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

Abstract

To provide a trading card sales system capable of conducting a lottery for users more fairly. [Solution] In the CPU 11 of the management server 1 constituting the information processing system, an information management unit 32 manages the actual stock quantity of lottery target cards that are predetermined as trading cards to be the subject of a lottery, and a display control unit 34 displays on the user's terminal a user interface for the user to perform a lottery operation to conduct a lottery for the lottery target cards, and when the lottery operation is performed, a lottery unit 35 conducts a lottery based on a winning rate predetermined for each type of lottery target card. At this time, if the stock quantity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the display control unit 34 makes the user interface in a state where the lottery operation can be performed, and if the stock quantity is less than the predetermined value, makes the lottery operation in a state where the lottery operation cannot be performed.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Trading card sales systems that conduct lottery selections from an assortment of multiple trading cards are known, and related techniques also exist (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2024-086855 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional trading card sales systems, when a lottery is held for a trading card selected by a user, the trading card may have already been drawn by another user. In such cases, the lottery is held without the user having the possibility of acquiring the trading card, so the user cannot enjoy the lottery with peace of mind and ends up only suffering a monetary loss. For this reason, there has been a demand for the development of a trading card sales system that can conduct lotteries for users more fairly.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a trading card sales system that can conduct lotteries for users more fairly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is an inventory management means for managing the inventory quantity of actual cards that are predetermined as trading cards that are the subject of a lottery; A display control means for displaying a user interface on a terminal of the user, the user interface allowing the user to perform a lottery operation for carrying out a lottery for the lottery target card; a lottery means for carrying out the lottery based on a winning rate determined in advance for each type of the lottery target card when the lottery operation is performed; having The display control means, when the stock quantity is 1 or more, makes the user interface in a state in which the lottery operation can be performed, and when the stock quantity is 0 (zero), makes the user interface in a state in which the lottery operation cannot be performed. It is an information processing system.

[0007] An information processing device, an information processing method, and a program corresponding to the information processing system according to one aspect of the present invention are also provided as an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program corresponding to the information processing system according to one aspect of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a trading card sales system that can carry out lotteries for users in a fairer manner. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an overall configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a management server constituting the information processing system of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a management server. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow of the management server up to the point where a lottery-winning user is provided with a lottery-eligible card. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart continuing from FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the management server when a card buying service is used after a lottery-winning user is provided with a lottery-eligible card. [Figure 7] A figure showing a specific example of a trading card included in an original pack product purchased by a user by using this service. [Figure 8] 8 is a table showing the winning rate or appearance rate set for each type of trading card included in the original pack product of FIG. 7 and for each character printed on the trading card. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of inventory information management. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. <Information Processing System S> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system S according to one embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system S is an information processing system configured to include a management server 1, inventory management terminals 2-1 to 2-p (p is an integer value of 1 or more), and user terminals 3-1 to 3-r (r is an integer value of 1 or more) connected via a network N. The network N is, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Hereinafter, when there is no need to explain each of the inventory management terminals 2-1 to 2-p individually, they will be collectively referred to as the "inventory management terminal 2." Furthermore, when there is no need to explain each of the user terminals 3-1 to 3-r individually, they will be collectively referred to as the "user terminal 3."

[0011] Information processing system S is a system that can provide a service (hereinafter referred to as "this service") that allows users to purchase desired trading cards online. A "trading card" is a card medium made of paper, resin, metal, etc., on which various types of pictures, photographs, and documents, including individually different characters, are printed. Trading cards are subject to sale and distribution by retailers and individuals, and are also subject to collection and exchange by users.

[0012] By using this service, users can purchase original packaged products (hereinafter referred to as "original pack products") online that are sold by retailers or individuals with one or more trading cards enclosed. However, the purchase of trading cards using this service is subject to a lottery. In other words, the winning rate is preset for each type of trading card that users can purchase using this service.

[0013] "Winning rate" refers to the probability that a user can purchase a trading card they desire when they perform an operation to hold a lottery for that trading card (hereinafter referred to as a "lottery operation"). For example, assume that the winning rate for a trading card desired by a user is set to 1%. In this case, when a user performs a lottery operation, there is a 1% probability that the user can purchase that trading card. Hereinafter, trading cards that are the subject of a lottery based on a user's lottery operation are referred to as "lottery target cards."

[0014] A user who wishes to purchase a lottery target card operates the user terminal 3 to access a predetermined website (hereinafter referred to as the "lottery site") that makes this service available. On the lottery site, information (e.g., thumbnail images) showing one or more types of original pack products is displayed in a selectable manner. The user selects an original pack product that may contain the lottery target card that the user desires from the information showing one or more types of original pack products displayed on the lottery site, and purchases the original pack product by performing a lottery operation. A lottery is then held for the lottery target cards that may be included in the purchased original pack product.

