JP2001070658A - System and method for displaying a virtual world - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To realize a system that can provide a game that can provide a different enjoyment from the past. SOLUTION: The present position of the real world and its displacement obtained from a GPS, PHS, CDMA mobile phone or the like are displayed and controlled as a virtual position and a virtual displacement of a screen (virtual world) shown in a role playing game, and an event is displayed. Provided is a game system in which the next screen (second virtual world) is displayed when the position of the icon overlaps with the icon. In this way, a new entertainment system will be realized by combining position information with a conventional game method or an unprecedented game method and actual position information. Can be provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a system for controlling a computer based on position information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method or means for acquiring information on a user's current location, a satellite positioning system such as a GPS that receives radio waves from a plurality of satellites and performs radio wave positioning, and a mobile communication base station such as a PHS are identified. A system for obtaining information on the current location of the user from the position of the base station is known. Several systems have been disclosed in which a portable information terminal is equipped with a system for acquiring the information on the current location, thereby transmitting the information on the current location to a server via a computer network. For example, JP-A-8
No. -322091 discloses that information including the current location of a news gathering terminal is transferred to an electronic newspaper server via a network as a news gathering support system. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-336238 discloses that information indicating the current location is transmitted from a portable terminal to a server, and based on the transmitted information,
It is disclosed that map data around the position and related information are transmitted to a mobile terminal.

A navigation device for playing a game using a means for detecting a current position is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 9-11437.
No. 0. This navigation device displays a map including the current location, and executes an event when the current location reaches an event occurrence point set on the map.

[0004]

As described above, information indicating the current position of the user is now easily available, and various services or entertainments may be provided using the information. I have. Therefore, the present invention
Its purpose is to provide new recreation using its own location information, that is, the current location. Games that can be advanced using information on the current location include:
As mentioned above, what follows the map of the navigation device, orienteering using a personal navigation device, etc. are considered, but all follow the map or just use the actual terrain or road as it is And there is not much that can be gamed in such a way. Therefore,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system or an application that can provide a different and different entertainment from those described above.

[0005]

At present, a wide variety of portable game machines are commercially available. In these games, new scenes or worlds are automatically opened depending on conditions such as role playing games or shooting games, and in addition to the new world, the virtual world is created by pointing devices such as directional key buttons and joysticks. There are things that move the game. Therefore, in the present invention, a new virtual world is opened based on information on the current location obtained by GPS or the like, so that the game can be advanced and enjoyed with a new feeling using a portable terminal or the like. . That is, in the system for displaying a virtual world according to the present invention, a first virtual world (hereinafter, a virtual world) is used.
Means for displaying the current position (hereinafter referred to as the current position or real position) or its displacement (hereinafter referred to as the real displacement) in the real world of the terminal capable of acquiring its own current position. Means for converting to a virtual position) or a displacement (hereinafter a virtual displacement) for display;
Means for displaying a second virtual world when the position in the virtual world reaches a destination or a destination range, and a current position in the real world at that time is predetermined in the second virtual world. Means for displaying the initial position and means for converting the displacement of the current position in the real world into a displacement in the second virtual world and displaying the same are provided. The method for displaying a virtual world according to the present invention includes a step of displaying a first virtual world and a step of converting a current position or an actual displacement into a virtual position or a virtual displacement of the first virtual world and displaying the same. Displaying the second virtual world when the position in the first virtual world reaches the destination or the destination range, and displaying the current position at that time as a preset initial position in the second virtual world. And a step of converting the current position or the actual displacement into a virtual position or a virtual displacement in the second virtual world and displaying it.

[0006] There is a system that progresses a role playing game or the like by reflecting the relative movement amount of a finger or a part of a body on a screen. For example, a mouse that is a pointing device is one of them. However, there is no method that can open a new virtual world based on a current position obtained by a terminal held by a user, for example, coordinates on a map, and can further control the virtual world only when actually moving the current position. Therefore, in the system and method for displaying a virtual world according to the present invention, the user actually moves his / her current position, that is, moves his / her body to such an extent that a significant difference can be obtained by means of obtaining the current position such as GPS. Without it, you cannot open a new world, and you cannot reflect your will in that open virtual world. Therefore, despite playing the role playing game displayed on the terminal, it is possible to obtain the same feeling as moving the virtual world actually displayed in the game, and furthermore, such a feeling is obtained. Exercise is required. Therefore, it is possible to provide a game having a different taste from the conventional game that can be performed without moving one step. Further, since the user actually moves, it is possible to provide a new game that can use or enjoy various things at the destination.

For example, in the current GPS single positioning, a movement of about several tens of meters is required as an actual displacement depending on the situation. In the case of relative positioning (DGPS) in which correction is performed using a correction value measured by a base station, a movement of about several meters is required as an actual displacement. Therefore, by reflecting the fact that the user has actually traveled a certain distance, the advantage that the user can exercise while having fun is obtained,
Further, the fun of the destination is obtained. Of course, there are positioning systems that can measure the displacement of the current position at a level of several cm to several mm, such as a method using a carrier phase shift as a measurement value. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy the game without moving so much.

The first virtual world may be a world in which a destination or a destination range is indicated on a map (including a deformed map) corresponding to the real world,
When the destination is reached on the map, the virtual world is opened, and the game further moves in the new world by moving further. However, in the system and method for displaying a virtual world according to the present invention, the movement of the user is not limited to a display that reflects the real world such as a map, but is reflected in a virtual world further away from the real world. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy one's own movement in a free world tailored to one's preference without being limited to the real world situation. At least in the second virtual world, the initial position is limited, so that control or movement within the virtual world may not coincide with the range in which the real world can move, and such a force majeure restriction is provided. There is also a way to enjoy it as a game.

