JP5164420B2 - Game system and game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to information processing technology, and particularly to information processing technology used in a game system including a plurality of game machines.

  In recent years, a technique called emulation in which software developed for a certain target hardware is operated on hardware different from the target hardware has attracted attention. In the emulation technology, hardware resources provided in the target hardware, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a disk system, and the like are virtually realized by an emulator program. When an application program to be executed on the target hardware accesses these hardware resources, the emulator program that realizes the hardware resource to be accessed enters data as if it were a response from the actual hardware. The output is performed, and the application program operates.

Game emulation devices generally have a hardware structure different from that of conventional game machines, and include ROMs for driving game ROMs and ROM cartridges used in conventional game machines, and external storage media such as memory cards. May not have a slot to install. On the other hand, due to recent technological advances, the capacity of storage media has increased dramatically, and recent emulation devices are configured to be equipped with a storage medium having a larger capacity than the storage media used in conventional game machines. Yes. Therefore, in the emulation apparatus, the ROM image of the game program is read into such a large-capacity external storage medium or a built-in storage medium, and the game is executed.
JP 2001-314644 A

  Conventionally, a stationary game machine is usually used. However, due to recent technological innovation, a portable game machine can perform as well as a stationary game machine. Under such circumstances, it is ideal to build a system that can efficiently use existing data in an environment where stationary game machines and portable game machines coexist. Since the specifications and the software specifications are different, there are many obstacles to the construction of such a system. Therefore, development of a game system in which data can be efficiently used by a stationary game machine and a portable game machine using emulation technology, information processing technology, and the like is eagerly desired.

  Also, game machine hardware is often renewed every few years. The new game machine can maintain compatibility with the old game machine by installing an emulator program, but the saved data that the user played on the old game machine can be used as it is on the new game machine. Preferably it can be done. A user-friendly game system can be provided to the user by realizing an environment that allows the save data to be copied as efficiently as possible without causing the user to take time and effort.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system that can efficiently use data and a technique related to a game machine that realizes such a game system.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a game system according to an aspect of the present invention replicates game save data held by a first game machine to a second game machine, and the second game machine transmits the game data from the first game machine. The saved data is stored in a storage area specified according to identification information for uniquely specifying the game.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a game machine. This game machine is a game machine that duplicates saved game save data to another terminal device, and saves it in a storage area of a storage device of another terminal device specified according to identification information that uniquely specifies the game. Store data.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a game system. This game system is a game system for copying save data of a game held in the first game machine to the second game machine, and when the game program is executed on the second game machine, the game is executed in the first game machine. If the saved data is stored, the saved data is copied to the second game machine.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique regarding the game system which can utilize data efficiently, and the game machine which implement | achieves such a game system can be provided.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a game system 1 according to the embodiment. The game system 1 includes a portable game machine 100, a stationary game machine 200 connected to the portable game machine 100 with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 10, a router 20 connected to the stationary game machine 200, and a network 30. And an image file providing server 40 connected to the router 20 via the network. The image file providing server 40 provides the stationary game machine 200 with a package file in which image files of game programs and other accompanying information are collected. The portable game machine 100 may obtain an image file from the stationary game machine 200 or may obtain it directly from the image file providing server 40. The image file of the game program is data in which the complete contents and structure of the storage medium in which the game program is stored is stored in one file, and is executed by the emulator program in the stationary game machine 200 or the portable game machine 100. Created in a possible format. A typical example of the image file is “ISO image” which is a CD image file in ISO9660 format. A ROM in which a game program is recorded as a file is sometimes called a “ROM image”.

  In the present embodiment, the portable game machine 100 and the stationary game machine 200 are connected by the USB cable 10, but may be connected by other cables, and both of them have a wireless communication function and are wirelessly connected. Also good. In the game system 1, the stationary game machine 200 acts as a host for the storage device of the portable game machine 100 by making a USB connection with the portable game machine 100, and data is stored in the storage device of the portable game machine 100. It may have a function of controlling reading and writing.

  The stationary game machine 200 is an information processing apparatus that includes a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk. The stationary game machine 200 stores an emulator program and an image file of a game program provided from the image file providing server 40 in a storage device. The stationary game machine 200 has a ROM drive, and operates alone as a game device by inserting a game ROM into the ROM drive and executing the game program. However, by starting an emulator program, It can also operate as an emulation device that can execute image files. The emulator program may be acquired through the network 30 or may be preinstalled at the time of shipment.

  The portable game machine 100 is an information processing apparatus in which a large-capacity storage device such as a flash memory is built in or removable. The portable game machine 100 stores an emulator program and an image file of a game program supplied from the stationary game machine 200 or the like in a storage device. The portable game machine 100 operates alone as a game device, but can also operate as an emulation device that can execute an image file of a game program by starting an emulator program. The emulator program may be acquired from the stationary game machine 200, may be acquired from another device via the network 30, or may be preinstalled at the time of shipment.

  The output device 202 includes a display that outputs an image. The output device 202 may be a television having a speaker that outputs sound. The output device 202 may be connected to the stationary game machine 200 with a wired cable, or may be wirelessly connected by a wireless local area network (LAN) or the like.

  The game controller 204 is an input interface device that allows a user to input an operation to the stationary game machine 200. The game controller 204 may transmit an operation input wirelessly, or may be connected to the stationary game machine 200 with a cable.

