JP2013106964A - Communication control system, portable terminal, communication control program and communication control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system, a game apparatus and a game program by means of which game data can be easily exchanged and amusement is improved.SOLUTION: The game system includes a plurality of movable game apparatuses 10, and the movable game apparatus 10 can communicate with other game apparatuses 10 present in a communicable range by using a radio communication unit 14. When a communicated state is established, exchange conditions for exchanging the game data are transmitted and received to/from each other, and when the exchange conditions are coincident with each other, the game data is exchanged. According to the present invention, since the communicating movable game apparatuses confirm the exchange conditions with each other and exchange the game data when the exchange conditions are coincident with each other, the game data is exchanged without being limited by an exchanging opponent or a place, and the enjoyment of a game is increased.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system, a game device, and a game program, and more particularly, to a game system, a game device, and a game program including a plurality of portable game devices that can communicate with each other wirelessly.

  An example of a conventional game system of this type is disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2. In the game devices disclosed in Non-Patent Literature 1 and Non-Patent Literature 2, game data can be exchanged by communicating with other game devices. For example, after the players who wish to exchange game data verbally confirm the exchange conditions, game devices are exchanged by connecting the game devices with a wired cable when the exchange conditions match.

Another example of this type of game system is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The network game disclosed in Patent Document 1 sets card data to be provided and desired card data, and exchanges card data when conditions are met.
“Pocket Monster Red, Green and Blue Victory Method” Issued by Futabasha, October 15, 1997, P14-P15 “Pokémon Crystal Version Nintendo Official Guidebook”, published by Shogakukan Co., Ltd., February 10, 2001, P34, P40 JP 2003-23661 A

  However, in the former case, it is necessary to verbally confirm the exchange conditions, so that the exchange partner is limited to friends, acquaintances and the like. Therefore, if there are few people who have the same game software among friends / acquaintances etc., the exchange opportunities and exchangeable game data are limited, and it is possible to fully enjoy the exchange fun I could not say. In other words, the fun of the game has been reduced.

  In the latter case, since it is necessary to connect to the network in order to exchange game data, it cannot be exchanged easily at any time, and a server for exchange processing needs to be provided. The burden of initial investment and operating costs of the provider was large.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a game system, a game apparatus, and a game program that can easily exchange game data and can improve interest.

The invention according to claim 1 is a game system configured by a plurality of portable game devices and exchanging game data between the game devices, each game device storing game data, Of the game data stored in the game data storage means, instead of providing provided game data to other game devices, provided game data specifying means for specifying provided game data that is allowed to be provided to other game devices, Exchange condition setting means for setting exchange condition data indicating exchange conditions which are conditions of game data desired to be provided from the other game apparatus, communication means for communicating with other game apparatuses by short-range wireless communication, Exchange that uses communication means to broadcast exchange desired data to other game devices without specifying the destination Game data for exchanging game data with a specific other game device using a communication means and an exchange request receiving unit for receiving exchange request data from another game device using a desired transmission unit and a communication unit The first game device of the plurality of game devices transmits the exchange request data using the exchange request transmission device, and the second game device of the plurality of game devices receives the exchange request data. The game data exchanging means of the first game device and the game data exchanging means of the second game device communicate the attribute information related to the provided game data and the exchange condition data by using the communication means. The provided game data of the first game device satisfies the replacement condition of the second game device, and the provided game data of the second game device is the first A game that determines whether or not a game device exchange condition is satisfied, and exchanges the provided game data of the first game device and the provided game data of the second game device when both of the exchange conditions are satisfied System.

  In the invention of claim 1, the game system is composed of a plurality of portable game devices (10: reference number corresponding to the embodiment, the same applies hereinafter), and between the game devices (10). Exchange game data. Each game device (10) is provided with a game data storage means (28 or 44) to store game data. Provided game data designating means (20, 38, S45 to S57, S67) allows the game data stored in the game data storage means (28 or 44) to be provided to another game device (10). Specify provided game data, which is game data. For example, game data that the player thinks may be provided to another game device (10) is designated according to an instruction from the player, or game data provided to the other game device (10) is specified by a game program. Or specify it automatically. The exchange condition setting means (20, 38, S59 to S67) desires to receive provision from the other game device (10) instead of providing the provided game data to the other game device (10). Set exchange conditions that are the conditions of game data. Here, the exchange condition is a condition of what game data is the game data (game data exchanged with the provided game data) to be provided from the other game device (10). For example, game data desired to be provided from another game device (10) is designated in accordance with an instruction from a player, or automatically designated by a game program. The communication means (14) communicates with other game devices (10) by short-range wireless communication. The exchange request transmission means (20, S167, S197) uses the communication means (14) to specify exchange destination data (data indicating that connection is possible) without specifying a destination for the other game apparatus (10). ). The exchange request receiving means (20, S155, S185, S211) receives exchange request data from another game apparatus (10) using the communication means (14). The game data exchanging means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) exchanges game data with another game apparatus (10) using the communication means (14).

For example, the first game device of the plurality of game devices (10) transmits the replacement request data using the replacement request transmission means (20, S167, S197), and the second game device of the plurality of game devices is The exchange request data is received. The game data exchange means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) of the first game device and the game data exchange means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) of the second game device use the communication means (14). Then, at least one of attribute information (character type and level) related to the provided game data and exchange condition data (character type and level desired to be provided) is communicated. Each game data exchanging means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) provides the game data provided by the first game device that satisfies the exchange conditions of the second game device and the game data provided by the second game device. Determines whether or not the replacement condition of the first game device is satisfied. And when both exchange conditions are satisfy | filled, the provision game data of the said 1st game device and the provision game data of the said 2nd game device are exchanged. Specifically, the provided game data is deleted from its own game data storage means (28 or 44), and the other game apparatus is communicated with the other game apparatus (10) using the communication means (14). The provided game data of (10) is received and stored in the game data storage means (28 or 44). That means
The game data storage means (28 or 44) stores game data generated or acquired by the player playing the virtual game and game data preset in the game program.

Specifically, the game data specified as the provided game data by the first game device satisfies the exchange condition set by the second game device, and the game data specified by the second game device as the provided game data However, when the exchange conditions set in the first game device are satisfied, both game data are exchanged. There are, for example, the following three methods (method 1 to method 3) for determining whether or not the exchange condition is satisfied.
(1) Method 1
(A) The first game device transmits predetermined information (for example, the character type and level of the provided game data) of the provided game data to the second game device (this transmission designates the second game device). May be transmitted individually or broadcasted without designating the second game device).
(B) The second game device receives the predetermined information related to the game data provided by the first game device and compares it with its own exchange conditions. If the condition is satisfied, the second game device transmits predetermined information related to its provided game data to the first game device.
(C) The first game device receives the predetermined information related to the game data provided by the second game device and compares it with its own exchange conditions. When the condition is satisfied, game data is exchanged between the first game device and the second game device.
(2) Method 2
(A) The first game device transmits its own exchange conditions to the second game device (this transmission may be performed by designating the second game device individually or by designating the second game device). Broadcast without sending)
(B) The second game device receives the exchange condition of the first game device and compares it with predetermined information related to its provided game data. If the condition is satisfied, the second game device transmits its own replacement condition to the first game device.
(C) The first game device receives the exchange condition of the second game device and compares it with predetermined information related to its provided game data. When the condition is satisfied, game data is exchanged between the first game device and the second game device.
(3) Method 3
(A) The first game device transmits predetermined information and exchange conditions relating to its provided game data to the second game device (this transmission may be individually transmitted by designating the second game device, Broadcast transmission may be performed without designating the second game device).
(B) The second game device receives the predetermined information and exchange conditions relating to the game data provided by the first game device, and compares them with the predetermined information and exchange conditions relating to its own game data. If the condition is satisfied, game data is exchanged between the first game device and the second game device.

  Other than the above three methods, the game information provided by the first game device is exchanged between the first game device and the second game device by communicating predetermined information and exchange conditions of the provided game data through communication. Is determined to satisfy the replacement condition of the second game device, and at least one of the first game device and the second game device is determined, and the game data provided by the second game device satisfies the replacement condition of the first game device It may be determined at least one of the first game device and the second game device. The same applies hereinafter.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, game data matching the exchange conditions can be exchanged by short-range wireless communication, so there is no inconvenience such as negotiating game data exchange with an acquaintance. That is, game data can be exchanged easily. In addition, the exchange partner is not limited to acquaintances, and game data can be exchanged with a large number of people, so that the possibility of exchanging game data can be increased. Furthermore, since the portable game device and the short-range wireless are used, the possibility of exchanging game data increases if the user goes to a place where people gather, and the enjoyment of the exchange can be further increased. Furthermore, since game data exchange processing is performed between game devices, it is not necessary to provide a server for the exchange processing, and it is possible to reduce burdens such as initial investment and operation costs of the game provider.

  The invention of claim 2 is a game system configured by a plurality of portable game devices and exchanging game data between the game devices, wherein each game device stores a game data storage means for storing game data, Of the game data stored in the game data storage means, instead of providing provided game data to other game devices, provided game data specifying means for specifying provided game data that is allowed to be provided to other game devices, Exchange condition setting means for setting exchange condition data indicating exchange conditions which are conditions of game data desired to be provided from the other game apparatus, communication means for communicating with other game apparatuses by short-range wireless communication, A connection establishment unit that performs processing for establishing a connection by wireless communication with a specific other game device using a communication means. And a game data exchanging means for exchanging game data with a specific other game apparatus using the communication means, and in the first game apparatus and the second game apparatus, the game data exchange means The connection establishment means of one game device broadcasts connection request data, executes a first connection establishment process for establishing a connection state with the other game device that has received the connection request data, and the other The connection establishment means of the game apparatus executes a second connection establishment process for receiving a connection request data and establishing a connection state with one game apparatus that has broadcast-transmitted the connection request data, The game data exchanging means of the device and the game data exchanging means of the second game device use attribute information and exchange related to the provided game data using the communication means. By communicating at least one of the condition data, the game data provided by the first game device satisfies the replacement condition of the second game device, and the game data provided by the second game device is the data of the first game device. The first game device is determined by communicating with the first game device and the second game device using communication means when it is determined whether or not the replacement condition is satisfied and both the replacement conditions are satisfied. This is a game system for exchanging the provided game data and the provided game data of the second game device.

  In the invention of claim 2, the game system is constituted by a plurality of portable game devices (10), and exchanges game data between the game devices (10). Each game device (10) is provided with a game data storage means (28 or 44) to store game data. Provided game data specifying means (20, 38, S45 to S57, S67) is provided to provide to other game devices (10) among the game data stored in the game data storage means (28 or 44). Specify the provided game data to be allowed. The exchange condition setting means (20, 38, S59 to S67), instead of providing the provided game data to the other game device (10), game data desired to be received from the other game device (10). The exchange condition data indicating the exchange condition is set. The communication means (14) communicates with other game devices (10) by short-range wireless communication. The connection establishment means (20, S81) uses the communication means (14) to perform processing for establishing a connection by wireless communication with another specific game apparatus (10). The game data exchange means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) exchanges game data with another specific game device (10) using the communication means (14).

For example, for the first game device and the second game device of the plurality of game devices (10), the connection establishment means (20, S81) of any one of the game devices is connection request data, for example, data indicating that connection is possible. Is transmitted, the first connection establishment process (20, S165 to S177, S195 to S207) for establishing a connection state with the other game device that has received the connection request data is executed, and the other game is executed. Device connection establishment means (2
0, S81) receives a connection request, and establishes a connection state with one game device that has broadcast-transmitted the connection request (20, S153-S163, S183-S193, S209). To S217). The game data exchange means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) of the first game device and the game data exchange means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) of the second game device use the communication means (14). Thus, at least one of attribute information and exchange condition data related to the provided game data is communicated between the first game device and the second game device. Accordingly, whether or not the game data provided by the first game device satisfies the replacement condition of the second game device, and whether or not the game data provided by the second game device satisfies the replacement condition of the first game device. If the first game apparatus and the second game apparatus communicate with each other using the communication means (14), the game provided by the first game apparatus is determined. The data and the game data provided by the second game device are exchanged.

  In the invention of claim 2 as well, as with the invention of claim 1, game data can be exchanged easily.

  The invention of claim 3 is dependent on claim 1 or 2, and the game apparatus stores a game program storing means for storing a game program, a game program executing means for generating game data by executing the game program, and a game program Game data storage processing means for storing game data generated by the execution means in the game data storage means is further provided.

  In the invention of claim 3, the game apparatus (10) includes a game program storage means (42) for storing a game program. The game program execution means (20, S21 to S41) generates game data by executing the game program. Here, the generation of the game data means, for example, acquiring character data, item data, or changing the attribute information of the character according to the game situation. The game data storage processing means (20, S41) stores the game data generated by the game program execution means (20, S21 to S41) in the game data storage means (28 or 44). That is, character data, item data, and attribute information are recorded.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, game data such as character data can be easily exchanged, so that game preference can be improved.

  The invention of claim 4 is dependent on claim 1 or 2, and the exchange condition data includes data designating a type of game data desired to be provided.

  In the invention of claim 4, the exchange condition data (data stored in the exchange condition data storage area 282) is data (character type) that specifies the type of game data that is desired to be provided (to be provided). )including.

  According to invention of Claim 4, game data, such as a game character, can be exchanged according to a kind.

  The invention according to claim 5 is dependent on claim 4, and the exchange condition data further includes an attribute value of game data desired to be provided.

  In the invention of claim 5, the exchange condition data further includes an attribute value (for example, a character level) of game data desired to be provided.

  According to the invention of claim 5, game data can be exchanged by specifying an attribute value such as a character level as well as a game type.

  The invention according to claim 6 is dependent on claim 1, and the exchange request transmission means continuously broadcasts exchange request data.

