JP4094828B2 - Game machine for sending and receiving mail, its storage medium and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention uses a communication network such as the Internet, a communication terminal such as a mobile phone that can communicate with the communication network, and a game machine that can be connected to the communication terminal. The present invention relates to a communication game system that advances a game while communicating with a server configured by a computer that performs various communication services on a communication network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a CD-ROM storing a program such as a game program or game data is mounted on a game machine, and characters appearing in the game are displayed on a TV screen or the like, and the player operates the controller while watching the display screen. The game was progressing.
[0003]
On the other hand, in game terminal devices accessing various servers provided on the communication network due to the spread of the Internet communication network, etc., data and programs related to the game are downloaded from the server, and information related to the game is interactively displayed in real time on the display unit. In some cases, the game is progressed while displaying.
[0004]
In addition, with the spread of communication terminals such as mobile phones that can access the Internet, there are cases where simple games are played by downloading game programs from a server using a mobile phone.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, these games are progressing only when accessing the server on the Internet, and the progress of the game is stopped at other times. Therefore, for the player, the fictitious game space tends to be felt as being very unrealistic, and the enthusiasm of the game tends to be reduced.
[0006]
The present invention solves the above problems, and in a game machine playing environment, using a communication network, the progress of the game on the game machine and the progress of the game on the communication network can proceed in parallel. Although the game progress is related to each other, it is aimed to expand the game space in actual space-time, not imaginary, to the communication network scale, and to make it possible to develop a game that is not interesting until now. .
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, specifically, the following inventions are provided.
[0008]
(1) A storage medium storing a program for causing a game machine to advance a game and sending a mail to a communication terminal that can be attached to the game machine based on “application data” related to transmission / reception of mail from the game machine And, as a result of sending "send mail" from the communication terminal to the game server based on "application data", a program for receiving "reply mail" from the game server was stored in the communication terminal It is characterized by.
[0009]
The storage medium that can be connected to the game machine stores at least a game control program that is executed in the game machine and causes the game machine to advance the game.
[0010]
Also, using a communication terminal that can be attached to the game machine and can be connected to the game control unit of the game machine, the game machine sends an email through a communication network such as the Internet that can log in via the communication terminal. It has become.
[0011]
That is, the game control program of the storage medium is executed by the microprocessor of the game control unit of the game machine, and is provided on a communication network that provides a special service related to the communication game system in the course of the game. In a situation where it is necessary to send a “send mail” for requesting a service to the game server, the game program control program of the game machine sends “application data” related to sending (or sending and receiving) mail related to the game. Based on the “application data” relating to the transmission (or transmission / reception) of the generated mail, a “send mail” for requesting a service from the game server is created.
[0012]
The storage medium is configured to include a mail transmission program that performs a mail transmission process for transmitting the “transmission mail”. The microprocessor of the game control unit of the game machine or the communication terminal The mail transmission program is executed by the control, and “send mail” is transmitted to the game server via the communication terminal to be transmitted.
[0013]
Also, based on the “application data”, “send mail” is a “send mail” requesting a service from a communication terminal to a game server that provides a special service to the game machine by a mail sending program. As a result, the game server that received the “send mail” sends a “reply” to the communication terminal that sent the “send mail” based on the service request (command command) included in the “send mail”. It is programmed to create a "mail" and send back the "reply mail".
[0014]
Then, in order to receive the “reply mail” from the game server in the communication terminal, a mail receiving program for performing the mail reception process of the “reply mail” executed by the microprocessor of the game machine or the communication terminal, It is configured to be stored in a storage medium.
[0015]
With this configuration, the game machine can send and receive e-mails from the game machine to the game server while the game is progressing in the course of the game, and the like. Since it can communicate with the game server that provides the service, it can take the form of replying with a “reply mail” containing special information related to the game from the game server, and the game control program of the game machine You will be able to obtain special information according to your requirements.
[0016]
(2) The storage medium according to (1) above, wherein a mail receiving program for receiving a “reply mail” of contents related to a game progressing on the game machine from the game server is stored in the communication terminal.
[0017]
That is, when a game progresses on a game machine, it is necessary to send an e-mail for requesting a service to a game server provided on a communication network that provides a special service related to the game. Then, the game machine generates “application data” related to the transmission (or transmission / reception) of mail.
[0018]
At the time of the generation, the “application data” is generated so as to include “application data” of contents related to the game being played.
[0019]
Then, at the stage of creating the “send mail”, the content of the “send mail” is configured to include “application data” related to this game, so that the game server that has received this “send mail” Instructs the game server to return “application data” related to the game included in the “transmit mail” at the stage of creating the “reply mail” for the “transmit mail” (including command commands). The “Reply E-mail” indicates that the “Reply Mail” is related to the game, or is created by adding new data necessary for the progress of the game and sending it back at the discretion of the game server. Application data "can be included.
[0020]
Examples of “application data” related to those games include, for example, command commands to the game server, “game name”, “game character name” related to the game, and other registration In the stage of creating a “reply mail” on the game server, the name of the sender of the “reply mail” from the game server is the “game character name” related to the game. In addition, it is possible to create a mail whose destination is “player name”, which makes it possible for the game player to feel as if the “reply mail” received by the game machine is real. It acts to receive mail as if it was received from the player and sent to the player.
[0021]
(3) A program for causing a game machine to advance a game and transmitting “application data” related to outgoing mail from the game machine via a communication terminal that can be attached to the game machine. Based on the above, a program for receiving a “reply mail” from the server in the communication terminal as a result of transmitting a “send mail” from the communication terminal to the game server.
[0022]
That is, at least a game program related to a game stored in a storage medium includes a game control program that is executed on the game machine and causes the game machine to advance the game.
[0023]
In addition, using a communication terminal that can be attached to the game machine and can be connected to the game control unit of the game machine, the game machine sends an email through a communication network through which the communication terminal can log in.
