Digital asset management system

Abstract

To provide a digital asset management system capable of handling the digital asset after death of the owner in a manner reflecting the intention of the owner.SOLUTION: A digital asset management system 1 includes: a specifying unit which specifies a candidate of a successor of the digital asset in a case where the owner of the digital asset has died from among persons having relevancy with the digital asset; a confirmation unit which confirms propriety of the specified candidate to the owner; and a successor database 14 which stores the digital asset and the candidate in association with each other when it is determined that the owner has determined that the candidate is proper.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a digital asset management system for managing various digital assets such as image data. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a digital asset management device that manages information about digital assets owned by a decedent. This digital asset management device includes a detection means for detecting the death of the decedent, and a notification means for notifying an heir or a specific person concerned of the existence of the digital assets after the detection. This digital asset management device can automatically notify an heir or other person of the existence of the decedent's digital assets, making it possible to properly dispose of the digital assets. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-172864 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of the conventional digital asset management device described above, a problem occurs in that the disposal of digital assets by an heir or the like does not easily reflect the wishes of the deceased, who is the original owner.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a digital asset management system capable of solving the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one embodiment of a digital asset management system of the present invention comprises an identification unit that identifies potential successors to the digital assets from among those who have a relationship with the digital assets in the event of the death of the owner of the digital assets, a confirmation unit that confirms with the owner whether the identified candidates are suitable, and a memory unit that, if the owner determines that the candidate is suitable, stores the digital assets in association with the candidates.

[0007] In the above aspect, the digital asset management system may further include a notification unit that, when the owner judges that the candidate is suitable, notifies the candidate of information indicating the contents of the digital asset.

[0008] In addition, in the above-mentioned aspect, the present invention may further include a reception unit that accepts modifications to the candidate if the owner determines that the candidate is not suitable, and the memory unit may store the digital asset in association with the modified candidate.

[0009] In the above aspect, the digital asset may be image data, and the identification unit may identify the candidate based on information included in the image data.

[0010] In the above aspect, the identification unit may identify a person included in the image data as the candidate.

[0011] In the above aspect, the digital asset may be document data, and the identification unit may identify the candidate based on words contained in the document data.

[0012] In addition, in the above-mentioned aspect, the digital asset is an account that can be used to access a specific service on the Internet, and the system further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the account has value based on information generated by the account, and the identification unit may identify the candidate when it is determined that the account has value.

[0013] In addition, in the above aspect, the digital asset may be an account that can be used to access a specific service on the Internet, and the identification unit may identify the candidate based on information on the Internet generated by the account. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the handling of digital assets after the death of an owner of digital assets can be made to reflect the wishes of the owner. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an asset management system and its communication destination. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of an owner database. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of an asset database. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of a candidate database. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of a successor database. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a successor content determination process. [Figure 7A] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a successor candidate specification process. [Figure 7B] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the successor candidate specification process. [Figure 7C] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the successor candidate specification process. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an owner confirmation screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a candidate confirmation screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely examples of methods and devices for embodying the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited to the following. The technical idea of ​​the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope described in the claims.

[0017] (System Configuration) 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital asset management system and its communication destination according to this embodiment. The digital asset management system (hereinafter simply referred to as the "asset management system") 1 according to this embodiment is a computer system that manages digital assets such as image data. The asset management system 1 communicates with user terminals 2, 2, ... via the Internet 101.

[0018] The user terminal 2 is an information terminal used by each user including the owner of the digital asset and the successor of the digital asset, and examples thereof include a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a smart watch, etc. The user terminal 2 acquires information provided by the asset management system 1 using an internet browser or a dedicated application, etc., and displays the information on the display unit.

[0019] Next, a detailed configuration of the asset management system 1 will be described. The asset management system 1 is configured by a computer equipped with a control unit including a CPU, RAM, and ROM, and a storage unit, and each process described below is executed by this control unit. The storage unit of the asset management system 1 is provided with the following databases: an owner database (DB) 11, an asset database (DB) 12, a candidate database (DB) 13, and a successor database (DB).

