Apparatus and method for classifying groups of users

The present invention relates to a game device that provides a competitive game played by a plurality of teams and a team division method in the competitive game.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game provided by a video game machine for business use or a video game machine for home use, there is a competitive game in which a game is played by a plurality of teams. There are various aspects of the system that provides this competitive game, and when it is composed of one game machine, when a plurality of game machines are connected to each other, and further, a plurality of game machines are used. And the game server device may be connected by a network.

[0003] By the way, in this kind of competitive game, the player has conventionally decided which team (group) the player belongs to to play the game. In other words, it was common to respect the will of the players and divide them into teams.

[0004] For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-155063), an entry section for a player to select an arbitrary team from a plurality of teams and enter the game prior to the start of the game. A game system comprising the above is disclosed.

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-155063 [0006] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, when the players of a competitive game are divided into teams (groups), as described above. When the player's intention is respected, for example, the fighting ability may be too different between the teams, and the game may become uninteresting.

[0007] Further, when the number of participating players increases, each player has to operate the entry, so that there is a problem that it takes time to divide the team.

[0008] Further, when strangers participate in a competitive game through a network, what kind of standard does the player have when the player is made to specify a team by an entry operation through the entry section as described above? Since I don't know if I should choose a team, I can't say that I respected the intentions of the players, and there was also the problem that the entry operation became meaningless and the entry operation became rather troublesome.

[0009] In view of the above problems, the present invention can eliminate the troublesome operation of team designation by the player and allow the player to fully enjoy the fun of the competitive game. It is an object of the present invention to provide a team division method in a game device and a competitive game.

[Means for Solving the Problem] In order to solve the problem, the game device according to the present invention is used by a game player.<u style="single">Multiple types</u>A biological information acquisition means for detecting and acquiring biological information and a biological information acquisition means acquired by the biological information acquisition means.<u style="single">The multiple types</u>Biological information<u style="single">Placed in a multidimensional biometric coordinate space</u>With the biometric information analysis means to be analyzed and the biometric information analysis means<u style="single">Placed</u>Of the biometric information<u style="single">Based on the position in the biological information coordinate space</u>, A team determining means for determining the team to which the player belongs, and a feature.

[0011] According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the team to which the player who operates the operation controller belongs is determined based on the analysis result of the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition means. Therefore, the group input designation of the player is unnecessary, and which team is classified is determined by the biometric information, so that the team is assigned to an unexpected team without spoiling the fun of the competitive game. It becomes possible to divide.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of a team division method in a game device and a competitive game according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment; Self-supporting Type] FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a game system including the game device of the first embodiment, and the first embodiment is one game. It is a system consisting of devices. As shown in FIG. 2, the game system of the first embodiment includes a game device main body 1, an operation controller 21, 22, ..., 2n (n is an integer of 1 or more; the same applies hereinafter) and a living body. It consists of sensors 31, 32, ..., 3n and a monitor device 4.

[0014] The monitor device 4 is configured as a display device with a speaker, and the display device portion is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like. Of course, instead of the monitor device 4, a speaker device and a display device may be provided separately.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game device main body 1 has an operation controller interface 11, a biosensor interface 12, an image display interface 13, an acoustic output interface 14, and an operation controller interface 11 for a control unit 10. The multi-disk drive 15, the memory cartridge drive 16, and the memory card interface 17 are connected and configured.

[0016] The control unit 10 connects the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 through the system bus 102 to at least the program ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, the work area RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, and the main memory. It is configured with a microcomputer connected to the 105.

[0017] Each of the operation controllers 21, 22, ..., 2n inputs an instruction operation in the game such as a movement of a character assigned to each of the operation controllers 21, 22, ..., 2n in the game. It is connected to the control unit 10 through the operation controller interface 11.

[0018] Further, each of the biosensors 31, 32, ..., 3n is connected to the control unit 10 through the biosensor interface 12. Each of the biosensors 31, 32, ..., 3n is an example of the biometric information acquisition means, and detects the biometric information of the player who operates each of the operation controllers 21, 22, ..., 2n. Is for.

[0019] Here, as the biometric information detected by each of the biochemical sensors 31, 32, ..., 3n, any biochemical information that is useful as information for dividing the players into teams can be used. Often, for example, breathing, myoelectricity, blinking, body surface temperature, skin sweating, skin resistance, pulse, electrocardiogram, heartbeat, biochemical reactions, brain waves, magnetoencephalography, etc.<u style="single">Figure, Ma</u>Icrovibration, blood pressure, body movement, etc. are examples of biometric information.

[0020] In this example, each of the biosensors 31, 32, ..., 3n is configured to be worn on a player's arm or the like, for example, body surface temperature, skin sweating, skin resistance, pulse. , Microvibration, etc. are detected as biological information.

[0021] The method for detecting biological information is not limited to the type that is attached to the human body for detection as in the biological sensor of this example, and is not limited to, for example, body movement, respiration, blinking, and body. The surface temperature and the like can be detected by a non-contact detection method for the human body, for example, using an optical sensor or a video camera.

