KR100436068B1 - A game system which can support audible voice and a method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a voice assisted game system and method thereof. The present invention provides a game system for enabling one or more users to enjoy a network game through the user terminal after the one or more user terminals are physically connected to the access server through the network. An information storage server for storing data and game execution results; A communication server calling the information stored in the information storage server to establish a communication path between the plurality of users so as to play the game among the plurality of users connected to the access server; And a voice support game server supporting voice message exchange between a first user terminal transmitting voice and a second user terminal receiving voice when the communication path through the network is established.

The present invention provides a system that allows users to communicate with each other through voice during game play, so that the user can operate the game smoothly without interrupting the game progress.

Description

Voice-enabled game system and its method {A GAME SYSTEM WHICH CAN SUPPORT AUDIBLE VOICE AND A METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a voice support game system and method, and more particularly, to a voice support game system and method for exchanging voice messages between users in a network game that a plurality of users enjoy together through a network.

Conventionally, there is a game method in which a user purchases a CD (Compact Disc) in which a game program is embedded to enjoy a game and enjoys the game, and a plurality of users become one team together with users who form another team through a network.

However, in the course of such a game, communication between the same team members was a text-based data communication in which the user directly composes a message through a keyboard while the game is in progress, and this text-based data communication method allows the user to write a message. There was a problem that can not be immersed in the game smoothly proceeds.

In order to solve the above problems, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a system that can communicate between users through the voice during the game progress so that the user can smoothly operate the game without interrupting the game progress There is.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a voice support game system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing in detail the voice game program.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a voice assisted game method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of converting to a voice chat mode of FIG. 3.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of setting the game sound of FIG. 4.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a voice transmission process of a user terminal for transmitting voice.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a voice receiving process of a user terminal receiving voice.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of mixing voice and game sounds.

Voice-supported game system according to one feature of the present invention for achieving the above object,

A game system for allowing one or more users to enjoy a network game through the user terminal after the one or more user terminals are physically connected to the access server through the network,

An information storage server for storing detailed information about the user, data capable of executing a game, and a game execution result;

A communication server calling the information stored in the information storage server to establish a communication path between the plurality of users so as to play the game among the plurality of users connected to the access server; And

A voice support game server supporting voice message exchange between a first user terminal transmitting voice and a second user terminal receiving voice when a communication path through the network is established;

It includes.

According to another aspect of the present invention,

A game method using a game system that enables one or more users to enjoy a network game through the user terminal after at least one user terminal is physically connected to the access server through a network.

A first step of allowing the user to create a game space created in the cyber space on the network to play a network game;

A second step of exchanging voice messages between users through the user terminal while supporting the network game and supporting the network game;

It includes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating a voice support game system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a user can access a network 200, that is, the Internet, by executing a web browser, and selects a homepage of a game service provider that is displayed on the Internet. More than one user computer 100; A network 200 to which a plurality of user computers 100 are connected to transmit a selection selected by a user and information of a user and a service provider; A web server 300 managing a web page of a service provider to be provided by the service provider on the network 200 and forming a communication path between the plurality of users so as to play a game among the plurality of users; Supports a voice game program that supports programs that allow users to play games together in a cyber space created for users to play games, and to send messages to each other when a user wants to deliver a message while the game is in progress. A voice game launcher server 400 having a module 410 and a voice game support module 420 for allowing the user computer 100 to play a game through a physical connection; Information about the various types of games the user wants to play, a game service database (510) in which the game launcher is stored so that users can download the selected games free of charge, personal and other information about one or more users, and a large number of user information. It comprises a database server 500 having a data database 520 for storing the game statistics database 530 for storing the results and game progress time for the game executed by one or more users.

The user computer 100 may be physically directly connected to the web server 300 through a network by a dedicated line, may be connected through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or a LAN (LAN), and the present invention is implemented. It is not limited only to an example.

The web server 300 may further include an e-mail management module that transmits the latest information and event information provided by a service company to a plurality of users, and the chat management that provides a chat service between members subscribed to the service company. It may further include a module.

Each module of the voice game launcher server 400 may be a device that independently performs each function, and may be implemented as a single device in which the functions of each module are integrated. Each database of the database server 500 may be It may be a storage medium for storing the information of, the information of each database may be a single database implemented by a table (table), of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

2 is a block diagram showing in detail the voice game program.

