JP7510773B2 - Server system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a server system and a program.

In recent years, portable game devices, which are a type of portable computer, and portable communication terminal devices such as mobile phones and smartphones have become equipped with GPS (Global Positioning System).
Many mobile phones have a function for acquiring location information using a positioning system such as the GPS positioning system (GPS), and such a function makes it possible to utilize a variety of useful services.

Recently, some well-known uses of location information include VR (Virtual Reality) technology, which visualizes a virtual space that is separate from real space, AR (Augmented Reality) technology, which visualizes and reflects information from a virtual space on real space, and MR (Mixed Reality) technology, which visualizes information from a real space and reflects it in a virtual space.

Recently, AR technology has also been used in games. For example, a game is known in which virtual objects used in the game are virtually placed in a virtual location that corresponds to a specific area in real space, and the virtual objects are visualized by the user's communication terminal device based on the position and shooting direction of the communication terminal device in real space, and the game progresses (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-059573 A

However, while the system for realizing the location game described in Patent Document 1 can induce users to visit a specific area, further ingenuity is required to guide the actions of the visiting users, stimulate events held in the specific area, and ensure the safety of users.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a server system or the like that can control the behavior of users in a specific area in a real space, such as an event venue, and by so controlling, can enliven the event and ensure the safety of each user participating in the event.

(1) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides
A server system that provides information about a virtual space associated with a specific area in a real space to a user's terminal device, the server system comprising:
a receiving means for receiving current position information indicating a current position in a real space of the user transmitted from the terminal device;
a first determination processing means for determining whether or not the user satisfies a first condition, the first determination processing means determining whether or not the current location of the user indicated by the received current location information of the user is within the specific area;
a second determination processing means for executing a second determination processing to determine whether or not at least any one of a current position in real space of a user who is a target of the first determination processing and who is determined to be present in the specific area by the first determination processing, a direction of the user in real space, and a number of people present in the specific area satisfies a given second condition;
a generating means for executing a guide information generating process for generating guide information for encouraging a second judgment subject user, who is judged not to satisfy the second condition by the second judgment process, to take a given action;
a provision means for providing information about the virtual space to a terminal device of each user and providing the generated guidance information to a terminal device of the second determination target user;
The present invention has a configuration comprising:

With this configuration, the present invention can guide the behavior of a user who is present in a specified area in real space, such as movement, orientation, or state, to conform to the intentions of the event manager when the user's behavior does not conform to the intentions of the event manager.

Therefore, for example, when many users gather at an event held in a specific area, the present invention can ensure the safety of each user participating in the event by incorporating images of a virtual space into the content of the event (i.e., by extending an event held in real space into a virtual space) and by reducing mixing within the area, thereby livening up the event.

In addition, "information relating to virtual space" includes, for example, image information in which a two-dimensional or three-dimensional virtual space is visualized, information for visualizing the virtual space, image information in which a virtual object formed in the virtual space is visualized, information for visualizing the virtual object, and information for visualizing the virtual space or virtual object together with the real space.

For example, "Information about virtual space" includes the following:
(A1) Display control information for imaging a virtual space different from a real space associated with a specific area or the virtual space including a virtual object to realize VR (Virtual Reality);
(A2) Display control information for realizing AR (Augmented Reality) that extends real space by reflecting an imaged virtual space or virtual object in a specific area;
(A3) display control information for realizing MR (Mixed Reality) by reflecting an imaged specific area in an imaged virtual space; and
(A4) Display control information for realizing SR (Substitutional Reality) by imaging and reflecting the state of a specific area on a time axis different from the current one in the imaged current specific area;
etc.

Furthermore, the "specific area" may be, for example, an outdoor area or an indoor area.

And, the "given second condition" is, for example,
(B1) The location where the user is present is not within a dense area of the specific area;
(B2) The number of users present in a specific area is within a certain number;
(B3) The state of the corresponding user (the orientation or the position within a predetermined area, including the height) is a predetermined state; and
(B4) A combination of two or more of (B1) to (B3);
etc.

Furthermore, "determining whether at least one element satisfies a given second condition" refers to determining whether at least one of the above conditions (B1) to (B3) is satisfied, but also indicates that a second determination process based on elements other than (B1) to (B3), such as whether the attributes of the relevant user satisfy the second condition (whether the attributes are specific or not), may be included.

In addition to the above, a "given action" may be, for example,
(C1) moving the relevant user to a predetermined area or to a predetermined position (including high and low positions) in the area;
(C2) changing the corresponding user to a predetermined orientation; and
(C3) causing the terminal device of the relevant user to execute a predetermined operation;
etc.

In particular, "causing the relevant user's terminal device to perform a specific operation" includes turning on a light, running a game, and running a camera or sound output app.

In addition, "guidance information" includes, for example, information for displaying guidance content on the terminal device, and information for notifying the user of the guidance content via the terminal device using sound, etc.

(2) The present invention also provides
Further comprising a performance control means for controlling a given performance regarding the virtual space,
The generating means,
The display control information for displaying the given presentation on the terminal device is generated as information about the virtual space.

With this configuration, the present invention allows the user to visually recognize virtual objects placed in a virtual space in association with the real space, making it possible to provide events in the real space using VR, AR, MR, and SR.

In addition, "controlling a given presentation in a virtual space" includes, for example, controlling the presentation of a virtual object that is placed (appears) in the virtual space, and controlling the presentation within the virtual space in which the virtual object is placed.

(3) The present invention also provides
The performance control means
The given performance is configured to control the behavior of a virtual object placed in the virtual space.

With this configuration, the present invention allows the user to visually recognize virtual objects placed in a virtual space in association with the real space, making it possible to provide events in the real space using VR, AR, MR, and SR.

(4) The present invention also provides
a detection means for detecting the number of users who satisfy the first condition or both the first condition and the second condition at a given first timing;
The performance control means
Controlling a given presentation regarding the virtual space in response to the detected number of users;
The generating means,
The display control information for displaying the given presentation on the terminal device is generated as information about the virtual space.

With this configuration, the present invention can provide users with a specified presentation such as an event (including games) when, for example, a certain number of users are present in a specific area, or when a user in a specific area moves to a specified position, faces a specified direction, or causes a terminal device to perform a specified action, thereby increasing users' interest in the event.

Note that the "given first timing" includes, for example, a predetermined timing such as a date and time set by an administrator managing the event (including the provider of the game), and the timing when the second determination process is executed.

"Controlling the presentation... according to the number of detected users" means, for example, that when the number of users who meet the first and second conditions is less than a predetermined number or when the number of users is more than a predetermined number, the specified presentation is not executed or the specified presentation is changed.

For example, if the number of users who meet the first and second conditions is greater than a predetermined number, it is determined that there is a high possibility that many users are in a safe state or an appropriate state, such as a state in which they can start a given action, and therefore it is determined that the event can be started, and a performance related to it is executed.

For example, if the number of users who meet the first and second conditions is less than a predetermined number, it is determined that there is a high possibility that safety cannot be guaranteed or that preparations to start a given action are not in place, and therefore the event cannot be started, and a performance related to it is executed.

Furthermore, "given effects" include, for example, effects for progressing an event, including a game.

(5) The present invention also provides
The providing means comprises:
When it is determined that a predetermined second timing has arrived, the configuration is such that the provision of display control information for displaying the given performance on the terminal device is started as information regarding the virtual space.

With this configuration, the present invention can set a time limit for each user to reach an appropriate position or state, allowing for rapid guidance to each user.

The present invention therefore allows for smooth operation of events that include games.

The "second timing" may include, for example, a timing, such as a date and time, that is determined in advance by the event organizer, etc.

Furthermore, "starting the provision of display control information" includes starting the provision of display control information that has already been generated, and starting the generation of display control information and providing it.

(6) The present invention also provides
The providing means comprises:
When it is determined that the second timing has arrived, the provision of display control information for displaying the given performance on a terminal device is discontinued for a terminal device that does not satisfy the second condition by the second determination process.

With this configuration, the present invention can set a time limit for each user to reach an appropriate position or state, allowing for rapid guidance to each user.

The present invention therefore allows for smooth operation of events that include games.

(7) The present invention also provides
The generating means,
The system is configured to control a state of a virtual object in the virtual space based on a given action prompted by the user, and to generate display control information as the guidance information for displaying a given performance related to the virtual space on the terminal device by imaging the state of the controlled virtual object.

With this configuration, the present invention can control the state of a virtual object so that, for example, when a user is in an inappropriate position, the virtual object appears small, large, or is visible from behind or the side, so that the more appropriate the position or state each user is in, the more appropriately the virtual object can be visualized.

Therefore, the present invention can smoothly guide each user to an appropriate position or state as long as the user is looking at a virtual object, making it possible to smoothly control the state of each user in an event (including games) using a virtual space without compromising the worldview of the event.

Note that the "state of a virtual object" includes, for example, direct states such as the shape (three-dimensional or two-dimensional), size, and orientation of the virtual object, as well as pseudo-changes in state by executing various controls when imaging a virtual object (for example, control of the position of the virtual camera, control of the imaging direction, enlargement control such as whether to enlarge and the magnification, focus control, and control of changes in image quality) without changing the state of the virtual object itself.

(8) The present invention also provides
The second determination processing means,
The second determination process is executed again for a user of the terminal device at a given third timing after the guidance information is provided to the terminal device.

