Server device, control method of server device and program

Abstract

To provide a server device that activates economy of a local community which has a stadium or the like.SOLUTION: A server device comprises: disclosure means; first determination means; second determination means; point control means; and privilege control means. The disclosure means discloses a mission which game participants are requested to achieve. The first determination means determines whether or not the game participants exist in one of a plurality of facilities in a real world. The second determination means determines whether or not the game participants have achieved the mission set for the one facility. The point control means gives a point number corresponding to the one facility to one or more game participants who exist in the one facility and have achieved the mission, among the game participants. The privilege control means determines order among the game participants correspondingly to the point number obtained by the game participants, and gives privileges based on the determined order to the game participants.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device, a control method for a server device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art With the progress of information processing technology and communication technology, various services are provided over networks.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes that an event control program that controls the timing of generating an event using location information, which ensures that an application can be used only within a specific area, is provided. In Patent Document 1, the GPS (Global Positioning System) function of the mobile terminal confirms that the current location of the mobile terminal is within a specific area, and it is guaranteed that the service is provided only within the specific area. Furthermore, beacon terminals, etc. are identified using a receiving function of a wireless signal transmitted from a transmitter such as a beacon terminal, and the order of events to be generated is controlled according to the installation location of each transmitter. This control makes it possible to provide a highly entertaining service such as a stamp rally or treasure hunt, in which missions are accomplished by going around specific locations in order. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-068599 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When a stadium holds an event such as a baseball game or soccer game, or a concert, many people visit the stadium. However, once the event is over, there are few people spending money in the area surrounding the stadium, causing the economy of the area where the stadium is located to stagnate.

[0006] It should be noted that the application of the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 will not stimulate the economy around the stadium. Patent Document 1 merely provides a stamp rally that can only be played in a specific area, and even if users play the stamp rally in a specific area, it may not lead to economic revitalization.

[0007] The main object of the present invention is to provide a server device, a control method for a server device, and a program that contribute to revitalizing the economy of an area that has a stadium or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server device comprising: a publishing means for publishing to each of a plurality of game participants a mission in the real world that is set for each of a plurality of facilities in the real world and is required for the game participant to accomplish in order for the game participant to occupy a facility in the game corresponding to the facility in the real world; a first determination means for determining whether or not a game participant of the plurality of game participants is staying at a facility among the plurality of facilities in the real world; a second determination means for determining whether or not the one game participant has accomplished the mission set for the one facility; a point control means for awarding the one game participant a number of points corresponding to the one facility if the one game participant is staying at the one facility and has accomplished the mission set for the one facility; and a reward control means for determining a ranking among the plurality of game participants according to the number of points acquired by each of the plurality of game participants when the game ends, and awarding a reward based on the determined ranking to the game participant.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a server device, in a server device, a mission in the real world that is set for each of a plurality of facilities in the real world and that is required to be completed by the game participant, which mission is set for each of a plurality of facilities in the real world and is necessary for the game participant to occupy a facility in the game corresponding to the facility in the real world, a determination is made as to whether or not one of the plurality of game participants is staying at one of the plurality of facilities in the real world, a determination is made as to whether or not the one game participant has completed the mission set for the one facility, and if the one game participant is staying at the one facility and has completed the mission set for the one facility, a number of points corresponding to the one facility is awarded to the one game participant, and when the game ends, a ranking among the plurality of game participants is determined according to the number of points acquired by each of the plurality of game participants, and a benefit is awarded to the game participant based on the determined ranking.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer mounted on a server device to execute the following processes: a process of publishing to each of a plurality of game participants missions in the real world that are set for each of a plurality of facilities in the real world and that are required to be accomplished by the game participant, the missions being set for each of the plurality of facilities in the real world and being necessary for the game participant to occupy a facility in the game corresponding to the facility in the real world; a process of determining whether or not one of the plurality of game participants is staying at one of the plurality of facilities in the real world; a process of determining whether or not the one game participant has accomplished the mission set for the one facility; a process of giving the one game participant a number of points corresponding to the one facility if the one game participant is staying at the one facility and has accomplished the mission set for the one facility; and a process of determining a ranking among the plurality of game participants according to the number of points acquired by each of the plurality of game participants when the game ends, and giving the game participant a benefit based on the determined ranking. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to each aspect of the present invention, a server device, a control method for a server device, and a program are provided that contribute to revitalizing the economy of a region having a stadium or the like. Note that the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above. The present invention may achieve other effects instead of or in addition to the effects. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of the operation of one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a terminal according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information processing system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information processing system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information processing system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a terminal according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a server device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user management database according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a facility management database according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game control unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game control unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 14]FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a terminal according to the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a terminal according to the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a terminal according to the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a terminal according to the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] First, an outline of one embodiment will be described. The reference numerals in the drawings attached to this outline are attached to each element for convenience as an example to aid in understanding, and the description of this outline is not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the blocks illustrated in each drawing represent a functional unit configuration, not a hardware unit configuration. The connection lines between the blocks in each drawing include both bidirectional and unidirectional. The unidirectional arrows are intended to show the main signal (data) flow diagrammatically, and do not exclude bidirectionality. In this specification and the drawings, elements that can be similarly described may be given the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.

[0014] The server device 100 according to an embodiment includes a publishing means 101, a first determining means 102, a second determining means 103, a point control means 104, and a reward control means 105 (see FIG. 1). The publishing means 101 publishes a mission in the real world that the game participant is required to accomplish to each of the multiple game participants (step S1 in FIG. 2). The mission is set for each of multiple facilities in the real world, and is a matter necessary for the game participant to occupy a facility in the game corresponding to the facility in the real world. The first determining means 102 determines whether or not one of the multiple game participants is staying at one of the multiple facilities in the real world (step S2). The second determining means 103 determines whether or not the one game participant has accomplished the mission set for the one facility (step S3). The point control means 104 gives the one game participant a number of points corresponding to the one facility when the one game participant stays at the one facility and has accomplished the mission set for the one facility (step S4). When the game ends, the bonus control means 105 determines the ranking among the multiple game participants according to the number of points each of the multiple game participants has acquired, and gives the game participants bonuses based on the determined rankings (step S5).

