Program, server device, system, and information processing method

Abstract

To improve convenience in recruiting participants in an event related to a game by designating a position of a terminal device.SOLUTION: A first position management part 233 of a game server SV1 manages each position of M terminal devices T[1]-T[M] in a real space RS in association with a position on first map information DBm1. A first reception part 234 receives graphic designation information Sg[j] for designating at least one of a shape and a size of an area specification graphic Fg[j] for specifying a designation area Zg[j] on the first map information DBm1. A first specification part 236 specifies the terminal device T at the position corresponding to the designation area Zg[j] on the first map information DBm1 of the M terminal devices T[1]-T[M] as a candidate terminal device TAg[j] which is a candidate for the terminal device T to participate in an event G[j] related to games, on the basis of, the graphic designation information Sg[j].SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 37

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a server device, a system, and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] When recruiting an opponent or a partner (hereinafter referred to as a "game member") for an online game, the recruiter may want to limit the recruitment target by location. Against the backdrop of such needs, for example, there are various purposes such as wanting to recruit game members with a short physical distance in consideration of communication speed, or wanting to recruit game members who can share topics related to the same locality in order to enjoy conversations during the game.

[0003] Conventionally, in order to meet the above needs, a method of grouping terminal devices by region based on location information is known. As an example of grouping by region, for example, grouping in administrative division units such as countries, prefectures, cities, and towns can be mentioned. By selecting the target administrative division, the recruiter can match with the terminal devices belonging to the group corresponding to the administrative division as game members.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique of acquiring location information indicating the location of a user terminal when entering the first convention held at an actual convention venue, and accepting a participation request (entry) to the first convention when it is determined that the location of the user terminal is within the convention venue.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the above-described prior art, the recruiter of game members needs to accurately understand the place name indicating the administrative division and the position and range of the area indicated by the place name. Further, in the above-described prior art, when attempting to accurately specify a desired area, sometimes complicated selection operations may be required, and furthermore, the result of the selection operation may include an unnecessary area.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of the problems to be solved is to provide a technique for improving the convenience when recruiting participants in an event related to a game by designating the position of a terminal device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a program according to one aspect of the present invention functions as a management unit that manages the positions of a plurality of terminal devices in the real space in association with the positions on a map, a reception unit that receives first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map, and a specification unit that specifies, based on the first designation information, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map among the plurality of terminal devices as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device participating in a first event related to a game.

[0009] A program according to another aspect of the present invention functions as a management unit that manages the position of a terminal device in the real space in association with the position on a map, a reception unit that receives first designation information for specifying at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area related to an event related to a game in the map, and a determination unit that determines whether or not the event is an event related to the terminal device based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information.

[0010] A server device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages the positions of a plurality of terminal devices in the real space in association with positions on a map, a reception unit that receives first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map, and a specification unit that, based on the first designation information, specifies, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device participating in a first event related to the game.

[0011] A server device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages the position of a terminal device in the real space in association with a position on a map, a reception unit that receives first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area related to an event related to a game in the map, and a determination unit that determines, based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information, whether the event is an event related to the terminal device.

[0012] A system according to another aspect of the present invention is a system that identifies a terminal device that participates in a tournament related to a game among a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with a server device, and includes a management unit that manages the positions of the plurality of terminal devices in the real space in association with positions on a map, a reception unit that receives first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map, and a specification unit that, based on the first designation information, specifies, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device participating in a first event related to the game.

[0013] A system according to another aspect of the present invention is a system that determines an event related to a terminal device capable of communicating with a server device, and includes a management unit that manages the position of the terminal device in the real space in association with a position on a map, and a reception unit that receives first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area related to an event related to a game in the map, and a determination unit that determines whether or not the event is an event related to the terminal device based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information.

[0014] An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention is such that a processor manages the position of each of the plurality of terminal devices in the real space in association with a position on a map, receives first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map, and based on the first designation information, specifies a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map among the plurality of terminal devices as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device participating in a first event related to a game.

[0015] An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention is such that a processor manages the position of a terminal device in the real space in association with a position on a map, receives first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area related to an event related to a game in the map, and determines whether or not the event is an event related to the terminal device based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in each figure, the dimensions and scales of each part are appropriately different from the actual ones. Also, since the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, various technically preferable limitations are imposed. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless there is a description to specifically limit the present invention in the following description.

[0018] [A: First Embodiment] [A - 0: Overall Outline] FIG. 35 is a diagram schematically showing the classification of the terminal device T in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the entire set of terminal devices T (for example, T[1] to T[M] in FIG. 1) is classified into candidate terminal devices TA and non - candidate terminal devices TB. The candidate terminal device TA is a terminal device T selected as a candidate for a terminal device T that executes a predetermined process (hereinafter referred to as "target process"). The target process is, in the first embodiment, participation in an event related to a game (tournament G), and in the second and third embodiments, output of an advertisement AD to the game screen GS. The candidate terminal device TA is selected by the server device SV (for example, the game server SV1 in FIG. 1) based on a candidate terminal selection process described later. The non - candidate terminal device TB is a terminal device T other than the candidate terminal device TA.

[0019] The set of candidate terminal devices TA is further classified into executing terminal devices TC and non - executing terminal devices TD. The executing terminal device TC is a terminal device T among the candidate terminal devices TA that actually executed the target process. The non - executing terminal device TD is a terminal device T among the candidate terminal devices TA other than the executing terminal device TC and is a terminal device T that did not execute the target process. All of the candidate terminal devices TA may be either the executing terminal device TC or the non - executing terminal device TD.

[0020] The region designating device DV described later may be one of the terminal devices T or may be a device not included in the terminal devices T.

[0021] Next, the candidate terminal selection process will be described. FIG. 36 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the position of the terminal device T in the real space RS and the position on the first map MP1. Each terminal device T (in FIG. 36, terminal devices T[r1] to T[r3], where r1, r2, and r3 are natural numbers satisfying 1 ≦ r1 < r2 < r3 < M. For A-0 only, M is a natural number of 3 or more) is held by the user U (in FIG. 36, users U[r1] to U[r3]) in the real space RS.

[0022] As described in the embodiment, the server device SV can acquire position information indicating the position of each terminal device T in the real space RS. Further, the server device SV has a first map MP1 showing the state of the ground surface in the real space RS at a predetermined scale. One point in the real space RS is associated with one point on the first map MP1. The server device SV can specify the position of each terminal device T on the first map MP1 (more specifically, the point obtained by projecting the position of the terminal device T in the real space RS onto the first map MP1) based on the position information of each terminal device T. For example, the position of the terminal device T[r1] in the real space RS can be associated with the point P[r1] on the first map MP1 by using coordinate information such as latitude and longitude. Similarly, the position of the terminal device T[r2] in the real space RS can be associated with the point P[r2] on the first map MP1, and the position of the terminal device T[r3] in the real space RS can be associated with the point P[r3] on the first map MP1, respectively. That is, the server device SV manages the positions of the three terminal devices T[r1] to T[r3] in the real space RS in association with the positions on the first map MP1.

[0023] The area designating device DV is a device that designates the area where the candidate terminal device TA is located. The user of the area designating device DV is referred to as the "area designer UE". In the first embodiment, the area designating device DV is the host terminal device TEg used by the host user UEg (an example of the area designer UE) related to the game. In the second and third embodiments, the area designating device DV is the advertiser device DVa used by the advertiser user UEa (an example of the area designer UE).

[0024] FIG. 37 is a diagram schematically showing the correspondence relationship between the second map MP2 and the first map MP1. As shown in FIG. 37, the area designating device DV can display the second map MP2. Similar to the first map MP1, the second map MP2 also shows the state of the ground surface in the real space RS at a predetermined scale. A point in the real space RS is specified as a point on the second map MP2. Also, a point on the second map MP2 can be associated with a point on the first map MP1.

[0025] The area specifier UE causes the area designating device DV to display the second map MP2 and draws the area specifying figure F on the second map MP2. The area specifying figure F is a figure for specifying the designated area Z on the second map MP2. The designated area Z is used to limit the execution terminal device TC that executes the target process at the position of the terminal device T. For example, when the target process is an event related to a game as in the first embodiment, the terminal device T located in the designated area Z is permitted to request participation in the event. When the target process is the output of the advertisement AD to the game screen GS as in the second embodiment, the advertisement AD is distributed when the terminal device T located in the designated area Z executes the game.

[0026] When the area specifying figure F is drawn, the area designating device DV transmits figure specifying information S that specifies at least one of the shape or size of the area specifying figure F to the server device SV. That is, the server device SV receives the figure specifying information S that specifies at least one of the shape or size of the area specifying figure F for specifying the designated area Z on the first map MP1. The server device SV can reproduce the area specifying figure F on the first map MP1 using the figure specifying information S and specify the designated area Z.

[0027] Also, as described above, the server device SV manages by associating the position of the terminal device T in the real space RS with the position on the first map MP1. The server device SV identifies the terminal device T whose position is associated within the designated area Z of the first map MP1, and sets the identified terminal device T as the in-area terminal device TF. Also, the terminal device T whose position is not associated within the designated area Z is set as the out-of-area terminal device TG. In the example of FIG. 37, within the designated area Z of the first map MP1, the point P[r2] corresponding to the position of the terminal device T[r2] is located. Therefore, among the terminal devices T[r1] to T[r3], the terminal device T[r2] becomes the in-area terminal device TF. The actual position of the terminal device T[r2] is within the area Z-R obtained by projecting the designated area Z of the first map MP1 (or the second map MP2) onto the real space RS. Also, the terminal devices T[r1] and T[r3] become the out-of-area terminal devices TG.

[0028] The server device SV identifies the terminal device T related to the designated area Z on the first map MP1 as the candidate terminal device TA. The terminal device T related to the designated area Z may be, for example, the in-area terminal device TF, or may be a terminal device T related to the in-area terminal device TF. The terminal device T related to the in-area terminal device TF may be, for example, a terminal device T belonging to the same group as the in-area terminal device TF, or a terminal device T having the same attribute as the in-area terminal device TF.

[0029] In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described below, the server device SV sets the in-area terminal device TF as the candidate terminal device TA. That is, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the server device SV, based on the graphic designation information S, among the plurality of terminal devices T, identifies the terminal device T at the position corresponding to the designated area Z on the first map MP1 as the candidate terminal device TA that is a candidate for the execution terminal device TC that executes the target process. For example, taking FIG. 37 as an example, the terminal device T[2] at the position corresponding to the designated area Z is identified as the candidate terminal device TA.

[0030] Also, in the third embodiment, the server device SV designates a terminal device T that participates in the same event as the in-region terminal device TF as the candidate terminal device TA. That is, in the third embodiment, the server device SV, based on the graphic specification information S, specifies, among a plurality of terminal devices T, a terminal device T associated with the terminal device T at a position corresponding to the designated region Z on the first map MP1 as the candidate terminal device TA that is a candidate for the execution terminal device TC that executes the target process. For example, when the terminal device T[r2] and the terminal device T[r3] participate in the same event, the terminal device T[r2] at the position corresponding to the designated region Z and the terminal device T[r3] that participates in the event together with the terminal device T[r2] are specified as the candidate terminal device TA.

[0031] Note that in this embodiment, the terminal device T (candidate terminal device TA) located in the designated region Z does not necessarily execute the target process. That is, as shown in FIG. 35, the set of candidate terminal devices TA is classified into an execution terminal device TC and a non-execution terminal device TD. For example, when the target process is an event related to a game as in the first embodiment, if the user U of the candidate terminal device TA does not make a participation request for the event, the user cannot participate in the event, and the candidate terminal device TA becomes a non-execution terminal device TD. Also, for example, when the target process is the output of the advertisement AD to the game screen GS as in the second and third embodiments, the advertisement AD is not output unless the user U of the candidate terminal device TA executes the game, and the candidate terminal device TA becomes a non-execution terminal device TD.

[0032] [A-1: System Overview] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a game system 1 according to the first embodiment. The game system 1 includes a game server SV1 and M terminal devices T (T[1] to T[M] (M is a natural number of 2 or more)). Hereinafter, among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M], the m-th terminal device may be referred to as the terminal device T[m] (m is a natural number satisfying 1 ≦ m ≦ M). Further, the game server SV1 and each of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] are communicably connected to each other via a network NW. The game system 1 is an example of a "system", the terminal device T is an example of a "terminal device", and the game server SV1 is an example of a "server device SV".

[0033] In the first embodiment, the terminal device T is an information processing device used by the user U to play a game. Each terminal device T may be, for example, a portable information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a portable game device, or a business-use game device installed in a store, a play facility, etc., or a stationary information processing terminal such as a desktop personal computer.

[0034] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that one user U (one user account) is associated with one terminal device T. That is, it is assumed that there are M users U[1] to U[M] corresponding to each of the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. Hereinafter, the user of the terminal device T[m] may be denoted as the user U[m].

[0035] In the present embodiment, the terminal device T is capable of executing a game of a predetermined title (hereinafter simply referred to as a "game"). That is, all the terminal devices T can access an application program for game play (a game program PG1 for play described later) for executing the game and can execute this program. Note that, as in Modification Example A6 described later, the game program PG1 for play may be executed on a cloud server.

[0036] The game executed by the terminal device T may be, for example, a game (a battle game) in which a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n] (n is a natural number satisfying 2 ≤ n ≤ M) play against each other in a match or the like to determine a win / loss or ranking, or a game in which a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n] cooperate with each other to play against another group of terminal devices to determine a win / loss or ranking, or a game (a cooperative game) in which a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n] cooperate with each other to clear a mission in the game.

[0037] In this embodiment, the game executed by the terminal device T is a so-called online game. For example, the terminal device T[1] can play a game with another terminal device T[2] by connecting to the game server SV1 via the network NW.

[0038] Also, in this embodiment, the users U[1] to U[M] can hold or participate in an event related to the game (hereinafter simply referred to as "event") in the game. The event may be, for example, a battle such as a match in the game or a mission to be cleared. More specifically, the event may be, for example, content in which a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n] compete with each other, or content in which a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n] cooperate with each other. Also, the event may be an event in which no relationship occurs between a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n], such as viewing limited content.

[0039] The event is implemented with the host terminal device TEg (see Fig. 6) used by the host user UEg of the event and the participating terminal device TCg (see Fig. 6) used by the participating user UCg who has applied to participate in the event. That is, the event is implemented with two or more of the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M], namely, T[1] to T[n]. Participating in the event may mean, for example, being able to receive operations related to the event from the users U[1] to U[n] of the terminal devices T[1] to T[n], or being able to display the progress of the event on the display screens of the terminal devices T[1] to T[n].

[0040] In this embodiment, the above game will be described as a baseball game. That is, the baseball game is an example of the "game". Also, in this embodiment, as an event, it is assumed that a tournament G held within the baseball game can be executed. That is, the tournament G is an example of the "event". More specifically, in the baseball game according to the embodiment, it is assumed that each terminal device T can cultivate its own baseball team. In the tournament G, a game is played using the teams cultivated by the host terminal device TEg and the participating terminal device TCg, which will be described later, and the winner and loser are determined. As a result of a plurality of games, generally, the user U of the terminal device T that has won the most games becomes the winner of the tournament G. The event related to the baseball game is not limited to the tournament G, and may be, for example, a home run competition in which the number of home runs hit out of 10 balls is competed. Also, the type of game is not limited to the baseball game, and may be a sports game other than baseball, or a fighting game, a role-playing game, a shooting game, etc.

[0041] The game server SV1 is connected to a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n] via a network NW, enabling the terminal devices T[1] to T[n] to play games jointly. That is, the game server SV1 controls the progress of the game. Such a function of the game server SV1 is hereinafter referred to as the "game progress function". For example, when the terminal device T[1] and the terminal device T[2] play a game against each other, when the user U[1] operates the terminal device T[1], the terminal device T[1] generates its operation information every unit time and transmits it to the game server SV1. Similarly, when the user U[2] operates the terminal device T[2], the terminal device T[2] generates its operation information for each frame and transmits it to the game server SV1. When the game server SV1 receives the respective operation information from the terminal devices T[1] and T[2], it performs game processing using each operation information and transmits the game result information, which is the result of the game processing, to the terminal devices T[1] and T[2]. In the terminal devices T[1] and T[2], output data such as images and sounds are generated based on the game result information, and images and sounds related to the game result are output from the touch panel 12 and the speaker 13 described later.

[0042] In addition, the game server SV1 receives a request Cg for holding the tournament G from the host terminal device TEg and recruits participating terminal devices TCg that participate in the tournament G. Such a function of the game server SV1 is hereinafter referred to as the "tournament management function". When the recruitment for participation in the tournament G is completed and the tournament G is established, the tournament G is advanced by the game progress function. In the following embodiments, the tournament management function of the game server SV1 will be mainly described.

[0043] [A-2: Configuration of Terminal Device T] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device T. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device T includes a communication device 11, a touch panel 12, a speaker 13, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 14, a memory 15 that stores various information, and a processor 16 that controls each part of the terminal device T.

[0044] The communication device 11 is hardware for communicating with an external device existing outside the terminal device T via a network NW (see FIG. 1), and provides the function as the communication unit 110 shown in FIG. 3. The communication device 11 includes, for example, a communication circuit, an antenna (in the case of wireless communication), or a communication cable connection connector (in the case of wired communication), etc.

[0045] The touch panel 12 is hardware in which hardware for outputting image information to the user of the terminal device T and hardware for receiving the operation of the user of the terminal device T are integrated, and provides the functions as the display unit 120 and the operation input unit 122 shown in FIG. 3. Based on the control of the processor 16, the touch panel 12 outputs image information (in this embodiment, mainly image information related to games). Further, when an object such as a user's finger touches the touch panel 12, the touch panel 12 detects the touch position, which is the contact position of the object on the touch panel 12, and periodically outputs touch position information indicating the detected touch position.

[0046] Note that the terminal device T may include a display that functions as the display unit 120 and a controller that functions as the operation input unit 122 instead of the touch panel 12. In this case, the display may be separate from the terminal device T. For example, when the terminal device T is a game device connected to a home television for use, the home television functions as a display. Further, the controller may be provided in the housing of the terminal device T or may be provided separately from the housing of the terminal device T. The controller may be composed of one or a plurality of devices including a part or all of pointing devices such as operation buttons, a keyboard, a joystick, and a mouse.

[0047] The speaker 13 is hardware for outputting audio information to the user of the terminal device T, and provides the function as the audio output unit 130 shown in FIG. 3. Note that when the terminal device T is a game device connected to a home television for use, audio may be output from the speaker of the home television.

[0048] The GPS receiver 14 is hardware that includes an antenna for receiving signals transmitted from GPS satellites and various circuits, and outputs current position information indicating the current position of the terminal device T, providing the function as the position acquisition unit 140 shown in FIG. 3. In the present embodiment, the GPS receiver 14 outputs information indicating latitude and longitude as the current position information of the terminal device T.

[0049] The memory 15 includes, for example, a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a working area for the processor 16, and a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) that stores various information such as a game application program for play (hereinafter referred to as "play game program PG1") executed by the processor 16 and the second map information DBm2, and functions as the storage unit 150 shown in FIG. 3. Note that the non-volatile memory that stores the play game program PG1 may be a detachable storage medium (such as a memory card) for the terminal device T.

[0050] The processor 16 is, for example, one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units), executes the play game program PG1 stored in the memory 15, and functions as the control unit 160 shown in FIG. 3 by operating according to the play game program PG1.

[0051] Note that the processor 16 may include hardware such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) in addition to or instead of the CPU. In this case, part or all of the control unit 160 realized by the processor 16 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal device T. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device T includes a communication unit 110, a display unit 120, an operation input unit 122, an audio output unit 130, a position acquisition unit 140, a storage unit 150, and a control unit 160.

[0053] The functions of the communication unit 110 are realized by the communication device 11 shown in FIG. 2. The functions of the display unit 120 and the operation input unit 122 are realized by the touch panel 12 shown in FIG. 2. The function of the audio output unit 130 is realized by the speaker 13 shown in FIG. 2. The function of the position acquisition unit 140 is realized by the GPS receiver 14 shown in FIG. 2. The function of the storage unit 150 is realized by the memory 15 shown in FIG. 2.

[0054] The control unit 160 functions as a game control unit 161 when the processor 16 executes the game program PG1 for play. The game control unit 161 controls the progress of the game based on the operations of the user of the terminal device T. Specifically, when the start of the game is selected, the game control unit 161 connects to the game server SV1, generates operation information based on the operations on the touch panel 12, and transmits it to the game server SV1. When the game control unit 161 receives game result information based on the operation information from the game server SV1, it generates output data such as images and sounds based on the game result information, and outputs images and sounds related to the game result from the touch panel 12 and the speaker 13.

[0055] [A-3: Configuration of Game Server SV1] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the game server SV1. As shown in FIG. 4, the game server SV1 includes a communication device 21, a memory 22 that stores various information, and a processor 23 that controls each part of the game server SV1.

[0056] The communication device 21 is hardware for communicating with an external device existing outside the game server SV1 via a network NW (see FIG. 1), and provides the function as the communication unit 210 shown in FIG. 5. The communication device 21 includes, for example, a communication circuit, an antenna (in the case of wireless communication), or a communication cable connection connector (in the case of wired communication).

[0057] The memory 22 includes, for example, a volatile memory such as a RAM that functions as a work area for the processor 23, and a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM that stores a game application program for control (hereinafter referred to as "control game program PG2") executed by the processor 23 and various information necessary for game control, and functions as the storage unit 220 shown in FIG. 5. Information necessary for game control includes, for example, a first position database DBp1, a first map information DBm1, a room management database DBl, a tournament management database DBg, and the like. Details of these databases will be described later.

[0058] The processor 23 is, for example, one or more CPUs, executes the control game program PG2 stored in the memory 22, and functions as the control unit 230 shown in FIG. 5 by operating according to the application program.

[0059] Note that the processor 23 may include hardware such as a GPU, a DSP, or an FPGA in addition to or instead of the CPU. In this case, part or all of the control unit 230 realized by the processor 23 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the game server SV1. As shown in FIG. 5, the game server SV1 has a communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, and a control unit 230.

[0061] The function of the communication unit 210 is realized by the communication device 21 shown in FIG. 4. The function of the storage unit 220 is realized by the memory 22 shown in FIG. 4.

[0062] The control unit 230 functions as a game progress unit 231 and a tournament management unit 232 when the processor 23 executes the control game program PG2. The game progress unit 231 controls the progress of the game. The game progress unit 231 receives operation information from the terminal device T during the execution of the game, performs game processing using the operation information, and transmits game result information, which is the result of the game processing, to the terminal device T. That is, the game progress unit 231 realizes the game progress function of the game server SV1 described above.

[0063] The tournament management unit 232 manages tournaments related to the game. The tournament management unit 232, for example, accepts an application for holding a tournament from the participating terminal device TCg (see FIG. 6) and recruits terminal devices T participating in the tournament. That is, the tournament management unit 232 realizes the tournament management function of the game server SV1 described above.

[0064] The tournament management unit 232 includes a first position management unit 233, a first reception unit 234, a room management unit 235, a first identification unit 236, a permission unit 237, an acquisition unit 238, and a supply unit 239. Hereinafter, the details of the tournament implementation in the game system 1 will be described while explaining the details of these functional units.

[0065] [A-4: Outline of Tournament Holding] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the data flow related to the holding of the tournament G. Any one of the tournaments G[1] to G[J] (J is an arbitrary natural number) held in the game system 1 is referred to as tournament G[j]. j is a natural number satisfying 1 ≤ j ≤ J. In the sequence diagram of FIG. 6, the game server SV1, the organizer terminal device TEg[j], and the candidate terminal device TAg[j] are shown as objects. The candidate terminal device TAg[j] is further classified into a participating terminal device TCg[j] and a non-participating terminal device TDg[j]. Note that in FIG. 6, the notation [j] for identifying the tournament G is omitted.

