JP2024051170A - COMMUNICATION TERMINAL, COMMUNICATION METHOD, COMMUNICATION PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM CONTAINING COMMUNICATION PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a communication terminal, a communication method, a communication program, a recording medium storing a communication program, and an information processing device that can use the results of a competitive game to specifically determine the rewards obtained as a result of betting during a match, the location where the rewards will be handed over, etc. [Solution] A communication terminal 20 has a network communication unit 27 that receives quiz game information consisting of predetermined questions and answers, information on the sender, products and services, stores offering the products and services, etc. from a communication terminal 10, and inputs answers from an input unit 21 such as a touch input unit or a microphone 22 to play the game, and a CPU 28 judges whether the answers are correct, so that when playing the game, information on the products and services and the handover location is received along with the game. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a communication terminal communicatively connected to at least one other communication terminal via a network, a communication method, a communication program, a recording medium storing the communication program, and an information processing device such as a server communicatively connected to the communication terminal via a network.

In recent years, game consoles have become equipped with communication functions, allowing users to play against other game consoles over a network. Also, on smartphones and other devices, installing programs such as game apps makes it easy to play games against other smartphones and other devices over a network.

The content of the competitive games is also not limited to packaged game software. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, it has been proposed that players pose their own quizzes to each other.

Patent document 1 describes how a question setter operates an information terminal to register questions, correct and incorrect answer options, and the question destination on a server. The server then asks the registered questions and registers the answers, etc., when a player designated as the question setter plays on a game device connected to the server.

JP 2010-104695 A

Users may use the outcome of the game to bet on each other for items or other items. For example, in the case of the quiz mentioned above, user A may ask user B a question, and if user B answers correctly, user A may buy user B a meal, and if user B answers incorrectly, user B may buy user A a meal.

However, as mentioned above, although the outcome of the bet itself is clearly determined by the outcome of the game, the specific details of the reward obtained as a result of the bet (treating the player to a meal) and where the reward will be exchanged (which restaurant to eat at) cannot be determined based on the outcome of the game, and must be decided separately between the players.

This issue was extremely cumbersome, especially when opponents were far away, as they had to communicate using other means such as telephone, email, or messenger software.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a communication terminal, a communication method, a communication program, a recording medium storing a communication program, and an information processing device that can specifically determine, for example, the rewards obtained as a result of betting during a match using the results of a competitive game, and the location where the rewards will be handed over.

In order to solve the above problem, the communication terminal described in claim 1 is characterized in that, in a communication terminal communicatively connected to at least one other communication terminal via a network, the communication terminal has a first receiving means for receiving competitive game information in which the other communication terminal will play against the other communication terminal, opponent information in the competitive game, bonus information obtained as a result of the competitive game, and location information of a location where the bonus will be handed over, a first input means for making an input for playing a competitive game indicated by the competitive game information acquired by the first receiving means, a first winning/losing result acquiring means for acquiring a winning/losing result of the competitive game, and a game result output means for outputting the competitive game information, the opponent information, the bonus information, the location information, and the winning/losing result in association with each other.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a communication terminal and a server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a table showing an example of the configuration of the POI database shown in FIG. 1 . 2 is a table showing an example of the structure of the game result details database shown in FIG. 1 . 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the question setting terminal shown in FIG. 1 . 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the answer terminal shown in FIG. 1 . 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a store and product selection screen of the question setting terminal shown in FIG. 1; 10 is a table showing another example of the configuration of the POI database shown in FIG. 1 . 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transmission confirmation screen of the question setting terminal shown in FIG. 1; 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of transition of the screen display of the answer terminal shown in FIG. 1; 4 is a flowchart showing operations of the communication terminal and the server shown in FIG. 1 when a game is executed. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of displaying a game usage status in a selected store after a game is executed by the communication terminal and the server shown in FIG. 1 . 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of displaying a shop used in a game by the communication terminal and the server shown in FIG. 1 after the game is executed. 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of displaying a winning or losing result on a map and an example of displaying detailed content on the communication terminal shown in FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a transfer status input operation in a game in which the transfer date has not been input after the game is executed between the communication terminal and the server shown in FIG. 1 . 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the configuration of the transmission confirmation screen of the question setting terminal shown in FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing operations of a communication terminal and a server according to a second embodiment of the present invention when a game is executed. 13 is a flowchart showing operations of a communication terminal and a server according to a third embodiment of the present invention when a game is executed.

The following describes a communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first receiving means receives competitive game information in which the communication terminal competes against another communication terminal, information about the opponents competing in the competitive game, bonus information obtained as a result of the competitive game, and location information about the bonus delivery location, and the competitive game indicated by the competitive game information is played using the first input means, the first winning/losing result acquisition means acquires the outcome of the game, and the game result output means outputs the competitive game information, opponent information, bonus information, location information, and winning/losing result in association with each other. Since the bonus and the delivery location are received when playing the game, there is no need for the opponents to contact each other separately to decide on the bonus and the delivery location, and when a bet on the competitive game is applied for from another communication terminal, the bonus and the delivery location can be specifically imagined.

In addition, the location where the bonus is to be handed over may be a commercial facility, the location information may include information about the commercial facility, and the bonus information may include information about products and services provided at the commercial facility as a bonus. In this way, a player can specify products and services at the commercial facility and place a bet in a competitive game, and players may visit the commercial facility after the game, which can lead to an increase in customers at the commercial facility.

The competitive game information may be quiz information including predetermined question information and correct answer information for the predetermined question, the predetermined question information may be output from the first output means, and the first winning/losing result acquisition means may include a first determination means for determining the correctness of the correct answer information received by the first receiving means and the answer information to the predetermined question input by the first input means. In this way, bets can be made using quizzes posed by other communication terminals as a competitive game.

The first receiving means may receive, together with the competitive game information, a correct message when a predetermined question is answered correctly and an incorrect message when the answer is incorrect, and the first output means may output either a correct message or an incorrect message based on the correct answer result after the correct answer result is determined by the first determining means. In this way, the correct or incorrect answer message specified by the question setter can be output to notify the player of the correct or incorrect answer to the quiz.

Also, the first map data acquisition means may acquire map data, and the first game history acquisition means may acquire location information and the win/loss result at the location information after the win/loss result is acquired by the first win/loss result acquisition means, and the first output means may output information indicating the win/loss result at a location indicated by the location information on the map data, based on the map data and the location information and win/loss result acquired by the first game result acquisition means. In this way, an icon or the like indicating the win/loss result can be displayed at a point on the map designated as the bonus delivery location, making it easy to check the match result.

In addition, the first current location information acquisition means may acquire current location information indicating the player's current location, and the first game history acquisition means may further acquire bonus information, and if the distance between the current location information and the location information acquired by the first game history acquisition means is within a predetermined distance, the win/loss result, location information, and bonus information acquired by the first game history acquisition means may be output. In this way, if the player is located near a bonus delivery location, the player can be prompted to head to that location. Therefore, if the bonus delivery location is, for example, a commercial facility, this can lead to attracting customers to the commercial facility.

The first destination setting means may set the location indicated by the location information as the destination when the first winning or losing result acquisition means acquires the winning or losing result, and the first guidance means may provide guidance on the route from the current location to the destination. In this way, when the winning or losing result of the competitive game is announced, it is possible to automatically head to the location where the bonus is to be delivered.

The first game history acquisition means may further acquire opponent information, the first receiving means may further receive opponent position information indicating the position of another communication terminal corresponding to the opponent information, and the first output means may output information indicating that a bonus can be exchanged if the respective communication terminals are within a predetermined distance based on the current position information and the opponent position information. In this way, it is possible to notify the opponents that a bonus can be exchanged if they are close to each other.

Furthermore, the first output means may output a notification prompting input of information on whether or not a bonus has been exchanged if the respective communication terminals are within a predetermined distance based on the current location information and the competitor location information after the first win/loss result acquisition means acquires a win/loss result, and output information indicating that a bonus has been exchanged if information indicating that a bonus has been exchanged is input from the first input means. In this way, if the competitors are close to each other and a bonus has not been exchanged, it is possible to prompt the actual exchange of bonus by having the competitors input information indicating that a bonus can be exchanged.

The first receiving means may receive information indicating the usage status of bets using the competitive game at the location indicated by the location information, and the first output means may output information indicating the usage status of bets using the competitive game at the location indicated by the location information to the corresponding location on the map data. In this way, it is possible to check the usage status of bets using the competitive game for each location, including not only the user himself but also other users.

In addition, the information processing device communicatively connected to the above-mentioned communication terminal via a network has a game result storage means in which information relating to the competitive game information, opponent information, bonus information, location information, and win/loss results output by the game result output means is stored, and a first control unit stores each piece of information output by the game result output means in the game result storage means and searches for each piece of information in response to a request from the first game history acquisition means, so that the competitive game and the contents of the bet using that competitive game can be registered in an information processing device such as a server, and these can be later referenced as history. In addition, the communication terminal does not need to hold the history, and the capacity of the storage device, etc. required by the communication terminal can be reduced.

In addition, in a communication method according to one embodiment of the present invention, in a first receiving step, competitive game information in which a player competes against another communication terminal, information about the players competing in the competitive game, bonus information obtained as a result of the competitive game, and location information about the bonus delivery location are received, in a first input step, a competitive game indicated by the competitive game information is played, the outcome of the game is acquired in a first win/loss result acquisition step, and in a game result output step, the competitive game information, player information, bonus information, location information, and the outcome of the game are output in association with each other. Therefore, since the bonus and the delivery location are received when playing the game, there is no need for players to contact each other separately to decide on the bonus and the delivery location, and when a bet on a competitive game is applied for from another communication terminal, the bonus and the delivery location can be specifically imagined.

The above-mentioned communication method may also be implemented as a communication program executed by a computer. In this way, players do not need to contact each other separately to decide on the rewards and the location of their delivery, and when a bet on a competitive game is applied for from another communication terminal, the player can concretely imagine the rewards and the location of their delivery. In addition, because it is a program executed by a computer, there is no need for dedicated hardware, and it can be installed and operated on a general-purpose communication terminal.

The above-mentioned communication program may also be stored on a computer-readable recording medium. In this way, the program can be distributed as a standalone program in addition to being incorporated into a device, and version upgrades, etc., can be easily performed.

