JP2023042811A - Program, server device, system, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

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

When recruiting opponents or cooperating partners (hereinafter referred to as "game members") in an online game, the recruiter may want to limit the recruiting targets by location. In the background of such needs, for example, considering the communication speed, we want to recruit game members who are physically close to each other, or we want to find game members who can share topics related to the same locality to enjoy conversations during the game. There are various purposes such as wanting to recruit.

Conventionally, in order to meet the needs as described above, there is known a method of grouping terminal devices by region based on location information. An example of regional grouping includes grouping by administrative division such as country, prefecture, and municipality. By selecting a target administrative division, the solicitor can perform matching as a game member with a terminal device belonging to a group corresponding to the administrative division.

For example, Patent Literature 1 below describes a method in which position information indicating the position of a user terminal is acquired when entering a first tournament held at an actual tournament venue, and the position of the user terminal is determined to be inside the tournament venue. In this case, a technique of accepting a request (entry) to participate in the first competition is disclosed.

JP 2019-097752 A

However, in the conventional technology described above, the recruiter of the game members needs to accurately understand the place name indicating the administrative division and the position and range of the area indicated by the place name. In addition, in the above-described conventional technology, when trying to specify a desired area accurately, sometimes complicated selection work is required, and furthermore, the results of the selection work may include unnecessary areas.

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

To solve the above problems, a program according to an aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages the positions of each of a plurality of terminal devices in real space in association with positions on a map; a reception unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of the shape and size of a first graphic for identifying a first area; and the plurality of terminal devices based on the first designation information. a specifying unit that specifies a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device that participates in a first event related to a game; to make it work.

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

A server device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages the positions of each of a plurality of terminal devices in real space in association with positions on a map, and specifies a first area on the map. a reception unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of the shape and size of a first graphic for the a specifying unit that specifies a terminal device located at a position corresponding to the first area as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device that participates in a first event related to the game.

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

A system according to another aspect of the present invention is a system for identifying a terminal device participating in a game tournament among a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with a server device, wherein each of the plurality of terminal devices in real space and a first designation for designating at least one of the shape and size of a first figure for identifying a first area on the map. a receiving unit that receives information, based on the first designation information, selects, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map as a first terminal device related to the game; a specifying unit that specifies a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate terminal device that participates in the event.

A system according to another aspect of the present invention is a system for determining an event related to a terminal device that can communicate with a server device, and manages the position of the terminal device in real space in association with the position on a map. a reception unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of the shape and size of a first figure for identifying a first area related to an event related to a game on the map; and the terminal a determination unit that determines whether the event is related to the terminal device based on the position of the device on the map and the first designation information.

In the information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention, the processor manages the positions of each of the plurality of terminal devices in real space in association with the positions on the map, and Receiving first designation information designating at least one of the shape and size of a first graphic to be specified, and selecting one of the plurality of terminal devices on the map based on the first designation information. A terminal device located at a position corresponding to the first area is specified as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device that participates in a first event related to the game.

In an information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention, a processor manages a position of a terminal device in real space in association with a position on a map, and identifies a first area related to a game event on the map. Receiving first designation information designating at least one of the shape and size of a first graphic to be specified, and based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information, It is determined whether the event is an event related to the terminal device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the game system 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a terminal device T; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a terminal device T; FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of game server SV1. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a game server SV1; FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of data regarding holding of tournament G; It is a figure which shows an example of 1st position database DBp1. It is a figure which shows an example of 1st map information DBm1. 3 is a diagram showing an example of screen display of a terminal device T; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of screen display of a terminal device T; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of screen display of a terminal device T; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of screen display of a terminal device T; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of screen display of a terminal device T; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of room management database DBl. 3 is a diagram showing an example of screen display of a terminal device T; FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a competition selection screen SCg4-1 in modification A1; FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a game server SV1 according to modification A1; It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the advertising system 2 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of advertisement distribution to terminal devices T. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an advertiser device DVa; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an advertiser device DVa; FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of advertisement server SV2. It is a block diagram showing an example of functional composition of advertising server SV2. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of data regarding advertisement distribution to terminal device T. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of an advertiser device DVa[p]; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of an advertiser device DVa[p]; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of an advertiser device DVa[p]; It is a figure which shows an example of advertisement management database DBad. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the advertising system 3 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of distribution of the terminal device T and the distribution area Za of advertisement AD. It is a figure which shows an example of distribution of the terminal device T and the distribution area Za of advertisement AD. It is a figure which shows an example of distribution of the designation|designated area|region Zg of the meeting G, and the distribution area|region Za of advertisement AD. It is a figure which shows an example of meeting management database DBg. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an evaluation map MPe; FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the classification|category of the terminal device T in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the correspondence relationship between the position of the terminal device T in the physical space RS and the position on the first map MP1; FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a correspondence relationship between a second map MP2 and a first map MP1;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the dimensions and scale of each part are appropriately different from the actual ones. In addition, since the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, various technically preferable limitations are attached, but the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. It is not limited to these forms unless otherwise stated.

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

The set of candidate terminals TA is further classified into execution terminals TC and non-execution terminals TD. The execution terminal device TC is the terminal device T that actually executed the target process among the candidate terminal devices TA. The non-execution terminal device TD is a terminal device T other than the execution terminal device TC among the candidate terminal devices TA, and is a terminal device T that has not executed the target process. All of the candidate terminal devices TA may be either active terminal devices TC or non-executive terminal devices TD.

An area designating device DV, which will be described later, may be one of the terminal devices T, or may be a device not included in the terminal devices T. FIG.

Next, candidate terminal selection processing will be described. FIG. 36 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the position of the terminal device T in the physical space RS and the position on the first map MP1. Each terminal device T (in FIG. 36, terminal devices T[r1] to T[r3], r1, r2, and r3 are natural numbers that satisfy 1≦r1<r2<r3<M. Only for A-0, M is 3 or more natural numbers) are held by users U (users U[r1] to U[r3] in FIG. 36) in the physical space RS.

As described in the embodiments, the server device SV can acquire position information indicating the position of each terminal device T in the physical space RS. The server device SV also has a first map MP1 showing the state of the ground surface in the physical space RS on a predetermined scale. One point in the physical space RS is associated with one point on the first map MP1. Based on the position information of each terminal device T, the server device SV determines the position of each terminal device T on the first map MP1 (more specifically, the position of the terminal device T in the physical space RS) on the first map MP1. ) can be identified. For example, the position of the terminal device T[r1] in the physical space RS can be associated with the point P[r1] on the first map MP1 by using coordinate information such as latitude and longitude. Similarly, the position of the terminal device T[r2] in the physical space RS is the point P[r2] on the first map MP1, and the position of the terminal device T[r3] in the physical space RS is the point P[r2] on the first map MP1. Each can be associated with the point P[r3]. That is, the server device SV manages the positions of the three terminal devices T[r1] to T[r3] in the physical space RS in association with the positions on the first map MP1.

The area designating device DV is a device that designates an area in which the candidate terminal device TA is located. A user of the area designator DV is called an "area designator UE". In the first embodiment, the area designating device DV is the host terminal device TEg used by the event organizer user UEg (an example of the area designator UE) of the event related to the game. , advertiser device DVa used by advertiser user UEa (an example of area designator UE).

FIG. 37 is a diagram schematically showing the correspondence relationship between the second map MP2 and the first map MP1. As shown in FIG. 37, the area designating device DV can display a second map MP2. Like the first map MP1, the second map MP2 also shows the state of the ground surface in the physical space RS on a predetermined scale. One point in the physical space RS is specified as one point on the second map MP2. Also, one point on the second map MP2 can be associated with one point on the first map MP1.

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

When the area specifying figure F is drawn, the area specifying device DV transmits figure specifying information S specifying at least one of the shape and size of the area specifying figure F to the server device SV. In other words, the server device SV receives the graphic designating information S designating at least one of the shape and size of the area specifying graphic F for specifying the designated area Z on the first map MP1. The server device SV can reproduce the area specifying figure F on the first map MP1 using the figure specifying information S, and can specify the specified area Z. FIG.

Further, as described above, the server device SV manages the position of the terminal device T in the physical space RS in association with the position on the first map MP1. The server device SV identifies the terminal device T whose position is associated with the designated area Z of the first map MP1, and defines the identified terminal device T as the in-area terminal device TF. A terminal device T whose position is not associated with the designated area Z is defined as an out-of-area terminal device TG. In the example of FIG. 37, a point P[r2] corresponding to the position of the terminal device T[r2] is located within the designated area Z of the first map MP1. Therefore, among the terminal devices T[r1] to T[r3], the terminal device T[r2] becomes the in-area terminal device TF. The actual position of the terminal device T[r2] is within the area ZR obtained by projecting the designated area Z of the first map MP1 (or the second map MP2) onto the physical space RS. Terminal devices T[r1] and T[r3] are out-of-area terminal devices TG.

The server device SV identifies terminal devices T related to the designated area Z on the first map MP1 as candidate terminal devices TA. The terminal device T related to the designated area Z may be, for example, the terminal device TF within the region, or the terminal device T related to the terminal device TF within the region. The terminal device T associated with the in-area terminal device TF may be, for example, a terminal device T belonging to the same group as the in-region terminal device TF, or a terminal device T having the same attributes as the in-region terminal device TF. There may be.

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

In the third embodiment, the server device SV designates the terminal device T participating in the same event as the in-area terminal device TF as the candidate terminal device TA. That is, in the third embodiment, the server device SV, based on the figure designation information S, selects the terminal device T associated with the terminal device T at the position corresponding to the designated area Z on the first map MP1 among the plurality of terminal devices T. The device T is identified as a candidate terminal device TA that is a candidate for the execution terminal device TC that executes the target process. For example, when the terminal device T[r2] and the terminal device T[r3] participate in the same event, the terminal device T[r2] at the position corresponding to the designated area Z and the terminal device T[r2] participate in the event together. The terminal device T[r3] to be used is specified as a candidate terminal device TA.

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

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

In 1st Embodiment, the terminal device T is an information processing apparatus which the user U uses in order to play a game. Each terminal device T may be, for example, a portable information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a portable game device, a business game device installed in a store or amusement facility, or A stationary information processing terminal such as a desktop personal computer may also be used.

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

In this embodiment, the terminal device T can execute a game with a predetermined title (hereinafter simply referred to as "game"). That is, all the terminal devices T can access a game play application program (play game program PG1, which will be described later) for executing the game, and execute this program. It should be noted that the play game program PG1 may be executed by the cloud server, as in a modification A6 described later.

A game executed by the terminal device T is, for example, a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n] (n is a natural number that satisfies 2≦n≦M). It may be a game (competitive game) for determining the ranking, or a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n] cooperate to compete against a group of other terminal devices to determine the victory or defeat and the ranking. Alternatively, it may be a game (cooperative game) in which a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n] cooperate to clear a game mission.

In this embodiment, the game executed by the terminal device T is a so-called online game. ] to play the game.

In addition, in the present embodiment, users U[1] to U[M] can hold and participate in game-related events (hereinafter simply referred to as “events”) in the game. is. The event may be, for example, a competition such as a match in a game, or a mission to be cleared. More specifically, the event may be, for example, a content in which a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n] compete with each other, or a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n] cooperate with each other. It may be content to compete with each other. Also, the event may be an event, such as viewing of limited content, in which there is no relationship between the plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n].

The event is held with the participation of the host terminal device TEg (see FIG. 6) used by the host user UEg of the event and the participating terminal device TCg (see FIG. 6) used by the participating user UCg who applied for participation in the event. be done. That is, the event is carried out with the participation of two or more terminal devices T[1] to T[n] among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. Participating in an event may mean, for example, accepting an event-related operation from users U[1] to U[n] of terminal devices T[1] to T[n]. The progress of the event may be displayed on the display screens of the devices T[1] to T[n].

In this embodiment, the game is described as a baseball game. That is, a baseball game is an example of a "game." Also, in this embodiment, as an event, it is assumed that a tournament G held in a baseball game can be executed. That is, the tournament G is an example of an "event". More specifically, in the baseball game according to the embodiment, it is assumed that each terminal device T can develop its own baseball team. In the tournament G, a match is played using teams trained by each of the host terminal device TEg and participating terminal device TCg, which will be described later, and the winner is determined. As a result of a plurality of games, the user U of the terminal device T who has won the most games generally becomes the winner of the tournament G. The event related to the baseball game is not limited to Tournament G, and may be, for example, a homerun competition in which players compete to see how many homeruns they can hit out of 10 balls. Also, the type of game is not limited to a baseball game, and may be a sports game other than baseball, a fighting game, a role-playing game, a shooting game, or the like.

The game server SV1 is connected to a plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n] via a network NW, enabling the terminal devices T[1] to T[n] to play games together. and That is, the game server SV1 controls the progress of the game. Such functions of the game server SV1 are hereinafter referred to as "game progression functions". For example, when the terminal device T[1] and the terminal device T[2] are competing, when the user U[1] operates the terminal device T[1], the terminal device T[1] uses the operation information as a unit. It is generated every hour and transmitted to the game server SV1. Similarly, when the user U[2] operates the terminal device T[2], the terminal device T[2] generates the operation information for each frame and transmits it to the game server SV1. When the game server SV1 receives the respective operation information from the terminal devices T[1] and T[2], the game server SV1 performs game processing using each operation information, and sends the game result information, which is the result of the game processing, to the terminal device T[2]. 1] and T[2]. The terminal devices T[1] and T[2] generate output data such as images and sounds based on the game result information, and output images and sounds related to the game results from the touch panels 12 and the speakers 13, which will be described later.

The game server SV1 also receives a request Cg for holding a tournament G from the host terminal device TEg, and solicits participating terminal devices TCg to participate in the tournament G. FIG. Such a function of the game server SV1 is hereinafter referred to as a "tournament management function". It should be noted that when the recruitment for participation in the tournament G is finished and the tournament G is established, the tournament G is advanced by the game progress function. In the following embodiments, the tournament management function of the game server SV1 will be mainly described.

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

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

The touch panel 12 is hardware in which hardware for outputting image information to the user of the terminal device T and hardware for receiving operations by the user of the terminal device T are integrated. It provides a function as the input unit 122 . The touch panel 12 outputs image information (mainly image information relating to games in this embodiment) under the control of the processor 16 . Further, when an object such as a user's finger is in contact with the touch panel 12, the touch panel 12 detects the touch position, which is the contact position of the object on the touch panel 12, and periodically generates touch position information indicating the detected touch position. output

Note that the terminal device T may include a display functioning as the display unit 120 and a controller functioning as the operation input unit 122 instead of the touch panel 12 . In this case, the display may be separate from the terminal device T. FIG. For example, if the terminal device T is a game machine connected to a home television, the home television functions as a display. Further, the controller may be provided in the housing of the terminal device T, or may be provided separately from the housing of the terminal device T. FIG. A controller may consist of one or more devices including some or all of a pointing device such as, for example, operating buttons, a keyboard, a joystick, and a mouse.

The speaker 13 is hardware for outputting audio information to the user of the terminal device T, and provides a function as the audio output unit 130 shown in FIG. In the case where the terminal device T is a game machine used by being connected to a home television, the sound may be output from the speakers of the home television.

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

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

The processor 16 is, for example, one or a plurality of CPUs (Central Processing Units), executes a game program for play PG1 stored in the memory 15, and operates according to the game program for play PG1 to perform the operations shown in FIG. It functions as the control unit 160 .

The processor 16 includes hardware such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) in addition to or instead of the CPU. can be anything. In this case, part or all of the control unit 160 implemented by the processor 16 may be implemented by hardware such as a DSP.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The function of the communication unit 210 is implemented by the communication device 21 shown in FIG. The function of the storage unit 220 is implemented by the memory 22 shown in FIG.

The control unit 230 functions as a game progression unit 231 and a tournament management unit 232 by the processor 23 executing the control game program PG2. The game progress section 231 controls the progress of the game. The game progression unit 231 receives operation information from the terminal device T that is executing the game, performs game processing using the operation information, and transmits game result information, which is the result of the game processing, to the terminal device T. FIG. That is, the game progression unit 231 realizes the game progression function of the game server SV1 described above.

The tournament management unit 232 manages tournaments related to games. The tournament management unit 232, for example, receives applications for holding a tournament from participating terminal devices TCg (see FIG. 6), and solicits terminal devices T to participate in the tournament. That is, the tournament management unit 232 implements the above-described tournament management function of the game server SV1.

Tournament management section 232 includes first location management section 233 , first reception section 234 , room management section 235 , first identification section 236 , permission section 237 , acquisition section 238 and supply section 239 . Hereinafter, the details of the competition implementation in the game system 1 will be described while describing the details of these functional units.

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

The candidate terminal device T Ag[j] is an example of the candidate terminal device TA in FIG. The participating terminal device TCg[j] is an example of the executing terminal device TC in FIG. The non-participation terminal device TDg[j] is an example of the non-execution terminal device TD in FIG. Host terminal device TEg[j] is an example of area designating device DV.

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

The candidate terminal device T Ag[j] is an area other than the host terminal device TEg[j] among the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] and specified by the host user UEg[j] (a specified area Zg[j], which will be described later). j]) (in-region terminal device TFg[j], which is an example of the in-region terminal device TF shown in FIG. 37), and has a possibility of participating in the tournament G[j]. is. The number of candidate terminal devices T Ag[j] may be one, or may be M or less. Further, when there is no terminal device T located in the specified area Z[j], the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] may not be specified. The candidate terminal device T Ag[j] is held by a user who is a candidate for the participant of the tournament G[j] (hereinafter referred to as "candidate user UAg[j]"). The candidate terminal device T Ag[j] is an example of "one terminal device", "first candidate terminal device" and "second candidate terminal device".

Participating terminal devices TCg[j] are terminal devices T that participate in the tournament G[j] among the candidate terminal devices TAg[j], and users who will participate in the tournament G[j] (hereinafter referred to as “participating user UCg[j]”). In the present embodiment, the participating terminal device TCg[j] is the terminal device T that has transmitted the participation request Dg[j] to the tournament G[j] among the candidate terminal devices T Ag[j]. A non-participating terminal device TDg[j] is a terminal device T that does not participate in the tournament G[j] among the candidate terminal devices T Ag[j], and is a user who does not participate in the tournament G[j] (hereinafter referred to as “non-participating user UDg[j]”). In the present embodiment, the non-participating terminal device TDg[j] is the terminal device T that has not transmitted the participation request Dg[j] to the tournament G[j] among the candidate terminal devices T Ag[j].

FIG. 6 shows one participating terminal device TCg[j] and one non-participating terminal device TDg[j]. There may be two or more, and all candidate terminal devices T Ag[j] may be either participating terminal devices TCg[j] or non-participating terminal devices TDg[j]. Also, the number of candidate terminal devices T Ag[j] may be one.

