JP7688767B2 - Program and system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program and a system.

Conventionally, games or application software that use location information such as that from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) are known. Specifically, an operating terminal operated by a user acquires location information. Then, a technology is known that changes the position of an object on a virtual map based on the user's location information (for example, see Patent Document 1, etc.).

Patent No. 6075489

For example, as the game progresses, it may not be possible to obtain location information depending on the user's location or the surrounding circumstances. When location information cannot be obtained, the game may be interrupted or an error may occur, which is an issue.

The present invention aims to appropriately switch the location information used to progress an event.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a program comprising:
proceeding with the event based on first location information acquired by a first sensor associated with an account used by the user;
a control unit that controls the second position information acquired by a second sensor different from the first position information so as to be acquireable in accordance with a history of acquiring the first position information;
If the first location information cannot be acquired, the second location information is used to proceed with the event.

The present invention makes it possible to appropriately switch the location information used to progress an event.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the progress of an event. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an overall process. 13 is a usage example of the second location information. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of movement history information. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of notification of use of second location information. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of remuneration. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of remuneration reservation. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual putt. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example in which a second information processing terminal is used. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration.

The following describes the embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[System configuration example]
1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration. For example, the system 1 includes a first information processing terminal 3, a server 4, and the like.

The first information processing terminal 3 is, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, a game console, smart glasses (a glasses-type terminal), a wristband-type terminal, or other wearable device attached to the body.

The server 4 is an information processing device used to operate a game or the like. For example, the server 4 is an information processing device used to operate a game managed by an administrator or the like. The server 4 also stores account information for each user. For example, when the user 2 registers personal information or the like before starting a game, an account is generated and the account information is stored in the server 4. Thereafter, the user 2 can use the account to use a service such as a game.

In response to instructions from the first information processing terminal 3 used by user 2, information is retrieved to execute an app such as a game. In other words, even if user 2 uses a different information processing device, as long as the account used is the same, it is possible to progress with the same game data. Of course, from a security standpoint, it is also possible to use hardware-specific identification information (e.g., a physical address, etc.) of the first information processing terminal 3 so that the account can only be used from a registered, specific information processing device.

The account may be linked to security information such as an email address, a Social Networking Service (SNS), a telephone number, or biometric information. When logging in, etc., User 2 is authenticated using the information that has been linked to the account in advance. In this way, security is ensured when using the account.

In addition, data from other services associated with the same account can be linked as appropriate.

The first information processing terminal 3 acquires location information by GNSS. Specifically, the satellite 5 measures the location of the first information processing terminal 3 from the sky and sends the result to the first information processing terminal 3, and the first information processing terminal 3 acquires location information indicating its current location. Note that the location information may be acquired via the server 4, etc. The location information is also associated with the account of the running app.

The system 1 may be configured to include devices other than those described above. For example, the system 1 may have a so-called stand-alone configuration in which the system 1 does not have a server 4 and is configured only with the first information processing terminal 3. On the other hand, the system 1 may have a configuration in which there are multiple servers 4, for example.

[Example of information processing device]
2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device. For example, the first information processing terminal 3 and the server 4 are information processing devices having the hardware configuration shown in the figure. However, the first information processing terminal 3 and the server 4 may have different hardware configurations. The following description will be given taking the first information processing terminal 3 as an example.

The first information processing terminal 3 has a hardware configuration including a Central Processing Unit (hereinafter referred to as "CPU 3H1"), a memory device 3H2, a sensor 3H3, an input/output device 3H4, and a communication device 3H5.

The CPU3H1 is an example of a calculation device and a control device. Therefore, the CPU3H1 performs various processes and controls based on programs.

The storage device 3H2 is a main storage device (which is volatile) that stores data, etc. The storage device 3H2 may also have an auxiliary storage device (which is nonvolatile) such as a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk.

Sensor 3H3 acquires location information and the like through sensing. Note that sensor 3H3 differs depending on the type of information it acquires. Also, there may be multiple sensors 3H3.

The input/output device 3H4 is a device that inputs operations by the user 2 and outputs processing results to the user 2. Specifically, the input/output device 3H4 is a touch panel or the like. However, the input/output device 3H4 may be a combination of an input device and an output device, etc.

The communication device 3H5 transmits and receives data to and from an external device. For example, the communication device 3H5 is an antenna or the like. However, the communication device 3H5 may also use wired communication.

The hardware configuration of the information processing device is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the first information processing terminal 3 may further include an external or internal arithmetic unit, a control unit, a storage unit, an input unit, an output unit, and an auxiliary unit.

[Event example]
3 is a diagram showing an example of the progress of an event. In the following, an example in which the progress of an event is reflected in a game, i.e., in a virtual space, will be described.

For example, the first information processing terminal 3 launches a game app and progresses through the game using an account in which the progress information of the user 2 is recorded. If there are multiple accounts that the user 2 can select from, the first information processing terminal 3 allows the user 2 to select which account to use to start playing the game.

