JP2000262749A - Communication device for game and game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To normally transmit and receive the communication data among a plurality of game devices when a game is played while wirelessly transmitting and receiving the communication data and to cope with various communication- type games. SOLUTION: A communication control portion 14 of a communicating unit 3 used in this game device comprises a communication allocatin control portion for determining the allocation of a transmitting and receiving period of the communication data, and a timing control portion for adjusting the timing for transmitting and receiving the communication data. In the wireless communication, a plurality of slots, that is, the specified slots to be independently allotted to each game device and the unspecified slots not to be specifically allotted to the game device are prepared, the number of unspecified slots is determined by adding at least two surplus slots to the number of the specified slots, and the wireless communication is executed by selecting one of the time-division synchronous or asynchronous system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a game communication device and a game device having a communication function for playing a game while transmitting and receiving communication data to and from another game device by wireless communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a communication-type game device capable of performing a battle game or the like has generally been a device in which a plurality of game devices are connected by a cable to transmit and receive communication data by wire. In the case of a wired communication type game device, a cable connecting the game devices is required, and the game devices cannot communicate with each other at a distance longer than the cable length. There are problems such as inconvenient handling due to restrictions.

[0003] In recent years, there have been proposed several wireless communication-type game devices capable of playing a game while transmitting and receiving communication data wirelessly. As a wireless communication type game device, a device using optical communication using infrared rays or the like,
There is a type that transmits and receives communication data by radio wave communication using radio waves in a predetermined frequency band. For example, JP
Japanese Patent Publication No. 0-151274 discloses a wireless battle game machine in which a plurality of players are divided into two groups and play on the same screen as an example of a wireless communication type game device using radio wave communication. In such a game device using radio wave communication, there are few restrictions on the position and posture of the user when playing the game, the orientation of the game device, and the like, and the operability during use is good.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned publication, there is little description about a communication system and a communication control for performing wireless communication, and a communication-type game which can actually progress a game well by wireless communication. It is difficult to create a device or play a good communication game by wireless communication. Further, when performing radio wave communication, interference with communication data from a game device operated by a third party is likely to occur, and it is difficult to maintain a good communication state.

As described above, in the conventional game apparatus, it is difficult to always maintain a good communication state when trying to execute a game by transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication.
There is a possibility that the game device may malfunction due to a malfunction of the communication data, such as the communication data not being able to be normally reproduced on the receiving side or interference with communication data from another device, which may hinder the progress of the game. Was. Furthermore, in recent years, the types of games have been diversified, and game devices using wireless communication have been required to be compatible with various types of games so as to satisfy various genres and play styles.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when performing a game while wirelessly transmitting and receiving communication data, communication data can be normally transmitted and received between a plurality of game devices. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game communication device and a game device capable of playing a game while maintaining a communication state and capable of supporting various communication games.

[0007]

A game communication device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a game communication device for a game device in which a plurality of game devices transmit and receive communication data by wireless communication to progress a game. The communication device for a game is characterized by comprising communication control means for selecting either a synchronous type or an asynchronous type and controlling transmission and reception of communication data in the wireless communication.

A game communication device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a game communication device for a game device in which a game progresses while transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication between a plurality of game devices. The communication device for use is a wireless communication unit capable of independently transmitting and receiving communication data in each of a plurality of frequency bands, and a time-division synchronous type in at least one or more of the plurality of frequency bands. Or a communication control means for selecting any one of the asynchronous type and controlling transmission and reception of communication data in the wireless communication.

Further, as described in claim 3, claim 1
Or the game communication device according to 2, wherein the communication control means specifies one cycle of a predetermined communication cycle in wireless communication by a specific slot to which each of the plurality of game devices is individually assigned and the game device. It is characterized in that it is divided into a plurality of slots having an unspecified slot that cannot be allocated and transmission / reception of communication data is controlled.

Further, as set forth in claim 4, the communication control means sets the number of the unspecified slots so as to have at least two or more surplus slots in addition to the same number of slots as the specified slots. It is characterized by doing.

Alternatively, as set forth in claim 5, the communication control means sets the number of the specific slots to N (N> 0, N
Is an integer), and when the number of groups of game devices that can exist in the overlapping communicable area and independently play a game is A (A> 0, A is an integer), the specific slot and the unspecified slot Is set to A × (N + 1) +1 or more.

