason, it is possible to prevent the data from being tried to be meaningless when the time limit has passed.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game apparatus capable of switching between a normal state in which the game apparatus is in a normal energized state and capable of executing an application and a standby state in which power consumption is limited and the application is not executed. The download management means is a game device according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, which causes the communication unit to communicate at least in a standby state.

  In the eighth invention, the game device can be switched between a normal state and a standby state. The normal state is a normal energized state and means a state where an application can be executed. The standby state means a state where power consumption is limited and an application is not executed. The download management unit causes the communication unit to perform communication at least in the standby state. In other words, the download is attempted even if the application is not running.

  According to the eighth invention, since the download can be attempted even in the standby mode in which the application is not executed, when the user starts the game device and executes the application, the download of the desired data can already be completed. The user can use the time effectively.

  A ninth invention is a game program for a game device that includes a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from a network, and a storage unit, and that can execute an application that uses data downloaded via the network. A download data storage area for storing the received download data, a computer of the game device, application processing means for executing an arbitrary application designated by the user, and communication schedule data including at least download destination information for each application The task storage means for storing, the communication schedule data is read from the task storage means, the communication unit is made to communicate with the network based on the communication schedule, the predetermined data is downloaded, and downloaded from the network The download data capable of identifying the target application is made to function as a download management means for executing processing for storing the download data in the download data storage area for each target application, and the application processing means is for the application in the download data storage area. When the download data exists, the game program uses the data via the network by performing a process including a download data acquisition process for reading the download data for the application.

  In the ninth invention as well, similar to the first invention, the download can be performed even when the application is not being executed, and the user does not have to sequentially issue a download instruction while the application is being executed.

  According to the present invention, the download can be performed independently of the application, and the download can be performed even when the application is not being executed, and the user does not need to sequentially issue the download instruction while the application is being executed. Therefore, data of a plurality of applications can be downloaded.

  The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing one embodiment of a game system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the game system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view for explaining the appearance of the controller shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the controller shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an illustrative view for outlining a state when a game is played using the controller shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an illustrative view for explaining the viewing angles of the marker and the controller shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an illustrative view showing one example of a captured image including a target image. FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing one example of a communication system of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing header information in a message transmitted and received by the game device. FIG. 10 is an illustrative view schematically showing data stored in a flash memory built in the game apparatus. FIG. 11 is an illustrative view showing a flow of friend registration between game devices. FIG. 12 is an illustrative view showing a flow of friend registration between the game apparatus and other terminals. FIG. 13 is an illustrative view for explaining task scheduling and execution time. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing game application processing of the CPU shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing download data acquisition processing which is a part of the game application processing of the CPU shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a message board function which is one of the applications of the CPU shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing message input processing which is a part of the message board function of the CPU shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing message board display processing which is a part of the message board function of the CPU shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing message transmission / reception processing of the input / output processor shown in FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an overwrite confirmation process which is a part of the message transmission / reception process of the input / output processor shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a filtering process which is a part of the message transmission / reception process of the input / output processor shown in FIG. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing download processing of the input / output processor shown in FIG. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a part of message transmission / reception processing according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing another part of the message transmission / reception processing of another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 shows an example of a screen displayed by the bulletin board function of the present invention. FIG. 26 shows the contents of the task list 44e. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a transmission data creation process which is a part of the game application process of the CPU shown in FIG. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing received data acquisition processing that is a part of the game application processing of the CPU shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a game system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a video game apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as “game apparatus”) 12 and a controller 22. Although illustration is omitted, the game apparatus 12 of this embodiment is designed to communicate with a maximum of four controllers 22. In addition, the game apparatus 12 and each controller 22 are connected wirelessly. For example, the wireless communication is performed according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, but may be performed according to another standard such as infrared or wireless LAN.

  The game apparatus 12 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 14, and a disk slot 16 is provided on the front surface of the housing 14. An optical disk 18, which is an example of an information storage medium storing a game program or the like, is inserted from the disk slot 16 and is mounted on a disk drive 54 (see FIG. 2) in the housing 14. An LED and a light guide plate are arranged around the disk slot 16 and can be turned on in response to various processes.

  Further, on the front surface of the housing 14 of the game apparatus 12, a power button 20a and a reset button 20b are provided at the upper part thereof, and an eject button 20c is provided at the lower part thereof. Further, an external memory card connector cover 28 is provided between the reset button 20 b and the eject button 20 c and in the vicinity of the disk slot 16. An external memory card connector 62 (see FIG. 2) is provided inside the external memory card connector cover 28, and an external memory card (hereinafter simply referred to as “memory card”) (not shown) is inserted therein. The memory card loads and temporarily stores a game program read from the optical disc 18, and stores (saves) game data (game result data or intermediate data) of a game played using the game system 10. ) Used to keep up. However, the above game data is stored in an internal memory such as the flash memory 44 (see FIG. 2) provided in the game device 12 instead of being stored in the memory card. Also good. The memory card may be used as a backup memory for the internal memory.

  Note that a general-purpose SD card can be used as the memory card, but other general-purpose memory cards such as a memory stick and a multimedia card (registered trademark) can also be used.

  An AV cable connector 58 (see FIG. 2) is provided on the rear surface of the housing 14 of the game apparatus 12, and the monitor 34 and the speaker 34a are connected to the game apparatus 12 through the AV cable 32a using the AV connector 58. The monitor 34 and the speaker 34a are typically color television receivers, and the AV cable 32a inputs a video signal from the game apparatus 12 to the video input terminal of the color television and inputs an audio signal to the audio input terminal. To do. Therefore, for example, a game image of a three-dimensional (3D) video game is displayed on the screen of the color television (monitor) 34, and stereo game sounds such as game music and sound effects are output from the left and right speakers 34a. Further, a marker unit 34b including two infrared LEDs (markers) 34m and 34n is provided around the monitor 34 (in this embodiment, on the upper side of the monitor 34). The marker portion 34b is connected to the game apparatus 12 through the power cable 32b. Therefore, power is supplied from the game apparatus 12 to the marker unit 34b. Accordingly, the markers 34m and 34n emit light and output infrared light toward the front of the monitor 34, respectively.

  The game apparatus 12 is powered by a general AC adapter (not shown). The AC adapter is inserted into a standard wall socket for home use, and the game apparatus 12 converts the home power supply (commercial power supply) into a low DC voltage signal suitable for driving. In other embodiments, a battery may be used as the power source.

  In this game system 10, in order for a user or a player to play a game (or other application, not limited to a game), the user first turns on the game device 12, and then the user wants to play a video game (or play) A suitable optical disc 18 in which a program of another application) is recorded is selected, and the optical disc 18 is loaded into the disc drive 54 of the game apparatus 12. In response, the game apparatus 12 starts to execute the video game or other application based on the program recorded on the optical disc 18. The user operates the controller 22 to give input to the game apparatus 12. For example, a game or other application is started by operating any of the input means 26. In addition to operations on the input means 26, the moving object (player object) can be moved in a different direction by moving the controller 22 itself, or the user's viewpoint (camera position) in the 3D game world can be changed. it can.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the video game system 10 of FIG. 1 embodiment. Although not shown, each component in the housing 14 is mounted on a printed circuit board. As shown in FIG. 2, the game apparatus 12 is provided with a CPU 40. The CPU 40 functions as a game processor. A system LSI 42 is connected to the CPU 40. An external main memory 46, ROM / RTC 48, disk drive 54 and AV IC 56 are connected to the system LSI 42.

  The external main memory 46 stores programs such as game programs and various data, and is used as a work area and a buffer area of the CPU 40. The ROM / RTC 48 is a so-called boot ROM, in which a program for starting up the game apparatus 12 is incorporated, and a clock circuit for counting time is provided. The disk drive 54 reads program data, texture data, and the like from the optical disk 18 and writes them in an internal main memory 42e or an external main memory 46 described later under the control of the CPU 40.

  The system LSI 42 is provided with an input / output processor 42a, a GPU (Graphics Processor Unit) 42b, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 42c, a VRAM 42d, and an internal main memory 42e, which are not shown, but are connected to each other by an internal bus. The

  The input / output processor (I / O processor) 42a executes data transmission / reception or data download. Data transmission / reception and downloading will be described in detail later.

  The GPU 42b forms part of the drawing means, receives a graphics command (drawing command) from the CPU 40, and generates game image data according to the command. However, the CPU 40 gives an image generation program necessary for generating game image data to the GPU 42b in addition to the graphics command.

  Although illustration is omitted, as described above, the VRAM 42d is connected to the GPU 42b. Data (image data: data such as polygon data and texture data) necessary for the GPU 42b to execute the drawing command is acquired by the GPU 42b accessing the VRAM 42d. The CPU 40 writes image data necessary for drawing into the VRAM 42d via the GPU 42b. The GPU 42b accesses the VRAM 42d and creates game image data for drawing.

  In this embodiment, the case where the GPU 42b generates game image data will be described. However, when executing any application other than the game application, the GPU 42b generates image data for the arbitrary application.

  The DSP 42c functions as an audio processor and corresponds to sound, voice or music output from the speaker 34a using sound data and sound waveform (tone) data stored in the internal main memory 42e and the external main memory 46. Generate audio data.

  The game image data and audio data generated as described above are read by the AV IC 56 and output to the monitor 34 and the speaker 34a via the AV connector 58. Therefore, the game screen is displayed on the monitor 34, and the sound (music) necessary for the game is output from the speaker 34a.

  The input / output processor 42a is connected to the flash memory 44, the wireless communication module 50, and the wireless controller module 52, and to the expansion connector 60 and the memory card connector 62. An antenna 50 a is connected to the wireless communication module 50, and an antenna 52 a is connected to the wireless controller module 52.

  The input / output processor 42a can communicate with other game devices and various servers connected to the network via the wireless communication module 50. However, it is also possible to communicate directly with other game devices without going through a network. The input / output processor 42a periodically accesses the flash memory 44, detects the presence / absence of data that needs to be transmitted to the network (referred to as transmission data), and if there is such transmission data, the input / output processor 42a It transmits to the network via the antenna 50a. Further, the input / output processor 42 a receives data (received data) transmitted from another game device via the network, the antenna 50 a and the wireless communication module 50, and stores the received data in the flash memory 44. However, in certain cases, the received data is discarded as it is. Further, the input / output processor 42a receives data downloaded from the download server (referred to as download data) via the network, the antenna 50a and the wireless communication module 50, and stores the download data in the flash memory 44.

  The input / output processor 42a receives input data transmitted from the controller 22 via the antenna 52a and the wireless controller module 52, and stores (temporarily stores) the data in the buffer area of the internal main memory 42e or the external main memory 46. The input data is deleted from the buffer area after being used by the game process of the CPU 40.

  In this embodiment, as described above, the wireless controller module 52 communicates with the controller 22 in accordance with the Bluetooth standard.

