Program, method, information processing device, and system

Abstract

To restrain a server's processing load and to provide sleep information to a user who desires to refer to the sleep information.SOLUTION: Provided is a program that should be executed by a computer that has a processor and a memory and manages progress of a game using sleep information, allows the processor to execute the step of acquiring a user's sleep information, the step of storing the acquired sleep information as limited sleep history information at a lapse of a predetermined period, and the step of providing a charging element on condition of a user's payment of compensation and progressing game processing corresponding to the charging element, and the charging element includes first content accompanying supply of limited sleep history information and second content accompanying supply of superiority in a game without accompanying the supply of the limited sleep history information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program, a method, an information processing device, and a system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, development of games using user sleep information has been progressing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that an evaluation result of the user's sleep information is calculated when the user wakes up, and the calculated evaluation result is presented as a predetermined game object. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016-021235 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above technology, an evaluation result is calculated for each day that the user sleeps, and a game object corresponding to the calculated evaluation result is presented, thereby motivating the user to get better sleep. On the other hand, it is anticipated that users will have a need to refer to their past sleep information, but there is a concern that continuously storing the user's past sleep information in a server and providing the sleep information to any user at any time will increase the processing load on the server.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to make it possible to provide sleep information to users who wish to refer to the sleep information while reducing the processing burden on a server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a program to be executed by a computer that has a processor and a memory and manages the progress of a game using sleep information, the program causing the processor to execute the steps of acquiring a user's sleep information, saving the acquired sleep information as restricted sleep history information after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and providing a billing element on the condition that the user pays a fee, and progressing game processing in accordance with the billing element, wherein the billing elements include a first content that involves the provision of restricted sleep history information, and a second content that involves the provision of an advantage in the game without the provision of the restricted sleep history information. Effect of the Invention

[0007] With this configuration, restricted sleep history information is provided only to users who wish to access it even if they are willing to pay a fee, thereby satisfying the needs of users who want to access their past sleep information while reducing the processing burden on the server. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the system 1. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a terminal device 10. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 20. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the data structure of a user database 181. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the data structure of an object database 182. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing the data structure of a user master table 221. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the data structure of a sleep history database 223. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the beginning of the processing flow of the system 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating the middle part of the processing flow of the system 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating the final stage of the processing flow of the system 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. In this embodiment, "going to bed" refers to a user getting into bed, such as a bed or a futon, to sleep, and "falling asleep" refers to starting to sleep after going to bed. In addition, "awakening" refers to a user ending sleep, and "getting up" refers to getting up from bed after waking up. In addition, sleep time refers to the time from going to bed (or falling asleep) to waking up (or waking up).

[0010] <1. First embodiment> (1-1. Overview of functions provided by System 1) The terminal device 10 included in the system 1 in this embodiment is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, and provides a game (hereinafter also referred to as the present sleep game) that progresses based on the sleep information obtained from the user. The terminal device 10 also outputs an alarm to wake the user up by sound, vibration, light, etc. at a time preset by the user.

[0011] When a user who has woken up operates the terminal device 10, an in-game event determined based on the sleep information occurs, and game play progresses. As an in-game event, for example, a lottery is held for the user to acquire an in-game object, and the lottery result is displayed on the terminal device 10. The user's sleep information acquired by the terminal device 10 is stored as restricted sleep history information after a predetermined period of time has passed. The user can view the sleep information acquired by the terminal device 10 for which the predetermined period has not passed (also referred to as unrestricted sleep history information) without paying a fee. On the other hand, the sleep information that has passed the predetermined period and is stored as restricted sleep history information can be viewed by paying a fee.

[0012] The system 1 further provides a billing element on the condition that the user pays a fee. The billing element includes a first content accompanied by the provision of restricted sleep history information, and a second content accompanied by the provision of an advantage in the game without the provision of restricted sleep history information. With this specification, the system 1 can provide the first content on the condition that the user pays a fee to a user who wants to check past sleep information, while providing the second content to a user who wants to secure an advantage in the game. This makes it possible to provide sleep information to a user who wishes to refer to the sleep information while reducing the processing burden on the server. Each component will be described in detail below.

[0013] (1-2. Hardware Configuration of Terminal Device 10) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a system 1. The system 1 includes a terminal device 10 and a server 20. The terminal device 10 and the server 20 are communicatively connected via, for example, a network 30. The network 30 is realized by, for example, the Internet and / or a communication network provided by a telecommunications carrier. Note that, while FIG. 2 shows an example in which the system 1 includes one terminal device 10, the number of terminal devices 10 included in the system 1 is not limited to one. In other words, the number of terminal devices 10 may be two or more.

[0014] In this embodiment, a collection of multiple devices may be one server. The method of allocating multiple functions required to realize the server 20 according to this embodiment to one or multiple pieces of hardware can be appropriately determined in consideration of the processing capacity of each piece of hardware and / or the specifications required for the server 20.

[0015] The terminal device 10 is realized by, for example, a tablet terminal or a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. The terminal device 10 may also be realized by a stationary PC (Personal Computer), a laptop PC, or the like. The terminal device 10 may also function as a head mounted display, for example, a transmissive, non-transmissive, or see-through head mounted display.

[0016] The terminal device 10 includes a communication IF (Interface) 12 , an input device 13 , an output device 14 , a memory 15 , a storage 16 , and a processor 19 .

[0017] The communication IF 12 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals so that the terminal device 10 can communicate with an external device.

[0018] The input device 13 is a device for receiving an input operation from a user (for example, a touch panel, a touch pad, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, etc.).

[0019] The output device 14 is a device (such as a display and a speaker) for presenting information to a user.

