Information processing apparatus, method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of further diversifying the development of a match with an opponent in a TCG (TradingCardGame).SOLUTION: The information processing device manages competition information related to a competition and competition information of each user participating in the competition, and stores information of a plurality of decks that the user can use in the competition as registered deck information in association with the competition information. The control unit executes a step of determining an opponent user who fights against the one user, a step of presenting information related to registered deck information of the opponent user to the one user before registration of winning / losing information of the one user and the opponent user, a step of receiving designation of a deck to be used in a battle among the registered deck information of the one user from the one user after the presentation in the step of presenting the information to the user, and a step of updating managed battle information in response to designation of a deck by each user who fights against the one user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] TCGs are known in which users play against each other using real cards. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a card game toy in which a player uses multiple cards with predetermined playing abilities to repeatedly attack and defend against opponent cards, ultimately competing to reduce the stamina of the cards to zero. In TCGs, a user collects cards and organizes the cards they will use in battles from among the collected cards. This organization is commonly referred to as "organizing a deck."

[0003] TCG users compete against each other in the real world, bringing decks of cards they have organized. To promote TCGs, businesses that provide TCG cards and stores that sell cards sometimes hold tournaments. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-204874 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Various parameters, such as compatibility and card effects, are set for the cards organized into a deck. The user considers combinations of multiple cards while taking into account the parameters set for each card. For example, depending on the types of cards incorporated into a deck, there may be decks that are compatible with a specific deck. It is interesting to organize a deck while considering the advantages and disadvantages between such cards.

[0006] In tournaments, users may register a deck in advance and then proceed with the battle between users. This makes it easier for tournament organizers to grasp the win rate of the decks they have organized when the results of the battles between users are tallied.

[0007] However, when players register a single deck in advance and then compete in a match, as in a tournament, deck compatibility can make it difficult for one player to beat another player's deck. In other words, once the opponent user is determined through matching, the outcome of the match may be largely determined.

[0008] Therefore, in tournaments where users bring decks they have organized and compete, there is a need for technology that can further diversify the development of matches with matched opponents.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide technology that further diversifies the development of matches in tournaments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to one embodiment, an information processing device for supporting the management of a TCG (Trading Card Game) tournament is provided. The information processing device is configured to manage tournament information related to the tournament and tournament information for each user participating in the tournament, and to store information on multiple decks that users can use in the tournament as registered deck information in association with the tournament information. A control unit of the information processing device executes the following steps: determining an opponent user who will play against one user; presenting information related to the opponent user's registered deck information to the one user before registering win / loss information between the one user and the opponent user; accepting from the one user, after the presentation in the presenting step, a designation of a deck to be used in the tournament from the one user's registered deck information; and updating the managed tournament information in response to each user designating a deck. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, in games in which decks are organized and battles are fought, the development of battles can be made even more diverse. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a support system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a situation in which each user is using the support system 1 to progress through a TCG match. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a support system 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram of a terminal device 10 constituting a support system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a server 20. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing the data structures of a user information database 281, a matching history database 282, and a battle history database 283 stored in the server 20. FIG. [Figure 7]10 is a flowchart showing a process of analyzing a match between users at a terminal and providing a notification to support the progress of the TCG match according to the analysis results. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a situation in which the terminal device 10B notifies the user that an action that does not comply with the rules has been performed during a match. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the arrangement of the terminal device 10 relative to the TCG supplies 30 in order to support the progress of the TCG battle. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a process in which each user uses a terminal to progress a TCG match. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing card information 286 and the data structure of a tournament database 287. FIG. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the data structures of tournament entry information 288, a matching history database 282C, and a battle history database 283C. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of each device in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the terminal device 10 in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of the components are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0014] In the following embodiment, a technology will be described in which a support system 1 supports the progress of a TCG (Trading Card Game) match when users play a TCG match. Also, a technology will be described in which, by supporting TCG matches between users in this way, it is possible to easily manage a match event (such as a tournament) in which many users play TCG matches. In order to support the progress of the match in this way, the following embodiment will describe a method for identifying events occurring in a TCG match between users by sensing TCG items using a mobile device held by the user, and notifying the user of predetermined information based on the identified content.

[0015] Specifically, the following are some of the things that support the progress of TCG matches:

[0016] (1) The preparatory stage before a match includes, for example, (i) matching users to play against each other, (ii) informing each user of their opponent and the location where the match will take place, and (iii) notifying the user of the location of the user's terminal that is suitable for sensing TCG equipment (for example, mats or sheet-like items) on which cards are placed when a match is played using the system.

[0017] (2) During the match, for example, (i) notifying users of the positions where cards should be placed in TCG equipment, (ii) notifying users of the rules for playing TCG matches, (iii) calculating and notifying users of changes in card parameters when a user places a card and activates an effect such as attacking or being attacked by an opponent's card or increasing a parameter, (iv) notifying users of the progress of the TCG match (such as how close each user is to achieving the victory conditions), and (v) notifying users of actions that do not comply with the rules of the TCG (for example, using a card at a time when a specific card cannot be used, using a card that is prohibited by the rules of the match, etc., or registering cards to be used in advance at the match, despite the rules requiring players to register cards to be used in advance at the match). (vi) notifying a user that a card has been used that has not been registered despite being eligible for registration, etc., and (vii) urging a user to observe the rules for playing a TCG, even if the behavior does not necessarily violate the rules of the TCG (for example, a user may be urged not to place cards in a disorderly manner in the positions where cards should be placed on TCG supplies. For example, the positions where cards should be placed may be indicated by frames or the like on the TCG supplies. In this case, if the device detects by analyzing the captured image of the TCG supplies that the user is ignoring these frames and placing cards, the device may notify the user that the behavior will be evaluated if the user follows the rules when playing a TCG match).

[0018] (3) The stage after the match ends includes, for example, (i) matching the user with the next opponent, (ii) evaluating the play of each user during the match to evaluate the user's proficiency (evaluating based on the time it takes for the user to advance their turn, their familiarity with the rules, etc.), (iii) recommending an opponent for the user based on the contents of the deck (combination of cards used in TCG matches) registered by the user and the evaluation results of the user's proficiency, and matching the user with a match, and (iv) evaluating whether the user played in accordance with the rules for TCG matches and notifying the user (for example, the terminal analyzes images taken of TCG equipment to evaluate whether the user appropriately placed cards according to the frames for placing cards on TCG equipment, and notifies the user of the evaluation results, for example, as fair play points, etc.), etc.

[0019] <1 Configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a support system 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a situation in which each user is using the support system 1 to progress in a TCG match.

[0020] State (A) in Fig. 1 shows a situation in which a user prepares for a TCG match using the support system 1. State (B) in Fig. 1 shows a situation in which a user places the user's terminal and the user's cards on the TCG equipment and is about to start the TCG match.

[0021] State (A) in Fig. 2 shows a state in which a user is progressing through a TCG match while adding cards from the deck to their hand. State (B) in Fig. 2 shows a state in which the terminal device 10B notifies the user of the progress of the TCG match. State (C) in Fig. 2 shows a state in which the user's terminal notifies the user of the next opponent and the match location after the user has finished the TCG match.

[0022] <1.1 Composition of 30 TCG supplies> First, various items used by each user in a TCG match will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in state (A) of Fig. 1, when a first user (user 5A) and a second user (user 5B) start a TCG match, TCG items 30 are placed between user 5A and user 5B. The TCG items 30 are used to place cards used by each user in the TCG match.

[0023] Each user places cards on the TCG supplies and progresses through the TCG battle while adding cards from the deck to their hand. First, the configuration of the TCG supplies 30 will be described. The TCG supplies 30 include a deck placement section 31A and a deck placement section 31B (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "deck placement section 31"), a preparation card placement section 32A and a preparation card placement section 32B (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "preparation card placement section 32"), a win / loss condition card placement section 33A and a win / loss condition card placement section 33B (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "win / loss condition card placement section 33"), a battle card placement section 34A and a battle card placement section 34B (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "battle card placement section 34"), a consumed card placement section 35A and a consumed card placement section 35B (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "consumed card placement section 35"), and a two-dimensional code 36.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, in a TCG match, each user advances a card battle while replenishing their hand with cards from the deck. In the example of Fig. 2, a first user (user 5A) has a hand 93A (two cards in the example of Fig. 2). A second user (user 5B) has a hand 93B (three cards in the example of Fig. 2).

[0025] The deck placement section 31 is an area for placing decks of cards organized as a deck by each user. The deck placement section 31A is an area for user 5A to place the deck. The deck placement section 31B is an area for user 5B to place the deck.

[0026] As shown in state (B) of FIG. 1, when each user starts a TCG match, first, each user places their cards as a deck in the deck placement section 31. The deck placement section 31 is an area for users to place their decks. Each user shuffles the cards that make up their deck and places the cards face down in the deck placement section 31. User 5A places a deck 91A in the deck placement section 31A. User 5B places a deck 91B in the deck placement section 31B.

[0027] The preparation card placement unit 32 is an area for placing cards that can be used in a battle with the opponent's cards. Each user progresses the battle by swapping cards placed in the preparation card placement unit 32 with cards placed in the battle card placement unit 34 and adjusting the amount of damage between the cards placed in the battle card placement unit 34 according to the attack power, stamina, card attributes, weaknesses, etc. As shown in state (B) of FIG. 1 , before the TCG battle begins, no cards are placed in the preparation card placement unit 32 or the battle card placement unit 34. On the other hand, as shown in state (A) of FIG. 2 , as the TCG battle progresses, each user places cards in the preparation card placement unit 32 or the battle card placement unit 34 and battles cards. Each user replenishes their hand from the deck and places cards to be used in the battle from their hand in the preparation card placement unit 32 or the battle card placement unit 34. User 5A places cards in the preparation card placement unit 32A. User 5B places cards in the preparation card placement unit 32B.

[0028] The win / loss condition card placement section 33 is an area that indicates to what extent each player has fulfilled the win conditions. In this embodiment, each player places a predetermined number of cards face down from the deck in the win / loss condition card placement section 33. As shown in state (B) of FIG. 1, user 5A places cards in the win / loss condition card placement section 33A. User 5B places cards in the win / loss condition card placement section 33B.

[0029] The battle card placement section 34 is an area for placing cards to battle with opponent cards. User 5A places cards in the battle card placement section 34A. User 5B places cards in the battle card placement section 34B. In this embodiment, a battle is basically fought between the cards placed in the battle card placement section 34A and the cards placed in the battle card placement section 34B, based on the vitality, attack power, character attributes shown on the card, weak attribute, and other parameters set for each card. When the vitality set for a card is lost due to being attacked, etc., the character shown on the card is deemed to have fainted and is removed from the battle, and the card is placed in the consumed card placement section 35, which will be described later.

[0030] The consumed card placement section 35 is an area for placing cards consumed in a TCG match. For example, cards that have lost their stamina after losing a battle, cards that have activated their effects, etc. are placed in the consumed card placement section 35. As shown in state (A) of FIG. 2, user 5A places card 92A in the consumed card placement section 35A. User 5B places card 92B in the consumed card placement section 35B.

