U.S. Pat. No. 6,855,058

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a layout diagram of a game system employing a game server device according to the present invention. The game system comprises client terminal devices (corresponding to terminal devices)1associated with respective identification information, arcade's server devices2(corresponding to game server devices) connected so as to be capable of communication through a private circuit5with a plurality (in this case, eight) of client terminal devices1associated with respective identification information and a center server device3that manages a game that is played by a plurality of players using the client terminal devices1and that is connected so as to be capable of communication through a communication circuit4with the plurality of arcade's server devices2. Connection is also effected so that communication is possible through a communication circuit4between the arcade's server devices2.

A client terminal device1receives prescribed operations that are performed by a player referring to the game screen that is displayed on a monitor and proceeds with the game using the designation information that is transmitted from the arcade's server devices2(or center server device3) and operation signals or other signals from the other client terminal devices1.

The identification information associated with a client terminal device1includes identification information for each arcade's server device2to which the client terminal device1is connected (or identification information of the game arcade where the client terminal device1is arranged) and identification information (referred to as the terminal number) of each client terminal device1in the game arcade where the client terminal device1is arranged. For example, if the identification information of the arcade's server device A of a game arcade A is A, and the identification information of the client terminal device1in the game arcade A is4, the identification information of this client terminal device1is a4.

An arcade's server device2is connected so as to be capable of communication with the respective plurality of client terminal devices (in this case, eight devices)1and with the center server device3, exchanges data between the client terminal devices1and the center server device3and, on detection that a communication circuit4has become incapable of communication, generates a simulated operation signal required for the progress of the game and transmits this to the client terminal device1.

The center server device3is connected so as to be capable of communication with the plurality of arcade's server devices2, stores, as player information, in correspondence with the user ID, the characteristic point data of a player's fingerprint required for fingerprint authentication, as will be described, and selects a player (also referred to as a contestant) for playing a game in a common game space with other players by exchanging data with client terminal devices1through the arcade's server device2.

FIG. 2is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an embodiment of a client terminal device1. Although, in the following description, as an example of a client terminal device, a commercial video-game device is described in which the monitor is integrally constructed, the present invention is not particularly restricted to this example and could also be applied in the same way to home video-game devices constituted by connecting a home video-game machine to a home television, or to personal computers or the like functioning as a video-game device by executing a video-game program.

Also, in this embodiment, the game that is played using the client terminal device1according to the present invention is a mahjong game and the player operating a client terminal device1and another client terminal device1or a CPU player compete with each other. When competing with the player operating another client terminal device1, a network communication section18, to be described, exchanges data with the client terminal device1through the arcade's server device2and center server device3and the like devices and stores information relating to the state of progress of the game in the arcade's server device2.

The client terminal device1comprises a monitor11that displays a game screen, a touch panel11athat uses a pressure device operated by the player and the address of the button to ascertain which button has been designated and which prompts selection or other operation displayed on the game screen of the monitor11, a speaker12that outputs voice, a card reader13that reads information such as a user ID stored on an individual card, a fingerprint authentication section14that extracts characteristic point data required for individual authentication using fingerprint information from a CCD camera14a, to be described, and a coin acceptance section15that accepts coins inserted by the player. The characteristic point data extracted by the fingerprint authentication section14is stored in player information362a, to be described, in a center server device3, by means of a network communication section18, to be described, and arcade's server device2etc.

The monitor11is for example a thin liquid crystal display that displays an image. A speaker12outputs prescribed messages or BGM. The fingerprint authentication section14comprises a CCD camera14athat picks up the image of the fingerprint of a player. Instead of a CCD camera14a, other digital image pickup devices (for example a CMOS camera) may be employed. The coin acceptance section15comprises a coin discharge port151that discharges an inserted coin for example if this coin is invalid.

Also, the individual card is for example a magnetic card or IC card that stores individual information such as the user ID; the individual information can be read from the inserted individual card by means of a card reader13, not shown.

A control section16(seeFIG. 3) constituted by a microcomputer or the like that outputs the detected signals from various section and control signals to each section is arranged at a suitable location in the client terminal device1.

FIG. 3is a hardware layout diagram showing an embodiment of a client terminal device1. The control section16controls the operation of the client terminal device1as a whole and comprises an information processing section (CPU)161, RAM162that temporarily stores for example information during processing and ROM163on which is stored beforehand prescribed image information and a game program etc, to be described later.

The external input/output control section171converts the detected signals obtained from detection sections including those of a control section16, card reader13, touch panel11a, CCD camera14aand coin acceptance section15into digital signals for processing and outputs command information to various items of equipment of the detection sections after converting the same into control signals, and performs this signal processing and input/output processing for example in time-divided fashion. An external equipment control section172performs an output operation of control signals to each item of equipment of the detection sections and an input operation of the detection signals from each item of equipment of the detection sections in the respective time division periods.

An image drawing processing section111displays required images on the monitor11in accordance with image display instructions from the control section16and comprises a video RAM and the like. A voice reproduction section121outputs prescribed messages and/or BGM etc to the speaker12in accordance with instructions from the control section16.

The touch panel11ais a thin-layered body of rectangular shape constituted by arranging linear pressure sensitive elements made from a transparent material in the vertical and horizontal directions at a prescribed pitch and covering the pressure sensitive elements with a transparent cover, and is attached onto the tube surface of the monitor11. A known type of touch panel may be employed for this touch panel11a. The touch panel11ais constituted such that it is possible to ascertain which button has been designated, from the position where pressure is applied and the addresses of buttons providing selective prompts that are displayed on the screen of the monitor11.

The ROM163stores images such as images of mahjong tile objects, background images and various types of screen. The mahjong tile objects and other objects are constituted by a required number of polygons so that they can be drawn three-dimensionally. The image drawing processing section111performs processing such as calculation for conversion from position in three-dimensional space to position in simulated three-dimensional space and light source calculation, in accordance with image drawing instructions from the CPU161, and also performs processing for writing the image data to be drawn to video RAM in accordance with the results of the above calculation, for example writing (pasting) of texture data into a video RAM area designated by polygons.

The relationship between the operation of the CPU161and the operation of the image drawing processing section111will now be described. The CPU161reads the image, voice and control program data and game program data from the ROM163under the control of the operating system (OS) recorded in the ROM163, which may be of the incorporated or removable type. Part or all of the image, voice and control program data and other items that are thus read is held in the RAM162. Thereafter, the CPU161executes processing in accordance with the control program and the various types of data (image data and voice data including polygons or texture or other details of the object displayed, and, in addition, letter images) stored in the RAM162and detection signals from the detection section, or other signals.

Of the various types of data stored in the ROM163, data that can be stored on a removable recording medium may be readable by means of a drive such as for example a hard disk drive, optical disc drive, flexible disc drive, silicon disc drive or cassette media reader. In this case, the recording media may be for example a hard disk, optical disc, flexible disc, CD, DVD or semiconductor memory.

The network communication section18is provided for transmitting and receiving with the center server device3through the network and arcade's server device2or other devices various types of event information or other information generated during playing of the mahjong game.

An individual authentication method in the client terminal device1will now be described. Individual authentication means confirmation that the player who is actually playing is the same as the player identified by the client terminal device1(or center server device3connected through the network communication section18and the network). When a player first plays using the client terminal device1, the user ID data is read from the inserted individual card by the card reader13and an image of the fingerprint of the player is picked up by the CCD camera14aof the fingerprint authentication section14and the necessary characteristic point data for individual authentication is extracted using the fingerprint information from the CCD camera14aby the fingerprint authentication section14. The user ID data and the characteristic point data are then transmitted to the arcade's server device2that is connected through the network communication section18and the network, further transmitted from the arcade's server device2to the center server device3through a communication circuit, and stored in the player information storage section362a, to be described later. In this way, the player is registered with the center server device3.

