KR101736776B1 - Sound Processing Method for Game Client, and On Line Game Service System Linked with Real Time Music Service - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention allows users who use online games to enjoy music broadcasts instead of game sound effects during a game. To this end, the game client stops the reproduction of the game effect sound and processes the streaming-based music broadcast through the channel when the user sets the music broadcasting of the specific channel to be listened. The user may select a game effect sound that is not to be stopped when listening to the music broadcast. In this case, the game client does not stop the reproduction of the game sound effect. The user can easily listen to the real time music broadcast using the user interface provided on the game screen and the choice of the sound or audio to be heard during the game is widened.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sound processing method for a game client and an online game service system linked to a real-time music service,

The present invention relates to a method of selectively processing a sound to be output during a game by a game client who is engaged in online game while communicating with a game server through a communication network and an online game service ≪ / RTI >

Various types of online game services are being provided through various communication networks such as the Internet.

Generally, during the game, various kinds of game sound effects are output to add fun and enhance the realism. However, in the conventional online game, the user has only a limited choice of sound because he or she can select a preferred one among limited types of game effect sounds or stop the output thereof.

For example, there may be users who want to enjoy playing music while listening to music.

In this case, the user can stop the game effect sound and enjoy the game while listening to music through his / her audio device, but it must have a separate audio device and is inconvenient because it is an indirect method.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sound processing method of a game client that enables users to enjoy a real-time music service instead of a game sound effect during a game, and an online game service system in connection with a real- It has its purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, a method of processing sound of a game client according to the present invention includes the steps of allowing a user to set whether to listen to a music channel of a specific channel through a user interface of a game screen ; A step of accessing a URL corresponding to the channel when the user is set to listen to the music broadcast (the URL is a URL to which the streaming server transmits the music broadcast of the channel in a streaming manner); And reproducing the music broadcast received from the streaming server. If the game client is set to listen to the music broadcast, the game client stops playing the game sound effect.

In another embodiment of the sound processing method of the game client according to the present invention, the game client is configured to be interlocked with a separate computer program module that receives and reproduces the music broadcast,

Allowing a user to set whether to listen to a music broadcast of a specific channel through a user interface of a game screen; Controlling a computer program module capable of receiving and processing a music broadcast to connect to a URL corresponding to the corresponding channel when the user is set to listen to the music broadcast, A URL transmitted in a streaming manner); And reproducing the music broadcast received from the streaming server by the computer program module. If the game client is set to listen to the music broadcast, the game client stops playing the game sound effect.

The user interface may be configured to allow the user to select not to stop when listening to a music broadcast among the game sound effects.

At this time, the game client does not stop the reproduction of the game effect sound that the user has selected not to stop when listening to the music broadcast.

An online game service system in connection with a real-time music service according to the present invention includes: a game server for providing an online game service through a communication network; A game client installed in each user terminal to conduct an online game while communicating with the game server; A first storage for storing a plurality of music contents; A channel management server that corresponds to one or more channels identified by a URL and manages a content list including a predetermined number of music contents stored in the first storage; And a streaming server for transmitting the music contents in the contents list of each channel to a user terminal connected through the corresponding URL through a streaming method. At this time, the game client processes the music contents of the specific channel received from the streaming server in place of the game sound effect according to the setting of the user.

The game client may be configured to access the URL corresponding to a specific channel by itself and reproduce the music content received from the streaming server according to the setting of the user.

In addition, the game client may be configured to interoperate with a separate computer program module that receives and reproduces music broadcasts. In this embodiment, the game client can control the computer program module to access the URL corresponding to the specific channel and reproduce the music content received from the streaming server according to the setting of the user.

The game client may be configured such that the user does not stop the music sound effect among various game sound effects, and then the game sound effect may not be stopped.

The streaming server may periodically repeat the process of sequentially transmitting music contents of each content list starting from a specific point in time.

The channel management server may periodically change the content list for each channel to variously change music broadcasts through the corresponding channel.

