Card game support device, card game support method, and program

Abstract

This invention provides a card game support device, a card game support method, and a program that can easily provide support to users during card game gameplay. [Solution] One aspect of the card game support device of the present disclosure is a card game support device for supporting a user's play in a card game in which game cards are placed on a playing surface, comprising: an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of the situation on the playing surface; a creation unit that creates a prompt having instructions related to the user's play in the card game based on the image; an answer acquisition unit that inputs the prompt to a generation model and acquires an answer from the generation model; and an answer output unit that outputs the answer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a card game support device, a card game support method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, card games such as TCG (Trading Card Game) in which users place game cards on the table and play (compete) with each other are known. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose techniques for automatically detecting rule violations and supporting game progress by photographing the in-game field situation and analyzing the photographed image in a TCG.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional techniques as described above, it is necessary to construct an algorithm for detecting rule violations, and there is room for improvement in easily realizing support for users' play.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a card game support device, a card game support method, and a program that can easily realize support for users' play in a card game.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the card game support device of the present disclosure is a card game support device for supporting a user's play in a card game in which game cards are placed on a playing surface, comprising: an image acquisition unit that acquires captured images of the situation on the playing surface; a creation unit that creates prompts having instructions related to the user's play in the card game based on the captured images; an answer acquisition unit that inputs the prompts to a generation model and acquires an answer from the generation model; and an answer output unit that outputs the answer.

[0007] One aspect of the card game support device of the present disclosure is a card game support device for supporting a user's play in a card game in which game cards are placed on a surface, comprising: a camera for photographing the situation on the surface; a control device that creates a prompt having instructions related to the user's play in the card game based on the captured image of the situation on the surface, inputs the prompt to a generation model, and obtains a response from the generation model; and an output device for outputting the response.

[0008] One aspect of the card game support method of this disclosure is a card game support method for supporting a user's play in a card game in which game cards are placed on a playing surface, and includes: an image acquisition step in which an image acquisition unit acquires an image of the playing surface; a creation step in which a creation unit creates a prompt having instructions related to the user's play in the card game based on the image; an answer acquisition step in which an answer acquisition unit inputs the prompt to a generation model and acquires an answer from the generation model; and an output step in which an output unit outputs the answer.

[0009] One aspect of the program of this disclosure is a program for assisting a user in playing a card game in which game cards are placed on a playing surface, and causes a computer to execute the following steps: an image acquisition step of acquiring an image of the situation on the playing surface; a creation step of creating a prompt having instructions related to the user's play in the card game based on the image; an answer acquisition step of inputting the prompt into a generation model and obtaining an answer from the generation model; and an output step of outputting the answer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] This disclosure provides a card game support device, a card game support method, and a program that can easily provide support for users playing card games. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a TCG overview. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the card game support system of this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the card game support device according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a card used in the TCG of this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the arrangement information in this embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the question selection screen of this embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of how card information is described in this embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of a prompt in this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an answer generated by the generation model of the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an answer image generated by the answer image generation unit of the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of support processing performed by the card game support device of the present embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of question selection screen display processing of the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a prompt of Modification 1. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure (hereinafter simply referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, the following embodiments and each modification can be combined as appropriate.

[0013] Hereinafter, taking a TCG (Trading Card Game) as an example, a method of the present disclosure for supporting a user's play in a card game will be described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0014] First, an overview of the TCG will be described.

[0015] In a TCG, usually, each user collects cards by purchasing cards at a card shop or the like, and selects a plurality (for example, about 30 to 60 cards) of game cards to be used in the game from the collected cards to form a deck. Each user places a plurality of cards constituting the deck on the field and operates the cards placed on the field to play a battle game with other users.

[0016] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a TCG (Trading Card Game) overview, specifically showing the situation where cards constituting a deck are placed on the field. In the example shown in Figure 1, a TCG playmat 41 is laid on a table 40, and users A and B are playing a game with multiple cards constituting their decks placed on the playmat 41. In the following explanation of the TCG overview, we will use user A as an example, but the same explanation applies to user B as well.

[0017] On the playmat 41, there are designated placement areas 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55 for placing the cards that make up the deck, and cards are placed in each of these placement areas. Additionally, there is a hand area 59 on the playmat 41 where multiple hand cards 61 can be placed upright (the front of the hand cards are visible to user A, but not to user B).

[0018] In this embodiment, the playmat 41 is assumed to constitute the playing field, but the playmat 41 is not an essential component for playing the TCG. Each user may, for example, play by placing cards that make up their deck on a table 40 without a playmat 41, assuming each placement area and hand area. In this case, the area on the table 40 where the cards that make up the deck are placed becomes the playing field.

