JPH0923417A - Interactive program reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interactive program reproducing device which is provided with the time management ability of a TV program and the interactivity of a video game and which realizes a real interactive program. SOLUTION: An operation means 18 inputs operation information 18a of a viewer, and a reception means 16 receives program control information 16a from a broadcasting satellite 2. Further, a storage means 10 stores a program for reproducing the program. A control means 12 controls the partial progress of a story based on operation information 18a by executing the program and controls the whole progress of the story based on program control information 16a. The control means 12 outputs a control result to a display device 6 through an output means 14. A sound information reproducing means 17 reproduces sound information 16a in synchronizing with program control information 16a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Industrial field of use] This case involves data broadcasting, text broadcasting,
The present invention relates to a device that receives and reproduces a broadcast program using a CATV and a network system. More specifically, the present invention relates to an interactive program reproducing apparatus for reproducing an interactive program whose program content is changed based on operation information from a viewer when receiving and reproducing a broadcast program from a transmission path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional interactive TV program, a TV having a limited interactivity in which one program is broadcast on multiple channels and a viewer selects a desired image by switching channels.
A system for providing programs has been proposed.

For example, in baseball broadcasting, in the direction of the center,
Images captured from four viewpoints of the back net direction, the first base side direction, and the third base side direction are broadcast in multi-channel, and the user can enjoy the baseball broadcast from the desired viewpoint by switching the channels.

In addition, the Journal of the Television Society, Vol 49 No.
3 discloses a multimedia information broadcasting service which enables interactive viewing by accumulating and receiving data broadcasting under the title of "basic function of multimedia information service".

This multimedia information broadcasting service realizes pseudo interactivity by storing data broadcasting in a large-scale storage device. In the prototype multimedia program, the viewer can arbitrarily display the data of the desired baseball player, and the baseball broadcast can be enjoyed in various ways.

On the other hand, interactive technology has already been established in computer software represented by video games. The user uses a man-machine interface such as a keypad or pointing device,
You can freely give commands to the computer.

[0007]

In the conventional interactive TV broadcasting, the information that can be operated by the viewer is limited, and the viewer cannot change the program contents significantly. For example, in the above-mentioned baseball broadcast, the viewer can only change the viewpoint and display the player data, and cannot perform the operation enough to change the game content. That is, in the past, there has never been an interactive program with a degree of freedom that allows the story itself to be modified.

On the other hand, in computer software such as a video game, there is no time frame, so that there is a problem in that it is played for a long time. Also,
The playing situation of video games varies from user to user, and TV
Not all users can get the same information at the same time like broadcasting. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful when talking about the game that the users are playing, and in some cases you may get information earlier than the current playing situation,
There was a problem of losing the taste of the game.

An object of the present invention is to provide an interactive program reproducing apparatus for realizing a full-scale interactive program having both time management of TV programs and interactivity of video games. In other words, the purpose of this case is to provide multiple viewers with the same story flow at the same time by simultaneously providing an interactive program having the same story flow along a certain time frame. It is to provide a game device that can be shared.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an interactive program reproducing apparatus of the present invention has an operating means for inputting operation information of a viewer, a receiving means for receiving program control information, and a program reproduction. Storage means for storing a program program for executing the program, and by executing the program program, partial progress of the story is controlled based on the operation information, and overall progress of the story is performed based on the program control information. And a output unit for outputting the control result of the control unit as image or audio information.

[0011]

The operating means inputs the operation information of the viewer, and the receiving means receives the program control information. The storage means also stores a program program for reproducing the program. The control means controls the partial progress of the story based on the operation information by executing the program program,
The overall progress of the story is controlled based on the program control information. The control result of the control means is output from the output means as image or audio information.

The control means uses the program control information as data for controlling a temporal flow of the program such as a time schedule and qualitative elements of the program such as difficulty level. by this,
Program control information is responsible for the overall progression of the story.
Further, the control means uses the operation information as data for controlling the local flow of the program such as moving the hero of the program. As a result, the operation information is responsible for the partial progress of the story.