When a player who is registered with the center server device3plays at the client terminal device1, the user ID data is read from the inserted individual card by the card reader13and an image of the fingerprint of the player is picked up by the CCD camera14aof the fingerprint authentication section14and the necessary characteristic point data for individual authentication is extracted by the fingerprint authentication section14using the fingerprint information from the CCD camera14a. The user ID data and the characteristic point data are then transmitted to the center server device3that is connected through the network communication section18, network arcade's server device2and so on, and the center server device3determines whether the characteristic point data corresponding to the user ID that is stored in a player information storage section362a, to be described, is the same as the characteristic point data that has thus been transmitted thereto. If the result of this determination as positive, the player is allowed to play; if the result of this determination is negative, play is denied (for example an error message is displayed on the monitor11of the client terminal device1and the player is prompted to repeat the fingerprint authentication process).

FIG. 4is a functional layout diagram of the control section16of a client terminal device1. The CPU161of the control section16comprises a game progress control section161athat controls progress of a game in accordance with instructions from an arcade's server device2while receiving operations from a player and a CPU player section161bthat generates an operation signal from a CPU player.

The game progress control section161areceives operations supplied thereto from a player using for example a touch pad11aand controls progress of a game in accordance with the rules of mahjong, using the instruction information from the arcade's server device2(or center server device3) and the operation signal from another client terminal device1at which the game is being played in the same game space (in this case, on the same virtual table).

Note that the mahjong game played here consists of4games at east wind. The game progress control section161a, when each game of the first to third games at the east wind has terminated, outputs a “game termination” signal to the arcade's server device2and, on receiving an operation input from the player as to whether or not the play is to be continued, if an operation signal to the effect that the game is not be continued is received, terminates the match or, if an operation signal to the effect that the game is to be continued is received, continues the match.

The CPU player section161bgenerates an operation signal when the simulated CPU player performs a virtual operation and, in the same way as in the case of an operation performed by a player in the mahjong game, generates operation signals corresponding to operations such as an operation of selecting a tile to be discarded after “tsumo” (drawing a new tile) or “naki” (picking up a tile discarded by another player) or operations such as “naki” (pung/chow/kong), or not.

FIG. 5is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an embodiment of an arcade's server device2. The arcade's server device2comprises a monitor21that displays the game screen or the like, a speaker22that outputs voice and an individual vending machine25that vends an individual card on accepting a coin inserted by a player.

The monitor21comprises for example two CRT's, with the object of displaying a large image. The two CRT's are arranged such that the long sides of the screen display sections of substantially rectangular shape that display respective images are adjacent and control of the image signal is performed such that a single image is displayed by the two image display sections.

The speaker22outputs prescribed messages or BGM. The individual card vending machine25comprises a coin acceptance section24that accepts a coin inserted by a player and a card dispensing section23that dispenses an individual card. The coin acceptance section24comprises a coin discharge port (not shown) that discharges the inserted coin if for example the coin is not valid.

At a suitable location of the arcade's server device2, there is provided a control section26(seeFIG. 6) constituted by for example a microcomputer that inputs a detection signal from various sections and outputs a control signal to the various sections.

FIG. 6is a hardware layout diagram showing an embodiment of an arcade's server device2. A control section26controls overall operation of the arcade's server device2and comprises an information processing section (CPU)261, RAM262that temporarily stores information for example during processing and ROM263in which is stored beforehand information such as of prescribed images.

An image drawing processing section211effects display of a required image on the monitor21in accordance with image display instructions from the control section26and comprises a video RAM and other items. A voice reproduction section221outputs to a speaker22prescribed messages or BGM or the like in accordance with instructions from the control section26.

Of the various types of data stored in the ROM263, data that can be stored on a removable recording medium may be readable by means of a drive such as for example a hard disk drive, optical disc drive, flexible disc drive, silicon disc drive or cassette media reader; in this case, the recording media may be for example a hard disk, optical disc, flexible disc, CD, DVD or semiconductor memory.

The network communications section28is provided to exchange various types of data with the center server device3and other arcade's server devices2through a network such as WWW. An interface section1ais provided in order to perform exchange of data with a plurality (for example eight) of client terminal devices1that are connected with an arcade's server device2.

A game progress management program according to the present invention is recorded in the ROM263and thence loaded into the RAM262. The respective functions thereof are then implemented by the CPU261successively executing the game progress management program in the RAM262.

FIG. 7is a functional layout diagram of a control section26of the arcade's server device2. The RAM262of the control section26comprises a table storage section262athat stores the table information i.e. information relating to the mahjong table on which the virtual game of mahjong is being conducted by the client terminal devices1and a state of progress storage section262bthat stores information relating to the state of progress of the game on each mahjong table on which virtual games of mahjong are being conducted by the client terminal devices1. The CPU261comprises a state of progress updating section261athat updates the state of progress of the game stored on the state of progress storage section262bby exchanging data with the client terminal devices1and other arcade's server devices2in accordance with the table information stored in the table storage section262aand a game progress management section2611(corresponding to the game progress management device) that continues a game in a simulated fashion, if a fault occurs in a communication circuit.

As shown inFIG. 8, a specific description with reference to FIG.9andFIG. 10will now be given of the content of the table information stored in the table information section262aand the content of processing performed by the state of progress updating section261ain the case where a game is being conducted in a common game space by means of client terminal devices a1and a3connected through a private circuit5with an arcade's server A, a client terminal device b8connected through a private circuit5with an arcade's server B and a client terminal device c2connected through a private circuit5with an arcade's server device C.

The case where participation in the game is accepted by the center server device3in the order: client terminal device a1, client terminal device a3, client terminal device b8and client terminal device c2will be described. The center server device3designates the arcade's server device2(in this case arcade's server device A) that is connected through the private circuit5with the client terminal device1(in this case client terminal device a1) that is the first to be accepted (in respect of which an instruction operation for set-up of a table is performed) by the center server device as the master server, which plays an intermediate role in exchange of information between arcade's server devices2, and designates other arcade's server devices2(in this case arcade's server devices B and C) that are connected through a private circuit5with a client terminal device1as slave servers, which play an auxiliary role in the exchange of information between the arcade's server devices2, and transmits the results of this designation to the arcade's server devices2. The local server devices2store the results of this designation of master server and slave server that is transmitted thereto in a table storage section262a.

FIG. 9shows in tabular fashion the table information of a table constituted by the client terminal devices a1, a3, b8and c2shown in FIG.8. In order from the column on the left-hand side, the following information is stored: the table number TN, which is an identification number of the table, which is allocated to each table in accordance with a prescribed rule when a table is created by the center server device3; the order of acceptance RN, which is the number of the order of acceptance by the center server device3; the client symbol CN, which is the identification information of the client terminal device1(in this case, for convenience in description, the reference symbol is used for the client symbol CN); the arcade's server symbol SN, which is the identification information of the arcade's server device2(in this case, for convenience in description, the reference symbol is used for the arcade's server symbol SN); the master/slave classification MS, that expresses the distinction whether the arcade's server device2functions as a master server or functions as a slave server; and the player classification PC, which expresses the classification of the player operating the client terminal device1.

In the player classification PC, there is stored “player” if the client terminal device1is being operated by a human player, or, if operation is being conducted in simulated fashion by a simulation signal generating section261d, to be described, “simulated player” is stored, or, if operation is being conducted by a CPU player, “CPU player” is stored. It should be noted that, when the player classification PC of the four players in a table is “simulated player” or “CPU player”, the table information in question is deleted from the table storage section262a.

The table information shown inFIG. 9indicates for example: that table No. 1 comprises the client terminal devices a1, a3, b8and c2; that client terminal devices a1, a3are connected through the private circuit5with the arcade's server device A; that the arcade's server device A is functioning as a master server and the arcade's server devices B and C are functioning as slave servers; and that the client terminal devices a1, a3, b8and c2are being operated by human players. It should be noted that the table information that the table number is “1” shown inFIG. 9is stored in the table storage sections262aof the arcade's server devices A, B and C.