The channel management server may interface with a user through a communication network to open a channel and process the music content to be included in the content list of the corresponding channel among the music contents stored in the first storage.

The online game service system in connection with the real-time music service according to the present invention may further comprise a second storage for storing sound contents for at least one advertisement.

In this embodiment, the channel management server may include one or more of the audio contents for advertisement stored in the second storage in the contents list.

According to the present invention, a user can easily select a sound to be heard during a game using either a game sound effect or a real-time music broadcast using a user interface provided on a game screen.

In addition, the user can listen to the music broadcast and output the game sound sound of the kind desired by the user.

As a result, the sound and music selection rights of the user who enjoys the game can be widened to give a higher satisfaction.

Since the online game service system according to the present invention provides music broadcasts of various channels that the user can listen to during the game, the user can enjoy the game while listening to the favorite music according to his / her personality.

Particularly, since the music broadcasting service provided by the online game service system can be used regardless of the game, it can be provided as a general music broadcasting service available to all.

1 shows an overview of a system in which an online game service is performed,
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate the embodiments of the sound processing method of the game client according to the present invention,
4 shows an example of a user interface related to music broadcasting,
FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an online game service system in connection with a real-time music service according to the present invention,
FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate an example of a streaming service of music contents performed through an online game service system,
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a channel,
10 shows an example of a process in which a user opens a channel and changes a content list,
11 shows an example of a screen allowing a user to input selection information,
12 shows an example of a content list including audio contents for advertisement,
13 is an example of a screen for providing channel-specific information related to a music broadcast.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1, the game server 15 provides a game service through various communication networks 13 such as a wired Internet network or a wireless Internet network, and a user plays a game through a game client 12 installed in the user terminal 11. [ Service.

The types of online games provided by the game server 15 include an RPG (Role Playing Game) for allowing a user to perform various missions (quests) in a virtual space in a game, an MMORPG Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Game), Racing Game, Martial Arts Game, Shooting Game, Board Game and so on.

The user terminal 11 is connected to the game server 15 such as a mobile computer such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, or an iPhone as well as a personal computer (PC) such as a desktop computer or a notebook computer, Lt; / RTI >

The game client 12 is a computer program installed in the user terminal 11 to enable a user to use an online game.

The game client 12 may be general-purpose software such as a web browser or a video player generally installed in the user terminal 11 according to the form of the game, or may be specially manufactured and distributed by the game company in order to use the online game .

The game client 12 basically performs an online game while communicating with the game server 15. The game client 12 displays a game related announcement, processes a game screen, processes a sound effect, and provides various user interfaces for a game And performs various roles to be performed on the user side.

The role sharing between the game client 12 and the game server 15 can be variously configured as needed.

An embodiment of a sound processing method of a game client according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The game client 12 reproduces and outputs various game sound effects during the game, and the game screen has a user interface that allows the user to set various items related to the sound such as the type and size of the game sound effect.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, transmission of music contents in a streaming manner via the communication network 13 is also expressed in the term 'broadcast'.

First, the user sets whether to listen to the music broadcast using the user interface provided by the game client 12 and which channel the music broadcast is to be listened to (S101).

If the user is set to listen to the music broadcast in step S101 (S102), the game client 12 accesses a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) corresponding to the channel (S103). This URL is a URL through which the streaming server transmits the music broadcast of the corresponding channel in a streaming manner.

When the streaming server is connected in step S103, the music content is received from the streaming server.

Now, the game client 12 stops playing the game effect sound, and reproduces and outputs the music content received from the streaming server (S104). Accordingly, the user hears the music broadcast of the corresponding channel instead of the game effect sound.

For this purpose, the game client 12 includes a function of accessing a streaming server and processing music data received in real time through a streaming method.

If the user does not listen to the music broadcast (S102), the game client 12 reproduces and outputs the game sound effect (S105).