As described above, in a program which progresses according to a predetermined time schedule, the viewer can freely intervene in the story in a part other than the time and quality restrictions specified by the program control information. It is possible to provide a full-scale interactive program having a high degree of freedom as compared with the conventional interactive program whose functions are extremely limited.

Since the story progresses according to a predetermined time schedule, it is possible to solve the problem that the program is played for a long time even if it is a game. Further, since the program control information is transmitted by broadcasting, all users can obtain the same information at the same time, and information other than the current playing situation can be obtained from other users, and the taste of the game is lost. That problem can be solved.

Furthermore, since all the users of the present case can obtain the same information at the same time, the progress of the story differs depending on each viewer, so that the score can be given according to the progress of the story. The score can determine the superiority or inferiority of all the viewers who have received the broadcast. Therefore, for example, a new entertainment such as a national simultaneous game competition can be provided. The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0016]

1 is an example of a diagram structurally showing the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an example of a diagram functionally showing the present invention. The structure and operation of the present invention will be outlined below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As a preparatory step, the broadcasting satellite 2 broadcasts a program program for the program reproducing device 4 to reproduce an interactive program. The control means 12 in the program reproducing device 4 is
The program program is received via the receiving means 16 and stored in the storage means 10. The program program may be supplied to the program reproducing device 4 as an external storage medium such as a ROM cartridge.

The program program includes the timetable 10a shown in FIG. 2 and a program execution program 10b for actually operating the program. The program execution program 10b is a computer program for executing entertainment software represented by a game or educational software as a program. The control means 12 controls the output means 14 by executing the program execution program 10b to reproduce the program on the display device 6. The program played at this stage preferably operates in the same way as a normal computer program.

The broadcasting satellite 2 starts the program by broadcasting the program control information 16a. The program control information includes data related to the progress time of the program, and by this, the process to be executed on the timetable 10a is designated. For example, the program data is given as time data indicating the current time. In this case, since the information for controlling the program and the information indicating the current time are shared, the data transmission amount can be saved as compared with the case where both data are separately broadcast. The processing to be executed may be directly broadcast as the program control information without using the timetable.

The broadcast program control information 16a is given to the control means 12 via the receiving means 16 and affects the execution of the program execution program 10b. The operation information 18a input from the operation means 18 is also given to the control means 12 and similarly affects the execution of the program execution program 10b. Further, the audio information reproducing means 17 reproduces the audio information 16b output from the receiving means at the same time as the program control information 16a, and gives it to the output means 14. The output means 14 outputs video and audio for program reproduction, and at the same time outputs audio information reproduced by the audio information reproducing device 17 to the display device 6.

Here, the program control information is used as data for controlling the overall progress of the story such as the program flow such as time schedule and the qualitative elements of the program such as difficulty, whereas the operation information is It is used as data that controls the partial progress of the story such as moving the main character of the program. As a result, the program reproducing apparatus 4 functions as a truly interactive program reproducing apparatus having an interactive property while having a time management property. Furthermore, since the audio information synchronized with the program control information is reproduced, an interactive program with a realistic sensation is reproduced.

An embodiment in which the interactive program reproducing apparatus of the present invention is realized as an apparatus for reproducing a game program using satellite data broadcasting will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9. The interactive program reproducing device of the present invention is applicable not only to satellite data broadcasting but also to broadcasting media such as CATV and teletext. Further, the interactive program reproducing device of the present invention can be applied not only to entertainment programs such as games but also to educational programs and the like. It should be noted that the following description discloses an example of the present case, and the present invention is not limited to the genres of satellite data broadcasting and games.