[0066] The candidate terminal device TAg[j] is an example of the candidate terminal device TA in FIG. 35. The participating terminal device TCg[j] is an example of the executing terminal device TC in FIG. 35. The non-participating terminal device TDg[j] is an example of the non-executing terminal device TD in FIG. 35. The hosting terminal device TEg[j] is an example of the area designating device DV.

[0067] The hosting terminal device TEg[j] is one of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M], and is the terminal device T held by the user (hereinafter referred to as the "hosting user UEg[j]") who hosts the conference G[j]. The hosting terminal device TEg[j] is an example of the "first terminal device". The hosting user UEg[j] is an example of the area designator UE.

[0068] The candidate terminal device TAg[j] is a terminal device T (the in-area terminal device TFg[j] which is an example of the in-area terminal device TF shown in FIG. 37) that is located in the area (the designated area Zg[j] described later) other than the hosting terminal device TEg[j] and designated by the hosting user UEg[j] among the terminal devices T[1] to T[M], and is a terminal device T that may participate in the conference G[j]. The candidate terminal device TAg[j] may be one unit, or may be a plurality of units of M units or less. Also, when there is no terminal device T located in the designated area Z[j], the candidate terminal device TAg[j] may not be specified. The candidate terminal device TAg[j] is held by the user (hereinafter referred to as the "candidate user UAg[j]") who is a candidate for the participant of the conference G[j]. The candidate terminal device TAg[j] is an example of "one terminal device", "the first candidate terminal device", and "the second candidate terminal device".

[0069] The participating terminal device TCg[j] is the terminal device T among the candidate terminal devices TAg[j] that participates in the event G[j], and is the terminal device T held by the user who becomes a participant in the event G[j] (hereinafter referred to as "participating user UCg[j]"). In the present embodiment, the participating terminal device TCg[j] is the terminal device T among the candidate terminal devices TAg[j] that has transmitted the participation request Dg[j] to the event G[j]. The non-participating terminal device TDg[j] is the terminal device T among the candidate terminal devices TAg[j] that does not participate in the event G[j], and is the terminal device T held by the user who does not become a participant in the event G[j] (hereinafter referred to as "non-participating user UDg[j]"). In the present embodiment, the non-participating terminal device TDg[j] is the terminal device T among the candidate terminal devices TAg[j] that has not transmitted the participation request Dg[j] to the event G[j].

[0070] In FIG. 6, one participating terminal device TCg[j] and one non-participating terminal device TDg[j] are shown, but at least one of the participating terminal device TCg[j] or the non-participating terminal device TDg[j] may be two or more, or all of the candidate terminal devices TAg[j] may be either the participating terminal device TCg[j] or the non-participating terminal device TDg[j]. Also, the candidate terminal device TAg[j] may be one.

[0071] Prior to the holding of Conference G, game server SV1 acquires position information Pi[1] to Pi[M] from all terminal devices T[1] to T[M] of game system 1 by first position management unit 233 (S1). All terminal devices T[1] to T[M] include host terminal device TEg[j], candidate terminal device TAg[j], and terminal devices that are neither host terminal device TEg[j] nor candidate terminal device TAg[j] and are not shown in FIG. 6. First position management unit 233 manages position information Pi[1] to Pi[M] of each terminal device T[1] to T[M] using first position database DBp1 and first map information DBm1 (S2). S1 to S2 in FIG. 6 are referred to as "position management steps". Note that acquisition (S1) and management (S2) of position information Pi[1] to Pi[M] are also performed as needed during subsequent steps. That is, the position information in first position database DBp1 is updated as needed, and in particular, the current location information reflects the locations of terminal devices T[1] to T[M] at that time.

[0072] At the time of holding the conference, host terminal device TEg[j] receives from host user UEg[j] a specification of the position of participating terminal device TCg[j]. As will be described later, the specification of the position of participating terminal device TCg[j] is performed by host user UEg[j] by drawing region specific graphic Fg[j] on the map (second partial map MPd2 shown in FIG. 10 etc.) displayed on host terminal device TEg[j]. That is, host terminal device TEg[j] receives from host user UEg[j] the drawing of region specific graphic Fg[j] (S3). Also, host terminal device TEg[j] may receive from host user UEg[j] specifications of other conditions, such as the upper limit number of participating terminal devices TCg[j] for Conference G[j] and the reception period of participation request Dg[j].

[0073] When the host terminal device TEg[j] receives the drawing of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] by the host user UEg[j], the host terminal device TEg[j] transmits a holding request Cg[j] of the convention G[j] including graphic specifying information Sg[j] that specifies at least one of the shape or size of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] to the game server SV1 (S4). The game server SV1 receives the holding request Cg[j] by the first reception unit 234 (S5). S3 to S5 in FIG. 6 are referred to as "holding reception steps".

[0074] The game server SV1 that has received the holding request Cg[j] generates a room L[j] for recruiting the participating terminal device TCg[j] by the room management unit 235 (S6). The room L is a waiting place until the start of the convention, conceptually defined on the game server SV1. Corresponding to each of the conventions G[1] to G[J], rooms L[1] to L[J] are generated. The terminal device T that has transmitted the participation request Dg[j] described later becomes a member of the room L[j]. The members of the room L[j] become the participating terminal devices TCg[j] of the convention G[j] corresponding to the room L[j].

[0075] Also, the game server SV1 specifies candidate terminal devices TAg[j] based on the graphic specifying information Sg[j] and the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] by the first specifying unit 236 (S7). The game server SV1 transmits an invitation notice Vg[j] to the convention G[j] including various information regarding the convention G[j] (hereinafter referred to as "convention information Ig[j]") to the candidate terminal devices TAg[j] by the supply unit 239 (S8). The invitation notice Vg[j] may include the graphic specifying information Sg[j]. S6 to S8 in FIG. 6 are referred to as "participating terminal recruitment steps".

[0076] When the candidate terminal device TAg[j] that has received the invitation notice Vg[j] presents the conference information Ig[j] included in the invitation notice Vg[j] to the candidate user UAg[j] (S9). The candidate user determines whether to participate in the conference G[j] with reference to the conference information Ig[j]. If the candidate user decides to participate in the conference G[j], the candidate user UAg[j] inputs information indicating the intention to participate in the conference to the candidate terminal device TAg[j]. When the candidate terminal device TAg[j] receives the input of the information indicating the intention to participate (S10), it transmits a participation request Dg[j] for the conference G[j] to the game server SV1 (S11). The game server SV1 receives the participation request Dg[j] from the candidate terminal device TAg by the acquisition unit 238. Then, the game server SV1 adds the candidate terminal device TAg[j] as a room member by the room management unit 235 (S12). The candidate terminal device TAg[j] that has become a room member becomes the participating terminal device TCg[j] for the conference G[j]. Steps S9 to S12 in FIG. 6 are referred to as the "participation acceptance steps".

[0077] When a predetermined conference establishment condition is satisfied, the game server SV1 terminates the reception of the participation request Dg[j] for the conference G[j] (S13), and starts the conference G[j] by the participating terminal device TCg[j] that is a room member (S14).

[0078] [A-5: Location Management Step] The details of each step will be described below. As described above, in the location management step, the game server SV1 acquires location information from all the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] by the first location management unit 233 (S1 in FIG. 6), and manages the location information of each terminal device T[1] to T[M] using the first location database DBp1 and the first map information DBm1 (S2 in FIG. 6). That is, the first location management unit 233 manages the location of each of the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M] in the real space RS in association with the location on the first map information DBm1. The first location management unit 233 is an example of the "management unit".

[0079] Location information is information indicating the position of the terminal device T in the real space RS. The position of the terminal device T in the real space RS may be, for example, the current position of the terminal device T, or may be a position pre-registered as the position of the terminal device T (hereinafter referred to as "registered position"). The position may be specified by information such as latitude and longitude, lot number, address notation, etc.

[0080] The current position may be, for example, the position of the terminal device T identified by the GPS receiver 14, or may be the position of the base station with which the terminal device T communicates. When acquiring the current position as location information, the first position management unit 233 may, for example, always acquire the current position from the terminal device T regardless of whether a game is being executed, or may acquire the current position only while the terminal device T is executing a game, or may acquire the current position at the time of starting a game on the terminal device T.

[0081] Also, the registered position may be, for example, a position registered by the user U of the terminal device T designating information indicating a position such as an address, latitude, and longitude. For example, when the terminal device T is a stationary information processing terminal, the user U may register the location where the information processing device is placed as the position of the terminal device T. Further, for example, when the terminal device T is a portable information processing terminal, the user U may register, as the position of the terminal device T, a place where he / she stays with the terminal device T for a long time, or a place where he / she frequently plays games using the terminal device T, specifically, his / her home, workplace, school, etc.

[0082] Also, the registered position may be, for example, a position registered by the terminal device T designating information indicating a position such as an address, latitude, and longitude. The terminal device T may, for example, detect its own current position at all times or at predetermined time intervals, and designate, as its own position, a position where the detection frequency is higher than a predetermined frequency (or a position where the cumulative detection time is longer than a predetermined time).

[0083] When acquiring the registered position as the location information, the first location management unit 233 may, for example, register the location of the terminal device T during user registration performed when the game is first executed on the terminal device T. Further, the first location management unit 233 may, for example, have the user U or the terminal device T specify the location of the terminal device T every time the game is launched on the terminal device T.

[0084] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the first location database DBp1. The first location management unit 233 records the location information received from each of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] in the first location database DBp1. The first location database DBp1 includes a terminal device ID 701, selection information 702, current location information 703 indicating the current locations of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M], acquisition time information 704 indicating the acquisition time of the current location information, and registered location information 705 of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M].

[0085] The terminal device ID 701 is identification information of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. In the present embodiment, the terminal device ID 701 is represented by a combination of the alphabetic letter "T" and three digits, such as "T001". For example, assume that the terminal device with the terminal device ID = 001 is the terminal device T[1], and the terminal device with the terminal device ID = 011 is the terminal device T

[11] .

[0086] The selection information 702 is information for specifying information to be used as the location of the terminal device T specified by the terminal device ID 701. In the present embodiment, the selection information 702 is either the value "1" or "2", and in the case of "1", the current location information 703 is used as the location of the terminal device T, and in the case of "2", it indicates that the registered location information 705 is used as the location of the terminal device T. The first location management unit 233 described later manages the location information specified by the selection information 702 as information indicating the location of the terminal device T. The selection information 702 may be specified, for example, by the user U of the terminal device T, or may be specified by the first location management unit 233 based on the acquisition status of the current location information 703 and the registered location information 705.

[0087] The current location information 703 is the latitude and longitude, lot number, city, town, and village name indicating the current location of the terminal device T specified by the terminal device ID 701. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the format of the location information recorded as the current location information 703 and the registration location information 705 described later is unified to latitude and longitude. In the present embodiment, the latitude and longitude are shown in seconds, but units less than seconds may be included. When the location information is acquired in the format of a lot number or a city, town, and village name, the first location management unit 233 converts the location information into latitude and longitude based on the first map information DBm1 and the like described later, and then records it in the first location database DBp1. Note that the first location management unit 233 may record the location information acquired in the format of a lot number or a city, town, and village name in the first location database DBp1 in the original format.

[0088] The current location information 703 of the terminal device (terminal device T[3]) with the terminal device ID = T003 is blank. The blank indicates that the current location information of the terminal device T cannot be acquired. This applies, for example, when the user U[3] of the terminal device T[3] rejects the transmission of the current location to the game server SV1, or when the current location cannot be acquired due to a malfunction of the GPS or the like. When the current location information 703 is blank, the selection information 702 is set to "2".

[0089] The acquisition time information 704 indicates the date and time (time) when the current location information was acquired. The time indicated by the acquisition time information 704 may be the time when the current location information was acquired by the terminal device T, or the time when the current location information of the terminal device T was acquired by the game server SV1. The acquisition time information 704 is, for example, a material for determining whether to use the current location information 703 as the location of the terminal device T. When the difference between the date and time indicated by the acquisition time information 704 and the current time is large, the possibility that the terminal device T is currently located at that location is low. Therefore, when a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the date and time indicated by the acquisition time information 704, the first location management unit 233 sets the selection information 702 corresponding to the terminal device ID to "2". Note that, as a reason for the difference between the date and time indicated by the acquisition time information 704 and the current time becoming large, for example, a case where the GPS receiver 14 of the terminal device T has failed can be considered.

[0090] The registered location information 705 indicates the latitude and longitude of the location pre-registered by the user U of the terminal device T specified by the terminal device ID 701, or the location pre-registered by the terminal device T. Similar to the current location information 703, the format of the location information recorded as the registered location information 705 does not have to be unified.

[0091] The registered location information 705 of the terminal device (terminal device T[2]) with the terminal device ID = T002 is blank. The blank indicates that the registered location information of the terminal device T[2] cannot be obtained. This applies, for example, when the user U[2] of the terminal device T[2] has not registered the registered location. When the registered location information 705 is blank, the selection information 702 is set to "1".

[0092] For example, when the user does not permit the acquisition of the location information of the terminal device T, the first location management unit 233 does not have to acquire the location information of these terminal devices T. In the present embodiment, for the terminal devices T for which these location information cannot be acquired, they do not become the candidate terminal devices TAg[j].

[0093] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the first map information DBm1. The first map information DBm1 stored in the storage unit 220 of the game server SV1 is an example of a "map" and corresponds to the first map MP1 in FIG. 36. The first partial map MPd1 shown in FIG. 8 is a part of the first map information DBm1 (the range of the vicinity of the Kanto region in the map of Japan).

[0094] A map is a diagram representing the terrain in the real space RS at a predetermined scale. The map includes information that can identify a position in the real space RS, and based on this information, the position in the real space RS and the position on the map may be associable. The information that can identify a position in the real space RS may be, for example, latitude and longitude, land number, address notation, etc. The range included in the map may be, for example, a range including the position of the host terminal device TEg[j]. Also, the scale of the map may be variable or fixed. Also, characters such as country names, prefecture names, city names, and facility names may be superimposed on the map, or the map may include the boundary lines of administrative divisions such as countries, prefectures, and cities.

[0095] The first position management unit 233 associates the position information recorded in the first position database DBp1 (the position information of either the current position information 703 or the registered position information 705 specified by the selection information 702 in FIG. 7) with a point in the first map information DBm1. The first map information DBm1 includes, in addition to latitude and longitude information (latitude and longitude lines are represented in 30-minute intervals in the first partial map MPd1 in FIG. 8), prefecture name information, city, town, and village name information (only the information of Chuo-ku, Tokyo is represented from the viewpoint of ensuring visibility in FIG. 8), block name information (not shown), facility name information, etc.

[0096] The first position management unit 233 specifies a point on the first map information DBm1 from the current position information 703 or the registered position information 705 in the first position database DBp1. This point corresponds to "the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] on the map". In this embodiment, the first position management unit 233 can plot the positions of the respective terminal devices T[1] to T[M] on the first map information DBm1. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, the positions Pi[1] to Pi[3] of the terminal devices T[1] to T[3] with terminal device IDs = T001 to T003 are plotted within the range of the first partial map MPd1. Note that when the first position management unit 233 registers, as the registered position information 705, a land number or a city, town, and village name, etc., which has a predetermined area, for example, among the areas corresponding to the land number on the map, a representative point (for example, the centroid position) may be determined and that position may be used as the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] on the map.

[0097] [A-6: Event Reception Step] Next, the details of the event reception step will be described. FIGS. 9 to 13 are diagrams showing an example of the screen display of the terminal device T. In the present embodiment, the screens shown in FIGS. 9 to 13 are displayed when the processor 16 of the terminal device T executes the game program PG1 for play. When the game is started on the terminal device T and a predetermined operation (for example, selection of the tournament mode) is performed, the selection screen SCg1 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the touch panel 12 of the terminal device T. The selection screen SCg1 displays a host button BT1 selected when hosting the tournament G by oneself and a participation button BT2 selected when participating in the tournament G hosted by another terminal device T. In the present embodiment, the selection screen SCg1 is displayed on any terminal device T if a predetermined operation is performed. That is, any terminal device T can host the tournament G as the host terminal device TEg. Note that the terminal device T that can be the host terminal device TEg may be limited. In this case, for example, the terminal device T that can host the tournament G may be limited based on conditions such as the proficiency level of the game and the amount of payment for the game.

[0098] For example, taking the terminal device T[m] as an example, when the user U[m] of the terminal device T[m] presses the host button BT1, the display on the touch panel 12 shifts to the area selection screen SCg2 shown in FIG. 10. Let the tournament hosted by the user U[m] of the terminal device T[m] be the tournament G[j]. The terminal device T[m] is the host terminal device TEg[j] of the tournament G[j], and the user U[m] becomes the host user UEg[j] of the tournament G[j].

[0099] The area selection screen SCg2 displays a home icon Hg1, a second partial map MPd2, an area specific graphic Fg[j], a scale change button BT3, a shape selection button BT4, and an OK button BT5.

[0100] The home icon Hg1 is an icon indicating the position on the second partial map MPd2 of the host terminal device Teg[j]. The position indicated by the home icon Hg1 may be, for example, the current position or the registered position of the host terminal device Teg[j], but it is preferably the position specified by the selection information 702 of the first position database DBp1 in FIG. 7. The position of the host terminal device Teg[j] is acquired, for example, by the GPS receiver 14.

[0101] The second partial map MPd2 is a display on the touch panel 12 of a part (the periphery of the position of the host terminal device Teg[j]) of the second map information DBm2 recorded in the storage unit 150 of the host terminal device Teg[j]. The second map information DBm2 is an example of a "map" and is an example of the second map MP2 shown in FIG. 37. Note that instead of each terminal device T holding the second map information DBm2, for example, each terminal device T may acquire map data from a map data server connected to the network NW as needed. The display range of the second partial map MPd2 can be changed by a scroll operation on the touch panel 12. Also, the scale of the second partial map MPd2 can be changed by the scale change button BT3 or a pinch-in (zoom out) operation or a pinch-out (zoom in) operation on the touch panel 12.

[0102] The area specifying figure Fg[j] is an example of a "first figure" and is a figure for designating a part of the area on the second map information DBm2 (second partial map MPd2). More specifically, the area specifying figure Fg[j] is a figure for limiting the participating terminal device TCg[j] that participates in the event G[j] together with the host terminal device Teg[j] by the position of the terminal device T. That is, in the present embodiment, only the terminal device T at the position in the real space RS corresponding to the designated area Zg[j] specified by the area specifying figure Fg[j] can participate in the event G[j]. The designated area Zg[j] is an example of a "first area". The designated area Zg[j] may be an area that overlaps with the area specifying figure Fg[j] when the area specifying figure Fg[j] is superimposed on the second partial map MPd2, or may be an area located inside the area specifying figure Fg[j].

[0103] The region-specific figure Fg[j] may be a figure that designates a closed region whose outer edge is defined by a straight line or a curve. The region-specific figure Fg[j] may be, for example, a geometrically defined shape such as a circle or a polygon, or a shape without a law such as a shape drawn freely by the host user UEg[j]. Further, the shape of the region-specific figure Fg[j] may be the geometric arrangement of straight lines or curves that define the outer edge of the figure. When the shape of the region-specific figure Fg[j] is uniquely determined such as a perfect circle or a regular polygon, it may be the name indicating the shape (such as the above-mentioned "perfect circle", "regular hexagon", etc.). Further, the size of the region-specific figure Fg[j] may be a parameter that defines the area of the closed region constituted by the region-specific figure Fg[j], and may be, for example, the length of the line that defines the region-specific figure Fg[j], or the radius when the region-specific figure Fg[j] is a circle. In the present embodiment, the size of the region-specific figure Fg[j] may be the relative size of the region-specific figure Fg[j] with respect to the second partial map MPd2.

[0104] In the example of FIG. 10, the area specifying graphic Fg[j] in the initial state is a circle with a radius ra centered on the position of the home icon Hg1. Note that the home icon Hg1 has a predetermined size, and the position of the home icon Hg1 may be, for example, the centroid position of the home icon Hg1. The position of the home icon Hg1 coincides with the position of the host terminal device TEg[j] in the second partial map MPd2. As shown in FIG. 11, the host user UEg[j] can touch the outer edge of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] displayed on the touch panel 12 with a finger Fn and move the finger Fn to change the shape or size of the area specifying graphic Fg[j]. For example, by moving the finger Fn along the diameter of the area specifying graphic Fg[j], the radius (size) of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] can be changed. FIG. 11 illustrates a case where the radius of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] is rb (<ra) by moving the finger Fn in the inner radius direction. Also, when the area specifying graphic Fg[j] is moved in a direction other than the diameter, the position of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] can be shifted to an arbitrary position. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, receiving the adjustment of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] from the host user UEg[j] corresponds to S3 in FIG. 6.

[0105] The shape of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] is not limited to a circle and may be any shape. For example, in FIGS. 10 and 11, a shape selection button BT4 is displayed. The shape selection button BT4 has a circle selection button BT4-1, a square selection button BT4-2, and a free drawing button BT4-3. When the circle selection button BT4-1 is selected, a circular area specifying graphic Fg[j] centered on the position of the home icon Hg1 is displayed on the touch panel 12 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The host user UEg[j] can specify a desired area by adjusting the radius of the circle and the position of the circle on the second partial map MPd2.

[0106] When the square selection button BT4-2 is selected, a square graphic centered on the position of the home icon Hg1 is displayed on the touch panel 12. The host user UEg[j] can specify a desired area by adjusting the length of each side of the square, the position of the vertices, etc.

[0107] When the free drawing button BT4-3 is selected, the locus of the contact position on the touch panel 12 is displayed as a drawing line. The host user UEg[j] can specify a desired area by moving the finger Fn on the touch panel 12 so as to surround the desired area in the second partial map MPd2. The types of the shape selection buttons BT4 are not limited to those described above, and various figures can be applied.

[0108] Also, the specification of the shape and size of the area specifying figure Fg[j] is not limited to adjusting the figure displayed on the second partial map MPd2 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. For example, information specifying the shape of the area specifying figure Fg[j], information specifying the size of the area specifying figure Fg[j], and information capable of specifying the position in the second partial map MPd2 may be input in text or the like. Specifically, for example, the host user UEg[j] inputs information specifying that the shape of the area specifying figure Fg[j] is a circle, information specifying the radius of the circle, and the latitude and longitude of the center position of the circle in the second partial map MPd2, whereby the shape and size of the area specifying figure Fg[j] may be specified.

[0109] Also, by specifying a place name such as an administrative division, it may be possible to include only a part of the area specified by the area specifying figure Fg[j] in the specified area Zg[j], or to exclude a part of the area specified by the area specifying figure Fg[j] from the specified area Zg[j]. Specifically, for example, only the area within the scope of Tokyo among the areas overlapping with the area specifying figure Fg[j] shown in FIG. 10 may be set as the specified area Zg[j], or only the area within the scope of Tokyo among the areas overlapping with the area specifying figure Fg[j] shown in FIG. 10 may be excluded from the specified area Zg[j], and such specifications may be made possible.

[0110] In the form shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the organizer user UEg[j] finishes adjusting the shape and size of the area specifying graphic Fg[j], the user presses the OK button BT5. When the OK button BT5 is pressed, the organizer terminal device TEg[j] generates graphic specification information Sg[j] that specifies the shape and size of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] at this time. The graphic specification information Sg[j] is an example of "first specification information". The graphic specification information Sg[j] may include information on the position of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] on the second map information DBm2.

[0111] The graphic specification information Sg[j] may include, for example, information specifying the shape of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] (such as a circle, square, etc.), information specifying the size of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] (such as the radius if it is a circle, the length of the opposite side if it is a square, etc.), and the position of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] (such as the center point position if it is a circle, the positions of the four vertices if it is a square, etc.). Information indicating a distance, such as the radius of a circle, may be specified by the scale of the second partial map MPd2 and the distance on the second partial map MPd2, or a value converted to the distance in the real space RS based on the scale of the second partial map MPd2 may be used. Further, the graphic specification information Sg[j] may be, for example, information that specifies the positions on the second map information DBm2 of the outer edges of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] at predetermined intervals. In this case, the positions on the second map information DBm2 may be specified by, for example, latitude and longitude.

