U.S. Pat. No. 9,582,147

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows an example non-limiting block diagram for illustrating the configuration of a game system according to the present embodiment. A game system according to the present embodiment includes a game machine1, at least one dedicatedFIG. 5, and at least one IC card6. The game machine1is of a portable type which can be carried by the user. The dedicatedFIG. 5and the IC card6are data storage media to be used in a game. The game machine1has a display unit11, a recording medium loading unit12and an operation unit13, which are provided in one housing. Illustration of the housing of the game machine1is omitted inFIG. 1. A processing unit (processor)10, a communication unit14, a primary storage unit15, a secondary storage unit16and a contactless communication unit (a contactless communication circuit)21are built in the housing of the game machine1.

The processing unit10of the game machine1is constituted of an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The processing unit10reads a game program91, which is stored in the secondary storage unit16, or a game program91, which is recorded in a recording medium9mounted on the recording medium loading unit12, into the primary storage unit15and executes the read game program91. Thus, the processing unit10performs various information processing pertaining to a game. For example, the processing unit10performs processing to accept an operation performed at the operation unit13. For example, the processing unit10makes a determination on a game in accordance with an accepted operation. For example, the processing unit10performs processing to generate a game image to be displayed at the display unit11in accordance with an accepted operation, an event in a game, or the like.

The display unit11is constituted of a liquid crystal panel, a PDP (Plasma Display Panel) or the like. The display unit11displays an image given from the processing unit10. The recording medium9of a card type, a cassette type, a disk type or the like is attached to and detached from the recording medium loading unit12. The processing unit10can read the game program91, character data92and the like from the recording medium9mounted on the recording medium loading unit12. The operation unit13is, for example, a button of a depression type or a touch panel provided at the display unit11. The operation unit13notifies the processing unit10of the content of an operation performed by the user. The content of an operation is, for example, depression or release of a button, or the like.

The communication unit14transmits and receives data to and from a server machine, another game machine1or the like, via a network such as a mobile phone network or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). For example, the game machine1can communicate with the server machine by the communication unit14to download the game program91and character data92, and store the game program91and the character data92in the secondary storage unit16. The primary storage unit15is constituted of a semiconductor memory device, for example. The primary storage unit15temporarily stores various data to be generated in arithmetic processing by the processing unit10. The secondary storage unit16is constituted of a nonvolatile storage device having large capacity in comparison with the primary storage unit15. The secondary storage unit16can store the game program91and the character data92.

In one example embodiment, the contactless communication unit21wirelessly transmits data to and/or wirelessly receives data from the IC card6or the like. The IC card6can be active or passive, self-powered or powered by received signals. In one example embodiment, such data transmission and/or reception can be according to a conventional communication standard such as ISO/IEC 18092:2013 (so-called “NFC” or Near Field Communications Interface and Protocol) incorporated herein by reference, for example, or any other suitable communications protocol. The communication range of the contactless communication unit21in some example embodiments is relatively short, such as about several centimeters to several meters. Such short range communications can for example allow devices in proximity to one another to communicate with one another without involving devices not in proximity. In one non-limiting example, the contactless communication unit21transmits a signal, which instructs reading of stored data, to an IC tag50or other device embedded in the dedicatedFIG. 5or an IC tag60or other device embedded in the IC card6. In this context, an IC tag can comprise for example any of a class of devices that can in some contexts be used as an electronic identification tag that wirelessly provides identification information. But in other embodiments the device need not be an integrated circuit tag. The contactless communication unit21receives desired data from the IC tag50or60as a response for the transmitted signal. The contactless communication unit21in one example embodiment has a so-called IC tag reader function. The contactless communication unit21transmits data to be written together with a signal, which instructs writing of the data. Thus, the contactless communication unit21can cause the IC tag50to write the data. That is, the contactless communication unit21has an IC tag writer function. Here, the communication mode of the contactless communication unit21is not limited to NFC and may be a variety of communication modes, such as RFID, or any other type of inductive, electromagnetic or other coupling or communications including but not limited to optical, infrared, short range radio, magnetic, audio, tactile, vibrational, or any other suitable type of communications to be employed as contactless communication, short-range wireless communication or the like. In this context, “contactless” can include for example the capability to communicate without requiring electrical and/or physical contact. In other example embodiments, electrical contact and/or physical contact can be used. Additionally, some or all of the devices communicating can be wirelessly powered by inductive or other proximity coupling so that they do not need to be self-powered.

