JPH0763546B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a game device capable of effectively playing a game of games such as Go, Shogi, and chess using a telephone line.

(Problems to be Solved by Conventional Techniques and Inventions) There are many enthusiasts of game games such as Go, Shogi, and chess. In principle, this kind of game is played by the players relative to each other, and it is technically possible for the players to play games in a remote place without facing each other if they make full use of recent computer technology and communication technology. It is possible, but it is rarely popular. The reason is that a game system that many people find attractive has not been proposed, and therefore an inexpensive dedicated game machine that can be easily operated even by an amateur is not on the market. For example, it is possible to play a game by computer communication, but to do this requires specialized knowledge, its operation is complicated and difficult, and it is difficult for ordinary people to handle. In addition to having software, you have to search for an opponent who has the shift yourself, and for that reason, the opponents to play are limited to those persons and play games with a large number of unspecified persons in a wide range. It cannot be done. In addition, the communication fee of the game is unilaterally paid when the line is connected first, which causes imbalance. It is an object of the present invention to propose a game system in which many game participants can freely play with various people using the above telephone line network, and to provide a game device which realizes it by a simple operation. is there.

(Means for Solving the Problems) According to the present invention, a plurality of game terminals and a computer are connected to each other, and game application data is input from the game terminals to the computer to easily select an opponent who matches the conditions of the game. By storing the telephone number of the other party sent from the computer in the game terminal and switching the direction of connection of the telephone line between the game terminals based on this telephone number at predetermined intervals and by turns. The game is smooth, and the line usage charge is optimized.

In addition, the present invention sends a hooking signal to the telephone exchange in the line while talking to a third party on the external telephone of the game terminal, and the telephone line state for transmitting and receiving the game progress data from the normal external telephone line state. The game progress data can be sent accurately even during a call by switching to every predetermined time and repeating this.

The game device provided by the present inventor uses a central computer and a plurality of game terminals. The computer, the game terminal, and the terminals are connected by a telephone line as needed. Participants of this game register their membership numbers, names, telephone numbers, game terminal numbers and skills in the computer in advance as game members. When a game member actually wants to play a game, he first calls the computer from his game terminal through a telephone line to apply for a game. At the time of application, for example, it is possible to add a selection condition of a game partner such as a specific partner or an owner having a skill equivalent to oneself. The above computer receives this application and finds a person who meets this condition from the list already received the game application.
If you can't find it, add it to the list of computers above and wait for new applicants that meet your criteria. When a person who meets the conditions is found, the above computer sends the telephone numbers for calling the game terminals of the opponents to the game terminals of both players. The game terminal of the player stores the telephone number in the storage device. In the game, the above terminals are directly connected to each other by a telephone line, and the game progresses while sending the data of the launch and the other data one by one to the opponent. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing this situation. At this time, it generally takes 30 minutes to several hours for one game,
Using the stored calling telephone number of the player, the telephone line connection is automatically alternated every predetermined time, and data is transmitted and received while the line is connected to advance the game.
Here, “every predetermined time” means that communication costs can be efficiently and fairly shared by both parties. For example, since the current local telephone charges are in units of 180 seconds, a method of setting a fixed time of 179 seconds Or, based on the switching of 179 seconds, considering this, considering the outside line usage time other than the game etc.
A method such as changing the time interval each time to 179 seconds × an integral multiple can be considered.

