Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To easily find an object required by a user.SOLUTION: An information processing device is configured to: retrieve possession information from a database 300 on the basis of user information transmitted from user terminals 200-1 to 200-n; retrieve target possession information indicating possessions included in a possession group of a group indicated by group information transmitted from the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n from a database 400; compare the retrieved possession information with the target possession information; and output target possession information on one's object not included in the retrieved possession information to the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n from among the retrieved target possession information as a result of the comparison.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a battle-type trading card game using cards with set attack power and defense power. In such a battle-type trading card game, for example, a technique of displaying additional attack power on the attack power set for a plurality of cards constituting a deck, which is a collection of cards used in the battle, on the condition of paying a cost, has been considered (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Needless to say, players of battle-type trading card games want to win the game. Therefore, in order to increase the probability of a player who conducts a battle winning the game, it is desirable that the player owns a card group similar to the card group set in the deck by a strong player in the game. However, in the above-described technique, there is a problem that it takes time to determine whether a player who conducts a battle owns all the cards included in the card group set in the deck by a strong player in the game. Such a problem also applies to objects other than the cards used in battle-type trading card games.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program that enable a user to easily find an object required by the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing apparatus of the present invention Based on user information input from the outside, first, from a first database that stores, in association with each other, possession information indicating possessions owned by the user and user information uniquely assigned to the user in advance, a first search unit that searches for the possession information; A second search unit that searches, from a second database that stores, in association with each other, group information indicating a group and target possession information indicating possessions included in a group of possessions indicated by the group information input from the outside, for the target possession information; A comparison unit that compares the possession information searched by the first search unit with the target possession information searched by the second search unit; And an output unit that outputs, as a result of the comparison in the comparison unit, target possession information that is not present in the possession information searched by the first search unit among the target possession information searched by the second search unit.

[0007] Further, the information processing system of the present invention Includes an information processing apparatus, a user terminal, a first database, and a second database, The first database stores, in association with each other, user information uniquely assigned to the user who operates the user terminal in advance and possession information indicating possessions owned by the user to whom the user information is assigned, The second database stores, in association with each other, group information uniquely assigned to a group indicating a group of possessions in advance and target possession information indicating possessions included in the group of possessions, The information processing apparatus A first search unit that searches for the possession information from the first database based on user information transmitted from the user terminal; A second search unit that searches the second database for target item information indicating an item included in the group of items of the group indicated by the group information transmitted from the user terminal; A comparison unit that compares the item information searched by the first search unit with the target item information searched by the second search unit; An output unit that outputs, to the user terminal, target item information that is in the target item information searched by the second search unit but not in the item information searched by the first search unit as a result of the comparison in the comparison unit.

[0008] Further, the information processing method of the present invention A process of searching, from a first database that stores, in association with each other, user information uniquely assigned to a user in advance and item information indicating an item owned by the user based on the user information input from the outside, item information indicating an item owned by the user; A process of searching, from a second database that stores, in association with each other, group information and target item information indicating an item included in the group of items of the group indicated by the group information input from the outside, target item information indicating an item included in the group of items of the group; A process of comparing the searched item information with the searched target item information; A process of outputting, as a result of the comparison, target item information that is in the searched target item information but not in the searched item information.

[0009] Further, the program of the present invention Is a program for causing a computer to execute, On the computer, Based on user information input from the outside, a procedure of searching a first database that stores, in association with each other, user information uniquely assigned to a user in advance and item information indicating an item owned by the user for item information indicating an item owned by the user; A procedure for retrieving, from a second database that stores, in association with group information, target item information indicating an item included in the group of items indicated by the externally input group information, the group information and the target item information indicating the items included in the group of items; A procedure for comparing the retrieved item information with the retrieved target item information; Based on the result of the comparison, a procedure for outputting target item information that is not in the retrieved item information among the retrieved target item information is executed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] In the present invention, the object required by the user can be easily found.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment)

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system in this embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 100, a plurality of user terminals 200-1 to 200-n (n is a natural number), and databases 300 and 400, which are communicably connected to each other via a communication network 500.

[0014] The communication network 500 is a network that communicably connects the information processing apparatus 100, the plurality of user terminals 200-1 to 200-n (n is a natural number), and the databases 300 and 400 using wireless or wired communication. The communication network 500 may be, for example, the Internet.