The dedicatedFIG. 5is a specific data storage medium to be used by a user in play of a specific game which is to be realized by executing a specific game program91at the game machine1. Although only one dedicatedFIG. 5is illustrated inFIG. 1, a plurality of types of dedicatedFIG. 5may exist. In a specific game according to the present embodiment, a plurality of characters are prepared as player objects to be operated by the user. The dedicatedFIG. 5has a shape imitating an appearance of a character to be operated by the user in a specific game and is made of synthetic resin or the like. The IC tag50is embedded in the dedicatedFIG. 5. The dedicatedFIG. 5can perform contactless communication with the game machine1. The IC tag50of the dedicatedFIG. 5stores various data according to the character. The game machine1can read data from the IC tag50by contactless communication. The game machine1can update data stored in the IC tag50, or additionally write data into the IC tag50.

The IC card6is, for example, an employee ID card, a season ticket of transportation, a cash card for a bank or the like, a credit card, an electronic money card or the like. The IC card6is a data storage medium, which is unrelated to a specific game to be executed at the game machine1and is generally used. The IC tag60is embedded in the IC card6. The IC card6can perform contactless communication with the game machine1. It is to be noted that the IC card6in this example is not restrictive, and any element can be employed as long as an IC tag60capable of contactless communication with the game machine1is embedded therein. For example, a figure or the like to be used for another game may be employed.

In the game machine1according to the present embodiment, an operation acceptance processing unit31, a game processing unit32, a display processing unit33, a tag data processing unit34and the like are realized as software functional blocks when the processing unit10executes the game program91. The operation acceptance processing unit31performs processing to accept an operation by the user in a game by checking the state of the operation unit13periodically. The game processing unit32performs a variety of determination processing, event processing or the like related to a game in accordance with an operation accepted by the operation accepting unit31. The display processing unit33generates a game screen according to the result of processing by the game processing unit32and gives the game screen to the display unit11so as to perform processing to display the game screen at the display unit11. The tag data processing unit34performs processing to write and read data into and from the dedicatedFIG. 5, the IC card6or the like by contactless communication by the contactless communication unit21.

FIG. 2shows an example non-limiting block diagram for illustrating the configuration of the dedicatedFIG. 5. The dedicatedFIG. 5according to the present embodiment is a data storage medium having a configuration wherein the IC tag50and an antenna57are embedded in a molded body made of synthetic resin, for example. The antenna57may have a configuration wherein metal wire is disposed in a spiral form in the dedicatedFIG. 5and both ends of the metal wire are connected with the IC tag50, for example. The IC tag50is provided as one IC chip. The IC tag50has a processing unit51, a contactless communication unit52, a storage unit53and a power supply unit54provided therein.

The IC tag50does not have a power source such as a battery. The IC tag50operates using electro motive force to be generated by electromagnetic induction or the like upon receiving a radio signal from the game machine1by the antenna57. The IC tag50is a so-called passive type tag. The power supply unit54supplies electric power to the processing unit51, the contactless communication unit52, the storage unit53and the like in the IC tag50on the basis of the electro motive force. The power supply enables operation of the respective units. It is to be noted that the IC tag50may be of an active type, though the IC tag50in the present embodiment is of a passive type.

The contactless communication unit52of the IC tag50receives a signal, which has been transmitted from the game machine1, by the antenna57and gives data pertaining to the received signal to the processing unit51. The contactless communication unit52transmits data, which has given from the processing unit51, from the antenna57to the game machine1. The storage unit53is constituted of a data-rewritable and nonvolatile memory device. The storage unit53stores identification data53a, which is attached individually to an IC tag50, and status data53bof a character, which is used in a specific game. The processing unit51reads data from the storage unit53in accordance with data given from the contactless communication unit52. The processing unit51gives the read data to the contactless communication unit52so as to transmit the data to the game machine1. The processing unit51writes data into the storage unit53in accordance with data given from the contactless communication unit52.

It is to be noted that illustration of the configuration of the IC card6is omitted in the drawings. The configuration of the IC card6is substantially equal to the configuration of the dedicatedFIG. 5, except that identification data to be stored in the storage unit of the IC tag60is different. The storage unit of the IC tag60of the IC tag6does not store status data53bsimilar to that of the dedicatedFIG. 5, and stores a variety of data according to the purpose of use or the like of the IC card6instead.

Next, an example of a game, which is realized when the processing unit10of the game machine1executes the game program91according to the present embodiment, will be described. In the game of this example, the user collects a plurality of characters, which can be a player character, in the game. The user selects a player character from the collected characters. The user operates at least one of selected player characters at the operation unit13, and fights or competes with an enemy character, for example. An enemy character may be operated by the processing unit10, or may be operated by a user of another game machine1in the case of an online match game.

When a player character attacks and beats an enemy character in the game in this example, the user can acquire the enemy character with a constant probability. The user can select the acquired character as a player character. When the user acquires a specific item in the game or when a specific event occurs, for example, the user can acquire a new character. Information related to a character acquired by the user is stored in the secondary storage unit16as a possession character list, together with saved data of the game or the like.