[0015] In a game (check-in game, described later) provided by the server device 100, the winner of the game and the high-ranking game participants are given prizes such as prizes and discount coupons. Users who participate in the game aim to occupy facilities in the game in order to earn points that affect the outcome of the game. To occupy (check in to) a facility, the user is required to actually visit a central facility in the area, such as a stadium, and its surrounding facilities, and to accomplish a mission set for each facility, such as the stadium. A mission is set for each facility, which requires the user to shop at the facility visited. Therefore, in order to win, game participants travel around not only the stadium but also the surrounding facilities, and engage in consumption behavior, etc., to accomplish the mission at the travel destination. As a result, many game participants (visitors of the stadium, etc.) visit the surrounding facilities of the stadium, etc., and engage in consumption behavior, which revitalizes the economy of the area including the stadium, etc.

[0016] Specific embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] [First embodiment] The first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [System configuration] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The information processing system according to the first embodiment includes a server device 10.

[0019] The server device 10 is a server that handles measures for revitalizing the economy of a region having a specific facility (a central facility in the region; a stadium in the example of FIG. 3). The server device 10 may be installed in the specific facility, or may be installed on a network (on the cloud).

[0020] A user (e.g., a visitor to the stadium) carries a terminal 20. The user operates the terminal 20 to input various pieces of information to the server device 10. Alternatively, the user obtains various pieces of information from the server device 10 via the terminal 20.

[0021] Each device shown in Fig. 3 is connected to a network. For example, the server device 10 is connected to the network by a wired or wireless communication means.

[0022] The configuration of the information processing system shown in Fig. 3 is an example, and is not intended to be limiting. For example, a plurality of server devices 10 may be included in the system. Also, the description of Fig. 3 is not intended to limit facilities, etc., targeted by the information processing system according to the first embodiment to the description of Fig. 3.

[0023] [General operation] Next, an outline of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0024] <Installing game applications> Before visiting the stadium, the user installs a predetermined application on the terminal 20. The user operates the terminal 20 to download a "game app" from a predetermined website or the like and installs the game app on the terminal 20.

[0025] The game app provides a game for visitors to a stadium (a central facility in the area) to visit and explore facilities other than the stadium (in the example of FIG. 3, station A, retail store B, restaurant C, and park D). Details of the game will be described later.

[0026] <User registration> Once the installation of the game app is complete, the user performs user registration. The user launches the game app and performs a predetermined operation (for example, pressing a user registration button).

[0027] In response to an operation by a user, the terminal 20 accesses the server device 10. The server device 10 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on the terminal 20 and acquires information such as the user's name, sex, date of birth, address, and email address.

[0028] When the server device 10 acquires the name, sex, email address, etc. from the user, it generates a user ID for identifying the user. The server device 10 associates the generated user ID with the acquired information and registers them in a user management database. The user management database will be described in detail later.

[0029] Furthermore, the server device 10 issues the generated user ID to the user. The server device 10 transmits the generated user ID to the terminal 20. The terminal 20 stores the received user ID.

[0030] <Check-in game> The game app installed on the user's terminal 20 provides the user with a "check-in game." The check-in game is a game in which multiple users compete with each other to occupy real facilities (e.g., a stadium, station A, retail store B, etc.) in a virtual space. The check-in game encourages users to explore surrounding facilities by competing to occupy the facilities in the virtual space (within the game).

[0031] In the following explanation, a user's occupancy of a facility in virtual space that corresponds to a facility in real space (taking ownership of the facility) is referred to as "checking in" to the facility.

[0032] In the check-in game, there are two requirements (conditions) that a user must meet in order to check in to a facility. The user who meets both requirements first can check in (occupy) the facility.

[0033] The first requirement is that the user is present in the real world at a facility in the real world that corresponds to the facility to be checked in. For example, to check in at station A in the game, the user must actually be located (staying) at station A. Hereinafter, the first requirement is referred to as the "location requirement."

[0034] The second requirement is that users accomplish the "missions" set for each facility. The missions involve actions that users must perform in the real world. Hereinafter, the second requirement will be referred to as the "mission requirements."

[0035] For example, a mission requirement for station A may be set to "arrive at station A." Or, a mission requirement for retail store B may be set to "make a purchase of 1000 yen or more at retail store B."

[0036] In this way, in the check-in game, missions are set for occupying (checking in) each facility in the game. Missions are set for each facility, and the difficulty and content of the missions (for example, the number of items that make up the mission) vary depending on the facility.

[0037] <Starting the check-in game> The user operates the terminal 20 to start a game application. In response to the start of the game application, the terminal 20 accesses the server device 10. At that time, the terminal 20 transmits a user ID issued by the server device 10 to the server device 10.

[0038] The server device 10 identifies users (game participants) who will participate in the game based on the user IDs.

[0039] The server device 10 determines game participants by dividing time periods. For example, users who access the server device 10 during each hourly time period (e.g., 9:00 to 10:00, 10:00 to 11:00) are treated as participants of one check-in game.

[0040] When the check-in game start time (10:00 and 11:00 in the above example) arrives, the server device 10 makes the "missions" set for each facility public to the game participants. The server device 10 displays a screen such as that shown in FIG. 4 on the terminal 20 carried by each user. Note that in FIG. 4, detailed display of the missions set for facilities other than Station A is omitted.