  The image file providing server 40 generates a package file including an image file of a game program for a predetermined game machine and provides the package file to the stationary game machine 200 and / or the portable game machine 100. For example, the image file providing server 40 transmits a list of downloadable game titles to the stationary game machine 200, and the user selects a desired game title so that the stationary game machine 200 stores the image file on the hard disk. Download to a storage device. In the present embodiment, the game title means information for specifying game software, and the game title and game software (game program) correspond one-to-one. The stationary game machine 200 starts the emulator program and reads the downloaded image file, so that the game can be executed as if it were a predetermined game machine.

  Similarly, the portable game machine 100 downloads an image file of a desired game title from the image file providing server 40 or exports an image file of a desired game title from the stationary game machine 200, so that the flash memory The image file is held in a storage medium such as The portable game machine 100 can execute the game as if it were a predetermined game machine by starting an emulator program and reading the acquired image file.

  In a conventional stationary game machine, an external storage medium such as a memory card having a storage capacity of about 1 megabyte is generally used to record game save data. However, at present, the storage capacity of memory cards is small, and instead, game machines are equipped with large-capacity storage media such as hard disks and flash memories. Therefore, in many cases, the stationary game machine 200 and the portable game machine 100 are not provided with a slot (slot) for a memory card used in a conventional game machine. On the other hand, since the conventional game program is created on the premise of reading and writing data from a memory card in accordance with the hardware structure of a conventional game machine, the latest stationary game machine 200 and portable game machine In order to execute the game program at 100, it is necessary to generate a virtual memory card (hereinafter also referred to as “virtual memory card”) on a storage medium. The virtual memory card is an image file in which the storage contents and structure of a conventional memory card are stored in one file, and is created in a format that can be read by an emulator program in the stationary game machine 200 or the portable game machine 100. . When the game program is executed by the emulator program, the virtual memory card is assigned to a virtual slot.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the stationary game machine 200. The stationary game machine 200 includes an operation input reception unit 210, a communication unit 212, a reception unit 220, a processing unit 230, a transmission unit 250, a storage control unit 260, and a storage unit 270. The operation input receiving unit 210 receives a user operation input from the game controller 204. The communication unit 212 is connected to the reception unit 220 and the transmission unit 250 and transmits / receives data to / from the portable game machine 100 and the router 20. As described above, the communication unit 212 may establish a wireless connection between the portable game machine 100 and the router 20 or may establish a wired connection.

  The reception unit 220 includes a file information acquisition unit 222, a save data acquisition unit 224, and a package file acquisition unit 226. The file information acquisition unit 222 acquires a storage device of the portable game machine 100, specifically, a directory structure and a save data file name of the storage device of the portable game machine 100. The save data acquisition unit 224 acquires save data from an external terminal device. The external terminal device may be a portable game machine 100 connected by a USB cable 10 or may be an external adapter device for a memory card. The save data is data indicating the game progress status of the user, and is configured in association with an ID that identifies the game title. The package file acquisition unit 226 acquires a file in which the image file of the game program and other accompanying information are packaged from the image file providing server 40.

  The transmission unit 250 includes a request transmission unit 252, a save data transmission unit 254, and an image file transmission unit 256. The request transmission unit 252 transmits the request generated by the processing unit 230 to the portable game machine 100. The save data transmission unit 254 transmits save data to the portable game machine 100. The image file transmission unit 256 transmits an image file to the portable game machine 100.

  The processing unit 230 includes a reference request unit 231, a display list selection unit 232, a conversion request unit 233, a ripping processing unit 234, a save data comparison unit 235, a storage status management unit 236, a write control unit 237, a copy request unit 239, a display A control unit 240 and a game execution unit 248 are provided, and a function of sharing desired data with the portable game machine 100 is realized. The storage unit 270 is a storage device such as a hard disk, and includes an emulator program storage unit 272, a game data storage unit 280, and a virtual memory card storage unit 290. The emulator program storage unit 272, the game data storage unit 280, and the virtual memory card storage unit 290 may be formed in the same storage unit 270, but may be formed in different storage units. Storage control unit 260 controls reading and writing of data with respect to storage unit 270.

  The game data storage unit 280 stores a plurality of game data 282a, 282b, and 282c (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “game data 282”). The game data 282 includes a game program 284 and accompanying information 286 included in the package file acquired by the package file acquisition unit 226. The game program 284 is a ROM image of the game program, for example, and is an image file of the game program stored in the game ROM or the like. The accompanying information 286 is a data group used when the emulation function is executed by the stationary game machine 200, and includes information such as a setting file for the emulator and a game title displayed by a GUI (Graphical User Interface). The accompanying information 286 may be information directly extracted from the game ROM, may be information extracted from the image file of the game program, or may be information generated for emulation. The virtual memory card storage unit 290 stores a plurality of virtual memory cards 292a and 292b (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “virtual memory card 292”). The virtual memory card 292 can have a plurality of save data 294a, 294b, and 294c, but there may be an empty state where no save data 294 exists.

  The virtual memory card 292 is a target visually displayed as an icon on the menu screen of the output device 202 or the like. Similarly, the save data 294 is a target visually displayed as an icon on the menu screen of the output device 202 or the like. An icon for expressing the existence of the save data 294 is included in the save data 294 as image data. In the stationary game machine 200, a user can freely create a virtual memory card 292, and save data 294 can be freely stored in the virtual memory card 292. Therefore, the virtual memory card 292 may store a plurality of types of game save data in a mixed manner.

