Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

This encourages the use of railway usage points. [Solution] For each user, railway usage points accumulated through railway use are managed, and a game is provided that progresses by consuming in-game points. Here, the consumption of railway usage points when using the service and / or purchasing goods is converted into the aforementioned in-game points.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program. In particular, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program that perform information processing related to railway usage points.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a game system that encourages railway usage by providing a training game that progresses based on railway usage history.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The following analysis is made from the perspective of the present invention. The disclosure of the above prior art documents is incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] Some railway operators attract customers to related commercial facilities by providing users with railway usage points based on their railway use and encouraging point usage at such related commercial facilities. Here, even if railway usage is encouraged according to Patent Document 1, this does not lead to consumption of railway usage points, and each user's railway usage points only keep accumulating. It is difficult for railway operators to predict when and how each user will consume these accumulated railway usage points, and this constitutes a management problem.

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program that contribute to encouraging consumption of railway usage points.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present invention, For each user, there is a railway usage points management unit that manages the railway usage points accumulated through railway use, The game provider section provides games that progress by consuming in-game points, A point conversion unit that converts the consumption of railway usage points when using a service and / or purchasing goods into in-game points, An information processing device having the following is provided.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, For each user, there is a railway usage points management unit that manages the railway usage points accumulated through railway use, The game provider section provides games that progress by consuming in-game points, An information processing device having, A point conversion process is performed to convert the consumption of railway usage points when using the service and / or purchasing goods into in-game points. Information processing methods are provided.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, For each user, there is a railway usage points management unit that manages the railway usage points accumulated through railway use, The game provider section provides games that progress by consuming in-game points, An information processing device as a computer having, The system executes a point conversion process that converts the consumption of railway usage points when using a service and / or purchasing goods into in-game points. An information processing program is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to each aspect of the present invention, an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program are provided that contribute to encouraging the consumption of railway usage points. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of an information processing device. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of an information processing device. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a conversion table. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing an example of a list of benefits. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow by an information processing device. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a computer as an information processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The reference numerals in the drawings provided below are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, although not explicitly shown, input ports and output ports exist at the input and output ends of each connection line in the circuit diagrams, block diagrams, internal configuration diagrams, and connection diagrams disclosed herein. The same applies to input / output interfaces.

[0013] First, an overview of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the information processing device 100 includes a railway usage point management unit 10, a game provision unit 20, and a point conversion unit 30. The railway usage point management unit 10 manages railway usage points accumulated by each user through railway usage. The game provision unit 20 provides games that progress by consuming in-game points. The point conversion unit 30 converts the consumption of railway usage points when using services and / or purchasing goods into in-game points.

[0014] According to this information processing apparatus 100, consumption of railway usage points by each user is promoted. That is, some users may be concerned about spending valuable railway usage points on games, but in-game points are obtained after effectively using railway usage points in real life, so to speak, they are essentially free, thus eliminating such concerns. Further, although some users may have no interest in games, since the in-game points are obtained for free, this can also serve as a motivation for users to try playing the game.

[0015] In other words, instead of enabling railway usage points to be directly used in games as in-game points, the configuration allows users to obtain in-game points by consuming railway usage points, thereby providing a platform that is easily accessible even to users who are not interested in games. If users develop an interest in the game, the consumption of railway usage points will be promoted for the purpose of obtaining in-game points. Of course, for railway operators, since valuable railway usage points are converted into in-game points that can only be used within the game, management issues are resolved.

[0016] [Embodiment 1] The above information processing apparatus 100 will be described more specifically. As shown in Figure 2, the information processing apparatus 100 is connected to user terminals via a network. The connection method may be either wireless or wired.

[0017] The user terminal is exemplified by a smartphone, for example. It is assumed that a game application provided by the information processing apparatus 100 or a separate server (not shown) has been downloaded to the user terminal.

[0018] The information processing apparatus 100 includes a railway usage point management unit 10, a game providing unit 20, a point conversion unit 30, and further includes a notification unit 40.

[0019] The railway usage point management unit 10 manages railway usage points accumulated by each user through railway use. Railway use by a user can be recognized, for example, by the use of a transportation IC (integrated circuit) card. Here, user management and point management related to transportation IC cards are existing technologies, so we will omit the explanation.

[0020] Furthermore, the Railway Usage Points Management Unit 10 also manages the consumption of railway usage points by each user when using services and / or purchasing goods. For example, if a user uses railway usage points to purchase goods at Department Store A, which is affiliated with a railway company, the Railway Usage Points Management Unit 10 receives a report of the consumption of railway usage points from Department Store A and reflects it in the user's railway usage points.