FIG. 3 is an example of an interactive program reproducing apparatus of the present invention, which is a block diagram of a satellite data broadcast receiving system capable of receiving satellite data broadcast by connecting a broadcast receiving adapter to a game machine. A broadcast receiving adapter 24, a memory cartridge 26, and a controller 28 for a user to input operation information are connected to the game machine body 22. In addition, the memory cartridge 2
A memory pack 27 for storing the received data is connected to 6.

The game machine main body 22 corresponds to the control means 12 and the output means 14 of FIG. 1, and the memory cartridge 26 and the memory pack 27 correspond to the storage means 10. The broadcast receiving adapter 24 corresponds to the receiving means 16, and the controller 28 corresponds to the operating means 18.

Satellite broadcasting is received by the BS antenna 30,
It is given to the BS tuner 32 via the antenna wire 30a. The BS tuner 32 detects a specific channel from a plurality of satellite broadcasts, and uses an analog video signal transmitted on a main carrier as a baseband signal (hereinafter referred to as a BB signal) and a PCM digital audio signal transmitted on a subcarrier. And digital data is output as a bit stream signal (hereinafter referred to as a BS signal).

The BB signal is given to the scramble decoder 33 directly from the BS tuner via the cable 32a,
The BS signal is given to the scramble decoder 33 via the cable 34a, the AV selector 34, and the cable 34b. The scramble decoder 33 descrambles the BB signal to generate a normal video signal (V1), and at the same time descrambles the BS signal PCM digital audio signal to generate a normal stereo audio signal (L1,
R1) is generated. The BS signal is the AV selector 3
Broadcast receiving adapter 2 via cable 34c by 4
It is also distributed to 4.

The game machine 22 uses the digital data in the BS signal received by the broadcast receiving adapter 24 to generate a computer graphics image (V2) and electronic sound. In addition, the game machine 22 synthesizes an analog audio signal generated from the PCM digital audio signal in the BS signal by the broadcast receiving adapter 4 and the electronic sound to generate a stereo audio signal (L2, R2).

The AV selector 34 outputs the video / audio signal (V1, L1, R1) output from the scramble decoder 33 via the cable 34d, and the video audio output from the game machine 22 via the multi-out connector and the cable 34e. Signal (V2, L2, R2)
Either one of them is given to the TV 36 via the cable 34f. The AV selector 34 detects the presence or absence of the video signal (V2) from the game machine 22, and if there is, the video audio signal (V2, L2, V2 from the game machine 22).
R2) is output to the TV 36, and if it is not present, the video / audio signal (V
1, L1, R1) is automatically switched to output the internal switch to the TV 36. The AC adapter 38 supplies power to the game machine 22, the broadcast receiving adapter 24, the memory cartridge 26, the memory unit 27, and the controller 28 via the cable 34g of the AV selector 34.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the game machine main body 22, the broadcast receiving adapter 24, the memory cartridge 26, and the memory pack 27 for processing satellite data broadcasting. The BS signal given via the cable 34c is given to the data channel decoder 40 and the PCM decoder 42 in the broadcast receiving adapter 24. The PCM decoder 42 extracts the PCM digital audio signal from the BS signal and gives it to the DA converter 43. The DA converter 43 generates an analog stereo audio signal based on the PCM digital audio signal and outputs it to the mixer 58 in the game machine 2. This PC
The M decoder 42 corresponds to the audio information reproducing means in FIG.

The ROM 66 in the cartridge 26 stores a basic program for receiving satellite data broadcast. The CPU 44 in the game machine 22 specifies the digital data to be received to the data channel decoder 40 based on the basic program stored in the ROM 66. The data channel decoder 40 extracts the digital data designated by the CPU 44 from the BS signal and stores it in the internal buffer. The CPU 44 intermittently monitors the data channel decoder 40, and when data is received, this data is transferred to the work RAM 46, PS-RAM.
64, battery backup memory 62, or flash memory 69.