Before initiation of a game, the display processing unit33in the processing unit10of the game machine1generates a screen to be used for selecting a player character and displays the generated screen at the display unit11.FIG. 3shows an example non-limiting schematic diagram for illustrating an example of a player character selection screen. The game machine1of a portable type illustrated in the figure has a housing having a substantially rectangular plate form. Provided at the center of a front face of the housing is the display unit11. The housing has a cross key of the operation unit13provided at the left side of the display unit11, and push buttons A and B are provided at the right side of the display unit11. The contactless communication unit21is built (see a quadrate drawn with broken lines) in the housing of the game machine1at the right side of the display unit11and at a position at the lower side of the push buttons A and B.

The processing unit10of the game machine1reads the possession character list stored in the secondary storage unit16. The processing unit10displays a list of characters possessed by the user as a player character selection screen at the display unit11on the basis of the read possession character list. In the example illustrated in the figure, the user possesses five characters of a rabbit, a cow, an elephant, a cat and a frog. In the player character selection screen, an image, a name, status and the like of each character are described in an area having substantially a horizontally long rectangular shape. In the player character selection screen, a plurality of areas having substantially a rectangular shape are arranged in vertical and horizontal lines. The user can select a player character from five displayed characters by operating the cross key of the operation unit13. In the example illustrated in the figure, a character of a frog is being selected, and a selection state is represented by highlighting an area with a thick line. The user can confirm selection of a player character by pushing the push button A of the operation unit13in this state.

It is to be noted that the possession character list stored in the secondary storage unit16can be list information of a name of a character, an identification number for identifying a character, or the like. An image, status and the like of each character are stored as the character data92in the recording medium9or the secondary storage unit16. The processing unit10of the game machine1acquires information such as an image and status from the character data92on the basis of a name, an identification number or the like of a character included in the possession character list, and generates a player character selection screen.

With the game machine1according to the present embodiment, the user can add a character, which can be selected as a player character, by utilizing the dedicatedFIG. 5.FIG. 4shows an example non-limiting schematic diagram for explaining a method of adding a character using the dedicatedFIG. 5. The user puts the dedicatedFIG. 5, which corresponds to a character that he wants to add, close to or into contact with a place where the contactless communication unit21is built in the housing of the game machine1. In the example illustrated in the figure, the dedicatedFIG. 5imitating an appearance of a mouse is put into contact with the game machine1.

In the player character selection screen illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, a substantially fan-shaped graphic, a message “Touch Figure to Add Character”, and an arrow from the message to the substantially fan-shaped graphic are displayed at a bottom right corner of the display unit11. When the game machine1makes such display, the user can easily grasp which part of the housing of the game machine1the dedicatedFIG. 5is to be put into contact with.

When contactless communication with a data storage medium such as the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6by the contactless communication unit21becomes possible, the processing unit10of the game machine1requests the data storage medium to transmit identification data. In response to the request from the game machine1, the IC tag50of the dedicatedFIG. 5reads the identification data53astored in the storage unit53and transmits the read identification data53a. The same goes for the IC tag60of the IC card6. The processing unit10of the game machine1determines whether the received identification data is to be given to the dedicatedFIG. 5or not, so as to determine whether the partner of contactless communication is the dedicatedFIG. 5or not. For example, the game machine1makes a determination on the basis of a list of identification data53agiven to the dedicatedFIG. 5.

When determining that the partner of contactless communication is the dedicatedFIG. 5, the processing unit10of the game machine1requests the dedicatedFIG. 5to transmit the stats data53b. In response to the request from the game machine1, the IC tag50of the dedicatedFIG. 5reads the status data53bstored in the storage unit53and transmits the read status data53b. Upon receiving the status data53b, the processing unit10of the game machine1adds a character according to the identification data53aand the status data53bto the player character selection screen and displays the player character selection screen at the display unit11. That is, data stored in the dedicatedFIG. 5is correlated preliminarily with a content to be used for a game application. For example, the processing unit10judges the type of a character such as a rabbit or an elephant in accordance with the identification data53aacquired from the dedicatedFIG. 5. The processing unit10acquires data such as an image according to the type of a character from the character data92of the secondary storage unit16. Here, the processing unit10does not use status, such as an offensive power and a speed, of a character included in the character data92. The processing unit10decides the status, such as an offensive power and a speed, of a character in accordance with the status data53bacquired from the dedicatedFIG. 5.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 4, a character of a mouse is additionally displayed in a player character selection screen, corresponding to the dedicatedFIG. 5of a mouse. The processing unit10of the game machine1acquires image data related to a character of a mouse from the character data92of the secondary storage unit16on the basis of the identification data53aacquired from the dedicatedFIG. 5and displays the acquired image data. The processing unit10displays an offensive power and a speed of a character of a mouse in accordance with the status data53bacquired from the dedicatedFIG. 5. The processing unit10displays a star mark after the name of the character according to the dedicatedFIG. 5, so that the user can distinguish the character according to the dedicatedFIG. 5from other characters. The user can select any one character from a plurality of characters displayed in the player character selection screen and operate the selected character to play a game. Here, the user may select the character according to the dedicatedFIG. 5or select any other character. Although a star mark is displayed at the name of the character according to the dedicatedFIG. 5in the present embodiment so as to distinguish the character from other characters, it is to be noted that this is not restrictive. It is only required that a character according to the dedicatedFIG. 5and other characters are displayed in a distinguishable manner.

