Information processing method

Abstract

A method improves the technology of a game using a vehicle. The information processing device sets a virtual space in which position information is linked with a real space. On the basis of a change in position information of a vehicle, the information processing device determines a movement trajectory of a first player moving by the vehicle in a real space. The information processing device specifies a first region of the first player in the virtual space on the basis of the movement trajectory of the first player. The information processing device plays a game according to the first area. Furthermore, the information processing device gives a reward or punishment to the first player for the game on the basis of the travel information of the vehicle while the first player is moving.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, technologies for games that use vehicles were known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a game program that uses the location of vehicles to capture territory.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-168776 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The goal is to improve the technology used in games that involve vehicles.

[0005] In view of this situation, the object of the present invention is to improve the technology of games using vehicles.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method executed by an information processing device providing a game, the method comprising the following steps: setting up a virtual space that links location information with real space; determining the movement trajectory of a first player moving in the real space via the vehicle based on changes in vehicle location information; determining a first area of ​​the first player in the virtual space based on the first player's movement trajectory; playing the game based on the first area; and assigning a reward or penalty to the first player for the game based on the driving information of the vehicle moving by the first player.

[0007] Invention Effects

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the technology for using vehicles in games is improved. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the general structure of the information processing apparatus involved in this invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the information processing device involved in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0011] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[0012] (Summary of the implementation method)

[0013] refer to Figure 1The structure of the information processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described. The information processing apparatus 10 is, for example, an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, a server device communicating with the vehicle, a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, or other computer or general-purpose or special-purpose electronic device. The information processing apparatus 10 provides games for use in the vehicle. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 10 may be composed of, for example, an in-vehicle device and a server device, or it may be composed of multiple devices, including a user-carried terminal device such as a smartphone.

[0014] First, an overview of this embodiment will be given; detailed descriptions will follow. The information processing device 10 is set up in a virtual space where position information is linked to the real space. Based on changes in the vehicle's position information, the information processing device 10 determines the movement trajectory of a first player moving in the real space using that vehicle. Based on the first player's movement trajectory, the information processing device 10 determines a first area for the first player in the virtual space. The information processing device 10 then plays the game based on this first area. Furthermore, based on the vehicle's movement information, the information processing device 10 assigns rewards or penalties to the first player for the game.

[0015] In conventional technology, there are known techniques for games involving capturing territory using vehicles. However, when playing games with actual vehicles, driving distraction can occur due to the user's focus on the game. In contrast, according to this embodiment, rewards or penalties are assigned to the player based on the driving information of the player's moving vehicle. Therefore, the player pays attention to driving the vehicle in order to play the game favorably, thus potentially reducing the likelihood of driving distraction. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the technology for playing games using vehicles is improved in terms of potentially reducing the likelihood of driving distraction during gameplay.

[0016] Next, the structure of the information processing device 10 will be described in detail.

[0017] (Composition of information processing device)

[0018] The information processing device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an output unit 12, an input unit 13, a storage unit 14, a control unit 15, and a sensor unit 16.

[0019] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to a network. These communication interfaces may correspond to, for example, fourth-generation (4G) or fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication standards, but are not limited to these. The communication unit 11 receives information for the operation of the information processing device 10 and transmits information obtained through the operation of the information processing device 10. The communication unit 11 enables the information processing device 10 to communicate via a network, for example, with a server that manages games.

[0020] The output unit 12 includes one or more output devices for outputting information. These output devices may be, for example, a display that outputs image information or a speaker that outputs sound information, but are not limited thereto. Alternatively, the output unit 12 may also include an interface for connecting an external output device.

[0021] The input unit 13 includes one or more input devices for detecting user input operations. These input devices may be, for example, physical keys, electrostatic capacitive keys, a mouse, a touch panel, a touchscreen integrated with the display of the output unit 12, or a microphone, but are not limited to these. Alternatively, the input unit 13 may also include an interface for connecting external input devices.

