method

Abstract

Improve the technology for games that use vehicles. [Solution] The information processing device 10 sets up a virtual space that links positional information with the real space. Based on changes in the vehicle's positional information, the information processing device 10 determines the movement trajectory of the first player moving in the vehicle in the real space. Based on the first player's movement trajectory, the information processing device 10 determines the first area of ​​the first player in the virtual space. The information processing device 10 proceeds with the game based on the first area. Then, based on the vehicle's driving information during the first player's movement, the information processing device 10 gives the first player an incentive or penalty for the game.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for games using vehicles are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a game program that uses the position of a vehicle to take positions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Improvements are desired in the technology of games using vehicles.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology of games using vehicles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a method executed by an information processing apparatus that provides a game, including setting a virtual space that links position information with the real space, determining a movement trajectory of a first player who moves the real space with the vehicle based on a change in the position information of the vehicle, determining a first area of the first player in the virtual space based on the movement trajectory of the first player, advancing the game based on the first area, and giving an incentive or penalty for the game to the first player based on the running information of the vehicle during the movement of the first player.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the technology for games using vehicles is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the information processing device related to this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device related to this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below.

[0010] (Summary of the embodiment) Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. The information processing device 10 is, for example, an in-vehicle device mounted in a vehicle, or a server device that communicates with the vehicle, a PC (Personal Computer), a computer such as a smartphone, or a general-purpose or dedicated electronic device. The information processing device 10 provides a game that uses the vehicle. The information processing device 10 may also be composed of, for example, an in-vehicle device and a server device, or it may be composed of multiple devices including a terminal device carried by the user, such as a smartphone.

[0011] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The information processing device 10 sets up a virtual space that links positional information with the real world. Based on changes in the vehicle's positional information, the information processing device 10 determines the movement trajectory of the first player moving in the vehicle in the real world. Based on the first player's movement trajectory, the information processing device 10 determines the first area of ​​the first player in the virtual space. The information processing device 10 proceeds with the game based on the first area. Then, based on the vehicle's driving information during the first player's movement, the information processing device 10 provides the first player with an incentive or penalty for the game.

[0012] In the prior art, there are known technologies that provide games using vehicles for capturing territories and the like. However, when games are played using actual vehicles, there is a possibility of driver distraction due to the user becoming too focused on the game. In contrast, according to this embodiment, incentives or penalties are given to the player based on the vehicle's driving information while the player is moving. As a result, the player pays more attention to driving the vehicle in order to gain an advantage in the game, thus reducing the likelihood of driver distraction. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the technology for games using vehicles is improved in that the likelihood of driver distraction occurring while the game is being played is reduced.

[0013] Next, the configuration of the information processing device 10 will be described in detail.

[0014] (Configuration of information processing device) The information processing device 10 comprises a communication unit 11, an output unit 12, an input unit 13, a storage unit 14, a control unit 15, and a sensor unit 16.

[0015] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces that connect to a network. These communication interfaces support, for example, mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 11 receives information used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and transmits information obtained through the operation of the information processing device 10. The communication unit 11 enables the information processing device 10 to communicate with, for example, a server that manages games, via the network.

[0016] The output unit 12 includes one or more output devices that output information. These output devices are, for example, a display that outputs information as video, or a speaker that outputs information as sound, but are not limited to these. Alternatively, the output unit 12 may include an interface for connecting an external output device.

[0017] The input unit 13 includes one or more input devices for detecting user input operations. These input devices are, but are not limited to, physical keys, capacitive keys, mice, touch panels, touchscreens integrated with the display of the output unit 12, or microphones. Alternatively, the input unit 13 may include an interface for connecting external input devices.

[0018] The storage unit 14 includes one or more memories. The memories are, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories, but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 14 may function as, for example, a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The storage unit 14 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 10. In addition, for example, the storage unit 14 may store system programs, application programs, and embedded software. For example, the information stored in the storage unit 14 may be updatable with information obtained from a network via, for example, the communication unit 11. In this embodiment, the storage unit 14 stores the game that uses a vehicle and map information used in the game.