The processing unit10of the game machine1stores the identification data53aand the status data53b, which have been received from the dedicatedFIG. 5, in the primary storage unit15. When there arises a need to display a player character selection screen thereafter, the processing unit10displays a character included in the possession character list of the user and a character according to the identification data53aand the status data53bstored in the primary storage unit15as options. Accordingly, the user does not need to repeat a work to cause the game machine1to load the dedicatedFIG. 5every time a player character selection screen is displayed. Here, the identification data53a, the status data53band the like stored in the primary storage unit15are discarded when execution of the game program91is terminated at the game machine1or when the game machine1is powered off, for example.

With the game machine1according to the present embodiment, the user can add a character, which can be selected as a player character, by utilizing the IC card6or the like.FIG. 5shows an example non-limiting schematic diagram for explaining a method of adding a character using the IC card6. The user can add a character by putting a variety of IC cards6such as his employee ID card (the ABCDE Corporation Employee ID Card in the figure), for example, close to or into contact with a place where the contactless communication unit21is built in the housing of the game machine1.

When contactless communication with the data storage medium by the contactless communication unit21becomes possible, the processing unit10of the game machine1requests the data storage medium to transmit identification data. In response to the request from the game machine1, the IC tag60of the IC card6reads identification data stored in the storage unit and transmits the read identification data. The processing unit10of the game machine1determines that the partner of contactless communication is not the dedicatedFIG. 5or, in other words, the partner of contactless communication is an IC card6, on the basis of the received identification data.

When determining that the partner of contactless communication is the IC card6, the processing unit10of the game machine1decides a character to be added, on the basis of the identification data of the IC card6. The game machine1stores a table, an arithmetic expression or the like to be used for deciding a character on the basis of identification data. The processing unit10decides one character using the stored table, arithmetic expression or the like, and acquires data such as an image according to the decided character from the character data92of the secondary storage unit16. That is, when the partner of contactless communication is the IC card6, correspondence with a content is decided in accordance with the read data. For example, assume here a case where the identification data of the IC card6is given by a numerical value, 100 characters are included in the character data92, and labels from 0 to 99 are attached to the respective characters. In such a case, the processing unit10of the game machine1divides identification data with 100 and calculates the remainder, so as to decide that the character of the IC card6is a character of a label corresponding to the calculated remainder. Here, the character deciding method is exemplary, and other methods such as decision based on random numbers may be used.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 5, a character of a monkey is additionally displayed in the player character selection screen, corresponding to the IC card6of an employee ID card. The processing unit10of the game machine1decides that the character is a monkey on the basis of the identification data acquired from the IC card6. The processing unit10acquires image data related to a character of a monkey from the character data92of the secondary storage unit16and displays the acquired image data. The processing unit10acquires status, such as an offensive power and a speed, of a monkey from the character data92and displays the acquired status. The processing unit10displays a double circle mark after the name of the character according to the IC card6, so that the user can distinguish the character according to the IC card6from other characters. The user may select the character according to the IC card6displayed in the player character selection screen, or may select another character. The processing unit10of the game machine1stores the identification data received from the IC card6in the primary storage unit15. When there arises a need to display a player character selection screen thereafter, the processing unit10can display the character corresponding to the IC card6as an option in accordance with the identification data stored in the primary storage unit15.

Although a double circle mark is displayed at the name of the character according to the IC card6in the present embodiment so as to distinguish the character from other characters, it is to be noted that this is not restrictive. It is only required that the character according to the IC card6and other characters are displayed in a distinguishable manner. Although data acquired from the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6is stored in the primary storage unit15in the present embodiment, this is not restrictive. For example, data acquired from the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6may be discarded every time the player character selection screen is hidden. The user may perform a work to load the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6every time a player character selection screen is displayed. On the contrary, data acquired from the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6may be stored in the secondary storage unit16so as to prevent the data from being discarded.

The processing unit10of the game machine1accepts selection of a player character in the player character selection screen and then initiates game processing which uses the selected player character.FIG. 6shows an example non-limiting schematic diagram for explaining an example of a game. In the example illustrated in the figure, a player character101of an elephant selected by the user, and a plurality of enemy characters102of turtled and squids to be controlled by the processing unit10of the game machine1are displayed at the display unit11. The user can move the player character101using the cross key of the operation unit13. The user can cause the player character101to attack an enemy character102using a push button A or B. The processing unit10of the game machine1determines success/failure of attack to an enemy character102by the player character101in accordance with an operation by the user. The processing unit10determines succession/failure of attack to the player character101by an enemy character102.