[0024]
That is, in a game server provided on a communication network that provides a special service related to the game in the process of progress of the game executed by the game control program on the game machine or a scene where the game is not necessarily played. On the other hand, when it is necessary to send a mail for requesting a service, the game control program of the game machine generates “application data” related to the transmission (or transmission / reception) of the mail, and the transmission of the generated mail (or Based on the “application data” relating to transmission / reception, a “transmission mail” for requesting a service to the game server is created, and a “transmission mail” including “application data” relating to the transmission of the mail is created.
[0025]
A mail transmission program that performs a mail transmission process for transmitting the created “transmission mail” is provided, and the mail transmission program is executed under the control of the microprocessor or the communication terminal of the game control unit of the game machine. Control is performed so that “send mail” is sent from the communication terminal to the game server.
[0026]
The mail transmission program may be a program software that performs mail transmission / reception processing on the communication terminal B side, but is not necessarily executed on the game machine, and may be provided in advance on the communication terminal side. Alternatively, the communication terminal may be downloaded from the game machine and executed on the communication terminal side.
[0027]
That is, a game that provides a special service from a communication terminal device to a game machine by using a mail transmission program that includes the contents of “application data” and created based on “application data” As a result of sending the “send mail” requesting the service to the server, the game server that has received the “send mail”, based on the service request by the “application data” included in the “send mail”, It is programmed to create a “reply mail” and return the “reply mail” to the communication terminal that sent the “send mail”.
[0028]
Then, in order to receive a “reply mail” from the game server in the communication terminal, a mail for performing a “reply mail” mail reception process executed by the microprocessor of the game control unit of the game machine or the communication terminal. A receiving program is provided and configured.
[0029]
The mail receiving program may be a program that performs mail transmission / reception processing executed on the communication terminal side, and is not necessarily executed on the game machine, and may be provided in advance on the communication terminal side. Alternatively, the communication terminal may be downloaded from the game machine and executed on the communication terminal side.
[0030]
By configuring the program in this manner, the game machine can send and receive emails to and from the game server from the game machine in the course of the progress of the game. You can communicate with the game server that provides the service, you can make a request to return the provision of various special information about the game from the game server, and the game control program responds according to the request By receiving the “reply mail”, special information can be obtained.
[0031]
When mail software such as a mail sending program or mail receiving program can be executed on the communication terminal, the communication terminal receives “application data” related to sending and receiving mail from the game machine. Later, even if the game machine is disconnected from the communication terminal, mail can be transmitted to and received from the game server.
[0032]
For example, if there is a command command for specifying the time for sending and receiving mail and its time-out data, the game machine is disconnected from the communication terminal, and the communication terminal alone can send it at the specified transmission time of “send mail”. The server process makes it possible to wait for reception of a mail with a “reply mail” time designation, and mail can be sent and received regardless of the game state or power-on state of the game machine.
[0033]
Therefore, for example, after receiving a “reply mail” after that, when the communication terminal is connected to the game machine, the game character suddenly receives an email, and the “reply mail” It is also possible to perform operations based on the included hint information, so that the information will be a hint on the progress of the game, so that the game will develop so that a new development path can be opened in the case of difficult game, There is an effect that it is possible to configure a game control program.
[0034]
(4) A game machine including a first mounting unit for detachably mounting the storage medium according to (1) or (2), wherein a second mounting unit for detachably mounting a communication terminal is provided. Prepared based on “application data” related to outgoing mail, “send mail” sent from the communication terminal to the server, and “reply mail” received from the server at the communication terminal as a result of sending the “send mail” And a transfer control unit that transfers between the communication terminal mounted on the second mounting unit and the game machine.
[0035]
That is, in the game machine described in the above (1) or (2), the storage means and the communication terminal are detachable by the detachable mounting portion, so that the game machine is disconnected from the communication terminal, or the progress of the game It is possible to send and receive emails to and from the game server from the communication terminal even when not in the middle or in a non-energized state. Then, it is possible to communicate with a game server that provides a specific service related to the game, and it is possible to request the game server to provide various types of special information about the game or to return the information.
[0036]
When the communication terminal receives the “reply mail” sent back by the server in accordance with the request, the game control program of the game machine sends the “reply mail” from the communication terminal when connected to the communication terminal. It is expected that special information regarding the game can be obtained by transferring the data to the game machine by the transfer control of the transfer control unit.
[0037]
In addition, by transferring (installing) mail software such as a mail sending program and mail receiving program to the communication terminal by transfer control of the transfer control unit, the mail software can be executed on the communication terminal. In this case, the communication terminal includes the contents of the “application data” related to the transmission / reception of mail by the transfer control of the transfer control unit, or after receiving the “transmit mail” based on the “application data” by transferring from the game machine. Even if the game machine is disconnected from the communication terminal, mail can be transmitted to and received from the game server.
[0038]
Therefore, for example, when there is a time specification for mail transmission / reception, the game machine is disconnected from the communication terminal, and the communication terminal alone can be used to wait for transmission or reception of mail with a time specification. Mail can be sent and received regardless of the energization state.
[0039]
Then, after sending the “send mail” and then receiving the “reply mail”, when the communication terminal is connected to the game machine, the communication terminal transfers the “reply mail” to the game machine. It can be transferred by the part.
[0040]
Then, when the game is resumed on the game machine, the game character suddenly receives an e-mail or the like, or performs an operation based on the instruction information included in the “reply mail”. It is also possible to configure the game control program so that the game is developed so that the information in the “reply mail” is a hint and a new development path is opened in the case of an esoteric game. effective.
[0041]
(5) A game machine having a mounting portion for detachably mounting a communication terminal capable of communicating with a server, and transmits the mail from the communication terminal to the server based on “application data” related to mail transmission. It is characterized by having a transfer control unit that transfers “send mail” and “reply mail” received from the server in the communication terminal as a result of transmission of the “send mail” between the communication terminal and the game machine. Game machine to play.
[0042]
According to this invention, there exists an effect similar to said (4).