[0022] The storage unit 14 includes one or more memories. These memories may be, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories, but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 14 may function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 14 stores any information necessary for the operation of the information processing device 10. Furthermore, the storage unit 14 may store, for example, system programs, application programs, and embedded software. For example, information stored in the storage unit 14 can be updated via information obtained from a network through the communication unit 11. In this embodiment, the storage unit 14 stores the game using the vehicle and map information used for the game.

[0023] The control unit 15 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor specifically designed for particular processing. The control unit 15 controls the various parts of the information processing device 10 while performing processing related to the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0024] The sensor unit 16 may include, for example, any sensor used to acquire driving information, such as a steering angle sensor, an acceleration sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a position sensor, and a gyroscope sensor. The sensor unit 16 may also include, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The sensor unit 16 may also include, for example, a camera capable of capturing information about the vehicle's surroundings.

[0025] (The operation flow of the information processing device)

[0026] refer to Figure 2 The operation of the information processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be explained.

[0027] S100: The control unit 15 of the information processing device 10 is set in a virtual space that links location information with the real space.

[0028] Specifically, when a user starts the game, the control unit 15 sets up the virtual space by establishing a corresponding association between the virtual space field of the game and the map information of the real space stored in the storage unit 14. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the battle format where the user, as the first player, competes against one or more other users (also referred to as second players) is typical, but it is also possible for the game to be played solely by the first player. Moreover, the first player can also cooperate with the second player. Furthermore, the field of the virtual space can be the same as or different from the map information of the real space.

[0029] S101: The control unit 15 determines the movement trajectory of the first player who moves in the real space by the vehicle based on the changes in the vehicle's position information.

[0030] Specifically, the control unit 15 uses the sensor unit 16 to acquire the vehicle's position information at predetermined time intervals or in real time. Then, the control unit 15 determines the movement trajectory of the first player moving in the real space by establishing a corresponding association between the acquired position information and map information of the real space.

[0031] S102: The control unit 15 determines the first area of ​​the first player in the virtual space based on the first player's movement trajectory.

[0032] For example, the control unit 15 can add a first region as the movement trajectory extends. Alternatively, the control unit 15 can define not only the movement trajectory as the first region, but also the surrounding area as the first region. Or, the control unit 15 can define the area enclosed by the movement trajectory as the first region.

[0033] S103: Control unit 15 plays the game according to area 1.

[0034] For example, when the first player is playing the game in a battle format, the game can be based on the area of ​​the first region. For instance, the control unit 15 can compare the size of the first region at the end of a predetermined time with the size of the second player's second region, and determine the winner as the player with the larger region. Alternatively, the control unit 15 can operate the game with the aim of including a predetermined location in the virtual space within the first region. Furthermore, or, when the first player is playing the game alone, the control unit 15 can operate the game with the aim of depicting a predetermined image through the first region. Thus, the control unit 15 is not limited to the above and can operate the game based on the first region to allow the first player to perform any objective.

[0035] S104: The control unit 15 assigns rewards or penalties to the first player based on the driving information of the first player's moving vehicle.

[0036] "Vehicle driving information" can be any information related to the vehicle's movement, such as vehicle speed information, vehicle surrounding information, etc., acquired by the sensor unit 16, and map information of the real space.

[0037] For example, the control unit 15 can determine whether the driving is safe based on the vehicle's driving information, and if the driving is deemed safe, award a reward to the first player. In this case, the vehicle's driving information may include, for example, any vehicle driving information related to safe driving, such as whether the vehicle has maintained a speed limit for a first predetermined time, stopped at a stop line, stopped at a traffic light, or encountered congestion.

[0038] "Rewards" may include, for example, any reward that is beneficial to the player, such as increasing the amount of the first zone per unit of movement distance, being able to reselect the color that can be used in the first zone, or being able to select the weapon that can be used in the game.

[0039] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 15 can determine whether dangerous driving has occurred based on the vehicle's driving information, and if dangerous driving is determined, impose a penalty on the first player. In this case, the vehicle's driving information may include, for example, driving information of any vehicle related to dangerous driving, such as exceeding the speed limit or committing a serious traffic violation.