  The game execution unit 248 operates as an emulation device by starting the emulator program held in the emulator program holding unit 272 and executing the game program 284. At this time, the game execution unit 248 realizes an emulator function by reading the accompanying information 286, and can act as if it is another game device. The game execution unit 248 can load the save data 294 of the game program 284 to be executed, so that the game can be restarted from the point when the user has saved in the past.

  The functions of the processing unit 230 are realized by a CPU, a memory, a program loaded in the memory, and the like, and here, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are depicted. Those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the portable game machine 100. The portable game machine 100 includes a communication unit 110, a reception unit 120, a processing unit 130, a transmission unit 150, a storage control unit 160, and a storage unit 170. The communication unit 110 is connected to the reception unit 120 and the transmission unit 150 and transmits / receives data to / from the stationary game machine 200. As described above, the communication unit 110 may establish a wireless connection with the stationary game machine 200 or may establish a wired connection.

  The reception unit 120 includes a request reception unit 122, a save data acquisition unit 124, and a package file acquisition unit 126. The request receiving unit 122 receives various requests transmitted from the stationary game machine 200. The save data acquisition unit 124 acquires save data from an external terminal device. The external terminal device may be a stationary game machine 200 connected by the USB cable 10, may be an external adapter device of a memory card, or may be a portable game machine of the same type. Good. The package file acquisition unit 126 acquires an image file of the game program and other accompanying information from the stationary game machine 200 or the like.

  The transmission unit 150 includes a file information transmission unit 152 and a save data transmission unit 154. The file information transmission unit 152 transmits file information stored in the storage unit 170. The file information is information that specifies the directory structure of the storage unit 170, the save data file name, and the like. The save data transmission unit 154 transmits save data to the stationary game machine 200. Note that the transmission unit 150 may include an image file transmission unit and transmit the image file to the stationary game machine 200.

  The processing unit 130 includes a decoding unit 132 and a game execution unit 134. The storage unit 170 is a storage device such as a flash memory, and includes an emulator program storage unit 172, a game data storage unit 180, and a virtual memory card storage unit 190. The storage unit 170 may be a built-in storage medium or a removable removable medium. The emulator program holding unit 172, the game data storage unit 180, and the virtual memory card storage unit 190 may be formed in the same storage unit 170, but may be formed in different storage units. Storage control unit 160 controls reading and writing of data with respect to storage unit 170.

  The game data storage unit 180 stores a plurality of game data 182a, 182b, and 182c (hereinafter referred to as “game data 182” when collectively referred to). The game data 182 includes a game program 184 and accompanying information 186 included in the package file acquired by the package file acquisition unit 126. The game program 184 is a ROM image of a game program, for example, and is an image file of a game program stored in a game ROM or the like. The accompanying information 186 is a data group used when the portable game machine 100 executes an emulation function, and includes information such as a setting file for an emulator and a game title displayed by a GUI (Graphical User Interface). The accompanying information 186 may be information extracted directly from the game ROM, may be information extracted from the image file of the game program, or may be information generated for emulation. The game program 184 and accompanying information 186 of the same game title and the game program 284 and accompanying information 286 may have different data formats, but their contents are the same. The virtual memory card storage unit 190 stores a plurality of virtual memory cards 192a, 192b, 192c, and 192d (hereinafter collectively referred to as “virtual memory card 192”). The virtual memory card 192 can have a plurality of save data 194a, 194b, 194c, but there are cases where the save data 194 does not exist and is empty.

  The virtual memory card 192 is a target that is visually displayed as an icon on the menu screen of the portable game machine 100 and the output device 202. Similarly, the save data 194 is a target visually displayed as an icon on the menu screen of the portable game machine 100 and the output device 202. An icon for expressing the existence of the save data 194 is included in the save data 194 as image data.

  The emulator program activated in the portable game machine 100 is configured to access only the virtual memory card 192 of the game when the game program is executed. Accordingly, one or more virtual memory cards 192 are formed in the virtual memory card storage unit 190 corresponding to the game title, and the corresponding game save data 194 is stored in the virtual memory card 192.

  The game execution unit 134 operates as an emulation device by starting the emulator program held in the emulator program holding unit 172 and executing the game program 184. At this time, the game execution unit 134 can read the accompanying information 186 to realize an emulator function and behave as if it is another game device. The game execution unit 134 can load the save data 194 of the game program 184 to be executed, so that the game can be restarted from the time point when the user saved in the past.

<System for sharing game program image files>
The game system 1 of this embodiment operates as a system that shares an image file of a game program between the portable game machine 100 and the stationary game machine 200. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the portable game machine 100 and the stationary game machine 200 are connected so as to be able to transmit data by wire or wireless, and the stationary game machine 200 stores an image file of a game program. The image file providing server 40 to be held is connected via the network 30. Hereinafter, the image file sharing function of the game system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

  In the stationary game machine 200, when the operation input receiving unit 210 receives a connection instruction from the game controller 204 to the image file providing server 40, the communication unit 212 connects to the image file providing server 40. The image file providing server 40 distributes a list of game titles that can be downloaded, and the user selects a desired game title from the list displayed on the output device 202 by the game controller 204, thereby requesting a download of the game image file. Is generated. The communication unit 212 downloads a package file from the image file providing server 40 and supplies the package file to the package file acquisition unit 226.

  In this embodiment, the package file includes at least a game software execution program, and further includes accompanying information including a game title ID and the like. The title ID may be a game item number or the like, as long as it can uniquely identify the game title. When the package file acquisition unit 226 acquires the package file, the storage control unit 260 stores the game program 284 and the accompanying information 286 in the game data storage unit 280 as game data 282 associated with each other. In this way, the stationary game machine 200 holds the image file of the game program.

