Processing system, program, and processing method

Abstract

To achieve a processing system that can provide a user with a second digital content converted into a non-fungible token (NFT) in place of a first digital content converted into a NFT.SOLUTION: A processing system includes: a determination unit 104 that determines if processing is performed for a first non-fungible token (NFT) linked to a first digital content owned by a user to be transferred or burned; and a NFT processing unit 106 that, when the processing for the first NFT to be transferred or burned is performed, performs processing of providing the user with a second NFT linked to a second digital content related to the first digital content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing system, a program, a processing method, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, processing systems that use distributed ledgers such as blockchain to distribute and provide digital content such as image content are known. In such processing systems, NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are used to prove the authenticity and ownership of digital content. NFTs are unique and non-substitutable data units stored in a distributed ledger such as blockchain. NFTs include SBTs (Soul Bound Tokens), which are non-transferable NFTs. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a processing system that links game result information with information identifying a corresponding player and records the information in a blockchain. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-146057 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in previous processing systems, while NFT-ized digital content could be transferred between users, the content of the digital content could not be changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a processing system including a determination unit that determines whether a process is performed for a first NFT linked to a first digital content held by a user to be transferred or burned, and an NFT processing unit that performs a process of providing the user with a second NFT linked to a second digital content related to the first digital content when the process is performed for the first NFT to be transferred or burned. The present embodiment also relates to a program that causes a computer to function as the determination unit and the NFT processing unit, or an information storage medium that stores the program.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it becomes possible to provide a user with a second digital content that has been converted into an NFT, for example, instead of a first digital content. For example, a user can acquire a second digital content related to the first digital content by transferring or burning a first NFT linked to the first digital content, and can obtain new second digital content.

[0007] In addition, in one aspect of the present disclosure, the content processing unit may perform processing to provide, as the second digital content, digital content in which given information is added to the first digital content to the user.

[0008] In this way, the user can obtain, in place of the first digital content, the second digital content, which is the first digital content to which given information has been added.

[0009] In addition, in one aspect of the present disclosure, the content processing unit may perform processing to provide, as the second digital content, digital content in a media format different from the media format of the first digital content to the user.

[0010] In this way, the user can obtain, in place of the first digital content, the second digital content having a different media format from that of the first digital content.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the system further includes a receiving unit that receives an exchange request from the user to exchange the first digital content for the second digital content, and the NFT processing unit may perform a process of providing the user with the second NFT associated with the second digital content on condition that the exchange request has been received.

[0012] In this way, if a user desires the second digital content instead of the first digital content, the user can obtain the second digital content that has been converted into an NFT by making a digital content exchange request.

[0013] In another aspect of the present disclosure, when a request for NFT is received from the user, the NFT processing unit may request the user to issue the first NFT linked to the first digital content.

[0014] In this way, the user will be able to convert the first digital content that will be exchanged for the second digital content into an NFT at their own discretion.

[0015] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the NFT processing unit may request the issuance of the second NFT linked to the second digital content when processing is performed to transfer or burn the first NFT.

[0016] In this way, a second NFT linked to the second digital content can be issued, and the second digital content can be converted into an NFT, provided that the first NFT linked to the first digital content is transferred or burned.

[0017] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the NFT processing unit may render the first NFT unusable when the second NFT is issued.

[0018] In this way, in exchange for converting the second digital content into an NFT, the first NFT of the first digital content will be set to an unusable state.

[0019] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the NFT processing unit may set the first NFT to the unusable state after the issuance of the second NFT or after the user confirms the issuance of the second NFT.

[0020] This makes it possible to prevent the first NFT linked to the first digital content from becoming unusable when the second NFT linked to the second digital content has not yet been issued or when the user has not confirmed the issued second NFT.

[0021] In addition, one aspect of the present disclosure may include a content processing unit that performs processing to provide the second digital content linked to the second NFT to the user when a given condition is met.

[0022] In this way, a given condition can be set for the provision of the second digital content, and the second digital content will be provided to the user only when the given condition is satisfied.

[0023] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the content processing unit may perform a process of providing the second digital content to the user when the given condition is satisfied with respect to the user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery machine status.

[0024] In this way, the second digital content is provided to the user by determining whether or not given conditions regarding the user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery machine status are satisfied as a condition for providing the second digital content.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the device may include a content processing unit that performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on the user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery machine status.

[0026] In this way, it becomes possible to determine the user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery machine status, and provide the user with second digital content whose content corresponds to these statuses.

[0027] In addition, one aspect of the present disclosure may include a content processing unit that performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on information of the first NFT.

[0028] In this way, it is possible to determine the information of the first NFT and provide the user with second digital content of various contents according to the information of the first NFT.

[0029] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the content processing unit may perform a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on transfer history information or burn history information of the first NFT.

[0030] In this way, it is possible to determine the transfer history information or burn history information of the first NFT and provide the user with second digital content whose content corresponds to the transfer history or burn history.

[0031] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the cryptocurrency may include a content processing unit that performs processing to provide the second digital content linked to the second NFT to the user when the user transfers or burns multiple first NFTs.

[0032] In this way, the second digital content converted into an NFT can be provided to a user on the condition that multiple first NFTs linked to multiple first digital contents are transferred or burned, rather than a single first NFT.

[0033] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the content processing unit may perform a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on the number or combination of the multiple first NFTs that have been transferred or burned.

[0034] In this way, it is possible to determine the number or combination of multiple first NFTs that have been transferred or burned, and provide the user with second digital content whose content corresponds to the number or combination of the multiple first NFTs.

[0035] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a processing method in which a computer performs a determination process to determine whether a process is to be performed for a first NFT linked to a first digital content held by a user to be transferred or burned, and an NFT process to provide the user with a second NFT linked to a second digital content related to the first digital content if the process is to be performed for the first NFT to be transferred or burned. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] 3 shows an example of a network configuration in the processing system of the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 shows an example of the configuration of a processing system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining a detailed processing example of the embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 shows an example of a screen displayed according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 shows an example of a screen displayed according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 8(A) to 8(D) are explanatory diagrams of various processing examples of this embodiment. [Figure 9] 9(A) to 9(D) are diagrams illustrating an example of the relationship between digital content DC1 and digital content DC2. [Figure 10] 10(A) to 10(C) are explanatory diagrams of a method for setting the NFT1 to an unusable state. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a method for setting NFT1 to an unusable state. [Figure 12] A flowchart illustrating the process of providing NFT-ized digital content DC2 to a user when given conditions are met. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart for explaining a process for determining the details of digital content DC2 based on user billing information and the like. [Figure 14] A flowchart explaining the process of determining the contents of digital content DC2 based on the transfer history information of NFT1, etc. [Figure 15] A flowchart explaining the process of determining the contents of digital content DC2 based on the number of NFT1s transferred or burned, etc. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The present embodiment will be described below. Note that the present embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential configurations.

[0038] 1. Processing System First, the network configuration of the processing system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 1, the processing system of this embodiment and the user terminal used by the user are connected for communication via a network. The network (distribution network, communication line) is a communication path using, for example, the Internet or wireless LAN, and can include communication networks such as telephone communication networks, cable networks, and wireless LANs, in addition to dedicated lines for direct connection and LANs using Ethernet (registered trademark). The communication method can be either wired or wireless. This network is used, for example, for distributing digital content to user terminals.

[0040] The processing system (server system) can be realized, for example, by one or more servers (such as a management server, a content providing server, a game server, a distribution server, a billing server, an authentication server, a database server, or a communication server). This processing system (server system) provides various services for operating a sales site for products such as digital content, a community-type website, or an online game, and can manage data required for providing the services and distribute client programs and various data. This enables, for example, a user terminal, which is a client terminal, to access the processing system, which is a server system, and use various services provided by the processing system. The user terminal (terminal device) can be realized, for example, by a portable communication terminal such as a smartphone or a mobile phone, an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC) or a tablet PC, a portable game device, or a home game device (stationary type).

[0041] The processing system participates in and accesses the blockchain network. User terminals may also be able to access the blockchain network. The blockchain management system performs various management and control processes for the blockchain. Examples of blockchain include blockchains based on Ethereum. There are also game-specific blockchain systems, such as Oasis (Verse).

