Systems, methods, and programs for providing lotteries

Abstract

To encourage many users to participate in the lottery. [Solution] A service provision server 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is connected to a user terminal 30 via a communication network 20 and provides a predetermined service to a user operating the user terminal 30, and the predetermined service has a lottery function for the user to acquire an object. The server 10 provides notification information of the results of the first lottery by the first user to another second user, and the second user conducts a second lottery based on the notification information, in which objects targeted for the second lottery, including the winning object from the first lottery, are selected as winners. As a result, the user can find out the results of the first lottery of other users and enjoy the second lottery in which the winning object from the first lottery can be selected as a winner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, a method, and a program for providing a lottery.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various types of lotteries (sometimes called gacha, etc.) for users to obtain various objects such as cards, characters, and items have been provided. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses that when a user executes a lottery with consumption of a citation item, a discount corresponding to the selected lottery is applied to the required number of lottery values. Such a discount can promote the execution of the lottery by the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional mechanisms as described above can promote the execution of the lottery for individual users, but the execution of the lottery by each user rarely affects other users. For example, if the results of such lotteries are easily shared among multiple users, it is considered that the execution of the lottery by many users can be promoted.

[0005] One of the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention is to promote the execution of the lottery by many users. Other purposes of the embodiments of the present invention will become clear by referring to the whole of this specification.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a system for providing a lottery, comprising one or more computer processors, wherein the one or more computer processors perform the following steps: setting whether or not to notify other users of the results of a primary lottery by a first user in which a portion of a plurality of primary lottery target objects are selected; performing the primary lottery by the first user; providing a second user with first notification information of the results of the primary lottery by the first user, if it is set to notify the first user of the results of the primary lottery by the first user; and performing a secondary lottery by the second user based on the first notification information in which at least a portion of a plurality of secondary lottery target objects, including at least a portion of the one or more winning objects selected in the primary lottery by the first user, are selected.

[0007] A method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a method for providing a lottery, performed by one or more computers, comprising: setting whether or not to notify other users of the results of a primary lottery performed by a first user, in which a portion of a plurality of primary lottery target objects are selected; performing the primary lottery performed by the first user; providing a second user with first notification information of the results of the primary lottery performed by the first user, if it is set to notify the first user of the results of the primary lottery performed by the first user; and performing a secondary lottery performed by the second user based on the first notification information, in which at least a portion of a plurality of secondary lottery target objects, including at least a portion of the one or more winning objects selected in the primary lottery performed by the first user, are selected.

[0008] A program according to one embodiment of the present invention is a program for providing a lottery, which causes one or more computers to execute: a step of setting whether or not to notify other users of the results of a primary lottery conducted by a first user in which some of a plurality of primary lottery target objects are selected; a step of conducting the primary lottery conducted by the first user; a step of providing a second user with first notification information of the results of the primary lottery conducted by the first user, if it is set to notify the first user of the results of the primary lottery conducted by the first user; and a step of conducting a secondary lottery conducted by the second user based on the first notification information in which at least some of a plurality of secondary lottery target objects, including at least some of the one or more selected objects selected in the primary lottery conducted by the first user, are selected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] Various embodiments of the present invention facilitate the execution of lotteries by many users. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of a network including a service provision server 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A diagram illustrating the information managed by user information table 151. [Figure 3] A diagram illustrating the information managed by object information table 153. [Figure 4] A diagram illustrating the information managed by object group information table 155. [Figure 5] A diagram illustrating the information managed by the lottery management table 157. [Figure 6] A diagram illustrating the information managed by the notification information provision management table 159. [Figure 7] A diagram illustrating the pack selection screen 50. [Figure 8] A flowchart illustrating the processes that Server 10 executes in response to a player's instruction to perform a primary lottery. [Figure 9] Figure illustrating the feed screen 60. [Figure 10] Flowchart illustrating the process executed by the server 10 when setting the feed content to be displayed. [Figure 11] Figure illustrating the details of the individual display area 66 arranged in the list display area 64 of the feed screen 60. [Figure 12] Figure illustrating the individual display area 66 when the card set as a favorite by the player is included in the secondary lottery target object. <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a network including a service provision server 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the server 10 is connected to a user terminal 30 via a communication network 20 such as the Internet. In Figure 1, only one user terminal 30 is shown, but the server 10 is connected to multiple user terminals 30. The server 10 provides a predetermined service to a user operating the user terminal 30, and this predetermined service has a lottery function for the user to acquire an object. The service provision server 10 is an example of a device that implements all or part of the system of the present invention.

[0013] The predetermined service in this embodiment includes various services, such as games, social networking services (SNS), and content distribution. In the lottery provided in the service, various types of objects used in the service may typically be the objects of the lottery.

[0014] First, the hardware configuration of the service provision server 10 will be described. The service provision server 10 is configured as a general-purpose computer and, as shown in Figure 1, includes a computer processor 11, main memory 12, input / output interface 13, communication interface 14, and storage (memory device) 15. These components are electrically connected via buses and the like (not shown).

[0015] The computer processor 11 is configured as a CPU or GPU, and loads various programs stored in storage 15, etc., into the main memory 12 and executes various instructions contained in those programs. The main memory 12 is configured as, for example, DRAM.

[0016] The input / output interface 13 includes various input / output devices for exchanging information with the operator, etc. The input / output interface 13 includes, for example, information input devices such as keyboards and pointing devices (e.g., mice, touch panels, etc.), audio input devices such as microphones, and image input devices such as cameras. Furthermore, the input / output interface 13 includes image output devices such as displays and audio output devices such as speakers.

[0017] The communication interface 14 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various communication software, or a combination thereof, and is configured to enable wired or wireless communication via the communication network 20, etc.

