JP2001053901A - Information communication system, information providing device and communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily communicate among a plurality of communication devices joining a group by connecting together these communication devices which directly communicate with each other via a communication means having a communication range that is wider than a direct communication range and providing the same identification information to every communication device joining each registered group via the communication means. SOLUTION: In an information communication system 1, a plurality of game terminals 2A-2N are connected to an information providing device 3 via a public circuit network 4 and the terminals 2A-2N are connected together via the direct communication using transceivers, for example. The terminals 2A-2N request the device 3 to provide the identification information data D1 via the network 4 having a communication range wider than a direct communication range. The device 3 registers the terminals 2A-2N of group participants into a new group and distributes the identification information data assigned to the new group to the terminals 2A-2N via the network 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an information communication system,
The information providing device and the communication device are preferably applied to, for example, an information communication system constructed using a plurality of portable game devices having a communication function (hereinafter, referred to as game terminals).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of game terminal,
Operation keys are provided together with the liquid crystal panel, and a user can play a game by developing a video of a predetermined game displayed on the liquid crystal panel in response to operation of the operation keys.

Further, when two such game terminals are used, a direct game is performed between the game terminals within a predetermined communication range, for example, by wireless communication used for direct communication between transceivers. , This is called a battle game), and the battle game can be played by developing this image in accordance with the operation of each operation key.

[0004]

By the way, identification information for identifying each game terminal is linearly communicated between the two game terminals, and each game terminal acquires the identification information of the opponent game terminal. Using the identification information, the other party that directly communicates with each other is identified, and the game data is linearly communicated.

However, the communication range between the two game terminals is relatively narrow, and when acquiring identification information, it is necessary to approach the game terminal so as to be within the communication range. There was a difficult problem.

Further, even if a group in which a plurality of game terminals participates is formed in order to play a competitive game such as a mahjong game in which a plurality of game terminals can participate at one time, another game device is not included in the game terminal. Since only the terminal identification information is acquired, there is a problem that it is difficult to easily communicate between a plurality of game terminals participating in the group because it is difficult to identify each other.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose an information communication system, an information providing apparatus, and an information providing apparatus capable of easily communicating between a plurality of communication apparatuses participating in a group. It is.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in an information communication system, direct communication is performed by using identification information for identifying partners who directly communicate with each other within a predetermined communication range. A plurality of communication devices;
The communication device is connected to each communication device via communication means having a communication range wider than the communication range of the direct communication, and registers a group to be built for each communication device to directly communicate with each other, and an identification corresponding to the registered group. By assigning information, each communication device participating in the group is provided with an information providing device that provides the same identification information via communication means.

As a result, no matter where the plurality of communication devices participating in the group are located, the same identification information can be provided to each of these communication devices from the information providing device via the communication means and easily obtained.

Further, in the present invention, in the information providing device, a plurality of communication devices that directly communicate with each other using identification information for identifying a party that directly communicates with each other within a predetermined communication range perform direct communication with each other. Group registration means for registering a group to be constructed in the group, identification information allocating means for allocating identification information corresponding to the group registered by the group registration means, and identification information allocating means for each communication device participating in the group. An identification information providing means for providing the same assigned identification information via a communication means having a communication range wider than the communication range of the direct communication is provided.

As a result, the same identification information can be easily provided to each of these communication devices via the communication means, regardless of where the plurality of communication devices participating in the group are located.

Further, according to the present invention, in a communication apparatus for performing direct communication using identification information for identifying communication partner terminals with which communication is directly performed with each other within a predetermined direct communication range, the communication apparatus may perform communication with a communication apparatus having a direct communication range. When the identification information assigned to the group to be built to directly communicate with each other from the information providing apparatus connected via the communication unit having a wide communication range is provided via the communication unit,
An acquisition unit for acquiring the provided identification information and a direct communication unit for directly recognizing a communication partner terminal that directly communicates with each other in a group using the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit are provided. .

As a result, the same identification information as that of the communication partner terminals participating in the group can be easily obtained regardless of where the communication device is located.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment (1-1) Configuration of Information Communication System According to First Embodiment In FIG. 1, 1 indicates an information communication system according to the first embodiment as a whole. Multiple game terminals 2A to 2N
And the information providing apparatus 3 are connected via the public line network 4, and the game terminals 2A to 2N are connected by wireless, for example, for direct communication of a transceiver.

Each of the game terminals 2A to 2N transmits identification information data (hereinafter referred to as identification information) to the information providing apparatus 3 via the public line network 4 having a communication range much wider than the communication range of the linear communication. By requesting the data D1 (referred to as data), data of the identification information provided from the information providing device 3 (hereinafter referred to as identification information data) D1 is obtained.

Also, as shown in FIG.
Between 2Ns, within a relatively narrow communication range of the linear communication, the opponents performing the linear communication with each other are identified by using the obtained identification information data D1, and the game data is linearly communicated to perform the competitive game. .

Actually, in the game terminals 2A to 2N,
As shown in FIG. 3, communication (hereinafter referred to as indirect communication) between a basic function block 5 for realizing a function as a game device and the information providing device 3 and another game terminal 2A Communication unit 6 for performing linear communication between
And an identification information memory 7 for storing identification information data D1 used for linear communication with the other game machines 2A to 2N.

As shown in FIG. 4, the basic function block 5 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 8 and an RO.
M (Read Only Memory) 9 and RAM (Random Access
Memory 10, an input interface 12 for transmitting data input by a user operating the operation keys 11 to the CPU 8, a video of a game to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13, and an indirect communication between the information providing device 3. A VRAM (Video RAM) 14 for storing data such as results is connected to a data bus 15.

The CPU 8 displays a game image on the liquid crystal panel 11 based on the game program stored in the ROM 9, and indirectly communicates via the communication unit 6 based on the communication program stored in the ROM 9. Communication and direct communication can be performed.

On the other hand, the information providing device 3 has a public circuit network 4 between each of the game terminals 2A to 2N as an internal circuit.
Communication unit 16 for indirect communication via the Internet, a user registration unit 17 for registering a user who owns the game terminals 2A to 2N, registration and authentication of a group of users formed to play a competitive game, etc. , A user authentication unit 19 for authenticating a user who owns the game terminals 2A to 2N, and a data management block 20 for storing and managing various information and the like for the registered users and groups. Have been.

In the group registration block 18, FIG.
, A new group authentication unit 22 that authenticates creation of a new group, a new group registration unit 23 that registers an authenticated new group, a group participation authentication unit 24 that authenticates participation in a group, And an identification information distributing unit 25 for assigning identification information to.

Further, the data management block 20 includes FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a storage unit 20A for registering a user who owns the game terminals 2A to 2N (hereinafter referred to as a user registration storage unit) 20A and a group created by a plurality of users who execute a competitive game A storage unit for registration (hereinafter, referred to as a storage unit for group registration) 20B, and a storage unit for identification information for distribution to the game terminals 2A to 2N (hereinafter, referred to as a storage unit for identification information) 20C. Incidentally, the identification information storage unit 20C stores a plurality of identification information in a database so as to be able to identify whether the identification information is currently in use or unused.

