Program and System

Abstract

The present invention provides a program that causes a computer to grant virtual objects to a user and to determine the content of the benefits associated with the granting of virtual objects based on information regarding the user's reservation for granting virtual objects. The above program may cause the computer to determine the benefits in a way that is more favorable to the user when a reservation has been made compared to when there is no reservation. The reservation information may include the number of virtual objects reserved, the price for granting virtual objects, the frequency of virtual object reservations, the type of virtual object, the user's location information at the time of reservation, the store, reservation site, or reservation route used by the user for the reservation, or information indicating at least one of the timing of the reservation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to programs and systems.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes that "a privilege of allowing a player who has paid a subscription-based game fee to try out virtual items that the player has not acquired for a predetermined period is granted, and... after the elapse of the predetermined period, regardless of whether the game fee has been paid or not, the player is allowed to acquire the virtual items in the privilege by consuming game points" (abstract of Patent Document 1). Patent Document 2 describes that "step S103 of specifying the elapsed period from the start point of the contract period of the service related to the payment process to the payment point at which the payment process has been accepted, and step S104 of determining the privilege to be granted to the user according to the length of the specified elapsed period" are executed (abstract of Patent Document 2). [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-171596 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-103840

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, a program is provided that causes a computer to grant a virtual object to a user and determine the content of a privilege associated with the grant of the virtual object according to information regarding a reservation for the grant of the virtual object by the user.

[0004] When there is such a reservation by the user, the above program may cause the computer to determine the privilege so as to give more preferential treatment to the user as compared with the case where there is no such reservation by the user.

[0005] In any of the above programs, the information relating to the reservation may include information indicating at least one of the following: the number of virtual objects reserved, the price for granting the virtual objects, the frequency of reservations for the virtual objects, the type of virtual object, the location information of the user when the reservation was made, the store, reservation site, or reservation route used by the user, or the timing of the reservation.

[0006] In any of the above programs, the reservation information may include information indicating at least one of the user's travel distance, travel speed, travel direction, or locations traveled during a predetermined period prior to the reservation.

[0007] In any of the above programs, the virtual object may be at least one of the following: a subscription benefit that applies during a predetermined validity period, or a character or item used within the virtual space.

[0008] In any of the above programs, determining the content of the benefits may include at least one of the following: changing the conditions for completing missions provided in the virtual space, changing the capabilities of virtual objects used by the user in the virtual space, or adding or changing virtual objects granted to the user in the virtual space.

[0009] Any of the above programs may cause the computer to grant the virtual object to users who have not made a reservation, without the aforementioned benefits, in response to the fulfillment of predetermined granting conditions or the arrival of predetermined granting timings, or at least one of these.

[0010] In any of the above programs, the reservation information includes information indicating a combination of two or more virtual objects reserved by the user, and any of the above programs may cause the computer to determine the content of the benefit according to the combination of the two or more virtual objects.

[0011] In a second aspect of the present invention, a program is provided that causes a computer to allow a user to transfer or return a virtual object, and to determine the content of the benefits associated with the transfer or return of the virtual object in accordance with information regarding the user's transfer or return of the virtual object.

[0012] In the above program, the information relating to the transfer or return may include the number of virtual objects transferred or returned, the consideration for the transfer or return of the virtual objects, the frequency of the transfer or return of the virtual objects, the type of virtual object, the user's location information at the time of the transfer or return, the store, site, or route to which the user made the transfer or return, the timing of the transfer or return, the recipient or number of recipients to whom the virtual objects were transferred or returned, or information indicating whether the transfer or return of the virtual objects was made to another user or a provider of virtual space.

[0013] Any of the above programs may cause the computer to relax the mission completion conditions for the mission performed after the transfer or return of the virtual object compared to the mission completion conditions for the mission performed without the transfer or return of the virtual object.

[0014] In any of the above programs, the information relating to the transfer or return includes information indicating a combination of two or more virtual objects that the user has transferred or returned, and any of the above programs may cause the computer to determine the content of the benefit according to the combination of two or more virtual objects.

[0015] In a third aspect of the present invention, a program is provided that causes a computer to grant a virtual object to a user and to determine the content of the benefits associated with the granting of the virtual object in accordance with information regarding the promotion of the virtual object.

[0016] The above program may cause the computer to determine the content of the benefits to the user to whom the virtual object is granted, in accordance with information that the first user or other users have advertised the virtual object.

[0017] In any of the above programs, the information relating to the advertisement may include information indicating at least one of the following: the number of times the virtual object has been advertised, the number of people to whom the virtual object has been advertised, the number of times the virtual object has been purchased, or the number of users who have purchased the virtual object.

[0018] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a system comprising a storage device for storing a program and at least one processor for executing the program, wherein the at least one processor, by executing the program, causes a virtual object to be granted to a user and determines the content of the benefits associated with the granting of the virtual object in accordance with information regarding the user's reservation for the granting of the virtual object.

[0019] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a system comprising a storage device for storing a program and at least one processor for executing the program, wherein the at least one processor, by executing the program, causes a user to transfer or return a virtual object, and determines the content of benefits associated with the transfer or return of the virtual object in accordance with information regarding the user's transfer or return of the virtual object.

[0020] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system including a storage device that stores a program and at least one processor that executes the program. By executing the program, the at least one processor causes a virtual object to be given to a user and determines the content of a privilege associated with the giving of the virtual object according to information regarding the promotion of the virtual object.

[0021] Note that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all features of the present invention. Also, sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] Shows the configuration of the system 10 according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Shows the configuration of the server device 20 according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Shows an example of a data structure regarding each user stored in the database 200. [Figure 4] Shows an example of a data structure regarding each virtual object stored in the database 200. [Figure 5] Shows the configuration of the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment together with the input device 50 and the display device 60. [Figure 6] Shows the processing flow in the server device 20 according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] Shows an overview of privilege granting according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] Shows an example of a data structure regarding each privilege stored in the database 200. [Figure 9] Shows the configuration of the privilege processing unit 270 according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] Shows the privilege granting flow by the server device 20 according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] Shows a first example of the display screen of the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment. [Figure 12]A second example of the display screen of the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment is shown. [Figure 13] This shows a first example of the provision of benefits according to this embodiment. [Figure 14] A second example of the provision of benefits according to this embodiment is shown. [Figure 15] Examples of a computer 2200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part are shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0024] Figure 1 shows a system 10 according to this embodiment. The system 10 comprises a server device 20, a plurality of terminal devices 30, and a network 40. The system 10 has a function that allows one or more users to use the content provided by the server device 20 using one or more terminal devices 30.

[0025] The server device 20 is connected to multiple terminal devices 30 via a network 40. The server device 20 may be a computer such as a PC (personal computer), workstation, server computer, general-purpose computer, tablet computer, or smartphone, or it may be a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system is also a computer in a broad sense. Alternatively, the server device 20 may be implemented by a virtual computer environment that can run one or more programs within the computer. Instead, the server device 20 may be a dedicated computer designed for system 10, or dedicated hardware realized by dedicated circuitry. When the server device 20 is implemented by a computer, the server device 20 functions as a server device 20 for providing content by having the computer execute programs.

[0026] The server device 20 receives access from one or more terminal devices 30 and provides content to the terminal devices 30. Such content may be available to users by enabling them to display, play, operate, or interact with it via the terminal devices 30. For example, the server device 20 may allow a user to access a virtual space via the terminal device 30 and move a virtual character or avatar operated by the user within the virtual space in response to the user's operation of the terminal device 30. The server device 20 may allow the virtual character or avatar operated by the user to interact with objects (virtual characters or virtual items, etc.) in the virtual space provided by the content provider, or with the virtual characters or avatars of other users. Such content may, as an example, relate to games, live streaming, sports viewing, product sales, or other things. In this embodiment, the description will focus on the case where the server device 20 provides a game environment to the terminal devices 30 as an example. Alternatively, the server device 20 may provide the various functions related to this disclosure for other content.

[0027] Terminal device 30 is connected to server device 20 via network 40. Terminal device 30 may be a personal computer, notebook computer, mobile phone, smartphone, tablet computer, game terminal, or other terminal device capable of data input / output.

[0028] Network 40 connects the server device 20 to multiple terminal devices 30. Network 40 is composed of various wired or wireless networks, such as the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network, and a mobile phone network, or a combination thereof.

[0029] Network 40 may be connected to one or more sales sites 32. Each of the one or more sales sites 32 may be an online store or the like that sells goods or services. Each sales site 32 may be accessible from terminal devices 30 that use the content of server device 20, and may also be accessible from general terminal devices 30 that do not use the content of server device 20. Such sales sites 32 provide various functions related to the sale of goods, such as displaying a list of goods, displaying detailed information for each product, searching for goods, purchasing goods, or other goods, in response to access from terminal devices 30. Sales sites 32 may sell goods (e.g., virtual objects) related to the content provided by server device 20 to users via terminal devices 30. Sales sites 32 may be implemented by a computer (server device, etc.) that implements such functions. Sales sites 32 may also function as a rental site that lends out goods or services. Sales sites 32 may also function as a reservation site that makes reservations for the purchase or rental of goods or services.

[0030] A blockchain 35 may be connected to the network 40. The blockchain 35 manages transaction history data in a tamper-proof, distributed manner across multiple entities (systems or storage, etc.) using distributed ledger technology. Each of the multiple entities managing the blockchain 35 may be an external system, computer, or storage, etc., different from the server device 20, and at least one of the multiple entities may be the server device 20. In this embodiment, the blockchain 35 records transaction data of objects in the virtual space provided by the server device 20. The blockchain 35 may manage the objects in the virtual space as digital assets that can be traded or bought and sold in the real world (the world outside the virtual space provided by the server device 20) as NFTs (non-fungible tokens). This allows the blockchain 35 to enable even non-users of the system 10 to own or buy and sell individual objects in the virtual space provided by the system 10 as unique possessions.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a server device 20 according to this embodiment. The server device 20 includes a database 200, an instruction input unit 210, a game processing unit 220, a display processing unit 240, a sales site connection unit 250, a rewards processing unit 270, and a blockchain processing unit 280.

[0032] The database 200 may be implemented using at least a portion of the storage area of ​​an external storage device such as a hard disk drive connected to the server device 20, or it may be implemented using an external storage device provided by, for example, a cloud storage service. The database 200 stores user information about users, object information about virtual objects, and so on.

[0033] The instruction input unit 210 is connected to multiple terminal devices 30 via the network 40. For example, the instruction input unit 210 may be realized by a computer processor or the like that executes a program that processes instruction input from the terminal devices 30, controlling the computer's communication circuit. The instruction input unit 210 receives various instructions from the terminal devices 30, including various operations performed by the user while playing the game. The instruction input unit 210 supplies the received game-related instructions to the game processing unit 220 and the bonus processing unit 270.