With this configuration, the present invention guides a user to whom the guidance information has been provided based on the guidance information, and as a result, it is possible to determine whether the second condition is met, and therefore it is possible to confirm whether the situation of the relevant user and the surrounding environment have improved.

Therefore, the present invention can accurately grasp the status of users participating in an event in real time and can start the event without delay.

The "third timing" includes, for example, the timing when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the execution of the second determination process, and the timing when current location information or terminal status information indicating the status of the terminal device (including status information that has changed based on an operational instruction by the user) is received from the terminal device that provided the guidance information.

(9) The present invention also provides a method for producing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of:
The generating means,
The guidance information generation process is configured to generate, as the guidance information, information for guiding the user to change at least one of the user's position in real space and the user's orientation in real space.

With this configuration, the present invention can guide the relevant user to the user's position in real space and the user's orientation in real space, thereby improving the situation of each user in a specific area and the environment around them.

(10) The present invention also provides a method for producing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of:
a registration means for registering a user who exists in the specific area in a storage means;
a privilege granting control means for granting a given privilege in a given game or a given network service to a user registered in the storage means;
The present invention has a configuration further comprising:

This configuration, for example, allows events held in specific areas to be linked with games and network services, thereby increasing users' interest in games and network services.

Note that the "given game or given network service" is preferably a game or network service related to the event, but may be a game or network service provided by a common administrator or organization, such as a sponsor or management company.

In addition, "given benefits" include, for example, abilities, items, player characters, in-game currency, or parameters used in a given game that give a user an advantage in the game, and those that allow the user to enjoy network services such as points or discounts.

(11) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides
A program for providing information about a virtual space associated with a specific area in a real space to a user's terminal device, the program comprising:
a receiving means for receiving current location information indicating a current location of the user in a real space transmitted from the terminal device;
a first determination processing means for determining whether or not the user satisfies a first condition, the first determination processing means determining whether or not the current location of the user indicated by the received current location information of the user is within the specific area;
a second determination processing means for executing a second determination processing to determine whether or not at least any one of a current position in real space of a user who is a target of the first determination processing and who is determined to be present in the specific area by the first determination processing, a direction of the user in real space, and a number of people present in the specific area satisfies a given second condition;
a generating unit that executes a guide information generating process to generate guide information for encouraging a second judgment target user, who is judged not to satisfy the second condition by the second judgment process, to take a given action; and
a provision means for providing information about the virtual space to a terminal device of each user and providing the generated guidance information to a terminal device of the second determination target user;
The present invention has a configuration that causes a computer to function as a

With this configuration, the present invention can guide the behavior of a user who is present in a specified area in real space, such as movement, orientation, or state, to conform to the intentions of the event manager when the user's behavior does not conform to the intentions of the event manager.

Therefore, for example, when many users gather at an event held in a specific area, the present invention can ensure the safety of each user participating in the event by incorporating images of a virtual space into the content of the event (i.e., by extending an event held in real space into a virtual space) and by reducing mixing within the area, thereby livening up the event.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration showing a configuration of an event control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an event according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates functional blocks of a server device according to an embodiment. 1 is an example of user information stored in a user information storage unit of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of a terminal device according to an embodiment. A diagram for explaining participant guidance control in a real space and performance control in a virtual space using information from a virtual space in one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining a guide information generating process according to an embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining a guide information generating process according to an embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining guidance information using a character object, according to a modified example of an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining guidance information using a character object, according to a modified example of the embodiment. 11 is a flowchart (part 1) showing the start operation of a production related to an event in a virtual space including participant guidance control executed by a server device of one embodiment. 13 is a flowchart (part 2) showing the start operation of a production related to an event in a virtual space including participant guidance control executed by a server device of one embodiment.

The present embodiment will be described below. Note that the present embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[1] Event Control System [1.1] Overview First, an overview and a schematic configuration of an event control system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration showing the configuration of the event control system 1 according to the present embodiment.

The event control system 1 of this embodiment is a system that makes a character object appear as a virtual object that is gazed upon by a user in a virtual space formed in correspondence with a specific area in real space, and controls the execution of an event such as a virtual acting performance (specifically, a singing concert) or the playing of a game by the character object.

In particular, the event control system 1 is configured to combine images of real space of a specific area (realistic images or virtual images of real space) with images of two-dimensional or three-dimensional virtual space (including effects using virtual objects) and allow each user participating in the event (hereinafter referred to as "participants") to view them.

During this process, the event control system 1 is configured to provide information (hereinafter referred to as "guidance information") to guide each user's actions within a specific area, such as the participant's destination and direction.

In other words, the event control system 1 of this embodiment has a configuration for performing participant guidance control in a specific area, that is, real space, using information from a virtual space (hereinafter, also referred to as "participant guidance control in real space using information from a virtual space").

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the event control system 1 is configured to include a server device 10 that executes various processes to execute a production in a virtual space and realize an event in a specific area, and terminal devices 20 (e.g., terminal devices 20A, 20B, 20C) that allow participants to experience the production in the virtual space using data transmitted from the server device 10 via the network, and are connectable to a network such as the Internet.

The server device 10 is an information processing device that executes various processes to realize events based on a virtual space in a real space, for example, using an API (application programming interface) or a specific platform, etc.

Furthermore, the server device 10 may be configured with one (device, processor) or multiple (devices, processors).

Information about users, including participants (hereinafter referred to as "user information") stored in the memory area of the server device 10 (memory unit 140 described below) may be stored in a database (broadly speaking, a storage device, memory) connected via a network (intranet or the Internet), and information about events stored in the memory area may be stored in a database (broadly speaking, a storage device, memory) connected via a network (intranet or the Internet).

In particular, in order to realize an event using a virtual space, the server device 10 provides each terminal device 20 with information about the virtual space for participants present in a specific area, including image information that visualizes a two-dimensional or three-dimensional virtual space, information for visualizing the virtual space, image information that visualizes a virtual object formed in the virtual space, information for visualizing the virtual object, and information for visualizing the virtual space or virtual object together with the real space.

For example, the server device 10 may provide the following information regarding the virtual space:
(A1) Display control information for imaging a virtual space different from a real space associated with a specific area or the virtual space including a virtual object to realize VR (Virtual Reality);
(A2) Display control information for realizing AR (Augmented Reality) that extends real space by reflecting an imaged virtual space or virtual object in a specific area;
(A3) Display control information for realizing MR (Mixed Reality) by reflecting an imaged specific area in an imaged virtual space, or
(A4) Display control information for realizing SR (Substitutional Reality) by imaging and reflecting the state of a specific area on a time axis different from the current one in the imaged current specific area;
to each terminal device 20.

The terminal device 20 is an information processing device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS, a computer, a game device, a PDA, a portable game device, an HMD, or an image generating device, and can be connected to the server device 10 via a network such as the Internet (WAN) or a LAN. The communication line between the terminal device 20 and the server device 10 may be wired or wireless.

The terminal device 20 also has a communication control function for communicating with the server device 10, such as transmitting operation information input by the participant and the location information of the participant, and a display function for controlling display using data received from the server device 10.

In addition, the terminal device 20 may have an HMD unit as a display function for displaying the display control information transmitted by the server device 10.

[1.2] Events held in specific areas Next, an overview of an event held in a specific area in real space in conjunction with a virtual space will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining the overview of an event in this embodiment.

The event is provided to participants who are users, and displays a mixture of real-space images captured by a terminal device 20 of a stage 4 set up in a specific area 11, and virtual-space images associated with the stage 4, allowing the participants to view the images.

In addition, the event may be a performance by an actor or character, a game demonstration, or the like, and may be carried out in conjunction with the real space and the virtual space, or may be carried out solely in the virtual space.

Specific area 11 is an event venue in real space designated by the event organizer.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the specific area includes a stage 4 where various performances (including performances in virtual space) such as game demonstrations, plays, musical performances, or lectures are carried out in a real, virtual, or mixed manner, and a viewing area 6 where participants can watch the performances.

The stage 4 is, for example, an outdoor stage or an indoor stage, while the virtual space 12 can create situations such as an outdoor stage or an indoor stage, a concert hall, a live music venue, the back of a school gymnasium, a classroom podium, the bed of a truck, or a deck.

The viewing area 6 is an area for viewing the stage 4 while viewing the imaged virtual space 12 associated with the stage 4.

In addition, the viewing area 6 may be set up with a plurality of seats, in which case each seat may be assigned to a participant, or it may simply be divided into a plurality of areas, and if it is divided into a plurality of areas, it is preferable that a predetermined number of participants are assigned to each divided area (hereinafter also referred to as "divided area").

The virtual space 12 is formed in correspondence with the stage 4, and when the stage 4 is captured and imaged by the participant's terminal device 20, the captured image is displayed together with a real image or a virtual image of the real space of the stage 4.

The participant 2 is able to view images for experiencing VR, AR or MR directly or via the terminal device 20, and as a result is able to view a real or virtual performance on the stage 4.

The content of the performance on stage 4 may include live performances such as singing of music, playing of musical instruments, dancing, or street performance by performers in real space or virtual space 12, game demonstrations by performers or participants, or lectures.

On the other hand, one or more character objects performing a performance are placed in the virtual space 12, and a performance is carried out in the virtual space including the character objects.

For example, the character objects may be multiple idol characters who perform singing or dancing, or characters that embody the world of a game.

