JP6643274B2 - Storage media - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to systems, storage media and methods.

  2. Description of the Related Art Recent advances in semiconductor manufacturing technology have reduced the price of IC (Integrated Circuit) tags used in non-contact communication, and have been widely used in various fields. Entertainment is one area in which the introduction of IC tags is progressing. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a game management system including means for reading and writing information recorded on a recording medium of a playground equipment.

  Many of recent portable game machines have a non-contact communication function, and collaboration with a medium incorporating an IC tag is easy. Also, high-performance mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablets, which now account for more than half of the mobile terminals sold in Japan, usually have a non-contact communication function. Therefore, it is expected that entertainment using non-contact communication will become more and more popular in the future.

JP 2006-095191 A

  However, a terminal having a non-contact communication function, such as a game machine or a portable terminal, is relatively expensive because of having such a function, and care must be taken for handling because of its high function. Therefore, the target age is relatively high, and the threshold is high for users in the low age group.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of providing a user using a medium capable of non-contact communication to a wider age group.

  One aspect of the present invention relates to a system. The system includes a first terminal and a storage medium. The first terminal includes a control unit, a first contact, and a first power supply. The storage medium includes a second contact, a nonvolatile memory, and an antenna. The first terminal and the storage medium are detachable, and when the storage medium is attached to the first terminal, the first contact and the second contact make contact. When the first contact and the second contact make contact, the first terminal supplies power to the storage medium via the first contact and the second contact, and the control unit controls the power via the first contact and the second contact. The non-volatile memory can be accessed. The storage medium is configured to allow the second terminal to wirelessly access the non-volatile memory via the antenna when wirelessly receiving power from the second terminal having the second power supply via the antenna. I have.

  Another embodiment of the present invention also relates to a system. The system includes a first terminal and a storage medium. The first terminal includes a control unit and a first contact. The storage medium includes a second contact, a nonvolatile memory, and an antenna. The first terminal and the storage medium are detachable, and when the storage medium is attached to the first terminal, the first contact and the second contact make contact. When the storage medium is attached to the first terminal, and the storage medium is wirelessly supplied with power from the second terminal having the power supply via the antenna, the second terminal transmits the power to the first terminal via the storage medium. Power is supplied, and the control unit can access the non-volatile memory via the first contact and the second contact.

  Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a storage medium. The storage medium is configured to be detachable from the toy, and a plurality of characters or items related to the toy and a plurality of expressions each associated with the toy are attached in a visible manner. The storage medium includes a nonvolatile memory that holds identification information corresponding to at least one of the plurality of expressions, and an access control unit that controls access from the toy to the nonvolatile memory. The power supplied from the toy to the storage medium allows access to the non-volatile memory.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a method. In this method, the terminal and the storage medium communicate in a non-contact manner, so that the terminal updates the data in the storage medium, and the storage medium and the toy communicate through the contact point, thereby updating the updated storage medium. Applying the data to the toy.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a method. According to this method, the storage medium and the toy communicate through contact points to update the data in the storage medium, and the terminal and the storage medium communicate in a non-contact manner to update the data in the updated storage medium. On the terminal.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described components, and any replacement of the components and expressions of the present invention between an apparatus, a method, a system, a computer program, a recording medium storing a computer program, etc. This is effective as an embodiment.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a non-contact communicable medium and a toy can communicate via a contact point, and the play using a non-contact communicable medium can be provided to the user of a wider age group at low cost.

It is a schematic diagram of a system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view of the interlocking medium of FIG. 1. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 2 is an exemplary circuit diagram of the interlocking medium and toy of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating functions and configurations of the IC in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a data structure diagram illustrating an example of an identification information holding unit in FIG. 5. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functions and configurations of the toy in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a data structure diagram illustrating an example of an effect data table in FIG. 7. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functions and configurations of the mobile terminal of FIG. 1. 2 is a chart showing an example of a series of processes in the system of FIG. 1 in chronological order. It is an explanatory view showing an example transition of a screen of a toy and a portable terminal concerning a second application example. It is an exemplary perspective view of the interlocking medium concerning a 1st modification. FIG. 14 is a data structure diagram illustrating an example of an identification information holding unit according to a first modification.

  Hereinafter, the same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description will be omitted as appropriate.

  The system according to the embodiment does not have a portable terminal capable of communicating with a network such as the Internet and contactless communication, an interlocking medium capable of contactless communication and having a contact point, and a reader / writer for contactless communication. And a toy having contacts. Any one or more or all of the elements constituting the system may be implemented, that is, manufactured and sold by the same provider (company or the like). An application program provided by the same provider is installed in the mobile terminal of the system. The interlocking medium is a storage medium that holds identification information commonly used in both the portable terminal and the toy.

  In the system, data linkage is realized between the portable terminal and the toy via the linkage medium. That is, the mobile terminal and the interlocking medium communicate without contact, whereby the identification information of the interlocking medium is updated, and the interlocking medium communicates with the toy via the contact, so that the updated identification information acts on the toy. I do. In other words, the system updates the identification information of the linked medium by communicating the linked medium and the toy via the contact point, and updates the identification information of the linked medium by contactlessly communicating with the portable terminal. The identification information acts on the mobile terminal. As a result, data can be exchanged and updated relatively freely between the portable terminal, the interlocking medium, and the toy, and the range of ways of playing that can be proposed to the user is expanded. For example, when the toy reads the updated identification information on the mobile terminal, the effect of the toy is updated (or changes), and when the updated identification information on the toy is read by the mobile terminal, the effect of the mobile terminal is updated. (Or change), it is possible to provide an effect that cannot be realized by only two people, and to more strongly attract the user's interest. Furthermore, since the toy does not need to include a reader / writer for non-contact communication while realizing such three-member interlocking, the manufacturing cost of the toy can be reduced. Therefore, a cheaper platform that can propose various ways of playing is provided.

  In the present specification, “identification information” is defined as information that specifies an effect produced from a mobile terminal or a toy. Therefore, if the identification information is different, the produced effect is also different. However, the identification information is not limited to this, and the output effect and the identification information may be associated with each other. Therefore, various definitions are possible for the identification information. For example, the identification information may be information specifying a character or an item related to the toy, or may be information specifying an interlocking medium. In these cases, if there is a correspondence between the character, the item, or the interlocking medium and the effect, the identification information that specifies the character, the item, or the interlocking medium can be regarded as the information that specifies the effect.

  FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a system 1 according to the embodiment. The system 1 provides the user 5 with a play based on a predetermined world view. The worldview may be based on literary or non-authoritative works, or may be based on fantasy, reality or historical fact. In the world view of the system 1, characters and items exist, and stories and performances related to them are set. The user 5 can enjoy playing in such a world view by using the system 1.

  The system 1 includes a toy 2 ("first terminal" or "toy" in the present invention), a mobile terminal 3 ("second terminal" or "another device different from toy"), an interlocking medium 4 ("memory"). Medium "). The toy 2 is a belt-type toy configured to be attachable to the abdomen of the user 5. The toy 2 includes a battery receiving portion for receiving a battery as a power source (“first power source”), a medium receiving portion 22 to which the interlocking medium 4 is attached, and an LCD (Liquid) for displaying a moving image or a still image related to a staging effect. A display 24 such as a Crystal Display, a speaker 26 that outputs sounds such as sound and music related to the effect, a button 28 for operation, and a microcontroller for control (including the “control unit” in the present invention) ). The medium receiving portion 22 includes a toy contact (a “first contact” in the present invention) which is a contact on the toy side. The user 5 attaches the toy 2 to the abdomen after attaching the battery to the battery receiving portion. When the user 5 presses the button 28 of the toy 2, an image related to a staging effect corresponding to the pressed button 28 is output from the display 24 and sound is output from the speaker 26. When the interlocking medium 4 is mounted on the medium receiving portion 22, the microcontroller of the toy 2 reads the identification information held in the interlocking medium 4, and displays a rendering effect according to the read identification information on the display 24 or the speaker 26 or Output from both. That is, the display 24 and the speaker 26 correspond to an output unit according to the present invention.

