JP5661862B2 - Communication terminal, communication terminal control method, program, and information storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a communication method, a program, and an information storage medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game system is known in which game data is directly exchanged by performing relatively short-range wireless communication between game terminals. According to such a game system, a situation occurs in which game data is directly exchanged between users of game terminals, so that strangers can exchange game data without burden. Moreover, it becomes possible to realize the existence of other users who are in the same living area.

  Regardless of whether short-range wireless communication is used or not, it is possible to realize the presence of other users in the same living area through communication between game terminals, thereby improving user convenience. However, there may be a user who does not want other users to know that he / she is at a specific place. This applies not only to communication between game terminals but also to communication between general information processing terminals.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one of its purposes is to prevent other users from knowing that a place designated by a user is at that place. It is in.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication system according to the present invention includes a position acquisition unit that acquires a position from a user terminal, and a user who provides information to a provision destination user terminal that is a user terminal that provides information. Information providing means for providing information related to a providing source user terminal that is a terminal, and the information providing means depends on a position acquired from the providing destination user terminal and a position acquired from the providing source user terminal, Control whether to provide information about the provider user terminal to the provider user terminal, and the position acquired from the provider user terminal used for the control is set by the user of the provider user terminal It is a position outside the region.

  In addition, the communication method according to the present invention includes a location acquisition step of acquiring a location from a user terminal, and a provider user that is a user terminal that provides information to a provider user terminal that is a user terminal that provides information. An information providing step for providing information about the terminal, wherein the information providing step relates to the providing user terminal according to a position acquired from the providing user terminal and a position acquired from the providing user terminal. Whether to provide information to the provision destination user terminal, the position acquired from the provision source user terminal used for the control is a position outside the region set by the user of the provision source user terminal. It is characterized by that.

  The program according to the present invention also relates to a location acquisition unit that acquires a location from a user terminal, a provider user terminal that is a user terminal that provides information to a provider user terminal that is a user terminal that provides information. The computer functions as information providing means for providing information, and the information providing means relates to the providing user terminal according to a position acquired from the providing user terminal and a position acquired from the providing user terminal. Whether to provide information to the provision destination user terminal, the position acquired from the provision source user terminal used for the control is a position outside the region set by the user of the provision source user terminal. It is characterized by that.

  Also, the information storage medium according to the present invention provides a location acquisition unit that acquires a location from a user terminal, a provider user that is a user terminal that provides information to a provider user terminal that is a user terminal that provides information. The computer functions as information providing means for providing information about the terminal, and the information providing means is configured to provide the providing user according to a position acquired from the providing user terminal and a position acquired from the providing user terminal. Control whether to provide information related to the terminal to the destination user terminal, and the position acquired from the source user terminal used for the control is a position outside the region set by the user of the source user terminal A computer-readable information storage medium storing a program characterized by

  According to the present invention, the position in the area set by the user of the providing user terminal is not used for controlling whether or not information related to the providing user terminal is provided to the providing user terminal. It is possible to prevent other users from knowing that the user is at the place.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the position acquisition unit does not acquire a position in an area set by a user of the provider user terminal from the provider user terminal as a position used for the control.

  Moreover, in one aspect of the present invention, the position acquisition unit includes a position where a distance from a position set by a user of the source user terminal is within a predetermined range as a position used for the control. It is not obtained from the terminal.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the communication system includes the provider user terminal, and the provider user terminal includes a transmission unit that transmits a location to a server that provides information to the provider user terminal. The transmission means does not transmit the position in the area set by the provider user terminal as the position used for the control to the server.

  Moreover, in one aspect of the present invention, the provider user terminal further includes positioning means that sequentially measures the position of the provider user terminal and stores the measured position in the position storage means in sequence, and the transmission The means includes, as a position used for the control, at least a part of a measurement result representing a position outside the area set by the user of the providing user terminal among the plurality of measurement results stored in the position storage means. It transmits to the said server, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a user terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of a main menu image. It is a figure which shows an example of a main menu image. It is a figure which shows an example of a movement path | route image. It is a figure which shows switching from a main menu image to a movement path | route image. It is a figure which shows an example of a radar image. It is a figure which shows an example of a ranking image. It is a figure which shows an example of a title profile image. It is a figure which shows an example of a friend image. It is a figure which shows an example of a status image. It is a figure which shows an example of a setting image. It is a figure which shows an example of a public setting image. It is a figure which shows an example of a privacy area setting image. It is a figure which shows switching from a title profile image to a radar image. It is a figure which shows an example of the main menu image redisplayed. It is a figure explaining arrangement | positioning of the record contained in a movement path | route image. It is a figure explaining arrangement | positioning of the record contained in a movement path | route image. It is a functional block diagram of a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the structure of a display control part. It is a figure which shows typically the content of a position coordinate memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows typically the content of the game performance data storage part. It is a flowchart explaining transmission processing, such as a position coordinate. It is a functional block diagram of a user location management server. It is a figure which shows typically the content of the title ID memory | storage part for every area | region. It is a figure which shows typically the content of the user ID memory | storage part for every area | region. It is a figure which shows the content of a user information storage part typically. It is a flowchart which shows the production | generation process of a movement route image. It is a flowchart explaining an image switching process. It is a figure which shows an example of a display image management table.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in this communication system, a user location management server 12, an information server 14, and a plurality of user terminals (information processing devices) 16 are connected to a computer communication network 10 such as the Internet. For example, the user location management server 12 and the information server 14 are configured around a known server computer. The user terminal 16 is a portable computer game system driven by a battery. As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 16 has a touch screen 16a on the front surface and uses the GPS (Global Positioning System). A positioning unit 16b for measuring the position (latitude and longitude) of the terminal 16, a mobile phone communication unit 16c for performing data communication using a mobile phone network, and a wireless LAN for performing data communication using a wireless LAN A communication unit 16d is incorporated. The user terminal 16 selectively uses the mobile phone communication unit 16c or the wireless LAN communication unit 16d according to the communication environment, and connects to the computer communication network 10 to perform data communication with the user location management server 12 and the information server 14. It can be done.

  The user terminal 16 repeatedly measures the position of its own device using satellite signals and holds the positioning results. As will be described later, the user terminal 16 may perform positioning by other methods. The user terminal 16 also holds data indicating the execution results of the game program, and the positioning results and the game execution results data are managed according to the user operation or automatically at regular intervals. Uploaded to the server 12. The user location management server 12 holds the positioning result and execution result data uploaded from a large number of user terminals 16 in this way. In each user terminal 16, the information thus held in the user location management server 12 and Based on the positioning result held in the machine, an image (see FIG. 5) showing the movement route of the user terminal 16 is displayed on the touch screen 16a.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a main menu image displayed on the touch screen 16 a of the user terminal 16. The image is first displayed after the user terminal 16 is activated and the application program is executed. The image 20 displays a mount 20 representing a mount, and buttons 22, 24, 26 arranged thereon. , 28, 32 and message 30 are also represented. The buttons 22, 24, 26, 28, 32 and the message 30 are arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space apart from the mount 20, and the main menu image is displayed on these objects from the camera virtually arranged in the same space. It shows a state of seeing. This image is generated using a known three-dimensional computer graphics technique. At this time, the user immediately understands that a shadow is drawn on the side of the buttons 22, 24, 26, 28, 32 and the message 30, and that the user is floating above the mount 20 (virtual camera side). Can do. In the present embodiment, these objects floating above the mount 20 indicate that the user can operate as buttons by tapping the touch screen 16a. After the main menu image is displayed, the program (display control unit 70) determines whether the program associated with each button 22, 24, 26, 28, 32 and message 30 can be executed at regular time intervals. If it is determined that they can be executed, they are separated from the mount 20 by a predetermined distance ("execution distance") as shown in FIG. Until it is determined that it can be executed, it is close to the mount 20 like the button 26 shown in FIG. Specifically, the buttons 22, 24, 26, 28, 32 or the message 30 for which the related program is not executable are in contact with the mount 20 or shorter than the execution distance (“non-execution distance”). Only separated.

