JP2008299535A - Contest management server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contest management server for achieving the holding of a virtual marathon rally by enabling contestants to participate in contests on different dates. <P>SOLUTION: A contest management server 1 accepts and registers the participation of a contestant H through a communication line from terminal equipment 2 of the contestant H, and issues a unique contestant code to the contestant H. The contestant code is recorded through terminal equipment 2 of the contestant H, and time information related with a contest time acquired by using an IC chip mounted on the contestant H is received through the communication line from the terminal equipment 2 of the contestant H, and the contest sequence of each contestant H is determined based on the time information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a competition management server that acquires time information related to a competitor's competition time from each athlete's terminal device via a communication line, and determines the competition ranking of each athlete based on the time information.

  Due to the recent health boom, the number of participants in marathon competitions has increased, and accordingly, various marathon competitions are frequently held in various places.

  Since many athletes (runners) participate in the marathon event, it may be difficult to accurately measure the competition time of each athlete.

Therefore, in Patent Document 1 below, a plurality of measurement points (for example, a 10 km point, a 20 km point, a 30 km point, a 40 km point, and a goal point) set on a marathon course by attaching an IC chip to the athlete's sports shoes. A system has been proposed in which the detectors installed at each measurement point read the time passing through and sent to the headquarters server, and the headquarters server notifies the athlete's mobile device etc. of the passing time and predicted passage time of each point. ing.
JP 2002-259617 A

  By the way, generally it takes a lot of labor and cost to hold a marathon event. In other words, as preparations for the marathon event, recruitment of participants, application for permission from the government office for road blockade, arrangement of personnel such as record staff, security guards, etc., and on the day of the event, the headquarters and water supply station It is necessary to set up the tournament and run the tournament with each staff member, which takes a lot of labor and cost.

  With the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to accurately know the competition time, and the cost can be reduced because the recording staff is not required. However, many athletes participate in the marathon competition day. Instead, it is not a drastic measure of the tremendous effort and costs involved in running a marathon event.

  Therefore, the present invention enables each athlete to participate in a competition at different dates and times, and uses a communication line such as the Internet to count the competition time of each athlete and realize a virtual marathon competition. An object of the present invention is to provide a competition management server capable of reducing a great amount of labor and cost for holding a marathon event.

  (1) In the present invention, a competition management server that acquires time information related to a competitor's competition time from each athlete's terminal device via a communication line and determines the competition ranking of each athlete based on the time information. Registration means for accepting and registering participation of the athlete from the athlete's terminal device via the communication line; code issuing means for issuing a unique athlete code to the registered athlete; Code transmitting means for transmitting the issued player code to the player's terminal device via the communication line, and the player code is recorded via the player's terminal device, and to the player Based on the received time information, receiving means for receiving the time information acquired using the mounted IC chip from the athlete's terminal device via the communication line, And the order determining means for determining the competition order of skill who was the competition management server with.

  (2) The present invention is characterized in that in the game management server of (1), there is provided a game ranking transmitting means for transmitting the information on the game ranking to the terminal device of the player via the communication line. To do.

  (3) In the game management server according to (1) or (2), the present invention acquires a competition condition including a competition condition including an air temperature when the time information is acquired from the terminal device or another server. Means for determining the competition ranking of each of the athletes based on the acquired time information and competition conditions.

  (4) In the game management server according to any one of (1) to (3), the time information includes position information acquired from a GPS satellite by the IC chip.

  (5) In the present invention, in the competition management server according to any one of the above (1) to (4), a virtual competition state image is generated based on the competition ranking of each player determined by the ranking determination means. Virtual image generating means for performing, and competition image transmitting means for transmitting the virtual competition state image to the player's terminal device via the communication line.

  According to the present invention, the athlete code to be recorded on the IC chip is acquired from the competition management server via a communication line such as the Internet by the terminal device of each athlete H, and each athlete participates in the competition at a different date and time. Information on the competition time acquired using the IC chip is transmitted from the terminal device to the competition management server via the communication line, and the competition management server adds up the competition time of each athlete to each athlete. By determining the ranking, it is possible to realize a virtual marathon event, and as a result, it is possible to reduce a great amount of labor and cost for the marathon event.

[1. Outline of competition support system]
First, an outline of the competition support system in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a competition support system in the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation outline of the competition support system in the present embodiment.

  The competition support system in the present embodiment is used for a competition such as a marathon competition, and includes a competition management server 1, a terminal device 2 of each athlete H, and an IC chip 3, as shown in FIG. . The competition management server 1 is connected to the Internet 4 as a communication line, and the terminal device 2 of the athlete H is connected to the competition management server 1 connected to the Internet 4 via the base station 5 and the mobile phone network 6. Communication between them is possible.

  The competition management server 1 sends the time information related to the competition time of the athlete H (in the marathon competition, for example, the final time of 42.195 km or the time in the middle of the competition) via the communication line to the terminal device 2 of each athlete H It is a server apparatus which determines from the said time information, and determines the competition ranking (ranking | ranking at the time of the competition last time, ranking of the middle stage of a competition) of each athlete H based on the said time information.

