KR19990063494A - Game device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a game device for advancing a game while transmitting and receiving communication information with another game device using a communication unit for transmitting and receiving communication information by radio waves, the game device comprising a game machine main body having a control means for advancing a program. The main body is configured to be detachable from the communication unit.

Description

Game device

The present invention relates to a game device capable of playing a game with another game device by wireless communication.

Although communication game apparatuses capable of playing competitive games often transmit and receive communication information by wire, recently, it has been proposed to play a game while transmitting and receiving communication information wirelessly.

A wired communication game requires a connection line for connecting game devices, and the game cannot be played if the distance between game devices is greater than the length of the connection line. On the other hand, wireless communication games are not subject to this limitation.

Therefore, conventionally, a wireless communication game based on an optical signal using light emitting units such as LEDs and light receiving units such as phototransistors has been proposed.

However, in the case of wireless communication using an optical signal, it is necessary to direct the light emitting part of the game device to the light receiving part of the other game device when communicating with other game devices, and the posture at the time of playing is restricted.

In addition, the distance to which light signals can be received or emitted is actually limited to a certain extent, and the area where games can be played by communication is very narrow.

The present invention is to provide a game device that can solve this problem.

The present invention is a game device for advancing a game while transmitting and receiving communication data with another game device by radio waves, the game device comprising: an operation unit operable by a manual input of a game user; Receives communication data sent from another game device, advances a game based on the received communication data and a pre-stored game program, and manually inputs the game user by operating the operation unit in response to the game contents to be progressed. And a controller for advancing the game according to one data and transmitting the input data as communication data to another game device and repeating transmission and reception of this communication data.

The game device also includes a communication control unit which assigns to a game device that requires transmission and reception of communication data and rejects the assignment to a game device that requires transmission and reception of communication data when the predetermined number of assignments is exceeded.

In addition, in the present game device, the control unit transmits communication data for recruiting the opponent of the game to another game device, receives communication data for the opponent of the game from the other game device described above, and then performs control to start the game. It is characterized by.

In addition, the game program stored in advance is separate from the main body of the game machine incorporating the control unit, and is embedded in a game cartridge mounted so as to be freely separated from the main body of the game machine. If different from the program in the game cartridge mounted on the controller, the controller controls the other game apparatus not to transmit the communication data desired for the opponent of the game.

In addition, the control unit is installed in the game machine main body, the communication control unit is installed in the communication unit, the game machine main body is characterized in that the communication unit mounting means for mounting so as to be able to detach the communication unit freely.

The control unit may control the start of the communication unit.

The game unit is characterized in that the communication unit is supported by the game unit main body by means of the communication unit mounting means, the communication game cartridge and / or a support provided on the outer surface of the game machine main body.

In the game apparatus, the game apparatus includes adjusting means for adjusting the frequency band of radio waves to be transmitted.

In addition, according to the present invention, the game machine main body having a control means for advancing the game program as a game device for advancing the game while transmitting and receiving communication information with another game device using a communication unit for transmitting and receiving communication information by radio waves and communication by radio waves Characterized in that the communication unit is mounted so as to be freely separated from the main body for the transmission and reception of data.

In addition, according to the present invention, a game device which advances a game while transmitting and receiving communication information with another game device by radio waves, the game device comprising adjustment means for adjusting a frequency band of radio waves for transmitting and receiving communication data. .

1 is a functional block diagram illustrating the functions of a game device used in the first embodiment;

2 is a functional block diagram for explaining details of a radio unit in the first embodiment;

3 is a plan view showing a portable game device used in the first embodiment;

4 is a top view of the main body 1, which is a game device in which the wireless unit 3 is removed as seen from the direction of arrow C in FIG. 1;

5 is a perspective view of main parts of the case 21 shown in FIG. 4;

6 is a functional block diagram of a communication unit used in the second embodiment,

7 is a plan view of the game device used in the second embodiment,

8 is a side view of the game device used in the second embodiment;

9 is a side view showing a communication unit used in the second embodiment;

Fig. 10 is a side view showing the game cartridge used in the second embodiment;

11 is a side view showing a state in which a game cartridge is mounted on a communication unit;

12 is a rear view showing a state where a game cartridge is mounted on a communication unit;

13 is an example of time division of one period of transmission data;

14 is another example of time division of one period of transmission data.

