JP2014030756A - Program execution device, program server, and image printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable: usage of a general-purpose card for various programs; easy change of a program title to be used; and a user to easily generate an original card.SOLUTION: An IC tag 8-attached seal 9 is issued to a user by using an image printing apparatus 7 that includes: a camera 10 for picking up an object; and seal output means 13 for printing, and outputting, an object image 11 on an IC tag 8-attached seal base-sheet 12, the IC tag with a card ID recorded therein. Further, a card ID is read from a card 4 attached with the seal 9, and program content and the like related to the card ID are retrieved to enable use of a program. In the case of a card ID not being registered, a key ID for identifying program content selected by the user and a program title are correlated with the card ID to register at a card information management DB.

Description

  The present invention relates to a program execution device that can read information on a card distributed to a user and execute it using program data associated with the card information, and a program server to which the program execution device can be connected via a computer network. And an image printing apparatus that prints and outputs a sticker attached to a card.

  Conventionally, a card for playing a game card in which specific game data or user data is stored in a barcode or IC chip as a program execution device is read to a user, and the card is read by a card reader / writer of a game machine. Game machines are widespread. The game card may be ejected from the game machine when a coin is inserted, sold by a card vendor installed separately from the game machine, or sold alone by a mass retailer or a toy store.

  In order to maintain the user's interest by increasing variations of the game, normally, more than 100 types of cards are prepared. And since such many kinds of cards are sold according to a predetermined appearance rate in such a manner that the kinds cannot be deciphered in advance, the user repeats the purchase until obtaining a desired card. Moreover, the game card is also a collection target of users (collectors) who do not play the game due to the sales form including such gambling elements.

As examples of such game card management methods and card game machines, the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 are helpful.
JP 2002-224262 A JP 2007-275614 A

  By the way, the above-described game card is a dedicated card for each maker and title (type) of the game, and it is necessary for the card vendor to install a dedicated card. For this reason, when the game machine is replaced, it is necessary to replace the card vendor at the same time.

  Further, since the IC chip is embedded in the card at the time of card manufacture and cannot be replaced by the user, it is necessary to replace the card itself even when it is desired to replace only the IC chip when changing game specifications.

  Furthermore, the game maker or the like generally determines game characters and the like related to a game that can be played on the card in the conventional game card design. For this reason, conventional game cards lack originality and novelty, and possessing the cards themselves cannot give joy and satisfaction.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. A general-purpose card can be used for executing various programs, the program title to be executed can be easily changed, and the user can easily use the original card. It is an object of the present invention to provide a program execution device, a program server, and an image printing device that can be created.

  According to a first main aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program execution device capable of reading information on a card distributed to a user and executing a program based on program data associated with the card information. Titles of a plurality of types of programs that can be used using the program, types of program content that can be used in each program, key data for specifying a specific type of program content, card identification information that uniquely identifies the card, The card information management DB for storing the information, the card acquisition information for reading the card identification information from the card held by the user, and the title usable in the program execution device, and the acquired card identification information and title A card that determines whether it is registered in association with the card information management DB When it is determined that the information has been registered with the information determination means, the key information associated with the card identification information and the program content type usable in the program are searched from the card information management DB. The content identification means for identifying the program content based on the program content type, the program control means for executing the program by incorporating the identified program content, and the card information determination means, the card identification information and the title are not yet obtained. Card identification information including content selection receiving means for receiving selection of program content that the user desires to use, key data for specifying the program content selected by the user, and the title of the program when it is determined that the program is registered Related It said program execution device, characterized in that it includes a card information registration means for registering the card information management DB is provided with.