  The competition management server 1 receives a registration message indicating the willingness of each competitor H to participate from the terminal device 2 of each athlete H through a communication line such as the Internet 4 and registration means, and each registered competition A code issuing means for issuing a unique player code to the player H, and a code sending means for sending the issued player code to the terminal device of each player H via a communication line. The player code is recorded on the IC chip 3 via the terminal device 2 of the player H (see (1) to (5) shown in FIG. 2).

  Therefore, each athlete H can obtain the athlete code to be recorded on the IC chip 3 from the competition management server 1 via a communication line such as the Internet 4, and the competition organizer attached identification information. There is no need to prepare an IC chip, and the competition operation cost can be reduced.

  Here, the “terminal device 2” is, for example, a portable portable device, and a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like can be used. In addition, the terminal device 2 is provided with an interface for communicating with the IC chip 3. For example, when the IC chip 3 is in the RFID tag (IC tag) format, the terminal device 2 is provided with a communication unit that can perform predetermined wireless communication with the IC chip 3. When the IC chip 3 is in the memory card format, the terminal device 2 is provided with a connection part (memory card interface) for inserting the IC chip 3 and physically transmitting / receiving data to / from the IC chip 3. Provide.

  Further, the “IC chip 3” is attached to the player H by being attached to the shoe, clothes, etc. of the player H. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. IC chip is attached to the supporter and attached to the competitor H. It is a chip including a semiconductor integrated circuit in which a storage unit for recording data such as a player code and time information related to a competition time and a communication unit for transmitting and receiving data are incorporated. The IC chip 3 includes an RFID tag format, an IC card format, or a memory card format.

  Further, for example, position information and time information are stored in the storage unit of the IC chip 3 as time information related to the competition time. At this time, the IC chip 3 is provided with position information acquisition means for acquiring position information acquired from GPS satellites, and clock means for measuring time. This position information acquisition means acquires the position information of its own IC chip 3 from GPS satellites periodically (for example, every second) and stores it in the storage unit. The clock means also receives position information by the position information acquisition means. Is stored in the storage unit in association with the position information (see (5) shown in FIG. 2).

  In addition, the competition management server 1 in the present embodiment further acquires time information obtained by using the IC chip 3 in which the player code is recorded through the player H's terminal device 2 and attached to the player H. Receiving means from the terminal device 2 of the athlete H via a communication line such as a mobile phone network 6 and order determining means for determining the competition order of each athlete H based on the received time information. I have. Therefore, the time information recorded on the IC chip 3 is taken out from the terminal device 2 and transmitted to the competition management server 1 via the communication line, and the competition management server 1 determines the rank of the player H (see FIG. (See (6) to (10) shown in FIG. 2).

  More specifically, time information including a plurality of position information and time information stored in the storage unit of the IC chip 3 is transmitted to the terminal device 2 and transferred to the competition management server 1 by the terminal device 2. The competition management server 1 acquires time information including position information and time information acquired by the IC chip 3 from the terminal device 2 of the athlete H via a communication line. Then, the competition management server 1 calculates the competition time of the athlete H from the plurality of position information and time information stored in the IC chip 3 of the athlete H. For example, when the competition course is determined, the competition time of the player H (the final competition) is calculated from the time corresponding to the position information of the start point and the time information corresponding to the position information of the goal point among the plurality of acquired position information. Time). When the player H has not reached the goal point, the player's H competition time (lap time) in the middle of the competition is calculated from the time corresponding to the position information of the start point among the plurality of pieces of position information and the latest time. ) Is calculated.

  In this way, the competition management server 1 can determine the rank of each athlete H based on the information regarding the competition time of each athlete H, so that each athlete H can participate in the competition at different dates and times. As a result, a virtual marathon event can be held.

  That is, even if the competition time is when each competitor H competes at a different date and time, since these are transmitted to the competition management server 1 and counted, it is as if each competitor H competed at a different date and time. It is possible to realize a so-called virtual marathon tournament where the user can feel as if he / she participated in the same marathon tournament.

  In addition, the competition management server 1 includes a competition ranking transmission unit that transmits competition ranking information to the player H's terminal device 2 via a communication line, whereby the athlete H uses the terminal device 2. You can know your own game ranking (see (11) in FIG. 2).

  By the way, in this embodiment, since it is a premise that each athlete H competes at different times, the competition time of each athlete H is acquired under different competition conditions (for example, temperature, humidity, weather, etc.). It will be. If it does so, the player H who competed in the state where competition conditions are bad will become disadvantageous.

  Therefore, in order to eliminate such unfairness by adjusting the competition time according to the competition conditions, the competition management server 1 in the present embodiment sets the competition conditions including the temperature when the time information is acquired. The game apparatus includes a competition condition acquisition unit that acquires from the terminal device 2 or another server (not shown), and the rank determination unit determines the competition rank of each player H based on the acquired time information and the competition condition. . For example, after calculating the actual competition time from the time information, calculate the correction value based on the competition conditions, calculate the competition time by correcting the competition time with this correction value, and calculate the competition rank by the competition time after this correction To decide.