Initial settings may be made to reflect the movement of the real world in the virtual world. For example, in the first virtual world in a role-playing game, it is desirable to set the current location in the real world to a predetermined position (initial value of the virtual position) in the virtual world. The position may be the start position of the game or, if interrupted, the interrupted position. It is also possible to set the ratio between the actual displacement and the virtual displacement displayed correspondingly. If the ratio of the virtual displacement to the actual displacement is small, it is necessary to actually move a considerable distance in order to move in the virtual world, and the amount of exercise increases, and the purpose of use is versatile. It is also possible to make users with different physical abilities compete with each other with different settings.

In the means or process for providing a plurality of initial positions in the second virtual world and displaying them as the initial positions, a method for transitioning from the first virtual world to the second virtual world is used. Any of a plurality of initial positions may be selected according to conditions and displayed in correspondence with the current location in the real world. For example, the second virtual world has a plurality of entrances, and it is possible to set such that the second virtual world enters from different entrances depending on the direction of reaching the destination position or area. Thereby, the movement in the first virtual world affects the second virtual world, and the game becomes more interesting.

[0011] In a game such as a role playing game, which returns from the second virtual world to the first virtual world,
When a predetermined condition such as reaching a predetermined position or reaching a predetermined purpose is satisfied in the second virtual world, means or a step for displaying the first virtual world is provided. It is desirable to provide a means or a process for displaying the position in the first virtual world when the virtual world is shifted to the virtual world, corresponding to the current location. Current location and first
Of course, the positional relationship in the virtual world may be maintained so that the user cannot return to the original position in the first virtual world without returning to the range moved in the second virtual world. However, since the second virtual world is also controlled by reflecting the current position and the actual displacement, the current position may greatly deviate from the original position of the first virtual world while in the second virtual world. It is possible. Furthermore, the present invention also includes the third or fourth virtual world and further virtual worlds being opened from the second virtual world. In such a case, the first virtual world is opened. In many cases, the virtual position in the virtual world and the current position are greatly different.
Therefore, the position of the first virtual world when shifting from the first virtual world to the second virtual world is made to correspond to the current location when shifting from the second virtual world to the first virtual world,
The game progresses more smoothly when the relationship between the position in the first virtual world and the current location is updated.

The information of the virtual world may be prepared in advance on the system side, that is, on the terminal side. However, if the number of virtual worlds is large, or if the virtual worlds in each world are large in virtual displacement, the amount of information increases. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a means or a process for acquiring information of the virtual world from the server system by communication such as wireless or computer network. If the communication with the server system enables the acquisition of the information on the virtual world, the information on the current location can be transmitted to the server system, and the information on the virtual world relating to the current location can be acquired from the server system.

[0013] Further, when the destination or the destination range, which indicates that the information on the current location is obtained from the destinations or the destination ranges provided in the first virtual world, is reached, the information on the current location is transmitted to the server system. Alternatively, the information of the second virtual world including the information related to the current location may be obtained from the server system. By providing such means or steps for accessing the server, the user can actively obtain information related to the site while playing the game. In addition, the server can calculate an accurate current location using DGPS and return it to the terminal, or select information based on the accurate current location. Further, in addition to the information of the current location, the user-related information of the terminal is transmitted to the server system, and the virtual world including the information of interest to the user is displayed as much as possible, so that the fun of the game can be increased.

[0014] Further, the information relating to the current location includes information of a user of another terminal accessing the first virtual world via the server system and having a current location within a predetermined range from the current location. It is possible. In current mail terminals and other devices using the Internet, communication by data communication such as two-way chat is prepared. However, in the past, friends who know their email address etc. in advance,
It was a group use, and there was no way to create simple, real-world communications like encounters. In contrast, the system and method for displaying a virtual world according to the present invention combine the virtual world with actual location information obtained from GPS to generate an opportunity to meet others who are present in the virtual world and are actually nearby. This can be easily achieved.

As described above, in the virtual world display system and method according to the present invention, the game proceeds with the current position or the actual displacement reflected in the virtual world. Therefore, it is necessary for the user himself to actually move, walk, run, or use a bicycle. For this reason,
It is possible to provide a means or a process for displaying the distance that the user has actually moved, and to add a function of a pedometer or another health-oriented function such as calorie calculation.
Therefore, the user can exercise while enjoying the role playing game and the like, and can confirm the amount of exercise.

Such a system for displaying a virtual world can be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium with a program having instructions for implementing each step of the method. And GPS, which is a positioning system
A PHS unit that uses the location information of units and base stations / means to acquire the current location such as a mobile phone, and a server system that can be connected by communication such as wireless, PHS, mobile phone, or a computer network such as the Internet by dial-up By installing the program on a portable terminal having various means, the virtual world display system and display method according to the present invention can be utilized. Further, the program can be provided by converting or embedding the program into a transmission medium supplied via a computer network or the like.

Further, if the installed terminal is a terminal device having a built-in azimuth sensor, the display of the virtual world may be rotated and displayed so that the direction in which the actual displacement proceeds and the direction of the virtual displacement match. It is possible. Furthermore, if the role-playing game is a virtual world, it is possible to prepare a means for connecting to the server and registering the ranking after the game is over.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of an environment in which a mobile terminal 6 in which a virtual world according to the present invention (hereinafter, a role playing game is described as an example) is displayed. The mobile terminal 6 of the present example can be connected to a server system 20 that provides a role playing game via a general Internet 1 as a computer network. In many cases, the mobile terminal 6 includes a PHS unit or a mobile phone unit, and connects to the public telephone network 7 via the PHS base station 7a or the mobile phone base station 7b. Connected to system 20. Of course, it is possible to connect from the server 5 of another provider to the server system 20 of the service provider via the Internet 1.

