Method and information processing apparatus

Abstract

A method and an information processing apparatus. The method executed by the information processing apparatus includes: setting a virtual space that links position information with the real space; setting a game event in the virtual space in association with a location in the virtual space corresponding to the position information of a predetermined facility in the real space; obtaining a predicted value of the required power of an object area in the real space; and starting the game event based on the predicted value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an information processing apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for providing a game using a user's location information has been known. For example, Japanese Patent No. 4789222 discloses a case where a score is given according to the moving distance of a user carrying a portable telephone terminal. Summary of the Invention

[0003] It is desired to improve the technique for providing a game using a user's location information.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure achieved in view of the above circumstances is to improve the technique for providing a game using a user's location information.

[0005] A method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is executed by an information processing apparatus, and the method includes:

[0006] Setting a virtual space that links location information with the real space;

[0007] Setting a game event in the virtual space in association with a location in the virtual space corresponding to the location information of a predetermined facility in the real space;

[0008] Obtaining a predicted value of the required power of an object area in the real space; and

[0009] Starting the game event according to the predicted value.

[0010] An information processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing apparatus including a control unit, wherein

[0011] The control unit:

[0012] Sets a virtual space that links location information with the real space,

[0013] Sets a game event in the virtual space in association with a location in the virtual space corresponding to the location information of a predetermined facility in the real space,

[0014] Obtains a predicted value of the required power of an object area in the real space,

[0015] Starts the game event according to the predicted value.

[0016] A method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a method executed by a terminal device used by a user, and the method includes:

[0017] Starting communication with an information processing apparatus;

[0018] Send the location information of the user to the information processing device;

[0019] Display a virtual space in which the location information is linked to the real space; and

[0020] Display the start of a game event in the virtual space based on the predicted power demand of the object area in the real space,

[0021] The game event is a game event set in association with a location in the virtual space corresponding to the location information of a predetermined facility in the real space.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the technology of providing a game using the location information of a user is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen displayed on a terminal device.

[0026] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a terminal device.

[0027] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device.

[0028] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device.

[0029] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0031] (Overview of the Embodiment) Referring to Figure 1 , the overview of a system 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The system 1 includes one or more terminal devices 10 and an information processing device 20.

[0032] The terminal device 10 and the information processing device 20 are connected to a network 30 including, for example, a mobile communication network and the Internet so as to be able to communicate. The terminal device 10 is, for example, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or a portable game console, but is not limited thereto, and may be any computer that a user can carry. The information processing device 20 is, for example, a server device, but is not limited thereto, and may be any computer. The information processing device 20 provides a game to, for example, the terminal device 10 that executes a game application. The game application may be downloaded to the terminal device 10 via the network 30, for example, from an application distribution server, or may be installed when the terminal device 10 is manufactured.

[0033] The user of the terminal device 10 plays the game using a user account. "User account" includes information for uniquely identifying the user within the game. A user account can also be created, for example, when the user plays the game for the first time. The user can play the game from any terminal device 10 using his or her own user account by performing authentication processes such as password input. In addition, the authentication process performed by the user can also be omitted. The user's inherent information in the game is managed in association with the user account. The user's inherent information in the game includes, for example, virtual objects such as characters, items, currencies, scores, titles or permissions owned by the user in the game, the game play history, and the user's address in real space, but is not limited to these.

[0034] In the game involved in this embodiment, a virtual space is used to link position information with real space. Figure 2 As shown, the terminal device 10 displays a game screen 40 showing at least a part of the virtual space. The virtual space may be a two-dimensional space or a three-dimensional space. The game screen 40 includes an avatar 41, a virtual road 42, a virtual facility 43, and a notification area 44.

[0035] The avatar 41 is a character in the virtual space that is a clone of the user playing the game. In the present embodiment, the position information of the user in the real space and the position information of the avatar 41 in the virtual space are linked. Therefore, when the user moves in the real space, the avatar 41 also moves in the virtual space. When the user wants to move the avatar 41 to a desired location in the virtual space, it is necessary to actually move to a location in the real space corresponding to the location.

