JPH11128537A - Game system and central processing unit for game operation - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a game system which can reduce the cost of a game terminal installed in a game center or the like, is easy to maintain, and can easily change the game content. SOLUTION: This game system includes a game calculation central processing unit 20 and a plurality of game terminals 50 connected via a communication line 10. The game calculation central processing unit 50 includes a plurality of game calculation processing units 24 for performing a game calculation based on an input signal from the game terminal 50 for each of the game terminals. Within the range, the game calculation of a plurality of game terminals is performed. Then, the game calculation information is compressed and transmitted to the corresponding game terminal 50. The game terminal 50 transmits a game input signal to the game calculation central processing unit 50, decompresses calculation information from the game calculation processing unit 24, and displays a game screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game system for centrally performing a game calculation process of a plurality of game terminals connected via a communication line, and a game calculation central processing device used for the game system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional game system is configured such that a plurality of independent game machines are installed in a game center or the like and a single player game or a multi-player game is played.

In such a system, for example, when ten game machines are installed in a game center,
It is not always the case that ten game consoles operate at full capacity. The normal operation rate is often about 2 to 3 units.

[0004] Despite this, the conventional game system prepares a plurality of expensive independent game machines in accordance with the operation rate at the peak, so that initial costs for installing the game machines are high. In addition, there is a problem that the running cost becomes large.

Further, in the conventional game system, independent game machines are often distributed and arranged at respective locations. Therefore, a game program is changed when an operator goes to each location such as a game center. There is also a problem that it is not easy to change the game contents.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and has as its object to reduce the cost of a game terminal installed at a location, to simplify maintenance, and to easily change game contents. An object of the present invention is to provide a game system that can be performed and a game calculation central processing device used for the game system.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a game system according to the present invention includes a centralized game operation processing device and a plurality of game terminals connected via a communication line. The apparatus is configured to control reception of game calculation based on an input signal from the game terminal, and perform a game calculation for generating at least a game screen based on the received input signal from the game terminal. A plurality of game operation processing means; and compression means for compressing at least information of the game screen included in the operation information output from each of the game operation processing means, wherein the operation information in which the information of the game screen is compressed Is transmitted to the corresponding game terminal, and the game terminal is configured to transmit a small amount of information included in the calculation information from the game calculation processing means. Decompressing means for decompressing information on the game screen, display means for displaying the game screen based on the decompressed information, and input means for inputting a game, wherein the input signal of the input means is subjected to the game calculation central processing. The game screen is transmitted to a device and displayed on the basis of calculation information from the game calculation processing means.

Here, it is preferable that the reception control means is configured to perform a reception control of the game calculation for the game terminal based on the free information of the plurality of game calculation processing means.

Further, the game operation centralized processing device comprises:
It is preferable that the game operation processing means is formed so as to be able to be added.

According to the present invention, the game calculation central processing device is provided with a plurality of game calculation processing means for performing a game calculation based on an input signal from each game terminal, and Within this range, a configuration is employed in which game calculations for a plurality of game terminals are performed.

Therefore, the number of game terminals is, for example, 10 in total.
Even if there are no game machines, the game operation centralized processing device has the number of game terminals corresponding to the operation rate of the game terminals of the entire game system,
For example, game operation processing means for ten units may be provided.

Thus, the game calculation centralized processing means
Of the plurality of game terminals connected via the communication line, game calculations corresponding to at most 10 game terminals can always be performed, and the calculation results can be supplied to the game terminals.

With the above arrangement, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide expensive game operation processing means for a plurality of game terminals, and the number of game operation processing means corresponding to the operation rate of the entire system is eliminated. May be provided on the game operation centralized processing device side, so that the cost for constructing the system can be significantly reduced. For example, even when there are 100 game terminals, for example, 10 game operation processing means may be provided on the game operation centralized processing device side in accordance with the operation rate of the entire system. It is possible to reduce the cost of the game operation processing means for 90 units.

Further, according to the present invention, when the popularity of a game is high and the operating rate of the entire system increases immediately after the installation of the game terminal, the game operation processing means of the game operation centralized processing device side is adapted accordingly. You only need to increase the number. As described above, the number of required game operation processing means can be increased or decreased according to the operating rate, so that an extremely flexible system can be constructed.

Further, according to the present invention, the maintenance of the game operation processing means can be performed collectively on the game operation centralized processing device side, so that the maintenance of the system becomes extremely simple.

In addition to the above, according to the present invention, the game contents can be changed on the game calculation central processing unit side, so that the game contents of the entire system can be changed very easily.

Further, in the present invention, the game calculation central processing device does not transmit the game information calculated by each game calculation processing means to the corresponding game terminal via a communication line as it is, but includes the game information in the calculation information. It is configured to compress and transmit information of a game screen to be transmitted.