[0018] The storage 15 is composed of, for example, a magnetic disk, flash memory, etc. The storage 15 stores various programs, including the operating system, and various data. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the storage 15 has a user information table 151 that manages information about users of a predetermined service, an object information table 153 that manages information about primary lottery target objects that are the subject of the primary lottery, an object group information table 155 that manages information about primary lottery target object groups consisting of combinations of multiple primary lottery target objects, a lottery result management table 157 that manages information about the results of the primary lottery by each user, and a notification information provision management table 159 that manages information about the provision of notification information to each user that notifies them of the results of the primary lottery by other users. Some of these tables may be integrated into one table, or they may be divided into multiple tables.

[0019] Furthermore, for example, storage 15 stores a server-side program 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This program 40 is a program that causes the service provision server 10 to function as all or part of a system for providing a predetermined service having a lottery function. At least a part of the server-side program 40 may be configured to be executed on the user terminal 30 side via a terminal-side program 42, which will be described later.

[0020] In this embodiment, the service provision server 10 may be configured using multiple computers, each having the hardware configuration described above. For example, the server 10 may be configured by one or more server devices.

[0021] The service server 10 configured in this way functions as both a web server and an application server. It responds to requests from terminal-side programs 42 installed on the user terminal 30, executes various processes, and transmits screen data (e.g., HTML data) and control data, etc., to the user terminal 30 according to the results of those processes. The user terminal 30 then displays a web page or other screen based on the received data.

[0022] Next, the hardware configuration of the user terminal 30 will be described. The user terminal 30 is configured as a general-purpose computer and, as shown in Figure 1, includes a computer processor 31, main memory 32, input / output interface 33, communication interface 34, and storage (memory device) 35. These components are electrically connected via buses and the like (not shown).

[0023] The computer processor 31 is configured as a CPU or GPU, and loads various programs stored in storage 35, etc., into the main memory 32 and executes various instructions contained in those programs. The main memory 32 is configured as, for example, DRAM.

[0024] The input / output interface 33 includes various input / output devices for exchanging information with the operator, etc. The input / output interface 33 includes, for example, information input devices such as keyboards and pointing devices (e.g., mice, touch panels, etc.), audio input devices such as microphones, and image input devices such as cameras. Furthermore, the input / output interface 33 includes image output devices such as displays and audio output devices such as speakers.

[0025] The communication interface 34 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various communication software, and a combination thereof, and is configured to enable wired or wireless communication via the communication network 20, etc.

[0026] The storage 35 is composed of, for example, a magnetic disk or flash memory. The storage 35 stores various programs, including the operating system, and various data. The programs stored in the storage 35 can be downloaded and installed from an application market or the like. The storage 35 also stores the terminal-side program 42. This program 42 is configured as a web browser or other application (for example, an application for a predetermined service), and as described above, it may be configured to execute at least a part of the server-side program 40.

[0027] In this embodiment, the user terminal 30 may be configured as a smartphone, tablet, wearable device, personal computer, or game terminal, etc.

[0028] A user operating the user terminal 30 configured in this way can use predetermined services provided by the server 10 by communicating with the server 10 via the terminal-side program 42 installed on the storage 35, etc.

[0029] Next, the functions of the service provision server 10 configured in this way will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the computer processor 11 of the server 10 is configured to function as a management function control unit 111, a service provision control unit 113, and a lottery control unit 115 by executing instructions contained in a program loaded into the main memory 12 (for example, at least a part of the server-side program 40).

[0030] The management function control unit 111 is configured to perform various processes related to the control of management functions for a predetermined service. For example, the management function control unit 111 transmits screen data and control data for various screens related to management functions to the user terminal 30, performs various processes in response to user input via the screens output on the user terminal 30, and transmits screen data and control data to the user terminal 30 according to the results of those processes. Management functions controlled by the management function control unit 111 include, for example, login processing (user authentication), billing control, and user account management.

[0031] The service provision control unit 113 is configured to perform various processes related to the control of the provision of a predetermined service. For example, the service provision control unit 113 transmits screen data and control data for various screens used to control the provision of a service (e.g., the progress of a game) to the user terminal 30, performs various processes in response to user input via the screens output on the user terminal 30, and transmits screen data and control data to the user terminal 30 according to the results of those processes.

[0032] The lottery control unit 115 is configured to perform various processes related to the control of the lottery function of a predetermined service. For example, the lottery control unit 115 transmits screen data and control data for various screens used to control this lottery function to the user terminal 30, performs various processes in response to user input via the screens output on the user terminal 30, and transmits screen data and control data corresponding to the results of these processes to the user terminal 30.

[0033] In this embodiment, the lottery control unit 115 is configured to set whether or not to notify (share) the results of each user's primary lottery to other users. The primary lottery is configured so that a portion of a group of primary lottery target objects (group of primary lottery target objects) are selected. For example, the lottery control unit 115 receives user input regarding whether or not to provide such notification via a screen displayed on the user terminal 30. This notification setting information is managed, for example, in the user information table 151.

[0034] Furthermore, the lottery control unit 115 is configured to perform a primary lottery by the first user and, if configured to notify the results of the primary lottery by the first user, to provide notification information of the results of the primary lottery by the first user to the second user. For example, the lottery control unit 115 transmits screen data and control data, including the notification information, to the second user's user terminal 30. The primary lottery is typically performed according to the winning probability set for each of the multiple primary lottery target objects, and the winning object is awarded to the first user.

[0035] Furthermore, the lottery control unit 115 is configured to conduct a secondary lottery based on the notification information provided by the second user. The secondary lottery is configured so that at least some of the multiple secondary lottery target objects, including at least some of the one or more winning objects that were won in the primary lottery by the first user, are selected as winners. Typically, the secondary lottery is conducted according to the winning probability set for each of the multiple secondary lottery target objects, and the winning objects are awarded to the second user.