[0015] The user terminals 200-1 to 200-n are communication devices owned and operated by users who use this information processing system. The user terminals 200-1 to 200-n are equipped with an information display function, an input function, and a communication function. The display function and the input function provided by the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n may constitute a touch panel function. The user terminals 200-1 to 200-n may be, for example, fixed terminals such as PCs (Personal Computers), or mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablet terminals.

[0016] The database 300 is a first database that pre-corresponds and stores in advance user information that is uniquely assigned to each of the users who operate the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n, and possession information indicating possessions owned by the users to whom the user information is assigned. Possessions are, for example, cards used in a battle-type trading card game, clothes, shoes, watches, accessories, automobiles, etc., which can be owned by the user as possessions (not limited to tangible objects).

[0017] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence stored in the database 300 shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows a case where the database 300 stores, as user information, player information that is uniquely assigned in advance to a player of a battle-type trading card game. Also, Figure 2 shows a case where the database 300 stores, as possession information, possession card information indicating the cards owned by the player to whom the player information is assigned. As shown in Figure 2, in the database 300 shown in Figure 1, the player information and the possession card information are stored in association with each other. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, in the database 300, the possession card information and the number of possessed cards are stored in association with each other. These pieces of information can be registered and edited externally as appropriate by the user to whom the user information is assigned or a person who has obtained access permission.

[0018] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, player information "P0001", owned card information "C0001", and the number of owned cards "1" are stored in association with each other. This indicates that the player to whom player information "P0001" is assigned owns one card to which card information "C0001" is assigned. Also, player information "P0001", owned card information "C0004", and the number of owned cards "3" are stored in association with each other. This indicates that the player to whom player information "P0001" is assigned owns three cards to which card information "C0004" is assigned. Also, player information "P0002", owned card information "C0001", and the number of owned cards "2" are stored in association with each other. This indicates that the player to whom player information "P0002" is assigned owns two cards to which card information "C0001" is assigned. Also, player information "P0002", owned card information "C0002", and the number of owned cards "1" are stored in association with each other. This indicates that the player to whom player information "P0002" is assigned owns one card to which card information "C0002" is assigned. Also, player information "P0002", owned card information "C0005", and the number of owned cards "2" are stored in association with each other. This indicates that the player to whom player information "P0002" is assigned owns two cards to which card information "C0005" is assigned.

[0019] The database 400 is a second database that stores, in association with each other, group information that is pre-assigned uniquely to a group indicating a group of possessions, which is a group of possessions, and target possession information indicating possessions included in the group of possessions. Possessions are, for example, cards used in a competitive trading card game or the like, clothes, shoes, watches, accessories, automobiles, etc., which can be owned by a user as possessions (not limited to tangible objects).

[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the association stored in the database 400 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the database 400 stores, as group information, deck information that has been previously assigned uniquely to a deck indicating a group of cards used when playing a head-to-head trading card game. Further, FIG. 3 shows a case where the database 400 stores, as target possession information, target card information indicating the cards included in the card group. As shown in FIG. 3, the deck information and the target card information are stored in association with each other in the database 400 shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the database 400 stores the target card information and the number of cards in association with each other. These pieces of information can be registered and edited externally as appropriate by those who have obtained permission to access them.

[0021] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, deck information "1234567890", target card information "C0001", and the number of cards "3" are associated and stored. This indicates that the deck with deck information "1234567890" contains 3 cards with card information "C0001". Also, deck information "1234567890", target card information "C0002", and the number of cards "3" are associated and stored. This indicates that the deck with deck information "1234567890" contains 3 cards with card information "C0002". Also, deck information "1234567890", target card information "C0004", and the number of cards "2" are associated and stored. This indicates that the deck with deck information "1234567890" contains 2 cards with card information "C0004". Also, deck information "1234567890", target card information "C0007", and the number of cards "1" are associated and stored. This indicates that the deck with deck information "1234567890" contains 1 card with card information "C0007". Also, deck information "9876543210", target card information "C0001", and the number of cards "2" are associated and stored. This indicates that the deck with deck information "9876543210" contains 2 cards with card information "C0001". Also, deck information "9876543210", target card information "C0002", and the number of cards "1" are associated and stored. This indicates that the deck with deck information "9876543210" contains 1 card with card information "C0002". Also, deck information "9876543210", target card information "C0004", and the number of cards "2" are associated and stored. This indicates that the deck with deck information "9876543210" contains 2 cards with card information "C0004". Also, deck information "9876543210", target card information "C0007", and the number of cards "3" are associated and stored.This indicates that the deck with deck information "9876543210" contains three cards with card information "C0007" assigned. Also, deck information "9876543210", target card information "C0008", and the number "1" are stored in association with each other. This indicates that the deck with deck information "9876543210" contains one card with card information "C0008" assigned.

