JPH06351019A - Executing method for end-to-center mode television game - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute a game in the end-to-center communication make of a TV terminal side and a center side without transmitting a game program by using a bidirectional multiple communication line such as a CATV line. CONSTITUTION:Reservation data [its own device ID and a designated game number(J)] is transmitted from a TV terminal side 2-i to a center side 1 by using the channel for reservation of a CATV line 3, and a computer 12 of the center side 1 confirms the presence or absence of an empty channel and whether or not a game machine main body 7-j of a designated game is unused. When the empty channel is present, and the game machine main body 7-j is unused, the game machine main body 7-j is line-connected with the TV terminal side 2-i through the empty channel by controlling a channel selector 11 and a game machine selector 9. Afterwards, the game of the game program of a RDM 8-j is executed by an operation input from a game operating part 6-i.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an end-to-center system video game executing method, which relates to a CATV (Cable t
(elevision) line and in-building / indoor broadcast line, etc.
The terminal side where the (TV) is installed and the center side (CATV)
(Broadcasting station or building / indoor broadcasting management section, etc.),
The present invention relates to a method for executing a video game by accessing a game program on the center side from a game operating unit provided on the terminal side while the game program is stored on the center side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of CATV, the service area of CATV broadcasting stations is also expanding, and each station provides its own programs to viewers using a large number of channels of CATV circuits. Is used as a two-way communication line, participation in quiz programs where the viewer side is the sender of information, home shopping, etc.
It is also possible to conduct real-time polls.

On the other hand, with the rapid spread of home video games, video game machines are expected to be the core of multimedia systems together with TVs. Recently, video game machines are connected to the CATV line. ,
A network has been established that can receive various game programs from the CATV broadcasting station and execute various video games.

The schematic structure of this system is as shown in FIG. 3, and the center side 51 has a CATV broadcasting station.
52 is installed, a memory (ROM) 53 storing a large number of game programs, a host station computer 54 for controlling transfer of each game program, and a modem 55 are provided, while a TV terminal side 56 -1 to n is CAT
V tuners 57-1 to n, modems 58-1 to n, and game console body
59-1 to 59-n, game operating sections 60-1 to 60-n, RAMs 61-1 to 60-n for saving game programs, and TVs 62-1 to 60-n are provided.

When playing a game on the TV terminals 56-1 to 5n in this system, the game operation units 60-1 to 60n are operated to notify the center side 51 of a request for transmission of a desired game program. The host station computer 54 of the center side 51 which has received the program reads the specified game program from the ROM 53 and transmits it to the TV terminal side 56-1 to n, and the TV terminal side 56-1 to n temporarily stores the received game program in the RAM 61. -Save to -1 to n. In this case, the notification data and the game program are transmitted by using an empty channel of the CATV line 63. Then, after that, with the game program saved in the RAMs 61-1 to 61-n, the game operation unit 60-1
Based on the operation signal from ~ n, the game machine main body 59-1 ~ n is RAM
As in the case of accessing 61-1 to n and using a normal video game machine, the video game is executed while watching the video and audio displayed / output on the TVs 62-1 to n.

[0006]

By the way, in the above system, a set of game programs is transmitted from the center side 51 to each T
It transmits to the V terminal side 56-1 to n. Therefore, TV terminal side 56-1
With ~ n, you can enjoy various games without having to purchase the latest game software (game ROM cassettes and CDs) individually. In addition to commercially available game software, arcade games such as arcade games are also available. There is an advantage that it can be stored and various games can be provided. However, according to the above method, the entire game program is transmitted to the TV terminals 56-1 to 5n, so T
It is possible to copy it without permission on the V terminal side 56-1 to 5n, which causes a copyright problem regarding the computer program.

Further, since the game program has a considerable amount of data, a large capacity memory must be used for the RAMs 61-1 to n of the TV terminals 56-1 to n, and the transmission time of the game program is further increased. Since it becomes long, the traffic volume of the CATV line 63 becomes large, and the waiting time from the application to the center side 51 to the start of the game becomes long.

On the other hand, in the current CATV network, C
About 60 channels are provided on the ATV line, but about 20 to 30 channels are actually used, and 30 to 40 channels are unused.