With the present embodiment, after initiation of a game, the user can cause a character corresponding to the dedicatedFIG. 5to appear in the game as a helper character by causing the game machine1to load the dedicatedFIG. 5.FIG. 7shows an example non-limiting schematic diagram for explaining a helper character. In the example illustrated in the figure, a character of a mouse is displayed in the game screen as a helper character103, corresponding to the dedicatedFIG. 5of a mouse. For example, the helper character103automatically attacks an enemy character102for a certain time. Processing of the helper character103is performed automatically on the basis of loading of the dedicatedFIG. 5, not depending on selection by the user.

It is to be noted that the processing unit10of the game machine1may make the following limitation regarding the helper character103. For example, when the player character101is a character corresponding to the dedicatedFIG. 5, the game machine1may make limitation not to cause a character corresponding to the same dedicatedFIG. 5to appear as a helper character103. For example, the game machine1may limit the number of times the helper character103appears in one game. The processing unit10of the game machine1may cause the helper character103to appear in accordance with contactless communication with the IC card6after initiation of a game.

With the present embodiment, the user can obtain a point in accordance with his performance in the game. The user can increase status, such as an offensive power and a speed, of a character using an obtained point. A character having status which can be increased is a character corresponding to the dedicatedFIG. 5.FIG. 8shows an example non-limiting schematic diagram for explaining increase in status of a character. When the user selects growth of a character from a menu or the like, for example, the processing unit10of the game machine1displays a character growth screen illustrated in the figure. It is to be noted that the processing unit10may display a character growth screen illustrated in the figure after displaying a list of characters which can be grown by the user and accepting selection of a character to be grown from the list, for example.

In the character growth screen, the user can increase status, such as an offensive power and a speed, of a character using the operation unit13. The user increases the status and then causes the game machine1to load the dedicatedFIG. 5of a corresponding character, so as to update the status data53bstored in the storage unit53of the dedicatedFIG. 5. The processing unit10of the game machine1accepts an operation to increase status by the operation unit13and increases the status of the character. Thereafter, the processing unit10displays a message to prompt the user to perform an operation to load a corresponding dedicatedFIG. 5. In the example illustrated in the figure, the game machine1displays a message “Touch Character Having Status to be Grown” on the lower right of the display unit11or, in other words, in the vicinity of a position where the contactless communication unit21is mounted.

The processing unit10of the game machine1performs contactless communication with the dedicatedFIG. 5by the contactless communication21and acquires the identification data53astored in the storage unit53. The processing unit10determines whether the dedicatedFIG. 5of a contactless communication partner corresponds to a character having status which has been increased or not. When the dedicatedFIG. 5does not correspond to a character having status which has been increased, the processing unit10displays an error message or the like at the display unit11. When the dedicatedFIG. 5corresponds to a character having status which has been increased, the processing unit10transmits a rewrite command of the status data53bto the dedicatedFIG. 5by the contactless communication unit21together with new status data53b. The IC tag50of the dedicatedFIG. 5updates the status data53bstored in the storage unit53in accordance with the rewrite command from the game machine1.

As described above, the user can enjoy a game using a character having status which has been increased even when the user plays a game with another game machine1, by updating the status data53bstored in the storage unit53of the dedicatedFIG. 5. It is to be noted that the game machine1in the present embodiment does not perform processing to write the status data of a character corresponding to the IC card6into the storage unit of the IC tag60of the IC card6.

Next, processing to be performed by the game machine1according to the present embodiment will be explained using a flowchart.FIG. 9shows an example non-limiting flowchart for illustrating the procedures of player character selection acceptance processing to be performed by the game machine1. When an item of player character selection is selected from a menu or the like displayed at the display unit11, for example, the processing unit10of the game machine1reads the possession character list stored in the secondary storage unit16together with saved data of a game (step S1). The processing unit10reads information of a character stored in the primary storage unit15(step S2). It is to be noted that the information of a character to be read in the step S2is identification data, status data and the like, which have been read before by contactless communication with the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6.

The processing unit10reads the character data92stored in the secondary storage unit16(step S3). Thus, the processing unit10acquires image data, status and the like pertaining to a character, which is included in the possession character list read in the step S1, and a character according to information read in the step S2. The processing unit10generates a player character selection screen, which displays a list of characters that can be selected by the user, at the display processing unit33in accordance with the acquired image data, status and the like, and displays the generated player character selection screen at the display unit11(step S4).

