Program, system, method and server

Abstract

To provide a card utilization system, a card utilization method and a card utilization program which can utilize a card digitally while suppressing digital proliferation of a digital card corresponding to a trading card without mounting an IC chip or the like on the trading card.SOLUTION: A card utilization system 1 comprises: a card information specification unit 12 which specifies card information to an analog card 7 without uniquely specifying the analog card 7 on the basis of image recognition to a photographed image obtained by imaging the analog card 7 by imaging means of a user terminal 3; a period information storage unit 30 which previously stores period information indicating a period to re-imaging of the analog card 7 requested for continuous utilization of a digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7 in association with the card information; and a usable period setting unit 22 which sets a usable period of the digital card 8 associated with the analog card 7 corresponding to the card information specified by the card information specification unit 12 as digital data on the basis of the period information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a card usage system, a card usage method, and a card usage program, and more particularly to a card usage system, a card usage method, and a card usage program that enable a digital card corresponding to an analog card to be used in a digital game. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional trading card usage system includes a plurality of trading cards each having an IC chip storing individual information and registration status information and a communication antenna, a mobile terminal capable of contactless communication with the trading cards, a game server on a network capable of communicating with the mobile terminal, and a game machine capable of communicating with the mobile terminal, in which the mobile terminal stores collection status information indicating whether a trading card has been collected or not, the registration status information stored in the IC chip is information indicating an unregistered or registered state, and a registration status information confirmation function for confirming the registration status information stored in the trading card, and a function for confirming that the registration status information is unregistered. A trading card usage system is known that includes an individual information transmission / reception determination function that determines whether the mobile terminal will receive individual information from a trading card in such a case, a collection status information update function that updates the collection status information stored in the mobile terminal for a trading card indicated by the individual information received by the mobile terminal from "uncollected" to "collected," and a registration status information update function that updates the registration status information stored in the trading card from "unregistered" to "registered," and in which the mobile terminal and a game machine communicate with each other, and a trading card that is "collected" in the collection status information stored in the mobile terminal becomes usable in a game played on the game machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the trading card usage system described in Patent Document 1, the trading card has an IC chip that stores information about the card user, so that the proliferation of cards in the digital world can be prevented simply by writing information such as whether the user is registered or not into the IC chip. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-141564 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the trading card usage system described in Patent Document 1 requires an IC chip to be provided for each trading card, and trading cards that do not have an IC chip cannot be used. Also, in the trading card usage system described in Patent Document 1, the management costs of the codes stored in the IC chips and the issuance costs of trading cards with IC chips cannot be ignored.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a card usage system, a card usage method, and a card usage program that can suppress the digital proliferation of digital cards corresponding to trading cards and enable them to be used digitally, without having to install an IC chip or the like on the trading cards. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a card usage system that makes a digital card associated with an analog card available as digital data on a user terminal, the card usage system comprising: a card information identification unit that identifies card information of the analog card without uniquely identifying the analog card based on image recognition of an image of the analog card captured by an imaging means of the user terminal; a period information storage unit that corresponds to the card information and pre-stores period information indicating the period until re-imaging of the analog card that is required for continued use of the digital card corresponding to the analog card; and a usable period setting unit that sets the period during which the digital card associated with the analog card corresponding to the card information identified by the card information identification unit can be used as digital data based on the period information.

[0007] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a card usage method that makes a digital card associated with an analog card available as digital data on a user terminal, the card usage method comprising: a card information identification step of identifying card information of the analog card without uniquely identifying the analog card based on image recognition of an image captured of the analog card by an imaging means of the user terminal; and a usable period setting step of setting a usable period for the digital data of the digital card associated with the analog card corresponding to the card information identified in the card information identification step based on period information in a period information storage section that corresponds to the card information and pre-stores period information indicating the period until re-imaging of the analog card that is required for continued use of the digital card corresponding to the analog card.

[0008] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a card usage program for a card usage system that makes a digital card associated with an analog card available as digital data on a user terminal, and the card usage program has a computer that realizes a card information identification function that identifies card information of an analog card without uniquely identifying the analog card based on image recognition of an image of the analog card captured by an imaging means of the user terminal, and a usable period setting function that sets a usable period as digital data of the digital card associated with the analog card corresponding to the card information identified by the card information identification function based on period information in a period information storage section that corresponds to the card information and pre-stores period information indicating the period until re-imaging of the analog card that is required for continued use of the digital card corresponding to the analog card. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the card usage system of the present invention, it is possible to provide a card usage system, card usage method, and card usage program that can suppress the digital proliferation of digital cards corresponding to trading cards and make them usable digitally, without the need to install an IC chip or the like on the trading cards. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a card usage system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a functional block diagram of a card usage system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating data configurations of respective storage units according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of an analog card according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 2 is a flow diagram of processing in the card usage system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a flow diagram of processing in the card usage system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a flow diagram of processing in the card usage system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing reading of an analog card in the card usage system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart of a notification process in a notification unit according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a process for preventing an analog card from being converted into a digital card using location information. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a process for selecting a face of a digital card. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the selection of a card face in the card usage system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration block diagram of a user terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an example of an imaging process of an analog card according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating another example of the imaging process of an analog card according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] [Embodiment Mode] <Overview of Card Usage System 1> The card usage system 1 according to this embodiment is a system that allows a digital card corresponding to an analog card to be used digitally (for example, in a digital game). When a user has an analog card, the card usage system 1 gives the user a digital card, which is digital data corresponding to the analog card, and allows the digital card to be used digitally for a predetermined period of time. The card usage system 1 then re-images the analog card to extend the predetermined period, allowing the digital card to be used continuously. Note that the analog card is a tangible card (for example, a trading card) used in card games such as trading card games.

[0012] As described above, in the past, when a digital card corresponding to an analog card was made usable digitally, an IC tag was provided in advance on the analog card or a specific identification code was printed in advance, thereby making the analog card uniquely identifiable. Then, identification information was read from the IC tag or identification code, and the digital card specified by the read identification information was made usable digitally. The identification code may include, for example, information for uniquely identifying the analog card. That is, by reading the identification code with the user terminal 3 or the like, information for uniquely identifying the analog card can be obtained as information included in the identification code.

[0013] However, the inventor was aware of the above-mentioned problems and thought that it would be desirable from a user-friendliness standpoint to make it possible for users to equally use analog cards that they already own and that do not have IC tags or identification codes, etc., digitally. Thus, he came up with the idea of ​​using image recognition of captured images of analog cards.

[0014] In other words, the inventors believed that in order to realize concepts such as not reducing the value of analog cards, allowing users who have previously used analog cards or who are considering using analog cards in the future to use digital cards simply by having the system recognize the analog card without the need for special equipment or complicated operations, preventing the easy proliferation of digital cards by having the system re-recognize the analog card at specified intervals, and providing a simple and easy method for re-recognizing analog cards in the system, it was optimal to use image recognition of captured images of analog cards, and arrived at the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows an overview of a card usage system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The card usage system 1 according to this embodiment is a system that takes an image of the face of an analog card 7 by an imaging means such as a camera provided in a user terminal 3, and performs image recognition on the taken image to enable a digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7 to be used for a predetermined period of time in association with the user terminal 3 or in association with the account of the user who uses the user terminal 3. In principle, the card usage system 1 is a system that can extend the usable period of the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7 by taking an image of the analog card 7 again before the predetermined period has elapsed. The analog card 7 is configured to have a predetermined face, and this face refers to the face on which a character or the like is displayed.

[0017] Specifically, in the card usage system 1, when an analog card 7 is captured by a user terminal 3 or the like, the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7 is made available for use at the user terminal 3 based on the captured image of the analog card 7, and a digital usable period for the digital card 8 is set. After the usable period has elapsed, the card usage system 1, in principle, suspends the use of the digital card 8. However, even after the usable period has elapsed, the card usage system 1 enables the use of the digital card 8 again by recapturing a captured image of the analog card 7 corresponding to the suspended digital card 8. Furthermore, if the card usage system 1 recaptures a captured image of the analog card 7 before the usable period has elapsed, the card usage system 1 extends the usable period set for the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7. Furthermore, when the card usage system 1 acquires an image in which multiple analog cards 7 with the same face are captured at once, it manages the digital cards 8 by setting the number of analog cards 7 shown in the captured image as the number of digital cards 8 corresponding to the analog cards 7. For example, when a single captured image contains multiple analog cards 7 with the same face as subjects, the number of analog cards 7 contained in the captured image can be set as the number of digital cards 8. Also, when a video is captured with the user terminal 3 or the like and multiple analog cards 7 with the same face as subjects are contained in the video, the number of analog cards 7 contained in the video can be set as the number of digital cards 8 in the same manner.

[0018] For example, the card usage system 1 includes a period information storage unit 30 that stores in advance period information indicating the period until re-imaging of the analog card 7 in association with card information, which is information about the analog card 7, and a possessed card information storage unit 32 that stores, in association with user information, which is information about the user, card information of the digital card 8 possessed by the user, information on whether the digital card 8 can be used, information on the usable period of the digital card 8, information indicating the remaining period until re-imaging of the analog card 7 corresponding to the digital card 8 (the period until it becomes unusable), and / or information such as the number of possessed digital cards 8. The card usage system 1 is connected to a user terminal 3 via a communication network 5 so as to be capable of two-way communication.

[0019] In the example of FIG. 1, the period information storage unit 30 stores "Pikachu" as card information in association with "5 days" as period information, "Raichu" as card information in association with "30 days" as period information, "Eevee" as card information in association with "360 days" as period information, and "Lillie" as card information in association with "365 days" as period information. Note that the period information may be set based on the rarity, which is an index of the value of the card set on the analog card 7. Also, "Pikachu" and the like are names of characters, etc., displayed on the face of the card.

[0020] Here, an example will be described in which the user owns a plurality of analog cards 7. For example, assume that the user owns two "Pikachu" analog cards, four "Eevee" analog cards, and four "Lillie" analog cards.

[0021] In this case, first, the user terminal 3 having an imaging unit captures an image of the analog card 7. The card usage system 1 acquires the captured image of the analog card 7 captured by the user terminal 3 via the communication network 5. Then, the card usage system 1 identifies the card information of the analog card 7 included in the captured image and the number of analog cards 7 by image recognition of the acquired captured image. The card information is, for example, the card ID of the analog card 7 and the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7. In this case, the card usage system 1 identifies the card ID of "Pikachu", the card ID of "Eevee", and the card ID of "Lillie", and also identifies the number of each card. The card usage system 1 treats the identified number as the number of digital cards.

[0022] Then, the card usage system 1 sets the digital card 8 corresponding to the identified card ID as usable in the user terminal 3, and sets the digital usable period of the digital card 8 based on the period information associated with the card ID and stored in the period information storage unit 30. In the example of Fig. 1, for example, the usable period of the "Pikachu" digital card is "5 days."