[0112] In the following embodiment, the graphic specification information Sg[j] includes information specifying the shape of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] (assumed to be all circles in this embodiment), information specifying the radius of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] (a value converted to the distance in the real space RS), and the position of the center point of the area specifying graphic Fg[j] (latitude and longitude).

[0113] Also, when the OK button BT5 is pressed, a condition input screen SCg3 for inputting other conditions other than the position of the participating terminal device TCg[j] as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. On the condition input screen SCg3, a recruitment number specification column 1301, a reception period specification column 1302, and a message input column 1303 are displayed.

[0114] In the recruitment number designated column 1301, the recruitment number of the terminal devices T (participating terminal devices TCg[j]) that participate in the event G[j] other than the host terminal device TEg[j] is input. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the upper limit number of the participating terminal devices TCg[j] is input in the recruitment number designated column 1301. The game server SV1 accepts the participation requests Dg[j] from the candidate terminal devices TAg[j] in the order of arrival, and when the upper limit number is reached, the acceptance of the participation requests Dg[j] is terminated even within the acceptance period described later. Alternatively, the game server SV1 may accept the participation requests Dg[j] from the candidate terminal devices TAg[j] regardless of the recruitment number within the acceptance period described later, and when there are participation requests Dg[j] that exceed the upper limit number, a lottery may be conducted after the end of the acceptance period to determine the participating terminal devices TCg[j]. Further, the lower limit number of the participating terminal devices TCg[j] may be input in the recruitment number designated column 1301. In this case, if there are no participation requests Dg[j] equal to or more than the lower limit number within the acceptance period described later, the game server SV1 may refrain from holding the current event G[j] as not being established. Further, both the lower limit number and the upper limit number of the participating terminal devices TCg[j] may be input in the recruitment number designated column 1301.

[0115] In the reception period specification column 1302, for example, the period for receiving a participation request Dg[j] from the candidate terminal device TAg[j] to the tournament G[j] is input. In this case, the game server SV1 receives the participation request Dg[j] from the candidate terminal device TAg[j] during the reception period input in the reception period specification column 1302. As described above, when the number of candidate terminal devices TAg[j] that have made the participation request Dg[j] reaches the upper limit before the end of the reception period, the participation request Dg[j] may be closed at that time, or the participating terminal device TCg[j] may be determined by lottery after receiving the participation request Dg[j] until the end of the reception period. Further, in the reception period specification column 1302, instead of the reception period such as "20 minutes", the reception end time may be input. Also, in the present embodiment, the game server SV1 starts receiving the participation request Dg[j] from the candidate terminal device TAg[j] immediately after receiving the holding request Cg[j], but in the condition input screen SCg3, the start time of receiving the participation request Dg[j] may be specified.

[0116] In the message input column 1303, for example, a message from the host user UEg[j] to the candidate user UAg[j] (or the participating user UCg[j]) is input. In the example of FIG. 13, the message is input as text, but the message may be an image (such as an illustration or a photograph), audio (such as a music piece or a voice message), or the like.

[0117] Note that the presence or absence of input to each of the columns 1301 to 1303 may be arbitrary. Also, the number of participants in the tournament G[j] and the reception end time may be determined by the game server SV1 instead of being specified by the host user UEg[j]. Also, in a game where the number of available participants is fixed, the number of participants in the tournament G[j] may be fixed.

[0118] The inputs to the area selection screen SCg2 and the condition input screen SCg3 correspond to S3 in FIG. 6. When the input to the condition input screen SCg3 is completed, the host user UEg[j] presses the OK button BT6. Then, the input contents to the area selection screen SCg2 and the condition input screen SCg3, that is, the holding request Cg[j] of the event G[j] including the graphic specification information Sg[j] and the specification information of other conditions, are transmitted to the game server SV1 (S4 in FIG. 6). The game server SV1 receives the holding request Cg[j] of the event G[j] by the first reception unit 234 (S5 in FIG. 6). That is, the first reception unit 234 receives the graphic specification information Sg[j] that specifies at least one of the shape or size of the area specification graphic Fg[j] for specifying the specified area Zg[j] on the first map information DBm1.

[0119] Note that in the area selection screen SCg2, the specification range of the shape and size of the area specification graphic Fg[j] may be restricted so that the area specification graphic Fg[j] includes the position of the home icon Hg1. That is, the change of the shape, size, and position of the area specification graphic Fg[j] may be allowed only within the range where the position of the host terminal device TEg[j] is included in the specified area Zg[j]. This is because generally, when the host user UEg[j] specifies the location of the participating user UCg[j] to hold an event, it is considered that the range including the position of the host user himself / herself is specified.

[0120] Specifically, for example, the area - specific graphic Fg[j] - 1 in FIG. 12 is acceptable because the home icon Hg1 is located inside it. On the other hand, the area - specific graphic Fg[j] - 2 in FIG. 12 may be made into an error because the home icon Hg1 on the second partial map MPd2 is not located inside it. When restricting the range of the area - specific graphic Fg[j] in this way, the first reception unit 234 receives graphic - designation information Sg[j] that designates at least one of the shape or size of the area - specific graphic Fg[j] so that the designated area Zg[j] includes the position on the second map information DBm2 corresponding to the position in the real space RS of the host terminal device TEg[j]. In this case, the host terminal device TEg[j] is an example of the terminal device T that participates in the event G[j] among the plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n] and generates the graphic - designation information Sg[j].

[0121] [A - 7: Participant Recruitment Step] Next, the details of the participant recruitment step will be described. As described above, the game server SV1 that has received the event - holding request Cg[j] of the event G[j] from the host terminal device TEg[j] generates a room L[j] for recruiting the participating terminal devices TCg[j] of the event G[j] by the room management unit 235 (S6 in FIG. 6). The room L[j] is generated for each event G[j] for which the holding request Cg[j] has been received.

[0122] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the room management database DBl. The room management unit 235 manages the generated room L in the room management database DBl. The room management database DBl includes a room ID 1402, recruitment - number information 1403, remaining - recruitment - number information 1404, remaining - period information 1405, host - terminal ID 1406, candidate - terminal ID 1407, participating - terminal ID 1408, message information 1409, and graphic - designation information Sg.

[0123] Room ID 1402 is identification information for identifying Room L. Since Room L corresponds to each convention G, it can also be said that Room ID 1402 is identification information for identifying convention G. In the present embodiment, Room ID 1402 is a combination of the alphabetic character "L" and three digits, such as "L001". Room ID 1402 is assigned by room management unit 235 at the time of generating Room L. Room L[j] corresponding to convention G[j] is Room L to which Room ID: L003 is assigned. Room management unit 235 may notify host terminal device TEg of Room ID 1402 corresponding to convention G when creating Room L.

[0124] Recruitment number information 1403 is the number entered in recruitment number designation column 1301 of FIG. 13. Remaining recruitment number information 1404 is the remaining recruitment number obtained by subtracting the number of terminal devices T entered in participation terminal ID 1408, which will be described later, from the number entered in recruitment number designation column 1301. Remaining period information 1405 is the remaining time until the reception period entered in reception period designation column 1302 of FIG. 13 ends.

[0125] Host terminal ID 1406 is the terminal ID of host terminal device TEg of each convention G. Host terminal device TEg of each convention G has been a room member since the generation of Room L. Candidate terminal ID 1407 is the terminal ID of candidate terminal device TAg specified by first specifying unit 236, which will be described later. Participation terminal ID 1408 is the terminal ID of terminal device T (participation terminal device TCg) that has made a participation request Dg to convention G among candidate terminal devices TAg. Message information 1409 is text information indicating the message entered in message input column 1303 of FIG. 13.

[0126] Graphic specification information Sg is information for specifying at least one of the shape or size of area specific graphic Fg in convention G. In the present embodiment, graphic specification information Sg includes the character string "Sr" indicating that the shape of area specific graphic F is a circle, values specifying the radius of area specific graphic Fg (denoted as r1, r2, etc. in FIG. 14), and the latitude and longitude of the center point of area specific graphic Fg (denoted as O1, O2, etc. in FIG. 14).

[0127] Here, the identification of the candidate terminal device TAg by the first identification unit 236 will be described. As described above, the first identification unit 236 identifies the candidate terminal device TAg based on the position of the terminal device T in the real space RS (S7 in FIG. 6). Taking the convention G[j] as an example, the first identification unit 236 identifies the designated area Zg[j] on the first map information DBm1 based on the graphic designation information Sg[j] included in the holding request Cg[j] received by the first reception unit 234. As described above, the positions of the respective terminal devices T[1] to T[M] are plotted on the first map information DBm1. The first identification unit 236 identifies the terminal device T at the position corresponding to the designated area Zg[j] on the first map information DBm1 as the candidate terminal device TAg[j] for the convention G[j]. That is, in the first embodiment, the in-area terminal device TFg[j] located in the designated area Zg[j] becomes the candidate terminal device TAg[j].

[0128] The candidate terminal device TAg[j] may be one unit, or may be a plurality of units of M - 1 units or less excluding the host terminal device TEg[j]. Also, when no other terminal device T is located in the designated area Zg[j], the candidate terminal device TAg[j] becomes zero. Hereinafter, when distinguishing each candidate terminal device TAg[j], it is denoted as candidate terminal device TAg[j][k] (k is a natural number satisfying 1 ≦ k ≦ K. K is a natural number indicating the number of candidate terminal devices TAg[j] for the convention G[j]).

[0129] That is, the first identification unit 236, based on the graphic designation information S, identifies, among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M], the terminal device T at the position corresponding to the designated area Zg[j] on the first map information DBm1 as the candidate terminal device TAg[j] that is a candidate for the participating terminal device TCg[j] of the convention G[j] related to the game. The terminal device T at the position corresponding to the designated area Zg[j] on the first map information DBm1 may be, for example, the terminal device T (in-area terminal device TFg) whose position managed by the first position management unit 233 overlaps with the designated area Zg[j]. When the first identification unit 236 identifies the candidate terminal device TAg[j], it records the terminal ID of the candidate terminal device TAg[j] in the candidate terminal ID 1407 of the room management database DBl.

[0130] When the candidate terminal device TAg[j] is specified, the game server SV1 transmits an invitation notice Vg[j] to the tournament G[j] to each candidate terminal device TAg[j] by the permission unit 237 (S8 in FIG. 6).

[0131] In the present embodiment, the invitation notice Vg[j] of the tournament G[j] is transmitted only to the candidate terminal devices TAg[j] of the tournament G[j]. Therefore, it can be said that the candidate terminal device TAg[j] that has received the invitation notice Vg[j] of the tournament G[j] is the terminal device T that is permitted to transmit a participation request Dg[j] to the tournament G[j]. That is, when the terminal device T[m] which is one of the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M] is specified as the candidate terminal device TAg[j] of the tournament G[j], the permission unit 237 permits the terminal device T[m] to make a participation request Dg[j] for the tournament G[j].

[0132] In addition to the above method, for example, an invitation notice Vg[j] of the tournament G[j] may be transmitted also to a terminal device T that is not the candidate terminal device TAg[j] of the tournament G[j]. Specifically, for example, the invitation notice Vg[j] of the tournament G[j] may be transmitted to all the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] of the game system 1. In this case, in the terminal device T that is not the candidate terminal device TAg[j], the display of the invitation information N[j] described later may be grayed out so that the participation request Dg[j] cannot be transmitted.

[0133] Alternatively, a participation request Dg[j] to the tournament G[j] may be enabled to be transmitted also from a terminal device T that is not the candidate terminal device TAg[j]. In this case, each time the permission unit 237 receives a participation request Dg[j], it refers to the room management database DBl and determines whether the terminal ID of the terminal device T that has transmitted the participation request Dg[j] is included in the candidate terminal ID 1407 of the room L[j] corresponding to the tournament G[j]. Then, the permission unit 237 permits participation in the tournament G[j] only when it is included in the candidate terminal ID 1407.

[0134] That is, permitting a request Dg[j] to participate in the convention G[j] may mean, for example, performing control to display an interface (e.g., the convention selection screen SCg4 in FIG. 15 described later) for making a request Dg[j] to participate in the convention G[j] on the touch panel 12 of the candidate terminal device TAg[j], and immediately permitting participation in the convention G[j] when a participation request Dg[j] is received from the candidate terminal device TAg[j]. Also, permitting a request Dg[j] to participate in the convention G[j] may mean, for example, displaying the above interface on the touch panels 12 of all the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] regardless of whether or not they are specified as the candidate terminal device TAg[j] of the convention G[j], but not permitting participation in the convention G[j] when they are not specified as the candidate terminal device TAg[j] of the convention G[j], and permitting participation in the convention G[j] only when they are specified as the candidate terminal device TAg[j] of the convention G[j].

[0135] Further, the invitation notice Vg[j] includes the convention information Ig[j] supplied by the supply unit 239. The details of the convention information Ig[j] will be described later with reference to FIG. 15. The convention information Ig[j] is information including at least a part of the holding conditions of the convention G[j] specified by the host terminal device TEg[j]. That is, when one of the M terminal devices T[1] to T[n], i.e., the terminal device T[m], is specified as the candidate terminal device TAg[j] of the convention G[j], the supply unit 239 supplies the terminal device T[m] with the convention information Ig[j] related to the convention G[j]. The convention information Ig[j] is an example of "first event information".

[0136] In this embodiment, the supply unit 239 supplies, as the event information Ig[j], information for displaying the area identification graphic Fg[j] of the event G[j] on the candidate terminal device TAg[j]. That is, the supply unit 239 supplies, as the event information Ig[j], graphic designation information Sg[j] for displaying the second map information DBm2 (for example, the third partial map MPd3 in FIG. 15) and the area identification graphic Fg[j] on the display unit 120 provided corresponding to the candidate terminal device TAg[j] to the candidate terminal device TAg[j]. In this embodiment, the display unit 120 provided corresponding to the candidate terminal device TAg[j] is the touch panel 12 provided on the candidate terminal device TAg[j]. Further, the display unit 120 provided corresponding to the candidate terminal device TAg[j] may be a display device connected to the candidate terminal device TAg[j], or may be a display device provided on another information processing device connected to the candidate terminal device TAg[j].

[0137] Also, in this embodiment, the supply unit 239 supplies, as the event information Ig[j], information for outputting on the candidate terminal device TAg[j] the information input by the host user UEg[j] (the user of the host terminal device TEg[j]) of the event G[j] in the message input field 1303 of the condition input screen SCg3 in FIG. 13. That is, the supply unit 239 acquires, as the event information Ig[j], first transmission information regarding a message from the host user UEg[j] to the candidate user UAg[j], and supplies the acquired first transmission information to the candidate terminal device TAg[j]. The host terminal device TEg[j] is a terminal device T among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M] that participates in the event G[j], and is an example of a terminal device T that generates the graphic designation information Sg[j]. The first transmission information regarding the message is information including matters that the host user UEg[j] who generates the graphic designation information Sg[j] wants to convey to the candidate user UAg[j], and may be, for example, text information, image information, or audio information (the voice or music of the host user UEg[j]). The information input in the message input field 1303 of the condition input screen SCg3 in FIG. 13 is an example of the first transmission information.

[0138] In addition, in this embodiment, the supply unit 239 provides, as the tournament information Ig[j], the room ID 1402 of the room L[j] corresponding to the tournament G[j], the remaining recruitment number information 1404, and the remaining period information 1405, which are information for output at the candidate terminal device TAg[j].

[0139] So far, one tournament G[j] has been described as an example. However, the game server SV1 may accept the holding requests Cg[j1] and Cg[j2] of a plurality of tournaments, for example, tournaments G[j1] and G[j2] (1 ≦ j1 < j2 ≦ J), at the same time. Note that the host terminal device TEg[j1] of the tournament G[j1] and the host terminal device TEg[j2] of the tournament G[j2] are different terminal devices T.

[0140] In this case, regarding tournament G[j1], the first reception unit 234 receives graphic specification information Sg[j1] that specifies at least one of the shape or size of the area specification graphic Fg[j1] for specifying the designated area Zg[j1] on the first map information DB m1. The first specification unit 236, based on the graphic specification information Sg[j1], specifies, among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M], the terminal device T at the position corresponding to the designated area Zg[j1] on the first map information DB m1 as a candidate terminal device TAg[j1] that is a candidate for the participating terminal device TCg[j1] of the tournament G[j1] related to the game. The permission unit 237 permits the terminal device T[m] to make a participation request Dg[j1] indicating that it participates in the tournament G[j1] when the terminal device T[m] is specified as the candidate terminal device TAg[j1]. Also, regarding tournament G[j2], the first reception unit 234 receives graphic specification information Sg[j2] that specifies at least one of the shape or size of the area specification graphic Fg[j2] for specifying the designated area Zg[j2] on the first map information DB m1. The first specification unit 236, based on the graphic specification information Sg[j2], specifies, among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[n], the terminal device T at the position corresponding to the designated area Zg[j2] on the first map information DB m1 as a candidate terminal device TAg[j2] that is a candidate for the participating terminal device TCg[j2] of the tournament G[j2] related to the game. The permission unit 237 permits the terminal device T[m] to make a participation request Dg[j2] indicating that it participates in the tournament G[j2] when the terminal device T[m] is specified as the candidate terminal device TAg[j2].

[0141] [A-8: Participation reception step] Next, the participation reception step will be described. Hereinafter, as one of the candidate terminal devices TAg[j1] of the tournament G[j1], the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] will be described as an example. The candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] is also invited to tournaments G[j2] and G[j3] in addition to the tournament G[j1]. The candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] is also included in the candidate terminal device TAg[j2] of the tournament G[j2] and the candidate terminal device TAg[j3] of the tournament G[j3].

[0142] When the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] receives the invitation notice Vg[j1] of the conference G[j1], it presents the conference information Ig[j1] included in the conference invitation notice Vg[j1] to the candidate user UAg[j1][k] (S9 in FIG. 6).

[0143] In this embodiment, the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] presents the conference information Ig[j] when the candidate user UAg[j1][k] performs an action indicating that the candidate user is considering participating in any conference G. Specifically, for example, when the candidate user UAg[j1][k] starts a game on the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] and performs a predetermined operation (such as selecting the conference mode), a selection screen SCg1 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the touch panel 12 of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k]. As described above, a host button BT1 and a participation button BT2 are displayed on the selection screen SCg1. When the candidate user UAg[j1][k] presses the participation button BT2, the display on the touch panel 12 shifts to the conference selection screen SCg4 shown in FIG. 15. That is, pressing the participation button BT2 is an action indicating that the candidate user UAg[j1][k] is considering participating in the conference G.

[0144] In addition, when the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] receives the invitation notice of the conference, it may notify the candidate user UAg[j1][k] and let the candidate user determine whether to participate in the conference. In this case, the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] that has received the invitation notice Vg[j] of the conference, for example, displays a pop-up message such as "You have been invited to the conference" on the touch panel 12. When the candidate user UAg[j1][k] taps the pop-up message, the display on the touch panel 12 may shift to the conference selection screen SCg4 shown in FIG. 15.

[0145] On the tournament selection screen SCg4 shown in FIG. 15, a terminal icon Hg2, a third partial map MPd3, invitation information N[j1] to N[j3], a scale change button BT3, and an OK button BT7 are displayed. The terminal icon Hg2 is an icon indicating the position of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] on the third partial map MPd3. The position of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] in this case may be the current position of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] or the registered position, but it is preferably the position specified by the selection information 702 in the first position database DBp1 of the game server SV1. The third partial map MPd3 is a map around the position of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k]. The third partial map MPd3 is a display on the touch panel 12 of a part of the second map information DBm2 recorded in the memory 15 of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k]. Similar to the second partial map MPd2, the display range and scale of the third partial map MPd3 can be changed by an operation of the candidate user UAg[j1][k] (such as an operation of the scale change button BT3).

[0146] The invitation information N[j1] to N[j3] respectively indicates information on the tournaments G[j1] to G[j3] that the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] has received invitations for. The invitation information N[j1] to N[j3] is displayed based on the tournament information Ig[j1] to Ig[j3] included in the invitation notifications Vg[j1] to Vg[j3] received from the game server SV1. In other words, invitation information for a tournament G that the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] has not received an invitation for is not displayed on the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k].

[0147] Taking the invitation information N[j1] as an example, the invitation information N[j1] includes a region display Na[j1] and a condition display Nb[j1]. The region display Na[j1] corresponds to a region-specific graphic Fg[j1] specified by the host terminal device TEg[j1], and is a graphic indicating the range of the designated region Zg[j1] in the event G[j1]. The region display Na[j1] is displayed based on the graphic specification information Sg[j1]. The condition display Nb[j1] is a text display of at least a part of the holding conditions in the event corresponding to the invitation information N[j1]. Specifically, the condition display Nb[j1] includes a room ID (corresponding to the room ID 1402 in FIG. 14), the remaining number of recruits (corresponding to the remaining recruitment number information 1404 in FIG. 14), the remaining recruitment time (corresponding to the remaining period information 1405 in FIG. 14), and a message from the host user UEg[j1] (corresponding to the message information 1409 in FIG. 14). Similarly, the invitation information N[j2] includes a region display Na[j2] and a condition display Nb[j2], and the invitation information N[j3] includes a region display Na[j3] and a condition display Nb[j3].

[0148] In this embodiment, the event information Ig[j1] is information indicating the characteristics of the event G[j1]. The event information Ig[j1] includes, for example, first display information for displaying a map (the third partial map MPd3 in FIG. 15) and the region display Na[j1] on a touch panel 12 provided corresponding to the candidate terminal device TAg[j1], and first transmission information regarding a message from the host user UEg[j1] who hosts the event G[j1] to the user of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1] of the event G[j1].

[0149] Also, the event information Ig[j1] may be information for identifying the event G[j] from other events, or may be information about the user who hosts the event G[j1]. Further, the event information Ig[j1] may be information indicating the number of terminal devices T that can participate in the event G[j1], or, when a reception period for the participation request Dg[j1] to the event G[j1] is set, may be information indicating the remaining time of the reception period. Here, the information indicating the number of terminal devices T that can participate in the event G[j1] may be, for example, information indicating the total number of terminal devices T that can participate in the event G[j1], or may be information indicating the number of remaining terminal devices T that can participate at the current time.

[0150] The candidate user UAg[j1][k] determines whether to participate in any of the events G[j1] to G[j3] with reference to the invitation information N[j1] to N[j3]. For example, when participating in the event G[j1], the candidate user UAg[j1][k] inputs information indicating the intention to participate in the event G[j1] to the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k], and the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] receives the intention to participate in the event G[j1] (S10 in FIG. 6). In the present embodiment, for example, when the candidate user UAg[j1][k] taps the invitation information N[j1] on the event selection screen SCg4, the invitation information N[j1] changes to a display color different from the other invitation information N[j2] and N[j3], and the event G[j1] corresponding to the invitation information N[j1] is in a selected state. In this state, when the candidate user UAg[j1][k] presses the OK button BT7, the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] determines that the event G[j1] has been selected, and transmits a participation request Dg[j1] for the selected event G[j1] to the game server SV1 (S11 in FIG. 6).

[0151] The game server SV1 receives the participation request Dg[j1] by the acquisition unit 238. The participation request Dg[j1] includes at least the terminal ID of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] and the room ID of the room L[j1] corresponding to the selected tournament G[j1]. In particular, when the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] is invited to a plurality of tournaments G[j1] to G[j3], the acquisition unit 238 determines, based on the room ID, which of the plurality of tournaments G[j1] to G[j3] the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] will participate in.

[0152] That is, when the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] is specified as the candidate terminal device TAg[j1] of the first tournament G[j1] and is also specified as the candidate terminal device TAg[j2] of the second tournament G[j2], the acquisition unit 238 obtains selection result information indicating that one participation request Dg[j] is selected from among a plurality of participation requests Dg including the participation request Dg[j1] for the first tournament G[j1] and the participation request Dg[j2] for the second tournament G[j2] from the candidate terminal device TAg[j][k].