[0031] The two-dimensional code 36 is information for identifying the location where the match will take place, and is, for example, a two-dimensional code optically readable by a camera or the like of the terminal device 10. For example, when multiple tables are arranged for users to compete at a tournament or the like, the two-dimensional code 36 includes information for identifying an arbitrary table. The two-dimensional code 36 is, for example, a character string representing a URL including information for identifying the table. When a user reads the URL indicated in the two-dimensional code 36 on their terminal and accesses the URL, the user's identification information stored in the user's terminal is transmitted to the access destination device (e.g., a server). Then, by comparing the user's identification information with the user's identification information previously associated with the table, it can be determined that the user indicated by the user's identification information has arrived at the correct table and is ready to prepare for the match. For example, the terminal device 10A, which is the terminal of user 5A, or the terminal device 10B, which is the terminal of user 5B, captures the two-dimensional code 36 with a camera, and the information indicated in the two-dimensional code 36 can be read by the terminal device 10A or the terminal device 10B. It should be noted that, for example, in addition to cases where the table at which each user will play a match is presented to the user in advance at a tournament or the like, when users play a TCG match, the camera of each user's terminal device may photograph the two-dimensional code 36. This makes it possible to identify the table at which the user played and the timing (date and time) of the match, and therefore makes it possible to record the matches between users on a server, for example.

[0032] <1.2 Types of cards used in TCG> In the TCG of this embodiment, the types of cards include (i) character cards that can be used in battle, (ii) action cards (energy cards) that are used in association with character cards, and (iii) effect cards that exert specific effects during battle.

[0033] (i) Character cards include cards that a user can draw from the deck, add to their hand, and then place in the battle card placement section 34 for use in battles (also called “unconditional cards”), and cards that can be used in battles by fulfilling certain conditions (also called “conditional cards”).

[0034] (iA) For example, a conditional card can be entered into a battle on the condition that an unconditional card related to the conditional card is used. For example, analogous to character evolution, an unconditional card can be first presented to an opposing user by placing it in the TCG item 30, and then a conditional card related to the unconditional card can be placed in the TCG item 30, thereby allowing the conditional card to participate in the battle. Such conditional cards are sometimes referred to as "evolved characters" because they are evolved from unconditional cards. Furthermore, unconditional cards are sometimes referred to as "seed characters" because they can be considered the source characters for allowing "evolved characters" to participate in battles.

[0035] (iB) For example, a conditional card can be made to participate in a battle by consuming a specific card and moving it to the consumed card placement section 35. Specifically, it may be possible to consume an unconditional card placed in the TCG supplies 30 as the specific card (by moving it to the consumed card placement section 35) and make the conditional card participate in a battle.

[0036] For example, a conditional card can be made to participate in a battle in exchange for one or more character cards that the user has placed in the TCG item 30. For example, if each character card is assigned a parameter (e.g., evolution level) that indicates the overall performance of the character in addition to individual parameters such as the character's attack power shown on the card, a conditional card having an evolution level corresponding to the evolution level value of the character card placed by the user can be made to participate in a battle. For example, with a character at evolution level 1 and a character at evolution level 2 placed in the TCG item 30, a conditional card at evolution level 3 can be placed on top of these character cards (or in exchange for these character cards).

[0037] Alternatively, a conditional card may be allowed to participate in a battle in exchange for a plurality of character cards defined by the conditional card. In this case, a supplementary card (described later) different from the character card may be consumed to allow the conditional card to participate in the battle. For example, the effect indicated by the supplementary card may be such that a specific conditional card can be allowed to participate in the battle in exchange for a specific unconditional card in the battle card placement section 34, the consumption card placement section 35, or the like of the TCG equipment 30.

[0038] (iC) These cards may also be used as multiple cards, such as the character cards, action cards, and support cards described below. For example, they may include special cards that can be used as both character cards and support cards. When a user places such special cards in a position where a character card should be placed (e.g., the preparation card placement area 32 or the battle card placement area 34), the user can use the special cards as character cards.

[0039] (ii) An action power card (energy card) is a card that a user draws from the deck and adds to their hand. Then, the user associates the action power card with a character card and places the card on the TCG equipment 30, allowing the card to perform a predetermined action indicated on the character card. The operation of associating an action power card with a character card may be performed, for example, during the user's turn. For example, the action power card may be associated with a character card by placing the card near the character card placed on the TCG equipment 30. The number of times an action power card can be associated with a character card during a turn may be limited. For example, once during the user's turn, an action power card in the user's hand may be associated with one of the character cards placed on the TCG equipment 30. For example, a character card may have a first attack action and a second attack action. The first attack action may be usable when one action power card is associated with the character card, and the second attack action may be usable when two action power cards are associated with the character card because one action power card is not enough.

[0040] If a character card is forced to leave the battle due to its stamina being exhausted or the like, the action power card associated with that character card may also become unusable during that battle.

[0041] (iii) Support cards that assist in a match include card types that a user can use any number of times during a turn as long as they are in the user's hand, and card types that a user can use only one card of during a turn. These support cards also include cards that activate their effects when the user declares that they will use the effect of the support card.

[0042] In addition, auxiliary cards also include cards that are placed face down in advance in a predetermined position on the TCG supplies 30 (in this embodiment, the predetermined position is not shown), and the effect of the auxiliary card is activated when the user declares the use of the auxiliary card by speaking or other means.

[0043] <1.3 Overview of TCG battle rules> The TCG items 30 used in TCG matches and the types of cards have been explained above. Next, the TCG match rules will be explained in detail.

[0044] In the TCG shown in this embodiment, as described above, each user attacks or defends (battles) based on cards placed in the battle card placement section 34A and the battle card placement section 34B, and the TCG battle progresses. The TCG battle progresses as users take turns taking actions. For example, when a first user finishes their turn, it becomes the second user's turn. When the second user takes an action in that turn and finishes their action, it becomes the first user's turn.

[0045] Each time a turn comes, each user draws a predetermined number of cards from the deck and adds them to their hand.

[0046] Each user places, from among the cards in their hand, candidates for cards (character cards) to be used to attack or defend against the cards of the opponent user in the preparation card placement section 32.

[0047] The user 5A can swap the cards arranged in the preparation card placement unit 32A with the cards arranged in the battle card placement unit 34A during the turn of the user 5A. Also, the user 5B can swap the cards arranged in the preparation card placement unit 32A with the cards arranged in the battle card placement unit 34A during the turn of the user 5B.

[0048] As described above, the win / loss condition card placement section 33A and the win / loss condition card placement section 33B are areas for notifying each user of the progress that each user has made toward the conditions for winning the match. Here, the condition for a user to win the match may be, for example, that all cards placed in the win / loss condition card placement section 33A or the win / loss condition card placement section 33B are collected. In other words, the outcome of the match may be decided when all cards have been collected in either the win / loss condition card placement section 33A or the win / loss condition card placement section 33B.

[0049] For example, prior to a TCG battle, each user places a predetermined number of cards from the deck in the win / lose condition card placement section 33A or the win / lose condition card placement section 33B. That is, user 5A removes a predetermined number of cards from the deck and places them in the win / lose condition card placement section 33A. User 5B removes a predetermined number of cards from the deck and places them in the win / lose condition card placement section 33B. A character card placed in the battle card placement section 34A by user 5A and a character card placed in the battle card placement section 34B by user 5B are pitted against each other, and when an exit condition set for the character card is met (for example, when the stamina value set for the character card is subtracted based on the attack power set for the opponent's character card and runs out), the character on that character card is considered to have fainted and is moved to the consumed card placement section 35 (also called "trash").

[0050] As a result, a user who wins the battle and dismisses the opponent's character cards adds the cards placed in the win / loss condition card placement section 33A or the win / loss condition card placement section 33B to their hand. For example, if user 5B dismisses cards placed in the battle card placement section 34A by attacking user 5A's character cards during his / her turn, he / she takes a predetermined number of cards from the cards placed in the win / loss condition card placement section 33B and adds them to his / her hand. On the other hand, if user 5A dismisses cards placed in the battle card placement section 34B by attacking user 5B's character cards during his / her turn, he / she takes a predetermined number of cards from the cards placed in the win / loss condition card placement section 33A and adds them to his / her hand. These operations may be repeated until user 5B has collected all of the cards placed in the win / loss condition card placement section 33B, or until user 5A has collected all of the cards placed in the win / loss condition card placement section 33A, and the user who has collected all of the cards is determined to be the user who won the TCG battle. Alternatively, the winning condition for the battle may be that a player loses if there are no character cards in either the battle card placement unit 34 or the preparation card placement unit 32. Alternatively, the winning condition for the battle may be that a player loses if he or she is unable to draw a card from the deck placement unit 31 during his or her turn.

[0051] <1.4 Overview of the system that supports TCG matches> As shown in state (B) of Figure 1, when user 5A and user 5B start a TCG match, a communication connection is established between terminal device 10A, which is the terminal of user 5A, and terminal device 10B, which is the terminal of user 5B, thereby associating the terminals with each other. As shown in the figure, terminal device 10A is placed outside the TCG supplies 30. Terminal device 10A is placed so that the camera of terminal device 10A can sense the entire range in which cards are placed on the TCG supplies 30.

[0052] <1.4.1 How to identify user behavior> (i) Identifying user behavior through image analysis Terminal device 10A analyzes images captured by the camera of terminal device 10A to identify the finger or hand movements of each user, the user's line of sight, and the cards placed on the TCG supplies 30. Terminal device 10A performs voice recognition on the content of each user's utterances and extracts predetermined actions in the TCG match. As a result, terminal device 10A determines information related to the progress of the TCG, such as, for example, that user 5A and user 5B have performed an operation to place cards on the TCG supplies 30, identifies the content of that operation (such as activating the effect of a card), and recognizes the content of user 5A or user 5B's utterances to determine that each user has activated the effect of a card.

[0053] Specifically, the terminal device 10A is equipped with, for example, a depth camera that can detect distance. Based on the captured image, the terminal device 10A recognizes the surface of a table or the like on which the TCG supplies 30 are placed. Through image analysis of the captured image, the terminal device 10A identifies the TCG supplies 30 placed on the table or the like and recognizes them as planar objects. Through image analysis, the terminal device 10A identifies the ranges of the deck placement area 31, preparation card placement area 32, win / lose condition card placement area 33, battle card placement area 34, and consumption card placement area 35 that make up the TCG supplies 30.

[0054] (ii) Detecting whether a card is placed in each area of ​​the TCG equipment 30 Terminal device 10A detects cards used in a TCG game by analyzing the captured image. Terminal device 10A identifies each card used in a TCG game (identifies which character card it is, etc.) based on the card design or an identification code embedded in the card and a card database. Since card designs are typically different for each card, terminal device 10A can detect which card is being used based on the card design included in the captured image. Furthermore, for example, if the backs of cards are different for each card (e.g., if an identification code is attached to the backs of cards), terminal device 10A detects which card it is based on the backs of the cards included in the captured image. Note that, as described below, if each user registers information about cards used in a TCG game as a deck, terminal device 10A detects which cards are placed on TCG equipment 30 from among the cards registered in the deck. In a situation where many types of cards can be used in a TCG game, the accuracy of card detection can be further improved by registering the contents of each user's deck in advance and performing the above-mentioned detection from among the cards that make up the deck.

