U.S. Pat. No. 9,061,208

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an example of one embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the appending drawings.

FIG. 1is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a video game system100according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the video game system100includes: a plurality of zone servers11to1N (“N” is an arbitrary integer) each of which delivers a game environment (i.e., an environment in which a video game can be carried out); and a plurality of client terminals21to2N (“N” is an arbitrary integer).

The plurality of client terminals21to2N are respectively connected to the plurality of zone servers11to1N via the communication network50such as the Internet.

The video game system100according to the present embodiment has various kinds of functions to carry out a video game provided by the plurality of zone servers11to1N connected to each other via the communication network50. The video game system100causes the video game to proceed on a plurality of movable zones.

Each of the zone servers11to1N is managed by a system administrator of the video game system100, for example, and has various kinds of functions to deliver game information to each of the client terminals21to2N. Each of the zone servers11to1N is configured by an information-processing device such as a WWW server. The zone servers11to1N include game information memories11ato1Na for storing the game information, respectively.

In the present embodiment, a case where the zone servers11to1N respectively deliver information (i.e., zone information) for configuring a virtual space (i.e., zone) in the video game carried out by each of the client terminals21to2N as the game information will be described. In this regard, the zone means a “map” in a video game such as an RPG.

In order to avoid a negative effect (for example, poor communication) resulting from a situation that the number of client terminals21to2N, which are targets as information communication, becomes enormous, a plurality of zone servers11to1N are prepared. In this regard, each of the plurality of zone servers11to1N may provide the same zone information. In this case, each of the client terminals21to2N that communicates with different one of the zone servers11to1N carries out the video game in a parallel universe in the virtual space.

Here, a relationship between the zones and the zone servers11to1N in the video game system100according to the present embodiment will be described briefly.

FIG. 2is an explanatory drawing for explaining a relationship between the zones and the zone servers11to1N. Reference numerals Z1to Z4inFIG. 2respectively denote zones that are outputted in the client terminal21by the information communication with the zone servers11to14, for example. A user of the client terminal21plays the video game on the zone outputted in the client terminal21. Further, reference numerals a to e inFIG. 2respectively denote transition roots of the zones outputted in one of the client terminals21to2N. Namely, the video game in the present embodiment is one in which movement (or jump) between zones is allowed in accordance with progress of the video game and the like, for example.

For example, the zone Z3through the zone Z1and the zone Z2is used in the client terminal21. In this case, the client terminal21stores communication history with the zone server11or zone server12that carried out the information communication with the client terminal21(in the present embodiment, session information which will be described later) for carrying out the video game on the zone Z1or zone Z2. Then, for example, in a case where the client terminal21jumps from the zone Z3to the zone Z1, the client terminal21carries out information communication with the zone server11using communication history with the zone server11. By configuring the video game system100in such a manner, it is possible to reduce the amount of processing (for example, specification of a protocol according to each of the zone servers, user authentication in each of the zone servers, and the like) necessary for jumping to the zones Z1, Z2respectively corresponding to the zone servers11,12, each of which has its own communication history compared with a case of shifting from the zone Z3to the new zone Z4(that is, a case of starting information communication with the zone server14that has no communication history), for example.

In this regard, processing to concretely realize a concept of the video game system100according to the present embodiment will be explained later in detail (seeFIG. 6).

Each of the client terminals21to2N is managed by a user who enjoys the video game, and is configured by an information-processing device such as a personal computer or a mobile communication terminal, for example. Each of the client terminals21to2N includes hardware (for example, a display device for displaying a game screen, an audio output device and the like) and software for carrying out the video game by connecting to the zone servers11to1N via the communication network50and carrying out communication with the zone servers11to1N. In this regard, each of the client terminals21to2N may be configured so as to have a function to carry out the video game in the same zone as each other via the zone servers11to1N.

Further, the client terminals21to2N respectively include: zone determining sections21ato2Na; server information memories21bto2Nb; session information memories21cto2Nc; and protocol information memories21dto2Nd.

Each of the zone determining sections21ato2Na has a function to carry out determination relating to the zones (zone determination) in jump processing (will be described later). In the present embodiment, when each of the client terminals21to2N change zone servers that are communication targets, each of the zone determining section21ato2Na determines whether the communication target after change is the zone server with which the client terminal21to2N has carried out communication in the past or not.

Each of the server information memories21bto2Nb is a storage medium for storing server information. The server information indicates predetermined kinds of information relating to the zone servers11to1N.