  According to the second main aspect of the present invention, when a card distributed to a user is presented, a program execution device that can be used based on program data associated with the card is connected via a computer network. Connectable program server, titles of multiple types of programs that can be used based on the card, types of program content that can be used in each program, and key data for specifying the specific types of program content And a card information management DB that stores the card identification information that uniquely identifies the card in association with each other, a program title that can be used by the program execution device from the program execution device, and a card read from the presented card When the identification information is received, the received information is the card information. Card information discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it is registered in association with a physical DB, and when it is determined that the card identification information and the program title have been registered, the key data and the acquisition associated with the card identification information It is determined that the program content is specified from the card information management DB based on the program title and the program content transmission means for transmitting the program content to the program execution device, and the card identification information and the program title are unregistered. A program content selection receiving unit that searches the card information management DB for program content that can be used by this program, presents the searched program content to the program execution device, and receives a selection; Card information registration means for registering key data for identifying the program content in the card information management DB in association with the program title and card identification information when the selection of the program content is accepted. A program server is provided.

  Furthermore, according to a third main aspect of the present invention, a camera for photographing a subject, and a seal output means for printing and outputting the photographed subject image at a predetermined position on a sticker mount with an IC tag, The IC tag is recorded with card identification information, and the IC tag-attached sticker is attached to a general-purpose card having no data storage function to form a card, and this card is presented to the program execution device. Thus, an image printing apparatus is provided in which the card identification information is read and the program can be used.

  According to the present invention, for example, the card identification information is registered in association with the program title and program content, so that the usable program title and program can be used by simply reading the identification information from the card presented to the program execution device. Identify content. Thus, a general-purpose card that is not associated with any program title or the like when the card is manufactured can be used for various programs.

  In addition, since a card with an IC tag issued by a seal vendor is attached to a general-purpose card, the user can easily program titles to be used by replacing the sticker with an IC tag. Can be changed to

  In addition, since the seal vendor prints the image of the subject photographed with the built-in camera on a sticker mount with an IC tag, the user can attach the sticker on which a favorite photograph is printed to a general-purpose card, thereby You will be able to easily create a card.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram showing a case where the program execution device of the present invention is applied to a card type game system. The game system denoted by reference numeral 1 in this figure has a configuration in which a plurality of arcade game machines 3 and 3 installed inside and outside a game center 2 are connected via a communication network such as a LAN or WAN. The game machine 3 reads game data and the like recorded on the card 4 by a player (user) inserting the game card 4 into a card slot, scanning with a scanner, or holding the game card 3 over a reading unit 5. It is a video game (card game machine) that can be played by reading a game program based on data and / or performing a predetermined calculation. Below, the example which makes the game card 4 contact the reading part 5 of the game machine 3 is demonstrated. Since other configurations of the card game machine 3 are conventionally known, only the configuration related to the present invention will be described below.

  The game card 4 is sold or distributed free of charge at a card vending machine (card vendor) 6 separately installed in the game center 2. This card vendor 6 is a conventionally well-known card sales device, and detects that a predetermined amount of coins or coins has been inserted from the user, and discharges the cards 4 in order from the card stocker. The card 4 is a general-purpose card that is formed of cardboard, a resin plate, or the like and does not have a function of storing specific game data that can be used by the game machine 3 of the system 1 such as game data and ID. That is, the player cannot use the card 4 to play with the game machine 3 of the system 1. The card 4 functions as the game card 4 by being affixed with a sticker 9 with an IC tag 8 output from the image printing apparatus 7 also installed in the game center 2. The card 4 can also be used as a card for a purpose other than the play of the card game machine 3 (a prepaid card, a membership card, a trading card, etc.), or a part of the card game machine 3 such as a demo play. It can also be configured as a card that can only be played. In the latter case, a sticker 9 with an IC tag 8 is affixed so that play restrictions are lifted and all play and more advanced play are possible, giving an incentive to use the card Is preferred. Further, a part of the plurality of game machines 3 and 3 may be configured as such a card combined game machine.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image printing apparatus 7 includes a camera 10 that captures a subject, and a seal output unit 13 that prints and outputs a photographed image 11 of the subject at a predetermined position on a sticker mount 12. Yes. An IC tag 8 on which identification information readable by the game machine 3 is recorded is attached to the end of the sticker mount 12. A substantially center avoiding the IC tag 8 is a print area P of the image 11 of the subject.

