JP4470296B2 - Map linking method and system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a map connection method and system thereof, and more particularly to a map connection method and system for connecting maps in a virtual space created by a plurality of users via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there are homepages on the Internet as a place for self-expression using a network, but these homepages are visually linked only by URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) of other homepages displayed in the homepage. It is not something that has multiple homepages linked together. In addition, there has been no system in which each of a plurality of users can freely express a home page in terrain and connect the plurality of terrain visually.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, creating a home page requires specialized knowledge such as a content description language for information processing terminals, such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language), and it is difficult for beginners to create a home page for self-expression. There was a problem that it was difficult.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and each of a plurality of users can freely create a terrain, connect the plurality of terrains, and sequentially search the connected terrain. An object is to provide a map connection method and a system thereof.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of personal maps constituting a world map are connected to each of a predetermined number of personal maps adjacent to each personal map and registered in a server,
A user terminal used by each user of each personal map that creates the terrain of each personal map of the world map is connected to the server via a network;
A user of each personal map is a map connection method for downloading a personal map connected to each other from the server to the user terminal and sequentially searching for the map,
The user terminal installs a bulletin board as an object that describes at least one of text and images for other users on a personal map,
Display a search character on the user terminal to represent the user who performs the search on the personal map that performs the search,
When the search character moves on the displayed personal map in response to a user's operation and the search character advances to an adjacent personal map, data including an object of the advanced personal map is downloaded from the server. To do .
[0006]
In this way, each user of each personal map creates the terrain of each personal map, so that each user can express himself / herself. By tracing and searching, the topography of each personal map can be viewed and evaluated.
[0007]
The invention according to claim 2 is a server in which a plurality of personal maps constituting a world map are registered in connection with each of a predetermined number of personal maps adjacent to each personal map;
A user terminal that is connected to the server via a network and that is used by each personal map user to create the terrain of each personal map of the world map;
A user of each personal map is a map connection system that downloads personal maps connected to each other from the server to the user terminal and sequentially searches for the maps,
The user terminal has a bulletin board installation means for installing a bulletin board as an object that describes at least one of text and images for other users on a personal map;
A search character display means for displaying a search character for representing the user who performs the search on the personal map for performing the search;
Search character moving means for moving the search character on a personal map displayed in response to a user operation;
Download means for downloading, from the server, data including an object of the destination personal map when the search character advances to an adjacent personal map;
[0008]
In this way, by registering a plurality of personal maps constituting the world map in the server, each personal map and each of a predetermined number of adjacent personal maps can be linked to each other. It can be created freely.
[0012]
Further, by displaying a search character for representing the user himself / herself , the user can be given a feeling that he / she is virtually searching for another user's personal map.
[0018]
Further, by providing a bulletin board for displaying a sentence or an image on the personal map, information on the sentence or the image can be given to another user who performs the search.
[0019]
The invention according to claim 5 is the map connection system according to claim 3,
A mail box for receiving mail is provided on the personal map.
[0020]
In this way, by providing a mail box for receiving mail on the personal map, mail can be received from other users who perform searches.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 6 is the map connection system according to claim 3 ,
When there are a plurality of search characters on an arbitrary personal map, there is a chat means for performing chat between user terminals of the plurality of search characters.
[0022]
Thus, since the search character has a chat means , when there are a plurality of search characters on an arbitrary personal map, it is possible to chat between user terminals of these search characters.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of a map connection system of the present invention. In the figure, a server 4 is connected on the network 2. A plurality of personal maps are registered and held in the database in the server 4. The user terminals 6a to 6x connect to the server 4 by connecting to the network 2 as necessary, and each user updates a personal map stored in the server 4 for each user, or is stored in the server 4 It is possible to search a personal map of other users who are present.
[0026]
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a game device used as the user terminals 6a to 6x in the system of the present invention.