  The mobile terminal 3 may be, for example, a smartphone, a portable game device, a tablet computer, or the like. The mobile terminal 3 can be provided with a touch panel display 32 for both operation and display. An application program provided by the provider of the toy 2 is downloaded and installed in the mobile terminal 3 via a network. Note that the application program may be preinstalled on the mobile terminal 3. The mobile terminal 3 itself may be provided by a provider of the toy 2 or may be provided by another provider (a mobile terminal manufacturing and selling company or the like). The user 5 starts an application program on the mobile terminal 3. By executing the application program, the mobile terminal 3 outputs a video or a sound related to a staging effect corresponding to the operation content of the user 5 received via the touch panel display 32. That is, the touch panel display 32 corresponds to the output unit according to the present invention. Hereinafter, for simplicity, the operation and function realized by the mobile terminal 3 executing the application program will be described as the operation and function of the mobile terminal 3. The mobile terminal 3 has a function of performing non-contact communication. The mobile terminal 3 performs the non-contact communication with the interlocking medium 4 to read out the identification information held in the interlocking medium 4, and outputs an effect according to the read out identification information.

  FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view of the interlocking medium 4 of FIG. The interlocking medium 4 includes a medium contact 42 (the “second contact” in the present invention), an antenna 46, and an IC 44 connected to the medium contact 42 and the antenna 46. The interlocking medium 4 does not have a power source such as a battery. The interlocking medium 4 is configured to be detachable from the toy 2. The IC 44 and the antenna 46 are embedded in the body of the interlocking medium 4 and are not exposed to the outside. The medium contact 42 has a first electrode pad 421, a second electrode pad 422, a third electrode pad 423, a fourth electrode pad 424, a fifth electrode pad 425, and a sixth electrode pad 426. Each electrode pad is exposed to the outside on a predetermined surface of the interlocking medium 4. Each electrode pad is connected to the IC 44. The medium contact 42 has an arrangement or structure corresponding to a toy contact described below, and is configured such that the medium contact 42 and the toy contact come into contact with the interlocking medium 4 attached to the toy 2.

  The IC 44 includes a rectified voltage stabilizing circuit using an RF electric wave as a power supply, a communication control circuit for controlling RF and serial communication (such as I2C), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) for reading and writing data, and a flash memory. It has a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory holds the identification information. The antenna 46 is a coil antenna having a plurality of turns, and both ends thereof are connected to the IC 44.

  The interlocking medium 4 is configured such that, when power is wirelessly supplied from the mobile terminal 3 via the antenna 46, the mobile terminal 3 can wirelessly access the nonvolatile memory via the antenna 46. Non-contact communication between the interlocking medium 4 and the mobile terminal 3 via the antenna 46 is performed by Felica (registered trademark), ISO / IEC 14443 (Type A, Type B), ISO / IEC 18092 (NFC: Near Field Communication), ISO It may be realized by a non-contact communication technology using a known electromagnetic wave such as / IEC 15693, ISO / IEC 21481 (NFC IP-2), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and WiFi Direct. In these contactless communication technologies, devices communicate directly (without passing through a router, a base station, or the like). Alternatively, the non-contact communication may be realized by an optical communication technology such as IrDA or a sound wave communication technology using a sound wave such as an ultrasonic wave. It should be noted that among the above-mentioned techniques, adopting a method in which the portable terminal 3 wirelessly supplies power to the interlocking medium 4 is advantageous from the viewpoint of the manufacturing cost of the interlocking medium 4. In the present embodiment, non-contact communication is realized by Type A of ISO / IEC 14443.

  3A and 3B are cross-sectional views taken along line AA of FIG. FIG. 3A shows a case where the linking medium 4 is not attached, and FIG. 3B shows a case where the linking medium 4 is attached. The media receiver 22 of the interlocking medium 4 is provided with toy contacts including six pins on a surface 226 of the media receiver 22 that faces the media contacts 42 when inserted in the correct orientation. FIGS. 3A and 3B show two (first pin 271 and fourth pin 274) of the first to sixth six pins. The first to sixth six pins are arranged so as to be in contact with the first to sixth electrode pads 421 to 426 when the interlocking medium 4 is inserted in the medium receiving portion 22 in a correct orientation. In FIG. 3A, the first pin 271 and the fourth pin 274 slightly protrude from the surface 226. In FIG. 3B, the first pin 271 is in contact with the first electrode pad 421, and the fourth pin 274 is in contact with the fourth electrode pad 424. In this state, the first electrode pad 421 and the first pin 271 are electrically connected, and the fourth electrode pad 424 and the fourth pin 274 are electrically connected. As a structure of the medium contact 42 and the toy contact, a structure of a known compression leaf connector may be used.

  When the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the medium receiving portion 22 of the toy 2, the medium contact 42 comes into contact with the toy contact. When those contacts come into contact, the toy 2 supplies power to the interlocking medium 4 via the media contacts 42 and the toy contacts, and the microcontroller of the toy 2 operates via the media contacts 42 and the toy contacts. Access to the non-volatile memory.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary circuit diagram of the interlocking medium 4 and the toy 2 of FIG. The IC 44 has an LA terminal 441, a VSS terminal 442, an SCL terminal 443, an FD terminal 444, an SDA terminal 445, a VCC terminal 446, a VOUT terminal 447, and an LB terminal 448.
The LA terminal 441 is connected to one end of the antenna 46, and the LB terminal 448 is connected to the other end of the antenna 46. A first capacitor C1 is connected between the LA terminal 441 and the LB terminal 448 in parallel with the antenna 46.

The VSS terminal 442 is connected to the sixth electrode pad 426. When the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the toy 2, a reference potential, that is, a ground potential is applied from the toy 2 to the VSS terminal 442 via the sixth pin 276 of the toy contact 238 and the sixth electrode pad 426 that contacts the sixth pin 276.
The SCL terminal 443 is connected to the fifth electrode pad 425. When the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the toy 2, a clock signal is provided from the toy 2 to the SCL terminal 443 via the fifth pin 275 of the toy contact 238 and the fifth electrode pad 425 that contacts the fifth pin 275. One end of the first resistor R1 is connected to the SCL terminal 443, and the power supply voltage VCC is applied to the other end.

  The FD terminal 444 outputs an electromagnetic wave detection signal that is asserted when an electromagnetic wave used for non-contact communication is detected via the LA terminal 441 and the LB terminal 448. That is, the FD terminal 444 outputs a signal when the interlocking medium 4 is powered by the high-frequency power RF and becomes communicable, so that the connected toy or the like is notified that the communicable state is available, Alternatively, the fact that the RF radio wave of the frequency is being transmitted nearby can be displayed on the interlocking medium 4 by turning on an LED or the like. If not necessary, it may not be connected to any electrode pad. One end of the second resistor R2 is connected to the fourth electrode pad 424, and the power supply voltage VCC is applied to the other end. When the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the toy 2, the fourth pin 274 of the toy contact 238 contacts the fourth electrode pad 424.