[0034] The game processing unit 220 is connected to the database 200 and the instruction input unit 210. For example, the game processing unit 220 is implemented by executing a program portion related to game processing using a computer processor or the like. In response to game-related instructions received from the instruction input unit 210, the game processing unit 220 performs processing to advance the game based on user information, item information, etc., stored in the database 200.

[0035] The display processing unit 240 is connected to the game processing unit 220 and the bonus processing unit 270. The display processing unit 240 is also connected to the terminal device 30 via the network 40. For example, the display processing unit 240 may be realized by a computer processor or the like that executes a program that processes instruction input from the terminal device 30, controlling the computer's communication circuit. The display processing unit 240 performs display processing to display various display screens related to the game on the terminal device 30 in response to instructions from the game processing unit 220 and the bonus processing unit 270. As "display processing," the display processing unit 240 may directly generate a display screen to be displayed on the terminal device 30 and send it to the terminal device 30, or it may generate display information that constitutes a display screen to be displayed on the terminal device 30 and send it to the terminal device 30, causing the terminal device 30 to generate the display screen.

[0036] The sales site connection unit 250 is connected to one or more sales sites 32 via the network 40. For example, the sales site connection unit 250 may be realized by a computer processor that executes a program that handles communication with server devices, etc., that realize the sales sites 32, controlling the computer's communication circuit. The sales site connection unit 250 receives sales information of products, etc., related to the content provided by the server device 20 from the sales sites 32. The sales site connection unit 250 provides the received sales information of products, etc., to the game processing unit 220, which then reflects it in the state in the virtual space (game state in this embodiment).

[0037] The reward processing unit 270 is connected to the database 200, the instruction input unit 210, and the game processing unit 220. For example, the reward processing unit 270 may be implemented by executing a program portion related to reward processing using a computer processor or the like. The reward processing unit 270 determines the reward according to the user's relationship with the virtual item, such as obtaining (purchasing, reserving, or borrowing, etc.), transferring, returning, or disposing of the virtual item, and then processes the granting of the determined reward to the user.

[0038] The blockchain processing unit 280 is connected to the database 200 and the game processing unit 220. The blockchain processing unit 280 is also connected to the blockchain 35 via the network 40. For example, the blockchain processing unit 280 may be implemented by a computer processor, etc., which executes the program portion that stores and manages virtual items in the blockchain 35, controlling the computer's communication circuitry.

[0039] Figure 3 shows an example of the data structure for each user stored in database 200. Database 200 stores game state data for each of multiple users. The game state data includes information about "User ID," "In-game currency," "In-game rank," "Location information," "Owned character information," "Owned item information," and "Friend ID" as records for each user.

[0040] "User ID" is information used to identify the corresponding user and may be a uniquely determined number or code within system 10 or server device 20. "In-game currency" indicates the remaining amount of in-game currency held by the corresponding user. "In-game currency" may be stored separately for the remaining amount of paid in-game currency and the remaining amount of free in-game currency held by the corresponding user. "In-game rank" indicates the corresponding user's rank within the game.

[0041] "Location information" indicates the location information of the corresponding user. "Location information" may include at least one of real-world location information or virtual space location information. Real-world location information may include at least one of the following: real-world coordinates (latitude, longitude, or altitude, etc.), number of steps from a certain point, distance traveled, travel time, travel speed, means of travel (walking, cycling, car, or train, etc.) or direction, region, place name (city name or country name, etc.), building name, or name of an object. "Location information" may be obtained using at least one of the following: GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, accelerometer, angular velocity sensor, pedometer, collision sensor, infrared sensor, beacon, radio waves, radio base station, or imaging device.

[0042] "Location information" may be information about the location of the terminal device 30 used by the corresponding user, or information about a location that approximates it. "Location information" may also be information about the location of other equipment used by the corresponding user (such as a wearable device), or information about a location that approximates it. The "location information" of the corresponding user may be estimated from information from external devices that are in cooperation with the system 10 (such as video footage captured by surveillance cameras installed in the real world, or measurement information from various sensors installed in the real world). "Location information" may consist only of the current location information of the corresponding user, or it may include a history of location information that includes the location information of the corresponding user at various points in the past. The instruction input unit 210 of the server device 20 may acquire location information from the terminal device 30 via the network 40. The server device 20 may acquire the coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the location of the terminal device 30 as location information. Alternatively, the server device 20 may obtain location information from the terminal device 30, such as a place name, location ID, or other information that can identify the location of the terminal device 30 with a certain degree of accuracy.

[0043] The virtual space location information may include at least one piece of information defined in system 10: coordinates (x, y, and z coordinates) in the virtual space, the type of virtual space, the name of a building in the virtual space, or the name of an object in the virtual space. The virtual space location information may be associated with real-world location information. Therefore, the coordinates in the virtual space may be determined based on real-world coordinates. The virtual space location information may be information indicating a location in the game space, live space, or metaverse provided by system 10.

[0044] "Owned Character Information" refers to information about one or more characters (virtual characters) owned by the corresponding user. "Owned Character Information" may include an instance ID that identifies the instance of the virtual character owned by the corresponding user (see Figure 4). In addition, the character information included in "Owned Character Information" may include the corresponding character type, level, experience points, attributes, rarity (difficulty of obtaining in the game), HP (Hit Points), MP (Magic Points), etc.

[0045] "Owned Item Information" indicates information about one or more items (virtual items) owned by the corresponding user. "Owned Item Information" may include an instance ID that identifies the instance of the virtual item owned by the corresponding user (see Figure 4). "Virtual Item Information" may include information such as the item's attack power, defense power, special abilities, enhancement level, rarity, and value or price in the virtual space. In addition, for items that do not require individual management of each instance (such as potions that restore a certain amount of HP), "Owned Item Information" may include the type and quantity of the corresponding item. "Friend ID" indicates the user ID of another user linked to the corresponding user.

[0046] The database 200 may store history information for each of multiple users, including some or all of their game play history. This history information may include the history of each user's acquisition, transfer, return, or disposal of virtual items or virtual characters.

[0047] Database 200 may store information related to the promotion of a virtual object in each user's record, including information such as a promotional ID, such as a promotional code used by the user to promote a specific virtual object, and information indicating the effectiveness of the promotion. The user presents this promotional code, etc., to viewers or viewers of the media through advertisements, videos, SNS messages, or other media that they issue. Other users who are viewers or viewers of the media enter this promotional code, etc., when giving instructions to obtain the virtual object on the terminal device 30 or sales site 32. When the game processing unit 220 in the server device 20 receives an instruction to obtain the virtual object, etc., including this promotional code, it can search the user status data in database 200 to identify the user who made the promotion. In response to receiving an instruction to obtain the virtual object, including the promotional code, the game processing unit 220 may update the promotional information associated with the user who made the promotion.

[0048] Figure 4 shows an example of the data structure for each virtual object stored in the database 200. A virtual object is something that a user can obtain and use within the content provided by the server device 20, and includes characters (virtual characters) and items (virtual items) in the virtual space. A virtual character may be a person, animal, plant or other living thing, or an artificial object (robot, etc.) that imitates a living thing, that a user can operate in the virtual space. A virtual item may be clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, weapons, armor, vehicles, buildings, or other items in the virtual space that a virtual character can wear, hold, equip, or use in the virtual space.

[0049] Furthermore, virtual items may be specific rights granted to users regarding the use of content, or certificates of rights that represent such rights. For example, virtual items may be tickets, certificates of rights, passes, subscriptions, or promissory notes that grant users an effect that allows them to progress more advantageously in games or other content for a predetermined period or permanently.

[0050] The server device 20 can generate multiple identical virtual objects within the virtual space and distribute them to one or more users. For example, the server device 20 may allow a user who meets certain acquisition conditions within the virtual space to acquire a specific virtual item A. In this case, multiple users who meet the acquisition conditions will own the same virtual item A within the virtual space. The virtual item A assigned to each user may be transferred to other users or to shops within the virtual space, or modified, such as being enhanced, depending on the user's actions.

[0051] Furthermore, the server device 20 may grant the same user multiple virtual items B, such as tickets, that are valid for a certain period (e.g., one week). In this case, the multiple virtual items B are used for different periods, such as the first one for the first week, the second for the second week, and so on. The server device 20 according to this embodiment generates multiple instances from the same virtual object and manages each instance of the virtual object individually using the data structure shown in this figure. Instances of a virtual object function as entities that can be operated by a user within the virtual space. In this disclosure, for the sake of simplicity, when it is not necessary to clearly distinguish between a virtual object and an instance of a virtual object, individual instances of a virtual object may be abbreviated as "virtual object".

[0052] Database 200 stores object data containing information (object information) about each of one or more instances of each of one or more virtual objects. The object data includes, as entries or records for each instance of a virtual object, "instance ID," "instance data," "status," "user ID," "acquisition information," "disposal information," and "behavior information."

[0053] An "instance ID" is information used to identify an instance of a virtual object within the content provided by the server device 20, and may be a uniquely defined number or code within the system 10 or the server device 20. An "instance ID" may be represented by a pair of information for identifying a virtual object (such as a virtual object ID) and information for identifying each instance of this virtual object, and may be a uniquely assigned number or the like, regardless of the virtual object.

[0054] "Instance data" refers to information about the instance of the corresponding virtual object. If the virtual object is a virtual character, the "instance data" may include information such as the character's type, attributes, rarity (difficulty of obtaining in the game), HP (Hit Points), and MP (Magic Points). If the virtual object is a virtual item, the "instance data" may include information such as the item's attack power, defense power, special abilities, enhancement level, rarity, and value or price within the virtual space.

[0055] If the virtual object is a virtual item such as a ticket or subscription valid for a certain period, the "instance data" may include information such as the validity period of the ticket, the in-game effects obtained by the ticket, and the remaining amount of the in-game effects obtained by the ticket. The "instance data" may include only information not recorded in the user-specific game state data shown in Figure 3, and may also store information recorded in the user-specific game state data shown in Figure 3. Database 200 may store information that should be carried over when the user who owns the instance of the virtual object changes in the "instance data" in this figure, and user-specific information that is not carried over to other users may be stored in the "owned character information" or "owned item information" in Figure 3.

[0056] "Status" is information about the state of the instance of the corresponding virtual object. "Status" indicates the status of rights and obligations related to the instance, such as whether the instance is owned, reserved, borrowed, or leased. "User ID" indicates the identification information of the user who has a relationship with the instance by owning, borrowing, or leasing the instance. Database 200 may use "Status" and "User ID" to store the status of two or more rights and obligations related to the instance. For example, if instance A is owned by user X and leased to user Y, database 200 may store information indicating "Status" = owned and leased for "User ID" = user X, and "Status" = borrowed for "User ID" = user Y.

[0057] "Acquisition Information" refers to information regarding the acquisition of virtual objects by the user indicated by the "User ID." Methods of acquiring virtual objects by a user include transfer, borrowing, and reservation.

[0058] In this embodiment, acquisition is a mode in which a user acquires a virtual object as their own property within the virtual space, either as a result of an action such as purchase by the user, or without any action by the user. In this embodiment, borrowing is a mode in which a user acquires a virtual object as a borrowed item within the virtual space, either as a result of an action such as borrowing by the user, or without any action by the user.