[0036] Thus, in this embodiment, the service provider server 10 provides notification information of the results of the first lottery by the first user to the second user, and the second user conducts a second lottery based on this notification information, in which the second lottery target objects, including the winning objects from the first lottery, are selected. As a result, users can learn the results of other users' first lotteries and enjoy a second lottery in which the winning objects from the first lottery can be selected. In this way, the server 10 facilitates the execution of lotteries by many users.

[0037] In this embodiment, the lottery control unit 115 may be configured to perform a secondary lottery by the user, accompanied by a decrease in user-related parameters associated with the user, which increase over time. Such parameters may be called by various names, such as stamina and energy, but are not limited to these. This configuration encourages the user to perform secondary lotteries repeatedly at regular intervals.

[0038] In this case, the reduction in user-related parameters when the second draw is conducted may be based on the value of at least some of the multiple objects subject to the second draw. For example, the higher the value of the objects subject to the second draw, the greater the reduction in user-related parameters. This configuration allows for a reduction in user-related parameters based on the value of the objects that can be won in the second draw.

[0039] Furthermore, the lottery control unit 115 can be configured to perform a primary lottery on a specific group of primary lottery target objects identified by the user from among multiple groups of primary lottery target objects (for example, managed in the object group information table 155), where the combinations of multiple primary lottery target objects are mutually different. In this case, the reduction amount of the user-related parameters when the secondary lottery is performed may be based on the values ​​of predetermined parameters possessed by the specific group of primary lottery target objects (the group of primary lottery target objects that were targeted in the corresponding primary lottery). For example, the reduction amount of the user-related parameters themselves may be set as predetermined parameters possessed by the group of primary lottery target objects. This configuration enables a reduction in user-related parameters based on the values ​​of parameters possessed by the group of primary lottery target objects corresponding to the secondary lottery.

[0040] In this embodiment, the notification information provided to the user can be configured to include various types of information (for example, information about the user who performed the corresponding primary lottery, and information about the group of primary lottery target objects that were the subject of the primary lottery). Alternatively, the notification information may include information about multiple secondary lottery target objects in the secondary lottery based on the notification information. This configuration makes it possible to inform the user who receives the notification information about objects that are eligible to be won in the secondary lottery based on the notification information.

[0041] Furthermore, the notification information may be configured to change its display based on multiple secondary lottery target objects in the secondary lottery based on the notification information, and user setting information set for the user to whom the notification information is provided. For example, the user setting information may include information about setting objects set by the corresponding user (e.g., favorite objects), and if such setting objects are included in multiple secondary lottery target objects, the display of the notification information will change (e.g., specific display elements will be added). Such a configuration enables changes in the display of notification information based on secondary lottery target objects and user setting information.

[0042] In this embodiment, the secondary lottery based on specific notification information may be repeated up to a maximum number of secondary lottery target objects. That is, the lottery control unit 115 may be configured to repeat the secondary lottery until the number of times the secondary lottery has been performed reaches the number of secondary lottery target objects. In this case, one secondary lottery may be performed each time there is a user instruction (i.e., the user instruction is repeated), or multiple secondary lotteries may be repeated all at once in response to a single user instruction. Such a configuration makes it possible to repeatedly perform the secondary lottery based on specific notification information.

[0043] In this case, when the secondary lottery is repeated, the secondary lottery may be conducted in such a way that at least some of the remaining secondary lottery target objects, excluding those that were won in previous secondary lotteries, are selected. This configuration ensures that a user can reliably acquire their desired object if it is included among the multiple secondary lottery target objects.

[0044] In this embodiment, regardless of the number of winning objects in the primary draw, the number of objects to be drawn in the secondary draw may be fixed, and objects to be drawn in the secondary draw may be added or deleted accordingly. For example, if the number of winning objects in the primary draw is less than a predetermined value, the draw control unit 115 may be configured to set these winning objects and the one or more additional objects added to bring the number of objects to be drawn in the secondary draw to that predetermined value as objects to be drawn in the secondary draw (i.e., additional objects are added in a number that makes up the difference between the number of winning objects in the primary draw and the predetermined value). The additional objects may be primary draw objects or other types of objects (including various items, etc.). Furthermore, if the number of winning objects in the primary draw exceeds a predetermined value, the draw control unit 115 may be configured to set the remaining winning objects, from which some of these winning objects have been excluded, as objects to be drawn in the secondary draw, so that the number of objects to be drawn in the secondary draw reaches that predetermined value (i.e., the excess number of winning objects in the primary draw relative to the predetermined value is excluded). This configuration makes it possible to fix the number of objects eligible for the second drawing, even if the number of winning objects in the first drawing fluctuates.

[0045] In this embodiment, multiple notification pieces of information may be provided to a specific user at the same time. For example, the lottery control unit 115 may be configured to provide a specific user at the same time (for example, on a specific screen displayed on the user terminal 30) multiple notification pieces of information corresponding to the results of the primary lottery by each of several other users. In this case, the lottery control unit 115 is configured to perform a secondary lottery based on specific notification pieces of information identified by the user from among the multiple notification pieces of information (in this secondary lottery, the winning object in the primary lottery corresponding to the specific notification piece of information is included in the secondary lottery target object). Such a configuration can give the user the enjoyment of selecting the notification pieces of information to be targeted for the secondary lottery from among the multiple notification pieces of information.

[0046] In this embodiment, an upper limit may be set on the number of notification pieces that can be provided to a specific user at the same time and that allow for a secondary lottery. For example, the lottery control unit 115 may be configured to provide multiple notification pieces to a specific user at the same time so that the number of notification pieces that can be used for a secondary lottery is less than or equal to a predetermined value. Such a configuration prevents an excessive amount of notification pieces that are subject to a secondary lottery from being provided to a specific user.

[0047] Furthermore, a provision period may be set for each notification information provided to a user. In this case, the lottery control unit 115 is configured to exclude notification information whose provision period has ended from among the multiple notification information provided to the user, and to add new notification information. Information regarding the provision period of each notification information (which can also be called the validity period of the information) is managed, for example, in the notification information provision management table 159. This configuration suppresses the provision of outdated notification information.