  Here, the button 22 is for displaying the above-described movement path image, the button 24 is for displaying a friend image described later, and the button 26 is for displaying a status image. The button 28 is for displaying a setting image. The message 30 displays information related to each button 22, 24, 26, 28. By tapping the area of the message 30, the details of the message 30 can also be displayed. The button 32 is for uploading the above-described positioning result and game performance data to the user position management server 12. The button 32 is arranged away from the mount 20 by the execution distance when the data can be uploaded, and until then, the button 32 is arranged in contact with the mount 20 or away from the non-execution distance. Whether or not data can be uploaded is determined by whether or not data communication is possible by the mobile phone communication unit 16c or the wireless LAN unit 16d and whether or not there is data to be uploaded.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the movement path image. This image is displayed when the button 22 included in the main menu image shown in FIG. 4 is tapped. The entire movement path image is actually a vertically long shape, and only the display range set as a part thereof is displayed on the touch screen 16a. Then, when the user performs a predetermined operation such as flicking on the touch screen 16a, the display range can be moved, and thereby any part of the entire movement path image can be displayed on the touch screen 16a. it can.

  The user terminal 16 repeatedly measures its own position and holds these measured positions. In the movement route image, an address character string indicating a held position and a record frame 34 in which the measurement date and time are shown are shown in the order of measurement. That is, newer measurement results are shown above. These record frames 34 float above the mount 46 and can be tapped. Here, as the information indicating the measured position, the record frame 34 in which the address character string and the measurement date and time are represented is adopted. However, the record frame 34 in which only the address character string is represented may be used. It may be a column only. Further, the address character string may be expressed up to an address, or may be only an administrative division name such as a state, a prefecture, a city, a town, and a village. Moreover, you may employ | adopt the icon in which the symbol which shows a position was represented as information which shows the measured position. As will be described later, these pieces of information can be obtained by converting the measured positions.

  The user terminal 16 repeats and measures its own position by the positioning unit 16b, but only when the newly measured position is more than a predetermined distance (for example, 2 km) away from the latest position that is already held. The newly measured position is held. Conversely, if the newly measured position is less than a predetermined distance from the latest position that is already held, the newly measured position is not held. Further, the user terminal 16 holds a predetermined number of positioning results (for example, 20), and among them, a part of positioning results meaningful for representing the movement route of the user terminal 16 is selected. For example, an evaluation value that is an increase function of the elapsed time from the previous positioning time and the distance from the previously positioned position is calculated for each positioning result, and a predetermined number (for example, 10) is selected from the higher rank. Then, only the record frame 34 corresponding to the selected positioning result is included in the movement route image. In this way, only significant movement can be represented in the movement path image, and the movement path image can be easily understood. Moreover, useless display can be suppressed and the touch screen 16a can be used efficiently.

  In addition, a situation image 34 a is shown at the left end of each record frame 34. This situation image 34a shows the number of other user terminals 16 that have uploaded the same position to the user position management server 12, the position that the user terminal 16 has measured and uploaded to the user position management server 12, and the user of another user who is a friend Whether or not the terminal 16 is also measured and uploaded to the user position management server 12 is shown. Thereby, it is possible to grasp at a glance how many other users possessing the user terminal 16 are at each position and whether there are friends. In each record frame 34, a title 36 of a notable game program is also displayed. Note that a button 37 is also arranged at the lower right of the movement route image. The button 37 is used to display a ranking image described later on the touch screen 16a.

  On the left side of each record frame 34, a white or black footprint image is shown. The white footprint image indicates that the corresponding record frame 34 indicates the result of automatic positioning at regular intervals. Further, the black footprint image indicates that the corresponding record frame 34 indicates the result of positioning according to the user's operation. Further, among the record frames 34, the one surrounded by a solid line indicates that the positioning result or the like has been uploaded in response to the user's operation, and the one surrounded by the solid line is an automatic operation performed at regular intervals. Indicates that it was uploaded by upload.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the vertical area at the left end of the screen of the touch screen 16 a is a tab area 42, and tab images 38 and 40 are displayed in the tab area 42. The tab images 38 and 40 are arranged in the display order from the top. The right side of the tab area 42 is a main area 44. Here, a moving route image is arranged. A plurality of tab images 38 and 40 are displayed in the tab area 42, and the tab image 38 associated with the main menu image is arranged at the top, and is associated with the image currently displayed in the main area 44. The tab image 40 is arranged at the bottom. In each tab image 38, 40, an image indicating which image they are associated with is displayed as an icon.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the button 22 is touched in the main menu image shown in FIG. 3, the moving path image and the tab image 40 connected thereto appear from the right end of the touch screen 16a. These images slide to the left, and the movement path image covers the main menu image. As a result, a moving path image is displayed in the main area 44 instead of the main menu image. The tab image 40 enters the tab area 42. Other images described later appear on the touch screen 16a in the same manner. Note that the tab image 38 associated with the main menu image appears at the top of the tab area 42 when any image other than the main menu image is displayed in the main area 44.

  FIG. 7 shows a radar image displayed on the touch screen 16a when the record frame 34 is tapped in the movement path image of FIG. The radar image also appears from the right end of the touch screen 16a together with the tab image 54, like the movement path image. A black circle indicating itself is shown in the center of the radar image, and an avatar image 48 of another user whose privacy setting is “open” is shown around the radar image. The avatar image 48 is arranged so as to float on the mount 50 and can be tapped. The radar image also shows a small image 52 that implies the presence of another user whose privacy setting is “private”. Here, the display position of the avatar image 48 on the touch screen 16a is determined based on the position actually measured by the positioning unit 16b. That is, based on the position measured by the positioning unit 16b and uploaded to the user position management server 12, the relative position of the user related to other “public” is calculated based on his / her position, and the calculated relative The display position of each avatar image 48 on the touch screen 16a is determined based on the target position. On the other hand, the display position of the small image 52 on the touch screen 16a is determined according to a random number.

  FIG. 8 shows a ranking image displayed on the touch screen 16a when the user taps the button 37 in the radar image of FIG. This image is also displayed when the button 37 included in the movement path image of FIG. 5 is tapped. Each element arranged in the ranking image is arranged on the mount 55. As shown in the figure, the title of the game program played on the user terminal 16 that has uploaded the same position as the user of the user terminal 16 to the user position management server 12 is displayed in the ranking image. Each title is displayed in order of the number of user terminals 16 that have played the game program of the title. On the right side of each title, the number of user terminals 16 on which the game program of the title is played is displayed. The ranking image is also vertically long as a whole, and only the display range set as a part thereof is displayed on the touch screen 16a. The display range can be moved by the user performing a predetermined operation such as flicking on the touch screen 16a.

  FIG. 9 shows a title profile image displayed on the touch screen 16a when the title 36 of any game program is tapped in the ranking image of FIG. This image is also displayed when any of the titles 36 is tapped in the moving path image of FIG. 5 or the radar image of FIG. The title profile image includes an information column indicating the evaluation and play status of other users regarding the game program. The contents of the information column are received from the information server 14, for example. The title profile image includes buttons 100, 102, and 104 arranged on the mount 57. When the button 100 is tapped, the web browser is activated and the web site of the electronic commerce site where the game title can be purchased. The page is displayed on the touch screen 16a. When the button 102 is tapped, the web browser is activated and the search site is accessed using the game title as a search character. Then, a list of sites that distribute information related to the game title is displayed on the touch screen 16a. When the button 104 is tapped, the web browser is activated and the map site is accessed. Then, a map showing the location of the store selling the game title software is displayed on the touch screen 16a. The title profile image is also vertically long, and only the display range set as a part thereof is displayed on the touch screen 16a. The display range can be moved by the user performing a predetermined operation such as flicking on the touch screen 16a.