When each game terminal receives the calculation information from the game calculation central processing unit, each game terminal decompresses at least the information of the game screen included in the calculation information and displays it as a game screen. Then, the player can input a game from the input means while watching the game screen, and enjoy the game.

As described above, according to the present invention, by adopting a configuration for compressing and transmitting information on a game screen having a large amount of data, each game terminal can be solved while solving the problem of time delay associated with data transmission. You can enjoy the game well.

In the present invention, the game operation intensive processing device corresponds to each game operation means, wherein the compression means for compressing at least information on the game screen included in the operation information output from each game operation processing means corresponds to each game operation means. It is preferable to provide a plurality.

At this time, the information to be compressed may be not only the information on the game screen but also other information, for example, voice information and the like, if necessary, and transmitted. In this case, the decompression means provided in the game terminal may be configured to decompress and output all the compressed information.

Further, in the present invention, when the data amount of an input signal transmitted from the game terminal to the game operation centralized processing device is large, this input signal is also compressed at the game terminal side, and the game operation centralized processing is performed. You may comprise so that an apparatus may defrost.

In the present invention, the game operation processing means exchanges game data for a multi-player game with another game operation processing means, and exchanges the exchanged data with an input signal from a game terminal. Based on the above, it is preferable to form the game calculation for the multi-player.

Thus, when the player selects the multiplayer game, the player can enjoy the multiplayer game with another game terminal.

In particular, according to the present invention, even when game terminals are located in different areas, for example, even when another game terminal is installed in a completely different game center, such a remote game terminal can be connected to such a game terminal. You can enjoy multiplayer games between.

For example, in a conventional system, a multi-player game cannot be played unless a plurality of game machines exist in the same game center. Even if only one game terminal is installed, if this game terminal has joined the system, it is possible to enjoy a multiplayer game with another game terminal located in a remote place.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a centralized processing device for game operation connected to a plurality of game terminals via a communication line, and to a reception control means for performing reception control of game operation based on an input signal from the game terminal. A plurality of game calculation processing means for performing at least a game calculation for generating a game screen based on the received input signal from the game terminal; and calculation information output from each of the game calculation processing means. Compression means for compressing at least information on the game screen, wherein the arithmetic information obtained by compressing the information on the game screen is transmitted to a corresponding game terminal.

With the above configuration, the game calculation for a plurality of game terminals located in remote places, particularly the game calculation for a multi-player, can be performed favorably, and the cost of the whole system can be reduced, the maintenance cost can be reduced, and the game can be reduced. It is possible to realize a game calculation centralized processing device capable of satisfactorily changing contents and the like.

[0029]

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

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a game system according to the present invention. In this game system, a game calculation central processing unit 20 and a plurality of game terminals 50-1 are connected via a communication line 10. 50-2... Are connected.

The game calculation central processing unit 20 is configured to perform game calculations for a plurality of game terminals 50 in a concentrated manner, and is installed, for example, at a central management center of a game supplier. .

The game terminals 50 are distributed and arranged in a game center, an amusement park, and other locations. For example, location 100, which is a game center
-1, two game terminals 50-1 and 50-2 are installed, and another location 100-2 apart from this is installed.
Has a plurality of game terminals 50-3, 50-4, 50-
5 are installed.

Here, if the game central processing unit 20 is installed in, for example, Tokyo, and the game terminals 50 satisfy the condition that they can be connected to each other via the communication line 10, the game terminal 50 will be connected to Tokyo. May be installed,
It may be installed in a remote place such as Osaka or Hokkaido.

The communication line 10 is formed using a line having a large signal transmission capacity, for example, an optical fiber line.

Next, the game terminal 50 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game terminal 50 of the present embodiment displays an ATM assembler 58 connected to the communication line 10, compression / decompression means 62 for compressing and decompressing data, and a game image. And a speaker 54 for outputting game sound, and an input unit 56 for performing game input.

The input section 56 is used when a player makes a game input. For example, in a drive game machine, the input section 56 is configured as a steering wheel and an accelerator.

The analog input signal from the input unit 56 is converted into a digital signal via an A / D converter 60 and transmitted to the game calculation central processing unit 20 via an ATM assembler 58.

The input section 56 is formed so that a single player game or a multi-player game can be selected prior to the start of the game.

As will be described later, the game calculation central processing unit 20 performs a game calculation for the game terminal 50 based on the input signal, and transmits the calculation information to the communication line 10.
To the corresponding game terminal 50 via. At this time, the game calculation information includes information on the compressed game screen.

The game terminal 50 that has received the calculation information
Uses the ATM assembler 58 to separate and output the calculation information into information on the game screen and audio information.

The information of the separated game screen is
The image data is decompressed into digital image data of three colors of R, G, and B using the compression / decompression means 62, and the image data is output to the display 52 via the digital / analog converter 64. Thereby, the calculated game screen is displayed in color on the display 52.

