JPH04200583A - Pitting game device for playing 'go' or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enjoy the game by a simple operation by selecting a person who plays a game of 'go', etc., by a telephone circuit from plural game terminal equipments, connecting the circuit to the other person of a game by a telephone number, switching automatically and alternately the connecting direction at every prescribed time, and exchanging game advance data. CONSTITUTION:Game participants register as members a member's number, a full name, a telephone number, a game terminal equipment number, a skill, etc., to a computer 31, make an application for playing a game by calling the computer 31 by a telephone circuit from the own game terminal equipment 30 at the time of desiring to play a game, and sets a specific condition of the specific other person and the other person having an equal skill. When the other person corresponding to the condition is found out, a telephone number for calling the game terminal equipment of the other person is sent to the game terminal machines of both the persons who play the game from the computer 31, and the game terminal equipments 50 of the persons who play the game store its telephone number. The game is executed by connecting each terminal equipment 30 by a telephone circuit, and the game is advanced by sending data of a start each other by one move each to the other person. The telephone circuit connection is executed automatically and alternately at every prescribed time, and the communication expense can be born fairly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a game device that can effectively play competitive games such as kaiki, shogi, and chess using a telephone line.

(Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention)
There are many fans of competitive games such as shogi and chess. In principle, this type of game is played between players facing each other,
Although it is technically possible for players to play games remotely without facing each other by making full use of recent computer and communication technologies, this is not widely used in general.

The reason for this is that a game system that appeals to many people has not been proposed, and therefore, there are no inexpensive dedicated game machines on the market that can be easily operated even by amateurs. For example, it is possible to play games using PC communication,
To do this, specialized knowledge is required, and the operation is complex and difficult, making it difficult for the average person to handle.In addition, players must have common game software, and they must have the same software. You have to search for your opponent yourself, and because of this, your opponents are limited to those people, making it impossible to play a game with a large number of people with different characteristics over a wide range. Furthermore, the communication fee for the game is unilaterally paid by the person who first connects the line, resulting in an imbalance. The purpose of the present invention is to propose a game system in which many game participants can freely play games with various people using the above-mentioned telephone line network, and to provide a game device that realizes this with simple operations. be.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention connects a plurality of game terminals to a computer, inputs game application data from the game terminals to the computer, and easily selects an opponent that meets the game conditions. At the same time, the telephone number of the other party sent from the computer is recorded in the game terminal, and the connection direction of the telephone line between the game terminals is alternately switched at predetermined intervals based on this telephone number. It makes the game smoother and the burden of line usage fees is reasonable.

In addition, the present invention provides an external telephone for the game terminal that sends a hooking signal to the telephone exchange on the line while talking to a third party, and connects the telephone line to transmit and receive game progress data from the normal external telephone line state. By switching between the two states at predetermined intervals and repeating this process, game progress data can be sent accurately even during a call.

The gaming device provided by the inventor uses a central computer and multiple gaming terminals. The computer, the game terminal, and the terminals are connected to each other by a telephone line, if necessary. Participants in this game register their membership number, name, telephone number, game terminal number, skill, etc. on the computer in advance as game members. When a game member actually wants to play a game, he or she first calls the computer from his/her game terminal through the telephone line and applies for a game. At the time of application, it is possible to set conditions for selecting a playing partner, such as a specific opponent or someone with the same skills as oneself. The computer receives this application and finds an opponent matching this condition from a list of players who have already received game applications.

If you do not see it, it will be added to the list of computers mentioned above and will wait for new applicants who meet the conditions.

If a player matching the conditions is found, the computer sends a telephone number to each player's game terminal to call the other player's game terminal. The player's game terminal records the telephone number in a recording device. In the game, the above-mentioned terminals are connected directly to each other via telephone lines, and the game progresses by sending data on each move and other data to the other player.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing this situation. At this time, since it generally takes 30 minutes to several hours for one game, the telephone line is automatically connected alternately at a predetermined time using the memorized calling phone number of the player, and the line is connected. While you are there, send and receive data to advance the game. Here, the term "every predetermined time" means that communication costs can be shared efficiently and fairly between both parties.For example, since current local telephone charges are in units of 180 seconds, a method of making it a fixed time of 179 seconds is used. Based on the 179 seconds of switching,
In addition, a method may be considered in which the time interval is changed each time to 179 seconds x an integral number, taking into consideration the time taken into consideration, the time for using outside lines other than games, etc.

