JP2003187027A - Information processing system, information processor and information providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To release a participant from dissatisfaction due to crowdedness by guiding the participant to a less crowded business store in service in mobile orienteering, and to allow a business manager to expect a collection of customers and an increase in sale at slack time. <P>SOLUTION: An information center 1 and an on-vehicle navigation device 4 with the communication function are connected via a network. When an automobile mounted with the on-vehicle navigation device 4 reaches a check point such as a restaurant, the information center 1 converts information on an operation state inclusive of a facility into a database, and determines a less crowded facility as the next check point on the basis of this information. An operator of a business facility makes access to the information center 1 by using a terminal 8, and renews the information on the operation state when necessary. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a technology for providing information via a communication environment such as the Internet, and more particularly to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus and an information providing method for realizing mobile orienteering. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a technique of connecting a user's terminal to a communication network such as the Internet and playing games such as orienteering and rally. For example, JP-A-9-319
No. 662 discloses a rally system in which when a relay point is reached, the current location information at that point is input as a password, and if the input password is correct, information for the next relay point can be obtained. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-300711 discloses a technique of navigating a game and aggregating the game results in order to support the game such as orienteering and rally.

[0003]

Consider a case where a commercial facility such as a restaurant or department store or a tourist facility such as an amusement park is set as a checkpoint for orienteering. In this case, in addition to enjoying the orienteering, the user can enjoy eating, shopping, or sightseeing. On the other hand, those who conduct sales activities at these facilities can be expected to increase sales due to the effect of attracting customers.

However, in consideration of this, if the business facility is set as a checkpoint even if the business facility is closed, the participants of the orienteering cannot enter the business facility, and as a result, , Orienteering may not be established.
Also, if a participant of the orienteering visits the restaurant during a busy time such as lunch or dinner at a restaurant, it may cause more congestion and make the participant feel uncomfortable. Absent. In addition, it is considered that it is possible for restaurants to get enough customers without relying on orienteering during prosperity, and it is not preferable for the number of customers to exceed the service provision capacity. Let's do it. Hopefully, we would like you to visit us in dispersed times.

Therefore, if such an unfavorable state continues, the interest of the orienteering decreases and the user cannot be fully satisfied.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. When setting a business facility or a tourist facility as a checkpoint in mobile orienteering, the checkpoint is set in consideration of the operating state of the facility. By making a decision, it is an object to provide an information processing system, an information processing device, an information providing method, and the like, which facilitates orienteering.

[0007]

The first aspect of the present invention is as follows.
Information about any checkpoint included in the orienteering course is transmitted to the communication terminal, the arrival of the communication terminal at the checkpoint is detected, and if the checkpoint is not the goal, further information about the next checkpoint. An information processing apparatus for transmitting the checkpoint information to the communication terminal, the storage device storing information about the checkpoint, and one of a plurality of checkpoints based on the information about the checkpoint and the position information of the communication terminal. Selection means for selecting the above candidates, acquisition means for acquiring information on the operating state of each of the candidates, and at least one checkpoint from among the candidates based on the information on the operating state is set to the next of the communication terminal. The determination means for determining the goal and the checkpoint determined above And a sending means for transmitting information about the cement to the communication terminal.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage means stores information on an operating state for each checkpoint, and the obtaining means stores the operating state stored in the storage means. It is characterized in that the information regarding the operating state of the candidate is acquired by reading out the information regarding.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information is about the business day or business hours of the facility set as the checkpoint, and the determining means sets the facility facility in operation as the next target. It is characterized by being decided as a checkpoint.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information on the operating state is the information on the congestion status of the facility set as the checkpoint, and the determining means determines the next facility which is not crowded. The feature is that it is decided as a target checkpoint.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information on the operating state is the information on the accommodation capacity of the facility set as the checkpoint, and the determining means determines the facility having a sufficient accommodation capacity. The feature is that it is decided as the next target checkpoint.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information on the operating state comprises information for each of a plurality of time zones, and the determining means determines the operating state for the time zone corresponding to the current time. It is characterized by determining the next checkpoint based on the information about.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further comprises receiving means for receiving the information on the operating state via a network, and the storage means stores the information on the operating state received by the receiving means. It is characterized by storing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage means further stores the states of a plurality of users participating in the orienteering, and the determination means comprises:
The next target checkpoint is determined so as to distribute the plurality of users to a plurality of checkpoints based on the states of the plurality of users.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a communication terminal that receives information regarding an arbitrary checkpoint included in an orienteering course, and the communication terminal transmits the information regarding the checkpoint, and the communication terminal performs the check. An information processing system, comprising: an information processing device that detects that a point has been reached, and transmits information about the next check point to the communication terminal when the goal is not reached, wherein the information processing device is information about the check point. A storage unit for storing a checkpoint, a selection unit for selecting one or more candidates from a plurality of checkpoints based on the information about the checkpoint and the position information of the communication terminal, and information about an operating state of each candidate. From the candidates based on the acquisition means for acquiring the Determining means for determining one checkpoint as the next target of the communication terminal even without,
A communication unit that transmits information regarding the determined checkpoint to the communication terminal, wherein the communication terminal
Positioning means for positioning the current location of the communication terminal, reporting means for reporting position information regarding the current location to the information processing device, receiving means for receiving information regarding the determined checkpoint, and the received checkpoint And an output unit that outputs information regarding the information.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further comprises a setting device which is connected to the information processing device via the network and sets information on an operating state of a facility corresponding to the checkpoint. Characterize.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a communication terminal with information about an arbitrary checkpoint included in an orienteering course, detects that the communication terminal has reached the checkpoint, and is not the goal. An information providing method of providing information about the next check point to the communication terminal, wherein one or more candidates are selected from a plurality of check points based on the information about the check point and the position information of the communication terminal. A step of selecting, a step of acquiring information on an operating state of each of the candidates, and a step of determining at least one checkpoint from the candidates as a next target of the communication terminal based on the information on the operating state. , Information about the determined checkpoint to the communication terminal Characterized in that it comprises the step of signal.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides an information processing program for causing one or more computers to function all of the above means in any one of the above information processing apparatus or information processing system.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides an information processing program for causing one or more computers to execute each of the steps in any one of the above information providing methods.