[0020] The memory 15 is for temporarily storing programs and data to be processed by the programs, and is a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0021] The storage 16 is for storing data, and is, for example, a flash memory or a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0022] The processor 19 is hardware for executing an instruction set written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, a register, peripheral circuits, and the like.

[0023] The sleep measuring device 11 is a device for acquiring information related to sleep of the user of the terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 is connected to one or more sleep measuring devices 11 by wire or wirelessly. Specifically, the terminal device 10 may be a wearable device that is worn on the user's body, such as a wristwatch type, a finger ring type, or an eye mask type, or may be a clock type device that is placed at the pillow of the bed where the user sleeps. The terminal device 10 and the sleep measuring device 11 may be the same device.

[0024] Note that a user may simultaneously use two or more different types of sleep measuring devices 11. For example, a user may wear and use one wristwatch-type sleep measuring device 11 and one desk clock-type sleep measuring device 11, or a user may wear and use one wristwatch-type sleep measuring device 11 and use the terminal device 10 as the sleep measuring device 11.

[0025] Also, the difference in type of the sleep measuring device 11 does not necessarily have to be a difference in device. That is, even if the sleep measuring device 11 is the same device, the sleep measuring device 11 may be managed as a different sleep measuring device 11 in the system 1 depending on the type of software or application (hereinafter, also referred to as app) used until the sleep information is transmitted to the server 20.

[0026] For example, even when the same sleep measuring device 11 is used to detect sleep information, different "sleep measuring device IDs" may be assigned to the case where sleep measuring app A is used and the case where sleep measuring app B different from sleep measuring app A is used in order to correct the sleep information, etc. In this way, by managing the sleep information as different "sleep measuring device IDs" according to the type of device as the apparatus configuration and the combination of the applications used, more flexible generation of sleep information is possible, and as a result, the entertainment value of games based on sleep information can be fully demonstrated.

[0027] The server 20 includes a communication IF 22 , an input / output IF 23 , a memory 25 , a storage 26 , and a processor 29 .

[0028] The communication IF 22 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals so that the server 20 can communicate with an external device (for example, the terminal device 10).

[0029] The input / output IF 23 functions as an interface with an input device for receiving an input operation from a user and an output device for presenting information to the user.

[0030] The memory 25 is for temporarily storing programs and data to be processed by the programs, and is, for example, a volatile memory such as a DRAM.

[0031] The storage 26 is for storing data, and is, for example, a flash memory or a HDD.

[0032] The processor 29 is hardware for executing an instruction set written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, a register, peripheral circuits, and the like.

[0033] (1-3. Functional configuration of terminal device 10) Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the terminal device 10 includes an input device 13, an output device 14, a communication unit 150, an imaging unit 160, an audio processing unit 170, a storage unit 180, a motion sensor 190, and a control unit 200. The blocks included in the terminal device 10 in Fig. 2 are electrically connected to each other by, for example, a bus or the like.

[0034] The communication unit 150 performs processing such as modulation and demodulation processing for the terminal device 10 to communicate with other devices (e.g., the server 20). The communication unit 150 performs transmission processing on a signal generated by the control unit 200 and transmits the signal to the outside. The communication unit 150 performs reception processing on a signal received from the outside and outputs the signal to the control unit 200.

[0035] The input device 13 is a device for inputting instructions or information by a user who operates the terminal device 10. The input device 13 is realized, for example, by a touch-sensitive device 131 or the like in which instructions are input by touching an operation surface. The input device 13 may include a keyboard or a mouse. The input device 13 converts instructions or information input by a user into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal to the control unit 200. The input device 13 may include, for example, a receiving port that receives an electrical signal input from an external input device.

[0036] The output device 14 is a device for presenting information to a user who operates the terminal device 10. The output device 14 is realized, for example, by a display 141 or the like. The display 141 displays data according to the control of the control unit 200. The display 141 is realized, for example, by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display or the like.

[0037] The imaging unit 160 includes a camera, receives light with a light receiving element, and inputs the received light as an imaging signal to capture an image of the surroundings of the terminal device 10.

[0038] The audio processing unit 170 performs, for example, digital-analog conversion processing of an audio signal. The audio processing unit 170 converts a signal provided from the microphone 171 into a digital signal and provides the converted signal to the control unit 200. The audio processing unit 170 also provides the audio signal to the speaker 172. The audio processing unit 170 is realized, for example, by a processor for audio processing. The microphone 171 accepts audio input and provides an audio signal corresponding to the audio input to the audio processing unit 170. The speaker 172 converts the audio signal provided from the audio processing unit 170 into audio and outputs the audio to the outside of the terminal device 10.

[0039] The storage unit 180 is realized by, for example, the memory 15 and the storage 16, and stores a database (also referred to as a database / DB) and a program used by the terminal device 10. The storage unit 180 stores, for example, a user database 181 and an object database 182.

[0040] The user database 181 is a database for storing user information. The user database 181 stores information about the user who uses the terminal device 10. As an example, a record in the user database 181 may be generated when the user performs user registration using software that provides this function and is installed in the terminal device 10. The data structure of the user database 181 will be described in detail later.

[0041] The object database 182 stores information regarding the relationship between the user and the object. In this embodiment, the object represents, for example, a character or an item to be featured in game play. The object is associated with the user by a lottery drawn by the server 20 based on the level of sleep information, for example. The relationship between the user and the object is associated based on sleep information, for example, and changes when the associated object receives interference from the user.

[0042] In addition, the user can select an already associated object and play a game during a time other than when the user is sleeping. As an example, when a relationship between the user and the object satisfies a predetermined requirement through a lottery based on sleep information and subsequent interaction with the object, the user may be able to use the object in a game during a time other than when the user is sleeping.