When a player character selection screen is displayed, the processing unit10accepts an operation to the operation unit13by the operation acceptance processing unit31and determines the operation content. Thus, the processing unit10determines whether a character selection operation has been accepted or not (step S5). When a character selection operation has not been accepted (S5: NO), the processing unit10determines whether contactless communication with the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6has been performed by the contactless communication unit21or not (step S6). When contactless communication has not been performed (S6: NO), the processing unit10returns the process to the step S3. The processing unit10waits until it accepts a character selection operation or until contactless communication is performed.

When contactless communication is performed (S6: YES), the tag data processing unit34of the processing unit10performs contactless communication with the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6. By contactless communication, the data processing unit34reads the identification data53astored in the storage unit53of the IC tag50or the identification data stored in the storage unit of the IC tag60(step S7). The tag data processing unit34determines whether the partner of contactless communication is the dedicatedFIG. 5or not on the basis of the read identification data (step S8). When the partner of contactless communication is the dedicatedFIG. 5(S8: YES), the tag data processing unit34reads the status data53bstored in the storage unit53of the dedicatedFIG. 5by contactless communication (step S9) and returns the process to the step S3. When the partner of contactless communication is not a dedicatedFIG. 5(S8: NO) or, in other words, when the partner of contactless communication is an IC card6, the tag data processing unit34decides a character on the basis of the identification data read in the step S7(step S10) and returns the process to the step S3. The processing unit10reads data of a character corresponding to the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6which has performed contactless communication in the step S3. The processing unit10displays a player character selection screen, which includes the read character that has been added, in the step S4.

When accepting a character selection operation in the step S5(S5: YES), the processing unit10decides that the player character is the selected character (step S11) and terminates the player character selection acceptance processing.

FIG. 10shows an example non-limiting flowchart for illustrating the procedures of game processing to be performed by the game machine1. When accepting a game initiation operation, the processing unit10of the game machine1initiates game processing. The processing unit10accepts an operation to the operation unit13by the operation acceptance processing unit31(step S21). The game processing unit32of the processing unit10performs game processing in accordance with the accepted operation (step S22). Game processing is, for example, determination of success/failure or the like of movement or attack of a player character according to an accepted operation; movement or attack of an enemy character according to a predetermined routine for game programming or the like; and attack by a player character and an enemy character. The processing unit10determines whether contactless communication with the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6has been performed by the contactless communication unit21during game processing or not (step S23). When contactless communication has not been performed (S23: NO), the processing unit10returns the process to the step S21.

When contactless communication has been performed (S23: YES), the tag data processing unit34of the processing unit10performs contactless communication by the contactless communication unit21. By contactless communication, the tag data processing unit34reads the identification data53astored in the storage unit53of the IC tag50or the identification data stored in the storage unit of the IC tag60(step S24). The processing unit10determines whether a character pertaining to the read identification data overlaps with a player character or not (step S25). When the character pertaining to the identification data overlaps with the player character (S25: YES), the processing unit10returns the process to the step S21.

When the character pertaining to the identification data does not overlap with the player character (S25: NO), the tag data processing unit34determines whether the partner of contactless communication is a dedicatedFIG. 5or not on the basis of the read identification data (step S26). When the partner of contactless communication is a dedicatedFIG. 5(S26: YES), the tag data processing unit34reads the status data53bstored in the storage unit53of the dedicatedFIG. 5by contactless communication (step S27). When the partner of contactless communication is not a dedicatedFIG. 5(S26: NO), the tag data processing unit34decides a character on the basis of the identification data read in the step S24(step S28). Thereafter, the processing unit10adds a character corresponding to the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6, which has performed contactless communication, to the game as a helper character (step S29), and returns the process to the step S21so as to perform game processing which includes the helper character.

FIG. 11shows an example non-limiting flowchart for illustrating the procedures of status data update processing of the dedicatedFIG. 5to be performed by the game machine1. When an item of character growth is selected from a menu or the like displayed at the display unit11, for example, the processing unit10of the game machine1generates a character growth screen by the display processing unit33and displays the generated character growth screen at the display unit11(step S41). The processing unit10accepts a status increase operation of a character by the operation acceptance processing unit31(step S42). The processing unit10performs processing to increase status according to the accepted operation (step S43). The processing unit10determines whether status increase processing is to be terminated on the basis of a factor such as a status confirmation operation or not (step S44). When determining that status increase processing is not to be terminated (S44: NO), the processing unit10returns the process to the step S41.

When determining that status increase processing is to be terminated (S44: YES), the processing unit10displays a message, which prompts to put the dedicatedFIG. 5into contact with or adjacent to the game machine1, at the display unit11by the display processing unit33(step S45). The processing unit10determines whether contactless communication with the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6has been performed by the contactless communication unit21or not (step S46). When contactless communication has not been performed (S46: NO), the processing unit10returns the process to the step S45and continues displaying of a message.