The information processing program is composed of a plurality of software and may be executed on a single computer or may be distributedly executed on a plurality of computers. The program code may be stored in a storage medium and provided to each device, or may be transmitted to each device via a transmission medium.

[0021]

According to the above invention, when setting a checkpoint for a business facility or a tourist facility in mobile orienteering, the checkpoint is determined in consideration of the operating state of the facility, thereby facilitating smooth orienteering. It is possible to provide an information processing system, an information processing device, and the like that are intended to be realized.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, by determining the next target based on the information on the operating state of each checkpoint, for example, the check is performed while avoiding a crowded facility or a facility that is closed. Since points can be determined, it is possible to reduce discomfort due to congestion, etc., and to expect participants to enjoy orienteering more.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the information regarding the operating state for each checkpoint is stored and managed in the storage means in advance, so that the information regarding the operating state information can be easily referred to and is necessary for the checkpoint determination process. The time to be given will also be shortened, and the number of cases that keep the participants waiting will be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, for example, by determining the facility that is in operation as the next target checkpoint, the participant can reduce discomfort such as confusing when arriving at the facility that is closed. See.

According to the invention of claim 4, for example, by determining an uncrowded facility as the next target checkpoint, it is possible to guide the participants to the facility which is considered to be uncrowded, resulting in congestion. You can reduce the discomfort to do.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, for example, by determining a facility that is likely to accommodate the customer as the next target checkpoint, it is possible to guide the participants to the facility that is likely to have room for accommodation capacity. It is possible to reduce discomfort such as not being able to receive sufficient service at the facility.

According to the invention of claim 6, the information regarding the operating state is managed for each time zone, and for example, the checkpoint can be determined by avoiding the busy time zone.

According to the invention of claim 7, it becomes possible for the operator to change the operating status information by connecting to the information processing apparatus from the outside through the network. In addition, if information about the operating status can be received from the terminal of the operator of the facility in almost real time, more appropriate checkpoints can be selected based on the latest information.

According to the invention of claim 8, by grasping the number of users who are heading to the same checkpoint, it is possible to predict the congestion situation in the future of the checkpoint and set the target checkpoint. It is possible to avoid the situation where the participants of the project are concentrated and cause congestion.

The invention of claim 9 can provide an information processing system in which orienteering is facilitated by determining a checkpoint in consideration of the operating state of the facility.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the operator can change the operating state information by connecting to the information processing apparatus from the outside through the network using the setting apparatus.

The invention according to claim 11 can realize an information providing method for providing information on a target checkpoint determined in consideration of the operating state of the facility.

The invention according to any one of claims 12 to 14 can provide an information processing program for determining and providing a target checkpoint in consideration of the operating state of the facility.

[0034]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An information processing system as a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the specific items described in this embodiment are only for helping understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention thereto.

In the information processing system of this embodiment,
"Mobile Orienteering" is Information Center 1
Is the target area (checkpoint) for the vehicle-mounted navigation device 4 with communication function and / or the mobile terminal 5.
When the information center 1 confirms that the user has reached the target area, the information center 1 provides the user with imaginable information about the next target area. By repeating, it is said that the user visits multiple areas while moving, for example, in a car. A detailed description of the orienteering will be given later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of the technical idea of this embodiment. In this embodiment, information related to orienteering is provided from the information center 1 to the in-vehicle navigation device 4 with a communication function and the mobile terminal 5 via the Internet 2 and the base station 3. As shown in FIG. 1, data is set in advance using business facilities such as restaurants and convenience stores and tourist facilities such as amusement parks and parks as check points. In addition, through the setting terminal of the operator of the business facility, etc., the business day, business hours, congestion time zone, maximum capacity of the facility, the number of participants of the orienteering who are currently heading to the checkpoint, and the past experience The statistical status of congestion, the status of congestion and availability in real time, etc. are input, and the information center 1 manages information on these operating conditions. As a result, in the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid the use of a crowded facility or a facility that is closed as the next checkpoint, and it is possible to smoothly proceed with the orienteering. In addition, because participants can be guided to vacant business stores, participants can be relieved from the dissatisfaction caused by congestion, while the sales owner can expect to attract customers and increase sales during off-hours.

To explain the concept of operation, the information center 1
For a plurality of business facilities that are registered as checkpoints, based on the above-mentioned information about the operating state, avoid restaurant A that is closed and set restaurant B that is operating as a checkpoint, or Set a checkpoint at store C, where only a small number of participants are heading, and avoid a store H where participants are heading to Or By setting the orienteering route in this way, the orienteering can be executed smoothly.

[System Configuration] The configuration of the information processing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing system of this embodiment is an Internet 2 as an example of a telecommunication line, a server connectable to the Internet 2, and an in-vehicle navigation device 4 with a communication function. An information center 1 that provides information for orienteering to the mobile terminal 5 and a base station 3 that can be connected to the Internet 2 are provided. The base station 3 serves as an access point to the Internet and is a base station of a mobile phone or the like. Of course, a mobile communication network or a public network may exist between the base station 3 and the Internet 2. The mobile terminal 5 is a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA) having an internet connection function.

The information center 1 includes a checkpoint data memory 6 and a map memory 7. The checkpoint data memory 6 is a memory for storing data on each target area (checkpoint: CP) of the orienteering, and for example, the name, ID, password, business day / business hours of the facility set as the checkpoint. -Stores information about the operating status such as the current status and data such as comments. Further, the checkpoint data memory 6 may store a specified stay time and a handy time when the user moves before the specified stay time elapses.
FIG. 15 shows an example of the checkpoint data memory 6. The map memory 7 stores map data for displaying a map on the vehicle-mounted navigation device 4 with a communication function and the mobile terminal 5. It would be cost effective to configure these memories with storage devices such as magnetic disks and optical disks.