At this time, if the game client 12 is connected to the streaming server because of the previous setting, the game client 12 terminates the connection with the streaming server and reproduces and outputs the game sound effect.

On the other hand, the function of processing the music broadcast received in real time through the streaming method by connecting to the streaming server can be performed by a computer program module separate from the game client 12, The control unit 12 may be configured to control the corresponding computer program module according to the setting of the user.

The computer program module is a computer program installed in the user terminal 11 and capable of receiving and reproducing a music broadcast from a streaming server through a wired Internet network or a wireless Internet network.

Hereinafter, such a computer program module will be referred to as an 'audio player' for convenience of explanation.

The audio player can be configured to perform various functions as needed.

The audio player may also be a commercial computer program or a computer program specially designed for the practice of the present invention.

3, another embodiment of a sound processing method of a game client according to the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, the game client 12 cooperates with the audio player.

First, the user sets whether to listen to the music broadcast using the user interface provided by the game client 12 and which channel the music broadcast is to be listened to (S111).

If it is determined in step S111 that the user is to listen to the music broadcast (S112), the game client 12 controls the audio player to access the URL corresponding to the channel (S113). This URL is a URL through which the streaming server transmits the music broadcast of the corresponding channel in a streaming manner.

When the audio player connects to the streaming server in step S113, the music content is received from the streaming server, and the audio player reproduces and outputs the music content received from the streaming server (S114).

In addition, if the user is set to listen to the music broadcast (S112), the game client 12 stops playing the game sound effect. Accordingly, the user hears the music broadcast of the corresponding channel instead of the game effect sound.

If the user does not listen to the music broadcast (S112), the game client 12 reproduces and outputs the game sound effect (S115).

At this time, if the audio player is connected to the streaming server because of the previous setting, the game client 12 controls the audio player to terminate the connection with the streaming server.

In the above-described embodiments, even if a user desires to listen to a music broadcast instead of a game sound effect, some of the game sound effects may be desired to be heard.

Therefore, the user interface for setting whether or not the user should listen to music broadcasts can be configured to be able to separately set whether to stop the music playback and stop the music broadcast sound during the game sound effect.

In this case, the game client 12 does not stop the game effect sound the user has selected to continue listening to.

FIG. 4A shows an example of a user interface screen 30 allowing a user to set sound related matters. The user can set whether or not to listen to a music broadcast through a music broadcast item.

That is, it can be set that the music broadcast is to be listened by not checking the corresponding check box 31, or it can be set to not listen to the music broadcast by checking the check box 31.

In the channel list window 32, a channel list for listening to music broadcasts is displayed. The user checks a check box of a desired channel among the check boxes 32-1 to 32-3 of each channel, You can select the channel you want.

The channel that can be displayed in the channel list may be a real-time music broadcast channel maintained by the online game service system according to the present invention, or an arbitrary channel that provides music broadcast in a streaming manner.

For example, a channel for real-time service of each radio broadcast through the Internet network may be included.

The effect sound item to be activated is a part for selecting a game effect sound which is not to be stopped even when listening to a music broadcast.

The user can check one or more of the check boxes 34-1 and 34-2 corresponding to game effect sounds such as 'battle music' and 'skill play sound' in a state where the check box 31 of the music broadcast item is not checked can do.

If the user checks the check box 34-1 of "Use Battle Music", the battle music is still output even if the music broadcast is reproduced and output.

FIG. 4B shows an example in which a menu 42 is displayed on the game screen 40 so that the user can directly access a specific channel.

When the user clicks any item in the menu 42, the game client 12 processes the channel to directly access the corresponding channel.

4 is merely to aid understanding of the description, and it goes without saying that the user interface for allowing the user to listen to the music broadcast or to set the channel can be variously configured as needed.

Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment of an online game service system (hereinafter, referred to as an online game service system) in connection with a real-time music service according to the present invention will be described.