  Further, an expansion connector 60 and a memory card connector 62 are connected to the input / output processor 42a. The expansion connector 60 is a connector for an interface such as USB or SCSI, and can connect a medium such as an external storage medium or a peripheral device such as another controller. Also, a wired LAN adapter can be connected to the expansion connector 60 and the wired LAN can be used instead of the wireless communication module 50. An external storage medium such as a memory card can be connected to the memory card connector 62. Therefore, for example, the input / output processor 42a can access an external storage medium via the expansion connector 60 or the memory card connector 62, and can store or read data.

  Although detailed description is omitted, as shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus 12 (housing 14) is provided with a power button 20a, a reset button 20b, and an eject button 20c. The power button 20a is connected to the system LSI 42. When the power button 20a is turned on, the system LSI 42 sets a mode (referred to as a normal mode) in which power is supplied to each component of the game apparatus 12 via an AC adapter (not shown) and a normal energization state is set. To do. On the other hand, when the power button 20a is turned off, the system LSI 42 is in a mode (hereinafter referred to as “standby mode”) in which power is supplied to only some components of the game apparatus 12 and power consumption is minimized. Set. In this embodiment, when the standby mode is set, the system LSI 42 is a component other than the input / output processor 42a, the flash memory 44, the external main memory 46, the ROM / RTC 48, the wireless communication module 50, and the wireless controller module 52. Instruct the power supply to be stopped. Therefore, this standby mode is a mode in which the CPU 40 does not execute an application.

  Although power is supplied to the system LSI 42 even in the standby mode, the supply of clocks to the GPU 42b, DSP 42c, and VRAM 42d is stopped so that they are not driven to reduce power consumption. is there.

  Although not shown, a fan for discharging the heat of the IC such as the CPU 40 and the system LSI 42 to the outside is provided inside the housing 14 of the game apparatus 12. In the standby mode, this fan is also stopped.

  However, when it is not desired to use the standby mode, the power supply to all the circuit components is completely stopped when the power button 20a is turned off by setting the standby mode not to be used.

  Further, switching between the normal mode and the standby mode can also be performed by remote operation by switching on / off the power switch 26h of the controller 22. When the remote operation is not performed, the power supply to the wireless controller module 52a may be set not to be performed in the standby mode.

  The reset button 20b is also connected to the system LSI 42. When the reset button 20b is pressed, the system LSI 42 restarts the boot program for the game apparatus 12. The eject button 20 c is connected to the disk drive 54. When the eject button 20c is pressed, the optical disk 18 is ejected from the disk drive 54.

  FIGS. 3A to 3E show an example of the appearance of the controller 22. 3A shows the front end surface of the controller 22, FIG. 3B shows the top surface of the controller 22, FIG. 3C shows the right side surface of the controller 22, and FIG. The lower surface is shown, and FIG. 3E shows the rear end surface of the controller 22.

  3A to 3E, the controller 22 has a housing 22a formed by plastic molding, for example. The housing 22a has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is a size that can be held by a user with one hand. The housing 22a (controller 22) is provided with input means (a plurality of buttons or switches) 26. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3B, on the upper surface of the housing 22a, a cross key 26a, a 1 button 26b, a 2 button 26c, an A button 26d, a-button 26e, a HOME button 26f, a + button 26g, and A power switch 26h is provided. As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, an inclined surface is formed on the lower surface of the housing 22a, and a B trigger switch 26i is provided on the inclined surface.

  The cross key 26a is a four-way push switch, and includes four operation directions indicated by arrows, front (or up), back (or down), right and left operation units. By operating any one of the operation units, it is possible to instruct the moving direction of a character or object (player character or player object) that can be operated by the player, or to instruct the moving direction of the cursor.

  Each of the 1 button 26b and the 2 button 26c is a push button switch. For example, it is used for game operations such as adjusting the viewpoint position and direction when displaying a three-dimensional game image, that is, adjusting the position and angle of view of a virtual camera. Alternatively, the 1 button 26b and the 2 button 26c may be used when the same operation as the A button 26d and the B trigger switch 26i or an auxiliary operation is performed.

  The A button switch 26d is a push button switch, and causes the player character or the player object to perform an action other than a direction instruction, that is, an arbitrary action such as hitting (punching), throwing, grabbing (acquiring), riding, jumping, and the like. Used for. For example, in an action game, it is possible to instruct jumping, punching, moving a weapon, and the like. In the role playing game (RPG) and the simulation RPG, it is possible to instruct acquisition of items, selection and determination of weapons and commands, and the like.

  The − button 26e, the HOME button 26f, the + button 26g, and the power switch 26h are also push button switches. The-button 26e is used for selecting a game mode. The HOME button 26f is used to display a game menu (menu screen). The + button 26g is used for starting (restarting) or pausing the game. The power switch 26h is used to turn on / off the power of the game apparatus 12 by remote control.

  In this embodiment, a power switch for turning on / off the controller 22 itself is not provided, and the controller 22 is turned on by operating any one of the input means 26 of the controller 22 for a certain time (for example, If it is not operated for 30 seconds) or more, it is automatically turned off.

  The B-trigger switch 26i is also a push button switch, and is mainly used for performing an input imitating a trigger such as shooting a bullet or designating a position selected by the controller 22. In addition, if the B trigger switch 26i is continuously pressed, the motion and parameters of the player object can be maintained in a certain state. In a fixed case, the B trigger switch 26i functions in the same way as a normal B button, and is used for canceling the action determined by the A button 26d.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (E), an external expansion connector 22b is provided on the rear end surface of the housing 22a, and as shown in FIG. 3 (B), it is the upper surface of the housing 22a and on the rear end surface side. An indicator 22c is provided. The external expansion connector 22b is used for connecting another expansion controller (not shown). The indicator 22c is composed of, for example, four LEDs, and indicates the identification information (controller number) of the controller 22 corresponding to the lighting LED by lighting any one of the four LEDs, or the number of LEDs to be lit. Can indicate the remaining power of the controller 22.

  Furthermore, the controller 22 has an imaging information calculation unit 80 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 3A, the light incident port 22d of the imaging information calculation unit 80 is provided at the distal end surface of the housing 22a. Provided. Further, the controller 22 has a speaker 86 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 3B, the speaker 86 is an upper surface of the housing 22a, and includes a 1 button 26b and a HOME button 26f. Corresponding to the sound release hole 22e provided between them, it is provided inside the housing 22a.

  It should be noted that the shape of the controller 22 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3E, the shape, the number, the installation position, etc. of each input means 26 are merely examples, and they may be modified as appropriate. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be realized.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the controller 22. Referring to FIG. 4, the controller 22 includes a processor 70. The processor 70 is connected to an external expansion connector 22b, an input means 26, a memory 72, an acceleration sensor 74, and a wireless module 76 by an internal bus (not shown). The imaging information calculation unit 80, the LED 82 (indicator 22c), the vibrator 84, the speaker 86, and the power supply circuit 88 are connected. An antenna 78 is connected to the wireless module 76.

  The processor 70 performs overall control of the controller 22, and information (input information) input by the input unit 26, the acceleration sensor 74, and the imaging information calculation unit 80 is input as input data to the game device via the wireless module 76 and the antenna 78. 12 (input). At this time, the processor 70 uses the memory 72 as a work area or a buffer area.

  The operation signal (operation data) from the input means 26 (26a-26i) described above is input to the processor 70, and the processor 70 temporarily stores the operation data in the memory 72.

  Further, the acceleration sensor 74 detects the respective accelerations of the three axes of the controller 22 in the vertical direction (y-axis direction), the horizontal direction (x-axis direction), and the front-rear direction (z-axis direction). The acceleration sensor 74 is typically a capacitance type acceleration sensor, but other types may be used.

  For example, the acceleration sensor 74 detects acceleration (ax, ay, az) for each of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis at each first predetermined time, and the detected acceleration data (acceleration data) is processed by the processor 70. To enter. For example, the acceleration sensor 74 detects the acceleration in each axial direction in a range of −2.0 g to 2.0 g (g is a gravitational acceleration. The same applies hereinafter). The processor 70 detects the acceleration data given from the acceleration sensor 74 every second predetermined time and temporarily stores it in the memory 72. The processor 70 creates input data including at least one of operation data, acceleration data, and marker coordinate data described later, and transmits the created input data to the game apparatus 12 every third predetermined time (for example, 5 msec). .

  Although omitted in FIGS. 3A to 3E, in this embodiment, the acceleration sensor 74 is provided in the vicinity of the cross key 26a on the substrate inside the housing 22a.

  The wireless module 76 modulates a carrier wave of a predetermined frequency with input data using, for example, Bluetooth technology, and radiates the weak radio signal from the antenna 78. That is, the input data is modulated by the wireless module 76 into a weak radio signal and transmitted from the antenna 78 (controller 22). This weak radio signal is received by the wireless controller module 52 provided in the game apparatus 12 described above. The received weak radio wave is subjected to demodulation and decoding processing, and thus the game apparatus 12 (CPU 40) can acquire input data from the controller 22. And CPU40 performs a game process according to the acquired input data and a program (game program).

  Furthermore, as described above, the imaging information calculation unit 80 is provided in the controller 22. The imaging information calculation unit 80 includes an infrared filter 80a, a lens 80b, an imaging element 80c, and an image processing circuit 80d. The infrared filter 80 a allows only infrared light to pass through from light incident from the front of the controller 22. As described above, the markers 340 m and 340 n arranged in the vicinity (periphery) of the display screen of the monitor 34 are infrared LEDs that output infrared light toward the front of the monitor 34. Therefore, by providing the infrared filter 80a, the images of the markers 340m and 340n can be taken more accurately. The lens 84 condenses the infrared light transmitted through the infrared filter 82 and emits it to the image sensor 80c. The image sensor 80c is a solid-state image sensor such as a CMOS sensor or a CCD, for example, and images infrared rays collected by the lens 80b. Accordingly, the image sensor 80c captures only the infrared light that has passed through the infrared filter 80a and generates image data. Hereinafter, an image captured by the image sensor 80c is referred to as a captured image. The image data generated by the image sensor 80c is processed by the image processing circuit 80d. The image processing circuit 80d calculates the position of the imaging target (markers 340m and 340n) in the captured image, and outputs each coordinate value indicating the position to the processor 70 as imaging data every fourth predetermined time. The processing in the image processing circuit 80d will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is an illustrative view outlining the state when playing a game using the controller 22. As shown in FIG. 5, when playing a game using the controller 22 in the video game system 10, the player holds the controller 22 with one hand. Strictly speaking, the player holds the controller 22 in a state where the front end surface of the controller 22 (on the side of the light incident port 22d imaged by the imaging information calculation unit 80) faces the markers 340m and 340n. However, as can be seen from FIG. 1, the markers 340 m and 340 n are arranged in parallel with the horizontal direction of the screen of the monitor 34. In this state, the player performs a game operation by changing the position on the screen instructed by the controller 22 or changing the distance between the controller 22 and each of the markers 340m and 340n.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the viewing angles between the markers 340 m and 340 n and the controller 22. As shown in FIG. 6, each of the markers 340m and 340n emits infrared light in the range of the viewing angle θ1. In addition, the image sensor 80c of the imaging information calculation unit 80 can receive light incident in the range of the viewing angle θ2 with the sight line direction of the controller 22 as the center. For example, the viewing angles θ1 of the markers 340m and 340n are both 34 ° (half-value angle), while the viewing angle θ2 of the image sensor 80c is 41 °. The player holds the controller 22 so that the imaging element 80c has a position and an orientation in which infrared light from the two markers 340m and 340n can be received. Specifically, at least one marker 340m and 340n exists in the viewing angle θ2 of the image sensor 80c, and the controller 22 exists in at least one viewing angle θ1 of the marker 340m or 340n. As described above, the player holds the controller 22. When in this state, the controller 22 can detect at least one of the markers 340m and 340n. The player can perform a game operation by changing the position and orientation of the controller 22 within a range that satisfies this state.