[0020] The owner of a digital asset notifies the operator of the asset management system 1 in advance of his / her name, contact information, and various other information about the digital asset he / she owns and potential successors (candidates) of the digital asset. Here, candidates for the successor of the digital asset are those who have a specific relationship with the owner (e.g., parent / child, sibling, friend, etc.). The owner considers those who could be good successors for the general digital assets he / she owns, and notifies the operator of information about those people. In other words, the owner considers candidates without linking them to specific digital assets, and notifies the operator of the results of that consideration. As will be described later, the linking of specific digital assets to candidates is performed by the asset management system 1.

[0021] Based on the information thus provided by the owner, the asset management system 1 registers each piece of information in the owner DB 11, the asset DB 12, and the candidate DB 13. In addition, the asset management system 1 registers the successor information obtained as a result of the successor content determination process described later in the successor DB 14. Details of these databases are described below.

[0022] (1) Owner DB11 The owner DB11 is a database that stores information about owners of digital assets. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the owner DB11. As shown in Fig. 2, the owner DB11 stores at least an owner ID for identifying each owner, the name, contact information and attributes of the owner, an asset ID for identifying the digital asset owned by the owner, and a candidate ID for identifying a candidate successor to the digital asset. In the example shown in Fig. 2, an email address is shown as the contact information, but other contact information such as a phone number may also be used.

[0023] The attributes of the owner include age, sex, family structure, place of residence, occupation, hobbies, etc. In addition, image data showing the owner or its storage destination may be stored as the attributes of the owner. By utilizing this information, the asset management system 1 can determine whether or not the owner is included in specific image data.

[0024] (2) Asset DB12 The asset DB 12 is a database that stores information about digital assets. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of this asset DB 12. As shown in Fig. 3, the asset DB 12 stores at least the asset ID of each digital asset, the owner ID of the owner of the digital asset, and the type and storage destination of the digital asset.

[0025] The type of digital asset is information indicating the classification of the contents of the digital asset. A number of classifications are prepared in advance, from which one that matches the contents of the digital asset is automatically or manually selected and stored in the asset DB 12. Examples of such classifications include image data (including still images and moving images), document data, and accounts. Here, an account is a user account required to use a specific service on the Internet. For example, a social media user account corresponds to an account here.

[0026] The information stored in the asset DB 12 as the storage destination of a digital asset varies depending on the type of the digital asset. For example, if the digital asset is image data or document data, the address of the storage destination of the data is stored. Also, if the digital asset is an account, the access destination of information published on social media using the account is stored.

[0027] (3) Candidate DB13 The candidate DB 13 is a database that stores information on candidates for successors of digital assets. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of this candidate DB 13. As shown in Fig. 4, the candidate DB 13 stores at least the candidate ID of each candidate, the name, contact information and attributes of the candidate, and the owner ID of an owner having a specific relationship with the candidate and the relationship (e.g., eldest daughter, sibling, friend, etc., as shown in Fig. 4).

[0028] As in the case of the owner DB 11, the attributes of the candidate include age, sex, family structure, place of residence, occupation, hobbies, etc. In addition, image data showing the candidate or the storage destination thereof may be stored as the attributes of the candidate.

[0029] As described above, each piece of information is stored in the candidate DB 13 based on the information provided by the owner to the operator of the asset management system 1, but in addition, information on persons who are determined by the asset management system 1 to be possible candidates is also stored. The details will be described later.

[0030] (4) Successor to DB14 The successor DB 14 is a database that stores successor information generated by a successor content determination process described later. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of this successor DB 14. As shown in Fig. 5, the successor DB 14 stores at least the asset ID of the digital asset to be succeeded, the owner ID of the owner of the digital asset, the candidate ID of the candidate successor who will inherit the digital asset, and the handling of the digital asset at the time of inheritance. Here, the handling of the digital asset can be, for example, free transfer, paid transfer, etc.

