JP2019080990A - Game device and game program - Google Patents

Abstract

CONSTITUTION: A game device 12 includes an input/output processor 42a, and exchanges messages (data) with another game device 12 connected via a network following an instruction of the input/output processor 42a. For example, the game device 12 (game device A) registers an automatic reply message in a transmission message box, and notifies another game device 12 (game device B) or the like of the presence of the automatic reply message. When a user of the game device B transmits a message including automatic reply request information to the game device A, the game device A enables transmission of the automatic reply message accordingly and transmits it to the game device B.EFFECT: The game device can exchange data with other game machines even when no online game is played.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a game device and a game program, and more particularly to a game device and a game program which transmit and receive data to and from another device via a network and use the transmitted and received data.

  Examples of this type of background art are disclosed in US Pat. Patent document 1 registers game data of a plurality of users in a server, and exchanges game data when an exchange condition is satisfied. In Patent Document 2, communication between game machines is performed by short distance wireless communication to exchange game data with each other.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2003-23661 JP, 2005-28103, A

  However, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, a dedicated server is required, and game data needs to be registered in the server.

  Further, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is necessary for the game machines to approach the communication range, and for the same game program to be approached in the activated state.

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

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a game device and a game program capable of providing data among a plurality of game devices without providing a server dedicated to online games.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a game device and a game program which can easily provide data among a plurality of game devices and can increase the opportunity for provision.

A first invention is a game apparatus that transmits and receives data to and from another device via a network, and executes a game program using the transmitted and received data, comprising: a communication unit, transmission / reception management means, and return data A storage unit, a received data storage unit, a game processing unit, a received data determination unit, and an automatic reply unit. The communication unit transmits and receives data. The transmission and reception management means causes the communication unit to transmit and receive data. The reply data storage means stores predetermined reply data for automatic reply. The received data storage means stores the received data received. The game processing means executes a game program designated by the user and utilizes received data. The reception data determination means stores the received data received in the received data storage means when transmission / reception is performed by the transmission / reception management means and data is received, and reply request information indicating that the received data is requested to be returned It is determined whether or not it is included. The automatic reply means automatically reads the reply data from the reply data storage means when the reception data stored in the reception data storage means includes the reply request information in the reception data judgment means, and transmits the reply data via the communication unit. Send.

  In the first invention, the game device transmits / receives data to / from another device via the network, and executes a game program using the transmitted / received data. The communication unit transmits and receives data, and the transmission and reception management means causes the communication unit to transmit and receive data. The reply data storage means stores predetermined reply data for automatic reply. The received data storage means stores the received data received. The game processing means executes a game program designated by the user and, at this time, utilizes the received data stored by the received data storage means. The received data determination unit stores the received data in the received data storage unit when data is received by the transmission / reception management unit performing transmission / reception. Then, it is determined whether or not the received data includes response request information indicating that a response is requested. The automatic reply means automatically reads the reply data from the reply storage means and transmits it via the communication unit when the reception data stored in the reception data storage means includes the reply request information in the reception data discrimination means Do. However, the reply data is transmitted to the device that has requested reply.

  According to the first invention, it is possible to automatically reply to the received data, and to exchange data with other game machines even while playing an online game. .

  A second invention is a game apparatus according to the first invention, wherein the automatic reply means deletes the reply data from the reply data storage means after sending the reply data.

  In the second invention, when the reply data is transmitted, the automatic reply means deletes the reply data from the reply data storage means.

  According to the second invention, the automatic reply can be performed only once.

  A third invention is a game apparatus according to the first invention, wherein the automatic reply means reads out and transmits reply data each time data is received.

  In the third invention, different from the second invention, the automatic reply means reads out and transmits reply data each time data is received. For example, a copy of the reply data is sent.

  According to the third invention, the automatic reply can be performed without limitation of the number of times.

  In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the game processing means executes a game program for trading items in a game via a network, and the reply data includes data on the item and includes reply request information. The received data further includes intention indication information to agree to the transaction of the item, and the automatic reply means transmits the transmission data including the data related to the item according to the received data including the reply request information It is a game device according to the second aspect of the present invention that establishes a transaction in a game by being played.

In a fourth aspect, the game processing means executes a game program for trading items in a game via a network. The reply data includes data relating to the item, and when reply request information is included, it further includes intention indication information indicating that the transaction of the item is agreed. In the automatic reply means, transmission data concerning the item is transmitted to the other apparatus which has made a reply request according to the reception data including the reply request information.
This establishes a transaction in the game.

  According to the fourth invention, it is possible to exchange an item with another game machine by communication even while the user is playing a game.

  A fifth invention is a game apparatus according to the fourth invention, wherein the game processing means includes a notification process of causing the communication unit to transmit notification data notifying that a transaction is to be made.

  In the fifth invention, the game processing means causes the communication unit to transmit notification data for notifying that a transaction is to be made by the notification processing.

  According to the fifth invention, other users can be notified in advance, and exchange of items can be promoted.

  A sixth invention is a game program of a game apparatus which transmits and receives data to and from another apparatus via a network and uses the transmitted and received data, the computer of the game apparatus, a communication unit, and a transmission / reception management means , Reply data storage means, received data storage means, game processing means, received data determination means, and function as automatic reply means. The communication unit transmits and receives data. The transmission and reception management means causes the communication unit to transmit and receive data. The reply data storage means stores predetermined reply data for automatic reply. The received data storage means stores the received data received. The game processing means executes a game program designated by the user and utilizes received data. The reception data determination means stores the received data received in the received data storage means when transmission / reception is performed by the transmission / reception management means and data is received, and reply request information indicating that the received data is requested to be returned It is determined whether or not it is included. The automatic reply means automatically reads the reply data from the reply data storage means when the reception data stored in the reception data storage means includes the reply request information in the reception data judgment means, and transmits the reply data via the communication unit. Send.

  Also in the sixth invention, as in the first invention, it is possible to automatically reply to the received data, and even while playing an online game, data with other game machines Can communicate with each other.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically reply to received data, and to exchange data with other game machines even while playing an online game.

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

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

  Referring to FIG. 1, a game system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a video game device (hereinafter simply referred to as a “game device”) 12 and a controller 22. Although not shown, the game apparatus 12 of this embodiment is designed to be able to communicate with up to four controllers 22. Also, the game apparatus 12 and each controller 22 are connected by wireless. For example, wireless communication is performed according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, but may be performed according to other standards such as infrared and wireless LAN.