  The identification information is recorded on the IC tag 8 by the manufacturer or administrator of the sticker when the sticker mount 12 is manufactured, and is also notified to the manufacturer of the game machine 3 or the administrator of the game center. The manufacturer or the like of the game machine 3 records the notified identification information in a card ID management table 26 of the game machine 3 to be described later. That is, when this identification information is issued, it is not associated with any particular game machine 3, game title, or particular user. In this embodiment, this identification information is composed of eight digits, and a predetermined number is assigned to a game machine manufacturer, a game center, or the like according to the number of game machines 3 to be managed. For example, it is preferable to allocate about 100 to 10000 per game machine.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the sticker mount 12 is divided into a plurality (four) of stickers 9a to 9d, and IC tags 8a to 8d are attached to the stickers 9a to 9d, respectively. The sticker output means 13 prints and outputs the subject image 11 on the print areas P and P of the stickers 9a to 9d of the sticker mount 12, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, the identification information recorded in these four IC tags 8a to 8d has a configuration in which the first seven digits (0000001) are common and only the last one digit (0 to 3) is different. Yes. The previous 7 digits constitute the seal group identification information, and the lower 1 digit is used as user identification information described later. When the identification information having such a configuration is read by the game machine 3 and transferred to the other game machine 3, a communication battle can be immediately started between the friends. In addition, since the game title and game content can be instantly specified, it is not necessary to set a battle play or a joint play each time. In the following, the identification information is referred to as “card ID”, and the card 4 with the IC tag-attached seal 9 is referred to as “game card 4”.

In order to exhibit the functions as described above, the game system 1 (game machine 3) of the present embodiment has a configuration as shown in FIG.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, the system 1 is connected to a CPU 15 built in the game machine 3 via a system bus 16, an external storage device 18 such as a RAM 17, a ROM, an HDD, and an input / output interface. (I / F) 19 is connected. The input / output I / F 19 includes an input device 20 such as an operation lever and buttons, an output device 21 such as a display for displaying a generated game screen, a communication device 22 such as a NIC, and a removable device such as a CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM. A drive 24 for the recording medium 23 is connected to each other. The external storage device 18 includes a data storage unit 18a and a program storage unit 18b. Each is a certain storage area secured in the storage device.

  In such a hardware configuration, by receiving various commands via the input device 20, the communication device 22, etc., the software program installed in the storage device 18 is called and executed on the RAM 17 by the CPU 15. Thus, the function of the present invention is achieved in cooperation with the OS (operation system). The program can also be installed from the removable recording medium 23.

  In the data storage unit 18a, in addition to pre-recorded game content data, results calculated by software described later, and information obtained from other game machines 3 via the communication device 22 or the like are described and updated as needed. . Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the data storage unit 18a stores titles and title IDs of a plurality of types of games that can be played using the game card 4. The title ID management table 25, the card ID management table 26 for storing the card identification information for uniquely identifying the game card 4 and the game title and the like, and the game content available in each game are classified into the types of the game content. And a content table 27 stored in association with (key ID). The plurality of tables 25 to 27 function as a game card information management DB by being configured so that they can be cross-referenced based on a key ID, a game title ID, and the like.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, for a plurality of stickers 9 (9a to 9d in FIG. 1) issued simultaneously, a 7-digit number common to these seal groups and a 1-digit function that functions as a user ID. Since the card ID is composed of numbers, the card ID management table 26 stores them separately as shown in FIG. Four groups with the group ID “0000000” are issued simultaneously, and eight groups with the group “0000001” are issued simultaneously.

  The game title ID management table 25 is updated in synchronization with the increase or decrease of game titles that can be played in the system 1 in game makers, game centers, and the like. In this figure and the following tables, “0xFFFF” and “−” indicate unregistered data.

