JP6113134B2 - Information processing apparatus, communication 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 the game system, a situation in which game data is directly exchanged between users of the game terminal occurs accidentally, 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.

  Unlike the prior art, the present invention provides a communication system, a communication method, a program, and an information storage medium that can realize the presence of other users in the same living area without using short-range wireless communication. It is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a communication system according to the present invention includes a position acquisition unit that acquires positions from a plurality of user terminals, and a position acquisition unit that acquires positions from a target user terminal. A user terminal selection unit that selects a part according to a position and a position acquired from the plurality of user terminals, and an information provision unit that provides information on the selected user terminal to the target user terminal. It is characterized by that.

  In addition, the communication method according to the present invention includes a position acquisition step of acquiring positions from a plurality of user terminals, and when acquiring positions from the user terminal of interest, the position and the plurality of users among the plurality of user terminals. It includes a user terminal selection step of selecting a part according to a position acquired from a terminal, and an information providing step of providing information on the selected user terminal to the target user terminal.

  In addition, the program according to the present invention includes a position acquisition step of acquiring positions from a plurality of user terminals, and when acquiring positions from the user terminal of interest, the positions and the plurality of user terminals among the plurality of user terminals. A program for causing a computer to execute a user terminal selection step of selecting a part according to a position acquired from the information, and an information providing step of providing information on the selected user terminal to the target user terminal is there.

  Furthermore, the information storage medium according to the present invention includes a position acquisition step of acquiring positions from a plurality of user terminals, and the position and the plurality of user terminals among the plurality of user terminals when acquiring positions from the user terminal of interest. A method for causing a computer to execute a user terminal selection step of selecting a part according to a position acquired from a user terminal, and an information providing step of providing information on the selected user terminal to the target user terminal An information storage medium storing a program.

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 movement path | route image. It is a figure which shows an example of a friend 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 radar image. It is a functional block diagram of a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the structure of an other user information provision 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 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.

  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. 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, a movement path image as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the touch screen 16a. Note that this moving path image has a vertically long shape, and only the display range set as a part of the touch screen 16a is displayed. And a display range can be moved when a user performs predetermined operation with respect to the touch screen 16a.

  As shown in the figure, an image showing the movement route of the user terminal 16 is shown in the lower area of the movement route image. As described above, the user terminal 16 repeatedly measures its own position and holds the measured positions. In the lower area of the movement route image, an address character string 20 indicating a held position is displayed in the order of measurement together with the measurement time 22. That is, newer measurement results are shown above. At this time, when the user terminal 16 repeatedly measures its own position by the positioning unit 16b, the newly measured position is at least a predetermined distance (for example, 2 km) away from the latest position that is already held. Only to keep the newly measured position. 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. For this reason, the address character string 20 which shows the position which is only less than the predetermined distance is not displayed on the moving route image continuously in the vertical direction. 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.

  A plurality of small images 24 are displayed around each measurement time 22 in the lower region of the movement route image. The smaller the number of other user terminals 16 that have uploaded the same position to the user position management server 12, the more small images 24 are displayed. In this way, it is possible to grasp at a glance whether there are many other users who have the user terminal 16 at each position or not. Around each measurement time 22, a title 26 of the game program to be noted is also displayed.

  Further, in the lower area of the travel route image, the position that the user terminal 16 has measured and uploaded to the user position management server 12 is also measured by the user terminal 16 of another user who is a friend and uploaded to the user position management server 12. Then, a message 28 indicating that the friend was at the same position, such as “I found a footprint of friend A!”, Is displayed.

  In the upper left area 30 of the travel route image, the total number of users that have been measured by the user terminal 16 and uploaded to the user location management server 12 after the location uploaded to the user location management server 12 is displayed. In the upper right area 32, information on other users who are friends of the user is displayed.

  FIG. 4 shows a friend image displayed on the touch screen 16a when the user taps the upper right area 32 of the movement path image of FIG. As shown in the figure, in the lower area of the friend image, the avatar image 36 of each friend and the latest information 34 regarding the friend are displayed. The latest information 34 is received from, for example, the information server 14. The friend image is also vertically long, and only the display range set as a part thereof is displayed on the touch screen 16a. And a display range can be moved when a user performs predetermined operation with respect to the touch screen 16a.

  FIG. 5 shows a ranking image displayed on the touch screen 16a when the user taps the address character string 20 in the moving route image of FIG. As shown in the figure, in the upper area of the ranking image, the address character string 20 tapped by the user and the measurement time 22 of the position indicated by the address character string 20 are represented. In the lower area of the ranking image, the title of the game program played on the user terminal 16 that uploaded the position indicated by the address character string 20 to the user position management server 12 is displayed. Each title is displayed in order of the number of user terminals 16 that have played the game program of the title. On the left 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, and only the display range set as a part thereof is displayed on the touch screen 16a. And a display range can be moved when a user performs predetermined operation with respect to the touch screen 16a.