With such a system and a game terminal having the above functions, it becomes possible to deal with many unknown people without going to the Gokaisho. It is considered that fairness in communication costs is a particularly necessary matter when playing a game with an unspecified large number of people, and the present invention achieves this by automatically switching the connection of the telephone line at every predetermined time. did. This feature is unique to traditional computer games. In order to automatically switch the telephone line, the telephone number for calling the game terminal of the opponent is stored in the storage device of the microcomputer of the game terminal. The above computer is equivalent to the reception of the Gokai, and selects a pair of players who meet the conditions for the game application and sends their phone numbers to the game terminals. In addition, since it generally takes a long time to play a game, there is a need to eliminate the inconvenience that the telephone line is occupied during the game, the telephone for other business cannot be used, or the telephone from the outside is busy. For this purpose, it is premised that the telephone line used for the game is subscribed to the call waiting service (commonly called call waiting). Call waiting service is, for example, when C calls A while A and B are talking, C is usually busy and cannot talk to A. At the same time, an audible sound signal (incoming call display sound ... hereinafter referred to as interrupt tone) for notifying that there is an incoming call from a third party is input. When A senses this interruption tone and presses the hook button of A's telephone for a short time (hereinafter referred to as hooking), the telephone exchange switches the line, connects A and C, and puts B on hold. Furthermore, this is a service that has the function of alternately switching between A and B and A and C by hooking. Hereinafter, it is assumed that A and B are in the game. After subscribing to the call waiting service, first, when A calls a third party during a game, the game terminals transmit and receive a signal and disconnect the game line. Next, after a short time, the line connection is called from B to the game terminal A. If A is in a call with a third party, it will be in a busy state, but since it is subscribed to the call waiting service, it can be connected at any time by a hooking signal and is on hold. Also, when a call comes in to A during the game, the game terminal detects the interrupt tone, knows that the call is coming in, and if it answers, it sends and receives a signal between the game terminals and then A 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 opponent game terminal is put on hold. Then, a hooking signal is sent from the game terminal A to the telephone exchange every predetermined time, the line is switched from the third party to the opponent game terminal, and the external telephone is switched to the modem to transmit / receive with the opponent game terminal. , If there is data that is effective for the progress of the game, and if it is not, or if it is not, send the hooking signal from the game terminal A to the telephone exchange again and use the line for communication with the original third party. Return to. Whether there is valid data or not, this operation is repeated every predetermined time,
If valid data is imported, the corresponding processing is performed. The above operation is repeated until the use of the external telephone is completed. Here, the predetermined time is set to a time that does not significantly affect the call or the progress of the game, but if it is too short, the line switching frequency is increased and the call becomes unpleasant, and if it is too long, the game The progress data is difficult to obtain, which hinders the progress of the game. For Go, usually 1
Since the time required for the hand is from a few seconds to some, this predetermined time is 30
About 2 to 1 minute is preferable. Also, when it is B's turn, since A does not know when the progress data will be set, the line is automatically switched at a fixed time, but when it is A turn, the time when the progress data is set is set. The method of setting the predetermined time without waste is to switch the line at that point and transmit the progress data as the predetermined time. By doing so, the inconvenience that the telephone cannot be used for a long time can be solved.

The above function is not necessary because the line is connected and the data is sent when the data is prepared one by one, and the line is cut off while considering it, because the line is not occupied as described above. Although there is a question whether this is the case, the current call charge system imposes a minimum call charge even for a short time, so if one hand is required for one hour and 300 hands are required, the communication cost is 200 yen in the case of the present invention. If you connect the lines one by one, the cost will be 3000 yen, which will increase the cost significantly. In addition, the inconvenience that the game cannot be played during the time when the outside line telephone is used cannot be eliminated.

(Example) An example of a game of Go will be described below. Figure 2 shows the game terminal
It is a figure which shows 30. The game terminal has a microcomputer unit 1, a display input unit 2 and a modem unit 3, and in the present embodiment, an external telephone 4 for communication. The microcomputer 1 is composed of a CPU 5, a storage device 6, an interface 7 with a display input unit 2 and an interface 8 with a modem unit 3 as shown in the figure. The storage device 6 stores data such as a telephone number for calling the computer 31, one's name, a telephone number, and a game terminal number.

Reference numerals 9 to 21 denote display input sections. On the screen 9, a board of Go is displayed, and the data necessary for the progress of the game such as the position of the stone, the order of the first move and the second move, and the number of fried hammers are displayed as the game progresses. The screen 9 is made of CRT or liquid crystal. 10 is a key for moving the position of pebbles on the base, 11 is a numeric keypad for data input, 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 interrupt switch, 17 throw switch, 18 end switch, 19 call switch,
20 is a call waiting switch and 21 is an end switch.