[0059] In this embodiment, a reservation is a mechanism that allows a user to acquire a virtual object as their own or borrowed item within the virtual space at a future time, following a user's action of reserving a purchase or borrowing. The server device 20 does not make the virtual object available to the user immediately after the reservation action is made, but makes the virtual object available at a future time determined by the content of the reservation. The server device 20 may always grant the reserved virtual object to the user at a future time, and may also cancel the reservation of the virtual object. Furthermore, the server device 20 may grant the reserved virtual object to users who are selected by lottery, drawing lots or other methods, and may not grant it to users who are not selected.

[0060] In this disclosure, the term "acquisition" is used to describe various forms of acquisition by a user, such as transfer (assignment from the other party's perspective), borrowing (lending from the other party's perspective), and reservation. Therefore, in the explanations in this disclosure, the term "acquisition" in relation to transfer may be interpreted as "transfer," "assignment" from the other party's perspective, or more specifically as "purchase" or "sale" from the other party's perspective. Similarly, in the explanations in this disclosure, the term "acquisition" in relation to borrowing may be interpreted as "borrowing" or "lending" from the other party's perspective. Furthermore, in the explanations in this disclosure, the term "acquisition" in relation to reservation may be interpreted as "reservation." For example, the "acquisition information" (information regarding the acquisition of a virtual object) in Figure 4 may be "acquisition information," "purchase information," "transfer information," or "sale information" (information regarding the acquisition, purchase, transfer, or sale of a virtual object) if the acquisition is by transfer; "borrowing information" or "lending information" (information regarding the borrowing (or lending) of a virtual object) if the acquisition is by borrowing; and "reservation information" (information regarding the reservation of a virtual object) if the acquisition is by reservation.

[0061] "Acquisition information" may include information about the source from which the virtual object was obtained (transferor / seller / borrower / lender / reservation party, etc.). Information about the source may include information indicating the store, virtual store in the virtual space, or sales site 32 (sales site, rental site, reservation site) where the user purchased, borrowed, or reserved the virtual object. Information about the source may also include information about the route through which the virtual object was obtained, i.e., information such as which advertisements or promotions led to the purchase, borrowing, or reservation of the virtual object.

[0062] "Acquisition information" may include information regarding the acquisition of virtual objects (transfer details / acquisition details / sale details / purchase details / borrowing details / lending details / reservation details, etc.). Information regarding acquisition may include at least one of the following: the time or date of acquisition (purchase, borrowing, or reservation, etc.), the number of virtual objects acquired, the consideration for acquisition, or the frequency of acquisition.

[0063] "Acquisition information" may include information about the acquisition target (transfer target / acquisition target / sale target / purchase target / borrow target / lending target / reservation target, etc.). Information about the acquisition target may include information about one or more virtual objects that were acquired at the time of acquisition, such as the type of virtual object to be acquired, or the combination of virtual objects when acquiring two or more virtual objects.

[0064] "Acquisition information" may include at least one of the following: information regarding the user's state at the time of acquisition or prior to acquisition. Information regarding the user's state may include information indicating the user's location at the time of acquisition, the distance traveled by the user during a predetermined period at the time of acquisition or prior to acquisition, or at least one of the following: the distance traveled, the speed of travel, the direction of travel, or the places traveled.

[0065] "Disposal Information" refers to information regarding the transfer, return, or disposal of a virtual object by the user indicated by the "User ID." In this disclosure, "disposal" may be used in a broad sense, including various ways in which a virtual object is removed from the user's possession and rendered unusable by the user, including transfer and return. Furthermore, in this disclosure, "disposal," when used in conjunction with transfer and return, may mean ways other than transfer and return in which a virtual object is removed from the user's possession and rendered unusable by the user. Examples of "disposal" other than transfer or return may include destruction, annihilation, or lending. In this disclosure, the term "disposal" in a broad sense is used to represent various forms of disposal by the user, such as transfer, return, or disposal in the narrow sense. Therefore, similar to the explanation regarding "acquisition," the term "disposal" in this disclosure may be read as "transfer" in the case of transfer, the term "disposal" in the case of return may be read as "return," and the term "disposal" in a broad sense may be read as "disposal," "destruction," or "lending," etc.

[0066] "Disposal information" may include information regarding the recipient of the transfer or return of the virtual object. Information regarding the recipient of the transfer or return may include information indicating at least one of the following: the recipient of the transfer or return (such as the user ID of another user), whether the transfer or return of the virtual object was made to another user or the provider of the virtual space, and the store, site (such as sales site 32) or route (for example, which advertisement or promotion led to the transfer or sale).

[0067] "Disposal information" may include information regarding the transfer, sale, or disposal of virtual objects. Information regarding the transfer, sale, or disposal may include at least one of the following: the date or time of the transfer, sale, or disposal; the number of virtual objects transferred, returned, or disposed of; the consideration for the transfer, return, or disposal of virtual objects; and the frequency of the transfer, return, or disposal of virtual objects.

[0068] "Disposal information" may include information about the subject of the transfer, sale, or disposal. Information about the subject of the transfer, sale, or disposal may include information about one or more virtual objects that are the subject of the transfer, sale, or disposal at the time of the transfer, sale, or disposal, such as the type of virtual object being transferred, sold, or disposed of, or the combination of virtual objects when two or more virtual objects are transferred, sold, or disposed of.

[0069] "Disposal information" may include at least one of the following: information regarding the user's status at the time of or prior to the transfer, sale, or disposal. Information regarding the user's status may include the user's location information at the time of the transfer, sale, or disposal. Information regarding the user's status may include information indicating at least one of the following: the distance traveled, the speed of traveled, the direction of traveled, or the places traveled, at the time of the transfer, sale, or disposal, or during a predetermined period prior to the transfer, sale, or disposal.

[0070] "Action information" includes information about additional actions taken with respect to a virtual object. Information about additional actions may include actions taken inside or outside the virtual space other than obtaining and disposing of a virtual object, such as advertising or publicizing the virtual object. Information about advertising a virtual object may include information indicating at least one of the following: the number of times the virtual object was advertised, the number of people to whom the virtual object was advertised, the number of virtual objects purchased as a result of the advertising, or the number of users who purchased the virtual object as a result of the advertising. Database 200 may store the total number of times the virtual object was advertised, or the number of times it was advertised within a predetermined period, as "action information".

[0071] In this embodiment, the database 200 stores the user status data shown in Figure 3 and the object data shown in Figure 4 as separate datasets. Alternatively, the database 200 may store the user status data and the object data as the same dataset. For example, the database 200 may store information in the "Owned Character Information" or "Owned Item Information" fields of the user status data shown in Figure 3 that is associated with instances of virtual objects related to that user in the object data shown in Figure 4.

[0072] Figure 5 shows the configuration of the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment, along with the input device 50 and the display device 60. The input device 50 may be a keyboard, mouse, or touch sensor of a touch panel, or it may be an imaging device such as a camera or barcode reader. The input device 50 inputs user instructions to the server device 20 of the system 10 and supplies them to the terminal device 30. The display device 60 may be a display or an image display unit of a touch panel. The display device 60 displays the display screen output by the server device 20 of the system 10. The input device 50 and the display device 60 may be integrated with the terminal device 30. The terminal device 30 includes a terminal input processing unit 300, a terminal status acquisition unit 305, a terminal transmission unit 310, a terminal reception unit 320, and a terminal display processing unit 330.

[0073] The terminal input processing unit 300 is connected to the input device 50 and the terminal transmission unit 310. The terminal input processing unit 300 receives user instructions from the input device 50 and supplies them to the terminal transmission unit 310.

[0074] The terminal status acquisition unit 305 is connected to the terminal transmission unit 310. The terminal status acquisition unit 305 receives location information of the terminal device 30 from a location sensor such as a GPS receiver installed in the terminal device 30 and supplies it to the terminal transmission unit 310.

[0075] The terminal transmission unit 310 is connected to the network 40. The terminal transmission unit 310 supplies user instructions received from the terminal input processing unit 300 to the server device 20 via the network 40. The terminal transmission unit 310 supplies location information of the terminal device 30 received from the terminal status acquisition unit 305 to the server device 20 via the network 40.

[0076] The terminal receiving unit 320 is connected to the network 40 and the terminal display processing unit 330. The terminal receiving unit 320 receives various display screens that the server device 20 outputs to this terminal device 30 via the network 40.

[0077] The terminal display processing unit 330 is connected to the display device 60. The terminal display processing unit 330 performs processing to display the display screen received from the terminal receiving unit 320 on the display device 60.

[0078] In this embodiment, the terminal device 30 transmits user instructions input to the input device 50 to the server device 20, and supplies the display screen output by the server device 20 to the display device 60 for output, thereby reducing the processing load on the terminal device 30. Alternatively, the terminal device 30 may include components corresponding to at least a part of at least one of the instruction input unit 210, game processing unit 220, display processing unit 240, sales site connection unit 250, bonus processing unit 270, or blockchain processing unit 280 shown in relation to Figure 2, and at least a part of these processes may be executed locally within the terminal device 30.

[0079] Figure 6 shows the processing flow in the server device 20 according to this embodiment. When the server device 20 receives an instruction from a terminal device 30 to start a game, it starts the processing flow shown in the figure in order to provide the game to the user of that terminal device 30.

[0080] In step 502 (S502), the game processing unit 220 refers to the game status stored in the database 200 for the target user and instructs the display processing unit 240 to generate a display screen corresponding to the game status. The display processing unit 240 performs processing to generate a game screen and display it on the target user's terminal device 30 in response to the instructions from the game processing unit 220. For example, if the target user's party is moving in the game space, the display processing unit 240 displays a screen on the terminal device 30 that includes an image of the area around the party; if a character in the party is selecting an item to equip, the display processing unit 240 displays a screen on the terminal device 30 that prompts the target user to select an item; and if the target user's party is in battle, the display processing unit 240 displays a screen on the terminal device 30 that prompts the target user to input a battle action for each of one or more characters.

[0081] In S504, the target user's terminal device 30 receives instructions from the user of the terminal device 30, who has viewed the display screen on the display device 60, via the input device 50, and transmits these instructions to the server device 20. The terminal device 30 transmits the location information acquired by the terminal status acquisition unit 305 to the server device 20. The instruction input unit 210 supplies the instructions from the terminal device 30 to the game processing unit 220 according to the content of the instructions. The instruction input unit 210 supplies the location information of the terminal device 30 to the game processing unit 220.

[0082] In S506, the game processing unit 220 performs processing in accordance with the instructions input from the instruction input unit 210 in S504. For example, the game processing unit 220 may perform processing to move the target user's party in the game space, processing to determine the items to equip the characters in the party, processing to have the characters attack a specified enemy by a specified means, etc. The game processing unit 220 may perform processing to move the target user's party in the virtual space (game space) in response to the change in the target user's location information input from the instruction input unit 210. For example, the game processing unit 220 may perform processing to move the target user's party to a position in the game space corresponding to the target user's location information in response to a change in the target user's location information.

