U.S. Pat. No. 8,771,070

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many alternative embodiments can be accomplished using the teachings of the present invention and that the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated for explanatory purposes.

It is to be noted that, in the explanation of the drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and explanations are not repeated.

In the game having the function in which the ability value of the base item, which is selected from items possessed by a player, is increased by incorporating other items as described above, it is possible for the player to select the material items one by one. However, it is difficult, in particular, for a beginner player to select the material items one by one. Thus, a function called “arbitrarily reinforcement” by which one or more material items are extracted and presented to the player may be provided. With this function, it is unnecessary for the player to select the material items one by one.

However, as mentioned above, when the base item is reinforced by the incorporation, the material items or the like used for the reinforcement are not possessed by the player anymore.

Thus, even if the player uses the function called “arbitrarily reinforcement”, if an item that the player wishes to keep possessing is included in the material items presented as the “arbitrarily reinforcement”, the player needs to re-extract the material items after changing an extraction condition, or the user needs to select the material items one by one. According to the present embodiment, such a problem is to be solved.

(Structure)

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an example of a system of an embodiment.

The system shown inFIG. 1includes a plurality of terminal devices (player terminals)1which belong to players, respectively, access points2such as a mobile base station, a Wi-Fi station or the like, a network3such as the INTERNET or the like, and a game processing server apparatus4. The game processing server apparatus4controls (manages) processing of a game in which a plurality of players play a game via the network3. The terminal device1may be a smart phone, a mobile phone, or the like.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware structure of the terminal device1.

The terminal device1includes a power source system101, a main system102, a storing unit106, an external port107, a high frequency circuit108, an antenna109, an audio circuit110, a speaker111, a microphone112, a proximity sensor113, an I/O sub system114, a touch panel display system118, an optical sensor119and an input unit120. The main system102includes a processor103, a memory controller104and a peripheral interface105. The I/O sub system114includes a display controller115, an optical sensor controller116, and an input controller117.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware structure of the game processing server apparatus4.

The game processing server apparatus4includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)402, a Read Only Memory (ROM)403, a Random Access Memory (RAM)404, a non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM)405and an Interface (I/F)406connected to a system bus401, and an Input/Output Device (I/O)407such as a keyboard, a mouse, a monitor, a Compact Disk/Digital Versatile Disk (CD/DVD) drive or the like, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD)408, and a Network Interface Card (NIC)409connected to the I/F406, and the like.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional structure of the terminal device1and the game processing server apparatus4.

InFIG. 4, the terminal device1includes a player operation input unit11, a game logic processing unit12, a server accessing unit13and a screen display unit14.

The player operation input unit11has a function to input (accept) an operation of a player of the terminal device1.

The game logic processing unit12has a function to process a game by transitioning screens in accordance with the input operation by the player via the player operation input unit11. The game logic processing unit12may execute the game logic based on page data described in a Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) or the like and scripts or the like included in the page data sent from the game processing server apparatus4(which is called browser type). Alternatively, the game logic processing unit12may execute the game logic based on an application which is previously downloaded and installed in the terminal device1(which is called application type).

The server accessing unit13has a function to send a request to the game processing server apparatus4and receive a processed result or the like as a response from the game processing server apparatus4when it is necessary to access the game processing server apparatus4in a course of the processing by the game logic processing unit12. Here, the request includes a request of updating and a request of referring to data. The request of updating is to update player information. The request of referring to data is to refer to the player information.

The screen display unit14has a function to display screens under control of the game logic processing unit12.

The game processing server apparatus4includes a request processing unit41, a player information management unit42, a player information database43, an item information management unit44and an item information database45.

The request processing unit41has a function to receive a request from the terminal device1, perform a corresponding process and send a processed result of the request to the terminal device1. When the request processing unit41receives the request of updating, the request processing unit41performs an operation to update the player information, and sends the updated player information or the like which is changed by the operation as the processed result. When the request processing unit41receives the request of referring to data, the request processing unit41refers to and obtains the corresponding player information, and sends the obtained player information as the processed result. The response may include screen information which is to be operated by the player next, in addition to the required processed result, for the browser type. The request processing unit41includes a function of a game information delivering unit, a game content delivering unit and an updating unit.