  Further, in the above description, the competition ranking of each athlete H is determined based on the competition time of each athlete H, but the ranking of each athlete H in the middle of the competition can also be determined. For example, the ranking is transmitted to the terminal device 2 of each competitor H by the competition ranking transmission means. By doing in this way, the athlete H can visually grasp the competition state, and can feel as if he / she is competing with another athlete H. In this case, as an order information to be transmitted to the terminal device 2, an image indicating the competition state may be generated. That is, the competition management server 1 sends virtual image generation means for generating a virtual competition state image based on the determined competition ranking of each athlete H to the terminal device of the athlete H via a communication line. A competition image transmission means for transmitting a virtual competition state image is provided. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the “virtual competition state image” is based on the position of the player H on the map of the competition course and the lap time of the player H. It can be set as the image which marked the position of the player H. The position of the other athlete H is determined based on the competition time of the other athlete H. For example, in the other competitor H who completed the race three days ago, the position of the other competitor H is determined by judging the position of the other competitor H at the lap time. Become.

  The competition management server 1 does not transmit a competition state image every predetermined period, but generates a competition state image at a lap time (for example, every 1 km) and transmits it to the terminal device 2 of the player H. May be.

  Thus, the competition support system of this embodiment acquires the athlete code recorded on the IC chip 3 from the competition management server 1 via the communication line such as the Internet by the terminal device 2 of each athlete H, Each competitor H can participate in the competition at different dates and times, and further transmits information regarding the competition time acquired using the IC chip 3 from the terminal device 2 to the competition management server 1 via the communication line. 1 can calculate the competition time of each athlete H and determine the ranking of each athlete H, so that a virtual marathon event can be held, and a great deal of labor and cost for the marathon event is held. Can be reduced.

[2. Configuration and operation of each device]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described more specifically based on the drawings.

[2.1. Configuration of the competition management server 1]
First, the configuration of the competition management server 1 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the competition management server 1.

  The competition management server 1 can be a general server computer. As shown in FIG. 4, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a working RAM (Random-Access Memory) 11, an OS (Operating System) program, and a competition A control unit 13 composed of a ROM 12 for recording a management program, a database 14 composed of an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) for storing various data, and the terminal device 2 of the player H via the Internet 4 The communication unit 15 is configured to communicate with each other, and these various components are connected to each other via a bus 16.

  The database 14 includes a time information storage area 17 for storing time information relating to the competition time of each athlete H, personal information such as the name, sex, age, and address of the athlete H, the athlete code, and the athlete H. Information on the athlete H such as the mail address and IP address of the terminal device 2 possessed by the terminal device (IP address assigned from the mobile phone network 6 when the terminal device 2 connects to the Internet 4 via the mobile phone network 6). A player information storage area 18 to be stored is allocated.

  The control unit 13 reads and executes the OS program and the competition management program stored in the ROM 12 by the CPU 10, and controls the entire competition management server 1 as a whole, and also includes a registration unit, a code issuing unit, and a code transmission unit described later. , Function as reception means, order determination means, competition ranking transmission means, competition condition acquisition means, virtual image means, image transmission means, and the like.

[2.2. Operation of the competition management server 1]
An example of operation | movement of the competition management server 1 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated concretely. 5, 6, 8, and 10 are flowcharts showing the operation contents of the game management server 1 in this embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an example of the contents of the player information storage area in the database 14 of the game management server 1 in this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the time information storage area in the database 14 of the game management server 1 in the present embodiment. The following processes are executed by the control unit 13 of the competition management server 1 functioning as the above-described means.

  In the game management server 1, when the game is started by an operation of an input unit (not shown), the game management server process shown in FIG. 5 is started, and the control unit 13 starts counting the timer of the game period ( Step S10). The competition period is a period (for example, one month) determined in advance by setting, but can be changed by an input from the input unit of the competition management server 1.

  Next, the control part 13 determines whether the message was received from the terminal device 2 via the communication part 15 (step S11). In this process, if it is determined that a message has been received (step S11: Yes), the control unit 13 determines whether the received message is a registration request message (step S12).

  If it is determined in step S12 that the received message is a registration request message (step S12: Yes), the control unit 13 activates a “player registration process” (step S13). This “competitor registration process” is the process shown in steps S100 to S104 of FIG. 6 and will be described in detail later.

  On the other hand, if it determines with the received message not being a registration request message (step S12: No), the control part 13 will determine whether the received message is a competition end message (step S14).

  If it is determined in step S14 that the received message is a competition end message (step S14: Yes), the control unit 13 activates a “competition ranking notification process” (step S15). This “game ranking notification process” is a process shown in steps S110 to S118 in FIG. 8 and will be described in detail later.

  On the other hand, if it determines with the received message not being a competition end message (step S14: No), the control part 13 will determine whether the received message is a competition state confirmation message (step S16).

  If it is determined in step S16 that the received message is a competition state confirmation message (step S16: Yes), the control unit 13 activates a “competition state image generation / transmission process” (step S17). This "competition state image generation / transmission process" is the process shown in steps S120 to S131 of FIG.

  When it is determined in step S11 that no message has been received from the terminal device 2 (step S11: No), when the processing in steps S13, S15, and S17 is completed, or in step S16, no competition state confirmation message has been received. (Step S16: No), the control unit 13 determines whether or not the competition period in which the timer was started in step S10 has ended (step S20). In this process, if it is determined that the competition period has ended (step S20: Yes), the control unit 13 ends this process. On the other hand, if it determines with the competition period not ending (step S20: No), the control part 13 will transfer a process to step S11.

  Next, the “player registration process” will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the player registration process of the game management server 1 in this embodiment.

