JP5883962B2 - COMMUNICATION CONTROL DEVICE, COMMUNICATION CONTROL PROGRAM, COMMUNICATION CONTROL METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication control device, a communication control program, a communication control method, and an information processing system that efficiently transmit a plurality of data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are apparatuses that transmit a plurality of pieces of data in one frame. For example, in Patent Document 1, the transmitting side transmits a single frame including a plurality of data used on one receiving side, and the receiving side receives the frame.

JP 2003-256246 A

  However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the transmission destination of the plurality of data is limited to a single reception side.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication control device, a communication control program, a communication control method, and an information processing system that can efficiently transmit a plurality of data with different transmission destinations.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.

  The present invention is a communication control program executed in a computer of an information processing apparatus having a communication function. The communication control program causes the computer to function as transmission data generation means and transmission means. The transmission data generation means generates transmission data including a plurality of data with different transmission destinations. The transmission means transmits the transmission data by broadcast or multicast.

  According to the above, a plurality of data with different transmission destinations can be transmitted together. Thereby, it is possible to efficiently transmit a plurality of data to a plurality of devices, rather than transmitting individual data separately.

  In another configuration of the present invention, the transmission data generation means may include transmission destination information for each data in the transmission data.

  According to the above, transmission destination information of each data can be transmitted in addition to each data.

  In another configuration of the present invention, the communication control program may further function as an acquisition unit and a storage control unit. The acquisition unit sequentially acquires the plurality of data. The storage control means sequentially stores the data acquired by the acquisition means in the storage means. The transmission data generation unit generates the transmission data including at least two data stored in the storage unit and transmission destination information of each of the at least two data.

  According to the above, sequentially acquired data can be temporarily stored in the storage means, and a plurality of stored data can be transmitted together.

  In another configuration of the present invention, the communication control program causes the computer to function as a first determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined condition for transmitting data stored in the storage unit is satisfied. May be. The transmission data generation means, when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied by the first determination means, at least two data stored in the storage means and respective transmission destination information of the at least two data The transmission data including is generated. The transmission means transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation means.

  According to the above, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the data stored in the storage unit can be transmitted. Thereby, for example, it is possible to prevent data from being delayed.

  In another configuration of the present invention, the communication control program causes the computer to further function as second determination means for determining whether or not there is data for which a predetermined time has elapsed since storage in the storage means. Also good. The transmission data generation unit generates the transmission data including at least the data for which the predetermined time has elapsed when the second determination unit determines that there is data for which the predetermined time has elapsed. The transmission means transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation means.

  According to the above, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the data was stored, the data is transmitted. As a result, data delay can be prevented.

  In another configuration of the invention, the storage means has a predetermined size, and the storage control means determines whether or not the data acquired by the acquisition means can be stored in the storage means. The transmission data generation means includes at least two data stored in the storage means and each destination information of the at least two data when the storage control means determines that the data cannot be stored. The transmission data is generated. The transmission means transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation means.

  According to the above, for example, when the free space of the storage unit is small and data cannot be stored, the data stored in the storage unit can be transmitted. A plurality of pieces of data collected to some extent can be transmitted together, and the data can be transmitted efficiently.

  In another configuration of the present invention, the communication control program may cause the computer to further function as a third determination unit that determines whether to immediately transmit the data acquired by the acquisition unit. The transmission data generation unit generates the transmission data including the data when the third determination unit determines to transmit the data immediately. The transmission means transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation means.

  According to the above, the acquired data can be transmitted immediately. Thereby, for example, data that is not desired to be delayed can be transmitted immediately.

  In another configuration of the present invention, the acquisition unit may acquire data sent from another information processing apparatus. The transmission data generation means further includes transmission source information of each of the plurality of data in the transmission data.

  According to the above, it is possible to transmit the data transmitted from another device by including the transmission source information.

  In another configuration of the present invention, the communication control program receives the transmission data transmitted from another information processing apparatus, and based on the transmission destination information included in the transmission data, at least data addressed to itself The computer may further function as data fetching means for fetching the data.

  According to the above, at least data destined for the own device can be extracted from among a plurality of data included in transmission data transmitted from another device.

  In another configuration of the present invention, the storage control means may store the data acquired by the acquisition means in the first storage area or the second storage area. The transmission data generation means generates the transmission data including at least two data stored in any one of the first storage area and the second storage area.

  According to the above, the acquired data can be stored in two different storage areas.

  In another configuration of the present invention, each piece of data acquired by the acquisition unit may be a group of data that can be processed at a transmission destination.

  Based on the above, it is possible to acquire a plurality of pieces of data that can be processed at the transmission destination and transmit the plurality of data collectively. Thereby, data can be transmitted efficiently.

  In another configuration of the present invention, the transmission data generation means may generate the transmission data by including the transmission destination information in a data portion of a frame.

  According to the above, the transmission destination information can be included in the data portion of the frame.

  In another configuration of the present invention, the transmission data generation means may generate the transmission data by including the transmission source information in a data portion of a frame.

  According to the above, the transmission source information can be included in the data portion of the frame.

  The present invention may also be implemented in the form of a communication control device that executes the communication control program. Further, the present invention may be a communication control method.

  Another configuration of the present invention is an information processing system including a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus having a communication function. The first information processing apparatus includes transmission data generation means and transmission means. The transmission data generation means generates transmission data including a plurality of data with different transmission destinations. The transmission means transmits the transmission data by broadcast or multicast. In addition, the second information processing apparatus includes a data extracting unit that receives the transmission data and extracts at least data addressed to the own device included in the transmission data.

  Based on the above, the first information processing apparatus can collectively transmit a plurality of data with different transmission destinations to a plurality of devices, and can efficiently transmit the plurality of data. Further, the second information processing apparatus can receive the transmission data and take out data destined for the own apparatus.

  Another configuration of the present invention is a communication control program executed in a computer of an information processing apparatus having a communication function. The communication control program causes the computer to function as transmission data generation means and transmission means. The transmission data generation means generates transmission data including a plurality of data with different transmission destinations. The transmission means transmits the transmission data by designating a predetermined destination address.

  According to the above, for example, when a broadcast address is designated as a predetermined destination address, the plurality of data can be transmitted to the entire network. For example, when a unicast address is designated as a predetermined destination address, the plurality of data can be transmitted to one device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently transmit a plurality of data having different transmission destinations.

Front view of game device 10 in the open state Left side view, front view, right side view, and rear view of game device 10 in the closed state Block diagram showing the internal configuration of the game apparatus 10 The figure which shows the network comprised by the some game device 10 when the game which concerns on this embodiment is performed. The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on upper LCD22 of a game device when the game which concerns on this embodiment is performed. The figure which shows the registration table 80 of the client produced | generated in a master The figure which shows the memory map of the memory (The memory in the main memory 32, the wireless communication module 36, etc.) of each game device 10. A flowchart showing a flow of setting processing executed in each game device 10 Diagram showing the frame format of beacons periodically transmitted by the master The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on a screen in step S5 A flowchart showing details of processing (master processing) of game device 10 functioning as a master A flowchart showing details of processing (client processing) of the game apparatus 10 functioning as a client The flowchart which shows the detail of the process (audience process) of the game device 10 which functions as an audience The figure which shows the transition of the state of each game device 10 Diagram showing the master data transmission process The figure which shows the outline of the reception processing performed by the client when the client receives the frame transmitted from the master. Flow chart showing details of data transmission processing (master) performed in master The flowchart which shows the detail of the data transmission process (client) performed in a client The flowchart which shows the detail of the data reception process performed in a client Flow chart showing details of data reception processing (audience) performed in audience Flow chart showing details of data reception processing (master) performed in master The figure which shows a mode that data are transmitted to all the terminals from the client C1 via a master. The figure which shows a mode that data are transmitted to all the terminals directly from the client C1.

(Configuration of game device)
Hereinafter, a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of the game apparatus 10 in the open state. 2A is a left side view of the game apparatus 10 in the closed state, FIG. 2B is a front view of the game apparatus 10 in the closed state, and FIG. 2C is a view of the game apparatus 10 in the closed state. FIG. 2D is a right side view, and FIG. 2D is a rear view of the game apparatus 10 in the closed state. The game apparatus 10 is a portable game apparatus, and is configured to be foldable as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 shows the game apparatus 10 in an open state (open state), and FIG. 2 shows the game apparatus 10 in a closed state (closed state). The game apparatus 10 can capture an image with an imaging unit, display the captured image on a screen, and store data of the captured image. In addition, the game apparatus 10 is capable of executing a game program stored in a replaceable memory card or received from a server or another game apparatus, such as an image captured by a virtual camera set in a virtual space. An image generated by computer graphics processing can be displayed on the screen.

  First, an external configuration of the game apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the game apparatus 10 includes a lower housing 11 and an upper housing 21. The lower housing 11 and the upper housing 21 are connected so as to be openable and closable (foldable).

(Description of lower housing)
First, the configuration of the lower housing 11 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower housing 11 has a lower LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 12, a touch panel 13, operation buttons 14A to 14L, an analog stick 15, LEDs 16A to 16B, and an insert. A mouth 17 and a microphone hole 18 are provided. Details of these will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lower LCD 12 is housed in the lower housing 11. The number of pixels of the lower LCD 12 may be, for example, 320 dots × 240 dots (horizontal × vertical). Unlike the upper LCD 22 described later, the lower LCD 12 is a display device that displays an image in a planar manner (not stereoscopically viewable). In the present embodiment, an LCD is used as the display device, but other arbitrary display devices such as a display device using EL (Electro Luminescence) may be used. Further, as the lower LCD 12, a display device having an arbitrary resolution can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus 10 includes a touch panel 13 as an input device. The touch panel 13 is mounted on the screen of the lower LCD 12. In the present embodiment, the touch panel 13 is a resistive film type touch panel. However, the touch panel is not limited to the resistive film type, and any type of touch panel such as a capacitance type can be used. In the present embodiment, the touch panel 13 having the same resolution (detection accuracy) as that of the lower LCD 12 is used. However, the resolution of the touch panel 13 and the resolution of the lower LCD 12 do not necessarily match. An insertion port 17 (dotted line shown in FIGS. 1 and 2D) is provided on the upper side surface of the lower housing 11. The insertion slot 17 can accommodate a touch pen 28 used for performing an operation on the touch panel 13. In addition, although the input with respect to the touchscreen 13 is normally performed using the touch pen 28, it is also possible to input with respect to the touchscreen 13 not only with the touch pen 28 but with a user's finger | toe.

  Each operation button 14A-14L is an input device for performing a predetermined input. As shown in FIG. 1, on the inner surface (main surface) of the lower housing 11, among the operation buttons 14A to 14L, a cross button 14A (direction input button 14A), a button 14B, a button 14C, a button 14D, A button 14E, a power button 14F, a select button 14J, a HOME button 14K, and a start button 14L are provided. The cross button 14 </ b> A has a cross shape, and has buttons for instructing up, down, left, and right directions. Functions according to a program executed by the game apparatus 10 are appropriately assigned to the buttons 14A to 14E, the select button 14J, the HOME button 14K, and the start button 14L. For example, the cross button 14A is used for a selection operation or the like, and the operation buttons 14B to 14E are used for a determination operation or a cancel operation, for example. The power button 14F is used to turn on / off the power of the game apparatus 10.