FIG. 3is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage state of the server information in the server information memory21ato2Na. As shown inFIG. 3, the server information contains: zone names; server IDs for respectively specifying the zone servers11to1N uniquely; and protocol IDs for respectively specifying protocols. The protocol IDs indicate processing carried out mutually when the client terminals21to2N communicate with the zone servers11to1N, uniquely.

The session information memories21cto2Nc are storage mediums for respectively storing session information indicating information on information communication between the client terminals21to2N and each of the zone servers11to1N. In this regard, the session information according to the present embodiment is created and stored when each of the client terminals21to2N carries out communication with any of the zone servers11to1N. Namely, in the present embodiment, each of the client terminals21to2N creates the session information in every zone server11to1N, and does not create session information corresponding to any of the zone servers11to1N with which the client terminal21to2N has never communicate. Each of the zone determining section21ato2Na carries out zone determination by referring to the session information.

FIG. 4is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage state of the session information in each of the session information memories21cto2Nc. As shown inFIG. 4, the session information contains: a history number indicating the order in which each piece of session information is stored; a server ID; a valid flag; a session ID; and the remaining amount of time. Since the session information contains the server IDs, it is possible to manage the zone servers11to1N respectively indicated by the server IDs and the zones and protocols corresponding to the zone server11to1N so as to be associated with the valid flag.

Here, the “valid flag” is a flag indicating whether a protocol used for communication with the zone servers11to1N is valid or invalid. In a case where the protocol is valid, the valid flag is set to“1”. In a case where the protocol is invalid, the valid flag is set to “0”. In this regard, in the present embodiment, each of the client terminals21to2N specifies the protocol information corresponding to the server ID without terminating a connection to each of the zone servers11to1N in accordance with the session information in which the valid flag is set to “0”, and sets part of the protocol information (necessary protocol) according to the corresponding zone servers11to1N to invalid. Setup and update of the valid flag are carried out by each of the client terminals21to2N.

The “session ID” means identification information delivered from each of the zone servers11to1N for identifying the user of each of the client terminals21to2N. When the information communication with any of the zone servers11to1N is started, the corresponding zone server11to1N can identify the client terminals21to2N (that is, it becomes possible to carry out session management) by transmitting the session ID, which has been delivered from the client terminals21to2N once, to the zone servers11to1N, which have delivered the session ID. In this regard, in the present embodiment, each of the zone servers11to1N creates the identification information (i.e., session ID) for each of the client terminals21to2N by carrying out predetermined processing necessary for the user authentication in the communication with each of the client terminals21to2N; delivers and manages the created identification information. A detailed explanation of concrete content of the session management will be omitted herein because a known method is used for the session management.

Further, “the remaining amount of time” indicates remaining time until the session information classified into a previous session and managed is erased. In the present embodiment, each of the client terminals21to2N has a function to set up a predetermined period of time (for example, three minutes or the like) as the remaining amount of time, and to start measurement of the remaining amount of time thus set up, when the valid flag of the session information is changed from “1” to “0”. In this regard, when the valid flag is changed from “0” to “1”, each of the client terminals21to2N does not erase the session information during the communication, but erases the remaining amount of time.

Each of the protocol information memories21dto2Nd is a storage medium for storing protocol information indicating protocols used when each of the client terminals21to2N communicates with any of the zone servers11to1N.

FIG. 5is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage state of the protocol information in each of the protocol information memory21dto2Nd. As shown inFIG. 5, the protocol information contains: a protocol ID; a health check interval; and a necessary protocol.

Here, the “health check interval” indicates a time interval for carrying out processing to confirm a situation of each of the client terminals21to2N in order to determine whether each of the zone servers11to1N continues to communicate with any of the client terminals21to2N. In the present embodiment, each of the client terminals21to2N has a function (health check function) to notice rejection of termination of a connection to the zone servers11to1N in accordance with the health check interval so that the connection to the zone servers11to1N for which the protocol is set to invalid is terminated.

The “necessary protocol” indicates a protocol other than the health check interval in the protocol information. In the present embodiment, the necessary protocol becomes valid only when the corresponding session information is session information (i.e., as a current session) according to information communication with the zone server corresponding to the zone currently used (that is, information communication between the client terminals21to2N and the zone servers11to1N is carried out). In this regard, as the necessary protocol, for example, protocols relating to “movement on the map by the character”, “battle determination (for example, encounter determination with an enemy character, damage determination and the like due to the movement on the map by the character)” and the like are thought in a case where each of the zones has a function of the “map”.

