JP2000135380A - Communication device for game and game devices - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To normally transmit and receive data for communication among a plural number of game devices while a game is in progression by wireless communication. SOLUTION: A communication controlling part 14 of a communication unit 3 used for a game devices includes a communication data processing part in which the game information got by communicating with a CPU 9 in a main body 1 of the game device and the communication data for wireless communication are converted, a communication allocation controlling part which sets the allocation of the term for transmitting and receiving communication data when communication is done by time sharing system, and a timing controlling part which controls the timing of transmitting and receiving the communication data. At the time of wireless communication, according to the timing of the communication data transmitted from a standardizing game devices as a standard, the timing of transmitting and receiving the following communication data can be adjusted by the function of the timing controlling part so that the communication data can normally be received at other game devices.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game apparatus having a communication function for playing a game while transmitting and receiving communication data to and from another game apparatus by wireless communication, and a game communication apparatus.

[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. For example, JP-A-7-2
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55949 discloses a wireless communication-type game device that transmits and receives communication data using an infrared light signal by using a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit including an infrared diode and a photodiode. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-1512
No. 74 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.

[0004]

However, in a game device of a wireless communication type using an optical signal, when performing communication with another game device, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the device are changed to the light emitting unit of another device. In addition, it is necessary to face the light receiving section, and there is a problem that the position and the posture of the user are restricted when playing the game.

[0005] Further, in a wireless communication type game device, there is a possibility that due to a change in the communication environment between the game devices, communication data may not be transmitted normally due to delay or interference in the communication data. In the above publication, there are few descriptions of a communication method and communication control when performing wireless communication, and a communication-type game device capable of actually proceeding with a game well by wireless communication with the communication method is described. Implementing a communication game is difficult.

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 malfunctions 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. There was a problem.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when performing wireless communication, it is possible to normally transmit and receive communication data between a plurality of game devices, and to proceed with the game without hindrance. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game device and a game communication device that can perform the following.

[0008]

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 game communication device is capable of performing time-division synchronous or asynchronous wireless communication, and when performing the time-division synchronous wireless communication, a predetermined communication cycle of one. The period is divided into a specific slot that specifies and allocates each of the game devices and an unspecified slot that does not specify and allocates each of the game devices, and communication of a reference game device serving as a reference allocated to the specific slot. The timing which recognizes the data and adjusts the timing of the communication data to be transmitted later based on the timing of the communication data transmitted from the reference game device Characterized by comprising a control unit.

In the game communication device according to the present invention, the timing control means of the game communication device in a game device other than the reference game device may first determine timing of communication data transmitted from the reference game device. Communication data is transmitted at a timing corresponding to an unspecified slot based on the predetermined communication data, and after that, after transmitting and receiving predetermined communication data with the reference game device, the communication data is transmitted at a timing corresponding to the specific slot. .

A game communication device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a game communication device in a game device which progresses a game while transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication among a plurality of game devices, When performing wireless communication in a time-division synchronous manner, the communication data of the reference game device serving as a reference is recognized, and the timing of communication data transmitted later is determined based on the timing of communication data transmitted from the reference game device. It is characterized by comprising timing control means for adjusting.

A game device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is
A game device having a communication unit that progresses a game while transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication among a plurality of game devices. The communication unit serves as a reference when performing wireless communication in a time-division synchronous manner. It is characterized by comprising timing control means for recognizing communication data of the reference game device and adjusting the timing of communication data to be transmitted later based on the timing of communication data transmitted from the reference game device.

In the game communication device and the game device according to the first to fourth aspects, in wireless communication between a plurality of game devices existing in parallel, the timing is controlled based on communication data of a reference game device. Since the shift in the transmission / reception timing of the communication data generated during the game is reduced or corrected, the communication data can be transmitted / received normally without a communication error, and the game can proceed without any trouble.