[0015] The lottery target cards are held as inventory in a real-world physical store that sells the actual original pack products, or in a warehouse that stores multiple trading cards on the premise of delivery to a user who has purchased the original pack product. The inventory quantity of the lottery target cards held by the physical store or warehouse is managed in real time. When a user who has purchased an original pack product by performing a lottery operation on a lottery site wins a lottery for a lottery target card that may be included in the original pack product, the original pack product consisting of one or multiple trading cards including the lottery target card is provided to the user. Specifically, the original pack product is provided to the user from a physical store or warehouse. Note that the method of providing the original pack product to the user is not particularly limited. The original pack product may be delivered to the user's address by mail, home delivery, etc., or the user may receive the original pack product at a physical store.

[0016] This service includes a service for purchasing a lottery-eligible card (hereinafter referred to as the "card purchasing service"). In other words, a user who wins the lottery for a lottery-eligible card may be provided with an original pack product including the lottery-eligible card, or may use the card purchasing service to sell the lottery-eligible card. There are no particular limitations on the timing at which a user may use the card purchasing service. For example, a user may use the card purchasing service when he or she wins the lottery for a lottery-eligible card, or may use the card purchasing service after actually being provided with the lottery-eligible card.

[0017] In the card buying service, the user who sells the lottery-eligible card may be paid cash as a compensation, or a predetermined incentive may be given to the user. The form of the "predetermined incentive" given to the user is not particularly limited. For example, the "predetermined incentive" may be points that can be used as a means of payment when using the service.

[0018] [Management Server 1] The management server 1 is an information processing device that serves as a server for managing the entire information processing system S. The management server 1 is capable of executing a predetermined application program that enables the information processing system S to be used. The management server 1 transmits various types of information to each of the inventory management terminal 2, the user terminal 3, and the outside, and enables various processes to be executed. The management server 1 also acquires various types of information transmitted from each of the inventory management terminal 2, the user terminal 3, and the outside, and enables various processes to be executed.

[0019] For example, the management server 1 manages information (hereinafter referred to as "card information") regarding trading cards (including lottery-eligible cards) that may constitute an original pack product. The card information includes information such as information that can identify the type of trading card, information indicating whether the card is a lottery-eligible card, the winning rate when the trading card type is a lottery-eligible card, and the appearance rate when the trading card type is not a lottery-eligible card. The appearance rate will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0020] In addition, the management server 1 manages the actual stock quantity of the lottery target cards. Specifically, the management server 1 manages the actual stock quantity of the lottery target cards based on information on the stock of the lottery target cards (hereinafter referred to as "stock information") including the actual stock quantity of the lottery target cards transmitted from each of the stock management terminals 2-1 to 2-p.

[0021] The management server 1 also manages information about users who use this service (hereinafter referred to as "user information"). The user information may include, for example, information that can uniquely identify the user, the name, the delivery address (such as the user's address), the number of points given as an incentive, and the usage history of this service (for example, the purchase history of OriPa products, the history of lottery results, etc.).

[0022] The management server 1 also manages the lottery site. The management server 1 displays the web page of the lottery site on the user terminal 3 that has accessed the lottery site. The web page of the lottery site displayed on the user terminal 3 includes a user interface that enables the use of this service. The user interface displays information indicating one or more types of original pack products in a selectable manner. The user interface also displays a predetermined button (hereinafter referred to as the "lottery button") that accepts a lottery operation. At this time, the management server 10 displays on the user interface a lottery button for original pack products that include a lottery-eligible card with an inventory quantity of one or more.

[0023] When the lottery button displayed on the user interface is pressed, the management server 1 conducts a lottery based on a winning rate preset for each lottery target card, and displays the lottery result on the user terminal 3. When a user who wins the lottery for a lottery target card receives an original pack product without using the card buying service, the management server 1 reduces the winning quantity from the inventory quantity. In addition, when a user sells the lottery target card by using the card buying service, the management server 1 increases the inventory quantity by the number of lottery target cards sold.

[0024] When the actual stock quantity of a certain type of lottery target card becomes 0 (zero), the management server 1 makes it impossible to perform lottery operations on the user interface. Here, "a state in which lottery operations cannot be performed" refers to, for example, the following states. That is, a state in which the lottery button is not displayed, or a state in which the lottery button is displayed but a lottery is not performed even when the lottery button is pressed. When the lottery button is displayed, a message indicating that the stock quantity of the lottery target card is 0 (zero) may be displayed on the user interface.