[0055] (iii) Detecting the card specified by the user When the captured image includes the user's body, the terminal device 10A detects a specific movement, action, or posture. For example, when the TCG supplies 30 detect the user's body in the captured image, it sets skeletal information (bones) based on the detected points that make up the body. For example, when the terminal device 10A detects the area of ​​the user's hand in the captured image, it identifies the positions of the fingertips, knuckles, and wrist, and sets skeletal information connecting these. In this way, the terminal device 10A detects that the user is moving their hand to touch a card placed on the TCG supplies 30, pointing at a card placed on the TCG supplies 30, etc.

[0056] <1.4.2 Contents to be determined> The terminal device 10A's determination of information regarding the progress of the TCG includes, for example, (1) determining information regarding the progress of the match and (2) determining that an action has been taken that does not comply with the rules of the TCG, as follows.

[0057] (1) Identifying information about the progress of the match (1-1) Identifying user actions related to battle preparation (i) Replenishing and Consuming Hands The terminal device 10A detects that a user's hand has touched the deck placement section 31 and that the user has taken a card from the deck and is holding it. As a result, the terminal device 10A detects that a card has been taken from the user's deck and manages the number of cards in each user's deck. Furthermore, when a user places a card in the consumed card placement section 35 (moves a card to the trash), the terminal device 10A manages the number of cards each user has placed in the consumed card placement section 35 (cards consumed in a match) by identifying that a card has been placed in the consumed card placement section 35 and the type of the placed card. The information managed by the terminal device 10A may be notified to users during a TCG match. For example, the terminal device 10B displays on a display the number of cards in each user's deck, the number of cards consumed during a match, etc., in response to an input operation from each user.

[0058] Furthermore, the terminal device 10A photographs the hand of each user (for example, the backs of the cards) to determine the contents of the hand of each user (i.e., which cards from the deck each user is holding as their hand).

[0059] (ii) Preparation for a Battle Between Character Cards The terminal device 10A identifies that a card has been placed in the battle card placement unit 34 or the preparation card placement unit 32 of the TCG supplies 30, that the placed card is a character card, and which character card has been placed in the battle card placement unit 34 or the preparation card placement unit 32. As a result, the terminal device 10A updates the information about the character cards that each player has placed in the battle card placement unit 34 or the preparation card placement unit 32.

[0060] (iii) Association of an Action Power Card When the terminal device 10A detects that a user has placed a card near the character card and that the placed card is an action power card, it updates the information on the number of action power cards associated with the character of the character card. Note that the action power card may be placed on the TCG supplies 30 so as to overlap the character card. That is, the terminal device 10A detects that the card is an action power card based on the design of the action power card, even if the entire area of ​​the action power card is not included in the captured image.

[0061] (iv) Evolution of Character Card The terminal device 10A detects that a conditional card among the character cards has become usable in battles (evolution). The terminal device 10A identifies that a card placed in the battle card placement unit 34 or the preparation card placement unit 32 is an unconditional card (seed character) among the character cards. When the terminal device 10A identifies that a card placed by the user in the TCG supplies 30 in association with the unconditional card is a conditional card (evolved character), it updates the information on the character card used by the user from the character of the unconditional card to the character of the conditional card. At this time, the terminal device 10A may also update the data by transferring the number of action power cards (energy cards) associated with the character of the unconditional card and parameter changes of the character of the unconditional card (such as the amount of damage received from the character of the opposing user) to the character of the conditional card.

[0062] Note that, as a method of placing a conditional card in association with an unconditional card, for example, the conditional card may be placed on top of the unconditional card. The terminal device 10A detects a card to be newly placed in an area where an unconditional card is placed on the TCG supplies 30, and if the card is a conditional card, determines that the conditional card has become usable in battle in place of the unconditional card (the seed character has evolved into an evolved character).

[0063] (1-2) Determining actions during battle For example, the terminal device 10A identifies the character card that the user 5A will use in the battle by identifying the card placed in the battle card placement section 34A. The terminal device 10A identifies what action the character card placed in the battle card placement section 34A has taken (for example, if the character card has multiple attack means, which attack means has been used) by performing voice recognition on the content of the user 5A's utterance and detecting that the user 5A has designated the card to be placed in the battle card placement section 34A with a finger or the like. As a result, the parameters of the character card are calculated based on the attack power, stamina, and other parameters of the character card.

[0064] (1-3) Identifying the use of an auxiliary card Terminal device 10A detects that a user has used an auxiliary card by performing voice recognition on the content of the user's speech and by the user specifying an auxiliary card placed on TCG supplies 30. For example, when a user picks up an auxiliary card, presents it to an opposing user, and declares that he or she will use the auxiliary card, terminal device 10A detects the use of the auxiliary card. Terminal device 10A performs processing such as correcting the parameters of each character card according to the effect of the auxiliary card.

[0065] (1-4) Determine if victory conditions are met The terminal device 10A determines which user has won by identifying the number of cards placed in the win / lose condition card placement unit 33. As described above, each time a user wins a battle and depletes the stamina value of a character card placed in the opponent's battle card placement unit 34, the user can obtain a card to be placed in the win / lose condition card placement unit 33. Therefore, the terminal device 10A determines which user has won by detecting that there are no more cards to be placed in the win / lose condition card placement unit 33.

[0066] As described above, the terminal device 10A determines information regarding the progress of the battle, and thereby records the actions taken by each user for each turn. The terminal device 10A records information for each user, such as the number of cards in the deck, characters that can participate in the battle (character cards placed in the preparation card placement unit 32 or the battle card placement unit 34), parameters of each character that increase or decrease due to attacks by each character, the effects of the support cards being exerted, and the total number of cards placed in the win / lose condition card placement unit 33.

[0067] (2) Identifying actions that do not comply with the rules of the TCG By determining the actions performed by the user as described above, the terminal device 10A can determine whether or not the actions performed by the user conform to the rules.

[0068] (2-1) Incompatibility of the number of cards that can be used: For example, the terminal device 10A determines that the upper limit of the number of cards that can be used in a turn is violated by storing a history of cards used by the user in a turn in which the user can act. For example, when two auxiliary cards of a type that limits the number of cards that can be used in a turn to one are used in a turn, the terminal device 10A determines that the act does not comply with the rules.

[0069] (2-2) Incompatibility of Usable Actions: (i) The terminal device 10A determines whether each user is performing an action after satisfying the conditions for causing the character on the character card to perform the specific action. For example, suppose that a character card has multiple attack actions set thereon, and the number of action power cards required to perform each attack action is set. The TCG equipment 30 includes character cards and action power cards associated with the character cards. The terminal device 10A determines that the action is incompatible with the rules when there are not enough action power cards required to perform the attack action specified by the user among the attack actions set on the character card.

[0070] (ii) The terminal device 10A determines whether a conditional card among character cards is being used after satisfying the conditions for using the conditional card in a battle. In other words, when the terminal device 10A determines that the conditional card is being used in a battle even though the conditions for using the conditional card in a battle are not satisfied, the terminal device 10A notifies the user of a warning or the like.

[0071] Furthermore, as described above, some conditional cards can be made to participate in a battle by consuming a specific card and moving the card to the consumed card placement section 35. When such a conditional card participates in a battle, the terminal device 10 detects that the specific card has been consumed (moved to the consumed card placement section 35). When the user is attempting to have a conditional card participate in a battle but the specific card has not been moved to the consumed card placement section 35, the terminal device 10A determines that this is an act that does not comply with the rules. In this case, the terminal device 10A notifies the user to move the specific card to the consumed card placement section 35, as a rule for having a conditional card participate in a battle.

[0072] As described above, conditional cards also include specific cards that are placed in the TCG supplies 30 and then can be used in a battle without consuming the specific cards (i.e., without moving them to the consumed card placement section 35). The terminal device 10A determines that the user is trying to use a conditional card in a battle and is consuming the specific cards (i.e., moving them to the consumed card placement section 35) even though there is no need to consume the specific cards. In this case, the terminal device 10A notifies the user that, as a rule for using a conditional card in a battle, there is no need to move the specific cards to the consumed card placement section 35.

[0073] (2-3) Non-compliance with battle progression procedures: (i) When a procedure for actions that each user can take during a turn is defined, the terminal device 10A detects that an action has been taken that does not follow the procedure. For example, each user may obtain a predetermined number of cards from the deck at the start of their turn and then perform other actions. In this case, if the terminal device 10A detects that an action such as causing a character card placed in the battle card placement unit 34 to attack or using an auxiliary card has been taken without detecting that cards from the deck in the deck placement unit 31 have been obtained after the start of the user's turn, the terminal device 10A determines that the action does not conform to the rules.

[0074] (ii) Terminal device 10A detects that each user's operation related to the victory condition has been performed inappropriately. For example, suppose that the character of the card placed in battle card placement unit 34 is not a normal character but a special character, and the special character loses its stamina and leaves the battle, and the user takes more cards from win / lose condition card placement unit 33 than in the case of a normal character. In this case, terminal device 10A identifies whether the character leaving the character card battle is a normal character or a special character, and then detects that the number of cards taken from win / lose condition card placement unit 33 is inappropriate, thereby determining that the behavior is inconsistent with the rules. For example, terminal device 10A identifies that the character leaving the battle is a special character, and detects that the number of cards placed in win / lose condition card placement unit 33 remains the same as when a normal character leaves the battle, thereby determining that the behavior is inconsistent with the rules.

[0075] <1.5 Method of notifying users of information to support TCG battles> As described above, the terminal device 10A detects the content of the TCG match between users and any actions that do not conform to the rules. The terminal device 10B communicates with the terminal device 10A to notify the user of the content that the terminal device 10A has determined based on the results of the image analysis.

[0076] As shown in state (B) of FIG. 1, the terminal device 10B displays the progress of the battle on the progress display unit 132A of the operation reception unit 130 (touch screen). The terminal device 10B notifies the user of the progress of the battle, for example, information on the stamina of each character battling and the number of action power cards (energy cards) associated with each character. These parameters are calculated based on the results of the identification of actions (such as attack instructions) performed by the user during the battle (e.g., subtracting the stamina value of the attacked character in accordance with the attack power). The terminal device 10B displays, on the turn progress button 132B, a button for receiving an input operation for each user to progress the turn. When the terminal device 10B receives an input operation on the turn progress button 132B from the user, it transmits a signal indicating that the user's turn has ended to the terminal device 10A.

[0077] When terminal device 10A detects the end of a match between users, it transmits that information to the server and terminal device 10B, which will be described later. Terminal device 10B receives information on the outcome of the match from terminal device 10A or the server. Furthermore, when a TCG match is held at a tournament or competition, the server, which will be described later, matches users for a match and determines the location (such as a table at the venue) where the match will be held. Terminal device 10A or terminal device 10B communicates with the server and obtains, for each user, information on the next opponent and information on the location of the match.

[0078] As shown in state (C) of FIG. 2, the terminal device 10B displays, in the operation receiving unit 130, information on the outcome of the match, information on the next opponent (such as a rating value indicating the opponent's strength), and information on the match location on the match information display unit 132C. The terminal device 10B displays, in the map display unit 132D, a map to the location where the user will next play a match. The map display unit 132D displays, for example, information on a travel route from the user's current location within the match venue to the table where the match will take place.

[0079] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to support the management of a competition and the like, while notifying each user of information that supports users in competing in a TCG.