[0153] In this embodiment, the room ID included in the participation request Dg corresponds to the selection result information. The participation request Dg[j1] transmitted by the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] includes the room ID of the room L[j1]. Therefore, the acquisition unit 238 determines that the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] has selected the tournament G[j1].

[0154] When the tournament G[j1] selected by the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] is determined, the permission unit 237 adds the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] to the room members of the room L[j1] (S12). As described above, in this embodiment, the invitation notice Vg[j1] of the tournament is transmitted only to the candidate terminal devices TAg[j1] of the tournament G[j1]. Therefore, the permission unit 237 allows the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] that has transmitted the participation request Dg[j1] to enter the room L[j1] as the participation terminal device TCg[j1] as it is. Specifically, the permission unit 237 adds the terminal ID of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] to the participation terminal ID 1408 of the room management database DBl shown in FIG. 14. As a result, this candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] is added to the room members of the room L[j1] and becomes one of the participation terminal devices TCg[j1].

[0155] After that, when a predetermined tournament establishment condition is satisfied, the game server SV1 ends the reception of the participation request Dg[j1] for the tournament G[j1] (S13 in FIG. 6), and causes the participation terminal device TCg[j1] that is a room member of the room L[j1] to start the tournament G[j1] (S14 in FIG. 6). The tournament establishment condition is, for example, whether at least one of the lower limit number or the upper limit number of the participation terminal devices TCg[j1] is satisfied when set (such as when the remaining recruitment number information 1404 in FIG. 14 becomes zero), whether the reception period of the participation request Dg[j1] has elapsed (such as when the remaining period information 1405 in FIG. 14 becomes zero), etc. When the tournament G[j1] is started, the room L[j1] corresponding to the tournament is deleted from the room management database DBl. Then, it is added to the tournament management database DBg (see FIG. 33) that records the started tournament G. After the start of the tournament G[j1], the game progress unit 231 controls the progress of the game in the tournament G[j1].

[0156] FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of the conference management database DBg. The room management unit 235 registers the conference G[j1] corresponding to the room L[j1] deleted from the room management database DBl with the conference G into the conference management database DBg. The conference management database DBg includes a conference ID 1501, a participating terminal ID 1502, participating terminal position information 1503, progress status information 1504, and graphic designation information Sg. Note that the content of the conference management database DBg is managed by the game progress unit 231 after the start of the conference G.

[0157] The conference ID 1501 is identification information for identifying the conference G. In the present embodiment, the conference ID 1501 is a combination of the alphabet "G" and three digits, such as "G001". As the conference ID 1501, the room ID 1402 may be used as it is. The participating terminal ID 1502 is the terminal ID of the participating terminal device TCg participating in the conference G. The participating terminal position information 1503 is information indicating the position of the participating terminal device TCg participating in the conference G.

[0158] The progress status information 1504 is information indicating the progress status of each conference G. In FIG. 33, the progress status in one game is shown, such as "9th round" and "3rd back". However, for example, when a plurality of games are held in the conference G, the progress status in all the games held in the conference G, such as "4th game out of 10 games, 2nd round", may be shown.

[0159] The graphic designation information Sg is information for designating at least one of the shape or size of the area specific graphic Fg in the conference G. In the present embodiment, similar to the room management database DBl, the graphic designation information Sg includes the character string "Sr" indicating that the shape of the area specific graphic F is a circle, the value for designating the radius of the area specific graphic Fg (denoted as r1, r2, etc. in FIG. 33), and the latitude and longitude of the center point of the area specific graphic Fg (denoted as O1, O2, etc. in FIG. 33).

[0160] [Summary of the First Embodiment] As described above, according to the game system 1 according to the first embodiment, the game server SV1 identifies candidate terminal devices TAg[j] that are candidates for terminal devices participating in the tournament G[j] of the baseball game based on the graphic designation information Sg[j] that designates at least one of the shape or size of the area identification graphic Fg[j] for identifying the designated area Zg[j] on the map. Thereby, the host user UEg[j] can designate the designated area Zg[j] simply and accurately as compared with the case of designating the designated area Zg[j] by designating a place name such as an administrative division. For example, when the host user UEg[j] wants to designate an area including a plurality of administrative divisions as the designated area Zg[j], the designated area Zg[j] can be designated by simply designating one area identification graphic Fg[j], and the designated area Zg[j] can be designated with a simpler operation than inputting a plurality of place names (administrative division names). Further, when the host user UEg[j] wants to designate only a partial area of a certain administrative division as the designated area Zg[j], the designated area Zg[j] can be designated as intended by the host user UEg[j]. Further, even when the host user UEg[j] does not know the surrounding place names or the positions of the areas represented by the place names, the designated area Zg[j] can be designated.

[0161] Also, in the game system 1 according to the first embodiment, the host user UEg[j] designates the designated area Zg[j] by drawing the area identification graphic Fg[j] on the second partial map MPd2 displayed on the host terminal device TEg[j]. Thereby, the host user UEg[j] can designate the designated area Zg[j] by an intuitive operation, and the burden on the user U in the operation of designating the designated area Zg[j] can be reduced.

[0162] [A-10: Modification Example] Hereinafter, a modification example of the game system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0163] [Modification Example A1] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a tournament selection screen SCg4-1 in modification A1. The tournament selection screen SCg4-1 shown in Fig. 16 is displayed on the touch panel 42 of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k], similar to the tournament selection screen SCg4 shown in Fig. 15. The candidate terminal device TAg[m] is the candidate terminal device TAg[j1] for the tournament G[j1], as well as the candidate terminal device TAg[j2] for the tournament G[j2] and the candidate terminal device TAg[j3] for the tournament G[j3].

[0164] The tournament selection screen SCg4-1 displays a terminal icon Hg2, a third partial map MPd3, a scale change button BT3, and an OK button BT7, similar to the tournament selection screen SCg4 in Fig. 15. Furthermore, in order to ensure visibility, the tournament selection screen SCg4-1 only displays area displays Na[j1] to Na[j3], which are part of the invitation information N[j1] to N[j3] for the tournaments G[j1] to G[j2].

[0165] In addition, on the tournament selection screen SCg4-1, friend icons Hn[s1] to Hn[s3] and additional information Hm[s1] to Hm[s3] are displayed as part of the invitation information N[j1] to N[j3]. The friend icons Hn[s1] to Hn[s3] are used to indicate other users (hereinafter referred to as "specific relationship users") US[s1] to US[s3] (where s1 to s3 are within the range of 1≦s1) who have a specific relationship with the user of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] (candidate user UAg[j1][k]). <s2<s3≦M、s1≠s2≠s3≠mを満たす自然数)の位置(より正確には、特定関係ユーザUS[s1]~US[s3]が保持する端末装置T[s1]~T[s3]の位置)を示している。

[0166] The additional information Hm[s1] to Hm[s3] is text information indicating the names of the specific related users US[s1] to US[s3] (including their user names in games and social networking services) and their participation in the tournament G. Note that the additional information Hm[s1] to Hm[s3] may also display, for example, past match results in baseball games.

[0167] Candidate user UAg[j1][k] can determine which of the tournaments G[j1] to G[j3] to participate in with reference to the friend icons Hn[s1] to Hn[s3] and the additional information Hm[s1] to Hm[s3] displayed on the tournament selection screen SCg4-1. For example, for tournament G[j1], the specific relationship user US[s3] indicated by the friend icon Hn[s3] has sent a participation request Dg[j1]. For tournament G[j3], the specific relationship user US[s2] indicated by the friend icon Hn[s2] has sent a participation request Dg[j3]. For tournament G[j2], although the specific relationship user US[s1] indicated by the friend icon Hn[s1] can participate, no participation request Dg[j2] has been sent. Therefore, the tournaments G in which the candidate user UAg[j1][k] can participate with the specific relationship user US are tournament G[j1] or G[j3]. The candidate user UAg[j1][k] can, for example, select tournament G[j3] in which the specific relationship user US[s2] who is in the closest position among the specific relationship users US[s1] to US[s3] participates, and send a participation request Dg[j3].

[0168] FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the game server SV1 according to Modification A1. The configuration of the game server SV1 shown in FIG. 17 includes a reference unit 240 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 5 in the control unit 230. The reference unit 240 refers to user relationship information indicating the relationship between the user of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] (candidate user UAg[j1][k]) specified by the first specifying unit 236 and the user U of the other terminal devices T among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M] in a predetermined service.

[0169] As a result of the reference unit 240 referring to the user-related information, among the candidate terminal devices TAg[j1], if there are specific relationship users US[s1] to US[s3] that show a specific relationship with the user U[j1][k] of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] among the candidate users UAg[j1] of other terminal devices T other than the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k], the supply unit 239 supplies the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] with specific relationship user information regarding the specific relationship users US[s1] to US[s3] as the invitation information N[j1]. In the example of FIG. 16, the specific relationship user information is the friend icons Hn[s1] to Hn[s3] and the additional information Hm[s1] to Hm[s3].

[0170] The predetermined service may be, for example, a service that enables communication between the user (candidate user UAg[j1][k]) of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] and the user U of another terminal device T. Also, the predetermined service may be, for example, a service that enables communication between users U in a baseball game operated by the operator of the baseball game, or a service operated by someone other than the operator of the baseball game, such as a social networking service.

[0171] Also, the specific relationship may be, for example, a relationship in which users U recognize (or authenticate) each other on a predetermined service. In this case, for example, the relationship between friends registered as friends or acquaintances or the relationship between mutual followers who follow each other corresponds to the specific relationship. Also, the specific relationship may be, for example, a relationship constructed only by one user U without mutual authentication on a predetermined service. In this case, for example, the relationship between a follower and a followee (the target of being followed) corresponds to the specific relationship.

[0172] The specific relationship user information may be, for example, the current position of the terminal device T held by the specific relationship users US[s1] to US[s3], or the pre-registered position of the terminal device T held by the specific relationship user US, or the personal information (user name, affiliation, etc.) of the specific relationship user, or the game result information in the games the specific relationship user participated in the past.

[0173] As in Modification Example A1, by displaying the position of the specific relationship user US and the participation status in the tournament G, each user U can obtain materials for determining whether to participate in the tournament G that received the invitation notice Vg or which of the multiple tournaments G to participate in.

[0174] In Modification Example A1, the position of the specific relationship user US is displayed on the tournament selection screen SCg4-1. However, for example, the position and name of the host terminal device TEg of each tournament G may be displayed on the tournament selection screen SCg4-1.

[0175] Also, in FIG. 16, the positions of the terminal devices T[s1] to T[s3] held by the specific relationship users US[s1] to US[s3] are displayed by the friend icons Hn[s1] to Hn[s3]. Not limited to this, the display position of the friend icon Hn may be any position where the area related to the specific relationship user US can be recognized. Specifically, for example, on the tournament selection screen SCg4 shown in FIG. 15, the friend icon Hn of the specific relationship user US may be displayed within the condition display Nb of the tournament G that the specific relationship user US participates in. In this case, although the candidate user UAg cannot grasp the position of the specific relationship user US (more specifically, the position of the terminal device T held by the specific relationship user US), the candidate user UAg can grasp which tournament the specific relationship user US participates in, and can obtain materials for determining whether to participate in the tournament G that received the invitation notice Vg or which of the multiple tournaments G to participate in.

[0176] [Modification Example A2] In the above-described first embodiment, the user (host user UEg[j]) of the host terminal device TEg[j], which is one of the terminal devices T, requests the holding of the tournament G[j], and the host terminal device TEg[j] itself becomes the participating terminal device TCg[j] of the tournament G[j]. That is, the area designating device DV shown in FIG. 37 was one of the terminal devices T. However, the device that requests the holding of the tournament G may not be included in the terminal device T. That is, the area designating device DVg[j] of the tournament G[j] may be a device other than the terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. In this case, the area designating device DVg[j] does not become the participating terminal device TCg[j] of the tournament G[j].

[0177] In this case, the host user UEg[j] may be, for example, an operator of a baseball game, and the area designating device DVg[j] may be, for example, an information processing device held by the operator of the baseball game. The operator of the baseball game may be, for example, a person who provides a baseball game service to users.

[0178] Also, the host user UEg[j] may be, for example, the advertiser user UEa in the second embodiment described later, and the area designating device DVg[j] may be, for example, the advertiser device DVa. In this case, the distribution area Za[p] in the advertisement AD[p] published by the advertiser user UEa can be made to coincide with the designated area Zg[j] of the tournament G[j], and the advertisement AD[p] can be distributed to the terminal devices T that are more closely related to each other among the terminal devices T (a group of terminal devices T having a positional connection + a personal connection of participating in the same tournament G[j]).

[0179] [Modification Example A3] In the above-described first embodiment, the game server SV1 acquired the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] in advance and managed them using the first position database DBp1. However, for example, when the terminal device T transmits a participation request Dg to the tournament G, the participation request Dg may include position information and be transmitted.

[0180] In this case, the game server SV1 sends the invitation notice Vg[j] for the tournament G[j] to all terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. The terminal device T[m] that wishes to participate in the tournament G[j] sends a participation request Dg[j] for the tournament G[j] to the game server SV1, including its own location information. The game server SV1 determines whether the terminal device T[m] is located within the designated area Zg[j] of the tournament G[j], and if the terminal device T[m] is located within the designated area Zg[j], it permits participation in the tournament G[j].

[0181] In Modification Example A3, since the game server SV1 does not need to manage the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M], the processing load on the game server SV1 can be reduced. Note that Modification Example A3 is also applicable to the second and third embodiments described later.

[0182] [Modification Example A4] In the first embodiment described above, the host user UEg recruited the participating terminal devices TCg for the tournament G (an event related to the game) by specifying the positions of the terminal devices T in the real space RS. That is, the host user UEg drew the region-specific figure Fg on a map (real space map) that represents the terrain in the real space RS at a predetermined scale, and the terminal device T at the position in the real space RS corresponding to the designated area Zg specified by the region-specific figure Fg was specified as the candidate terminal device TAg.

[0183] On the other hand, for example, when the game playable on the terminal device T is a game in which an object (e.g., a character, etc.) operated by the user U can move over a certain range in the game space GF, such as a role-playing game or a shooting game, an object (participating object) that participates in the event by specifying the position of the object in the game space GF may be recruited.

[0184] In this case, the game server SV1 manages the positions of the objects operated by each user U[1] to U[M] in the game space by associating them with a second game space map (corresponding to the second map MP2 in FIG. 37), which is a diagram representing the terrain in the game space at a predetermined scale. The host user UEg of the event draws a region specific graphic Fg on the first game space map (corresponding to the first map MP1 in FIG. 37). When the game server SV1 receives graphic specification information Sg that specifies at least one of the shape or size of the region specific graphic Fg, it specifies the objects located in the specified region Zg specified by the region specific graphic Fg on the second game space map as candidate objects participating in the event.

[0185] That is, in Modification A4, in the game server SV1, the first position management unit 233 manages the positions of a plurality of objects related to the game in the game space GF by associating them with the positions on the map showing the game space GF. The first reception unit 234 receives graphic specification information Sg that specifies at least one of the shape or size of the region specific graphic Fg for specifying the specified region Zg on the map. The first specification unit 236 specifies, among the plurality of objects, the objects at the positions corresponding to the specified region Zg on the map as candidate objects that are candidates for the objects participating in the event related to the game.

[0186] In Modification A4, the object may be, for example, a character related to the game or an object related to the game. Here, the "character related to the game" may be, for example, a virtual creature capable of advancing the game. Also, the "object related to the game" may be, for example, a virtual inanimate object capable of advancing the game.

[0187] Also, in Modification A4, the game space is, for example, a virtual space provided in the game, which may be a two-dimensional space or a three-dimensional space.

[0188] According to Modification Example A4, participants (participating objects) in an event can be limited based on the position of a character in the game space, and the range of game play forms can be expanded. In particular, each area of the game space may not be labeled with a subdivided place name like the real space RS, and it may be difficult to specify some areas of the game space by place name. According to Modification Example A4, even when the game space is not labeled with a label like a place name, any area can be intuitively specified to limit the participants in the event. Note that Modification Example A4 is also applicable to the second and third embodiments described later.

[0189] [Modification Example A5] Generally, when a plurality of users U play a game jointly, if the advantages of the users U in the game are extremely different, the fun of playing together may not be obtained. For example, even if a user U[r1] who has played a baseball game for a long time and experienced various situations and a beginner user U[r2] who has just purchased a baseball game fight in the same tournament G[j1], generally the winning rate of the user U[r1] is high, and a boring development is predicted. Also, even if a user U[r3] who has spent a large amount of money on in-game purchases to collect items and a user U[r4] who has hardly made any in-game purchases fight in the same tournament G[j2], generally the winning rate of the user U[r3] is high, and the user U[r4] may feel unfair.

[0190] Therefore, in Modification Example A5, the game server SV1 maps each user U to an evaluation map MPe with the axis of the attributes of the user U, and specifies the candidate terminal device TAg of the tournament G based on the position in the evaluation map MPe. Thereby, the host user UEg can limit the users U who want to play the game jointly by their attributes.

[0191] An attribute may be, for example, a characteristic of the user U himself / herself or an attribute related to the game. The characteristic of the user U himself / herself may be, for example, the gender, age, place of residence, etc. of the user U. Also, the attribute related to the game may be, for example, an attribute related to the advantage over the game or the performance in the game. The attribute related to the advantage over the game may be, for example, the proficiency level in the game, the number of items owned, the types of items, the amount of money charged for the game, etc. The proficiency level in the game may be determined, for example, by the level in the game, the total play time of the game, the total number of attempts, etc. The performance in the game may be, for example, the winning rate or the ranking in the game.

[0192] FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of the evaluation use map MPe. In the evaluation use map MPe shown in FIG. 34, as an example of the attribute for evaluating the user U, an attribute related to the game is used. Specifically, as an example of the attribute related to the game, the level in the game is associated with the vertical axis and the amount of money charged for the game is associated with the horizontal axis. The level in the game is generally an index of the proficiency level for the game. When the type of the game is a baseball game, for example, the level may be determined by the number of games (which may be the tournament G) participated by the user U[m] and the winning rate. The amount of money charged for the game is, for example, the total amount of money charged when the user U[m] has a purchase history of paid items in the game.

[0193] The evaluation icon He[m] is arranged at a position corresponding to the level and the amount of money charged of the user [m] in the baseball game. From the position of the evaluation icon He[m] in the evaluation use map MPe, it can be seen that for the user U[m], the level is near the median and the amount of money charged is more than the median.

[0194] When the user U[m] hosts the tournament G[j], the user specifies the attributes of the participating terminal devices TCg (in the example of FIG. 34, the level and the charge amount) by drawing the region specifying figure Fe[j] on the evaluation use map MPe. For example, in FIG. 34, the user U[m] is mainly recruiting participants for the tournament G[j] who are users U with a level and a charge amount slightly higher than his own. The game server SV1 specifies the terminal device T located in the specified area Ze[j] specified by the region specifying figure Fe[j] on the evaluation use map MPe as the candidate terminal device TAg[j] that is a candidate for the participating terminal device TCg[j].

[0195] That is, in Modification Example A5, the game server SV1 includes: an attribute management unit that manages a plurality of attributes of each of the M users U[1] to U[M] related to the game in association with coordinates on the evaluation use map MPe having two or more dimensions corresponding to the plurality of attributes; a reception unit that receives figure specifying information (denoted as "figure specifying information Se") for specifying at least one of the shape or size of the region specifying figure Fe for specifying the specified area Ze on the evaluation use map MPe; and a specifying unit that, based on the figure specifying information Se, specifies the user U having an attribute corresponding to the specified area Ze on the evaluation use map MPe among the M users U[1] to U[M] as the candidate user UAg[j] who is a candidate for the user U participating in the tournament G[j] related to the game. The evaluation use map MPe is an example of a "map". The attribute management unit is an example of a "management unit". The specified area Ze is an example of a "first area". The region specifying figure Fe is an example of a "first figure". The figure specifying information Se is an example of a "first specifying information".

[0196] In FIG. 34, the evaluation use map MPe is assumed to be a two-dimensional map having two axes corresponding to two types of attributes, but it may be a three-dimensional map having three axes corresponding to three types of attributes. The number of attributes in the evaluation use map MPe, that is, the number of dimensions of the evaluation use map MPe may be four or more.

[0197] [Modification Example A6] In the above-described first embodiment, it is assumed that each terminal device T[1] to T[M] is provided with a memory 15 (storage unit 150) for storing the game program PG1 for play and a processor 16 (control unit 160) for executing the game program PG1 for play. However, not limited to this, a memory for storing the game program PG1 for play and a processor for executing the game program PG1 for play may be provided in an external device that can communicate with the terminal devices T[1] to T[M].

[0198] More specifically, for example, a memory for storing the game program PG1 for play and a processor for executing the game program PG1 for play may be provided in a cloud server (server device) that can communicate with the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] via a communication line such as the Internet. In this case, the cloud server may be the game server SV1.

[0199] [Modification Example A7] In the above-described first embodiment, the game server SV1 includes the first position database DBp1 and the first map information DBm1, and plots the positions of the respective terminal devices T on the first map information DBm1. However, not limited to this, for example, the game server SV1 may include only the first position database DBp1. In this case, the first specifying unit 236 of the game server SV1 calculates position information (for example, latitude and longitude) for specifying a region of the real space RS corresponding to the graphic specifying information Sg based on the graphic specifying information Sg, and specifies, as candidate terminal devices TAg, the terminal devices T whose position information recorded in the first position database DBp1 is located within the specified region of the real space RS.

[0200] [Modification Example A8] In the above-described first embodiment, the game server SV1 specified the candidate terminal devices TAg[j] at the timing (S5 in FIG. 6) when it received the holding request Cg[j] of the tournament G[j] from the host terminal device TEg[j] (S7 in FIG. 6). That is, the game server SV1 had specified the candidate terminal devices TAg[j] of the tournament G[j] in advance.

[0201] Not limited to this, the game server SV1 may determine, for example, at the timing (S11 in FIG. 6) when a participation request Dg from the terminal device T[m] to the tournament G is received, the tournament G in which the terminal device T[m] can participate. That is, in Modification Example A8, the first position management unit 233 manages the position of the terminal device T[m] in the real space RS in association with the position on the first map information DBm1. The first reception unit 234 receives graphic designation information Sg[j] that designates at least one of the shape or size of the area specification graphic Fg[j] for specifying the designated area Zg[j] related to the tournament G[j] related to the game in the first map information DBm1. The first specification unit 236 functions as a determination unit that determines whether the tournament G[j] is a tournament G related to the terminal device T[m] based on the position of the terminal device T[m] on the first map information DBm1 and the graphic designation information Sg[j]. The tournament G in which the above-described terminal device T[m] can participate is an example of the "tournament G related to the terminal device T[m]".

[0202] More specifically, in Modification Example A8, when the game server SV1 receives a tournament G[j] start request Cg[j] from the host terminal device TEg[j], it only records the graphic designation information Sg[j] and the designation information of other conditions (for example, generation of the room L[j]). Since the candidate terminal device TAg[j] is not specified, the invitation notice Vg[j] is not transmitted.

[0203] When the participation button BT2 on the selection screen SCg1 shown in FIG. 9 is pressed on the terminal device T[m], the terminal device T[m] transmits a participation request Dg to the tournament G including the terminal ID of its own device to the game server SV1. In this participation request Dg, the tournament G to participate in is not specified. The game server SV1 that has received the participation request Dg refers to the first position database DBp1 and acquires the position of the terminal device [m] based on the terminal device ID of the terminal device [m]. Note that instead of the game server SV1 managing the position of the terminal device T using the first position database DBp1, the position information of the terminal device T[m] may be included in the participation request Dg and transmitted as in Modification Example B2 described later.