[0022] Each of the biosensors 31, 32, ..., 3n is associated with each of the operation controllers 21, 22, ..., 2n in this example. That is, in the game device main body 1, the operation controller 21 and the biosensor 31 are associated with each other for the player 1, and the operation controller 22 and the biosensor 32 are associated with each other. It is intended for player 2, and ... It is a set in which the operation controller 2n and the biological sensor 3n are associated with each other, and is intended for player n.

[0023] In this example, the game device main body 1 is provided with jacks for an operation controller and a biosensor that form the associated set adjacent to each other (not shown), and is shown in FIG. As shown, the cable connected to the operation controller and the cable connected to the biosensor are bundled together to form the associated set, and the correspondence relationship is clarified.

[0024] As a result, the player inserts the plugs provided at the ends of the cables of the operation controller and the biosensor forming the associated set into the corresponding jacks. The control unit 10 recognizes that the operation controller with the plug inserted into the corresponding jack corresponds to the biosensor.

The program that controls the game is stored in an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM) or DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc-ROM) or a memory cartridge.

[0026] The CD-ROM or DVD-ROM is loaded into the multi-disk drive 15, and a program that controls the game (hereinafter referred to as a game program) is read according to an instruction from the control unit 10, and the main of the control unit 10. It is loaded into memory 105 and the game runs. Memory cartridge In the case of a memory cartridge, the game is loaded into the memory cartridge drive 16 and the game program is read according to an instruction from the control unit 10 and loaded into the main memory 105 of the control unit 10 to play the game. Is executed.

[0027] The display image signal from the display image signal processing circuit 13 is supplied to the display device unit of the monitor device 4, and the sound output signal from the sound output signal processing circuit 14 is supplied to the monitor device 4 through an amplifier. It is supplied to the speaker 4SP.

[0028] A display image signal is supplied to the display device unit of the monitor device 4 through the image display interface 13 according to the control of the control unit 10 according to the game program, and an image showing the progress of the game is displayed on the screen 4D. And instructions to the player are displayed.

Further, according to the control of the control unit 10 according to the game program, the acoustic output signal is supplied to the speaker 4SP of the monitor device 4 through the acoustic output interface 14, and the acoustic information presented as the game progresses is transmitted. , Sound is output from the speaker 4SP.

[0030] The memory card drive 17 is loaded with a memory card, and for example, game data and biometric information acquired from a player during a game, as will be described later, are written to and stored in the memory card. Will be done.

[Explanation of Operation of Game Device of First Embodiment] &lt;Flow from Start to End of Game&gt; FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the entire flow from the start to the end of the game.

First, when a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM containing a game program is loaded into the multi-disk drive 15, or a memory cartridge containing a game program is loaded into the memory cartridge drive 16, control is performed. Part 10 reads the game program from a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM or a memory cartridge and loads it into the main memory 105 (step S1).

Next, the control unit 10 performs initial setting of the game for starting the game (step S2). In this initial setting, the control unit 10 displays on the display screen 4D to prompt the player to input the setting items, and accepts the input of the setting items. In this case, instead of the screen display, or in addition to the screen display, a message prompting the player to input the setting items may be emitted from the speaker 4SP.

[0034] In this initial setting, as will be described later, the team division determination of which team each player participating in the game belongs to is determined by the biological sensors 31, 32, ..., 3n. It is based on the analysis result of the information.

Next, the control unit 10 waits for the game start operation to be performed (step S3), and when it determines that the game start operation has been performed, starts and executes the game (step S4).

[0036] Then, the control unit 10 determines whether or not a team division re-determination request has occurred from the game program during the execution of this game (step S5), and when it determines that a team division re-determination request has occurred, As will be described later, for each player, the team division is re-determined based on the analysis result of the biometric information from the biometric sensors 31, 32, ..., 3n (step S6).

[0037] When it is determined in step S5 that the team division re-determination request has not occurred, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the game end instruction has been given (step S7), and when it is determined that the game end instruction has not been given, the control unit 10 determines. Returning to step S4, the game is continued, and when it is determined that the game end instruction has been given, the processing routine shown in FIG. 3 is terminated.

&lt;First example of team division process&gt; [Team division determination process at the time of initial setting] Next, regarding the team division determination process in the initial setting in step S2 of FIG. 3, referring to the flowchart of FIG. explain.

[0039] First, the control unit 10 outputs a message prompting the player to wear the biosensor by the display of the display screen 4D of the monitor device 4 and / or the sound emitted from the speaker 4SP (step S11). ). Next, the control unit 10 confirms the operation of the biosensor and detects which biosensor is attached (step S12). When the biosensor is attached to the player, the control unit 10 confirms the operation of the biosensor and detects the attached biosensor by utilizing the fact that bioinformation other than noise can be detected.

Next, the control unit 10 is associated with the player by the display of the display screen 4D of the monitor device 4 and / or the sound emitted from the speaker 4SP so as to form a set. And a data input for associating the biosensor with the player, for example, a message instructing the input of the player's name is output (step S13). This is because, in this example, when the team division determination result is notified to the player, the team name or the like is notified corresponding to the player's name.