[0025] As described above, in this embodiment, the condition for displaying the lottery button for an original pack product on the user interface includes a condition that the stock quantity of each of the lottery target cards included in the original pack product is 1 or more. This reduces the risk that when the original pack product is sold, the winning card cannot be shipped to the user because there is no stock of the winning card.

[0026] The provider of this service can set the "predetermined value" in the condition that "the stock quantity of all lottery eligible cards included in the original pack product is equal to or greater than a predetermined value" based on the above-mentioned risks. The "predetermined value" may also be set for each lottery eligible card. It is preferable that the predetermined value is set to 1 or more. That is, for example, the provider of this service can set the "predetermined value" depending on the popularity of the lottery target card. For example, for popular lottery target cards, the risk can be reduced by setting the predetermined value high. Also, for example, if the lottery target card is included in multiple original pack products, the risk can be reduced by setting the predetermined value high. Also, for example, if the lottery target card is not difficult to procure (for example, if many cards are brought to physical stores for purchase), the risk is reduced so the predetermined value may be set low.

[0027] Specifically, for example, if a card to be selected for a lottery (e.g., trading card 2005 described later with reference to FIG. 7) is highly popular and is set to be included in five original pack products on sale at the same time, the predetermined value (threshold) that the card to be selected for a lottery must satisfy can be set to 5. Also, if the difficulty of purchasing the card to be selected for a lottery is low, the threshold can be set to 4.

[0028] Furthermore, even if the actual stock quantity of a certain type of lottery target card is 1 or more, the management server 1 may disable the lottery operation depending on the winning rate of the lottery target card and the number of users who can perform the lottery operation at the same time. Specifically, for example, assume that the winning rate of the lottery target card is 1% and the number of users who can perform the lottery operation at the same time is 1000. In this case, if 1000 users perform the lottery operation at the same time, 10 users will theoretically win. Therefore, the management server 1 disables the lottery operation when the total actual stock quantity of the lottery target card is 10 or less.

[0029] In addition, even if the actual stock quantity of a certain type of lottery target card is 1 or more, the management server 1 may make the lottery operation unavailable depending on the winning rate of the lottery target card and the inventory management status of the lottery target card. Specifically, for example, assume that the winning rate of the lottery target card is 1%, the inventory quantity of the lottery target card held as inventory in the physical store is 10, and the inventory quantity of the lottery target card held as inventory in the warehouse is 0 (zero). In this case, if 1000 users simultaneously perform the lottery operation, in addition to the fact that 10 users will be mathematically selected as winners, there is a possibility that the users will visit the physical store and directly purchase the original pack product. For this reason, the management server 1 makes the lottery operation unavailable when the actual stock quantity of the lottery target card is 10 or less and all of them are in inventory at the physical store. The configuration and processing details of the management server 1 will be described later.

[0030] [Inventory control terminal 2] The inventory management terminal 2 is an information processing device that is installed in a real store or warehouse that manages lottery target cards as inventory and is operated by employees working at the real store or warehouse. The inventory management terminal 2 is composed of a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc. The inventory management terminal 2 is capable of executing a predetermined application program that enables the information processing system S to be used. The inventory management terminal 2 is capable of performing various processes based on various information transmitted from each of the management server 1 and the outside, and various information input by employees, etc. The inventory management terminal 2 is also capable of transmitting various information to each of the management server 1 and the outside. For example, the inventory management terminal 2 accepts input of inventory information and transmits the input information to the management server 1.

[0031] [User terminal 3] The user terminal 3 is an information processing device operated by a user who uses this service. The user terminal 3 is composed of a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc. The user terminal 3 is capable of executing a predetermined application program that enables the information processing system S to be used. The user terminal 3 is capable of performing various processes based on various information transmitted from each of the management server 1 and the outside, and various information input by the user. The user terminal 3 is also capable of transmitting various information to each of the management server 1 and the outside.

[0032] For example, the user terminal 3 accesses a lottery site based on a user operation and displays a web page of the lottery site. The web page of the lottery site displayed on the user terminal 3 includes a user interface that enables the use of this service. The user interface displays information indicating one or more types of OriPa products in a selectable manner. The user interface also displays a lottery button.

[0033] The user terminal 3 accepts the user's lottery operation and transmits the input information to the management server 1. After that, when the management server 1 conducts the lottery, the management server 1 transmits the lottery result, and the user terminal 3 displays the lottery result. At this time, if the user terminal 3 has lost the lottery, it displays a message indicating that. On the other hand, if the user terminal 3 has won the lottery, it displays a message indicating that and also displays a "Sell" button.