A game communication device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a game communication device in a game device which progresses a game while transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication among a plurality of game devices, Communication allocation control means for dividing one predetermined communication cycle into a plurality of slots and transmitting communication data of a game different from each other in at least two of the plurality of slots when wireless communication is performed in a time-division synchronous manner. It is characterized by having.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the game communication device, in each of the plurality of slots, communication data of a reference game device serving as a reference is recognized, and timing of communication data transmitted from the reference game device is recognized. And timing control means for adjusting the timing of communication data to be transmitted later based on the

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the game communication device, the one cycle is a period in which transmission and reception of communication data between the predetermined number of game devices is completed.

[0016] The game device according to claim 8 of the present invention is characterized in that:
A game device having a communication unit that progresses a game while transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication among a plurality of game devices, wherein a predetermined communication is performed when the communication unit performs wireless communication in a time-division synchronous manner. One of the cycles is divided into a plurality of slots, and communication allocation control means for transmitting communication data of a game different from each other in at least two of the plurality of slots is provided.

In the game communication device and the game device according to the fifth to eighth aspects, in wireless communication between a plurality of game devices existing in parallel, communication data for each of a plurality of different groups located in the same communication area. Even when transmitting and receiving, communication data of different games is transmitted and received in a plurality of divided slots, so that communication data can be transmitted and received without interference between slots, so that communication data can be normally transmitted without error. Can be transmitted and received, and different games can be simultaneously advanced in the same communication area without any trouble.

[0018]

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

The game device 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 advance 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 integrally within the game machine main body 1.

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 main 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 related 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 so as to perform only wireless communication based on a time-division synchronous method.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an external configuration of the game apparatus according to 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 main body 1 of the game machine,
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 is constituted by a microprocessor, peripheral circuits, and the like, and as a functional block, a communication data processing unit 31 for converting game information exchanged with the CPU 9 and communication data for wireless communication.
And a communication allocation control unit 32 corresponding to a communication allocation control unit for setting allocation of a transmission / reception period of communication data when performing communication in a time-division manner, and a timing control unit for adjusting a transmission / reception timing of communication data. And a timing control unit 33.

When transmitting communication data to another game device, the communication data processing section 31 of the communication control section 14 modulates the game information sent from the CPU 9 to transmit the communication data (here, communication in a radio frequency band). For the antenna 1
6 emits an electromagnetic wave. At this time, a period for transmitting communication data is allocated by the communication allocation control unit 32,
The communication data is transmitted at an appropriate timing during a predetermined transmission allocation period while adjusting the transmission timing by the timing control unit 33.

When receiving communication data 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. The data is demodulated in the communication data processing unit 31 of the communication control unit 14 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, four allocation periods are defined as one cycle, and each allocation period (slot) is set as channels T1, T2, T3, and T4, and communication data can be transmitted from one game device to another game device for each slot. I have. That is, a period in which transmission and reception of communication data between the predetermined number (here, four) of game devices makes one cycle is defined as one cycle, and the communication data is sequentially transmitted from each game device for each divided allocation period in this one cycle. Is set to send. In this case, the game can be advanced while transmitting and receiving communication data in a time-division manner from each game device in order using up to four game devices.

Each of the channels T1, T2, T3 and T4 is provided with a transmission period SND and a reception confirmation period ACK,
The transmission can be completed by receiving a reception confirmation from the communication partner after transmitting the communication data. It is also possible to receive the communication data transmitted from the own game device within the allocation period by itself and to confirm the presence or absence of collision of the communication data. It should be noted that the above-described assignment is not limited to the assignment of four channels as one cycle, and the period of one cycle may be appropriately set according to the specifications of the game device or the game program, the communication environment, and the like. In some cases, reception confirmation is performed by receiving the ACK signal transmitted from the transmission partner during a period allocated to the transmission partner.

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. At this time, communication data from another game device is received, and the number of an empty allocation period (assignment number) is confirmed. When communication data from another game device is not received, the first assignment number is acquired in the own game device by transmitting an assignment request, and an assignment period is set. Thereafter, in this first assignment period, Transmission of communication data is performed. Also, when communication data from another game device is received, an allocation request is transmitted during a vacant period based on the communication data to obtain a vacant allocation number, and an allocation period is set. Transmits communication data during the allocation period of the corresponding allocation number.