[0031] (System Operation) Next, the operation of the asset management system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to a flowchart. The owner of the digital asset accesses the asset management system 1 using the user terminal 2 and issues an instruction to execute a successor content determination process that determines the successor content of the digital asset in the event of the owner's death. Upon receiving this instruction, the asset management system 1 executes the following successor content determination process.

[0032] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the successor content determination process. First, the asset management system 1 refers to the owner DB 11, and extracts the asset ID linked to the owner ID of the accessing owner, thereby identifying the digital asset to be processed (S101). If multiple digital assets are identified, the subsequent processes are executed for each digital asset. Here, the explanation will continue assuming that one digital asset has been identified.

[0033] Next, the asset management system 1 refers to the asset DB 12 and identifies the type of the digital asset identified by the extracted asset ID (S102). Then, the asset management system 1 executes a successor candidate identification process for identifying a successor candidate of this digital asset based on the identified type (S103).

[0034] Figures 7A to 7C are flow charts showing an example of the procedure of the above-mentioned successor candidate identification process, where Figure 7A shows a case where the digital asset is image data, Figure 7B shows a case where the digital asset is document data, and Figure 7C shows a case where the digital asset is an account. When the digital asset to be processed is image data, as shown in Figure 7A, the asset management system 1 acquires and analyzes the image data from the storage destination shown in the asset DB 12 (S201), and identifies a person related to the image data (hereinafter referred to as a "related person") based on the result (S202).

[0035] The above-mentioned identification of related persons is performed by various methods. For example, when it is determined by the analysis of step S201 that a person is included in the image data, the asset management system 1 determines whether the person is the owner, a candidate registered in the candidate DB 13, or someone else. This determination can be performed by using images of the owner and the candidate included in the owner DB 11 and the candidate DB 13, respectively. Here, if it is determined that the person is a candidate, the candidate is identified as a related person, whereas if it is determined that the person is the owner, the family members of the owner excluding the candidate are identified as related persons. On the other hand, if it is determined that the person is neither the owner nor the candidate, the asset management system 1 attempts to identify the person based on various information published on the Internet 101. If the asset management system 1 succeeds in this identification, it determines that the person is a related person, and if it fails to identify the person, it determines that there is no related person.

[0036] After step S202 is executed, the asset management system 1 identifies candidates for the successor of the image data (S203). For example, if a related party is identified in step S202, the related party is identified as a candidate for the successor of the digital asset. On the other hand, if a related party is not identified in step S202, a candidate registered in the candidate DB 13 is identified as a candidate for the successor of the digital asset.

[0037] Next, a case where the digital asset to be processed is document data will be described. As shown in Fig. 7B, the asset management system 1 acquires the document data from the storage destination indicated in the asset DB 12, analyzes the data (S301), and identifies the related party of the document data based on the result of the analysis (S302).

[0038] As in the case where the digital asset to be processed is image data, the above-mentioned related party identification is performed by various methods. For example, when it is determined by the analysis of step S301 that there is a word indicating a specific person in the document data, the asset management system 1 determines whether the person is the owner, a candidate registered in the candidate DB 13, or someone else. This determination can be performed by using the names and attributes of the owner and candidate included in the owner DB 11 and the candidate DB 13, respectively. As in the case where the digital asset to be processed is image data, when the person is determined to be a candidate, the candidate is identified as a related party, and when the person is determined to be the owner, the owner's family members other than the candidate are identified as related parties. On the other hand, when the person is determined to be other than the owner and the candidate, the asset management system 1 attempts to identify the person based on various information published on the Internet 101. When the asset management system 1 succeeds in this identification, it determines that the person is a related party, and when it fails to identify the person, it determines that there is no related party.

[0039] In the above, related parties may be identified based on multiple words (phrases, sentences, etc.) rather than a single word. For example, when a related party cannot be identified based on a single word, the related party can be appropriately identified by analyzing other words contained in the same document data.