Further, the portable terminal 6 of the present embodiment is provided with a system for acquiring data (in many cases, coordinates including latitude / longitude information) indicating its current location. There are several such systems. Currently, it is considered that the accuracy is the highest. A system (GPS unit) for receiving and positioning a radio wave from the GPS satellite 9 is used to obtain the coordinates of the current position by radio positioning. Things. In the case of single positioning in which coordinates are determined only by information from the GPS satellite 9, an error is limited to several tens to 100 m, depending on the situation.
A method of increasing the accuracy by correcting the difference using the information of the DGPS base station 2 (relative positioning DGPS) can be adopted. With this method, the error can be reduced to several meters. To obtain coordinates by DGPS, it is necessary to use difference information, but the information can be obtained from the information providing server 22 of the server system 20. Alternatively, it is also possible to obtain the current location in which the difference has been corrected by the server system 20. Further, if the method is a carrier phase differential that corrects with the phase of the carrier wave, it is possible to obtain an accuracy of several cm to several mm.

Like the server system 20 shown in FIG. 1, a server system of a service provider that develops services on the Internet has several functions. A mail server 21 for sending and receiving e-mail is provided in most server systems. The server system 20 of this example further includes an information providing server 22
Is provided, in addition to the above-described difference information from the GPS base station, map information is provided from the map data server 23. Further, information on a role-playing game, which will be described later, is transmitted from the position-related information data server 24. It provides location-related information and the like that are required after performing. The service provider's user information is also stored in the personal data server 27, and is used to select the grade of the game to be provided and the location-related information. Of course, information from another database server 4 connected to the Internet 1 can be provided to the user via the information providing server 22.

As another method for obtaining the current location, if the portable terminal 6 can be connected to the public telephone network 7 by PHS, the identification information (CSID) of the nearest base station 7a is received, and
By knowing the position of the base station from the CSID, the mobile terminal 6
There is a way to find your current location. P connected to mobile terminal
If the CSID is obtained by the HS, the coordinates of the base station can be easily obtained from the position information server (CSID server) 29 of the base station. When the mobile terminal 6 has a function as a mobile phone, the position of the mobile terminal 6 can be obtained from the coordinates of the base station 7b of the mobile phone.
The accuracy is not good compared with S. However, CDM
It is considered that the required accuracy of the position is significantly improved by a communication method to be adopted such as A in the future.

FIG. 2 shows a game system 1 according to the present invention.
0 shows an example of the environment of the mobile terminal 6 in which the mobile terminal 6 operates. First, the mobile terminal 6 of this example is a GP that acquires the current location of the terminal.
An S unit 51 is provided. Further, the mobile terminal 6 includes a PHS unit 52 and a dial-up connection function 53 for connecting to a service provider via the public telephone network 7 or the Internet 1. As an input / output mechanism, an operation panel 62 including an LCD 61 and a touch panel or a pointing device and switches.
It has. Of course, in addition to these, a terminal incorporating a peripheral device such as a storage device such as a hard disk device or a floppy disk device, a digital camera, a printer, or a terminal capable of being incorporated may be used.

The game system 10 of this embodiment installed in the portable terminal 6 has a configuration in which a role playing game can be performed using position information. For this reason, the game system 10 has a function 11 for acquiring the current location using the GPS unit 51, and can acquire the information related to the current location by acquiring the PSID of the PHS as necessary. The current location obtained is
In addition to being summed up by the distance counter 12, it is also provided as a position (virtual position) and displacement (virtual displacement) in the virtual world of the role playing game displayed on the LCD 61 and displayed on the LCD 61.

The game system 10 has a display control unit 30 for displaying a virtual world, and the display control unit 30 has several functions. First, a function 31 is provided for acquiring and displaying information on a screen displayed in a role playing game from the server system 20. When the game system 10 is activated, if the information of the first screen is not already downloaded, the function 31 first connects to the server by using the dial-up connection function 53 to create a role playing game. Download the information 15. The function 31 further has a function of acquiring, from the server 20, information on a virtual world to be the next screen when conditions for displaying the next screen (virtual world) are satisfied, as described below. . further,
It is also possible to add a function of rotating and displaying the traveling direction of the virtual displacement from the moving direction (actual displacement) of the current position obtained from the GPS unit 51 so that the traveling direction is always upward. Of course, an orientation unit may be newly incorporated.

The display control unit 30 further has a function 32 for converting the acquired current position and its displacement (actual displacement) into a virtual position and a virtual displacement in a virtual world and displaying the same. With this function 32, the movement of the terminal 6 or the user holding the terminal 6 is reflected on the role playing screen displayed on the LCD 61. Therefore, before starting the role playing game, it is desirable to determine the correspondence between the current position and the virtual position, and to perform the initial setting for determining the ratio of converting the actual displacement to the virtual displacement. Therefore, a function 33 for performing the initial setting is prepared as one of the functions of the display control unit 30, and the setting parameter 1 set there is set.
3 is stored in a ROM or a RAM. Of course, it is also possible to use parameters set as defaults.

On the screen of the role playing game, a position or an area for transitioning to the next screen is set, and the destination or the area is displayed by an icon or the like. Therefore, hereinafter, an example in which such a destination or a destination area is displayed as an icon will be shown, and the icon will be referred to as an event icon. Therefore, the display control unit 30 determines that the virtual position obtained by converting the current position or the virtual displacement obtained by converting the actual displacement matches the event icon or falls within a predetermined range set for the event icon. A function 34 for determining the transition condition of the program is provided. When the virtual position overlaps with the event icon (indicating that the virtual icon matches and enters a predetermined range), the function 31 for acquiring and displaying the virtual world acquires and displays the next screen.

Function 3 for acquiring information on the virtual world described above
1 further has a function of transmitting the current location to the server system 20 depending on the event icon, and acquiring from the server system 20 a virtual world including information on the current location or mere contents without a moving area. At this time, in addition to the current location, the user's personal information 17 stored in the system 10 is sent to the server system 20 or the personal information in the server system 20 is used, and among the information related to the current location, the information more suitable for the user is provided. It is also possible to obtain information.