Next, the control unit 10 waits for the completion of data input such as the names of all the players participating in the game (step S14), and when it is determined that the data input is completed, the control unit 10 forms a pair. The association between the associated operation controller and biosensor and the player is stored in, for example, RAM 104 and set (step S15).

Next, in this example, the control unit 10 reads out the image information stored in the main memory 105 for acquiring the biological information from the player and displays it on the screen 4D of the monitor device 4. (Step S16). Here, as the image information for acquiring the biological information from the player, for example, image information capable of performing a psychological test or a personality judgment of the player is used.

[0043] Then, the control unit 10 detects the biological information of each player who saw the display on the screen 4D of the monitor device from each of the biological sensors attached to each player, and the detected biological body. Analyze the information (step S17).

[0044] Then, from the analysis result of the biometric information of each player participating in the game, it is determined which team each player belongs to (step S18), and the determination result is input in step S13. Corresponding to the name of each player, for example, it is displayed on the screen 4D of the monitor device 4 to notify the player (step S19). Of course, the sound from the speaker 4SP may be used to notify, in addition to or instead of the screen display, which team the player belongs to.

When a small display such as an LCD is attached to each of the operation controllers 21, 22, ..., 2n, the operation controllers 21, 22, ... It is also possible to display the team to which the player who operates each of 2n belongs.

[0046] When displaying on the display attached to the operation controller in this way, the player knows which team he / she was assigned to without displaying the team name and the player name in correspondence with each other. be able to.

Further, when the monitor device 4 does not display the team to which each player belongs but displays only on the respective LCDs of the operation controllers 21, 22, ..., 2n, the operation is performed. Since it is possible to make it impossible for anyone other than the player who operates each of the controllers 21, 22, ..., 2n to know the team to which the player belongs, who is which team until the game is started? It can remain unknown, which has the effect of increasing the enjoyment of the game.

[0048] In steps S17 and S18, as a method of analyzing the biological information and determining the team to which the player belongs, for example, the following method can be used.

[0049] For example, each of the biosensors 31, 32, ..., 3n is configured to consist of a plurality of biosensors so that a plurality of types of biometric information can be detected. Assuming that each of the biosensors 31, 32, ..., 3n consists of k biosensors (k is an integer of 2 or more), the measurement data of the biometric information for each player is a k-dimensional living body. It becomes information data.

[0050] That is, assuming that each of the biometric information obtained from the k biosensors is biometric data 1, biometric data 2, ..., Biological data k, the measurement data for each player is a k-dimensional living body. It can be expressed as information data (biological data 1, biometric data 2, ..., biometric data k).

[0051] On the other hand, a plurality of dimensional biometric information spaces are constructed from a plurality of types of biometric information obtained from a plurality of biometric sensors. Then, the team to which each player belongs is determined by arranging the measurement data of the biometric information about each player in the biometric information space.

That is, for example, coordinate 1 = a1 (biological data 1) + a2 (biological data 2) + ... + ak (biological data k) Coordinate 2 = b1 (biological data 1) + b2 (biological data 2) When + ... + bk (biological data k) ..., the m-dimensional biometric information space coordinates are represented by spatial coordinates (coordinate 1, coordinate 2, ..., coordinate m). a1, a2 ... ak and b1, b2 ... bk are coefficients including 0 (zero).

[0053] For example, for each player, five types of biological information, for example, pulse, respiratory rate, body temperature, sweating, and blinking, are measured, and among the measured data, pulse, body temperature, and sweating are measured. The linear sum is calculated as the data at coordinate 1, and the linear sum of the respiratory rate and the blink is calculated as the data at coordinate 2. For example, coordinate 1 can be a coordinate representing "hot blood degree" because pulse, body temperature, and sweating increase when excited, and coordinate 2 does not change much in respiratory rate and blinking if calm. Therefore, it can be a coordinate representing "calmness".

Then, as the biometric information space coordinates, two-dimensional biocoordinate space coordinates (coordinates 1, coordinates 2) are configured, and a coordinate space composed of the two-dimensional biocoordinate space coordinates (coordinates 1, coordinates 2). The measurement data of the biological information of each player is placed on the top. Then, each player is grouped for teaming based on the placement state of the measurement data of the biometric information of each player in the biocoordinate space.

[0055] As a method of grouping each player placed in the biological information space, (1) a method of assigning players whose placement positions are close to each other to the same group and grouping similar ones into one group. , 2 There is a method to make players who are close to each other belong to different groups and eliminate the group difference. In the case of a method of grouping players whose placement positions are close to each other, a cluster analysis method can be used.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows an example of grouping in the case of (1) above, and each player is placed in a coordinate space composed of coordinate 1 of "hot blood degree" and coordinate 2 of "calmness". It shows a state in which the measurement data of the biological information is placed and the players whose placement positions are close to each other are grouped into group A and group B.