Also, at the time of startup, etc., the account of user 2 is synchronized with sensor information such as location information acquired by the information processing terminal. Next, the game screen 10 is output to display the progress of the event to user 2. Specifically, as user 2 moves in real space, an event progresses in which a character 11 (one example of an object) moves in virtual space. That is, in the game, an event in which the character 11 moves progresses according to the location information of user 2.

For example, if it is determined based on the position information that user 2 has "moved 1 m north (by walking)," then the direction (which may be the direction of travel, etc.), distance (which may be the number of steps, etc.), speed, and elevation difference of user 2 are taken into consideration and reflected in the virtual space, such as character 11 having "moved 100 steps north (in the virtual space)."

The event is not limited to the movement of the character 11, but may be other events in the game that are set in advance. For example, the event may be the acquisition of an item 12, reaching a destination, capturing a base, playing against other users, working together with other users, or fighting an enemy character 13 while the character 11 is moving.

However, items 12 and enemy characters 13, etc. are placed on a map in the virtual space in advance, and events such as obtaining items 12 occur depending on the movement of the character 11.

Therefore, as the event progresses, the position of the character 11 in the virtual space changes, the parameters of the character 11 change (for example, the character 11 recovers or becomes stronger), or the story changes, etc.

[Sequence example]
4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the overall process. For example, the overall process is executed in the following procedure.

In step S01, the first information processing terminal 3 acquires location information (hereinafter referred to as "first location information"). The method of acquiring the first location information, etc. is set in advance. The first location information is associated with the account of the running app.

In step S02, if the first information processing terminal 3 cannot acquire the first location information (this is the case when it is determined that "the first location information cannot be acquired" in the figure), it acquires location information different from the first location information (hereinafter referred to as "second location information").

The second location information, like the first location information, is associated with the account of the running app. In addition, the account may also be associated with and stored with a determination result such as "the first location information cannot be obtained."

In step S03, the first information processing terminal 3 transmits the first location information or the second location information to the server 4. That is, if the first information processing terminal 3 is able to acquire the first location information, it transmits the first location information to the server 4. On the other hand, if the first information processing terminal 3 is unable to acquire the first location information, it transmits the second location information to the server 4.

In step S04, the server 4 transmits the first location information or the reflected result of the second location information to the first information processing terminal 3. In other words, step S04 is a reply to the transmission in step S03.

In step S05, the first information processing terminal 3 progresses the event based on the reflection result. That is, in step S05, the first information processing terminal 3 displays to the user 2 the progress result of the game that reflects the first location information or the second location information. Note that the progress status of the event or the progress result of the event is associated with the account of the running app.

The first location information is acquired, for example, by communicating with a satellite 5 in the GNSS. For example, if the first information processing terminal 3 is located underground or in a place with many people (for example, a fireworks venue or a crowded train), the first information processing terminal 3 may not be able to acquire the first location information.

Therefore, if the first location information cannot be acquired (it may be retried several times), the first information processing terminal 3 switches to the second location information.

The switching between the first location information and the second location information (including both switching from the first location information to the second location information and switching from the second location information to the first location information; in FIG. 4, this corresponds to step S02, etc.) is preferably performed automatically based on a pre-set setting. In other words, it is preferable that the switching between the first location information and the second location information be performed without any operation by the user 2.

When the switching between the first location information and the second location information is executed without the need for operation by the user 2, the user 2 can reduce actions such as looking at the screen of the first information processing terminal 3, thereby reducing the so-called "walking while using a smartphone."

How the first location information and the second location information are acquired is set in advance. Note that the first location information and the second location information may be a combination of multiple types.

[Examples of first location information and second location information]
The first position information is, for example, position information acquired using GNSS. Note that the first position information may be position information obtained by correcting the position information obtained by GNSS using sensor data or the like. Therefore, the first position information may be position information acquired using something other than GNSS.

The second location information is, for example, the result of location determination by a camera, location information obtained by a satellite different from the first location information, the result of measurement by a pedometer, the result of measurement by an acceleration sensor, the result of measurement by geomagnetic field, the result of measurement by an air pressure sensor, the result of location determination by radio, location information converted into the amount of movement based on changes in biometric information (e.g., the amount of sweating or the amount of calories burned), or a combination of these.

The first location information and the second location information are both information that identifies the location of user 2, but the methods of generating the information are different. For example, the first location information and the second location information are generated by information sources or different types of sensors. Therefore, even if a sensor for the first location information cannot generate information for some reason, a sensor for the second location information may be able to generate information.

In this way, the first location information and the second location information are in a relationship in which they indicate the same point in time for the same user 2. Therefore, the first location information and the second location information are not, for example, a combination of location information that is both generated using GPS and differs only in the point in time at which the measurement was performed (this would be the case where both would be the first location information). Therefore, how the first location information and the second location information are generated is set in advance, but it is desirable for the second location information to be generated by a sensor or the like that has a high probability of being able to obtain the second location information even in an environment where the first location information cannot be used.