Prior to the tournament G, the game server SV1 uses the first location management unit 233 to obtain location information Pi[1] to Pi[M] from all the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] of the game system 1. ] is acquired (S1). All the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] refer to the host terminal device TEg[j], the candidate terminal device TAg[j], and the host terminal device TEg[j] which is not shown in FIG. Includes terminals that are not [j]. The first location management unit 233 manages the location information Pi[1] to Pi[M] of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] using the first location database DBp1 and the first map information DBm1 ( S2). S1 to S2 in FIG. 6 are referred to as "position management steps". The acquisition (S1) of the position information Pi[1] to Pi[M] and the management of the positions (S2) are performed as needed during subsequent steps. In other words, the location information in the first location database DBp1 is updated as needed, and particularly the current location information reflects the locations of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] at that time.

In holding the tournament, the host terminal device TEg[j] receives designation of the position of the participating terminal device TCg[j] from the host user UEg[j]. As will be described later, the position of the participating terminal device TCg[j] is designated by the host user UEg[j] on the map displayed on the host terminal device TEg[j] (the second partial map MPd2 shown in FIG. 10 etc.). This is done by drawing an area specifying figure Fg[j] on it. That is, the host terminal device TEg[j] accepts the drawing of the region specifying figure Fg[j] from the host user UEg[j] (S3). In addition, the host terminal device TEg[j] receives information from the host user UEg[j], such as the upper limit number of participating terminal devices TCg[j] for the tournament G[j], the acceptance period of the participation request Dg[j], and the like. Specification of other conditions may be accepted.

Upon receiving drawing of the area-specific figure Fg[j] by the host user UEg[j], the host terminal device TEg[j] provides figure-designating information that specifies at least one of the shape and size of the area-specific figure Fg[j]. A holding request Cg[j] for the tournament G[j] including Sg[j] is transmitted to the game server SV1 (S4). The game server SV1 receives the holding request Cg[j] through the first receiving unit 234 (S5). S3 to S5 in FIG. 6 are referred to as "holding reception steps".

The game server SV1 that has received the holding request Cg[j] uses the room management unit 235 to create a room L[j] for recruiting participating terminal devices TCg[j] (S6). Room L is a waiting area until the tournament starts, conceptually defined on game server SV1. Rooms L[1] to L[J] are generated corresponding to the tournaments G[1] to G[J], respectively. A terminal device T that has transmitted a participation request Dg[j], which will be described later, becomes a room member of room L[j]. A room member of the room L[j] becomes the participating terminal device TCg[j] of the meeting G[j] corresponding to the room L[j].

Further, the game server SV1 uses the first identifying unit 236 to identify the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] based on the graphic designation information Sg[j] and the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] (S7 ). The supply unit 239 of the game server SV1 sends an invitation Vg[j] to the tournament G[j], which includes various information about the tournament G[j] (hereinafter referred to as “tournament information Ig[j]”), to the candidate terminals. It is transmitted to the device T Ag[j] (S8). Invitation notification Vg[j] may include figure designation information Sg[j]. S6 to S8 in FIG. 6 are called "participating terminal recruiting step".

The candidate terminal device TAg[j] that has received the invitation notice Vg[j] presents the tournament information Ig[j] included in the invitation notice Vg[j] to the candidate user UAg[j] (S9). The candidate user determines whether or not to participate in the tournament G[j] by referring to the tournament information Ig[j]. When participating in the tournament G[j], the candidate user UAg[j] inputs information indicating the intention to participate in the tournament to the candidate terminal device T Ag[j]. When the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] receives the input of the information indicating the intention to participate (S10), it transmits a participation request Dg[j] to the tournament G[j] to the game server SV1 (S11). The acquisition unit 238 of the game server SV1 receives the participation request Dg[j] from the candidate terminal device TAG. Then, the game server SV1 uses the room management unit 235 to add the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] to the room members (S12). The candidate terminal device TAg[j] that has become a room member becomes the participating terminal device TCg[j] of the tournament G[j]. S9 to S12 in FIG. 6 are called "participation reception step".

When a predetermined tournament establishment condition is satisfied, the game server SV1 terminates acceptance of the participation request Dg[j] for the tournament G[j] (S13). Tournament G[j] is started (S14).

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

Position information is information indicating the position of the terminal device T in the physical space RS. The position of the terminal device T in the physical space RS may be, for example, the current position of the terminal device T, or a position registered in advance as the position of the terminal device T (hereinafter referred to as "registered position"). good too. The position may be specified by information such as latitude and longitude, lot number, and address notation, for example.

The current position may be, for example, the position of the terminal device T specified by the GPS receiver 14 or the position of the base station with which the terminal device T communicates. When acquiring the current location as the location information, the first location management unit 233 may always acquire the current location from the terminal device T regardless of whether or not the game is being executed. The current position may be obtained only while the terminal device T is running, or the current position may be obtained when the terminal device T starts up the game.

Also, the registered position may be a position registered by the user U of the terminal device T specifying position information such as an address and latitude and longitude, for example. For example, when the terminal device T is a stationary information processing terminal, the user U may register the location where the information processing device is installed as the position of the terminal device T. FIG. Further, for example, when the terminal device T is a portable information processing terminal, the user U carries the terminal device T and stays for a long time, or uses the terminal device T himself. Places where the game is frequently played, specifically, home, workplace, school, etc., may be registered as the location of the terminal device T. FIG.

Also, the registered position may be a position registered by the terminal device T specifying information indicating the position such as an address and latitude and longitude, for example. The terminal device T, for example, detects the current position of its own device at all times or at predetermined time intervals, and finds a position with a higher frequency of detection than the predetermined frequency (or a position with a longer cumulative time of detection than the predetermined time). It may be specified as the position of the own device.

When acquiring a registered position as position information, the first position management unit 233 may cause the position of the terminal device T to be registered in user registration performed when the game is first executed on the terminal device T, for example. Further, the first position management unit 233 may cause the user U or the terminal device T to specify the position of the terminal device T, for example, each time a game is started on the terminal device T. FIG.

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

The terminal device ID 701 is identification information of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. In this embodiment, the terminal device ID 701 is represented by a combination of the alphabetic character "T" and a three-digit number, such as "T001". For example, the terminal device with terminal device ID=001 is terminal device T[1], and the terminal device with terminal device ID=011 is terminal device T[11].

The selection information 702 is information for specifying information used as the position of the terminal device T specified by the terminal device ID 701 . In this embodiment, the selection information 702 is a value of either "1" or "2". indicates that the registered location information 705 is used as the location of the terminal device T. FIG. The first position management unit 233, which will be described later, manages the position information of the person designated by the selection information 702 as information indicating the position of the terminal device T. FIG. The selection information 702 may be specified by the user U of the terminal device T, or may be specified by the first location management unit 233 based on the acquisition status of the current location information 703 and the registered location information 705, for example.

The current location information 703 is the latitude and longitude indicating the current location of the terminal device T specified by the terminal device ID 701, the lot number, the city name, and the like. In this embodiment, the format of the position information recorded as the current position information 703 and the registered position information 705, which will be described later, is unified to latitude and longitude. In this embodiment, the latitude and longitude are shown in seconds, but units of less than a second may be included. When the location information is acquired in the form of lot number or municipality name, the first location management unit 233 converts the location information into latitude and longitude based on the first map information DBm1 or the like described later, and then converts the location information into the first location database. Record in DBp1. Note that the first location management unit 233 may record the location information acquired in the format of, for example, the lot number or the name of the municipality in the first location database DBp1 as it is.

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

Acquisition time information 704 indicates the date and time (time) when the current position information was acquired. The time indicated by the acquisition time information 704 may be the time at which the terminal device T acquires the current location information, or the time at which the game server SV1 acquires the current location information of the terminal device T. FIG. Acquisition time information 704 serves as material for determining whether to use current location information 703 as the location of terminal device T, for example. If the difference between the date and time indicated by the acquisition time information 704 and the current time is large, the possibility that the terminal device T is currently located at that location is low. Therefore, when a predetermined period of time or more has passed since the date and time indicated by the acquisition time information 704, the first position management unit 233 sets the selection information 702 corresponding to the terminal device ID to "2". It should be noted that the reason why the difference between the date and time indicated by the acquisition time information 704 and the current time is large may be, for example, when the GPS receiver 14 of the terminal device T breaks down.

The registered location information 705 is the location registered in advance by the user U of the terminal device T identified by the terminal device ID 701, or the latitude and longitude indicating the location registered in advance by the terminal device T. FIG. As with the current position information 703, the format of the position information recorded as the registered position information 705 may not be standardized.

The registered location information 705 of the terminal device (terminal device T[2]) with the terminal device ID=T002 is blank. A blank indicates that the registered location information of the terminal device T[2] cannot be acquired. This corresponds to, for example, the case where the user U[2] of the terminal device T[2] has not registered the registered location. If the registered position information 705 is blank, the selection information 702 is set to "1".

It should be noted that, for example, if the user does not permit acquisition of the location information of the terminal device T, the first location management unit 233 does not need to acquire the location information of these terminal devices T. In this embodiment, the terminal device T that cannot acquire the position information is not a candidate terminal device T Ag[j].

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

A map is a diagram representing the terrain in the physical space RS on a predetermined scale. The map may include information that allows the position in the physical space RS to be specified, and this information may allow the position in the physical space RS to be associated with the position on the map. The information that can specify the position in the physical space RS may be, for example, latitude and longitude, lot number, address notation, and the like. The range included in the map may be, for example, a range including the position of the host terminal device TEg[j]. Also, the scale of the map may be variable or fixed. In addition, characters such as country names, prefecture names, city names, and facility names may be superimposed on the map, and may include boundaries of administrative divisions such as countries, prefectures, and cities.

The first location management unit 233 stores the location information (current location information 703 or registered location information 705, whichever is specified by the selection information 702 in FIG. 7) recorded in the first location database DBp1, as the first location database DBp1. One point is associated with one map information DBm1. The first map information DBm1 includes latitude and longitude information (in the first partial map MPd1 of FIG. 8, latitude and longitude lines are indicated in 30-minute intervals), as well as prefecture name information and municipality name information (visibility is ensured in FIG. 8). from the point of view of Tokyo), and includes address name information, facility name information, etc. (not shown).

The first position management unit 233 identifies one point on the first map information DBm1 from the current position information 703 and the registered position information 705 of the first position database DBp1. This point corresponds to "the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] on the map". In this embodiment, the first position management unit 233 can plot the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] in the first map information DBm1. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, positions Pi[1] to Pi[3] of terminal devices T[1] to T[3] with terminal device IDs=T001 to T003 are plotted in the range of the first partial map MPd1. there is In addition, if the registered location information 705 includes a lot number, city, ward, town, or village name that has a predetermined size and is registered, the first location management unit 233, for example, in the area corresponding to the lot number on the map, A representative point (for example, the position of the center of gravity) may be determined, and the position may be set as the position of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] on the map.

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

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

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

The home icon Hg1 is an icon indicating the position of the host terminal device TEg[j] on the second partial map MPd2. The position indicated by the home icon Hg1 may be, for example, the current position of the host terminal device TEg[j] or may be the registered position. It is preferred to be in the closed position. The position of the host terminal device TEg[j] is acquired by the GPS receiver 14, for example.

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

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

The area specifying figure Fg[j] may be a figure specifying a closed area whose outer edge is defined by a straight line or a curved line. The region-specifying figure Fg[j] may be, for example, a geometrically defined shape such as a circle or a polygon, or a shape with no regularity such as drawn by the host user UEg[j] freehand. may be Also, the shape of the region specifying figure Fg[j] may be a geometrical arrangement of straight lines or curves defining the outer edge of the figure, and the shape of the region specifying figure Fg[j] may be a perfect circle, a regular polygon, or the like. If it is uniquely determined, it may be a name indicating the shape (the above-mentioned "perfect circle", "regular hexagon", etc.). Also, the size of the area-specific figure Fg[j] may be a parameter that defines the area of the closed area that the area-specific figure Fg[j] constitutes. It may be the length of a line, or the radius when the area specifying figure Fg[j] is a circle. In the present embodiment, the size of the area specifying figure Fg[j] may be the size of the area specifying figure Fg[j] relative to the second partial map MPd2.

In the example of FIG. 10, the area specifying figure Fg[j] in the initial state is a circle with a radius ra centered on the position of the home icon Hg1. Although the home icon Hg1 has a predetermined size, the position of the home icon Hg1 may be, for example, the position of the center of gravity of the home icon Hg1. The position of the home icon Hg1 matches the position of the host terminal device TEg[j] on the second partial map MPd2. As shown in FIG. 11, the host user UEg[j] touches the outer edge of the area specifying figure Fg[j] displayed on the touch panel 12 with the finger Fn and moves the finger Fn to display the area specifying figure Fg[j]. can change shape or size. For example, by moving the finger Fn along the radius of the area specifying figure Fg[j], the radius (size) of the area specifying figure Fg[j] can be changed. FIG. 11 illustrates a case where the radius of the area specifying figure Fg[j] is set to rb (<ra) by moving the finger Fn radially inward. Further, by moving the area specifying figure Fg[j] in a direction other than the radial direction, the position of the area specifying figure Fg[j] can be shifted to an arbitrary position. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, receiving the adjustment of the region specifying figure Fg[j] from the host user UEg[j] corresponds to S3 in FIG.

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

When the square selection button BT4-2 is selected, a square figure centered on the position of the home icon Hg1 is displayed on the touch panel 12. FIG. The host user UEg[j] can designate a desired area by adjusting the length of each side of the quadrangle, the position of the vertex, and the like.

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

In addition, designation of the shape and size of the region specifying figure Fg[j] is not limited to adjusting the figure displayed on the second partial map MPd2 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 . For example, the information designating the shape of the area-specifying figure Fg[j], the information designating the size of the area-specifying figure Fg[j], and the information capable of specifying the position in the second partial map MPd2 are text or the like. may be entered with Specifically, for example, information designating the shape of the region specifying figure Fg[j] as a circle, information designating the radius of the circle, and the latitude and longitude of the center position of the circle in the second partial map MPd2 are sent to the host user. By inputting UEg[j], the shape and size of the region specifying figure Fg[j] may be specified.

In addition, by specifying a place name such as an administrative division, only a part of the area specified by the area specifying figure Fg[j] is included in the specified area Zg[j], or specified by the area specifying figure Fg[j]. It may also be possible to exclude part of the area to be processed from the designated area Zg[j]. Specifically, for example, among the areas overlapping the area specifying figure Fg[j] shown in FIG. 10, only the range of Tokyo is set as the specified area Zg[j], or j], only the area of Tokyo may be excluded from the designated area Zg[j].

In the forms shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the host user UEg[j] presses the OK button BT5 after finishing the adjustment of the shape and size of the area specifying figure Fg[j]. When the OK button BT5 is pressed, the host terminal device TEg[j] generates figure designation information Sg[j] that designates the shape and size of the region-specifying figure Fg[j] at this time. The figure designation information Sg[j] is an example of "first designation information". The figure specifying information Sg[j] may include information on the position of the area specifying figure Fg[j] on the second map information DBm2.

The figure specifying information Sg[j] includes, for example, information specifying the shape of the area specifying figure Fg[j] (circle, square, etc.) and information specifying the size of the area specifying figure Fg[j] (circle or not). For example, the radius, the length of the opposite side for a square, etc.) and the position of the region specifying figure Fg[j] (the position of the center point for a circle, the positions of the four vertices for a square, etc.). good too. Information indicating the distance, such as the radius of a circle, may be specified by the scale of the second partial map MPd2 and the distance on the second partial map MPd2, or may be specified in the physical space RS based on the scale of the second partial map MPd2. A value converted into a distance may be used. Also, the graphic designating information Sg[j] may be, for example, information that designates the position of the outer edge of the area specific graphic Fg[j] on the second map information DBm2 at predetermined intervals. In this case, the position on the second map information DBm2 may be designated by latitude and longitude, for example.

In the following embodiment, the figure specifying information Sg[j] consists of information specifying the shape of the area specifying figure Fg[j] (in the present embodiment, all circles) and area specifying figure Fg[j]. ] (value converted into a distance in the physical space RS) and the position (latitude and longitude) of the central point of the area specifying figure Fg[j].

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

In the number-of-recruitment specifying field 1301, the number of terminal devices T (participating terminal devices TCg[j]) participating in the tournament G[j] other than the host terminal device TEg[j] is entered. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the maximum number of participating terminal devices TCg[j] is entered in the recruiting number specification field 1301 . The game server SV1 accepts participation requests Dg[j] from the candidate terminal devices T Ag[j] on a first-come, first-served basis, and stops accepting participation requests Dg[j] even within an acceptance period described later when the maximum number is reached. Alternatively, if the game server SV1 accepts participation requests Dg[j] from the candidate terminal devices T Ag[j] regardless of the number of recruitment during an acceptance period described later, and there are participation requests Dg[j] exceeding the upper limit Alternatively, the participating terminal device TCg[j] may be determined by lottery after the end of the acceptance period. Also, the lower limit number of participating terminal devices TCg[j] may be entered in the recruiting number designation field 1301 . In this case, if there are no participation requests Dg[j] equal to or greater than the lower limit within a reception period described later, the game server SV1 may determine that the current tournament G[j] has not been held and does not hold it. Also, both the lower limit number and the upper limit number of participating terminal devices TCg[j] may be entered in the recruiting number specification field 1301 .

For example, a period for accepting a request Dg[j] to participate in the competition G[j] from the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] is entered in the acceptance period specification field 1302 . In this case, the game server SV1 accepts the participation request Dg[j] from the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] during the acceptance period entered in the acceptance period designation field 1302 . As described above, if the number of candidate terminal devices TAg[j] that have made participation requests Dg[j] reaches the upper limit before the end of the acceptance period, participation requests Dg[j] may be closed at that point. Alternatively, participation requests Dg[j] may be accepted until the end of the acceptance period, and participation terminal devices TCg[j] may be determined by lottery. Also, in the reception period specification field 1302, the reception end time may be input instead of the reception period such as “20 minutes”. Further, in this embodiment, the game server SV1 immediately starts accepting participation requests Dg[j] from the candidate terminal devices TAg[j] after accepting the holding request Cg[j]. , the reception start time of the participation request Dg[j] may be specified.

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

It should be noted that the presence or absence of input in each column 1301 to 1303 may be optional. Also, the number of participants in the tournament G[j] and the acceptance end time may be determined by the game server SV1 instead of being specified by the host user UEg[j]. Also, in a game in which the number of participants that can participate is fixed, the number of participants in the competition G[j] may be fixed.

Inputs to the area selection screen SCg2 and the condition input screen SCg3 correspond to S3 in FIG. Host user UEg[j] presses the OK button BT6 after completing the input to the condition input screen SCg3. Then, a request Cg[j] for holding a tournament G[j] including the input contents to the area selection screen SCg2 and the condition input screen SCg3, that is, the figure designation information Sg[j] and other condition designation information is sent to the game server SV1. It is transmitted (S4 in FIG. 6). The game server SV1 receives the holding request Cg[j] for the tournament G[j] through the first reception unit 234 (S5 in FIG. 6). That is, the first reception unit 234 receives the graphic designation information Sg[ j].

