Game Device Communication Control via Character State and Time Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered portable game devices experience increased power consumption and potential operational issues due to frequent information transmission and reception, leading to reduced battery life and suboptimal performance during gameplay.
Innovation Solution
A game device with a management circuit to manage time, a setting circuit to set the character's state, and a communication interface that enables communication only within a predetermined time zone when the character is in a specific state, such as a sleeping state, to reduce power consumption and maintain gameplay functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If frequent information transmission and reception is performed with a portable terminal, then communication functionality is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by restricting communication operations to specific time zones (e.g., daytime hours) and preventing communication during other periods (e.g., nighttime). The controller enables the communication interface only when the current time falls within a predetermined time zone, creating a rhythmic pattern of communication activity that reduces overall power consumption while maintaining necessary communication functionality during active periods.
2Loss of information
If communication operations are performed frequently, then data synchronization is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs data synchronization periodically within predetermined time zones rather than continuously or on-demand. By enabling communication only during specific hours, the device maintains data synchronization during active periods while significantly extending battery life through reduced communication frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent sets up predetermined time zones in advance where communication is permitted. This preliminary configuration allows the system to proactively manage communication operations, ensuring data synchronization occurs during appropriate time windows before battery depletion becomes a critical issue.
3Reliability
If the communication interface is enabled continuously, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the communication interface state variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically enables or disables the communication interface based on the current time zone, transitioning between operational and non-operational states. This dynamic approach maintains communication reliability during permitted time zones while reducing power consumption during restricted periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A game device for playing a game accompanied by display of a character includes: an operation input interface; a management circuit configured to manage a time; a setting circuit configured to set a state of the character; a communication interface configured to communicate with an external device; and a controller configured to control an operation of the communication interface. The setting circuit is configured to set the state of the character to a first state when a current time falls within a predetermined time zone, and the controller is configured to enable the communication interface to communicate with the external device on a condition that the current time falls within the predetermined time zone and the state of the character is the first state.