  In addition, when the position and orientation of the controller 22 are out of this range, the game operation based on the position and orientation of the controller 22 cannot be performed. Hereinafter, the above range is referred to as an “operable range”.

  When the controller 22 is held within the operable range, the imaging information calculation unit 80 captures images of the markers 340m and 340n. That is, the captured image obtained by the imaging element 80c includes images (target images) of the markers 340m and 340n that are imaging targets. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image including a target image. Using the image data of the captured image including the target image, the image processing circuit 80d calculates coordinates (marker coordinates) representing the positions of the markers 340m and 340n in the captured image.

  Since the target image appears as a high luminance part in the image data of the captured image, the image processing circuit 80d first detects this high luminance part as a candidate for the target image. Next, the image processing circuit 80d determines whether or not the high luminance part is the target image based on the detected size of the high luminance part. The captured image includes not only the images 340m ′ and 340n ′ of the two markers 340m and 340n, which are target images, but also images other than the target image due to sunlight from a window or light from a fluorescent lamp in a room. There is. In the determination process of whether or not the high-intensity portion is the target image, the images 340m ′ and 340n ′ of the markers 340m and 340n that are the target images are distinguished from other images, and the target image is accurately detected. To be executed. Specifically, in the determination process, it is determined whether or not the detected high-intensity portion has a size within a predetermined range. If the high-luminance portion has a size within a predetermined range, it is determined that the high-luminance portion represents the target image. On the other hand, when the high-luminance portion is not within the predetermined range, it is determined that the high-luminance portion represents an image other than the target image.

  Further, as a result of the above determination processing, for the high luminance portion determined to represent the target image, the image processing circuit 80d calculates the position of the high luminance portion. Specifically, the barycentric position of the high luminance part is calculated. Here, the coordinates of the center of gravity are referred to as marker coordinates. Further, the position of the center of gravity can be calculated on a scale that is more detailed than the resolution of the image sensor 80c. Here, it is assumed that the resolution of the captured image captured by the image sensor 80c is 126 × 96, and the barycentric position is calculated on a scale of 1024 × 768. That is, the marker coordinates are represented by integer values from (0, 0) to (1024, 768).

  The position in the captured image is represented by a coordinate system (XY coordinate system) in which the upper left of the captured image is the origin, the downward direction is the Y axis positive direction, and the right direction is the X axis positive direction.

  When the target image is correctly detected, two high-intensity parts are determined as the target image by the determination process, so that two marker coordinates are calculated. The image processing circuit 80d outputs data indicating the calculated two marker coordinates. The output marker coordinate data (marker coordinate data) is included in the input data by the processor 70 and transmitted to the game apparatus 12 as described above.

  When the game apparatus 12 (CPU 40) detects the marker coordinate data from the received input data, the game apparatus 12 (CPU 40) detects the indicated position (indicated coordinates) of the controller 22 on the screen of the monitor 34 and the marker 340m from the controller 22 based on the marker coordinate data. And each distance up to 340n can be calculated. Specifically, the position that the controller 22 faces, that is, the indicated position is calculated from the position of the midpoint between the two marker coordinates. In addition, since the distance between the target images in the captured image changes according to the distance between the controller 22 and the markers 340m and 340n, the game apparatus 12 and the controller 22 are calculated by calculating the distance between the two marker coordinates. The distance between the markers 340m and 340n can be grasped.

  The outline of message transmission / reception in one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing one example of a communication system 100 using the game apparatus 12 described above. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication system 100 includes a plurality of game devices 12, and each game device 12 is connected to a mail server 102 and a distribution server 104 via a network 106 such as the Internet or a LAN. By connecting to such a network 106, it is possible to send and receive messages via the mail server 102 and download data from the distribution server 104.

  In this embodiment, a case where a plurality of game apparatuses 12 are connected to the network 106 will be described. However, one game apparatus 12 may be used. A plurality of distribution servers 104 may be provided according to the type of download data (content). Furthermore, a PC is connected to the network 106, and a mobile phone is also connected via a mobile phone network. In addition, various electronic devices can be connected to the network, and messages can be exchanged with the game apparatus 12 via the mail server 102.

  The game apparatuses 12 can communicate with each other via the network 106. A message input by the player or a message generated by the game device 12 is converted into an e-mail format and transmitted / received (exchanged) between the game devices 12 via the network 106 and the mail server 102. For this reason, the mail server 102 can use a general purpose mail server. Therefore, the game apparatus 12 can also exchange messages, that is, e-mails, with terminals (terminals other than the game apparatus 12) such as PCs and mobile phones. Such message transmission / reception processing in the game apparatus 12 is automatically executed according to a predetermined schedule without the user giving a transmission / reception instruction, so that the user receives the message without performing periodic check work himself / herself. Can play games and other applications. Further, the game apparatus 12 is connected to a terminal other than the game apparatus 12 whose address is registered in an address book (a friend list 44d described later) or another game apparatus 12 (hereinafter, also referred to as “another terminal”). It is also possible to send and receive messages only by using a general purpose mail system. Therefore, even if a general-purpose mail system is used, it is possible to prevent users from receiving unnecessary messages such as spam mails.

  Further, the game machine 12 can execute a message board function that is an application for displaying the received message on the monitor 34. However, data that is unique to other applications (such as games) and is used only by the application can be read only by the application. Therefore, when it is desired to send a message only to a specific user, if the message dependent data is included in the message and transmitted, the message board function cannot be used. However, messages that can be referred to regardless of the type of application can be displayed (displayed) on the monitor 34 by the message board function and viewed by anyone.

  The message board function is an application having a function of displaying the received message on the monitor 34, and displays a message acquired from the network 106. However, not only messages received from other game apparatuses 12 or other terminals, but also messages created for the user can be displayed in the same manner. Therefore, even if the game apparatus 12 is not connected to the network 106, this message board function can be used as a message board in the home or a personal notepad, and it is generated by an application such as a game. The record can be made available for later viewing by the message board function. At this time, if the message generated in the game machine 12 is stored in the same area in the same format as the message acquired from the network 106 (in this embodiment, an e-mail format), the message can be displayed. There is no need to prepare individual processes. For example, when generating a memo or a message, it may be converted into e-mail format data, or e-mail format data may be generated in the processing of the game program.

  FIG. 25 shows an example of a state in which a message is displayed on the monitor 34 by the message board function. In the example of FIG. 25, the message board function displays a list of messages received that day. For example, it is possible to display a message acquired from the network, a message from a family, a history when a game is played, and the like. In addition, a button for starting a program for creating a memo, a message, or a message to be transmitted to the network is displayed. The message data is managed for each date, the screen is switched by designating another day, and the messages received on the designated date are displayed in a similar list. The message content (text etc.) may be in a state where it can be browsed from the beginning, or only the time and title may be displayed in the list, and the message may be opened by opening the message.

  Although detailed explanation is omitted, data (image data) of an image (still image) drawn by a game application or an application for drawing an image (image data) and other terminals are included in the message (e-mail). Can be attached. This image data is displayed on the monitor 34 together with a message by the message board function. For example, the image data held in another terminal is data of an image (still image) taken by a digital camera or a mobile phone camera or thumbnail data thereof.

  Further, although detailed explanation is omitted, data depending on the application such as game data can be attached to the message (e-mail).

  Hereinafter, information included in the message will be described. In this embodiment, header information as shown in FIG. 9 is added to the message. Specifically, the header information includes transmission source, destination information, title, date and time, transmission side application identification information, message board display ON / OFF attribute, message board date and time designation, overwrite tag, other application restriction, disappearance attribute, reception Includes announcement attributes, alternative nicknames and reply attributes.

  The sender information is the identification information (or mail address) of the game device 12 and the mail address of another terminal of the sender (sender) of the message. Here, the identification information of the game apparatus 12 is information for individually identifying the game apparatus 12 and is, for example, a character string using at least one of numerals and alphabets. In addition, a mail address using a character string of identification information of the game apparatus 12 is set as the mail address of the game apparatus 12. Since the mail address of the game apparatus 12 is uniquely determined from the identification information, it may be managed by any information. The destination information is the destination of the message, that is, the identification information (mail address) of the game device 12 on the receiving side (transmission destination) or the mail address of another terminal. The title is the title of the message.

  The date / time information is the date and time (hour / minute / second) when the message is transmitted (or created). The transmission side application identification information (application ID) is an identification number or identification symbol for identifying the application. In this embodiment, the identification information of the application that created the message is described. Since the above-described message board function is one of the applications, identification information indicating the message board is also included in the message created on the message board.

  The reception notification attribute is information indicating whether or not to notify the user that the message has been received, and indicates values of “none” and “pattern ID”, for example. If the reception notification attribute indicates “none”, the notification process is not executed on the reception side even if the message is received. However, when the reception notification attribute indicates “pattern ID”, the LED at the insertion slot of the disk slot 16 blinks (flashes) according to the pattern indicated by the pattern ID that the message has been received. In addition, a sound (music) according to the pattern may be played.

  The message board display ON / OFF attribute information is information for identifying whether or not to display the message on the message board. In this embodiment, the message board display ON / OFF attribute is identified by three types of “ON”, “specified time”, and “OFF”. When this attribute indicates “ON”, the message is displayed on the message board. In such a case, the message may be displayed (posted) on the message board and the reception notification described above may be performed. Although illustration is omitted, for example, the display of the message can be notified by blinking the insertion slot of the disk slot 16 of the game apparatus 12 or outputting sound (music). When this attribute indicates “designated time”, the message is not displayed on the message board within the designated time after arrival (reception). Therefore, for example, when it is desired to notify the event in the game or to activate the game apparatus 12 at a certain date and time, a message describing “specified time” is transmitted. Further, when this attribute indicates “OFF”, the message is not displayed on the message board.

  The message board date and time designation information is information indicating whether or not to designate the date and time for displaying the message on the message board. When the date and time are specified as this information, the message is displayed on the message board at the date and time. However, if the date and time are not specified as this information, the message is displayed at the date and time when it was received.