The position determination using the camera is, for example, SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) or the like. That is, if the first information processing terminal 3 is equipped with a camera, the camera captures an image of the surroundings of the user 2. After capturing the image, the surrounding buildings and the like are image-recognized based on the captured image data. When such image recognition is performed, the surrounding buildings and the like can be identified, and the position and traveling direction of the user 2 can be identified based on the addresses and positional relationships of the buildings and the like.

For example, the second position information is obtained using a quasi-zenith satellite. In Japan, a system that uses a quasi-zenith satellite is the QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System). For example, when the first position information uses the GPS (Global Positioning System), if the second position information, that is, the position information is obtained using a satellite different from the first position information, it may be possible to obtain the second position information even if the first position information cannot be obtained.

The current position (i.e., second position information) is estimated by, for example, measuring the movements of user 2 using a sensor such as a pedometer or acceleration sensor from the last position where the first position information was obtained, adding the measurement results to the measurement results using a pedometer, acceleration sensor, or other sensor.

If the direction of travel is unknown in a pedometer or the like, the current position may be estimated by assuming that the direction of travel up to the last position will remain the same thereafter. On the other hand, if the elevation difference or direction of travel can be determined by geomagnetism or atmospheric pressure, the current position may be estimated by assuming that the speed of travel up to the last position will remain the same thereafter.

Examples of wireless communication include Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark). In other words, when wireless communication is used, it may be possible to identify the position and direction based on the range of radio waves. Specifically, with Bluetooth (registered trademark), the direction can be identified using the angle of arrival (AoA) and the angle of departure (AoD), etc. In this way, when wireless communication is used to identify the position of user 2, particularly indoors, it is often possible to identify the position with high accuracy.

The wireless standards may be other short-range communication standards than those mentioned above.

Sensor information other than the above may be used to generate the location information. For example, measurement results from a sensor that measures sound, light, radio waves, speed, etc. may be used to generate the location information.

The first location information and the second location information may also be generated by calculating statistical values such as average values from multiple data.

Figure 5 shows an example of how the second location information is used. For example, assume that user 2 is moving around while carrying first information processing terminal 3.

Assume that the first location information cannot be acquired from the point in time when user 2 moves and reaches a certain position (hereinafter referred to as "first point in time T1"). For example, first point in time T1 is the point in time when user 2 enters an underground passage.

From the first time point T1 to the time point when acquisition of the first location information can be resumed (hereinafter referred to as "second time point T2"), the first information processing terminal 3 acquires the second location information instead of the first location information. Therefore, from the first time point T1 to the second time point T2, the game progresses based on the second location information.

Then, at the second time point T2, for example, when user 2 leaves the underground passage, acquisition of the first location information is resumed. Therefore, after the second time point T2, that is, when acquisition of the first location information is resumed, the first information processing terminal 3 progresses with the game based on the first location information.

When using the second location information, it is desirable to set it as a condition that the first location information has been acquired. In other words, it is desirable to use the second location information only when the first location information has been acquired up until immediately before.

If the game is started in a state in which the first location information cannot be obtained from the beginning, it may be that the first location information is intentionally made unobtainable, which may result in fraudulent operation in the game. Therefore, the first information processing terminal 3 switches to using the second location information on the condition that there is a history of progressing the game using the first location information, such as the time up to the first time point T1 shown in Figure 5. By making it a condition that there is a history of obtaining such first location information, fraud can be prevented.

In addition, the history is recorded in the background while the game progresses, along with the time, including whether the location information is the first location information or the second location information.

[Example of movement history information]
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of travel history information. For example, the travel history information is stored as a past route 20. Note that the map shown in Fig. 6 is a map of the real space.

The past route 20 is composed of a first route 21, a second route 22, and a third route 23. Among the first route 21, the second route 22, and the third route 23, the first route 21 and the third route 23 are routes identified based on the first location information. On the other hand, the second route 22 is a route identified based on the second location information.

For example, if user 2 walks a route that enters an underground passage at a first point P1 and then exits the underground passage at a second point P2, a previous route 20 is recorded. That is, the previous route 20 is an example in which the second location information is used between the first point P1 and the second point P2.

If the past route 20 is recorded, the first information processing terminal 3 may use the past route 20 as the second location information.

For example, if the first location information can be acquired up to the vicinity of the first point P1 and acquisition of the first location information can be resumed near the second point P2, the first information processing terminal 3 searches the recorded route (group) data. The first information processing terminal 3 then estimates that the route is similar to the route near the point where acquisition of the first location information became impossible and the point where acquisition of the first location information resumed. The first information processing terminal 3 then estimates that the estimated past route 20 represents a similar movement this time as well, and sets this as the second location information. By being able to use the estimation results based on such movement history information, the first information processing terminal 3 can progress the event without using sensors or the like.