In the area selection screen SCg2, the designated range of the shape and size of the area specifying figure Fg[j] may be limited so that the area specifying figure Fg[j] includes the position of the home icon Hg1. That is, even if the shape, size, and position of the area specifying figure Fg[j] are allowed to be changed only within the range where the position of the host terminal device TEg[j] is included in the specified area Zg[j], good. This is because, in general, when the host user UEg[j] designates the location of the participating user UCg[j] and holds the tournament, it is considered that the range including the position of the host user himself is designated.

Specifically, for example, the area specifying figure Fg[j]-1 in FIG. 12 is allowed because the home icon Hg1 is positioned inside it. On the other hand, since the home icon Hg1 on the second partial map MPd2 is not positioned inside the area specifying figure Fg[j]-2 in FIG. 12, an error may occur. When the range of the area-specific figure Fg[j] is limited in this way, the first receiving unit 234 determines that the specified area Zg[j] corresponds to the position of the host terminal device TEg[j] in the physical space RS. The figure designation information Sg[j] that designates at least one of the shape and size of the region specifying figure Fg[j] so as to include the position on the map information DBm2 is accepted. In this case, the host terminal device TEg[j] is the terminal device T that participates in the tournament G[j] among the plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[n], and the figure designation information Sg[j] is It is an example of the terminal device T to generate.

[A-7: Participant Recruitment Step]
Next, the details of the participant recruiting step will be described. As described above, the game server SV1 receives the event request Cg[j] for the tournament G[j] from the host terminal device TEg[j]. A room L[j] for recruiting j] is created (S6 in FIG. 6). A room L[j] is generated for each event G[j] for which an event request Cg[j] has been accepted.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the room management database DBl. The room management unit 235 manages the generated room L using the room management database DBl. Room management database DBl includes room ID 1402, recruitment number information 1403, remaining recruitment number information 1404, remaining period information 1405, organizer terminal ID 1406, candidate terminal ID 1407, participation terminal ID 1408, message information 1409, and figure designation information Sg.

The room ID 1402 is identification information for identifying the room L. FIG. Since the room L corresponds to each competition G, the room ID 1402 can also be said to be identification information for identifying the competition G. FIG. In this embodiment, the room ID 1402 is a combination of the alphabet "L" and a three-digit number, such as "L001". Room ID 1402 is assigned by room management unit 235 when room L is created. Room L[j] corresponding to tournament G[j] is room L assigned room ID: L003. The room management unit 235 may notify the organizer terminal device TEg of the room ID 1402 corresponding to the tournament G when the room L is created.

Recruitment number information 1403 is the number entered in the recruitment number designation column 1301 in FIG. Remaining recruiting number information 1404 is the remaining recruiting number obtained by subtracting the number of terminal devices T input in participation terminal ID 1408 (to be described later) from the number input in recruiting number designation field 1301 . The remaining period information 1405 is the remaining time until the end of the reception period entered in the reception period designation column 1302 in FIG.

The organizer terminal ID 1406 is the terminal ID of the organizer terminal device TEg of each tournament G. FIG. The host terminal device TEg of each tournament G has been a room member since the room L was created. The candidate terminal ID 1407 is the terminal ID of the candidate terminal device TAG identified by the first identification unit 236, which will be described later. The participating terminal ID 1408 is the terminal ID of the terminal device T (participating terminal device TCg) that made the participation request Dg for the tournament G among the candidate terminal devices TAG. Message information 1409 is text information indicating the message input in message input field 1303 in FIG.

The graphic designating information Sg is information for designating at least one of the shape and size of the area specific graphic Fg in the tournament G. FIG. In this embodiment, the figure specifying information Sg includes a character string "Sr" indicating that the shape of the area specifying figure F is a circle, and values specifying the radius of the area specifying figure Fg (r1, r2, etc. in FIG. 14). ), and the latitude and longitude of the central point of the area specifying graphic Fg (indicated as O1, O2, etc. in FIG. 14).

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

The number of candidate terminal devices T Ag[j] may be one, or may be M−1 or less, excluding the host terminal device TEg[j]. Further, when no other terminal device T is located in the specified area Zg[j], the candidate terminal device TAG[j] becomes zero. Hereinafter, when distinguishing each candidate terminal device TAg[j], the candidate terminal device TAg[j][k] (k is a natural number that satisfies 1≦k≦K. K is the candidate terminal device of the competition G[j] natural number indicating the number of TAg[j]).

That is, the first specifying unit 236, based on the figure specifying information S, selects one of the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M] that corresponds to the specified area Zg[j] on the first map information DBm1. The terminal device T at the position is specified as a candidate terminal device T Ag[j] that is a candidate for the participating terminal device TCg[j] of the competition G[j] related to the game. The terminal device T at the position corresponding to the designated area Zg[j] on the first map information DBm1 is, for example, a position managed by the first position management unit 233 that overlaps the designated area Zg[j]. It may be the terminal device T (terminal device TFg within the area). After identifying the candidate terminal device T Ag[j], the first identifying unit 236 records the terminal ID of the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] in the candidate terminal ID 1407 of the room management database DBl.

When the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] is identified, the game server SV1 causes the permitting unit 237 to transmit an invitation Vg[j] to the tournament G[j] to each candidate terminal device T Ag[j] (Fig. 6 S8).

In this embodiment, the invitation Vg[j] for the tournament G[j] is sent only to the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] for the tournament G[j]. Therefore, the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] that has received the invitation Vg[j] for the tournament G[j] is the terminal device T that is permitted to transmit the participation request Dg[j] for the tournament G[j]. You can say that. That is, the permitting unit 237 specifies the terminal device T[m], which is one of the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M], as the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] for the tournament G[j]. is permitted, the terminal device T[m] is permitted to make a participation request Dg[j] for the tournament G[j].

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

Alternatively, a terminal device T that is not a candidate terminal device T Ag[j] may also transmit a request Dg[j] to participate in the tournament G[j]. In this case, the permitting unit 237 refers to the room management database DBl each time it receives the participation request Dg[j], and confirms that the terminal ID of the terminal device T that transmitted the participation request Dg[j] is the tournament G[j]. It is determined whether it is included in the candidate terminal ID 1407 of the corresponding room L[j]. Then, the permitting unit 237 permits participation in the competition G[j] only when it is included in the candidate terminal ID 1407 .

That is, permitting the request Dg[j] to participate in the tournament G[j] means, for example, that the request Dg[j] to participate in the tournament G[j] is sent to the touch panel 12 of the candidate terminal device T Ag[j]. (For example, a tournament selection screen SCg4 in FIG. 15 to be described later) is controlled to display, and when there is a participation request Dg[j] from the candidate terminal device T Ag [j], the tournament G [j] is immediately entered. may be permitted to participate in Also, permitting the request Dg[j] to participate in the tournament G[j] means, for example, that the above-mentioned interface is displayed on the touch panels 12 of all the terminal devices T[1] to T[M], but if it is not specified as the candidate terminal device T Ag [j] for the tournament G [j], the Participation in the competition G[j] may be permitted only when it is specified as a candidate terminal device T Ag[j] for the competition G[j] without permitting participation.

Also, the invitation notification Vg[j] includes tournament information Ig[j] supplied by the supply unit 239 . Details of the tournament information Ig[j] will be described later with reference to FIG. It is information including a part. That is, the supply unit 239 determines that the terminal device T[m], which is one of the M terminal devices T[1] to T[n], is identified as the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] for the tournament G[j]. event information Ig[j] related to the event G[j] is supplied to the terminal device T[m]. Tournament information Ig[j] is an example of "first event information".

In the present embodiment, the supply unit 239 supplies, as the tournament information Ig[j], information for displaying the region specific figure Fg[j] of the tournament G[j] on the candidate terminal device T Ag[j]. That is, the supply unit 239 displays the second map information DBm2 (for example, the third partial map MPd3 in FIG. 15) on the display unit 120 provided corresponding to the candidate terminal device TAG[j] as the tournament information Ig[j]. and area-specifying figure Fg[j] are supplied to the candidate terminal device T Ag[j]. The display unit 120 provided corresponding to the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] is the touch panel 12 provided in the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] in this embodiment. The display unit 120 provided corresponding to the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] may be a display device connected to the candidate terminal device T Ag [j], or may be a display device connected to the candidate terminal device T Ag [j]. It may be a display device provided in another connected information processing device.

Further, in the present embodiment, the supply unit 239 causes the host user UEg[j] of the tournament G[j] (the user of the host terminal device TEg[j]) to display the condition input screen of FIG. 13 as the tournament information Ig[j]. It provides information for outputting the information input in the message input field 1303 of SCg3 to the candidate terminal device TAg[j]. That is, the supply unit 239 acquires the first transmission information related to the message for the candidate user UAg[j] from the host user UEg[j] as the tournament information Ig[j], and selects the acquired first transmission information as a candidate. It is supplied to the terminal device T Ag[j]. The host terminal device TEg[j] is a terminal device T that participates in the competition G[j] among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M], and generates graphic designating information Sg[j]. 1 is an example of a terminal device T; The first transmission information about the message is information including matters that the host user UEg[j] who generates the figure designation information Sg[j] wants to transmit to the candidate user UAg[j], and may be text information, for example. However, it may be image information, audio information (the voice or music of the host user UEg[j]), or the like. The information entered in the message entry field 1303 of the condition entry screen SCg3 in FIG. 13 is an example of the first transmission information.

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

So far, one tournament G[j] has been described as an example. event requests Cg[j1] and Cg[j2] may be received. Note that the host terminal device TEg[j1] of the tournament G[j1] and the host terminal device TEg[j2] of the tournament G[j2] are different terminal devices T. FIG.

In this case, for the tournament G[j1], the first reception unit 234 determines at least one of the shape and size of the area specifying figure Fg[j1] for specifying the specified area Zg[j1] on the first map information DBm1. , and based on the graphic designation information Sg[j1], the first specifying unit 236 selects the first A terminal device T at a position corresponding to the specified area Zg[j1] on the map information DBm1 is specified as a candidate terminal device T Ag[j1] that is a candidate for the participating terminal device TCg[j1] of the tournament G[j1] related to the game. However, when the terminal device T[m] is identified as the candidate terminal device T Ag[j1], the permitting unit 237 sends the participation request Dg to the effect that the terminal device T [m] participates in the tournament G[j1]. Allow to do [j1]. Further, regarding the tournament G[j2], the first reception unit 234 selects at least one of the shape and size of the area specifying figure Fg[j2] for specifying the specified area Zg[j2] on the first map information DBm1. Receiving the graphic designating information Sg[j2] to be designated, the first specifying unit 236 selects the first map among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[n] based on the graphic designating information Sg[j2]. The terminal device T at the position corresponding to the specified area Zg[j2] on the information DBm1 is specified as the candidate terminal device T Ag[j2] that is a candidate for the participating terminal device TCg[j2] of the competition G[j2] related to the game. , the permitting unit 237 sends a participation request Dg[ j2].

[A-8: Participation acceptance step]
Next, the participation acceptance step will be explained. In the following, the candidate terminal device T Ag[j1][k] will be described as one of the candidate terminal devices T Ag[j1] for the tournament G[j1]. Candidate terminal device T Ag[j1][k] is assumed to have been invited to tournament G[j2] and tournament G[j3] in addition to tournament G[j1]. Candidate terminal device T Ag[j1][k] is also included in candidate terminal device T Ag[j2] for competition G[j2] and candidate terminal device T Ag[j3] for competition G[j3].

The candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k], which has received the invitation Vg[j1] for the tournament G[j1], allows the candidate user UAg[j1][k] to participate in the tournament included in the invitation Vg[j1] for the tournament. Information Ig[j1] is presented (S9 in FIG. 6).

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

In addition, when the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] receives the event invitation Vg[j1], it notifies the candidate user UAg[j1][k] and determines whether or not to participate in the event. You may let In this case, the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k], which has received the tournament invitation notification Vg[j], causes the touch panel 12 to display a pop-up message such as "you are invited to the tournament". When the candidate user UAg[j1][k] taps the pop-up message, the display on the touch panel 12 may shift to the competition selection screen SCg4 shown in FIG.

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

Invitation information N[j1] to N[j3] indicate information on competitions G[j1] to G[j3] to which candidate terminal devices T Ag[j1][k] have been invited, respectively. The invitation information N[j1] to N[j3] are displayed based on the tournament information Ig[j1] to Ig[j3] included in the invitation notifications Vg[j1] to Vg[j3] received from the game server SV1. be. In other words, the invitation information of the tournament G to which the candidate terminal device T Ag[j1][k] has not received an invitation is not displayed on the candidate terminal device T Ag[j1][k].

Taking invitation information N[j1] as an example, invitation information N[j1] includes area indication Na[j1] and condition indication Nb[j1]. The area display Na[j1] corresponds to the area specifying figure Fg[j1] specified by the host terminal device TEg[j1], and is a figure indicating the range of the specified area Zg[j1] in the tournament G[j1]. The area display Na[j1] is displayed based on the figure designation information Sg[j1]. The condition display Nb[j1] is a text display of at least part of the conditions for holding the tournament corresponding to the invitation information N[j1]. Specifically, the condition display Nb[j1] includes the room ID (corresponding to the room ID 1402 in FIG. 14), the remaining number of recruits (corresponding to the remaining recruiting number information 1404 in FIG. 14), and the remaining recruiting time (corresponding to the remaining recruiting number information 1404 in FIG. 14) and a message from the host user UEg[j1] (corresponding to the message information 1409 in FIG. 14). Similarly, invitation information N[j2] includes area indication Na[j2] and condition indication Nb[j2], and invitation information N[j3] includes area indication Na[j3] and condition indication Nb[j3]. .

In the present embodiment, the tournament information Ig[j1] is information indicating characteristics of the tournament G[j1]. Tournament information Ig[j1] displays, for example, a map (third partial map MPd3 in FIG. 15) and area display Na[j1] on the touch panel 12 provided corresponding to the candidate terminal device T Ag[j1]. and first transmission information regarding a message from the host user UEg[j1] who hosts the tournament G[j1] to the user of the candidate terminal device T Ag[j1] of the tournament G[j1]. .

Also, the tournament information Ig[j1] may be information that distinguishes the tournament G[j] from other tournaments, or may be information about the user who hosts the tournament G[j1]. In addition, the tournament information Ig[j1] may be information indicating the number of terminal devices T that can participate in the tournament G[j1], or the acceptance period of requests Dg[j1] to participate in the tournament G[j1]. is set, it may be information indicating the remaining time of the acceptance period. Here, the information indicating the number of terminal devices T that can participate in the tournament G[j1] may be, for example, information indicating the total number of terminal devices T that can participate in the tournament G[j1]. It may be information indicating the number of remaining terminal devices T that can participate in.

The candidate user UAg[j1][k] refers to the invitation information N[j1] to N[j3] and determines whether or not to participate in any of the competitions G[j1] to G[j3]. For example, when participating in the tournament G[j1], the candidate user UAg[j1][k] inputs information indicating the intention to participate in the tournament G[j1] to the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k]. The terminal device T Ag[j1][k] accepts the intention to participate in the tournament G[j1] (S10 in FIG. 6). In this embodiment, for example, when the candidate user UAg[j1][k] taps the invitation information N[j1] on the competition selection screen SCg4, the invitation information N[j1] is changed to other invitation information N[j2] and The display color changes to a color different from that of N[j3], and the tournament G[j1] corresponding to the invitation information N[j1] is selected. In this state, when the candidate user UAg[j1][k] presses the OK button BT7, the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k] determines that the tournament G[j1] has been selected, and A participation request Dg[j1] for the tournament G[j1] is transmitted to the game server SV1 (S11 in FIG. 6).

Game server SV1 receives participation request Dg[j1] through acquisition unit 238 . The participation request Dg[j1] includes at least the terminal ID of the candidate terminal device TAG[j1][k] and the room ID of the room L[j1] corresponding to the selected tournament G[j1]. In particular, when the candidate terminal device T Ag[j1][k] has been invited to multiple competitions G[j1] to G[j3], the acquisition unit 238 determines that the candidate terminal device T Ag[j1][k] Which one of the competitions G[j1] to G[j3] to participate in is determined based on the room ID.

That is, the acquiring unit 238 determines that the candidate terminal device T Ag[j1][k] is specified as the candidate terminal device T Ag[j1] for the first tournament G[j1], and If the candidate terminal device T Ag[j2] is specified, the candidate terminal device T Ag[j][k] sends a participation request Dg[j1] to the first tournament G[j1] and the second tournament G[j2]. ] acquires selection result information indicating that one participation request Dg[j] has been selected from a plurality of participation requests Dg including the participation request Dg[j2].

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

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

After that, when a predetermined tournament establishment condition is satisfied, the game server SV1 ends accepting the participation request Dg[j1] for the tournament G[j1] (S13 in FIG. 6), and the room members of the room L[j1] tournament G[j1] by participating terminal device TCg[j1] is started (S14 in FIG. 6). For example, when at least one of the lower limit number and the upper limit number of participating terminal devices TCg[j1] is set, the tournament establishment condition is whether the number is satisfied ), and whether or not the acceptance period of the participation request Dg[j1] has elapsed (such as when the remaining period information 1405 in FIG. 14 becomes zero). When the tournament G[j1] starts, the room L[j1] corresponding to the tournament is deleted from the room management database DBl. Then, it is added to the tournament management database DBg (see FIG. 33) that records the tournament G that has started. After the tournament G[j1] starts, the game progression unit 231 controls the progress of the game in the tournament G[j1].

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of the tournament management database DBg. The room management unit 235 registers, in the tournament management database DBg, the tournament G[j1] corresponding to the room L[j1] deleted from the room management database DBl when the tournament G is established. Tournament management database DBg includes tournament ID 1501, participating terminal ID 1502, participating terminal position information 1503, progress information 1504, and figure designation information Sg. The contents of the tournament management database DBg are managed by the game progression unit 231 after the tournament G starts.

Meeting ID1501 is the identification information for identifying the meeting G. FIG. In this embodiment, the tournament ID 1501 is a combination of the alphabet "G" and a three-digit number, such as "G001". As the tournament ID 1501, the room ID 1402 may be used as it is. The participating terminal ID 1502 is the terminal ID of the participating terminal device TCg participating in the tournament G. FIG. The participating terminal position information 1503 is information indicating the position of the participating terminal device TCg participating in the tournament G. FIG.

The progress information 1504 is information indicating the progress of each competition G. FIG. In FIG. 33, the progress of one game is shown as "top of the 9th inning" and "bottom of the 3rd inning". The progress status of all the games in Tournament G may be indicated, such as "Top of the 2nd inning of the 4th game".

The graphic designating information Sg is information for designating at least one of the shape and size of the area specific graphic Fg in the tournament G. FIG. In the present embodiment, the figure specifying information Sg includes a character string "Sr" indicating that the shape of the area specifying figure F is a circle, and a value specifying the radius of the area specifying figure Fg (Fig. 33), and the latitude and longitude of the central point of the area specifying figure Fg (indicated by O1, O2, etc. in FIG. 33).