  FIG. 10 shows a friend image displayed on the touch screen 16a when the button 24 shown in the main menu image of FIG. 3 is tapped. As shown in the figure, the friend image shows the latest information about each friend. The latest information is received from the information server 14, for example. The friend image is also vertically long, and only the display range set as a part thereof is displayed on the touch screen 16a. The display range can be moved by the user performing a predetermined operation such as flicking on the touch screen 16a. A tab image 106 is also connected to the friend image.

  FIG. 11 shows a status image displayed on the touch screen 16a when the button 26 shown in the main menu image of FIG. 3 is tapped. The status image indicates information such as the number of positions uploaded to the user position management server 12 and the total movement distance. These pieces of information are received from the information server 14 or calculated at the user terminal 16. A tab image 108 is also connected to the status image.

  FIG. 12 shows a setting image displayed on the touch screen 16a when the button 28 shown in the main menu image of FIG. 3 is tapped. A tab image 110 is also connected to the setting image.

  When the user taps an area displayed as “public setting” in the setting image, the public setting image illustrated in FIG. 13 is displayed on the touch screen 16a. Here, the user can switch the private setting to “public” or “private” by tapping the check box arranged on the right side of the area where “public online ID” is displayed. It can be done. A tab image 112 is also connected to the public setting image.

  Then, when the user taps the area displayed as the privacy area of the public setting image in the state where the private setting is “public”, the privacy area setting image illustrated in FIG. 14 is displayed on the touch screen 16a. In the privacy area setting image, the user can set a predetermined number (for example, a maximum of 5 places) of privacy areas. In the present embodiment, at this time, the position coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the central point of the privacy area are stored in the user terminal 16. The tab image 114 is also connected to the privacy area setting image. In the present embodiment, the inside and outside of the privacy area are separated by a circle corresponding to a diameter of 2 km.

  Here, a procedure for displaying an image already displayed on the main area 44 using the tab image will be described. In the user terminal 16, by tapping any tab image displayed in the tab area 42, an image associated with the tab image can be displayed again in the main area 44. For example, the main menu image shown in FIG. 3, the moving path image shown in FIG. 5, the radar image shown in FIG. 7, the ranking image shown in FIG. 8, and the title profile image shown in FIG. When displayed in 44, tab images 38, 40, 54, 56, and 58 corresponding to those images are displayed in the tab area 42 in order from the top. Among these, when the tab image 54 is tapped, the display shown in FIG. 7 is restored. That is, the radar image associated with the tab image 54 designated by the user is displayed again in the main area 44. At this time, the tab images 56 and 58 appearing in the tab area 42 after the tapped tab image 54 are deleted from the tab area 42.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the title profile image slides in the right direction with the tab image 58 connected, and disappears from the right end of the touch screen 16a. In addition, after the movement of the tab image 58 and the title profile image is started and before the images disappear, the ranking image also slides to the right with the tab image 56 connected, and disappears from the right end of the touch screen. The images (mounting objects) displayed in the main area 44 in the virtual three-dimensional space are separated from each other, arranged in the display order, and the last displayed image is closest to the virtual camera side. Further, the tab image associated with each image is arranged on the same plane as the image. For this reason, when the image of the main area 44 slides, the image displayed in the main area 44 appears immediately before the image. In this way, the title profile image and the ranking image displayed in the main area 44 after the radar image associated with the tab image 54 instructed by the user are moved together with the tab images 58 and 56 in order from the newest to the user. The radar image associated with the tab image 54 instructed by can be displayed again in the main area 44. In this way, the user can understand how the image displayed in the main area 44 has been switched.

  When the tab image 38 displayed in the tab area 42 is tapped, the main menu image associated therewith is displayed again in the main area 44 as shown in FIG. At this time, the tab image 38 displayed in the tab area 42 is deleted. Of the buttons 22, 24, 26, and 28 shown in the main menu image, those that have already been tapped are replaced with a reduced version of the image displayed in the main area 44 immediately before. Even if this reduced image is tapped, the moving path image, the friend image, the status image, and the setting image can be displayed in the main area 44 in the same manner. By displaying the reduced image, it is possible to immediately understand what kind of work the user was doing. When displaying a tab image exceeding a predetermined number in the tab area 42, they are virtually arranged side by side in a plane and only a predetermined number of adjacent tab images are displayed in the tab area 42. Let Then, by flicking the tab area 42, another predetermined number of tab images can be displayed in the tab area 42. In this way, an arbitrary tab image can be displayed in the tab area 42 by flicking, and an arbitrary image can be displayed again in the main area 44 by tapping the tab image. Even when a tab image exceeding the predetermined number is displayed in the tab area 42, the size of each tab image is not reduced, so that the user can easily tap on the images.

  Here, a process for determining the position of each record frame 34 in the moving route image shown in FIG. 5 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the record frames 34 are arranged so as to be shifted in the left-right direction and arranged side by side in the up-down direction. And the shift | offset | difference of the left-right direction has shown positioning time. The interval between the adjacent record frames 34 indicates whether the distance between the positions corresponding to the record frames 34 and the positioning time straddle a predetermined time (3 am).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 17, the display position of the record frame 34 has a predetermined width in the left-right direction, and the left end corresponds to a predetermined reference time and the right end corresponds to a time when 24 hours have elapsed from there. Yes. And when displaying the record frame 34, the positioning time corresponding to the record frame 34 is acquired, and it is calculated where the positioning time is located within the width in the left-right direction. At this time, the left end may be the predetermined reference time, the right end may be a time when 24 hours have passed from there, and the distance from the left end and the elapsed time from the predetermined reference time may have a linear relationship. Specifically, the position to the right of α% from the end may correspond to the time when 24 hours × α% has elapsed from the predetermined reference time. In this way, it is possible to grasp the approximate positioning time just by looking at the display position of the record frame 34 in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 18, if the interval between the position coordinates corresponding to each of the adjacent record frames 34 is less than a predetermined distance (for example, 10 km), the interval between the record frames 34 is set to zero. That is, both are displayed next to each other. For example, in FIG. 18, the distance between the position coordinates corresponding to the record frames 34-2 and 34-3 does not exceed 10 km, and both are displayed adjacent to each other without a gap.

  If the interval between the position coordinates corresponding to each of the adjacent record frames 34 is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance, the interval is linearly increased according to the amount exceeding the predetermined distance. At this time, the interval between the record frames 34 is prevented from exceeding a predetermined upper limit interval Wmax. For example, in FIG. 18, the distance between the position coordinates corresponding to the record frames 34-1 and 34-2 is 10 km or more, and both of them are a distance W1 obtained by multiplying a value exceeding 10 km by a predetermined coefficient (W1 ≦ Wmax ) Are displayed apart.

  Furthermore, if the positioning time corresponding to each of the adjacent record frames 34 straddles a predetermined time (for example, 3 am), the interval is expanded by a predetermined ratio (for example, 20%) of the upper limit interval Wmax. Also at this time, the interval of the record frames 34 is made not to exceed the predetermined upper limit interval Wmax. For example, in FIG. 18, the distance between the position coordinates corresponding to the record frames 34-3 and 34-4 is less than 10 km, but the positioning time is over 3 am. They are separated by a distance W2 (W2 ≦ Wmax) corresponding to a predetermined ratio. As described above, only by looking at the interval between the record frames 34, the interval between the position coordinates corresponding to each record frame 34 and the positioning date can be known.