  The stationary game machine 200 can share the image file by copying the image file of the game program to the portable game machine 100. The storage control unit 260 supplies the game data 282 stored in the game data storage unit 280 to the image file transmission unit 256. The image file transmission unit 256 has a function of specifying a storage area in the storage unit 170 of the portable game machine 100 for storing save data. Specifically, the image file transmission unit 256 packages a virtual memory card creation instruction together with the game data 282 and supplies it to the communication unit 212. The virtual memory card creation instruction includes the number of virtual memory cards to be created according to the type of game program. The image file transmission unit 256 may generate a virtual memory card creation instruction by reading the number of virtual memory cards to be created from the accompanying information of the game program to be transmitted. The image file transmission unit 256 has a function of creating a directory specified by the title ID of the game in the storage unit 170 of the portable game machine 100. The communication unit 212 transmits the game data 282 and the instruction information to the portable game machine 100 as a package file.

  In the portable game machine 100, the package file acquisition unit 126 acquires a package file via the communication unit 110. When the package file acquisition unit 126 acquires the package file, the storage control unit 160 stores the game program 184 and the accompanying information 186 in the game data storage unit 180 as game data 182 associated with each other. Thereby, the image file of a game program can be shared between the stationary game machine 200 and the portable game machine 100. A game machine having different hardware shares the image file, so that it is not necessary to create a plurality of types of image files, and each emulation function can be efficiently realized.

Further, the storage control unit 160 creates the virtual memory card 192 in the directory specified by the game title ID, based on the game title ID included in the accompanying information 186 and the virtual memory card creation instruction. A directory structure that defines the storage hierarchy of the virtual memory card 192 in the storage unit 170 is determined as follows, for example. When four virtual memory cards are created according to the virtual memory card creation instruction, the storage control unit 160 creates four virtual memory cards in the following directory.
... / SAVEDATA / Title ID / VMC0. BBB
... / SAVEDATA / Title ID / VMC1. BBB
... / SAVEDATA / Title ID / VMC2. BBB
... / SAVEDATA / Title ID / VMC3. BBB
Under the directory specified by the title ID, four different virtual memory cards are generated, and save data can be stored in the virtual memory card. Directories are classified by title IDs between different games. As described above, the number of virtual memory cards to be created is determined for each game title. As described above, in the game system 1 of the present embodiment, the image file of the game program can be shared between the stationary game machine 200 and the portable game machine 100. As described above, the stationary game machine 200 causes the storage control unit 160 to set the storage area of the save data in the directory of the storage unit 170 specified by the title ID that uniquely specifies the game, thereby allowing the portable game machine 100 to be set. The directory structure of the storage unit 170 can be constructed in an orderly manner.

  In the stationary game machine 200, the image file of the game program is not only supplied from the image file providing server 40, but may be directly generated by ripping the ROM medium. The stationary game machine 200 includes a ROM drive, and has a function of executing a game program by driving a ROM medium and loading the program into a memory. Therefore, the ripping processing unit 234 may rip the digital data recorded in the game ROM to create an image file and store it as a game program 284 in the game data storage unit 280.

  As described above, the ripping processing unit 234 has a function of executing a ripping process for capturing a game program recorded on a storage medium as an image file. With this function, the stationary game machine 200 can acquire the image file by creating the image file of the game program by itself without downloading the image file of the game program from the image file providing server 40. It becomes. At this time, the ripping processing unit 234 generates accompanying information 286 related to the game program together with the image file of the game program acquired by the ripping process. As described above, the accompanying information 286 is information necessary when the game program is executed by the emulator program, and the game executing unit 248 and the game executing unit 134 operate as an emulation device by using the accompanying information. Can do. The ripping processing unit 234 may generate the accompanying information 286 directly from the game ROM or may be generated based on data supplied from another server or the like, and obtained through these various routes. Data may be generated in combination. The stationary game machine 200 may copy the image file and accompanying information created by ripping to the portable game machine 100, whereby the image file and the accompanying information of the game program are transferred to the stationary game machine 200 and the portable game machine. It can be shared between the machines 100.

  The above is an example in which the storage control unit 160 of the portable game machine 100 participates in the process of copying the image file of the game program, but when the stationary game machine 200 and the portable game machine 100 are connected by USB, The processing unit 230 and the storage control unit 260 of the stationary game machine 200 can handle the storage unit 170 as an external storage medium. At this time, since the operation described as the process by the storage control unit 160 is executed by the storage control unit 260, the replication process can be simplified. In this case, the storage control unit 260 stores the image file of the game program in the storage unit 170, and executes the creation process of the virtual memory card 192 in the storage unit 170.

  When the game data including the image file of the game program and the accompanying information is copied from the stationary game machine 200 to the portable game machine 100, the stationary game machine 200 is a portable game machine that is a data duplication destination. It is preferable that the game data is transmitted after specifying 100 and applying the encryption that can be decrypted only by the specified portable game machine 100 to the game data to be transmitted. The image file transmission unit 256 performs an encryption process when transmitting game data. This encryption may be based on DRM (Digital Rights Management) technology, and is performed, for example, in a format determined by exchanging information relating to encryption with the copy destination. As described above, in the game system 1, by performing an encryption process that can be decrypted only by the portable game machine 100 specified as the copy destination, consideration is given so that the image file of the game program is not diffused and copied. Is preferred.