[0036] The virtual road 42 is a road existing in the virtual space. In the present embodiment, there is a corresponding relationship between the position information of the road existing in the real space and the position information of the virtual road 42 in the virtual space. Therefore, the configuration of the road in the real space and the configuration of the virtual road 42 in the virtual space may be substantially the same. For example, when the user is located on a certain road in the real space, the avatar 41 is located on the virtual road 42 corresponding to that road in the virtual space.

[0037] The virtual facility 43 is a facility existing in the virtual space. In the present embodiment, there is a corresponding relationship between the position information of the facility existing in the real space and the position information of the virtual facility 43 in the virtual space. Therefore, the configuration of the facility in the real space and the configuration of the virtual facility 43 in the virtual space may be substantially the same. For example, when the user is located on a certain facility in the real space, the avatar 41 is located on the virtual facility 43 corresponding to that facility in the virtual space.

[0038] The notification area 44 is an area for displaying any information notified to the user playing the game. For example, information such as text, still images, or moving images can be displayed in the notification area 44. The notification area 44 can be, for example, always displayed on the game screen 40, or can also be displayed when notifying information to the user.

[0039] In the present embodiment, any game event associated with an arbitrary location in the virtual space can be implemented. The user can participate in the game event by, for example, moving the avatar 41 to that location in the virtual space. The content of the game event is, for example, a mini-game of fighting against an enemy character, or a mini-game of achieving a virtual goal such as obtaining an item or a character, etc., but is not limited to these and can be determined arbitrarily.

[0040] First, the outline of the present embodiment will be described. The details will be described later. The information processing device 20 sets a virtual space in which the position information is linked to the real space. The information processing device 20 associates with a location (such as the virtual facility 43) in the virtual space corresponding to the position information of a predetermined facility in the real space and sets a game event in the virtual space. The information processing device 20 obtains a predicted value of the required power of the target area in the real space. Then, the information processing device 20 starts the game event based on the obtained predicted value.

[0041] Thus, according to this embodiment, a game event is started based on the predicted value of the required power of the object area in the real space. For example, consider starting a game event when it is estimated that the predicted value of the required power exceeds a predetermined reference value, etc., that is, when the required power of the object area increases. In the above case, it is possible to provide an incentive for the residents of the object area to actually move from the object area to the facility for the purpose of participating in this game event. After the residents move from the object area, the required power in each household in the object area can be reduced. Therefore, in terms of being able to alleviate or suppress the increase in the required power of the entire object area, the technology of providing games using the location information of users is improved.

[0042] Next, each structure of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0043] (Structure of the terminal device)

[0044] As Figure 3 shown, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a positioning unit 12, a display unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0045] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 30. This communication interface corresponds to mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation), but is not limited to these and can correspond to any communication standard. In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 communicates with the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 11.

[0046] The positioning unit 12 includes a receiver corresponding to the satellite positioning system. This receiver corresponds to, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System), but is not limited thereto and can correspond to any satellite positioning system. In addition, the positioning unit 12 may also include, for example, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and a barometric pressure sensor. In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 uses the positioning unit 12 to obtain the location information of the user and the azimuth the user is facing. The location information may include two-dimensional coordinate data including latitude and longitude, or may include three-dimensional coordinate data including altitude in addition to latitude and longitude.

[0047] The display unit 13 includes one or more displays. Each display may also include an input interface such as a touch screen.

[0048] The storage unit 14 includes one or more memories. In the present embodiment, the "memory" is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory, etc., but is not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 14 can also function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 14 stores any information used in the operation of the terminal device 10. For example, the storage unit 14 can also store system programs and application programs, etc. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 14 stores the application program of the above game and any information used in the game. The information used in the game includes, for example, information of a user account and user-specific information managed in association with the user account (such as virtual objects owned by the user in the game, the play history of the game, and the address of the user in the real space, etc.), but is not limited to these. The information stored in the storage unit 14 can also be updated with information obtained from the network 30 via the communication unit 11, for example.

[0049] The control unit 15 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited thereto. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited thereto. The control unit 15 controls the overall operation of the terminal device 10. For example, the control unit 15 executes the application program of the game stored in the storage unit 14. The details of the operation of the terminal device 10 controlled by the control unit 15 will be described later.