Also, as described in claim 6, claim 3
6. The communication device for games according to any one of claims 5 to 5, wherein said communication control means exchanges communication data with a reference game device once in said unspecified slot when receiving assignment to said specific slot. After that, the mobile terminal shifts to a specific slot and performs transmission / reception of communication data in a synchronous manner.

[0013] Also, as described in claim 7, claim 3
6. The game communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication control means includes a first group of game devices allocated to the specific slot and performing wireless communication, and a game that performs wireless communication separately from the first group. When the second group of devices is present in the overlapping communicable area, the first group performs synchronous wireless communication during the specific slot, and the second group performs the specific slot. Wireless communication is performed in a synchronous or asynchronous manner during a period of a specific slot or an unspecified slot that does not overlap.

[0014] A game device according to claim 8 of the present invention is a game device comprising:
A game communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game device comprising:
A game communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and a game machine main body having a display unit for displaying an image as the game progresses, wherein the game communication device is detachably attached to the game machine main body. It is characterized by being attached to.

In the game communication device and the game device according to the present invention, by controlling the transmission and reception of communication data by selecting either the synchronous type or the asynchronous type, the game can be performed while transmitting and receiving the communication data wirelessly. In addition, communication data can be normally transmitted and received between a plurality of game devices without errors by synchronous or asynchronous wireless communication, and a good game can be played. In addition, any of synchronous and asynchronous wireless communication can be selectively performed, so that various communication games can be supported.

Also, by providing a specific slot to which each of the plurality of game devices is individually allocated and an unspecified slot to which the game device is not specifically allocated, the game devices of the group allocated to the specific slot can be synchronized. At the same time as transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication, game devices of another group can perform synchronous or asynchronous wireless communication in the unspecified slot,
In the overlapping communicable area, a plurality of groups can independently execute a game.

Further, by setting the number of unspecified slots so as to have at least two or more extra slots in addition to the same number of slots as the specified slots, a group performing synchronous wireless communication in the specified slots and A group that performs synchronous or asynchronous wireless communication in a specific slot or an unspecified slot that does not overlap with a group can be mixed without interfering with each other in an overlapping communicable area, and such a plurality of groups are mixed. Even if it is, at least one unspecified slot can be reserved in each group, and this unspecified slot is once assigned to the unspecified slot in order to be assigned to a specific slot such as when newly joining wireless communication. It can be used when exchanging communication data.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a game device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, a description will be given using a portable game machine as an example of the configuration of the game apparatus. Note that the configuration of the game device is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible.

The game machine has a game machine main body 1 provided with a control section, an operation section, a display section, and the like for executing a game program to progress a game. A game cartridge 2 corresponding to a recording medium on which a game program is recorded, and a communication unit 3 corresponding to a game communication device having communication means for transmitting and receiving communication data to and from another game device are mounted and used. I can do it. The communication unit 3
As shown in the figure, the game machine main body 1 may be configured to be detachable separately from the main body, or may be provided in the game machine main body 1 integrally.

The game cartridge 2 includes a game program 4a, a plurality of image data 4b, and a plurality of sound data 4b.
c is stored in the ROM 4 in advance.

The game machine body 1 includes a RAM 5 functioning as a working memory for loading a game program 4a or the like in the ROM 4 and executing various processes,
LCD unit 6 as a display unit for displaying the image data 4b in the ROM as an image, and a sound reproduction unit 7 as a sound reproduction unit for reproducing the sound data 4c in the ROM 4 as sound
A key input unit 8 as an operation unit for performing various operation inputs related to game operations; and a CPU 9 as a control unit including a microprocessor or the like that executes the game program 4a and controls each unit in the game device. ing. Each component is connected to the CPU 9 in a state where the game cartridge 2 and the communication unit 3 are connected to the game machine main body 1 as shown in FIG.

The liquid crystal display unit 6 drives the liquid crystal display unit 6 at high speed based on a plurality of image data 4b in order to display a character image on the liquid crystal display panel of the liquid crystal display unit 6 as if it were moving. Display drive circuit 10 is connected.

The sound reproducing unit 7 has sound data 4 for reproducing sound with the speaker of the sound reproducing unit 7.
sound reproduction circuit 1 for driving sound reproduction unit 7 based on c
1 is connected.