[0027]
In the figure, in a recording medium 10 such as a CD-ROM, a map editor program such as a terrain editor for creating a map, an object set editor, an attribute editor, and various programs 12 for network connection and map search, game program data 14 such as a drawing program and object data and texture data for image processing are recorded. The recording medium 10 is mounted on a playback device 21 that constitutes the hardware 20 of the game device, and is read as necessary to execute a game program and a drawing program. Here, objects and calls the body those displayed on the virtual space, objects includes a plurality of vertices and the like constituting the polygon or polygons is displayed elements.
[0028]
In the hardware 20 of the game device, a CPU 22 that performs various arithmetic processes including matrix calculation for coordinate conversion, visual field conversion calculation, and the like, and data from the recording medium 10 are buffered and used as a work area for arithmetic processing. A system memory (RAM) 24 and a hard disk device 25 are connected by a bus. Further, the CPU 22 is connected via a bus arbiter 26 to a drawing processor 28 for drawing according to a drawing command, a frame memory 30 to which image data drawn by the drawing processor 28 is written, an audio processor 32 for generating audio data, An audio memory 34 to which audio data generated by the audio processor 32 is written is connected to a modem 37 which is connected to a network through a telephone line or the like and exchanges program data.
[0029]
At startup, the CPU 22 initializes the entire hardware 20 with a program read from the boot RAM 38, and then performs game processing based on the program data read from the recording medium 10 via the playback device 21 and stored in the system memory 24. . In the game processing, the polygon data in the memory is calculated by the program in the system memory 24 by the switch data input by the player through the input operation pad 36. The calculated polygon data is sent to the drawing processor 28 as a drawing command and image data.
[0030]
The drawing processor 28, the supplied drawing command and the image data (polygon data and vertex Chade data) to or in front which the object is viewed from the viewpoint depending needs while specified based object image from CPU22 to generate the data, or to perform the rendering process to apply to the polygon to be displayed by reading the texture data.
[0031]
The image data read from the frame memory 30 and the audio data read from the audio memory 34 are supplied to a display device 35 such as a television monitor, and a game screen is displayed and game audio is output.
[0032]
The bus arbiter 26 has a function as an interface and a function of exchanging data with each block. The playback device 21 and the game input operation pad 36 are connected to the bus arbiter 26 via a modem 37. It is connected to an external communication line and can be connected to the network 2. The bus arbiter 26 is also connected to a boot ROM 38, and a boot operation at power-on is performed by executing a program in the boot ROM 40.
[0033]
FIG. 3 shows a plan view of one embodiment of the input operation pad 36. In the figure, an input operation pad 36 includes an analog cross key 40, an A button 42, a B button 43, an X button 44, a Y button 45, and an L button 46, an R button 47, an S button 48, and a cross key 49. Are used to instruct the movement of the character for personal map creation / update and map search. It is also possible to connect a keyboard (not shown) instead of the input operation pad 36 to the hardware 20.
[0034]
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a map processing routine executed by the game apparatus of the present invention.
[0035]
In the figure, the game device is connected to the server 4 via the network 2 in step S10. In step S12, it is determined whether or not the user is registered. If the user is not registered, the user is registered in the server 4 in step S14. In response to this user registration, one section of the personal map is distributed from the server 4, and the topographic data of the distributed one section personal map (land) and basic object data such as houses, trees and bulletin boards are transmitted together with the user registration number. Is done. In step S16, the game device receives the terrain data and basic object data of the terrain from the server 4, stores it in the hard disk device 25, for example, and proceeds to step S22.
[0036]
The basic object data may be stored in advance in the game program data 14 of the recording medium 10, or new data and additional data may be registered in the server 4 later.
[0037]
Incidentally, in the database of the server 4, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of personal maps 64 are set by dividing the world map 60 into a grid pattern. The position of each personal map 64 on the world map 60 is specified by position data.
[0038]
Each personal map 64 has a registration flag indicating whether or not it has been registered, a personal map whose registration flag is not registered is a vacant land, and an object created by each user in the personal map whose registration flag is registered And terrain data including attributes are registered. Each personal map 64 is, for example, a square image, and has doorways 65a, 65b, 65c, and 65d for personal maps adjacent to each of the four sides.