In this embodiment, the specific area 11 may be, for example, an outdoor area or an indoor area.

The event in this embodiment may be, for example, an event related to a given game, or an event related to a network service such as a social networking service (hereinafter referred to as "SNS"), or may be an event provided by a provider of these services or a related administrator or organization.

[2] Server device First, the outline and configuration of the server device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Note that Figure 3 is a diagram showing the functional blocks of the server device 10 of this embodiment, and the server device 10 of this embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (each unit) of Figure 3 are omitted. Figure 4 shows an example of user information stored in the user information storage unit of this embodiment.

The server device 10 includes a processing unit 100 that executes various processes for providing an event using a virtual space, an input unit 120 for use in input from the administrator and others, a display unit 130 that performs a specified display, a storage unit 140 that stores data on the event and each participant, an information storage medium 180 in which specified information is stored, and a communication unit 196 that communicates with the terminal device 20 and others.

The input unit 120 is used by a system administrator or the like to input settings related to events and other necessary settings and data. For example, the input unit 120 in this embodiment is configured with a mouse, keyboard, etc.

The display unit 130 displays an operation screen for the system administrator. For example, the display unit 130 in this embodiment is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like.

The information storage medium 180 (a computer-readable medium) stores programs, data, etc., and its functions are realized by optical disks (CD, DVD), magneto-optical disks (MO), magnetic disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, or memory (ROM), etc.

The communication unit 196 is a device that performs various controls for communicating with the outside (e.g., terminals, other servers, or other network systems), and its functions are configured by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, programs, etc.

The memory unit 140 serves as a work area for the processing unit 100, the communication unit 196, etc., and its functions are realized by a RAM (VRAM) or the like. The information stored in the memory unit 140 may be managed by a database. For example, the memory unit 140 constitutes the memory means of the present invention.

In addition, in this embodiment, the storage unit 140 stores a main storage unit 142 used as a work area, an event information storage unit 144 that stores information about the event to be provided, including the performance of the event, a user information storage unit 146 related to each user, and a viewing area information storage unit 148 that shows information about the viewing area 6. However, in addition to the above information, the storage unit 140 stores various information necessary for the event.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the user information storage unit 146 stores, as user information, attribute information such as name, age, and gender, current location information such as current location (latitude and longitude) and the currently existing zone, history information including game history, event participation history, and behavior history (including current location information and the state of the associated terminal device 20 such as the orientation and imaging direction of the terminal device 20, and the history of these), participant registration information indicating whether the user is registered as a participant, viewing position information indicating the viewing position such as the position (i.e., seat or area) or zone where the event is viewed if a viewing position has been specified in advance, and other information such as account information for making billing payments.

For the sake of simplicity, various detailed information that should be clearly indicated in the blank spaces in Figure 4 has been omitted.

Meanwhile, the viewing area information storage unit 148 stores latitude and longitude information indicating the latitude and longitude for determining the specific area in real space where the event will be held, position information of each seat set in the specific area (i.e., latitude and longitude information), and, if the specific area is divided into multiple divided areas, latitude and longitude information indicating the latitude and longitude for determining each divided area.

In addition, the viewing area information storage unit 148 stores information on divided areas in which the number of participants present is less than a certain number and is not crowded (hereinafter also referred to as "empty areas"), divided areas in which a certain number of participants already exist and no more participants can be present (hereinafter also referred to as "guidance end areas" or "end areas"), and divided areas in which the number of participants present is equal to or greater than a certain number (hereinafter also referred to as "crowded areas") in association with each latitude and longitude information.

The processing unit 100 performs various processes using the main memory unit 142 in the memory unit 140 as a work area. The functions of the processing unit 100 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.) and ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), or by programs.

The processing unit 100 performs various processes of this embodiment based on programs (data) stored in the information storage medium 180. That is, the information storage medium 180 stores programs for causing a computer to function as each part of this embodiment (programs for causing a computer to execute the processes of each part).

For example, the processing unit 100 (processor) controls the entire server device 10 based on a program stored in the information storage medium 180, and also performs processes such as controlling the execution of events, or image generation processing or sound generation processing.

The processing unit 100 also executes a guidance control process to guide the behavior of each user who visits a specific area, and executes a process to start providing image information of the rendered virtual space to the terminal device 20b when the start condition of the event (hereinafter referred to as "event start information") is satisfied, a process to place each object including a character object appearing in the virtual space in a virtual space formed in correspondence with a specific area which is real space, a process to control each object including a character object in accordance with the progress of the event, a process to display each object in the virtual space including a character object on each terminal device 20, and a process to end the event when the end condition of the event (hereinafter referred to as "event end condition") is satisfied.

Specifically, the processing unit 100 of this embodiment has at least a communication control unit 101, a Web processing unit 102, a participant guidance management unit 103, an event management unit 104, a virtual space production control unit 105, a virtual camera control unit 106, a sound generation unit 107, an image generation unit 108, a user information management unit 109, a timer management unit 110, and an information provision unit 111.

For example, the communication control unit 101 of this embodiment constitutes the receiving means of the present invention, and the participant guidance management unit 103, together with the image generation unit 108, constitutes the generating means of the present invention. Also, for example, the event management unit 104 constitutes the detecting means of the present invention, and the virtual space production control unit 105 constitutes the production control means of the present invention. Furthermore, for example, the user information management unit 109 constitutes the first determination processing means, second determination processing means, registration means, and bonus granting control means of the present invention, and the information provision unit 111 constitutes the providing means of the present invention.

The communication control unit 101 performs processing to transmit and receive data to and from the terminal device 20 via the network. In particular, the communication control unit 101 receives various information including user operation information and position information transmitted from the terminal device 20 and the like, and transmits visualized images of the virtual space and the like to the corresponding terminal device 20.

The web processing unit 102 functions as a web server. For example, the web processing unit 102 performs a process of transmitting data in response to a request from a web browser 211 installed in the terminal device 20, and a process of receiving data transmitted by the web browser 211 of the terminal device 20, via a communication protocol such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

In this embodiment, the event-related production control, virtual camera control, and image generation processing may be performed in whole or in part by the server device 10, or in part by the terminal device 20.

The participant guidance management unit 103 generates guidance information for each user registered as a participant (hereinafter simply referred to as "participant") based on the recognized position of each participant and whether or not the terminal device 20 captures an image of the stage, or controls the visualization of the virtual space in conjunction with the virtual camera control unit 106.

The event management unit 104 manages the number of people in a specific area and the congestion status of the specific area and specific areas within the specific area based on various information including location information obtained from the participants' terminal devices 20.

The virtual space production control unit 105 executes event control processing to control the production in the virtual space in conjunction with an event held in a specific area in the real space.

Specifically, the virtual space production control unit 105 performs processing to place and set various objects (objects composed of primitive surfaces such as sprites, billboards, polygons, free-form surfaces, or subdivision surfaces) representing display items such as character objects, movement paths, buildings, trees, pillars, walls, and maps (terrain) in object space (i.e., virtual space associated with a specific area) in conjunction with event production control processing that controls the production of the event.

For example, the virtual space production control unit 105, in conjunction with the event production control process that controls the production of the event, sets up a virtual space associated with a specific area, determines the position and rotation angle (synonymous with orientation and direction) of an object (model object), and places the object at that position (X, Y) or (X, Y, Z) with that rotation angle (rotation angle around the X, Y axes) or (rotation angle around the X, Y, Z axes).

The storage unit 170 stores object data, such as the position, rotation angle, movement speed, and movement direction of an object (part object), in association with an object number. The virtual space production control unit 105 then performs processing such as updating this object data for each frame.

Virtual space (object space) includes both so-called virtual two-dimensional space and virtual three-dimensional space. Two-dimensional space is a space in which objects are arranged, for example, using two-dimensional coordinates (X, Y), and three-dimensional space is a space in which objects are arranged, for example, using three-dimensional coordinates (X, Y, Z).

When the object space is a two-dimensional space, the virtual space production control unit 105 arranges the objects based on the priority order set for each of the multiple objects. For example, the virtual space production control unit 105 can arrange objects in order starting with the object (sprite) that is to be shown to be in the back, and then arrange objects that are to be shown to be in the foreground in an overlapping manner.

Furthermore, by placing objects with a large drawing size below the image and placing objects with a small drawing size above the image, the virtual space production control unit 105 can make the object space corresponding to the top of the screen appear to be in the back, and the object space corresponding to the bottom of the screen appear to be in the foreground.

On the other hand, if the object space is a three-dimensional space, the virtual space production control unit 105 places the object in the world coordinate system.

The virtual camera control unit 106 performs control processing of the virtual camera (viewpoint, reference virtual camera) to generate an image of the virtual space seen from the current position of each participant in a specific area in the object space as the viewpoint.

Specifically, the virtual camera control unit 106 performs processing to control the position (X, Y, Z) or rotation angle (rotation angle around the X, Y, Z axes) of the virtual camera (processing to control the viewpoint position, line of sight direction, or angle of view) based on the position of the participant within a specific area and the imaging direction of the terminal device 20 owned by the participant.

The sound generation unit 107 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, generates virtual event sounds such as background music, sound effects, or voice, and outputs them to the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 196.

The image generation unit 108 performs a drawing process in a virtual space that is imaged based on the results of various processes (such as event control) performed by the processing unit 100 and the viewpoint of each terminal device 20 for each terminal device 20, thereby generating an image, and transmits information about the generated image to the terminal device 20 as image information.