Next, an operation of each of the client terminals21to2N in the video game system100according to the present embodiment will be described. In this regard, an explanation of any action and processing with no relationship to the present invention may be omitted.

FIG. 6is a flowchart showing an example of jump processing carried out by the video game system100. In the jump processing, for example, processing to change zones in accordance with progress of the video game and the like is carried out. Namely, the jump processing according to the present embodiment is processing to change a current zone indicating a zone used currently into a new zone indicating a zone changed from the current zone in response to a request to change zones, which is used in the video game carried out by the video game system100.

Here, an operation of the client terminal21operated by a user X will be described as an example. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the zone servers11to1N according to the video game system100carry out processing as a general server that carries out user authentication, session management, and delivery of various kinds of information including the zone information in response to a communication request received from the client terminals21to2N, respectively. Therefore, a detailed explanation will be omitted herein.

The client terminal21starts up information communication with one of the zone servers11to1N, and makes up a zone on the basis of the provided zone information to carry out the video game, by which the jump processing is started. Here, a case where the client terminal21starts information communication with the zone server11will be described as an example.

In the jump processing, the client terminal21stores first session information (that is, session information between the client terminal21and the zone server11) (Step S101). At this time, since it is needed to set the protocol to valid in order to carry out the information communication, the valid flag is set to“1”.

When the first session information is stored, the client terminal21determines whether a jump operation by means of an operational input (for example, press of a predetermined press button provided in the client terminal21), for example, is received from the user X or not (Step S102). In this regard, in the present embodiment, the video game system100is configured so as to determine whether a request to change zones by means of a jump operation is received or not. However, the video game system100may be configured so as to determine whether there is a request to change zones (i.e., a change request that a video game program automatically outputs) or not on the basis of a progress state of the video game (for example, whether a player character that moves on the map in the video game reaches a predetermined region or not).

In a case where it is determined at Step S102that the client terminal21does not receive a jump operation (“No” at Step S102), the client terminal21refers to the session information memory21c, and determines whether there is session information for which the remaining amount of time runs out (that is, the remaining amount of time becomes “0”) or not (Step S103). Here, in a case where it is determined that there is no session information for which the remaining amount of time is “0” (“No” at Step S103), the client terminal21causes the processing flow to return to the processing at Step S102. On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that there is session information for which the remaining amount of time is “0” (“Yes” at Step S103), the client terminal21erases the session information for which the remaining amount of time is “0” (Step S104), and causes the processing flow to return to the processing at Step S102.

In this regard, in a case where the client terminal21erases the session information, the client terminal21notifies the zone servers11to1N, which correspond to the session information to be erased, of that effect. This allows the zone servers11to1N to erase the information relating to the session ID that is set to the client terminal21.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the client terminal21receives the jump operation (“Yes” at Step S102), the client terminal21refers to the session information memory21c, and determines whether there is session information in which the valid flag is “0” or not (Step S105). Here, in a case where it is determined that there is no session information in which the valid flag is “0” (“No” at Step S105), the client terminal21causes the processing flow to shift to processing at Step S108(will be described later).

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that there is session information in which the valid flag is “0” (“Yes” at Step S105), the client terminal21determines whether the zone after jump is the same as any of the zones corresponding to the respective pieces of session information in each of which the valid flag is “0” (that is, zones corresponding to the zone server indicated by the server ID in the session information) or not (Step S106). Namely, the client terminal21determines whether there is a zone after jump in the zones corresponding to the respective pieces of session information in each of which the valid flag is “0” or not. In the processing at Step S106, in a case where it is determined that the zone after jump is the same as the zone according to the session information in which the valid flag is “0” (“Yes” at Step S106), the client terminal21sets the valid flag of the session information according to the zone the same as the zone after jump (that is, the session information containing the zone ID indicating the zone server that delivers the zone) to “1” (Step S107), and causes the processing flow to shift to processing at Step S111(will be described later).

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the zone after jump is not the same as the zone according to the session information (“No” at Step S106), the client terminal21refers to the server information memory21band the protocol information memory21d, and specifies protocol information necessary for the information communication with the zone servers11to1N in accordance with the zone after jump (Step S108). Namely, for example, in a case where a jump operation to the zone according to the zone server12by the user X is received in the processing at Step S102, the client terminal21refers to the server information memory21b; specifies the protocol ID according to the zone ID indicating the zone server12; and extracts the protocol information according to the specified protocol ID from the protocol information memory21d.