[0023] Furthermore, the card usage system 1 stores the setting contents in the possessed card information storage unit 32. For example, as shown in (a) of Fig. 1, the possessed card information storage unit 32 stores, in association with the user information, the card ID of "Pikachu" (for the sake of simplicity in Fig. 1, the card ID is displayed as "Pikachu"; the same applies below), usability information of the card (in this case, information of "Yes" indicating usability), the usable period of the "Pikachu" digital card (5 days), the remaining period until re-imaging (5 days), and the number of digital cards (2). The same is true for the "Eevee" card and the "Lillie" card. 1, the user does not possess a "Raichu" analog card, so the possessed card information storage unit 32 associates the card ID of "Raichu" with the user information and stores usability information (in this case, "No" information indicating unusable), the usable period of the "Raichu" digital card (30 days), and the number of digital cards (0), but does not store the remaining period until re-imaging (i.e., No Data). This makes it possible to use the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7 possessed by the user in the user terminal 3.

[0024] Next, a case where time has passed since the image of the analog card 7 was captured by the user terminal 3 will be described. For example, an example where "4 days" have passed since the image was captured will be described. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the remaining period of each card information stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 is decreased by the number of days that have passed. For example, the possessed card information storage unit 32 stores, in association with the user information, the card ID of "Pikachu", usability information of the card (in this case, information of "Yes" indicating that it can be used), the usable period of the "Pikachu" digital card (5 days), the remaining period until re-imaging (1 day), and the number of digital cards (2 cards). The same applies to the "Eevee" card and the "Lillie" card.

[0025] Then, when the remaining period becomes a predetermined period or less (for example, when the remaining period becomes "1 day" or less), the card use system 1 supplies the user terminal 3 with information to prompt the user to re-image the analog card 7 corresponding to the digital card 8 whose remaining period becomes the predetermined period or less. When the card use system 1 acquires a captured image of the analog card 7 for which re-imaging is prompted from the user terminal 3, the card use system 1 extends the remaining period of the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7 based on the period information. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the card use system 1 supplies the user terminal 3 with information to prompt the user to re-imaging the analog card of "Pikachu" whose remaining period becomes "1 day" or less. When the card use system 1 acquires a captured image (re-imaging image) of "Pikachu" from the user terminal 3, the card use system 1 extends (restores) the remaining period of the digital card of "Pikachu" to "5 days" based on the period information. The same applies to the "Eevee" card and the "Lillie" card. This allows the user terminal 3 to continue using the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7 that the user owns. In addition, since the digital card 8 cannot be used continuously unless the analog card 7 is re-imaged, the user must continue to possess the analog card 7 that he or she wishes to use. This makes it possible to prevent the proliferation of digital cards caused by handing over the analog card 7 to a third party other than the user and having them image the card.

[0026] The user terminal 3 is an information communication terminal having an imaging function, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a notebook computer having a camera function or capable of connecting a Web camera, a tablet PC, a PC having a camera function or capable of connecting a Web camera, a portable game machine having a camera function or capable of connecting a Web camera, and / or a home game machine having a camera function or capable of connecting a Web camera. The communication network 5 is a communication network such as a mobile phone network and / or the Internet. The communication network 5 may include a communication network such as a wired LAN and a wireless LAN, or a short-distance communication network. The card usage system 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below, but it should be noted that the proper names and numerical values ​​in the above and following descriptions are merely examples and are not limited to these proper names and numerical values.

[0027] <Details of Card Usage System 1> Fig. 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of the card usage system according to this embodiment, and Fig. 3 shows an example of the data configuration of each storage unit according to this embodiment.

[0028] [Overview of the configuration of card usage system 1] The card usage system 1 according to this embodiment is a system that enables a digital card 8 corresponding to an analog card 7 for a card game to be used in a digital game. The card usage system 1 includes an image acquisition unit 10 that acquires an image, a card information identification unit 12 that identifies card information, a number identification unit 14 that identifies the number of analog cards 7 or digital cards 8, a possession determination unit 16 that determines whether the user possesses a digital card 8, a registration control unit 18 that associates card information, etc. with user information, a usability setting unit 20 that sets whether the digital card 8 can be used, a usable period setting unit 22 that sets a period during which the digital card 8 can be used, a notification unit 24 that notifies the user terminal 3 of information recommending re-imaging of the analog card 7, a location information acquisition unit 26 that acquires location information of the user terminal 3, a card instruction receiving unit 28 that receives an instruction to use a specific digital card from the user terminal 3, a period information storage unit 30 that stores period information, a possessed card information storage unit 32 that stores information regarding cards possessed by the user, a card information storage unit 34 that stores information regarding the analog cards 7 and the digital cards 8, and a user information storage unit 36 ​​that stores information related to the user and information related to other users.

[0029] In addition, all or part of the functions of each component of the card use system 1 may be possessed by other components, or may be configured separately and independently. For example, just as the period information storage unit 30, the possessed card information storage unit 32, the card information storage unit 34, and / or the user information storage unit 36 ​​may be configured as a server (e.g., a database server) independent of the other components, some of the components of the card use system 1 may be configured as independent servers. Furthermore, some of the components constituting the card use system 1 may be possessed by the user terminal 3 or an application installed in the user terminal 3. In addition, in this embodiment, each device (user terminal, server, etc.) can also be understood as an information processing device. In other words, a collection of each device can be understood as one "information processing device", and the card use system 1 may be formed as a collection of multiple devices. The method of allocating multiple functions required to realize the card use system 1 according to this embodiment to one or multiple hardware devices can be appropriately determined in consideration of the processing capacity of each hardware device and / or the specifications required for the card use system 1.

[0030] [Details of the configuration of card usage system 1] (Period information storage unit 30) The period information storage unit 30 pre-stores period information in association with card information related to the analog card 7 and the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7 (see FIG. 3). The period information is the period until re-imaging of the analog card 7 required for continued use of the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7. The card information is, for example, a card ID for identifying the analog card 7 and the digital card 8. The same card ID is associated with one analog card 7 and the digital card 8 corresponding to that one analog card 7.

[0031] A digital card 8 corresponding to an analog card 7 may be a card obtained by digitizing the face of the analog card 7 almost as it is. The period information is preferably information indicating the number of days from the viewpoint of facilitating management of the period. Furthermore, a rarity indicating the rarity of the analog card may be set for the analog card 7. In this case, from the viewpoint of preventing the proliferation of digital cards 8 by third parties, it is preferable that the period until re-imaging indicated by the period information is shorter for a digital card 8 corresponding to an analog card 7 with a higher rarity. The period information storage unit 30 supplies the stored information to other components in response to requests from the other components.

[0032] (Possessed card information storage unit 32) The possessed card information storage unit 32 stores card information associated with the user information in association with the user information that identifies the user. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the possessed card information storage unit 32 stores, in association with the user information, card information, a card face data ID that identifies the face data that indicates the face of the digital card 8, usability information that indicates whether the digital card 8 can be used, a usable period that indicates a period during which the digital card 8 can be used digitally, a remaining period that is a period obtained by subtracting the number of days that have passed since the day the card information was associated with the user information from the usable period, an image capture count that is the number of times the analog card 7 corresponding to the card information has been captured, and / or number information that indicates the number of digital cards 8 associated with the user information. The user information is, for example, a user ID that identifies the user. The possessed card information storage unit 32 supplies the stored information to other components in response to requests from the other components.

[0033] (Card information storage unit 34) The card information storage unit 34 stores the card information, the characteristic information of the analog card 7, and / or the characteristic information of the digital card 8 in association with the group information. Here, the group information is information for grouping a plurality of analog cards 7 of the same type but with different faces into one group and identifying this group. For example, the group information is a group ID for identifying a group. As an example, an analog card 7 with "Pikachu" displayed on its face includes a plurality of analog cards 7 with different faces due to differences in the rarity of the analog card 7 (however, the effect of each card in the game is the same. In this way, cards with the same function and effect in the game but different faces due to differences in rarity or the like may be referred to as cards of the "same type."). In this case, the plurality of analog cards 7 can be grasped as one group (for example, a "Pikachu" card group). And the information for identifying this one group is the group information. Therefore, a plurality of analog cards 7 of the same type belong to one group.

[0034] The characteristic information of the analog card 7 is, for example, information about the face of the analog card 7 (for example, information about the image of the character displayed on the face and the characteristic quantities of the image), the name of the character or item displayed on the face, the rarity of the analog card 7, and / or various texts displayed on the face. The characteristic information of the digital card 8 is, for example, a face data ID that identifies the face data, face data for displaying the face corresponding to the face data ID, and / or rarity (i.e., the rarity of the corresponding analog card 7). The card information storage unit 34 supplies the stored information to other components in response to requests from the other components.

[0035] 4 shows an example of the outline of the configuration of an analog card according to this embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 4(a) shows a front side 70 of an analog card 7, and FIG. 4(b) shows a back side 72 of the analog card 7.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, an analog card 7 according to this embodiment has a surface 70 on which a character or the like is displayed, and a back surface 72 on which a common design or pattern is displayed on all of the multiple analog cards 7. The analog cards 7 are arranged as a deck or the like on a predetermined playing field for a game. In this case, the multiple analog cards 7 are arranged as a deck so that the back surfaces 72 of the analog cards 7, which have the same pattern, are placed on the playing field and used for a game or the like, so that the surface 70 of the analog cards 7 cannot be seen by the user.

[0037] The front side 70 is provided with a card name display area 700 that displays the name of the character displayed on the card (in the example of FIG. 4(a), "Pikachu" is displayed), a character image display area 702 that displays the image of the character, a card effect display area 704 that displays the effect of the card in the game, a card number display area 706 that displays the card number that identifies the analog card 7, and a rarity display area 708 that displays the rarity of the analog card 7. There are no particular limitations on the arrangement of these areas, but as an example, when the front side 70 is substantially rectangular, the card name display area 700, the character image display area 702, and the card effect display area 704 are arranged in this order from near one short side to the other short side along the longitudinal direction of the card, and the card number display area 706 and the rarity display area 708 are arranged side by side near the other short side along the short side.

[0038] Here, the card number display area 706 displays a card number for identifying the analog card 7. Therefore, the card information identification unit 12 described later may recognize card information using the card number displayed in the card number display area 706, depending on the recognition accuracy of the image recognition method adopted by the card information identification unit 12. That is, in this case, the card information identification unit 12 may execute image recognition using text data (card number).

[0039] (User information storage unit 36) The user information storage unit 36 ​​stores, in association with the user information, user-related information about the user identified by the user information, friend information which is information about other users who are registered as friends of the user, and / or match information which is information about other users who have played digital games against the user in the past. Note that the user-related information includes, for example, information such as a login name for a digital game. The user information storage unit 36 ​​supplies the stored information to the other components in response to requests from the other components.

[0040] (Image acquisition unit 10) The captured image acquiring unit 10 acquires a captured image captured at the user terminal 3. That is, the captured image acquiring unit 10 acquires a captured image of the analog card 7 captured at the user terminal 3 from the user terminal 3 via the communication network 5. The captured image acquiring unit 10 supplies the acquired captured image to the card information identifying unit 12.

