Information processing system, information processing device, information processing program, and information processing method

Abstract

To appropriately adjust a degree of difficulty of a game for imaging a specified color.SOLUTION: An information processing system outputs, to an output device, an image or a sound for giving an instruction to take an image by imaging means to a plurality of users in a first scene of a game played by the plurality of users, and then acquires color information on captured images calculated from the captured images taken by each of the plurality of users, and determines a specification color on the basis of the acquired color information. After the specification color is determined, the information processing system outputs, to the output device, an image or a sound for giving an instruction to image an object corresponding to the determined specification color to the plurality of users in a second scene after the first scene. The closer to the specification color the captured image acquired in the second scene is, the higher evaluation the captured image is given.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to games that utilize images taken by a camera. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, games that use images captured by a camera are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a game mode in which a player captures a designated color. In this game mode, the closer the color captured by the player is to the designated color, the more advantageous conditions are given to the player in the next game mode. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-111201 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a game in which a player photographs a specified color, such as the above game mode, there is a need to appropriately adjust the difficulty of the game.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to appropriately adjust the difficulty level of a game in which a player photographs a designated color. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first instruction means for outputting to an output device an image or sound instructing a plurality of users to take an image using an image capture means in a first scene of a game played by the plurality of users, a color information acquisition means for acquiring color information of the captured image calculated from the captured image taken by each of the plurality of users, an instruction color determination means for determining an instruction color based on the color information, a second instruction means for outputting to the output device an image or sound instructing the plurality of users to take a picture of an object corresponding to the instruction color in a second scene after the first scene, and an evaluation means for giving a higher evaluation to the captured image the closer the color of the captured image acquired in the second scene is to the instruction color.

[0007] The evaluation means may give a higher evaluation to the photographed image acquired in the second scene when a color at a specific position or within a specific range of the photographed image is closer to the designated color.

[0008] The evaluation means may give a higher evaluation to the photographed image acquired in the second scene when the average value of the color difference between each pixel included in a specific range of the photographed image and the instruction color is smaller.

[0009] The indicator color determination means may determine, as the indicator color, a color contained in at least one of the photographed images acquired in the first scene, or a color close to the color contained in the photographed image.

[0010] The instruction color determination means may determine the instruction color based on a probability that is based on the sum of the appearance frequencies of colors contained in each of the captured images of the multiple users acquired in the first scene.

[0011] The indication color determination means may group the colors contained in each of the captured images of the multiple users acquired in the first scene into colors that are similar to each other, and then determine the indication color based on a probability based on the sum of the occurrence frequencies.

[0012] The indicator color determining means may determine the indicator color to be a non-achromatic color.

[0013] The first instruction means may output to the output device an image or sound instructing the plurality of users to photograph an object corresponding to a predetermined color in the first scene.

[0014] The evaluation means may not allow the evaluation of the second scene to be influenced by whether or not the photographed image acquired in the first scene has a color close to the predetermined color.

[0015] The color information acquisition means may acquire color information of the captured images calculated from the captured images taken by each of the plurality of users.

[0016] The color information acquisition means may acquire color information of the captured images calculated from the captured images taken by each of the plurality of users at regular intervals.

[0017] When the second scene is repeated after the first scene, the instruction color determination means may determine, as the instruction color, a color other than at least the previous instruction color or a color other than a color close to the previous instruction color.

[0018] When the second scene is repeated after the first scene, the instruction color determination means may determine, as the instruction color, a color other than at least the instruction color used previously or a color other than a color close to the instruction color used previously.

[0019] The indicator color determining means may determine the indicator color based on color information included in the captured image previously acquired in the second scene.

[0020] The second instruction means may output to the output device an image or sound instructing all of the plurality of users to photograph an object corresponding to the same instruction color in the second scene.

[0021] The plurality of users may be located near each other in real space.

[0022] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first instruction means for outputting to an output device an image or audio instructing a plurality of users to take an image using an image capture means in a first scene of a game played by the plurality of users, a color information acquisition means for acquiring color information of the captured image calculated from the captured image taken by each of the plurality of users, an instruction color determination means for determining an instruction color based on the color information, a second instruction means for outputting to the output device an image or audio instructing the plurality of users to take a picture of an object corresponding to the instruction color in a second scene after the first scene, and an evaluation means for giving a higher evaluation to the captured image acquired in the second scene when the color of the captured image is closer to the instruction color.