[0080] <1.6 Overall system configuration> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the support system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 3, the support system 1 includes a terminal device 10A and a terminal device 10B (hereinafter, sometimes collectively referred to as "terminal device 10") used by users playing TCG matches, a terminal device 11 used by a user on the administrator side who manages the TCG matches, and a server 20. The terminal device 10 and the server 20 are connected for communication via a network 80. In addition, in this embodiment, each device (terminal device, server, etc.) can also be understood as an information processing device. That is, a collection of each device can be understood as a single "information processing device," and the support system 1 may be formed as a collection of multiple devices. The way in which multiple functions required to realize the support system 1 according to this embodiment are allocated to one or multiple pieces of hardware can be determined appropriately in consideration of the processing capacity of each piece of hardware and / or the specifications required for the support system 1.

[0082] The terminal device 10 is a device operated by each user. The terminal device 10 is realized by a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet compatible with a mobile communication system. Alternatively, the terminal device 10 may be, for example, a stationary personal computer (PC) or a laptop PC. As shown as terminal device 10B in FIG. 3, the terminal device 10 includes a communication IF (Interface) 12, an input / output IF 13, a memory 15, a storage 16, and a processor 19. The server 20 includes a communication IF 22, an input / output IF 23, a memory 25, a storage 26, and a processor 29.

[0083] The terminal device 10 is communicably connected to the server 20 via a network 80. The terminal device 10 is connected to the network 80 by communicating with communication devices such as a wireless base station 81 conforming to a communication standard such as LTE, and a wireless LAN router 82 conforming to a wireless LAN standard such as IEEE802.11.

[0084] The communication IF 12 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals so that the terminal device 10 can communicate with external devices. The input / output IF 13 functions as an interface with an input device (e.g., a touch panel, a touch pad, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, etc.) for receiving input operations from a user and an output device (a display, a speaker, etc.) for presenting information to the user. The memory 15 is for temporarily storing programs and data processed by the programs, etc., and is a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The storage 16 is a storage device for saving data, such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The processor 19 is hardware for executing an instruction set written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, etc.

[0085] Terminal device 11 is a device operated by the organizer of a TCG battle. The organizer uploads, for example, information about the battle to server 20. The information about the battle includes the date and time when the battle is to be held, the location of the battle (for example, a store or exhibition hall), the rules of the battle (for example, whether newly released TCG battle cards will be included in the deck, whether the use of specific cards is permitted, etc.), and the conditions for users who can participate (for example, placing highly in a specific battle). The organizer inputs this information about the battle and uploads it to server 20 along with map data and the like.

[0086] In addition, there is a type of competition where (i) multiple tables at which users compete are prepared, and the competition proceeds after each user is assigned a table. For example, when holding a league match or tournament, the competition may proceed while the organizer manages which users will compete against each other. In addition, there is a type of competition where (ii) the organizer prepares tables at which the competition will be held, but the competition proceeds without specifying the tables at which each user will compete. For example, there may be a case where users at the competition venue compete face-to-face against each other, and a user who achieves a certain number of wins is selected. The terminal device 11 receives from the organizer a designation of which format the competition will be run in (i.e., whether the competition will be held with each user specifying a table at which they will compete, whether the competition will be held without specifying a table, or both). The terminal device 11 transmits the competition information received from the user to the server 20.

[0087] The server 20 manages information about each user. The server 20 matches users together to support TCG matches between users. The server 20 communicates with the terminal device 10A via the network 80, and stores the details of the TCG matches determined by the terminal device 10A as a match history.

[0088] The communication IF 22 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals so that the server 20 can communicate with external devices. The input / output IF 23 functions as an interface with an input device for receiving input operations from a user and an output device for presenting information to the user. The memory 25 is for temporarily storing programs and data processed by the programs, etc., and is a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The storage 26 is a storage device for saving data, such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The processor 29 is hardware for executing an instruction set written in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, registers, peripheral circuits, etc.

[0089] <1.7 Configuration of the terminal device 10> FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a terminal device 10 constituting the support system 1 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 10 includes a plurality of antennas (antenna 111, antenna 112), wireless communication units (first wireless communication unit 121, second wireless communication unit 122) corresponding to the respective antennas, an operation reception unit 130 (including a touch-sensitive device 131 and a display 132), an audio processing unit 140, a microphone 141, a speaker 142, a position information sensor 150, a camera 160, a storage unit 180, and a control unit 190. The terminal device 10 also has functions and configurations (e.g., a battery for storing power, a power supply circuit for controlling the supply of power from the battery to each circuit, etc.) that are not specifically shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the blocks included in the terminal device 10 are electrically connected by a bus or the like.

[0090] The antenna 111 emits a signal emitted by the terminal device 10 as a radio wave. The antenna 111 also receives a radio wave from space and provides the received signal to the first radio communication unit 121.

[0091] The antenna 112 emits a signal emitted by the terminal device 10 as a radio wave. The antenna 112 also receives a radio wave from space and provides the received signal to the second radio communication unit 122.

[0092] The first wireless communication unit 121 performs modulation / demodulation processing and the like for transmitting and receiving signals via the antenna 111 so that the terminal device 10 can communicate with other wireless devices. The second wireless communication unit 122 performs modulation / demodulation processing and the like for transmitting and receiving signals via the antenna 112 so that the terminal device 10 can communicate with other wireless devices. The first wireless communication unit 121 and the second wireless communication unit 122 are communication modules including a tuner, an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) calculation circuit, a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) calculation circuit, a high-frequency circuit, etc. The first wireless communication unit 121 and the second wireless communication unit 122 perform modulation / demodulation and frequency conversion of wireless signals transmitted and received by the terminal device 10, and provide the received signals to the control unit 190.

[0093] The operation reception unit 130 has a mechanism for receiving input operations from the user. Specifically, the operation reception unit 130 is configured as a touch screen and includes a touch-sensitive device 131 and a display 132. The touch-sensitive device 131 receives input operations from the user of the terminal device 10. The touch-sensitive device 131 detects the user's touch position on the touch panel, for example, by using a capacitive touch panel. The touch-sensitive device 131 outputs a signal indicating the user's touch position detected by the touch panel to the control unit 190 as an input operation.

[0094] Display 132 displays data such as images, videos, and text under the control of control unit 190. Display 132 is realized by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0095] The audio processing unit 140 modulates and demodulates audio signals. The audio processing unit 140 modulates a signal provided from the microphone 141 and provides the modulated signal to the control unit 190. The audio processing unit 140 also provides the audio signal to the speaker 142. The audio processing unit 140 is realized, for example, by a processor for audio processing. The microphone 141 accepts audio input and provides an audio signal corresponding to the audio input to the audio processing unit 140. The speaker 142 converts the audio signal provided from the audio processing unit 140 into audio and outputs the audio to the outside of the terminal device 10.

[0096] The position information sensor 150 is a sensor that detects the position of the terminal device 10, and is, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) module. The GPS module is a receiving device used in a satellite positioning system. The satellite positioning system receives signals from at least three or four satellites and detects the current position of the terminal device 10 equipped with the GPS module based on the received signals. The position detected by this GPS module can be used, for example, when storing in memory the position information of the terminal device 10 when the terminal device 10 performs a predetermined notification process based on the detection result of the sensor device 50. For example, the position of a user at a TCG battle venue can be obtained by the position information sensor 150.

[0097] The camera 160 is a device that receives light with a light receiving element and outputs the received light as a captured image. The camera 160 is, for example, a depth camera that can detect the distance from the camera 160 to a subject being photographed.

[0098] The storage unit 180 is configured, for example, with a flash memory or the like, and stores data and programs used by the terminal device 10. In one aspect, the storage unit 180 stores user information 181, tournament entry information 182, and venue map information 183.

[0099] User information 181 is information about a user who will play a TCG match. The user information includes information that identifies the user, information about the deck that the user has registered for the match (information that identifies the deck and information about the cards that make up the deck), the language setting used by the user, and information about the user's participation history in matches, tournaments, etc.

[0100] The competition entry information 182 is information about a competition to which the user of the terminal device 10 has entered. The competition entry information 182 includes, for example, information for identifying the competition, information about the date and time of the competition, and the like.

[0101] The venue map information 183 is information about a map of a venue where a TCG match, such as a tournament, will be held. The venue map information 183 includes information that identifies tables that will be placed in the venue and where the TCG match will be held, and information about the locations where the tables will be placed.

[0102] The control unit 190 reads a program stored in the storage unit 180 and executes instructions included in the program to control the operation of the terminal device 10. The control unit 190 is, for example, an application processor. By operating in accordance with the program, the control unit 190 fulfills the functions of an input operation reception unit 191, a transmission / reception unit 192, a data processing unit 193, and a notification control unit 194.

[0103] The input operation receiving unit 191 performs processing to receive a user's input operation on an input device such as the touch-sensitive device 131. Based on information on the coordinates where the user has touched the touch-sensitive device 131 with a finger or the like, the input operation receiving unit 191 determines the type of operation, such as whether the user's operation is a flick operation, a tap operation, or a drag (swipe) operation.

[0104] The transmitting / receiving unit 192 performs processing for the terminal device 10 to transmit and receive data to and from an external device such as the server 20 in accordance with a communication protocol.

[0105] The data processing unit 193 performs calculations on data received as input by the terminal device 10 according to a program, and outputs the calculation results to a memory or the like. For example, the data processing unit 193 performs processing to associate the terminal device 10 with the terminals of other users. The data processing unit 193 determines the progress of the TCG match by analyzing the sensing results (captured images) of the camera 160. The data processing unit 193 determines the content of the notification to notify the user of information regarding the progress of the match.

[0106] The notification control unit 194 performs processing to display a display image on the display 132, processing to output sound to the speaker 142, and processing to cause the camera 160 to generate vibrations.

[0107] <1.8 Functional configuration of server 20> 5 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the server 20 functions as a communication unit 201, a storage unit 202, and a control unit 203.

[0108] The communication unit 201 performs processing for the server 20 to communicate with external devices.

[0109] The storage unit 202 stores data and programs used by the server 20. The storage unit 202 stores a user information database 281, a matching history database 282, a battle history database 283, and battle venue map information 284.

[0110] The user information database 281 is a database for storing information on each user who will play a TCG match, as will be described in detail later.

[0111] The matching history database 282 is a database showing the history of matches between users performed by the server 20. Details will be described later.

[0112] The battle history database 283 is a database for storing the history of TCG battle content. The battle history database 283 stores the results of analyzing the user's actions in the process in which the terminal device 10A and the terminal device 10B support the progress of the TCG battle. Therefore, for example, by acquiring information from the battle history database 283, the terminal device 10 or the like can replay the actions performed by each user based on the history of the battle content stored in the battle history database 283. Details will be described later.

[0113] The battle venue map information 284 is information about a map of a venue where a TCG battle, such as a tournament, will take place. The venue map information 183 includes information identifying tables that are placed in the venue and where the TCG battle will take place, and information about the locations where the tables are placed. The server 20 transmits the battle venue map information 284 in response to a request from the terminal device 10.

[0114] The control unit 203 performs functions shown as various modules by the processor of the server 20 performing processes according to the programs.

[0115] The operation content acquisition module 2041 acquires the operation content of the user when the server 20 accepts input of information such as participation in a tournament from the terminal device 10.

[0116] The reception control module 2042 controls the process by which the server 20 receives signals from external devices in accordance with a communication protocol.