The game machine body 1 has a built-in battery 18.
Alternatively, a power switch 12 for turning on and off the power supply from an external power supply, and a light emitting device 13 such as an LED that emits light when the game device is in an active state in conjunction with the turning on of the power switch 12 are provided, and are connected to the CPU 9. ing.

The communication unit 3 includes a communication control unit 14 for performing various communication controls relating to game progress and the like, and a transmission / reception unit 15 connected to the communication control unit 14 for transmitting and receiving communication data.
The communication data is transmitted to another game device by the antenna 16 and the communication data from the other game device can be received. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the communication control unit 14 controls the wireless communication by selecting either the time-division synchronous type or the asynchronous type.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the external structure of the game device of the present embodiment.
FIG. The game cartridge 2 is mounted on the back side of the game machine main body 1 not shown in this figure.

At a substantially central portion of the surface of the game machine body 1,
The liquid crystal display panel 6a of the liquid crystal display unit 6 is provided. On the left side of the liquid crystal display panel 6a, an operation pad 8a for direction indication including a four-way switch and the like is provided, and on the right side, two push buttons 8b including a push switch are provided. The key input unit 8 including the operation pad 8a and the push button 8b enables a user (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a game player) to input his / her intention at the time of playing the game.
A power switch 12 and a light emitting device 13 are arranged above the operation pad 8a. An opening 21 for transmitting sound generated from the speaker 7a of the sound reproducing unit 7 to the outside is provided below the operation pad 8a.

Next, the function of the communication unit 3 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a communication control unit in the communication unit according to the present embodiment.

The communication control unit 14 comprises a microprocessor, peripheral circuits and the like, and as a functional block thereof, a communication data processing unit 31 for converting between game information exchanged with the CPU 9 and communication data for wireless communication.
And a communication allocation control unit 32 for setting the allocation of a communication data transmission / reception period when performing wireless communication, and a timing control unit 33 for adjusting the transmission / reception timing of the communication data.

When transmitting communication data to another game device, the game information transmitted by the instruction of the CPU 9 is modulated by the instruction of the communication data processing section 31 to transmit the communication data (here, the communication data of the radio frequency band). The transmission / reception unit 15 performs power amplification or the like, and emits the signal as an electromagnetic wave from the antenna 16. At this time, the communication assignment control unit 3
2, the communication data transmission period is allocated, and while the transmission timing is adjusted by the timing control unit 33, the communication data is transmitted at an appropriate timing in a predetermined transmission allocation period.

When communication data is received from another game device, the communication data received by the transmission / reception unit 15 via the antenna 16 during a predetermined reception allocation period allocated by the communication allocation control unit 32 is transmitted. Communication data processing unit 3
The signal is demodulated according to the instruction of 1 and transferred to the CPU 9 as game information.

Here, an example of allocation of communication data transmission / reception periods will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, 11 allocation periods are defined as one cycle, and among the allocation periods (slots), four (slots T1 to T4) are identified and allocated to the game device in order to perform time-division synchronous communication. The specific slots and the remaining seven slots (slots T5 to T11) are used as unspecified slots in which game devices are not specified and allocated to perform communication either synchronously or asynchronously. Communication data can be transmitted to another game device. in this case,
One cycle is a period in which transmission and reception of communication data in a specific slot and an unspecified slot makes one cycle. It should be noted that the number of slots and the number of specific and unspecified slots in one cycle may be appropriately set according to the specifications of the game device and the game program, the communication environment, and the like, without being limited to the above-described allocation.

When the power of the communication unit 3 is started by operating the power switch 12 of the game machine body 1 or controlling the CPU 9, the communication control unit 14 starts operating and the transmission / reception period is first allocated. FIG. 5 is a time chart showing an example of communication data timing control of the game device according to the present embodiment. In particular, when wireless communication is performed in a time-division synchronous manner, how each game device is allocated to a specific slot. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the above.

First, the first game device M1 transmits communication data at an arbitrary timing after the communication control unit 14 waits for a predetermined time and confirms that another game device has not transmitted communication data. The communication data to be transmitted may be a signal including information such as an allocation request or a simple electromagnetic wave signal called a carrier signal which does not include information regarding the game. Thereby, the first game device M1 is allocated to the first specific slot T1.

