GAME APPARATUS AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING A GAME PROGRAM FOR CONDUCTING DATA COMMUNICATIONS WITH A NETWORK

• US 20120028717A1
• Filed: 10/03/2011
• Published: 02/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Hirose, Kazuki, Tamaki, Shinichiro, Sasaki, Tetsuya, Araki, Tsutomu, Adachi, Hiroaki
• Granted Patent: US 10,293,264 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/352 involving special game server arrangements, e.g. regional servers connected to a national server or a plurality of servers managing partitions of the game world
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/513 server hierarchy, e.g. local, regional, national or dedicated for different tasks, e.g. authenticating, billing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/537 for exchanging game data using a messaging service, e.g. e-mail, SMS, MMS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/556 Player lists, e.g. online players, buddy list, black list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking

Abstract

A game apparatus includes an input-output processor, and by following an instruction from the input-output processor, messages are transmitted and received with other game apparatus 12 connected via a network. The messages are transmitted and received in an electronic mail format, and has identification information of an application being a creation source of the message as well as general information, such as a transmission source, a destination and a subject as header information.

Claims

1. A game apparatus including a communication portion for transmitting and receiving data with a network and a storing portion having a download data storage location for storing received download data, the game apparatus capable of executing an application by utilizing the data downloaded via the network, the game apparatus comprising:

application processing programmed logic circuitry for executing an arbitrary application designated by a user;

a task storage location for storing communication schedule data including at least download destination information for each application; and

download managing programmed logic circuitry for reading communication schedule data from said task storage device, causing said communication portion to communicate with the network on the basis of said communication schedule to download predetermined data, and storing in said download data storage location download data identifiable with the targeted application downloaded from said network for each targeted application,

wherein said application processing programmed logic circuitry, when said download data for said application exists in said download data storage location, executes processes including a download data acquiring process for reading said download data for said application to thereby perform utilization of data via the network.

2. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said application processing programmed logic circuitry further performs a task registering process for storing said communication schedule data in said task storage location.

3. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communication schedule data includes a permissible remaining number of times to download a file, and

said download managing programmed logic circuitry decrements the permissible remaining number of times every time said file is downloaded.

4. A game apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

said download managing programmed logic circuitry deletes said communication schedule data when the permissible remaining number of times said file may be downloaded is zero.

5. A game apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

said download managing programmed logic circuitry further performs error detecting processing for detecting a communication error, and does not decrement said permissible remaining number of times said file may be downloaded if an error is detected.

6. A game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising

a time outputting programmed logic circuitry for outputting data indicative of a time,

wherein said communication schedule data includes a downloading interval, and

said download managing programmed logic circuitry determines an estimated me for a subsequent download on the basis of said downloading interval.

7. A game apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

said communication schedule data further includes a past time indicative of how long after a downloading interval the estimated time for a next download occurs,

said download managing programmed logic circuitry deletes said communication schedule data if said past time expires without the downloading having been made.

8. A game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said game apparatus is a game apparatus switchable between a normal energized state allowing execution of said application, and a stand-by state restricting electric power consumption and not allowing execution of said application, and

said download managing programmed logic circuitry causes said communication portion to make a communication in at least the stand-by state.

9. A game apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving data via a network with other apparatuses, and executing an application using data transmitted and received with an apparatus registered in advance as a destination with which communication is allowable, the game apparatus comprising:

a communication portion for transmitting and receiving data;

a destination storage location for storing destination data indicative of a destination;

destination input programmed logic circuitry for adding destination data indicative of a predetermined destination;

first notifying programmed logic circuitry for, when destination data is added by said destination input programmed logic circuitry, automatically generating predetermined data to an apparatus indicated by an added destination, and causing said communication portion to transmit it via the network; and

registering programmed logic circuitry for, when predetermined data is received from an apparatus associated with said added destination after completion of transmitting and receiving the data by said first notifying programmed logic circuitry, registering said destination data as a communication allowable destination.

