JP2012019494A - Self-position utilization system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a self-position utilization system capable of flexibly setting a processing content according to a present position.SOLUTION: The self-position utilization system comprises: a locator ID table provided on a center server 1 for making the locator ID correspond to locator information for the sake of each facility and each application, regarding a receiving range of a locator ID originated from a locator 7 disposed in each facility, to be a territory; a Web management page for the edition of the locator ID table; and a mobile terminal 5 executing an application. On receiving the locator ID in a position detection unit 45, the mobile terminal 5 acquires the locator information based on the locator ID table downloaded from the center server 1 via a reception terminal, and executes processing according to the locator information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for executing processing according to a current position and related technology.

  Patent Document 1 discloses controlling an event occurrence on a mobile phone (generation of a character, occurrence of an item, branching of a game scenario, etc.) on the mobile phone based on an ID code of a mobile phone base station. ing. If the user moves to the ID code reception range, the process corresponding to the ID code is executed on the mobile phone.

JP 2001-187271 A

In Patent Document 1, event processing is performed using a table in which a certain area (within a base station ID code reception area) and game data (data for selecting a character, an item, and a branch of a game scenario) are linked.
However, if the position of the base station is changed or there is a wave stop, the assumed process may not be executed and the game may not proceed.
Moreover, the user who can play a game is limited to the user who lives in the surrounding area of a base station.
Furthermore, the user who plays a game may grasp each area and a corresponding event, and may get bored with the game.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a self-location utilization system that can flexibly set the contents of processing according to the current location.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-location utilization system that can be executed simultaneously in many areas and facilities.
Moreover, the objective of this invention is providing the self-location utilization system which a user is hard to get tired of.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, a self-location utilization system includes: an area setting unit that sets an area in a real space; an association unit that associates a parameter for application processing for each area; and an editing unit that edits the association. Application executing means for executing an application on the mobile terminal, wherein the application executing means determines in which area the current location of the mobile terminal is, and according to the result of the determination And obtaining means for obtaining the parameter associated with the area, and executing processing according to the parameter.

According to this configuration, since the parameters for the application can be set and edited for each area, the contents of processing according to the current position can be set flexibly. In addition, since parameters can be set and edited in accordance with the state of the real space such as a region or a facility, the system can be provided for users living in various regions.
Even when a change occurs in the real space, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the application cannot be executed by making corrections using the editing means.
Further, when the change or addition occurs on the application side, if the parameter is corrected by the editing means, the area setting means need not be changed or added.

  There are a plurality of types of applications, and the editing unit edits the association between the area and the parameter for each type of application.

  According to this configuration, the parameters acquired according to the position can be edited for each application, so that various applications can be simultaneously executed at the same place using the same system.

  The area setting means sets the area for each facility, and the editing means edits the association between the area and the parameter.

  According to this configuration, the parameters for the application can be set / edited for each area in the facility according to the state of the facility, so that this system can be provided to various facilities at the same time. Further, even when a change occurs in an area at a certain facility, it is not necessary to modify the settings of the application and other facilities if the setting of the facility is re-edited by the editing means.

  Here, the facility is a concept that includes not only buildings such as shopping centers, schools, or museums but also outdoor facilities such as parks.

  The application execution means further includes area selection means for selecting one or a plurality of the areas from the areas associated with the same parameter.

According to this configuration, the application execution unit can perform processing corresponding to the case where the parameter is acquired in the area selected by the area selection unit.
Conversely, even when the application execution unit acquires the parameter, the application execution unit may not perform a corresponding process if the zone is selected by the zone selection unit.
As a result, it is possible to provide variations in processing execution timing. In addition, it is possible to eliminate a state in which a certain process is always performed if the user goes to an area associated with a certain parameter.
Further, since the user cannot easily grasp the relationship between the position and the processing, it is possible to provide a system that does not get bored for the user.

  The application execution unit further includes a history unit that records in which area the parameter is acquired when the parameter is acquired.

According to this configuration, the application execution unit can acquire a parameter and execute a process according to the parameter when a past parameter acquisition history satisfies a specific condition. For example, the application execution unit performs processing when the same parameter is acquired in a plurality of different areas.
As a result, it is possible to provide variations in processing execution timing. In addition, it is possible to eliminate a state in which a certain process is always performed if the user goes to an area associated with a certain parameter.
Further, since the user cannot easily grasp the relationship between the position and the processing, it is possible to provide a system that does not get bored for the user.

  The application execution means further includes priority order setting means for setting a priority order for processing according to the parameter, and when the parameter acquisition means acquires a plurality of the parameters in a range where the areas overlap, A process to be executed is selected based on the priority order.

  According to this configuration, even if there is a place where a plurality of areas overlap, the processing of the application execution unit is not delayed. Further, for example, important processing such as a warning notifying that the user is in a dangerous area can be preferentially executed.

  The area is a receivable range of a signal transmitted from transmitters arranged at various places, and the determination unit performs the determination based on information unique to each transmitter included in the signal.

According to this configuration, the application execution means can determine which area the current position is in by a simple process of receiving and decoding the signal of the transmitter.
In addition, it is possible to easily set an area in any real space simply by arranging the transmitter.
Furthermore, the same application can be provided in a region / facility where the same transmitter is arranged. The location and number of the transmitters that can be arranged for each region / facility can vary, but the editing means can flexibly adjust the system according to the situation of each region / facility.

1 is a schematic diagram of a system in an embodiment of the present invention. (A) It is an external view of the portable terminal 5 of FIG. (B) It is a figure which shows the electrical constitution of the portable terminal 5 of FIG. The flowchart explaining the whole flow of the process of the center server 1, the reception terminal 3, and the portable terminal 5 in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating a locator ID table.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is incorporated.