When the protocol information is specified, the client terminal21creates session information on the basis of the specified protocol information (Step S109). In this regard, the client terminal21acquires the session ID by carrying out communication with the zone servers11to1N by means of the specified protocol information. In this regard, it may be configured so that acquisition of the session ID is carried out at the stage for starting communication with the zone servers11to1N in processing at Step S113(will be described later).

When the session information is created, the client terminal21sets the valid flag of the created session information to “1”, and stores that effect (Step S110).

Subsequently, the client terminal21sets the valid flag of the zone before jump (that is, the valid flag of the session information, in which the valid flag is set to “1”, other than the session information in which the valid flag is newly set to “1”) to “0” (Step S111). In this regard, in a case where a zone server that provides a plurality of zones to the zone servers11to1N by itself, the client terminal21confirms whether both the zone after jump and the zone before jump are zones provided by the same zone server or not. Then, in a case where it can be confirmed that they are the zones provided by the same zone server, the client terminal21causes the processing flow to shift to the processing at Step S112without carrying out the processing herein (i.e., the processing at Step S111).

When the valid flag is changed from “1” to “0” and the protocol is thereby set to invalid, the client terminal21starts to measure the remaining amount of time in the session information (Step S112).

When the measurement of the remaining amount of time is started, the client terminal21starts to communicate with the zone server11to1N indicated by the server ID in the session information in which the valid flag is set to “1” and the protocol thereby becomes valid (Step S113). Then, the client terminal21causes the processing flow to return to the processing at Step S102.

In the present embodiment, the jump processing is always carried out from start to end of the video game in the client terminal21. Further, at the time of termination of the jump processing, the client terminal21initializes the session information. In this regard, the client terminal21may be configured so that at the time of the jump processing, the client terminal21stores the session information at the end of the jump processing and utilizes it in next jump processing. In a case where the session information at the end of the jump processing is stored, the client terminal21may be configured so as to require each of the zone servers11to1N to store information relating to the session ID of the client terminal21, for example.

As explained above, in the embodiment described above, the video game system100is configured so as to include the plurality of servers (for example, the zone servers11to1N) connected to each other via the communication network50and one or more client terminals21to2N, each of which is allowed to carry out the video game provided by the plurality of servers, wherein the video game proceeds on a plurality of movable zones (for example, the zones Z1to Z4). In this case, each of the servers (for example, the zone servers11to1N) is configured so as to include the game information memory11ato1Na that stores the game information (for example, zone information) used for a progress of the video game and to provide the game information to each of the client terminals21to2N. Further, each of the client terminals21to2N (for example, the client terminal21) is configured so as to: include the session information memory21cto2Nc (for example, the session information memory21c) that stores the multiple pieces of session information in which identification information (for example, server IDs) for uniquely specifying the servers is associated with the valid flag indicating whether each of protocols respectively corresponding to the servers is valid or invalid when the client terminals21to2N carry out information communication with the servers; carry out the information communication with the server (for example, any of the zone servers11to1N) corresponding to the protocol in accordance with the protocol indicating that the valid flag is valid; carry out the video game on the zone (for example, the zone Z3) provided so as to be associated with the server (for example, the zone server13), with which the information communication is carried out, on the basis of the game information from the server; carry out zone changing processing (for example, the jump processing), in which the current zone (for example, the zone Z3) indicating the zone currently used is changed into the new zone (for example, the zone Z1or zone Z4) indicating the zone changed from the current zone, in response to a request to change the zones (for example, a request based upon a jump operation by the user X, or a request to change the zones based upon whether the player character that moves on the map in the video game reaches the predetermined region) used in the video game thus carried out; update the valid flag (for example, the valid flag that is set to “1”), which indicates that the protocol associated with the server (for example, the zone server13) corresponding to the current zone is valid, to the state (for example, a state where the valid flag is set to “0”) indicating that the protocol is invalid in the zone changing processing; refer to any of the session information memories21cto2Nc (for example, the session information memory21c) to determine whether there is the session information associated with the server (for example, the zone server11or zone server14) corresponding to the new zone; and update the valid flag, which indicates that the protocol associated with the server (for example, the zone server11) corresponding to the new zone (for example, the zone Z1) is invalid, to the state where the protocol is valid in a case where it is determined that there is the session information. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce a network processing load when the video game proceeds by connecting the plurality of servers.

Namely, in a case of using the game information delivered from the server to which the client terminal has connected once, it becomes possible to keep the client terminal free from carrying out the processing to specify the protocol corresponding to the server and to create the session information (for example, the processing at Steps S108to S110in the jump processing) again. This makes it possible to avoid applying waiting time for a connection to the user without a load on the network.