<System for sharing save data>
The game system 1 according to the present embodiment operates not only as a game program but also as a system for sharing save data between the portable game machine 100 and the stationary game machine 200. Specifically, the save data is shared by copying the save data from one of the stationary game machine 200 and the portable game machine 100 to the other of the stationary game machine 200 and the portable game machine 100. As a result, the user can load the same save data and start the game on either the stationary game machine 200 or the portable game machine 100, for example, playing with the portable game machine 100 while going out. The game can continue to be played on the stationary game machine 200 after returning home. In addition, a game played on the stationary game machine 200 at home can be continuously played on the portable game machine 100 outside. First, a case where save data is copied from the portable game machine 100 to the stationary game machine 200 will be described.

  In the stationary game machine 200, a reference instruction for the virtual memory card storage unit 190 in the storage unit 170 of the portable game machine 100 is supplied from the operation input receiving unit 210. The reference request unit 231 generates a reference request, and the request transmission unit 252 transmits a virtual memory card reference request to the portable game machine 100 via the communication unit 212.

  In the portable game machine 100, the request reception unit 122 receives a reference request for the virtual memory card storage unit 190 via the communication unit 110. The storage control unit 160 has a file system function. Upon receiving this reference request, the storage control unit 160 generates file information indicating a directory structure and a save data file name in the storage unit 170 of the virtual memory card storage unit 190. The file information is supplied to the file information transmission unit 152, and the file information transmission unit 152 transmits the file information from the communication unit 110 to the stationary game machine 200.

  In the stationary game machine 200, the file information acquisition unit 222 acquires file information via the communication unit 212 and supplies the file information to the display list selection unit 232. The display list selection unit 232 has a function of selecting save data to be displayed as a list on the display of the output device 202 or a folder (virtual memory card) of the save data.

  FIG. 4 is a screen example showing icons of the virtual memory card 192 selected by the display list selection unit 232 and displayed as a list on the output device 202 by the display control unit 240. Here, the storage unit 170 of the portable game machine 100 is configured as a removable medium, and in the screen example, in order to specify that information inside the removable medium of the portable game machine 100 is displayed, an upper column of the screen is displayed. “Portable game console removable media” is displayed. In the game system 1 of the present embodiment, the stationary game machine 200 can be connected to a plurality of portable game machines 100, and the display list on the screen includes “game machine 1” and “game machine 2” as follows: An icon identifying the connected portable game machine 100 is shown. For example, in order to specify the portable game machine 100, a name such as a nickname given to the portable game machine 100 by each user may be displayed under each icon. In FIG. 4, “main body memory card 1” is displayed as one of the virtual memory cards 292 in the storage unit 270 in the stationary game machine 200. The icons shown as “memory card 1”, “memory card 2”, and “memory card 3” indicate the virtual memory card 192 in the storage unit 170 of the portable game machine 100.

  As described above, there are at least as many virtual memory cards 192 of the portable game machine 100 as the number of image files of the game program, and a plurality of virtual memory cards 192 may be generated depending on the game program. For this reason, if all of them are displayed in a list on the output device 202, it is expected that the number will increase.

  Further, it is meaningful to duplicate the save data of the game program owned by the stationary game machine 200, but it is not necessarily important to duplicate the save data of the game program that is not owned. This is because there are few opportunities to use saved data of game programs that are not owned. Therefore, in the processing unit 230 of the stationary game machine 200, the storage status management unit 236 manages the storage status of the game data storage unit 280 and identifies the game program that it owns. For example, the storage status management unit 236 may specify a held game program based on the title ID included in the accompanying information 286 of each game data 282. The storage status management unit 236 notifies the display list selection unit 232 of the storage status of the image file of the game program. The display list selection unit 232 compares the game title ID included in the file information transmitted from the portable game machine 100 with the storage status of the image file supplied from the storage status management unit 236, and does not hold the game The virtual memory card 192 of the program is excluded from the display target. In the screen example of FIG. 4, virtual memory card icons of the game titles “ABC tennis” and “XYZ soccer” are shown, but the game program of “ABC tennis” and “XYZ soccer” is displayed by the display list selection unit 232. Since the image file is determined to be held in the game data storage unit 280, the icons of these virtual memory cards 192 are displayed.

  The storage status management unit 236 may specify not only the storage status of the game data storage unit 280 but also the stored game program by managing the storage status of the virtual memory card storage unit 290. The storage status management unit 236 can identify a game program that is naturally expected to be held by the title ID included in the save data 294. The storage status management unit 236 reads the recorded contents of the game ROM inserted in the ROM drive, identifies the title ID of the game ROM, stores the storage status and / or virtual memory card of the game data storage unit 280 In combination with the storage status of the storage unit 290, the held game program may be specified. As described above, the storage status management unit 236 has a title ID specified from the storage status of the game data storage unit 280, a title ID specified from the storage status of the virtual memory card storage unit 290, and a game stored in the ROM drive. The display list selection unit 232 selects only the icons of the virtual memory card 192 having a high display value by specifying an executable game program by any one of the title IDs of the ROM for ROM or a combination thereof. It becomes possible.