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

  A power button 20a and a reset button 20b are provided on the front of the housing 14 of the game apparatus 12, and an eject button 20c is provided on the lower thereof. Furthermore, an external memory card connector cover 28 is provided between the reset button 20 b and the eject button 20 c and in the vicinity of the disk slot 16. An external memory card connector 62 (see FIG. 2) is provided inside the external memory card connector cover 28, and an external memory card (hereinafter simply referred to as a "memory card") not shown is inserted. The memory card loads and temporarily stores a game program or the like read out from the optical disc 18, or saves (saves) game data (game result data or interim data) of a game played using the game system 10. ) Is used to keep it. However, instead of storing the game data in the memory card, the game data may be stored in an internal memory such as a flash memory 44 (see FIG. 2) provided inside the game apparatus 12, for example. It is also good. Also, the memory card may be used as a backup memory of the internal memory.

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

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

  The power of the game apparatus 12 is provided by a general AC adapter (not shown). The AC adapter is plugged into a standard household wall socket, and the gaming device 12 converts the household power (commercial power) into a low DC voltage signal suitable for driving. In another embodiment, a battery may be used as a power source.

In this game system 10, in order for the user or player to play a game (or not limited to a game, other applications), the user first powers on the game apparatus 12, and then the user wants to play a video game (or play) An appropriate optical disk 18 recording the program of another application (I think) is selected, and the optical disk 18 is loaded to the disk drive 54 of the game apparatus 12. In response, the game device 12 starts to execute the video game or other application based on the program recorded on the optical disc 18. The user operates controller 22 to provide input to game device 12. For example, operating any of the input means 26 starts a game or other application. In addition to the operation on the input unit 26, moving the controller 22 itself moves the moving image object (player object) in different directions or changes the user's viewpoint (camera position) in the 3D game world. it can.

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

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

The system LSI 42 is provided with an input / output processor 42a, a graphics processor unit (GPU) 42b, a digital signal processor (DSP) 42c, a VRAM 42d, and an internal main memory 42e. Ru.

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

The GPU 42 b forms a part of the drawing means, and generates a graphics command (from the CPU 40)
In response to the drawing command, the game image data is generated according to the command. However, CPU
In addition to the graphics command, the image processing program 40 provides the GPU 42b with an image generation program necessary for generating game image data.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Although power is supplied to the system LSI 42 also in the standby mode, by stopping the clock supply to the GPU 42 b, the DSP 42 c, and the VRAM 42 d, the power consumption is reduced by preventing them from being driven. is there.

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

  However, if the user does not want to use the standby mode, setting the standby mode not to be used completely shuts off the power supply to all circuit components when the power button 20a is turned off.

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

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

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

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

  The cross key 26 a is a four-way push switch, and includes four directions indicated by arrows, front (or upper), back (or lower), right and left operation parts. By operating any one of the operation units, it is possible to designate the moving direction of the character or object (player character or player object) operable by the player, or to designate the moving direction of the cursor.

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

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

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

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

  The B trigger switch 26i is also a push button switch, and is mainly used to perform an input simulating a trigger such as shooting a bullet or to designate a position selected by the controller 22. Also, when the B trigger switch 26i is kept pressed, the motion and parameters of the player object can be maintained in a constant state. Also, in certain cases, the B trigger switch 26i functions in the same manner as a normal B button, and is used to cancel an action determined by the A button 26d, and so on.

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

  Furthermore, the controller 22 has an imaging information calculation unit 80 (see FIG. 4), and as shown in FIG. 3A, a light incident port 22d of the imaging information calculation unit 80 is provided on the front end surface of the housing 22a. Provided. In addition, the controller 22 has a speaker 86 (see FIG. 4), and the speaker 86 is an upper surface of the housing 22a as shown in FIG. 3B, and has one button 26b and one HOME button 26f. It is provided inside the housing 22a corresponding to the sound release hole 22e provided between.

  The shapes of the controller 22 shown in FIGS. 3 (A) to 3 (E), and the shapes, the numbers, the installation positions, etc. of the input means 26 are merely examples, and they are appropriately modified. Needless to say, however, the present invention can be realized.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the controller 22. As shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, controller 22 includes a processor 70, to which external expansion connector 22b, input means 26, memory 72, acceleration sensor 7 are connected by an internal bus (not shown).
4, wireless module 76, imaging information calculation unit 80, LED 82 (indicator 22c), vibrator 84, speaker 86, and power supply circuit 88 are connected. In addition, an antenna 78 is connected to the wireless module 76.

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

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

  Further, the acceleration sensor 74 detects accelerations in three axes of the controller 22 in the longitudinal direction (y-axis direction), the lateral direction (x-axis direction), and the front-rear direction (z-axis direction). The acceleration sensor 74 is typically a capacitive acceleration sensor, but another type of acceleration sensor may be used.

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

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

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

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

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

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the viewing angles of the markers 340m and 340n and the controller 22. As shown in FIG. 6, the markers 340m and 340n respectively emit infrared light in the range of the viewing angle θ1. Further, the imaging element 80c of the imaging information calculation unit 80 can receive light incident in a range of the viewing angle θ2 centering on the viewing direction of the controller 22. For example, the viewing angles θ1 of the markers 340m and 340n are both 34 ° (half value angle), while the viewing angle θ2 of the imaging device 80c is 41 °. The player holds the controller 22 such that the imaging device 80c is positioned and oriented so as to receive infrared light from the two markers 340m and 340n. Specifically, at least one of the markers 340m and 340n is present in the view angle θ2 of the imaging device 80c, and the controller 22 is present in the view angle θ1 of at least one of the markers 340m or 340n. Thus, the player holds the controller 22. When in this state, the controller 22 can detect at least one of the markers 340m and 340n. The player can perform the game operation by changing the position and the orientation of the controller 22 within the range satisfying the state.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  When the game apparatus 12 (CPU 40) detects marker coordinate data from the received input data, the designated position (designated coordinate) of the controller 22 on the screen of the monitor 34 and the marker 340 m from the controller 22 are used based on the marker coordinate data. And each distance up to 340 n can be calculated. Specifically, from the positions of the midpoints of the two marker coordinates, the position to which the controller 22 faces, ie, the designated position is calculated. In addition, since the distance between the target images in the captured image changes in accordance with the distance between the controller 22 and the markers 340m and 340n, the game apparatus 12 and the controller 22 calculate the distance between the two marker coordinates. The distance between the markers 340m and 340n can be grasped.

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

  In this embodiment, although a case where a plurality of game devices 12 are connected to the network 106 will be described, the number of game devices 12 may be one. Also, a plurality of distribution servers 104 may be provided according to the type of download data (content). Furthermore, a PC is also connected to the network 106, and a mobile phone is also connected via a mobile phone network. Besides, various electronic devices can be connected to the network to send and receive messages with the game device 12 via the mail server 102.