[0057] Therefore, when the players are grouped in the biometric information space as in the example of FIG. 5, the composition of the battle is "calm team" vs. "hot blood team". Then, in the case of grouping by the method of (2) described above, it is possible to realize a battle between teams in which calm members and enthusiastic members are evenly distributed to each team.

[Example of Team Division Change Process in Game] As described above, in this embodiment, the battle game program sends a team division redetermination request to the control unit 10 of the game apparatus main body 1 during the game. It is configured to do.

[0059] Here, the re-determination request for team division is made, for example, when the game progress reaches a predetermined scene (first case) in the game program, or when a predetermined condition is met while the game is in progress. (Second case), it happens.

[0060] An example of the former (first case) is when the game progresses from the first stage to the second stage, or when the game scene changes. Examples of the latter (second case) include (a) when players (game characters) approach each other within a predetermined distance on the field of the game during the game, and (b) the outcome of the game is determined. For example, (c) when the powers of the teams are competing and it is difficult to decide the outcome of the game, or when the conditions are met.

[0061] When such a team division re-determination request is received, the control unit 10 of the game device main body 1 re-records the biometric information about all the players in the case of the former (first case) example. It is taken in, the taken-in biometric information is analyzed, and the team division is re-judged from the analysis result. Further, in the case of the latter (second case), the biometric information about the player who matches the conditions is re-incorporated, the captured biometric information is analyzed, and the team division re-judgment is performed from the analysis result.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an in-game team change determination executed by the control unit 10 in response to the team division re-determination request.

[0063] That is, first, the player who determines the team change is specified (step S21). In the case of the first case described above, all the players are specified as the players who determine the team change. In the second case, identify the player who meets the conditions. The information for identifying these players is transmitted to the control unit 10 when the game program requests team division re-judgment.

[0064] Next, the control unit 10 detects the biometric information about the player identified as making the team division determination by the biometric sensor (step S22). Next, each of the detected biometric information is analyzed as described above (step S23), and based on the analysis result, the team to which each of the players identified as making the team division judgment belongs is re-determined. (Step S24).

Then, the re-judgment result is reflected in the game program (step S25). In addition, the team name determined by the re-judgment of the player specified as the team division determination is displayed on the display screen 4D of the monitor device 4 and / or by the sound emitted from the speaker 4SP. Is notified (step S26).

[0066] Also in this step S26, as described above, when the display is attached to the operation controller, the player may be notified only by the operation controller. In that case, only the player who changed the team knows that the team has been changed, and the team change can be hidden from other players.

[0067] As described above, in this embodiment, the team division is changed based on the biometric information of the player during the progress of the game. Since the biometric information of the player changes with time, the placement of the player in the biometric information space also changes with time. Therefore, it is possible to change the group to which the player belongs between the start time and the middle of the game.

[0068] Then, it can be expected that the fun of the game will increase, such as a new development in the progress of the game, due to the sudden change of the team of the players during the progress of the game.

[0069] When changing the grouping while the game is in progress, if the grouping is changed too frequently, the operation of the game becomes complicated and the fun of the game is halved. .. In order to solve this problem, in this example, when the group to which the player belongs is changed, a hysteresis characteristic is given to the change at the boundary between the groups.

That is, in FIG. 5, the boundary position is different between the case where the group belonging to the group A is changed to the group B and the case where the group B is changed to the group A on the contrary. For example, in FIG. 5, the boundary when the affiliation changes from group A to group B adopts the boundary 1 closer to the group B side, and conversely, the boundary when changing from group B to group A is group A. Adopt the boundary 2 closer to the side. By doing so, it is possible to avoid frequent changes in the belonging group, and the problem of complexity is solved.

[Other Examples of Team Division Change Processing in Game] In the above embodiment, when a team change request is generated during the game by the game program, the game device main body 1 is based on the team change request. Acquired and analyzed biometric information, and notified the game program of the team change result based on the analysis result so that the team change was reflected in the game. It is not limited to.

[0072] In another example of this team division change process, the control unit 10 of the game device main body 1 captures and analyzes biometric information about the player during the game, for example, at regular time intervals, and the analysis result. The team is judged for each player based on. As described above, since the biometric information of the player changes with time, the placement of the player in the biometric information space also changes with time, and the judgment result of the team to which the player belongs also changes with time.

Therefore, in another example of this team division change process, the control unit 10 determines whether or not a team change has occurred for each player from the team affiliation information for each player determined at regular time intervals. Judgment is made, and the result of the team change is transmitted to the game program so that the team change is reflected in the game.

[0074] In the case of this example, the game program is configured as software that receives a team change request from the control unit 10 of the game device main body 1 and reflects the change in the team setting in the game. In this case, the game program may have a software configuration that immediately reflects the team change request received in the game, but until the appropriate timing for the team change after the team change request is received. It may be a software configuration that waits and reflects the team change in the game.

