JPH1057628A - Game system using communication line - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system to maintain high real time performance of a game even if participating characters are increased by transmitting only the data on such characters as existing in the display range on the visual display on one user's side among data on all the characters on the other user's side to a data processing device on this one use's side. SOLUTION: The area for characters A-N to be moved and operated by each user is set up to be wider than the range 21A and is displayed at a time on a data processing device on each user's side. The data on characters of the data processing device on the other user's side to be transmitted to the data processing device on one user's side are used as the data on the characters A-C existing in the display range 21A of the data processing device on the user's side. Since only the data on the characters A-C in the display range 21A on the visual display, instead of the data on all the characters A-N, are transmitted to the data processing device on the user's side, the real time performance can be effectively obtained even if the number of characters existing in the moving area is increased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of connecting a plurality of user information processing devices to a host information processing device via a communication line such as a telephone line, and operating each user information processing device. The present invention relates to a game system using a communication line in which characters operate in a common space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, there are provided a large number of game systems which can be performed by each individual user accessing an information processing apparatus at home from a host information processing apparatus via a communication line. In one of the game systems using such a communication line, in a virtual space set by the host-side information processing device, there are respective characters operated by each user connected by the communication means, and these characters are connected to each other. There are game systems that allow you to have a conversation or battle.

In a game system using a communication line as described above, it is important to ensure a high real-time property and to enhance the precision of expressions such as changing the expression of a character. However, in order to ensure high real-time performance, it is necessary to reduce the amount of data transmitted and received between the user-side information processing device and the host-side information processing device. There is a problem that the data amount increases. Therefore, the image data displayed on the user-side information processing device is divided into image data on the background and the like and image data on the character, and the image data on the background and the like are stored in the user-side information processing device. A game system using a communication line transmitted from the host-side information processing device has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-3278).
No. 35). In a game system using this communication line, image data relating to a background or the like possessed by the user side information processing device is combined with image data relating to a character received from the host side information processing device via the communication line to obtain user side information. Since the display data of the game screen in the processing device is generated, it is possible to reduce the amount of information transmission and obtain a high real-time property, and to enable a precise expression of a character or the like.

[0004]

However, in a virtual space set by the host-side information processing device, there are respective characters operated by each user connected by the communication means, and these characters can communicate with each other. In a game system using this type of communication line capable of battles, a virtual space is expanded to be rich in change, and not only a limited number of characters but also a large number operated by an infinite number of users. It is important to enhance the game characteristics that the character can exist and be able to encounter various characters. However, if the number of characters increases by expanding the virtual space, the amount of data that must be transmitted from the host-side information processing device increases in proportion to the number of characters, and high real-time performance is required. It will be difficult to secure. In particular, real-time performance in this type of game system means that the communication speed from the user-side information processing device to the host-side information processing device and from the host-side information processing device to the user-side information processing device is high, It is required that there is no difference in character movement on the display screen between the information processing devices.

Therefore, the present invention increases the amount of information from the host-side information processing device for each user-side information processing device even if the virtual space is expanded and the number of characters participating in the virtual space increases. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game system using a communication line that maintains a high real-time property without using it.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game system using a communication line according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of user-side information processing devices and a host-side information processing device are connected via a communication line. In a game system in which characters operated by the user-side information processing device operate in a common space, a space in which the character can operate is set to a range wider than a range that can be displayed at a time by each user-side information processing device. At the same time, the information about the character of the other user information processing device to be transmitted to the one user information processing device is the information about the character existing within the display range of the screen being displayed on the one user information processing device. It is characterized by.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game system using a communication line according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of user side information processing devices and a host side information processing device are connected via a communication line. In a game system in which each character operating a device operates in a common space, a space in which the character can operate is set to be wider than a range that can be displayed at a time on each user-side information processing device, and The information regarding the character of the other user information processing device to be transmitted to the user information processing device is information regarding a character existing within a predetermined range including the display range of the screen being displayed on one user information processing device. It is characterized by.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game system using a communication line, wherein a plurality of user-side information processing devices and a host-side information processing device are connected via a communication line. In a game system in which each character operating a device operates in a common space, a space in which the character can operate is set to be wider than a range that can be displayed at a time on each user-side information processing device, and The information about the character of another user-side information processing device to be transmitted to the user-side information processing device is information about a character existing within a predetermined range set based on the character whose operation is being operated on one user-side information processing device. It is characterized by having.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game system using a communication line according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of user-side information processing devices and a host-side information processing device are connected via a communication line. In a game system in which each character operating a device operates in a common space, a space in which the character can operate is set to be wider than a range that can be displayed at a time on each user-side information processing device, and The information about the character of the other user-side information processing device to be transmitted to the user-side information processing device is information about a character having a predetermined relationship with the character whose operation is being operated on one user-side information processing device. I do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game system using a communication line according to the first aspect of the present invention. The information on the character of the other information processing apparatus on the user side to be transmitted to the apparatus is information on the character that has changed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game system using a communication line according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of user-side information processing devices and a host-side information processing device are connected via a communication line. In a game system in which each character operating a device operates in a common space, the host-side information processing device grasps the current position of each character and the display range of the screen displayed on each user-side information processing device. A first host-side map file and a second host-side map file for grasping whether or not each character has changed. The display range of the screen being displayed on the device is determined, the character that has changed is determined in the second host-side map file, and the information processing device for one user is determined. The, and transmits the information about the character that result in changes in the display range of the screen being displayed in one user-side information processing apparatus.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game system using a communication line according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of user-side information processing devices and a host-side information processing device are connected via a communication line. In a game system in which each character operating a device operates in a common space, a predetermined information including a current position of each character and a display range of a screen displayed on each user-side information processing device is provided to a host-side information processing device. A first host-side map file for ascertaining the range and a second host-side map file for ascertaining whether or not each character has changed are provided. A predetermined range including the display range of the screen being displayed by the user-side information processing device is determined, and the character that has changed is determined in the second host-side map file. And, on one of the user-side information processing device, and transmits the information about the character that resulted in changes within a predetermined range including the display range of the screen being displayed in one user-side information processing apparatus.