The online game service system includes a game server 15 that provides game services through a communication network 13, a game client 12 that is installed in each user terminal 11 and communicates with the game server 15 to play an online game, A first storage 21, a channel management server 22, and a streaming server 23.

The game client 12 processes the sound according to the sound processing method of the game client according to the present invention.

That is, the game sound effect and the music broadcast received from the streaming server 23 are selectively output depending on whether the user is set to listen to the music broadcast.

To this end, the game client 12 provides a user interface through a game screen to enable a user to set whether or not to listen to a music broadcast of a specific channel, as in the example described with reference to FIG.

The game client 12 may be configured to access the URL of the specific channel according to the setting of the user and reproduce the music content received from the streaming server 23. [

In addition, the game client 12 can be linked with a separate computer program module (audio player) for accessing the URL of the specific channel and reproducing the music content received from the streaming server 23.

In this case, the game client 12 can control the audio player to connect to the URL corresponding to the specific channel and receive and reproduce the music broadcast from the streaming server 23 according to the setting of the user.

On the other hand, even if a user desires to listen to a music broadcast, some of the game sound effects may be desired to be heard.

Therefore, the user interface that allows the user to set whether or not to listen to the music broadcast of a specific channel can be configured so as to be able to be set separately from stopping and stopping when listening to the music broadcast sound of the game sound effect. In this case, ) Does not stop the game effect sound that the user has selected to continue listening to.

The first storage 21, the channel management server 22, and the streaming server 23 are components for providing a real-time music service through each channel.

As described above, the user can use the real time music service through the game client 12, but a user who does not use the game can use the real time music service.

That is, the user may input a URL that can access the corresponding channel directly to the web browser installed in the user terminal 11 or 14, or click the specific channel item on the wired / wireless homepage providing the channel information, And listen to music broadcasts. In this case, even if the game client is not installed in the user terminal 14, it is possible to listen to the music broadcast.

The real-time music service provided by the online game service system will now be described in detail.

In the present invention, a channel is a path through which music data is transmitted in real time, such as a radio broadcast channel, and is divided into a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). Therefore, there may be a plurality of channels, and the types and number of music contents to be transmitted through each channel may be variously configured.

Since the music service through each channel is performed in a streaming manner, the URL corresponding to each channel has a connection path with the streaming server 23.

The first storage (Storage) 21 is a nonvolatile, mass storage medium that can read and write digital data.

A plurality of music contents are stored in the first storage 21, and various information related to respective music contents such as a singer, a genre, and lyrics can be stored together as needed.

Since the music broadcast of each channel is based on the music content stored in the first storage 21, the more music contents stored in the first storage 21, the more various music services can be provided. For example, the first storage 21 may store several hundred thousand music pieces and related information.

The channel management server 22 manages a content list corresponding to each channel.

The content list includes a certain number of pieces of music content stored in the first storage 21. The contents list means a selection table for each channel, and the contents list of each channel can be changed.

The streaming server 23 transmits the music contents in the content list of the corresponding channel to the user terminal connected to each channel through the streaming method.

The computer program that is installed in the user terminals 11 and 14 and receives and reproduces the music data transmitted by the streaming server 23 in real time may be the game client 12 as described above or may be a commercial computer program, Or may be a computer program that is distributed.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a streaming service for each channel. The contents list 17-1 for the channel # 1 includes music contents # 4, # 11, # 26, # 58, Music contents # 126, # 129, # 30, # 108, and the like are included in the contents list 17-2.

When a certain user terminal 11-1 has connected to the channel # 1, the streaming server 23 acquires the music contents stored in the contents list 17-1 of the channel # 1 among the music contents stored in the first storage 21. [ And transmits the content to the user terminal 11-1 in a streaming manner.

If the user terminal 11-2 has connected to the channel # 2, the streaming server 23 may store the music contents stored in the contents list 17-2 of the channel # 2 among the music contents stored in the first storage 21. [ And transmits the music content to the user terminal 11-2 in a streaming manner.