[0041] The user, carrying the terminal 20, heads to a facility (a stadium, a station, a retail store, etc.) to accomplish a published mission.

[0042] Here, when the check-in game starts, the terminal 20 calculates the location information of the terminal itself using a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal or the like. The terminal 20 transmits the calculated location information (coordinate information; latitude, longitude) to the server device 10. Specifically, the terminal 20 transmits a "current location notification" including a user ID and location information to the server device 10 periodically or at a predetermined timing (see FIG. 5).

[0043] The server device 10 identifies the user based on the user ID received from the terminal 20. The server device 10 uses the received location information to store the current location of the identified user (game participant) in the user management database.

[0044] Furthermore, the server device 10 reflects the user's current location on the map of the check-in game (see FIG. 6). The server device 10 converts the user's real-world coordinates into the coordinates of an avatar (user's character) in the virtual space of the game.

[0045] For example, if the user himself is staying at station A, the corresponding avatar will also be staying at station A. If the user moves towards the stadium, the corresponding avatar will also move towards the stadium.

[0046] When the user arrives at a facility for which a mission has been set, the user carries out the mission corresponding to that facility.

[0047] In the above example, when the user arrives at Station A, the mission set for Station A is accomplished. Alternatively, when the user makes a purchase of 1,000 yen or more at Retailer B, the mission set for Retailer B is accomplished.

[0048] A user who has determined that the mission has been accomplished reports the completion of the mission to the server device 10. Specifically, a user who has determined that the mission has been accomplished presses a "Mission Completed" button displayed on the terminal 20.

[0049] In response to pressing the mission completion button, the server device 10 determines whether or not the user can check in at the facility where the user has arrived (whether the check-in is successful or unsuccessful).

[0050] The server device 10 determines whether or not the first requirement (location requirement) is satisfied based on the current location of the user.

[0051] Furthermore, the server device 10 may, if necessary, request the user to provide information for determining whether the second requirement (mission requirement) is satisfied. For example, in the above example of retail store B, the server device 10 requests the user to provide objective information (hereinafter, referred to as evidence information) showing that the user has made a purchase of 1000 yen or more (see FIG. 7).

[0052] For example, the user operates the terminal 20 to photograph a receipt issued by retail store B. The server device 10 analyzes the evidence information (for example, image data showing the receipt) to determine whether the mission has been accomplished.

[0053] Depending on the contents of the mission, the server device 10 may not need to acquire evidence information.

[0054] If the location requirement and the mission requirement are satisfied for an unoccupied facility (a facility where check-in has not yet been performed), the server device 10 determines that the user has successfully checked into the facility.

[0055] When a user successfully checks in to a facility, the server device 10 gives the user "points" corresponding to the facility that the user checked in to. When a user successfully checks in to a facility, the user is given points preset for each facility.

[0056] The server device 10 discloses the progress of the game to each user. Specifically, the server device 10 discloses the current locations of other users and the status of each facility (checked in, not checked in) to each user.

[0057] For example, the server device 10 displays a screen as shown in Fig. 8 on each user's terminal 20. In the drawings including Fig. 8, a white character (a character with an arrow pointing upward) indicates the user's own character (avatar), and a grey character indicates the character of another game participant.

[0058] <End of check-in game> When the check-in game ends, the server device 10 tallies up the points acquired by each game participant. The server device 10 determines the ranking (win / lose) of the game participants according to the number of points acquired by each game participant. The server device 10 awards rewards to the game participants according to the determined ranking.

[0059] For example, the winner of the game or the participants who placed highly in the game may be given goods related to the baseball team or soccer team that plays at the stadium. Alternatively, the winner of the game may be given a discount coupon that can be used at the stadium or in the vicinity.

[0060] Next, each device included in the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0061] [Server device] 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the server device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 9, the server device 10 includes a communication control unit 201, a user registration unit 202, a game control unit 203, and a storage unit 204.

[0062] The communication control unit 201 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 201 receives data (packets) from the terminal 20. The communication control unit 201 also transmits data to the terminal 20. The communication control unit 201 passes the data received from the other devices to the other processing modules. The communication control unit 201 transmits the data acquired from the other processing modules to the other devices. In this way, the other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from the other devices via the communication control unit 201. The communication control unit 201 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from the other devices and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to the other devices.

[0063] The user registration unit 202 is a means for performing user registration. The user registration unit 202 acquires the user's name, sex, address, date of birth, email address, etc. from a predetermined web page, etc.

[0064] Furthermore, the user registration unit 202 generates a user ID for the user whose name, etc., has been acquired. The user ID may be any information that can uniquely identify the user. For example, the user registration unit 202 may assign a unique value each time a user is registered as the user ID.

[0065] The user registration unit 202 stores the generated user ID and the acquired information in a user management database (see FIG. 10). Note that the user management database shown in FIG. 10 is merely an example, and is not intended to limit the items to be stored. For example, the user management database may store information regarding benefits given to users.

[0066] The user registration unit 202 transmits the generated user ID to the terminal 20 of the user.

[0067] The game control unit 203 is a means for executing control relating to the check-in game.

[0068] The game control unit 203 has functions as a revealing means, a first determining means, a second determining means, a point control means, a benefit control means, a movement control means, and a progress control means.

[0069] The publishing means publishes to each of the multiple game participants a mission in the real world that is set for each of the multiple facilities in the real world and is required for the game participant to accomplish in order for the game participant to occupy a facility in the game corresponding to the facility in the real world.

[0070] The first determination means determines whether or not one of the plurality of game participants is staying at one of the plurality of facilities in the real world.

[0071] The second determination means determines whether or not a game participant has accomplished a mission set for a facility.