[0043]
As described above, since the present invention is configured as described above, by mounting the storage medium of the present invention on the first mounting portion of the game machine, the game control program stored in the storage medium is stored in the game machine game. It is executed by a microprocessor included in the game control unit for performing control, and controls display of the game and the progress of the entire game and controls the progress of the entire game based on the processing control of the microprocessor, and also in the storage means The stored mail transmission program needs to send a mail for requesting a service to the game server through the communication terminal connected to the second mounting portion of the game machine in the course of the game. When there is an email, it generates "application data" related to sending a game-related email with details of the email transmission request. Based on the “application data”, the contents of “sent mail” partially including “application data” are generated and transferred from the game machine to the communication terminal by the transfer control unit provided in the second mounting unit. A transmission request for “sent mail” is made.
[0044]
The “application data” related to the transmission (or transmission / reception) of the “send mail” includes the mail address of the game server of the site where the game server exists in order to exchange mail transmission / reception between the game machine and the game server 6. Is set as a default value in advance, or includes a mail address of a game server set by registering in advance a mail address of a game server designated in the game manual by the player.
[0045]
Further, as a mail address of the player's own game machine, the telephone number (ID address) of the player's own communication terminal registered in advance is used to be used as the mail address that is the sender in the “transmit mail”. By registering, it is assumed that the mail address of the registered communication terminal is also included in the “application data”.
[0046]
Then, using the game server mail address that is the address of the game server, the communication terminal sends a “send mail” to the game server that is the destination in the communication network, and the “send mail” The mail address of the communication terminal of the machine can be notified to the game server by attaching the mail address to the “send mail”.
[0047]
In addition, in the “application data” related to the game, the name of the game, the progress data of the game, the data of the name of the game character appearing in the game, and the name of the player are registered. Include a name specification command, a time designation command command that specifies the reply time (or time) of the “reply mail” specified by the game program, and attachment data that you want to attach when replying. By doing so, the mail transmission program can create the content of “transmission mail” so as to include the attached data and information based on the attachment request command command and the like.
[0048]
In addition, a game server that performs a specific service related to a game functions as a mail server responsible for a mail distribution service for sending and receiving mail related to a game between communication terminals connected to the game machine. In some cases, the server or the game machine connected to the communication terminal serves to provide information that supports the progress of the game.
[0049]
That is, according to the present invention, a game machine or a communication terminal can be used in response to a service request based on a command command or various data included in “application data” generated by a game control program in the course of a game on a game machine. In order to take a form for receiving a specific information providing service necessary for the progress of the game from the game server, the mail transmission program sends a “send mail” including the contents of “application data” to the game server through the communication terminal. When the game server receives the “send mail” and creates a “reply mail” including the contents related to the game included in the “send mail” by the game server, the communication terminal Or it is related to the game by the mail receiving program of the game machine connected to the communication terminal. It is a communication game system configured so as to receive e-mail content.
[0050]
This specific game server is usually composed of a dedicated computer called a server provided on a communication network for providing the “reply mail” service. A server that performs a specific service relating to a game as described above is particularly referred to as a game server in the present invention.
[0051]
In the communication network of the present invention, a communication terminal such as a mobile phone is detachably connected to the second mounting portion of the game machine, and the game machine uses the communication means of the detachable communication terminal to connect to the Internet. It can be connected to a communication network such as
[0052]
In other words, a game terminal and a communication terminal connected to the game machine are communication terminals in a client's position to receive services from a server on the communication network, and the game machine indirectly communicates with the communication network via the communication terminal. And can access the game server.
[0053]
The game server also exists on a communication network and plays a role as a communication center that plays a central role in the communication game system. Various game programs based on the present invention using the communication game system are operated. Receives a “send mail” requesting a service related to a game sent by all other communication terminals connected to the game machine to be included in the received “send mail” with respect to the received “send mail” Based on the information data relating to each game specific game, that is, a predetermined “reply mail” related to the game based on the “application data” decided on the game is automatically created and automatically returned In other words, it is also a dedicated communication server that automatically performs communication communication.
[0054]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a control flow, its function and control means. An example of the system configuration of the “game system using a mobile phone with an email” according to the present invention has the following configuration in order to achieve the above-described problem.
[0055]
As shown in FIG. 1, a game machine A according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a game machine body 10, a display unit 11 and an operation input unit 12 connected to the game machine body 10, and a storage medium 13 is mounted. The first mounting unit 15 to be mounted and the second mounting unit 14 to mount the communication terminal B are provided. Details will be described later. And the game system using this game machine A is a game that is connected to and used detachably via one or more game machine bodies 10 and the first mounting part 15 of the game machine body 10. A communication terminal such as a wireless mobile phone that can be connected to the storage medium 13 in which a game program 32 relating to a game for control execution is stored, and the game machine body 10 so as to be detachable from the storage device 13. The communication terminal 1 is connected to the communication terminal B by performing transmission / reception of a mail relating to the game via the communication network 1 using the communication terminal B and the communication network 1 such as the Internet through which the communication terminal B can log in. This is a communication game system configured with a game server 6 that provides services such as information related to games to the game machine main body 10.
[0056]
In addition, in the communication network 1, the communication terminal B (wireless mobile phone) transmits mail between the communication terminals B and other servers (game server 6) via the wireless base station 5. In order to perform a transmission / reception distribution service, a mail server 2 dedicated to the communication terminal B (mobile phone) is provided.
[0057]
In addition, the game server 6 connected to the communication network 1 includes a game server main body 8 and a game server for performing a mail receiving service addressed to the game server main body 8 and a mail distribution service transmitted from the game server main body 8. A mail server 7 dedicated to the main body 8 is provided.
[0058]
In order to send and receive mail between the communication terminal B (mobile phone) and the game server body 8, the mail sent by each mail server 2, 7 is sent to a plurality of routers 4 arranged in the communication path on the communication network 1. It is configured so as to be transferred to the destination mail box of the communication partner mail server. For example, the mail box 9 of the game server main body 8 is provided in the mail server 7.
[0059]
In the case of a wireless mobile phone, the mail received in the mailbox of the mail server 2 is transferred to the communication terminal B via the wireless base station 5 and received. Although there is a WEB server 3 that performs services on other networks on the communication network 1 such as the Internet, the details thereof are omitted.
[0060]
There are various types of game machines A, such as a liquid crystal display type portable game machine, a home game machine using a television, and a commercial game machine using a CRT display. .