[0204] The game server SV1 determines whether there is a tournament G (a tournament G that can be participated in) in which the position of the terminal device [m] is included in the designated area Zg (more specifically, in the first map information DBm1, the area corresponding to the area-specific figure Fg specified by the figure designation information Sg). If there is a tournament G that can be participated in (for example, let it be tournament G[j]), the game server SV1 allows the terminal device T[m] to participate in that tournament G[j]. In other words, the tournament G[j] in which the terminal device T[m] can participate is a tournament G[j] in which the area-specific figure Fg[j] specified by the figure designation information Sg[j] includes the position of the terminal device T[m] on the first map information DBm1 of the terminal device T[m].

[0205] In addition, if there are multiple tournaments G that can be participated in, the game server SV1 may select the tournament G in which the terminal device T[m] participates. Alternatively, the game server SV1 may send the information of the tournaments G that can be participated in to the terminal device T[m], and the user U[m] of the terminal device T[m] may select which tournament G to participate in. In this case, for example, a tournament selection screen as shown in FIG. 15 or FIG. 16 may be displayed on the terminal device T[m] to allow the user U[m] to select the tournament G to participate in. Also, if there is no tournament G that can be participated in, the game server SV1 may reply to the terminal device T[m] that there is no tournament that can be participated in.

[0206] According to Modification Example A8, instead of specifying the candidate terminal device TAg in advance for each tournament G, the tournament G that can be participated in is determined at the timing when the game server SV1 receives the participation request Dg from the terminal device T to the tournament G. As a result, compared with the first embodiment, the number of terminal devices T that are the target of the determination process as to whether the position of the terminal device T is included in the designated area Zg of the tournament G can be reduced, and the processing load on the game server SV1 can be reduced.

[0207] More specifically, the game server SV1 determines whether the tournament G[j] is a tournament G related to the terminal device T[m] based on the position on the first map information DBm1 of the terminal device T[m] and the graphic designation information Sg[j]. In this case, the game server SV1 (more specifically, the processor 23) performs the above determination by collating the graphic designation information Sg[j] with the position of the terminal device T[m] of 1. On the other hand, as a comparative example, when identifying candidates for the terminal device T (candidate terminal devices TAg[j]) that participate in the tournament G[j] corresponding to the graphic designation information Sg[j] from among a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[M], the game server SV1 needs to collate the graphic designation information Sg[j] with the respective positions of the plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. Therefore, according to Modification Example A8, compared with the comparative example, the number of terminal devices T subject to the collation process can be reduced, and the processing load on the game server SV1 can be reduced.

[0208] Also, in the above-described first embodiment, when there are a large number of candidate terminal devices TAg[j], the game server SV1 needs to transmit the invitation notices Vg[j] by the number of candidate terminal devices TAg[j], and a process of securing the corresponding memory is required. In Modification Example A8, since the invitation notice Vg[j] is not transmitted, the processing load on the game server SV1 can also be reduced in this regard.

[0209] [B: Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. For elements whose functions are the same as those in the first embodiment in the following respective exemplifications, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment are reused, and the respective detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted.

[0210] [B-1: System Overview] FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the advertising system 2 according to the second embodiment. The advertising system 2 includes M terminal devices T[1] to T[M], an advertising server SV2, and an advertiser device DVa. The advertising server SV2, the terminal device T, and the advertiser device DVa are communicably connected to each other via a network NW. In the present embodiment, only one advertiser device DVa is shown, but there may be a plurality of advertiser devices DVa. Hereinafter, the advertiser device DVa may be denoted as an advertiser device DVa[p] (p is a natural number satisfying 1 ≦ p ≦ P, and P is an arbitrary natural number). The advertising system 2 is a system that distributes an advertisement AD to M terminal devices T[1] to T[M] that can communicate with the advertising server SV2. The advertising system 2 is an example of a "system", the terminal device T is an example of a "terminal device", and the advertising server SV2 is an example of a "server device SV". Further, the advertiser device DVa is an example of the area designating device DV in FIG. 36.

[0211] The advertisement AD may be displayed and output as text, may be displayed and output as an image (still image or moving image), or may be output as audio. Further, when the advertisement is an information processing device used by the user U[1] to U[M] to play a baseball game, the advertisement may be output within the game space GF developed in the game. When the terminal device T is an information processing device used to utilize information on the Internet, the advertisement may be output together with the information on the Internet.

[0212] Also in the second embodiment, the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] are information processing devices used by the users U[1] to U[M] to play a baseball game. In the second embodiment, the illustration of the game server SV1 (see FIG. 1) is omitted, but similar to the first embodiment, when executing the baseball game, the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] may be connected to the game server SV1.

[0213] The advertisement server SV2 is connected to M terminal devices T[1] to T[M] via the network NW, and distributes the advertisement AD to the terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. In the present embodiment, the advertisement server SV2 distributes the advertisement AD within the game screen GS of the baseball game executed by the terminal device T. More specifically, in the present embodiment, when the baseball game is being executed in the terminal devices T[1] to T[M], the advertisement AD is output to the game screen GS. Note that, in the second embodiment, it is assumed that the advertisement AD is distributed regardless of whether the tournament G is being held in the baseball game (for example, even when an online battle that is not the tournament G is being conducted).

[0214] That the advertisement AD is output to the game screen GS may mean, for example, that an image related to the advertisement AD is displayed and output on a part of the game screen GS displayed during the game, or that all of the display of the game screen GS temporarily becomes an image related to the advertisement AD, or that part or all of the audio flowing on the game screen GS temporarily becomes audio related to the advertisement AD. Also, that the advertisement AD is output to the game screen GS may mean, for example, that the advertisement AD is output to a part of the game space GF displayed on the game screen GS as shown in FIG. 19 described later. In the present embodiment, the advertisement AD is output by the game program PG1 for play (see FIG. 3) of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] that execute the game.

[0215] The advertiser device DVa is a terminal device T used by the advertiser user UEa who submits the advertisement AD. The advertiser user UEa may be, for example, a provider of products or services targeted for advertising, or may be an advertising agency that has been commissioned to place an advertisement by a provider of products or services targeted for advertising. The advertiser device DVa may be, for example, a portable information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a notebook personal computer, or may be a stationary information processing terminal such as a desktop personal computer.

[0216] [B-2: Overview of Advertisement Distribution to Terminal Device T] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an overview of advertisement distribution to the terminal device T. FIG. 19 shows an example of the display on the touch panel 12 of the terminal device T during game play. On the touch panel 12, a game screen GS is displayed. The game screen GS shows a scene in the game space GF where the pitcher character CR1 is about to pitch the ball object OB1. The user U of the terminal device T operates the batter character CR2 via the touch panel 12 and hits back the ball object OB1 pitched by the pitcher character CR1 using the bat object OB2. Also shown on the game screen GS is the spectator character CR3 watching the baseball game in the game space GF.

[0217] One or more advertisements AD are output on the game screen GS. Hereinafter, the p-th advertisement may be referred to as AD[p] (p is a natural number satisfying 1 ≤ p ≤ P. P is an arbitrary natural number). In the present embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that the advertiser device DVa and the advertisement AD correspond one-to-one. That is, the advertisement AD published by the advertiser device DVa[p] is the advertisement AD[p]. Also, the advertisement frame set in the game may be referred to as AF[s] (s is a natural number satisfying 1 ≤ s ≤ S. S is an arbitrary natural number). In the example of FIG. 19, three advertisements AD[1] to AD[3] are output. The advertisement AD may be a still image or a moving image related to the advertised product displayed on a game element existing in the game space GF. Also, the advertisement AD may be a voice related to the advertised product emitted by a game element in the game space GF. The game element is, for example, a character, an object, and an environmental component existing in the game space GF. The environmental component of the game space GF may be, for example, a component of a virtual baseball field existing in the game space GF, such as a baseball field ground and a baseball field back net.

[0218] In FIG. 19, advertisement AD[1] is a still image advertisement and is displayed in advertisement frame AF[1] that imitates a signboard provided on the fence BS of a virtual baseball stadium. Advertisement AD[2] is also a still image advertisement and is displayed in advertisement frame AF[2] that imitates a signboard provided on the fence BS of a virtual baseball stadium. Advertisement AD[3] is an audio advertisement and is output from advertisement frame AF[3] of the audio emitted from speaker object OB3 provided in the virtual baseball stadium.

[0219] In FIG. 19, as the locations where image advertisements AD[1] and AD[2] are displayed, advertisement frames AF[1] and AF[2] that imitate signboards provided on the fence of the baseball stadium are assumed. For example, the uniforms worn by player characters CR such as pitcher character CR1 and batter character CR2 may serve as advertisement frame AF, and image advertisement AD may be displayed. Also, a banner advertisement frame AF may be superimposed on game screen GS, and image advertisement AD may be displayed in this advertisement frame AF.

[0220] Advertisement AD may be constantly output to game screen GS, or the presence or absence of output (or the content of advertisement AD) may be changed in conjunction with the progress of the game, or the presence or absence of output (or the content of advertisement AD) may be changed regardless of the progress of the game. "In conjunction with the progress of the game" means, for example, when the character (or team) operated by user U of terminal device T enters the batter's box, advertisement AD is displayed in advertisement frames AF[1] and AF[2], and at other times, advertisement AD is not displayed in advertisement frames AF[1] and AF[2], etc. Also, "regardless of the progress of the game" means, for example, that the presence or absence of output of advertisement AD is changed at regular intervals.

[0221] [B-3: Configuration of Advertiser Device DVa] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the advertiser device DVa. As shown in FIG. 20, the advertiser device DVa includes a communication device 41, a touch panel 42, a memory 43 that stores various types of information, and a processor 44 that controls each part of the advertiser device DVa. Since these hardware components are the same as the communication device 11, the touch panel 12, the memory 15, and the processor 16 of the terminal device T shown in FIG. 2, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0222] The communication device 41 functions as a communication unit 410 shown in FIG. 21. The touch panel 42 functions as a display unit 120 and an operation input unit 122 shown in FIG. 21. The memory 43 functions as a storage unit 430 shown in FIG. 21. The processor 44 functions as a control unit 440 shown in FIG. 21. Also, in the second embodiment, the memory 43 stores an advertisement submission program PG3 executed by the processor 44 and various types of information such as the third map information DBm3.

[0223] FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the advertiser device DVa. As shown in FIG. 21, the advertiser device DVa includes a communication unit 410, a display unit 420, an operation input unit 422, a storage unit 430, and a control unit 440. As described above, the function of the communication unit 410 is realized by the communication device 41 shown in FIG. 20. The functions of the display unit 420 and the operation input unit 422 are realized by the touch panel 42 shown in FIG. 20. The function of the storage unit 430 is realized by the memory 43 shown in FIG. 20. The function of the control unit 440 is realized by the processor 44 shown in FIG. 20.

[0224] The storage unit 430 stores the above-described advertisement submission program PG3 and various types of data (e.g., the third map information DBm3) necessary for the execution of the advertisement submission program PG3.

[0225] The control unit 440 functions as a submission request unit 441 when the processor 44 executes the advertisement submission program PG3. The submission request unit 441 requests the advertisement server SV2 to submit an advertisement based on the operation of the user (advertiser user UEa) of the advertiser device DVa. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, the advertisement submission request can be made by specifying the location of the terminal device T that is the advertisement delivery destination.

[0226] [B-4: Configuration of Advertisement Server SV2] FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the advertisement server SV2. As shown in FIG. 22, the advertisement server SV2 includes a communication device 31, a memory 32 that stores various information, and a processor 33 that controls each part of the advertisement server SV2. Since these hardware components are the same as the communication device 21, memory 22, and processor 23 of the game server SV1 shown in FIG. 4, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0227] The communication device 31 functions as the communication unit 310 shown in FIG. 23. The memory 32 functions as the storage unit 320 shown in FIG. 23. The processor 33 functions as the control unit 330 shown in FIG. 23. Also, in the second embodiment, the memory 32 stores various information such as the advertisement management program PG4 executed by the processor 33, the second position database DBp2, the fourth map information DBm4, and the advertisement management database DBad. Details of these databases will be described later.

[0228] FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the advertisement server SV2. As shown in FIG. 23, the advertisement server SV2 includes a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, and a control unit 330. As described above, the function of the communication unit 210 is realized by the communication device 31 shown in FIG. 22. The function of the storage unit 320 is realized by the memory 32 shown in FIG. 22. The function of the control unit 330 is realized by the processor 33 shown in FIG. 22.

[0229] The storage unit 320 stores the above-described advertisement management program PG4 and various types of data necessary for the execution of the advertisement management program PG4. The various types of data necessary for the execution of the advertisement management program PG4 are, for example, the second position database DBp2, the fourth map information DBm4, the advertisement management database DBad, and the like.

[0230] The control unit 330 functions as a second position management unit 332, a second reception unit 333, a second specification unit 334, a reference information output unit 335, an advertisement management unit 336, and an advertisement distribution unit 337 when the processor 33 executes the advertisement management program PG4. Hereinafter, the details of advertisement distribution in the advertisement system 2 will be described while explaining the details of these functional units.

[0231] [B-5: Overview of Advertisement Distribution] FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram showing the data flow related to advertisement distribution to the terminal device T. In the sequence diagram of FIG. 24, an advertisement server SV2, an advertiser device DVa[p], and a candidate terminal device TAa[p] are shown as objects. The candidate terminal device TAa[p] is further classified into a destination terminal device TCa[p] and a non-delivery terminal device TDa[p]. In FIG. 24, the notation [p] for identifying the advertisement AD is omitted.

[0232] The advertiser device DVa[p] is an information processing device used by the advertiser user UEa[p] of the advertisement AD[p], and is an example of the area designating device DV in FIG. 35. The candidate terminal device TAa[p] is an example of the candidate terminal device TA in FIG. 35. The advertisement server SV2 is an example of the "server device SV" in FIG. 35. The destination terminal device TCa[p] is an example of the execution terminal device TC in FIG. 35. The non-delivery terminal device TDa[p] is an example of the non-execution terminal device TD in FIG. 35.

[0233] The candidate terminal device TAa[p] is a terminal device T located in the distribution area Za[p] (see FIG. 27) specified by the advertiser user UEa[p] among the terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. The candidate terminal device TAa[p] is a candidate for the distribution destination of the advertisement AD[p]. The candidate terminal device TAa[p] that is a candidate for the distribution destination of the advertisement AD[p] may be, for example, a terminal device T to which the advertisement AD[p] can be immediately distributed, or a terminal device T to which the advertisement AD[p] is distributed when a specific application is launched, or a terminal device T to which the advertisement AD[p] is distributed when specific information is accessed in a specific application. In the present embodiment, in a baseball game, when a predetermined advertisement output condition is satisfied, the advertisement AD corresponding to the advertisement frame AF in the game screen GS is distributed. Specifically, for example, the transition to the batting screen shown in FIG. 19 is the advertisement output condition for the advertisement frames AF[1] to AF[3], and the advertisements AD[1] to AD[3] are distributed to the terminal device T that has transitioned to the batting screen among the candidate terminal devices TAa[p].

[0234] In FIG. 24, one delivery destination terminal device TCa[p] and one non-delivery terminal device TDa[p] are shown, but at least one of the delivery destination terminal device TCa[p] and the non-delivery terminal device TDa[p] may be two or more, or at least one of the delivery destination terminal device TCa[p] and the non-delivery terminal device TDa[p] may be zero.

[0235] Prior to the distribution of the advertisement AD, the advertisement server SV2 acquires location information from all the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] in the advertisement system 2 by the second location management unit 332 (S21). The second location management unit 332 manages the locations of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] using the second location database DBp2 (S22). Steps S21 to S22 in FIG. 24 are referred to as "location management steps". Note that the acquisition of location information (S21) and the management of locations (S22) are also performed at any time during the subsequent steps. That is, the location information in the second location database DBp2 is updated at any time, and in particular, the current location information reflects the locations of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] at that time.

[0236] When publishing the advertisement AD[p], the advertiser device DVa[p] receives from the advertiser user UEa[p] a specification of the location of the distribution destination terminal device TCa[p]. As will be described later, the specification of the location of the distribution destination terminal device TCa[p] is performed by the advertiser user UEa[p] by drawing a region specific graphic Fa[p] on a map (the fourth partial map MPd4 shown in FIG. 26 etc.) displayed on the distribution destination terminal device TCa[p]. That is, the advertiser device DVa[p] receives the drawing of the region specific graphic Fa[p] from the advertiser user UEa[p] (S23). Further, the advertiser device DVa[p] may receive from the advertiser user UEa[p] other publishing conditions such as, for example, the number of distribution destination terminal devices TCa[p] (number of impressions), the distribution period, the designation of the advertisement frame AF. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the output of the advertisement AD[p] to the advertisement frame AF[s] is specified.

[0237] When receiving the drawing of the region specific graphic Fa[p] by the advertiser user UEa[p], the advertiser device DVa[p] transmits to the advertisement server SV2 graphic specification information Sa[p] that specifies at least one of the shape or size of the region specific graphic Fa[p] (S24).

[0238] When the advertisement server SV2 receives the graphic specification information Sa[p] by the second reception unit 333 (S25), the second specification unit 334 specifies the in-region terminal device TFa[p] located within the distribution region Za[p] specified by the region specific graphic Fa[p] (S26). The advertisement server SV2 generates by the reference information output unit 335 reference information IF[p] including at least one of the number of in-region terminal devices TFa[p] or the advertising fee for the in-region terminal devices TFa[p] (S27), and transmits the generated reference information IF[p] to the advertiser device DVa[p] (S28).

[0239] Upon receiving the reference information IF[p], the advertiser device DVa[p] presents the reference information IF[p] to the advertiser user UEa[p]. The advertiser user UEa[p] adjusts the region specification graphic Fa[p] and other publishing conditions while checking the reference information IF[p]. When the region specification graphic Fa[p] and other publishing conditions are determined, the advertiser user UEa[p] inputs the publishing request Ca[p] of the advertisement AD[p] to the advertiser device DVa[p]. The advertiser device DVa[p] transmits the publishing request Ca[p] including the graphic specification information Sa[p] of the determined region specification graphic Fa[p] to the advertisement server SV2 (S29). The advertisement server SV2 receives the publishing request Ca[p] by the second reception unit 333 (S30). The advertisement server SV2 registers the advertisement AD[p] corresponding to the publishing request Ca[p] in the advertisement management database DBad by the advertisement management unit 336 (S31). Steps S23 to S31 in FIG. 24 are referred to as the "publishing reception step".

[0240] When the advertisement output condition of the advertisement frame AF[s] is satisfied during the game (S32), the candidate terminal device TAa[p] transmits the distribution request Da[s] corresponding to the advertisement frame AF[s] to the advertisement server SV2 (S33). When the advertisement server SV2 receives the distribution request Da[s], it transmits the advertisement data ADd[p] corresponding to the advertisement frame AF[s] to the candidate terminal device TAa[p] (S34). The candidate terminal device TAa[p] outputs the advertisement AD[p] to the advertisement frame AF[s] based on the advertisement data ADd[p] (S35). In this case, the candidate terminal device TAa[p] becomes the distribution destination terminal device TCa[p]. On the other hand, even if it is the candidate terminal device TAa[p], if the advertisement output condition is not satisfied, the distribution request Da[s] is not transmitted. Such a candidate terminal device TAa[p] becomes the non-distribution terminal device TDa[p]. Steps S32 to S35 in FIG. 24 are referred to as the "advertisement distribution step".

[0241] [B-6: Location Management Step] Details of each step will be described below. As described above, in the location management step, the advertising server SV2 obtains location information from all the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] by the second location management unit 332 (S21 in FIG. 24), and manages the location information of each of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] using the second location database DBp2 (S22 in FIG. 24). That is, the second location management unit 332 manages the location of each of the plurality of terminal devices in the real space RS in association with the location on the fourth map information DBm4.

[0242] This step is the same as the location management step described in A-5 of the first embodiment, so detailed description is omitted. That is, the first location management unit 233 in the first embodiment corresponds to the second location management unit 332 in the second embodiment. Also, the first location database DBp1 in the first embodiment corresponds to the second location database DBp2 in the second embodiment, and the first map information DBm1 in the first embodiment corresponds to the fourth map information DBm4 in the second embodiment. The second location management unit 332 is an example of a "management unit".

[0243] [B-7: Submission Reception Step] Next, details of the submission reception step will be described. FIGS. 25 to 27 are diagrams showing an example of the screen display of the advertiser device DVa[p]. In the present embodiment, the screens shown in FIGS. 25 to 27 are displayed when the processor 33 of the advertiser device DVa[p] executes the advertisement submission program PG3. In the following example, the case where the advertiser user UEa[p] submits an advertisement AD[p] which is a still image advertisement to the advertisement frame AF[2] shown in FIG. 19 will be described as an example.

[0244] When the advertiser user UEa[p] activates the advertisement submission program PG3 and performs a predetermined operation (for example, selection of the new submission mode, etc.), a submission condition specification screen SCa1 shown in FIG. 25 is displayed on the touch panel 42 of the advertiser device DVa[p]. On the submission condition specification screen SCa1, an advertisement data specification column 2501, an advertisement frame specification column 2502, a distribution period specification column 2503, and a region selection button BT21 are displayed.

[0245] In the advertisement data specification field 2501, the advertisement data ADd[p] of the advertisement AD[p] is specified. In the present embodiment, as the advertisement data ADd[p], the still image data (bbb.jpg) of the advertisement AD[p] recorded in the advertiser device DVa[p] is specified. The advertisement data ADd[p] is uploaded to the advertisement server SV2 together with the publishing request Ca[p] described later. Note that the advertisement data ADd[p] may be recorded in a device other than the advertiser device DVa[p].

[0246] In the advertisement frame specification field 2502, information for identifying the advertisement frame AF to which the advertisement AD[p] is output is specified. In the example of FIG. 25, the character string "AF-2" is specified as the information for identifying the advertisement frame AF[2] of FIG. 19.

[0247] In the distribution period specification field 2503, the period during which the advertisement AD[p] is distributed is specified. The period during which the advertisement AD[p] is distributed may be specified by time, for example, "from 00:00:00 on August 1, 2021 to 23:59:59 on August 31, 2021", or may be specified by the number of impressions, such as "until it is displayed 1000 times (or to 1000 people)".

[0248] When the advertiser user UEa[p] inputs information in the advertisement data specification field 2501, the advertisement frame specification field 2502, and the distribution period specification field 2503, the user presses the region selection button BT21. When the region selection button BT21 is pressed, the display of the touch panel 42 shifts to the region selection screen SCa2 shown in FIG. 26. On the region selection screen SCa2, the fourth partial map MPd4, the region specific graphic Fa[p], the reference information IF[p], the scale change button BT3, the shape selection button BT4, and the OK button BT22 are displayed. The region specific graphic Fa[p] is an example of "the first graphic". The scale change button BT3 and the shape selection button BT4 have the functions described in A-4 of the first embodiment.

[0249] The initial range of the fourth partial map MPd4 displayed on the advertiser device DVa[p] may be, for example, around the position of the advertiser device DVa[p], or may be a range specified by the advertiser user UEa[p] (for example, a predetermined range centered on a point specified by the advertiser user UEa[p]). The fourth partial map MPd4 is a display on the touch panel 42 of a part of the third map information DBm3 recorded in the storage unit 430 of the advertiser device DVa[p]. Note that, instead of the advertiser device DVa[p] holding a map database, for example, the advertiser device DVa[p] may acquire map data from a map data server (not shown) connected to the network NW as necessary. The display range of the fourth partial map MPd4 can be changed, for example, as shown in FIG. 27, by the advertiser user UEa touching the touch panel 42 with a finger Fn and scrolling in an arbitrary direction. Also, the scale of the fourth partial map MPd4 can be changed by a scale change button BT3.

[0250] The area specifying figure Fa[p] is a figure for specifying a part of the area on the fourth partial map MPd4 (third map information DBm3). More specifically, the area specifying figure Fa[p] is a figure for limiting the delivery destination terminal device TCa[p] of the advertisement [p] by position. That is, in the present embodiment, the advertisement [p] is delivered to the terminal device T at the position in the real space RS corresponding to the area (delivery area Za[p]) on the third map information DBm3 specified by the area specifying figure Fa[p]. In the example of FIG. 10, the area specifying figure Fa[p] in the initial state is a circle with a radius r3 centered on the position O. The position O may or may not be displayed on the touch panel 42. In the initial state of the area selection screen SCa2, the position O may be the position of the advertiser device DVa[p].