  The overwrite tag is information regarding whether or not to overwrite with the received message. In this embodiment, the overwrite tag includes “ON” or “OFF” and “overwrite ID”. When the overwrite tag for the message (referred to as “this message” for convenience of explanation) indicates “ON”, a message (for convenience of explanation) in which the transmission source, application ID, and overwrite ID all match. , “Previous message”) is present in the received message box 44b. If all of the transmission source information, application ID, and overwrite ID match, the current message is overwritten with the previous message. In other words, if only the latest data is required for the same application data from the same sender (for example, the highest record of the game score), the application sends a message to the game device 12 on the transmission side. When creating a message having the same overwrite ID indicating that the overwrite is “ON”, the reception side always overwrites the latest message. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the capacity of the flash memory 44 from being compressed by useless messages. However, if any one of the transmission source, the application ID, and the overwrite ID is different, it means that the message has a different purpose and is not overwritten by the current message. Further, even when the overwrite tag ID for the current message indicates “OFF”, the current message is not overwritten.

  The other application restriction information is information indicating whether or not the message can be referred to by an application other than the application indicated by the application ID. When this information indicates an e-mail (message) that can be referred to from another application (other application restriction is OFF), the message can be read from another application. On the other hand, when this information indicates a message that cannot be referred to by another application (other application restriction is ON), the message is prohibited from being read from another application. However, when the other application restriction is ON, the contents of the message cannot be referred to from other applications, and the message may be displayed on the message board.

  In addition, since the e-mail from another terminal is not a message generated by the application of the game apparatus 12, information on other application restrictions cannot be included, and the e-mail (message) is automatically Can be referenced by application.

  The extinction attribute is information indicating whether or not the message is automatically extinguished on the receiving side. When the erasure attribute indicates “not erased”, the receiving side does not automatically erase the message. However, when the annihilation attribute indicates “specified time”, the message is automatically annihilated on the receiving side after the lapse of the specified time after arrival (reception) of the message. In other words, when the specified time has passed without the received message being used by an application such as a message board function, the message disappears. It is possible to prevent the capacity of the flash memory 44 from being pressed and to prevent unnecessary information from being given to the user after the expiration date.

  The alternative nickname is information indicating whether or not to display a nickname designated by the transmission side when displaying the message. When this information is empty, when the message is displayed, the nickname registered in the address book is referred to as the sender information, and the nickname is displayed. When a character string is included in the alternative nickname, when the message is displayed, the character string of the alternative nickname is displayed instead of the nickname registered in the address book. The character string included in the alternative nickname is not limited to the name, and can be used to display a predetermined wording at the display location.

  The reply attribute is information indicating whether a reply to the message is possible. When users exchange messages, it is normal to be able to reply, but for messages created automatically from applications (for example, recording gameplay results), users should not reply Since there may be information, such a reply attribute is set. When the reply attribute indicates “OK”, it is possible to reply to the message. In such a case, for example, when the message is displayed by the message board function, if the user selects (instructs) to reply, a message input screen (not shown) for replying is displayed, and the reply message Can be created. However, when the reply attribute is “impossible”, it is impossible to reply to the message. In such a case, for example, when the message is displayed with the message board function, the user cannot select (instruct) to reply, or display a message indicating that the message cannot be replied. To do.

  In addition to the above-described header information, general e-mail includes header information such as Cc, Bcc, Reply-To, and Return. In the present embodiment, the header is included in the header in the game apparatus 12. Information that is not used is ignored in both cases of transmission data and reception data.

  FIG. 10 is an illustrative view schematically showing a configuration of data stored in the flash memory 44 built in the game apparatus 12. The outline of message transmission / reception and download processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The game apparatus 12 transmits / receives a message to / from the mail server 102, downloads data from the distribution server 104, and performs two types of communication processing. Message transmission / reception and download processing are executed by the input / output processor 42a. The flash memory 44 includes a transmission message box 44a, a reception message box 44b, a management file 44c, a friend list 44d, a task list 44e, a save area 44f, a database 44g, and a main body application area 44h as storage areas.

  The transmission message box 44a is an area for storing an e-mail message (referred to as transmission data) transmitted from the game apparatus 12 to another game apparatus 12 or another terminal. As can be seen from FIG. 10, the transmission data is transmitted to the mail server 102. Therefore, the game apparatus 12 can transmit a message to another game apparatus 12 via the mail server 102 and the network 106. The input / output processor 42a refers to the transmission message box 44a based on a predetermined schedule (for example, every 10 minutes), and when the transmission data is stored, transmits the stored transmission data to the network 106. To do. When the transmission data is transmitted to the network 106, the transmission data is deleted from the transmission message box 44a.

  Therefore, since the input / output processor 42a transmits an e-mail independently of the application, in an application executed by the CPU 40 such as a message board function or a game, the message is transmitted in an e-mail format after the message is created. The message can be transmitted to the network simply by performing the processing recorded in the network.

  In this embodiment, data in a more general-purpose e-mail format is transmitted / received to / from the mail server. However, the data format is not limited to e-mail and can be diverted in various formats. In particular, when the communication is limited to communication between the game apparatuses 12, a general-purpose format may not be used, and even when communication with other terminals is performed, any general-purpose format that can be processed by the terminals can be applied. Further, the server type may be a server other than the mail server as long as it has the property of holding the data transmitted up to the access from the terminal.

  Further, when the transmission function is stopped for some reason or when a communication failure occurs, transmission data is not transmitted, and therefore the data amount of the transmission message box 44a may become full. is there. In such a case, registration of the transmission message in the transmission message box 44a is not accepted.

  The reception message box 44b is an e-mail format message received from another game device 12, another terminal, or the distribution server 104 (in this embodiment, “reception data” is referred to as “transmission data” above). Is an area for storing. As can be seen from FIG. 10, the received data is transmitted from the mail server 102 or the distribution server 104. The input / output processor 42a accesses the mail server 102 based on a predetermined schedule (for example, every 10 minutes) to check whether there is a new mail on the server. Is stored in the received message box 44b as received data. In the reception message box 44b, the reception data is held until it is opened (used) by the application or deleted, or until the reception message box 44b is full. However, when the received message box 44b is full, the oldest received data is deleted in order each time new received data is received. In addition, when the game apparatus 12 is in the normal mode, the received data held in the received message box 44b is stored in the database 44g according to the header information except for the data depending on the application such as game data attached. It will be moved and will be in the state which can be read by a message board function.

  The data received from the mail server 102 is a message from another game device 12 or another terminal. Also, the received data from the distribution server 104 is a message such as a notification from a manager of the distribution server 104 to a plurality of users. For example, an administrator of the distribution server 104 transmits (notifies) a message such as information on a new game application (game software) and information on events in the game. Details of the process of storing the data received from the distribution server 104 in the reception message box 44b will be described later.

  The management file 44c is management information about the game apparatus 12, and stores information unique to the game apparatus 12 such as identification information of the game apparatus 12 and a user profile, and is read out as necessary. The friend list 44d corresponds to a so-called e-mail address book, in which identification information (or e-mail address) of other registered game devices 12 and e-mail addresses of other terminals are described. This friend list 44d can be referred to not only when executing the message board function but also from various applications. However, among the identification information of other game devices 12 described in the friend list 44d and the mail addresses of other terminals, the identification information of other game devices 12 for which friend registration described later has been executed or the mail addresses of other terminals Other than the e-mail (received data) sent from is deleted. That is, when the transmission source is unknown, the received data is filtered. As a result, undesired electronic mail such as spam mail can be automatically deleted.

  The task list 44e is a list of tasks representing a schedule for downloading data from the distribution server 104, and stores a task registered in advance for the necessity of the game apparatus 12 and a task arbitrarily registered by the user. The download process is performed by executing each task. However, in this embodiment, one task can be registered in one application. FIG. 26 shows an example of attribute information included in each task. One task includes task identification information (task ID), application identification information (application ID), distribution source URL, remaining download count, task activation interval, retry margin, content update interval, and file name. .

  The task ID is an ID for uniquely identifying the task. The application ID is an ID for uniquely identifying the application that registered the task. This application ID is determined according to the application that performed the task registration process.

  The URL of the distribution source indicates the location of the distribution source (distribution server 104) and includes the file name of the download data. The URL of the distribution source is set by a user or automatically set by an application.

  The remaining download count indicates the number of downloads that can be executed. In this embodiment, when the game apparatus 12 (input / output processor 42a) transmits a connection request (request) to the network 106 (distribution server 104) for downloading, 1 is subtracted from the remaining download count in a normal case. When the remaining download count becomes 0, the task is deleted from the task list 44e, and the task cannot be executed. By setting the remaining number of downloads, the download can be performed in a necessary period, and it is possible to prevent the useless download process from being executed even if the download is unnecessary.

  The task activation interval is a time interval for executing a task, and specifically means a time (period) from the execution of a task to the next execution of the task. However, when a task is registered, a time for executing the task next is determined based on the registration time. The task activation interval is set by the user or automatically set according to the type of download data (content).

  The retry margin is the time allowed to exceed the execution time (scheduled time) of the next task determined by the download activation interval. For example, when the power of the game apparatus 12 is completely turned off, or when a failure has occurred in the network, the task cannot be executed and the task becomes ready to be executed next. In some cases, the scheduled time of the task has been exceeded, but if the scheduled time has been significantly exceeded, the downloaded data itself may be unnecessary. Therefore, when the retry margin is set at the time of task registration and the scheduled time of the task is determined according to the task start interval, the time when the retry is allowed (retry allowable time) is determined according to the retry margin. . When the retry allowable time is exceeded, the task is not executed, and is thereafter deleted from the task list 44e. This retry margin is set by the user or automatically set according to the type of download data.

  The content update interval is an average value of intervals at which the content (download data) set by the distribution source is updated with respect to the URL of the distribution source. Therefore, depending on the type of download data, the task activation interval is set in consideration of the average value of the intervals at which the download data indicated by the content update interval is updated. Specifically, if the task activation interval is set to a time longer than the content update interval, it is possible to eliminate the waste of acquiring the same download data in duplicate. Conversely, if the task activation interval is set to a time shorter than the content update interval, the download of the updated content will not be missed. The average value of the update interval may be a value assumed in advance, or the task may be updated by obtaining the average value of the update interval from the distribution server 104 each time download is executed.

  The file name is a file name given when the download data is saved, and can be specified by an option, for example. However, since the file name is assigned to the download data, it is possible to acquire the data with a predetermined file name without specifying the file name.

  The task execution will be described in detail later. The download data can be used in an application indicated by the identification information (application ID). For example, in a game application, the download data is data such as an additional map, additional characters, and additional items for the game.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the save area 44f is an area for saving (saving) application data, and includes a download box 440 in the area. As described above, the download box 440 is an area in which download data downloaded from the distribution server 104 according to a task is stored. Although detailed description is omitted, an application ID for identifying an application in which a task is registered is attached to the download data in advance. However, the application ID does not necessarily have to be attached to the download data in advance, and in other embodiments, when registering in the download box 440, the application ID indicated by the task attribute information is referred to and attached. May be. Therefore, even when download data for various types of applications is stored in the download box 440, each download data can be identified by the application ID. The save area 44f has an area for each application. Therefore, in another embodiment, a download box for each application may be provided in an area for storing application data corresponding to the download data.