[0075] In another example of this team division change process, it is better to prevent the team change from occurring more than necessary, but as a method for that, the affiliation must not cross the boundary for a predetermined time or more. A method can be used to keep it unchanged. In the case of such a method, the belonging group does not change when the boundary is crossed for a short time. As the boundary in this case, the boundary 1 having the hysteresis and the boundary 2 are used as in the above-mentioned example of the team division change processing.

&lt;Second example of team division process&gt; [Team division process at initial setting] In the team division process at the time of initial setting in the first example of the above-mentioned team division process, the operation controller and the biosensor are used. In association with this, the team to which the player belongs is determined based on the biometric information of the player who operates the operation controller, but the biometric information of another player is used instead of the biometric information of the player himself / herself. It may be used to determine the team to which the player belongs.

[0077] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the team division process in the initial setting in step S2 of FIG. 3 in the case of this example. The flowchart of FIG. 7 is exactly the same as the flowchart of FIG. 4, except that step S13 of the flowchart of FIG. 4 is changed to step S33 and step S15 is changed to step S35.

That is, in this example, in step S33, as shown in the display example of the display screen 4D of the monitor device 4 in FIG. 8, for example, a screen prompting the input of the name of each player and the input of the biosensor. Is displayed. Here, the player 1 means a player who operates the operation controller 21, the player 2 means a player who operates the operation controller 22, and so on.

[0079] In this example, as the initial setting, as described above, the operation controller 21 is associated with the biosensor 31, but the correspondence between the operation controller and the biosensor can be changed. Has been done. That is, when the correspondence between the operation controller and the biosensor is not changed, the same as the first example described above is obtained.

[0080] In the example of FIG. 8, the number of the biosensor for the player 3 MARY that operates the operation control 23 is changed from the initial setting 3 to 1. Therefore, for the player 3 "MARY" that operates the operation control 23, the team division determination is made based on the biometric information from the biometric sensor attached to the player 1 "SMITH" that operates the operation controller 21.

[0081] In step S35, since the correspondence between the operation controller and the biosensor was determined in step S15 in the case of the first example described above, the correspondence between them and the player name was set. In the case of, since the correspondence between the operation controller and the biosensor is canceled, the correspondence between the operation controller and the player who operates the operation controller is set, and the player who operates the operation controller and the biosensor are set. Correspondence with is set.

[0082] By making such a setting, the player 3 "MARY" is divided into teams based on the biometric information of the player 1 "SMITH", so that the player 3 can belong to a team other than the team expected by him / her. , Even the usual game can be in a different mode.

[Team division change processing in the game] In this example, even in the team change determination for the player in the middle of the game as described above, the player himself / herself associated with the setting in the initial setting. The analysis result of the biological information from the biological sensor worn by a player other than the player will be used. Therefore, for the player, the affiliation may be changed to an unexpected team at an unexpected timing, and it is possible to give diversity to the progress and development of the game.

[0084] In the above description, the team to which the player belongs is determined by using the biometric information from the same biometric sensor both at the start of the game and during the game. The biometric information used as the reference for team judgment may be changed between time and during the game.

[0085] For example, at the start of the game, the team to which the player belongs is determined based on the biometric information of the player who operates the operation controller, and during the game, the screen of FIG. 8 is set in advance before the start of the game. Alternatively, the change determination of the team to which the player belongs may be made based on the biometric information of another player set in the middle of the game.

[0086] On the contrary, at the start of the game, the team to which the game belongs is determined based on the biometric information of another player set in advance before the start of the game on the screen of FIG. 8, and the operation is performed during the game. The change determination of the team to which the player belongs may be made based on the biometric information of the player who operates the controller.

[0087] Further, at the start of the game, the team to which the player belongs is determined based on the intention of the player, but during the game, the change determination of the team to which the player belongs is determined based on the biometric information of the player himself or another player. You may do it. In this case, as in the above-described embodiment, when the operation controller and the biosensor are compatible in advance, the correspondence between the player and the biosensor at the time of the team change process in the middle of the game is When using the player's own biometric information, it is not necessary to set in advance before the start of the game or during the game. However, when using biometric information from a biometric sensor worn by another player, it is necessary to set in advance before the start of the game or during the game, as described above.

&lt;Third Example of Team Dividing Process&gt; In the above example, the player executes the game with the biosensor attached. Therefore, the biometric information of the player during the execution of the game is always obtained from the biometric sensor. Therefore, the biometric information of the player during the execution of the game can be stored in a storage medium such as a disk medium or a memory card.

[0089] In this example, in FIG. 1, the memory card loaded in the memory card drive 17 is configured to be able to store the biometric information of the player who is executing the game. In this case, each biometric information is stored in association with the player name set in the initial setting.

[0090] In addition to selling memory cartridges for recording game programs and CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs, users are provided with memory cards in which biometric information such as celebrities who have executed the game is stored. It can also be provided.

[0091] In this example, the biometric information stored in the memory card is used to divide the players into teams. Therefore, according to this example, it is possible to eliminate the need for the player to wear the biosensor, which is somewhat troublesome.

