System, server apparatus, control method for server apparatus, and program

Abstract

To provide a system that realizes distribution of digital content corresponding to a product or a service purchased by a user.SOLUTION: A system includes certificate issuing means and NFT issuing means. The certificate issuing means issues a purchase certificate relating to a product or a service purchased by a user. The NFT issuing means issues, to the user, a non-fungible token (NFT) of digital content corresponding to the product or the service purchased by the user when verification of the issued purchase certificate is successful.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, a server device, a control method for a server device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is technology related to the distribution of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and digital content.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes managing digital content and NFTs so that they can be circulated independently. When a user acquires digital content, the processing device in Patent Document 1 links the user to the content, generates content owner information, and stores the information in memory. Furthermore, when the processing device accepts a request to issue an NFT for the content, it makes an NFT issuance processing request to the distributed ledger system. Furthermore, when the processing device accepts completion of issuance of an NFT for the content, it links the user to the NFT based on the content owner information, generates NFT owner information, and stores the information in memory. Furthermore, when the processing device accepts a request to transfer ownership of only the NFT, it maintains the content owner information and updates the NFT owner information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-057690 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There are users who want to acquire digital content corresponding to the products or services they have purchased. Furthermore, there is a need to transfer the digital content they have acquired. However, there is no system that enables the buying and selling of such digital content while ensuring that users have purchased the products or services corresponding to the digital content.

[0006] It should be noted that Patent Document 1 merely discloses a technology that enables digital content and NFTs to be distributed independently. Therefore, even if the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied, the above system cannot be realized.

[0007] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a system, a server device, a method for controlling a server device, and a program that contribute to realizing the distribution of digital content corresponding to products or services purchased by users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising: a certificate issuing means for issuing a purchase certificate for a product or service purchased by a user; and an NFT issuing means for issuing to the user an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) of digital content corresponding to the product or service purchased by the user upon successful verification of the issued purchase certificate.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server device comprising: a receiving means for receiving an e-book purchase notification including a wallet address of a user from a store server operated by an e-book store where the user purchased the e-book; and an issuing means for issuing a purchase certificate to the user using the wallet address of the user to prove that the user has purchased the e-book.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a server device, in which a server device receives an e-book purchase notification including a wallet address of a user from a store server operated by an e-book store where the user purchased the e-book, and issues a purchase certificate to the user using the wallet address of the user to prove that the user has purchased the e-book.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer installed in a server device to execute the following processes: receiving an e-book purchase notification, including the user's wallet address, from a store server operated by the e-book store where the user purchased the e-book; and issuing to the user, using the user's wallet address, a purchase certificate proving that the user has purchased the e-book. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to each aspect of the present invention, a system, a server device, a method for controlling a server device, and a program are provided that contribute to realizing the distribution of digital content corresponding to products or services purchased by users. Note that the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above. The present invention may achieve other effects instead of or in addition to the effects described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of the management server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user management database according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of an electronic agency server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the sales control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a management server according to the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a terminal according to a modification of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] First, an overview of one embodiment will be described. Note that the reference numerals in the drawings are added to each element for convenience as an example to facilitate understanding, and the description of this overview is not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the blocks shown in each drawing represent functional units, not hardware units. Connection lines between blocks in each drawing include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows are used to schematically indicate the flow of main signals (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. Note that in this specification and drawings, elements that can be similarly described may be assigned the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation.

[0015] A system according to one embodiment includes a certificate issuing means 101 and an NFT issuing means 102 (see FIG. 1). The certificate issuing means 101 issues a purchase certificate for a product or service purchased by a user (step S1 in FIG. 2). If the NFT issuing means 102 successfully verifies the issued purchase certificate, it issues to the user an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) of digital content corresponding to the product or service purchased by the user (step S2).

[0016] The system issues a purchase certificate for a product or service when a user purchases the product or service. If the system successfully verifies the purchase certificate issued to the user, it issues an NFT for the digital content corresponding to the product or service purchased by the user. Because the NFT indicates the user's ownership of the digital content, the digital content can be bought and sold. In other words, the system according to the embodiment enables the distribution of digital content corresponding to the product or service purchased by the user.

[0017] Specific embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [First embodiment] The first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] An information processing system according to a first embodiment issues NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) of digital content corresponding to products or services purchased by a user. In the first embodiment, an explanation will be given using an example of an e-book as the product purchased by a user.

[0020] [System Configuration] As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing system according to the first embodiment includes an electronic agency server 10, at least one store server 20, a management server 30, and a wallet server 40.

[0021] A user carries a terminal 50 such as a smartphone. The user operates the terminal 50 to access the management server 30 or the like.

[0022] The electronic agency server 10 is a server managed and operated by an electronic book agency. The electronic agency server 10 handles electronic books received from publishers and distributes and sells the electronic books.

[0023] More specifically, the electronic agency server 10 provides the electronic books that the electronic book store sells to consumers to the electronic book store. Furthermore, the electronic agency server 10 realizes a so-called marketplace. The electronic agency server 10 sells NFTs of electronic books through the marketplace.

[0024] The store server 20 is a server managed and operated by an electronic book store that sells electronic books. A user creates an account with the electronic book store and purchases electronic books through the created account.

[0025] The electronic book purchased by the user is downloaded to the terminal 50. The user can view the purchased electronic book using a dedicated application (an application installed on a smartphone, etc.). Alternatively, the user can view the purchased electronic book by logging in to an account at the electronic book store.

[0026] The management server 30 is a server managed and operated by a business operator (platform operator) that provides a management platform for electronic books across multiple electronic book stores. The management server 30 provides a cross-sectional management service (management service for electronic books) for at least one or more electronic book stores in which a user has an account.

[0027] Specifically, the user can log in to the account created in the electronic book store via the management server 30. When the user purchases an electronic book in the electronic book store, the management server 30 is notified of this fact.

[0028] Based on the notification, the management server 30 generates a list (book list) of electronic books that the user has purchased from each electronic book store. The user can select an electronic book to view from the book list held by the management server 30.

[0029] For example, the management server 30 changes the connection destination of the terminal 50 to the store server 20 of the electronic book store that sells the electronic book selected by the user (redirects the connection destination of the terminal 50 to the login page of the electronic book store). Alternatively, the management server 30 launches an application that corresponds to the format of the electronic book selected by the user (the downloaded electronic book).

[0030] It should be noted that a user can purchase electronic books of the same title from the same electronic book store or from different electronic book stores, i.e., a user can purchase electronic books multiple times.

[0031] The wallet server 40 is a server that provides wallet services related to tokens such as NFTs and SBTs (SoulBound Tokens). Users can prove their ownership of NFTs or SBTs by opening an account (wallet) on the wallet server 40.

[0032] 3 are connected to a network. Specifically, the electronic agency server 10, the store server 20, the management server 30, the wallet server 40, and the terminal 50 are connected to the network by wired or wireless communication means.

[0033] 3 is an example and is not intended to limit the configuration. For example, the system may include multiple management servers 30. Load balancing and redundancy may be achieved by using multiple management servers 30.

[0034] [General operation] Next, the general operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0035] <Create an account> The user creates an account with each service provider in order to purchase e-books, use e-book management services, use the marketplace, and enjoy wallet services.