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

2: game cartridge 3: wireless unit

4a: Game program 4b: Image data

4c: Sound data 5: RAM

6: liquid crystal display unit 7: sound reproduction unit

7a: Speaker 8: key input section

8a: Controller 8b: Push Button

9: CPU 10: display drive circuit

11: sound reproduction circuit 12: power switch

13: Light emitting device 14: Transmission means

15: Receiving means 16: D / A converter

17: ceramic vibrator 18: filter

19: A / D converter 20: Adjustment switch

21: Case 23: AA battery

24: secondary battery 25: volume volume

26: Adapter for external power supply 27: Volume for earphone

28: display volume 29: insert

30: Connector 31: Screw hole

32: through-hole 33: connector

34: screw 41: communication unit

42: transmission means 43: reception means

44: communication control means 45: power supply

46: LED 47: body

48: Game cartridge 49: belt-like protrusions

50: storing department

First embodiment

Next, an embodiment of a game device in the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings using a portable game device as a game device.

1 is a functional block diagram showing the functions of the game apparatus used in the first embodiment.

The game device is equipped with a game cartridge 2 storing a game program that a game user wants to play in the main body 1 of the game machine having a control unit for carrying out a game program, and propagating to a game device (not shown) possessed by another game user. By mounting the communication unit 3 to enable the transmission and reception of communication data by the user to enable a game against the other game users.

The game cartridge 2 is equipped with a ROM4 in which the game program 4a, the plurality of video data 4b, and the plurality of sound data 4c are stored in advance.

The main body of the game machine 1 includes a liquid crystal display unit 6 for displaying image data 4b of RAM5 and ROM4 having a work area for advancing game program 4a as an image, a sound reproducing unit 7 for reproducing sound data 4c by sound, and a game user's intention. Key input unit (operation unit) 8, which allows the user to input by hand, the appropriate image data 4b among the plurality of image data 4b according to the progress of the game program 4a and the key input operation of the game user. And a CPU (control unit) 9 which transmits to 6 and transfers the appropriate sound data 4c from among the plurality of sound data 4b to the sound reproducing unit 7. FIG.

In the liquid crystal display unit 6, a layout design has a display driving circuit 10 which transmits a plurality of image data 4b to the liquid crystal display unit 6 in order to display the characters as if they are moving on the liquid crystal display panel 6a (not shown here). It is.

In the sound reproducing unit 7, a sound reproducing circuit 11 which transmits the sound data 4c to the speaker 7a (not shown here) for reproducing the sound is arranged and designed.

In addition, the portable game machine is designed with a power switch 12 capable of a manual operation of a game user, and supplies the voltage from the power supply to the above functions by operating the power switch 12. The power switch 12 is electrically connected to a light emitting device 13 such as an LED lamp, and the light emitting device 13 is set to emit light when the power switch 12 is in an operating state.

As shown in Fig. 2, the communication unit 3 is provided with transmitting means 14 for transmitting game data to the game device of the opponent as the game progresses, and receiving means 15 for receiving communication data from the opponent game device. It is.

The transmission means 14 modulates the game information in the form of communication data according to the instructions of the controller of the game machine main body 1, and transmits it to another game machine.

The receiving means 15 receives only radio waves (having a communication data format) having a constant frequency received from other game machines, modulates them into game information, and transmits them to the game machine main body 1.

In addition, the transmission means 14 and the reception means 15 are connected to an adjustment switch 20 (adjustment means) for changing (adjusting) the frequency band of the radio wave used to transmit and receive communication data in multiple stages, and the game user manually operates the adjustment switch 20. The frequency band of the radio wave is changed accordingly. Filter 18 corresponding to each frequency band is prepared in adjustment switch 20, and transmission means 14 and receiving means 15 are electrically connected to a suitable filter 18 in accordance with the switching operation of adjustment switch 20.

The following describes an example when a plurality of people play a game while transmitting and receiving communication data using a portable game machine having the above function.

First, the game user attaches the same game cartridge 2 to the game machine main body 1, and also attaches the communication unit 3. FIG. Each game user then manually operates the adjustment switch 20 to select the frequency band used when playing the game.

In this state, when each game user operates the power switch 12 of the game machine main body 1, the program 4a advances, image data 4b is transmitted to the liquid crystal display unit 6, and sound data 4c is transmitted to the sound reproduction unit 7. FIG. As the user enters a key into the input unit 8, the game starts and proceeds. However, the game proceeds as communication data is transmitted and received through communication unit 3.