[0023] An information processing program according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing program executed on a computer of an information processing device, and causes the computer to function as a first instruction means for outputting to an output device an image or audio instructing a plurality of users to take an image using an imaging means in a first scene of a game played by the plurality of users; a color information acquisition means for acquiring color information of the captured image calculated from the captured image taken by each of the plurality of users; an instruction color determination means for determining an instruction color based on the color information; a second instruction means for outputting to the output device an image or audio instructing the plurality of users to take a picture of an object corresponding to the instruction color in a second scene after the first scene; and an evaluation means for giving a higher evaluation to the captured image acquired in the second scene the closer the color of the captured image is to the instruction color.

[0024] An information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing method executed by an information processing device, and includes the steps of: in a first scene of a game played by a plurality of users, outputting to an output device an image or audio instructing the plurality of users to take an image using an imaging means; acquiring color information of the captured image calculated from the captured image taken by each of the plurality of users; determining an instruction color based on the color information; in a second scene after the first scene, outputting to the output device an image or audio instructing the plurality of users to take a picture of an object corresponding to the instruction color; and giving a higher rating to the captured image acquired in the second scene the closer the color of the captured image is to the instruction color. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, the difficulty level of the game in which the player photographs a designated color can be appropriately adjusted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing an example of an information processing device 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the volatile memory 13. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of game processing; [Figure 5] Flow diagram showing an example of tutorial processing [Figure 6] Flow diagram showing an example of a photographing process [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a pointer color determination process. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a pointer color determination process. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a main competition process; [Figure 10] Flow diagram showing an example of a photographing process DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] 1. Embodiment 1-1.Configuration An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a diagram showing an example of this information processing system. As shown in the figure, this information processing system includes a plurality of information processing devices 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d (hereinafter collectively referred to as information processing devices 1).

[0028] This information processing system allows users of multiple information processing devices 1 to play a game. Specifically, the game referred to here is a game in which players photograph a designated color. In this game, the information processing device 1a performs main processing of the game, and information is transmitted and received via communication between the information processing devices 1b, 1c, and 1d. The designated color determined by the information processing device 1a is displayed on the display 16 of the information processing device 1. Upon seeing the designated color, the users of each information processing device 1 search for colors close to the designated color in their surroundings and photograph the discovered colors with the camera 20 of the information processing device 1. The photographed image is analyzed by the information processing device 1, and color difference data indicating the difference between the color of the photographed image and the designated color is generated. Then, a score is calculated based on this color difference data. The calculated score increases as the color difference decreases. The score data indicating the calculated score is transmitted to the information processing device 1a. Data based on the image photographed by the information processing device 1a is combined with data based on the images photographed by the information processing devices 1b, 1c, and 1d and processed in the same manner. In this game, the users of the information processing devices 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d are located in close proximity to one another in real space, and transmit and receive data to and from one another via local wireless communication or the like.

[0029] One match of this color search game consists of a tutorial and three main matches. Of these, the tutorial is a game mode played to help users learn how to operate the game. In this tutorial, a predetermined instruction color is displayed on the display 16 of the information processing device 1, and each user attempts to photograph a color close to this instruction color. The photographed image is analyzed in the information processing device 1, and color difference data indicating the difference between the color of the photographed image and the instruction color is generated. Then, points are calculated based on this color difference data, and score data indicating the calculated points is transmitted to the information processing device 1a. However, the points calculated here do not affect the main match.

[0030] In this tutorial, a plurality of images are captured at predetermined intervals, separate from images captured in response to user operations. The captured images represent the user's surrounding environment. A histogram of the colors present around the user is then created based on the captured images. The created histogram data is transmitted to the information processing device 1a. The information processing device 1a receives this histogram data and determines the designated color for the main competition based on this histogram. In other words, the designated color for the main competition is determined taking into consideration the frequency distribution of the colors present around the user.

[0031] In each of the three main competitions following this tutorial, the determined instruction color is displayed on the display 16 of the information processing device 1, and each user attempts to photograph a color close to this instruction color. The photographed image is analyzed in the information processing device 1, and color difference data indicating the difference between the color of the photographed image and the instruction color is generated. Then, points are calculated based on this color difference data, and score data indicating the calculated points is transmitted to the information processing device 1a.

[0032] This color-finding game is played as a team match, and the team with the highest total score after the three main rounds will be the winner. Each device constituting this information processing system will be described below.