  The SDA terminal 445 is connected to the third electrode pad 423. When the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the toy 2, data is exchanged between the toy 2 and the IC 44 via the third pin 273 of the toy contact 238 and the third electrode pad 423 contacting the third pin 273. The signal transmitted from the toy 2 to the SDA terminal 445 includes a request signal for identification information and an update signal for identification information. The signal sent from the SDA terminal 445 to the toy 2 includes an identification information signal including identification information read from the nonvolatile memory in response to the request signal. One end of the third resistor R3 is connected to the SDA terminal 445, and the other end is supplied with the power supply voltage VCC.

  The VCC terminal 446 is connected to the second electrode pad 422. When the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the toy 2, the power supply voltage VCC is applied to the VCC terminal 446 from the toy 2 via the second pin 272 of the toy contact 238 and the second electrode pad 422 that contacts the second pin 272. One end of the second capacitor C2 is connected to the VCC terminal 446, and a ground potential is applied to the other end. When the toy 2 provides the interlocking medium 4 with the ground potential and the power supply voltage VCC (or a potential difference corresponding to the difference between them), the toy 2 supplies power to the interlocking medium 4.

  The VOUT terminal 447 is connected to the first electrode pad 421. The VOUT terminal 447 outputs a part of the power when the IC 44 is supplied with power by non-contact communication. For example, the VOUT terminal 447 has a potential several volts higher than the potential of the VSS terminal 442. Therefore, in a state where the interlocking medium 4 is not attached to the toy 2 and the interlocking medium 4 and the mobile terminal 3 are performing non-contact communication, there is a gap between the first electrode pad 421 and the sixth electrode pad 426. A potential difference occurs. When the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the toy 2, the first pin 271 of the toy contact 238 contacts the first electrode pad 421.

With respect to the relationship between each terminal of the IC 44 and the microcontroller 23 of the toy 2, in the toy 2, the second pin 272, the third pin 273, the fourth pin 274, the fifth pin 275, and the sixth pin 276
Is connected to the microcontroller 23, and the first pin 271 is not connected to the microcontroller. That is, the VCC terminal 446, the SDA terminal 445, the SCL terminal 443, and the VSS terminal 442 are connected to the microcontroller 23 of the toy 2 in a state where the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the toy 2. The FD terminal 444 and the VOUT terminal 447 are not connected to the microcontroller 23, but can be used when a microcontroller or the like is driven by high-frequency power RF without receiving power from the outside.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the function and configuration of the IC 44 in FIG. The IC 44 includes a rectified voltage stabilizing unit 458 that uses RF radio waves as a power source, an RF access control unit 452, a contact access control unit 454, and an identification information holding unit 456 that holds identification information. The identification information holding unit 456 is configured as an area in a nonvolatile memory included in the IC 44.

  The RF access control unit 452 controls access from the portable terminal 3 to the identification information holding unit 456 via the antenna 46. The RF access control unit 452 provides the power obtained from the mobile terminal 3 via the antenna 46 to other members of the IC 44. The RF access control unit 452 interprets a command received from the mobile terminal 3 via the antenna 46, and performs processing for the identification information holding unit 456. When the command relates to a request for identification information, the RF access control unit 452 acquires the identification information from the identification information holding unit 456, and transmits the acquired identification information to the mobile terminal 3 via the antenna 46. When the command relates to the update of the identification information, the RF access control unit 452 updates the identification information held in the identification information holding unit 456 in a specified mode.

  The contact access control unit 454 controls access from the toy 2 to the identification information holding unit 456 via the medium contact 42. The contact access control unit 454 provides power obtained from the toy 2 via the medium contact 42 to other members of the IC 44. The contact access control unit 454 uses a clock signal input from the SCL terminal 443 in a state where the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the toy 2. The contact access control unit 454 interprets a command received from the toy 2 via the SDA terminal 445, and performs processing for the identification information holding unit 456. When the command relates to the request for the identification information, the contact access control unit 454 acquires the identification information from the identification information holding unit 456, and transmits the acquired identification information to the toy 2 via the SDA terminal 445. When the command relates to updating of the identification information, the contact access control unit 454 updates the identification information held in the identification information holding unit 456 in a specified mode. In the present embodiment, the “access control unit” according to the present invention is configured by the RF access control unit 452 and the contact access control unit 454.

  FIG. 6 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the identification information holding unit 456 in FIG. The identification information holding unit 456 includes a character ID for specifying a character related to the toy 2, a level of the character, an experience value of the character, an unlock flag indicating whether or not the character is unlocked, and The updated route flag indicating the device that has performed the update at the time of the update is associated with and held. The last updated route flag indicates which of the toy 2 and the mobile terminal 3 has updated the identification information last. The flag value “RF” indicates the portable terminal 3, and the flag value “TC” indicates the toy 2.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating functions and configurations of the toy 2 (“first terminal” or “toy” according to the present invention) in FIG. The toy 2 includes a toy operating unit 228 having a button 28, a toy output unit 230 (an “output unit” in the present invention) having a display 24 and a speaker 26, a toy control unit 232 (a “control unit”), and a toy. It includes a holding unit 234, a contact communication unit 236, a toy contact 238 ("first contact"), and a battery receiving unit 240 to which a battery 252 ("first power supply") is attached. The toy control unit 232, the toy holding unit 234, and the contact communication unit 236 are included in the microcontroller 23.

  The toy operation unit 228 receives various operation inputs from the user 5 and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the performed operation to the toy control unit 232. This function is realized by an input device such as a button 28, a switch, or a touch panel.

  The toy output unit 230 outputs at least one of video, light, sound, and motion as a rendering effect. The toy output unit 230 may include a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a movable unit such as a vibration source, in addition to the display 24 and the speaker 26. When the toy 2 is a traveling toy such as a radio control, the output operation includes a traveling pattern of the toy.

  The contact communication unit 236 is connected to the toy contact 238 and the toy control unit 232, and controls communication via the toy contact 238. The processing in the contact communication unit 236 corresponds to the processing in the contact access control unit 454. The contact communication unit 236 and the contact access control unit 454 may be configured to conform to a known wired communication system such as I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit).

  The toy holding unit 234 holds a system program for realizing various functions for causing the toy control unit 232 to control the toy 2 in an integrated manner, and a program and data for realizing various functions of the present embodiment. I do. The toy holding unit 234 is used as a work area of the toy control unit 232, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the toy control unit 232 according to various programs, data received from the contact communication unit 236, and the like. This function may be realized by, for example, an IC memory such as a RAM or a ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, or an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. The toy holding unit 234 has an effect data table 250.

  FIG. 8 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the effect data table 250 of FIG. The effect data table 250 holds identification information and effect data in association with each other. In the example of FIG. 8, the identification information is a combination of a character ID and a level. The effect data is data defining effect effects output from the toy output unit 230, and includes image data corresponding to images displayed on the display 24, sound data corresponding to sounds output from the speaker 26, and blinking patterns of LEDs. And at least one of optical data corresponding to the movement of the movable part.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the toy control unit 232 performs, based on the program and data read from the toy holding unit 234, the operation signal from the toy operation unit 228, the identification information acquired from the interlocking medium 4 via the toy contact 238, and the like, The operation of the toy 2 is totally controlled. This function is realized by an electronic component such as a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a microcontroller, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and a memory. The toy control unit 232 selects effect data for controlling the toy output unit 230 according to the identification information read from the nonvolatile memory of the interlocking medium 4.

