KR20010062783A - method of providing a character growing game by using mobile telephones - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for providing a game service for raising a character using a mobile communication terminal is provided to increase the pleasure of the call by adjusting a growth speed of a character according to a frequency or a time of call through a mobile communication terminal. CONSTITUTION: In case that an application signal of a character raising game transmitted from the first mobile communication terminal is received, a character seed is transmitted to the first mobile communication terminal and/or the second mobile communication terminal which the first mobile communication terminal designates. A character raising game program installed in the first mobile communication terminal and/or the second mobile communication terminal is executed. Whenever the first terminal is connected to the second terminal, a growth energy is calculated according to a calling interval and/or calling time. A growth stage is calculated according to the growth energy. A growing feature of the character corresponded to the growth stage is displayed on screens of the first terminal and/or the second terminal. Therefore, users of the first and the second terminal jointly raise the character.

Description

How to provide a character raising game service using a mobile terminal {method of providing a character growing game by using mobile telephones}

The present invention relates to a method of providing a game service using a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to generate a growth energy for growing a character in proportion to the frequency or time of a telephone call between users of a predetermined mobile communication terminal. The present invention relates to a method of providing a character raising game that enables a character to be raised through a common interest and effort on a telephone call.

The most typical character raising game is "Tamagotchi" raising game. This game works only for game machines dedicated to this, and is a game method in which a character named "Tamagotchi" is raised with the care and sincerity of the user's own character.

In addition, as an improvement thereof, a game in which a character is raised by connecting to the Internet using a computer has been introduced. By the way, the user can also feel monotonous because it is a way to raise the character with your own attention and devotion. Also, in order to enjoy the game, you have to go through the process of connecting to the Internet.

As such, the existing character raising games are characterized in that they are a way of raising a character with pleasure and attention from the user's own interest and sincerity. But in some ways this is a limitation. In other words, it was a way for lovers, close friends or family members to meet the demands of growing up a common character and having fun from it.

The present invention allows a lover, a close friend or a family to raise a common character together using a mobile communication terminal, but the growth rate of the character grows by adjusting to be proportional to the frequency or time of the call through the mobile communication terminal. It is an object of the present invention to provide a service method of a character raising game using a mobile communication terminal that doubles the enjoyment of a call and makes an improved bond through a character.

Detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which numerals designating corresponding parts in the drawings are the same.

1 is a block diagram of a system in which a character raising game service according to the present invention is implemented.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a mobile communication terminal that can enjoy a character raising game service according to the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a service application processing module of the character raising game according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a character growth processing module of the character raising game according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a post-processing module for a grown character of the character raising game according to the present invention.

** Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawings **

10: mobile communication terminal 20: wireless Internet service system

30: Internet 40: Web Game Server

42: Game Database 44: Member Database

50: control unit 52: caller ID detection unit

54: wireless signal transmission and reception unit 56: key input unit

58: display unit 60: audio signal processing unit

62: microphone 64: speaker

66: data storage 68: interface

70: antenna

In order to achieve the above object, a mobile game terminal user has a web game server system connected to the wireless internet, and provides a character raising game program to any mobile communication terminal connected to the web game server system through the wireless internet. As a way to play a character raising game,

The web game server system, in response to the application signal of the character raising game sent by the first mobile communication terminal, receives a character seed through the wireless Internet and designates a first seed designated by the first mobile communication terminal and / or the first mobile communication terminal. 2 Send to mobile communication terminal,

When the character raising game program installed in the first mobile communication terminal and / or the second mobile communication terminal is acting, the call interval and / whenever the call connection between the first mobile communication terminal and the second mobile communication terminal period; Or calculating a growth energy according to a talk time, calculating a growth stage of the character according to the calculated growth energy, and displaying a growth pattern of the character corresponding to the calculated growth stage in the first mobile communication terminal and / or the second. Provided is a method for providing a character raising game service using a mobile communication terminal, which is displayed on a display screen of a mobile communication terminal and the first and second mobile communication terminal users jointly grow a character according to their call connection.