[0041] (Card information identification unit 12) The card information identification unit 12 identifies the card information of the analog card 7 based on image recognition of the captured image of the analog card 7. The card information identification unit 12 identifies the card information of the analog card shown in the captured image by performing image recognition of the captured image using a known image recognition technology or machine learning. For example, the card information identification unit 12 can identify the card information of the analog card 7 included in the captured image based on the characteristics of the captured image and the characteristic information of the analog card stored in the card information storage unit 34 by image recognition of the captured image. The card information identification unit 12 may also acquire or generate teacher data including a combination of the card contents of a plurality of analog cards 7 and the card information corresponding to the card contents, and generate a learning model in which a plurality of captured images are input and corresponding card information is output based on the acquired or generated teacher data. Then, the card information identification unit 12 may identify the card information based on the generated learning model.

[0042] Furthermore, when identifying card information for a plurality of analog cards 7, the card information identifying unit 12 associates the same card information with two or more analog cards 7 having the same face. That is, when identifying card information for a plurality of analog cards 7, the card information identifying unit 12 identifies card information for a plurality of analog cards 7 having the same face (at least the image portion excluding the text portion is the same) as the same analog card 7. For example, the card information identifying unit 12 associates one piece of card information with each of a plurality of analog cards 7 having the same face. That is, the card information identifying unit 12 does not uniquely identify each of a plurality of analog cards 7 having the same face. In other words, when there are a plurality of analog cards 7 having the same face, the card information identifying unit 12 does not uniquely identify each of them, and determines that there are a plurality of analog cards 7 of the same type. When identifying the card information of each of a plurality of analog cards 7 having the same face, the card information identifying unit 12 may identify the card information of each analog card 7 as the same analog card if the text portion (e.g., a number indicating the card number of the analog card 7) rather than the image portion shown on the face of the card matches that of one analog card 7 with that of another analog card 7. The card information identifying unit 12 may also identify the card information using both the image portion and the text portion shown on the face of the card.

[0043] Furthermore, when identifying card information of multiple analog cards 7, if the cards have different faces but have the same functions or effects in a card game or digital game associated with each card, and the characters or item names on the faces of each analog card 7 are the same, the card information identifying unit 12 associates the same group information with each of the multiple analog cards 7. Then, the card information identifying unit 12 can determine that these multiple analog cards 7 belong to the same type (i.e., determine that the multiple analog cards 7 have different rarities and different faces), independently identify each of the multiple analog cards 7, and associate different card information with each of the multiple analog cards 7.

[0044] Furthermore, when one captured image includes images of multiple analog cards 7, the card information identification unit 12 can also identify card information for each of the multiple analog cards 7 and / or for each type of the multiple analog cards 7. That is, when multiple analog cards 7 are captured together in the user terminal 3, the card information identification unit 12 can identify card information for each of the multiple analog cards 7 and / or for each type of the multiple analog cards 7. The type of the analog card 7 is a type classified by the name of the character or item displayed on the face of the card, the attribute of the character, and / or a parameter specific to the character (for example, the attribute of the character, hit points, attack power, and / or the name of a technique, etc.). In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of being most easily recognized by the user, it is preferable to use a type classified by the name of the character or item displayed on the face of the analog card 7. In this case, when the name of the character or item displayed on the face of each of the multiple analog cards 7 is the same, these multiple analog cards 7 are the same type of card.

[0045] The card information specifying unit 12 supplies the specified card information to the possession determination unit 16, the registration control unit 18, and / or the usable period setting unit 22. When the card information specifying unit 12 specifies the card information of each of the multiple analog cards 7, the card information specifying unit 12 may output information about the specified analog cards 7 to the user terminal 3 for each type of the analog cards 7. For example, when the card information specifying unit 12 specifies the card information of two "Pikachu" analog cards, four "Eevee" analog cards, and four "Lillie" analog cards, the card information specifying unit 12 may display one each of the "Pikachu" card face, the "Eevee" card face, and the "Lillie" card faces on the display unit of the user terminal 3, and may display the number of each card by superimposing each card face or near each card face. The number of cards may be the number specified by the number specifying unit 14.

[0046] (Number determination unit 14) The number specifying unit 14 uses the image recognition result of the captured image in the card information specifying unit 12 to specify the number of analog cards 7 included in one captured image. The number specifying unit 14 may specify the number of analog cards 7 as the number of digital cards 8. When a captured image includes a plurality of analog cards 7, the number specifying unit 14 specifies the number of analog cards with the same card face. The number specifying unit 14 supplies number information indicating the specified number to the registration control unit 18. Note that the card information specifying unit 12 may also have the function of the number specifying unit 14. Furthermore, when the number specified by the number specifying unit 14 exceeds a predetermined number, the card information specifying unit 12 may not specify card information for the analog cards 7 that exceed the number. This makes it possible to set a limit on the number of digital cards 8 corresponding to analog cards 7 with the same card face that a user can possess.

[0047] (Possession Determination Unit 16) The possession determination unit 16 determines whether the card information specified by the card information specification unit 12 is stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32. That is, the possession determination unit 16 determines whether the specified card information is stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information, thereby determining whether the user already possesses the analog card 7 or the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information. When the specified card information is stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information, the possession determination unit 16 determines that the user already possesses the analog card 7 and / or the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information. The possession determination unit 16 supplies the determination result to the registration control unit 18 and / or the usable period setting unit 22.

[0048] (Registration control unit 18) The registration control unit 18 associates the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 with the user information. Specifically, when the possession determination unit 16 determines that the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 is not stored in the owned card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information, the registration control unit 18 associates the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 with the user information. On the other hand, when the possession determination unit 16 determines that the card information is stored in the owned card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information, the registration control unit 18 can omit associating the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 with the user information. In addition, the registration control unit 18 can associate the identified number with the card information of the analog cards 7 or digital cards 8 whose number is identified by the number determination unit 14. The registration control unit 18 supplies information indicating the registration result to the usability setting unit 20.

[0049] (Usability setting section 20) The usability setting unit 20 sets whether or not the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information associated with the user information by the registration control unit 18 can be used in a digital game. Specifically, the usability setting unit 20 permits the use in a digital game of the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information associated with the user information by the registration control unit 18. The usability setting unit 20 stores the setting result in the owned card information storage unit 32. The usability setting unit 20 also supplies the setting result to the usable period setting unit 22.

[0050] Furthermore, even if multiple analog cards 7 of the same type have different rarities and different face images of these analog cards 7, and the user information corresponds to the card information of some of the multiple analog cards 7 of the same type, the usability setting unit 20 can make the digital card 8 corresponding to the face images of the other analog cards 7 excluding the some selectable in the digital game (i.e., usable).

[0051] That is, although multiple analog cards 7 of the same type have the same function and effect in the game, they each have a different value in the real world. On the other hand, particularly in a digital game, multiple digital cards 8 corresponding to multiple analog cards 7 of the same type all have the same function and effect, although the display on the card face is different. In other words, even if multiple analog cards 7 of the same type have different rarities, the digital cards 8 corresponding to multiple analog cards 7 of the same type have the same function and effect in the digital game.

[0052] Therefore, even if a user owns only some of the analog cards 7 of the same type, the value of the analog cards 7 will not decrease if the user is allowed to use the face of the digital card 8 corresponding to the other analog cards 7 belonging to the same group as the analog card 7 owned by the user in a digital game. Rather, there is an advantage in that the user can be given an opportunity to learn that various analog cards 7 exist through the digital game. Therefore, the usability setting unit 20 can enable the user to select the face of the digital card 8 corresponding to the other analog cards 7 belonging to the same group as the analog card 7 owned by the user.

[0053] (Usable period setting section 22) The usable period setting unit 22 sets the usable period of the digital card 8 as digital data based on the period information stored in the period information storage unit 30. This digital card 8 is associated with the analog card 7 corresponding to the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12. Here, the usable period setting unit 22 sets the usable period for the digital card 8 set as usable by the usability setting unit 20. Furthermore, the usable period setting unit 22 associates the set usable period with the user information and the card information, and stores it in the possessed card information storage unit 32. Furthermore, when the possession determination unit 16 determines that the card information is stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information, the usable period setting unit 22 extends the usable period of the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information based on the period information stored in the period information storage unit 30.

[0054] That is, when the usable period setting unit 22 first sets the usable period for the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information, or when the usable period has elapsed after the usable period was set for the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information, the usable period setting unit 22 sets the period corresponding to the period information as the usable period. On the other hand, when the usable period setting unit 22 sets the usable period after the usable period has been set for the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information and before the usable period has elapsed, the usable period setting unit 22 sets the usable period with the period corresponding to the period information as the upper limit.

[0055] The usable period setting unit 22 may set the usable period based on the number of times of imaging stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32. For example, when the number of times of imaging associated with one piece of card information exceeds a predetermined number, and / or the more the number of times of imaging, the usable period setting unit 22 may set a new usable period that is longer than the original usable period associated with the one piece of card information. In other words, a large number of times of imaging of a certain analog card 7 indicates that the user has possessed the analog card 7 for a long period, and it is considered that the user is attached to the analog card 7 and is highly likely not to let go of the analog card 7 thereafter. Therefore, the usable period setting unit 22 may extend the usable period by a predetermined period when the number of times of imaging exceeds a predetermined number, and / or the more the number of times of imaging. Furthermore, when the rarity of an analog card 7 is lower than a predetermined rarity, and the number of times the image of the analog card 7 has been taken exceeds a predetermined number of times, the usable period setting unit 22 may remove the limit on the usable period associated with the card information of the analog card 7 (i.e., it may be usable essentially forever), or may effectively remove the limit by associating a number of days that cannot be reached in several years, such as 50,000 days. Note that, from the viewpoint of facilitating management of the period, the usable period is preferably information indicating the number of days, but is not limited to this, and may also be information indicating time or information indicating the number of years.

[0056] Then, the usability setting unit 20 sets information indicating that the digital card 8 cannot be used in the card information of the digital card 8 for which the usable period set by the usable period setting unit 22 has passed (i.e., sets information indicating that the digital card 8 cannot be used), and stores the information in the possessed card information storage unit 32. Note that, when the usability setting unit 20 has permitted the use of the digital card 8 for which the usable period has been set in a digital game and set information indicating that the digital card 8 cannot be used after the usable period has passed, the usability setting unit 20 may enable the use of the digital card 8 in the digital game in a limited manner based on a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is, for example, the number of times the digital card 8 can be used, the period of use, the conditions of use, etc. As an example, the usability setting unit 20 may set information indicating that the digital card 8 cannot be used as the predetermined condition, in association with the user information and the card information.

[0057] In addition, when the captured image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit 10 includes multiple analog cards 7 with the same face, the usable period setting unit 22 may add a predetermined additional period to the period information stored in the period information storage unit 30, and extend the usable period of the digital card 8 in the digital game.