[0251] The method of specifying the shape and size of the area specifying figure Fa[p] is the same as that in A-6 of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0252] The advertisement output program PG3 generates graphic specification information Sa[p] that designates at least one of the shape or size of the area-specific graphic Fa[p], and sequentially transmits it to the advertisement server SV2 (S24 in FIG. 24). The transmission of the graphic specification information Sa[p] is performed each time at least the shape and size of the area-specific graphic Fa[p] are changed. The advertisement output program PG3 may transmit, to the advertisement server SV2, output conditions such as the advertisement frame AF and the distribution period input on the output condition specification screen SCa1 together with the graphic specification information Sa[p].

[0253] The advertisement server SV2 receives the graphic specification information Sa[p] by the second reception unit 333 (S25 in FIG. 24). That is, the second reception unit 333 receives the graphic specification information Sa[p] that designates at least one of the shape or size of the area-specific graphic Fa[p] for specifying the distribution area Za[p] on the fourth map information DBm4.

[0254] The advertisement server SV2 specifies candidate terminal devices TAa[p] that are candidates for the distribution destination of the advertisement AD[p] by the second specifying unit 334 (S26 in FIG. 24). In the second embodiment, the candidate terminal device TAa[p] is the in-area terminal device TFa[p] located within the distribution area Za[p]. Since the method for specifying the candidate terminal device TAa[p] by the second specifying unit 334 is the same as the method for specifying the candidate terminal device TAg[j] by the first specifying unit 236 in A-7 of the first embodiment, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0255] That is, the second specifying unit 334 specifies, based on the graphic specification information Sa[p], among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M], the terminal device T associated with the in-area terminal device TF[p] located in the distribution area Za[p] on the fourth map information DBm4 as the candidate terminal device TAa[p] that is a candidate for the distribution destination of the advertisement AD[p]. In the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the terminal device T associated with the in-area terminal device TF[p] is the in-area terminal device TF[p] itself. The in-area terminal device TF[p] is, for example, a terminal device T whose position (e.g., current position or registered position) managed by the second position management unit 332 is located within the distribution area Za[p].

[0256] When the advertising server SV2 identifies the candidate terminal device TAa[p] by the second specifying unit 334, the reference information output unit 335 generates the reference information IF[p] (S27 in FIG. 24) and transmits it to the advertiser device DVa[p] (S28 in FIG. 24). The reference information IF[p] is, for example, the predicted value of the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] when the distribution area Za[p] is specified by the current area specifying graphic Fa[p], and the predicted value of the advertising fee when the advertisement AD[p] is distributed to the candidate terminal devices TAa[p] of that number.

[0257] The number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] in the reference information IF[p] may be, for example, the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] at the current time itself, or among the candidate terminal devices TAa[p], those that are currently executing a game and to which the advertisement AD[p] can be immediately distributed. Also, the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] in the reference information IF[p] may be, for example, the number of terminal devices T predicted to actually receive the advertisement AD[p] (the predicted value of the number of distribution destination terminal devices TCa[p]) calculated based on the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] at the current time. The number of terminal devices T predicted to actually receive the advertisement AD[p] may be predicted by analyzing the past performance of advertisement distribution by time zone, user attributes, etc. Specifically, the reference information output unit 335 may, for example, predict the number of terminal devices T that execute a game during the period specified in the distribution period specification column 2503 in FIG. 25 and display the advertisement frame specified in the advertisement frame specification column 2502, and multiply the number of the terminal devices T by the advertisement unit price to predict the advertising fee.

[0258] That is, when the second reception unit 333 receives the graphic specification information Sa[p], the reference information output unit 335 outputs information indicating the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p]. The reference information output unit 335 is an example of a "terminal number output unit".

[0259] The number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] may be, for example, the total number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p], or the number of terminal devices T to which the advertisement AD[p] is currently being distributed among the candidate terminal devices TAa[p]. The terminal device T to which the advertisement AD[p] is currently being distributed may be, for example, the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] in which a specific application has been launched at the current time when an advertisement is distributed when a specific application is launched in the candidate terminal device TAa[p]. Also, the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] may be the number of terminal devices T to which the advertisement AD[p] is estimated to be distributed based on the past record of advertisement distribution.

[0260] Also, when the second reception unit 333 receives the graphic specification information Sa[p], the reference information output unit 335 outputs information regarding the consideration for the distribution of the advertisement AD[p] to the candidate terminal device TAa[p]. The reference information output unit 335 is an example of a "consideration output unit".

[0261] The consideration for the distribution of the advertisement AD[p] may be, for example, the consideration when the advertisement AD[p] is distributed to all of the candidate terminal devices TAa[p], or the consideration for the advertisement distribution to the terminal device T (the terminal device T on which the game is being executed) capable of distributing the advertisement AD[p] at the current time, or the consideration for the advertisement distribution to the number of terminal devices T estimated based on the past record of advertisement distribution. The consideration for the distribution of the advertisement AD[p] may be, for example, the advertising fee.

[0262] For example, as shown in FIG. 26, when the area - specific figure Fa[p] is a circle with a radius r3 centered at position O, the estimated number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] shown in the reference information IF[p] is 4,500 people, and the estimated advertising fee is 30,000 yen. On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 27, when the area - specific figure Fa[p] is a circle with a radius r4 (<r3) centered at position O, the number of terminal devices T within the distribution area Za[p] decreases compared to the case of FIG. 26. The estimated number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] shown in the reference information IF[p] of FIG. 27 is 3,000 people, and the estimated advertising fee is 20,000 yen. Thus, by displaying the reference information IF[p], the advertiser user UEa[p] can consider the range of the distribution area Za[p] while checking the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] (number of impressions) and the advertising fee.

[0263] When the adjustment of the shape and size of the area - specific figure Fa[p] is completed, the advertiser user UEa[p] presses the OK button BT22. Then, the input contents to the area selection screen SCa2 in FIG. 26 and the manuscript - preparation condition specification screen SCa1 in FIG. 25, that is, the manuscript - preparation request Ca[p] including the figure - specification information Sa[p] and the manuscript - preparation information of other conditions, are transmitted to the advertisement server SV2 (S29 in FIG. 24). The advertisement server SV2 receives the manuscript - preparation request Ca[p] by the second reception unit 333 (S30 in FIG. 24). That is, the second reception unit 333 receives the figure - specification information Sa[p] that designates at least one of the shape or size of the area - specific figure Fa[p] for specifying the distribution area Za[p] on the map. The advertisement server SV2 that has received the manuscript - preparation request Ca[p] registers the advertisement AD[p] in the advertisement management database DBad by the advertisement management unit 336 (S31 in FIG. 24).

[0264] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of the advertisement management database DBad. The advertisement management database DBad includes an advertisement ID 2801, advertisement data name information 2803, advertisement frame information 2804, distribution period information 2805, candidate terminal ID 2806, and figure - specification information Sa.

[0265] Advertisement ID 2801 is identification information for identifying an advertisement. In the present embodiment, the advertisement ID 2801 is a combination of the letter A and three digits, such as "A001". Assume that advertisement AD[p] has an advertisement ID = A002.

[0266] Advertisement data name information 2803 records the name of advertisement data ADd of advertisement AD specified by advertisement ID 2801. The name of advertisement data ADd corresponds to the advertisement data ADd specified in the advertisement data designation column 2501 of FIG. 25. Note that information on the storage location of the advertisement data in advertisement server SV2 may be recorded together with the advertisement data name information 2803.

[0267] Advertisement frame information 2804 is information for specifying advertisement frame AF in which advertisement AD specified by advertisement ID 2801 is output, and corresponds to advertisement frame AF specified in the advertisement frame designation column 2502 of FIG. 25.

[0268] Distribution period information 2805 is information for specifying the period during which advertisement AD specified by advertisement ID 2801 is distributed, and corresponds to the period specified in the distribution period designation column 2503 of FIG. 25.

[0269] Candidate terminal ID 2806 is the terminal ID of candidate terminal device TAa[p] specified by the first specifying unit 236. Note that the terminal device T located within distribution area Za[p] may change over time. That is, the candidate terminal device TAa[p] may change. Therefore, it is preferable that the second specifying unit 334 sequentially specifies the terminal device T located within distribution area Za[p] and updates the terminal ID recorded in the candidate terminal ID 2806.

[0270] Graphic specification information Sa is information for specifying at least one of the shape or size of area specifying graphic Fa in advertisement AD. Similar to the graphic specification information Sg in FIG. 14, the graphic specification information Sa includes a character string "Sr" indicating that the shape of area specifying graphic Fa is a circle, a value specifying the radius of area specifying graphic Fa (denoted as r3 etc. in FIG. 28), and the latitude and longitude of the center point of area specifying graphic Fa (denoted as O2 etc. in FIG. 28).

[0271] In addition, when a predetermined delivery end condition is satisfied, the advertisement management unit 336 deletes the registration information of the advertisement AD[p] from the advertisement management database DBad. The advertisement AD[p] whose registration information has been deleted from the advertisement management database DBad is not delivered to the terminal device T. The delivery end condition is satisfied, for example, when the delivery period of the advertisement AD[p] indicated by the delivery period information 2805 ends, or when an advertisement delivery end instruction is received from the advertiser user UEa[p].

[0272] [B-8: Advertisement Delivery Step] Next, the details of the advertisement delivery step will be described. When the advertisement output condition is satisfied during the game on the candidate terminal device TAa[p] (S32 in FIG. 24), the game control unit 161 (see FIG. 3) of the candidate terminal device TAa[p] identifies the advertisement frame AF displayed on the game screen GS. Here, it is assumed that the advertisement frame AF[2] is displayed in the game space GF. The game control unit 161 transmits a delivery request Da[2] including the terminal ID of the candidate terminal device TAa[p] and the advertisement frame ID (AF-2) of the advertisement frame AF[2] to the advertisement server SV2 (S33 in FIG. 24).

[0273] When the advertisement server SV2 receives the delivery request Da[2] by the advertisement delivery unit 337, it collates the advertisement management database DBad (S34 in FIG. 24) and searches for the advertisement AD corresponding to the advertisement frame AF[2] with the advertisement frame ID. As described above, the advertisement AD[p] (advertisement ID = 002) has been published in the advertisement frame AF[2]. The advertisement delivery unit 337 refers to the candidate terminal ID 2806 of the advertisement AD[p] and determines whether the terminal ID of the candidate terminal device TAa[p] is included therein. When the terminal ID of the candidate terminal device TAa[p] is included in the advertisement AD[p], the advertisement data ADd[p] of the advertisement AD[p] is transmitted to the candidate terminal device TAa[p] (S35 in FIG. 24). The candidate terminal device TAa[p] outputs the advertisement AD[p] to the advertisement frame AF[2] on the game screen GS based on the advertisement data ADd[p] (S36 in FIG. 24). In this case, the candidate terminal device TAa[p] becomes the destination terminal device TCa[p].

[0274] In addition, when the advertisement output condition is not satisfied in the candidate terminal device TAa[p], the candidate terminal device TAa[p] does not transmit the distribution request Da[s], and the advertisement AD[p] is not transmitted. In this case, the candidate terminal device TAa[p] becomes a non-distribution terminal device TDa[p].

[0275] [B-9: Summary of the Second Embodiment] As described above, according to the advertisement system 2 according to the second embodiment, the advertisement server SV2 identifies the candidate terminal device TAa[p] that is a candidate for the terminal device T that distributes the advertisement AD[p] based on the graphic designation information Sa[p] that designates at least one of the shape or size of the area designation graphic Fa[p] for identifying the distribution area Za[p] on the map. Thereby, the advertiser user UEa[p] can specify the distribution area Za[p] simply and accurately as compared with the case of specifying the distribution area Za[p] by designating a place name such as an administrative division. For example, when the advertiser user UEa[p] wants to specify an area including a plurality of administrative divisions as the distribution area Za[p], the distribution area Za[p] can be specified by simply designating one area designation graphic Fa[p], and the distribution area Za[p] can be specified with a simpler operation than inputting a plurality of place names (administrative division names). Further, when the advertiser user UEa[p] wants to specify only a partial area of a certain administrative division as the distribution area Za[p], the distribution area Za[p] can be specified as intended by the advertiser user UEa[p]. Further, even when the advertiser user UEa[p] does not know the place name of the advertisement distribution destination or the position of the area represented by the place name, the distribution area Za[p] can be specified.

[0276] Also, in the advertisement system 2 according to the second embodiment, the advertiser user UEa[p] specifies the distribution area Za[p] by drawing the area designation graphic Fa[p] on the fourth partial map MPd4 (third map information DBm3) displayed on the advertiser device DVa[p]. Thereby, the advertiser user UEa[p] can specify the distribution area Za[p] by an intuitive operation, and the burden on the user U in the operation of specifying the distribution area Za[p] can be reduced.

[0277] [B-10: Modified Example] Hereinafter, a modified example of the advertising system 2 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0278] [Modified Example B1] In the above-described second embodiment, the advertisement AD was distributed on the game screen GS of the baseball game executed on the terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. The distribution form of the advertisement AD is not limited to this, and any form may be used as long as the users U[1] to U[M] of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] can touch the advertisement AD. For example, when the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] are information processing devices used for using information on the Internet, the advertisement AD may be output together with the information on the Internet. Specifically, for example, the advertisement AD may be output together with the content browsed by the user U on the Internet browser, or the advertisement AD may be output on the screen of the mobile order application of the fast food restaurant.

[0279] [Modified Example B2] In the above-described second embodiment, the advertising server SV2 has acquired in advance the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] and managed them using the first position database DBp1. Not limited to this, for example, when the terminal device T[m] transmits the distribution request Da[s] of the advertisement AD to the advertisement frame AF[s], the distribution request Da[s] may include the position information (for example, current position information) of its own device.

[0280] In this case, the advertisement server SV2 refers to the graphic specification information Sa in the advertisement management database DBad, and specifies the distribution area Za specified by the graphic specification information Sa (more specifically, on the fourth map information DBm4, the area corresponding to the area specific graphic Fa specified by the graphic specification information Sa). If there is an advertisement AD for which the distribution area Za including the position specified by the position information included in the distribution request Da[s] is set, the advertisement server SV2 transmits the advertisement data ADd of the advertisement AD to the terminal device T[m]. According to Modification Example B2, since it is not necessary for the advertisement server SV2 to sequentially manage the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M], the processing load on the advertisement server SV2 can be reduced.

[0281] [Modification Example B3] In Modification Example B3, when a game is in progress on the candidate terminal device TAa[p][k] at the time of starting the distribution of the advertisement AD[p], it is determined whether or not to publish to the candidate terminal device TAa[p][k] based on the progress of the game. For example, for a candidate terminal device TAa[p][k] executing a baseball game, distributing the advertisement AD[p] from the start of the game (first inning) and distributing the advertisement AD[p] from the seventh inning, the former has a longer distribution period of the advertisement AD[p] for the candidate terminal device TAa[p][k]. Therefore, for example, a setting such as "do not distribute advertisements to the candidate terminal device TAg[p] in which the seventh inning has started at the time of starting the distribution of the advertisement AD[p]" may be made. According to Modification Example B3, it is possible to ensure a certain amount of publication time of the advertisement [p] in each candidate terminal device TAg[p].

[0282] [C: Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. For elements whose functions are the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment in the following examples, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment or the second embodiment are reused, and the detailed description of each is omitted as appropriate.

[0283] [C-1: System Overview] FIG. 29 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the advertising system 3 according to the third embodiment. The advertising system 3 includes M terminal devices T[1] to T[M], a game server SV1, an advertising server SV2, and an advertiser device DVa. The terminal devices T[1] to T[M], the game server SV1, the advertising server SV2, and the advertiser device DVa are connected to be communicable with each other via a network NW. The advertising system 3 is a system that distributes an advertisement AD to a terminal device T participating in a tournament G held in a game. The advertising system 3 is an example of a "system", the terminal device T is an example of a "terminal device", and the advertising server SV2 is an example of a "server device SV". The configurations of the terminal device T and the game server SV1 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Also, the configurations of the advertising server SV2 and the advertiser device DVa are the same as those in the second embodiment.

[0284] In the second embodiment, the advertisement AD is output to the game screen GS regardless of the presence or absence of the tournament G. In the third embodiment, the advertisement AD is output to the game screen GS during the tournament G. That is, in the third embodiment, the candidate terminal device TA is a terminal device T that can participate in the baseball game tournament G, and the advertisement AD is output within the game screen GS developed in the tournament G in which the candidate terminal device TA participates.

[0285] Also, in the second embodiment, the distribution target of the advertisement AD[p] is only the in-region terminal device TFa[p] which is a terminal device T located within the distribution region Za[p]. That is, the advertisement AD[p] is not distributed to the out-region terminal device TGa[p]. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, when at least one of the in-region terminal devices TFa[p] is a participating terminal device TCg[j][K] of the tournament G[j], the advertisement AD[p] may be distributed even when the other participating terminal devices TCg[j][k] (1 ≦ k ≦ K - 1) of the tournament G[j] are out-region terminal devices TGa[p].

[0286] Generally, the advertising effect is higher when the advertisement AD becomes a topic among users U than when individual users U simply come into contact with the advertisement AD alone. For this reason, in the third embodiment, by delivering the same advertisement AD to the terminal devices T participating in the same event G, the possibility that the advertisement AD becomes a topic among users U is increased, thereby improving the advertising effect. Hereinafter, when it is the participating terminal device TCg[j][K] of the event G[j] together with the in-area terminal device TFa[p], the other participating terminal devices TCg[j][k] participating in the event G[j] may be referred to as "co-participating terminal devices THg[p]".

[0287] Specifically, the second specifying unit 334 of the advertisement server SV2 refers to the room management database DBl and the event management database DBg (see FIG. 5) of the game server SV1 to acquire information on the invitation status of the terminal device T to the event G and the participation status of the terminal device T in the event G. The second specifying unit 334 delivers the advertisement [p] to the participating terminal device TCg participating in the event G that is being held (or about to be held) in the area including the delivery area Za[p] specified as the delivery destination of the advertisement AD[p].

[0288] Hereinafter, when specifying the advertisement area (delivery area Za) by the advertiser device DVa, it will be described separately for the case (C-2) where the participation request Dg to the event G has expired and the case (C-3) where the participation request Dg to the event G has not expired at the time of specifying the advertisement area.

[0289] When the participation request Dg to the event has expired at the time of specifying the advertisement area (C-2), since the participating terminal device TCg to the event G is determined, the number and position of the delivery destination terminal device TCa of the advertisement AD can be specified. On the other hand, when the event G has already started, the output period of the advertisement AD may be shortened.

[0290] When the deadline for the participation request Dg for the convention G has not expired at the time of specifying the advertisement area (C-3), since there is time until the distribution of the advertisement AD starts, there is an advantage that the advertisement data ADd is downloaded in advance to the distribution destination terminal device TCa, and the advertisement AD can be distributed immediately after the start of the convention G. On the other hand, since the participation terminal devices TCg for the convention G are not determined, the number and positions of the distribution destination terminal devices TCa for the advertisement AD are not determined.

[0291] [C-2: When the deadline for the participation request Dg for the convention G has expired] FIGs. 30 and 31 are diagrams showing an example of the distribution of the terminal device T and the advertisement distribution area Za. In FIGS. 30 and 31, the icons Hn1 to Hn3 indicating the positions of the terminal devices T are at the same positions. In FIG. 30, the fifth partial map MPd5, the icons Hn1 to Hn3 indicating the positions of the terminal devices T that have made the participation requests Dg[j1] to Dg[j3] for the conventions G[j1] to G[j3], and the area specifying figure Fa[p] indicating the distribution area of the advertisement AD[p] are displayed. The fifth partial map MPd5 is a part of the fourth map information DBm4 stored in the storage unit 320 of the advertisement server SV2. Information on the positions of these terminal devices T and the participation status in the convention G can be obtained, for example, by the second specifying unit 334 of the advertisement server SV2 referring to the convention management database DBg recorded in the game server SV1.

[0292] The circular icon Hn1 (Hn1-1 to Hn1-4) indicates the position of the participation terminal device TCg[j1][q] (1 ≦ q ≦ 4) participating in the convention G[j1]. The triangular icon Hn2 (Hn2-1 to Hn-4) indicates the position of the participation terminal device TCg[j2][q] participating in the convention G[j2]. The square icon Hn3 (Hn3-1 to Hn3-4) indicates the position of the participation terminal device TCg[j3][q] participating in the convention G[j3]. Also, the area specifying figure Fa[p] is a figure drawn by the advertiser user UEa[p] and specifies the area (distribution area Za[p]) for distributing the advertisement AD[p].

[0293] In FIG. 30, among the in-region terminal devices TFa[p] located in the distribution area Za[p], six terminal devices T whose positions are indicated by the icons Hn1-1 to Hn1-4, icons Hn2-1 to Hn2-2, and icon Hn3-1 are the in-region terminal devices TFa[p]. In the second embodiment, the advertisement AD[p] is distributed to these in-region terminal devices TFa[p].

[0294] On the other hand, in the third embodiment, when at least one of the in-region terminal devices TFa[p] is the participating terminal device TCg[j][K] of the event G[j], the advertisement server SV2 also sets the other participating terminal devices TCg[j][k] (co-participating terminal devices THg[j]) of the event G[j] as candidate terminal devices TAa[j]. That is, in the third embodiment, even when the participating terminal device TCg[j][k] is an out-of-region terminal device TGa[p], if it is in a relationship with the out-of-region terminal device TGa[p] and the co-participating terminal device THg[j], the advertisement AD[p] may be distributed.

[0295] Hereinafter, a method for specifying a specific distribution destination terminal device TCa[p] (candidate terminal device TAa[p]) will be described. Which of the following selection methods 1 to 2-3 is adopted may be determined by, for example, the advertiser user UEa[p], or may be determined by the advertisement server SV2.

[0296] <Selection Method 1: Distribute advertisements to all events G in which the in-region terminal device TFa[p] participates> As shown in FIG. 30, within the distribution area Za[p], the participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4], TCg[j2][1] to TCg[j2][4], and TCg[j3][1] to TCg[j3][4] of three events G[j1] to G[j3] are located. In Selection Method 1, the advertisement server SV2 distributes the advertisement AD[p] to all of these participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4], TCg[j2][1] to TCg[j2][4], and TCg[j3][1] to TCg[j3][4].

[0297] That is, in the third embodiment, the second specifying unit 334 of the advertising server SV2 specifies, among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M], the participating terminal device TCg[j] that participates in the tournament G[j] related to the game and is the terminal device T at the position corresponding to the distribution area Za[p] on the fourth map information DBm4 as the in-area terminal device TFa[p], and the participating terminal device TCg[j] that is the co-participating terminal device THg[j] that participates in the tournament G[j] together with the in-area terminal device TFa[p] among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M] as the candidate terminal device TAa[p] that is a candidate for the distribution destination of the advertisement AD[p].

[0298] On the other hand, for example, in relation to the advertising budget, etc., there may be a case where it is desired not to expand the distribution destination of the advertisement AD[p] too much. In this case, the tournament G for distributing the advertisement AD[p] can be selected using, for example, the following selection methods 2-1 to 2-3.

[0299] <Selection method 2-1: Using the ranking of the number of participating terminal devices TCg within the distribution area Za[p]> Selection method 2-1 is a method of ranking the tournament G according to the number of participating terminal devices TCg located in the distribution area Za[p] and distributing the advertisement AD[p] to the top-ranked tournaments G. In the example of FIG. 30, among the terminal devices T located in the distribution area Za[p], there are 4 participating terminal devices TCg[j1] in the tournament G[j1], 3 participating terminal devices TCg[j2] in the tournament G[j2], and 1 participating terminal device TCg[j3] in the tournament G[j3]. That is, in the ranking by the number of people, the tournament G[j1] is in the first place, the tournament G[j2] is in the second place, and the tournament G[j3] is in the third place.