When all the allocation periods have been set and there is no available space, the communication control unit 14 recognizes that its own game device cannot be allocated and cannot transmit and receive communication data, and sends the allocation impossible information to the CPU 9. The CPU 9 performs a warning display on the liquid crystal display unit 6 to the effect that communication cannot be performed, based on the unassignable information. In addition, the allocation period in which the allocation is not performed may be a vacant period, and may be a period in which no game device transmits.

When allocation requests from a plurality of game devices are transmitted at the same time, the allocation requests are transmitted again at different timings at the respective game devices using random numbers or the like.
What is necessary is just to acquire an allocation number. By repeating this retry operation several times, an assignment number is assigned to one of the game devices as long as there is a vacancy in the assignment period.

Communication data is transmitted and received in units of, for example, 8 bits (1 byte), and the data transmission speed is set to 1
If the communication time is 9200 bps, the number of channels is 4, and the single communication time (assignment period) is 8 msec, approximately 19 bytes of communication data can be transmitted and received in one communication time. Here, 18 bytes are transmitted and received within one communication time, and 2 bytes of these are used for control data,
The remaining 16 bytes are used as game data. As for the control data, for example, one byte has its own allocation number (channel 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 game data, and the lower 4 bits may indicate the transmission source allocation number. In addition, one communication time of 8m
When transmitting large data that cannot be accommodated within sec, 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.

For example, a case where this game is a mahjong game will be described as an example. First, the state of tile arrangement is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 6a of the game device of each game player. Then, based on the execution of the game program 4a, the parent (the game player who performs the discarded tile first) is determined, and this parent decides the discarded tile and inputs the discarded tile instruction by the key input unit 8 as a key.

Then, in the parent game machine main body 1,
The key input signal is transferred to the communication unit 3 as game information under the control of the CPU 9. 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.

Then, the game player in the next order among the children (other game players) that have received the communication data from the parent inputs a key tile instruction using the key input unit 8 to manually move a new tile. After that, the discarded tiles are determined, and a discarded tile instruction is key-inputted by the key input unit 8 to discard one tile. The communication data of the game information based on this key input is
In the same manner as described above, the data is transmitted to the game device of each game player by the communication unit 3. Hereinafter, the game proceeds while repeating transmission and reception of communication data.

Here, an example of timing control of communication data in the communication control unit 14 will be described in more detail as a first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, in the communication unit 3 of each game device, the communication control unit 14
The transmission / reception timing of communication data is adjusted by the function 3 so that the communication data can be normally received by another game device.

Hereinafter, some specific examples of the communication data timing control will be described. FIG. 5 is a time chart showing a control example of communication data timing.

In this control example, the first game apparatus M in which the allocation period (channels T1, T2, T3, T4) is set in order.
In the first game device M2, the third game device M3, and the fourth game device M4, the timing control is performed as one game device in which the reference game device is fixedly set by a predetermined method. For example, the timing control is performed using the game device M1 of the first allocation number for which the allocation setting has been made earliest as the reference game device. It should be noted that it is also possible to determine the reference game device based on the game program or a control program built in the game main body after setting the allocation period.

In this control example, the communication data from the communication unit serving as the reference game device is recognized, and the timing of the communication data to be transmitted later by the own device is adjusted based on the timing of the communication data.
In this example, a clock signal for synchronizing communication data from each game device with each assigned time may be constantly transmitted from the reference game device.

By performing the above-described timing control, in wireless communication between a plurality of game devices existing in parallel, the reference game device serves as a host device, and the transmission / reception timing of communication data generated during the game is determined. The deviation can be reduced and corrected. Therefore, when performing wireless communication by the time-division method, it is possible to eliminate a defect of communication data caused by a shift in transmission / reception timing of communication data, and to prevent a malfunction of the game apparatus due to a communication error.