[0040] After step S302 is executed, the asset management system 1 identifies candidates for the successor of the document data (S303). For example, if a related person is identified in step S302, the related person is identified as a candidate for the successor of the document data. On the other hand, if a related person is not identified in step S202, a candidate registered in the candidate DB 13 is identified as a candidate for the successor of the document data.

[0041] Next, a case where the digital asset to be processed is an account will be described. As shown in Fig. 7C, the asset management system 1 acquires information published on social media using the account from the storage destination shown in the asset DB 12, and further acquires various information published on the Internet 101 for the account, and then analyzes the information (S401).

[0042] The asset management system 1 judges whether the account is valuable based on the above analysis results (S402). This judgment is performed by various methods. For example, if the information published on the social media is of the kind that generates monetary value such as advertising fees, or if the account is judged to be well-known, the asset management system 1 judges that the account is valuable. On the other hand, if the information published on the social media is personal information of the owner, or if the account is judged to be low-known, the asset management system 1 judges that the account is not valuable.

[0043] If it is determined in step S402 that the account has no value, the asset management system 1 ends the successor candidate specification process without specifying a successor candidate. On the other hand, if it is determined that the account has value, the asset management system 1 specifies a related party of the account (S403).

[0044] As in the case where the digital asset to be processed is image data or document data, the above-mentioned related person identification is performed by various methods. For example, when image data is included in the information acquired in step S401, and it is determined that the image data contains a person, or when document data is included, and it is determined that the document data contains a word indicating a specific person, the asset management system 1 determines whether the person is the owner, a candidate registered in the candidate DB 13, or someone else. This determination can be performed by using the image, name, attributes, etc. of the owner and candidate contained in the owner DB 11 and the candidate DB 13, respectively. Then, when it is determined that the person is a candidate, the candidate is identified as a related person, and when it is determined that the person is an owner, the owner's family members excluding the candidate are identified as related people. On the other hand, when it is determined that the person is other than the owner or candidate, the asset management system 1 attempts to identify the person based on various information published on the Internet 101. When the asset management system 1 succeeds in this identification, it determines that the person is a related person, and when it fails to identify the person, it determines that there is no related person.

[0045] Furthermore, if the account is a user account of a social media, the asset management system 1 identifies as related persons those who can refer to information generated by the account and published on the social media. In this case, for example, followers of the account are identified as related persons.

[0046] After step S403 is executed, the asset management system 1 identifies candidates for the successor of the account (S404). For example, if a related party is identified in step S403, the related party is identified as a candidate for the successor of the account. On the other hand, if a related party is not identified in step S403, a candidate registered in the candidate DB 13 is identified as a candidate for the successor of the account.

[0047] Returning to FIG. 6, the asset management system 1 determines how to handle the target digital asset based on the type of the digital asset, etc. (S104). For example, if the digital asset is an account, it is transferred for a fee, and if the digital asset is image data or document data, it is transferred free of charge. The handling of the digital asset may also be determined based on the type of successor candidate. For example, if the candidate identified in step S103 is a candidate registered by the owner, it is transferred free of charge, and if it is someone else, it is transferred for a fee.

[0048] Next, the asset management system 1 notifies the owner of the succession details including the successor candidates identified in step S103, and confirms with the owner whether they are appropriate (S105). For example, the owner is notified by sending an email including information (such as name) that can identify the candidate, or by notifying the owner of a link where the information can be referenced.

[0049] The owner who has received the above notification identifies the person who has been designated as a candidate based on the notified information, judges the suitability of the succession content including the person being designated as a candidate, and provides the result to the asset management system 1. For example, when the owner accesses the above link using the user terminal 2, an owner confirmation screen for confirming with the owner the suitability of the succession content including the candidate is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 2. When the owner performs a specified operation on the owner confirmation screen, the result of the owner's judgment of suitability is provided to the asset management system 1.