  In the invention of claim 6, the exchange request transmission means (20, S167, S197) continuously broadcasts exchange request data.

  According to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to continuously search for another game device that satisfies the exchange condition. Therefore, when a player carries the game device of the present invention and moves, other game devices existing within the communicable range fluctuate, so game data is exchanged by continuously searching for other game devices. Can increase the likelihood of doing so.

  The invention of claim 7 is dependent on any one of claims 1 to 6, and the provided game data specifying means specifies the provided game data in accordance with an instruction from the player.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the provided game data specifying means (20, 38, S45 to S57, S67) specifies the game data in accordance with an instruction from the player.

  According to the invention of claim 7, the player can specify desired game data.

  The invention of claim 8 is dependent on claim 7, and the provided game data specifying means is validated when the progress of the virtual game executed by the game device satisfies a predetermined condition.

  In the invention of claim 8, when the progress of the virtual game executed by the game apparatus (10) satisfies the predetermined condition (“YES” in S43), the provided game data specifying means (20, 38, S45 to S57, S67) Is enabled.

  According to the invention of claim 8, for example, it is possible to increase the willingness to advance the game such as clearing the game or raising the level.

  The invention of claim 9 is dependent on any one of claims 1 to 8, and the exchange condition setting means sets the exchange condition according to an instruction from the player.

  In the invention of claim 9, the exchange condition setting means (20, 38, S59 to S67) sets the exchange condition according to an instruction from the player.

  According to the invention of claim 9, the player can set desired game data as game data desired to be provided.

  The invention of claim 10 is dependent on claim 9, and the exchange condition setting means is enabled when the progress of the virtual game executed by the game apparatus satisfies a predetermined condition.

  In the invention of claim 10, when the progress of the virtual game executed by the game apparatus (10) satisfies a predetermined condition (“YES” in S43), the exchange condition setting means (20, 38, S59 to S67) is effective. Is done.

  According to the invention of claim 10, for example, it is possible to increase the willingness to progress the game such as clearing the game and improving the level.

  An eleventh aspect is dependent on any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the provision game data specifying means, when the progress of the virtual game executed by the game device satisfies a predetermined condition, provides the provision game data according to the predetermined condition. Specify automatically.

  In the invention of claim 11, when the progress of the virtual game executed by the game device (10) satisfies a predetermined condition (“YES” in S43), provided game data specifying means (20, 38, S45 to S57, S67) Automatically designates the provided game data in accordance with the predetermined condition. That is, provided game data intended by a developer such as a game programmer is automatically set.

  According to the invention of claim 11, the player's hand is not bothered. Moreover, since it is unclear which game data is designated, the unexpectedness and fun of exchange can be increased.

  The invention of claim 12 is dependent on any one of claims 1 to 6, and the exchange condition setting means sets the exchange condition according to the predetermined condition when the progress of the virtual game executed by the game apparatus satisfies the predetermined condition. Set automatically.

  In the invention of claim 12, when the progress of the virtual game executed by the game apparatus (10) satisfies a predetermined condition (“YES” in S43), the exchange condition setting means (20, 38, S59 to S67) The replacement conditions are automatically set according to the conditions. That is, game data that a developer such as a game programmer intends to receive, that is, game data desired to be provided is automatically specified.

  According to the invention of claim 12, the player's hand is not bothered. Moreover, since it is unclear which game data is specified, the unexpectedness and fun of exchange can be increased.

  The invention according to claim 13 is dependent on any one of claims 1 to 12, and the game data exchanging means includes confirmation means for confirming whether or not to exchange with the player when it is determined that both the exchange conditions are satisfied. .

  In the invention of claim 13, the confirmation means (18, 20, S 128, S 129) confirms whether or not to exchange with the player when it is determined that both of the exchange conditions are satisfied.

  According to the thirteenth aspect, since the game data is exchanged after confirming whether or not to exchange with the player, it is possible to prevent the game data not intended by the player from being erroneously exchanged.

  The invention of claim 14 is dependent on claim 2, and the game apparatus further comprises game program storage means for storing the game program, and game program execution means for executing the game program, and the game program is executed by the game program execution means. When connected, the connection establishment means connects to another game apparatus, and the game data exchange means executes game data exchange processing with another game apparatus that satisfies both exchange conditions.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the game apparatus (10) includes game program storage means (42) for storing a game program. The game program execution means (20, S21 to S41) executes the game program. Then, when the game program is being executed by the game program execution means (20, S21 to S41), the connection establishment means (20, S81) is connected to the other game device (10), and the game data exchange means (20 , S
105 to S109 and S135 to S139), game data exchange processing is executed with another game apparatus (10) that satisfies both of the exchange conditions.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, game data can be exchanged even during a game, so that the player is not bored simply to wait for exchange of game data. Also, you won't miss an exchange opportunity during the game.

  The invention of claim 15 is dependent on claim 14, and the game apparatus is connected to another game apparatus by the connection establishment means when the progress of the virtual game by the game program execution means satisfies a predetermined condition, and exchanges game data. A game data exchange process is executed with another game apparatus that satisfies both exchange conditions by means.

  In the invention of claim 15, the game apparatus (10) is connected to the other game establishment means (20, S 81) when the progress of the virtual game by the game program execution means (20, S 21 to S 41) satisfies a predetermined condition. The game device (10) is connected, and the game data exchange means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) executes game data exchange processing with another game device (10) that satisfies both exchange conditions. .

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, game data can be exchanged under an exchange condition according to the progress of the virtual game that changes as needed.

  The invention according to claim 16 is dependent on claim 1, and the exchange request transmission means broadcasts at least one of attribute information and exchange condition data related to its own provided game data.

  In the invention of claim 16, the exchange request transmission means (20, S167, S197) broadcasts and transmits at least one of the attribute information related to its own game data and the exchange condition data.

  According to the invention of claim 16, since attribute information and exchange condition data related to the provided game data are broadcasted, the information can be given to many other game devices, and it is determined that the exchange condition is satisfied. Processing can be performed quickly.

  The invention of claim 17 is dependent on claim 1, and the provided game data specifying means can designate a plurality of provided game data, and the exchange condition setting means associates exchange condition data with each of the provided game data. The game data exchanging means of the first game device and the game data exchanging means of the second game device are set to each of the game data provided by the first game device and each of the game data provided by the second game device. For the combination, the exchange condition in which the first provided game data, which is one of the provided game data of the first game device, is associated with the second provided game data, which is one of the provided game data of the second game device. And the second provision game data is determined to satisfy the exchange condition associated with the first provision game data. When replacement satisfy the exchange and the first providing game data, and the second providing game data.

In the invention of claim 17, the provided game data specifying means (20, 38) can specify a plurality of provided game data, and the exchange condition setting means (20, 38) is exchange condition data for each of the provided game data. And the game data exchange means (20) of the first game device and the game data exchange means (20) of the second game device each of the game data provided by the first game device and the second A comparison is made with each of the game data provided by the game device. Then, the first provided game data that is one of the provided game data of the first game device is associated with the second provided game data that is one of the provided game data of the second game device. When it is determined that the exchange condition is satisfied and the second provision game data satisfies the exchange condition associated with the first provision game data, and both the exchange conditions are satisfied, the first provision game data and The second provided game data is exchanged.

  According to the invention of claim 17, since it is possible to designate a large number of provided game data, it is possible to increase the probability of satisfying the exchange condition. Moreover, since the exchange conditions can be set for each provided game data, the exchange desired by the player can be realized.

  The invention of claim 18 is dependent on claim 1 and is selected by selecting means for selecting at least one of the game data stored in the game data storage means, game program storage means for storing the game program, and selection means. Game program executing means for causing the game data to appear in the virtual game world and executing the game program, and the game data exchanging means is selected by the selecting means from among the provided game data specified by the provided game data specifying means. With respect to the selected game data, it is determined that the exchange condition is not satisfied and the provided game data is not exchanged.

  In the invention of claim 18, the selection means (20) selects at least one of the game data stored in the game data storage means (28 or 44). The game program storage means (42) stores the game program, and the game program execution means (20) causes the game data selected by the selection means (20) to appear in the virtual game world and executes the game program. To do. The game data exchanging means (20) satisfies the exchange condition for the game data selected by the selecting means (20) among the provided game data specified by the provided game data specifying means (20, 38). And whether or not to exchange provided game data. However, it may not be determined only whether the replacement condition is satisfied. This is because the provided game data is not exchanged unless this determination is made.

  According to the invention of claim 18, since the game data used (appearing) in the virtual game is not exchanged, no inconvenience occurs.

  The invention according to claim 19 is dependent on claim 13, and confirms whether or not the identification information exchanging means for exchanging the identification information of the game apparatus with the other specific game apparatus and the confirmation means exchange with the player. In this case, it is further provided with a presentation means for presenting identification information about a specific other game device satisfying both of the exchange conditions to the player.

  In the invention of claim 19, the identification information exchanging means (14, 20) exchanges identification information (UserName) of the game apparatus (10) with a specific other game apparatus (10). When the confirmation means (18, 20, S128, S129) confirms whether or not the presentation means (18, 20, S128) exchanges with the player, the specific other game device ( The identification information about 10) is presented to the player.

  According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, since it is possible to determine whether or not to exchange by checking the exchange partner player, it is convenient. In particular, since the present invention communicates with a large number of game devices by short-range wireless communication, the communication partner may not be specified, and it is significant to know the information of the partner who provides his game data.

The invention of claim 20 is dependent on claim 1, and the game apparatus comprises display means and power control means for controlling power supply to the display means, and exchange request transmission means, exchange request reception means, and game data exchange means. Each of the processes is executed while the power supply to the display means is stopped by the power control means. The power control means supplies power to the display means at a timing related to the process by the game data exchange means. The display means displays information related to the exchange.

  More specifically, the game apparatus (10) includes display means (18). The power control means (20, 22) controls power supply to the display means (18). The exchange request transmission means (20, S167, S197), the exchange request reception means (20, S155, S185, S211), and the game data exchange means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) are power control means (20, While the power supply to the display means (18) is stopped by 22), the respective processes are executed. In addition, the power control means (20, 22) is connected to the timing related to the processing by the game data exchange means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) (for example, the timing at which another game device satisfying the exchange condition is found, the exchange Power supply to the display means (18) is started (restarted) at the timing of confirming with the user whether or not to perform the replacement or when the replacement is completed. Then, the display means (18) displays information related to the exchange (information on the character of the opponent who satisfies the exchange conditions, information on the character lost due to the exchange, information on the character obtained by the exchange, the user name of the exchange partner, etc.). indicate.

  According to the invention of claim 20, it is possible to search for a partner that satisfies the exchange condition while suppressing power consumption.

  The invention according to claim 21 is dependent on claim 1, and the game device is detachably mounted with a game program, a medium storing game identification information which is identification information of the game program, and game data. A reading unit that reads a game program, game identification information, and game data from the medium when the medium is loaded on the loading unit; and a game device that identifies the game identification information read by the reading unit with other game devices Game data exchange means for exchanging provided game data with game data exchange means of a specific other game device when the game identification information indicates a match. To do.

  In the invention of claim 21, the game apparatus (10) is detachably mounted with a medium (16) in which a game program, game identification information (GameName) which is identification information of the game program, and game data are stored. Mounting means (40) to be provided. The reading means (20, 22) reads the game program, the game identification information, and the game data from the medium (16) when the medium (16) is mounted on the attaching / detaching means (40). The game identification information exchanging means (14, 20, 22) exchanges the game identification information read by the reading means (20, 22) with a specific other game device (10). The game data exchanging means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) is the game data exchanging means of a specific other game device (10) when the game identification information matches (“YES” in S155, S185, and S211). The provided game data is exchanged with (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139).

  According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, since the exchange condition is determined only with an opponent whose game being executed matches, there is no waste.

The invention according to claim 22 specifies game data storage means for storing game data, and game data stored in the game data storage means for providing game data that is game data that is allowed to be provided to other game devices Provided game data specifying means for setting exchange condition data indicating exchange conditions which are conditions of game data desired to be provided from the other game device instead of providing the provided game data to the other game device Exchange request transmission for broadcasting exchange desired data without specifying a destination to other game devices using exchange condition setting means, communication means for communicating with other game devices by short-range wireless communication, and communication means Exchange request receiving means for receiving exchange request data from another game device using the communication means, and a specific Game data exchanging means for exchanging game data with other game devices, the game data exchanging means using the communication means and attribute information related to the provided game data and exchanging with other specific game devices By communicating at least one of the condition data, the game data exchange means of the other game device cooperates with the game data exchange means of the other game device, and the provided game data satisfies the exchange condition of the other game device, and the other game device If it is determined whether the provided game data satisfies the exchange conditions of the player and if both of the exchange game conditions are satisfied, the provided game data is communicated with the other game device using the communication means. The game device exchanges data and game data provided by the other game device.

  In the invention of claim 22, the game apparatus (10) is provided with a game data storage means (28 or 44) for storing game data. Provided game data designating means (20, 38, S45 to S57, S67) allows the game data stored in the game data storage means (28 or 44) to be provided to another game device (10). Specify provided game data, which is game data. The exchange condition setting means (20, 38, S59 to S67), instead of providing the provided game data to the other game device (10), game data desired to be received from the other game device (10). The exchange condition data indicating the exchange condition is set. The communication means (14) communicates with other game devices (10) by short-range wireless communication. The exchange request transmission means (20, S167, S197) uses the communication means (14) to broadcast exchange desired data to the other game apparatus (10) without specifying the destination. The exchange request receiving means (20, S155, S185, S211) receives exchange request data from another game apparatus (10) using the communication means (14). The game data exchange means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) exchanges game data with another specific game device (10) using the communication means (14). For example, the game data exchanging means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) uses the communication means (14) to exchange attribute information and exchange conditions related to the provided game data with the other game device (10). Communicate at least one of the data. Thereby, in cooperation with the game data exchanging means (20, S105 to S109, S135 to S139) of the other game device (10), the game data provided by itself provides the exchange conditions for the other game device (10). If it is determined that the game data provided by the other game device (10) satisfies its own exchange condition, and if both exchange conditions are satisfied, the communication means (14) is used. By communicating with the other game device (10), the game data provided by itself is exchanged with the game data provided by the other game device (10).