The destination memory is determined by the received data. The CPU 44 stores the program program transmitted by satellite data broadcasting in the flash memory 69, and stores the program control information transmitted thereafter in the work RAM 4
6 is stored. The information necessary to maintain the other systems is the battery backup memory 42 and PS-
Save in RAM64. The memory pack 27 including the flash memory 69 is detachably configured by the connectors 67 and 68.

The CPU 44 executes the program program stored in the flash memory 69, and generates image data and audio data based on the program control information stored in the work RAM 46 and the operation information input from the controller 28. The image data generated by the CPU 44 is stored in the video RAM 50 via the PPU 48. The PPU 48, based on the data in the video RAM 50, has a DA converter 51 and a video encoder 52.
The video signal is generated in cooperation with the above and is output to the AV selector 34 as a V2 signal.

Similarly, the audio data generated by the CPU 44 is stored in the audio RAM 56 via the APU 54, and is output as a digital audio signal by the APU 54. The digital audio signal output from the APU 54 is converted into an analog signal by the DA converter 57, and is mixed with the PCM digital audio information from the PCM decoder 42 by the mixer 58. The combined audio signal is used as an L2 and R2 signal in the AV selector 34.
Is output to

FIG. 5 shows an example of a display screen when an interactive program is realized by a game. The main character of the game 1
00 is a character that can be operated by the viewer, and performs various actions based on operation information from the controller 28. The protagonist 100 is damaged when it comes into contact with the enemy 102, and dies when the damage exceeds a certain amount. However, in the interactive program of the present invention, the game does not end even when the protagonist dies. When the protagonist dies, the number of deaths is counted and the protagonist comes to life again. This allows even inexperienced viewers of the game to enjoy the program to the end.

The damage received by the hero 100 is displayed by the damage gauge 104, but the number of deaths is not displayed during the program reproduction. In the A button item display window 106, the game player is
Items that can be used with the button are displayed. Here, the A button indicates that the sword can be used. The number "3" displayed on the upper right of the sword indicates the sword level, which means the current strength of the sword. Similarly, in the B button item display window 108, items that the game player can use by using the B button of the controller 28 are displayed, and it is shown here that boomerangs can be used. Further, in the map window 110, a reduced view of the game map and a marker indicating the current position of the hero 100 are displayed.

On the game map 62, rocks 114, trees 116, pits 118, etc. which the main character 100 cannot normally pass through are displayed. Such obstacles that cannot be normally passed can be passed by obtaining the corresponding specific item. The viewer is the main character 10
By operating 0, defeat the enemy 102 with a sword, boomerang, etc., or discover various other items to advance the partial story.

Furthermore, a cave 120 for branching to another story is displayed on the game map. Cave 1
20 is not displayed at the start of the game, but is displayed only when specific program control information is received. For example, if the program progresses according to the timetable of FIG. 7 to be described later, at the door event in another world at 18:30
20 appears, and the hero 100 automatically enters the cave 120. As a result, the next story is executed, and the overall story as the program progresses.

In this example, the program control information is given as time data, and the received program control information is displayed as the time display 122. Since the current time is displayed as it is, the viewer can know at a glance how many minutes the program will end. The number of deaths of the protagonist, items and information obtained by the viewer in the game are encrypted and displayed as a password at the end of the program. The password is treated as a score, and the viewer mails the password to the broadcasting station by, for example, a postcard, which determines the rank of the program viewer.

