Patent Grant
10009186
This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2011-229716 filed Oct. 19, 2011, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to a system for executing an application program, including a process for exchanging communication data via a communication network.
A system for playing an online game via a communication network, under the terms of a contract, is known.
When a system including a process for transferring data via a communication network is provided, a user should sign a contract with a communication carrier to the effect that the user is charged based on an amount of data transferred.
The present invention provides technology that enables an information-processing device executing an application program or a user of the information-processing device to provide a parameter indicating an amount of data to be transferred via the communication network.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a server device, including: a storage unit configured to store a database in which are recorded a plurality of pairs of a user/device ID and a corresponding first parameter, the user/device ID being an identification of a user or an information-processing device, the first parameter indicating an amount of data that the user or the device has a right to communicate via a predetermined network; a first obtaining unit configured to obtain a user/device ID and a corresponding retail ID from the information-processing device having a function to execute an application program, the retail ID being an identification of each retailed application program; an adding unit configured to perform, in a case that the first obtaining unit obtains a user/device ID and the retail ID, an adding process to add a determined second parameter to a first parameter corresponding to the user/device ID obtained by the first obtaining unit, from among the plurality of first parameters recorded in the database; a second obtaining unit configured to obtain details of an amount of data transferred during communication performed by the information processing device via the predetermined network; and a subtracting unit configured to subtract the amount of data obtained by the second obtaining unit from the first parameter corresponding to the user/device ID of a user or an information processing device that performs the communication, from among the plurality of first parameters recorded in the database.
Exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings, wherein:
1. Configuration
The mobile communication network 31 is a mobile communication network that conforms to a predetermined standard, for example, GSM™ (Global System for Mobile Communications), so-called 3G, or LTE (Long Term Evolution), and is an example of a network for which an amount of transferred data is administrated by using the first parameter. The mobile communication network 31 includes a base station 311, a switch, a home memory, a gateway, and other devices (not shown in the drawings, except for the base station 311). In this example, mobile communication services for the information-processing device 10 are provided by a carrier of the information-processing device 10. The carrier of the information-processing device 10 is a MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). Furthermore, the carrier of the information-processing device 10 administrates the administration server 40 and the game server 50.
The program medium 20 is an example of an application program medium having a storage unit 21. The storage unit 21 stores a game program 211, a retail ID 212, and a flag 213. The game program 211 is a program for causing the information-processing device 10 to execute a video game. The retail ID 212 is a unique identification number, which is allocated to every game program 211 sold. The flag 213 is a flag indicating whether the second parameter is already added to the first parameter corresponding to the program medium 20.
The game executing unit 14 executes a game program, for example, a game program stored in the program medium 20 attached to the attachment unit 13. The transmitting unit 15 transmits a pair of the retail ID 212 and the user/device ID 121 to the administration server 40. The retail ID 212 is read out from the program medium 20, which is attached to the attachment unit 13. The user/device ID 121 is read out from the storage unit 12. The receiving unit 16 receives the first parameter, which is increased in response to the pair of the retail ID 212 and the user/device ID 121. The input unit 17 inputs an instruction to an element of the information-processing device 10 such as the game executing unit 14. The display unit 18 displays an image in response to a program such as a game program. The control unit 19 controls other elements of the information-processing device 10.