In a game system using a communication line according to the present invention, a plurality of user-side information processing devices and a host-side information processing device are connected via a communication line. In a game system in which each character operating an operation on the device operates in a common space, the host-side information processing device uses the current position of each character and the character whose operation is being operated on each user-side information processing device as a reference. A first host-side map file for grasping the set predetermined range and a second host-side map file for grasping whether or not each character has changed are provided. Determining a predetermined range set on the basis of the character whose operation is being operated by one user-side information processing device, and determining the second host-side map file The character that has changed is determined, and the character that has changed within a predetermined range set based on the character whose operation is being operated by one user-side information processing device is determined as one user-side information processing device. The information is transmitted.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game system using a communication line according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of user-side information processing devices and a host-side information processing device are connected via a communication line. In a game system in which each character operating a device operates in a common space, information about a character of another user-side information processing device that is transmitted to one user-side information processing device is information about a character that has changed. It is characterized by having.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game system using the communication line according to the ninth aspect, wherein the game system using the communication line according to the ninth aspect has a line connection to one user-side information processing apparatus. The information about the character of another user-side information processing device that is transmitted first later is also transmitted including the information about the character that does not change.

A game system using a communication line according to the present invention described in claim 11 is a game system using claim 9 or claim 10.
In the game system using the communication line described in the above,
When the display range displayed on one user-side information processing device newly includes a range that has not been displayed before, a character of another user-side information processing device present in the display range to be newly displayed. The information about the character is transmitted including information about a character that has not changed.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a principle diagram of a game system using a communication line according to the present invention. As shown in the figure,
The game system of the present invention connects the host-side information processing device 1 that provides a game and the user-side information processing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C that receive the game to a communication line 3 via a communication modem, respectively. User side information processing device 2
The present invention relates to a system that can receive a game service provided by the host-side information processing device 1 by accessing from A, 2B, and 2C. The game system of the present invention basically transmits information to each user-side information processing device according to the display status of each user-side information processing device at that time or the status of the character being operated. By determining the character to be transmitted, the amount of data transmitted to each user-side information processing device is kept within a certain range, and high real-time performance is maintained.