[0061]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the game machine A includes a first mounting portion 15 so that the storage medium 13 can be detachably connected to the game machine body 10, and the communication terminal B is a game machine body. A second mounting portion 14 is provided so as to be detachably connectable to 10.
[0062]
The game machine body 10 includes a display unit 11 for displaying a game screen, a display control unit 19 for controlling display of a game character, a background character, and the like on the display unit 11, and a player An operation input unit 12 for performing an operation input for operating the game, a game control unit 18 having a microprocessor for controlling the progress of the entire game, and a portable device via the second mounting unit 14 A transfer control unit 20 that functions as an interface for connecting to a communication terminal B such as a telephone is provided. The transfer control unit 20 performs control for transferring various data between the game control unit 18 of the game machine body 10 and the communication terminal B, and the control signal is transmitted to the second mounting unit 14 and the communication terminal B. The external connection terminal 17 is connected.
[0063]
The game control unit 18 includes a microprocessor, and controls related to the game are executed by a program executed by the microprocessor. The program is read out and executed by a game program 32 that controls the game stored in the storage medium 13 connected via the first mounting unit 15. By executing the game program 32, a CPU bus signal 23, which is a control signal from the microprocessor of the game control unit 18, is output. The CPU bus signal 23 is used to read and write programs and data in the memory of the storage medium 13. The CPU bus signal 23 is connected to perform control, control of the display control unit 19, input control of the operation signal of the operation input unit 12, transfer control of the transfer control unit, and the like. It is controlled by.
[0064]
The storage medium 13 is constituted by a readable / writable semiconductor memory or the like, and the game program 32 is stored and stored in the semiconductor memory. As shown in FIG. 3, the game program 32 for performing control related to this game is, for example, a game control program 24 for controlling the flow of the entire game, or a game on the display screen based on the control of the game control program 24. In order to communicate with the game server 6 on the communication network 1 by the display control program 25 for controlling the display control unit 19 for controlling the display movement of the character and the like, and the game machine A and the communication terminal B. Communication control programs (including a mail transmission program 28 for mail transmission and a mail reception program 29 for mail reception) for performing communication control for sending and receiving e-mails, and operation signals from the operation input unit 12 Using the input control program 27 for loading into the game machine body 10 and the transfer control unit 20, “Application data 21”, “Sent mail”, “Received mail”, communication control program 31, etc. regarding the creation of a mail related to the game and the transmission / reception of the mail between the communication terminals B It is composed of a transfer control program 26 for transferring e-mail software and the like under the control of the transfer control means of the transfer control unit 20, and controls the progress of the entire game in the game machine A and the control of the communication terminal B by these programs. Is configured to do.
[0065]
2 and 3, these game control program 24, display control program 25, communication control program 31, transfer control program 26, input control program 27, and other application data 21. The mini game program 54 is stored and stored in a memory that is the storage medium 13, and the storage medium 13 is detachably connected to the first mounting portion 15 provided in the game machine body 10. 1 is read out under the control of the CPU bus 23 of the game machine body 10 via the mounting portion 15 and is executed and controlled by the microprocessor.
[0066]
Although not shown in FIG. 2, the CPU bus 23 is constituted by an address bus signal for accessing the IC memory as the storage medium 13, a data bus signal, a control signal for reading / writing the memory, and the like. These CPU bus 23 signals are connected to the address bus signal, data bus signal, and memory control signal of the IC memory, respectively.
[0067]
Then, the program contents and various data contents such as “application data 21” are read from the IC memory by the control signal of the CPU bus 23 from the microprocessor, and the execution processing of the program instructions is performed by the microprocessor. The display control unit 19 of the machine body 10, the input control of the operation input unit 12, and the communication control of the communication terminal B are performed to control the progress of the entire game.
[0068]
The game machine body 10 and the communication terminal B are also provided with a second mounting portion 14 so that they can be attached to and detached from each other. Various signals from the external connection terminal 17 of the communication terminal B provided for controlling the communication terminal B from the outside are connected to the transfer control unit 20 via the second mounting unit 14. The game machine body 10 is connected to the game control unit 18. The game machine main body 10 has a communication control program for communication control in which the communication terminal B performs transmission / reception control such as transmission / reception mail between the communication terminal B and the game machine main body 10 via the second mounting portion 14. An interface is provided for transferring 31 (referred to as mail software) and “application data 21”. A transfer control unit 20 is provided to control the interface, and the transfer control unit 20 is configured to be controlled by the transfer control program 26 under the control of the microprocessor and to control the mutual interface. Has been.
[0069]
When the game machine A logs in to the communication network 1 by using the communication terminal B connected to the game machine body 10 and starting the mail transmission program 28 and the mail reception program 29 which are communication programs. The game server 6 is accessed through the communication network 1 to send and receive mail to and from the game server 6.
[0070]
As shown in FIG. 1, a wireless communication terminal B such as a mobile phone is connected to a mail server 2 dedicated to a mobile phone that provides a mail transfer service via a wireless base station 5 that is wirelessly close. Via the mail server 2, the user can log in to the communication network 1 such as the Internet and access the game server 6, and the communication terminal B that transmits / receives mail to / from the game server 6 sends an e-mail. It is controlled by a mail transmission program 28 and a mail reception program 29 which are software on the side of the communication terminal B, generally called mail software (mailer), which performs control for transmission and reception.
[0071]
You may use the communication terminal B equipped with these mail software (mailers) in advance, but after downloading these mail software from the game machine body 10 to the communication terminal B and installing it in the communication terminal B For the communication terminal B having only a dial-up connection function, the game machine main body 10 is equipped with mail software, and execution control of mail software in the game control unit 18 of the game machine main body 10 is performed. Based on the communication control from the game machine body 10, the mail may be transmitted / received via the communication terminal B.
[0072]
Then, the communication terminal B such as a mobile phone connected to the game machine body 10 of the present invention and the game server 6 on the network that provides services related to the game exchange information related to the game with each other. As a means, it takes the form of communication by sending and receiving mail. The embodiment will be described below with an example of mail transmission / reception.