[0034] The above-mentioned processes by the management server 1, the inventory management terminal 2, and the user terminal 3 constituting the information processing system S are merely examples. In other words, it is sufficient that the information processing system S as a whole has the function of realizing the above-mentioned processes, so that some or all of the functions of realizing the above-mentioned processes may be shared or cooperated within the information processing system S.

[0035] For example, some or all of the functions of the management server 1 may be functions of other information processing devices in the information processing system S. Also, some or all of the functions of other information processing devices in the information processing system S may be functions of the management server 1. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the management server 1 may be transferred to other servers not shown. Specifically, for example, among the functions of the management server 1, the function of managing the actual stock quantity of lottery target cards may be transferred to another server not shown (for example, a card stock management server). This promotes processing of the information processing system S as a whole and also enables the processes to complement each other.

[0036] <Hardware configuration> [Hardware configuration of Management Server 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the management server 1 constituting the information processing system S of FIG. The management server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a memory unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0037] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 12 or a program loaded from the storage unit 18 to the RAM 13. The RAM 13 also stores data and the like required for the CPU 11 to execute various processes. The CPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 are interconnected via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14.

[0038] The input / output interface 15 is connected to an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20. The output unit 16 is composed of a display, a speaker, etc., and outputs various information as images, sounds, etc. The input unit 17 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc., and accepts input of various information. The storage unit 18 is composed of a hard disk, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), etc., and stores various data. The communication unit 19 communicates with other devices via the above-mentioned network N composed of the Internet, etc.

[0039] Removable media 21, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, is appropriately attached to the drive 20. Programs read from the removable media 21 by the drive 20 are installed in the storage unit 18 as necessary. The removable media 21 can also store various data stored in the storage unit 18 in the same manner as the storage unit 18.

[0040] [Hardware configuration of the inventory management terminal 2 and the user terminal 3] The inventory management terminal 2 and the user terminal 3 have the same hardware configuration as the management server 1 shown in Fig. 2. That is, the inventory management terminal 2 and the user terminal 3 each have a CPU, ROM, RAM, bus, input / output interface, output unit, input unit, storage unit, communication unit, drive, and removable media, which correspond to the CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, bus 14, input / output interface 15, output unit 16, input unit 17, storage unit 18, communication unit 19, drive 20, and removable media 21, respectively, in Fig. 2.

[0041] <Functional configuration of Management Server 1> FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management server 1. As shown in FIG. In the CPU 11 of the management server 1, an acquisition unit 31, an information management unit 32 as inventory management means, a site management unit 33, a display control unit 34 as display control means, a lottery unit 35 as lottery means, and a transmission control unit 36 ​​function during operation. In addition, various databases are provided in the storage unit 18 of the management server 1. For example, a card DB 41 that stores card information, an inventory DB 42 that stores inventory information, a user DB 43 that stores user information, and the like are provided.

[0042] The acquisition unit 31 acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 31 acquires inventory information transmitted from the inventory management terminal 2. The acquisition unit 31 also acquires user information transmitted from the user terminal 3.

[0043] The information management unit 32 stores and manages various types of information in the database of the storage unit 18. For example, the information management unit 32 stores and manages card information in a card DB 41. The information management unit 32 also stores and manages inventory information acquired by the acquisition unit 31 in an inventory DB 42. The information management unit 32 also stores and manages user information acquired by the acquisition unit 31 in a user DB 43.

[0044] The site management unit 33 manages the lottery site. The lottery site is composed of one or more web pages. The web page of the lottery site includes a user interface that enables the use of this service. The user interface includes information indicating one or more types of OriPa products that are displayed in a selectable manner. The user interface also includes a lottery button that accepts lottery operations. The user interface also includes a sell request button that a user who wins the lottery presses when using the purchase service.

[0045] The display control unit 34 controls the display of various information on the display of the output unit of the user terminal 3. Specifically, the display control unit 34 generates display control information for displaying various information on the display of the output unit of the user terminal 3, and transmits the display control information to the user terminal 3. For example, the display control unit 34 generates display control information for displaying the above-mentioned user interface on a web page of a lottery site accessible by the user terminal 3, and transmits the display control information to the user terminal 3.

[0046] When the lottery unit 35 receives an operation of pressing a lottery button displayed on the user interface, the lottery unit 35 carries out a lottery based on a winning rate preset for each lottery target card.

[0047] The transmission control unit 36 ​​controls the communication unit 19 to transmit various pieces of information to the inventory management terminal 2, the user terminal 3, and the outside. For example, the transmission control unit 36 ​​controls the communication unit 19 to transmit various pieces of display control information generated by the display control unit 34 to the user terminal 3.