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a map file showing a common space in which each character operated by each user can move. In the figure, A to N indicate the position of the character operated by each user, and 21A indicates the display range of the screen of the user-side information processing device 2A. The first embodiment of the present invention relates to a user-side information processing device 2A.
The information on the character of the other user information processing device to be transmitted to the
This is information on characters B and C existing in A. As described above, instead of transmitting information on all the characters A to N to the user-side information processing device 2A, the characters A, which are located within the display range 21A of the screen being displayed by the user-side information processing device 2A, By setting B and C, even if the space in which the character can move is widened and the number of characters existing in the space increases, the amount of information transmitted to each user-side information processing apparatus becomes enormous. Without reducing the real-time performance.
Although the information on the character A operated by the user can be processed in the user-side information processing device 2A, it is more preferable that the information is transmitted from the host-side information processing device. The same applies to the following embodiments.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The same applies to the following embodiments. In the figure, reference numeral 22A denotes a predetermined range set on the basis of the display range 21A of the screen being displayed by the user-side information processing apparatus 2A. For example, in the figure, the display range corresponds to one movement of the character. 21A
The range is larger than the range. In the second embodiment of the present invention, information on a character of another user-side information processing device to be transmitted to the user-side information processing device 2A includes a display range 21A of a screen being displayed on the user-side information processing device 2A. This is information on characters B, C, and D within the predetermined range 22A. Instead of transmitting information on all of the characters A to N in this manner, information on characters A, B, C, and D within a predetermined range 22A including a display range 21A of a screen displayed on the user-side information processing device 2A. Accordingly, as in the first embodiment, even if the number of characters existing in the space increases, the real-time property does not decrease. In particular, according to the present embodiment, for example, by selecting a slightly wider range 22A based on the display range of the screen being displayed on one user-side information processing device, the character D not displayed on the user-side information processing device 2A is selected. Even so, the surrounding situation affected by the character D can be reflected in the display range 21A. Therefore, for example, the shadow of the character D, an aura emanating from the character D in the battle game, an item of the character D, and the like can be reflected in the display range 21A.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 23A indicates a predetermined range set based on the character A whose operation is being performed by the user-side information processing device 2A. For example, in FIG. The range always includes the display range of the screen even when the character A moves to the corner of the display screen. According to the third embodiment of the present invention, information on a character of another user-side information processing device, which is transmitted to the user-side information processing device 2A, is transmitted to the user-side information processing device 2A.
Is information on characters B, C, D, E, and I existing within a predetermined range 23A set and set based on. Instead of transmitting information on all the characters A to N in this manner, characters A, B, C, and C that exist within a predetermined range 23A based on the character A whose operation is being operated on the user-side information processing device 2A. D, E,
Even when the information is limited to I, the real-time property is not reduced as in the first embodiment.
In particular, according to the present embodiment, for example, it is not necessary to recognize the display range 21A of the screen being displayed on each user-side information processing device separately from the position of the character A.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, information about a character of another user-side information processing device to be transmitted to one user-side information processing device is defined as a character whose operation is being operated by one user-side information processing device. This is information on a character having the relationship of. Here, the predetermined relationship is, for example, in the case of a battle game, for example, a relationship in which identifiers assigned to respective characters are the same, such as opponents of the same level when performing level division based on differences in abilities, This refers to a relationship or the like that occurs depending on the situation due to the operation of the user, such as the opponent who has started the battle. As described above, the first embodiment is not limited to transmitting information on all characters, but is limited to information on characters having a predetermined relationship with a character whose operation is being operated by one user-side information processing apparatus. As in the case of, the real-time property is not reduced. In particular, according to the present embodiment, even when the distance to a specific character is outside the range of the display screen, the amount of information to be transmitted is also large in a game in which each other can be displayed and a conversation or a battle can be performed by dividing the screen. The real-time property is not reduced without increasing the number.

In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, information on a character of another user-side information processing device transmitted to one user-side information processing device is set as information on a changed character. In addition, the amount of information to be transmitted can be further reduced, and high real-time performance can be secured. Here, the change means, in addition to a case where the position is changed by an instruction from the user side information processing device,
Even if they are at the same position, they may change direction, rotate or raise their hands, or change their facial expressions such as laughing or angry. However, if changes occur,
It is not necessarily limited to an intentional change caused by an instruction from the user-side information processing device. For example, if the characters temporarily overlap due to the action of another character, then the original state needs to be drawn again. In this case, the change is caused by an influence other than the instruction from the user-side information processing device, but it is preferable that such a change is also included in the change. Note that, for a character that does not change, basically, no information is transmitted from the host-side information processing device, and the state already displayed on the user-side information processing device is maintained. Therefore, it is preferable that the information relating to the changed character has data for erasing the previous state and data for depicting the new state. However, if the change is at the same position instead of movement, the previous state can be erased by overwriting. The same applies to the following embodiments.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 are map files showing a common space in which each character operated by each user can operate, and FIG. 5 shows the current position of each character and the screen of the screen displayed on each user-side information processing device. FIG. 6 shows a first host-side map file for grasping the display range, and FIG. 6 shows a second host-side map file for grasping whether or not each character has changed. FIG.
Shows only characters that have moved during the change. Also in the following description of the embodiments, changes will be described by taking movement as an example. In FIG. 5, A to N indicate the positions of the characters operated by each user, and 21A indicates the display range of the screen of the user-side information processing device 2A. In FIG. 6, -B indicates the position of the character B before the movement, and + B indicates the position of the character B after the movement. Here, the reason why -A, -B, and the like are drawn at the movement source as described above is that it is necessary to transmit information for erasing the display of the movement source character to the user-side information processing device. In the present embodiment, the symbol to be drawn at the movement source of the character is a symbol for distinguishing the character. There is no need to draw a symbol to be used. For example, a -α symbol common to each character may be drawn. The second host-side map file contains characters C, which have not moved,
E, H, J, K, L, and N are not displayed. Therefore, in the figure, the characters B, D, F, G, I,
This indicates that M has moved. In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the display range 21A of the screen being displayed on the user-side information processing device 2A is determined from the first host-side map file shown in FIG. This display range 21A is scanned by the host-side map file, and the display range 21A of the screen displayed on the user-side information processing device 2A is displayed.
The information about the character B that has moved within is transmitted. In this manner, the display range and the change state of the character in each user-side information processing device are recognized in each host-side map file, and information to be transmitted for each user-side information processing device is determined. Thus, the amount of information to be transmitted is reduced, and the real-time property is not reduced. The characters B and C existing in the display range 21A of the screen being displayed on the user-side information processing device 2A are determined from the first host-side map file shown in FIG. The information to be transmitted for each user-side information processing device can also be determined by determining the characters B, D, F, G, I, and M that have moved in the host-side map file. The same applies to the following embodiments.

