Information processing system, communication method, and information processing terminal

Abstract

To promote information exchange by a chat function between players using different languages.SOLUTION: An information processing system in which a plurality of information processing terminals operated by a plurality of players respectively provides a chat function to the plurality of players includes a translation processing unit for translating chat contents by the chat function, a chat processing unit for reproducing the chat contents by voice or displays them by characters, and a privilege granting unit for granting a privilege to a first player and a second player when a first language used by a first player who has spoken the chat contents and a second language used by a second player who reproduces or displays the chat contents are different.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, a communication method, and an information processing terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in cooperative play games in which users play cooperatively, users have exchanged information by using chat, for example, to communicate with other users (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Chat functions for multiple users to exchange information include a text chat function for exchanging chat contents by text, and a voice chat function for exchanging chat contents by voice. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-22668 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, in an information processing system that provides a chat function to multiple players, such as in a worldwide online game, players who speak different languages ​​or have different cultures can exchange information using the chat function. However, in an information processing system that provides a chat function to multiple players, players who speak different languages ​​or have different cultures tend to avoid exchanging information with each other because it is difficult to communicate with each other.

[0005] For example, in a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, which is an example of an information processing system that provides a chat function to multiple players, one of the issues is to ensure the number of players who play simultaneously. Therefore, in an MMO game, it is expected that by eliminating the barriers to information exchange between players who use different languages ​​and cultures, it will be possible to promote information exchange between players who use different languages ​​and cultures using the chat function, thereby revitalizing the game. Note that Patent Document 1 does not describe communication by translating chat contents using a translator.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to promote information exchange through a chat function between players who use different languages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing system in which multiple information processing terminals operated by multiple players respectively provide a chat function to the multiple players, the information processing system having a translation processing unit that translates chat content via the chat function, a chat processing unit that plays back the chat content as audio or displays it as text, and a bonus granting unit that grants bonuses to the first player and the second player when a first language used by a first player who uttered the chat content is different from a second language used by a second player who plays back or displays the chat content. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to promote information exchange through the chat function between players who use different languages. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information processing terminal and the translation device according to the embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information processing terminal according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a player table. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a culture table. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of an example of processing of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of an example of processing of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] [System Configuration] First, an example of a game system will be described as an example of an information processing system that realizes a communication method according to an embodiment. Note that the information processing system that realizes a communication method according to an embodiment may be a system other than a game system, for example, a social networking service (SNS) system.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system 1 according to this embodiment shown in Fig. 1 includes a server device 10, information processing terminals 12a to 12c, translators 14a to 14b, and a network 18 for data communication. The network 18 is a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, a communication network, or the like.

[0013] The translator 14a is communicatively connected to the information processing terminal 12a. The translator 14b is communicatively connected to the information processing terminal 12b. In the following, the translators 14a and 14b may be collectively referred to as the translator 14. The translator 14 is communicatively connected to the information processing terminal 12a or 12b by wire or wirelessly. For example, the translator 14 communicates with the information processing terminal 12a or 12b using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wifi (registered trademark).

[0014] The information processing terminal 12a in FIG. 1 is operated by player A. The information processing terminal 12b is operated by player B. The information processing terminal 12c is operated by player C. The information processing system 1 in FIG. 1 provides a chat function to the players A to C by transmitting and receiving chat contents uttered by the players A to C via the information processing terminals 12a to 12c. The transmission and reception of chat contents may be performed via the server device 10 or may be performed without the server device 10.

[0015] The information processing terminal 12a cooperates with the translator 14a and translates the chat contents using the translation function of the translator 14a. The information processing terminal 12b cooperates with the translator 14b and translates the chat contents using the translation function of the translator 14b. The information processing terminal 12c translates the chat contents using a translation function realized by executing a translation program installed in the information processing terminal 12c. The information processing terminals 12a to 12c may translate the chat contents using a translation function realized by a translation program installed in the server device 10.

[0016] The translator 14 may be, for example, a handheld dedicated terminal with a translation function, or a general-purpose terminal with a translation program installed. The translator 14 may be a device that is placed near the player, or a clip-on device that is attached to a headset or the like. The translation function can be realized by using existing technology, for example, the technology described in International Publication No. "WO2019 / 111346."

[0017] The information processing terminals 12a to 12c are computers operated by the players A to C. The information processing terminals 12a to 12c are PCs, tablet terminals, smartphone terminals, game devices, etc. The information processing terminals 12a to 12c accept operations from the players A to C via, for example, a touch panel, a controller, a mouse, or a keyboard, execute information processing according to the operations, and display the execution results.

