Game machine and information storage medium

• US 6,468,162 B1
• Filed: 11/23/1999
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Namco Limited (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Application Number:
  US09/447,826
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 463/23-24, 463/29, 463/43, 463/44, 463/1, 705/26
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/323 between game devices with different hardware characteristics, e.g. hand-held game devices connectable to game consoles or arcade machines
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/48 Starting a game, e.g. activating a game device or waiting for other players to join a multiplayer session
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/88 Mini-games executed independently while main games are being loaded
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

A game machine and information storage medium is provided which realizes the collection of character information and smooth play of a network game by utilizing a portable device that stores information. When the portable device is inserted into a game machine, character information is randomly selected and written into the portable device, or character information in the portable device is printed. Furthermore, character information not still stored in the portable device may be written into the same. Based on a combination of stored character information or personal information of a player, the character information is selected. A player can play an accessory game during the writing/printing time. The character information written or printed may vary depending on the result of the game. An arcade game machine may connect to a network and information can be transferred between the arcade game machine and a domestic game machine utilizing the portable device.

Claims

1. A game machine including a device for selling character information, the device comprising:

a device for communicating with a portable information storage device;

means for receiving a charge;

writing means for performing processing for writing the character information into a portable information storage device when the charge has been paid,

wherein said writing means performs processing for writing at least one item of the character information selected from a plurality of items of the character information at random or at random under a given condition into the portable information storage device; and

means for performing a game computation for enabling a player to play a given accessory game during the time when the character information is being written into the portable information storage device.

2. The game machine as defined in claim 1,

wherein the writing means selects the character information to be written into the portable information storage device based on information already stored in the portable information storage device.

3. The game machine as defined in claim 2,

wherein the writing means selects the character information still not stored in the portable information storage device to be newly written into the portable information storage device.

4. The game machine as defined in claim 2,

wherein the writing means selects the character information based on a combination of character information already stored in the portable information storage device.

5. The game machine as defined in claim 2,

wherein the writing means selects the character information based on personal information of a player.

6. The game machine as defined in claim 5,

wherein the personal information is information of the number of game plays by the player.

7. The game machine as defined in claim 1,

wherein the character information to be written into the portable information storage device is updated depending on the result of the accessory game by the player.

8. The game machine as defined in the claim 1,

wherein the game machine is connected to a network;

and

wherein the portable information storage device is mountable into a domestic game machine and information can also be transferred between the portable information storage device and the domestic game machine.

9. A game machine including a device for printing character information, the device comprising:

a device for communicating with a portable information storage device;

means for receiving a charge;

reading means for performing processing for reading out the character information stored in a portable information storage device when the charge has been paid;

means for performing processing for printing the read character information on a material for printing; and

means for performing a game computation for enabling a player to play a given accessory game during the time when the character information is being printed on a material for printing.

10. The game machine as defined in claim 9,

wherein the character information to be printing on a material for printing is updated depending on the result of the accessory game by the player.

11. The game machine as defined in claim 9,

wherein the game machine is connected to a network;

and

wherein the portable information storage device can be mounted into a domestic game machine and information can also be transferred between the portable information storage device and the domestic game machine.

12. An arcade game machine placed in an amusement center, comprising:

communication means for communicating information through a network;

means for performing processing for writing information sent through the network into a portable information storage device, wherein the portable information storage device is mountable into a domestic game machine and information is transferable between the portable information storage device and the domestic game machine; and

means for performing a game computation for enabling a player to play a given accessory game during the time when information received through the network is being written into the portable information storage device.

13. A computer-readable information storage medium used in a device for selling character information, comprising:

information for receiving a charge;

information for performing processing for writing the character information into a portable information storage device when the charge has been paid;

information for performing processing for writing at least one item of the character information selected from a plurality of items of the character information at random or at random under a given condition into the portable information storage device; and

information for performing a game computation for enabling a player to play a given accessory game during the time when the character information is being written into the portable information storage device.

14. The information storage medium as defined in claim 13,

wherein the character information to be written into the portable information storage device is selected based on information already stored in the portable information storage device.

15. The information storage medium as defined in claim 14,

wherein the character information still not stored in the portable information storage device is selected to be newly written into the portable information storage device.