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 7 and 6 are map files showing a common space in which each character operated by each user can operate. FIG. 7 shows the current position of each character and the screen of the screen displayed on each user-side information processing device. FIG. 6 shows a second host-side map file for grasping a predetermined range including a display range, and FIG. 6 shows a second host-side map file for grasping whether or not each character has changed. In FIG. 7, 22A is the user-side information processing device 2
A indicates a predetermined range set based on the display range 21A of the screen being displayed. For example, in FIG. 3, the range is set to be larger than the display range 21A by one movement of the character. According to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, a predetermined range 22A including a display range 21A of a screen being displayed on the user-side information processing apparatus 2A is determined in the first host-side map file shown in FIG. By scanning the predetermined range 22A in the second host-side map file shown in FIG. 6, characters B, F, and D that have changed are determined. Then, information about these characters B, F, and D is transmitted to the user-side information processing device 2A. As described above, by determining the information to be transmitted for each user-side information processing device in each host-side map file, the amount of information to be transmitted is reduced, and the real-time property is not reduced. In particular, according to the present embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, even if the character F is not displayed on the user-side information processing device 2A, the surrounding situation affected by the character F is reflected in the display range. Can be.

Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 6 are map files showing a common space in which each character operated by each user can operate. FIG. 8 shows the current position of each character and the operation performed by each user-side information processing device. FIG. 6 shows a first host-side map file for ascertaining a predetermined range set on the basis of a character that is present, and FIG. 6 shows a second host-side map file for ascertaining whether or not each character has changed. In FIG. 8, 23A indicates a predetermined range set based on the character A whose operation is being performed on the user-side information processing device 2A. For example, in FIG.
The display range is always included even when the character moves to the corner of the screen. An eighth embodiment of the present invention provides:
In the first host map file shown in FIG. 8, a predetermined range 23A set based on the character A whose operation is being operated by the user information processing device 2A is determined, and the second host computer shown in FIG. In the map file, this predetermined range 23
Characters B, D, F, and I that have changed by scanning A are determined. Then, information about these characters B, D, F, and I is transmitted to the user-side information processing device 2A. As described above, in each host-side map file, the predetermined range based on the character being operated on each user-side information processing device and the change state of the character are recognized, and transmitted to each user-side information processing device. By determining the information to be transmitted, the amount of information to be transmitted is reduced, and the real-time property is not reduced.

Next, according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, information about a character of another user-side information processing device to be transmitted to one user-side information processing device is set as information about a changed character. Accordingly, the amount of information to be transmitted can be reduced, and high real-time properties can be secured. Here, the change means, in addition to the case where the position is changed according to an instruction from the user side information processing device, the case where the direction is changed even if the user is at the same position, the operation of turning or raising the hand, or the laughing or angry operation. Change of facial expression. However, a change is not necessarily limited to an intentional change caused by an instruction from the user-side information processing device. For example, if the characters temporarily overlap due to the action of another character, then the original state needs to be drawn again. In this case, the change is caused by an influence other than the instruction from the user-side information processing device, but it is preferable that such a change is also included in the change.

Next, in a tenth embodiment of the present invention, information regarding a character of another user-side information processing device which is transmitted first after connection to a line is transmitted including information regarding a character which has not changed. It is. For example, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is assumed that the user-side information processing device operating the character A starts the game by connecting the line this time. Originally, characters B and C should exist in the display range 21 in addition to the character A. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the character C has not changed at this point. Therefore, character C
Will not be displayed on the user-side information processing device. If the character C does not change, this state will continue throughout. Thus, this inconvenience can be solved by transmitting information that is transmitted first after line connection, including information on a character that does not change, as in the present embodiment.

Next, in the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, when the display range displayed on one user-side information processing device newly includes a range that has not been displayed, the new display is performed. The information on the character of another information processing apparatus on the user side existing in the different display range is transmitted including the information on the character that does not change. This embodiment basically solves the same inconvenience as the tenth embodiment, and prevents a character that should originally exist from being displayed.

The effect of the game system of the present invention is particularly remarkable in a telephone line having a small amount of information transmission among network lines, but the game system is not necessarily limited to a network line, and is not limited to a network line. It is also applied to lines. Also, the data necessary for playing the game is stored not only in the host-side information processing apparatus but also in the user-side information processing apparatus. It is preferable to use the information stored in the processing device in advance. However, according to the present invention, even when information transmitted from the host-side information processing apparatus to the user-side information processing apparatus includes information having a large data amount such as image information, all information is further transmitted to the host-side information processing apparatus. Even if it is transmitted from the device, the application effect is high.