The player information management unit42has a function to manage various information regarding all of the players participating in the game, which are stored in the player information database43. The player information management unit42refers to or updates the player information in accordance with the request from the request processing unit41. An example of the data structure of the player information is explained later in detail.

The item information management unit44has a function to manage various information regarding items (game contents, game media), which are stored in the item information database45. The items are such as cards, figures or the like possessed by players as digital contents. The item information management unit44refers to or updates the item information in accordance with the request from the request processing unit41. An example of the data structure of the item information is explained later in detail.

FIG. 5is a view illustrating an example of a data structure of the player information stored in the player information database43.

InFIG. 5, the player information includes fields such as “player ID”, “icon data”, “player name”, “possessing item (item ID, parameter, . . . )”, “armed item (item ID, . . . )”, “offense”, “defense”, “current base item”, “previous reinforcement”, “low priority data”, “message” and the like.

The “player ID” is data to specify (identify) the player. The “icon data” is data to specify a displayed icon of the player. The “player name” is data indicating a displayed name of the player.

The “possessing item (item ID, parameter, . . . )” is data regarding items possessed by the player. The “possessing item (item ID, parameter, . . . )” includes “item ID” that specifies the item and “parameter” that indicates attributes of the item such as ability values including offense, defense or the like, rare degree, type (action type or the like) and the like. The “armed item (item ID, . . . )” is data that specifies the item, selected from the items possessed by the player, currently used (armed) by a player character for a battle or the like. The number of the armed items may be limited in accordance with the game.

The “offense” indicates a total ability value of the player for offense calculated based on the parameters of the items possessed by the player or the armed items armed by the player character. The “defense” indicates a total ability value of the player for defense calculated based on the parameters of the items possessed by the player or the armed items armed by the player character.

The “current base item” indicates the item ID of the item currently selected as the base item for the player. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the number of the base item is one and the player is to select a new base item at the initial time or when the previously selected base item is reinforced to the upper limit. The “previous reinforcement” is data indicating the kind of reinforcement that the player used in the last reinforcement (“arbitrarily”, “manual selection”, “reinforcement agent” or the like). The “low priority data” is data for lowering a priority to be selected as a material item in the reinforcement for a specific item whose selection to be selected as the material item is previously released by the player. The “message” is information such as a notification message or the like for the player from other players or the system.

FIG. 6is a view illustrating an example of a data structure of the item information stored in the item information database45.

InFIG. 6, the item information includes fields such as “item ID”, “image”, “parameter (offense, defense, rare degree, type, . . . )” and the like.

The “item ID” is data to specify (identify) the item. The “image” is image data for displaying the item. The “parameter (offense, defense, rare degree, type, . . . )” is attributes of the item.

(Operation)

FIG. 7is an example of a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the game processing server apparatus4and the terminal device1for the browser type.

At the terminal device1, the player selects a battle page. When the player operation input unit11accepts the selection of the battle page by the player (step S101), the server accessing unit13, under control of the game logic processing unit12, sends a request of the battle page with the player ID to the game processing server apparatus4(step S102).

At the game processing server apparatus4, upon accepting the request, the request processing unit41selects other players, other than the requested player, who are qualified as a candidate for an opponent in a battle based on attributes and obtains information regarding the selected other players from the player information database43via the player information management unit42. Then, the request processing unit41generates a battle page screen in which the information regarding the selected other players are arranged to be selectable (step S103) and sends the battle page screen to the terminal device1(step S104).

At the terminal device1, the player selects an opponent to battle against from the battle page and instructs to start a battle. When the operation input unit11accepts the selection of the opponent and the instruction to start the battle by the player (step S105), under control of the game logic processing unit12, the server accessing unit13sends a request of the battle to the game processing server apparatus4with the player ID of own and the player ID of the other player selected as the opponent (step S106).