[0042] A blockchain network is, for example, a P2P network, and this blockchain network allows a blockchain, which is a distributed ledger, to be shared and synchronized among multiple terminals. Transactions issued by a system or terminal are linked to the end of the blockchain as blocks. The blockchain is, for example, a smart contract type blockchain. In a smart contract type blockchain, a transaction in which program code is set in the data area is issued, and the program code is registered in the blockchain. Then, a transaction in which input value data is set in the data area is issued, and the registered program code is executed. The system or terminal executes the smart contract program based on the input value data included in the transaction. The results of the program execution are stored in the blockchain's state data.

[0043] An example of the configuration of the processing system of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 2. Note that the configuration of the processing system is not limited to that shown in Fig. 2, and various modifications are possible, such as omitting some of the components (parts) or adding other components.

[0044] The processing system includes a processing unit 100, a storage unit 170, and a communication unit 180. The processing system can also include an operation unit 160 and an output unit 190. As shown in FIG. 1, the processing system is communicatively connected to a user terminal via a network and is also communicatively connected to a blockchain network.

[0045] The processing unit 100 (processor) performs reception processing, judgment processing, NFT processing, content processing, communication processing, output processing (image output processing, sound output processing), etc. based on various information, programs, or operation information stored in the memory unit 170.

[0046] Each process (each function) of the present embodiment performed by each unit of the processing unit 100 can be realized by a processor (a processor including hardware). For example, each process of the present embodiment can be realized by a processor that operates based on information such as a program, and a memory that stores information such as a program. The functions of each unit of the processor may be realized by individual hardware, or may be realized by integrated hardware. For example, the processor includes hardware, and the hardware may include at least one of a circuit that processes a digital signal and a circuit that processes an analog signal. For example, the processor may be configured with one or more circuit devices (e.g., ICs, etc.) mounted on a circuit board, or one or more circuit elements (e.g., resistors, capacitors, etc.). The processor may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). However, the processor is not limited to a CPU, and various processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) can be used. The processor may also be a hardware circuit using an ASIC. The processor may also include an amplifier circuit, a filter circuit, etc. that process an analog signal. The memory (storage unit) may be a semiconductor memory such as an SRAM or a DRAM, or a register. Alternatively, it may be a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), or an optical storage device such as an optical disk drive. For example, the memory stores computer-readable instructions, and the instructions are executed by the processor to realize the processing (function) of each part of the processing unit 100. The instructions here may be a set of instructions constituting a program, or may be instructions that instruct the hardware circuitry of the processor to operate.

[0047] The processing unit 100 includes a receiving unit 102, a judgment unit 104, an NFT processing unit 106, a content processing unit 108, and a management unit 110. Note that the configuration of the processing unit 100 is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible, such as omitting some of these components or adding other components.

[0048] The reception unit 102, the judgment unit 104, the NFT processing unit 106, and the content processing unit 108 each perform various reception processing, judgment processing, NFT processing, and content processing. Details of these processing will be described later. The management unit 110 performs, for example, user authentication processing. For example, it performs authentication processing of a user who logs in using a user terminal. This authentication processing is performed, for example, based on a password or account information input by the user. The management unit 110 also performs, for example, wallet processing and billing processing in the blockchain. For example, the management unit 110 performs processing for linking wallets for transactions using virtual currency (cryptocurrency) and the like. The management unit 110 also performs processing for determining billing, creating billing data, storing it, and the like. The management unit 110 also performs various management processing. For example, it performs management processing of various services and management processing of various information. The management unit 110 can be realized, for example, by a management server.

[0049] The storage unit 170 serves as a work area for the processing unit 100, the communication unit 180, and the like, and its functions can be realized by a semiconductor memory, an HDD, an SSD, an optical disk device, and the like. The storage unit 170 includes a content information storage unit 172 and a user information storage unit 174. The content information storage unit 172 stores various information about digital content provided to a user by the processing system. For example, the content information storage unit 172 stores data of digital content in various media formats, such as image, sound, text, or game content. Digital content is content configured in digital format, and is digital format content provided to a user via a service or published on the web. Examples of digital content in the image format include still images (photos) and videos (videos). Examples of digital content in the sound format include voice, music streams, and game sounds. Examples of digital content in the text format include various sentences, explanatory texts, advertising copy, newspapers, or magazines. The user information storage unit 174 stores various information about a user. For example, the user information storage unit 174 stores personal information of the user (such as name, sex, date of birth, and email address) as user information. For example, the user's account information (user ID) is also stored as user information. For example, information on the user's wallet linked to the user terminal and billing information that is the subject of billing processing are associated with each account information of each user.

[0050] The communication unit 180 communicates with an external device, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a communication ASIC or a communication processor, or communication firmware. For example, the communication unit 180, which is a communication interface, performs various communication processes for communicating with various terminals and systems via a network. The output unit 190 outputs various information such as images and sounds. This realizes display processing of images (still images, moving images) on the display unit and output processing of sounds from a sound output unit such as a speaker.

[0051] The processing system of FIG. 2 performs each process of this embodiment based on the program of this embodiment. This program is a program (program for making a computer execute the process of each part) for making a computer (a device having an operation unit, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit) function as each part of this embodiment. This program is stored in, for example, an information storage medium. That is, the processing system of this embodiment performs various processes of this embodiment based on the program (data) stored in the information storage medium. The information storage medium, which is a medium readable by a computer, stores programs, data, etc., and its functions can be realized by an optical disk, a HDD, a semiconductor memory, etc. Note that the program (data) for making a computer function as each part of this embodiment may be distributed via a network from an information storage medium possessed by the processing system (server system). The use of such an information storage medium by the processing system can also be included in the scope of this embodiment.

[0052] The processing unit 100 may perform various game processes for the user to play the game. The game processes include, for example, a process of starting a game when a game start condition is satisfied, a process of progressing the started game, a process of ending the game when a game end condition is satisfied, or a process of calculating a game result such as a game score. This game process can be realized by, for example, a game server. Taking a browser game as an example, the processing unit 100 controls the progress of the game for each user by managing various information of the user for each user. The user information is stored in the user information storage unit 174. For example, the processing unit 100 displays a web page constituting a website that provides a game service on the user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal. Specifically, the web page is displayed by a web browser provided in the user terminal. When a hyperlink of the displayed web page is selected by the user, the processing unit 100 transmits new HTML data corresponding to the hyperlink to the user terminal, and a web page based on the new HTML data is displayed on the user terminal. In this way, the web pages are sequentially provided to the user terminal in response to the user's operation, so that the game can be progressed based on the user's operation on the user terminal. This user terminal includes, for example, a processing unit that performs various processes, a memory unit that stores various information, a communication unit that communicates various information, a display unit that displays images, and a sound output unit that outputs sound.

[0053] 2, the processing system (server system) of this embodiment includes a determination unit 104 and an NFT processing unit 106. The program of this embodiment causes a computer to function as the determination unit 104 and the NFT processing unit 106. Furthermore, the processing system of this embodiment can include a reception unit 102 and a content processing unit 108, and the program of this embodiment can cause a computer to function as the reception unit 102 and the content processing unit 108.

[0054] The reception unit 102 performs various reception processes from user terminals, etc. For example, the reception unit 102 performs reception processes for digital content exchange requests from users. The reception unit 102 also performs reception processes such as digital content purchase processes by users and NFT processes for digital content.

[0055] The judgment unit 104 performs various judgment processes regarding the transfer and burning of digital content. For example, the judgment unit 104 judges whether a process for transferring or burning a first NFT linked to a first digital content held by a user is performed. The process for judging whether a process for transferring or burning a first NFT is performed may be a process for judging whether the transfer or burning of the first NFT has been completed, or a process for judging whether the transfer or burning of the first NFT is ready. For example, the process for judging whether the transfer or burning of the first NFT is ready can be realized by a process for setting information such as a flag indicating that the first NFT needs to be transferred or burned in order to provide the user with a second NFT linked to a second digital content. For example, the user of the user terminal is registered as the owner (holder) of the first NFT linked to the first digital content. Then, the judgment unit 104 judges whether the user will transfer the first NFT (first digital content) to the system side. For example, it is determined whether the transfer of the first NFT has been completed or whether the transfer of the first NFT has been prepared. The system side is, for example, the operator of the processing system. For example, when the reception unit 102 receives a digital content exchange request from a user, the determination unit 104 determines whether the process for transferring the first NFT has been completed.