[0019] The control unit 15 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), at least one dedicated circuit such as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or GPU (graphics processing unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The control unit 15 controls each part of the information processing device 10 and executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0020] The sensor unit 16 includes any sensors for acquiring driving information, such as a steering angle sensor, an acceleration sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a position sensor, and a gyro sensor. The sensor unit 16 may include, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver or the like. The sensor unit 16 may include, for example, a camera capable of photographing information around the vehicle.

[0021] (Operation Flow of Information Processing Device) Referring to FIG. 2, the operation of the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0022] S100: The control unit 15 of the information processing device 10 sets a virtual space that links position information with the real space.

[0023] Specifically, when the user starts the game, the control unit 15 sets the virtual space by associating the field of the virtual space of the game with the map information of the real space stored in the storage unit 14. In the present embodiment, a battle format in which the user, who is the first player, competes with one or more other users (also referred to as second players) is common, but the game may be played by only the first player. Also, the first player and the second player may play the game in cooperation. Also, the field of the virtual space may be the same as or different from the map information of the real space.

[0024] S101: The control unit 15 determines the movement trajectory of the first player who moves in the real space with the vehicle based on the change in the position information of the vehicle.

[0025] Specifically, the control unit 15 acquires the position information of the vehicle at predetermined time intervals or in real time using the sensor unit 16. Next, the control unit 15 determines the movement trajectory of the first player who moves in the real space with the vehicle by associating the acquired position information with the map information of the real space.

[0026] S102: The control unit 15 determines the first area of ​​the first player in the virtual space based on the movement trajectory of the first player.

[0027] For example, the control unit 15 may increase the size of the first area as the movement trajectory extends. In this case, the control unit 15 may consider not only the movement trajectory but also its surroundings as the first area. Alternatively, the control unit 15 may consider the area enclosed by the movement trajectory as the first area.

[0028] S103: The control unit 15 advances the game based on the first area.

[0029] For example, if the first player is playing the game in a competitive format, the game may proceed based on the area of ​​the first area. For example, the control unit 15 may compare the size of the first area when a predetermined time has passed with the size of the second player's second area, and the player with the larger area may be declared the winner of the game. Alternatively, for example, the control unit 15 may proceed with the game with the objective of ensuring that a predetermined point in the virtual space is included in the first area. Or, if the first player is playing the game alone, for example, the control unit 15 may proceed with the game with the objective of drawing a predetermined picture using the first area. Thus, the control unit 15 is not limited to the above, and may proceed with the game to allow the first player to achieve any objective based on the first area.

[0030] S104: The control unit 15 provides the first player with an incentive or penalty for the game based on the vehicle's movement information during the first player's movement.

[0031] "Vehicle driving information" refers to arbitrary information about the vehicle that can be obtained using the sensor unit 16, such as vehicle speed information and vehicle surrounding information, and map information of the real world, and is obtained using these.

[0032] For example, the control unit 15 may determine whether safe driving is being performed based on the vehicle's driving information, and if it determines that safe driving is being performed, it may provide an incentive to the first player. In this case, the vehicle's driving information may include any vehicle driving information associated with safe driving, such as the vehicle adhering to the speed limit for a predetermined period of time, stopping at a stop line, stopping at a traffic light, or encountering traffic congestion.

[0033] "Incentives" may include any incentives that are beneficial to playing the game, such as increasing the amount of the first area gained per unit distance traveled, allowing new colors to be selected for use in the first area, or allowing selection of weapons to be used in the game.

[0034] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 15 may determine whether or not dangerous driving is occurring based on the vehicle's driving information, and if it determines that dangerous driving is occurring, it may impose a penalty on the first player. In this case, the vehicle's driving information may include any vehicle driving information associated with dangerous driving, such as the vehicle exceeding the speed limit or committing a serious traffic rule violation.

[0035] "Penalties" may include any penalties that make it difficult to play the game, such as narrowing the first area or reducing the amount of the first area increased per unit distance moved for a second predetermined period of time.