  When this “player registration process” is started, the control unit 13 takes out the player information included in the received registration message as shown in FIG. 6 (step S100). This player information is information such as the name, gender, age, and address of the player H.

  Then, the player information taken out in this way is stored and registered in the player information storage area 18 of the database 14 (step S101). As described above, the control unit 13 functions as a registration unit that receives and registers the participation of the player H from the terminal device 2 of the player H via the communication line. When the extracted player information is already stored in the player information storage area 18 of the database 14, the already assigned player code is extracted from the player information storage area 18 of the database 14, and a registration request message is displayed. It transmits with respect to the terminal device 2 which transmitted.

  Next, the control part 13 produces | generates a player code (step S102). This player code must be generated so that there is no duplication, but may be given by a serial number or may be given at random. In this way, the control unit 13 functions as a code issuing unit that issues a unique player code to the registered player.

  After that, the control unit 13 stores and registers the player code generated in step S102 in the player information storage area 18 of the database 14 in association with the player information extracted in step S100 (step S103).

  Here, in the player information storage area 18 of the database 14, information such as the player code, the name, sex, age, and address of the player H is stored in association with each other as shown in FIG. Note that the example shown in FIG. 7 is an example of the player information, and in addition to the information, the target time, the target rank, and the like may be registered.

  When registration in the database 14 is completed, the control unit 13 transmits the player code generated in step S102 to the terminal device 2 that transmitted the registration request message via the communication unit 15 (step S104). End the Athlete Registration Process. In this manner, the control unit 13 functions as a code transmission unit that transmits the issued player code to the terminal device 2 of the player H via the communication line.

  In this way, the competition management server 1 transmits the athlete code to be recorded on the IC chip 3 via a communication line such as the Internet 4 in response to a request from each athlete H's terminal device. Each competitor H can participate in the competition at different dates and times.

  Next, the “competitor ranking notification process” will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the competition ranking notification process of the competition management server 1 in this embodiment.

  When this “competitor ranking notification process” is started, the control unit 13 takes out the player code and time information included in the received competition end message as shown in FIG. 8 (step S110), and ends the competition. The player code extracted from the message is stored in the time information storage area 17 of the database 14 (step S111). If the same player code has already been registered in the time information storage area 17 of the database 14, the process of step S111 is not performed. In this way, the control unit 13 uses the IC chip 3 attached to the player H to record the time information obtained by using the player's H. It functions as receiving means for receiving from the terminal device 2 via a communication line such as the Internet 4.

  Next, the control unit 13 calculates a competition time based on the time information extracted from the competition end message (step S112). The time information includes a plurality of pieces of information in which the position information acquired by the IC chip 3 from the GPS satellite and the time information at that time are associated with each other. The control unit 13 calculates the competition time of the player H from the plurality of pieces of position information and time. For example, when the competition course is determined, the competition time of the player H is calculated from the time corresponding to the position of the start point and the time corresponding to the position of the goal point among the plurality of acquired position information. When there is no position information of the start point, time information of the start point is calculated from the position information before and after that and the time information. For example, there is position information 10m before the start point, the time is 9:10:15 am, position information 20m ahead of the start point, and the time is 9:10:30 am The time at the start point is 9:10:20 am. Also, when there is no position information of the goal point, time information of the goal point is calculated from position information before and after the goal point and time information, similarly to the case where there is no position information of the start point. Further, the lap time for each distance (for example, every 1 km) is calculated in the same manner.

  Next, the control unit 13 sends the date and time corresponding to the time information acquired in step S110 and the temperature, humidity, weather, etc. of the weather to another weather management server (not shown) connected to the Internet 4. A competition condition is requested | required and a competition condition is acquired from the said weather management server (step S113). Note that this competition condition may be included in a competition end message transmitted from the terminal device 2. For example, when the athlete H who is a user of the terminal device 2 transmits a competition end message, the competition condition is input from the input unit of the terminal device 2, and the competition condition input in this way is input to the terminal device 2. It can be included in the competition end message. In addition, when the terminal device 2 transmits a competition end message, the competition conditions may be acquired from the weather management server, and the competition conditions may be included in the competition end message. In this way, the control unit 13 functions as a competition condition acquisition unit that acquires the competition conditions including the temperature when the time information is acquired from another server.

  After acquiring the competition conditions in this way, the control unit 13 calculates a correction value based on the competition conditions (step S114). Assuming that the standard competition conditions are an air temperature of “22 to 27 degrees”, a humidity of “60 to 70%”, and a weather of “cloudy”, at the final competition time, for example, when the temperature is “28 to 30 degrees”, minus 2 A correction value of 30 minutes is calculated as minus 5 minutes when the weather is “sunny”. Conversely, when the temperature is “20 to 22 degrees”, a correction value of 2 minutes and 30 seconds is calculated. In addition, the correction value of the lap time for each distance (for example, every 1 km) is similarly calculated.

  Next, the control unit 13 corrects the competition time based on the correction value calculated in this way (step S115). For example, when the final competition time is 3 hours 15 minutes 10 seconds and the correction value is minus 5 minutes, the corrected competition time is 3 hours 10 minutes 10 seconds. The corrected lap time for each distance (for example, every 1 km) is similarly calculated.