[0043] Note that the expression that a user is associated with an object is an expression that represents an example of the association between a user and an object, and may be expressed in other ways. For example, any expression such as a user purchasing, owning, or using an object may be used.

[0044] The motion sensor 190 includes an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor (gyro sensor), etc., and detects the movement of the terminal device 10 and outputs the sensing result. For example, by placing the terminal device 10 on a bed such as a bed on which a user sleeps, when the sleeping user moves on the bed, the movement can be detected.

[0045] The control unit 200 is realized by the processor 19 reading a program stored in the storage unit 180 and executing instructions included in the program. The control unit 200 controls the operation of the terminal device 10. The control unit 200 operates according to the program to fulfill the functions of an operation reception unit 201, a transmission / reception unit 202, a notification control unit 203, a time setting unit 204, and a sleep information acquisition unit 205.

[0046] The operation reception unit 201 performs processing for receiving instructions or information input from the input device 13. Specifically, for example, the operation reception unit 201 receives information based on a user's instruction input from the touch-sensitive device 131 or the like. As an example, the operation reception unit 201 finalizes the measured sleep information by receiving an operation for ending sleep measurement from a user who has woken up. Note that the operation for ending the sleep measurement may be an operation for stopping an alarm output from the terminal device 10 in order for the user to wake up.

[0047] The transmitting / receiving unit 202 performs processing for the terminal device 10 to transmit and receive data to and from an external device in accordance with a communication protocol. As an example, the transmitting / receiving unit 202 transmits to the server 20 sleep information that has been confirmed upon receiving an operation input from the user for ending the sleep measurement.

[0048] The notification control unit 203 controls the notification to the user, that is, the process of presenting information to the user. Specifically, the notification control unit 203 performs a process of displaying a display image on the display 141, a process of outputting sound to the sound processing unit 170, and the like.

[0049] The time setting unit 204 accepts an operation from the user to set a time related to the progress of the game. For example, the time setting unit 204 sets the time to output an alarm for the user to wake up. The user sets the time at which he plans to wake up (scheduled wake-up time) as a time related to the progress of the game. When the scheduled wake-up time set by the user arrives, the terminal device 10 outputs an alarm from the speaker 172. When the user performs an operation to stop the alarm, the terminal device 10 determines that the user has woken up, confirms the sleep information, and progresses the game.

[0050] The time setting unit 204 may further receive an operation from the user to set a scheduled time for admission (scheduled admission time). When the scheduled admission time set by the user approaches, the terminal device 10 may be configured to notify the user that the scheduled admission time is approaching. The notification may be displayed on the display 141 or may be output by voice from the speaker 172.

[0051] The alarm may be set by software for providing a game in each device (terminal device 10, server 20) constituting system 1. For example, the alarm may be set in software that is installed in terminal device 10 and provides the functions of system 1. That is, the user can set the wake-up time not by an alarm function provided as a function of the OS (Operating System) of terminal device 10, but by an alarm setting unit configured by software for providing a game to the user in terminal device 10. System 1 may accept an operation related to the wake-up time in the alarm setting and progress the game.

[0052] The sleep information acquisition unit 205 acquires sleep information of the user. In the present embodiment, the "sleep information" refers to information related to the user's sleep, and specifically may include at least one of the following: time of going to bed, time of falling asleep, time of waking up, time of waking up, sleep duration (time from time of falling asleep to time of waking up), information related to the quality of sleep, and sleep rhythm, but is not limited thereto. As an example, the sleep information acquisition unit 205 can use the sensing result detected by the motion sensor 190 to determine whether the user is asleep or awake, and whether the sleeping user is in light sleep, deep sleep, REM sleep, or non-REM sleep, and evaluate the quality of the user's sleep. For example, the cycles of REM sleep and non-REM sleep in the case of good quality sleep may be set in advance, and the quality of the user's sleep may be evaluated by comparing the cycles of REM sleep and non-REM sleep during the user's sleep.

[0053] Furthermore, the sleep information acquiring unit 205 detects that the user has gone to bed, fallen asleep after going to bed, and woken up, based on the sensing results detected by the motion sensor 190 or the biological information sensor 191. Furthermore, the sleep information acquiring unit 205 can determine whether the user has performed an input operation on the terminal device 10 or whether the user has viewed information displayed on the display 141 of the terminal device 10 during the period from when the user went to bed until when the user fell asleep. In other words, it can determine whether the user who is going to sleep operates the terminal device 10 before going to sleep.

[0054] When the sleep measuring device 11 is realized as a wearable device attached to the user's body, it may include a biological information sensor 191 in addition to the motion sensor 190. The biological information sensor 191 detects biological information such as at least one of the user's body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. Based on the biological information detected by the biological information sensor 191, the sleep information acquisition unit 205 can determine whether the user is asleep or awake and whether the sleeping user is in light sleep, deep sleep, REM sleep, or non-REM sleep, and evaluate the quality of the user's sleep.

[0055] The sleep measuring device 11 communicates by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi, and transmits the sensing result to the terminal device 10. When the sleep measuring device 11 or the like supports a communication standard of a mobile communication system such as 5G, the sensing result may be transmitted to the server 20 without (or in addition to) transmitting to the terminal device 10 by short-range wireless communication. In this case, the terminal device 10 may receive the sensing result from the server 20 that has received the sensing result from the sleep measuring device 11 or the like, and generate and store sleep information using the received sensing result.

[0056] (1-4. Functional configuration of server 20) 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the server 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 20 fulfills the functions of a communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, and a control unit 230.

[0057] The communication unit 210 performs processing for the server 20 to communicate with external devices.