When playing a game, start by deciding who to play against. 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 1 displays on the screen 9 desired conditions for the player, for example, a specific partner or an unspecified partner? , If it's a specific person, the member's membership number , If the opponent is unspecified, what is the opponent's Go power? Follow the instructions on the screen to enter, etc. using the 11 keys (102).
When all the data has been entered, press send switch 12 (103). The microcomputer 1 receives it,
The telephone number for calling the computer is read from the storage device 6 (104). Using the read telephone number, the computer is called using the telephone line through the modem 4 (105). When the line is connected (106), a recognition signal that it is a signal for a game and its member number, telephone number, game machine code number, application data, etc. are transmitted to the central computer (107). The computer receives the signal (108, FIG. 4) and selects a player who matches the application condition from the applicant list (10
9). If no matching player is found, the application data is additionally stored in the application list (111), and a "waiting a little" message is sent to the game terminal (11
2), disconnect the line (113). If a matching player is found, call the player from the computer with the registered telephone number (114), connect the line (115), and if the player receives a signal that the player is OK (116), Applicable as a player pair establishment Phone number that calls the corresponding player game terminal to the game terminal, phone number to read the application game terminal to the applicable player game terminal, send game data such as first move, second move to both (11
7), disconnect the line (118). If the line cannot be connected to the matcher's game terminal or if the game OK signal does not come, disconnect the line to the matcher (119), search for the next matcher, and perform the above operation. repeat. Each game terminal receives the data sent from the computer (120, FIG. 5) and judges whether or not it is a match pair signal (121). The data such as the number is stored (122) and the line is disconnected (123). If not established, a message is displayed on screen 9 (124), the line is disconnected (123), and a new call from the computer is awaited.

Once the players have been decided, the game starts between game machines. Hereinafter, a pair of players is represented by A and B, and the first player is A. 6 to 8 are flowcharts for processing the progress of the game. To start the game, normally, when the player starts the game start switch 14 from A (201, FIG. 6), the computer 1 reads the calling telephone number of B from the storage device 6 (202), and uses the telephone number to call B. Call (203),
When the line is connected, a signal to start the game or a message is transmitted (205). Then wait for the signal from B to play OK (2
06), the game starts when the signal is received. At this time, since the line connection direction is from A to B, the direction flags F ₀ and F are set to 1 (205, 207). Since the game terminal B is on the receiving side, the direction flag F is O (not shown). Since F ₀ = 1 (208, FIG. 7), the line switching predetermined time is calculated (22
3), because F = 1 and the line connection direction is A to B (224),
While counting the line connection time (225), hit the first call and press the transmission switch to transmit the data to B (229
~ 232). At that time, the consideration time of A is accumulated (228).
Since it is B's turn next, advance one turn (233) and return to the original (224). During this time, if a special signal is input from B, interrupt processing is performed (not shown). When it is B's turn, wait until the data is sent from B while checking the connection time (23
If it is sent, it is judged whether it is the move data (236), and if it is the move data, the move of B is displayed on the screen (2
37), move one step forward (233) and return to the original state (224). At that time, the consideration time of B is added up (234). If the received data is other than the start data, each processing is performed. When the line connection time becomes longer than the predetermined line switching time while alternately proceeding in this way (226), the line switching request signal is transmitted from A to B (238) and the line is temporarily disconnected (23
9), set the line connection direction flag F to O and return to the original (20
9). Now it's the turn to connect the line from B to A, so wait for the call from B (241), then connect the line at the called side (242) and calculate the line switching predetermined time ( 223), and proceed with the game by exchanging data such as the start and so on alternately. However, this time, since A is the receiving side, the line connection time is not counted (224, 225). When a line switching request signal is received from B after a certain period of time (24
3) Disconnect the line once (244), then set the line direction flag F to 1 (24) to connect the line from A to B.
5), return to the original (209). If the received data is the start data or the function data other than the line switching request signal, the respective processing is performed. As an example, FIG. 8 shows a procedure when the termination signal is received. When receiving the termination signal from B (250),
The reason why B has dropped is displayed on the screen, and since A is a more important intention display, A requests confirmation (251). When A confirms using the ten-key pad 11, a confirmation signal is transmitted from A to B (252) and the line between A and B is disconnected (253). After that, the telephone number that calls the central computer is read from the storage device (254), the central computer is called, the line is connected (255), the result of the game is transmitted (256), and the game ends. Examples of such functional data are "interruption" for temporarily suspending the game and restarting it at a later date, "end" for signaling the end of the game, "calling" for signaling each other by telephone, and calling from outside. There is "call waiting" as a signal to change the communication method of the game when a call is made or an outside call is made. Next, FIG. 9 shows an example of the concept of (223) calculation of the predetermined time for switching the line. 179 for unit time t _O of line switching predetermined time
Set the second (260). Next, the difference between the consideration integration time T _{A of A} and the consideration integration time T _B of _B is compared with t ₀ (261). And t ₀
If it is smaller, the line switching predetermined time t _K is set to a unit time t ₀ (265), and if the difference is larger than t ₀ , a multiple integer n is divided by the difference in integration time by t ₀ and 1 is added ( 20
2) The line switching predetermined time is obtained as an integral multiple of the unit time obtained by multiplying the unit time t ₀ by n (263), and the considered integration time T _A is the remainder of the difference between the integration times in the unit time t _O , O for T _B
Set (264). By doing this, for example, if A has a longer consideration time than B, the line connection time of A becomes longer,
Although A thinks, B can bear the communication cost correspondingly, and the unfairness can be solved. In addition, the communication cost is made more efficient by managing the line switching predetermined time by an integral multiple of the unit time. Although not shown in this example, in addition to the consideration time as an element to be considered in the calculation of the line switching time, for example, when A makes a telephone call unrelated to the game, as will be described later, B does not become a disadvantage. In the next connection from A, the connection time is extended to compensate.

