Program product, terminal and management device for article provision

Abstract

Provided is a program product, a terminal, and a management device. Provided is a technology capable of increasing the willingness of a user to purchase an article supply. A program enables the supply of an article from an article supply device. The program causes a computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires identification information displayed on the article supply device, a presentation unit that presents a settlement method on the condition that the identification information is acquired, and a game execution unit that executes a game that enables further supply of an article on the condition that at least one of settlement of the article and supply of the article is completed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a program product, a terminal, and a management device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, there has been an article supply device that acquires an article (for example, a capsule toy) housed in a device main body by operating a handle or the like on the condition that a charge is paid (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-078998 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] In such an article supply device, an article supply method that increases the purchase willingness of a user is sought. Therefore, the present application is to provide a program product, a terminal, and a management device that can increase the purchase willingness of a user.

[0008] SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0009] One embodiment of the present application is a program product including a program that enables supply of an article from an article supply device, the program causing a computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires identification information displayed on the article supply device, a presentation unit that presents a settlement method on the condition that the identification information is acquired, and a game execution unit that executes a game that enables further supply of the article on the condition that at least either one of settlement of the article and supply of the article is completed. One embodiment of the present application is a terminal including an acquisition unit that acquires identification information displayed on an article supply device, a presentation unit that presents a settlement method on the condition that the identification information is acquired, and a game execution unit that executes a game that enables further supply of the article on the condition that at least either one of settlement of the article and supply of the article is completed.

[0010] One embodiment of the present application is a program product including a program that enables supply of an article from an article supply device, the program causing a computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires, from a user terminal, identification information displayed on the article supply device; a presentation unit that presents, to the user terminal, a settlement method; an article supply control unit that controls to enable supply of the article from the article supply device identified based on the identification information, with at least one of settlement of the article and supply of the article being completed as a condition; and a game execution control unit that controls to enable execution of a game that enables further supply of the article in the user terminal, with at least one of settlement of the article and supply of the article being completed as a condition.

[0011] One embodiment of the present application is a management device including an acquisition unit that acquires, from a user terminal, identification information displayed on an article supply device; a presentation unit that presents, to the user terminal, a settlement method; an article supply control unit that controls to enable supply of an article from the article supply device identified based on the identification information, with at least one of settlement of the article and supply of the article being completed as a condition; and a game execution control unit that controls to enable execution of a game that enables further supply of the article in the user terminal, with at least one of settlement of the article and supply of the article being completed as a condition.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present application, it is possible to provide a program product, a terminal, and a management device that can increase the purchase willingness of a user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an article supply system in the present embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an article supply system in the present embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a device structure of a smartphone as an example of the terminal 3.

[0017] Figure 4 is a front view of an example of the article supply device 1.

[0018] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example of the article supply device 1.

[0019] Figure 6 is a functional block diagram of the article supply device 1.

[0020] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structure of the terminal 3.

[0021] Figure 8is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the management server 4.

[0022] Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the article supply device database D1.

[0023] Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the user information database D2.

[0024] Figure 11 is a timing chart of the article supply system of the present embodiment.

[0025] Figure 12 is a diagram for explaining a series of screens displayed in the terminal 3 of the user.

[0026] Figure 13 is a flowchart of the first supply control processing.

[0027] Figure 14 is a flowchart of the supply processing of the article supply device 1.

[0028] Figure 15 is a flowchart of the second supply control processing.

[0029] Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of the supply of the article supply device 1 as a reward. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] SUMMARY OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0031] A summary of an embodiment of the present invention is explained.

[0032] The present embodiment is an article supply system having a possibility of acquiring two or more articles by a purchase of one article.

[0033] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the article supply system in the present embodiment. In Figure 1 , 1 denotes an article supply device, 2 denotes an article supplied by the article supply device 1, 3 denotes a terminal of a user, and 4 denotes a management server.

[0034] The article supply device 1 is a device that supplies an article 2 to a user. The article supply device 1 is provided in a room or outside, and generally, a plurality of article supply devices 1 that supply different articles are provided. The article supply device 1 that supplies the article 2 displays article supply device identification information 11 for identifying the article supply device. This article supply device identification information 11 contains unique identification information that can identify each article supply device 1. For example, the article supply device identification information 11 is a manufacturing number or the like of the article supply device 1. In consideration of the convenience of the user, it is desirable that the article supply device identification information 11 be an information display body that can be read by a terminal 3. For example, the information display body is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code (QR code: registered trademark) or the like.

[0035] The terminal 3 has a reader function of the information display body, a communication function with other devices. The terminal 3 is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a portable telephone, or the like.

[0036] The management server 4 is a server that manages the article supply device 1 and the purchase of the article by the user.

[0037] The user goes to the place where the article supply device 1 is provided. The user needs to determine the article supply device 1 that can supply the article 2 in order to acquire the article 2 in a place where a plurality of article supply devices 1 are provided.

[0038] Therefore, the present embodiment has the following features.

[0039] (1) The article supply device identification information 11 for determining the article supply device 1 that can supply the article that the user wants to purchase is displayed on the article supply device 1.

[0040] (2) In the place where the article supply device 1 is provided, the article supply device identification information 11 of the article supply device 1 is made to be acquired by the terminal 3 of the user.

[0041] (3) The management server 4 acquires the article supply device identification information 11 from the terminal 3 of the user, and determines the article 2 that can be supplied from the article supply device 1 determined from the article supply device identification information 11. The content of the article 2 that can be supplied and the settlement method of the article 2 are presented in the terminal 3.