  The analog stick 15 is a device that indicates a direction. The analog stick 15 is configured such that its key top slides parallel to the inner surface of the lower housing 11. The analog stick 15 functions according to a program executed by the game apparatus 10. For example, when a game in which a predetermined object appears in the three-dimensional virtual space is executed by the game apparatus 10, the analog stick 15 functions as an input device for moving the predetermined object in the three-dimensional virtual space. In this case, the predetermined object is moved in the direction in which the key top of the analog stick 15 slides. In addition, as the analog stick 15, an analog stick that allows analog input by being tilted by a predetermined amount in any direction of up / down / left / right and oblique directions may be used.

  A microphone hole 18 is provided on the inner surface of the lower housing 11. A microphone 42 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, is provided below the microphone hole 18, and the microphone 42 detects sound outside the game apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2D, an L button 14 </ b> G and an R button 14 </ b> H are provided on the upper side surface of the lower housing 11. The L button 14G and the R button 14H can function as, for example, a shutter button (shooting instruction button) of the imaging unit. Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, a volume button 14 </ b> I is provided on the left side surface of the lower housing 11. The volume button 14I is used to adjust the volume of a speaker provided in the game apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, a cover portion 11 </ b> C that can be opened and closed is provided on the left side surface of the lower housing 11. A connector (not shown) for electrically connecting the game apparatus 10 and the data storage external memory 45 is provided inside the cover portion 11C. The data storage external memory 45 is detachably attached to the connector. The data storage external memory 45 is used, for example, for storing (saving) data of an image captured by the game apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2D, an insertion port 11D for inserting the game apparatus 10 and an external memory 44 in which a game program is recorded is provided on the upper side surface of the lower housing 11, and the insertion port Inside the 11D, a connector (not shown) for electrically detachably connecting to the external memory 44 is provided. When the external memory 44 is connected to the game apparatus 10, a predetermined game program is executed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 (c), on the lower side surface of the lower housing 11, the first LED 16 </ b> A that notifies the user of the power ON / OFF status of the game apparatus 10, the right side surface of the lower housing 11. Is provided with a second LED 16B for notifying the user of the wireless communication establishment status of the game apparatus 10. The game apparatus 10 can perform wireless communication with other devices, and the second LED 16B is lit when the wireless communication function is valid. The game apparatus 10 has a function of connecting to a wireless LAN, for example, by a method compliant with the IEEE 802.11b / g standard. A wireless switch 19 for enabling / disabling this wireless communication function is provided on the right side surface of the lower housing 11 (see FIG. 2C).

  Although not shown, the lower housing 11 stores a rechargeable battery that serves as a power source for the game apparatus 10, and the terminal is provided via a terminal provided on a side surface (for example, the upper side surface) of the lower housing 11. The battery can be charged.

(Description of upper housing)
Next, the configuration of the upper housing 21 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper housing 21 includes an upper LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 22, an outer imaging unit 23 (an outer imaging unit (left) 23a and an outer imaging unit (right) 23b). , An inner imaging unit 24, a 3D adjustment switch 25, and a 3D indicator 26 are provided. Details of these will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper LCD 22 is accommodated in the upper housing 21. The number of pixels of the upper LCD 22 may be, for example, 800 dots × 240 dots (horizontal × vertical). In the present embodiment, the upper LCD 22 is a liquid crystal display device. However, for example, a display device using EL (Electro Luminescence) may be used. In addition, a display device having an arbitrary resolution can be used as the upper LCD 22.

  The upper LCD 22 is a display device capable of displaying a stereoscopically visible image. In the present embodiment, the left-eye image and the right-eye image are displayed using substantially the same display area. Specifically, the display device uses a method in which a left-eye image and a right-eye image are alternately displayed in a horizontal direction in a predetermined unit (for example, one column at a time). Alternatively, the display device may be a display device in which the left-eye image and the right-eye image are alternately displayed in time, and the left-eye image and the right-eye image are visually recognized by the user using glasses. In this embodiment, the display device is capable of autostereoscopic viewing. A lenticular method or a parallax barrier method (parallax barrier method) is used so that the left-eye image and the right-eye image that are alternately displayed in the horizontal direction appear to be decomposed into the left eye and the right eye, respectively. In the present embodiment, the upper LCD 22 is a parallax barrier type. The upper LCD 22 uses the right-eye image and the left-eye image to display an image (stereoscopic image) that can be stereoscopically viewed with the naked eye. In other words, the upper LCD 22 displays a stereoscopic image (stereoscopically viewable) having a stereoscopic effect for the user by using the parallax barrier to visually recognize the left-eye image for the user's left eye and the right-eye image for the user's right eye. be able to. Further, the upper LCD 22 can invalidate the parallax barrier. When the parallax barrier is invalidated, the upper LCD 22 can display an image in a planar manner (in the sense opposite to the above-described stereoscopic view, the planar LCD is planar). (This is a display mode in which the same displayed image can be seen by both the right eye and the left eye). As described above, the upper LCD 22 is a display device capable of switching between a stereoscopic display mode for displaying a stereoscopically viewable image and a planar display mode for displaying an image in a planar manner (displaying a planar view image). . This display mode switching is performed by a 3D adjustment switch 25 described later.

  The outer imaging unit 23 is a general term for two imaging units (23 a and 23 b) provided on the outer surface (back surface opposite to the main surface on which the upper LCD 22 is provided) 21 D of the upper housing 21. The imaging directions of the outer imaging unit (left) 23a and the outer imaging unit (right) 23b are both normal directions of the outer surface 21D. The outer imaging unit (left) 23a and the outer imaging unit (right) 23b can be used as a stereo camera by a program executed by the game apparatus 10. The outer imaging unit (left) 23a and the outer imaging unit (right) 23b each include an imaging element (for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor) having a predetermined common resolution and a lens. The lens may have a zoom mechanism.

  The inner imaging unit 24 is an imaging unit that is provided on the inner side surface (main surface) 21B of the upper housing 21 and has an inward normal direction of the inner side surface as an imaging direction. The inner imaging unit 24 includes an imaging element (for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor) having a predetermined resolution, and a lens. The lens may have a zoom mechanism.

  The 3D adjustment switch 25 is a slide switch, and is a switch used to switch the display mode of the upper LCD 22 as described above. The 3D adjustment switch 25 is used to adjust the stereoscopic effect of a stereoscopically viewable image (stereoscopic image) displayed on the upper LCD 22. The slider 25a of the 3D adjustment switch 25 can be slid to an arbitrary position in a predetermined direction (vertical direction), and the display mode of the upper LCD 22 is set according to the position of the slider 25a. Further, the appearance of the stereoscopic image is adjusted according to the position of the slider 25a. Specifically, the shift amount of the horizontal position of the right-eye image and the left-eye image is adjusted according to the position of the slider 25a.

  The 3D indicator 26 indicates whether or not the upper LCD 22 is in the stereoscopic display mode. The 3D indicator 26 is an LED, and lights up when the stereoscopic display mode of the upper LCD 22 is valid. Note that the 3D indicator 26 may be lit only when the upper LCD 22 is in the stereoscopic display mode and a program process for displaying a stereoscopic image is being executed.

  A speaker hole 21 </ b> E is provided on the inner surface of the upper housing 21. Sound from a speaker 43 described later is output from the speaker hole 21E.

(Internal configuration of game device 10)
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an internal electrical configuration of the game apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the game apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the above-described units, the game apparatus 10 includes an information processing unit 31, a main memory 32, an external memory interface (external memory I / F) 33, an external memory I / F 34 for data storage, data Electronic components such as an internal memory 35 for storage, a wireless communication module 36, a real-time clock (RTC) 38, an acceleration sensor 39, a power supply circuit 40, and an interface circuit (I / F circuit) 41 are provided. These electronic components are mounted on an electronic circuit board and accommodated in the lower housing 11 (or the upper housing 21).

  The information processing unit 31 is information processing means including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 311 for executing a predetermined program, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 312 for performing image processing, and the like. The CPU 311 of the information processing unit 31 executes the program stored in a memory (for example, the external memory 44 connected to the external memory I / F 33 or the data storage internal memory 35) in the game apparatus 10, thereby executing the program. The process according to is executed. Note that the program executed by the CPU 311 of the information processing unit 31 may be acquired from another device through communication with the other device. The information processing unit 31 includes a VRAM (Video RAM) 313. The GPU 312 of the information processing unit 31 generates an image in response to a command from the CPU 311 of the information processing unit 31 and draws it on the VRAM 313. Then, the GPU 312 of the information processing unit 31 outputs the image drawn in the VRAM 313 to the upper LCD 22 and / or the lower LCD 12, and the image is displayed on the upper LCD 22 and / or the lower LCD 12.

  A main memory 32, an external memory I / F 33, a data storage external memory I / F 34, and a data storage internal memory 35 are connected to the information processing section 31. The external memory I / F 33 is an interface for detachably connecting the external memory 44. The data storage external memory I / F 34 is an interface for detachably connecting the data storage external memory 45.

  The main memory 32 is a volatile storage unit used as a work area or a buffer area of the information processing unit 31 (the CPU 311). That is, the main memory 32 temporarily stores various data used for the processing based on the program, or temporarily stores a program acquired from the outside (such as the external memory 44 or another device). In the present embodiment, for example, a PSRAM (Pseudo-SRAM) is used as the main memory 32.

  The external memory 44 is a nonvolatile storage unit for storing a program executed by the information processing unit 31. The external memory 44 is composed of, for example, a read-only semiconductor memory. When the external memory 44 is connected to the external memory I / F 33, the information processing section 31 can read a program stored in the external memory 44. A predetermined process is performed by executing the program read by the information processing unit 31. The data storage external memory 45 is composed of a non-volatile readable / writable memory (for example, a NAND flash memory), and is used for storing predetermined data. For example, the data storage external memory 45 stores an image captured by the outer imaging unit 23 or an image captured by another device. When the data storage external memory 45 is connected to the data storage external memory I / F 34, the information processing section 31 reads an image stored in the data storage external memory 45 and applies the image to the upper LCD 22 and / or the lower LCD 12. An image can be displayed.

  The data storage internal memory 35 is configured by a readable / writable nonvolatile memory (for example, a NAND flash memory), and is used for storing predetermined data. For example, the data storage internal memory 35 stores data and programs downloaded by wireless communication via the wireless communication module 36.

  The wireless communication module 36 has a function of connecting to a wireless LAN by a method compliant with, for example, the IEEE 802.11b / g standard. The wireless communication module 36 is connected to the information processing unit 31. The information processing unit 31 can transmit and receive data to and from other devices via the Internet using the wireless communication module 36. The wireless communication module 36 may support a unique communication method other than the IEEE802.11b / g standard.

  An acceleration sensor 39 is connected to the information processing unit 31. The acceleration sensor 39 detects the magnitude of linear acceleration (linear acceleration) along the three-axis (xyz-axis) direction. The acceleration sensor 39 is provided inside the lower housing 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the acceleration sensor 39 is configured such that the long side direction of the lower housing 11 is the x axis, the short side direction of the lower housing 11 is the y axis, and the inner side surface (main surface) of the lower housing 11. With the vertical direction as the z axis, the magnitude of linear acceleration on each axis is detected. The acceleration sensor 39 is, for example, an electrostatic capacitance type acceleration sensor, but other types of acceleration sensors may be used. The acceleration sensor 39 may be an acceleration sensor that detects a uniaxial or biaxial direction. The information processing unit 31 can detect data indicating the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 39 (acceleration data) and detect the attitude and movement of the game apparatus 10.

