JP5232197B2 - GAME SYSTEM, SERVER DEVICE, GAME CONTROL METHOD, SERVICE METHOD, GAME SYSTEM PROGRAM, AND SERVER PROGRAM - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system and the like for appropriately controlling the timing to remove the ban on the presentation of multimedia information to be presented to a player within a game. <P>SOLUTION: When a request transmitted from a terminal device 241 is received (301, 311, 321), a server device 221 detects whether multimedia information having an identification name designated in the request is presented to a player before (302, 312, 322). If not presented, the server device 221 determines whether the player proceeds with a game rightly (303, 313). If it is determined that the player proceeds with the game properly (313) or the information is presented to the player before (322), the server device 221 transmits a response designating a decryption key to the terminal device 241 (314, 324). The terminal device 241 decrypts the multimedia information from encrypted information using the obtained decryption key and presents the decrypted information to the player (315, 325). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a game system, a server device, a game control method, a service method, and the like suitable for appropriately controlling the release timing of multimedia information to be presented to a player in a game. The present invention relates to a game system program and a server program to be realized.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game system using a game terminal device that is communicably connected to a server device via a computer communication network has been provided. In addition to a communication game in which players play against each other or cooperate with each other using the game system of this mode, various games that each player independently progresses are provided.

  In such a game system, various multimedia information such as still images, moving images, and sounds of the game presented to the player are prepared in advance on the terminal device side, and are sent from other terminal devices and server devices. It is output according to the instruction and the degree of progress of the game (see Patent Document 1).

  These multimedia information is recorded and sold on information recording media such as ROM (Read Only Memory) cassettes and DVD-ROMs (Digital Versatile Disc ROM) that can be read by terminal devices, and downloaded via a network. It is sold and recorded in an external memory such as a hard disk or a memory card provided in the terminal device.

JP 2006-305307 A

  However, if the multimedia information recorded on these information recording media is analyzed by reverse engineering, images, sounds, and the like that should not be provided to the player unless the game progresses are also leaked.

  In particular, since the game has not been available since the game was released, it is not possible to obtain it unless you play the game events and ending telops and other moving images and sounds, and the game repeatedly. If a still image or the like leaks, this will reduce the willingness to the game itself.

  Therefore, when various types of multimedia information are recorded and sold on DVD-ROMs or ROM cassettes, or when they are sold for download, there is a desire to appropriately manage the time when these multimedia information can be used. Is strong.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and is a game system, a server device, and a game suitable for appropriately controlling the release timing of the multimedia information to be presented to the player in the game. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method, a service method, a game system program for realizing these on a computer, and a server program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.

  A game system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of terminal devices and a server device, and is configured as follows.

  That is, each of the plurality of terminal devices includes an information storage unit, a key storage unit, an identification name acquisition unit, a decryption unit, an information presentation unit, a request transmission unit, a response reception unit, and an update unit.

  On the other hand, the server device includes a request reception unit, a determination unit, a key acquisition unit, and a response transmission unit.

  Here, in each of the plurality of terminal devices, the information storage unit is associated with each identification name of the plurality of multimedia information that the player operating the terminal device may encounter while the game is in progress. The encrypted information obtained by encrypting the multimedia information is stored.

  The information storage unit is typically a variety of information recording media on which information provided to the player from the game creator in this game system is recorded, such as a DVD-ROM or ROM cassette in which game software is recorded, This is realized by a hard disk or the like on which software sold by download is recorded. Therefore, the information storage unit need only be able to store readable information and does not necessarily need to be able to write information.

  As multimedia information, various items such as images of items that the player will acquire as the game progresses, moving images and sounds of events and ending telops that the player will experience may be adopted. it can.

  In the present invention, the multimedia information available to the player at the start of the game is encrypted, and the multimedia information that can actually be viewed cannot be obtained without the decryption key.

  A resource number, a file name, or the like can be used as the identification name of the multimedia information and its encryption information.

  On the other hand, the key storage unit stores one of the identification names and the decryption key in association with each other.

  That is, the decryption key for decrypting certain encrypted information and the identification name of the encrypted multimedia information are stored in association with each other.

  However, in the present invention, at the beginning of the game, the key storage unit stores only the decryption key or only the one that can be heard immediately by the player at the beginning of the game.

  Then, at the beginning of the game, most multimedia information is in an encrypted state, and is placed in a state where it cannot be decrypted only by the terminal device.

  Furthermore, the identification name acquisition unit acquires the identification name of the multimedia information to be presented to the player based on the player's operation and the progress of the game.

  The progress of the game in the present invention is performed in the same manner as a normal game. That is, the terminal device accepts an operation from a player using a controller, a keyboard, a mouse, voice recognition, gesture image recognition, and the like. Further, it receives instructions from the server device and other terminal devices as necessary.

  Then, the terminal device updates the game state stored in the terminal device based on these operations and instructions. Further, if necessary, the server device or other terminal device is notified of all or part of the game state.

  Furthermore, depending on the current game state, the identification name of the multimedia information that records the still image of the item to be presented to the player, the moving image necessary for event presentation, sound, etc., is used as the game program or game scenario. Get based on.

  On the other hand, when a decryption key is stored in the key storage unit in association with the obtained identification name, the decryption unit decrypts the encrypted information stored in the information storage unit in association with the identification name. Decrypt with key.

  In this way, decryption is possible only when the terminal device has previously obtained a decryption key. Even if the decryption algorithm of the encrypted information is decrypted by reverse engineering, it is impossible to immediately restore the multimedia information from the encrypted information unless the decryption key is obtained by some means.

  Then, the information presentation unit presents the decrypted multimedia information to the player.

  That is, the still image of the item is appropriately drawn in a predetermined area in the monitor screen. A moving image representing an event or ending telop is displayed on a monitor screen, and sound is output from a speaker, headphones, or the like.

  Upon receiving the multimedia information, the player tries to advance the game further.

  Furthermore, when the decryption key is not stored in the key storage unit in association with the acquired identification name, the request transmission unit transmits a request for designating the identification name to the server device.

  That is, if the terminal device has not yet obtained a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted information, it makes an inquiry to the server.

  On the other hand, in the server device, the request receiving unit receives a request transmitted from any of the plurality of terminal devices.

  The server device in the present invention manages a decryption key for decrypting encrypted information obtained by encrypting multimedia information presented to a player in a game. The request receiving unit of the server device receives a request for decrypting certain encrypted information transmitted from the terminal device.

  Further, when the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is not presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices, the determination unit operates the terminal device that transmitted the request Whether or not to present the multimedia information to the player is determined based on the player's operation and the progress of the game.

  For example, immediately after the game is released, no player is watching the ending telop of the game. Also, items that the player rarely encounters, so-called rare items, are not presented to any player.

  Therefore, immediately after the game is released, most multimedia information is not presented to any player.

  On the other hand, as time elapses from the release of the game and each player advances the game, some players reach the ending of the game or acquire rare items. Then, multimedia information such as a moving image and sound of an ending telop and a still image of a rare item is presented to the player.

  Therefore, for each piece of multimedia information, the server device manages whether one or more players have watched the multimedia information, or whether there is no one. This management is performed by storing information in a hard disk or the like provided in the server device.

  Here, the determination unit determines whether the player of the terminal device that has transmitted the request has obtained the “right to view multimedia information” correctly, or uses a technique such as reverse engineering to illegally decrypt the key. Whether or not to provide multimedia information is determined based on the result.

  In this determination, in the course of the game, the game progress information transmitted from the terminal device of the player is compared with the information on the game progress of the player managed in the server. Various techniques for detecting fraud, such as taking account of the elapsed time since the game was released, and the like.

  In the present invention, every time there is a request, it is not determined whether or not the player's action is illegal. One of the features is that the determination unit determines only when there is a request for multimedia information that has not been viewed by any player.

  When the determination unit determines that the multimedia information related to the specified identification name is to be presented to the player, or the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is a plurality of terminal devices If it has already been presented to any of the players who operate the key, the key acquisition unit acquires a decryption key associated with the specified identification name.

  In the simplest implementation, the identification name of each multimedia information and the decryption key for decrypting the encryption information for the multimedia information are registered in the database in association with each other. The key acquisition unit acquires the decryption key by searching the database.

  In addition, in the identification name of each multimedia information, ban flag information indicating whether or not the multimedia information may be presented to any player in the past is further registered in the database. Also good.

  In this case, when the determination unit determines to present the multimedia information related to the specified identification name to the player, the determination unit also updates the ban flag information.

  If such a configuration is adopted, referring to the database, it is determined whether multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request has already been presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices. It can be easily determined.