[A-9: Summary of the first embodiment]
As described above, according to the game system 1 according to the first embodiment, the game server SV1 controls the shape or size of the area specifying figure Fg[j] for specifying the specified area Zg[j] on the map. Based on the figure designating information Sg[j] designating at least one of the above, the candidate terminal device T Ag[j], which is a candidate for the terminal device participating in the baseball game tournament G[j], is specified. As a result, the host user UEg[j] can easily and accurately specify the specified area Zg[j] compared to specifying the specified area Zg[j] by specifying a place name such as an administrative division. can be done. For example, when the sponsoring user UEg[j] wants to designate an area including a plurality of administrative divisions as the designated area Zg[j], the designated area Zg[j] can be obtained by simply designating one area specific figure Fg[j]. ] can be specified, and the specified area Zg[j] can be specified by a simpler operation than inputting a plurality of place names (administrative division names). Also, when the host user UEg[j] wants to specify only a partial area of an administrative division as the specified area Zg[j], the specified area Zg[j] is specified as intended by the host user UEg[j]. can do. In addition, even if the host user UEg[j] does not know the surrounding place names or the positions of the areas indicated by the place names, the specified area Zg[j] can be specified.

In addition, in the game system 1 according to the first embodiment, the host user UEg[j] draws the region specifying figure Fg[j] on the second partial map MPd2 displayed on the host terminal device TEg[j]. specifies the specified area Zg[j]. As a result, the host user UEg[j] can specify the specified area Zg[j] with an intuitive operation, and the burden on the user U in specifying the specified area Zg[j] can be reduced.

[A-10: Modification]
A modification of the game system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[Modification A1]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the competition selection screen SCg4-1 in Modification A1. The tournament selection screen SCg4-1 shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the touch panel 42 of the candidate terminal device TAg[j1][k], similarly to the tournament selection screen SCg4 shown in FIG. The candidate terminal device T Ag[m] is the candidate terminal device T Ag [j1] for the tournament G [j1], and the candidate terminal device T Ag [j2] for the tournament G [j2] and the candidate terminal device T Ag [j3] for the tournament G [j3]. It is also the device T Ag[j3].

A terminal icon Hg2, a third partial map MPd3, a scale change button BT3, and an OK button BT7 are displayed on the tournament selection screen SCg4-1 in the same manner as the tournament selection screen SCg4 of FIG. Further, on the competition selection screen SCg4-1, from the viewpoint of ensuring visibility, an area display Na[j1] that is a part of the invitation information N[j1] to N[j3] of the competition G[j1] to G[j2] ~Na[j3] only are shown.

Also, on the tournament selection screen SCg4-1, friend icons Hn[s1] to Hn[s3] and additional information Hm[s1] to Hm[s3] are displayed as part of the invitation information N[j1] to N[j3]. is displayed. Friend icons Hn[s1] to Hn[s3] are other users (hereinafter referred to as “specified US [s1] to US [s3] (s1 to s3 are natural numbers satisfying 1 ≤ s1 < s2 < s3 ≤ M, s1 ≠ s2 ≠ s3 ≠ m) positions (more precisely, specified Positions of terminal devices T[s1] to T[s3] held by related users US[s1] to US[s3].

The additional information Hm[s1] to Hm[s3] is text indicating the names of the specific relationship users US[s1] to US[s3] (including user names on games and social networking services) and their participation in the tournament G. Information. Incidentally, as the additional information Hm[s1] to Hm[s3], for example, results of past baseball games may be displayed.

The candidate user UAg[j1][k] refers to the friend icons Hn[s1] to Hn[s3] and the additional information Hm[s1] to Hm[s3] displayed on the tournament selection screen SCg4-1, which It is possible to decide whether to participate in competitions G[j1] to G[j3]. For example, a specific related user US[s3] indicated by a friend icon Hn[s3] has made a participation request Dg[j1] for a tournament G[j1]. A specific related user US[s2] indicated by a friend icon Hn[s2] has made a participation request Dg[j3] for the tournament G[j3]. Although the specific related user US[s1] indicated by the friend icon Hn[s1] can participate in the tournament G[j2], the participation request Dg[j2] has not been sent. Therefore, the tournament G in which the candidate user UAg[j1][k] can participate together with the specific related user US is the tournament G[j1] or G[j3]. Candidate user UAg[j1][k] selects tournament G[j3] in which specific-related user US[s2], who is closest among specific-related users US[s1] to US[s3], participates, for example. , can make a join request Dg[j3].

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the game server SV1 according to Modification A1. The configuration of the game server SV1 shown in FIG. 17 includes a reference section 240 in the control section 230 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. The reference unit 240 identifies the user (candidate user UAg[j1][k]) of the candidate terminal device T Ag[j1][k] identified by the first identification unit 236 and the M terminal devices T[1] to T[ M], the user relationship information indicating the relationship in a predetermined service with the user U of another terminal device T is referred to.

As a result of referring to the user relationship information by the reference unit 240, among the candidate terminal devices T Ag[j1], among the candidate users UAg[j1] of the terminal devices T other than the candidate terminal devices T Ag [j1] [k], When indicating that user U[j1][k] of candidate terminal device T Ag[j1][k] and specific related users US[s1] to US[s3] showing a specific relationship in a predetermined service exist, The supply unit 239 supplies the specific related user information regarding the specific related users US[s1] to US[s3] as the invitation information N[j1] to the candidate terminal device T Ag[j1][k]. In the example of FIG. 16, the specific related user information is friend icons Hn[s1] to Hn[s3] and additional information Hm[s1] to Hm[s3].

The predetermined service is, for example, a service that allows the user of the candidate terminal device T Ag[j1][k] (candidate user UAg[j1][k]) to interact with the user U of another terminal device T. good too. Further, the predetermined service may be, for example, a service that allows the operator of the baseball game to interact with the users U of the baseball game, or a service operated by a person other than the operator of the baseball game, such as It may be a social networking service.

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

The specific relationship user information may be, for example, the current location of the terminal device T held by the specific relationship users US[s1] to US[s3], or the pre-registration of the terminal device T held by the specific relationship user US. It may be the position where the specific relationship user was established, personal information (user name, affiliation, etc.) of the specific relationship user, or game result information of a game in which the specific relationship user has participated in the past.

As in the modification A1, by displaying the position of the specific related user US and the state of participation in the tournament G, each user U can determine whether or not to participate in the tournament G for which the invitation notice Vg has been received, and whether or not to participate in a plurality of tournaments. It is possible to obtain information for deciding which G to participate in.

In the modification A1, the position of the specific related user US is displayed on the tournament selection screen SCg4-1. may

In FIG. 16, friend icons Hn[s1] to Hn[s3] indicate the positions of terminal devices T[s1] to T[s3] held by specific related users US[s1] to US[s3]. . The display position of the friend icon Hn is not limited to this, and may be any position as long as the area related to the specific related user US can be recognized. Specifically, for example, on the competition selection screen SCg4 shown in FIG. 15, the friend icon Hn of the specific related user US may be displayed in the condition display Nb of the competition G in which the specific related user US participates. In this case, the candidate user UAg cannot grasp the position of the specific related user US (more specifically, the position of the terminal device T held by the specific related user US), but can grasp which tournament the specific related user US participates in. It is possible to obtain information for determining whether or not to participate in the tournament G for which the invitation notice Vg has been received, and which of the plurality of tournaments G to participate in.

[Modification A2]
In the first embodiment described above, it is the user (sponsor user UEg[j]) of the host terminal device TEg[j], which is one of the terminal devices T, that requests the holding of the tournament G[j]. The terminal device TEg[j] itself has become the participating terminal device TCg[j] of the tournament G[j]. That is, the area designating device DV shown in FIG. Not limited to this, the device requesting the holding of the tournament G may be a device not included in the terminal device T. FIG. That is, the area designation device DVg[j] of the tournament G[j] may be a device other than the terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. In this case, the area designation device DVg[j] does not become the participating terminal device TCg[j] of the tournament G[j].

In this case, the host user UEg[j] may be, for example, a baseball game operator, and the area designating device DVg[j] may be, for example, an information processing device owned by the baseball game operator. good. A baseball game operator may be, for example, a person who provides baseball game services to users.

Also, the host user UEg[j] may be, for example, the advertiser user UEa in the second embodiment described later, and the area designating device DVg[j] may be, for example, the advertiser device DVa. . In this case, the distribution area Za[p] in the advertisement AD[p] placed by the advertiser user UEa can be matched with the specified area Zg[j] for the competition G[j]. Advertisement AD[p] can be distributed to terminal devices T having a close relationship (a group of terminal devices T having a positional connection and a personal connection participating in the same competition G[j]).

[Modification A3]
In the first embodiment described above, the game server SV1 acquires the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] in advance and manages them using the first position database DBp1. For example, when the terminal device T transmits the participation request Dg to the competition G, the participation request Dg may include the position information.

In this case, the game server SV1 transmits an invitation Vg[j] to the tournament G[j] to all the terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. A terminal device T[m] desiring to participate in the tournament G[j] transmits a participation request Dg[j] to the tournament G[j] to the game server SV1, including its own location information. The game server SV1 determines whether the terminal device T[m] is located in the designated area Zg[j] of the tournament G[j], and if the terminal device T[m] is located in the designated area Zg[j] allows participation in competition G[j].

In the modification A3, the game server SV1 does not need to manage the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M], so the processing load on the game server SV1 can be reduced. Modification A3 can also be applied to a second embodiment and a third embodiment, which will be described later.

[Modification A4]
In the first embodiment described above, the host user UEg solicits participating terminal devices TCg for the tournament G (game-related event) by designating the position of the terminal device T in the physical space RS. That is, the host user UEg draws a region specifying figure Fg on a map (physical space map) which is a diagram representing the terrain in the real space RS with a predetermined scale, and the specified region Zg specified by the region specifying figure Fg is drawn. is identified as a candidate terminal device TAG.

On the other hand, for example, a game that can be played on the terminal device T is a role-playing game, a shooting game, or the like, in which an object (such as a character) operated by the user U can move within a certain range in the game space GF. In the case of a game, an object (participating object) that participates in the event may be recruited by designating the position of the object in the game space GF.

In this case, the game server SV1 indicates the positions of the objects operated by the users U[1] to U[M] in the game space on a second game space map ( (corresponding to the second map MP2 in FIG. 37). The host user UEg of the event draws an area specifying figure Fg on the first game space map (corresponding to the first map MP1 in FIG. 37). When the game server SV1 receives the figure specifying information Sg specifying at least one of the shape and size of the area specifying figure Fg, the game server SV1 receives an object located in the specified area Zg specified by the area specifying figure Fg on the second game space map. as candidate objects to participate in the event.

That is, in the modification A4, in the game server SV1, the first position management unit 233 manages the positions of a plurality of game-related objects in the game space GF in association with the positions on the map indicating the game space GF. The first accepting unit 234 accepts graphic designation information Sg that designates at least one of the shape and size of the region specifying graphic Fg for specifying the designated region Zg on the map. The first identifying unit 236 identifies, among the plurality of objects, an object at a position corresponding to the designated area Zg on the map as a candidate object that is a candidate for an object participating in the event related to the game.

In Modification A4, the object may be, for example, a game-related character or a game-related object. Here, the "game-related character" may be, for example, a virtual creature that allows the game to progress. Also, the “game-related object” may be, for example, a virtual inanimate object that allows the game to progress.

Further, in Modification A4, the game space is, for example, a virtual space provided in the game, and may be a two-dimensional space or a three-dimensional space.

According to the modification A4, the participants (participating objects) in the event can be limited based on the position of the character in the game space, and the range of game modes can be expanded. In particular, each area of the game space may not have a detailed place name like the real space RS, and it may be difficult to designate a part of the game space with a place name. According to the modification A4, even if the game space is not labeled with a place name, it is possible to intuitively specify an arbitrary area and limit the participants of the event. Modification A4 can also be applied to a second embodiment and a third embodiment, which will be described later.

[Modification A5]
In general, when a plurality of users U play a game together, if the advantages of the game among the users U are extremely different, the joint fun may not be obtained. For example, even if a user U[r1] who has played a baseball game for a long time and has experienced various situations and a user U[r2] who has just purchased a baseball game and is a beginner compete in the same tournament G[j1]. , the winning rate of user U[r1] is generally high, and it is predicted that the game will be boring. In addition, even if a user U[r3] who has collected items by paying a large amount of money and a user U[r4] who has hardly paid any money compete in the same tournament G[j2], the user U[r3] has a high winning rate, and user U[r4] may feel that it is unfair.

Therefore, in the modification A5, the game server SV1 maps each user U on the evaluation map MPe with the attribute of the user U as an axis, and based on the position on the evaluation map MPe, the candidate terminals for the tournament G. Identify the device T Ag. As a result, the user U with whom the host user UEg wishes to play the game can be limited by their attributes.

The attribute may be, for example, a characteristic of the user U himself or an attribute related to a game. The user U's own characteristics may be, for example, the user's U gender, age, place of residence, and the like. Also, the attribute related to the game may be, for example, an attribute related to an advantage in the game, or may be a result in the game. The attribute related to the advantage to the game may be, for example, the skill level in the game, the number of items owned, the item type, the charge amount for the game, and the like. The proficiency level in the game may be determined by, for example, the level in the game, the total playing time of the game, the total number of matches, and the like. The performance in the game may be, for example, the winning percentage in the game, the ranking order, or the like.

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

The evaluation icon He[m] is arranged at a position corresponding to the level and billing amount of the user [m] in the baseball game. From the position of the evaluation icon He[m] on the evaluation map MPe, it can be seen that the level of the user U[m] is near the median value and the charge amount is greater than the median value.

When the user U[m] hosts the tournament G[j], the attribute of the participating terminal device TCg (in the example of FIG. amount). For example, in FIG. 34, a user U[m] recruits participants for a tournament G[j], mainly from users U whose level and billing amount are slightly higher than themselves. The game server SV1 assigns the terminal device T located in the specified area Ze[j] specified by the area specifying figure Fe[j] on the evaluation map MPe to the candidate terminal device TAg which is the candidate of the participating terminal device TCg[j]. identified as [j].

That is, in the modification A5, the game server SV1 has two or more dimensions corresponding to the plurality of attributes of each of the M users U[1] to U[M] involved in the game. An attribute management unit that manages the coordinates on the evaluation map MPe in association with each other, and figure designation information that designates at least one of the shape and size of the area specifying figure Fe for specifying the specified area Ze on the evaluation map MPe. (denoted as “graphic designating information Se”); as a candidate user UAg[j] who is a candidate for the user U who participates in the competition G[j] related to the game. The evaluation map MPe is an example of a "map". The attribute manager is an example of a "manager." The designated area Ze is an example of the "first area". The region specifying figure Fe is an example of a "first figure". The figure designation information Se is an example of "first designation information".

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

[Modification A6]
In the above-described first embodiment, the memory 15 (storage unit 150) for storing the play game program PG1 and the processor 16 for executing the play game program PG1 are provided in each of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. (control unit 160) is provided. Not limited to this, even if the memory that stores the play game program PG1 and the processor that executes the play game program PG1 are provided in an external device that can communicate with the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] good.

More specifically, for example, a memory that stores the play game program PG1 and a processor that executes the play game program PG1 are connected to the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] via a communication line such as the Internet. It may be provided in a communicable cloud server (server device). In this case, the cloud server may be the game server SV1.

[Modification A7]
In the first embodiment described above, the game server SV1 is provided with the first position database DBp1 and the first map information DBm1, and the position of each terminal device T is plotted on the first map information DBm1. For example, the game server SV1 may comprise only the first location database DBp1. In this case, the first identifying unit 236 of the game server SV1 calculates, based on the graphic designating information Sg, position information (for example, latitude and longitude) that identifies the area of the physical space RS corresponding to the graphic designating information Sg. The position information recorded in the 1-position database DBp1 specifies the terminal device T located within the specified area of the physical space RS as the candidate terminal device TAG.

[Modification A8]
In the above-described first embodiment, the game server SV1 receives the event request Cg[j] for the tournament G[j] from the host terminal device TEg[j] (S5 in FIG. 6), and the candidate terminal device TAg[ j] was identified (S7 in FIG. 6). That is, the game server SV1 has previously identified the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] for the tournament G[j].

Not limited to this, the game server SV1, for example, at the timing when the terminal device T[m] requests participation in the tournament G (S11 in FIG. 6), determines whether the terminal device T[m] can participate in the tournament. G may be determined. That is, in the modification A8, the first position management unit 233 manages the position of the terminal device T[m] in the physical space RS in association with the position on the first map information DBm1. The first reception unit 234 determines at least one of the shape and size of the area specifying figure Fg[j] for specifying the specified area Zg[j] related to the tournament G[j] related to the game in the first map information DBm1. The figure designation information Sg[j] designating is received. Based on the position of the terminal device T[m] on the first map information DBm1 and the figure designation information Sg[j], the first identification unit 236 determines whether the tournament G[j] is the terminal device T[m]. It functions as a determination unit that determines whether or not it is a tournament G related to . The above tournament G in which the terminal device T[m] can participate is an example of "a tournament G related to the terminal device T[m]".

More specifically, in the modification A8, when the game server SV1 receives the event request Cg[j] for the tournament G[j] from the host terminal device TEg[j], the game server SV1 sends the figure designation information Sg[j] and Only recording of specification information of other conditions (for example, generation of room L[j]) is performed. Since the candidate terminal device T Ag[j] is not specified, the invitation notification Vg[j] is not transmitted.

When the participation button BT2 on the selection screen SCg1 shown in FIG. 9 is pressed on the terminal device T[m], the terminal device T[m] sends a participation request Dg to the tournament G including its own terminal ID to the game. Send to server SV1. The tournament G to participate in is not specified in this participation request Dg. The game server SV1 that has received the participation request Dg refers to the first position database DBp1 and acquires the position of the terminal device [m] based on the terminal device ID of the terminal device [m]. Note that the game server SV1 does not manage the position of the terminal device T using the first position database DBp1. may be sent by

The game server SV1 determines that the position of the terminal device [m] is included in the specified area Zg (more specifically, the area corresponding to the area specific figure Fg specified by the figure specifying information Sg on the first map information DBm1). It is determined whether or not there is a tournament G (tournament G in which players can participate). If there is a tournament G that can be entered (for example, tournament G[j]), the game server SV1 allows the terminal device T[m] to participate in the tournament G[j]. In other words, the competition G[j] in which the terminal device T[m] can participate means that the region-specifying figure Fg[j] specified by the figure specifying information Sg[j] is the first It is the tournament G[j] including the position on the map information DBm1.

Note that if there are a plurality of competitions G that can be participated in, the game server SV1 may select the competition G in which the terminal device T[m] participates. Alternatively, the game server SV1 may transmit information about tournaments G that are available for participation to the terminal device T[m], and the user U[m] of the terminal device T[m] may select which tournament G to participate in. good. In this case, for example, a tournament selection screen as shown in FIG. 15 or 16 may be displayed on the terminal device T[m] to allow the user U[m] to select the tournament G to participate in. Further, when there is no competition G in which participation is possible, the game server SV1 may reply to the terminal device T[m] to the effect that there is no competition in which participation is possible.