FIGS. 10A,10B, and10C are tables given in explanation of the details of processing for exchange of operation signals performed by the state of progress updating sections261aof the arcade's server devices A, B and C.FIGS. 10A, B and C are tables given in explanation of the details of processing performed by the state of progress updating sections261aof the arcade's server devices A, B and C, respectively. In the left-hand column of the table, there are entered the client symbol CN of the client terminal device1which is the transmission source of the operation signal that is received by the arcade's server device2(arcade's server device A, B or C) and the arcade's server symbol SN of the arcade's server device2through which this operation signal has passed before being received by the arcade's server device2in question. In the column on the right-hand side of the table there are entered the client symbol CN of the client terminal device1which is the transmission destination of the operation signal that is transmitted from the arcade's server device2(arcade's server device A, B or C) and the arcade's server symbol SN of the arcade's server device2through which this operation signal has passed before being received by the client terminal device1in question. It should be noted that the state of progress updating sections261aof the arcade's server devices A, B and C update the information of the state of progress storage section262bon receipt of an operation signal from the client terminal devices a1, a3, b8and c2.

As shown by the second line from the top of the table inFIG. 10A, the state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device A receives an operation signal from the client terminal device a1and transmits this operation signal to the client terminal device a3and arcade's server devices B and C. The state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device B then receives the operation signal from the client terminal device a1through the arcade's server device A, as shown in the second line from the top of the table in FIG.10B and transmits this operation signal to the client terminal device b8. As shown in the second line from the top of the table inFIG. 10C, the state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device C receives the operation signal from the client terminal device a1through the arcade's server device A and transmits this to the client terminal device c2.

Likewise, as shown in the third line from the top of the table inFIG. 10A, on receipt of an operation signal from the client terminal device a3, the state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device A transmits this signal to the client terminal device a1and the arcade's server devices B and C. The state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device B then, as shown in the third row from the top of the table inFIG. 10B, receives the operation signal from the client terminal device a3through the arcade's server device A and transmits this signal to the client terminal device b8. The state of progress updating section at261aof the arcade's server device C then, as shown in the third row from the top of the table inFIG. 10C, receives the operation signal from the client terminal device a3through the arcade's server device A and transmits this operation signal to the client terminal device c2.

As shown in the fourth row from the top of the table inFIG. 10B, the state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device B receives the operation signal from the client terminal device b8and transmits this operation signal to the arcade's server device A. As shown in the fourth row from the top of the table inFIG. 10A, the state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device A then receives the operation signal from the client terminal device b8through the arcade's server device B and transmits this signal to the client terminal devices a1and a3and to the arcade's server device C. The state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device C then, as shown in the fourth row from the top of the table inFIG. 10C, receives the operation signal from the client terminal device b8through the arcade's server devices B and A and transmits this signal to the client terminal device c2.

Likewise, as shown in the fifth row from the top of the table inFIG. 10C, the state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device C receives the operation signal from the client terminal device c2and transmits this signal to the arcade's server device A. As shown in the fifth row from the top of the table inFIG. 10A, the state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device A receives the operation signal from the client terminal device c2through the arcade's server device C and transmits this signal to the client terminal devices a1and a3and the arcade's server device B. As shown in the fifth row from the top of the table inFIG. 10B, the state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device B then receives the operation signal from the client terminal device c2through the arcade's server devices C and A and transmits this signal to the client terminal device b8.

The client terminal devices a1, a3, b8and c2can therefore easily control time synchronization (matching with the state of progress of the game) in progress of the game between the client terminal devices a1, a3, b8and c2, since the game is conducted using the progress information stored in the state of progress storage section262b, since the information of the state of progress storage section262bis updated every time the state of progress updating section261areceives an operation signal from the client terminal devices a1, a3, b8or c2, by transmission of the operation signals from the client terminal devices a1, a3, b8and c2between the arcade's server devices A, B and C.

That is, the master server receives the operating information from a client terminal device1that is connected thereto by a private circuit and transmits this information to all of the other client terminal devices1and receives the operation signals from the client terminal devices1that are connected by private circuits with the slave servers through the slave servers and transmits these operation signals to all of the other client terminal devices1. Also, the slave servers receive the operating information from the client terminal devices1that are connected by private circuits and transmit this information to the master server and receive operation signals from all of the other client terminal devices1through the master server and transmit these operation signals to the client terminal devices1that are connected by the private circuits.

The description again returns to FIG.7. The game progress management section2611comprises: an abnormality monitoring section261bthat detects a disconnected circuit, which is a communication circuit that is incapable of communication, from among the communication circuits whose communication is necessary in the progress of the game, using the table information stored in the table storage section262a; a circuit disconnection section261cthat disconnects the connection with the arcade's server device2that is connected through the disconnected circuit; a simulated signal generating section261dthat generates simulated operation signals that simulate the necessary operation signals for progress of the game for each client terminal device1connected through the disconnected circuit; and a simulated signal provision section261ethat transmits to each of the client terminal devices1the simulated operation signals that are thus generated.

The abnormality monitoring section261bselects the communication circuits whose communication is necessary in the progress of the game, using the table storage section262a, and detects a communication circuit over which communication has failed continuously for a prescribed time (for example 15 seconds) from among the communication circuits thus selected, and deems this communication circuit to be a disconnected circuit. A specific description of the method of selecting the communication circuits that are necessary for communication in progress of the game when the table information shown inFIG. 9is stored in the table storage section262ais given with reference to FIG.8.

As shown inFIG. 9, since the arcade's server device A is the master server, it is necessary that it should communicate with all of the slave servers in order to transmit the operation signals. Accordingly, the abnormality monitoring section261bof the arcade's server device A selects the communication circuits4a,4b,4cshown inFIG. 8, which are the communication circuits between the arcade's server devices A and B and the arcade's server devices A and C, as communication circuits whose communication is necessary for progress of the game.

Since the arcade's server device B (or C) is a slave server, as shown inFIG. 9, it is necessary that it should communicate with the master server in order to transmit operation signals. Accordingly, the abnormality monitoring section261bof the arcade's server device B (or C) selects as communication circuits whose communication is necessary for progress of the game the communication circuits4a,4b(or communication circuits4a,4c) shown inFIG. 8, which are the communication circuits between the arcade's server devices A and B (or between the arcade's server devices A and C).

The description again returns to FIG.7. The circuit disconnection section261cdisconnects the connection with the arcade's server device2and the communication circuit that was detected as a disconnected circuit by the abnormality monitoring section261b. Specifically, the circuit disconnection section261cinstructs the network communication section28(seeFIG. 6) that exchange of signals with the arcade's server device2(or the center server device3) that is connected to the disconnected circuit is not to be accepted.

The simulated signal generating section261dthen rewrites the player classification PC of the table information corresponding to the client terminal device1that is connected through the communication circuit that has thus been detected as a disconnected circuit, of the table information stored in the table storage section262a, from “player” to “simulated player”.

Also, the simulated signal generating section261dgenerates a simulated operation signal that simulates the operation signals that are necessary for progress of a game for each of the client terminal devices1that are connected through the disconnected circuit and generates a simulated operation signal corresponding to a virtual operation of picking up a tile and immediately discarding this tile (“tsumokiri”). That is, if it is the turn of the client terminal device1that is connected through the disconnected circuit during progress of the game to pick up a tile, a simulated operation signal is generated whereby a pickup tile is picked up and the pickup tile is selected as a discarded tile and discarded to the pile. The virtual player that performs this “tsumokiri” of picking up a tile and immediately discarding the tile is the “simulated player” referred to above.

Also, if the simulated signal generating section261dreceives a “game terminated” signal, to be described, from the client terminal device1during the course of the game (in this case, if the game terminated at the time-point where the circuit was deemed to be disconnected), the player of the client terminal device1that was connected through the disconnected circuit is virtually altered to “CPU player”, instead of “simulated player”. In other words, the CPU player section161bof the client terminal device1is instructed to generate the operation signals of a “CPU player”.