Thereafter, the first game device M1 becomes the reference game device, and the first game device M1 transmits communication data at a constant timing. The transmission / reception timing of communication data in another game device is controlled based on the communication data transmitted from the reference game device. In the case where communication data from a plurality of game devices are transmitted in an overlapping manner, the communication data is transmitted again with the timing shifted by each game device using a random number or the like, and the first data is transmitted in the first game device. What is necessary is just to become the apparatus M1 and acquire the assignment. By repeating this retry operation several times, one of the game devices is assigned to the first specific slot T1 as the reference game device. In addition, the time-series arrangement of the specific slots and the unspecified slots shown in FIGS.
1 is determined in accordance with the timing at which communication data is transmitted.

Next, the second game device M2 uses the transmission timing of the communication data from the first game device M1 as a reference.
First, communication data is transmitted once during the period in which the unspecified slots (T5 to T11) exist (the communication data does not necessarily need to be transmitted just in time with each unspecified slot).

Thereafter, by exchanging communication data between the first game device M1 and the second game device M2, the second game device M2 is allocated to the specific slot T2, and the transmission / reception timing of the communication data is specified from the unspecified slot. Migrate to slot. Thereafter, the second game device M2 transmits communication data at a timing corresponding to the specific slot T2. Further, the third game device M3 is also allocated in the same manner, and sequentially transmits communication data at a timing corresponding to the specific slot T3.

As described above, another game device (M) that is to receive a specific slot allocation after the first game device M1.
, M3,...) Are the first game device M1 which is once a reference.
The communication data transmitted from is received and, at this timing, the communication data is exchanged with the reference game device while transmitting the communication data once in a period corresponding to the unspecified slot, and thereafter, the predetermined specific slot is transmitted. Be assigned.

The other game devices are not necessarily T2, T
3. It is not necessary to sequentially assign to the specific slots.
For example, when the position of a specific slot is determined in advance according to the type of game, etc., each game device may be directly assigned to a slot for playing a desired game based on communication data from the reference game device.

In the present embodiment, in the communication unit 3 of each game device, the communication control unit 14
The timing of the communication data is adjusted by the function of the timing control unit 33 in each of the specific slot and the unspecified slot allocated by the function 2 so that the plurality of game devices can exchange the communication data normally. .

By performing such communication control, in wireless communication between a plurality of game devices existing in parallel, the reference game device plays the role of a host device, and a shift in transmission / reception timing of communication data occurs during the game. Can be reduced and corrected. Therefore, when wireless communication is performed in a time-division synchronous manner, it is possible to eliminate a problem of communication data caused by a shift in transmission / reception timing of communication data, thereby preventing a malfunction of the game apparatus due to a communication error.

Communication data is transmitted and received in units of, for example, 8 bits (1 byte), and the data transmission speed is set to 1
When 9200 bps and one communication time (allocation period: length of one slot) are 8 msec, it is possible to transmit and receive about 19 bytes of communication data in one communication time. Here, 18 bytes are transmitted and received within one communication time, 2 bytes of which are control data, and the remaining 16 bytes are game data. In the control data, for example, one byte indicates its own allocation number (slot number), and the other one byte indicates the allocation number of the transmission destination. The upper 4 bits of each byte of the communication data may be used as the game data, and the lower 4 bits may indicate the source or destination allocation number. When transmitting large data that cannot be accommodated within 8 msec, which is one communication time, the communication data may be divided into a plurality of pieces and the subsequent data may be transmitted at the timing of the next communication time.

Next, using the game device of this embodiment,
A description will be given of a procedure when a game is advanced while performing wireless communication between a plurality of game devices for which an allocation period is set as described above, and an operation of the game device.

The game player mounts the game cartridge 2 in which the same kind of game program 4a is recorded on the game machine main body 1, and further mounts the communication unit 3. In this state, when each game player turns on the power switch 12 of the game machine main body 1, the CPU 9 starts executing the game program 4a. Then, when the game player performs various operation inputs using the key input unit 8, the game starts and proceeds according to the game program 4a. At this time, by transmitting and receiving communication data by the communication unit 3, game information is exchanged between a plurality of game devices, and the game proceeds.

Here, a case where the game to be executed is a competitive shooting game will be described as an example. This game is an example of a game that proceeds through synchronous wireless communication. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the game display screen.

A radar detection map is displayed as a game display screen 41 on the liquid crystal display panel 6a of the game device of each game player. At the center of the game display screen 41, a self-character 42 indicating its own character is displayed, and a confirmation area 43 of a predetermined range that rotates around the self-character 42 like a radar detection range is displayed. When a character of another game player exists in the confirmation area 43, the character is
Is displayed, and the presence and the position of the partner character can be recognized.