  The toy control unit 232 includes a toy identification information acquisition unit 242, a toy effect control unit 244, a toy identification information update unit 246, and a mounting detection unit 254. The attachment detection unit 254 determines whether or not the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the toy 2 based on the potential of the fourth pin 274 of the toy contact 238. When the potential of the fourth pin 274 substantially matches the power supply voltage VCC of the toy 2, the attachment detection unit 254 determines that the interlocking medium 4 has been attached to the toy 2. When the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the toy 2, the power supply voltage VCC is supplied from the second pin 272 of the toy contact 238 to the interlocking medium 4 via the second electrode pad 422. This is because the power supply voltage VCC appears at the fourth pin 274 via the fourth electrode pad 424. After connecting the fourth electrode pad 424 to the ground potential of the interlocking medium 4, the mounting detection unit 254 determines whether or not the potential of the fourth pin 274 substantially matches the ground potential of the toy 2. Is also good.

  The toy identification information acquisition unit 242 acquires identification information from the interlocking medium 4 when the attachment detection unit 254 determines that the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the toy 2. The toy identification information acquisition unit 242 transmits a request signal including a command for requesting identification information to the interlocking medium 4 via the contact communication unit 236 and the toy contact 238. The toy identification information acquisition unit 242 receives an identification information signal including identification information corresponding to the request signal from the interlocking medium 4 via the contact communication unit 236 and the toy contact 238.

  The toy effect control unit 244 controls the toy output unit 230 to output an effect corresponding to the identification information acquired by the toy identification information acquisition unit 242. The toy effect control unit 244 refers to the effect data table 250, and specifies effect data corresponding to the identification information acquired by the toy identification information acquisition unit 242. The toy effect control unit 244 causes the toy output unit 230 to output the effect specified by the effect data based on the specified effect data. For example, if the effect data includes video data, a video corresponding to the video data is displayed on the display 24.

  The toy identification information update unit 246 updates the identification information of the interlocking medium 4 according to an operation signal from the toy operation unit 228 when the attachment detection unit 254 determines that the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the toy 2. The toy identification information updating unit 246 transmits a command for updating identification information and an update signal including update data to the interlocking medium 4 via the contact communication unit 236 and the toy contact 238. The update data includes new identification information of the update destination. This new identification information is different from the identification information acquired by the toy identification information acquisition unit 242. The toy identification information update unit 246 generates update data based on an operation signal from the toy operation unit 228.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing functions and configurations of the portable terminal 3 (“the second terminal” or “another device different from a toy” in the present invention) of FIG. The mobile terminal 3 includes a terminal operation unit 302, a terminal output unit 304 (“output unit”), a terminal communication unit 306, a terminal non-contact communication unit 308, a terminal control unit 310, a terminal holding unit 312, a terminal And an antenna 322.

  The terminal operation unit 302 receives various operation inputs from the user 5 and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the performed operation to the terminal control unit 310. This function detects movement and posture, for example, acceleration sensors, angular velocity sensors, tilt sensors, geomagnetic sensors, etc., as well as elements directly operated by the user, such as buttons, switches, joysticks, touch panel displays 32, touch pads, and trackballs. And the like.

  The terminal output unit 304 outputs at least one of video, light, sound, and motion as a rendering effect. The terminal output unit 304 may include, in addition to the touch panel display 32, a light emitting device such as a speaker or an LED, or a movable unit such as a vibration source.

  The terminal communication unit 306 connects to a network via a mobile phone base station, a wireless communication base station, or the like, and performs data communication with an external device (mainly, the server system 10 managed by the provider of the toy 2). This function is realized by, for example, a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack of a wired communication cable, a control circuit, and the like.

  The terminal non-contact communication unit 308 is connected to the terminal antenna 322 and the terminal control unit 310, and controls non-contact communication via the terminal antenna 322 and the antenna 46 of the interlocking medium 4. The processing in the terminal non-contact communication unit 308 corresponds to the processing in the RF access control unit 452. The terminal non-contact communication unit 308 and the RF access control unit 452 may be configured to conform to the non-contact communication method of Type A of ISO / IEC 14443.

  The terminal holding unit 312 is a system program for realizing various functions for making the terminal control unit 310 control the mobile terminal 3 in an integrated manner, an application program 320 for realizing various functions of the present embodiment, and a data program. And so on. The application program 320 may be downloaded via a network, or may be pre-installed on the mobile terminal 3. The terminal holding unit 312 is used as a work area of the terminal control unit 310, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the terminal control unit 310 according to various programs, data received from the terminal communication unit 306, the terminal non-contact communication unit 308, and the like. Is stored in This function may be realized by, for example, an IC memory such as a RAM or a ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, or an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. The terminal holding unit 312 has an application program 320 and a terminal effect data table 324. The terminal effect data table 324 has the same configuration as the effect data table 250 shown in FIG. In the effect data table 250 and the terminal effect data table 324, effect data corresponding to the same identification information may be different or the same.

  The terminal control unit 310 is a portable terminal based on programs and data read from the terminal holding unit 312, operation signals from the terminal operation unit 302, identification information acquired from the interlocking medium 4 via the terminal non-contact communication unit 308, and the like. 3 is totally controlled. This function is realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU and a GPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, and a memory. The terminal control unit 310 selects effect data for controlling the terminal output unit 304 according to the identification information read from the nonvolatile memory of the interlocking medium 4.

  The terminal control unit 310 includes a terminal identification information acquisition unit 314, a terminal effect control unit 316, and a terminal identification information update unit 318. The terminal identification information acquisition unit 314 acquires identification information from the interlocking medium 4 when power is supplied from the terminal non-contact communication unit 308 to the interlocking medium 4 via the terminal antenna 322 and the antenna 46 of the interlocking medium 4. The terminal identification information acquisition unit 314 transmits a request signal including a command related to a request for identification information to the interlocking medium 4 via the terminal non-contact communication unit 308 and the terminal antenna 322. The terminal identification information acquisition unit 314 receives an identification information signal including identification information corresponding to the request signal from the interlocking medium 4 via the terminal non-contact communication unit 308 and the terminal antenna 322.

  The terminal effect control unit 316 controls the terminal output unit 304 to output an effect corresponding to the identification information acquired by the terminal identification information acquisition unit 314. The terminal effect control unit 316 refers to the terminal effect data table 324 and specifies the effect data corresponding to the identification information acquired by the terminal identification information acquisition unit 314. The terminal effect control unit 316 causes the terminal output unit 304 to output the effect specified by the effect data based on the specified effect data. For example, if the effect data includes video data, a video corresponding to the video data is displayed on touch panel display 32.

  When power is supplied from the terminal non-contact communication unit 308 to the interlocking medium 4 via the terminal antenna 322 and the antenna 46 of the interlocking medium 4, the terminal identification information updating unit 318 responds to an operation signal from the terminal operation unit 302. The identification information of the linked medium 4 is updated. The terminal identification information update unit 318 transmits an update signal including a command and update data relating to update of identification information to the interlocking medium 4 via the terminal non-contact communication unit 308 and the terminal antenna 322. The update data includes new identification information of the update destination. This new identification information is different from the identification information acquired by the terminal identification information acquisition unit 314. The terminal identification information update unit 318 generates update data based on an operation signal from the terminal operation unit 302.