  The card ID management table 26 is created and updated when the card ID of the IC tag 8 attached to the sticker 9 is acquired from the manufacturer or manager of the sticker mount 12. As described above, a predetermined number of consecutive card IDs are issued collectively to game makers, game centers, and the like. Further, the card 4 in this example is issued by the card vendor 6 storing and issuing only credit information (not used and frequency 50), and subtracted according to the number of times played by the game machine 3 and the like. (Remaining frequency) is configured to be writable.

  When the game card 4 is not used, all items of remaining frequency (credit), title ID, and key ID are “0xFFFF” (unregistered). When the user attaches the sticker 9 to the card 4 and causes any one of the game machines 3 to read the card ID, the data of the card 4 and the key ID for specifying the game content selected by the user are registered. . The game content may be associated with the card ID in advance, and the user's selection may be omitted.

  Similar to the card ID management table 26, the content table 27 is created and updated when the card ID of the IC tag 8 is acquired, and when the user causes any game machine 3 to read the card ID, The key ID for specifying the data of the card 4 and the game content selected by the user is registered. As shown in this example, the registered game card 4 has one game content in the content table 27 based on the content DB name of the game title ID management table 25 and the key ID of the card ID management table 26. Identified.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the program storage unit 18b in FIG. 2 acquires a card ID from the game card 4 read by the game machine 3 in addition to the main program, and the card ID management table 26. The data acquisition means 28 for specifying a game title that can be played on the game machine 3, and the card information determination means 29 for determining whether the acquired card ID and game title are registered in association with the card ID management table 26. When it is determined that the card has been registered, the card ID management table 26 and the content table 27 are referred to, and the key ID associated with the card ID and the game content type (ID) that can be used in this game are determined. Search and specify game content based on this key ID and game content ID When the content identification means 30, the game control means 31 that incorporates the identified game content and advances the game according to a predetermined game program, and the card ID and the game title are unregistered, the game content is stored in the output device 21. The content selection accepting means 32 that accepts selection of game content that the user desires to use via the input device 20, the key ID that identifies the game content selected by the user, and the title of the game Game data including game content between the game card information registration means 33 associated with the card ID and registered in the card ID management table 26 and another game machine 3 capable of playing the game of the same title via the computer network And card ID And a communication control unit 34 that. Each means is an independent program, its routine, subroutine, module, etc., which are loaded onto the RAM 17 by the CPU 15 and executed as needed to achieve the functions of the present invention.

  Here, the game control means 31 refers to the card ID management table 26 when the communication control means 34 receives a card ID from three other games during play or when a play request is received. It is determined whether the ID and the first seven digits of the card ID being played (seal group specifying information) are common, and if they are common, the game content specified by the content specifying means 30 and received from another game machine 3 The game content is also incorporated, and a function for performing a communication battle in synchronism with other game machines 3 is also provided. As described above, the game cards 4 to which the plurality of stickers 9 with IC tags 8 that are issued at the same time are attached are used in the respective game machines 3, so that “competition (competition)” and “joint” are performed according to these card IDs. ", The role assignment of each player, etc. are automatically set. Thereby, each player does not need a troublesome communication battle setting, and can immediately start playing.

Hereinafter, detailed functions of the system 1 will be described together with actual operations with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The processing steps of the game machine 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the user purchases the card 4 in advance by the card vendor 6 and discharges the sticker 9 with the IC tag 8 by the image printing apparatus 7 and attaches it to the card 4. The description of the process is omitted.

  First, when the user inserts a coin into the game machine 3 and holds the game card 4 over the card reading unit 5, the data acquisition means 28 reads the card ID from the IC tag 8 attached to the seal 9 (S1). This card ID is transferred to the card information determination means 29, and it is determined whether or not a game title ID or key ID is registered in the card ID management table 26 for this card ID (S2).

  If the key ID or the like is not registered (No in S2), the card ID or the like is transferred to the game card information registration means 33, and the game title and game content are registered for this card ID (S3). Thereby, the game card can be used.