[0058] The storage unit 220 is realized by, for example, the memory 25, the storage 26, etc., and stores data and programs used by the server 20. The storage unit 220 stores, for example, a user master table 221, an object master table 222, and a sleep history database 223.

[0059] The user master table 221 is a table that stores information about users who play the present sleep game provided by the system 1 as master data. As an example, the user master table 221 stores information about all users who are registered to play the present sleep game. The data structure of the user master table 221 will be described later.

[0060] The object master table 222 is a table that stores information about objects that can be associated with a user as master data. As an example, the object master table 222 stores information about all objects that can be associated with a user in the sleep game.

[0061] The sleep history database 223 is a database that stores sleep history information. In this embodiment, the sleep history information includes unrestricted sleep history information and restricted sleep history information. Restricted sleep history information is sleep information obtained from the user until a predetermined period has passed. Restricted sleep history information is sleep information obtained from the user after a predetermined period has passed. The predetermined period can be set appropriately, and may be, for example, one week or one month. The user can view the unrestricted sleep history information regardless of whether or not a fee is paid, but must pay a fee to view the restricted sleep history information. The data structure of the sleep history database will be described later.

[0062] The control unit 230 is realized by the processor 29 reading a program stored in the storage unit 220 and executing instructions included in the program. As an example, the control unit 230 performs functions shown as a transmission / reception module 231, a game progress module 232, and a content management module 234 by operating according to the program.

[0063] The transmission / reception module 231 controls the process in which the server 20 transmits and receives signals to and from external devices in accordance with a communication protocol.

[0064] The game progress module 232 advances game play by generating events within the sleep game based on the user's sleep information received from the terminal device 10. Events within the game include making characters (including the character used by the user and enemy characters) or objects such as items appear in a scenario progressing within the game, opening a game stage to enable the user to play, or holding a lottery for the user to acquire an object and displaying the lottery result.

[0065] For example, the game progress module 232 determines objects such as characters and items to appear in the user's game play as an event in the game play by lottery based on the sleep information, and makes the objects determined by lottery appear in the game play. This allows the user to have experiences such as discovering new characters based on the sleep information.

[0066] The game progress module 232 may also be configured to change a selection algorithm for selecting in-game objects based on the user's sleep information received from the terminal device 10. As an example, when at least one of the sleep time and sleep quality in the received sleep information satisfies a predetermined condition, the in-game objects that can be obtained in the selection may be changed, or the number of selections may be changed. With this configuration, the game progress after waking up changes based on the sleep information, providing the user with fun after waking up.

[0067] The sleep information management module 233 manages the sleep information stored in the storage unit 220. Specifically, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the sleep information acquired from the user, the sleep information management module 233 saves the sleep information as restricted sleep history information. As an example, the sleep information management module 233 performs data transfer to store the user's sleep information (unrestricted sleep history information) stored in the user master table 221 in the sleep history database 223.

[0068] In this data transfer, the sleep information management module 233 may add a new record to the sleep history database 223 and may delete (including physical deletion and logical deletion; the same applies below) the user's sleep information stored in the user master table 221. In addition, in this data transfer, the sleep information management module 233 may also delete the sleep information stored in the storage unit 180 of the terminal device 10. With this configuration, restricted sleep history information that has been obtained from the user for a predetermined period of time can be centrally managed in the sleep history database 223.

[0069] The content management module 234 manages billing elements, which are contents provided to the user on condition that the user pays a fee. The content management module 234 manages, as billing elements, a first content that involves providing the user with restricted sleep history information and a second content that involves providing an advantage in the game without providing the user with restricted sleep history information. Note that management of the payment of the fee by the user (i.e., management of settlement regarding the fee) may be performed by the server 20 or another external server. When management of settlement is performed by an external server, the content management module 234 may be configured to provide the first content to the user upon receiving from the terminal device 10 that the user has paid the fee for the first content.

[0070] The first content is content that involves providing restricted sleep history information to a user. Specifically, for example, the first content includes the provision of an item (hereinafter also referred to as a viewing item) that enables the restricted sleep history information to be viewed. The user can view the restricted sleep history information by using the viewing item provided by paying a fee for the first content. The first content may also be of a specification that allows the user to use a function for viewing the restricted sleep history information without providing the user with a viewing item. As an example, the specification may be such that the user can view the restricted sleep history information at any time during a predetermined period by paying a fee for the first content.

[0071] In addition, the first content may allow the user to obtain data related to the restricted sleep history information by downloading, etc. In addition, as the first content, not only the user's record of restricted sleep history information may be viewed, but also statistical data such as aggregated values ​​and average values ​​based on the record (hereinafter also referred to as sleep history statistical data) may be provided to the user on condition that the user pays a fee for the first content. In this case, the sleep information management module 233 may be configured to calculate sleep history statistical data based on the restricted sleep history information in advance, and provide the statistical data to the user on condition that the user pays a fee for the first content. With such a configuration, the user can immediately view the sleep history statistical data by paying a fee for the first content, improving user convenience.

[0072] The content management module 234 may also be able to specify a time or period when the restricted sleep history information that the user can refer to was acquired as the first content. For example, a user who has paid a certain fee may be able to refer to restricted sleep history information for a specified time. The time or period may be specified on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. As an example, the user may be able to view one month's worth of sleep information and its statistical data for a specified month and year. The amount of the fee may also vary depending on the length of the period specified by the user. For example, the longer the specified period, the higher the amount of the fee paid by the user.