[0058] (Notification Department 24) After the usable period is set, it decreases as time passes from the set date. For example, the usable period decreases day by day. After the usable period is set, if the remaining period of the usable period falls below a predetermined period or if there is no remaining period, the notification unit 24 notifies the user terminal 3 of the recommendation to re-image (re-shoot) the analog card 7. Here, the analog card 7 recommended to be re-imaged is the analog card 7 associated with the card information that is associated with the user information of the digital card 8 for which the usable period is set. Note that the predetermined period may be the same or different for each piece of card information.

[0059] In addition, when making a notification, the notification unit 24 can notify the user terminal 3 of the recommendation to re-image the analog card 7 corresponding to the card information that does not correspond to the card information, based on the relationship in terms of use in a card game or digital game between the analog card 7 or digital card 8 corresponding to the card information to be notified and the analog card 7 or digital card 8 that does not correspond to the card information.

[0060] Examples of the relationship regarding use include the possibility of simultaneous use, the proximity of the re-registration deadline, etc. For example, in an analog game or digital game, when there exists an analog card 7 or digital card 8 (hereinafter referred to as "card A") that corresponds to the card information to be notified and an analog card 7 or digital card 8 (hereinafter referred to as "card B") that is likely to be used substantially simultaneously and / or during the same match, card B is said to be a card that is likely to be used simultaneously with card A. In addition, card B that has the same attributes as card A and / or card B that has been used in the same deck as card A in a past digital game play is also said to be a card that is likely to be used simultaneously, and analog cards 7 or digital cards 8 other than these are said to be cards that are unlikely to be used simultaneously.

[0061] The notification unit 24 can notify the recommendation to re-image analog cards 7 that are likely to be used simultaneously, in addition to the analog cards 7 that correspond to the card information to be notified. Note that a deck refers to a set of multiple analog cards 7 required to play a game. In addition, the "possibility of being used substantially simultaneously in an analog game or a digital game" may be determined from the past game history of the user or other users.

[0062] The closeness of the re-registration deadline refers to, for example, a relationship in which the difference between the remaining usable period of the analog card 7 or digital card 8 corresponding to the card information to be notified and the remaining period of the analog card 7 or digital card 8 not corresponding to the card information is within a predetermined range. If the difference is within a predetermined range, it is determined that the re-registration deadlines are close to each other. If there is card information with a close re-registration deadline, the notification unit 24 notifies the user terminal 3 of the recommendation to re-image the analog card corresponding to the card information. This allows re-imaging of multiple analog cards to be performed collectively at a predetermined timing, improving user convenience.

[0063] (Location information acquisition unit 26) The position information acquisition unit 26 acquires position information of the location where the captured image was acquired (i.e., the location of the user terminal 3). For example, the user terminal 3 has a GPS function, and the position information acquisition unit 26 acquires position information specified by this GPS function. The position information acquisition unit 26 supplies the acquired position information to the registration control unit 18.

[0064] When the registration control unit 18 receives the location information from the location information acquisition unit 26, the registration control unit 18 determines whether or not to associate the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 with the user information based on the location information. For example, when the location information acquisition unit 26 acquires location information from the one user terminal 3 and the other user terminal 3, and the location information indicates substantially the same location and the acquisition date and time of the location information is included in a predetermined time period or is substantially the same date and time, the registration control unit 18 prohibits the association of the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7 included in the captured image acquired from the one user terminal 3 and the other user terminal 3 at the location indicated by the location information with the user information. Instead of prohibiting the association of the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7 included in the captured image acquired from the one user terminal 3 and the other user terminal 3 at the location indicated by the location information with the user information, the registration control unit 18 may act on the usable period setting unit 22 to make the usable period of the digital card 8 shorter than the original usable period.

[0065] In this case, the registration control unit 18 may determine whether or not to permit association with user information based on the rarity of the analog card 7. For example, when the rarity of the analog card 7 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the registration control unit 18 may prohibit association of the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7 of a rarity equal to or higher than the predetermined level with user information, while permitting association of the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7 of a rarity lower than the predetermined level with user information. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, a digital card 8 corresponding to one analog card 7 of high rarity from being usable at each of a plurality of user terminals 3 present at the same location. For example, when a pack containing a plurality of analog cards 7 is opened and a small number of cards of high rarity contained in the pack are used as digital cards 8 at a user terminal 3, it is possible to prevent the digital cards 8 corresponding to the small number of analog cards 7 from being used at each of the user terminals 3 of a plurality of other users present at the location.

[0066] The registration control unit 18 may determine whether or not to permit the association of the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 with the user information based on the relationship between multiple users together with the location information. That is, there is a possibility that multiple users who have the same card by chance exist in substantially the same location. In this case, it may not be preferable to completely prohibit the association of the card information with the user information based only on the fact that the users exist in substantially the same location. Therefore, the registration control unit 18 can determine whether or not to permit the association of the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 with the user information based on information about a predetermined relationship between users, such as whether or not a user of a user terminal 3 and another user of another user terminal 3 are registered as digital friends, and whether or not a user and another user have played a game against each other in the past.

[0067] For example, the registration control unit 18 refers to the user information storage unit 36, and when a user and another user are registered as friends (i.e., when the friend information of the other user is associated with the user information of the user), and / or when there is information indicating that the user and another user have played against each other in the past (i.e., when the user information of the user is associated with the game information of the other user), the registration control unit 18 can prohibit the association of the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 with the user information, and when there is no information indicating friend registration and / or past games, the registration control unit 18 can not prohibit the association of the card information with the user information.

[0068] Furthermore, when the registration control unit 18 receives location information from the location information acquisition unit 26, if the location indicated by the location information is a predetermined location, the registration control unit 18 may prohibit the association of the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 with the user information. The predetermined location is, for example, a location where a card tournament using analog cards 7 is held. This makes it possible to prevent the analog cards 7 from being converted into digital cards 8 in a location where many users gather, such as a card tournament where many analog cards 7 are used. Note that in a card tournament, users can play against other users by using the analog cards 7, so preventing the analog cards 7 from being converted into digital cards 8 at the venue of the tournament does not impair user convenience.

[0069] Furthermore, when the registration control unit 18 receives location information from the location information acquisition unit 26, if the location indicated by the location information is a predetermined trading location for cards, the registration control unit 18 may permit the association of the card information specified by the card information specification unit 12 with the user information. The trading location is a location where an analog card 7 owned by a user is permitted to be turned into a digital card 8 in a user terminal 3 of another user who does not own the analog card 7. In this case, the registration control unit 18 may act on the usable period setting unit 22 to set the usable period of the digital card 8 to be shorter than the original usable period. This allows the other user to use the analog card 7 that he does not own as a digital card 8 in his own user terminal 3 and to try out the digital card 8 in a digital game. Therefore, the other user can understand the functions and effects of the digital card 8 and the corresponding analog card 7 before purchasing the analog card 7 corresponding to the digital card 8.

[0070] (Card instruction reception unit 28) The card instruction receiving unit 28 receives an instruction from the user as to which face of multiple digital cards 8 belonging to the same group is to be used in the digital game. That is, the card instruction receiving unit 28 receives an instruction to specify the face of the digital card 8 that the user requests to use in response to the user's instruction received by the user terminal 3. In response to the received instruction, the card instruction receiving unit 28 stores in the possessed card information storage unit 32 a face data ID corresponding to the face of the digital card 8 that the user requests to use in association with the user information.

[0071] [Outline of the processing flow of card usage system 1] Figures 5 to 7 show an example of the flow of processing in the card usage system according to this embodiment, and Figure 8 shows an example of reading an analog card in the card usage system according to this embodiment.

[0072] First, the imaging unit of the user terminal 3 captures an image of an analog card 7 (step 10. Hereinafter, step is represented as "S"). Hereinafter, the number of analog cards 7 captured by the imaging unit is one or more. That is, the imaging unit may capture an image of one analog card 7, or may capture an image of multiple analog cards 7 at once. For example, in a trading card game, a combination of multiple analog cards 7 (e.g., 60 cards) is treated as one "deck." Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8(a), multiple analog cards 7 included in one deck may be lined up, and the imaging unit may capture an image of the multiple analog cards 7 thus lined up. The user terminal 3 supplies the captured image captured by the imaging unit to the captured image acquisition unit 10 together with user information.

[0073] The captured image acquisition unit 10 acquires captured images from the user terminal 3 in association with the user information and / or the image capture date (S12). The captured image acquisition unit 10 supplies the acquired captured images to the card information identification unit 12. The card information identification unit 12 identifies card information of the captured analog card 7 included in the captured image by image recognition (S14). When identifying card information of multiple analog cards 7, the card information identification unit 12 identifies card information of multiple analog cards 7 having the same card face as the same analog card 7. Then, the number identification unit 14 identifies the number of analog cards 7 included in the captured image based on the image recognition result in the card information identification unit 12. In this case, the number identification unit 14 identifies the number of analog cards 7 having the same card face for each of the same card faces (S16).

[0074] (If the number of pieces is "1" in S16) When the number of analog cards 7 with the same face identified by the number identification unit 14 is "1" ("1" in S16), that is, when there is no other card with the same face as the analog card 7 in the captured image, the following process is executed. First, as shown in Fig. 6, the possession determination unit 16 determines whether or not the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 in association with the user information is stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32, that is, whether or not the user already possesses a digital card 8 corresponding to the card information (S18).

[0075] For example, as shown in FIG. 8(a), an example will be given in which one "Hoopa GX" analog card 7 is included in the captured image. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8(b), it is assumed that card information of the "Hoopa GX" card as a digital card 8 and the number of cards possessed (in FIG. 8(b), the number possessed before the photograph is displayed as "1") have already been stored in possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with user information. It is also assumed that the remaining period of the "Hoopa GX" card as a digital card 8 before the photograph of the "Hoopa GX" card as an analog card 7 is stored in possessed card information storage unit 32 as "15 days". In this case, possession determination unit 16 determines that the user already possesses one "Hoopa GX" card (however, the remaining period is 15 days).

[0076] Then, when the possession determination unit 16 determines that the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 is stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information (Yes in S18), the usable period setting unit 22 extends the remaining period stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the card information, based on the period information stored in the period information storage unit 30 in association with the card information (S20). Specifically, the usable period setting unit 22 extends the remaining period stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in accordance with the period information stored in the period information storage unit 30. As a result, the period during which the digital card 8 associated with the card information can be used digitally is extended, and the digital card 8 can continue to be used in the digital game (S30).

[0077] In the example of Fig. 8, first, period information storage unit 30 stores "30 days" as period information in association with the card information of the "Hoopa GX" card. Then, usable period setting unit 22 extends the remaining period of the "Hoopa GX" card as digital card 8 before the photograph of the "Hoopa GX" card as analog card 7 stored in owned card information storage unit 32 as shown in Fig. 8(b) from "15 days" to "30 days" as shown in Fig. 8(c). This allows the user to use the "Hoopa GX" card as digital card 8 in digital games for a new 30 days.