According to the modification A8, the candidate terminal device TAG is not specified in advance for each tournament G, but the tournament G in which the player can participate is determined at the timing when the participation request Dg for the tournament G is received from the terminal device T. FIG. As a result, compared to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of terminal devices T to be subjected to the process of determining whether the position of the terminal device T is included in the designated area Zg of the tournament G. processing load can be reduced.

More specifically, the game server SV1 determines whether the tournament G[j] is the terminal device T[m] based on the position of the terminal device T[m] on the first map information DBm1 and the figure designation information Sg[j]. It is determined whether or not it is a tournament G related to [m]. In this case, the game server SV1 (more specifically, the processor 23) compares the figure designation information Sg[j] with the position of one terminal device T[m] to make the above determination. On the other hand, as a comparative example, candidates for the terminal device T ( Candidate terminals T Ag[j]) may be identified. In this case, the game server SV1 needs to collate the figure designation information Sg[j] with the respective positions of the plurality of terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. Therefore, according to the modification A8, compared with the comparative example, it is possible to reduce the number of terminal devices T to be subjected to the matching process, and it is possible to reduce the processing load of the game server SV1.

In addition, in the above-described first embodiment, when there are many candidate terminal devices T Ag[j], the game server SV1 needs to transmit invitation notifications Vg[j] by the number of candidate terminal devices T Ag[j]. A process for securing memory corresponding to this is required. In the modification A8, since the invitation notification Vg[j] is not transmitted, the processing load of the game server SV1 can be reduced in this respect as well.

[B: Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described. In each of the following illustrations, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment are used for elements whose functions are the same as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description of each element is omitted as appropriate.

[B-1: System Overview]
FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an advertising system 2 according to the second embodiment. The advertising system 2 includes M terminal devices T[1] to T[M], an advertising server SV2, and an advertiser device DVa. Advertisement server SV2, terminal device T and advertiser device DVa are communicably connected to each other via network NW. Although only one advertiser device DVa is illustrated in this embodiment, a plurality of advertiser devices DVa may be provided. Hereinafter, the advertiser device DVa may be referred to as an advertiser device DVa[p] (p is a natural number that satisfies 1≦p≦P; P is any natural number). The advertisement system 2 is a system that distributes an advertisement AD to M terminal devices T[1] to T[M] that can communicate with the advertisement server SV2. The advertising system 2 is an example of a "system", the terminal device T is an example of a "terminal device", and the advertising server SV2 is an example of a "server device SV". Also, the advertiser device DVa is an example of the area designating device DV in FIG.

The advertisement AD may be displayed and output as text, may be displayed and output as an image (still image or moving image), or may be output as sound. Further, when the AD and the terminal device T are information processing devices used by the user to play the game, the advertisement may be output in the game space GF developed in the game, or the terminal device T may be output on the Internet. In the case of an information processing apparatus used to utilize the above information, it may be output together with the information on the Internet.

In the second embodiment as well, the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] are information processing devices used by users U[1] to U[M] to play baseball games. Although the game server SV1 (see FIG. 1) is not shown in the second embodiment, the terminal devices T[1] to T[ M] may be connected to the game server SV1.

The advertisement server SV2 is connected to M terminal devices T[1] to T[M] via the network NW, and distributes advertisements AD to the terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. In this embodiment, the advertisement server SV2 distributes the advertisement AD within the game screen GS of the baseball game executed by the terminal device T. FIG. More specifically, in this embodiment, the advertisement server SV2 outputs the advertisement AD to the game screen GS when a baseball game is being executed in the terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. In the second embodiment, the advertisement AD is distributed regardless of whether tournament G is being held in the baseball game (for example, even when an online match other than tournament G is being held). do.

The output of the advertisement AD on the game screen GS may be, for example, the display output of an image relating to the advertisement AD on a part of the game screen GS displayed during the game, or the display of the game screen GS. may temporarily become an image related to the advertisement AD, or part or all of the sound flowing on the game screen GS may temporarily become a sound related to the advertisement AD. Further, the advertisement AD being output on the game screen GS may be, for example, the advertisement AD being output in a part of the game space GF displayed on the game screen GS as shown in FIG. 19 to be described later. . In this embodiment, the advertisement AD is output by the playing game program PG1 (see FIG. 3) of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] that execute the game.

The advertiser device DVa is a terminal device T used by an advertiser user UEa who places an advertisement AD. The advertiser user UEa may be, for example, a provider of goods or services to be advertised, or may be an advertising agent whose advertisement is requested by the provider of goods or services to be advertised. . The advertiser device DVa may be, for example, a portable information processing device such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or a notebook computer, or may be a stationary information processing terminal such as a desktop personal computer.

[B-2: Outline of advertisement distribution to terminal device T]
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an outline of advertisement distribution to the terminal device T. As shown in FIG. FIG. 19 shows an example of display on the touch panel 12 of the terminal device T during game play. A game screen GS is displayed on the touch panel 12 . The game screen GS shows a scene in which the pitcher character CR1 attempts to pitch the ball object OB1 in the game space GF. A user U of the terminal device T operates the batter character CR2 via the touch panel 12, and uses the bat object OB2 to hit back the ball object OB1 thrown by the pitcher character CR1. The game screen GS also shows a spectator character CR3 watching the baseball game in the game space GF.

One or more advertisements AD are output on the game screen GS. Hereinafter, the p-th advertisement may be referred to as AD[p] (p is a natural number that satisfies 1≤p≤P. P is any natural number). In this embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation, it is assumed that the advertiser device DVa and the advertisement AD have a one-to-one correspondence. That is, the advertisement AD placed by the advertiser device DVa[p] is the advertisement AD[p]. Also, an advertisement space set in the game may be referred to as AF[s] (s is a natural number that satisfies 1≤s≤S; S is any natural number). In the example of FIG. 19, three advertisements AD[1] to AD[3] are output. The advertisement AD may be a still image or a moving image related to the merchandise to be advertised, displayed in the game element existing in the game space GF. Also, the advertisement AD may be a sound related to the advertisement object emitted by a game element in the game space GF. Game elements are, for example, characters, objects, and environmental constructs that exist in the game space GF. The environmental components of the game space GF may be components of a virtual baseball field existing in the game space GF, such as the ground of the baseball field and the back net of the baseball field.

In FIG. 19, the advertisement AD[1] is a still image advertisement, and is displayed in an advertisement space AF[1] imitating a signboard provided on the fence BS of a virtual baseball field. Advertisement AD[2] is also a still image advertisement, and is displayed in an advertisement space AF[2] imitating a signboard provided on fence BS of a virtual baseball field. Advertisement AD[3] is a voice advertisement, and is output in an advertisement space AF[3] for voice emitted from a speaker object OB3 provided in a virtual baseball field.

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

The advertisement AD may be constantly output on the game screen GS, may be output or not (or the contents of the advertisement AD) may be changed in conjunction with the progress of the game, or may be output or not regardless of the progress of the game. (or the contents of the advertisement AD) may be changed. In conjunction with the progress of the game, for example, when the character (or team) operated by the user U of the terminal device T enters the batter's box, the advertisement AD is displayed in the advertisement spaces AF[1] and AF[2]. and the advertisement AD is not displayed in the advertisement spaces AF[1] and AF[2] at other times. Moreover, regardless of the progress of the game, for example, the presence or absence of output of the advertisement AD may be changed at predetermined time intervals.

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

The communication device 41 functions as the communication section 410 shown in FIG. The touch panel 42 functions as the display unit 120 and the operation input unit 122 shown in FIG. 21 . The memory 43 functions as the storage section 430 shown in FIG. Processor 44 functions as control unit 440 shown in FIG. Further, in the second embodiment, the memory 43 stores various information such as the advertisement placing program PG3 executed by the processor 44 and the third map information DBm3.

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

The storage unit 430 stores the above-described advertisement presentation program PG3 and various data necessary for executing the advertisement presentation program PG3 (eg, third map information DBm3).

The control unit 440 functions as an advertisement placement request unit 441 when the processor 44 executes the advertisement placement program PG3. The placement request unit 441 requests the advertisement server SV2 to place an advertisement based on the operation of the user of the advertiser device DVa (advertiser user UEa). Although the details will be described later, in the present embodiment, an advertisement placement request can be made by designating the location of the terminal device T to which the advertisement is to be distributed.

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

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

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the advertisement server SV2. As shown in FIG. 23, the advertisement server SV2 has a communication section 310, a storage section 320, and a control section 330. As described above, the functions of the communication unit 210 are implemented by the communication device 31 shown in FIG. The function of the storage section 320 is implemented by the memory 32 shown in FIG. The functions of the control unit 330 are implemented by the processor 33 shown in FIG.

The storage unit 320 stores the above-described advertisement management program PG4 and various data necessary for executing the advertisement management program PG4. Various data necessary for executing the advertisement management program PG4 are, for example, the second location database DBp2, the fourth map information DBm4, the advertisement management database DBad, and the like.

Processor 33 executes advertisement management program PG4, so that control unit 330 controls second location management unit 332, second reception unit 333, second identification unit 334, reference information output unit 335, advertisement management unit 336, and advertisement management unit 336. It functions as a distribution unit 337 . Details of advertisement distribution in the advertising system 2 will be described below while describing details of these functional units.

[B-5: Outline of advertisement delivery]
FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of data regarding advertisement distribution to the terminal device T. As shown in FIG. The sequence diagram of FIG. 24 shows the advertisement server SV2, the advertiser device DVa[p], and the candidate terminal device TAa[p] as objects. Candidate terminal devices TAa[p] are further classified into delivery destination terminal devices TCa[p] and non-delivery terminal devices TDa[p]. In addition, in FIG. 24, the notation [p] for identifying the advertisement AD is omitted.

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

The candidate terminal device TAa[p] is a terminal device located in the distribution area Za[p] (see FIG. 27) specified by the advertiser user UEa[p] among the terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. is T. The candidate terminal device TAa[p] is a candidate for the delivery destination of the advertisement AD[p]. The candidate terminal device TAa[p], which is a candidate for the delivery destination of the advertisement AD[p], may be, for example, a terminal device T to which the advertisement AD[p] can be delivered immediately, or a specific application is started. The terminal device T may be a terminal device T to which the advertisement AD[p] is delivered when the user accesses specific information in a specific application. good. In this embodiment, in a baseball game, when a predetermined advertisement output condition is met, an advertisement AD corresponding to an advertisement space AF within the game screen GS is distributed. Specifically, for example, the transition to the batting screen shown in FIG. 19 is the advertisement output condition for the advertising spaces AF[1] to AF[3], and among the candidate terminal devices TAa[p], the terminal that transitioned to the batting screen Advertisements AD[1] to AD[3] are delivered to device T.

FIG. 24 shows one delivery destination terminal device TCa[p] and one non-delivery terminal device TDa[p]. Either one may be two or more, or at least one of the delivery destination terminal device TCa[p] and the non-delivery terminal device TDa[p] may be zero.

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

In placing the advertisement AD[p], the advertiser device DVa[p] receives designation of the position of the delivery destination terminal device TCa[p] from the advertiser user UEa[p]. As will be described later, the position of the delivery destination terminal device TCa[p] is designated by the advertiser user UEa[p] using a map displayed on the delivery destination terminal device TCa[p] (fourth part shown in FIG. 26, etc.). This is done by drawing an area specifying figure Fa[p] on the map MPd4). That is, the advertiser device DVa[p] accepts drawing of the area-specific figure Fa[p] from the advertiser user UEa[p] (S23). In addition, the advertiser device DVa[p] receives information from the advertiser user UEa[p], such as the number of delivery destination terminal devices TCa[p] (number of impressions), delivery period, advertisement space AF, and other information to be placed. Conditions may be accepted. In the following, it is assumed that the advertisement AD[p] is designated to be output to the advertisement space AF[s].

Upon receiving drawing of the area-specifying figure Fa[p] by the advertiser user UEa[p], the advertiser device DVa[p] performs figure specification that specifies at least one of the shape and size of the area-specifying figure Fa[p]. Information Sa[p] is transmitted to the advertisement server SV2 (S24).

When the second receiving unit 333 of the advertising server SV2 receives the figure designation information Sa[p] (S25), the second specifying unit 334 causes the second specifying unit 334 to specify the distribution area Za[p] specified by the area specifying figure Fa[p]. The intra-area terminal device TFa[p] located within the region is specified (S26). The advertisement server SV2 uses the reference information output unit 335 to generate reference information IF[p] including at least one of the number of terminal devices TFa[p] in the area and the advertisement fee for the terminal devices TFa[p] in the area. (S27), the generated reference information IF[p] is transmitted to the advertiser device DVa[p] (S28).

The advertiser device DVa[p] that has received the reference information IF[p] presents the reference information IF[p] to the advertiser user UEa[p], and the advertiser user UEa[p] receives the reference information IF[p]. ] while adjusting the region-specific figure Fa[p] and other conditions for publication. When the area-specific figure Fa[p] and other conditions for placing an advertisement are determined, the advertiser user UEa[p] inputs a request for placing an advertisement AD[p] Ca[p] to the advertiser device DVa[p]. The main device DVa[p] transmits to the advertising server SV2 a placement request Ca[p] including the graphic designating information Sa[p] of the determined area specific graphic Fa[p] (S29). The advertisement server SV2 receives the advertisement placement request Ca[p] by the second receiving unit 333 (S30). The advertisement server SV2 uses the advertisement management unit 336 to register the advertisement AD[p] corresponding to the placement request Ca[p] in the advertisement management database DBad (S31). S23 to S31 in FIG. 24 are referred to as a "post submission step".

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

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

Since this step is the same as the location management step described in A-5 of the first embodiment, detailed description will be omitted. That is, the first position management section 233 in the first embodiment corresponds to the second position management section 332 in the second embodiment. Also, the first location database DBp1 in the first embodiment corresponds to the second location database DBp2 in the second embodiment, and the first map information DBm1 in the first embodiment corresponds to the fourth map information DBm4 in the second embodiment. corresponds to The second location manager 332 is an example of a "manager."

[B-7: Submission acceptance step]
Next, the details of the submission acceptance step will be described. 25 to 27 are diagrams showing examples of screen displays of the advertiser device DVa[p]. In this embodiment, the screens shown in FIGS. 25 to 27 are displayed by the processor 33 of the advertiser device DVa[p] executing the advertisement presentation program PG3. In the following example, an advertiser user UEa[p] places an advertisement AD[p], which is a still image advertisement, in the advertisement space AF[2] shown in FIG. 19, as an example.

When the advertiser user UEa[p] activates the advertisement placement program PG3 and performs a predetermined operation (eg, selection of a new advertisement mode), the advertisement shown in FIG. 25 is displayed on the touch panel 42 of the advertiser device DVa[p] A condition specifying screen SCa1 is displayed. An advertisement data specification column 2501, an advertisement space specification column 2502, a distribution period specification column 2503, and an area selection button BT21 are displayed on the advertisement condition specification screen SCa1.

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

Information for identifying the advertising space AF to which the advertisement AD[p] is to be output is specified in the advertising space specification field 2502 . In the example of FIG. 25, the character string "AF-2" is specified as the information identifying the advertising space AF[2] in FIG.

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

Advertiser user UEa[p] enters information into advertisement data designation field 2501, advertisement space designation field 2502, and delivery period designation field 2503, and then presses region selection button BT21. When the region selection button BT21 is pressed, the display on the touch panel 42 shifts to the region selection screen SCa2 shown in FIG. A fourth partial map MPd4, an area specifying figure Fa[p], reference information IF[p], a scale change button BT3, a shape selection button BT4, and an OK button BT22 are displayed on the area selection screen SCa2. . The area specifying figure Fa[p] is an example of the "first figure". The scale change button BT3 and shape selection button BT4 have the functions described in A-4 of the first embodiment.

The initial range of the fourth partial map MPd4 displayed on the advertiser device DVa[p] may be, for example, the vicinity of the position of the advertiser device DVa[p], or may be specified by the advertiser user UEa[p]. (for example, a predetermined range centered on a point specified by the advertiser user UEa[p]). The fourth partial map MPd4 is obtained by displaying a part of the third map information DBm3 recorded in the storage unit 430 of the advertiser device DVa[p] on the touch panel . Note that the advertiser device DVa[p] does not hold a map database. data may be obtained. The display range of the fourth partial map MPd4 can be changed by the advertiser user UEa touching the touch panel 42 with a finger Fn to scroll in any direction, as shown in FIG. 27, for example. Also, the scale of the fourth partial map MPd4 can be changed by the scale change button BT3.

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

The method of specifying the shape and size of the area specifying figure Fa[p] is the same as A-6 of the first embodiment, so detailed description will be omitted.

The advertisement placing program PG3 generates graphic designating information Sa[p] designating at least one of the shape and size of the area specific graphic Fa[p], and sequentially transmits it to the advertising server SV2 (S24 in FIG. 24). The figure specifying information Sa[p] is transmitted at least each time the shape and size of the area specifying figure Fa[p] are changed. The advertisement placement program PG3 may transmit the placement conditions such as the advertisement space AF and the distribution period input to the placement condition specifying screen SCa1 to the advertisement server SV2 together with the figure designation information Sa[p].

The advertisement server SV2 receives the graphic designating information Sa[p] from the second receiving unit 333 (S25 in FIG. 24). That is, the second reception unit 333 receives the figure designation information Sa[ p].

The advertisement server SV2 uses the second identification unit 334 to identify the candidate terminal device TAa[p], which is a candidate for the distribution destination of the advertisement AD[p] (S26 in FIG. 24). In the second embodiment, the candidate terminal device TAa[p] is the in-area terminal device TFa[p] located within the distribution area Za[p]. Since the method for identifying the candidate terminal device TAa[p] by the second identifying unit 334 is the same as the method for identifying the candidate terminal device TAg[j] by the first identifying unit 236 in A-7 of the first embodiment, details detailed description is omitted.

That is, based on the figure designation information Sa[p], the second specifying unit 334 determines the distribution area Za[p] on the fourth map information DBm4 among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. A terminal device T associated with the in-area terminal device TF[p] located in . In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the terminal device T associated with the in-area terminal device TF[p] is the in-area terminal device TF[p] itself. The in-area terminal device TF[p] is, for example, a terminal device T whose position (for example, current position or registered position) managed by the second position management unit 332 is located within the distribution area Za[p].

When the candidate terminal device TAa[p] is specified by the second specifying unit 334, the advertisement server SV2 causes the reference information output unit 335 to generate the reference information IF[p] (S27 in FIG. 24), and the advertiser device. It is transmitted to DVa[p] (S28 in FIG. 24). The reference information IF[p] is, for example, a predicted value of the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] when the distribution area Za[p] is specified by the current area specifying figure Fa[p], and candidates This is the predicted value of the advertisement fee when the advertisement AD[p] is distributed to the terminal device TAa[p].

The number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] in the reference information IF[p] may be, for example, the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] at the present time, or the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] at the present time. , and the terminal device may be capable of immediately distributing the advertisement AD[p]. In addition, the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] in the reference information IF[p] is calculated based on the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] at the present time, for example, when the advertisement AD[p] is actually distributed. It may be the number of terminal devices T predicted to be the same (predicted value of the number of delivery destination terminal devices TCa[p]). The number of terminal devices T to which the advertisement AD[p] is actually expected to be delivered may be estimated by analyzing past advertisement delivery results based on time zones, user attributes, and the like. . Specifically, for example, the reference information output unit 335 executes the game during the period specified in the distribution period specification field 2503 in FIG. Advertisement fee may be estimated by estimating the number of terminal devices T, and multiplying the number of terminal devices T by the advertisement unit price.