For example, the mahjong game, which is one of the competitive games, is described as an example of how to draw a hand on the liquid crystal display panel 6a of each game user. Based on the progress of the game program 4a, a parent (PARENT) is decided. The parent decides which hand to discard and inputs the key to the key input unit 8. Then, in the game console main body 1, the data signal of this key input is transmitted to the communication unit 3 as communication data according to the instruction of CPU9. In this communication unit 3, the above-described data signal is transmitted to the transmission means 14, and is converted from the digital signal to the analog signal by the D / A converter 16, and the analog signal is converted into radio waves and used as game data for each opponent. Sent to Main Unit 1. The radio wave as the transmitted communication data is received by the receiving means 15 of the other game machine main body 1. The receiving means 15 receives only radio waves in the frequency band preset by the adjustment switch 20. Therefore, since the receiving means 15 does not receive radio waves of other frequency bands generated externally during the competitive game, radio waves having communication data irrelevant to the progress of the game from the outside are received during the game and thus do not affect the progress of the game. Doing.

One of the game users who received the communication data from the parent is given a new hand by the key input of the key input unit 8 and discards the unwanted hand. The communication data by this key input is transmitted to the game machine main body 1 of each game user. In the following, the game is advanced while repeating the transmission and reception of communication data.

In the present embodiment, the wireless communication method employs a polling method, but the communication method of the present invention is not limited thereto, for example, using code division multiple access (CDMA) or simultaneously in the same frequency band. It is also possible to perform a plurality of communications, and to use a time division multiple access (TDMA) scheme or the like. In addition, in the game device of the present embodiment, transmission and reception timings are matched with other game machines in order to transmit and receive data sequentially. (A so-called synchronization is employed.)

Further, in the game apparatus of the present invention, it is also possible to change the frequency range of the radio wave used in the communication information during the game by adjusting the adjustment switch during the game with the consent of each game user. Thus, for example, even if communication information irrelevant to the game progress from the outside is mixed, the communication state after the adjustment switch operation can be made good.

3 is a plan view showing a portable game device used in the present invention. This portable game machine has a case 21 for storing various functions described above. A liquid crystal display instrument panel 6a for displaying an image according to the progress of the game to the game user is disposed in a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction on the surface of the case 21. The center line (dotted dashed line in the figure) A of the LCD panel 6a is slightly above the centerline (dotted dashed line in the figure) B across the case 21.

In addition, a key input unit 8 is arranged on the left and right sides of the liquid crystal display instrument panel 6a so that the game user can input his / her intention. The key input unit 8 has a controller 8a located on the left side of the liquid crystal display instrument panel 6a and two push buttons 8b located on the right side thereof. The controller 8a has four pressurization points up, down, left, and right. The controller 8a and the push button 8b are arranged so as to be located slightly above the center line A of the liquid crystal display instrument panel 6a. As a result, when the game user lifts the sieve game machine in which the left and right palms are in contact with both sides of the case 21, the middle portions of both thumbs are positioned at the key input unit 8, and the key operation becomes very easy.

As described above, the LCD panel 6a is disposed approximately in the center portion in the longitudinal direction on the case 21 surface, but slightly disposed on the controller 8a side (that is, the position shifted to the left side), so that the push button is smaller than the controller 8a side on the case 21 surface. It is formed so that the area of 8b side vicinity is larger. The game user may advance the game while arbitrarily selecting and pressing an appropriate one out of two push buttons 8b. In order to operate two arbitrary push buttons 8b at such a high speed alternately, as shown in the present embodiment, if the area near the push buttons 8b is enlarged and the distance between the push buttons 8b is increased to some extent, the operation performance can be improved. . On the other hand, when the distance between the push buttons 8b is too small, operation performance will fall.

In addition, a power switch 12 that can be operated manually by a game user is disposed above the controller 8a. The power switch 12 is set to turn on when the game user keeps pressing the power switch 12 for a period of time (for example, for 2 seconds). Thus, even if the user accidentally presses the power switch 12 by mistake, the power switch does not turn on, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption. In addition, the light emitting device 13 composed of LEDs and the like is disposed on the right side of the power switch 12. Thus, for example, in the liquid crystal display instrument panel 6a, the contrast of the liquid crystal display instrument panel 6a, which will be described later, is set to the darkest, so that the game user can immediately determine whether the power switch 12 is on or off even when the image is almost invisible. The power-on state of the power switch 12 is kept on, and power consumption can be reduced.

In addition, a plurality of long holes 22 are disposed below the controller 8a so that the user can easily hear the sound from the speaker 7a.

Inside the case 21, the following functions are provided.