[0022] The information processing device 100 is a device managed by the person operating this information processing system. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the components included in the information processing device 100 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the information processing device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes search units 110 and 120, a comparison unit 130, and an output unit 140. Here, it goes without saying that the information processing device 100 has a communication function in order to communicate with other devices via the communication network 500. Note that FIG. 4 shows only the main components related to this embodiment among the components included in the information processing device 100 shown in FIG. 1. Also, the information processing device 100 may have an authentication function for authenticating users. The information processing device 100 having an authentication function may authenticate a user, for example, using the user ID and password input and transmitted from the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n. The information processing device 100 may perform the processing described below only with the user terminals of the users who have successfully authenticated.

[0023] The search unit 110 is a first search unit that searches for possession information from the database 300 based on the user information transmitted from the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n. When the database 300 stores the association shown in FIG. 2, the search unit 110 searches for the owned card information from the database 300 based on the player information transmitted from the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n. The search unit 110 notifies the comparison unit 130 of the searched owner information (owned card information).

[0024] The search unit 120 is a second search unit that searches the database 400 for target item information indicating an item included in the group of items of the group indicated by the group information transmitted from the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n. When the database 400 stores the association shown in FIG. 3, the search unit 120 searches the database 400 for target card information indicating a card included in the card group of the deck indicated by the deck information transmitted from the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n. Specifically, the search unit 120 reads out from the database 400 the target card information associated with the deck information based on the deck information transmitted from the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n. The search unit 120 notifies the comparison unit 130 of the searched target item information (target card information).

[0025] The comparison unit 130 compares the item information (owned card information) notified from the search unit 110 with the target item information (target card information) notified from the search unit 120. When the number of owned card information and the number of target card information are notified from the search units 110 and 120, the numbers are also compared with each other. The comparison unit 130 notifies the output unit 140 of the result of the comparison. The result of the comparison is the target item information among the target item information searched by the search unit 120 that is not in the item information searched by the search unit 110. The difference in the number is also notified from the comparison unit 130 to the output unit 140. The notified information is the shortage information of the cards required by the user (player). Specifically, for example, the association shown in FIG. 2 is stored in the database 300, the association shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the database 400, the owned card information and the number of owned cards associated with the player information "P0001" are notified from the search unit 110, and the target card information and the number of cards associated with the deck information "1234567890" are notified from the search unit 120. Then, the comparison unit 130 notifies the output unit 140 that there is a shortage of 2 cards with the card information "C0001", a shortage of 3 cards with the card information "C0002", a shortage of 1 card with the card information "C0004", and a shortage of 1 card with the card information "C0007".

[0026] The output unit 140 outputs the result notified by the comparison unit 130. The output unit 140 transmits the result notified by the comparison unit 130 to the user terminal that has transmitted the user information. That is, the output unit 140 outputs the target possession information (target card information) that is not in the possession information (owned card information) searched by the search unit 110 among the target possession information (target card information) searched by the search unit 120.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the user terminal 200-1 for inputting deck information. As shown in FIG. 5, on the display unit 210 of the user terminal 200-1, there are displayed an input field 220 for inputting deck information (deck code) and a transmission button 230 for giving an instruction to transmit the deck information to the information processing apparatus 100 after inputting the deck information. This display screen is a screen displayed according to an application installed in the user terminal 200-1 for using the system. When the user operates the user terminal 200-1 to input deck information into the input field 220 and selects the transmission button 230, the deck information input into the input field 220 is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 100. At this time, the player information registered as user information in the user terminal 200-1 is also transmitted to the information processing apparatus 100. The search unit 110 of the information processing apparatus 100 searches the database 300 for owned card information based on the player information transmitted from the user terminal 200-1. Also, the search unit 120 of the information processing apparatus 100 searches the database 400 for target card information based on the deck information transmitted from the user terminal 200-1. Then, the comparison unit 130 and the output unit 140 perform the above-described processing.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in which the user terminal 200-1 displays the information output by the output unit 140 shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 6, on the display unit 210 of the user terminal 200-1, there are displayed the deck information (deck code) to be output and the above-described shortage information. The shortage information is information indicating the cards that are not in the cards owned by the user and the shortage quantity among the cards included in the deck indicated by the target deck information.