That is, when the second reception unit 333 receives the figure designation information Sa[p], the reference information output unit 335 outputs information indicating the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p]. The reference information output unit 335 is an example of a “terminal number output unit”.

The number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] may be, for example, the total number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p], or the advertisement AD[p] is currently distributed among the candidate terminal devices TAa[p]. The number of terminal devices T may be used. The terminal device T to which the advertisement AD[p] is currently distributed is, for example, when the advertisement is distributed when a specific application is started on the candidate terminal device TAa[p], the specific application is currently being distributed. It may be the number of active candidate terminal devices TAa[p]. Further, the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] may be the number of terminal devices T to which the advertisement AD[p] is distributed, which is estimated based on past advertisement distribution results.

Further, when the second reception unit 333 receives the figure designation information Sa[p], the reference information output unit 335 outputs information regarding the compensation for the distribution of the advertisement AD[p] to the candidate terminal device TAa[p]. . The reference information output unit 335 is an example of a "reward output unit".

The consideration for the distribution of the advertisement AD[p] may be, for example, the consideration when the advertisement AD[p] is distributed to all of the candidate terminal devices TAa[p], or the advertisement AD[p] is currently distributed. It may be compensation for distributing an advertisement to possible terminal devices T (terminal devices T running a game), or distribution of advertisements to an estimated number of terminal devices T based on past results of distributing advertisements. It may be compensation for The consideration for distribution of the advertisement AD[p] may be, for example, an advertisement fee.

For example, as shown in FIG. 26, when the area identification figure Fa[p] is a circle with radius r3 centered at position O, the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] indicated in the reference information IF[p] Assume that the estimated number is 4,500 people and the estimated advertising fee is 30,000 yen. On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 27, when the area identification figure Fa[p] is a circle with a radius of r4 (<r3) centered at the position O, the number of terminal devices T in the distribution area Za[p] is reduced compared to the case of FIG. The approximate value of the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] shown in the reference information IF[p] of FIG. By displaying the reference information IF[p] in this way, the advertiser user UEa[p] can check the number of candidate terminal devices TAa[p] (the number of impressions) and the advertisement fee while confirming the distribution area Za[ p] can be considered.

After finishing the adjustment of the shape and size of the region-specifying figure Fa[p], the advertiser user UEa[p] presses the OK button BT22. Then, the contents of the input to the area selection screen SCa2 of FIG. 26 and the advertisement condition designation screen SCa1 of FIG. (S29 in FIG. 24). The advertisement server SV2 receives the advertisement placement request Ca[p] through the second receiving unit 333 (S30 in FIG. 24). That is, the second receiving unit 333 receives the figure specifying information Sa[p] specifying at least one of the shape and size of the area specifying figure Fa[p] for specifying the distribution area Za[p] on the map. . The advertisement server SV2 that has received the placement request Ca[p] registers the advertisement AD[p] in the advertisement management database DBad by the advertisement management unit 336 (S31 in FIG. 24).

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

Advertisement ID 2801 is identification information for identifying an advertisement. In this embodiment, the advertisement ID 2801 is a combination of the alphabet A and a three-digit number, such as "A001". Advertisement AD[p] shall be advertisement ID=A002.

The advertisement data name information 2803 records the name of the advertisement data ADd of the advertisement AD specified by the advertisement ID 2801 . The name of the advertisement data ADd corresponds to the advertisement data ADd designated in the advertisement data designation field 2501 in FIG. In addition to the advertisement data name information 2803, information on the storage location of the advertisement data in the advertisement server SV2 may be recorded.

The advertisement space information 2804 is information specifying an advertisement space AF to which the advertisement AD specified by the advertisement ID 2801 is output, and corresponds to the advertisement space AF specified in the advertisement space specifying field 2502 in FIG. 25 .

The delivery period information 2805 is information specifying the period during which the advertisement AD specified by the advertisement ID 2801 is delivered, and corresponds to the period specified in the delivery period specification field 2503 in FIG. 25 .

The candidate terminal ID 2806 is the terminal ID of the candidate terminal device TAa[p] identified by the first identifying unit 236 . Note that the terminal device T located within the distribution area Za[p] may change over time. That is, the candidate terminal device TAa[p] may change. Therefore, it is preferable that the second identifying unit 334 sequentially identify terminal devices T located within the distribution area Za[p] and update the terminal IDs recorded in the candidate terminal IDs 2806 .

The graphic designating information Sa is information for designating at least one of the shape and size of the region specific graphic Fa in the advertisement AD. Similar to the figure designation information Sg in FIG. 14, the figure designation information Sa consists of a character string "Sr" indicating that the shape of the area identification figure Fa is a circle, and a value designating the radius of the area identification figure Fa (see FIG. 28). 28), and the latitude and longitude of the central point of the area specifying figure Fa (represented as O2 in FIG. 28).

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

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

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

Note that when the advertisement output condition is not satisfied in the candidate terminal device TAa[p], the candidate terminal device TAa[p] does not transmit the distribution request Da[s] and does not transmit the advertisement AD[p]. do not have. In this case, the candidate terminal device TAa[p] becomes the non-delivery terminal device TDa[p].

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

Further, in the advertising system 2 according to the second embodiment, the advertiser user UEa[p] displays an area-specifying figure on the fourth partial map MPd4 (third map information DBm3) displayed on the advertiser device DVa[p]. The delivery area Za[p] is specified by drawing Fa[p]. As a result, the advertiser user UEa[p] can specify the distribution area Za[p] with an intuitive operation, and the burden on the user U in specifying the distribution area Za[p] can be reduced. .

[B-10: Modification]
A modification of the advertising system 2 according to the second embodiment will be described below.

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

[Modification B2]
In the second embodiment described above, the advertisement server SV2 acquires the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M] in advance and manages them using the first position database DBp1. For example, when the terminal device T[m] transmits the distribution request Da[s] of the advertisement AD to the advertisement space AF[s], the position information of the terminal device T[m] is included in the distribution request Da[s]. (eg current location information).

In this case, the advertisement server SV2 refers to the figure designation information Sa in the advertisement management database DBad, and distributes the distribution area Za specified by the figure designation information Sa (more specifically, the figure designation information Sa on the fourth map information DBm4). The area corresponding to the area-specifying figure Fa designated by ) is specified. If there is an advertisement AD in which the distribution area Za including the position specified by the position information included in the distribution request Da[s] is set, the advertisement server SV2 sends the advertisement data ADd of the advertisement AD to the terminal device T[m]. Send to According to the modification B2, the advertisement server SV2 does not need to sequentially manage the positions of the terminal devices T[1] to T[M], so the processing load of the advertisement server SV2 can be reduced.

[Modification B3]
In the modification B3, when the game is started on the candidate terminal device TAa[p][k] at the start of distribution of the advertisement AD[p], the candidate terminal device TAa[p][k] is selected based on the progress of the game. ] to decide whether or not to publish. For example, to the candidate terminal device TAa[p][k] executing a baseball game, advertisement AD[p] is distributed from the start of the game (top of the first inning), and advertisement AD[p] is distributed from the top of the seventh inning. p], the former results in a longer delivery period of the advertisement AD[p] to the candidate terminal device TAa[p][k]. Therefore, for example, it may be possible to set such that "advertisement is not distributed to the candidate terminal device TAG[p] which has been started 7 times at the start of distribution of the advertisement AD[p]". According to the modification B3, it is possible to ensure a certain amount of time or more for the advertisement [p] to be displayed in each candidate terminal device T Ag[p].

[C: Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the invention will be described. In each of the following illustrations, elements whose functions are the same as those of the first embodiment or the second embodiment will be appropriately described in detail using the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. omitted.

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

In the second embodiment, the advertisement AD is output on the game screen GS regardless of whether the tournament G is held or not. In the third embodiment, it is assumed that the advertisement AD is output on the game screen GS while the tournament G is being held. That is, in the third embodiment, the candidate terminal device TA is a terminal device T that can participate in a baseball game tournament G, and the advertisement AD is displayed in the game screen GS displayed in the tournament G in which the candidate terminal device TA participates. output to

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

In general, the advertisement effect becomes higher when the advertisement AD becomes a topic among the users U than when each user U comes into contact with the advertisement AD alone. Therefore, in the third embodiment, by distributing the same advertisement AD to the terminal devices T participating in the same competition G, the possibility of the advertisement AD becoming a topic of discussion among the users U is increased, and the advertisement effect is increased. We are trying to improve. In the following, if a participating terminal device TCg[j][K] of a tournament G[j] is included together with an in-area terminal device TFa[p], another participating terminal device TCg[j][k] participating in the tournament G[j] ] may be referred to as a “joint participation terminal device THg[p]”.

Specifically, the second identifying unit 334 of the advertisement server SV2 refers to the room management database DB1 and the tournament management database DBg (see FIG. 5) of the game server SV1 to determine the invitation status of the terminal device T to the tournament G and Information on the participation status of the terminal device T in the tournament G is acquired. The second specifying unit 334 determines whether the participating terminal device TCg participating in the tournament G being held (or about to be held) in an area including the distribution area Za[p] specified as the distribution destination of the advertisement AD[p]. to distribute advertisement [p].

In the following, when the advertisement area (distribution area Za) is specified by the advertiser device DVa, the request for participation in the competition G is closed (C-2), and when the advertisement area is specified, the request for participation in the competition G The case where Dg is not closed (C-3) will be described separately.

If the competition participation request Dg is closed when the advertisement area is specified (C-2), the number of terminal devices TCa to which the advertisement AD is delivered is determined because the participating terminal devices TCg for the competition G are confirmed. and position can be specified. On the other hand, if the tournament G has already started, there is a possibility that the advertisement AD output period will be shortened.

If the participation request Dg for the competition G is not closed when the advertisement area is designated (C-3), there is time until the advertisement AD is started to be delivered. is downloaded in advance, and the advertisement AD can be distributed immediately after the tournament G starts. On the other hand, since the participating terminal devices TCg for the tournament G have not been determined, the number and positions of the distribution destination terminal devices TCa of the advertisement AD have not been determined.

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

Circular icons Hn1 (Hn1-1 to Hn1-4) indicate the positions of participating terminal devices TCg[j1][q] (1≤q≤4) participating in the tournament G[j1]. The triangular icons Hn2 (Hn2-1 to Hn-4) indicate the positions of participating terminal devices TCg[j2][q] participating in the tournament G[j2]. Rectangular icons Hn3 (Hn3-1 to Hn3-4) indicate the positions of participating terminal devices TCg[j3][q] participating in the tournament G[j3]. Also, the area-specific figure Fa[p] is a figure drawn by the advertiser user UEa[p], and specifies an area (distribution area Za[p]) to which the advertisement AD[p] is distributed.

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

On the other hand, in the third embodiment, when at least one of the in-area terminal devices TFa[p] is a participating terminal device TCg[j][K] of the tournament G[j], the advertisement server SV2 The other participating terminal device TCg[j][k] (jointly participating terminal device THg[j]) of j] is also a candidate terminal device TAa[j]. That is, in the third embodiment, even when the participating terminal device TCg[j][k] is the out-of-area terminal device TGa[p], the out-of-area terminal device TGa[p] and the joint participating terminal device THg[j] If there is a relationship, the advertisement AD[p] may be delivered.

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

<Selection Method 1: Distribute Advertisement to All Tournaments G in Which In-area Terminal Device TFa[p] Participates>
As shown in FIG. 30, within the distribution area Za[p], there are participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4] of three competitions G[j1] to G[j3], TCg [j2][1] to TCg[j2][4] and TCg[j3][1] to TCg[j3][4] are located. In selection method 1, the advertisement server SV2 selects these participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4], TCg[j2][1] to TCg[j2][4], TCg[j3] Advertisement AD[p] is distributed to all of [1] to TCg[j3][4].

That is, in the third embodiment, the second identifying unit 334 of the advertisement server SV2 selects the participating terminal devices participating in the game competition G[j] among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. In-area terminal device TFa[p], which is TCg[j] and is terminal device T at a position corresponding to distribution area Za[p] on fourth map information DBm4, and M terminal devices T[1] ~T[M], the participating terminal device TCg[j], which is the joint participating terminal device THg[j] participating in the tournament G[j] together with the terminal device TFa[p] in the area, is the advertisement AD[p]. is identified as a candidate terminal device TAa[p] that is a candidate for the delivery destination of the .

On the other hand, it may be desired not to expand the delivery destination of the advertisement AD[p] too much, for example, in relation to the advertisement budget. In this case, the tournament G to which the advertisement AD[p] is distributed can be selected using, for example, the following selection methods 2-1 to 2-3.

<Selection Method 2-1: Using Ranking of Number of Participating Terminal Devices TCg in Distribution Area Za[p]>
The selection method 2-1 is a method of ranking the competitions G according to the number of participating terminal devices TCg located in the distribution area Za[p], and distributing the advertisement AD[p] to the competitions G ranked higher. In the example of FIG. 30, among the terminal devices T located in the distribution area Za[p], there are four participating terminal devices TCg[j1] in the tournament G[j1], and there are four participating terminal devices TCg[j2] in the tournament G[j2]. ] are three, and the participation terminal device TCg[j3] of the tournament G[j3] is one. That is, the ranking in order of the number of players is as follows: Tournament G[j1] is first, Tournament G[j2] is second, and Tournament G[j3] is third.

The advertiser user UEa[p] designates in advance the highest number of tournaments G to which the advertisement AD[p] is to be distributed. For example, if only the top-ranked tournament G is specified, participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4] of tournament G[j1] are candidate terminal devices TAa[p]. becomes. Further, when the top two tournaments G are specified, participation of the participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4] of the tournament G[j1] and the tournament G[j2] Terminal devices TCg[j2][1] to TCg[j2][4] are candidate terminal devices TAa[p].

<Selection Method 2-2: Using Absolute Number of Participating Terminal Devices TCg Located in Distribution Area Za[p]>
The selection method 2-2 is a method of setting a threshold for the number of terminal devices T located in the distribution area Za[p], and distributing the advertisement AD[p] to the competition G in which the terminal devices T exceeding the threshold participate. In the example of FIG. 30, for example, when the threshold is set to "4", participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4] of tournament G[j1] are candidate terminal devices TAa[p]. ], and when the threshold value is set to "3", the participation terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4] of the tournament G[j1] and the tournament G[j2][1] to TCg[ The participating terminal device TCg[j2] of j2][4] becomes the candidate terminal device TAa[p].

That is, in the selection method 2-1 and the setting example 2-2, the second identifying unit 334 selects the participating terminal devices participating in the tournament G[j] among the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M]. Among the number of TCg[j] and the participating terminal devices TCg[j] of the tournament G[j], the intra-area terminal that is the terminal device T at the position corresponding to the distribution area Za[p] on the fourth map information DBm4 Based on the number of devices TFa[p], it is determined whether or not to specify the participating terminal device TCg[j] of the tournament G[j] as a candidate terminal device TAa[p].

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

When applied to the example of FIG. 30, all four participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4] of the tournament G[j1] are located in the distribution area Za[p]. The proportion of participating terminal devices TCg[j1] located at Za[p] is 100% (≧50%). Therefore, the advertisement server SV2 sets the participating terminal device TCg[j1] as the candidate terminal device TAa[p]. Of the participating terminal devices TCg[j2][1] to TCg[j2][4] of the tournament G[j2], three of them are located in the distribution area Za[p], and are located in the distribution area Za[p]. The proportion of participating terminal devices TCg[j2] is 75% (≧50%). Therefore, the advertisement server SV2 also sets the participating terminal device TCg[j2] as the candidate terminal device TAa[p]. On the other hand, only one of participating terminal devices TCg[j3][1] to TCg[j3][4] of tournament G[j3] is located in distribution area Za[p]. 25% (<50%) of the participating terminal devices TCg[j3] located at . Therefore, the advertisement server SV2 does not select the participating terminal device TCg[j3] as the candidate terminal device TAa[p].

That is, in the selection method 2-3, the second specifying unit 334 selects the participating terminal devices TCg of the tournament G when the number of the in-area terminal devices TFa[p] among the participating terminal devices TCg of the tournament G is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio. If the candidate terminal device TAa[p] is identified as a candidate terminal device TAa[p], and the in-area terminal device TFa[p] among the participating terminal devices TCg of the tournament G is less than a predetermined ratio, the participating terminal device TCg of the tournament G is designated as the candidate terminal device TAa[p]. p].

Further, when the predetermined ratio is set to "100%", all the participating terminal devices TCg will distribute the advertisement AD[p] only to the competition G located within the distribution area Za[p]. That is, the second identifying unit 334 designates the terminal device T at the position corresponding to the distribution area Za[p] on the fourth map information DBm4 among the participating terminal devices TCg of the tournament G as the candidate terminal device TAa[p]. Identify. For example, in the example of FIG. 30, only participating terminal devices TCg[j1][1] to TCg[j1][4] of tournament G[j1] are candidate terminal devices TAa[p]. As a result, among the terminal devices T located within the distribution area Za[p], a group of terminal devices T having a deeper relationship (positional connection + personal connection participating in the same competition G ), the advertisement AD[p] can be delivered.

<Relationship between distribution area Za[p] of advertisement AD[p] and designated area Zg[j] of tournament G[j]>
As shown in the first embodiment, each competition G is held by designating an area designated by the host user UEg. For example, as shown in FIG. 31, when the specified area Zg[j3] of the competition G[j3] is specified by the area specific figure Fg[j3], the overlapping area with the distribution area Za[p] of the advertisement AD[p] If no participating terminal device TCg[j3] is positioned at Zc[p−j3], advertisement AD[p] will not be delivered to participating terminal device TCg[j3] of tournament G[j3]. Conversely, since the participating terminal device TCg[j3][1] indicated by the icon Hn3-1 is located in the overlapping area Zc[p-j3], it is indicated by the icons Hn3-2 to Hn3-4. Other participating terminal devices TCg[j3][2] to TCg[j3][4] can also be candidate terminal devices TAa[p].

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

The above selection methods 1 to 2-3 can also be applied when the specified area Zg is not specified in the tournament G, that is, when the position of the terminal device T is not specified as a condition for participating in the tournament G.

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

Acceptance of participation requests Dg[j] has not been closed for tournament G[j], and the number and positions of participating terminal devices TCg[j] have not been determined. The designated area Zg[j] for the tournament G[j] can be obtained, for example, by the second identifying unit 334 of the advertisement server SV2 referring to the room management database DBl recorded in the game server SV1.

Among the advertisements AD[p1] to [p3], the distribution area Za[p3] of the advertisement AD[p3] does not overlap the specified area Zg[j] of the competition G[j]. Therefore, the advertisement AD[p3] is not delivered to the participating terminal device TCg[j] of the tournament G[j].