[0117] The transmission control module 2043 controls the process in which the server 20 transmits signals to external devices in accordance with a communication protocol.

[0118] The matching module 2044 matches users to play against each other in the TCG.

[0119] The matching module 2044 may match users to play against each other based on, for example, information about the match history of each user stored in the match history database 283. Since the information about each user's match history records information about the wins and losses of each user, it is possible to calculate an evaluation value indicating the level of proficiency in TCG matches for each user. Such an evaluation value may be calculated using a rating (for example, an Elo rating).

[0120] The matching module 2044 may also match users based on the time it takes for each user to complete a turn, based on the battle history database 283. If a user takes the entire time limit to complete a turn, the user may not be accustomed to battles. On the other hand, if the user takes a short time to complete a turn or if the user performs multiple actions without interruption during a turn (for example, using multiple cards one after another), the user may be accustomed to battles. Therefore, the matching module 2044 can match users who are accustomed to battles with each other, or users who are not accustomed to battles with each other, based on the battle history database 283.

[0121] Furthermore, the matching module 2044 matches users by referring to the history of actions that each user performed that do not conform to the rules during a match based on the match history database 283. A user who performs actions that do not conform to the rules may not be familiar with the match rules. On the other hand, a user who rarely performs actions that do not conform to the rules may be familiar with the match rules. Therefore, the matching module 2044 can match users who are familiar with the match rules with each other, or users who are not familiar with matches with each other.

[0122] Furthermore, when the matching module 2044 matches participants in a match, it may perform the matching based on the location of the table where each participant is playing. When determining the next opponent for a user who has finished playing at a table, it matches users who are located at tables close to each other and notifies the users of the new table where the match will be played, thereby reducing the user's travel time and further shortening the time until the start of the match.

[0123] The battle behavior analysis module 2045 analyzes the behavioral tendencies of each user based on the history of battles that each user has progressed through, which is stored in the battle history database 283. For example, by analyzing the tendencies of each user's deck, compatibility (win rate) with the opponent's deck, etc., it is possible to provide the user with information that can be used as a reference when constructing a deck.

[0124] <2 Data Structure> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data structures of the user information database 281, the matching history database 282, and the battle history database 283 stored in the server 20. As shown in FIG.

[0125] As shown in Figure 6, each record in the user information database 281 includes, for each piece of information that identifies a user, the items "Registered deck identification information (ID)", "Registered deck contents", "Language setting", and "Tournament participation history".

[0126] The item "Registered deck identification information (ID)" is information for identifying each deck registered by the user.

[0127] The item "Registered Deck Contents" is information indicating the contents of cards that the user will register in the deck.

[0128] The item "Language setting" is information indicating the setting of the language used by the user.

[0129] The "Match Participation History" item is information indicating the user's record of entering and participating in tournaments. In this embodiment, when participating in a tournament, the deck to be used in the battle is notified to the tournament organizers before the battle begins. The "Match Participation History" item includes information on the deck that the user registered by operating the terminal device 10 of each user for each tournament in which the user participated.

[0130] Each record of the match history database 282 includes an item "match identification information (ID)", an item "matching date and time", an item "target user", and an item "match type information".

[0131] The item "matching identification information (ID)" is information for identifying each matching performed by the server 20. Note that in this embodiment, just because the server 20 has performed matching does not necessarily mean that the matched users will compete against each other, but only matchings that have led to users competing against each other may be stored in the matching history database 282.

[0132] The item "matching date and time" indicates the timing (date and time) when the server 20 performed matching.

[0133] The item "target user" includes information about the matched users. When the server 20 matches the users, it notifies the terminal devices 10 of the users to play a match.

[0134] The item "match event type information" includes information for identifying the match event in which matching was performed. The server 20 may perform matching from among the participants of the match event in order to support the operations of the administrator who manages the match event. As shown in the figure, the item "match event type information" includes the name of the match event, the details of the rules of the match event, the date and time of the match event, and other information as information for identifying the match event.

[0135] Each record in the match history database 283 includes an item "match identification information (ID)", an item "match date and time", an item "target user", an item "matching ID", an item "match progress history", and an item "rule non-compliance history".

[0136] It includes the items "matching identification information (ID)", "matching date and time", "target user", and "match type information".

[0137] The item "battle identification information (ID)" is information for identifying each user who has played a match. The server 20 updates the records in the match history database 283 by receiving the results of the terminal device 10 analyzing the matches between users using the support system 1.

[0138] The item "match date and time" indicates the timing when a match between users took place. Here, the timing when a match took place may include the timing (date and time) when the server 20 performed matching, the time when each user started the match (the time when the server 20 accepted the start of the match between users, as described below), and the time when each user ended the match (the time when it was determined that one of the users who participated in the match fulfilled the victory condition, as described below).

[0139] The item "target user" is information that identifies each user who participated in the match.

[0140] The item "matching ID" indicates a matching ID when the server 20 performs matching and a match between users is held based on this matching.

[0141] The "Battle Progress History" item includes the action sequence of each user analyzed by the terminal device 10 through sensing of the TCG equipment. This action sequence information includes information on the time required for each user to advance a turn. For example, a user advances a turn by operating a "Turn Advance Button" on the terminal device 10B, which allows the time required for each user to advance a turn to be measured. Alternatively, the terminal device 10B may display buttons corresponding to various actions each user can perform during a turn. In this case, the time required for each user to advance a turn may be measured by operating these buttons. For example, the terminal device 10B may display, on the operation receiving unit 130, a button that receives from the user the use of a card that can only be used a predetermined number of times during a turn (e.g., the use of an auxiliary card that has a limit on the number that can be used during a turn). Furthermore, for example, the terminal device 10B may display, on the operation receiving unit 130, a button that receives from the user the association of an action power card with a character card. This allows the user to be assisted in advancing a turn. For example, each user can be notified that a predetermined number of action power cards have already been associated with character cards during the turn, and that no more action power cards can be associated during the turn.

[0142] A unique action ID is assigned to each action performed by each user. The "Match Progress History" item contains this information, so it is possible to recreate how each user progressed in a match using their own deck based on the information in the "Match Progress History" item.

[0143] The item "rule non-compliance history" indicates a history of the terminal device 10A determining that an action that does not comply with the rules occurred during a match between users.

[0144] <3 operations> The following describes the process in which the terminal devices 10A and 10B support the TCG matches played by the users.

[0145] 7 is a flowchart showing the process of analyzing the battles between users on the terminal and providing notifications to support the progress of the TCG battles based on the analysis results. The following example explains a situation where users repeatedly battle each other while receiving notifications of the battle locations at a tournament or the like.

[0146] In step S651, when the server 20 determines users to be matched in a battle, it transmits information about the opponents and the venue (table information) where the battle will take place to the terminal of each user.

[0147] In step S601A, the terminal device 10A operated by the first user (user 5A) displays on the display 132 information about the opponent and information about the venue where the match will take place.

[0148] In step S601B, the terminal device 10B operated by the second user (user 5B) displays on the display 132 information about the opponent and information about the venue where the match will take place.

[0149] In step S603A, user 5A uses the photographing function of terminal device 10A to read two-dimensional code 36 on TCG supplies 30. Two-dimensional code 36 includes information identifying the table where the match will be played, such as a URL. Based on the result of reading two-dimensional code 36, terminal device 10A transmits the information identifying the table where the match will be played to server 20.

[0150] In step S603B, the user 5B uses the photographing function of the terminal device 10B to read the two-dimensional code 36 on the TCG supplies 30. Based on the reading result of the two-dimensional code 36, the terminal device 10B transmits to the server 20 information identifying the table at which the match will be played.

[0151] When a user reads the two-dimensional code 36 using the camera function of the terminal device 10, the terminal device 10 compares the table where the user is to play with the table indicated in the read result of the two-dimensional code 36 to detect whether the user is at the table where the user is to play. That is, the terminal device 10 detects that the user is attempting to play at a table other than the table where the user is to play. If the table where the user is to play and the table indicated in the read result of the two-dimensional code 36 do not match, the terminal device 10 notifies the user of an error and provides the user with information about the location of the table where the user is to play. Such information may include, for example, displaying on the terminal device 10 a route from the table indicated in the two-dimensional code 36 to the table where the user is to play, or displaying landmarks around the location of the table where the user is to play. For example, the terminal device 10 may display landmarks such as the entrance to the venue or objects installed at the venue, and information about the location of the table relative to these landmarks (e.g., "The table where the user is to play is the second seat from the entrance").

[0152] In step S653, the server 20 receives a signal based on the reading result of the two-dimensional code 36 from each terminal of the users who will compete, and thereby accepts that the matched users have started a battle. The server 20 transmits to the terminal device 10A and the terminal device 10B a notification that it has accepted that the users have started a battle. The server 20 transmits information about the decks registered by each user to the terminal device 10A and the terminal device 10B. The terminal of each user receives the information about the decks of the users who will compete.

[0153] In steps S605A and S605B, the terminal device 10A and the terminal device 10B establish a communication connection with each other, for example, by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or WiFi.

[0154] In step S607B, the terminal device 10B notifies the user 5B to place the terminal device 10B on the board of the TCG supplies 30 (state (A) in FIG. 1). As shown in state (B) in FIG. 1, the terminal device 10B notifies the users of the progress of the match, and displays the turn progress button 132B to accept operations by each user to progress their turn. Therefore, the arrangement example is not limited to the state (A) in FIG. 1, and the terminal device 10B may be placed, for example, in a position where both the user 5A and the user 5B can receive notifications of information.

[0155] In step S607A, the terminal device 10A notifies the user 5A by image or sound of the location of the terminal device 10A relative to the TCG supplies 30. Based on the image captured by the camera 160, the terminal device 10A determines whether the terminal device 10A is positioned in a location on the TCG supplies 30 that allows the user to capture an image of the entire range in which the user will place cards, and continues to notify the user 5A until the terminal device 10A is placed in an appropriate location. Furthermore, when the terminal device 10B is to be placed within the range captured by the terminal device 10A, the terminal device 10A detects that the terminal device 10B is appropriately positioned based on the captured image, and if it does not detect the terminal device 10B, notifies the user to place the terminal device 10B in an appropriate position. When the terminal device 10A detects that the terminal devices 10A and 10B have been placed in appropriate positions, the terminal device 10A notifies the user by sound that the TCG match can begin. Alternatively, terminal device 10A transmits a signal indicating that the TCG match can begin to terminal device 10B, causing terminal device 10B to notify the user that the TCG match can begin.

[0156] In step S609A, while the user is playing the TCG game, the terminal device 10A identifies the progress of the game based on the images captured by the camera 160. Specifically, the terminal device 10A identifies the character card battle details, the activation of the effect of the supplementary card, and the like by analyzing the images captured by the camera 160 of the TCG supplies 30. The terminal device 10A identifies the actions performed by the user during the game by analyzing the user's voice. The terminal device 10A identifies the actions performed by the user during the game based on both the captured images and the voice. The terminal device 10A determines the progress of the game (e.g., whether the stamina value of a character on a character card has changed, whether the effect of a supplementary card has been activated, etc.) based on the results identified in this way, and transmits the determination result to the terminal device 10B. Furthermore, the terminal device 10A analyzes the captured images to identify that the user has performed an action that does not comply with the rules of the game, and transmits information about the action to the terminal device 10B. In addition, the progress of the match or whether the user has engaged in an action that does not conform to the rules of the match may be determined by analyzing the user's voice or accepting input operations to the terminal device 10B, in addition to or instead of analyzing the captured images.