  The configuration of the communication system described above will be described in further detail. 19 and 20 are functional block diagrams of the user terminal 16. As shown in FIG. 19, the user terminal 16 functionally includes a positioning unit 60, a position coordinate storage unit 62, a setting information storage unit 63, a position coordinate transmission unit 64, an application execution unit 66, a game performance storage unit 68, and display control. Unit 70 and item communication unit 72. As shown in FIG. 20, the display control unit 70 includes a travel route image generation unit 70a, a friend image generation unit 70b, a ranking image generation unit 70c, a radar image generation unit 70d, a title profile image generation unit 70e, and a status image generation unit 70f. A setting image generation unit 70g is included. These functions are realized by executing the program according to the embodiment of the present invention on the user terminal 16 which is a computer game system. This program may be downloaded from another computer via the computer communication network 10, or may be stored in a computer-readable information storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, and installed in the user terminal 16 therefrom. . In this case, the user terminal 16 has a built-in or externally mounted medium reading device for reading a program from the medium.

  First, the positioning unit 60 is configured with the positioning unit 16b as the center. The positioning unit 16b is activated periodically (for example, every 30 minutes) to receive satellite signals (GPS signals), and position coordinates (latitude and latitude) are received therefrom. Longitude). Even when the user explicitly instructs positioning using the touch screen 16a, the positioning unit 16b may be activated to receive satellite signals and generate position coordinates therefrom. Alternatively, the positioning unit 60 may acquire the position coordinates of the user terminal 16 based on the identification information of the wireless access point that can communicate with the wireless LAN communication unit 16d and other necessary information. For example, in a server (not shown) connected to the computer communication network 10, the wireless access point identification information and the position coordinates are stored in association with each other, and the positioning unit 60 transmits the identification information to the server, thereby identifying the identification information. Get the position coordinates associated with. The positioning unit 60 transmits identification information of a plurality of wireless access points and the strength of radio waves from each wireless access point to the server, and the server weights the radio wave strength and synthesizes the position coordinates of each wireless access point. The position coordinates may be calculated and returned to the positioning unit 60. Similarly, the position coordinates of the user terminal 16 may be acquired based on identification information of the mobile phone base station that can communicate with the mobile phone communication unit 16c and other necessary information. Instead of acquiring the position coordinates by the positioning unit 60 and transmitting it to the user position management server 12, the wireless access point or mobile phone base station identification information and other necessary information are transmitted to the user position management server 12. The user position management server 12 may acquire position coordinates corresponding to the information.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the position coordinate storage unit 62 stores a predetermined number (for example, 20) of position coordinates and the measurement date and time of the position coordinates in association with each other. Each time the positioning unit 60 generates the position coordinates, the positioning unit 60 reads the position coordinates stored last in the position coordinate storage unit 62, and calculates the distance between the newly generated position coordinates and the read position coordinates. . And if it is more than predetermined distance (for example, 2 km), the newly generated position coordinate will be memorize | stored in the position coordinate memory | storage part 62 with the measurement date of this position coordinate. At this time, a set of position coordinates and measurement date / time exceeding a predetermined number of days (for example, 7 days) from the measurement date / time is deleted. If the predetermined number of position coordinates and measurement date / time pairs not exceeding the predetermined number of days from the measurement date / time are already stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62, the oldest position coordinate / measurement date / time pair is deleted, The newly generated position coordinates are stored together with the measurement date and time. On the other hand, if the distance between the newly generated position coordinates and the read position coordinates is less than the predetermined distance, the position coordinates are not stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62 but discarded.

  The application execution unit 66 executes an application program such as a game program. The application program may be downloaded from another computer via the computer communication network 10, or may be stored in a computer-readable information storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM and installed in the user terminal 16 therefrom. .

  As shown in FIG. 22, the game result storage unit 68 stores the title ID, viewing level, total play time, and last play date and time of a predetermined number (for example, five) of game programs recently executed by the application execution unit 66 in association with each other. To do. The title ID is information for identifying individual game programs. The total play time is the total time that the game program has been played so far. The viewing level is information indicating how much the user is enthusiastic about the game, and is calculated from information such as the difference between the release date of the game program and the current date and the total play time. The last play date / time is the date / time (start date / time or end date / time) at which the game program was last played.

  The setting information storage unit 63 stores various types of information representing settings related to the user. Specifically, in the setting information storage unit 63, for example, privacy setting data representing a user's privacy setting (for example, a value takes a value of “public” or “private”), and a maximum of five, Privacy area center position data representing the position coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the center point of the privacy area is stored. The user sets the values of the privacy setting data and the privacy area center position data stored in the setting information storage unit 63 by operating the public setting image and the privacy area setting image displayed on the touch screen 16a. Can be done.

  The position coordinate transmission unit 64 includes a set of a plurality of position coordinates and measurement dates and times stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62, title IDs and viewing levels of a predetermined number of game programs stored in the game result storage unit 68, The set of the total play time is transmitted to the user location management server 12 using the mobile phone communication unit 16c or the wireless LAN communication unit 16d. This transmission may be performed when the user explicitly instructs transmission using the touch screen 16a.

  Here, an example of transmission processing of the position coordinates and the like to the user position management server 12 by the position coordinate transmission unit 64 will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG.

  First, the position coordinate transmission unit 64 reads each position coordinate and measurement date and time stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62 (S101). Then, the position coordinate transmission unit 64 selects a predetermined number of sets of position coordinates and measurement date / time suitable for representing the user's movement route as described above (S102). Then, the position coordinate transmission unit 64 sets the combination of the position coordinates and the measurement date and time selected in the process shown in S102, and the title ID, viewing level, and total play of a predetermined number of game programs stored in the game performance storage unit 68. The set of time is transmitted to the user location management server 12 (S103). The process shown in S103 is referred to as an upload process for position coordinates or the like in the anonymous mode.

  Then, the position coordinate transmission unit 64 determines whether or not the user's privacy setting is “public” (S104). If it is not “public” (that is, “non-public”) (S104: N), the processing shown in this processing example is terminated. On the other hand, when it is “open” (S104: Y), the position coordinate transmission unit 64 performs the processing shown in S106 and subsequent steps in the present processing example among the set of the position coordinates and the measurement date selected in the processing shown in S102. It is confirmed whether there is a set that has not been performed (S105). If it exists (S105: Y), the position coordinate transmission unit 64 sets one of the set of position coordinates and measurement date and time that has not been subjected to the processing shown in this processing example as the processing target position coordinates and measurement date and time. A group is selected (S106). Then, the position coordinate transmission unit 64 checks whether or not the position coordinate selected in the process shown in S106 exists in any privacy area (S107). That is, the position coordinate transmission unit 64 has a position coordinate set as a value of privacy area center position data whose distance from the position coordinate selected in the process shown in S106 is within a predetermined distance (for example, 1 km). It is confirmed whether or not it exists (S107). If it exists (S107: Y), the process proceeds to S105. If it does not exist (S107: N), the position coordinate transmission unit 64 stores the set of the position coordinates and measurement date and time selected in the process shown in S106, and a predetermined number of game programs stored in the game result storage unit 68. The set of title ID, viewing level, and total play time is transmitted to the user location management server 12 in association with the user ID of the user using the user terminal 16 (S108), and the process proceeds to S105. The process shown in S108 is referred to as an upload process for position coordinates or the like in the ID disclosure mode.

  In the process shown in S105, when it is confirmed that there is no set of position coordinates and measurement date / time for which the process shown in S106 and subsequent steps in this process example is not performed (S105: N), the process shown in this process example is terminated. To do.