At the game processing server apparatus4, upon accepting the request, the request processing unit41refers to the player information in the player information database43via the player information management unit42based on the player IDs of the players battle against each other, determines a battle result based on the attributes of the players such as offense, the defense and the like, generates screens for battle situations, and updates the player information in the player information database43via the player information management unit42(step S107). Updating of the player information may be performed after the battle result is confirmed by the player of the terminal device1.

At the game processing server apparatus4, the request processing unit41may send a report on ongoing battle screen to the terminal device1(step S108). When the player of the terminal device1selects continuation in the report on ongoing battle screen and the player operation input unit11accepts the selection (step S109), under control of the game logic processing unit12, the server accessing unit13sends a request of continuing the battle to the game processing server apparatus4(step S110). The request processing unit41may send a plurality of report on ongoing battle screens. In such a case, the same procedure is repeated.

Thereafter, at the game processing server apparatus4, the request processing unit41sends a battle result screen to the terminal device1(step S111).

Next, the operation of the reinforcement by the player of the terminal device1is explained.

InFIG. 7, the player of the terminal device1selects displaying of my-page. When the player operation input unit11accepts the selection by the player (step S121), under control of the game logic processing unit12, the server accessing unit13sends a request of my-page to the game processing server apparatus4with the player ID (step S122).

At the game processing server apparatus4, upon accepting the request, the request processing unit41obtains the player information including a message or the like of the requested player based on the player ID from the player information database43via the player information management unit42. Then, the request processing unit41generates a my-page screen (step S123) and sends the my-page screen to the terminal device1(step S124).

At the terminal device1, the player of the terminal device1selects a reinforcement of a base item from the my-page screen. When the player operation input unit11accepts the selection by the player (step S125), under control of the game logic processing unit12, the server accessing unit13sends a request of the reinforcement to the game processing server apparatus4with the player ID (step S126).

At the game processing server apparatus4, upon accepting the request, the request processing unit41obtains information regarding a current base item of the requested player based on the player ID from the player information database43via the player information management unit42, and determined whether the current base item exists (step S127).

When the current base item does not exist because the base item is not selected yet, or when the current base item is inactivated because the reinforcement of the selected base item reaches the upper limit, the request processing unit41obtains the items possessed by the player from the player information database43via the player information management unit42, generates a base item selection screen in which the items are arranged to be selectable (step S128), and sends the base item selection screen to the terminal device1(step S129).

Then, at the terminal device1, the player selects a base item from the base item selection screen. When the player operation input unit11accepts the selection by the player (step S130), under control of the game logic processing unit12, the server accessing unit13sends a request indicating that the selection of the base item is completed to the game processing server apparatus4with the player ID and the item ID of the selected item (step S131).

At the game processing server apparatus4, upon accepting the request, the request processing unit41updates the player information database43to include the current base item via the player information management unit42(step S132).

When the base item already exists in step S127or the base item is newly selected, the request processing unit41obtains the previous reinforcement or the low priority data of the requested player based on the player ID from the player information database43via the player information management unit42, generates a reinforcement screen (step S133), and sends the reinforcement screen to the terminal device1(step S134).

Here, when the previous reinforcement is the “arbitrarily” or there is no data for the previous reinforcement as this is the first time, as shown inFIG. 8, a reinforcement screen in which an “arbitrarily” tab is selected is generated and sent.

When the previous reinforcement is the “manual selection”, as shown inFIG. 9, a reinforcement screen in which a “manual selection” tab (just shown as “manual”) is selected is generated and sent. Similarly, when the previous reinforcement is the “reinforcement agent”, as shown inFIG. 10, a reinforcement screen in which a “reinforcement agent” tab (just shown as “agent”) is selected is generated and sent.

In the “arbitrarily” tab shown inFIG. 8, one or more material items extracted from the items possessed by the player based on the parameter of the base item are displayed. The material items are extracted in order of priorities. For example, high priority is given to an item whose attribute is the same as that of the base item, an item which is not currently used (not armed), or an item with a lower rare degree. Here, it is assumed that when the item whose attribute is the same as that of the base item is selected as the material item to be used for the reinforcement, the ability value of the base item can be largely increased. Thus, the high priority is given for the item whose attribute is the same as that of the base item. Further, as the material item is lost (not to be possessed by the player anymore) by the reinforcement, the high priority is given for the item with the lower rare degree.