  The corrected competition time calculated in this way is stored in the time information storage area 17 of the database 14 corresponding to the player code extracted in step S110 (step S116). In this manner, the control unit 13 functions as a rank determining unit that determines the competition rank of each athlete H based on the time information, the competition conditions, and the position information. FIG. 9 shows an example of the contents of the lap time and the last competition time (for example, 42.195 km in a marathon event) for each player code stored in the time information storage area 17 in this way. For example, Mr. Suzuki's time for the player code “A091092” is 5 minutes and 13 seconds for the lap time at the 1 km point, 10 minutes and 32 seconds for the lap time at the 2 km point, and 15 minutes and 13 seconds for the lap time at the 3 km point. The competition time is 3 hours 10 minutes 2 seconds.

  Next, based on the time information storage area 17 of the database 14 in which the competition time and the like of each athlete H is stored as described above, the control unit 13 selects the athlete H corresponding to the competition end message in step S110. The ranking of the competition time in the entire player, the ranking of the competition time of the corresponding gender, the ranking of the competition time of the corresponding age group (for example, 30 years old) are determined (step S117). As described above, the control unit 13 functions as a rank determining unit that determines the competition rank of each player H based on the time information received from the terminal device 2. And the control part 13 transmits the information of the competition order determined in this way to the terminal device 2 of the player H who transmitted the competition end message of step S110 via the communication part 15 (step S118). The “competition ranking notification process” is terminated. In this way, the control unit 13 functions as a competition ranking transmission unit that transmits competition ranking information to the terminal device 2 of the player H via the communication line.

  In this way, the competition management server 1 can determine the rank of each athlete H based on the information regarding the competition time of each athlete H, so that each athlete H can participate in the competition at different dates and times. As a result, a virtual marathon event can be held. In addition, the competition time is adjusted according to the competition conditions, thereby eliminating the unfairness of the competition at different dates and times.

  Next, the “competition state image generation / transmission process” will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the competition state generation / transmission process of the competition management server 1 in the present embodiment.

  When this “competition state image generation / transmission process” is started, the control unit 13 takes out the player code and time information included in the received competition state confirmation message as shown in FIG. 10 (step S120). Furthermore, as in step S113, the date and time corresponding to the time information acquired in step S120 and the temperature, humidity, weather, etc., for other weather management servers (not shown) connected to the Internet 4 The competition conditions are requested, and the competition conditions are acquired from the weather management server (step S121).

  Next, the control unit 13 calculates a lap time (competition time in the middle of the competition) from the time information extracted in step S120 (step S122). The lap time is calculated based on the time information of the start point and the time information of the latest position. For example, when position information and time information for each 0.01 km from 0 km to 11 km are included in the time information, a lap time of 11 km is calculated from the time information of the start point and the time information of the 11 km point. .

  Thereafter, the control unit 13 calculates a lap time correction value based on the competition conditions (step S123). When it is determined that the competitor H is passing 11 km based on the time information, assuming that the standard competition conditions are air temperature “22 to 27 degrees”, humidity “60 to 70%”, and weather “cloudy”. For example, when the temperature is “28-30 ° C.”, a correction value of minus 42 seconds ([2 minutes 30 seconds] × [11 km / 42.295 km]), and when the weather is “sunny”, minus 1 minute 24 seconds ( [5 minutes] x [11 km / 42.195 km]), on the contrary, when the air temperature is “20-22 degrees”, a correction value of plus 42 seconds ([2 minutes 30 seconds] x [11 km / 42.195 km]) Is calculated.

  Next, the control unit 13 corrects the lap time based on the correction value calculated in this way (step S124). For example, when the current lap time is 52 minutes 42 seconds and the correction value is minus 1 minute 24 seconds, the corrected lap time is 51 minutes 18 seconds.

  Thereafter, based on the corrected lap time calculated in this way, the control unit 13 determines a virtual lap order that is a competition order at a position corresponding to the lap time (hereinafter referred to as “lap position”). Determine (step S125). This lap ranking is determined based on the time information storage area 17 of the database 14 in which the lap time and competition time of each competitor H are stored. For example, when the lap position is 11 km, the time of the database 14 is determined. This is performed by taking out a lap time of 11 km from the information storage area 17 and detecting the earliest lap time of the lap times. This lap rank is a lap rank for the entire competitor, but may also be a corresponding gender lap rank, a corresponding age group (for example, 30 years old) lap rank, or the like. Information on whether the lap is the whole lap or the lap by gender or age group can be included in the competition status confirmation message by selection from the terminal device 2.

  After determining the lap order in this way, the control unit 13 takes out the image information of the map of the competition course from the database 14, and in this map image, the position of the current player H and the position of the other players H A “virtual competition state image” is added (step S126). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, on the map of the competition course, the position of the competitor H in the competition course at the lap time is displayed as an image of the athlete H himself (black solid star mark) or an image of another athlete H (white). An image in which the extracted star mark is superimposed is generated. In this way, the control unit 13 functions as a virtual image generation unit that generates a virtual competition state image based on the competition ranking of each player H.

  After producing | generating the said competition state image, the control part 13 transmits this competition state image to the terminal device 2 of the player H who transmitted the competition state confirmation message (step S127), and transfers a process to step S128. In this manner, the control unit 13 functions as a competition image transmission unit that transmits a virtual competition state image to the terminal device 2 of the player H via the communication line.

