Information processing device and method

Abstract

To improve user satisfaction. [Solution] An information processing system comprising: an answer acquisition unit that acquires the user's answer to a question presented to the user from a terminal used by the user; and a control unit that controls the provision of benefits to the user based on the result of evaluating the answer acquired by the answer acquisition unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, users of terminals such as smartphones and PCs (Personal Computers) can purchase various products through the Internet. For example, as a document disclosing a technique related to the purchase of articles through the Internet, the following Patent Document 1 can be cited.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A user can obtain a certain degree of satisfaction by obtaining a desired article. However, when the hurdle for obtaining an article is low (for example, when anyone can purchase an article by paying the same amount of money), the satisfaction obtained from the article is limited.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of improving user satisfaction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system including: an answer acquisition unit that acquires an answer of a user to a question presented to the user from a terminal used by the user; and a control unit that controls the provision of a privilege to the user based on a result of evaluating the answer acquired by the answer acquisition unit.

[0007] The aforementioned benefit may be the right of the user to obtain the goods.

[0008] The aforementioned benefit may be a transition to a purchase screen for purchasing the aforementioned item.

[0009] The aforementioned article represents the problem, and the control unit may cause the terminal to display a display screen showing the problem.

[0010] The control unit may display hints for the problem on the terminal.

[0011] The aforementioned problem may be associated with one or more hints, and the control unit may display a screen on the terminal in which the user can select whether or not to display each hint.

[0012] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided which includes obtaining the user's response to a problem presented to the user from a terminal used by the user, and controlling the provision of benefits to the user based on the results of evaluating the obtained response. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention described above, it is possible to improve user satisfaction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of user terminal 10. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing the display transitions between various screens. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the item list screen P2. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the item-specific encryption screen P3. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the hint screen P4. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the item purchase screen P5. [Figure 8] It is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the information processing server 20. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration 90.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[0016] <1. Overview> One embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing system in which a user can obtain an item by solving an encrypted code presented to the user. Hereinafter, the overview of the information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a user terminal 10 and an information processing server 20.

[0018] The user terminal 10 and the information processing server 20 are connected via the network 12. The network 12 is a wired or wireless transmission path for information transmitted from devices connected to the network 12. For example, the network 12 may include public line networks such as the Internet, telephone line networks, satellite communication networks, and various LANs (Local Area Networks) including Ethernet (registered trademark), WANs (Wide Area Networks), etc. Also, the network 12 may include a dedicated line network such as an IP-VPN (Internet Protocol-Virtual Private Network).

[0019] (User terminal 10) The user terminal 10 is a terminal used by the user. In FIG. 1, a smartphone is shown as the user terminal 10. However, other information terminals such as a PC may be used as the user terminal 10. The user terminal 10 may be the property of the user or the property of others. Also, the user terminal 10 may be a terminal carried by the user or an installed terminal installed at a predetermined position.

[0020] The user terminal 10 has functions such as a display function, an operation input function, and a communication function. For example, the user terminal 10 acquires display data from the information processing server 20, displays a display screen based on the display data, detects a user's operation on the display screen, and transmits information corresponding to the user's operation content to the information processing server 20.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the user terminal 10 accesses a Web page provided by the information processing server 20 to acquire display data of an item list screen including images of one or two or more items, and displays the item list screen. The item may be a product to be sold.

[0022] Here, the code is represented in the form of an item. That is, the item, the item list screen, and the item-specific code screen described later present the code to the user. For example, the code in an item may be represented by printing, by the shape of the item, or by the material of part or all of the item.

[0023] A cryptography problem is an example of a problem. Problems also known as riddles or puzzles can be applied to one embodiment of the present invention. A cryptography problem consists of one or more cryptographic elements, and a user may arrive at the answer to the cryptography by solving one or more cryptographic elements through trial and error. Solving the cryptographic elements may require at least one of the following: knowledge, insight, or logical thinking.

[0024] The user can select an item from the item list screen displayed by the user terminal 10 and input their answer to the cipher represented by that item as their response to the user terminal 10. The user terminal 10 then sends the response entered by the user to the information processing server 20.