  Furthermore, in order to reduce the number of icons of the virtual memory card 192 displayed on the output device 202, the display list selection unit 232 may exclude icons of the virtual memory card 192 that do not hold the save data 194 from display targets. Here, since the save data in the portable game machine 100 is intended to be copied to the stationary game machine 200, the virtual memory card icon of the portable game machine 100 in which no save data is stored is displayed. Because it is meaningless. Therefore, the display list selection unit 232 refers to the file information transmitted from the portable game machine 100 to determine whether the save data 194 exists in the virtual memory card 192, and the virtual memory card that does not hold the save data Is excluded from the display target. As a result, only the icon of the virtual memory card holding the save data can be displayed, and the time required for the user to search for the save data can be shortened. Whether or not to execute such a display target exclusion function may be selected by an instruction from the user.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the display control unit 240 displays the icon of the virtual memory card selected by the display list selection unit 232. When the user selects any of the icons, the save data icons held in the virtual memory card are displayed hierarchically.

  However, the virtual memory card held in the portable game machine 100 and the saved data held may be encrypted exclusively for the portable game machine, and the virtual memory of the portable game machine 100 may be provided. The format of the card image file may be different from that of the stationary game machine 200. In such a case, the stationary game machine 200 cannot read the contents. Further, since the image data of the icon of the save data 194 is held in the save data 194, the icon cannot be displayed in a state where the save data 194 cannot be read by the stationary game machine 200. Hereinafter, a method for dealing with a case where the save data icon is not displayed even if the icon shown in FIG. 4 is selected in an attempt to duplicate the save data of “ABC tennis” will be described.

  First, the conversion request unit 233 generates a save data acquisition request for the icon “ABC tennis” of the selected virtual memory card. The request transmission unit 252 transmits the acquisition request to the portable game machine 100 via the communication unit 212. In the portable game machine 100, when the request reception unit 122 receives an acquisition request, the storage control unit 160 is notified accordingly. The storage control unit 160 reads the virtual memory card 192 of “ABC tennis” from the virtual memory card storage unit 190, and the save data transmission unit 154 transmits the read virtual memory card 192 from the communication unit 110. Since the image file (virtual memory card) is encrypted as described above, it cannot be decrypted by the stationary game machine 200.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a screen for inquiring about image file conversion processing. In the stationary game machine 200, when the save data acquisition unit 224 acquires the encrypted image file of the memory card, the screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display of the output device 202. When the user selects “Yes”, the conversion request unit 233 generates a format conversion request for requesting conversion of the data format of the image file. The request transmission unit 252 transmits the acquired image file to the portable game machine 100 together with the format conversion request.

  In the portable game machine 100, the request receiving unit 122 receives a format conversion request and an image file to be decoded and supplies it to the decoding unit 132. The decoding unit 132 converts the image file into a data format that can be decoded or executed by the stationary game machine 200. Since the portable game machine 100 originally holds the image file to be decoded, the stationary game machine 200 may transmit only the format conversion request to the portable game machine 100. The storage control unit 160 may overwrite the converted image file as a new virtual memory card 192 in the virtual memory card storage unit 190.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen on which three save data included in the virtual memory card “ABC tennis” are displayed. This is because the data format of the virtual memory card 192 is converted and can be displayed on the output device 202 when the user selects the icon specified by “memory card 1” on the screen of FIG. This corresponds to a list of save data 194. In this way, even when the save data storage format is different between the portable game machine 100 and the stationary game machine 200, the same save data can be shared by both by performing necessary conversion processing. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen displayed when save data desired to be copied is selected. Here, a save destination selection screen in the stationary game machine 200 is displayed. When the user selects a storage destination, the copy request unit 239 generates a save data copy request selected by the user, and the request transmission unit 252 transmits the request. When the request receiving unit 122 receives a copy request in the portable game machine 100, the storage control unit 160 reads the designated save data 194 from the virtual memory card storage unit 190, and the save data transmission unit 154 stores the save data 194. Is transmitted to the stationary game machine 200 via the communication unit 110. The save data 194 is configured in a format that can be decoded or executed by the stationary game machine 200. In order to ensure security, it is preferable that a digital signature is given to the transmitted data. When the save data acquisition unit 224 acquires the format-converted save data, the storage control unit 260 stores it in the virtual memory card 292.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen displayed when saved data having the same name exists in the virtual memory card 292. The save data comparison unit 235 compares the name of the save data 194 to be written to the virtual memory card 292 and the name of the save data 294 already written. The message shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the output device 202. The user decides whether or not to overwrite using the game controller 204. Note that the save data comparison unit 235 may extract a part of the content of the save data with the same name and display the information from the display control unit 240. For example, information for specifying the play time when each save data is created or information for specifying the game scene at the time of save may be read from the save data and added to the message shown in FIG. . By including these pieces of information in the message, it is possible to give the user an index for determining whether or not to overwrite.
FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen displayed during save data replication.

  In addition, although the above duplication process was performed by the instruction | indication from a user, the stationary game machine 200 may have a function which performs a duplication process automatically, for example. For example, when the portable game machine 100 and the stationary game machine 200 are connected, the copy request unit 239 automatically generates a copy request for all saved data held in the portable game machine 100. May be. For efficiency, it is preferable to automatically generate a duplication request not only for all save data but only for save data corresponding to the game program held in the stationary game machine 200. For save data that cannot be handled by the stationary game machine 200, it is preferable that the conversion request unit 233 generates a format conversion request for the save data and issues the format conversion before the copy request is issued.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen displayed in the replication process that is automatically executed. By enabling automatic save data duplication, it is possible to realize an environment for sharing save data without bothering the user. Note that the storage control unit 260 may sequentially save the found save data in the virtual memory card storage unit 290 without displaying the message shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen displayed when save data with the same name is found in the automatically executed replication process. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, a message asking the user whether to overwrite or not is displayed. At this time, when the save data comparison unit 235 determines save data with a new update date and time, a copy control process giving priority to the save data may be executed. That is, if the update date and time of the save data 194 held in the portable game machine 100 is newer, the storage control unit 260 overwrites the save data 294 of the virtual memory card 292, while the portable game machine 100 has If the update date and time of the saved data 194 held is older, the save data 294 of the virtual memory card 292 is not overwritten. As a result, the latest save data can be left.