  In step S128, the control unit 13 determines whether the competition has ended. This determination is performed by determining whether or not the athlete H has finished the competition (for example, passed the 42.195 km point) based on the time information transmitted from the terminal device 2 of the athlete H. .

  In this process, when it is determined that the competition has not ended (step S128: No), the control unit 13 requests the terminal device 2 that has transmitted the competition state confirmation message to transmit time information (step S129). . When the time information transmitted from the terminal device 2 is received in response to this request (step S130: Yes), the control unit 13 returns the process to the process from step S122, and plays the competition based on the acquired time information. A state image is generated.

  On the other hand, if it determines with the competition having been complete | finished (step S128: Yes), the control part 13 will start a "competition ranking notification process", and will complete | finish a competition state image generation and transmission process. This “competition ranking notification process” is the process from step S110 to S118 in FIG. 8 described above.

  In this way, in the competition management server 1, the virtual competition state image is transmitted to the terminal device 2 of each competitor H based on the competition order such as the lap order. Can be obtained, and it is possible to obtain a sense of competing with other competitors H.

  As described above, the competition management server 1 can determine the rank of each athlete H based on the information about the competition time of each athlete H, so that each athlete H can participate in the competition at different dates and times. As a result, a virtual marathon event can be held. In addition, the competition time is adjusted according to the competition conditions, thereby eliminating the unfairness of the competition at different dates and times.

[2.3. Configuration of Terminal Device 2]
Next, the configuration of the terminal device 2 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of the terminal device 2 in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the terminal device 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, a working RAM (Random-Access Memory) 21, and a ROM 22 that records an OS (Operating System) program, a competition management program, and the like. A control unit 23, an input unit 24 having various operation buttons, a display unit 25 for displaying information acquired from the competition management server 1, a setting screen of the terminal device 2, and the like, and portable via the base station 5 by wireless communication A first communication unit 26 connected to the telephone network 6, connected to the game management server 1 on the Internet 4 via the mobile phone network 6, and communicated with the game management server 1, and the IC chip 3 And a second communication unit 27 that performs wireless communication with each other, and these various components are connected to each other via a bus 28.

  The control unit 23 reads out and executes various application programs including the OS program and the competition support program stored in the ROM 22 by the CPU 20, thereby controlling the entire terminal device 2, and playing code transfer means, time, It functions as information transfer means, image display means, and the like.

[2.4. Operation of terminal device 2]
An example of the operation of the terminal device 2 configured as described above will be specifically described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation content of the terminal device 2 in the present embodiment. The following processes are executed by the control unit 23 of the terminal device 2 functioning as the above-described units.

  When the terminal device 2 starts its operation, as shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 23 determines whether or not there is a player registration operation (step S200). Whether or not there is a player registration operation is determined by determining whether or not a player registration operation has been performed by the operation of the input unit 24 by the player H. For example, it is determined that a player registration operation has been performed by providing a player registration button (which may be a GUI display on the display unit 25) in the terminal device 2 and the player H pressing the player registration button.

  In this process, when it is determined that a player registration operation has been performed (step S200: Yes), the control unit 23 transmits a registration request message to the game management server 1 via the first communication unit 26 (step S201). This registration request message includes athlete information such as the name, age, and gender of the athlete H. This athlete information is input when the athlete H performs the athlete registration operation. However, when the terminal device 2 has the personal information of the athlete H, the control unit 23 includes the information such as the name, age, and sex of the athlete H as the athlete information in the registration request message. You may make it let.

  In step S200, if it determines with there being no player registration operation (step S200: No), the control part 23 will determine whether there exists a transmission request | requirement of time information from the competition management server 1 (step S202). In this process, if it is determined that there is a time information transmission request (step S202: Yes), the control unit 23 requests the IC chip 3 to transmit time information via the second communication unit 27, and the IC chip 3 Time information is acquired from (step S203). Thereafter, the control unit 23 transmits the time information acquired from the IC chip 3 in this way to the competition management server 1 via the first communication unit 26 (step S204). Thus, the control unit 23 functions as a time information transfer unit that transfers the time information acquired from the IC chip 3 to the competition management server 1.

  If it is determined in step S202 that there is no time information transmission request (step S202: No), the control unit 23 determines whether or not there is a competition end operation (step S205). Whether or not there is a competition end operation is determined by determining whether or not a competition end operation has been performed by the operation of the input unit 24 by the player H. For example, the terminal device 2 is provided with a competition end button (or GUI display on the display unit 25), and it is determined that the competition end operation has been performed by the player H pressing the competition end button.

  In this process, if it is determined that a competition end operation has been performed (step S205: Yes), the control unit 23 requests time information and a player code from the IC chip 3 via the second communication unit 27, and these Is acquired via the second communication unit 27 (step S206). Then, a competition end message including these pieces of information is generated, transmitted to the competition management server 1 via the first communication unit 26 (step S207), and further terminated to the IC chip 3 via the second communication unit 27. Notification is performed (step S208).

  If it determines with there being no competition completion | finish operation in step S205 (step S205: No), the control part 23 will determine whether there exists competition state confirmation operation (step S209). Whether or not there is a competition state confirmation operation is performed by determining whether or not a competition state confirmation operation has been performed by the operation of the input unit 24 by the player H. For example, a competition state confirmation button (GUI display on the display unit 25 may be provided) is provided on the terminal device 2, and it is determined that the competition state confirmation operation has been performed by the player H pressing the competition state confirmation button.