Next, the case of subscribing to the call waiting service is shown.
In general, this kind of game usually takes time,
Since it is often inconvenient if the telephone line is occupied during the game, a method for making the telephone compatible with the game during the game will be described. First, A shows an embodiment in which B makes a general call from A's phone to a place other than B during the game. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart.

When making a call from A to a place other than the game, press the call waiting switch 20 of the display input unit 2 of the game terminal (FIGS. 2 and 10). In response to this, the microcomputer 1 transmits a "call waiting" signal from A to B (302), disconnects the line (303), and switches the modem 22 to the external telephone with the changeover switch 23 according to a command from the microcomputer. (304). On the other hand, when B receives the "call waiting" signal (305), it also disconnects the line and after a certain period of time (307) calls B from B (30).
8). A is on an outside line and is busy. When A is a little later than B (310), in the case of A's turn, the transmission data is input (312) and the transmission switch is pressed (31
3) The hooking signal generation circuit 25 sends a hooking signal to the telephone exchange 27 according to an instruction from the microcomputer. The telephone exchange 27 receives the hooking signal and switches 28.
The switching line is switched from the outside line telephone to the other party and the changeover switch 23 is operated to switch from the external telephone 4 to the modem 22 (314) and data is transmitted to B (315). Immediately after the transmission, the hooking signal is again sent to the telephone exchange 27 to switch the line from the opponent to the outside line telephone, and the modem 22 is switched to the external telephone 4 to enable the call (316). In the case of B's turn, every fixed time (318, 31
9) Sends a hooking signal to the telephone exchange 27, switches the line from an outside line telephone to the opposite party, and also makes an external telephone line 4
Switch to modem 22 (320) and send B (32
1). When valid data is received from B, the data is taken in (322, 323), the hooking signal is sent again, and the line is switched and the modem 22 is switched to the external telephone 4 to enable a call (316). If B does not start yet and cannot receive valid data, it immediately sends a hooking signal again to switch the line and switches from the modem 22 to the external telephone 4 (324) and waits until the next search time (325, 318). , 319). Thus, it continues until it receives valid data from B. The above operation is repeated until the outside call is completed. When the external telephone is completed, a signal is sent from A to B to return to the normal processing of FIG. 7 (not shown).

Next, an example in which A and B call A from the outside during the game will be described. FIG. 12 is a flow chart in this case.