[0050] (Structure of the information processing device)

[0051] As Figure 4 shown, the information processing device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0052] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 30. This communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, etc., but is not limited to these and can correspond to any communication standard. In the present embodiment, the information processing device 20 communicates with the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21.

[0053] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 can also function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 20. For example, the storage unit 22 can store system programs, application programs, databases, and map information, etc. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 22 stores any information used in the game. The information used in the game includes, for example, information of the user account and user-specific information managed in association with the user account (such as virtual objects owned by the user in the game, the play history of the game, and the address of the user in the real space, etc.), but is not limited to these. It is also possible to update the information stored in the storage unit 22 with information obtained from the network 30 via the communication unit 21, for example.

[0054] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 23 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 20. The details of the operation of the information processing device 20 controlled by the control unit 23 will be described later.

[0055] (Operation flow of the information processing device)

[0056] Refer to Figure 5 , and describe the operation flow of the information processing device 20.

[0057] Step S100: The control unit 23 of the information processing device 20 sets a virtual space that links the position information with the real space.

[0058] Specifically, the control unit 23 constructs a virtual space used in the game and configures the avatar 41 of the user playing the game into the virtual space. Here, the control unit 23 links the position information of the user received from the terminal device 10 with the position information of the avatar 41 of the user.

[0059] Step S101: The control unit 23 associates with a location (such as Figure 2 the virtual facility 43 shown) in the virtual space corresponding to the position information of a predetermined facility in the real space and sets a game event in the virtual space. The predetermined facility is, for example, a facility such as a shopping mall or a library that can accommodate more people than a general residence, but is not limited to this and can be any facility.

[0060] Step S102: The control unit 23 obtains a predicted value of the required power of the target area in the real space.

[0061] Here, the target area is an arbitrary area determined, for example, in a manner that includes one or more residences. The control unit 23 may, for example, receive a predicted value of the required power of the target area from a server managed by an electric power company, or may calculate a future predicted value based on the past actual values of the target area.

[0062] Step S103: The control unit 23 starts a game event based on the predicted value obtained in step S102.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the control unit 23 starts a game event when the predicted value of the required power of the target area is equal to or greater than a threshold value. However, the control unit 23 may also start a game event, for example, when the predicted value of the required power of the target area is less than the threshold value.

[0064] Step S104: The control unit 23 permits the user accounts of the residents in the target area of a predetermined facility in the real space to participate in the game event.

[0065] Specifically, the control unit 23 determines whether a user is a resident of the target area based on information associated with the user account (for example, information on the user's address in the real space). When it is determined that the user is a resident of the target area, and when the user's location information is substantially the same as the location information of the predetermined facility, the control unit 23 permits the user account of the user to participate in the game event. On the other hand, when the user's location information is not substantially the same as the location information of the predetermined facility, or when it is determined that the user is not a resident of the target area, the control unit 23 may not permit the user account of the user to participate in the game event.

[0066] Here, the control unit 23 may either immediately allow the user accounts permitted to participate in the game event to participate in the game event, or may allow them to participate according to a request from the user associated with the user account.

[0067] Step S105: The control unit 23 obtains the actual value of the required power of the target area in the real space. Here, the actual value of the required power of the target area may also be received from, for example, a server managed by an electric power company.

[0068] Step S106: The control unit 23 obtains the number of residents in the target area of a predetermined facility in the real space.

[0069] Specifically, the control unit 23 obtains the number of users among the multiple users who are residents of the target area and whose current location information is substantially the same as the location information of the predetermined facility.

[0070] Step S107: The control unit 23 controls the game event based on at least one of the actual value obtained in step S105 and the number of people obtained in step S106.

[0071] Specifically, when the above-mentioned performance value is less than the threshold value or the above-mentioned number of people is equal to or more than the threshold value during the implementation of the game event, the control unit 23 may also control the game event by giving rewards to the user accounts participating in the game event or changing the parameters associated with the game event. The parameters associated with the game event are, for example, the implementation period of the game event, the acquisition probability of the character that the user account can obtain by participating in the game event, and the level at the time of acquisition of the character, etc., but are not limited to these, and can be any parameters. Here, the control unit 23 may also change the parameters associated with the game event in a manner that is beneficial to the user related to the user account participating in the game event. For example, the control unit 23 can extend the implementation period of the game event, increase the acquisition probability of the character that the user account can obtain by participating in the game event, or increase the level at the time of acquisition of the character.