[0056] NFTs (tokens in a broader sense) are digital data that are non-fungible (unique) and created based on the blockchain. Since each NFT (Non-Fungible Token) is assigned an identifier that distinguishes it from other NFTs, it is proven that the digital content to which the NFT is linked is unique and one of a kind in the world. In other words, by using the blockchain, uniqueness in the digital world is realized.

[0057] There is also a non-transferable NFT such as SBT (Soul Bound Token). When the first NFT linked to the first digital content is SBT, the determination unit 104 determines whether a process for burning the first NFT linked to the first digital content is performed. Burning is, for example, making crypto assets permanently unusable, and can be achieved, for example, by sending the NFT (SBT) to a wallet without an owner. When the first NFT is SBT, it cannot be transferred from the user to the system side (operation side), so the determination unit 104 determines whether a process for burning the first NFT (SBT) is performed. The determination process in this case may be a determination of whether the burning of the first NFT has been completed, or a determination of whether preparations have been made to burn the first NFT.

[0058] Then, the NFT processing unit 106 (token processing unit in a broader sense) performs a process of providing the user with a second NFT linked to the second digital content. The process of providing the user with the second NFT can be realized, for example, by a request to issue the second NFT to the user. Note that even if the NFT processing unit 106 does not explicitly request the issuance of the second NFT, it is sufficient that the second NFT is eventually provided to the user and held by the user.

[0059] For example, when a process for transferring or burning a first NFT is performed, the NFT processing unit 106 performs a process of providing a second NFT linked to a second digital content related to the first digital content to the user. For example, the second NFT is provided to the user by making a request to issue the second NFT to the user. Alternatively, the second digital content to which the second NFT is issued and linked may be prepared in advance by storing it in the content information storage unit 172, and the second NFT may be provided to the user by providing the second digital content to the user.

[0060] For example, the NFT processing unit 106 provides the second NFT to the user by making a request for issuance of the second NFT on the condition that the first NFT has actually been transferred or burned, or on the condition that the first NFT will be transferred or burned in the future. The request for issuance of the NFT can be realized, for example, by issuing a transaction for the NFT. For example, the NFT processing unit 106 makes a request for issuance of the NFT by issuing a transaction of a smart contract for the NFT to the blockchain network. In this case, the owner of the second NFT requested for issuance may be set on the system side (operator) or may be set to the user. For example, after the owner makes a request for issuance of the second NFT set to the system side (operator), the owner of the second NFT may be changed to the user, or the owner may make a request for issuance of the second NFT set to the user.

[0061] Furthermore, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing digital content to the user. Information on the digital content is stored, for example, in a content information storage unit 172 (content database), and the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing this digital content to the user. For example, the digital content is granted to the user on the condition that the user pays a fee.

[0062] For example, when a process for transferring or burning the first NFT is performed, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content to which the second NFT is linked to the user. For example, when a process for transferring or burning the first NFT is performed, the NFT processing unit 106 requests the issuance of the second NFT, and the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content to which the second NFT requested for issuance is linked to the user. Alternatively, information on the second digital content to which the second NFT is linked may be stored and saved in advance in the content information storage unit 172 of the storage unit 170, and the content processing unit 108 may perform a process of providing the second digital content thus converted into an NFT and saved to the user on the condition that the first NFT is transferred or burned. In this case, the second digital content is converted into an NFT before, for example, the first NFT is transferred or burned.

[0063] The content processing unit 108 also performs a process of providing the user with digital content to which given information has been added as the second digital content. The given information added to the first digital content may be information in a media format different from that of the first digital content, or may be information in the same media format as that of the first digital content. For example, when the first digital content is an image (still image, video), text, sound (audio), or an image different from that of the first digital content is added as the given information. When the first digital content is text, an image, sound, or text different from that of the first digital content is added as the given information. When the first digital content is sound, an image, text, or sound different from that of the first digital content is added as the given information. The given information added to the first digital content is, for example, information related to the first digital content. For example, when the first digital content is an image, text, sound, or image related to the image is added as the given information. Furthermore, when the first digital content is text, an image, sound, or text related to the text is added as the given information. Furthermore, when the first digital content is sound, an image, text, or sound related to the sound is added as the given information. Furthermore, the given information added to the first digital content may be information for providing a service, product, or the like to the user. For example, information representing an event ticket or gift certificate for receiving a service or product may be added as the given information. For example, information for providing an event or product related to the first digital content to the user is added as the given information. In this case, the given information may be, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) for receiving the provision of a service, or the like.

[0064] The content processing unit 108 also performs a process of providing the user with digital content in a media format different from the media format of the first digital content as the second digital content. Examples of media formats include still images, moving images (video), sound, and text. For example, when the first digital content is in the format of a still image, the digital content in the format of a moving image is provided to the user as the second digital content. Or, when the first digital content is in the format of a moving image, the digital content in the format of a still image is provided to the user as the second digital content. Also, when the first digital content is in the format of an image such as a still image or a moving image, the digital content in the format of a sound or text is provided to the user as the second digital content. Also, when the first digital content is in the format of a sound, the digital content in the format of an image or a text is provided to the user as the second digital content. Also, when the first digital content is in the format of a text, the digital content in the format of an image or a sound is provided to the user as the second digital content. In this case, the second digital content is content related to the first digital content. For example, a character or other display object that appears in a still image of the first digital content also appears in a video of the second digital content. Also, sounds (e.g., the voice of the character or sound effects related to the display object) corresponding to the character or other display object that appears in the image of the first digital content are provided to the user as the second digital content. Also, images corresponding to the character or other display object that emits a sound in the first digital content are provided to the user as the second digital content. Also, images and sounds corresponding to the text of the first digital content are provided to the user as the second digital content.

[0065] The digital content may be a game pass used in a game or the like. The game pass is digital content that, when owned by a user, provides the user with various benefits, services, etc. related to the game or the like. For example, when a user owns a game pass, the user can receive a login bonus, obtain buff effects, etc. Then, when a second game pass, which is a second digital content, is given to the user in exchange for a first game pass, which is a first digital content, the user can obtain the second game pass, which is more effective than the first game pass.

[0066] The receiving unit 102 also performs a process of receiving an exchange request (conversion request) from a user to convert the first digital content to a second digital content. For example, a screen for inputting an exchange request is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal, and when the user inputs a digital content exchange request on this screen, the exchange request is accepted. Then, on the condition that such an exchange request has been received, the NFT processing unit 106 performs a process of providing the user with a second NFT linked to the second digital content. For example, when a request to exchange the first digital content for the second digital content is received from the user, the NFT processing unit 106 issues a transaction to the blockchain network requesting the issuance of a second NFT linked to the second digital content. Then, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the user with the second digital content linked to the second NFT. As described above, information on the second digital content linked to the second NFT may be stored in advance in the content information storage unit 172, and when an exchange request for the second digital content is received from a user, the second digital content linked to the second NFT may be provided to the user, thereby providing the user with the second NFT. Also, even if there is no such exchange request from the user, the second NFT linked to the second digital content related to the first digital content may be provided to the user. In other words, even if there is no explicit exchange request from the user, the second NFT linked to the second digital content may be provided to the user on the condition that the first digital content is transferred or burned.

[0067] Furthermore, when a user requests NFT conversion, the NFT processing unit 106 (token processing unit) requests the user to issue a first NFT linked to the first digital content. NFT conversion of digital content is also called minting the digital content. For example, a screen for inputting an instruction to convert the digital content to NFT is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal. Then, when the user inputs an instruction to convert the first digital content to NFT on this screen, the NFT processing unit 106 requests the issuance of a first NFT linked to the first digital content. This sets the ownership (holding right) of the first digital content to the user.

[0068] In addition, the NFT processing unit 106 makes the first NFT unusable when the second NFT is issued. For example, the user makes the first NFT of the original first digital content unusable in order to obtain the second digital content instead of the first digital content. Examples of the process of making the first NFT unusable include burning the first NFT, storing the first NFT in a wallet of the processing system (operation) in an unremovable state, or sending the first NFT to a wallet set to an inaccessible state. By making the first NFT unusable, the first digital content is no longer the one and only digital content owned by the user.