When A is called, the telephone exchange 27 sends an interruption tone to A indicating that a third party is calling. The interrupt tone is detected and received by the detection circuit 24 (330), displayed on the screen and notified by the buzzer (331). When responding to an outside line, when the receiver of the external telephone 4 is raised and the call waiting switch 20 of the game machine is pressed (332), a "call waiting" signal is transmitted from A to B (333) and a hooking signal is transmitted. In response to this, the telephone exchange 27 switches the line from the opponent to the outside line telephone. At the same time, the changeover switch 23 is operated to change over from the modem 22 to the external telephone 4 to enable communication (334).
After that, as in the case of making a call from A during the game, in the case of A's turn, the line is switched when the data are complete, and in the case of B's turn, the line is sent at regular intervals. Switch to receive data.

As shown in both examples, the call is naturally suspended while the line is switched, but the switching time is very short, so that there is practically no trouble. In addition, it is preferable that the search interval is set to be 30 seconds to 1 minute in consideration of the influence on the call and the game.

Although the embodiment has been described as above, the game machine of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and for example, the display input unit is not a screen but a real combination of switches, sensors and light emitting elements. It is also possible to make it like the above, and the functions and numbers of various switches will change depending on the balance with the software of the computer and the degree of service. Also, with regard to the external telephone attached to the game machine, it is preferable that the two can communicate with each other at the key points of the game, and the inconvenience of occupying the telephone line for a long time can be eliminated. Furthermore, if the calling telephone number of the central computer is stored in advance in the memory device of the microcomputer of the game terminal as described above,
It is convenient without having to remember the phone number or making a wrong call. If the results are transmitted to the central computer at the end of the game (254 to 265), various services such as tabulation of game results and content analysis can be performed on the central computer side, which is preferable.

(Effects of the Invention) With the above configuration, it is possible to enjoy the game with a simple operation and at a fair cost with many people. Also, the inconvenience of occupying the telephone line during the game can be eliminated.

[Brief description of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a line connection relationship between a computer and a game terminal, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a game terminal, and FIGS. A flowchart showing the procedure, FIGS. 6 to 8 are flow charts for processing the progress of the game, FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of calculation of a predetermined line switching time, and FIG. 10 is a game terminal device having an external telephone. A schematic diagram, FIG. 11 is a flow chart for making an external telephone call in the game, and FIG. 12 is a flow chart for making an external telephone call in the game. 1: Microcomputer part, 2: Display input part, 3: Modem part, 4: Telephone, 23: Changeover switch, 24: Interrupt tone detection circuit, 25: Hooking signal generation circuit, 27: Telephone exchange,
30: Game terminal, 31: Computer

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of game terminals for inputting and outputting game data of games such as Go, Shogi, and chess, and game application data from game participants sent from the terminals through a telephone line. There is a computer that selects a player with matching conditions from the participants and sends a telephone number to the game terminal of the opponent to call the game terminal of the opponent. A means for storing the above-mentioned telephone number sent from, connecting the line with the opponent by the telephone number, automatically switching the connection direction alternately every predetermined time, and exchanging each game signal data A game device characterized by that. 2. A means for transmitting the game application data to the computer through the line, a microcomputer storing a telephone number sent from the computer to call a game terminal of the opponent, and a game of the opponent by the telephone number. A means for calling a terminal and connecting a line of the terminal institution, a case where the connection of the line is connected at the transmission side and a case where the connection is made at the called side by calling from the game terminal of the opponent 2. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising means for alternately switching to and from each other, and means for mutually transmitting and receiving data necessary for the progress of the game while the line is connected. 3. A means for detecting an external telephone call signal from a third party sent from a telephone exchange of the telephone line using an external telephone provided in the game terminal, between the game terminals Means for sending a hooking signal for switching between the above line and the line of the above-mentioned external telephone to the telephone exchange in the above line, while using the above-mentioned external telephone, the line to the telephone with the outside telephone is connected. Mainly connected, while holding the line with the opponent game terminal during that time, the terminal on the side using the external telephone sends a hooking signal to the telephone exchange at predetermined time intervals, and the line is sent to the third party. A call from the other game terminal to the other game terminal, sending and receiving game progress data, sending a hooking signal to the telephone exchange again, and returning the line from the other game terminal to the external telephone with the third party. Remote station game apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein with a.