In view of the above, the present invention utilizes the unused channels of the CATV line to remotely control a game program stored on the center side from a game operating section provided on the TV terminal side to execute a video game. Provide
It was created for the purpose of realizing a video game service that does not cause the above problems. Further, the communication line in that case is not limited to the CATV line, but a communication line such as a building / indoor broadcast line that enables bidirectional communication and is multiplexed can be used. It is also intended to realize the same service as above in the area.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in an end-to-center type two-way multiplex communication line network, a storage means for storing a plurality of video game programs on the center side, and each video game of the storage means. A plurality of game machine main bodies for executing the program, a game machine selecting means for selecting the game machine main body, a channel selecting means for selecting a channel of the bidirectional multiplex communication line, and a control for controlling the game machine selecting means and the channel selecting means. On the other hand, on the other hand, the terminal side is provided with a tuner for selecting a channel of the two-way multiplex communication line, a television receiver connected to the tuner, and a game operating means, and from the game operating means on the terminal side. By entering the specified game number, reservation data including the specified game number and own machine identification data is reserved Transmitted to the center side through the channel, the control means on the center side that received the reservation data confirms the channel use state of the bidirectional multiplex communication line and the use / non-use state of the game machine main body related to the designated game number, When the main body of the game console is unused, the idle channel notification data is transmitted to the terminal side through the reservation channel, and the terminal side receiving the idle channel notification data sets the empty channel notified by the tuner. Then, the communication preparation completion notification data is transmitted to the center side, and the control means on the center side which has received the communication preparation completion notification data sets the channel selection means to the empty channel and the game machine selection means specifies the game number. Select and start the game console body related to
Hereinafter, the present invention relates to an end-to-center type video game execution method characterized by executing a video game through the set channel.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the terminal side and the center side, which are connected by the bidirectional multiplex communication line, perform communication through the reservation channel until the start of execution of the video game. The terminal side sends the reservation data (specified game number and own machine identification data) input from the game operation means to the center side, and the control means on the center side confirms the empty channel at that time and executes the game program of the specified game. It is confirmed whether or not the corresponding game machine body is unused, and the terminal side is notified of available free channels on condition that the game machine body is unused.

By the notification, the terminal side can confirm the channel used for executing the game, set the tuner to the notified channel, and return the communication preparation completion notification data to the center side. Then, the control means on the center side sets the channel selection means to the above-mentioned empty channel, and the game machine selection means selects and activates the game machine main body associated with the specified game number, so that between the center side and the terminal side. With this, it becomes possible to execute a specified video game using an empty channel of the two-way multiplex communication line.

[0013]

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the "end-to-center type video game execution method" of the present invention (communication line is CA
The case of a TV line) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. First, FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of a center side and a TV terminal side connected by a CATV line. In the figure, the center side 1 and each TV terminal side 2-1 to p are connected by a CATV line 3 capable of bidirectional communication. In normal broadcasting, the CATV broadcasting station 4 on the center side 1 is connected to the CATV line. The TV signal of each broadcast is output through each channel of 3 and the broadcast of the channel set by the CATV tuner 5-1 to 5-1 to 2-1 to p of the TV terminal side is displayed and output from TV 6-1 to p. To be done. Although the CATV line 3 has 60 channels, 30 channels are actually used for TV broadcasting, and the remaining channels are unused channels.

The characteristics of the center side 1 and the TV terminal sides 2-1 to 2-1 to p in this CATV network are as follows. Regarding the center side 1; n game machine bodies 7-1 to n are provided, and ROMs (cassettes) 8-1 to 8 that store different game programs for each game machine body 7-1 to n n is set. Game console selector to select each game console 7-1 ~ n
9 and (n + 1) modems 10-0, 1-n and a channel selector 11 for selecting an empty channel are provided. The channel selector 11 always opens the reserved channel, and communicates with the TV terminal side 2-1 to n on the reserved channel via the modem 10-0 to control the game machine selector 9 and the channel selector 11. Is provided. Further, the computer 12 records the charging information and the like in the attached disk device 13.

Regarding the TV terminal side 2-1 to p: The game operation section 16-1 to p is connected to the CATV tuner 5-1 to p via the modem 14-1 to p and the I / F 15-1 to p. Has been done. The I / Fs 15-1 to 15-p convert the input signals from the game operating units 16-1 to 16-p into code data and output them to the modems 14-1 to 14-p.