[0073]
When the communication terminal B that can be connected to the game machine main body 10 of the present invention is sent to the game server 6 using a wireless communication terminal B such as a mobile phone, for example, a mail to be sent (“send mail”) Wireless communication of the wireless communication terminal B with the transmission source address (mail address of the communication terminal B connected to the game machine body 10) and the transmission destination address (mail address of the game server 6). A mail server (transmission server) dedicated to mobile phones is accessed via the nearest wireless base station 5 as a route, and a request for transmission transfer of “transmission mail” is made. Then, the transmission server refers to the “transmission mail” with reference to the transmission destination address of the mail, and also serves as the transmission destination game server 6 (connected to the game server 6). Transfer to and send.
[0074]
The transferred reception server of the transmission destination temporarily stores and saves the “transmission mail” in the mail box 9 addressed to the game server 6 in the reception server. The game server 6 always confirms the arrival of the “sent mail” addressed to the game server 6, that is, if the incoming mail server where the mail box 9 exists is always accessed and received, Takes the form of “sent mail”.
[0075]
Conversely, when the game server 6 returns a “reply mail” to the communication terminal B in response to the “send mail” received from the communication terminal B, the game server 6 receives the received “send mail”. "Reply mail" is created based on the contents of the message, the address of the sender attached to the "send mail" is referred to, and the sender address is added to serve as the game server 6 (game server 6 The mail server (transmission server) for transmission (connected to) is accessed and a reply of “reply mail” is requested and temporarily deposited.
[0076]
The sending server receives the “reply mail” and forwards and sends it to the nearest receiving server of the communication terminal B that is the destination based on the sender address of the “reply mail”. The transferred received mail server temporarily stores the mail in the mail box 9 addressed to the communication terminal B in the server.
[0077]
However, here, in the case of the communication terminal B that is ready to be received by a wireless communication device such as a mobile phone, without confirming the arrival of the “reply mail” in the mailbox 9, In addition, the reception mail server automatically transfers the communication mail to the communication terminal B by using a separate wireless transmission means route without issuing a reception request for collecting the “reply mail”. Take the form.
[0078]
In the present invention, on the premise that such a mail server 2 works, communication terminals B such as a large number of mobile radio telephones exchange mails with the game server 6 while receiving services of the mail server 2 (transmission / reception). It is assumed that it is possible to do.
[0079]
Accordingly, it is assumed that the game machine A can log in to the communication network 1 such as the Internet using the communication terminal B such as an existing mobile phone, and a server for providing various services is arranged on the network. However, one of the servers is a game server 6 relating to a specific game that provides the communication game service of the present invention.
[0080]
In the above description, the game server 6 in the embodiment of the present invention is a mail that is received in the incoming mail box 9 of the “sent mail” delivered to the game server 6 as shown in FIG. In addition to serving as a server, the game server 6 confirms the received “sent mail” and receives (receives) the “sent mail” from the game server 6. It also functions as a so-called game server 6 that creates a “reply mail” for providing information related to the game based on the “send mail”, and further forwards the created “reply mail” to the transmission source via the network. It is a server that doubles as a mail server that delivers for transmission.
[0081]
However, the server that receives the “send mail” delivered to the game server 6 and the server that delivers the “reply mail” from the game server 6 to the sender mail server are the same server. There may be a separate server.
[0082]
In FIG. 1, the game server 6 of FIG. 4 is shown as an example in which a mail server that transmits and receives mail addressed to the game server 6 and the game server 6 are provided as separate servers. Note that, as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1, the game server 6 and the mail server may be an integrated game server 6.
[0083]
In the communication game system as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the present invention is such that the game machine body 10 is connected to a communication terminal B such as a mobile phone, and the mobile phone can be connected to a network such as the Internet. In addition, it is configured to be connectable to a network via a mail server dedicated to a mobile phone.
[0084]
The game machine body 10 is indirectly connected to a network via a mobile phone which is a communication terminal B.
[0085]
The game server 6 is a specific server existing on a network that can be said to be a communication center that plays a central role in communication of the communication game system, and mail transmission / reception delivery between the communication terminal B and the game server 6 is performed. One of the communication servers that performs
[0086]
The game server 6 receives a “send mail” sent from all the communication terminals B connected to the main game machine body 10 that performs the communication game, and returns a “reply mail” to each of them. It is also a dedicated communication server that will contact you.
[0087]
That is, this communication server receives all “send mails” sent by all mobile phones connected to the game machine main body 10, and sends information related to the game to each received “send mail”. A process of sending back a reply mail including the reply mail to the communication terminal B, which is a transmission source, is performed.
[0088]
It should be noted that the game control program 24 stored in the storage medium 13 connected to the game machine main body 10 is “application data 21” (transmission / reception and transmission of mail related to the game in the course of progress of each game machine main body 10). Is generated), and “sent mail” (which is an example of the first information data) is created based on “application data 21” that is the first information data. Each communication terminal B transmits and forwards this “send mail” from each game machine body 10 via a mail server on the network and sends it to the game server 6 that is the destination.
[0089]
The mail transmission program 28 for transmitting the “transmission mail” is one of the game programs 32 and is stored in the storage medium 13 connected to the game machine main body 10. "Sent mail" is sent.
[0090]
Then, as a result of transmitting the “transmission mail” from the communication terminal B to the game server 6 based on the “application data 21”, the game server 6 receives the “transmission mail” and the contents of the “transmission mail”. Is generated or created, that is, a “reply mail” of contents related to the game progressing in the game machine body 10 is generated and created, and “reply” is sent to the communication terminal B of the transmission source via the mail server 7. "Mail" (which is an example of the second information data) is returned.
[0091]
Then, in the communication terminal B, the “reply mail” of the content related to the game progressing in the game machine body 10 from the game server 6 is received, but in the communication terminal B, the “reply mail” from the mail server 7 is received. The mail receiving program 29 for performing the execution process of receiving the “reply mail” is processed by executing the program stored in the storage medium 13.