In addition, in a communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention, the game designation means designates a competitive game in which the player will play against another communication terminal, the opponent designation means designates an opponent to play the competitive game, the bonus designation means designates a bonus to be obtained as a result of the competitive game, and the transfer location designation means designates a bonus transfer location. The second transmission means transmits competitive game information, which is information about the competitive game designated by the game designation means, opponent information that notifies the opponent designated by the opponent designation means of information about the opponent to play the competitive game, bonus information, which is information about the bonus designated by the bonus information designation means, and location information of the bonus transfer location designated by the transfer location designation means. The second input means plays the competitive game designated by the game designation means, and the second win/loss result acquisition means acquires the win/loss result of the competitive game. Since the bonus and the transfer location are transmitted when playing the game, there is no need for the players to contact each other separately to decide on the bonus and the transfer location, and the bonus and the bonus transfer location can be specifically designated when applying for a bet on a competitive game to another communication terminal.

Also, the location where the bonus is to be delivered may be a commercial facility, the second receiving means may acquire information about the commercial facility where the bonus can be delivered, and the delivery location designation means may designate the commercial facility as the bonus delivery location based on the information about the commercial facility where the bonus can be delivered received by the second receiving means. In this way, the commercial facility may be designated as the delivery location, and since the competitor will visit the commercial facility to deliver the bonus, this may lead to an increase in customers at the commercial facility.

The second receiving means may receive menu information about products and services provided at the specified commercial facility, and the bonus designation means may designate the product or service to be the bonus based on the received menu information. In this way, the product or service provided by the specified commercial facility can be the bonus that can be obtained as a result of the bet, thereby increasing the sales of the commercial facility.

In addition, the information about commercial facilities where benefits can be exchanged may include category information for each commercial facility, and the menu information may include products and services that are set in advance for each category. In this way, it is possible to create a minimum menu of products and services by setting only the categories, without having to set a menu of products and services offered by each commercial facility.

The competitive game information may be quiz information including predetermined question information and information on the correct answer to the predetermined question, and the predetermined question information and the correct answer information to the predetermined question may be input from the second input means. In this way, it is possible to pose quizzes to other communication terminals as a competitive game and place bets.

In addition, a correct answer message when a predetermined question is answered correctly and an incorrect answer message when an answer is incorrect may be input from the second input means, and the second transmission means may transmit the correct answer message and the incorrect answer message together with the competitive game information. In this way, the correct answer message and the incorrect answer message can be set arbitrarily, and the correct or incorrect answer to the quiz can be notified by these messages.

Also, the second map data acquisition means may acquire map data, and the second game history acquisition means may acquire location information and the win/loss result at the location information after the win/loss result is acquired by the second win/loss result acquisition means, and the second output means may output information indicating the win/loss result at a location on the map data indicated by the location information based on the map data and the location information and win/loss result acquired by the second game history acquisition means. In this way, an icon or the like indicating the win/loss result can be displayed at a point on the map designated as the bonus delivery location, making it easy to check the match result.

The device may further include a second current location information acquisition means for acquiring current location information indicating the user's current location, the second game history acquisition means for further acquiring bonus information, and the second output means for outputting the win/loss result, location information, and bonus information acquired by the second game history acquisition means if the distance between the current location information and the location information acquired by the second game history acquisition means is within a predetermined distance. In this way, if the user is located near a bonus delivery location, the user can be encouraged to head to the facility. Therefore, if the bonus delivery location is, for example, a commercial facility, this can lead to increased customer numbers at the commercial facility.

The second destination setting means may set the location indicated by the location information as the destination when the result of the match is acquired by the second match result acquisition means, and the second guidance means may provide guidance on the route from the current location to the destination. In this way, when the result of the match game is announced, the player may automatically head to the location where the bonus is to be delivered.

The second game history acquisition means may further acquire opponent information, the second receiving means may further receive opponent position information indicating the position of another communication terminal corresponding to the opponent information, and the second output means may output information indicating that a bonus can be exchanged if the respective communication terminals are within a predetermined distance based on the current position information and the opponent position information. In this way, it is possible to notify the opponents that a bonus can be exchanged if they are close to each other.

Furthermore, the second output means may output a notification prompting input of information on whether or not a bonus has been exchanged if the respective communication terminals are within a predetermined distance based on the current location information and the competitor location information after the second win/loss result acquisition means acquires a win/loss result, and output information indicating that a bonus has been exchanged if information indicating that a bonus has been exchanged is entered from the second input means. In this way, if the competitors are close to each other and a bonus has not been exchanged, the input of information indicating that a bonus can be exchanged can be made, thereby encouraging the actual exchange of bonuses.

The second receiving means may receive information indicating the usage status of bets using the competitive game at the location indicated by the location information, and the second output means may output the information indicating the usage status of bets using the competitive game received by the second receiving means to the location indicated by the location information on the map data. In this way, it is possible to check the usage status of bets using the competitive game for each location, including not only the user himself but also other users.

In addition, the information processing device communicatively connected to the above-mentioned communication terminal via a network has a game content storage means in which information associated with competitive game information, opponent information, bonus information, and location information transmitted from the second transmission means is stored, and a second control unit stores each piece of information transmitted from the second transmission means in the game content storage means and searches for each piece of information in response to a request from the first game history acquisition means, so that a competitive game and the contents of bets using that competitive game can be registered in an information processing device such as a server, and these can be referenced as history at a later date. Also, there is no need for the communication terminal to hold the history, and the capacity of a storage device, etc. required by the communication terminal can be reduced.

In addition, in a communication method according to one embodiment of the present invention, a game designation step designates a competitive game in which a player will play against another communication terminal, an opponent designation step designates an opponent to play the competitive game, a bonus designation step designates a bonus to be obtained as a result of the competitive game, a transfer location designation step designates a bonus transfer location, and transmits competitive game information, which is information about the competitive game designated in the game designation step, opponent information that notifies the opponent designated in the opponent designation step of information about the opponent to play the competitive game, bonus information, which is information about the bonus designated in the bonus information designation step, and location information of the bonus transfer location designated in the transfer location designation step, and a second input step plays a competitive game designated by the game designation means, and a second win/loss result acquisition means acquires the win/loss result of the competitive game. Since the bonus and the transfer location are transmitted when playing a game, there is no need for the players to contact each other separately to decide on the bonus and the transfer location, and the bonus and the bonus transfer location can be specifically designated when applying for a bet on a competitive game to another communication terminal.

The above-mentioned communication method may also be implemented as a communication program executed by a computer. In this way, players do not need to contact each other separately to decide on the rewards and the location of the handover, and can specifically specify the rewards and the location of the handover when placing a bet on a competitive game at another communication terminal. In addition, because it is a program executed by a computer, there is no need for dedicated hardware, and it can be installed and operated on a general-purpose communication terminal.

The above-mentioned communication program may also be stored on a computer-readable recording medium. In this way, the program can be distributed as a standalone program in addition to being incorporated into a device, and version upgrades, etc., can be easily performed.

The communication terminals 10, 20 and the server 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 15. Fig. 1 shows an example in which a quiz is played as a competitive game, with the communication terminal 10 being the question-setting terminal and the communication terminal 20 being the answering terminal.

The communication terminals 10 and 20 are configured as electronic devices that can be connected to a network, such as smartphones and personal computers. The server 30 has a database that stores various information acquired by the communication terminals 10 and 20 and information such as match results registered from the communication terminals 10 and 20.

The communication terminal 10 includes an input unit 11, a microphone 12, a speaker 13, a display unit 14, a GPS 15, a voice recognition processing unit 16, a network communication unit 17, and a CPU 18.

The input unit 11 is configured with input means such as a touch panel, keyboard, mouse, etc., and performs various operations on the communication terminal 10. Note that the input unit 11 may be provided with multiple types of input means such as a touch panel, keyboard, mouse, etc.

The microphone 12 is a means for inputting voice when performing input operations related to, for example, setting quiz questions by voice. The microphone 12 functions as a game designation means, an opponent designation means, a bonus designation means, a delivery location designation means, a second input means, and a second destination setting means. The operation of each means will be described later.

The speaker 13 outputs a confirmation voice etc. synthesized by the CPU 18 in response to input operations using the input unit 11 or microphone 12.

The display unit 14 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and displays the screen when the quiz is asked, map data, etc. In other words, the display unit 14 functions as a second output means. Note that, if the input unit 11 is configured with a touch panel, the display unit 14 is configured with a touch panel device superimposed thereon.

GPS15 is a receiver that receives radio waves from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites. GPS15 calculates the latitude and longitude indicating its own (communication terminal 10) position based on the information received from the GPS satellites, and outputs the latitude and longitude to CPU18. Note that GPS15 may only receive information from the GPS satellites, with the calculation of latitude and longitude being performed by CPU18. In other words, GPS15 functions as a second current position information acquisition means.

The voice recognition processing unit 16 recognizes the voice input from the microphone 12 using known voice recognition technology, and if the recognized voice is an operation instruction for the communication terminal 10, it converts the instruction into data and outputs it to the CPU 18.

The network communication unit 17 communicates with the network to which the communication terminal 10 is connected. The network communication unit 17 receives data to be transmitted from the CPU 18 and transmits the data to the network, and outputs data received from the network to the CPU 18. That is, networks such as a public line network or the Internet are provided between the communication terminals 10 and 20 in FIG. 1, between the communication terminals 10 and the server 30, and between the communication terminals 20 and the server 30, although these networks are not shown. The network communication unit 17 functions as a second transmitting means, a second winning/losing result acquiring means, a second receiving means, a second map data acquiring means, and a second game history acquiring means. The operation of each means will be described later.

The CPU 18 is composed of a microcomputer that includes not only a CPU (Central Processing Unit) but also memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is responsible for the overall control of the communication terminal 10.

The communication terminal 20 has the same block configuration as the communication terminal 10, as shown in FIG. 1. However, in this embodiment, it is described as an answer terminal, so it is given a different reference number, but its substantial functions are the same except that it is used to answer quizzes. That is, the microphone 12 is used to perform voice input operations related to answering quizzes, and the display unit 14 displays the screen when answering the quiz, map data, etc.

That is, the microphone 22 functions as a first input means and a first destination setting means, the display unit 24 functions as a first output means, the GPS 25 functions as a first current location information acquisition means, the network communication unit 27 functions as a first receiving means, a game result output means, a first transmitting means, a first map data acquisition means, and a first game history acquisition means, and the CPU 28 functions as a first win/lose result acquisition means, a first determination means, and a first guidance means. The operation of each means will be described later.

The communication terminals 10 and 20 can acquire map data via a network from an external server or the like in which the map data is stored. The acquired map data is output from the network communication unit 17 (27) to the CPU 18 (28) and stored in a storage device such as a memory (not shown). The map data may be stored in advance in the communication terminals 10 and 20.