[0025] (Information processing server 20) The information processing server 20 is an information processing device that evaluates the user's response received from the user terminal 10 and controls the provision of benefits to the user based on whether or not a predetermined evaluation result has been obtained. For example, if the user's response is correct, the information processing server 20 may grant the user the right to purchase an item that displays the code the user deciphered. For example, if the user's response is correct, the information processing server 20 may allow the user terminal 10 to transition to an item purchase screen to purchase the item; that is, the information processing server 20 may grant the user the right to obtain the item by sending the item purchase screen to the user terminal 10. On the other hand, if the user's response is incorrect, the information processing server 20 may display a screen for inputting a response on the user terminal 10.

[0026] The functions of the user terminal 10 and the information processing server 20 described above enable an information processing system in which a user can purchase goods by deciphering a code presented to them.

[0027] Furthermore, the benefits offered to users are not limited to the right to purchase goods. For example, the benefits offered to users may include gifts of goods (provided free of charge) or the right to purchase goods at a discount.

[0028] Furthermore, while this specification primarily describes an example of an information processing system that assumes the use of the browser function of the user terminal 10, it is also possible to realize an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention by utilizing the functions of other applications installed on the user terminal 10.

[0029] The detailed configuration and operation of the user terminal 10 and information processing server 20 described above will be explained sequentially below. In the following explanation, we will continue with an example in which clothing presents a code, and when the user deciphers the code presented by the clothing, the user can purchase the clothing. However, clothing is merely one example of an item, and the embodiment of this invention can be similarly applied to other items such as accessories, bags, shoes, cosmetics, daily necessities, or furniture. Furthermore, the term "item" may also include electronic data such as image data and sound data.

[0030] <2. Configuration of User Terminal 10> Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the user terminal 10. As shown in Figure 2, the user terminal 10 has a communication unit 110, an operation display unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0031] (Communications Department 110) The communication unit 110 communicates various types of information with the information processing server 20. For example, based on control from the control unit 130, the communication unit 110 sends requests for various screens, encrypted answers, etc., to the information processing server 20. The communication unit 110 also receives various screens (display data for various screens) from the information processing server 20.

[0032] (Operation display section 120) The operation display unit 120 includes the functions of an operation unit that detects user operations and a display unit that displays various screens. The display unit function is implemented, for example, by a liquid crystal display (LCD) device or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device. The operation unit function is implemented, for example, by a touch panel. Note that the functions of the display unit and the operation unit may be configured separately. The operation display unit 120 displays, for example, various screens acquired from the information processing server 20. After explaining the display transitions between various screens, several specific examples of screens will be described below.

[0033] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the display transitions between various screens. Specifically, Figure 3 shows the screen transitions between the top screen P1, the item list screen P2, the item-specific code screen P3, the hint screen P4, the item purchase screen P5, the shopping cart screen P6, and the post-purchase screen P7.

[0034] The top screen (P1) is the entry page for the product sales site. The product list screen (P2) displays a list of the multiple products available for sale. The product-specific code screen (P3) includes input fields for the code and answer presented by the product. The hint screen (P4) displays hints for the code. The product purchase screen (P5) is where the user indicates their intention to purchase a product. The shopping cart screen (P6) shows the products the user has indicated their intention to purchase. The post-purchase screen (P7) is displayed after the product has been purchased.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the display screen of the operation display unit 120 transitions from the top screen P1 or the item list screen P2 to the item-specific encryption screen P3. The display screen of the operation display unit 120 transitions from the item-specific encryption screen P3 to the top screen P1, the item list screen P2, the hint screen P4, or the item purchase screen P5. The display screen of the operation display unit 120 transitions from the item purchase screen P5 to the top screen P1, the item list screen P2, or the cart screen P6. The display screen of the operation display unit 120 transitions from the cart screen P6 to the post-purchase screen P7.

[0036] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the item list screen P2. As shown in Figure 4, the item list screen P2 includes information about each item. For example, Figure 4 shows the item image 410, item ID 412, and price display 413 as information about an item. The item image 410 is an image of the item, a T-shirt, and includes the coded display 411 formed on the T-shirt. The item ID 412 is the identification information of the item and may also be the name of the item. The price display 413 shows the selling price of the item.

[0037] When the user selects to display any item on the item list screen P2, the display screen transitions to the item-specific encryption screen P3 for the item selected by the user.

[0038] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the item-specific encryption screen P3. As shown in Figure 5, the item-specific encryption screen P3 includes an encryption display 411, an item ID 412, a creator name 414, a difficulty level 415, an answer guidance message 416, an answer input field 417, an answer submission button 418, and a hint button 419. In the item-specific encryption screen P3, the encryption display 411 corresponding to the encryption part is extracted from the item, making it easier for the user to see the encryption display 411. However, the item-specific encryption screen P3 may also include an item image 410 that includes the encryption display 411.