Note that it is preferable that the past routes 20 be limited to cases where there are multiple records (e.g., three or more times). Multiple similar past routes 20 are recorded when the user 2 uses a similar route frequently.

Specifically, multiple similar past routes 20 are recorded along so-called "commuting routes" or "school routes," which are routes that user 2 often uses in his/her daily life. For such routes, there is a high possibility that the estimated result will match the route that user 2 actually traveled.

In other words, when there are multiple pieces of movement history information, the information can be identified by the first location information, such as the first point P1 and the second point P2, and the location information when the first location information cannot be obtained can be accurately compensated for by the estimation result based on the movement history information.

For example, artificial intelligence (AI) may be used to determine the route. In other words, the AI may learn the route in advance, and the learned model may estimate the route to be taken.

[Example of restriction on use of second location information]
It is preferable that the use of the second location information be limited in time, number of times, or amount of movement. It is also preferable that the progress of an event using the second location information (hereinafter, the degree of progress of an event based on the second location information is referred to as the "degree of progress of the event") be limited.

For example, the time during which the second location information is used is limited. The time limit is set in advance, for example, to "one hour." When such a limit is set, the game can progress for a maximum of one hour using the second location information. In other words, with this limit, during the time when the first location information cannot be obtained, the second location information is used instead for a maximum of one hour from the time when the first location information cannot be obtained.

Similarly, when limiting the number of times, for example, the number of times in one day that the event is progressed using the second location information is limited. Note that the unit of limitation is not limited to "day (one day)" and may be time, month, geographical area, distance, etc.

The amount of movement is, for example, the distance by which the character 11 is moved in the virtual space based on the second position information. Note that the amount of movement may also be the amount by which the user 2 moves in real space, i.e., the distance measured using the second position information.

The progress of an event is, for example, the number of events that are progressed based on the second location information. Specifically, if an event is the acquisition of an item, the number of items that can be acquired based on the second location information is limited. In addition, there may be restrictions such as temporarily stopping the progress at important scenes in an event (for example, scenes where a "battle" with a boss character begins or ends) so that the event does not progress based on the second location information.

In this way, an event can be the movement of the character 11 within the virtual space, a scenario that occurs within the game, a "battle" with an enemy character 13, or a combination of these, and the type is not important as long as it is an occurrence that occurs within the game.

As described above, the time, number of times, amount of movement, or progress of an event during which the second location information is used instead of the first location information may be limited.

The second location information may have lower location accuracy than the first location information. Therefore, if the second location information is used for a long period of time, inconsistencies may occur in the game. For example, if the second location information is generated based on data with low accuracy for measuring speed or location, etc., user 2 may move at a speed that is difficult to achieve in reality. If such location information is used for a long period of time, inconsistencies may occur, such as user 2 being located in a position that is not walkable. Therefore, it is desirable to limit the use of the second location information.

[Example of notification]
7 is a diagram showing an example of notification of the use of the second location information. It is desirable to notify the user 2 of the state in which the second location information is being used. Below, an example will be described in which a message-format Graphical User Interface (GUI) is output on the game screen 10 to notify the state in which the second location information is being used. However, the notification is not limited to the message format. For example, the notification may be output by vibration, sound, light, or a function outside the game.

Figure 7 differs from Figure 3 in that a first message 14 and a second message 15 are displayed. Below, the differences will be mainly explained, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

The first message 14 is a GUI that notifies the user that the first location information cannot be obtained.

The second message 15 is a GUI that notifies the player that the game is progressing using the second location information.

The notification may be output when switching between the first location information and the second location information. For example, a GUI for switching whether to switch to the second location information, or if multiple types of second location information are available, user 2 may be able to operate which type to use as the second location information, etc.

Specifically, when multiple types of second location information can be obtained (for example, both step count information and wireless identification information are possible), a GUI such as a button for selecting the type may be displayed when switching. The type of second location information may be selected in advance. For example, the type of second location information may be associated with an account. Also, the order of priority (so-called "priority") for the type of second location information to be selected may be set.

When the above notification is made, User 2 can be informed of the type of location information being used, etc.

[Example of notification of progressing an event using second location information]
In the event that the first location information cannot be obtained and the event is switched to proceed by obtaining the second location information instead of the first location information, it is desirable for the first information processing terminal 3 to notify the user 2 that the first location information has been switched to the second location information.

The notification may be in a form other than visual information (e.g., including a pop-up, email, or blinking) like the second message 15. Specifically, the notification may be tactile information such as vibration. Alternatively, the notification may be auditory information such as sound. In this way, when there is a notification informing the user of the switch from the first location information to the second location information, the user 2 can notice that the location information has switched.

The switching from the first location information to the second location information may be performed by inquiring of user 2 and only if user 2 gives permission.

For example, the first information processing terminal 3 displays a GUI for operating whether or not to permit switching from the first location information to the second location information, together with a notification notifying the user of the switching from the first location information to the second location information. For example, the GUI displays an "Allow" button and a "Reject" button.