[0039]
Returning to FIG. 4, when the user registration has been completed in step S12, the user registration number is transmitted to the server 4 in step S18. On the other hand, the terrain data including the personal map object and attribute at the position corresponding to the user registration number is downloaded from the server 4, and the game device receives the terrain data including the personal map object and attribute from the server 4 in step S 20. The received data is stored in the hard disk device 25, and the process proceeds to step S22.
[0040]
In step S22, the game device determines whether there is personal map creation / update. If there is personal map creation / update, the game device proceeds to step S24 to execute personal map creation / update. Here, the user operates the analog cross key 40, the A button 42, the B button 43, the X button 44, and the Y button 45, so that a part of the personal map is raised and a mountain is created, or a river is dug down to create a river. And ponds, roads, etc. Furthermore, basic objects such as houses, trees, and bulletin boards are installed at desired positions on the personal map, and attributes such as rivers and rocks are designated to create a user-specific space as shown in FIG. The space of the created personal map is displayed on the display device 35 as shown in FIG.
[0041]
The terrain editor read from the recording medium 10 is used to create the above land, the object set editor is used to install basic objects, and the attribute editor is used to specify attributes such as lawn, pond, river, and rock. Is used. In FIG. 6, a mountain 70, a pond 71, and a river 72 are created, a house 73 and a tree 74 are installed on the mountain 70, a bridge 75 is hung on the river 72, and bulletin boards 76a to 76f are installed at each place. Has been. In addition, this personal map is also provided with doorways 65a to 65d for adjacent personal maps. Sentences and images can be written on the bulletin boards 76a to 76f.
[0042]
After the creation / update of the personal map is completed, the process proceeds to step S26, and the terrain data including the personal map object or attribute created or updated is transmitted to the server 4 and uploaded, and the process proceeds to step S28.
[0043]
If no personal map is created / updated in step S22, the process proceeds to step S28 to determine whether or not to perform a search. If no search is performed, this process is terminated. When searching, it progresses to step S30, and while displaying the user's own personal map or the personal map searched last by the last search, the search character for representing the user who searches is displayed. Note that which of the user's own personal map and the personal map searched last in the previous search is determined by the user selecting the A button 42 or the B button 43, for example. For example, the user's own personal map is displayed.
[0044]
In step S32, the search character is moved on the personal map in accordance with the user's operation of the analog cross key 40 or the like. FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display device 35 during the search. Here, an example in which the search character 78 searches the space shown in FIG. 6 is shown, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0045]
Next, in step S34, it is determined whether or not the search is to be ended. If the search is to be continued, it is determined in step S36 whether or not the search character 78 has advanced to the adjacent personal map through any of the entrances 65a to 65d. To do. When the process proceeds to the adjacent personal map, the server 4 is requested to download the terrain data of the personal map to which the search character 78 has advanced in step S38, and the personal map supplied from the server 4 in step S40. The terrain data including the object and attribute is received, and the process proceeds to step 32. In step S38, the server 4 can recognize to which personal map the search character 78 of the user has advanced by the download request.
[0046]
On the other hand, if the process does not proceed to the adjacent personal map in step S36, the process proceeds to step S32 as it is. If the search is terminated in step S34, the personal map position data last searched in step S42 is held in the hard disk device 25, and the process is terminated.
[0047]
In this way, the user can create and update the terrain of his / her personal map uniquely and freely, and the user can express himself / herself. By uploading this terrain to the server 4, other users can see it. Can be evaluated. Further, since all the personal maps are virtually connected as if they are continuous in the server 4, the user traces the connected personal maps one after another and searches the vast world map 60. Can be imaged.
[0048]
Further, by displaying a search character for representing the user himself / herself, the user can be given a feeling that he / she is virtually searching for another user's personal map.
[0049]
By the way, at the time of searching, as shown in FIG. 8, a navigation character 80 is displayed in addition to the search character 78. The navigation character 80 is born from an egg, grows up, and eventually dies. Initially it is a simple sphere, but its shape changes as it grows, and when the user creates his / her own personal map, the shape changes according to the terrain. It is strong and can swim when there are many ponds and rivers, and can fly high when there are high mountains.