[0157] In step S609B, the terminal device 10B receives the determination result of the progress status of the match from the terminal device 10A and notifies the user of the progress status of the match. While the match is in progress, the terminal device 10B accepts an input operation for the user to advance the turn (for example, notifies as in state (B) of FIG. 1). When the terminal device 10B receives from the terminal device 10A that an action that does not conform to the rules has been performed, the terminal device 10B notifies the user by image or sound. The terminal device 10B determines the language in which to notify the user of information according to the user's language setting, which is stored in the server 20 as the user information database 281. The terminal device 10B notifies, for example, the user whose turn has arrived by sound such as "It's your turn" in the language of the user whose turn has arrived. Alternatively, the terminal device 10B notifies the user of the progress status of the match by image or sound in each language of the users participating in the match. For example, when the terminal device 10B is placed on the TCG supplies 30, on the display 132 of the terminal device 10B, information is displayed in the language setting of the user 5A in an area easily visible to the user 5A and in an orientation easily visible to the user 5A, and information is displayed in the language setting of the user 5B in an area easily visible to the user 5A and in an orientation easily visible to the user 5A (an orientation different from the information in the language setting of the user 5A) in an area easily visible to the user 5B. In this way, the terminal device 10A analyzes the captured image to identify the orientation of the terminal device 10B in the TCG supplies 30, and the terminal device 10B displays information in each language on the display 132. If the user does not perform an operation to advance the turn within a certain time after starting the turn, the terminal device 10B advances the turn and notifies the user that the turn has ended. In response to an input operation on the turn advance button 132B, the terminal device 10B transmits to the server 20 and the terminal device 10A that the user has advanced the turn. This allows the terminal device 10A to detect that the user's turn has progressed.

[0158] 8 is a diagram showing a situation in which the terminal device 10B notifies the user that an act that does not conform to the rules has been committed during a match. The terminal device 10B displays, in the operation reception unit 130, information indicating that an act that does not conform to the rules has been committed and the details of the act, on the error detection display unit 132E. The terminal device 10B displays, in the operation reception unit 130, a judge call unit 132F that receives an operation to call a referee (judge) who will officiate a match or the like, and a replay playback unit 132G that receives an operation to display an image captured by the terminal device 10A as a replay.

[0159] In response to a user's input operation to the judge calling unit 132F, the terminal device 10B transmits a signal to the server 20. This allows the organizer of the tournament to know at which table an act violating the rules has occurred, and can dispatch a judge to that table.

[0160] In response to a user's input operation to the replay playback unit 132G, the terminal device 10B transmits a signal to the terminal device 10A or the server 20. This allows the video captured and recorded by the terminal device 10A to be displayed on the terminal device 10B or the terminal of the organizer of the competition, etc.

[0161] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 7, in step S611A, when the terminal device 10A determines that the conditions for ending the battle have been met, it transmits to the server 20 the history of the actions of each user determined during the battle.

[0162] In step S655, the server 20 receives from the terminal device 10 the history of the progress of the battle and the history of acts that do not comply with the rules, and stores these in the battle history database 283.

[0163] In step S657, the server 20 matches each user with an opponent with whom they will next compete, and transmits information about the opponent and the location of the competition to the terminal device 10A and the terminal device 10B.

[0164] In step S613A, the terminal device 10A displays on the display 132 information about the opponent and information about the venue where the match will be held.

[0165] In step S613B, the terminal device 10B displays, on the display 132, information about the opponent and information about the venue where the match will take place (state (C) in FIG. 2).

[0166] <4 Layout example> FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the arrangement of the terminal device 10 relative to the TCG supplies 30 in order to support the progress of a TCG match.

[0167] In the example (A) of Fig. 9, terminal device 10A and terminal device 10B are placed on either side of the users playing against each other so as to photograph TCG items 30. By photographing TCG items 30 with the two terminals and performing image analysis, it is possible to further improve the accuracy of determining the progress of the match.

[0168] In example (B), each device is placed near the user who is playing the game. When determining the progress of the game based on the user's voice input, the accuracy of the determination can be further improved by placing the device close to the speaker.

[0169] In example (C), three terminals are arranged. Here, terminal device 10A is the terminal of user 5A, and terminal device 10B is the terminal of user 5B. In addition, a third party such as a tournament organizer prepares terminal device 10C and places it on TCG equipment 30. Terminal device 10C can support the progress of the TCG match by performing the same process as terminal device 10B described above in FIG. 7. Terminal device 10C may also display information identifying the table (e.g., a two-dimensional code) on the display instead of the two-dimensional code 36 described in FIGS. 1 and 2. Once a match location has been assigned, each user may be able to start a match at a tournament or the like by reading the information displayed on terminal device 10C with terminal device 10A and terminal device 10B. In other words, if the users are the correct users paired for the match, they can start the match at that table. In this way, when terminal device 10A and terminal device 10B read the two-dimensional code displayed on terminal device 10C and server 20 accepts the start of the TCG match (step S653 in FIG. 7), server 20 notifies terminal device 10C that the match has started. Thereafter, terminal device 10C fulfills the role of terminal device 10B described in FIG. 7 and displays information to support the progress of the TCG match (similar to step S609B). Alternatively, two terminals of each user may sense the TCG items 30, and each terminal may determine the progress status of the match and transmit the information to server 20. This improves the consistency of the content of the match progress history recorded in the match history database 283, and prevents cheating in TCG matches.

[0170] <5. Without matching by server 20> In the description of FIG. 7, an example has been described in which the server 20 matches opponents in a competition or the like, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0171] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a process in which each user uses a terminal to progress a TCG match.

[0172] First, at the start of a match, each user reads the information displayed on the other user's terminal, and the terminal identifies the user who will be the opponent.

[0173] In step S901A, the terminal device 10A displays information for identifying the user of the terminal device 10A (for example, a user ID) in a format (for example, a two-dimensional code) that can be read by the terminal device 10B.

[0174] In step S901B, the terminal device 10B acquires information about the opponent user (user 5A) by reading the code displayed on the terminal device 10A.

[0175] In step S903B, the terminal device 10B displays information for identifying the user of the terminal device 10B in a format that can be read by the terminal device 10A.

[0176] In step S903A, the terminal device 10A acquires information about the opponent user (user 5B) by reading the code displayed on the terminal device 10B.

[0177] The terminal device 10A and the terminal device 10B transmit to the server 20 the information of the opponent that they have read.

[0178] In step S653A, the server 20 receives information about the users who will start the battle from each terminal, thereby accepting that the users have started the battle.

[0179] The subsequent processing is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 7, and therefore the description will not be repeated.

[0180] <6 Variations> (1) In the above description of the embodiment, it is assumed that terminal device 10A determines that the match has ended, but this is not limiting and the following may be adopted. For example, terminal device 10A may not determine that the match has ended, but rather the user may determine whether the match has ended, and the TCG match may be ended by the user performing an input operation to end the match on terminal device 10B. This allows users to play a TCG match face-to-face while encouraging communication when the match ends.

[0181] (2) For the example of terminal placement as explained in FIG. 9, placement patterns may be specified individually for each match, or may be set in advance by the organizer in the case of a match.

[0182] (3) In the above embodiment, in a battle between character cards, parameters such as stamina values ​​are changed by attacks, etc., regardless of the orientation of the cards placed in the battle card placement unit 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The orientation of the cards may be taken into consideration, and the terminal device 10A may detect the orientation of the cards, thereby affecting the progress of the TCG battle (for example, by varying the amount of damage).

[0183] (4) In the above description of the embodiment, the TCG items 30 are photographed using the terminal device 10A of a first user (user 5A), and the terminal device 10B of a second user (user 5B) is placed on the TCG items 30 to display information to support the progress of the TCG match. The performance of the terminal devices used by each user varies, and camera performance, processor throughput, display resolution, and the like may differ. Therefore, for example, the server 20 or the like may compare information regarding the performance of each user's terminal to determine which terminal should be used to photograph the TCG items 30 (which terminal should serve as the terminal device 10A described above). For example, a terminal device with a certain level of sensing accuracy of the TCG items 30 or the like may be selected as the terminal device to be used for photographing. Specifically, since the content of each user's actions during a TCG match is determined based on images captured by a camera, the terminal device used for capturing images may be a terminal device equipped with a camera having a certain number of pixels or more and with a high processor processing power (i.e., a terminal device that takes a short time to determine the content of each user's actions).In addition, since the terminal device continues sensing to determine the content of each user's actions during a TCG match, a terminal device with sufficient battery power may be used for sensing.

[0184] (5) In the above embodiment, a replay is displayed on the terminal device 10 when an act that does not conform to the rules is performed. In addition, a terminal device operated by a referee (judge) of a match may display images captured by the terminal device 10A or the like as needed, for example, in response to an input operation by the referee. This makes it even easier for the referee to grasp the progress of the match between each user.

[0185] (6) When parameters are changed using items other than cards in a TCG battle, the terminal device 10A may detect the items based on the sensing results. The terminal device 10 changes various parameters based on the detection results of these items and notifies the user of the results. For example, if a character card has a health parameter set, and the health parameter decreases during a battle or increases due to recovery, an item indicating the decreased value may be placed in association with the character card. For example, if a character card is damaged, an item with a number printed on it corresponding to the amount of damage may be placed on the card. In this case, the terminal device 10A can recognize the change in the health parameter by detecting the item. Note that, as described above, when a user battles using character cards, parameters such as health values ​​are changed and managed by the terminal device 10A, etc. based on the parameters of each character card. However, if the managed parameter differs from the amount of damage indicated on the item, the terminal device 10B may notify the user of this.

[0186] (7) In the above embodiment, the cards placed in the TCG supplies 30 or the cards in the user's hand are identified based on the sensing results of the terminal device 10A. Alternatively, the sensing results (the card type determined by the terminal device 10A) may be displayed on the terminal device 10B, prompting the user to confirm whether the sensing results are correct. For example, if the accuracy with which the card type can be identified varies for each card (it may be difficult for the terminal device 10A, etc., to identify certain cards), the terminal device 10B, etc. may receive input from the user as to which card the card is, for cards with accuracy below a certain level.

[0187] <7 Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described, and the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will not be repeated.

[0188] In the second embodiment, the server 20 accepts registration of multiple decks in advance from users for battles in a tournament. When the server 20 matches users for a battle in a tournament, it causes each user's terminal device 10 to display deck information (information on some of the cards that make up the deck) of the opponent user. Each user's terminal device 10 accepts from the user a designation of the deck to be used in the battle from among the multiple registered decks.

[0189] This allows the user to specify the deck to be used in a match, taking into consideration factors such as the compatibility of the cards that make up the deck, thereby further increasing the excitement of TCG matches.

[0190] <7.1 Data structure in the second embodiment> In the second embodiment, the server 20 stores, in the storage unit 202, card information 286, a tournament database 287, tournament entry information 288, a matching history database 282C, and a battle history database 283C.

[0191] 11 is a diagram showing the data structures of card information 286 and tournament database 287. Card information 286 is a database for storing information on cards used in TCG matches. Tournament database 287 is a database for storing information related to the operation of each TCG tournament.