[0019] The role of each placement area varies depending on the type of TCG, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. However, examples include the area where the deck is placed, the area where cards used in card battles against User B are placed, the area where cards that can be used in card battles against User B are placed (stacked), the area where cards that serve as life points to determine the winner or loser against User B are placed, and the area where used or discarded cards are placed, but these are not the only examples.

[0020] In the example shown in Figure 1, placement area 51 corresponds to the area where cards used in the match against User B are placed. Placement area 52 corresponds to the area where cards that can be used in the match against User B are placed (stacked). Placement area 53 corresponds to the area where cards that serve as life points to determine the winner or loser in the match against User B are placed. Placement area 54 corresponds to the area where used or discarded cards are placed. Placement area 55 corresponds to the area where the deck is placed.

[0021] To start the game, User A places their deck as a draw pile in placement area 55, draws cards equal to their life points from the draw pile, and places them face down in placement area 53. Furthermore, User A draws cards equal to their hand size from the draw pile. From this point on, User A and User B take turns replenishing their hands from their draw piles, placing their cards in placement areas 52 and 53 as needed, and playing card games against User B. Depending on the outcome of the card game against User B, User A places the cards consumed in the game and the cards placed in placement area 53 (which were used as life points) into placement area 54 as consumed cards.

[0022] The role of cards in games varies depending on the type of TCG, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. Examples include character cards used in card battles, cards that cause character cards to perform specific actions, and cards that activate special effects during card battles, but these are not the only examples.

[0023] Generally, TCGs like those described above have many rules (game progression, the roles of each area on the field, and the roles, effects, and usage of each card, etc.), as well as a wide variety of strategies. For this reason, it is not easy for new or beginner users to understand these rules and strategies. However, in this embodiment, by using the card game support device 10, we support the gameplay of various users, including those who do not fully understand these rules and strategies, and help them become long-term players.

[0024] Specifically, the card game support device 10 photographs the situation of the field where the cards are placed, receives questions from the user regarding gameplay arising from the situation of the field, inputs prompts created based on this information into the generation model 20, and obtains and outputs answers to the user's questions regarding gameplay from the generation model 20. As a result, even if the user has doubts or uncertainties in real time during a TCG game, such as whether or not they can manipulate cards, they can input questions into the card game support device 10 and receive answers regarding whether or not they can manipulate cards according to the situation of the field, thereby immediately resolving their doubts and uncertainties and allowing the game to proceed smoothly.

[0025] Next, the configuration of the card game support system, including the card game support device of this embodiment, will be described.

[0026] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the card game support system 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the card game support system 1 comprises a card game support device 10 and a generation model 20.

[0027] The card game support device 10 and the generation model 20 are connected via network 2. Network 2 can be implemented by at least one of the following: the Internet and / or a LAN (Local Area Network). Network 2 may be a wired network, a wireless network, or a mixture of wired and wireless networks.

[0028] The card game support device 10 is a device for supporting users' gameplay in a card game in which users A and B each place game cards on the table. The card game support device 10 may be implemented as a terminal that integrates a camera or other imaging device and a display device such as a display, such as a tablet or smartphone, or as a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer) to which an external camera or display device can be attached.

[0029] Furthermore, it is preferable that the situation of the game board with the cards placed be photographed using a fixedly positioned camera. For this reason, when the card game support device 10 is implemented using a tablet terminal or the like, it is preferable to fix the tablet terminal or the like in a position where it can photograph the situation of the game board using a stand or the like. Similarly, when the card game support device 10 is implemented using a PC or the like, it is preferable to fix an externally attachable camera in a position where it can photograph the situation of the game board.

[0030] The generative model 20 is a natural language processing model, also known as generative AI (Generative Artificial Intelligence), and provides services using natural language processing. In this embodiment, the generative model 20 is described as an interactive AI service obtained by fine-tuning a large language model (LLM), but it is not limited to this.

[0031] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the card game support device 10 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the card game support device 10 comprises a control device 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary memory 13, a communication device 14, a camera 15, an input device 16, a display device 17, and various buses 19. The control device 11, main memory 12, auxiliary memory 13, communication device 14, camera 15, input device 16, and display device 17 are connected via various buses 19. Thus, the card game support device 10 of this embodiment has a general hardware configuration using a normal computer.

[0032] The control device 11 controls the overall operation of the card game support device 10. The control device 11 may be, for example, at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), but is not limited to these. There may be one or more CPUs or GPUs, and they may be single-core or multi-core.

[0033] Examples of main memory 12 include, but are not limited to, ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). ROM stores various programs, such as programs for controlling the card game support device 10 and programs for assisting the user's gameplay in the card game. RAM is used as a workspace for the control device 11 to perform various controls based on the programs stored in ROM.