On the back of push button 8b, two AA batteries 23 for power supply are placed in parallel. On the back of the speaker 7a, an approximately circular thin secondary battery 24 is disposed. Although the auxiliary battery 24 is not shown in the functional block diagram of Fig. 1, the clock display circuit and the memo memory circuit provided in the main body 1 of the game machine are installed so as to operate regardless of the on operation of the power switch 12. The clock display circuit is installed for the purpose of displaying the time in Japan and various parts of the world. In addition, the clock display circuit not only displays the time but also sounds an alarm sound through a sound like a alarm clock as a signal that the time has been set by the manual input operation of the game user. It is also possible to integrate this alarm function into the game program. The memo memory circuit is provided to memorize, for example, a key input of an office or personal matter that is not related to a game and display it when you want to memorize it.

In addition, inside the lower surface of the case 21, the following functions are provided. First, the volume control 25 is provided to change the volume of the sound reproduced by the speaker 7a starting from the left side, and the adapter 26 is an external power source 26 or earphone for receiving power from the outside in addition to the battery 23 and the auxiliary battery 24 inside the case 21. 27 and the display volume 28 which changes the image shade displayed on the liquid crystal display instrument panel 6a are arrange | positioned. The volume volume 25 and the display volume can be changed individually by manual operation of the game user.

In addition, since there is no function manually operated by the game user on both sides of the case 21, when the user plays the game while holding the game machine with both left and right hands, for example, a finger accidentally touches the display volume 28 and the LCD panel The game can be played smoothly without having to completely see the image on 6a.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the main body 1, which is a game device in which the wireless unit 3 is removed as seen in the direction of arrow C in FIG.

In this figure, an insertion portion 29 for inserting the game cartridge 2 is formed at approximately the center portion in the longitudinal direction of the case 21. In the inner portion of the insertion section 29, a connector for electrically connecting the game cartridge is provided.

Further, a radio unit connector (communication unit mounting means) 30 is provided on the left side of the upper surface of the case 21 for electrically connecting with the radio unit 3. In addition, a screw hole 31 is drilled in the right part of the upper surface of the case 21 as a holding part for engaging the screw to hold the wireless unit 3. As a result, when the wireless unit 3 is attached to the connector 30 of the case 21, the stress applied to the connector 30 can be alleviated, the life of the connector 30 can be extended, and the electrical connection state to the connector 30 can be improved. You can make it stable. In this embodiment, the wireless unit 3 is fixed by the case 21 by screws, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, irregularities for fitting the wireless unit 3 to the opposite sides of the wireless unit 3 and the case 21 may be disposed. In this way, the wireless unit 3 can be supported and fixed by various structures.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the case 21 shown in FIG. 4. As shown in this figure, the lower part of the case 21 is rounded along the longitudinal direction. Game cartridge 2 is also rounded to match the shape of the round with Case 21. Thus, when the game cartridge 2 is mounted on the main body of the game machine 1, the portion where the game cartridge 2 protrudes from the main body of the game machine 1 becomes small, and the game user can be prevented from accidentally applying stress in the lateral direction (in the direction of the arrow in the drawing). Since the burden on the electrical connection between the game cartridge 2 and the connector in the case 21 is extremely reduced, the component life of the game cartridge 2 and the connector can be extended, and the reliability of the electrical connection can be improved.

The radio unit 3 houses the functions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in the unit, and as shown in Fig. 3, the length is approximately equal to the length of the case 21.

In the game device of the present invention, by attaching the communication unit 3 to the main body 1 of the game machine, an area in which a game can be played by wireless communication with another game device located at a relatively long distance by radio waves can be expanded, and the game device is connected to a communication partner. You will not be constrained by your attitude, such as having to send and receive communication data to other game devices.

In the wireless unit 3, a through hole 32 into which a screw is inserted is formed at a position opposite to the screw hole 31 of the case 21, and the connector 33 is disposed so as to protrude at a position opposite to the connector 30 of the case 21. The wireless unit 3 is installed in the case 21 by attaching the connector 33 of the wireless unit 3 to the connector 30 of the case 21, inserting the screw 34 into the through hole 32, and screwing it into the screw hole 31.

In addition, the radio unit 3 is provided with an adjustment switch 20 that can be manually operated by the game user.

In the present embodiment, the frequency band is changed step by step by the adjustment switch 20, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be changed in an analog manner such as the volume volume 25 and the display volume 28 described above.