When contactless communication has been performed (S46: YES), the tag data processing unit34of the processing unit10performs contactless communication by the contactless communication unit21. By contactless communication, the tag data processing unit34reads the identification data53astored in the storage unit53of the IC tag50or the identification data stored in the storage unit of the IC tag60(step S47). The processing unit10determines whether a character pertaining to the read identification data coincides with a character having status which is to be increased or not or, in other words, whether contactless communication with a correct dedicatedFIG. 5has been performed or not (step S48). When contactless communication with a correct dedicatedFIG. 5has not been performed (S48: NO), the processing unit10displays an error message at the display unit11by the display processing unit33(step S49) and returns the process to the step S45. When contactless communication with a correct dedicatedFIG. 5has been performed (S48: YES), the tag data processing unit34gives a write command of the status data53bto the dedicatedFIG. 5by contactless communication. Upon receiving the write command, the tag data processing unit34updates the status data53bof the dedicatedFIG. 5(step S50) and terminates the status data update processing. It is to be noted that processing at each step in the flowcharts illustrated inFIGS. 9 to 11is exemplary, and the process procedures of the respective steps may be interchanged, or another processing may be executed in addition to or instead of processing at each step, as long as a similar result can be obtained.

In a game system according to the present embodiment having the above configuration, the game machine1stores data pertaining to a plurality of characters in the secondary storage unit16or the recording medium9as character data92. The game machine1displays at least one character among a plurality of stored characters at the display unit11as a selection object of a player character of the user. The game machine1performs contactless communication with the IC tag50of the dedicatedFIG. 5by the contactless communication unit21and acquires data such as the identification data53a. The game machine1displays a character according to the acquired data at the display unit11as a selection object of a player character. The game machine1accepts selection of a player character from characters displayed as selection objects, and performs game processing using the accepted player character. Thus, it is possible to increase options of a player character for the user and improve the attraction of a game. The game machine1displays both of a character stored in the secondary storage unit16and a character corresponding to the dedicatedFIG. 5as selection objects. Thus, the user can easily select a character, and therefore it is possible to improve the operability, the convenience and the like pertaining to a game. It is to be noted that a character selected by the user is operated as a player character. A plurality of characters, which can be selected, respectively have different status, such as offensive powers and speeds, and therefore a change occurs in game processing depending on which character is selected.

The game machine1displays a plurality of characters as selection objects in such a manner that a character pertaining to the dedicatedFIG. 5can be distinguished from the other characters. For example, the game machine1attaches a star mark at the name of a character pertaining to the dedicatedFIG. 5in display. Thus, the user can easily judge which character pertains to a dedicatedFIG. 5.

The IC tag50of the dedicatedFIG. 5stores the status data53bof a character in the storage unit53. The game machine1acquires the status data53bfrom the dedicatedFIG. 5by contactless communication. The game machine1reflects the acquired status data53bon status, such as an offensive power and a speed, of a character to be displayed as a selection object. The game machine1changes the status of a character in accordance with game results or the like and updates the status data53bstored in the dedicatedFIG. 5by contactless communication. Thus, the user can write data of a grown character into the dedicatedFIG. 5with one game machine1and enjoy a game using the grown character with another game machine1. In updating of the status data53b, the game machine1checks that a dedicatedFIG. 5, which is performing contactless communication, is a dedicatedFIG. 5having status data53bwhich is to be updated. Thus, it is possible to prevent status data53bof another dedicatedFIG. 5from being updated.

The game machine1stores data such as the identification data53aand the status data53bacquired from the dedicatedFIG. 5in the primary storage unit15. In displaying of a plurality of characters as selection objects, the game machine1also displays a character according to data stored in the primary storage unit15as a selection object. Thus, it becomes unnecessary to put the same dedicatedFIG. 5into contact with or adjacent to the game machine1every time the user selects a player character, and therefore the convenience is improved. It is to be noted that the data stored in the primary storage unit15is discarded when a game is terminated or when the game machine1is powered off, for example.

The game machine1can perform contactless communication not only with a specific dedicatedFIG. 5correlated with the game program91but also with other elements such as the IC card6. The game machine1acquires the identification data stored in the IC card6by contactless communication. The game machine1decides a character on the basis of the acquired identification data. The game machine1acquires data related to the decided character from the character data92and displays the character as a selection object of a player character. Thus, the user can increase options of a player character even when he does not possess a dedicatedFIG. 5. The user can enjoy checking which character is displayed, by causing the game machine1to load a variety of IC cards6existing around the user, and the attraction of a game can be improved. The game machine1displays a character pertaining to an IC card6and other characters in a distinguishable manner. For example, the game machine1attaches a double circle mark at the name of the character pertaining to an IC card6in display. Thus, the user can easily judge which character pertains to the IC card6. It is to be noted that the game machine1does not perform processing to increase status of the character pertaining to the IC card6, processing to write the status data into the storage unit of the IC card6, and the like. Thus, it is possible to prevent data, which is to be utilized for the original purpose of the IC card6, from being rewritten.