  In the self-location utilization system of the present embodiment, a virtual field (hereinafter referred to as “virtual field”) is assigned to an actual field (hereinafter referred to as “real field”). Moreover, the process according to a virtual field is performed on a portable terminal.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a self-location utilization system based on the present invention.
This self-location utilization system includes a center server 1, a reception terminal 3, a mobile terminal 5, and a locator 7.
The center server 1 is managed by a company that supervises the system. Hereinafter, the supplier is referred to as an administrator. The reception terminal 3 is disposed at each facility (in the figure, facilities A, B, and C) in which the present system is introduced, and is operated by a person in charge of the facility. Hereinafter, the person in charge of each facility is called an operator.
The portable terminal 5 is managed in each facility, and is lent to a user who uses this system while using each facility. On the portable terminal 5, the program is executed in accordance with a user operation. The locator 7 is installed in advance at various locations within each facility. The installation location and quantity of locator 7 vary depending on the facility.
The locator 7 always transmits a unique locator ID. In this example, the receivable range of the locator ID is handled as the above-described virtual field. The portable terminal 5 can receive the locator ID and execute it according to the process corresponding to the locator ID. For this reason, when the user with the portable terminal 5 moves in the real field and moves to the area to which the virtual field is assigned, processing corresponding to the location is executed on the portable terminal 5. Next, the mobile terminal 5 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 2A is a plan view of the mobile terminal 5 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 2A, the mobile terminal 5 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel 11 near the center of the surface. On the left side of the LCD panel 11, up, down, left and right direction keys 13 are arranged. Four switches 15 are arranged on the right side of the LCD panel 11, and a speaker 17 is arranged in the vicinity thereof. The portable terminal 5 has a memory card slot, and a removable memory card 19 can be attached.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the mobile terminal 5. 2B, the portable terminal 5 includes a processor 41, an external memory 43, a position detection unit 45, a state sensor 47, a switch unit 49, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) controller 51, an LCD driver 53, and an IR module. 55, an RTC (Real Time Clock) 57, an LCD panel 11, and a speaker 17. Although not shown, the mobile terminal 5 has a battery box from which power necessary for operation is obtained.

  The processor 41 is connected to the external memory 43. The external memory 43 includes, for example, ROM, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), RAM, and semiconductor memory such as flash memory, ROM cartridge, RAM memory cartridge with battery backup, flash memory cartridge, and nonvolatile RAM cartridge. Among them, those necessary according to the system specifications are included. The external memory 43 is an example of a recording medium.

  The external memory 43 includes a program area, an image data area, and an audio data area. The program area stores a control program that causes the processor 41 to execute various processes.

  The external memory 43 includes the memory card 19. The main program for application is stored in the memory card 19. When a program is changed or upgraded, each facility responds by rewriting the memory card 19 from the reception terminal 3 or by replacing it with a memory card 19 storing a new program.

  Image data necessary for generating a video signal is stored in the image data area. In the audio data area, audio data for generating audio signals such as voices, sound effects, and music is stored.

  The processor 41 executes a control program for the program area, reads the image data in the image data area and the audio data in the audio data area, performs necessary processing, and generates a video signal and an audio signal. The video signal and the audio signal are given to the LCD driver 53 and the speaker 17, respectively.

The LCD driver 53 drives the LCD panel 11 and displays an image corresponding to the video signal given from the processor 41. The speaker 17 outputs sound in accordance with the audio signal given from the processor 41.
The switch unit 49 includes a direction key 13 and a switch 15, and their key status is given to the processor 41. The processor 41 executes processing according to the received key status.
Under the control of the processor 41, the USB controller 51 communicates with a receiving terminal 3 to be described later and transmits / receives data. Note that communication using a USB cable is merely an example, and any communication means may be used.

The position detection unit 45 uses an RF module. The position detection unit receives and decodes the radio wave including the locator ID transmitted from the locator 7 and sends it to the processor 41. Note that the position detection unit 45 is also used when communicating with an external device, in particular, communicating between a plurality of portable terminals 5. For example, the progress data of applications executed on a plurality of portable terminals 5 are communicated with each other, the data is shared among the processors 41, and a communication play is performed.
The IR module 55 is also used for communication with an external device. When receiving an IR signal from an external device, the IR module 55 decodes the IR signal and sends it to the processor 41.

The state sensor 47 uses a chip in which a triaxial acceleration sensor and a geomagnetic sensor are combined. The state sensor 47 sends information representing the acceleration applied to the mobile terminal 5 and the posture / orientation of the mobile terminal 5 calculated from the detection result of the geomagnetic sensor to the processor 41.
The processor 41 can process and analyze acceleration information from the state sensor according to a well-known step count algorithm, detect a user step, and calculate the step count. The number of steps is used in application processing. In addition, when various applications detect a number of steps that exceeds a specified number of steps during a certain interval, it is determined that the user with the mobile terminal 5 is running, a warning is displayed, and the application is paused. Has been.
Further, the processor 41 moves the cursor displayed on the screen based on the information indicating the attitude / orientation of the mobile terminal 5 from the state sensor, or matches the background image on the screen with the attitude / orientation of the mobile terminal 5. You can scroll.

  The RTC 57 generates time information and transmits it to the processor 41. Although not shown, the RTC 57 is supplied with power from a button battery different from the above-described battery, and continues to measure time even when the mobile terminal 5 is turned off.

  Although not shown, the processor 41 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”), a graphics processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “GPU”), and a sound processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “SPU”). ), A geometry engine (hereinafter referred to as “GE”), an external interface block, a main RAM, and an A / D converter (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”).