[0042] (4) The user confirms the article 2 that can be supplied displayed in the terminal 3, and selects the settlement method to make the settlement of the purchase of the article 2.

[0043] (5) When the settlement of the article 2 is completed, the management server 4 releases the lock of the article supply device 1 so that the article 2 can be supplied from the article supply device 1. As the release of the lock of the article supply in the article supply device 1, a lock release signal for releasing the lock of the supply part is transmitted to the article supply device 1 determined from the article supply device identification information 11. Then, the supply part of the article supply device 1 that has received the lock release signal releases the lock so that it becomes a state in which the supply of the article 2 to the user is enabled. The management device can be on a network that enables communication with the article supply device 1 or can be provided by the article supply device 1 itself. In addition, in the case where the article supply device 1 and the terminal 3 can communicate by Wifi or Bluetooth or the like, the terminal 3 can receive the completion information of the determination and authentication from the management device, and the terminal 3 can transmit the lock release signal to the article supply device 1.

[0044] By so doing, the user can acquire the article 2 from the article supply device 1.

[0045] Further, the present embodiment gives the user a further opportunity to acquire the article. The opportunity is the execution of a game. The management server 4 enables the execution of a game that enables further supply of the article 2 in the terminal 3 of the user, with at least either one of the settlement of the article 2 and the supply of the article 2 being completed as a condition.

[0046] (6) The management server 4 causes the terminal 3 to execute a game that enables further supply of the article. The game is a game related to the character work of the article acquired by the user from the article supply device 1.

[0047] (7) The user executes the game by the terminal 3. The terminal 3 transmits the result of the game to the management server 4.

[0048] (8) The management server 4 accepts the result of the game, and for example, in the case where a condition such as winning in the game, being selected in the lottery in the game, or the like is satisfied, releases the lock of the article supply device 1 so that the article 2 can be supplied from the article supply device 1. As the article supply device 1 to be released from the lock, there can be the article supply device 1 determined from the article supply device identification information 11 (the article supply device 1 from which the article 2 has been supplied before the game is executed), or another article supply device 1 like that adjacent to the article supply device 1. By so doing, the user can further acquire the article 2 from the article supply device 1.

[0049] Hereinafter, a specific embodiment will be described.

[0050] <Embodiment of the Invention>

[0051] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the article supply system in the present embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, the article supply device 1 is provided with a game function.Figure 2 In the middle, to and Figure 1 Parts with the same structure are labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, the supply device 1, the user's terminal 3, and the management server 4 are connected to the communication network 5 and can communicate with each other. The communication network 5 refers to the communication path that enables data communication. That is, in addition to LANs consisting of dedicated lines (dedicated cables) and Ethernet (registered trademark) for connection, the communication network 5 also includes telephone communication networks, cable networks, the Internet, and other communication networks. The communication method can be either wired or wireless.

[0053] The item supply device 1 is a device that supplies item 2 to the user.

[0054] Terminal 3 is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or a portable phone. Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the device structure of a smartphone, which is one example of terminal 3. (See diagram below.) Figure 3 As shown, terminal 3 includes a display 31, a touch operation panel 32 integrated with the display 31, a built-in speaker 33, and a camera 34. Additionally, terminal 3 includes a control board (not shown), a built-in battery, a power button, and volume control buttons. The control board houses various microprocessors such as CPUs, GPUs, and DSPs, various IC memories such as ASICs, VRAMs, RAMs, and ROMs, and a wireless communication module for communicating with a mobile phone base station. Furthermore, the control board includes I / F circuitry (interface circuitry), such as the driving circuitry for the touch operation panel 32. These components mounted on the control board are electrically connected via bus circuitry, enabling data reading and writing, and signal transmission and reception.

[0055] Management server 4 is a server system comprising one or more server devices, storage devices, etc. Management server 4 performs processes such as selling the right to purchase goods, settling accounts based on the right to purchase goods, determining the goods supply device 1 that supplies the goods, and locking and unlocking the goods supply device 1.

[0056] Next, the structure of each device will be explained.

[0057] Figure 4 This is a front view of an example of the article supply device 1. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of an example of the article supply device 1. Figure 6 This is a functional block diagram of the material supply device 1.

[0058] The item supply device 1 is a device for supplying item 2.

[0059] The article 2 includes, for example, an article in which a toy or the like is housed in a dividable spherical capsule, an article in which a toy and a capsule are integrated. The article 2 is not limited to one kind of article, and a plurality of kinds of articles can exist. In this case, the plurality of kinds of articles are mixedly housed in an article housing portion 20 of the article supply device 1 described later as articles belonging to one series (category).

[0060] A display 13 that displays the contents of the article 2, a coin insertion port 14 through which a coin paid as a price of the article 2 is inserted, a handle 15 that is an operation portion, a take-out port 16 to which the article 2 is supplied, and a coin return port 17 are provided on a front surface of the article supply device 1. A user can know the article that the article supply device 1 can supply by visually recognizing the display 13.