Function 32 for displaying the virtual position and displacement when the next screen is displayed based on the event icon
As a result, the current position is automatically set at a position (initial position) corresponding to the entrance of the screen (virtual world). If there is only one initial position on the screen to be displayed next, there is no particular problem. However, it is also possible to provide a plurality of initial positions on the screen. In this case, an appropriate position is selected from the plurality of initial positions by the function 34 for judging a condition for shifting to the next screen by overlapping the event icon. Is done. For example, when moving to a virtual world with multiple entrances, determine the direction of the virtual displacement when overlapping the event icon,
The entrance (gate) corresponding to that direction can be the initial position of the next virtual world.

A function 31 for acquiring and displaying a virtual world by accessing the server system 20.
, It is possible to obtain information of a virtual world provided with event icons indicating other users accessing the same role playing game. Then, the user can establish a connection with the user and talk (chat) through the screen. For this reason, a chat function 36 is provided as a part of the function of the display control unit 30. Since the current location of the other user is known through the server system 20, it is possible to select another user who is within a range that can be fit in the real world and to indicate it as an event icon. It is also possible to experience encounters with other humans.

The functions of the game system 10 are as follows.
The program can be provided by being recorded on an appropriate computer-readable recording medium, for example, an FD, a CD, or a DVD, as an application program that runs under an appropriate OS. Alternatively, the application program itself or a transmission medium in which data converted from the application program is embedded can be provided via a computer network such as the Internet or other communication. Further, software can be recorded in the ROM of the portable terminal 6 in advance as a dedicated role-playing game machine and provided. In any case, such software (application program)
As shown in FIG. 3, CPU 63, ROM 64 and R
It can be executed by an information processing terminal in which the AM 65 is connected by the internal bus 66. The information processing terminal 6 further includes a GPS 51, a PHS 52, and an LCD 6 as necessary.
1 and an operation panel 62.

Hereinafter, the operation of each step of the game system 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts and the like.
This will be described in more detail. In the role playing game executed by the game system 10 of the present example, a position icon (such as an illustration imitating a human figure) displayed on the screen moves in accordance with the movement of the user holding the terminal 6. It is. Therefore, the user can feel as if he is moving into a role playing screen in a virtual world.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing of the game system 10 of the present embodiment for performing the role playing of the present embodiment. 5 to 8 show more detailed flowcharts of some processes. Further, FIG.
13 to 13 show some screens displayed on the LCD 61 of the terminal 6 when the role playing game is executed in the game system 10 installed in the terminal 6. First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, in step 71, the program, that is, the game system 1
When 0 is started, an initial process is performed in step 72 before the game is subsequently started. The details of this process are shown in FIG.

First, in step 81, a line is connected to the server system 20 using the dial-up connection function 53. Then, the information of the first screen of the role playing game is received from the server system 20, and the line is disconnected. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), when connected to the server system 20, a screen for selecting a role playing game is displayed, and when the user selects one, the information of the role playing game is displayed on the server system 20.
Sent from

Next, at step 82, the current location acquisition function 11
Use to get the current location. As described above, information indicating the current location can be obtained from the GPS unit 51 or the PHS unit 52. Of course, if the terminal is equipped with a mobile phone unit, information indicating the current location may be obtained from the mobile phone unit. At this time, if the current position cannot be obtained, an error message such as “The current position cannot be obtained” is displayed.

Next, in step 83, as shown in FIG. 9B, the first screen (first virtual world) 111 of the role playing game is displayed by the function 31 for displaying the virtual world.
Is displayed, and the virtual position and the virtual displacement are displayed in step 84 by the function 32 for displaying the initial position 112 on the screen 111.
Is a position icon 113 indicating a virtual position corresponding to the current position.
Is displayed. The position icon or the position display icon 113 can be appropriately arranged by the user, and an icon showing a human figure or an icon showing the face of the user can be adopted.

With respect to the virtual position where the position icon 113 is displayed, if the current position is an appropriate position to determine the current position as the initial position, the initial setting function 33 is operated by the user by an appropriate operation, and the current position is displayed on the screen 111. Initial position 11
Set as 2 and stored as parameter 13. When the selected role play game is to be executed first, the start position of the role play game is the initial position 112. If the selected role-playing game is in the interrupted state, the interrupted position is determined by the system 10.
Alternatively, it may be stored in the server system 20 and the interrupted position may be set as the initial position 112. of course,
It is also possible to select a starting position.

Before and after associating the initial position 112 with the current position, the moving distance (actual displacement) of the current position is changed to the moving distance (virtual displacement) of the virtual position corresponding to the current position by using the initial setting function 33. The conversion ratio may be set. As a result, it is possible to set the distance that must be actually moved in order to move the virtual position on the screen 111. The ratio may be set not only on the screen 111 but also on other screens in the same manner, or the initially set value may be used on other screens.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the screen 111 includes an event icon 115 indicating a castle as a destination,
Event icons 116 and 117 indicating two street corners
It is included. Therefore, when the virtual position 113 overlaps these event icons 115, 116, or 117, the next screen (second virtual world) is displayed. Therefore, the user can use these event icons 115,
The role playing game proceeds by moving in the real world such that the position icon 113 faces 116 or 117.

When the initial processing of step 72 is completed as described above, the role playing game is actually started. When the game starts, the current position is acquired by the current position acquisition function 11 in step 73, and a function 32 for converting the current position and displaying the virtual position and the virtual displacement is displayed on the screen. Therefore, a state in which the user moves with the terminal 6 on the first screen of the role playing game is displayed by the virtual position and the virtual displacement. That is, based on an initially set value or a default value (for example, 1 dot = 1 m on the screen), G
The position icon 113 on the screen moves in accordance with the change or movement (actual displacement) of the actual position by the PS unit 51. Actually, the position information (N3
When the value changes at 6 ° 9 ′ 3.41 ″, E137 ° 57 ′ 20.73 ″, etc., the actual displacement is converted to the horizontal and vertical distances on the screen (virtual displacement, H90dot, V90do).
The position is calculated by using the parameter 13 which has been initially set to (e.g., t).