[0048] <Processing flow of Management Server 1> FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the management server 1 up to the point where a lottery target card is provided to a user who has won the lottery. FIG. 5 is a flowchart continuing from FIG. The management server 1 manages card information of trading cards (including cards that are subject to a lottery) that can constitute an original pack product (step S1).

[0049] When inventory information is transmitted from the inventory management terminal 2 (YES in step S2), the management server 1 acquires the transmitted inventory information and stores and manages it in a database (inventory DB 42 in FIG. 3) (step S3). On the other hand, when inventory information is not transmitted (NO in step S2), the management server 1 repeats the determination process in step S2.

[0050] When the management server 1 receives user information from the user terminal 3 (YES in step S4), it acquires the received user information and stores and manages it in a database (user DB 43 in FIG. 3) (step S5). On the other hand, when the user information has not been received (NO in step S4), the management server 1 repeats the determination process in step S4.

[0051] If the actual stock quantity of the lottery target card is 1 or more (YES in step S6), the management server 1 makes the user interface ready for lottery operation (step S7) and proceeds to the judgment process of step S9. On the other hand, if the actual stock quantity of the lottery target card is 0 (zero) (NO in step S6), the management server 1 makes the user interface ready for lottery operation (step S8).

[0052] When the lottery button included in the user interface is pressed (YES in step S9), the management server 1 conducts a lottery based on the winning rate preset for each card to be selected (step S10) and displays the lottery result on the user interface (step S11). On the other hand, when the lottery button is not pressed (NO in step S9), the management server 1 repeats the judgment process of step S9.

[0053] If the result of the lottery is a win (YES in step S12), the management server 1 displays a sell request button on the user interface (step S13). On the other hand, if the result of the lottery in step S6 is a loss (NO in step S12), the management server 1 ends the process (END).

[0054] When the sell request button displayed on the user terminal 3 is pressed (YES in step S14), the management server 1 does not reduce the stock quantity of the lottery target cards (step S15). This ends the processing of the management server 1 (END). On the other hand, if the sell request button is not pressed (NO in step S14), the management server 1 reduces the stock quantity of the lottery target cards by the number of winning cards (step S16). In addition, the actual lottery target cards are provided to the users who win the lottery.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the management server 1 in the case where the card buying service is used after the lottery-winning user is provided with the lottery-winning card. When a user who has won the lottery is provided with an original pack product including the lottery-eligible card and then uses a card purchasing service to sell the lottery-eligible card, the following process is carried out by the management server 1.

[0056] That is, when the sell button is pressed (YES in step S21) and the purchase of the lottery target cards is completed (the sale is completed on the user side) (YES in step S22), the management server 1 increases the inventory quantity by the number of lottery target cards purchased (step S23). On the other hand, if the sell button is not pressed (NO in step S21), the management server 1 repeats the judgment process of step S21. Also, if the purchase of the lottery target cards is not completed (NO in step S22), the management server 1 repeats the judgment process of step S22.

[0057] Next, the management server 1 provides a predetermined incentive to the user who used the card buying service to sell the lottery target card (step S24), after which the processing of the management server 1 ends (END).

[0058] <Example> [Examples of OriPa products] FIG. 7 shows a specific example of a trading card included in an original pack product purchased by a user by using this service. FIG. 8 is a table showing the winning rate or appearance rate set for each type of trading card included in the original pack product of FIG. 7 and for each character printed on the trading card. 7 shows an original pack product 2000 that a user has purchased by using this service. The original pack product 2000 includes 100 trading cards 2001 to 2100. Of the 100 trading cards 2001 to 2100, five trading cards 2001 to 2005 are lottery eligible cards that can be acquired by winning a lottery.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, the winning rate is set for each of the five trading cards 2001 to 2005 as the cards to be selected for the lottery. Specifically, the winning rate of the trading card 2001 is 1%, which is an extremely low rate. Therefore, the rarity value of the trading card 2001 is extremely high. As shown in FIG. 7, the trading card 2001 is printed with the letters "UR" (Ultra Rare), which indicate that the trading card is a type of lottery card that is extremely rare. Note that the type of character on the cards to be selected for the lottery on which the letters "UR" are printed is one type. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the winning rate of the cards to be selected on which the letters "UR" are printed is also 1%.

[0060] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the winning rate of the trading cards 2002 to 2005 is 2%, which is low. Therefore, the rarity value of the trading cards 2002 to 2005 is high. As shown in FIG. 7, the trading cards 2002 to 2005 are printed with the letters "SSR" (Super Special Rare), which indicate that they are lottery eligible cards with high rarity value. The lottery eligible cards printed with the letters "SSR" have two types of characters. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the winning rate of the lottery eligible cards printed with the letters "SSR" is 4%.