  The CPU executes a control program stored in the external memory 43 to control various calculations and various functional blocks in the processor 41. As processing of the CPU related to the graphics processing, a program stored in the external memory 43 is executed, and parameters of enlargement / reduction, rotation, and / or translation of each object, viewpoint coordinates (camera coordinates), and line-of-sight vector are calculated. Perform calculations. Here, a unit composed of one or a plurality of polygons or sprites and applied with the same transformation of enlargement / reduction, rotation, and translation is referred to as an “object”.

  The GPU generates a three-dimensional image composed of polygons and sprites in real time and converts it into an analog composite video signal. The SPU generates PCM (pulse code modulation) waveform data, amplitude data, and main volume data, and analog-multiplies them to generate an analog audio signal. The GE performs a geometric operation for displaying a three-dimensional image. Specifically, the GE performs operations such as matrix product, vector affine transformation, vector orthogonal transformation, perspective projection transformation, vertex brightness / polygon brightness calculation (vector inner product), and polygon back surface culling processing (vector outer product).

  The external interface block is an interface with peripheral devices (in this embodiment, the LCD driver 53, the switch unit 49, the USB controller 51, the position detection unit 45, and the status sensor 47), and 24-channel programmable digital input / output Includes (I / O) ports. The ADC is connected to four-channel analog input ports, and converts the analog signal input from the analog input device into a digital signal via these. The main RAM is used as a CPU work area, a variable storage area, a virtual storage mechanism management area, and the like.

Next, a rough flow of processing will be described using a flowchart.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the overall flow of processing of the center server 1, the reception terminal 3, and the portable terminal 5 in the embodiment of the present invention.
In step S1, the reception terminal 3 is connected to one mobile terminal 5 via a USB cable and starts communication. At this time, the reception terminal 3 executes a program for checking the version of the application program stored in the external memory 43 of the portable terminal 5 and checks whether the latest version of the application is used. If the application is not the latest version, the reception terminal 3 displays a notice so as to use the latest version of the application. The operator who operates the reception terminal 3 replaces the memory card 19 in the external memory 43 of the portable terminal 5 with one storing the latest version of the application program, or the latest version is transferred from the reception terminal 3 to the external memory 43 of the portable terminal 5. Install the application. The reception terminal 3 downloads the latest version of the application from the center server 1 if necessary.

Proceeding to step S <b> 3, the reception terminal 3 determines a user ID, an application ID, and a play time according to an input from the operator, and transmits them to the center server 1. The user ID is identification information that identifies each user. The application ID is identification information that identifies the type of application executed on the mobile terminal 5. The play time is information on a time limit during which the user can execute the game on the mobile terminal 5.
The operator reads a barcode indicating the user ID of the user card distributed to each user, and inputs the user ID to the reception terminal 3. Further, the operator listens to the user's wishes and selects an application ID and a play time on the screen displayed on the reception terminal 3.

In step S <b> 5, the reception terminal 3 transmits information including a facility ID, a user ID, and an application ID to the center server 1. The facility ID is an ID for identifying a facility that is allocated in advance from the center server 1 to each reception terminal 3.
In step S7, the center server 1 selects user save data based on the user ID and the application ID.
Proceeding to step S9, a locator ID table is selected based on the application ID and facility ID. The locator ID table is a table for setting the meaning of the locator ID transmitted from each locator 7 in FIG. 1 on a certain application. The locator ID table will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the locator ID table.
Referring to FIG. 4, the manager of center server 1 or the operator of each facility can log in to the WEB management page of the locator ID table by entering the manager ID and password. The manager of the center server 1 can access the locator ID table of all facilities, and the operator of each facility can access only the locator ID table of his / her facility.

In the example of FIG. 4, a locator ID table for “insect collecting application” in “facility A” is set. For each locator ID, the administrator or operator assigns virtual field information “pond”, “grassland”, “river”, “forest”, “mountain”, and warning information “warning 1”, “ “Warning 2”, “Warning 3”, and “Special 1” which is information for generating a special event are set. If no setting is made, it becomes “invalid”, and no processing is performed even if the locator ID of the locator 7 is received. Hereinafter, information assigned to each locator ID on the locator ID table is referred to as “locator information”.
Here, for the sake of explanation, each locator information is expressed by characters, but is actually recorded as data with a smaller amount of information such as numbers.

The type of processing to be performed on the locator information is further set on the application side.
For example, a table in which a plurality of insect data is assigned for each virtual field is prepared for the insect collecting application. For example, in the case of “forest”, “beetle”, “stag beetle”, “bee” and the like are assigned. When the insect collecting application is executed, the processor 41 stores the locator ID when the user moves the real field and receives the locator ID to which “forest” is assigned. Next, the processor 41 determines, based on the locator ID table, that the virtual field corresponding to the current real field is “Hayashi”. Then, the processor 41 selects one or a plurality of insect data from among the insect data associated with the “forest” in the event table existing in the insect collecting application, and selects an insect collecting event for catching the insect. generate.
The user can catch various insects by moving the real field and moving the virtual field.
In addition, even in the same virtual field, various insects appear because the insects that appear by lottery are determined from among many insects in the table on the application side.

When the processor 41 receives the locator ID to which the warning information “Warning 1”, “Warning 2” or “Warning 3” is assigned, “This area is dangerous.” A warning message “No insects are here” is displayed on the portable terminal 5, a warning sound is sounded, and the progress of the game is stopped. Then, the processor 41 does not accept an operation from the switch unit 49 until the user leaves the virtual field.
In other words, the warning information is, for example, a place that is dangerous to see the mobile terminal 5 such as an escalator or a busy place, a place that the user does not want to enter, such as a facility staff area, or the user leaves the facility. This is information for arranging a locator at the entrance and exit so that the user does not play in the vicinity.
Such warning information is set in common for all applications. The contents of the warning display (graphics, characters, voice, etc.) are prepared according to the contents of each application.