  Further, the RTC 38 and the power supply circuit 40 are connected to the information processing unit 31. The RTC 38 counts the time and outputs it to the information processing unit 31. The information processing unit 31 calculates the current time (date) based on the time counted by the RTC 38. The power supply circuit 40 controls power from a power source (the rechargeable battery housed in the lower housing 11) of the game apparatus 10 and supplies power to each component of the game apparatus 10.

  In addition, an I / F circuit 41 is connected to the information processing unit 31. A microphone 42 and a speaker 43 are connected to the I / F circuit 41. Specifically, a speaker 43 is connected to the I / F circuit 41 via an amplifier (not shown). The microphone 42 detects the user's voice and outputs a voice signal to the I / F circuit 41. The amplifier amplifies the audio signal from the I / F circuit 41 and outputs the audio from the speaker 43. The touch panel 13 is connected to the I / F circuit 41. The I / F circuit 41 includes a voice control circuit that controls the microphone 42 and the speaker 43 (amplifier), and a touch panel control circuit that controls the touch panel. The voice control circuit performs A / D conversion and D / A conversion on the voice signal, or converts the voice signal into voice data of a predetermined format. The touch panel control circuit generates touch position data in a predetermined format based on a signal from the touch panel 13 and outputs it to the information processing unit 31. The touch position data indicates the coordinates of the position where the input is performed on the input surface of the touch panel 13. The touch panel control circuit reads signals from the touch panel 13 and generates touch position data at a rate of once per predetermined time. The information processing unit 31 can know the position where the input is performed on the touch panel 13 by acquiring the touch position data.

  The operation button 14 includes the operation buttons 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> L and is connected to the information processing unit 31. From the operation button 14 to the information processing section 31, operation data indicating the input status (whether or not the button is pressed) for each of the operation buttons 14A to 14I is output. The information processing unit 31 acquires the operation data from the operation button 14 to execute processing according to the input to the operation button 14.

  The lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22 are connected to the information processing unit 31. The lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22 display images according to instructions from the information processing unit 31 (the GPU 312). In the present embodiment, the information processing unit 31 causes the upper LCD 22 to display a stereoscopic image (a stereoscopically viewable image).

  Specifically, the information processing section 31 is connected to an LCD controller (not shown) of the upper LCD 22 and controls ON / OFF of the parallax barrier for the LCD controller. When the parallax barrier of the upper LCD 22 is ON, the right-eye image and the left-eye image stored in the VRAM 313 of the information processing unit 31 are output to the upper LCD 22. More specifically, the LCD controller alternately repeats the process of reading pixel data for one line in the vertical direction for the image for the right eye and the process of reading pixel data for one line in the vertical direction for the image for the left eye. Thus, the right-eye image and the left-eye image are read from the VRAM 313. As a result, the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye are divided into strip-like images in which pixels are arranged vertically for each line, and the strip-like images for the right-eye image and the strip-like images for the left-eye image are alternately arranged. The image arranged on the upper LCD 22 is displayed on the screen. Then, when the user visually recognizes the image through the parallax barrier of the upper LCD 22, the right eye image is visually recognized by the user's right eye and the left eye image is visually recognized by the user's left eye. As a result, a stereoscopically viewable image is displayed on the screen of the upper LCD 22.

  The outer imaging unit 23 and the inner imaging unit 24 are connected to the information processing unit 31. The outer imaging unit 23 and the inner imaging unit 24 capture an image in accordance with an instruction from the information processing unit 31, and output the captured image data to the information processing unit 31.

  The 3D adjustment switch 25 is connected to the information processing unit 31. The 3D adjustment switch 25 transmits an electrical signal corresponding to the position of the slider 25 a to the information processing unit 31.

  The 3D indicator 26 is connected to the information processing unit 31. The information processing unit 31 controls lighting of the 3D indicator 26. For example, the information processing section 31 turns on the 3D indicator 26 when the upper LCD 22 is in the stereoscopic display mode.

  In addition, an angular velocity sensor 46 is connected to the information processing unit 31. The angular velocity sensor 46 detects an angular velocity around each axis (x axis, y axis, z axis). The game apparatus 10 can calculate the attitude of the game apparatus 10 in real space based on the angular velocities sequentially detected by the angular velocity sensor 46. Specifically, the game device 10 can calculate the rotation angle of the game device 10 around each axis by integrating the angular velocity around each axis detected by the angular velocity sensor 46 with time. The above is the description of the internal configuration of the game apparatus 10.

(Outline of communication processing)
Next, an overview of communication processing according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The game apparatus 10 is connected to the wireless communication module 36 by, for example, IEEE 802.11. It is possible to communicate with other game devices by a method compliant with the b / g standard. In the present embodiment, the plurality of game apparatuses 10 are configured to have IEEE 802.11. The game progresses by being connected to each other by a method partially compliant with the b / g standard.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a network configured by a plurality of game apparatuses 10 when the game according to the present embodiment is executed. As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, one game device 10a among the plurality of game devices 10 functions as a master, and the game device 10b and the game device 10c function as a client C1 and a client C2 (games). The devices 10a to 10c operate in the participation mode). In the present embodiment, the game device 10d different from the master, the client C1, and the client C2 functions as an audience (watcher) (the game device 10d operates in the non-participation mode). The audience will only watch games that progress between the master and the client. Note that the maximum number of game apparatuses 10 that can participate in the game as a client is set to 15, for example. Further, there is no restriction on the number of game devices 10 that can participate in the game as an audience.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the upper LCD 22 of the game device when the game according to the present embodiment is executed. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, a plurality of game characters are displayed on the upper LCD 22 of the game apparatuses 10a to 10d, and a race game in which a plurality of game characters ride on a cart and run on a course is performed. Specifically, on the upper LCD 22 of the game devices 10a to 10c, a game character 101 operated by a user of the master (game device 10a), a game character 102 operated by a user of the client C1 (game device 10b), and The game character 103 operated by the user of the client C2 (game device 10c) is displayed. The image shown in FIG. 5 is also displayed on the upper LCD 22 of the audience (game device 10d). Although the audience does not participate in the race game as a party, the audience can participate as a spectator of the race game progressing between the game apparatuses 10a to 10c and watch the race game. The images displayed on the screens of the game devices 10 may be different. For example, images with different viewpoints may be displayed on the game devices 10. For example, an image centered on the game character 101 operated on the master is displayed on the master screen, and an image centered on the game character 102 operated on the client C1 is displayed on the client C1 screen. Good. In addition, an image with a different viewpoint from the master and each client may be displayed on the audience screen. In the audience, information (for example, an image of a course map, numerical values, characters, and the like) that can recognize the game situation may be displayed on the screen without displaying an image of the virtual space.

  As shown in FIG. 4, authentication is first performed between the master (game device 10a) and the client C1 (game device 10b). Similarly, authentication is performed between the master (game device 10a) and the client C2 (game device 10c). When authentication is performed between the master and the client C, the master registers the identification information (MAC address) of the authenticated client C in its own device, and operation data (for example, the operation button 14) is registered with the registered client C. Etc.). Similarly, when authentication is performed with the master, the client registers the identification information (MAC address) of the master in its own device. As a result, data is exchanged between the master and the client C, and the game progresses. On the other hand, authentication is not performed between the master (game device 10a) and the audience (game device 10d), and the identification information (MAC address) of the audience is not registered in the master. The audience registers the identification information (MAC address) of the master in its own device. The audience only receives data transmitted from the master and the client C, generates a game image based on the data transmitted from the master and the client C, and displays the game image on the upper LCD 22 of the own device. Since no communication for authentication is performed between the master and the audience, the audience is not recognized by the master and the client C.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a client registration table 80 generated in the master. As shown in FIG. 6, the master stores the MAC address, user name, and ID of the client that has been authenticated. The user name is a name assigned by the user of each game device. The ID is a number assigned to each client when the master registers each client, and is an integer value from 1 to 15, for example. The master registers up to 15 clients, for example, in the table shown in FIG. On the other hand, the audience is not registered in the master registration table 80.

  In each game device, setting processing is performed before the game is executed. By performing the setting process, it is determined whether the game apparatus operates as the master, the client, or the audience. In the present embodiment, the user of each game device 10 selects whether the game device used by the user is operated as a master, a client, or an audience.

(Setting process)
Next, the setting process performed in the game device 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a memory (such as the main memory 32 or the memory in the wireless communication module 36) of each game apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a communication program 71, mode data 72, and identification information 73 are stored in the memory of the game apparatus 10. The communication program 71 includes a program for controlling communication and a game program. Specifically, the communication program 71 is a program for executing each process (setting process, master process, client process, audience process, data transmission process, and data reception process) described later. The mode data 72 is data indicating whether the game apparatus 10 is operated in a master, client, or audience mode. The identification information 73 is identification information for identifying to which master the own device is connected, and is specifically the MAC address of the master. When the game apparatus 10 functions as a master, the identification information 73 stores its own MAC address. In addition to the data shown in FIG. 7, various data are stored in the memory of each game apparatus 10 according to each mode. For example, the master stores data indicating the registration table 80 shown in FIG. Further, the master and client memories are provided with an individual transmission box 110 that is an area for storing individual transmission data, which will be described later, and an entire transmission box 120 that is an area for storing all transmission data. Further, for example, various data used for the game process are stored in the memory of each game device.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of setting processing executed in each game apparatus 10. When the power of the game apparatus 10 is turned on, the information processing unit 31 (CPU 311) of the game apparatus 10 executes a startup program stored in a ROM (not shown), whereby each unit such as the main memory 32 is executed. Is initialized. Next, the program stored in the ROM is read into the memory (specifically, the main memory 32), and the CPU 311 of the information processing unit 31 starts executing the program. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is performed by the information processing unit 31 after the above processing is completed.

  First, in step S <b> 1, the information processing section 31 displays a selection screen as to whether or not to become a master on the upper LCD 22 or the lower LCD 12. For example, the lower LCD 12 displays an icon for allowing the user to select whether or not the own device functions as a master. Next, the information processing section 31 performs the process of step S2.

  In step S2, the information processing section 31 determines whether a master has been selected. For example, the information processing unit 31 determines whether an icon for selecting a master has been touched based on the touch position detected by the touch panel 13. When the master is selected, the information processing section 31 next executes the process of step S3. On the other hand, when the master is not selected, the information processing section 31 next executes the process of step S4.

  In step S3, the information processing section 31 sets itself to the master mode. Specifically, the information processing unit 31 stores a value indicating the master in the mode data 72 and sets the MAC address of the own device in the identification information 73. Next, the information processing section 31 ends the setting process illustrated in FIG.

  On the other hand, in step S4, the information processing section 31 determines whether or not a beacon has been received. Here, the beacon is a management frame that is transmitted by the master on a regular basis (for example, every 100 msec). When the game apparatus 10 that functions as a master is present near the player, the information processing unit 31 receives a beacon that is periodically transmitted from the master.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a frame format of a beacon periodically transmitted by the master. As shown in FIG. 9, the beacon includes a source address (master MAC address), BSSID (matches the master MAC address), game ID, number of connections, maximum number of connections, connected list, and watching permission. Contains a flag. The transmission source address and BSSID are embedded in the header portion of the frame. The game ID, the number of connections, the maximum number of connections, the connected list, and the watching permission flag are information included in the body portion of the frame as vendor-specific information elements. The game ID is an ID for identifying a game played on each game device 10. The number of connections is the number of clients (authenticated clients) currently registered in the master registration table 80. The maximum number of connections is a number obtained by adding the master itself to the maximum number of client connections (15) allowed by the master, and is set to 16, for example. The connected list is a list of information indicating clients currently registered in the master (clients registered in the registration table 80), for example, a list of registered client user names. The watching permission flag is information indicating whether or not to allow watching by the audience.