[0072] The point control means gives the game participant a number of points corresponding to the facility when the game participant stays at the facility and accomplishes a mission set for the facility.

[0073] When the game ends, the benefit control means determines the ranking among the plurality of game participants according to the number of points acquired by each of the plurality of game participants, and gives the game participants a benefit based on the determined ranking.

[0074] The movement control means moves an avatar corresponding to a game participant on an in-game map simulating an area including a plurality of facilities in the real world in accordance with the movement of the game participant in the real world.

[0075] The progress control means discloses information regarding at least the occupancy status of each of a plurality of facilities in the real world to each of a plurality of game participants.

[0076] The operation of the game control unit 203 including the above-mentioned means will be described in detail below.

[0077] When a user operates terminal 20 to access a web page or the like for starting a check-in game, game control unit 203 acquires a user ID from terminal 20. Game control unit 203 searches the user management database using the user ID as a key to identify the corresponding user.

[0078] The game control unit 203 sets the identified user as a game participant. The game control unit 203 sets "before the game starts" in the status field of the corresponding entry in the user management database.

[0079] When the predetermined game start time arrives, the game control unit 203 starts the check-in game. The game control unit 203 sets "in game" in the status field of the game participant.

[0080] When the game starts, the game control unit 203 discloses the missions set for each facility to the game participants.

[0081] The game control unit 203 refers to a facility management database that stores information about each facility (for example, name and coordinate information (latitude, longitude)) in association with the contents of the missions, etc.

[0082] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a facility management database. As shown in Fig. 11, the facility management database stores information about a facility, the number of points given to a user who has successfully checked in, the contents of a mission, the state of check-in, and the like, in association with each other. Note that the facility management database shown in Fig. 11 is merely an example, and is not intended to limit the items to be stored.

[0083] The system administrator or the like inputs in advance the mission details set for each facility and the number of points that the user will earn when the facility is checked in to the server device 10. The system administrator or the like determines the number of points to be awarded to the user, taking into consideration the difficulty of the mission, the location of the facility, etc.

[0084] The game control unit 203 reads out facility information and mission details from the facility management database, and displays the facilities and the corresponding missions on each game participant's terminal 20. For example, the game control unit 203 displays a screen such as that shown in FIG.

[0085] The game control unit 203 processes the current position notification received from the terminal 20. The operation of the game control unit 203 when a current position notification is received from the terminal 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 12.

[0086] The game control unit 203 receives a "current location notification" from the user's terminal 20 (step S101).

[0087] The game control unit 203 identifies the user who is playing the game based on the user ID included in the current position notification (step S102).

[0088] The game control unit 203 updates the identified current location of the user based on the current location included in the current location notification (step S103). The game control unit 203 stores the location information (coordinate information) included in the current location notification in the current location field of the user management database.

[0089] When the game control unit 203 updates the current position of the user, it updates the current position of the avatar corresponding to the user (the position of the avatar shown on the terminal 20) (step S104). The game control unit 203 converts the coordinate information of the real world into coordinate information of the game coordinate system, and moves the avatar corresponding to the position according to the user's current position.

[0090] In this way, the game control unit 203 acquires the location information of the terminal 20 carried by the game participant from the terminal 20, and moves the avatar of the game participant based on the acquired location information.

[0091] The game control unit 203 also updates the positions of the avatars corresponding to the owner of the terminal 20 that received the current location notification on the game screens of game participants other than the owner of the terminal 20 that transmitted the current location notification. As a result, the positions of the avatars corresponding to the game participants are updated (changed) in real time on the game screen as shown in FIG.

[0092] The game control unit 203 controls whether or not the user can check in to the facility. Specifically, when the user presses the "Mission Complete" button displayed on the terminal 20, the game control unit 203 determines whether or not the user can check in to the facility.

[0093] The operation of the game control unit 203 when the mission completion button is pressed will be described with reference to FIG.

[0094] When the mission completion button is pressed, the game control unit 203 acquires the current location of the user who pressed the mission completion button from the user management database (step S201).

[0095] The game control unit 203 uses the acquired current location to determine whether or not the user is staying at a facility for which a mission is set. That is, the game control unit 203 performs a determination regarding a location requirement for the user to check in at the facility (step S202).

[0096] For example, the game control unit 203 calculates the difference between the user's current location (coordinate information) and the location (coordinate information) of each facility stored in the facility management database. If the calculated difference is within a predetermined range, the game control unit 203 determines that the user is staying at a facility where the difference is within the predetermined range. If there is no facility where the calculated difference is within the predetermined range, the game control unit 203 determines that the user is not staying at any of the facilities for which a mission is set.

[0097] If the user is not staying at the facility (step S203, No branch), the game control unit 203 does not allow the user to check in to the facility. The game control unit 203 sets the check-in determination result to "check-in not permitted" (step S204).

[0098] If the user is staying at a facility (step S203, Yes branch), the game control unit 203 determines whether the facility where the user has arrived has been checked in by another person (determining check-in status; step S205). The game control unit 203 makes this determination by obtaining the status of the facility where the user is staying (checked in, not checked in) from the facility management database.

[0099] If the facility has already been checked in (step S206, Yes branch), the game control unit 203 sets the check-in determination result to "check-in not permitted" (step S204).

[0100] If the user has not checked in to the facility (step S206, No branch), the game control unit 203 determines whether or not the mission requirements of the facility where the user has arrived are satisfied (determination of mission requirements; step S207).

[0101] Specifically, the game control unit 203 reads out the contents of the mission corresponding to the facility where the user is staying from the facility management database. The game control unit 203 uses the read out contents of the mission to determine whether the mission has been accomplished or not.

[0102] For example, the game control unit 203 uses the user's current location to determine whether the mission is accomplished or not. For example, in the case of a mission such as "arrive at station A" set at station A, the game control unit 203 uses the user's current location to determine whether the mission is accomplished or not.