Next, in the above configuration, the TV terminal side 2-
The procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 by taking as an example the case of executing a video game of the game program (j) with i. First, to play a video game on the TV terminal side 2-i, the game operation unit 16
-The instruction is given by pressing the game mode setting button of i and inputting the desired game number from the numeric keypad (T1). Then, the I / F15-i inputs C by the instruction input.
ATV tuner 5-i is set as a reservation channel, and its own ID and designated game number (j) are used as reservation data for C
It is transmitted to the center side 1 via the ATV line 3 (T2).

Here, on the center side 1, the channel selector 11 connects the reservation channel to the modem 10-0 in advance, and the computer 12 receives the reservation data. Then, the computer 12 receiving the reservation data immediately checks the channel selector 11 for a free channel, and if there is a free channel, the game machine selector 9 causes the game machine body 7 corresponding to the designated game number (j). -If it is confirmed that the game console 7-j is in the unused state by checking whether the game console 7-j is in use, the game console 7-j is ready-set and the TV terminal side 2- Returns an empty channel number as specified channel data to i (C1 to C6).

On the other hand, in the above check, if the game is being executed on all unused channels and there are no free channels, the channel FULL notification data is returned and the game associated with the designated game number (j) is returned. Machine body
If 7-j is in use, it returns in-use notification data (C2, C4). Then, in these cases, the TV terminal 2-i waits until an empty channel occurs, or respecifies another desired game number. If the number of TV terminals 2-1 to 2-1 (p) is less than the number of unused channels 30 of the CATV line 3 (for example, in the case of a local CATV line in a hotel, etc.), there are always free channels. Therefore, the sequence related to the above-mentioned check of empty channels and notification of channel FULL becomes unnecessary.

Next, on the TV terminal side 2-i which receives the designated channel data from the center side 1, the CATV tuner 5
-i automatically adjusts and sets the tuning frequency of the channel based on the specified channel data, and when the setting is completed, immediately sends the communication ready notification data to the center side 1 (T
3).

Then, the communication preparation completion notification data is sent to the modem.
Computer 1 on center side 1 received via 10-0
Controls the channel selector 11 to set the specified channel as the currently used channel, sets the charging system, and then the game machine selector 11 sets the game machine main body 7-j corresponding to the specified game number (j). The game start notification data is transmitted to the TV terminal side 2-i through the selected and activated and switched usage channels (C7 to C9).

Therefore, at this stage, the game console main body 7-j on the center side 1 and the game operating section 16-i on the TV terminal side 2-i are [modem 10-j to channel selector 11 to an empty channel of the CATV line 3 ( Specified channel) -CATV tuner 5-i-
Modem 14-i to I / F 15-i], and thereafter, the game machine main body 7-j is the game program stored in the ROM 8-j based on the operation data obtained from the game operation unit 16-i. (j) is accessed and video / audio data according to the progress of the game is transmitted to the TV terminal side 2-i, and TV6-i on the TV terminal side 2-i is obtained from the CATV tuner 5-i. Output those video and audio sequentially based on the signal (C
10, T4). As a result, the operator of the TV terminal side 2-i executes the designated game by operating the game operation unit 16-i while watching the TV 6-i, as in the case of using a normal video game machine. be able to.

When the game is over, the center side
The computer 12 of 1 confirms the end from the game machine selector 9, and writes the billing data counted by the billing system set previously to the disk device 13 (C11, C12).
This billing data is included in the reservation data for the TV.
The terminal side 2-i consists of its own ID, specified game number (j), game execution time data, etc.
It is considered as the basic data of the game / line usage fee charged to the terminal side 2-i. In addition, the center side 1 finally transmits the game end confirmation data to the TV terminal side 2-i, whereby T
On the V-terminal side 2-i, the game mode is released and the initial state before setting the game mode is restored (T5).