Specifically, the image generation unit 108 performs geometry processing such as coordinate transformation (world coordinate transformation, camera coordinate transformation), clipping, perspective transformation, or light source processing, and generates drawing data (position coordinates of vertices of primitive surfaces, texture coordinates, color data, normal vectors, alpha values, etc.) based on the results of this processing.

Then, based on this drawing data (primitive surface data), the image generation unit 108 draws the object (one or more primitive surfaces) after perspective transformation (after geometry processing) in a drawing buffer (not shown) (a buffer that can store image information in pixel units, such as a frame buffer or work buffer).

This generates an image that can be seen from a virtual camera (a given viewpoint) based on each participant's current position within a specific area in the object space.

The drawing process performed by the image generation unit 108 can be realized by vertex shader processing, pixel shader processing, etc.

The user information management unit 109 handles processes related to user registration procedures and stores and manages data linked to accounts (user IDs).

Specifically, the user information management unit 109 controls the allocation of accounts, manages registration information to register and manage personal information about users, sets up an account linked to the account and used as a source of payment for the execution of billing elements and controls deposits and withdrawals, stores and manages event progress information related to the progress of events, and manages participation in various events by linking the account to the account.

The user information management unit 109 acquires current location information transmitted from each terminal device 20 indicating the user's current location, and information indicating the terminal state indicating the orientation of each terminal device 20, whether imaging is performed, and the imaging direction (hereinafter referred to as "terminal state information"), and manages the terminal state including whether each user is present within a specific area, registration control of each user as a participant (including history management), the position of the user within the specific area as a participant, and whether imaging of the stage is performed and the imaging direction on the terminal device 20 owned by the user as a participant.

Then, the user information management unit 109 registers each user's current location information, image information, and information regarding the recognized behavior of each user in the user information storage unit 146 (behavior history information) in association with the user ID.

The timer management unit 110 has a timer function and is used to manage the progress of the game. In particular, the timer management unit 110 outputs the current time and a preset time to each unit. The timer management unit 110 is also used to synchronize with each terminal device 20.

The information providing unit 111 provides the image information and guidance information generated by the terminal device 20 to the corresponding terminal device 20.

[3] Terminal Device Next, the terminal device 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the terminal device 20 of this embodiment. Also, the terminal device 20 of this embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (parts) of Fig. 5 are omitted.

The terminal device 20 is composed of a processing unit 200, a current position detection unit 250, an input unit 260, a memory unit 270, an information storage medium 280, a display unit 290, a sound output unit 292, and a communication unit 296.

The current location detection unit 250 detects the current location of the terminal device 20 at each predetermined timing and generates location information indicating the current location.

For example, the current position detection unit 250 recognizes the position of a GPS satellite (not shown) at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 5 seconds) and detects a satellite signal (GPS signal) transmitted from the GPS satellite.

Then, the current position detection unit 250 calculates (i.e., detects) the coordinate values (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the current position of the terminal device 20 based on the detected GPS signal, and provides the coordinate values to the processing unit 200 as current position information.

The input unit 260 is a device for inputting input information from the user, has a configuration for detecting the user's input information (input signal), and outputs the user's input information to the processing unit 200.

For example, the input unit 260 may be composed of a lever, buttons, a steering wheel, a microphone, a touch panel display, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.

In this embodiment, the input unit 260 is formed by a touch panel formed on the display unit 290.

The input unit 260 may also be equipped with a microphone for collecting the user's voice in order to recognize the user's voice instructions, or may be configured with an imaging camera.

In particular, imaging cameras are used to create real or virtual images of a stage set up in a specific area.

In addition to the above, the input unit 260 also includes an acceleration sensor to detect the rotational movement of the terminal device 20 around the three axes, X, Y, and Z, specifically, the rotation angle and angular velocity around each of the X, Y, and Z axes.

The memory unit 270 serves as a work area for the processing unit 200, the communication unit 296, etc., and its functions can be realized by a RAM (VRAM) or the like. The memory unit 270 of this embodiment includes a main memory unit 271 used as a work area, an image buffer 272 in which the final display image, etc. are stored, and a user information memory unit 273 in which user information is stored. Note that some of these may be omitted.

The information storage medium 280 (a computer-readable medium) stores programs, data, etc., and its functions can be realized by optical disks (CD, DVD), magneto-optical disks (MO), magnetic disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, or memory (ROM), etc.

The processing unit 200 performs various processes of this embodiment based on programs (data) stored in the information storage medium 280. The information storage medium 280 can store programs for causing a computer to function as each part of this embodiment (programs for causing a computer to execute the processing of each part).

In this embodiment, the programs for causing a computer to function as each part of this embodiment and data for realizing a virtual event, which are stored in the information storage medium 180 and storage unit 140 of the server device 10, are received via a network, and the received programs and data are stored in the information storage medium 280.

In addition, the programs and data received from the server device 10 may be stored in the storage unit 270. Receiving programs and data in this manner to function the network system is also included within the scope of the present invention.

The display unit 290 outputs the image generated by this embodiment, and its function can be realized by a CRT, LCD, touch panel display, HMD (head mounted display), etc.

For example, the display unit 290 displays information about the virtual space transmitted from the server device 10 by superimposing it on the real image of the stage input by the input unit 260.

In this embodiment, the display unit 290 is formed by a touch panel display.

The communication unit 296 performs various controls for communicating with external devices such as the server device 10, and its functions can be realized by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, programs, etc.

The processing unit 200 (processor) performs processes such as event control processing (including performance control), image generation processing, or sound generation processing based on the current position information from the current position detection unit 250, information about the event including information about the virtual space obtained from the server device 10 via the communication unit 296, input information input by the input unit 260, or a program, etc.

Specifically, the processing unit 200 performs various processes using the main memory unit 271 in the memory unit 270 as a work area. The functions of the processing unit 200 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.) and ASICs (gate arrays, etc.) and programs.

The processing unit 200 includes a communication control unit 210, a web browser 211, a display control unit 213, a current location management unit 215, a status management unit 216, a drawing unit 220, and a sound processing unit 230. Note that some of these may be omitted.

The communication control unit 210 performs processing for transmitting and receiving data to and from each server device 10. In addition, the communication control unit 210 performs processing for storing data received from the server device 10 in the storage unit 270, processing for analyzing the received data, and other control processing related to the transmission and reception of data.

The communication control unit 210 may store and manage the destination information (IP address, port number) of the server in the information storage medium 280. The communication control unit 210 may then communicate with the server device 10 when it receives input information from the player to start communication.

In particular, the communication control unit 210 transmits user identification information and operation information to the server device 10, and performs processing to receive data related to the user information storage unit 146 (player's web page, event-related screens, game screens, etc.) from the server device 10.

The communication control unit 210 may transmit and receive data with the server device 10 at a predetermined interval, or may transmit and receive data with the server device 10 when input information is received from the input unit 260.

The web browser 211 is an application program for viewing web pages (event-related screens including games), and downloads HTML files, image files, etc. from the web server (server device 10), analyzes the layout, and controls the display. The web browser 211 also transmits data to the web server (server device 10) using input forms (links, buttons, text boxes, etc.).

The web browser 211 of this embodiment can realize various types of browsing, including browser games. For example, the web browser 211 may execute a program written in JavaScript (registered trademark), FLASH (registered trademark), Java (registered trademark), or the like, received from a web server (server device 10).

The terminal device 20 can display information from a web server specified by a URL via the Internet using the web browser 211. For example, the terminal device 20 can display an event-related screen (such as HTML data) including a game received from the server device 10 using the web browser 211.

The display control unit 213 performs display control processing to superimpose an image of the virtual space on a stage image obtained by capturing an image of the stage and displaying the superimposed image on the display unit 290 based on information about the virtual space transmitted from the server device 10. For example, the display control unit 213 may display the image using the web browser 211.

The current location management unit 215 acquires the current location information for each predetermined period obtained from the current location detection unit 250, stores it as history information in the main memory unit 271, and transmits the current location information acquired by the user as a participant to the server device 10 at a predetermined timing in conjunction with the server device 10.

The state management unit 216 identifies the terminal state, such as the orientation and imaging direction of the terminal device 20, based on the rotation angles and angular velocities around the X, Y, and Z axes input from the input unit 260, and provides the identified state of the terminal device 20 to the server device 10 as terminal state information.

The drawing unit 220 performs drawing processing based on various processes (e.g., game processing) performed by the processing unit 200, thereby generating an image, which is output to the display unit 290 by the display control unit 213. The image generated by the drawing unit 220 may be a so-called two-dimensional image, or a so-called three-dimensional image.

The sound processing unit 230 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed in the processing unit 200, generates game sounds such as background music, sound effects, or voice, and outputs them to the sound output unit 292.

[4] Method of this embodiment [4.1] Overview Next, the method of this embodiment (participant guidance control in real space using virtual space information and performance control in virtual space) will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining participant guidance control in real space and performance control in virtual space using virtual space information of this embodiment.

The server device 10 of this embodiment is configured to provide images of a virtual space (e.g., images for VR) or images that combine images of real space (e.g., real images captured of a stage, etc.) with images of a virtual space (e.g., images for AR or MR) at an event held in a specific area, and to execute various processes to guide the user's actions as a participant.