[0078] On the other hand, when the possession determination unit 16 determines that the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 is not stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information (No in S18), the registration control unit 18 associates the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 with the user information (S22). As a result, the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information is associated with the user information. Furthermore, the registration control unit 18 associates the number identified by the number identification unit 14 with the user information as number information (in this case, number information indicating "1 card" is associated). As a result, the number of the digital cards 8 possessed by the user is set in the possessed card information storage unit 32 (S24).

[0079] Furthermore, the usability setting unit 20 sets whether the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information associated with the user information can be used in the digital game (S26). In this case, the usability setting unit 20 stores information indicating "usable" in the owned card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information and the card information. Then, the usable period setting unit 22 refers to the period information stored in the period information storage unit 30 in association with the card information, and sets the usable period of the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information (S28). In this case, the usable period is the same period as the period information. This allows the user to use the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information in the digital game during the usable period (S30).

[0080] In the example of Fig. 8(b), before photographing, card information of the "Incredible GX" card as the digital card 8 is not stored in association with the user information in the possessed card information storage unit 32. In this case, when the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 is card information of the "Incredible GX" card and the number information is 1, the registration control unit 18 associates the card information of the "Incredible GX" card with the user information, and also associates the number of "Incredible GX" cards as number information with the user information, as shown in Fig. 8(c) (in this case, number information indicating "1" is associated. In Fig. 8(c), it is displayed as the possessed number after photographing). Then, usability setting unit 20 permits use of "Incredible GX" digital card 8, and usable period setting unit 22 sets the period information (30 days in this case) stored in period information storage unit 30 in association with the card information of the "Incredible GX" card as the usable period of the "Incredible GX" card (immediately after setting, the remaining period of the "Incredible GX" card will match the usable period). This allows the user to use the "Incredible GX" card as digital card 8 in digital games for 30 days.

[0081] (If the number of sheets is "multiple sheets" in S16) Then, when the number of analog cards 7 with the same face identified by the number identification unit 14 is "multiple" ("multiple" in S16), that is, when there is one or more other cards with the same face as the analog card 7 in the captured image, the following process is executed. First, as shown in Fig. 7, the possession determination unit 16 determines whether or not the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 is stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information, that is, whether or not the user already possesses a digital card 8 corresponding to the card information (S32).

[0082] For example, as shown in FIG. 8(a), an example will be given in which a captured image contains four "Nyabby" analog cards 7. In this case, it is further assumed that, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the possessed card information storage unit 32 has already stored card information of the "Nyabby" card as a digital card 8 in association with user information and the number of cards possessed (in FIG. 8(b), the number possessed before photographing is displayed as "4 cards"). It is also assumed that the possessed card information storage unit 32 has stored therein that the remaining period of the "Nyabby" card as a digital card 8 before photographing the "Nyabby" card as an analog card 7 is "10 days". In this case, the possession determination unit 16 determines that the user already possesses four "Nyabby" cards (however, the remaining period is 10 days).

[0083] Then, if the possession determination unit 16 determines that the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 is stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in correspondence with the user information (Yes in S32), the usable period setting unit 22 compares the number of possessed cards stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in correspondence with the user information and the card information with the number identified by the number identification unit 14 (specific number) (S42).

[0084] When the usable period setting unit 22 determines that the possessed number matches the specified number (Yes in S42), the usable period setting unit 22 extends the remaining periods stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the card information for all of the possessed number collectively based on the period information stored in the period information storage unit 30 in association with the card information (S44). Specifically, the usable period setting unit 22 extends the remaining periods stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 collectively in accordance with the period information stored in the period information storage unit 30. As a result, the period during which the digital card 8 associated with the card information can be used digitally is extended, and the digital card 8 can continue to be used in the digital game (S60).

[0085] In the example of Fig. 8, first, the period information storage unit 30 stores "180 days" as period information in association with the card information of the "Nyabby" card. Then, the usable period setting unit 22 extends the remaining period of "10 days" of the "Nyabby" cards as digital cards 8 before photography corresponding to the "Nyabby" cards as analog cards 7 stored in the owned card information storage unit 32 as shown in Fig. 8(b) to "180 days" as shown in Fig. 8(c) for all of the owned cards (four cards in this case). This allows the user to use the "Nyabby" cards as digital cards 8 in the digital game for another 180 days.

[0086] The "Lillie" card will be described in the example of FIG. 8. In this case, it is assumed that the period information storage unit 30 has previously stored "365 days" as the period information in association with the card information of the "Lillie" card. Then, in the example of FIG. 8(b), before shooting, the possessed card information storage unit 32 stores information on the possessed number of cards "1" and the remaining period "180 days" and information on the possessed number of cards "3" and the remaining period "85 days" in association with the user information and the card information of the "Lillie" card as the digital card 8. In this case, when the card information specified by the card information specifying unit 12 is the card information of the "Lillie" card and the number specified by the number specifying unit 14 is "4" (i.e., when four "Lillie" analog cards are included in the captured image), the usable period setting unit 22 determines that the possessed number and the specified number match. Then, even if there are multiple remaining periods stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the card information (i.e., even if there are different remaining periods), the usable period setting unit 22 extends each remaining period for all possessed cards collectively based on the period information stored in the period information storage unit 30 in association with the card information. For example, as shown in Fig. 8(b) and Fig. 8(c), the remaining periods before the photographing of the "Lillie" card as the digital card 8, which are "180 days" and "85 days", are extended collectively to "365 days".

[0087] On the other hand, if the usable period setting unit 22 determines that the possessed number does not match the specified number (No in S42), the usable period setting unit 22 further determines which of the possessed number or the specified number (specified number) is greater (S46). If the usable period setting unit 22 determines that the possessed number is greater than the specified number (Yes in S46), the registration control unit 18 associates the possessed number with the user information and the card information, and sets the specified number and the difference obtained by subtracting the specified number from the possessed number separately (S48).

[0088] For example, in FIG. 8(a), there are three "Donkaras" cards as analog cards 7. That is, the captured image includes three "Donkaras" cards. Therefore, the specified number in this case is "3". Meanwhile, in the possessed card information storage unit 32, the possessed number of "4" is associated with the user information and the card information of the "Donkaras" card (in the example of FIG. 8(b), "4" is associated with "Donkaras" as the possessed number before shooting). And, the card information of these four "Donkaras" cards is associated with the remaining period of "15 days". In this case, the registration control unit 18 sets the number information of "3", which is the specified number, and the number information of "1", which is obtained by subtracting the specified number of "3" from the possessed number before shooting, "4", in association with the user information and the card information of the "Donkaras" card, as shown in FIG. 8(c). In other words, of the "4" "Doncharas" cards before shooting, the analog card 7 corresponding to the "Doncharas" digital card 8 corresponding to the quantity information of "3" is re-imaged, and the remaining analog card 7 corresponding to the "Doncharas" digital card 8 corresponding to the quantity information of "1" is treated as not having been re-imaged.

[0089] Then, the usability setting unit 20 sets whether or not the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information associated with the user information can be used in the digital game (S50). Specifically, the usability setting unit 20 sets the specified number associated with the user information and the card information as usable as is, sets the difference obtained by subtracting the specified number from the number of cards owned as usable if there is a remaining period before the photographing, and sets it as unusable if there is no remaining period.

[0090] Next, the usable period setting unit 22 extends the remaining periods stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the card information for the specified number of cards associated with the user information and the card information, based on the period information stored in the period information storage unit 30 in association with the card information (S52). On the other hand, the usable period setting unit 22 maintains the remaining periods for the difference number of cards obtained by subtracting the specified number from the possessed number (if the remaining period has already expired, the remaining period is set to "zero") (S52). This allows the user to use the digital card 8 corresponding to the captured analog card 7 in the digital game for the predetermined usable period (S60). Also, if the number of digital cards 8 corresponding to the captured analog card 7 is less than the number of digital cards 8 already owned, the digital cards 8 corresponding to the difference number can be used in the digital game for the remaining period as long as there is a remaining period (S60).

[0091] For example, in the example of FIG. 8, the number of "Donkaras" analog cards 7 captured is three. The possessed card information storage unit 32 already stores the possessed number of "four" cards in association with the card information of the "Donkaras" cards. Assume that the period information storage unit 30 stores period information of "180 days" in association with the card information of the "Donkaras" cards. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8(c), the usable period setting unit 22 collectively extends the remaining period before the image capture to "180 days" for the specified number of cards (three cards in this case) based on the period information. The usable period setting unit 22 does not extend the remaining period for the difference (one card in this case) obtained by subtracting the specified number from the possessed number before the image capture, and maintains the remaining period before the image capture as it is.

[0092] Here, it is assumed that before photography, information on the number of cards owned "1" and the remaining period "180 days" and information on the number of cards owned "3" and the remaining period "85 days" are stored in the owned card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information and the card information of the "Lillie" card as the digital card 8. In this case, a case will be described where the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 is the card information of the "Lillie" card and the number identified by the number identification unit 14 is "2" (not shown in FIG. 8).

[0093] In this case, the number of analog cards 7 of "Lillie" captured is two. The possessed card information storage unit 32 already stores information on the number of possessed cards "1" and the remaining period "180 days" and information on the number of possessed cards "3" and the remaining period "85 days" in association with the card information of the "Lillie" card. Assume that the period information storage unit 30 stores period information of "365 days" in association with the card information of the "Lillie" card. Therefore, the usable period setting unit 22 collectively extends the remaining period before the photographing to "365 days" for the specified number of cards (in this case, two cards) based on the period information. On the other hand, the usable period setting unit 22 does not extend the remaining period for the difference number of cards (in this case, two cards) obtained by subtracting the specified number from the possessed number before the photographing, and maintains the remaining period before the photographing as it is (in this case, it is maintained at 85 days. Not shown in FIG. 8).

[0094] Furthermore, if the usable period setting unit 22 determines that the number of cards owned is less than the specified number (No in S46), the registration control unit 18 sets the specified number as the number of cards owned in correspondence with the user information and card information (S54).

[0095] For example, in FIG. 8(a), there are four "Nyahito" cards as analog cards 7. That is, the captured image includes four "Nyahito" cards. Meanwhile, in the possessed card information storage unit 32, the possessed number of "2" is associated with the user information and the card information of the "Nyahito" card (in the example of FIG. 8(b), "2" is associated with "Nyahito" as the possessed number before shooting). And, the remaining period of "90 days" is associated with the card information of these two "Nyahito" cards. In this case, comparing the number information of "4", which is the specified number, with the number of "2" which was the possessed number before shooting, the specified number is greater. Therefore, the registration control unit 18 sets the number information of "4", which is the specified number, in association with the user information and the card information of the "Nyahito" card, as shown in FIG. 8(c). In other words, the analog card 7 corresponding to the digital card 8 of "Nyahito" corresponding to the number information of "4" is treated as having been re-imaged, including the "2" "Nyahito" cards before the photograph was taken.

[0096] Then, the usability setting unit 20 sets whether or not the digital cards 8 corresponding to the card information associated with the user information can be used in the digital game (S56). Specifically, the usability setting unit 20 sets the specified number of cards associated with the user information and the card information as usable.