[0103] On the other hand, in the case of a mission set for retail store B, such as "Shop for 1000 yen or more at retail store B," the game control unit 203 requests the user to provide information (evidence information) that objectively indicates that the mission has been accomplished. For example, the game control unit 203 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) as shown in FIG. 14 on the terminal 20 and requests the user to take a picture of a receipt issued by retail store B.

[0104] The game control unit 203 analyzes the image data acquired by the GUI to determine whether the mission set for retail store B has been accomplished or not. Specifically, the game control unit 203 uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology to read the name of the store where the purchase was made and the amount paid from the image data to determine whether the mission has been accomplished or not. Alternatively, the game control unit 203 may make the above determination using a learning model (AI (Artificial Intelligence) model) prepared in advance.

[0105] In this way, the game control unit 203 determines whether or not the game participant has accomplished the mission using the location information acquired from the terminal 20 carried by the game participant. Alternatively, the game control unit 203 may acquire objective information from the game participant indicating that the mission has been accomplished, and determine whether or not the game participant has accomplished the mission based on the acquired objective information.

[0106] If the mission has not been accomplished (step S208, No branch), the game control unit 203 sets the check-in determination result to "check-in not possible" (step S204).

[0107] If the mission has been accomplished (step S208, Yes branch), the game control unit 203 sets the check-in determination result to "check-in allowed" (step S209).

[0108] Furthermore, the game control unit 203 gives points to the user who has successfully checked in according to the facility that the user occupied (the facility where the user successfully checked in) (step S210). Specifically, the game control unit 203 reads the number of points set for the facility where the user has successfully checked in from the facility management database, and stores (adds) the read number of points in the point field of the user management database.

[0109] The game control unit 203 also updates the facility management database by setting the status of the facility where the user has checked in to "checked in." Furthermore, the game control unit 203 stores the user ID of the user who has successfully checked in in the occupant field of the facility management database.

[0110] The game control unit 203 notifies the user of the check-in determination result (check-in OK, check-in not OK) (step S211). For example, if the check-in is successful, the game control unit 203 displays a screen as shown in FIG.

[0111] Alternatively, if the check-in fails, the game control unit 203 displays a screen such as that shown in FIG.

[0112] When the game end time arrives, the game control unit 203 ends the check-in game. When the game ends, the game control unit 203 initializes the status field of the user management database, the status field of the facility management database, the occupant field, and the like.

[0113] When the game ends, the game control unit 203 determines the ranking (win or lose) among the game participants according to the points acquired by each game participant. The game control unit 203 gives points to the game participants based on their game ranking.

[0114] For example, the game control unit 203 may give a discount coupon for obtaining a good prize or a large discount to a user with a high ranking. Alternatively, the game control unit 203 may give a special benefit to the top three game participants, for example.

[0115] A detailed description of the benefits given to game participants, how the benefits are determined, and how the benefits are given will be omitted, as the provision of benefits is obvious to those skilled in the art and is beyond the scope of the present disclosure.

[0116] For example, a user may receive a gift or discount coupon at a designated location in a stadium. For example, the user may provide his / her name, etc. to a stadium attendant, etc. The attendant inputs the user's name into server device 10 using an attendant terminal (not shown in FIG. 3, etc.). Server device 10 identifies the user corresponding to the acquired name, and notifies the attendant (attendant terminal) of information on the gift, discount coupon, etc. that the user has obtained.

[0117] The game control unit 203 notifies each game participant of the game result, the awarded benefits, etc. For example, the game control unit 203 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 17 on the terminal 20 of the winner of the game (the user who has acquired the most points).

[0118] The storage unit 204 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the server device 10.

[0119] [Device] Examples of the terminal 20 include a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a game machine, and a tablet. The terminal 20 can be any equipment or device that can accept user operations and communicate with the server device 10, etc. In addition, since the configuration of the terminal 20 is clear to those skilled in the art, detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0120] Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described.

[0121] <Variation 1> The missions described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and missions having other contents may be set. For example, a mission for Park D may be set to "Shop for 300 yen or more at a store in the park and stay for 10 minutes or more." In such a case, the game control unit 203 of the server device 10 stores a history of location information of each user. The game control unit 203 may determine whether the mission has been completed or not using evidence information (receipts) acquired from the user and the history of location information.

[0122] Alternatively, a mission such as "go around the stadium" may be set as a mission for the stadium. In this way, the mission set for the facility may be related to the physical strength of the user. In this case, the game control unit 203 may determine whether the mission has been accomplished (whether the user has gone around the stadium) based on the history of the position information at the time when the user presses the mission completion button.

[0123] In this way, the game control unit 203 of the server device 10 may use the history of position information acquired from the terminal 20 possessed by the game participant to determine whether or not the game participant has accomplished the mission.

[0124] Alternatively, the mission set for a facility may be related to a social networking service (SNS). For example, a mission may be set for restaurant C, such as "take a picture of restaurant C and post it on an SNS." In this case, the game control unit 203 requests the submission of an SNS posting screen (screenshot) or the like as evidence information. The game control unit 203 may analyze the acquired posting screen (image data) and determine whether an image showing restaurant C has been posted on the SNS.

[0125] In this way, the game control unit 203 may acquire information regarding posts on a social networking service (SNS) from game participants as objective information indicating that a mission has been accomplished.

[0126] <Variation 2> The server device 10 may provide a check-in game in which groups of multiple users compete for the most points earned. In this case, the game control unit 203 of the server device 10 divides the game participants into groups automatically or according to the user's request.

[0127] When the end time of the check-in game arrives, the game control unit 203 tallies up the points acquired by each member (game participant) belonging to each group, and calculates the number of points acquired for each group.