In addition, in the configuration diagram of FIG. 1, communication terminal 10 is described as functioning only as a question setting terminal and communication terminal 20 as an answer terminal, but communication terminal 10 may have the function of an answer terminal and communication terminal 20 may have the function of a question setting terminal, or communication terminal 10 or 20 may have the function of both an answer terminal and a question setting terminal.

The server 30 includes a POI database 31, a friend information database 32, a game result details database 33, a network communication unit 34, and a CPU 35. The server 30 functions as an information processing device.

The POI database 31 is a database that registers location information of commercial facilities such as stores that deliver products and services obtained as a result of a quiz. Note that POI (Point Of Interest) means a specific location that someone considers to be convenient or interesting, but in this embodiment it mainly refers to commercial facilities such as stores that can provide products and services that are delivered based on the results of a quiz.

An example of the POI database 31 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The POI database 31 stores the following information: POI ID, name (Name), location (Address), zip code (Zip Code), telephone number (Phone Number), rating (Rating), latitude (Lat), longitude (Lng), and menu (Menu1, Menu2, ...).

The POI ID is a number that is uniquely assigned to each POI. The name is the name of the facility, store, etc. of the POI. The location, postal code, and telephone number are the location, postal code, and telephone number of the POI, respectively. The rating is an index that indicates the reputation of the POI, and is set to, for example, the average value of multiple ratings. The latitude and longitude are the latitude and longitude of the POI, respectively. The menu is a menu list of products and services provided at the POI.

The friend information database 32 is a database in which information about friends registered by the communication terminals 10 and 20 is set, including user IDs, names or nicknames, email addresses, and phone numbers.

The game result details database 33 is a database in which the contents of a competitive game (quiz) played between communication terminals are registered. An example of the game result details database 33 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. That is, in this embodiment, the game result storage means is provided outside the communication terminal, such as the server 30. The game result details database functions as the game result storage means.

The game result details database 33 contains the following information: Game ID, question date (Date(Q)), questioner (Questioner), answer date (Date(A)), answerer (Answerer), question content (Question), correct answer (Correct Answer), actual answer (Actual Answer), whether the answer was correct or not (Correct?), POI ID, product (Goods to Bet), and delivery date (Paid date). In other words, competitive game information, competitor information, bonus information, location information, and winning/losing results are stored as associated information.

Game ID is a number uniquely assigned to one game (quiz). The question date and question setter are the question date and question setter (User ID) of the quiz having the Game ID. The answer date and answerer are the answer date and answerer (User ID) of the quiz. The question content is the question content (predetermined question information) of the quiz set by the question setter. The correct answer is the answer or option indicating the correct answer set by the question setter. The actual answer is the content that the answerer actually answered. Correct or not is information indicating whether the answerer answered the quiz correctly. The POI ID is the POI ID of the store, etc. used in the quiz. The product is the product or service content specified as a benefit for the quiz. The delivery date is the date on which delivery of the product or service was completed.

The network communication unit 34 communicates with the network to which the server 30 is connected. The network communication unit 34 receives data to be transmitted from the CPU 35 and transmits the data to the network, and outputs data received from the network to the CPU 35.

The CPU 35 is composed of a microcomputer having not only a CPU (Central Processing Unit) but also memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is responsible for the overall control of the communication terminal 10. In particular, in this embodiment, the CPU 35 performs access control such as data registration and searches in each of the databases, the POI database 31, the friend information database 32, and the game result details database 33. The CPU 35 functions as a first control unit.

The POI database 31, the friend information database 32, and the game result details database 33 may be provided in a single storage device (such as a hard disk drive). Alternatively, they may each be provided in a separate storage device. Alternatively, the two databases may be provided in one storage device and the remaining in a separate storage device.

Next, the operation of the communication terminals 10 and 20 and server 30 configured as described above when the communication terminal 10 asks a quiz to the communication terminal 20 will be described with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 4 and 5.

The operation of the communication terminal 10, which is the question setter side shown in Figure 4, will be explained. The flowchart shown in Figure 4 is executed by the CPU 18.

First, in step S101, voice input for creating quiz questions is instructed, and the process proceeds to step S102. In this step, for example, a guidance voice such as "You will create a quiz by voice input. First, please speak the quiz question" is output from the speaker 13 to prompt the user to input the quiz question. This step functions as a game designation process that designates a competitive game in which the user plays against another communication terminal.

Next, in step S102, it is determined whether or not the quiz question has been input by voice, and if it has been input by voice (Yes), the process proceeds to step S103, and if it has not been input by voice (No), the process waits in this step. Whether or not the quiz question has been input by voice can be determined by, for example, determining whether or not the quiz question has been input by voice if the voice input from the microphone 12 can be recognized by the voice recognition processing unit 16 without any errors.

Next, in step S103, voice input for the quiz answer is instructed, and the process proceeds to step S104. In this step, for example, a guidance voice such as "Please tell us the correct answer to the quiz" is output from the speaker 13 to prompt the user to input the correct answer to the quiz. In other words, this step and step S101 function as a second input process for inputting information for playing a competitive game specified by the game specification means. In this embodiment, a quiz is played as a competitive game, so that for the question setting terminal, input for playing a competitive game is the act of setting (creating) a quiz.

Next, in step S104, it is determined whether the answer to the quiz has been input by voice, and if it has been input by voice (if Yes), the process proceeds to step S105, and if it has not been input by voice (if No), the process waits in this step. Whether the answer to the quiz has been input by voice can be determined in the same way as in step S102.

Next, in step S105, voice input of messages and actions for correct and incorrect answers is instructed, and the process proceeds to step S106. In this step, for example, a guidance voice such as "Please say a message when the quiz is answered correctly" or "Please say a message when the quiz is answered incorrectly" is output from the speaker 13 to prompt the user to input messages (correct message, incorrect message) to be output when the quiz is answered correctly and incorrectly.

Here, the action described in step S105 refers to an operation that is performed simultaneously with the output of a message when the answer is correct or incorrect, such as specifying a sound effect.

Next, in step S106, it is determined whether or not a message or action for a correct or incorrect answer has been input by voice, and if it has been input by voice (Yes), the process proceeds to step S107, and if it has not been input by voice (No), the process waits in this step. Whether or not a message or action for a correct or incorrect answer has been input by voice can be determined in the same way as in steps S102 and S104.

Next, in step S107, voice input of the store, etc. is instructed, and the process proceeds to step S108. In this step, for example, a guidance voice such as "Specify the store where you will bet. Please speak the name of the store" is output from the speaker 13 to prompt the input of the store, etc. That is, in this step, the store, etc. that provides the product or service that can be obtained depending on the outcome of the quiz is selected. For this purpose, the POI database 31 of the server 30 is accessed to obtain a list of registered stores (information on commercial facilities where the benefit can be delivered) from the server 30, and the list is displayed on the display unit 14. An example of the display on the display unit 14 in this step is shown in FIG. 6(a). When this step is executed, a list of stores, etc. is displayed on the display unit 14 as shown in FIG. 6(a). Then, the user selects a store, etc. from the list by inputting the store name from the microphone 12. This step functions as a delivery location designation process that designates the delivery location of the benefit.

The stores etc. displayed in the list are those registered in the POI database 31 of the server 30, but they may be narrowed down based on specific criteria. For example, the list may be narrowed down to stores etc. within a specified range centered on the current location of the communication terminal 10, or information on frequently used stores etc. may be accumulated so as to be associated with the POI database 31 of the server 30 based on the location information of the GPS 15 or a user's declaration, and the stores etc. displayed may be narrowed down based on that information.

Next, in step S108, it is determined whether or not the store name has been input by voice, and if it has been input by voice (if Yes), the process proceeds to step S109, and if it has not been input by voice (if No), the process waits in this step. Whether or not the store name has been input by voice can be determined in the same manner as in steps S102, S104, and S106.

Next, in step S109, voice input of the product to be bet on is instructed, and the process proceeds to step S110. In this step, for example, a guidance voice such as "Select the product to bet on. Please tell us the product name to bet on" is output from the speaker 13 to prompt the input of the product (or service) to be bet on. In other words, in this step, the product or service to be obtained depending on the outcome of the quiz is selected. For this purpose, the POI database 31 of the server 30 is accessed to obtain the menu information of the store, etc. input in step S107, and displayed on the display unit 14. An example of the display on the display unit 14 in this step is shown in FIG. 6(b). When this step is executed, the display unit 14 displays a menu of products and services as shown in FIG. 6(b). Then, the user selects a product or service from the list by inputting the product name or service name from the microphone 12. This step functions as a privilege designation process for designating a privilege to be obtained as a result of the competitive game.

The menu displayed when selecting a product or service is not limited to being registered for each store in the POI database 31, but may be configured as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7(a) is composed of a POI table (POI Table) in which sub-categories (Sub Category) and main categories (Main Category) have been added to FIG. 3, and a menu table (Menu Table) shown in FIG. 7(b). The main categories of the POI table are set to large categories such as restaurants (Restaurants) and event venues (Events), and the subcategories are set to more detailed categories of the main categories such as Italian restaurants (Italian) and hamburger shops (Burgers) for restaurants, and movie theaters (Theaters) and concert halls (Concerts) for event venues. In other words, category information is set for each commercial facility.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the menu table is set with information on Category ID and menu (Menu1, Menu2, ...). Category ID is a number uniquely assigned to one main category or subcategory. Menu is a menu list of products and services provided in the main category or subcategory. The menu in the menu table is set in advance for products and services that are likely to be provided for each category. For example, in a restaurant, beer and coffee are often usually available, so they are registered in advance. In this way, even if the menu of each store, etc. is not registered in the POI table, as long as the main category or subcategory is set, the user can be displayed and selected from the products and services. For example, in the store with POI ID p2001 in FIG. 7, the main category is restaurant and the subcategory is Italian cuisine, so beer, coffee, wine, and pizza are displayed without registering the actual menu of the store.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4, in step S110, it is determined whether or not the product to be bet on has been input by voice, and if it has been input by voice (Yes), the process proceeds to step S111, and if it has not been input by voice (No), the process waits in this step. Whether or not the product to be bet on has been input by voice can be determined in the same manner as in steps S102, S104, S106, and S108.

Next, in step S111, voice input of the destination is instructed, and the process proceeds to step S112. In this step, for example, a voice guidance such as "Specify the destination friend. Please speak the name of the friend" is output from the speaker 13 to prompt the input of the destination. In this step, a friend who will be an opponent in the quiz is selected. To do this, the friend information database 32 of the server 30 is accessed to obtain a list of registered friends, and the list is displayed on the display unit 14. An example of the display on the display unit 14 in this step is shown in FIG. 6(c). When this step is executed, a list of friends is displayed on the display unit 14 as shown in FIG. 6(c). Then, the user selects from the list the name of a friend to be an opponent by inputting it from the microphone 12. This step functions as an opponent designation process for designating an opponent to play a competitive game.