[0192] As shown in FIG. 11, each record of the card information 286 includes an item "card ID," an item "card name," an item "card type," an item "card attributes," an item "parameters," an item "regulations," etc.

[0193] The item "Card ID" is information for identifying each card used in a TCG match.

[0194] The item "Card Name" indicates the name of the card. For example, the card name may be the name of a character written on the card, the name of an auxiliary card, or the like.

[0195] The item "Card Type" indicates the type of card, as already explained in another embodiment. Card types include character cards (unconditional cards, conditional cards), action cards, and support cards (including a first card type that the user can use any number of cards of during a turn, and a second card type that the user can use only one card of during a turn).

[0196] The item "card attribute" indicates the attribute set for a card. Here, it is assumed that multiple types of attributes are prepared in advance for setting for cards, and compatibility is set for each type. For example, there is a first type (e.g., type "forest"). A second type (e.g., type "fire"), a third type (e.g., type "water"), etc., and tendencies of advantage and disadvantage are set among these types. For example, the parameters of the card of the first type are corrected so that it is advantageous over the second type, and compatibility like a rock-paper-scissors is set among these multiple types. Note that the types of attributes set for cards are not limited to three types, and there may also be a "none" attribute, in which no attribute is set.

[0197] The "parameter" item includes parameters such as character parameters set for the card, such as physical strength and attack power, and parameters that define the amount of effect.

[0198] The "Regulations" item is set for each card and is information that stipulates whether a card can be used in a match for each type of tournament. For example, regulations may be set for each series of cards used in a TCG. Depending on the tournament, regulations (i.e., the range of card types that can be used in the tournament) may be specified.

[0199] Each record in the tournament database 287 includes an item such as "Tournament ID," "Tournament name," "Tournament date and time," "Deck registration acceptance period," "Tournament venue," "Deck regulations," and "Tournament participation eligibility."

[0200] The item "Tournament ID" is information for identifying each tournament.

[0201] The item "Tournament Name" indicates the name of the tournament.

[0202] The "Event Date and Time" field indicates the duration of the event. Some events last for one day, while others may last for multiple days.

[0203] The "Deck Registration Acceptance Period" item is a period during which users can register their decks in advance of participating in the tournament. For example, the deck registration acceptance period may close before the tournament date and time, or it may be opened when users enter the tournament (taking the steps to register as a user participating in the tournament) on the day of the tournament (before the TCG battles at the tournament begin). After the deck registration acceptance period has passed or after the tournament battles have begun, the server 20 will not allow users to change the information on the multiple decks accepted from the user to be used in the tournament, regardless of the user's operation. In other words, once battles have begun in the tournament, users will not be able to change the multiple decks registered for the tournament (the combination of cards that make up the decks will not be able to be changed). Furthermore, the server 20 will not allow users to change the information on the multiple decks they use in the tournament, regardless of the operation of other users, including the user's opponents.

[0204] The item "battle venue" indicates the location where the battle will be held.

[0205] The "Deck Regulations" item indicates the card regulations that stipulate the range of cards that can be used in the tournament. In other words, each user will create a deck using cards within the range specified by the regulations.

[0206] The item "Eligibility to participate in the tournament" indicates the conditions, if any, for participating in the tournament.

[0207] 12 is a diagram showing the data structures of the tournament entry information 288, the matching history database 282C, and the battle history database 283C. The tournament entry information 288 is a database for managing deck information of each user registered as a participant in the tournament. The matching history database 282C is a database showing the history of matches between users performed by the server 20, and includes information on the decks used by each user in the battle. The battle history database 283C is a database for storing the history of TCG battle content.

[0208] As shown in FIG. 12 , each record in the tournament entry information 288 includes an item "User ID," an item "First Registered Deck," an item "Second Registered Deck," an item "Third Registered Deck," and the like, associated with the identification information for each tournament. When a user enters a tournament, they may enter with fewer decks than the number of decks that can be registered for the tournament. In the illustrated example, user "#USER_01" has registered three decks, while user "#USER_02" has registered one deck that they themselves organized. When entering a tournament, in addition to the decks they themselves organized, users may be able to register a dummy deck (dummy deck). In other words, even cards not owned by the user may be registered as a dummy deck. Therefore, a dummy deck may be considered a deck that cannot be used in a tournament (restricted deck) because it may be associated with cards not owned by the user. On the other hand, a deck organized using cards owned by a user may be considered a deck that can be registered in a tournament and used in a tournament (unrestricted deck).

[0209] The server 20 may accept the registration of a dummy deck from the user, or may automatically register a dummy deck without user operation if the number of decks registered by the user is less than a predetermined number (for example, when registering one deck), or may automatically generate dummy deck candidates and present them to the user, and accept the selection of a dummy deck from the user. In other words, the server 20 may generate dummy deck information without user operation (the operation in which the user selects cards to organize a deck).

[0210] The item "user ID" is information for identifying each user participating in the competition.

[0211] The item "First registered deck" indicates information about each card that makes up the first deck of multiple decks registered by the user.

[0212] The item "Second registered deck" indicates information about each card that constitutes the second deck out of multiple decks registered by the user.

[0213] The item "Third registered deck" indicates information about each card that makes up the third deck out of multiple decks registered by the user.

[0214] Each record in the matching history database 282C includes an item "matching ID," an item "matching date and time," an item "target user," an item "table number," an item "deck used," and the like.

[0215] The item "matching ID" is information for identifying each match performed by the server 20.

[0216] The item "matching date and time" indicates the timing (date and time) when the server 20 performed matching.

[0217] The item "target user" contains information about the matched user.

[0218] The item "table number" is information that identifies the table at which each user played a match when tables for playing matches are set up at the venue of the match.

[0219] The item "Used Deck" indicates the deck that each user has designated to use in a battle among multiple decks when the users battle each other.

[0220] Each record in the match history database 283C includes an item "match ID," an item "match date and time," an item "target user," an item "matching ID," an item "match progress history," an item "rule non-compliance history," and the like.

[0221] The item "battle ID" is information for identifying each battle in which a user has played.

[0222] The item "match date and time" indicates the time when a match between users took place.

[0223] The item "target user" is information that identifies each user who participated in the match.

[0224] The item "matching ID" indicates a matching ID when the server 20 performs matching and a match between users is held based on this matching.

[0225] The item "battle progress history" includes the procedure of each user's actions analyzed by the terminal device 10 by sensing the TCG items.

[0226] The item "rule non-compliance history" indicates a history of the terminal device 10A determining that an action that does not comply with the rules occurred during a match between users.

[0227] <7.2 Operation in the second embodiment> Next, the operation of each device in the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the operation of each device in the second embodiment. In the description of Fig. 13, the processes in steps S601A and S601B are the same as those in Fig. 7, and therefore the description will not be repeated.

[0228] In step S651A, the server 20 matches users to compete against each other and notifies the terminals of each matched user (terminal devices 10A and 10B) of the battle location information. The server 20 transmits information about the opponent's deck (information about the multiple decks registered by each user, which is stored in the battle entry information 288) to each user's terminal. The server 20 may transmit all information about the multiple decks registered by the opponent user to each user's terminal, or may transmit only part of the information about the multiple decks to be registered to each user's terminal. If a dummy deck is registered in association with user information, the server 20 transmits information including the dummy deck as information about the user's multiple decks to the terminal of the user who will be the opponent of the user. Alternatively, the server 20 may generate a dummy deck by matching users together. In other words, if a first user has not registered multiple decks that the first user has organized himself / herself (for example, if the first user has registered one deck), the server 20 may match users who will be competing against each other, generate a dummy deck to send to a second user who will be the first user's opponent, and send information about the generated dummy deck and information about the deck that the first user has organized himself / herself to the second user's terminal.

[0229] In step S1303A, the terminal device 10A acquires at least a portion of the information about the matched opponent's deck from the server 20 and displays the acquired portion of the deck information. The terminal device 10A accepts the designation of the deck that the user will use in the match. Even if the deck information of the opponent playing against the user includes information about a dummy deck, it will be difficult for the user to determine which deck information is that of the dummy deck. In other words, the terminal device 10 presents to the user decks (unlimited decks) that are organized with cards owned by the opponent and registered in the match, and the dummy deck (limited deck) without distinction. On the other hand, by organizing one deck, the opponent user can participate in the match without having to organize multiple decks, making it easier to participate in the match.

[0230] In step S1303B, the terminal device 10B acquires at least a portion of information about the matched opponent's deck from the server 20 and displays the acquired portion of the deck information. The terminal device 10B accepts designation of the deck the user will use in the match. Here, if the user has organized a single deck rather than multiple decks, the user's terminal device 10 may perform processing assuming that the single deck will be used without accepting designation of the deck the user will use in the match. Furthermore, the user's terminal device 10 may display information about the dummy deck displayed on the terminal device 10 of the opponent user. In other words, the user may be able to confirm information about the dummy deck presented to the opponent. When displaying information about the dummy deck presented to the opponent, the terminal device 10 may perform processing so that the dummy deck cannot be designated as the deck to be used in the match (for example, by hiding a button or the like for designating a dummy deck, notifying an error when an operation to designate a dummy deck is performed, etc.).

[0231] In steps S1303A and S1303B, terminal device 10A and terminal device 10B each accept, within a certain period of time, from each user, a designation of the deck to be used in the match. If no deck is designated by the user, any of the multiple decks registered by each user may be identified as the deck to be used in the match without relying on the user's designation. Terminal devices 10A and 10B transmit information about the decks designated by each user to be used in the match to server 20.

[0232] In step S1353, the server 20 updates the database (the "Deck Used" item in the matching history database 282C) based on the information on the decks specified by each marching user. The server 20 accepts the start of a match between users. The server 20 transmits the registered details of each user's deck to each user's terminal device. In other words, the server 20 transmits, of the information on the multiple decks registered by each user, at least the information on the deck specified by each user in step S1303A or step S1303B to the terminal device of each matched user. This allows each terminal device to retain information on the decks of the opponent users.

[0233] As described above, the server 20 performs a process of matching users who will play TCG matches, and in response to the completion of matching between the competing users, causes each user to present information about the opponent's deck. The server 20 does not present information about each user's deck to each user until matching is complete on the terminal device 10. In other words, when an opponent is determined through matching, each user is presented with a portion of the information about the opponent's decks. This makes it difficult for users to prepare strategies based on knowing the deck information of each user before matching, thereby improving fairness in the matches between users. In other words, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a user who has prepared strategies in advance has an advantage.

[0234] <7.3 Screen Examples in the Second Embodiment> FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the terminal device 10 in the second embodiment.

[0235] 14(A), the terminal device 10 displays information about the matched opponent on the display 132. The terminal device 10 displays, on the display 132, information about the user who will be the opponent, information about the battle location, information about the time remaining until the battle ends, and the like.

[0236] The terminal device 10 displays, in the information display section 132P2, part of the information about the decks that the opponents will register for the tournament.

[0237] Here, the terminal device 10 displaying part of the information about a plurality of decks includes displaying information about each card that constitutes the deck (information about each item shown in the card information 286). Specifically, the terminal device 10 may display information about the type of card included in the opponent's deck (the "card type" item in the card information 286) (or information about the card name). This provides information for making a decision, such as knowing information about the opponent's main character card and then selecting a deck that takes measures against that character card.