  Then, the response transmission unit transmits a response designating the decryption key acquired in response to the request to the terminal device that transmitted the request.

  Thus, the decryption key is provided to the terminal device because the terminal device does not store the decryption key and the player of the terminal device has a legitimate authority to obtain the decryption key. Only if the player has already obtained the decryption key in the past.

  On the other hand, in each of the plurality of terminal devices, the response receiving unit receives a response transmitted from the server device.

  As described above, in this response, the decryption key transmitted from the server device is specified.

  The update unit updates the key storage unit by storing the identification name specified in the transmitted request and the decryption key specified in the response received in response to the request in association with each other. To do.

  If the key storage unit is updated and the decryption key is stored, a condition for starting the operation of the decryption unit is satisfied. Therefore, triggered by the update by the update unit, the decryption unit decrypts the multimedia information from the encrypted information, and the information presentation unit presents the decrypted multimedia information to the player.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not to present multimedia information to a player and prevent the multimedia information from being inadvertently leaked, while determining the frequency with which the determination must be made. The calculation load of the server can be reduced by suppressing as much as possible.

  The game system of the present invention can be configured as follows. That is, in the information storage unit, the encrypted information is stored in a computer-readable information recording medium. On the other hand, in the key storage unit, the identification name and the decryption key are stored in the nonvolatile storage device.

  Here, the encryption information is typically stored in a DVD-ROM, a ROM cassette, a hard disk in which downloaded game software is recorded, or the like. is there.

  On the other hand, the identification name and the decryption key are stored in a readable / writable nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk or an external memory.

  The present invention relates to a preferred embodiment of the above invention, and can facilitate the sale and provision of game software by appropriately recording and storing various types of information in various information recording media and storage devices. it can.

  In the game system of the present invention, the key acquisition unit acquires a random number generated by a predetermined algorithm using the identification name as a seed, as a decryption key, and each of the plurality of pieces of encryption information is stored in the encryption information. The identification name to be associated can be used as a seed, and a random number generated by a predetermined algorithm can be used as a decryption key.

In the above description, the database
(A) the identification name of the multimedia information;
(B) a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted information for the multimedia information;
(C) ban flag information of multimedia information;
However, the present invention makes it unnecessary to manage the decryption key.

  That is, the decryption key for each encrypted information is obtained by generating a random number sequence by a predetermined algorithm using the identification name of the multimedia information as a seed.

  As mentioned above, resource numbers and file names can be used as identification names, but since these are information that can be processed by a computer, these information can also be viewed as multiple-length integers. is there. Further, when an integer is given as a seed to a general random number generation algorithm, a random number sequence is obtained.

  Therefore, a random number sequence obtained by using the identification name as a seed is acquired by a certain length, and the random number sequence is used as a common key for block encryption, for example.

  The game creator generates an encryption key from the identification name of the multimedia information, generates encryption information from the multimedia information using the encryption key, records it on a DVD-ROM or the like, and provides it to the player.

  When using block ciphers, the encryption key and decryption key match, so if there is a request from the terminal device used by the player, the same random number generation algorithm is used to decrypt from the multimedia information identifier. Just generate a key.

  According to the present invention, it is not necessary to manage a decryption key for each piece of multimedia information, while variations in the decryption key for each piece of multimedia information can be easily increased to prevent unauthorized decryption as much as possible. Will be able to.

  Further, in the game system of the present invention, if the response specifying the decryption key is not received within a predetermined time after the request for specifying the identification name is transmitted, the presenting unit cannot decrypt the multimedia information. Can be configured to be presented to the player.

  If the determination unit determines not to provide multimedia information to the player, it is highly likely that the player is performing an illegal act such as reverse engineering.

  In such a case, the server device may immediately send a response indicating that the decryption key is not provided to the terminal device. However, in the present invention, the server device does not transmit a response to the terminal device. The method of, is adopted.

  In this case, the terminal device is found to be unable to acquire the decryption key of the multimedia information only after the timeout time has elapsed. For this reason, various analyzes require more time and labor.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress as much as possible the risk that various types of multimedia information will be inadvertently leaked by making analysis by reverse engineering difficult.

  A server device according to another aspect of the present invention is a server device in the above game system. In other words, the server device realizes a game that progresses by the player operating each of the plurality of terminal devices, and the server device communicates with the plurality of terminal devices, and receives a request reception unit, a determination unit, and a key acquisition unit. The response transmission unit is provided.

  Here, the request receiving unit receives a request transmitted from one of a plurality of terminal devices, in which the identification name of the multimedia information is designated.

  On the other hand, when the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is not presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices, the determination unit operates the terminal device that transmitted the request Whether or not to present the multimedia information to the player is determined based on the player's operation and the progress of the game.

  Furthermore, when the determination unit determines that the multimedia information related to the specified identification name is to be presented to the player, or the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is a plurality of terminal devices If it has already been presented to any of the players who operate the key, the key acquisition unit acquires a decryption key associated with the specified identification name.

  Then, the response transmission unit transmits a response designating the decryption key acquired in response to the request to the terminal device that transmitted the request.

  A game control method according to another aspect of the present invention controls a game system including a plurality of terminal devices and a server device.

  Here, each of the plurality of terminal devices includes an information storage unit, a key storage unit, an identification name acquisition unit, a decryption unit, an information presentation unit, a request transmission unit, a response reception unit, and an update unit.

  Here, the information storage unit encrypts the multimedia information in association with each identification name of a plurality of multimedia information that the player operating the terminal device may encounter during the game. The encrypted information is stored.

  On the other hand, one of the identification names and the decryption key are stored in the key storage unit in association with each other.

  Furthermore, the server device includes a request reception unit, a determination unit, a key acquisition unit, and a response transmission unit.

  Here, the game control method of the present invention includes an identification name acquisition step, a decryption step, an information presentation step, a request transmission step, a request reception step, a determination step, a key acquisition step, a response transmission step, a response reception step, and an update step. The configuration is as follows.

  That is, in each of the plurality of terminal devices, in the identification name acquisition step, the identification name acquisition unit acquires the identification name of the multimedia information to be presented to the player based on the operation of the player and the progress of the game.

  On the other hand, in the decryption step, when the decryption unit stores the decryption key in the key storage unit in association with the acquired identification name, the encrypted information stored in the information storage unit in association with the identification name Is decrypted with the decryption key.

  Further, in the information presentation step, the information presentation unit presents the decrypted multimedia information to the player.

  Then, in the request transmission step, when the decryption key is not stored in the key storage unit in association with the acquired identification name, the request transmission unit transmits a request for designating the identification name to the server device.

  On the other hand, in the server device, in the request receiving step, the request receiving unit receives a request transmitted from any of the plurality of terminal devices.

  Further, in the determining step, when the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is not presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices, the determining unit transmits the request Whether or not to present the multimedia information to the player is determined based on the operation of the player who operates the device and the progress of the game.

  Then, in the key acquisition step, when the determination unit determines that the multimedia information related to the specified identification name is to be presented to the player, or the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request Is already presented to any of the players who operate the plurality of terminal devices, the key acquisition unit acquires a decryption key associated with the specified identification name.

  On the other hand, in the response transmission step, the response transmission unit transmits a response designating the decryption key acquired in response to the request to the terminal device that transmitted the request.

  Further, in each of the plurality of terminal devices, in the response receiving step, the response receiving unit receives a response transmitted from the server device.

  On the other hand, in the update process, the update unit stores the identification name specified in the transmitted request and the decryption key specified in the response received in response to the request in association with each other, thereby storing the key. Update the storage unit.

  A service method according to another aspect of the present invention controls a server device in the above-described game control method, and realizes a game that progresses when a player operates each of a plurality of terminal devices.

  Here, the server device communicates with the plurality of terminal devices, and includes a request reception unit, a determination unit, a key acquisition unit, and a response transmission unit.

  On the other hand, the service method of the present invention includes a request receiving process, a determining process, a key acquiring process, and a response transmitting process, and is configured as follows.

  That is, in the request receiving step, the request receiving unit receives a request that is a request transmitted from any one of a plurality of terminal devices and in which an identification name of multimedia information is specified.

  On the other hand, in the determining step, when the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is not presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices, the determining unit transmits the request Whether or not to present the multimedia information to the player is determined based on the operation of the player who operates the device and the progress of the game.

  Further, in the key acquisition step, when the determination unit determines that the multimedia information related to the specified identification name is to be presented to the player, or the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request Is already presented to any of the players who operate the plurality of terminal devices, the key acquisition unit acquires a decryption key associated with the specified identification name.