[0072] Alternatively, when the above-mentioned performance value is equal to or more than the threshold value or the above-mentioned number of people is less than the threshold value during the implementation of the game event, the control unit 23 may also control the game event by changing the parameters associated with the game event. In this case, the control unit 23 may also change the parameters associated with the game event in a manner that is not beneficial to the user related to the user account participating in the game event. For example, the control unit 23 can shorten the implementation period of the game event, reduce the acquisition probability of the character that the user account can obtain by participating in the game event, or reduce the level at the time of acquisition of the character.

[0073] (Operation flow of the terminal device)

[0074] Refer to Figure 6 to describe the operation flow of the terminal device 10 of the application program that executes the game.

[0075] Step S200: The control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 starts communication with the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 11.

[0076] Step S201: The control unit 15 sends the location information of the user obtained by using the location unit 12 to the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 11. For example, the transmission of the location information is repeatedly performed periodically.

[0077] Step S202: The control unit 15 displays the virtual space linked with the real space on the display unit 13. For example, Figure 2 the game screen 40 shown is displayed on the display unit 13.

[0078] Step S203: The control unit 15 displays on the display unit 13 the situation of starting a game event in the virtual space based on the predicted value of the required power of the object area in the real space.

[0079] Specifically, the control unit 15 may also display, in the notification area 44 of the game screen 40, a message indicating that a game event starts when the predicted value of the required power in the target area is equal to or higher than a threshold value. Here, the control unit 15 may also obtain the predicted value from the information processing device 20 and display the message when the predicted value is equal to or higher than the threshold value.

[0080] Step S204: The control unit 15 controls a game event in the virtual space based on at least one of the actual value of the required power in the target area in the real space and the number of residents in the target area of the predetermined facility in the real space, and displays it on the display unit 13.

[0081] Specifically, during the implementation of the game event, when the actual value is less than the threshold value or the number of people is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the control unit 15 may display, in the notification area 44 of the game screen 40, a message indicating the control of the game event in a manner of giving a reward to the user account participating in the game event or changing a parameter associated with the game event. Here, the control unit 15 may also obtain the actual value or the number of people from the information processing device 20 and display the message when the actual value is less than the threshold value or the number of people is equal to or higher than the threshold value.

[0082] Step S205: When the user is a resident of the target area and moves from the target area to the predetermined facility during the implementation of the game event, the control unit 15 performs a process of making the user's user account participate in the game event.

[0083] Specifically, the control unit 15 sends a request for the user account to participate in the game event to the information processing device 20 according to, for example, a user operation or automatically. According to this request, the information processing device 20 makes the user account participate in the game event.

[0084] Step S206: After the user's user account participates in the game event, the control unit 15 performs a process of advancing the game event.

[0085] Specifically, the control unit 15 sends a request for advancing the game event to the information processing device 20 according to, for example, a user operation or automatically. According to this request, the information processing device 20 advances the game event for the user account.

[0086] As described above, the information processing device 20 according to the present embodiment sets a virtual space in which the position information is linked to the real space. The information processing device 20 sets a game event in the virtual space in association with a location (for example, the virtual facility 43) in the virtual space corresponding to the position information of the predetermined facility in the real space. The information processing device 20 obtains the predicted value of the required power in the target area in the real space. Then, the information processing device 20 starts the game event based on the obtained predicted value.

[0087] Based on the above structure, a game event is started according to the predicted value of the required power of the object area in the real space. For example, in the case where the predicted value of the required power is estimated to exceed a predetermined reference value, that is, when the required power of the object area increases, it is considered to start the game event. In the above case, for the purpose of participating in the game event, it is possible to provide the residents of the object area with an incentive to actually move from the object area to the facility. When the residents move from the object area, the required power in each household in the object area can be reduced. Therefore, in terms of being able to alleviate or suppress the increase in the overall required power of the object area, the technology of providing a game using the location information of users is improved.