Then, when user 2 presses the "permission button," i.e., when the user permits the switching from the first location information to the second location information, the first information processing terminal 3 switches from the first location information to the second location information. In this way, by having user 2 decide whether or not to permit the switching from the first location information to the second location information, it is possible to prevent location information that is not intended by user 2 from being used.

Note that there may be a time period during which switching from the first location information to the second location information, or from the second location information to the first location information, is prohibited. Frequent switching from the first location information to the second location information, and from the second location information to the first location information, can easily complicate processing. Therefore, even if the first location information can be acquired after switching from the first location information to the second location information, the second location information may not be immediately switched back to the first location information for a while, and the event may continue to progress with the second location information.

[Example of combination of movement amount based on second position information and traveling direction based on first position information]
When the first location information cannot be obtained, the event may proceed based on a combination of the amount of movement based on the second location information and the direction of progress based on the first location information.

For example, if the type of second location information is step count information or the like, even if it is possible to convert the second location information into the amount of movement, it may be difficult to determine the direction of travel from the second location information.

In such a case, the direction of travel is determined based on the most recent first location information (for example, the last location information that was obtained is stored). If the first location information cannot be obtained thereafter, the direction of travel is assumed to be maintained. Meanwhile, the amount of movement is calculated from the second location information. In this way, the event may progress using a combination of the amount of movement based on the second location information and the direction of travel based on the first location information.

However, the traveling direction may be corrected by the second position information. The second position information may include information indicating the traveling direction depending on the type. Hereinafter, the traveling direction identified based on the first position information is referred to as the "first traveling direction." On the other hand, the traveling direction identified based on the second position information is referred to as the "second traveling direction." For example, when the second position information is generated using an acceleration sensor or the like, the second position information can indicate the second traveling direction.

Specifically, let us take an example in which the first traveling direction indicates "north". Meanwhile, let us assume that the second traveling direction indicates "east". In such a case, the first traveling direction is corrected to a traveling direction of "northeast". This is an example in which the traveling direction is corrected between the first traveling direction and the second traveling direction, but the correction is not limited to this. For example, the first traveling direction, which serves as the reference, may be weighted highly and corrected toward the first traveling direction. In this example, the corrected traveling direction becomes something like "north-northeast".

Alternatively, the first traveling direction may be used as the reference at first, and the traveling direction may be gradually corrected toward the second traveling direction over time.

[Example of withholding rewards]
8 is a diagram showing an example of a reward. For example, a reward in the game is granted when the movement of the user 2 is reflected and the character 11 passes through or reaches a reward point 31. Note that the reward point 31 is set in advance.

An example of the reward is the recovery of the character 11. The reward points 31 are so-called "recovery points". Note that the reward is not limited to the recovery of the character 11. For example, the reward may be the acquisition of some kind of item, the acquisition of points such as experience points (which may be currency that can be used in the game), an improvement in the parameters of the character 11, a temporary improvement in the parameters of the character 11 (referring to a state in which a so-called "buff" is applied), or the progress of an event (so-called "checkpoint").

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of withholding a reward. Below, an example will be described in which the acquisition state of the first location information changes at a similar point in time to Figure 5. In addition, in Figure 9, the point in time at which reward point 31 is passed is referred to as "third point T3."

When the first location information cannot be obtained, that is, from the first time point T1 to the second time point T2, it is considered an "error." During the error state, it is desirable to withhold the granting of rewards. Note that it is not limited to rewards that are withheld; movement of the character 11 based on the second location information (such as the amount of movement) or other events may also be withheld.

Therefore, in the pending state, the effect of the reward is not reflected during the error state. For example, if the reward granted at the third time point T3 is the recovery of character 11, in the pending state, character 11 will be in a state before its stamina, etc., is recovered.

After the error is released after the pending state (this is the second time point T2 in FIG. 9), the first information processing terminal 3 additionally grants the pending reward based on the judgment condition as to whether or not to grant it. Specifically, if the reward granted at the third time point T3 is the recovery of the character 11, if the judgment condition is satisfied, the effect is retroactively granted such that the character 11's stamina was recovered at the second time point T2.

The judgment conditions are set in advance. For example, the judgment conditions take into consideration the time of the error, the strength of the character 11 at the third time point T3, the strength of the enemy character 13 encountered at the third time point T3, or the operation content of the user 2 (such as the speed of tapping).

In other words, the judgment condition determines the reality that a reward would have been granted if there had been no error. Therefore, if character 11 encounters an enemy character 13 that cannot be defeated with the strength of character 11 at the third time point T3, a reward will not be granted for defeating enemy character 13 based on the judgment condition.

As described above, when rewards are awarded based on the judgment conditions, realistically obtainable rewards are selected from the reserved rewards and awarded. This prevents actions such as exploiting errors to obtain fraudulently high rewards.