[0036] Specifically, the user operates the terminal 50 to access the wallet server 40 and create an account (wallet). The user operates the terminal 50 to create an account with an electronic book store that handles the electronic book that the user wishes to purchase. The user operates the terminal 50 to create an account with the management server 30. The user operates the terminal 50 to create an account with the electronic distribution server 10 (marketplace account).

[0037] Here, the user sets a common ID as identification information for the account of each service provider. Specifically, the user sets a wallet address (a wallet address generated by the wallet server 40) as a common ID in the electronic agency server 10, the store server 20, and the management server 30.

[0038] Each service provider stores the common ID in association with the user's login information (ID, password, etc.).

[0039] <Purchase e-books> To purchase an electronic book, the user logs in to an account on the management server 30. The management server 30 displays a list of electronic book stores on the terminal 50, allowing the user to select an electronic book store.

[0040] The management server 30 redirects the connection destination of the terminal 50 to the login page of the electronic book store selected by the user (see FIG. 4). Specifically, the management server 30 transmits to the terminal 50 a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for logging in to the account of the electronic book store selected by the user.

[0041] The URL sent to the terminal 50 is a redirect URL for connecting the terminal 50 to the login page of the electronic book store, and the common ID of the user is embedded in the redirect URL.

[0042] When the terminal 50 receives the redirect URL, it accesses the login page of the electronic book store according to the URL. At this time, since the redirect URL includes the common ID, the store server 20 can obtain the common ID of the user.

[0043] A user purchases an e-book from the e-book store to which the user has logged in. When the user purchases an e-book, the store server 20 notifies the management server 30 that the user has purchased the e-book. Specifically, the store server 20 transmits to the management server 30 an "e-book purchase notification" that includes the common ID of the e-book purchaser and information about the purchased e-book (e.g., book title, publisher name, list price, ISBN (International Standard Book Number) code, etc.).

[0044] Here, the price paid by the purchaser of an e-book is distributed at a predetermined rate to four parties: the publisher, the e-book distributor, the e-book store, and the application store (a store that sells applications for viewing e-books). For example, A1% of the selling price (list price) of the e-book is distributed to the publisher, A2% to the e-book distributor, A3% to the e-book store, and A4% to the application store.

[0045] The management server 30 identifies the user who purchased the electronic book using the common ID included in the electronic book purchase notification. The management server 30 stores information about the electronic book purchased by the user in the account of the identified user. For example, the management server 30 stores the name of the electronic book store where the electronic book was purchased and information about the purchased electronic book (e.g., book title, publisher name, list price, ISBN code).

[0046] <Purchase NFTs for e-books> Users who purchase e-books can purchase NFT-edition e-books that correspond to the purchased e-books. More specifically, users can purchase NFT-edition e-books (hereinafter referred to as NFT e-books) that have the same content as the purchased e-books. In other words, users who purchase e-books from an e-book store can acquire the right to purchase NFT e-books that correspond to the purchased e-books.

[0047] In the first embodiment, a case will be described in which a user can purchase one NFT e-book when purchasing one e-book.

[0048] A user who wishes to purchase an NFT e-book logs in to the management server 30. The user requests the management server 30 (platform operator) to issue a purchase certificate for the e-book. Specifically, when the user performs a predetermined action (for example, pressing a purchase certificate issue button), the management server 30 displays on the terminal 50 a list of e-books that the user has already purchased. The user selects the e-book for which they wish to purchase the NFT e-book from the list of e-books displayed.

[0049] When a user selects an e-book, management server 30 issues a purchase certificate for the e-book selected by the user. Specifically, management server 30 issues an e-book purchase certificate that includes information identifying the purchaser of the e-book and information about the e-book, and names the publisher as the platform operator.

[0050] For example, the management server 30 issues an electronic book purchase certificate in which a common ID (wallet address) is set as information identifying the purchaser of the electronic book, and information about the electronic book includes the book title, publisher name, list price, ISBN code, etc.

[0051] In the first embodiment, a case will be described in which the management server 30 issues an electronic book purchase certificate as an SBT (SoulBound Token).

[0052] First, a person in charge at the platform operator generates a smart contract to issue the e-book purchase certificate described above, and deploys the generated smart contract to the blockchain.

[0053] When the management server 30 needs to issue an e-book purchase certificate, it calls a smart contract function and inputs the information required to issue the e-book purchase certificate (common ID, book title, publisher name, list price, ISBN code, and platform operator ID).

[0054] When the smart contract is executed, the user's wallet (wallet address) is associated with the SBT issued as a certificate of purchase for the e-book.

[0055] In this way, the management server 30 issues an SBT as an electronic book purchase certificate in which the platform operator is the issuer and the purchaser of the electronic book is the owner.

[0056] A user who has been issued an electronic book purchase certificate can purchase an NFT electronic book. In this case, the user logs in to the marketplace provided by the electronic agency server 10 (see FIG. 5).

[0057] When a user performs a predetermined action (for example, pressing an NFT book purchase button), the electronic agency server 10 acquires an electronic book purchase certificate from the user's wallet using the user's common ID (wallet address). The electronic agency server 10 displays on the terminal 50 a list of electronic books corresponding to the electronic book purchase certificates owned by the user.

[0058] The user selects the e-book for which they wish to purchase the NFT e-book from the list of e-books displayed.

[0059] When a user selects an electronic book, the electronic intermediary server 10 verifies the electronic book purchase certificate corresponding to the electronic book selected by the user. For example, the electronic intermediary server 10 determines whether the issuer of the electronic book purchase certificate is a predetermined issuer (determines whether the issuer is a trustworthy platform operator that has a predetermined contract with an electronic book intermediary).

[0060] If the verification of the e-book purchase certificate is successful, the electronic intermediary server 10 determines whether or not the user is eligible to purchase an NFT e-book. Specifically, the electronic intermediary server 10 determines whether or not the user has already purchased an NFT e-book. The determination of whether or not the user has already purchased an NFT e-book will be described later.

[0061] If the user is eligible to purchase an NFT e-book (if the user has not purchased an NFT e-book), the electronic intermediary server 10 sells the NFT e-book to the user. At that time, the electronic intermediary server 10 may set the price of the NFT e-book to an amount obtained by multiplying the list price of the corresponding e-book by a predetermined coefficient.

[0062] The electronic agency server 10 can obtain the list price of the electronic book from the electronic book purchase certificate. Alternatively, the electronic agency server 10 may inquire about the list price from the server of the publisher of the electronic book (not shown in FIG. 3, etc.) using the ISBN code of the electronic book.

[0063] When an NFT e-book is sold, the proceeds are distributed to the publisher, e-book distributor, and platform operator in a predetermined ratio. For example, B1% of the price of the NFT e-book is distributed to the publisher, B2% to the e-book distributor, and B3% to the platform operator.

[0064] When the electronic agency server 10 completes the payment for the sale of the NFT electronic book, it issues an NFT whose owner is the purchaser of the NFT electronic book. The electronic agency server 10 issues the NFT using a smart contract.

[0065] At that time, the electronic agency server 10 sets the price of the NFT electronic book at the time of resale to the list price of the electronic book corresponding to that NFT electronic book. For example, if the list price of the electronic book originally purchased by the user is 1,000 yen, the price of the NFT electronic book to be resold will also be set to 1,000 yen.