[0092]
Then, in order to transmit the “send mail” created based on the “application data 21” relating to the transmission / reception of the mail from the communication terminal B to the game server 6, the game machine body 10 transfers it to the communication terminal B, and As a result of the transmission of “transmission mail”, the game machine main body 10 is provided to transfer the “reply mail” returned from the game server 6 in the communication terminal B to the game machine main body 10 from the communication terminal B. Transfer between the game machine body 10 and the communication terminal B is performed by the transfer control unit 20 (see FIG. 2) provided in the game machine body 10 via the second mounting unit 14 that detachably mounts the communication terminal B. Is supposed to be done.
[0093]
By this transfer control unit 20, information obtained by the communication terminal B communicating with the external game server 6 for transmission / reception of “send mail” and “reply mail” between the communication terminal B and the game machine main body 10 is obtained. It can be transferred from the communication terminal B to the game machine body 10.
[0094]
Note that the information obtained by the communication terminal B communicating with the external game server 6 between the communication terminal B and the game machine A for transmission / reception of “send mail” and “reply mail” is the second information. Say data. Each game machine body 10 receives the second information data included in each “reply mail” that is a reply mail to each “send mail”, so that each game machine body 10 receives the second information data. The ten game control programs 24 are configured to advance a new game based on the second information data and to control the progress of different games separately.
[0095]
For example, the game scenario is changed, a new character appears, or a new development branch such as an additional event that occurs in a specific part of the main game is generated.
[0096]
Hereinafter, the flow of control in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to flowcharts. In this flowchart, the flow of control of the game machine body 10, the flow of control of the communication terminal B, and the flow of control of the game server 6 are shown in parallel along with the passage of control time. In the three control flows, the exchange of control signals, data, and transmitted / received mails is indicated by dotted arrows. The steps of the flow are indicated by steps such as F1, F2, etc.
[0097]
F1): First, the storage medium 13 in which the game program 32 or the like shown in FIG. 3 is stored is connected to the game machine main body 10 via the second mounting portion 14. Then, the player performs an operation using the operation unit of the game and starts the game.
[0098]
F2): The game machine body 10 causes the game control unit 18 to advance the game control under the execution control of the game control program 24 in the storage medium 13.
[0099]
F3): The game software stored in the storage medium 13 is very important for the progress of the game in the course of the progress of the game when the player is playing the game using the main game machine body 10. The game control program 24 performs some special action on the player at a scene where information data must be obtained, at a time when a game step is broken, or when a game is struggling. It is programmed to issue commands to do.
[0100]
F4): For example, the command is displayed in characters on the display unit 11 of the game machine body 10 or the voice is used to tell the player to “play a mini game in the communication terminal B” or “communication terminal B”. When the instruction of the intention “to connect the main game machine body 10 and the communication terminal B” is issued, as in The second attachment unit 14 is prompted to connect (attach) the communication terminal B such as a mobile phone. The game machine A detects that the communication terminal B is connected via the interface signal of the transfer control unit 20 of the second mounting unit 14.
[0101]
F5): When the player connects the communication terminal B to the second mounting portion 14 of the game machine A, first, the game control program 24 of the game machine main body 10 relates to the transmission / reception of mail related to the game. Application data 21 "is generated.
[0102]
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the “application data 21” includes various command commands 45 for the communication terminal B and the game server 6, and includes, for example, “game character name 46” including character characteristic information appearing in the game. The current game progress data 48 attached to the “send mail” to obtain “player name 47” registered in advance in the game machine main body 10 and hint information related to the progress of the game from the game server 6 The transmission time-out data 49 of the “sending mail” used for designating the sending time when sending the “sending mail” and the reply time when the “reply mail” is returned from the game server 6 are designated. The outgoing time-out data 50 of “reply mail” used in the case, the mail address 51 of the game server 6 registered in advance, The mail address 52 of the communication terminal B connected to the game machine main body 10 of the player itself registered in advance or the game server 6 to send a “reply mail” as a reply, attach it again and send it back. “Information data 53 related to game progress control” attached to “transmission mail”: For example, information necessary for the progress of the game, such as hint information of the game, keyword information, etc. In the case of playing a mini game, there are mini game data including a mini game program 54 used for the mini game.
[0103]
F6): The game control program 24 stored in the storage medium 13 shown in FIG. 3 is connected to the game machine main body 10 when various services relating to the game become necessary as the game progresses on the network. Mail transmission for the game machine body 10 to send a “sending mail” regarding the game to the game server 6 in order to communicate and communicate with each other with the communication terminals B or the mail server 7 After the “send mail” is sent to the game server 6 by the program 28 or the mail sending program 28, the game server 6 returns a “reply mail” to the “send mail” received by the game server 6. The mail receiving program 29 for receiving the “reply mail” is downed to the communication terminal B. To over de.
[0104]
The communication terminal B may or may not have a mail transmission / reception program (communication control program 31), which is so-called mail software, for performing transmission / reception of this mail. If not, it is necessary to download and install “communication control program 31”, which is these mail software, to the communication terminal B.
[0105]
During the installation, the communication control program 31, the above-mentioned "application data 21", "sent mail", received mail data, and the like are mutually transferred between the game machine body 10 and the communication terminal B. In order to control, in the game machine main body 10, it transfers using the transfer control part 20. FIG. If necessary, the communication terminal B side also downloads and installs a transfer control program 26 for controlling these transfers to the communication terminal B.
[0106]
As will be described later in step F12 of the flow, when the game machine body 10 performs communication control of these transmission / reception mails, when this game requires various services related to the game in the course of the game, The communication control program 31 is activated on the game machine body 10 side, creates a “send mail” based on the generated “application data 21”, and controls the sending of the “send mail” via the communication terminal B. You may make it transmit and transmit with respect to the game server 6. FIG.
[0107]
F7): Transfer “application data 21” relating to transmission / reception of mail related to the game generated by the game control program 24 to the communication terminal B side under the control of the transfer control unit 20 and the transfer control program 26. .
[0108]
F8): In a scene where the game control program 24 of the game machine body 10 needs to cause the communication terminal B to play a mini game in the course of the game, the game control program 24 is transferred from the game machine body 10 to the communication terminal B. On the other hand, the “mini game program 54” is downloaded to the communication terminal B so that the “mini game” is installed in the communication terminal B.