[0128] The game control unit 203 determines the ranking of the groups based on the number of points acquired by each group. A predetermined benefit is awarded to the game participants who belong to the winning group and the game participants who belong to the high-ranking group.

[0129] In this way, the game control unit 203 may realize a check-in game in which multiple teams compete for point balance. That is, multiple game participants are divided into multiple groups. The game control unit 203 determines the ranking among the multiple groups according to the number of points acquired by each game participant belonging to each group. The game control unit 203 gives a privilege to the game participants belonging to each group based on the determined ranking of the group.

[0130] <Variation 3> The server device 10 may obtain evidence information from facilities such as retail stores and restaurants, instead of obtaining evidence information from users (for example, image data showing receipts issued by retail stores and the like).

[0131] For example, the server device 10 may obtain evidence information by settlement using biometric information. In this case, the server device 10 obtains the biometric information (e.g., face information) and credit card information of the user at the time of user registration.

[0132] A POS (Point of Sale) terminal is installed in a restaurant or the like. When a user purchases a product or service at a restaurant or the like, the POS terminal transmits biometric information (face information) and payment information of the user to a server device 10.

[0133] The game control unit 203 of the server device 10 executes an authentication (matching) process using the preregistered biometric information and the biometric information acquired from the POS terminal to identify the product purchaser. The game control unit 203 performs payment using the credit card information and payment information of the identified product purchaser. If the payment is successful, the game control unit 203 stores the payment information acquired from the POS terminal in the user management database.

[0134] When the user presses the mission completion button, the game control unit 203 uses the payment information stored in association with the user as evidence information to determine whether the mission has been accomplished or not.

[0135] In this way, instead of the user sending a receipt to the server device 10, payment information used at the time of payment by face authentication may be sent to the server device 10.

[0136] <Variation 4> The server device 10 may allow only users who are staying in the vicinity of the stadium (stadium visitors) to participate in the check-in game.

[0137] In this case, the game control unit 203 may determine whether or not the user can participate in the game based on the user's current location. The game control unit 203 acquires the user's current location at the start of the game. If the acquired current location is within a predetermined range (around the stadium), the game control unit 203 permits the user to participate in the game.

[0138] As described above, the information processing system according to the first embodiment provides a check-in game. In the check-in game, the winner of the game and the high-ranking game participants are given benefits such as prizes and discount coupons. Game users aim to occupy facilities in the game in order to earn points that affect the outcome of the game. In order to check in a facility, the user must actually visit a central facility in the area, such as a stadium, and its surrounding facilities, and complete a mission set for each facility, such as the stadium. A mission is set for each facility, which requires the user to spend more than a predetermined amount of money at the facility visited. Therefore, the game participants travel around not only the stadium but also the surrounding facilities in order to win, and engage in consumption behavior and the like to complete the mission at the travel destination. As a result, many game participants visit the surrounding facilities, such as the stadium, and engage in consumption behavior, which revitalizes the economy of the area including the stadium.

[0139] Next, the hardware of each device constituting the information processing system will be described. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server device 10.

[0140] The server device 10 can be configured by an information processing device (so-called a computer), and has the configuration exemplified in Fig. 18. For example, the server device 10 has a processor 311, a memory 312, an input / output interface 313, a communication interface 314, etc. The components such as the processor 311 are connected by an internal bus or the like, and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0141] However, the configuration shown in Fig. 18 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the server device 10. The server device 10 may include hardware not shown, and may not include the input / output interface 313 as necessary. In addition, the number of processors 311 and the like included in the server device 10 is not intended to be limited to the example shown in Fig. 18, and for example, the server device 10 may include multiple processors 311.

[0142] The processor 311 is, for example, a programmable device such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP). Alternatively, the processor 311 may be a device such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor 311 executes various programs including an operating system (OS).

[0143] The memory 312 is a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The memory 312 stores an OS program, application programs, and various data.

[0144] The input / output interface 313 is an interface for a display device and an input device (not shown). The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display, etc. The input device is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. that accepts user operations.

[0145] The communication interface 314 is a circuit, a module, etc. that communicates with other devices. For example, the communication interface 314 includes a network interface card (NIC).

[0146] The functions of the server device 10 are realized by various processing modules. The processing modules are realized, for example, by the processor 311 executing a program stored in the memory 312. The program can be recorded in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transitory medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical recording medium. That is, the present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. The program can be downloaded via a network or updated using a storage medium storing the program. The processing modules may also be realized by a semiconductor chip.

[0147] The terminal 20 can also be configured by an information processing device like the server device 10, and the basic hardware configuration is no different from that of the server device 10, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0148] The server device 10 is equipped with a computer, and the computer executes a program to realize the functions of the server device 10. The server device 10 also executes a control method for the server device 10 by the program.

[0149] [Variations] The configuration, operation, etc. of the information processing system described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the system configuration, etc.

[0150] When the user's terminal 20 determines that the user has completed the mission, the terminal 20 may notify the user of the completion of the mission. For example, when the user arrives at a facility, the terminal 20 may display a pop-up mission completion button. The terminal 20 may detect that the user is staying near the facility where the user is to check in, and display the mission completion button.

[0151] In the above embodiment, the stadium is also described as a facility that is a target of check-in. However, the stadium (a central facility in the area) may be excluded from the target facilities of the check-in game. This is because one of the purposes of the information processing system disclosed in the present application is to encourage users to visit facilities (e.g., retail stores, restaurants, etc.) surrounding the stadium.

[0152] The server device 10 may change the facility for which a mission is set, the content of the mission set at the facility, the number of points given to a user for checking in at the facility, etc., depending on the season, day of the week, time of day, etc.