10. A game apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said gaming apparatus executes applications using data transmitted and received between game apparatuses each of which registers each other'"'"'s destination data, and wherein said destination is a destination associated with another game apparatus, the game apparatus further comprising:

a second notifying programmed logic circuitry for, after registering the destination data in said registering programmed logic circuitry, automatically generating predetermined data to said destination, and causing said communication portion to transmit it via the network, wherein

said registering programmed logic circuitry, after transmitting the data by said first notifying programmed logic circuitry, in a case that predetermined data generated in said first notifying programmed logic circuitry or said second notifying programmed logic circuitry of the game apparatus to be designated by said destination is received, for registering said destination data.

11. A game apparatus according to claim 9, wherein

said destination is an e-mail address, and

said first notifying programmed logic circuitry generates data in an electronic mail format to said destination, and

said registering programmed logic circuitry registers said destination data in a case that a reply mail to said data in an electronic mail format is received.

12. A game apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising

a filtering programmed logic circuitry for, when data that is not from said registered destination is received, deleting said data.

13. A machine readable storage medium storing a game program of a game apparatus provided with a communication portion for transmitting and receiving data with a network and a storing portion having a downloaded data storage location for storing received download data, the game apparatus capable of executing an application using the data downloaded via the network, said game program makes a computer of said game apparatus function as:

application processing programmed logic circuitry for executing an arbitrary application designated by a user;

a task storage location for storing communication schedule data including at least download destination information for each application; and

download managing programmed logic circuitry for executing processing of reading communication schedule data from said task storage location, causing said communication portion to, on the basis of said communication schedule, download predetermined data, and store the data in said download data storage location, to download data identifiable with each targeted application;

wherein said application processing programmed logic circuitry, in a case that said download data for said application exists in said download data storage location, executes processes including a download data acquiring process for reading said download data for said application to thereby perform utilization of data via the network.

14. A machine readable game program of a game apparatus which transmits and receives data via a network with other apparatus, and executes an application using data transmitted and received with an apparatus registered in advance as a destination with which communication is allowable, said game program making a computer of said game apparatus function as:

a communication portion for transmitting and receiving data;

a destination storage location for storing destination data indicative of a destination;

destination input programmed logic circuitry for adding destination data indicative of a predetermined destination to said destination storage location;

first notifying programmed logic circuitry such that, when destination data is added by said destination input programmed logic circuitry, the first notifying programmed logic circuitry automatically generates predetermined data to an apparatus indicated by an added destination, and causing said communication portion to transmit it via the network; and

registering programmed logic circuitry for, when predetermined data is received from an apparatus indicative of said added destination after completing a transmission and receipt of the data by said first notifying programmed logic circuitry, registering said destination data as a communication allowable destination.

15. A video game system comprising:

a game processor for executing a video game application;

an input/output processor, operatively coupled to the game processor, for communicating data with a network; and

a switch for switching between first and second modes of operation of the video game system;

wherein, in the first mode, sufficient power is provided to enable the game processor to execute the video game application and to enable the input/output processor to communicate data with the network; and

wherein, in the second mode, power to the game processor is restricted so that the game processor cannot execute the video game application, while sufficient power is provided to the input/output processor to enable communication of data with the network.

16. The video game system as in claim 15, further comprising a remote video game controller for operating the switch.

17. The video game system as in claim 15, further comprising a flash memory which stores data received from the network and data to be transmitted to the network by the input/out put processor in both the first and second modes.

18. The video game system as in claim 15, further comprising a flash memory which stores data received from the network and data to be transmitted to the network by the input/output processor in both the first and second modes, the data stored in the flash memory being in an electronic mail format.

19. The video game system as in claim 15, further comprising a flash memory which stores data received from the network and data to be transmitted to the network by the input/output processor in both the first and second modes, the data stored in the flash memory including data identifying a video game application which will utilize the stored data.