The display range of the screen being displayed on the user-side information processing apparatus defined in the present invention is the same as the display range of the user-side information processing apparatus if the display range cannot be changed by a user operation. Basically, when the display range can be enlarged or reduced by the user's operation, or when a plurality of spaces that are not actually adjacent can be displayed by splitting the screen, etc. Refers to the actual displayed range changed by the operation. However, even when the display range can be changed by the user's operation, only the display range that the user-side information processing device itself has as a function is recognized, and the information on the character to be transmitted is determined. It may be something. In the case where the display range can be changed and divided and displayed by the user's operation, and when the changed and divided display range is used as the display range of the screen being displayed, the information regarding the changed and divided display range is recognized. In addition, it is necessary for the user-side information processing device to have a function of transmitting to the host-side information processing device.

[0031]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the user-side information processing device. As shown in FIG. 1, the user-side information processing device includes a display unit 201 including a display and the like, an operation unit 202 including a keyboard and the like, a transmission / reception unit 203 connected to a telephone line or the like to transmit and receive data, and stores various data. The necessary data is called out from the storage unit 204 based on the data received by the storage unit 204 and the transmission / reception unit 203 to be displayed on the display unit 201, and an instruction is given to transmit the data input from the operation unit 202 from the transmission / reception unit 203. It comprises a control unit 205. Here, the storage unit 204
Stores a map file for grasping the position of each character, background image data at each point of the map file, and other various audio data in addition to image data on various characters.

In the user-side information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, when data relating to the motion of a character is input through the operation unit 202, the control unit 205 instructs the transmission / reception unit 203 to transmit the input motion data. Then, the transmission / reception unit 203 transmits the operation data to the host-side information processing device. At this time, among the operation data to be transmitted, the data relating to the movement position may be coordinate axis data for specifying a new movement position. However, in order to prevent unintentional program change in the user-side information processing device, data from the current position may be used. It is preferable to use the data on the moving direction of the image.
It is preferable that the character is specified when a user code or the like is set in advance, but the character may be selected when a communication line is connected. On the other hand, the host-side information processing device transmits to the user-side information processing device data for specifying the character and data for instructing the movement position. Note that the data transmitted from the host-side information processing device may include data relating to the walking pattern of the character and other operation states stored in advance in the storage unit 204 of the user-side information processing device, or sound that specifies and sounds. It is more preferable to include the voice type data to be instructed in order to enhance the reality. When the data transmitted from the host-side information processing device is received by the transmission / reception unit 203, the position of each character is determined in the map file stored in the storage unit 204, and the image data of the corresponding character is stored. Part 20
4 and display each character on the display unit 201.
To be displayed.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the host-side information processing device. As shown in the figure, the host-side information processing apparatus includes transmitting and receiving units 101A, 101B, 101C.
, Transmission / reception control unit 102, transmission / reception data storage unit 103
, A game control unit 104, a host-side map file unit 105, and a data storage unit 105. Here, the transmission / reception units 101A, 101B, and 101C are connected to each user-side information processing device to transmit and receive data. The transmission / reception control unit 102 includes a transmission / reception unit 101A,
The information received by 101B and 101C is read.
This is sent to 01B and 101C. The transmission / reception data storage unit 103 stores information of the transmission / reception units 101A, 101B, and 101C read by the transmission / reception control unit 102, and stores information to be transmitted to the transmission / reception units 101A, 101B, and 101C, if any. Keep it.
The game control unit 104 rewrites the host-side map file unit 105 based on information received from the user-side information processing device, and determines data to be transmitted to each user-side information processing device. Host side map file section 10
Reference numeral 5 indicates a state of each character and determines data to be transmitted to each user-side information processing apparatus. A plurality of host-side map files 105a, 105
b, 105c, 105d, and 105e. Here, the first host-side map file 105a is a file that grasps the current position of each character and a predetermined range to be transmitted to each user-side information processing device. , The third host-side map file 105c is
For example, a file defining an immovable area of a character due to an obstacle such as a building or a river, a fourth host-side map file 105d is a file defining an audio area sounded according to the position of the character, and a fifth host-side map. The file 105e is a file that defines the operation of a character operated by the host-side information processing device. Note that the host-side map file 105 does not necessarily need to include all of the above files, and other map files may be added as needed. Data storage unit 1
Numeral 06 stores the final operation state at the end of the game, so that the information up to the previous time can be continuously used at the next line connection.