[0073] It is preferable that the restricted sleep history information in the sleep history database 223 continues to be stored regardless of whether the user pays for the first content. By adopting such specifications, even if the user intermittently pays for the first content, it is possible to provide the restricted sleep history information in response to the payment. In response to this, the content management module 234 may extend the storage period of the restricted sleep history information that the user can refer to as the first content. That is, for a user who pays a predetermined fee, the storage period of the restricted sleep history information after the payment of the fee may be extended. As an example, for a user who does not pay the fee, the storage period of the restricted sleep history information may be set to one year, and the storage period of the restricted sleep history information may be extended to three years on the condition that the fee is paid.

[0074] Furthermore, the content management module 234 may be configured to specify the type of sleep information that the user can refer to as the first content. Here, the type means any parameter set for classifying the sleep information. As an example, the restricted sleep history information may be configured to have information of the device used when the information was obtained as the type. In this case, the user can view the restricted sleep history information by specifying the device that obtained the sleep information. As an example, the restricted sleep history information may be configured to have information of the quality of sleep as the type. In this case, the user can view the restricted sleep history information by specifying the quality of sleep.

[0075] The second content is content that provides an advantage in the game without providing restricted sleep history information. The advantage in the game may include making the game easier to progress, shortening the time it takes to progress in the game, and being in an advantageous state over other players in the game progress.

[0076] More specifically, for example, the content management module 234 grants the user, as the second content, an object such as a character or an item that can be used in the game and that makes it easier to progress in the game. Alternatively, the content management module 234 grants the user, as the second content, an object that gives the user an advantage over other players in the progress of the game. Note that the content management module 234 may grant the user the right to enter a lottery to acquire the object instead of / in addition to granting the object that makes it easier to progress in the game.

[0077] Furthermore, the content management module 234 may generate an advantageous effect for the user for an event in the game generated by the game progression module 232 as the second content. For example, the probability of winning an object advantageous in the game progression may be increased in a lottery as an event generated by the game progression module 232, on condition that the user pays a fee for the second content. Alternatively, the game progression module 232 may grant the user more predetermined points such as in-game currency.

[0078] The advantage in the game provided to the user in the second content may be provided to the user who has paid the price for the first content. For example, the content management module 234 may provide, as the first content, a third content that provides sleep information and an advantage, and a fourth content that provides sleep information but does not provide an advantage.

[0079] Specifically, the third content allows the user to view restricted sleep history information on condition that the user pays a fee, and also provides the user with objects that can be used in the game and that are advantageous for game progression. On the other hand, the fourth content allows the user to view restricted sleep history information on condition that the user pays a fee, but does not provide the user with objects that make game progression easier. By adopting such specifications, it is possible to provide a variety of content that meets the needs of users.

[0080] The content management module 234 can accept the payment of the consideration for providing the billing element (hereinafter, simply referred to as the payment of the consideration) in various ways. As one example, the content management module 234 may be configured to accept the payment of the consideration in a currency that can be used in the real world (specifically, a legal currency such as yen or dollar).

[0081] Alternatively, the content management module 234 may be designed to accept payment of the value in the form of in-game currency that can be acquired by a user's deposit. As an example, the in-game currency is provided in the form of jewels that can be used in the game, and a predetermined number of in-game currency is provided when the user deposits a predetermined amount. The content management module 234 may be designed to provide the first content and / or the second content by the user using the in-game currency.

[0082] The content management module 234 may be configured to allow the user to pay the fee whenever the user desires to receive the first content or the second content. In this case, for example, the content management module 234 may allow the user to view restricted sleep history information as the first content when the user pays the fee.

[0083] The content management module 234 may also adopt a subscription system in which a fee is paid continuously at a predetermined period. In this case, for example, the content management module 234 may allow a user who has set up payment for the subscription system to refer to restricted sleep history information at any time during the registration period.

[0084] (1-5. Data Structure) The data structure of the database used in the system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Note that Figures 4 to 7 are merely examples and do not exclude data that is not shown. Also, description of the same items will not be repeated.

[0085] 4 and 5 are diagrams showing data structures of databases stored in the storage unit 180 of the terminal device 10. Fig. 4 shows an example of the data structure of the user database 181. The user database 181 has columns such as name, age, address, date of birth, date of registration, scheduled wake-up time, held items, sleep information, confirmation status, etc., with a user ID as a key.

[0086] The user ID is an item that stores an identifier for uniquely identifying a user. The name is an item that stores the user's name. The age is an item that stores the user's age. The address is an item that stores the place where the user lives. The date of birth is an item that stores the date the user was born. The registration date is an item that stores the date the user started using the game related to this embodiment.

[0087] The planned wake-up time is an item that stores the time when the user plans to wake up. The planned wake-up time is set, for example, based on input from the user. The held items are an item that stores information about items held by the user that can be used in the game. The items held by the user can be rephrased as items associated with the user, for example. Items include, for example, development items or granted items. The item "held items" stores, for example, the names and number of items held by the user.

[0088] The sleep information is an item for storing sleep information related to the user. For example, the item "sleep information" stores sleep information for the previous night. In addition, for example, the item "sleep information" may store sleep information for a predetermined number of days in the past.

[0089] The confirmation status is an item that stores the status of whether the contents of the event have been confirmed. The item "confirmation status" stores information that allows the user to determine whether the contents of the event have been confirmed, such as "pending" or "confirmed." If the confirmation of the contents of the event is postponed, for example, "pending" is stored in the item "confirmation status."

[0090] 5 shows an example of the data structure of the object database 182. The object database 182 has columns such as name, level, parameter, vitality level, type, attribute, detailed information, etc., with the object ID as a key.