[0061] The article supply device 1 displays article supply device identification information 11 (information display body: QR code) for identifying the article supply device 1. The article supply device identification information 11 includes at least unique article supply device identification information (device ID) for identifying the article supply device 1 and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that is link information linked to the management server 4 for determining the article that the article supply device 1 can supply. In addition, the article supply device identification information 11 can include other information than the above, such as position information for identifying a place where the article supply device 1 is installed, a store name, information of a price of the article, and management information necessary for managing the article supply device 1. In addition, as a display method of the article supply device identification information 11, in the present example, a method in which a QR code is installed as an information display body 10 on the article supply device 1 and the QR code is displayed is adopted, but is not limited thereto. For example, in a case where the article supply device 1 is provided with a display portion such as a liquid crystal, the information display body of the article supply device identification information 11 can be displayed on the display portion. In addition, as a position at which the article supply device identification information 11 is displayed, for example, it can be displayed in the vicinity of the coin return port 17 at a position such as a bottom surface at which the coin return port 17 can be well visually recognized. Figure 5 A user of the present embodiment has acquired a right to purchase an article, and thus can acquire the article 2 without paying money such as a coin. By displaying the article supply device identification information 11 at such a position, the following effect is obtained: in a case where a coin that the user has mistakenly inserted is returned to the coin return port 17, the user easily notices the returned coin. The article supply device 1 is provided with an article housing portion 20, an article supply portion 21, a lock portion 22, an operation portion 23, a control portion 24, and a communication portion 25.

[0062] The article storage section 20 stores a large number of articles 2. The storage of the articles is configured so that the articles can be easily stored by pulling the article storage section 20 to the front and dropping the articles 2 from the front of the article supply device 1. A lower portion in the article storage section 20 is provided with an article supply section 21 that has a rotating disk having holes of a size that allows one article 2 to pass through.

[0063] The operation section 23 transmits the operation of the handle 15 to the rotating disk of the article supply section 21. The operation section 23 is locked by the lock section 22, and by releasing the lock, the handle 15 can be rotated by the user's operation. As a mechanism for releasing the lock, a lock release mechanism using, for example, a solenoid lock is used. In this case, the solenoid lock is used to make the handle 15 in a state where it cannot be rotated (locked state), and by energizing the solenoid, the lock is released to make the handle 15 in a state where it can be rotated. Furthermore, the lock release mechanism using the solenoid lock is not limited, and other lock release mechanisms can be used. Also, when the lock section 22 is in the lock release state, by rotating the handle 15 by a predetermined angle, the rotating disk is linked to rotate, and when the hole of the rotating disk faces the drop opening provided to the bottom of the article storage section 20, one article 2 is supplied from the drop opening to the takeout opening 16 through a passage that communicates with the takeout opening 16.

[0064] The control section 24 controls the lock of the lock section 22 and the release of the lock. The release of the lock of the lock section 22 controlled by the control section 24 is performed in accordance with the settlement based on the cash dropped into the drop opening 14, or a lock release signal controlled from the outside. In addition, the control section 24 locks the lock section 22 after detecting that the article 2 is discharged to the takeout opening 16, or after a predetermined time elapses after the lock is released. Also, the control section 24 can lock the lock section 22 in accordance with a lock signal controlled from the outside.

[0065] The communication section 25 can communicate with the management server 4 via the communication network 5.

[0066] Next, the structure of the terminal 3 will be described.

[0067] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional structure of the terminal 3. As shown in Figure 7 The terminal 3 is provided with an operation input section 301, a photographing section 302, a processing section 303, an image display section 304, a sound output section 305, a communication section 306, and a storage section 307.

[0068] The operation input section 301 is used to input various operations of the user, and outputs an operation input signal corresponding to the operation input to the processing section 303. The function of the operation input section 301 can of course be realized by, for example, an element directly operated by a finger of the user such as a touch operation pad, a Home button, a button switch, a joystick, a trackball, and the like, and can also be realized by an element that detects motion, posture, and the like such as an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a tilt sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and the like. In Figure 3 The touch operation panel 32 corresponds to this operation input section 301.

[0069] The imaging section 302 performs imaging processing on the information display body (QR code) of the article supply device identification information 11, and outputs the captured image to the processing section 303. The imaging section 302 is provided with a lens, an imaging element, and a controller that controls them. In Figure 3 The camera 34 corresponds to this imaging section 302.

[0070] The processing section 303 comprehensively controls the operation of the terminal 3 on the basis of a program, data, an operation input signal from the operation input section 301, and the like stored in the storage section 307. The function of the processing section 303 can be realized by, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU, a GPU, an ASIC, an IC memory, and the like. The processing section 303 is provided with an arithmetic section 51, an image generation section 52, a sound generation section 53, and a communication control section 54 as main functional sections.

[0071] The arithmetic section 51 outputs to the image generation section 52, the sound generation section 53, and the communication control section 54. The arithmetic section 51 includes an identification information acquisition section 510, a settlement method presentation section 511, and a game execution section 512. The identification information acquisition section 510 reads the information display body of the article supply device 1 captured by the imaging section 302, and acquires the article supply device identification information 11 and the link destination information (for example, a URL) linked to the article purchase screen. The identification information acquisition section 510 transmits a request for the article purchase screen including the acquired article supply device identification information 11 and a user ID for identifying the user to the management server 4.

[0072] The settlement method presentation section 511 presents a settlement method for purchasing the article 2. The settlement method presentation section 511 receives a guide and settlement method for the article that can be supplied from the article supply device determined on the basis of the article supply device identification information 11 from the management server 4, and displays it on the image display section 304 via the image generation section 52. The settlement method presentation section 511 transmits settlement information based on the settlement method selected by the user to the management server 4.

[0073] The game execution section 512 receives a game execution instruction from the management server 4 and executes a game. The kind of the game is not limited, and is, for example, a lottery such as a lottery, a game based on a player's operation, or the like. In addition, it is desirable that a character appearing in the game is a character in a character work of an article supplied by the article supply device determined from the article supply device identification information 11. This is because the article and the world view of the game are consistent. The game execution section 512 transmits a result of the game to the management server 4.