The administration server 40 is an example of a server device including a storage unit 41, an obtaining unit 42, an adding unit 43, an obtaining unit 44, a subtracting unit 45, a communication unit 46, an updating unit 47, and a control unit 48. The storage unit 41 stores a database 411 that records plural pairs of a user ID and a first parameter indicating an amount of data available to be transferred via the mobile communication network 31, for each of plural users. The obtaining unit 42 obtains a user ID and a retail ID, these IDs corresponding with each other. “These IDs corresponding with each other” means the user ID and the retail ID are obtained separately with information showing a relationship between these IDs, as well the user ID and the retail ID being obtained simultaneously. The adding unit 43 adds a determined second parameter to the first parameter corresponding to the user ID obtained by the obtaining unit 42, from among the first parameters recorded in the database 411. In other words, the adding unit 43 performs an adding process for adding the second parameter to the first parameter recorded in the database 411. In this example, the second parameter is determined in response to the retail ID obtained by the obtaining unit 42. The obtaining unit 44 obtains details of an amount of data transferred by the information-processing device 10 via the mobile communication network 31. The subtracting unit 45 subtracts the amount of data obtained by the obtaining unit 44 from the first parameter corresponding to a user ID indicating a user who performs communication relating to the amount of data, from among the first parameters recorded in the database 411. The communication unit 46 communicates via the network 30.
The storage unit 41 further stores a table 412, which shows a relationship between a retail ID and a second parameter. The adding unit 43 uses the second parameter corresponding to the retail ID obtained by the obtaining unit 42, from among the second parameters recorded in the table 412.
The storage unit 41 further stores a table 413, which shows a relationship between a retail ID and a flag indicating whether the adding process is completed, for each of plural game programs. The adding unit 43 performs the adding process in a case that a flag corresponding to the retail ID obtained by the obtaining unit 42 indicates that the adding process is not completed.
The administration server 40 further includes the updating unit 47 and the control unit 48. When a retail ID is obtained for the first time, the updating unit 47 updates a flag recorded in the table 413 so that the flag indicates that the adding process is completed. The control unit 48 controls other elements of the administration server 40.
The game server 50 is an example of a server including a storage unit 51, a communication unit 52, and a control unit 53. The storage unit 51 stores various kinds of data relating to provided services, for example, a game program 511, a game program 512, firmware 513, and contents data 514. The game program 511 and the game program 512 are programs for causing the information-processing device 10 to execute a video game. The firmware 513 is a program for controlling the information-processing device 10. The contents data 514 is data indicating contents played or viewed in the information-processing device 10, for example, a movie, a still image, or music. The communication unit 52 communicates via the network 30. The control unit 53 controls other elements of the game server 50.
The cartridge interface 131 is an interface that relays writing/reading data to/from the program medium 20. The slot 132 has a predetermined form and size. The program medium 20 includes a housing (or case) (not shown in the figures) and the ROM 210 housed in the housing. The housing has a form and a size corresponding to the slot 132. The ROM 210 is a rewritable non-volatile memory, for example, a semiconductor memory. In other words, the program medium 20 is a ROM cartridge including a semiconductor memory. The ROM 210 stores the game program 211, a medium ID 2101, and a flag 2102. The medium ID 2101 is an identification number of the program medium 20 and an example of the retail ID 212.
The mobile communication module 140 is a module for communicating via the mobile communication network 31, and includes, for example, an antenna and an amplifier. The SIM interface 141 is an interface that relays writing/reading data to/from the SIM 142. The SIM 142 includes a storage device that stores an identification number to identify a subscriber in the mobile communication network 31. The SIM 142 may be detachable from the information-processing device 10 or may be mounted on a circuit board of the information-processing device 10.
The I/O interface 150 is an interface that relays inputting/outputting data to/from the CPU 110, and is connected to the input module 151, the display module 152, and the sound module 153. The input module 151 is a module that inputs data to the CPU 110, and includes, for example, a keypad, a touch screen, or a microphone. The display module 152 is a module that displays an image in accordance with instructions output from the CPU 110, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display and a driver circuit. The sound module 153 is a module that outputs sound in accordance with instructions output from the CPU 110, and includes, for example, a speaker and an amplifier.
The mobile communication module 140 is an example of the mobile communication unit 11. The RAM 121, the ROM 122, and the external memory 124 are examples of the storage unit 12. The CPU 110 executing the OS program is an example of the game executing unit 14, the transmitting unit 15, the receiving unit 16, and the control unit 19. The input module 151 is an example of the input unit 17. The display module 152 is an example of the display unit 18. The slot 132 is an example of the attachment unit 13.