[0039] Creator name 414 is the name of the creator who produced the cipher shown in cipher display 411. Difficulty level 415 indicates the difficulty of solving the cipher shown in cipher display 411. For example, difficulty level 415 may be represented by "C", "B", "A", and "S", with "C" being the easiest and "S" being the hardest.

[0040] The response guidance message 416 is a message that guides the user to enter an answer in the answer input field 417. The response guidance message 416 may also include a message that specifies how to answer. In the example shown in Figure 5, the response guidance message 416 is the message "Enter the answer to the code (hiragana)", specifying that the answer should be in "hiragana". The specification of how to answer may include specifying the type of characters, the number of characters, the order in which multiple words are combined, etc.

[0041] The answer input field 417 is a field for the user to enter the answer to the cipher. The answer submission button 418 is a button selected to send the answer entered in the answer input field 417 to the information processing server 20. The hint button 419 is a button for transitioning to the hint screen P4. When the user selects the hint button 419 on the item-specific cipher screen P3, the displayed screen transitions to the hint screen P4 for that cipher.

[0042] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the hint screen P4. As shown on the left side of Figure 6, the hint screen P4 has selection buttons for each of one or more hints, such as the first hint button 51 and the second hint button 52. When the user presses any of the selection buttons, the hint corresponding to the pressed button is displayed. For example, when the user presses the first hint button 51, the first hint 512 is displayed on the hint screen P4, as shown on the right side of Figure 6. Multiple hints may be ordered, and each hint may be displayed in that order. For example, the display of the second hint may be designed to become possible after the first hint has been displayed.

[0043] On the other hand, when a user enters an answer in the answer input field 417 on the item-specific encryption screen P3 and selects the answer submission button 418, the user terminal 10 sends the user's answer to the information processing server 20. If the user's answer is correct, the information processing server 20 sends the item purchase screen P5, and the operation display unit 120 displays the item purchase screen P5.

[0044] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the item purchase screen P5. As shown in Figure 7, the item purchase screen P5 includes an item image 410, an item ID 412, a price display 413, a congratulatory message 611, a quantity input field 612, an "Add to Cart" button 613, a share button 614, and a clear image 615.

[0045] The congratulatory message 611 is a message congratulating the user on successfully deciphering the code, and in the example shown in Figure 7, it is "Congratulations on getting the correct answer!". The quantity input field 612 is a field for the user to enter the desired number of items to purchase. However, the number of items a user can purchase may be limited to a predetermined number (for example, one). The "Add to Cart" button 613 is a button that the user selects to indicate their intention to purchase the item. The share button 614 is a button that transitions to a Social Networking Service (SNS) page, and by selecting the share button 614, the user can share their successful deciphering of the code with other users on SNS. In this case, the clear image 615 may also be posted on SNS. As shown in Figure 7, the clear image 615 may include the item ID and difficulty level of the item that presents the solved code.

[0046] (Control unit 130) The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the user terminal 10. For example, the control unit 130 controls communication between the communication unit 110 and the information processing server 20, and controls the display of various screens by the operation display unit 120.

[0047] <3. Configuration of Information Processing Server 20> Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the information processing server 20. As shown in Figure 8, the information processing server 20 comprises a communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, and a control unit 230.

[0048] (Communications Department 210) The communication unit 210 communicates various types of information with the user terminal 10. For example, the communication unit 210 functions as an answer acquisition unit, receiving the user's answers to encryption questions from the user terminal 10. The communication unit 210 also transmits the various screens described above to the user terminal 10 according to the control unit 230.

[0049] (Storage unit 220) The memory unit 220 stores various types of information used in the operation of the information processing server 20. For example, the memory unit 220 stores information for displaying various screens for each item, such as the item image, item ID, price, creator name, difficulty level, and hints. The memory unit 220 also stores the correct answer for each item. Furthermore, the memory unit 220 may store information for each user indicating whether they correctly answered the cipher presented by each item, as well as purchase information for each item.

[0050] (Control unit 230) The control unit 230 controls the overall operation of the information processing server 20. For example, the control unit 230 controls communication between the communication unit 210 and the user terminal 10, and the storage of information by the storage unit 220. In particular, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 230 also functions as an evaluation unit 231 and a display control unit 232.

