Information processing systems, information processing methods, and programs

Abstract

To motivate users to participate. [Solution] An information processing system comprising: a support fund provision unit that receives support funds from users for a crowdfunding target; and an email address issuance unit that, when predetermined conditions are met, issues an email address with a domain corresponding to the target to the user who provided the support funds.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, it is proposed to promote the spread of crowdfunding.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The psychological barrier to participating in crowdfunding is high.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a technology that can motivate users to participate. }

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] 〗 〗The main invention of the present invention for solving the above problems is an information processing system, comprising: a support fund providing unit that receives a support fund provided by a user for a support target of crowdfunding; and a mail address issuing unit that issues a mail address of a domain corresponding to the support target to the user who provided the support fund when a predetermined condition is satisfied. 〗

[0007] 〗 〗Regarding other problems disclosed in the present application and solutions therefor, they will be clarified by the embodiments of the invention and the drawings. 〗

Effects of the Invention

[0008] 〗 〗According to the present invention, users can be motivated to participate. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of management server 2. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the software configuration for management server 2. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the operation of management server 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] <System Overview> The following describes an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system of this embodiment is

[0011] Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system. The information processing system in this embodiment includes a management server 2. The management server 2 is connected to the user terminal 1 via a communication network. The communication network is, for example, the internet and is constructed using public telephone networks, mobile phone networks, wireless communication channels, Ethernet (registered trademark), etc.

[0012] User terminal 1 is a computer operated by the user. User terminal 1 can be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a personal computer.

[0013] The management server 2 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or it may be logically implemented through cloud computing.

[0014] <Management Server> Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 2. Note that the illustrated configuration is just one example, and other configurations are also possible. The management server 2 includes a CPU 201, memory 202, storage device 203, communication interface 204, input device 205, and output device 206. The storage device 203 stores various data and programs, such as a hard disk drive, solid-state drive, or flash memory. The communication interface 204 is an interface for connecting to a communication network, such as an adapter for connecting to Ethernet®, a modem for connecting to a public telephone network, a wireless communication device for wireless communication, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector or RS232C connector for serial communication. The input device 205 is for inputting data, such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, button, or microphone. The output device 206 is for outputting data, such as a display, printer, or speaker. Furthermore, each functional unit of the management server 2, as described later, is realized by the CPU 201 reading programs stored in the storage device 203 into memory 202 and executing them, and each storage unit of the management server 2 is realized as part of the storage area provided by memory 202 and storage device 203.

[0015] Figure 3 shows an example of the software configuration of the management server 2. The management server 2 includes a project storage unit 231, an email address storage unit 232, a support fund provision unit 211, an email address issuance unit 212, a reward granting unit 213, a network setting unit 214, and a notification information transmission unit 215.

[0016] <Storage section> The project memory unit 231 stores information about the crowdfunding project (hereinafter referred to as "project information"). Project information can include information that identifies the crowdfunding project (e.g., project ID), the name and description of the project, information that identifies the provider of the project (e.g., someone planning to manufacture a product, or someone planning to develop an online service or game), the crowdfunding period, the target amount, and the minimum pledge amount.

[0017] Furthermore, in this embodiment, project information may include a domain corresponding to the supported project, the domain owner, and a virtual organization that owns the domain. The domain may also be a subdomain. The domain owner is a company or individual that procured the domain from a registrar. A virtual organization is a fictional organization that does not exist in reality and is associated with the supported project. For example, if the supported project is a game, organizations that appear in the game's world, organizations to which the game's characters belong, and organizations of the country or region where the game takes place would be considered virtual organizations. Similarly, if the supported project is a movie or drama, organizations that appear in the work and organizations to which the characters in the work belong would also be considered virtual organizations. In this way, virtual organizations can be set up in various ways depending on the content of the supported project. By setting up virtual organizations, supporters can be given the feeling of being involved in the world of the supported project.

[0018] The email address storage unit 232 stores information about the issued email address (hereinafter referred to as email address information). The email address information includes information that identifies the crowdfunding project for which the email address was issued (project ID), information that identifies the user (which may be address, name, date of birth, etc., or a user ID if separate user management is in place), account name, domain, and support information. Connecting the account name and domain with "@" creates an email address. The support information may include the amount of support from the user (or the menu selected by the user).