In the game field, for example, a battle is performed in a three-story building, and the field of the game is displayed on the game screen as if three layers of fields are overlapped virtually. At this time, the display color of the character may indicate the floor on which each character is currently located. The traveling direction of the opponent character 44 is indicated by the direction of the displayed character. However, the actual positional relationship between the game players is not reflected on the game display screen, and only the virtual field position (the position on the game display screen) of the character that the game player moves by operating the operation pad 8a is changed. Is displayed.

The game player operates the operation pad 8a to move the position and orientation of the self-character 42 on the field and presses the push button 8b to eject a bullet to attack the opponent character 44. At this time, attacks on different floors such as the first floor to the third floor and the second floor to the first floor are possible. However, the bullet speed should be reduced in proportion to the distance of the floor.

During the progress of the game, a key input signal is transferred to the communication unit 3 as game information under the control of the CPU 9 in the game machine main body 1. In the communication unit 3, the game information is converted into communication data by the communication control unit 14 and transmitted to the transmission / reception unit 15, and the communication data is output as an electromagnetic wave from the antenna 16 and transmitted to another game device. In another game device, the transmitted communication data is received by the transmission / reception unit 15 via the antenna 16 of the communication unit 3, and the game information is reproduced based on the communication data received by the communication control unit 14, and the game machine body 1 is transferred to the CPU 9.

In the game device of the wireless communication type by radio wave communication as in the present embodiment, when a game is played by time-division synchronous wireless communication with a plurality of game devices using the allocation of transmission / reception periods as shown in FIG. In each of the game devices, communication data is exchanged substantially simultaneously, so that the game proceeds.

Here, if the game device of a certain game player goes out of the communicable area while the game is in progress, transmission and reception of communication data with other game devices becomes impossible. In the case of, the opponent character corresponding to the game player who has deviated from the other game device disappears from the game display screen. Only the self-character is displayed on the game display screen of the removed game player. When the game device of the removed game player enters the communicable area again, as shown in FIG.
Once the communication data is transmitted and received asynchronously in the unspecified slot and the assignment is made, the process proceeds to the corresponding specific slot to start the synchronous communication and return to the game.

Also, when a new game player joins the game from the middle, similarly to the above, once the communication data is transmitted and received asynchronously in the unspecified slot, the assignment is made, and The transition can be made to start synchronous communication and participate in the game progress.

In this embodiment, when synchronous communication control is performed, the reference game device is only one (the reference game device initially allocated to the specific slot T1), and this reference game device is During the transmission and reception of communication data, such as during a game, the existence of the communication data can be removed from the communicable area, the power of the game device itself or the power of the communication device may be cut off, or the communication data may be transmitted or received due to a failure. If the game device has run out, the game device assigned to the next specific slot T2 is used as a reference. In this case, the specific slot T2 is changed to T1, and the other slots are sequentially changed according to the timing of this slot.

In the communicable area, for example, when four game players each having game devices a, b, c, and d are present and playing a game, for game device b, all other games are played. Game device a (reference game device) even if devices a, c, and d are within the communicable area
In some cases, the game device d is out of the communicable area. The arrangement of the game devices is not always an ideal arrangement (arranged in a circular shape) so that they are almost at the same distance from each other. For example, when the game devices are arranged in a line. The above may occur when the difference between the distances between the game devices is large. In such a state, the game device outside the communicable area deviates from the allocation and the communication is temporarily interrupted, but the game device can be returned to the game by being reallocated using the unspecified slot as described above. .

In the competitive game as described above, the game progresses by exchanging communication data by synchronous communication control. At the same time as playing the game or at another time, the same game is performed. It is also possible to play a game by asynchronous wireless communication in the communicable area. In the case of performing simultaneously with the synchronous type, transmission / reception of communication data is performed using an unspecified slot period determined according to the synchronous type timing. As an asynchronous game, its own game device is always ready to receive and transmit, and exchanges messages with opponents who have the same type of game and / or game device of the same model. A game progressing using the parameters of the game is exemplified. When performing asynchronous wireless communication, it is not always necessary to transmit communication data exactly at the timing when each unspecified slot is allocated,
What is necessary is just to make it transmit suitably at a desired timing in all the periods where the unspecified slot is allocated.