During game processing pertaining to a player character selected by the user, the game machine1can perform contactless communication with a dedicatedFIG. 5or an IC card6by the contactless communication unit21. The game machine1causes a character according to data acquired from the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6by contactless communication to appear in a game as a helper character in game processing. Thus, the user can use the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6for a purpose other than adding a character which can be selected as a player character. It is to be noted that the game machine1causes a character to appear in a game as a helper character when the character according to data acquired from the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6differs from a player character.

The game machine1has a built-in contactless communication unit21. Thus, the user does not need to perform a work such as connection of the game machine1with another apparatus in order to perform contactless communication. The user can easily perform contactless communication with the game machine1by putting the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6into contact with or adjacent to the game machine1. The contactless communication unit21of the game machine1is disposed adjacent to the display unit11, and the game machine1displays, at a part of the display unit11close to the place where the contactless communication unit21is disposed, a message, an image or the like which prompts to put the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6into contact with or adjacent to the game machine1. Thus, the user can easily grasp which part of the game machine1the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6is to be put into contact with or adjacent to.

Although an example of a game wherein a player character operated by the user attacks an enemy character has been described in the present embodiment, it is to be noted that the game content is exemplary and not restrictive. Although the game machine1in the present embodiment is designed to add a character to be selected as a player character by performing contactless communication with the dedicatedFIG. 5or the IC card6, a content to be added as an option by contactless communication is not limited to a character. For example, a stage to appear in a game, or a weapon, an item or the like to be used by a player character may be added. Similar technology can be applied to an application other than a game. For example, an electronic book may be additionally displayed at a bookshelf, which includes a plurality of electronic books arranged therein, in accordance with contactless communication with an IC card or the like, so as to allow the user to select an electronic book to browse. Similarly, a content such as a moving image, a still image or music may be treated. Moreover, the game screens illustrated inFIGS. 3 to 8are exemplary and not restrictive.

Although the present embodiment has been described using the game machine1of a portable type as an example, this is not restrictive. For example, similar technology can be applied to a variety of information processing apparatuses such as a stationary game machine, a generic computer, a tablet type terminal device or a portable phone. In the case of a stationary game machine, the contactless communication unit21may be built not in the body portion but in a portable type controller or the like. In the case of an apparatus such as a generic computer which does not have a built-in contactless communication unit21, another device for performing contactless communication may be connected wiredly or wirelessly.

Although a dedicatedFIG. 5is used as a specific data storage medium corresponding to the game program91in the present embodiment, this is not restrictive. A data storage medium may be a dedicated IC card or the like, or may be another type of a medium. Although the game machine1in the present embodiment is designed to perform contactless communication according to the NFC standard, this is not restrictive. The game machine1may be designed to perform contactless communication according to a communication standard other than NFC. A part or whole of processing, which is performed by the processing unit10of the game machine1in the present embodiment, may be performed by another apparatus such as a server machine, so that processing is realized by cooperation of a plurality of apparatuses. A variety of programs or data such as the game program91or the character data92may be stored in a apparatus such as a server machine, so that the game machine1acquires a program or data from the server machine as necessary.

Although the processing unit10of the game machine1in the present embodiment executes the game program91so that units from the operation acceptance processing unit31to the tag data processing unit34are provided in the processing unit10as software functional blocks, this is not restrictive. A part of functions of units from the operation acceptance processing unit31to the tag data processing unit34may be provided as a function of an OS (Operating System), for example. A part of functions of units from the operation acceptance processing unit31to the tag data processing unit34may also be provided as hardware functional blocks.

Although the game machine1in the present embodiment is designed to acquire data such as an image of a character to be displayed in a game screen from the character data92stored in the secondary storage unit16or the recording medium9, this is not restrictive. For example, the game machine1may be designed to store data such as an image of a character in the storage unit53of the IC tag50of the dedicatedFIG. 5. Although the storage unit53of the dedicatedFIG. 5in the present embodiment is designed to store the status data53b, such as an offensive power and a speed, of a character, data to be stored is not limited to this. The storage unit53of the dedicatedFIG. 5may store information related to a user who possesses the dedicatedFIG. 5, for example. The storage unit53of the dedicatedFIG. 5may also store saved data of a game, for example, or may store a variety of other data.

When used in the present specification, each element or the like denoted in a singular form with a word “a” or “an” attached in front thereof is to be understood not to eliminate the possibility of a plurality of elements related thereto.

An information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, which displays a stored content and a content according to data acquired by contactless communication as selection objects, can increase options for the user and improve the attraction of an application such as a game pertaining to the contents.