  In this process, when it is determined that there is a competition state confirmation operation (step S209: Yes), the control unit 23 transmits a competition state confirmation message via the first communication unit 26 (step S210). This competition status confirmation message includes a competitor code. The player code may be acquired from the IC chip 3, but may be stored in the RAM 21 and acquired from the RAM 21.

  If it determines with there being no competition state confirmation operation in step S209 (step S209: No), the control part 23 will determine whether there exists competition start operation (step S211). Whether or not there is a competition start operation is performed, for example, by determining whether or not a competition start operation has been performed by an operation of the input unit 24 by the player H. For example, a competition start button (or GUI display on the display unit 25) may be provided on the terminal device 2, and it is determined that the competition start operation has been performed by the player H pressing the competition start button.

  In this process, if it is determined that a competition start operation has been performed (step S211: Yes), the control unit 23 issues a time information generation start request to the IC chip 3 via the second communication unit 27 (step S212). On the other hand, if it determines with the game start operation not being performed (step S211: No), the control part 23 will determine whether the player code was received from the competition management server 1 via the 1st communication part 26 ( Step S213).

  In this process, if it is determined that the player code has been received (step S213: Yes), the control unit 23 transfers the player code to the IC chip 3 via the second communication unit 27 (step S214). In this way, the control unit 23 functions as a competition code transfer unit that transfers the athlete code received from the competition management server 1 to the IC chip 3.

  When the processes of steps S201, S204, S208, S210, S212, and S214 are completed, or when it is determined in step S213 that no player code has been received (step S213: No), the control unit 23 controls the power supply. It is determined whether or not the power has been turned off by the SW operation or the like (step S215). In this process, when it is determined that the power is turned off (step S215: Yes), the control unit 23 ends this process, and when it is determined that the power is not turned off (step S215: No). The control unit 23 returns the process to step S200.

  In this way, the terminal device 2 performs processing according to various operations of the player H who is the user, and transfers the player code transmitted from the game management server 1 to the IC chip 3. Thus, it is possible to acquire time information using the IC chip 3.

  Although not shown, the control unit 23 functions as an image display unit that displays on the display unit 25 when the virtual competition state image is received via the first communication unit 26. Thereby, the player H can advance the game while referring to the virtual game state in real time during the game.

[2.5. Configuration of IC chip 3]
Next, the configuration of the IC chip 3 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of the IC chip 3 in the present embodiment.

  The IC chip 3 is an RFID tag type IC chip and, as shown in FIG. 13, is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a working RAM (Random-Access Memory), a ROM for recording various programs, and the like. A control unit 30, a storage unit 31 that stores information on the player code and time, a position information acquisition unit 32 that acquires position information (information including longitude and latitude) of the own IC chip 3 from a GPS satellite, and a time A clock unit 33 that counts time and a wireless communication unit 34 that performs wireless communication with the terminal device 2 are configured. These various components are connected to each other via a bus 35.

  The IC chip 3 is attached to the player H. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the IC chip 3 is fixed to an extendable supporter and attached to the ankle of the player H.

[2.6. Operation of IC chip 3]
An example of the operation of the IC chip 3 configured as described above will be specifically described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation contents of the IC chip 3 in this embodiment. The following processes are processes executed by the control unit 30 of the IC chip 3.

  When starting the operation, the control unit 30 of the IC chip 3 determines whether or not a time information generation start request has been received from the terminal device 2 via the wireless communication unit 34, as shown in FIG. 14 (step S301). . If it is determined in this process that a time information generation start request has been received (step S301: Yes), the control unit 30 performs a time information acquisition trigger generation process (step S302). In this process, the position information acquisition unit 32 acquires the position information (latitude and longitude information) of the IC chip 3 from the GPS satellite periodically (for example, every second), and thus acquires the position information. A trigger for performing an operation of acquiring the time from the clock unit 33 is generated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S301 that a time information generation start request has not been received (step S301: No), the control unit 30 has received a player code from the terminal device 2 via the wireless communication unit 34. Is determined (step S303).

  When it is determined in step S303 that the player code has been received (step S303: Yes), the control unit 30 stores and registers the player code in the storage unit 31 (step S304). On the other hand, if it determines with not having received the player code (step S303: No), the control part 30 will determine whether the time information request | requirement was received from the terminal device 2 via the radio | wireless communication part 34 (step). S305).

  When it is determined in step S305 that the time information request has been received (step S305: No), the control unit 30 extracts the time information and the player code stored in the storage unit 31, and the time information and the player code are extracted. Is transmitted to the terminal device 2 via the wireless communication unit 34 (step S306). On the other hand, when determining that the time information request has not been received (step S305: No), the control unit 30 determines whether or not the time information acquisition is triggered (step S307).

  If it is determined in step S307 that the time information acquisition is triggered (step S307: Yes), the control unit 30 causes the position information acquisition unit 32 to obtain the position information (latitude and longitude information) of the IC chip 3 from the GPS satellite. Thus, the operation of acquiring the time at which the position information is acquired from the clock unit 33 is performed, whereby the IC chip 3 periodically acquires the time information including the position information and the time information (step S308). . This time information acquisition opportunity is periodically generated by the processing in step S302.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not an opportunity to acquire time information (step S307: No), the control unit 30 determines whether an end notification is received from the terminal device 2 via the wireless communication unit 34 (step S307). S309). In this process, if it is determined that an end notification has been received (step S309: Yes), the control unit 30 deletes the time information and the player code from the storage unit 31 (step S310).