[0066] Furthermore, the electronic distribution server 10 sets the proceeds from the resale of an NFT e-book to be distributed in predetermined proportions to four parties: the owner of the NFT e-book, the publisher, the e-book distributor, and the platform operator. For example, when an NFT e-book is resold, C1% of the list price of the corresponding e-book is distributed to the owner of the NFT e-book, C2% to the publisher, C3% to the e-book distributor, and C4% to the platform operator.

[0067] Furthermore, users who purchase an e-book from an e-book store and then purchase an NFT e-book can continue to view the e-book they purchased from the e-book store even after reselling the NFT e-book, as e-books purchased from an e-book store and NFT e-books are different products (services).

[0068] On the other hand, users who have purchased resold NFT e-books will not be able to view them after the resale, as the resale of the NFT e-book will result in the user losing ownership of the NFT e-book.

[0069] Here, the electronic distribution server 10 determines the distribution ratio so that the price paid to the publisher when the NFT electronic book is resold is greater than the price paid to the publisher when the electronic book is sold from the electronic book store. Specifically, since the list price of the electronic book and the selling price of the NFT electronic book are the same, a value greater than A1 is set for C2 above.

[0070] Furthermore, when a user who has purchased an NFT e-book resells the NFT e-book, the electronic intermediary server 10 sets the price, etc. of the NFT e-book so that the user can make a profit from the resale of the NFT e-book. Specifically, the electronic intermediary server 10 determines the above C1 so that the proceeds distributed from the resale of the NFT e-book are greater than the sales price of the NFT e-book.

[0071] In this way, the information processing system (NFT issuing system) according to the first embodiment sets a distribution ratio for the purchase price so that when a user who purchases an NFT e-book resells that NFT e-book, the user will make a profit. By distributing a large portion of the purchase price to resellers of NFT e-books, buying and selling of NFT e-books will become more active.

[0072] When an NFT for an NFT e-book is issued, the user's wallet (wallet address) is associated with the NFT for the NFT e-book. The NFT e-book itself (digital content) is stored on the electronic intermediary server 10. The user logs in to the marketplace and views the NFT e-book (digital content) stored on the electronic intermediary server 10.

[0073] Furthermore, the electronic intermediary server 10 reflects the fact that the user has purchased an NFT e-book (the fact that the right to purchase an NFT e-book has been exercised) in the user's wallet. Specifically, the electronic intermediary server 10 writes the fact that the NFT e-book has been purchased into the e-book purchase certificate corresponding to the NFT e-book sold to the user. More specifically, the electronic intermediary server 10 writes the fact that the NFT e-book has been sold, the date and time of sale, etc. into the metadata of the e-book purchase certificate.

[0074] That is, when a user purchases an NFT e-book, the electronic intermediary server 10 updates the e-book purchase certificate corresponding to the sold NFT e-book. When a user wishes to purchase an NFT e-book, the electronic intermediary server 10 checks the metadata of the corresponding e-book purchase certificate and determines whether or not the user has already purchased the NFT e-book. Based on this determination, the electronic intermediary server 10 determines whether or not the user has the qualifications (rights) to purchase the NFT e-book.

[0075] In this way, the management server 30 functions as a device that issues a purchase certificate of an electronic book to a user (a reader of an electronic book). That is, a user can request the management server 30 to issue an electronic book purchase certificate by logging in to an account of the management server 30.

[0076] The electronic intermediary server 10 also functions as a device for selling NFT electronic books corresponding to electronic books purchased by users. That is, by receiving an electronic book purchase certificate from the platform operator (management server 30), users can exercise their right to purchase NFT electronic books on the marketplace.

[0077] Next, details of each device included in the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0078] [Administration Server] 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the management server 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, the management server 30 includes a communication control unit 201, a user management unit 202, a purchase certificate control unit 203, and a storage unit 204.

[0079] The communication control unit 201 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 201 receives data (packets) from the terminal 50. The communication control unit 201 also transmits data to the terminal 50. The communication control unit 201 passes data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 201 transmits data acquired from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from other devices via the communication control unit 201. The communication control unit 201 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to other devices.

[0080] The user management unit 202 is a means for controlling and managing users.

[0081] The user management unit 202 acquires information such as name, gender, date of birth, and login information (ID, password) from a user who accesses a predetermined website (for example, a user registration site). Furthermore, the user management unit 202 acquires the user's common ID (wallet address).

[0082] The user management unit 202 stores the acquired name, login information, common ID, etc. in a user management database (see FIG. 7). Note that the user management database shown in FIG. 7 is an example and is not intended to limit the items to be stored. For example, the user management database may also store biometric information of the user (e.g., a facial image).

[0083] When a logged-in user wishes to purchase an electronic book, the user management unit 202 displays a list of electronic book stores on the terminal 50 possessed by the user. For example, the user management unit 202 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) such as that shown in Fig. 8 on the terminal 50, allowing the user to select an electronic book store.

[0084] When the user selects an electronic book store, the user management unit 202 redirects the connection destination of the terminal 50 to the login page of the electronic book store selected by the user. At that time, the user management unit 202 transmits to the terminal 50 a redirect URL in which the common ID of the user who has logged in to the account is embedded.

[0085] The purchase certificate control unit 203 is a means for controlling purchase certificates for e-books purchased by users. Specifically, the purchase certificate control unit 203 issues a purchase certificate for an e-book as an SBT to a user who has purchased an e-book. More specifically, the purchase certificate control unit 203 uses the user's wallet address to issue an SBT to the user that proves that the user has purchased an e-book.

[0086] The purchase certificate control unit 203 receives an electronic book purchase notification from the store server 20. Upon receiving the electronic book purchase notification, the purchase certificate control unit 203 searches the user management database using the common ID (wallet address) included in the notification as a key, and identifies the corresponding entry.

[0087] The purchase certificate control unit 203 stores information about the e-book purchased by the user (e.g., book title, publisher name, list price, ISBN code, etc.) and information about the e-book store where the e-book was purchased in the book list field of the identified entry.

[0088] When a user who has logged in to an account requests the issuance of a purchase certificate for an e-book, the purchase certificate control unit 203 displays a list of e-books that the user has already purchased (a book list) and identifies the e-book for which the user requests the issuance of a purchase certificate. For example, the purchase certificate control unit 203 displays a GUI such as that shown in Fig. 9 and identifies the e-book for which the user requests the issuance of an e-book purchase certificate.

[0089] When a user specifies an e-book for which they wish to issue an e-book purchase certificate, the purchase certificate control unit 203 calls a function of a smart contract deployed to a node on the blockchain and issues an SBT for the e-book purchase certificate.

[0090] For example, the purchase certificate control unit 203 inputs a common ID (wallet address) as the address of the SBT issuer and the platform operator's wallet address as the ID of the SBT issuer into the smart contract. Furthermore, the purchase certificate control unit 203 inputs the title, publisher name, list price, ISBN code, etc. of the e-book purchased by the user into the smart contract as information about the e-book.

[0091] The smart contract uses this information to issue an SBT as an e-book purchase certificate, with the purchaser of the e-book as the owner and the platform operator as the issuer, and with metadata containing information about the purchased e-book.