Next, in step S112, it is determined whether the destination has been input by voice, and if it has been input by voice (Yes), the process proceeds to step S113, and if it has not been input by voice (No), the process waits in this step. Whether the destination has been input by voice can be determined in the same manner as in steps S102, S104, S106, S108, and S110.

Next, in step S113, a message including information about the created quiz (quiz information), store information, and the product to be bet on is created, and the process proceeds to step S114. In this step, a message is created that includes information about the quiz, store, product, and service input in the above-mentioned operations. The created message is displayed on the display unit 14, for example, in a configuration as shown in FIG. 8.

In other words, the quiz information (question information, correct answer information, correct/incorrect message and action) corresponds to the competitive game information, the bet product corresponds to the bonus information, and the store information corresponds to the location information of the bonus delivery location. Note that the competitor information corresponds to the User ID and name of the question setter who created the quiz using the question setting terminal. In this embodiment, the store information may include not only location information such as latitude, longitude and address, but also information that can identify the commercial facility such as a POI ID, and information related to the commercial facility such as the store name, telephone number and rating.

Next, in step S114, voice input for confirmation before sending is instructed, and the process proceeds to step S115. In this step, the message content created in step S113 is read out as a voice guide, and the user is prompted to respond as to whether or not it is OK to send the message.

Next, in step S115, it is confirmed whether it is OK to send, and if it is OK (Yes), the process proceeds to step S116. If it is not OK (No), the process ends. In this step, if a positive answer such as "Yes" is input from the microphone 12 as a result of the user being asked to respond in step S114, the process proceeds to step S116 and ends with sending, and if a negative answer such as "No" is input from the microphone 12, the process ends without sending. Step S116 functions as a second sending process that sends battle-type game information, which is information about the battle-type game specified by the game specifying means, opponent information that notifies the opponent specified by the opponent specifying means of information about the opponent who will compete in the battle-type game, bonus information, which is information about the bonus specified by the bonus specifying means, and location information of the bonus delivery location specified by the delivery location specifying means.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the order is quiz creation, store selection, product selection, and destination selection, but this is not limited to the order. For example, store selection and product selection may be performed first, or sender selection may be performed first. In other words, the order of these steps may be determined arbitrarily.

In addition, the selection of the store in step S107 is not limited to simply selecting from a list or map data; the destination may be specified first to determine the opponent, and the location information (opponent location information) of the opponent (communication terminal 20) may be obtained, and based on the opponent location information and current location information obtained from the GPS 15 of the player's own (communication terminal 10), the facilities within a specified range of both communication terminals may be narrowed down and displayed. In this way, a location that is easily accessible in terms of distance for both competitors can be specified as the transfer location. That is, a facility within a specified range of both communication terminals is specified as the transfer location based on the current location information and the opponent location information.

In addition, the selection of the destination in step S111 is not limited to displaying a list obtained from the friend information database 32. After specifying a store, friends within a predetermined range of both the store and the current location may be narrowed down and displayed based on the store's location information and current location information obtained from the GPS 15 of the user (communication terminal 10). By doing this, it is possible to specify a transfer location first, and then specify a friend or the like who is near the transfer location as an opponent. In other words, based on the current location information and the location information of the transfer location, another communication terminal within a predetermined range of both location information is specified.

Furthermore, the store, product, and destination can be selected not only from a list or map data, but also by directly inputting them as shown in FIG. 6(b)'.

Next, the operation of the communication terminal 20 on the answerer side shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is executed by the CPU 28.

First, in step S201, it is determined whether or not a message with a game has been received. If a message with a game has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S202. If a message with a game has not been received (No), the process waits in this step. Reception of a message with a game can be determined, for example, by adding information indicating that a message with a game is included when the message is sent by the communication terminal 10, and by checking whether or not the information is present when the message is received. In other words, this step functions as a first receiving process for receiving competitive game information, information about opponents competing in the competitive game, bonus information obtained as a result of the competitive game, and location information about the location where the bonus will be handed over.

Next, in step S202, a quiz, store information, and a message with the product to be bet on are displayed, and the process proceeds to step S203. Figure 9 shows an example of a message that is displayed on the display unit 24. In this step, a screen like that shown in Figure 9(a) is displayed.

Next, in step S203, the user is prompted to input voice input as to whether or not they agree to the game, and the process proceeds to step S204. In this step, for example, a voice guide such as "You have received a message with a game from your friend "Bob". The game involves answering quizzes set by "Bob" at the shop "Japanese Restaurant A" and betting on the product "Beer". If you answer the quiz correctly, you will receive "Beer" from "Bob", and if you answer incorrectly, you will give "Beer" to "Bob". Do you want to play the game?" is output from speaker 23, and the user is prompted to input whether or not they agree to the game.

Next, in step S204, it is determined whether the user has agreed to the game, and if the user has agreed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S205, and if the user has not agreed (No), the process proceeds to step S214. Regarding whether the user has agreed, if the user inputs an affirmative answer such as "Yes" from the microphone 22, it is determined that the user has agreed, and if the user inputs a negative answer such as "No" from the microphone 22, it is determined that the user has not agreed.

Next, in step S205, the quiz question is output as audio, and the process proceeds to step S206. When this step is executed, the display unit 24 displays the quiz question (Question Message) and the answer field (Enter Your Answer), as shown in FIG. 9(b). That is, the display unit 24 functions as the first output means, and outputs the quiz question (predetermined question).

Next, in step S206, it is determined whether an answer has been input, and if an answer has been input (Yes), the process proceeds to step S207, and if an answer has not been input (No), the process returns to step S205. Whether an answer has been input can be determined, for example, by determining that an answer has been input if the voice input from the microphone 22 can be recognized by the voice recognition processing unit 26 without any error. In other words, this step functions as a first input process for inputting information to play the competitive game indicated by the competitive game information.

Next, in step S207, the answer input in step S206 is subjected to voice recognition by the voice recognition processing unit 26, the input answer is confirmed, and the process proceeds to step S208. In this step, a display such as that shown in FIG. 9(c) is displayed on the display unit 24, and a guidance voice such as "Your answer is '3'. Final answer?" is output from the speaker 23 to prompt the user to confirm the answer.

Next, in step S208, it is determined whether the user agrees to the confirmation of the answer, and if the user agrees (Yes), the process proceeds to step S209, and if the user does not agree (No), the process returns to step S205. The determination of whether the user agrees is made when the user inputs a positive answer such as "final answer" or "Yes" from the microphone 22, and it is determined that the user does not agree when the user inputs a negative answer such as "No" from the microphone 22.

Next, in step S209, the answer of agreement entered in step S208 is voice-recognized by the voice recognition processing unit 26, and a judgment is made as to whether the answer is correct or not, and the process proceeds to step S210. In this step, after the user agrees to confirm the answer in step S208 by entering a "final answer" or the like, the answer is compared with the correct answer included in the game-attached message received in step S201 to judge whether it is correct or not. In other words, this step functions as a first winning/losing result acquisition process that judges the result of the quiz and acquires the winning/losing result of the competitive game.

Next, in step S210, it is determined whether the answer was correct as a result of the accuracy determination in step S209. If the answer was correct (Yes), the process proceeds to step S211. If the answer was incorrect (No), the process proceeds to step S212.

Next, in step S211, since the result of the judgment in step S210 was that the answer was correct, a message for when the answer was correct (correct answer message) is displayed and action processing is performed, and the process proceeds to step S213. In this step, a display such as that shown in FIG. 9(d) is displayed, and a guidance voice such as "The correct answer is '3'. You win! Message from 'Bob'. 'Since you got it right, I'll buy you a beer. How about this weekend?'" is output from the speaker 23, and an action set in the received message is performed, such as playing a sound effect such as a fanfare.

On the other hand, in step S212, since the result of the determination in step S210 was an incorrect answer, an incorrect answer message is displayed and action processing is performed, and the process proceeds to step S213. In this step, for example, a display is performed in which the incorrect answer message is replaced with the message in FIG. 9(d), and the incorrect answer message is audibly output and an action is performed.

Next, in step S213, the game content, results, the store where the bet was made, and the product are registered in the game result details database 33 of the server 30, and the process proceeds to step S214. This step functions as a game result output process that associates and outputs competitive game information, opponent information, bonus information, position information, and the win/loss result.

Next, in step S214, the game result is sent to the question setter and the process ends. Note that the game result may be the result itself, or, as described below, the Game ID obtained when the game result is registered in the server 30 in step S213 may be sent. In other words, the information may be a clue that allows the question setter to know the game result, without including the game result itself. In other words, information regarding the win/loss result is sent to the other communication terminal. Note that if the game is not agreed to in step S204, a message to that effect is sent.

In the flowcharts shown in Figures 4 and 5, voice input is mainly performed from the microphone 12, and quiz questions and answers are input through voice recognition, but input may also be performed using the input unit 11.

The flowcharts in Figures 4 and 5 explain the operations of the communication terminals 10 and 20, but the operations centered on the server 30 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 10. The flowchart in Figure 10 is executed by CPU 18 (question setting terminal), CPU 28 (answer terminal), and CPU 35 (server), respectively.

First, in step S301, the question setting terminal (communication terminal 10) creates game information including the quiz questions, answers, messages, store information, product information, destinations, etc., and proceeds to step S102. That is, steps S101 to S113 in FIG. 4 are executed.

Next, in step S302, the game information created in step S301 is sent to the answer terminal (communication terminal 20), and the process proceeds to step S303. That is, steps S114 to S116 in FIG. 4 are executed, and the game information is sent from the network communication unit 17.

Next, in step S303, the answer terminal receives and displays the game information sent from the question-setting terminal, and proceeds to step S304. That is, the network communication unit 27 receives the game information, and the CPU 28 executes steps S201 to S202 in FIG. 5.

Next, in step S304, the game (quiz) is played and the outcome (game result) is determined, and the process proceeds to step S305. That is, steps S203 to S212 in FIG. 5 are executed.

Next, in step S305, the game information and the game result determined in step S304 are transmitted to the server 30, and the process proceeds to step S306. That is, step S213 in FIG. 5 is executed, and the game information and the game result are transmitted from the network communication unit 27.