In other words, the server device 10 is configured to execute various processes for inducing actions, such as movement, orientation, or state changes, of participants present in a specified area in real space in order to expand the event into a virtual space and activate the event, or to ensure the safety of each participant in the event, and to control participants present in the specified area.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the server device 10
(A1) Receive current location information indicating the user's current location in real space transmitted from the terminal device 20 ([1] in FIG. 6 );
(A2) As a first determination process for determining whether or not the user satisfies a first condition, it is determined whether or not the current position of the user in the real space transmitted from the terminal device 20 is within a specific area ([2] in FIG. 6 );
(A3) A second determination process is executed to determine whether or not at least one of the following elements satisfies a given second condition ([3] in FIG. 6 ): a current position in real space of a user who is a target of the first determination process and who is determined to be present in a specific area by the first determination process, an orientation of the user in real space, and the number of people present in the specific area;
(A4) A guide information generating process is executed to generate guide information for encouraging a user who is a second judgment target and who is judged not to satisfy the second condition by the second judgment process to take a given action ([4] in FIG. 6 ).
(A5) It has a configuration in which information regarding the virtual space is provided to the terminal device 20 of each user, and the generated guidance information is provided to the terminal device 20 of the corresponding second judgment target user ([4] in Figure 6).

In addition, FIG. 6 shows a case where the current position of user U10 recognized by GPS signals from GPS satellites 40 is transmitted from terminal device 20 to server device 10, and the first determination process determines that user U10 is present in a specific area and satisfies the first condition, but the zone of user U10 is congested and the second determination process determines that the second condition is not satisfied, and guidance information for guiding user U10 to an empty zone in the specific area is displayed on the terminal device 20 of user U10.

In this embodiment, by having such a configuration, when a user who is present in a specified area in real space exhibits behavior such as movement, orientation, or state that does not conform to the intentions of the event manager, the user's behavior can be guided to conform to the intentions of the event manager.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when many participants gather for an event held in a specific area, images of the virtual space can be incorporated into the content of the event (i.e., an event held in real space can be expanded into the virtual space), thereby making it possible to ensure the safety of each user participating in the event by revitalizing the event and reducing congestion within the area.

[4.2] First Determination Process Next, the first determination process of this embodiment will be described.

The user information management unit 109 executes a first determination process to determine whether the current location of the user indicated by the current location information of the user transmitted and received from each terminal device 20 is within a specific area (specifically, to determine whether the first condition is satisfied).

Then, as a first determination process, when the user information management unit 109 determines that the current location of each user is within a specific area, it registers the determined user as a participant of an event held in the specific area in the user information storage unit 146.

The user information management unit 109 may execute the first determination process on the premise that the user's information has been registered in advance as a participant in the user information storage unit 146.

In other words, in this case, the user information management unit 109 searches for a user ID included in the user's current location information transmitted and received from each terminal device 20 from among multiple user IDs (hereinafter referred to as "registered user IDs") already registered in the user information storage unit 146.

In this case, if there is a user ID among the registered user IDs that matches the user ID of the user to be judged, the user information management unit 109 executes the first judgment process, and if there is no user ID that matches the user ID of the user to be judged, the user information management unit 109 does not execute the first judgment process and does not register the participant.

[4.3] Participant Number Detection Processing Next, participant number detection processing of this embodiment will be described.

The event management unit 104 detects the number of users who meet the first condition at a given first timing.

Specifically, the event management unit 104 executes a participant number detection process at a first timing, which is either before the start of the event or at a predetermined timing during the event, to detect the number of participants present in a specific area whose latitude and longitude have been set in advance, based on the current location information of each user or participant transmitted from each terminal device 20.

In particular, the event management unit 104 executes the participant number detection process at the first timing, which is the timing when each participant is registered (i.e., the timing when the first determination process is executed).

In this case, if no divided areas are set, the event management unit 104 recognizes the current positions of the participants registered by the first determination process, detects the number of people for each predetermined range (1 m ² ) set in advance within the specific area, and calculates the number of people for each predetermined range (hereinafter,
It may be determined whether a certain area (also called a "zone") is congested.

For example, in this case, the event management unit 104 determines for each zone whether it is a non-congested area (hereinafter, "empty zone") or a congested area, and registers the zone type, which is the result of each determination, as zone type information in the viewing area information storage unit 148 in association with the latitude and longitude information of each zone.

In this case, the event management unit 104 may determine the congestion status of each zone, including zones to which guidance has already been completed (zones in which the maximum number of possible participants are present and to which no further guidance is possible).

On the other hand, the event management unit 104 may detect the number of participants in each of the divided areas (similarly, areas whose latitude and longitude are set in advance) into which a specific area is divided as a participant number detection process.

In particular, in this case, the event management unit 104 registers, for each divided area, divided areas in which the number of participants present is less than a certain number as vacant areas, and divided areas in which the number of participants present is a certain number or more as congested areas in the viewing area information storage unit 148 in association with the latitude and longitude information.

The event management unit 104 may also execute a participant number detection process to detect the number of users who meet the second condition in the second determination process described below.

In this case, the first timing includes, for example, a predetermined timing such as a date and time set by an administrator who manages the event (including the provider who provides the game), and the timing when the second determination process is executed.

[4.4] Second Determination Processing Next, the second determination processing of this embodiment will be described.

(Basic principle)
The user information management unit 109 executes a second determination process to determine whether or not at least one element of a participant registered as a user present in a specific area by the first determination process, the position of the participant, the orientation of the participant, and the number of people present in the specific area, satisfies a given second condition.

In other words, in the second determination process, the user information management unit 109 determines whether the position, orientation, etc. of a participant who has already been registered in the first determination process satisfies a given second condition.

Specifically, the user information management unit 109 determines, as the given second condition,
(A1) The number of users present in a specific area is within a certain number (the number of users who are registered as participants is within a certain number),
(A2) The location of the corresponding user is within an empty area;
(A3) The state of the corresponding user (the orientation or the position within a predetermined area, including the height) is a predetermined state; and
(A4) A combination of two or more of (A1) to (A3);
The second determination process is executed using

The user information management unit 109 determines whether or not at least one of the above conditions (A1) to (A3) is met, but may also include a second determination process based on factors other than (A1) to (A3), such as whether or not the attributes of the relevant participant meet a second condition (whether or not the attributes are specific).

The event management unit 104 may also repeatedly execute the second determination process for each participant until it is determined that the second condition is met, in order to check whether the situation of the participant or the surrounding environment has improved.

In other words, if it is determined that the second condition is not met, guidance information may be provided to the terminal device 20 of the participant to be determined, as described below, while the event management unit 104 may execute the second determination process again for the participant of the terminal device 20 at a given timing after providing the guidance information.

In particular, in this embodiment, the given timing includes, for example, the timing when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the execution of the second determination process, as well as the timing when new current location information or terminal status information (including status information that has changed based on an operational instruction by the user) is received from the terminal device 20 that provided the guidance information.

(Second Determination Process Based on Number of People in a Specific Area)
When a user is registered as a participant present in a specific area by the first determination process, the user information management unit 109 performs a second determination process to determine whether the number of participants detected by the event management unit 104 is equal to or less than a predetermined number.

In other words, if the number of participants detected by the event management unit 104 is large, a specific area may become congested, making it difficult to ensure the safety of the participants. On the other hand, if the number of participants is small, the event itself may not be very exciting, and the timing to start the event may be determined based on the number of participants.

Therefore, the user information management unit 109 determines whether the number of participants in a specific area is below a predetermined number in order to grasp the congestion state of the specific area and the number of participants participating.

The user information management unit 109 may determine the number of participants in stages. In this case, multiple second conditions, such as the number of people required to determine congestion and the number of people required to start the event, are defined, and the user information management unit 109 executes the second determination process based on the multiple second conditions.

(Second determination process based on the congestion state of divided areas within a specific area)
When a user is registered as a participant present in a specific area by the first determination process, the user information management unit 109 identifies the divided area in which the registered participant is present, and determines, as a second determination process, whether the number of participants in the identified divided area detected by the event management unit 104 is less than or equal to a predetermined number.

In other words, if the number of participants detected by the event management unit 104 in a given divided area is equal to or greater than a certain number, the divided area can be determined to be congested.

Therefore, in order to grasp the congestion state of the divided area, the user information management unit 109 determines whether the number of participants present in the corresponding divided area is equal to or less than a predetermined number.

(Second Determination Process Based on Participant's State)
When a user is registered as a participant present in a specific area by the first determination process, the user information management unit 109 determines the status of the participant and the status of the participant's terminal device 20 based on terminal status information indicating the terminal status transmitted from the participant's terminal device 20.

Specifically, the user information management unit 109 determines whether the participant is facing the stage direction based on the orientation of the terminal device 20, determines whether the imaging direction of the terminal device 20 is the stage direction, determines whether imaging is being performed by the terminal device 20, or determines two or more of these states as the second determination process.

[4.5] Guide Information Generation Process Next, the guide information generation process of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are diagrams for explaining the guide information generation process of this embodiment.

(Basic principles of guidance information generation processing)
The participant guidance management unit 103 executes a guidance information generation process for a participant who is determined by the second judgment process to not meet the second condition, to generate guidance information for guiding the user to change the real-space position of the participant in the specific area, the real-space orientation of the participant in the specific area, or both.

In addition to or instead of these, the participant guidance management unit 103 also executes a guidance information generation process that generates guidance information that prompts participants to take a given action.