[0097] Next, the usable period setting unit 22 collectively extends the remaining periods stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the card information for the specified number of cards associated with the user information and the card information, based on the period information stored in the period information storage unit 30 in association with the card information (S58). This allows the user to use the digital card 8 corresponding to the captured analog card 7 and the digital cards 8 already in his / her possession in the digital game for the predetermined usable periods (S60).

[0098] For example, in the example of FIG. 8, the number of analog cards 7 of "Nyahito" captured is four. The possessed card information storage unit 32 already stores the possessed number of "two" in association with the card information of the "Nyahito" card. Assume that the period information storage unit 30 stores period information of "180 days" in association with the card information of the "Nyahito" card. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8(c), the usable period setting unit 22 collectively extends the remaining period before the capture to "180 days" for the specified number of cards (in this case, four cards) based on the period information.

[0099] Furthermore, if the possession determination unit 16 determines that the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 is not stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information (No in S32), the registration control unit 18 associates the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 with the user information for each of the multiple analog cards 7 with the same face (S34). Furthermore, the registration control unit 18 associates the number identified by the number identification unit 14 with the user information as number information. As a result, the number of the digital cards 8 possessed by the user is set in the possessed card information storage unit 32 (S36).

[0100] Furthermore, the usability setting unit 20 sets whether the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information associated with the user information can be used in the digital game (S38). In this case, the usability setting unit 20 stores information indicating "usable" in the owned card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information and the card information. Then, the usability period setting unit 22 refers to the period information stored in the period information storage unit 30 in association with the card information, and sets the usability period of the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information (S40). This allows the user to use the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information in the digital game during the usable period (S60).

[0101] In the example of Fig. 8(b), before photographing, card information of the "Yamikarasu" card as digital card 8 is not stored in association with user information in possessed card information storage unit 32. In this case, when the card information identified by card information identification unit 12 is card information of the "Yamikarasu" card and the number identified by number identification unit 14 is three, registration control unit 18 associates the card information of the "Yamikarasu" card with user information, and also associates the number of "Yamikarasu" cards as number information with user information, as shown in Fig. 8(c) (in this case, number information indicating "three" is associated. In Fig. 8(c), it is displayed as the possessed number after photographing). Then, the usability setting unit 20 permits the use of the "Yamikarasu" digital card 8, and the usable period setting unit 22 collectively sets the period information (in this case, 180 days) stored in the period information storage unit 30 in association with the card information of the "Yamikarasu" card as the usable period of the "Yamikarasu" card (immediately after setting, the remaining period of the "Yamikarasu" card will match the usable period). This allows the user to use the "Yamikarasu" card as digital card 8 in the digital game for 180 days.

[0102] [Outline of other process flow in card usage system 1] <Notification flow> FIG. 9A shows an example of the flow of a notification process in the notification unit according to this embodiment.

[0103] After the usable period setting unit 22 sets the usable period for a given piece of card information, the notification unit 24 monitors whether or not there is any remaining time in the usable period (S70). If the notification unit 24 determines that there is any remaining time (Yes in S70), it determines whether or not the remaining time is equal to or shorter than a given period (S72).

[0104] When the notification unit 24 determines that the remaining period is equal to or less than the predetermined period (Yes in S72), it notifies the user terminal 3 of information recommending re-imaging of the analog card 7 corresponding to the predetermined card information (S74). Also, when the notification unit 24 determines that there is no remaining period of the usable period after the usable period setting unit 22 has set the usable period for the predetermined card information (No in S70), it also notifies the user terminal 3 of information recommending re-imaging of the analog card 7 corresponding to the predetermined card information (S74). On the other hand, when the notification unit 24 determines that the remaining period is not equal to or less than the predetermined period (No in S72), it continues to monitor whether or not there is any remaining period of the usable period.

[0105] <Other notification flows> FIG. 9B shows another example of the flow of the notification process in the notification unit according to this embodiment.

[0106] In FIG. 9(b), the steps having the same step numbers as those in FIG. 9(a) are similar to the steps having the corresponding step numbers in FIG. 9(a), and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0107] When the notification unit 24 determines that the remaining period is equal to or shorter than the predetermined period (Yes in S72), it determines whether or not there is another analog card that is recommended to be re-imaged based on the relationship between the analog card 7 that should be notified of re-imaging because the remaining period is equal to or shorter than the predetermined period and the analog card 7 in terms of use in the card game. When the notification unit 24 determines that there is another analog card that is recommended to be re-imaged (Yes in S76), it notifies the user terminal 3 of information recommending re-imaging of the other analog card 7 that is recommended to be re-imaged, in addition to the analog card 7 that corresponds to the predetermined card information (S78). On the other hand, when the notification unit 24 determines that there is no other analog card that is recommended to be re-imaged (No in S76), it notifies the user terminal 3 of information recommending re-imaging of the analog card 7 that corresponds to the predetermined card information (S80).

[0108] <Flow using location information (prevention of digital cards)> FIG. 10 shows an example of a process flow for preventing an analog card from being converted into a digital card using location information.

[0109] First, a specific analog card 7 is captured in one user terminal 3 ("user terminal A" in FIG. 10) and another user terminal 3 ("user terminal B" in FIG. 10) (S90, S94). In this case, it is assumed that the specific analog card 7 is the same card. Then, the captured image acquisition unit 10 acquires captured images from the user terminal A and the user terminal B in association with the user information and the image capture date and time. Then, the card information identification unit 12 identifies the card information of the analog card 7 included in the captured image acquired from the user terminal A by image recognition, and also identifies the card information of the analog card 7 included in the captured image acquired from the user terminal B. Furthermore, the position information acquisition unit 26 acquires the position information of the user terminal A and the position information of the user terminal B from the user terminal A and the user terminal B (S92, S96).

[0110] Then, the registration control unit 18 judges whether the acquired location information of user terminal A and location information of user terminal B satisfy a predetermined condition (S98). If the registration control unit 18 judges that the predetermined condition is satisfied (Yes in S98), it prohibits the process of associating the specified card information with the user information of the user of user terminal A and the user information of the user of user terminal B (S100). On the other hand, if the registration control unit 18 judges that the predetermined condition is not satisfied (No in S98), it continues the process of associating the specified card information with the user information of the user of user terminal A and the user information of the user of user terminal B (S102).

[0111] Here, the predetermined condition is, for example, a condition indicating that the position indicated by the position information of user terminal A and the position indicated by the position information of user terminal B are included within a predetermined area, and the date and time when the position information of user terminal A is acquired and the date and time when the position information of user terminal B is acquired are included within a predetermined time range. As already described, the rarity of the analog card 7, the presence or absence of a relationship between the user of user terminal A and the user of user terminal B (for example, the presence or absence of friend registration, the presence or absence of past battle information, etc.), etc. may be the predetermined condition.

[0112] <Card face selection flow> Fig. 11 shows an example of the flow of processing for selecting a face of a digital card, and Fig. 12 shows an example of card face selection in the card usage system according to this embodiment.

[0113] Specifically, FIG. 11 shows a processing flow in which, when multiple analog cards 7 belonging to the same group have different rarities, as long as the user possesses any one of the analog cards 7 belonging to that group, the user can use the face of a digital card 8 corresponding to an analog card 7 other than the analog card 7 possessed by the user in the digital game.

[0114] First, S10 and S12 in Fig. 11 are the same processes as S10 and S12 in Fig. 5, so the description will be omitted. Next, the card information identification unit 12 identifies the group information and card information of the captured analog card 7 included in the captured image by image recognition (S110). Furthermore, the card information identification unit 12 refers to the card information storage unit 34 and determines whether or not multiple pieces of card information are associated with the identified group information (S112). If the card information identification unit 12 determines that multiple pieces of card information are associated with the identified group information (Yes in S112), the card information identification unit 12 refers to the card information storage unit 34 and supplies the card face data of the digital card 8 corresponding to the multiple pieces of card information to the user terminal 3. Then, the user terminal 3 displays the received card face data on the display unit of the user terminal 3.

[0115] The card instruction receiving unit 28 receives, via the user terminal 3, an instruction to select a digital card 8 having face data that the user wishes to use in the digital game (S114). Then, in response to the received selection instruction, the card instruction receiving unit 28 stores in the owned card information storage unit 32 a face data ID corresponding to the face of the digital card 8 that the user has requested to use in association with the user information (S116). As a result, even if the analog card 7 is not in the user's possession, the user can use the digital card 8 having the face of the analog card 7 that the user does not possess in the user terminal 3, as long as the user possesses another analog card 7 that belongs to the same group as the analog card 7 that the user does not possess.

[0116] On the other hand, if the card information identification unit 12 determines that multiple pieces of card information are not associated with the identified group information (No in S112), the card information identification unit 12 stores the face data ID of the face data of the digital card 8 corresponding to the card information identified by the card information identification unit 12 in association with the user information in the possessed card information storage unit 32 (S118). Therefore, in this case, the user can use the digital card 8 corresponding to the analog card 7 that the user possesses in the user terminal 3.

[0117] For example, as shown in FIG. 12(a), a case will be described in which one group 9 includes multiple analog cards (analog cards 7a, 7b, and 7c). That is, this is an example in which multiple card information (card information for analog cards 7a, 7b, and 7c) is associated with one group information (group information for group 9). Here, the rarities and faces of these analog cards are different. In other words, although the rarities and face displays of these analog cards are different, the names of characters and items displayed on the faces of these analog cards, and the functions and effects in the game are the same. Therefore, these card information are associated with the same group information.

[0118] This means that even if the rarities of multiple analog cards 7 belonging to the same group are different in the digital game, as long as they belong to the same group, the functions and effects of the digital cards 8 corresponding to the analog cards 7 in the digital game are the same, and these digital cards 8 are treated equally. In other words, this means that the value of the analog cards 7 based on the difference in rarity of the analog cards 7 disappears in the digital cards 8 corresponding to the analog cards 7 (note that this means that it disappears in the digital game, and does not affect the value of the analog cards 7 due to the difference in rarity in the real world).

[0119] In this case, the card information storage unit 34 stores the card information of the analog card 7a, the card information of the analog card 7b, and the card information of the analog card 7c in association with group information that identifies the group 9. Then, for example, when a user has only one analog card (e.g., analog card 7c) among the multiple analog cards 7 belonging to group 9 and captures an image of the analog card 7c at the user terminal 3, the card information identification unit 12 refers to the card information storage unit 34 to identify the card information of the analog card 7c and also identifies the group information associated with the card information.