[0033] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the information processing device 1. As shown in the figure, the information processing device 1 includes a processor 11 such as a CPU, a nonvolatile memory 12 such as a flash memory, a volatile memory 13 such as a DRAM, a communication unit 15 for communicating via a communication line, a display 16 such as a liquid crystal display, a speaker 18, and a camera 20.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the volatile memory 13 included in the information processing device 1. As shown in the figure, a game program is loaded into the volatile memory 13 from the non-volatile memory 12 or an external storage medium. This game program is an information processing program for allowing multiple users of the information processing device 1 to play a color-finding game. This game program is a program that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet or a non-transitory storage medium. In addition, the volatile memory 13 stores participating user data, team data, histogram data, color difference data, instruction color data, individual score data, and team score data. Each piece of data stored in the volatile memory 13 will be described below.

[0035] The participating user data is the user ID of each user who participates in the color-finding game.

[0036] The team data indicates the members of each team, and specifically, is composed of a pair of the team ID of each team and the user IDs of the members.

[0037] The histogram data is a group of histogram data that represents the frequency distribution of colors present around the participating user.

[0038] The color difference data indicates the difference between the color of the image captured by the participating user and the instruction color. Specifically, the data is composed of a pair of the user ID of each participating user and the color difference of the tutorial.

[0039] The indicator color data indicates the indicator colors to be used in the three main matches. The indicator colors indicated by this indicator color data include a first indicator color to be used in the first match, a second indicator color to be used in the second match, and a third indicator color to be used in the third match.

[0040] The individual score data indicates the score of each participating user. Specifically, the individual score data includes the user ID of each participating user and the score of each of the three main matches.

[0041] The team score data indicates the scores of each team. Specifically, the data consists of a set of the team ID of each team and the scores of each of the three main matches.

[0042] The game program loaded into the volatile memory 13 is executed by the processor 11. As a result, as shown in Fig. 2, the following functions are realized: a grouping unit 111, a command color determination unit 112, a first command unit 113, a second command unit 114, a shooting mode transition command unit 115, a color information acquisition unit 116, a score information acquisition unit 117, a shooting unit 118, a histogram creation unit 119, a color difference calculation unit 120, an evaluation unit 121, and an information transmission unit 122.

[0043] The grouping unit 111 divides the participating users into two teams. At this time, the grouping unit 111 divides the participating users into two teams so that at least one of the two teams includes two or more participating users. This division into teams may be performed according to an instruction from the user of the information processing device 1a, or may be performed automatically. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the color search game is played in a team battle, but this battle format is merely an example. As another battle format, the color search game may be played one-on-one.

[0044] The instruction color determination unit 112 determines the instruction colors to be used in the tutorial and the three main competitions.

[0045] In the tutorial scene, the first instructing unit 113 displays a shooting instruction screen on the display 16. This shooting instruction screen is a screen for instructing the user to shoot a color close to the instruction color determined by the instruction color determining unit 112.

[0046] The second instructing unit 114 displays a shooting instruction screen on the display 16 during the main competition scene. This shooting instruction screen is a screen for instructing the user to shoot a color close to the instruction color determined by the instruction color determining unit 112.

[0047] The photographing mode transition instruction unit 115 instructs each information processing device 1 to transition to the photographing mode.

[0048] The color information acquisition unit 116 acquires color information transmitted from each information processing device 1. Specifically, the acquired color information is histogram data.

[0049] The score information acquisition unit 117 acquires score data transmitted from each information processing device 1.

[0050] The photographing unit 118 controls the camera 20 to photograph an image of a subject.

[0051] The histogram creation unit 119 creates a histogram based on the image captured by the image capture unit 118. This histogram represents the frequency distribution of colors present around the user of the information processing device 1.

[0052] The color difference calculation unit 120 calculates the color difference between the image captured by the image capturing unit 118 and the designated color notified by the information processing device 1a.

[0053] The evaluation unit 121 calculates a score based on the color difference calculated by the color difference calculation unit 120. At this time, the evaluation unit 121 calculates a higher score the smaller the color difference. In other words, the closer the color of the image captured by the participating user is to the designated color, the higher the score calculated.

[0054] The information transmitting unit 122 transmits the histogram data created by the histogram creating unit 119 and the score data calculated by the evaluating unit 121 to the information processing device 1a. The above is the description of the information processing device 1.

[0055] 1-2.Operation The game processing executed by the information processing device 1a will be described below with reference to a flow chart of FIG.

[0056] The game processing shown in the figure is processing for allowing users of multiple information processing devices 1 to play one match of the color search game. One match that becomes playable through this game processing consists of a tutorial and three main matches. Each step of this game processing will be described below.

[0057] In this game processing, first, the grouping unit 111 divides the participating users into two teams (step Sa1). This team division may be performed according to an instruction from the user of the information processing device 1a, or may be performed automatically. Once this team division is complete, a tutorial process is then executed (step Sa2). This tutorial process is a process for letting the user know how to operate the color search game. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an example of this tutorial process.