[0048] Furthermore, the lottery control unit 115 may be configured to set up multiple notification information to be provided to a user so that notification information corresponding to the results of the primary lottery by related users (for example, friends or followers, managed in the user information table 151) who have a predetermined relationship with the user are given priority. This configuration makes it possible to provide the user with priority notification information regarding the results of the primary lottery by other users who have a predetermined relationship with the user.

[0049] Furthermore, the lottery control unit 115 may be configured to set notification information of the results of a virtual primary lottery conducted by a virtual user as notification information to be provided to the user. In this case, for example, the value of the objects to be lotteryed in the secondary lottery based on notification information corresponding to a virtual user may be higher compared to the case of a secondary lottery based on notification information corresponding to a real user. Such a configuration makes it possible to provide the user with notification information of the results of a virtual primary lottery conducted by a virtual user.

[0050] In this embodiment, the provision of notification information regarding the results of the primary lottery may be controlled according to the values ​​of parameters possessed by the group of objects targeted for the primary lottery. In other words, the lottery control unit 115 may refrain from providing the corresponding notification information to other users if the values ​​of predetermined parameters possessed by the group of objects targeted for the primary lottery are within a predetermined range (for example, if the highest rarity of the objects included in the group of objects targeted for the primary lottery is above a threshold). This configuration enables control over the provision of notification information based on the values ​​of parameters possessed by the group of objects targeted for the primary lottery.

[0051] In this embodiment, when a secondary lottery is conducted based on notification information, a reward may be given to the user who conducted the primary lottery corresponding to that notification information. That is, the lottery control unit 115 may be configured to grant a reward to other users (users who conducted the corresponding primary lottery) corresponding to the notification information, based on the fact that a secondary lottery is conducted by a user based on the notification information. Such rewards to other users may be granted, for example, immediately in response to the second lottery being conducted, or after the execution of the second lottery, in response to additional actions by the user who conducted the second lottery. The rewards may include various types of electronic and virtual rewards. This configuration encourages users to notify the results of the primary lottery.

[0052] Next, a specific example of a service provider server 10 of this embodiment having such functions will be described. In this example, the service provider server 10 provides a competitive card game as a predetermined service, in which a player builds a deck using multiple cards they possess and uses that deck to play against other players.

[0053] First, let's explain the information managed by each table in this example. Figure 2 illustrates the information managed by the user information table 151 in this example. In this example, the user information table 151 manages information about users (players) of the competitive card game. As shown in the figure, it associates with a "player account" that identifies each individual player and manages information such as "basic information" including account name and date of birth, "stamina count", "thank you points count", "favorite card information" which is information about favorite cards, a "first draw result sharing permission flag" which indicates whether or not to allow sharing (notification) of the first draw results, "friend information" which is information about friends (established when one player applies and the other player approves), "owned card information" which is information about cards owned, and "owned item information" which is information about items owned. Friend information includes information that identifies each corresponding player (player account). Owned card information includes information that identifies each card owned by the player (card ID). Owned item information includes information that identifies each item owned by the player (item ID, etc.).

[0054] Stamina, as will be explained in more detail later, is a parameter consumed when conducting a secondary lottery based on feed content (notification information) that reports the results of the primary lottery conducted by other players. Stamina increases over time in real life, up to its maximum value. Gratitude points, as will be explained in more detail later, are a parameter that is awarded as a reward in response to gratitude input from other players.

[0055] Figure 3 illustrates the information managed by the object information table 153 in this example. In this example, the object information table 153 manages information about cards as objects used in the card game of this example. As shown in the figure, it manages information such as the "character name" (the name of the corresponding character), "image information," "rarity," and "various parameter information" (information about various parameters, such as HP, attack power, and defense power) associated with the "card ID" that identifies each individual card. The card ID can also be said to be information that identifies the type of card.

[0056] Figure 4 illustrates the information managed by the object group information table 155 in this example. In this example, the object group information table 155 manages information about packs, which are a group of primary draw target objects that are a combination of multiple draw target cards that are the subject of the primary draw. As shown in the figure, it manages information such as "pack name," "image information," "draw target card information," "number of winning cards" indicating the number of cards that will be won in the primary draw, a "sharing permission flag" indicating whether or not the results of the corresponding primary draw can be shared (notified), and "number of stamina consumed" indicating the amount of stamina consumed (decrease amount) in the corresponding secondary draw, all associated with a "pack ID" that identifies an individual pack. The draw target card information includes information (card ID) that identifies each of the multiple draw target cards in the corresponding pack. The pack ID can also be said to be information that identifies the type of pack. In this example, the number of winning cards is set to 3, 5, or 8.

[0057] Figure 5 illustrates the information managed by the lottery management table 157 in this example. In this example, the lottery management table 157 manages information related to the primary lottery conducted by each player, and as shown in the figure, it manages information such as a "lottery ID" that identifies an individual primary lottery, a "player account" that identifies the player who conducted the primary lottery, a "pack ID" that identifies the pack to be lotteryed, "lottery date and time", "winning card information" which is information about the cards won in the lottery, and a "sharing permission flag" that indicates whether or not the lottery results can be shared (notified). The winning card information includes information (card ID) that identifies each winning card.

[0058] Figure 6 illustrates the information managed by the notification information provision management table 159 in this example. In this example, the notification information provision management table 159 manages information related to feed content as notification information provided to each player, and as shown in the figure, it manages information such as: a "content ID" that identifies an individual feed content, a "player account" that identifies the player to whom this content is provided, a "lottery ID" that identifies the primary lottery that this content notifies (the target of notification), a "lucky flag" that indicates whether or not this content is lucky feed content, a "provision start date and time" which is the date and time when this content is made available, a "provision end date and time" which is the date and time when this content is made available, "secondary lottery target object information" which is information related to the lottery target object of the secondary lottery based on this content, "secondary lottery consumption stamina count" which indicates the number of stamina consumed when conducting the secondary lottery, "secondary lottery winning object information" which is information related to the winning object in the secondary lottery, and "secondary lottery execution count" which is the number of times the secondary lottery is executed.