With such a system and a game terminal having the above functions, it becomes possible to play games with many unknown people without having to go to a meeting place. We believe that equalization of communication costs is especially necessary when playing games with a large number of unknown, unspecified people, and the present invention achieves this by automatically switching telephone line connections at predetermined intervals. did. This feature is not found in traditional computer games. In order to automatically switch the telephone line, the storage device of the microcomputer of the game terminal records the telephone number for calling the game terminal of the opponent. The above-mentioned computer corresponds to the reception desk at the base club, and it receives game applications, selects pairs of players who match the conditions, and sends each other's phone numbers to the game terminal.

In addition, since games generally take a long time, there is a need to eliminate the inconvenience of monopolizing the telephone line during the game, making it impossible to use the telephone for other purposes, or causing a call from outside to be busy. This requires that the telephone line used for the game be subscribed to a call waiting service (commonly known as call waiting). What is call waiting service? For example, if C calls A while A and B are talking, normally C will be busy and cannot talk to A. An audible signal (incoming call display sound - hereinafter referred to as interrupt tone) is input to notify the user that there is an incoming call from a third party. When A senses this interrupt tone and briefly presses the hook button on the telephone (hereinafter referred to as hooking), the telephone exchange switches the line and connects A and C, placing B on hold. Furthermore, by hooking
and B.

This service has a function to alternately switch between A and C.

It is assumed below that A and B are playing a game. After subscribing to the call waiting service, when Eight makes a call to a third party during a game, the game terminals transmit and receive signals, and then the game line is disconnected. Next, after a while, a call is made from B to the game terminal to connect the line. If 8 is talking to a third party, it will be in a busy state, but
Since you are subscribed to a call waiting service, you will be placed on hold and can be connected at any time with a hooking signal. Also, when A receives a call during the game, the game terminal detects the interrupt tone and learns that the call has been received.When responding to the call, the game terminals send and receive signals to each other, and A receives a call. A hooking signal is sent from the game terminal to the telephone exchange, the line is switched to a call with a third party, and the line with the other party's game terminal is placed on hold. In addition, the game terminal sends a hooking signal to the telephone exchange at predetermined intervals, and the line is switched from the third party to the other party's game terminal, and the external device is switched from the telephone to the modem to transmit and receive data to and from the other party's game terminal. If there is data that is valid for the progress of the game, it is imported, and if there is no data, A's game terminal sends a hooking signal to the telephone exchange again and the line is used for communication with the original third party. Return to

In this way, whether or not there is valid data, this operation is repeated at predetermined time intervals, and if valid data is acquired, processing is performed accordingly. Repeat the above operations until you finish using the external phone.

Here, the predetermined time is set to a time that does not have much effect on the call or the progress of the game, but if it is too short, the line switching will occur too frequently and the call will be jarring, and if it is too long, the game will be interrupted. The lack of progress data hinders the progress of the game. In the case of Go, one move usually takes several seconds to several minutes, so this predetermined time is preferably about 30 seconds to one minute. Also, when it is B's turn, A does not know when the progress data will be set, so the line is automatically switched at regular intervals, but when it is A's turn, the line is automatically switched at fixed intervals. An efficient way to set the predetermined time is to switch the line at that point and transmit progress data. This will eliminate the inconvenience of not being able to use the phone for long periods of time.

The above function may not be necessary as it connects the line and sends the data when the data is collected one by one, and if the line is turned off while it is being considered, it will not occupy the line as mentioned above. There is a question as to whether or not this is possible, but this is because under the current call rate system, a minimum call charge is imposed even for a short time, so if one call normally requires one hour and 300 calls, in the case of the present invention, the communication cost will be 200 yen. If the lines were connected one by one, the cost would be 3,000 yen, which would significantly increase the cost. Furthermore, if you are using an outside line phone, you cannot eliminate the inconvenience of not being able to play games during that time.

(Example) The following explanation will be given using a game of Kaiki as an example. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the game terminal 30. As shown in FIG. The game terminal has a microcomputer 1, a display input section 2, and a modem section 3, and in this embodiment, a telephone 4 is also provided as an external device for making calls. The microcomputer shown in the figure includes a CPU 5 and a storage device 6.
, an interface 7 between the display input section 2 and the modem section 3, and an interface 8 between the modem section 3 and the display input section 2. The storage device 6 stores data such as a telephone number for calling the computer 31, one's name, telephone number, and the number of the game terminal.

9 to 21 indicate display input sections. The screen 9 displays a Go board, and as the game progresses, it displays data necessary for the progress of the game, such as the positions of stones, the order of first and second moves, and the number of fries. The screen 9 is made of CRT, liquid crystal, or the like.