[0069] In this case, the NFT processing unit 106 disables the first NFT, for example, after the issuance of the second NFT or after the user confirms the issuance of the second NFT. For example, the NFT processing unit 106 disables the first NFT after a request to issue the second NFT is made. For example, the first NFT is disabled after the ownership of the second NFT is set to the user. Alternatively, for example, the display unit of the user terminal displays a screen for the user to confirm that the second NFT has been issued, and the NFT processing unit 106 disables the first NFT after the user confirms on the screen.

[0070] In addition, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content linked to the second NFT to the user when a given condition is met. For example, when a process for transferring or burning the first NFT is performed, the content processing unit 108 does not always provide the second digital content, but provides the second digital content linked to the second NFT to the user when a given condition set for the provision of the second digital content is met. The given condition is a condition set in advance in the processing system to determine whether or not to provide the second digital content instead of the first digital content.

[0071] For example, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content to the user when a given condition is satisfied with respect to the user's charging status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery machine status. The user's charging status is, for example, a status regarding the amount of consideration paid by the user for charging by the processing system. The consideration for charging may be in the form of virtual currency or real currency, or may be in the form of purchasing a charging item. The charging status is a status regarding the amount of consideration paid by the user for purchasing digital content. The charging status may be, for example, a status regarding the user's total charging amount, the total charging amount in a recent predetermined period, the most recent charging date and time, or the charging frequency. For example, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content to the user on the condition that the user has paid a predetermined amount of consideration for the exchange of digital content. Alternatively, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content to the user when the user's total charging amount, charging date and time, or charging frequency satisfy a predetermined condition.

[0072] The game status may be a game progress status (progress status of story or game stage, etc.), a user's game play status (play time, number of plays, etc.), a user's game level status, a user's game performance status (score, game points, etc.), a character status (level, attack power, stamina, etc.) used by the user in the game, or an event status occurring in the game (ladies' day, commemorative event, etc.). The game in this game status is, for example, a game related to digital content provided to the user. For example, the game is a game in which a display object such as a character related to the digital content appears. For example, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content to the user on condition that the progress status, game play status, game level status, game performance status, character status, or game event status of the game related to the digital content becomes a predetermined status.

[0073] The login status is, for example, the status of the number of logins, the login frequency, the login time, or the number of days logged in by the user to the service (content provision, game play, etc.) of the processing system. For example, the content processing unit 108 performs processing to provide the second digital content to the user on condition that the number of logins by the user reaches a given number, the login frequency reaches a given frequency, the login is performed at a given date and time, or the number of days logged in reaches a given number of days.

[0074] The advertisement viewing status is, for example, a status regarding the user's viewing of advertisements presented in the processing system. For example, the advertisement viewing status is the number of times the user has viewed advertisements, the frequency with which the user has viewed advertisements, or the status of the types or attributes of advertisements viewed by the user. For example, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content to the user on the condition that the number of times the user has viewed advertisements reaches a given number, the frequency with which the user has viewed advertisements reaches a given frequency, or the user has viewed an advertisement of a specific type or attribute.

[0075] The virtual lottery machine status is the status of a virtual lottery machine that performs a virtual lottery process and grants various benefits to a user. The virtual lottery machine status is, for example, the status of the lottery result by the virtual lottery machine, lottery probability, etc. For example, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content to the user when a given lottery result is obtained by the virtual lottery machine. For example, when the lottery result is that the second digital content is won, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content to the user.

[0076] The content processing unit 108 also performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on the user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery status. For example, when the second digital content is an image, sound, or text, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of determining the content of the image, sound, or text based on the user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery status. For example, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on the amount of the consideration paid by the user for the exchange of the digital content. For example, the higher the amount of the consideration, the higher the value or the higher the rarity of the second digital content provided to the user. Alternatively, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on the user's total billing amount, billing date and time, or billing frequency. For example, the higher the total billing amount, or the higher the billing frequency, or when the billing date and time is within a predetermined period, the higher the value or the higher the rarity of the second digital content provided to the user. The content processing unit 108 also performs a process of determining the contents of the second digital content based on the progress status, game play status, game level status, game performance status, character status, or event status of a game related to the digital content. For example, if the game progress status is fast, the game play time is long, or the game level or game performance is high, a second digital content with higher value or higher rarity is provided to the user. The content processing unit 108 also performs a process of determining the contents of the second digital content based on the number of advertisements viewed by the user, the frequency of advertisement viewing by the user, or the status of the type or attribute of the advertisement viewed by the user. For example, if the number of advertisements viewed by the user is high, the frequency of advertisement viewing is high, or the user views an advertisement of a given type or attribute, a second digital content with higher value or higher rarity is provided to the user. The content processing unit 108 also determines the contents of the second digital content based on the lottery result of the virtual lottery machine, which is the virtual lottery machine status.For example, the better the lottery result, the more valuable or rare the second digital content is provided to the user. In this case, lottery parameters such as the lottery probability of the virtual lottery machine may change depending on the user's billing status, game status, transfer history, etc.

[0077] Furthermore, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on the information of the first NFT. For example, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on information set for the first NFT or information set in relation to the first NFT. For example, when the second digital content is an image, sound, or text, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of determining the content of the image, sound, or text based on the information of the first NFT.

[0078] For example, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on the transfer history information or burn history information of the first NFT. For example, when the second digital content is an image, sound, or text, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of determining the content of the image, sound, or text based on the transfer history information or burn history information of the first NFT. For example, assume that the second digital content is given to the user by exchange with a plurality of first digital contents. The plurality of first digital contents are digital contents to be exchanged for the second digital content. In this case, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on the transfer history information or burn history information of a plurality of first NFTs linked to the plurality of first digital contents. The transfer history information is, for example, information such as the number of transfers, the transfer frequency, or the transfer date and time. The burn history information is, for example, information such as the number of burns, the burn frequency, or the burn date and time. For example, the number of transfers, transfer frequency, or transfer date and time, or the number of burnts, burnt frequency, or burnt date and time, etc., for a plurality of first NFTs linked to a plurality of first digital contents are recorded as transfer history information or burnt history information. Then, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on the recorded transfer history information or burnt history information. For example, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content depending on whether the number of transfers is a given number, the transfer frequency is a given frequency, or the transfer date and time is within a given period. Also, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content depending on whether the number of burnts is a given number, the burn frequency is a given frequency, or the burnt date and time is within a given period. For example, the more the number of transfers or the number of burnts is, or the higher the burn frequency is, or when the transfer date and time or the burnt date and time is within a specific period, the more valuable or rare the second digital content is provided to the user.

[0079] In addition, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content linked to the second NFT to the user when the user transfers or burns a plurality of first NFTs. For example, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content to the user on the condition that the transfer or burning of a plurality of first NFTs linked to a plurality of first digital contents has been performed. That is, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content to be granted to the user by exchanging with a plurality of first digital contents. For example, the user makes a request to exchange a plurality of first digital contents for a second digital content through a user terminal. Then, the receiving unit 102 receives this exchange request, and the judgment unit 104 judges whether the user transfers or burns a plurality of first NFTs linked to the plurality of first digital contents to be exchanged. Then, when the transfer or burning of a plurality of first NFTs has been performed, the content processing unit 108 performs a process of providing the second digital content to be exchanged to the user. In this case, the NFT processing unit 106 may request the issuance of a second NFT linked to the second digital content, on the condition that multiple first NFTs have been transferred or burned by the user.

[0080] The content processing unit 108 also performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on, for example, the number or combination of the first NFTs transferred or burned. For example, the content processing unit 108 sets the content of the second digital content to be provided to the user to content according to the number of the first NFTs transferred or burned for exchange. For example, the more the number of the first NFTs transferred or burned, the more valuable or rare the second digital content is provided to the user. The content processing unit 108 also sets the content of the second digital content to be provided to the user to content according to the combination of the first NFTs transferred or burned for exchange. For example, when the combination of the first digital content linked to the first NFTs is a predetermined combination, the second digital content having a higher value or a higher rarity is provided to the user. For example, when the first digital content is an image, when the images of the digital content are collected to form an image of a predetermined picture, the second digital content having a higher value or a higher rarity is provided to the user. Furthermore, when the first digital content is text, and multiple digital contents, that is, multiple texts, are collected to form a specified sentence or script, etc., a second digital content that is more valuable or rare can be provided to the user.