[0120] Furthermore, the card information identification unit 12 grasps that the card information of the analog card 7a and the analog card 7b is also associated with the group information of the identified group 9. The card information identification unit 12 refers to the card information storage unit 34 and supplies the face data of each of the analog cards 7a, 7b, and 7c to the user terminal 3. The user terminal 3 displays the received face data on the display unit of the user terminal 3. Then, the card instruction acceptance unit 28 accepts a selection instruction for the face of any of the analog cards 7a, 7b, and 7c selected by the user via the user terminal 3. For example, in the example of FIG. 12(b), the card instruction acceptance unit 28 accepts an instruction for the face of the digital card 8b corresponding to the analog card 7b. Then, in response to the accepted selection instruction, the card instruction acceptance unit 28 associates the face data ID corresponding to the face of the digital card 8b requested to be used by the user with the user information and stores it in the possessed card information storage unit 32. This allows the user to use the face of the digital card 8b selected by the user in the digital game.

[0121] As described above, when an analog card owned by a user belongs to a specific group, the user can freely select the face of a digital card corresponding to another analog card belonging to the group, and can use the digital card having the face in the user terminal 3. Therefore, according to the card use system 1, even if the user does not own a high-rarity analog card, the user can freely select and use the face of the digital card corresponding to the high-rarity analog card in the digital game, as long as the user owns another analog card of the same rarity that belongs to the same group as the analog card. This allows the user to easily obtain various digital cards in the digital game, and to try out the face of an analog card that the user does not own in the digital game, and therefore the user can easily decide whether or not to obtain an analog card that the user does not own, depending on the result of the trial in the digital game.

[0122] [Effects of the embodiment] The card usage system 1 according to the present embodiment can allow a user to possess a digital card 8 corresponding to an analog card 7 using image recognition, and can also allow the user to continue to use the digital card 8 on the condition that the analog card 7 possessed by the user is re-imaged, thereby realizing a trading card game that is highly convenient for the user while suppressing careless proliferation of the digital cards 8. Furthermore, the card usage system 1 can manage the usability of the digital card 8 and the number of possessed digital cards 8 for a predetermined period of time by simply imaging the analog card 7. Therefore, the user does not need to check the possession of an analog card every time the user uses a digital card, which reduces the effort required for the user to read an analog card when using a digital card, and can suppress infinite proliferation of digital cards.

[0123] Furthermore, according to the card usage system 1, analog cards can be converted into digital cards and the digital cards can be used in digital games, so that users can practice games using digital cards. Furthermore, when online battles are possible in digital games, users can use analog cards corresponding to digital cards and have confidence in playing against other users. Note that digital cards do not need to be used in game tournaments using analog cards. In other words, analog cards are essential for game tournaments that are actually held. Therefore, from the viewpoint of enabling flexible responses rather than strictly managing the duplication of digital cards themselves, the card usage system 1 according to this embodiment can balance the use of digital cards and the use of analog cards when a trading card game is based on analog cards.

[0124] [Modification of the embodiment] FIG. 13 shows an example of an outline of the functional configuration of a user terminal according to this embodiment, and FIG. 14 shows an example of an outline of an image capturing process for an analog card.

[0125] First, as shown in FIG. 13, the user terminal 3 includes an image capture instruction receiving unit 300 that receives an instruction to capture an image via a shutter or the like, an image capture unit 302 that captures an image in the image capture area and / or acquires the captured image of the image capture area, a card recognition unit 304 that recognizes the analog card 7 and information about the analog card 7 included in the image capture area, a display unit 306 that displays the image captured by the image capture unit 302, and a display control unit 308 that controls the display of the display unit 306. Note that the card information identification unit 12 included in the card usage system 1 may have some of the functions of each component of the user terminal 3 (for example, the functions of the card recognition unit 304 and the display control unit 308, or some of these functions). In this case, some of the functions of the card information identification unit 12 are supplied to the user terminal 3 in the form of an application or the like via the communication network 5. Also, the image capture unit 302 acquires a captured image in response to an image capture instruction accepted by the image capture instruction accepting unit 300, but does not acquire a captured image before accepting the image capture instruction, and is controlled by the display control unit 308 to display the image being captured on the display unit 306.

[0126] First, the display control unit 308 of the user terminal 3 causes the display unit 306 to display an image of an analog card included in the imaging area acquired via the imaging unit 302. In this case, the display control unit 308 receives images of one or more analog cards included in the imaging area from the imaging unit 302 and causes the display unit 306 to display them. At this point, imaging in the sense of acquiring an image of an analog card has not yet been performed. In other words, the shutter has not yet been pressed. Therefore, at this point, not only has the image acquisition unit 10 of the card use system 1 not acquired an image, but also the card information identification unit 12 has not specified card information, the registration control unit 18 has not registered an available period, and the available period setting unit 22 has not set an available period.

[0127] Then, the card recognition unit 304 performs image recognition of the face of one or more analog cards included in the imaging area. The card recognition unit 304 performs image recognition of the face of the analog card by referring to the card information storage unit 34 of the card use system 1 via the communication network 5, or by storing the information stored in the card information storage unit 34 in advance in the user terminal 3 and referring to the information stored in the user terminal 3. The image recognition function in the card recognition unit 304 may be the same as the image recognition function in the card information identification unit 12.

[0128] Then, the card recognition unit 304 identifies information about the analog card, such as information indicating the presence of an analog card included in the imaging area, the card name of the analog card, the card effect, card number, rarity, and / or the number of analog cards. The card recognition unit 304 supplies the identified information to the display control unit 308. The display control unit 308 synthesizes (superimposes) at least a part of the information received from the card recognition unit 304 on the image of the analog card that has been image-recognized, and displays the image on the display unit 306.

[0129] For example, as shown in Fig. 14(a), a case will be described in which a plurality of analog cards (analog card 7d, analog card 7e, analog card 7f, analog card 7g, analog card 7h, and analog card 7h) are imaged at the user terminal 3. However, an example will be described in which some of the plurality of analog cards (analog card 7h in the example of Fig. 14(a)) are arranged in a shifted manner. Also, analog card 7d and analog card 7e are "Pikachu" cards, analog card 7f, analog card 7g, and analog card 7h are "Eevee" cards, and analog card 7i is "Raichu" card (the same applies below).

[0130] In this case, the display control unit 308 causes the display unit 306 to display the multiple analog cards captured by the imaging unit 302. For example, as shown in Fig. 14(b), the display control unit 308 causes the display unit 306 to display the entirety of each of analog cards 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g, and 7i included in the imaging area of ​​the imaging unit 302, and causes the display unit 306 to display only the part of analog card 7h that is only partially included in the imaging area.

[0131] The card recognition unit 304 can identify information about the analog card (for example, information displayed or written in the card name display area 700, character image display area 702, card effect display area 704, and / or card number display area 706 of the analog card), and for an analog card included in the imaging area, at least a part of the information about the identified analog card can be superimposed on the image of the analog card. In the example of FIG. 14(b), the information about the identified analog card is superimposed for each of analog card 7d, analog card 7e, analog card 7f, analog card 7g, and analog card 7i. The information to be superimposed is, for example, the name of the analog card, and the number of identical or similar cards included in the imaging area and imaged at the same time, etc. As an example, in FIG. 14(b), two "Pikachu" cards (analog card 7d and analog card 7e) are included in the imaging area, so the display control unit 308 superimposes the card name ("Pikachu") and the number of the same card being imaged at the same time (displaying "2" indicating "two") on each image of these cards. The same is true for the "Eevee" card and the "Raichu" card. This allows the user to know that a reading error has occurred (for example, when the card recognition unit 304 recognizes a certain analog card as an analog card different from the actual analog card) before issuing an imaging instruction.

[0132] However, for analog card 7h, only a portion of its face is included in the imaging area. Therefore, the card recognition unit 304 may not be able to identify information about an analog card such as analog card 7h. In this way, when the card recognition unit 304 is unable to identify information about an analog card, the display control unit 308 superimposes marks (e.g., question marks) indicating that the card name and the number of identical cards are unknown for analog cards for which information cannot be identified even though part of the analog card is included in the imaging area (see the example of the image of analog card 7h in FIG. 14(b)).

[0133] This allows the user to easily understand by referring to the display unit 306 that the intended number of analog cards cannot be imaged. In the example of FIG. 14(b), the user wishes to image three "Eevee" cards, but the user can easily notice that only two "Eevee" cards have been image-recognized before issuing an image capture command, and can rearrange the analog cards. Note that, although an example in which only a portion of an analog card is included in the image capture area has been described in the example of FIG. 14(b), the same applies to a case in which information about an analog card cannot be identified because another analog card overlaps on top of the analog card.

[0134] Furthermore, the card recognition unit 304 can use the user information to refer to the possessed card information storage unit 32 of the card use system 1 via the communication network 5, or store the information stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in advance in the user terminal 3 and refer to the information stored in the user terminal 3 to confirm whether or not the card information of the analog card included in the imaging area has already been stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information. If the card recognition unit 304 determines that the card information of the analog card included in the imaging area is not stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32, the display control unit 308 can superimpose information indicating that the analog card is newly possessed by the user on the image of the analog card and display it on the display unit 306.

[0135] In the example of FIG. 14(b), it is assumed that the user has not previously possessed an analog card 7i of "Raichu" and has newly acquired an analog card 7i of "Raichu" and has imaged it on the user terminal 3. In this case, the card recognition unit 304 checks whether or not card information of "Raichu" is stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information. In this example, since card information of "Raichu" is not stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in association with the user information, the display control unit 308 superimposes the name and number of "Raichu" and the text information and / or image of "NEW!" on the image of the analog card 7i of "Raichu".

[0136] Furthermore, the card recognition unit 304 can use the user information and the specified card information to refer to the possessed card information storage unit 32 of the card use system 1 via the communication network 5, or store the information stored in the possessed card information storage unit 32 in advance in the user terminal 3 and refer to the information stored in the user terminal 3 to obtain the remaining period of the digital card corresponding to the analog card included in the imaging area and / or the usable period of the digital card that will be updated and usable after the analog card is imaged. When the card recognition unit 304 obtains the remaining period and / or the usable period that will be set by updating after the analog card is imaged, the display control unit 308 may superimpose these periods on the image of the analog card.

[0137] Next, when the imaging instruction receiving unit 300 receives an imaging instruction from the user, the imaging unit 302 captures an image of the imaging area and acquires the captured image. The card usage system 1 uses the captured image to enable the use of digital cards corresponding to analog card 7d, analog card 7e, analog card 7f, analog card 7g, and analog card i, respectively, and sets or extends the usable period. As a result, in the example of Fig. 14, two "Pikachu" digital cards, two "Eevee" digital cards, and one "Raichu" digital card become usable in the user terminal 3 for a predetermined usable period, respectively.

[0138] FIG. 15 shows another example of the outline of the imaging process of an analog card.

[0139] For example, if the card recognition unit 304 is unable to identify information about the analog card (analog card 7h in the example of FIG. 15) because only a portion of the face of the analog card is included in the imaging area 320, the display control unit 308 superimposes a mark indicating that the card name of the analog card and the number of identical cards are unknown on the analog card, as described above (FIG. 15(a). Note that the card name is omitted in FIGS. 15(a) to (c) to make the drawings easier to see.). This allows the user to understand that it is necessary to shift the position of analog card 7h relative to the user terminal 3 in order to include analog card 7h in the imaging area 320.