[0050]
The navigation character 80 moves with the search character 78 to perform a search, but when grown, the navigation character 80 can fly anywhere on the world map 60 independently of the personal map position that the search character 78 is searching for. For example, information such as that is provided to the search character 78, that is, the user by voice. Further, when a search is instructed by designating an arbitrary keyword, the navigation character 80 searches the world map 60 to search for a personal map in which the keyword is written on a bulletin board or the like, and teaches the position of the personal map by voice.
[0051]
In this way, by displaying the navigation character together with the search character, it is possible to improve the game performance when searching for the personal map of another user. Further, since the navigation character has a function of searching for a personal map other than the personal map that the search character is searching for, the navigation character can assist the search.
[0052]
Here, the bulletin boards 76a to 76f will be described in detail. In each of the bulletin boards 76a to 76f, sentences and images for other users are described. When a search character of another user is searching for the personal map shown in FIG. 6, if the bulletin boards 76e and 76f are selected by the search character, the texts described on the bulletin boards 76e and 76f, respectively, as shown in FIG. The image is displayed on the windows 82e and 82f displayed as a pop-up. That is, other users can freely see the contents described on the bulletin board of their personal maps, and can have the same function as a home page on the Internet. In addition, you may make it display a moving image on a bulletin board.
[0053]
Further, when a plurality of users are searching for one personal map, as shown in FIG. 10, the search characters 83 and 84 of the searching users are displayed on the personal map. In such a state, for example, by moving the search character 83 so as to overlap the search character 84, it is possible to chat between the users of the search characters 83 and 84. The image 85 can be displayed in the chat.
[0054]
Furthermore, a personal map for chat is set in the world map 60. When this chat personal map is searched with a search character, the display shown in FIG. 11 is performed, and search characters 91 to 94 for all users searching in the chat personal map 90 are displayed. It can be performed.
[0055]
Although not shown in FIG. 6, a mail box is attached to the house 73 and the like installed in each personal map, and the user of the search character searching for the personal map of another user is shown in FIG. By creating a mail (visual mail) as shown in the above and posting it in the mailbox (by selecting the mail and clicking on the mailbox), the mail can be transmitted to the user of the personal map.
[0056]
The server 4 manages the map usage frequency for each user. The map usage frequency is a value that increases with the creation of a personal map, the number of searches for personal maps of other users, the number of chats, the number of times of game execution, and the like. When the map usage frequency exceeds a predetermined threshold (for example, 10, 20, 30), the usage level of the user is increased.
[0057]
In the world map 60, a shop personal map is set for each predetermined range. The use level of the user who can enter the store is set in the shop personal map. For example, a user with a map usage frequency of “40” and a usage level of “A” can enter any of the personal maps for shops of levels A, B, C, and D, but the map usage frequency is “25” and the usage level is “25”. The user of “C” can enter only the level C and D personal maps for shops.
[0058]
In the world map 60, a currency unit “ring” is determined, and each user can obtain one ring when another user searches his / her personal map, and other users read the bulletin board of his / her personal map. You can set a price for when. In this way, each user accumulates a ring.
[0059]
The shop personal map sells objects such as conifers 100, flags 102, balls 104, guide plates 106, fences 108, and palm trees 110 shown in FIG. The price (ring) of each object is determined in advance, and each user who visits the shop personal map can purchase each of the above objects with his / her own ring and place it on his / her personal map.
[0060]
Further, by purchasing the ball 104 and the hole 112 shown in FIG. 14A on the personal map for shop and installing them on the personal map, a golf game can be played on the personal map. Similarly, by purchasing the ball 104 and the goal 114 shown in FIG. 14B on the personal map for shop and installing them on the personal map, a soccer game can be played on the personal map. Similarly, by purchasing a car 116 and poles 117 and 118 shown in FIG. 14C on the shop personal map and installing them on the personal map, a racing game can be played on the personal map. Of course, when another user participates in the game, a consideration (ring) can be requested.