10 is a key to move the position of the stone on the base, 11 is a numeric keypad for data manual operation, 12 to 21 are various function switches, 12 is a transmission switch, 13 is a game application switch, 14 is a game OK switch, 15 is a game start switch,
16 is an interruption switch, 17 is a surrender switch, 18 is a final switch, 19 is a call switch, 20 is a call waiting switch, and 21 is a termination switch.

When playing a game, the first step is to decide on the opponent. 3 to 5 are flowcharts showing this procedure. First, press the game application switch 13 on the game terminal (101, Fig. 3). In response to this, the microcomputer displays on screen 9 the desired conditions for the player, for example, a specific opponent or an unspecified opponent? , a specific person, etc. Membership number of the other person? , If it's an unspecified opponent, what is the opponent's strength? , etc. manually using the 11 keys according to the instructions on the screen (1
02). After entering all the data, press the transmit switch 12 (103). The microcomputer receives this and reads the telephone number for calling the computer from the storage device 6 (104). Using the read telephone number, the computer is called via the telephone line through the modem 4 (105). Once the line is connected (106), the game signal [K number, your membership number, telephone number, game machine code number, application data, etc.] are sent to the central computer (107).

The computer receives the signal (108, Fig. 4) and selects players who match the application conditions from the list of applicants (109). If a matching player is not found, the application data will be added to the application list and stored (111)L, and the game terminal will have a “wait for a while” message.
Send a message (112) and disconnect the line (1
13). If a matching player is found, call the corresponding player from the computer using the registered phone number (114), if the line is connected (115), and if a signal indicating that the game is OK is emitted from the corresponding player (116), When a pair of players is established, apply for a game terminal, the phone number to call the game terminal of the corresponding player, the phone number to apply to the game terminal of the corresponding player, and call the game terminal, both players have the first and second choice.
Send data related to the game, such as traffic (117), and disconnect the line (118). If the line cannot be connected to the matching person's game terminal or the game OK signal is not received, the line to the matching person is disconnected (119), the next matching person is searched, and the above operation is repeated. Each game terminal receives the data sent from the computer (120, Fig. 5), determines whether or not it is a successful signal for a bear game (121), and if it is a successful signal, stores the other party's phone number, etc. in the storage device. 122) and disconnects the line (123). If unsuccessful, display a message on screen 9 (124> and disconnect the line (123))
, it will wait for a new call from the computer.

Once the players have been decided, the next step is to start the game between the game machines. Hereinafter, the pair of players will be represented by A and B, and the first player will be A. 6 to 8 are flowcharts for processing the progress of the game. Normally, the game starts when A, the first player, presses the game start switch 14 (201, Fig. 6), and the computer 1 reads B's calling phone number from the storage device 6 (202), and calls B using the phone number. call 2
03) Once the line is connected, a signal or message to start the game is transmitted (205). Then you can play from B.
The game waits for a signal (206), and when the signal is received, the game starts. At this time, since the line connection direction is from 8 to B, set direction flags FO and F to 1 (205.207)
. B's game terminal is the receiving party, so the direction flag F is 0.
(not shown). Since Fo = 1 (208, Fig. 7), the predetermined line switching time must be calculated (223), especially F = 1.
Since the line connection direction is from 8 to B (224), count the line connection time (225), hit the first destination, press the send switch, and count the line connection time (22).
5) Enter the first destination, press the transmission switch, and transmit the data to the destination (229-232). At this time, A's consideration time is calculated (228). Next, it's B's turn, so advance your turn by one! 6 (233), return to the original (224). During this time, if a special signal is received from B, an interrupt is processed (not shown). When it is B's turn, wait while watching the connection time until data is sent from B (235, 224-235
), if you receive it, judge whether it is start data or not236)
, if it is move data, display B's move on the screen 237),
Advance your turn by one (233) and return to the previous position (224). At that time, B's consideration time is calculated (234). If the received data is other than start data, the respective processing is performed. While taking turns in this way, if the line connection time exceeds the line switching predetermined time (226), A will send a line switching request signal to B. 238) The line will be temporarily disconnected. 239) The line will be connected. The direction flag F is set to O and the process returns to the original state (209'). Now it's time to connect the line from B to A, so wait for a call from B (241).
When a call is received, the receiving side connects the line (242), calculates a predetermined time for switching the line (223), and proceeds with the game while alternately exchanging data such as starting points again.