[0091] The object ID is an item that stores an identifier for uniquely identifying an object. The name is an item that stores the name of an object. The level and parameter are items that store an example of a relationship between a user and an object. The items "level" and "parameter" are indices that indicate the depth of the relationship between a user and an object. The item "level" stores, for example, an integer equal to or greater than 0. The item "parameter" stores, for example, a numerical value ranging from 0 to a predetermined value (for example, 100). When the value of the item "parameter" reaches a predetermined value that is the maximum value, the value of the item "parameter" becomes 0, and the value of the item "level" is incremented by 1. The value of the item "parameter" increases when the user interferes with an object. Specifically, for example, the item "parameter" increases according to the number and type of assigned objects assigned to the object.

[0092] The vitality level is an item that stores the degree to which an object as an individual can be used in the game at times other than when the object is sleeping. The item "vitality level" stores, for example, a numerical value ranging from 0 to a predetermined value (e.g., 100). For example, the closer to the predetermined value, the longer the individual can be used in the game by the user, and if it is 0, the individual cannot be used in the game. The item "vitality level" recovers when it is detected that the user has woken up. The amount of recovery may be a predetermined amount, an amount corresponding to the sleep information, an amount corresponding to the object, or a full recovery. The item "vitality level" is a parameter that changes when it is detected that the user has woken up, even if the event has not been confirmed by the user.

[0093] The type is an item that stores the type of object. In this embodiment, the type of object includes, for example, character, development item, and granted item. The attribute is an item that stores the nature to which the object belongs as a character. In this embodiment, the attributes include, for example, fire, water, lightning, grass, super, steel, evil, and fighting. There are attributes that are advantageous when facing against others, and attributes that are disadvantageous.

[0094] The detailed information is, for example, an item that stores an aspect associated with the user. The item "detailed information" stores which of the multiple aspects set for each object the object is associated with. In the item "detailed information", for example, "1" is set for an associated aspect, and "0" is set for an unassociated aspect. In addition, the detailed information may store advantageous effects that the object as an individual has. The advantageous effects are, for example, effects exerted by game elements during times other than sleep. Advantageous effects include, for example, an effect that allows the user to acquire more development items, or an effect that allows the user to acquire rarer development items. In addition, the detailed information may include information regarding rarity, etc.

[0095] 6 and 7 are diagrams showing the data structure of the database stored in the storage unit 220 of the server 20. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the data structure of a user master table 221. The user master table 221 is a table having columns such as name, age, address, date of birth, date of registration, scheduled wake-up time, related objects, and sleep information, with a user ID as a key.

[0096] The related object is an item that stores information about an object, such as a character, that is associated with a user. The item "related object" stores, for example, information about an object as an individual that is associated with a user. Information about an object may include, for example, a management ID, an object ID, a name, a level, parameters, vitality, a type, attributes, detailed information, and the like. The item "related object" stores, for example, information about an item that is associated with a user. Information about an item may include, for example, the name and number of items held by the user.

[0097] The sleep information is an item that stores sleep information about the user. The item "sleep information" stores sleep information from when the sleep information is obtained from the user until a predetermined period of time has passed. For example, when the sleep information is transmitted to the server 20 in association with a request to confirm an event after the user wakes up, the sleep information of the previous night may not be stored in the user master table 221 unless the user requests confirmation of the event. In this way, if the sleep of the previous night is not evaluated, the sleep information of the next day cannot be accepted, so if the event is not confirmed, the sleep information of the next day may not be accepted. In other words, the sleep information stored in the item "sleep information" can store the sleep information of the next day when the event is confirmed by the user.

[0098] Furthermore, the past sleep information stored in the user master table 221 may be older than the past sleep information stored in the user database 181. In other words, the user database 181 may store a portion of the sleep information stored in the user master table 221 up until a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0099] 7 shows an example of the data structure of the sleep history database 223. The sleep history database 223 has columns of user ID, bed date, bedtime, wake-up time, sleep duration, sleep state, and acquisition device, with a history ID as a key.

[0100] The user ID is an item that stores an identifier for uniquely identifying a user, and the item "user ID" of the user master table 221 is held as an external key. The item "sleep state" is information about the quality of sleep evaluated by the sleep information acquisition unit 205 for the sleep information corresponding to the record. The item "acquisition device" is information about the sleep measuring device 11 that acquired the sleep information corresponding to the record.

[0101] (1-6. Processing flow) An example of the flow of processing by the system 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0102] In step S100 of FIG. 8, the terminal device 10 starts the sleep game based on a user's operation. In step S103, the operation acceptance unit 201 of the terminal device 10 accepts payment of the consideration for the first content and / or the second content based on the user's operation. As an example, the management of settlement regarding the payment of the consideration is executed by an external server. In step S106, the terminal device 10 transmits a notification that the payment of the consideration has been completed to the server 20. In step S205, the transmission / reception module 231 of the server 20 receives the notification that the payment of the consideration has been completed.

[0103] In step S110, the sleep information acquisition unit 205 of the terminal device 10 starts measuring the sleep information of the user (hereinafter also referred to as sleep measurement). As an example, the sleep information acquisition unit 205 may be configured to start the sleep measurement when the operation reception unit 201 receives an operation by the user to start sleeping. The operation may be an operation of pressing a predetermined icon displayed on the display 141 just before the user goes to bed. Alternatively, the sleep information acquisition unit 205 may be configured to start the sleep measurement by detecting that the user has gone to bed without receiving the operation.

[0104] In step S115, the sleep information acquisition unit 205 acquires sleep information of the user. As an example, the sleep information acquisition unit 205 acquires information about the user's sleep time and sleep quality based on the sensing result detected by the motion sensor 190.