  Then, in the response transmission step, the response transmission unit transmits a response designating the decryption key acquired in response to the request to the terminal device that transmitted the request.

  A game system program according to another aspect of the present invention includes a terminal program that causes each of a plurality of terminal computers to function as a terminal device, and a server program that causes a server computer to function as a server device. The configuration is as follows.

That is, the terminal program is a program for each of the plurality of terminal computers.
Information in which encrypted information obtained by encrypting the multimedia information is stored in association with each identification name of a plurality of multimedia information that the player operating the terminal device may encounter during the game. Storage unit,
A key storage unit that stores one of the identification names and the decryption key in association with each other;
An identification name acquisition unit that acquires an identification name of multimedia information to be presented to the player based on the player's operation and the progress of the game,
When a decryption key is stored in the key storage unit in association with the acquired identification name, a decryption unit that decrypts the encrypted information stored in the information storage unit in association with the identification name with the decryption key ,
An information presentation unit for presenting the decrypted multimedia information to the player;
When the decryption key is not stored in the key storage unit in association with the acquired identification name, the server device is caused to function as a request transmission unit that transmits a request for designating the identification name.

On the other hand, the server program converts the server computer to
A request receiving unit for receiving a request transmitted from any of a plurality of terminal devices;
If the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is not presented to any of the players operating the terminal devices, the operation of the player operating the terminal device that transmitted the request and the game A determination unit that determines whether or not to present the multimedia information to the player based on the progress;
When the determination unit determines that the multimedia information related to the specified identification name is to be presented to the player, or the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request operates a plurality of terminal devices. A key acquisition unit that acquires a decryption key associated with the specified identification name, if already presented to any of the players
The terminal device that has transmitted the request is caused to function as a response transmission unit that transmits a response designating the decryption key acquired in response to the request.

Further, the terminal program is a program for each of the plurality of terminal computers.
A response receiver for receiving a response transmitted from the server device;
By associating and storing the identification name specified in the transmitted request and the decryption key specified in the response received in response to the request,
It further functions as an updating unit for updating the key storage unit.

  A server program according to another aspect of the present invention is a server program in the above-described game system program, and realizes a game that progresses when a player operates each of a plurality of terminal devices on a server computer. To function as a server device.

Here, the server program is a server computer,
A request receiving unit for receiving a request transmitted from any of a plurality of terminal devices;
If the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is not presented to any of the players operating the terminal devices, the operation of the player operating the terminal device that transmitted the request and the game A determination unit that determines whether or not to present the multimedia information to the player based on the progress;
When the determination unit determines that the multimedia information related to the specified identification name is to be presented to the player, or the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request operates a plurality of terminal devices. A key acquisition unit that acquires a decryption key associated with the specified identification name, if already presented to any of the players
The terminal device that has transmitted the request is caused to function as a response transmission unit that transmits a response designating the decryption key acquired in response to the request.

  The terminal program and the server program of the present invention can be read out from a computer such as a compact disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital video disk, a magnetic tape, and a semiconductor memory independently or collectively. It can be recorded on a possible information recording medium.

  The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. The information recording medium can be distributed and sold independently of the computer.

  According to the present invention, a game system, a server device, a game control method, a service method, and a computer program suitable for appropriately controlling the release timing of the presentation of multimedia information to be presented to a player in a game Can be provided with a game system program and a server program.

It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a typical information processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the game system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a session figure which shows a mode that a server apparatus and a terminal device communicate and exchange a decryption key. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the server apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the service process performed in a server apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the terminal device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the terminal process performed with a terminal device. It is a session figure which shows a mode that a server apparatus and a terminal device communicate and exchange a decryption key.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following, for ease of understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is realized using a game information processing device will be described. However, the embodiment described below is for explanation, and the present invention It does not limit the range. Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

(Information processing device)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a typical information processing apparatus that performs a function of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention by executing a program. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an interface 104, a controller 105, an external memory 106, an image processing unit 107, and a DVD-ROM. (Digital Versatile Disc ROM) drive 108, NIC (Network Interface Card) 109, audio processing unit 110, microphone 111, and HD (Hard Disk) 121 are provided.

  When a DVD-ROM storing a game program and data is loaded into the DVD-ROM drive 108 and the information processing apparatus 100 is turned on, the program is executed and the apparatus according to the present embodiment is realized. The

  The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 100 and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data. Further, the CPU 101 uses arithmetic operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division, logical sum, logical product, etc. using an ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) (not shown) for a storage area called a register (not shown) that can be accessed at high speed. , Logic operations such as logical negation, bit operations such as bit sum, bit product, bit inversion, bit shift, and bit rotation can be performed. In addition, the CPU 101 itself is configured so that saturation operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division for multimedia processing, vector operations such as trigonometric functions, etc. can be performed at a high speed, and those provided with a coprocessor. There is.

  The ROM 102 records an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after the power is turned on, and when this is executed, the program recorded on the DVD-ROM is read out to the RAM 103 and execution by the CPU 101 is started. The The ROM 102 stores an operating system program and various data necessary for operation control of the entire information processing apparatus 100.

  The RAM 103 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the DVD-ROM and other data necessary for game progress and chat communication. Further, the CPU 101 provides a variable area in the RAM 103 and performs an operation by directly operating the ALU on the value stored in the variable, or temporarily stores the value stored in the RAM 103 in the register. An operation is performed on the register, and an operation result is written back to the RAM 103.

  The controller 105 connected via the interface 104 receives an operation input performed when the user executes the game.

  The external memory 106 detachably connected via the interface 104 stores data indicating game play status (past results, etc.), data indicating the progress of the game, and log of chat communication in a network battle ( Data) is stored in a rewritable manner. The user can record these data in the external memory 106 or the HD 121 as appropriate by inputting an instruction via the controller 105.

  A DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108 stores a program for realizing the game and image data and audio data associated with the game. Under the control of the CPU 101, the DVD-ROM drive 108 performs a reading process on the DVD-ROM loaded therein, reads out necessary programs and data, and these are temporarily stored in the RAM 103 or the like.

  The image processing unit 107 processes the data read from the DVD-ROM by an image arithmetic processor (not shown) included in the CPU 101 or the image processing unit 107, and then processes the processed data on a frame memory ( (Not shown). The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronization timing and output to a monitor (not shown) connected to the image processing unit 107. Thereby, various image displays are possible.

  The image calculation processor can execute a two-dimensional image overlay calculation, a transmission calculation such as α blending, and various saturation calculations at high speed.

  In addition, when the virtual space is configured in three dimensions, polygon information that is arranged in the three-dimensional space and to which various texture information is added is rendered by the Z buffer method, and a predetermined viewpoint position is used. It is also possible to perform a high-speed execution of a calculation that obtains a rendering image obtained by looking down at a polygon arranged in the virtual space in the direction of a predetermined line of sight.

  Further, the CPU 101 and the image arithmetic processor operate in a coordinated manner, so that a character string can be drawn as a two-dimensional image in a frame memory or drawn on the surface of each polygon according to font information that defines the character shape. is there.

  The NIC 109 is used to connect the information processing apparatus 100 to a computer communication network (not shown) such as the Internet, and is based on the 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used when configuring a LAN (Local Area Network). To connect to the Internet using an analog modem, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, cable television line A cable modem or the like and an interface (not shown) that mediates between these and the CPU 101 are configured.

  Various programs may be downloaded from the server device via the NIC 109 and installed in the HD 121. These programs are appropriately executed by the CPU 101.

  The audio processing unit 110 converts audio data read from the DVD-ROM into an analog audio signal and outputs the analog audio signal from a speaker (not shown) connected thereto. Further, under the control of the CPU 101, sound effects and music data to be generated during the progress of the game are generated, and sound corresponding to this is output from the speaker.

  When the audio data recorded on the DVD-ROM is MIDI data, the audio processing unit 110 refers to the sound source data included in the audio data and converts the MIDI data into PCM data. If the compressed audio data is in ADPCM format or Ogg Vorbis format, it is expanded and converted to PCM data. The PCM data can be output by performing D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion at a timing corresponding to the sampling frequency and outputting it to a speaker.

  Furthermore, a microphone 111 can be connected to the information processing apparatus 100 via the interface 104. In this case, the analog signal from the microphone 111 is subjected to A / D conversion at an appropriate sampling frequency so that processing such as mixing in the sound processing unit 110 can be performed as a PCM format digital signal.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 uses a large-capacity external storage device such as the HD 121 to perform the same function as the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the external memory 106, the DVD-ROM attached to the DVD-ROM drive 108, and the like. You may comprise as follows.