[0051] When the evaluation unit 231 receives a request containing an item ID from the user terminal 10 via the communication unit 210, it evaluates the request. The request may include user identification information indicating the user of the user terminal 10. The user identification information may be the identification information of the user terminal 10, or it may be the identification information set for the user of the user terminal 10. The request may also include information from the Cookie browser of the user terminal 10.

[0052] The evaluation unit 231 determines, based on the item ID and user identification information included in the above request, whether the user corresponding to the user identification information has already correctly answered the cipher corresponding to the item ID. If the storage unit 220 stores information indicating whether each user has correctly answered the cipher presented by each item, the evaluation unit 231 may make the above determination by referring to that information. Furthermore, if the request for the item-specific cipher screen P3 includes information from the browser's Cookie, the evaluation unit 231 may also make the above determination based on that information.

[0053] Furthermore, when the evaluation unit 231 receives the user's response to the encryption via the communication unit 210, it evaluates the response. For example, if the correct answers to each encryption are stored in the storage unit 220, the evaluation unit 231 evaluates the correctness of the user's response by comparing it with the correct answers.

[0054] Based on the evaluation result by the evaluation unit 231 for the request including the item ID, the display control unit 232 causes the communication unit 210 to send either the item-specific encryption screen P3 or the item purchase screen P5 to the user terminal 10. Specifically, if the user is evaluated as having correctly answered the encryption corresponding to the item ID, the display control unit 232 causes the communication unit 210 to send the item purchase screen P5 to the user terminal 10. On the other hand, if the user is evaluated as not having correctly answered the encryption corresponding to the item ID, the display control unit 232 causes the communication unit 210 to send the item-specific encryption screen P3 to the user terminal 10.

[0055] Furthermore, the display control unit 232 has a function to control the provision of rewards to the user based on the evaluation results of the evaluation unit 231 regarding the user's answer. The reward may be the right for the user to obtain an item. More specifically, the reward may be a transition to the item purchase screen P5 for purchasing an item. That is, if the user's answer is correct, the display control unit 232 may have the communication unit 210 transmit the item purchase screen P5 to the user terminal 10. On the other hand, if the user's answer is incorrect, the display control unit 232 may have the communication unit 210 transmit an incorrect status indicating that the answer was incorrect to the user terminal 10.

[0056] Furthermore, when the display control unit 232 receives a hint request from the user terminal 10 based on an operation on the item-specific encryption screen P3 on the user terminal 10, it causes the communication unit 210 to send the hint screen P4 to the user terminal 10. For example, the hint request may include an item ID, and the display control unit 232 may cause the communication unit 210 to send the item-specific encryption screen P3, which shows the hints stored in the storage unit 220 in association with the item ID, to the user terminal 10. Here, the item-specific encryption screen P3 may be configured to hide each hint, as explained with reference to Figure 6, and to display the hints upon user operation.

[0057] <4.Operation> The configuration of the user terminal 10 and the information processing server 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, with reference to Figure 9, the operation of the information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be summarized.

[0058] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 9, when the operation display unit 120 of the user terminal 10 is displaying the item list screen P2 (S304), and the user selects an item from the item list screen P2, the communication unit 110 sends a request to the information processing server 20 including the item ID of the selected item and user identification information (S308).

[0059] Then, the evaluation unit 231 of the information processing server 20 evaluates whether the user corresponding to the user identification information has already correctly answered the cipher corresponding to the item ID, based on the item ID and user identification information included in the request and the information stored in the storage unit 220 (S312). If the user is evaluated as having already correctly answered the cipher corresponding to the item ID (S312 / YES), the process proceeds to S340. On the other hand, if the user is evaluated as not having already correctly answered the cipher corresponding to the item ID (S312 / NO), the display control unit 232 causes the communication unit 210 to send the item-specific cipher screen P3 corresponding to the item ID included in the request to the user terminal 10 (S316).

[0060] When the communication unit 110 of the user terminal 10 receives the item-specific encryption screen P3 from the information processing server 20, the operation display unit 120 displays the item-specific encryption screen P3 (S320). On the item-specific encryption screen P3, when the user enters the encrypted answer in the answer input field 417 and selects the answer submission button 418, the communication unit 110 sends the answer to the information processing server 20 (S324).