The operation of the system 1 having the above configuration will be described.
FIG. 10 is a time-series chart showing an example of a series of processes in the system 1 of FIG. It is assumed that the user 5 wraps the toy 2 around the waist, holds the portable terminal 3 in his hand, and holds the first identification information in the identification information holding unit 456 of the interlocking medium 4. The user 5 inserts the interlocking medium 4 into the medium receiving section 22 of the toy 2 (S502). The toy 2 detects that the interlocking medium 4 has been inserted into the medium receiving portion 22, and requests identification information from the interlocking medium 4 via the toy contact 238 and the medium contact 42 (S504). The linking medium 4 transmits the first identification information from the identification information holding unit 456 to the toy 2 (S506). The toy 2 selects the first effect data corresponding to the received first identification information (S508). The toy 2 outputs the first effect corresponding to the first identification information by processing the selected first effect data (S510).

  After that, the user 5 starts the application program 320 on the mobile terminal 3 (S512). When the application program 320 is executed, a prompt message is displayed on the touch panel display 32 of the mobile terminal 3 to urge the linking medium 4 to approach the mobile terminal 3. The user 5 brings the interlocking medium 4 closer to the portable terminal 3 (S514). The mobile terminal 3 detects that the interlocking medium 4 has entered the non-contact communication area of the mobile terminal 3, and supplies power to the interlocking medium 4 via the terminal antenna 322 and the antenna 46 of the interlocking medium 4. At the same time, it requests identification information from the interlocking medium 4 via those antennas (S516). The link medium 4 transmits the requested first identification information from the identification information holding unit 456 to the portable terminal 3 (S518). The mobile terminal 3 selects the second effect data (which may be the same as or different from the first effect data) corresponding to the received first identification information (S520). The mobile terminal 3 outputs the second effect corresponding to the first identification information by processing the selected second effect data (S522). The mobile terminal 3 determines that the identification information should be updated and determines new second identification information to be updated based on the operation of the user 5 on the touch panel display 32 (S524). A prompt message is displayed on the touch panel display 32 of the mobile terminal 3 to urge the linking medium 4 to approach the mobile terminal 3. The user 5 brings the linked medium 4 closer to the portable terminal 3 (S526). The mobile terminal 3 sends new second identification information to the interlocking medium 4 via the terminal antenna 322 and the antenna 46 of the interlocking medium 4 and requests updating of the identification information (S528). The linking medium 4 updates the first identification information held in the identification information holding unit 456 with the received new second identification information (S530). That is, the linked medium 4 replaces the first identification information in the identification information holding unit 456 with new second identification information.

  Thereafter, the user 5 inserts the interlocking medium 4 into the medium receiving section 22 of the toy 2 (S532). The toy 2 detects that the interlocking medium 4 has been inserted into the medium receiving section 22, and requests identification information from the interlocking medium 4 via the toy contact 238 and the medium contact 42 that contact each other (S534). The linking medium 4 transmits the new second identification information, which is the identification information updated by the mobile terminal 3, from the identification information holding unit 456 to the toy 2 (S536). The toy 2 selects the third effect data (different from the first effect data) corresponding to the received new second identification information (S538). The toy 2 outputs the third effect (different from the first effect) corresponding to the second identification information by processing the selected third effect data (S540).

  Although FIG. 10 corresponds to the case where the identification information is updated by the mobile terminal 3, the identification information may be updated by the toy 2. In this case, the flow of processing in the system 1 conforms to the flow shown in FIG.

  A first application example of the system 1 will be described. In the first application example, the fire attribute belt effect data is video data that specifies an image of a battle form with a fire attribute, sound data that specifies the sound of “Fire! Meramela!”, And light that specifies the red lighting of the LED. And data. The water attribute belt effect data includes video data that defines an image of a water attribute battle form, sound data that defines the sound of “Water! Zabbahn!”, And optical data that defines the blue lighting of the LED. The fire attribute deathblow technique belt effect data includes video data that defines an image of a fire attribute deathblow technique, sound data that defines a sound “gooo!”, And light data that defines red blinking of an LED. The water attribute deathblow technique belt effect data includes video data that defines an image of a water attribute deathblow technique, sound data that defines the voice of “Zazaza!”, And light data that defines the blue blinking of the LED. The effect data table 250 includes fire attribute belt effect data corresponding to the identification information “F1”, water attribute belt effect data corresponding to the identification information “W1”, and fire attribute deadly technique belt effect corresponding to the identification information “F2”. Data and the water attribute deadly technique belt effect data corresponding to the identification information “W2”.

  The fire attribute terminal effect data includes video data that defines a moving image having a determined pose with a fire attribute, and sound data that defines an audio sound of “Fire! The water attribute terminal effect data includes video data defining a moving image of a determined pose of the water attribute, and sound data defining an audio sound of “Water! The fire attribute deathblow terminal production data includes video data that defines a moving image of a fire attribute deathblow, and sound data that defines a sound “gooo!”. The water-attribute deathblow terminal production data includes video data that defines a moving image of a water-attribute deathblow, and sound data that defines the sound “Zazaza!”. The terminal effect data table 324 includes the fire attribute terminal effect data corresponding to the identification information “F1”, the water attribute terminal effect data corresponding to the identification information “W1”, and the fire attribute deadly technique terminal corresponding to the identification information “F2”. Effect data and water attribute special technique terminal effect data corresponding to the identification information “W2” are included. In addition, the terminal holding unit 312 of the mobile terminal 3 holds a description of a fighting power and a skill, a list of battle forms, and a hero list of friends. By performing a predetermined operation on the portable terminal 3, it is possible to perform an effect of displaying a voice or an image of a commentary on a fighting power or a technique, or a fellow hero.

  Under the condition that the interlocking medium 4 (hereinafter, badge) holding the identification information “F1” is attached to the toy 2 (hereinafter, belt), a predetermined condition (the result of the mini-game with the belt, the number of times played, and the special operation) When the input is satisfied, the belt outputs an effect produced by the fire attribute deadly technique belt effect data instead of the fire attribute belt effect data. That is, the identification information may be updated based on performing a predetermined operation on the toy 2. The belt changes (updates) the identification information held in the badge from “F1” to “F2”. That is, when the badge (interlocking medium 4) and the belt (toy) communicate via the contact points, the identification information (data of the interlocking medium 4) held in the badge is updated. After that, the portable terminal 3 reads the changed identification information “F2” from the badge, and outputs the effect specified by the fire attribute special technique terminal effect data. In other words, the portable terminal 3 and the badge (interlocking medium 4) communicate without contact, so that the changed identification information “F2” (updated data of the interlocking medium 4) is applied to the mobile terminal 3 (mobile terminal 3). The effect of No. 3 is updated from the effect specified in the fire attribute terminal effect data to the effect specified by the fire attribute deadly technique terminal effect data). There are a plurality of different types of badges, and different types of identification information can be stored. That is, there is an interlocking medium 4 holding the identification information “F1” and an interlocking medium 4 of a different type from the interlocking medium 4. Can be retained. Similarly, for a badge holding the identification information “W1”, if a predetermined condition is satisfied in a state where the badge holding the identification information “W1” is attached to the belt, the belt is replaced with the water attribute instead of the water attribute belt effect data. The effect produced by the special technique belt effect data is output. The belt changes (updates) the identification information held in the badge from “W1” to “W2”. After that, the portable terminal 3 reads the changed identification information “W2” from the badge, and outputs a rendering effect defined by the water attribute deadly technique terminal rendering data.