  Depending on the arrangement of the locator 7 and the radio wave transmission distance, the mobile terminal 5 may receive a plurality of locator IDs simultaneously. When a plurality of locator IDs are received at the same time, the normal application program measures the reception strength, and gives priority to the processing when a locator ID with a higher reception strength is received. However, if one of the locator IDs received at the same time is a locator ID to which warning information is assigned, processing based on the locator ID to which warning information is assigned is given priority regardless of the reception strength. In this way, when there are a plurality of pieces of information indicating the position, in order to give priority to the safety of the user, the processing is executed with the highest priority given to the warning information.

  Further, when the processor 41 receives a locator ID to which “special 1” that is information for generating a special event is assigned, the processor 41 generates a special insect catching event that does not occur in a normal virtual field. In this way, a specific event or data can be assigned instead of a virtual field. Since the WEB management screen can be accessed at any time, locator information such as “special 1” can be set only in a specific season, date / time, time zone, and an actual event (for example, summer vacation or Christmas).

Since 40 locators 7 are arranged in the facility A, the manager or the operator makes settings for the 1st to 40th locator IDs. The administrator or operator prepares a layout map of the locator 7 and its locator ID in advance, and sets the locator ID table shown in FIG. The administrator or operator performs the same setting for apps other than insect collecting. Depending on the application, what processing the locator information is used for differs. For example, it is used as information on occurrence of virtual field settings, specific events, items, flags and the like.
In addition, a plurality of locator information may be assigned to one locator ID. For example, virtual field information and information for generating a specific event may be assigned to one locator ID.
Conversely, a plurality of processes may be executed on the application program side for one piece of locator information. For example, when the processor 41 acquires certain locator information, programming is performed so as to perform setting of a virtual field and processing for generating a specific event, respectively.

The mobile terminal 5 that has received the locator ID table from the receiving terminal 3 can be identified as a group of locator IDs to which the same locator information is assigned. For example, when locator information “forest” of locator IDs “1” to “5” of a facility is assigned, locator IDs “1” to “5” can be identified as one group.
The processor 41 can use as a trigger not only to acquire certain locator information but also to receive a specific locator ID in a group having the locator information. The specific locator ID in the group is determined by an arbitrary algorithm such as a lottery or a locator ID size relationship.
Similarly, receiving the same locator information from a plurality of different locators 7 can be used as a trigger.

For example, in the case of an application in which an event occurs when going to the virtual field “Forest”, an event is generated when “5” is received from any locator ID “1” having locator information for “Forest”. It is also possible to generate an event only when “3” selected by application lottery is received, or when multiple types of “1” to “5” are received. It can also be made. In addition to using the trigger for generating an event, it can also be used as a trigger for using a different event table. Other conditions such as the number of steps and time may be combined while setting the trigger as one of the conditions.
The user can not only go to the virtual field “Forest” but also look around in the “Forest” to produce an effect as if encountering an event. Also, there is an effect that the user does not easily specify the position where the event occurs (location of the locator 7). As a result, it is possible to realize a game that is hard to get tired for the user.

As described above, the installation location and the number of installation of the locator 7 vary depending on the facility. However, since the locator ID meaning (locator information) can be changed for each application using the locator ID table, the application can be executed with the same device configuration at any facility.
Further, since the save data is managed on the center server 1 side, the user can play an application at the facility A on one day and play a continuation at the facility B on another day.

It is also possible to cause the processor 41 to execute the process directly according to the locator ID without using the conversion to the locator information by the locator ID table. However, in that case, it becomes difficult to simultaneously operate the system in many facilities and simultaneously provide a plurality of applications to the user.
For example, if one of the application processing conditions is to receive the locator ID “50”, the processing cannot be performed in a facility where the locator with the locator ID “50” is not arranged. Also, depending on the facility, there are cases where the facility corresponding to the locator ID “50” may be used for an event or for a warning, and either facility may be sacrificed.
By using the conversion by the locator ID table, an application can be executed in the same system at any facility. As a result, many users and facilities can use this system.

When adding the locator 7, the administrator or operator makes settings for the locator ID of the added locator 7.
When a dangerous location is detected in the facility during the operation of the system, a locator 7 is added, information for warning is assigned, and it is possible to flexibly prevent play around the newly detected dangerous location. Yes.
When any of the locators 7 fails, the spare locator 7 is temporarily replaced with the failed locator 7, and the same information as the information set in the failed locator ID is set in the spare locator 7.
Basically, the locator 7 is fixed in the vicinity of the power supply in each facility, but the portable locator 7 may be held by a facility staff or a moving body that moves in the facility and moved as appropriate. In this case, the locator 7 requires a separate battery or the like. The administrator or operator also sets the locator ID table for each application for the locator ID transmitted by the portable locator 7.

In addition, even when the version of the application is upgraded and the types of information that can be assigned to the virtual field information, warning information, special event information, and other locator IDs are increased, the locator ID table can be reset to reset the locator 7 It can respond anytime without changing the layout.
Even if there is no version upgrade or the like, by appropriately changing the locator ID table, it is possible to change the arrangement of the virtual fields and prevent the user who plays multiple times from getting bored.

Returning to FIG. 3, the process proceeds from step S <b> 9 to step S <b> 11, and the center server 1 transmits information including the user save data and the locator ID table determined in steps S <b> 7 and S <b> 9 to the reception terminal.
In step S <b> 13, the reception terminal 3 transmits information including a user ID, play time information, save data, a locator ID table, and a command for starting a program corresponding to the application ID to the mobile terminal 5. Depending on the selected application, information for use in the progress of the program may be further transmitted.
Proceeding to step S15, the portable terminal 5 starts the application program stored in the external memory 43 of FIG. 2, and loads the information transmitted in step S13. However, when the user plays the application for the first time, there is no save data.
At this time, the operator of the reception terminal 3 removes the USB cable between the reception terminal 3 and the portable terminal 5 and passes the portable terminal 5 to the user.