[0092] [team grouping processing when initialization] in the case of this example, the team grouping processing in the initial setting in step S2 of FIG. 3, full of FIG be described with reference to low chart.

[0093] When a mode for utilizing biometric information from the memory card is selected, the flowchart of FIG. 9 is started. First, the control unit 10 reads the list data of the biometric information stored in the memory card from the memory card (step S41), and displays the list of the biometric information on the display screen 4D of the monitoring device 4 (step S41). Step S42). This list of biometric information is a list of the names of each player who has executed the game in the past and stores the biometric information at that time.

Next, the control unit 10 outputs a message prompting the player to select the biological information associated with the player from the list data by the display of the display screen 4D of the monitor device 4 and / or the sound emitted from the speaker 4SP. (Step S43). Here, in the selection designation performed, first, the name of the player who operates the operation controller is input, and then the stored biometric information is used as the biometric information used for the team determination of the player. Enter the name to do.

Next, the control unit 10 reads the selection designation result of the player, and stores and sets which biometric information is associated with the biometric information for team division of each player, for example, in the RAM 104. (Step S44).

Next, the control unit 10 reads the biometric information selected corresponding to each player from the memory card (step S45), and analyzes the read biometric information (step S46).

[0097] Then, from the analysis result of each biometric information, it is determined which team each of the associated players belongs to (step S47), and the determination result is input to the operation in step S43. Corresponding to the name of the player who operates the controller, for example, it is displayed on the screen 4D of the monitor device 4 to notify the player (step S48). Of course, the sound from the speaker 4SP may be used to notify, in addition to or instead of the screen display, which team the player belongs to.

[0098] Also in the case of this example, when a small display such as an LCD is attached to each of the operation controllers 21, 22, ..., 2n, the operation controller is attached to the small display. It is also possible to display the team to which the player who operates each of 21,22, ..., 2n belongs.

[Example of team division change processing in the game] In the case of this third example, even in the team change determination for the player in the middle of the game as described above, the association was made by the setting in the initial setting. , The biometric information stored in the memory card is used. That is, when a team re-determination request for a player occurs in the middle of a game, past biometric information corresponding to the game scene is read out, analyzed, and a team division determination is made.

[0100] Therefore, for the player, the affiliation may be changed to an unexpected team at an unexpected timing, and it is possible to give diversity to the progress and development of the game. Then, the player can enjoy the game as if he / she were replaced by the player selected as the biometric information for determination of his / her team.

[0101] In the case of this example as well, as in the case of the second example described above, at the start of the game, the team to which the player belongs is determined based on the biometric information of the player who operates the operation controller, and the game is in progress. In the game, the change determination of the team to which the team belongs may be made based on the biometric information selected and set from the biometric information stored in the memory card in advance before the start of the game.

[0102] On the contrary, at the start of the game, the team to which the team belongs is determined based on the biometric information selected and set from the biometric information stored in the memory card in advance before the game starts, and during the game. May determine the team to which the player belongs based on the biometric information of the player who operates the operation controller.

[0103] Further, at the start of the game, the team to which the player belongs is determined based on the player's will, but in the middle of the game, it is stored in the memory card in advance before the start of the game or in the middle of the game. The change determination of the team to which the team belongs may be made based on the biometric information selected and set from the biometric information.

[0104] In this case, when the operation controller and the biosensor are compatible with each other in advance as in the above-described embodiment, the player and the biosensor are used in the process of changing the team to which the game belongs during the game. When the player's own biometric information is used, the correspondence does not need to be set in advance before the start of the game or in the middle of the game. However, when using biometric information from a biometric sensor worn by another player, it is necessary to set it in advance before the start of the game or in the middle of the game, as described above.

[0105] In this third example, it is not all the players participating in the game but some of the players that set the stored biometric information as the biometric information for teaming the players. It may be. In that case, the above-mentioned first example and the second example can be applied to other players.

[Second Embodiment; Network Type] This second embodiment does not enjoy a competitive game with one game device as in the first embodiment, but has a plurality of game devices. Is connected through a network line to configure the system.

[0107] FIG. 10 is a block showing a configuration example of an embodiment of such a network-compatible game device 1N. The configuration of FIG. 10 is that the game device 1 of the first embodiment described above is provided with a network communication interface 18, and the ROM 13 is software for exchanging game data and the like through the network. The other configurations are exactly the same, except that is provided.

[0108] The network communication interface 18 is connected to the control unit 10 and is also connected to the communication line. The network communication interface 18 includes a transmission data buffer and a reception data buffer, so that the information generated by the own game device is transmitted to the communication line through the transmission data buffer, and is also transmitted through the communication line. Information from other game devices that are received is taken in through the receive data buffer.

[0109] As a mode in which game devices are connected to each other through a communication line, there are a system configuration in which a plurality of game devices are connected to each other through a communication cable, and a plurality of game devices via a server device via the Internet. In some cases, players may want to share and enjoy the same game.