Next, another embodiment relating to allocation of communication data transmission / reception periods will be described. FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a first allocation example of the communication data allocation period, and FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a second allocation example of the communication data allocation period. The communication control unit 14 can be set to have a plurality of channels in the allocation period (one slot) by the function of the communication allocation control unit 32. The assignment examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are examples in which the assignment of transmission / reception periods is arranged in a matrix, and the game devices are assigned over a plurality of cycles. In the figure,
One cycle is an allocation period for one horizontal row, and the flow of time is shown to progress from left to right in the horizontal direction.

In the first allocation example, one period is divided into a plurality of (here, four) slots S1, S2, S3, and S4, and these slots are divided into a plurality of periods (here, four periods). The allocation period is set by allocating the channels across which the slot S1 is assigned to the channels A1, A2, A3, A4 and the slot S2 is assigned to the channels B1, B2, B3, B4,. In this example, a channel of the same system is assigned to each slot, and the channel system is set differently from other slots.

For example, when a plurality of groups of game devices playing a game while performing wireless communication exist in the vicinity, in the above-described assignment of the plurality of channels, the channels of the A system and the channels of the B system are different. Assign game devices of the group. Then, communication data of different types of games is set to be transmitted and received for each group. For example, the group to which the channel of the A system is assigned transmits and receives the game A, and the group to which the channel of the B system is assigned transmits and receives communication data relating to the game B.

Thus, the game devices of each group can transmit and receive communication data of different types of games without interfering with each other, and can simultaneously play different games in the same communication area. Alternatively, even in the case of playing the same type of game, it is possible for the different groups to transmit and receive communication data without interfering with each other to advance the game.

In this case as well, the timing control of the communication data is performed by the function of the timing control unit 33 in the same manner as described above, so that the time-division wireless communication can be performed without a communication error. As the reference game device for timing control, a reference game device may be set for each group, or a common reference game device may be set for a plurality of groups.

In the second allocation example, the arrangement of the channels in the first allocation example is changed so that slot S1 is assigned to channels A1, B1, C1, D1, and slot S2 is assigned to channel A.
.., B2, C2, D2,... In this example, channels of different systems are allocated to one slot, and one channel is distributed and set for each slot for each system.

Even in such a case, by assigning a different group of game apparatuses to each channel system, the same operation and effect as in the first allocation example can be obtained.

The game to be executed in the game device according to the present invention is not limited to a game that does not require real-time data processing, such as a mahjong game or a shogi game, but requires real-time data processing if high-speed communication is possible. It can also execute fighting games and the like, and is applicable to all kinds of wireless communication games.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which control is performed so as to perform only wireless communication based on a time-division synchronous system. It is also possible to perform wireless communication by selecting either the system or the asynchronous system. Hereinafter, details of the wireless communication in this case will be described as a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing an example of communication data timing control of the game apparatus according to the second embodiment. In particular, when performing wireless communication by time-division synchronous system, how each game apparatus performs FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining whether or not a slot is allocated to a specific slot.

A game communication device (hereinafter, referred to as a communication device) provided in the game device of the second embodiment has a predetermined communication cycle of one for a case of performing wireless communication in a time-division synchronous manner. Each slot of the cycle can be divided into a specific slot for synchronous communication that specifies and allocates each of the game devices and an unspecified slot for asynchronous communication that does not specify and allocates each of the game devices. It has become.

First, the communication device of the first game device M1 is:
After confirming that another game device has not transmitted communication data after waiting for a predetermined time, the communication data is transmitted at an arbitrary timing. The communication data to be transmitted may be a simple electromagnetic wave signal called a carrier signal that does not include information on the game. After that, the communication data is transmitted from the first game device M1 at a certain timing. The time-series arrangement of the specific slots and the unspecified slots shown in FIG. 8 is determined in accordance with the timing at which communication data is transmitted from the first game device M1. Here, the first game device M1 is in the specific slot T
It will be assigned to 1.

Next, the communication device of the second game device M2 is
Based on the transmission timing of the communication data from the first game device M1, it is not necessary to first transmit the communication data within the period in which the unspecified slots (T5 to T10) exist (necessary to exactly match the timing to each unspecified slot). None) Transmit communication data once.