[0021] Furthermore, the railway usage points management unit 10 also manages each user's in-game points.

[0022] The game provider unit 20 provides a game that progresses by consuming in-game points. Specifically, the game provider unit 20 communicates with the user terminal and receives user input, reflecting the input on the user terminal's display. Here, the game provider unit 20 reflects user input based on in-game points managed by the railway usage point management unit 10. For example, if a user spends in-game points to grow their avatar, the game provider unit 20 subtracts the amount spent from the in-game points managed by the railway usage point management unit 10 and then reflects this on the user terminal's display. It should be noted that existing technologies can be applied to the game content and the game provision by the game provider unit 20.

[0023] The point conversion unit 30 converts the consumption of railway usage points when using services and / or purchasing goods into in-game points. The notification unit 40 notifies the user of the conversion rate for in-game points resulting from the consumption of railway usage points and / or the in-game benefits granted by the consumption of railway usage points.

[0024] To give a specific example, the point conversion unit 30 has a conversion table that associates point consumption locations with point conversion rates, as shown in Figure 3. For example, when the railway usage point management unit 10 receives a report of railway usage point consumption from Department Store A, the point conversion unit 30 refers to Department Store A's point conversion rate and converts the consumed railway usage points into in-game points at a 1:1 ratio. The point conversion unit 30 then reflects the converted in-game points in the railway usage point management unit 10.

[0025] Here, the notification unit 40 informs the user of the conversion rate for in-game points obtained by consuming railway usage points. As shown in Figure 3, Cafe B has a point conversion rate of 1 to 1.5, which is more advantageous than consuming railway usage points at Department Store A or Beauty Salon C. Therefore, users who receive this notification will determine that it is more advantageous to consume railway usage points at Cafe B in order to earn in-game points, and will actively use Cafe B.

[0026] Furthermore, the conversion rate can be arbitrarily modified by railway operators and other parties. In other words, it is possible to set a higher point conversion rate for stores that the company wants to encourage user visits. It is also possible to set a limited-time conversion rate. The notification unit 40 will notify users of stores with high point conversion rates and of limited-time fairs.

[0027] Similarly, as shown in Figure 4, the point conversion unit 30 has a reward table that associates point consumption locations with in-game rewards, and may grant in-game rewards corresponding to the location where railway usage points are consumed when converting railway usage points into in-game points. In-game rewards can be managed by the railway usage point management unit 10, similar to in-game points. The notification unit 40 will notify the user of the conditions for obtaining in-game rewards (such as consuming railway usage points at Department Store A).

[0028] Furthermore, the operation of the game may be jointly managed by multiple railway companies. For example, in-game points for one game could be obtained by spending railway usage points provided by railway company A, and also by spending railway usage points provided by railway company B. In this way, it becomes possible to solve the management challenges faced by multiple railway companies simultaneously.

[0029] This section explains the processing flow by the information processing device 100. Note that the provision of the game, game progression, and management of railway usage points are basically the same as existing technologies, so their explanations will be omitted. The following section explains the process of converting railway usage points into in-game points.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the information processing device 100 receives notification from department store A, etc., that railway usage points have been consumed (Step S01, Yes). At this point, the information processing device 100 converts the consumption of railway usage points into in-game points (Step S02).

[0031] According to the information processing device 100 described above, the consumption of railway usage points is encouraged. In other words, since the consumption of railway usage points is necessary to earn in-game points, the consumption of railway usage points is encouraged.

[0032] [Variant form] As described above, existing technologies can be applied to any game that progresses by consuming in-game points. In this invention, in-game points are basically points that can be obtained by consuming railway usage points, but this does not mean that direct purchases such as in-game charges are prohibited. The game could be, for example, a mobile online game. In-game points can be used to grow in-game characters or to obtain items. Also, since the game is basically provided by a railway company, the distance traveled by railway can be reflected in the game, or stamp rally missions can be implemented within the game. In addition, timely missions can be implemented within the game to alleviate railway congestion. Furthermore, it can be a system for user interaction (such as a friend function), or a system where players compete in rankings. Seasonal events and personal missions can be implemented within the game. Here, events and missions linked to fitness functions can be implemented within the game. Events intended to attract visitors to tourist destinations and famous places, or to revitalize local areas, can be implemented within the game.