[0019] <Functional Department> The support fund providing unit 211 receives the provision of support funds from users for the support targets of crowdfunding. The support targets can be, for example, various products, services, games, etc. The support fund providing unit 211 may, for example, present a plurality of menus with different support fund amounts and let the user select, or may receive any amount from the user. The support fund providing unit 211 can receive the provision of support funds by performing a charging process on the user.

[0020] The email address issuing unit 212 issues an email address to the user who has provided the support fund. The email address issuing unit 212 can issue an email address when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition is some condition defined in relation to the provision of support funds for crowdfunding, and can be appropriately set according to the implementation form of crowdfunding, such as the amount of the support fund, the timing of support, the attributes of the supporters, etc. For example, the predetermined condition can be that the amount of the support fund is not less than a predetermined threshold. Also, the predetermined condition can be that the menu selected by the user is a predetermined one.

[0021] The email address issuing unit 212 receives the user's desired account name. When the email address information including the information indicating the supported project and the account name is not registered in the email address storage unit 232, the email address issuing unit 212 can issue an email address with the received account name. The email address issuing unit 212 can create an account in the MTA (Mail Transfer Agent) related to the domain corresponding to the supported project (the domain included in the project information corresponding to the project stored in the project storage unit 231). The process of creating an account in the MTA can be performed by a known method. The email address issuing unit 212 may restrict the characters that can be used for the account name according to the support information.

[0022] The email address issuing unit 212 may create a random account name (one not registered in the email address storage unit 232). The email address issuing unit 212 may prepare a predetermined number of email addresses (accounts) in advance and sequentially assign the prepared accounts to the supporter users.

[0023] The reward distribution unit 213 distributes rewards to the owner of an email address. Rewards are benefits or perks offered to crowdfunding supporters. Rewards may be the supported product or service itself, but they can also include a variety of other perks to express gratitude to supporters. Examples of rewards are diverse, including digital assets such as digital content and game items, early access to the supported product or service, discount coupons, limited edition goods, invitations to events, and crediting the supporter's name. The reward distribution unit 213 can send information about the distributed reward, or a URL to obtain the reward, via email to the email address. The reward distribution unit 213 can obtain email address information corresponding to a specific project from the email address storage unit 232 and distribute rewards to users corresponding to the obtained email address information. The reward distribution unit 213 may also change the reward distributed according to the support information contained in the obtained email address information. For example, the type or amount of the reward can be changed according to the amount of support.

[0024] The network configuration unit 214 sets the virtual owner as the domain owner. The virtual owner is included in the project information. If the domain obtained from the registrar is set as the domain in the project information, the network configuration unit 214 can set the virtual owner in the WHOIS database.

[0025] The notification information transmission unit 215 sends notification information regarding the supported item to the issued email address. Here, notification information is a broad concept that includes various types of information related to the supported item and information that is useful to the supporter's users. Notification information may include information indicating the current status, progress, and future plans of the supported item. For example, if the supported item is a product, the notification information may include the progress of product manufacturing, the completion status of each stage of the manufacturing process, challenges and problems in manufacturing, and the planned sales date and shipping date. If the supported item is digital content or a service such as a game, the notification information may include the development status, the completion status of each stage of the development process, challenges and problems in development, the planned release date, the status of testing, the release status of gameplay videos, and the distribution date. The notification information transmission unit 215 can send such notification information to the email address issued to the supporter's users (email address (account and domain) stored in the email address storage unit 232). This makes it possible to notify only the supporter's users of the status of the supported item.

[0026] <Operation> Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the management server 2.

[0027] Management server 2 accepts donations from users (S301), and if the conditions are met (S302: YES), issues an email address to the user (S303).

[0028] As described above, the information processing system of this embodiment allows for the provision of email addresses as a reward to crowdfunding supporters. Furthermore, since the provided email address belongs to the domain of a virtual organization related to the supported project, it can also serve as proof that the user belongs to the virtual organization.

[0029] Although these embodiments have been described above, they are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and equivalents thereof are also included.