  The database 44g is an area for storing messages for each date used by the above-described message board function, and can be referred to from other applications. As described above, the received data is stored in the received message box 44b. However, the capacity of the received message box 44b is finite, and when it is full, the received data is deleted in order from the oldest. Therefore, for long-term storage and sharing of messages, a database 44g is provided, and received data (messages) except for those used only by individual applications, such as those with game data attached, for example. , Moved from the received message box 44b to the database 44g. At this time, the header information of the message is referred to and stored in each area of the database 44g managed for each date. For example, when the date and time are described as the message board date / time designation information, the received data is stored in an area corresponding to the designated date. However, if the date and time are not specified in the header information of the message, the message is stored in an area corresponding to the date on which the message is received. As an area management method for each date, for example, a folder may be set for each date and the message may be stored in the corresponding folder. Further, the file name for saving may be a file name representing time.

  Although illustration is omitted, when a memory card is attached to the memory card connector 62, the contents of the database 44g can be backed up automatically or by a user instruction to the memory card.

  The main body application area 44h is an area for storing an application program (software) incorporated as a main body function. For example, a menu program when the game apparatus 12 is activated, and applications of the functions (main body functions) of the game apparatus 12 such as a message board function and a friend registration function are stored (installed) in the main body application area 44h. That is, the game apparatus 12 can read a program such as a game stored on the optical disc 18 and execute an application, or can read a program stored in the flash memory 44 and execute an application. It is. Further, the program stored in the main body application area 44h can be added in addition to the software described above.

  Next, a friend registration procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. In the friend registration, a partner whose message transmission / reception is permitted is registered in advance in the friend list 44d. In the present embodiment, among messages received from the mail server 102, messages transmitted from a transmission source that is not registered as a friend are automatically deleted. That is, when exchanging messages between the game machines 12, it is necessary to register a friend as a friend in each game machine 12. Here, in friend registration, a relationship that is confirmed not to be unilaterally registered but confirmed to be mutually registered should be established. Called “friend relationship”. Specifically, the game apparatus 12 registers another terminal between the game apparatus 12 and another terminal in a state where the friend registration is performed between the game apparatuses 12 and the mutual registration confirmation is completed. The game device 12 confirms that the registration is permitted in another terminal. Therefore, in order to establish the friend relationship, the following procedure is executed between the game apparatus 12 and the other game apparatus 12 or other terminals. FIG. 11 shows the procedure for friend registration between the game apparatuses 12, and FIG. 12 shows the procedure for friend registration between the game apparatus 12 and another terminal. This friend registration is performed by sending and receiving messages. That is, friend registration is executed through processing in the input / output processor 42a of each game apparatus 12.

  In FIG. 11, in order to make the two game devices 12 easy to understand, one game device 12 is called “game device A” and the other game device 12 is called “game device B”. In FIG. 12, the game apparatus 12 is referred to as “game apparatus C”, and the other terminal is referred to as “terminal D”.

  In addition, in the friend registration, it is necessary to know the identification information of the game apparatus 12 and the mail address of other terminals by contacting each other in advance or by directly talking with each other prior to the registration. However, when the game device 12 owned by one user and another terminal are registered as friends, the user only needs to know the mail address of the other terminal. Hereinafter, the procedure for friend registration will be described according to the time axis.

  First, a procedure for establishing a friend relationship between the game apparatuses 12 will be described with reference to FIG. Since registration to the friend list 44d is performed by each user in each game device 12, the timing of registration is different, but here, the game device 12 that has been registered first is referred to as game device A. explain. The user of the game device A inputs and registers the mail address (identification information) of the game device B in the friend list 44d of the game device A. Then, game device A automatically transmits a message (registration message) to game device B indicating that the mail address of game device B has been registered in the address book (friend list 44d). As described above, the registration message is transmitted in the form of an e-mail. However, here, since the messages are automatically transmitted and received between the game apparatuses 12, it is only necessary that the game apparatus 12 can decipher them. Therefore, this registered mail may be a message that cannot be deciphered by humans, such as a character string in which alphabets and numbers are arranged, or may be an empty mail. The same applies to the case where messages are automatically transmitted and received between the game apparatuses 12.

  On the other hand, the game device B receives the registration message. However, as described above, the timing of registration is different for each user, and since the mail address of the game device A is unregistered at this stage, the game device B When the registration message from the game apparatus A is received, the registration message is deleted as it is. At this time, the game device A is in a state where the friend relationship with the game device B is not established. Of course, in the game apparatus B, the friend relationship with the game apparatus A is not established.

  Thereafter, when the user of the game apparatus B registers the mail address of the game apparatus A in the friend list 44d of the game apparatus B, the game apparatus B displays a registration message indicating that the mail address of the game apparatus A is registered in the address book. Automatically transmitted to game device A. In the game apparatus A, since the mail address of the game apparatus B is already registered in the friend list 44d, the game apparatus A receives the registration message transmitted from the game apparatus B and holds it in the reception message box 44b. As a result, it is confirmed that registration has been performed, so that in the game device A, a friend relationship with the game device B is established. Then, the game apparatus A automatically transmits to the game apparatus B a confirmation message (reception confirmation message) indicating that the registration mail has been received from the game apparatus B.

  At this time, in game device B, since the mail address of game device A is already registered in friend list 44d, game device B receives the reception confirmation message transmitted from game device A, and receives the received message. Hold in box 44b. As a result, it is confirmed that registration has been performed with each other, so that in the game apparatus B, a friend relationship with the game apparatus A is established. Then, the game apparatus B automatically transmits a reception confirmation message to the game apparatus A because the same process as the game apparatus A is performed. The game apparatus A receives the reception confirmation message from the game apparatus B, but since the friend relationship has already been established at this time, the reception confirmation is performed without performing any processing such as a reply to this. The message is deleted from the received message box 44b.

  As described above, each game device 12 automatically transmits a registration message after address registration, establishes a friend relationship when a message is received after registration, and transmits a reception confirmation message. By doing each of these, the friendship establishment after registration is automatically performed.

  Next, a procedure for establishing a friend relationship between the game apparatus 12 and another terminal will be described with reference to FIG. The other terminal is a general-purpose terminal capable of processing e-mails, and does not have a configuration such as the input / output processor 42a of the game machine 12, and therefore, in the case of the game apparatus 12 and another terminal The registration can be started only from the game apparatus 12 side. When the user of the game apparatus C registers the mail address of the terminal D in the friend list 44d of the game apparatus C, the game apparatus C transmits a registration message to the terminal D. However, in order for the terminal D to transmit a message to the game apparatus C, not to the game apparatus 12, the user of the terminal D needs to return a message to the game apparatus C. Therefore, the registration message needs to transmit a message that prompts a reply in a format that can be decoded by the user (human) of the terminal D. For example, a registration message including a text such as “If you reply to this mail, you can send and receive e-mail to and from game device C” is transmitted. At this time, in the game apparatus C, the friend relationship with the terminal D is not established.

  Thereafter, the user of the terminal D returns a message for the registration message from the game apparatus C to the game apparatus C. In the game apparatus C, since the mail address of the terminal D is already registered in the friend list 44d, a friend relationship with the terminal D is established when a message from the terminal D is received.

  Note that since the establishment of the friend relationship cannot be confirmed at the terminal D, it is not necessary to transmit a reception confirmation message from the game apparatus C together with the establishment of the friend relationship.

  In addition, as described above, in this embodiment, when the mail address of the other game device 12 is only registered in one game device 12 of the two game devices 12, the friend relationship Is not established. In such a case, although illustration is omitted, the address registered in one game device 12 is displayed in light gray, and then displayed in black when the friend relationship is established, thereby establishing the friend relationship. The user may be able to recognize the presence or absence of this. However, this is merely an example, and the display can be changed with the same color due to the difference in luminance, or the display can be changed with a different color. Further, in the game apparatus 12, whether or not a friend relationship with the game apparatus 12 registered in the friend list 44d or another terminal is established is determined in the friend list 44d by, for example, a flag. For example, the flag corresponding to the identification information (or mail address) of the game apparatus 12 in which the friend relationship is established or the mail address of another terminal is turned on. On the other hand, the flag corresponding to the identification information (or mail address) of the game apparatus 12 in which the friend relationship is not established or the mail address of another terminal is turned off. By referring to the flag, it is possible to determine whether normal messages other than the registered message can be created or prohibited, and whether the received message is deleted or stored in the received message box 44b. However, even a means other than a flag may be identified by, for example, storing the address before establishment of the friend relationship and the address after establishment in different areas.

  Next, an outline of download processing executed by the input / output processor 42a will be described. In this embodiment, the download data is acquired from the distribution server 104. As shown in FIG. 13A, when a certain task is registered in the task list 44e, the task is scheduled based on the time t1. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 13A, the task is scheduled at time (scheduled time) t2 according to the task execution interval T1. This execution interval T1 corresponds to the task activation interval of the attribute information of the task. The time can be obtained from the ROM / RTC 48. When the task is executed, the next task is executed at the scheduled time obtained by adding the execution interval T1 to the execution time. As for the download task, the remaining download count is decremented by 1 along with the download execution, and at this time, the scheduled time (execution scheduled time) for executing the next task is scheduled.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, inside the input / output processor 42a, a trigger is generated at a predetermined time as a unit time of processing, and when the trigger occurs, the trigger generation time and the above-described message are transmitted / received. A process of comparing the scheduled time and the scheduled time for downloading is performed, and the process is started when the scheduled time is exceeded. Therefore, if the task is scheduled after the trigger is generated, the task is executed when the next trigger is generated. Therefore, the actual execution time of the task is scheduled in FIG. There may be a slight delay from time t2.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 13C, the task execution itself may be stopped as in the case where the power of the game apparatus 12 is completely turned off instead of the standby mode. In such a case, the task is executed after the game machine 12 is activated again, but a considerable delay may occur in the execution time of the task.

  Note that task execution can be temporarily stopped or restarted by a request from an application, and even in such a case, the task execution time may be delayed.

  In this way, if a task execution time delay occurs, the data to be downloaded may already be unnecessary, so if a delay occurs, whether or not to allow the task to be executed is determined. In order to make a decision, a retry margin is set as task attribute information. Specifically, when the task is executed, it is determined whether or not the time point at which the task execution is started (current time) exceeds the allowable retry time obtained by adding the time indicated by the retry margin to the scheduled execution time of the task. When the current time exceeds the retry allowable time, the task is deleted from the task list 44e without executing the task. On the other hand, if the current time is less than the allowable retry time, the task is executed and the subsequent processing is continued.