  In addition, as described above, the save data comparison unit 235 may determine save data to be saved based on the play time included in the save data. For example, when save data with the same name exists, the save data comparison unit 235 may determine the priority of the save data so that the save data created during a long play time remains, and the game progresses. The priority of the save data may be determined so as to leave the save data in the scene in which it appears. In any case, the save data comparison unit 235 preferably performs priority determination so as to leave save data with high user merit.

  The above is an example in which the storage control unit 160 of the portable game machine 100 participates in the save data replication process. However, the stationary game machine 200 and the portable game machine 100 are connected to each other by USB connection, so that the stationary game machine 100 is connected. The processing unit 230 and the storage control unit 260 of the machine 200 can handle the storage unit 170 as an external storage medium. At this time, since the operation described as the process by the storage control unit 160 is executed by the storage control unit 260, the replication process can be simplified. In this case, the storage control unit 260 stores the save data in the storage unit 170. Note that the save data decoding process is executed in the portable game machine 100 as described above.

  Note that the timing of copying the save data may be the timing at which the emulator program is activated and the game program 284 is executed in the stationary game machine 200, for example. When the game execution unit 248 executes the game program 284, the file information acquisition unit 222 acquires file information. At this time, a determination as to whether save data of the game program to be executed exists in the storage unit 170 may be executed by a save data specifying means (not shown). The save data specifying means determines whether the title ID included in the file information of the storage unit 170 matches the title ID of the game program to be executed, and if it matches, the corresponding save data is included in the storage unit 170. It is determined that As described above, when it is determined that the save data of the corresponding game is stored in the storage unit 170, the save data specifying means may cause the storage unit 270 to copy the save data. Thereby, necessary save data can be acquired from the portable game machine 100 when the game program is executed.

  Next, a case where the save data 294 is copied from the stationary game machine 200 to the portable game machine 100 will be described. In the portable game machine 100, one or more virtual memory cards 192 are created for one game title, and the virtual memory card 192 stores save data 194 for the game title.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen on which save data 294 stored in the virtual memory card 292 is displayed. The virtual memory card 292 in the stationary game machine 200 has save data 294 for a plurality of types of games. Hereinafter, a case where the user selects to copy the save data “XYZ soccer” of the virtual memory card 292 specified by “main body memory card 2” to the portable game machine 100 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a screen displayed when the save data 294 desired to be copied is selected. Here, the save destination selection screen is displayed. As described above, since the virtual memory card 192 is generated for each game title in the portable game machine 100, the user responds to the save data 294. The virtual memory card 192 must be selected. When the user selects a save destination, the write control unit 237 generates a save data write request selected by the user and supplies the request to the request transmission unit 252. The write request includes information for specifying the virtual memory card 192 that is the write destination of the storage unit 170. The storage control unit 260 reads the selected save data from the virtual memory card 292 to the request transmission unit 252. The request transmission unit 252 transmits the save data 294 and the write request to the portable game machine 100.

  When the request accepting unit 122 accepts the write request and the save data obtaining unit 124 obtains the save data 294 in the portable game machine 100, the storage control unit 160 saves the virtual memory card 192 specified by the write request. Write data. As a result, the save data can be shared between the stationary game machine 200 and the portable game machine 100. When the data format of the save data cannot be processed by the portable game machine 100, the stationary game machine 200 converts the data format into a data format that can be decoded or executed by the portable game machine 100, and transmits the data.

  As described above, it is possible to allow the user to select a save data storage destination, but in order to make the game system 1 more useful, the write control unit 237 specifies the save data storage destination. May be. Thereby, the selection act of the storage destination by the user can be eliminated.

  When the save data to be copied to the portable game machine 100 is selected, the writing control unit 237 acquires the game title ID of the save data. As described above, since the game title ID is associated with the save data, the writing control unit 237 can extract the game title ID from the save data.

  Subsequently, the reference request unit 231 generates a reference request, and the request transmission unit 252 transmits a virtual memory card reference request to the portable game machine 100 via the communication unit 212. In the portable game machine 100, when the request receiving unit 122 receives a reference request for the virtual memory card storage unit 190 via the communication unit 110, the storage control unit 160 stores the directory in the storage unit 170 of the virtual memory card storage unit 190. Generates file information indicating the structure and save data file name. The file information is supplied to the file information transmission unit 152, and the file information transmission unit 152 transmits the file information from the communication unit 110 to the stationary game machine 200.

  In the stationary game machine 200, the file information acquisition unit 222 acquires file information via the communication unit 212 and supplies the file information to the write control unit 237. Since the title ID is included in the directory structure of the virtual memory card storage unit 190 as described above, the write control unit 237 has a directory structure including the same title ID as the title ID of the save data to be copied. Explore. Thereby, the write control unit 237 can specify the virtual memory card 192 to which the save data to be copied is written. The writing control unit 237 autonomously specifies the save data storage destination, whereby the game system 1 that can easily share the save data can be realized.