[0074] Further, the functions of the identification information acquisition section 510, the settlement method presentation section 511, and the game execution section 512 can be realized by a web browser mounted on the terminal 3, and can also be realized by a dedicated application program.

[0075] The image generation section 52 generates one image for one frame of time (for example, 1 / 60 seconds) based on the processing result of the arithmetic section 51, and outputs the generated image signal to the image display section 304. The function of the image generation section 52 can be realized by, for example, a processor such as a GPU, a digital signal processor (DSP), a video signal IC, a video codec, an IC memory for drawing a frame such as a frame buffer, an IC memory for expanding texture data, and the like.

[0076] The sound generation section 53 generates a sound signal of an effect sound, various operation sounds, and the like based on the processing result of the arithmetic section 51, and outputs the sound signal to the sound output section 305. The function of the sound generation section 53 can be realized by, for example, a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP), a sound synthesis IC, an audio codec capable of playing a sound file, and the like.

[0077] The communication control section 54 performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with the management server 4 and the like.

[0078] The image display section 304 displays a screen based on the image signal input from the image generation section 52. The function of the image display section 304 can be realized by, for example, a display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, a head-mounted display, and the like. Figure 3 In the present embodiment, the image display section 304 corresponds to the display 31. The sound output section 305 is for sound output of an effect sound and the like based on the sound signal input from the sound generation section 53. Figure 3 In the present embodiment, the sound output section 203 corresponds to the speaker 33.

[0079] The communication section 306 is connected to the communication line N to realize communication. The function of the communication section 306 can be realized by, for example, a wireless communication machine, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack of a communication cable for a wire, a control circuit, and the like.

[0080] In the storage section 307, a program for causing the terminal 3 to act and realize various functions possessed by the terminal 3, data used during execution of the program, and the like are stored in advance or temporarily stored each time the processing is performed. The storage section 307 can be realized by, for example, a RAM, a ROM, an IC memory such as a flash memory, a disk such as a hard disk, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, or the like. Specifically, a system program and a control program are stored in the storage section 307. The system program is a program for realizing basic functions of the terminal 3 as a computer. The control program is a program for causing the arithmetic section 51 of the processing section 31 to function as the identification information acquisition section 510, the settlement method presentation section 511, and the game execution section 512.

[0081] Next, the management server 4 will be described.

[0082] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structure of the management server 4. The management server 4 is provided with a storage section 61, a processing section 62, and a communication section 63.

[0083] The storage section 61 is realized by, for example, a RAM, a ROM, an IC memory such as a flash memory, a disk such as a hard disk, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, or the like, and stores a system program and a function program. The system program is a program for realizing basic functions as a computer. The function program is a program for causing the processing section 62 to function as the article supply device determination section 621, the settlement section 622, the game execution control section 623, and the article supply control section 624 described later. In addition, each database described later is stored. Each of the stored databases will be described.

[0084] The article supply device database Dl stores the article supply device identification information (ID) of the article supply device 1 capable of supplying the article 2, the category (product name) of the article 2 provided by the article supply device 1, and the inventory number thereof in association. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the article supply device database Dl. As shown in Figure 9 the article supply device database Dl stores the article supply device ID of the article supply device 1 capable of supplying the article 2, the category (product name) of the article 2, the inventory number thereof, and the article supply device 1 paired therewith in association. Even in a case where the category (product name) of the article 2 is different, sometimes it belongs to the same character work. For example, Figure 9The goods X and Y are different goods, but are goods associated with the same character work "XXX series", the goods X are goods imitating a character A appearing in the "XXX series", and the goods Y are goods imitating a character B appearing in the "XXX series". Further, the item supply device 1 that supplies the goods as goods belonging to the same character work is in a paired relationship, as will be described later, for the item supply device 1 that supplies the goods as a reward for the game.

[0085] The user information database D2 stores user identification information (user ID) in association with the name. Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user information database D2. As Figure 10 indicated, the user identification information (user ID) is stored in association with the name.

[0086] The processing section 62 comprehensively controls the operation of the management server 4 based on the program and data stored in the storage section 61. The function of the processing section 62 can be realized by, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU, a GPU, an ASIC, an IC memory, or the like. The processing section 62 has an item supply device determination section 621, a settlement section 622, a game execution control section 623, and an item supply control section 624 as main functional sections.

[0087] The item supply device determination section 621 receives a request for the supply of goods from the terminal 3, acquires the item supply device ID included in the request, and determines whether the acquired item supply device ID is included in the item supply device database D1. The item supply device determination section 621 confirms the supplied goods and the stock number of the item supply device 1 of the item supply device ID in the case where the item supply device ID is included in the item supply device database D1, and in the case where there is a stock, notifies the settlement section 622 of the item supply device ID and the user ID. On the other hand, the item supply device determination section 621 sends an error screen for guiding the situation that the goods 2 cannot be supplied to the terminal 3 in the case where the item supply device ID is not included in the item supply device database D1 or in the case where there is no stock although it is included in the item supply device database D1. The settlement section 622 receives the item supply device ID and the user ID from the item supply device determination section 621, and sends an item purchase screen to the terminal 3 of the user. The settlement section 622 reads out the name of goods and the price of the goods supplied by the item supply device 1 of the item supply device ID from the item supply device database D1, generates an item purchase screen including the name of the goods, the price thereof, and a settlement method, and sends the generated item purchase screen to the terminal 3 of the user. Further, the settlement section 622 receives settlement information from the terminal 3 of the user, and notifies the game execution control section 623 and the item supply control section 624 that the settlement for the purchase of the goods has been completed.