[0058] In the tutorial process shown in the figure, first, the indicator color determination unit 112 determines an indicator color (step Sb1). At that time, the indicator color determination unit 112 selects one color from among eight predetermined colors using a randomized selection algorithm. Once the indicator color is determined, the first instruction unit 113 causes the display 16 to display a shooting instruction screen that instructs the user to photograph a color close to the determined indicator color (step Sb2). For example, this shooting instruction screen displays a rectangle painted in the indicator color and text instructing the user to photograph the indicator color.

[0059] When the shooting instruction screen is displayed, the shooting mode transition instruction unit 115 transmits a shooting mode transition instruction to each information processing device 1 (step Sb3). This shooting mode transition instruction includes data indicating the instruction color determined in step Sb1.

[0060] Upon receiving this instruction to transition to the shooting mode, the information processing device 1 executes a shooting process. Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of this shooting process.

[0061] In the photographing process shown in the figure, first, the photographing unit 118 activates the camera 20 and displays a photographing screen on the display 16 (step Sc1). The photographing screen includes a moving image photographed by the camera 20 and a circle of the designated color placed at the center of the image. While viewing this photographing screen, the user of the information processing device 1 searches for a color close to the designated color around the user. During this search, the photographing unit 118 captures still images of the subject being displayed at predetermined intervals (e.g., every second) (step Sc2). This still image capture is performed regardless of the user's operation and continues until the user presses the shutter button. The multiple still images captured here represent the environment around the user.

[0062] The histogram creation unit 119 creates a histogram based on the multiple captured images taken in step Sc2. Specifically, the following first and second processes are performed each time a still image is captured. In the first process, the color of each pixel in the captured image is classified into the closest color among 64 predetermined colors. In the second process, the number of times the pixel color is classified is cumulatively counted for each color. The histogram created here represents the frequency distribution of colors present around the user.

[0063] When the user finds a color close to the designated color as a result of the search and presses the shutter button while the found color is displayed, the image capture unit 118 captures a still image of the displayed subject (step Sc3). The color difference calculation unit 120 calculates the color difference between this captured image and the designated color notified by the information processing device 1a (step Sc4). Specifically, first, among the pixels constituting the captured image, multiple pixels located within the circle of the designated color are identified. Next, the color difference between each identified pixel and the designated color notified by the information processing device 1a is calculated using the CIEDE2000 color difference formula. Finally, the average value of the calculated color differences is calculated. In this embodiment, this calculated average value is treated as the color difference between the color of the captured image and the designated color.

[0064] Once the color difference is calculated, the evaluation unit 121 calculates a score based on the calculated color difference (step Sc5). At this time, the evaluation unit 121 calculates a higher score the smaller the color difference.

[0065] Once the score is calculated, the information transmitting unit 122 transmits the data of the histogram created in step Sc4 and the data of the score calculated in step Sc5 to the information processing device 1a (step Sc6). This concludes the description of the photographing process.

[0066] As a result of this photographing process being executed in each information processing device 1, histogram data and score data are transmitted from each information processing device 1 to information processing device 1a. Of the transmitted data, the histogram data is acquired by color information acquisition unit 116 of information processing device 1a, and the score data is acquired by score information acquisition unit 117 of information processing device 1a (step Sb4 in FIG. 5). The score information acquisition unit 117 displays a score result screen showing the acquired scores on display 16 of information processing device 1 (step Sb5). Each user can know their own score by viewing this score result screen. This concludes the explanation of the tutorial process.

[0067] By executing the tutorial process described above, each user can learn how to operate the color-finding game. In addition, the information processing device 1a can acquire a histogram representing the frequency distribution of colors present around each user.

[0068] After the tutorial process is completed, a command color determination process is executed (step Sa3 in FIG. 4). This command color determination process is used to determine the command colors to be used in the three main competitions following the tutorial. FIGS. 7 and 8 are flow diagrams showing an example of this command color determination process.