Normally, when there are more than a certain number of people in a particular area, it is assumed that at least some localized congestion will occur, so it is necessary to equalize the congestion of participants in order to reduce discomfort for each participant and ensure their safety.

In addition, if there is a certain number of people or more in a divided area, it is assumed that localized congestion will occur, and it is necessary to alleviate the congestion to reduce discomfort for participants and ensure their safety.

Furthermore, if participants are not facing the area where the event is taking place, such as the stage, or are not being photographed when the event begins, the event will not be sufficiently entertaining.

Therefore, the participant guidance management unit 103 is configured to generate guidance information for the participant to be determined, for moving the participant to another area within a specific area or another divided area, for directing the participant in a specific direction such as a stage, or for causing the participant to capture an image of a certain area such as a stage.

Specifically, the participant guidance management unit 103
(A1) Guidance information for moving the relevant participant to a specified area or a specified position (including a high or low position) in the area, such as a route or a destination display;
(A2) Guidance information for changing the orientation of the relevant participant to a specific orientation, such as a display indicating a specific direction, or
(A3) Guidance information for causing the terminal device 20 of the relevant participant to perform a predetermined operation, such as starting imaging, turning on a light, playing a predetermined game, or logging in to a predetermined network service;
Generate.

When the participant guidance management unit 103 determines through the second determination process that the second condition is met, there is no need to guide the participant, so it does not generate guidance information. However, the participant guidance management unit 103 may generate information, such as that a participant who does not meet the second condition is being guided, in order to provide such a participant with information.

(Generating Guidance Information Based on the Number of People in a Specific Area)
If the second determination process determines that the number of participants is not below a certain number, i.e., if the specific area is determined to be congested, the participant guidance management unit 103 generates guidance information to guide the participant to a specified area within the specific area that is not congested.

Specifically, when the second determination process determines that the number of participants is not below a certain number, the participant guidance management unit 103 refers to the viewing area information storage unit 148 and identifies an empty zone that is appropriate for venue management (for example, an empty zone that is furthest from the entrance and closest to the participants to be guided), excluding zones to which guidance has already ended for the participants to be determined (hereinafter also referred to as "end zones").

Then, the participant guidance management unit 103 generates guidance information that indicates the location of the identified vacant zone and the route to that zone.

The information providing unit 111 provides the guidance information generated as described above to the terminal device 20 of the relevant participant.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7(A), assume that participant A is in zone H12 (a congested zone that is in a congested state) within a specific area, and that the nearest vacant zone (i.e., the zone to which participant A is guided) that is the furthest from the entrance excluding the end zone is zone D12.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7(B), when the second determination process determines that the number of participants is not equal to or less than a certain number, the participant guidance management unit 103 generates, as guidance information for participant A, display control information for displaying a route from zone H12 to zone D12, avoiding congested zone G12.

Note that FIG. 7(A) shows an example in which guidance information is generated on the assumption that a zone in which a certain number of participants already exist has been determined to be an end zone, but the zone may also be managed as a congested zone.

On the other hand, the participant guidance management unit 103 may generate guidance information in place of or in addition to the display control information, which is information for notifying participants of the route (i.e., guidance content) by sound or the like via the terminal device 20.

In addition, when the second determination process determines that the number of participants is not equal to or less than a certain number, the participant guidance management unit 103 may generate guidance information that simply informs participants that there is a mixture of areas (zones) in which participants are present, and encourages them to find and move to an empty area (zone), without determining whether the zone is empty or not and guiding them to a specific empty zone.

(Processing for generating guidance information based on the congestion state of divided areas within a specific area)
If the second judgment process determines that the number of people in the divided area in which the participant to be judged is located is not below a certain number, i.e., if the divided area is determined to be a congested area, the participant guidance management unit 103 generates guidance information to guide the participant to be judged to a divided area that is not congested.

Specifically, when the second determination process determines that the number of people in the divided area in which the participant to be determined is present is not below a certain number, the participant guidance management unit 103 refers to the viewing area information storage unit 148 and identifies an empty divided area that is appropriate for venue management (for example, an empty divided area that is furthest from the entrance and close to the participant to be guided) for the participant to be determined, excluding divided areas to which guidance has already been completed.

Then, the participant guidance management unit 103 generates guidance information, which is display control information for displaying the position of the identified empty divided area and the route to that area.

In addition, the participant guidance management unit 103 may generate guidance information in place of or in addition to the display control information, which is information for notifying participants of the route (i.e., guidance content) by sound or the like via the terminal device 20.

In addition, the information providing unit 111 provides the guidance information generated as described above to the terminal device 20 of the relevant participant.

(Processing for generating guidance information based on the state of participants)
When the participant guidance management unit 103 determines in the second determination process that the participant to be determined is not facing the stage direction, it generates guidance information for causing the participant to face the stage direction.

In addition, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the participant guidance management unit 103 determines by the second determination process that the participant to be determined is not capturing an image in the direction of the stage, the participant guidance management unit 103 generates display control information as guidance information for the participant to capture an image in the direction of the stage.

In addition, in FIG. 8, the stage as the imaging direction is "a little further to the right," and an example of guidance information for guiding the imaging direction in that direction is shown.

In addition, the participant guidance management unit 103 may generate display control information as guidance information in place of or in addition to the display control information, so that the participant can image the direction of the stage by using a sound or the like via the terminal device 20.

In addition, the information providing unit 111 provides the guidance information generated as described above to the terminal device 20 of the relevant participant.

[4.6] Virtual Space Rendering Control Processing Next, the virtual space rendering control processing of this embodiment will be described.

The virtual space production control unit 105 executes production control processing to control the production of the virtual space in conjunction with events held in the real space.

Specifically, the virtual space production control unit 105 controls a given production related to the virtual space, such as a game or character-related event, depending on the number of participants participating in an event in a specific area detected by the participant number detection process executed by the event management unit 104, the number of participants who meet the second condition, or the number of both.

In particular, the virtual space production control unit 105 performs production control such as making a character object (virtual object) appear within the virtual space and controlling the behavior (performance, etc.) of the character object as part of the production of the virtual space.

Specifically, when the number of participants in a specific area reaches a certain number or more, when a participant in a specific area moves to a specified position, or when the participant faces a specified direction or causes the terminal device 20 to perform a specified action (including imaging direction), the virtual space production control unit 105 performs production control in the virtual space, such as making a character object appear in the virtual space formed in correspondence with the stage and having the character object perform a specified performance, or controlling the production in the virtual space in which the virtual object is placed.

On the other hand, if the number of participants in a specific area does not reach a certain number, or if a participant in a specific area has not yet moved to a specified position, or if the participant does not face a specified direction or has not caused the terminal device 20 to perform a specified action, the virtual space production control unit 105 performs production control in the virtual space, such as a production that indicates to the character object that a specified performance is about to begin without making the character object appear.

For example, if the number of participants who meet the first and second conditions is greater than a predetermined number, the virtual space production control unit 105 determines that it is highly likely that many of the participants are in a safe state or an appropriate state, such as a state in which they can start a given action, and therefore determines that the event can be started and controls the execution of the production related to it.

For example, if the number of participants who meet the first and second conditions is less than a predetermined number, the virtual space production control unit 105 determines that there is a high possibility that safety cannot be guaranteed or that preparations to start a given action are not in place, and therefore determines that the event cannot be started and controls the execution of the production related to it.

The image generation unit 108 creates an image of the virtual space formed by the virtual space production control unit 105 from the viewpoint of the virtual camera controlled by the virtual camera control unit 106, and generates display control information for displaying the image on the terminal device 20.

Then, the information providing unit 111 provides the generated display control information to the corresponding terminal device 20 as information about the virtual space.

The virtual camera control unit 106 may also set a virtual camera at a position within a specific area in which each participant is present based on the position information of that participant to image the virtual space including the stage, or may set the virtual camera at a specific position such as in front of the stage or at a position specified by the participant, regardless of the position within the specific area, to image the virtual space including the stage.

On the other hand, instead of the above, the virtual space production control unit 105 may start a given production control related to the virtual space, such as a game or character-related event, when it is determined that a predetermined given second timing has arrived.

In this case, similarly to the above, the image generation unit 108 images the virtual space formed by the virtual space production control unit 105 from the viewpoint of the virtual camera controlled by the virtual camera control unit 106, generates display control information for displaying the image on the terminal device 20, and the information provision unit 111 provides the generated display control information to the corresponding terminal device 20 as information related to the virtual space.

Alternatively, instead of the above, the virtual space production control unit 105 may start a given production control for the virtual space, such as a game or character-related event, at a given timing, such as a predetermined date and time, and the image generation unit 108 may start providing the corresponding terminal device 20 with display control information that reflects the given production control for the virtual space that has already been executed, when it is determined that a predetermined second given timing has arrived.

In addition, when it is determined that a predetermined given second timing has arrived, the information providing unit 111 stops providing display control information for displaying a given performance on a terminal device 20 to a terminal device 20 that does not satisfy the second condition through the second determination process.

[4.7] Modifications Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 are diagrams for explaining a modification of this embodiment, which is a modification of guidance information using a character object.

(Guidance information using character objects)
In the guidance information generating process of the present embodiment, a state of a character object arranged in a virtual space may be controlled, and display control information that visualizes the state of the controlled character object may be used as guidance information.