  In step S4, when the information processing section 31 receives a beacon, the information processing section 31 next executes the process of step S5. On the other hand, if the information processing section 31 has not received a beacon, the information processing section 31 next executes the process of step S6.

  In step S5, the information processing section 31 displays a list of masters and clients, and a selection screen. Here, the information processing section 31 displays the list of clients currently registered in the master on the upper LCD 22 or the lower LCD 12 based on the connected list included in the beacon received in step S4. For example, when the game apparatus 10a illustrated in FIG. 4 functions as a master and the game apparatus 10c is registered as a client in the master, the information processing unit 31 displays the icons indicating the game apparatus 10a and the game apparatus 10c below. Displayed on the LCD 12. In step S4, when a plurality of beacons having different transmission sources are received (that is, when there are a plurality of game devices 10 functioning as masters near the own device), the information processing section 31 registers each master and the master device. Displays the clients that are being used. As a result, the user selects which master to connect to (which network to connect to which master). In addition, the information processing unit 31 displays an icon on the upper LCD 22 or the lower LCD 12 for allowing the user to select whether to operate the own apparatus as a client or an audience. For example, the lower LCD 12 displays an icon indicating participation in the game and an icon indicating watching the game, and allows the user to select one of the icons. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the screen in step S5. As shown in FIG. 10, when two masters of master M10 and master M20 are detected near the own device (that is, when a beacon is received from two different terminals), for example, the screen of lower LCD 12 A list is displayed for each group (network) configured by the master. For example, the group 1 composed of the master M10, the client C11, and the client C12 and the group 2 composed of the master M20, the client C21, and the client C22 are displayed. For example, the user selects one of the displayed groups. Then, the user selects whether to participate in the game (operate as a client) or watch the game (operate as an audience) for the selected group. Next, the information processing section 31 executes the process of step S7.

  On the other hand, in step S6, the information processing section 31 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the information processing unit 31 executes the process of step S1 again because the game apparatus 10 functioning as a master could not be found near the own machine. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has not elapsed, the information processing section 31 performs the process of step S4 again.

  In step S7, the information processing section 31 determines whether or not an icon indicating participation in the game has been selected. Specifically, based on the touch position detected by the touch panel 13, the information processing unit 31 determines whether an icon indicating participation in the game (that is, an icon indicating that the own device operates as a client) is selected. Determine whether. If the determination result is affirmative, the information processing section 31 next executes a process of step S8. If the determination result is negative, the information processing section 31 next executes a process of step S9.

  In step S8, the information processing section 31 sets the own apparatus to the client mode. Specifically, the information processing section 31 stores a value indicating that the client is a client in the mode data 72. Thereafter, the information processing section 31 ends the setting process illustrated in FIG.

  In step S9, the information processing section 31 sets the own apparatus to the audience mode. Specifically, the information processing section 31 stores a value indicating the audience in the mode data 72. Thereafter, the information processing section 31 ends the setting process illustrated in FIG.

  As described above, each game apparatus 10 is set to any one of the master mode, the client mode, and the audience mode. When the mode of each game device is set in this way, each game device executes different processes depending on the set mode.

(Master processing)
Next, details of processing performed by the master will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of processing (master processing) of the game apparatus 10 functioning as a master.

  When the setting process shown in FIG. 8 is performed and the game apparatus 10 is set as a master, the master process shown in FIG. 11 is executed by the master information processing unit 31 and the wireless communication module 36.

  First, in step S10, the master starts transmitting a beacon. When transmission of a beacon is started in step S10, the master transmits a beacon periodically (for example, every 100 msec) while performing the processes of subsequent steps S11 to S20. Next, the master executes the process of step S11.

  In step S11, the master determines whether or not there is a connection request (registered frame) from the client. Specifically, the master determines whether or not a frame (authentication frame) indicating a connection request is received from the client. If the determination result is affirmative, the master next executes a process of step S12. On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the master next executes the process of step S16.

  In step S12, the master starts an authentication process and executes the process of step S13.

  In step S13, the master determines whether or not to permit the connection. If it is determined that the connection is permitted, the master next executes the process of step S14. On the other hand, if the master determines that the master refuses the connection, the master next executes the process of step S15. For example, in step S13, the master determines whether or not to permit connection of the terminal that transmitted the connection request by performing authentication processing using a predetermined authentication method. In step S13, the master refers to the registration table 80 and determines whether the number of currently registered clients is smaller than the maximum number of connections (for example, 15). In this embodiment, it is assumed that authentication by open system authentication is performed. That is, in step S13, if the number of currently registered clients is smaller than the maximum number of connections, the master permits connection of the client that transmitted the connection request, and the number of currently connected clients is equal to or greater than the maximum number of connections. If so, the client connection is rejected.

  In step S14, the master establishes a connection with the client that transmitted the connection request, and then registers the client in its own device. Specifically, the master transmits a frame (authentication frame) indicating connection permission to the client and performs association processing by exchanging an association frame with the client. After the association processing, the master and the client perform registration processing at the application level. Specifically, the client transmits a registration request frame including the user name to the master. The master that has received the frame for the registration request acquires information including the user name and assigns an ID for the client. Next, the master transmits a registration permission frame to the client. In addition to information such as the user name and ID of the client, the registration permission frame includes information such as the user name and ID of the master and all other registered clients. As a result, registration processing at the application level is performed between the master and the client. When the registration process is completed, the master registers the client in the registration table 80. At this time, the master registers the MAC address, user name, and ID of the client in the registration table 80. As a result, the master registers the client in its own device.

  The registration process at the application level is not necessarily performed. That is, after the authentication frame and the association frame are exchanged between the client and the master, the master and the client may register with each other. After the process of step S14, the master next executes the process of step S16.

  On the other hand, in step S15, the master transmits a frame indicating connection rejection to the client that transmitted the connection request. Here, the master does not register the client that transmitted the connection request in the registration table 80. Next, the master executes the process of step S16.

  In step S16, the master determines whether to start the game. If the determination result is affirmative, the master transmits a command indicating that the game is started to each client, and then executes the process of step S17. If the determination result is negative, the master executes the process of step S11 again. For example, the master may determine to start the game when the number of registered clients reaches the maximum number of connections, or when a predetermined time has elapsed after starting the execution of the process of step S11, You may determine with starting a game. By repeating the processes of steps S11 to S16, one or more clients are registered in the master, and the game is started.

  In step S17, the master determines whether a probe request (search frame) has been received. Specifically, the master determines whether or not a probe request transmitted from the audience has been received. As will be described later, the audience basically only receives data, but can send information to the master by sending a probe request to the master. The probe request transmitted by the audience will be described later. If the determination result is affirmative, the master next executes a process of step S18. If the determination result is negative, the master next executes a process of step S19.

  In step S18, the master performs processing according to the received probe request, and transmits the result of the processing as a probe response (search response frame) to the audience. Next, the master executes the process of step S19.

  In step S19, the master performs data transmission / reception processing. Here, the master transmits data for game processing (operation information indicating an operation performed on the player's own machine or data indicating information on a game character operated on the player's own machine) to the client, Receive data for game processing sent from. Details of the data transmission / reception processing performed in the master will be described later. Next, the master executes the process of step S20.

  In step S20, the master executes a game process. Here, the master performs the game process according to the data received in step S19 and the operation performed on the own device (operation performed on the operation button 14, the analog stick 15, the touch panel 13, etc.). . For example, the master determines the action of the game character 101 operated on the own machine or updates the position information of the game character 101 based on the operation performed on the own machine. In step S19, for example, the master updates the position of the game character 102 based on the operation information received from the client C1 or the position information of the game character 102 received from the client C1. In addition, the master generates an image by determining the position and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera in the virtual space and capturing each game character with the virtual camera. Then, the master displays the generated image on the upper LCD 22. After the process of step S20, the master executes the process of step S17 again.

  As described above, the game progresses by repeatedly executing the processing from step S17 to step S20. Note that when the game is finished by the user or when the race game is finished, the master process shown in FIG. 11 is finished.

(Client processing)
Next, details of processing performed in the client will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of processing (client processing) of the game apparatus 10 functioning as a client.

  When the setting process shown in FIG. 8 is performed and the game apparatus 10 is set as a client, the client process shown in FIG. 12 is executed by the information processing unit 31 and the wireless communication module 36 of the client.

  First, in step S30, the client executes a JOIN process. Specifically, the client receives the beacon transmitted from the master selected in step S5 of the setting process, and synchronizes (JOIN) with the master. Next, the client executes the process of step S31.

  In step S31, the client transmits a connection request. Specifically, the client transmits a frame (authentication frame) indicating a connection request to the master. Next, the client executes the process of step S32.

  In step S32, the client performs an authentication process with the master. In this embodiment, since authentication processing by open system authentication is performed, the client next performs the process of step S33.

  In step S33, the client determines whether or not the connection is permitted from the master. Specifically, when the client receives a frame indicating connection permission (the frame transmitted in step S14), the client next executes the process of step S34. On the other hand, when the client receives a frame indicating connection rejection (the frame transmitted in step S15), the client processing illustrated in FIG.

  In step S34, the client establishes a connection with the master. Specifically, the client executes an association process by exchanging an association frame with the master. After the association processing, registration processing at the application level is performed between the master and the client. Specifically, the client transmits a frame for the registration request including the user name of the own device and the predetermined information to the master, and receives the registration permission frame from the master. Then, after the registration process is completed, the client registers the master in its own device by storing the MAC address of the master in the memory as the identification information 73. Next, the client performs the process of step S35.

  In step S35, the client starts a game. Specifically, the client starts the game when a command indicating the start of the game is sent from the master. Next, the client performs the process of step S36.

  In step S36, the client performs data transmission / reception processing. Here, data for game processing (operation information indicating an operation performed on the own device, data indicating information on a game character operated on the own device, etc.) is transmitted to the master or another client, Receive data for game processing sent from the master or other clients. Details of the data transmission / reception processing performed in the client will be described later. Next, the client executes the process of step S37.

  In step S37, the client executes a game process. Here, the client performs a game process according to the data received in step S36 and the operation performed on the own device (operation performed on the operation button 14, the analog stick 15, the touch panel 13, etc.). . For example, the client determines an action of the game character 102 operated by the own machine or updates position information of the game character 102 based on an operation performed on the own machine. Further, in step S36, the client, based on the operation information received from the other game device 10 or the position information of the game character operated on the other game device 10 received from the other game device 10, Update the position of the game character. In addition, the client determines the position of the virtual camera and the line-of-sight direction in the virtual space, and images each game character with the virtual camera to generate an image. Then, the client displays the generated image on the upper LCD 22. After the process of step S37, the client executes the process of step S36 again.

  The game progresses by repeatedly executing the processes of step S36 and step S37. When the game is finished by the user (when the user finishes his game or when the master user finishes the game), or when the race game is finished, the client process shown in FIG. finish.

(Audience processing)
Next, details of processing performed in the audience will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of processing (audience processing) of the game apparatus 10 functioning as an audience.

  When the setting process shown in FIG. 8 is performed and the game apparatus 10 is set to the audience, the audience process shown in FIG. 13 is executed by the information processing unit 31 and the wireless communication module 36 of the audience.