  Hereinafter, software processing executed by each of the CPU 40 and the input / output processor 42a will be described in detail. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing game application processing executed by the CPU 40 shown in FIG. However, although a game application is described as an example in the present embodiment, it is needless to say that it can be applied to an application other than a game. Referring to FIG. 14, when CPU 40 starts the game application process, it is determined in step S1 whether or not the game is over. Here, it is determined whether or not the game is over or the game is ended according to the instruction of the player. If “YES” in the step S1, that is, if the game is ended, the game application process is ended as it is. On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S1, that is, if the game is not ended, a game process is executed in a step S2. Here, the CPU 40 causes the player character to execute an arbitrary action or controls the movement of the non-player character according to the operation of the player. At this time, under the instruction of the CPU 40, the GPU 42b generates (updates) game image data. Further, if necessary, the DSP 42c generates sound data under the instruction of the CPU 40. Thereby, a game progresses.

  Hereinafter, a case will be described in which an instruction to generate transmission data, to acquire received data, or to acquire download data is generated during execution of the game process. Here, the CPU 40 determines whether or not those instructions have been input by the operation of the player or the occurrence of a game event.

  Depending on the type of application, there may be an application that uses only one of transmission data, reception data, and download data, and therefore, determination processing for all instructions is not necessarily executed.

  First, in step S3, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to create transmission data. If “YES”, that is, if there is an instruction to create transmission data, the process proceeds to the transmission data creation process in step S4 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S3, that is, if there is no transmission data creation instruction, the process proceeds to a step S5.

  Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not there is a reception data acquisition instruction. If “YES”, that is, if there is a reception data acquisition instruction, the process proceeds to the reception data acquisition process in step S6 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S5, that is, if there is no reception data acquisition instruction, the process proceeds to a step S7.

  Next, in step S7, it is determined whether there has been an instruction to acquire download data. If “YES”, that is, if there is an instruction to acquire download data, the process proceeds to the download data acquisition process in step S8 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S7, that is, if there is no download data acquisition instruction, the process returns to the step S1. Through the above processing, it is possible to use received data, transmitted data, and downloaded data as necessary while executing the game processing. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, according to a user's instruction | indication or event, the process which produces | generates the task of download on predetermined conditions and stores it in the task list 44e may be included.

  Next, details of each of the transmission data creation processing in step S4, the reception data acquisition processing in step S6, and the download data acquisition processing in step S8 will be described.

  First, the transmission data creation processing in step S4 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S9, message contents are created. The message content corresponds to the body of the e-mail, and includes content input from the user by displaying a software keyboard, content automatically generated based on data generated in game processing, etc. is there. Next, in step S10, an e-mail format message including the content body is generated. Here, the destination is specified, and the header information of FIG. 9 is added to the message.

  Next, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the destination is the game machine 12 itself. Since the destination of the game machine 12 itself is stored in the management file 44c as described above, the destination is read and compared with the destination of the message. If “YES” in the step S11, the e-mail created in the step S12 is stored in the received message box. This is a case where a memo, a message, a game result, etc. that the user browses using, for example, a message board function, etc. are created. Even if not done, it can be browsed with other received data.

  If “NO” in the step 11, the created electronic mail is stored in a transmission message box in a step S13. Since the message is transmitted to the network at an appropriate timing in the input / output processor 42a in a process independent of the CPU 40, the game program only needs to include a process for creating and storing data, and is complicated. There is no need to prepare a simple transmission / reception program.

  Next, the received data acquisition process in step S6 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S14, the received message box 44b is confirmed. Subsequently, in step S15, it is determined whether there is received data having an application ID addressed to the application or received data that can be browsed. That is, the CPU 40 refers to the header information of each received data stored in the received message box 44b and determines whether or not the application ID matches the application ID indicating the application. Then, the CPU 40 acquires the received data when the application ID is information for identifying the application. Further, even if the application ID does not match the application ID of the application, the CPU 40 can acquire the received data as necessary if the other application restriction is off. Note that the CPU 40 does not acquire other received data.

  If “NO” in the step S15, that is, if there is no reception data of the application ID addressed to the application or reception data that can be browsed, the reception data acquisition process is finished and the process returns. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S15, that is, if there is reception data of the application ID addressed to the application or reception data that can be browsed, the reception data is read from the reception message box 44b in a step S16. In the next step S17, the acquired received data is stored as game data in the main memory (42e, 46). Therefore, the received data is used for subsequent game processing. For example, the received data may be stored in the save area 44f by a subsequent game process, or may be discarded from the main memory after being used for the game process.

  In step S18, it is determined whether or not the acquired reception data is reception data addressed to the application. If “NO” in the step S17, that is, if the received data is not addressed to the application, the received data acquisition process is finished and the process returns. That is, since the reception data addressed to other applications is originally used by other applications, deletion is prohibited. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S18, that is, if the received data is addressed to the application, it is not usually necessary to leave the data in the message box 44b after the data is acquired, so the received data is received in the step S19. Delete from message box 44b and return. However, if the disappearance attribute of the header information of the received data indicates “not erased”, the CPU 40 returns without executing the process of step S19 even if the received data is addressed to the application.

  Next, the download data acquisition process in step S8 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S23, the download box 440 is confirmed. In step S25, it is determined whether there is download data of the application. That is, the CPU 40 determines whether or not download data to which the application ID of the application is attached is stored in the download box 440.

  If “NO” in the step S25, that is, if there is no download data of the application, the process returns as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S25, that is, if there is download data of the application, the download data is read from the download box 440 in a step S27, and the obtained download data is used as game data in the main memory in a step S29. Store (42e, 46) and return. Therefore, the download data is used for subsequent game processing.

  Since the CPU 40 can access both the internal main memory 42e and the external main memory 46 at high speed, the received data and download data may be stored in any memory. For example, received data and download data may be stored in the same memory as that used by game applications (game programs) or game data.

  In this embodiment, the case where the CPU 40 executes the game application process has been described. However, the type of application need not be limited to this, and may be another type of application such as image browsing software. Similar processing can be performed.

  For example, since the above-described message board function is also an application, the same processing is performed. However, since the message board function is mainly an application for creating and browsing a message, the processes of steps S7 and S8 are not performed. Hereinafter, specific processing of the message board function will be described in more detail than the general (game) application described above with reference to FIGS. Here, the message board function includes not only processing related to display of the message board, but also reception that is automatically executed when the game apparatus 12 is turned on or when the game apparatus 12 is turned on. A description will be given assuming that the processing includes data processing.

  Referring to FIG. 16, when game device 12 is powered on, for example, when a menu screen is displayed, CPU 40 periodically receives a message (received data) in received message box 44b in step S41. Determine if there is. If “NO” in the step S41, that is, if there is no message in the reception message box 44b, the process proceeds to a step S45 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S41, that is, if there is a message in the received message box 44b, the message is stored in the database 44g for each date according to the header information in a step S43, and the process proceeds to a step S45. That is, in order to display a message for each date on the message board, the received data in the received message box 44b is moved to the database 44g. As a method of storing in the database 44g for each date, for example, a folder may be generated for each date, and the message may be stored in a folder corresponding to the date of the message. The file name of the message may be a name representing time.

  In step S45, it is determined whether there is a message board display instruction. If “YES” in the step S45, that is, if there is a message board display instruction, the process proceeds to a message board display process in a step S46 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S45, the process returns to the step S41. That is, as the entire message board function, the received data is moved to the database 44g even when the message board is not displayed. Further, even when the message board is being displayed, the received data may be moved. By doing so, a newly received message can be confirmed in real time while browsing the message.

  Next, the message board display process in step S46 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S60, it is determined whether a date has been designated. As shown in FIG. 25, the message board displays a list of messages for each date. If the designation of the date is changed, the message on the date can be viewed. As the default designated date, the date when the message board is displayed, that is, “today” is designated, and it can be changed at any time until the message board display ends. Note that today's date (year / month / day) can be obtained by accessing the ROM / RTC 48.

  If “YES” in the step S60, that is, if the designated date has been changed, the designated date is changed. In the case of “NO”, the processing related to the display described later is continued with the same date.

  In step S62, the background and other objects are arranged, and processing related to display other than the message is performed. In step S63, it is determined whether or not a message with the specified date exists in the database 44g. Specifically, for example, in the embodiment in which a message is stored in the above-described folder for each date, it is determined whether or not a file exists in the folder corresponding to the date. If “NO” in the step S 63, there is no message to be displayed, so that the process is returned only by displaying the background other than the message as it is.

  If “YES” in the step S63, the CPU 40 reads out the message of the date from the database 44g in a step S64. For example, in the case of the above-described embodiment, all the files in the folder corresponding to the date are read out. Then, in step S65, processing relating to the display of the read message is performed, and a list of messages as shown in FIG. 25 is displayed.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 16, in step S47, it is determined whether or not to end the display of the message board. For example, when there is an instruction from the user, the display of the message board is terminated. Therefore, if “YES” in the step S47, the process returns to the step S41.

  If “NO” in the step S47, the display of the message board is continued. Next, in a step S48, it is determined whether or not a message input instruction has been given. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, a message creation button is displayed on the message board, and a message can be created according to a user instruction. For example, if step S48 is “YES” due to the condition that the message creation button is operated by the user, the message input process of step S49 shown in FIG. 17 is performed. In the case of “NO”, the process returns to step S46 and the display of the message board is continued.

  The message input process of FIG. 17 is substantially the same process as the transmission data creation process shown in FIG. 27, and the message creation means is input from the user. That is, in step S50, an input of a message from the user is accepted. In this case, for example, a software keyboard is displayed to accept input. Although illustration is omitted, when the user instructs to stop the input of the destination and the message, the input of the destination and the message is stopped, that is, the message creation is stopped, and the process returns to step S47 shown in FIG. Next, in step S51, it is determined whether or not the message input is completed. If “NO” in the step S51, that is, if the message input is not ended, the message is being input, and the process returns to the step S50. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S51, that is, if the input of the message is ended, an e-mail about the input message is created in a step S53 shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the processing in steps S53-S59 is the same as the processing in steps S10-S13 in FIG. After completion of the message input process, the process returns to the message board display process in step S46, and the message list is displayed until the end again.

  Next, a message transmission / reception process in which the input / output processor 42a shown in FIG. 2 transmits / receives a message will be described with reference to FIGS. The following processing is performed independently of the CPU 40, and is executed because power is supplied to the input / output processor 42a even during the above-described standby mode. Therefore, even when the user does not activate the game apparatus 12, the game apparatus 12 automatically performs communication processing under the standby mode. Therefore, when the user activates the game apparatus 12, a new message is displayed. The message has already arrived, and you can view the message immediately. As described above, the input / output processor 42a executes processing according to a trigger that occurs every predetermined unit time. First, when a trigger is generated, it is determined in step S81 whether or not it is a scheduled transmission / reception time. Here, the input / output processor 42a obtains time from a clock circuit provided in the ROM / RTC 48, and compares and determines whether or not a preset transmission / reception scheduled time has come.

  If “NO” in the step S81, that is, if it is not the scheduled transmission / reception time, the process returns to the same step S81 and waits until the next trigger is generated. In other words, the process of step S81 is repeated every time a trigger occurs until the scheduled transmission / reception time is exceeded. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S81, that is, if it is a scheduled transmission / reception time, the mail server 102 is connected in a step S83. In a succeeding step S85, it is checked whether new mail (new message), that is, received data exists in the server. At the same time, a next access period is acquired from the mail server 102 in step S87. However, the game device 12 (input / output processor 42a) is normally set to access the mail server 102 every predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes), and obtains the predetermined time from the server every time. The next access period is changed, for example, when the access period is shifted due to maintenance, response to an increase in load, or the like.