[0083] Furthermore, the game processing unit 220 performs transaction-related processing when a user conducts a transaction within the content (such as purchasing, reserving, borrowing, transferring, and returning). For example, the game processing unit 220 may perform processing to provide a virtual store where virtual objects are bought and sold within the content, and execute a transaction instructed by the user in the virtual store. The game processing unit 220 may perform transaction-related processing based on the user's location information in the virtual space, or the user's location information input from the instruction input unit 210. The game processing unit 220 may perform transaction-related processing if the user's location information meets the requirements for executing the transaction. For example, the game processing unit 220 may perform transaction-related processing if the user has location information within the location of the virtual store or within the range of the location. The game processing unit 220 does not have to perform transaction-related processing if the user's location information does not meet the requirements for executing the transaction.

[0084] In S508, the game processing unit 220 modifies the game state data and virtual object data stored in the database 200 in accordance with the processing in S506. For example, when the party is moved within the game space, the game processing unit 220 updates the position of each character belonging to the party within the game space in the owned character information shown in Figure 3. When an item is equipped to a character, the game processing unit 220 adds identification information of the equipped item to the data structure showing the list of items equipped by the character, which is included in the owned character information. Also, when a character attacks a designated enemy, the game processing unit 220 performs processing such as reducing an indicator value indicating the enemy's health, such as HP, associated with the designated enemy. Furthermore, when an enemy attacks a character, the game processing unit 220 performs processing such as reducing an indicator value indicating the character's health, such as HP, associated with the character in the owned character information. The game processing unit 220 may update the game state in various other ways depending on the instructions of the target user and the progress of the game.

[0085] Furthermore, the game processing unit 220 reflects the results of a transaction in the content by changing the game state and virtual object data stored in the database 200 according to the results of the transaction. When a user purchases a virtual object from a store or other location in the virtual space, the game processing unit 220 creates an instance of the virtual object. The game processing unit 220 adds a new record (one row in the figure) to the object data shown in Figure 4, storing the instance's identification information in "Instance ID", information about the instance in "Instance Data", information indicating that the instance is owned in "Status", identification information of the user who owns the instance in "User ID", information about the acquisition of the instance in "Acquisition Information", and information about additional actions taken with respect to the virtual object in "Action Information". Here, the game processing unit 220 may read at least some of the information that should be registered in "Acquisition Information" from the user's record in the user state data, and store it in the "Acquisition Information" of the object data as information about the user state. Furthermore, the game processing unit 220 may store the instance ID of the virtual object in the user status data (see Figure 3) in the character information (in the case of a virtual character) or item information (in the case of a virtual item) of the user who purchased the virtual object.

[0086] When a virtual object is purchased through the sales site 32, the sales site connection unit 250 receives information about the purchase from the sales site 32. The purchase information may include at least one of the following: information about the source of the virtual object, information about the contents of the virtual object acquisition, or information about the object being acquired, as shown in relation to Figure 4. For example, if a user accesses the sales site 32 via an advertisement and purchases a virtual object, the sales site 32 may obtain a cookie provided by the advertising site or a promotional code entered by the user and supply it to the sales site connection unit 250. The game processing unit 220 creates an instance of the virtual object and stores the purchase information received from the sales site 32 in a record corresponding to the instance in the object data.

[0087] The game processing unit 220 and the sales site connection unit 250 may process other transactions in the same manner as described above. For example, if a virtual object is reserved, the process is otherwise the same as in the case of a purchase described above.

[0088] The game processing unit 220 updates the "status" and "user ID" of a virtual object instance in the object data when the instance is sold or lent from one user to another. The game processing unit 220 may also read at least some of the information regarding the user's status at the time of sale or lending, or prior to that, from the record of the target user in the user status data, and store it in the "acquisition information" of the object data as information regarding the user's status.

[0089] In addition, in the case of sale, the game processing unit 220 may delete the information regarding the sold virtual object from the "Owned Character Information" or "Owned Item Information" of the user who sold it in the user status data, and add the information regarding the sold virtual object to the "Owned Character Information" or "Owned Item Information" of the user who bought it. In the case of lending, the game processing unit 220 may add information indicating that the virtual object has been lent out to the "Owned Character Information" or "Owned Item Information" of the user who lent it out in the user status data, and add the information regarding the lent out virtual object to the "Owned Character Information" or "Owned Item Information" of the user who bought it.

[0090] The game processing unit 220 may disable a virtual object instance if it is discarded or destroyed, by adding information indicating that it has been discarded or destroyed to the "Status" of the instance's record in the object data. The game processing unit 220 may also remove information about this instance from the "Owned Character Information" or "Owned Item Information" of the user who owns or borrows this instance. Furthermore, the game processing unit 220 may delete the record of this instance in the object data if the information regarding the discarding or destruction of a virtual object instance is not used for granting or determining the content of benefits.

[0091] In S502, which returns from S508, the display processing unit 240 performs the process of displaying the screen after the game state change on the display device 60 of the terminal device 30.

[0092] Figure 7 shows an overview of how rewards are granted according to this embodiment. System 10 according to this embodiment grants rewards to the user in response to one or more combinations of the user's actions of acquiring virtual objects or actions of the user of virtual objects (transfer, return, disposal, etc.). System 10 may determine (or change) the content of the reward to be granted depending on at least one aspect or content of such acquisition or disposal actions. This allows System 10 to provide an entertainment element in which the user can devise or experiment to meet the conditions for the reward regarding the acquisition or disposal of virtual objects, thereby increasing the interest associated with acquiring virtual objects.

[0093] System 10 may determine the content of the benefits to be granted to the user in response to additional actions related to virtual objects other than acquisition or disposal actions. This allows System 10 to increase the likelihood of users promoting the virtual objects and thereby increase the chances of the content gaining popularity.

[0094] The rewards processing unit 270 within the server device 20 may collect information such as that exemplified in this figure as information related to the acquisition of virtual objects, and may determine the content of the rewards based on the collected information. The rewards processing unit 270 may determine or change the content of the rewards according to the "acquisition information" for the acquired virtual object instance in the object data (see Figure 4).

[0095] The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward based on information regarding the source of the virtual object. The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward associated with the granting of the virtual object based on the store (physical store, virtual store), sales site 32, or acquisition route from which the user obtained the virtual object. For example, the reward processing unit 270 may make the reward for purchasing or reserving the virtual object at at least one of the multiple sales sites 32 different from the reward for purchasing or reserving the virtual object at other sales sites 32. This allows the system 10 to select a more favorable reward based on the user's state or situation within the content, even when obtaining the same virtual object, based on the user's selection of the sales site 32, etc.

[0096] The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward based on information regarding the acquisition of virtual objects. The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward associated with the granting of virtual objects based on the number of virtual objects purchased or reserved, the consideration for granting virtual objects, or the frequency of purchasing or reserving virtual objects. For example, the reward processing unit 270 may grant the user a more favorable reward when the number of virtual objects purchased is greater, the consideration for granting virtual objects is higher, or the frequency of purchasing virtual objects is higher, compared to when the number of virtual objects purchased is less, the consideration for granting virtual objects is lower, or the frequency of purchasing virtual objects is lower. In this way, the system 10 can increase the satisfaction level of the reward in proportion to the consideration paid by the user for the virtual objects.

[0097] The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward based on information about the virtual object to be acquired. The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward associated with the granting of a virtual object based on the type of virtual object the user acquires, or the combination of two or more virtual objects the user acquires. For example, the reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward based on whether the virtual object is a weapon or armor, which weapon or armor the virtual object is, or which types of virtual objects were combined when acquiring two or more virtual objects. This allows the system 10 to provide the user with the enjoyment of choosing or combining virtual objects while considering the rewards they want.

[0098] The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward based on information regarding the user's state before or at the time of acquisition. For example, the reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward based on information indicating at least one of the following: the user's location at the time of acquisition, the user's travel distance, travel speed, travel direction, or places visited during a predetermined period prior to the reservation. For example, the reward processing unit 270 may grant a more favorable reward based on at least one of the following: the user's travel distance or travel speed during the week prior to the reservation exceeded a threshold defined as a reward condition; the user's travel speed or travel direction at the time of reservation was within the range defined as a reward condition; or the user visited one or more places defined as a reward condition during the week prior to the reservation. This allows the system 10 to encourage the user to engage in activities that meet the reward conditions in order to receive preferential treatment in connection with the acquisition of the virtual object, thereby increasing the user's expectations for the virtual object or their sense of accomplishment in acquiring the virtual object.

[0099] The benefits processing unit 270 within the server device 20 may collect information such as that exemplified in this figure as information regarding the disposal (transfer, return, or disposal in the narrow sense) of virtual objects, and determine the content of the benefits based on the collected information. The benefits processing unit 270 may determine or change the content of the benefits according to the "disposal information" for the disposed virtual object instance in the object data (see Figure 4).

[0100] The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward based on information regarding the recipient of the virtual object. The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward associated with the transfer or return of the virtual object based on the store (physical store, virtual store), sales site 32, or route to which the user transferred or returned the virtual object. The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward based on information regarding the recipient of the transfer or return, in the same manner as described above regarding information regarding the source of acquisition. Furthermore, the reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward associated with the transfer or return of the virtual object based on the number of recipients to whom the user transferred or returned the virtual object, or whether the user transferred or returned the virtual object to another user or a provider of the virtual space. As a result, even when transferring or returning the same virtual object, the system 10 can select a more favorable reward based on the user's status or situation within the content, based on the user's selection of the sales site 32, etc.

[0101] The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward based on information regarding the transfer, return, or disposal of virtual objects. The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward associated with the transfer, return, or disposal of virtual objects based on the number of virtual objects transferred, returned, or disposed of, the consideration for the transfer, return, or disposal of virtual objects, or the frequency of the transfer, return, or disposal of virtual objects. The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward based on information regarding the transfer, return, or disposal, in the same manner as described above regarding information regarding acquisition. As a result, the system 10 can increase the satisfaction level of the reward based on parameters that reflect the value of the virtual objects transferred, etc. by the user.

[0102] The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the rewards according to the information regarding the virtual objects to be transferred, returned, or disposed of. The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the rewards associated with the transfer, return, or disposal of virtual objects according to the type of virtual object that the user transfers, returns, or disposes of, or a combination of two or more virtual objects that the user transfers, returns, or disposes of. The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the rewards according to the information regarding the objects to be transferred, returned, or disposed of, in the same manner as described above regarding the information regarding the objects to be acquired. This allows the system 10 to provide the user with the enjoyment of selecting or combining virtual objects to transfer, etc., while considering the rewards they want.