Further, the audio information output from the ATM assembler 58 is converted into an analog signal using a digital-to-analog converter 66 and output from the speaker 54 via the amplifier 68.

The game terminal 50 repeats the reception of the operation data from the game operation central processing unit 20 in principle every 1/60 second, and displays the game screen on the display 52, A game audio signal is output from the speaker 54.

Thus, the player can operate the display 5
The user can enjoy a single player game or a multi-player game while looking at the game screen displayed on the screen 2.

In the present embodiment, the game terminal 50
When transmitting and receiving data between the game processing central processing unit 20 and the game processing central processing unit 20, the data to be compressed is only the information of the game screen transmitted from the game processing central processing unit 20 to the game terminal 50. Therefore, the compression / decompression means 62 may be configured to have at least a function of decompressing only this image data. In the case where other compressed data is transmitted / received, the compression / decompression means 62 may have a function of decompressing and compressing the other compressed data.

Next, the game calculation central processing unit 20 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game calculation central processing unit 20 includes a plurality of sets of calculation units 22-1, 22-2,
22-3, mixing / distribution means 24 for mixing / distributing data to be transmitted / received, and reception control means 28 for controlling reception of game calculations from each game terminal 50.

Each of the arithmetic units 22-1, 22-2,
Each of the game terminals 22-3 is configured to perform a game operation of one game terminal 50. Specifically, the game operation processing unit 24 for the game operation and the input / output And compression / decompression means 26 for performing compression / decompression of the data to be compressed.

The mixing and distributing means 24 includes the reception control means 2
8, the data transmitted from each game terminal 50 is distributed to the corresponding arithmetic unit 22.
It functions to transmit data calculated and output from each game calculation unit 22 to the corresponding game terminal 50.

The reception control means 28 detects an empty state of the operation unit 22 provided in the game operation centralized processing unit 20 and, based on the detection result, receives a game operation request (entry to the game) from the game terminal 50. It is configured to control reception and to control transmission and reception of data via the mixing / decomposing means 24.

More specifically, the vacant state of the arithmetic unit 22 is determined, and if there is an empty arithmetic unit 22, acceptance of a new game operation request from the game terminal 50 is permitted. Then, the game terminal 50 that has accepted the reception
, And distributes the input signal to the empty operation unit 22, and further controls the mixing / distribution unit 24 so that the operation data output from the operation unit 22 is transmitted to the corresponding game terminal 50.

Next, the operation unit 22 will be described.

The game operation processing means 24 constituting the operation unit 22 is configured to be able to transmit and receive game data to and from the game operation processing means 24 of the other operation units 22. A game operation for a multi-player game can be selectively performed.

That is, from the corresponding game terminal 50,
When a signal indicating that a single player game is to be performed is input, a game calculation for generating a game screen and a game sound is repeated every 1/60 second based on the input signal from the game terminal 50 and a predetermined game program. Then, the calculation result is output to the compression / decompression means 26.

The game calculation processing means 24 performs a game calculation for the multi-player game when a selection input of a multi-player game with another game terminal is made from the corresponding game terminal 50. .

At the time of this multi-player game calculation, the game calculation processing means 24 exchanges game data with another game calculation processing means 24, and other game terminals participating in the same multi-player game as the game machine itself. The other game calculation processing means 24 for performing the calculation for is specified. The exchange of game data for the multi-player game with the other game calculation processing means 24 is performed by 1/60.
Perform every second. Then, the game calculation processing means 24 executes the multi-player game calculation based on the game data from the other game calculation processing means 24 obtained as described above, an input signal from the game terminal 50 and a predetermined game program. This calculation is repeated every / 60 seconds, and the result of the calculation is output to the compression / decompression means 26.

The compression / decompression means 26 compresses only the data of the game screen having the largest amount of information among the information contained in the calculation output by the JPEG method. This allows
The calculation information output from the game calculation processing means 24 is converted into a state in which only the information on the game screen included in the calculation information is compressed, and the converted information is transmitted to the corresponding game terminal 50 via the mixing / decomposing means 24 and the communication line 10. Will be sent.

In particular, according to the present embodiment, the game information calculated every 1/60 second is transmitted in a sufficiently compressed state, so that the game calculation central processing unit 20 and each game terminal 50 Data can be transmitted and received smoothly.

In this embodiment, transmission and reception of data between the game calculation central processing unit 20 and each game terminal 50 are performed according to the ATM multiplexing method.

Accordingly, the game terminal 50 that has received the calculation information separates the game screen information and the voice information included in the calculation information using the ATM assembler 58, and separates the information into the game screen and the game screen. Can be reproduced and output as audio information for use.

The system according to the present embodiment has the above configuration, and its operation will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the system according to the present embodiment, for example, 100 game terminals 50 are distributed and arranged at one game center or a plurality of game centers via the communication line 10. .