As shown in FIG. 2, the voice game program includes: an audio compression manager (ACM) 110 for compressing a voice signal of a user input through a microphone; A sound buffer 120 for storing the voice signal compressed by the audio compression manager 110; A PCM wave converter 130 for modulating a voice signal stored in the sound buffer 120 into a digital signal; A Codec buffer 140 for compressing and storing the digital voice signal modulated by the PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) wave converter 130; A data encoder 150 for encoding the digital voice signal stored in the codec buffer 140; A network buffer 160 that receives the encoded compressed digital voice signal and stores the voice signal for signal transmission through the network 200; And a session manager 170 for controlling the transmission of the compressed digital voice signal to be transmitted through the network 200.

Hereinafter, the operation of the voice-supported game system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a voice assisted game method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The operation of the voice assisted game system described below will be described under the assumption that a game program capable of executing a game by a plurality of users is stored in a user computer before the system operation.

When the user is connected to the network (ie, the Internet) 200 by executing a web browser of the user computer 100 (S100) and enters or selects the homepage address of the service provider, the web server 300 is connected to the user computer. Accepts a physical connection request to 100 to allow a connection. A user connected to the web server 300 selects a game that the user wants to select through a web page provided by a service company.

In order to execute the game selected by the user, the user goes through a login step (S110). At this time, the user records the user ID (IDentification) and password (password) in the area shown in the web page and waits for the user's authentication confirmation.

The web server 300 receives the information written by the user, retrieves the information stored in the data database 520, and selects the type of network game selected by the currently logged in user and the IP address (Internet Protocol address) of the user's network address. After the search to determine the membership (S110) and finishes the authentication verification process of the user.

If the user is not a member who can use the service, that is, a non-member, the web server 300 displays a predetermined form for membership on a web page, and a user-selected ID and password written by the user directly in the predetermined form. Receiving information related to the user, such as, and the like stored in the data database 520 to complete the user member registration step (S130).

After the user completes the user login step, the user computer 100 is physically connected to the voice game launcher server 400 (S140). At this time, the voice game launcher server 400 displays on the web page whether a voice game program for executing a voice-supported game exists in the user computer 100 so that the user can select whether the voice game support execution program exists. In operation S150, the user having the voice game program prepares to start the game by executing the game execution program in operation S160.

If the voice game program does not exist in the user computer 100, the voice game launcher server 400 calls the voice game program support module 410 (S170) and provides a game service according to the type of game that the user wants to enjoy. Download the voice game program stored in the database 510. Determines whether the web browser executed by the user on the user's computer 100 is using the Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by the Microsoft company or the Netscape Navigator (Navigator). S180), if the web browser used by the user is Internet Explorer, the game support program is installed on the user's computer 100 by downloading by the Active X download method (S190). If the web browser used by the user is the navigator, the game support program is installed in the user computer 100 by downloading the plug-in by downloading the program (S200). Here, the Active X download method and the Plug-in download method will be briefly described. Active X is an integrated multimedia support program that supports Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Most of them are automatically downloaded and automatically installed when you access the page you want to run. to be. Plug-in is a web browser helper program that is supported by Netscape's Navigator. It has the ability to add new features to the Navigator so that you can take advantage of new technologies that appear on the Internet. It saves users troubles. The present invention is applicable to the case where other types of web browsers are applied in addition to the two types of web browsers shown in the embodiment.

Based on the downloaded voice game program by the download method as described above, when a user executes a game execution program and requests a game room setting through the voice game launcher server 400, the voice game launcher server 400 accepts the multiple users. Creates a game room which is a cyber space where games can be played together (S210). At this time, the voice game launcher server 400 displays the web server 300 to input three items required by the user in the web page. That is, it is displayed to input whether the voice chat support, the number of people participating in the game, the title of the room to play the game, the nature of the room whether or not to make the game room public or private. The voice game launcher server 400 may transfer the three items input by the user to other users, and may selectively present the requirements in addition to the input items presented in the embodiment of the present invention.

When another user joins the game room, the voice game launcher server 400 adds the ID and IP address of another user who has newly joined the game room to the room information generated by the user.