The simulated signal provision section261etransmits to the client terminal device1that is connected through a private circuit with the arcade's server device2(i.e. that is the subject of management of the progress of the game by the arcade's server device2) the simulated operation signal that is generated by the simulated signal generating section261d.

FIG. 11is a hardware layout diagram showing an embodiment of a server device3. A control section36controls the overall operation of the center server device3and comprises an information processing section (CPU)361, RAM362that temporarily stores for example information during processing and ROM363in which prescribed image information and the like is stored beforehand.

The various types of data stored in the ROM363may be stored on removable recording media readable by a drive such as for example a hard disk drive, optical disc drive, flexible disc drive or silicon disc drive or cassette media reader and in this case the recording media employed may be for example a hard disk, optical disc, flexible disc, CD, DVD, or semiconductor memory.

The network communication section38serves for exchanging various types of data with a plurality of arcade's server devices2through a network such as WWW.

FIG. 12is a functional layout diagram of a control section36of a center server device3. The CPU361of the control section36comprises an acceptance section361athat accepts participation of a player in a game on commencement of a game by the client terminal devices1, a selection section361bthat selects players up to a prescribed maximum number (in this case, four) and of at least a prescribed number (in this case two) to play in a common game space, from players to have been accepted by the acceptance section361aand players who have been put in a standby condition by a standby section361c, to be described, a standby section361cthat puts the playing question into a standby condition if the player has been selected by the selection section361band causes the selection section361bto select players, and an execution instruction section361dthat causes a game to be executed in a common game space by the players selected by the selection section361b.

The RAM362comprises a player information storage section362athat stores individual information such as user ID and fingerprint characteristic point data, a ranking storage section362bthat stores level information representing the level of skill of a player in the game in association with the identification information of the player (user ID data), and a nickname storage section363cthat stores nickname information expressing characteristics of the player's strategy in the game, in association with the player's identification information.

The acceptance section361aaccepts individual information such as for example the player's user ID and fingerprint characteristic point data transmitted from each client terminal device1and accepts participation of players in the game in accordance with the player information stored in the player information storage section362a.

The selection section361bselects at least two and no more than four players to play in the same game space from the players who have been accepted by the acceptance section361aand the players who have been put in a standby condition by the standby section361c, in accordance with the level stored in the ranking storage section362band the nicknames stored in the nickname storage section363c. Specifically, it selects players whose player level (ranking) differs by no more than a prescribed number of levels (for example 2) and that have different nicknames.

If a player has not been selected by the selection section361b, the standby section361cputs this player in the standby condition and causes the selection section361bto perform player selection. The standby condition is a condition in which a player is waiting for an opponent to be selected by the selection section361b.

The execution instruction section361dallows the players selected by the selection section361bto play a game in a common game space. In more detail, it transmits to the client terminal device1employed by the selected player instruction information whereby the game may be played with players selected by the selection section361bas opponents (virtually sitting at the same table).

FIG. 13is an example of a flow chart representing the operation of a client terminal device1. The following processing is conducted by the game progress control section161a, unless otherwise specially noted. First of all, the user ID data is read from the individual card inserted into the card reader13and an image of the player's fingerprint is picked up by the CCD camera14aof the fingerprint authentication section14and the necessary characteristic point data for individual authentication are extracted by the fingerprint authentication section14(step ST101) using the fingerprint information from the CCD camera14a. The user ID data and the characteristic point data are then transmitted to the center server device3(step ST103).

Another player (opponent) to play the game in a common game space is then selected by the center server device3and the opponent's information, such as name, ranking and nickname, are received (step ST105). Next, on receiving instruction information for executing the game from the center server device3, the game is commenced and the side and dealer are determined (step ST107). The east wind, first game is then commenced (step ST109).

Next, at the time point where the east wind, first game has terminated, a “game termination” signal to the effect that the east wind, first game has terminated, is output to the arcade's server device2and operation input to specify whether or not the play should be continued is received (step ST111). If operation input to the effect that the play should be continued is received, processing advances to step ST113and the play is continued. If operation input to the effect that the play should not be continued is accepted, a signal corresponding to play termination is output to the arcade's server device2and processing is terminated.

If the decision in step ST111is positive, the east wind, second game is commenced (step ST113). At the time point where the east wind, second game has terminated, a game terminated signal to the effect that the east wind second game has terminated is output to the arcade's server device2and operation input indicating whether or not the play is to be continued is received (step ST115). If operation input to the effect that the play is to be continued is received, processing advances to step ST117and the play is continued. If operation input to the effect that the play is not to be continued is received, a signal corresponding to play termination is output and processing is terminated.

If the decision in step ST115is positive, the east wind, third game is commenced (step ST119). At the time point where the east wind, third game has terminated, a game completion signal to the effect that the east wind, third game has terminated is output to the arcade's server device2, and operation input as to whether or not the play is to be continued is received (step ST119). If operation input to the effect that the play is to be continued is received, processing advances to step ST121and the play is continued. If operation input to the effect that the play is not to be continued is received, a signal corresponding to contest termination of the play is output to the arcade's server device2and processing is terminated.

If the decision in step ST119is positive, the east wind, fourth game is commenced (step ST121). Then, at the time point where the east wind, fourth game is terminated, a signal corresponding to termination of the play is output to the arcade's server device2and processing is terminated.

FIG. 14is an example of a flow chart expressing the operation of the center server device3. First of all, on receipt of the individual information transmitted from the client terminal device1(step ST301) the acceptance section361aallows participation of a player in a game (step ST303) in accordance with the player information that is stored in the player information storage section362a.

The selection section361then selects, in accordance with the levels stored in the ranking storage section362band the nicknames stored in the nickname storage section363c, two or more players to play in a common game space, from the players whose participation has been allowed and that have been accepted by the acceptance section361aand the execution instruction section361dtransmits (step ST305) through the arcade's server device2to the client terminal device1employed by the selected player instruction information for executing the game in the common game space by the players selected by the selection section361b.

The instruction information for executing a game in a common game space by the players selected by the selection section361bincludes instruction information for storing the table information (seeFIG. 9) in the table storage section262ain respect of the arcade's server device2.

FIG. 15is an example of a flow chart showing the operation of an arcade's server device2according to the present invention. First of all, the state of progress updating section261adetermines whether or not a table is available for a play, using the table information stored in the table storage section262a(step ST1). If it is determined that no table is available for a play, processing is terminated. If it is determined that a table is available for a play, the state of progress updating section261aupdates the state of progress of the game stored in the state of progress storage section262bin each table, using the table information stored in the table storage section262a(step ST3).

Next, the abnormality monitoring section261bdetects disconnected circuits i.e. communication circuits that are incapable of communication, of the communication circuits that are necessary for communication in progress of the game (step ST5). The abnormality monitoring section261bthen determines whether or not any disconnected circuits have been detected (step ST7). If the result of this determination is negative, processing returns to step ST1, and the processing from step ST1to step ST7is repeated. If the result of this determination is positive, the circuit disconnection section261cdisconnects connection with the arcade's server device2that is connected through the disconnected circuit (step ST9).

Next, the simulated signal generating section261drewrites (step ST11) the table information corresponding to the client terminal device1that is connected through the communication circuit that has been detected as a disconnected circuit, of the table information stored in the table storage section262a. Next, a simulated operation signal (simulated operation signal corresponding to “tsumokiri”, an operation of picking up and immediately discarding the same) simulating the operation signals necessary for progress of the game from the client terminal device1that was connected through the disconnected circuit is generated by the simulated signal generating section261d(step ST13). The simulated signal provision section261ethen transmits the simulated operation signal generated by the simulated signal generating section261dto the client terminal device1connected through the private circuit with the arcade's server device2(step ST15).