[0018] The server device 10 can be realized by a computer. The server device 10 transmits and receives data to and from the information processing terminals 12a to 12c, executes information processing in accordance with the operations of the players A to C accepted by the information processing terminals 12a to 12c, and provides the execution results to the information processing terminals 12a to 12c.

[0019] The server device 10 may be realized by a cloud computer. The number of server devices 10 in Fig. 1 is not limited to one, and two or more may be used for distributed processing. For example, the server device 10 may be used for downloading programs (applications) to the information processing terminals 12a to 12c, for logging in players A to C, and for managing various databases.

[0020] Note that the system configuration in Fig. 1 is an example. In the following description, the information processing terminals 12a to 12c may be collectively referred to as information processing terminal 12. At least a part of the functions of the server device 10 may be realized as the functions of the information processing terminal 12. A part of the functions of the information processing terminal 12 may be realized as the functions of the server device 10. Furthermore, the number of information processing terminals 12 in Fig. 1 is not limited to three, and may be two, four or more.

[0021] [Hardware configuration] The information processing terminal 12 according to this embodiment is realized, for example, by a computer 500 having the configuration shown in Fig. 2. Similarly, the server device 10 is realized, for example, by a computer 500 having the configuration shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer according to this embodiment.

[0022] 2 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100, a storage device 102, a communication device 104, an input device 106, and an output device 108. The CPU 100 controls the computer 500 in accordance with a program. The storage device 102 is, for example, a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a storage such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage device 102 stores the programs and data executed by the CPU 100.

[0023] The communication device 104 is a communication device such as a network circuit that controls communication. The input device 106 is an input device such as a touchpad, a controller, a mouse, a keyboard, a camera, a microphone, etc. The output device 108 is an output device such as a display, a speaker, etc. A touch panel is realized by combining a touchpad, which is an example of the input device 106, with a display, which is an example of the output device 108. The hardware configuration in FIG. 2 is an example.

[0024] [Function block] In the following, we will explain separately the functional blocks when working in conjunction with the translation device 14 to translate chat content using the translation function of the translation device 14, and the functional blocks when translating chat content using a translation function realized by executing a built-in translation program.

[0025] For example, functional blocks in the case of translating chat contents using the translation function of the translation device 14 in cooperation with the translation device 14 are as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing terminal and the translation device according to the present embodiment. Note that the functional configuration of Fig. 3 is only an example, and for example, at least a part of the functional configuration of the information processing terminal 12 shown in Fig. 3 may be provided in the translation device 14 or the server device 10, and processing may be performed in cooperation with each other.

[0026] 3 has a control unit 200, an operation reception unit 202, an output control unit 204, a communication unit 206, and a storage unit 210. The storage unit 210 stores a game program 212, a player table 214, and a culture table 216. The storage unit 210 may be realized by the storage device 102, or may be realized by a storage device connected via the network 18 or the like.

[0027] The game program 212 is an example of a program for game processing and chat processing executed by the CPU 100. The player table 214 stores information about the player, such as the language used by the player and the country or region to which the player belongs, as described below. The language used by the player is, for example, the player's native language. The culture table 216 stores information about the culture of the country or region, as described below.

[0028] In this embodiment, when a player uses the chat function to communicate with other players while playing a game, the chat contents can be translated by the translator 14, making it possible for players who speak different languages ​​to communicate with each other. However, communication by translating the chat contents by the translator 14 is more difficult than communication between players who speak the same language, such as their native language, or who belong to the same national or regional culture, and so tends to be avoided.

[0029] Therefore, in this embodiment, when players who speak different languages ​​or belong to different national or regional cultures communicate with each other using the chat function, a bonus is given to the player, thereby promoting communication between players who speak different languages ​​or belong to different national or regional cultures.

[0030] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to promote communication between players who speak different languages ​​or belong to different national or regional cultures, thereby encouraging cooperative play and revitalizing cooperative play games.

[0031] The control unit 200 performs overall control of the information processing terminal 12. The overall control of the information processing terminal 12 includes game processing for accepting operations from the player for the game being played and generating and displaying game images in response to the operations. The overall control of the information processing terminal 12 also includes processing for providing a chat function to multiple players. The overall control of the information processing terminal 12 also includes processing for granting a privilege to a player when communication is performed by the chat function between players who use different languages ​​or belong to different countries or regional cultures.