[0034] The auxiliary storage device 13 stores the various programs mentioned above, as well as various data used to support the user's gameplay in the card game. The various programs mentioned above only need to be stored in at least one of the main storage device 12 and the auxiliary storage device 13. The auxiliary storage device 13 may be, but is not limited to, at least one of existing storage devices capable of magnetic, electrical, or optical storage, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The auxiliary storage device 13 may be built into the card game support device 10, or it may be externally connected to the card game support device 10 via an interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus). Furthermore, the auxiliary storage device 13 may be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) connected via a network such as a LAN or WAN (Wide Area Network).

[0035] The communication device 14 is used to communicate with the generative model 20 and the like via the network 2. Examples of the communication device 14 include, but are not limited to, a communication device for a wired LAN or a wireless communication device for a wireless LAN.

[0036] The imaging device 15 may be an image sensor (digital camera) that captures images or videos of the situation on the field where the cards are placed. The imaging device 15 may be built into the card game support device 10 or it may be attached to the card game support device 10 externally via an interface such as USB.

[0037] The input device 16 is used by the user for various inputs, selections, and specifications, and serves as a user interface between the user and the device. Examples of input devices 16 include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, and touch panel. The input device 16 may be built into the card game support device 10 or be externally connected to the card game support device 10 via an interface such as USB.

[0038] The display device 17 displays various screens and serves as a user interface between the user and the device. Examples of the display device 17 include, but are not limited to, liquid crystal displays, organic electro-luminescence (OLED) displays, and touch panel displays. The display device 17 may be an internal display built into the card game support device 10, or an external display connected to the card game support device 10 via a display interface such as HDMI (registered trademark).

[0039] In addition to the above configuration, the card game support device 10 may further include an audio input device such as a microphone and an audio output device such as a speaker. Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, the card game support device 10 may further include hardwired circuits such as ICs (Integrated Circuits), ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), and FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) that are specific to the card game support device 10.

[0040] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the card game support device 10 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the card game support device 10 includes a captured image acquisition unit 101, an analysis unit 103, a screen generation unit 105, a screen output unit 107, a question information acquisition unit 109, a template acquisition unit 111, a creation unit 113, an answer acquisition unit 115, an answer image generation unit 117, and an answer output unit 119.

[0041] The image acquisition unit 101, analysis unit 103, screen generation unit 105, screen output unit 107, question information acquisition unit 109, template acquisition unit 111, creation unit 113, answer acquisition unit 115, answer image generation unit 117, and answer output unit 119 can be realized, for example, by the control device 11, main memory 12, and communication device 14 described in Figure 3. The control device 11 reads the program to support the user's gameplay in the card game stored in the main memory 12 (ROM) or auxiliary memory 13 and expands it into the main memory 12 (RAM). The control device 11 realizes each of the above-mentioned functional units by executing various processes according to the expanded program. Here, the case in which each of the above-mentioned functional units is realized as software has been explained as an example, but at least a part of each of the above-mentioned functional units may be realized as hardware. In this case, the functional unit to be realized as hardware can be realized, for example, by the hardwired circuit described above. Alternatively, any of the above-mentioned functional units may be realized through the cooperation of software and hardware.

[0042] Furthermore, the card game support device 10 of this embodiment does not necessarily require all of the above-mentioned functional units to be part of its essential configuration; at least some of the functional units can be omitted.

[0043] Furthermore, the following description will use the scenarios supporting User A's gameplay shown in Figure 1 as examples, but this embodiment is not limited to these.

[0044] The image acquisition unit 101 acquires images of the field. Specifically, the shooting device 15 photographs the field, and the image acquisition unit 101 acquires the images taken by the shooting device 15. The shooting range of the field by the shooting device 15 shall include, but is not limited to, the field on the user A's side, specifically the placement areas 51-55 and the hand area 59. For example, the hand area 59 may be excluded.

[0045] In this embodiment, the shooting device 15 captures images of the scene at regular intervals, such as in frames, and the image acquisition unit 101 acquires the images captured by the shooting device 15. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the captured images may be moving images rather than still images.

[0046] The analysis unit 103 analyzes the captured images acquired by the captured image acquisition unit 101 to generate placement information indicating the arrangement of cards on the field. The placement information indicates, but is not limited to, the type of each card placed on the field, the state in which it is placed, and the area in which it is placed. The state in which it is placed indicates, for example, the orientation of the cards (face up, face down, vertical, horizontal, etc., or whether parts of two or more cards are overlapping).