However, since A is on the receiving side this time, the line connection time is not counted (224, 225). When a certain period of time has passed and a line switching request signal is received from B (243), the line is temporarily disconnected (244), and now it is the turn to connect the line from 8 to B, and the line direction flag F is set to 1 (245), and the line is switched back to the original position. Return (209). If the received data is functional data other than start data or line switching request signal, take appropriate action. - As an example, FIG. 8 shows the procedure to be taken when a surrender signal is received. When a surrender signal is received from B (250), the reason for B's surrender is displayed on the screen, and since it is an important expression of intention, A requests confirmation (251). When 8 confirms using the numeric keypad 11, 8 sends a confirmation signal to B (252), and disconnects the line between A and B (253). Thereafter, the telephone number for calling the central computer is read from the storage device (254), the central computer is called and the line is connected (255), the game result is transmitted (256), and the game ends. Examples of such functional data include "suspension" to temporarily suspend the game and restart it at a later date, "end game" to signal the end of the game, "call" to signal mutual phone calls, and calls from outside. ``Call waiting'' is a signal to change the game's communication method in order to receive an incoming call or to make a call to an external party.

Next, FIG. 9 shows an example of how to calculate the predetermined line switching time (223). The unit time of the line switching predetermined time is t
o is set to 179 seconds (260). Next, the difference between the cumulative considered time Ta of A and the cumulative considered time T of B is compared with to (261). If it is smaller than to, the line switching predetermined time tk is set to the unit time to265), and if the difference is to
If it is larger, add 1 to the value obtained by dividing the cumulative time difference by the multiple integer n by to (202), and determine the line switching predetermined time by multiplying the unit time to and n by an integer multiple of the unit time (263). ), the remainder obtained by dividing the difference in the cumulative time by the unit time to is set in the considered cumulative time Ta, and O is set in Tb (264). By doing this, for example, if A takes longer to consider than B, the line connection time for A will be longer, and it is possible to eliminate the unfairness of having B bear the compensation cost even though A has thought about it. Furthermore, communication costs are made more efficient by managing the predetermined line switching time as an integral multiple of the unit time.

Although not shown in this example, in addition to the consideration time, there are other factors to consider when calculating the line switching time, such as when A makes a call unrelated to the game, etc.
This is compensated for by lengthening the connection time for the next connection from A so that A does not become disadvantageous.

Next, the case where the user subscribes to a call waiting service is shown.

Generally speaking, games of this type take a long time,
Since it is often inconvenient if the telephone line is occupied during the game, we will show you how to balance phone calls and games during the game. First, an example will be described in which A and B call a general telephone from A's telephone to a location other than B during a game. 10th
The figure is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart.

If you want to make a call from A to a place other than the game, press the call waiting switch 20 on the display input section 2 of the game (
Figures 2 to 10). After receiving this, the microcomputer sends a "call waiting" signal from A to B (302), and the line is temporarily disconnected (303), and the microcomputer commands to switch the changeover switch 23, modem 22, and external devices to a telephone. (304). On the other hand, B, who received the "call waiting" signal (305), also disconnects the line, and after a certain period of time (307), from B to A.
(308). A is on an outside line, so the line is busy. A is a little later than B after some time has elapsed (310),
If it is A's turn, he inputs the transmission data (312) and presses the transmission switch (313), which causes the hooking signal generation circuit 25 to send out a hooking signal to the telephone exchange 27 under instructions from the microcomputer. Upon receiving the hooking signal, the telephone exchange 27 switches the switch 28 to switch the line from the outside telephone to the other party, and also activates the changeover switch 23 to switch the external telephone 4 to the modem 22 (314), and transmits data to B (314). 315)
. Immediately after transmission, a hooking signal is sent to the telephone exchange 27 again, the line is switched from the other party's line to the outside line, and the modem 22 is switched to the external telephone 4 so that a call can be made (3
16) In the case of B's turn, (318, 319
) Sends a hooking signal to the telephone exchange 27, switches the line from the external telephone to the other party, and switches the external telephone from the telephone 4 to the modem 22 (320>, sends B (321). Receives valid data from B. Then, the data is fetched (322, 32, 3), the hooking signal is sent again, the line is switched, and the external device is switched from the modem 22 to the telephone 4, making it possible to talk (316). B has not started yet and is valid. If the appropriate data cannot be received, the hooking signal is immediately sent again and the line is switched, and the external connection is switched from the modem 22 to the telephone 4 (324).
Wait until next search time (325.318.319
). This continues until valid data is received from B. Repeat the above steps until the outside call ends. When the outside call is terminated, a signal is sent from A to B to return to the normal process shown in FIG. 7 (not shown).