[0061] Furthermore, 95 trading cards 2006 to 2100 out of 100 trading cards 2001 to 2100 are not trading cards desired by users, so they are not lottery target cards, but are included in the original pack product according to a preset appearance rate. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, 10 trading cards 2006 to 2015 out of 95 trading cards 2006 to 2100 have an appearance rate of 5%, which is relatively low. Therefore, the rarity value of the trading cards 2006 to 2015 is relatively high. As shown in FIG. 7, the trading cards 2006 to 2015 are each printed with the letters "SR" (Super Rare), which indicate that the cards are trading cards with a relatively high rarity value. Note that there are two types of characters on the lottery target cards printed with the letters "SR". Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the appearance rate of the trading cards printed with the letters "SR" is 10%.

[0062] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the appearance rate of 16 trading cards 2016 to 2031 among the 95 trading cards 2006 to 2100 is 8%, which is relatively high. Therefore, the rarity value of the trading cards 2016 to 2031 is relatively low. As shown in FIG. 7, the trading cards 2016 to 2031 are each printed with the letter "R" (super rare), which indicates that the trading cards are trading cards with a relatively low rarity value. Note that there are two types of characters on the lottery target cards printed with the letter "R". Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the appearance rate of trading cards printed with the letter "R" is 16%.

[0063] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the appearance rate of 69 trading cards 2032 to 2100 out of 95 trading cards 2006 to 2100 is 23%, which is extremely high. Therefore, the rarity value of the trading cards 2032 to 2100 is low. As shown in FIG. 7, the trading cards 2032 to 2100 are each printed with the letter "N" (normal), which indicates that the trading cards are low in rarity value. Note that there are three types of characters on the lottery target cards printed with the letter "N". Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the appearance rate of trading cards printed with the letter "N" is 69%.

[0064] [Examples of inventory information management] 9A to 9C are diagrams showing a specific example of inventory information management. Note that in FIG. 9A to 9C, it is assumed that there are no other users performing lottery operations at the same time. Fig. 9(A) shows the stock quantity of the lottery target cards before the lottery operation is performed. Fig. 9(B) shows the stock quantity of the lottery target cards when the lottery target cards are provided to the user who won the lottery. Fig. 9(C) shows the stock quantity of the lottery target cards when the lottery target cards are sold after being provided to the user who won the lottery.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 9(A), the stock quantity of the lottery target card (trading card 2001) before the lottery operation is performed is "1". Therefore, the management server 1 (see FIG. 1) makes it possible to perform the lottery operation. Then, when a user performs the lottery operation and wins the lottery, the lottery target card (trading card 2001) is provided to the user. As a result, the management server 1 reduces the stock quantity of the lottery target card (trading card 2001) from "1" to "0" as shown in FIG. 9(B), making it impossible to perform the lottery operation.

[0066] Thereafter, when a user who has been provided with the lottery subject card (trading card 2001) uses a purchase service to sell the lottery subject card (trading card 2001), the management server 1 increases the inventory quantity of the lottery subject card (trading card 2001) from "0" to "1", as shown in Figure 9 (C), making it possible to carry out lottery operations.

[0067] <Advantageous Effects of the Present Embodiment> According to the above-described embodiment, the user will not perform a lottery operation even if there is no possibility of obtaining the lottery target card. As a result, the lottery for the lottery target card can be conducted more fairly, so that the user can enjoy the lottery with peace of mind.

[0068] <Other> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and modifications and improvements within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. For example, the specific examples shown in each of Figures 3 to 6 are merely examples for achieving the object of the present invention, and are not particularly limited.

[0069] In addition, the above-mentioned series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. In other words, the above-mentioned functional configuration is merely an example and is not particularly limited. In other words, it is sufficient that the information processing system is provided with a function capable of executing the above-mentioned series of processes as a whole, and the type of functional block used to realize this function is not particularly limited to the above-mentioned example.

[0070] In addition, the location of the functional block is not particularly limited and may be arbitrary. For example, the functional block of the management server 1 may be transferred to another device, or the functional block of another device may be transferred to a server. In addition, one functional block may be configured as a single piece of hardware, a single piece of software, or a combination of both.

[0071] When a series of processes is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer built into dedicated hardware. The computer may also be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, such as a server, a general-purpose smartphone, or a personal computer.

[0072] The recording medium containing such a program may be configured not only as a removable medium (not shown) distributed separately from the device main body in order to provide the program to the user, etc., but also as a recording medium etc. provided to the user in a state in which the medium is pre-installed in the device main body. Since the program can be distributed via a network, the recording medium may be mounted on or accessible to a computer connected or connectable to the network.