In this example, the administration server 40 is connected to the Internet 32. In another example, the administration server 40 may be connected to the mobile communication network 31. The network configuration of the system, including functions and equipment of MVNO and MNO (Mobile Network Operator), is not restricted to an example of
2. Operation
2-1. Providing the First Parameter (by Retailing a Game Medium)
In step S101, the information-processing device 10 obtains a flag from the program medium 20. More specifically, the CPU 110 reads out the flag from the ROM 210 via the cartridge interface 131. In step S102, the CPU 110 analyses the obtained flag. If the flag indicates “done,” packet points given for the program medium 20 have already been registered at the administration server 40. In this case, the CPU 110 does not execute the following process. If the flag indicates “not yet,” the packet points given for the program medium 20 have not been registered at the administration server 40. In this case, the CPU 110 executes the following process.
In step S103, the information-processing device 10 obtains the medium ID 2101 from the program medium 20. More specifically, the CPU 110 reads out the medium ID 2101 from the ROM 210 via the cartridge interface 131. Further, the CPU 110 reads out the device ID 1221 from the ROM 122. The CPU 110 stores the medium ID 2101 and the device ID 1221 in the RAM 121.
In step S104, the information-processing device 10 transmits a registration request for registering (or adding) packet points to the administration server 40. The registration request includes a pair of a device ID and a medium ID, as well as an identification indicating that the registration request is for registering packet points. More specifically, the CPU 110 reads out the medium ID 2101 and the device ID 1221 from the RAM 121, and generates a registration request including these IDs. The CPU 110 transmits the generated registration request to the administration server 40 via the mobile communication module 140. An address of a destination of the request, the administration server 40, is predetermined and stored in the ROM 122.
In step S105, the administration server 40 receives the request. In other words, the administration server 40 obtains the medium ID 2101 and the device ID 1221. More specifically, the CPU 420 extracts the medium ID 2101 and the device ID 1221 from the request received via communication module 430. The CPU 420 stores the extracted the medium ID 2101 and the device ID 1221 in RAM 422.
In step S106, the administration server 40 refers a flag table. More specifically, the CPU 420 reads out a flag corresponding to the medium ID 2101 from the table 413 stored in HDD 410.
Referring to
In step S107, the administration server 40 obtains the packet points corresponding to the medium ID 2101. In this example, the packet points are obtained from the table 412. More specifically, the CPU 420 reads out the packet points corresponding to the medium ID 2101 from the table 412 stored in the HDD 410.
Referring to
Referring to
Receiving the registration response from the administration server 40, the information-processing device 10 executes processes in response to the registration response. In this example, the information-processing device 10 writes a flag in the program medium 20 (step S110). More specifically, the CPU 110 writes a flag “done” in the ROM 210 via the cartridge interface 131. Further, the CPU 110 controls the display module 152 to display an image showing the residual packet points.
2-2. Providing the First Parameter (by Download)
In step S201, the information-processing device 10 transmits a download request for downloading a game program to the game server 50. The download request includes an ID number to identify a game program. More specifically, the CPU 110 generates the download request including a game program to be purchased. The CPU 110 transmits the download-generated request to the game server 50 via the mobile communication module 140.
When receiving the download request from the information-processing device 10, the game server 50 provides in step S202 a download ID (DL-ID) to the purchased game program. More specifically, the CPU 520 generates the download ID. The download ID is generated in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. In this example, the download ID consists of three characters and seven numeric digits, similarly to the medium ID described in
In step S203, the game server 50 transmits a download response to the information-processing device 10, which is a source of the download request. The download response includes the purchased game program and the download ID. More specifically, the CPU 520 generates the download response including the purchased game program and the download ID. The CPU 520 transmits the generated download response to the information-processing device 10 via the communication module 530.