In step S17, the processor 41 starts a first timer. The first timer is a timer that measures play time.
In step S19, the processor 41 executes processing according to the activated application program.
In step S21, when the first timer ends, that is, when the play time ends, the processor 41 enters a game end process, displays a screen prompting the user to return the portable terminal 5 to the reception, and the switch unit No user operation from 49 is accepted. However, depending on the application, after the first timer ends and the specific event process ends, the process proceeds to the end process.
The user returns to the operator of the reception terminal 3 and returns the portable terminal 5.

In step S23, the mobile terminal 5 communicates with the reception terminal 3 via the USB cable, and transmits save data reflecting the user ID, application ID, and current game process. The content of the save data varies depending on the application.
In step S <b> 25, the reception terminal 3 transmits a user ID, an application ID, and save data to the center server 1.
In step S27, the center server 1 associates and saves the user ID, application ID, and save data received in step S25.

In addition to being used by the user on the portable terminal 5 to start the application from the next, it is also used as save data for a WEB application that is linked to a separate system.
The user ID, application ID, and save data described in FIG. 3 are also used on the WEB site linked to each application. This WEB site is accessed from a WEB browser such as the user's personal computer or mobile phone after the user returns home.
When the user inputs his / her user ID and logs in, the center server 1 selects the save data associated with the user ID. And the center server 1 changes the content displayed on a WEB site based on the save data which is the progress of an application by a user.
For example, in the WEB site corresponding to the insect collecting application, the center server 1 displays a pictorial book corresponding to the insect data captured by the user included in the save data. The center server 1 also displays a ranking screen that compares the number of insects collected by each user from the save data of many users.

Further, the center server 1 may add to the save data in accordance with an operation performed on the WEB site by the user. For example, in order to increase data such as virtual items, money or experience values in the save data according to the result of the mini game performed on the WEB site, or to generate a specific event in the application information on the mobile terminal 5 side Add flag information.
Moreover, the center server 1 displays a password according to the result of the mini game performed on the WEB site. When the user inputs the password when executing the application on the mobile terminal 5, data such as a virtual item, money, or experience value is increased as a process of the application program, or the application information on the mobile terminal 5 side is specified. The processor 41 performs processing for generating flag information for generating an event.

  Next, an example of an application executed in step S21 in FIG. 3 will be described.

(Role playing application)
This application is an application that performs a role-playing game in which a mission is selected and a condition set for each mission is cleared, such as defeating a specific enemy character or acquiring a specific item.
When the user travels around the facility while operating the mobile terminal 5 and satisfies the conditions defined by the application program, events such as a conversation event, a battle event, a recovery event, a shopping event, and a mini game event occur.
As an event occurrence condition, one of locator ID reception, number of steps, mobile terminal 5 facing a specific direction, remaining time, having specific item data, clearing a specific event, etc. Or a combination thereof is used.
An event occurrence condition table prepared in the application is prepared for each mission. Therefore, the user can experience different events for each mission.

According to the locator ID table described above, virtual field information such as “meadow”, “forest”, “ice field”, “desert”, “remains”, etc. is assigned to each locator ID. Each virtual field is assigned the same virtual field by the locator 7 having a short distance in the real field. For this reason, a relatively wide range of virtual fields is formed by a plurality of adjacent locators 7. However, the administrator or the operator can arrange the virtual fields apart from each other without putting them together in the nearby locators 7.
The locator ID table is commonly used regardless of the type of mission. Even between the mobile terminals 5 of the users executing different missions, if they are in the same real field, it is determined that they are in the same virtual field. Of course, it is possible to determine that each mobile terminal 5 is in the same real field but in a different virtual field, but since communication play may be performed between mobile terminals 5 nearby, communication play may be performed. It is set in this way so that the performing user can easily obtain a common experience.
When the processor 41 receives the locator ID, the processor 41 refers to the locator ID table and acquires the locator information. Then, according to the application program, a process when the locator information is acquired is executed.

  When the processing of the role playing application is started, the processor 41 displays a mission selection screen and allows the user to select a mission. The difficulty level is set for the mission. Difficult missions can be selected with a flag such as clearing a prescribed mission as a flag. In addition, the mission may be selectable according to the information transmitted from the reception terminal 3 to the portable terminal 5 in step S13 in FIG. For example, a process is performed in which a mission can be selected at a certain date and time according to an actual event, or from a date and time after that.

First, the flow of the mission will be described using an example.
As described above, the event generation conditions, the items that appear, and the data table of enemy characters are programmed differently for each mission.
In a certain mission, the processor 41 generates a conversation event when the user starts moving and receives a locator ID whose locator information is “meadow”.
The processor 41 displays a clue to the user that the boss character is in “the ruins” during the conversation event, and sets a boss battle flag for generating a battle event with the boss character.
After that, when the user moves again and receives the locator ID whose locator information is “Ruins”, the processor 41 confirms that the boss battle flag is set and shifts to a battle event with the boss character.
When the processor 41 executes the battle event process and determines that the user satisfies the victory condition, the processor 41 performs a victory effect and adds experience values, money, items, and the like determined for each boss character. Then, the processor 41 determines that the mission is clear, and displays the mission selection screen again. However, if there is no remaining play time in the first timer process of step S19 in FIG. 3, an end display process of step S21 is performed.
When it is determined that the user satisfies the defeat condition, the processor 41 performs a defeat effect. End the battle event. The processor 41 does not transition to various events until a recovery event occurs. The recovery event is generated by receiving a locator ID to which recovery event locator information is assigned.