[0061] The evaluation unit 231 of the information processing server 20 evaluates whether the answer sent from the user terminal 10 is correct or not (S328). If the answer is incorrect, the display control unit 232 has the communication unit 210 send an incorrect status to the user terminal 10 (S328 / NO). Based on the receipt of the incorrect status, the control unit 130 of the user terminal 10 applies an incorrect reaction to the item-specific encryption screen P3 (S332). For example, the control unit 130 may clear the answer entered in the answer input field 417, shake the answer input field 417, or change the frame color of the answer input field 417 to, for example, red. After that, the process from S324 is repeated.

[0062] On the other hand, if the user's answer is correct (S328 / YES), the evaluation unit 231 stores information in the storage unit 220 indicating that the user has correctly answered the cipher (S336). Then, the display control unit 232 has the communication unit 210 transmit the item purchase screen P5 to the user terminal 10 (S340).

[0063] Based on the reception of the item purchase screen P5, the control unit 130 of the user terminal 10 displays the item purchase screen P5 on the operation display unit 120 (S344). Subsequently, after user operations on the user terminal 10 and communication between the user terminal 10 and the information processing server 20, the purchase of the item is completed, and the post-purchase screen P7 is displayed on the user terminal 10, marking the end of the series of operations.

[0064] <5. Effects> According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, various effects and benefits can be obtained. For example, according to the embodiment of the present invention, if the user's answer to the cipher is correct, the display control unit 232 controls the transmission of the item purchase screen P5 to the user terminal 10 as a reward for the user. With this configuration, the user can purchase the item that presents the cipher through the special experience of challenging and correctly answering the cipher. This is expected to strengthen the user's attachment to the item.

[0065] Furthermore, the items that present the cipher can be items worn by the user, such as clothing, or items carried by the user. With this configuration, the user can enjoy solving riddles in parallel with fashion. Moreover, after the user purchases clothing, they can enjoy the experience of being the one who presents the cipher to those who see the clothing by wearing it when they go out. It is also possible to use items that the user uses for transportation (e.g., bicycles, cars, kick scooters, etc.) as items that present the cipher. With this configuration as well, the user can enjoy the experience of being the one who presents the cipher by traveling with those items.

[0066] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a hint screen P4 containing hints for the cipher is displayed on the user terminal 10. With this configuration, even users who cannot find a way to decipher the cipher may be able to decipher it with the help of the hints, thus enabling users of various skill levels to enjoy deciphering ciphers.

[0067] Furthermore, on the hint screen P4, the user can choose whether or not to display one or more hints at a time. With this configuration, the user can enjoy deciphering the code by repeatedly obtaining one hint, thinking about it, and then obtaining the next hint if they still cannot decipher it.

[0068] <6. Variation> One embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Below, several modifications of the above-described embodiment will be explained. Each of the modifications described below may be applied to the above-described embodiment individually or in combination. Furthermore, each modification may be applied in place of the configuration of the above-described embodiment, or additionally to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

[0069] For example, the above describes an example where an incorrect answer reaction is performed on the user terminal 10 if the answer to the cipher is incorrect. However, even if the answer to the cipher is incorrect, the information processing server 20 may send a screen similar to the item purchase screen P5 (or a screen that looks the same) to the user terminal 10. However, in the screen sent here, the quantity input field 612 or the "Add to Cart" button 613 may be disabled so that the user cannot proceed with purchasing the item.

[0070] Furthermore, while the above example describes an example where the answer to the cipher is a string entered by the user, the answer to the cipher may also be sound data acquired by sound pickup at the user terminal 10. For example, the user may input the answer to the user terminal 10 by uttering the answer to the cipher. Alternatively, the answer to the cipher may also be motion data detected by an inertial sensor on the user terminal 10. For example, the user may input the answer to the user terminal 10 by moving the user terminal 10 in a motion that corresponds to the answer to the cipher.

[0071] Furthermore, when the user presses the submit response button, the user terminal 10 may send the location information of the user terminal 10 obtained by the location estimation function to the information processing server 20 as the answer to the cipher. For example, if the answer to the cipher indicates a location, the user goes to that location and presses the submit response button, and the user terminal 10 sends the location information of the user terminal 10 to the information processing server 20. In this case, the information processing server 20 may evaluate whether the location information received from the user terminal 10 corresponds to the location indicated by the correct answer to the cipher, and control the transition to the item purchase screen P5 according to the evaluation result. With this configuration, since the user can purchase items after moving, it is expected that the purchase experience will be even more memorable. Note that the correct answer to the cipher may be a place that is not uniquely determined, such as a library or a baseball field, or it may be a uniquely determined place, such as XX Tower, XX Station, an address, or latitude and longitude information.