  It is preferable that the position coordinate transmission unit 64 displays a plurality of sets of position coordinates and measurement date / time stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62 on the touch screen 16a and confirms whether or not to transmit to the user position management server 12. It is. Furthermore, a set of position coordinates and measurement date and time that are not desired to be transmitted may be deleted so that only the remaining sets can be transmitted to the user position management server 12. Moreover, you may make a user perform the setting which omits such a confirmation. In this case, a set of a plurality of position coordinates and measurement date / time stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62 is automatically transmitted periodically (for example, once a day).

  The display control unit 70 and the item communication unit 72 will be described later.

  Next, FIG. 24 is a functional block diagram of the user location management server 12. As shown in the figure, the user location management server 12 functionally includes a position coordinate receiving unit 80, a title ID storage unit 82 for each region, a user ID storage unit 84 for each region, a user information storage unit 86, a ranking generation unit 88, Each region ranking storage unit 90, a ranking distribution unit 92, a nearby user distribution unit 94, and a user information distribution unit 96 are included. These functions are realized by executing the program according to the embodiment of the present invention on the user location management server 12 which is a computer. This program may be downloaded from another computer via the computer communication network 10, or stored in a computer-readable information storage medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, and installed in the user location management server 12 therefrom. It's okay.

  The position coordinate receiving unit 80 is transmitted from the position coordinate transmitting unit 64 of the user terminal 16 and a set of a plurality of position coordinates and measurement date and time, and a predetermined number of game performance data (program title ID, viewing level and total play time) ).

  As shown in FIG. 25, the area-specific title ID storage unit 82 stores an area ID, a time slot, and a predetermined number (for example, 20) of game performance data in association with each other. The area ID is information for specifying (designating) each mesh area when the area to be managed (for example, the entire area on the earth) is divided into a large number of meshes. The time slot is information for specifying a time range of a predetermined time (for example, 6 hours). The game performance data includes a title ID, a viewing level, and a total play time. That is, the title ID storage unit 82 for each region stores a predetermined number (for example, 20) of game record data in association with the set of region IDs and time slots. The position coordinate receiving unit 80 receives, for example, a plurality of sets of position coordinates and measurement date / time and a predetermined number of game performance data from the user terminal 16 by upload processing such as position coordinates in the anonymous mode as shown in S103 described above. Then, the area ID of the area including each received position coordinate is derived. In addition, a time slot including the received measurement date and time of each position coordinate is derived. Then, the game record data received from the user terminal 16 is stored in the title ID storage unit 82 for each region in association with the derived region ID and time slot set. At this time, if a predetermined number of pieces of game record data have already been stored in the corresponding portions of the title ID storage unit 82 for each area, the oldest game record data is deleted, and the game record data received this time is stored instead.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the user ID storage unit 84 for each area stores a user ID, a position coordinate, and a measurement date and time in association with each area ID. The position coordinate receiving unit 80, for example, a set of a plurality of position coordinates and measurement date / time associated with the user ID from the user terminal 16 by upload processing of position coordinates or the like in the ID disclosure mode as shown in S108 described above, When a set of the title ID, viewing level, and total play time of a number of game programs is received, an area ID of an area including each received position coordinate is derived. Then, the user ID of the user who uses the user terminal 16, the received position coordinates, and the measurement date and time are stored in association with the derived area ID. If a certain time (for example, one week) has passed since the measurement date and time, the position coordinates and the measurement date and time are deleted.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the user information storage unit 86 stores a user ID, latest position coordinates, measurement date and time, and a predetermined number (for example, 20) of game performance data in association with each other. The position coordinate receiving unit 80, for example, a set of a plurality of position coordinates and measurement date / time associated with the user ID by upload processing of position coordinates or the like in the ID disclosure mode as shown in S108 described above, and a predetermined number of game results When the data is received, the last acquired position coordinates, the measurement date and time, and the received predetermined number of game performance data are stored in the user information storage unit 86 in association with the user ID of the user who uses the user terminal 16. To do.

  The ranking generation unit 88 generates a ranking of game titles for each region ID in accordance with the stored contents of the region ID storage unit 82 for each region. For example, the number of game performance data stored in the title ID storage unit 82 for each region is tabulated for each title ID in association with a time slot included in a certain past period (such as one month) for each region ID. The top 10 are generated as rankings. The ranking data includes the total number of game results data (total number of players) for each title ID. Alternatively, the viewing level of the game performance data stored in the title ID storage unit 82 for each area is averaged for each title ID in association with a time slot included in a certain past period (such as one month) for each area ID, The top 10 average values are generated as rankings. This ranking data also includes the total number of game results data (total number of players) for each title ID. The generated ranking data is stored in the ranking storage unit 90 for each region in association with the region ID. Further, when receiving the position coordinates from the user terminal 16, the ranking distribution unit 92 derives the area ID of the area including the position coordinates and stores the area ID in the area-based ranking storage unit 90 in association with the derived area ID. The ranking is read out and returned to the user terminal 16.

  Upon receiving the position coordinates and the size specification of the search area from the user terminal 16, the neighboring user distribution unit 94 includes n × n (1 × 1, 3 (× 3, 5 × 5, 7 × 7, 9 × 9,..., 25 × 25, etc.) are set as search regions. Here, n is determined according to the search area size designation received from the user terminal 16. Then, a set of the user ID and the position coordinates stored in the area-specific user ID storage unit 84 in association with the area ID of each area constituting the determined search area is read and returned to the user terminal 16.

  Upon receiving the user ID from the user terminal 16, the user information distribution unit 96 returns the latest position coordinates, measurement date and time, and a predetermined number of game record data stored in the user information storage unit 86 in association with the user ID. When the user terminal 16 wants to display game titles played by a specific user on the touch screen 16a, the user terminal 16 may receive the information from the user information distribution unit 96.

  Here, display processing of various screens in the user terminal 16 will be described. As described above, the display control unit 70 of the user terminal 16 includes the movement route image generation unit 70a, the friend image generation unit 70b, the ranking image generation unit 70c, the radar image generation unit 70d, the title profile image generation unit 70e, and the status image generation. 70f and setting image generation unit 70g.

  First, the movement route image generation unit 70a generates a movement route image shown in FIG. In generating this image, first, the movement path image generation unit 70a reads each position coordinate and measurement date and time stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62 as shown in FIG. 28 (S201). Then, a set of a predetermined number of position coordinates and measurement date / time suitable for representing the user's movement route is selected as described above (S202).

  Next, the record frame 34 corresponding to the oldest measurement date and time is arranged at a predetermined position set at the bottom of the movement path image (S203). Then, a distance between the position coordinate corresponding to the next oldest measurement date and time and the position coordinate corresponding to the previous measurement date is calculated (S204). Then, the interval between the record frames 34 is provisionally determined according to the calculated distance (S205). Specifically, if the calculated distance is less than the predetermined reference distance, the provisional interval is set to zero. If the distance is equal to or greater than the predetermined reference distance, the temporary interval is set to a value obtained by multiplying the calculated distance by subtracting the predetermined reference distance and a predetermined coefficient. However, if this provisional interval exceeds the upper limit interval Wmax, the provisional interval is replaced with Wmax.

  Further, it is determined whether or not the measurement date / time has crossed a predetermined time (S206). If the measurement date / time has crossed, a predetermined ratio of the upper limit interval Wmax is added to the temporary interval to update the temporary interval (S207). Also at this time, if the updated interval exceeds the upper limit interval Wmax, the provisional interval is replaced with Wmax. The display position of the record frame 34 is determined with the provisional interval updated in this way as the final interval. That is, the display position of the record frame is determined at a position moved by the interval calculated by the processing of S204 to S207 above the position coordinates corresponding to the previous measurement date and time. At this time, the position in the left-right direction is determined according to the measurement time as shown in FIG. Then, the processing of S204 to S208 is repeated until display positions are determined for all record frames 34, and then an image of each record frame 34 is generated according to the determined display positions.