20. A method of operating a video game system, the method comprising:

controlling power to a game processor for executing a video game application;

controlling power to an input/output processor, operatively coupled to the game processor, for communicating data with a network; and

switching between a normal mode of video game system operation and a standby mode of video game system operation;

wherein, in the normal mode, power to the game processor and the input/output processor is controlled so that the game processor executes the video game application and the input/output processor communicates data with the network; and

wherein, in the standby mode, power to the game processor and the input/output processor is controlled so that the game processor cannot execute the video game application but the input/output processor can communicate data with the network.

21. The method as in claim 20, further comprising controlling the switching via a remote video game controller.

22. The method as in claim 20, further comprising storing, in a flash memory, data received from the network and data to be transmitted to the network by the input/output processor in both the first and second modes.

23. The method as in claim 20, further comprising storing, in a flash memory, data received from the network and data to be transmitted to the network by the input/output processor in both the first and second modes, the data stored in the flash memory being in an electronic mail format.

24. The method as in claim 20, further comprising storing, in a flash memory, data received from the network and data to be transmitted to the network by the input/output processor in both the first and second modes, the data stored in the flash memory including data identifying a video game application which will utilize the stored data.

25. A video game system comprising:

a game processor for executing a video game application;

an input/output processor for communicating data with a network; and

a memory, operatively coupled to the game processor and the input/output processor, for storing data received from the network and/or to be transmitted to the network;

wherein the input/output processor performs reception of data from the network and/or transmission of data to the network independently from execution of the video game application by the game processor.

26. The video game system as in claim 25 wherein the input/output processor determines a timing of the reception of data from the network and/or transmission of data to the network independently from execution of the video game application by the game processor.

27. The video game system as in claim 25 wherein data stored in the memory includes data generated by the game processor during execution of the video game application, and the input/output processor performs transmission of the stored data to the network independently from execution of the video game application by the game processor.

28. The video game system as in claim 25 wherein data stored in the memory includes data generated by the game processor during execution of the video game application, and the input/output processor determines a transmission timing of the stored data to the network independently from execution of the video game application by the game processor.

29. The video game system as in claim 25 wherein data stored in the memory includes data generated by the game processor during execution of the video game application, the generated data including an identifier of the video game application but not including timing data indicating when the stored data is to be transmitted to the network.

30. The video game system as in claim 25 wherein the data stored in the memory includes data identifying an application which will utilize the stored data.

31. The video game system as in claim 25 wherein the game processor is capable of executing a plurality of applications and the data stored in the memory includes first data including data identifying a first of the plurality of applications and second data including data identifying a second of the plurality of the applications.

32. A method of operating a video game system, the method comprising:

executing a video game application using a game processor;

communicating data with a network using an input/output processor independently from execution of the video game application using the game processor; and

storing data received from the network and/or to be transmitted to the network in a memory.

33. The method as in claim 32 wherein the input/output processor determines a timing of the reception of data from the network and/or transmission of data to the network independently from execution of the video game application using the game processor.

34. The method as in claim 32 wherein data stored in the memory includes data generated by the game processor during execution of the video game application, and the input/output processor performs transmission of the stored data to the network independently from execution of the video game application using the game processor.

35. The method as in claim 32 wherein data stored in the memory includes data generated by the game processor during execution of the video game application, and the input/output processor determines a transmission timing of the stored data to the network independently from execution of the video game application using the game processor.

36. The method as in claim 32 wherein data stored in the memory includes data generated by the game processor during execution of the video game application, the generated data including an identifier of the video game application but not including timing data indicating when the stored data is to be transmitted to the network.

37. The method as in claim 32 wherein the data stored in the memory includes data identifying an application which will utilize the stored data.

38. The method as in claim 32 wherein the game processor is capable of executing a plurality of applications and the data stored in the memory includes first data including data identifying a first of the plurality of applications and second data including data identifying a second of the plurality of the applications.