Furthermore, the information center 1 can be connected via the Internet 2 from the setting terminal 8 of the operators of the sales facilities. The setting terminal 8 is used by operators of a sales facility to register information regarding the operating state of the sales facility. The setting terminal 8 can be realized by a general computer (including a PDA and a mobile phone) capable of connecting to the Internet 2.

The information center 1 may be composed of one server or may be composed of a plurality of servers. In consideration of the load on the server and the security of maintenance, for example, the Web server and the DB server may be constructed by different servers. Since a general server computer and a communication interface can be used in the present embodiment, detailed description of the server configuration of the present embodiment will be omitted.

Further, the in-vehicle navigation device 4 with a communication function and the portable terminal 5 can be connected to the Internet 2 via the base station 3 by general public wireless communication. In the following description, these two devices are communicated with each other. Collectively referred to as the terminal 10.

[Internal Configuration of Information Center] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the information center 1 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the information center 1 in this embodiment includes, for example, a CPU 11, a ROM 12,
Storage device 1 such as RAM 13 and hard disk drive
4, a communication interface 15, an internal bus 16 and the like. The CPU 11 stores the storage device 1 via the internal bus 16.
The programs and data stored in 4 are loaded into the RAM 13 to control the information center 1. ROM12 is C
It stores a control program such as BIOS provided to the PU 11. The RAM 13 functions as various work areas used to execute the control program and a temporary save area. The storage device 14 includes a memory area for storing map data, checkpoint data, etc., a control program A for implementing the information processing system according to the present embodiment, an operating system (OS), and a Web.
It is a storage device having a memory area for storing a program for implementing a server function and other control programs, map data, checkpoint data, and the like. The information center 1 includes a communication interface 15 for communicating with an external device via a communication line 31 (for example, the Internet 2). These configurations are the internal bus 1
6 and the CPU 11 is connected to the storage device 14
Information Center 1 according to programs and data stored in
Control the whole thing. Although not shown in the figure, an RTC (real-time clock) useful for timing the time may be further provided. If a timer function that measures time based on the time information from the RTC is prepared, it is possible to measure the elapsed time from the start of the orienteering.

The setting terminal 8 also has substantially the same hardware configuration as that shown in FIG. The storage device of the setting terminal 8 includes a web browser program for accessing the information center 1 that functions as a web server.

[Internal Configuration of Communication Terminal] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the communication terminal 10 in the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the communication terminal 10 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a CPU 21, an output device 22, an input device 23, a ROM 24, a RAM 25, a storage device 26, a communication interface 27, a direction sensor 28, and a positioning sensor 2.
9. Internal bus 30. The CPU 21 controls the entire communication terminal 10 via the internal bus 30. CP
The U21 executes a series of processes related to the information processing system according to the present embodiment in accordance with a command input from the input device 23 (for example, keyboard, pointing device, pen, microphone, operation switch, etc.). CPU21
The execution result executed by the output device 22 (for example,
CRT display, liquid crystal display, printer, speaker, etc.). The ROM 24 stores a control program such as BIOS provided to the CPU 21.
The RAM 25 functions as various work areas used for executing the control program and a temporary save area. The storage device 26 is a storage device for storing a control program B for implementing the information processing system according to the present embodiment, an operating system (OS) and other control programs, data such as map information for orientation, and the like. Is. The CPU 21 loads the programs and data stored in the storage device 26 into the RAM 25 and executes them. The communication terminal 10 includes a communication interface 27 for communicating with an external device. The communication interface 27 includes a wireless transceiver for communicating with the base station 3 via the wireless communication line 31, and the Internet 2 beyond that.
It is a concept including an interface for communicating with the information center 1 via the. The communication terminal 10 includes a direction sensor 28 and a positioning sensor 29 that detect the current position based on a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal received from the outside. These components are connected via the internal bus 30, and the CPU 21 is connected to the storage device 2
The communication terminal 10 according to the programs and data stored in 6.
Control all or part of the. The positioning sensor 29
May perform positioning based on radio waves received from a CDMA mobile phone base station. Further, positioning may be performed by receiving radio waves from a communication terminal at one or more base stations, and the positioning result may be received as position information of the current location by receiving from any one of the base stations. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention does not depend on the positioning method.

As described above, the information processing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is constructed by providing the control programs A and B to a general computer. The control programs A and B themselves constitute the invention, and the recording medium storing the control programs A and B also constitutes the invention. Examples of such recording media include magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks and hard disks, CD-ROMs and DVDs.
-ROM and other optical discs, CD-R / W and DVD-R
A magneto-optical disk such as AM, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM or the like can be used.

In the present embodiment, the information center 1 and the communication terminal 10 can perform data communication by a general communication protocol used on the Internet 2.
Of course, a unique communication protocol may be used. In addition, the URL unique to the information center 1 entered from the communication terminal 10 (Un
In accordance with the iform Resource Locator), the information center 1 and the communication terminal 10 are connected via the Internet 2 in a bidirectionally communicable manner, and various data for orienteering, which will be described later, are displayed on the output device 22.

Using the above configuration, the information center 1
Receiving means (example: communication interface 15) for receiving position information transmitted from the communication terminal 10, and storage means (example: storage device 1) for storing information regarding checkpoints.
4), and selection means (example: CP) for selecting one or more candidates from a plurality of checkpoints based on the information on the checkpoints and the position information of the communication terminal.
U11), an acquisition unit (example: CPU 11) for acquiring information on the operating state of each of the candidates, and at least one of the candidates based on the information on the operating state.
It includes a determining unit (eg, CPU 11) for determining one checkpoint as the next target of the communication terminal, and a transmitting unit (eg, communication interface 15) for transmitting information regarding the determined checkpoint to the communication terminal. Functions as an information processing device.

Further, by using the above configuration, the communication terminal 10
Are positioning means for positioning the current position of the communication terminal 10 (eg positioning sensor 29), and transmitting means for sending information about the current position to the information processing device (eg 1) (eg communication interface 27). And a receiving unit (eg, communication interface 27) that receives checkpoint-related information corresponding to the current position information from the information processing apparatus, and a display unit (eg: communication interface 27) that displays the checkpoint-related information. And an output device 22).