[0092] Note that the issuance of SBTs using smart contracts is different from the purpose of this disclosure, so further detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0093] The storage unit 204 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the management server 30. For example, the storage unit 204 stores the name of an electronic book store in association with the URL of a login page.

[0094] The management server 30 includes a processing module for allowing a user to view an electronic book that the user has already purchased. A detailed description of the processing module for allowing a user to view an electronic book that the user has already purchased will be omitted.

[0095] [Electronic intermediary server] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the electronic agency server 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 10, the electronic agency server 10 includes a communication control unit 301, a user management unit 302, a sales control unit 303, and a storage unit 304.

[0096] The communication control unit 301 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 301 receives data (packets) from the terminal 50. The communication control unit 301 also transmits data to the terminal 50. The communication control unit 301 passes data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 301 transmits data acquired from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from other devices via the communication control unit 301. The communication control unit 301 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to other devices.

[0097] The user management unit 302 is a means for controlling and managing users.

[0098] The user management unit 302 acquires information such as name, gender, date of birth, and login information (ID, password) from users who access a predetermined website (for example, a user registration site). Furthermore, the user management unit 202 acquires the user's common ID (wallet address). The user management unit 302 stores the acquired name, login information, common ID, etc. in a predetermined database.

[0099] The sales control unit 303 is a means for executing control over the sale of NFT e-books.

[0100] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the sales control unit 303 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The operation of the sales control unit 303 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0101] When a user who has logged in to the marketplace wishes to purchase an NFT e-book, the sales control unit 303 connects to the user's wallet using the user's common ID (wallet address). The sales control unit 303 acquires an e-book purchase certificate (SBT) associated with the user's wallet (step S101).

[0102] The sales control unit 303 obtains information about the e-book purchased by the user (for example, book title, publisher name, list price, ISBN code, etc.) from the obtained e-book purchase certificate. The sales control unit 303 uses the obtained e-book information to identify the e-book corresponding to the NFT e-book that the user wishes to purchase (step S102).

[0103] For example, the sales control unit 303 displays a GUI such as that shown in Fig. 12 on the terminal 50 to identify an electronic book corresponding to the NFT electronic book that the user wishes to purchase. At that time, the sales control unit 303 sets the price of the NFT electronic book to an amount obtained by multiplying the list price of the corresponding electronic book by a predetermined coefficient and presents it to the user. The sales control unit 303 can obtain the list price of the electronic book from the electronic book purchase certificate.

[0104] When the user has finished selecting the NFT e-book to purchase, the sales control unit 303 verifies the e-book purchase certificate corresponding to the NFT e-book selected by the user (step S103).

[0105] Specifically, the sales control unit 303 verifies the issuer of the electronic book purchase certificate. For example, the sales control unit 303 determines whether the ID of the issuer of the electronic book purchase certificate (for example, the wallet address of the platform operator) is pre-registered as the ID of the platform operator with which the electronic book purchase certificate is issued.

[0106] If the issuer's ID is registered, the sales control unit 303 determines that the e-book purchase certificate corresponding to the NFT e-book the user wishes to purchase is valid (determines that verification of the e-book purchase certificate has been successful). If the issuer's ID is not registered, the sales control unit 303 determines that the e-book purchase certificate corresponding to the NFT e-book the user wishes to purchase is invalid (determines that verification of the e-book purchase certificate has failed).

[0107] If the e-book purchase certificate is invalid (step S104, No branch), the sales control unit 303 notifies the user that the NFT e-book cannot be sold (notifying that it cannot be sold; step S105).

[0108] If the electronic book purchase certificate is valid (step S104, Yes branch), the sales control unit 303 determines whether the user is eligible to purchase an NFT electronic book (determine purchase eligibility; step S106).

[0109] Specifically, if the e-book purchase certificate corresponding to the NFT e-book that the user wishes to purchase does not state "NFT e-book sold," the sales control unit 303 determines that the user is eligible to purchase the NFT e-book. On the other hand, if the e-book purchase certificate states "NFT e-book sold," the sales control unit 303 determines that the user is not eligible to purchase the NFT e-book.

[0110] If the user is not qualified to purchase an NFT e-book (step S107, No branch), the sales control unit 303 notifies the user that the NFT e-book cannot be sold (notifying that it cannot be sold; step S105).

[0111] If the user is eligible to purchase the NFT e-book (step S107, Yes branch), the sales control unit 303 sells the NFT e-book to the user (step S108).

[0112] Users can pay for NFT e-books using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, or they can pay for NFT e-books using credit cards or electronic money.

[0113] When the payment for the sales price of the NFT e-book is completed, the sales control unit 303 issues an NFT for the NFT e-book (step S109). The sales control unit 303 issues an NFT for the NFT e-book using a smart contract.

[0114] Here, the platform operator creates in advance a smart contract for issuing the NFT for the NFT e-book, and a smart contract that runs when the NFT e-book is resold. The operator then deploys these two smart contracts to the blockchain.

[0115] The smart contract for issuing NFTs issues an NFT with metadata that specifies that the purchaser of the NFT e-book will be the owner and that the price of the NFT e-book (the price at the time of resale) will be the list price of the corresponding e-book.

[0116] In addition, the resale smart contract will distribute the proceeds from the resale of NFT e-books to four parties: the NFT e-book owner, publisher, e-book distributor, and platform operator, in predetermined proportions.

[0117] The sales control unit 303 issues an NFT for the NFT e-book using a smart contract for issuing NFTs.

[0118] Furthermore, the sales control unit 303 updates the e-book purchase certificate corresponding to the NFT e-book purchased by the user (step S110). Specifically, the sales control unit 303 writes the fact that the user has purchased the NFT e-book in the corresponding e-book purchase certificate. For example, the sales control unit 303 writes "June 6, 2024; NFT e-book sold" in the metadata of the e-book purchase certificate.

[0119] In this way, the sales control unit 303 issues an NFT of an NFT e-book (digital content) to a user if the e-book purchase certificate is issued by a legitimate issuer. More specifically, if the issuer of the e-book purchase certificate (SBT) is legitimate, the sales control unit 303 issues an NFT of an NFT e-book having the same content as the e-book purchased by the user to the user. Furthermore, if the user is eligible to receive an NFT of the digital content, the sales control unit 303 issues an NFT of the digital content to the user.

[0120] The storage unit 304 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the electronic agency server 10.

[0121] The electronic agency server 10 includes a processing module for users to view NFT electronic books that they have already purchased. A more detailed description of the processing module for users to view NFT electronic books that they have already purchased will be omitted.

[0122] The electronic agency server 10 also includes a processing module for reselling NFT electronic books purchased by users. A more detailed description of the processing module for reselling NFT electronic books will be omitted.

[0123] [Store Server] A detailed description of the configuration and operation of the store server 20 will be omitted. When the store server 20 sells an electronic book to a user, it only needs to transmit to the management server 30 an "electronic book purchase notification" regarding the sold electronic book.

[0124] [Wallet Server] A detailed description of the configuration and operation of the wallet server 40 will be omitted. The wallet server 40 only needs to issue a wallet address to the user.