[0030] For example, the processing performed by each functional unit of the management server 2 described above may be executed by any of the functional units. Furthermore, different functional units may be added to perform some of the processing performed by each of the functional units described above. Also, the functional units of the management server 2 may be distributed across multiple computers.

[0031] Furthermore, the information stored in each memory unit of the management server 2 may be stored in any of the memory units. That is, the information stored in the multiple memory units mentioned above may be stored in a single memory unit, or a portion of the information stored in one memory unit may be stored in another memory unit.

[0032] <Example 1> Furthermore, the email address issuing unit 212 may issue email addresses based on the attributes of the supporter. Examples of supporter attributes include age, gender, and residential area. Supporter attribute information can be included, for example, in the user information transmitted from the user terminal 1. Alternatively, if the management server 2 performs separate user management, it can be obtained from the user information database of the management server 2.

[0033] The email address issuing unit 212 can determine the attributes of a supporter based on pre-set conditions. For example, it can determine whether the supporter's age is within a specified range, whether the supporter's gender is specified, or whether the supporter's residential area is specified. The email address issuing unit 212 may issue email addresses only to supporters who meet the conditions based on the determination results.

[0034] This allows crowdfunding campaigns to issue email addresses only to supporters who meet specific target attributes. Furthermore, it enables targeted promotional activities, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the campaign.

[0035] Furthermore, the email address issuing unit 212 may change the domain of the email address it issues depending on the attributes of the supporter. For example, it may issue an email address with a domain representing a country or region depending on the supporter's place of residence. Alternatively, it may issue an email address with a domain representing the supporter's age or gender.

[0036] This makes it possible to issue email addresses with domains tailored to the attributes of supporters, providing them with more attractive and personalized email addresses. Furthermore, it can further increase motivation for supporting crowdfunding projects.

[0037] <Modification 2> Furthermore, while this embodiment demonstrates an example of setting up a fictitious organization as a virtual organization, it is not limited to this. A real company or organization related to the support target may also be set up as the virtual organization. For example, if the support target is a product, the company that manufactures that product can be set up as the virtual organization. Similarly, if the support target is a service, the company or organization that provides that service can be set up as the virtual organization.

[0038] By setting up real companies and organizations as virtual organizations in this way, it is possible to provide supporters with more realistic email addresses. Supporters will receive email addresses from companies and organizations actually involved with the recipient of their support, rather than simply receiving an email address from a fictional organization, which will allow them to feel a greater sense of attachment and connection to the recipient.

[0039] Furthermore, when setting up a fictional organization based on a real company or organization, it is preferable to obtain the consent of that company or organization. In addition, the official organizational name or brand name of the company or organization can be used for the domain portion of the email address. However, if the domain portion exactly matches the official domain of a real company or organization, it may mislead supporters, so it is preferable to use a separate domain prepared specifically for the email addresses issued in this embodiment. For example, in addition to the official domain of a company such as "xxx.co.jp", a domain for this embodiment such as "xxx-fan.jp" may be acquired, and email addresses may be issued using this domain.

[0040] Furthermore, when setting up a fictional organization based on a real company or organization, information about that company or organization can be included when issuing email addresses or sending notification information. This allows supporters to receive the latest information about the company or organization through their email address, deepening their understanding not only of the supported entity but also of the company or organization behind it.

[0041] <Variation 3> The notification information transmission unit 215 may also transmit event information related to the supported product as notification information. Event information may include, for example, information on press conferences, exhibitions, and experience events related to the supported product; information on explanatory meetings and seminars related to the supported service; and information on tournaments and meetups related to the supported game. The notification information transmission unit 215 can send this event information, including the date and time, location, and participation method, to the issued email address. This can encourage supporters to participate in events related to the supported product and increase engagement with supporters.

[0042] Furthermore, the notification information transmission unit 215 may also transmit collaboration information related to the supported product as notification information. Collaboration information may include, for example, information about the supported product, service, or game collaborating with products, services, or games of other companies. The notification information transmission unit 215 can send information such as the content and duration of the collaboration, and information about the collaborating partner, to the issued email address. This allows supporters to be notified of collaborations related to the supported product and to stimulate their interest in the supported product.