  On the other hand, if the registration of the key ID or the like can be confirmed in S2 (Yes in S2) and the frequency (credit) recorded on the card is 1 or more (Yes in S4), the content specifying unit 30 determines the game title ID. The game contents (weapons, armor, parts, etc.) registered for this card ID are searched by sequentially referring to the management table 25, the card ID management table 26, and the content table 27 (S5 to S7). The searched game content is delivered to the game control means 31. The game control means 31 incorporates the game content into the basic game data, executes and calculates the game program, and advances the game while acquiring the operation command of the player (user) (S8). If the frequency is 0 in S4, error processing such as outputting a standard message such as “Add credit” to the display is executed (S9).

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is characterized in that a game machine in a game center and a game server are connected via a computer network, and the game server executes the main functions of the present invention. In the following, the same or corresponding components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the game system 40 includes a plurality of game machines 42 and 42 installed in a game center 41, and a game server 43 to which these game machines 42 and 42 are connected via a computer network. Composed. One or more game machines 42 and game server 43 may be installed outside the game center 41.

  The game server 43 includes a game card information management DB including a game title ID management table 25, a card ID management table 26, and a content table 27, and game titles and users that can be played on the game machine 42 from the game machines 42. The data receiving means 44 for receiving the card ID read from the game card 4 presented by the user, the card information determining means 29, and the card ID and the game title associated with the card ID are registered. Based on the key ID and the acquired game title, the game card information management DB is referred to identify the game content, and the game content transmitting means 45 for transmitting the game content to the game machine 42; the content selection receiving means 32; , Game card information registration means 33 and And a communication control unit 46 from a plurality of game machines 42 to perform receiving and communication competition data such as the card ID and the game content.

  In addition, the game machine 42 of this embodiment acquires the card ID data read by the reading unit 5 and transmits it to the game server 43, and the communication control means 51 that controls data communication with the game server 43. It has.

  With this configuration, the game system 40 consolidates the main functions in the game server 43, so that the processing of the game machine 42 at the start of the game or during play can be minimized. Further, increase / decrease of game titles and content updates can be executed only by the game server 43, and maintenance of the game machine 42 can be easily performed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not change the summary of invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the card vending machine (card vendor) 6 and the image printing apparatus (seal vendor) 7 are provided independently. However, they can be integrated or connected via a computer network to enable data communication. It can also be configured. In this case, the card and the sticker can be issued at the same time, and the card identification information can be recorded on the IC tag attached to the sticker when the sticker is issued. In the above embodiment, a game machine has been described as an example of a program execution device. However, the program is not limited to a game as long as it is a program that needs to read and execute a title or content for each program. It may be applied to the program.

FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram of a card type game system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the game machine. FIG. 3 is a data configuration diagram of the card data management DB. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing steps. FIG. 5 is a network configuration diagram of the card type game system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

1 ... Game system 2 ... Game center 3 ... Game machine 4 ... Game card 5 ... Reading unit 6 ... Card vending machine (card vendor)
7 ... Image printing device 8 (8a-8d) ... IC tag 9 (9a-9d) ... Seal 10 ... Camera 11 ... Image 12 ... Seal mount 13 ... Seal output Means 15 ... CPU
16 ... System bus 17 ... RAM
18 ... External storage device 18a ... Data storage unit 18b ... Program storage unit 19 ... Input / output interface 20 ... Input device 21 ... Output device 22 ... Communication device 23 ... Removable recording medium 24 ... Drive 25 ... Game title ID management table 26 ... Card ID management table 27 ... Content table 28 ... Data acquisition means 29 ... Card information discrimination means 30 ... Content specifying means 31 ... Game control means 32 ... Content selection accepting means 33 ... Game card information registration means 34 ... Communication control means 40 ... Game system 41 ... Game center 42 ... Game machine 43 ... Game server 44 ... Data receiving means 45 ... Game content sending means 46 ... Communication control means 50 ... Data acquisition means 51 ... Communication control means