[0029] The information processing method in the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below. Here, a case where the user is a player of a competitive trading card game and the possessions are cards used in a competitive trading card game or the like will be described as an example. Also, a case where the player operates the user terminal 200-1 will be described as an example. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the information processing method in the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1.

[0030] First, when player information and deck information are transmitted from the user terminal 200-1 according to a predetermined application running on the user terminal 200-1, the search unit 110 searches the database 300 for the owned card information and the number of owned cards based on the transmitted player information (step S1). Also, the search unit 120 searches the database 400 for the target card information and the number of cards based on the transmitted deck information (step S2). The processing in step S1 and the processing in step S2 may be performed in either order.

[0031] Subsequently, the comparison unit 130 compares the owned card information and the number of owned cards searched by the search unit 110, which are the player's cards, with the target card information and the number of cards searched by the search unit 120, which are the cards included in the target deck (step S3). The specific comparison method in the comparison unit 130 is as described above.

[0032] The output unit 140 outputs the result of the comparison in the comparison unit 130 (step S4). Specifically, the output unit 140 outputs the target card information and the number of cards searched by the search unit 120 that are not in the owned card information and the number of owned cards searched by the search unit 110 as shortage information. The output mode may be not only transmission to the user terminal 200-1 but also screen display, printing, voice output, etc. in the information processing apparatus 100.

[0033] Note that some cards used in competitive trading card games are provided with version information. When the comparison unit 130 compares the owned card information and the target card information, it is preferable to ensure that the presence or absence of a card is not determined based on the difference in the version information assigned to each card.

[0034] In this way, in this embodiment, the object included in the pre-registered group is compared with the possessions of the pre-registered user. When there is something in the group that is not in the user's possessions, information indicating the object is output. Therefore, the user can easily find the objects they need. (Second Embodiment)

[0035] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the information processing system in this embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 101, a plurality of user terminals 200-1 to 200-n (n is a natural number), and databases 300 and 400, which are communicably connected to each other via a communication network 500. Each of the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n, the databases 300 and 400, and the communication network 500 may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0036] The information processing device 101 is a device managed by the person operating the present information processing system. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the components included in the information processing device 101 shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9, the information processing device 101 shown in FIG. 8 includes search units 110 and 120, a comparison unit 130, an output unit 141, and a sales unit 151. Here, it goes without saying that the information processing device 101 has a communication function in order to communicate with other devices via the communication network 500. Each of the search units 110 and 120 and the comparison unit 130 may be the same as those in the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 9 shows only the main components related to this embodiment among the components included in the information processing device 101 shown in FIG. 8. Further, the information processing device 101 may have an authentication function for authenticating users. The information processing device 101 having the authentication function may authenticate a user, for example, using the user ID and password input and transmitted to the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n. The information processing device 101 may perform the processing described below only with the user terminal of the user who has successfully authenticated.

[0037] In addition to the functions of the output unit 140 in the first embodiment, the output unit 141 outputs purchase promotion information for promoting the purchase of the target possession indicated by the target possession information to be output. The output unit 141 transmits the purchase promotion information for promoting the purchase of the target possession indicated by the target possession information to be output to the user terminal that has transmitted the user information. This purchase promotion information is information (signal) for causing the transmission destination user terminal to display information for promoting the purchase of the target possession. The user terminal displays a screen for purchasing the target possession based on the transmitted purchase promotion information.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed by the user terminal 200-1 based on the purchase promotion information output by the output unit 141 shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 10, in addition to the information shown in FIG. 6, the display unit 210 of the user terminal 200-1 displays purchase buttons 240-1 to 240-3, which are information for promoting the purchase of the target possession. The purchase buttons 240-1 to 240-3 are displayed for each card. The purchase buttons 240-1 to 240-3 are selectable buttons. Note that a display (for example, a pull-down menu display, etc.) for designating the number of cards to be requested to be purchased may be displayed on the display unit 210. When the purchase buttons 240-1 to 240-3 are selected, sales request information is transmitted from the user terminal 200-1 to the information processing device 101. This sales request information includes information indicating the target possession corresponding to the selected purchase button 240-1 to 240-3. The sales request information may also include the requested number of target possessions corresponding to the purchase buttons 240-1 to 240-3.