[0103] The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward based on information regarding the user's status before or at the time of transfer, return, or disposal. For example, the reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward based on information indicating at least one of the following: the user's location information at the time of transfer, return, or disposal; the distance traveled by the user during a predetermined period prior to the transfer, etc.; the speed of travel; the direction of travel; or the locations visited. The reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward based on information regarding the user's status before or at the time of acquisition, in the same manner as described above. This makes it possible for the system 10 to have the user perform activities that satisfy the conditions for granting rewards in the transfer, etc. of virtual objects, thereby increasing user satisfaction up to the point of transfer, etc. of virtual objects.

[0104] Figure 8 shows an example of the data structure for each reward stored in database 200. Database 200 stores reward data that shows the granting conditions and reward details for each of the one or more virtual objects associated with that reward. The reward data has a record for each of several types of rewards, and each record includes information on the "object ID," "acquisition conditions," "disposal conditions," "action conditions," and "reward details."

[0105] The "Object ID" is information used to identify the virtual object eligible for the benefit, and may be a uniquely defined number or code within the system 10 or server device 20. Two or more types of benefits may be set for a single type of virtual object. In this case, the database 200 may store each benefit for the same type of virtual object in two or more records. The virtual object eligible for the benefit may be a subscription benefit that applies during a predetermined validity period, or it may be a character or item used in the virtual space.

[0106] "Acquisition conditions" indicate the conditions for obtaining a virtual object in order to receive the benefits corresponding to the record. "Acquisition conditions" may include one or more of the conditions that the information about the source of acquisition, the information about the acquisition content, the information about the acquisition target, or the information about the user's state before or at the time of acquisition must satisfy, which are stored in "acquisition information" associated with the instance of the virtual object that is the target of the benefit in the object data shown in Figure 4. "Acquisition conditions" may also be the acquisition of the virtual object itself.

[0107] "Disposal conditions" indicate the conditions for disposing of a virtual object in order to receive the benefits corresponding to the record. "Disposal conditions" may include one or more of the following conditions that must be met by the information stored in "Disposal Information" associated with the instance of the virtual object eligible for the benefits in the object data shown in Figure 4: conditions that must be met by the information regarding the recipient of the transfer or return, conditions that must be met by the information regarding the content of the transfer, sale, or disposal, conditions that must be met by the information regarding the subject of the transfer, sale, or disposal, or conditions that must be met by the information regarding the user state at or before the transfer, sale, or disposal. "Disposal conditions" may also be the disposal of the virtual object itself.

[0108] "Action conditions" indicate the conditions for additional actions related to a virtual object in order to receive the benefits corresponding to the record. "Action conditions" may include conditions that the information about the additional actions stored in "Action Information" associated with the instance of the virtual object eligible for the benefit in the object data shown in Figure 4 must satisfy. "Action conditions" may also be conditions based on the fact that an additional action related to the virtual object was performed.

[0109] "Reward details" refers to the content of the reward granted upon fulfillment of the reward granting conditions. Server device 20 may determine the content of the reward based on whether or not the reward conditions, which are defined by one or more sets of "acquisition conditions," "disposal conditions," or "action conditions," have been met. Determining the content of the reward may involve adding or changing virtual objects granted to the user in the virtual space. For example, if a user who acquires virtual object A has met the reward conditions, server device 20 may further grant (distribute or lend for a certain period, etc.) virtual object B. If a user who is trying to acquire virtual object A has met the reward conditions, server device 20 may grant virtual object A' instead of virtual object A, which allows the user to progress through the game more advantageously than virtual object A.

[0110] The determination or modification of the reward content may involve changes to the capabilities of virtual objects used by the user within the virtual space. For example, if a user who acquires virtual object A has met the reward conditions, server device 20 may permanently or for a predetermined period improve the capabilities, such as ability values ​​or skills, of virtual object A itself or other virtual objects.

[0111] The determination or modification of the reward content may involve changes to the completion conditions of missions provided in the virtual space. For example, the server device 20 may change the completion conditions of missions provided in the virtual space, such as missions to acquire virtual characters, virtual items, experience points or in-game currency, missions to permanently or for a certain period of time improve the abilities of virtual characters or virtual items, or missions to advance to the next stage, depending on whether the reward conditions have been met. For example, if the reward conditions have been met, the server device 20 may ease the completion conditions of the mission by reducing the number of enemy characters to be defeated, reducing the number of specific items to be acquired, reducing the distance to be traveled, or making the destination a closer location. As a determination or modification of the reward content, the server device 20 may provide a combination of two or more of the following: adding or changing virtual objects given to the user in the virtual space, changing the abilities of virtual objects used by the user in the virtual space, or changing the completion conditions of missions provided in the virtual space.

[0112] Server device 20 may grant virtual objects that are eligible for rewards or virtual objects that are granted as rewards to users who have not made a purchase, reservation, or rental that would result in a reward upon fulfilling the conditions, either for a fee (payment in in-game currency or real currency) or free of charge, without any reward, upon fulfillment of at least one of the predetermined grant conditions or the arrival of a predetermined grant timing. On the other hand, server device 20 may also grant virtual objects to users who have not fulfilled such grant conditions, or to users who wish to obtain virtual objects before or after such grant timing, in response to their purchase, rental, or reservation, and grant rewards upon fulfillment of the reward conditions.

[0113] In the example shown in this figure, the reward data specifies that for virtual object A, reward A1 will be granted when acquisition condition a1 is met, reward A2 will be granted when disposal condition a2 is met, reward A3 will be granted when acquisition condition a31 and disposal condition a32 are met, and reward A4 will be granted when acquisition condition a41 and action condition a43 are met. The rewards recorded in "Reward Details" according to the granting conditions may be fixed, or they may be variable depending on parameters included in the user state or other parameters. For example, rewards according to the granting state may be more advantageous as the number of specific enemy characters defeated, the distance traveled, or the number of designated locations reached increases within a predetermined period. Such preferential rewards may be accompanied by increasing the number of virtual objects granted to the user in the virtual space, changing the virtual objects granted to the user in the virtual space to those that make game progression more advantageous, increasing the capabilities of virtual objects used by the user in the virtual space, or relaxing the completion conditions of missions provided in the virtual space.

[0114] The content of the rewards may include anything other than increasing the number of virtual objects granted to the user within the virtual space as described above. For example, the content of the rewards may involve changing the design of at least a part of the virtual character or virtual item (the shape displayed, color, etc.) depending on whether the conditions for granting the rewards are met.

[0115] Figure 9 shows the configuration of the reward processing unit 270 according to this embodiment. The reward processing unit 270 includes a base information acquisition unit 900, an acquired information acquisition unit 910, a disposal information acquisition unit 920, an action information acquisition unit 930, a reward determination unit 940, and a selection acquisition unit 950.

[0116] The base information acquisition unit 900 is connected to the database 200. The base information acquisition unit 900 acquires basic information such as instance data, status, and user ID stored in the object data shown in Figure 4 for the instance of the virtual object to which the benefits are to be determined. The base information acquisition unit 900 may identify the record of the target instance by searching for the instance ID of the instance to which the benefits are to be determined in the object data, and read the basic information stored in that record.

[0117] The acquisition information acquisition unit 910 is connected to the database 200. The acquisition information acquisition unit 910 acquires acquisition information stored in the object data shown in Figure 4 for the instance of the virtual object that is the target of determining the benefits. The acquisition information acquisition unit 910 may read the acquisition information stored in the record identified by the base information acquisition unit 900.

[0118] The disposal information acquisition unit 920 is connected to the database 200. The disposal information acquisition unit 920 acquires disposal information stored in the object data shown in Figure 4 for the instance of the virtual object for which the benefits are to be determined. The disposal information acquisition unit 920 may read the disposal information stored in the record identified by the base information acquisition unit 900.

[0119] The behavior information acquisition unit 930 is connected to the database 200. The behavior information acquisition unit 930 acquires behavior information stored in the object data shown in Figure 4 for the instance of the virtual object for which the benefits are to be determined. The behavior information acquisition unit 930 may read the behavior information stored in the record identified by the base information acquisition unit 900.

[0120] The reward determination unit 940 is connected to the base information acquisition unit 900, the acquisition information acquisition unit 910, the disposal information acquisition unit 920, the action information acquisition unit 930, and the selection acquisition unit 950. The reward determination unit 940 searches the reward data stored in the database 200 for records of one or more rewards for the virtual object for which the rewards are to be determined. For each reward record found, the reward determination unit 940 determines whether one or more combinations of at least a part of the acquired basic information, at least a part of the acquisition information, at least a part of the disposal information, or at least a part of the action information satisfy the conditions for granting the reward.

[0121] The reward determination unit 940 may decide to grant a reward to an instance of a virtual object that satisfies the reward granting conditions. If there are multiple rewards that satisfy the reward granting conditions, the reward determination unit 940 may decide to grant all of these rewards. If there are multiple rewards that satisfy the reward granting conditions, the reward determination unit 940 may instruct the display processing unit 240 to display the contents of each of the multiple rewards that satisfy the granting conditions to the user, and decide to grant the reward selected by the user from among the multiple rewards. Whether to grant all rewards that satisfy the granting conditions to the user, or to grant only one or some of the multiple rewards selected by the user from among the multiple rewards that satisfy the granting conditions, may be predetermined for each virtual object or for each reward.

[0122] The selection acquisition unit 950 is connected to the instruction input unit 210. The selection acquisition unit 950 acquires instructions from the instruction input unit 210 from the user to select only one or some of the multiple benefits that meet the granting conditions. The selection acquisition unit 950 provides the acquired instructions to the benefit determination unit 940.

[0123] Figure 10 shows the reward granting flow by the server device 20 according to this embodiment. The server device 20 grants rewards using the reward granting flow shown in this figure in response to a user instructing to acquire or dispose of a virtual object. The server device 20 may execute this reward granting flow in response to a user instructing a transition to an operation input screen where the user inputs an operation (acquisition instruction, disposal instruction, etc.) related to a specific virtual object within the content provided by the server device 20.

[0124] In step 1000 (S1000), the reward determination unit 940 within the reward processing unit 270 uses the display processing unit 240 to display the content of rewards applicable to the target virtual object. The reward determination unit 940 may search for reward data in the database 200, obtain the content of all rewards applicable to the target virtual object, and display them on the terminal device 30 via the display processing unit 240. At this time, the reward determination unit 940 may display on the terminal device 30 the content of rewards that would satisfy the reward granting conditions if the target virtual object were acquired or disposed of, based on the current user status data and the current basic information, acquisition information, disposal information, or action information about the target virtual object.

[0125] In S1010, when terminal device 30 receives an acquisition or disposal instruction for the target virtual object, it transmits the acquisition or disposal instruction to server device 20 via network 40. The instruction input unit 210 of server device 20 receives the acquisition or disposal instruction and supplies it to game processing unit 220.