[0050] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the owner confirmation screen. As shown in Fig. 8, the owner confirmation screen displayed on the display unit 21 of the user terminal 2 shows the contents of the digital assets (image data in this example), information for identifying the candidate for successor identified in step S103 (name in this example), and the handling of the digital assets determined in step S104. In addition, this owner confirmation screen is provided with an approval button 201 for approving the displayed candidate and handling, and a non-approval button 202 for rejecting approval.

[0051] The owner, having referred to the above-mentioned owner confirmation screen, checks the contents, decides whether to approve the displayed candidates and handling, or to approve them after making corrections, and presses either the Approve button 201 or the Disapprove button 202. If it is determined that corrections are necessary, the owner enters the corrected content in at least one of the "Successor candidate" and "Handling" fields, and then presses the Approve button 201. For example, if the owner determines that a candidate is not appropriate, he or she enters information (such as a name) to identify a person whom he or she considers appropriate in the "Successor candidate" field, and then presses the Approve button 201.

[0052] When either the approval button 201 or the disapproval button 202 is pressed, information indicating that is sent from the user terminal 2 to the asset management system 1. Based on this information, the asset management system 1 judges whether or not the succession contents have been approved by the owner (S106). If it is judged that the succession contents have not been approved (NO in S106), the asset management system 1 ends the process without registering the succession information. On the other hand, if it is judged that the succession contents have been approved (YES in S106), the asset management system 1 notifies the candidate of the succession contents approved by the owner, thereby confirming with the candidate whether or not they are appropriate (S107). For example, the candidate is notified by notifying the candidate of an email including the contents of the digital asset to be succeeded and information that can identify the owner (such as the name), or by notifying the candidate of a link where such information can be referenced.

[0053] The candidate who has received the above notification identifies the contents of the digital asset and its owner based on the notified information, judges the suitability of the successor contents, and provides the result to the asset management system 1. For example, when the candidate accesses the above link using the user terminal 2, a candidate confirmation screen for confirming with the candidate the suitability of the successor contents is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 2. When the candidate performs a specified operation on the candidate confirmation screen, the result of the candidate's judgment of suitability is provided to the asset management system 1.

[0054] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the candidate confirmation screen. As shown in Fig. 9, the candidate confirmation screen displayed on the display unit 21 of the user terminal 2 shows the contents of the digital asset (image data in this example), information for identifying the owner (name in this example), and the handling of the digital asset approved by the owner. In addition, the candidate confirmation screen is provided with an approval button 211 for approving the displayed handling, and a non-approval button 212 for rejecting the approval.

[0055] A candidate who refers to the above candidate confirmation screen checks the contents, decides whether or not to approve the displayed handling, and presses either the approve button 211 or the disapprove button 212. Note that, unlike the case of the above owner confirmation screen, a candidate cannot make corrections before approving. However, as with the owner confirmation screen, it is also possible to allow corrections to be made on the candidate confirmation screen, and for the owner to confirm the details of those corrections. In this case, the asset management system 1 performs the same process as in step S105 above, and then executes the processes from step S106 onwards.

[0056] When either the approval button 211 or the disapproval button 212 is pressed, information indicating this is transmitted from the user terminal 2 to the asset management system 1. Based on this information, the asset management system 1 determines whether or not the succession contents have been approved by the candidate (S108). If it is determined that the succession contents have not been approved (NO in S108), the asset management system 1 ends the process without registering the succession information. On the other hand, if it is determined that the succession contents have been approved (YES in S108), the asset management system 1 registers the succession information indicating the succession contents approved by the owner and the candidate in the successor DB 14 (S109), and ends the process.

[0057] Through the above-described successor content determination process, digital assets and candidates for successors of the digital assets in the event that the owner of the digital assets dies are associated with each other and stored in the successor DB 14. After that, when the owner dies, the candidates for succession registered in the successor DB 14 officially become the successors and take over the digital assets.