[0059] In this example, the lucky feed content, as will be explained in more detail later, is not feed content that reports the results of a first draw by real players, but rather feed content that reports the results of a virtual first draw by virtual players. The second draw target object information includes information that identifies the target card or item for the second draw (card ID or item ID). In addition, the second draw winning object information includes information that identifies the winning card or item in the second draw (card ID or item ID).

[0060] The above explains the information managed by each table in this example. Next, we will explain the processes executed by the service provider server 10 and the screens displayed on the user terminal 30 in this example.

[0061] First, let's explain the initial lottery. Figure 7 shows an example of the pack selection screen 50 displayed on the user terminal 30. This screen 50 is for the player to select the pack to be included in the initial lottery. As shown in the figure, the pack selection screen 50 has a pack selection area 52 for selecting a pack and a shared setting switch 54 located in the upper right corner of the screen.

[0062] In the pack selection area 52, multiple pack objects 521, each corresponding to an individual pack, are arranged vertically. Each of these objects 521 displays the image and name of the corresponding pack.

[0063] The sharing setting switch 54 is an object for changing the setting of whether the sharing of the results of the primary lottery is permitted or denied for the corresponding player (the player operating the user terminal 30 on which the pack selection screen 50 is displayed). When this switch 54 is selected, the setting for whether the sharing of the results of the primary lottery is permitted or denied is switched, and the primary lottery result sharing permission flag for the corresponding player is updated in the user information table 151.

[0064] When one of the multiple pack objects 521 located in the pack selection area 52 is selected, a screen (not shown) is displayed to instruct the execution of a primary draw targeting the pack corresponding to the selected object 521, and the player can instruct the execution of the primary draw (opening the pack) via this screen.

[0065] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the processes executed by Server 10 in response to a player's instruction to perform a primary draw. First, as shown in the figure, Server 10 determines the winning cards and assigns them to the player (step S100). Specifically, according to the predetermined winning probability for each of the multiple draw target cards contained in the corresponding pack (managed in the draw target card information of Object Group Information Table 155), a number of winning cards set for the corresponding pack (managed in the number of winning cards of Object Group Information Table 155) is determined. Once the winning cards are assigned to the player, the owned card information in User Information Table 151 is updated.

[0066] Next, if the corresponding player has permitted the sharing of the results of the initial draw (YES in step S110) and the results of the initial draw for the corresponding pack can be shared (YES in step S120), the server 10 sets the results of the current initial draw to be shareable (step S130). Specifically, the results of the initial draw are registered in the draw management table 157, and at that time, a value indicating that sharing is possible is set for the shareability flag. Note that permission for each player to share the results of the initial draw is managed by the initial draw result sharing permission flag in the user information table 151, and the shareability of the initial draw results for each pack is managed by the shareability flag in the object group information table 155.

[0067] On the other hand, if the corresponding player refuses to share the results of the first draw (NO in step S110), or if it is impossible to share the results of the first draw for the corresponding pack (NO in step S120), the results of this first draw are set to be impossible to share (step S140).

[0068] The above explains the first draw (pack opening). Next, we will explain the second draw (feed challenge) based on feed content that notifies the results of the first draw. Figure 9 shows an example of the feed screen 60 output on the user terminal 30. This screen 60 is for displaying feed content that notifies the results of the first draw by other players. As shown in the figure, the feed screen 60 has a stamina display area 62 that displays the player's stamina and a list display area 64 that displays a list of feed content. The stamina display area 62 displays the player's stamina in the format "current value / maximum value".

[0069] The list display area 64 contains multiple individual display areas 66, each corresponding to a separate feed content, arranged vertically. The displayed individual display areas 66 in the list display area 64 can be switched by flicking up or down.

[0070] In this example, the number of feed contents that can be displayed in the list display area 64 (the number of feed contents provided at the same time) is limited to an upper limit (for example, 20), and the feed contents to be displayed are set each time the display in the list display area 64 is updated (for example, when the feed screen 60 is output, and after the output of the screen 60, it is updated according to individual instructions).

[0071] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process performed by Server 10 when setting the feed content to be displayed. First, as shown in the figure, Server 10 identifies the feed content that is valid for the corresponding player (step S200). Specifically, among the content provided to the corresponding player and managed in the notification information provision management table 159, content that is within the provision period at that time (i.e., has not yet passed the provision end date and time) is identified as valid content. In this way, feed content that has passed the provision end date and time is excluded from the valid content. Such valid content is identified by referring to the player account and the provision end date and time in the notification information provision management table 159.

[0072] Then, if the number of valid feed content is less than the upper limit (YES in step S210), the server 10 identifies the primary lottery to be newly added as feed content (step S220). The number of feed content to be added is the number of items missing from the upper limit (in this example, the number of feed content items corresponding to the upper limit are provided to the player at the same time), and the number of primary lotteries corresponding to the missing number are newly identified.

[0073] Specifically, in this example, the primary lottery to be added as feed content is identified from among primary lotteries that took place within a specified period (for example, within 24 hours) from that point in time and whose results can be shared. These primary lotteries are identified by referring to the lottery date and time and the sharing permission flag in the lottery management table 157.

[0074] In this example, when identifying an additional primary draw, the primary draw performed by the corresponding player's friend takes precedence. Such primary draws are identified by referring to the player account in the draw management table 157 and the friend information in the user information table 151.

[0075] In this example, lucky feed content is added with a predetermined probability. Lucky feed content is feed content that notifies the results of a virtual primary lottery conducted by virtual players. Note that the period during which lucky feed content is added may be limited to the duration of an event or similar.