[Orienteering] Orienteering realized by the information processing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As described above, in the orienteering, the information center 1 repeats the process of providing the user with conceivable information about the target area, so that the user visits a plurality of areas while moving in a car equipped with the communication terminal 10, for example. .

As shown in FIG. 5, the communication terminal 10 transmits an orienteering start request for starting orienteering to the information center 1. Information Center 1
When receiving the orienteering start request from the communication terminal 10, the service provider provides the communication terminal 10 that has transmitted the orienteering start request with information regarding a checkpoint to be targeted. This information may be, for example, information about only one checkpoint, or may be information about a plurality of checkpoints.
That is, the information center 1 may provide information about appropriate checkpoints by determining the progress of the orienteering. Further, the provided information includes, for example, a hint by which the user of the communication terminal 10 can reach a checkpoint and / or position information of the checkpoint. In addition, the hint that allows the user to come up with a checkpoint is from the information center 1 to the communication terminal 1
0 is not directly provided, but it is included in another server in advance and the U of the Web page on that server is included.
The RL may be provided, or the data may be stored in another server and the data may be provided from the server to the communication terminal 10.

Next, the user of the communication terminal 10 receives the provided hint or the provided position information and the storage device 26.
Heading to a predetermined check point while referring to the map information, the current position information by the positioning sensor 28 and the azimuth sensor 29, etc. stored in the. In this case, the user of the communication terminal 10 may use the navigation function executed by the CPU 21. By using the navigation function, the user of the communication terminal 10 can head to the checkpoint while being guided by the navigation function. This navigation function has a great commercial advantage. This increases the likelihood that the user will reach the checkpoint, which gives the user more opportunities to visit the checkpoint, and also the commercial advantage at the checkpoint facility, such as promoting the sale of goods. This is because you can enjoy such things.

When the user arrives at the target area (first checkpoint), a predetermined personal identification number and keyword are provided. These may be provided by the information center 1 to the communication terminal 1, or may be provided, for example, by the sponsor of the target area performing a predetermined procedure.

Next, the user of the communication terminal 10 inputs the provided personal identification number and keyword into the communication terminal 10. At this time, when the input personal identification number or keyword is correct, the information center 1 at least has information (that is, a hint or a hint) about the predetermined target area (nth checkpoint: n is a natural number) next. Location information). As a result, entertainment can be enhanced, and if the predetermined personal identification number or keyword is set for the sponsor of the system, the sponsor can enjoy commercial merits.

When the information center 1 can confirm that the user of the communication terminal 10 has visited a plurality of predetermined places, the information center 1 makes a goal with respect to the communication terminal 10 by repeating such a series of processes. Providing messages and finishing awards (including ranking with others in case of regular course). Also in this case, the goal message and finisher award provided are discount coupons and discount tickets that allow the user to receive some special treatment the next time he / she uses the specified area or affiliated store or facility. Information such as a display screen functioning as a coupon may be included. In addition, predetermined points may be awarded according to the completion prize. For example, it seems that a discount can be received when a predetermined point is reached.

[Control Flow] Next, in order to describe the details of the above-mentioned orienteering, individual control flows of the information center 1 and the communication terminal 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the control processing on the side of the information center 1, which is the CPU 11 of the information center 1.
Shows the steps performed by. Information center 1 and communication terminal 10
Is in a state of being connected via the Internet 2 so that two-way communication is possible.

In FIG. 6, the information center 1 determines whether or not there is a connection start request from the communication terminal 10 via the communication interface 15 (step S1). When the information center 1 receives the connection start request from the communication terminal 10 (YES in step S1), the information center 1 starts connection with the communication terminal 10 via the communication interface 15 (step S).
2). Next, the information center 1 transmits the data of the menu screen shown in FIG. 8 to the communication terminal 10 via the communication interface 15 (step S3). By the way, referring to FIG. 8, prior to the start of mobile orienteering, the user selects the genre of the course, whether to compete in time or in distance, and how to specify the final destination. Can be selected through the menu. For example, today, if you want to have a snack after visiting a landmark, click on the landmark / historic site and snack and then press the start button. Here, the selected information is transmitted to the information center 1 by being included in the orienteering start request, and the information center 1 executes the course setting according to the user's request.

By the way, in step S3, the information center 1
The data format of the menu screen transmitted to the communication terminal 10 is generally an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) format, but is not limited to this. XML
A markup language such as, a scripting language such as JavaScript or Perl, a programming language such as Java, C or C ++, or a combination of a plurality of these languages. Here, files such as HTML include files dynamically created from CGI programs or DB procedures. Also, Flash of Macromedia
You may use plug-ins such as. For audio and images, a format generally used on the Internet may be used.

Considering the convenience of the user, it is desirable to use the format that is popular on the Internet. Therefore, a programming language, a scripting language, a markup language, which can be used by many users,
It is desirable to use a combination of audio, images, plug-ins, etc. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented using a unique format or a minor format.

Next, the CPU 11 of the information center 1 issues an orienteering start request from the communication terminal 10 which has output the menu screen on the output device 22.
It is determined whether or not 5 has been received (step S4). When the information center 1 receives the orienteering start request from the communication terminal 10 (YES in step S4), the orienteering processing operation described later is executed. If the information center 1 has not received the orienteering start request, another predetermined process (for example, transmission / reception of mail, etc.) is performed, and the information center 1 repeats step S4 until it receives the orienteering start request. Information Center 1
Executes a later-described orienteering process (step S5), and then returns.

As described above, the information center 1 performs orienteering. Information center 1 and communication terminal 10
Means that the information center 1 and the communication terminal 10 are linked to each other through the Internet 2 so as to be able to perform bidirectional communication. Next, a control process on the communication terminal 1 side will be shown.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control processing on the communication terminal 10 side, showing the procedure executed by the CPU 21 of the communication terminal 10.