The game devices 12 can communicate with each other via the network 106. The message input by the player or the message generated by the game device 12 is converted into an e-mail format, and transmitted / received (exchanged) between the game devices 12 via the network 106 and the mail server 102. Therefore, the mail server 102 can use a general-purpose mail server. Therefore, the game device 12 can also exchange messages, that is, e-mails, with terminals (terminals other than the other game devices 12) such as a PC and a mobile phone. Such message transmission / reception processing in the game apparatus 12 is automatically executed according to a predetermined schedule even if the user does not issue a transmission / reception instruction, so the user receives a message even if he / she does not periodically check it. You can play games and other applications in a state of In addition, the game apparatus 12 is between the game apparatus 12 whose destination has been registered in the address book (friend list 44d described later) or a terminal other than the other game apparatus 12 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “other terminal”). It is also possible to send and receive messages only on the Internet, so that it is possible to prevent the user from receiving unnecessary messages such as spam mail even using a general purpose mail system.

  In addition, the game machine 12 can execute a message board function which is an application for displaying the received message on the monitor 34. However, unique messages that depend on other applications (such as games), data that is used only by the application can be made readable only by the application. Therefore, when it is desired to send a message only to a specific user, the message board function can be made unreadable by sending data depending on each application in the message. However, regardless of the type of application, messages that can be referred to can be displayed on the monitor 34 by the message board function and can be referred (read) by anyone.

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

  FIG. 25 shows an example of a state in which a message is displayed on the monitor 34 by the message board function. In the example of FIG. 25, the message board function displays a list of messages received that day. For example, it is possible to display a message acquired from a network, a message from a family, a history of playing a game, and the like. In addition, a button for starting a program for creating a memo, a message, or a message to be sent to the network is displayed. Message data is managed on a date-by-date basis, the screen is switched by specifying another day, and messages received on a specified date are similarly listed. The contents (text and the like) of the message may be viewed from the beginning, or only the time and the title may be displayed in the list, and the message may be viewed by opening the message.

  Further, although detailed description will be omitted, in the message (e-mail), data (image data) of an image (still image in this embodiment) or another terminal drawn by the game application or the application for drawing an image The image data held in can be attached. This image data is displayed on the monitor 34 together with the message by the message board function. For example, image data held in another terminal is data of an image (still image) or its thumbnail image captured by a digital camera or a camera of a mobile phone.

  Furthermore, although detailed description is omitted, the message (e-mail) can also be attached with application dependent data such as game data.

  The following describes the information contained in the message. In this embodiment, header information as shown in FIG. 9 is added to the message. Specifically, the header information includes information on the sender, the address, the subject, the date and time, the identification information of the application on the transmission side, the message board display ON / OFF attribute, the message board date and time specification, the overwrite tag, the other application restriction, the disappearance attribute, and the reception. Includes announcement attribute, alternative nickname and reply attribute.

  The transmission source information is the identification information (or e-mail address) of the game apparatus 12 or the e-mail address of another terminal, which is the transmission source (sender side) of the message. Here, the identification information of the game apparatus 12 is information for identifying the game apparatus 12 individually, and is, for example, a character string using at least one of a number and an alphabet. Further, an e-mail address using a character string of identification information of the game device 12 is set in the e-mail address of the game device 12. Since the e-mail address of the game apparatus 12 is uniquely determined from the identification information, it may be managed by any information. The destination information is the identification information (e-mail address) of the game apparatus 12 at the destination of the message, that is, the receiving side (transmission destination), or the e-mail address of another terminal. The subject is the title of the message.

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

  The reception notification attribute is information indicating whether or not to notify the user that the message has been received, and indicates, for example, the values of “none” and “pattern ID”. If the reception notification attribute indicates "absent", the notification process is not executed on the receiving side even if the message is received. However, when the reception notification attribute indicates "pattern ID", the LED of the insertion slot of the disk slot 16 is blinked (blinking) in accordance with the pattern indicated by the pattern ID indicating that the message has been received. Alternatively, sounds (music) may be played according to the pattern.

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

The message board date / time designation information is information indicating whether to designate a date and time for displaying the message on the message board. If the date and time are designated as this information, the message is displayed on the message board on the date and time. However, if the date and time are not specified as this information, the message is displayed on the date and time of reception.

  The overwrite tag is information on whether to overwrite the received message. In this embodiment, the overwrite tag includes “ON” or “OFF” and “overwrite ID”. When the overwrite tag for the message (for convenience of explanation, this message is referred to as “this message”) indicates “ON”, a message in which all of the transmission source, the application ID, and the overwrite ID match (for convenience of explanation , “Previous message” is compared in the received message box 44b. Then, if all of the transmission source information, the application ID, and the overwrite ID match, the current message is overwritten on the previous message. That is, when data for the same application is required only for the latest message of the same sender (for example, the highest score of the game score), the application sends the message in the game device 12 on the transmitting side. When creating, when overwrite indicates "ON" and a message having the same overwrite ID is created, the reception side always overwrites the latest message. In this way, it is possible to prevent the useless message from squeezing the capacity of the flash memory 44. However, if any one of the transmission source, the application ID and the overwrite ID is different, it means that the message is another purpose message, and therefore it is not overwritten by the current message. Also, when the overwrite tag ID for the current message indicates "OFF", the current message is not overwritten.

  The other application restriction information is information indicating whether or not the message can be referred to by applications other than the application indicated by the application ID. If this information indicates that the application is an electronic mail (message) that can be referenced by other applications (other application restriction is off), the message can be read from other applications. On the other hand, when this information indicates that the message can not be referred to by other applications (other application restriction is on), the message is prohibited from being read from other applications. However, when the other application restriction is on, the content of the message may not be referred to by other applications, and the message may be displayed on the message board.

  In addition, since the e-mail from the other terminal is not a message generated by the application of the game apparatus 12, the information of the other application restriction can not be included, and the e-mail (message) concerned is automatically all It can be referenced by the application.

  The extinction attribute is information indicating whether or not the message is to be automatically deleted on the receiving side. If the extinction attribute indicates "do not delete", the receiving side does not automatically delete the message. However, in the case where the extinction attribute indicates “designated time”, the receiving side automatically extinguishes the message after the designated time has elapsed since the message arrived (received). That is, since the message disappears when the designated time passes while the received message is not used in the application such as the message board function, the message including the information of meaningless meaning after the time limit such as notification is wasted. By storing the data in the storage space, it is possible to prevent the capacity of the flash memory 44 from being compressed, and to prevent the user from being given useless information after the time limit has passed.