[0076] Next, server 10 registers the feed content to be added (step S230). Specifically, the feed content (or lucky feed content) corresponding to the identified primary lottery is registered in the notification information provision management table 159 as feed content to be provided to the corresponding player. Specifically, a new record is generated for each feed content to be added, and the content ID, player account, lottery ID, lucky flag, provision start date and time, provision end date and time, secondary lottery target object information, and the number of stamina consumed for the secondary lottery are set. In the case of lucky feed content, the player account is set to a value corresponding to the virtual player, and the lottery ID is set to a value that identifies a virtual primary lottery for the lucky feed content.

[0077] In this example, the provision period for Lucky Feed content is set to be shorter than that of regular content other than Lucky Feed content. For example, the provision period for Lucky Feed content is 1 hour, while the provision period for regular content is 3 hours. The end date and time of provision in the notification information provision management table 159 are set to a value based on these provision periods.

[0078] In this example, the number of objects eligible for the secondary draw based on feed content is fixed at 5. First, if the number of winning cards in the primary draw is 3, then in addition to these winning cards, 2 items are added as objects eligible for the secondary draw. In this example, the added items include an item that restores stamina.

[0079] Furthermore, if there are 5 winning cards in the first draw, these winning cards will become the objects for the second draw. In addition, if there are 8 winning cards in the first draw, 5 winning cards will be randomly selected from these 8 winning cards and become the objects for the second draw. Note that in the virtual first draw corresponding to the lucky feed content, 5 winning cards are set, and these 5 winning cards will become the objects for the second draw. Information regarding these objects for the second draw is set in the secondary draw object information of the notification information provision management table 159.

[0080] In other examples of this embodiment, the number of objects targeted for secondary drawing based on feed content is not fixed. For example, regardless of the number of winning cards in the primary drawing, the winning cards themselves are set as objects targeted for secondary drawing.

[0081] Additionally, the stamina cost for the second draw will be set to the stamina cost specified for the corresponding pack.

[0082] The server 10 then transmits feed content information to the user terminal 30 (step S240). Specifically, information about multiple feed contents that are currently active and managed in the notification information provision management table 159 is transmitted to the corresponding user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 updates the display in the list display area 64 of the feed screen 60 based on the received feed content information.

[0083] Figure 11 illustrates the details of the individual display area 66 located in the list display area 64 of the feed screen 60. The individual display area 66 is an area that displays information about individual feed content, and as shown in the figure, it has a secondary draw target display area 662 that displays secondary draw target objects, a corresponding player information display area 664 that displays information about the player who performed the corresponding primary draw, a corresponding pack information display area 666 that displays information about the pack that was the target of the corresponding primary draw (image, pack name, etc.), and a remaining time display area 668 that displays the remaining time until the corresponding feed content is provided. The corresponding player information display area 664 displays the corresponding player's image and account name, and further displays a string indicating that the player is a friend (a friend of the player operating the user terminal 30 on which the feed screen 60 is output) if the player is a friend.

[0084] The secondary draw target display area 662 of the individual display area 66 illustrated in Figure 11 corresponds to the case where all five secondary draw target objects are cards. In this case, five card images 6621, each corresponding to an individual card, are placed in the area 662. The card images 6621 are images of the corresponding cards, and the player can recognize the types of cards that can be won in the secondary draw through these card images 6621.

[0085] Figure 12 illustrates an individual display area 66 when one of the five secondary draw target objects includes a card that the player (the player operating the user terminal 30 on which the feed screen 60 is displayed) has set as a favorite. In this state, as shown in the figure, a frame-shaped favorite object 6622 is placed in the individual display area 662, surrounding the outline of the card image 6621 that corresponds to the card set as a favorite (in the example of Figure 12, the card image 6621 in the center of the top three images 6621). The player can easily recognize the favorite card included in the secondary draw target object through this object 6622. Alternatively, or in addition to the placement of this object 6622, other appearances such as the background of the secondary draw target display area 662 may be changed when a card set as a favorite is included.

[0086] Figure 13 illustrates an individual display area 66 when five secondary draw target objects include two items. In this state, as shown in the figure, the secondary draw target display area 662 includes three card images 6621 in addition to two item images 6623 that have the appearance of diamonds. The player can recognize through these images 6623 that the secondary draw target objects include items other than cards (in this example, items that restore stamina).

[0087] Figure 14 illustrates an individual display area 66 when the corresponding feed content is lucky feed content. In this state, as shown in the figure, the corresponding player information display area 664 displays an image corresponding to the lucky feed content (in the example in Figure 14, an image with a star shape added) and the corresponding text. The player can recognize that the corresponding feed content is lucky feed content through this area 664.

[0088] Returning to the feed screen 60 in Figure 9, the player selects an individual display area 66 corresponding to the feed content for which they want to perform a secondary draw (feed challenge) from among the multiple feed contents displayed in the list display area 64.

[0089] Figure 15 illustrates a feed challenge screen 70 that is output according to the selection of an individual display area 66. This screen 70 is for performing a secondary draw based on the corresponding feed content. As shown in the figure, the feed challenge screen 70 has a stamina display area 72 that displays the player's stamina, a content display area 74 that displays the corresponding feed content, an OK button 76, and a cancel button 78. Below the content display area 74, the remaining number of secondary draws (current value / maximum value) and the number of stamina consumed are displayed. In this example, up to 5 secondary draws can be performed for one feed content, and winning objects that are selected in the secondary draw are excluded from subsequent secondary draws. The OK button 76 is an object for instructing the execution of the secondary draw.

[0090] Figure 16 is a flowchart illustrating the process that Server 10 executes in response to the instruction to perform the second lottery (i.e., the selection of the OK button 76). First, Server 10 determines the winning object and assigns it to the player, as shown in the figure (step S300). Specifically, one winning object is determined according to the winning probability set for each object targeted for the second lottery at that time (in this example, the same value is set for each object).