Referring back toFIG. 7, the player of the terminal device1is capable of selecting a desired tab from the reinforcement screen. When the player operation input unit11accepts the selection by the player (step S135), the game logic processing unit12changes the displaying tab (step S136). When the “arbitrarily” tab is initially displayed in the reinforcement screen, it is necessary to prepare the contents for the “arbitrarily” tab at the game processing server apparatus4side when the reinforcement screen is generated. However, when the other tab is initially displayed in the reinforcement screen, it is unnecessary to prepare the contents for the “arbitrarily” tab when the reinforcement screen is generated and the contents for the “arbitrarily” tab may be filled after the “arbitrarily” tab is selected.

The player of the terminal device1is capable of selecting an extraction condition in the “arbitrarily” tab by checking check boxes. For example, in the “arbitrarily” tab shown inFIG. 8, the player can select one or more of the extracting conditions including a check box C1“except armed item”, a check box C2“except rare” and a check box C3“same type”.

When the check box C1“except armed item” is checked (selected), the armed items are not extracted as candidates of the material items. When the check box C2“except rare” is checked (selected), the items which are rare or more are not extracted as candidates of the material items. When the check box C3“same type” is checked (selected), the items which are the same type as the base material are preferentially extracted as candidates of the material items.

Referring back toFIG. 7, the player of the terminal device1changes the extraction condition from the “arbitrarily” tab of the reinforcement screen. When the player operation input unit11accepts the change (step S137), under control of the game logic processing unit12, the server accessing unit13sends a request of changing the arbitrarily extraction condition to the game processing server apparatus4with the player ID and the selected extraction condition (step S138).

At the game processing server apparatus4, upon accepting the request, the request processing unit41re-extracts “arbitrarily” candidates, generates a new reinforcement screen (step S139), and sends the reinforcement screen to the terminal device1(step S140). The game processing server apparatus4may send plural reinforcement screens corresponding to patterns of the selection of the check boxes to the terminal device1. With this operation, at the terminal device1, every time the check of the check boxes is changed, the reinforcement screen including the items that meet the extraction condition is displayed.

As shown inFIG. 8, initially, the extracted one or more material items are displayed with effective check marks, respectively, which means the respective item can be used as the material item to be incorporated into the base item. When the player wishes not to use some of the items with the effective check marks, the player May release the selection of the item by tapping the displayed item (step S141). When the player operation input unit11accepts the tapping by the player, the game logic processing unit12updates the status of the displayed items such that the effective check mark of the item tapped by the player is deleted (step S142).

In the “manual selection” tab shown inFIG. 9, the material items can be selected one by one by the player. This suits advanced players so that the material items can be freely customized. InFIG. 9, when the player selects (taps) one of the item images shown as “NO ITEM”, an possessing item list is displayed so that the player can select (tap) the material items one by one from the possessing item list.

In the “reinforcement agent” tab shown inFIG. 10, the player may select the number of items specified for the reinforcement.

Referring back toFIG. 7, the player of the terminal device1selects the “proceed” in the selected tab screen. When the player operation input unit11accepts the selection by the player (step S143), under control of the game logic processing unit12, the server accessing unit13sends a request of the reinforcement to the game processing server apparatus4with the player ID and the item IDs of the selected material items (step S144).

At the game processing server apparatus4, upon accepting the request, the request processing unit41calculates the parameter for the reinforcement and updates the player information of the player information database43via the player information management unit42(step S145). Specifically, the request processing unit41updates the parameter of the base item which is reinforced by the material items and treats the material items used for the reinforcement to be not possessed by the player (deletes the material items).

FIG. 11is an example of a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the game processing server apparatus4and the terminal device1for the application type. In this case, it is assumed that the terminal device1also stores a part of the information related to the player of the terminal device1stored in the player information database43shown inFIG. 4and the item information database45shown inFIG. 5.