  According to the invention of claim 22, the present invention can be implemented by a plurality of game devices of the same type. In other words, for a game device manufacturer, one type of game device may be provided to the market. It is also convenient for the player to purchase one game device and to communicate with any game device.

  A twenty-third aspect of the invention is dependent on the twenty-second aspect, and includes a switching unit that alternately executes the process of the exchange request transmission unit and the process of the exchange request reception unit.

  In the invention of claim 23, the switching means (20, S153, S165, S183, S195, S209) is the processing of the exchange request transmission means (20, S167, S197) and the exchange request receiving means (20, S155, S185, S211). ) Are alternately switched.

According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably communicate with other game devices and exchange game data.

  The invention of claim 24 is dependent on claim 23, and the switching means attempts to receive the exchange request data by the first period during which the exchange request data is broadcast by the process of the exchange request transmission means and the process of the exchange request reception means. Period length setting means is further provided for alternately repeating the second period and variably setting the length of at least one of the first period and the second period.

  In the invention of claim 24, the switching means (20, S153, S165, S183, S195, S209) alternately repeat the first period and the second period. In the first period, the exchange request data is broadcast by the process of the exchange request transmission means (20, S167, S197). In the second period, an attempt is made to receive the exchange request data by the process of the exchange request means (20, S155, S185). The period length setting means (20, S151, S181) sets the length of at least one of the first period and the second period to be variable (for example, random).

  Here, it is possible to establish a connection between the game device executing the process of the first period and the game device executing the process of the second period, and the process of the first period is executed. Between the game device and the game device executing the process of the first period, and between the game device executing the process of the second period and the game device executing the process of the second period Connection cannot be established. Therefore, when the first period and the second period are not changed, the connection cannot be established between the game devices having the same period. Therefore, in the invention of claim 24, since at least one of the first period and the second period is variably set and this is repeated, the repetition of the first period and the second period is continuously performed among a plurality of game devices. Never match.

  According to the invention of claim 24, it is possible to reliably communicate with other game devices and to exchange game data.

  The invention of claim 25 is dependent on claim 23, and the switching means tries to receive the exchange desired data by the first period during which the exchange desired data is broadcast by the process of the exchange desire transmitting means and the process of the exchange desire receiving means. Period start-time setting means for variably setting the start time of at least one of the first period and the second period is also provided.

  In the invention of claim 25, the start time of at least one of the first period and the second period described in the invention of claim 24 is set to be variable (for example, random).

  In the invention of claim 25 as well, similarly to the invention of claim 24, it is possible to reliably communicate with other game devices and to exchange game data.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, game data storage means for storing game data, game data stored in the game data storage means, provided game data for designating provided game data that is allowed to be provided to another game device The exchange condition setting means for setting the exchange condition data indicating the exchange condition which is the condition of the game data desired to be provided from the other game device instead of providing the designated game data and the provided game data to the other game device A communication means for communicating with other game devices by short-range wireless, a connection establishment means for performing processing for establishing a connection by wireless communication with a specific other game device using the communication means, and Game data for exchanging provided game data and game data of a specific other game device satisfying the exchange conditions using communication means The connection establishing means broadcasts connection request data and executes a first connection establishment process for establishing a connection state with another game device that has received the connection request data; Game data exchanging means for executing a second connection establishment process for receiving a connection request data transmitted from the game device and establishing a connection state with the other game device that has broadcast-transmitted the connection request data. Communicates at least one of the attribute information and exchange condition data related to the provided game data with another game device using the communication means, in cooperation with the game data exchange means of the other game device. The game data provided by the user satisfies the exchange conditions for the other game device, and the game data provided by the other game device is If it is determined whether or not both of the replacement conditions are satisfied, communication with the other game device is performed using communication means, thereby providing own game data and the other game device. A game device that exchanges game data.

  In the twenty-sixth aspect, as in the twenty-second aspect, the present invention can be implemented by a plurality of game devices of the same type. That is, it is not necessary for a game device manufacturer to provide both a game device having a first connection establishment processing function and a game device having a second connection establishment processing function to the market. Provide it. It is also convenient for the player to purchase one game device and to communicate with any game device.

  The invention of claim 27 is dependent on claim 26 and has a function of executing the first connection establishment process and a function of executing the second connection establishment process, and the first connection establishment process and the second connection establishment process are performed. Switching means for alternately executing is provided.

  In the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, as in the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably communicate between the other game devices and exchange game data.

  The invention of claim 28 is dependent on claim 27, and the switching means is a first period in which connection request data is broadcast by the first connection establishment process, and a second period of time when the connection request data is received by the second connection establishment process. Period length setting means is further provided for alternately repeating the period and variably setting the length of at least one of the first period and the second period.

  In the twenty-eighth aspect, similarly to the twenty-fourth aspect, it is possible to reliably communicate with other game apparatuses and to exchange game data.

  The invention of claim 29 is dependent on claim 27, and the switching means is a first period in which connection request data is broadcasted by the first connection establishment process, and a second period in which the connection request data is received by the second connection establishment process. Period start-time setting means for variably setting the start time of at least one of the first period and the second period is further provided.

  In the twenty-ninth aspect, similarly to the twenty-fifth aspect, it is possible to reliably communicate with other game apparatuses, and to exchange game data.

Claim 30 is provided with a plurality of portable game devices including a processor, game data storage means for storing game data, and communication means for communicating with other game devices by short-range wireless communication. In the game system for exchanging game data, a game program to be executed by each of the game devices is provided to another game device among the game data stored in the game data storage means to the processor of the game device. Providing game data designating step for designating provided game data, which is game data that allows the game data, and conditions for game data desired to be provided from the other game device instead of providing the provided game data to the other game device An exchange condition setting step for setting exchange condition data indicating an exchange condition that is Exchange request transmission step for broadcasting exchange desired data without specifying a destination to other game devices using the means, and exchange desired data from the exchange request sending means for other game devices using the communication means The exchange request receiving step for receiving the game information and the communication means are used to communicate at least one of the attribute information and exchange condition data related to the provided game data with the other specific game device, thereby the other game. In cooperation with the device, it is determined whether or not the provided game data satisfies the exchange conditions of the other game device, and the provided game data of the other game device satisfies the exchange conditions of the If it is determined that the exchange conditions are satisfied, the communication device is used to communicate with the other game device, thereby providing the game data provided by the user and the other game device. To execute the game data exchange step of exchanging and providing game data beam apparatus, a game program.

  In the invention of claim 30 as well, as with the invention of claim 1, game data can be exchanged easily.

  The invention of claim 31 is provided with a plurality of portable game devices each including a processor, game data storage means for storing game data, and communication means for communicating with other game devices by short-range wireless communication. In a game system for exchanging game data between devices, a game program to be executed by each game device, provided to another game device among game data stored in game data storage means by a processor of the game device Provided game data specifying step for specifying provided game data that is game data that is allowed to be performed, and game data desired to be provided from the other game device instead of providing the provided game data to the other game device The replacement condition setting step for setting replacement condition data indicating the replacement conditions The communication means is used to broadcast connection request data and execute a first connection establishment process for establishing a connection state by wireless communication with another game device that has received the connection request data, or other A connection establishment step of receiving a connection request data transmitted from the game device and executing a second connection establishment process for establishing a connection state with the other game device that broadcast-transmitted the connection request data; and By communicating at least one of the attribute information and exchange condition data related to the provided game data with another game device using the communication means, the game data provided by itself is jointly operated with the other game device. Whether the other game device's replacement condition is satisfied and the game data provided by the other game device satisfies its replacement condition If it is determined that both of the exchange conditions are satisfied, the communication means is used to communicate with the other game device to obtain the game data provided by the user and the game data provided by the other game device. A game program for executing a game data exchange step to be exchanged.

  In the thirty-first aspect, similar to the second aspect, the game data can be exchanged easily.

  According to this invention, it is determined whether or not an exchange condition is established between game devices connected by wireless communication, and game data is exchanged when the exchange condition is established. Therefore, game data can be exchanged easily. it can. In addition, since the exchange partner is not limited to friends, acquaintances, etc., the enjoyment of exchange can be fully enjoyed, and therefore the fun of the game can be improved.

  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 a block diagram showing an example of a portable game device used in the game system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing a memory map of a WRAM provided in the portable game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing a memory map of a backup RAM provided in the cartridge shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing one example of the contents of the exchange table stored in the exchange table data storage area of the WRAM shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an illustrative view for explaining an outline of a game system using the portable game apparatus shown in FIG. 1 embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustrative view for explaining the flow in the case where game data is exchanged between the parent device and the child device in the game system of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the main flow of the portable game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a part of the game processing of the portable game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another part of the game processing of the portable game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another part of the game processing of the portable game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing still another part of the game processing of the portable game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a part of the character exchange process of the portable game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another part of the character exchange process of the portable game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another part of the character exchange process of the portable game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing still another part of the character exchange process of the portable game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is an illustrative view for explaining a method of setting a period of trying to connect as a master unit and a period of trying to connect as a slave unit when the portable game device shown in FIG. 1 searches and connects with a communication partner. . FIG. 17 is an illustrative view showing a base unit packet broadcast from the base unit to the base unit and a base unit packet transmitted from the base unit to the base unit. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a communication partner search and connection process (1) of the portable game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a part of the communication partner search and connection process (2) of the portable game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing another part of the communication partner search and connection process (2) of the portable game machine shown in FIG.

  As an example, the wireless communication game system to which the present invention is applied uses a portable game apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the portable game apparatus 10 includes a portable game machine 12 such as a Game Boy Advance (trade name), a wireless communication unit 14 connected to the communication connector 46 of the portable game machine 12, and a cartridge connector. 40 includes a game cartridge 16 connected to 40. In other words, in this embodiment, the portable game apparatus 10 includes the portable game machine 12, the wireless communication unit 14, and the cartridge 16.

A portable game machine 12 shown in FIG. 1 includes a processor 20, and the processor 20 includes a CPU core 22, a boot ROM 24, an LCD controller 26, a WRAM (working RAM: hereinafter the same) 28, a VRAM 30 and the like. Peripheral circuit 32. However, the peripheral circuit 32 includes a voice (sound) circuit, a DMA (Direct Memory Access) circuit,
Includes a timer circuit, an input / output interface (IO), and the like.

  The LCD 18 provided on the front surface of the portable game machine 12 is provided with a display signal from the processor 20, in this embodiment, an RGB signal, so that the game image is displayed in color on the LCD 18. Then, an audio signal is given from the processor 20 to the sound circuit 34, and sound (sound) such as game music and sound effects is outputted from the speaker 36 by the audio signal. Further, a cross key, a start key, a select key, an A button, and a B button provided on the front surface of the portable game machine 12 with the LCD 18 interposed therebetween are collectively shown as an operation switch 38, and an operation signal from the operation switch 38 is sent to the processor 20. Is input. Therefore, the processor 20 executes processing according to the player's instruction given through the operation switch 38.

  Although illustration is omitted, power is supplied to the LCD 18 from a battery (primary battery or secondary battery), and by setting the value of a predetermined register (LCD power supply register) to 0, power to the LCD 18 is supplied. Supply is stopped. When the value of the register is set to 1, power supply to the LCD 18 is started (resumed). For example, the LCD power supply register is provided in the WRAM 28 and its value is rewritten by the CPU core 22. That is, the CPU core 22 controls the start (on) / stop (off) of power supply.

  The portable game machine 12 has a cartridge connector 40, and the cartridge 16 is connected or inserted into the cartridge connector 40. The cartridge 16 includes a ROM 42 and a backup RAM 44, and a game program for a game (virtual game) to be executed on the portable game machine 12, a game image (including a character image), and the like are set (stored) in the ROM 42 in advance. Has been. Further, the ROM 42 stores identification information (“GameName” to be described later) for identifying a game program stored in the ROM 42. The backup RAM 44 stores (saves) in-game data and game result data.

  When the power of the portable game machine 12 is turned on, the CPU core 22 executes a boot program stored in the boot ROM 24 and performs a boot process of the portable game machine 12. Thereafter, the CPU core 22 executes the game program stored in the ROM 42 of the cartridge 16 and executes the game process while storing the temporary data being executed in the WRAM 28. The image data generated by the CPU core 22 executing the game program is stored in the VRAM 30, and the image data stored in the VRAM 30 is output to the LCD 18 by the LCD controller 26.

  The portable game machine 12 is further provided with a communication connector 46, and a connector 48 of the wireless communication unit 14 is connected to the communication connector 46. The portable game machine 12 used in this embodiment is, for example, Game Boy Advance (trade name). In this case, the above-described cartridge connector 40 is a 32-pin provided on the back side of the upper surface when the LCD 18 is the front surface (front surface). The communication connector 46 is a 6-pin connector provided on the front side of the upper surface.

  The wireless communication unit 14 includes a baseband IC 50, and the baseband IC 50 includes a ROM 52. The ROM 52 contains, for example, an OCD (One-Cartridge Download) program and other programs, and the baseband IC 50 operates according to those programs.

The one-cartridge download program is an OC mode (one-cartridge mode: a mode in which a game cartridge is attached only to the master unit and the slave unit operates by receiving a slave unit program download from the master unit cartridge). This is a program for downloading a program to the slave unit.