[0091] Figure 17 illustrates the feed challenge results screen 80, which is output in response to the determination of the winning object. This screen 80 is for displaying the results of the second drawing. As shown in the figure, the feed challenge results screen 80 has a second drawing target display area 82 for displaying the objects to be drawn in the second drawing, and a confirmation button 84. Five card images 821 (or item images) are placed in the second drawing target display area 82, and a winning display object 822 with the text "GET!" is placed over the card image 821 (or item image) that was won in the second drawing.

[0092] When a winning object is awarded to a player, the owned card information or owned item information in the user information table 151 is updated. In addition, the secondary lottery winning object information and the number of secondary lottery executions for the corresponding feed content are updated in the notification information provision management table 159.

[0093] Next, if the player who performed the second draw has entered a thank you message for the player who performed the first draw in the corresponding feed content (YES in step S310), server 10 will award thank you points to the player who performed the first draw (step S320).

[0094] Figure 18 illustrates a thank-you input screen 90 that is displayed in place of the Feed Challenge results screen 80 depending on the selection of the confirmation button 84 on the Feed Challenge results screen 80. This screen 90 is for players who have performed a second draw to input a thank you to the player who performed the corresponding first draw. As shown in the figure, the thank-you input screen 90 has a first draw player display area 92 that displays information about the first draw player (image and account name), a thank-you input button 94 with the text "Thank you!" added to it, and a cancel button 96. Below the first draw player display area 92, a message is displayed indicating that a gift will be given to the first draw player when a thank you is entered. When the thank-you input button 94 is selected, a thank you is entered for the corresponding first draw player. If the player who performed the first draw is not a friend of the player who performed the second draw, it may be possible to send a friend request to the first draw player via the thank-you input screen 90.

[0095] When reward points are awarded to players who participated in the initial draw, the number of reward points for that player is updated (1 point is added) in the user information table 151. In this example, when the number of reward points reaches a predetermined value (for example, 10 points), the reward points are automatically exchanged for items (for example, items that restore stamina). As reward points are exchanged for items, the number of reward points is cleared and the information on owned items is updated.

[0096] Figure 19 illustrates the feed challenge screen 70 when two secondary draws have been conducted based on the corresponding feed content. In this state, of the five card images 742 located in the secondary draw target display area 741 of the feed content displayed in the content display area 744, two card images 742 corresponding to the cards that were won in the previous secondary draws (in the example of Figure 19, the card image 742 on the far right of the upper row and the card image 742 on the right of the lower row) are grayed out (this graying out of the won card images is also applied to the secondary draw target display area 662 of the individual display area 66 of the feed screen 60). In addition, the current value of the remaining number of possible secondary draws displayed at the bottom of the content display area 74 has decreased to 3.

[0097] Figure 20 illustrates the feed challenge results screen 80 that is output in response to the determination of the winning object in the third secondary draw. In the secondary draw target display area 82 of the feed challenge results screen 80 in this state, in addition to the winning display object 822 that is placed overlaid on the card image 821 that was won in this secondary draw (the card image 821 on the left in the lower row), two acquired objects 823 are placed overlaid on the two card images 821 that were won and obtained in previous secondary draws (the card image 821 on the far right in the upper row and the card image 821 on the right in the lower row).

[0098] In the example above, a single feed content can be subject to up to five secondary draws, and winning objects in the secondary draws are excluded from subsequent secondary draws. However, winning objects may not be excluded from secondary draws, and the same combination of secondary draw objects may be applied in each secondary draw. Furthermore, the number of secondary draws that can be performed on a single feed content is not limited to five, and may include one or other values. Alternatively, for example, the number of secondary draws that can be performed may be set for the pack targeted in the corresponding primary draw.

[0099] In the example above, the amount of stamina consumed in the second draw is set to the value set for the pack targeted in the corresponding first draw. However, the amount of stamina consumed may also be set to change based on the contents of the object targeted in the second draw. For example, the amount of stamina consumed may be determined based on the rarity of some or all of the multiple objects (cards) targeted in the second draw.

[0100] As described above, the service provision server 10 according to this embodiment provides notification information (e.g., feed content) of the results of a first-order lottery (e.g., opening a pack) by a first-order user to another second-order user, and conducts a second-order lottery (e.g., a feed challenge) based on the notification information by the second-order user, in which the second-order lottery target object, including the winning object from the first-order lottery, is selected as the winner. As a result, users can learn the results of other users' first-order lotteries and enjoy a second-order lottery in which the winning object from the first-order lottery can be selected as the winner.

[0101] In other embodiments of the present invention, some or all of the functions of the service provision server 10 in the above-described embodiments may be realized through cooperation between the service provision server 10 and the user terminal 30, or may be realized by the user terminal 30 alone. In other words, the system of the present invention may consist of the service provision server 10, the service provision server 10 and the user terminal 30, or may consist of the user terminal 30 alone.

[0102] The processes and procedures described herein can be implemented by software, hardware, or any combination thereof, in addition to those explicitly described herein. For example, the processes and procedures described herein can be implemented by implementing the logic corresponding to those processes and procedures on a medium such as an integrated circuit, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or magnetic disk. Furthermore, the processes and procedures described herein can be implemented as computer programs corresponding to those processes and procedures and executed by various types of computers.

[0103] Even if a process or procedure described herein is described as being performed by a single device, software, component, or module, such process or procedure may be performed by multiple devices, multiple software programs, multiple components, and / or multiple modules. Furthermore, the software and hardware elements described herein can also be realized by integrating them into fewer components or by decomposing them into more components.