In the game apparatus of the present invention, when the wireless unit 3 is installed in the main body of the game machine as described above, it is possible to play a competitive game while performing wireless communication by radio waves. However, when the wireless unit 3 is removed from the main body of the game machine, it is not intended for wireless communication. It is also possible to mount a game cartridge 2 having a suitable game program stored in the game machine main body 1 and play the game alone.

In addition, although the communication unit and the game machine main body are separately formed in this embodiment, it is not limited to this, It is also possible to integrate the transmission means and the receiving means in the communication unit in advance in the game machine main body.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the main body of the game machine has been described using a portable game machine as an example, but the game device of the present invention is not limited thereto, and a game is provided by installing a wireless unit in a home game machine or playing a game by installing a wireless unit in a personal computer. Applicable

Second embodiment

Next, the second embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the functional block diagram is almost the same as that shown in Fig. 1 for the game machine main body and the game cartridge, but is different for the communication unit. The function of this communication unit is shown in FIG.

As shown in Fig. 6, the communication unit 41 includes a transmitting means 42 for transmitting communication data to another game device, a receiving means 43 for receiving communication data from another game device, a communication control unit 44 for controlling transmission and reception of communication data, and a game machine main body. And a power source 45 dedicated to the communication unit 41 provided separately from the power supply unit 45, and an LED 46 indicating the starting state of the power source 45 to the game user.

In this communication unit 41, the communication method is a polling method (time division method), and the time when communication data is transmitted from one game device is 8 msec per cycle. In the game device of this embodiment, since all four game devices are set to transmit and receive communication data, the game device has a function capable of transmitting communication data from one game device to another game device 31 times per second. The frequency used is fixed at about 315 Mhz.

In this embodiment, the data transmission rate is 19200bps or 38400bps, and data transmission of about 25-12bytes (byte) is possible in one transmission, but 4bytes is required as the data for communication used by the communication unit, and the game from the game console main body is used. The data is about 10-18 bytes at a time.

In addition, the current consumption is about 10mA and the communication distance is about 3-5m.

In the communication unit having this function, there is a built-in AA alkaline battery as the power source 45, but there is no switch for turning on / off the power source 45 or powering the power source 45. The startup of the power source 45 of this communication unit is performed by the game user key-operating the operation means and receiving it (not shown here) to control the controller of the main body of the game machine to start the power source 45. However, activation of this power source 45 is displayed to the game user by LED 46 lighting.

In addition, once the power is started, the communication unit 41 is disconnected from the main body of the game machine or the power in the communication unit 41 is consumed, so that transmission / reception of communication data with another game device is interrupted for a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds), or the game user When the key input operation is performed to release the start of the power supply using the operation means, the power supply 45 of the communication unit 41 is turned off.

By adopting such a configuration, a mechanism for starting the power source separately from the game machine main body and the communication unit 41 is eliminated, so that the key operation of the game user is reduced, the operation efficiency is good, and the structure can be easily downsized.

The following describes the allocation of game devices that request transmission of communication data.

In this embodiment, since the communication adopts a time division method, transmission of communication data from one's own game device to another game device is limited to a predetermined time within one period. For example, when communication is possible with four game devices, communication data is transmitted every quarter period. Further, by dividing a quarter period allocated to one game device and allocating a part thereof to a transmission confirmation period, another game device receives a signal for confirming that communication data has been correctly transmitted from its game device. It is also possible to receive from. In addition, if the communication data transmitted from the own game device is received by the own game device within a quarter cycle, it is also possible to confirm whether the communication data has been correctly received.

Under this condition, the communication unit 41 with the power source 45 activated receives communication data from another game device and checks an empty allocation number. If communication data is not received, it has the first assigned number. On the other hand, when communication data is received from another game device, an empty allocation number is obtained based on the received communication data. At this timing, communication data is repeatedly transmitted to other game machines. On the other hand, when communication data is received from the other game machine at the same time as it is transmitted from the own game machine, the own game machine again transmits the data by randomly changing the timing every few cycles. If the transmission from another game machine precedes the transmission from the own game device, the allocation number is regarded as already being used, and is transmitted at the adjacent timing. Therefore, if all of the predetermined number of allocations have been allocated by the other game device, the game user's own game device is informed via the display screen of the game machine main body that the game user's own game device is not entitled to send and receive communication data.

Since such a configuration is adopted, the communication control section 44 can regulate the number of transmission and reception of communication data, and can also transmit and receive communication data corresponding to the assignment of the game device, thereby greatly simplifying the communication control.

Further, an unassigned number among the assigned numbers may be set to an empty state, and the assigned game device may be adapted to receive communication data at a timing corresponding to the empty state.