[0125] [Device] Examples of the terminal 50 include a smartphone, a mobile phone, a game console, a mobile terminal device such as a tablet, and a computer (personal computer, laptop computer). The terminal 50 can be any equipment or device that can accept user operations and communicate with the management server 30, etc. Furthermore, the configuration of the terminal 50 is clear to those skilled in the art, so detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0126] [System Operation] Next, the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0127] 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0128] When the store server 20 sells an electronic book to a user, the store server 20 transmits an electronic book purchase notification including the user's common ID (wallet address) and information about the sold electronic book to the management server 30 (step S01).

[0129] The management server 30 uses the common ID to identify the user who purchased the electronic book, and adds the purchased electronic book to the book list of the identified user (step S02).

[0130] In response to a request from a user, management server 30 issues a purchase certificate for the electronic book purchased by the user (step S03).

[0131] When a user wishes to purchase an NFT electronic book, the electronic agency server 10 acquires an electronic book purchase certificate for the electronic book corresponding to the NFT electronic book (step S11).

[0132] The electronic agency server 10 verifies the acquired electronic book purchase certificate and determines whether the user is eligible to purchase the NFT electronic book (steps S12 and S13).

[0133] If the electronic book purchase certificate is valid and the user is qualified to purchase an NFT electronic book, the electronic agency server 10 issues an NFT for the NFT electronic book (step S14).

[0134] Next, a modified example of the first embodiment will be described.

[0135] <Variation 1> In the above embodiment, the management server 30 issues an electronic book purchase certificate in response to a request from a user. However, the management server 30 may issue an electronic book purchase certificate in response to receiving an electronic book purchase notification from the store server 20. In other words, the purchase certificate control unit 203 of the management server 30 may automatically issue an electronic book purchase certificate.

[0136] <Variation 2> In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a user can purchase one NFT e-book by purchasing one e-book. However, a user may be able to purchase multiple NFT e-books by purchasing one e-book.

[0137] In this case, the publisher may set the number of NFT e-books that users can purchase for each e-book. Specifically, when an e-book is provided to an e-book store via an e-book distributor, the publisher notifies the e-book store of the upper limit on the number of times an NFT e-book can be purchased.

[0138] When an electronic book store sells an electronic book to a user, the corresponding store server 20 sends an electronic book purchase notification to the management server 30, which includes the upper limit of the number of purchases for the NFT electronic book set for the sold electronic book.

[0139] The purchase certificate control unit 203 of the management server 30 issues an electronic book purchase certificate in which the notified upper limit on the number of purchases is set.

[0140] The sales control unit 303 of the electronic agency server 10 acquires the number of times the user has purchased an NFT e-book from the e-book purchase certificate corresponding to the NFT e-book that the user wishes to purchase. If the acquired number of purchases does not reach the upper limit of the number of purchases stated in the e-book purchase certificate, the sales control unit 303 determines that the user is eligible to purchase the NFT e-book.

[0141] The sales control unit 303 updates the e-book purchase certificate while incrementing the number of times the user has purchased the NFT e-book each time the sales control unit 303 sells an NFT e-book to a user.

[0142] In this way, the electronic intermediary server 10 increments the number of purchases of the digital content by the user stated in the electronic book purchase certificate each time it issues an NFT of the digital content (NFT electronic book) to the user. If the number of purchases of the digital content stated in the electronic book purchase certificate has not reached the upper limit of the number of purchases set for the digital content, the electronic intermediary server 10 determines that the user is eligible to receive an NFT of the digital content.

[0143] Note that publishers may sell NFT e-books for which sales are prohibited. In other words, the information processing system may handle e-books for which sales of NFT e-books are permitted and e-books for which sales of NFT e-books are prohibited.

[0144] An indication that sales of NFT electronic books are prohibited is set in an electronic book purchase certificate corresponding to an electronic book for which sales of NFT electronic books are prohibited. Alternatively, the management server 30 may refuse to issue an electronic book purchase certificate corresponding to an electronic book for which sales of NFT electronic books are prohibited.

[0145] <Variation 3> If the electronic book purchase certificate does not set an upper limit on the number of purchases, the electronic agency server 10 may inquire about the upper limit on the number of purchases from the publisher of the electronic book corresponding to the NFT electronic book that the user wishes to purchase.

[0146] Specifically, the sales control unit 303 of the electronic agency server 10 acquires the ISBN code from the electronic book purchase certificate corresponding to the NFT electronic book that the user wishes to purchase, and transmits the acquired ISBN code to the publisher's server. The publisher's server identifies the electronic book that the user purchased based on the received ISBN code, and transmits the upper limit of the number of purchases set for the identified electronic book to the electronic agency server 10.

[0147] The sales control unit 303 compares the number of purchases (the number of times the user has purchased an NFT e-book) stated in the e-book purchase certificate with the upper limit of the number of purchases notified by the publisher's server to determine whether the user is eligible to purchase an NFT e-book.

[0148] <Variation 4> In the above embodiment, the management server 30 issues an electronic book purchase certificate as an SBT. However, the management server 30 may issue an electronic book purchase certificate in another format.

[0149] Specifically, the purchase certificate control unit 203 of the management server 30 may issue a digital certificate using a public key infrastructure (PKI) as the e-book purchase certificate. Alternatively, the purchase certificate control unit 203 may issue a credential certificate (VCs; Verifiable Credentials) whose contents can be verified online as the e-book purchase certificate.

[0150] When a digital certificate or credential certificate is issued as an e-book purchase certificate, the electronic intermediary server 10 verifies the electronic signature attached to these certificates. If the verification of the electronic signature is successful and the user is eligible to purchase an NFT e-book, the electronic intermediary server 10 issues an NFT for the NFT e-book.

[0151] Furthermore, when a digital certificate or credential certificate using PKI is issued as an e-book purchase certificate, these certificates may be managed by the user's wallet or by an account on the management server 30 or the electronic distribution server 10.

[0152] When the management server 30 manages the user's e-book purchase certificate, the electronic intermediary server 10 requests the management server 30 to provide the e-book purchase certificate. Specifically, the sales control unit 303 of the electronic intermediary server 10 transmits the user's common ID to the management server 30. The management server 30 uses the common ID to identify the user who wishes to purchase the NFT e-book, and transmits the e-book purchase certificate stored in the account of the identified user to the electronic intermediary server 10.

[0153] When the electronic intermediary server 10 manages the user's electronic book purchase certificate, the purchase certificate control unit 203 of the management server 30 transmits the issued electronic book purchase certificate together with the user's common ID to the electronic intermediary server 10. The user management unit 202 of the electronic intermediary server 10 identifies the user who has been issued the electronic book purchase certificate using the common ID, and stores the received electronic book purchase certificate in the account of the identified user.

[0154] <Variation 5> Users who purchase NFT e-books may be granted the right to use data related to the NFT e-books in the metaverse (virtual space). Specifically, users may display the NFT e-books they have purchased in their own rooms in the virtual space, or read the NFT e-books. Alternatively, users may resell the NFT e-books in the virtual space. In other words, users who purchase NFT e-books may use the NFT e-books as content for their bookshelves, personal bookstores, or personal libraries in the metaverse space.

[0155] In this case, the user simply requests the server providing the metaverse platform to connect to the user's wallet and obtain data related to the NFT e-book (for example, data related to the design of the e-book's spine, etc.).