It is desirable to set an upper limit for the reward granted as described above. In other words, if the pending reward is equal to or greater than the upper limit, and if the reward is granted based on the judgment result, the reward is granted with the upper limit value. In this way, it is desirable to limit the pending reward so that it is not granted with a value other than the upper limit value.

In particular, if the period of time that rewards have been on hold is long, the situation may change suddenly if a large amount of the on-hold rewards are granted all at once. In such a situation, user 2 may become confused and unable to grasp the situation. Therefore, it is desirable to set an upper limit value to prevent the status, etc. of character 11 from changing too suddenly.

In addition, rewards may be awarded based on the statistical results of statistical processing of past reward history. For example, the reward may be the award of experience points or the like (hereinafter, the awarded value is referred to as the "awarded value"). First, the past reward history records in advance the award values that result from passing through several reward points 31 in the past (the locations of the reward points 31 may be different). Note that the past reward history is not limited to user 2, and may be data that references the past reward history of other nearby users or other users at a similar level.

Next, the multiple award values are statistically processed. For example, the statistical processing is a process of calculating the average value, median value, moving average value, or the like. Therefore, the statistical processing calculates statistical results such as the average value based on the past reward history. Note that the type of statistical processing to be performed is set in advance.

When such statistical results are obtained, a reward value close to the proven reward value that has been awarded in the past is awarded. This prevents exceptional situations from occurring, such as awarding a large reward value that has never been awarded in the past based on pending rewards.

[Example of Virtual Putt]
Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual pad. In the following, an example in which the first position information cannot be acquired will be described, similarly to Fig. 7 .

In a state where the first position information cannot be acquired, the first information processing terminal 3 may output a GUI for operation (hereinafter, referred to as an example of a "virtual pad 32"). Note that the interface for inputting operations is not limited to the virtual pad 32. For example, the interface may be hardware such as a game controller. Alternatively, the interface may be voice input using voice recognition, gesture input such as hand movements, gaze input using gaze detection, etc.

The virtual pad 32 is a GUI that inputs operations by the user 2. For example, when the finger of the user 2 touches the virtual pad 32, a direction, etc. is input.

In this way, during an error, the direction of travel or amount of movement of user 2 may be input using virtual pad 32, etc.

The shape, output range, and output timing of the virtual pad 32 may be other than those described above. In other words, the GUI may be of another type.

It is desirable to limit the amount of input, the number of inputs, or the input time, etc., using the virtual pad 32. For example, if movement amounts could be input using the virtual pad 32 without any restrictions, it may be possible to commit fraud by inputting a movement amount of several kilometers using the virtual pad 32 when in fact a movement amount of several kilometers is actually required. Therefore, limiting the amount of input, the number of inputs, or the input time, etc., using the virtual pad 32 can reduce the impact of fraudulent operations.

[Modification using a second information processing terminal]
Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a modified example using a second information processing terminal. Fig. 11 differs from the system configuration shown in Fig. 1 in that a second information processing terminal 6 is added. The different configuration will be described below.

The second information processing terminal 6 is, for example, a watch-type information processing device. In other words, it is preferable that the second information processing terminal 6 is in a form that is worn by the user 2.

The second information processing terminal 6 has a hardware configuration including a sensor such as a heart rate monitor or a vibration sensor. It is preferable that the second information processing terminal 6 has a hardware configuration including a different sensor from that of the first information processing terminal 3, or is an information processing device capable of measuring different types of data. However, the second information processing terminal 6 may also be exercise equipment, a weight scale, or the like. In other words, the second information processing terminal 6 is not limited to being owned by the user 2, and may also be an information processing device that can be connected at least temporarily. The second information processing terminal 6 may also be multiple devices.

The first information processing terminal 3 is connected to the second information processing terminal 6 via a network or by short-range communication, etc. Therefore, the first information processing terminal 3 acquires information about the user 2 (hereinafter referred to as "external information") from the second information processing terminal 6. Note that the external information may be acquired via the server 4.

For example, if the second information processing terminal 6 can measure the heart rate, etc., of the user 2, the state of the user 2 (e.g., whether the user is walking or running, etc.) can be estimated based on the biometric information such as the heart rate.

The external information is, for example, sensor data indicating the moving speed of user 2, the number of steps of user 2, or the moving state of user 2. Furthermore, the external information is not limited to the result of directly measuring the moving speed of user 2, the number of steps of user 2, or the moving state of user 2, but may be an estimation result based on the sensor data.

In this way, if external information can be acquired, the position or status, etc. of user 2 can be estimated with high accuracy. Note that the external information may directly become the second position information, or may be auxiliary information in generating the second position information. Therefore, if the external information can be used in generating the second position information, the first information processing terminal 3 can accurately identify the position, etc. of user 2.

In the above configuration, a device that acquires the first location information, such as the first information processing terminal 3, is referred to as the "first device." On the other hand, a device that acquires the second location information and cooperates with the first information processing terminal 3, such as the second information processing terminal 6, is referred to as the "second device."