[0032] The control unit 200 is realized by the CPU 100 executing the processes described in a program such as the game program 212. The control unit 200 in Fig. 3 has a game control unit 230 and an information processing terminal side cooperation processing unit 232. The game control unit 230 performs processes related to the game, such as game processing and chat processing. In addition, the information processing terminal side cooperation processing unit 232 performs processes related to cooperation with the translator 14.

[0033] For example, the game control unit 230 executes game processing, generates game images according to the game processing being executed, and displays them on the output device 108 as a game screen. The game control unit 230 also executes chat processing to provide a chat function to players. If the chat contents of the players' comments need to be translated, the game control unit 230 can cause the translator 14 to translate the chat contents via the information processing terminal side cooperation processing unit 232 that cooperates with the translator 14. Furthermore, the game control unit 230 can perform processing to grant benefits to players when communication is performed by the chat function between players who use different languages ​​or belong to different countries or regional cultures.

[0034] The game control unit 230 in FIG. 3 includes a chat processing unit 240, an image generating unit 242, a bonus providing unit 244, and a group processing unit 246.

[0035] The chat processing unit 240 accepts chat contents uttered by voice from the player and transmits the chat contents to the information processing terminals 12 of the other players. The chat processing unit 240 receives the chat contents uttered by the other players. The chat processing unit 240 causes the translator 14 to translate the chat contents as necessary. The chat processing unit 240 also reproduces the chat contents translated by the translator 14 as voice or displays them as text. The image generating unit 242 generates images of the game and chat according to the game processing and chat processing.

[0036] The reward giving unit 244 performs processing to give rewards to players when communication is carried out by the chat function between players who use different languages ​​or belong to different countries or regional cultures.

[0037] For example, when the language used by the first player who said the chat contents is different from the language used by the second player who plays or displays the chat contents, the reward giving unit 244 gives rewards to the first player and the second player. Also, when the culture of the country or region to which the first player who said the chat contents belongs is different from the culture of the country or region to which the second player who plays or displays the chat contents belongs, the reward giving unit 244 gives rewards to the first player and the second player.

[0038] The group processing unit 246 performs processing related to a group to which a player belongs in order to play cooperatively with other players in a game. The group may be called a party, guild, team, circle, army, or other group of players for cooperative play, depending on the game. When players who belong to a group and who use different languages ​​or belong to different countries or regional cultures play cooperatively, the group processing unit 246 may grant a privilege to the group to which the player belongs. For example, the privilege granted to the group is an advantageous effect such as an increase in a value associated with the group (such as the group's attack power, defense power, or resistance).

[0039] The operation reception unit 202 receives various operations by the player on the input device 106. The output control unit 204 displays various screens on the output device 108 under the control of the control unit 200. The operation reception unit 202 is realized by the CPU 100 controlling the input device 106 in accordance with a program. Also, the output control unit 204 is realized by the CPU 100 controlling the output device 108 in accordance with a program.

[0040] Various operations by the player on the input device 106 refer to operations by the player manipulating the operation reception unit 202 to cause the CPU 100 to execute processing. The output control unit 204 displays various screens and outputs sounds according to the control of the control unit 200. The communication unit 206 performs processing related to communication. The communication unit 206 is realized by the CPU 100 executing a program and controlling the communication device 104 according to the program.

[0041] The translator 14 in Fig. 3 has a translation processing unit 250, a translation result output unit 252, and a translator side cooperation processing unit 254. The translation processing unit 250 executes a process of translating chat contents by the chat function. The translation result output unit 252 outputs the translated chat contents to the information processing terminal 12. The translator side cooperation processing unit 254 executes a process related to cooperation with the information processing terminal 12. For example, the translator 14 translates the chat contents via the translator side cooperation processing unit 254 which cooperates with the information processing terminal 12.

[0042] Next, a functional block diagram will be described for the case where chat contents are translated using a translation function realized by executing a built-in translation program. The functional block diagram for the case where chat contents are translated using a translation function realized by executing a built-in translation program is as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information processing terminal according to this embodiment. Note that the functional configuration of FIG. 4 is merely an example, and for example, at least a part of the functional configuration of the information processing terminal 12 shown in FIG. 4 may be provided in the server device 10, and processing may be performed in cooperation with the server device 10.