[0156] <Variation 6> In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a user's common ID (e.g., wallet address) is set in each of the electronic agency server 10, the store server 20, and the management server 30. However, the common ID (wallet address) does not have to be set in all of the servers. For example, the common ID does not have to be set in the store server 20 that sells electronic books.

[0157] In this case, the management server 30 can manage the account information of each electronic book store in an integrated manner. Specifically, a user who logs in to each electronic book store requests the store server 20 to link their account at the electronic book store with their account at the management server 30. Upon receiving the request for account linking, the store server 20 transmits to the management server 30 the identification information of the electronic book store, information specifying the user (for example, a combination of name and date of birth), and account information (for example, a user ID).

[0158] The management server 30 searches the user management database using the information that identifies the user as a key, and identifies the corresponding entry. The management server 30 stores the identified entry in association with the identification information of the electronic book store and the account information. For example, the management server 30 stores information such as "electronic book store A:ABC1234" in the user management database.

[0159] Furthermore, when each store server 20 transmits an electronic book purchase notification to the management server 30, it notifies the management server 30 of the identification information of the electronic book store and the user's account information. For example, when a user with a user ID "ABC1234" purchases an electronic book at electronic book store A, the store server 20 transmits an electronic book purchase notification including the identification information of electronic book store A and the user ID "ABC1234" to the management server 30. The management server 30 identifies the purchaser of the electronic book based on the notified information (electronic book store identification information, account information).

[0160] The management server 30 stores information about the purchased electronic book in the account of the identified purchaser of the electronic book.

[0161] In this way, in the information processing system according to the first embodiment, a user who has purchased an electronic book may be specified (identified) without using the user's common ID (wallet address). That is, the management server 30 may store (in a confidential state) account information of another company (electronic book store) with which the account is linked, thereby specifying the purchaser of the electronic book.

[0162] <Variation 7> 3 is an example. For example, the management server 30 operated by the platform operator may provide the wallet service. That is, the management server 30 may have the functions of the wallet server 40.

[0163] Alternatively, in the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the electronic agency server 10 operated by an electronic book agency issues an NFT for an NFT electronic book. However, the management server 30 may issue an NFT for an NFT electronic book. In other words, the management server 30 may have the functions of the electronic agency server 10.

[0164] In other words, an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a certificate issuing means and an NFT issuing means. The certificate issuing means issues a purchase certificate for a product or service purchased by a user. The NFT issuing means issues a non-fungible token (NFT) of digital content corresponding to the product or service purchased by the user to the user upon successful verification of the issued purchase certificate.

[0165] As described above, the information processing system according to the first embodiment issues a purchase certificate for a product or service when the user purchases the product or service. If the information processing system successfully verifies the purchase certificate issued to the user, it issues an NFT for the digital content corresponding to the product or service purchased by the user. Because the NFT indicates the user's ownership of the digital content, the digital content can be bought and sold. In other words, the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can realize the distribution of digital content corresponding to the product or service purchased by the user.

[0166] However, electronic books sold at electronic book stores present inconveniences for users. Specifically, users who have purchased existing paper books can continue to read those existing books regardless of whether the bookstore where they were purchased is open or closed. On the other hand, users who have purchased electronic books may not be able to read those purchased electronic books if the electronic book store where they purchased them is closed.

[0167] The information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure solves the above problem by allowing users who have purchased e-books to purchase NFT e-books. In other words, e-books and NFT e-books are different content, and users can view NFT e-books regardless of whether an e-book store is open or not.

[0168] Furthermore, when a user sells an NFT e-book they have purchased, they will receive a larger amount than the purchase price of the NFT e-book. As a result, users who purchase NFT e-books are less likely to suffer financial losses. This makes users more willing to purchase NFT e-books.

[0169] Furthermore, paper books can be bought and sold as second-hand goods, whereas e-books cannot. Even though the list price of paper books and e-books is the same under the book resale price system, users may be less motivated to purchase e-books because they cannot buy and sell the products they have purchased.

[0170] In contrast, in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, users can sell NFT e-books in the same way as they sell paper books. Furthermore, selling the NFT e-books generates profits for the users. Furthermore, even after selling the NFT e-books, users can continue to view the e-books. In this way, many benefits are provided to users who purchase e-books and NFT e-books, stimulating the market for e-books and NFT e-books.

[0171] Furthermore, the information system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure issues an NFT for an NFT e-book such that, when the NFT e-book is resold, the publisher of the e-book is paid a greater amount than the publisher would have received from selling the e-book. As a result, when the NFT e-book is resold, the publisher is paid a greater amount than if the e-book were sold. In other words, while publishers do not benefit from the sale of paper books, the sale of NFT e-books brings significant benefits to publishers. As a result, publishers may also be motivated to expand the market for NFT e-books.

[0172] Next, the hardware of each device constituting the information processing system will be described. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 30.

[0173] The management server 30 can be configured by an information processing device (so-called computer), and has the configuration exemplified in Fig. 14. For example, the management server 30 includes a processor 311, a memory 312, an input / output interface 313, and a communication interface 314. The components such as the processor 311 are connected by an internal bus or the like, and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0174] 14 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the management server 30. The management server 30 may include hardware not shown, and may not include the input / output interface 313 as necessary. Furthermore, the number of processors 311 and the like included in the management server 30 is not intended to be limited to the example shown in FIG. 14, and the management server 30 may include multiple processors 311, for example.

[0175] The processor 311 is a programmable device such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP). Alternatively, the processor 311 may be a device such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor 311 executes various programs including an operating system (OS).

[0176] The memory 312 is a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The memory 312 stores an OS program, application programs, and various data.

[0177] The input / output interface 313 is an interface for a display device and an input device (not shown). The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device is, for example, a device that accepts user operations such as a keyboard or a mouse.

[0178] The communication interface 314 is a circuit, module, etc. that communicates with other devices. For example, the communication interface 314 includes a network interface card (NIC).

[0179] The functions of the management server 30 are realized by various processing modules. The processing modules are realized, for example, by the processor 311 executing a program stored in the memory 312. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transitory medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical recording medium. That is, the present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. The program can be downloaded via a network or updated using a storage medium storing the program. The processing modules can also be realized by a semiconductor chip.

[0180] In addition, the electronic agency server 10, store server 20, wallet server 40, etc. can also be configured using information processing devices in the same way as the management server 30, and their basic hardware configurations are no different from those of the management server 30, so explanations will be omitted.

[0181] The management server 30, which is an information processing device, is equipped with a computer, and the functions of the management server 30 can be realized by having the computer execute a program. The management server 30 also executes a control method for the management server 30 using the program. Similarly, the electronic agency server 10 is equipped with a computer, and the functions of the electronic agency server 10 can be realized by having the computer execute a program. The electronic agency server 10 also executes a control method for the electronic agency server 10 using the program.

[0182] [Variations] The configuration, operation, etc. of the information processing system described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the configuration, etc. of the system.

[0183] In the above embodiment, the configuration and operation of the information processing system (NFT issuing system) have been described using an example of an e-book as a product (service) purchased by a user. However, the information processing system may issue digital content corresponding to other products or services as an NFT. For example, the information processing system may issue an NFT of digital content corresponding to a tangible object such as a paper book, a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a figure, or a vehicle. Alternatively, the information processing system may issue an NFT of digital content corresponding to an intangible object such as an e-book or music data.