In FIG. 7, first, the communication terminal 10 determines whether or not a connection start request from the input device 23 to the information center 1 has been input by a user operation (step S11). As an example of the connection start request, the information center 1
The URL address etc. assigned to is given. The communication terminal 10 receives a connection start request from the input device 23 to the information center 1 by a user operation (step S11).
YES), communication interface 27 to information center 1
A connection start request is transmitted via (step S12).

Next, the communication terminal 10 determines whether or not the data of the menu screen shown in FIG. 8 has been received from the information center 1 (step S13). When the communication terminal 10 receives the data of the menu screen, the communication terminal 10 generates the menu screen by the browser function and displays it on the output device 22 (step S14).

Further, the communication terminal 10 determines whether or not an orienteering request operation for starting orienteering is performed on the menu screen of the input device 23 by a user operation (step S15). The required operation here includes, for example, clicking the start button in the screen of FIG. When the orienteering request operation is performed on the communication terminal 10, the communication terminal 10 returns Y in step S15.
ES), and sends a start request for orienteering to the information center 1 via the communication interface 27. If the orienteering request operation is not performed, the communication terminal 1
0 performs other processing such as route guidance and a call by the navigation function using the azimuth sensor 28 and the positioning sensor 29, and repeats step S15 until the orienteering request operation is performed. Alternatively, when the cancel button in FIG. 8 is clicked, the orienteering menu may be closed and the normal processing may be resumed. When the communication device 10 transmits the orienteering start request, the communication device 10 executes an orienteering process described later (step S17).

[Orienteering Process on Information Center Side] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the details of the orienteering process operation (step S 5) in FIG. 6 among the flowcharts showing the control process on the information center 1 side.

In FIG. 9, first, C of the information center 1
PU11 is a variable n for counting checkpoints.
Is initialized (0 is substituted for n) (step S20). The variable n is stored in the RAM 12. Next, the CPU 11
Increments this variable n (step S2
1). The CPU 11 checks the nth checkpoint (C
A determination subroutine for determining P) is called (step S22). Details of the decision subroutine will be described later.
If any facility is decided as a checkpoint by the decision subroutine, the checkpoint ID
Is passed, and corresponding position information and hint information are extracted from the checkpoint data memory 6 based on the checkpoint ID, and transmitted to the communication terminal 10 (step S23).

The concept of the checkpoint data memory 6 is shown in FIG. The checkpoint name, position information, hint, and other information related to the checkpoint are stored in association with the checkpoint ID.

Next, steps S24 to S26.
At, it is determined whether the communication terminal has reached the checkpoint. For example, when the position measured by the communication terminal 10 substantially matches the position of the checkpoint, when the personal identification number or keyword transmitted by the communication terminal 10 is the correct personal identification number or keyword, or When the checkpoint arrival signal is received from the communication terminal, it may be determined that the communication terminal has reached the checkpoint.

Here, it is determined whether or not the communication interface 15 receives the information transmitted from the communication terminal 10. In particular, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a keyword regarding a checkpoint (for example, current location information of a communication terminal, a personal identification number, a keyword, or the like) is received (step S24). If not received, the process proceeds to step S27 described later. If received, it is determined whether or not the keyword is the correct answer. Specifically, C
The PU 11 reads out the keyword for the current target checkpoint from the checkpoint data memory 6, compares it with the received keyword, and executes a logical operation to determine whether they match (step S2).
5). If the keyword is correct, the process proceeds to step S28. If the keyword is incorrect, the CPU 11 sends an incorrect answer signal to the communication terminal 10 via the communication interface 15 (step S26). The incorrect signal is, for example, H
It is incorrect answer screen information described in a format such as TML.

Next, the CPU 11 sends a checkpoint arrival signal via the communication interface 15 to the communication terminal 10.
It is determined whether it is received from (step S2
7). The communication terminal 10 compares the position information of the current position measured by the positioning sensor 29 with the position information of the n-th checkpoint transmitted from the information center 1 in step S23, and the checkpoint arrival signal It is information for determining that the checkpoint has been reached and reporting that the checkpoint has been reached to the information center 1 on the condition that they match. If not received, step S2
Return to 4. If it has been received, the process proceeds to step S28.

The CPU 11 determines whether or not the nth checkpoint satisfies the goal condition (step S28). The goal condition is CPU1 in advance.
1 and is stored in the storage device 14. An example of the goal condition may be a match between the checkpoint ID set as the goal and the current checkpoint ID. Of course, more complicated goal conditions may be set. If the goal condition is not satisfied, the process returns to step S21 to select the next checkpoint. If the goal condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S29.

The CPU 11 determines whether or not a predetermined completion condition is satisfied, and if so, performs a completion prize providing process (step S29). The process of providing the completion award is, for example, to give points to participants of the orienteering,
The given points are cumulatively added and stored as points of the user corresponding to the storage device 14. Of course, as described above, the HTML describing the discount coupon screen
The file may be transmitted to the communication terminal 10.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a participant management database for managing the information for each participant. This database is stored in the storage device 14 or the like. As a storage example, in association with the participant's ID, the participant's current target checkpoint ID, accumulated points such as a finisher prize, and the time and mileage of the orienteering currently participating are related to the participant. Information to be given.

The CPU 11 calculates the result of this orienteering (step S30). For example, the total time from the start to the end of the orienteering is measured by a timer, and the result is calculated by calculating the result. If you want to calculate your score based on the distance traveled,
Information about the traveling distance from the start to the end of the orienteering is received from the communication terminal 10, and the result is calculated based on the traveling distance. Finally, the CPU 11 sends the HTML file in which the result is described to the communication interface 15
And the orienteering process is completed (step S31).

Next, the checkpoint determination subroutine will be described with reference to FIG. This subroutine corresponds to step S22 in FIG.