[0047] Specifically, the analysis unit 103 analyzes the captured image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit 101 to detect the area and position of each card placed on the field. For example, the analysis unit 103 applies an area detection process to the captured image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit 101 to detect the area of ​​each card within the captured image as coordinate information.

[0048] Examples of region detection processes include performing rectangle detection after edge enhancement, and segmentation using a pre-trained segmentation model such as SAM (Segment Anything Model) to detect regions where objects exist in an image.

[0049] The format of the coordinate information may include, but is not limited to, the x-coordinate, y-coordinate, width, and height of the card's area (rectangle). The x-coordinate and y-coordinate of the card's area may be any of the four corners of the area, but examples include the x-coordinate and y-coordinate of the top-left corner of the card's area.

[0050] The orientation of the cards (portrait or landscape) can be determined from the aspect ratio of the detected card area.

[0051] Furthermore, when the analysis unit 103 detects the area of ​​each card, it identifies the type of card located in that area (for example, the card ID). For example, if a database is prepared in advance that associates the feature quantities of each card with the card ID, the analysis unit 103 can identify the card ID of each card by extracting the feature quantities of the area of ​​each card and matching them in the database. Examples of feature quantities include AKAZE feature quantities, but it is not limited to these. Also, for example, if the card ID is printed on each card, the analysis unit 103 can recognize the card ID using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing.

[0052] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a card used in the TCG of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the card consists of an image 66 and a card ID 68. Although not shown in Figure 5, various parameters such as attack power, defense power, and health are also included. For example, when the analysis unit 103 identifies the card ID using features, it can identify the card ID by extracting the features of the image 66. Alternatively, when the analysis unit 103 recognizes the card ID using OCR processing, it can apply OCR processing to the card ID 68.

[0053] Note that the type of card can be determined when the card is face up, but not when it is face down. Therefore, if the type of card cannot be determined, it is assumed that the card is face down.

[0054] Furthermore, the analysis unit 103 analyzes the captured image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit 101 to identify the area where each card is placed (placement area and hand area), and associates the identified area with the placed card. The analysis unit 103 may, for example, identify the coordinates of each area by recognizing each area set on the playmat, or it may identify the coordinates of each area from the absolute coordinates on the captured image or the relative position from the coordinates of a specific card's area. For each identified area, the analysis unit 103 associates the cards in the card area included in the coordinates of that area with the cards placed in that area.

[0055] Through these processes, the analysis unit 103 generates the aforementioned arrangement information. Figure 6 shows an example of the arrangement information in this embodiment. In this embodiment, in order to improve the accuracy of the processing by the generation model 20 (accuracy of answering questions), the arrangement information is described in a structured data format such as JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format, but the data format is not limited to this.

[0056] In the arrangement information shown in Figure 6, the area where each card is placed is identified by the description in area 211, the state in which each card is placed is identified by the description in area 213, and the type of each card is identified by the description in area 215. In area 215, the type of each card is indicated by the card ID in parentheses; if there are no parentheses, it indicates the number of cards.

[0057] For example, the arrangement information shown in Figure 6 indicates that there are 2 cards vertically and 0 cards horizontally in arrangement area A (arrangement area 51). The card IDs are omitted from the description. Also, arrangement area B (arrangement area 52) indicates that there are 2 cards vertically and 1 card horizontally. The card IDs are omitted from the description. Furthermore, arrangement area C (arrangement area 53) indicates that there are 7 cards face down. Also, arrangement area D (arrangement area 54) indicates that there is 1 card with card ID

[0001] vertically and 0 cards horizontally. Finally, arrangement area E (arrangement area 55) indicates that there are 30 cards face down.

[0058] The screen generation unit 105 generates a question selection screen containing multiple types of questions related to user A's gameplay. Specifically, the screen generation unit 105 selects multiple types of questions to place on the question selection screen based on the placement information. For example, the screen generation unit 105 dynamically selects questions that user A is expected to ask based on the situation on the field, such as whether each card in the hand area (not shown in Figure 6) of the placement information can be played into placement area A (placement area 51), and places them on the question selection screen. In other words, the questions placed on the question selection screen are dynamically changed according to the situation on the field. The questions may be stored in advance in, for example, an auxiliary storage device 13, or they may be dynamically generated.

[0059] In this embodiment, possible questions include, but are not limited to, explanations and confirmations of correctness regarding the state of the field in accordance with the rules, descriptions of whether an action is permissible and the reasons for it based on the rules and card effects regarding the user's actions, descriptions of what kind of changes the user's actions bring about on the field, and descriptions of what kind of changes the user's actions bring about on the field.