  During the above process flow, there may be a transition to a battle event with a general enemy character depending on predetermined conditions such as reception of a locator ID, the total number of times the locator ID has been received, the number of steps, and the remaining time. Even in this battle event, the processor 41 performs the same processing as described above. However, unlike the battle event with the boss character described above, the processor 41 does not determine that the mission is cleared even if it wins, and only adds experience values, money, items, and the like determined for each enemy character. . If the experience value accumulates more than a certain amount, the level in the user's game will increase, parameters such as damage to the enemy character in one attack and durability against attack from the enemy character will rise, defeat the enemy character In order to facilitate, the user who has lost the battle event with the boss character raises the level and challenges the battle event with the boss character again by performing the battle event with the general enemy character.

(Standby screen)
Next, an example of a screen displayed on the mobile terminal 5 will be described.
When a specific event has not occurred, various information such as the current remaining play time, number of steps, current virtual field, possessed items, money, mission currently being executed, and clue information about where the game will proceed next A standby screen displaying the game state is displayed. The current virtual field is determined from the locator information of the locator ID received last by the processor 41.
A message telop specific to each facility is also displayed on this standby screen. The content of the message is included in the information transmitted from the reception terminal 3 in step S13 in FIG. Further, the content of the message is edited in advance by an administrator or an operator on the WEB management screen described with reference to FIG. In some cases, the message is not displayed but the message is displayed on the portable terminal 5 by receiving a specific locator ID as a trigger.

(confirmation screen)
When an event generation condition such as reception of a locator ID is satisfied, the processor 41 emits a warning sound from the speaker 17 and displays a confirmation screen for allowing the user to confirm whether the surrounding area is safe. In response to the user pressing the switch 15, the screen transitions to various event screens.

(Search screen)
The processor 41 displays a search screen through the confirmation screen in response to the specific condition being satisfied.
A background prepared according to the current virtual field is displayed on the search screen. The background is prepared as a picture larger than the resolution of the LCD panel 11, and the range displayed on the LCD panel 11 is a part.
The processor 41 determines the orientation and orientation of the mobile terminal 5 based on the output from the state sensor 47. Then, the processor 41 scrolls the background display range in accordance with the change in the orientation and orientation of the mobile terminal 5. For this reason, the user who is holding the portable terminal 5 and looking at the LCD panel 11 appears to change the background in accordance with the change of his / her line of sight.
The background image is an image in which the left and right sides are seamlessly connected, and is adjusted so that when the user rotates 360 degrees around the user, the background is also circled and the original display position is displayed. However, scrolling in the vertical direction is limited to the upper end or lower end of the background image.
In this way, a pseudo 360 degree view is provided to the user. This time, we introduced a technique that uses a single picture, but the background is composed of 3D models such as polygons, and the coordinates and orientation of the virtual camera are determined according to the output of the state sensor 47, so that the user can There is also a technique that provides a pseudo 360 degree view.

  In this embodiment, the processor 41 can determine the output of the geomagnetic sensor of the state sensor 47 (the direction of east, west, north, south, and the mobile terminal 5 facing from the direction of geomagnetism) by scrolling the background image in the left-right direction. ) And the scrolling of the background image in the vertical direction is determined from the output of the three-axis acceleration sensor (from the change in the direction of gravitational acceleration, it can be determined whether the mobile terminal is upward or downward).

In accordance with the application program, the processor 41 arranges objects representing items, characters, stores, and the like at various locations on the background image. A circular cursor is displayed at the center of the display range of the background image. The processor 41 executes various processes triggered by the overlapping of these various objects and the cursor, the elapse of a certain time in the overlapping state, the pressing of the switch 15 in the overlapping state, and the like.
For example, an item acquisition process is executed for an item object. If it is a character object, a transition process to a conversation event, a battle event, or a mini game event is executed. If it is a store object, a transition process to a shopping event is executed.

  The transition to the search screen usually occurs when the locator ID is received. However, the user can also transition to the search screen by a selection operation on the standby screen. In this case, the object arranged on the background is determined at random. However, there are many cases where no object is arranged and no event occurs. Also, an object that makes a transition to an event or the like necessary for the progress of the mission is not arranged. This is a measure for preventing the user from being bored when the user cannot easily find the locator 7 and an event does not occur.

The visual field transition, the cursor movement, and the object selection as described above are performed even during a battle event or a mini game event. In some events, the scroll may be limited to scrolling in the horizontal direction or vertical direction, not in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the cursor may be easily positioned on the object.
Similar processing is also used in applications for the portable terminal 5 other than the role playing application.

(Battle event)
Next, the battle event will be described. This game uses a turn-based combat system.
When a transition to a battle event occurs, the processor 41 determines the type, number, and coordinates of the enemy characters that appear. When the user selects an action command such as attack, defense, escape, or use an item, the processor 41 determines the action of the enemy character and starts a turn. A plurality of types of attack methods are prepared and selected according to the user's selection.
The processor 41 displays an animation corresponding to the actions on the user side and the enemy character side every turn, and determines the result of the action. For example, the opponent's durability data decreases in response to the attack command.
The processor 41 determines that the user has won if the durability data of the enemy character is 0 or less as a result of the action. Conversely, if the user durability data is 0 or less, it is determined that the user is defeated.

After the user selects the type of attack command and attack method, the processor 41 displays the background, the cursor, and the enemy character object as in the search screen. When the switch 15 is pressed while the cursor is over the enemy character object, the processor 41 determines the user's attack on the enemy character and reduces the durability of the enemy character after displaying the corresponding animation.
Depending on the coordinates of the enemy character and the orientation of the mobile terminal 5, the enemy character may not be displayed on the screen. In this case, the user needs to search for an enemy character by changing the direction of the mobile terminal, and to overlap the cursor. If the display time of the cursor has a time limit, and the attack cannot be determined before the time limit reaches zero, the attack from the user to the enemy character is not performed, and only the attack from the enemy character to the user is executed. On the other hand, when the attack is quickly determined, a process advantageous to the user is performed, such as an increase in the decrease in the durability of the enemy character.
The position of the enemy character object may always move.
Depending on the type of enemy character, there are a plurality of parts such as “head”, “body”, “tail”, etc., and the amount of decrease in durability varies depending on the position where the cursor is overlapped.
Further, the processor 41 may display “enemy has moved” at the end of the turn to change the coordinates of the enemy character.