When receiving the download response, the information-processing device 10 installs in step S204 the game program included in the download response. More specifically, the CPU 110 extracts the game program from the download response. The CPU 110 writes the extracted game program into the external memory 124 via the external memory interface 123. Further, the CPU 110 writes configuration information used when the game program is executed.
When the install is completed, the information-processing device 10 transmits in step S205 a registration request for packet points. The registration request includes the device 1D 1221 and the download ID. In step S206, the administration server 40 receives the registration request. In step S207, the administration server 40 refers to the table 413 (flag table). In step S208, the administration server 40 obtains packet points corresponding to the download ID from the table 413. In step S209, the administration server 40 adds the obtained packet points to the residual packet points of the user of the information-processing device 10. In step S210, the administration server 40 transmits a registration response to the information-processing device 10 in response to the registration request for packet points. The processes of steps S205-S210 are similar to steps S104-S109 in reading the medium ID 2101 with download ID.
When receiving the registration response from the administration server 40, the information-processing device 10 executes processes in response to the registration response. In this example, the information-processing device 10 writes, in steps S211, a flag into the program medium 20. More specifically, the CPU 110 writes a flag “done” into the external memory 124 via the external memory interface 123. The flag is stored in relation to the downloaded program. The flag is used to determine whether the registration request is to be resent at a predetermined timing (for example, on startup of the game program), in a case that, for example, the registration response cannot be transmitted because of wireless connection problems. Further, the CPU 110 controls the display module 152 to display an image showing the residual packet points.
2-3. Consuming (or Using) the First Parameter
In step S301, the information-processing device 10 transmits an access request to the mobile communication network 31. The access request includes the device ID 1221. More specifically, the CPU 110 executing a game program generates an access request including the device ID 1221, and transmits the generated access request to the mobile communication network 31 via the mobile communication module 140.
When receiving an access request from the information-processing device 10, the mobile communication network 31 transmits, in step S302, a confirmation request for the residual packet points to the administration server 40. The confirmation request includes the device ID 1221 included in the access request. More specifically, the mobile communication network 31 generates the confirmation request, and transmits the generated confirmation request to the administration server 40.
When receiving a confirmation request from the mobile communication network 31, the administration server 40 transmits, in step S303, a confirmation response for the confirmation request. The confirmation response includes information indicating the residual packet points, for example, an amount of residual packet points. More specifically, CPU 420 reads out from the database 411 residual packet points corresponding to the device ID 1221 included in the confirmation request. CPU 420 generates a confirmation request including the read residual packet points. CPU 420 transmits the generated confirmation response to the mobile communication network 31 via communication module 430.
When receiving the confirmation response from the administration server 40, the mobile communication network 31 transmits in step S304 an access response for the access request, to the information-processing device 10 as a source of the access request. For example, if the residual packet points included in the confirmation response are greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the access response includes information indicating that the communication (access) is allowed. If the residual packet points included in the confirmation response are less than the predetermined threshold, the access response includes information indicating that the communication (access) is denied.
When receiving an access response, the information-processing device 10 establishes in step S305 a communication channel to the mobile communication network 31 in response to the access response. Further, in step S306, the information-processing device 10 initiates communication with the game server 50 via the mobile communication network 31. During the communication is performed, the mobile communication network 31 detects (or measures) in step S307 an amount of data transferred between the information-processing device 10 and the game server 50.
In step S308, the mobile communication network 31 transmits to the administration server at a predetermined timing a notification including an amount of data transferred between the information-processing device 10 and the game server 50. The predetermined timing is, for example, a timing specified by an executed game program, a timing when a game program is paused or terminated, or a periodical timing. The notification includes the device ID 1221 and an amount of transferred data. The amount indicates a number of packets for the transferred data.