In addition, as described above, when the communication data transmission timing for requesting the assignment of the allocation number is duplicated, the lower 2 bits of the communication data transmitted and received from the communication control unit 44 are set as parameters, wait for a few periods of time, and then send and receive again. It may be.

In addition, in the time division scheme, number assignment may be performed as follows. As shown in FIG. 14, one period may be divided into a plurality of slots, and each slot may be divided into a plurality of channels. In this way, communication between a plurality of game devices with a larger number of slots is possible. Also different kinds of games can be played in every slot.

Next, transmission and reception in the case of playing a game between game devices assigned an assignment number will be described.

First, the game user transmits communication data for recruiting his / her desired game opponent to the other game apparatus by manual input using the operation means. Receiving this communication data and receiving communication data from the other game device that the player wants to be the opponent of the game, the opponent has been determined, and the game is started in accordance with the game user's key input or a pre-stored game program. However, transmission and reception of the communication data is controlled by a control unit in the game machine main body. If multiple opponents are required, the game may be controlled to start after all opponents have been determined.

According to this configuration, it is possible to easily determine the opponent of the game by transmitting and receiving communication data without having to artificially determine the opponent of the game through dialogue between game users.

Also, even if communication data for recruiting a game opponent is transmitted to another game device, if the game program in a game cartridge attached to the other game device is different, the controller in the game device of the game device is transmitted from the other game device. Control not to send communication data to the other party. In this way, transmission and reception of communication data with other game apparatuses equipped with other game programs can be rejected in advance. The game started by the transmission and reception of such communication data receives communication data transmitted from another game device, and the game user further advances the game by manipulating the operation unit according to the received communication data and the previously stored communication program, and this communication data. As a result, the process proceeds by repeatedly transmitting and receiving communication data to another game device.

In this way, wireless communication with other game devices is performed by radio waves so that the game device can be easily played in a free posture without being restricted by the posture in which game data must be transmitted and received in a state in which the other game device as a communication partner exists. can do.

Here, the contents of the communication data will be described with specific examples.

Communication data is transmitted in units of 8 bits (1 byte). When the data transmission rate is 19200bps and the number of channels is 4, since one communication time is 8 msec, it is possible to transmit communication data of about 19 bytes by one communication.

Assuming that approximately 18 bytes of communication data are transmitted in one communication, 2 bytes are communication control data (for example, 1 byte indicates its own allocation number and the other 1 byte indicates the allocation number of the transmission destination), and the remaining 16 bytes indicate game data. It becomes

In the communication data between the communication unit and the main body of the game machine, for example, the game data may be represented by the upper 4 bits of each byte of the communication data, and the allocation number of the game device in which data transmission is started in the lower 4 bits.

In addition, the transmission / reception time of one time communication data is 8 msec, but in the case of large data that cannot be accommodated at this time, the continuous portion of the previous data may be transmitted at the next transmission timing.

The contents of the communication data used in the present invention are not limited to those shown in the above embodiments.

Next, the structure of the game device in the second embodiment will be described.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the game device used in the second embodiment, and Fig. 8 is a side view used in the second embodiment, and Figs. 7 and 8 show a state in which the communication unit 41 is mounted.

The game machine body 47 is almost similar to that described in the first embodiment.

In addition, the communication unit 41 has two belt-shaped protrusions 49 for sliding the game cartridge 48 from the left side of the communication unit 41 to the right side (sliding from the surface to the back side in FIG. 9) as shown in FIG. The storage unit 50 is installed. The protrusion 49 is formed to face each other with a certain space. This housing 50 houses the upper portion of the game cartridge 48. In the game cartridge 48, two recesses 51 are formed at positions corresponding to the two projections 49, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the game cartridge 48 slides in the state where each projection 49 is inserted and fixed in these recesses 51, and installs the upper portion of the game cartridge in the communication unit 41 in a state as shown in FIG. 12 is a rear view showing a state where the upper portion of the game cartridge 48 is installed in the communication unit 41. After the game cartridge 48 and the communication unit 41 are integrally installed, the game cartridge 48 is mounted on the connector of the game machine main body 47 (not shown) and the connector 52 installed on the communication unit 41 is connected to the game unit main body 47 to obtain electrical connection. It attaches to the connector (communication unit mounting means) which is not shown in figure on the outer surface of main body 47. In this way, the communication unit 41 is supported by two connectors. In addition, since the back of the main body 47 has a recess for inserting the game cartridge 48 as shown in the first embodiment (not shown here), when the game cartridge 48 is mounted in the connector of the main body 47, the game cartridge 48 is The left and right outer wall surfaces of the concave portion are fitted with some free space. For this reason, even if a rotational or bending moment is applied to the communication unit 41 integrally installed with the game cartridge 48, the outer wall surface of the recess suppresses the movement of the game cartridge 48 (that is, the outer wall surface of the recess serves as a supporting portion). This prevents stress from concentrating on the connector 52 of the unit 41.