A method of specifying which advertisement AD[p1] or AD[p2] is to be distributed to the participating terminal device TCg[j] of the tournament G[j] will be described below. Which of the following selection methods 3 to 4-2 is adopted may be determined by the advertiser user UEa[p], or may be determined by the advertisement server SV2, for example.

<Selection Method 3: Distribute All Advertisements AD Where Designated Area Zg[j] of Tournament G[j] Overlaps Distribution Area Za>
The distribution area Za[p1] of the advertisement AD[p1] and the distribution area Za[p2] of AD[p2] overlap the specified area Zg[j] of the competition G[j]. Therefore, as selection method 3, the advertisement server SV2 distributes both the advertisements AD[p1] and AD[p2] to the participating terminal device TCg[j] of the tournament G[j]. Distributing two advertisements AD[p1] and AD[p2] means that, for example, when there are two or more advertisement spaces AF to be output on the game screen GS of the tournament G[j], advertisements are distributed to these advertisement spaces AF. AD[p1] and AD[p2] may be output at the same time, or when there is one advertisement frame AF, the advertisement AD[p1] and AD[p2] may be switched and displayed at predetermined time intervals. good.

On the other hand, if there is only one advertisement frame AF output to the game screen GS of the tournament G[j] and it is difficult to switch between advertisements AD[p1] and AD[p2] for display, It is necessary to select which of advertisement AD[p1] and AD[p2] is to be displayed in the advertisement space AF. In this case, for example, there is a method of randomly determining the advertisement AD to be displayed, but for example, the following selection method 4-1 or 4-2 may be used to select the advertisement AD to be displayed in the tournament G[j]. Which of the following selection methods 4-1 and 4-2 is adopted may be determined by the advertiser user UEa[p] or may be determined by the advertisement server SV2, for example.

<Selection method 4-1: Comparison of overlapping area E between delivery area Za and designated area Zg>
Selection method 4-1 is based on overlapping area E[p1-j] (not shown), which is the area of overlapping area Zc[p1-j] between distribution area Za[p1] and designated area Zg[j], and distribution area The overlapping area E[p2-j] (not shown), which is the area of the overlapping area Zc[p2-j] between Za[p2] and the specified area Zg[j], is compared, and the advertisement with the larger overlapping area E is selected. A method of distributing ADs to participating terminals TCg[j]. Taking FIG. 32 as an example, the overlapping area E between the distribution area Za[p1] and the designated area Zg[j] is greater than the overlapping area E[p2−j] between the distribution area Za[p2] and the designated area Zg[j]. [p1-j] is larger. Therefore, according to method 4-1, the advertisement AD[p1] is distributed to the participating terminal device TCg[p] of the tournament G[j].

<Selection method 4-2: Compare ratio of overlapping area Zc to distribution area Za>
The selection method 4-2 is a method of comparing the area ratio of the overlapping area Zc with respect to the area of the distribution area Za, and distributing the advertisement AD to the participating terminal device TCg of the tournament G having a large area ratio of the overlapping area Zc. Taking FIG. 32 as an example, the area of the overlapping area Zc[p1-j] between the distribution area Za[p1] and the designated area Zg[j] (overlapping area E[p1-j]) is the distribution area Za[p1] It can be estimated that it is less than half the area of On the other hand, the area of the overlapping area Zc[p2-j] between the distribution area Za[p2] and the designated area Zg[j] (overlapping area E[p2-j]) is more than half the area of the distribution area Za[p2]. It can be inferred that That is, the ratio of overlapping area Zc[p2-j] to distribution area Za[p2] is greater than the ratio of overlapping area Zc[p1-j] to distribution area Za[p1]. Therefore, according to method 4-2, the advertisement [p2] is distributed to the participating terminal device TCg[p] of the tournament G[j].

That is, in the above selection methods 4-1 and 4-2, the second specifying unit 334 determines that the distribution area Za[p] of the advertisement AD[p] and the M terminal devices T[1] to T[M] Based on the degree of overlap with the specified area Zg on the map corresponding to the position of the participating terminal device TCg of the tournament G, it is determined whether or not to specify the participating terminal device TCg of the tournament G as the candidate terminal device TAa. do. The “degree of overlap” is the value of the area of the overlapping area Fc in the selection method 4-1, and the ratio of the area of the overlapping area Fc to the distribution area Za in the selection method 4-2.

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

[C-4: Summary of the third embodiment]
As described above, in the advertising system 3 according to the third embodiment, the advertisement AD[p] is output within the game screen GS of the tournament G[j] in which the candidate terminal device TAa[p] participates. As a result, for example, advertisement AD[p] is stored in memory of candidate user UAa[p] who has received advertisement AD[p], compared to delivering advertisement AD[p] during normal times other than competition G[j]. This increases the possibility that the content of AD[p] will remain, which is advantageous in increasing the effect of the advertisement AD[p].

In addition, in the advertising system 3 according to the third embodiment, the advertising server SV2 includes the terminal device TFa[p] in the region and the joint participation terminal device THg participating in the competition G[j] together with the terminal device TFa[p] in the region. [j] are identified as candidate terminal devices TAa[p]. Therefore, the same advertisement AD[p] is distributed to the terminal devices T participating in the same tournament G[j]. This makes it easier for users to interact with each other regarding the advertisement AD[g], which is advantageous in increasing the effect of the advertisement AD[g].

[D: Appendices]
From the above description, the present invention can be grasped, for example, as follows. In order to facilitate understanding of each aspect, hereinafter, reference numerals in the drawings are added in parentheses for the sake of convenience, but this is not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated aspects.

[Appendix 1-1]
A program according to an aspect of the present invention causes a processor (eg, processor 23) to operate on each of a plurality of terminal devices (eg, terminal devices T[1] to T[M]) in a physical space (eg, physical space RS). A management unit (for example, the first position management unit 233) that manages the position of each in association with the position on the map (for example, the first map information DBm1); Zg) to specify at least one of the shape and size of a first figure (for example, area specifying figure Fg[j1]) (for example, figure specification information Sg[j1]). A reception unit (for example, the first reception unit 234) that accepts, and based on the first designation information, a terminal device (for example, , in-area terminal devices TFg[j1]) as first candidate terminal devices (for example, candidate terminal devices TAg [j1]) (for example, the first specifying unit 236).

In this aspect, the identifying unit, based on the first designation information that designates at least one of the shape and size of the first figure for identifying the first area on the map, determines the first area related to the game. A first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device that participates in the event is specified. As a result, the designator of the first area (hereinafter referred to as the "area designator") can easily designate the first area as compared to designating the first area by designating a place name such as an administrative division. and can be specified accurately. For example, when a region designator wants to designate a region including a plurality of administrative divisions as the first region, the first region can be designated simply by designating one figure, and multiple place names (administrative divisions) can be designated. The first area can be designated by a simpler operation than inputting the partition name). Also, when the area designator wants to designate only a partial area of a certain administrative division as the first area, the area designator can designate the first area as intended. In addition, even if the area designator does not know the surrounding place names or the positions of the areas indicated by the place names, the first area can be designated.

In the above aspect, the “terminal device” may be an information processing device used by the user to play a game, or may be an information processing device used to use information on the Internet. The terminal device may be, for example, a portable information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a portable game device, a business game device installed in a store or amusement facility, or a desktop type A stationary information processing terminal such as a personal computer may be used.

In the above aspect, the “position of the terminal device in the physical space” may be, for example, the current position of the terminal device or a position registered in advance as the position of the terminal device. The position may be specified by information such as latitude and longitude, lot number, and address notation, for example. The current position may be, for example, the position of the terminal device specified by GPS or the position of the base station with which the terminal device communicates. The pre-registered location may be, for example, a location registered by the user of the terminal device specifying information indicating the location, such as an address and latitude and longitude. For example, when the terminal device is a stationary information processing terminal, the user may register the location where the information processing device is installed as the position of the terminal device. In addition, for example, when the terminal device is a portable information processing terminal, the user is likely to be in a place where he or she carries the terminal device for a long time, or the frequency of playing a game using the terminal device. Places with high altitudes, specifically, homes, workplaces, schools, etc., may be registered as the location of the terminal device. Also, the pre-registered position may be a position registered by specifying information indicating a position such as an address or latitude/longitude from the terminal device, for example. For example, the terminal device detects its current position at all times or at predetermined time intervals, and automatically detects a position where the frequency of detection is higher than the predetermined frequency (or the position where the cumulative time of detection is longer than the predetermined time). May be specified as a device location.

In the above aspect, the "map" may be, for example, a diagram representing the terrain in the real space at a predetermined scale. The map may include, for example, information that allows the position in the physical space to be identified, and this information may allow the position in the physical space to be associated with the position on the map. The information that can specify the position in the physical space may be, for example, latitude and longitude, lot number, address notation, and the like. The range included in the map may be, for example, a range including the position of the device designating the first designation information. Also, the scale of the map may be variable or fixed. In addition, characters such as country names, prefecture names, city names, and facility names may be superimposed on the map, and may include boundaries of administrative divisions such as countries, prefectures, and cities.

In the above aspect, the "first region" may be, for example, a region that overlaps with the first graphic when the first graphic is superimposed on the map, or may be a region that overlaps the first graphic. It may be a region located.

In the above aspect, the “figure” may be, for example, a figure specifying a closed region whose outer edge is defined by a straight line or a curved line. A figure may be, for example, a geometrically defined shape such as a circle or a polygon, or may be a shape with no regularity such as drawn by a user freehand.

In the above aspect, the "shape of the figure" may be, for example, the geometrical arrangement of straight lines and curves that define the outer edge of the figure, and the figure has a unique shape such as a perfect circle or regular polygon. In some cases, it may be a name that indicates the shape (the above-mentioned “perfect circle”, “regular hexagon”, etc.).

In the above aspect, the "size of the figure" may be, for example, a parameter that defines the area of the closed region that the figure constitutes. may be the radius of The size of the figure may be, for example, the size of the figure relative to the map.

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

In the above aspect, the "game" may be, for example, a game (competitive game) in which a plurality of terminal devices compete against each other to determine victory or defeat and ranking, or a plurality of terminal devices may It may be a game (cooperative game) in which a group of other terminal devices cooperate to compete against each other to determine the winner or the ranking, or in which a plurality of terminal devices cooperate to clear a mission in the game.

In the above aspect, the "game-related event" may be, for example, a competition such as a match in the game, or a mission to be cleared.

In the above aspect, "participating in an event" may mean, for example, accepting an event-related operation from the user of the terminal device, or displaying the progress of the event on the display screen of the terminal device. It may be possible.

In the above aspect, the “candidate terminal device” may be, for example, a terminal device that may perform a predetermined process. The predetermined process may be, for example, participation in an event related to a game, or output of an advertisement. The number of candidate terminal devices may be one, or may be plural. Also, if there is no terminal device located in the first area, no candidate terminal device may be identified.

[Appendix 1-2]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention, wherein the reception unit is configured such that the first area is a terminal device participating in the first event among the plurality of terminal devices, and the first designation information The first graphic shape or The first specification information specifying at least one of the sizes is accepted.

In this aspect, the reception unit receives the first designation information such that the first area is set to a range including the position of the first terminal device itself. As a result, it is possible to reduce the operation load when the area designator designates the first area including the position of the first terminal device. Also, it is possible to prevent an area designator from erroneously designating an area away from the position of the first terminal device as the first area.

[Appendix 1-3]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention specifies the processor as the first candidate terminal device by one of the plurality of terminal devices (for example, candidate terminal device T Ag[j1][k]). If so, it further functions as a permitting unit that permits the one terminal device to make a first participation request (for example, participation request Dg[j1]) to participate in the first event.

In this aspect, the permitting unit permits the one terminal device to request participation in the first event when the one terminal device is specified as the first candidate terminal device. This makes it possible to prevent terminal devices that are not included in the first candidate terminal devices from participating in the first event.

In the above aspect, "allowing to make the first participation request" means, for example, performing control to display an interface for requesting participation in the game on the display unit of one terminal device, If there is, it may be permitted to participate in the game immediately. Also, to allow the first participation request is, for example, to display the interface on the display unit of one terminal device regardless of whether it is specified as the first candidate terminal device, but If it is not specified as the first candidate terminal device, participation in the game may not be permitted, and if it is specified as the first candidate terminal device, participation in the game may be permitted.

[Appendix 1-4]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention causes the processor to further function as an acquisition unit (for example, an acquisition unit 238) that acquires a request related to the game from the one terminal device, and the reception unit further functions as the A second area specifying at least one of the shape and size of a second figure (for example, area specifying figure Fg[j2]) for specifying a second area (for example, specified area Zg[j2]) on the map. (e.g., graphic designation information Sg[j2]), and the identification unit identifies the second area on the map among the plurality of terminals based on the second designation information. The terminal device at the position where the and the permitting unit, when the one terminal device is identified as the second candidate terminal device, the one terminal device participates in the second event. permission to make a participation request (for example, participation request Dg[j2]), and the obtaining unit determines whether the one terminal device is identified as the first candidate terminal device and is the second candidate terminal device; A selection indicating that one participation request has been selected from a plurality of participation requests including the first participation request and the second participation request from the one terminal device when specified as a device Get result information.

In this aspect, the acquisition unit requests participation in the first event or Acquire selection result information indicating which of the participation requests to the second event is to be selected. Thereby, when one terminal device is a candidate terminal device for two or more events, the obtaining unit can obtain information indicating which event has been selected for participation.

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

In this aspect, the supply unit supplies the first event information related to the first event to one terminal device, which is the first candidate terminal device. As a result, the user of one terminal device can obtain information for determining whether or not to participate in the first event, thereby improving convenience for the user.

In the above aspect, the "first event information" may be, for example, information indicating characteristics of the first event, or information identifying the first event from other events. . The first event information may be, for example, first display information for displaying a map and a first figure on a display unit provided corresponding to one terminal device, or may be first display information for displaying a map and a first graphic. It may be first transmission information relating to a message from the user hosting the event to the user of the first candidate terminal device, or first user information relating to the user hosting the first event.

The first event information may be information indicating the number of terminal devices that can participate in the first event, or may be information indicating the number of terminal devices that can participate in the first event. If a period is set, it may be information indicating the remaining time of the acceptance period. Here, the information indicating the number of terminal devices that can participate in the first event may be, for example, information indicating the total number of terminal devices that can participate in the first event. It may be information indicating the number of possible terminal devices.

[Appendix 1-6]
In a program according to another aspect of the present invention, the supply unit displays the map and the First display information for displaying a first graphic is supplied to the one terminal device.

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

In the above aspect, the “display unit provided corresponding to one terminal device” may be a display unit provided in one terminal device, or a display unit connected to one terminal device. It may be a display unit provided in another terminal device connected to one terminal device.

[Appendix 1-7]
In a program according to another aspect of the present invention, the supply unit causes a user (for example, a sponsor terminal device TEg[j1]) of an information processing device (for example, a host terminal device TEg[j1]) to generate the first designation information as the first event information. For example, the host user UEg[j1]) acquires first transmission information related to a message for the user of the first candidate terminal device (for example, the candidate user UAg[j1]), and the acquired first transmission information is supplied to the one terminal device.

In this aspect, the supply unit supplies, as the first event information, first transmission information regarding a message from the user of the information processing device that generates the first designation information to the user of the first candidate terminal device. Thereby, the user of the first candidate terminal device receives a message from the user of the information processing device that generates the first designation information, i.e., the organizer of the first event, whether or not to participate in the first event. It can be obtained as a judgment material, and the user's convenience of the first candidate terminal device can be improved. After confirming, it can be determined whether or not to participate in the first event, and convenience for the user of the candidate terminal device can be improved. In addition, the user of the information processing device that generates the first designation information can also send message information to the users of the candidate terminal devices, which is advantageous in gathering participants that match the purpose of the event.

In the above aspect, the “information processing device that generates the first designation information” may be, for example, one of a plurality of terminal devices, a server device, or a device other than the terminal device and the server device. information processing apparatus.

In the above aspect, the "first transmission information about the message" is information including items that the user of the information processing device that generates the first designation information wants to transmit to the user of the first candidate terminal device, such as text information , image information, audio information (user's voice or music), or the like.

[Appendix 1-8]
In a program according to another aspect of the present invention, the supply unit supplies, as the first event information, user information about a user of an information processing device that generates the first designation information to the one terminal device. do.

In this aspect, the supply unit supplies, as the first event information, user information related to the user of the information processing device that generates the first designation information. As a result, the user of the candidate terminal device can obtain the identity of the user of the information processing device that generates the first designation information, who is the sponsor of the event, as a criterion for determining whether or not to participate in the first event. It is possible to improve convenience for the user of the one terminal device.

In the above aspect, the "first user information" may be, for example, information associated with the identification information of the user of the information processing device. The first user information may be, for example, the current location of the information processing device, a pre-registered location of the information processing device, or personal information of the user of the information processing device (user name, affiliation, etc.), or game result information in a game in which the user of the information processing apparatus has participated in the past.

[Appendix 1-9]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention causes the processor to perform user relationship information indicating a relationship in a predetermined service between a user of the one terminal device and a user of another terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices. The supply unit further functions as a reference unit (for example, a reference unit 240) that refers to the When indicating that there is a specific related user (for example, a specific related user US) who exhibits a specific relationship in a predetermined service, the specific related user information related to the specific related user is used as the first event information, supply to terminal equipment.

In this aspect, the supply unit supplies the specific related user information related to the specific related user of the user of the one terminal device. As a result, the user of the one terminal device can obtain the specific relationship user information about the specific relationship user as a criterion for determining whether or not to participate in the event, thereby improving the convenience of the user of the one terminal device. can.

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

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

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

[Appendix 1-10]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a processor, a management unit that manages a position of a terminal device in real space in association with a position on a map, and a first area related to an event related to a game on the map. a reception unit that receives first designation information designating at least one of the shape or size of a first graphic for specifying the position of the terminal device on the map; the first designation information; , and functions as a determination unit (for example, the first identification unit 236) that determines whether the event is an event related to the terminal device.

In this aspect, the determination unit determines whether the event corresponding to the first designation information is an event related to the terminal device, based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information. judge. In this case, the processor compares the first designation information with the position of the one terminal device to make the above determination. As a comparison mode, for example, there is a case where terminal device candidates (candidate terminal devices) that participate in the event corresponding to the first designation information are identified from among the plurality of terminal devices. In this case, the processor needs to match the first designation information with the respective positions of the plurality of terminal devices. Therefore, according to the present aspect, it is possible to reduce the number of terminal devices to be subjected to the matching process and to reduce the processing load on the processor, as compared with the comparison aspect.

In the above aspect, the “event related to the terminal device” may be, for example, an event in which the terminal device can participate. The event in which the terminal device can participate may be, for example, an event in which the first area specified by the first designation information corresponding to the event includes the location of the terminal device on the map.

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

[Appendix 1-12]
A server device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages a position of a terminal device in real space in association with a position on a map, and specifies a first area related to a game event on the map. based on a reception unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of the shape and size of a first figure for drawing, the position of the terminal device on the map, and the first designation information and a determination unit that determines whether the event is an event related to the terminal device.