[0105] In step S120, the sleep information acquisition unit 205 ends the sleep measurement of the user. As an example, the sleep information acquisition unit 205 may end the sleep measurement when the operation acceptance unit 201 of the terminal device 10 accepts an operation to end sleep by the user. The operation may be an operation by the user to stop an alarm that is output at a time preset as a planned wake-up time. Alternatively, the sleep information acquisition unit 205 may end the sleep measurement by detecting that the user has woken up without accepting the operation.

[0106] In step S125, the transmitting / receiving unit 202 of the terminal device 10 transmits the sleep information to the server 20. In step S210, the transmitting / receiving module 231 of the server 20 receives the sleep information from the terminal device 10. The content management module 234 stores the sleep information received from the terminal device 10 in the user master table 221 as unrestricted sleep history information.

[0107] 9, the game progress module 232 of the server 20 determines an event to be generated in the game based on the sleep information. As an example, the game progress module 232 determines, by lottery based on the sleep information, in-game objects such as characters and items to be made to appear through the user's game play as an event to be generated in the game.

[0108] The game progress module 232 performs a process of providing an advantage in the game when the user has paid the price for the second content (i.e., when the notification of the completion of the payment of the price in S205 is received). As an example, the game progress module 232 increases the probability of winning an object that is advantageous in the game progress in a lottery as an event to be generated. Note that, when the first content is a third content that provides an advantage in the game in combination with the provision of restricted sleep history information, the game progress module 232 performs the same process even when the user has paid the price for the first content.

[0109] In step S220, the transmission / reception module 231 of the server 20 transmits the event determined by the game progress module 232 to the terminal device 10. In step S130, the transmission / reception unit 202 of the terminal device 10 receives the event from the server 20.

[0110] In step S135, the notification control unit 203 presents the event to the user by displaying it on the display 141. The notification control unit 203 may be configured to present the event in accordance with the timing at which the user wakes up. Specifically, the event may be presented as soon as possible after the user wakes up, or the event may be presented after a predetermined time has elapsed (e.g., 10 minutes) after the user wakes up.

[0111] In step S230, the sleep information management module 233 stores the restricted sleep history information. Specifically, the sleep information management module 233 stores in the sleep history database 223 the sleep information of the user stored in the user master table 221 that has been acquired for a predetermined period of time.

[0112] 10, the operation reception unit 201 of the terminal device 10 receives a request to view the restricted sleep history information from the user who has paid for the first content. In step S145, the transmission / reception unit 202 of the terminal device 10 transmits the request to view the restricted sleep history information to the server 20. In step S235, the transmission / reception module 231 of the server 20 receives the request to view the restricted sleep history information from the terminal device 10.

[0113] In step S240, the content management module 234 of the server 20 determines the restricted sleep history information to be provided to the user based on the received request to view the restricted sleep history information. As an example, the restricted sleep history information to be provided to the user is sleep history information for a period designated by the user. Alternatively, the content management module 234 may provide statistical data of the sleep history information for a period designated by the user as the restricted sleep history information.

[0114] In step S245, the transmission / reception module 231 of the server 20 transmits the restricted sleep history information selected by the content management module 234 based on the user request to the terminal device 10. In step S150, the transmission / reception unit 202 of the terminal device 10 receives the restricted sleep history information from the server 20. In step S155, the notification control unit 203 displays the restricted sleep history information on the display 141 to present it to the user.

[0115] In the above process, the user who has paid the price for the first content and / or the second content (hereinafter collectively referred to as the content) can always receive the content, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the content management module 234 may provide the user who has paid the price for the content with an item for receiving the content, and provide the content in exchange for the user's consumption of the item.

[0116] In this case, for example, when the content management module 234 receives a notification that the user has paid the fee for the content in S205, the content management module 234 grants an item for receiving the content. For example, the user may use the item for receiving the second content at the timing when sleep measurement starts (S110), so that an event generated in the game in the step of generating an event after acquiring sleep information (S215) becomes advantageous for the user. Also, the user may use the item for receiving the first content at the timing when requesting viewing of restricted sleep history information (S140), so that restricted sleep history information is provided.

[0117] (1-7.Summary) As described above, in this embodiment, the system 1 executes the steps of acquiring sleep information of the user (S115), saving the acquired sleep information as restricted sleep history information after a predetermined period of time has passed (S230), and providing a charge element on condition that the user pays a fee (S240, S245). The charge element includes a first content accompanied by the provision of restricted sleep history information, and a second content accompanied by the provision of an advantage in the game without the provision of restricted sleep history information. With this configuration, the first content can be provided on condition that the user pays a fee to a user who wants to check past sleep information, while the second content can be provided to a user who wants to secure an advantage in the game. Therefore, it is possible to provide sleep information to a user who wishes to refer to the sleep information while suppressing the processing load on the server. <2 Other embodiments> Although the embodiment and the modified examples of the present invention have been described above, application of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned contents.

[0118] For example, in the above embodiment, the content management module 234 provides the billing element on the condition that the user pays a fee, but for example, when requested by a medical institution, the amount of payment for the first content may be reduced, or payment may be unnecessary. By adopting such specifications, for users with health reasons such as sleep disorders, the burden on the user associated with providing restricted sleep history information can be reduced, and user satisfaction can be improved.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the terminal device 10 is described as a terminal realized by a smartphone or the like, but is not limited to this example. The terminal device 10 may be realized by installing software on a home PC or the like, and may receive operations from a mouse or the like.

[0120] In addition, sharing of specific information via communication lines is mainly performed via a WAN such as the Internet, but between information processing devices, communication may also be performed only via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and infrared communication without using a WAN.

[0121] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example of a form in which each function is provided by the terminal device 10 or the server 20 is described, but this is not limited to this form, and some or all of the functions may be provided by the terminal device 10, the server 20, or both the terminal device 10 and the server 20 in a form different from the above embodiment.