  The mobile terminal 3 accepts a selection of a battle form (fire attribute or water attribute) from the user. The mobile terminal 3 updates the identification information held in the badge based on the selected battle form. For example, when the mobile terminal 3 receives a change from the user to the water attribute while the badge holds the identification information “F1”, the mobile terminal 3 changes the badge identification information from “F1” to “W1”. I do. That is, the mobile terminal 3 updates the identification information (data) of the badge (interlocking medium 4) by communicating the non-contact between the mobile terminal 3 and the badge (interlocking medium 4). Thereafter, when the badge is worn on the belt, an effect produced by the water attribute belt effect data is output from the belt. That is, the updated badge identification information “W1” is applied to the toy by communicating via a contact point between the badge whose identification information has been updated (the linked medium 4 whose data has been updated) and the belt (toy). (The effect of the toy is updated (changed) from the effect specified by the fire attribute belt effect data to the effect specified by the water attribute belt effect data).

  The mobile terminal 3 accepts setting of attribute information such as a user name. The mobile terminal 3 adds the attribute information set by the user to the identification information held in the badge. The belt also reads the attribute information when reading the identification information from the badge. The belt outputs an effect specified by the read identification information and also outputs attribute information. This enables a user-specific effect. For example, it is possible to combine the user's name (takel) and attack name (kick) and output the sound “takeru kei!” And the blinking of the LED in accordance with the video in which the hero kicks.

  The belt writes the information of the battle form that has been read and the information of another hero on the badge (that is, updates the data of the interlocking medium 4). The mobile terminal 3 reads such information from the badge, and updates and displays the battle form and the hero list of the allies (that is, the updated data of the interlocked medium 4 is applied to the mobile terminal 3). ). Also, the portable terminal 3 writes the information of the battle form that has been read or the information of another hero on the badge (that is, updates the data of the interlocking medium 4), and the belt reads such information from the badge. Then, the battle form and the hero list of the friends are updated and displayed (that is, the updated data of the interlocked medium 4 is made to be a toy).

  A second application example of the system 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating exemplary transitions of screens of the toy 2 and the mobile terminal 3 according to the second application example. In the second application example, a combination of a character ID for identifying a character (hereinafter, a hero) related to a toy 2 (hereinafter, a belt) and a level of the hero is used as identification information. The rendering effect is a hero's video and audio for each hero and for each level. The production effect corresponding to the initial hero level 1 is simple video and audio, and the production effect of the hero level MAX after the level-up is a very fierce video and audio. That is, the effect produced by the toy 2 (“first terminal”) is associated with the character related to the toy 2.

  It is assumed that the identification information held in the interlocking medium 4 is a character ID “AAA001” and a level “32” as shown in FIG. When the user 5 wears the interlocking medium 4 (hereinafter, badge) on the belt, an image corresponding to the level “32” of the character “hero A1” corresponding to the character ID “AAA001” is displayed on the display 24 of the belt. . In addition, a sound effect is output from the speaker 26.

  Next, the user 5 downloads and installs the game application program in which the hero defeats the enemy to the mobile terminal 3. When the user 5 starts the game application program, a prompt message is displayed on the touch panel display 32 of the mobile terminal 3 to urge the badge to approach the mobile terminal 3. The user 5 brings the badge close to the mobile terminal 3, and the mobile terminal 3 performs non-contact communication with the badge. The mobile terminal 3 causes the character “hero A1” of level “32” to appear in the game based on the identification information read from the badge.

  The mobile terminal 3 outputs an effect for causing the appeared “hero A1” to fight the enemy. The user 5 operates the “hero A1” by tapping the touch panel display 32 and successfully defeats the enemy. The mobile terminal 3 outputs a staging effect of giving the experience value as a reward for defeating the enemy to the “hero A1” of the user 5. When the level increases as a result of obtaining the experience value, the portable terminal 3 outputs an effect for notifying the user 5 of the level increase. In this case, the mobile terminal 3 determines that the identification information of the badge should be updated, and determines the new identification information of the update destination as the level “33” (the character ID is not changed). The mobile terminal 3 displays a prompt message on the touch panel display 32 urging the user to bring the badge closer to the mobile terminal 3. When the user 5 brings the badge closer to the mobile terminal 3, the mobile terminal 3 changes the level held in the badge from “32” to “33”. That is, the mobile terminal 3 updates the data of the badge (interlocking medium 4) by the non-contact communication between the mobile terminal 3 and the badge (interlocking medium 4).

  Next, when the user 5 wears the badge on the belt, an image corresponding to the level “33” of the character “hero A1” is displayed on the display 24 of the belt. The image corresponding to level “33” is more intense than the image corresponding to level “32”. In the example of FIG. 10, the hero A1 corresponding to the level “33” is drawn so as to have a corner at the head. That is, the badge (interlocking medium 4) and the belt (toy 2) communicate via the contact point, and the updated badge level “33” (updated data of the interlocking medium 4) is transferred to the belt (toy 2). (The effect of the belt (toy 2) is updated from an image corresponding to the level “32” of the character “hero A1” to an image corresponding to the level “33” of the character “hero A1” It has become).

  A third application example of the system 1 will be described. In the third application example, a character ID that specifies a character (hereinafter, a hero) related to the toy 2 (hereinafter, a belt) is used as identification information. When the user 5 wears the interlocking medium 4 (hereinafter, a badge) on the belt, a transformation scene of the character “hero A1” is displayed on the display 24.

  The provider of the toy 2 is conducting a download campaign of the game application program. Users who download the game application program during the campaign are provided with a free upgrade of the character. The user 5 starts the game application program on the mobile terminal 3 and brings the badge close to the mobile terminal 3. The mobile terminal 3 acquires the character ID from the badge, and causes the touch panel display 32 to display an image of the character “hero A1”. The mobile terminal 3 inquires of the user 5 whether or not to apply the upgrade by the campaign. When the user 5 desires to apply the upgrade, the portable terminal 3 outputs an effect of upgrading the character “hero A1” to the character “hero ZZZ”. The mobile terminal 3 determines that the identification information of the badge should be updated, and determines the new identification information of the update destination as the character ID “BCD002” that specifies the character “hero ZZZ”. The mobile terminal 3 displays a prompt message on the touch panel display 32 urging the user to bring the badge closer to the mobile terminal 3. When the user 5 brings the badge close to the mobile terminal 3, the mobile terminal 3 changes the character ID held in the badge from “AAA001” to “BCD002”. Thereafter, when the user 5 wears the badge on the belt, a transformation scene of the character “hero ZZZ” is displayed on the display 24 of the belt. As described above, the identification information may be updated based on not only the game result, the number of times played, the presence or absence of the operation input, and the result, but also various arbitrary conditions.

  A fourth application example of the system 1 will be described. In the fourth application example, a combination of a character ID for identifying a character (hereinafter, a hero) related to a toy 2 (hereinafter, a belt), an unlock flag, and a last updated route flag is used as identification information. First, the identification information of the interlocked medium 4 (hereinafter, badge) is (character ID “AAA001”, unlock flag “N”, and last updated route flag “RF”).

  The provider of Toy 2 is conducting a belt purchase campaign. Users who purchase a belt during the campaign are provided with the potential release of the character. The user 5 who has purchased the belt wears the badge on the belt. The belt causes the display 24 to display a transformation scene of the character “hero A1”. This transformation scene corresponds to (“AAA001”, “N”, “RF”). The belt changes the last updated path flag of the badge from “RF” to “TC”. In other words, the badge (interlocking medium 4) and the belt (toy 2) communicate via the contact point, thereby updating the final update path flag (data of the interlocking medium 4) of the badge. Further, as described above, the identification information may be updated based on the last updated route flag.