[0126] In S1020, the game processing unit 220 performs processing related to the transfer of the target virtual object in response to an acquisition or disposal instruction. Here, depending on the content, if a virtual object is purchased, borrowed, or reserved from the provider of the virtual space (content provider), that is, if a virtual object is purchased, borrowed, or reserved in a virtual store within the content, then no instance of the virtual object that the user will use within the content exists. In this case, the game processing unit 220 creates a new instance of the target virtual object in response to an acquisition or disposal instruction and registers it in the object data in the database 200. If a virtual object is purchased, borrowed, or reserved by another user, or if a virtual object is disposed of, an instance of that virtual object is already registered in the object data in the database 200.

[0127] In response to an acquisition instruction, the game processing unit 220 stores information regarding the acquisition of a virtual object in the object data within the database 200, associating it with the instance of the target virtual object. As shown in Figure 6 with respect to S508, the game processing unit 220 stores information regarding the acquisition of the instance in the "acquisition information" field within the record of the target instance in the object data.

[0128] Here, in response to receiving an acquisition instruction including a promotional code entered by the user into the terminal device 30 in S1010, the game processing unit 220 may store information indicating that the virtual object was acquired or disposed of via an advertisement or promotion corresponding to the promotional code as "information on the source of acquisition" in the "acquisition information" section of the record of the target instance.

[0129] If the acquisition instruction is an instruction to purchase or borrow a virtual object, the game processing unit 220 grants the virtual object to the user. The game processing unit 220 stores information indicating that the instance is owned or borrowed in the "Status" field of the record for the target instance, and the identification information of the user who owns or borrows the instance in the "User ID" field.

[0130] If the acquisition instruction is an instruction to reserve a virtual object, the game processing unit 220 grants the virtual object to the user at a future time specified in the reservation details. The game processing unit 220 may store information indicating that the instance is reserved in the "Status" field of the record for the target instance. The game processing unit 220 may also store information such as the timing (date and time, etc.) of receiving the reserved instance in the "Status" or "Acquisition Information" field.

[0131] In response to a disposal instruction, the game processing unit 220 stores information regarding the acquisition of a virtual object in the object data of the database 200, associating it with the instance of the target virtual object. As shown in S508 of Figure 6, the game processing unit 220 stores information regarding the disposal of the instance in the "disposal information" within the record of the target instance in the object data. If the disposal instruction is an instruction to transfer or return a virtual object, the game processing unit 220 has the user transfer or return the virtual object in the virtual space, and as shown in S508 of Figure 6, reflects the resulting transfer of the virtual object instance in the user state data and object data.

[0132] If the game processing unit 220 has stored information regarding the promotion of the target virtual object in the user status data, associated with the user who issued the acquisition or disposal instruction, it may store the promotional information in the "behavior information" for the instance of the target virtual object and reflect it in the content of the reward.

[0133] The server device 20 grants benefits associated with the granting or disposal of virtual objects through processing from S1030 to S1080. The server device 20 may perform processing to grant benefits simultaneously with, or immediately after, the granting or disposal of instances of virtual objects. Alternatively, the server device 20 may search for object data during a predetermined time period, such as during the late-night hours, and grant benefits when it detects instances of virtual objects that are in a state where benefits should be generated.

[0134] In S1030, the base information acquisition unit 900 of the reward processing unit 270 acquires basic information such as instance data, status, and user ID stored in the object data for the instance of the virtual object to which the reward is to be determined. In S1040, the acquisition information acquisition unit 910 acquires acquisition information stored in the object data for the target instance. In S1050, the disposal information acquisition unit 920 acquires disposal information stored in the object data for the target instance. In S1060, the action information acquisition unit 930 acquires action information stored in the object data for the target instance.

[0135] In S1070, the reward determination unit 940 searches the reward data stored in the database 200 for records in which the acquisition information, disposal information, and action information of the target instance satisfy the granting conditions. As shown in Figure 4, if at least one of the acquisition conditions, disposal conditions, or action conditions is unconditional, the reward determination unit 940 does not impose any restrictions on the corresponding acquisition information, disposal information, or action condition. The granting conditions for a reward may be any of the conditions included in this disclosure or other individual conditions, or they may be a combination of two or more conditions included in this disclosure or other conditions (AND conditions, OR conditions, or other compound conditions). The reward determination unit 940 reads the reward content stored in the records in the reward data that satisfy the granting conditions and determines it as the reward content associated with the granting or disposal of the target instance.

[0136] The reward determination unit 940 may determine the content of the rewards associated with the granting of virtual objects in accordance with information regarding the user's purchase or borrowing of virtual objects. The reward determination unit 940 may determine the content of the rewards associated with the granting of virtual objects in accordance with information regarding the user's reservation for the granting of virtual objects. The reward determination unit 940 may determine the rewards in a way that is more favorable to the user when a reservation has been made compared to when no reservation has been made.

[0137] If the user who reserves a virtual object and the user who obtains the reserved virtual object are different, the reward determination unit 940 may determine which user will receive the reward associated with the granting of the virtual object, according to the reward details stored in the reward data. The reward determination unit 940 may determine the reward for the user who reserved the virtual object, or the reward for the user who obtained the virtual object, according to the reward details. The reward determination unit 940 may determine the same or different rewards for both of these users.

[0138] The reward determination unit 940 may determine the content of the reward associated with the transfer or return of a virtual object based on information regarding the transfer or return of the virtual object by the user. The reward determination unit 940 may determine the content of the reward associated with the granting of a virtual object based on information regarding the promotion of the virtual object. For example, the reward determination unit 940 may determine a reward that is more favorable the larger a parameter indicating the amount of promotion, such as the number of times the virtual object was promoted, the number of people to whom the virtual object was promoted, the number of virtual objects purchased as a result of the promotion, or the number of users who purchased the virtual object as a result of the promotion. The reward determination unit 940 may determine a reward that is more favorable when the amount of promotion exceeds a predetermined threshold compared to when the amount of promotion is below the threshold.

[0139] The reward determination unit 940 may determine which users will be assigned rewards based on the amount of advertising, according to the reward details stored in the reward data. The reward determination unit 940 may determine the content of the rewards for a user who is granted a virtual object, according to information that one user or another user has advertised the virtual object. For example, the reward determination unit 940 may determine preferential rewards based on the amount of advertising for the user who advertised, and for the user who obtained the virtual object through the advertising. The reward determination unit 940 may determine the same or different rewards for both of these users.

[0140] In S1080, the reward determination unit 940 grants the determined reward to the target user. The reward determination unit 940 may grant the determined reward to the target user by updating the information associated with the target user in the user status data or the information associated with the target user in the object data.

[0141] For example, when granting a target user a benefit related to information stored in user status data, such as in-game currency, the benefit determination unit 940 may update the information such as "in-game currency" in the target user's user status data stored in the database 200 by adding the benefit amount. For example, when granting a target user a benefit related to information stored in object data, such as improving the capabilities of a virtual object, the benefit determination unit 940 may update the information by increasing the capability value in the "instance data" for the target virtual object instance in the object data stored in the database 200. When granting a target user a new virtual object, the benefit determination unit 940 may instruct the game processing unit 220 to create a new instance of the virtual object to be granted and make it the target user's property.

[0142] Furthermore, the acquisition or disposal of virtual objects may take place outside of the content. The sales site 32 provides a website, etc., that allows users to purchase, borrow, reserve, transfer, sell, or dispose of virtual objects outside of the content provided by the server device 20. The sales site 32 receives access from terminals used by users, such as terminal devices 30, and accepts instructions from users to sell, rent, accept reservations, transfer to other companies, buy, or dispose of virtual objects in response to user operations. The sales site 32 may settle payments for the instructions.

[0143] The sales site connection unit 250 within the server device 20 receives information (sales information, etc.) from the sales site 32 regarding the purchase, rental, reservation, transfer, sale, or disposal of virtual objects by users. Upon receiving this information, the server device 20 performs the processing from S1010 onwards in this diagram. At S1010, the game processing unit 220 receives this information and reflects it in the game state data and object data in the same manner as described above. The bonus processing unit 270 performs the processing from S1020 onwards in the same manner as described above.

[0144] Figure 11 shows a first example of the display screen of the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment. When the server device 20 receives a user instruction to transition to a reservation screen for reserving a virtual object within the content, the benefits processing unit 270 within the server device 20 performs display processing to display, for example, the display screen 1100 on the user's terminal device 30.

[0145] The display screen 1100 includes a display field 1110, a display field 1120, a selection input button 1130, a reservation button 1140, and a back button 1150. The display field 1110 displays information about the virtual object to be reserved. In the example shown in this figure, the virtual object to be reserved is a "weekly ticket" that is valid for one week from a predetermined date and time.

[0146] Display field 1120 displays the benefits that can be received in accordance with the reservation of the "weekly ticket". As shown with respect to S1000 in Figure 10, the benefit determination unit 940 in the benefit processing unit 270 may acquire the contents of all benefits applicable to the target virtual object and display them in display field 1120 of the display screen 1100. The benefit determination unit 940 may also display in display field 1120 benefits for which some granting conditions related to the target virtual object have not been met. The benefit determination unit 940 may also display in display field 1120 only benefits for which all granting conditions other than the execution of the "reservation" related to the target virtual object have been met. In the example in this figure, the benefit determination unit 940 displays the contents of the benefit and the granting conditions of the benefit (granting conditions that impose acquisition conditions on the user, but do not impose disposal conditions or action conditions) in display field 1120 as "reservation pattern 1". As shown in this figure, the reward determination unit 940 may display the achievement status of each of the one or more sub-conditions that constitute the conditions for granting the reward in the display field 1120.

[0147] The reward determination unit 940 may display the rewards in a way that allows for identification of whether or not the reward's granting conditions are met upon making a reservation. In the example shown in this figure, the reward determination unit 940 displays rewards whose granting conditions are met upon making a reservation within a solid-line frame, and rewards whose granting conditions are not met by making a reservation alone within a dashed-line frame. To enable such identification, the reward determination unit 940 may provide differences in the type of line indicating the frame of the display field 1120, the thickness or color of the frame line, the background color or pattern of the display field 1120, the size, thickness, font, or color of at least some of the characters within the display field 1120, or other display format differences.

[0148] The selection input button 1130 accepts selection input from the user to select the benefit to be displayed or applied from among multiple benefits that can be applied to the target virtual object. The benefit determination unit 940 receives the operation to the selection input button 1130 via the instruction input unit 210 and switches the benefit to be displayed in the display field 1120 from among the multiple benefits.

[0149] The reservation button 1140 is a display object that accepts the user's request to make a reservation. The reward determination unit 940, similar to the display field 1120, may change the display format of the reservation button 1140 depending on whether or not the conditions for granting a reward are met when the reservation is made. In S1010 of Figure 10, the game processing unit 220 receives a reservation instruction in response to the reservation button 1140 being pressed and proceeds to processing in S1020.

[0150] The back button 1150 is a display object that accepts a command from the user to return from the reservation screen to the original screen without accepting the execution of the reservation. In S1010 of Figure 10, the game processing unit 220 receives a command to return from the reservation screen in response to the back button 1150 being pressed, and interrupts the processing of the reward flow in Figure 10.