In addition, in a game device having a function of playing each game by wire communication and separately from the radio wave, for example, if a protocol is set in one application, communication data can be transmitted and received well. .

For example, if it does not correspond to the communication unit, transmission to other game devices is prohibited without being connected to the communication control unit in the communication unit, and when the power of the main body of the game machine is turned on, check that the wireless unit is connected. For example, when a connection is made, the communication unit is requested to be idle and a communication request signal is sent to another game device, and then the communication control unit is not connected.

In addition, as an application example for the communication unit and wired communication, when the power of the game machine main body is turned on, it sends a (00) signal to the communication unit and waits 100 msec to confirm the connection of the communication unit. When the clear to send (CTS) signal is high, it is determined that the radio unit does not exist and the process is terminated. The CTS signal is provided to notify the other game device that the communication data from the other game device is in a receivable state. If the CTS signal is low, it receives a signal from the wireless communication unit between 100 msec and receives it several times to store the device number of its game device and the device number of the game device in wireless communication.

If the own device number is not stored, it is determined that the communication unit does not exist or communication is impossible, and a pause request is sent to the communication unit to turn off the power of the communication unit. If the own device number is stored, the existence of the communication unit is stored.

If the communication start process is not swift, a rest request is sent to the communication unit and the power of the communication unit is turned off. If there is no communication unit, the communication request signal is set to the low state and the reception possible state. Remember that if the CTS signal is low, it is connected to the wire.

Regarding the processing on the selection screen for determining whether the charging mode is determined by the communication, if the communication unit exists and is currently in the idle state, the communication is confirmed by the same processing as when the power is on. When a communication partner request is sent to the connected device one by one and a communication permission is received from the device, the communication state is entered. If the communication unit is present and not in the communication state, a pause request is sent to the communication unit, and the power of the communication unit is turned off. If there is no communication unit, the connection is confirmed by wire.

The communication unit is used only in the charging mode state by communication, and in the case of a single player, a pause request is sent and the power of the communication unit is turned off. However, in the same communication area, only a number of assignments can be made to the communication state, so even if the power is on, no radio is used for other devices unless the communication is actually performed.

As a method of establishing communication in the presence of a communication unit, first examine a device that is to perform wireless communication, send a communication request signal to a device that is performing wireless communication, and check whether it is in a communication start state. Obtain the sub code (ID sub code). When the other party's ID code is the same as their ID code, a communication partner request signal is sent when communicating by communication. In principle, however, even if the ID subcodes are different, communication can be enabled if the ID codes are the same. After receiving the communication partner permission signal from the other party, if the ID code of the other party and the ID code of the other party are the same, the communication start signal is sent and the communication state is established with the other party. The same process is performed for all devices using wireless communication.

When receiving the recruitment of the communication partner, if he / she is in the communication start state and his ID code is the same as his ID code, the communication partner permission signal is transmitted to the other party. When the communication start signal is received, when the ID code of the other party and the own ID code are the same, the communication state of the other party is reached. On the other hand, when the communication unit does not exist, as a method of establishing communication by wire, the CTS signal is stored in the low state that it is connected by wire, and the following process may be performed in the same manner as when the communication unit exists. In the wired connection, however, the destination at the time of transmission is fixed to one game machine, and during reception, the sender's device number is ignored and all messages are regarded as the game machine itself.

In addition, if there is a device that is currently using wireless when recruiting communication partners in communication between game devices, and it is not yet in a communication state, it transmits a communication partner recruiting signal when recruiting a communication partner and after transmitting Wait for reception of application signal. When the communication partner application signal is not received, the communication partner recruit signal is sent several times, and when the communication partner application signal is not received at all, the idle request signal is sent to the communication unit, and the power is turned off. In the case of applying for a communication partner, there are three conditions: when the reception partner signal is received, his ID code matches that of the other party, there is no current or addable communication partner, and the communication mode may be started. It is also possible to send a communication partner entry signal only when it is satisfied.

At the start of communication, if the person who sent the communication partner recruitment signal receives the communication partner application signal, if the ID code of the partner and the other party's ID code match, the communication start signal may be transmitted to the other party and set to the communication state. .