InFIG. 11, when the player of the terminal device1selects the battle page and the player operation input unit11accepts the selection (step S201), under control of the game logic processing unit12, the server accessing unit13sends the request of a battle page to the game processing server apparatus4with the player ID (step S202).

At the game processing server apparatus4, upon accepting the request, the request processing unit41selects other players, other than the requested player, who are qualified as a candidate for an opponent in a battle based on attributes, obtains information regarding the selected other players from the player information database43via the player information management unit42(step S203), and sends the information to the terminal device1(step S204).

At the terminal device1, the game logic processing unit12generates a battle page screen in which the information regarding the selected other players are arranged to be selectable based on the information received from the game processing server apparatus4and displays the battle page screen (step S205).

When the player of the terminal device1selects an opponent from the battle page and instructs the start of the battle, and the player operation input unit11accepts the selection and the instruction (step S206), the game logic processing unit12determines a battle result based on the attributes of the players such as offense, the defense and the like (step S207).

The game logic processing unit12may generate and display a report on ongoing battle screen (step S208). When the player of the terminal device1selects continuation in the report on ongoing battle screen and the player operation input unit11accepts the selection (step S209), the game logic processing unit12continues the game. The game logic processing unit12may generate and display a plurality of report on ongoing battle screens. In such a case, the same procedure is repeated.

Thereafter, the game logic processing unit12generates a battle result screen and displays it (step S210).

Further, the game logic processing unit12sends a request for notifying the battle result to the game processing server apparatus4from the server accessing unit13(step S211). Then, at the game processing server apparatus4, the request processing unit41updates the player information database43via the player information management unit42(step S212). Updating of the player information may be performed right after the battle result is confirmed (step S207).

Next, the operation of the reinforcement by the player of the terminal device1is explained.

InFIG. 11, when the player of the terminal device1selects the my-page and the player operation input unit11accepts the selection by the player (step S221), under control of the game logic processing unit12, the server accessing unit13sends a request of obtaining related information to the game processing server apparatus4with the player ID (step S222).

At the game processing server apparatus4, upon accepting the request, the request processing unit41obtains the player information including a message or the like of the requested player based on the player ID from the player information database43via the player information management unit42as the related information and sends the information to the terminal device1(step S224).

At the terminal device1, the game logic processing unit12generates a my-page screen based on the information received from the game processing server apparatus4and displays the my-page screen (step S225).

When the player of the terminal device1selects a reinforcement of a base item from the my-page screen and the player operation input unit11accepts the selection by the player (step S226), the game logic processing unit12determines whether the current base item exists (step S227).

When the current base item does not exist because the base item is not selected yet, or when the current base item is inactivated because the reinforcement of the selected base item reaches the upper limit, the game logic processing unit12generates a base item selection screen in which the items are arranged to be selectable and displays the base item selection screen (step S228).

When the player of the terminal device1selects the base item is newly selected from the base item selection screen and the player operation input unit11accepts the selection by the player (step S229), under control of the game logic processing unit12, the server accessing unit13sends a request indicating that the selection of the base item is completed to the game processing server apparatus4with the player ID and the item ID of the selected item (step S230).

At the game processing server apparatus4, upon accepting the request, the request processing unit41updates the player information database43to include the current base item via the player information management unit42(step S231). Updating of the player information may be performed after the reinforcement is performed.

Then, when the base item already exists in step S227or the base item is newly selected, the game logic processing unit12generates a reinforcement screen based on the previous reinforcement and the low priority data and displays the generated screen (step S232).

The player of the terminal device1is capable of selecting a desired tab from the reinforcement screen. When the player operation input unit11accepts the selection by the player (step S233), the game logic processing unit12changes the displaying tab (step S234). When the “arbitrarily” tab is initially displayed in the reinforcement screen, it is necessary to prepare the contents for the “arbitrarily” tab when the reinforcement screen is generated. However, when the other tab is initially displayed in the reinforcement screen, it is unnecessary to prepare the contents for the “arbitrarily” tab when the reinforcement screen is generated and the contents for the “arbitrarily” tab may be filled after the “arbitrarily” tab is selected.