Referring to FIG. 7, the streaming server 23 transmits music contents to the user terminal connected to each channel in accordance with the current time, rather than transmitting the first music contents in the contents list of the corresponding channel.

That is, the music contents in the content list are sequentially transmitted from a specific start time point to a finishing point for each channel.

Therefore, the user A starts to listen to and listen to the music data when the time t1 elapses after the music content # 4 starts to be reproduced, and the user B starts to reproduce the music content # Receive and listen to music data at the beginning.

When all of the music contents in the contents list of a channel are transmitted, the process of starting to transmit the first music contents in the contents list of the corresponding channel is repeated periodically.

Since the contents list of each channel can be changed, the contents broadcasted on each channel may be different from cycle to cycle.

The period in which all the content in the content list is transmitted and transmitted from the beginning can have a certain time interval (for example, 12 hours).

If necessary, a predetermined interval may be set at which broadcasts are not broadcasted until the first music contents in the contents list of the corresponding channel are transmitted again after all of the music contents in the contents list are transmitted.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which a music service of a certain channel is repeated in a 12-hour period without a break, and music contents in the content list of the corresponding channel are sorted in sequence from 0:00 to 12:00 on July 15, , And music contents in the contents list of the corresponding channel are broadcasted in order over 12 hours from 12:00 to 24:00 on July 15, 2010 in order.

In this way, the real-time music service is repeatedly performed on the corresponding channel every 12 hours. When the content list is changed in each cycle, the music enjoyed by the user in cycle # 1 and the music enjoyed in cycle # 2 are different from each other.

FIG. 9 illustrates different embodiments related to channel operation, and may be operated by a method of determining a channel and a song selection on a system side like a radio broadcast, or a method of allowing a user to open a channel and perform a song selection on its own It can also be operated.

Referring to FIG. 9A, the channel management server 22 periodically changes a content list for each channel by arbitrarily selecting a certain number of music contents from the music contents stored in the first storage 21, Manage content lists.

Since each channel can be operated on various topics, the channel management server 22 can selectively include music contents matching the characteristics of the corresponding channel in the contents list of each channel.

Each channel can be opened by an administrator. Various types of bibliography such as a title representing a subject of the corresponding channel, a description of the corresponding channel, a tag to be used for searching the corresponding channel, a genre, Information can be set.

Such bibliographic information for each channel can be provided to users through a communication network together with a content list.

9B, the channel management server 22 interfaces with each user through the communication network 13 so that the user 19 can open a channel and the user 19 who establishes the channel can access the first storage The user can select music contents to be served through the channel of his / her own, and manage the contents list according to the selection of the user.

Therefore, the same effect as the user 19 who opens the channel operates the music broadcasting channel by itself.

A user establishing a channel means that the user has a right to operate a specific channel, and the qualifications for opening the channel can be variously configured as needed.

Examples of qualifications for opening a channel include membership in an online game service system and payment of a channel opening fee if the channel is paid.

10, an example of a process in which a user opens a channel and changes a content list will be described.

First, a user who wants to establish a channel logs in an online game service system (S201-1). If you have not signed up for membership, proceed with the membership process and join as a member.

In step S201-1, the user who has succeeded in logging in satisfies the fee necessary for opening the channel (S201-2).

The fee required for opening a channel can be determined according to various requirements such as the duration of the channel or the number of music contents to be served through the channel. For example, a fee for maintaining one channel for one month can be set at 1,000 won.

The channel opening fee can be paid using various payment methods such as cash settlement, credit card settlement, mobile phone settlement, and cyber money settlement.

Cyber money is a virtual value that can be used as a means of payment regardless of its name. For example, it may be configured to pay by cyber money in the game account.

According to the settlement of the channel establishment fee, the user has the authority to operate a specific channel.

Then, the channel management server 22 allows the user to select a music content to be served by the channel (S201-3), and generates a content list including the music content selected by the user (S201-4).