Next, in step S306, the server 30 receives the game information and game results sent from the answer terminal and proceeds to step S307. That is, the network communication unit 34 receives the game information and game results and outputs them to the CPU 35.

Next, in step S307, a Game ID is assigned to the game information and game results received in step S306, and they are registered in the game result details database 33, and the process proceeds to step S308. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, game information (question date, question setter, answerer, question content, correct answer, POI ID, product) and game results (answer date, actual answer, whether the answer was correct or not) are registered for each Game ID.

Next, in step S308, the Game ID assigned in step S307 is sent to the answer terminal, and the process proceeds to step S309. In other words, the Game ID is sent from the network communication unit 34.

Next, in step S309, the answer terminal receives the Game ID sent from the server 30 and proceeds to step S310. That is, the network communication unit 27 receives the Game ID and outputs it to the CPU 28.

Next, in step S310, a message indicating that the game result has been announced is sent to the question setting terminal, including the Game ID, and the process proceeds to step S311. Note that this message does not have to include the game result itself. That is, step S214 in FIG. 5 is executed, and the message is sent from the network communication unit 27.

Next, in step S311, the question-setting terminal receives a message including the Game ID sent from the answer terminal and proceeds to step S312. That is, the network communication unit 17 receives the Game ID and outputs it to the CPU 18.

Next, in step S312, the server 30 is queried for the game results based on the game ID received in step S311, and the process proceeds to step S313. In other words, the network communication unit 17 transmits the Game ID.

Next, in step S313, the server 30 searches the game result details database 33 based on the Game ID sent from the question setting terminal, and proceeds to step S314. In other words, the network communication unit 34 receives the Game ID, and the CPU 35 searches the game detail results database 33.

Next, in step S314, the game results obtained as a result of the search in step S313 are transmitted to the question setting terminal, and the process proceeds to step S315. In other words, the game results are transmitted from the network communication unit 34.

Next, in step S315, the question setting terminal acquires the game result from the server 30 and displays it on the display unit 14. That is, the network communication unit 17 receives the game result and outputs it to the CPU 18, and the CPU 18 causes the display unit 14 to display the game result. In this way, the question setting terminal can know the game result, and the game information and game result are registered in the server 30 from the answer terminal. This step functions as a second winning/losing result acquisition process for acquiring the winning/losing result of the competitive game.

As is clear from the explanation of the flowcharts in Figures 4, 5, and 10, the communication terminal 10, which is the question setting terminal (the party placing the bet), is a communication terminal having a game designation means, an opponent designation means, a bonus designation means, a delivery location designation means, a second transmission means, a second input means, and a second winning/losing result acquisition means, and the communication terminal 20, which is the answer terminal (the party receiving the bet), is a communication terminal having a first receiving means, a first input means, a first winning/losing result acquisition means, and a game result output means.

In the flowchart of FIG. 10, after the game result is announced at the answer terminal, the answer terminal sends a notification of the game result to the question setting terminal. However, the server 30 may update the game result details database 33 and send the Game ID to the answer terminal (after step S308), and then notify the question setting terminal that the game result has been announced. In other words, step S310 may be performed by the server 30.

Next, the operation of the communication terminals 10, 20 and the server 30 after the game (quiz) ends will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 14. Note that there is no difference in operation between the communication terminals 10 and 20 after the game ends.

First, the operation for checking the usage status of games (quizzes) at a store will be described with reference to FIG. 11. That is, FIG. 11 is a flowchart for referring to the usage status of games at an arbitrary POI (store, etc.). The flowchart in FIG. 11 is executed by CPU 18 or 28 (communication terminal) and CPU 35 (server), respectively.

In step S401 of FIG. 11, the user selects the store for which the user wishes to check game usage status on the communication terminal 10 or 20, and proceeds to step S402. The selection may be made, for example, by displaying map data on the display unit 14 and selecting the location of the store from the map data, or by directly inputting the location from the input unit 11 or microphone 12. Multiple stores may be selected. Information on the selected store, etc. is sent from the network communication unit 17 or 27 to the server 30.

Next, in step S402, the server 30 searches the game result details database 33 for a Game ID that includes the store, etc. selected on the communication terminal 10 or 20 as a POI ID, and proceeds to step S403. In other words, by extracting a Game ID that includes a specific POI ID from the game result details database 33 shown in FIG. 3, the game usage status at that POI ID (store, etc.) can be determined. In other words, the network communication unit 34 receives information about the store, etc., and the CPU 35 searches the game result details database 33 based on the information about that store, etc.

Next, in step S403, the results of the search in step S402 are transmitted to the communication terminal 10 or 20, and the process proceeds to step S404. In other words, the search results are transmitted from the network communication unit 34.

Next, in step S404, the communication terminal 10 or 20 receives the search results from the server 30 and proceeds to step S405. That is, the network communication unit 17 or 27 receives the search results.

Next, in step S405, the result received in step S404 (the game usage status of the selected store) is displayed on the display unit 24. The display method may simply be to display them in a list, or to display an icon or the like at the location of the store or the like on the map to indicate whether or not the game is being used, and to display detailed information when the icon is selected. That is, information indicating the usage status of bets using competitive games received by the first receiving means or the second receiving means is output to a location indicated by the location information on the map data. In this way, it is possible to check the usage status of bets using competitive games, including not only oneself but also other users, for each location.

In the flowchart of FIG. 11, a store is selected in step S401, but instead of selecting a specific store, it is also possible to search for and display the status of stores (POIs) within a specified range centered on the user's current location (the current location of communication terminal 20 or 30). Alternatively, it may be within the range of the map displayed on the display unit 14.

Next, the operation of searching for a store that the user of communication terminal 10 or 20 used in a game (quiz) will be described with reference to FIG. 12. That is, FIG. 12 is a flowchart for referring to a POI (store, etc.) used when the user participated in a game. Participating in this game includes both the question setter and answerer in the case of a quiz, but it is also possible to specify to search for only one of them. The flowchart in FIG. 12 is executed by CPU 18 or 28 (communication terminal) and CPU 35 (server), respectively.

In step S501 of FIG. 12, the user instructs the communication terminal 10 or 20 to search for a store that the user has used in the game, and the process proceeds to step S502. Search instruction information is transmitted from the network communication unit 17 or 27 to the server 30.

Next, in step S502, the server 30 searches the game result details database 33 for a Game ID that includes the User ID assigned to the communication terminal (user) as a question setter or answerer based on an instruction from the communication terminal 10 or 20, extracts the POI ID included in the searched Game ID, and proceeds to step S503. In other words, it is possible to extract the POI used by the specific User ID by searching the game result details database 33 shown in FIG. 3 for a Game ID that includes a specific User ID to identify the game in which the user participated, and extracting the POI ID included in the searched Game ID. The network communication unit 34 receives search instruction information, and the CPU 35 searches the game result details database 33 based on the User ID of the user who sent the search instruction information.

Next, in step S503, the results of the search in step S502 are transmitted to the communication terminal 10 or 20, and the process proceeds to step S504. That is, the search results are transmitted from the network communication unit 34. The search results include at least the location information (latitude, longitude) of the POI and the winning or losing result.

Next, in step S504, the communication terminal 10 or 20 receives the search results from the server 30 and proceeds to step S505. That is, the network communication unit 17 or 27 receives the search results.

Next, in step S505, the results received in step S504 (stores used in the game, etc.) are displayed on the display unit 24. That is, based on the map data and the location information and winning/losing results acquired by the first game history acquisition means (or the second game history acquisition means), information indicating the winning/losing result is output at the position indicated by the location information on the map data. As a display method, the display may simply be in the form of a list, or, as shown in FIG. 13(a), an icon indicating that the store has been used may be displayed at the location of the store on the map data. Also, a trophy or white flag may be displayed as an icon to indicate the winning/losing situation, or, as shown in FIG. 13(b), detailed information may be displayed when an icon is selected. Also, if a store has been used multiple times, multiple trophy or white flag icons may be displayed.

In addition, if the location information of the acquired POI ID and the current location information acquired by the GPS 15 of the terminal are within a predetermined distance, the results of the game and information (product information) related to the product or service at the store, etc. indicated by the POI ID on the map data, may be displayed on the display unit 14. In addition, when displaying, only games (quizzes) where the delivery of the product or service has not been completed may be displayed, or the entire history of the store may be displayed so that it is possible to distinguish whether the delivery has been completed or not. In this way, if the user is located near the product delivery location, the user can be notified that a bonus can be given or received, and products that have been given or received in the past.

Next, the operation of notifying the player that the product or service has not been handed over when the player and the opponent are in the store or the like used for the game (quiz) after the game ends will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 14. The flowchart in FIG. 14 is executed by CPU 18 or 28 (communication terminal) and CPU 35 (server).

First, in step S601, the communication terminal 10 or 20 inquires of the server 30 whether there is a game (quiz) for which the delivery date has not been input, and proceeds to step S601. The inquiry information is transmitted from the network communication unit 17 or 27 to the server 30.

Next, in step S602, the server 30 searches the game result details database 33 and proceeds to step S603. In this step, Game IDs for games related to the User ID for which an inquiry has been made from the game result details database 33 and for which the delivery date has not been entered are extracted. The network communication unit 34 receives the inquiry information, and the CPU 35 searches the game result details database 33 based on the inquiry information.

Next, in step S603, the search results executed in step S602 are transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S604. Note that this search result includes each item of the game result details database 33 shown in FIG. 3. In other words, the search result is transmitted from the network communication unit 34.

Next, in step S604, the communication terminal 10 or 20 receives the search results sent from the server 30 and proceeds to step S605. That is, the network communication unit 17 or 27 receives the search results.

Next, in step S605, it is determined whether or not there are any games for which the delivery date has not been entered based on the results received in step S604. If there are (Yes), the process proceeds to step S606; if there are not (No), the process ends.

Next, in step S606, the location information of the POI ID of the store, etc. used in the game for which the delivery date has not been input is requested from the server 30, and the process proceeds to step S607. Since the POI ID of the store, etc. used in the game for which the delivery date has not been input is included in the result received in step S604, the POI ID included in the result is extracted and queried to the server 30. The inquiry information is transmitted from the network communication unit 17 or 27 to the server 30.

Next, in step S607, the server 30 searches the POI database 31 for location information of the requested POI ID, and the process proceeds to step S608. The network communication unit 34 receives the inquiry information, and the CPU 35 searches the POI database 31 based on the search instruction information.

Next, in step S608, the search results executed in step S607 are transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S609. In other words, the search results are transmitted from the network communication unit 34.

Next, in step S609, the communication terminal 10 or 20 receives the search results sent from the server 30 and proceeds to step S610. In other words, the network communication unit 17 or 27 receives the search results.