[0104] In this specification, even when a component of the invention is described as either one or more, or without being limited to either one or more, such component may be either one or more, unless the context should be otherwise interpreted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0105] 10 Service Provider Servers 11 Computer Processors 111 Management Function Control Unit 113 Service Provision Control Unit 115 Lottery Control Unit 15 Storage 151 User Information Table 153 Object Information Table 155 Object Group Information Table 157 Lottery Result Management Table 159 Information Provision Management Table 30 User terminals 40 Server-side programs 42 Terminal-side programs 50 Pack Selection Screen 60 Feed screen 70 Feed Challenge Screen 80 Feed Challenge Results Screen 90 Thank you message input screen

Claims

1. A system for providing a lottery, comprising one or more computer processors, A first user conducts a primary lottery, and a step of setting whether or not to notify other users of the results of the primary lottery in which some of the multiple primary lottery target objects are selected. The first step is to perform the initial lottery by the first user, If it is set to notify the first user of the results of the first lottery, the step of providing the second user with first notification information of the results of the first lottery by the first user, The process involves performing a secondary lottery based on the first notification information by the second user, wherein at least a portion of a plurality of secondary lottery target objects, including at least a portion of the one or more winning objects that were won in the primary lottery by the first user, are selected. system.

2. The step of performing the secondary lottery includes performing the secondary lottery with a decrease in the user-related parameters associated with the second user, The aforementioned user-related parameters increase over time. The system according to claim 1.

3. The step of performing the secondary lottery includes performing the secondary lottery with a decrease in the user-related parameters based on the value of at least some of the multiple objects subject to the secondary lottery, The system according to claim 2.

4. The step of performing the primary lottery includes performing the primary lottery on a specific group of primary lottery target objects identified by the first user from among a plurality of groups of primary lottery target objects, each of which has a different combination of primary lottery target objects. The step of performing the secondary lottery includes performing the secondary lottery with a decrease in the user-related parameters based on the values ​​of predetermined parameters possessed by the specific group of objects targeted for the primary lottery, The system according to claim 2.

5. The first notification information includes information relating to the plurality of objects subject to secondary lottery, The system according to claim 1.

6. The display pattern of the first notification information changes based on the plurality of secondary lottery target objects and the user setting information set for the second user. The system according to claim 1.

7. The user setting information includes information about the first object set by the second user, The first notification information changes its display mode when the plurality of secondary lottery target objects include the first object. The system according to claim 6.

8. The step of performing the secondary lottery includes repeating the secondary lottery until the number of times the secondary lottery has been performed reaches the number of objects subject to the secondary lottery. The system according to claim 1.

9. The step of conducting the secondary lottery includes conducting the secondary lottery so that at least some of the remaining objects to be selected for the secondary lottery, excluding the objects that were selected in previous secondary lotteries, are selected. The system according to claim 8.

10. The one or more computer processors further perform the step of setting the one or more winning objects and one or more additional objects added so that the number of the one or more winning objects and the multiple secondary drawing target objects reaches the predetermined value, if the number of the one or more winning objects is less than a predetermined value, as the multiple secondary drawing target objects. The system according to claim 1.

11. The one or more computer processors further perform the step of setting a plurality of remaining winning objects, from which some of the one or more winning objects have been excluded, as the plurality of secondary drawing target objects, if the number of the one or more winning objects exceeds a predetermined value, so that the number of the plurality of secondary drawing target objects becomes the predetermined value. The system according to claim 1.

12. The step of providing the first notification information includes providing to the second user at the same time a plurality of notification information, including the first notification information, which corresponds to the results of the primary lottery by each of the plurality of users, including the first user. The system according to claim 1.

13. The step of providing the first notification information includes providing the multiple notification information to the second user at the same time such that the number of the multiple notification information that enables the secondary lottery is less than or equal to a predetermined value. The system according to claim 12.

14. Each of the aforementioned multiple pieces of notification information has a set provision period for the second user. The one or more computer processors further perform the step of excluding the notification information whose provision period has ended from the plurality of notification information and adding new notification information. The system according to claim 12.

15. The step of providing the first notification information includes setting up the plurality of notification information so that notification information of the results of the primary lottery by a related user having a predetermined relationship with the second user takes precedence. The system according to claim 12.

16. The step of providing the first notification information includes setting notification information corresponding to the result of the virtual primary lottery by the virtual user as part of the plurality of notification information. The system according to claim 12.

17. The step of performing the primary lottery includes performing the primary lottery on a specific group of primary lottery target objects identified by the first user from among a plurality of groups of primary lottery target objects, the combinations of the plurality of primary lottery target objects being mutually different, The step of providing the first notification information includes not providing the first notification information to the second user if the value of a predetermined parameter possessed by the specific group of objects targeted for the primary lottery is within a predetermined range. The system according to claim 1.

18. The one or more computer processors further perform the step of rewarding the first user based on the second user performing the second lottery based on the first notification information. The system according to claim 1.

19. A method for providing a lottery, which is performed by one or more computers, A first user conducts a primary lottery, and a step of setting whether or not to notify other users of the results of the primary lottery in which some of the multiple primary lottery target objects are selected. The first step is to perform the initial lottery by the first user, If it is set to notify the first user of the results of the first lottery, the step of providing the second user with first notification information of the results of the first lottery by the first user, A secondary lottery conducted by the second user based on the first notification information, comprising the step of conducting a secondary lottery in which at least a portion of a plurality of secondary lottery target objects, including at least a portion of the one or more winning objects that were won in the primary lottery conducted by the first user, are selected. method.

20. A program for providing a lottery, which is installed on one or more computers. A first user conducts a primary lottery, and a step of setting whether or not to notify other users of the results of the primary lottery in which some of the multiple primary lottery target objects are selected. The first step is to perform the initial lottery by the first user, If it is set to notify the first user of the results of the first lottery, the step of providing the second user with first notification information of the results of the first lottery by the first user, The second user performs a secondary lottery based on the first notification information, wherein the secondary lottery includes at least a portion of a plurality of secondary lottery target objects, including at least a portion of the one or more winning objects that were won in the primary lottery by the first user. program.

Images