Preferably, the character raising game program receives the telephone number of the mobile communication terminal from the user and transmits it to the web game server system whenever the character is grown, and the web game server system is a user of the received telephone number. Accumulates the number of characters grown. The web game server system extracts a part of the users of the mobile communication terminal that has grown the character to give a prize. When the character is displayed, it is desirable to change the position and size in several ways so that the character's liveliness can be felt.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings that illustrate the features of various embodiments of the invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a configuration of a system required to implement a character raising game service according to the present invention. The game service site operator is provided with a web game server 40 which is connected to the Internet 30 to provide various services necessary for raising a character in response to a request for providing a service from the outside, and provides various kinds of character raising game programs. While storing contents and the like in the game database 42, a member database 44 for maintaining information of service members is provided. The web game server system 40 is connected to the wireless Internet service system 20 through the Internet 30, and the mobile communication terminal user wants to enjoy a character raising game provided by the site operator. Provides the information required by the site administrator, and provides the necessary game program and character seeds to install on their mobile communication terminal to prepare the execution environment of the character raising game. Here character seed refers to the character of the initial growth stage.

Examples of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention include a general cellular phone, a PCS phone, and a communication terminal such as IMT2000, which is to be serviced in the future. Such a mobile communication terminal generally has a wireless signal transmission and reception unit 54 connected to the antenna 70 as shown in FIG. 2, a data storage unit 66 for storing a game program necessary for a character raising game and a character for each growth stage. , A microphone 62 for inputting / outputting a voice signal during a telephone call and performing signal processing necessary for the call, an LCD module for displaying a character image or various character information, etc. A display unit 58, a key input unit 56 having various function keys necessary for a telephone number call and a telephone call and generating input signals of these keys, and an interface unit for connecting and receiving data via a cable with an external device (68) and the like. In particular, in order to enjoy the character raising game according to the present invention, it is preferable to have a caller ID detection unit 52 having a function of determining the caller's telephone number. In addition, the controller 50 is connected to each of these components and configured to control the overall operation.

In order to enjoy a character raising game, a game program must be installed in the mobile communication terminal. The game program may be installed by a method of downloading and installing the mobile communication terminal wirelessly by accessing the web game server 40 via the wireless Internet service system 20 and the Internet 30. Alternatively, the computer (not shown) is connected to the web game server 40 via the Internet 30 to download the game program, and then the interface unit 68 and the computer of the mobile communication terminal are connected to the communication cable. You can also connect, download and install it.

The mobile communication terminal provided with the game program displays a game menu on the display unit 58 as illustrated in FIG. 6 by a user's key operation. The drawings assume that 'character growth (growing) game' is classified as entertainment network menu, and the types of games include, for example, 'love rose raising', 'pet raising', 'cyber baby raising', and the like. It depends on the growth scenario. 'Pet-raising' is a game for raising dinosaur eggs or pups, for example, so that one can keep the curiosity for a long time by not knowing the exact type of eggs before they are fully grown. 'Cyber Baby Raising' is a game that allows a couple of babies to conceive a virtual child and continue to develop them in the process of childbirth and childcare. 'Rose rose' game is a game that provides a rose seed to bloom rose by the joint efforts of the game-related people, the following will be described as an example.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a service application processing module of the character raising game according to the present invention. When the user of the mobile communication terminal operates the key input unit 56 and selects one game among the various character raising games shown on the display unit 58, that is, a 'love rose raising' game, the controller 50 recognizes this and then the controller 50 recognizes this. Control to display the screen as shown in 7 (a) (step S10).

If desired by the user, briefly display the game introduction and usage method as shown in (b) of FIG. 7, and selecting 'Start game' causes the display unit 58 to output a message as shown in (c) of FIG. 7. Character (Rose) Provides a menu to select recipients (Respondents). Respondents can be not only themselves but also others or themselves and others (step S12).