The game operation centralized processing unit 20 is provided with the number of operation units 22 corresponding to the operation rate of the game terminal 50 of the system, for example, 10 operation units 22.

The game terminal 5 accessed when the ten game operation units 22 are empty.
For 0, entry to the game is permitted, and the game calculation unit 22 performs a game calculation for the game terminal.

At this time, for example, ten game terminals 50
Accesses the game calculation central processing unit 20, and when all 10 game calculation units 22 are full,
Other game terminals cannot enter, and a waiting screen is displayed on the game terminal.

Then, the game calculation central processing unit 20
Game terminal 5 for which entry for game calculation is permitted
0 can selectively perform a single-player game and a multi-player game as described above.

At this time, in the game operation unit 22 which performs the game operation of the game terminal 50, the game operation processing means 24 generates a screen and an audio signal based on an input signal from the game terminal 50 and a predetermined game program. Is repeated every 1/60 second and transmitted to the corresponding game terminal 50.

Thus, the player of each game terminal 50 can play the game while enjoying the game screen displayed on the display 52 and the game sound output from the speaker 54, similarly to the conventional game machine. Become.

In particular, in the system of the present embodiment, the operation unit 22 of the game operation centralized processing device 20 can be prepared according to the operating rate of the game terminal as viewed from the whole system. For example, a plurality of locations 100-1,
100-2... Often have different time zones with the highest operating rates of the game terminals. Therefore, a plurality of arithmetic units 22 may be prepared in accordance with a time zone in which the operating rate of the game terminal 50 is the highest when viewed from the whole system.

Therefore, the expensive game operation unit 22
Is not necessary for the number of game terminals 50, so that the cost of the entire system can be significantly reduced.

Further, when the popularity of the game gradually increases and the operation rate of the game terminal exceeds the initial expectation, the operation unit 22 in the game operation central processing unit 20 side
Can be increased according to the operation rate. By doing so, an extremely flexible system can be constructed.

In addition to this, the most important game operation processing means 24 of the game machine is provided by the game operation
Since the data can be managed collectively on the 0 side, the maintenance can be simplified and the game can be changed very efficiently.

In addition, in the system of the present embodiment, it is possible for the player to enjoy the multi-play even in the game environment where the multi-player game could not be played conventionally. For example, even when only one game terminal 50 is set in a child space such as a shopping center, if this game terminal 50 is connected to the network shown in FIG. , Another game terminal 50 located in a remote place
A multiplayer game can be performed between the player and the player to enjoy the game.

In the above embodiment, the communication line 10
Of the information transmitted and received via the above, the case where only the information of the game screen is compressed and transmitted has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other transmission data may be compressed as necessary, It may be configured to transmit. In this case, the compressed and transmitted data may of course be decompressed by the decompression means on the receiving side.

[0076]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a preferred embodiment of a game system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a game terminal used in the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Communication line 20 Game operation central processing unit 22 Operation unit 24 Game operation processing means 26 Compression decompression means 28 Reception control means 50 Game terminal 52 Display 56 Input means 58 ATM assembler 62 Compression decompression means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A game calculation centralized processing device and a plurality of game terminals connected via a communication line, wherein the game calculation centralized processing device controls the reception of game calculation based on an input signal from the game terminal. A plurality of game calculation processing means for performing at least a game calculation for generating a game screen based on a received input signal from the game terminal; and output from each of the game calculation processing means Compression means for compressing at least information on the game screen included in the calculation information, and wherein the game terminal is formed to transmit the calculation information in which the information on the game screen is compressed to a corresponding game terminal; Decompression means for decompressing at least information on the game screen included in the computation information from the game computation processing means; Display means for displaying a game screen, and input means for inputting a game, transmitting an input signal of the input means to the game calculation central processing unit, and executing a game based on calculation information from the game calculation processing means. A game system formed to display a screen. 2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the reception control unit controls reception of a game calculation for the game terminal based on free information of the plurality of game calculation processing units. 3. The game calculation processing means according to claim 1, wherein each of the game calculation processing means exchanges game data for a multiplayer game with another game calculation processing means. ,
A game system for performing a game calculation for a multiplayer game based on an input signal from a game terminal, wherein each of the game terminals is formed so as to be capable of a multiplayer game with another game terminal. 4. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game calculation central processing device is formed such that the game calculation processing means can be added. 5. A centralized game calculation processing device connected to a plurality of game terminals via a communication line, comprising: a reception control means for controlling reception of a game calculation based on an input signal from the game terminal; A plurality of game calculation processing means for performing at least a game calculation for generating a game screen based on an input signal from the game terminal; and at least a game screen included in calculation information output from each of the game calculation processing means. And a compression means for compressing information, wherein the information on the game screen is transmitted to the corresponding game terminal by compressing the calculation information.