[0109]
F9): Note that when the game control program 24 does not need to play a mini game, the mini game program 54 is not downloaded, and these “application data 21” do not include the mini game program 54 and are downloaded alone. It is programmed to
[0110]
F10): In addition, when the command command 45 “to play a mini game” is included in the command command 45 of the “application data 21”, a mini game can be played in the communication terminal B. It becomes a state.
[0111]
After the “mini game program 54” has been downloaded to the communication terminal B, it is up to the player to play the mini game or continue the game software of the main game using the communication terminal B. .
[0112]
That is, since the communication terminal B is separated by the main game machine main body 10 and the second mounting portion 14 and a mini game can be separately performed in the communication terminal B regardless of the main body game, the main game machine main body is provided for the convenience of the player. It is also possible to play a mini game separately in the communication terminal B while playing the game in FIG.
[0113]
F11): If the communication terminal B that has received the “application data 21” has a command command 45 to send “send mail” to the command command 45 of the “application data 21”, the “application data 21” Based on “21”, a “sent mail” having the content shown in FIG. 6 is created.
[0114]
In the “send mail” data, the player name 47 included in the “application data 21”, the “game character name 46” appearing in the game, and the call for designating the send time of the “reply mail” are specified. Including time-out data 50, command command 45 to the game server 6, game progress status data 48, mail address of the communication terminal B, data 53 to be attached at the time of creating the “reply mail”, etc. If the command 45 includes a command for specifying the time to send “send mail”, the send time-out data 49 is used to set the “send mail” as the mail address of the game server 6 after the specified time has elapsed. Send to the address.
[0115]
As described above, the “mail transmission program 28” interprets and executes based on the “command command 45” included in the “application data 21”, thereby automatically relating to the game provided on the communication network 1. It is programmed to send an e-mail to a specific game server 6 to be played. That is, it is programmed to make a call to a specific game server 6 without the player's involvement and without the player's knowledge.
[0116]
F <b> 12): In step F <b> 12 of the flowchart indicated by the dotted line, the “sent mail” may be created by the game control program 24 of the game machine body 10. Then, the created “sent mail” may be transferred to the communication terminal B using the transfer control means, and only the outgoing call may be sent from the communication terminal B.
[0117]
F13): The “sent mail” is transferred and delivered to the game server 6 as the communication partner via the mail server 2 of the communication network 1 of the mobile phone and arrives at the game server main body 8.
[0118]
F14): The game server 6 receives a “send mail” including “command command 45” and “other data” from the communication terminal B to the server. In the game server 6, When the reply command command command 45 of “reply mail” is included, the mail software program of “game server 6” is a program that automatically creates and sends “reply mail” as shown in FIG. Has been.
[0119]
F15): That is, the game server 6 that is the communication partner that received the “send mail” refers to and analyzes the command command 45 and other data included in the “send mail”, and, for example, sends the “reply mail”. If a “command command 45” requesting a reply to be sent is included, a “reply mail” as shown in FIG. 7 is created by referring to the data included in the “send mail”. The sender name of the “reply mail” is “game character name 46” appearing in the game, the address is the player name 47, the address to be returned is the mail address 52 of the communication terminal B, and attached Includes a reattachment command command 45 for copying the “attached data 53”, which is hint information data of the game related to the progress control of the played game, as it is and attaching it to the “reply mail” data and sending it back. If so, re-attach the attached data.
[0120]
F16): In addition, in the mail software program that transmits the “reply mail” in the game server 6, the command command 45 and the game progress data 48 included in the “transmit mail” are analyzed, and as a result, for example, a hint is obtained. If the situation is desired, the attached data 53 including the hint information of the game is reattached. However, if the game server 6 requests secret hint data or the like for branching or switching in a game scenario that is set to switch to a game hidden mode or a game scenario is branched, Further, it may be programmed to create and send a “reply mail” to send the hint data 55 prepared in advance to answer these requests as “reply mail” data to the communication terminal B. Therefore, the information data included in the “reply mail” includes data and information necessary for the future development of the game. If the command 45 for specifying the reply time and the “timeout data 50” for specifying the reply time are included, the “reply mail” created after the designated time or time is reached is addressed to the communication terminal B. Call to reply to.
[0121]
F17): This “reply mail” is received by the communication terminal B. Then, when this “reply mail” is displayed on the communication terminal B, the contents of the “reply mail” data are displayed, and the “reply mail” sent is the “game character name 46” scheduled to appear in the game. It takes the form of an e-mail reaching the player's name 47 as the name of the player. Therefore, the “reply mail” is as if it arrived from the game character to the player. Further, since the contents of the “reply mail” data originally include hint information such as operation instructions on the game in the reattached “attached data 53 related to game progress control”, the game character has received hint information. The situation is as if it were a sword. Note that it is also possible for the game character to call the player's name 47 by voice by voice synthesis of the player name using voice synthesis means provided in the mobile phone.
[0122]
F18): The player who sees the content of the “reply mail” can freely restart the game here, but if the player restarts, the game machine body 10 is connected to the communication terminal B. If not, the player can operate based on the information obtained by reading the “reply mail”, and if connected or connected, send the “reply mail” to the communication terminal. The game control program 24 of the game machine main body 10 can receive a “reply mail” by automatically transferring from B to the game machine main body 10 using the transfer control means and the transfer control program 26.
[0123]
F19): In the game control program 24 of the game machine body 10, the "reply mail" and the hint information 53 and 55 (referred to as second information data) related to the game included in the "reply mail" data are obtained. As a result, a new game development is advanced based on the hint information included in the second information data.
[0124]
F20): In the mail server 6, when the same communication as described above is performed with a plurality of other communication terminals B playing the same game, the other of the other communication terminals B in communication The mail address 52 of the communication terminal B playing the same game is programmed to be distributed to the communication terminal B. For example, a reply is made so that the mail address 52 of the communication terminal B of the other player is included in the “reply mail” data of the “reply mail”.