  The wireless communication unit 14 is further provided with an EEPROM 54, and for example, a player name is uniquely set in the EEPROM 54. The base band IC 50 sends game data transferred from the portable game machine 12 via the connectors 46 and 48 and data including the player name of the EEPROM 54 to the RF (Radio Frequency) -IC 56. The RF-IC 56 modulates the data and transmits a radio wave from the antenna 58. However, the radio wave intensity is very weak, and is set to a value that is small enough to be used unlicensed by the user in the Radio Law. The wireless communication unit 14 is provided with a power supply circuit 60. The power supply circuit 60 is typically a battery and supplies direct current power to each component of the wireless communication unit 14.

  In the wireless communication unit, the radio wave transmitted from another portable game device is received by the antenna 58, demodulated by the RF-IC 56, and the demodulated signal is input to the baseband IC 50. Therefore, the baseband IC 50 decodes the demodulated signal, restores the data, and transfers the data to the portable game machine 12 or the WRAM 28 via the connectors 48 and 46.

  FIG. 2 shows a memory map of the WRAM 28. In this embodiment, the WRAM 28 includes a provided character information area 280, an exchange condition data area 282, a character data area 284, and an exchange table storage area 286.

  In the provided character information area 280, among the owned game characters (hereinafter simply referred to as “characters”), the characters selected to be provided to other players or users (hereinafter simply referred to as “players”) are selected. (Character type, level, etc.) are stored. Here, the provided character information 1 is information indicating the type of the provided character, and the provided character information 2 is information indicating the level of the provided character. The data stored in the provided character information area 280 is a copy of the data about the provided character among the data stored in the character data area 284 and is stored in the character data area. If 284 is directly referenced, it is not necessary to separately provide the provided character information storage area.

  A character to be provided to other players among the owned characters is selected by the player using the operation switch 38 to input (specify), or automatically selected based on the progress of the game.

  In the exchange condition data area 282, information (character type, level, etc.) relating to a character desired to be provided by another player is stored as an exchange condition. A character type is set for the exchange condition 1, and a level is set for the exchange condition 2. This exchange condition is input (designated) by the player using the operation switch 38 or is automatically determined based on the progress of the game.

In the character data area 284, information (character information) about characters owned by the player (in this embodiment, characters such as the character names “Mario”, “Luigi”, “Kuppa”, “Peach”) is stored for each character. Is remembered. In the virtual game world, the player proceeds with the adventure while capturing characters that are present in the game world and making them friends. Information relating to the characters captured or made friends is stored in the character data area 284. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the character information includes the character type, level, and attribute values of the character, that is, life force (life) and attack power (hit points). For example, in this embodiment, the character data area 284 stores first character information data 284a and second character information data 284b. When the player owns three or more characters, third character information data, fourth character information data,... Are stored.

  The character information data (data in the character data area 284) is updated as needed as the game progresses. For example, when a new character is captured, character information about the new character is added. When the level of the already captured character is increased, the level value of the character is updated.

  The character information data is stored (saved) in the backup RAM 44 in accordance with the player's instruction or the progress of the game. Therefore, when the game is started from the last time, the character information data stored in the backup RAM 44 is read and written (loaded) in the character data area 284.

  FIG. 3 shows a memory map of the backup RAM 44. As described above, the backup RAM 44 stores saved game data, that is, character information data. In this embodiment, for example, the backup RAM 44 stores first character information data 284a and second character information data 284b.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the exchange table storage area 286 stores a table for enabling exchange of game data when the progress of the virtual game satisfies a predetermined condition. As shown in FIG. 4, this table stores exchange start conditions, exchange end conditions, provision character designation data, and request character designation data in accordance with the progress of the virtual game. By referring to this table, according to the progress of the virtual game, exchange conditions with the provided character are set, and game data can be exchanged.

  The exchange start condition is a condition for starting exchange of game data. When this condition is satisfied, a predetermined character can be exchanged as described later. For example, in this embodiment, as the exchange start condition, acquisition (acquisition) of a specific item and defeating a specific enemy character (non-player character whose behavior and action are controlled according to the game program regardless of the player's operation) A specific non-player character (non-player character excluding enemy characters) was rescued, or such non-player character's wish was fulfilled, and a specific date (either one is acceptable) And when a specific time has come.

  The exchange end condition corresponds to a specific month and day (any one is possible and is determined according to the exchange start condition), a specific time, and the like. In the exchange table, for items for which horizontal bars (bars) are displayed, it is indicated that there is no particular exchange end condition. However, for those items, the exchange process is completed by exchanging characters. To do.

The provided character designation data is data for setting the provided character and includes items (conditions) of the type and level of the provided character. The type item includes the type of character to be provided (in this embodiment, the character The level of the corresponding character is described in the level item. Based on this description, it is determined whether or not there is a character that satisfies this condition (type and level) among the owned characters. If there is a character that satisfies this condition, the character is selected as the provided character. Information about the character (character type, level, etc.) is stored in the provided character information area 280 described above. However, the character to be provided can be arbitrarily designated by the player. In this case, it is selected as a character provided by the character arbitrarily designated by the player from the owned characters, and information about the character is stored in the provided character information storage area 280 described above.

  In the exchange table, “player optional” is described when the player can arbitrarily specify the type and level, and “unquestioned” is described unless otherwise specified. . The same applies hereinafter.

  The requested character designation data is data for setting exchange conditions, and includes items (conditions) of character types and levels that are requested to be provided to other players. (In this embodiment, the name of the character) is described, and the level of the corresponding character is described in the level item. The exchange condition is determined based on this description. However, the type of character to be requested can be arbitrarily designated by the player. In addition, there is a case where the level is not specified, the level higher than the level of the character to be provided, or the player can arbitrarily specify the level. The exchange conditions determined in this way are stored in the exchange condition data area 282.

  Specifically, referring to the exchange table, in the case of No. 1, the exchange start condition is “acquired a specific item”, and the exchange end condition is not particularly defined. As a condition of the provided character, the type is “Mario”, and the level is “5”. Further, as the request character, the type is “Koppa”, and the level is “5”. That is, when a player character acquires a specific item in the game world, if the player character owns a level 5 Mario, it can be exchanged for a level 5 kuppa owned by another player. In this case, in the provided character information storage area 280, “Mario” is set as the type of provided character, and “5” is set as the level. In the exchange condition data storage area 282, “Kuppa” is set as the type of the requested character, and “5” is set as the level.

  In No. 4, the exchange start condition is “specific month and day (April 10)”, and the exchange end condition is “specific month and day (April 15)” correlated with the exchange start condition. As a condition of the provided character, the type is “Koppa”, and the level is “10 or more”. Further, as the condition of the requested character, the type is “player arbitrary”, and the level is “provided character level or higher”. That is, the portable game machine 12 of this embodiment includes a timer, and the date in the game world is managed by this timer. And, a player who owns a Kuppa level 10 or higher can be exchanged for any character with a Kuppa level or higher between April 10th and April 15th in the game world. Become. For example, a player who owns a level 15 Kuppa may wish to exchange for a level 15 or higher luigi. In this case, in the provided character information storage area 280, “Kuppa” is set as the type of provided character, and “15” is set as the level. In the exchange condition data storage area 282, “Luigi” is set as the type of the requested character, and “15 or more” is set as the level.

  Such an exchange table is determined in advance by a developer such as a programmer and is not shown, but is stored in the ROM 42 of the cartridge 16 and may be temporarily or necessary after the main power source of the portable game machine 12 is turned on. In response, it is loaded into the WRAM 28. The provided character and the exchange condition (request character) are automatically set with reference to the exchange table, but the player can arbitrarily set a part or all of them.

  Note that the exchange table shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and need not be limited to this.

For example, in the game system of this embodiment, by using at least two portable game apparatuses 10 as shown in FIG. 1 and communicating with each other, players of each portable game apparatus 10 can enjoy a communication game. That is, the dotted line 64 in FIG. 5 indicates the communicable range of the portable game device 62 of the own device, and the portable game device 62 communicates (wireless communication) with the portable game device existing in the communicable range 64. Can do. The communicable range 64 is a range in which data communication between the parent device and the child device can be performed by the above-described weak radio wave, and any of the plurality of portable game devices existing in the communicable range 64 is. Optionally, it can be a parent machine or a child machine.

  In FIG. 5, portable game devices with user names “Taro”, “Ichiro”, and “Jiro” exist in the communicable range 64 of the own portable game device 62, and the own portable game device 62 has the user name. A state of wireless communication with the portable game device of “Jiro” is shown.

  Regarding the operation of the portable game device for allowing the plurality of game devices to enjoy the communication game by entering the portable game device 62 in another portable game device existing in the communicable range 64, the applicant of the present application applies first. Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-306867, which is disclosed in detail, and is not the essential content of the present application.

  When two or more portable game devices are communicably connected, the player of each portable game device can enjoy a communication game as described above. However, it goes without saying that each player can enjoy the game alone using only his / her portable game device, that is, without communication. In the following, a mode for playing a game by communication or alone is referred to as a game mode.

  In addition, the portable game device 62 can exchange game data, that is, character information data with another portable game device existing in the communicable range 64. Briefly, in the portable game device 62 of the own device, in a state where the main power is on and the game is not played (the game is not started and the game is ended) That is, when not in the game mode, the character exchange mode is set.

  If the portable game device 62 is in the exchangeable state in the exchange mode, the portable game device 62 searches for another portable game device that exists in the communicable range 64 and is also in the exchangeable state. At this time, the portable game device 62 alternately repeats the process of searching for the child machine as the parent machine and the process of searching for the parent machine as the child machine. When another portable game device capable of communication is searched, an attempt is made to establish a connection state (communication state) by wireless communication. This search and connection process will be described later in detail (see FIGS. 16 to 20).

  When the mobile game device 62 establishes a connection state with another mobile game device, the mobile game device 62 exchanges information on the provided characters (provided character type information and level information) and exchange conditions, and the mutual exchange conditions match (match). ). If the exchange conditions match, the provided character data is exchanged.

  FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing a flow of exchange between two portable game devices (a parent device and a child device) when the exchange conditions match. Referring to FIG. 6, when the connection state is established between the parent device and the child device, the child device transmits its own provided character information 1 and provided character information 2 to the parent device. When receiving the provision character information 1 and the provision character information 2 of the slave unit, the base unit compares it with its own exchange condition 1 and exchange condition 2 and determines whether or not they match. If they match, that is, if provided character information 1 and provided character information 2 of the child device satisfy its own exchange condition 1 and exchange condition 2, the parent device transmits an exchange request to the child device, and further, Provided character information 1 and provided character information 2 are transmitted to the child device.

  When receiving the provided character information 1 and the provided character information 2 of the parent device, the child device compares it with its own exchange condition 1 and exchange condition 2 to determine whether or not they match. If each of them matches, that is, if the provided character information 1 and provided character information 2 of the parent machine satisfy its own exchange condition 1 and exchange condition 2, that is, if the exchange condition is satisfied, the slave unit sends an exchange response. Send to the main unit.

  Then, the base unit receives this exchange response and transmits character information data about its provided character (in FIG. 6, for convenience of description, expressed as “character A”) to the slave unit. Thereafter, the slave unit transmits character information data about its provided character (in FIG. 6, for convenience of description, expressed as “character B”) to the master unit. In this way, character exchange is performed between the parent device and the child device.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, each of the parent device and the child device transmits the provided character information to the communication partner, and whether or not the portable game device that has received the information satisfies the exchange condition However, one portable game device (for example, a child device) transmits its provided character information and exchange conditions to the other portable game device (for example, the parent device), and the parent device However, it may be determined at a time whether or not the replacement condition is satisfied.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the provided character information is transmitted from the slave unit, and it is determined whether the master unit that has received this information satisfies its own exchange condition, and thus satisfies the condition. In this case, the exchange request is transmitted in order to eliminate useless communication. That is, if the condition is not satisfied, the character exchange is interrupted as it is. That is, the provided character information is not transmitted from the parent device.

  Further, as described above, the image data of each character is stored in the ROM 42 in the cartridge 16, and in this embodiment, in order to reduce the amount of data to be transmitted and received and to increase the time efficiency for communication. When exchanging characters, an identification number for designating the type of character is exchanged, but image data or the like of the character to be exchanged may be exchanged.

  In the embodiment described later with reference to FIG. 7 and subsequent figures, the game mode and the exchange mode are not distinguished, and the exchange process is executed in parallel during the game play. That is, another game device satisfying the exchange condition is searched for while game play is being executed, and game data exchange processing is performed when another game device satisfying the exchange condition is found. By doing so, the game can be played while searching for another game device that satisfies the replacement condition, so that the user is not bored.

  Specifically, the processor 20 or the CPU core 22 of the portable game machine 12 performs processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the main power source of the portable game machine 12 is turned on, the CPU core 22 starts processing, and turns off the exchangeable flag (sets it to 0) in step S1. In the subsequent step S3, the attribute values, that is, the level, life force, and attack power of each character (character possessed in the initial state) are initialized. That is, the initial value is set. In addition, the process of step S3 is a process performed only when playing a game for the first time, and is not performed when playing after the 2nd time.

  In the next step S5, game processing (see FIGS. 8 to 11), which will be described in detail later, is executed. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the exchangeable flag is on (= 1). If “NO” in the step S7, that is, if the exchangeable flag is off (= 0), it is determined that the characters cannot be exchanged, and the process returns to the step S5 as it is.

  On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S7, that is, if the exchangeable flag is on (= 1), it is determined that the characters can be exchanged, and in a step S9, a character exchange process described later (FIG. 12). To FIG. 15), and the process returns to step S5.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the game process is started, it is determined in step S21 whether or not the battle is started. That is, it is determined whether or not the battle scene has been entered. Although illustration is omitted, for example, when a hero character (player character) encounters an opponent character (enemy character), a battle scene is started. If “NO” in the step S21, that is, if the battle is not started, the process proceeds to a step S43 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S21, that is, if the battle is started, a battle process is executed in a step S23, and the experience value of the character participating in the battle among the characters owned by the player character in the step S25. Increase.