  6 shows a title displayed on the touch screen 16a when any game program title is tapped in the ranking image shown in FIG. 5 or any title 26 is tapped in the moving path image shown in FIG. A profile image is shown. In the upper area of the title profile image, the title image 42 of the game program is shown, and in the lower area, an information column 44 indicating the evaluation and play status of other users related to the game program is provided. The contents of the title image 42 and the information column 44 are also received from the information server 14, for example. 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. And a display range can be moved when a user performs predetermined operation with respect to the touch screen 16a.

  FIG. 7 shows a radar image displayed on the touch screen 16a when the address character string 20 is tapped in the ranking image of FIG. An avatar image 50 representing itself is shown in the center of the radar image, and an avatar image 52 of another user whose privacy setting is “open” is shown around it. A small image 54 is also shown around the avatar image 50 that implies the presence of another user whose privacy setting is “private”. Here, the display positions of the avatar images 50 and 52 on the touch screen 16a are determined based on the positions 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 52 on the touch screen 16a is determined based on the target position. On the other hand, the display position of the small image 54 on the touch screen 16a is determined according to a random number.

  The configuration of the communication system described above will be described in further detail. 8 and 9 are functional block diagrams of the user terminal 16. As shown in FIG. 8, the user terminal 16 functionally includes a positioning unit 60, a position coordinate storage unit 62, a position coordinate transmission unit 64, an application execution unit 66, a game performance storage unit 68, another user information providing unit 70, and items. A communication unit 72 is included. As shown in FIG. 9, the other user information providing unit 70 includes a movement route image generation unit 70a, a friend image generation unit 70b, a ranking image generation unit 70c, a radar image generation unit 70d, and a title profile image generation unit 70e. . 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.

  The position coordinate storage unit 62 stores a predetermined number (for example, 10) of position coordinates and the measurement date and time of the position coordinates in association with each other as shown in FIG. 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 group 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. 11, the game performance 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 the total play time and the like. 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 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. At this time, it is preferable to display a plurality of sets of position coordinates and measurement date and time stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62 on the touch screen 16 a and confirm whether or not to transmit to the user position management server 12. 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 other user information providing unit 70 and the item communication unit 72 will be described later.

  Next, FIG. 12 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. 13, 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. When the position coordinate receiving unit 80 receives a set of a plurality of position coordinates and measurement date / time and a predetermined number of game record data from the user terminal 16, the position coordinate receiving unit 80 derives an area ID of an area including the received position coordinates. 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. 14, the area-specific user ID storage unit 84 stores a user ID, position coordinates, and measurement date / time in association with each area ID. When the position coordinate receiving unit 80 receives a set of a plurality of position coordinates and measurement dates and times, a set of title IDs, viewing levels, and total play times of a predetermined number of game programs from the user terminal 16, each position coordinate received is included. The area ID of the area to be acquired 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. 15, 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. When the position coordinate receiving unit 80 receives a set of a plurality of position coordinates and measurement date / time and a predetermined number of game record data, the position coordinate reception unit 80 obtains the last acquired position coordinate and its measurement date / time, and the received predetermined number of game record data. The user information is stored in the user information storage unit 86 in association with the user ID of the user using the user terminal 16.

  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) including an area including the received position coordinates (for example, at the center position). (× 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 other user information providing 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, and the title profile image generation unit 70e. It is out.

  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 70 a reads each position coordinate and measurement date and time stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62. And the address character string 20 corresponding to each position coordinate is acquired. The address character string 20 may be stored in advance in the user terminal 16 in association with the range of position coordinates, 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 20 associated with the range including the position coordinates and returns it to the user terminal 16. The address character string 20 thus acquired is included in the moving route image in the order of the measurement date and time together with the measurement time 22. That is, the measurement time 22 and the address character string 20 are arranged side by side, and the set of each measurement time 22 and the address character string 20 is arranged so that the newer the measurement date and time is on the screen.

  Next, the movement path image generation unit 70a transmits each position coordinate stored in the position coordinate storage unit 62 to the user position management server 12 and requests a 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 ( 26). 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 out 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 the small images 24 corresponding to the number in the vicinity of the measurement date and time related to the position coordinate. In addition, the numbers corresponding to the respective position coordinates are added and the numerical values are included in the upper left region 30.

  Further, the user terminal 16 stores the user IDs of the user's friend of the user terminal 16, receives information associated with the user IDs from the information server 14, and includes them in the upper right region 32. Moreover, if the user ID of the friend memorize | stored in the said user terminal 16 is contained in the user ID transmitted from the vicinity user delivery part 94 of the user location management server 12, the address character which concerns on the user ID A message 28 is included below the column 20. When the movement path image is generated in this way, the touch screen 16a displays this image.

  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 obtains the avatar image 36 and the latest information 34 associated with the user ID from the information server 14. Receive. The latest information 34 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 / play This is a message indicating the skill of the user. 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.

  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 title image 42 and the information column 44. 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.