Next, the game termination signal from the client terminal device1is used to determine whether or not the game had terminated at the time-point where the decision identifying a disconnected circuit was made a (step ST17). If this determination is negative, processing returns step ST1. If this determination is positive, the simulated signal generating section261drewrites the table information corresponding to the client terminal device1connected through the communication circuit that was identified as a disconnected circuit, of the table information stored in the table storage section262a, and processing returns to step ST1, using the operation signal from this client terminal device1as the operation signal resulting from a virtual operation by the CPU player (step ST19).

FIG. 16is a detailed flow chart of the abnormality monitoring processing in the step ST5of the flow chart shown in FIG.15. The following processing is performed by the abnormality monitoring section261b. First of all, using the table information stored in the table storage section262a, the table number TN, which is the number of the table at which the play is to be conducted, is calculated (step ST501). Next, a counter I is set to an initial value 1 (step ST503). Next, using the table information corresponding to the I-th table, which is the I-th table stored in the table storage section262a, a determination is made (step ST505) as to whether or not the arcade's server device2in the I-th table is a master server. If it is determined that this server device2is a master server, the communication circuits between all of the arcade's server devices2that are set as slave servers in the I-th table are selected as communication circuits in respect of which a determination as to whether or not these are disconnected circuits is to be performed (step ST509) and processing advances to step ST511. If it is determined that the server in question is not a master server (i.e. is a slave server), the communication circuit with the arcade's server device2that is set as the master server in the I-th table is selected as a communication circuit in respect of which a determination should be made as to whether or not this circuit is disconnected (step ST509).

Next, in respect of the communication circuit selected in step ST507or step ST509, a determination is made (step ST511) as to whether no communication has been effected by this communication circuit for a continuous prescribed period (in this case, 15 seconds). If the result of this determination is positive, the selected communication circuit is deemed to be a disconnected circuit (step ST513) and processing advances to step ST515. If the result of this determination is negative, the counter I is incremented (step ST515). A determination is then made (step ST517) as to whether or not the counter I is at least (TN+1) (i.e. as to whether or not disconnected circuit detection processing has been completed in respect of all of the tables). If the result of this determination is positive, return is executed; if the result of this determination is negative, processing advances to step ST505.

FIG. 17is an example of a detailed flow chart of the table information updating processing in step ST11of the flow chart shown in FIG.15. The following processing is performed by the simulated signal generating section261d. First of all, a decision is made (step ST1101) as to whether or not the arcade's server device2in the table where a client terminal device1connected through a disconnected circuit is being used to play the game is a master server or not (whether the master/slave classification MS is “master server” or not), using the table information stored in the table storage section262a. If the result of this determination is positive, processing advances to step ST1105. If the result of this determination is negative (case where the server is a slave server), the master/slave classification MS is altered to “master server” (step ST1103) and processing advances to step ST1105. The player classification PC corresponding to the client terminal device1that is connected through the disconnected circuit of the table information stored in the table storage section262ais then altered to “simulated player” (step ST1105).

A specific description will now be given of the details of updating processing of the table information for the case where a circuit fault location DP is generated in the communication circuit4abetween the arcade's server device A shown in FIG.18and the Internet WWW. When a circuit fault location DP is generated, communication of the arcade's server device A with the arcade's server devices B and C becomes impossible.FIGS. 19Ato19C are tables showing the table information when a circuit fault location DP is generated of the table (table number TN “1”) constituted of the client terminal devices a1, a3, b8and c2shown in FIG.18.FIG. 19Ais a table showing the table information stored in the table storage section262aof the arcade's server device A;FIG. 19Bis a table showing the table information stored in the table storage section262aof the arcade's server device B andFIG. 19Cis a table showing the table information stored in the table storage section262aof the arcade's server device C. The table information stored in the table storage section262aof the arcade's server devices A, B and C prior to generation of the circuit fault location DP is the table content shown in FIG.9.

First of all, the alteration processing of the table information stored in the table storage section262aof the arcade's server device A will be described using FIG.9and FIG.19A. The abnormality monitoring section261bdetects that the communication circuit between the arcade's server device A and the arcade's server devices B and C is disconnected and the simulated signal generating section261dthen alters the player classification PC of the table information corresponding to the client terminal device c2that is connected through the arcade's server device C with the client terminal device b8connected through the arcade's server device B from “player” to “simulated player”. The acceptance number RN, the client symbol CN, the arcade's server symbol SN and the master/slave classification MS of the row where the player classification PC was altered to “simulated player” are then deleted and the acceptance numbers RN of the other rows are renumbered in the order of the original acceptance numbers RN. On receipt of an operation signal of the “simulated player” from the simulated signal generating section261dbased on the table information shown inFIG. 19A, the state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device A updates the state of progress of the game stored in the state of progress storage section262b. The game progress control sections161aof the client terminal devices a1and a3that are connected through private circuits with the arcade's server device A then proceed with the game in accordance with the state of progress stored in the state of progress storage section262bof the arcade's server device A. That is, the game is conducted such that the client terminal devices a1and a3and the two “simulated players” play in a common game space.

Next, alteration processing of the table information stored in the table storage section at262aof the arcade's server device B will be described with reference to FIG.9and FIG.19B. When the abnormality monitoring section261bdetects that the communication circuit between the arcade's server device B and the arcade's server device A is a disconnected circuit, the simulated signal generating section261dalters the master/slave classification MS corresponding to the arcade's server device B to “master server” and alters the classification PC of the table information corresponding to client terminal devices a1, a3and c2that are connected through the arcade's server device A from “player” to “simulated player”. The order of acceptance RN, client symbol CN, arcade's server symbol SN and master/slave classification MS of the row where the player classification PC was altered to “simulated player” are deleted and the order of acceptance RN of the other rows is reset to the number of the original order of acceptance RN. On receiving an operation signal “simulated player” from the simulated signal generating section261din accordance with the table information shown inFIG. 19B, the state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device B updates the state of progress of the game stored in the state of progress storage section262b. The game progress control section161aof the client terminal device b8that is connected through the private circuit with the arcade's server device B then advances the game in accordance with the state of progress stored in the state of progress storage section262bof the arcade's server device B. Specifically, the game is advanced such that the three “simulated players” and the client terminal device b8are playing in a common game space.

Next, the procedure for altering the table information stored in the table storage section262aof the arcade's server device C will be described with reference to FIG.9and FIG.19C. When the abnormality monitoring section261bdetects that the communication circuit between the arcade's server device C and at the arcade's server device A is a disconnected circuit, the simulated signal generating section261dalters the master/slave classification MS corresponding to the arcade's server device C to “master server” and alters the player classification PC of the table information corresponding to the client terminal devices a1, a3and b8connected through the arcade's server device A from “player” to “simulated player”. The acceptance number RN, the client symbol CN, the arcade's server symbol SN and the master/slave classification MS of the row where the player classification PC was altered to “simulated player” are then deleted and the acceptance number RN of the other rows are renumbered in the order of the original acceptance number RN. On receipt of an operation signal of the “simulated player” from the simulated signal generating section261dbased on the table information shown inFIG. 19C, the state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device C updates the state of progress of the game stored in the state of progress storage section262b. The game progress control sections161aof the client terminal device c2that is connected through a private circuit with the arcade's server device C then proceeds with the game in accordance with the state of progress stored in the state of progress storage section262bof the arcade's server device C. That is, the game is conducted such that the client terminal device c2and the three “simulated players” play in a common game space.

Next, alteration processing of the table information stored in the table storage section at step ST19of the flow chart shown inFIG. 15will be described with reference to FIG.19and FIG.20.FIGS. 20Ato20C are tables showing the table information after alteration processing of the table (table number TN “1”) constituted of the client terminal devices a1, a3, b8and c2shown in FIG.18.FIG. 20Ais a table showing the table information stored in the table storage section262aof the arcade's server device A;FIG. 20Bis a table showing the table information stored in the table storage section262aof the arcade's server device B andFIG. 20Cis a table showing the table information stored in the table storage section262aof the arcade's server device C. The details of the table information prior to alteration processing are shown in FIG.19.