[0110] FIG. 11 shows a state in which two game devices 1N are connected to each other through a communication cable 19. When three or more game devices 1N are connected, for example, a cascade connection (Imozuru type connection) is used.

[0111] Here, two or more game devices can be connected to the communication line, and each game device transmits and receives transmission data and reception data so that all the game devices have the same data environment. It is configured.

[0112] For example, game change information such as a character movement change during a game is transmitted from each game device to all other game devices connected to a communication line through a transmission data buffer. Then, each game device acquires game change information from another game device through a receive data buffer and reflects it in the game. Therefore, all the game devices connected through the communication line have the same game environment.

[0113] FIG. 12 shows an example of a system configuration when a communication line includes the Internet and a server device intervenes. That is, the network communication interface 18 of each game device 1N is connected to the server device 6 via the Internet 5.

[0114] In the case of this example, the game program is loaded from the server device 6 into each game device. Then, for example, game change information such as a character movement change during the game is sent from each game device to the server device 6 via the transmission data buffer and the Internet. The server device 6 transmits the game change information collected from each game device to all of the game devices via the Internet 5.

[0115] Each game device acquires game change information from the server device 6 through a receive data buffer and reflects it in the game. Therefore, all the game devices connected through the communication line have the same game environment.

[First Example of Team Division] In one example of the team division process in this example, each game device is based on biometric information as in the first to third examples described above. The team to which each player belongs is determined, and the player of the game device is notified as described above, and the team information belonging to each of the determined players is communicated through the transmission data buffer. All other gaming devices connected to the line<u style="single">To</u>Try to send.

[0117] In each game device, the team information to which each player belongs from another game device is acquired through the receive data buffer, and the information is reflected in the game. Therefore, all the game devices connected through the communication line have the same game environment.

[0118] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a team determination process performed by each game device in the case of a game system in which a server device is present in the first example of this team division.

[0119] First, the control unit 10 sets a nickname to be displayed instead of the user code for the user (player) participating in the game on the own terminal (step S51). This nickname is set for each player who operates the operation controller. The nickname may be set automatically by the control unit 10 corresponding to each of the operation controllers, or may be set by inputting by the player.

Next, the control unit 10 accesses the server device 6 and starts communication for the communication game (step S52). At the time of this communication, the nickname of the user (player) who participates in the game is sent to the server device 6. The server device 6 counts the number of participants in the game based on the number of these nicknames.

Next, the control unit 10 inquires of the server device 6 for the program identification code and version number of the game program of its own device, and obtains approval confirmation (step S53). In the case of this example, this process is executed because the game programs of all the game devices that play the communication game need to be exactly the same.

Next, the control unit 10 waits for a notification from the server device 6 that the number of participants in the game has reached the set number of players (step S54). After confirming the arrival of the notification that the number of participants in the game has reached the set number of players, the nickname list of the users (players) participating in the game is received from the server device 6 and received on the display screen of the monitor device 4. Display in 4D (step S55).

Next, the control unit 10 acquires and analyzes biometric information about the players participating in the game who operate the operation controller connected to the own terminal, and performs teaming processing as described above. (Step S56). As described above, the method of acquiring the biological information at this time may be not only the case of acquiring the biological information from the biological sensor but also the case of acquiring the biological information from the memory card.

Next, the control unit 10 transmits the team division determination results for each player determined in step S56 to the server device 6 in association with their nicknames, and also sends them from the server device 6. Receive the team division judgment result (step S57). At this time, the team division determination result sent from the server device 6 is composed of the team division determination result (team division determination result corresponding to the nickname) from all the game devices.

Then, the control unit 10 displays the team division determination result received from the server device 6 on the display screen 4D of the monitor device 4 in correspondence with each nickname in the nickname list (step S58).

[0126] As described above, in this example, the team division determination result for the participants of the communication game is commonly determined in all the game devices, and each player is notified.

[0127] The team division determination result sent from the server device 6 to each game device may exclude the portion determined by the game device. In that case, in each game device, the team division determination result obtained by the own device and the team division determination result received from the server device 6 are made to correspond to each nickname in the nickname list, and the display screen of the monitor device 4 is displayed. Display in 4D.

[0128] In this first example, even when the above-mentioned team division change request is generated in the middle of the game, the team division change process is performed by each game device in the same manner as described above, and the server device. By notifying all game devices through, the game is executed in the same environment on all game devices.

[0129] In the description of the above example, the team division determination results for all the players participating in the game are displayed on, for example, the display screen of the monitor device 4 for notification. It suffices if it is possible to notify the team division determination result of the player who operates the operation controller connected to the game device of.

[Second Example of Team Division] In the second example of the team division process in this example, each game device is subjected to biometric information as in the first to third examples described above. Not only the team to which each player belongs is determined based on the analysis, but also the biometric information about the player from other game devices is received, the biometric information is analyzed, and each game is based on the biometric information. The team to which the person belongs is determined, and the determination result is notified to the player.

[0131] In this case, each game device sends biometric information about a player who operates an operation controller connected to the game device to all other game devices or a server device.