[0153] A time limit may be set for each facility's mission from the start of the game to completion. For example, the mission for Station A must be completed within 10 minutes from the start of the game, and the mission for Retail Store B must be completed within 30 minutes from the start of the game. In this way, a time limit may be set for the completion of the mission itself.

[0154] In the above embodiment, the server device 10 acquires location information of the terminal 20 carried by the user from the terminal 20, and changes the location of the avatar in the virtual space based on the acquired location information. The server device 10 may acquire information from an authentication terminal (not shown in FIG. 3, etc.) installed in various places (e.g., stations, stadiums, retail stores, restaurants, etc.) in the target area to identify the location of the user. The server device 10 stores biometric information (e.g., face information) of each user and acquires the biometric information of the user from the authentication terminal. The server device 10 executes biometric authentication. If the biometric authentication is successful, the server device 10 determines that the user detected by the authentication terminal is present at the location (e.g., station or stadium) where the authentication terminal is installed. The server device 10 changes the location of the avatar in the virtual space based on the location (location in the real world) of the user identified by the biometric authentication.

[0155] The server device 10 may obtain, from the user, information on an avatar to be displayed on the game screen when the user is registered. Specifically, the user registration unit 202 may obtain image data of a character or the like that the user likes, and use the obtained character or the like as the user's avatar.

[0156] The server device 10 may award points to a user based on other events in addition to the completion of checking in to a facility. For example, the game control unit 203 of the server device 10 may award points based on the progress of a mission at the end of a game. For example, consider a mission such as "go around the stadium once." In this case, even if the user has not completed the mission (go around the stadium once) at the end of the game, the game control unit 203 may award points to the user according to the distance the user has traveled around the stadium. In other words, a mission may be set in which the number of points awarded to a facility is determined in stages.

[0157] Alternatively, the game control unit 203 may award points according to the remaining time until the end of the game. Note that a game participant may check in to any one of a plurality of facilities. In this case, more points are awarded to a user who completes the check-in to the facility as quickly as possible. That is, more points are awarded to a game participant who completes a mission with a high level of difficulty as quickly as possible. Specifically, when a user completes a mission and successfully checks in to the facility, the game control unit 203 treats the game of the user as over. The game control unit 203 may calculate the remaining time from a preset game end time and the user's game end time, and award points to the user according to the remaining time. The game control unit 203 determines the ranking among the game participants based on the number of points each game participant has acquired by checking in to the facility and the number of points acquired according to the remaining time.

[0158] In the above embodiment, the case where the user management database and facility management database are configured inside the server device 10 has been described, but these databases may be constructed in an external database server or the like. That is, some of the functions of the server device 10 may be implemented in another device. More specifically, it is sufficient that the above-described "game control unit (game control means)" and the like are implemented in any of the devices included in the system.

[0159] In the flow charts (flow charts, sequence diagrams) used in the above description, multiple steps (processes) are described in order, but the order of execution of the steps executed in the embodiments is not limited to the order described. In the embodiments, the order of the steps shown in the figures can be changed to a degree that does not interfere with the content, such as executing each process in parallel.

[0160] The above-mentioned embodiments have been described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, and it is not intended that all of the configurations described above are necessary. In addition, when a plurality of embodiments are described, each embodiment may be used alone or in combination. For example, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of an embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of an embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of an embodiment with another configuration.

[0161] From the above explanation, the industrial applicability of the present invention is clear, and the present invention can be suitably applied to an information processing system that provides a movement-linked game linked to the movement of a user.

[0162] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0163] [Appendix 1] a publishing means for publishing to each of the plurality of game participants a mission in the real world that is set for each of a plurality of facilities in the real world and is required for the game participant to accomplish, the mission being necessary for the game participant to occupy a facility in the game corresponding to the facility in the real world; a first determination means for determining whether or not one of the plurality of game participants is staying at one of the plurality of facilities in the real world; a second determination means for determining whether or not the one game participant has accomplished the mission set for the one facility; a point control means for giving the one game participant a number of points corresponding to the one facility when the one game participant stays in the one facility and accomplishes the mission set for the one facility; a reward control means for determining a ranking among the plurality of game participants according to the number of points acquired by each of the plurality of game participants when the game ends, and giving a reward to each of the game participants based on the determined ranking; A server device comprising: [Appendix 2] a movement control means for moving an avatar corresponding to the game participant on a map within the game simulating an area including a plurality of facilities in the real world in response to movement of the game participant in the real world; The server device according to claim 1, wherein the movement control means acquires location information of a terminal carried by the game participant from the terminal, and moves the avatar based on the acquired location information. [Appendix 3] The server device described in Appendix 2, wherein the second determination means determines whether or not the one game participant has completed the mission using the location information obtained from a terminal held by the one game participant. [Appendix 4] The server device described in Appendix 3, wherein the second determination means determines whether or not the one game participant has completed the mission using a history of the location information obtained from a terminal held by the one game participant. [Appendix 5] The second judgment means acquires objective information from the one game participant indicating that the mission has been accomplished, and judges whether the one game participant has accomplished the mission based on the acquired objective information. [Appendix 6] The server device according to claim 5, wherein the second determination means obtains information regarding a post on a social networking service (SNS) from the one game participant as objective information indicating that the mission has been accomplished. [Appendix 7] The server device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a progress control means for disclosing information regarding the occupancy status of each of the plurality of facilities in the real world to each of the plurality of game participants. [Appendix 8] The plurality of game participants are grouped into any of a plurality of groups; The server device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, wherein the bonus control means determines a ranking among the multiple groups based on the number of points earned by each game participant belonging to each group, and grants bonuses to the game participants belonging to each group based on the determined group ranking. [Appendix 9] In the server device, publishing to each of the game participants a mission in the real world that is set for each of a plurality of facilities in the real world and is required for the game participant to accomplish, the mission being necessary for the game participant to occupy a facility in the game corresponding to the facility in the real world; determining whether or not one of the plurality of game participants is staying at one of the plurality of facilities in the real world; determining whether or not the one game participant has accomplished the mission set for the one facility; when the one game participant stays at the one facility and accomplishes the mission set for the one facility, give the one game participant a number of points corresponding to the one facility; A method for controlling a server device, which, when a game ends, determines a ranking among the plurality of game participants according to the number of points acquired by each of the plurality of game participants, and gives a privilege to the game participants based on the determined ranking. [Appendix 10] A computer installed in the server device a process of disclosing to each of a plurality of game participants a mission in the real world that is set for each of a plurality of facilities in the real world and is required for the game participant to accomplish, the mission being necessary for the game participant to occupy a facility in the game corresponding to the facility in the real world; A process of determining whether or not one of the plurality of game participants is staying at one of the plurality of facilities in the real world; a process of determining whether or not the one game participant has accomplished the mission set for the one facility; a process of giving the one game participant a number of points corresponding to the one facility when the one game participant stays at the one facility and accomplishes the mission set for the one facility; When the game ends, a process of determining a ranking among the plurality of game participants according to the number of points acquired by each of the plurality of game participants and giving a privilege to the game participants based on the determined ranking; A program for executing.