In addition, the user can change the selection of the channel that he / she has opened at any time.

If the user logs in to the online game service system (S202-1), the channel management server 22 transmits the channel information created by the user and the current content list (Selection information) on the screen (S202-2). This screen contains a menu for changing the song selection.

When the user requests a selection change through the selection change menu, the channel management server 22 outputs a user interface for change of selection to a screen to change the selection (S202-3). When the user changes the selection, the channel management server 22 updates the contents list of the corresponding channel (S202-4).

11 is an example of a user interface screen 71 that allows a user to select a channel when opening a channel or changing a content list.

The user inputs a title, a description of the channel, a tag to be used for searching for the channel, and the like in a title input field 71-1, a description input field 71-2, a tag input field 71- 3).

The types of bibliographic information can be variously set as needed, and can be utilized as information for introducing each channel.

A user can search for music contents by inputting a keyword related to the music content in the search window 71-4. A list of music contents stored in the first storage 21 is displayed in the music content window 71-5 appear.

The selection list window 71-6 is a place where the user displays selected music contents for the channel. The user selects a specific music content from the search window 71-4 or the music content window 71-5 It is possible to register the selected music content in the selected music list window 71-6 or the specific music content registered in the selected music list window 71-6.

When the user finishes selection, the channel management server 22 changes the contents list of the corresponding channel to the currently selected contents.

The online game service system may further comprise a second storage 24 for storing audio contents for advertisement as shown in the example shown in Fig.

In this embodiment, the channel management server 22 may include one or more pieces of advertisement audio contents stored in the second storage 24 in the per-channel content list as shown in FIG. Then, the user who listens to the music broadcast of the channel hears the commercial broadcast while listening to the music.

The audio content of the advertisement can create a new profit model, but it is preferable that the audio content is limited within a reasonable range that does not inconvenience the user's music appreciation.

On the other hand, the channel management server 22 can process the information about the currently established channels in various formats and provide them through a communication network, and in particular, can provide information on the content list for each channel.

FIG. 13 shows a simple example of a screen 72 for providing channel information, which includes a channel list window 72-1 showing a list of currently opened channels, A window 72-3, and a window 72-4 showing the selection contents of the currently selected channel.

The user can search for a desired channel using the channel information or access a specific channel to listen to the music broadcast.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. to be.

11, 14: user terminal 12: game client
13: communication network 15: game server
21: first storage 22: channel management server
23: streaming server 24: second storage

Claims (11)

delete delete delete A game server for providing an online game service through a communication network;
A game client installed in each user terminal to conduct an online game while communicating with the game server;
A first storage for storing a plurality of music contents;
A channel management server that corresponds to one or more channels identified by a URL and manages a content list including a predetermined number of music contents stored in the first storage; And
And a streaming server for transmitting the music contents in the contents list of each channel to a user terminal connected through the corresponding URL through a streaming method,
The game client processes the music contents of a specific channel received from the streaming server instead of the game sound effect according to the setting of the user,
The channel management server interfaces with a user through a communication network to allow a user to open a channel and to select music contents to be included in the contents list of the corresponding music contents stored in the first storage,
Wherein the streaming server periodically repeats a process of sequentially transmitting music contents of each content list starting from a specific point in time. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the game client accesses a URL corresponding to a specific channel according to a user's setting and reproduces the music content received from the streaming server. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the game client controls to reproduce music contents received from the streaming server by accessing a URL corresponding to a specific channel by a computer program module capable of receiving and processing a music broadcast according to a setting of a user, Online game service system linked with service. delete 5. The method of claim 4,
And the channel management server periodically changes the content list for each channel. delete 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the game client is configured to allow the user to set the game sound effect not to be stopped when listening to a music broadcast, and does not stop playing the game sound effect. 5. The method of claim 4,
Further comprising a second storage for storing sound content for one or more advertisements,
Wherein the channel management server includes at least one of the audio contents for advertisement stored in the second storage in the contents list.

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