[0039] When sales request information is sent from the user terminal after output unit 141 has sent purchase promotion information to the user terminal, sales unit 151 performs a sales process for the target property indicated by the target property information included in the sales request information. Sales unit 151 performs a function similar to so-called online sales (online mail order) that sells the target object (card) online, such as EC (Electronic Commerce) sales. For example, if the company operating the system owns the target object (card) and is in a state where it can be sold, sales unit 151 performs a process for selling the target object (card).

[0040] An information processing method in information processing device 101 shown in Fig. 8 will be described below. Here, an example will be described in which the user is a player of a battle-type trading card game and the possessions are cards used in the battle-type trading card game. Also, an example will be described in which the player operates user terminal 200-1. Fig. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an information processing method in information processing device 101 shown in Fig. 8.

[0041] First, when player information and deck information are transmitted from the user terminal 200-1 according to a predetermined application running on the user terminal 200-1, the search unit 110 searches the database 300 for the owned card information and the number of owned cards based on the transmitted player information (step S11). Also, the search unit 120 searches the database 400 for the target card information and the number of cards based on the transmitted deck information (step S12). The processing in step S11 and the processing in step S12 may be performed in either order.

[0042] Subsequently, the comparison unit 130 compares the owned card information and the number of owned cards searched by the search unit 110, which are the player's cards, with the target card information and the number of cards searched by the search unit 120, which are the cards included in the target deck (step S13). The specific comparison method in the comparison unit 130 is the same as the method in the first embodiment.

[0043] The output unit 141 outputs the result of the comparison in the comparison unit 130 and the purchase promotion information (step S14). Specifically, the output unit 140 outputs the target card information and the number of cards searched by the search unit 120 that are not in the owned card information and the number of owned cards searched by the search unit 110 as shortage information, and at the same time outputs purchase promotion information that encourages the purchase of the cards indicated by the target card information to be output. The output mode may be not only transmission to the user terminal 200-1 but also screen display, printing, voice output, etc. in the information processing apparatus 101.

[0044] Thereafter, when the information processing apparatus 101 receives purchase request information from the user terminal 200-1 in response to the transmitted purchase promotion information (step S15), the sales unit 151 performs a sales process for the cards indicated by the target card information included in the sales request information (step S16).

[0045] In this embodiment, the object included in the pre-registered group is compared with the pre-registered user's belongings. When there is something in the group that is not in the user's belongings, the information indicating the object is output. At that time, the purchase promotion information for promoting the purchase of the object is also output. When the purchase request information for requesting the purchase of the object is received according to the purchase promotion information, the purchase process of the object is performed. Therefore, the user can easily find the object needed, and further, can easily purchase the object needed. (Third Embodiment)

[0046] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the information processing system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, the information processing system in this embodiment is communicably connected to each other via a communication network 500, including an information processing device 102, a plurality of user terminals 200-1 to 200-n (n is a natural number), and databases 300 and 400. Each of the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n, the databases 300 and 400, and the communication network 500 may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0047] The information processing device 102 is a device managed by the person operating the present information processing system. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the components included in the information processing device 102 shown in FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 13, the information processing device 102 shown in FIG. 12 includes search units 110 and 120, a comparison unit 130, an output unit 142, and a source search unit 162. Here, it goes without saying that the information processing device 102 has a communication function in order to communicate with other devices via the communication network 500. Each of the search units 110 and 120 and the comparison unit 130 may be the same as those in the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 13 shows only the main components related to this embodiment among the components included in the information processing device 102 shown in FIG. 12. Further, the information processing device 102 may have an authentication function for authenticating users. The information processing device 102 having the authentication function may authenticate a user, for example, using the user ID and password input and transmitted to the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n. The information processing device 102 may perform the processing described below only with the user terminal of the user who has successfully authenticated.

[0048] The source search unit 162 searches for a source from which the target item indicated by the target item information output by the output unit 142 can be obtained. The search engine by which the source search unit 162 searches for a source based on the target item is not particularly specified. The source search unit 162 notifies the output unit 142 of the searched source.