  Subsequently, in step S89, it is determined whether there is reception data or transmission data. Here, the input / output processor 42a determines the presence / absence of reception data to be received from the result of the new arrival check in step S85, and also determines whether there is transmission data that needs to be transmitted by accessing the transmission message box 44a. To do. If “NO” in the step S89, that is, if there is no reception data and transmission data, the transmission / reception process is unnecessary, and the process returns to the step S81 as it is. In step S81, when transmission / reception is not required, transmission / reception is not performed only with a new arrival check, so that the load on the network can be reduced. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S89, that is, if there is received data and / or transmitted data, it is necessary to perform transmission / reception with the server, so in step S91, the data is exchanged with the mail server 102. Send and receive. Here, the input / output processor 42a executes transmission processing for transmitting transmission data stored in the transmission message box 44a to the network 106, and also executes reception processing for receiving reception data from the mail server 102 via the network 106. To do.

  In subsequent step S93, all the transmission data transmitted in step S91 is deleted from transmission message box 44a. However, if the transmission data is not stored in the transmission message box 44a and the transmission data transmission process is not executed in step S91, the input / output processor 42a performs nothing in the deletion process in step S93. The process proceeds directly to step S95. In step S95, all received data received in step S91 is stored (temporarily stored) in a buffer. Although not shown, a buffer area is provided in the internal main memory 42e or the external main memory 46. The received data stored in the buffer is stored in the received mail box 44b in step S94. At this time, processing such as filtering processing in step S96 and overwrite confirmation processing in step S97 is performed.

  If there is no received data as a result of the new arrival check, that is, only transmission is performed, nothing is performed in the processes after step S95, and the process directly returns to step S81.

  Next, the filtering process in step S96 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S111, the header information of all received data stored in the received message box 44b and the friend list 44d are referred to, and it is determined whether or not a friend relationship is established with each transmission source. . For example, the input / output processor 42a refers to the friend list 44d and determines whether or not the sender information (identification information or e-mail address) described in the header information has established a friend relationship (for example, the flag is on). Judge whether or not. If “YES” in the step S111, if all the reception data is transmitted from a transmission source having a friend relationship, the process returns to register in the reception message box 44b in the subsequent processing.

  On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S111, that is, if the received data is transmitted from a transmission source having no friend relationship, the transmission source is registered in the address book, that is, the friend list 44d in a step S113. Determine whether it has been. In other words, it is determined whether or not the friend relationship is in a state before the friend relationship is established. However, the processing of step S113 to step S129 is executed for each of the reception data from the transmission source in which the friend relationship is not established.

  If “NO” in the step S113, that is, if the sender is not registered in the address book, the newly arrived mail (the received data) is deleted from the buffer and registered in the received mail box 44b in a step S115. Return without doing any. That is, messages whose transmission source is unknown are filtered. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S113, that is, if the transmission source is registered in the address book, it is determined whether or not the transmission source is another terminal in a step S117. Here, the input / output processor 42a determines whether the e-mail address does not include the identification information of the game apparatus 12 as the transmission source information.

  If “YES” in the step S117, that is, if the transmission source of the received data is another terminal, it is determined that it is a reply to the registration message transmitted by the game device 12 as shown in FIG. In step S119, a friendship with the other terminal is established, and the process returns to step S81 (for example, a flag corresponding to the other terminal is turned on). On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S117, that is, if the transmission source of the received data is another game device 12, the received data is a reception confirmation message as shown in FIG. 11 in a step S121. Determine whether or not. Note that the reception confirmation message is a message (character string) that can be exchanged between the game devices 12 and can be identified by each game device 12 as described above.

  If “YES” in the step S121, that is, if the received data is a reception confirmation message, it is determined as a reception confirmation message for the registration message transmitted by the game apparatus 12, and a friend with the transmission source of the received data is determined. In order to establish the relationship, the process directly proceeds to step S125. On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S121, that is, if the received data is not a reception confirmation message, it is determined whether or not the received data is a registration message in a step S123. If “NO” in the step S123, that is, if the received data is not a registration message, the process proceeds to a step S115 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S123, that is, if the received data is a registration message, the process proceeds to a step S125 in order to establish a friend relationship with the transmission source of the received data.

  In step S125, the input / output processor 42a establishes a friendship with the game apparatus 12 that is the transmission source of the received data. (For example, the friend relationship flag corresponding to the transmission source in the friend list 44d is turned on.) Subsequently, in step S127, a reception confirmation message is generated with the transmission source as the destination, and the reception received in step S129. The confirmation message is stored in the transmission message box 44a, and the process returns. The reception confirmation message is transmitted when the next message transmission / reception is activated.

  Next, the overwrite confirmation process in step S97 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S98, the overwrite tag of the first received data is referred. Although detailed description is omitted, the order of the received data here is an order according to the order of reception and the storage position in the buffer, and is merely for distinguishing the received data. The same applies hereinafter. In the next step S99, it is determined whether or not to overwrite the received data. Here, the input / output processor 42a determines whether or not the overwrite tag included in the header information of the received data indicates “ON”.

  If “NO” in the step S99, that is, if not overwriting, the process proceeds to a step S104 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S99, that is, if the overwrite is “ON”, the received data in which the transmission source, the application ID, and the overwrite ID all match is stored in the received message box 44b in a step S101. Determine whether or not. If “YES” in the step S101, that is, if reception data in which the transmission source, application ID, and overwrite ID all match is stored in the reception message box 44b, the message is a message to be overwritten. In step S103, the received data is stored in the received message box 44b so as to overwrite the received data in which the transmission source, application ID, and overwrite ID all match, and step S111 shown in FIG. Proceed to In this description, since the received data is stored in the received message box 44b in step S94, the process proceeds to the next step in step S103 while temporarily holding the setting of overwriting. Alternatively, it may be overwritten first in step S103 and deleted from the buffer, as long as those satisfying the above conditions are overwritten. On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S101, that is, if reception data that matches all of the transmission source, application ID, and overwrite ID is not stored in the reception message box 44b, there is no message to be overwritten. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S104 as it is.

  In step S104, it is determined whether the above processing has been performed with reference to all received data. If “YES” in the step S104, that is, if all received data have been processed, the process returns. On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S104, that is, if the processing on all the received data is not completed, the process returns to the step S99 with reference to the overwrite tag of the next received data in a step S105.

  Next, the download processing of the input / output processor 42a will be described with reference to FIG. The download processing is executed by the input / output processor 42a independently of the CPU 40, and is executed even in the standby mode described above. It is also executed independently in the background where the CPU 40 is executing the application. This download process continues to be executed every time a trigger is generated in the input / output processor 42a in the state where the task is registered, as described above. However, the download process is executed for each task. As shown in FIG. 22, the input / output processor 42a detects the occurrence of a trigger (task execution trigger) for executing a task in step S151. If “NO” in the step S151, that is, if there is no task execution trigger, the process returns to the step S151 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S151, that is, if there is a task execution trigger, it is determined whether or not it is the scheduled execution time of the task in a step S153. Strictly speaking, here, the input / output processor 42a determines whether it is the scheduled execution time or whether the scheduled execution time has elapsed.

  If “NO” in the step S153, that is, if it is not the scheduled execution time of the task, the process returns to the step S151 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S153, that is, if it is the scheduled execution time of the task, it is determined whether or not a retry allowable time has passed in a step S155. If “YES” in the step S155, that is, if the retry allowable time has elapsed, the task is deleted from the task list 44e in a step S157, and the download process is ended. However, since the download process is executed for each task, it means that the download process related to the task is completed. For other tasks, the download process is started as soon as a trigger occurs.

  On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S155, that is, if the retry allowable time has not elapsed, a connection request is transmitted to the distribution server 104 in a step S159. That is, the input / output processor 42a transmits an access request to the URL from which the content (download data) indicated by the task attribute is acquired. Subsequently, in step S161, 1 is subtracted from the remaining download count of the task. Here, although not shown in the figure, the input / output processor 42a deletes the task from the task list 44e when the remaining download count becomes 0 so that the next download is not performed. In step S163, the next scheduled task execution time is scheduled.

  In step S165, it is determined whether the connection with the distribution server 104 is successful. If “NO” in the step S165, that is, if the connection with the distribution server 104 fails, the process returns to the step S151 as it is. In this embodiment, if the input / output processor 42a fails to connect to the distribution server 104, the input / output processor 42a immediately returns to step S151, but transmits a connection request for a predetermined number of times (for example, three retries). However, if the connection is not successful, the process may return to step S151. Further, when an error has occurred in the network or server, the retry may not be performed. In addition, in the case of such an error, if the number of remaining downloads described above is subtracted, there is a possibility that the download will not be performed, so that step S161 is executed after step S165. The subtraction of the remaining number of times may not be performed.

  If “YES” in the step S165, that is, if the connection with the distribution server 104 is successful, the download is executed in a step S167. That is, the input / output processor 42a acquires download data. In step S169, it is determined whether the download data is message distribution data. For example, the data for message delivery is data in the e-mail format, and the input / output processor 42a determines whether or not the acquired download data is in the e-mail format. Alternatively, information indicating that the data is message distribution data may be included in the download data, and converted to data in the e-mail format in the game device 12 after the download is executed.

  If “YES” in the step S169, that is, if the download data is data for message delivery, the download data is stored in the reception message box 44b as reception data in a step S171, and the process returns to the step S151. On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S169, that is, if the download data is not message delivery data, the download data is stored in the download box 440 in a step S173, and the process returns to the step S151.

  The message transmission / reception process and the download process as described above are basically performed even when the CPU 40 is executing an application such as a game application or when the standby mode is set. It is executed independently by 42a. However, when there is a stop instruction from the CPU 40 (application), the message transmission / reception process (automatic transmission / reception function) is temporarily stopped. Thereafter, the message transmission / reception process is restarted by a restart instruction from the CPU 40 (application). Such message transmission / reception processing and download processing stop / restart functions (called scheduler operation functions) can be included in each application program.

  For example, it is possible to prevent a temporary decrease in processing speed when an application with high performance is being executed. Further, when communication processing (for example, playing a network game) other than the above-described message transmission / reception processing and download processing is simultaneously performed via the wireless communication module 50a, it is possible to prevent the communication speed from being lowered. In addition, at the timing when the flash memory 44 is accessed in the application, it is possible to prevent the access speed from being temporarily reduced due to concentration of access to the flash memory 44.

  Therefore, message transmission / reception processing and download processing can be temporarily stopped by using such a scheduler operation function. Since this scheduler operation function can be called at any stage during the execution of the application, for example, before reading a large amount of data from the flash memory 44, the message transmission / reception process and the download process are paused. After completion, the message transmission / reception process and the download process can be resumed. Further, for example, the message transmission / reception process may be temporarily stopped after the message transmission process is completed, and then the message transmission / reception process may be resumed to execute the message reception process.