  At this time, an address character string corresponding to each position coordinate is acquired. The address character string may be stored in advance in the user terminal 16 in association with the position coordinate range, or may be stored in the information server 14 in the same manner. In the latter case, when the position coordinates are transmitted to the information server 14, the information server 14 reads the address character string associated with the range including the position coordinates and returns it to the user terminal 16. The address character string thus obtained is included in the moving route image in the order of measurement date and time together with the measurement date and time.

  Next, the movement route image generation unit 70a transmits the position coordinates selected in S202 to the user position management server 12 to request ranking. On the other hand, the ranking distribution unit 92 of the user position management server 12 derives the area ID of the area including the received position coordinates, and is stored in the per-area ranking storage unit 90 in association with the derived area ID. The ranking is read and returned to the user terminal 16. If the movement path image generation unit 70a has already received a ranking associated with the same area ID from the user position management server 12, the movement path image generation unit 70a compares the rankings. Then, the title with the highest ranking game title and the title with the highest ranking (the total number of game performance data and the average value of the viewing level) is taken as the title of interest, and the title name is included in the travel route image ( Reference numeral 36). Also, if the ranking associated with the same area ID has not been received from the user location management server 12 yet, for example, if the first-ranked game title in the ranking received this time is the title of interest and the title name is included in the movement path image Good.

  In addition, the movement route image generation unit 70a transmits each position coordinate stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62 and a size designation with 1 × 1 area as a search area to the user position management server 12, Request user search. On the other hand, the nearby user distribution unit 94 of the user position management server 12 derives the area ID of the area including the received position coordinates and stores it in the area-specific user ID storage unit 84 in association with the area ID. All sets of user IDs and position coordinates are read and returned to the user terminal 16. The movement path image generation unit 70a counts the number of user IDs corresponding to each position coordinate, and displays a situation image 34a corresponding to the number in the record frame 34 related to the position coordinate.

  Further, the user terminal 16 stores the user ID of the friend of the user of the user terminal 16, and the user terminal 16 transmits the user ID transmitted from the nearby user distribution unit 94 of the user location management server 12. If the stored friend's user ID is included, this is indicated by the situation image 34a in the record frame 34 corresponding to the user ID (for example, an exclamation mark is included in the situation image 34a). .

  Next, the friend image generation unit 70b generates a friend image shown in FIG. When generating the friend image, the friend image generating unit 70b reads the user ID of the friend stored in the user terminal 16, and receives the latest information associated with the user ID from the information server 14. The latest information includes, for example, messages input from the user terminal 16 and other computers by each user, game program execution status automatically generated by the game program executed by the user terminal 16 and other computers (game progress and play status). This is a message indicating skill. Then, by including them in the lower area of the friend image, the friend image is completed. The friend image generated in this way is displayed on the touch screen 16a.

  The ranking image generator 70c generates the ranking image shown in FIG. The ranking image generation unit 70 c transmits the position coordinates designated by the user to the user position management server 12 and receives ranking data from the ranking distribution unit 92. A ranking image is generated based on the ranking data received in this way. The generated ranking image is displayed on the touch screen 16a. The ranking image generation unit 70c receives ranking data relating to a plurality of position coordinates (for example, all position coordinates) stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62, and also obtains numerical values ( The total number of game results data and the average value of viewing levels may be totaled for each title, ranking may be generated based on the total value, and ranking images may be generated and displayed. By doing this, it is possible to display a comprehensive ranking at a plurality of positions visited by the user (for example, all positions on the movement route). Needless to say, ranking data related to one of the position coordinates stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62 may be received, and a ranking image in one area may be generated and displayed based on the data.

  The title profile image generation unit 70e generates a title profile image shown in FIG. The title profile image generation unit 70e transmits the title ID to the information server 14 and receives information to be described in the information column. And a title profile image is produced | generated based on the information received in this way. The generated title profile image is displayed on the touch screen 16a.

  Further, the status image generation unit 70f generates a status image shown in FIG.

  Further, the setting image generation unit 70g generates a setting image shown in FIG. 12, a public setting image shown in FIG. 13, and a privacy area setting image shown in FIG.

  When the setting image generation unit 70g generates a privacy area setting image, the setting image generation unit 70g first acquires a map having a predetermined size centered on the current position of the user from the information server 14. Then, the set image generation unit 70g has a predetermined number of sets as described above from the set of position coordinates and measurement date / time stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62 that has not been transmitted by the position coordinate transmission unit 64. Is elected. And about the selected position coordinate, the setting image generation part 70g arrange | positions the user's avatar image 116 using the user terminal 16 in the position on the map corresponding to the position coordinate, and the position coordinate is the vicinity. A character string representing the measurement date and time associated with is placed. For the position coordinates not selected, the setting image generation unit 70g arranges the small image 120 with a cross mark at a position on the map corresponding to the position coordinates. In addition, the setting image generation unit 70g displays the position on the map corresponding to the position coordinate stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62 that has not been transmitted by the position coordinate transmission unit 64, and the measurement date and time associated with the position coordinate. Curves connected in order from the earliest (represented by dotted lines in the example of FIG. 14) are also arranged on the map. The privacy area setting image generated in this way is displayed on the touch screen 16a. In this way, the user can know which position coordinates and the like are transmitted at the next transmission to the user position management server 12 such as position coordinates. Then, the setting image generation unit 70g arranges a circular area 122 representing the privacy area in the center of the touch screen 16a.

  In the privacy area setting image, the position of the circular image 122 can be changed in the sliding direction by the user performing a sliding operation on the circular image 122. In addition, when the area in the circular image 122 is not set as the privacy area by tapping the circular image 122, this area is set as the privacy area (that is, the position coordinate of the center position of this area is the privacy area). If the area in the circular image 122 is set as a privacy area, the setting is canceled (that is, the privacy stored in the setting information storage unit 63 corresponding to this area). Area center position data is deleted).

  Further, when the privacy area is set, the setting image generation unit 70g has a distance from the center position of the privacy area within a predetermined range (for example, within 1 km) for each of the selected position coordinates. In the privacy area setting image, the avatar image 116 of the user who uses the user terminal 16 is changed to an avatar image 118 representing an anonymous user for a position within a predetermined range. Further, when the setting of the privacy area is canceled, the setting image generation unit 70g has a distance from the center position of the released privacy area within a predetermined range for each of the selected position coordinates (for example, 1 km). In the privacy area setting image, the avatar image 118 representing the anonymous user is changed to the avatar image 116 of the user who uses the user terminal 16 for the position within the predetermined range. Let FIG. 14 shows a privacy area setting image in which an area in the circular image 122 is set as a privacy area. Therefore, the avatar image in the area occupied by the circular image 122 is an avatar image 118 representing the anonymous user, and the avatar image outside the area occupied by the circular image 122 is the avatar image 116 representing the user of the user terminal 16. ing.

  In this way, the user can perform upload processing of position coordinates and the like in the ID disclosure mode even if the position coordinates such as position coordinates in the ID disclosure mode are uploaded and the privacy setting is “public”. It will be possible to know the position coordinates that are not broken.