[0069] In the indicator color determination process shown in the figure, the indicator color determination unit 112 first sums the histograms notified from each information processing device 1 (step Sd1). Specifically, the frequencies of the histograms notified from each information processing device 1 are summed for each color to create a histogram representing the color frequency distribution for all users. By summing the histograms here, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a specific user has an advantage. After creating the histogram, the indicator color determination unit 112 then sets the frequencies of achromatic colors and predetermined colors that are unlikely to exist in nature to "0" in the created histogram (step Sd2). This is to exclude achromatic colors and the like from indicator color candidates. After updating the histogram, the indicator color determination unit 112 next determines whether to randomly select a color from the updated histogram with weighting (step Sd3). In this determination, a "YES" determination is made with a 90% probability. If it is determined that a weighted random color selection is required (YES in step Sd3), the indicator color determination unit 112 selects one color from the updated histogram using a weighted random selection algorithm (step Sd4). Specifically, the higher the frequency of a color in the updated histogram, the higher the probability of selection. After color selection is complete, the indicator color determination unit 112 then slightly changes the RGB values ​​of the selected color (step Sd5). This is to increase the variation of indicator colors. After changing the RGB values, the indicator color determination unit 112 stores the data of the color with the changed RGB values ​​in the volatile memory 13 as data representing the first indicator color (step Sd6). After storing this first indicator color data, the indicator color determination unit 112 then sets the frequencies of the selected color and colors similar to it to "0" in the updated histogram (step Sd7). This is to exclude colors that have already been selected from the candidates for the second and third indicator colors.

[0070] If it is determined in step Sd3 above that a weighted random color selection is not required (NO in step Sd3), the instruction color determination unit 112 selects one color from the updated histogram using a random selection algorithm (step Sd8), and then executes steps Sd5 to Sd7 described above for the selected color.

[0071] After determining the first indicator color, the indicator color determination unit 112 next determines whether to select a color randomly with weighting from the histogram updated in step Sd7 (step Sd9). This determination returns a "YES" with a 40% probability. If this determination determines that a color should be selected randomly with weighting (YES in step Sd9), the indicator color determination unit 112 selects one color from the updated histogram using a weighted random selection algorithm (step Sd10). Specifically, the higher the frequency of a color in the updated histogram, the higher the probability of selection. Once color selection is complete, the indicator color determination unit 112 then slightly modifies the RGB values ​​of the selected color (step Sd11). After modifying the RGB values, the indicator color determination unit 112 stores the data of the color with the modified RGB values ​​in the volatile memory 13 as data representing the second indicator color (step Sd12). After storing this second indicator color data, the indicator color determination unit 112 then sets the frequencies of the selected color and colors similar to it to "0" in the updated histogram (step Sd13).

[0072] If it is determined in step Sd9 above that a weighted random color selection is not required (NO in step Sd9), the instruction color determination unit 112 selects one color from the updated histogram using a random selection algorithm (step Sd14), and then executes steps Sd11 to Sd13 described above for the selected color.

[0073] After determining the second indicator color, the indicator color determination unit 112 next determines whether to select a color randomly with weighting from the histogram updated in step Sd13 (step Sd15). This determination results in a 10% YES result. If this determination determines that a color should be selected randomly with weighting (YES in step Sd15), the indicator color determination unit 112 selects one color from the updated histogram using a weighted random selection algorithm (step Sd16). Specifically, the higher the frequency of a color in the updated histogram, the higher the probability of selection. Once color selection is complete, the indicator color determination unit 112 then slightly modifies the RGB values ​​of the selected color (step Sd17). After modifying the RGB values, the indicator color determination unit 112 stores the data of the color with the modified RGB values ​​in the volatile memory 13 as data representing the third indicator color (step Sd18).

[0074] If it is determined in step Sd15 above that a weighted random color selection is not required (NO in step Sd15), the instruction color determination unit 112 selects one color from the updated histogram using a random selection algorithm (step Sd19), and then executes steps Sd17 and Sd18 described above for the selected color. This concludes the description of the instruction color determination process.

[0075] By executing the above-described indicator color determination process, the indicator color to be used in the main competition is determined. At this time, the indicator color is determined using a weighted randomization algorithm from a histogram. The histogram used at this time represents the frequency distribution of colors around each user. Therefore, the determined indicator color is a color that is likely to be present around the user.

[0076] In addition, in the above-described instruction color determination process, the probability that a weighted randomized algorithm will be used decreases with each increase in the number of main competitions. Here, a decrease in the probability of using a weighted randomized algorithm means that the probability that the determined instruction color will be a color that exists around the user or a color similar to that color decreases. Therefore, by performing the above-described instruction color determination process, the difficulty of the game increases with each increase in the number of main competitions.

[0077] When this instruction color determination process is completed, the main competition process is then executed (step Sa4 in FIG. 4). FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an example of the main competition process.

[0078] In the main competition process shown in the figure, first, the instruction color determination unit 112 specifies an instruction color according to the number of main competition processes currently being executed (step Se1). Specifically, a first instruction color is specified for the first round of the main competition, a second instruction color for the second round, and a third instruction color for the third round. Once the instruction color is specified, the second instruction unit 114 displays on the display 16 a shooting instruction screen that instructs the user to capture a color close to the specified instruction color (step Se2). An example of this shooting instruction screen is as described above. The user who views this shooting instruction screen can know the instruction color.