Next, in step S610, the location information of the device itself (its own terminal) is obtained from GPS 15, and the process proceeds to step S611.

Next, in step S611, location information (opponent location information) of the opponent's (answerer or question setter) communication terminal is obtained, and the process proceeds to step S612. The opponent's location information may be obtained, for example, by sending a message or the like from network communication unit 17 or 27 to the opponent's communication terminal inquiring about the location information, and receiving the reply. As another method, both the question setter's and answerer's terminals may periodically upload location information to server 30, store the location information on the server 30 side, and then inquire of server 30 to obtain the location information of the opponent's communication terminal.

Next, in step S612, it is determined whether the location information of the POI ID acquired in step S609, the player's own location information acquired in step S610, and the location information of the opponent's communication device acquired in step S611 all match. If they all match (Yes), the process proceeds to step S613, and if they do not match (No), the process ends. In other words, if all the location information matches, it can be said that the player and the opponent are in a store or the like that they used for the game. Note that a match in this step is not limited to a perfect match, and may also mean that the above three pieces of location information are within a specified distance, such as within a radius of 10 m.

Next, in step S613, it is displayed that the product can be received, and a receiving status input screen is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S614. In this step, the receiving status input screen is displayed, and at the same time, a notification is given that the product or service can be received, thereby encouraging the user to receive the product or service and input the receiving status. In addition, in this step, it may be possible to only notify the user that the product or service can be received, and the user may later input the receiving status by operating communication terminal 10 or 20 separately at a timing of their choice. In other words, if the respective communication terminals are within a specified distance based on the current location information and the competitor location information, a notification is output prompting the user to input information on whether the bonus has been handed over, or information is output indicating that the bonus can be handed over.

Next, in step S614, it is determined whether the receipt status has been input using the input unit 11, microphone 12, etc., and if it has been input (Yes), the process proceeds to step S615, and if it has not been input (No), the process ends. Note that if no input is made in this step, it does not mean that the system is waiting for input, but rather that the input has been rejected by clearing the input screen, etc.

Next, in step S615, the information entered in step S614 is sent to the server 30, and the process proceeds to step S616. In other words, the input information is sent from the network communication unit 17 or 27.

Next, in step S616, the server 30 updates the game result details database 33 based on the received information. Specifically, the delivery date is set. In other words, the network communication unit 34 receives the information, and the CPU 35 updates the game result details database 33 based on the received information.

In addition, in step S613 of this flowchart, input of the receiving status is prompted, but it is not limited to directly inputting the receiving date as the receiving status. A button such as "transfer completed" may be displayed, and clicking the button may convert the date to today's date in communication terminal 10 or 20 or on server 30. Also, in this flowchart, receipt is possible and the receiving status input is displayed when the location information of the POI ID matches the player's own location information and the location information of the opponent's communication terminal, but this may be done simply by matching the player's own location information with the location information of the opponent's communication terminal. Even in this case, if the competitors are close to each other, they can be notified that the exchange of goods or services is possible.

In addition, notification that a product or service can be exchanged is not limited to being based on detection of the position information between the opponents. For example, if the communication terminal 10 or 20 has a navigation function that provides guidance from the current position or a set predetermined position to a set destination, and if a destination is specified in the navigation function as an action, product information and store information may be displayed at a specified date and time, such as a weekend or holiday, for a Game ID for which the product exchange date has not been input, and at the same time, a message may be displayed indicating that the store specified for the product or service exchange can be automatically set as the destination in the navigation function and guided to. The route to the set destination is generated by the CPU 18 (28).

The flowchart in FIG. 14 shows an operation of prompting the player to input a delivery date for a game in which the delivery date has not yet been input, but after the delivery date has been input, a display may be displayed indicating that the delivery date has been input. For example, when the delivery date is input, the size of the icon on the map may be reduced, or the brightness may be lowered to tone it down, and the display mode may change depending on whether or not a delivery date has been input. In other words, when information indicating that the bonus has been handed over is input, information indicating that the bonus has been handed over is output.

According to this embodiment, the communication terminal 20 receives from the communication terminal 10, through the network communication unit 27, quiz game information consisting of predetermined questions and answers, information on the sender, the product or service, the store offering the product or service, etc., and the answer is input from the microphone 22 to conduct the quiz, and the CPU 28 judges whether the quiz is correct or incorrect. Therefore, since the product or service and the delivery location are received along with the quiz when the quiz is conducted, there is no need for the competitors to contact each other separately to decide on the product and its delivery location, and when a bet on a competitive game such as a quiz is applied for from the communication terminal 10, the competitors can concretely imagine the product and the delivery location of the product.

In addition, since the location where the goods are handed over is a commercial facility such as a shop, and the goods are goods or services offered at the commercial facility, the competitors will visit the commercial facility after the quiz or other game, which can lead to increased customer numbers at the commercial facility.

The network communication unit 27 also receives a correct answer message if a specific question is answered correctly, and an incorrect answer message if the answer is incorrect, and the display unit 14 outputs either a correct answer message or an incorrect answer message based on the correct answer result after the CPU 28 has determined whether the question was answered correctly. This allows the correct answer message or incorrect answer message designated by the question setter to be output to notify the player of whether the quiz was answered correctly or incorrectly. In addition, by including a message regarding the exchange of goods or services in the correct answer message or incorrect answer message, the content of the bet can be made more specific, for example, "I'll buy you a beer."

In addition, the network communication unit 17 or 27 acquires the map data, and after the quiz is finished and the quiz results are registered in the server 30, the display unit 14 or 24 displays a trophy or white flag icon indicating the result of winning or losing on the map data at the location of the store or other place used for the quiz in which the player was involved. This allows the result of winning or losing to be displayed on the map, making it easy to check the results of the match.

In addition, after the network communication unit 17 of the communication terminal 10 acquires the winning or losing result, and after the CPU 28 of the communication terminal 20 acquires the winning or losing result, if each communication terminal is located within a predetermined distance from the location indicated by the location information based on the current location information of the terminal itself and the location information of the other communication terminal, the display unit 14 or 24 outputs a notification prompting the input of information as to whether or not a product or service has been handed over. Therefore, if the competitors are close to each other and no product or service has been handed over, the actual act of handing over the product or service can be prompted by having the competitors input information indicating that the product or service has been handed over.

In addition, the network communication unit 17 or 27 receives information from the server 30 indicating the usage status of bets using quizzes at the location of a store or the like selected on the map data, and the display unit 14 or 24 displays the usage status of bets using quizzes at that store on the map data, so that the usage status of bets using quizzes can be confirmed for each store or the like.

The server 30 is communicatively connected to the communication terminal 20 via a network, and has a game result details database 33 in which game information output by the communication terminal 20 and information associated with game results are stored, and a CPU 35 that registers each piece of information output by the communication terminal 20 in the game result details database and searches for each piece of information in response to a request from the communication terminal 20, so that it is possible to register a competitive game such as a quiz and the contents of bets using that competitive game in the server 30, and these can be referenced later as history. Also, the communication terminal 20 does not need to hold the history, and the capacity of the storage device, etc. required by the communication terminal 20 can be reduced.

In addition, the communication terminal 10 uses the microphone 12 to specify the quiz to be played against the communication terminal 20, the opponent, the product to be obtained as a result of the quiz, and the store where the product will be delivered, and creates a predetermined question and answer using the microphone 12, and the network communication unit 17 transmits the predetermined quiz question and answer, sender, product information, and store information to the communication terminal 20, and the network communication unit 17 obtains the outcome of the quiz from the server 30. Since the product, service, and delivery location are transmitted along with the quiz when the quiz is played, there is no need for the competitors to contact each other separately to decide on benefits and delivery locations, and when applying to the communication terminal 20 to place a bet on a competitive game such as a quiz, the product to be bet on and the delivery location for the product can be specifically specified.

In addition, the location where the goods or services are handed over is a commercial facility such as a shop, and the network communication unit 17 acquires information about the shop, etc., and the display unit 14 displays the information about the shop, etc., and the microphone 12 is used to specify the shop, etc., where the goods or services are to be handed over. This allows the commercial facility to be used as the handover location, and since the competitors visit the commercial facility to hand over the goods or services, this can lead to the commercial facility attracting more customers.

In addition, the network communication unit 17 receives menu information about products and services offered at the specified store, etc., the display unit 14 displays the menu information, and the user selects the product or service to be offered as a bonus through the microphone 12 based on the displayed menu information. This allows the product or service offered by the specified store, etc. to be offered as a bonus that can be obtained as a result of the bet, thereby increasing sales at the store, etc.

In addition, a correct answer message is input from the microphone 12 if a specific question is answered correctly, and an incorrect answer message is input if the answer is incorrect, and the network communication unit 17 transmits the correct answer message and incorrect answer message together with the quiz question and answer, so the correct answer message and incorrect answer message can be set as desired, and these messages can be used to notify the player of whether the quiz answer was correct or incorrect. In addition, by including a message regarding the exchange of a product in the correct answer message and incorrect answer message, the content of the bet can be made more specific, for example, "I'll buy you a beer."

In the above embodiment, the benefits obtained as a result of betting have been explained as products such as beer, but the benefits may be services such as point services provided by the commercial facility. FIG. 15 shows an example in which the products in the display example of FIG. 8 are points. As shown in FIG. 15, by providing 300 points as a benefit for answering the quiz correctly or incorrectly and setting the action to give or take away, the points can be changed based on the game result when visiting the commercial facility after the quiz is over. Alternatively, the benefit may be a discount coupon, and if the quiz is answered correctly, a discount coupon can be obtained and used when visiting the commercial facility.

Next, a communication terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 16. Note that the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.

The communication terminal in this embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but the operation of registering game information and the like to the server 30 is different. The operation of the question setting terminal (communication terminal 10), answer terminal (communication terminal 20), and server 30 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 16. The flowchart in FIG. 16 is executed by CPU 18 (question setting terminal), CPU 28 (answer terminal), and CPU 35 (server), respectively.

First, in step S701, the question-setting terminal creates game information including the quiz question, answer, message, store information, product information, and transmission destination, and proceeds to step S702. That is, the flowchart in FIG. 4 is executed, but when transmission is executed in step S116, steps S702 to S707 described below are executed and a message requesting a bet on the game (quiz) is sent to the transmission destination.