The first device and the second device do not have to be information processing devices. For example, the first device and the second device may be sensors, etc. Furthermore, the first device and the second device differ depending on the method of generating the first location information and the second location information, etc.

The first device and the second device may have a hardware configuration that does not have a calculation device, and an information processing device connected to the first device and the second device may perform calculations based on the sensing results by the first device and the second device to generate the first location information and the second location information.

[Functional configuration example]
12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the first information processing terminal 3. For example, the first information processing terminal 3 has a functional configuration including a first location information acquisition unit 3F1, a second location information acquisition unit 3F2, a switching unit 3F3, and an event progression unit 3F4.

The first location information acquisition unit 3F1 performs a first location information acquisition procedure to acquire the first location information. For example, the first location information acquisition unit 3F1 is realized by a communication device 3H5 or the like.

The second location information acquisition unit 3F2 performs a second location information acquisition procedure to acquire second location information. For example, the second location information acquisition unit 3F2 is realized by a sensor 3H3, etc.

If the first location information cannot be acquired, the switching unit 3F3 performs a switching procedure to switch the location information used by the event progression unit 3F4 from the first location information to the second location information. For example, the switching unit 3F3 is realized by the CPU 3H1, etc.

The event progression unit 3F4 performs an event progression procedure to progress the event based on the first location information or the second location information. For example, the event progression unit 3F4 is realized by the CPU 3H1, etc.

With the above configuration, even if the first location information cannot be obtained due to GPS being blocked or the like, the second location information can be used instead to progress the event. For example, in a game that uses location information, if the first location information cannot be obtained, problems may occur due to the state of location information acquisition, such as the amount of movement not being reflected, the acquisition of items not being reflected, or inconsistencies in the development of the story in the game.

On the other hand, if the event can proceed using the second location information instead, problems caused by the state of location information acquisition can be prevented.

[Other embodiments]
The event is not limited to a game. For example, the event may be a process in a smartphone application software for a restaurant. For example, the present invention may be applied to a case where the application software authenticates the location of the user 2 and executes an event such as granting a coupon.

The virtual space is not limited to games. For example, the virtual space may be a metaverse or the like. The metaverse is a combination of the words "meta" (transcendence) and "universe" (space, world). The metaverse refers to a three-dimensional virtual space on a computer network in which multiple people can participate and in which participants can act freely. Therefore, the character that the user 2 can control may be an avatar in the metaverse space.

The above-described processes and data used in the processes executed in this embodiment may be executed and stored by an information processing system. For example, the information processing system may execute or store the processes or storage in a redundant, distributed, parallel, or combination thereof manner in multiple information processing devices. Therefore, the present invention may be realized in devices other than the hardware configurations shown above and in systems other than the devices shown above.

In addition, the program according to the present invention is not limited to a single program, but may be a collection of multiple programs. The program according to the present invention is not limited to being executed by a single device, but may be executed by multiple information processing devices in a shared manner. Furthermore, the division of roles among the information processing devices is not limited to the above-mentioned example. In other words, a part or the entirety of the above-mentioned information processing method may be executed by an information processing device different from the above-mentioned information processing device.

Furthermore, a part or all of each part realized by the program can be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit. Furthermore, the program may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium that can be read by a computer. A recording medium refers to, for example, a hard disk, an SD card (registered trademark), an optical disk such as a DVD, or a server on the Internet. Therefore, the program may be distributed via a telecommunications line such as the Internet.

In addition, the information processing devices that make up the information processing system may be located overseas.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Therefore, the present invention allows for the addition of components, partial deletion, combination or modification of the embodiments, without departing from the technical gist of the invention. Therefore, all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims are covered by the present invention. The above-mentioned embodiments are preferred examples. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art would be able to realize various modifications from the disclosed contents, and such modifications are included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[Note] The present invention includes the following inventions:

＜1＞
On the computer,
proceeding with the event based on first location information associated with an account used by the user;
When the first location information cannot be acquired, an operation of inputting second location information different from the first location information is accepted;
A program for progressing the event based on the second position information.

＜2＞
When acquisition of the first location information is resumed after the first location information cannot be acquired,
The program described in <1>, wherein the event is progressed based on the first position information.

＜3＞
When the event is progressed according to the second location information,
The program according to <1>, wherein the progress, time, number of times, or amount of movement of the event is limited.

＜4＞
The reward acquired while the first location information could not be acquired is put into a pending state;
When the first location information becomes available again, determining whether or not to grant the reward in the pending state based on a determination condition;
The program described in <1>, wherein if the judgment condition is met, the reward in the pending state is additionally granted.

＜5＞
When the reserved reward is to be additionally granted,
The program described in <4>, in which an upper limit value of the reward is set.

＜6＞
When the event is progressed according to the second location information,
The program described in <1>, which notifies the user that the event should progress based on the second position information.