During the program broadcasting, the PC is simultaneously displayed with the program control information.
M digital audio broadcasting is broadcast. If both are broadcast in synchronization, the PCM digital audio broadcast is reproduced by the PCM decoder 42 of FIG. 4 and at the same time, the program control information is received by the data channel decoder 40, so that both information are provided to the viewer at the same time. Thus, the viewer can enjoy the audio broadcast synchronized with the reproduced interactive program. When particularly important audio information such as a game hint is given in the audio broadcast, the message "Listen to the radio" shown in FIG. 6 is displayed corresponding to the program control information. In this way, by transmitting the audio information corresponding to the program control information, it is possible to provide the viewer with a live-like interactive program with a sense of presence.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the time table 10a shown in FIG. The operation when the game program is reproduced according to the time schedule of FIG. 7 will be described below. When the program control information 18:00 is broadcast at 6:00 pm, the start event starts corresponding to the item 18:00 in the timetable. The start event is a compulsory event, and the program reproducing apparatus forcibly executes the event story for starting the program regardless of the execution state of the program program at that time. For example, in the game shown in FIG. 5, a story in which the main character 100 is drawn into the game world is executed as a subroutine to form a program introduction part.

At the same time, in the PCM digital audio broadcasting, audio information such as "Oh, often used hero. The purpose of this game is ..." is transmitted to explain the basic world view and purpose of the game. To be done. This start event automatically ends in a predetermined time, and after that, the viewer can freely operate the main character to play the game, but during that time, the PCM digital audio information is sequentially reproduced.

Next, at 6:05 pm, program control information 1
8:05 is broadcast, and the message "Listen to the radio" shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the screen corresponding to the item 18:05 of the timetable. At the same time, the operation method of the game is explained in the PCM digital audio broadcasting. At such times when particularly important audio information is transmitted, a message is displayed on the display screen so that the user can listen carefully.

At 6:10, the program control information 18:10 is transmitted so that the invincible flag stored in the work RAM 46 is turned on (that is, 1). When the invincible flag is turned on, the hero will no longer receive damage from the enemy. Here, the PCM digital audio broadcasting transmits the audio information, "It's no longer damaged. The fairies are on their side. I'm looking for an item in the meantime." To expand. This story is continued until the program control information 18:15 is transmitted at 6:15 and the invincible flag is turned off (that is, 0).

At 6:30, the program control information 18:
30 is broadcast and a door event in another world occurs. Here, the cave 120 (FIG. 5) for advancing to another story appears as described above, and the subroutine operates so that the hero automatically advances into the cave. PC at the same time
M digital audio broadcasting gives audio information to viewers, "You are brave. It's time to travel to a different world."

At 6:35, the program control information 18:35 is transmitted so that the unrecoverable flag stored in the work RAM 46 is turned on. When the non-recoverable flag is turned on, the hero cannot recover the damage. Here, PCM digital audio broadcasting conveys the audio information "The damage cannot be recovered. Fairies cannot exert their power in this world." This story is 6:45
The program control information 18:45 is transmitted for each minute, and is continued until the unrecoverable flag is turned off.

At 6:55, the program control information 18:
55, the message "Listen to the radio" is displayed again, and at the same time, the PCM digital audio broadcast shows "This world is 1".
It disappears at 8:58. You have very little time left. Is transmitted to the viewer.

At 6:58, the program control information 18:
An end event occurs by 58, and a subroutine for displaying a story that the main character returns to the real world is executed. The PCM digital audio broadcasting transmits the audio information, "I have fought well. Let's meet again, brave.", And the program ends. At the end of the program, the password described above is displayed.

Except when the compulsory event is being activated by the program control data, the viewer is free to use the controller 28 (FIG. 3) to move the protagonist to pursue their own partial story. That is, when the present invention is used, the whole story is given to all the viewers in common by the program control information, and the partial story in which the main character descends the sword or moves to the right is the operation information of the viewer. Since it is given to each viewer corresponding to
It is possible to provide a completely new entertainment called full-scale interactive broadcasting that has never existed before.

FIG. 8 shows a specific file structure for transmitting time data as program control information. The program control information is a basic technical standard for satellite data broadcasting, and is described in "Telecommunications Council Satellite Data Broadcasting Committee Report Material 67.
-14 "is transmitted. In satellite data broadcasting,
The digital data is transmitted as a packet of a unit of 22 bytes, but in the present embodiment, the data for one packet is transmitted as one data group (that is, a file) and the time data is transmitted. Hereinafter, this file is called a time data file.