Further, in the embodiment described above, each of the client terminals21to2N (for example, the client terminal21) is configured so as to: create the session information, in which the valid flag indicating whether the protocol associated with the server (for example, the zone server14) corresponding to the new zone (for example, the zone Z4) is valid or invalid is set to the state indicating that the protocol is valid (for example, the state in which the valid flag is set to “1”), in a case where it is determined that there is no session information in the zone changing processing (for example, the jump processing); and store the created session information in the corresponding session information memory21cto2Nc (for example, the session information memory21c). Therefore, it becomes possible to carry out information communication with any server that does not have corresponding session information.

Further, in the embodiment described above, each of the client terminals21to2N (for example, the client terminal21) is configured so as to erase the session information, for which a predetermined erasing condition is met, (for example, the session information for which the remaining amount of time is “0”) of the multiple pieces of session information for each of which the protocol is invalid (for example, the session information for which the valid flag is “0”) in the multiple pieces of session information stored in the corresponding session information memory21cto2Nc (for example, the session information memory21c). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the amount of information stored in each of each of the client terminals21to2N from becoming enormous.

Further, in the embodiment described above, each of the client terminals21to2N (for example, the client terminal21) is configured so as to: set up a predetermined remaining amount of time for the session information for which the valid flag is updated from “1” to “0”; and erase the session information for which the remaining amount of time runs out (that is, the session information for which the predetermined remaining period of time elapses since the valid flag was updated from “1” to “0”). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the amount of information stored in each of each of the client terminals21to2N from becoming enormous more effectively.

In this regard, although it has not been mentioned particularly in the embodiment described above, each of the client terminals21to2N may be configured so as not to erase any session information. By configuring the client terminal in such a manner, it becomes possible to carry out the information communication using the session information certainly in a case where information communication is again carried out with the server with which the information communication has been carried out once.

In this regard, although it has not been mentioned particularly in the embodiment described above, each of the client terminals21to2N (for example, the client terminal21) may be configured so as to erase at least one of the multiple pieces of session information in a case where the number of the multiple pieces of session information stored in the corresponding session information memory21cto2Nc (for example, the session information memory21c) exceeds a predetermined upper limit number. By configuring the client terminal in such a manner, it is possible to manage the session information more efficiently compared with a case of managing the session information using the remaining amount of time, for example. In this case, for example, the session information, for which the order that the last time the protocol becomes invalid is the oldest, of the session information stored in the session information memory may be set to an erase target. Further, for example, one or more pieces of the session information, for which a frequency of use is a predetermined threshold value or lower, of the session information stored in the session information memory may be set to an erase target. In this regard, for example, each of the client terminals21to2N may be configured so as to erase the session information for which the remaining amount of time is the lowest when the number of session information exceeds an upper limit number. Alternatively, each of the client terminals21to2N may be configured so as to: store a frequency of use of each piece of the session information (for example, the number of times the valid flag becomes “1”); and erase the session information for which the frequency of use is the lowest when the number of session information exceeds the upper limit number.

In this regard, although it has not been mentioned particularly in the embodiment described above, each of the client terminals21to2N may be configured so as to: set up predetermined priority in a case where the session information meets a predetermined condition; and set up an erase condition according to the priority thus set up to the session information for which the priority is set up. In this case, each of each of the client terminals21to2N may be configured so that a “communication frequency” is set up as the predetermined condition, for example. Namely, for example, each of the client terminals21to2N may be configured so as to: specify any of the zone servers11to1N whose communication frequency (for example, the number of times of communication, communication time) is higher; and heighten an initial value of the remaining amount of time, which is to be set up in accordance with the communication frequency. By configuring the client terminal in such a manner, it becomes possible to maintain the session information with higher usability preferentially compared with the other session information.

Further, in the embodiment described above, each of the client terminals21to2N is configured so that the session information contains identification information (for example, the session IDs) by which the server (for example, the zone servers11to1N) is allowed to uniquely specify the client terminals21to2N. Therefore, it is possible to avoid information communication time from being increased due to a load caused by carrying out the processing to identify the client terminal again by the server in a case where the client terminal carries out the information communication with the server according to the session information again after the protocol became invalid and the information communication was thereby terminated.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful to provide a video game by which it is possible to reduce a network processing load when the video game is caused to proceed by connecting a client terminal to a plurality of servers.