[0043] Furthermore, the notification information transmission unit 215 may also transmit related product information related to the supported product as notification information. Related product information may include, for example, information on products related to the supported product (such as accessories and peripherals), services related to the supported service (such as linked services and additional services), and games related to the supported game (such as sequels and spin-offs). The notification information transmission unit 215 can send information such as the content, release date, and price of related products to the issued email address. This can encourage supporters to purchase products related to the supported product, thereby maintaining and increasing supporters' interest in the supported product.

[0044] <Modification 5> Furthermore, in this embodiment, a dedicated website corresponding to the domain of the email address issued by the email address issuing unit 212 may be provided. Specifically, the management server 2 has the functionality of a web server and hosts a website corresponding to the domain of the issued email address. This website can be configured so that only users with an email address issued by the email address issuing unit 212 can log in.

[0045] The website may include detailed information about the recipients of support. This allows supporters to receive more detailed information about the recipients. The website may also include features such as message boards and chat rooms for supporters to interact with each other. This can help form a supporter community and promote interaction among supporters.

[0046] Furthermore, the website may include a function to receive feedback and requests from supporters. This would allow the developers and providers receiving support to understand the opinions and requests of their supporters and use them to improve and enhance the products and services they are supporting.

[0047] Additionally, the website may include information about perks for supporters. These perks could include early access to the supported product or service, special discount coupons, or limited-edition merchandise. This can increase supporter satisfaction.

[0048] Additionally, the website may include a ranking of supporters. This ranking could be based, for example, on the amount of support received or the number of times supporters have provided support. This can help increase supporters' motivation to contribute.

[0049] As described above, by creating a dedicated website using the email address domain, it is possible to achieve effects such as the formation of a supporter community, promotion of interaction among supporters, improvement of supporter satisfaction, and increased motivation to support.

[0050] <Disclosure Items> Furthermore, this disclosure also includes the following configurations. [Item 1] The fundraising department accepts donations from users for the crowdfunding projects, An email address issuing unit that, when certain conditions are met, issues an email address for the domain corresponding to the support target to the user who provided the support funds, An information processing system characterized by comprising the following features. [Item 2] The information processing system described in item 1, The system includes a reward granting unit that grants a reward to the owner of the aforementioned email address and notifies the email address of the granted reward. An information processing system characterized by the following. [Item 3] The information processing system described in item 1, The system includes a network configuration unit that sets a virtual organization as the owner of the domain. An information processing system characterized by the following. [Item 4] The information processing system described in item 1, It includes a notification information transmission unit that sends notification information regarding the support recipient to the aforementioned email address. An information processing system characterized by the following. [Item 5] Steps for accepting donations from users for the crowdfunding project, If the specified conditions are met, the steps include issuing an email address for the domain corresponding to the support recipient to the user who provided the support funds, An information processing method characterized by a computer executing the following. [Item 6] Steps for accepting donations from users for the crowdfunding project, If the specified conditions are met, the steps include issuing an email address for the domain corresponding to the support recipient to the user who provided the support funds, A program that causes a computer to execute something. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 User terminal 2 Management Server

Claims

1. The fundraising department accepts donations from users for the crowdfunding projects, An email address issuing unit that, when certain conditions are met, issues an email address for the domain corresponding to the support target to the user who provided the support funds, An information processing system characterized by comprising the following features.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The system includes a reward granting unit that grants a reward to the owner of the aforementioned email address and notifies the email address of the granted reward. An information processing system characterized by the following.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1, The system includes a network configuration unit that sets a virtual organization as the owner of the domain. An information processing system characterized by the following.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1, It includes a notification information transmission unit that sends notification information regarding the support recipient to the aforementioned email address. An information processing system characterized by the following.

5. Steps for accepting donations from users for the crowdfunding project, If the specified conditions are met, the step of issuing an email address for the domain corresponding to the support recipient to the user who provided the support funds, An information processing method characterized by a computer executing the following.

6. Steps for accepting donations from users for the crowdfunding project, If the specified conditions are met, the step of issuing an email address for the domain corresponding to the support recipient to the user who provided the support funds, A program that causes a computer to execute something.

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