39. A game system comprising:

a communication device for transmitting and receiving data via a network;

an application processor for executing an application;

an input/output processor for causing said communication device to transmit and receive data via the network;

a reply data storage location, operatively coupled to said input/output processor, for storing reply data;

a received data storage location, operatively coupled to said input/output processor, for storing data received from the network;

wherein the input/output processor executes instructions to provide;

a reply request detector which detects a presence of reply request information in said received data, and

automatic reply programmed logic circuitry which automatically reads the reply data from the reply data storage location, and transmits the reply data via the communication device based on the detection of the presence of reply request information in said received data.

40. The game system as in claim 39 wherein the reply data is deleted after said automatic reply programmed logic circuitry transmits the reply data.

41. The game system as in claim 39 wherein said reply data is transmitted only once.

42. The game system as in claim 39 wherein said reply data is determined based on input by a user of the game system.

43. The game system as in claim 39 wherein said application processor executes instructions to transmit notification after the automatic reply programmed logic circuitry transmits the reply data.

44. The game system as in claim 39 wherein the reply data relates to a user specified item and said received data includes an intent to agree on a deal relating to said item.

45. The game system as in claim 39 wherein the application executed by the application processor is a video game application, the received data includes data relating to an item for use in the video game application, and the reply data includes an intent to acquire the item.

46. The game system as in claim 39 wherein the received data includes data relating to selling an item, the item being usable during execution of the application by the application processor, and the reply data includes an intent to purchase the item.

47. A computer implemented method of operating a game system to automatically reply to a message, the method comprising:

receiving data from a network;

storing reply data in a memory;

determining if the received data includes an auto-reply portion; and

transmitting, to the network, reply data read from the memory based on the determination that the received data does have an auto-reply portion.

48. The method as in claim 47, wherein the transmission of the reply data is further based on the number of times said reply data has been sent.

49. The method as in claim 47, wherein said reply data is predetermined data from a user of the game system.

50. The method as in claim 47, further comprising notifying a user of said game system after said reply data has been transmitted.

51. The game system as in claim 47, wherein the reply data relates to a user specified item and said received data includes an intent to agree on a deal relating to said item.

52. The game system as in claim 47 further comprising executing a video game application, wherein the received data includes data relating to an item for use in the video game application, and the reply data includes an intent to acquire the item.

53. The game system as n claim 47 further comprising executing a video game application, wherein the received data includes data relating to selling an item, the item being usable during execution of the video game application, and the reply data includes an intent to purchase the item.

54. A video game system comprising:

a communication device for transmitting and receiving data via a network;

an application processor for executing a video game application;

an input/output processor for causing said communication device to transmit and receive data via the network, the input/output processor transmitting data, to the network via the communication device, having an auto-reply indicator and an intent to provide an item to be used in the video game application.

55. The video game system as in claim 54, wherein the intent to provide an item comprises an intent to sell the item.

56. The video game system as in claim 54, wherein the input/output processor transmits data, to the network via the communication device, relating to providing the item upon receipt of an auto-reply having reply data indicating an intent to acquire the item.

57. The video game system as in claim 54, wherein the intent to provide an item comprises an intent to sell the item, and the input/output processor transmits data, to the network via the communication device, relating to selling the item upon receipt of an auto-reply having reply data indicating an intent to purchase the item

58. A video game system capable of executing at least one application which utilizes data downloaded via a network, the system comprising:

a communication portion for transmitting and receiving data via said network;

a task storage location for storing a plurality of tasks, each task being associated with at least one of a plurality of applications, each application having a corresponding application identifier; and

each task also being associated with communication schedule data;

a downloaded data storage location for storing data downloaded from the network;

an input/output processor for the reading communication schedule data from said task storage location, causing said communication portion to download data from the network based on the read communication schedule data, and storing, in said downloaded data storage location, data downloaded from the network, the downloaded data including at least one application identifier; and

an application processor for executing the application identified by the application identifier of the downloaded data so as to read the data stored in the downloaded data storage location and utilize the read data in the application identified by the application identifier of the downloaded data.