  First, in step S40, the audience executes a JOIN process. The process of step S40 is the same as the process of step S30 performed at the client. Specifically, the audience receives the beacon transmitted from the master selected in step S5 of the setting process, and synchronizes with the master (JOIN). The audience next executes a process of step S41. If the beacon is not received within the predetermined time, the audience ends the audience process.

  In step S41, the audience determines whether or not the watching permission flag is ON. Specifically, the audience determines whether or not the watching permission flag (see FIG. 9) included in the beacon received in step S40 is ON. If the determination result is affirmative, the audience next executes a process of step S42. If the determination result is negative, the audience ends the audience process shown in FIG.

  In step S42, the audience starts an audience operation. Specifically, the audience registers the master in its own device by storing the MAC address of the master included in the beacon received in step S40 in the memory as identification information 73. The audience next executes a process of step S43.

  In step S43, the audience receives a beacon. Specifically, the audience receives a beacon from a registered master. The audience next executes a process of step S44.

  In step S44, the audience determines whether or not the watching permission flag is ON. The process of step S44 is the same as the process of step S41. The audience periodically receives a beacon sent from the master, and determines whether or not the watching permission flag included in the beacon is ON. If the determination result is affirmative, the audience next executes a process of step S45. If the determination result is negative, the audience clears the identification information 73 and ends the audience process shown in FIG.

  In step S45, the audience determines whether or not to send a probe request. In step S45, a first determination and a second determination are performed.

  Specifically, the audience determines, for example, whether or not a predetermined button is pressed as the first determination. As described above, the user of the game apparatus 10 functioning as an audience can watch a game played between the master and the client by looking at the screen of the own device. In this case, the audience user can transmit predetermined information to the master, for example, by performing a predetermined operation (for example, button 14B etc.) in the game apparatus 10 functioning as the audience. When the master receives predetermined information from the audience, the master performs a game process accordingly. For example, when a predetermined operation of the game apparatus 10 functioning as an audience is performed, the audience transmits a probe request frame to the master. The header portion of the probe request frame includes the master MAC address. The body portion of the probe request frame includes a vendor-specific information element, and the information element includes data used for game processing corresponding to a predetermined operation. The master acquires data corresponding to the predetermined operation by receiving the probe request frame. Then, the master executes a predetermined process based on the data. Specifically, for example, the master reproduces audio data indicating cheers stored in advance in the game apparatus 10. Thereby, cheers from the audience can be reflected in the game. When the master receives a probe request from the audience, the master extracts data corresponding to the predetermined operation included in the body part of the probe request and transmits a frame including the data to another client. Each client receives a frame from the master and performs the same processing as the master based on the data corresponding to the predetermined operation. Note that even if the master receives the probe request, the master does not register the audience that has transmitted the probe request in its own device.

  In addition, as a second determination, the audience determines whether or not a probe request can be transmitted. Specifically, the audience determines whether or not the own device is in a predetermined mode (referred to as ROPS mode). When the audience is in the predetermined mode, transmission of the probe request is prohibited, and the audience can only receive.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state transition of each game apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 14, the master periodically transmits a beacon by broadcasting. The beacon includes information indicating a period T for maintaining the awake state. During the period T after receiving the beacon, the master, each client, and the audience maintain the awake state and can communicate. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, in the awake state, the master can broadcast data BC1 to each terminal (client and audience), and each terminal can receive the data. On the other hand, when the period T elapses after the master transmits a beacon, the master and each terminal shift to a nap state (power saving state). In the nap state, since the data transmission / reception function of the master and each terminal is limited, no data is transmitted. Thereafter, when further time elapses, the master transmits a beacon again, and the master and each terminal again shift to an awake state (just before the beacon is transmitted, the master and each terminal can transmit and receive data). ). Thus, the master and each terminal repeat switching of the power mode in synchronization with each other.

  When the audience is set to a predetermined mode (ROPS mode), in addition to the power mode switching by the beacon, the audience is switched to the nap state based on the data transmitted from the master. For example, the master can include a predetermined flag M in the data BC2 to be transmitted. When the audience receives the data BC2 in which M = 1 is set, the audience maintains the awake state. On the other hand, when the audience receives the data BC3 in which M = 0 is set in the state in which the ROPS mode is enabled, the audience switches to its nap state. If the ROPS mode is disabled, the audience does not enter the nap state according to the value of the predetermined flag M. In the ROPS mode, the audience prohibits the transmission of the probe request and only receives data sent from the master and the client. The valid / invalid setting of the ROPS mode may be set, for example, by an audience user in a game device that functions as an audience.

  Although it is determined whether or not a predetermined operation has been performed as the first determination, for example, it may be determined whether or not a predetermined timing has been reached as the first determination. That is, for example, the audience may automatically transmit a probe request including data used for the game process.

  As described above, in step S45, the audience performs the first determination (determination as to whether or not a predetermined operation has been performed) and the second determination (determination as to whether a probe request can be transmitted). Do. If any determination result is affirmative, the audience next executes a process of step S46. On the other hand, if either one of the determination results of the first determination and the second determination is negative, the audience next executes the process of step S48.

  In step S46, the audience transmits a probe request. Specifically, the audience transmits a probe request including data used for the game process to the master. The audience next executes a process of step S47.

  In step S47, the audience receives the probe response. Specifically, the audience receives a probe response transmitted from the master. The audience next executes a process of step S48.

  In step S48, the audience performs data reception processing. Here, the audience receives broadcast data transmitted from the master and broadcast data transmitted from the client. Details of the data reception process performed in the audience will be described later. The audience next executes a process of step S49.

  In step S49, the audience executes a game process. Specifically, the audience determines the action of the game character operated by the master and the client, or updates the position information of the game character based on the broadcast data received in step S48. The audience also determines the position and line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera in the virtual space, and images each game character with the virtual camera to generate an image. Then, the audience displays the generated image on the upper LCD 22. As a result, the same image as that displayed on the upper LCD 22 of the master and the client is displayed on the upper LCD 22 of the audience. Note that the position and line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera determined in the audience may be different from those in the master and the client. In this case, an image different from the images displayed on the master and the client is displayed on the audience screen. After the process of step S49, the audience executes the process of step S43 again.

  By repeatedly executing the processing from step S43 to step S49, a state in which the game progresses is displayed on the upper LCD 22 of the audience.

  As described above, in the game according to the present embodiment, a plurality of (or singular) clients are connected to the master, and one game progresses. An audience can watch a game progressing between the master and the client by receiving broadcast data transmitted from the master and the client.

(Outline of data transmission process)
Next, data transmission / reception processing will be described. First, an overview of data transmission processing performed in the master will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an outline of the master data transmission processing. As shown in FIG. 15, the master is provided with an individual transmission box 110 for storing individual transmission data and an all transmission box 120 for storing all transmission data.

  The individual transmission data is data transmitted individually from one terminal (master or client) to another terminal. The individual transmission data is, for example, data UD10 transmitted from the master to the client C1, or data UD11 transmitted from the client C1 to the client C2. The data UD10 transmitted from the master to the client C1 is a group of data (data used for game processing) that can be processed by the client C1, for example, data according to an operation performed in the master. When the client C1 receives the data UD10, the client C1 performs a predetermined process using the data UD10. Similarly, the data UD11 transmitted from the client C1 to the client C2 is a set of data that can be processed by the client C2, for example, data according to an operation performed in the client C1.

  All transmission data is data transmitted from the master to all clients. The total transmission data is, for example, data BD20 transmitted from the master to all clients, or data BD21 transmitted from the master to all clients. Similar to the individual transmission data, the data BD20 and the data BD21 are a group of data that can be processed at the transmission destination. For example, the data BD20 and the data BD21 are data corresponding to operations performed at the transmission source (in this case, the master), and a terminal that receives these data performs a predetermined process based on each data.

  The master temporarily stores a plurality of individual transmission data to be individually transmitted to the client in the individual transmission box 110. In addition, the master temporarily stores a plurality of transmission data to be transmitted to all clients in all transmission boxes 120.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, when data UD10 to be transmitted from the master to the client C1 is generated by executing the application by the master, the data UD10 is not immediately transmitted to the client C1, but individually transmitted. Temporarily store in the trust box 110. The data UD10 is relatively small size data (for example, about 100 bytes). When the master receives data UD11 to be transmitted from the client C1 to the client C2 from the client C1, the master does not immediately transmit the data UD11 to the client C2, but temporarily stores it in the individual transmission box 110. The data UD11 is data transmitted from the client C1 to the client C2, and is transmitted via the master. The data UD11 is relatively small size data (for example, about 100 bytes). Similarly, when the master executes the application to generate the data BD 20 to be transmitted from the master to all clients, the data BD 20 is not immediately transmitted by broadcast, but temporarily stored in all the transmission boxes 120. When the application generates data BD21 to be transmitted from the master to all clients, the data BD21 is temporarily transmitted to all the transmission boxes 120 without being broadcast immediately. The data BD20 and the data BD21 are relatively small size data (for example, about 100 bytes).

  More specifically, when the master stores the data UD10 in the individual transmission box 110, the master adds the additional information 130 to the data UD10. The additional information 130 includes information regarding the transmission source and transmission destination of the data UD10. Further, the additional information 130 includes information regarding the size of data including the additional information 130 and the data UD10. For example, the information regarding the transmission source and transmission destination of the data UD10 is the ID (or may be a MAC address) of the master and the client C1. For example, the information regarding the transmission source of the data UD10 is the master ID (or MAC address). Further, the information regarding the transmission destination of the data UD10 is the ID (or MAC address) of the client C1. Similarly, when the master stores the data UD11 in the individual transmission box 110, the master adds the additional information 131 to the data UD11. The additional information 131 includes information regarding the transmission source and transmission destination of the data UD11. Further, the additional information 131 includes information regarding the size of data including the additional information 131 and the data UD11. For example, the information on the transmission source and transmission destination of the data UD11 is the ID (or MAC address) of the client C1 and the client C2, respectively.

  Similarly, when the master stores the data BD 20 in all the transmission boxes 120, the master adds the additional information 132 to the data BD 20. The additional information 132 includes information regarding the transmission source and transmission destination of the data BD20. Further, the additional information 132 includes information on the size of data including the additional information 132 and the data BD20. For example, the information regarding the transmission source and the transmission destination of the data BD 20 is an ID (or may be a broadcast address) indicating the master and all terminals (the entire network including the master, client, and audience), respectively. Similarly, when the master stores the data BD21 in all the transmission boxes 120, the master adds the additional information 133 to the data BD21. The additional information 133 includes information regarding the transmission source and transmission destination of the data BD21. Further, the additional information 133 includes information regarding the size of data including the additional information 133 and the data BD21. For example, the information regarding the transmission source and the transmission destination of the data BD21 is an ID (or may be a broadcast address) indicating the master and all terminals, respectively.

  The individual transmission box 110 has a predetermined size (for example, 1500 bytes). When the master stores data in the individual transmission box 110, the master determines whether or not the data can be stored based on the empty size of the individual transmission box 110. When the master determines that data cannot be stored in the individual transmission box 110 any more, the master extracts all the data stored in the individual transmission box 110 and generates one frame including all the data. For example, when the master determines that data cannot be stored in the individual transmission box 110 any more, the master generates one frame 150 including the UD 10 and the UD 11 and transmits the frame 150. As shown in FIG. 15, a broadcast address is designated as a transmission destination MAC address in the header portion of the frame 150. The data portion of the frame 150 includes data UD10 to which additional information 130 is added and data UD11 to which additional information 131 is added. Further, the data portion of the frame 150 includes the number of data included in the data portion (2 in the example shown in FIG. 15). Thus, the master includes data UD10 transmitted from the master to the client C1 and data UD11 transmitted from the client C1 to the client C2 in one frame 150, and transmits by broadcast.