The CPU 11 selects a facility existing within a predetermined radius R from the current position of the communication terminal 10 or the position of the current checkpoint as a candidate for the next checkpoint by searching (step S40). If it is assumed that the position information is coordinate information, it is determined whether or not the position exists at the radius R, the position information of the communication terminal 10 or the current checkpoint, and the check information stored in the checkpoint data memory 6. By calculating the distance from the position information of the point, it is possible to determine whether this distance is R or less. Since the efficiency is low when calculated every time, the distance between a certain checkpoint and another checkpoint is registered in advance in the storage device 14 as a distance database, or the distance between the checkpoints exists within the radius R of a certain checkpoint. For the other check points above, the ID is stored in the storage device 14 as an adjacent CP database.
You may register in.

The number of checkpoint candidate facilities extracted by the search is stored in the storage device 14 or the RAM 13. If there is no candidate facility within the radius R, the search range is expanded, that is, the radius R is expanded and re-search is required. Therefore, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the number of candidate facilities is 0 ( Step S41). If the number of candidate facilities is 0,
Since there is no candidate, the process proceeds to step S52 and the radius R
Is enlarged and stored in the storage device 14 or the RAM 13 (step S52). It should be noted that the candidates already extracted by the search do not need to be subjected to the candidate determination process again, so that the exclusion registration is stored in the storage device 14. For example, the checkpoint IDs initially extracted by the search are stored in the storage device 14 as a list, and the IDs are excluded from the search target or are excluded when they are extracted again by the search.

When it is determined in step S41 that one or more candidate facilities have been extracted, the CPU 11 retrieves the search variable i for performing the next refinement search for the candidate facilities.
Is initialized to 1 (step S42).

The CPU 11 acquires the current time from an RTC (real time clock) (not shown) (step S4).
3). Here, the current time is acquired in order to acquire the congestion status for each time zone of each facility. In addition, CPU
11 may calculate the time when the communication terminal 10 arrives at the i-th candidate facility based on the current time. If the current time and the expected arrival time are significantly different, it may be possible to grasp the congestion situation more accurately by using the estimated arrival time. The expected arrival time may be obtained, for example, by dividing the distance between the two points by a general moving speed and adding the obtained value to the current time.

The CPU 11 acquires the business hours information of the i-th candidate facility from the operating state management database (step S44). FIG. 13 shows an example of the operating status management database. The operating status management database contains
For example, holidays (or business days), business hours, etc. are stored for each checkpoint ID. Based on the acquired information about the business hours and the previous current time or expected arrival time, it is determined whether or not the business facility is in business at this time (step S45). If it is not in business, the variable i is incremented to determine the operating state of the next checkpoint candidate (step S
50). Then, it is determined whether or not i exceeds the number of candidate facilities in order to determine whether or not the candidate facilities that should be dealt with in the operation state determination remain (step S51). If it exceeds, radius R expansion processing is performed to obtain a new candidate facility (step S52). On the other hand, if it does not exceed, the step S43 is performed to perform the current time acquisition process again.
Move to.

The CPU 11 obtains information regarding the accommodation capacity of the i-th candidate facility from the operating state management database (step S46). The capacity includes the maximum capacity of the facility, the number of remaining seats or the congestion status in real time, and the empirical number of remaining seats or the congestion status in each time zone. Of course, it is assumed that these operating state information is stored in the storage device 14 in advance. Of course, the real-time information may be the latest congestion status transmitted from each facility. In this acquisition step, the information center 1 accesses the computer installed in each facility. Acquire and store 1
The one stored in 4 may be used.

The CPU 11 determines whether or not the candidate facilities are crowded based on the accommodation capacity at the previous current time or predicted arrival time (step S47). If it is congested, step S is performed to determine the operation of other candidates.
Move to 50. If it is not crowded, that is, if there is a vacancy, the process proceeds to step S48, and it is determined whether or not the participants heading for the facility are crowded. Even if there is a vacant space, it will be crowded as a result if many people go to the facility (sometimes even a small number of people may get crowded).

The CPU 11 retrieves the number of participants aiming at the i-th candidate facility from the participant management database stored in the storage device 14 (step S).
48). For example, in the participant management database,
It is assumed that the CPU 11 has registered target checkpoints, cumulative points of completion awards, time / distance for results, etc. for each participant ID. CPU11 is i
It is determined whether or not the user of the communication terminal 10 visits the i-th candidate facility based on the capacity of the candidate facility and the number of extracted participants (not exceeding the capacity of the facility). Step S49). If capacity is exceeded,
The process moves to step S50 in order to determine the operation of other candidates. If it does not exceed, the checkpoint ID is passed to the i-th candidate facility and the decision subroutine is exited.

Although one checkpoint is determined as described above, it is of course possible to select a plurality of checkpoints. In that case, a step of determining whether or not the operation state determination processing has been completed for all the candidate facilities may be provided after step S49.

As described above, when setting a business facility or a tourist facility as a checkpoint in mobile orienteering, the checkpoint is determined in consideration of the operating state of the facility to facilitate the orienteering. be able to. Above all, the participants can enjoy the orienteering while avoiding the crowded facilities.

[Orientation Processing on Communication Terminal Side] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the orienteering processing operation (step S17) in FIG. 7 among the flowcharts showing the control processing on the communication terminal 10 side.

In the figure, the CPU 21 of the communication terminal 10
Determines whether the communication interface 27 has received the data of the mobile orienteering menu screen (FIG. 8) from the information center 1. If the data is not received, the process proceeds to step S63, and if the data is received, the process proceeds to step S62. Proceed (step S61). CP
U21 causes the output device 22 to display a menu screen (FIG. 8) based on the received data, and in response to the displayed screen, a predetermined item input from the input device 22 and a mobile orienteering start request. Is transmitted from the communication interface 17 to the information center 1. Here, in the information center 1,
In order to calculate the optimum orienteering route based on the current location of the communication terminal 10 and the desired goal position set by the user, position information regarding the current position of the communication terminal 10 located by the positioning sensor 29 in step S62. Also good to send.

The CPU 21 determines whether the mobile orienteering is being executed by the own communication terminal based on the state of the internal flag or the like.
The process proceeds to 64 and ends the process when not being executed (step S63).