  Note that some of the plurality of characters stored in the character data area 284 are selected by the player before the game, and the selected character is used in the game processing of FIG.

  Although detailed description is omitted, in the battle process in step S23, for example, characters owned by the player character and the enemy character are made to fight each other. In this battle process, the attack turn is repeated alternately between the player character and the enemy character. Then, when the life force of all characters owned by the player character or enemy character is lost (becomes 0), the battle ends.

  Furthermore, in step S25, the experience value of the character who participated in the battle among the characters owned by the player character is increased because it is assumed that the player character has won the battle. However, if the player character loses the battle in the battle process, the game ends (game over) and the game process ends (returns) as it is.

  In a succeeding step S27, it is determined whether or not the experience value for a certain character is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a character whose experience value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value among the characters owned by the player character. Here, the predetermined value is a value set in advance by a developer such as a programmer, and is updated according to the progress of the game or the level of the character.

  If “NO” in the step S27, that is, if the experience value for a certain character is not the predetermined value or more, the process proceeds to a step S38 shown in FIG. 9 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S27, that is, if the experience value for a certain character is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, in a step S29, the level for the character is increased, and the life force and the fighting force are increased. That is, the character information data for the character stored in the character data area 284 of the WRAM 28 is updated.

  In a succeeding step S31, it is determined whether or not the character is set as a provided character. If “NO” in the step S31, that is, if the character is not set as the providing character, the process proceeds to a step S35 shown in FIG. 9 as it is. However, if “YES” in the step S31, that is, if the character is set as a providing character, the data of the providing character information 2 stored in the providing character information area 280 of the WRAM 28 is updated in a step S33. That is, the level data is updated, and the process proceeds to step S35. This is because it is necessary to change the provided character information in conjunction with the increase in the level of the character set as the provided character.

  In step S35 shown in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the exchange condition 2 is based on the provided character information 2. That is, it is determined whether the level of the requested character is determined in relation to the level of the provided character. For example, in this embodiment, the case where the level indicated by the exchange condition 2 matches the level indicated by the provided character information 2 as shown in the exchange table numbers 4 and 5 shown in FIG. To do. If “NO” in the step S35, that is, if the exchange condition 2 is not based on the provided character information 2, the process proceeds to a step S38 as it is. However, if “YES” in the step S35, that is, if the exchange condition 2 is based on the provided character information 2, the data of the exchange condition 2 stored in the exchange condition data storage area 282 of the WRAM 28 is obtained in a step S37. After updating, the process proceeds to step S38. For example, in the case of No. 4, when a Kuppa of level 15 is set as the provided character and this Kuppa is leveled up to level 16, the data of the exchange condition 2 is changed from “level 15 or higher” to “level 16 or higher”. Be changed.

  In step S38, a virtual game process other than the battle process is performed. For example, processing for moving a player character or enemy character in the virtual game world, processing for adding the item to the possessed item list of the player character when the player character obtains an item existing in the game world, A process of generating an event to rescue an existing villager character is performed. After the process of step S38, the process proceeds to step S39.

  In step S39, it is determined whether or not to save game data, that is, character information data. Here, it is determined whether or not to save depending on the player's operation or whether a predetermined event has occurred. If “NO” in the step S39, that is, if the character information data is not saved, the game processing is directly returned. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S39, that is, if the character information data is to be saved, all the character information data stored in the character data storage area 284 of the WRAM 28 is read out and provided in the cartridge 16 in a step S41. Is written (overwritten) in the backup RAM 44, and the game processing is returned.

  If it is determined in step S21 shown in FIG. 8 that the battle has not started, it is determined in step S43 shown in FIG. 10 whether an exchange event has occurred. That is, it is determined whether or not the progress of the virtual game satisfies any of the exchange start conditions in the exchange table of FIG. If “NO” in the step S43, that is, if any replacement start condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to a step S71 shown in FIG. 11 as it is.

  On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S43, that is, if any of the exchange start conditions is satisfied, the exchange table is referred to in step S45, and the type of the provided character corresponding to the exchange start condition is “player”. Determine if it is "optional". If “YES” in the step S45, that is, if the type of the provided character is “player arbitrary”, in a step S47, the player is made to designate a provided character from among the characters owned by the player, and the process proceeds to a step S59 shown in FIG. move on. For example, in step S47, a selection screen for selecting a provided character by displaying a list of owned characters is displayed on the LCD 18, and the player operates the operation switch 38 by looking at the selection screen to select a desired provided character. Select (specify). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the character selected as the provided character is referred to as “character X”.

On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S45, that is, if the type of the provided character is not “player optional”, in step S49, the exchange table is referred to, that is, the character designated by the provided character type is owned. Determine if you are. If “NO” in the step S49, that is, if the character specified by the type of the provided character is not owned, it is determined that the character to be exchanged is not owned, and as shown in FIG. End the process. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step 49, that is, if the character designated by the type of the provided character is owned, the character is set as the character X (ie, designated as the provided character), and the exchange is performed in the step S51. Referring to the table, it is determined whether the level of the provided character is “unquestioned”.

  If “YES” in the step S51, that is, if the level of the provided character is “unquestioned”, the process proceeds to a step S55 as it is. On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S51, that is, if the level of the provided character is not “unquestioned”, it is determined whether or not the character X satisfies the level of the provided character in a step S53. That is, it is determined whether or not the level included in the character information data for the character X is the same as the level of the provided character.

  If “NO” in the step S53, that is, if the character X does not satisfy the level of the provided character, it is determined that the character X cannot be exchanged, and the game processing is directly returned. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S53, that is, if the character X satisfies the provided character level, the process proceeds to a step S55.

  In step S55, a confirmation message “Do you want to replace character X?” Is displayed on LCD 18. In step S57, it is determined whether or not the player desires to exchange the character X. That is, it is determined whether or not the player has agreed to exchange the character X by operating the operation switch 38.

  If “NO” in the step S57, that is, if the player does not desire to exchange the character X, the game process is ended as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S57, that is, if the player desires to exchange the character X, the process proceeds to a step S59 shown in FIG.

  In this way, since the player is confirmed whether or not the character X is to be exchanged, it is possible to prevent a character not intended by the player from being exchanged by mistake.

  Next, in step S59, with reference to the exchange table, it is determined whether or not the type of the requested character corresponding to the exchange start condition is “player optional”. If “NO” in the step S59, that is, if the type of the requested character is not “player arbitrary”, the process proceeds to a step S63 as it is. However, if “YES” in the step S59, that is, if the type of the requested character is “player arbitrary”, the player is made to designate the type of the requested character in a step S61, and the process proceeds to the step S63. In step S61, for example, a list of all (or main) characters appearing in the game is displayed, and a selection screen for allowing the player to select an arbitrary character from the list is displayed on the LCD 18. The player views the selection screen. Then, a desired request character is selected (designated).

  In step S63, it is determined by referring to the exchange table whether the level of the requested character corresponding to the exchange start condition is “player optional”. If “NO” in the step S63, that is, if the level of the requested character is not “player arbitrary”, the process proceeds to a step S67 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step 63, that is, if the level of the requested character is “player arbitrary”, in a step S 65, the requested character level is designated by the player, and the process proceeds to a step S 67. The specification of the level of the requested character is almost the same as the specification of the character type in steps S47 and S61 described above, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

  In step S67, provided character information 1, provided character information 2, exchange condition 1 and exchange condition 2 are set (confirmed). That is, provided character information 1 and provided character information 2 are stored in provided character information area 280, and exchange condition 1 and exchange condition 2 are stored in exchange condition data area 282. In step S69, the exchangeable flag is turned on (set to 1), and the game process is returned as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, in step S67, the character X type is set in the provided character information 1, the level of the character X is set in the provided character information 2, the requested character type is set in the exchange condition 1, and The level of the requested character is set in the exchange condition 2. That is, the type and level of the provided character and the requested character are set according to the player's designation or according to the definition of the exchange table.

  If it is determined in step S43 shown in FIG. 10 that the replacement start condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to FIG. 11, and it is determined in step S71 whether the replacement end condition is satisfied. If “NO” in the step S71, that is, if the replacement end condition is not satisfied, the game processing is directly returned. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S71, that is, if the exchange end condition is satisfied, the provided character information and the exchange condition are cleared in a step S73, and the exchangeable flag is turned off (set to 0) in a step S75. To return to the game process.

  When the character exchange process in step S9 shown in FIG. 7 is started, as shown in FIG. 12, a communication partner search and connection process (FIGS. 18, 19, and 20) described in detail later is executed in step 81. ). In a succeeding step S83, it is determined whether or not the own device is a parent device. That is, it is determined whether or not a connection is established with another portable game device as a parent device according to whether or not the parent device flag is on. Note that the parent machine flag is a flag that is turned on when connected to another portable game device as a parent machine in a communication partner search and connection process described later.

  If “NO” in the step S83, that is, if the own device is not the parent device, it is determined whether or not the own device is a child device in a step S85. That is, as a slave unit, it is determined whether or not a connection is established with another portable game device according to whether or not the slave unit flag is on. Note that the child device flag is a flag that is turned on when connected to another portable game device as a child device in communication partner search and connection processing described later.

  If “YES” in the step 85, that is, if the own machine is a child machine, the process proceeds to a step S117 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S85, that is, if the own device is not a child device, it is determined that another portable game device does not exist in the connectable range or the connection with the other portable game device has failed. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the character exchange process is returned.

  If “YES” in the step S83, that is, if the own device is a parent device, the provided character information 1 and the provided character information 2 of the communication partner (slave device) are received in a step S87. In a succeeding step S89, it is determined whether or not the communication partner provided character information 1 satisfies its own exchange condition 1.

  If “NO” in the step S89, that is, if the communication partner provided character information 1 does not satisfy the exchange condition 1 of the communication partner, a non-exchange request is transmitted to the communication partner in a step S91, and the communication is performed in a step S93. Disconnect and return the character exchange process. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S89, that is, if the communication partner provided character information 1 satisfies its own exchange condition 1, the communication partner provided character information 2 sets its own exchange condition 2 in a step S95. Judge whether to meet.

  If “NO” in the step S95, that is, if the provided character information 2 of the communication partner does not satisfy the exchange condition 2 of the communication partner, the process proceeds to a step S91. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S95, that is, if the communication partner provided character information 2 satisfies the exchange condition 2 of the communication partner, an exchange request is transmitted to the communication partner in a step S97. Subsequently, in step S99, the provided character information 1 and the provided character information 2 are transmitted to the communication partner.

  In step S101, it is determined whether an exchange response has been received from the communication partner. If “NO” in the step S101, that is, if there is no exchange response from the communication partner, it is determined whether or not a non-exchange response is received from the communication partner in a step S103. If “NO” in the step S103, that is, if there is no non-exchange response from the communication partner, it is determined that there is no response from the communication partner, and the process directly returns to the step S99 to provide the character information 1 of the own device. The provided character information 2 is transmitted again. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S103, that is, if there is a non-exchange response from the communication partner, the process proceeds to a step S93.

  Note that after step S101, the player may confirm whether or not to exchange, similarly to steps S128 and S129 (see FIG. 14) described later.

  If “YES” in the step S101, that is, if there is an exchange response from the communication partner, in a step S105 shown in FIG. 13, the character X (selected as the provided character in the processing in the above-described steps S45 to S57) is selected. Data) (character information data stored in the WRAM 28) is transmitted, and the data is deleted from each of the WRAM 28 and the backup RAM 44 in step S107. Next, in step S 109, the character data transmitted from the communication partner, that is, character information data is received and newly recorded (registered) in the character data area 284 of the WRAM 28. Note that the character information data is newly recorded in the backup RAM 44 when saving, as shown in steps S39 and S41 of FIG. In this way, character exchange is executed when the own device is the parent device.

  Thereafter, the communication is disconnected in step S111, the exchangeable flag is turned off (set to 0) in step S113, and the provided character information 1, provided character information 2, exchange condition 1, and exchange condition 2 are cleared in step S115. In step S116, the image and attribute data (character name, level, etc.) of the character X deleted in S107 and the fact that the character X has been deleted are displayed, and the character image and attribute data (newly stored in S109) Character name, level, etc.) and the fact that the character has been newly obtained are displayed, and the character exchange process is returned.

  Further, as described above, when it is determined in step S85 that the own device is a slave device, in step S117 shown in FIG. 14, its own provided character information 1 and provided character information 2 are transferred to the communication partner (master device). ). In step S119, it is determined whether an exchange request has been received from the communication partner.

  If “NO” in the step S119, that is, if no exchange request is received from the communication partner, it is determined whether or not a non-exchange request is received from the communication partner in a step S121. If “NO” in the step S121, that is, if a non-exchange request is not received from the communication partner, it is determined that there is no response from the communication partner, and the process returns to the step S117 as it is, and the provided character information 1 of the own device The provided character information 2 is transmitted again. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S121, that is, if a non-exchange request is received from the communication partner, the communication is disconnected in a step S131, and the character exchange process is returned as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S119, that is, if an exchange request is received from the communication partner, the provision character information 1 and the provision character information 2 of the communication partner are received in a step S123. It is determined whether the provided character information 1 satisfies its own exchange condition 1 or not. If “NO” in the step S125, that is, if the communication partner provided character information 1 does not satisfy the exchange condition 1 of the communication partner, a non-exchange response is transmitted to the communication partner in a step S130, and then the communication is performed in a step S131. And return to the character exchange process.