In the game terminals 2A to 2N,
Prior to the linear communication with the other game terminals 2A to 2N, the user operates the operation keys 11 to input a user name and a personally arbitrarily selected personal identification number (hereinafter referred to as a user personal identification number). In the future, when the presence or absence of the authority to create a new group (hereinafter, referred to as group creation authority) for performing a battle game is input, the CPU 8 enters the user name and the user password in the user registration request data. Registration data D by attaching the number and the presence or absence of group creation authority
Then, the registration data D2 is transmitted from the communication unit 6 to the information providing device 3 via the public line network 4.

In the information providing device 3, the game terminal 2
The registration data D2 given from A to 2N is transferred to the indirect communication unit 1
6 to the user registration unit 17.

The user registration unit 17 generates user data D3 based on the user name, user password, and the presence or absence of group creation authority included in the registration data D2, and gives this data to the data management block 20 for user registration. Storage unit 20A
And store it in a database.
A user who owns A to 2N is registered.

When the user registration is completed, the user registration unit 17 completes the user registration without any problem, or the user name and the user password included in the user data D3 are the same as the user name and the user password. The registration result data D4 indicating the registration result such as the user registration has been postponed because of the registration is transmitted from the indirect communication unit 16 to the corresponding game terminals 2A to 2N via the public line network 4.

In the game terminals 2A to 2N,
The CPU 8 captures the registration result data D4 provided from the information providing device 3 via the communication unit 6, and displays the captured registration result data D4 as character information on the liquid crystal panel 13, whereby the user has successfully completed the user registration. The user can be visually notified of whether or not the user registration has been performed. If the user cannot be registered, the user can be prompted to register again.

Next, in this information communication system 1, when the user registration is completed in this way, the CPU 8 of the game terminals 2A to 2N and the internal circuit of the information providing device 3 execute the identification information acquisition processing procedure RT1 shown in FIG. By executing, the game terminals 2A to 2N acquire the same identification information data D1 on a group basis.

That is, in FIG. 7, the identification information acquisition processing procedure RT1 is started (step SP1), and a new group (hereinafter, referred to as a new group) for playing a battle game by linear communication is constructed. By arbitrarily setting a group name of the new group and a password unique to the group (hereinafter referred to as a group password), a user (hereinafter, referred to as a representative) representing the new group can be set. Game terminals 2A-2 owned by oneself
When the group name, group password, representative user name and user password are input by operating the N operation keys 11, the CP of the game terminals 2A to 2N owned by the representative is input.
In step SP2 (FIG. 7), U8 attaches the group name, the group password, the user name and the user password to the request for issuing identification information, and transmits the obtained identification information request data D5 from the communication unit 6 to the public line. The information is transmitted to the information providing device 3 via the network 4.

In the information providing device 3, the identification information request data D given from the game terminals 2A to 2N at this time is
5 is taken into the user authentication unit 19 via the indirect communication unit 16, and the user authentication unit 19 proceeds to step SP3 (FIG. 7).
, The data management block 2 using the user name and the user password included in the identification information request data D5.
With reference to the user data D3 registered in the user registration storage unit 20A of 0, it is determined whether or not the representative has already been registered as a user.

If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the representative has already been registered as a user, and the user authentication unit 19 stores the identification information request data D5 in the new group of the group registration block 18. It is sent to the authentication unit 22.

[0033] The new group authentication unit 22 determines in step SP
4 (FIG. 7), using the group name and the group password included in the identification information request data D5, refer to the group data D6 registered in the group registration storage unit 20B of the data management block 20, and It is determined whether or not a new group formed mainly by is registered.

If a negative result is obtained here, this means that the new group has not been registered yet, and the new group authentication unit 22 determines in step SP5 (FIG. 7) that this identification information request data Using the user name and user password included in D5, the user data D3 registered in the user registration storage unit 20A of the data management block 20 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the representative has group creation authority. .

If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the representative has the authority to create a group, and the new group authentication section 22 authenticates the new group and sends an identification information request. The data D5 is sent to the new group registration unit 23.

The new group registration unit 23 determines in step SP
6 (FIG. 7), when the identification information request data D5 is given from the new group authentication unit 22, the participation of the representative to the new group is authenticated, and the unused information is stored in the identification information storage unit 20C of the data management block 20. Identification information data D
1 is read and assigned to the new group, and the identification information data D1 assigned to this new group, the group name and group password of the new group included in the identification information request data D5, and the representatives participating in this new group Group data D6 is created from the user name.

Then, the new group registration section 23 sends the group data D6 to the data management block 20, and
This new group is registered by storing it in the group registration storage unit 20B, and the representative user name and
The group participation data D7 indicating the group name of the new group is transmitted to the identification information distribution unit 25.

[0038] The identification information distributing section 25 executes step SP7.
In FIG. 7, based on the group participation data D7 given from the new group registration unit 23, the new group is referred to by referring to the group data D6 registered in the group registration storage unit 20B of the data management block 20. It recognizes the assigned identification information data D1, reads the identification information data D1 from the identification information storage unit 20C, and transmits the identification information data D1 from the indirect communication unit 16 to the representative game terminals 2A to 2N via the public line network 4. .

Thus, the representative game terminals 2A to 2N
, The CPU 8 takes in the identification information data D1 given from the information providing device 3 into the identification information memory 7 via the communication unit 6, and stores the identification information data D1 in the identification information memory 7.

Thus, the representative game terminals 2A-2
In N, the identification information data D1 assigned to the new group provided from the information providing device 3 via the public line network 4 can be acquired anytime and anywhere.

In the game terminals 2A to 2N owned by other users participating in the new group (hereinafter, referred to as group participants), the group participants operate the operation keys 11 to set the group name of the new group. , Group PIN, user name and user PIN,
In step SP2 (FIG. 7), the CPU 8 attaches the group name, the group password, the user name, and the user password to the issuance request of the identification information that also serves as the group participation, and transmits the obtained group participation request data D8. The information is transmitted from the communication unit 6 to the information providing device 3 via the public network 4.

In the information providing apparatus 3, the group participation request data D8 given from the game terminals 2A to 2N at this time is taken into the user authentication section 19 via the indirect communication section 16, and the user authentication section 19 proceeds to step SP3 ( In FIG. 7), the user data D3 registered in the user registration storage unit 20A of the data management block 20 is referred to using the user name and the user password included in the group participation request data D8. It detects whether the participant has already been registered as a user.

If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the group participant has already been registered as a user, and the user authentication unit 19 transmits the group participation request data D8 to the group registration block 18 It is sent to the authentication unit 24.

The group participation authentication unit 24 determines in step SP
4 (FIG. 7), the group participant refers to the group data D6 registered in the group registration storage unit 20B of the data management block 20 using the group name and the group password included in the group participation request data D8. It is determined whether the new group that is about to join is an existing group that has already been registered.