The voice game launcher server 400 causes the web server 300 to display whether the user and the other user select a voice chat through the web page, and determines the selection made by the user's selected web page (S220). If the user selects the voice chat, the mode of the game executed by the user is converted to the voice chat mode (S230), and the game is started at the same time as the game start notification of the user who created the room (S240).

At this time, as shown in Figure 4, the voice game program is to determine whether the sound card (not shown) currently built in the user computer 100 Full-Duplex communication (full duplex communication) or simplex communication (unidirectional communication) In operation S230-1, if the full duplex communication method is set, a sound mixer included in the driver for driving the sound card is set (S230-2). If the sound card is a simplex communication method, the voice support program module reads the information of the sound card from the hard disk of the user computer 100 (S230-3) and newly generates a buffer length according to the codec (S230-). 4). When the buffer length is generated, the voice support program module generates and initializes a wave controller, a sound buffer, and a codec buffer (S230-5). A wave controller is a kind of program that controls the processing of an input sound file to drive a sound card.

The voice game program determines whether the sound card is currently processing other sounds, that is, whether the sound card is currently in use (S230-6), and if the sound card is currently in use, monitors a message indicating that the sound card can only receive. In step S230-7, if the sound card is not in use, the session manager 170 is executed (S230-8). After executing the session manager, the voice game program puts a microphone on standby and executes a thread. In computer programming, a thread refers to information that a program that can handle multiple users at the same time has for each use. From the program's point of view, a thread is the information needed to provide one individual user or a specific service request. If multiple users are using the program or requests are made from other programs at the same time, each user is threaded for the programs.

The voice game program determines whether the user has started the game (S230-10), and newly sets the game sound (S230-11).

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of setting the game sound of FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, the voice game program determines whether the current game is a game exclusively using sound processing control processed by the sound card (S231-1). If the current game is a game exclusively using a sound card, the voice game program may provide information about the type of the game, the name of the game, and the name of the window currently used in the game. It reads from a file (S231-2), and searches whether a game exists in the window of the user's computer 100 based on the read information (S231-3). The voice game program obtains a handle value and a processor identification value of the game in the found game (S231-4).

The voice game program determines whether the game uses a direct sound (S231-5). Here, direct sound refers to a sound format supported by Microsoft Windows. The voice game program executes monopoly release of the game sound with the handle value of the game (S231-6). If the exclusive release of the game sound is successful, the voice game program sets the exclusive flag of the sound card to FALSE (S231-7). If the game does not monopolize the sound card, the voice game program sets the exclusive flag of the sound card to FALSE (S231-8). If the game does not use direct sound or the sound card releases exclusive game sound, the voice game program sets the game processor priority to normal as the processor ID value of the running game (S231-9). Then, the processor priority of the voice game program is changed to HIGH to obtain control of the sound card (S231-10). After obtaining the sound card control right, the voice game program sets the exclusive flag of the sound card to TRUE (S231-11).

6 is a flowchart illustrating a voice transmission process of a user terminal for transmitting voice.

When the user transmits the voice through the microphone, the audio compression manager 110 determines whether the input of the voice signal from the microphone is terminated (S232-1), and when the input of the voice signal is terminated, compresses the voice signal to obtain the voice signal. The sound buffer 120 is read and temporarily stored (S232-2). The PCM wave converter 130 extracts the compressed voice signal from the sound buffer 120 and modulates it into a digital signal (S232-3), and then reads the modulated digital voice signal into the codec buffer 140 (S232-). 4). The data encoder 150 determines whether the input of the digital voice signal to the codec buffer 140 is completed (S232-5). When the input of the digital voice signal is completed, the data encoder 150 executes codec encoding (S232-6). When the encoding is completed, the data encoder 150 stores the encoded speech signal in the network buffer 160 (S232-7), and the network buffer 160 determines whether input of the encoded speech signal is completed ( S232-8). The session manager transmits the compressed and encoded digital voice signal to the counterpart user terminal through the network (S232-9).

7 is a flowchart illustrating a voice receiving process of a user terminal receiving voice.