[0079] When the shooting instruction screen is displayed, the shooting mode transition instruction unit 115 transmits a shooting mode transition instruction to each information processing device 1 (step Se3). This shooting mode transition instruction includes data indicating the instruction color identified in step Se1.

[0080] Upon receiving this instruction to transition to the shooting mode, the information processing device 1 executes the shooting process. Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of this shooting process.

[0081] In the photographing process shown in the figure, first, the photographing unit 118 activates the camera 20 and displays a photographing screen on the display 16 (step Sf1). An example of this photographing screen is as described above. The user of the information processing device 1 looks at this photographing screen and searches for a color close to the designated color around them. When a color close to the designated color is found, the user presses the shutter button with the found color displayed. As a result, the photographing unit 118 photographs a still image of the subject being displayed (step Sf2).

[0082] When the image capture is completed, the color difference calculation unit 120 calculates the color difference between the captured image and the designated color notified by the information processing device 1a (step Sf3). Specifically, first, among the pixels constituting the captured image, a plurality of pixels located within the circle of the designated color are identified. Next, the color difference between each identified pixel and the designated color notified by the information processing device 1a is calculated using the CIEDE2000 color difference formula. Finally, the average value of the calculated color differences is calculated. In this embodiment, this calculated average value is treated as the color difference between the color of the captured image and the designated color.

[0083] Once the color difference is calculated, the evaluation unit 121 calculates a score based on the calculated color difference (step Sf4). At this time, the evaluation unit 121 calculates a higher score the smaller the color difference.

[0084] Once the score is calculated, the information transmitting unit 122 transmits data of the calculated score to the information processing device 1a (step Sf5). This concludes the description of the photographing process.

[0085] As a result of this photographing process being executed in each information processing device 1, score data is transmitted from each information processing device 1 to information processing device 1a. The transmitted score data is acquired by score information acquisition unit 117 of information processing device 1a (step Se4 in FIG. 9). Score information acquisition unit 117 associates the acquired score data with the user ID of the sender of the score data and records it in volatile memory 13. After recording each user's score, score information acquisition unit 117 then calculates the score for each team (step Se5). Then, it associates the calculated score with the team ID and records it in volatile memory 13. After calculating each team's score, score information acquisition unit 117 then displays a score result screen on display 16 showing the calculated score for each user and the score for each team (step Se6). Each user can know each user's score and the total score for each team by viewing this score result screen. This concludes the explanation of the main battle process.

[0086] The main competition process described above is executed a total of three times. After the main competition process has been executed three times (YES in step Sa5 of FIG. 4), the score information acquisition unit 117 adds up the scores for each team in the three main competitions, and determines the team with the highest total score as the winning team (step Sa6). Then, a match result screen showing the winning team is displayed on the display 16. Each user can know the winning team by looking at this match result screen. This concludes the explanation of the game processing.

[0087] 2. Variations The above embodiment may be modified as described below. The modifications described below may be combined with each other.

[0088] 2-1. Variation 1 A server device may implement some or all of the functions of the information processing device 1. In other words, the layout of functions within the game processing system may be changed as appropriate according to the convenience of the provider of the system.

[0089] 2-2. Variation 2 In the above game processing, the color search game is played as a team match, but the color search game may also be played as an individual match.

[0090] 2-3. Variation 3 In the above embodiment, three main matches are held in one match of the color search game, but the number of main matches may be less than three or may be four or more.

[0091] 2-4. Variation 4 In addition to or instead of displaying the shooting instruction screen on the display 16 of the information processing device 1, the information processing device 1 may output an audio message from the speaker 18 of the information processing device 1 instructing the user to shoot a color close to the instruction color.

[0092] 2-5. Variation 5 In step Sc2 of the above-described photographing process (see FIG. 6), a plurality of still images are photographed at a predetermined cycle, but the number of still images photographed here is not necessarily limited to a plurality, and may be one.

[0093] 2-6. Variation 6 In the above-described photographing process, the histogram creation unit 119 creates a histogram based on a plurality of still images captured at a predetermined interval (see step Sc2 in FIG. 6). However, instead of this, the histogram creation unit 119 may create a histogram based on a still image captured by the user pressing the shutter button (see step Sc3). In this case, step Sc2 of the process may be omitted.