If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the new group that the group participant is about to join is a registered group, and the group participation authentication unit 24 proceeds to step SP8. In FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not to authenticate the group participant's participation in the new group.

If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the participation of the group participant is authenticated for the new group because the participation of the group participant has not been registered for the new group. The group participation authentication unit 24 updates the group data D6 corresponding to the new group by adding the user name of the group participant in the group registration storage unit 20B, and then updates the user name of the group participant. And the group participation data D7 indicating the new group in which the group participant participates to the identification information distribution unit 25.

[0047] The identification information distribution unit 25 proceeds to step SP7.
In FIG. 7, a new group is registered by referring to the group data D6 registered in the group registration storage unit 20B of the data management block 20 based on the group participation data D7 given from the group participation authentication unit 24. It recognizes the assigned identification information data D1, and stores the identification information data D1 in the identification information storage unit 20C.
From the indirect communication unit 16 to the game terminals 2A to 2N of the group participants via the public line network 4.

Thus, the game terminal 2 of the group participant
In A to 2N, the CPU 8 loads the identification information data D1 (same as the identification information data D1 obtained by the representative) provided from the information providing device 3 into the identification information memory 7 via the communication unit 6, and This identification information data D1 is stored in the memory 7 for use, and in the following step SP9 (FIG. 7), the identification information acquisition processing RT1 is ended.

Thus, the game terminal 2A of the group participant
2N, the same identification information data D1 as the identification information data D1 obtained by the representative game terminals 2A to 2N provided from the information providing device 3 via the public line network 4 at any time and anywhere (that is, new identification data D1). The identification information data D1) assigned to the group can be obtained.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP3 (FIG. 7), this means that the representative or group participant has not been registered as a user yet, and the distribution of the identification information data D1 to the representative or group participant has been completed. The user authentication unit 19 sends the identification information distribution stop data D9 indicating that the distribution of the identification information data D1 to the representative or group participant has been stopped to the public network 4 from the indirect communication unit 16. To the game terminals 2A to 2N of the representative or group participant, and then, in step SP9 (FIG. 7), the identification information acquisition processing R
End T1.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP5 (FIG. 7), this means that a new group cannot be created because the representative or group participant does not have the group creation authority. The result indicates that the distribution of the identification information data D1 to the representative or the group participant is stopped.
Transmits the identification information distribution stop data D9 from the indirect communication unit 16 to the game terminals 2A to 2N of the representatives or group participants via the public line network 4, and thereafter acquires this identification information in step SP9 (FIG. 7). The process RT1 ends.

Further, if a negative result is obtained in step SP8 (FIG. 7), this means that the participation of the group participant has already been registered for the new group, and thus the group participant has already been assigned to the new group. This indicates that the identification information data D1 has been acquired. At this time, the group participation authentication unit 24 transmits the identification information distribution stop data D9 from the indirect communication unit 16 to the game terminal 2A of the group participant via the public line network 4. To 2N, and then terminates this identification information acquisition processing RT1 in step SP9 (FIG. 7).

Further, in step SP4 (FIG. 7), the group participation authentication unit 24 determines whether or not the new group is an existing group that has already been registered, and determines that the new group has not been registered yet. If a negative result is obtained, the group participation request data D8 is sent to the new group authentication unit 22.

The CPUs 8 of the game terminals 2A to 2N
When the identification information distribution stop data D9 is transmitted from the information providing device 3, the data is captured via the communication unit 6, and the captured identification information distribution stop data D9 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 13 as character information. Identification information data D from the information providing device 3 to the representative or group participant
1 can be visually notified that the distribution of 1 has been stopped.

Therefore, in the information communication system 1, the game terminals 2A to 2N perform the indirect communication with the information providing device 3 to acquire the identification information data D1, so that the game terminals 2A to 2N can always be The identification information data D1 can be easily obtained from the information providing device 3 wherever it is.

Therefore, the game terminals 2A to 2N can easily join a new group or change the group to join.

In the information communication system 1, the information providing device 3 transmits the identification information data D 1 corresponding to each group.
By assigning the identification information data D1 to the game terminals 2A to 2N in the group, respectively, so that the game terminals 2A to 2N in the group can obtain the identification information data D1.
When gathered within the predetermined communication range of the linear communication, the game data can be communicated in a straight line by identifying the other party of the linear communication using the same identification information data D1, and thus the plurality of game terminals 2A to 2N in the group. Can play a competitive game at the same time.

In addition, in the information communication system 1, after the representative game terminals 2A to 2N register the new group and acquire the identification information data D1, the game terminals 2A to 2N of the group participants enter the new group. Since the same identification information data D1 is acquired by registering the participation in the group, even if the user who has not recognized the representative or the group participant at all can know the group name and the group password of the new group, this information is obtained. The same identification information data D1 can be easily acquired by joining a new group, and thus unrecognized users can play a competitive game using the game terminals 2A to 2N.

(1-2) Operation and Effect of First Embodiment In the above-described configuration, in the information communication system 1, registration of a new group from the representative game terminals 2A to 2N and registration of the identification information data D1 are performed. Is requested to the information providing apparatus 3 via the public line network 4, and the information providing apparatus 3 registers the new group by the new group registration unit 23, and stores identification information data D1 in the new group.
And the identification information data D1 assigned to the new group is distributed by the identification information distribution unit 25 from the information providing device 3 to the representative game terminals 2A to 2N by external communication via the public line network 4 and acquired. .

Next, the game terminals 2A- 2 of the group participants
2N requests the information providing device 3 to join the new group and issue the identification information data D1 via the public line network 4. In the information providing device 3, the group participation authenticating unit 24 in the information providing device 3 plays the group participants' games. The terminals 2A to 2N are registered in the new group, and the identification information data D1 assigned to the new group is transmitted to the identification information distribution unit 25.
Accordingly, the information is provided from the information providing device 3 to the game terminals 2A to 2N of the group participants via the public line network 4 and is acquired.

Therefore, in the information communication system 1, the game terminals 2A to 2N can easily obtain the identification information data D1 corresponding to the group provided from the information providing device 3 via the public network 4 anytime and anywhere. be able to.

Since the game terminals 2A to 2N acquire the same identification information data D1 in a group unit, if a plurality of game terminals 2A to 2N in a group gather within a predetermined communication range of direct communication, the same identification information is obtained. Extension communication can be easily performed using the information data D1.

According to the above configuration, the game terminals 2A to 2A
N requests the information providing apparatus 3 to register a group and issue identification information data D1 via the public line network 4, and registers the group in the information providing apparatus 3 to register the identification information data D1 corresponding to the group. And assigning the identification information data D1 to the plurality of game terminals 2A to 2N participating in this group via the public line network 4 and acquiring the same, thereby enabling the game terminals participating in the group. 2A to 2N can easily obtain the same identification information data D1 from the information providing device 3 via the public network 4 anytime and anywhere, thus easily communicating between a plurality of game terminals participating in the group. An information communication system that can be implemented can be realized.