[0049] In addition to the functions of the output unit 140 in the first embodiment, the output unit 142 outputs source information indicating the source notified from the source search unit 162. The output unit 142 transmits the source information of the target item indicated by the target item information to be output to the user terminal that has transmitted the user information. This source information may be a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the online site of the source, or may be store information where the target item can be purchased, and is information (signal) for causing the user terminal of the transmission destination to display information for presenting the purchase (acquisition) source. The user terminal displays a screen including the source based on the transmitted source information.

[0050] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on which the user terminal 200-1 displays the acquisition destination information output by the output unit 142 shown in FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 14, in addition to the information shown in FIG. 6, acquisition destination information 250-1 to 250-3, which is information for acquiring the target possession, is displayed on the display unit 210 of the user terminal 200-1. The acquisition destination information 250-1 to 250-3 is displayed for each card. The acquisition destination information 250-1 to 250-3 is displayed in a selectable manner. Note that a display for designating the number of cards to be requested (for example, a pull-down menu display or the like) may be displayed on the display unit 210. When the acquisition destination information 250-1 to 250-3 is selected, the user terminal 200-1 accesses the online site indicated by the acquisition destination information.

[0051] Hereinafter, an information processing method in the information processing apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 12 will be described. Here, a case where the user is a player of a competitive trading card game and the possession is a card used in the competitive trading card game will be described as an example. Also, a case where the player operates the user terminal 200-1 will be described as an example. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the information processing method in the information processing apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 12.

[0052] First, when player information and deck information are transmitted from the user terminal 200-1 according to a predetermined application running on the user terminal 200-1, the search unit 110 searches the database 300 for the owned card information and the number of owned cards based on the transmitted player information (step S21). Also, the search unit 120 searches the database 400 for the target card information and the number of cards based on the transmitted deck information (step S22). The process of step S21 and the process of step S22 may be performed in either order.

[0053] Subsequently, the comparison unit 130 compares the owned card information and the number of owned cards retrieved by the search unit 110, which are the player's cards, with the target card information and the number of cards retrieved by the search unit 120, which are the cards included in the target deck (step S23). The specific comparison method in the comparison unit 130 is the same as the method in the first embodiment.

[0054] Then, the acquisition source search unit 162 searches for the acquisition source of the cards required by the player (step S24). Specifically, the acquisition source search unit 162 searches for the acquisition source of the target card information and the number of cards retrieved by the search unit 120 that are not included in the owned card information and the number of owned cards retrieved by the search unit 110. The acquisition source search unit 162 notifies the output unit 142 of the searched acquisition source.

[0055] The output unit 142 outputs the comparison result in the comparison unit 130 and the acquisition source information retrieved by the acquisition source search unit 162 for the cards required based on the result (step S25). Specifically, the output unit 142 outputs the target card information and the number of cards retrieved by the search unit 120 that are not included in the owned card information and the number of owned cards retrieved by the search unit 110 as shortage information, and outputs the acquisition source information indicating the acquisition source of the cards indicated by the target card information to be output together therewith. The output mode may be not only transmission to the user terminal 200-1 but also screen display, printing, voice output, etc. in the information processing apparatus 102.

[0056] Thereafter, the user terminal 200-1 displays the transmitted acquisition source information and accesses the online site indicated by the acquisition source information selected according to the display.

[0057] In this way, in this embodiment, an object included in a pre-registered group is compared with the possessions of a pre-registered user. When there is something in the group that is not in the user's possessions, information indicating the object is output. Also, the acquisition source of the object is searched. When outputting information indicating the object, the acquisition source information is also output. Therefore, the user can easily find the object they need, and furthermore, can easily find the acquisition source of the object they need.

[0058] As described above, each component has been described with each function (process) assigned to it. However, this assignment is not limited to what has been described above. Also, regarding the configuration of the components, the above-described form is merely an example and is not limited to this. Also, combinations of each embodiment may be used.

[0059] Note that instead of the user operating the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n, the information processing apparatuses 100 to 102 may be operated respectively. In this case, each of the output units 140 to 142 may have an information display function, and each of the output units 140 to 142 may display the above-described information. Also, the above-described input may be received in response to the user's operation on the display screens displayed by each of the output units 141 and 142.