[0036] Incentives and penalties may vary depending on the vehicle's driving information. For example, if the vehicle continues to obey the speed limit for a first predetermined period of time, the control unit 15 may allow the vehicle to select a weapon that can be used in the game, and if the vehicle stops at a traffic light, it may gradually increase the first area around the stopping point while the vehicle is stopped.

[0037] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 15 may present the first area to the first player in real time, at predetermined intervals, or when the vehicle is stopped. Presenting the first area to the first player not in real time, but at predetermined intervals or when the vehicle is stopped, can reduce the likelihood of driver distraction. Any method of presenting the first area can be used, such as displaying the first area by coloring it on the display of the output unit 12, or displaying the first area by enclosing it.

[0038] The "first predetermined time," "second predetermined time," and "third predetermined time" are any time that can be expressed in terms of seconds, minutes, etc. Furthermore, the first predetermined time, second predetermined time, and third predetermined time may be changed depending on the circumstances. For example, if a vehicle exceeds the speed limit, the second predetermined time may be made longer the greater the difference between the vehicle's speed and the speed limit.

[0039] While this disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions, etc., included in each component or step can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided into two.

[0040] For example, in the embodiment described above, it is also possible to distribute the configuration and operation of the information processing device 10 to multiple computers that can communicate with each other. For example, if the information processing device 10 is composed of an in-vehicle device and a server, the in-vehicle device may perform some operations, and the server may perform operations that the in-vehicle device does not. In addition, the terminal device and the in-vehicle device may share the game status.

[0041] Furthermore, for example, in the embodiment described above, the control unit 15 may provide an incentive to the first player based on the vehicle history, which is the history of cars purchased by the first player. For example, the more cars the first player has purchased, the more incentive the control unit 15 may provide to the first player. For example, if the first player purchases a new car, the control unit 15 may provide an incentive to the first player.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, in the embodiment described above, if the first area is presented to the first player by color, the control unit 15 may change the color of the first area according to the passage of time, or may change it based on information about the first player. The passage of time may be, for example, years, months, or seasons, but is not limited to any other unit of time that can be used. The information about the first player may include the age of the first player's children, the first player's wedding anniversary, the number of years that have passed since the first player got married, etc.

[0043] Furthermore, for example, in the embodiment described above, the control unit 15 may provide events in the virtual space. In this case, the events may include, for example, arriving at a specific location in the real space, or writing predetermined characters or pictures in the first area.

[0044] Furthermore, it is also possible to implement an embodiment in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing device 10 according to the above embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content that realizes each function of the information processing device 10 according to the above embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the processor reads and executes the program. Therefore, this disclosure can also be implemented as a program that can be executed by a processor, or as a non-temporary computer-readable medium that stores the program. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 10 Information processing unit, 11 Communication unit, 12 Output unit, 13 Input unit, 14 Storage unit, 15 Control unit, 16 Sensor unit

Claims

1. A method executed by an information processing device that provides a game, Setting up a virtual space that links location information with the real world, Based on changes in the vehicle's position information, determine the movement trajectory of the first player moving through the real space in the vehicle. Based on the movement trajectory of the first player, the first area of ​​the first player in the virtual space is determined. To advance the game based on the first area, and To provide the first player with an incentive or penalty for the game based on the vehicle's driving information during the first player's movement. Methods that include...

2. The method according to claim 1, The information processing device determines whether or not safe driving is being performed based on the driving information. A method for granting the incentive to the first player if it is determined that safe driving is being performed.

3. The method according to claim 1, The information processing device determines, based on the driving information, whether or not dangerous driving is occurring. A method for imposing the penalty on the first player if it is determined that dangerous driving is occurring.

4. The method according to claim 1, Determining the first area includes increasing the first area as the movement trajectory extends, The information processing device advances the game based on the area of ​​the first area. A method for granting the aforementioned incentive or penalty, comprising changing the amount of increase of the first area per unit distance traveled.

5. The method according to claim 1, To present the first area to the first player in real time, at predetermined intervals, or when the vehicle is stopped. Methods that further include the above.

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