  However, if “YES” in the step S125, that is, if the communication partner provided character information 1 satisfies its own exchange condition 1, the communication partner provided character information 2 sets its own exchange condition 2 in a step S127. Judge whether to meet. If “NO” in the step S127, that is, if the provided character information 2 of the communication partner does not satisfy the exchange condition 2 of the communication partner, the process proceeds to a step S130.

  On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S127, that is, if the provided character information 2 of the communication partner satisfies the exchange condition 2 of the communication partner, an intention confirmation whether or not to exchange is performed to the player in a step S128. Specifically, the information (type, level, etc.) of the provided character (character lost by exchange) and the provided character (character obtained by exchange) of the communication partner and the user name (master packet, (Based on UserName included in the handset packet) is displayed on the LCD 18 and the player confirms whether or not to exchange.

  In step S129, it is determined whether or not the player wishes to exchange. In this step S129, when it is determined that the player desires replacement (when it is determined that replacement is selected by the input of the operation switch 38), "YES" is determined, and the step shown in FIG. In S133, an exchange response is transmitted to the communication partner, and in step S135, character data transmitted from the communication partner, that is, character information data, is received and newly stored (registered) in the character data area 284 of the WRAM 28. Note that the character information data is newly registered in the backup RAM 44 when saving, as in the case described above. If it is determined in step S129 that the player does not wish to exchange, “NO” is determined, and the process proceeds to step S130.

  In the following step S137, the character X data, that is, the character information data about the character X is transmitted to the communication partner, and the character X data (character information data) is deleted from each of the WRAM 28 and the backup RAM 44 in step S139. In this way, character exchange is executed when the own device is a child device. Then, the communication is disconnected in step S141, the exchangeable flag is turned off (set to 0) in step S143, and provided character information 1, provided character information 2, exchange condition 1 and exchange condition 2 are cleared in step S145. Thereafter, in step S146, the character image and attribute data (character name, level, etc.) newly stored in S135 and the fact that the character has been newly obtained are displayed, and the image and attribute data of character X deleted in S139. (Character name, level, etc.) and the fact that the character X has been deleted are displayed, and the character exchange process is returned.

As described above, in this embodiment, the provided character information 1 and the provided character information 2 are transmitted to the communication partner portable game device, and the communication partner portable game device that receives them transmits the exchange condition 1 and Although it is determined whether or not the exchange condition 2 is satisfied, the exchange condition 1 and the exchange condition 2 are transmitted to the communication partner portable game apparatus, and the communication partner portable game apparatus that has received the exchange condition 1 supplies the exchange condition 1 and the exchange condition 2. It may be determined whether information 1 and provided character information 2 are satisfied.

  Also, all of the provided character information 1, provided character information 2, exchange condition 1 and exchange condition 2 are transmitted to the communication partner's portable game device, and the communication partner's portable game device that has received them transmits the partner's provided character information. It may be determined whether or not the user's own exchange condition is satisfied and whether or not the provided character information satisfies the other's exchange condition.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 16 to 20, the communication partner search and connection process in step S81 (FIG. 12) will be described. In this process, the portable game device 10 operates to establish a connection with another portable game device as a parent device or a child device. When trying to establish a connection as a parent device, the mobile game apparatus 10 broadcasts broadcast data including data indicating that connection is possible in order to search for another mobile game apparatus existing in the communicable range 64. If there is a connection request from another portable game device as a child device that has received this broadcast data, portable game device 10 can establish a connection with the child device as the parent device.

  On the other hand, when trying to establish a connection as a child device, the portable game device 10 waits for reception of broadcast data from the parent device. When the broadcast data is received from the parent device, a connection request can be transmitted to the parent device in response to this, thereby establishing a connection with the parent device.

  In such communication partner search and connection processing, each portable game device 10 alternately performs processing that operates as a parent device and searches for a child device, and processing that operates as a child device and receives a search from the parent device. repeat. Specifically, a predetermined period (Tcycle in FIG. 16) is set as one period, a part of each period is operated as a parent machine (Tsp in FIG. 16), and the rest is operated as a child machine (Tsc). And Here, it is possible to connect between a game device operating as a parent device and a game device operating as a child device, a game device operating as a parent device, a game device operating as a parent device, and a child device A game device operating as a machine and a game device operating as a child machine cannot be connected. Therefore, if the period for operating as the master unit and the period for operating as the slave unit are fixed, it is impossible to establish a connection between two game devices that coincide with each other by chance. In order to prevent this, the distribution or arrangement of the period operating as the parent unit and the period operating as the child unit in one cycle is randomly changed. A method for randomly changing the distribution is “communication partner search and connection processing (1)” as shown in FIG. 16A, and a method for randomly changing the arrangement is “communication partner as shown in FIG. 16B”. Search and connection process (2) ".

  Referring to FIG. 16A, in the communication partner search and connection process (1), the distribution of Tsp and Tsc is determined at random as described above. The period of this process (one cycle) is a fixed value Tcycle (for example, 4 seconds), the length of Tsc is determined to be a random value between 0 and Tcycle, and the length of Tsp is the remaining period of Tcycle (Tcycle). -Tsc). Tsc and Tsp are set to Tcycle in this order. Since the length of Tsc is determined randomly every time, the length of Tsp is also determined randomly. This avoids a state in which a connection cannot be established with another portable game device existing in the communicable range 64. However, if Tsp becomes too short, it is not possible to accurately search for another portable game device and a connection cannot be established with another portable game device. If this cannot be secured, Tsc may be determined again.

  In this embodiment, Tcycle is set in the order of Tsc and Tsp, but may be set in the reverse order.

  Referring to FIG. 16B, in the communication partner search and connection process (2), as described above, the arrangement of Tsp and Tsc is randomly determined. In other words, with the Tsp length as a fixed value, the start position of Tsp in the Tcycle is set randomly. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 16B, in the communication partner search and connection process (2), Tcycle (in this embodiment, a fixed value is set to 4 seconds). Tsp determined by a fixed value and Tsc1 and Tsc2 determined at random so as to sandwich this Tsp are provided. That is, Tcycle is provided with Tsc1, Tsp, and Tsc2 in this order. The length of Tsc1 is randomly determined between 0 and (Tcycle-Tsp), and the length of Tsc2 is determined by subtracting Tsc1 and Tsp randomly determined from Tcycle.

  In this embodiment, since the Tcycle is set in the order of Tsc and Tsp, the start position of Tsp is made random. However, when the Tcycle is set in the order of Tsp and Tsc, the start time of Tsc is randomly set. You just have to decide.

  FIG. 17A is a diagram showing details of a parent device packet broadcast from the parent device to the child device. The parent device packet has a field sync for storing synchronization data at the head thereof, and a field PID for storing the identification number PID of the game device (parent device) following the synchronization data field sync. Have Following the field PID, a user name field UserName is formed. In the user name field UserName, a user name (player name) read from the EEPROM 54 (FIG. 1), and in this embodiment, “Taro”, “Ichiro”, and the like are registered.

The base unit packet further includes fields EFlag, GameName, and Payload in order following the user name field UserName. Eflag is data indicating that connection to another portable game device (child device) is possible, and is a flag that is turned on when searching for another portable game device (child device) as a parent device. Yes, this flag is turned off when communicating with another portable game device (child device). As described above, GameName is game program identification information stored in the ROM 42 of the cartridge 16 connected to the parent game device.

In the payload field Payload, substantial transmission data from the parent device to the child device is stored. Specifically, the connection response transmitted from the parent device to the child device, the data of the provided character information 1 and the data of the provided character information 2 that are required for the game data exchange process, or the communication game are necessary. This is a field for transmitting game data to be exchanged or game data (character information data) to be exchanged, and a field for storing data transmitted from the parent device to the child device.

FIG. 17B is a diagram showing details of a slave unit packet transmitted from the slave unit to the master unit. The child device packet includes a head field CID that stores an identification number of the game device (child device), a user name field UserName that follows it, and a payload field Payload. The user name field is information on the user name (player name) of the slave unit as described above. The payload field Payload stores substantial transmission data from the child device to the parent device. Specifically, it is a field for storing a connection request transmitted from the child device to the parent device, data of provided character information 1 and provided character information 2 transmitted from the child device to the parent device, or game data. By exchanging the parent device packet and the child device packet, the parent device and the child device can know each other's user name.

When each portable game device 10 operates as a parent device, the transmission of the parent device packet and the reception of the child device packet are alternately repeated, and when operating as a child device, the reception of the parent device packet and the transmission of the child device packet are alternately performed. Repeat. In the communication partner search and connection process (1) or (2), the portable game device 10 broadcasts the parent device packet during the Tsp period, and then transmits the child device packet ( Repeat the process of attempting to receive (connection request). In addition, during the period of Tsc, the portable game device 10 attempts to receive a parent device packet transmitted from another game device, and transmits a child device packet (connection request) if reception is successful. repeat.

  In addition, since the portable game device 10 is driven by a battery, in order to prevent the battery from being wasted, the broadcast data is transmitted every predetermined period (in this embodiment, 64 ms) during the period of working as the master unit. It is. That is, broadcast transmission is executed intermittently.

Although omitted in the character exchange process (FIGS. 12 to 15) described above, provided character information 1, provided character information 2, and game data (character information data) are the payload field Payload of the parent device packet or the child device packet. Is stored between the parent device and the child device.

  The communication partner search and connection process (1) and the communication partner search and connection process (2) will be specifically described below with reference to flowcharts.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing communication partner search and connection processing (1). Referring to FIG. 18, when communication partner search and connection processing (1) is started, Tsc is randomly determined within a range of 0 to Tcycle in step S151. Although illustration is omitted, since Tcycle is a fixed value, when Tsc is determined, Tsp is also determined.

  Subsequent steps S153 to S163 are processes executed in the above-described Tsc, and a process of operating as a slave unit and searching for a master unit is performed. Steps S165 to S177 are processes executed in the above-described Tsp, and a process of operating as a master unit and searching for a slave unit is performed.

  In step S153, a search for the master unit is started. Although not shown, the timer circuit is started at this time. Next, in step S155, it is determined whether or not broadcast data indicating that the parent device can be connected (data in which Eflag is ON) has been received.

  If “YES” in the step S155, that is, if broadcast data (parent device packet) indicating that the parent device can be connected is received, a connection request (child device packet) is transmitted to the parent device in a step S157, and then In step S159, it is determined whether a connection response is received from the parent device. If “NO” in the step S159, that is, if a connection response is not received from the parent device, the process returns to the step S157 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S159, that is, if a connection response is received from the parent device, it is determined that a connection is established with another portable game device as a child device, and in step S161, the child device is determined. The flag is turned on, and the communication partner search and connection process (1) is returned.

  Although omitted in FIG. 18, when the communication partner search and connection process (1) is started, the child device flag (the same as the parent device flag described later) is turned off (reset).

On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S155, that is, broadcast data from the parent device is not received at all, or broadcast data from the parent device is received but the broadcast data does not indicate that connection is possible ( In step S163, it is determined whether or not Tsc seconds have passed in the parent device search time, that is, the period for attempting to connect to another portable game device as a child device.

  However, in step S155, it is determined whether or not the GameName of the broadcast data of the parent device matches the GameName stored in the ROM 42 of the cartridge 16 attached to the master device. If not, the process proceeds to step S163. The same applies to steps S185 and S211 (see FIGS. 19 and 20) in the communication partner search and connection process (2) described later.

  If “NO” in the step S163, that is, if the parent device search time has not passed Tsc seconds, the process returns to the step S155 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S163, that is, if the parent device search time has elapsed for Tsc seconds, the child device search is started in a step S165, that is, the timer circuit is reset and started, and the connection is made in the step S167. Data indicating the possibility (master packet with Eflag set to ON) is broadcasted.

  In subsequent step S169, it is determined whether or not a connection request (child device packet) has been received from the child device. If “YES” in the step S169, that is, if a connection request is received from the slave unit, a connection response is transmitted to the slave unit in a step S171, and the master unit flag is turned on in a step S173 to search for a communication partner. And the connection process (1) is returned. That is, a connection is established between the other portable game devices as the parent device.

  On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S169, that is, if a connection request from the slave unit is not received, in a step S175, 64 ms is waited, and in the subsequent step S177, another communication game as a slave unit search time, that is, a master unit. It is determined whether or not Tsp seconds have passed during the period of trying to connect to the device. If “NO” in the step S177, that is, if the handset search time has not elapsed Tsp seconds, the process returns to the step S167 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S177, that is, if the handset search time has elapsed for Tsp seconds, it is determined that the Tcycle period has elapsed, and the communication partner search and connection process (1) is returned. By waiting for 64 ms in step S175, the broadcast transmission processing in S167 is intermittently performed, and power consumption can be suppressed.

  FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 are flowcharts showing communication partner search and connection processing (2). Referring to FIG. 19, when the communication partner search and connection process (2) is started, Tsc1 is randomly determined within a range of 0 to (Tcycle-Tsp) in step S181. As described above, in the communication partner search and connection process (2), since Tcycle and Tsp are fixed values, when Tsc1 is determined, Tsc2 is also determined.

  Subsequent steps S183 to S193 are processes executed in the above-described Tsc1, and a process of operating as a slave unit and searching for the master unit is performed. Steps S195 to S207 are processes executed in the above-described Tsp, and a process of operating as a master unit and searching for slave units is performed. Further, steps S209 to S219 are processes executed in the above-described Tsc2, and a process of operating as a slave unit and searching for the master unit is performed.

  In step S183, a search for the master unit is started. Although not shown, the timer circuit is started at this time. In step S185, it is determined whether or not broadcast data indicating that the parent device can be connected has been received.

If “YES” in the step S185, that is, if broadcast data indicating that the parent device can be connected is received, a connection request is transmitted to the parent device in a step S187, and then a connection response is sent from the parent device in a step S189. Determine whether it has been received. In step S189, “
If “NO”, that is, if a connection response is not received from the parent device, the process directly returns to step S187. On the other hand, if “YES” in step S189, that is, if a connection response is received from the parent device, the child device is returned. It is determined that a connection has been established with another portable game device, and in step S191, the slave unit flag is turned on, and the communication partner search and connection process (2) is returned as shown in FIG. To do.