[0033] Furthermore, the present invention can be deployed as an information processing program executed by a computer acting as an information processing device 100. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the computer acting as the information processing device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, and an interface, and is connected to a user terminal or the like via the interface. The memory also functions as a railway usage point management unit 10. The CPU reads and executes a program from the memory to realize processing modules corresponding to the game provision unit 20 and the point conversion unit 30.

[0034] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

[0035] (Note 1) For each user, there is a railway usage points management unit that manages the railway usage points accumulated through railway use, The game provider section provides games that progress by consuming in-game points, A point conversion unit that converts the consumption of railway usage points when using a service and / or purchasing goods into in-game points, An information processing device having

[0036] (Note 2) The information processing device according to Appendix 1, further comprising a notification unit for notifying the user of the conversion rate of in-game points resulting from the consumption of the aforementioned railway usage points and / or the in-game benefits granted by the consumption of the aforementioned railway usage points.

[0037] (Note 3) The information processing device according to Appendix 2, wherein the point conversion unit has a conversion table that associates point consumption locations with point conversion rates, and converts the consumption of railway usage points into in-game points based on the point conversion rate corresponding to the location where the railway usage points are consumed.

[0038] (Note 4) The information processing device described in Appendix 2, wherein the point conversion unit has a reward table that associates point consumption locations with in-game rewards, and when the consumption of railway usage points is converted into in-game points, it grants in-game rewards corresponding to the location where the railway usage points were consumed.

[0039] (Note 5) For each user, there is a railway usage points management unit that manages the railway usage points accumulated through railway use, The game provider section provides games that progress by consuming in-game points, An information processing device having, A point conversion process is performed to convert the consumption of railway usage points when using the service and / or purchasing goods into in-game points. Information processing methods.

[0040] (Note 6) For each user, there is a railway usage points management unit that manages the railway usage points accumulated through railway use, The game provider section provides games that progress by consuming in-game points, An information processing device as a computer having, The system executes a point conversion process that converts the consumption of railway usage points when using a service and / or purchasing goods into in-game points. Information processing program.

[0041] Furthermore, the features described in Appendix 2 to 4 can also be extended to the information processing methods described in Appendix 5 and the information processing programs described in Appendix 6.

[0042] Furthermore, each disclosure of the above-mentioned patent documents cited is incorporated into this document by reference and may be used as the basis or part of the present invention as necessary. Within the framework of the full disclosure of the present invention (including the claims), further modifications and adjustments to the embodiments or examples are possible based on the basic technical concept. Also, within the framework of the full disclosure of the present invention, various combinations or selections (including partial deletions) of various disclosure elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, the present invention naturally includes the full disclosure, including the claims, and various modifications and alterations that a person skilled in the art could make in accordance with the technical concept. In particular, with respect to the numerical ranges described in this document, any numerical value or sub-range included within that range should be interpreted as being specifically described, even if not otherwise stated. Furthermore, each disclosure of the above-mentioned cited documents may, as necessary, be used in part or in whole as part of the disclosure of the present invention, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention, and this is also considered to be included in the disclosure of this application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 10 Railway Usage Points Management Department 20 Game Provision Department 30-point conversion section 40 Hochi Department 100 Information Processing Devices

Claims

1. For each user, there is a railway usage points management unit that manages the railway usage points accumulated through railway use, The game provider section provides games that progress by consuming in-game points, A point conversion unit that converts the consumption of railway usage points when using a service and / or purchasing goods into in-game points, An information processing device having

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user of the conversion rate of in-game points resulting from the consumption of the aforementioned railway usage points and / or the in-game benefits granted by the consumption of the aforementioned railway usage points.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the point conversion unit has a conversion table that associates point consumption locations with point conversion rates, and converts the consumption of railway usage points into in-game points based on the point conversion rate corresponding to the location where the railway usage points are consumed.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the point conversion unit has a reward table that associates point consumption locations with in-game rewards, and when the consumption of railway usage points is converted into in-game points, it grants in-game rewards corresponding to the location where the railway usage points were consumed.

5. For each user, there is a railway usage points management unit that manages the railway usage points accumulated through railway use, The game provider section provides games that progress by consuming in-game points, An information processing device having, A point conversion process is performed to convert the consumption of railway usage points when using the service and / or purchasing goods into in-game points. Information processing methods.

6. For each user, there is a railway usage points management unit that manages the railway usage points accumulated through railway use, The game provider section provides games that progress by consuming in-game points, An information processing device as a computer having, The system executes a point conversion process that converts the consumption of railway usage points when using a service and / or purchasing goods into in-game points. Information processing program.

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