[0088] When the game execution control section 623 receives the completion of settlement from the settlement section 622, it instructs the terminal 3 of the user to execute the game. In addition, when the game execution control section 623 receives the game result from the terminal 3 of the user and the game result is a winning or a prize result, it notifies the article supply control section 624 of the instruction of the supply of the article.

[0089] The article supply control section 624 transmits the lock release signal of the article supply device 1 so that the supply of the article from the article supply device 1 is enabled. There are two destinations of the transmission of the lock release signal of the article supply device 1. One is the article supply device 1 determined on the basis of the article supply device ID included in the request for the supply of the article from the terminal 3. The transmission of the lock release signal of the article supply device 1 determined on the basis of the article supply device ID is performed after the completion of settlement is received from the settlement section 622. The other is the article supply device 1 decided in advance. This article supply device 1 is, for example, the article supply device 1 adjacent to the article supply device 1 determined on the basis of the article supply device ID. It is, for example, the article supply device 1 disposed above or below the article supply device 1 determined on the basis of the article supply device ID. In the present embodiment, the pair of article supply devices 1 described in the article supply device database D1 is set as the article supply device decided in advance. For example, in the case where the article supply device 1 determined on the basis of the article supply device ID is the article supply device ID "EQ1001", the article supply device 1 decided in advance is the article supply device ID "EQ1002". The transmission of the lock release signal of this article supply device 1 is performed after the instruction of the supply of the article is received from the game execution control section 623.

[0090] The operation of the system of the present embodiment will be described.

[0091] Figure 11 is a timing chart of the article supply system of the present embodiment, Figure 12 is a diagram for explaining a series of screens displayed in the terminal 3 of the user. Further, in the description of the operation, the contents of each database of Figure 9 to Figure 10 are used for the description.

[0092] The user goes to the place where the article supply device 1 capable of supplying the article 2 is installed and acquires the information display body displaying the article supply device identification information 11 of the article supply device 1-1. In response to the operation of the user, the acquisition of the information display body is performed using the photographing function of the photographing section 302 of the terminal 3 (step 1). Figure 12Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the image displayed on the display 31 of the terminal 3. The user stands in front of the article supply device 1, and operates the terminal 3 to cause the information display body of the article supply device identification information 11 to be displayed in the display 31 of the terminal 3, and takes an image of the information display body.

[0093] The article supply device identification information 11 is acquired by the identification information acquisition section 510 of the terminal 3 from the information display body of the article supply device identification information 11 that has been imaged. In this example, the article supply device identification information 11 that has been acquired contains the article supply device ID of the article supply device 1, and is link destination information (e.g., URL) that links to the article purchase screen (step 2). In this example, it is assumed that the article supply device ID that has been acquired is "EQ1001", and that the link destination is set by the management server 4. Also, it is assumed that the user ID "10001" is contained in the request.

[0094] The identification information acquisition section 510 of the terminal 3 transmits a request for the article purchase screen (containing the user ID) to the management server 4 based on the article supply device ID of the article supply device 1-1 that has been acquired and the link destination (step 3).

[0095] The management server 4 receives the request from the terminal 3, and performs the first supply control process (step 3). Figure 13 Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the first supply control process.

[0096] The article supply device determination section 621 acquires the device ID contained in the request when the request is received from the terminal 3 (step 100). In this example, the article supply device ID that has been acquired is "EQ1001". The article supply device determination section 621 determines the article supply device ID using the article supply device database Dl (step 102). Determining the article supply device ID means determining whether the article supply device ID that has been acquired is contained in the article supply device database Dl. In the case where the article supply device ID that has been acquired is contained in the article supply device database Dl (step 103), it is determined that the article supply device 1 of which the article supply device ID has been acquired by the user is an article supply device 1 that is capable of supplying the article 2. On the other hand, in the case where the device ID that has been acquired is not contained in the article supply device database Dl (step 103), it is determined that it is not an article supply device 1 that is capable of supplying the article 2, and guidance information indicating an error is transmitted to the terminal 3 (step 110). In this example, the article supply device ID that has been acquired is "EQ1001", and is contained in the article supply device database Dl, so it is determined that the article supply device 1 with which the user wants to accept the supply of the article is the article supply device 1 with the article supply device ID "EQ1001".

[0097] The article supply device determination section 621 performs confirmation of the inventory of the article 2 of the article supply device 1 of the acquired article supply device ID (step 104). In a case where the inventory number of the acquired article supply device ID in the article supply device database Dl is not "0", the article supply device determination section 621 determines that the article supply device 1 of the acquired article supply device ID is able to supply the article 2, and determines the article supply device 1 as the transmission destination of the lock release signal, and notifies the settlement section 622 of the article supply device ID and the user ID. On the other hand, in a case where the inventory number of the acquired article supply device ID in the article supply device database Dl is "0", the article supply device determination section 621 transmits guidance information indicating an error to the terminal 3 (step 110).

[0098] The settlement section 622 receives the article supply device ID and the user ID from the article supply device determination section 621, and generates an article purchase screen (step 105). The settlement section 622 reads out the category and the price of the article supplied by the article supply device of the acquired article supply device ID, and generates an article purchase screen including the article name, the price, and the settlement method for purchasing the article. Then, the settlement section 622 transmits the article purchase screen to the terminal 3 (step 106). In this example, the article that the article supply device 1 of the article supply device ID "EQ1001" is able to supply is "product X", and the price is "500 yen".