[0081] The above-described processing system of FIG. 2 and each process of this embodiment, such as the reception process, the determination process, the NFT process, and the content process, can be realized by a server system or by distributed processing between the server system and the user terminal, and various modifications can be made. For example, the server system may process only the information necessary to perform each process of this embodiment, or may perform only the process of transmitting the information to the user terminal, and the user terminal may perform other processes. For example, a program for performing each process of this embodiment may be installed in the user terminal, and the user terminal may perform each process of this embodiment based on the installed program. The processing system may also be realized by a processing system other than the server system.

[0082] 2. Method of the Present Invention Next, the method of this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0083] 2.1 Digital Content Conversion In this embodiment, a mechanism is provided for converting a user's digital content that has been converted into NFT into another digital content that has been converted into NFT. For example, NFT-converted digital content could be transferred between users, but no proposal was made for a system that would change the content of the digital content. In this embodiment, a system is realized in which a user deposits the NFT of digital content held by the user with an operator, etc., making the deposited NFT unusable and granting the user a new NFT linked to another digital content. According to this embodiment, for example, when an NFT of a digital photo, which is digital content, is sent to an idol's wallet corresponding to the digital photo, it is possible to provide a service in which the digital photo is returned to the user with the idol's signature on it. In addition to digital photos with signatures, this embodiment also makes it possible to process still digital photos into video content, digital photos into event tickets, and so on.

[0084] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the method of this embodiment. For example, a user purchases digital content DC1. The digital content DC1 in FIG. 3 is, for example, a digital photo with a character drawn on it. Then, when this digital content DC1 is converted into an NFT, the NFT1 is linked to the digital content DC1, and the digital content DC1 becomes the user's possession (ownership). Here, the digital content DC1 is the first digital content, and the NFT1 is the first NFT. Specifically, for example, when a user instructs the digital content DC1 to be converted into an NFT using a user terminal, the processing system issues a transaction for the NFT1 (a smart contract transaction for the NFT1). As a result, the NFT1 linked to the digital content DC1 is issued, and the digital content DC1 becomes a unique content. For example, the issuance of the NFT1 can be executed by a smart contract program for the NFT1. For example, the blockchain includes blockchain body data and state data, and the blockchain body data is formed by linking a plurality of blocks in a chain shape. For example, each block includes a transaction, and a smart contract program is set in the transaction. The state data is then updated by executing smart contract programs.

[0085] Then, the user transfers or burns the NFT1 of the digital content DC1 in order to exchange the digital content DC1 for the digital content DC2. For example, if the NFT1 is a transferable NFT, the user transfers the NFT1 to the operator. The operator is, for example, the processing system, and the same applies in the following explanation. Also, if the NFT1 is an SBT, which is a non-transferable NFT, the NFT1 is burned.

[0086] In this embodiment, when the NFT1 is transferred or burned in this way, the NFT2 linked to the digital content DC2 is provided to the user. For example, the NFT2 linked to the digital content DC2 is issued, and the digital content DC2 linked to the NFT2 is given to the user. The digital content DC2 is the second digital content, and the NFT2 is the second NFT. Specifically, when the NFT1 is transferred or burned, the processing system issues a transaction for the NFT2 (a transaction of the smart contract for the NFT2). This causes the NFT2 linked to the digital content DC2 to be issued. Then, for example, the ownership (possession) of the NFT2 is changed from the operator to the user, and the digital content DC2 becomes owned (held) by the user. Note that the digital content DC2 linked to the NFT2 may be stored in the storage unit, and when the NFT1 is transferred or burned, the digital content DC2 linked to the NFT2 is provided to the user, thereby providing the NFT2 to the user.

[0087] For example, in FIG. 3, digital content DC2 is digital content in which the signature of an idol character is added to digital content DC1. Thus, in FIG. 3, content in which given information (signature text) is added to digital content DC1 is provided to a user as digital content DC2 related to digital content DC1. Note that the added information is not limited to the idol's signature, and for example, ticket information for an idol's event or concert may be added. For example, digital content DC2 in which a QR code (registered trademark) image is added to digital content DC1 as ticket information is provided to a user. Alternatively, digital content DC2 in which the media format of digital content DC1 is changed may be provided to a user. For example, digital content of a still image is converted into digital content of a moving image and provided to a user.

[0088] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example of this embodiment. First, the processing system judges whether there is a digital content exchange request from the user (step S1). For example, when the user issues an instruction to exchange digital content on the user terminal, it is judged that there is an exchange request. Next, the processing system judges whether a process is performed for transferring or burning NFT1 (first NFT) linked to digital content DC1 (first digital content) held (owned) by the user (step S2). For example, it judges whether NFT1 has been transferred from the user to the operator side, or NFT1, which is an SBT, has been burned by the user. Alternatively, it judges whether information such as a flag indicating that NFT1 will be transferred or burned in the future has been set. Then, when the processing system judges that the process of transferring or burning NFT1 is performed, it provides the user with NFT2 (second NFT) linked to digital content DC2 (second digital content) related to digital content DC1 (step S3). For example, a request is made to the blockchain to issue NFT2, ownership (possession) of the issued NFT2 is set to the user, and digital content DC2 linked to NFT2 is provided to the user. Alternatively, digital content DC2 linked to NFT2 is prepared in advance, and the prepared digital content DC2 is provided to the user, thereby providing NFT2 linked to the digital content DC2 to the user. In this embodiment, as a condition for providing NFT2, it is sufficient that processing for transferring or burning NFT1 is performed as shown in step S2 of FIG. 4. For example, NFT2 may be provided to the user after the transfer or burning of NFT1 is completed, or NFT1 may be transferred or burned after NFT2 is provided to the user. In other words, even if NFT1 has not been transferred or burned in advance, it is sufficient that NFT1 is guaranteed to be transferred or burned in the future.

[0089] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a specific processing example of this embodiment. The NFT1 contract and NFT2 contract in FIG. 5 are smart contract programs written in the blockchain. First, a user accesses the exchange screen of the Web front using a user terminal and makes a request to exchange digital content. The Web front is a part of a website that a user can directly operate using a Web browser or the like, and is provided by the processing system of this embodiment. When such an exchange request is made, the processing system executes the exchange process by specifying, for example, a contract address or a token ID. Specifically, the signed digital photo (digital content DC2 in FIG. 3) to be exchanged is confirmed. Then, the processing system confirms the user's ownership of the NFT1 linked to the digital photo (digital content DC1 in FIG. 3) and receives the confirmation result. Then, when the transfer of the NFT1 (burn in the case of SBT) is confirmed, the NFT1 is sent to the character's wallet by the NFT1 contract. The character's wallet is a wallet on the processing system side, and when digital photos of multiple characters are provided, a wallet is prepared for each character. As a result, the ownership of the NFT1 is transferred from the user to the operator.

[0090] Next, the NFT2 smart contract issues NFT2 with ownership set to the character's wallet, and NFT2 is sent to the user with the character's wallet as the sender. Specifically, NFT2 is sent to the user's wallet. When the user checks NFT2 on their device, NFT2 linked to a signed digital photo is displayed on the user's device. When NFT2 is checked by the user in this way, NFT1 is set to an unusable state. For example, NFT1 is burned or stored in the operator's wallet so that it cannot be retrieved.

[0091] 6 and 7 are examples of screens displayed on a user terminal according to this embodiment. In FIG. 6, as shown in A1, a user name and a wallet address of the user are displayed. The user has previously linked with a blockchain wallet for payment for the service of this embodiment, and the address of the linked wallet is displayed. In FIG. 6, the tab shown in A2 is selected to display digital photos that the user has already purchased. Of the digital photos that have been purchased, digital photo DP1 has already been converted into an NFT, but digital photos DP2 and DP3 have not yet been converted into an NFT. If the user wishes to convert digital photos DP2 and DP3 into NFTs, the user selects and operates the NFT conversion instruction buttons shown in A3 and A4. This causes a request to issue NFTs for digital photos DP2 and DP3 to be made to the blockchain.