  The information processing apparatus 100 described above corresponds to a so-called “consumer video game apparatus”, and is a terminal on various computers such as a mobile phone, a mobile game device, a karaoke apparatus, and a general business computer. It is also possible to implement the device.

  In network games, a general computer is often used instead of a dedicated game machine. Therefore, hereinafter, unless otherwise noted, the terminal device will be described by the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. These can be appropriately replaced with general computer elements as necessary, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The server apparatus is realized on a general computer, but the information processing apparatus 100 can be used as a server apparatus. Further, the information processing apparatus 100 and a general computer are not greatly different in configuration and function. Therefore, in the following description, a general computer and the information processing apparatus 100 are handled in the same way.

  Here, a general computer, like the information processing apparatus 100, includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a DVD-ROM drive, and a NIC, and an image processing unit having a simpler function than the information processing apparatus 100. In many cases, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, or the like can be used as an external storage device. In many cases, a keyboard or a mouse is used as an input device instead of the controller 105.

  In the following, first, an outline of a game system including a terminal device and a server device realized by the information processing apparatus 100 executing a predetermined program will be described, and then an encryption method will be described. Next, details of the server device and the terminal device will be described.

(Game system)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the game system 201 is realized by connecting a server device 221 and a plurality of terminal devices 241 via a computer communication network 261 such as the Internet so that they can communicate with each other.

  The user of the terminal device 241 obtains game software provided in the game system 201 by purchasing an information recording medium such as a DVD-ROM or a ROM cassette, or by downloading and installing the software on the HD 121. Prepare.

  The game realized here is a game in which the player of the terminal device 241 alone progresses, a game in which the terminal devices 241 introduced by the server device 221 communicate with each other by peer-to-peer, and a player of the terminal device 241 cooperates. Various modes such as those that proceed under the control of the server device 221 can be adopted.

  The terminal device 241 receives an operation from the player of the terminal device 241, refers to instructions from other terminal devices 241 and the server device 221 as necessary, and advances the game to manage the game state. Part or all of the state of the game managed by the terminal device 241 is appropriately transmitted to the server device 221, and the history is also stored in the server device 221.

  By managing the progress of the game of each player by the server device 221, it is determined whether the player is playing the game correctly or whether the player is playing the game illegally by a technique such as reverse engineering. Be able to judge.

  When the terminal device 241 tries to output a still image, a moving image, sound, or the like corresponding to the progress of the game, it is necessary to read out the multimedia information from the DVD-ROM, ROM cassette, HD 121, etc. In the invention, the game software does not include multimedia information itself. The game software immediately after purchase includes only encrypted information obtained by encrypting multimedia information.

  Therefore, when the terminal device 241 intends to present such multimedia information to the player, it is necessary to obtain a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted information.

  FIG. 3 is a session diagram illustrating a state in which the server device 221 and the terminal device 241 communicate with each other and exchange a decryption key. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  First, in the terminal device 241a, the player illegally rewrites the game save file to change the progress of the game, and the multimedia information such as the moving image and sound of the ending telop is immediately after the game is released. Suppose you try to get.

  Then, a request for designating the identification name of the multimedia information is transmitted from the terminal device 241a to the server device 221 (301). Here, a resource number, a file name, or the like is typically used as the identification name of the multimedia information.

  Now, since the game has just been released, the moving image, sound, etc. of the ending telop are not presented to any player.

  Accordingly, the server device 221 that has received the request detects that the multimedia information of the identification name specified in the request is not presented to any player (302). Then, the server device 221 determines whether or not the player of the terminal device 241a is playing the game correctly (303).

  As described above, the server device 221 and the terminal device 241 are managed so as to synchronize the progress of the game for each player. Therefore, the server device 221 determines that the save file has been rewritten.

  Then, in response to the request (301), the server device 221 transmits no response to the terminal device 241a or transmits a response designating that the decryption key cannot be provided (304). In this figure, the state of communication (304) of the response is indicated by a dotted line in consideration of an aspect in which the response is not transmitted.

  The terminal device 241a that has transmitted the request illegally displays on the screen that no response has been received or a response indicating that the decryption key cannot be provided, and warns the player (305).

  This prevents fraudulent acts against the progress of the game and prevents the multimedia information from leaking out at an inappropriate time as much as possible.

  Now, it is assumed that the player of the terminal device 241b has steadily progressed the game, cleared for the first time among all players, and can see the ending telop.

  Then, a request for designating the identification name of the multimedia information related to the ending telop is transmitted from the terminal device 241b to the server device 221 (311).

  The server apparatus 221 that has received the request detects that the multimedia information of the identification name specified in the request is not presented to any player (312). Then, the server device 221 determines whether or not the player of the terminal device 241b is playing the game correctly (313).

  As a result, when the server device 221 obtains a conclusion that the player of the terminal device 241b has successfully cleared the game, the server device 221 responds to the terminal device 241b by specifying a decryption key for the multimedia information. Is transmitted (314).

  Upon receiving the response, the terminal device 241b decrypts the multimedia information from the encrypted information using the decryption key specified in the response, and presents this to the player (315).

  At this stage, the multimedia information is properly lifted.

  Thereafter, when the request is transmitted from another terminal device 241c (321), the server device 221 has already presented the multimedia information of the identification name specified in the request to any player. Then, it is detected that it is lifted (322).

  Then, the server device 221 immediately transmits a response designating the decryption key to the terminal device 241c (324).

  Upon receiving the response, the terminal device 241c decrypts the multimedia information from the encrypted information using the decryption key specified in the response, and presents this to the player (325).

  In the above description, in order to facilitate understanding, the multimedia information of the ending telop of the game is assumed. However, the same processing is necessary for all the multimedia information presented in the game. Can be set to

  In addition, the image information of common items frequently acquired in the game is not encrypted, and the image information of rare items that are rarely available is encrypted in the same manner as the above procedure. There is also a possibility.

  In the present invention, once the multimedia information is lifted, the server device 221 immediately notifies the terminal device 241 of the encryption key without determining whether or not the player has properly cleared the game. There are features.

  In general, a considerable amount of calculation is required to determine whether or not a game progress is illegal. By adopting the above-described mode, the server device 221 performs fraud checks until one of the players properly receives the presentation of multimedia information for the first time, while the multimedia information is once lifted. Thereafter, the check can be omitted, and the calculation load on the server device 221 can be suppressed.

  In addition, when the players can chat with each other using the terminal device 241, there are cases in which the player wants to show the rare item obtained by the player to the other party. In such a case, an image of the rare item must be displayed on the monitor screen even if the terminal device 241 of the player has not obtained the rare item.

  According to the present embodiment, once the banned multimedia information can be presented to all players, even if it is a rare item that the player has never obtained, other players have obtained it properly. If there is, it is possible to browse the image.

  In the present embodiment, each piece of multimedia information is encrypted with different encryption / decryption keys. Therefore, even if certain encrypted information can be decrypted illegally, it is difficult to decrypt other encrypted information. By adopting such a mode, a situation in which multimedia information is leaked at an inappropriate time is prevented as much as possible.

(Encryption method)
In encryption,
(A) an encryption key used when encrypting multimedia information into encrypted information; and (b) a combination of a decryption key used when decrypting encrypted information into multimedia information. Need to think about.

  The simplest method is so-called common key cryptography that uses the same encryption key and decryption key. Multimedia information is generally large in size. Therefore, it is preferable to apply a block cipher capable of high-speed decryption.

  That is, if a common key having a certain number of bits is given, the multimedia information can be encrypted and the encrypted information can be decrypted. In a widely known encryption standard, various encryption standards such as a 64-bit key, a 128-bit key, and a 256-bit key are proposed. Also in the present invention, these techniques, such as DES (Data Encryption Standard) cipher and AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) cipher, can be applied.

  In addition, various modes such as a method using public key cryptography and a method using stream cryptography can be employed.

  At the time of game production, the game creator randomly generates an encryption key / decryption key for each piece of multimedia information to generate encryption information. The encrypted information is recorded on a DVD-ROM or the like, provided to the player, and referenced by the terminal device 241.

  On the other hand, a decryption key for each piece of multimedia information (and encrypted information) is managed by the server device 221.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, for each piece of multimedia information, a decryption key that is different from each other is used as much as possible, and the key management is left to the server device 221 to suppress reverse engineering and prevent information leakage. Yes.

  As described above, when a block cipher is used, it is necessary to generate an encryption key / decryption key having a predetermined bit length. These keys are preferably generated randomly.

  The simplest method is to generate a pseudo-random number sequence, extract a predetermined number of bits in order from the top, and assign each multimedia information as an encryption key / decryption key. In this case, the server device 221 needs to record which multimedia information is associated with which decryption key in a database or the like in association with each other.