  When the processes of steps S302, S304, S306, S308, and S310 are completed, or when it is determined in step S309 that an end notification has not been received (step S309: No), the control unit 30 turns off the power of the IC chip. It is determined whether or not (step S311). That is, it is determined whether or not the voltage of the power source of the IC chip has dropped to a voltage less than a predetermined threshold value. In this process, if it is determined that the power is turned off (step S311: Yes), the control unit 30 ends this process, while if it is determined that the power is not turned off (step S311: No). The control unit 30 returns to the process of step S301.

  As described above, the IC chip 3 acquires and stores the player code and time information, and transmits the information to the terminal device 2 upon request.

  As described above, according to the competition support system of the present embodiment, the player code to be recorded on the IC chip 3 is sent from the competition management server 1 via the communication line such as the Internet 4 by the terminal device 2 of each player H. Acquired, each competitor H can participate in the competition at a different date and time, and further, information on the competition time acquired using the IC chip is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the competition management server via the communication line. The management server 1 counts the competition time of each competitor H and determines the ranking of each competitor H, so that a virtual marathon event can be held. Cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, since it is not necessary to install a measuring instrument or the like in the competition course, the competition course can be set freely, and the versatility is excellent.

[3. Other Embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the position information acquisition means and the clock means are provided in the IC chip 3 so as to periodically acquire the position information and time information. However, the IC can be obtained using an external time information transmission device. Position information and time information may be recorded on the chip 3.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the time information transmitter 7 is arranged at each point (for example, every 1 km) of the start point, the goal point, and the competition course. This time information transmitting device 7 has a communication unit capable of wirelessly communicating with the IC chip 3 and a clock means for measuring time, reads the player code from the IC chip 3 through the communication unit, Is a predetermined code, information on the current time on the IC chip 3 and information on the position where the time information transmitting device 7 is disposed (for example, 10 km if the time information transmitting device 7 is located at a 10 km point) Are written into the storage unit 31 of the IC chip 3 via the communication unit 15.

  With this configuration, there is no need to provide a clock means or position information acquisition means on the IC chip 3, and only a storage unit is required. Therefore, when a competition course is determined, the IC chip 3 is generally used. RFID tags or the like can be used.

  Further, when the terminal device 2 is provided with a memory card interface and the IC chip 3 is in the memory card format, the IC chip 3 can be mounted on the terminal device 2, and there is no need to store a battery in the IC chip 3.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that are variously modified and improved based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. It is possible to implement.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the time information including the position information and the time information has been described as an example. However, a timer unit is provided in the IC chip 3, and a timer start instruction and a timer count are provided from the terminal device 2 to the timer unit. By giving a stop instruction, time information from the timer count start of the timer means to the timer count end may be stored in the IC chip 3 as time information, and this information may be used. In this way, the configuration of the IC chip 3 can be simplified.

  In addition, although the marathon competition is mainly described as a competition performed by the athlete, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a medium-distance running competition or a bicycle competition.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the competition assistance system in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary operation | movement of the competition assistance system in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the competition state image transmitted from the competition management server in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the competition management server in this embodiment. It is a main flowchart of the competition management server in this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the player registration process of the competition management server in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the memory content of the player information storage area in the database of the game management server in this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the competition ranking notification process of the competition management server in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the memory content of the time information storage area in the database of the competition management server in this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the competition state image production | generation / transmission process of the competition management server in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the terminal device in this embodiment. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the terminal device in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the IC chip in this embodiment. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the IC chip in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the other competition assistance system in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Competition management server 2 Terminal device 3 IC chip 4 Internet 13 Control part 23 of competition management server Control part 33 of terminal device Control part of IC chip

Claims (5)

A competition management server that obtains time information about a competitor's competition time from each athlete's terminal device via a communication line, and determines a competition ranking of each athlete based on the time information,
Registration means for accepting and registering participation of the athlete from the terminal device of the athlete via the communication line;
A code issuing means for issuing a unique player code to the registered player;
Code transmitting means for transmitting the issued player code to the player's terminal device via the communication line;
The time information acquired by using the IC chip attached to the athlete is recorded from the athlete terminal device via the communication line. Receiving means for receiving;
Based on the received time information, ranking determining means for determining the ranking of each competitor,
A competition management server.   The competition management server according to claim 1, further comprising competition ranking transmission means for transmitting the competition ranking information to the player's terminal device via the communication line. A competition condition acquisition means for acquiring a competition condition including an air temperature when the time information is acquired from the terminal device or another server,
The competition management server according to claim 1, wherein the ranking determination unit determines a competition ranking of each of the athletes based on the acquired time information and competition conditions.   The competition management server according to claim 1, wherein the time information includes position information acquired by the IC chip from a GPS satellite. Virtual image generation means for generating a virtual competition state image based on the competition ranking of each player determined by the ranking determination means;
A competition image transmission means for transmitting the virtual competition state image to the player's terminal device via the communication line;
The competition management server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

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