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 and receives 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 and receives communication data at a timing corresponding to the specific slot T3.

As described above, another game apparatus (M) that is to receive a specific slot allocation after the first game apparatus M1.
, M3,...) Are the first game device M1 that is once the 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, as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, in each of the specific slots, a plurality of channels are further allocated over a plurality of cycles, and in a game performed for each slot or for some number of channels in each slot. When the type is predetermined, each game device may be directly assigned to a slot or a channel for playing a desired game according to communication data from the reference game device.

It should be noted that the reference game device allocated to the specific slot T1 may be out of the communication area during the transmission and reception of communication data, such as during a game, or the power of the game device itself or the power supply of the communication device. Is lost, or when communication data cannot be transmitted or received due to a failure, the game device assigned to the specific slot T2 is used as a reference instead. As the communication control method in this case, in the allocation of the communication period shown in FIG. 8, a method in which the specific slot T2 moves to the position of the specific slot T1 and performs the subsequent communication,
2 does not move to the position of the specific slot T1 and remains at the assigned position, and there is a method of performing communication in such a manner that the specific slot T1 exists with an unspecified slot on the basis of the specific slot T2. In any of the communication control methods, even if the reference game device becomes unable to communicate and drops out of the group playing the game, the reference game device is immediately designated to perform stable wireless communication, and the game proceeds. It becomes possible. In particular, the specific slot T
If the position of No. 2 is not moved, only the slot position of the reference game device is changed while maintaining the allocation state, so that the control regarding the allocation of the communication period is greatly simplified.

The game device according to the present embodiment performs a game by time-division synchronous wireless communication, and simultaneously, in the same communication area, another game device performs asynchronous game wireless communication. It is also possible to do. Even when performing asynchronous wireless communication, transmission and reception of communication data
This is performed only during the period in which the unspecified slot is allocated in accordance with the transmission timing of the communication data of the reference game device allocated to the specific slot T1.

In the present invention, transmitting communication data at a timing corresponding to a specific slot means that, as described above, it is not necessary to transmit communication data exactly in time when each unspecified slot is allocated. The transmission may be appropriately performed at a desired timing in all periods in which the unspecified slot is allocated.

When a game of a communication type is performed between a plurality of game devices while performing wireless communication using electromagnetic waves, interference occurs with electromagnetic waves irrelevant to the game in a communicable area, causing a communication error. Cheap. As means for solving the problem, a game communication device in a game device that progresses a game while transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication using electromagnetic waves among a plurality of game devices, wherein at least two or more frequencies of electromagnetic waves are used. Can be transmitted and received. According to this game communication device, it is possible to have a group in which another type of communication game is simultaneously performed in the same communicable area.

Further, as another means, a game communication device in a game device in which a game progresses while transmitting and receiving communication data between a plurality of game devices by wireless communication using electromagnetic waves, wherein at least two or more frequencies are used. To provide a game communication device capable of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves, receiving communication data by electromagnetic waves having two or more frequencies, receiving communication data, and causing a game to proceed. Can be. Thereby, the reliability of the wireless communication can be improved, and the possibility that the frequency of the communication data used for the game and the frequency of the other communication data unrelated to the communication-type game are completely the same, Since the possibility of causing interference is extremely low, it is possible to satisfactorily play a communication-type game without any trouble.

The game communication device capable of using a plurality of frequencies can be applied to a case where the game communication device is integrated with a game machine body having a display screen, an operation unit, and a control unit for executing a game program. Further, the function and structure shown in the present embodiment described above can be applied to the game communication device capable of using a plurality of frequencies almost as it is.

