Wireless Game Module Time Synchronization via Beacon Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiplayer game systems face challenges in synchronizing processing cycles across multiple game apparatuses during wireless communication, leading to issues like delay, jitter, and inefficient communication line usage, especially when applied to wireless environments.
Innovation Solution
A game apparatus with a wireless module capable of time synchronization between multiple game apparatuses, using a TSF timer and beacon signals to adjust processing cycles and output times, ensuring synchronized execution of processes across devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a master game apparatus transmits time information to client game apparatuses on a regular basis, then processing cycle synchronization is improved, but communication line usage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by having the master game apparatus transmit time information at specific intervals (beacon signals) rather than continuously. This allows synchronization to be maintained while reducing communication overhead and improving line usage efficiency during non-beacon periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The client game apparatuses autonomously adjust their processing cycles based on received time information without requiring constant master control. Each client independently synchronizes its timer and processing cycle based on the beacon signals, reducing the communication burden on the master apparatus.
2Reliability
If conventional time synchronization techniques are applied to wireless communication, then processing synchronization is improved, but delay and jitter occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the master game apparatus transmit time information in advance through periodic beacon signals. This allows client apparatuses to prepare their processing cycles ahead of time, compensating for wireless communication delays and reducing jitter when actual processing occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having client game apparatuses adjust their processing cycles based on the time information received from the master apparatus. This closed-loop approach continuously compensates for wireless communication variations and maintains synchronization despite delay and jitter.
3Ease of operation
If communication timings are adjusted between game apparatuses, then communication coordination is improved, but processing cycle synchronization cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces time information as an intermediary element that mediates between communication coordination and processing synchronization. The master apparatus transmits time information that serves as a reference for both communication timing adjustments and processing cycle synchronization, bridging the gap between these two functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A master wireless module transmits a beacon signal to a client wireless module in the same cycle as a game processing cycle. Each of the master wireless module and the client wireless module outputs an interrupt signal when a transmission time of the beacon signal arrives. A game processing section of each of the master wireless module and the client wireless module adjusts a V counter based on the interrupt signal. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily synchronize, when a multiplayer gameplay is performed using a plurality of game apparatuses capable of performing wireless communication with each other, times at which the plurality of game apparatuses execute predetermined processes.