  According to this embodiment, since the messages are transmitted and received regardless of the normal mode and the standby mode, it is not necessary that the game apparatuses that communicate with each other are activated simultaneously. In addition, since data capable of identifying the target application is transmitted and received by the main body function, it is not necessary to provide a communication function for each application, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to connect to the network when creating a message, it is possible to reduce user's labor and wasteful communication costs. Therefore, cost and user trouble can be reduced, and a highly versatile communication method can be provided.

  In this embodiment, when the overwrite ID of the overwrite tag indicates “overwrite”, the previous message in which the transmission source information, the application ID, and the overwrite ID all match is present in the received message box 44b. When this happens, overwrite this message with the previous one. However, it may be assumed that a message older than the latest message is received later. In such a case, an older message may be overwritten on the latest message. In addition, a situation may be assumed in which a message with a lower importance is overwritten on a message with a higher importance.

  Therefore, in order to avoid such inconvenience, information (priority ID) indicating the priority of overwriting according to the newness or importance of the message is further added. For example, the priority ID is a number, the higher the number, the higher the priority, and conversely, the lower the number, the lower the priority. Therefore, when a message is received, if the transmission source information, application ID, and overwrite ID all match and the number indicated by the priority ID is large, the message may be overwritten.

  Further, the game apparatus 12 of another embodiment may have an automatic message reply function. Since the other embodiment is the same as the above-described embodiment except that it has an automatic message reply function, a duplicate description is omitted. In the game apparatus 12 according to another embodiment, automatic message reply information is described in addition to or included in the header information of the message. This automatic reply information is identified by three types: “no automatic reply”, “automatic reply (copy attribute)”, and “automatic reply (move attribute)”.

  For example, when a message is automatically returned, identification information (message ID) for identifying the message including information on whether or not transmission is possible is given. When this message ID is added to the message (transmission data), the transmission data is not transmitted to the network 106 even in the message transmission / reception process, and is in a standby state. By deleting (removing) this message ID, transmission becomes possible, and the message ID is transmitted in the next message transmission / reception process. In this embodiment, when the same message ID as the message ID is described in the received data, the message ID added to the transmission data is deleted.

  However, in this other embodiment, when received data in which the same message ID as the message ID added to the transmission data is described (added) is received, the message ID of the transmission data is deleted. However, the message ID added to the received data (referred to as “reception side message ID” for convenience of description) is the message ID added to the transmission data (referred to as “transmission side message ID” for convenience of description). Need not be the same. For example, the receiving side message ID and the transmitting side message ID may have a pair (one set) key relationship, and the transmitting side message ID may be solved by the receiving side message ID. Further, regardless of the content of the receiving side message ID, the sending side message ID may be deleted and a reply may be made to all those that have a reply request.

  Therefore, the user separately transmits the same message ID (or a pair (one set)) as the message ID of the transmission data to other users who want to automatically transmit the transmission data, or communicates with other means by other means. There is. However, when creating a message for automatic reply, the user can know the message ID to be separately transmitted by notification (screen display) from the game apparatus 12 (input / output processor 42a).

  When another user who has transmitted the message ID separately receives a reply (transmission request) to the message with the message ID notification or receives a message with the message ID already communicated, the transmission data The message ID added to is deleted, the transmission data can be transmitted, and then transmitted to the game device 12 or other terminal of the other user. That is, it is possible to automatically reply to other users.

  Hereinafter, an example in which the automatic reply of this embodiment is used for a game will be described. For example, suppose an application that allows users to create their own weapons (items) and sell them at a flea market. In such a case, the user A who made the original weapon puts out the weapon on the flea market. That is, the application on the user A side registers a message including weapon data in the transmission message box 44a as an automatic reply message (message with message ID). At this time, the application on the user A side can know the message ID of the message including the weapon data. The application on the user A side transmits a message ID of a message including weapon data to the user B. The application on the user B side notifies the user B with a message that “weapons are on sale on the user A's free mat”. When the user B decides to purchase the weapon, the application on the user B side sends a message to the user A using the automatic reply function specifying the message ID of the message including the weapon data and the “move attribute”. . On the side of the user A receiving the message including the automatic reply function from the user B, the message transmission / reception function is used to search the transmission message box 44a for the transmission data (message) to which the designated message ID is added. When the transmission data to which the designated message ID is added is in the transmission message box 44a, the attribute for automatic reply (here, the message ID) is deleted, and the transmission data can be transmitted. Thereafter, transmission data including weapon data is transmitted to the user B.

  As described above, when the move attribute is designated, the transmission data (weapon data) is not copied, but is deleted once a reply is made. When the copy attribute is designated, when the attribute for automatic reply is deleted from the transmission data, a copy of the transmission data is held in the transmission message box 44a so that transmission is possible. Each attribute can be used properly depending on the use of whether the automatic reply is limited to one time or the reply is made every time.

  In the above embodiment, the automatic reply function is used for buying and selling weapons in the game. However, the usage target is not limited to weapons, and can be used for various purposes such as exchange of items and characters, exchange of histories, and the like.

  As a specific process for the automatic reply, a part of the message transmission / reception process shown in the above embodiment is changed. In addition, since it is as having shown in the above-mentioned Example except the changed part, only a different point is demonstrated. Although detailed description is omitted, in the message input process of the above-described embodiment, it is only necessary to be able to select (set) “copy attribute” and “move attribute” when creating an e-mail. .

  If “YES” in step S89 of the message transmission / reception process shown in FIG. 19, the processes in steps S91, S93, and S95 are specifically as shown in FIG. In step S201, the first transmission data in the transmission message box 44a is checked. In a succeeding step S203, it is determined whether or not the transmission data can be transmitted. Specifically, the input / output processor 42a determines whether a message ID is added to the transmission data.

  If “NO” in the step S203, that is, if the transmission data cannot be transmitted, the process proceeds to a step S209 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S203, that is, if the transmission data can be transmitted, the transmission data is transmitted to the network 106 in a step S205. In step S207, the transmission data is deleted from the transmission message box 44a, and the process proceeds to step S209.

  In step S209, it is determined whether transmission control of all transmission data has been executed. If “NO” in the step S209, that is, if transmission control of all transmission data is not executed, the next transmission data is checked in a step S211 and the process returns to the step S203. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S209, that is, if transmission control of all transmission data is executed, the reception data is received from the mail server 102 in a step S213, and the process proceeds to the step S95.

  Also, after step S94 of the message transmission / reception process, the process as shown in FIG. 24 is performed. When the received data is stored in the received message box 44b in step S94, it is determined in step S221 whether the received data has a message ID. If “NO” in the step S221, that is, if the received data does not have a message ID, the process proceeds to a step S224 as it is. On the other hand, if the received data has a message ID in step S221, in step S223, transmission data including the message ID is set to be transmittable, and the process proceeds to step S87. That is, in step S223, when “copy attribute” is designated as the attribute of the automatic reply function, a copy of the transmission data to which the same message ID as the message ID included in the reception data is added is stored in the transmission message box 44a. Then, the copy can be transmitted. In step S223, when “move attribute” is designated as the attribute of the automatic reply function, the message ID is deleted from the transmission data to which the same message ID as the message ID included in the received data is added. The transmission data can be transmitted.

  However, when the transmission data that can be transmitted is arranged in the transmission message box 44a, the transmission data is converted into an e-mail format, and the mail address of the game device 12 that has requested automatic transmission is automatically sent to the destination. Registered. However, the above-described processing may be performed in steps S221, S223, and S224 in the state of being stored in the buffer, not on the data stored in the reception message box.

  According to another embodiment, by using the automatic reply function, a specific item can be exchanged with a specific user, or a specific item can be given to a specific user. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiments, a highly convenient communication environment can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Game system 12 ... Game device 18 ... Optical disk 22 ... Controller 24 ... Reception unit 34 ... Monitor 34a ... Speaker 40 ... CPU
42 ... System LSI
42a: I / O processor 42b: GPU
42c: DSP
42d ... VRAM
42e ... Internal main memory 44 ... Flash memory 46 ... External main memory 48 ... ROM / RTC
50 ... Wireless communication module 52 ... Wireless controller module 54 ... Disk drive 56 ... AV IC
58 ... AV connector 60 ... expansion connector 62 ... memory card connector 70 ... processor 74 ... acceleration sensor 80 ... image information calculation unit 86 ... image sensor 88 ... image processing circuit

Claims (9)

A game device that includes a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from a network, and a storage unit, and that can execute an application that uses data downloaded via the network,
The storage unit has a download data storage area for storing received download data,
Application processing means for executing any application specified by a user;
Task storage means for storing communication schedule data including at least download destination information for each application;
The communication schedule data is read from the task storage unit, the communication unit is communicated with the network based on the communication schedule, the predetermined data is downloaded, and the target application downloaded from the network can be identified. Download management means for executing processing for storing download data in the download data storage area for each target application,
When the download data for the application exists in the download data storage area, the application processing means performs a process including a download data acquisition process for reading the download data for the application via the network. A game device that uses the data.   The game device according to claim 1, wherein the application processing unit further performs a task registration process for storing the communication schedule data in the task storage unit. The communication schedule data includes the remaining number of download attempts,
The game device according to claim 1, wherein the download management unit updates the download by reducing the remaining number of times each time the download is attempted.   The game device according to claim 3, wherein the download management unit deletes the communication schedule data in which the remaining number of times has become 0 from the task storage unit.   The game device according to claim 3, wherein the download management unit further performs error detection processing for detecting a communication error, and does not update the remaining number of times when an error is detected. It further comprises time output means for outputting data representing the time,
The communication schedule data includes an interval for trying the download,
The game device according to claim 1, wherein the download management unit determines a scheduled time for a next download attempt based on the download attempt time and the interval. The communication schedule data further includes an excess time indicating how much the download time may be delayed from the scheduled time to try the next download,
The game device according to claim 6, wherein the download management unit deletes the communication schedule data when the excess time elapses without trying to download from the scheduled time. The game device is a game device capable of switching between a normal state in which a normal energized state and the application can be executed and a standby state in which power consumption is limited and the application is not executed. ,
The game device according to claim 1, wherein the download management unit causes the communication unit to perform the communication at least in the standby state. A game program for a game device that includes a communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from a network, and a storage unit, and that can execute an application that uses data downloaded via the network,
The storage unit has a download data storage area for storing received download data,
A computer of the game device;
Application processing means for executing any application specified by a user;
Task storage means for storing communication schedule data including at least download destination information for each application;
The communication schedule data is read from the task storage unit, the communication unit is communicated with the network based on the communication schedule, the predetermined data is downloaded, and the target application downloaded from the network can be identified. The download data is made to function as download management means for executing processing for storing the download data in the download data storage area for each target application,
When the download data for the application exists in the download data storage area, the application processing means performs a process including a download data acquisition process for reading the download data for the application via the network. A game program that uses the data you have created.

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