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

[Appendix 1-14]
A system according to another aspect of the present invention is a system for determining an event related to a terminal device that can communicate with a server device, and manages the position of the terminal device in real space in association with the position on a map. a reception unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of the shape and size of a first figure for identifying a first area related to an event related to a game on the map; and the terminal a determination unit that determines whether the event is related to the terminal device based on the position of the device on the map and the first designation information.

[Appendix 1-15]
In the information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention, the processor manages the positions of each of the plurality of terminal devices in real space in association with the positions on the map, and Receiving first designation information designating at least one of the shape and size of a first graphic to be specified, and selecting one of the plurality of terminal devices on the map based on the first designation information. A terminal device located at a position corresponding to the first area is specified as a first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for a terminal device that participates in a first event related to the game.

[Appendix 1-16]
An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a processor comprising:
Manage the position of the terminal device in the real space by associating it with the position on the map,
Receiving first designation information designating at least one of the shape and size of a first graphic for identifying a first area related to a game event on the map;
Based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information, it is determined whether the event is related to the terminal device.

[Appendix 2-1]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a processor (e.g., processor 33) to associate each position of a plurality of terminal devices in physical space with a position on a map (e.g., fourth map information DBm4). A management unit (for example, the second position management unit 332) to manage, and a first graphic (for example, a region specifying graphic Fa [p]) that receives designation information (graphic designation information Sa[j]) that designates at least one of the shape and size of the drawing); and based on the designation information, the plurality of of the terminal devices that distribute advertisements (eg, advertisements AD[p]) related to the first area on the map (e.g., in-area terminal devices TFa[p]) It functions as a specifying unit (eg, the second specifying unit 334) that specifies a candidate terminal device (eg, a candidate terminal device TAa[p]) that is a candidate.

In this aspect, the specifying unit distributes the advertisement based on the first specifying information specifying at least one of the shape and size of the first figure for specifying the first area on the map. to identify the first candidate terminal device that is a candidate for . As a result, the area designator can easily and accurately designate the first area, compared to the case of designating the first area by designating a place name such as an administrative division. For example, when a region designator wants to designate a region including a plurality of administrative divisions as the first region, the first region can be designated simply by designating one figure, and multiple place names (administrative divisions) can be designated. The first area can be designated by a simpler operation than inputting the partition name). Also, when the area designator wants to designate only a partial area of a certain administrative division as the first area, the area designator can designate the first area as intended. In addition, even if the area designator does not know the surrounding place names or the positions of the areas indicated by the place names, the first area can be designated.

In the above aspect, the "terminal device at a position related to the first area" may be, for example, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map (hereinafter "terminal device within the area"). . The in-area terminal device may be, for example, a terminal device whose position managed by the management unit is located within the first region. Also, the terminal device associated with the first region may be, for example, a terminal device associated with the in-region terminal device. For example, if the terminal device is an information processing device used to play a game, the terminal device associated with the terminal device within the region may be a terminal device that participates in the game together with the terminal device within the region. .

In the above aspect, the "advertisement" may be displayed and output as text, may be displayed and output as an image (still image or moving image), or may be output as sound. In addition, when the terminal device is an information processing device used by the user to play the game, the advertisement may be output in the game space developed in the game, or the terminal device may receive information on the Internet. In the case of an information processing device used for utilization, it may be output together with information on the Internet.

[Appendix 2-2]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to cause the processor to output information indicating the number of candidate terminal devices (for example, reference information IF[p]) when the receiving unit receives the designation information. It further functions as a number output unit (for example, the reference information output unit 335).

In this aspect, the terminal number output unit outputs the number of candidate terminal devices specified by the specification information corresponding to the first graphic. As a result, the area designator can grasp the number of terminal devices to which the advertisement may be distributed, and obtain information for determining whether or not the current first graphic designates an appropriate area. be able to.

In the above aspect, the “number of candidate terminal devices” may be, for example, the total number of candidate terminal devices or the number of terminal devices to which advertisements are currently distributed among the candidate terminal devices. The terminal device to which the advertisement is currently distributed is, for example, the number of terminal devices that are currently running the specific application when the advertisement is distributed when the specific application is started on the terminal device. may Also, the number of candidate terminal devices may be the number of terminal devices to which advertisements are distributed, which is estimated based on past advertisement distribution results.

[Appendix 2-3]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention causes the processor to receive information (for example, reference information IF[p]) regarding compensation for distribution of the advertisement to the candidate terminal device when the specifying information is received by the receiving unit. ) is further functioned as a consideration output unit (for example, reference information output unit 335) that outputs the

In this aspect, the price output unit outputs information about the price for distributing the advertisement to the candidate terminal device specified by the designation information corresponding to the first graphic. As a result, the area designator can grasp the price to be paid when the advertisement is distributed, and can obtain information for determining whether or not the current first graphic designates an appropriate area. .

In the above-described aspect, the "compliance for distributing the advertisement" may be, for example, the consideration for distributing the advertisement to all of the distribution destination terminal devices, or the advertisement distribution to the terminal device to which the advertisement can be distributed at the present time. , or may be a consideration for distributing advertisements to the number of terminal devices estimated based on past results of distributing advertisements. The compensation for advertisement distribution may be, for example, an advertisement fee.

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

In this aspect, the advertisement is output within the game screen of the event in which the candidate terminal device participates. As a result, for example, compared to distributing advertisements during game execution at non-event times, there is a high possibility that the content of advertisements will remain in the memory of the users of the candidate terminal devices. be advantageous.

[Appendix 2-5]
In a program according to another aspect of the present invention, the specifying unit is a terminal device participating in an event related to a game among the plurality of terminal devices, and the location corresponding to the first area on the map. an in-area terminal device (e.g., candidate terminal device TAG[j2][2]) that is a terminal device in the region, and a joint participation terminal device that participates in the game together with the in-region terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices A terminal device (for example, candidate terminal device T Ag[j2][4]) is specified as the candidate terminal device.

In this aspect, the identifying unit identifies the in-region terminal device and the joint participation terminal device participating in the event together with the in-region terminal device as candidate terminal devices. Therefore, the same advertisement is distributed to terminal devices participating in the same event. This makes it easier for users to interact with each other regarding advertisements, which is advantageous in increasing the effectiveness of advertisements.

In the above aspect, the “joint participation terminal device” may be a terminal device located in a second area on the map that at least partially overlaps with the first area. In this case, the intra-area terminal device may be located in an overlapping area where the first area and the second area overlap. The second area may be specified on the map by a second graphic designating at least one of shape and size of any one of the plurality of terminal devices.

[Appendix 2-6]
In a program according to another aspect of the present invention, the specifying unit, when the joint participation terminal device is a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map, identifies the joint participation terminal device as The terminal device is identified as the candidate terminal device.

In this aspect, the identifying unit identifies a joint participating terminal device that participates in the event together with the in-area terminal device as a candidate terminal device when located in the first region. Therefore, the same advertisement is distributed to each terminal device located in the first area and participating in the same event. As a result, the same advertisement can be distributed to users who have a positional connection of being located in the first area and a personal connection of participating in the same event, which is advantageous in increasing the effectiveness of the advertisement. becomes.

[Appendix 2-7]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention, wherein the identifying unit is a terminal device at a position corresponding to a second region on the map, and the terminal device participating in the event is located at a position corresponding to a second region on the map; part of which overlaps with the first area, and when the intra-area terminal device is located in an overlapping area where the first area and the second area overlap, the joint participation terminal device is the candidate Identifies as a terminal device.

In this aspect, if participation in the event is limited to terminal devices located in the second area, and if terminal devices within the area are located in an overlapping area between the first area and the second area, , jointly participating terminal devices that participate in the event together with the in-area terminal devices are specified as candidate terminal devices. Therefore, a terminal device that is closely related to the intra-region terminal device and that is located in a neighboring area adjacent to at least the first region is specified as a candidate terminal device. As a result, the same advertisement can be distributed to users who are located around the first area and who have a positional connection and who have a personal connection to participate in the same event, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the advertisement. is advantageous.

[Appendix 2-8]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention, wherein the identification unit determines the number of terminal devices participating in the event among the plurality of terminal devices, and the number of terminal devices participating in the event on the map. Based on the number of in-area terminal devices, which are terminal devices at positions corresponding to the first region, it is determined whether or not to specify the terminal devices participating in the event as the candidate terminal devices.

In this aspect, the specifying unit specifies terminal devices participating in the event as candidate terminal devices based on the number of terminal devices participating in the event and the number of terminal devices in the area among the terminal devices participating in the event. decide whether to As a result, it is possible to adjust the degree of importance placed on the positional condition of being located in the first area when placing an advertisement, and it is possible to easily place an advertisement that matches the advertiser's target.

[Appendix 2-9]
In a program according to another aspect of the present invention, the specifying unit selects a terminal device participating in the event as the candidate terminal device when the number of terminal devices in the area is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio among the terminal devices participating in the event. , and the terminal devices participating in the event are not identified as the candidate terminal devices when the number of terminal devices in the area is less than a predetermined ratio among the terminal devices participating in the event.

In this aspect, the specifying unit specifies the terminal devices participating in the event as candidate terminal devices when the number of terminal devices in the area is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio among the terminal devices participating in the event. As a result, it is possible to adjust the degree of importance placed on the positional condition of being located in the first area when placing an advertisement, and it is possible to easily place an advertisement that matches the advertiser's target.

[Appendix 2-10]
In a program according to another aspect of the present invention, the specifying unit specifies the first area (for example, the distribution area Za[p1]) and one of the plurality of terminal devices that can participate in an event related to the game. Terminal devices that can participate in the event are identified as the candidate terminal devices based on the degree of overlap with the second area (for example, the specified area Zg[j]) on the map corresponding to the position of the device. Decide whether or not

In this aspect, the specifying unit determines whether to specify the terminal device participating in the event as a candidate terminal device based on the degree of overlap between the second region where the terminal device participating in the event is located and the first region. decide. As a result, it is possible to adjust the degree of importance placed on the positional condition of being located in the first area when placing an advertisement, and it is possible to easily place an advertisement that matches the advertiser's target.

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

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

[Appendix 2-12]
A system according to another aspect of the present invention is a system for displaying advertisements on a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with a server device, wherein each position of the plurality of terminal devices in real space is represented by coordinates on a map. a management unit that manages in association; a reception unit that receives designation information designating at least one of the shape and size of a first figure for specifying the first area on the map; a specifying unit that specifies, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device related to the first area on the map as a candidate terminal device that is a candidate for the distribution destination of the advertisement.

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

[Appendix 3]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a processor, a management unit that manages positions of a plurality of objects related to a game in a game space in association with positions on a map that indicates the game space; a reception unit that receives designation information designating at least one of the shape and size of a first figure for identifying a first area; and one of the plurality of objects corresponding to the first area on the map. function as a specifying unit that specifies the object at the position to be a candidate object that is a candidate for the object that participates in the first event related to the game.

In this aspect, the specifying unit, based on the first specifying information specifying at least one of the shape and size of the first figure for specifying the first area on the map indicating the game space, determines the A candidate object that is a candidate for an object participating in the first event is identified. As a result, the designator of the first area (hereinafter referred to as the "area designator") can easily designate the first area as compared to designating the first area by designating the place name in the game space. and can be specified accurately. For example, when an area designator wants to designate an area including a plurality of areas identified by one place name as the first area, the first area can be designated only by designating one figure. , the first area can be designated by a simpler operation than inputting a plurality of place names. Also, when the area designator wants to designate only a part of the area specified by a place name as the first area, the area designator can designate the first area as intended. Also, even if the area designator does not know the place name in the game space or the position of the area represented by the place name, the first area can be designated.

In the above aspect, the "object" may be, for example, a game-related character or a game-related object. Here, the "game-related character" may be, for example, a virtual creature that allows the game to progress. Also, the “game-related object” may be, for example, a virtual inanimate object that allows the game to progress.

In the above aspect, the “game space” is, for example, a virtual space provided in a game, and may be a two-dimensional space or a three-dimensional space.

[Appendix 4]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention manages a processor by associating a plurality of attributes of each of a plurality of users involved in a game with coordinates on a map having two or more dimensions corresponding to the plurality of attributes. a receiving unit for receiving first designation information designating at least one of the shape and size of a first graphic for specifying a first area on the map; and the first designation information based on, among the plurality of users, a user having an attribute corresponding to the first area on the map is selected as a first candidate user who is a candidate for a user participating in the first event related to the game It functions as a specific part to be specified as.

In this aspect, the specifying unit specifies at least one of the shape and size of the first figure for specifying the first area on the map on which the user is mapped with the attribute, based on the first specification information, A candidate user who is a candidate for a user who participates in the first event related to the game is specified. As a result, an event can be held by gathering participants with specific attributes, and various imbalances occurring among the participants of the event can be reduced.

In the above aspect, the attribute may be, for example, the characteristics of the user U himself or the attribute related to the game. The user U's own characteristics may be, for example, the user's U gender, age, place of residence, and the like. Also, the attribute related to the game may be, for example, an attribute related to an advantage in the game, or may be a result in the game. The attribute related to the advantage to the game may be, for example, the skill level in the game, the number of items owned, the item type, the charge amount for the game, and the like. The proficiency level in the game may be determined by, for example, the level in the game, the total playing time of the game, the total number of matches, and the like. The performance in the game may be, for example, the winning percentage in the game, the ranking order, or the like.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 game system 2 advertising system 11, 21, 31, 41 communication device 12, 42 touch panel 13 speaker 14 GPS receiver 15, 22, 32, 43 memory 16, 23 , 33, 44... Processor 110, 210, 310, 410... Communication unit 120, 420... Display unit 122, 422... Operation input unit 130... Audio output unit 140... Position acquisition unit 150, 220, 320 , 430... Storage unit 160, 230, 330, 440... Control unit 160, 231... Game progression unit 231, 232... Tournament management unit 233... First position management unit 234... First reception unit 235... Room management Part 236... First identification part 237... Permission part 238... Acquisition part 239... Supply part 240... Reference part 332... Second location management part 333... Second reception part 334... Second identification part , 335... Reference information output unit, 336... Ad management unit, 337... Ad distribution unit, NW... Network, SV1... Game server, SV2... Ad server, T... Terminal device, U... User.

Claims (16)

the processor,
a management unit that manages the position of each of the plurality of terminal devices in the real space in association with the position on the map;
a reception unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of the shape and size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map;
Based on the first designation information, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map is selected as a candidate terminal device to participate in the first event related to the game. and a specifying unit that specifies the first candidate terminal device as
program. The reception unit
The physical space of a first terminal device in which the first area is a terminal device that participates in the first event among the plurality of terminal devices and that is a terminal device that generates the first designation information. receiving the first designation information that designates at least one of the shape or size of the first graphic so as to include a position on the map corresponding to a position in
A program according to claim 1. the processor,
When one terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices is specified as the first candidate terminal device, the one terminal device makes a first participation request to participate in the first event. to further act as a permission unit that permits
3. A program according to claim 1 or 2. the processor,
Further function as an acquisition unit that acquires a request related to the game from the one terminal device,
The reception unit
Receiving second specification information specifying at least one of the shape and size of a second figure for specifying a second area on the map;
The identification unit
Based on the second designation information, among the plurality of terminals, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the second area on the map is selected as a candidate terminal device participating in the second event related to the game. identified as a second candidate terminal device that becomes
The permission unit
When the one terminal device is identified as the second candidate terminal device, permitting the one terminal device to make a second participation request to participate in the second event,
The acquisition unit
When the one terminal device is identified as the first candidate terminal device and is identified as the second candidate terminal device, the one terminal device sends the first participation request and the second Acquiring selection result information indicating that one participation request has been selected from a plurality of participation requests including two participation requests;
4. A program according to claim 3. the processor,
when one terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices is specified as the first candidate terminal device, providing first event information related to the first event to the one terminal device; Further functioning as a supply unit to supply,
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The supply unit
As the first event information,
supplying first display information for displaying the map and the first graphic to the one terminal device on a display unit provided corresponding to the one terminal device;
6. A program according to claim 5. The supply unit
As the first event information,
obtaining, from the user of the information processing device that generates the first designation information, first transmission information relating to a message to the user of the first candidate terminal device, and transmitting the obtained first transmission information to the one terminal; feed the device,
7. A program according to claim 5 or 6. The supply unit
As the first event information,
Supplying user information about a user of an information processing device that generates the first designation information to the one terminal device;
A program according to any one of claims 5 to 7. the processor,
Further functioning as a reference unit for referring to user relationship information indicating a relationship in a predetermined service between the user of the one terminal device and the user of another terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices,
The supply unit
When the user relationship information indicates that among the users of the first candidate terminal devices, there is a user of the one terminal device and a specific related user who indicates a specific relationship in the predetermined service,
As the first event information,
Supplying specific relationship user information related to the specific relationship user to the one terminal device;
A program according to any one of claims 5 to 8. the processor,
a management unit that manages the position of the terminal device in the real space in association with the position on the map;
a reception unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of the shape and size of a first graphic for identifying a first area related to an event related to a game on the map;
a determination unit that determines whether the event is related to the terminal device based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information; ,
program. a management unit that manages the position of each of the plurality of terminal devices in the real space in association with the position on the map;
a reception unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of the shape and size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map;
Based on the first designation information, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map is selected as a candidate terminal device to participate in the first event related to the game. and a specifying unit that specifies the first candidate terminal device as
Server device. a management unit that manages the position of the terminal device in the real space in association with the position on the map;
a reception unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of the shape and size of a first graphic for identifying a first area related to an event related to a game on the map;
a determination unit that determines whether the event is an event related to the terminal device based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information;
Server equipment. A system for identifying a terminal device that participates in a game-related event among a plurality of terminal devices that can communicate with a server device,
a management unit that manages the position of each of the plurality of terminal devices in the physical space in association with the position on the map;
a reception unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of the shape and size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map;
Based on the first designation information, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map is designated as a terminal device participating in the first event related to the game. a specifying unit that specifies the first candidate terminal device as a candidate,
system. A system for determining an event related to a terminal device capable of communicating with a server device,
a management unit that manages the position of the terminal device in the real space in association with the position on the map;
a reception unit that receives first designation information that designates at least one of the shape and size of a first graphic for identifying a first area related to an event related to a game on the map;
a determination unit that determines whether the event is an event related to the terminal device based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information;
system. the processor
managing the position of each of the plurality of terminal devices in the physical space in association with the position on the map;
Receiving first specification information specifying at least one of the shape and size of a first figure for specifying a first area on the map;
Based on the first designation information, among the plurality of terminal devices, a terminal device at a position corresponding to the first area on the map is selected as a candidate terminal device to participate in the first event related to the game. Identifying as the first candidate terminal device that becomes
Information processing methods. the processor
Manage the position of the terminal device in the real space by associating it with the position on the map,
Receiving first designation information designating at least one of the shape and size of a first graphic for identifying a first area related to a game event on the map;
determining whether the event is an event related to the terminal device based on the position of the terminal device on the map and the first designation information;
Information processing methods.

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