(2) Second Embodiment (2-1) Configuration of Information Communication System According to Second Embodiment FIG. 8 in which parts corresponding to those in FIG.
An information communication system 30 according to this embodiment is shown, and has the same configuration as the information communication system 1 according to the above-described first embodiment except for the configuration of an information providing device 31.

In the information communication system 30, the CPUs 8 of the game terminals 2A to 2N and the information providing device 31 of FIG.
Executes the identification information acquisition processing procedure RT1 shown in FIG. 7 described above.

In addition to this, the CP of the game terminals 2A to 2N
U8 and the internal circuit of the information providing apparatus 31 execute the identification information acquisition processing procedure RT2 shown in FIG.
A plurality of game terminals 2A to 2N acquire identification information data D1 in response to acquisition of identification information data required from one game terminal 2A to 2N.

That is, in FIG. 10, the identification information acquisition processing procedure RT2 is started (step SP10), and the user (hereinafter, referred to as a participation target group) that the representative wants to participate in a participation target group (hereinafter, referred to as a participation target group). The game terminal 2A owned by the user is selected.
２2N to operate the operation key 11, the group name, the group password, the user name and the user password of the participation target group, and the game terminal 2 owned by the participation target.
When the telephone numbers assigned to A to 2N are entered, C
In step SP11 (FIG. 10), the PU 8 attaches the group name, the group PIN, the user name, the user PIN and the telephone number to the participation request for the participation target group, and transmits the obtained participation request data D10 to the communication unit 6. To the information providing apparatus 31 via the public network 4.

In the information providing apparatus 31, the participation request data D10 given from the game terminals 2A to 2N is taken into the user authentication section 19 via the indirect communication section 16, and the user authentication section 19 proceeds to step SP12 (FIG. 10). , The user data D3 registered in the user registration storage unit 20A of the data management block 20 using the user name and the user password included in the participation request data D10.
To determine whether or not the representative has already been registered as a user.

If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the representative has already been registered as a user, and the user authentication unit 19 authenticates the participation request data D10 to the group participation block 32 in the group registration block 32. To the unit 33.

Here, in step SP13 (FIG. 10), the group participation authentication section 33 checks the participation request data D
The group registration storage unit 20 of the data management block 20 using the group name and the group password included in the group 10
With reference to the group data D6 registered in B, it is determined whether the participation target group is an existing group already registered.

If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the participation target group is an existing group that has already been registered, and the group participation authentication unit 3
In step SP14 (FIG. 10), whether to authenticate the participation of the representative in the participation target group by referring to the group data D6 of the participation target group using the user name included in the participation request data D10 Determine whether or not.

Here, if a positive result is obtained, this means that the representative authenticates the participation of the representative in the participation target group because participation has not been registered in the participation target group yet. At this time, the group participation authentication unit 33 updates the group data D6 corresponding to the participation target group by adding the user name of the representative in the group registration storage unit 20B.

Then, the group participation authentication section 33 determines in step SP15 (FIG. 10) that the participation request data D10
The inquiry data D11 for confirming the presence or absence of participation in the participation target group is generated by using the telephone number of the participation target included in the inbound communication unit 16 and transmitted from the identification information distribution unit 25 to the indirect communication unit 16 and the public line network 4. It transmits to the corresponding game terminals 2A to 2N sequentially.

As a result, the game terminals 2A-
2N, the CPU 8 proceeds to step SP16 (FIG. 1).
0), the inquiry data D11 transmitted from the information providing device 31 is fetched via the communication unit 6, and the inquiry data D11 is converted into character information as liquid crystal panel 13
, A visual inquiry is made as to whether or not to participate in the participation target group.

If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the participant has accepted the participation in the participation group, and at this time, the CPU 8 operates the operation keys 11 The participation acceptance data D12 is generated on the basis of the participation acceptance information input by the user and the user name and user password of the participation target, and this is transmitted from the communication unit 6 to the information providing apparatus 31 via the public line network 4. Send.

Then, in the information providing device 31, the participation acceptance data D12 transmitted from the game terminals 2A to 2N owned by the participation target is taken into the user authentication unit 19 via the indirect communication unit 16, and the user authentication unit 19 Is the participation acceptance data D1 in step SP17 (FIG. 10).
The user data D3 registered in the user registration storage unit 20A of the data management block 20 is referred to by using the user name and the user password included in the data management block 20 to determine whether or not the participant has already been registered as a user. Judge.

If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the participant has already been registered as a user. At this time, the user authentication unit 19 transmits the participation acceptance data D12 to the group participation authentication unit 33. To send to.

Here, the group participation authentication unit 33 refers to the group data D6 of the participation target group using the user name included in the participation acceptance data D12 given from the user authentication unit 19, and sets the participation target to the participation target group. On the other hand, if the participation has not been registered yet, the participant authenticates the participation of the participant in the target group.

Then, the group participation authentication unit 33 updates the group data D6 corresponding to the participation target group by adding the user name of the participation target in the group registration storage unit 20B, and then updates the representative and the participation target. Username and
Group participation data D7 indicating the group name of the participation target group in which the representative and the participation target participate is transmitted to the identification information distribution unit 25.

The identification information distribution unit 25 determines in step SP18
In FIG. 10, based on the group participation data D7 given from the group participation authentication unit 33, the group to be joined is referred to by referring to the group data D6 registered in the group registration storage unit 20B of the data management block 20. Of the identification information data D1 assigned to the storage unit 20C for identification information.
From the indirect communication unit 16 via the public network 4 to the representative and participating game terminals 2A to 2N.

Thus, in the game terminals 2A to 2N owned by the representative and the participant, the CPU 8 loads the identification information data D1 given from the information providing device 31 into the identification information memory 7 via the communication unit 6, and The identification information data D1 is stored in the identification information memory 7, and in the following step SP19 (FIG. 10), the identification information acquisition processing RT2 is ended.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP13 (FIG. 10), this means that the participation target group has not been registered yet, and at this time, the group participation authentication unit 33 sets the participation request data D10 To the new group authentication unit 22.

Then, in step SP20 (FIG. 10), the new group authentication section 22 sets the group participation authentication section 3
When the participation request data D10 is given from 3, the user data D3 registered in the user registration storage unit 20A of the data management block 20 is referenced using the user name and the user password included in the participation request data D10. ,
It is determined whether or not the representative has group creation authority.

If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the representative has the authority to create a group, and the new group authentication unit 22 authenticates the group to be joined, The data D10 is sent to the new group registration unit 23.

The new group registration unit 23 determines in step SP
In FIG. 21 (FIG. 10), when the identification information request data D4 is given from the new group authentication unit 22, the unused identification information data D1 is read from the identification information storage unit 20C of the data management block 20, and is added to this participation target group. In addition to the assignment, the group data D6 is created from the identification information data D1 assigned to the participation target group and the group name, group password, and representative user name of the participation target group included in the participation request data D10.