[0061]
The terrain editor corresponds to the terrain creation means described in the claims, the object set editor corresponds to the object setting means, the attribute editor corresponds to the attribute designation means, and step S30 corresponds to the search character display means.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
As described above , according to the present invention , each user of each personal map can create self-expression by creating each terrain of each personal map, and the users of each personal map can be connected to each other. By traversing and searching the personal maps, the topography of each personal map can be viewed and evaluated.
[0063]
In addition, by registering a plurality of personal maps constituting the world map in the server, each personal map and each of a predetermined number of adjacent personal maps can be connected to each other, and each user terminal can freely connect his / her own personal map. It can be created.
[0065]
Further, by displaying a search character for representing the user himself / herself , the user can be given a feeling that he / she is virtually searching for another user's personal map.
[0068]
Further, by providing a bulletin board for displaying a sentence or an image on the personal map, information on the sentence or the image can be given to another user who performs the search.
[0069]
In addition, by providing a mail box for receiving mail on the personal map, mail can be received from other users who perform searches.
[0070]
Moreover, since it has a chat means , when a some search character exists on arbitrary personal maps, it can chat between the user terminals of these search characters.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of a map connection system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a game device used as a user terminal in the system of the present invention.
3 is a diagram showing a plan view of one embodiment of an input operation pad 36. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a map processing routine executed by the game device of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a world map 60;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a personal map.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display device 35 during a search.
8 is a diagram showing a search character 78 and a navigation character 80. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a pop-up display on bulletin boards 76e and 76f.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example in chat.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a chat personal map;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of visual mail.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an object in a shop personal map.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an object to be purchased.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 recording medium 12 game program 1 4 game program data 20 hardware 21 reproducing apparatus 22 CPU
24 system memory 25 hard disk device 26 bus arbiter 28 drawing processor 30 frame memory 32 audio processor 34 audio memory 35 display device 36 input operation pad 37 modem 38 boot ROM

Claims (6)

A plurality of personal maps constituting the world map are registered with the server in conjunction with each personal map and a predetermined number of personal maps adjacent to each other,
A user terminal used by each user of each personal map that creates the terrain of each personal map of the world map is connected to the server via a network;
A user of each personal map is a map connection method for downloading a personal map connected to each other from the server to the user terminal and sequentially searching for the map,
The user terminal installs a bulletin board as an object that describes at least one of text and images for other users on a personal map,
Display a search character on the user terminal to represent the user who performs the search on the personal map that performs the search,
When the search character moves on the displayed personal map in response to a user's operation and the search character advances to an adjacent personal map, data including an object of the advanced personal map is downloaded from the server. A map connection method characterized by: A server in which a plurality of personal maps constituting the world map are linked and registered with each of a predetermined number of personal maps adjacent to each personal map;
A user terminal that is connected to the server via a network and that is used by each personal map user to create the terrain of each personal map of the world map;
A user of each personal map is a map connection system that downloads personal maps connected to each other from the server to the user terminal and sequentially searches for the maps,
The user terminal has a bulletin board installation means for installing a bulletin board as an object that describes at least one of text and images for other users on a personal map;
A search character display means for displaying a search character for representing the user who performs the search on the personal map for performing the search;
Search character moving means for moving the search character on a personal map displayed in response to a user operation;
Download means for downloading, from the server, data including an object of the personal map to which the search character has advanced when the search character has advanced to an adjacent personal map;
A map linkage system comprising: In the map connection system according to claim 2,
Each of the personal maps is a quadrilateral having a doorway for a personal map adjacent to each of the four sides . In the map connection system according to claim 3,
A map connection system, comprising: search means for searching the world map and searching for a personal map describing a keyword specified on a bulletin board . In the map connection system according to claim 3,
A map linking system comprising a mail box for receiving mail on a personal map. In the map connection system according to claim 3 ,
A map linking system comprising chat means for performing chat between user terminals of the plurality of search characters when a plurality of search characters exist on an arbitrary personal map.

Images