[0164] In addition, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 8 that are dependent on Supplementary Note 1 above may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 9 and 10 in the same dependent relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 8. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Notes 1, 9, and 10, but similarly, some or all of the configurations described as supplementary notes may be dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems within the scope of each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0165] The disclosures of the above cited prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are merely illustrative and that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and amendments that a person skilled in the art can make in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the scope of the claims, and the technical ideas. [Explanation of symbols]

[0166] 10. Server device 20 Terminals 100 Server device 101 Disclosure methods 102 First determination means 103 Second Judgment Method 104 Point Control Means 105 Benefit Control Measures 201 Communication control section 202 User Registration Department 203 Game control unit 204 Storage section 311 Processor 312 Memory 313 Input / Output Interface 314 Communication Interface

Claims

1. a publishing means for publishing to each of the plurality of game participants a mission in the real world that is set for each of a plurality of facilities in the real world and is required for the game participant to accomplish, the mission being necessary for the game participant to occupy a facility in the game corresponding to the facility in the real world; a first determination means for determining whether or not one of the plurality of game participants is staying at one of the plurality of facilities in the real world; a second determination means for determining whether or not the one game participant has accomplished the mission set for the one facility; a point control means for giving the one game participant a number of points corresponding to the one facility when the one game participant stays in the one facility and accomplishes the mission set for the one facility; a reward control means for determining a ranking among the plurality of game participants according to the number of points acquired by each of the plurality of game participants when the game ends, and giving a reward to each of the game participants based on the determined ranking; A server device comprising:

2. a movement control means for moving an avatar corresponding to the game participant on a map within the game simulating an area including a plurality of facilities in the real world in response to movement of the game participant in the real world; 2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein said movement control means acquires location information of a terminal carried by said game participant from said terminal, and moves said avatar based on said acquired location information.

3. 3. The server device according to claim 2, wherein the second determination means determines whether or not the one game participant has accomplished the mission by using the location information acquired from a terminal carried by the one game participant.

4. 4. The server device according to claim 3, wherein the second determination means determines whether or not the one game participant has accomplished the mission by using a history of the location information acquired from a terminal carried by the one game participant.

5. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the second determination means obtains objective information from the one game participant indicating that the mission has been accomplished, and determines whether or not the one game participant has accomplished the mission based on the obtained objective information.

6. The server device according to claim 5 , wherein the second determination means acquires information regarding a post on a social networking service (SNS) from the one game participant as objective information indicating that the mission has been accomplished.

7. The server device according to claim 1 , further comprising a progress control means for disclosing information regarding an occupancy status of each of the plurality of facilities in the real world to each of the plurality of game participants.

8. The plurality of game participants are grouped into any of a plurality of groups; The server device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bonus control means determines a ranking among the plurality of groups according to the number of points acquired by each of the game participants belonging to each group, and gives a bonus to the game participants belonging to each group based on the determined group ranking.

9. In the server device, publishing to each of the game participants a mission in the real world that is set for each of a plurality of facilities in the real world and is required for the game participant to accomplish, the mission being necessary for the game participant to occupy a facility in the game corresponding to the facility in the real world; determining whether or not one of the plurality of game participants is staying at one of the plurality of facilities in the real world; determining whether or not the one game participant has accomplished the mission set for the one facility; when the one game participant stays at the one facility and accomplishes the mission set for the one facility, give the one game participant a number of points corresponding to the one facility; A method for controlling a server device, comprising: when a game ends, determining a ranking among the plurality of game participants according to the number of points acquired by each of the plurality of game participants; and providing the game participants with a privilege based on the determined ranking.

10. A computer installed in the server device a process of disclosing to each of a plurality of game participants a mission in the real world that is set for each of a plurality of facilities in the real world and is required for the game participant to accomplish, the mission being necessary for the game participant to occupy a facility in the game corresponding to the facility in the real world; A process of determining whether or not one of the plurality of game participants is staying at one of the plurality of facilities in the real world; a process of determining whether or not the one game participant has accomplished the mission set for the one facility; a process of giving the one game participant a number of points corresponding to the one facility when the one game participant stays at the one facility and accomplishes the mission set for the one facility; When the game ends, a process of determining a ranking among the plurality of game participants according to the number of points acquired by each of the plurality of game participants and giving a privilege to the game participants based on the determined ranking; A program for executing the above.

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