[0088] The present invention has been described with reference to a number of drawings and embodiments, but it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions and the like included in each structural part or each step can be reconfigured in a logically non - contradictory manner, and a plurality of constituent parts or steps can be combined into one or divided.

[0089] For example, a part or all of the operations performed by the information processing device 20 in the above - described embodiment can also be performed by the terminal device 10. In addition, the operations performed by the information processing device 20 can also be distributed and executed by a plurality of computers capable of communicating with each other.

[0090] In addition, it is also possible to make a general - purpose computer function as the terminal device 10 or the information processing device 20 related to the above - described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for implementing the respective functions of the terminal device 10 or the information processing device 20 related to the above - described embodiment is stored in the memory of the computer, and the program is read and executed by the processor of the computer. Therefore, the invention related to the present embodiment can also be implemented as a program executable by a processor, or a non - temporary computer - readable medium storing the program.

Claims

1. A method, executed by an information processing device, the method comprises: setting up a virtual space that enables linkage between location information and the real space; and setting up a game event in the virtual space by associating a location in the virtual space corresponding to the location information of a predetermined facility in the real space; obtaining a predicted value of the required power of an object area in the real space; starting the game event when the predicted value is above a threshold; and during the implementation of the game event, determining whether the user associated with the user account is a resident of the object area according to the information of the user's address in the real space, and when it is determined that the user is a resident of the object area, permitting the user account to participate in the game event when the user's location information is consistent with the location information of the predetermined facility in the real space.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the method further comprises: obtaining an actual value of the required power of the object area in the real space; and controlling the game event according to the actual value.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, the information processing device controls the game event such that when the actual value is less than the threshold during the implementation of the game event, giving a reward to the user accounts participating in the game event or changing parameters associated with the game event.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the method further comprises: obtaining the number of residents of the object area of the predetermined facility in the real space; and controlling the game event according to the number.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, the information processing device controls the game event such that when the number reaches above the threshold during the implementation of the game event, giving a reward to the user accounts participating in the game event or changing parameters associated with the game event.

6. An information processing device, having a control unit, wherein, the control unit: sets up a virtual space that enables linkage between location information and the real space, sets up a game event in the virtual space by associating a location in the virtual space corresponding to the location information of a predetermined facility in the real space, obtains a predicted value of the required power of an object area in the real space, starts the game event when the predicted value is above a threshold, during the implementation of the game event, determines whether the user associated with the user account is a resident of the object area according to the information of the user's address in the real space, and when it is determined that the user is a resident of the object area, permits the user account to participate in the game event when the user's location information is consistent with the location information of the predetermined facility in the real space.

7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein, the control unit: obtains an actual value of the required power of the object area in the real space, controls the game event according to the actual value.

8. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein, The control unit controls the game event such that when the actual value is less than a threshold value during the execution of the game event, a reward is given to the user account participating in the game event or a parameter associated with the game event is changed.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit: obtains the number of residents in the target area of the predetermined facility in the real space, and controls the game event according to the number.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit controls the game event such that when the number reaches a threshold value or more during the execution of the game event, a reward is given to the user account participating in the game event or a parameter associated with the game event is changed.

11. A method executed by a terminal device used by a user, the method comprising: starting to communicate with an information processing apparatus; sending the location information of the user to the information processing apparatus; displaying a virtual space linked between the location information and the real space; displaying a game event in the virtual space when a predicted value of the required power of the target area in the real space reaches a threshold value or more, the game event being a game event set in association with a location in the virtual space corresponding to the location information of a predetermined facility in the real space; and when the user is a resident of the target area in the real space, during the execution of the game event, when the location information of the user coincides with the location information of the predetermined facility in the real space, performing a process of causing the user account of the user to participate in the game event.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: when the user account participates in the game event, performing a process for promoting the game event.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: displaying that the game event is controlled according to the actual value of the required power of the target area in the real space or the number of residents in the target area of the predetermined facility in the real space.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the game event is controlled such that when the actual value is less than a threshold value during the execution of the game event, a reward is given to the user account participating in the game event or a parameter associated with the game event is changed.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the game event is controlled such that when the number reaches a threshold value or more during the execution of the game event, a reward is given to the user account participating in the game event or a parameter associated with the game event is changed.

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