The selection of the synchronous or asynchronous communication control may be automatically selected by the game program 4a stored in the game cartridge 2, or may be selected in one game cartridge 2. When a plurality of games are stored, the game may be manually selected by operating the key input unit 8 of the game player. The communication control unit 14 operates according to the selected communication control method,
Each game device is assigned a transmission / reception period.

The communication control when playing a game by wireless communication is not limited to the above-described method of dividing the time and taking the timing of communication data from a plurality of game devices, but also a plurality of frequencies for communication. It is also possible to provide a band and transmit and receive communication data at different frequencies at the same time. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of setting a plurality of frequency bands. In this case, in at least one of the plurality of bands B1, B2, B3, FIG.
The transmission and reception periods are allocated by setting the slots shown in FIG. In the communication unit 3, the communication control unit 14 and the transmission / reception unit 15 are configured to be able to transmit and receive in a plurality of frequency bands.

Next, an example of communication control when a plurality of groups playing a game exist in the same or overlapping communicable areas will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the positions of a plurality of groups, and FIG. 9 is a time chart showing a first communication control example.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, four game devices a,
Four game devices e, f, g, and h playing a different game for the I group consisting of b, c, and d
The operation in the case where the II group consisting of the above and the communicable areas overlap with each other will be described.

In the first example of communication control shown in FIG. 9, similarly to FIG. 4, game devices a, b, and I of the I group which are allocated to specific slots T1 to T4 and perform synchronous wireless communication.
For c and d, the game devices e, f, g, and h of Group II
Into the range of the unspecified slots T6 to T10. In this case, the specific slots T1 to T4 are specific slots for the I group, and the specific slots T5
Are reserved as unspecified slots of the I group. Also, in order to absorb the time fluctuation when entering the slot,
The unspecified slot T6 is secured as a buffer slot between the I group and the II group, and a transmission / reception period for four slots is allocated to a range for five slots. Eventually, the game device of the group II is determined to be an unspecified slot T6 to T9 or T
7 to T10. Then, the unspecified slot T11 is secured as an unspecified slot of the II group. Here, in the case of performing synchronous wireless communication also in the game device of the II group, the slot to which the II group is allocated is a period of an unspecified slot when viewed from the I group, but is equal to the specific slot after entering the slot. It functions, and the same wireless communication as when assigned as a specific slot is performed for each game device of the II group.

By allocating slots as described above, a plurality of (two in this case) groups in which a game proceeds while performing synchronous wireless communication while securing a dedicated unspecified slot in each group are formed. They can coexist within the overlapping communicable range. Then, each group can transmit and receive communication data without interfering with each other. In the case where each group participates in the game from the middle of the game, an assignment is made to temporarily enter the unspecified slot and then shift to the specified slot as in FIG. Communication is possible. In the example of FIG. 9, a case is described in which both the I group and the II group play a game by synchronous wireless communication. However, the II group can naturally advance the game by an asynchronous wireless communication in an unspecified slot. .

The number of each slot in the above communication control example may be set as follows. Set the number of specific slots to N
If (N> 0, N is an integer), and the number of groups that independently or independently exist in the communicable area and play a game is A (A> 0, A is an integer) ,
It is preferable that the total number of slots K is set to A × (N + 1) +1 or more. In this case, the upper limit of the total number of slots K is equal to or less than (A + 1) × (N + 1) +1. FIG. 9 shows a case where A = 2 and N = 4 are substituted into the above equation, and the total number of slots K = 2 × (4 + 1) + 1 = 11.

If there is no particular problem without providing a buffer slot, at least two or more extra slots may be provided as unspecified slots in addition to the same number of slots as the specified slots. That is, when the number of specific slots is four, at least six unspecified slots are provided, and a total of ten or more slots constitute one cycle of a transmission / reception period.

FIG. 10 is a time chart showing a second communication control example. The second communication control example is an example in which the assignment of transmission / reception periods is arranged in a matrix, and the game devices are assigned over a plurality of cycles (for example, four cycles). In the example of FIG. 10, a plurality of channels are provided in each slot, such as channels A1, A2, A3, and A4 in slot S1, channels B1, B2, B3, and B4 in slot S2. .