When receiving a notification from the mobile communication network 31, the administration server 40 subtracts, in step S309, packet points in relation to the notification. More specifically, the CPU 420 extracts the device ID 1221 and the number of packets from the notification. The CPU 420 subtracts the extracted number of packets from the residual packet points corresponding to the device ID 1221 in the database 411. For example, in a case that the residual packet points at step S308 are as shown in
In step S310, the administration server 40 transmits a response to the notification to the mobile communication network 31. The response includes, for example, the residual packet points. More specifically, the CPU 420 generates a response including the residual packet points. The CPU 420 transmits the generated response to the mobile communication network 31 via communication module 430.
When receiving a response from the administration server 40, the mobile communication network 31 executes, in step S311, a process in response to the received response. For example, if the residual packet points included in the response are less than a predetermined threshold, the mobile communication network 31 disconnects the communication from the information-processing device 10.
2-4. Conclusion of the Operation
As described above, according to the communication system 1, a user who purchased a new game program obtains right to communicate via the mobile communication network 31 up to a predetermined amount of data. Packet points are provided in response to the purchased game program according to a process illustrated in
The packet points are used in an online game, for example. In this embodiment, the communication system 1 does not restrict using packet points in a single game program by which the packet points are provided. Therefore, a user can use packet points, which were provided by a first game program, during communication in accordance with a second game program. In other words, the obtaining unit 44 obtains an amount of data transferred via the mobile communication network 31 by the information-processing device 10 executing an application program corresponding to a retail ID and other application programs.
As described above, the communication system 1 can provide the first parameter to a user in response to retailing (or purchasing) of a game program.
3. Modification
The present invention is not restricted to the embodiment described above. Various modifications can be applied to the exemplary embodiment. Some modifications will be described below. Two or more modifications from among the following modifications may be combined.
3-1. First Modification
In the exemplary embodiment, packet points can be registered at the first time the information-processing device 10 connects to the network 30 after the user purchases a new program medium 20 to exclude double registration of the packet points. In this modification, it is considered that a single user owns two information-processing devices 10, which will be identified as the information-processing device 10A and the information-processing device 10B. Further, device IDs of the information-processing device 10A and the information-processing device 10B are identified as the device ID 1221A and the device ID 1221B, respectively.
If the user registers packet points with the program medium 20 being inserted into the information-processing device 10A, no packet points are provided for the information-processing device 10B. If the user wishes to use the same program medium 20 with the information-processing device 10B, the packet points cannot be provided for the information-processing device 10B, in accordance with the above-described exemplary embodiment. In the first modification, a time period is provided to allow transfer of packet points from the information processing device 10A to the information processing device 10B.
In the first modification, the database 411 includes plural pairs of the user/device ID 121 and corresponding retail ID 212, as well as plural pairs of the retail ID 212 and the second parameter. If the obtaining unit 42 obtains a pair of the device ID 1221B and the retail ID 212 during a predetermined time period after receiving a specific medium ID 2101 (in relation to the device ID 1221A), the subtracting unit 45 subtracts the second parameter from the first parameter corresponding to the device ID 1221A in the database 411. Further, the adding unit 43 adds the subtracted second parameter to the first parameter corresponding to the device ID 1221B.
A user having a device ID “00000001” has 50,000 packet points as residual packet points.