The first to fifth host-side map files 105a to 105e will be described below with reference to the drawings. Each host-side map file represents a space in which characters can move. FIG. 11 shows the first host-side map file 105a. In this embodiment,
The description will be made on the assumption that a predetermined range to be transmitted to the user-side information processing device is a display range of a screen being displayed on the user-side information processing device. Now, assume that the movable range of the character is 19 squares in the X direction and 13 squares in the Y direction, and the display range on each user-side information processing device is 6 squares in the X direction and 4 squares in the Y direction. The figure shows that characters A to N are currently being operated. For example, character A has X = 6 and Y =
At the position of 5, the character B is at the position of X = 9 and Y = 7. 21A is a character A.
, The display range of the screen displayed on the user information processing device operating the character B, 21B is the display range of the screen displayed on the user information processing device operating the character B, and 21C is the user side operating the character C. The display range of the screen being displayed by the information processing device is shown. The display range 21A of these screens,
The positions of the characters 21B and 21C are determined when the characters A, B, and C are first set, and thereafter, the positions are changed with a certain relationship as the characters move.
In normal screen display, the background image is not changed even if the character moves within a certain range narrower than the display range of the screen, but if the character is positioned beyond the range, the background image will It is set to scroll together. Therefore, for example, in the relationship between the character A and the screen display range 21A, the case where the character A moves to X = 7 and Y = 5, or the case where X = 6 and Y = 6
When the character A moves to X = 5 and Y = 5, the display screen range 21A becomes (X, Y) = (4, 4).
It moves to the range enclosed by (4, 7), (9, 4), and (9, 7). When the character A moves to X = 6 and Y = 4, the display screen range 21A is (X, Y) =
(5, 3), (5, 6), (10, 3), (10, 6)
Move to the area enclosed by.

FIG. 12 shows the second host-side map file 1.
05b. The figure shows that the characters A, C, D, F, and G are moving at a certain timing. For example, for character A, X = 5, Y = 5
In FIG. 7, -α indicates the movement source, and + A indicates after the movement. That is, for character A, X = 5, Y = 5
From the position X = 6 and Y = 5, -α is drawn at the movement source X = 5 and Y = 5, and the movement destination X = 6 and Y = 5. Draws + A. The same applies to other moved characters B, D, F, and G. On the other hand, the character E has performed a different motion at the same position as before. That is, the character E
This indicates that a change in direction, a change in facial expression, or the like has been made at the position of X = 15 and Y = 7, and in this case, X = 1
5, -E is drawn at Y = 7. It should be noted that, among the characters A to N displayed in FIG. 11, the other characters B and H to N not displayed in FIG. 12 show that there is no change at this timing.

FIG. 13 shows the third host-side map file 1.
05c is shown. In the figure, a region 131 indicated by oblique lines,
132, 133, and 134 indicate obstacles such as buildings and rivers to which the character cannot move. This third host-side map file 105c contains, for each character,
When the movement information is transmitted from the information processing device on the user side,
This is to determine whether or not the movement as instructed is possible. Therefore, after the third host-side map file determines that movement is possible, the first host-side map file 1
Movement display is performed at 05a. However, when it is determined in the third host-side map file that movement is impossible, the first host-side map file 10
The moving display in 5a is not performed. For example, X = 16, Y
= 2 for the character I at the position
= 16, Y = 1. At this time, since the obstacle in the area 131 exists at the position of X = 16 and Y = 1, the character I cannot move regardless of the instruction from the user. Therefore, the character I is not moved and displayed even in the first host-side information processing device 105a. However, no movement takes place,
Instead of being unable to move, it is possible to provide operation information in the host-side information processing device. For example, X = 15,
Assume that the user performs an operation of moving to X = 16 and Y = 7 for the character E at the position of Y = 7. At this time, since the obstacle in the area 132 exists at the position of X = 16 and Y = 7, the character E cannot move regardless of the instruction from the user. Therefore, even in the first host-side information processing device 105a, the character I
Does not move. However, in the host-side information processing apparatus, by giving an operation such as a change of direction to the character E, the second host-side map file 10
The -E display as shown in FIG. 12 is performed on 5b.
In the figure, regions 135, 136, 137, and 138 indicate, for example, buildings that can be entered. However, when the character moves to the areas 135, 136, 137, and 138, the host-side information processing device separately transmits information on the background screen to the user-side information processing device. The background screen being displayed is changed to the scenery inside the building. Further, if the mobile device can be moved even in such a building, it is necessary to prepare a map file for the building corresponding to the first and second host-side map files 103a and 103b.

FIG. 14 shows the fourth host-side map file 1.
05d is shown. In the figure, a region 141 indicated by oblique lines,
Reference numeral 142 denotes an area for sounding. That is,
When the character moves to such an area, the audio information set for each area is transmitted to the user-side information processing device operating the character. For example,
Character A is X = 6, Y from the position of X = 5, Y = 5.
= 5, this X = 6, Y = 5 becomes area 1
41, the information related to the voice set in the area 141 is transmitted to the user-side information processing device that is operating the character A, and the user-side information processing device stores the voice stored in advance in the device. To ring.

FIG. 15 shows the fifth host-side map file 1.
05e. In the figure, a region 151 indicated by oblique lines,
Reference numeral 152 defines the operable range of the character operated by the host-side information processing device. For example, the area 151
Is the character A currently located in this area 151,
D may face this monster. on the other hand,
The character B may appear on the screen depending on the movement of the monster because the area 151 is included in the current display range 21B, but the character B must face the monster as long as the character B is at the current position. There is no. The operation in the area of the character operated by the host-side information processing device is performed by a separately set program.