In particular, the virtual space production control unit 105 uses display control information for displaying a given production related to the virtual space on the terminal device 20 as guidance information, and controls the state of the character object in the virtual space based on a given action that the participant is prompted to take, such as moving or changing direction.

Then, the image generation unit 108 creates an image of the virtual space including the character object, and generates display control information for displaying the image on the terminal device 20. The information provision unit 111 provides the generated display control information to the corresponding terminal device 20 as information related to the virtual space.

Specifically, based on the result of the second determination process, the participant guidance management unit 103 determines the guidance content for the participant to be determined, such as the destination of the participant, a change in the orientation or imaging direction of the participant, or the state of the terminal device 20.

Then, the virtual space production control unit 105 controls the state of the character object in the virtual space (hereinafter also referred to as the "stage in the virtual space") associated with the stage in the specific area based on the determined guidance content.

In addition, the image generation unit 108 creates an image of the virtual space formed by the virtual space production control unit 105 from the viewpoint of the virtual camera controlled by the virtual camera control unit 106, and generates display control information to be displayed on the terminal device 20 as guidance information for the relevant participant.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the virtual space production control unit 105 controls an operation to indicate a destination location to a character object, an operation to specify the orientation of a participant, or an operation to indicate an imaging direction on the terminal device 20.

Then, the image generation unit 108 generates display control information for imaging the virtual space including the movements of the character object and displaying the image on the terminal device 20 as guidance information for the relevant participant.

In addition, FIG. 9 shows an example in which a character object CB presenting guidance information is displayed on the terminal device 20. In particular, FIG. 9(A) is a diagram of a case in which a character object CB informing a participant of a destination is displayed on the terminal device 20, and FIG. 9(B) is a diagram of a case in which a character object CB informing a participant that they have reached the guidance destination is displayed on the terminal device 20.

On the other hand, instead of or in addition to the state control of the character object in the virtual space production control unit 105, the virtual camera control unit 106 may control the position, direction, and presence or absence of enlargement and its magnification, etc. of the virtual camera when imaging a stage in the virtual space, based on the position information of the participant who is the subject of the second judgment process, thereby pseudo-controlling the state of the character object in the virtual space.

In other words, the virtual space production control unit 105 controls the character object to a normal state without performing any special control, while the virtual camera control unit 106 controls the position, direction, and whether or not to enlarge and the magnification of the virtual camera when imaging a stage in the virtual space, based on the position information of the participant who is the subject of the second judgment process.

In this case, the image generation unit 108 may, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, image the virtual space formed by the virtual space production control unit 105 from the viewpoint of a virtual camera controlled by the virtual camera control unit 106, and generate display control information for displaying the image on the terminal device 20 as guidance information for the relevant participant.

In addition, FIG. 10 shows an example in which guidance information for guiding the participant's destination and imaging direction is displayed on the terminal device 20 based on the size and display direction of the character object CB. In particular, FIG. 10(A) is a diagram of a case in which guidance information for guiding the participant to move diagonally forward to the right is displayed on the terminal device 20, and FIG. 10(B) is a diagram of a case in which guidance information is displayed on the terminal device 20 when the participant has reached the guidance destination.

In addition, the virtual space production control unit 105 may control the position and imaging direction of the virtual camera, as well as control the focus when imaging by the virtual camera, or control changes in image quality, as a control to pseudo-change the state of a virtual object without changing the state of the virtual object itself.

(Granting of Benefits)
Participants who attend an event held in a specific area may be given benefits related to games or Internet services related to the event.

In other words, in order to increase the user's interest in games and network services, a special benefit may be given for a given game or network service related to the event provided by the terminal device 20 or the like.

Specifically, the user information management unit 109 grants a given benefit (e.g., an electronic benefit) in a given game or a given network service to a user who is present in a specific area and who is registered as a participant.

Note that the benefits in this embodiment include, for example, abilities, items, player characters, in-game currency, or parameters used in a given game that give the user an advantage in the game, as well as things that allow the user to enjoy network services such as service points and discounts.

(Detecting current location information)
In this embodiment, the current location of each user (i.e., each participant) is detected using GPS, but the current location of each participant may also be detected based on the radio wave strength or distance when a terminal device 20 such as WiFi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) wirelessly connects to a network, or by using an image captured of a specific area.

(The location and display of each user in the virtual space)
In this embodiment, a virtual space is formed in correspondence with a stage, but a virtual space may also be formed in correspondence with a specific area, in which case users may be positioned as avatars or the like within the virtual space based on their positions within the specific area.

In this case, a display device (large relay monitor) may be placed at a given position within a specific area, which is real space, such as next to the stage, at the entrance, or in the center of the specific area, and the positioning of each user within the virtual space may be displayed on the display device.

Specifically, the image generating unit 108 in the server device 10 identifies the position of each user in the virtual space based on the position of the specific area identified based on each user's current position, and generates an image showing the situation in which each user is positioned at the identified position in the virtual space (hereinafter also referred to as the "user positioning situation in the virtual space").

The image generating unit 108 then displays the generated image of the user arrangement status in the virtual space on the display device. At this time, the image generating unit 108 may generate an image of the user arrangement status in the virtual space using the avatar or a predetermined character of each user, or may generate an image in which only the arrangement status is visualized as the user arrangement status in the virtual space.

[5] Operation in this embodiment Next, a description will be given of the start operation of a production related to an event in a virtual space including the participant guiding control executed by the server device 10 of this embodiment with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are flowcharts showing the start operation of a production related to an event in a virtual space including the participant guiding control executed by the server device 10 of this embodiment.

In this operation, each terminal device 20 accesses the server device 10, and a communication line is already connected to the server device 10. Current location information indicating the current location is sequentially transmitted to the server device 10, and the current location information of each user as a participant is sequentially registered in the user information storage unit 146.

In addition, in this operation, it is assumed that the user information of each user, except for current location information and information indicating whether or not the user is registered as a participant (e.g., flag information), is already stored in the user information storage unit 146, and the operation is executed for each terminal device 20 (i.e., for each user). However, the operation is executed in conjunction with each other when it comes to starting the performance related to the event.

In particular, when a certain number of participants meet the second condition through the second judgment process, a presentation related to the event in the virtual space will be started, and a presentation image related to the event will be provided simultaneously to all participants who meet the second judgment condition.

In this operation, the second determination process executes multiple determination processes such as the congestion situation and the imaging direction of the terminal device.

Furthermore, this operation describes a case where guidance information is generated and provided separately from the character object's presentation, where the specific area is divided into predefined zones, and participants are guided based on the congestion status of each zone.

First, when the user information management unit 109 receives current location information from a given terminal device 20 (step S101), the user information management unit 109 executes a first determination process to determine whether or not the current location of the user who owns the terminal device 20 is within a specific area based on the received current location information of the terminal device 20 (step S102).

At this time, if the user information management unit 109 determines that the user's current location is not within the specific area, it ends this operation, and if it determines that the user's current location is within the specific area, it proceeds to the processing of step S103.

Next, when the user information management unit 109 determines that the current location of the user having the corresponding terminal device 20 is within a specific area, it registers the user who is the subject of the first determination process as a participant (step S103).

Specifically, the user information management unit 109 turns on flag information indicating the user is a registrant in the user information of the user being judged.

Next, the event management unit 104 executes a participant number detection process to detect the number of participants (i.e., users who have registered user flag information) present in a specific area by referring to the user information (step S104).

Next, the event management unit 104 determines the congestion state (e.g., whether it is an empty zone, a congested zone, or an end-of-guidance zone) in each zone within the specific area based on the most recent current location of each participant, and registers the determination result in the viewing area information storage unit 148 (step S105).

Next, as a second determination process, the user information management unit 109 determines whether the number of people in the specific area is below a certain number based on the detection result of step S104 (step S106).

At this time, if the user information management unit 109 determines that the number of people in the specific area is not below a certain number, it transitions to processing of step S107, and if it determines that the number of people in the specific area is below a certain number, it transitions to processing of step S111.

Next, if it is determined that the number of people in the specific area is not below a certain number, the participant guidance management unit 103 determines whether the zone in which the participant who is the user being judged in step S103 is present is an empty zone (step S107).

Specifically, the participant guidance management unit 103 identifies a zone within a specific area in which the participant to be determined is located based on the current location of the participant, and determines whether the identified zone is an empty zone or a congested zone.

At this time, if the participant guidance management unit 103 determines that the zone in which the participant to be judged is located is not an empty zone (it is a congested zone or a guidance end zone), it identifies the nearest empty zone from the zone in which the participant is located, generates guidance information for guiding the participant to the empty zone, and has the information provision unit 111 provide the generated guidance information to the corresponding terminal device 20 (step S108), and proceeds to the processing of step S104.

On the other hand, if the participant guidance management unit 103 determines that the zone in which the participant to be judged is located is an empty zone, it proceeds directly to the processing of step S111.

Next, as a second determination process, the user information management unit 109 determines whether the imaging direction of the terminal device 20 is in the stage direction (i.e., whether the participant is facing the stage) based on the terminal status information indicating the terminal status transmitted from the terminal device 20 of the participant (step S111).

At this time, if the user information management unit 109 determines that the imaging direction of the terminal device 20 is not toward the stage, it transitions to processing of step S112, and if it determines that the imaging direction of the terminal device 20 is toward the stage, it transitions to processing of step S121.