The CPU 21 determines whether or not the positional information of the n-th passing point which should be the target is received (step S6).
4) If the position information is not received, step S6
6, when the position information is received, the position information, the map information stored in the storage device 26, and the GP
S unit (positioning sensor 29, orientation sensor 28 and G
Includes PS program. ), The route guidance to the n-th passing point is performed by the navigation function performed based on the current position information and the like (step S65).

The CPU 21 determines whether or not the information regarding the n-th passage point to be the target has been received (step S6).
6) If the information is not received, the process proceeds to step S68, and if the information is received, the received information is displayed on the output device 22 (step S67). As the information, a hint (direction, etc.) that allows the user to associate the nth checkpoint with the information is displayed, and conditions (passage of a keyword, a secret code, etc.) for passing through the point are provided.

The CPU 21 determines that the user of the communication terminal 10 has reached that point by the route guidance to the nth passing point to be the target or the information provided in step S67 regarding the passing point. It is determined whether the position information of the nth check point whose reception is detected in S64 and the current position information detected by the positioning sensor 29 at the current position match (step S68). If they do not match, the process proceeds to step S70. When they match, the data including the passage point arrival signal indicating that the user of the communication terminal 10 has reached the passage point which is the current target is transmitted to the information center 1 (step S69).

The information center 1 does not transmit the position information itself of the target n-th passage point to the communication terminal 10, and the communication terminal 10 does not guide the route to the passage point. In this case, in step 648, it is determined whether or not a predetermined switch operated when the user of the communication terminal 10 determines that the user has reached the n-th passage point is operated, and in step S69, the operation of the switch is detected. In response to the request, the data including the current position information of the communication terminal 10 and the passage point arrival signal may be transmitted to the information center 1. In this case, the information center 1 needs to judge whether the received current position information of the communication terminal 10 matches the position information of the n-th passage point, and therefore, the judgment result is transmitted as the above-mentioned incorrect answer signal. It may be added to the necessity judgment of.

The CPU 21 determines whether or not a predetermined manual operation for inputting a keyword or a personal identification number has been performed from the input device 23 (step S70). When the manual operation is not performed, the process proceeds to step S72 and the manual operation is performed. When the operation is performed, the input keyword or personal identification number and the current position information detected by the positioning sensor 29 are transmitted to the information center 1 (step S71). Here, the keyword or the personal identification number may be information obtained from the employee of the facility when the user of the communication terminal 10 visited the facility at the nth passage point.

The CPU 21 determines whether or not a predetermined manual operation is performed (step S72). When the manual operation is not performed, the process proceeds to step S74, and when the manual operation is performed, information of a predetermined item is included. The display screen is displayed on the output device 23 (step S7).
3). By presenting this display screen to the employee of the facility at the nth passage point, the display screen functions as a so-called coupon ticket or discount coupon. Besides this, step S7
The screen displayed in 3 may display the number of predetermined points that have passed by then, past position information, or facility information.

Whether the data including the incorrect answer signal indicating that the keyword or the personal identification number transmitted in step S71 is incorrect is received from the information center 1 is determined by the CPU 2
1 is determined (step S74), the process proceeds to step S76 when the data is not received, and when the data is received, a screen including a hint regarding the currently targeted nth passage point is displayed on the output device 22 (step S76). S75).

The CPU 21 determines whether or not the data representing the completion prize or the ranking has been received from the information center 1 (step S76), and when the data is not received, the process returns to step S65 and the passage point to be the next target is the same. When such data is received and the data is received, a screen to that effect is displayed on the output device 22 (step S77). For example, a discount coupon screen is displayed, and the user can enjoy the discount service by presenting it at the sales facility.

[Operation Status Information Setting Processing] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence for setting / changing information on the operation status of each facility. The information on the operating status of each facility is stored and managed by the operating status management database shown in FIG. Here, although it is assumed that the operator of the facility set as the checkpoint accesses the information center 1 by using the PC to change the information, it is changed by the information input from the input device 23 on the information center 1 side. May be.

Now, the operator's terminal 8 displays the URL of the operating state setting page of the information center 1 by the operator's input operation.
When is input, a connection request is transmitted to the information center 1 via the Internet 2 (step S80). The information center 1 that has received the connection request sends a request for the operator ID and password so as to prepare a setting page for each facility (check point) (step S81). The terminal 8, which has received the request for the operator's ID and password, displays the request screen on the output device, accepts the input of the ID and password from the operator, and sends it to the information center 1 (step S82). The information center 1 receives the ID and password from the operator, searches the operating state management database using the ID as a search key, and determines whether the password matches the extracted password (step S83). If the passwords do not match, it is not an authorized operator and error processing is performed (step S84).

If it is authenticated that the operator is a legitimate operator,
The CPU 11 reads out information on the current operating state from the storage device 14, creates an operating state input screen as shown in FIG. 16, and transmits it to the terminal 8 (step S85).
The terminal 8 receives the HTML file of the input screen and outputs it to the output device using browser software. If an example of the input screen is introduced using FIG. 16, every Tuesday as a regular holiday, 9:00 to 19:00 as a regular business hours, the regular congestion degree on Sunday, as the information on the current operating state, It can be seen that two people are registered as the accommodation capacity of. The operator opens the change screen by clicking the changed information and inputs the changed data. The change screen may be displayed as another window or may be a pull-down menu. Also, specific data may be input from the input device or may be selectable from a pull-down menu. The regular congestion degree can be changed by inputting the congestion degree for each time zone in a tabular input box. When the update button is clicked using the input device, the terminal 8 transmits the changed operating state information to the information center 1 (step S8).
7).

When the information center 1 receives the information regarding the changed operating state, the information center 1 updates and stores the content of the operating state management database of the storage device 14 with the received information (step S88). When the change is completed, the information center 1 sends a change completion screen to the setting terminal 8 (step S8).
9). The setting terminal 8 displays the received change completion screen on the output device (step S90).

The setting terminal 8 finally transmits a logout request to the information center 1 based on the push-up operation of the logout button (step S91). The information center 1 executes logout processing in response to the logout request (step S92).