[0060] In this embodiment, the following questions are prepared in advance. For example, "Is the card placement correct?" or "Can I play a monster card from my hand to the battle area?" Regarding the former question, it is expected that the player will explain and answer whether the prescribed number of cards are placed in the placement area, based on the manual information and placement information described later. Regarding the latter question, it is expected that the player will answer whether it is permissible according to the rules, based on the manual information and placement information described later.

[0061] In this embodiment, the following types of questions are expected to be generated in real time. For example, "What happens if you attack your opponent's card B with card A on the field?" or "Please explain why the state of card B on the field changed." It is expected that these questions will be answered by inferring changes in the board state from the manual information, card information, and placement information described later.

[0062] Figure 7 shows an example of the question selection screen of this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 7, questions 1 to 3 are arranged on the question selection screen.

[0063] The screen output unit 107 outputs the question selection screen generated by the screen generation unit 105 to the display device 17.

[0064] The question information acquisition unit 109 acquires question information that indicates questions related to User A's gameplay, which are entered by User A. For example, the question information acquisition unit 109 acquires question information that is selected on the question selection screen by User A using the input device 16. In this embodiment, the method of inputting questions by User A is described using the method of selecting on the question selection screen as an example, but it is not limited to this, and User A may input questions by writing them directly or by inputting them using User A's spoken voice.

[0065] The template acquisition unit 111 acquires a template used to create a prompt from, for example, an auxiliary storage device 13. In this embodiment, the template is assumed to contain manual information indicating the contents of the card game manual, card information indicating the contents of the card game cards, and the output format for the answer, but is not limited to this.

[0066] Manual information should include, but is not limited to, descriptions of card types, field descriptions, deck components, game win conditions, card status, and game progression.

[0067] Card information may include, for example, the type, cost, effect, and ability score of each card, but is not limited to these. In this embodiment, card information may be described using Markdown notation such as "Card ID | Card Type | Rarity | Color | Feature | Level | AP | LP | Effect", but is not limited to this.

[0068] Figure 8 shows an example of how card information is described in this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 8, the card ID is 001, the card type is character, the rarity is D, the color is blue, the characteristic is robot, the level is 4, the AP is 4000, the LP is 1, and the effect is "When this card is played into the battle area, its attack power is increased by +1000".

[0069] The creation unit 113 creates prompts containing instructions related to user A's gameplay in the card game, based on the captured images acquired by the captured image acquisition unit 101. Specifically, the creation unit 113 creates prompts based on the arrangement information generated by the analysis unit 103, and further creates prompts based on the question information acquired by the question information acquisition unit 109. The creation unit 113 further creates prompts based on at least one of the manual information and the card information.

[0070] In this embodiment, the creation unit 113 creates a prompt by inserting placement information and question information into the template acquired by the template acquisition unit 111. Figure 9 shows an example of a prompt in this embodiment. In the prompt shown in Figure 9, the content indicated by reference numeral 311 corresponds to placement information, the content indicated by reference numeral 313 corresponds to manual information, the content indicated by reference numeral 315 corresponds to card information, the content indicated by reference numeral 317 corresponds to question information, and the content indicated by reference numeral 319 corresponds to the output format. As mentioned above, the contents of reference numerals 313, 315, and 317 are pre-written in the template.

[0071] The response acquisition unit 115 inputs the prompt created by the creation unit 113 into the generation model 20 and acquires the response from the generation model 20. Specifically, the response acquisition unit 115 inputs the prompt created by the creation unit 113 into the generation model 20. The generation model 20 generates a response to the input prompt and outputs it to the card game support device 10. The response acquisition unit 115 acquires the response from the generation model 20.

[0072] The response image generation unit 117 may generate a response image based on the captured image (arrangement information) acquired by the captured image acquisition unit 101 and the response acquired by the response acquisition unit 115.

[0073] The response output unit 119 outputs the response obtained by the response acquisition unit 115. The response output unit 119 may, for example, display the response obtained by the response acquisition unit 115 on the display device 17, or output it as audio.

[0074] Figure 10 shows an example of a response generated by the generation model 20 of this embodiment, specifically the response to the prompt shown in Figure 9, which has the question, "Can you play card XX1 from your hand to area A?". In the response shown in Figure 10, it is explained that card XX1 from the hand cannot be played to area A (placement area 51) because there is insufficient cost.

[0075] Figure 11 shows an example of a response image generated by the response image generation unit 117 of this embodiment. Specifically, it shows a response image generated from the response of the generation model 20 to the prompt shown in Figure 9, which has the question, "Can you play card XX1 in your hand to area A?". In addition to the response shown in Figure 10, the response image in Figure 11 also shows a visual representation of the game situation, image 401, indicating that card XX1 (card 61A) cannot be played to area A (placement area 51).

[0076] Next, the operation of the card game support device of this embodiment will be described.