[0043] The information processing terminal 12 in Fig. 4 has a control unit 200, an operation receiving unit 202, an output control unit 204, a communication unit 206, and a storage unit 210. Note that the functional configuration of the information processing terminal 12 in Fig. 4 is similar to that of the information processing terminal 12 in Fig. 3 except for some parts, and therefore a description of the same parts will be omitted as appropriate. The information processing terminal 12 in Fig. 4 has a configuration in which the information processing terminal side cooperation processing unit 232 of the information processing terminal 12 in Fig. 3 is replaced with a translation processing unit 234.

[0044] For example, the game control unit 230 executes chat processing to provide a chat function to the player. If the chat content uttered by the player needs to be translated, the game control unit 230 can cause the translation processing unit 234 to translate the chat content. The chat processing unit 240 causes the translation processing unit 234 to translate the chat content as necessary. Other functional configurations are similar to those in FIG. 3, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0045] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a player table. The player table 214 stores information about a player, such as the language used by the player and the country or region to which the player belongs, as shown in Fig. 5. The player table 214 in Fig. 5 stores the player name, the language used, and the country or region in association with each other.

[0046] The player name is an example of information for identifying a player. The language used is an example of information for identifying a language used by a player. The country or region is an example of information for identifying a country or region to which a player belongs. By using the information stored in the player table of FIG. 5, the information processing terminal 12 can distinguish the difference in language between the player who said the chat content and the player who plays or displays the chat content. In addition, by using the information stored in the player table of FIG. 5, the information processing terminal 12 can distinguish the country or region to which the player who said the chat content belongs and the country or region to which the player who plays or displays the chat content belongs.

[0047] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a culture table. The culture table 216 stores information such as that shown in Fig. 6 as information related to the culture of a country or region. The culture table 216 in Fig. 6 stores countries or regions in association with cultures. Culture is a system of ways of thinking and values ​​shared in the country or region to which the player belongs, such as customs, traditions, or values. The culture table 216 in Fig. 6 is an example, and countries or regions may be stored in association with components of culture (clothing, food, housing, systems, etc.).

[0048] By using the information stored in the player table 214 in FIG. 5 and the culture table 216 in FIG. 6, the information processing terminal 12 can determine the culture of the country or region to which the player belongs.

[0049] [process] In the following, an example will be described in which a player communicates with other players using a chat function while playing a game in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. Here, an example of the information processing system 1 in FIG. 1 will be described. Note that it is assumed that the languages ​​used by players A to C and the countries or regions to which players A to C belong are different. In addition, an example of playback will be described here among playback and display of chat contents.

[0050] 7 is a flowchart of an example of the processing of the information processing system according to this embodiment. For example, players A to C start chatting in step S10 in order to communicate with each other in the game they are playing. The information processing terminals 12a to 12c repeat the processing of steps S12 to S20 until it is determined in step S22 that the chat has ended.

[0051] If any of the players A to C wishes to communicate with other players, they voice the content (chat content) from an input device 106 such as a microphone. Here, the explanation will be continued assuming that the player A voices the chat content and the player B plays back the chat content. The chat content voiced by the player A is transmitted from the information processing terminal 12a to the information processing terminal 12b.

[0052] In step S12, the information processing terminal 12b determines that player A has made a statement based on the chat contents received from the information processing terminal 12a, and performs the processes of steps S14 to S20. If the information processing terminal 12b does not receive chat contents from the other information processing terminals 12, it determines that no other players have made a statement, and skips the processes of steps S14 to S20.

[0053] In step S14, the information processing terminal 12b cooperates with the translator 14b, and uses the translation function of the translator 14b to translate the chat content uttered by Player A. In step S16, the information processing terminal 12b reproduces the chat content translated in step S14 by voice.

[0054] In step S18, the information processing terminal 12b identifies whether the language used by player A who said the chat contents is similar to or different from the language used by player B who played back the chat contents, by referring to the player table 214. Note that the determination of the languages ​​used by players A and B in step S18 may be performed based on the information set in the player table 214 in Fig. 5, or may be performed by a translation function.

[0055] If the language used by player A who uttered the chat contents is different from the language used by player B who played back the chat contents, the information processing terminal 12b grants a privilege to player B in the game in step S20. Similarly, the information processing terminal 12a grants a privilege to player A in the game. The privileges granted to players A and B include items, points, currency, characters, experience points, etc. that can be used in the game. Note that the privilege granted in step S20 may be a privilege granted to a group such as a guild to which players A and B belong.

[0056] In this manner, in this embodiment, a privilege is given to players who communicate with each other using different languages ​​by using the chat function. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is expected that communication by chat between players who use different languages ​​will be promoted.