[0092] In FIG. 7, the tab shown in B1 is selected to display information about the NFT-converted digital photo DP1. Specifically, the affiliation and character name of the character in the NFT-converted digital photo DP1 are displayed as properties. In addition, the issuer's wallet address and the NFT contract address are displayed as issuance information. The issuer's wallet address is a wallet address that identifies the issuer and certifies that the operator has issued it. The NFT contract address is the address of the NFT smart contract. In addition to such properties and issuance information, rarity, number of issues, serial number, number of transfers, etc. may be displayed on the screen of FIG. 7.

[0093] In this embodiment, various processing examples are possible. For example, in FIG. 8(A), a user purchases digital content DC1 and performs NFT conversion of the digital content DC1 by the user. This causes NFT1 to be issued. For example, a user purchases digital content DC1 and performs an operation to convert the digital content DC1 into NFT, whereby NFT conversion of the digital content DC1 is performed and NFT1 is issued. Then, when NFT1 is transferred from the user to the operator (processing system), digital content DC2 is granted to the user by the operator. After that, the user converts the digital content DC2 into NFT, and NFT2 is issued.

[0094] In FIG. 8B, the user purchases digital content DC1 and converts the digital content DC1 into an NFT. This results in the issuance of NFT1. When NFT1 is transferred from the user to the operator, the operator converts digital content DC2 into an NFT, and grants the NFT2 linked to the digital content DC2 to the user.

[0095] 8(C), when a user purchases digital content DC1, for example, the operator creates an NFT of the digital content DC1 and grants the NFT1 linked to the digital content DC1 to the user. When the NFT1 is transferred from the user to the operator, the operator creates an NFT of digital content DC2 and grants the NFT2 linked to the digital content DC2 to the user.

[0096] In FIG. 8(D), the user purchases digital content DC1 and converts the digital content DC1 into an SBT (or, more broadly, into an NFT). This results in the issuance of SBT1 (or, more broadly, the first NFT). When the user burns SBT1, the operator grants the user digital content DC2. The user then converts the digital content DC2 into an SBT and issues SBT2. As mentioned above, SBT is a non-transferable NFT, and is a type of NFT.

[0097] In this embodiment, the digital content DC2 provided to the user instead of the digital content DC1 is a digital content related to the digital content DC1. For example, the digital content DC2 related to the digital content DC1 is a digital content to which given information is added to the digital content DC1.

[0098] For example, in FIG. 9A, the digital content DC1 is an image (image data), and the digital content DC2 is obtained by adding given information such as text, audio, or an image to the digital content DC1, which is an image. Taking FIG. 3 as an example, the digital content DC2 is obtained by adding the text of the signature of a character (display object in a broad sense) displayed on the digital content DC1 to the digital content DC1. The added text may be an explanatory text about the character, or text information about an introductory text about an event or concert about the character, in addition to the character's signature. Alternatively, the digital content DC2 may be obtained by adding the audio of the character (display object) displayed on the digital content DC1 to the digital content DC1. Alternatively, the digital content DC2 may be obtained by adding an image related to the character (display object) displayed on the digital content DC1 to the digital content DC1. The image related to the character may be, for example, an image of an item such as an accessory, clothing, or weapon used by the character, an image showing ticket information for an event or concert about the character, or an image of a special offer or prize related to the character. Moreover, the digital content DC1 may be an image in which a first character is displayed, and the digital content DC2 may be an image in which another character, such as a second character, is displayed next to the first character, etc. For example, the digital content DC2 may be an image in which an image of a second character, which is an image related to the first character, is added to the digital content DC1 in which the first character is displayed.

[0099] Also, in Fig. 9(B), the digital content DC1 is sound (sound data), and the digital content DC2 is obtained by adding given information such as an image to the digital content DC1, which is sound. For example, if the digital content DC1 is the sound of a character, the digital content DC2 is obtained by adding an image of the character uttering the sound to the digital content DC1. Alternatively, the image added to the digital content DC1 may be, for example, an image of musical notes or a score corresponding to the sound, or a video image corresponding to the sound. Alternatively, if the digital content is text, the digital content DC1 may be the text of the first chapter of a novel or a script, and the digital content DC2 may be text in which the text of the second chapter has been added to the text of the first chapter.

[0100] In this embodiment, digital content DC2 in which given information is added to digital content DC1 may be prepared in advance and stored in storage unit 170, or digital content DC2 may be created by performing a process of adding given information to digital content DC1.

[0101] In this embodiment, digital content DC2 may be provided to a user in a media format different from that of digital content DC1. For example, in FIG. 9C, digital content DC1 is a still image in a first media format, and digital content DC2 is a video in a second media format, and digital content DC1 and digital content DC2 are in different media formats. That is, digital content DC1 and digital content DC2 are mutually related contents, but in different media formats. For example, a display object such as a character that appears in a still image of digital content DC1 also appears in the video of digital content DC2. Or a still image of digital content DC1 is a still image that represents, for example, one scene of the video of digital content DC2.

[0102] 9(D), the digital content DC1 is audio, which is a first media format, and the digital content DC2 is a still image, which is a second media format. That is, the digital content DC1 and the digital content DC2 are mutually related contents, but are in different media formats. For example, a display object such as a character that emits the sound of the digital content DC1 is displayed on a still image of the digital content DC2. Or, the text of the sound of the digital content DC1 is displayed on a still image of the digital content DC2.

[0103] As described above, in this embodiment, it is determined whether the process for transferring or burning the NFT1 (first NFT) linked to the user's digital content DC1 (first digital content) is performed. For example, in the case of a transferable NFT, it is determined whether the process for transferring is performed, and in the case of a non-transferable SBT, it is determined whether the process for burning is performed. Then, as described with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, when the process for transferring or burning the NFT1 is performed, the NFT2 (second NFT) linked to the digital content DC2 (second digital content) related to the digital content DC1 is provided to the user. In this way, it is possible to provide the user with, for example, the digital content DC2 that has been converted into an NFT instead of the digital content DC1. For example, the user can acquire the digital content DC2 related to the digital content DC1 by transferring or burning the NFT1 linked to the digital content DC1, and can obtain the new digital content DC2. In addition, since the NFT1 linked to the digital content DC1 is transferred or burned for the original digital content DC1, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the user obtains an unfair amount of digital content.

[0104] In this embodiment, as described in Fig. 9(A) and Fig. 9(B), digital content DC2 is provided to the user as digital content DC1 to which given information has been added. In this way, the user can obtain digital content DC2 to which given information has been added, instead of digital content DC1. That is, the user can obtain digital content DC1 to which given information has been added, as digital content DC2 related to digital content DC1. Therefore, the user can obtain digital content DC2 that is more valuable or rare than digital content DC1 due to the addition of given information.

[0105] In this embodiment, as described in Fig. 9(C) and Fig. 9(D), digital content in a media format different from that of digital content DC1 is provided to the user as digital content DC2. In this way, the user can obtain digital content DC2 in a media format different from that of digital content DC1 instead of digital content DC1. That is, the user can obtain digital content DC2 related to digital content DC1 in a media format different from that of digital content DC1. Therefore, the user can enjoy the details represented by the content with digital content DC2 in a media format different from that of digital content DC1. This makes it possible to provide the user with digital content in various media formats for enjoyment.

[0106] In this embodiment, an exchange request from digital content DC1 to digital content DC2 is accepted, and on condition that the exchange request is made, an NFT2 linked to the digital content DC2 is provided to the user. For example, when a user issues an instruction to request an exchange of digital content on the screen of the display unit of the user terminal, an NFT2 for the digital content DC2 is issued, and the NFT-converted digital content DC2 is provided to the user. In this way, when the user desires digital content DC2 instead of digital content DC1, the user can obtain the NFT-converted digital content DC2 by making an exchange request for the digital content. Therefore, it is possible to realize an exchange of digital content that reflects the user's intention.

[0107] In this embodiment, when a user requests NFT conversion, a request is made to issue an NFT1 linked to the digital content DC1 to the user. For example, in FIG. 6, when a user selects the NFT conversion button shown in A3 and A4, the digital content DC1 is converted into an NFT, and an NFT1 linked to the digital content DC1 is issued. In this way, the NFT conversion of the digital content DC1 that is the source of the exchange of the digital content DC2 can be performed by the user at the user's discretion. Then, when the process for transferring or burning the NFT1 of the NFT-converted digital content DC1 is performed, an NFT2 linked to the digital content DC2 is issued.