  Although omitted in FIG. 19, when the communication partner search and connection processing (2) is started, the slave device flag and the parent device flag are turned off because the communication partner search and connection processing (1) is performed. Is the same as

  On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S185, that is, broadcast data from the parent device is not received at all, or broadcast data from the parent device is received but the broadcast data does not indicate that connection is possible ( In step S193, it is determined whether or not Tsc1 seconds have passed in the parent device search time, that is, the period for attempting to connect to another portable game device as a child device. If “NO” in the step S193, that is, if the parent device search time does not elapse for Tsc1 seconds, the process returns to the step S185 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S193, that is, if the parent device search time Tsc1 seconds elapses, the child device search is started in a step S195, that is, the timer circuit is reset and started, and the connection is made in the step S197. Broadcast data indicating the possibility.

  In a succeeding step S199, it is determined whether or not a connection request is received from the slave unit. If “YES” in the step S199, that is, if a connection request is received from the slave unit, a connection response is transmitted to the slave unit in a step S201, the master unit flag is turned on in a step S203, and a communication partner search is performed. And the connection process (2) is returned. That is, a connection is established between the other portable game devices as the parent device.

  On the other hand, if “NO” in the step S199, that is, if a connection request from the slave unit is not received, in a step S205, 64 ms is waited, and in a subsequent step S207, another communication game is performed as a slave unit search time, that is, a master unit. It is determined whether or not Tsp seconds have passed during the period of trying to connect to the device. If “NO” in the step S207, that is, if the handset search time has not passed Tsp seconds, the process returns to the step S197 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S207, that is, if the handset search time elapses Tsp seconds, a search for the parent device is started in a step 209 shown in FIG. At this time, the timer circuit is reset and started.

  In the next step S211, it is determined whether or not broadcast data indicating that the parent device can be connected has been received. If “YES” in the step S211, that is, if broadcast data indicating that the parent device can be connected is received, a connection request is transmitted to the parent device in a step S213, and then a connection response is transmitted from the parent device in a step S215. Determine whether it has been received. If “NO” in the step S215, that is, if a connection response is not received from the parent device, the process returns to the step S213 as it is. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S215, that is, if a connection response is received from the parent device, it is determined that a connection is established with another portable game device as a child device, and in step S217, the child device is determined. The flag is turned on, and the communication partner search and connection process (2) is returned.

On the other hand, if “NO” in step S211, that is, if broadcast data from the parent device is not received at all, or if broadcast data from the parent device is received but the broadcast data does not indicate that connection is possible ( In step S219, it is determined whether Tsc2 seconds have elapsed. Step S21
If “NO” in step 9, that is, if the base unit search time has not passed Tsc2 seconds, the process directly returns to step S211. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S219, that is, if the parent device search time has elapsed for Tsc2 seconds, it is determined that the Tcycle period has elapsed, and the communication partner search and connection process (2) is returned.

  According to this embodiment, since characters that meet the exchange conditions can be automatically exchanged by wireless communication, there is no trouble of negotiating character exchange with an acquaintance. That is, game data can be exchanged easily.

  Moreover, since the partner to exchange is not limited to an acquaintance, if it goes to the place where people gather, the possibility that characters can be exchanged can be increased, and the enjoyment of exchange can be increased. That is, the interest of the game can be improved.

  In this embodiment, only a game system using a portable game device has been described. However, a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA having a game function can be used instead of the portable game device.

  In this embodiment, one exchange character and one exchange condition are set as exchange conditions set at a time. However, a plurality of provided character information may be set at one time and an exchange condition may be set for each. That is, a plurality of pieces of game data owned by the player are set as game data to be provided, and an exchange condition is set for each. In this way, a plurality of exchange conditions are set at one time, and the probability of matching with the exchange conditions of other players is increased, and the possibility of exchanging game data is further increased.

  In this case, for example, it is assumed that a plurality of provided characters are set in game device A and game device B, and an exchange condition is set for each provided character. When the characters are exchanged between the game device A and the game device B, the exchange conditions of the game device A and the set of characters provided by the game device B that satisfy the conditions are picked up. Then, for the set of the exchange condition (exchange condition a) of the picked-up game apparatus A and the provided character (provided character b) of the game apparatus B, the provided character (provided character a) for which the exchange condition a is set ) Satisfies the exchange condition (exchange condition b) of the game apparatus B set for the provided character b, and if satisfied, the provided character a and the provided character b are exchanged.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the character type and level are specified as the provided character information and the exchange condition. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the character type may be specified. Only the level may be specified without specifying. Further, the information to be specified may be information other than the character type and level.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the master unit broadcasts predetermined information, establishes a connection with the slave unit that has received the information, and then transmits / receives information for determining the exchange condition. The broadcast data transmitted from the parent device may include information for determining the exchange condition (provided character information (type, level) and requested character information (type, level) in the above-described embodiment). . Then, the slave unit that has received the broadcast data refers to the information on the provided character and the request character information included in the broadcast data, and only if the specified information satisfies its own provided character or exchange condition, A connection request may be made to the terminal.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, based on the exchange table, provided game data and exchange conditions are set when the progress of the game satisfies a predetermined condition, but the player can always provide provided game data and exchange conditions. It may be settable.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, while the game process (step S5 in FIG. 7) is being executed, the character exchange process (step S9 in FIG. 7) is simultaneously executed in parallel, but the game process is being executed. If not, only the character exchange process may be executed. In this case, since the display of the LCD 18 is not necessary except during the process of confirming the intention of exchange or the process of displaying information about the game data exchanged when there is an exchange, the power to the LCD 18 is saved for power saving. The supply is cut off (the value of the LCD power supply register is set to 0 and the display of the LCD 18 is turned off), and the CPU 20 performs the character exchange process. Then, processing for confirming whether or not to exchange (steps S128 and 129 in FIG. 14) or processing for displaying information about the exchanged characters (step S116 in FIG. 13 and step S146 in FIG. 15). When executing the above, by setting the value of the LCD power supply register to 1, the power is supplied to the LCD so that the screen for confirming the exchange and information about the exchanged character are displayed on the LCD 18. May be. By doing so, for example, the game device can be carried in a bag or pocket, and the character exchange process can be executed to continue searching for an opponent whose exchange conditions match, and the display on the LCD is off. Convenient for saving power. Assuming such a situation, when turning on the LCD display, a sound (music) is output from the game device, or a vibration function is provided to vibrate the game device to inform the player to that effect. You may make it alert | report.

  Furthermore, even when the character is set as the provided character, when the character is selected as a character to be used for the game process (FIGS. 8 and 9), the provided character is not subject to exchange. You may make it not. That is, for a character selected by the player before the game is started as a character used for the game process, even if the character is set as a provided character, the character exchange process (FIGS. 12 to 15). ), It may be excluded from the processing as not being set as the provided character.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Portable game device 12 ... Portable game machine 14 ... Wireless communication unit 16 ... Cartridge 18 ... LCD
20 ... Processor 22 ... CPU core 24 ... Boot ROM
28 ... WRAM
38 ... Operation switch 42 ... ROM
44 ... Backup RAM

The present invention relates to a communication control system, a portable terminal, a communication control program, and a communication control method .

In wireless communication, connection is possible between a device operating as a parent device and a device operating as a child device, but a device operating as a parent device, a device operating as a parent device, and a child device A device that is operating and a device that is operating as a slave cannot be connected. Furthermore, it becomes impossible to establish a connection in two devices in which the period of operation as a parent device coincides with the period of operation as a child device.

The invention of claim 1 is a communication control system including a plurality of terminals, and each terminal uses a communication means for short-range wireless communication with other terminals, and the communication processing in the first mode using the communication means. Control means for alternately and repeatedly executing communication processing in a second mode different from the first mode. In the first mode communication process, the control unit searches for another terminal that is executing the second mode communication process, and in the second mode communication process, the other terminal that is executing the first mode communication process. Explore. Further, the control means variably sets the length of at least one of the first period for executing the communication process in the first mode and the second period for executing the communication process in the second mode. The start period and the end period of the repeated first period and second period are changed to prevent the first period and the second period from continuously matching between the terminal and another terminal.

The invention of claim 2 is a communication control system including a plurality of terminals, and each terminal uses a communication means for short-range wireless communication with another terminal, and the communication processing in the first mode using the communication means. Control means for alternately and repeatedly executing the two-mode communication processing is provided. The control means searches for an unspecified terminal that is executing the second mode communication process in the first mode communication process, and is executing the first mode communication process in the second mode communication process. Receive a search from the terminal. Further, the control means variably sets the length of at least one of the first period for executing the communication process in the first mode and the second period for executing the communication process in the second mode. The start period and the end period of the repeated first period and second period are changed to prevent the first period and the second period from continuously matching between the terminal and another terminal.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the first mode communication process and the second mode communication process different from the first mode are alternately performed using a communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with another terminal and the communication unit. It is a portable terminal provided with the control means to perform repeatedly. In the first mode communication process, the control unit searches for another terminal that is executing the second mode communication process, and in the second mode communication process, the other terminal that is executing the first mode communication process. Explore. Further, the control means variably sets the length of at least one of the first period for executing the communication process in the first mode and the second period for executing the communication process in the second mode. The start period and the end period of the repeated first period and second period are changed to prevent the first period and the second period from matching between the terminal and the other terminal.

The invention according to claim 8 is a communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with another terminal, and a control unit that alternately and repeatedly executes the first mode communication process and the second mode communication process using the communication unit. It is a portable terminal provided with. The control means searches for a terminal that is executing the second mode communication process in the first mode communication process, and searches for a terminal from the terminal that is executing the first mode communication process in the second mode communication process. receive. Further, the control means variably sets the length of at least one of the first period for executing the communication process in the first mode and the second period for executing the communication process in the second mode. The start period and the end period of the repeated first period and second period are variably set to prevent the first period and the second period from matching between the own terminal and another terminal.

The invention of claim 13 is a communication means for performing near field communication with other terminals, and The portable terminal includes a control unit that alternately and repeatedly executes a first mode communication process and a second mode communication process different from the first mode using the communication unit. In the first mode communication process, the control unit searches for another terminal that is executing the second mode communication process, and in the second mode communication process, the other terminal that is executing the first mode communication process. Explore. Further, the control means variably sets at least one length of a first period for executing the first mode communication process and a second period for executing the second mode communication process.

The invention of claim 14 is a communication means for performing short-range wireless communication with another terminal, and a control means for repeatedly executing the first mode communication process and the second mode communication process by using the communication means. It is a portable terminal provided with. The control means searches for a terminal that is executing the second mode communication process in the first mode communication process, and searches for a terminal from the terminal that is executing the first mode communication process in the second mode communication process. receive. Further, the control means variably sets at least one length of a first period for executing the first mode communication process and a second period for executing the second mode communication process.

The invention of claim 23 uses the communication means for short-range wireless communication with other terminals and the communication means to alternately perform the first mode communication process and the second mode communication process different from the first mode. It is a portable terminal provided with the control means to perform repeatedly. In the first mode communication process, the control unit searches for another terminal that is executing the second mode communication process, and in the second mode communication process, the other terminal that is executing the first mode communication process. Explore. Further, the control means variably sets at least one start period of the first period for executing the first mode communication process and the second period for executing the second mode communication process.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, communication means for short-range wireless communication with other terminals, and control means for repeatedly executing the first mode communication process and the second mode communication process using the communication means. It is a portable terminal provided with. The control means searches for a terminal that is executing the second mode communication process in the first mode communication process, and searches for a terminal from the terminal that is executing the first mode communication process in the second mode communication process. receive. Further, the control means variably sets at least one start period of the first period for executing the first mode communication process and the second period for executing the second mode communication process.

According to the invention of claim 28, the first mode communication process and the second mode communication process different from the first mode are alternately performed by using the communication means for short-range wireless communication with other terminals and the communication means. It is a portable terminal provided with the control means to perform repeatedly. In the first mode communication process, the control unit searches for another terminal that is executing the second mode communication process, and in the second mode communication process, the other terminal that is executing the first mode communication process. Explore. Further, the control means variably sets at least one end of the first period for executing the first mode communication process and the second period for executing the second mode communication process.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with another terminal, and a control unit that executes the first mode communication process and the second mode communication process alternately and repeatedly using the communication unit. It is a portable terminal provided. The control means searches for a terminal that is executing the second mode communication process in the first mode communication process, and searches for a terminal from the terminal that is executing the first mode communication process in the second mode communication process. receive. Further, the control means variably sets at least one end of the first period for executing the first mode communication process and the second period for executing the second mode communication process.

The invention of claim 33 is a communication control program for a portable terminal comprising a communication means for short-range wireless communication with another terminal, wherein the processor of the portable terminal uses the communication means to perform the first mode communication process and A second mode communication process different from the first mode is alternately and repeatedly executed. In the first mode communication process, another terminal that is executing the second mode communication process is searched for, and the second mode communication is performed. In the process, at least one of a first period for searching for another terminal that is executing the first mode communication process and a second mode communication process for executing the first mode communication process is searched. It functions as a control means for variably setting the length.

The invention of claim 34 is a communication control program for a portable terminal comprising communication means for short-range wireless communication with another terminal, wherein the processor of the portable terminal uses the communication means to perform the first mode communication process and the first mode. The second mode communication process is alternately and repeatedly executed. In the first mode communication process, the terminal that is executing the second mode communication process is searched. In the second mode communication process, the first mode communication is performed. The length of at least one of the first period for receiving the search from the terminal executing the process and executing the first mode communication process and the second period for executing the second mode communication process is variably set. Function as control means.