  However, if the following aspects are adopted, the server device 221 can not manage the decryption key for each piece of multimedia information.

  In other words, an encryption key / decryption key for a piece of multimedia information is a pseudo-random number sequence generated by using a numerical value uniquely determined from the identification name of the multimedia information, for example, a resource number or a file name. is there.

  In the above aspect, the pseudo random number sequence is simply generated. However, in the present invention, the seed for generating the pseudo random number sequence is used as the identification name of the multimedia information. In a general pseudo-random number generation algorithm, it can be expected with a very high probability that the pseudo-random number sequence obtained is different for different seeds. Therefore, if the identification name of the multimedia information is different, the decryption key is also different.

  When a resource number is used, the numerical value can be used as a seed for generating a pseudo-random number sequence as it is. When a character string such as a file name is used, a numerical value is applied by applying an appropriate hash function to the character string, and this is used as a seed.

  Thus, when a pseudo-random number sequence is obtained from the identification name of the multimedia information, the encryption key / decryption key can be obtained by extracting the necessary number of bits from the head.

  In this aspect, the server device 221 does not need to directly manage the decryption key. In the server apparatus 221, it is only necessary to prepare a database that manages the identification name of each piece of multimedia information in association with flag information that indicates whether or not the multimedia information has been lifted.

  When using public key encryption or stream encryption, a random number sequence generated as described above may be used as a secret key.

  Hereinafter, the server device and the terminal device will be described in more detail.

(Server device)
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the server device 221 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, first, the function of each unit will be described with reference to this figure, and then the service process executed by the server device 221 will be described.

  The server apparatus 221 is realized by the CPU 101 executing a server program in a server computer implemented by various information processing apparatuses 100.

  As shown in the figure, the server device 221 includes a request reception unit 401, a determination unit 402, a key acquisition unit 403, and a response transmission unit 404.

  Here, the request receiving unit 401 receives a request transmitted from any of a plurality of terminal devices.

  As described above, the server device 221 manages the decryption key for decrypting the encrypted information obtained by encrypting the multimedia information presented to the player in the game. The request receiving unit 401 receives a request for decrypting certain encrypted information transmitted from the terminal device.

  Therefore, the request reception unit 401 is realized by the NIC 109 operating under the control of the CPU 101.

  Further, when the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is not presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices, the determination unit 402 operates the terminal device that transmitted the request. Whether or not to present the multimedia information to the player is determined based on the player's operation and the progress of the game.

  As described above, immediately after the game is released, no player is watching the ending telop of the game. Also, items that the player rarely encounters, so-called rare items, are not presented to any player.

  Therefore, immediately after the game is released, most multimedia information is not presented to any player.

  On the other hand, as time elapses from the release of the game and each player advances the game, some players reach the ending of the game or acquire rare items. Then, multimedia information such as a moving image and sound of an ending telop and a still image of a rare item is presented to the player.

  Therefore, for each piece of multimedia information, the server device 221 manages whether one player who has viewed the multimedia information has occurred or whether there is no one. This management is performed by storing information in a hard disk or the like provided in the server device 221.

  The determination unit 402 determines whether the player of the terminal device that transmitted the request has legitimately obtained the “right to view multimedia information”, or illegally obtains a decryption key using a technique such as reverse engineering. Whether or not to provide multimedia information is determined based on the result.

  In this determination, in the course of the game, the game progress information transmitted from the terminal device of the player is compared with the information on the game progress of the player managed in the server. Various techniques for detecting fraud, such as taking account of the elapsed time since the game was released, and the like.

  As described above, in this embodiment, every time there is a request, it is not determined whether or not the player's action is illegal. One feature is that the determination by the determination unit 402 is performed only when there is a request for multimedia information that has not been viewed by any player.

  Therefore, the determination unit 402 is realized by the CPU 101 working together with the HD 121 or the like in which the game progress history of the player is recorded.

  On the other hand, the key acquisition unit 403 determines that the multimedia information related to the specified identification name is to be presented to the player by the determination unit 402, or the multi-value related to the identification name specified in the received request. When the media information has already been presented to any of the players who operate the plurality of terminal devices, a decryption key associated with the specified identification name is acquired.

  As described above, in the simplest implementation, the identification name of each multimedia information and the decryption key for decrypting the encryption information for the multimedia information are registered in the database in association with each other. The key acquisition unit 403 acquires the decryption key by searching this database.

  At this time, the ban flag information indicating whether or not the multimedia information may be presented to any player in the past is further registered in the database as the identification name of each multimedia information. It is typical to keep it.

That is, in the database,
(A) the identification name of the multimedia information;
(B) a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted information for the multimedia information;
(C) ban flag information of multimedia information;
Are recorded in association with each other.

  When this implementation is adopted, when the determination unit 402 determines to present the multimedia information related to the specified identification name to the player, the determination unit 402 also updates the ban flag information.

  By adopting such a configuration, whether or not the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request has already been presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices by referring to the database Can be easily determined.

  As described above, the key acquisition unit 403 acquires a random number generated by a predetermined algorithm using the identification name as a seed as a decryption key, and each of a plurality of pieces of encryption information corresponds to the encryption information. It can be configured to be encrypted so that a random number generated by a predetermined algorithm is used as a decryption key by using the identification name given as a seed.

  In this form, management such as recording the decryption key itself on the HD 121 or the like is unnecessary, and the decryption key of each encrypted information generates a random number sequence by a predetermined algorithm using the identification name of the multimedia information as a seed. Can be obtained.

  As the identification name, a resource number or a file name can be used. Since these are information that can be processed by a computer, these information can be regarded as a multiple-length integer. Further, when an integer is given as a seed to the random number generation algorithm as described above, a random number sequence is obtained.

  Therefore, a random number sequence obtained by using the identification name as a seed is obtained by a certain length, and the random number sequence is used as a common key for block cipher.

  The game creator generates an encryption key from the identification name of the multimedia information, generates encryption information from the multimedia information using the encryption key, records it on a DVD-ROM or the like, and provides it to the player.

  When using block ciphers, the encryption key and decryption key match, so if there is a request from the terminal device used by the player, the same random number generation algorithm is used to decrypt from the multimedia information identifier. Just generate a key.

  In this form, it is not necessary to manage the decryption key for each piece of multimedia information, but the variation of the decryption key for each piece of multimedia information can be easily increased, and unauthorized decryption acts can be prevented as much as possible. become able to.

  Accordingly, the CPU 101 functions as the key acquisition unit 403 in cooperation with the HD 121 and the like in which the database information is stored.

  Furthermore, the response transmission unit 404 transmits a response designating the decryption key acquired in response to the request to the terminal device 241 that transmitted the request.

  The decryption key is provided from the server device 221 to the terminal device 241 because the terminal device 241 does not store the decryption key, and the player of the terminal device 241 has a proper authority to obtain the decryption key. Or if any player has already obtained the decryption key in the past and the decryption key is unlocked.

  Therefore, the NIC 109 functions as the response transmission unit 404 under the control of the CPU 101.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of service processing executed by the server device 221. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  Note that, as described above, each unit of the information processing apparatus 100 functions as each unit of the server apparatus 221. Therefore, in order to facilitate understanding, in the following, the main body that executes each process is performed by each unit of the information processing apparatus 100. It will be explained as being.

  The server program recorded in the HD 121 or the like is read out to the RAM 103 or the like, and the CPU 101 starts its execution, whereby this service processing is started.

When the service process is started, the CPU 101 performs various initializations (step S501). Specifically, the following processing is performed at the time of initialization.
(A) Activating a database that manages the identification name of multimedia information and its ban flag. Hereinafter, this database is referred to as a “ban database”. In an aspect in which the decryption keys are individually managed, the decryption keys are typically recorded in the “unban database”.
(B) Activation of a database for managing the progress of the game for each player. Hereinafter, this database is referred to as a “progress database”.

  Regarding these databases, the information is stored in the HD 121 which is a nonvolatile storage device, and the information is generally not deleted when the server device 221 is shut down. .

  Next, the CPU 101 controls the NIC 109 and waits for arrival of a packet transmitted from the terminal device 241 (step S502). During this standby, it is possible to execute other server processing and the like in a coroutine manner.

  When detecting that the packet has arrived, the CPU 101 controls the NIC 109 to receive the arrived packet and temporarily store the packet in the RAM 103 (step S503). Then, the packet type is checked (step S504).

  When the type of packet is a report packet that specifies the progress status of the player's game in the terminal device 241 (step S504; report), the information specified in the report packet is added to the progress database (step S505). Return to step S502.