[0057] Fig. 8 is a flowchart of an example of processing of the information processing system according to this embodiment. The processing of the flowchart in Fig. 8 is similar to that in Fig. 7 except for some parts, so a description of the same parts will be omitted as appropriate.

[0058] The processing of steps S30 to S36 is the same as the processing of steps S10 to S16 in Fig. 7, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. In step S38, the information processing terminal 12b refers to the player table 214 and the culture table 215 to identify similarities and differences between the culture of the country or region to which player A, who made the chat content, belongs and the culture of the country or region to which player B, who played back the chat content, belongs.

[0059] If the culture of the country or region to which player A belongs is different from the culture of the country or region to which player B who played the chat content belongs, the information processing terminal 12b grants a privilege to player B in the game in step S40. Similarly, the information processing terminal 12a grants a privilege to player A in the game. Note that the privilege granted in step S40 may be a privilege granted to a group, such as a guild to which players A and B belong.

[0060] In addition, if the culture table 216 in Figure 6 stores countries or regions in association with cultural components, the information processing terminal 12b may identify the similarity or difference between the culture of the country or region to which player A, who commented the chat content, belongs and the culture of the country or region to which player B, who played back the chat content, belongs, based on the degree of similarity, such as the number or percentage of similarity of cultural components.

[0061] In this manner, in this embodiment, by communicating through the chat function between players A and B who belong to different national or regional cultures, benefits are given to players A and B. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is expected that communication through chat between players who belong to different national or regional cultures will be promoted.

[0062] The information processing system 1 of the disclosed embodiment should be considered as an example and not a limitation. The above embodiment can be modified and improved in various forms without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. In addition, the matters described in the above-mentioned embodiments can be configured in other ways as long as they are not inconsistent, and can be combined as long as they are not inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Information Processing Systems 10. Server device 12a~12c Information processing terminal 14a~14b Translation machine 232 Information processing terminal side cooperation processing unit 234 Translation Processing Unit 240 Chat Processing Unit 244 Benefits Granting Department 246 Group Processing Unit 250 Translation Processing Unit 254 Translation device side link processing unit

Claims

1. An information processing system in which a plurality of information processing terminals operated by a plurality of players respectively provide a chat function to the plurality of players, a translation processing unit that translates chat contents by the chat function, a chat processing unit that reproduces the chat contents in voice or displays them in characters, a privilege granting unit that grants privileges to the first player and the second player when the first language used by the first player who uttered the chat contents and the second language used by the second player who reproduces or displays the chat contents are different when communication is performed between the players by the chat function, An information processing system having the above.

2. Instead of the process of granting privileges to the first player and the second player when the first language and the second language are different, the privilege granting unit grants privileges to the first player and the second player when the first culture of the country or region to which the first player belongs and the second culture of the country or region to which the second player belongs are different. The information processing system according to Claim 1.

3. The privilege granting unit grants a privilege to the group to which the first player and the second player belong as the privilege. The information processing system according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The translation processing unit is realized by a translation machine capable of communicating with the information processing terminal. The information processing system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The translation processing unit is realized by a translation program installed in the information processing terminal. The information processing system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

6. A communication method executed by a computer that constitutes an information processing system in which a plurality of information processing terminals operated by a plurality of players respectively provide a chat function to the plurality of players, a translation step of translating chat contents by the chat function, a chat processing step of reproducing the chat contents in voice or displaying them in characters, a privilege granting step of granting privileges to the first player and the second player when the first language used by the first player who uttered the chat contents and the second language used by the second player who reproduces or displays the chat contents are different when communication is performed between the players by the chat function. A communication method having the following.

7. An information processing terminal that is communicably connected to an information processing terminal operated by another player and enables communication with the other player through a chat function, A translation processing unit that translates the chat content by the chat function, A chat processing unit that plays back the chat content as audio or displays it as text, When communication is performed with the other player by the chat function, if the first language used by the first player who uttered the chat content is different from the second language used by the second player who plays back or displays the chat content, a privilege granting unit that grants privileges to the first player and the second player, An information processing terminal having the following.

8. An information processing terminal that is communicably connected to an information processing terminal operated by another player and enables communication with the other player through a chat function, A cooperation processing unit that cooperates with a translation machine that translates the chat content by the chat function, A chat processing unit that plays back the chat content as audio or displays it as text, When communication is performed with the other player by the chat function, if the first language used by the first player who uttered the chat content is different from the second language used by the second player who plays back or displays the chat content, a privilege granting unit that grants privileges to the first player and the second player, An information processing terminal having the following.

Images