Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
  • A63F13/34—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using peer-to-peer connections
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
  • A63F2300/50—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by details of game servers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a network system in which a server, for example, a plurality of client terminals such as personal computers connected to a host computer via a communication line such as the Internet causes each character to appear in a wide virtual area and a common virtual area. It relates to the processing method of the system.
• a server for example, a plurality of client terminals such as personal computers connected to a host computer via a communication line such as the Internet causes each character to appear in a wide virtual area and a common virtual area.
• a plurality of client terminals connected to a server (including a host computer) via a communication line make their own characters appear in a large common virtual game area or game space sometimes provided by this server,
• This network game in which the movement of characters or the battle or conversation between characters is operated, is a very large-scale game in which hundreds or thousands of people can participate at one time. It is becoming widespread with development.
• each client terminal displays on the display the periphery of its own character position in the common virtual game space, and the player or the client moves his or her character while watching the display image on this display. Alternatively, the player proceeds with the game by inputting a request such as a change in clothes.
• the request input from the client terminal is transmitted to the server, and the server transmits necessary image change information such as updated character position information to each of the other client terminals, thereby displaying the display of each of the other client terminals.
• the image is changed according to the request of one client terminal, the character of one client terminal moves, the battle starts, or the character itself changes.
• managing requests such as movements from client terminals on the server side means that all requests necessary to prevent unauthorized operation by the player are handled by other clients via server processing. If it is configured to be reflected on the display of the terminal, especially when the number of participating players is large, the data communication volume will increase and the load on the server will become too large, and high-speed information processing cannot be expected .
• an object of the present invention is to provide a processing method and a network system for a network system that achieves high real-time performance while avoiding centralized data communication with the server without impairing an effective management function on the server side.
• the processing method of the network system includes a plurality of client terminals connected to a server via a communication line (client terminals are also directly connected) and a large common virtual area.
• client terminals are also directly connected
• the attribute data of its own character is changed by the input means, and based on the attribute data of the character stored in the storage means,
• the client terminal transmits the data to another client terminal via the server, and the client terminal's non-server managed attribute data (or the change information of the unmanaged server attribute data) is directly transmitted from the client terminal to the other client server without passing through the server.
• Kula It is characterized in that it is transmitted to the client terminal.
• Character attribute data includes data that must be recorded and managed on the server side, such as character position data and life and death status data, as well as information on the movement of characters such as costumes (or decorations) and messages. This includes data that does not need to be managed on the server side, such as display.
• character attribute data must be recorded and managed on the server side, and server management attribute data, which is data, and server data, which need not necessarily be managed or grasped on the server side.
• server management attribute data or this change information is sent from client terminal A to another client terminal B via server 1 (arrow a). ) Or from client terminal B to other client terminal A (arrow b) and indirectly send it to be managed by server 1. For example, create comprehensive game management data.
• each of the client terminals is configured such that, when a change is made to the attribute data of its own character, the change is reflected in the image and the change information or update information is transmitted to the server or another client terminal. You. According to the system or the processing method of the present invention, it is possible to reduce a server load without distributing communication paths and reducing the amount of information handled in the entire system.
• the client terminal to which the unmanaged attribute data is transmitted is not everything connected to the network, but is in a range that is or is likely to be affected by a change in the character of the client terminal. It should be limited, and it is effective that the range of other client terminals is specified by the server based on the server management attribute data of each client terminal.
• a plurality of client terminals connected to the server via a communication line cause each character to appear in a wide common virtual area, and each of the client terminals uses its own character by input means.
• Genus of A network system in which only the character surrounding area in the common virtual area is displayed by the display unit based on the attribute data of the character stored in the storage unit while changing the sex data.
• Each client terminal has a first storage means for storing attribute data of its own character by dividing it into server-managed attribute data and non-server-managed attribute data.
• Second storage means for storing a list of client terminals of the above, at least server management attribute data of characters of other client terminals included in the list, and non-server management attribute data of characters of other client terminals included in the list
• a third storage means for storing the server management attribute of the server with reference to the first storage means.
• the server includes: attribute data storage means for storing server management attribute data received from each client terminal; and, based on the server management attribute data received from each client terminal.
• the client terminal for example, is based on the server management attribute data of its own character, the non-server management attribute data, and the server management attribute data and the non-server management attribute data of the other client terminal characters included in the list.
• An image is displayed based on the information stored in the storage means and the third storage means.
• the designating means is configured such that, based on the position data of the character, a client terminal in which a character exists within a predetermined distance from one character is set as a data synchronization target. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the client terminals A, B, C, and G whose characters are close to each other are designated as the synchronization targets of the client terminal A, and the designated information is transmitted to the client terminal A.