[0108] In this embodiment, when processing is performed to transfer or burn NFT1, a request is made to issue NFT2 linked to digital content DC2. For example, it is determined whether processing is performed to transfer or burn NFT1 linked to digital content DC1, and when it is determined that the processing is performed, a request is made to issue NFT2. Then, digital content DC2 linked to the requested NFT2 is provided to the user. In this way, NFT2 linked to digital content DC2 can be issued on the condition that NFT1 linked to digital content DC1 is transferred or burned, and digital content DC2 can be converted into an NFT.

[0109] 2.2 Various processing examples Next, various processing examples of this embodiment will be described. For example, in this embodiment, when NFT2 (second NFT) is issued, NFT1 (first NFT) is set to an unusable state. For example, in FIG. 10(A), NFT1 linked to digital content DC1 is issued, and NFT2 linked to digital content DC2 is issued to give digital content DC2 to the user instead of this digital content DC1. When NFT2 is issued in this way, NFT1 is set to an unusable state as compensation for the exchange. For example, NFT1 is burned, or NFT1 is stored in an unremovable state in a wallet on the operator side (processing system side). In this way, NFT1 of digital content DC1 is set to an unusable state as compensation for providing NFT-converted digital content DC2, and it is possible to prevent a lot of NFT-converted digital content from being provided to the user unnecessarily. For example, it is possible to prevent NFT-converted digital content DC2 from being provided to the user even though the digital content DC1 to be exchanged remains in an NFT-converted state.

[0110] In this case, various timings are possible for the timing of making NFT1 unusable. For example, in this embodiment, NFT1 is made unusable after NFT2 is issued or after the user confirms the issuance of NFT2. For example, in FIG. 10B, NFT1 is made unusable after NFT2 is issued. That is, NFT1 is not made unusable until NFT2 is issued, and is made unusable after NFT2 is issued. Also, in FIG. 10C, NFT1 is made unusable after NFT2 is issued and the user confirms the issued NFT2. That is, even if NFT2 is issued, NFT1 is not made unusable immediately, and is made unusable after the user confirms the issued NFT2 (after confirming that NFT2 is held by the user). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a confirmation screen for the user to confirm that NFT2 has been issued is displayed on the user terminal. Then, after this confirmation screen is displayed, or after the user performs an operation indicating confirmation on this confirmation screen, NFT1 is made unusable. For example, when the user confirms and agrees to making NFT1 unusable on the confirmation screen in Fig. 11, NFT1 is made unusable. This makes it possible to prevent NFT1 linked to digital content DC1 from becoming unusable when NFT2 linked to digital content DC2 has not yet been issued or when the user has not confirmed the issued NFT2.

[0111] For example, in this embodiment, the user can obtain digital content DC2 instead of digital content DC1. However, if NFT1 of digital content DC1 becomes unusable even though NFT2 resulting from NFTing of digital content DC2 has not been issued to the user, a situation may occur in which the user cannot obtain both NFT1 and NFT2. In this regard, in this embodiment, NFT1 becomes unusable after NFT2 is issued or after the user confirms the issuance of NFT2, so that it is possible to prevent a situation from occurring in which the user cannot obtain both NFT1 and NFT2.

[0112] In this embodiment, when a given condition is met, the digital content DC2 linked to the NFT2 is provided to the user. For example, even if the NFT1 is transferred or burned, the digital content DC2 linked to the NFT2 is not provided to the user unconditionally, but is provided to the user when a given condition set for providing the NFT-ized digital content DC2 is met. In this way, a given condition is set for the provision of the NFT-ized digital content DC2, and the NFT-ized digital content DC2 is provided to the user only when such a given condition is met.

[0113] For example, in this embodiment, when a given condition is met for the user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery machine status, the NFT-ized digital content DC2 is provided to the user. For example, when the billing amount for acquiring the digital content DC2 or issuing the NFT2 becomes a given amount, or when the total billing amount for the user becomes a given amount, or when the billing frequency becomes a given frequency, the NFT-ized digital content DC2 is provided to the user. Alternatively, when the game status such as the user's game progress status, game play status such as play time and number of plays, game level status, game performance status, status of the used character, or status of the generated event becomes a given status, the NFT-ized digital content DC2 is provided to the user. Alternatively, when the login status such as the number of logins, login frequency, login time, or number of login days of the user becomes a given status, the NFT-ized digital content DC2 is provided to the user. Alternatively, when the number of times the user views advertisements, the frequency of the user's viewing of advertisements, or the advertisement viewing situation such as the type and attributes of the advertisements viewed by the user, reaches a given situation, the NFTed digital content DC2 is provided to the user. Alternatively, when the lottery result of the virtual lottery machine played by the user reaches a given lottery situation, the NFTed digital content DC2 is provided to the user. In this way, it becomes possible to provide the digital content DC2 to the user by determining whether or not a given condition regarding the user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery machine status is satisfied as a condition for providing the NFTed digital content DC2.

[0114] FIG. 12 is a flowchart explaining a process of providing a user with digital content DC2 converted into an NFT when a given condition is met. First, the processing system determines whether or not there is a digital content exchange request from the user (step S11), and if there is an exchange request, determines whether a process is performed for transferring or burning the NFT1 linked to the digital content DC1 owned by the user (step S12). If the processing system determines that the process is performed, it determines whether or not a given condition is met regarding the user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery status (step S13). If it determines that the given condition is met, it provides the user with the NFT2 linked to the digital content DC2 related to the digital content DC1 (step S14).

[0115] In this embodiment, the content of the digital content DC2 is determined based on the user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery status. For example, the content of the digital content DC2 is determined according to billing status such as the amount charged for acquiring the digital content DC2 or issuing NFT2, the total billing amount of the user, and the billing frequency, and the digital content DC2 such as value or rarity according to the billing status is provided to the user. The content of the digital content DC2 is determined according to game status such as the user's game progress status, game play status, game level status, game performance status, used character status, or event status, and the digital content DC2 such as value or rarity according to the game status is provided to the user. The content of the digital content DC2 is determined according to login status such as the user's number of logins, login frequency, login time, or login days, and the digital content DC2 such as value or rarity according to these situations is provided to the user. Alternatively, the contents of the digital content DC2 are determined according to the advertisement viewing situation such as the number of times the user has viewed advertisements, the frequency of viewing advertisements, or the type and attributes of the viewed advertisements, and digital content DC2 such as value or rarity according to the advertisement viewing situation is provided to the user. Alternatively, the contents of the digital content DC2 are determined according to the virtual lottery machine situation (lottery result situation) such as the winning result of the virtual lottery machine played by the user, the points acquired, or the points acquired, and digital content DC2 such as value or rarity according to the virtual lottery machine situation is provided to the user. In this way, it becomes possible to determine the user's billing situation, game situation, login situation, advertisement viewing situation, or virtual lottery machine situation, and provide the user with digital content DC2 with content according to these situations. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide the user with digital content DC2 with various content according to the billing situation, game situation, login situation, advertisement viewing situation, or virtual lottery machine situation.

[0116] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the process of determining the contents of the digital content DC2 based on the user's billing information, etc. First, the processing system determines whether or not there is a digital content exchange request from the user (step S21), and if there is an exchange request, acquires the user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery machine status (step S22). Then, based on the acquired user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery machine status, the system determines the contents of the digital content DC2 (step S23). Then, the digital content DC2 with the determined contents is provided to the user. For example, a request is made to issue an NFT2, and the NFT-ized digital content DC2 is provided to the user.

[0117] In this embodiment, the content of the digital content DC2 is determined based on the information of the NFT1. The information of the NFT1 is, for example, information set for the NFT1, information associated with the NFT1, or information related to the NFT1. The content of the digital content DC2 is determined based on the information of the NFT1, and the digital content DC2, such as value or rarity according to the information of the NFT1, is provided to the user. In this way, it is possible to determine the information of the NFT1 and provide the user with digital content DC2 with various contents according to the information of the NFT1.