Then, the new group registration section 23 sends this group data D6 to the data management block 20, and
This participation target group is registered by storing it in the group registration storage unit 20B, and group participation data D7 representing the user name of the representative and the group name of the participation target group in which the representative participates is distributed as identification information. Part 2
5

If a negative result is obtained in step SP12 (FIG. 10), this means that distribution of the identification information data D1 to the representative is stopped because the representative has not been registered as a user yet. The user authentication unit 19 transmits the identification information distribution stop data D9 from the indirect communication unit 16 via the public network 4 to the representative game terminal 2.
A to 2N, and then step SP19 (FIG. 10)
Ends the identification information acquisition process RT2.

Further, if a negative result is obtained in step SP14 (FIG. 10), this means that the participation of the representative has already been registered for the participating group, and thus the representative has already been assigned to the participating group. The acquisition of the identification information data D1 indicates that the distribution of the identification information data D1 to the representative is stopped. At this time, the group participation authentication unit 33 transmits the identification information distribution stop data D9 from the indirect communication unit 16 to the public. The information is transmitted to the representative game terminals 2A to 2N via the line network 4, and thereafter, in step SP19 (FIG. 10), the identification information acquisition process RT2 is terminated.

In addition to this, step SP16 (FIG. 10)
, A negative result indicates that the participant has refused to participate in the participation target group. At this time, in the game terminals 2A to 2N of the participant, the CPU 8 When the player operates the operation keys 11 and inputs rejection information of participation, the rejection data D13 representing the rejection of participation is transmitted from the communication unit 6 to the representative game terminals 2A to 2N via the information providing device 31. ,
Thereafter, in step SP19 (FIG. 10), the identification information acquisition processing RT2 is ended.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP17 (FIG. 10), this means that the distribution of the identification information data D1 to the participant is stopped because the participant has not been registered as a user yet. At this time, the user authentication unit 19 outputs the identification information distribution stop data D
9 is transmitted from the indirect communication unit 16 to the representative and participating game terminals 2A to 2N via the public line network 4, and thereafter, in step SP19 (FIG. 10), the identification information acquisition process RT2 is terminated.

Further, if a negative result is obtained in step SP20 (FIG. 10), this means that a new participation target group cannot be created because the representative does not have the group creation authority. Indicates that the distribution of the identification information data D1 to the representative is stopped,
At this time, the new group authentication unit 22 transmits the identification information distribution stop data D9 from the indirect communication unit 16 to the representative game terminals 2A to 2N via the public network 4, and thereafter, in step SP19 (FIG. 10), Identification information acquisition processing R
End T2.

Then, in the game terminals 2A to 2N of the representative or the participation target, the CPU 8 transmits the identification information distribution stop data D9 or the participation rejection data D1 from the information providing device 31.
When 3 is transmitted, it is captured via the communication unit 6,
The distribution of the identification information data D1 is stopped by the representative or the target participant by displaying the captured identification information distribution stop data D9 or participation refusal data D13 as character information on the liquid crystal panel 13, or the target participant A visual notification that a group has been refused can be provided.

In this manner, in the information communication system 30, the representative game terminals 2A to 2N can easily obtain the identification information data D1 anytime and anywhere, and can participate in the participation target group. The same identification information data D1 can be easily obtained by accepting this participation wherever the target person's game terminals 2A to 2N are located.

Therefore, in the information communication system 30, the game terminals 2A to 2B participating in the participation target group
Can be easily communicated using the same identification information data D1 if they are gathered within the communication range of direct communication.

In the information communication system 30, only one game terminal 2A to 2N invites a plurality of other game terminals 2A to 2N to participate in the participation target group. The representative game terminals 2A to 2N and the plurality of game terminals 2A to 2N that have accepted participation in the participation target group can easily acquire the same identification information data D1, respectively. A group can be easily formed without gathering and consulting each other to form a group.

Further, in the information communication system 30,
Since the acquisition of the identification information data D1 in the game terminals 2A to 2N is performed through the information providing device 31, even if the representative hardly recognizes the participation target who wants to participate in the participation target group, the participation target If the user knows the telephone number, the user can inquire about participation in the participation target group. Thus, even if the users hardly recognize each other, direct communication between the game terminals 2A to 2N can be performed. To play a competitive game.

(2-2) Operation and Effect of Second Embodiment In the above configuration, in this information communication system 30,
The game terminal 2A of the representative, together with the request for obtaining the identification information data D1, sends the telephone number of the participant who wants to participate in the participation group via the public network 4 to the information providing device 31
Send to

After the information providing device 31 registers or authenticates the participation target group, the information providing device 31 inquires of the participation target whether or not the participation target group has participated, and the game terminals 2A to 2N of the participation target who have accepted this participation, The same identification information data D1 is provided to the representative game terminal 2A via the public line network 4 and acquired.

Therefore, in the information communication system 30, the representative game terminals 2A to 2N can easily obtain the identification information data D1 anytime and anywhere, and the information of the participants who want to participate in the participation group can be obtained. No matter where the game terminals 2A to 2N are located, the same identification information data D
1 can be easily obtained.

Further, in the information communication system 30, even if a plurality of users gather and consult each other to form a group, the representative game terminals 2A to 2N can be replaced by the game terminals 2A to 2N of a plurality of other participants. A group can be easily formed simply by calling for participation in the group to be participated.

Further, in the information communication system 30, a group is formed in such a manner that the representative game terminals 2A to 2N call the other plural target game terminals 2A to 2N for participation in the target group. Even if the representative hardly recognizes the participation target who wants to participate in the participation target group, the group can be formed and the battle game can be played.

According to the above configuration, the representative game terminal 2A obtains the identification information data D1 accompanying the participation in the new or existing group, and inquires whether or not the participation target person has participated in the participation target group. Is requested to the information providing apparatus 31 via the public line network 4, and the information providing apparatus 31 inquires of the participation target whether or not to participate in the participation target group in response to the request, and ,
By providing and acquiring the same identification information data D1 to the game terminals 2B to 2N with the representative via the public line network 4, in addition to the effects obtained by the above-described first embodiment, No matter where the participating game terminals 2A to 2N that have not directly requested the information providing device 31 to acquire the identification information data D1, the representative game terminals 2A to 2N
The same identification information data D1 as the identification information data D1 acquired by 2N can be easily acquired.

(3) Third Embodiment (3-1) Configuration of Information Communication System According to Third Embodiment FIG. 11 in which parts corresponding to those in FIG. FIG. 14 shows an information communication system 35 according to an embodiment, and has the same configuration as the information communication system 30 according to the above-described second embodiment except for the configuration of an information providing device 36.

In the information communication system 35, for example, an information providing device 36 is installed on a ship (not shown) where a competition game is held, and the game terminals 2A to 2A are provided.
The system is constructed by a user who owns N boarding this ship as a participant of the game tournament (hereinafter, referred to as a tournament participant).

In the information communication system 35, although the identification information acquisition processing procedures RT1 and RT2 shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 can be executed, most of the tournaments participate in such a tournament due to its nature. Since it is considered that the persons do not recognize each other, the information providing device 36 shown in FIG.
Of the identification information acquisition processing procedure RT3 shown in FIG.
Is executed, the identification information data D1 is distributed to any of the game terminals 2A to 2N to be acquired even if the acquisition request of the identification information data D1 is not issued from the game terminals 2A to 2N.