(Communication play)
Next, communication play will be described. The portable terminal 5 can perform a communication play using the position detection unit 45 (RF module). Each portable terminal 5 has identification information. When communication play is performed, settings are made in advance during communication with the reception terminal 3 before the game starts, and a group of mobile terminals 5 having identification information to be communicated is set. At this time, any one portable terminal 5 is set as the parent device. Each mobile terminal 5 stores identification information of mobile terminals 5 belonging to the same group and information indicating which mobile terminal 5 is a parent device.

  In this embodiment, when a battle event or a specific event is started on the host mobile terminal 5 instead of always communicating between groups of the mobile terminals 5, there is a mobile terminal 5 belonging to the group nearby. And the same event is executed on each portable terminal 5 while synchronizing.

For example, an event occurs when the parent device acquires locator information and is in a communication play state with another mobile terminal 5 belonging to the same group at that time.
At this time, the establishment of the event is determined by the fact that the parent device has established communication with the child device within a predetermined time after the acquisition of the locator information, and the event establishment information is also transmitted to the child device. Then, the same event proceeds on the parent device and the child device according to the event establishment information.
There is also an event in which a flag is set in cooperation between a parent device and a child device in a communication play state. For example, there is an event whose flag is that the total number of items for an event in the group is 10 or more.
First, each user moves away and acts in a single play state, completes the game, and collects items for the event. And it gathers in the position of the locator 7 where the said event generate | occur | produces. The parent device acquires the locator information of the locator, and checks whether the parent device and the child device are in the communication play state. When in the communication play state, the event is started. At this time, each mobile terminal 5 transmits the number of event items possessed to the parent device. The parent device calculates the number of possessions, determines that the event has been cleared depending on whether it is 10 or more, and transmits information for displaying the next event to each child device.

Communication play is also possible in battle events. At the start of the above-described battle event, the parent device confirms whether or not to participate in the battle event with surrounding child devices.
The child machine and the parent machine that have selected to participate participate in battle event processing in the communication play state. The above-mentioned turn-based battle is adopted for the battle event. Each portable terminal 5 selects a command and transmits the selection result to the parent device. For example, when an attack command is selected, data indicating the type of attack and the enemy character to be attacked is transmitted. The master unit totals the received ally commands, determines the action of the enemy character, and calculates the result of the turn. The parent machine transmits the calculation result to the child machine, and the battle effect corresponding to the calculation result is displayed on each portable terminal 5.

During a battle event, if the user of the slave unit is disconnected from the communication range of the master unit during the battle event and the communication with the slave unit is interrupted, the master unit displays that the user of the slave unit has escaped and the remaining slave units And continue the battle event.
When the user of the child device that has left again returns to the vicinity of the parent device, the parent device and the child device resume communication, and if the battle event has not ended, the user of the child device is again connected from the next turn. Engage in battle events. For example, it is possible to temporarily leave the battle event, go through a recovery event, return to the parent machine again, and participate in the battle event.

  In this way, users can act away at some times and gather at other times to enjoy the same event at the same time. While away from each other, on each portable terminal 5, the processor 41 independently advances the application and generates various events.

(Town search application)
Next, a town search application will be described as another example of an application executed on the mobile terminal 5. In this application, virtual area information such as “home”, “school”, “store 1”, “store 2”, “plateau”, “square”, “sea”, etc. is assigned as locator information for each locator ID. The town is composed. A plurality of locator IDs may constitute one virtual area. The user searches a virtual town and enjoys collecting items, mini-games, and conversation events with characters.

The user moves through the facility after receiving the portable terminal 5 at the reception terminal 3. During this movement, a screen displaying game information similar to the standby screen described above is displayed.
When receiving the locator ID, the processor 41 interprets the locator information based on the locator ID table, and transitions to a screen representing the virtual area.
Similar to the search screen described above, this screen displays a background corresponding to the locator information, and an object such as a character is arranged there. The processor 41 transitions to a conversation event or a mini game event assigned to each object when the object is selected by the user. The processor 41 performs processing for acquiring items, money, and the like according to the result of the conversation event or the mini game event. A table is prepared on the application side for each virtual area information for characters, events, mini games, and the like to be arranged.
If the locator information is “Store”, the processor 41 transitions to a shopping event and displays a list of items and prices. The processor 41 performs item acquisition and money reduction processing according to the user's selection.

When the “home” locator information is acquired, the processor 41 transitions to the home screen. On the home screen, you can enjoy the acquired furniture items side by side. Furniture data and furniture arrangement data are stored as part of the save data.
On the WEB site for this application, the center server 1 arranges furniture similar to the user's home screen based on the furniture data and furniture arrangement data in the save data. Therefore, the user can enjoy watching the furniture he / she has acquired even after returning home.

  In this application, the IR module 55 is used to receive an infrared signal from an external device, for example, a toy using infrared communication, and an event such as item acquisition occurs. Further, the mobile terminals 5 can communicate with each other to exchange items.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, locator information for an application can be set / edited for each locator 7 of each facility, so that the content of processing according to the current position can be flexibly set. Further, since the locator information can be set / edited in accordance with the arrangement state of the locator 7 in the facility, the system can be provided for various facilities and its users.
Even when the arrangement of the locator 7 is changed, the situation in which the application cannot be executed can be avoided by making corrections through the locator ID table.
Furthermore, if the locator information is corrected in the locator ID table when a change or addition occurs on the application side, it is not necessary to change or add to the arrangement of the locator 7.