Claims (9)

A program execution device capable of reading information on a card distributed to a user and executing a program based on program data associated with the card information,
Titles of multiple types of programs that can be used using a card, program content types that can be used in each program, key data for specifying a specific type of program content, and card identification information that uniquely identifies the card A card information management DB for storing
A data acquisition unit that reads card identification information from a card held by a user and acquires a title that can be used by the program execution device;
Card information determination means for determining whether the acquired card identification information and title are registered in association with the card information management DB;
When it is determined that the card has been registered, the key information associated with the card identification information and the program content type usable in the program are searched from the card information management DB. Content identifying means for identifying program content based on;
Program control means for executing the program by incorporating the specified program content;
Content selection receiving means for receiving selection of program content that the user desires to use when the card information determining means determines that the card identification information and title are unregistered;
A program execution device comprising: card information registration means for registering key data for specifying program content selected by a user and a title of the program in the card information management DB in association with card identification information. The program execution device according to claim 1,
The program execution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program is a game. The program execution device according to claim 1,
The card is configured by attaching a sticker integrated with an IC tag on which the card identification information is recorded to a general-purpose card that does not have a data storage function. A program execution device obtained in advance from a manufacturer or an administrator of a seal and stored in the card information management DB. A program execution device according to claim 3,
As for the sticker, a seal group consisting of a plurality of stickers each having an IC tag is issued to the user at the same time, and card identification information recorded on the plurality of IC tags is information that can identify the seal group. Including
The card information management DB stores card identification information including the seal group specifying information. The program execution device according to claim 4,
Furthermore, it comprises a communication control means for transmitting and receiving card data including program content and card identification information to and from another program execution device that can use a program of the same title via a computer network.
The program control means, when receiving card identification information from another program execution device, refers to the card information management DB to determine whether the card identification information includes seal group specifying information, and seal group specifying information Including the program content specified by the content specifying means and the program content received from another program execution device, and performing communication in synchronization with the other program execution device. apparatus. A program execution device according to claim 3,
The sticker attached to the card is issued to a user by an image printing apparatus that prints an image of a subject photographed by a built-in camera at a predetermined position on a sticker mount with an IC tag. . When a card distributed to the user is presented, a program execution device that can be used based on program data associated with the card is a program server that can be connected via a computer network,
Titles of multiple types of programs that can be used based on the card, types of program content that can be used in each program, key data for specifying a specific type of program content, and card identification that uniquely identifies the card A card information management DB for storing information in association with each other;
When the program execution device receives the title of the program that can be used by the program execution device and the card identification information read from the presented card, the received information is registered in association with the card information management DB. Card information determination means for determining whether or not
When it is determined that the card identification information and the program title have been registered, the program content is specified from the card information management DB based on the key data associated with the card identification information and the acquired program title, Program content transmitting means for transmitting the program content to the program execution device;
When it is determined that the card identification information and the program title are unregistered, the program information usable in this program is searched from the card information management DB, and the searched program content is presented to the program execution device for selection. Program content selection accepting means for accepting,
Card information registration means for registering key data for identifying the program content in the card information management DB in association with the program title and card identification information when selection of the program content is received from the program execution device. A program server characterized by that. A camera to shoot the subject,
A seal output unit that prints and outputs a photographed image of a subject on a predetermined position of a sticker mount with an IC tag;
The IC tag has card identification information recorded therein,
This sticker with IC tag is affixed to a general-purpose card that does not have a data storage function to form a card. When this card is presented to the program execution device, the card identification information is read and the program can be used. An image printing apparatus characterized by The image printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The sticker output means prints and outputs an image of the subject on each sticker of a sticker mount divided into a plurality of stickers attached with an IC tag,
The card printing information recorded on the plurality of IC tags includes seal group identification information common to the plurality of stickers.

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