The movement (actual displacement) of the current position obtained in step 73 is displayed on the screen as a virtual displacement, and is added to the distance counter 12. The current position or the actual displacement may be obtained by DGPS by obtaining difference information from the server system 20 at an appropriate timing. However, this requires communication time and calculation time. Therefore, in this example, the current position and the actual displacement are obtained by the GPS alone positioning. In the single positioning, the error is about several tens of meters as described above, and the error may be random because of the inclusion of the selective availability (SA), and the current location may include a random fraction. Therefore, in an actual role playing game, the position icon 11
If the event icon 115 and the like do not overlap with each other, they may be separated at the next timing. Therefore, the sense of game as a role playing game is increased, and an interesting game can be provided.

The virtual position or the virtual displacement moves in accordance with the current position and the actual displacement.
The position icon 113 is the event icon 1 as shown in FIG.
If it is determined by the transition condition determination function 34 that the event icon overlaps the number 15, it is further confirmed at step 75 that the event icon does not indicate another user. If the icon is not an icon indicating another user, the function 31 for acquiring and displaying information on the virtual world is used to execute step 7.
In step 6, the information of the next screen, that is, the screen of the second virtual world with respect to the virtual world of the previous screen is acquired and displayed.

FIG. 6 shows a more detailed flowchart of the processing for acquiring the next screen. FIG. 10 shows a screen displayed in this processing. As shown in FIG. 10A, when the position icon 113 overlaps the event icon 115 indicating a castle, a process for connecting to the server system is performed in step 85. At this time, a server connection screen as shown in FIG. 10B is displayed. Then, when the user selects YES, the function 31 of acquiring and displaying the virtual world by the dial-up connection function 53 communicates with the server system 20 to acquire the next screen. Figure 1
If NO is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 10B, the process returns to the original screen, that is, the screen shown in FIG. 10A, and the role playing game can be continued without performing the processing described below. The connection screen with the server may not be displayed, but may be automatically connected to the server system when it overlaps the event icon to acquire and display the information of the next screen. Such setting can be performed at the time of the initial processing.

When a dial-up connection is established, first,
At step 86, the data of the event icon 115 overlapping the position icon 113 is transmitted to the server system 20. Next, in step 87, it is determined whether or not the event icon is for information relating to the current location.
If the information relating to the current position is to be obtained, the current position information corresponding to the position icon 113 at the time of overlapping with the event icon in step 88 is stored in the server system 20
Sent to. Subsequently, it is determined in step 89 whether the system 10 has the user's personal information 17. If the personal information 17 is present, step 90
Then, the personal information is transmitted to the server system 20. In this example, the castle icon 115 is an event icon in which information or a screen having nothing to do with the current location is displayed as the next virtual world.
Reference numerals 117 and 117 denote event icons whose information or screen relating to the current location is displayed as the next virtual world.

When the castle icon 115 is selected, step 88 is not executed, and the server system 20 prepares and transmits information of the next screen based on the data of the castle icon 115. Therefore, the terminal 6, that is, the game system 10 acquires the information of the next display screen in step 91 and disconnects the line in step 92. Then, the acquired next screen is displayed in step 93 as a new virtual world.
In this example, the arrangement inside the castle gate is displayed as the next virtual world (screen) 121 as shown in FIG. At the same time, the position display icon 113 is set at the initial position of the screen 121 in step 94.

This virtual world 121 has three entrances 1
The function 32 for displaying the virtual position and the virtual displacement includes a position icon 113 at a predetermined entrance based on the determination result of the function 34 for determining the transition condition. In this example, the castle icon 11
5, three roads are connected, and it is possible to determine which road the position icon 113 has passed over the castle icon 115. Then, in the example shown in FIG. 10C, the position icon 113 overlaps the castle icon 115 through the middle road, so on the next screen 121 representing the inside of the castle, the middle entrance 122 is selected as the initial position. The position icon 113 is set there. How to reflect the result of the previous screen in the initial position when the next screen starts is up to the programmer, and is not limited to this example. If the initial position of the next screen, that is, one entrance, there is no need to reflect the result of the previous screen. Further, the initial position is not limited to the entrance arranged around the screen, and a virtual world whose initial position is set at the center of the screen may be displayed next.

When the next screen is displayed as described above, FIG.
Returning to step 73, information on the current location obtained using the GPS unit 51 or the like is displayed as a virtual position and a virtual displacement on the second screen 121. This second screen 12
1 is a tool shop 125 and an inn 12 as event icons
6 is provided. Therefore, when the user moves with the terminal 6 to place the position icon 113 on one of the event icons 125 or 126, the next screen (virtual world) is displayed. FIG. 11 shows this state. As shown in FIG. 11A, when the position icon 113 is overlaid on the tool shop icon 125, FIG.
The server connection screen shown in (b) opens, and dial-up connection with the server system 20 is made. Then, the data of the event icon 125 of the tool shop is transmitted to the server-system 2
By sending to 0, the information of the next screen can be obtained. In this case, the next screen is a screen (virtual world) 127 inside the tool store as shown in FIG. 11B, and the user can select a weapon possessed in the role playing game. ing.

The virtual world 127 has an exit icon 1
28 are prepared and the user moves to the position icon 1
When 13 is superimposed on the exit icon 128, the screen returns to the original screen 121. That is, in step 78 of the flow shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that the exit condition of the tool store screen 127 is satisfied, and in step 79, the previous screen, that is, the previous virtual world is displayed. The details of this processing are shown in FIG. In step 105, a server connection screen is displayed, dial-up connection is established with the server system 20, and information on the previous screen 125 is obtained. Of course, if the terminal 6 has a sufficient storage capacity, a cache area is set in a memory such as the RAM of the terminal 6 to cache the information of the previous screen, and the information of the previous screen is stored in the cache without connecting to the server. 125 may be displayed.