  Since the locator information corresponding to the locator ID can be edited for each application, various applications can be executed at the same place at the same time using the same system.

  Since the locator information for the application can be set / edited in accordance with the arrangement of the locator 7 of each facility, this system can be simultaneously provided to various facilities. Further, even when the arrangement status of the locator 7 is changed in a certain facility, it is not necessary to modify the settings of the application and other facilities if the setting of the facility is re-edited in the locator ID table.

  If you go to an area with a certain parameter associated with it, there will be no fixed processing. In addition, since the user cannot easily grasp the relationship between the position and the event occurrence, it is possible to provide a system that does not get tired for the user.

  Even if there is a place where a plurality of locator IDs are received, the processing of the processor 41 is not delayed. In addition, since important processing such as warning display is executed with priority, it is safe.

The processor 41 can determine which area the current position is in by a simple process of receiving and decoding the locator ID of the locator 7. By simply arranging the locator 7, it is possible to easily set an area in any real space.
Furthermore, the same application can be provided in a facility where similar equipment is arranged. The location and number of transmitters that can be arranged for each facility can vary, but the editing means can flexibly adjust the system according to the state of the region / facility.

(Modification)
In the above embodiment, an RF module is used as the position detection unit 45, and the relative position of the mobile terminal 5 is detected by the locator ID transmitted from the locator 7 arranged in the facility. Moreover, the area was divided according to the receivable range of each locator ID.
However, the detection method is not particularly limited as long as the position detection unit 45 has a means for detecting the absolute position or the relative position of the mobile terminal 5 and determining in what kind of area the position is. Moreover, as long as there is such means, the place where the system according to the present invention is implemented may be outdoors.

When detecting the absolute position of the portable terminal 5, for example, a GPS receiver is used as the position detection unit 45. Then, the processor 41 calculates and calculates the position of the mobile terminal 5 by processing and analyzing the signal from the GPS receiver according to a known position calculation algorithm. In this case, a separate area is required. For example, the center server 1 is divided into areas for each range of position information, and a database to which parameters are assigned is prepared.
Even when a radio receiver is used as the position detector 45, a plurality of transmitters (for example, a weak radio transmitter, a mobile phone base station, or a wireless LAN access point) may be used instead of the locator 7. Arranged and a receiving means corresponding to the mobile terminal 5 side may be provided. Unique identification information corresponding to the locator ID is transmitted from the transmitter. Then, the processor 41 receives the identification information, decodes it, and calculates its own position.

  In the above example, locator information is assigned according to each locator ID. However, a method of determining locator information by combining a plurality of locator IDs may be employed.

  When detecting the relative position of the portable terminal 5, for example, an RF tag may be used as the position detection unit 45. In this case, a plurality of RF readers / writers are arranged in the play area 9. Then, the position of the RF reader / writer is written in the RF tag by the RF reader / writer. For example, an RF reader / writer is used as the position detection unit 45. In this case, a plurality of RF tags are arranged in the play area 9. Then, the position information held by the RF tag is read by the RF reader / writer.

  The state sensor 47 may be of any type as long as it can detect the state (including the posture) of the mobile terminal 5 in the three-dimensional space. For example, the state sensor 47 is an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, an orientation sensor, a tilt sensor, or a combination of two or more thereof. In addition, since there are modules that directly output the number of steps, directions, etc., as a numerical value to a processor such as a processor, such a module may be employed.

  In the above example, the portable terminal 5 is owned by the facility and lent to the user. However, the portable terminal 5 may be owned by the user. Further, a general-purpose game machine or computer may be used instead of a dedicated terminal for this system.

  In the above example, the locator 7 is a device that unilaterally transmits a locator ID. However, you may employ | adopt the locator which has a communication function and can communicate with the portable terminal 5 and the reception terminal 3. FIG. Moreover, you may employ | adopt the apparatus which can change the transmission information corresponded to locator ID later.

  In the above example, the association between the area (locator ID) and the parameter (locator information) and the correction process are performed on the center server 1 via the network. However, the system may be limited to a specific facility. For example, the system corresponding to the reception terminal 3 of the facility may perform the processing of the center server 1. Furthermore, the terminal corresponding to the portable terminal 5 may be configured to perform all processing.

  The present invention can be used for, for example, an entertainment system that executes processing according to a user's position, a system that guides the surroundings according to the user's position, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Center server, 3 ... Reception terminal, 5 ... Portable terminal, 7 ... Locator

Claims (7)

Area setting means for setting an area in real space;
Association means for associating parameters for application processing for each area;
An editing means for editing the association;
Application execution means for executing an application on a portable terminal,
The application execution means includes
Determining means for determining in which area the current location of the mobile terminal is;
A self-location utilization system, comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire the parameter associated with the area according to a result of the determination, and executing processing according to the parameter. There are multiple types of applications,
The self-location utilization system according to claim 1, wherein the editing unit edits the association between the area and the parameter for each type of the application. The area setting means sets the area in units of facilities,
The self-location utilization system according to claim 1, wherein the editing unit edits an association between the area and the parameter. The application execution means includes
It further comprises area selection means for selecting one or more of the areas from the areas associated with the same parameter. The application execution means includes
The self-location utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a history unit that records in which area the parameter is acquired when the parameter is acquired. The application execution means includes
The processing according to the parameter further includes priority order setting means for setting a priority order,
6. The self-location using system according to claim 1, wherein when the parameter acquisition unit acquires a plurality of the parameters in a range in which the areas overlap, a self-location use system is selected based on the priority order. . The area is a receivable range of a signal transmitted by a transmitter disposed in each place,
The self-location utilization system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the determination unit performs the determination based on information unique to each transmitter included in the signal.

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