Further, in the example of
In step S401, the administration server 40 determines whether packet points corresponding to the medium ID included in the registration request have been registered already. The determination is made by referring to the table 413. More specifically, the CPU 420 reads out a flag corresponding to the subject medium ID from the table 413 stored in HDD 410. If the flag indicates “done,” the CPU 420 determines that the subject packet points have already been registered. If the flag indicates “not yet,” the CPU 420 determines that the subject packet points have not already been registered. If it is determined that the subject packet points have been registered already (S401: YES), the CPU 420 transfers the operation to step S402. If it is determined that the subject packet points have not already been registered (S401: NO), the CPU 420 transfers the operation to step S406. In an example shown in
In step S402, the CPU 420 obtains a providing history. More specifically, the CPU 420 reads out from the database 411 the providing history corresponding to the medium ID included in the registration request. In step S403, the CPU 420 determines whether a current time is before the time limit included in the read providing history. The current time is obtained from time keeping unit, for example, a timer. If it is determined that the current time is before the time limit (step S403: YES), the CPU 420 transfers the operation to step S404. If it is determined that the current time is after the time limit (step S403: NO), the CPU 420 deletes the providing history from the database 411, and terminates the operation shown in
In step S404, the CPU 420 obtains packet points from the providing history. In an example shown in
In step S405, the CPU 420 transfers the packet points from the previous device ID to the new device ID included in the registration request. In this example, 1,000 packet points are transferred from the device ID 1221A (00000001) to the device ID 1221B (00000002). Details are as follows. The CPU 420 subtracts 1,000 packet points from the residual packet points corresponding to device ID1221A in the database 411. The residual packet points corresponding to the device ID 1221A become 49,000 packet points. Further, the CPU 420 writes into the RAM 422 the providing history corresponding to medium ID “AAA0000001”, and then deletes from the database 411 the subject providing history. The CPU 420 adds 1,000 packet points to the residual packet points corresponding to the device ID 1221B in the database 411. The residual packet points corresponding to the device ID 1221B become 695,621. Further, the CPU 420 reads out the providing history corresponding to medium ID “AAA0000001” from the RAM 422, and writes the subject providing history into a storage area corresponding to the device ID 1221B.
In step S406, the CPU 420 obtains the packet points corresponding to the medium ID “AAA0000001” from the table 412. In step S407, the CPU 420 adds the obtained packet points to the packet points corresponding to the device ID 1221B in the database 411. These processes are performed similarly to steps S107 and S108.
The first modification provides transferring packet points from one user to another user, until a predetermined time limit. Password authentication may be performed before transfer of the packet points.
In another example, the condition for transferring packet points is not restricted to the time limit. Another condition, for example, a number of times that a game program is started up, may be used.
3-2. Second Modification
A method for determining packet points to be added is not restricted to an example described in the exemplary embodiment. The adding unit 43 may add packet points that are increased or decreased in response to an attribute of the information-processing device 10, a user, or a game program. Examples of the attribute are described as follows.
Examples of increasing or decreasing packet points are as follows.
In this example, a purchase history of a game program is used as an attribute. The purchase history includes a rank determined based on a cumulative amount of money of game programs. A coefficient, which is to be multiplied to the packet points, increases as the rank increases. For example, the initial value of the coefficient is 1.0, and the coefficient increases to 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 2.0 as the rank increases.
In this example, a time elapsed since the sales date is used. The coefficient decreases as the elapsed time increases.
The information-processing device 10 transmits information indicating the attribute to the administration server 40. The administration server 40 stores the information indicating the attribute into the database 411. When the packet points to be added are determined, the information indicating the attribute is referred to. In the second modification, packet points are varied in response to the attribute.
3-3. Third Modification
The user/device ID 121 is not restricted to the device ID 1221, an ID number of the information-processing device 10. A user ID may be used as the user/device ID 121. In a case that plural users share a single information-processing device 10, the ROM 122 stores plural user/device IDs 121 corresponding to the plural users. At a predetermined timing, for example, when the information-processing device 10 is booted, an active user is selected by a log-in process, for example. In this case, a user ID of the active user is transmitted as the user/device ID 121 instead of the device ID 1221 in processes shown in
In the third modification, the communication system 1 provides packet points for each user even if users and information-processing devices 10 do not correspond one for one.
3-4. Fourth Modification
In the exemplary embodiment, there is no restriction to use of packet points only when the communication is related to a game program for which the subject packet points were provided when the game program was purchased. However, a game program that can consume packet points may be restricted to a specific game program for which the subject packet points were provided when the game program was purchased. In this example, the obtaining unit 44 obtains an amount of data transferred via mobile communication network when an application program corresponding to a retail ID is being executed. In this case, the database 411 stores residual packet points for each retail ID. The subtracting unit 45 subtracts an amount of transferred data obtained by the obtaining unit 44 from the residual packet points corresponding to the retail ID of the subject application program from among the residual packet points recorded in the database 411.