First of all, the alteration processing of the table information stored in the table storage section262aof the arcade's server device A will be described using FIG.19A and FIG.20A. When the simulated signal generating section261dreceives a “game terminated” signal from the client terminal device a1, if the player classification PC of the table information is “simulated player”, this is altered to “CPU player”. The client symbol CN, arcade's server symbol SN and master/slave classification MS of the row (in this case, the second row) corresponding to the client terminal device1(in this case, the client terminal device a1), whose acceptance number is “1” are respectively inserted in the client symbol CN, arcade's server symbol SN and master/slave classification MS of the rows (in this case, the fourth and fifth rows) in which the player classification PC is altered to “CPU player”. The state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device A updates the state of progress of the game stored in the state of progress storage section262bon receipt of an operation signal “CPU player” generated by the CPU player section161bof the client terminal device a1in accordance with the table information shown inFIG. 20Ain accordance with instructions from the simulated signal generating section261d. The game progress control sections161aof the client terminal devices a1and a3that are connected through private circuits with the arcade's server device A then proceed with the game in accordance with the state of progress stored in the state of progress storage section262bof the client server device A. The game is proceeded with, with the two “CPU players” and the client terminal devices a1and a3treated as players in a common game space. The operation signal of the “CPU player” is generated by the CPU player section161bof the client terminal device a1.

Next, the processing of alteration of the table information stored in the table storage section262aof the arcade's server device B will be described with reference to FIG.19B and FIG.20B. On receiving the “game terminated” signal from the client terminal device a1, if the player classification PC of the table information is “simulate player” the simulated signal generating section261dalters this classification to “CPU player”. The client symbol CN, arcade's server symbol SN and master/slave classification MS of the row (in this case, the fourth row) corresponding to the client terminal device1(in this case, the client terminal device b8), whose acceptance number is “1” are respectively inserted in the client symbol CN, arcade's server symbol SN and master/slave classification MS of the rows (in this case, the second, third and fifth rows) in which the player classification PC was altered to “CPU player”. The state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device B updates the state of progress of the game stored in the state of progress storage section262bon receipt of an operation signal “CPU player” generated by the CPU player section161bof the client terminal device b8in response to an instruction from the simulated signal generating section261d, using the table information shown in FIG.20B. The game progress control section161aof the client terminal device b8that is connected through the private circuit with the arcade's server device B advances the game in accordance with the state of progress stored in the state of progress storage section262bof the arcade's server device B. Specifically, the game is proceeded with the three “CPU” and the client terminal device b8playing in a common game space.

Next, the processing of alteration of the table information stored in the table storage section262aof the arcade's server device C will be described using FIG.19C and FIG.20C. If the player classification PC of the table information is “simulated player”, the simulated signal generating section261dalters this classification to “CPU player” on receipt of the “game terminated” signal from the client terminal device c2. The client symbol CN, arcade's server symbol SN and master/slave classification MS of the row (in this case, the fifth row) corresponding to the client terminal device1(in this case, the client terminal device c2), whose acceptance number is “1” are respectively inserted in the client symbol CN, arcade's server symbol SN and master/slave classification MS of the rows (in this case, the second, third and fourth rows) in which the player classification PC was altered to “CPU player”. The state of progress updating section261aof the arcade's server device C updates the state of progress of the game stored in the state of progress updating section262bon receipt of the operation signal “CPU player” generated by the CPU player section161bof the client terminal device c8in response to an instruction from the simulated signal generating section261d, using the table information shown in FIG.20C. The game progress control section161aof the client terminal device c2that is connected through the private circuit with the arcade's server device C advances the game in accordance with the state of progress stored in the state of progress storage section262bof the arcade's server device C. Specifically, the game is proceeded with the three “CPU players” and the client terminal device c2playing in a common game space.

In this way, if a disconnected circuit is generated, the game is continued in simulated fashion with the player of the client terminal device1that was connected through the disconnected circuit changed to “simulated player”. Accordingly, even if a fault is generated in a communication circuit, a network game is realized that can be continuously enjoyed by the players without interruption of the game and so without loss of interest in the game caused by communication failures. Furthermore, since the “simulated player” is a virtual player that performs immediate pickup and discard of tiles, processing is straightforward and the load on the CPU261of the arcade's server device2is alleviated.

Also, when a game (in this case, east wind, first game) is terminated, the player of the client terminal device1that was connected through the disconnected circuit is altered from “simulated player” to “CPU player” and the game is continued in simulated fashion. The “CPU player” apparently performs similar operations (outputs operation signals) to human players, so the game can be continued with even less feeling of incongruity by the players.

FIG. 21is an example of a game play screen showing the state of a game, when a disconnected circuit is generated. As shown inFIG. 8, this game play screen500is a screen view of the game play screen500displayed on the client terminal device a1when client terminal devices a1and a3connected through the private circuit5with the arcade's server device A, the client terminal device b8connected through the private circuit5with the arcade's server device B and the client terminal device c2connected through the private circuit5with the arcade's server device C are conducting a game in a common game space. In this case, for convenience, it is assumed that the client terminal devices a1, a3, b8and c2are respectively provided at “Osaka”, “Osaka”, “Nagano” and “Tokyo”.

In the game play screen500, a player's wall501is displayed in the lower part of the screen in such a way that the type of the tiles can be seen; opponents' walls502are displayed in the upper part and the left and right parts of the screen in such a way that the type of the tiles cannot be seen; a pile504containing the “dora” display tiles is displayed in substantially the middle of the screen; discard tiles503are displayed around the pile504; various types of buttons PBP that may be pressed by the player are displayed in the lower part of the screen; and a game display area SE that displays the progress of the game is displayed on the right-hand side at the top of the screen. The player depresses an appropriate button PBP while viewing the game play screen500and the game proceeds as the resulting operation is accepted. It can be seen that the state of progress of the game is “east wind, first game” since “east wind, first game” is displayed in the game display area SE.

In addition, the game play screen500displays, between the player walls501,502and the discarded tiles503, a location display area TPP that shows the location of the arcade's server device2that is connected through the private circuit with the client terminal device1that is being operated by the respective players. For example, the player location display area TPP displays “connection from Osaka”, so it can be seen that the player is conducting the game using a client terminal device1in Osaka and the location display area TPP of the opponent who is on the left of the player is displaying “connection from Tokyo”, so it can be seen that the opponent is playing the game using a client terminal device1which is in Tokyo.

In addition, between the discarded tiles503and the pile504of the players, the game play screen500displays a player information display area NP that displays player information of each player such as the players' nicknames during the game. For example, it can be seen that the player's player information display area NP displays “Taro” and the nickname of this player during the game is “Taro”. Also, the locations of the client terminal device1that are being operated by each player are displayed at the left-hand ends of the player information display areas NP.

FIG. 22is an example of a screen view of a game play screen showing the state of the game when a disconnected circuit is generated. This game play screen510, like that ofFIG. 21, is a screen view of a game play screen displayed at the client terminal device a1when a game is being conducted in a common game space by the client terminal devices a1, b8and c2.

In the game play screen510, a player's wall511is displayed in the lower part of the screen in such a way that the type of the tiles can be seen; opponents' walls512are displayed in the upper part and the left and right parts of the screen in such a way that the type of the tiles cannot be seen; a pile514containing the “dora” display tiles is displayed in substantially the middle of the screen; discard tiles513are displayed around the pile514; various types of buttons PBP that may be pressed by the player are displayed in the lower part of the screen; and a game display area SE that displays the progress of the game is displayed on the right-hand side at the top of the screen.

In addition, the game play screen510displays, between the player walls501,502and the discarded tiles503, a location display area TPP that shows the location of the arcade's server device2that is connected through the private circuit with the client terminal device1that is being operated by the respective players and in addition, between the discarded tiles503and the pile504of the players, the game play screen510displays a player information display area NP that displays player information of each player such as the players' nicknames during the game.