[0125]
F21): In the communication terminal B to which the mini-game program 54 including the command command 45 including the communication command for transmitting / receiving mail between the communication terminals B is transferred, the communication terminal B relates to the game with other unknown players. It is a mini game that you play in exchange to exchange information. Therefore, when the mini game program 54 is installed, communication can be performed using the mail address 52 of another player, depending on the player's will. By this communication, exchange of data included in the “reply mail” owned by each player, data included in the mini game program 54 (referred to as mini game data), and other information are exchanged. The mini-game program 54 counts the number of times that the mini-game data is complemented with each other and the information data included in the mini-game data is changed to more powerful hint information or exchanged with each other. As a result, it is possible to act such that some of the count data changes to information data that favors the progress of the game. By transferring this information data to the game machine body 10, the game control program 24 of the game machine body 10 acts to advance a new game development. Therefore, the changed mini game data is transmitted to the game server 6 as the attached data of the “send mail”, and the “reply mail” with the changed mini game data reattached is transferred to the game machine body 10. It can also be used.
[0126]
F22): Further, the mail software of the game server 6 sends all the communication terminals B playing the same game all at once from the game server 6 or information data related to individual games as e-mails. It is distributed as “broadcast distribution mail” distributed at the same time and received by the communication terminal B.
[0127]
F23): The game information included in the mail contents of these “broadcast delivery mails” is in the form of an “emergency operation instruction” necessary for the progress of the game of the game machine body 10 while the game information is sent to the player. It may be a special operation instruction above or a content that teaches a hint on the game.
[0128]
F24): If the displayed text content of the “emergency operation command” is an instruction to connect the communication terminal B to the game machine body 10, the player connects the communication terminal B to the game machine body 10. If the communication terminal B is connected to the game machine main body 10, the player receiving the instruction is prompted to connect again to the game machine main body 10 from the communication terminal B. Various information data included in the delivery mail is transferred.
[0129]
F25): The game machine body 10 receives this information and changes the flow of game control.
[0130]
F26): In addition, when the game server 6 receives “send mail” of game progress status data from another player who plays the same game, the other in the “reply mail” data In this case, the command text content of the “emergency operation command” is set so that the player communicates with other players by e-mail. Is programmed to display a prompting message. The player who has read this text will communicate with other players using the attached mail address 52.
[0131]
F27): The content of the communication is simply the fact that the communication has been performed, information data including hints relating to the game, for example, obtained by each player from the server, or encrypted information data However, by exchanging these pieces of information data among a larger number of players, the players obtain more information data. For example, information data such as the number of communication increases and changes with each communication. In this way, the players who play the same game communicate with each other, so that information data relating to many new games related to the acquired game can be advantageously used for the player in progressing the game. Is done.
[0132]
F28): Therefore, the communication terminal B holding not only the game information data acquired from the game server 6 by “reply mail” but also information data about the game obtained by communicating with other players is stored in the game machine body 10. By connecting, information data is transferred to the game machine main body 10, and the game control program 24 is programmed to give a change to a change of a game scenario or the like.
[0133]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention plays a game using a communication network in a game machine playing environment, and the progress of the game on the game machine and the progress of the game on the communication network can proceed in parallel. Although progress is related, it is not a necessary close relationship, but it is structured so that the game can proceed in a sparse relationship that allows the game to proceed even if there is no relationship. ing. However, it is a game system that can be deployed to expand the game space in real time space rather than fictitious to the network scale, which has the unexpectedness of receiving mail from game characters and sometimes requires communication with other players Yes, this makes it possible to develop a game that has never been interesting.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the entire system in a communication game system used in the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game machine main body 10, a storage medium 13, and a communication terminal B used in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a game program 32 stored in a memory of a storage medium 13 used in the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control flow relationship among a game server 6, a mobile phone, a game machine body 10, and a mobile phone dedicated mail server used in the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of “application data 21” such as “application data 21” and mini game program 54 related to transmission / reception of mail related to a game used in the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of data included in “sent mail” that is an example of first information data according to the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of data included in a “reply mail” that is an example of second information data according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of control in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of control in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control flow in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of control in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control flow in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control flow in the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: communication network, 2: mail server, 3: WEB server, 4: router, 5: base station, 6: game server, 7: mail server B, 8: game server main body, 9: mailbox, 10: game machine Main body, 11: display unit, 12: operation input unit, 13: storage medium, 14: second mounting unit, 15: first mounting unit, 17: connection terminal, 18: game control unit, 19: display control unit 20: Transfer control unit, 21: Application data, 22: Game name, 23: CPU bus, 24: Game control program, 25: Display control program, 26: Transfer control program, 27: Input control program, 28: Mail Transmission program, 29: Mail reception program, 31: Communication control program (mail software), 32: Game program, 45: Command command, 46: Game Character name, 47: player name, 48: game progress status data, 49: outgoing mail outgoing time-out data, 50: outgoing mail outgoing time-out data, 51: mail address of game server, 52: communication terminal Mail address, 53: Game hint information (attached data), 54: Mini game program

Claims (1)

A game progress method in a system including a communication terminal, a plurality of game machines that detachably attach the communication terminal and advance a game based on a program, and a game server,
The game machine
In a scene predetermined by the program during the progress of the game, a transmission mail including a command command for the communication terminal capable of transferring mail to the game machine and game progress data is generated. A first step to:
Based on the command command, a second transmission mail including the mail address of the communication terminal and the game progress data is transmitted to the game server storing hint data via the communication terminal . Steps,
Run
The game server
Including a mail address of a communication terminal of another player who is playing the same game as the game, and hint data for the progress data of the game, and a reply to the communication terminal that has transmitted the transmission mail A third step of generating and sending an email;
Including the first information that prompts the player to communicate with other players by e-mail and the second information that prompts the player to connect the communication terminal to the game machine. Generate and send a delivery mail that is delivered to all the communication terminals at the same time and execute the fourth step,
The communication terminal that has received the reply mail is:
Using the mail address included in the reply mail based on the first information, executing a fifth step of communicating a communication mail including the received hint data with the other player;
The game machine
When connected to the communication terminal based on the second information, the hint data included in the reply mail and the hint data included in the communication mail transmitted from the other player are transmitted to the communication terminal. A game progressing method, further comprising a sixth step of transferring the game machine to the game machine.

Images