  When there are a plurality of virtual memory cards 192 for one game title, the write control unit 237 determines any one of them as a save data storage destination. For example, the virtual memory card 192 having the largest free space may be determined as the storage destination. Further, when save data having the same name exists in a certain virtual memory card 192, the virtual memory card 192 may be determined so as to overwrite the save data.

  Although the case where one save data is copied to the portable game machine 100 has been described above, the write control unit 237 can also determine the storage destination of each of the plurality of save data. When the user selects a plurality of save data included in the virtual memory card storage unit 290 as a copy target, the write control unit 237 determines from each game title ID and the file information of the virtual memory card storage unit 190, A storage area for storing each save data can be specified, and each save data can be stored in the specified storage area. In this way, by providing the write control unit 237 with a storage destination determination function, the storage destination of a plurality of save data can be autonomously determined, and the user selects one save data and selects the storage destination. Compared with the case of determination, the time required for copying the save data can be greatly shortened.

  A situation may also occur in which there is no virtual memory card 192 that includes the title ID of the save data in the directory structure. In such a case, the write control unit 237 cannot specify the storage area that is the save destination of the save data. Therefore, the write control unit 237 causes the storage control unit 160 to create a virtual memory card 192 including the title ID in the directory structure on the storage unit 170. The write control unit 237 can appropriately store the save data selected by the user in the storage unit 170 by determining the created virtual memory card 192 as the save data storage destination.

  As described above, when the image file of the game program is exported from the stationary game machine 200 to the portable game machine 100, the virtual memory card 192 is created. After the virtual memory card 192 is created, The writing control unit 237 may search for the save data of the game program in the virtual memory card 292. When the write control unit 237 finds the save data, the write control unit 237 copies the save data to the created virtual memory card 192. Thereby, at the same time as copying the image file of the game program, copying of the corresponding save data can be completed, and the user of the portable game machine 100 can immediately enjoy the game.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

It is a figure which shows the structure of the game system concerning an Example. It is a figure which shows the structure of a stationary game machine. It is a figure which shows the structure of a portable game machine. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen which shows the icon of the virtual memory card displayed as a list. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen which inquires about the conversion process of an image file. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen as which three save data contained in the virtual memory card was displayed. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed when the save data which desires duplication is selected. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed when the save data of the same name exists in virtual memory. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed during replication of save data. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed in the duplication process performed automatically. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed when the save data of the same name is discovered in the replication process performed automatically. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen on which the save data stored in the virtual memory were displayed. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed when the save data which desires duplication is selected.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game system, 10 ... USB cable, 20 ... Router, 30 ... Network, 40 ... Image file provision server, 100 ... Portable game machine, 110 ... Communication part , 120 ... receiving unit, 130 ... processing unit, 150 ... transmitting unit, 160 ... storage control unit, 170 ... storage unit, 200 ... stationary game machine, 202 ... Output device 204... Game controller 210 .. operation input receiving unit 212 .. communication unit 220 .. receiving unit 230... Processing unit 250. -Storage control part, 270 ... Storage part.

Claims (5)

A game system that duplicates game save data held in a first game machine to a second game machine,
The second game machine is
A first request unit for generating a save data reference request;
A first transmission unit that transmits the generated reference request to the first game machine,
The first game machine is
A reception unit for receiving a reference request;
A second transmission unit for transmitting file information of save data to the second game machine,
The second game machine further includes:
A first acquisition unit for acquiring file information;
A storage status management unit for identifying a title ID of a game program held in the storage unit;
A display list selection section for selecting save data or save data folders to be displayed from the acquired file information ;
The display list selection unit compares the title ID included in the file information with the title ID specified by the storage status management unit, and saves the save data of the title ID or the save data folder not stored in the storage unit. , Exclude from display,
A game system characterized by that. The second game machine further includes:
A second request unit for generating a copy request for save data selected by the user;
The first transmission unit transmits the generated duplication request to the first game machine,
In the first game machine, when the accepting unit accepts a duplication request, the second transmitting unit sends save data specified by the duplication request,
The second game machine further includes:
A second acquisition unit for acquiring save data;
The game system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a storage control unit that stores the acquired save data in a storage area that is specified according to identification information that specifies a game. The second game machine is
A third request unit for generating a save data format conversion request;
The first transmission unit transmits the generated format conversion request to the first game machine,
In the first game machine, the accepting unit accepts a format conversion request,
The first game machine further includes:
A decoding unit for converting save data into a data format that can be decoded or executed by the second game machine;
The second transmission unit transmits the format-converted save data;
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game system is a game system. A game machine that displays a different game save data or save data folder of the terminal device icon,
A first request unit for generating a save data reference request;
A first transmitter that transmits the generated reference request to another terminal device;
A first acquisition unit for acquiring file information from another terminal device;
A storage status management unit for identifying a title ID of a game program held in the storage unit;
A display list selection unit for selecting save data or save data folders to be displayed from the acquired file information ;
The display list selection unit compares the title ID included in the file information with the title ID specified by the storage status management unit, and saves the save data of the title ID or the save data folder not stored in the storage unit. , Exclude from display,
A game machine characterized by that. A second request unit for generating a copy request for save data selected by the user;
A second transmitter that transmits the generated duplication request to another terminal device;
A second acquisition unit for acquiring save data designated by a duplication request from another terminal device;
A storage control unit for storing the acquired save data in a storage area specified in accordance with identification information for specifying a game;
The game machine according to claim 4, further comprising:

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