Procedure data called a data group header is assigned to the 0th to 4th bytes of the time data file. The data group header includes the total number of bytes of data to be transmitted (22 in this case) and the like. Fifth
The byte TYPE data, the 6th byte DGN data, and the 7th to 9th byte address data are procedural data necessary when the time data file is composed of a plurality of packets. Shows the total number and packet serial number. Here, 1, 1, 0 are assigned to these data, and it is shown that a packet independently constitutes a data group.

Time data is assigned to the 10th to 12th bytes, and date data is assigned to the 13th to 17th bytes. The time data is second, minute, and hour in order, and the date data is week, day, month, year (lower) and year (upper) in order. The week means a day of the week, the number is assigned in order of 1 for Monday and 2 for Tuesday, and the number is transmitted. All numerical data is transmitted in binary format.
The year uses the year and the time uses, for example, Japan Standard Time.

The 18th and 19th bytes are reserved areas and are not used. The 20th and 21st bytes are C for detecting a data error during transmission of the time data file.
RC data is assigned. This time data file is stored in the work RAM 46 through satellite data broadcasting, and the hour and minute data is used as program control information. The program program is transmitted in accordance with the telesoftware signal transmission method of "Telecommunications Council Satellite Data Broadcasting Committee Report Material 67-14", and the memory pack 27
It is stored in the internal flash memory 69.

FIG. 9 is a memory map of the storage means 10 when an interactive program is executed according to the timetable of FIG. The ROM 66 controls a program menu display / selection routine 66a for the viewer to instruct to receive the program program, a program program receiving routine 66b for receiving the program program, an image and a sound, and inputs operation information. And a BIOS routine, which is a basic small-scale program for storing.

The received program program is stored in the flash memory 69. The flash memory 69 includes a timetable 69a that stores the overall story of the interactive program, a program control information receiving routine 69b for receiving the program control information, and a program execution program 60c that is an essential subject of program reproduction. , A plurality of subroutines (start event routine 60d, door event subroutine 69e in another world, end event subroutine 69f, and "listen to radio" display subroutine 69g) which are activated by program control information and form an overall story To do.

Various temporary storage data are stored in the work RAM 46 during program reproduction. The work RAM 46 receives the latest program control information 46a and temporary storage data for executing the program (for example, the position of the protagonist, possessed items, damage to the protagonist, and the number of times the protagonist has died).
Is stored.

FIG. 10 is an example of a flow chart when the program program is received and executed. S10 and S1
2 in the program program receiving routine 66b of FIG.
4 to S28 correspond to the program execution program 69c in FIG. The program program is first received in S10 and stored in the flash memory 69 in the memory unit 27. The stored program program is executed in S12.

When the program program is executed, first, S1
In 4, the operation information is input from the controller 28. The input operation information is used by the game program processing S16 described later with reference to FIG. S18
In step S20, the program control information is received by the program control information reception routine 69b in FIG. 9, and it is determined in step S20 whether the received time data has been changed. If there is no change in the time data or the time data cannot be received, the program moves from S20 to S14, and the game program is executed based on only the operation information as in the normal game program.

When the time data is changed, S2
2 displays the time data 122 (FIG. 5) on the screen, and S2
In step 4, it is determined whether or not there is a corresponding process by referring to the time table 69a (FIG. 9, details are shown in FIG. 7). If there is no corresponding process, the program shifts from S26 to S14, and the viewer himself / herself advances the partial story.

When the corresponding process is on the time table 69a, the control flag included in the temporary storage data of the work RAM 46 and corresponding to the process is set or reset in S28. For example, when the process is the start event, door event of another world, end event and message of FIG. 7, the compulsory event flag is set, and in other cases, the designated flag is set / reset.
After that, the program returns from S28 to S14 and then to S16 again, and the control flag set and reset in S28 affects the execution of the game program described later with reference to FIG. 11 in S16.