Next, the processing flow of the game control section 104 shown in FIG. 10 will be described mainly with reference to the control flow chart shown in FIG. First, in step S1A, it is determined whether or not the character A has changed last time. If it has changed in the previous time, in step S2A, +
A and -α data are deleted. When -A indicating a change at the same location is displayed, the data of -A is deleted. In step S1A, the character A
When it is determined that has not changed in the previous time, step S
Move to 3A. In step S3A, it is determined whether or not new movement data has been received for character A.
Whether or not the new movement data has been received is determined based on whether or not the received data is stored in the reception storage unit for the character A in the transmission / reception storage unit 103. Here, for character A, the previous position is X = 5, Y =
It is assumed that the rightward data is received as the current movement information. That is, the movement to X = 6 and Y = 5.
As described above, when new movement data has been received for the character A, it is first determined in step S4A whether movement is possible. The determination as to whether or not this movement is possible is made in the third host-side map file 1 shown in FIG.
05c. X that is the destination of character A this time
= 6, Y = 5 are areas 131, 132 as obstacles,
Since it is outside 133 and 134, it can be moved. In addition,
If the setting is made so that characters cannot be located in the same place, the host side map file 105
At a, it is confirmed whether or not another character exists at the position of X = 6, Y = 5. Then, if it is possible to move, in step S5A, the first host-side map file 105a stores the moving source (X = 5, Y =
The data of 5) is erased, and data A is drawn at the destination (X = 6, Y = 5). In step S6A, in the second host-side map file 105b, -α is set for the source (X = 5, Y = 5) of the character A, and the destination (X = 6,
+ A is drawn at Y = 5). Incidentally, suppose step S3A
In step S7A, if no new movement data has been received for the character A, the process proceeds to step S7A. If a change occurs at the same location, -A is drawn at that location. In step S7A, the screen display range 21 being displayed on the user-side information processing device operating the character A
A is determined by the first host-side map file 105a, and the range is determined by the second host-side map file 105a.
In step b, the drawing data of the character having changed is read. Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the movement data of the character A and the character C operated by another person are read. Thereafter, in step S8A,
The data regarding the characters A and C read in step S7A is transmitted to the user-side information processing device 2A operating the character A. At this time, as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the voice information set in the area 141 is transmitted together. Also, as shown in FIG.
The screen display range 21 is the area 1 where the monster can move.
51, the information about the monster is also transmitted when the monster is located within the screen display range 21. After ending the processing for the user-side information processing device 2A operating the character A as described above, the processing for the character B is performed. In step S1B, it is determined whether or not the character B has changed last time. If it has changed the last time, in step S2B, the second host-side map file 1
The data of + B and -α relating to the character B are deleted from 05a. If it is determined in step S1B that the character B has not changed last time, the process proceeds to step S3.
Move to B. In step S3B, it is determined whether or not new change data has been received for character B. Here, it is assumed that no new movement data is received for character B. Since no new change data has been received for the character B, the process moves to step S7B.
In step S7B, the first host-side map file 105a determines the screen display range 21B being displayed on the user-side information processing device that is operating the character B, and determines the range on the second host-side map file 105b. Scans and reads the drawing data of the character that has changed. Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the movement data of the characters A and C is read. Step S8
In B, the characters A and C read in step S7B
Is transmitted to the user-side information processing device 2B operating the character B. User-side information processing device 2B operating character B as described above
After the processing for is completed, the processing is sequentially performed in the same manner for the characters C to N currently connected and operated. After the process for the character N is completed, the process returns to the process for the character A again.

In the present embodiment, the display range and the change state of the character in each user-side information processing device should be recognized in each host-side map file, and transmitted to each user-side information processing device. By determining the information, it is possible to reduce the amount of information to be transmitted and to ensure high real-time performance. In the present embodiment, the first host-side map file manages the screen display range on the user-side information processing apparatus. However, the display range may be set to a predetermined range based on the display range. The range may be determined in relation to the character.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if the virtual space is expanded and the number of characters participating in the virtual space increases, the amount of information that must be transmitted from the host-side information processing apparatus does not increase. , High real-time performance can be maintained. That is, according to the present invention, for each user-side information processing device, the status of the screen being displayed on each user-side information processing device or the status of the character operated by each user-side information processing device should be determined and transmitted. By limiting the information, the transmission speed from the host-side information processing device to the user-side information processing device is increased to maintain a high real-time property. In addition, since the information to be transmitted is limited for each user-side information processing device as described above, even in a large space, user-side information processing devices in the same area, in the same situation, or in the same environment are connected to the host. Since the difference in the amount of information received from the side information processing device is reduced, it is possible to increase the sameness of the operation timing between the characters when the characters have a conversation or a battle, for example.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of a game system using a communication line of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a map file for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a map file for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a map file for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a first host-side map file for explaining a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second host-side map file for describing sixth to eighth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a first host-side map file for explaining a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a first host-side map file for explaining an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a user-side information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a host-side information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first host-side map file according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a second host-side map file according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third host-side map file according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a fourth host-side map file according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a fifth host-side map file according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a control flowchart of a host-side information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 host-side information processing device 2A user-side information processing device 2B user-side information processing device 2C user-side information processing device 3 communication line 21A display range 22A of user-side information processing device 2A predetermined range including display range 21A 23A character A A to N characters 105a First host side map file 105b Second host side map file