  Next, the user 5 starts the game application program on the mobile terminal 3 and brings the badge close to the mobile terminal 3. The mobile terminal 3 acquires (“AAA001”, “N”, “TC”) from the badge, and causes the touch panel display 32 to display an image of the character “hero A1” corresponding to the combination. The mobile terminal 3 determines whether or not it is a campaign application target based on the last updated route flag. “TC” of the final update route flag corresponds to the fact that the user 5 has purchased the belt, and “RF” has not yet purchased the belt. Since the acquired final update route flag is “TC”, the mobile terminal 3 determines that the mobile terminal 3 is a target to which the campaign is applied. The mobile terminal 3 outputs an effect of upgrading the character “hero A1” to the character “hero A1 (revised)”. In other words, the portable terminal 3 and the badge (interlocking medium 4) communicate without contact, so that the final update route flag (updated data of the interlocking medium 4) of the updated badge is applied to the mobile terminal 3. Has become. The mobile terminal 3 determines that the identification information of the badge should be updated, and determines the new identification information of the update destination to be (“AAA001”, “Y”, “TC”). The mobile terminal 3 displays a prompt message on the touch panel display 32 urging the user to bring the badge closer to the mobile terminal 3. When the user 5 brings the badge close to the mobile terminal 3, the mobile terminal 3 changes the unlock flag held in the badge from “N” to “Y”. That is, the portable terminal 3 updates the unlock flag of the badge (data of the linked medium 4) by communicating the non-contact between the portable terminal 3 and the badge (the linked medium 4). Thereafter, when the user 5 wears the badge on the belt, a transformation scene of the character “hero A1 (revised)” is displayed on the display 24 of the belt. This transformation scene corresponds to (“AAA001”, “Y”, “TC”). In other words, the badge (interlocking medium 4) and the belt (toy 2) communicate via the contact, so that the updated badge unlock flag (updated interlocking medium 4 data) is transferred to the belt (toy 2). To work. Further, as described above, since the interlocking medium of the user who owns the predetermined toy can be updated with special identification information, the user can play a wider way by owning more toys. Also, the user can be motivated to own more toys.

  A fifth application example of the system 1 will be described. In the fifth application example, a combination of a character ID for specifying a character (hereinafter, a hero) related to a toy 2 (hereinafter, a belt) and an unlock flag is used as identification information. First, the identification information of the interlocking medium 4 (hereinafter, badge) is the character ID “AAA001”, and the unlock flag “N” is also stored in the nonvolatile memory of the interlocking medium 4 as information associated therewith. ing.

  In the fifth application example, when a special operation is performed on the belt with the badge attached to the belt, the potential of the character is released. The user 5 wears the badge on the belt. The belt causes the display 24 to display a transformation scene of the character “hero A1”. This transformation scene corresponds to the character ID “AAA001”. Next, the user 5 performs a special button operation on the belt. The belt outputs an effect for upgrading the character “hero A1” to the character “hero A1 (revised)”. The belt determines that the information associated with the badge identification information should be updated and changes the unlock flag held on the badge from "N" to "Y". That is, the unlock flag (data of the interlocking medium 4) of the badge is updated by the communication between the badge (the interlocking medium 4) and the belt (the toy 2) via the contact point. In other words, the control unit of the belt (toy 2) determines the unlock flag “Y” indicating that a special button operation has been performed on the belt (information of the result of the user operation) and the character ID “AAA001” (identification information). ) Is stored in the nonvolatile memory of the badge (interlocking medium 4).

  After that, the user 5 starts the game application program on the mobile terminal 3 and brings the badge close to the mobile terminal 3. The mobile terminal 3 acquires (“AAA001”, “Y”) from the badge, and causes the touch panel display 32 to display an image of the character “hero A1 (revised)” corresponding to the combination. That is, in order to acquire information of the unlock flag “Y” (information of the result of the user operation) indicating that a special button operation has been performed on the belt, the portable terminal 3 uses the badge (interlocked medium 4). This means that the nonvolatile memory is configured to be wirelessly accessible. In addition, since the portable terminal 3 and the badge (interlocking medium 4) communicate without contact, the updated unlock flag of the badge (updated data of the interlocking medium 4) is applied to the mobile terminal 3. ing.

  According to the system 1 according to the present embodiment, data can be exchanged and updated relatively freely among the portable terminal 3, the interlocking medium 4, and the toy 2, so that the range of ways of playing that can be proposed to the user is wide. spread. In particular, it is possible to provide an effect that cannot be realized by only two persons, and to more strongly attract the interest of the user. Furthermore, since the toy 2 does not need to include a reader / writer for non-contact communication while realizing such three-member interlocking, the manufacturing cost of the toy 2 can be reduced. Therefore, a cheaper platform that can propose various ways of playing is provided.

  In particular, since the toy 2 can be provided at a relatively low price, even a young user can experience various games using the interlocking medium 4 by using the toy 2. Therefore, various games using the interlocking medium 4 capable of contactless communication can be provided to users of a wider age group.

  Further, in the system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to access the nonvolatile memory of the interlocking medium 4 by the power supplied from the toy 2 to the interlocking medium 4. In addition, the power supplied from the portable terminal 3 to the interlocking medium 4 allows the non-volatile memory of the interlocking medium 4 to be accessed. Therefore, since the interlocking medium 4 does not need to have a power source such as a battery, the manufacturing cost of the interlocking medium 4 can be reduced.

  Further, in the system 1 according to the present embodiment, both the portable terminal 3 and the toy 2 access the same area in the nonvolatile memory of the interlocking medium 4, that is, the identification information holding unit 456. Therefore, it is possible for the toy 2 to read the identification information updated by the mobile terminal 3 and to read the identification information updated by the toy 2. As a result, data cooperation between the toy 2 and the portable terminal 3 becomes easier.

  Further, in the system 1 according to the embodiment, the interlocking medium 4 has a configuration that allows the existence of IC terminals such as the FD terminal 444 and the VOUT terminal 447 (first electrode pad 421) that are not necessary for data cooperation. Therefore, not only ICs designed to support both contactless communication and contact connection, but also ICs that support contactless communication but do not assume contact connection can be used as the IC 44. If the latter can be procured at a lower cost, adopting the latter can reduce the manufacturing cost of the interlocking medium 4.

  The configuration and operation of the system 1 according to the embodiment have been described above. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

  In the embodiment, the case where the identification information holding unit 456 of the interlocking medium 4 holds one piece of identification information has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the non-volatile memory of the interlocking medium may hold a plurality of different pieces of identification information, at least one of which is activated. The identification information activated in the interlocking medium may be changed by a toy or a mobile terminal. Each of the toy and the mobile terminal may acquire the newly activated identification information as a result of the change.

  FIG. 12 is an exemplary perspective view of the interlocking medium 604 according to the first modification. The main difference between the interlocking medium 604 according to the first modification and the interlocking medium 4 according to the embodiment is the appearance and the data structure of the identification information holding unit. The interlocking medium 604 is configured to be detachable from the toy 2. On a surface 606 of the interlocking medium 604, each of a plurality of characters or items related to the toy 2 and a plurality of expressions each related to each other are drawn. These expressions are visible to the user 5. In particular, a picture corresponding to the item "whip" is drawn on the upper surface 608 of the interlocking medium 604, a picture corresponding to the item "sword" is drawn on the side face 610, and an item "sickle" is drawn on the front face 612. The corresponding picture is drawn. Instead of drawing directly on the surface 606 of the interlocking medium 4, a sticker with a picture may be attached to the surface 606. The expression is not limited to a picture, but may be a shape, a character, or the like.