59. The video game system of claim 58 wherein:

the task storage location stores data relating to a permissible number of downloads for at least one of the plurality of tasks; and

the input/output processor determines the number of successful downloads of data that have been previously made pursuant to the communication schedule data associated with the at least one of the plurality of tasks, and deletes the communication schedule data if the number of successful downloads exceeds the permissible number of downloads.

60. The video game system of claim 58 wherein said communication schedule data includes a retry time for a particular task, specifying how long said input/output processor may attempt to download the data identified by the communication schedule data associated with the particular task before the communication schedule data associated with the particular task is deleted from said task storage location.

61. The video game system of claim 58 further comprises a reception message storage location for storing messages downloaded from the network.

62. The video game system of claim 58 wherein the data stored by the downloaded data storage location includes first data including a first application identifier and second data including a second application identifier, the first and second application identifiers being different, and the application processor executes a first application identified by the first application identifier utilizing the first data and executes a second application identified by the second application identifier utilizing the second data.

63. A method of operating a video game system to execute at least one application which utilizes data downloaded via a network, the method comprising:

storing, in a task storage location, a plurality of tasks, each task being associated with at least one of a plurality of applications, each application having a corresponding application identifier; and

each task also being associated with communication schedule data;

reading the communication schedule data from said task storage location;

downloading data from the network based on the read communication schedule data;

storing, in a downloaded data storage location, data downloaded from the network, the downloaded data including at least one application identifier; and

executing the application identified by the application identifier of the downloaded data so as to read the data stored in the downloaded data storage location and utilize the read data in the application identified by the application identifier of the downloaded data.

64. The method of claim 63 further comprising:

storing, in the task storage location, data relating to a permissible number of downloads for at least one of the plurality of tasks;

determining the number of successful downloads of data that have been previously made pursuant to the communication schedule data associated with the at least one of the plurality of tasks; and

deleting the communication schedule data if the number of successful downloads exceeds the permissible number of downloads.

65. The method of claim 63 wherein said communication schedule data includes a retry time for a particular task, specifying how long data associated with the particular task may be attempted for download before the communication schedule data associated with the particular task is deleted from said task storage location.

66. The method of claim 63 further comprising storing messages downloaded from the network in a reception message location.

67. The method of claim 63 wherein the data stored by the downloaded data storage location includes first data including a first application identifier and second data including a second application identifier, the first and second application identifiers being different, a first application identified by the first application identifier is executed utilizing the first data, and a second application identified by the second application identifier is executed utilizing the second data.

68. A video game apparatus which is connectable to a network, the video game apparatus comprising:

a game processor for executing a video game application;

an input/output processor, operatively coupled to the game processor, for transmitting data to and receiving data from the network; and

a memory for storing at least one address of at least one other apparatus which is connectable to the network;

wherein the input/output processor automatically generates a registration notification upon the address being entered and stored by the memory, and automatically transmits the registration notification to a destination indicated by the address via the network.

69. The video game apparatus as in claim 68, wherein the address entered and stored by the memory is an electronic mail address and the registration notification is transmitted by the input/output processor in an electronic mail format.

70. The video game apparatus as in claim 68, wherein the input/output processor receives data including a transmission source address from the network, and determines whether or not to automatically delete the received data based on a comparison of the transmission source address of the received data and the at least one address stored in the memory.

71. The video game apparatus as in claim 68, wherein the input/output processor receives data including a transmission source address from the network, and determines whether or not to automatically generate and transmit data which acknowledges registration of the transmission address of the received data based on a comparison of the transmission source address of the received data and the at least one address stored in the memory.

72. The video game apparatus as in claim 68, wherein the destination is another video game apparatus.

73. A method of operating a video game apparatus which is connectable to a network to communicate data with the network, the method comprising:

executing a video game application;

transmitting data to and receiving data from the network;

entering and storing at least one address of at least one other apparatus which is connectable to the network in a memory; and

automatically generating a registration notification upon the address being entered and stored by the memory and automatically transmitting the registration notification to a destination indicated by the address via the network.