[0184] In the above embodiment, the electronic intermediary server 10 has been described as selling an NFT e-book with the same content as an e-book purchased by a user. However, the electronic intermediary server 10 can sell any digital content corresponding to (or related to) a product or service purchased by a user. For example, a user who purchases a figure may purchase 3D data or image data (illustration) of the figure. The electronic intermediary server 10 may issue an NFT related to the 3D data of the figure.

[0185] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the user logs in to each electronic book store via the management server 30. However, the user may also log in to the electronic book store directly. In this case, the store server 20 may transmit an electronic book purchase notification to the management server 30 every time the user purchases an electronic book. Alternatively, the user who has logged in to the electronic book store may request the store server 20 to transmit an electronic book purchase notification.

[0186] In the above embodiment, the case where the electronic book purchase certificate is issued by the management server 30 has been described. However, the electronic book purchase certificate may be issued by the store server 20 corresponding to the electronic book store where the user purchased the electronic book.

[0187] In the above embodiment, a case where a wallet address is used as the user's common ID has been described. However, other information may be used as the user's common ID. For example, a digital signature (digital ID) or a decentralized ID (DID) may be used as the user's common ID. Similarly, the platform operator's ID may be a digital signature (digital ID) or a decentralized ID (DID) in addition to a wallet address.

[0188] In the above embodiment, the electronic book purchase notification sent by the store server 20 and the electronic book purchase certificate issued by the management server 30 include information about the electronic book purchased by the user, such as the book title, publisher name, list price, and ISBN code. However, the electronic book purchase notification and the electronic book purchase certificate may include the ISBN code as information identifying the electronic book purchased by the user. The management server 30 and the electronic distribution server 10 may transmit the ISBN code to a publisher's server or another server to obtain information about the book (book title, list price, etc.) corresponding to the transmitted ISBN code.

[0189] In the above embodiment, when a user wishes to purchase an NFT e-book, the electronic agency server 10 displays a list of e-books as shown in FIG. 12, verifies the e-book purchase certificate corresponding to the e-book selected by the user, and determines whether the user is eligible to purchase. However, the electronic agency server 10 may also verify and determine in advance whether the user is eligible to purchase each of multiple e-book purchase certificates owned by the user, and display a list of e-books from which the user can purchase NFT e-books. In other words, the electronic agency server 10 may exclude NFT e-books that the user cannot purchase, and allow the user to select an NFT e-book (select an NFT e-book to purchase) using a GUI similar to that shown in FIG. 12.

[0190] In the above embodiment, the case where the electronic agency server 10 stores the main data (actual data) of the NFT electronic book has been described. However, the main data of the NFT electronic book may be stored on the publisher's server or on the management server 30. Alternatively, the main data of the NFT electronic book may be stored on a blockchain.

[0191] The management server 30 may manage the issuance status of e-book purchase certificates (purchase status of NFT e-books) for each user's account. By managing the issuance status of a user's e-book purchase certificate, the management server 30 may display e-books for which certificates have not been issued and e-books for which certificates have been issued in a manner that allows the user to distinguish between them in the GUI shown in FIG. 9. For example, the management server 30 may display "certificate issued" near an e-book (title of the e-book) for which an e-book purchase certificate has been issued. Alternatively, the management server 30 may display the title of an e-book for which an e-book purchase certificate has not been issued in bold (see FIG. 15).

[0192] Alternatively, when displaying the GUI shown in Fig. 9, the management server 30 may display the spine of the e-book instead of or in addition to the title of the e-book purchased by the user. In this case, the management server 30 transmits the ISBN code of each e-book purchased by the user to a server of a publisher or the like, and acquires the design of the spine. For example, the management server 30 may display a GUI on the terminal 50 that uses the acquired spine to display a list of books stored in the user's bookshelf, and allows the user to select from the displayed list an e-book for which an e-book purchase certificate is to be issued.

[0193] The management server 30 may authenticate the user before issuing the e-book purchase certificate. For example, if the management server 30 has successfully performed biometric authentication on the user requesting issuance of the e-book purchase certificate, the management server 30 may display a GUI such as that shown in FIG. 9 or 15 on the terminal 50. In this case, the management server 30 acquires biometric information (e.g., a facial image) of the user (account holder) when creating the user's account. When the user (a user who has logged in to the account) requests issuance of the e-book purchase certificate, the management server 30 acquires the user's biometric information via the terminal 50. For example, the management server 30 instructs the user to take a selfie using the terminal 50. The terminal 50 transmits the acquired biometric information to the management server 30. If the biometric information stored in the account and the biometric information acquired from the terminal 50 substantially match, the management server 30 determines that authentication of the user requesting issuance of the e-book purchase certificate has been successful. If the management server 30 has successfully authenticated the user requesting issuance of the e-book purchase certificate, the management server 30 displays a GUI such as that shown in FIG. 9 or 15 on the terminal 50.

[0194] In the flow charts (flowcharts, sequence diagrams) used in the above explanation, multiple steps (processes) are described in order, but the execution order of the steps executed in the embodiments is not limited to the order described. In the embodiments, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed to the extent that the content is not affected, such as by executing each process in parallel.

[0195] The above-described embodiments have been described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, and it is not intended that all of the above-described configurations are required. Furthermore, when multiple embodiments are described, each embodiment may be used alone or in combination. For example, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with another configuration.

[0196] The above explanation makes clear the industrial applicability of the present invention, and the present invention can be suitably applied to information processing systems that sell e-books and NFT e-books.

[0197] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0198] [Appendix 1] a certificate issuing means for issuing a purchase certificate for the product or service purchased by the user; An NFT issuing means that, if the issued purchase certificate is successfully verified, issues to the user an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) of digital content corresponding to the product or service purchased by the user; A system comprising:

[0199] [Appendix 2] The system described in Appendix 1, wherein the NFT issuing means issues an NFT of the digital content to the user if the purchase certificate is issued by a legitimate issuer.

[0200] [Appendix 3] The system described in Appendix 2, wherein the NFT issuing means issues an NFT for the digital content to the user if the user is eligible to receive the issuance of an NFT for the digital content.

[0201] [Appendix 4] The system described in Appendix 3, wherein the NFT issuing means increments the number of purchases of the digital content by the user listed on the purchase certificate each time an NFT of the digital content is issued to the user.

[0202] [Appendix 5] The system described in Appendix 4, wherein the NFT issuing means determines that the user is eligible to receive an NFT for the digital content if the number of purchases of the digital content listed on the purchase certificate has not reached the maximum number of purchases set for the digital content.

[0203] [Appendix 6] The certificate issuing means issues a purchase certificate of the electronic book as an SBT (SoulBound Token) to a user who has purchased the electronic book; The system described in any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein the NFT issuing means issues to the user an NFT of an NFT e-book having the same content as the e-book purchased by the user if the issuer of the SBT is legitimate.

[0204] [Appendix 7] The NFT issuing means is: 7. The system of claim 6, wherein an NFT for the NFT e-book is issued such that when the NFT e-book is resold, the publisher of the e-book is paid a greater amount than the publisher would receive from selling the e-book.