In addition, if there is a device currently in wireless communication, the communication status request signal can be transmitted in order to obtain the communication status of the device.

According to the present invention, since wireless communication is possible by radio waves with other game apparatuses located at a distance away from each other, game data must be transmitted and received with the user's game apparatus facing the direction in which other game apparatuses as communication partners exist. You can play the game easily in free posture without being restricted by the same game posture.

According to the present invention, the communication control section can regulate the number of transmission / reception of the communication data and can transmit / receive the communication data corresponding to the assignment of the game device, thereby simplifying the communication control.

According to the present invention, it is possible for game users to easily determine a match opponent by sending and receiving communication data without artificially determining the match opponent of the game while talking to each other.

According to the present invention, transmission and reception of communication data with a game apparatus equipped with another game program can be rejected before the game.

According to the present invention, when the communication unit is separate from the main body of the game machine, the configuration of the main body of the game machine can be simplified and the structure can be downsized. For example, when one game device is used alone in addition to the game played by transmitting and receiving communication data. It becomes easy to handle the game device.

According to the present invention, a mechanism for separately starting the game machine main body and the communication unit is not required, the operation performance is improved, and the structure is easily downsized.

In the present invention, stress that tends to concentrate on the communication unit mounting means in electrical contact with the main body of the game machine can be alleviated, so that durability and reliability can be improved.

According to the present invention, it is possible to change the frequency band of radio waves transmitted and received using the adjusting means. For example, even when the radio wave transmission and reception state is bad or game information irrelevant to the game is transmitted and received from the outside, the frequency band is finely adjusted. By making such adjustments, it is possible to improve the transmission and reception state.

Claims (12)

In a game device for advancing a game while transmitting and receiving communication data with another game device by radio waves, an operation unit that can be operated by manual input of a game user, and communication data transmitted from another game device are received, and the received communication data and In response to the game contents being played based on the pre-stored game program, the game user operates the above-described operation unit and advances the game according to the manually inputted data. A control unit which advances the game by transmitting to and repeating transmission and reception of this communication data; And a communication control unit for allocating the game device requesting transmission and reception of communication data and rejecting the assignment to the game device requesting transmission and reception of communication data after exceeding a predetermined number of assignments. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits communication data for recruiting the opponents of the game to another game device, receives communication data for the opponent of the game from the other game device, and then starts the game. A game device characterized in that for performing control. The game program according to claim 1, wherein the game program stored in advance is separate from a game machine main body incorporating the control unit, and is embedded in a game cartridge mounted at a same time so as to be freely separated from the game machine main body. And when the game program is different from the program in the game cartridge mounted on the other game device, the control unit transmits the other game device so as not to transmit the communication data for the game match partner. The game according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is installed in the game machine main body, the communication control unit is installed in the communication unit, and the game machine main body is provided with a communication unit mounting means for mounting the communication unit so as to be freely separated. Device. The game device according to claim 4, wherein the controller controls the activation of the communication unit. 6. The game device according to claim 5, wherein the communication unit mounting means, the communication game cartridge and / or a support portion provided on an outer surface of the game machine main body is supported by the game machine main body. The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the game device includes adjusting means for adjusting a frequency band of radio waves to be transmitted. As a game device for advancing a game while transmitting and receiving communication information with another game device by using a communication unit for transmitting and receiving communication information by radio waves, the game machine main body having a control means for advancing the game program, and for transmitting and receiving communication data by radio waves. Game device, characterized in that consisting of a communication unit mounted so as to be freely separated from the main body. A game device for advancing a game while transmitting and receiving communication information with another game device by radio waves, the game device including adjusting means for adjusting a frequency band of radio waves for transmitting and receiving communication data. A game device that advances a game while transmitting and receiving communication information with another game device by radio waves, the game device receiving communication data transmitted from an operation unit and another game device that can be operated by manual input of a game user, and receiving the received communication data. Based on the data and the game program stored in advance, the game user further advances the game by manually inputting data by manually operating the operation unit in response to the game content being played and transmitting it to other game devices as communication data. And a control unit which advances the game by repeating transmission and reception of this communication data, a communication control unit which allocates a game device that requests transmission and reception of communication data, and divides one cycle into a plurality of slots in time division and divides each slot into a plurality of channels. Game device, characterized in that divided into. The game device according to claim 10, wherein communication is possible between a plurality of game devices more than the number of slots. The game apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a different type of game is performed for each slot.