In the information providing apparatus 36, the list of telephone numbers assigned to the game terminals 2A to 2N of the tournament participants is stored in the user registration storage unit 20A in the data management block 20. A group name (which is called a list) is stored in advance, and a group name (registered group can be arbitrarily deleted) and a group name that has been registered so far in the group registration storage unit 20B. A list of group PINs (hereafter,
This is called a group name list) is stored in advance.

In FIG. 13, when the identification information acquisition processing procedure RT3 is started (step SP30), the group participation authentication unit 38 of the group registration block 37 of the information providing device 36 proceeds to step SP31 (FIG. 13).
Storage unit 20B for group registration of data management block 20
The user can arbitrarily select the group name and group PIN of the participation target group from the group name list in, and also, from the telephone number list in the user registration storage unit 20A, the telephone numbers of a plurality of tournament participants who want to participate in the participation target group Is arbitrarily selected.

Then, in step SP32 (FIG. 13), the group participation authentication section 38 uses the group name and group password of the arbitrarily selected participation target group to register the group data registered in the group registration storage section 20B. With reference to D6, it is determined whether or not this participation target group is an already registered existing group.

[0109] If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the participation target group is an already registered existing group, and the group participation authentication unit 3
8 proceeds to step SP33 (FIG. 13), generates inquiry data D11 for the tournament participants using an arbitrarily selected telephone number, and transmits this from the identification information distribution unit 25 to the indirect communication unit 16 and the public network 4. Are sequentially transmitted to the game terminals 2A to 2N of the tournament participants.

As a result, the CPUs of the game terminals 2A to 2N
In step SP34 (FIG. 13), the inquiry data D11 transmitted from the information providing device 36 is fetched via the communication unit 6, and the inquiry data D11 is displayed as character information on the liquid crystal panel 13 so as to be a participant of the tournament. Is visually inquired about whether to participate in the participation target group.

If a positive result is obtained, this means that the tournament participant has accepted the participation in the participation target group. At this time, the CPU 8 operates the operation keys 11 The participation acceptance data D12 is generated on the basis of the participation acceptance information input by the user and the user name and user password of the tournament participant, and this is transmitted from the communication unit 6 to the information providing apparatus 36 via the public line network 4. Send.

In the information providing device 36, the participation acceptance data D 12 transmitted from the game terminals 2 A to 2 N of the tournament participants is transmitted to the user authentication unit 1 via the indirect communication unit 16.
9 and the user authentication unit 19 proceeds to step SP
At 35 (FIG. 13), the user data D3 registered in the user registration storage unit 20A of the data management block 20 is referred to using the user name and the user password included in the participation acceptance data D12, and thereby the tournament is held. It is determined whether the participant has already been registered as a user.

If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the tournament participant has already been registered as a user. At this time, the user authentication section 19 transmits the participation acceptance data D12 to the group participation authentication section 38. To send to.

The group participation authentication unit 38 uses the user name included in the participation acceptance data D12 given from the user authentication unit 19 to generate the group data D6 of the participation target group.
, If the tournament participant has not registered for the participating group, the participation of the meeting participant in the participating group is authenticated.

The group participation authentication unit 38 updates the group data D6 corresponding to the participation target group by adding the authenticated participant's user name to the group data D6 in the group registration storage unit 20B. Group information D7 indicating the user name and the group name of the group to which the tournament participant participates is transmitted to the identification information distribution unit 25.
To send to.

As a result, in step SP36 (FIG. 13), the identification information distribution unit 25 sets the group participation authentication unit 3
8 based on the group participation data D7 given from
Storage unit 20B for group registration of data management block 20
Recognizing the identification information data D1 assigned to the participation target group with reference to the group data D6 registered in the storage unit 20C, reads out the identification information data D1 from the identification information storage unit 20C, and reads the identification information data D1 from the indirect communication unit 16. The information is transmitted to the game terminals 2A to 2N of the tournament participants via the public line network 4.

The game terminals 2A-2 of the tournament participants
In N, the CPU 8 loads the identification information data D1 given from the information providing device 36 into the identification information memory 7 via the communication unit 6, stores the identification information data D1 in the identification information memory 7, In SP37 (FIG. 13), this identification information acquisition processing RT3 is ended.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP32 (FIG. 13), this means that the participation target group is a new group that has not been registered yet, and at this time, the group participation authentication unit 38 , And sends the group name and group password of the arbitrarily selected participation target group to the new group authentication unit 22.

When the group name and the group password of the arbitrarily selected participation target group are given from the group participation authentication section 38, the new group authentication section 22
The arbitrarily selected participation target group is authenticated, and the group name and group password of the arbitrarily selected participation target group are sent to the new group registration unit 23.

[0120] The new group registration unit 23 determines in step SP
At 38 (FIG. 13), when the group name and the group password of the participation target group arbitrarily selected are given from the new group authentication unit 22, the data management block 2
The unused identification information data D1 is read out from the identification information storage unit 20C, and is assigned to the participation target group. The identification information data D1 assigned to the participation target group, the group name of the participation target group, and the group password are read out. The group data D6 is created from the numbers.

Then, the new group registration section 23 sends this group data D6 to the data management block 20, and
The arbitrarily selected participation target group is registered by storing it in the group registration storage unit 20B.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP34 (FIG. 13), this means that the tournament participant has refused to participate in the participation target group. At this time, the tournament participant's game terminal 2A At ~ 2N, C
The PU 8 transmits the participation refusal data D13 obtained by operating the operation keys 11 by the tournament participant from the communication unit 6 to the information providing device 36 via the public network 4, and thereafter, in step SP37 (FIG. 13). This identification information acquisition processing RT
End 3

If a negative result is obtained in step SP35 (FIG. 13), this means that the distribution of the identification information data D1 to the tournament participants is stopped because the tournament participants have not been registered as a user yet. At this time, the user authentication unit 19 outputs the identification information distribution stop data D
9 is transmitted from the indirect communication section 16 to the game terminals 2A to 2N of the tournament participants via the public line network 4, and thereafter, step S
In P37 (FIG. 13), this identification information acquisition process RT3
End.

The game terminals 2A to 2N of the tournament participants
When the identification information distribution stop data D9 is transmitted from the information providing device 36, the CPU 8 captures the identification information distribution stop data D9 via the communication unit 6, and displays the captured identification information distribution stop data D9 on the liquid crystal panel 13 as character information. Thus, it is possible to visually notify the tournament participants that the distribution of the identification information data D1 has been stopped.

Therefore, in the information communication system 35,
The same identification information data D1 can be acquired anywhere in the communication range of the direct communication between the game terminals 2A to 2N participating in the group and outside the communication range.

Also, even if the tournament participants do not recognize each other at all, the game terminals 2A to 2N can use the information providing device 36.
Is the same identification information data D for each group selected arbitrarily.
1 can be obtained, and thus the competition game can be easily performed even if the tournament participants in each group do not recognize each other at all.