  The radar image generation unit 70d generates a radar image shown in FIG. When generating a radar image, the radar image generation unit 70d first sets a position specified by the user out of the position coordinates stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62 and a 1 × 1 area as a search area. The designation is transmitted to the user location management server 12 to request a search for nearby users. And according to this, the user ID and the position coordinate which are returned from the near user distribution part 94 of the user position management server 12 are received. If the number of received user IDs is less than 10, then the same position coordinates are transmitted to the user position management server together with the size designation with 2 × 2 areas as search areas, and the search for nearby users is performed again. Request. Then, the proximity user search is repeatedly executed until the number of received user IDs and position coordinates is 10 or more, or the search area is M × M areas (M is a predetermined number). Thus, a radar image is generated based on the user ID and position coordinates received from the nearby user distribution unit 94. Specifically, the difference between the position coordinates specified by the user and each position coordinate received from the nearby user distribution unit 94 is calculated, and the display position of each avatar image 48 indicating another user is determined. That is, each avatar image 48 is displayed according to the relative position of the other user terminal 16 with respect to the user terminal 16. In this way, in the present embodiment, the distance between the position coordinate of the user and the position coordinate of the neighboring user whose privacy setting is open is generally expressed as the distance from the center point of the radar image to the avatar image 48. The Rukoto. Further, the sum of the total number of players received from the ranking distribution unit 92 when generating the movement path image (the sum of the total number of players for the entire title) is obtained, and a small image 52 corresponding to the total number is displayed in the radar image. Arrange randomly. In the present embodiment, the number of small images 52 increases as the total number of players increases. The radar image generated in this way is also displayed on the touch screen 16a. In this way, in this embodiment, how many users are playing the game in the vicinity of the player is generally represented in the radar image.

  When the user taps the avatar image 48 in the radar image, the user terminal 16 transmits a user information distribution request associated with the user ID corresponding to the avatar image 48 to the user location management server 12. Then, the user information distribution unit 96 of the user location management server 12 associates the user ID associated with the received request with the latest position coordinates, measurement date and time, and a predetermined number of game results stored in the user information storage unit 86. Send back data. Then, the user terminal 16 displays an image generated based on this information on the touch screen 16a.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the user position management server 12 acquires the position coordinates acquired from the user terminal 16 serving as the information providing source and stored in the user ID storage unit 84 for each area, the information providing destination, The user terminal that provides information about the user terminal 16 that provides the information according to the position coordinates specified by the user of the user terminal 16 that provides the information obtained from the user terminal 16 that provides the information. 16 is controlled. In the present embodiment, the information stored in the user ID storage unit 84 for each area includes, for example, position coordinates transmitted from the user terminal 16 to the user position management server 12 by upload processing of position coordinates and the like in the ID disclosure mode. Based on. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the position coordinates in the privacy area are not transmitted to the user position management server 12 in the uploading process such as the position coordinates in the ID disclosure mode. Therefore, the position coordinates outside the privacy area are used to control whether or not the user position management server 12 provides information related to the user terminal 16 serving as the information providing source to the user terminal 16 serving as the information providing destination. It will be.

  Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, the position coordinates transmitted from the user terminal 16 in the ID disclosure mode indicate whether or not to provide information regarding the user of the user terminal 16 that is the upload source to the other user terminals 16. Used for control. On the other hand, although the position coordinates transmitted from the user terminal 16 in the anonymous mode are used for generation of ranking by the ranking generation unit 88, is information related to the user of the uploading user terminal 16 provided to other user terminals 16? It is not used to control whether or not.

  The item communication unit 72 exchanges data such as items used in the game program. When the application execution unit 66 generates an item when executing the game program, the application execution unit 66 stores the identification information (item ID) of the item in the game result storage unit 68. When the item ID is stored in the game result storage unit 68 in this way, the item communication unit 72 transmits this item ID to the user position management server 12 together with each position coordinate stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62. Then, the user position management server 12 stores the set of the item ID and the user ID in association with the area ID of the area including each position coordinate. As described above, the upload of the item ID is completed.

  The item communication unit 72 also performs a process of receiving an item ID uploaded by another user. In this case, each position coordinate stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62 is transmitted to the user position management server 12. The user position management server 12 returns a combination of the item ID and the user ID stored in association with the area ID of the area including each received position coordinate. The item communication unit 72 may store all the item IDs thus received in the game record storage unit 68 so that the items identified by the item IDs can be used in the game program. Alternatively, the degree of compatibility is calculated based on the user ID and the user ID received together with the item ID, and the item ID is stored in the game result storage unit 68 only when the degree of compatibility is a predetermined value or more. The item identified by the item ID may be used in the game program.

  In addition, the display control unit 70 displays a tab image in the tab area 42 of the touch screen 16a as described above, and when this tab image is tapped, or a button arranged in the image displayed in the main area 44 When an image such as is tapped, an image switching process is performed. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing this image switching process. As shown in the figure, it is first determined whether a tab image has been tapped (S301) or whether an image such as a button in the main area 44 has been tapped (S302). When an image in the main area 44 is tapped, an image in which a tab image is connected to an image associated with the image is generated (S303). The tab image is connected to the left end of the image designated by the user, and the connection position in the vertical direction is determined according to the display image management table shown in FIG. In other words, the display image management table is a table for recording which image is displayed in what order, and it is possible to determine from which table the image that is currently displayed is the image. If it is the n-th image, the tab image is connected to the image displayed in the main area 44 so that the upper end of the tab image is positioned at a position obtained by multiplying the vertical length of the tab image by (n−1). Thereafter, the image generated in this way is caused to appear from the right end of the touch screen 16a (S304). Further, the display image table shown in FIG. 27 is updated.

  On the other hand, when the tab image is tapped (S301), the tab image displayed in the tab area 42 after the tapped tab image and the related image are deleted (S306). Specifically, the tab image displayed in the tab area 42 after the tapped tab image and the related image are determined from the display management table. Then, the tab management image is slid in the right direction in order from the tab image and the related image later in the display management table. Thus, these images are erased from the touch screen 16a. Thereafter, the record corresponding to the deleted tab image is deleted from the display management table.

  According to the communication system described above, it is possible to realize the existence of other users in the same living area without using short-range wireless communication. Further, the locus of the position measured by the positioning unit 16b can be easily displayed to the user without displaying a map on the touch screen 16a.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible. For example, in the upload process of the position coordinates or the like in the ID disclosure mode, the position coordinate transmission unit 64 associates the position coordinates to be transmitted with any of the privacy areas in association with the non-public flag. It may be transmitted to the location management server 12. The position coordinate receiving unit 80 may store the position coordinates and the like in the area-specific user ID storage unit 84 in association with the secret flag. Then, the nearby user distribution unit 94 may not return the set of the user ID and the position coordinates associated with the non-public flag to the user terminal 16. Furthermore, in this case, in addition to the position coordinates transmitted from the user terminal 16 to the user position management server 12 in the anonymous mode, the ranking generation unit 88 performs the upload process of the position coordinates and the like from the user terminal 16 in the ID disclosure mode. The ranking of the game titles may be generated based on the position coordinates transmitted to the position management server 12 (including position coordinates associated with the non-public flag). In this way, it is possible to generate a more detailed ranking than when the ranking is generated only from the position coordinates transmitted from the user terminal 16 to the user position management server 12 in the anonymous mode.

  For example, the size and shape of the privacy area may be set by the user. Further, the data representing the privacy area range is not limited to the privacy area center position data. For example, the setting information storage unit 63 may store information indicating the size and shape of the privacy area in association with the privacy area center position data.

  Further, for example, in the above description, the position-specific coordinates in the area identified by each area ID are measured in the area-specific user ID storage unit 84 within a predetermined time (for example, one week) and stored in the user position management server 12. The user ID of the uploaded user is accumulated. Then, when the user terminal 16 transmits the position coordinates to the user position management server 12, the neighboring user distribution unit 94 specifies an area ID corresponding to the position coordinates and stores the area-specific user ID in association with the area ID. A set of user ID and position coordinates stored in the unit 84 is returned. Then, the user terminal 16 generates a radar image based on this information or displays a message in the moving route image. That is, according to the above example, the user position management server 12 provides information regarding the user terminal 16 that has measured the position in the same area within a predetermined time (for example, one week).