[0094] 2-7. Variation 7 In the above-described photographing process, a histogram is created in the information processing device 1 (information processing devices 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d) (see step Sc2 in FIG. 6). However, instead of this, the histogram may be created only in the information processing device 1a. In this case, the information processing devices 1b, 1c, and 1d transmit data of a still image (see step Sc3) captured by a user pressing the shutter button to the information processing device 1a. The information processing device 1a creates a histogram based on the data of this still image.

[0095] 2-8. Variation 8 In the above-described photographing process, the color difference calculation unit 120 identifies pixels that are located within a predetermined circle at the center of the image among the pixels that make up the photographed image, and calculates the color difference based on the identified pixels (see step Sc4 in FIG. 6 and step Sf3 in FIG. 10). However, instead of this, the color difference calculation unit 120 may identify pixels that are located within a predetermined range other than the circle at the center of the image. Alternatively, the color difference calculation unit 120 may identify one pixel that exists at a predetermined position in the photographed image, and calculate the color difference between the color of that pixel and the designated color. The color difference calculated here is treated as the color difference between the color of the photographed image and the designated color.

[0096] 2-9. Variation 9 In the above-described photographing process, the color difference calculation unit 120 calculates the color difference between each pixel constituting the photographed image and the designated color, and then calculates the average value of the calculated color differences. The reason for calculating the average value of each color difference here is to ignore differences in resolution between the information processing devices 1. However, instead of this, the color difference calculation unit 120 may calculate the variance or total value of the calculated color differences. The variance or total value calculated here is treated as the color difference between the color of the photographed image and the designated color.

[0097] 2-10. Variation 10 In the indicator color determination process described above, the indicator color determination unit 112 determines an indicator color from a histogram using a randomized algorithm (see steps Sd4, Sd8, etc. in FIG. 7). In this case, the indicator color determination unit 112 may select an indicator color from the top 10 colors in the histogram using a randomized algorithm. Narrowing down indicator color candidates to the top 10 colors in this way can more reliably lower the difficulty level of the game.

[0098] As another selection method, the indicator color determination unit 112 may select an indicator color from the bottom 10 colors in the histogram using a randomized algorithm. Narrowing down the indicator color candidates to the bottom 10 colors in this way can increase the difficulty of the game.

[0099] As another selection method, the indicator color determination unit 112 may use a randomized algorithm to select an indicator color from among colors whose frequency in the histogram is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Here, a color whose frequency is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold refers to a color whose area in the image captured by the user is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Narrowing down the indicator color candidates to colors whose frequency is equal to or greater than a threshold in this way can more reliably lower the difficulty of the game.

[0100] 2-11. Variation 11 In the above-described instruction color determination process, the instruction colors for the three main tournaments are processed so as not to overlap with each other (see steps Sd7 and Sd13 in FIG. 7), but this process is not essential. That is, the instruction colors for two or more main tournaments may overlap with each other.

[0101] 2-12. Variation 12 In the above game processing, the instruction colors for the three main tournaments are determined based on the histogram data acquired in the tutorial processing. However, instead of this, the instruction colors for the second and third rounds of the three main tournaments may be determined based on the histogram data acquired in the first and second rounds, respectively. In this case, histograms are also created in the information processing device 1 during the shooting processing for the first and second rounds. In addition, in the instruction color determination processing executed before the main tournament processing for the first round, only steps Sd1 to Sd6 are executed, and steps Sd1 to Sd6 of the instruction color determination processing are also executed before the main tournament processing for the second and third rounds.

[0102] 2-13. Variation 13 In the above instruction color determination process, the process of slightly changing the RGB values ​​of the color selected from the histogram may be omitted.

[0103] 2-14. Variation 14 In the above-described photographing process, the information processing device 1 instructs the user to photograph a color close to the designated color (see step Sb2 in FIG. 5 and step Se2 in FIG. 9). However, this method of instruction is merely an example. Instead of this method of instruction, photographing instructions may be given in a way that does not directly refer to the designated color. For example, an instruction such as "Take a photograph of an object that reminds you of an apple!" may be given. As another example, an instruction may be given to photograph the designated color itself. For example, an instruction such as "Take a photograph of red!" may be given. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1...information processing device, 11...processor, 12...non-volatile memory, 13...volatile memory, 15...communication unit, 16...display, 18...speaker, 20...camera, 111...grouping unit, 112...instruction color determination unit, 113...first instruction unit, 114...second instruction unit, 115...photography mode transition instruction unit, 116...color information acquisition unit, 117...score information acquisition unit, 118...photography unit, 119...histogram creation unit, 120...color difference calculation unit, 121...evaluation unit, 122...information transmission unit