• client terminals A, B, D, E, F, and G whose character positions are close to each other are specified as the synchronization target of client terminal C, and client terminals whose character positions are close to each other are synchronized with client terminal D.
• C, E, and F are specified and the specified information is sent to client terminals C and D, respectively.
• the server used in the network system includes: an attribute data storage unit for storing server management attribute data received from each client terminal; and a data base based on the server management attribute data received from each client terminal. Designation means for grouping client terminals to be synchronized; synchronization data storage means for storing a list of client terminals grouped by the designation means; and a list of the client terminals and at least the client terminals in each client terminal. And a transmission control unit or transmission control means for transmitting the server management attribute data of the other client terminals grouped with each other.
• the client terminal used in the network system of the present invention includes: a first storage unit configured to store the client terminal by dividing attribute data of its own character into server management attribute data and non-server management attribute data.
• a second storage unit for storing a list of other client terminals to be synchronized with the data grouped by the server; and at least server management attribute data of characters of other client terminals included in the list and included in the list.
• Third storage means for storing attribute data outside the server management of a character of another client terminal to be transmitted to the server, and transmitting own server management attribute data to the server by referring to the first storage means, and 1 by referring to the storage means 1 and storing the attribute data outside the server
• a transmission control unit or transmission control means for directly transmitting to other client terminals included in the client without passing through the server.
• This program uses the client terminal to store the server management attribute data of its own character, the server non-managed attribute data, and the server management attribute data of other client terminals included in the list. Or an image is displayed based on the information stored in the first storage means and the third storage means.
• the program is recorded on, for example, a computer-readable recording medium, and is installed on the client terminal.
• FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a network system of the present invention
• FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which client terminals used in the present invention communicate data
• FIG. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a network game system configured for a game
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a client terminal
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server
• FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing data at the time of communication of the client terminal
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a case in which server management attribute data is updated
• FIG. The figure shows a flow chart when the client terminal receives data.
• Fig. 10 is a flowchart explaining the operation on the server side.
• FIG. 11 shows the periodic distribution sent from the server.
• FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a case where communication is performed from a client terminal on the server side
• FIG. 13 is a concept showing a state where a character is located in a common virtual area.
• FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which communication is performed between the client terminal and the server.
• FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing another state in which a character is located in the common virtual area. .
• FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a network game system configured by applying the system of the present invention to a network game.
• Each of the client terminals (PCs) 2 is connected to the Internet 3 from a general telephone line via a communication modem or a communication adapter (not shown), and the common terminal under the management of the server 1 through the Internet 3. Receives game services.
• the client terminals 2 exchange data directly with each other via the Internet 3 and indirectly via the server 1 with other client terminals 2.
• Fig. 3 shows the data transmission / reception relationship centering on client terminal 2 (A).
• Client terminal A indirectly sends data (server management attributes) to other client terminals 2 (B, C) via server 1.
• Data (arrows a and e), and data (attributes outside the server management) directly to the other client terminal 2 (B and C) (arrows c and ⁇ ).
• data necessary for the client terminal ⁇ (synchronization target information, that is, data synchronization terminal B and C lists and server management attribute data of terminals B and C) are transmitted from the server 1 (arrow g).
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the client terminal 2.
• Reference numeral 41 denotes a communication device for transmitting and receiving data between the terminal 2 and another client terminal 2 or the server 1.
• 4 2 is a program storage unit for storing an application program for operating a character to advance a game and displaying an image
• 43 is a program storage unit for storing a communication control program for performing communication
• 4 4 is a data processing unit.
• a CPU Central Processing Unit
• 45 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse
• 46 is a display device such as a CRT screen and a liquid crystal panel. It is connected to the.
• the client terminal 2 includes a first storage unit 51, a second storage unit 52, and a third storage unit 53 (these units constitute the storage unit 50). These storage means 51 to 53 are allocated as storage areas in one storage device such as RAM. However, they may be assigned to different storage devices.
• the first storage means 51 stores the attribute data of the character managed by itself (the client terminal).
• the attribute data is divided into server management attribute data and non-server management attribute data.
• the server management attribute data is data (information) that needs to be managed by the server 1, such as character position data and state data. Is transmitted from the client terminal 2 to the other client terminals 2 via the server 1.
• the attribute data outside the server management is data (information) that does not need to be managed by the server 1, such as data relating to notification of movement between characters (such as voice display) and decoration data. Communicated between the two.