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A game in which a plurality of user-side information processing apparatuses and a host-side information processing apparatus are connected via a communication line, and each character operating a motion in each user-side information processing apparatus operates in a common space. In the system, the space in which the character can move is set to be wider than the range that can be displayed at once by each user-side information processing device, and the character of another user-side information processing device transmitted to one user-side information processing device is transmitted. A game system using a communication line, wherein the information about the character is information about a character existing within a display range of a screen being displayed on one user-side information processing device. 2. A game in which a plurality of user-side information processing apparatuses and a host-side information processing apparatus are connected via a communication line, and each character operating a motion in each user-side information processing apparatus operates in a common space. In the system, the space in which the character can move is set to be wider than the range that can be displayed at once by each user-side information processing device, and the character of another user-side information processing device transmitted to one user-side information processing device is transmitted. A game system using a communication line, wherein the information about the character is information about a character existing within a predetermined range including a display range of a screen being displayed on one user-side information processing device. 3. A game in which a plurality of user-side information processing devices and a host-side information processing device are connected via a communication line, and each character operating a motion in each user-side information processing device operates in a common space. In the system, the space in which the character can move is set to be wider than the range that can be displayed at once by each user-side information processing device, and the character of another user-side information processing device transmitted to one user-side information processing device is transmitted. A game system using a communication line, wherein the information about the character is information about a character existing within a predetermined range set based on a character whose operation is being operated by one user-side information processing device. 4. A game in which a plurality of user-side information processing apparatuses and a host-side information processing apparatus are connected via a communication line, and each character operating a motion in each user-side information processing apparatus operates in a common space. In the system, the space in which the character can move is set to be wider than the range that can be displayed at once by each user-side information processing device, and the character of another user-side information processing device transmitted to one user-side information processing device is transmitted. A game system using a communication line, wherein the information about the character is information about a character having a predetermined relationship with a character whose operation is being operated by one user-side information processing device. 5. The information relating to a character of another user-side information processing device to be transmitted to one user-side information processing device,
The game system using a communication line according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information is information on a character having a change. 6. A game in which a plurality of user-side information processing apparatuses and a host-side information processing apparatus are connected via a communication line, and each character operating a motion in each user-side information processing apparatus operates in a common space. In the system, the host-side information processing device has a first host-side map file for grasping the current position of each character and the display range of the screen being displayed on each user-side information processing device, and whether or not each character has changed. And a second host-side map file for grasping, and the first host-side map file determines a display range of a screen being displayed by one user-side information processing apparatus, In the host side map file,
Determining a character that has changed, and transmitting, to the one user-side information processing device, information about the character that has changed within the display range of the screen being displayed by the one user-side information processing device. A game system using a communication line. 7. A game in which a plurality of user-side information processing devices and a host-side information processing device are connected via a communication line, and each character operating a motion in each user-side information processing device operates in a common space. In the system, the host-side information processing device includes a first host-side map file for ascertaining a current position of each character and a predetermined range including a display range of a screen displayed on each user-side information processing device; A second host-side map file for ascertaining the presence or absence of a change in a predetermined range including a display range of a screen being displayed by one user-side information processing device in the first host-side map file. Is determined in the second host-side map file, and the character that has changed is determined, and is displayed on one user-side information processing device by one user-side information processing device. A game system using a communication line, characterized by transmitting information on a character that has changed within a predetermined range including a display range of a screen being displayed. 8. A game in which a plurality of user-side information processing devices and a host-side information processing device are connected via a communication line, and each character operating a motion in each user-side information processing device operates in a common space. In the system, the host-side information processing device has a first host-side map file for ascertaining a current position of each character and a predetermined range set based on the character whose operation is being operated on each user-side information processing device. A second host-side map file for grasping whether or not each character has changed, wherein the first host-side map file is based on a character whose operation is being operated by one user-side information processing device. Is determined, and the changed character is determined in the second host-side map file, and the character is changed to one user-side information processing apparatus. A game system using a communication line, characterized by transmitting information about a character that has changed within a predetermined range set based on a character whose operation is being operated by one user-side information processing device. 9. A game in which a plurality of user-side information processing apparatuses and a host-side information processing apparatus are connected via a communication line, and each character operating a motion in each user-side information processing apparatus operates in a common space. A game system using a communication line, wherein information on a character of another user-side information processing device to be transmitted to one user-side information processing device is information on a changed character. 10. An information processing apparatus for one user,
10. The communication line according to claim 9, wherein the information regarding the character of the other user-side information processing device which is transmitted first after the line connection is transmitted including the information regarding the character which does not change. Game system. 11. When a display range displayed on one user-side information processing device newly includes a range that has not been displayed before, another user present on the display range to be newly displayed. 11. The game system using a communication line according to claim 9, wherein information about the character of the information processing device is transmitted including information about a character that has not changed.