[0122] Furthermore, the present invention may be realized as a program that causes an information processing device to execute the functions of the above-mentioned terminal device 10 or server 20, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium that stores the program.

[0123] <Additional Notes> The matters described in the above embodiments will be supplemented below. (Appendix 1) A program to be executed by a computer that has a processor and a memory and manages the progress of a game using sleep information, the program causing the processor to execute the steps of acquiring a user's sleep information, saving the acquired sleep information as restricted sleep history information after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and providing billing elements on the condition that the user pays a fee, and progressing through game processing in accordance with the billing elements, the billing elements including a first content that involves the provision of the restricted sleep history information, and a second content that involves the provision of an advantage in the game without the provision of the restricted sleep history information. (Appendix 2) The program described in Appendix 1, wherein the first content includes a third content that involves providing the restricted sleep history information and providing the advantage, and a fourth content that involves providing the restricted sleep history information but not providing the advantage. (Appendix 3) The program according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing a billable element extends a storage period of restricted sleep history information that the user can refer to as the first content. (Appendix 4) The program according to claim 1, wherein in the step of providing a billing element, a time period of restricted sleep history information that the user can refer to can be specified as the first content. (Appendix 5) The program according to claim 1, wherein in the step of providing a billing element, a designation of a type of restricted sleep history information to be referred to as the first content is accepted from a user. (Appendix 6) The program described in Appendix 1, wherein the step of providing a billable element includes providing an object that can be used in the game as the second content. (Appendix 7) The program described in Appendix 1, wherein the step of providing the billing element accepts payment of the amount in currency that can be used in the real world. (Appendix 8) The program described in Appendix 1, wherein the step of providing the billing element accepts payment of the price in in-game currency that can be obtained by the user's deposit. (Appendix 9) 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein in the step of providing the billing element, payment of the consideration is accepted at a timing when a user desires to receive the first content or the second content. (Appendix 10) The program described in Appendix 1, wherein the step of providing the billing element includes accepting payment of the consideration continuously at predetermined intervals. (Appendix 11) The program according to claim 1, wherein in the step of providing the billing element, an amount of payment for the first content is reduced if requested by a medical institution. (Appendix 12) The program of claim 1, further comprising: storing the acquired sleep information as unrestricted sleep history information until the predetermined period has elapsed; and providing the unrestricted sleep history information to a user regardless of whether or not the user has paid a fee.

[0124] Although several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, these embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1: system, 10: terminal device, 11: sleep measurement device, 13: input device, 14: output device, 15: memory, 16: storage, 19: processor, 20: server, 25: memory, 26: storage, 29: processor, 30: network, 131: touch-sensitive device, 141: display, 150: communication unit, 160: imaging unit, 170: audio processing unit, 171: microphone, 172: speaker, 180: storage unit, 181: user database, 182: object database , 190: motion sensor, 191: biometric information sensor, 200: control unit, 201: operation reception unit, 202: transmission / reception unit, 203: notification control unit, 204: time setting unit, 205: sleep information acquisition unit, 210: communication unit, 220: memory unit, 221: user master table, 222: object master table, 223: sleep history database, 230: control unit, 231: transmission / reception module, 232: game progress module, 233: sleep information management module, 234: content management module.

Claims

1. A program to be executed by a computer that manages the progress of a game using sleep information, the program comprising: The processor, acquiring sleep information of a user; storing the acquired sleep information as restricted sleep history information after a predetermined period of time has elapsed; providing a billing element on condition that the user pays a fee, and proceeding with game processing in accordance with the billing element; The program, wherein the billable element includes a first content that involves the provision of the restricted sleep history information, and a second content that involves the provision of an advantage in the game without the provision of the restricted sleep history information.

2. The program of claim 1 , wherein the first content includes a third content that involves providing the restricted sleep history information and providing the advantage, and a fourth content that involves providing the restricted sleep history information but not providing the advantage.

3. In the step of providing the billing element, The program according to claim 1 , further comprising: extending a storage period for restricted sleep history information that can be referenced by a user as the first content.

4. In the step of providing the billing element, The program according to claim 1 , wherein the first content includes a time period during which the user can refer to restricted sleep history information.

5. In the step of providing the billing element, The program according to claim 1 , further comprising: receiving, from a user, a specification of a type of restricted sleep history information to be referenced as the first content.

6. In the step of providing the billing element, The program according to claim 1 , wherein the second content is an object that can be used in the game.

7. In the step of providing the billing element, The program according to claim 1 , wherein payment of the consideration is accepted in currency usable in the real world.

8. In the step of providing the billing element, The program according to claim 1 , further comprising: accepting payment of the consideration in the form of in-game currency that can be acquired by the user's deposit.

9. In the step of providing the billing element, The program according to claim 1 , wherein the payment of the consideration is accepted at a timing when the user desires to receive the first content or the second content.

10. In the step of providing the billing element, The program according to claim 1 , wherein the payment of the consideration is accepted continuously at predetermined intervals.

11. In the step of providing the billing element, The program according to claim 1 , further comprising: reducing an amount of payment for the first content when requested by a medical institution.

12. storing the acquired sleep information as unrestricted sleep history information until the predetermined period has elapsed; The program of claim 1 , further comprising: providing the unrestricted sleep history information to the user regardless of whether or not the user has paid a fee.

13. 14. An information processing device comprising a control unit and a storage unit, the control unit executing all the steps executed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

14. A method implemented on a computer having a processor and a memory, the processor performing all of the steps performed in any of the inventions according to claims 1 to 13.

15. A system comprising means for executing all the steps performed in any one of claims 1 to 13.

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