[0099] The settlement method presentation section 511 of the terminal 3 displays the article purchase screen (step 4). An example of the article purchase screen displayed in the terminal 3 is (b) of Figure 12 In the example of (b) of Figure 12 (b), product X, the price thereof, and three settlement methods are displayed.

[0100] When the user selects the presented settlement method and selects the settlement button, the settlement method presentation section 511 transmits settlement information. The settlement information includes the user ID, the price, and the settlement method.

[0101] The settlement section 622, when receiving the settlement information (step 107), performs settlement processing (step 108). The settlement processing can utilize electronic settlement such as credit card settlement that has been performed since olden times. When the settlement is completed, the settlement section 622 notifies the game execution control section 623 of the completion of the settlement. In addition, the settlement section 622 notifies the article supply control section 624 of the completion of the settlement and the article supply device ID.

[0102] The game execution control section 623 transmits an article supply guidance screen including an instruction to start execution of the game to the terminal 3 (step 109).

[0103] The item supply control unit 624 sends a lock release signal to the item supply device 1-1 determined according to the item supply device ID (step 111). In this example, the item supply control unit 624 sends a lock release signal to the item supply device 1 with the item supply device ID "EQ1001".

[0104] The game execution unit 512, having received the guide screen, displays a guide screen for item supply. An example of an item supply guide screen displayed in terminal 3 is... Figure 12 (c). In Figure 12 In example (c), the system guides the user to the item supply device 1 handle 15 after the settlement is complete, to collect the item, and then locks the handle 15 after 1 minute. Additionally, a button for selecting the start of the game is displayed.

[0105] Users should follow the instructions to operate the item supply device 1-1.

[0106] The supply device 1-1 receives the lock release signal and performs the supply process (step 5). Then, the supply device 1-1 sends a supply report to the management server 4. In addition, the management server 4 receives the supply report and updates the inventory.

[0107] Here, use Figure 14 The flowchart will be used to explain the supply process of the item supply device 1 (step 15). When the control unit 24 of the item supply device 1 receives the lock release signal (step 200), it releases the lock of the lock unit 22 (step 201).

[0108] The control unit 24 of the item supply device 1 determines whether the item 2 is to be supplied (step 202). First, the control unit 24 determines whether the handle 15 of the operation unit 23 has been operated (e.g., rotated 1 turn) (step 203). When the handle 15 is operated (e.g., rotated 1 turn), an item 2 is supplied from the item supply unit 21 to the dispensing outlet 16 (step 204). Then, the control unit 24 locks the locking unit 22 (step 205). On the other hand, if there is no operation on the handle 15 (step 203), the control unit 24 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., 1 minute) has elapsed since the lock was released (step 207). If there is no operation on the handle 15 (step 203) and a predetermined time (e.g., 1 minute) has elapsed since the lock was released (step 207), the control unit 24 locks the locking unit 22 (step 205).

[0109] Finally, if item 2 is supplied normally, the control unit 24 issues a supply report indicating that item 2 has been supplied normally, and if item 2 is not supplied, it issues a supply report indicating that item 2 has not been supplied (step 206).

[0110] In addition, as control from the unlocking of the locking unit 22 until locking, in the above example, an example was described in which the control unit 24 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since unlocking and causes the locking unit 22 to enter the locked state when the predetermined time has elapsed. This is just one example. For example, it can also be configured such that the time is measured from when the unlocking signal is sent from the article supply control unit 624 of the management server 4, and when a supply report indicating that the article 2 has been normally supplied is not received before the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 24 sends a locking signal to the control unit 24 of the article supply device 1. In this case, when the control unit 24 receives the locking signal, it causes the locking unit 22 to enter the locked state.

[0111] Above, the description of the supply process (step 5) of the article supply device 1 ends.

[0112] When the user operates the article supply device 1 to obtain an article and selects the game start button displayed on the terminal 3, the game execution unit 5,12 starts the game (step 6). An example of the game screen displayed on the terminal 3 is Figure 12 of (d). Figure 12 The example of (d) is an example of a game screen in which the character of product X appears. When the user finishes the game, the game execution unit 5,12 reports the result of the game to the management server 4. The result of the game is success (victory) or failure (defeat).

[0113] The management server 4 that has received the report of the game result from the terminal 3 starts the second supply control process (step 7). Figure 15 is a flowchart of the second supply control process.

[0114] In the second supply control process, when the game execution control unit 6,23 receives the game result (step 300), it determines the game result (step 301).

[0115] When the result of the game is success (victory) (step 302), the game execution control unit 6,23 sends a reward guidance screen for guiding the supply of an article to the terminal 3 (step 303). On the other hand, when the result of the game is failure (defeat) (step 302), an unsuccessful guidance screen indicating that the supply of an article is not to be performed is sent to the terminal 3 (step 305). In addition, when the result of the game is success (victory), the game execution control unit 6,23 instructs the article supply control unit 6,24 to send an unlocking signal for the article supply device 1.

[0116] Upon receiving the instruction, the item supply control unit 624 sends a lock release signal to the predetermined item supply device 1-2 (step 304). In this example, the predetermined item supply device 1 is the paired item supply device 1 recorded in the item supply device database D1. The item supply device 1 determined based on the item supply device ID is item supply device 1-1 with item supply device ID "EQ1001", therefore, the predetermined item supply device 1 is item supply device 1-2 with item supply device ID "EQ1002". The item supply control unit 624 sends a lock release signal to item supply device 1-2 with item supply device ID "EQ1002". The sending of the lock release signal to item supply device 1-2 is performed after receiving the item supply instruction from the game execution control unit 623.