[0077] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the support processing performed by the card game support device 10 of this embodiment.

[0078] First, the card game support device 10 performs a question selection screen display process (step S101). Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the question selection screen display process in this embodiment. The question selection screen display process is performed at a fixed interval, such as the frame cycle.

[0079] First, the image acquisition unit 101 acquires an image of the situation at the location (step S201).

[0080] Next, the analysis unit 103 analyzes the captured images acquired by the captured image acquisition unit 101 to detect the area of ​​each card placed on the field (step S203).

[0081] Next, the analysis unit 103 detects the area of ​​each card and identifies the type of card located in that area (for example, card ID) (step S205).

[0082] Next, the analysis unit 103 analyzes the captured images acquired by the captured image acquisition unit 101 to identify the areas where each card is placed (placement area and hand area) (step S207).

[0083] Next, the analysis unit 103 associates the identified area with the placed cards and generates placement information (step S209).

[0084] Next, the screen generation unit 105 selects multiple types of questions based on the layout information and generates a question selection screen (step S211).

[0085] Next, the screen output unit 107 outputs the question selection screen generated by the screen generation unit 105 to the display device 17 (step S213). This completes the question selection screen display process.

[0086] Returning to Figure 12, the question information acquisition unit 109 then acquires question information indicating questions related to User A's gameplay, which were entered by User A (step S103).

[0087] Next, the template acquisition unit 111 acquires a template to be used to create a prompt (step S105).

[0088] Next, the creation unit 113 inserts placement information and question information into the template acquired by the template acquisition unit 111 to create a prompt (step S107).

[0089] Next, the response acquisition unit 115 inputs the prompt created by the creation unit 113 into the generation model 20 (step S109) and acquires a response from the generation model 20 (step S111).

[0090] Next, the response output unit 119 outputs the response obtained by the response acquisition unit 115 (step S113).

[0091] As described above, in this embodiment, the generation model 20 is used to support the user's gameplay in a card game, making it easier to implement than in conventional methods.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the system can receive questions from the user regarding their gameplay arising from the situation on the field, and provide answers to those questions. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to not only detect rule violations, but also to immediately resolve any doubts or uncertainties the user may have, thereby enabling the game to proceed smoothly.

[0093] Furthermore, this embodiment can be applied not only to supporting users' gameplay in card games, but also to generating explanations of the battle situation and commentary text in TCG tournaments and past battle videos.

[0094] Furthermore, in this embodiment, instead of directly inputting the captured images of the field situation as prompts into the generation model 20, the captured images are analyzed and incorporated into the prompts as arrangement information before being input into the generation model 20. In particular, in this embodiment, the arrangement information is described in a structured format that is easy for the generation model 20 to interpret, so an improvement in the accuracy of the response from the generation model 20 can be expected.

[0095] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, an example of answering user questions was described, but the system may also automatically detect the state of the game and notify the user of rule violations, etc. In this case, for example, the system may analyze the captured image to generate a prompt as a trigger when it detects a change in the state of the game or when a user has manipulated a card, input this prompt into the generation model 20 to obtain an answer, and output it. Detecting a change in the state of the game could be, for example, detecting a change in the card arrangement on the game board within a certain period of time. Detecting a user has manipulated a card could be, for example, detecting when a user has picked up a card or when a user has released a card.

[0096] Figure 14 shows an example of a prompt in Modification 1. In the prompt shown in Figure 14, the contents indicated by reference numerals 511 and 519 differ from the prompt in the embodiment shown in Figure 9. Reference numeral 511 corresponds to the arrangement information, and includes the original arrangement information before the change in the field and the current arrangement information after the change in the field. The output format indicated by reference numeral 519 describes the question and output format based on the arrangement information indicated by reference numeral 511.

[0097] As shown in Modification 1, the generative model 20 is used to automatically detect rule violations and other issues in card games, making it easier to implement than in the conventional method.

[0098] (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which manual information and card information are described in a template, but for example, it may also be used as RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation). In this case, the manual information and card information are stored in an external database, and the creation unit 113 should acquire at least one of the manual information and card information related to the captured image (arrangement information) and input information and include it in the prompt.

[0099] (Variation 3) Manual information and card information may be used for few-shot learning. In this case, the prompt should include one or more example sentences consisting of a sample question and a sample answer, and at least one of the manual information and card information should be used for the sample answer.

[0100] (Modification 4) The granularity of the responses from the generative model 20 may be changed according to the user's level (skill level). In this case, the user's level and the desired response granularity should be set in the prompt. For example, if the user is a beginner, they should be instructed to explain the answer in detail.