In addition, the contest display screen510displays on the top right-hand side of the screen a message display area MSG that displays whether a disconnected circuit has been detected. From the fact that the message display area MSG displays “confirming network connection” it can be seen that abnormality has occurred in the connection condition of the network (in this case, a disconnected circuit has been detected).

FIG. 23is an example of a screen view of the game play screen showing the state of the game, when the game has advanced to east wind, second game. This game play screen520, like that ofFIG. 21, is a screen view of a game play screen displayed at the client terminal device a1when a game is being conducted in a common game space by the client terminal devices a1, b8and c2.

In the game play screen520, a player's wall521is displayed in the lower part of the screen in such a way that the type of the tiles can be seen; opponents' walls522are displayed in the upper part and the left and right parts of the screen in such a way that the type of the tiles cannot be seen; a pile524containing the “dora” display tiles is displayed in substantially the middle of the screen; discard tiles523are displayed around the pile524; various types of buttons PBP that may be pressed by the player are displayed in the lower part of the screen; and a game display area SE that displays the progress of the game is displayed on the right-hand side at the top of the screen. It can be seen that the state of progress of the game is “east wind, second game” since “east wind, second game” is displayed in the game display area SE.

In addition, the game play screen510displays, between the player walls521,522and the discarded tiles523, a location display area TPP that shows the location of the arcade's server device2that is connected through the private circuit with the client terminal device1that is being operated by the respective players. The player information display area NP that displays player information such as the nickname of each player in the game is displayed between each player's discard tiles503and the pile504. The location display area TPP of the opponents i.e. the player on the left-hand side and the player on the opposite side is not displayed and “CPU” is displayed on the left-hand side of the player information display area NP, so it can be seen that these players are changed to “CPU players”.

Further embodiments of the present invention are as follows.

(A) In the present embodiment, the case was described in which the game that is performed by the client terminal devices1is a mahjong game, but the present invention could be applied to other games played by a plurality of players. For example, it could be applied to card games, Go games, chess games, shooting games or race games or the like.

(B) In this embodiment, the case was described in which arcade's server devices2were provided. However, an embodiment is also possible in which the client terminal devices1are connected to the center server device3through communication circuits. In this case, the client terminal devices1must be provided with a game progress management section2611according to the present invention (abnormality monitoring section261b, simulated signal generating section261dand simulated signal provision section261e).

The functions of the abnormality monitoring section261b, simulated signal generating section261dand simulated signal provision section261ein this case will now be described. The abnormality monitoring section261bdetects a disconnected circuit, which is a communication circuit that is incapable of communication, from among the communication circuits between a client terminal device1and the other client terminal devices1that are playing in a common game space.

The simulated signal generating section261dgenerates a simulated operation signal that simulates the necessary operation signal for proceeding with the game of the client terminal device1that is connected through the disconnected circuit. The simulated signal provision section261eoutputs the simulated operation signal generated by the simulated signal generating section261dto the game progress control section161aand other sections.

(C) In this embodiment, the case where the abnormality monitoring section261bdetects a communication circuit that fails to communicate continuously for a prescribed period as being a disconnected circuit is described, but an embodiment is also possible in which a disconnected circuit is detected by some other method. For example, the method is also possible in which a signal to request transmission of a prescribed reply signal is transmitted to the arcade's server device2(or client terminal1) that is connected by a communication circuit and a disconnected circuit is detected by whether or not the prescribed reply signal is received.

(D) In this embodiment, the case was described in which a simulated operation signal is generated corresponding to the CPU player, on receipt of a “game terminated” signal after generation of a simulated operation signal corresponding to “tsumokiri” by the simulated signal generating section261d, but an embodiment could be employed in which another simulated operation signal is generated. For example, an embodiment could be employed in which a simulated operation signal is generated corresponding to “tsumokiri” until termination of the play or an embodiment could be employed in which a simulated operation signal is generated corresponding to the CPU player until termination of the play.

(E) In this embodiment, the case was described in which a client terminal device1was provided with a CPU player section161bgenerating a simulated operation signal corresponding to a CPU player. However, an embodiment could be employed in which the arcade's server device2is provided with a CPU player section161b.

(F) In this embodiment, the case was described in which a simulated operation signal was generated corresponding to “tsumokiri” by the simulated signal generating section261dof the arcade's server device2. However, an embodiment could be employed in which a simulated operation signal is generated corresponding to “tsumokiri” by a client terminal device1.

In summary, the present invention takes a form of a game progress management device to which a prescribed number of terminal devices that receive operations from players are connected through communication circuits so as to be capable of mutual communication of operation signals necessary for proceeding with a game and whereby the progress of a network game that is conducted in a common game space is managed and the network game is continued in simulated fashion if a fault is generated in the communication circuits. The game progress management device of the present invention comprises: abnormality monitoring means that detects a disconnected circuit in which failure of communication has occurred from the communication circuits of the prescribed number of terminal devices during progress of the game in the common game space; simulated signal generating means that generates a simulated operation signal that simulates the operation signal of each terminal device connected through the disconnected circuit; and simulated signal providing means that provides the simulated operation signal that is thus generated to the other terminal devices, respectively.

With the invention as described above, the abnormality monitoring means detects a disconnected circuit in which failure of communication has occurred from the communication circuits between the prescribed number of terminal devices during progress of the game in a common game space and the simulated signal generating means generates a simulated operation signal that simulates the operation signals of each of the terminal devices connected through the disconnected circuit and the simulated signal providing means provides (for example, transmits) the simulated signal that is thus generated to the other terminal devices, respectively.

Thus, if a fault or the like occurs in a communication circuit, causing a disconnected circuit to be generated from the communication circuits between the prescribed number of terminal devices that are conducting the game in a common game space, a simulated operation signal is provided that simulates the operation signals of each of the terminal devices that are connected through this disconnected circuit, so the other terminal devices can continue the network game in simulated fashion using this simulated operation signal. As a result, loss of interest and confidence in the network game caused by communication failures can be prevented and a network game can thereby be realized that can be continuously enjoyed by the players.

The aforementioned game progress management device may further comprise circuit disconnection means that disconnects the connection with the terminal device connected through the disconnected circuit.

With this invention, transmission of noise signals from a terminal device connected through a disconnected circuit can be reliably prevented, thanks to the circuit disconnection means disconnecting the connection with the terminal device connected through the disconnected circuit, thereby stabilizing the operation of the game progress management device.

In the aforementioned game progress management device, the abnormality monitoring means detects a communication circuit that continuously fails to communicate for a prescribed time as being a disconnected circuit.

With this invention, a disconnected circuit can be easily and accurately detected thanks to the abnormality monitoring means detecting a communication circuit that continuously fails to communicate for a prescribed time as being a disconnected circuit.

Furthermore, the present invention takes a form of a game server device employed in an network game system which comprises: terminal devices that receive operations from players; game server devices to which a plurality of terminal devices are connected so as to be capable of communication through a private circuit; and a center server device to which a plurality of game server devices are connected so as to be capable of communication through communication circuits, and which conducts a network game played by a prescribed number of players in a common game space. The game server device according to the present invention comprises a game progress management device as described in the above paragraphs, wherein the simulated signal generating means generates a simulated operation signal corresponding to a terminal device connected through the disconnected circuit and another game server device, and the simulated signal providing means transmits the simulated operation signal that is thus generated to a terminal device through a private circuit.

With the above invention, the game progress management device, the simulated signal generating means generates a simulated operation signal corresponding to a terminal device that is connected through a disconnected circuit and another game server device and the simulated signal providing means transmits this simulated operation signal that has been thus generated to the terminal device through a private circuit.