Next, in step S702, the game information created in step S701 is sent to the server 30, and the process proceeds to step S703. That is, the game information is sent from the network communication unit 17. In this embodiment, when the question setting terminal creates the game information, it is registered in the game result details database 33 of the server 30. Of course, only the information generated by the question setting terminal is registered, and information generated by the answer terminal, such as results, is registered later. That is, the game result details database 33 functions as a game content storage means, and the CPU 35 functions as a second control unit.

Next, in step S703, the server 30 receives the game information sent from the question setting terminal and proceeds to step S704. That is, the network communication unit 34 receives the game information.

Next, in step S704, a Game ID is assigned to the game information received in step S703, and the information is registered in the game result details database 33, and the process proceeds to step S705. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, game information (question date, question setter, answerer, question content, correct answer, POI ID, and product) is registered for each Game ID.

Next, in step S705, the Game ID assigned in step S704 is sent to the question setting terminal, and the process proceeds to step S706. In other words, the Game ID is sent from the network communication unit 34.

Next, in step S706, the question setting terminal receives the Game ID sent from the server 30 and proceeds to step S707. In other words, the network communication unit 17 receives the Game ID.

Next, in step S707, the Game ID received in step S706 is sent to the answer terminal, and the process proceeds to step S708. That is, the network communication unit 17 sends the Game ID. By executing this step, a message to request a bet on the game is sent to the answer terminal. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the actual game content is not sent directly to the answer terminal, but only the Game ID and sender information are sent.

Next, in step S708, the answer terminal receives the Game ID sent from the question-setting terminal and proceeds to step S709. In other words, the network communication unit 27 receives the Game ID.

Next, in step S709, a request is made to the server 30 to obtain the game content (quiz questions) for the Game ID received in step S708, and the process proceeds to step S710. In other words, the network communication unit 27 transmits the Game ID.

Next, in step S710, the server 30 searches the game result details database 33 using the Game ID received from the answer terminal and proceeds to step S711.

Next, in step S711, the game content (quiz questions) searched for in step S710 is sent to the answer terminal, and the process proceeds to step S712. In other words, the network communication unit 34 sends the game content.

Next, in step S712, the answer terminal receives the game content from the server 30 and proceeds to step S713. In other words, the network communication unit 27 receives the game content.

Next, in step S713, the game is executed, the correct answer is queried from the server 30, and the process proceeds to step S714. In this step, operations equivalent to steps S201 to S208 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 are executed. That is, the display unit 14 of the answer terminal displays the fact that the game has been applied for, the details of the game (quiz), store information, and information on the product to be bet on, and the user is asked to confirm consent to the game, the question is output as audio, the answer is input as audio, and the answer is confirmed. The correct answer is then queried from the network communication unit 27 to the server 30 using the Game ID.

Next, in step S714, the server 30 searches for the correct answer from the received Game ID and proceeds to step S715. Note that not only the correct answer but also correct and incorrect messages and actions for correct and incorrect answers are searched for at the same time. In other words, the network communication unit 34 receives the inquiry, and the CPU 35 searches the game result details database 33.

Next, in step S715, the correct answer, correct answer message, incorrect answer message, and actions to be taken when the answer is correct or incorrect, etc., searched for in step S714 are sent to the answer terminal, and the process proceeds to step S716. In other words, the network communication unit 34 sends the correct answer, correct answer message, incorrect answer message, and actions to be taken when the answer is correct or incorrect, etc.

Next, in step S716, the answer terminal receives the correct answer, etc. from the server 30 and proceeds to step S717. That is, the network communication unit 27 receives the correct answer, the correct answer message, the incorrect answer message, and the action to be taken when the answer is correct or incorrect.

Next, in step S717, a correct/incorrect determination is made as to whether the answer entered is correct or not based on the correct answer received in step S717, and the determination result is displayed on the display unit 14, and the process proceeds to step S718. In this step, operations corresponding to steps S209 to S212 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 are executed. In other words, the correct/incorrect determination is made, and a message is displayed and an action is taken that is set depending on whether the answer is correct or incorrect.

Next, in step S718, the game result determined in step S717 and the answer entered are sent to the server 30 to request registration in the game result details database 33, and the process proceeds to steps S719 and S720. In this step, an operation corresponding to step S213 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is executed, and the game result is sent from the network communication unit 27.

Next, in step S719, the server 30 registers the game results sent from the answer terminal in the game result details database 33 and updates the database. That is, the network communication unit 34 receives the game results, and the CPU 35 registers the game results in the game detail results database 33.

Meanwhile, in step S720, the answer terminal transmits a message including the Game ID to the question setting terminal indicating that the game result has been announced, and proceeds to step S721. Note that this message does not have to include the game result itself. That is, step S214 in FIG. 5 is executed. In this step, an operation equivalent to step S214 in the flowchart in FIG. 5 is executed, and a message indicating that the game result has been announced is sent from the network communication unit 27.

Next, in step S721, the question-setting terminal receives the message including the Game ID sent from the answer terminal and proceeds to step S722. In other words, the network communication unit 17 receives the message including the Game ID.

Next, in step S722, the server 30 is queried for the game results based on the Game ID received in step S721, and the process proceeds to step S723. In other words, the network communication unit 17 transmits inquiry information such as the Game ID.

Next, in step S723, the server 30 searches the game result details database 33 based on the Game ID sent from the question setting terminal, and proceeds to step S724. That is, the network communication unit 34 receives the Game ID, and the CPU 35 searches the game detail results database 33.

Next, in step S724, the game result obtained as a result of the search in step S723 is transmitted to the question setting terminal, and the process proceeds to step S725. In other words, the network communication unit 34 transmits the game result.

Next, in step S725, the game result is obtained from the server 30 and displayed on the display unit 14. The network communication unit 17 receives the game result, and the CPU 28 causes the game result to be displayed on the display unit 14. In this way, the question setting terminal can know the game result, and game information and game results are registered in the server 30 from the answer terminal.

In the flowchart of FIG. 16, as in the first embodiment, after the game result is announced at the answer terminal, the answer terminal sends a notification of the game result to the question setting terminal, but the server 30 may notify the question setting terminal of the game result after updating the game result detail database 33 (after step S719). That is, step S720 may be performed by the server 30. Also, the question setting terminal registers game information on the server 30, the server 30 sends a Game ID to the question setting terminal, and the question setting terminal sends the Game ID to the answer terminal, but after the server 30 sends the Game ID to the question setting terminal (after step S705), the server 30 may also send the Game ID to the answer terminal. That is, step S707 may be performed by the server 30.

In the flowchart of FIG. 16, the answer to the game (quiz) is queried from the answer terminal to the server 30, but when acquiring the game content (step S712), the correct answer, a correct answer message, an incorrect answer message, etc. may also be received at the same time as the game content (quiz content). In that case, steps S713 to S716 are unnecessary.

In addition, while the game results were registered to the server 30 from the answer terminal, they may be sent to the question setting terminal as game results, and the game results may be registered to the server 30 from the question setting terminal.

According to this embodiment, the server 30, which is communicatively connected to the communication terminal 10 via a network, has a game result details database 33 in which information associated with competitive game information, player information, product information, and store information transmitted from the communication terminal 10 is stored, and a CPU 35 that registers each piece of information transmitted from the communication terminal 10 in the game result details database 33 and searches for game results in response to a request from the communication terminal, so that a competitive game and the contents of bets using that competitive game can be registered in an information processing device such as a server. In addition, the communication terminal does not need to hold history, and the capacity of a storage device, etc. required by the communication terminal can be reduced.

In addition, because the question setting terminal registers game information on the server 30 and the answer terminal accesses the server to conduct the quiz, the message size sent from the question setting terminal to the answer terminal can be small. In addition, because the question setting terminal only needs to receive and display the necessary information from the server 30, memory usage can be reduced.

Next, a communication terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 17. Note that the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments described above will be given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.

This embodiment is an example in which the server 30 is not used when playing the game. In other words, each communication terminal has something equivalent to the game result details database 33. That is, this is a case in which the game result storage means is provided inside the communication terminal. Note that the POI database 31 and the friend information database 32 may be provided on a server or the like outside the communication terminal, or may be provided by each communication terminal.

First, in step S801, the question-setting terminal creates game information including the quiz question, answer, message, store information, product information, and transmission destination, and proceeds to step S802. That is, the flowchart in FIG. 4 is executed, but when transmission is executed in step S116, steps S802 and S803 described below are executed and a message offering to place a bet on the game is sent to the transmission destination.

Next, in step S802, a Game ID is assigned to the game information created in step S801 and registered in a local game result details database (hereinafter, the question setting database) held by the question setting terminal, and the process proceeds to step S803. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, game information (question setting date, question setter, answerer, question content, correct answer, POI ID, product) is registered for each Game ID. In other words, only information generated by the question setting terminal is registered in the question setting database, and information generated by the answering terminal, such as results, is registered later. Note that the Game ID is generated so that it is unique not only to itself but also to the answering terminal, for example by including a timestamp.

Next, in step S803, the Game ID and game information assigned in step S803 are sent to the answer terminal, and the process proceeds to step S804. By executing this step, a message to request a bet on the game is sent to the answer terminal. In this embodiment, the details registered in the question setting database are sent from the network communication unit 17 together with the Game ID.

Next, in step S804, the answer terminal receives the Game ID and game information sent from the question setting terminal and proceeds to step S805. In other words, the network communication unit 27 receives the Game ID and game information.

Next, in step S805, the Game ID and game information received in step S804 are registered in the answering terminal's local game result details database (hereinafter, the answering side database), and the process proceeds to step S806.

Next, in step S806, the game is displayed and executed, and the process proceeds to step S807. In this step, operations equivalent to steps S201 to S208 in FIG. 5 are executed. That is, the display unit 14 of the answer terminal displays information about the application for the game, the details of the game (quiz), store information, and information about the product to be bet on, confirms whether the player agrees to the game, outputs the question as audio, inputs the answer as audio, and confirms the answer.

Next, in step S807, a correct/incorrect judgment is performed and displayed, and the process proceeds to step S808. In this step, the correct/incorrect judgment of the answer entered by the user is searched for in the answer database, the correct/incorrect result is judged, and the result is displayed on the display unit 24. In other words, the operations corresponding to steps S209 to S212 in FIG. 5 are executed, and a correct/incorrect judgment is made, and a message is displayed and an action is taken that is set depending on whether the answer is correct or incorrect.

Next, in step S808, the answer database is updated based on the correct/incorrect result determined in step S807 and the input answer, and the process proceeds to step S809. In this step, an operation equivalent to step S213 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is executed.

Next, in step S809, the Game ID and the game result (the input answer, correct/incorrect result, answer date, etc.) are sent to the question setting terminal, and the process proceeds to step S810. In this step, an operation equivalent to step S214 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is executed. In other words, the Game ID and the game result are sent from the network communication unit 27.