[0140] Then, the user terminal 3 is operated by the user so that the entirety of the analog card 7h is included in the imaging area 320. For example, the user moves the user terminal 3 so that the entirety of the analog card 7h is included in the imaging area 320. As a result, the imaging unit 302 captures an image of the analog card 7h in a state in which the entirety is included in the imaging area, and the card recognition unit 304 can identify information about the analog card 7h. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15(b), the display control unit 308 causes the display unit 306 to display the card name of the analog card 7h and the number of the same card superimposed on the analog card (in the example of FIG. 15(b), since only one analog card 7h is included in the imaging area, "1" indicating "one card" is superimposed on the image of the analog card 7h). Then, the card recognition unit 304 recognizes that the analog card only partially included in the imaging area in FIG. 15(a) is the analog card 7h. Note that at this point in time, the user has not yet issued an imaging instruction.

[0141] Subsequently, even if the imaging area 320 of the user terminal 3 moves again, the card recognition unit 304 maintains the result of the previous recognition as long as a part of the analog card 7h is included in the imaging area 320. For example, as shown in FIG. 15(c), even if the imaging area 320 of the user terminal 3 moves from the position in FIG. 15(b) and only a part of the analog card 7h is included in the imaging area 320 after the movement, the card recognition unit 304 maintains the result of the recognition of the analog card 7h. In this case, the imaging area 320 further includes two analog cards that are the same or the same type as the analog card 7h in addition to the analog card 7h (analog card 7f and analog card 7g). Therefore, the card recognition unit 304 recognizes that the imaging area 320 includes three analog cards that are the same or the same type (in this case, the analog card of "Eevee"). Then, as shown in FIG. 15(c), the display control unit 308 uses the recognition result of the card recognition unit 304 to superimpose a "3" mark indicating "3 cards" and the text "Eevee" on the images of analog card 7f, analog card 7g, and analog card 7h on the display unit 306.

[0142] Next, when the imaging instruction receiving unit 300 receives an imaging instruction from the user, the imaging unit 302 captures an image of the imaging area 320 and acquires the captured image. Using this captured image and the recognition result of the card recognition unit 304, the card use system 1 enables the use of digital cards corresponding to the analog cards d to i at the user terminal 3, and sets or extends the usable period of each digital card. As a result, in the example of Fig. 15, two "Pikachu" digital cards, three "Eevee" digital cards, and one "Raichu" digital card become usable at the user terminal 3 for a predetermined usable period, respectively.

[0143] In this manner, in the modified example of the present embodiment, before the captured image of the analog card is acquired in the user terminal 3, that is, before the imaging instruction receiving unit 300 receives an imaging instruction from the user, the names and number of analog cards can be superimposed on the image being captured and displayed on the display unit 306. This allows the user to check the information superimposed on the image of the analog card on the display unit 306 before acquiring a digital card, and then instruct the user terminal 3 to acquire the captured image using a shutter or the like. Then, the captured image acquired by the imaging unit 302 in accordance with the control of the imaging instruction receiving unit 300 that has accepted the imaging instruction is acquired by the captured image acquiring unit 10, and the card information identifying unit 12 identifies the card information, the registration control unit 18 performs a registration process, and the usable period setting unit 22 sets the usable period, etc. are executed.

[0144] [Card Usage Program] Each of the components of the card usage system 1 according to this embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 15 can be realized by having a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) execute a program (i.e., a card usage program), that is, by software processing. Also, it can be realized by writing a program in advance into hardware as an electronic component such as an integrated circuit (IC). Note that software and hardware can also be used in combination.

[0145] The card usage program according to this embodiment can be incorporated in advance in, for example, an IC or a ROM. The card usage program can also be provided as a computer program by recording it in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, or a semiconductor recording medium. The recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. Furthermore, the card usage program can be stored in advance in a computer connected to a communication network such as the Internet, so that it can be provided by downloading via the communication network.

[0146] The card usage program in this embodiment acts on a CPU, etc. to cause the card usage program to function as the captured image acquisition unit 10, card information identification unit 12, card number identification unit 14, possession determination unit 16, registration control unit 18, usability setting unit 20, usable period setting unit 22, notification unit 24, location information acquisition unit 26, card instruction acceptance unit 28, period information storage unit 30, possessed card information storage unit 32, and card information storage unit 34, which are described in Figures 1 to 15.

[0147] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. It should be noted that not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, the technical elements of the above-described embodiments may be applied alone, or may be divided into multiple parts such as program parts and hardware parts and applied.

[0148] The information communication terminal (user terminal) according to this embodiment can also be referred to in the following appended claims, which should not be confused with the claims. (Additional note 1) An imaging unit that captures an image of an imaging area; a card recognition unit that recognizes information about an analog card included in the imaging area; a display unit that displays an image of the analog card included in the imaging area captured by the imaging unit; a display control unit that combines at least a part of the information about the analog card with the image of the analog card displayed by the display unit; An information and communication terminal comprising: (Additional note 2) When only a portion of the analog card is included in the imaging area, The information and communication terminal described above, in which the card recognition unit recognizes information about the analog card when an image of the analog card is included in the imaging area within a range in which information about the analog card can be recognized, and maintains the recognized information as long as part of the analog card is included in the imaging area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 1. Card usage system 3. User terminal 5. Communication Network 7, 7a, 7b, 7c Analog Cards 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g, 7h, 7i Analog Cards 8, 8b Digital Card 9. Group 10. Image acquisition section 12 Card information identification section 14 Number of pieces specified 16 Possession Determination Department 18 Registration control section 20 Usability setting section 22 Usable period setting section 24 Notification Department 26 Location information acquisition section 28 Card Instructions Reception Department 30 Period information storage section 32 Card information storage section 34 Card information storage section 36 User information storage section 70 surface 72 Back side 300 Imaging instruction reception unit 302 Imaging unit 304 Card Recognition Unit 306 Display section 308 Display control section 320 Imaging Area 700 Card name display area 702 Character image display area 704 Card Effect Display Area 706 Card Number Display Area 708 Rarity display area

Claims

1. A card usage system that enables a digital card associated with an analog card to be used as digital data at a user terminal, comprising: a card information identification unit that identifies card information of the analog card without uniquely identifying the analog card based on image recognition of an image captured by an imaging means of the user terminal of the analog card; a period information storage unit that stores in advance period information, in association with the card information, indicating a period until re-imaging of the analog card that is required for continued use of the digital card corresponding to the analog card; a usable period setting unit that sets, based on the period information, a usable period for the digital data of the digital card associated with the analog card corresponding to the card information identified by the card information identification unit; A card usage system comprising:

2. a registration control unit that associates the card information identified by the card information identification unit with user information that identifies a user; a number determination unit that determines the number of the analog cards having the same card face; Further comprising:

2. The card usage system according to claim 1, wherein the registration control unit associates the number of the analog cards identified by the number identification unit with the card information of the analog cards.

3. a registration control unit that associates the card information identified by the card information identification unit with user information that identifies a user; a card information storage unit that stores the card information in association with the user information; a possession determination unit that determines whether the card information identified by the card information identification unit is stored in the possessed card information storage unit; Further comprising: When the possession determination unit determines that the card information is not stored in the possessed card information storage unit in association with the user information, the registration control unit associates the card information identified by the card information identification unit with the user information, A card usage system as described in claim 1, wherein when the possession determination unit determines that the card information is stored in the possessed card information storage unit in correspondence with the user information, the usable period setting unit extends the usable period based on the period information stored in the period information storage unit.

4. A number determination unit that determines the number of the analog cards having the same card face included in one of the captured images. Further comprising:

4. The card usage system according to claim 3, wherein the registration control unit associates the number of the analog cards identified by the number identification unit with the card information of the analog cards.

5. a notification unit that notifies, when the remaining period of the usable period becomes equal to or shorter than a predetermined period after the usable period is set, of a recommendation to capture an image again of the analog card associated with the digital card for which the usable period is set. The card usage system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

6. The card usage system of claim 5, wherein when the notification unit makes the notification, the notification unit can also notify of the recommendation to re-image the analog card corresponding to card information that does not correspond to the card information, based on the relationship in terms of use in the card game or digital game between the analog card or digital card corresponding to the card information to be notified and the analog card or digital card that does not correspond to the card information.

7. a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of a place where the captured image is acquired; Further comprising: The card usage system according to claim 2 , wherein the registration control unit determines whether or not to associate the card information identified by the card information identification unit with the user information based on the location information.

8. the possessed card information storage unit stores the number of times the analog card is imaged, which corresponds to the card information, in association with the user information; 3. The card usage system according to claim 2, wherein the usable period setting unit sets the usable period based on the number of times the image is captured.

9. The analog cards have a rarity setting.

9. The card usage system according to claim 1, wherein the period until re-imaging indicated by the period information becomes shorter as the rarity becomes higher.

10. The analog cards have a rarity setting. A card usage system as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein even if the rarities of the analog cards of the same type are different, the functions in the digital game of the digital cards corresponding to the analog cards of the same type are made the same.

11. a usability setting section for setting whether or not a digital card corresponding to the card information can be used in the digital game; Further comprising: A card usage system as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the usability setting unit permits use of the digital card, for which the usable period has been set, in the digital game, and after the usable period has elapsed, enables the digital card to be used in the digital game in a limited manner based on predetermined conditions.

12. A card usage method for enabling a digital card associated with an analog card to be used as digital data on a user terminal, comprising: a card information identification step of identifying card information of the analog card without uniquely identifying the analog card based on image recognition of an image captured by an imaging means of the user terminal of the analog card; a usable period setting step of setting a usable period of the digital card as the digital data associated with the analog card corresponding to the card information identified in the card information identifying step, based on period information stored in a period information storage unit that corresponds to the card information and that indicates a period until re-imaging of the analog card required for continued use of the digital card corresponding to the analog card; A method of using a card comprising the steps of:

13. A card usage program for a card usage system that enables a digital card associated with an analog card to be used as digital data on a user terminal, comprising: On the computer, a card information identification function that identifies card information of the analog card without uniquely identifying the analog card based on image recognition of an image captured by an imaging means of the user terminal of the analog card; a usable period setting function for setting a usable period for the digital data of the digital card associated with the analog card corresponding to the card information identified by the card information identification function, based on period information in a period information storage unit that stores in advance period information indicating a period until re-imaging of the analog card required for continued use of the digital card corresponding to the analog card, in association with the card information; A card usage program that makes this possible.

14. A server for a card usage system that enables a digital card associated with an analog card to be used as digital data on a user terminal, comprising: a card information identification unit that identifies card information of the analog card without uniquely identifying the analog card based on image recognition of an image captured by an imaging means of the user terminal of the analog card; a period information storage unit that stores in advance period information, in association with the card information, indicating a period until re-imaging of the analog card that is required for continued use of the digital card corresponding to the analog card; a usable period setting unit that sets, based on the period information, a usable period for the digital data of the digital card associated with the analog card corresponding to the card information identified by the card information identification unit; A server comprising:

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