Consequently, a game server device is realized whereby, if a fault is generated in a communication circuit, causing a disconnected circuit to be generated from the communication circuits between the prescribed number of terminal devices that are conducting a game in a common game space, a terminal device that was connected through the private circuit with the game server device can continue the network game in simulated fashion.

The aforementioned game server device may further comprise state of progress storage means that stores information relating to the state of progress of the network game, and state of progress updating means that updates information relating to the state of progress stored in the state of progress storage means, by exchanging signals with the terminal devices that are conducting a game in a common game space, with prescribed timing.

With the above invention, the state progress storage means stores information relating to the state of progress of the network game and the state of progress updating means updates information relating to the state of progress stored in the state of progress storage means by exchanging signals with a prescribed timing with the terminal devices that are conducting a game in a common game space.

Consequently, the terminal devices that are connected through the private line with the game server device can proceed with the network game using the information relating to the state of progress of the network game stored by the state of progress storage means, so matching the state of progress of the network game between each terminal device that is conducting the game in the common game space in regard to time (synchronization) can easily be achieved.

In the aforementioned game server device, the network game is a game modeled on mahjong and the simulated signal generating means generates a simulated operation signal corresponding to virtual operation of “tsumokiri” to pick up a tile and immediately discard the same.

With the above features, the network game is a game modeled on mahjong and the simulated signal generating means generates a simulated operation signal corresponding to virtual operation of “tsumokiri”. In an actual mahjong game, “tsumokiri” occurs frequently, so the network game can be continued in a simulated fashion without any feeling of incongruity by the player when a disconnected circuit is produced. Furthermore, “tsumokiri” is a simple operation in which the tile that has been picked up is simply selected as a discard tile, so the simulated operation signal can easily be generated so the load on the processor is alleviated.

In addition, in the aforementioned game server device, the network game is a game modeled on mahjong and the simulated signal generating means generates the operation signal when a terminal device accepts virtual operations by a CPU player as the simulated operation signal.

With the above feature, the simulated signal generating means generates the operation signal when a terminal device accept operations by a virtual CPU player as the simulated operation signal. Since the CPU player selects discard tiles taking into account for example the type of wall and number of tiles and the type of tile that has been picked up in the same way as a human player, the network game can be continued in simulated fashion with even less feeling of incongruity on the part of the player when a disconnected circuit is produced.

Furthermore, in the game server device as mentioned above, the network game is a game modeled on mahjong in which there are a plurality of game stages and the simulated signal generating means generates a simulated operation signal corresponding to virtual “tsumokiri” if the time-point where the abnormality monitoring means detects a disconnected circuit falls in the period of a game, and generates an operation signal when a terminal device accepts virtual operations by a CPU player as the simulated operation signal if the time-point where the abnormality monitoring means detects a disconnected circuit is after the termination of a game.

With the above invention, the network game is a game modeled on mahjong in which there are a plurality of game stages and the simulated signal generating means generates the operation signal corresponding to virtual operation of “tsumokiri” if the time-point where the abnormality monitoring means detects a disconnected circuit falls in the period of a game, and generates the operation signal when a terminal device accepts operations by a virtual CPU player as the simulated operation signal if the time-point where the abnormality monitoring means detects a disconnected circuit is after the termination of a game.

At the time point where the abnormality monitoring means detects a disconnected circuit, there is a change in the content of processing by the processor, so the load on the processor may be temporarily increased. Accordingly, if this time-point is within the period of the game, the simulated signal generating means generates a simulated operation signal corresponding to virtual “tsumokiri”, so the load on the processor is alleviated. Furthermore, if this time-point is after termination of a game, the operation signal when the terminal device accepts operation of a virtual CPU player is generated as the simulated operation signal, so if a disconnected circuit is produced, the network game is continued in simulated fashion with even less feeling of incongruity on the part of the player. That is, if a disconnected circuit is produced, the load on the processor is alleviated and the network game is continued in simulated fashion without giving the players a feeling of incongruity.

Moreover, the present invention takes a form of a terminal device employed in an network game system which comprises terminal devices that accept operations by players and a game server device to which a plurality of terminal devices are connected so as to be capable of communication through communication circuits, and which conducts a network game played by a prescribed number of players in a common game space, and the terminal device comprises a game progress management device in any form as mentioned in the above paragraphs.

With the above invention, since a game progress management device is in any form as described in the above paragraphs, a terminal device can be realized wherein, if a fault or the like occurs on a communication circuit, producing a disconnected circuit in the communication circuits between the plurality of terminal devices that are conducting a game in a common game space, the network game can be continued in simulated fashion.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of game progress management employing a game progress management device to which a prescribed number of terminal devices that accept operations from players are connected so as to be capable of mutual communication of the operation signals necessary for the progress of the game through communication circuits and which manages the progress of a network game conducted in a common game space and continues the network game in simulated fashion if a fault is generated in the communication circuits, wherein the game progress management device is made to execute: abnormality monitoring processing of detecting a disconnected circuit in which inability to communicate has occurred from the communication circuits between the prescribed number of terminal devices during progress of the game in a common game space; simulated signal generating processing of generating a simulated operation signal that simulates an operation signal of each terminal device connected through the disconnected circuit; and simulated signal provision processing of providing the simulated operation signal that was thus generated to the other terminal devices.

With the above invention, the abnormality monitoring processing detects a disconnected circuit in which failure of communication has occurred from the communication circuits between the prescribed number of terminal devices that are conducting a game in a common game space and the simulated signal generating processing generates a simulated operation signal that simulates the operation signals of each of the terminal devices connected through the disconnected circuit and the simulated signal provision processing provides the simulated operation signal that is thus generated to the other terminal devices.

Thus, if a fault or the like occurs in a communication circuit, causing a disconnected circuit to be generated from the communication circuits between the prescribed number of terminal devices that are conducting the game in a common game space, a simulated operation signal is transmitted that simulates the operation signals of each of the terminal devices that are connected through this disconnected circuit, so the other terminal devices can continue the network game in simulated fashion using this simulated operation signal. As a result, loss of interest and confidence in the network game caused by communication failures can be prevented and a network game can thereby be realized that can be continuously enjoyed by the players.

Yet, furthermore, the present invention relates also to game progress management for a game progress management device to which a prescribed number of terminal devices that accept operations from players are connected so as to be capable of mutual communication of the operation signals necessary for the progress of the game through communication circuits and which manages the progress of a network game conducted in a common game space and continues the network game in simulated fashion if a fault is generated in the communication circuits, the game progress management program being for making the game progress management device function as: abnormality monitoring means for detecting a disconnected circuit in which inability to communicate has occurred from the communication circuits between the prescribed number of terminal devices during progress of the game in a common game space; simulated signal generating means for generating a simulated operation signal that simulates an operation signal of each terminal device connected through the disconnected circuit; and simulated signal providing means for providing the simulated operation signal that was thus generated respectively to the other terminal devices.

With the invention in the above form, the abnormality monitoring means detects a disconnected circuit in which inability to communicate has occurred in a communication circuit of the communication circuits between the prescribed number of terminal devices during progress of the game in a common game space. The simulated signal generating means generates a simulated operation signal that simulates an operation signal of each terminal device connected through the disconnected circuit. And the simulated signal providing means provides the simulated operation signal that was thus generated respectively to the other respective terminal devices.

Consequently, if a fault or the like occurs in a communication circuit, causing a disconnected circuit to be produced in the communication circuits between the prescribed number of terminal devices that are conducting a game in a common game space, since a simulated operation signal is provided that simulates the operation signals of each of the terminal devices that were connected through the disconnected circuit, the other terminal devices can continue the network game in simulated fashion using this simulated operation signal. As a result, a network game is realized that can be continuously enjoyed by the players without loss of interest and confidence in the game caused by communication failures.

This application is based on Japanese patent application serial no. 2002-215595, filed in Japan Patent Office on Jul. 24, 2002, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Although the present invention has been fully described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention hereinafter defined, they should be construed as being included therein.