The session manager 170 of the user B terminal receives the voice signal transmitted from the user A, determines whether the reception of the voice signal is completed (S233-1), and reads the compressed and encoded digital voice signal into the network buffer 160. Comes (S233-2). The data decoder 151 reads the voice signal transmitted from the network buffer 160 and decodes the codec (S233-3), and the codec buffer 140 reads the decoded voice signal (S233-4). The PCM wave converter 130 determines whether the input of the voice signal is completed to the codec buffer 140 (S233-5). When the input is completed, the PCM wave converter 130 calls the decoded voice signal from the codec buffer 140 to obtain a digital signal. Convert to an analog signal (S233-6). The sound buffer 120 reads and stores the converted analog voice signal from the PCM wave converter 130 (S233-7), and the audio mixer 111 completes the input of the converted voice signal to the sound buffer 120. After the determination is made (S233-8), the running game and the audio signal are mixed (S233-9).

8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of mixing voice and game sounds.

As shown in FIG. 8, the voice game program determines whether the exclusive flag of the sound card is TRUE (S234-1), and if the exclusive flag of the sound card is TRUE, the voice signal and the game are processed by time sharing processing. Alternating sound to be processed by the sound card (S234-2). If the exclusive flag of the sound card is FALSE, the user's voice signal and the game sound are mixed and output (S234-3). User B can hear the voice signal transmitted through the speaker. At this time, since the sound is output through the speaker without affecting the sound provided in the game, there is no effect on the progress of the game. In an embodiment of the present invention, since the voice signal is transmitted directly to another user through the network, that is, the Internet, without passing through the voice game launcher server 400, the service that can accommodate the server can be reduced to the maximum. From the standpoint, the server can be operated efficiently. In addition to the embodiment of the present invention, voice information may be transmitted via the voice game launcher server 400, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. The voice exchange between users is not only between team members of the same team in the game, but also between opposing team members who are physically connected through the network according to the selection in the voice mode.

If the user does not select the voice transmission mode, the message transmission can be a conventional text transmission. When a user wants to send a text message to another user, when the user inputs and transmits text through a keyboard (not shown) of the user's computer 100, the user's IP address stored in the data database 520 is inputted. It is found and displayed on the monitor of another user's computer. Conversely, sending another user's text message is the same.

When the game is ended and the user who creates the game room determines whether to end the game (S250) and notifies the voice game launcher server 400 of the game room release information, the voice game launcher server 400 that has received the game room release information is the game room. Notify other users of the release information.

When the user wants to log out of the connected voice game launcher server 400, the user and the other user request the log out to the voice game launcher server 400, and the voice game launcher server 400 accepts the request. After storing the user's game time and game score data in the game statistics database 530, the user is notified that the logout was successful (S260).

Embodiments of the present invention are merely examples, and many modifications and variations are possible, of course. In addition, the voice game launcher server not implemented in the embodiment of the present invention can be distributedly installed so that the server operator can check the load of the server in real time, and a series of changes according to the distributed installation can be modified on the web. Even novice operators can operate.

As described above, the voice support game system and method of the present invention provide a system that allows communication between users through voice during game play, so that the user can operate the game smoothly without interrupting the game progress.

Claims (14)