[0118] For example, in this embodiment, the content of the digital content DC2 is determined based on the transfer history information or burn history information of the NFT1. For example, when the digital content DC2 is an image, sound, or text, the content of the image, sound, or text is determined based on the transfer history information or burn history information of the NFT1. For example, the content of the digital content DC2 is determined based on the transfer history information, which is information such as the number of transfers, transfer frequency, or transfer date and time of the NFT1. For example, the content of the digital content DC2 is determined based on the transfer history information, which is information such as the number of transfers of the NFT1, the transfer frequency, or the transfer date and time, depending on whether the transfer number is a given number, the transfer frequency is a given frequency, or the transfer date and time is within a given period. Alternatively, the content of the digital content DC2 is determined based on the burn history information, which is information such as the number of burns, burn frequency, or burn date and time of the NFT1. For example, the content of the digital content DC2 is determined based on the burn history information, which is information such as the number of burns of the NFT1, the burn frequency, or the burn date and time. In this way, the transfer history information or burn history information of the NFT1 is recorded and judged, and the digital content DC2 with content according to the transfer history or burn history can be provided to the user. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide the user with digital content DC2 with various contents according to the transfer history or burn history.

[0119] FIG. 14 is a flowchart explaining the process of determining the contents of the digital content DC2 based on the transfer history information of the NFT1. First, the processing system determines whether or not there is a digital content exchange request from the user (step S31), and if there is an exchange request, acquires the transfer history information or burn history information of the NFT1 linked to the digital content DC1 (step S32). Then, based on the acquired transfer history information or burn history information of the user, the contents of the digital content DC2 are determined (step S33). Then, the digital content DC2 with the determined contents is provided to the user. For example, a request is made to issue the NFT2, and the NFT-ized digital content DC2 is provided to the user.

[0120] In this embodiment, when a user transfers or burns multiple NFTs, digital content DC2 linked to NFT2 is provided to the user. For example, NFT-converted digital content DC2 is provided to the user on the condition that multiple NFTs linked to multiple digital contents DC1 are transferred or burned. For example, when a request is made to exchange multiple digital contents DC1 for digital content DC2, it is determined whether multiple NFTs linked to the multiple digital contents DC1 to be exchanged have been transferred or burned. Then, when multiple NFTs are transferred or burned, a process is performed to provide digital content DC2 linked to NFT2 to the user. In this way, digital content DC2 is provided to the user on the condition that multiple NFTs linked to multiple digital contents DC1 are transferred or burned, rather than one NFT1. For example, NFT-converted digital content DC2 can be provided to the user by exchanging it with multiple NFT-converted digital contents DC1.

[0121] In this case, in this embodiment, a process of determining the contents of the digital content DC2 is performed based on the number or combination of multiple transferred or burned NFT1. The more the number of multiple transferred or burned NFT1, the more valuable or rare the digital content DC2 is provided to the user. The combination of multiple transferred or burned NFT1 is determined, and digital content DC2 with contents corresponding to the combination is provided to the user. For example, when the combination of multiple digital contents DC1 linked to multiple NFT1 is a predetermined combination, digital content DC2 with higher value or higher rarity is provided. In this way, it becomes possible to determine the number or combination of multiple transferred or burned NFT1 and provide digital content DC2 with contents corresponding to the number or combination of multiple NFT1 to the user. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide digital content DC2 with various contents corresponding to the number or combination of multiple NFT1 to the user.

[0122] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the process of determining the contents of the digital content DC2 based on the number of transferred or burned NFT1s, etc. First, the processing system determines whether multiple NFT1s have been transferred or burned by the user (step S41). If the process is performed to transfer or burn multiple NFT1s, the number or combination of transferred or burned NFT1s is determined (step S42). Then, based on the number or combination of transferred or burned NFT1s, the content of the digital content DC2 is determined (step S43), and the digital content DC2 with the determined content is provided to the user (step S44). For example, a request is made to issue an NFT2, and the NFT-converted digital content DC2 is provided to the user.

[0123] Note that various modifications can be made to this embodiment. For example, the above describes an example in which the digital content DC1 is digital content purchased by a user, but this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the digital content DC1 may be digital content created by a user. For example, when the digital content DC1 created by a user is transferred to the operator, digital content DC2, which is the digital content DC1 created by the user with given information such as a signature added thereto, may be given to the user.

[0124] In addition, the transferee of the digital content DC1 is not limited to the operator (processing system). For example, when the digital content DC1 owned by a first user is transferred to a second user, not to the operator, the second user may create the digital content DC2 by adding given information to the digital content DC1. Then, the digital content DC2 is given to the first user.

[0125] Furthermore, when the digital content DC1 is transferred or burned, digital content DC2 in which information selected or extracted by a lottery process using a virtual lottery machine or the like is added to the digital content DC1 may be given to the user.

[0126] Although the present embodiment has been described in detail as above, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible that do not substantially deviate from the novel matters and effects of the present disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a term (SBT, etc.) described at least once in the specification or drawings together with a different term (NFT, etc.) having a broader or synonymous meaning can be replaced with that different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. In addition, the request acceptance process, transfer or burn decision process, digital content process, NFT process, etc. are not limited to those described in the present embodiment, and equivalent methods are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 100... processing unit, 102... acceptance unit, 104... judgment unit, 106... NFT processing unit, 108... content processing unit, 110... management unit, 160... operation unit, 170... storage unit, 172... content information storage unit, 174... user information storage unit, 180... communication unit, 190... output unit, DC1... first digital content, DC2... second digital content, DP1, DP2, DP3... digital photo, NFT1... first NFT, NFT2... second NFT

Claims

1. A determination unit that determines whether a process is performed for a first NFT linked to a first digital content held by a user to be transferred or burned; An NFT processing unit that performs a process of providing the user with a second NFT linked to a second digital content related to the first digital content when a process for transferring or burning the first NFT is performed; A processing system comprising:

2. In claim 1, A processing system comprising: a content processing unit that performs processing to provide, as the second digital content, digital content obtained by adding given information to the first digital content to the user.

3. In claim 1, a content processing unit that performs processing to provide, as the second digital content, digital content having a media format different from the media format of the first digital content to the user.

4. In claim 1, a receiving unit that receives a request for exchanging the first digital content with the second digital content from the user; The NFT processing unit includes: A processing system characterized by performing a process of providing the second NFT linked to the second digital content to the user on the condition that the exchange request is made.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, The NFT processing unit includes: A processing system characterized by, when a request is made from the user to convert the first digital content into an NFT, making a request to issue the first NFT linked to the first digital content to the user.

6. In any one of claims 1 to 4, The NFT processing unit includes: A processing system characterized by making a request to issue the second NFT linked to the second digital content when a process is performed to transfer or burn the first NFT.

7. In any one of claims 1 to 4, The NFT processing unit includes: A processing system that disables the first NFT when the second NFT is issued.

8. In claim 7, The NFT processing unit includes: A processing system, comprising: a processing unit that disables the first NFT after the second NFT is issued or after the user confirms the issuance of the second NFT;

9. In claim 1, A processing system comprising a content processing unit that performs processing to provide the second digital content linked to the second NFT to the user when a given condition is met.

10. In claim 9, The content processing unit includes: A processing system characterized by performing a process of providing the second digital content to the user when the given conditions are satisfied regarding the user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery machine status.

11. In claim 1, A processing system comprising a content processing unit that performs processing to determine the content of the second digital content based on the user's billing status, game status, login status, advertisement viewing status, or virtual lottery machine status.

12. In claim 1, A processing system comprising a content processing unit that performs a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on information of the first NFT.

13. In claim 12, The content processing unit includes: A processing system characterized by performing a process of determining the content of the second digital content based on transfer history information or burn history information of the first NFT.

14. In claim 1, A processing system comprising a content processing unit that performs processing to provide the second digital content linked to the second NFT to the user when the user transfers or burns multiple first NFTs.

15. In claim 14, The content processing unit includes: A processing system that performs a determination process of the content of the second digital content based on the number or combination of the multiple first NFTs that have been transferred or burned.

16. A determination unit that determines whether a process is performed for a first NFT linked to a first digital content held by a user to be transferred or burned; When the first NFT is transferred or burned, an NFT processing unit performs a process of providing the user with a second NFT linked to a second digital content related to the first digital content, A program that causes a computer to function.

17. A determination process for determining whether a process for transferring or burning a first NFT linked to a first digital content held by a user is to be performed; an NFT process that provides the user with a second NFT associated with second digital content related to the first digital content when the first NFT is processed for transfer or burning; A processing method characterized by being carried out by a computer.

Images