  FIG. 13 is a data structure diagram illustrating an example of the identification information holding unit 614 according to the first modification. The identification information holding unit 614 holds an item ID for identifying an item related to the toy 2, an attack power of the item, a durability of the item, and an activation flag in association with each other. The item ID “K01” corresponds to the item “whip”, the item ID “K02” corresponds to the item “sword”, and the item ID “K03” corresponds to the item “sickle”. That is, an item ID (identification) corresponding to at least one of a picture corresponding to the item “whip”, a picture corresponding to the item “sword”, and a picture (“plural expressions”) corresponding to the item “sickle” Information). Further, item IDs whose activation flag is “Y” are activated, and item IDs whose activation flag is “N” are inactivated. The activation flag is set to “Y” for any one of the three item IDs and “N” for the other two. That is, the item ID (identification information) corresponding to each of the picture corresponding to the item “whip”, the picture corresponding to the item “sword”, and the picture (“plural expressions”) corresponding to the item “sickle” is held. That is, one of the item IDs is activated.

  When the identification information is requested from the toy 2 or the mobile terminal 3, the interlocking medium 604 uses the identification information held in the identification information holding unit 614, that is, the activated item ID among the item IDs, to the toy 2 or the mobile terminal 3. Send to The activated item ID is an item ID for which the corresponding activation flag is “Y”. The toy 2 or the mobile terminal 3 outputs an image of the item corresponding to the acquired item ID. Each of the toy 2 and the mobile terminal 3 changes the activation flag of the interlocking medium 604 based on the operation content of the user 5.

  For example, when an operation to change the item represented by the interlocking medium 604 from “whip” to “sword” is performed on the mobile terminal 3, the mobile terminal 3 accesses the identification information holding unit 614 and activates the item ID “K01”. The flag is changed from “Y” to “N”, and the activation flag of the item ID “K02” is changed from “N” to “Y”. That is, the item ID (identification information) activated in the interlocking medium 604 is changed by the mobile terminal 3. Thereafter, when the interlocking medium 604 is attached to the toy 2, the toy 2 acquires the item ID “K02” newly activated as a result of the change, and causes the display 24 to display an image of the item “sword”.

  According to the interlocking medium 604 according to this modification, the identification information that can be set in the interlocking medium 604 and the appearance of the interlocking medium 604 are linked, so that the user 5 can more intuitively understand the possibility of changing the identification information. For example, the user 5 understands from the appearance of the interlocking medium 604 that the interlocking medium 604 can be any of a “whip”, “sword”, and “sickle”, and is actually held in the interlocking medium 604 as described above. The identification information corresponds to one of the three. This is particularly advantageous when the item or the character itself can be changed.

  In the embodiment, the case where the toy 2 has a power supply has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the toy 2 may not have a power supply. The mobile terminal 3 has a power source (“second power source” according to the present invention), and the interlocking medium 4 wirelessly supplies power from the mobile terminal 3 (“another device” according to the present invention) via the antenna 46. When the power is received and the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the medium receiving portion 22 of the toy 2, the power supply from the portable terminal 3 may be relayed by the interlocking medium 4 and supplied to the toy 2. .

  In the embodiment, the type of the toy 2 is not mentioned, but the toy may include a first toy and a second toy of different types from each other. The first toy and the second toy may be configured to select different effect data for effect data to be selected according to the identification information read from the nonvolatile memory of the interlocking medium 4. For example, the first toy is for a boy, the second toy is for a girl, the first toy outputs a cooler effect for the same identification information, and the second toy outputs a more cute effect, Even with the same identification information, different effect effects may be output from different types of toys. In this case, a richer user experience can be provided depending on the type of toy.

  In the embodiment, the case where each of the toy 2 and the portable terminal 3 outputs the effect according to the identification information has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, information associated with the identification information read from the nonvolatile memory of the interlocking medium 4 may be output. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the toy output unit may cause the display to display the level and the experience value corresponding to the character ID in addition to the video corresponding to the character specified by the character ID. In addition, in the example illustrated in FIG. 13, in addition to the image of the item specified by the item ID, the terminal output unit may cause the touch panel display to display the attack power and the durability corresponding to the item ID.

  The information associated with the identification information is information related to a game result (for example, increase / decrease of points, characters, items, techniques, friends (names of other users), etc.) performed on the toy 2 or the mobile terminal 3. And list), attribute information set on the toy 2 or the mobile terminal 3 (for example, profile (user name, date of birth, favorite thing, best friend, etc.), schedule, name given to the character by the user, etc.) May be included. A rendering effect based on such information may be output.

  In the embodiment, the case where the system 1 includes the mobile terminal 3 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the mobile terminal 3 need not be a terminal capable of contactless communication with the interlocking medium 4. For example, the non-contact communication may be performed between a store housing, a game machine, an arcade game machine, or a personal computer or a television capable of non-contact communication and the interlocking medium 4.

  In the embodiment, the case where the contact structure of the compression leaf connector type is used has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any contact structure that realizes electrical connection by contact may be used. For example, a pin-type contact or a spring-type contact may be used.

  In the embodiment, the case where the portable terminal 3 has the terminal effect data table 324 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the terminal effect data table may be stored in the server system 10, and the portable terminal may transmit the identification information to the server system 10 and download the corresponding effect data from the server system 10.

  In the embodiment, the effect produced depending on the same identification information may be different depending on whether the interlocking medium 4 is attached to the toy 2 or not. In this case, a richer user experience can be provided.

  In the embodiment, the case where the interlocking medium 4 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a minicar type, a medal type, a doll type, or the like. Further, in the embodiment, the case where the toy 2 is a belt-type toy has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may.

  In the embodiment, the case where the identification information is stored in the interlocking medium 4 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the interlocking medium may mediate the rendering data itself. In one example, the mobile terminal downloads new effect data from the network. The mobile terminal writes the downloaded effect data to the link medium. Thereafter, when the interlocking medium is attached to the toy, new effect data is passed from the interlocking medium to the toy, and the toy outputs an effect based on the new effect data. As an application example, the new effect data corresponds to a new character, and the toy outputs video and audio of the new character.

  1 system, 2 toys, 3 portable terminal, 4 linked media, 5 users.

Claims (5)

Toy is configured so as to be detachable, respectively, a storage medium in which a plurality of representations is attached in visible manner, each associated, the multiple representations of a plurality of characters or items associated with the toy A non-volatile memory that holds identification information corresponding to at least one of the above, and an antenna,
The storage medium, when attached to the toy, is configured to be able to access the non-volatile memory by power supplied to the storage medium from the toy, and
The storage medium is configured such that, when power is wirelessly supplied from a device different from the toy via the antenna, the another device can wirelessly access the nonvolatile memory via the antenna. configured have storage medium characterized Rukoto. Further comprising a first contact,
When the storage medium is attached to the toy, the first contact contacts the second contact of the toy,
When the first contact and the second contact are in contact, the storage medium is supplied with power from the toy via the first contact and the second contact, and the storage medium includes the first contact and The storage medium according to claim 1 , wherein the toy is configured to be able to access the non-volatile memory via the second contact. The power supply from the another device is relayed to the toy when the first contact and the second contact are in contact with each other and the power is wirelessly received from the another device. 3. The storage medium according to 2 . The nonvolatile memory according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the nonvolatile memory holds identification information corresponding to each of the plurality of expressions, and one of the identification information is activated. The storage medium according to the above. The storage medium according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the storage medium has a plurality of different types, and the non-volatile memory holds different identification information for each type of the storage medium. .

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