The alternative nickname is information indicating whether or not to display a nickname designated by the sender when the message is displayed. If this information is empty, when the message is displayed, the nickname registered in the address book is referred to as the sender information, and the nickname is displayed. In addition, when the alternative nickname includes a character string, when the message is displayed, the character string of the alternative nickname is displayed instead of the nickname registered in the address book. The character string included in the alternative nickname can be used not only for the name but also for displaying a predetermined wording on the display part.

  The reply attribute is information indicating whether it is possible to reply to the message. When users exchange messages, they can usually reply, but they should not reply to messages automatically created from applications (for example, recording of game play results). Since there is also information, set such a reply attribute. When the reply attribute indicates "OK", it is possible to reply to the message. In such a case, for example, when the message is displayed by the message board function, when the user selects (instructions) to reply, a message input screen (not shown) for reply is displayed, and a reply message is displayed. It is possible to create However, when the reply attribute is "impossible", reply to the message is impossible. In such a case, for example, when the message board function is displaying the message, the user can not select (instruct) to reply, or a message that the user can not reply to the message is displayed. Do.

  In addition to the above header information, in general electronic mail, there is also header information such as Cc, Bcc, Reply-To, Return, etc. In this embodiment, in the game apparatus 12, the header information is included in the header. Information not to be used is ignored for both transmission data and reception data.

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

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

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

In this embodiment, more general-purpose e-mail format data is transmitted and received to and from the mail server, but the format of the data is not limited to e-mail, and can be diverted in various formats. In particular, when the communication is limited to the game devices 12, the general format may not be used, and even when communicating with other terminals, any general format that can be processed by the terminal is applicable. Also, the type of server may be any type of server other than the mail server, as long as the type of server holds data transmitted until access from the terminal.

  In addition, if the transmission function is stopped for some reason or a communication failure occurs, transmission data will not be transmitted, so the data volume of the transmission message box 44a may be full. is there. In such a case, registration of the transmission message in the transmission message box 44a is not accepted.

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

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

  The management file 44c is management information on the game apparatus 12, and stores information unique to the game apparatus 12, such as identification information of the game apparatus 12, a profile of the user, etc., and is read out as necessary. Friend list 44 d corresponds to a so-called e-mail address book, and describes identification information (or e-mail address) of another registered game device 12 and e-mail addresses of other terminals. The friend list 44d can be referred not only to the message board function but also to various applications. However, among the identification information of the other game devices 12 described in the friend list 44 d and the e-mail addresses of the other terminals, the identification information of the other game devices 12 for which friend registration described later has been executed or the e-mail addresses of the other terminals Except for the e-mail (received data) sent from. That is, when the transmission source is unknown, received data is filtered. This allows for the automatic deletion of unwanted emails such as spam emails.

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

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

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

  The remaining download count indicates the number of times the download can be performed. In this embodiment, when the game apparatus 12 (input / output processor 42a) transmits a connection request (request) to the network 106 (distribution server 104) for download, the remaining download count is decremented by one in the normal case. Then, when the remaining download count becomes 0, the task is deleted from the task list 44e, and the task can not be executed. By setting the number of remaining downloads, the download can be performed in a necessary period, and it is possible to prevent the execution of useless download processing even if the download is not necessary.

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

  The retry margin is a time that is allowed to exceed the execution time (scheduled time) of the next task determined by the download activation interval. For example, when the power of game device 12 is completely turned off or when a network failure occurs, the task can not be executed and the task can be executed next. May exceed the scheduled time of the task, but if the scheduled time is significantly exceeded, the already downloaded data itself may become unnecessary. Therefore, when the retry margin is set at the time of task registration and the scheduled time of the task is determined according to the task start interval, the time (retry permissible time) at which the retry is permitted is determined according to the retry margin. . If the retry allowable time is exceeded, the task is not executed, and is thereafter deleted from the task list 44e. The retry margin is set by the user or automatically set according to the type of download data.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The main body application area 44h is an area for storing a program (software) of an application incorporated as a main body function. For example, a menu program at the time of activating the game apparatus 12, an application of a function (main body function) of the game apparatus 12 itself such as a message board function and a friend registration function is stored (installed) in the main application area 44h. That is, the game apparatus 12 can read a program such as a game stored in the optical disc 18 to execute an application or read a program stored in the flash memory 44 to execute an application. It is. Further, the program stored in the main application area 44h can be added to other than the above-mentioned software.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the procedure of friend registration will be described. Friend registration is to register in advance a person who is permitted to transmit and receive a message in the friend list 44d. In the present embodiment, among the messages received from the mail server 102, the messages sent from the senders for which the friend registration has not been performed are automatically deleted. That is, in the case where the game machines 12 exchange messages with each other, it is necessary to register the other party as a friend in each game machine 12. Here, in the friend registration, it is not a state in which the registration is carried out unilaterally, but a relation in which it is confirmed that there is an intention of registration mutually should be established, but in the following, the relation Called "friendship". Specifically, friends are registered with each other in game devices 12, and confirmation of each other's registration is completed, and game device 12 registers another terminal between game device 12 and another terminal. The game device 12 confirms that the other terminal has permitted the registration. Therefore, in order to establish a friend relationship, the following procedures are executed between the game device 12 and another game device 12 or another terminal, respectively. FIG. 11 shows a procedure for friend registration between the game devices 12 and FIG. 12 shows a procedure for friend registration between the game device 12 and another terminal. This friend registration is performed by sending and receiving a message. That is, the friend registration is executed through the processing in the input / output processor 42 a of each game device 12.

  Note that, in FIG. 11, in order to make the two game devices 12 easy to understand, one game device 12 will be called “game device A” and the other game device 12 will be called “game device B”. Further, in FIG. 12, the game apparatus 12 is referred to as "game apparatus C", and the other terminals are referred to as "terminal D".

In addition, in the friend registration, prior to the registration, the identification information of the game apparatus 12 and the e-mail address of the other terminal need to be mutually known by contacting or directly discussing the users in advance. However, in the case where the game device 12 owned by one user and another terminal are to be registered as friends, it is sufficient that the user knows the mail address of the other terminal. Hereinafter, the procedure for friend registration will be described according to the time axis.

  First, with reference to FIG. 11, a procedure for establishing a friend relationship between game devices 12 will be described. The registration to the friend list 44d is performed by each user in each game device 12, so the registration timing is different. Here, the game device 12 registered first is used as the game device A. explain. The user of the game apparatus A inputs the mail address (identification information) of the game apparatus B to the friend list 44d of the game apparatus A and registers it. Then, the game apparatus A automatically transmits, to the game apparatus B, a message (registration message) indicating that the e-mail address of the game apparatus B has been registered in the address book (friend list 44d). As mentioned above, the registration message is sent in the form of an e-mail. However, in this case, since messages are automatically transmitted and received between the game devices 12, it is sufficient if the game devices 12 can decipher them. Therefore, this registration mail may be a message that can not be deciphered by humans, such as a string of alphabets and numbers, or may be an empty mail. The same applies to the case where the game devices 12 automatically send and receive messages.