[0117] The game execution unit 512 of terminal 3 displays a boot screen (step 8). An example of a boot screen displayed in terminal 3 is... Figure 12 (e). In Figure 12 In example (e), the item supply device 1-2 that informs the player that the game was successful, that the player has received item Y as a reward, and that the item supply device 1-2 that supplies item Y is located below the item supply device 1-1 that previously supplied the item.

[0118] The item supply device 1-2, having received the lock release signal from the item supply control unit 624, performs the supply process (step 9). Figure 16 This is a diagram illustrating a supply example of the goods supply device 1-2, which supplies goods as payment. Figure 16 In the example, the diagram shows the following configuration: the upper item supply device 1-1 is item supply device 1 with item supply device ID "EQ1001", and the lower item supply device 1-2 is item supply device 1 with item supply device ID "EQ1002". Item supply device 1-2 with item supply device ID "EQ1002" receives a lock release signal and indicates that it is in a state where it can supply items by flashing the LEDs around the handle 15. With this structure, the user can easily identify the item supply device 1 that is capable of supplying items.

[0119] Users operate the item supply device 1 according to the guidance information to obtain items as payment.

[0120] This concludes the explanation of the operation of this embodiment.

[0121] The present embodiment is configured so that, by acquiring the article, the game can be executed, and according to the result of the game, the article can be further obtained as a reward. Thus, the user's purchase intention for the article can be increased. In addition, if the article of the character work identical to the purchased article is supplied as a reward, it is also advantageous for the user who is a fan of the character work.

[0122] <Modifications of the Embodiments of the Invention>

[0123] In the above-described embodiments, an example in which the game execution control section 623 gives an execution instruction of the game after the settlement is completed is described. However, it can also be that, after the supply report of the article is made by the initial article supply device and the supply of the article is completed, the execution instruction of the game is given.

[0124] By so doing, since the user has acquired the article, the user can concentrate on the game. Part or all of the above-described embodiments are also described as the following supplementary notes, but are not limited to the following.

[0125] [Supplementary Note 1]

[0126] A program that enables supply of an article from an article supply device, the program causing a computer to function as:

[0127] an acquisition unit that acquires identification information displayed on the article supply device;

[0128] a presentation unit that presents a settlement method on a condition that the identification information is acquired; and

[0129] a game execution unit that executes a game that enables further supply of the article on a condition that at least one of settlement of the article and supply of the article is completed.

[0130] [Supplementary Note 2]

[0131] The program according to Supplementary Note 1, in which

[0132] the settlement method is electronic settlement.

[0133] [Supplementary Note 3]

[0134] The program according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, in which

[0135] the game execution unit determines whether to enable further supply of the article according to a result of playing the game.

[0136] [Supplementary Note 4]

[0137] The program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, in which

[0138] In a case where the result of playing the game is a winning or a victory, the game execution unit executes a process for making further supply of the item.

[0139] [Para 5]

[0140] The program according to any one of Paras 1 to 4, wherein

[0141] The game execution unit presents, as a condition for completion of settlement of the item, text information for prompting operation of an operation section of the item supply device and text information indicating that the game can be played.

[0142] [Para 6]

[0143] The program according to any one of Paras 1 to 5, wherein

[0144] The game execution unit controls to enable selection of whether to execute the game.

[0145] [Para 7]

[0146] The program according to any one of Paras 1 to 6, wherein

[0147] The item supplyable from the item supply device corresponds to a prescribed character work,

[0148] The game is a game related to the prescribed character work.

[0149] [Para 8]

[0150] A terminal comprising:

[0151] an acquisition unit that acquires identification information displayed on an item supply device;

[0152] a presentation unit that presents a settlement method as a condition for acquisition of the identification information; and

[0153] a game execution unit that executes a game enabling further supply of an item as a condition for at least one of completion of settlement of the item and supply of the item.

[0154] [Para 9]

[0155] A program enabling supply of an item from an item supply device, the program causing a computer to function as:

[0156] an acquisition unit that acquires, from a user terminal, identification information displayed on an item supply device;

[0157] a presentation unit that presents a settlement method to the user terminal;

[0158] an article supply control unit that controls to enable supply of an article from an article supply device identified based on the identification information, with at least completion of settlement of the article as a condition; and

[0159] a game execution control unit that controls to enable execution of a game that enables further supply of an article in the user terminal, with at least completion of either one of settlement of the article and supply of the article as a condition.

[0160] [Para 10]

[0161] The program according to Para 9, in which

[0162] The settlement method is electronic settlement.

[0163] [Para 11]

[0164] The program according to Para 9 or Para 10, in which

[0165] The article supply control unit determines whether to enable further supply of an article based on a result of playing the game.

[0166] [Para 12]

[0167] The program according to any one of Paras 1 to 11, in which

[0168] The article supply control unit executes processing for further supply of an article in a case where the result of playing the game is a winning or a victory.

[0169] [Para 13]

[0170] The program according to any one of Paras 1 to 12, in which

[0171] The article supply control unit controls supply of an article so that the article supplied from the article supply device identified based on the identification information is different from an article supplied after playing the game.

[0172] [Para 14]

[0173] The program according to any one of Paras 1 to 13, in which

[0174] The article supply control unit controls to enable supply of an article from an article supply device different from the article supply device identified based on the identification information.