When the information of the previous screen can be obtained, FIG.
As shown in (c), the previous screen, that is, the screen 121 in the castle is displayed in step 106. At the same time, in step 107, the function 32 for displaying the virtual position and the displacement
Displays the position icon 113 at the virtual position before shifting to the tool store screen 127. As a result, the current position when returning to the previous screen is associated with the virtual position when shifting from the previous screen to the next screen, and the installation parameters 13 are updated.

When the screen shifts to the tool shop screen 127 and returns to the castle screen 121, the relationship between the current location and the virtual position on the castle screen 121 may be changed to the state before the shift to the tool shop screen 127. It is possible. However, when such a process is performed, the actual displacement moved by the user to advance the game on the screen 127 of the tool store is changed to the screen 121 in the castle.
Appears as it is as a virtual displacement. Therefore,
When you return to the screen 121 in the castle, the tool store icon 12
There is a high possibility that the position icon 113 appears at a position irrelevant to 5 and the user needs to move again until the position icon 113 returns to the vicinity of the tool store icon 125. Therefore, the progress of the game takes time, and it is troublesome, so there is a possibility that the fun is reduced. On the other hand, as in the present invention, the previous screen 121
Regardless of the relationship between the current position and the virtual position before the transition when returning to the above, if the current position when returning to the screen is associated with the virtual position when the next screen is switched, the user can Immediately, the game on the screen 125 in the castle can be advanced from the state at the time of transition to the next screen. Therefore, the role playing game can be smoothly continued without wasting time and movement.

The same applies when returning to the previous screen 111 from the virtual world 121 in the castle. As shown in FIG. 11C, the position icon 113 is displayed on the screen 121 in the castle by the exit 1
After moving to 22, the exit condition of the screen 121 in the castle is determined to be satisfied by the function 34 for determining the transition condition. As a result, the previous screen (the first screen of the role playing game) shown in FIG.
11 is displayed. Then, the position icon 113 is displayed before the castle icon 115, that is, when shifting to the screen 121 in the castle or at the virtual position immediately before. At the same time, that is, the current position when returning to the initial screen 111 is associated with the position in front of the castle icon 115, and the parameter 13 is updated.

The street corner icons 116 and 117 displayed on the first screen 111 are different from the castle icon 115,
An event icon from which information related to the current location can be obtained. Therefore, when the user moves the terminal 6 and the location icon 113 overlaps the street corner icon 116, the user connects to the server system 20 as described with reference to FIG. Sent. If there is user's personal information, the server system 2
Sent to 0. As a result, the server system 20 configures a virtual world by selecting data that is likely to be preferred by the user from data related to the current location, and sends it back to the terminal 6. The game system 10 acquires and displays it. In FIG. 12A, an AB hotel icon 135 and an ABC store icon 136 are displayed in the displayed virtual world 131, and these correspond to existing hotels and stores. Therefore, these icons can be called real icons.

As in the case of each of the above-mentioned worlds or screens, the user can move the position icon 113 by moving himself and superimpose on any of the icons. For example, the icon 136 of the ABC store has the position icon 11
When 3 is superimposed, it is connected to the server system 20 via the connection screen as described above. Then, the current location is sent to the server system 20, where the DG
A highly accurate position is calculated by the PS. The highly accurate current location 137 and map information 139 including the actual location 138 of the ABC store are prepared in the server system 20 and sent back to the terminal 6. When the information is obtained and displayed, as shown in FIG. 12B, the position of a favorite shop around the current location can be known. In particular, the ABC store is a general term for chain stores such as convenience stores and gas stations, and an advertisement effect can be obtained by displaying the closest place from all over the country. Furthermore, by preparing virtuous information 132 in addition to the map information 139 in the server system 20 and distributing it to the terminal 6, it is possible to realize a mechanism like an advertisement system that is advantageous for the user.

As described above, the game system 10 of the present embodiment
Obtains the user's current location and proceeds with the game by controlling it, so that information relating to the current location can be embedded in the game system 10. Furthermore, by being able to connect to the server system 20 by communication,
Information related to the current location can be acquired from the server system 20 and embedded as a game event at any time.

Further, it is also possible to provide an icon indicating another user as an event icon, in particular, a real icon. First screen 111 shown in FIG.
When the user moves in the state of returning to and the position icon 113 overlaps the street corner icon 117 provided on the screen 111, the next screen 141 shown in FIG. 13A is acquired from the server system 20 and displayed. Is done. This detailed process is the same as that described above, and will not be described. When the new virtual world 141 is displayed, the position icon 1 is displayed at the entrance.
13 is set, and the user can move toward the event icon prepared in the virtual world 141. The virtual world 141 is a world in which information related to the current location is selected and embedded based on the information on the current location sent from the server system 20. At this time, a search is made for another user who is playing the same role-playing game and who is in a proper range of about 1 km in the real world with respect to the user of this information terminal 6 (tentatively, Mr. A). Is done. Then, when such a terminal is found, the screen 1 in which data of the user (for example, Mr. J), for example, access information such as a mail address, is iconified.
Embedded in 41. For this reason, in the virtual world 141, in addition to the icon 142 indicating the restaurant and the icon 143 indicating the convenience store, there are provided three real icons: the icon 144 of Mr. J nearby.

With the screen 141 displayed on the LCD 61 of the terminal 6, when the user holding the terminal 6 moves and overlaps with the icon 144 of Mr. J, the step 141 shown in FIG.
In step 4, it is determined by the function 34 for determining the transition condition that the event icon has been overlapped.
It is determined that the event icon is another user. Therefore, a process of chatting is performed in step 77.

FIG. 7 shows detailed chat processing. First, in step 95, the server connection screen as described above is displayed to make a dial-up connection with the server system 20. Next, the terminal 6 (game system 10)
Sends the information of the access partner, ie, Mr. J to the server system 20. In the server system 20, at step 101, a screen as shown in FIG. 13 (b) is displayed on Mr. J's terminal, and there is nearby Mr. A who is enjoying the same role-playing game. Tell them that there was. In step 102,
When the connection is permitted by Mr. J, in step 97, the terminal 6 of Mr. A is notified that the connection is permitted. And step 98
Then, a network between Mr. A and Mr. J is established, and data can be exchanged (transmitted / received) via the Internet. When the environment for connecting both is established in this way, in step 99, Mr. A and Mr. J perform a chat as shown in FIG.