In this example, game devices a, b, and I of group I, which are assigned to, for example, channels A1 to A4 in specific slots S1 to S4 and perform synchronous wireless communication.
For c and d, the game devices e, f, g, and h of Group II
Into the range of the unspecified slots S6 to S10. In this case, similarly to the first communication control example, the transmission / reception slot and the surplus slot of the group II are secured during the period of the unspecified slot. When the game devices of the II group perform synchronous wireless communication, each game device of the II group receives the same assignment as the specific slot during the period of the unspecified slot as viewed from the I group. In addition, the game devices e, f, g, h of the group II
After entering the unspecified slot and receiving the assignment to perform communication, the assignment may be shifted to, for example, the channels C1 to C4 of the slot S3 to perform synchronous wireless communication.

Further, in the second communication control example, by repeating the allocation period of a plurality of cycles, only the communication control in which the transmission and reception of the communication data makes a round in the four channels A1 to A4 as in the slot S1 is performed. In addition, it is possible to perform communication control such that communication data transmission / reception makes a round in six channels B1 to B6 as in the slot S2, and it is also possible to perform assignment in which the number of channels differs for each slot.

In the first and second communication control examples,
When a plurality of groups coexist in the overlapping communicable area, which group is prioritized may be determined, for example, by prioritizing the groups by software using a program in a game cartridge or a communication unit, or by the game player itself. Can set a priority group. When a plurality of groups perform wireless communication in parallel at the same time, the priority group is preferentially assigned and performs wireless communication (for example, during a specific slot period for the priority group), and the other groups perform communication with the communication period of the priority group. Wireless communication is performed during a non-overlapping period (for example, a period of an unspecified slot when viewed from the priority group).

In the case where there are many game devices communicating in the unspecified slot, the II
If the game devices e, f, g, and h of the group cannot communicate with each other or the group I and the group II cannot communicate in the overlapping communicable area for other reasons, the display unit , And a warning sound is generated from the sound reproducing unit to warn the game player that the two groups are separated from each other.

The game to be executed in the game device according to the present invention is not limited to a competitive game requiring almost real-time data processing, but may be a game such as a mahjong game or a shogi game which does not require real-time data processing. It can be executed and applicable to all kinds of wireless communication games.

According to the present embodiment, since it is possible to perform wireless communication by selecting either the synchronous or asynchronous communication method, the types of games that can be played using this game device are as follows. The number of games that can be played can be broadened for game players because the number of games can be greatly increased.

Further, since one predetermined communication cycle is divided and assigned to a specific slot and an unspecified slot, for example, a game is played between the game devices assigned to the specific slot by synchronous wireless communication. At the same time, the game can be played between the other game devices by asynchronous wireless communication using the period corresponding to the unspecified slot. Alternatively, while playing a game between game devices assigned to a specific slot, a game device that newly attempts to participate in wireless communication transmits / receives communication data once during a period corresponding to the unspecified slot and then transmits / receives the specific slot. To participate in a game by synchronous wireless communication. At this time, it is possible to reduce adverse effects such as interference on transmission and reception of communication data of the game that has already been performed.

Even if another group in which a game is played by wireless communication in the overlapping communicable area (within the same communication area), even if there is another group in the first group,
The wireless communication of the second group is performed during the period corresponding to the unspecified slot with respect to one game device, and the wireless communication of the second group is not performed during the period corresponding to the unspecified slot. It is possible to secure a period as a surplus slot, and to enable a game device that wants to participate in the game from the middle of the period of the surplus slot to transmit and receive communication data, thereby preventing interference when transmitting and receiving communication data as much as possible. be able to.

Further, by providing a game communication device (communication unit) having communication control means capable of performing the above-described wireless communication separately from the game machine body,
When wireless communication is not performed, the game communication device can be detached from the game machine body and used only with the game machine body. This makes it possible to provide a game device that is lightweight, simple, and easy to hold for a game player, thereby improving operability.

Further, if a game communication device provided with the communication control means as described above is constructed, wireless communication is performed while maintaining a good communication state by reducing the occurrence of interference and the like by being mounted on the game device. It is possible to play a communication-type game with a plurality of game devices without any trouble.