[0175] [Para 15]

[0176] The program according to any one of the Embodiments 1 to 14, wherein

[0177] The article supply control unit controls to release the lock of the operation section of the article supply device identified based on the identification information, with the settlement of the article completed as a condition.

[0178] [Embodiment 16]

[0179] The program according to any one of the Embodiments 1 to 15, wherein

[0180] The article supply control unit controls to notify the operation of the operation section of the article supply device for supplying the article, with the result of playing the game being a winning or a draw as a condition.

[0181] [Embodiment 17]

[0182] A management device including:

[0183] An acquisition unit that acquires identification information displayed on an article supply device from a user terminal;

[0184] A presentation unit that presents a settlement method to the user terminal;

[0185] An article supply control unit that controls to enable the supply of an article from an article supply device identified based on the identification information, with at least the settlement of the article completed as a condition; and

[0186] A game execution control unit that controls to enable the execution of a game that enables the further supply of an article in the user terminal, with at least either one of the settlement of the article and the supply of the article completed as a condition.

[0187] The above, the preferred embodiments are described to illustrate the present application, but the present application is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, in the scope of the technical idea can be variously modified to implement.

[0188] Explanation of reference numerals

[0189] 1: article supply device; 2: article; 3: terminal; 4: management server; 5: communication network.

Claims

1. A program product for article provision, comprising a program that enables provision of an article from an article supply device, the program causing a computer to function as: an acquisition unit that acquires identification information displayed on the article supply device; a presentation unit that presents a settlement method on condition that the identification information is acquired; and a game execution unit that executes a game that enables further provision of an article on condition that at least one of settlement of the article and provision of the article is completed, wherein the game execution unit determines whether or not to enable further provision of an article according to a result of playing the game, the game execution unit executes a process for further provision of an article in a case where the result of playing the game is a winning or a victory, and the game execution unit presents, on condition that settlement of the article is completed, text information for prompting operation of an operation section of the article supply device and text information indicating that the game can be played.

2. The program product for article provision according to claim 1, wherein the settlement method is electronic settlement.

3. The program product for article provision according to claim 1, wherein the game execution unit controls to enable selection of whether or not to execute the game.

4. The program product for article provision according to claim 1, wherein the article that can be supplied from the article supply device corresponds to a prescribed character work, and the game is a game related to the prescribed character work.

5. A terminal for article provision, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires identification information displayed on an article supply device; a presentation unit that presents a settlement method on condition that the identification information is acquired; and a game execution unit that executes a game that enables further provision of an article on condition that at least one of settlement of the article and provision of the article is completed, wherein the game execution unit determines whether or not to enable further provision of an article according to a result of playing the game, the game execution unit executes a process for further provision of an article in a case where the result of playing the game is a winning or a victory, and the game execution unit presents, on condition that settlement of the article is completed, text information for prompting operation of an operation section of the article supply device and text information indicating that the game can be played.

6. A program product for article provision, comprising a program that enables provision of an article from an article supply device, the program causing a computer to function as: an acquisition unit that acquires identification information displayed on the article supply device; a presentation unit that presents a settlement method to a user terminal; an article supply control unit that controls to enable provision of an article from an article supply device identified according to the identification information on condition that settlement of the article is completed; and a game execution unit that executes a game that enables further provision of an article on condition that at least one of settlement of the article and provision of the article is completed, wherein the game execution unit determines whether or not to enable further provision of an article according to a result of playing the game, the game execution unit executes a process for further provision of an article in a case where the result of playing the game is a winning or a victory, and the game execution unit presents, on condition that settlement of the article is completed, text information for prompting operation of an operation section of the article supply device and text information indicating that the game can be played. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The game execution control unit, provided that at least one of the settlement of the item and the supply of the item has been completed, controls the game to be executed on the user terminal so that further item supply can be made. wherein The item supply control unit determines whether further item supply is permitted based on the outcome of the game. If the result of playing the game is a selection or victory, the item supply control unit performs processing for further item supply. The game execution control unit, upon completion of the item settlement, simultaneously displays text information prompting the operation unit of the item supply device to perform an operation and text information indicating that the game can be played.

7. The program product for providing articles according to claim 6, wherein, The settlement method is electronic settlement.

8. The program product for providing articles according to claim 6, wherein, The item supply control unit controls the supply of items so that the items supplied from the item supply device identified according to the identification information are different from the items supplied after playing the game.

9. The program product for providing articles according to claim 8, wherein, The item supply control unit controls the supply of items to a different item supply device than the item supply device identified based on the identification information.

10. The program product for providing articles according to claim 8, wherein, The item supply control unit, upon completion of the item settlement, controls the release of the locking part of the operation unit of the item supply device identified based on the identification information.

11. The program product for providing articles according to claim 8, wherein, The item supply control unit controls the operation of the item supply device's operating unit based on the result of playing the game as winning or being selected.

12. A management device for providing goods, comprising: The acquisition unit acquires the identification information displayed on the item supply device from the user terminal; A presentation unit that presents the settlement method to the user terminal; An item supply control unit, which, conditional upon completion of at least the settlement of the item, controls itself to supply items from an item supply device identified based on the identification information; and The game execution control unit, provided that at least one of the settlement of the item and the supply of the item has been completed, controls the game to be executed on the user terminal so that further item supply can be made. wherein The item supply control unit determines whether further item supply is permitted based on the outcome of the game. If the result of playing the game is a selection or victory, the item supply control unit performs processing for further item supply. The game execution control unit, upon completion of the item settlement, simultaneously displays text information prompting the operation unit of the item supply device to perform an operation and text information indicating that the game can be played.

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