  As will be described later, by tracking the history of the progress of a game recorded in the progress database for a player, whether the player is playing the game legitimately or is cheating, Is determined.

  When the packet type is a request packet for designating the identification name of the multimedia information (step S504; request), the CPU 101 searches the banning database for the banning flag of the identification name (step S506), It is checked whether or not the player has already provided the multimedia information, that is, whether or not the multimedia information and the decryption key have been lifted (step S507).

  If it is not lifted (step S507; No), the CPU 101 accesses the progress database, and the player who uses the terminal device 241 that transmitted the request packet has the right to receive the presentation of the multimedia information. It is checked whether or not it has, that is, whether or not it is fraudulent (step S508).

  When the CPU 101 determines that the player is fraudulent (step S508; fraud), the CPU 101 controls the NIC 109 to send a response packet designating that the decryption key cannot be taught to the terminal device. After transmitting to 241 (step S509), the process returns to step S502.

  In addition, the process of step S509 may be omitted, and the process may return to step S502 immediately and a response may not be transmitted. In this case, when the terminal device 241 waits for reception of the response packet, the terminal device 241 knows that decoding cannot be performed due to timeout.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 101 determines that the player is playing properly (step S508; valid), or when the decryption key is released (step S507; Yes), the CPU 101 A decryption key is acquired (step S510).

  As described above, when the decryption key is managed in the ban database, the CPU 101 retrieves the decryption key from the database in step S510.

  On the other hand, when the decryption key is generated from the identification name, the CPU 101 obtains the decryption key by giving the identification name as a seed to a predetermined pseudorandom number generation algorithm.

  Then, the CPU 101 controls the NIC 109 to transmit a response packet designating the decryption key to the terminal device 241 (step S511).

  The terminal device 241 that has received the decryption key can decrypt the multimedia information from the encrypted information and present it to the player.

  Thereafter, the CPU 101 updates the ban flag of the identification name of the multimedia information to “banned” in the ban database (step S512), and returns to step S502.

(Terminal device)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the terminal device 241 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, first, the function of each unit will be described with reference to this figure, and then the terminal process executed by the terminal device 241 will be described.

  The terminal device 241 according to the present embodiment is realized by executing a terminal program in the information processing apparatus 100 that implements a terminal computer.

  Here, the terminal device 241 includes an information storage unit 601, a key storage unit 602, an identification name acquisition unit 603, a decryption unit 604, an information presentation unit 605, a request transmission unit 606, a response reception unit 607, and an update unit 608.

  First, the information storage unit 601 encrypts the multimedia information in association with each identification name of a plurality of multimedia information that the player operating the terminal device 241 may encounter during the game. The encrypted encryption information is stored.

  As described above, the information storage unit 601 is a variety of information recording media on which information provided from the game creator to the player in the game system is recorded, for example, a DVD-ROM or ROM cassette in which game software is recorded. This is realized by the HD 121 or the like in which software sold by download is recorded. Therefore, it is sufficient for the information storage unit 601 to be able to store readable information, and it is not always necessary to write information.

  As multimedia information, various items such as images of items that the player will acquire as the game progresses, moving images and sounds of events and ending telops that the player will experience may be adopted. it can.

  As described above, in this embodiment, only encrypted information obtained by encrypting multimedia information that can be obtained by a player is provided, and multimedia information that can be actually viewed can be obtained without a decryption key. Can not. Also, resource numbers, file names, etc. are used as identification names of multimedia information and its encryption information.

  Therefore, an information recording medium such as a DVD, HD 121, or other ROM cassette mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108 functions as the information storage unit 601.

  On the other hand, the key storage unit 602 stores one of the identification names and the decryption key in association with each other.

  That is, the key storage unit 602 stores a decryption key for decrypting certain encrypted information and the identification name of the encrypted multimedia information in association with each other.

  In the present embodiment, when the game is purchased and started, the key storage unit 602 stores only the decryption key or only those that can be heard immediately by the player at the beginning of the game.

  Then, at the beginning of the game, most multimedia information is placed in a state where it cannot be decrypted by the terminal device 241 alone.

  As the game progresses, the decryption key is gradually acquired from the server device 221 and recorded in the key storage unit 602.

  Thus, as the key storage unit 602, a non-volatile storage device that can be written or updated is used. Therefore, in this embodiment, the HD 121 and the external memory 106 function as the key storage unit 602.

  Furthermore, the identification name acquisition unit 603 acquires the identification name of the multimedia information to be presented to the player based on the player's operation and the progress of the game.

  The progress of the game in the present invention is performed in the same manner as a normal game. That is, the terminal device 241 accepts an operation from the player by using voice recognition of voice obtained by the controller 105, the keyboard, the mouse, and the microphone 111, image recognition of a gesture included in an image photographed by the camera, and the like. In addition, an instruction from the server device 221 or another terminal device 241 is accepted as necessary.

  Then, the terminal device 241 updates the game state stored in the terminal device 241 based on these operations and instructions. Further, if necessary, the server device 221 and other terminal devices 241 are notified of all or part of the game state.

  Furthermore, depending on the current game state, the identification name of the multimedia information that records the still image of the item to be presented to the player, the moving image necessary for event presentation, sound, etc., is used as the game program or game scenario. Get based on. Here, data such as a game scenario is recorded in a DVD-ROM, HD 121, ROM cassette, or the like.

  Therefore, the CPU 101 functions as the identification name acquisition unit 603 in cooperation with each unit of the information processing apparatus 100, in particular, the DVD-ROM, the HD 121, the ROM cassette, and the like.

  On the other hand, when a decryption key is stored in the key storage unit 602 in association with the acquired identification name, the decryption unit 604 stores the encrypted information stored in the information storage unit 601 in association with the identification name. Decrypt with the decryption key.

  Decryption is possible only when the terminal device 241 has previously obtained a decryption key. Even if the decryption algorithm of the encrypted information is decrypted by reverse engineering, it is impossible to immediately restore the multimedia information from the encrypted information unless the decryption key is obtained by some means.

  On the other hand, when the decryption key for a certain identification name has already been acquired and stored in the key storage unit 602, the multimedia information is restored by decrypting the encrypted information for that identification name with the decryption key. Can do.

  As described above, the encrypted information is stored in the information storage unit 601 realized by a DVD-ROM, HD 121, ROM cassette, or the like. Therefore, the CPU 101 functions as the decryption unit 604 in cooperation with the DVD-ROM, HD 121, ROM cassette, and the like.

  Then, the information presentation unit 605 presents the decrypted multimedia information to the player.

  That is, the still image of the item is appropriately drawn in a predetermined area in the monitor screen. A moving image representing an event or ending telop is displayed on a monitor screen, and sound is output from a speaker, headphones, or the like. Upon receiving the multimedia information, the player tries to advance the game further.

  Therefore, the information presenting unit 605 is realized by operating the image processing unit 107 and the audio processing unit 110 under the control of the CPU 101 and outputting an image on a monitor screen or outputting audio to a speaker or headphones. The

  Furthermore, when the decryption key is not stored in the key storage unit 602 in association with the acquired identification name, the request transmission unit 606 transmits a request for designating the identification name to the server device 221.

  If the terminal device 241 has not yet acquired a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted information, it makes an inquiry to the server.

  Therefore, the NIC 109 functions as the request transmission unit 606 under the control of the CPU 101.

  When the request is transmitted in this manner, steps S502 to S511 in the above-described service processing are executed, and a response is transmitted from the server device 221. The response receiving unit 607 receives this response.

  As described above, when the player is playing the game properly, the decryption key transmitted from the server device 221 is specified in this response.

  Therefore, the NIC 109 functions as the response receiving unit 607 under the control of the CPU 101.

  Then, the update unit 608 stores the identification name specified in the transmitted request and the decryption key specified in the response received in response to the request in association with each other, thereby storing the key storage unit 602. Update.

  As described above, the request is transmitted when the decryption key is not stored in the key storage unit 602. When the obtained decryption key is added to the key storage unit 602 by the update unit 608, a condition for the decryption unit 604 to start operation is satisfied.

  That is, with the update by the update unit 608, the decryption unit 604 decrypts the multimedia information from the encrypted information, and the information presentation unit 605 presents the decrypted multimedia information to the player.

  Therefore, the CPU 101 functions as the update unit 608 in cooperation with the HD 121, the external memory 106, and the like.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control flow of terminal processing executed by the terminal device 241. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  Note that, as described above, each unit of the information processing device 100 functions as each unit of the terminal device 241. Therefore, in order to facilitate understanding, in the following, the main body that executes each process is the unit of the information processing device 100 It will be explained as being.