When the Respondent is selected, the control unit 50 requests and inputs the Respondent's telephone number as shown in FIG. 7 (d). If the Respondent has a message to the Respondent, the controller 50 receives the message and transmits the message. (Step S14).

In addition, the controller 50 requests the input of the game applicant's phone number and personal information and goes through the procedure of receiving the input (Fig. 7 (f) and (g)). The applicant's personal information includes the social security number by default. Social Security Number is required to check the bill at the time of service and can be used as a marketing material in the future. In addition, the ID (ID) or password can also be requested as personal information, but due to the nature of the mobile service can be omitted in consideration of the hassle of data input (step S16).

After receiving the information about the applicant and the respondent, the control unit 50 transmits the information received through the wireless signal transmission and reception unit 54 to be transmitted to the web game server 40 (step S17).

The web game server 40 stores the received information in the member database 44, and transmits the character (rose) seeds with the message to the respondent's mobile communication terminal, and the character seed to the applicant's mobile communication terminal. The message notifying the completion of the transmission is transmitted so that the message is displayed on the display unit 58 of each mobile communication terminal as shown in FIGS. 7h and 7i (steps S18 and S20). If an error occurs in the transmission process, an appropriate error message is displayed ((k) of FIG. 7). When the Respondent operates the key input unit 56 and presses OK, the character seed is displayed on the display unit 58 as illustrated in FIG. 7 (j), whereby the seed of the character seed can be grown and grown. The environment is secured. At this time, the web game server 40 checks whether or not the game program is installed in the respondent's mobile communication terminal, and if it is not installed, the game program is transmitted together with the transmission of the character seed.

Referring to Figure 4 showing the procedure of the character growth processing module of the character raising game according to the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

As mentioned above, the character seed may be delivered in three ways according to the applicant's intention, and FIG. 4 is commonly applied to the applicant's or the respondent's if the mobile terminal receives the character seed.

When the applicant and / or respondent sends or receives the character seed, the game program resides in the data storage 66 and is executed by the controller 50 on the initial screen of the applicant's and / or respondent's mobile communication terminal without any special management. As a result, the character receives growth energy and grows gradually according to the telephone call between the applicant and the respondent.

First, it periodically checks whether a call has been received, and if an incoming call is detected, it is determined whether the call is from a related party of a character raising game. To this end, the caller ID detection unit 52 extracts the caller's phone number and transfers it to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 controls the current caller's phone number and the related counterpart of the character raising game stored in the data storage unit 66. By comparing phone numbers (hereinafter referred to as 'designated phone numbers'), the above judgment can be made (steps S22 and S24).

If the incoming call matches the designated phone number, the controller 50 counts the talk time (step S26). Then, the growth energy of the character is calculated based on the counted talk time (step S28). Whenever the call continues for a certain time, for example, 5 minutes or more, the growth energy may be calculated by giving a growth energy of one step.

However, the method of calculating growth energy can be modified in various ways. That is, the growth energy may be calculated by giving an appropriate weight to the total talk time and the total call frequency by further considering the frequency of the call in addition to the talk time as a criterion for the growth energy. Further, in consideration of the call interval, for example, if there is no call for 24 hours or more, a method of subtracting the growth energy by giving a negative weight may be applied.

The controller 50 calculates the growth energy and then generates the calculated growth energy (for example, sunlight, water, rest, etc. in the case of plants such as roses), adds them to the character of the previous stage, and grows them by adding the growth energy. The appearance of the character is displayed on the display unit 58 (steps S30 and S32). Here, the growth stage of the character can be varied depending on how to prepare a scenario, Figure 8 starts the growth stage of the character rose, starting from the step of receiving seeds (first stage), the seed development (second stage) ), Sprouting (3rd stage), leaf production (4th stage), leaf and stem growth (5th stage), leaf, stem, thorn growth (6th stage), flower bud preparation (7th stage) Step), the creation of flower buds (step 8), the development of flower buds (step 9), and the development of the flower buds from 14 steps ranging from full bloom (steps 10 to 14). . For example, if a call is made about a week based on the average number of calls per day 2-3 times, a scenario of growth stage is drawn up to the 14th step. In addition, a method of displaying a character image of each stage by changing the size or position thereof and displaying the same may be displayed as a video so that the character may feel lively.