[0060] The processing performed by each of the above-described components may be performed by logic circuits fabricated according to the purpose. Alternatively, a program describing the processing content as a procedure may be recorded on a recording medium readable by each of the information processing apparatuses 100 to 102, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be read by each of the information processing apparatuses 100 to 102 and executed. The recording medium readable by each of the information processing apparatuses 100 to 102 refers to removable recording media such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magneto-optical disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a CD (Compact Disc), a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, an SD card, etc., as well as memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) built into each of the information processing apparatuses 100 to 102, and an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), etc. The program recorded on this recording medium is read by a CPU provided in each of the information processing apparatuses 100 to 102, and by the control of the CPU, the same processing as described above is performed. Here, the CPU operates as a computer that executes the program read from the recording medium on which the program is recorded.

[0061] Alternatively, a program that executes the processing in the above-described information processing apparatuses 100 to 102 may be installed on the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n, and the same processing may be performed by the control unit (not shown) of the user terminals 200-1 to 200-n executing the program.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0062] 100~102 Information processing apparatuses 110,120 Search units 130 Comparison unit 140~142 Output units 151 Sales department 162 Supplier search unit 200-1~200-n User terminals 210 Display unit 220 Input field 230 Transmission Button 240-1 to 240-3 Purchase Buttons 250-1 to 250-3 Acquisition Source Information 300, 400 Database 500 Communication Network

Claims

1. A first search unit that searches a first database for possession information indicating possessions owned by a user, by associating the possession information with user information that has been previously assigned uniquely to the user based on user information input from the outside, and the possession information indicating possessions owned by the user to whom the user information has been assigned; A second search unit that searches a second database for target possession information indicating a possession included in a group of possessions indicated by group information input from the outside, by associating the group information with the target possession information indicating the possessions included in the group of possessions; A comparison unit that compares the possession information retrieved by the first search unit with the target possession information retrieved by the second search unit; An information processing apparatus having an output unit that outputs, as a result of comparison by the comparison unit, target possession information that is not present in the possession information retrieved by the first search unit among the target possession information retrieved by the second search unit.

2. In the information processing apparatus according to Claim 1, the first database stores player information that has been previously assigned uniquely to a player of a competitive trading card game as the user information, and stores possession card information indicating cards owned by the player to whom the player information has been assigned as the possession information, the second database stores deck information that has been previously assigned uniquely to a deck indicating a group of cards used when competing in the competitive trading card game as the group information, and stores target card information indicating cards included in the group of cards as the target possession information, the first search unit searches the first database for the possession card information based on player information input from the outside, the second search unit searches the second database for target card information indicating a card included in the group of cards of the deck indicated by the deck information input from the outside, The comparison unit compares the owned card information retrieved by the first search unit with the target card information retrieved by the second search unit. The output unit is an information processing apparatus that outputs, as a result of comparison in the comparison unit, target card information that is included in the target card information retrieved by the second search unit and that is not present in the owned card information retrieved by the first search unit. **Claim 3** In the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, the output unit is an information processing apparatus that outputs purchase promotion information for promoting purchase of a target owned item indicated by the target owned item information to be output. **Claim 4** In the information processing apparatus according to claim 3, after the output unit outputs the purchase promotion information, when a predetermined input is received, the information processing apparatus has a sales unit that performs a sales process for a target owned item indicated by the target owned item information based on the input. **Claim 5** In the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, the information processing apparatus has an acquisition destination search unit that searches for an acquisition destination where a target owned item indicated by the target owned item information output by the output unit can be obtained, and the output unit is an information processing apparatus that outputs acquisition destination information indicating the acquisition destination searched by the acquisition destination search unit. **Claim 6** In the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, the information processing apparatus has at least one of the first database and the second database. **Claim 7** An information processing apparatus includes an information processing apparatus, a user terminal, a first database, and a second database. The first database stores, in association with each other, user information that is uniquely assigned in advance to a user who operates the user terminal and owned item information indicating an owned item owned by the user to whom the user information is assigned. The second database stores, in association with each other, group information that is uniquely assigned in advance to a group indicating a group of owned items and target owned item information indicating an owned item included in the group of owned items. The information processing apparatus a first search unit that searches for the possession information from the first database based on the user information transmitted from the user terminal; a second search unit that searches for target possession information indicating a possession included in the group of possessions of the group indicated by the group information transmitted from the user terminal from the second database; a comparison unit that compares the possession information searched by the first search unit with the target possession information searched by the second search unit; an information processing system having an output unit that outputs, to the user terminal, target possession information that is in the target possession information searched by the second search unit but not in the possession information searched by the first search unit as a result of the comparison in the comparison unit.