3-5. Further Modification
The table 412 may be omitted. In this case, packet points to be provided are determined as a common value for all the game titles, and are not dependent on a specific game title. The adding unit 43 adds a predetermined number of packet points. In another example, packet points to be provided may be stored in the program medium 20. In this case, a registration request for packet points includes the packet points read out from the program medium 20. The administration sever 40 adds the packet points included in the registration request.
A method for excluding double registration is not limited to that described in the exemplary embodiment. For example, the table 413 need not be used. In this example, the double registration is excluded by using a flag stored in the program medium 20 or the information-processing device 10.
In another example, the program medium 20 (or the external memory 124 for an example of download) may not store the flag 213. In this case, the ROM 210 of the program medium 20 may not be rewritable. For example, the program medium 20 may be an optical disk. In this case, the information-processing device 10 transmits a registration request at a predetermined timing, for example, when a game program is started-up, because the information-processing device 10 cannot determine whether the packet points have been registered already. In another example, even if the program medium 20 stores the flag 213, the information-processing device 10 may transmit the registration request at a periodic predetermined timing, independently of the flag. In other words, the transmitting unit 15 may transmit a pair of a medium ID and user/device ID to the administration server 40 when the game executing unit 14 starts up the game program. The medium ID is read out from the program medium 20 being attached to the attachment unit 13. The user/device ID is read out from the storage unit 12.
An amount of packets consumed may be varied in response to a condition. For example, an amount of packets used for downloading a purchased game program may not be subtracted from the residual packet points in the database 411. Alternatively, an amount of packets transferred via a specific program, for example, a web browser, may not be subtracted from the residual packet points in the database 411.
An event to trigger increasing the packet points is not restricted to purchase of a game program. For example, new packet points may be provided via an online shop provided by the game server 50.
The network via which the information-processing device 10 communicates is not restricted to the mobile communication network 31. The information-processing device 10 may include a wireless LAN communication unit that communicates in conformity with so-called WiFi. In such a case, the information-processing device 10 may transmit a registration request via the wireless LAN in a case that the information-processing device 10 cannot communicate via the mobile communication network 31, for example, in a case that the information processing device 10 is located outside a service area of the mobile communication service.
A unit to measure an amount of transferred data is not restricted to a packet. Another unit, for example, a length of time during which data is transferred, may be used to measure the amount of transferred data.
A hardware configuration to achieve the functions shown in
A network in which an amount of transferred data is measured is not restricted to the mobile communication network 31. The amount of data may be measured in another network.
The information-processing device 10 and the program medium 20 are not restricted to a game device and a game medium. The storage unit 21 may store an application program other than a game program, for example, an application program for editing a document, an educational application program, or a business application program. In another example, the information-processing device 10 may be an information-processing device other than a game device, for example, a personal computer, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a tablet device.
A program executed by a processor such as the CPU 101 may be provided in a non-statutory computer readable storage medium, for example, a magnetic medium (for example, magnetic tape, magnetic disk (for example, a hard disk, a flexible disk, etc)), an optical medium (for example, an optical disk such as CD (Compact Disk) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)), a magnetic optical medium, a semiconductor memory (for example, a flash memory). Further, the program may be downloaded via a network, for example, the Internet.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-229716 | Oct 2011 | JP | national |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 20060074701 | Liu | Apr 2006 | A1 |
| 20090216840 | Pajunen | Aug 2009 | A1 |
| 20110105221 | Sotoike | May 2011 | A1 |
| 20110151978 | Hutchinson-Kay | Jun 2011 | A1 |
| 20120089713 | Carriere | Apr 2012 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2000-334170 | Dec 2000 | JP |
| 4676033 | Apr 2011 | JP |
| 2011-97993 | May 2011 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20130103845 A1 | Apr 2013 | US |