[0238] The terminal device 10 may display information about the attributes of cards included in the opponent's deck (for example, display information about the attribute that is most common among the attributes of cards included in the deck). This can provide the user with information to help them select a deck that includes cards with attributes that are more advantageous than those of the opponent's deck.

[0239] The terminal device 10 may display information that makes the user aware that the information displayed in the information display section 132P2 is part of the information on the opponent's deck.

[0240] The terminal device 10 receives, in the specification receiving unit 132P3, a specification of the deck that the user will use in the battle. The specification receiving unit 132P3 displays information indicating each deck that the user has registered in the battle (first deck 132P4, second deck 132P5, third deck 132P6) and receives the user's specification.

[0241] The server 20 may display a portion of the information about the opponent's decks to each matched user, and may receive a designation from the tournament organizer regarding the range of cards to be presented to the opponent user. For example, the tournament organizer may instruct the server 20 in advance to display information about the card types that make up the registered decks to each matched user. This allows the range of deck information to be presented to the opponent to be set according to the deck configuration of the user participating in the tournament or the skill level of the user participating in the tournament. Furthermore, the terminal device 10 may allow the matched user to specify the range of information to be presented from the opponent's decks. This allows the users to negotiate the deck selection before the start of the tournament based on the range of information to be presented agreed upon between them.

[0242] FIG. 14(B) shows a situation in which the user in the match specifies the range of information to be presented about the opponent's decks.

[0243] The server 20 displays, on the information display unit 132P of the terminal device 10, an operation reception unit 132P10 for receiving information about the types of cards in the opponent's deck, and an operation reception unit 132P11 for receiving information about the tendencies in the attributes of the cards that make up the opponent's deck.

[0244] The terminal device 10 receives a designation of the range in which to display information about a portion of the opponent's deck by receiving an operation from the user specifying the operation reception unit 132P10 or the operation reception unit 132P11. In response to the designation, the terminal device 10 displays information about a portion of the opponent's deck.

[0245] FIG. 14(C) shows another example of displaying information about part of the opponent's deck.

[0246] As shown in FIG. 14(C), the terminal device 10 displays, in the designation receiving unit 132P3, information on the information display unit 132P7 to assist the user in deciding which of multiple decks to designate. The terminal device 10 estimates the probability of winning or losing between the decks based on information on the opponent's decks and information on the multiple decks registered by the user of the terminal device 10, and displays information based on the estimation result on the information display unit 132P7. For example, as shown in the figure, the information display unit 132P7 may display information suggesting advantages or disadvantages when a match is played using the deck registered by the user of the terminal device 10 (the combination of cards constituting the deck) against the deck of the opponent user. The server 20 estimates the probability of winning or losing between the decks by referencing the match history database 283C, and generates a trained model based on information on the decks used by each user in a match (matching history database 282C, match history database 283C) and information on the results of the match based on the information on the decks used. The trained model inputs information about the decks of each user competing in a match and outputs the probability that each user will win (or lose). As described above, the server 20 determines deck compatibility based on the combination of cards organized in the decks or the history of match results in matches using the decks.

[0247] FIG. 14(D) shows an example of displaying an error when a user uses a card that is not included in the deck, regardless of the deck specified by the user. The terminal device 10 displays, on the information display unit 132P8, that a card that is not included in the specified deck is being used (a reason that the battle may be interrupted in the battle). The server 20 or the terminal device 10 refers to information about the decks that each matched user specified to be used in the battle. Meanwhile, as described in the first embodiment, the images of the cards placed on the TCG supplies 30 can be photographed with a camera and image recognition can be performed to record the progress of the battle. As a result, the server 20 or the terminal device 10 displays an error on the terminal device 10 when a user uses a card that is not included in the deck specified by the user.

[0248] <7.4 Modification of the second embodiment> In the above description of the second embodiment, we have explained the process of displaying partial information about the opponent's deck on the terminal device 10 of each matched user in response to the server 20 performing matching, and the process of accepting an operation by the user to specify the deck to be used in the match.

[0249] Alternatively, each user's terminal device 10 may present information about multiple decks of other users to the user, regardless of whether matching is successful or not. The server 20 transmits information about each user's multiple decks to each user's terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 presents information about multiple decks of other users to the user and accepts designation of the information about the other users' decks from the user. That is, the terminal device 10 accepts an operation to designate the deck of another user from the user of the terminal device 10. In response to the operation to designate the deck of the other user, the terminal device 10 performs a process to challenge the other user to a battle. The server 20 receives a signal from the terminal device 10 to challenge the other user to a battle, and transmits a signal indicating that a challenge has been made to the terminal device 10 of the other user. In response to receiving a signal from the terminal device 10 to challenge the other user to a battle, the server 20 determines a battle location for each user and transmits information about the battle location to the terminal device 10 of each user.

[0250] The above-described embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the invention and their equivalents as defined in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0251] <Additional Notes> The matters described in the above embodiment will be supplemented below.

[0252] (Appendix 1) An information processing device (20) for supporting the management of a TCG (Trading Card Game) tournament manages tournament information related to a tournament (287) and tournament information (282C, 283C) of each user (288) participating in the tournament, and is configured to store information on a plurality of decks that users can use in the tournament as registered deck information in association with the tournament information (288). A control unit (203) of the information processing device includes steps of determining an opponent user who will play against one user, and storing win / loss information between the one user and the opponent user. an information processing device that executes the steps of: presenting information related to the registered deck information of the opponent user to one user before registration (S651A, S1303A, S1303B); after the presentation to the user in the step of presenting the information to the user, accepting from the one user a designation of a deck to be used in the battle from the registered deck information of the one user (S1301A, S1303B, S1353); and updating the managed battle information in response to each user designating a deck to be used in the battle (S1353).

[0253] (Appendix 2) The tournament information includes information regarding the event period (287), and the control unit executes the steps of accepting registered deck information from the user at a timing before the event period (287), and in response to storing the deck information, storing the registered deck information in the memory unit in association with the user (288), and after a predetermined condition is met, the information processing device does not allow the user to change the registered deck information regardless of the user's operation.

[0254] (Appendix 3) An information processing device as described in (Appendix 2), in which the control unit does not change the registered deck information of a single user regardless of operations of other users, including users who are opponents of the single user.

[0255] (Appendix 4) An information processing device described in any one of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 3), which acquires sensed data from a sensing mechanism that senses the area in which cards used in TCG matches are placed (10A), and a control unit executes a step of detecting, based on the analysis results of the sensed data, that a card different from a card included in a deck stored as registered deck information has been used.

[0256] (Appendix 5) An information processing device described in any one of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 4), wherein the control unit, in response to the completion of matching between competing users, causes each user to present information about the opponent's deck, and the information about the opponent's deck is not presented to each user until matching is completed.

[0257] (Appendix 6) An information processing device as described in (Appendix 5), wherein in the step of presenting information related to registered deck information to the user, the control unit presents a portion of information about each of the multiple decks.

[0258] (Appendix 7) The information processing device according to (Appendix 6), wherein the information on a portion of each of the plurality of decks is a specific type of card among cards organized in each of the plurality of decks (286, FIG. 14, 132P2).

[0259] (Appendix 8) An information processing device according to (Appendix 6) or (Appendix 7), wherein some of the information about each of the multiple decks is specified by the organizer of the tournament and / or the users competing.

[0260] (Appendix 9) An information processing device according to (Appendix 6), wherein the partial information of each of the plurality of decks is a portion of the information indicated by cards organized in each of the plurality of decks.

[0261] (Appendix 10) The information processing device according to (Appendix 6), wherein the part of the information about each of the plurality of decks is information about the compatibility of each of the plurality of decks with other decks.

[0262] (Appendix 11) The information processing device according to (Appendix 10), wherein the control unit determines compatibility based on the combination of cards organized in the deck or the history of the deck's past match results.

[0263] (Appendix 12) An information processing device described in any one of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 4), wherein the control unit executes the steps of obtaining information about other users' decks and presenting it to the user, and challenging the other users to a battle in response to the user specifying the information about the presented deck.

[0264] (Appendix 13) The information processing device described in (Appendix 1) in which updating the battle information includes retaining information on decks designated by each user to be used in battles.

[0265] (Appendix 14) An information processing device as described in (Appendix 1), in which the registered deck information includes information on at least one non-restricted deck that can be used in battles and information on at least one restricted deck that cannot be used in battles, and in the step of presenting the information to the user, the non-restricted deck and the restricted deck are presented to the opposing user without distinction.

[0266] (Appendix 15) An information processing device according to (Appendix 14), wherein the information on the restricted deck is generated without a card selection operation by a user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0267] 5A, 5B User, 10A, 10B Terminal Device, 12 Communication IF, 13 Input / Output IF, 15 Memory, 16 Storage, 19 Processor, 20 Server, 22 Communication IF, 23 Input / Output IF, 25 Memory, 26 Storage, 29 Processor, 30 TCG Supplies (Mat), 31A, 31B Deck Placement Section, 32A, 32B Preparation Card Placement Section, 33A, 33B Win / Loss Condition Card Placement Section, 34A, 34B Battle Card Placement Section, 35A, 35B Consumption Card Placement Section, 80 Network, 81 Wireless Base Station, 82 Wireless LAN Base Station, 130 Operation Reception Section (Touch Screen), 132 Display, 181 Card Information, 182 Deck Information, 281 User Information Database, 282, 282C Matching History Database, 283, 283C Match history database, card information 286, tournament database 287, tournament entry information 288.

Claims

1. A program to be executed by a computer having a processor and a memory, the program causing the processor to: acquiring image data captured during a TCG (Trading Card Game) match; a step of identifying cards used in a match and items for managing the stamina values ​​of the cards by analyzing the image data; a step of recognizing a change in a physical strength parameter corresponding to the card based on arrangement information of the card and the item; generating information on the physical strength parameters after the change when the change is recognized; A program that executes the following.

2. The program described in Claim 1, wherein the step of recognizing the fluctuation includes recognizing a fluctuation in the physical strength parameters of the card when the item is placed on top of the card.

3. The program described in claim 1, wherein the step of identifying the item includes identifying the type of the item and recognizing the amount of variation in the physical strength parameter based on the type of the item.

4. The article is a numbered article, The program according to claim 3 , wherein the type of the item corresponds to a number attached to the item.

5. The item indicates a variation in a physical strength parameter, The program causes the processor to: a step of comparing a first variation amount, which is a variation amount of a physical strength parameter determined based on the content of a match using the card, with a second variation amount, which is a variation amount indicated by the item recognized from the image data; a step of issuing a predetermined notification when the first variation amount and the second variation amount are different from each other; The program according to claim 1 , further comprising:

6. The program instructs the processor to: displaying the identified card type on a display; receiving an operation from a user to confirm whether the displayed card type is correct; The program according to claim 1 , further comprising:

7. The step of identifying the card includes identifying the card by analyzing the image data if the type of the card satisfies a predetermined condition; The program according to claim 1 , further causing the processor to execute a step of receiving an input from a user indicating the type of the card when the type of the card does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

8. A method executed on a computer having a processor and memory, wherein the processor performs all of the steps described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. An information processing device comprising a control unit and a memory unit, wherein the control unit executes all of the steps described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A system having a configuration for performing all steps described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images