The processing from S14 to S28 is preferably performed during one TV field, and S16 executes the game program for one field. If the time data changes only infrequently, the reception of the time data can be decimated to once every few fields. By thinning out the reception of the time data, the processing time required for the reception processing can be devoted to the execution of the game program, so that a more complicated game can be executed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a processing routine which is a part of the program execution program 69c and corresponds to the game program processing S16. First, in S100, the compulsory event flag is checked. When the compulsory event flag is set in S28 of FIG. 10, the program proceeds to S122. However, in the normal state, the program shifts from S100 to S102.

The controller 28 includes a move button for moving the main character of the game, and A and B buttons for the main character to use the item. In S102, the moving process of the main character of the game is executed based on the operation information generated by the move button, and displayed on the item display windows 106 and 108 (FIG. 5) based on the operation information generated by the A button and the B button. Perform the process corresponding to the item.

In S104, the movement of the enemy 102 (FIG. 5) is determined by a random number, and the movement processing is performed. Whether the main character has collided with the enemy as a result of the movement processing is S106.
If it collides with the enemy, the program shifts to S106, and if it does not collide with the enemy, the program shifts to S112. In S108, the invincible flag is checked. In S28 of FIG. 10, the invincible flag is set (O
N), the program does damage processing S1.
The process proceeds to S112 without executing 10. When the invincible flag is reset (OFF), the damage process is executed in S110, the damage of the main character increases, and the cumulative amount of damage received from the enemy is displayed on the damage gauge 104 (FIG. 5). The invincible flag is turned on for 5 minutes from 18:10 to 18:15 as shown in the timetable of FIG. 7, and supplies an event important for the progress of the whole story.

Similarly, it is determined in S112 whether the main character is currently in a position where damage can be recovered. If the main character is in the recovery position, the process proceeds to S114, and if not, the process proceeds to S114.
The program shifts to 118. In S114, the unrecoverable flag is checked. If the unrecoverable flag is set (ON) in S28 of FIG. 10, the program proceeds to S118 without executing the damage recovery process S116. When the non-recoverable flag is reset (OFF), the damage recovery processing is executed in S116, the damage of the main character is reduced, and the damage amount after recovery is displayed on the damage gauge 104 (FIG. 5). The non-recoverable flag is turned on only for 10 minutes from 18:35 to 18:45 as shown in the timetable of FIG. 7, and supplies an event important for the progress of the whole story.

In S118, it is determined whether the damage received by the hero has reached a lethal amount. If the lethal amount is reached, a display indicating the death of the hero is displayed in S120, and the number of deaths is counted at the same time. When the damage does not reach the lethal amount and after the execution of S120, the processing of the game program ends, and the program flow is S1 of FIG.
Return to 8.

If the compulsory event flag is set (ON) in S100, the program proceeds to S1.
Move to 22. In S122, the event to be executed is determined based on the program control information stored in the work RAM 46 and the time table shown in FIG.

When the program control information is 18:00, the program branches to S124 and the start event subroutine 69d (FIG. 9) is executed. Similarly, the program control information is 1
In the case of 8:30, the process branches to S126, the door event subroutine 69e (FIG. 9) of another world is executed, and 18: 5.
In the case of 8, the process branches to S128, the end event subroutine 69f (FIG. 9) is executed, and 18:05 and 1
In the case of 8:55, the process branches to S130, and the "listen to the radio" display subroutine 69g (FIG. 9) is executed. After the end of each forced event, the forced event flag is automatically reset (OFF) in S132.

During the compulsory event, an event is realized in which the story of the program is shared by all viewers. Preferably the hero should be controlled automatically and all viewers should see exactly the same event, but the program program allows the hero to operate the viewer even during a forced event and indirectly see the same event. May be created. At the end event, the ending of the game is displayed and the password is displayed. After the password is displayed, the program menu shown in Fig. 9 is displayed.
The selection routine 66a is activated to prepare for reception of the next program.