  The terminal process is started when the CPU 101 reads out a terminal program recorded in a DVD-ROM, HD 121, ROM cassette or the like to the RAM 103 and executes it. Note that encryption information is also recorded on the DVD-ROM, HD 121, ROM cassette, and the like.

  When the terminal process is started, the CPU 101 performs various initializations (step S701). This initialization includes, for example, processing for setting the player's name and loading the player's game progress status from the external memory 106 into the RAM 103.

  In addition, the RAM 103 stores various types of information that should be temporarily stored. Therefore, the CPU 101 clears the area where the information is stored at the time of initialization.

  Next, the CPU 101 acquires an identification name of multimedia information necessary for generating an image and sound to be presented to the player based on the progress of the game recorded in the RAM 103 (step S702). These identification names are determined based on the definition of a program recorded for a terminal program or a scenario recorded on a DVD-ROM or the like.

  Next, the CPU 101 checks whether or not the decryption key has been acquired for all the identification names of the multimedia information acquired in step S702 (step S703).

  If all have been acquired (step S703; Yes), the multimedia information is decrypted with the respective decryption keys (step S704) and presented to the player (step S705).

  In order to present a still image to the player, the still image developed in the RAM 103 may be transferred to the monitor each time a vertical synchronization interrupt occurs.

  At this time, various conversions and processing are performed on the multimedia information, such as clipping the multimedia information as appropriate, and using it as definition information for objects placed in the virtual space that constitutes the game world. Typically, an image to be presented to the player is obtained.

  In order to present a moving image, each time a vertical synchronization interrupt occurs, each frame of the moving image is expanded in the RAM 103 and is expanded on the monitor. These processes are generally executed in parallel processing by the image processing unit 107 under the control of the CPU 101.

  In order to present a sound to the player, the sound processing unit 110 transfers the sound information developed in the RAM 103 to a speaker or headphones under the control of the CPU 101. In general, the processing by the audio processing unit 110 is also executed in parallel.

  Next, the CPU 101 checks the operation status of the controller 105 or the like (step S706), and checks whether an instruction packet for the progress of the game has arrived from another terminal device 241 or the server device 221 (step S707). If the instruction packet has not arrived (step S707; No), the process proceeds to step S709.

  On the other hand, when it is detected that the instruction packet has arrived (step S707; Yes), the instruction packet is received and expanded in the RAM 103 (step S708).

  Then, in addition to the passage of time, the operation of the player of the terminal device 241, in the case where it is deployed in step S <b> 708, based on instructions for the progress of the game from other terminal devices 241 and the server device 221, etc. The progress of the game recorded in the RAM 103 is updated (step S709).

  Furthermore, if necessary, a report packet designating the progress of the game is transmitted to the server device 221 (step S710), or an instruction packet designating an instruction regarding the game is transmitted to another terminal device 241. (Step S711), the process returns to Step S702. Note that the processing of steps S710 and S711 can be omitted depending on the game mode. Further, instead of transmitting the report packet or the instruction packet every time, the transmission may be performed by appropriately decimating.

  On the other hand, when there is multimedia information for which the decryption key has not been acquired (step S703; No), a request packet for specifying the identification name is transmitted to the server device 221 (step S712).

  Then, it tries to receive a response packet transmitted from the server device 221 until a predetermined timeout time elapses (step S713). If the response packet is received (step S714; reception), if a decryption key is specified in the response packet (step S715; present), the CPU 101 associates the decryption key with the identification name. Then, it is additionally stored in the HD 121 or the external memory 106 (step S716). Then, the process proceeds to step S704. Thus, every time a decryption key is acquired, the contents are recorded in the key storage unit 602 as needed.

  On the other hand, if the response packet cannot be received (step S714; undelivered), or if the decryption key is not specified even if it can be received (step S715; none), the fact that the restoration of the multimedia information has failed is indicated. After displaying on the monitor screen or outputting a sound from a speaker or the like to warn the player (step S717), the process returns to step S706.

  As described above, in the server device 221, when the determining unit 402 determines that the multimedia information is not provided to the player, it is highly likely that the player is performing an illegal act such as reverse engineering.

  In such a case, the server device 221 may employ a technique of immediately transmitting a response indicating that the decryption key is not provided to the terminal device 241, or transmitting a response to the terminal device 241. You may adopt the method of not.

  If the terminal device 241 cannot receive the response packet even after the timeout time has elapsed, or if the decryption key is not specified in the response packet, it is determined that the decryption key of the multimedia information cannot be acquired.

  In particular, when using timeout, various reverse engineering requires more time and effort, so that the risk of inadvertently leaking various multimedia information can be suppressed as much as possible. become.

  As described above, in the present invention, only encrypted multimedia information is stored on a DVD-ROM or ROM cassette storing game software provided to a player, a hard disk storing game software downloaded and sold, and the like. Is recorded. Therefore, multimedia information cannot be restored only with these information recording media and the terminal device 241.

  The decryption key is managed by the server device 221 and appropriately provided in response to an inquiry from the terminal device 241. The decryption key obtained by the terminal device 241 is stored in a readable / writable nonvolatile storage device such as the HD 121 or the memory card 105 in association with the identification name.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, by appropriately recording and storing various types of information on various information recording media and storage devices, it is possible to appropriately control the release timing of multimedia information while facilitating the sale and provision of game software. Thus, inadvertent outflow can be suppressed.

  In the above description, in order to facilitate understanding, it has been described that all multimedia information presented in the game is encrypted. For example, event images, rare item images, ending telops, etc. It is also possible to adopt a mode in which encryption is applied only to a part of information and no encryption is applied to multimedia information that is frequently presented.

  In the above-described embodiment, a demand-driven type in which the server device 221 returns a response after a request from the terminal device 241 is adopted, but a notification-type mode as described below is adopted. Also good.

  FIG. 8 is a session diagram illustrating a state in which the server device 221 and the terminal device 241 communicate and exchange the decryption key in the notification-type embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  As in FIG. 3, when the request 301 is transmitted from the terminal device 241a to the server device 221 and the server device 221 detects that it has not been presented (302) and determines that it is illegal (303), the server device 221 sends the request to the terminal device 241a. The transmitted response 304 specifies that the decryption key cannot be provided and displays a warning (305).

  Next, a request 311 is transmitted from the terminal device 241b to the server device 221. When the server device 221 detects unpresentation (312) and determines that it is valid (313), a response transmitted from the server device 221 to the terminal device 241b. In 304, a decryption key is designated, and the terminal device 241b performs decryption and presentation of information (315).

  Further, in this embodiment, a notification 801 specifying a decryption key is also sent to the other terminal devices 241a and 241c that are communicably connected to the server device 221 at this time. In the notification 801, the identification name of the corresponding multimedia information is designated.

  In the other terminal devices 241a and 241c that have received the notification 801, the multimedia information having the identification name specified in the notification 801 is decrypted with the decryption key specified in the notification 801 (805).

  Although not shown in this figure, the terminal device 241 that has not been able to transmit the notification 801, that is, the server device 221 detects unpresentation (312) and determines that it is valid (313), the server device 221. As for the terminal device 241 not connected to the terminal 241, a decryption key may be provided in a demand-driven manner as in the mode shown in FIG. 3, and a notification 801 is transmitted when the terminal device 241 has logged in. It is also good to do.

  In the present embodiment, the decryption key is not obtained in demand-driven manner, but the decryption key is distributed to as many terminal devices 241 as possible in advance, so that the waiting time of the user is equal to the calculation time of decryption processing in the terminal device 241. Can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a game system, a server device, a game control method, and the like suitable for appropriately controlling the release timing of the presentation of multimedia information to be presented to the player in the game, It is possible to provide a service method, a game system program that implements these on a computer, and a server program.