Next, in step S810, the question-setting terminal receives the Game ID and game result sent from the answer terminal and proceeds to step S811. In other words, the network communication unit 17 receives the Game ID and game result.

Next, in step S811, the question setting database is updated based on the Game ID and game results received in step S810, and the process proceeds to step S812.

Next, in step S812, the game result received in step S810 is displayed on the display unit 14. In this way, the question setting terminal can know the game result, and the same data is registered and synchronized in both the question setting database and the answering database.

In this embodiment, the game (quiz) is executed by directly transmitting and receiving game information between communication terminal 10 and communication terminal 20 without going through a server, so there is no need to set up an external server to execute the game or to refer to the history, and bets can be made using the game using only the communication terminal.

In the above three examples, the case where there is only one answer terminal has been described, but for example, in the case of a quiz, it is possible to give questions to multiple people at the same time. In other words, there may be multiple answer terminals. In that case, the game result details database 33 simply assigns an individual Game ID to each answerer.

In the three embodiments described above, the quiz had one question, but it may have multiple questions. In that case, the winner may be determined by answering all questions correctly, or by answering more than half of the questions correctly. Alternatively, the winner may be determined for each question. In addition, multiple products or services may be prepared as rewards that can be obtained as a result of the bet, and the number of products the answerer obtains may vary depending on the number of correct answers, or the grade of the products or services may increase as the number of correct answers increases (more toppings on pizza, more expensive wine, more points obtained, etc.). Alternatively, the products or services may change for each question.

A specific example of changing the product or service (benefit) for each question is not simply to have a different product or service for each question, but to set a level of difficulty for each question and change the product or service depending on the level of difficulty.

In addition, the products and services that are rewards obtained as a result of a bet are not necessarily specified by the question setter, but may be presented as recommendations, etc., taking into consideration the user's preferences. In addition, if there are high-priority products or services sponsored by a selected store or other commercial facility, those products or services may be presented preferentially.

Also, the quiz created by the question setter may be sent to the server 30 first, and the server may analyze the content of the quiz and present recommended stores, products, etc. to the question setter. For example, if a specific word is included in the quiz content, the analysis of the quiz content may involve searching for the word in the categories, subcategories, and menus of the POI database 31, or searching a database that associates words with stores, products, etc. in advance.

In addition, if the answerer does not want the product or service specified as a special benefit by the question setter, the answerer may be able to change the product or service. In this case, the question setter must obtain consent. Alternatively, the question setter may prepare multiple commercial facilities or multiple products and send them to the answerer, allowing the answerer to select the commercial facility or product they prefer.

In addition, in the three embodiments described above, if the question setter wins (the answerer gives an incorrect answer), the answerer treats the question setter (the question setter gets the product specified by the question setter), and if the answerer wins (the answerer gives the correct answer), the question setter treats the answerer (the answerer gets the product specified by the question setter), but it is also possible to allow the answerer to specify the product.

In the above case, for example, the question setter specifies product A from store A and asks the answerer a quiz, the answerer specifies product b from store A and replies to the question setter, and if the question setter agrees, the answerer takes the quiz. If the question setter wins, the question setter will get product b specified by the answerer, and if the question setter wins, the answerer will get product a specified by the question setter. Alternatively, if the question setter wins, the question setter will get product a specified by the question setter, and if the question setter wins, the answerer will get product b specified by the question setter. Note that in this example, the stores are the same, but of course they can be different.

Also, the question setter and answerer may switch positions and ask each other one question, and even if the answerer answers the first question incorrectly, if the answerer answers the next question set by the question setter incorrectly, it may be considered a draw and no bonus based on the bet may be awarded. Note that the method of determining a draw is not limited to the above-mentioned method in which the question setter and answerer switch positions and ask each other one question, but may also be a draw if the question setter asks two questions and the answerer has one win and one loss.

In addition, quizzes are not limited to individual general users setting quizzes for their friends; a person associated with a commercial facility may set the quiz for an unspecified number of users. In this case, the goods or services may be provided by the commercial facility setting the quiz, and if the user wins, the commercial facility may provide the goods or services.

In addition, it is sufficient that at least the contestant (the party on whom the bet is made) can obtain the prize or other benefit for which they are betting. For example, if the contestant answers the quiz incorrectly, there is no need to give any benefit to the question setter, and it is possible for the contestant to simply not receive any benefit.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments, a quiz has been used as an example of a competitive game, but it is not limited to a quiz, and other competitive games such as playing cards or puzzle games may be used as long as they are games in which a winner is decided. In addition, the game system is not limited to a game installed on a communication terminal, but may be a game installed on a server and the communication terminal accesses the server.

In the above embodiment, the point of interest (POI) is a commercial facility, and the reward is a product or service provided at the commercial facility. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The POI may be a public facility such as a park or a private home, and the reward may be the possessions of the person placing the bet (such as a book or CD) or a home-cooked meal.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the following communication terminals 10, 20 and communication methods are obtained.

(Supplementary Note 1) In a communication terminal 20 that is communicably connected to at least one communication terminal 10 via a network,
a network communication unit 27 for receiving information on a competitive game in which a player competes against the communication terminal 10, information on players competing in the competitive game, information on benefits obtained as a result of the competitive game, and location information on a location where the benefits are to be exchanged;
a microphone 22 for inputting information required to play a competitive game indicated by competitive game information acquired by a network communication unit 27;
A CPU 28 that acquires a winning or losing result of the competitive game;
a network communication unit 27 that outputs competitive game information, player information, bonus information, position information, and winning/losing results in association with each other;
A communication terminal 20 comprising:

(Supplementary Note 2) A communication method for a communication terminal 20 communicably connected to at least one communication terminal 10 via a network,
A step S201 of receiving information on a competitive game in which a player competes against the communication terminal 10, information on players competing in the competitive game, information on a benefit obtained as a result of the competitive game, and location information on a location where the benefit will be delivered;
Step S206: inputting information for playing the competitive game indicated by the competitive game information received in step S201;
A step S209 of acquiring a result of the competitive game;
a step S213 of outputting the competitive game information, the competitor information, the bonus information, the position information, and the winning/losing result in association with each other;
A communication method comprising:

With this communication terminal 20 and communication method, the bonus and the delivery location are received when playing the game, so there is no need for players to contact each other separately to decide on the bonus and the delivery location, and when a bet on a competitive game is applied for from the communication terminal 10, the players can concretely imagine the bonus and the delivery location.

(Supplementary Note 3) In a communication terminal 10 that is communicably connected to at least one communication terminal 20 via a network,
A microphone 12 for designating a competitive game to be played against a communication terminal 20;
A microphone 12 for designating an opponent to play the competitive game;
A microphone 12 for designating a reward to be obtained as a result of the competitive game;
A microphone 12 for designating a location where the benefit is to be delivered;
a network communication unit 17 for transmitting competitive game information, which is information on the competitive game designated by the microphone 12, opponent information, which notifies the opponent designated by the microphone 12 of information on the opponent who will compete in the competitive game, privilege information, which is information on the privilege designated by the microphone 12, and position information of the privilege delivery location designated by the microphone 12;
A microphone 12 for inputting information for playing a competitive game designated by the microphone 12;
A network communication unit 17 that acquires the results of the competitive game;
A communication terminal 10 comprising:

(Supplementary Note 4) A communication method for a communication terminal 10 communicably connected to at least one communication terminal 20 via a network,
A step S101 of designating a competitive game to be played against the communication terminal 20;
A step S111 of designating an opponent to play the competitive game;
A step S109 for specifying a benefit to be obtained as a result of the competitive game;
Step S107: specifying a location for receiving the benefit;
a step S116 for transmitting competitive game information which is information on the competitive game designated in step S101, opponent information for notifying the opponent designated in step S111 of the information on the opponent who will compete in the competitive game, privilege information which is information on the privilege designated in step S109, and location information of the privilege delivery location designated in step S107;
Steps S101 and S103 for inputting information for playing the competitive game specified in step S101;
A step S315 of acquiring a result of the competitive game;
A communication terminal comprising:

With this communication terminal 20 and communication method, the bonus and the delivery location are transmitted when playing the game, so there is no need for players to contact each other separately to decide on the bonus and the delivery location, and the bonus and the delivery location can be specifically specified when placing a bet on a competitive game on the communication terminal 20.

The above-mentioned examples merely show typical forms of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various modifications without departing from the gist of the invention.

10 Communication terminal 12 Microphone (game designation means, opponent designation means, benefit designation means, handover location designation means, second input means, second destination setting means)
14 Display unit (second output means)
15 GPS (second current location information acquisition means)
17 network communication unit (second transmission means, second winning/losing result acquisition means, second receiving means, second map data acquisition means, second game history acquisition means)
18 CPU (second guide means)
20 Communication terminal 22 Microphone (first input means, first destination setting means)
24 Display unit (first output means)
25 GPS (first current location information acquisition means)
27 network communication unit (first receiving means, game result output means, first transmitting means, first map data acquiring means, first game history acquiring means)
28 CPU (first winning/losing result acquisition means, first determination means, first guidance means)
30 Server (information processing device)
33 Game result details database (game result storage means, game content storage means)
35 CPU 35 (first control unit, second control unit)
S101: Voice input instruction for creating quiz questions (game designation step, second input step)
S103: Voice input instruction for quiz answer (second input step)
S107: Store voice input instruction (delivery location designation step)
S109: Voice input instruction for betting product (special offer designation process)
S111: Voice input instruction of destination (opponent designation step)
S116 Transmission (second transmission step)
S201: Has a message with a game been received? (First receiving step)
S206: Was the answer input by voice? (First input step)
S209: After the voice recognition, the answer and the correct answer are judged to be correct or incorrect (first winning or losing result acquisition step)
S213: Register the game details, results, bet shop, and product in the DB (game result output process).
S315 Acquire and display game results (second winning or losing result acquisition step)

Claims (1)

A communication terminal communicatively connected to at least one other communication terminal via a network,
a first receiving means for receiving competitive game information in which a game is played against another communication terminal, information on players competing in the competitive game, information on benefits obtained as a result of the competitive game, and location information on a location for receiving and exchanging the benefits;
a first input means for performing an input for playing the competitive game indicated by the competitive game information acquired by the first receiving means;
a first winning/losing result acquisition means for acquiring a winning/losing result of the competitive game;
a game result output means for outputting the competitive game information, the player information, the bonus information, the position information, and the win/loss result in association with each other;
A communication terminal comprising:

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