  On the other hand, according to the modification, the nearby user distribution unit 94 returns the measurement date and time in addition to the user ID and the position coordinates stored in association with the specified area ID. That is, a set of user ID, position coordinates and measurement date / time is returned. The user terminal 16 reads the measurement date and time of each position coordinate from the position coordinate storage unit 62, selects a set whose difference in measurement date and time is within a predetermined time, and displays information related to the set. For example, information (for example, latest information) of a user identified by the user ID of the set is received from the information server 14 and displayed, or an avatar image 48 corresponding to the user ID of the set is displayed in the radar image. To do. Alternatively, if the user ID of the set is a user ID of a friend stored in advance, a message such as “I found a friend's footprint” may be displayed. In this way, information related to the user terminal 16 measured with a difference within a predetermined time within the same region can be displayed on the touch screen 16a. Further, the user terminal 16 calculates the difference between the measurement date and time and the difference between the position coordinates, and selects a set in which the difference between the measurement dates and times is within a predetermined time and the distance between the position coordinates is within a predetermined distance. Information regarding the set may be displayed. In this way, information related to the user terminal 16 that would have been close in time and location can be displayed on the touch screen 16a.

  According to another modification, when the user terminal 16 transmits the position coordinates to the user position management server 12, the neighboring user distribution unit 94 specifies an area ID corresponding to the position coordinates, and sets the area ID to the area ID. A set of user IDs and position coordinates stored in the area-specific user ID storage unit 84 in association with each other is read out. Then, a group in which the difference between the position coordinates transmitted from the user terminal 16 and the read position coordinates is within a predetermined distance is selected. Then, the selected group is returned to the user terminal 16. The user terminal 16 generates a radar image based on this information, or displays a message in the travel route image. In this way, only information related to the user terminal 16 measured within a predetermined distance can be displayed on the touch screen 16a.

  According to yet another modification, the user terminal 16 transmits the measurement date and time together with the position coordinates to the user position management server 12. The nearby user distribution unit 94 specifies a region ID corresponding to the received position coordinate, and sets a set of the user ID, the position coordinate, and the measurement date and time stored in the region-specific user ID storage unit 84 in association with the region ID. read out. Then, a group in which the difference between the measurement date and time transmitted from the user terminal 16 and the read measurement date and time is within a predetermined time is selected. Then, the selected group is returned to the user terminal 16. Alternatively, a pair in which the difference in measurement date and time is within a predetermined time and the difference in position coordinates is within a predetermined distance is selected, and the selected group is returned to the user terminal 16. The user terminal 16 generates a radar image based on the returned information or displays a message in the travel route image. Even in this case, information related to the user terminal 16 that would be close in time and place can be displayed on the touch screen 16a.

  According to another modification, the user ID storage unit 84 for each area measures the position in the area identified by the area ID at the date and time in the time slot for each group of the area ID and the time slot. 16 stores the user ID, position coordinates, and measurement date and time. Then, the user terminal 16 transmits the measurement date and time together with the position coordinates to the user position management server 12. The nearby user distribution unit 94 specifies an area ID corresponding to the received position coordinate and specifies a time slot corresponding to the received measurement date. Then, a set of the user ID, position coordinates, and measurement date / time stored in the area-specific user ID storage unit 84 is returned in association with the specified area ID and the specified time slot. And in the user terminal 16, a radar image is produced | generated based on such information, and the message in a movement path | route image is displayed. Even in this way, information related to the user terminal 16 that would be close in time and place can be displayed on the touch screen 16a.

10 computer communication network, 12 user location management server, 14 information server, 16 user terminal, 16a touch screen, 16b positioning unit, 16c mobile phone communication unit, 16d wireless LAN communication unit, 20 mount, 22 button, 24 button, 26 button , 28 buttons, 30 messages, 32 buttons, 34 record frames, 34a status images, 36 titles, 37 buttons, 38 tab images, 40 tab images, 42 tab areas, 44 main areas, 46 mounts, 48 avatar images, 50 mounts, 52 small image, 54 tab image, 55 mount, 56 tab image, 57 mount, 58 tab image, 60 positioning unit, 62 position coordinate storage unit, 63 setting information storage unit, 64 position coordinate transmission unit, 66 application execution unit, 68 Game record storage unit, 70 display control unit 70a travel route image generation unit, 70b friend image generation unit, 70c ranking image generation unit, 70d radar image generation unit, 70e title profile image generation unit, 70f status image generation unit, 70g setting image generation unit, 72 item communication unit, 80 Position coordinate receiving unit, 82 Title ID storage unit for each region, 84 User ID storage unit for each region, 86
User information storage unit, 88 ranking generation unit, 90 area ranking storage unit, 92 ranking distribution unit, 94 neighborhood user distribution unit, 96 user information distribution unit, 100 button, 102 button, 104 button, 106 tab image, 108 tab image 110 tab image, 112 tab image, 114 tab image, 116 avatar image, 118 avatar image, 120 small image, 122 circular image.

Claims (6)

A communication terminal,
A positioning unit that sequentially measures the position of the communication terminal and sequentially stores terminal position information indicating the measured position in a storage unit;
A set position information acquisition unit for acquiring information indicating an area set by a user of the communication terminal;
An image representing an area set by the user, and an image representing a position to be a transmission candidate at the time of transmission of the next position that is at least a part of the position indicated by the terminal position information stored in the storage unit; , And a display control unit for displaying a map on which the display is arranged on the display unit;
A transmission unit that transmits transmission position information indicating a position outside the region set by the user among the positions that are candidates for transmission ;
The display control unit displays an image representing the position as the transmission candidate in the set area and an image representing the position as the transmission candidate outside the set area in a state where they can be distinguished from each other. Let
Communication terminal, wherein a call. A receiving unit that receives information related to the other communication terminal, controlled whether or not provided according to terminal position information indicating the position of the communication terminal and position information indicating the position of the other communication terminal; In addition,
The communication terminal according to claim 1 . The transmission unit controls whether to provide information regarding the communication terminal to the other communication terminal according to the transmission position information received from the communication terminal and the position information acquired from the other communication terminal. Transmitting the transmission position information to a server;
The communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2 . A communication terminal control method,
Sequentially measuring the position of the communication terminal, and sequentially storing terminal position information indicating the measured position in a storage unit ;
Obtaining information indicating an area set by a user of the communication terminal;
An image representing an area set by the user, and an image representing a position to be a transmission candidate at the time of transmission of the next position that is at least a part of the position indicated by the terminal position information stored in the storage unit; Displaying a map in which, is placed on the display unit;
Transmitting transmission position information indicating a position outside the region set by the user among the positions to be transmission candidates ,
In the step of displaying, an image representing the position as the transmission candidate in the set area and an image representing the position as the transmission candidate outside the set area are displayed in a distinguishable state. Let
Control method of a communication terminal characterized by and this. A program for causing a computer to function as a communication terminal,
A positioning unit that sequentially measures the position of the communication terminal and sequentially stores terminal position information indicating the measured position in a storage unit,
A set position information acquisition unit for acquiring information indicating an area set by a user of the communication terminal;
An image representing an area set by the user, and an image representing a position to be a transmission candidate at the time of transmission of the next position that is at least a part of the position indicated by the terminal position information stored in the storage unit; , A display control unit that displays a map on which the display is arranged on the display unit,
Causing the computer to function as a transmission unit that transmits transmission position information indicating a position outside the region set by the user among the positions to be the transmission candidates ;
The display control unit displays an image representing the position as the transmission candidate in the set area and an image representing the position as the transmission candidate outside the set area in a state where they can be distinguished from each other. Let
Program which is characterized a call. A computer-readable information storage medium storing the program according to claim 5 .

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