8. In the information processing system according to claim 7, the first database stores player information that has been previously assigned uniquely to a player of a combat trading card game as the user information, and stores possession card information indicating cards owned by the player to whom the player information has been assigned as the possession information, the second database stores deck information that has been previously assigned uniquely to a deck indicating a group of cards used when playing in the combat trading card game as the group information, and stores target card information indicating cards included in the group of cards of the deck as the target possession information, the first search unit searches for the possession card information from the first database based on the player information transmitted from the user terminal, the second search unit searches for target card information indicating cards included in the group of cards of the deck indicated by the deck information transmitted from the user terminal from the second database, the comparison unit compares the possession card information searched by the first search unit with the target card information searched by the second search unit, The output unit outputs, to the user terminal, target card information that is in the target card information retrieved by the second search unit but not in the owned card information retrieved by the first search unit as a result of the comparison in the comparison unit.

9. In the information processing system according to claim 7 or claim 8, the output unit outputs, to the user terminal, purchase promotion information that promotes the purchase of the target owned item indicated by the target owned item information to be output.

10. In the information processing system according to claim 9, after the output unit outputs the purchase promotion information to the user terminal, when sales request information is transmitted from the user terminal, the information processing apparatus further includes a sales unit that performs a sales process for the target owned item indicated by the target owned item information included in the sales request information.

11. In the information processing system according to claim 7 or claim 8, the information processing apparatus further includes an acquisition destination search unit that searches for an acquisition destination where the target owned item indicated by the target owned item information output by the output unit can be obtained, and the output unit outputs, to the user terminal, acquisition destination information indicating the acquisition destination searched by the acquisition destination search unit.

12. A process of searching, from a first database that stores, in association with each other, user information given in advance uniquely to the user and the owned item information indicating the owned items of the user, the owned item information indicating the owned items of the user based on the user information input from the outside; A process of searching, from a second database that stores, in association with each other, the group information and the target owned item information indicating the owned items included in the owned item group of the group indicated by the group information input from the outside, the target owned item information indicating the owned items included in the owned item group of the group; A process of comparing the retrieved owned item information with the retrieved target owned item information; An information processing method that performs a process of outputting target possession information that is not included in the retrieved possession information among the retrieved target possession information as a result of the comparison.

13. On a computer, Based on user information input from the outside, a procedure for retrieving from a first database that stores, in association with each other, possession information indicating possessions owned by the user, the user information uniquely assigned to the user in advance, and the possession information indicating possessions owned by the user to whom the user information is assigned, A procedure for retrieving from a second database that stores, in association with each other, target possession information indicating possessions included in a possession group of a group indicated by group information input from the outside, the group information, and the target possession information indicating possessions included in the possession group, A procedure for comparing the retrieved possession information with the retrieved target possession information, A program for causing the computer to execute a procedure for outputting, as a result of the comparison, target possession information that is not included in the retrieved possession information among the retrieved target possession information.

14. In the program according to claim 13, The first database stores player information uniquely assigned in advance to a player of a competitive trading card game as the user information, and stores possession card information indicating cards owned by the player to whom the player information is assigned as the possession information, The second database stores deck information uniquely assigned in advance to a deck indicating a card group used when competing in the competitive trading card game as the group information, and stores target card information indicating cards included in the card group as the target possession information, A procedure for retrieving the possession card information from the first database based on player information input from the outside, A procedure for retrieving target card information indicating cards included in a card group of a deck indicated by deck information input from the outside from the second database, A procedure for comparing the retrieved owned card information with the target card information retrieved by the second search unit, A program for causing the computer to execute a procedure for outputting, among the target card information retrieved by the second search unit, target card information that is not in the owned card information retrieved by the first search unit as a result of the comparison.

15. In the program according to claim 13 or claim 14, A program for causing the computer to execute a procedure for outputting purchase promotion information that promotes the purchase of the target possession indicated by the target possession information to be output.

16. In the program according to claim 15, A program for causing the computer to execute a procedure for performing a sales process of the target possession indicated by the target possession information based on an input when a predetermined input is received after the purchase promotion information is output.

17. In the program according to claim 13 or claim 14, A procedure for searching for a source where the target possession indicated by the target possession information to be output can be obtained, A program for causing the computer to execute a procedure for outputting source information indicating the retrieved source.

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