[0040] "Punishment" may include, for example, any penalty that is detrimental to the game, such as narrowing the first area or reducing the amount of the first area increase per unit of movement distance within a second specified time.

[0041] Rewards and penalties can vary depending on the vehicle's driving information. For example, if the vehicle adheres to the speed limit for a specified period of time, the control unit 15 can be configured to select a weapon usable in the game. If the vehicle stops at a signal point, the first zone around the stopping point can be gradually increased during the period the vehicle is stopped.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 15 can prompt the first player about the first area in real time, at predetermined intervals, or when the vehicle is parked. By prompting the first player about the first area at predetermined intervals or when the vehicle is parked, rather than in real time, it is possible to reduce the possibility of driver distraction. In addition, the prompting of the first area can be done in any way, such as displaying the first area with color on the display of the output unit 12, or displaying the first area surrounded by color.

[0043] "First specified time," "Second specified time," and "Third specified time" can be any time that can be expressed in seconds, minutes, etc. Furthermore, the First specified time, Second specified time, and Third specified time can be changed based on the situation. For example, if the vehicle exceeds the speed limit, the greater the difference between the vehicle's speed and the speed limit, the longer the Second specified time can be.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, those skilled in the art should note that various modifications and alterations can be made according to the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that such modifications and alterations are included within the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be reconfigured in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided.

[0045] For example, in the above embodiments, it is also possible to implement an embodiment in which the structure and operation of the information processing device 10 are distributed among multiple computers capable of communicating with each other. For example, in the case where the information processing device 10 is composed of an in-vehicle device and a server, the in-vehicle device can perform some operations, and the server can perform operations that the in-vehicle device does not perform. Furthermore, the game status can be shared between the terminal device and the in-vehicle device.

[0046] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the control unit 15 can award rewards to the first player based on the vehicle history of the cars purchased by the first player. For example, the more vehicles the first player purchases, the more rewards the control unit 15 can award to the first player. For example, if the first player purchases a new car, the control unit 15 can award rewards to the first player.

[0047] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, when the first player is prompted with the first area based on color, the control unit 15 can change the color of the first area based on the passage of time, or it can change the color of the first area based on the information of the first player. The passage of time can be in units of years, months, or seasons, but any time unit not limited to these can be used. The information of the first player can include the age of the first player's children, the first player's wedding anniversary, the number of years since the first player got married, etc.

[0048] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the control unit 15 can provide events in a virtual space. These events could include, for example, arriving at a specific location in the real world, writing a specified character or drawing in the first area, etc.

[0049] Furthermore, for example, it is also possible to implement a general-purpose computer as the information processing apparatus 10 according to the above embodiments. Specifically, a program containing processing content for implementing the various functions of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the above embodiments is stored in the memory of a general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present invention can also be implemented as a program executable by a processor or as a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program.

[0050] Symbol Explanation

[0051] 10-Information processing device, 11-Communication unit, 12-Output unit, 13-Input unit, 14-Storage unit, 15-Control unit, 16-Sensor unit.

Claims

1. A method performed by an information processing device providing a game, the method being characterized by comprising the following steps: A virtual space that links location information with the real world; Based on changes in the vehicle's location information, determine the movement trajectory of the first player moving through the vehicle in the real space; Based on the movement trajectory of the first player, determine the first area of ​​the first player in the virtual space; The game is performed according to the first area; and Based on the driving information of the vehicle of the first player, a reward or penalty is assigned to the first player for the game.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The information processing device determines whether driving is safe based on the driving information. If the driving is deemed safe, the first player is awarded the reward.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The information processing device determines whether dangerous driving is occurring based on the driving information. If the driving is deemed dangerous, the first player will be subject to the aforementioned penalty.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Determining the first region includes increasing the first region as the movement trajectory extends. The information processing device performs the game based on the area of ​​the first region. The reward or penalty may be assigned by altering the increase in the first region per unit of movement distance.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: The first area is prompted to the first player in real time, at specified intervals, or when the vehicle is parked.

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