[0101] (Variation 5) In the above embodiment, the rule confirmation by the user was mainly explained as an example, but for example, the generation model 20 may be made to respond with strategic advice according to the situation.

[0102] (Experimental variation 6) The input method for questions may also involve using the results of image analysis. For example, a user could point to a card placed on the table, and the system could analyze the captured image to identify that the question is about the card the user pointed to.

[0103] (Example 7) The prompt may be used to input information about the user's age and emotions using cameras and sensors, as well as information about the user's skill level (skill level) obtained from a separate match record database, thereby changing the level and tone of the response from the generative model 20.

[0104] (Variation 8) The generative model 20 may be asked to answer questions about the game's progress that do not involve the current situation on the field (such as which turn it is, whose turn it is, and which phase of the turn it is), as well as to confirm rules unrelated to the current situation on the field and explain card effects.

[0105] (Extreme variation 9) In the above embodiments and their variations, the example of implementing the generation model 20 as a cloud service was used for explanation, but the generation model 20 may also be included in the card game support device 10. In this case, the generation model 20 can be implemented, for example, as an AI chat service that fine-tunes a small language model (SLM).

[0106] (Variation 10) In the above embodiments and their variations, we have used a card game for competitive play (multiplayer with multiple users) as an example, but we are not limited to this and can also apply to single-player card games or a practice mode for one user in a multiplayer card game.

[0107] (program) The programs executed by the card game support device 10 of the above embodiments and each of the above modifications are provided as installable or executable files stored on a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, memory card, DVD, or flexible disk (FD).

[0108] Furthermore, the programs executed by the card game support device 10 of the above embodiments and each of the above modifications may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by allowing download via the network. Alternatively, the programs executed by the card game support device 10 of the above embodiments and each of the above modifications may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Furthermore, the programs executed by the card game support device 10 of the above embodiments and each of the above modifications may be pre-installed in ROM or the like and provided.

[0109] The programs executed in the card game support device 10 of the above embodiments and each of the above modifications are configured as modules for realizing the above-described parts on a computer. In actual hardware, for example, the CPU reads the program from the HDD into RAM and executes it, thereby realizing the above-described parts on the computer.

[0110] The above embodiments and their respective modifications are merely examples of how this disclosure may be implemented, and they do not restrict the technical scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure can be implemented in various ways without departing from its essence or its main features. For example, the above embodiments and their respective modifications may be combined as appropriate on a component basis. Also, for example, some components may be removed from the total components in the above embodiments and their respective modifications.

[0111] This disclosure also includes the following aspects:

[0112] (1) A card game support device for assisting users in a card game in which a first user and a second user place game cards on the table and play together, An image acquisition unit that acquires images of the situation at the aforementioned site, A creation unit that creates prompts having instructions related to the first user's gameplay in the card game based on the captured image, A response acquisition unit inputs the aforementioned prompt into a generation model and obtains a response from the generation model, A response output unit that outputs the aforementioned response, A card game support device equipped with the following features.

[0113] (2) The system further includes a question information acquisition unit that acquires question information indicating a question related to the first user's gameplay, which has been entered by the first user. The creation unit further creates the prompt based on the question information. The card game support device described in (1) above.

[0114] (3) Based on manual information that shows the contents of the manual for the card game and card information that shows the contents of the cards for the card game, the prompt is created. A card game support device as described in (1) or (2) above.

[0115] (4) The system further comprises an analysis unit that analyzes the captured image and generates arrangement information indicating the arrangement of cards in the field, The creation unit creates the prompt based on the arrangement information. A card game support device as described in (1) or (2) above.

[0116] (5) A screen generation unit that generates a question selection screen containing multiple types of questions related to the first user's gameplay, The system further comprises a screen output unit that displays and outputs the aforementioned question selection screen, The aforementioned question information is the question selected on the question selection screen by the operation of the first user. The card game support device described in (2) above.

[0117] (6) The system further comprises an analysis unit that analyzes the captured image and generates arrangement information indicating the arrangement of cards in the field, The screen generation unit selects multiple types of questions to be placed on the question selection screen based on the arrangement information. The card game support device described in (5) above.

[0118] (7) The system further comprises a response image generation unit that generates a response image based on the captured image and the response, The response output unit outputs the response image. The card game support device described in (1) above.

[0119] (8) The creation unit acquires at least one of the manual information and the card information related to the captured image and the input information. The card game support device described in (3) above.

[0120] (9) The prompt includes one or more example sentences, each consisting of a sample question and a sample answer. At least one of the manual information and the card information is used in the answer to the sample. The card game support device described in (3) above.