As described above, in the present embodiment, by using the CATV line, the game supply system is added to the center side 1 which is originally the CATV broadcasting station 4 to execute the game by the end-to-center system. Although it is possible, a similar network can be configured if the communication line is bidirectionally multiplexed in view of the communication procedure. In other words, hotels often have their own in-building / indoor broadcasting lines, and hotels naturally have each room (room).
Since the TV is installed in the room, if the broadcasting lines are bidirectionally multiplexed, the TV game service can be provided to each room in the same manner as in the above embodiment with the broadcasting management section of a hotel or the like as the center side. You can

In that case, in the system configuration of FIG. 1, the center side 1 is in the broadcast management section, the CATV broadcasting station 4 is in the broadcasting unit, the CATV line 3 is in the building / indoor broadcasting line, and the TV terminal side 2-1. ~ P corresponds to each room side, CATV tuners 5-1 to p correspond to tuner units that selectively tune to each frequency multiplexed in the building / indoor broadcasting line, and network configuration in the local area It becomes possible to execute a video game by.

[0025]

The "end-to-center type video game executing method" of the present invention has the following effects due to the above configuration. According to the method of the present invention, the game program is not transmitted to the terminal side, and the game is executed in real time by end-to-center communication. Therefore, it is impossible to copy the game program. The problem of does not derive. A new remote game service is realized by effectively utilizing unused channels of CATV lines, which are wasted in general CATV broadcasting. Since it does not involve transmission of a game program that has an extremely large amount of data, the time from application to execution of the game is shortened, and there are free channels on the CATV line and in-building / indoor broadcast line, and the specified game is affected. If the game program is unused, the game can be immediately enjoyed on the terminal side. On the terminal side, it suffices to install a game operation unit and adapters, and it is not necessary to provide a game console body or a large-capacity memory, so the hardware installation cost on the terminal side is reduced. It is possible to prepare a wide variety of game programs, and the center side can obtain what kind of games are specified and to what extent as management data, collect popular information on games and replace game programs based on that information. Easy to manage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a center side and a TV terminal side connected by a CATV line according to an embodiment of a video game execution method using a CATV line of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a communication sequence flow chart showing a communication procedure between the center side and the TV terminal side.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of a center side and a TV terminal side connected by a CATV line in a conventional video game execution method using a CATV line.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Center side, 2-1 to p ... TV terminal side, 3 ... CATV line, 4 ... CATV broadcasting station, 5-1 to p ... CATV tuner, 6
-1 to p ... TV, 7-1 to n ... Game console body, 8-1 to n ... ROM
(Cassette: storage means for game program), 9 ... game machine selector (game machine selection means), 10-0, 1 to n ... modem, 11
... Channel selector (channel selection means), 12 ... Computer (control means), 13 ... Disk device, 14-1 to p ... Modem, 15-1 to p ... I / F, 16-1 to p ... Game operation section ( Game operating means), 51 ... Center side, 52 ... CATV broadcasting station, 5
3 ... ROM, 54 ... Host station computer, 55 ... Modem, 5
6-1 to n ... TV terminal side, 57-1 to n ... CATV tuner, 58-
1-n ... Modem, 59-1-n ... Game console main body, 60-1-n ... Game operation part, 61-1-n ... RAM, 62-1-n ... TV.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An end-to-center type bidirectional multiplex communication line network, in the center side, storage means for storing a plurality of video game programs, and a plurality of game machines for executing each video game program in the storage means. A main body, a game machine selecting means for selecting the game machine main body, a channel selecting means for selecting a channel of the bidirectional multiplex communication line, and a control means for controlling the game machine selecting means and the channel selecting means are provided, while the terminal side is provided. Is provided with a tuner for selecting a channel of the bidirectional multiplex communication line, a television receiver connected to the tuner, and game operating means, and by inputting a designated game number from the game operating means on the terminal side. Reservation data, including the designated game number and machine identification data, is sent through the reservation channel. The control means on the center side, which has transmitted the data to the server and has received the reservation data, confirms the channel use state of the bidirectional multiplex communication line and the use / non-use state of the game machine main body related to the designated game number, and then the game machine When the main body is in an unused state, the empty channel notification data is transmitted to the terminal side through the reserved channel,
The control of the center side which receives the communication preparation completion notification data by transmitting the communication preparation completion notification data to the center side by setting the unused channel notified by the tuner on the terminal side receiving the empty channel notification data The means sets the channel selection means to the empty channel, and the game machine selection means selects and activates the game machine main body associated with the specified game number, and thereafter executes the video game through the set channel. An end-to-center video game execution method.