For example, as a modification of the communication unit 3 shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of (two in the example of FIG. 9) resonance tuning circuits 35 are provided in the receiving section of the transmitting / receiving section 15.
a, 35b, and these resonance tuning circuits 3
The communication data Df1 and Df2 can be demodulated by receiving electromagnetic waves of a plurality of different frequencies depending on 5a and 35b. Only when the communication data Df1 and Df2 have been received for the electromagnetic waves of at least two or more frequencies set, the communication control unit 14 accepts the communication data and transmits it to the game machine main body 1 side. For example, when transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves of two frequencies as communication data,
Electromagnetic waves that do not include game data,
A so-called carrier signal may be used, and the other communication data may include a carrier signal and a game data signal. Of course, both communication data may include a carrier signal and a game data signal. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent interference with other unrelated communication data when playing a game by wireless communication.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, when performing wireless communication between a plurality of game devices, the timing generated during the game is controlled by controlling the timing based on the communication data of the reference game device. Since the difference in data transmission / reception timing can be reduced or corrected, communication data can be normally transmitted / received between a plurality of game devices without a communication error even in the case of the time-division method, which hinders the game. You can proceed without.

Further, even when communication data is transmitted and received for each of a plurality of different groups located in the same communication area, communication data of different games is transmitted and received on a plurality of divided channels so that the channels can communicate with each other. Because communication data can be sent and received without interference,
Communication data can be normally transmitted and received between a plurality of game devices without a communication error, and different games can be simultaneously advanced within the same communication area without any trouble.

[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 a control example of communication data timing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a first allocation example of a communication data allocation period.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a second allocation example of a communication data allocation period.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing an example of communication data timing control of the game device according to the second embodiment. In particular, when performing wireless communication by time division synchronous method, how each game device FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining whether the information is allocated to the.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration capable of receiving communication data of a plurality of frequencies as a modification of the communication unit.

[Description of Signs] 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 Assignment control unit 33 Timing control unit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A game communication device in a game device which progresses a game while transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication among a plurality of game devices, wherein the game communication device is a time-division synchronous type or asynchronous type. In the case where wireless communication in the formula is enabled and the wireless communication is performed in the time-division synchronous manner, a specific slot for specifying and allocating one cycle of a predetermined communication cycle to each of the game devices and Each is classified into unspecified slots that are not specified and allocated, and the communication data of the reference game device serving as a reference allocated to the specific slot is recognized,
A game communication device comprising timing control means for adjusting the timing of communication data to be transmitted later based on the timing of communication data transmitted from the reference game device. 2. A timing control means of a game communication device in a game device other than the reference game device, the communication control device comprising: The communication device for games according to claim 1, wherein after transmitting and receiving predetermined communication data with the reference game device, the communication data is transmitted at a timing corresponding to a specific slot. 3. A game communication device in a game device in which a game progresses while transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication among a plurality of game devices, wherein the wireless communication is performed in a time-division synchronous manner. A game characterized by comprising timing control means for recognizing communication data of a reference game device serving as a reference and adjusting the timing of communication data to be transmitted later based on the timing of communication data transmitted from the reference game device. Communication device. 4. A game device having a communication means for performing a game while transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication among a plurality of game devices, wherein the communication means performs wireless communication in a time-division synchronous manner. And timing control means for recognizing communication data of a reference game device serving as a reference and adjusting the timing of communication data to be transmitted later based on the timing of communication data transmitted from the reference game device. Game device. 5. A game communication device in a game device which progresses a game while transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication among a plurality of game devices, wherein the wireless communication is performed in a time-division synchronous manner. A communication device for a game, comprising: a communication allocation control unit that divides one predetermined communication period into a plurality of slots and transmits communication data of games different from each other in at least two of the plurality of slots. 6. Recognizing communication data of a reference game device serving as a reference in each of the plurality of slots,
6. The game communication device according to claim 5, further comprising timing control means for adjusting the timing of communication data to be transmitted later based on the timing of communication data transmitted from the reference game device. 7. The game communication device according to claim 5, wherein the one cycle is a period in which transmission and reception of communication data between the predetermined number of game devices completes. 8. A game device having communication means for transmitting and receiving communication data by wireless communication between a plurality of game devices and progressing a game, wherein the communication means performs wireless communication in a time-division synchronous manner. And a communication allocation control means for dividing one predetermined communication cycle into a plurality of slots and transmitting communication data of different games to each other in at least two of the plurality of slots.