On the other hand, in the game apparatus B, the registration message is received, but as described above, the registration timing is different for each user, and the e-mail address of the game apparatus A is unregistered at this stage. When the registration message from the game apparatus A is received, the registration message is deleted as it is. At this point in time, in game device A, a friend relationship with game device B is not established. As a matter of course, even in the game apparatus B, the friend relationship with the game apparatus A is not established.

  Thereafter, when the user of the game apparatus B registers the e-mail address of the game apparatus A in the friend list 44d of the game apparatus B, the game apparatus B displays a registration message indicating that the e-mail address of the game apparatus A has been registered in the address book. Automatic transmission to game device A. In the game device A, since the mail address of the game device B is already registered in the friend list 44d, the game device A receives the registration message transmitted from the game device B and holds it in the reception message box 44b. By this, it is confirmed that they have registered each other, and thus, in the game apparatus A, a friend relationship with the game apparatus B is established. Then, the game apparatus A automatically transmits, to the game apparatus B, a confirmation message (reception confirmation message) indicating that the registration mail has been received from the game apparatus B.

  At this point, in game device B, the e-mail address of game device A has already been registered in friend list 44d, so game device B receives the reception confirmation message sent from game device A, and receives the received message. Hold in box 44b. As a result, it is confirmed that the registration has been made with each other, so that the game device B establishes a friend relationship with the game device A. Then, since the game apparatus B performs the same process as the game apparatus A, the game apparatus B automatically transmits the reception confirmation message to the game apparatus A. The game device A receives the reception confirmation message from the game device B. However, since the friend relationship is already established at this point, the reception confirmation is not performed for this, and then this reception confirmation is performed. The message is deleted from the received message box 44b.

  As described above, the same processing is performed in each game device 12 to automatically transmit a registration message after address registration, establish a friend relationship when a message is received after registration, and transmit a reception confirmation message. By performing each of the above, the establishment of the friend relationship after registration is automatically performed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a procedure for establishing a friend relationship between the game apparatus 12 and another terminal will be described. The other terminals are general-purpose terminals capable of processing e-mails and do not have the configuration of the input / output processor 42a of the game machine 12, etc. Therefore, in the case of the game device 12 and other terminals In this case, the registration can only be started from the game apparatus 12 side. When the user of game device C registers the mail address of terminal D in friend list 44 d of game device C, game device C transmits a registration message to terminal D. However, in order to transmit a message to the game device C instead of the game device 12, the terminal D needs to send a message back to the game device C from the user of the terminal D. Therefore, the registration message needs to transmit a message prompting a reply in a form decipherable by the user (human) of the terminal D. For example, a registration message including a text such as “If e-mail can be sent to and received from game device C by replying to this e-mail,” is sent. At this point, in the game device C, the friend relationship with the terminal D is not established.

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

  In terminal D, since the establishment of the friend relationship can not be confirmed, there is no need to transmit the reception confirmation message from the game device C together with the establishment of the friend relationship.

  Further, as described above, in this embodiment, in the case where the e-mail address of the other game device 12 is only registered in one of the two game devices 12, the friend relationship is set. Has not been established. In such a case, although illustration is omitted, the address registered in one of the game devices 12 is displayed in light gray, and then displayed in black when the friend relation is established, establishing the friend relation. The user may be able to recognize the presence or absence of. However, this is merely an example, and the display may be changed with the same color and the difference in luminance, or the display may be changed with different colors. Further, in the game apparatus 12, the presence or absence of establishment of a friend relationship with the game apparatus 12 registered in the friend list 44d or another terminal is determined in the friend list 44d by, for example, a flag or the like. For example, a flag corresponding to the identification information (or e-mail address) of the game apparatus 12 in which the friend relationship is established or the e-mail address of another terminal is turned on. On the other hand, the flag corresponding to the identification information (or e-mail address) of the game apparatus 12 in which the friend relationship is not established or the e-mail address of the other terminal is turned off. By referring to the flag, it is possible to decide whether to enable or prohibit the creation of a normal message other than the registration message, and to delete the received message or save it in the received message box 44b. However, even if it is a means other than the flag, for example, the address before establishment of the friend relationship and the address after establishment may be identified by storing in another area.

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

  As shown in FIG. 13B, inside the input / output processor 42a, a trigger is generated at predetermined time intervals, which is a unit time of processing, and when the trigger is generated, the trigger generation time and the above-mentioned message are transmitted / received. A process of comparing the scheduled time and the scheduled time of downloading is performed, and when the scheduled time is exceeded, the process is activated. Therefore, when the task is scheduled after the trigger occurs, the task is executed when the next trigger occurs, so the actual execution time of the task is scheduled according to FIG. 13A. It may be slightly delayed from time t2.

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

  Note that the task execution can be temporarily stopped or resumed depending on the request from the application, and even in such a case, there is a possibility that the task execution time may be delayed.

As described above, when a delay occurs in the execution time of a task, data to be downloaded may already be unnecessary. Therefore, when a delay occurs, it is determined whether or not execution of the task is permitted. In order to make a decision, a retry margin is set as attribute information of the task. Specifically, when executing a task, when to start executing the task (current time)
However, it is determined whether or not it exceeds the retry allowable time obtained by adding the time indicated by the retry margin to the scheduled execution time of the task. Then, when the current time exceeds the retry allowable time, the task is not executed and the task is deleted from the task list 44e. On the other hand, when the current time does not reach the retry allowable time, the task is executed and the subsequent processing is continued.

  The processing of software executed by each of the CPU 40 and the input / output processor 42a will be specifically described below. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the game application process executed by the CPU 40 shown in FIG. However, although a game application is described as an example in this embodiment, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to applications other than games. Referring to FIG. 14, when the CPU 40 starts the game application process, it is determined in step S1 whether the game is over. Here, it is determined whether the game is over or the game is ended according to the instruction of the player. If "YES" in the step S1, that is, if the game is ended, the game application processing is ended as it is. On the other hand, if "NO" in the step S1, that is, if the game is not ended, the game processing is executed in a step S2. Here, the CPU 40 causes the player character to execute an arbitrary action according to the operation of the player, or controls the movement of the non-player character. At this time, under the instruction of the CPU 40, the GPU 42b generates (updates) game image data. In addition, under the direction of the CPU 40, the DSP 42c generates sound data as needed. Thus, the game is advanced.