74. The method as in claim 73, wherein the address entered and stored by the memory is an electronic mail address and the registration notification is transmitted to the destination in an electronic mail format.

75. The method as in claim 73, further comprising:

receiving data including a transmission source address from the network;

comparing the transmission source address of the data received from the network and the at least one address stored in the memory; and

determining whether or not to automatically delete the data received from the network based on the comparison of the transmission source address of the received data and the at least one address stored in the memory.

76. The method as in claim 73, further comprising:

receiving data including a transmission source address from the network;

comparing the transmission source address of the data received from the network and the at least one address stored in the memory; and

determining whether or not to automatically generate and transmit data which acknowledges registration of the transmission address of the data received from the network based on a comparison of the transmission source address of the data received from the network and the at least one address stored in the memory.

77. The method as in claim 73, wherein the destination is another video game apparatus.

78. A system of video game apparatuses connectable by a computer network, the system comprising:

a first video game apparatus which is connectable to the network, the first video game apparatus comprising;

a first input/output processor for transmitting data to and receiving data from the network; and

a first memory for storing at least one address of at least one other video game apparatus which is connectable to the network; and

a second video game apparatus which is connectable to the network, the second video game apparatus comprising;

a second input/output processor for transmitting data to and receiving data from the network; and

a second memory for storing at least one address of at least one other video game apparatus which is connectable to the network;

wherein the first input/output processor automatically generates a first registration notification upon the address of the second video game apparatus being entered and stored by the first memory, and automatically transmits the first registration notification to the second video game apparatus via the network; and

the second input/output processor automatically generates a second registration notification upon the address of the first video game apparatus being entered and stored by the second memory, and automatically transmits the second registration notification to the first video game apparatus via the network.

79. The system of claim 78 wherein the first input/output processor automatically generates and transmits, to the second video game apparatus, an acknowledgment of the second registration notification upon receipt of the second registration notification.

80. The system of claim 79 wherein the second input/output processor automatically generates and transmits, to the first video game apparatus, an acknowledgment upon receipt of the acknowledgment of the second registration notification from the first video game apparatus.

81. The system of claim 78 wherein the first video game apparatus accepts data received from the second video game apparatus after the address of the first video game apparatus is entered and stored by the first memory and automatically deletes any data received from any apparatus whose address has not been entered and stored by the first memory;

and

the second video game apparatus accepts data received from the first video game apparatus after the address of the first video game apparatus is entered and stored by the second memory and automatically deletes any data received from any apparatus whose address has not been entered and stored by the second memory.

82. A system of apparatuses connectable by a computer network, the system comprising:

a first apparatus which is connectable to the network, the first apparatus being a video game apparatus and comprising;

a first input/output processor for transmitting data to and receiving data from the network; and

a first memory for storing at least one address of at least one other apparatus which is connectable to the network; and

a second apparatus which is connectable to the network, the second apparatus comprising;

a second input/output processor for transmitting data to and receiving data from the network; and

a second memory for storing at least one address of at least one other apparatus which is connectable to the network;

wherein the first input/output processor automatically generates a first registration notification upon the address of the second apparatus being entered and stored by the first memory, and automatically transmits the first registration notification to the second apparatus via the network.

83. The system of claim 82 wherein the first apparatus accepts data received from the second apparatus after the address of the first apparatus is entered and stored by the first memory and automatically deletes any data received from any apparatus whose address has not been entered and stored by the first memory;

and

the second apparatus accepts data received from the first apparatus after the address of the first apparatus is entered and stored by the second memory and automatically deletes any data received from any apparatus whose address has not been entered and stored by the second memory.

84. A video game system comprising:

a game processor for executing a video game application;

an input/output processor for transmitting data to and receiving data from a network;

a memory, operatively coupled to the input/output processor, for storing data received from the network, the data including at least a transmission source identifier and an application identifier;

wherein the input/output processor executes instructions to provide;

a comparator which compares data, received by the input/output processor, including a transmission source identifier and an application identifier with the data stored in the memory; and

overwrite programmed logic circuitry which determines whether or not to overwrite the data stored in the memory based on the comparison performed by the comparator.