[0121] (10) A card game support device for assisting users in a card game in which a first user and a second user place game cards on the table and play together, A camera for photographing the situation at the aforementioned location, A control device that, based on captured images of the situation in the aforementioned field, creates a prompt containing instructions related to the first user's gameplay in the card game, inputs the prompt into a generative model, and obtains a response from the generative model. An output device that outputs the aforementioned answer, A card game support device equipped with the following features.

[0122] (11) A card game support method for assisting users in a card game in which a first user and a second user play by placing game cards on the table, The image acquisition unit acquires an image of the situation at the aforementioned location in an image acquisition step, The creation step involves the creation unit creating a prompt having instructions related to the first user's gameplay in the card game based on the captured image, The response acquisition step involves the response acquisition unit inputting the prompt into the generation model and acquiring a response from the generation model, The output unit performs an output step of outputting the aforementioned answer, Card game support methods including

[0123] (12) A program for assisting users in playing a card game in which a first user and a second user each place game cards on the table and play, The image acquisition step involves acquiring a captured image of the situation at the aforementioned location, An input information acquisition step is to acquire input information entered by the operation of the first user, A creation step of creating a prompt having instructions related to the first user's gameplay in the card game based on the captured image, The response acquisition step involves inputting the aforementioned prompt into the generation model and obtaining a response from the generation model, An output step that outputs the aforementioned answer, A program that causes a computer to execute something. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1. Card game support system 2 Network 10 Card game support devices 20 Generative Models 101 Image acquisition unit 103 Analysis Department 105 Screen generation section 107 Screen output section 109 Question Information Acquisition Section 111 Template Acquisition Section 113 Creation Department 115 Answer acquisition part 117 Answer image generation unit 119 Answer Output Section

Claims

1. A card game support device for assisting a user's gameplay in a card game where game cards are placed on a surface, An image acquisition unit that acquires images of the situation at the aforementioned site, A creation unit that creates prompts containing instructions related to the user's gameplay in the card game based on the captured images, A response acquisition unit inputs the aforementioned prompt into a generation model and obtains a response from the generation model, A response output unit that outputs the aforementioned response, A card game support device equipped with the following features.

2. The system further includes a question information acquisition unit that acquires question information indicating questions related to the user's gameplay entered by the user. The creation unit further creates the prompt based on the question information. The card game support device according to claim 1.

3. The prompt is created based on at least one of the manual information showing the contents of the card game's manual and the card information showing the contents of the cards in the card game. The card game support device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The system further includes an analysis unit that analyzes the captured image and generates arrangement information indicating the arrangement of cards in the field. The creation unit creates the prompt based on the arrangement information. The card game support device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A screen generation unit that generates a question selection screen containing multiple types of questions related to the user's gameplay, The system further comprises a screen output unit that displays and outputs the aforementioned question selection screen, The aforementioned question information is the question selected on the question selection screen by the user's operation. The card game support device according to claim 2.

6. The system further includes an analysis unit that analyzes the captured image and generates arrangement information indicating the arrangement of cards in the field. The screen generation unit selects multiple types of questions to be placed on the question selection screen based on the arrangement information. The card game support device according to claim 5.

7. The system further includes a response image generation unit that generates a response image based on the captured image and the response, The response output unit outputs the response image. The card game support device according to claim 1.

8. The creation unit acquires at least one of the manual information and the card information related to the captured image. The card game support device according to claim 3.

9. The aforementioned prompt includes one or more example sentences, each consisting of a sample question and a sample answer. At least one of the manual information and the card information is used in the answer to the sample. The card game support device according to claim 3.

10. A card game support device for assisting a user's gameplay in a card game where game cards are placed on a surface, A camera for photographing the situation at the aforementioned location, A control device that, based on captured images of the situation in the aforementioned field, creates prompts containing instructions related to the user's gameplay in the card game, inputs these prompts into a generative model, and obtains a response from the generative model. An output device that outputs the aforementioned answer, A card game support device equipped with the following features.

11. A card game support method for assisting a user's gameplay in a card game in which game cards are placed on a surface and played, The image acquisition unit acquires an image of the situation at the aforementioned location in an image acquisition step, The creation unit creates a prompt having instructions related to the user's gameplay in the card game based on the captured image, The response acquisition step involves the response acquisition unit inputting the prompt into the generation model and acquiring a response from the generation model, The output unit performs an output step of outputting the aforementioned answer, Card game support methods including

12. A program to assist users in playing a card game in which game cards are placed on a surface, The image acquisition step involves acquiring a captured image of the situation at the aforementioned location, A creation step of creating a prompt having instructions related to the user's gameplay in the card game based on the captured image, The response acquisition step involves inputting the aforementioned prompt into the generation model and obtaining a response from the generation model, An output step that outputs the aforementioned answer, A program that causes a computer to execute something.

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