＜７＞
A system having a first information processing terminal operated by a user,
The first information processing terminal,
proceeding with an event based on first location information associated with an account used by the user;
When the first location information cannot be acquired, an operation of inputting second location information different from the first location information is accepted;
A system for progressing the event based on the second position information.

＜8＞
An information processing method executed by a computer operated by a user, comprising:
proceeding with an event based on first location information associated with an account used by the user;
receiving an operation of inputting second location information different from the first location information when the first location information cannot be acquired;
and progressing the event based on the second position information.

The above inventions <1> to <8> are based on the description shown in FIG. 10, etc.

＜9＞
On the computer,
proceeding with the event based on first location information associated with an account used by the user;
a program for progressing the event using second location information different from the first location information when the first location information cannot be acquired;

＜10＞
When there is a history of acquiring the first location information,
The program described in <9>, wherein the event is progressed based on the second position information.

<11>
When acquisition of the first location information is resumed after the first location information cannot be acquired,
The program described in <9>, wherein the event is progressed based on the first position information.

＜12＞
When the event is progressed according to the second location information,
The program according to <9>, wherein the progress, time, number of times, or amount of movement of the event is limited.

＜13＞
The reward acquired while the first location information could not be acquired is put into a pending state;
When the first location information becomes available again, determining whether or not to grant the reward in the pending state based on a determination condition;
The program described in <9>, wherein, if the judgment condition is satisfied, the reward in the pending state is additionally granted.

＜14＞
When the reserved reward is to be additionally granted,
The program described in <13>, in which an upper limit value of the reward is set.

＜15＞
When the reserved reward is to be additionally granted,
The reward is:
The program described in <13>, in which rewards are awarded based on the statistical results of statistical processing of past reward history.

＜16＞
When the event is progressed based on the second location information,
The program according to <9>, further notifying the user that the event is in a state where it should proceed based on the second position information.

＜１７＞
The second location information is
The program described in <9>, which is at least one of the results of position determination by a camera, location information obtained by a satellite different from the first location information, measurement results by a pedometer, measurement results by an acceleration sensor, measurement results by a geomagnetic field, measurement results by a barometric pressure sensor, and identification results by radio.

＜18＞
The second location information is
The program according to <9>, which is an estimation result based on movement history information.

＜19＞
The second location information is
The program described in <9>, wherein the first location information is information acquired from a second device linked to the first device that acquires the first location information.

＜20＞
When the event is progressed according to the second location information,
The program described in <9>, which notifies the user that the event should be progressed based on the second position information.

＜21＞
In a case where a plurality of types of the second position information can be acquired,
When the first location information cannot be acquired,
The program according to <9>, further comprising accepting a selection of a type to be used as the second location information.

＜22＞
When the first location information cannot be acquired,
The program described in <9>, wherein the event is progressed based on the amount of movement based on the second position information and the direction of progress based on the first position information.

＜23＞
When the first location information cannot be acquired,
A movement amount according to the second position information; and
The program described in <9>, wherein the event is progressed based on a travel direction corrected by a second travel direction based on the second position information with respect to a first travel direction based on the first position information.

＜24＞
A system having a first information processing terminal operated by a user,
The first information processing terminal,
proceeding with an event based on first location information associated with an account used by the user;
If the first location information cannot be obtained, the system progresses the event using second location information different from the first location information.

＜25＞
An information processing method executed by a computer operated by a user, comprising:
proceeding with an event based on first location information associated with an account used by the user;
and if the first location information cannot be acquired, progressing the event using second location information different from the first location information.

1: System 2: User 3: First information processing terminal 3F1: First position information acquisition unit 3F2: Second position information acquisition unit 3F3: Switching unit 3F4: Event progression unit 4: Server 5: Satellite 6: Second information processing terminal 10: Game screen 11: Character 12: Item 13: Enemy character 14: First message 15: Second message 20: Past route 21: First route 22: Second route 23: Third route 31: Reward point 32: Virtual putt P1: First point P2: Second point T1: First time point T2: Second time point T3: Third time point

Claims (2)

On the computer,
proceeding with the event based on first location information acquired by a first sensor associated with an account used by the user;
second position information acquired by a second sensor capable of acquiring position information with an accuracy different from that of the first position information acquired by the first sensor is controlled so as to be acquireable in accordance with a history of acquisition of the first position information;
A program for progressing the event by switching to the second position information while restricting one or more of the time for which the second position information is used , the distance by which a character is moved in a virtual space based on the second position information, and the distance measured using the second position information, when the first position information cannot be obtained. proceeding with the event based on first location information acquired by a first sensor associated with an account used by the user;
second position information acquired by a second sensor capable of acquiring position information with an accuracy different from that of the first position information acquired by the first sensor is controlled so as to be acquireable in accordance with a history of acquisition of the first position information;
When the first position information cannot be obtained , the system switches to the second position information with one or more of the following restricted: the time for which the second position information is used, the distance by which a character is moved in a virtual space based on the second position information, and the distance measured using the second position information, and progresses the event.

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