[0073] In this specification, the steps describing the program recorded on the recording medium include not only processes performed in chronological order, but also processes that are not necessarily performed in chronological order but are performed in parallel or individually. In addition, in this specification, the term "system" refers to an overall device composed of multiple devices, multiple means, etc.

[0074] In other words, the information processing system to which the present invention is applied can take various forms having the following configurations. (1) That is, an information processing system S to which the present invention is applied has an inventory management means (e.g., the information management unit 32 in FIG. 3) for managing the actual stock quantity of lottery target cards that are predetermined as trading cards that are the subject of a lottery, a display control means (e.g., the display control unit 34 in FIG. 3) for displaying, on a user's terminal, a user interface for allowing a user to perform a lottery operation to conduct a lottery for the lottery target cards, and a lottery means (e.g., the lottery unit 35 in FIG. 3) for conducting the lottery when the lottery operation is conducted based on a winning rate (e.g., the winning rate of the lottery target cards in FIG. 8) that is predetermined for each type of the lottery target cards (e.g., the type of the lottery target cards in FIG. 8), and the display control means is an information processing system that, when the stock quantity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, makes the lottery operation possible in the user interface, and, when the stock quantity is less than the predetermined value, makes the lottery operation impossible.

[0075] This prevents users from performing lottery operations even when there is no possibility of obtaining the lottery target card. As a result, the lottery for the lottery target card can be conducted more fairly, so users can enjoy the lottery with peace of mind. Even if there is only one lottery target card in stock, multiple original pack products that may contain the lottery target card can be sold, and when a winner is announced for one original pack product, sales of other original pack products can be immediately terminated.

[0076] (2) In addition, the display control means can determine whether or not to make the lottery operation unable to be performed depending on the winning rate of the lottery target card and the number of users who may perform the lottery operation at the same time. Even if the stock quantity of the lottery target cards is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the lottery target cards may run out of stock depending on the winning rate of the lottery target cards and the number of users who can perform lottery operations at the same time. In response to this, whether or not to make the lottery operation unavailable is determined according to the winning rate of the lottery target cards and the number of users who can perform lottery operations at the same time, so that a situation in which the stock is already insufficient when a user performs a lottery operation is suppressed.

[0077] (3) In addition, the display control means can determine whether or not to make the lottery operation unavailable depending on the winning rate of the card to be selected and the inventory management status of the card to be selected (e.g., the inventory quantity status in the physical store and in the warehouse). Even if the stock quantity of the lottery target cards is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, there may be a shortage of stock depending on the management status of the lottery target cards. In response to this, whether or not to disable the lottery operation is determined according to the winning rate of the lottery target cards and the management status of the lottery target cards. This makes it possible to suppress lotteries in accordance with the actual status of the stock management of the lottery target cards.

[0078] (4) In addition, the display control means can determine whether or not to make the lottery operation unavailable depending on the inventory management status, namely, the inventory quantity of the lottery subject cards in the physical store that holds the lottery subject cards for selling the lottery subject cards and the inventory quantity of the lottery subject cards in the warehouse that holds the lottery subject cards for shipping. This makes it possible to limit the number of lotteries in line with the actual inventory management practices at physical stores, warehouses, etc. that hold lottery-eligible cards in stock.

[0079] (5) Furthermore, the display control means can further display, when the user wins the lottery or after receiving the lottery card, a user interface (e.g., a "Sell" button) on the user's terminal that enables the user to choose whether or not to sell the lottery card. Since a user can choose whether or not to sell a lottery target card when the user wins the lottery for the lottery target card or after the lottery target card is provided to the user, unnecessary depletion of the stock of lottery target cards that the user does not want is suppressed. As a result, the provider of this service can reduce the costs required for manufacturing and procuring the lottery target cards.

[0080] (6) In addition, if a user who wins the lottery chooses to sell the lottery card (for example, by pressing a ``want to sell'' button) before or after receiving the lottery card, the system may further have an incentive granting means for granting the user a predetermined incentive (for example, points that can be used as a payment method when using this service). Since a predetermined incentive is given to a user who sells a lottery eligible card, unnecessary depletion of the stock of lottery eligible cards that users do not want is prevented. As a result, the provider of this service can reduce the costs required for manufacturing and procuring lottery eligible cards. If the incentive given to the user is, for example, a predetermined point that can be used as a means of payment when using this service, cash payment each time is not required.