[0300] Advertiser user UEa[p] specifies in advance up to which rank of the tournament G to distribute the advertisement AD[p]. For example, when only the top-ranked tournament G is specified, the participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4] of the tournament G[j1] become the candidate terminal devices TAa[p]. Also, when tournaments G up to the second rank are specified, the participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4] of the tournament G[j1] and the participating terminal devices TCg[j2][1] to TCg[j2][4] of the tournament G[j2] become the candidate terminal devices TAa[p].

[0301] <Selection method 2-2: Using the absolute number of participating terminal devices TCg located in the distribution area Za[p]> Selection method 2-2 is a method of setting a threshold for the number of terminal devices T located in the distribution area Za[p] and distributing the advertisement AD[p] to the tournament G in which terminal devices T equal to or more than the threshold participate. In the example of FIG. 30, for example, when the threshold is set to "4", the participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4] of the tournament G[j1] become the candidate terminal devices TAa[p], and when the threshold is set to "3", the participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4] of the tournament G[j1] and the participating terminal devices TCg[j2] of the tournament G[j2][1] to TCg[j2][4] become the candidate terminal devices TAa[p].

[0302] That is, in selection method 2-1 and setting example 2-2, the second specifying unit 334 determines whether to specify the participating terminal devices TCg[j] of the tournament G as the candidate terminal devices TAa[p] based on the number of participating terminal devices TCg[j] participating in the tournament G among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M] and the number of in-area terminal devices TFa[p] that are terminal devices T at positions corresponding to the distribution area Za[p] on the fourth map information DBm4 among the participating terminal devices TCg[j] of the tournament G.

[0303] <Selection method 2-3: Using the ratio of in-area terminal devices TFa[p] in the participating terminal devices TCg of the tournament G> The selection method 3 is a method of distributing the advertisement AD[p] to all the participating terminal devices TCg of the convention G when a predetermined ratio or more of the participating terminal devices TCg of the convention G are located in the distribution area Za[p]. The advertiser user UEa[p] can adjust the value of the predetermined ratio in advance. For example, if the predetermined ratio is "50%", the participating terminal devices TCg of the convention G in which more than half of the participating terminal devices TCg are located in the distribution area Za[p] are regarded as the candidate terminal devices TAa[p] for the advertisement AD[p].

[0304] Applying to the example of FIG. 30, all of the four participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4] of the convention G[j1] are located in the distribution area Za[p], and the ratio of the participating terminal devices TCg[j1] located in the distribution area Za[p] is 100% (≥50%). Therefore, the advertisement server SV2 regards the participating terminal device TCg[j1] as the candidate terminal device TAa[p]. Among the participating terminal devices TCg[j2][1] to TCg[j2][4] of the convention G[j2], three of them are located in the distribution area Za[p], and the ratio of the participating terminal devices TCg[j2] located in the distribution area Za[p] is 75% (≥50%). Therefore, the advertisement server SV2 also regards the participating terminal device TCg[j2] as the candidate terminal device TAa[p]. On the other hand, among the participating terminal devices TCg[j3][1] to TCg[j3][4] of the convention G[j3], only one of them is located in the distribution area Za[p], and the ratio of the participating terminal devices TCg[j3] located in the distribution area Za[p] is 25% (<50%). Therefore, the advertisement server SV2 does not regard the participating terminal device TCg[j3] as the candidate terminal device TAa[p].

[0305] That is, in the selection method 2-3, the second specifying unit 334 specifies the participating terminal devices TCg of the convention G as the candidate terminal devices TAa[p] when the in-area terminal devices TFa[p] among the participating terminal devices TCg of the convention G are equal to or more than a predetermined ratio, and does not specify the participating terminal devices TCg of the convention G as the candidate terminal devices TAa[p] when the in-area terminal devices TFa[p] among the participating terminal devices TCg of the convention G are less than the predetermined ratio.

[0306] Also, when the above-mentioned predetermined ratio is set to "100%", all participating terminal devices TCg will distribute the advertisement AD[p] only to the convention G located within the distribution area Za[p]. That is, the second specifying unit 334 specifies, as the candidate terminal device TAa[p], the terminal device T at the position corresponding to the distribution area Za[p] on the fourth map information DBm4 among the participating terminal devices TCg of the convention G. For example, in the example of FIG. 30, only the participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4] of the convention G[j1] become the candidate terminal devices TAa[p]. As a result, among the terminal devices T located within the distribution area Za[p], the advertisement AD[p] can be distributed to the terminal devices T that are more closely related (a group of terminal devices T having a positional connection + a personal connection of participating in the same convention G).

[0307] <Relationship between the distribution area Za[p] of the advertisement AD[p] and the designated area Zg[j] of the convention G[j]> As shown in the first embodiment, each convention G is held by designating an area specified by the host user UEg. For example, as shown in FIG. 31, when the designated area Zg[j3] of the convention G[j3] is specified by the area specifying figure Fg[j3], if none of the participating terminal devices TCg[j3] is located in the overlapping area Zc[p−j3] with the distribution area Za[p] of the advertisement AD[p], the advertisement AD[p] is not distributed to the participating terminal devices TCg[j3] of the convention G[j3]. Conversely, since the participating terminal device TCg[j3][1] indicated by the icon Hn3-1 is located in the overlapping area Zc[p−j3], the other participating terminal devices TCg[j3][2] to TCg[j3][4] indicated by the icons Hn3-2 to Hn3-4 can also become the candidate terminal devices TAa[p].

[0308] That is, the second specifying unit 334 identifies the participating terminal devices TCg[j3][1] to TCg[j3][4] of the convention G[j3] as the terminal devices T at positions corresponding to the designated area Zg[j3] on the fifth partial map MPd5. At least a part (overlapping area Zc[p−j3]) of the designated area Zg[j3] overlaps with the distribution area Za[p]. When any of the participating terminal devices TCg[j3] (participating terminal device TCg[j3][1] in FIG. 31) is located in the overlapping area Zc[p−j3] where the distribution area Za[p] and the designated area Zg[j3] overlap, the jointly participating terminal devices THg[j3] (participating terminal devices TCg[j3][2] to TCg[j3][4] in FIG. 31) are specified as the candidate terminal devices TAa[p]. The distribution area Za[p] is an example of the "first area", and the designated area Zg[j2] is an example of the "second area".

[0309] Note that the above selection methods 1 to 2-3 are also applicable when the designated area Zg is not specified in the convention G, that is, when the position of the terminal device T is not specified as a participation condition for the convention G.

[0310] [C-3: When the participation request Dg for the convention G has not expired] FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of the distribution of the designated area Zg of the convention G and the distribution areas Za of the advertisements AD. FIG. 32 shows the sixth partial map MPd6, the area indicating the designated area Zg[j] of the convention G[j], and the area specifying figures Fa[p1] to Fa[p3] specifying the distribution areas Za[p1] to Za[p3] of the advertisements AD[p1] to [p3]. The sixth partial map MPd6 is a part of the fourth map information DBm4 stored in the storage unit 320 of the advertisement server SV2.

[0311] For the convention G[j], the acceptance of the participation request Dg[j] has not expired, and the number and positions of the participating terminal devices TCg[j] are not determined. The designated area Zg[j] of the convention G[j] can be obtained, for example, by the second specifying unit 334 of the advertisement server SV2 referring to the room management database DBl recorded in the game server SV1.

[0312] Among advertisements AD[p1] to AD[p3], the delivery area Za[p3] of advertisement AD[p3] does not overlap with the designated area Zg[j] of event G[j]. Therefore, advertisement AD[p3] is not delivered to the participating terminal devices TCg[j] of event G[j].

[0313] Hereinafter, a method for specifying which of advertisements AD[p1] and AD[p2] to deliver to the participating terminal devices TCg[j] of event G[j] will be described. Which of the following selection methods 3 to 4-2 to adopt may be determined by, for example, the advertiser user UEa[p], or may be determined by the advertisement server SV2.

[0314] <Selection Method 3: Deliver all advertisements AD whose delivery area Za overlaps with the designated area Zg[j] of event G[j]> The delivery areas Za[p1] of advertisement AD[p1] and Za[p2] of advertisement AD[p2] overlap with the designated area Zg[j] of event G[j]. Therefore, as selection method 3, the advertisement server SV2 delivers both advertisement AD[p1] and AD[p2] to the participating terminal devices TCg[j] of event G[j]. Delivering two advertisements AD[p1] and AD[p2] means that, for example, when there are two or more advertisement frames AF output on the game screen GS of event G[j], advertisements AD[p1] and AD[p2] may be output to these advertisement frames AF simultaneously, or when there is one advertisement frame AF, advertisements AD[p1] and AD[p2] may be switched and displayed at predetermined time intervals.

[0315] On the other hand, when there is one advertisement frame AF output on the game screen GS of event G[j] and it is difficult to switch and display advertisements AD[p1] and AD[p2], it is necessary to select which of advertisements AD[p1] and AD[p2] to display in the advertisement frame AF. In this case, for example, there is also a method of randomly determining the advertisement AD to be displayed. However, for example, the advertisement AD to be displayed at event G[j] may be selected according to the following selection method 4-1 or 4-2. Which of the following selection methods 4-1 or 4-2 to adopt may be determined by, for example, the advertiser user UEa[p], or may be determined by the advertisement server SV2.

[0316] <Selection Method 4-1: Comparing the Overlap Area E between the Delivery Area Za and the Designated Area Zg> Selection method 4-1 compares the overlap area E[p1-j] (not shown in the figure), which is the area of the overlapping area Zc[p1-j] between the delivery area Za[p1] and the designated area Zg[j], with the overlap area E[p2-j] (not shown in the figure), which is the area of the overlapping area Zc[p2-j] between the delivery area Za[p2] and the designated area Zg[j], and distributes the advertisement AD with the larger overlap area E to the participating terminal device TCg[j]. Taking Fig. 32 as an example, the overlap area E[p1-j] between the delivery area Za[p1] and the designated area Zg[j] is larger than the overlap area E[p2-j] between the delivery area Za[p2] and the designated area Zg[j]. Therefore, according to method 4-1, the advertisement AD[p1] is distributed to the participating terminal device TCg[p] of the event G[j].

[0317] <Selection Method 4-2: Comparing the Ratio of the Overlap Area Zc to the Delivery Area Za> Selection method 4-2 is a method of comparing the ratio of the area of the overlapping area Zc to the area of the delivery area Za and distributing the advertisement AD to the participating terminal device TCg of the event G with the larger ratio of the area of the overlapping area Zc. Taking Fig. 32 as an example, the area of the overlapping area Zc[p1-j] (overlap area E[p1-j]) between the delivery area Za[p1] and the designated area Zg[j] can be estimated to be less than half of the area of the delivery area Za[p1]. On the other hand, the area of the overlapping area Zc[p2-j] (overlap area E[p2-j]) between the delivery area Za[p2] and the designated area Zg[j] can be estimated to be more than half of the area of the delivery area Za[p2]. That is, the ratio of the overlapping area Zc[p2-j] to the delivery area Za[p2] is larger than the ratio of the overlapping area Zc[p1-j] to the delivery area Za[p1]. Therefore, according to method 4-2, the advertisement [p2] is distributed to the participating terminal device TCg[p] of the event G[j].

[0318] That is, in the above selection methods 4-1 and 4-2, the second specific part 334 determines whether or not to specify the participating terminal device TCg of the event G as the candidate terminal device TAa based on the degree of overlap between the distribution area Za[p] of the advertisement AD[p] and the designated area Zg on the map corresponding to the position of the participating terminal device TCg of the event G among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. The "degree of overlap" is the value of the area of the overlapping area Fc in the selection method 4-1, and is the ratio of the area of the overlapping area Fc to the distribution area Za in the selection method 4-2.

[0319] Also, the degree of overlap between the first area and the second area may be, for example, the area of the region where the first area and the second area overlap (hereinafter referred to as "overlap area"), or the ratio of the overlap area to the area of the first area, or the ratio of the overlap area to the area of the second area.

[0320] [C-4: Summary of the Third Embodiment] As described above, in the advertisement system 3 according to the third embodiment, the advertisement AD[p] is output within the game screen GS of the event G[j] in which the candidate terminal device TAa[p] participates. Thereby, for example, compared with distributing the advertisement AD[p] during normal times when it is not the event G[j], the possibility that the content of the advertisement AD[p] remains in the memory of the candidate user UAa[p] who has received the distribution of the advertisement AD[p] is increased, which is advantageous in increasing the effect of the advertisement AD[p].

[0321] Also, in the advertisement system 3 according to the third embodiment, the advertisement server SV2 specifies the in-region terminal device TFa[p] and the co-participating terminal device THg[j] that participates in the event G[j] together with the in-region terminal device TFa[p] as the candidate terminal device TAa[p]. Therefore, the same advertisement AD[p] is distributed to the terminal devices T that participate in the same event G[j]. Thereby, it becomes easier for exchanges regarding the advertisement AD[g] to occur among users, which is advantageous in increasing the effect of the advertisement AD[g].

[0322] [D: Supplementary Note] From the above description, the present invention can be understood as follows. For ease of understanding of each aspect, reference numerals in the drawings are appended in parentheses for convenience below, but the present invention is not intended to be limited to the illustrated aspects.

[0323] [Appendix 1-1] A program according to an aspect of the present invention causes a processor (e.g., processor 23) to manage the positions of a plurality of terminal devices (e.g., terminal devices T[1] to T[M]) in the real space (e.g., real space RS) in association with positions on a map (e.g., first map information DBm1), a reception unit (e.g., first reception unit 234) that receives first designation information (e.g., figure designation information Sg[j1]) for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure (e.g., area specific figure Fg[j1]) for specifying a first area (e.g., designated area Zg) on the map, and based on the first designation information, a specifying unit (e.g., first specifying unit 236) that specifies a terminal device (e.g., in-area terminal device TFg[j1]) at a position corresponding to the first area on the map among the plurality of terminal devices as a first candidate terminal device (e.g., candidate terminal device TAg[j1]) that is a candidate for a terminal device participating in a first event (e.g., tournament G[j1]) related to the game, and functions as such.

[0324] In this aspect, the specific unit identifies a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device to participate in a first event related to a game based on first designation information that designates at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for identifying a first area on a map. Thereby, a person who designates the first area (hereinafter referred to as the "area designer") can designate the first area simply and accurately as compared with the case of designating the first area by designating a place name such as an administrative division. For example, when the area designer wants to designate an area including a plurality of administrative divisions as the first area, the first area can be designated by simply designating one figure, and the first area can be designated with a simpler operation than inputting a plurality of place names (administrative division names). Further, when the area designer wants to designate only a partial area of a certain administrative division as the first area, the first area can be designated as intended by the area designer. Further, even when the area designer does not know the surrounding place names or the positions of the areas represented by the place names, the first area can be designated.

[0325] In the above aspect, the "terminal device" may be an information processing device used by a user to play a game, or may be an information processing device used to utilize information on the Internet. The terminal device may be, for example, a portable information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a portable game device, or may be a business-use game device installed in a store, a play facility, etc., or a stationary information processing terminal such as a desktop personal computer.

[0326] In the above aspect, the "position of the terminal device in the real space" may be, for example, the current position of the terminal device or a position registered in advance as the position of the terminal device. The position may be specified by information such as latitude and longitude, lot number, address notation, etc. The current position may be, for example, the position of the terminal device specified by GPS or the position of the base station with which the terminal device communicates. The position registered in advance may be, for example, a position registered by the user of the terminal device designating information indicating a position such as an address or latitude and longitude. For example, when the terminal device is a stationary information processing terminal, the user may register the location where the information processing device is placed as the position of the terminal device. Also, for example, when the terminal device is a portable information processing terminal, the user may register, as the position of the terminal device, a place where the user stays with the terminal device for a long time or a place where the user frequently plays games using the terminal device, specifically, home, workplace, school, etc. Also, the position registered in advance may be, for example, a position registered by the terminal device designating information indicating a position such as an address or latitude and longitude. The terminal device may, for example, detect its own current position at all times or at predetermined time intervals, and designate, as its own position, a position where the detection frequency is higher than a predetermined frequency (or a position where the cumulative detection time is longer than a predetermined time).

[0327] In the above aspect, the "map" may be, for example, a diagram representing the terrain in the real space at a predetermined scale. The map may include information capable of specifying a position in the real space, and based on this information, the position in the real space and the position on the map may be associable. Information capable of specifying a position in the real space may be, for example, latitude and longitude, lot number, address notation, etc. The range included in the map may be, for example, a range including the position of the device designating the first specified information. Also, the scale of the map may be variable or fixed. Also, characters such as country names, prefecture names, city names, facility names, etc. may be superimposed on the map, or the map may include the boundary lines of administrative divisions such as countries, prefectures, cities, etc.

[0328] In the above aspect, the "first region" may be, for example, a region that overlaps with a first figure when the first figure is superimposed on a map, or a region that is located inside the first figure.

[0329] In the above aspect, the "figure" may be, for example, a diagram that designates a closed region whose outer edge is defined by a straight line or a curve. The figure may be, for example, a geometrically defined shape such as a circle or a polygon, or a shape without a rule that a user draws freely by hand.

[0330] In the above aspect, the "shape of the figure" may be, for example, the geometric arrangement of straight lines or curves that define the outer edge of the figure. When the shape of the figure is uniquely determined such as a perfect circle or a regular polygon, it may be the name indicating the shape (such as the above "perfect circle" and "regular hexagon").

[0331] In the above aspect, the "size of the figure" may be, for example, a parameter that defines the area of the closed region constituted by the figure, or the length of the line that defines the outer edge of the figure, or the radius when the figure is a circle. The size of the figure may be, for example, the relative size of the figure with respect to the map.

[0332] In the above aspect, the "terminal device at the position corresponding to the first region on the map" may be, for example, a terminal device whose position managed by the management unit is located inside the first region.

[0333] In the above aspect, the "game" may be, for example, a game (a battle game) in which a plurality of terminal devices play against each other in a match or the like to determine a win / loss or a rank, or a game in which a plurality of terminal devices cooperate with each other to play against a group of other terminal devices to determine a win / loss or a rank, or a game (a cooperative game) in which a plurality of terminal devices cooperate with each other to clear a mission in the game.

[0334] In the above aspect, the "event related to the game" may be, for example, a battle such as a match in the game, or a mission to be cleared.

[0335] In the above aspect, "participating in an event" may, for example, be to enable acceptance of an operation related to the event from a user of the terminal device, or may be to enable display of the progress of the event on the display screen of the terminal device.

[0336] In the above aspect, the "candidate terminal device" may be, for example, a terminal device that may perform a predetermined process. The predetermined process may be, for example, participation in an event related to a game or output of an advertisement. The candidate terminal device may be one or a plurality. Also, when there is no terminal device located in the first region, the candidate terminal device may not be specified.

[0337] [Appendix 1-2] The program according to another aspect of the present invention is such that the reception unit receives the first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of the first figure so that the first region includes a position on the map corresponding to the position of the first terminal device (for example, the host terminal device TEg[j1]) in the real space, where the first region is a terminal device that participates in the first event among the plurality of terminal devices and generates the first designation information.

[0338] In this aspect, the reception unit receives the first designation information so that the first region is set in a range including the position of the first terminal device itself. Thereby, the operation burden when the region specifier designates the first region including the position of the first terminal device can be reduced. Also, it is possible to prevent the region specifier from erroneously designating a region away from the position of the first terminal device as the first region.

[0339] [Appendix 1-3] A program according to another aspect of the present invention further functions as a permission unit that permits the processor to issue a first participation request (e.g., participation request Dg[j1]) indicating that the one terminal device (e.g., candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k]) participates in the first event when the one terminal device is specified as the first candidate terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices.

[0340] In this aspect, the permission unit permits the one terminal device to issue a participation request for the first event when the one terminal device is specified as the first candidate terminal device. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a terminal device not included in the first candidate terminal device from participating in the first event.

[0341] In the above aspect, "permitting the issuance of the first participation request" may mean, for example, performing control to display an interface for issuing a participation request for a game on the display unit of the one terminal device, and immediately permitting participation in the game when a participation request is made. Further, "permitting the issuance of the first participation request" may mean, for example, displaying the above interface on the display unit of the one terminal device regardless of whether the one terminal device is specified as the first candidate terminal device, but not permitting participation in the game when the one terminal device is not specified as the first candidate terminal device, and permitting participation in the game when the one terminal device is specified as the first candidate terminal device.

[0342] [Appendix 1-4] A program according to another aspect of the present invention further causes the processor to function as an acquisition unit (for example, acquisition unit 238) that acquires a request related to the game from the one terminal device. The reception unit receives second designation information (for example, graphic designation information Sg[j2]) that designates at least one of the shape or size of a second graphic (for example, region specification graphic Fg[j2]) for specifying a second region (for example, designated region Zg[j2]) on the map. The specification unit specifies, based on the second designation information, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the second region on the map among the plurality of terminals as a second candidate terminal device (for example, candidate terminal device TAg[j2]) that is a candidate for a terminal device that participates in a second event (for example, tournament G[j2]) related to the game. The permission unit permits the one terminal device to make a second participation request (for example, participation request Dg[j2]) indicating that the one terminal device participates in the second event when the one terminal device is specified as the second candidate terminal device. The acquisition unit acquires selection result information indicating that one participation request has been selected from among a plurality of participation requests including the first participation request and the second participation request from the one terminal device when the one terminal device is specified as the first candidate terminal device and is also specified as the second candidate terminal device.

[0343] In this aspect, the acquisition unit acquires selection result information indicating which of the participation request for the first event or the participation request for the second event is to be selected from a single terminal device that is the first candidate terminal device for the first event and the second candidate terminal device for the second event. Thereby, the acquisition unit can acquire information indicating which event participation has been selected when a single terminal device is a candidate terminal device for two or more events.

[0344] [Appendix 1-5] A program according to another aspect of the present invention further causes the processor to function as a supply unit (for example, supply unit 239) that supplies first event information (for example, invitation information N[j1]) related to the first event to one terminal device when one terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices is specified as the first candidate terminal device.

[0345] In this aspect, the supply unit supplies first event information related to the first event to one terminal device that is the first candidate terminal device. Thereby, the user of the one terminal device can obtain a basis for determining whether to participate in the first event, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0346] In the above aspect, the "first event information" may be, for example, information indicating the characteristics of the first event, or information for distinguishing the first event from other events. The first event information may be, for example, first display information for displaying a map and a first graphic on a display unit provided corresponding to one terminal device, or first transmission information regarding a message from the user who hosts the first event to the user of the first candidate terminal device, or first user information regarding the user who hosts the first event.

[0347] Also, the first event information may be information indicating the number of terminal devices that can participate in the first event, or may be information indicating the remaining time of the reception period when a reception period for a participation request to the first event is set. Here, the information indicating the number of terminal devices that can participate in the first event may be, for example, information indicating the total number of terminal devices that can participate in the first event, or information indicating the remaining number of terminal devices that can participate at the current time.

[0348] [Appendix 1-6] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is such that the supply unit supplies, as the first event information, first display information for displaying the map and the first figure to the one terminal device on a display unit (for example, touch panel 12) provided corresponding to the one terminal device.

[0349] In this aspect, the supply unit supplies, as the first event information, first display information for displaying a map and a first figure. As a result, the user of the one terminal device can obtain information on the area designated as the position of the participating terminal device in the first event as a material for determining whether or not to participate in the first event, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0350] In the above aspect, the "display unit provided corresponding to the one terminal device" may be a display unit provided in the one terminal device, a display unit connected to the one terminal device, or a display unit provided in another terminal device connected to the one terminal device.

[0351] [Appendix 1-7] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is such that the supply unit obtains, as the first event information, first transmission information regarding a message from the user (for example, host user UEg[j1]) of the information processing device (for example, host terminal device TEg[j1]) that generates the first designation information to the user (for example, candidate user UAg[j1]) of the first candidate terminal device, and supplies the obtained first transmission information to the one terminal device.