Claims

1. a first instruction means for outputting to an output device an image or sound instructing the plurality of users to take an image using an image capture means in a first scene of a game played by the plurality of users; a color information acquisition means for acquiring color information of the captured images calculated from the captured images taken by each of the plurality of users; a pointer color determining means for determining a pointer color based on the color information; a second instruction means for outputting to the output device an image or a sound instructing the plurality of users to photograph an object corresponding to the instruction color in a second scene subsequent to the first scene; An information processing system further comprising: an evaluation unit that evaluates the captured image acquired in the second scene so that the closer the captured image's color is to the designated color, the higher the evaluation of the captured image.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the evaluation means gives a higher evaluation to the photographed image acquired in the second scene when the color at a specific position or within a specific range of the photographed image is closer to the designated color.

3. The information processing system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the evaluation means gives a higher evaluation to the captured image when the average value of the color difference between each pixel included in a specific range of the captured image acquired in the second scene and the indicated color is smaller.

4. 4. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the indicator color determination means determines a color contained in at least one of the captured images acquired in the first scene, or a color close to the color contained therein, as the indicator color.

5. 5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the instruction color determination means determines the instruction color based on a probability based on the sum of the appearance frequencies of colors contained in each of the photographed images of the plurality of users acquired in the first scene.

6. 6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the instruction color determination means groups the colors contained in each of the captured images of the plurality of users acquired in the first scene into colors that are similar to each other, and then determines the instruction color based on a probability based on the sum of the appearance frequencies.

7. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator color determining means determines the indicator color to be a non-achromatic color.

8. 8. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first instruction means outputs to the output device an image or sound instructing the plurality of users to photograph an object corresponding to a predetermined color in the first scene.

9. 9. The information processing system according to claim 8, wherein the evaluation means does not allow whether or not the photographed image acquired in the first scene has a color close to the predetermined color to affect the evaluation in the second scene.

10. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the color information acquisition means acquires color information of the captured images calculated from the captured images taken by each of the plurality of users.

11. The information processing system according to claim 10 , wherein the color information acquisition means acquires color information of the captured images calculated from the captured images taken by each of the plurality of users at regular intervals.

12. 12. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein when the second scene is repeated after the first scene, the instruction color determination means determines as the instruction color a color other than at least the previous instruction color or a color other than a color close to the previous instruction color.

13. 13. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein when the second scene is repeated after the first scene, the instruction color determination means determines as the instruction color a color other than at least the instruction color used up to the previous time, or a color other than a color close to the instruction color used up to the previous time.

14. The information processing system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the indicator color determining means determines the indicator color based on color information included in the captured image previously acquired in the second scene.

15. 15. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the second instruction means outputs to the output device an image or audio instructing all of the plurality of users to photograph an object corresponding to the same instruction color in the second scene.

16. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of users are present in close proximity to one another in real space.

17. a first instruction means for outputting to an output device an image or sound instructing the plurality of users to take an image using an image capture means in a first scene of a game played by the plurality of users; a color information acquisition means for acquiring color information of the captured images calculated from the captured images taken by each of the plurality of users; a pointer color determining means for determining a pointer color based on the color information; a second instruction means for outputting to the output device an image or a sound instructing the plurality of users to photograph an object corresponding to the instruction color in a second scene subsequent to the first scene; an evaluation unit that evaluates the captured image acquired in the second scene so that the closer the color of the captured image is to the designated color, the higher the evaluation of the captured image.

18. An information processing program executed on a computer of an information processing device, The computer a first instruction means for outputting to an output device an image or sound instructing the plurality of users to take an image using an image capture means in a first scene of a game played by the plurality of users; a color information acquisition means for acquiring color information of the captured images calculated from the captured images taken by each of the plurality of users; a pointer color determining means for determining a pointer color based on the color information; a second instruction means for outputting to the output device an image or a sound instructing the plurality of users to photograph an object corresponding to the instruction color in a second scene subsequent to the first scene; an evaluation means for giving a higher evaluation to the photographed image acquired in the second scene as the photographed image has a color closer to the designated color; An information processing program that functions as a

19. An information processing method executed by an information processing device, outputting, to an output device, an image or sound instructing the plurality of users to take an image using an image capture means in a first scene of a game played by the plurality of users; acquiring color information of the captured images calculated from the captured images taken by each of the plurality of users; determining an instruction color based on the color information; outputting, to the output device, an image or sound instructing the users to photograph an object corresponding to the instruction color in a second scene after the first scene; a step of giving a higher evaluation to the photographed image acquired in the second scene as the photographed image has a color closer to the designated color; An information processing method, including:

Images