• the second storage means 52 stores a list (data synchronization terminal list) of other client terminals to be synchronized with data grouped by the server 1.
• the other grouped client terminal 2 is, for example, if the client terminal 2 shown in FIG. 4 is the client terminal A, the client terminal 2 is or may enter the screen of the terminal A. All of the other client terminals 2 related to other characters, and in the example of FIG. 13, the client terminals B and C correspond. Specifically, for example, the ID and IP addresses of other client terminals B and C are written.
• the data synchronization target here means that data can be directly communicated between the client terminals 2. In this example, the data is directly transmitted between the client terminals A, B, and C. Attribute data can be communicated. Alternatively, it means that a particular client terminal 2, eg, A, can directly communicate data.
• the client terminal 2 to be grouped changes according to the position of each character as described later, and is designated by the server 1.
• the third storage unit 53 stores attribute data of characters of other client terminals 2 included in the list, in this example, client terminals B and C, into server management attribute data and non-server management attribute data. Is memorized.
• the server is provided by the program storage section 43 and the CPU 44.
• a transmission control unit 40 for transmitting attribute data to 1 or another client terminal 2 is configured.
• the transmission control unit 40 is configured so that the CPU 44 refers to the first storage means 51 based on the communication control program and stores the server management attribute data of its own (client terminal A).
• the change information or the update information is transmitted to the server 1 and the change information or the update information of the attribute data not managed by the server is transmitted to the other client terminals 2 (client terminals B and C) included in the list via the server 1. It has the function of transmitting directly without sending.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server 1.
• Reference numeral 61 denotes a communication device for transmitting and receiving data between the server 1 and the client terminal 2.
• 6 2 is a program storage unit for storing a data communication control program for performing communication
• 6 3 is data for grooving the client terminals 2 to be synchronized with each other based on the server management attribute data of each client terminal 2.
• a program storage section for storing the synchronization control program, and 64 is a CPU which is a data processing section.
• the server 1 performs data synchronization between an attribute data storage unit 80 that stores server management attribute data received from each client terminal 2 as, for example, an attribute data table, and a list of client terminals 2 grouped as data synchronization targets. And a synchronous data storage means 90 for storing as a terminal list tape. These storage means 80 and 90 are allocated to a storage device such as a RAM.
• each client terminal 2 has a data synchronization terminal list, for example, another client terminal 2 grouped with the client terminal 2 or grouped with the client terminal 2.
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation on the client and terminal 2 side.
• a report program is periodically called from the main processing of the application program to report the update of the self data (step S1). Subsequently, a determination is made as to whether or not the timing for reporting to the server 1 is present (step S2). If the timing is reached, the CPU 44 refers to the first storage means 51 and stores its own server management attribute data. A determination is made as to whether or not the power has been updated (step S3). If the power has been updated, the updated content, that is, the updated server management attribute data is transmitted to the server 1 (step S4). Then, go to step S5 '; if it is not the timing to report to server 1 or if the server management attribute data is not updated, go to step S5 to determine whether it is the timing to send to another client terminal 2.
• step S6 it is determined whether or not its own non-server-managed attribute data has been updated. If the server-unmanaged attribute data has been updated, reference is made to the terminal list stored in the second storage means 52 and the other client terminals 2 listed in the list are assigned their own server-managed attribute. The data is transmitted directly without passing through the server 1 (step S7). If it is determined in step 5 that the transmission timing to another client terminal 2 cannot be reached, or if it is determined in step 6 that the non-server managed attribute data has not been updated, the update report processing ends there. I do. FIG. 7 shows the data structure when the attribute data is sent from the client terminal 2.
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a case where server management attribute data is updated.
• the update program is called (step S). l)
• the physical attribute data is updated and the data is flagged (step S3). This flag is referenced during the "Self-data update report" processing shown in Fig. 6 to specify which attribute data has been updated.
• step S1 a predetermined program is called as shown in FIG. 9 (step S1), and it is determined whether or not power is received from the server 1 (step S2). If it is received from 1, the data synchronization terminal list and the server management attribute data of its own client terminal 2 and other client terminals 2 that are listed in this list are acquired, and the second storage The data of the means 52 and the third storage means 53 are updated (step S3). If the data is not received from the server 1, that is, if the data is received from another client terminal 2, the non-server-managed attribute data directly sent from the other client terminal 2 is obtained, and the data in the third storage unit 53 is obtained. —Update the data (step S 4).
• FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation on the server 1 side.