As described above, it is possible to chat by indicating the icons of the users who are playing the common game. Furthermore, using the game system of the present example, since both location information can be known, it is possible to introduce users who are not only close on the screen in the virtual world but also close to each other in the real world. it can. Therefore, if both wish, they can actually meet on the street corner.
For this reason, the role-playing game of this example makes it possible to generate a simple communication that can occur in the real world, such as a meeting, and create an opportunity to meet another person who has not met before.

As described above, the direction key buttons,
Unlike conventional role-playing games, which use the select button, cancel button, etc. to move the protagonist, bar or character to advance the game, in the role-playing game of this example, the hero actually moves in the real world and its position The game in the virtual world proceeds based on the information. Therefore, even if the game progresses on the screen in the same manner as the conventional role playing game, the actual position information and the position display icon (such as the illustration of the hero) 113 moving on the screen are synchronized. For this reason, the user needs to move in the real world in order to advance the game, which is difficult or interesting. For example, since the user actually needs to move in order to proceed with the game, it is possible to display the distance actually moved by the user when the game is over (although it may be interrupted, of course). For example, data such as the moving distance, the number of steps corresponding to the moving distance, and the calorie consumption can be displayed. By matching such a game with exercise, a pedometer that is one step ahead of the conventional electronic pedometer can be realized, and an effect of not getting tired of walking for health can be obtained. Further, secondary use such as filling a virtual Japan map as electronic information becomes possible. Also, GP
By using S, information known as an electronic pedometer such as an accurate time, a moving distance and a speed obtained from the time, a calorie consumption, and the like in addition to a position may be additionally displayed.

Further, since the user actually moves to advance the game and information on the current position can be obtained at any time, it is possible to provide information related to the current position via the game based on the information on the current position. Becomes In the role playing game, enemies, event treasure information, etc. are prepared, and these data or contents may be stored in the terminal in advance, but as described above, the method of downloading information via communication is used. Can be adopted. Then, when the player touches the actual treasure (event icon), the user selects a treasure using a button provided on the terminal (move to the actual position corresponding to the position of the treasure),
As a result, it is possible to display information relating to the current location. Then, using that information, in the middle of the game, take a short stop to shop, take a break,
Further, it is possible to add fun that cannot be enjoyed by the conventional role-playing game, such as enjoying a conversation with another person who has begun. Further, by transmitting information relating to the current location by communication and obtaining content prepared for the information from the server system, the user can view new content each time and can enjoy the game more.

Furthermore, the role playing game of the present example proceeds in synchronization with the actual position information, but does not display an actual map, but rather moves the user through a virtual world in the game. Experience can be simulated. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy the feeling of taking a walk in a world preferred by the user, not in the real world. Further, in the role playing game of the present example, when going to a specific place, new virtual worlds unfold one after another. Then, by walking in the real world, the newly developed virtual world can be enjoyed. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy the game without getting tired while moving in a wide range, and to exercise at the same time.

As an example of a game in which such a new virtual world is developed, a role playing game is described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if a certain screen is cleared, Of course, it may be a shooting game in which the game is continued while shifting to the screen. By enabling these games to be controlled by moving the current location, new fun can be provided. Of course, it is also possible to create a new game using the system and method for displaying a virtual world of the present invention without being bound by the conventional game.

[0062]

As described above, according to the system and method for displaying a virtual world of the present invention, the position information obtained from a GPS, PHS, CDMA type mobile phone or the like can be used for the conventional game system or method. A system that combines a new game system with actual location information and realizes new entertainment by opening new virtual worlds one after another, and a fun exercise system by actually moving pedestrians Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a portable terminal capable of acquiring a current location and an environment surrounding the portable terminal.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic system of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the game system of the present example.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an initial process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying a next screen.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a chat process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of displaying a previous screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen of an initial process.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state where the next screen is displayed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the next screen is displayed.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a screen related to a current location is displayed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a screen related to a chat is displayed.

[Description of Signs] 1 Internet 6 Mobile terminal 7 Public telephone network 10 Game system 11 Location acquisition function 12 Distance counter 13 Initial parameter 15 Screen (virtual world) information 17 User personal information 20 Provider server system 21 Mail server 22 Information Provided server 23 Position-related database server 24 Map server 25 Dial-up server 27 User profile server 29 CSID server 30 Display control unit 51 GPS unit 52 PHS unit 53 Dial-up connection function

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09B 29/10 G09B 29/10 A H04Q 7/34 H04B 7/26 106B F-term (Reference) 2C001 AA17 BA00 BA02 BA05 BA06 BB00 BB10 CA00 CA09 CB01 CB08 CC03 2C032 HB12 HB22 HB25 HC01 HC11 HD03 HD30 5B089 GA25 GB03 JA09 JA17 JB22 KA18 KC23 KH03 KH11 LB17 5K067 AA21 EE02 FF03 HH11 JJ56 EJK JJ56 9J01 BB JJ56 9A001 BB