In the game device of the present invention, the game machine body 1
It is also possible to separately provide a communication connector for playing a communication game by wire (for example, a cable line) on the end face on the side on which the communication unit 3 is mounted, and to connect the communication unit 3 for wireless communication. It is also possible to use the connector together as a connector for wired communication. Whether to use the wireless communication or the wired communication can be selected automatically by the game program stored in the game cartridge to be mounted, or can be selected by operating the operation unit according to the game player's own intention. Thus, the communication options of the game player are expanded.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention, the transmission and reception of communication data is controlled by wirelessly transmitting and receiving communication data by controlling the transmission and reception of communication data by selecting either the time-division synchronous type or the asynchronous type. When performing the game, communication data can be normally transmitted and received between a plurality of game devices without errors by synchronous or asynchronous wireless communication, and the game can be progressed while maintaining a good communication state. It is possible to provide a game communication device and a game device that can support various communication games.

Further, by providing a specific slot to which each of the plurality of game devices is individually allocated and an unspecified slot to which the game device is not specifically allocated, the game devices of the group allocated to the specific slot are synchronized with each other. At the same time as transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication of the type, other groups of game devices can perform synchronous or asynchronous wireless communication in the unspecified slot, and a plurality of It is possible to execute the game independently.

Further, by setting the number of unspecified slots so as to have at least two or more extra slots in addition to the same number of slots as the specified slots, the number of unspecified slots is different from that of a group performing synchronous wireless communication in the specified slots. A group that performs synchronous or asynchronous wireless communication in a specific slot can be mixed without interfering with each other in an overlapping communicable area.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a game device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an external configuration of the game device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a communication control unit in the communication unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of allocation of transmission / reception periods of communication data.

FIG. 5 is a time chart illustrating an example of communication data timing control of the game device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a game display screen.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of setting a plurality of frequency bands.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing positions of a plurality of groups.

FIG. 9 is a time chart illustrating a first example of communication control when a plurality of groups exist in overlapping communicable areas.

FIG. 10 is a time chart showing a second example of communication control when a plurality of groups exist in overlapping communicable areas.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine main body 2 Game cartridge 3 Communication unit 4 ROM 4a Game program 5 RAM 6 Liquid crystal display unit 7 Sound reproduction unit 8 Key input unit 9 CPU 14 Communication control unit 15 Transmission / reception unit 31 Communication data processing unit 32 Communication allocation control unit 33 Timing Control unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A game communication device in a game device that progresses a game while transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication between a plurality of game devices, wherein the game communication device is either a synchronous type or an asynchronous type. A communication device for games, comprising: communication control means for selecting one of the above and controlling transmission and reception of communication data in the wireless communication. 2. A game communication device in a game device which progresses a game while transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication between the plurality of game devices, wherein the game communication device has a plurality of frequency bands in each of a plurality of frequency bands. A wireless communication means capable of independently transmitting and receiving communication data, and selecting at least one of a time-division synchronous type and an asynchronous type in at least one A communication device for games, comprising: communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of communication data in communication. 3. The communication control means sets one cycle of a predetermined communication cycle in wireless communication to a specific slot to which each of the plurality of game devices is individually allocated and an unspecified slot which is not allocated by the game device. The communication device for games according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication device is divided into a plurality of slots having slots, and transmission and reception of communication data are controlled. 4. The communication control unit according to claim 3, wherein the number of the unspecified slots is set to have at least two or more surplus slots in addition to the same number of slots as the specified slots. 3. The communication device for games according to claim 1. 5. The communication control means, wherein the number of the specific slots is N (N> 0, N is an integer), and a group of game devices that can exist independently within an overlapped communicable area and perform a game independently. When the number is A (A> 0, A is an integer), the total number of slots including the specific slot and the unspecified slot is set to A × (N + 1) +1 or more. Item 4. A game communication device according to Item 3. 6. The communication control means, when receiving the assignment to the specific slot, temporarily exchanges communication data with a reference game device in the unspecified slot, and then shifts to the specific slot. The communication device for games according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein transmission and reception of communication data is performed synchronously. 7. The communication control means includes a first group of game devices that are allocated to the specific slot and perform wireless communication, and a second group of game devices that perform wireless communication separately. When present in the overlapping communicable area, the first group performs synchronous wireless communication during the specific slot, and the second group does not overlap with the specific slot. The communication device for games according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein synchronous or asynchronous wireless communication is performed during a slot. 8. A game device comprising the game communication device according to claim 1. 9. The game communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a game machine main body having a display unit for displaying an image as the game progresses, wherein the game communication device includes the game communication device. A game device which is detachably attached to a machine body.