[0151] Although the display screen 1100 in this figure relates to the reservation of a virtual object, screens for other methods of obtaining virtual objects, such as purchasing or borrowing, may be similar.

[0152] Figure 12 shows a second example of the display screen of the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment. When the server device 20 receives a user instruction to transition to a return screen for returning a virtual object within the content, the benefits processing unit 270 within the server device 20 performs display processing to display, for example, the display screen 1200 on the user's terminal device 30.

[0153] The display screen 1200 includes a display field 1210, a display field 1220, a selection input button 1230, a return button 1240, and a back button 1250. The display field 1210 displays information about the virtual object to be returned. In the example shown in this figure, the virtual object to be returned is a "sharp sword".

[0154] Display field 1220 displays the rewards that can be received in response to the return of the "sharp sword". As shown with respect to S1000 in Figure 10, the reward determination unit 940 in the reward processing unit 270 may acquire the contents of all rewards applicable to the target virtual object and display them in display field 1220 of the display screen 1200. The reward determination unit 940 may also display in display field 1220 rewards for which some granting conditions related to the target virtual object have not been met. The reward determination unit 940 may also display in display field 1220 only rewards for which all granting conditions other than the execution of "return" related to the target virtual object have been met. In the example in this figure, the reward determination unit 940 displays the contents of the reward and the granting conditions of the reward (granting conditions that impose acquisition conditions and disposal conditions (return conditions) on the user, but do not impose action conditions) in display field 1220 as "return pattern 1". As shown in this figure, the reward determination unit 940 may display the achievement status of each of the one or more sub-conditions that constitute the conditions for granting the reward in the display field 1220.

[0155] The reward determination unit 940 may display the reward in a way that allows identification of whether or not the reward is one for which the granting conditions are met upon return. The reward determination unit 940 may provide differences in the display format, similar to the case of reservations shown in Figure 11.

[0156] The selection input button 1230 is the same as the selection input button 1130 in Figure 11, and accepts selection input from the user to select the benefit to display or apply from among multiple benefits that can be applied to the target virtual object. The return button 1240 is the same as the reservation button 1140 in Figure 11, and is a display object that accepts a return operation from the user. The back button 1250 is the same as the back button 1150 in Figure 11, and is a display object that accepts an instruction from the user to return from the reservation screen to the original screen without accepting a return operation.

[0157] Although the display screen 1200 in this figure relates to the sale of virtual objects, screens for other disposal methods such as returning or disposing of virtual objects may be similar.

[0158] Figure 13 shows a first example of reward granting according to this embodiment. In this example, within the content, the user owns a virtual object such as item 1300 (for example, "a sharp sword"). In this example, the reward processing unit 270 determines the content of the reward associated with the transfer or return of the virtual object, depending on whether the transfer or return of the virtual object is made to another user or to the provider of the virtual space.

[0159] The reward processing unit 270 sets the reward 1330 that a user would receive if they sold item 1300 to buyer 1310 to be higher than the reward 1340 that a user would receive if they sold item 1300 to buyer 1320. To achieve this, the reward data in the database 200 may store, for item 1300, a "reward content" stating that a reward 1330 will be given as a reward if the "disposal condition" of selling item 1300 to another user such as buyer 1310 is met, and a "reward content" stating that a reward 1340 will be given as a reward if the "disposal condition" of selling item 1300 to a virtual space provider such as buyer 1320 is met. In S1070 of Figure 10, the reward processing unit 270 may determine the content of the reward associated with the sale of item 1300 according to such reward data. The bonus processing unit 270 may instruct the game processing unit 220 to add a reward of 1330 or 1340 to the purchase price paid by the buyer 1310 or buyer 1320 in connection with the sale of item 1300 and pay it to the user. Alternatively, the bonus processing unit 270 may grant the user a reward of 1330 or 1340 separately from the purchase price paid by the buyer 1310 or buyer 1320 in connection with the sale of item 1300.

[0160] System 10 can stimulate transactions of virtual objects between users and promote interaction by offering preferential treatment to the benefits obtained by selling virtual objects to other users compared to the benefits obtained by selling virtual objects in stores within the virtual space. Conversely, if System 10 offers less favorable treatment to the benefits obtained by selling virtual objects to other users compared to the benefits obtained by selling virtual objects in stores within the virtual space, it can encourage the transfer of virtual objects to the provider of the virtual space and promote the recovery of instances of virtual objects used and circulated within the virtual space.

[0161] The rewards processing unit 270 may determine the content of the rewards associated with the transfer or return of a virtual object depending on the recipient of the transfer or return. For example, the rewards processing unit 270 may make the rewards a user receives for transferring or selling a virtual object to another user who is lower level, has less experience, or is slower in content progression than the rewards a user receives for transferring or selling a virtual object to another user who is higher level or has more experience, or who has progressed further in content progression than the user. This allows system 10 to encourage users with higher levels, etc., to transfer their powerful virtual objects to users with lower levels, etc., thereby promoting cooperation among users. The rewards processing unit 270 may maintain a threshold that is smaller than, larger than, or the same as, the target user's level, experience, or content progression, etc., as a criterion for granting rewards in such cases. The rewards processing unit 270 may determine whether or not to grant a reward to the target user, or the degree of preferential treatment of the reward, depending on whether the level, experience, or content progression, etc., of the recipient user exceeds this threshold.

[0162] The rewards processing unit 270 may determine the content of the rewards associated with the transfer or return of a virtual object based on the number of people to whom the virtual object is transferred or returned, for example, if a user owns multiple virtual objects of a certain type. This allows the system 10 to encourage users who have acquired many instances of a virtual object to distribute those instances to more other users.

[0163] Figure 14 shows a second example of reward provision according to this embodiment. In this example, the content of the reward is determined depending on whether the user has transferred or returned a virtual object within the content.

[0164] In the example shown in this diagram, the user returns item 1420 (for example, "a sharp sword") in the virtual space. As a result, when the user fights enemy character 1410 using their character 1400, they are unable to use item 1420 and instead use a less powerful weapon such as item 1430 (for example, "a dagger"). The reward processing unit 270 grants the user a reward of 1450 in accordance with the fact that the user returned item 1420 and subsequently fought and defeated enemy character 1410.

[0165] In response, other users do not return item 1420 within the virtual space. Then, other users use item 1420 when fighting enemy character 1410 using their own character 1440. The reward processing unit 270 does not grant reward 1450 if the other user fights and wins against enemy character 1410 without returning item 1420.

[0166] Thus, the reward processing unit 270 may set the reward for completing a mission after transferring or returning a virtual object higher than the reward for completing a mission without transferring or returning a virtual object. The reward processing unit 270 may add such a reward as a bonus to the user's reward for defeating enemy character 1410 itself. Alternatively, the reward processing unit 270 may add such a reward as a bonus to the user's reward for defeating enemy character 1410 itself.

[0167] The reward processing unit 270 may, instead of changing the achievement rewards, or in addition to doing so, relax the achievement conditions for missions performed after the transfer or return of a virtual object compared to the achievement conditions for missions performed without the transfer or return of a virtual object. For example, the reward processing unit 270 may relax the achievement conditions for a mission to fight enemy character 1410, such as making enemy character 1410 weaker and easier to defeat if the user returns item 1420.

[0168] By making the rewards or achievement conditions for missions performed after the transfer or return of a virtual object different from those for missions performed without the transfer or sale of the virtual object, system 10 can adjust the achievement rewards or achievement conditions depending on whether the virtual object is usable or not. This allows system 10 to encourage the return of a virtual object, for example, if a user has not returned a virtual object that has exceeded its loan period, by lowering the mission's achievement reward or making the achievement conditions more difficult to achieve.

[0169] For example, if an instance of a virtual object is stored on blockchain 35, the server device 20 may not be able to change the information of the virtual object instance stored on blockchain 35 without the operation or approval of the user who is borrowing the virtual object instance, and may not be able to change the right to use the virtual object instance. In such cases, even after the lease period for the virtual object instance has ended, the user who borrowed the instance may continue to use the instance improperly. Even in such cases, the server device 20 can encourage the return of the virtual object by reducing the reward for completing missions that do not involve the transfer or return of the virtual object, or by making the completion conditions stricter.

[0170] Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, where a block may represent (1) a stage in a process in which an operation is performed or (2) a section of a device having the role of performing the operation. Specific stages and sections may be implemented by dedicated circuits, programmable circuits supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or processors supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. Dedicated circuits may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuits may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc.

[0171] Computer-readable media may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions to be executed by a suitable device, and as a result, computer-readable media having instructions stored therein will comprise a product containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multipurpose disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0172] Computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as SMALLTALK®, JAVA®, C++, and traditional procedural programming languages ​​such as the C programming language or similar programming languages.

[0173] Computer-readable instructions are provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet to the processor or programmable circuit of a programmable data processing device such as a computer, and may be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Here, the computer may be a PC (personal computer), tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, general-purpose computer, or special-purpose computer, and may also be a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system in which multiple computers are connected is also called a distributed computing system and is a computer in a broad sense. In a distributed computing system, multiple computers execute a program collectively by each computer executing a part of the program and passing data during program execution between computers as needed.

[0174] Examples of processors include computer processors, central processing units (CPUs), processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, and microcontrollers. A computer may have one or more processors. In a multiprocessor system with multiple processors, each processor executes a portion of the program, and the processors collectively execute the program by passing program execution data between them as needed. For example, in the execution of multitasking, each of the multiple processors may execute a portion of each task in small chunks by switching tasks at each time slice. In this case, which part of a program each processor executes changes dynamically. Which part of a program each of the multiple processors executes may also be statically determined by multiprocessor-aware programming.

[0175] Figure 15 shows an example of a computer 2200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 2200 can cause the computer 2200 to function as an operation or one or more sections of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, or to execute such operation or one or more sections, and / or to cause the computer 2200 to execute a process or a stage of such process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to perform a particular operation associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0176] The computer 2200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, RAM 2214, a graphics controller 2216, and a display device 2218, which are interconnected by a host controller 2210. The computer 2200 also includes a communication interface 2222, storage devices such as a hard disk drive 2224, an input / output unit such as a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242, which are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.

[0177] The CPU 2212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2230 and RAM 2214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 2216 retrieves image data generated by the CPU 2212 from a frame buffer provided in RAM 2214 or from itself, and displays the image data on the display device 2218.

[0178] The communication interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via the network. Storage devices such as the hard disk drive 2224 store programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides them to storage devices such as the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from the IC card and / or writes programs and data to the IC card.

[0179] The ROM 2230 stores boot programs and / or programs that depend on the computer 2200's hardware, which are executed by the computer 2200 when activated. The input / output chip 2240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 2220 via parallel ports, serial ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, etc.

[0180] The program is provided on a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable medium and installed on a storage device such as a hard disk drive 2224 (an example of a computer-readable medium), RAM 2214, or ROM 2230, and executed by the CPU 2212. The information processing described within these programs is read by the computer 2200, resulting in coordination between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured to realize the manipulation or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 2200.