  Hereinafter, a case will be described in which instructions for generation of transmission data, acquisition of reception data, and acquisition of download data are generated during execution of game processing. Here, the CPU 40 determines whether those instructions have been input by the operation of the player or the occurrence of a game event.

  Note that depending on the type of application, there may be an application that uses only one of transmission data, reception data, and download data, so determination processing of all the instructions is not necessarily performed.

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

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

  Next, in step S7, it is determined whether there is a download data acquisition instruction. If "YES", that is, if there is a download data acquisition instruction, the process proceeds to the download data acquisition process of step S8 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if "NO" in the step S7, that is, if there is no download data acquisition instruction, the process returns to the step S1. By the above processing, it is possible to use the reception data, the transmission data, and the download data as needed while executing the game processing. Although illustration is omitted, processing for generating a download task under a predetermined condition and storing the task in the task list 44 e may be included according to a user instruction or an event.

Next, the details of the transmission data generation process of step S4 described above, the reception data acquisition process of step S6, and the download data acquisition process of step S8 will be described.

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

  Next, in step S11, it is determined whether the destination is that of the game machine 12 itself. Since the destination of the game machine 12 is stored in the management file 44c as described above, the destination is read and compared with the destination of the message. If "YES" in the step S11, the electronic mail created in the step S12 is stored in the reception message box. This is the case, for example, when a memo or message or a game result or the like browsed by the user using a message board function or the like is created, and another process for browsing is stored by storing it in the reception message box. Even if it does not, it can be viewed like other received data.

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

    Next, the received data acquisition process of step S6 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S14, the reception message box 44b is confirmed. Subsequently, in step S15, it is determined whether there is received data having an application ID addressed to the application or received data that can be viewed. That is, the CPU 40 refers to the header information of each received data stored in the received message box 44b, and determines whether the application ID matches the application ID indicating the application. And CPU40 acquires the said received data, when application ID is the information which identifies the said application. In addition, even if the application ID does not match the application ID of the application, the CPU 40 can acquire the reception data as needed if the restriction on the other application is off. The CPU 40 does not acquire other received data.

  If "NO" in the step S15, that is, if the received data of the application ID addressed to the application or the viewable received data does not exist, the received data acquisition process is ended as it is, and the process returns. On the other hand, if "YES" in the step S15, that is, if there is received data or viewable received data of the application ID addressed to the application, the received data is read out from the received message box 44b in a step S16. In the next step S17, the acquired received data is stored as game data in the main memory (42e, 46). Therefore, the received data is used for the subsequent game processing. For example, the received data may be stored in the save area 44f by subsequent game processing, or may be discarded from the main memory after being used for the game processing.

Then, in step S18, it is determined whether the received data acquired is the received data addressed to the application. If "NO" in the step S17, that is, if it is not the received data addressed to the application, the received data acquisition process is ended as it is, and the process returns. That is, since the received data addressed to the other application is originally used by the other application, the deletion is prohibited. On the other hand, if "YES" in the step S18, that is, if it is the received data addressed to the application, there is usually no need to leave it in the message box 44b after data acquisition, so the received data is received in the step S19. Delete from message box 44b and return. However, when the disappearance attribute of the header information of the received data indicates "not erased", the CPU 40 returns without executing the process of step S19 even if the received data is addressed to the application.

  Next, the download data acquisition process of step S8 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S23, the download box 440 is confirmed. Then, in step S25, it is determined whether there is download data of the application. That is, the CPU 40 determines whether the download data to which the application ID of the application is attached is stored in the download box 440.

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

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

  Further, although in this embodiment the CPU 40 executes the game application process, the type of application need not be limited to this, and other types of applications such as image browsing software may be used. Similar processing can be performed.

  For example, since the above-mentioned message board function is also an application, the same process is performed, but since the message board function is mainly an application for creating and viewing a message, the processes of steps S7 and S8 are not performed. Hereafter, with reference to FIG. 16 thru | or FIG. 18, a message board function is demonstrated in detail in detail processing rather than the above-mentioned general (game) application. Note that the message board function referred to here is not only processing pertaining to the display of the message board, but is automatically executed when the power of the game apparatus 12 is turned on or when the power of the game apparatus 12 is turned on, reception It is described as including processing of data.

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

  In step S45, it is determined whether or not there is a message board display instruction. If "YES" in the step S45, that is, if there is a message board display instruction, the process proceeds to a message board display process of a step S46 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if "NO" in the step S45, the process returns to the step S41. That is, as a whole of the message board function, received data is moved to the database 44g even when the message board is not displayed. In addition, even while the message board is being displayed, the received data may be moved. In this way, while viewing the message, the newly received message can be confirmed in real time.

  Next, the message board display process of step S46 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S60, it is determined whether a date has been designated. The message board lists messages by date, as shown in FIG. 25. If the date designation is changed, messages on the date can be viewed. As the default designated date, the day on which the display of the message board is performed, that is, "today" is designated, it is possible to change as needed until the display of the message board is finished. The current date (date) can be acquired by accessing the ROM / RTC 48.

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

  In step S62, arrangement of the background and other objects is performed, and a process related to display other than the message is performed. In step S63, it is determined whether or not there is a message of the designated date in the database 44g. Specifically, for example, in the above-described embodiment where messages are stored in folders for each date, it is determined whether a file exists in the folder corresponding to the date. If "NO" in the step S63, since there is no message to be displayed, it is returned only by displaying the background etc. other than the message as it is.

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

  Returning to the explanation of FIG. 16, in step S47, it is determined whether or not the display of the message board is ended. For example, when instructed by the user, the display of the message board is ended. Therefore, if "YES" in the step S47, the process returns to the step S41.

  If "NO" in the step S47, the display of the message board is continued, but next, in a step S48, it is determined whether or not a message input instruction has been issued. On the message board, for example, as shown in FIG. 25, a message creation button is displayed, and it is possible to create a message according to a user's instruction. For example, if "YES" at step S48, the message input process at step S49 shown in FIG. 17 is performed due to the condition that the user operates the message creation button. If "NO", the process returns to step S46, and display of the message board is continued.

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

  The processes in steps S53 to S59 are the same as the processes in steps S10 to S13 in FIG. After the message input process is completed, the process returns to the message board display process of step S46, and the message list is displayed again until the process is completed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 19 to FIG. 21, a message transmission / reception process in which the input / output processor 42a shown in FIG. The following processing is performed independently of the CPU 40, and is performed because power is supplied to the input / output processor 42a even during the above-described standby mode. Therefore, even while the user is not activating the game apparatus 12, the game apparatus 12 automatically performs communication processing under the standby mode, so when the user activates the game apparatus 12, a new message is displayed. It has already arrived and you can immediately view the message. As described above, the input / output processor 42a executes processing in response to a trigger that occurs every predetermined unit time. First, when a trigger occurs, it is determined in step S81 whether it is a transmission / reception scheduled time. Here, the input / output processor 42a obtains the time from the clock circuit provided in the ROM / RTC 48, and compares and determines whether or not a preset transmission / reception scheduled time has come.