In the game method using a game system that allows one or more users to enjoy a network game through the user terminal after one or more user terminals are physically connected to the access server through the network, A first step of allowing the user to create a game space created in the cyber space on the network to play a network game; A second step of exchanging voice messages between users through the user terminal and supporting the network game in progress of the network game; The second step, Setting a sound card embedded in the user terminal according to execution of the voice game of the user; Controlling the exchange of voice information between user terminals of the user so that one or more users can exchange voice information and play a game; And Mixing the voice information with the sound of the game, The sound card setting step, When the sound card is monopolized in the game, the information file associated with the game is read from the user terminal, and the sound form of the game currently in progress is analyzed and if the game is a game using the sound form, the monopoly of the game sound is obtained. Releasing it; If the game does not use the sound type, acquiring control of the sound card by changing the processor priority of the running game to a higher level, and then converting the monopoly of the sound card to the first setting; If the game does not monopolize the sound card, converting the monopoly of the sound card to a second setting. The method of claim 1, wherein the first step Determining whether to register the user according to the connection of the user terminal, and allowing the game server to access the user terminal; Downloading a voice game program supporting the voice mode to the user terminal from the game server in a different method depending on the type of browser of the user terminal; Allowing the voice game program to be installed in the user terminal Voice support game method comprising a. delete delete The method of claim 1, wherein said controlling step Compressing the voice data input to the user terminal, converting the voice data into a digital signal, encoding the same, and transmitting the encoded data to be transmitted through the network; Decoding and decompressing voice data transmitted through the network and outputting mixed with sound data of the game Voice support game method comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein said mixing step If the monopoly of the sound card is converted into a first setting, time-division processing and mixing the voice data of the user and the sound data of the game; Mixing the sound data of the user with the sound data of the game when the monopoly of the sound card is converted to a second setting Voice support game method comprising a. Setting a sound card embedded in the user terminal according to a user playing a voice game; Controlling the exchange of voice information between user terminals of the user so that one or more users can exchange voice information and play a game; And Mixing the voice information with the sound of the game, The sound card setting step, When the sound card is monopolized in the game, an information file related to the game is read from the user terminal, and the sound form of the game in progress is analyzed, and the game sound is monopolized if the game uses the sound form. Releasing it; If the game does not use the sound type, acquiring control of the sound card by changing the processor priority of the running game to a higher level, and then converting the monopoly of the sound card to the first setting; If the game does not monopolize the sound card, converting the monopoly of the sound card to a second setting. delete 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said controlling step Compressing the voice data input to the user terminal, converting the voice data into a digital signal, encoding the same, and transmitting the encoded data to be transmitted through the network; Decoding and decompressing voice data transmitted through the network and outputting mixed with sound data of the game A computer-readable recording medium storing a program including a. The method of claim 7, wherein said mixing step If the monopoly of the sound card is converted into a first setting, time-division processing and mixing the voice data of the user and the sound data of the game; Mixing the sound data of the user with the sound data of the game when the monopoly of the sound card is converted to a second setting A computer-readable recording medium storing a program including a. In a game system that allows one or more users to enjoy a network game through the user terminal after one or more user terminals are physically connected to the access server through the network, An information storage server for storing detailed information about the user, data capable of executing a game, and a game execution result; A communication server calling the information stored in the information storage server to establish a communication path between the plurality of users so as to play the game among the plurality of users connected to the access server; And When the communication path through the network is established, the voice support game server for supporting voice message exchange between the first user terminal for transmitting the voice and the second user terminal receiving the voice, The voice support game server In accordance with the user's execution of the voice game, when the sound card is monopolized in the game, the information file related to the game is read from the user terminal, and the sound form of the game in progress is analyzed, so that the game forms the sound form. If the game using the step of releasing the monopoly of the game sound; If the game does not use the sound type, acquiring control of the sound card by changing the processor priority of the running game to a higher level, and then converting the monopoly of the sound card to the first setting; And if the game does not monopolize the sound card, converting the monopoly of the sound card into a second setting, the sound card setting program having a function. The method of claim 11, wherein the voice support game server A voice game program support unit for supporting a voice game program capable of playing a game by exchanging voice messages between the user terminals; Voice game execution unit for supporting the voice game between the user while the user terminal is physically connected Voice assisted game system comprising a. The method of claim 11, wherein the information storage server A game service database in which a game execution program is stored so as to download information about one or more games that the user wants to enjoy and the game selected by the user for free; A data database storing detailed information about one or more of the users; And A game statistics database for storing the result and game progress time of the game executed by the user Voice assisted game system comprising a. The voice game program of claim 12, A compression module for compressing an input voice signal of the user; A sound buffer for storing the compressed speech signal or decompressed speech signal in the compression module; A converter for modulating a voice signal stored in the sound buffer into a digital signal, and modulating a decoded and received signal into an original voice signal; A codec buffer configured to compress and store the digital voice signal modulated by the converter, or to store a decoded voice signal; A data encoder / decoder for encoding the digital voice signal stored in the codec buffer or decoding the digital voice signal transmitted through the network; A network buffer configured to receive an encoded compressed digital voice signal, store a voice signal for signal transmission through the network, and store a voice signal received through the network; A session manager controlling transmission and reception of a compressed digital voice signal to be transmitted through the network; An audio mixer for mixing the decompressed voice signal stored in the sound buffer with the sound of the game Voice-enabled game system further comprising.