  Similarly, all the transmission boxes 120 have a predetermined size (for example, 1500 bytes), and the master stores data based on the free size of all the transmission boxes 120 when storing data in all the transmission boxes 120. It is determined whether or not it can be performed. If the master determines that no more data can be stored in all the transmission boxes 120, the master extracts all the data stored in all the transmission boxes 120 and generates one frame 160 including all the data. . As shown in FIG. 15, a broadcast address is specified as a transmission destination MAC address in the header portion of the frame 160. The data portion of the frame 160 includes data BD20 to which additional information 132 is added and data BD21 to which additional information 133 is added. Further, the data portion of the frame 160 includes the number of data included in the data portion (2 in the example shown in FIG. 15). As described above, the master includes the data BD20 and the data BD21 with a small size in one frame 160 and transmits them by broadcast.

  In the client, similar to the master, an individual transmission box 110 for storing the individual transmission data and an all transmission box 120 for storing the total transmission data are prepared. However, in a client, data transmitted from another client is not transmitted to another client. Accordingly, a plurality of pieces of data to be transmitted from the own device to other clients are stored in the individual transmission box 110 of the client.

(Outline of data reception processing)
Next, an outline of the data reception process will be described. When each client receives the frame transmitted from the master as described above, each client acquires only the data addressed to the own device included in the received frame. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an outline of reception processing performed by the client when the client receives a frame transmitted from the master.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when the master transmits the frame 150, the client C1 and the client C2 receive the frame 150. The client C1 that has received the frame 150 refers to the additional information 130 of the first data (data including the additional information 130 and the data UD10) included in the frame 150, and determines whether the data is data addressed to itself. Determine. Since the first data is data transmitted from the master to the client C1, the client C1 takes out only the first data including the data UD10. Next, the client C1 refers to the additional information 131 of the second data (data including the additional information 131 and the data UD11) and determines whether or not the second data is data addressed to the own device. The start of the second data can be determined based on the size of the data indicated by the additional information 130 of the first data. Since the second data is data transmitted from the client C1 to the client C2, the client C1 discards the second data.

  In addition, the client C2 that has received the frame 150 refers to the additional information 130 of the first data (data including the additional information 130 and the data UD10) included in the frame 150, and determines whether the data is data addressed to itself. Determine whether or not. Since the first data is data transmitted from the master to the client C1, the client C2 discards the first data. Next, the client C2 refers to the additional information 131 of the second data (data including the additional information 131 and the data UD11) and determines whether or not the second data is data addressed to the own device. Since the second data is data transmitted from the client C1 to the client C2, the client C2 extracts only the second data including the data UD11.

  For the frame 160, each client performs the same processing as described above, and each piece of data is extracted. In this case, each client extracts all data (data BD20 and data BD21) included in the frame 160. Specifically, the destination is specified for all terminals in the additional information 132 of the first data of the frame 160 (data including the additional information 132 and the data BD20). Therefore, the client C1 and the client C2 take out the first data including the data BD20. Similarly, since the destination is specified for all terminals in the additional information 133 of the second data (data including the additional information 133 and the data BD21) of the frame 160, the client C1 and the client C2 store the data BD21. Retrieve the second data that contains it.

  In this way, each client extracts only data addressed to itself and all clients from the frame transmitted from the master, and discards all other data.

(Details of data transmission processing)
Next, details of the data transmission process will be described. First, the details of the data transmission process performed in the master will be described with reference to FIG.

(Master data transmission process)
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of data transmission processing (master) performed in the master. Note that the processing of step S50 to step S61 shown in FIG. 17 is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals.

  First, in step S50, the master transmits all stored data when a predetermined time has elapsed since the data was stored in the individual transmission box 110 and all the transmission boxes 120. If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the data was stored in the individual transmission box 110 and all the transmission boxes 120, the master does not transmit the stored data. Specifically, when data is stored in the individual transmission box 110, the master determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the oldest data among the data stored in the individual transmission box 110 is stored. Determine. If the determination result is affirmative, the master retrieves all data stored in the individual transmission box 110, generates one frame including all the data, and transmits the frame by broadcast. The header portion of the generated frame includes the master MAC address.

  Similarly, when data is stored in all the transmission boxes 120, the master determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the oldest data among the data stored in all the transmission boxes 120 has been stored. To do. If the determination result is affirmative, the master retrieves all data stored in all the transmission boxes 120, generates one frame including all the data, and transmits the frame by broadcast. The header portion of the generated frame includes the master MAC address. After the process of step S50, the master next executes the process of step S51.

  In step S51, the master acquires data to be transmitted. The data to be transmitted acquired here is, for example, data generated by the master itself (application layer) (data generated in the course of game processing, such as data corresponding to an operation performed in the master). The data to be transmitted acquired here is, for example, data received from one client and transmitted to another client via the master. The data to be transmitted acquired here is, for example, data received from a client and transmitted to all terminals via the master. More specifically, the data to be transmitted are, for example, UD10, UD11, BD20, and BD21 shown in FIG. For example, when an operation is performed on the operation button 14 of the own device, the master generates data corresponding to the operation. In step S51, the master acquires the generated data. For example, when data is transmitted from the client C1 to the client C2 via the master, the master receives data from the client C1 (master data reception processing will be described later). In step S51, the master acquires the received data. Next, the master executes the process of step S52.

  In step S52, the master determines whether the acquired data is individual transmission data. Specifically, the master determines whether or not the data acquired in step S51 is data to be individually transmitted to each client (above UD10 and UD11). For example, when an operation for transmitting individual data from the master to another client is performed, the master determines that the acquired data is data to be individually transmitted to the client. If the determination result is affirmative, the master next executes a process of step S53. On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the master next executes a process of step S57.

  In step S <b> 53, the master determines whether the acquired data can be stored in the individual transmission box 110. Specifically, the master determines whether the data acquired in step S51 can be stored in the individual transmission box 110 based on the data acquired in step S51 and the size of the data stored in the individual transmission box 110. judge. If the determination result is affirmative, the master next executes a process of step S54. On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the master next executes the process of step S56.

  In step S54, the master stores the data acquired in step S51 in the individual transmission box 110. Specifically, the master adds additional information to the data acquired in step S51 and stores it in the individual transmission box 110. More specifically, the master adds, as additional information, information on the transmission source and transmission destination of the data and information on the size. Next, the master executes the process of step S55.

  In step S55, the master determines whether the acquired data should be transmitted immediately. For example, when acquiring data in step S51, the master determines whether the acquired data should be immediately transmitted based on parameters specified from the application layer. If the determination result is affirmative, the master next executes a process of step S56. On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the master next executes a process of step S57.

  On the other hand, in step S56, the master extracts all the data stored in the individual transmission box 110, generates one frame including all the data, and transmits the frame by broadcast (transmits the broadcast frame). ). The header portion of the generated frame includes the master MAC address. By performing the process of step S56, all the data (UD10 and UD11) stored in the individual transmission box 110 are transmitted by broadcast, and the individual transmission box 110 becomes empty. Then, after transmitting the frame, the master adds additional information to the data that was not stored in the individual transmission box 110 in step S53, and stores the data in the empty individual transmission box 110. When the size of the data acquired in step S51 is larger than the size of the individual transmission box 110, the master cannot store the data in the individual transmission box 110, and therefore transmits the data divided into a plurality of frames.

  If the acquired data cannot be stored in the individual transmission box 110 (determination result in step S53 is negative) and the acquired data should be transmitted immediately, the master is stored in the individual transmission box 110. One frame including all the data is generated and transmitted. Thereafter, the master further generates one frame including the data to be transmitted immediately and the additional information (information regarding the transmission destination and the transmission source) acquired in step S51 and transmits the frame. As a result, all the data stored in the individual transmission box 110 is transmitted, and the data to be transmitted immediately acquired in step S51 is transmitted.

  In step S56, if the state of the own device is a nap state, the master temporarily stores the generated frame in the memory, and transmits the frame after the state of the own device shifts to the awake state. . That is, since transmission of data is restricted in the nap state, the master transmits a frame after transitioning from the nap state to the awake state. When the master generates a frame in the nap state and temporarily stores it in the memory, the master sets 1 to the predetermined flag M included in the frame. When the master generates a frame in the awake state, the master sets the predetermined flag M included in the frame to 0 and transmits the frame. When the ROPS mode is valid as described above, the audience who has received the frame maintains an awake state or shifts to a nap state according to the value of the predetermined flag M. After the process of step S56, the master ends the transmission process shown in FIG.

  In step S57, the master determines whether the data acquired in step S51 is all transmission data. Specifically, the master determines whether the data acquired in step S51 is data to be transmitted to all clients (the BD20 or BD21). For example, when an operation is performed on the game character 101 operated on the master (operation on the operation button 14 or the like), the master determines that the acquired data is data to be transmitted to all clients. If the determination result is affirmative, the master next executes a process of step S58. On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the master ends the process shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 58, the master determines whether data can be stored in all the transmission boxes 120. Specifically, the master determines whether the data acquired in step S51 can be stored in all the transmission boxes 120 based on the data acquired in step S51 and the empty size of all the transmission boxes 120. If the determination result is affirmative, the master next executes a process of step S59. On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the master next executes the process of step S61.

  In step S59, the master stores the data acquired in step S51 in all the transmission boxes 120. Specifically, the master adds additional information to the data acquired in step S51 and stores it in all the transmission boxes 120. More specifically, the master adds, as additional information, information on the transmission source and transmission destination of the data and information on the size. Here, information indicating all terminals is added as transmission destination information. After the process of step S59, the master next executes a process of step S60.

  In step S60, the master determines whether data should be transmitted immediately. For example, when acquiring data in step S51, the master determines whether or not the data should be transmitted immediately based on parameters specified from the application layer. When it is determined that the data should be transmitted immediately, the master stores the data acquired in step S51 in all the transmission boxes 120, and then executes the process of step S61. On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the master ends the transmission process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, in step S61, the master extracts all data stored in all the transmission boxes 120, generates one frame including the data, and transmits the frame by broadcast. The header portion of the generated frame includes the master MAC address. By performing the process of step S61, all the data (BD20 and BD21) stored in all the transmission boxes 120 are transmitted by broadcast. Then, after transmitting the frame, the master adds additional information to the data that has not been stored in all the transmission boxes 120 in step S59, and stores the data in all the transmission boxes 120 that are emptied. When the size of the data acquired in step S51 is larger than the size of all the transmission boxes 120, the master cannot store the data in all the transmission boxes 120, and transmits the data divided into a plurality of frames. If it is determined in step S58 that the data acquired in step S51 cannot be stored in all the transmission boxes 120, and the data acquired in step S51 is data to be transmitted immediately, the master After transmitting one frame including all the data stored in the trust box 120, one frame including the data acquired in step S51 is further transmitted. After the process of step S61, the master ends the transmission process shown in FIG.

(Client data transmission process)
Next, the details of the data transmission processing performed in the client will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of data transmission processing (client) performed in the client. 18, the same processes as those in FIG. 17 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the data transmission process performed at the client, the data stored in the individual transmission box 110 is transmitted to the master by unicast, not by broadcast.