(3-2) Operation and Effect of Third Embodiment In the above configuration, in this information communication system 35,
The information providing device 36 arbitrarily selects a target group and a tournament participant who wants to participate in the target group,
Game terminals 2A to 2 of tournament participants via public network 4
N is inquired about whether or not to participate in the participation target group, and the same identification information data D1 is provided and acquired in group units to the game terminals 2A to 2N of the tournament participants who have accepted the participation.

Therefore, in the information communication system 35, the same identification information data D1 can be easily obtained regardless of where the game terminals 2A to 2N participating in the group are within the communication range of the direct communication.

Even if the tournament participants do not recognize each other at all, a group can be formed, and a battle game can be easily played for each group.

According to the above configuration, the information providing apparatus 36 arbitrarily selects the participation target group and a plurality of tournament participants who want to participate in the participation target group, and plays the game of the arbitrarily selected tournament participants. A query is made to the terminals 2A to 2N via the public network 4 as to whether or not to participate in the participation target group, and the same identification information data D1 is provided and acquired to the game terminals 2A to N of the tournament participants who have accepted the participation. In addition to the effects obtained by the above-described second embodiment, even if a plurality of tournament participants do not recognize each other at all, each of the game terminals 2A to
2N, the same identification information data D1 can be easily obtained and a competitive game can be played.

(4) Other Embodiments In the above-described first to third embodiments, wireless communication used for direct communication between transceivers is applied as a method of communication between game terminals 2A to 2N. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and the present invention is not limited to this.
Various other communication methods, such as communication using infrared rays (IrDA) and the like, can be widely applied.

When a plurality of game terminals 2A to 2N are used in a limited place such as on a ship as in the third embodiment described above, these game terminals 2A to 2N are connected to each other by Ethernet or IEEE (Institute). of Electri
cal and Electronics Engineers) It may be connected by various cables such as a 1394 cable.

In the third embodiment described above,
Although the case where the information providing device 36 is installed on the ship has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information providing device 3 is not limited thereto.
The game terminal 2A is installed in various other places such as in a building or in a vehicle such as a train, a bus, or an airplane.
2N may be played in a building or a vehicle. Incidentally, when the information providing device 36 is installed in an airplane, the plurality of game terminals 2A to 2N may be connected via cables.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the case where the game terminals 2A to 2N are connected to the information providing device 3 via the public line network 4 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and a repeater such as a base unit of a telephone is provided, and a plurality of game terminals 2A to 2N are provided in the repeater.
May be connected wirelessly, and the repeater may be connected to the information providing device 3 via the public line network 4. Thus, the communication unit 6 of each of the game terminals 2A to 2N can be simply configured to execute only the linear communication.

In the first to third embodiments, the registration data D2, the identification information request data D5, and the like are transmitted from the game terminals 2A to 2N to the information providing apparatus 3 via the public line network 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the game terminals 2A to 2N access the information providing apparatus 3 via the public line network 4, registration is performed in a guidance format using voice information or character information. Or identification information or the like.

Further, in the above-described second and third embodiments, a case has been described in which the game terminals 2A to 2N of the users who want to participate in the participation target group are specified by telephone numbers. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the information providing device 3 stores a list of the user's personal name, domain name, and the like, the game terminals 2A to 2N of the user who wants to participate in the participation target group can use
It can also be specified using a domain name or the like.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the case where the identification information data D1 is distributed from the information providing device 3 to the game terminals 2A to 2N has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and some advertisement information may be distributed from the information providing device 3 to the game terminals 2A to 2N together with the identification information data D1. The user data to which the billing information is added is stored in the user registration storage unit 20A of the data management block 20, and the identification information data D is stored.
At the time of the distribution of 1, a charge service may be realized by charging based on this charging information.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the present invention is applied to the plurality of game terminals 2A to 2N described above.
The present invention has been described in connection with the case where the present invention is applied to the information communication systems 1, 30, and 35 constructed using the communication system. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is widely applied to information communication systems constructed using various other communication devices. can do.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, a plurality of communication devices that directly communicate with each other using identification information for identifying a party that directly communicates with each other within a predetermined communication range are used as game devices. Although the case where the terminals 2A to 2N are applied has been described, the present invention is not limited to this.
A portable information terminal called a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), and a PHS (Personal
Various other communication devices such as a handyphone system, a portable personal computer, a pager, and the like can be widely applied. Incidentally, when the communication device according to the present invention is applied, the configuration in the basic configuration block in the communication device may be changed according to the basic function of the communication device. Various other data such as mail data, chat conversation, music distribution, and voice data can be communicated.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the case has been described where the public line network 4 is applied as communication means having a communication range wider than the communication range of direct communication. The present invention is not limited to this, and various other communication means such as a dedicated communication cable used for a network and satellite communication can be widely applied.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the request means for requesting the information providing apparatus through the communication means to join the group and issue the identification information is as follows.
Although the case where the CPU 8 is applied has been described,
The present invention is not limited to this, and various other requesting means can be widely applied as long as it is possible to request the information providing apparatus through the communication means to join the group and issue the identification information.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, as a group registration means for registering a group,
The case where the new group registration unit 23 is applied has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If a group can be registered, various other group registration means can be widely applied.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the group participation authentication units 24, 33, and 38 serve as participation authentication means for authenticating participation of each communication device in the group.
And the case where the new group registration unit 23 is applied. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if it is possible to authenticate the participation of each communication device to the group, various other group authentication means may be used. Can be widely applied.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the case where the new group registration means 23 is applied as the identification information allocating means for allocating the identification information to the group registered by the group registration means. As described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other identification information allocating means can be widely applied as long as the identification information can be allocated to the group registered by the group registration means.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the identification information allocated to the group by the identification information allocating means is communicated to each communication device whose participation in the group has been authenticated by the participation authentication means. The case where the identification information distribution unit 25 is applied as the identification information providing means provided through the means has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If it is possible to provide, via the communication means, each communication device whose participation in the group has been authenticated by the authentication means, various other identification information providing means can be widely applied.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, a group participation authentication unit is used as a selection means for arbitrarily selecting a group and arbitrarily selecting each communication device which is desired to participate in the selected group. 38 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and if a group can be arbitrarily selected and each communication device that wants to participate in the selected group can be arbitrarily selected, Various other selection means can be widely applied.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the present invention is constructed so as to perform direct communication from an information providing apparatus connected via communication means having a communication range wider than the communication range of direct communication. When the corresponding identification information assigned to the group is provided via the communication means,
The case where the identification information memory 7 is applied as an acquisition unit for acquiring the provided identification information has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and has a communication range wider than the communication range of direct communication. When the corresponding identification information assigned to the group to be constructed for performing direct communication from the information providing device connected via the communication means is provided via the communication means, the provided identification information is obtained. If possible, various other acquisition means can be widely applied.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the direct communication means for identifying the communication partner terminals which directly communicate with each other in a group by using the identification information acquired by the acquisition means, and performing the direct communication, CPU 8 and communication unit 6
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to directly communicate by identifying the communication partner terminals that directly communicate with each other in a group using the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit. In addition, various other direct communication means can be widely applied.