[0072] Furthermore, when the user presses the submit response button, the user terminal 10 may send time information indicating the current time as the answer to the encryption to the information processing server 20. For example, if the answer to the encryption indicates a specific time or time range, the user presses the submit response button for that time or time range, and the user terminal 10 sends time information indicating the current time to 20. In this case, the information processing server 20 may evaluate whether the time information received from the user terminal 10 corresponds to the specific time or time range indicated by the correct answer to the encryption, and control the transition to the item purchase screen P5 according to the evaluation result. With this configuration, the user can purchase an item after eagerly awaiting a specific time or time range, so it is expected that the purchase experience will be even more memorable. Note that the information transmitted by the information processing server 20 does not have to include time information, and the information processing server 20 may evaluate whether the time at which it received the information corresponds to the specific time or time range.

[0073] Furthermore, two or more of the following may be combined: the answer entered as a string as described in the above embodiment, the use of location information as described as a modified example, and the use of time information. By utilizing location information or time information, even users who obtain the correct answer from somewhere without solving the cipher themselves can be given a certain opportunity for experience.

[0074] Furthermore, while the above describes an example where the ability to purchase an item is controlled by the correctness of the user's answer, the item purchase screen P5 may be sent to the user terminal 10 regardless of the correctness of the user's answer. However, the selling price of the item on the item purchase screen P5 sent when the answer is correct may be set lower than the selling price of the item on the item purchase screen P5 sent when the answer is incorrect. This configuration also makes it possible to improve the satisfaction of users who give the correct answer.

[0075] Furthermore, while the above describes an example where one or more hints are displayed based on user actions, conditions may be set for the display of each hint. For example, the information processing server 20 may enable the display of the first hint at a first timing and enable the display of the second hint at a second timing after the first timing. Alternatively, the information processing server 20 may count the number of correct solvers for each cipher and enable the display of the first hint when the number of correct solvers reaches a first threshold value, and enable the display of the second hint when the number of correct solvers reaches a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value. With such a configuration, it is possible to give the user time to carefully consider the cipher based on each hint.

[0076] Furthermore, if the information processing server 20 counts the number of people who have correctly solved each cipher, the information processing server 20 may display the number of people who have correctly solved each cipher on display screens such as the item list screen P2 and the item-specific cipher screen P3. It is thought that the fewer people who have correctly solved a cipher a user has solved, the greater the joy they feel from having solved that cipher correctly. For this reason, it is expected that displaying the number of people who have correctly solved a cipher as described above will discourage users from telling others the correct answers to the ciphers.

[0077] Furthermore, the information processing server 20 may include an indication in the clear image 615 shared on social media that shows which of the users has solved the code correctly. With this configuration, it is expected that each user will be more motivated to solve the code faster. In addition, the information processing server 20 may include an indication in the clear image 615 that shows whether or not hints are displayed. With this configuration, it is expected that users will first try to solve the code without hints.

[0078] Furthermore, although the above explanation assumes that there is no cost for attempting or answering the encryption challenge, a fee may be charged for attempting or answering the encryption challenge. Also, although the above explanation describes an example where hints are displayed by user interaction, conditions may be imposed on the display of hints. For example, such conditions may be that the answer has been incorrect for a predetermined number of attempts, that a predetermined fee has been paid, or that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the challenge. In this case, the information processing server 20 that receives the hint request may determine whether the conditions are met and send the hint screen P4 according to the result of the determination. Moreover, the above conditions may be set for each of multiple hints.

[0079] Furthermore, although the above example describes a response guidance message 416 that includes a message specifying how to answer, the response guidance message 416 does not necessarily have to include such a message. In this case, there is a possibility that the way the user answers may vary, so the storage unit 220 of the information processing server 20 may store correct answers for one or more ways of answering, and the evaluation unit 231 may evaluate the user's answer as correct if it matches any of the correct answers. For example, the storage unit 220 may store "HERAT", "heart", or "haato" as answers to a certain cipher. While a message specifying how to answer could potentially become a hint to the user, the above configuration prevents the user from obtaining hints from a message specifying how to answer.