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

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

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

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

  Next, the filtering process of step S96 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S111, the header information of all received data stored in the received message box 44b and the friend list 44d are referenced to determine whether a friend relationship is established with each transmission source. . For example, the input / output processor 42a refers to the friend list 44d and determines whether the sender information (identification information or e-mail address) described in the header information is a friend relationship established (for example, the flag is on). To determine if it has been If "YES" in the step S111, if all the received data are transmitted from the transmission source in which the friend relationship is established, the process returns to be stored in the received message box 44b in the subsequent processing.

  On the other hand, if "NO" in the step S111, that is, if the received data is transmitted from a transmission source in which the friend relationship is not established, the transmission source is registered in the address book, ie, the friend list 44d in a step S113. Determine if it is. That is, it is determined whether a friend relationship has been established and only the other party is registered. However, the process of step S113 to step S129 is executed for each of the received data from the transmission source for which the friend relationship is not established.

  If "NO" in the step S113, that is, if the transmission source is not registered in the address book, the new arrival mail (the reception data) is deleted from the buffer in a step S115, and the registration to the reception mail box 44b is performed. To make it not happen and return. That is, messages whose source is unknown are filtered. On the other hand, if "YES" in the step S113, that is, if the transmission source is registered in the address book, it is determined in a step S117 whether the transmission source is another terminal. Here, the input / output processor 42a determines whether the e-mail address does not include the identification information of the game apparatus 12 as the transmission source information.

If "YES" in the step S117, that is, if the transmission source of the reception data is another terminal, it is determined that it is a reply to the registration message transmitted by the game device 12 as shown in FIG. In step S119, a friend relationship with the other terminal is established, and (for example, a flag corresponding to the other terminal is turned on), and the process returns to step S81. On the other hand, if "NO" in the step S117, that is, if the transmission source of the reception data is another game apparatus 12, the reception data is a reception confirmation message as shown in FIG. 11 in a step S121. Determine if it is. Note that, as described above, the reception confirmation message is a message (character string) that can be exchanged between the game devices 12 and the contents can be identified by each game device 12.

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

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

  Subsequently, the overwrite confirmation process of step S97 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S98, the first overwrite tag of the received data is referred to. Although the detailed description is omitted, the order of the received data here is an order according to the received order and the storage position in the buffer, and is merely to distinguish the received data. The same applies below. In the next step S99, it is determined whether the received data is to be overwritten. Here, the input / output processor 42a determines whether the overwrite tag included in the header information of the received data indicates "ON".

  If "NO" in the step S99, that is, if not overwriting, the process directly proceeds to a step S104. On the other hand, if "YES" in the step S99, that is, if the overwrite is "ON", the reception data in which all of the transmission source, the application ID and the overwrite ID match is stored in the reception message box 44b in a step S101. Determine if you are If “YES” in the step S101, that is, if the received message in which all of the transmission source, the application ID and the overwrite ID match is stored in the received message box 44b, the message is a message to be overwritten. In step S103, the received data is stored in the received message box 44b so that the received data is overwritten on the received data in which all of the transmission source, the application ID, and the overwrite ID match, step S111 illustrated in FIG. Go to Note that, in this description, storage of received data in the received message box 44b is performed in step S94. Therefore, in step S103, the process proceeds to the next step while temporarily holding the setting of overwriting. Alternatively, the data may be overwritten first in step S103 and deleted from the buffer, as long as the above condition is overwritten. On the other hand, if "NO" in the step S101, that is, if the reception data in which all of the transmission source, the application ID and the overwrite ID match is not stored in the reception message box 44b, there is no message to be overwritten Therefore, the process directly proceeds to step S104.

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

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

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

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

  Then, in step S165, it is determined whether the connection with the distribution server 104 has succeeded. If "NO" in the step S165, that is, if the connection with the distribution server 104 fails, the process returns to the step S151 as it is. In this embodiment, if the connection with the distribution server 104 fails, the input / output processor 42a returns directly to step S151, but transmits a connection request a predetermined number of times (for example, three retries). However, if the connection is not successful, the process may return to step S151. In addition, when an error occurs in the network or the server, the retry may not be performed. In the case of such an error, there is a possibility that if the above-mentioned subtraction of the number of downloads is performed, the process may end without downloading, so step S161 is performed after step S165. The remaining number of times may not be subtracted.

If "YES" in the step S165, that is, if the connection with the distribution server 104 is successful, the download is executed in a step S167. That is, the input / output processor 42a acquires download data. Then, in step S169, it is determined whether the download data is data for message delivery. For example, assuming that data for message delivery is in the form of e-mail, the input / output processor 42a determines whether the acquired download data is in the form of e-mail. Alternatively, information indicating that it is data for message delivery may be included in the download data, and after downloading, the game apparatus 12 may convert the data into data of the electronic mail format.

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

  The message transmission / reception process and the download process as described above are basically an input / output processor even when the CPU 40 is executing an application such as a game application or even when a standby mode is set. It is executed independently by 42a. However, when there is a stop instruction from the CPU 40 (application) in particular, the message transmission / reception process (automatic transmission / reception function) is temporarily stopped. Thereafter, the message transmission / reception process is resumed by the restart instruction from the CPU 40 (application). Such function of stopping / resuming the message transmission / reception process and the download process (referred to as a scheduler operation function) can be included in each application program.

  For example, if you are running a high-performance application, you can prevent a temporary decrease in processing speed. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in communication speed when communication processing (for example, play of a network game, etc.) other than the above-described message transmission / reception processing and download processing is simultaneously performed via the wireless communication module 50a. In addition, at the timing when the flash memory 44 is accessed in the application, it is possible to prevent the access speed from being temporarily reduced by concentrating the access to the flash memory 44.

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

  According to this embodiment, since the messages are transmitted and received regardless of the normal mode and the standby mode, it is not necessary for the communicating game devices to be activated at the same time. Further, since data capable of identifying the target application is transmitted and received by the main body function, it is not necessary to provide a communication function for each application, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to connect to the network when creating a message, it is possible to reduce the time and wasteful communication cost of the user. Therefore, the cost and the time and effort of the user can be reduced, and a highly versatile communication method can be provided.