100 Information processing apparatus 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Interface 105 Controller 106 External Memory 107 Image Processing Unit 108 DVD-ROM Drive 109 NIC
110 Audio processing unit 111 Microphone 121 HD
201 game system 221 server device 241 terminal device 261 computer communication network 301 request 302 detection 303 determination 304 response 305 warning 311 request 312 detection 313 determination 314 response 315 decoding / presentation 321 request 322 detection 323 determination 324 response 325 decoding / presentation 601 information storage Unit 602 key storage unit 603 identification name acquisition unit 604 decryption unit 605 information presentation unit 606 request transmission unit 607 response reception unit 608 update unit 801 notification 805 decryption

Claims (9)

A game system comprising a plurality of terminal devices and a server device,
(A) Each of the plurality of terminal devices is
Information in which encrypted information obtained by encrypting the multimedia information is stored in association with each identification name of a plurality of multimedia information that the player operating the terminal device may encounter during the game. Storage unit,
A key storage unit that stores one of the identification names and a decryption key in association with each other;
An identification name acquisition unit for acquiring an identification name of multimedia information to be presented to the player based on the operation of the player and the progress of the game;
When a decryption key is stored in the key storage unit in association with the acquired identification name, the encrypted information stored in the information storage unit in association with the identification name is decrypted with the decryption key. A decryption unit,
An information presentation unit for presenting the decrypted multimedia information to the player;
When a decryption key is not stored in the key storage unit in association with the acquired identification name, the server device includes a request transmission unit that transmits a request to specify the identification name,
(B) The server device
A request receiving unit for receiving a request transmitted from any of the plurality of terminal devices;
When the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is not presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices, the operation of the player operating the terminal device that transmitted the request, and A determination unit that determines whether or not to present the multimedia information to the player based on the progress of the game;
When the determination unit determines that the multimedia information related to the specified identification name is to be presented to the player, or the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is the plurality of multimedia information A key acquisition unit for acquiring a decryption key associated with the designated identification name, if already presented to any of the players operating the terminal device;
A response transmitter that transmits a response designating the acquired decryption key in response to the request to the terminal device that has transmitted the request;
(C) Each of the plurality of terminal devices is
A response receiver for receiving a response transmitted from the server device;
An update unit that updates the key storage unit by storing the identification name specified in the transmitted request and the decryption key specified in the received response in response to the request A game system characterized by further comprising: The game system according to claim 1,
In the information storage unit, the encrypted information is stored in a computer-readable information recording medium,
In the key storage unit, the identification name and the decryption key are stored in a nonvolatile storage device. The game system according to claim 1 or 2,
The key acquisition unit acquires, as the decryption key, a random number generated by a predetermined algorithm using the identification name as a seed,
Each of the plurality of pieces of encrypted information is encrypted so that a random number generated by a predetermined algorithm is used as a decryption key by using an identification name associated with the encrypted information as a seed. system. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
If a response for designating the decryption key is not received within a predetermined time after the request for designating the identification name is transmitted, the presenting unit gives a warning that the multimedia information cannot be decrypted, A game system characterized by being presented to. A server device for realizing a game that progresses when a player operates each of a plurality of terminal devices,
The server device communicates with the plurality of terminal devices,
A request receiving unit that receives a request that is transmitted from any of the plurality of terminal devices and that is specified with an identification name of multimedia information;
When the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is not presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices, the operation of the player operating the terminal device that transmitted the request, and A determination unit that determines whether or not to present the multimedia information to the player based on the progress of the game;
When the determination unit determines that the multimedia information related to the specified identification name is to be presented to the player, or the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is the plurality of multimedia information A key acquisition unit for acquiring a decryption key associated with the designated identification name, if already presented to any of the players operating the terminal device;
A server device comprising: a response transmission unit configured to transmit a response designating the acquired decryption key in response to the request to the terminal device that transmitted the request. A game control method for controlling a game system comprising a plurality of terminal devices and a server device,
Each of the plurality of terminal devices includes an information storage unit, a key storage unit, an identification name acquisition unit, a decryption unit, an information presentation unit, a request transmission unit, a response reception unit, an update unit,
The information storage unit encrypts the multimedia information in association with each identification name of a plurality of multimedia information that the player operating the terminal device may encounter during the game. Information is stored,
In the key storage unit, any one of the identification names and a decryption key are stored in association with each other,
The server device includes a request reception unit, a determination unit, a key acquisition unit, a response transmission unit,
The game control method includes:
(A) In each of the plurality of terminal devices,
The identification name acquisition unit acquires an identification name of multimedia information to be presented to the player based on the operation of the player and the progress of the game,
When the decryption unit stores a decryption key in the key storage unit in association with the acquired identification name, the encryption information stored in the information storage unit in association with the identification name is A decryption step of decrypting with the decryption key;
An information presentation step in which the information presentation unit presents the decrypted multimedia information to the player;
A request transmission step of transmitting a request for designating the identification name to the server device when the request transmission unit is associated with the acquired identification name and no decryption key is stored in the key storage unit;
With
(B) In the server device,
A request receiving step in which the request receiving unit receives a request transmitted from any of the plurality of terminal devices;
When the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is not presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices, the determination unit operates the terminal device that transmitted the request A determination step of determining whether or not to present the multimedia information to the player based on the operation of the player who performs the game and the progress of the game;
When the determination unit determines that the multimedia information related to the specified identification name is to be presented to the player, or the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is the plurality of multimedia information If the key acquisition unit has already been presented to any of the players operating the terminal device, the key acquisition step of acquiring a decryption key associated with the specified identification name,
The response transmission unit includes a response transmission step of transmitting a response designating the acquired decryption key in response to the request to the terminal device that transmitted the request,
(C) In each of the plurality of terminal devices,
A response receiving step in which the response receiving unit receives a response transmitted from the server device;
The update unit stores the identification name specified in the transmitted request in association with the decryption key specified in the received response in response to the request, thereby storing the key storage unit A game control method, further comprising: an updating step for updating. A service method for controlling a server device for realizing a game that proceeds by a player operating each of a plurality of terminal devices,
The server device communicates with the plurality of terminal devices, and includes a request reception unit, a determination unit, a key acquisition unit, and a response transmission unit.
A request receiving step in which the request receiving unit receives a request which is a request transmitted from any of the plurality of terminal devices and is specified with an identification name of multimedia information;
When the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is not presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices, the determination unit operates the terminal device that transmitted the request A determination step of determining whether or not to present the multimedia information to the player based on the operation of the player who performs the game and the progress of the game;
When the determination unit determines that the key acquisition unit presents multimedia information related to the specified identification name to the player, or related to the identification name specified in the received request A key acquisition step of acquiring a decryption key associated with the specified identification name when multimedia information has already been presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices;
The service method, comprising: a response transmission step in which the response transmission unit transmits a response designating the acquired decryption key in response to the request to the terminal device that has transmitted the request. A game system program comprising: a terminal program that causes each of a plurality of terminal computers to function as a terminal device; and a server program that causes a server computer to function as a server device,
(A) The terminal program includes a plurality of terminal computers,
Information in which encrypted information obtained by encrypting the multimedia information is stored in association with each identification name of a plurality of multimedia information that the player operating the terminal device may encounter during the game. Storage unit,
A key storage unit that stores one of the identification names and a decryption key in association with each other;
An identification name acquisition unit for acquiring an identification name of multimedia information to be presented to the player based on the operation of the player and the progress of the game;
When a decryption key is stored in the key storage unit in association with the acquired identification name, the encrypted information stored in the information storage unit in association with the identification name is decrypted with the decryption key. A decryption unit,
An information presentation unit for presenting the decrypted multimedia information to the player;
When a decryption key is not stored in the key storage unit in association with the acquired identification name, the server device is caused to function as a request transmission unit that transmits a request for specifying the identification name,
(B) The server program includes the server computer,
A request receiving unit for receiving a request transmitted from any of the plurality of terminal devices;
When the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is not presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices, the operation of the player operating the terminal device that transmitted the request, and A determination unit that determines whether or not to present the multimedia information to the player based on the progress of the game;
When the determination unit determines that the multimedia information related to the specified identification name is to be presented to the player, or the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is the plurality of multimedia information A key acquisition unit for acquiring a decryption key associated with the designated identification name, if already presented to any of the players operating the terminal device;
Causing the terminal device that has transmitted the request to function as a response transmission unit that transmits a response that specifies the acquired decryption key in response to the request;
(C) The terminal program executes each of the plurality of terminal computers.
A response receiver for receiving a response transmitted from the server device;
An update unit that updates the key storage unit by storing the identification name specified in the transmitted request and the decryption key specified in the received response in response to the request A game system program characterized by further functioning as: A server program for causing a server computer to function as a server device for realizing a game that progresses when a player operates each of a plurality of terminal devices,
The server program, the server computer,
A request receiving unit for receiving a request transmitted from any of the plurality of terminal devices;
When the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is not presented to any of the players operating the plurality of terminal devices, the operation of the player operating the terminal device that transmitted the request, and A determination unit that determines whether or not to present the multimedia information to the player based on the progress of the game;
When the determination unit determines that the multimedia information related to the specified identification name is to be presented to the player, or the multimedia information related to the identification name specified in the received request is the plurality of multimedia information A key acquisition unit for acquiring a decryption key associated with the designated identification name, if already presented to any of the players operating the terminal device;
A server program that causes a terminal device that has transmitted the request to function as a response transmission unit that transmits a response designating the acquired decryption key in response to the request.

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