[0132] In the case of this example, it is essential that all the game devices have the same configuration, and the team division determination based on the analysis result of the biometric information is based on the same result in all the game devices. Is. Therefore, all the game devices connected through the communication line have the same game environment.

[0133] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a team determination process performed by each game device in the case of a game system in which a server device is present in the second example of this team division.

[0134] Steps S61 to S65 in FIG. 14 are exactly the same as steps S51 to S55 in FIG.

[0135] In this second example, the control unit 10 acquires biometric information about a player participating in the game who operates the operation controller connected to the own terminal, and associates the respective biometric information with the nickname. It is sent to the server device 6 (step S66). As described above, the method of acquiring the biological information at this time may be not only the case of acquiring the biological information from the biological sensor but also the case of acquiring the biological information from the memory card.

Next, the control unit 10 receives the biometric information sent from the server device 6 from another game device (step S67). Then, the control unit 10 analyzes each of the biometric information acquired about the own device and each of the received biometric information as described above, and executes the team division determination process based on the analysis result (). Step S68).

Next, the control unit 10 displays the team division determination result in step S68 on the display screen 4D of the monitor device 4 in correspondence with each nickname in the nickname list (step S69).

[0138] As described above, in this example, the team division determination result for the participants of the communication game is commonly determined in all the game devices, and each player is notified.

[0139] In this second example, when the above-mentioned team division change request is generated during the game, the biometric information of the player to be changed in the team division is transmitted to another game device through the server device 6. By transmitting to the above and causing each game device to perform the team division change process, the game is executed in the same environment on all the game devices.

[0140] In the description of the above example, the team division determination results for all the players participating in the game are displayed on, for example, the display screen of the monitor device 4 for notification. It suffices if it is possible to notify the team division determination result of the player who operates the operation controller connected to the game device of.

[Third Example of Team Division] In both the first example and the second example described above, the team division determination is performed by the game device, but the team division determination process is performed by the server device 6. You can also do it.

That is, in this third example, each game device transmits biometric information about the player to the server device 6 in association with the nickname.

[0143] When the server device receives all the biometric information about the players participating in the game from all the game devices, it analyzes them in the same manner as in the above example, and divides them into teams based on the analysis result. Make a judgment. Then, the team division determination result is transmitted to all game devices.

[0144] When each of the game devices receives the team division determination result, it is displayed on the display screen 4D of the monitor device 4 in correspondence with the nickname, and notifies each player.

[0145] In this third example, when the above-mentioned team division change request is generated during the game, the server device 6 collects the biometric information of the player to be changed in the team division from the game device. Then, as described above, the team division change process is performed on the server device to notify each game device, so that the game is executed in the same environment on all the game devices.

[0146] In the description of the above example, the team division determination results for all the players participating in the game are displayed on, for example, the display screen of the monitor device 4 for notification. It suffices if it is possible to notify the team division determination result of the player who operates the operation controller connected to the game device of.

[Other Embodiments] Communication between game devices or between a game device and a server device may be performed not via a cable but via a wireless line. When the server device and the game device are connected via the Internet or the like, the portion connected to the telephone line is used as a wireless connection device, and the wireless connection device and the game device are connected by a wireless line. You can also do it.

[0148] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the biosensor is attached to the player's arm or the like, but by attaching the biosensor to the operation controller, the player can simply hold the operation controller. Information can also be detected. It is also possible to detect body movements and body surface temperature as ecological information by photographing the player with a camera. It is also possible to detect biological information such as respiration with a vibration sensor such as a microphone.

[0149] In the above description, as the biological information, respiration, body surface temperature, skin sweating, skin resistance, pulse, etc. are used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, body movement, etc. In addition to myoelectricity, electrocardiography, heartbeat, etc., biochemical reactions, electroencephalograms, electroencephalograms, microvibrations, blood pressure, etc. may be acquired as biological information. Also, as in the above example, a plurality of biological information may be obtained. It is not necessary to acquire the information of the species, for example, only body movement, only breathing, only pulse, and the like may be obtained.

[Effect of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the team to which the player who operates the operation controller belongs is determined based on the analysis result of the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition means. , The player's group input designation is unnecessary, and which team is classified is determined by the biometric information, so it is divided into teams without spoiling the fun of the competitive game, such as being assigned to unexpected teams. Is possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a game device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration including an embodiment of a game device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of game processing in the game device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a team division determination process at the time of initial setting of a game in the game device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a team division determination in the game device of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a team division change process in the middle of a game in the game device of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of another example of the team division determination process at the time of initial setting of the game in the game device of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a correspondence between a player and biological information in the game device of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of another example of the team division determination process at the time of initial setting of the game in the game device of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the game device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a system configuration example including another embodiment of the game device according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a system configuration example including another embodiment of the game device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a team division determination process in another embodiment of the game device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a team division determination process in another embodiment of the game device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of codes] 1 ... Game device body, 21,22, ..., 2n ... Operation controller, 31,32, ..., 3n ... Biosensor, 4 ... Monitor device