The invention of claim 39 is a communication control method for a portable terminal comprising a communication means for short-range wireless communication with another terminal, wherein the processor of the portable terminal uses the communication means (a) to communicate in the first mode. In the process, another terminal that is executing a second mode communication process different from the first mode is searched, and in the second mode communication process, another terminal that is executing the first mode communication process is searched. (B) The first mode communication process and the second mode communication process are alternately and repeatedly executed, and (c) the first period and the second mode communication process for executing the first mode communication process. At least one length of the second period to be executed is variably set.

The invention of claim 40 is a communication control method for a portable terminal comprising a communication means for short-range wireless communication with another terminal, wherein the processor of the portable terminal uses (a) the communication means to perform communication in the first mode. In the processing, a terminal that is executing communication processing in a second mode different from the first mode is searched, and in the communication processing in second mode, a search from a terminal that is executing communication processing in the first mode is received ( b) The first mode communication process and the second mode communication process are alternately and repeatedly executed, and (c) the first period in which the first mode communication process is executed and the second mode communication process are executed. At least one length of the second period is variably set.

Claims (31)

A game system comprising a plurality of portable game devices and exchanging game data between the game devices,
Each of the game devices
Game data storage means for storing game data;
Provided game data specifying means for specifying provided game data that is allowed to be provided to other game devices among the game data stored in the game data storage means;
An exchange condition setting means for setting exchange condition data indicating an exchange condition that is a condition of game data desired to be provided from the other game device instead of providing the provided game data to the other game device;
Communication means for communicating with other game devices by short-range wireless;
Exchange request transmission means for broadcast-transmitting exchange request data without specifying a destination to another game device using the communication means;
Exchange request receiving means for receiving the exchange request data from another game device using the communication means, and game data for exchanging the game data with another specific game device using the communication means With exchange means,
The first game device of the plurality of game devices transmits the replacement request data using the replacement request transmission means, and the second game device of the plurality of game devices receives the replacement request data. ,
The game data exchange means of the first game device and the game data exchange means of the second game device communicate at least one of attribute information related to the provided game data and the exchange condition data using the communication means. By doing so, the provided game data of the first game device satisfies the replacement condition of the second game device, and the provided game data of the second game device satisfies the replacement condition of the first game device. A game system that determines whether or not the two game conditions are satisfied, and exchanges the provided game data of the first game device and the provided game data of the second game device when both of the exchange conditions are satisfied. A game system comprising a plurality of portable game devices and exchanging game data between the game devices,
Each of the game devices
Game data storage means for storing game data;
Provided game data specifying means for specifying provided game data that is allowed to be provided to other game devices among the game data stored in the game data storage means;
An exchange condition setting means for setting exchange condition data indicating an exchange condition that is a condition of game data desired to be provided from the other game device instead of providing the provided game data to the other game device;
Communication means for communicating with other game devices by short-range wireless;
A connection establishment means for performing a process for establishing a connection by wireless communication with a specific other game device using the communication means; and a communication with the specific other game device using the communication means. Game data exchange means for exchanging the game data between,
In the first game device and the second game device of the plurality of game devices, the connection establishment means of any one of the game devices broadcasts connection request data and receives the connection request data. The first connection establishment process for establishing a connection state with the device is executed, and the connection establishing means of the other game device receives the connection request data and broadcasts the connection request data. Executing a second connection establishment process for establishing a connection state with the game device of
The game data exchange means of the first game device and the game data exchange means of the second game device communicate at least one of attribute information related to the provided game data and the exchange condition data using the communication means. By doing so, the provided game data of the first game device satisfies the replacement condition of the second game device, and the provided game data of the second game device satisfies the replacement condition of the first game device. If it is determined whether or not both of the replacement conditions are satisfied, the first game device and the second game device communicate with each other using the communication means, so that the first game device A game system for exchanging the provided game data and the provided game data of the second game device. The game device includes:
Game program storage means for storing a game program;
Game program execution means for generating the game data by executing the game program, and game data storage processing means for storing the game data generated by the game program execution means in the game data storage means, The game system according to claim 1 or 2.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the exchange condition data includes data designating a type of game data desired to be provided.   The game system according to claim 4, wherein the exchange condition data further includes an attribute value of game data desired to be provided.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the exchange request transmission unit continuously broadcasts the exchange request data.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the provided game data designating unit designates the provided game data according to an instruction from a player.   The game system according to claim 7, wherein the provided game data specifying unit is enabled when a progress state of a virtual game executed by the game device satisfies a predetermined condition.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the exchange condition setting unit sets the exchange condition according to an instruction from a player.   The game system according to claim 9, wherein the exchange condition setting unit is enabled when a progress status of a virtual game executed by the game apparatus satisfies a predetermined condition.   The provided game data specifying means automatically specifies the provided game data according to the predetermined condition when the progress of the virtual game executed by the game device satisfies the predetermined condition. The game system described in Crab.   The exchange condition setting means automatically sets the exchange condition according to the predetermined condition when the progress status of the virtual game executed by the game device satisfies the predetermined condition. The described game system.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game data exchanging means includes confirmation means for confirming whether or not to exchange with a player when it is determined that both the exchange conditions are satisfied. The game device includes:
Game program storage means for storing a game program, and game program execution means for executing the game program,
When the game program is being executed by the game program executing means, the connection establishing means is connected to another game device, and the game data exchanging means is used to connect the other game devices satisfying both the exchange conditions. The game system according to claim 2, wherein game data exchange processing is executed.   When the progress of the virtual game by the game program execution means satisfies a predetermined condition, the game apparatus connects to another game apparatus by the connection establishment means, and satisfies both the exchange conditions by the game data exchange means. The game system according to claim 14, wherein game data exchange processing is executed with another game device.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the exchange request transmission means broadcasts at least one of attribute information related to the provided game data and the exchange condition data. The provided game data designating means can designate a plurality of the provided game data,
The exchange condition setting means sets exchange condition data in association with each of the provided game data,
The game data exchanging means of the first game device and the game data exchanging means of the second game device each of the provided game data of the first game device and the provided game data of the second game device. For each combination, first provided game data that is one of the provided game data of the first game device is associated with second provided game data that is one of the provided game data of the second game device. The first provided game when it is determined that the second exchanged game data satisfies the exchange condition that is satisfied, and the exchange condition associated with the first provided game data is satisfied. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the data and the second provided game data are exchanged. Selection means for selecting at least one of the game data stored in the game data storage means;
Game program storage means for storing a game program; and game program execution means for causing the game data selected by the selection means to appear in the virtual game world and executing the game program,
The game data exchange means determines whether or not the exchange condition is satisfied for the game data selected by the selection means among the provided game data designated by the provided game data designation means, and The game system according to claim 1, wherein the provision game data is not exchanged. The identification information exchanging means for exchanging the identification information of the game apparatus with the other specific game apparatus, and the confirmation condition when the confirmation means exchanges with the player, The game system according to claim 13, further comprising a presentation unit that presents the identification information about a specific other game device to a player. The game device includes:
Display means, and power control means for controlling power supply to the display means,
The exchange request transmission means, the exchange request reception means, and the game data exchange means execute respective processes while the power supply to the display means is stopped by the power control means,
The power control means supplies power to the display means at a timing related to processing by the game data exchange means,
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays information related to exchange. The game device includes:
A mounting means for detachably mounting a medium storing a game program, game identification information that is identification information of the game program, and the game data;
When the medium is mounted on the mounting unit, the game program, the game identification information, and the game data are read from the medium, and the game identification information read by the reading unit is specified. A game identification information exchange means for exchanging with other game devices;
The game according to claim 1, wherein the game data exchanging means exchanges the provided game data with the game data exchanging means of the specific other game device when the game identification information indicates a match. system. Game data storage means for storing game data;
Provided game data specifying means for specifying provided game data that is game data that is allowed to be provided to other game devices among the game data stored in the game data storage means;
An exchange condition setting means for setting exchange condition data indicating an exchange condition that is a condition of game data desired to be provided from the other game device instead of providing the provided game data to the other game device;
Communication means for communicating with other game devices by short-range wireless;
Exchange request transmission means for broadcast-transmitting exchange request data without specifying a destination to another game device using the communication means;
Exchange request receiving means for receiving the exchange request data from another game device using the communication means, and game data for exchanging the game data with another specific game device using the communication means With exchange means,
The game data exchanging means communicates at least one of the attribute information related to the provided game data and the exchange condition data with the specific other game device using the communication means, thereby In cooperation with the game data exchange means of the game device, the provided game data of the game device satisfies the exchange condition of the other game device, and the provided game data of the other game device is the exchange condition of the game device. If it is determined whether or not both of the replacement conditions are satisfied, by communicating with the other game device using the communication means, the game data provided by itself and the other game device A game apparatus for exchanging the provided game data.   23. The game apparatus according to claim 22, comprising switching means for alternately executing processing of said exchange request transmission means and processing of said exchange request reception means. The switching means alternately repeats a first period during which the desired exchange data is broadcast by the process of the desired exchange transmission means and a second period during which the desired exchange data is attempted to be received by the process of the desired exchange receiving means. ,
24. The game device according to claim 23, further comprising period length setting means for variably setting at least one of the first period and the second period. The switching means alternately repeats a first period during which the desired exchange data is broadcast by the process of the desired exchange transmission means and a second period during which the desired exchange data is attempted to be received by the process of the desired exchange receiving means. ,
24. The game device according to claim 23, further comprising period start setting means for variably setting the start of at least one of the first period and the second period. Game data storage means for storing game data;
Provided game data specifying means for specifying provided game data that is allowed to be provided to other game devices among the game data stored in the game data storage means;
An exchange condition setting means for setting exchange condition data indicating an exchange condition that is a condition of game data desired to be provided from the other game device instead of providing the provided game data to the other game device;
Communication means for communicating with other game devices by short-range wireless;
Connection establishing means for performing processing for establishing a connection by wireless communication with a specific other game device using the communication means, and the other specific game satisfying the exchange conditions with the provided game data Game data exchange means for exchanging game data of the apparatus using the communication means,
The connection establishment means broadcasts connection request data and executes a first connection establishment process for establishing a connection state with another game device that has received the connection request data, or from another game device. Receiving the transmitted connection request data, and executing a second connection establishment process for establishing a connection state with the other game device that broadcast-transmitted the connection request data;
The game data exchanging means communicates at least one of the attribute information related to the provided game data and the exchange condition data with the other game apparatus using the communication means, thereby the other game apparatus. In cooperation with the game data exchanging means, the game data provided by the user satisfies the exchange conditions of the other game device, and the game data provided by the other game device satisfies the exchange conditions of the game device. If it is determined whether or not both exchange conditions are satisfied, by communicating with the other game device using the communication means, the self-provided game data and the other game device A game device that exchanges provided game data.   Having a function of executing the first connection establishment process and a function of executing the second connection establishment process, comprising switching means for alternately executing the first connection establishment process and the second connection establishment process; The game device according to claim 26. The switching means alternately repeats a first period for broadcasting the connection request data by the first connection establishment process and a second period for attempting to receive the connection request data by the second connection establishment process,
28. The game apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising period length setting means for variably setting a length of at least one of the first period and the second period. The switching means alternately repeats a first period for broadcasting the connection request data by the first connection establishment process and a second period for attempting to receive the connection request data by the second connection establishment process,
28. The game apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising period start setting means for variably setting the start of at least one of the first period and the second period. A plurality of portable game devices including a processor, game data storage means for storing game data, and communication means for communicating with other game devices by short-range wireless communication, and exchanging game data between the game devices A game program to be executed by each of the game devices,
In the processor of the game device,
Provided game data designation step for designating provided game data that is game data that is allowed to be provided to other game devices among the game data stored in the game data storage means;
An exchange condition setting step of setting exchange condition data indicating exchange conditions that are conditions of game data desired to be provided from the other game device instead of providing the provided game data to the other game device;
An exchange request transmission step of broadcast-transmitting exchange request data without specifying a destination to another game device using the communication means;
The exchange request receiving step of receiving the exchange request data from the exchange request transmission means of another game device using the communication means, and the specific game device using the communication means By communicating at least one of the attribute information related to provided game data and the exchange condition data, the provided game data of the user satisfies the exchange conditions of the other game apparatus in cooperation with the other game apparatus. In addition, when it is determined whether or not the provided game data of the other game device satisfies the exchange condition of the game device, and if it is determined that both of the exchange conditions are satisfied, the other game using the communication unit is determined. A game data exchange step of exchanging the provided game data of the player and the provided game data of the other game device by communicating with the device; A game program to be executed. A plurality of portable game devices including a processor, game data storage means for storing game data, and communication means for communicating with other game devices by short-range wireless communication, and exchanging game data between the game devices A game program to be executed by each of the game devices,
In the processor of the game device,
Provided game data designation step for designating provided game data that is game data that is allowed to be provided to other game devices among the game data stored in the game data storage means;
An exchange condition setting step of setting exchange condition data indicating exchange conditions that are conditions of game data desired to be provided from the other game device instead of providing the provided game data to the other game device;
The communication means is used to broadcast connection request data and execute a first connection establishment process for establishing a connection state by wireless communication with another game device that has received the connection request data, or other A connection establishment step of receiving a connection request data transmitted from the game device and executing a second connection establishment process for establishing a connection state with the other game device that broadcast-transmitted the connection request data; and By communicating at least one of the attribute information related to the provided game data and the exchange condition data with the other game device using the communication means, The provided game data satisfies the replacement condition of the other game device, and the provided game data of the other game device. Determines whether or not the exchange condition is satisfied, and communicates with the other game device using the communication means when determining that both the exchange conditions are satisfied. A game program for executing a game data exchange step for exchanging data and the provided game data of the other game device.

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