  First, the client performs the process of step S65 instead of the process of step S50 in FIG. In step S <b> 65, when a predetermined time has passed since the client stored data in the individual transmission box 110 and all the transmission boxes 120, the client transmits all the stored data. If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the data was stored in the individual transmission box 110 and all the transmission boxes 120, the client does not transmit the stored data. In this case, the client transmits the data stored in the individual transmission box 110 to the master by unicast instead of transmitting the data by broadcast. Specifically, when data is stored in the individual transmission box 110, the client determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the oldest data among the data stored in the individual transmission box 110 has been stored. Determine. If the determination result is affirmative, the client extracts all the data stored in the individual transmission box 110, generates one frame including all the data, and transmits the frame to the master by unicast.

  Similarly, when data is stored in all the transmission boxes 120, the client determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the oldest data among the data stored in all the transmission boxes 120 has been stored. To do. If the determination result is affirmative, the client extracts all data stored in all the transmission boxes 120, generates one frame including all the data, and transmits the frame by broadcast. In this case, the header portion of the generated frame includes the MAC address of the own device (client) as the transmission source address and the master MAC address as the BSSID. After the process of step S65, the client next executes a process of step S66.

  In step S66, the client acquires data to be transmitted. Here, the data to be transmitted is data generated by the client itself (data generated in the course of game processing, such as data corresponding to an operation performed on the own device). Since the client does not transfer data transmitted from another terminal to another terminal unlike the master, in step S66, the client acquires data generated by the client itself. Next, the client executes the process of step S67.

  In step S67, the client determines whether the data acquired in step S66 is data to be transmitted via the master. Specifically, when the acquired data is individual transmission data (data to be individually transmitted to another client), the client determines that the data is to be transmitted via the master. In addition, even if the acquired data is all transmission data (data to be transmitted to all terminals), the client determines that the acquired data is data to be transmitted via the master if a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, when the type of acquired data is a predetermined type (for example, data corresponding to an operation performed on the own device and should be shared with all terminals), or when specified from the application layer, Even if the acquired data is all transmission data, the client determines that the data is data to be transmitted via the master.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state in which data is transmitted from the client C1 to all terminals via the master. As shown in FIG. 22, the client C1 generates a frame 200 including the data D1 generated by itself and transmits the frame 200 to the master. In the header portion of the frame 200, the master MAC address is designated as the destination MAC address. The frame 200 includes data D1 and additional information 201. The additional information 201 is information indicating a transmission source and a transmission destination of the data D1. Specifically, the transmission source information is information indicating the client C1, and the transmission destination information is information indicating all terminals (the master, the client C2, and all terminals including the audience). The master that has received the frame 200 extracts the data D1 and the additional information 201, stores the data D1 and the additional information 201 in all the transmission boxes 120, and transmits a frame including the data D1 and the additional information 201 by broadcast.

  If the determination result is affirmative in step S67, the client next executes a process of step S53. On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the client next executes a process of step S68.

  The client performs the process of step S68 after performing the processes of step S53 to step S55.

  In step S68, the client determines whether the data acquired in step S66 is data that is directly transmitted to each terminal. Here, the data to be directly all transmitted is data broadcast directly from the client to all other terminals. The client can transmit data to all terminals by broadcast without going through the master.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a state in which data is directly transmitted from the client C1 to all terminals. As shown in FIG. 23, for example, the client C1 generates a frame 210 including data D2 generated by itself, and transmits the frame 210 to all terminals by broadcast. In the header portion of the frame 210, a broadcast address is specified as a destination MAC address. The frame 210 includes data D2 and additional information 211. The additional information 211 is information indicating the transmission source (client C1) and transmission destination (all terminals) of the data D2. Each terminal (master, client C2, and audience) receives the frame 210 and acquires data D2. In this way, the client can directly transmit data to all terminals without going through the master.

  If the determination result is affirmative in step S68, the client next executes the process of step S58. On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the client ends the process shown in FIG.

  Further, the client executes the process of step S69 instead of the process of step S56 of FIG.

  In step S69, the client retrieves all data stored in the individual transmission box 110, generates one frame including all the data, and transmits the frame to the master by unicast (unicast frame is transmitted). Send). The process of step S69 is the same as the process of step S56 of FIG. 17 except that the generated frame is transmitted to the master by unicast instead of broadcast. This is the end of the description of FIG.

  In this way, the client transmits the data stored in the individual transmission box 110 to the master by unicast.

(Details of data reception processing)
Next, details of the data reception process will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 19, the details of the data reception process performed in the client will be described.

(Client data reception processing)
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of data reception processing performed in the client.

  First, in step S70, the client receives a frame. Specifically, the client receives only a frame addressed to itself or a frame transmitted by broadcast. More specifically, the client receives a frame whose destination address matches the MAC address of its own device. Further, the client receives a frame including a frame whose destination address is a broadcast address and including information matching the identification information 73 (master MAC address) stored in its own memory. Since the broadcast frame transmitted by the master or another client includes the BSSID (which matches the master's MAC address), the client receives the broadcast frame when the BSSID matches the identification information 73. Next, the client executes the process of step S71.

  In step S71, the client refers to the data portion of the frame acquired in step S70, and acquires the number of data included in the frame (see FIG. 15). Next, the client executes the process of step S72.

  In step S72, the client sets 1 to the variable i, and then executes the process of step S73.

  In step S73, the client acquires additional information of the i-th data. That is, the client acquires additional information (information on the transmission source and transmission destination, information on the size) of the i-th data in the data portion of the frame acquired in step S70. Next, the client executes the process of step S74.

  In step S74, the client determines whether or not the i-th data is destined for the own device or all terminals. Here, all terminals are all terminals in the network, and include a master, a client, and an audience. Specifically, the client determines whether or not the i-th data is data addressed to the own device or all terminals by referring to the information related to the transmission destination among the additional information acquired in step S73. More specifically, the client determines whether the information regarding the transmission destination matches the ID of the own device (or whether the information matches the MAC address of the own device). Further, the client determines whether or not the information regarding the transmission destination is a value indicating that all terminals are included (or whether or not it is a broadcast address). If the determination result is affirmative, the client next executes a process of step S75. On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the client next executes a process of step S76.

  In step S75, the client takes out the i-th data (see FIG. 16). The extracted i-th data is stored in the memory. Then, in the above-described game process (step S37), a game process using the i-th data stored in the memory is performed. For example, information on the transmission source indicated by the additional information included in the i-th data (for example, information indicating that the transmission source is a master) and a data body (for example, data UD10) included in the i-th data. The game process is performed by using this. Next, the client executes the process of step S76.

  In step S76, the client adds 1 to the variable i, and then executes the process of step S77.

  In step S77, the client determines whether or not the variable i is larger than the number of data acquired in step S71. If the determination result is affirmative, the client ends the reception process illustrated in FIG. On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the client executes the process of step S73 again.

  By repeatedly performing the processing of step S73 to step S77, only data destined for the own device or all clients is extracted from the data included in the received frame.

(Audience data reception processing)
Next, the details of the data reception process performed in the audience will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of data reception processing (audience) performed in the audience. In FIG. 20, the same processes as those in FIG. 19 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  First, in step S80, the audience receives a frame. Specifically, the audience receives a frame transmitted by broadcast. More specifically, the audience receives a frame whose destination address is a broadcast address and includes information that matches the identification information 73 (master's MAC address) stored in its own memory. . Since the BSSID is included in the broadcast frame transmitted by the master or the client, the audience receives the broadcast frame when the BSSID matches the identification information 73. Next, the audience executes the processing from step S71 to step S73.

  After the process of step S73, the audience executes the process of step S81.

  In step S81, the audience determines whether or not the i-th data acquired in step S73 is addressed to all terminals. Specifically, the audience refers to information related to the transmission destination among the additional information acquired in step S73, and determines whether or not the i-th data is data addressed to all terminals. More specifically, the audience determines whether or not the information related to the transmission destination is a value indicating that all terminals (or a broadcast address). If the determination result is affirmative, the audience next executes a process of step S82. On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the audience next executes a process of step S76.

  In step S82, the audience extracts the i-th data. The extracted i-th data is stored in the memory. Then, in the above-described game process (step S49), the game process using the i-th data stored in the memory is performed. For example, the game process is performed using information on the transmission source and the transmission destination indicated by the additional information included in the i-th data and the data body included in the i-th data. Thus, the audience can obtain the result of the game process corresponding to the operation performed by the master and each client by performing the game process using the data addressed to all terminals included in the received frame. The audience next executes the processes of steps S76 and S77.

  In this way, in the audience, all data included in the frame is individually extracted, and game processing is performed based on the individually extracted data.

(Master data reception processing)
Next, the details of the data reception process performed in the master will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of data reception processing (master) performed in the master. In FIG. 21, the same processes as those in FIG. 19 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  First, the master performs the process of step S90. Specifically, the master receives a frame addressed to itself or a frame transmitted by broadcast. More specifically, the master receives a frame whose destination address matches the MAC address of the own device (master). In addition, the master receives a frame that has a transmission destination address that is a broadcast address and includes information (BSSID) that matches the MAC address of the master. After the process of step S90, the master next executes the processes of step S71 and step S72. After the process of step S72, the master performs the process of step S91.

  In step S91, the master extracts the i-th data. The master performs processing on the extracted i-th data according to the transmission destination indicated by the additional information of the data. For example, when the extracted i-th data is data addressed to itself, the master stores the i-th data in the memory. In the game process (step S20) described above, the i-th data stored in the memory is used. When the extracted i-th data is data addressed to another client, the master stores the data addressed to the other client (extracted i-th data) in the memory. In step S51 of the data transmission process described above, data destined for the other client is acquired, and the data destined for the other client is stored in the individual transmission box 110 and transmitted to the other client. Further, when the extracted i-th data is data destined for all terminals, the master stores the data destined for all terminals (the extracted i-th data) in the memory. In step S51 of the data transmission process described above, data addressed to all terminals is acquired, and data addressed to all terminals is stored in all transmission boxes 120 and transmitted to all terminals.

  After the process of step S91, the master next executes the processes of step S76 and step S77.

  In this way, in the master, all data included in the frame is individually extracted, and the individually extracted data is used for game processing or transmitted to the client.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the master and the client register with each other and communicate with each other. Thereby, a game advances between a master and a client. Specifically, before the game is started, the client transmits a connection request to the master in order to register the own device with the master. The master receives the connection request, transmits a response to the connection request to the client, and registers the identification information (MAC address) of the client in its own device. In response to receiving the response to the connection request, the client registers the master identification information (MAC address) in its own device. Thereby, the master and the client register with each other. On the other hand, the audience does not register with the master, but unilaterally registers the master with itself. That is, the audience receives a beacon from the master without transmitting a connection request to the master, and registers the identification information (MAC address) of the master included in the beacon in its own device. Then, the audience receives data transmitted by the master and the client, and watches a game that progresses between the master and the client.

  Thus, since the audience is not registered with the master, the master does not need to manage the audience. Therefore, there is no limit to the number of audiences watching a game that progresses between the master and the client, and even if more game apparatuses 10 participate in the game as an audience, the management load of the master does not increase. For this reason, for example, the majority of users can watch a game in which a plurality of people participate and proceed.

  In this embodiment, the client transmits data to other clients via the master. For this reason, clients can send data to other clients even if direct communication between the clients is not possible due to the distance between the clients or the presence of interference between the clients. .

  In this embodiment, when the master (or client) acquires relatively small data to be transmitted, the master (or client) does not immediately transmit the data but temporarily stores it in the memory. Then, the master collectively transmits the accumulated data in one frame. In this case, the master adds information regarding the transmission destination and the transmission source for each of the plurality of data.