16. The information storage medium as defined in claim 14,

wherein the character information is selected based on combination of character information already stored in the portable information storage device.

17. The information storage medium as defined in claim 14,

wherein the character information is selected based on personal information of a player.

18. The information storage medium as defined in claim 17,

wherein the personal information is information of the number of game plays by the player.

19. The information storage medium as defined in claim 13,

wherein the character information to be written into the portable information storage device is updated depending on the result of the game by the player.

20. A computer-readable information storage medium used in a device for printing character information, comprising:

information for receiving a charge;

information for performing processing for reading out the character information stored in a portable information storage device when the charge has been paid;

information for printing the read character information on a material for printing; and

information for performing a game computation for enabling a player to play a given accessory game during the time when the character information is being printed on a material for printing.

21. The information storage medium as defined in claim 20,

wherein the character information to be printed on a material for printing is updated depending on the result of the accessory game by the player.

22. A computer-readable information storage medium comprising a program for realizing:

means for communicating information through a network;

writing means for performing processing for writing information sent through the network into a portable information storage device, wherein the portable information storage device is mountable into a domestic game machine and information can be transferred not only between the portable information storage device and an arcade game machine but also between the portable information storage device and the domestic game machine; and

means for performing a game computation for enabling a player to play a given accessory game during the time when the information received through the network is being written into the portable information storage device.

23. A game machine including a device for selling character information, the device comprising:

a device for communicating with a portable information storage device;

means for receiving a charge; and

writing means for performing processing for writing the character information into a portable information storage device when the charge has been paid,

wherein said writing means performs processing for writing at least one item of the character information selected from a plurality of items of the character information at random or at random under a given condition into the portable information storage device, selects the character information to be written into the portable information storage device based on information already stored in the portable information storage device; and

based on personal information of a player.

24. A computer-readable information storage medium used in a device for selling character information, comprising:

information for receiving a charge;

information for performing processing for writing the character information into a portable information storage device when the charge has been paid; and

information for performing processing for writing at least one item of the character information selected from a plurality of items of the character information at random or at random under a given condition into the portable information storage device, wherein the character information to be written into the portable information storage device is selected based on information already stored in the portable information storage device and based on personal information of a player.

25. A game machine including a device for selling character information, the device comprising:

a device which communicates with a portable information storage device which is a computer-readable storage device;

a unit which receives a charge;

a reading unit which performs processing for reading information from the portable information storage device; and

a writing unit which performs processing for writing the character information into the portable information storage device when the charge has been paid,

wherein the writing unit performs processing for writing at least one item of the character information selected from a plurality of items of the character information at random or at random under a given condition into the portable information storage device; and

wherein the reading unit reads information which is already stored in the portable information storage device and the writing unit selects the character information to be written into the portable information storage device based on the information read by the reading unit.

26. The game machine as defined in claim 25,

wherein the writing unit selects character information still not stored in the portable information storage device to be newly written into the portable information storage device.

27. The game machine as defined in claim 25,

wherein the writing unit selects character information based on combination of character information already stored in the portable information storage device.

28. The game machine as defined in claim 25,

wherein the writing unit selects character information still not stored in the portable information storage device with a first probability and selects character information already stored in the portable information storage device with a second probability which is lower than the first probability.

29. A computer-readable information storage medium used in a device for selling character information, comprising:

information for communicating with a portable information storage device which is a computer-readable storage device;

information for receiving a charge;

information for performing processing for reading information from the portable information storage device;

information for performing processing for writing the character information into a portable information storage device when the charge has been paid; and

information for performing processing for writing at least one item of the character information selected from a plurality of items of the character information at random or at random under a given condition into the portable information storage device;

wherein information which is already stored in the portable information storage device is read out and the character information to be written into the portable information storage device is selected based on the read out information.

30. The information storage medium as defined in claim 29,

wherein character information still not stored in the portable information storage device is selected to be newly written into the portable information storage device.

31. The information storage medium as defined in claim 29,

wherein character information is selected based on a combination of character information already stored in the portable information storage device.

32. The information storage medium as defined in claim 29,

wherein character information still not stored in the portable information storage device is selected with a first probability and character information already stored in the portable information storage device is selected with a second probability which is lower than the first probability.