• the regular distribution program is called periodically from the main processing (step S 1), and is stored in the server management attribute data of each client terminal 2 stored in the attribute data storage means 8 and the synchronous data storage means 90.
• the data synchronous terminal list for each client terminal is copied to the buffer for periodic distribution (step S2).
• the data synchronization terminal list and the server management attribute data of the client terminals listed in the list are packed as shown in FIG. And sends it to each client terminal 2 (step S3).
• the data synchronization terminal list (synchronization target client list) that is periodically delivered to a certain client terminal 2 is information (ID number) that identifies another client terminal 2 that is in harmony with the client terminal 2 And IP addresses).
• step S 1 When the server management attribute data is sent from the client terminal 2 as shown in FIG. 12, a predetermined program is called (step S 1), and the server management of the client terminal 2 stored in the attribute data storage means 80 is performed.
• the attribute data is updated (step S2).
• step S3 the data synchronization terminal list is re-created using the server management attribute data of the client terminal 2 updated in step S2 as a judgment material.
• the purpose of grouping client terminals based on this list is that when a certain client is indicated, it is sufficient for the own client terminal 2 to manage the attribute data of its own character and the other character.
• the client terminal 2 of the own device specifies the client terminal 2 to which another character to be managed. Specifically, since the screen of each client terminal 2 always displays its own character, for example, at the center of the screen, for example, based on the character position data of each client terminal 2, other characters are displayed for each character. The distances to all the characters are calculated, and the client terminal 2 of another character whose distance is smaller than the threshold is set as the data synchronization target.
• the threshold value may be, for example, a value corresponding to when another character enters the own screen, but is likely to enter the own screen when another character approaches the own screen. Is large, it is preferable that the value corresponds to a state in which the vehicle approaches a certain distance.
• the data synchronization terminal list is created (updated), and the updated list is stored in the synchronization data storage means 90.
• FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a character is located in a common virtual area
• FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which communication is performed between the client terminal 2 and the server 1
• FIG. The figure is a conceptual diagram showing another state where the character is located in the common virtual area.
• characters A, B, and C (circled portions) in the common virtual area 100 are represented by the client terminals A, B, and C, respectively.
• these client terminals A, B, and C are grouped. That is, the distance between the characters A, B, and C is equal to or smaller than the threshold, and the characters are grouped by the specifying means 60 on the server 1 side.
• characters D and E (circles) are not grouped because their distance to other characters is greater than the threshold.
• the client terminal A, B and C are stored in the data synchronization terminal list (host list) in the second storage means 52 as shown in FIG.
• the attribute data of the characters B and C is stored in the table. Therefore, the non-server managed attribute data of character A is transmitted directly to client terminals B and C at a predetermined timing as described above, for example. As a result, for example, the decoration information of the character A on the screen of the client terminals B and C is updated.
• the server management attribute data of character A is transmitted to server 1 at a predetermined timing, and server 1 updates the received server management attribute data and, for example, receives the server management attribute data and attribute data of character A just received.
• the data synchronization terminal list is reviewed based on the server management attribute data of the other characters B, C, D, and E stored in the storage means 80. Each time such a process is received from each client terminal 2, the data synchronization terminal list and the server management attribute data of each client terminal 2 at that time are sent to each client terminal 2. In this case, for example, assuming that the grouping state is the same as before, a list specifying the client terminals A and C and the server management attribute data of the characters A and C are transmitted to the client terminal B. In, attribute data such as the position of other characters A and C is updated and reflected on the screen.
• the characters B, C, and D are at positions where the screens of the client terminals B, C, and D can be entered.
• server 1 fetches server management attribute data from each client terminal 2 and communicates with the characters. Since this state can be recognized when the position is calculated, the specifying means 60 rewrites the data synchronous terminal list to group B, C, and D, and to group A and E.
• the client terminal B, C, and D perform direct communication of non-server managed attribute data
• the client terminals A and E perform direct non-server managed attribute data communication.
• character attribute data is divided into server management attribute data that needs to be managed by the server and non-server management attribute data that does not need to be managed by the server.
• the indirect communication between the client terminals via the server, and the latter in the direct communication between the client terminals, thus using the two communication paths together, can reduce the load on the server, resulting in a high real-time Can be realized.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
• Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
• Information Retrieval, Db Structures And Fs Structures Therefor (AREA)

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Cited By (13)

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Citations (3)

• 2001
  • 2001-02-02 WO PCT/JP2001/000758 patent/WO2001057678A1/ja active Application Filing
  • 2001-02-02 TW TW90102124A patent/TW575447B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation

Patent Citations (3)

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