  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 user's own avatar image 50 stored in advance is read from the user terminal 16 and placed in the central portion of the touch screen 16a. Further, the difference between the position coordinates designated by the user and each position coordinate received from the neighboring user distribution unit 94 is calculated, and the display position of each avatar image 52 indicating another user is determined. That is, each avatar image 52 is displayed according to the relative position of the other user terminal 16 with respect to the user terminal 16. 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 54 corresponding to the total number is displayed in the radar image. Arrange randomly. The radar image generated in this way is also displayed on the touch screen 16a.

  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.

  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 above description, the position 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 uploaded to the user position management server 12. The user ID of the 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 the message 28 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, the information (for example, the latest information 34) of the user identified by the user ID of the set is received from the information server 14 and displayed, or the avatar image 52 corresponding to the user ID of the set is displayed in the radar image. Or Alternatively, if the user ID of the set is a user ID of a friend stored in advance, the message 28 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 28 in the movement 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 28 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. Then, the user terminal 16 generates a radar image based on these pieces of information or displays a message 28 in the travel route image. 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, 28 message, 50 avatar image, 52 avatar image, 60 positioning unit, 62 position coordinate storage unit, 64 position coordinate transmission unit, 66 application execution unit, 68 game performance storage unit, 70 other user information providing 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, 72 Item communication unit, 80 Position coordinate reception unit, 82 Region ID storage unit for each region, 84 User ID storage unit for each region, 86 User information storage Parts, 88 ranking generation unit, 90 regions each ranking storage unit, 92 ranking distributing section, 94 nearby user distributing section, 96 user information distribution unit.

Claims (8)

A positioning unit that sequentially measures the position;
A storage unit for storing the position and the measurement date and time of the position;
A transmission unit that transmits the position stored in the storage unit to a server together with the measurement date and time of the position;
The sent from the server in response to the transmission of the location to the server, are stored respectively managed among the plurality of areas is divided regions, to the server in association with the area including the position A receiving unit for receiving identification information of the user terminal,
Until the number of pieces of identification information received by the receiving unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the receiving unit associates with any one of the consecutive regions including a larger number than the previous reception including the region including the position. Repeatedly receiving the identification information of the user terminal stored in the server,
A display control unit for displaying an image in which information associated with identification information of the user terminal received by the receiving unit is arranged;
An information processing apparatus further comprising: The position stored in the storage unit is limited to the position where the elapsed time from the measurement date does not exceed a predetermined time,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The number of the positions stored in the storage unit is limited to a predetermined upper limit number or less.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The storage unit stores the position measured by the positioning unit when the distance between the position and the position stored in the storage unit immediately before is a predetermined distance or more.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. The transmission unit transmits to the server by limiting to a position satisfying a predetermined condition among the plurality of positions stored in the storage unit,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. Measuring the position sequentially;
Storing the position and the measurement date and time of the position in a storage unit;
Transmitting the position stored in the storage unit to a server together with the measurement date and time of the position;
The sent from the server in response to the transmission of the location to the server, are stored respectively managed among the plurality of areas is divided regions, to the server in association with the area including the position Receiving the identification information of the user terminal,
Until the number of pieces of identification information received in the receiving step reaches a predetermined number or more, the receiving step includes any one of the regions including the region including the position and a larger number than the previous reception. Repeatedly receiving the identification information of the user terminal stored in the server in association with
Displaying an image in which information associated with identification information of the user terminal received in the receiving step is arranged;
A communication method further comprising: Procedure for measuring position sequentially,
A procedure for storing the position and the measurement date and time of the position in a storage unit;
A procedure for transmitting the position stored in the storage unit to a server together with the measurement date and time of the position;
The sent from the server in response to the transmission of the location to the server, are stored respectively managed among the plurality of areas is divided regions, to the server in association with the area including the position Causing a computer to execute a procedure for receiving identification information of a user terminal;
Until the number of pieces of identification information received in the receiving procedure reaches a predetermined number or more, the receiving procedure includes any one of the regions including the region including the position and a larger number than the previous reception. Repeatedly receiving the identification information of the user terminal stored in the server in association with
A procedure for displaying an image in which information associated with identification information of the user terminal received in the receiving procedure is arranged;
A program for causing the computer to further execute. Procedure for measuring position sequentially,
A procedure for storing the position and the measurement date and time of the position in a storage unit;
A procedure for transmitting the position stored in the storage unit to a server together with the measurement date and time of the position;
The sent from the server in response to the transmission of the location to the server, are stored respectively managed among the plurality of areas is divided regions, to the server in association with the area including the position Causing a computer to execute a procedure for receiving identification information of a user terminal;
Until the number of pieces of identification information received in the receiving procedure reaches a predetermined number or more, the receiving procedure includes any one of the regions including the region including the position and a larger number than the previous reception. Repeatedly receiving the identification information of the user terminal stored in the server in association with
A procedure for displaying an image in which information associated with identification information of the user terminal received in the receiving procedure is arranged;
An information storage medium storing a program for causing the computer to execute the program.

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