85. The video game system as in claim 84 wherein the overwrite programmed logic circuitry overwrites the data stored in the memory if the transmission source identifier and the application identifier of the data received by input/output processor correspond to the transmission source identifier and the application identifier of the data stored in the memory, but does not overwrite the data stored in the memory if either the transmission source identifier or the application identifier of the data received by input/output processor does not correspond to the transmission source identifier or the application identifier of the data stored in the memory.

86. The video game system as in claim 84 wherein:

the data stored in the memory further includes an overwrite identifier and the data received by the input/output processor further includes an overwrite identifier;

the overwrite programmed logic circuitry overwrites the data stored in the memory if the transmission source identifier, the application identifier and overwrite identifier of the data received by the input/output processor correspond to the transmission source identifier, the application identifier and the overwrite identifier of the data stored in the memory, but does not overwrite the data stored in the memory if either the transmission source identifier, the application identifier or the overwrite identifier of the data received by input/output processor does not correspond to the transmission source identifier, the application identifier or the overwrite identifier of the data stored in the memory.

87. The video game system as in claim 84 wherein:

the data stored in the memory further includes overwrite priority data;

the data received by the input/output processor further includes overwrite priority data;

the comparator compares the overwrite priority data received by the input/output processor and the overwrite priority data stored in the memory;

overwrite programmed logic circuitry determines whether or not to overwrite the data stored in the memory based on the comparison of the overwrite priority data performed by the comparator.

88. The video game system as in claim 84 wherein:

the data received by the input/output processor is in an electronic mail format;

the data stored in the memory originated from data previously received by the input/output processor from the network in an electronic mail format.

89. The video game system as in claim 84 wherein:

the application identifier stored in the memory and the application identifier received by the input/output processor identify a particular video game application, and

the data stored in the memory and the data received by the input/output processor include data relating to a score of the video game application.

90. A method of operating a video game system, the method comprising:

executing a video game application;

storing data including at least a transmission source identifier and an application identifier in a memory;

transmitting data to and receiving data from a network, the received data including at least a transmission source identifier and an application identifier;

comparing the transmission source identifier and the application identifier of the stored data with the transmission source identifier and the application identifier of the received data; and

determining whether or not to overwrite the data stored in the memory based on the comparison.

91. The method as in claim 90 wherein:

the data stored in the memory is overwritten if the transmission source identifier and the application identifier of the received data correspond to the transmission source identifier and the application identifier of the stored data; and

the data stored in the memory is not overwritten if either the transmission source identifier or the application identifier of the received data does not correspond to the transmission source identifier or the application identifier of the stored data.

92. The method as in claim 90 wherein:

the data stored in the memory further includes including an overwrite identifier and the data received from the network further includes an overwrite identifier;

the data stored in the memory is overwritten if the transmission source identifier, the application identifier and the overwrite identifier of the received data correspond to the transmission source identifier, the application identifier and the overwrite identifier of the stored data; and

the data stored in the memory is not overwritten if any of the transmission source identifier, the application identifier or the overwrite identifier of the received data does not correspond to the transmission source identifier, the application identifier or the overwrite identifier of the stored data.

93. The method as in claim 90 wherein:

the data stored in the memory further includes overwrite priority data;

the data received from the network further includes overwrite priority data;

said comparing includes comparing the overwrite priority data received from the network and the overwrite priority data stored in the memory; and

said determining is based on the comparison of the overwrite priority data.

94. The method as in claim 90 wherein:

the data received from the network is in an electronic mail format; and

the data stored in the memory originated from data previously received from the network in an electronic mail format.

95. The method as in claim 90 wherein:

the application identifier stored in the memory and the application identifier received by from the network identify a particular video game application; and

the data stored in the memory and the data received from the network include data relating to a score of the video game application.