[0058] As described above, in this embodiment, the succession details are finalized only when there is approval from the owner of the digital assets, so that it is possible to avoid inconveniences such as a succession occurring against the owner's will. In addition, because approval from a person identified as a candidate for succession is also required, it is also possible to avoid a succession occurring against the will of that person.

[0059] If a candidate identified by the above-mentioned successor candidate identification process is not registered in the candidate DB 13, the asset management system 1 collects various information about the candidate, such as his / her name, and registers the information in the candidate DB 13. This broadens the scope of candidates, so it is expected that a more diverse range of people will be identified as candidates.

[0060] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, the candidate also approves the succession details, but this approval may be omitted. However, since inconveniences may arise if the person is completely unaware that he or she is a candidate for succession, it is preferable for the asset management system 1 to notify the person that he or she is a candidate for succession in advance. If the asset management system 1 does not know the contact information of the candidate, it cannot notify the candidate at that point in time, and cannot obtain approval from the candidate. Even in this case, the asset management system 1 may register the succession information in the successor DB 14 as long as it has obtained approval from the owner.

[0061] In addition, in the above embodiment, image data, document data, and accounts are exemplified as digital assets, but the present invention is not limited to these. However, since digital assets such as electronic money, virtual currency, and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) clearly have monetary value, there are often prescribed procedures for their succession, and it can be said that the content of the succession is rarely an issue. In contrast, in the case of digital assets such as image data, document data, and accounts, it is often unclear whether they have monetary value, and the value changes significantly depending on who the successor is, so it is easy to imagine that the content of the succession will be an issue. Therefore, image data, document data, accounts (including user names), etc. are suitable as digital assets handled in the present invention. In addition, domain names, websites, etc. are also suitable as digital assets handled in the present invention.

[0062] Regarding the transfer of an account and information generated by the account, there may be a pre-defined agreement between the provider of the Internet service available through the account and the user (account owner). In that case, the asset management system 1 may determine the transfer details of the account in accordance with the pre-defined agreement.

[0063] In the above embodiment, when a person is included in image data, which is a digital asset, the person is identified as a related person, but this is not limited to the above. For example, when an object is included in image data, a person related to the object may be identified as a related person. For example, when a work created by the owner together with a friend when he or she was an elementary school student is included in the image data, the friend or an elementary school teacher may be identified as a related person. That is, the asset management system 1 may identify related persons based on information included in the image data. The information in this case includes people and objects (living and non-living objects), etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Digital Asset Management System 11 Owner Database 12 Asset Database 13 Candidate Database 14 Successor Database 2. User terminal 21 Display section 101 Internet

Claims

1. An identification unit that identifies candidates for successors of the digital assets in the event of the death of the owner of the digital assets from among those who have a relationship with the digital assets; A confirmation unit that confirms with the owner whether the identified candidate is suitable or not; a storage unit that stores the digital assets and the candidate in association with each other when the owner judges the candidate to be suitable; A digital asset management system comprising:

2. a notification section that notifies the candidate of information indicating the contents of the digital asset when the owner determines that the candidate is appropriate. The digital asset management system of claim 1 further comprising:

3. a reception unit for receiving corrections to the candidate when the owner determines that the candidate is not suitable; Further equipped with The storage unit stores the digital assets in association with the corrected candidate. The digital asset management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the digital asset is image data; The identification unit identifies the candidate based on information included in the image data. The digital asset management system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The identification unit identifies a person included in the image data as the candidate. The digital asset management system of claim 4.

6. the digital asset is document data; The identification unit identifies the candidate based on words included in the document data. The digital asset management system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The digital asset is an account that can be used for a specific service on the Internet; A determination unit that determines whether or not the account has value based on information generated by the account, The identification unit identifies the candidate when it is determined that the account is valuable. The digital asset management system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The digital asset is an account that can be used for a specific service on the Internet; The identification unit identifies the candidate based on information on the Internet generated by the account. The digital asset management system according to claim 1 or 2.

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