Next, an example will be described in which A receives a call from outside while A and B are playing a game. FIG. 12 is a flowchart in this case.

When A receives a call, the telephone exchange 27 sends out an interrupt tone to notify A that a third party is calling. The detection circuit 24 detects this interrupt tone.
330), it will be displayed on the screen and a buzzer will notify you (331).

To answer an outside line, pick up the handset of the external telephone 4 and press the call waiting switch 20 on the game console (332).
, I want to send a "call waiting" signal from A to B333
), which sends out a hooking signal. In response to this, the telephone exchange 27 switches the line from the other party to the outside line. At the same time, the changeover switch 23 is activated to switch the external telephone 4 from the modem 22, enabling a call (334).

After that, in the same way as when A makes a call during the game described above, if it is A's turn, the line is switched and the data is sent when the data is collected, and if it is B's turn, the line is switched at regular intervals. Switch and receive data.

As shown in both embodiments, while the lines are being switched, calls will naturally be interrupted, but since the switching time is very short, there will be little practical trouble. Further, it is preferable that the interval at which searches are performed at regular intervals is about 30 seconds to 1 minute, considering the effect on calls and games.

Although the embodiments have been described above, the game machine of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. For example, the display input section may be a combination of switches, sensors, and light emitting elements instead of a screen. It is possible to manufacture it to look like a real board, and the functions and number of various switches will vary depending on the balance with the computer software and the level of service. In addition, an external telephone attached to a game machine is preferable because it allows mutual communication in words at important points in the game, and it also eliminates the inconvenience of occupying a telephone line for a long time. Furthermore, if the calling telephone number of the central computer is stored in advance in the storage device of the microcomputer of the game terminal as described above,
It is convenient because there is no need to memorize phone numbers or make the wrong call. Furthermore, it is preferable to send the results to the central computer at the end of the game (254-265), since the central computer can perform various services such as aggregating game results and analyzing the contents.

(Effects of the Invention) With the above configuration, it is possible to enjoy the game with many people at a fair cost with simple operations.

It also eliminates the inconvenience of occupying the telephone line during the game.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the line connection relationship between a computer and a game terminal, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the game terminal, and FIGS. 3 to 5 are diagrams showing player selection. Flowchart showing the procedure, FIGS. 6 to 8 are flowcharts for processing the progress of the game, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of calculating the predetermined line switching time, and FIG. 10 is a game terminal with an external telephone. Figure 11 is a flowchart for making an outside call in the game, Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of
The figure is a flowchart when an outside call is received during the game. 1: Microcomputer part 2: Display input section 3
:Modem section 4:Telephone 23:Selector switch 24:
Interruption tone detection circuit 25: Hooking signal generation circuit 27. Telephone exchange 30: Game terminal 31: Computer Figure 1 Figure 4 ＼Stocks] Hinietai 40 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 8 Figure 9 January 16th

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Based on a plurality of game terminals that input and output data for games such as Go, Shogi, and Chess, and game application data sent from game participants via telephone lines from the terminals. The above-mentioned game terminal has a computer that selects a player who meets the conditions from among the participants, and transmits a telephone number to call the opponent's game terminal to the game terminal with which the player is playing, and participates in the game. records the telephone number sent from the computer, connects a line with the opponent using the telephone number, automatically switches the connection direction alternately at predetermined time intervals, and exchanges game progress data. A game device characterized by comprising means. 2. Means for transmitting the game application data to the computer through the line; a microcomputer that stores a telephone number sent from the computer to call the game terminal of the opponent; A means for connecting the line between the calling terminals, and automatically alternating between connecting the line on the sending side and connecting on the receiving side when called from the game terminal of the opponent at a predetermined time interval. 2. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising means for switching between the two lines, and means for mutually transmitting and receiving data necessary for game progress while the line is connected. 3. means for detecting, using an external telephone installed in the game terminal, a signal sent from the telephone exchange of the telephone line indicating that an external telephone call has been received from a third party;
Means for sending a hooking signal to the telephone exchange in the circuit to switch between the line between the game terminals and the line of the external telephone; The line is mainly connected to the telephone, and during that time the line with the other party's game terminal is put on hold, and the terminal on the side using the external telephone sends a hooking signal to the telephone exchange at predetermined intervals to connect the line. switch from a call with a third party to the other party's game terminal, send a hooking signal to the telephone exchange again after transmitting and receiving game progress data, and return the line from the other party's game terminal to an external phone call with the third party. The game device according to claim 1 or 2.