After growing the character based on such a growth scenario, the current growth state is stored in the data storage unit 66, and the procedure for growing the character by calculating the growth energy in the same manner as described above the next time the call is connected. You grow your character by repeating it.

Next, Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the post-processing module for the growth of the character of the character raising game according to the present invention. The controller 50 checks whether the character growth stage reaches the final stage (for example, the fourteenth stage of the full bloom of the rosette) when the call is terminated and the character growth process is performed (step S36).

When the growth of the character is completed, the controller 50 displays the rose storage box of the main menu as shown in FIG. 9, and then requests the user to input the number of his mobile communication terminal (steps S38 and S40).

When the user inputs a phone number, the control unit 50 transmits it through the wireless signal transmission / reception unit 54 and increases the number of characters that have been grown in the data storage unit 66 (steps S42 and S44). Meanwhile, the web game server 40 also receives the number of the mobile communication terminal and increases the number of characters grown by the user of the number one by one, and the rose received during the storage of the web game server 40 is automatically stored. (Steps S46, S48).

In order to increase the interest of the game, some of the users who have completed the character's growth (e.g. full bloom of roses) are given a raffle, or a flower delivery discount ticket is issued when the individual rose accumulated in the rose storage exceeds 100, for example. You can also provide services such as offering roses or delivering roses. This giveaway service guide is displayed on the screen of the mobile communication terminal as illustrated in FIG. 10 so that the user can know.

As described above, the present invention is a wireless Internet-based character raising game that can jointly grow a character according to the call amount of the designated party by transmitting a character image to others or themselves through a mobile communication terminal. By managing the common characters in the virtual space by using the most commonly used phone like this, it is possible to double the enjoyment of the call of the two involved people and to eliminate the sense of distance which is not often met in modern society. It can contribute to the creation of a bright social atmosphere by increasing the bonds between them.

Although the above has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art will be variously modified and changed within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described in the claims below You can. Accordingly, all changes that come within the meaning or range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims (4)

A mobile game terminal user can play a character raising game by providing a web game server system connected to the wireless internet, and providing a character raising game program to any mobile communication terminal connected to the web game server system through the wireless internet. As a way of doing so, The web game server system, in response to the application signal of the character raising game sent by the first mobile communication terminal, receives a character seed through the wireless Internet and designates a first seed designated by the first mobile communication terminal and / or the first mobile communication terminal. 2 Send to mobile communication terminal, When the character raising game program installed in the first mobile communication terminal and / or the second mobile communication terminal is acting, the call interval and / whenever the call connection between the first mobile communication terminal and the second mobile communication terminal period; Or calculating a growth energy according to a talk time, calculating a growth stage of the character according to the calculated growth energy, and displaying a growth pattern of the character corresponding to the calculated growth stage in the first mobile communication terminal and / or the second. Method for providing a character raising game service using a mobile communication terminal characterized in that the display on the display screen of the mobile terminal, the user of the first and second mobile communication terminal jointly grow the character according to their call connection. The method according to claim 1, wherein the character raising game program receives a telephone number of a mobile communication terminal from a user and transmits it to the web game server system whenever the character is grown, and the web game server system receives the received telephone number. Character growth game service providing method using a mobile communication terminal, characterized in that to accumulate the number of characters grown by the user. The method of claim 1, wherein the web game server system extracts a part of users of the mobile communication terminal that has grown the character to provide a prize. The method of claim 1, wherein when the character is displayed, the position and the size are changed in several ways to continuously display the character so that the character can be felt lively.