[0149]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an information communication system, a plurality of communication devices that directly communicate with each other using identification information for identifying a party that directly communicates with each other within a predetermined communication range are provided. Is connected to each communication device via a communication means having a communication range wider than the communication range of the direct communication, and registers a group constructed for each communication device to directly communicate with each other, and corresponds to the registered group. By assigning identification information, by providing each communication device participating in the group with an information providing device that provides the same identification information via the communication means,
No matter where the plurality of communication devices participating in the group are located, the same identification information can be provided to each of these communication devices from the information providing device via the communication means and easily obtained, and thus the plurality of communication devices participating in the group can be obtained. An information communication system capable of easily communicating between communication devices can be realized.

In the information providing apparatus, a group formed by a plurality of communication apparatuses that directly communicate with each other using identification information for identifying a party that directly communicates with each other within a predetermined communication range is established. Group registration means for registering, identification information assignment means for assigning identification information corresponding to the group registered by the group registration means, and the same identification assigned to the group by the identification information assignment means for each of the communication devices participating in the group By providing identification information providing means for providing information via a communication means having a communication range wider than the communication range of the direct communication, each of these communication devices can be used regardless of where a plurality of communication devices participating in the group are located. The same identification information can easily be provided to each device via communication means, and thus the group It is possible to realize the information providing apparatus capable easily be communicated between a plurality of communication apparatuses participating in the flop.

Furthermore, a communication device that directly communicates using identification information for identifying a communication partner terminal that communicates with each other within a predetermined direct communication range has a communication range wider than the communication range of the direct communication. When the identification information assigned to the group to be constructed for performing direct communication with each other from the information providing device connected via the communication means is provided via the communication means, the provided identification information is obtained. With the provision of the obtaining means and the direct communication means for recognizing and communicating directly with the communication partner terminals that directly communicate with each other in the group using the identification information obtained by the obtaining means, the communication device can be located anywhere. The same identification information as that of the communication partner terminals participating in the group can be easily obtained, and thus, a plurality of partner terminals participating in the group can be obtained simultaneously. In it is possible to realize a communication device capable of easily communicating.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a first embodiment of the configuration of an information communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating linear communication between game terminals.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the information communication system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of basic functional blocks of the game terminal.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a group registration block.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a data management block.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an identification information acquisition processing procedure;

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of an information communication system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an information providing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an identification information acquisition processing procedure;

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an information communication system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an information providing apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an identification information acquisition processing procedure.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 30, 35 ... information communication system, 2A to 2N ...
Game terminals, 3, 31, 36 ... information providing device, 4 ...
Public line network, 6 communication unit, 7 memory for identification information,
8 CPU, 16 indirect communication unit, 18 group registration block, 20 data management block, 22
New group authentication section 23 New group registration section 2
4, 33, 38 ... group participation authentication unit, 25 ... identification information distribution unit, D1 ... identification information data, D5 ... identification information request data, D6 ... group data, D8 ... group participation request data, D10 …… Participation request data, D1
1 ... inquiry data, D12 ... participation acceptance data,
RT1, RT2, RT3 ... Identification information acquisition processing procedure.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 7/38 H04Q 7/04 D

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of communication devices for directly communicating with each other using identification information for identifying partners who directly communicate with each other within a predetermined communication range, and a communication range wider than the communication range of the direct communication. Connected to each of the communication devices via communication means having, each communication device registers a group to be constructed for performing the direct communication with each other, and assigns the identification information corresponding to the registered group, An information communication system, comprising: an information providing device for providing the same identification information to each of the communication devices participating in the group via the communication means. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a request unit for requesting the information providing device to participate in the group and issue the identification information via the communication unit. Group registration means for registering a group, participation authentication means for authenticating participation of each of the communication devices in the group, identification information assignment means for assigning the identification information to the group registered by the group registration means, Identification information providing means for providing the identification information assigned to the group by the identification information assigning means to each of the communication devices whose participation in the group has been authenticated by the participation authentication means via the communication means. The information communication system according to claim 1, wherein 3. The requesting means requests the information providing apparatus via the communication means for an inquiry as to whether or not each of the communication devices desired to participate in the group participates in the group. Inquiring whether or not each of the communication devices requested for the inquiry has participated in the group via the communication means, and authenticating the participation of each of the communication devices having accepted the participation in the group. The information communication system according to claim 2, wherein 4. The information providing apparatus further comprises a selecting means for arbitrarily selecting the group and arbitrarily selecting each of the communication devices which the user wants to participate in the selected group. Requesting each of the communication devices selected by the means to participate in the group via the communication means, and authenticating the participation of each of the communication devices having accepted the participation in the group. Item 4. An information communication system according to item 3. 5. A group that a plurality of communication apparatuses that perform direct communication with each other within a predetermined communication range registers identification information for identifying a communication partner that directly communicates with each other. Group registration means, identification information allocating means for allocating the identification information corresponding to the group registered by the group registration means, and allocating each of the communication devices participating in the group to the group by the identification information allocating means An identification information providing means for providing the same identification information via communication means having a communication range wider than the communication range of the direct communication. 6. A communication device comprising: means for authenticating participation of each of said communication devices in said group requested by said communication devices via said communication means; and said identification information providing means comprising:
The identification information assigned to the group by the assigning means is provided to each of the communication devices whose participation in the group has been authenticated by the participation authentication means via the communication means. Information providing device according to the item. 7. The participation authentication means requests from each of the communication devices via the communication means an inquiry as to whether or not each of the communication devices desired to participate in the group has participated in the group. 7. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein each of the communication devices performs an inquiry as to whether or not the communication device has joined the group via the communication means, and authenticates each of the communication devices having accepted the participation to join the group. Information providing device as described. 8. A communication system comprising: a selection means for arbitrarily selecting the group and arbitrarily selecting each of the communication devices desired to participate in the selected group. 8. The information according to claim 7, wherein the communication device is queried as to whether or not the communication device has joined the group via the communication means, and the communication device accepting the participation is authenticated to participate in the group. Providing device. 9. A communication apparatus for performing direct communication using identification information for identifying communication partner terminals with which communication is directly performed with each other within a predetermined direct communication range, wherein the communication apparatus is wider than the communication range of the direct communication. When the identification information assigned to the group constructed for performing the direct communication with each other from the information providing apparatuses connected via the communication unit having the communication range is provided via the communication unit, the provision is performed. Obtaining means for obtaining the obtained identification information, and direct communication means for recognizing the communication partner terminals that perform the direct communication with each other in the group using the identification information obtained by the obtaining means and performing the direct communication. A communication device, comprising: 10. The communication apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising requesting means for requesting said information providing apparatus to join said group and issue said identification information via said communication means. . 11. The information requesting apparatus requests the information providing apparatus via the communication means to inquire whether a plurality of other parties who want to participate in the group participate in the group. Item 11. The communication device according to item 10.