[0205] [Appendix 8] In the system, a certificate issuing step of issuing a purchase certificate for the product or service purchased by the user; an NFT issuance process for issuing to the user an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) of digital content corresponding to the product or service purchased by the user if the issued purchase certificate is successfully verified; A method comprising:

[0206] [Appendix 9] The method described in Appendix 8, wherein the NFT issuance step issues an NFT of the digital content to the user if the purchase certificate is issued by a legitimate issuer.

[0207] [Appendix 10] The method described in Appendix 9, wherein the NFT issuance step issues an NFT for the digital content to the user if the user is eligible to receive the issuance of an NFT for the digital content.

[0208] [Appendix 11] The method described in Appendix 10, wherein the NFT issuance process increments the number of purchases of the digital content by the user listed on the purchase certificate each time an NFT of the digital content is issued to the user.

[0209] [Appendix 12] The method described in Appendix 11, wherein the NFT issuance process determines that the user is eligible to receive an NFT for the digital content if the number of purchases of the digital content listed on the purchase certificate has not reached the maximum number of purchases set for the digital content.

[0210] [Appendix 13] The certificate issuing step issues a purchase certificate of the electronic book as an SBT (SoulBound Token) to a user who has purchased the electronic book; A method according to any one of appendices 8 to 12, wherein the NFT issuance process issues to the user an NFT of an NFT e-book having the same content as the e-book purchased by the user if the issuer of the SBT is legitimate.

[0211] [Appendix 14] The NFT issuing process includes: 14. The method of claim 13, wherein an NFT for the NFT e-book is issued such that, when the NFT e-book is resold, the publisher of the e-book is paid a greater amount than the publisher would receive from the sale of the e-book.

[0212] [Appendix 15] On the computer, a certificate issuing process for issuing a purchase certificate for the goods or services purchased by the user; If the issued purchase certificate is successfully verified, an NFT issuance process is performed to issue to the user an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) of digital content corresponding to the product or service purchased by the user; A program to execute.

[0213] [Appendix 16] The program described in Appendix 15, wherein the NFT issuance process issues an NFT of the digital content to the user if the purchase certificate is issued by a legitimate issuer.

[0214] [Appendix 17] The program described in Appendix 16, wherein the NFT issuance process issues an NFT for the digital content to the user if the user is eligible to receive an NFT for the digital content.

[0215] [Appendix 18] The program described in Appendix 17, wherein the NFT issuance process increments the number of purchases of the digital content by the user, as stated in the purchase certificate, each time an NFT of the digital content is issued to the user.

[0216] [Appendix 19] The program described in Appendix 18, wherein the NFT issuance process determines that the user is eligible to receive an NFT for the digital content if the number of purchases of the digital content listed on the purchase certificate has not reached the maximum number of purchases set for the digital content.

[0217] [Appendix 20] The certificate issuance process issues a purchase certificate of the e-book as an SBT (SoulBound Token) to the user who purchased the e-book, The program described in any one of Appendices 15 to 19, wherein the NFT issuance process issues to the user an NFT of an NFT e-book having the same content as the e-book purchased by the user if the issuer of the SBT is legitimate.

[0218] [Appendix 21] The NFT issuance process is as follows: 21. The program of claim 20, wherein an NFT for the NFT e-book is issued such that, when the NFT e-book is resold, the publisher of the e-book is paid a greater amount than the publisher would receive from selling the e-book.

[0219] [Appendix 22] a receiving means for receiving an electronic book purchase notification including the user's wallet address from a store server operated by the electronic book store where the user purchased the electronic book; an issuing means for issuing a purchase certificate to the user, using the wallet address of the user, to prove that the user has purchased the electronic book; A server device comprising:

[0220] [Appendix 23] In the server device, receiving an electronic book purchase notification including the user's wallet address from a store server operated by the electronic book store where the user purchased the electronic book; issuing a purchase certificate to the user, using the user's wallet address, to prove that the user has purchased the e-book; A method for controlling a server device.

[0221] [Appendix 24] The computer installed in the server device receiving an electronic book purchase notification including the user's wallet address from a store server operated by the electronic book store where the user purchased the electronic book; a process of issuing a purchase certificate to the user, using the user's wallet address, to prove that the user has purchased the electronic book; A program to execute.

[0222] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 7, which are dependent on Supplementary Note 1, may also be dependent on Supplementary Note 8 and Supplementary Note 15 in the same dependent relationship as Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 7. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Note 1, Supplementary Note 8, and Supplementary Note 15, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be similarly made dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, within the scope of each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0223] The disclosures of the above-cited prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative and that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and alterations that may be made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical concepts thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0224] 10 Electronic intermediary server 20 Store Server 30 Management Server 40 Wallet Server 50 devices 101 Certificate Issuance Method 102 NFT issuing methods 201 Communication control unit 202 User Management Department 203 Purchase certificate control section 204 Storage section 301 Communication Control Unit 302 User Management Department 303 Sales Control Department 304 Storage section 311 processor 312 memory 313 Input / Output Interface 314 Communication Interface

Claims

1. a certificate issuing means for issuing a purchase certificate for the product or service purchased by the user; an NFT issuing means for issuing to the user an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) of digital content corresponding to the product or service purchased by the user if verification of the issued purchase certificate is successful; A system comprising:

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the NFT issuing means issues an NFT of the digital content to the user if the proof of purchase is issued by a legitimate issuer.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the NFT issuing means issues an NFT of the digital content to the user if the user is eligible to receive the issuance of an NFT of the digital content.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the NFT issuing means increments the number of purchases of the digital content by the user, which is stated in the purchase certificate, each time the NFT issuing means issues an NFT of the digital content to the user.

5. The system described in claim 4, wherein the NFT issuing means determines that the user is eligible to receive an NFT of the digital content if the number of purchases of the digital content listed on the purchase certificate has not reached the upper limit of purchases set for the digital content.

6. The certificate issuing means issues a purchase certificate of the electronic book as an SBT (SoulBound Token) to a user who has purchased the electronic book; The system described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the NFT issuing means issues to the user an NFT of an NFT e-book having the same content as the e-book purchased by the user if the issuer of the SBT is legitimate.

7. The NFT issuing means is The system of claim 6, wherein an NFT for the NFT e-book is issued such that when the NFT e-book is resold, the publisher of the e-book is paid a greater amount than the publisher received from the sale of the e-book.

8. a receiving means for receiving an electronic book purchase notification including the user's wallet address from a store server operated by the electronic book store where the user purchased the electronic book; an issuing means for issuing a purchase certificate to the user, using the wallet address of the user, to prove that the user has purchased the electronic book; A server device comprising:

9. In the server device, receiving an electronic book purchase notification including the user's wallet address from a store server operated by the electronic book store where the user purchased the electronic book; issuing a purchase certificate to the user, using the user's wallet address, to prove that the user has purchased the e-book; A method for controlling a server device.

10. The computer installed in the server device receiving an electronic book purchase notification including the user's wallet address from a store server operated by the electronic book store where the user purchased the electronic book; a process of issuing a purchase certificate to the user, using the user's wallet address, to prove that the user has purchased the electronic book; A program to execute.

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