  In this manner, by transmitting a plurality of relatively small data in a single frame, the data transmission speed is increased compared to the case where each data is transmitted individually. That is, since information such as a header is added to the data body to be transmitted in a frame, a plurality of data is included in one frame rather than a plurality of frames including one data in one frame. It is more efficient to send. In the case of a game in which a plurality of game devices are connected by wireless communication as in the above embodiment, data of a relatively small size is frequently exchanged between the game devices. In such a case, if each data is included in each frame and transmitted, the data transmission / reception speed becomes slow, which may hinder the progress of the game. However, in this embodiment, since a plurality of data are transmitted together in one frame, data can be efficiently transmitted and received.

(Modification)
In the above embodiment, the client and the audience register the master MAC address, and the master registers the client MAC address. In other embodiments, any information may be registered as long as the identification information can identify each terminal.

  In the above embodiment, the master transmits a beacon, and the client transmits a connection request to the master that transmitted the beacon in response to receiving the beacon (passive scan). Connected (registered) to each other. In other embodiments, the master and client may be interconnected by active scanning. That is, the client may transmit a probe request, and the master may transmit a probe response (a type of management frame) in response to the probe request. Then, in response to the client receiving the probe response from the master, the client may transmit a connection request.

  In the above embodiment, the authentication between the master and the client is the open system authentication. However, in another embodiment, the master and the client may be authenticated by another authentication method.

  In the above embodiment, each game device performs communication according to the IEEE 802.11 standard. However, in other embodiments, communication may be performed according to any standard.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the data acquired sequentially were stored in the separate transmission box 110 grade | etc., One by one. In other embodiments, each data need not be acquired sequentially and need not be stored in the individual transmission box 110 or the like. For example, when an application generates a plurality of data having different destinations at the same time, a single frame including the plurality of data and destination information is generated without storing the plurality of data in the individual transmission box 110 or the like. , You may send.

  In the above embodiment, when the acquired data cannot be stored in the individual transmission box 110 or the like, that is, when there is no free space in the individual transmission box 110 or the like, the data in the individual transmission box 110 or the like is transmitted. Further, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the data was stored in the individual transmission box 110 or the like, all the stored data was transmitted. Furthermore, when the acquired data is data to be transmitted immediately, the data stored in the individual transmission box 110 and the like are transmitted together with the data to be transmitted immediately. In another embodiment, the stored data may be transmitted when a predetermined condition for transmitting the stored data is satisfied, not limited to these three conditions. For example, the stored data may be automatically transmitted at a predetermined time interval, or the stored data may be transmitted when the game state in each game device 10 becomes a predetermined state. Also good.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, all the data stored in the separate transmission box 110 grade | etc., Were transmitted by including in one frame. In another embodiment, all the data stored in the individual transmission box 110 or the like is transmitted without including at least two of the data stored in the individual transmission box 110 or the like in one frame. May be. For example, data up to the Nth data from the oldest data may be transmitted in one frame.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the master transmitted data by broadcast, you may transmit data by multicast in other embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, each game device performs wireless communication assuming a portable game device. However, in other embodiments, an information processing device that operates on a battery may be used. It may be an information processing apparatus that receives supply. Further, the information processing apparatus may perform communication by wire. In this case, each information processing apparatus is connected by HUB etc. and performs data communication.

  In other embodiments, some or all of the above-described processing may be performed by one or more dedicated circuits. Further, the above process may be performed by a plurality of computers (CPU 311, processing units in the wireless communication module 36) provided in the game apparatus 10.

  In addition, the above-described communication method enables communication with other devices using a portable information processing device other than the game device 10, such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a high-function mobile phone having a wireless LAN function, or an original communication method. You may apply in the portable information processing apparatus etc. which were comprised.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game device 14 Operation button 15 Analog stick 31 Information processing part 32 Main memory 36 Wireless communication module 311 CPU
80 Registration table 101, 102, 103 Game character 110 Individual transmission box 120 All transmission boxes 130, 131, 132, 133 Additional information

Claims (18)

A communication control program executed in a computer of an information processing apparatus having a communication function,
Acquisition means for sequentially acquiring a plurality of data with different destinations;
Storage control means for sequentially storing the data acquired by the acquisition means in a storage means having a predetermined size;
Transmission data generating means for generating transmission data including a plurality of data stored in the storage means;
As a transmission means for transmitting the transmission data by broadcast or multicast, the computer is caused to function ,
The storage control means determines whether the data acquired by the acquisition means can be stored in the storage means;
The transmission data generation unit includes at least two data stored in the storage unit and transmission destination information of each of the at least two data when the storage control unit determines that the data cannot be stored. Generating the transmission data;
The communication control program , wherein the transmission unit transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation unit . When the storage control unit determines that the data acquired by the acquisition unit cannot be stored in the storage unit, the storage control unit erases the data transmitted by the transmission unit from the storage unit, and the data acquired by the acquisition unit The communication control program according to claim 1, wherein: is stored in the storage unit. Causing the computer to function as first determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition for transmitting the data stored in the storage means is satisfied;
The transmission data generation means, when it is determined by the first determination means that the predetermined condition is satisfied, at least two data stored in the storage means and respective transmission destination information of the at least two data Generating the transmission data including:
The transmission means transmits the transmission data to which the transmission data generating unit has generated, the communication control program according to claim 1 or 2. As a second determination means for determining whether or not there is data for which a predetermined time has elapsed since being stored in the storage means, the computer is further functioned,
The transmission data generation means generates the transmission data including at least the data after the predetermined time when the second determination means determines that there is data for which the predetermined time has elapsed,
The communication control program according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation unit. As a third determination unit for determining whether to immediately transmit the data acquired by the acquisition unit, the computer is further functioned,
The transmission data generation unit generates the transmission data including the data when the third determination unit determines to transmit the data immediately,
The communication control program according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the transmission unit transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation unit. The acquisition means acquires data sent from another information processing apparatus,
The communication control program according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the transmission data generation unit further includes transmission source information of each of the plurality of data in the transmission data. Receiving the transmission data sent from another information processing apparatus, and based on the transmission destination information included in the transmission data, causing the computer to further function as data extraction means for extracting at least data addressed to the own device; The communication control program according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . The storage control means stores the data acquired by the acquisition means in the first storage area or the second storage area,
The transmission data generation means generates the transmission data including at least two data stored either one of the first storage area and the second storage area, according to any one of claims 1 to 7 Communication control program. The communication control program according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein each piece of data acquired by the acquisition unit is a group of data that can be processed at a transmission destination. The transmission data generation means generates said transmission data Te including Me the destination information to the data portion of the frame, the communication control program according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The communication control program according to claim 6 , wherein the transmission data generation unit generates the transmission data by including the transmission source information in a data portion of a frame. Acquisition means for sequentially acquiring a plurality of data with different destinations;
Storage control means for sequentially storing the data acquired by the acquisition means in a storage means having a predetermined size;
Transmission data generating means for generating transmission data including a plurality of data stored in the storage means ;
Transmission means for transmitting the transmission data by broadcast or multicast ,
The storage control means determines whether the data acquired by the acquisition means can be stored in the storage means;
The transmission data generation unit includes at least two data stored in the storage unit and transmission destination information of each of the at least two data when the storage control unit determines that the data cannot be stored. Generating the transmission data;
The communication control device , wherein the transmission unit transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation unit . An acquisition step of sequentially acquiring a plurality of data with different destinations;
A storage control step of sequentially storing the data acquired in the acquisition step in a storage means having a predetermined size;
A transmission data generation step of generating transmission data including a plurality of data stored in the storage means ;
Look including a transmission step of transmitting the transmission data in a broadcast or multicast,
The storage control step determines whether the data acquired in the acquisition step can be stored in the storage means,
The transmission data generation step includes at least two data stored in the storage means and transmission destination information of each of the at least two data when the storage control step determines that the data cannot be stored. Generating the transmission data;
The communication control method , wherein the transmission step transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation step . An information processing system including a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus having a communication function,
The first information processing apparatus
Acquisition means for sequentially acquiring a plurality of data with different destinations;
Storage control means for sequentially storing the data acquired by the acquisition means in a storage means having a predetermined size;
Transmission data generating means for generating transmission data including a plurality of data stored in the storage means ;
Transmission means for transmitting the transmission data by broadcast or multicast,
The storage control means determines whether the data acquired by the acquisition means can be stored in the storage means;
The transmission data generation unit includes at least two data stored in the storage unit and transmission destination information of each of the at least two data when the storage control unit determines that the data cannot be stored. Generating the transmission data;
The transmission means transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation means,
The second information processing apparatus
An information processing system comprising: a data extracting unit that receives the transmission data and extracts at least data addressed to the own device included in the transmission data. A communication control program executed in a computer of an information processing apparatus having a communication function,
Acquisition means for sequentially acquiring a plurality of data with different destinations;
Storage control means for sequentially storing the data acquired by the acquisition means in a storage means having a predetermined size;
Transmission data generating means for generating transmission data including a plurality of data stored in the storage means;
As a transmission means for transmitting the transmission data by designating a predetermined destination address, the computer is caused to function ,
The storage control means determines whether the data acquired by the acquisition means can be stored in the storage means;
The transmission data generation unit includes at least two data stored in the storage unit and transmission destination information of each of the at least two data when the storage control unit determines that the data cannot be stored. Generating the transmission data;
The communication control program , wherein the transmission unit transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation unit . Acquisition means for sequentially acquiring a plurality of data with different destinations;
Storage control means for sequentially storing the data acquired by the acquisition means in a storage means having a predetermined size;
Transmission data generating means for generating transmission data including a plurality of data stored in the storage means ;
A transmission means for transmitting the transmission data by designating a predetermined destination address ,
The storage control means determines whether the data acquired by the acquisition means can be stored in the storage means;
The transmission data generation unit includes at least two data stored in the storage unit and transmission destination information of each of the at least two data when the storage control unit determines that the data cannot be stored. Generating the transmission data;
The communication control device , wherein the transmission unit transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation unit . An acquisition step of sequentially acquiring a plurality of data with different destinations;
A storage control step of sequentially storing the data acquired in the acquisition step in a storage means having a predetermined size;
A transmission data generation step of generating transmission data including a plurality of data stored in the storage means;
A transmission step of designating a predetermined destination address and transmitting the transmission data,
The storage control step determines whether the data acquired in the acquisition step can be stored in the storage means,
The transmission data generation step includes at least two data stored in the storage means and transmission destination information of each of the at least two data when the storage control step determines that the data cannot be stored. Generating the transmission data;
The transmission control method, wherein the transmission step transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation means. An information processing system including a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus having a communication function,
The first information processing apparatus
Acquisition means for sequentially acquiring a plurality of data with different destinations;
Storage control means for sequentially storing the data acquired by the acquisition means in a storage means having a predetermined size;
Transmission data generating means for generating transmission data including a plurality of data stored in the storage means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the transmission data by designating a predetermined destination address,
The storage control means determines whether the data acquired by the acquisition means can be stored in the storage means;
The transmission data generation unit includes at least two data stored in the storage unit and transmission destination information of each of the at least two data when the storage control unit determines that the data cannot be stored. Generating the transmission data;
The transmission means transmits the transmission data generated by the transmission data generation means,
The second information processing apparatus
An information processing system comprising: a data extracting unit that receives the transmission data and extracts at least data addressed to the own device included in the transmission data.

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