[0080] <7. Hardware Configuration> The above describes one embodiment of the present invention. The evaluation of the answers and information processing such as screen transitions described above are realized through the cooperation of software and hardware. Below, an example of a hardware configuration that can be applied to the user terminal 10 and the information processing server 20 will be described.

[0081] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration 90. The hardware configuration 90 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903, and a host bus 904. The hardware configuration 90 also includes a bridge 905, an external bus 906, an interface 907, an input device 908, a display device 909, an audio output device 910, a storage device (HDD) 911, a drive 912, and a network interface 915.

[0082] The CPU 901 functions as both an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, controlling the overall operation according to various programs. The CPU 901 may also be a microprocessor. The ROM 902 stores programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU 901. The RAM 903 temporarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 901 and parameters that change as needed during its execution. These are interconnected by a host bus 904, which consists of a CPU bus and other components. Through the cooperation of the CPU 901, ROM 902, RAM 903, and software, functions such as those of the control unit 130 and control unit 230 can be realized.

[0083] The host bus 904 is connected to an external bus 906, such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus, via a bridge 905. It is not always necessary to configure the host bus 904, bridge 905, and external bus 906 separately; these functions may be implemented on a single bus.

[0084] The input device 908 consists of input means for the user to input information, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, buttons, microphone, sensor, switch, and lever, and an input control circuit that generates input signals based on the user's input and outputs them to the CPU 901. By operating the input device 908, the user can input various types of data and instruct processing operations.

[0085] The display device 909 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, a projector device, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device, and a lamp. The audio output device 910 includes an audio output device such as a speaker and headphones.

[0086] The storage device 911 is a data storage device configured as an example of a storage unit according to this embodiment. The storage device 911 may include a storage medium, a recording device for recording data on the storage medium, a reading device for reading data from the storage medium, and a deletion device for deleting data recorded on the storage medium. The storage device 911 is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a memory having equivalent functionality. This storage device 911 drives the storage and stores programs executed by the CPU 901 and various data.

[0087] Drive 912 is a reader / writer for storage media and is either built into or external to the hardware configuration 90. Drive 912 reads information recorded on removable storage media 84, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, and outputs it to RAM 903 or storage device 911. Drive 912 can also write information to the removable storage media 84.

[0088] The network interface 915 is a communication interface composed of, for example, a communication device for connecting to the network 12. Furthermore, the network interface 915 may be a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) compatible communication device or a wired communication device for wired communication.

[0089] <8. Supplementary Information> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0090] For example, each step in the processing of the information processing system described herein does not necessarily have to be processed chronologically in the order described in the flowchart. For example, each step in the processing of the information processing system may be processed in an order different from the order described in the flowchart, or may be processed in parallel.

[0091] Furthermore, it is possible to create computer programs that enable the CPU, ROM, RAM, and other hardware built into the user terminal 10 and the information processing server 20 to perform functions equivalent to those of the user terminal 10 and the information processing server 20 as described above. A non-temporary storage medium on which such computer programs are stored is also provided.

[0092] Furthermore, the user terminal 10 becomes capable of performing the various functions of the user terminal 10 described above by receiving various screens from the information processing device 20. In other words, the information processing system including the user terminal 10 and the information processing server 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be seen, from a certain perspective, as being produced based on the provision of various screens from the information processing server 20. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] 10 User terminals 110 Communications Department 120 Operation display section 130 Control Unit 20 Information Processing Server 210 Communications Department 220 Storage section 230 Control Unit 231 Evaluation Department 232 Display Control Unit

Claims

1. A response acquisition unit that acquires the user's response to a question presented to the user from the terminal used by the user, A control unit controls the provision of benefits to the user based on the results of evaluating the response obtained by the response acquisition unit, An information processing system equipped with the following features.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the aforementioned benefit is the right of the user to obtain an item.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the aforementioned benefit is a transition to a purchase screen for purchasing the aforementioned item.

4. The aforementioned article represents the aforementioned problem, The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit causes the terminal to display a display screen indicating the problem.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit causes the terminal to display hints for the problem.

6. The aforementioned problem is associated with one or more hints. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the control unit causes the terminal to display a screen on which the user can select whether or not to display each hint.

7. Obtaining the user's response to a question presented to the user from the device the user is using, Based on the results of evaluating the responses obtained, the provision of benefits to the user will be controlled, Methods that include...

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