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

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

  In addition, the game device 12 of another embodiment may have an automatic reply function of a message. The other embodiment is the same as the above-described embodiment except that it has an automatic reply function of the message, and therefore, the duplicate description will be omitted. In the game device 12 of this other embodiment, the automatic reply information of the message is described in addition to or included in the header information of the message. This automatic reply information is identified by three types of "not automatically reply", "automatic reply (copy attribute)", and "automatic reply (move attribute)".

  For example, in the case of automatically replying a message, identification information (message ID) for identifying the message is added, including information as to whether or not transmission is possible. When the message ID is added to the message (transmission data), the transmission data is not transmitted to the network 106 in the message transmission / reception process, and is in a standby state. It is possible to transmit by deleting (removing) this message ID, and is transmitted in the message transmission and reception process to be executed next. In this embodiment, when the same message ID as the message ID is described in the reception data, the message ID added to the transmission data is deleted.

  However, in this other embodiment, when the reception data in which the same message ID as the message ID added to the transmission data is described (added) is received, the message ID of the transmission data is deleted. However, the message ID added to the received data (referred to as the "receiving side message ID" for convenience of explanation) is the message ID added to the transmission data (referred to as the "sending side message ID" for convenience of explanation). It does not have to be the same. For example, the receiving-side message ID and the transmitting-side message ID may have a pair of key relationships, and the transmitting-side message ID may be resolved by the receiving-side message ID. In addition, regardless of the content of the receiving side message ID, the transmitting side message ID may be deleted to reply to all of the reply request.

  Therefore, the user separately transmits the same (or a pair) message ID as the message ID of the transmission data to another user who wants to automatically transmit the transmission data, or contacts by other means. It is However, when creating a message for automatic reply, the user can know the message ID to be separately transmitted by the notification (screen display) from the game device 12 (input / output processor 42a).

  Then, if there is a response (transmission request) to the message of the message ID notification from another user who has sent the message ID separately, or a message to which the separately notified message ID is added, the transmission data is sent. The message ID added to is deleted, the transmission data can be transmitted, and then transmitted to the game device 12 of the other user or another terminal. That is, it is possible to automatically reply to other users.

Hereinafter, an example in which the automatic reply of this embodiment is used for a game will be described. For example, assume an application that can create its own weapons (items) and sell them at a flea market. In such a case, the user A who made the original weapon puts the weapon on the flea market. That is, the application on the user A side registers a message including weapon data in the transmission message box 44a as a message for automatic reply (message with a message ID). At this time, the application on the user A side can know the message ID of the message including the weapon data. The application on the user A side transmits the message ID of the message including the weapon data to the user B. The application of the user B side notifies the user B that "the weapon is sold at user A's free mat" by a message. When the user B decides to purchase the weapon, the application on the user B side sends to the user A a message using the automatic reply function specifying the message ID of the message including the weapon data and the "move attribute". . Upon receipt of the message including the automatic reply function from the user B, the user A side uses the message transmission / reception function to search whether the transmission data (message) to which the designated message ID is added is present in the transmission message box 44a. Then, when the transmission data to which the designated message ID is added is present in the transmission message box 44a, the attribute for automatic reply (here, the message ID) is deleted, and the transmission data can be transmitted. Thereafter, transmission data including weapon data is transmitted to user B.

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

  In the above embodiment, the automatic reply function is used to buy and sell weapons in a game, but the use target is not limited to weapons, but can be used for various applications such as exchange of items and characters, and history exchange.

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

  If "YES" in the step S89 of the message transmitting / receiving process shown in FIG. 19, the processes in the steps S91, S93, and S95 become the process specifically shown in FIG. In step S201, the first transmission data in the transmission message box 44a is checked. In the following step S203, it is determined whether the transmission data can be transmitted. Specifically, the input / output processor 42a determines whether a message ID is added to the transmission data.

  If "NO" in the step S203, that is, if the transmission data can not be transmitted, the process directly proceeds to a step S209. On the other hand, if "YES" in the step S203, that is, if the transmission data can be transmitted, the transmission data is transmitted to the network 106 in a step S205. Then, in step S207, the transmission data is deleted from the transmission message box 44a, and the process proceeds to step S209.

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

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

  However, when transmission data that has been made transmittable is arranged in the transmission message box 44a, the transmission data is converted into an electronic mail format, but the e-mail address of the game apparatus 12 that has requested automatic transmission is automatically sent to the destination. Registered. However, in the above process, the processes of steps S221, S223, and S224 may be performed in a state of being stored in the buffer, not on the data stored in the reception message box.

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

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

Claims (6)

A game apparatus that transmits and receives data to and from another device via a network, and executes a game program using the transmitted and received data,
A communication unit that transmits and receives data;
Transmission / reception management means for causing the communication unit to transmit / receive data;
Reply data storage means for storing predetermined reply data for automatic reply;
Reception data storage means for storing the received data received;
Game processing means for executing a game program specified by the user and performing a game process using the received data;
Transmission / reception is performed by the transmission / reception management means, and when data is received, the received data received is stored in the received data storage means, and the received data includes reply request information indicating that a reply is requested. Reception data determination means for determining whether or not
When the reply request information is included in the received data stored in the received data storage means in the received data discrimination means, the reply data is automatically read out from the reply data storage means and the communication unit is used. And an automatic reply means for transmitting.   The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic reply means deletes the reply data from the reply data storage means after transmitting the reply data.   The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic reply unit reads out and transmits the reply data each time data is received. The game processing means executes a game program for trading items in a game via a network, and the reply data includes data relating to the item, and the received data includes the reply request information. Further includes intention indication information to agree to the transaction of the item,
3. The game apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the automatic reply means establishes a transaction in the game by transmitting transmission data including data related to the item according to reception data including the reply request information.   The game device according to claim 4, wherein the game processing means includes a notification process of causing the communication unit to transmit notification data notifying that the transaction is to be performed. A game program of a game apparatus that transmits and receives data to and from another device via a network, and uses the transmitted and received data,
A computer of the game device;
A communication unit that transmits and receives data;
Transmission / reception management means for causing the communication unit to transmit / receive data;
Reply data storage means for storing predetermined reply data for automatic reply;
Reception data storage means for storing the received data received;
Game processing means for executing a game program specified by the user and performing a game process using the received data;
Transmission / reception is performed by the transmission / reception management means, and when data is received, the received data received is stored in the received data storage means, and the received data includes reply request information indicating that a reply is requested. Reception data determination means for determining whether or not
When the reply request information is included in the received data stored in the received data storage means in the received data discrimination means, the reply data is automatically read out from the reply data storage means and the communication unit is used. A game program that functions as an automatic reply means to send.

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