Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – With communication link
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-21
2004-05-18
O'Neill, Michael (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
With communication link
Reexamination Certificate
active
06736727
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 11-331973, filed Nov. 22, 1999, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a service system that acquires service information such as game characters by means of a portable terminal, thereby performing processing such as game. In particular, the present invention relates to a service system and service method designed so as to promote outgoing for a user who possesses the portable terminal.
In a game machine for home use, a user mounts a storage medium such as CD-ROM in which game software is stored in a game machine mainframe, thereby enjoying a game. History information depending on individual users such as a game in progress is stored in a storage medium such as a memory card independent of such storage medium as CD-ROM storing game software. For example, information such as weapons or characters that are available by being acquired through a match play game is also stored in this memory card. In addition, recently, by storing game software in a memory card, a user can enjoy a game easily even in a car or any location where a game machine mainframe cannot be used. Further, the user connects a game machine to a telephone line, and downloads game software, whereby the user can enjoy a match play game.
The game software used in such game machine can be purchased at various locations such as game shop, game selling corner at department store or the like, and shopping station in a convenience store. However, in some types of game software, all of the game characters used here cannot be always purchased at a general selling corner. Thus, there is proposed a sales strategy in which a system for selling a specific game character at an event space or through communication selling only is established, thereby enhancing the value of the game. As a result, there is a problem that many users that a promoter cannot expect gather and make a long line at such event location, and the promoter cannot treat such plenty of users satisfactorily.
In addition, there is a problem that the user continues playing a game to clear (end) the game at midnight or by sitting up through the night, and as a result of this, a student is absent from school or a worker is absent from office. That is, in playing a conventional game machine, a user continuously sits at the game machine and looks at the display all the times.
Further, in selling the game characters in the aforementioned event location as well, there occurs a case in which a person who wants to purchase the game continuously playing a game by a portable type game machine while he or she is waiting.
As described above, in the current use mode of the game machine, there is a large disadvantage that a user is likely to continue a game at home for a long time from the start to the end without outgoing, thus causing disordered daily life or shortage of exercise.
In addition, in selling game characters utilizing an event location, users gather at one part, and must wait for a long time, which is inefficient for users or game sellers. On the other hand, if such game characters can be purchased anywhere, its added value is lost for the users or game sellers.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in order to solve the aforementioned problem with the use of a game machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a service system and service method employing a portable terminal designed to promote outgoing.
In order to solve the foregoing problem, a service system according to the present invention comprises a portable terminal configured to acquire predetermined service information to be distributed, and then execute predetermined processing solely or in collaboration with an external device and an external station configured to make communication with the portable terminal when the portable terminal is close.
In addition, according to a service method in such service system comprising a portable terminal for acquiring predetermined service information to be distributed, and then, executing predetermined processing solely or in collaboration with an external device and an external station for making communication with the portable terminal when the portable terminal is close, history information depending on a user who possesses the portable terminal is stored by means of the portable terminal; the stored history information is transmitted to the external station by means of the portable terminal; the history information transmitted from the portable terminal is received by the external station, the history information is referred to by the external station, and the service information is transmitted and distributed to the portable terminal.
Communication between a portable terminal and an external station is made via a short distance wireless equipment known as Bluetooth.
Then, the portable terminal stores history information depending on a user who possesses the portable terminal, and transmits the history information to an external station. In addition, the external station receives the history information transmitted from the portable terminal, refers to the history information, and transmits and distributes service information to the portable terminal.
Specifically, for example, in the case where service information includes game characters, the portable terminal acquires game character information to be distributed, and executes the game solely or in collaboration with the game machine mainframe. Then, the portable terminal stores history information concerning a game depending on a user who possesses the portable terminal and game characters, and transmits the information to an external station. On the other hand, the external station receives history information transmitted from the portable terminal, refers to the history information, and transmits and distributes game character information to the portable terminal.
In addition, in the case where service information includes coupon information, a portable terminal receives coupon information from another portable terminal for acquiring such coupon information to be distributed. Then, the portable terminal acquires coupon information depending on a user who possesses the portable terminal, stores history information concerning application for coupon, and transmits the history information to an external station.
The external station refers to the history information transmitted from the portable terminal, and transmits and distributes coupon information to the portable terminal.
With such system configuration, a user takes a portable terminal, and goes to a location that enables communication with an external station, whereby the user can receive distribution of service information such as game characters or coupon, thus making it possible to prompt the user to go out positively.
Another service system according to the present invention includes: a portable terminal configured to acquire predetermined service information to be distributed, and then execute predetermined processing solely or in collaboration with an external device; an external station that makes communication with the portable terminal when this portable terminal is close; and a broadcast station configured to broadcast service information to distribute it to a portable terminal. In this case as well, communication between a portable terminal and an external station is made via a short distance wireless equipment.
Then, a portable terminal stores history information depending on a user who possesses the portable terminal, and transmits the history information to an external station. The external station receives history transmitted from the portable terminal, refers to the history information, and execute predetermined service.
Thus, a broadcast station distributes service information to each portable terminal, and an external station executes service, where
Doi Miwako
Sugiyama Hiroshi
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
O'Neill Michael
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
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