The player of the terminal device1is capable of selecting an extraction condition in the “arbitrarily” tab by checking check boxes. For example, the player can select one or more of the extracting conditions including the “except armed item”, the “except rare” and the “same type”.

When the player of the terminal device1changes the extraction condition from the “arbitrarily” tab of the reinforcement screen, and the player operation input unit11accepts the change (step S235), the game logic processing unit12re-extracts “arbitrarily” candidates, generates a new reinforcement screen to be displayed (step S236). With this operation, every time the check of the check boxes is changed, the items that meet the extraction condition are extracted from the items possessed by the player to be displayed.

As shown inFIG. 8, the extracted one or more material items are displayed with effective check marks, respectively, which means the respective item can be used as the material item to be incorporated into the base item. When the player wishes not to use some of the items with the effective check marks, the player may release the selection of the item by tapping the displayed item (step S237). When the player operation input unit11accepts the tapping by the player, the game logic processing unit12updates the status of the displayed items such that the effective check mark of the item tapped by the player is deleted (step S238).

In the “manual selection” tab, the material items can be selected one by one by the player. This suits advanced players so that the material items can be freely customized.

In the “reinforcement agent” tab, the player may select the number of items specified for the reinforcement.

When the player of the terminal device1selects the “proceed” in the selected tab screen and the player operation input unit11accepts the selection (step S239), the game logic processing unit12calculates the parameter for the reinforcement and updates the player information stored in the terminal device1(step S240). Specifically, the game logic processing unit12updates the parameter of the base item which is reinforced by the material items and treats the material items used for the reinforcement to be not possessed by the player.

Then, the game logic processing unit12sends a request of completion of the reinforcement to the game processing server apparatus4via the server accessing unit13with the player ID, the parameter value of the base item, and the item ID of the material item that is not possessed by the player anymore (step S241).

At the game processing server apparatus4, upon accepting the request, the request processing unit41updates the player information of the player information database43via the player information management unit42(step S242). Specifically, the request processing unit41updates the parameter of the base item which is reinforced and treats the material items used for the reinforcement to be not possessed by the player (deletes the material items).

As described above, according to the embodiment, following advantages can be obtained.

(1) The player can easily perform a desired reinforcement with a fewer number of actions because the player only needs to remove (tap) items to be left from the candidates arbitrarily extracted.

(2) By storing the kind of reinforcement such as the “arbitrarily”, the “manual selection” or the like which is previously used by the player and displaying the tab corresponding to the kind of reinforcement, the tab which is likely to suit the kind of player, a beginner, an advanced player or the like can be initially displayed to the player. Thus, the player can easily perform a desired reinforcement with a fewer number of actions in accordance with the kind of player.
(3) A beginner player can simply perform the reinforcement because the priorities to be selected as the material items for the items possessed by the player are determined based on the parameter (attribute such as the offense, the rare degree, type or the like) of the base and the material items are extracted based on the priorities.
(4) It is possible to customize the material items to be extracted even when the “arbitrarily” is selected by determining the priorities to be selected as the material items for the items possessed by the player based on the predetermined condition (except armed item, except rare, same type as the base item or the like) based on the request (selection of check boxes) from the player terminal1. Thus, for the player who is used to the game can also be satisfied with the game.
(5) For the items which are once extracted as candidates for the material items but released by the player are given lower priorities. Thus, the player can perform the reinforcement with a fewer number of actions in a next game operation.

The individual constituents of the terminal device1and the game processing server apparatus4may be embodied by arbitrary combinations of hardware and software, typified by a CPU of an arbitrary computer, a memory, a program loaded in the memory so as to embody the constituents illustrated in the drawings, a storage unit for storing the program such as a hard disk, and an interface for network connection. It may be understood by those skilled in the art that methods and devices for the embodiment allow various modifications.

According to the embodiment, a desired reinforcement can be performed with a fewer steps.

Although a preferred embodiment of the terminal device1and the game processing server apparatus4has been specifically illustrated and described, it is to be understood that minor modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and numerous variations and modifications and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese Priority Application No. 2012-152177 filed on Jul. 6, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.