[0081] (7) Furthermore, the information processing method to which the present invention is applied can take various forms having the following configurations. In other words, the information processing method to which the present invention is applied includes the steps of managing the actual stock quantity of lottery-subject cards that are predetermined as trading cards that are the subject of a lottery, displaying a user interface on a user's terminal for allowing the user to perform a lottery operation to conduct a lottery for the lottery-subject cards, and, when the lottery operation is performed, conducting the lottery based on a winning rate predetermined for each type of the lottery-subject card, and is an information processing method in which, when the stock quantity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the lottery operation is made possible in the user interface, and, when the stock quantity is less than the predetermined value, the lottery operation is made impossible to perform.

[0082] (8) Furthermore, the program to which the present invention is applied can take on a variety of different embodiments having the following configurations: In other words, the program to which the present invention is applicable is a program that causes an information processing system to execute information processing including the steps of managing the actual inventory quantity of lottery-subject cards that are predetermined as trading cards that are the subject of a lottery, displaying on the user's terminal a user interface for allowing the user to perform a lottery operation to conduct a lottery for the lottery-subject cards, and, when the lottery operation is performed, conducting the lottery based on a winning rate predetermined for each type of lottery-subject card, and, when the inventory quantity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, causing the user interface to enter a state in which the lottery operation can be performed, and, when the inventory quantity is less than the predetermined value, causing the lottery operation to be unable to be performed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1: management server, 2: inventory management terminal, 3: user terminal, 11: CPU, 16: output unit, 17: input unit, 18: memory unit, 19: communication unit, 31: acquisition unit, 32: information management unit, 33: site management unit, 34: display control unit, 35: lottery unit, 36: transmission control unit, S: information processing system, N: network

Claims

1. an inventory management means for managing the inventory quantity of actual cards that are predetermined as trading cards that are the subject of a lottery; A display control means for displaying, on a terminal of a user, a user interface for allowing the user to perform a lottery operation for conducting a lottery for the lottery target card; a lottery means for carrying out the lottery based on a winning rate determined in advance for each type of the lottery target card when the lottery operation is performed; having The display control means, when the stock quantity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, makes the user interface capable of performing the lottery operation, and when the stock quantity is less than the predetermined value, makes the user interface unable to perform the lottery operation; determining whether to disable the lottery operation according to the winning rate of the lottery target card and a status of inventory management of the lottery target card; determining whether to disable the lottery operation depending on the inventory management status, which is the inventory quantity of the lottery target cards in the actual store that holds the lottery target cards for selling the lottery target cards and the inventory quantity of the lottery target cards in the warehouse that holds the lottery target cards for shipping the lottery target cards; Information processing system.

2. The display control means further displays, when the user wins the lottery or after the user is provided with the lottery target card, a user interface that allows the user to select whether or not to sell the lottery target card on the terminal of the user. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The system further includes an incentive granting means for granting a predetermined incentive to a user who has won the lottery, when the user selects to sell the lottery target card before or after receiving the lottery target card; The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. An information processing method executed by an information processing system, comprising: A step of managing the actual stock quantity of lottery target cards that are predetermined as trading cards that are the subject of the lottery; displaying a user interface on a terminal of the user, the user interface allowing the user to perform a lottery operation for conducting a lottery for the lottery target card; a step of conducting the lottery based on a winning rate determined in advance for each type of the lottery target card when the lottery operation is performed; Including, When the stock quantity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the user interface is set in a state in which the lottery operation can be performed, and when the stock quantity is less than the predetermined value, the user interface is set in a state in which the lottery operation cannot be performed; determining whether to disable the lottery operation according to the winning rate of the lottery target card and a status of inventory management of the lottery target card; determining whether to disable the lottery operation depending on the inventory management status, which is the inventory quantity of the lottery target cards in the actual store that holds the lottery target cards for selling the lottery target cards and the inventory quantity of the lottery target cards in the warehouse that holds the lottery target cards for shipping the lottery target cards; Information processing methods.

5. Information processing system, A step of managing the actual stock quantity of lottery target cards that are predetermined as trading cards that are the subject of the lottery; displaying a user interface on a terminal of the user, the user interface allowing the user to perform a lottery operation for conducting a lottery for the lottery target card; a step of conducting the lottery based on a winning rate determined in advance for each type of the lottery target card when the lottery operation is performed; Execute information processing including When the stock quantity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the user interface is set in a state in which the lottery operation can be performed, and when the stock quantity is less than the predetermined value, the user interface is set in a state in which the lottery operation cannot be performed; determining whether to disable the lottery operation according to the winning rate of the lottery target card and a status of inventory management of the lottery target card; determining whether to disable the lottery operation depending on the inventory management status, which is the inventory quantity of the lottery target cards in the actual store that holds the lottery target cards for selling the lottery target cards and the inventory quantity of the lottery target cards in the warehouse that holds the lottery target cards for shipping the lottery target cards; A program that performs information processing.

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