[0181] For example, when communication is performed between a computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded into RAM 2214 and, based on the processing described in the communication program, instruct the communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing. Under the control of the CPU 2212, the communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a storage device such as RAM 2214, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM 2201, or a recording medium such as an IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes received data received from the network to a receive buffer processing area provided on the recording medium.

[0182] Furthermore, the CPU 2212 may read all or necessary parts of files or databases stored on external storage media such as a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), or an IC card into the RAM 2214, and perform various types of processing on the data in the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 then writes the processed data back to the external storage media.

[0183] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 2212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from RAM 2214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the program instruction sequence, and write the results back to RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 may also retrieve information in files, databases, etc., within the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries are stored in the recording medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU 2212 may search among the multiple entries for an entry that matches the condition for which the attribute value of the first attribute is specified, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0184] The programs or software modules described above may be stored on or near computer 2200 on a computer-readable medium. Alternatively, recording media such as hard disks or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as computer-readable media, thereby providing programs to computer 2200 via the network.

[0185] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0186] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that these can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the operations in that order.

[0187] "Addendum" The following features are also disclosed in the specification and drawings of this application. "assignment" The aim is to improve interest and appeal. "Solution" (Note 1) On the computer, Grant a virtual object to the user, The content of the benefits associated with the granting of the virtual object is determined based on the information regarding the user's reservation for the granting of the virtual object. program. (Note 2) To the aforementioned computer, When the user has made the reservation, the benefits are determined to be more favorable to the user compared to when the user has not made the reservation. The program described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The program described in Appendix 1 includes information relating to the reservation, which includes information indicating at least one of the following: the number of virtual objects reserved, the consideration for granting the virtual objects, the frequency of reservations for the virtual objects, the type of virtual object, the location information of the user at the time the reservation was made, the store, reservation site, or reservation route used by the user, or the timing of the reservation. (Note 4) The program described in Appendix 1 includes information relating to the reservation, which includes information indicating at least one of the user's travel distance, travel speed, travel direction, or locations traveled during a predetermined period prior to the reservation. (Note 5) The aforementioned virtual object is the program described in Appendix 1, which is either a subscription benefit applicable during a predetermined validity period, or at least one of a character or item used within a virtual space. (Note 6) The program described in Appendix 1 includes determining the content of the aforementioned benefits, which includes at least one of the following: changing the conditions for completing missions provided in the virtual space, changing the capabilities of virtual objects used by the user in the virtual space, or adding or changing virtual objects granted to the user in the virtual space. (Note 7) To the aforementioned computer, In response to the fulfillment of predetermined granting conditions or the arrival of predetermined granting timings, the virtual object will be granted to users who have not made a reservation, without the aforementioned benefits. The program described in Appendix 1. (Note 8) The reservation information includes information indicating two or more combinations of the virtual objects reserved by the user, To the aforementioned computer, The content of the benefits is determined according to the combination of the two or more virtual objects. The program described in Appendix 1. (Note 9) On the computer, Allow the user to transfer or return the virtual object. The system determines the content of the benefits associated with the transfer or return of the virtual object based on information regarding the transfer or return of the virtual object by the user. program. (Note 10) The information relating to the transfer or return includes the number of virtual objects transferred or returned, the consideration for the transfer or return of the virtual objects, the frequency of the transfer or return of the virtual objects, the type of virtual object, the user's location information at the time of the transfer or return, the store, site, or route where the user made the transfer or return, the timing of the transfer or return, the recipient or number of recipients to whom the virtual objects were transferred or returned, or information indicating whether the transfer or return of the virtual objects was made to another user or a provider of the virtual space. The program described in Appendix 9. (Note 11) To the aforementioned computer, The conditions for completing a mission performed after the transfer or return of the virtual object are made more lenient compared to the conditions for completing the mission performed without the transfer or return of the virtual object. The program described in Appendix 9. (Note 12) The information relating to the transfer or return includes information indicating a combination of two or more virtual objects that the user has transferred or returned, To the aforementioned computer, The content of the benefits is determined according to the combination of the two or more virtual objects. The program described in Appendix 9. (Note 13) On the computer, Assign a virtual object to a single user, The content of the benefits associated with granting the virtual object is determined based on information regarding the promotion of the virtual object. program. (Note 14) To the aforementioned computer, In accordance with information that the aforementioned user or other users have advertised the virtual object, the content of the benefits to the aforementioned user who is granted the virtual object is determined. The program described in Appendix 13. (Note 15) The program described in Appendix 13 includes information relating to the advertising, which includes information indicating at least one of the following: the number of times the virtual object was advertised, the number of people to whom the virtual object was advertised, the number of times the virtual object was purchased, or the number of users who purchased the virtual object. (Item 16) A memory device that stores programs, At least one processor that executes the aforementioned program and Equipped with, The at least one processor executes the program, Grant a virtual object to the user, The content of the benefits associated with the granting of the virtual object is determined based on the information regarding the user's reservation for the granting of the virtual object. system. (Item 17) A memory device that stores programs, At least one processor that executes the aforementioned program and Equipped with, The at least one processor executes the program, Allow the user to transfer or return the virtual object. The system determines the content of the benefits associated with the transfer or return of the virtual object based on information regarding the transfer or return of the virtual object by the user. system. (Item 18) A memory device that stores programs, At least one processor that executes the aforementioned program and Equipped with, The at least one processor executes the program, Assign a virtual object to a single user, The content of the benefits associated with granting the virtual object is determined based on information regarding the promotion of the virtual object. system. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0188] 10 System, 20 Server device, 30 Terminal device, 32 Sales site, 35 Blockchain, 40 Network, 50 Input device, 60 Display device, 200 Database, 210 Instruction input unit, 220 Game processing unit, 240 Display processing unit, 250 Sales site connection unit, 270 Reward processing unit, 280 Blockchain processing unit, 300 Terminal input processing unit, 305 Terminal status acquisition unit, 310 Terminal transmission unit, 320 Terminal reception unit, 330 Terminal display processing unit, 900 Base information acquisition unit, 910 Acquisition information acquisition unit, 920 Disposal information acquisition unit, 930 Action information acquisition unit, 940 Reward determination unit, 950 Selection acquisition unit, 1100 Display screen, 1110 Display field, 1120 Display field, 1130 Selection input button, 1140 Reservation button, 1150 Back button, 1200 Display screen, 1210 Display area, 1220 Display area, 1230 Select input button, 1240 Return button, 1250 Back button, 1300 Item, 1310 Sell destination, 1320 Sell destination, 1330 Reward, 1340 Reward, 1400 Character, 1410 Enemy character, 1420 Item, 1430 Item, 1440 Character, 1450 Reward, 2200 Computer, 2201 DVD-ROM, 2210 Host controller, 2212 CPU, 2214 RAM, 2216 Graphics controller, 2218 Display device, 2220 Input / output controller, 2222 Communication interface, 2224 Hard disk drive, 2226 DVD-ROM drive, 2230 ROM, 2240 Input / output chip, 2242 Keyboard

Claims

1. On the computer, Grant a virtual object to the user, The content of the benefits associated with the granting of the virtual object is determined based on the information regarding the user's reservation for the granting of the virtual object. program.

2. To the aforementioned computer, When the user has made the reservation, the benefits are determined to be more favorable to the user compared to when the user has not made the reservation. The program according to claim 1.

3. The program according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the reservation includes information indicating at least one of the following: the number of virtual objects reserved, the consideration for granting the virtual objects, the reservation frequency of the virtual objects, the type of virtual object, the location information of the user when the reservation was made, the store, reservation site, or reservation route used by the user, or the timing of the reservation.

4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the reservation includes information indicating at least one of the user's travel distance, travel speed, travel direction, or locations traveled during a predetermined period prior to the reservation.

5. The program according to claim 1, wherein the virtual object is at least one of a subscription benefit that applies during a predetermined validity period, or a character or item used in a virtual space.

6. The program according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the content of the aforementioned benefits includes at least one of the following: changing the conditions for completing missions provided in the virtual space; changing the capabilities of virtual objects used by the user in the virtual space; and adding or changing virtual objects granted to the user in the virtual space.

7. To the aforementioned computer, In response to the fulfillment of predetermined granting conditions or the arrival of predetermined granting timings, the virtual object will be granted to users who have not made a reservation, without the aforementioned benefits. The program according to claim 1.

8. The reservation information includes information indicating two or more combinations of the virtual objects reserved by the user, To the aforementioned computer, The content of the benefits is determined according to the combination of the two or more virtual objects. The program according to claim 1.

9. On the computer, Allow the user to transfer or return the virtual object. The system determines the content of the benefits associated with the transfer or return of the virtual object based on information regarding the transfer or return of the virtual object by the user. program.

10. The information relating to the transfer or return includes the number of virtual objects transferred or returned, the consideration for the transfer or return of the virtual objects, the frequency of the transfer or return of the virtual objects, the type of virtual object, the user's location information at the time of the transfer or return, the store, site, or route where the user made the transfer or return, the timing of the transfer or return, the recipient or number of recipients to whom the virtual objects were transferred or returned, or information indicating whether the transfer or return of the virtual objects was made to another user or a provider of the virtual space. The program according to claim 9.

11. To the aforementioned computer, The conditions for completing a mission performed after the transfer or return of the virtual object are made more lenient compared to the conditions for completing the mission performed without the transfer or return of the virtual object. The program according to claim 9.

12. The information relating to the transfer or return includes information indicating a combination of two or more virtual objects that the user has transferred or returned, To the aforementioned computer, The content of the benefits is determined according to the combination of the two or more virtual objects. The program according to claim 9.

13. On the computer, Assign a virtual object to a single user, The content of the benefits associated with granting the virtual object is determined based on information regarding the promotion of the virtual object. program.

14. To the aforementioned computer, In accordance with information that the aforementioned user or other users have advertised the virtual object, the content of the benefits to the aforementioned user who is granted the virtual object is determined. The program according to claim 13.

15. The program according to claim 13, wherein the information relating to the advertising includes information indicating at least one of the following: the number of times the virtual object has been advertised, the number of people to whom the virtual object has been advertised, the number of times the virtual object has been purchased, or the number of users who have purchased the virtual object.

16. A memory device that stores programs, At least one processor that executes the aforementioned program and Equipped with, The at least one processor executes the program, Grant a virtual object to the user, The content of the benefits associated with the granting of the virtual object is determined based on the information regarding the user's reservation for the granting of the virtual object. system.

17. A memory device that stores programs, At least one processor that executes the aforementioned program and Equipped with, The at least one processor executes the program, Allow the user to transfer or return the virtual object. The system determines the content of the benefits associated with the transfer or return of the virtual object based on information regarding the transfer or return of the virtual object by the user. system.

18. A memory device that stores programs, At least one processor that executes the aforementioned program and Equipped with, The at least one processor executes the program, Assign a virtual object to a single user, The content of the benefits associated with granting the virtual object is determined based on information regarding the promotion of the virtual object. system.

Images