In the above embodiments, an example of an action game having a story is described, but the present invention is also easy for a role playing game, a simulation game, a puzzle game with a story added, a shooting game with a story tailoring, etc. Can be diverted to Further, it can be widely used for a TV drama whose contents are partially changed depending on the operation information, sports for which the result of the game is changed, or educational software for changing the attendance contents in order.

Although the program control information of the embodiment is shared with the time data, the relative time from the start of the program may be used. This relative time is valid if the rebroadcast time cannot be determined. Further, it is possible to directly transmit the count data instead of the time data, or the address data of the control flag to be operated without using the time table.

Further, although the program broadcasting of the embodiment is carried out by using satellite data broadcasting, this may be realized by CATV, ordinary terrestrial TV broadcasting, or a network system. The present invention is intended to realize a fusion of a TV broadcast program and computer software, and by this, it is possible to provide a viewer with a completely new broadcast program that has never existed before.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a program whose program contents proceed according to a predetermined time schedule, that is, a program having a story, the entire story is controlled by the program control information and the partial story is controlled by the operation information. Since it is controlled, it is possible to provide a full-scale interactive program with a high degree of freedom. Furthermore, since the audio information is received and reproduced in synchronization with the program control information, it is possible to reproduce a live-like interactive program with a realistic sensation.

Since the story progresses according to a predetermined time schedule, it is possible to solve the problem that the program is played for a long time even if it is a game. Further, since the program control information is transmitted by broadcasting, all users can enjoy the game with the same story flow at the same time. Therefore, since the same game can be shared among the players at the same time, it is possible to solve the problem of losing the taste of the game because information other than the current play situation is obtained from other users.

Furthermore, since the progress of the story differs for each viewer even though all the users can obtain the same information at the same time, it is possible to give a score according to the progress of the story. The score can determine the superiority or inferiority of all the viewers who have received the broadcast. As a result, new entertainment such as nationwide simultaneous game competitions can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram structurally showing an example of an interactive program reproducing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram functionally showing an example of an interactive program reproducing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a satellite data broadcast receiving system which is an example of an interactive program reproducing apparatus according to the present invention and is capable of receiving satellite data broadcast by connecting a broadcast receiving adapter to a game machine.

FIG. 4 is a game machine main body 22, a broadcast receiving adapter 24, and a memory cartridge 2 for processing satellite data broadcasting.
6 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the memory pack 27. FIG.

FIG. 5 is an example of a display screen when an interactive program is realized by a game.

FIG. 6 is an example of a message prompting to listen to PCM digital audio information.

FIG. 7 is an example of a time table.

FIG. 8 is an example of a time data file for transmitting program control information by satellite data broadcasting.

FIG. 9 is an example of a memory map.

FIG. 10 is an example of an operation flowchart when receiving and executing a program program.

FIG. 11 is an example of a flowchart of game program processing executed by a program program.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A broadcast program reproducing apparatus for receiving and reproducing an interactive program having a story, comprising:
An operation unit for inputting operation information of a viewer, a reception unit for receiving program control information, a storage unit for storing a program program for reproducing a program, and an operation information by executing the program program. An interactive system having a control means for controlling a partial progress of the story based on the program control information, and an output means for outputting the control result of the control means as image or audio information. Program playback device. 2. The program control information includes information related to a progress time of the program, the program program includes a time table defining a process corresponding to the progress time of the program, and the control means is related to the progress time. The interactive program reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the overall progress of the story is controlled based on the information to be recorded and the timetable. 3. The interactive program reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a program program receiving means for receiving the program program and storing it in the storage means. 4. The interactive program reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising audio information reproducing means for receiving and reproducing audio information transmitted in association with the program control information. 5. The interactive program reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the output means so that the image or audio information output by the output means includes information related to the program control information.