[0352] In this aspect, the supply unit supplies, as the first event information, first transmission information regarding a message from the user of the information processing device that generates the first specified information to the user of the first candidate terminal device. As a result, the user of the first candidate terminal device can obtain, as a basis for determining whether to participate in the first event, the message from the user of the information processing device that generates the first specified information, that is, the organizer of the first event, and the convenience of the user of the first candidate terminal device can be improved. After confirmation, the user can determine whether to participate in the first event, and the convenience of the user of the candidate terminal device can be improved. Also, the user of the information processing device that generates the first specified information can also transmit message information to the user of the candidate terminal device, which is advantageous for gathering participants in line with the purpose of the event.

[0353] In the above aspect, the "information processing device that generates the first specified information" may be, for example, one of a plurality of terminal devices, a server device, or an information processing device other than a terminal device and a server device.

[0354] In the above aspect, the "first transmission information regarding the message" is information including matters that the user of the information processing device that generates the first specified information wants to convey to the user of the first candidate terminal device, and may be, for example, text information, image information, or audio information (user's voice or music).

[0355] [Appendix 1-8] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is such that the supply unit supplies, as the first event information, user information regarding the user of the information processing device that generates the first specified information to the one terminal device.

[0356] In this aspect, the supply unit supplies, as first event information, user information regarding the user of the information processing apparatus that generates the first specified information. As a result, the user of the candidate terminal device can obtain the profile of the user of the information processing apparatus that generates the first specified information, which is the organizer of the event, as a material for determining whether to participate in the first event, and the convenience of the user of one terminal device can be improved.

[0357] In the above aspect, the "first user information" may be, for example, information associated with the identification information of the user of the information processing apparatus. The first user information may be, for example, the current position of the information processing apparatus, the pre-registered position of the information processing apparatus, the personal information (user name, affiliation, etc.) of the user of the information processing apparatus, or the game result information in the game that the user of the information processing apparatus participated in the past.

[0358] [Appendix 1-9] The program according to another aspect of the present invention further functions the processor as a reference unit (for example, reference unit 240) that refers to user relationship information indicating the relationship between the user of the one terminal device and the users of other terminal devices among the plurality of terminal devices in a predetermined service. When the relationship information indicates that there is a specific relationship user (for example, specific relationship user US) who shows a specific relationship with the user of the one terminal device among the users of the first candidate terminal device, the supply unit supplies, as the first event information, the specific relationship user information regarding the specific relationship user to the one terminal device.

[0359] In this aspect, the supply unit supplies the specific relationship user information regarding the specific relationship user of the user of one terminal device. As a result, the user of one terminal device can obtain the specific relationship user information regarding the specific relationship user as a material for determining whether to participate in the event, and the convenience of the user of one terminal device can be improved.

[0360] In the above aspect, the "predetermined service" may be, for example, a service that enables communication between a user of one terminal device and a user of another terminal device. The predetermined service may be, for example, a service that enables communication between users by a game operator, or a service operated by someone other than the game operator, such as a social networking service.

[0361] In the above aspect, the "specific relationship" may be, for example, being recognized as a friend indicating that users recognize each other on a predetermined service, or one user following another user on a predetermined service.

[0362] In the above aspect, the "specific relationship user information" may be, for example, the current location of the terminal device held by the specific relationship user, or the pre-registered location of the terminal device held by the specific relationship user, or the personal information (user name, affiliation, etc.) of the specific relationship user, or the game result information in a game that the specific relationship user participated in the past.

[0363] [Appendix 1-10] A program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a processor to function as a management unit that manages the position of a terminal device in the real space in association with a position on a map, a reception unit that receives first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area related to an event related to a game in the map, and a determination unit (for example, the first specifying unit 236) that determines whether or not the event is an event related to the terminal device based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information.

[0364] In this aspect, the determination unit determines, based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first specified information, whether an event corresponding to the first specified information is an event related to the terminal device. In this case, the processor performs the above determination by collating the first specified information with the position of one terminal device. As a comparison mode for this, for example, when identifying a candidate (candidate terminal device) of a terminal device that participates in an event corresponding to the first specified information from among a plurality of terminal devices, in this case, the processor needs to collate the first specified information with the positions of each of the plurality of terminal devices. Therefore, according to this aspect, compared with the comparison mode, the number of terminal devices to be the target of the collation process can be reduced, and the processing load on the processor can be reduced.

[0365] In the above aspect, the "event related to the terminal device" may be, for example, an event in which the terminal device can participate. An event in which the terminal device can participate may be, for example, an event in which a first area specified by the first specified information corresponding to the event includes the position of the terminal device on the map.

[0366] [Appendix 1-11] A server device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages the position of each of a plurality of terminal devices in the real space in association with the position on the map, a reception unit that receives first specified information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map, and a specifying unit that, based on the first specified information, specifies a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map among the plurality of terminal devices as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device that participates in a first event related to a game.

[0367] [Appendix 1-12] A server device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages the position of a terminal device in the real space in association with a position on a map, and a reception unit that receives first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area related to an event related to a game in the map, and a determination unit that determines whether or not the event is an event related to the terminal device based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information.

[0368] [Appendix 1-13] A system according to another aspect of the present invention is a system for specifying a terminal device that participates in an event related to a game among a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with a server device, and includes a management unit that manages the position of each of the plurality of terminal devices in the real space in association with a position on a map, a reception unit that receives first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map, and a specifying unit that specifies, based on the first designation information, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map among the plurality of terminal devices as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device that participates in a first event related to the game.

[0369] [Appendix 1-14] A system according to another aspect of the present invention is a system for determining an event related to a terminal device capable of communicating with a server device, and includes a management unit that manages the position of the terminal device in the real space in association with a position on a map, a reception unit that receives first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area related to an event related to a game in the map, and a determination unit that determines whether or not the event is an event related to the terminal device based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information.

[0370] [Appendix 1-15] An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a processor that manages the position of each of the plurality of terminal devices in the real space in association with a position on a map, receives first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first region on the map, and based on the first designation information, specifies, as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device participating in a first event related to a game, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first region on the map among the plurality of terminal devices.

[0371] [Appendix 1-16] An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a processor that manages the position of a terminal device in the real space in association with a position on a map, receives first designation information for specifying at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first region related to an event related to a game on the map, and determines whether the event is an event related to the terminal device based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information.

[0372] [Appendix 2-1] A program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a processor (for example, processor 33) to function as a management unit (for example, second position management unit 332) that manages the position of each of the plurality of terminal devices in the real space in association with a position on a map (for example, fourth map information DBm4), a reception unit (for example, second reception unit 333) that receives designation information (figure designation information Sa[j]) for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure (for example, region specification figure Fa[p]) for specifying a first region (for example, distribution region Za[p]) on the map, and a specification unit (for example, second specification unit 334) that, based on the designation information, specifies, as a candidate terminal device (for example, candidate terminal device TAa[p]) that is a candidate for a terminal device that distributes an advertisement (for example, advertisement AD[p]), a terminal device (for example, in-region terminal device TFa[p]) related to the first region on the map among the plurality of terminal devices.

[0373] In this aspect, the specific part identifies a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device that distributes an advertisement based on first specification information that specifies at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for identifying a first area on a map. Thereby, the area specifier can specify the first area simply and accurately as compared with the case of specifying the first area by specifying a place name such as an administrative division. For example, when the area specifier wants to specify an area including a plurality of administrative divisions as the first area, the first area can be specified by simply specifying one figure, and the first area can be specified by a simpler operation than inputting a plurality of place names (administrative division names). Further, when the area specifier wants to specify only a partial area of a certain administrative division as the first area, the first area can be specified as intended by the area specifier. Further, even when the area specifier does not know the surrounding place names or the positions of the areas represented by the place names, the first area can be specified.

[0374] In the above aspect, the "terminal device at a position related to the first area" may be, for example, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map (hereinafter referred to as "intra-area terminal device"). The intra-area terminal device may be, for example, a terminal device whose position managed by the management unit is located within the first area. Further, the terminal device related to the first area may be, for example, a terminal device related to the intra-area terminal device. The terminal device related to the intra-area terminal device may be, for example, a terminal device that participates in a game together with the intra-area terminal device when the terminal device is an information processing device used for a user to play a game.

[0375] In the above aspect, the "advertisement" may be displayed and output as text, may be displayed and output as an image (still image or moving image), or may be output as audio. Further, when the terminal device is an information processing device used for a user to play a game, the advertisement may be output within a game space developed in the game, or when the terminal device is an information processing device used for using information on the Internet, the advertisement may be output together with the information on the Internet.

[0376] [Appendix 2-2] A program according to another aspect of the present invention further causes the processor to function as a terminal number output unit (for example, reference information output unit 335) that outputs information indicating the number of candidate terminal devices (for example, reference information IF[p]) when the reception unit receives the specified information.

[0377] In this aspect, the terminal number output unit outputs the number of candidate terminal devices specified by the specified information corresponding to the first figure. As a result, the area specifier can grasp the number of terminal devices to which the advertisement may be distributed, and can obtain a basis for determining whether the current first figure designates an appropriate area.

[0378] In the above aspect, the "number of candidate terminal devices" may be, for example, the total number of candidate terminal devices, or the number of terminal devices to which advertisements are currently distributed among the candidate terminal devices. The terminal devices to which advertisements are currently distributed may be, for example, the number of terminal devices in which a specific application is currently running when advertisements are distributed when a specific application is launched in the terminal device. Further, the number of candidate terminal devices may be the number of terminal devices to which advertisements are distributed, estimated based on past advertisement distribution records.

[0379] [Appendix 2-3] A program according to another aspect of the present invention further causes the processor to function as a consideration output unit (for example, reference information output unit 335) that outputs information regarding the consideration for the distribution of the advertisement to the candidate terminal device (for example, reference information IF[p]) when the reception unit receives the specified information.

[0380] In this aspect, the consideration output unit outputs information regarding the consideration when an advertisement is distributed to a candidate terminal device specified by the specified information corresponding to the first figure. As a result, the area specifier can grasp the consideration to be paid when the advertisement is distributed, and can obtain a basis for determining whether the current first figure designates an appropriate area.

[0381] In the above aspect, the "consideration for advertisement distribution" may be, for example, the consideration when advertisements are distributed to all of the destination terminal devices, or the consideration for advertisement distribution to the terminal devices to which advertisements can be distributed at the current time, or the consideration for advertisement distribution to the estimated number of terminal devices based on the past record of advertisement distribution. The consideration for advertisement distribution may be, for example, an advertising fee.

[0382] [Appendix 2-4] The program according to another aspect of the present invention is such that the candidate terminal device is a terminal device that participates in an event related to a game, and the advertisement is output within a game screen (for example, game screen GS) developed in the event in which the candidate terminal device participates.

[0383] In this aspect, the advertisement is output within the game screen of the event in which the candidate terminal device participates. Thereby, for example, as compared with distributing advertisements during the execution of the game at the time of non-event, the possibility that the content of the advertisement remains in the memory of the user of the candidate terminal device is increased, which is advantageous in increasing the effect of the advertisement.

[0384] [Appendix 2-5] The program according to another aspect of the present invention is such that the specific part specifies, as the candidate terminal device, an in-region terminal device (for example, candidate terminal device TAg[j2][2]) that is a terminal device that participates in an event related to a game and is a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first region on the map among the plurality of terminal devices, and a co-participating terminal device (for example, candidate terminal device TAg[j2][4]) that is a terminal device that participates in the game together with the in-region terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices.

[0385] In this aspect, the specific part specifies, as the candidate terminal device, an in-region terminal device and a co-participating terminal device that participates in the event together with the in-region terminal device. Therefore, the same advertisement is distributed to the terminal devices that participate in the same event. Thereby, it becomes easier for exchanges regarding the advertisement to occur among users, which is advantageous in increasing the effect of the advertisement.

[0386] In the above aspect, the "co-participating terminal device" may be a terminal device located in a second area on a map that at least partially overlaps with the first area. In this case, the in-area terminal device may be located in an overlapping area where the first area and the second area overlap. The second area may be specified on the map by a second figure in which at least one of the shape or size is specified by any one of the plurality of terminal devices.

[0387] [Appendix 2-6] In the program according to another aspect of the present invention, when the specific part is such that the co-participating terminal device is a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map, the co-participating terminal device is specified as the candidate terminal device.

[0388] In this aspect, the specific part specifies as a candidate terminal device when the co-participating terminal device that participates in the event together with the in-area terminal device is located in the first area. Therefore, the same advertisement is delivered to terminal devices that are located in the first area and participate in the same event. As a result, it is possible to deliver the same advertisement to users who have a positional connection of being located in the first area and a human connection of participating in the same event, which is advantageous for increasing the effect of the advertisement.

[0389] [Appendix 2-7] In the program according to another aspect of the present invention, the specific part is such that the terminal device participating in the event is a terminal device at a position corresponding to the second area on the map, at least a part of the second area overlaps with the first area, and when the in-area terminal device is located in an overlapping area where the first area and the second area overlap, the co-participating terminal device is specified as the candidate terminal device.

[0390] In this aspect, the specific unit limits participation in the event to the terminal devices located in the second area. When the in-area terminal device is located in the overlapping area of the first area and the second area, the co-participating terminal device that participates in the event together with the in-area terminal device is specified as the candidate terminal device. Therefore, the terminal device that is closely related to the in-area terminal device and is located in the neighboring area that at least touches the first area is specified as the candidate terminal device. As a result, the same advertisement can be delivered to users who have a positional connection of being located around the first area and a human connection of participating in the same event, which is advantageous for increasing the effectiveness of the advertisement.

[0391] [Appendix 2-8] The program according to another aspect of the present invention is such that the specific unit determines whether to specify the terminal device participating in the event as the candidate terminal device based on the number of terminal devices participating in the event among the plurality of terminal devices and the number of in-area terminal devices that are terminal devices at positions corresponding to the first area on the map among the terminal devices participating in the event.

[0392] In this aspect, the specific unit determines whether to specify the terminal device participating in the event as the candidate terminal device based on the number of terminal devices participating in the event and the number of in-area terminal devices among the terminal devices participating in the event. Thereby, when publishing an advertisement, the degree of emphasis on the positional condition of being located in the first area can be adjusted, and it is possible to easily perform advertisement publication according to the target of the advertiser.

[0393] [Appendix 2-9] The program according to another aspect of the present invention is such that the specific unit specifies the terminal device participating in the event as the candidate terminal device when the in-area terminal device among the terminal devices participating in the event is equal to or more than a predetermined ratio, and does not specify the terminal device participating in the event as the candidate terminal device when the in-area terminal device among the terminal devices participating in the event is less than the predetermined ratio.

[0394] In this aspect, when the in-region terminal devices among the terminal devices participating in the event account for a predetermined ratio or more, the specific unit specifies the terminal devices participating in the event as candidate terminal devices. Thereby, when publishing an advertisement, the degree of emphasis on the positional condition of being located in the first region can be adjusted, and advertisement publishing matching the target of the advertiser can be easily performed.

[0395] [Appendix 2-10] The program according to another aspect of the present invention is such that the specific unit determines whether to specify the terminal devices capable of participating in the event related to the game as the candidate terminal devices based on the degree of overlap between the first region (for example, the distribution region Za[p1]) and the second region (for example, the designated region Zg[j]) on the map corresponding to the positions of the terminal devices capable of participating in the event among the plurality of terminal devices.

[0396] In this aspect, the specific unit determines whether to specify the terminal devices participating in the event as candidate terminal devices based on the degree of overlap between the second region where the terminal devices participating in the event are located and the first region. Thereby, when publishing an advertisement, the degree of emphasis on the positional condition of being located in the first region can be adjusted, and advertisement publishing matching the target of the advertiser can be easily performed.

[0397] In the above aspect, the "degree of overlap between the first region and the second region" may be, for example, the area of the region where the first region and the second region overlap (hereinafter referred to as "overlap area"), or the ratio of the overlap area to the area of the first region, or the ratio of the overlap area to the area of the second region.

[0398] [Appendix 2-11] A server device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages the positions of a plurality of terminal devices in the real space in association with positions on a map, a reception unit that receives designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map, and a specification unit that, based on the designation information, specifies, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device at a position related to the first area on the map as a candidate terminal device that is a candidate for an advertisement distribution destination.

[0399] [Appendix 2-12] A system according to another aspect of the present invention is a system that displays an advertisement on a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with a server device, and includes a management unit that manages the positions of the plurality of terminal devices in the real space in association with coordinates on a map, a reception unit that receives designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map, and a specification unit that, based on the designation information, specifies, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device related to the first area on the map as a candidate terminal device that is a candidate for an advertisement distribution destination.

[0400] [Appendix 2-13] An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention manages the positions of a plurality of terminal devices in the real space in association with positions on a map, receives designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map, and specifies, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device at a position related to the first area on the map as a candidate terminal device that is a candidate for an advertisement distribution destination.

[0401] [Appendix 3] A program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a processor to function as a management unit that manages the positions of a plurality of objects related to a game in a game space in association with positions on a map indicating the game space, a reception unit that receives designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map, and a specifying unit that specifies, as candidate objects that are candidates for objects participating in a first event related to the game, objects at positions corresponding to the first area on the map among the plurality of objects.

[0402] In this aspect, the specifying unit specifies candidate objects that are candidates for objects participating in a first event related to the game based on first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area on a map indicating the game space. Thereby, a person who designates the first area (hereinafter referred to as "area designer") can specify the first area simply and accurately as compared with the case of designating the first area by designating a place name in the game space. For example, when the area designer wants to designate, as the first area, an area including a plurality of areas specified by one place name, the first area can be designated by simply designating one figure, and the first area can be designated by a simpler operation than inputting a plurality of place names. Further, when the area designer wants to designate only a part of an area specified by a certain place name as the first area, the first area can be designated as intended by the area designer. Further, even when the area designer does not know the place name in the game space or the position of the area represented by the place name, the first area can be designated.

[0403] In the above aspect, the "object" may be, for example, a character related to the game or an object related to the game. Here, the "character related to the game" may be, for example, a virtual creature capable of advancing the game. Further, the "object related to the game" may be, for example, a virtual inanimate object capable of advancing the game.

[0404] In the above aspect, the "game space" is, for example, a virtual space provided in a game, which may be a two-dimensional space or a three-dimensional space.

[0405] [Appendix 4] A program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a processor to function as a management unit that manages a plurality of attributes of each of a plurality of users related to a game in association with coordinates on a map having two or more dimensions corresponding to the plurality of attributes, a reception unit that receives first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map, and a specification unit that, based on the first designation information, specifies, among the plurality of users, users having attributes corresponding to the first area on the map as first candidate users who are candidates for users participating in a first event related to the game.

[0406] In this aspect, the specifying unit specifies candidate users who are candidates for users participating in a first event related to the game based on first designation information for designating at least one of the shape or size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map obtained by mapping users with attributes. Thereby, it is possible to gather participants having specific attributes and hold an event, and it is possible to reduce various imbalances occurring among the participants of the event.

[0407] In the above aspect, the attribute may be, for example, a characteristic of the user U himself / herself or an attribute related to the game. The characteristic of the user U himself / herself may be, for example, the gender, age, place of residence, etc. of the user U. Also, the attribute related to the game may be, for example, an attribute related to the advantage over the game or the result in the game. The attribute related to the advantage over the game may be, for example, the proficiency level in the game, the number or type of items owned, the amount of money charged for the game, etc. The proficiency level in the game may be determined by, for example, the level in the game, the total play time of the game, the total number of attempts, etc. The result in the game may be, for example, the winning rate or ranking in the game.

Description of Signs

[0408] 1…Game system, 2…Advertising system, 11, 21, 31, 41…Communication device, 12, 42…Touch panel, 13…Speaker, 14…GPS receiver, 15, 22, 32, 43…Memory, 16, 23, 33, 44…Processor, 110, 210, 310, 410…Communication section, 120, 420…Display section, 122, 422…Operation input section, 130…Audio output section, 140…Position acquisition section, 150, 220, 320, 430…Storage section, 160, 230, 330, 440…Control section 160, 231…Game progress section 231, 232…Competition management section, 233…First position management section, 234…First reception section, 235…Room management section, 236…First specifying section, 237…Permission section, 238…Acquisition section, 239…Supply section, 240…Reference section, 332…Second position management section, 333…Second reception section, 334…Second specifying section, 335…Reference information output section, 336…Advertising management section, 337…Advertising distribution section, NW…Network, SV1…Game server, SV2…Advertising server, T…Terminal device, U…User.

Claims

1. The processor, a management unit that manages the positions of each of a plurality of terminal devices in real space in association with a position on a map; a receiving unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of a shape and a size of a first figure for identifying a first area on the map; a specifying unit that specifies, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device located at a position corresponding to the first area on the map, as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device participating in a first event related to a game, based on the first specification information; The reception unit further receives a designation of a place name, the identification unit identifies a terminal device located within a range based on the first area and the place name as the first candidate terminal device; program.

2. The processor, a management unit that manages a position of the terminal device in real space in association with a position on a map; a receiving unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of a shape and a size of a first figure for identifying a first area on the map that is related to an event related to a game; a determination unit that determines whether or not the event is an event related to the terminal device based on the position on the map of the terminal device and the first specification information; The reception unit further receives a designation of a place name, the determination unit determines that the event is an event related to the terminal device when the terminal device is located in a range based on the first area and the place name; program.

3. a management unit that manages the positions of each of a plurality of terminal devices in real space in association with a position on a map; a receiving unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of a shape and a size of a first figure for identifying a first area on the map; an identification unit that identifies, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device located at a position corresponding to the first area on the map based on the first designation information, as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device participating in a first event related to a game, The reception unit further receives a designation of a place name, the identification unit identifies a terminal device located within a range based on the first area and the place name as the first candidate terminal device; Server device.

4. a management unit that manages a position of the terminal device in real space in association with a position on a map; a receiving unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of a shape and a size of a first figure for identifying a first area on the map that is related to an event related to a game; a determination unit that determines whether or not the event is an event related to the terminal device based on a position on the map of the terminal device and the first specification information, The reception unit further receives a designation of a place name, the determination unit determines that the event is an event related to the terminal device when the terminal device is located in a range based on the first area and the place name; Server device.

5. A system for identifying a terminal device that is to participate in an event related to a game from among a plurality of terminal devices that are capable of communicating with a server device, the system comprising: a management unit that manages the positions of the plurality of terminal devices in real space in association with positions on a map; a receiving unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of a shape and a size of a first figure for identifying a first area on the map; an identification unit that identifies, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device located at a position corresponding to the first area on the map based on the first designation information, as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device participating in a first event related to the game, The reception unit further receives a designation of a place name, the identification unit identifies a terminal device located within a range based on the first area and the place name as the first candidate terminal device; system.

6. A system for determining an event related to a terminal device capable of communicating with a server device, comprising: a management unit that manages a position of the terminal device in real space in association with a position on a map; a receiving unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of a shape and a size of a first figure for identifying a first area on the map that is related to an event related to a game; a determination unit that determines whether or not the event is an event related to the terminal device based on a position on the map of the terminal device and the first specification information, The reception unit further receives a designation of a place name, the determination unit determines that the event is an event related to the terminal device when the terminal device is located in a range based on the first area and the place name; system.

7. The processor: managing the positions of each of the plurality of terminal devices in real space in association with a position on a map; receiving first designation information that designates at least one of a shape and a size of a first figure for identifying a first area on the map, and a designation of a place name; identifying, based on the first designation information and the place name, a terminal device located within a range based on the first area on the map and the place name, as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device participating in a first event related to a game, among the plurality of terminal devices; Information processing methods.

8. The processor: The position of the terminal device in the real space is managed in association with a position on a map; receiving first designation information for designating at least one of a shape and a size of a first figure for identifying a first area related to an event related to a game on the map, and designation of a place name; determining whether the event is an event related to the terminal device based on the position on the map of the terminal device, the first specification information, and the place name; Information processing methods.

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