Next, if the participant guidance management unit 103 determines that the imaging direction of the terminal device 20 is not toward the stage, it generates guidance information for orienting the imaging direction of the terminal device 20 toward the stage, and causes the information providing unit 111 to provide the generated guidance information to the corresponding terminal device 20 (step 112), and proceeds to the processing of step S111.

On the other hand, if the event management unit 104 determines that the imaging direction of the terminal device 20 is toward the stage, it determines whether or not an event has already started in the virtual space (step S121).

At this time, if the event management unit 104 determines that the event in the virtual space has already started, it causes the information provision unit 111 to start providing various information related to the event, such as image information, to the corresponding terminal device 20 (step S122), and ends this operation.

The information providing unit 111 may start providing the relevant terminal device 20 with various information (including image information) related to the virtual space event that has already started from this timing (i.e., start providing information halfway through the event), or start providing various information related to the virtual space event from the start of the event.

Next, if the event management unit 104 determines that the virtual space event has not yet started, it determines in step S111 whether the number of participants whose terminal device 20's imaging direction is facing the stage is equal to or greater than a certain number (step S123).

At this time, if the event management unit 104 determines that the number of participants whose terminal devices 20 are facing the stage is equal to or greater than a certain number, the process proceeds directly to step S126.

Next, if the event management unit 104 determines that the number of participants whose terminal devices 20 are facing the stage is less than a certain number, it waits to receive an instruction to start the event in the virtual space by performing this operation on the other terminal devices 20 (step S124).

Finally, when the event management unit 104 receives an instruction to start an event through this operation on another terminal device 20 (step S125), it instructs the corresponding terminal device 20 to start the event in the virtual space, and instructs the virtual space presentation control unit 105 to start controlling the presentation of the character object (step S126), thereby terminating this operation.

When the virtual space event is started by the virtual space production control unit 105, the image generation unit 108 works in conjunction with the virtual camera control unit 106 to image the virtual space, and
starts providing various information about the event, including an image of the visualized virtual space, to the relevant terminal device 20.

[6] Others The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, a term cited in the description of the specification or drawings as a term with a broad meaning or synonymous meaning can be replaced with a term with a broad meaning or synonymous meaning in other descriptions of the specification or drawings.

In this embodiment, the event in the virtual space is described as an event in which a character object is viewed, but it can also be used for other events such as events involving other simulations, battle events, or RPGs.

In addition, in this embodiment, each event may be provided to the terminal device 20 by a single server device 10, or multiple server devices 10 may be linked together to form a server system, and each event may be provided to the terminal device 20.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the server device 10 executes processing related to events in various virtual spaces, but the terminal device 20 may execute the functions of the processing unit 100 and the event program, and one terminal device 20 may function as the server.

The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations with the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations with the same purpose and effect). The present invention also includes configurations that replace non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments. The present invention also includes configurations that achieve the same effects as the configurations described in the embodiments, or that can achieve the same purpose. The present invention also includes configurations in which publicly known technology is added to the configurations described in the embodiments.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible that do not substantially depart from the novel features and effects of the present invention. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 ... Event control system 10 ... Server device 20 ... Terminal device 40 ... GPS satellite 100 ... Processing unit 101 ... Communication control unit 102 ... Web processing unit 103 ... Participant guidance management unit 104 ... Event management unit 105 ... Virtual space production control unit 106 ... Virtual camera control unit 107 ... Sound generation unit 108 ... Image generation unit 109 ... User information management unit 110 ... Timer management unit 111 ... Information provision unit 120 ... Input unit 130 ... Display unit 140 ... Memory unit 142 ... Main memory unit 144 ... Event information storage unit 146 ... User information storage unit 148 ... Viewing area information storage unit 170 ... Memory unit 180 ... Information storage medium 196 ... Communication unit 200 ... Processing unit 210 ... Communication control unit 211 ... Web browser 213 ... Display control unit 215 ... Current position management unit 216 ... Status management unit 220 ...Drawing section 230 ...Sound processing section 250 ...Current position detection section 260 ...Input section 270 ...Memory section 271 ...Main memory section 272 ...Image buffer 273 ...User information memory section 280 ...Information storage medium 290 ...Display section 292 ...Sound output section 296 ...Communication section

Claims (12)

A server system that provides information about a virtual space associated with a specific area in a real space to a user's terminal device, the server system comprising:
a receiving means for receiving current position information indicating a current position in a real space of the user transmitted from the terminal device;
a first determination processing means for determining whether or not the user satisfies a first condition, the first determination processing means determining whether or not the current location of the user indicated by the received current location information of the user is within the specific area;
a second determination processing means for executing a second determination process for determining whether or not the second condition is met, the second condition being that the orientation in real space of the user who is the subject of the first determination process and who has been determined to be present in the specific area by the first determination process is an orientation that ensures the safety of the user;
a generating means for executing a guidance information generating process for generating guidance information for prompting a second judgment subject user, who has been judged not to satisfy the second condition by the second judgment process , to take an action to direct the user in a direction where safety is ensured;
a provision means for providing information about the virtual space to a terminal device of each user and providing the generated guidance information to a terminal device of the second determination target user;
A server system comprising: A server system that provides information about a virtual space associated with a specific area in a real space to a user's terminal device, the server system comprising:
a receiving means for receiving current position information indicating a current position in a real space of the user transmitted from the terminal device;
a first determination processing means for determining whether or not the user satisfies a first condition, the first determination processing means determining whether or not the current location of the user indicated by the received current location information of the user is within the specific area;
a second determination processing means for executing a second determination process for determining whether or not a second condition is met, the second condition being that a state of a user who is a target of the first determination process and who is determined to be present in a specific area by the first determination process is a state in which safety is ensured within the specific area;
a generating means for executing a guidance information generating process for generating guidance information for prompting a second judgment target user who is judged not to satisfy the second condition by the second judgment process to take an action to change the state of the user to a safe state ;
a provision means for providing information about the virtual space to a terminal device of each user and providing the generated guidance information to a terminal device of the second determination target user;
A server system comprising: 3. The server system according to claim 1 ,
A performance control means for controlling a performance related to the virtual space is further provided,
The generating means,
A server system that generates display control information for displaying the performance on the terminal device as information about the virtual space. 4. The server system according to claim 3 ,
The performance control means
A server system that controls, as the effect, the behavior of a virtual object placed within the virtual space. 5. The server system according to claim 3 ,
a detection means for detecting the number of users who satisfy the first condition or both the first condition and the second condition at a given first timing;
The performance control means
Controlling the presentation of the virtual space in response to the detected number of users;
The generating means,
A server system that generates display control information for displaying the performance on the terminal device as information about the virtual space. In the server system according to any one of claims 3 to 5 ,
The providing means comprises:
The server system starts providing the generated display control information as information relating to the virtual space when it is determined that a predetermined given second timing has arrived. 7. The server system according to claim 6 ,
The providing means comprises:
When it is determined that the second timing has arrived, the server system stops providing the generated display control information to a terminal device that does not satisfy the second condition by the second determination process. In the server system according to any one of claims 3 to 7 ,
The generating means,
A server system that controls a state of a virtual object in the virtual space based on an action prompted by the user, and generates display control information as guidance information for displaying a performance related to the virtual space on the terminal device by imaging the state of the controlled virtual object. In the server system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
The second determination processing means,
The server system executes the second determination process again for a user of the terminal device at a third given timing after the guidance information is provided to the terminal device. The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
a registration means for registering a user who exists in the specific area in a storage means;
a privilege granting control means for granting a given privilege in a given game or a given network service to a user registered in the storage means;
The server system further comprises: A program for providing information about a virtual space associated with a specific area in a real space to a user's terminal device, the program comprising:
a receiving means for receiving current location information indicating a current location of the user in a real space transmitted from the terminal device;
a first determination processing means for determining whether or not the user satisfies a first condition, the first determination processing means determining whether or not the current location of the user indicated by the received current location information of the user is within the specific area;
a second determination processing means for executing a second determination process for determining whether or not the second condition is met, the second condition being that the orientation in real space of the user who is the subject of the first determination process and who has been determined to be present in the specific area by the first determination process is an orientation in which the safety of the user is ensured;
A generating means for executing a guidance information generating process for generating guidance information for prompting a second judgment target user, who is judged not to satisfy the second condition by the second judgment process , to take an action to direct the user in a direction where safety is ensured ; and
a provision means for providing information about the virtual space to a terminal device of each user and providing the generated guidance information to a terminal device of the second determination target user;
A program that causes a computer to function as a A program for providing information about a virtual space associated with a specific area in a real space to a user's terminal device, the program comprising:
a receiving means for receiving current location information indicating a current location of the user in a real space transmitted from the terminal device;
a first determination processing means for determining whether or not the user satisfies a first condition, the first determination processing means determining whether or not the current location of the user indicated by the received current location information of the user is within the specific area;
a second determination processing means for executing a second determination processing for determining whether or not a second condition is met, the second condition being that a state of a user who is a target of the first determination processing and who has been determined to be present in the specific area by the first determination processing is a state in which safety is ensured within the specific area;
A generating means for executing a guidance information generating process for generating guidance information for prompting a second judgment target user, who is judged not to satisfy the second condition by the second judgment process, to take an action to change the state of the user to a safe state; and
a provision means for providing information about the virtual space to a terminal device of each user and providing the generated guidance information to a terminal device of the second determination target user;
A program that causes a computer to function as a

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