As described above, in this embodiment, the operator can update the information regarding the operating state via the Internet 2 as necessary. Of course, if it is updated from time to time in real time, it is possible to provide participants with smooth orienteering according to the latest operating conditions.

(Other Embodiments) The above-described software program for the orienteering process on the communication terminal 10 side is a CD-ROM before the use of this system.
Is provided to the user of the communication terminal 10 by a storage medium such as the above and is stored in the storage device 26 of the communication terminal 10 in advance, or every time the communication terminal 10 is connected to the information center 1 to use this system. In addition, it is possible to employ a method of acquiring the software program in which the function of the orienteering operation processing on the communication terminal 10 side is described together with the data of the Web page of the information center 1 described in the HTML or XML format. . More specifically, in the latter case, the software program in which the function of the orienteering process is described is, for example, JavaScri
You may combine script languages, such as pt and Perl, programming languages, such as Java, C, C ++, etc., or multiple combinations of these languages. Also, a plug-in such as Java applet or Flash may be used.

According to the present embodiment described above, when setting a business facility, a tourist facility, or the like as a checkpoint in mobile orienteering, the operating point of the facility is taken into consideration to determine the checkpoint. Smoothing is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of mobile orienteering according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an information center according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a communication terminal according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram outlining the flow from the start to the goal of mobile orienteering in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing basic control processing on the information center side.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a basic control process on the communication terminal side.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a menu screen in an orienteering process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of basic orienteering processing in an information center.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a checkpoint data memory.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a management database of participant information.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of checkpoint determination processing.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an operating status management database.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of an orienteering process on the communication terminal side.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a setting change of operating status information.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a setting change screen for operating status information.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Information center 2: Internet 3: Base station 4: In-vehicle navigation device with communication function 5: Mobile terminal 6: Checkpoint data memory 7: Map memory 10: Communication terminal 11: CPU 12: ROM 13: RAM 14: HDD 15: Communication interface 16: Internal bus 21: CPU 22: Output device 23: Input device 24: ROM 25: RAM 26: HDD 27: Communication interface 28: Direction sensor 29: Positioning sensor 30: Internal bus 31: Communication line

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kenichi Ikeda             3-1, Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture Mazda             Within the corporation F term (reference) 2C032 HB02 HB22 HB25 HC08 HC11                       HC27 HD13 HD16 HD23

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. Information relating to an arbitrary checkpoint included in an orienteering course is transmitted to a communication terminal, and it is detected that the communication terminal has reached the checkpoint. An information processing device for transmitting information about check points to the communication terminal, the storage means storing information about the check points, and a plurality of checks based on the information about the check points and the position information of the communication terminal. Selecting means for selecting one or more candidates from among the points; obtaining means for obtaining information on the operating state of each of the candidates; and at least one checkpoint from the candidates based on the information on the operating state. Determining means for determining the next target of the communication terminal; The information processing apparatus characterized by comprising: a transmitting means for transmitting information about the checkpoint to the communication terminal. 2. The storage means stores information on the operating state of each checkpoint, and the acquisition means reads out the information on the operating state stored in the storage means to relate to the candidate operating state. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus acquires information. 3. The information on the operating state is information on business days or business hours of the facility set as the checkpoint, and the determining means sets the facility facility in operation as the next target checkpoint. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus determines. 4. The information regarding the operating state is information regarding the congestion status of the facility set as the checkpoint, and the determination means determines the facility not congested as the next target checkpoint. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that. 5. The information on the operating status is information on the accommodation capacity of the facility set as the checkpoint, and the determining means determines the facility having a sufficient accommodation capacity as the next target checkpoint. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: 6. The information regarding the operating state comprises information for each of a plurality of time zones, and the determining means determines the next checkpoint based on the information regarding the operating state regarding the time zone corresponding to the current time. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus determines the information. 7. The receiving means for receiving the information on the operating status via a network, the storage means storing the information on the operating status received by the receiving means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6. 8. The storage means further stores the states of a plurality of users participating in the orienteering, and the determining means, based on the states of the plurality of users,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the next target checkpoint is determined so as to distribute the plurality of users to a plurality of checkpoints. 9. A communication terminal that receives information about an arbitrary checkpoint included in an orienteering course, and information about the checkpoint transmitted to the communication terminal, and the arrival of the communication terminal at the checkpoint is detected. Then, an information processing system including an information processing device that transmits information regarding the next checkpoint to the communication terminal when it is not the goal, wherein the information processing device includes storage means for storing information regarding the checkpoint, A selection unit that selects one or more candidates from a plurality of checkpoints based on the checkpoint information and the position information of the communication terminal; and an acquisition unit that acquires information on the operating state of each candidate. At least one of the candidates is checked based on the information on the operating state. And a transmitting unit that transmits information about the determined checkpoint to the communication terminal, the communication terminal positioning the current location of the communication terminal. Positioning means, reporting means for reporting position information on the current location to the information processing device, receiving means for receiving information on the determined checkpoint, and output means for outputting information on the received checkpoint. An information processing system comprising: 10. The information according to claim 9, further comprising a setting device that is connected to the information processing device via the network and sets information on an operating state of a facility corresponding to the checkpoint. Processing system. 11. Information on an arbitrary checkpoint included in an orienteering course is provided to a communication terminal, and when the communication terminal detects that the checkpoint has been reached and is not the goal, information on the next checkpoint. And a step of selecting one or more candidates from a plurality of checkpoints on the basis of information about the checkpoints and position information of the communication terminal. Acquiring information about the operating status of each of the communication terminals, determining at least one checkpoint from the candidates as the next target of the communication terminal based on the information about the operating status, and the determined checkpoints. Sending information about the A method for providing information, comprising: 12. An information processing program for causing all of the means described in any one of claims 1 to 10 to function in one or more computers. 13. An information processing program for causing one or more computers to execute each of the steps described in claim 9. 14. The information processing program comprises a plurality of software, and is executed on a single computer or distributedly executed on a plurality of computers. Alternatively, the information processing program according to claim 13.