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A means for displaying a first virtual world, and converting a current position or its displacement in the real world of a terminal capable of acquiring its own current position into a position or displacement in the first virtual world. Means for displaying a second virtual world when the position in the first virtual world reaches a destination or a destination range; and displaying the current location in the real world at that time in the first virtual world. Means for displaying as a predetermined initial position in the second virtual world, and means for converting the current position or its displacement in the real world into the current position or displacement in the second virtual world and displaying the same. A system for displaying a virtual world characterized by the following. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second virtual world has a plurality of the initial positions, and the means for displaying the initial position is a second virtual world from the first virtual world. A system for displaying a virtual world, wherein one of the plurality of initial positions is selected in accordance with a condition at the time of transition to the virtual world, and is displayed corresponding to the current location of the real world. 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the second virtual world, a means for displaying the first virtual world; Means for associating the position in the first virtual world with the current position in the real world when the position in the first virtual world is shifted to the first virtual world. 4. The system for displaying a virtual world according to claim 1, further comprising means for acquiring information of said first or second virtual world by communication from a server system. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the means for acquiring the information on the virtual world transmits the information on the current location to the server system, and the information including information related to the current location from the server system is included. A system for displaying a virtual world, characterized by acquiring information on the second virtual world. 6. The virtual world according to claim 4, wherein the first virtual world has a plurality of destinations or destination ranges, and the means for acquiring information on the virtual world includes the destination or the destination. When reaching the destination or the destination range indicating that the information relating to the current location can be obtained, the information of the current location is transmitted to the server system, and the information related to the current location is included from the server system. A system for displaying a virtual world, wherein information on the second virtual world is obtained. 7. The server according to claim 5, wherein the means for acquiring the information of the virtual world transmits user-related information of the terminal to the server system in addition to the information of the current location. A system that displays a virtual world. 8. The information according to claim 5, wherein the information related to the current location accesses the first virtual world or a virtual world related thereto through the server system. A system for displaying a virtual world, comprising information of a user of another terminal having his / her current location within a predetermined range from the current location. 9. A system for displaying a virtual world, wherein the first virtual world indicates the destination or destination range on a map corresponding to the real world. 10. A mobile terminal, comprising: the system for displaying a virtual world according to claim 1; and means for acquiring a current location of the mobile terminal. 11. A mobile phone comprising: the system for displaying a virtual world according to claim 4; means for acquiring a current location of the user; and means capable of connecting to a server system by communication. Terminal. 12. A step of displaying a first virtual world, and converting a current position or its displacement in the real world of a terminal capable of acquiring its own current position into a position or displacement in the first virtual world. Displaying a second virtual world when the position in the first virtual world reaches a destination or a destination range; and displaying the current location in the real world at that time in the first virtual world. And displaying the current position in the real world or its displacement in the second virtual world as a position or displacement in the second virtual world. A method for displaying a virtual world, characterized by the fact that: 13. The second virtual world according to claim 12, wherein the second virtual world has a plurality of the initial positions, and in the displaying as the initial position, the second virtual world is provided from the first virtual world. Displaying a virtual world, wherein one of the plurality of initial positions is selected according to a condition at the time of transition to the virtual world, and the selected initial position is displayed corresponding to the current location of the real world. 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein, when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the second virtual world, a step of displaying the first virtual world; Associating the location in the first virtual world with the current location in the real world when the location in the first virtual world is shifted to the first virtual world. 15. The method of displaying a virtual world according to claim 12, further comprising a step of acquiring information of the first or second virtual world by communication from a server system. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein in the step of acquiring the information on the virtual world, the information on the current location is transmitted to the server system, and the information including the information related to the current location is transmitted from the server system. 2. A method for displaying a virtual world, wherein information on the virtual world is acquired. 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first virtual world has a plurality of destinations or destination ranges, and in the step of acquiring information on the virtual world, When reaching the destination or the destination range indicating that the information relating to the current location can be obtained, the information of the current location is transmitted to the server system, and the information related to the current location is included from the server system. A method of displaying a virtual world, wherein the information of the second virtual world is obtained. 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein in the step of acquiring the information of the virtual world, user-related information of the terminal is transmitted to the server system in addition to the information of the current location. How to display a virtual world. 19. The information according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the information related to the current location accesses the first virtual world or a virtual world related thereto through the server system. A method of displaying a virtual world, comprising information of a user of another terminal having his / her current location within a predetermined range from. 20. A step of displaying a first virtual world, and converting a current position or a displacement thereof in the real world of a terminal capable of acquiring its own current position into a position or a displacement in the first virtual world. Displaying a second virtual world when the position in the first virtual world reaches a destination or a destination range; and displaying the current location in the real world at that time in the first virtual world. Performing a step of displaying a predetermined initial position in the second virtual world and a step of converting the current position in the real world or its displacement into a position or displacement in the second virtual world and displaying the same. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for displaying a possible virtual world is recorded. 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the second virtual world has a plurality of the initial positions, and in the displaying as the initial position, the second virtual world includes the second virtual world from the first virtual world. A program for displaying any one of the plurality of initial positions according to a condition for shifting to the virtual world and displaying the virtual world corresponding to the current location of the real world. A computer-readable recording medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein, when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the second virtual world, displaying the first virtual world; and moving to the second virtual world. Displaying the virtual world at the time when the position in the first virtual world is shifted to the first virtual world, in accordance with the current position in the real world. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer. 23. The program according to claim 20, further comprising a program for displaying the virtual world, further comprising a step of acquiring the information of the first or second virtual world by communication from a server system. A computer-readable recording medium. 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the step of acquiring the information of the virtual world, the information of the current location is transmitted to the server system, and the information including the information related to the current location from the server system is included. 2. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a program for displaying the virtual world for acquiring information on the virtual world. 25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the first virtual world has a plurality of destinations or destination ranges, and in the step of acquiring information on the virtual world, When reaching the destination or the destination range indicating that the information relating to the current location can be obtained, the information of the current location is transmitted to the server system, and the information related to the current location is included from the server system. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for displaying the virtual world for acquiring information on the second virtual world is recorded. 26. A step of displaying a first virtual world, and converting a current position or a displacement thereof in the real world of a terminal capable of acquiring its own current position into a position or a displacement in the first virtual world. Displaying a second virtual world when the position in the first virtual world reaches a destination or a destination range; and displaying the current location in the real world at that time in the first virtual world. Performing a step of displaying a predetermined initial position in the second virtual world and a step of converting the current position in the real world or its displacement into a position or displacement in the second virtual world and displaying the same. A transmission medium in which a program for displaying a possible virtual world or data obtained by converting the program is embedded and which can be transmitted by communication between computers.