Information processing method, information processing system, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing method, system and program for providing users with more interesting experiences.SOLUTION: Provided is a method to execute the following steps: acquiring information provided based on subscription for respective users of first and second terminals, acquiring first content information and second content information on availability of providable contents, and executing first settlement processing and second settlement processing which allow the first and second terminals to provide subscription information until predetermined first and second time limits respectively; and if provision of the subscription information is allowed at the first terminal, allowing providing the subscription information at the second terminal until a predetermined response time limit at least corresponding to the first time limit, whether or not provision of the subscription information at the second terminal is allowed by the second settlement processing when the second user information is associated with the first user information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing system and the like that enables appropriate processing when an account registered in a subscription service is associated with a user ID of another terminal.

[0003] When an account is changed after canceling a regular service, the information processing system etc. acquires the first distribution timing, which is the benefit distribution timing of the account ID before the change, the second distribution timing, which is the next distribution timing, and the third distribution timing, which is the distribution timing after that. It acquires the registration validity period of the regular service associated with the changed account ID. If the end timing of this registration validity period is before the third distribution timing, it determines the post-change distribution timing, which is the first distribution timing after the account change timing, as the third distribution timing, and if it is after the third distribution timing, it determines the post-change distribution timing according to the second registration validity period. The benefit is granted both after the first distribution timing and after the post-change distribution timing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-168080 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there is still room for improvement in the above techniques.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present disclosure aims to provide a superior technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing method executed by an information processing system is provided. The information processing method includes the following steps. In the acquisition step, first content information related to the provision status of content provided at a first terminal and second content information related to the provision status of content provided at a second terminal are acquired. The content is configured to be able to provide subscription information provided to a user in a subscription manner. The first terminal is configured to execute a first payment process using a first payment application. The first payment process is a process in which a predetermined first deadline is set at the first terminal and provision of subscription information is permitted until the first deadline. The second terminal is configured to execute a second payment process using a second payment application, and is configured to make the first payment process unmanageable. The second payment process is a process in which a predetermined second deadline is set at the second terminal and provision of subscription information is permitted until the second deadline. The first content information includes first user information related to a user to whom the content is provided and information related to the first deadline during which provision of subscription information at the first terminal is permitted. The second content information includes second user information related to a user to whom the content is provided. In the allowing step, if the provision of the subscription information is permitted in the first terminal and the second user information is associated with the first user information, the provision of the subscription information is permitted in the second terminal at least until a predetermined response deadline corresponding to the first deadline, regardless of whether the provision of the subscription information in the second terminal is permitted by the second payment process.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a more interesting experience to the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information processing device 2 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is an activity diagram showing an overview of information processing executed by the information processing system 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen IM1 displayed on a display 4a. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen IM2 displayed on a display 4a. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a normal shop screen IM3 displayed on a display 4a. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a VIP shop screen IM4 displayed on a display 4a. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a transition screen IM5 displayed on a display 4a. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen IM6 displayed on a display 4a. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the time series relationship between the activation periods of a first terminal 3a and a second terminal 3b and a first time limit t2a and a second time limit t2b. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the time series relationship between the activation periods of a first terminal 3a and a second terminal 3b and a first time limit t2a and a second time limit t2b. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the time series relationship between the activation periods of a first terminal 3a and a second terminal 3b and a first time limit t2a and a second time limit t2b. [Figure 13] 1 shows an example of an end notification screen IM7 displayed on the display 4a. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Various features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0011] Incidentally, the program for realizing the software appearing in this embodiment may be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided so as to be downloadable from an external server, or may be provided so that the program is started on an external computer and its functions are realized on a client terminal (so-called cloud computing).

[0012] In this embodiment, the term "unit" may include, for example, a combination of hardware resources implemented by a circuit in the broad sense and software information processing that can be specifically realized by these hardware resources. In addition, this embodiment handles various information, which may be represented by, for example, physical values ​​of signal values ​​representing voltage and current, high and low signal values ​​as a binary bit set consisting of 0 or 1, or quantum superposition (so-called quantum bits), and communication and calculation may be performed on a circuit in the broad sense.

[0013] In addition, a circuit in the broad sense is a circuit realized by at least appropriately combining a circuit, circuitry, a processor, and a memory, etc. In other words, it includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)), etc.

[0014] 1. Game Description Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. In the information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1, an information processing device 2 and a plurality of terminals 3 are communicably connected to each other via a communication network 11, and a game is executed as content on the terminal 3. That is, the information processing system 1 is composed of at least one device.

[0015] The game according to this embodiment is an online game executed by the information processing system 1. In this game, a user of a terminal 3 causes one or more player characters to act in a virtual game space, and causes the player characters to fight against enemy characters that are non-player characters. The characters are an example of objects.

[0016] The above-mentioned games are executed using a terminal 3 which is a home game console such as PlayStation (registered trademark), a portable game console such as Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), or an electronic device such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0017] 2. Overview of Information Processing System 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 is composed of an information processing device 2 and a plurality of terminals 3. The information processing device 2 stores a game program and game data, and manages the game data of the terminals 3 (for each account information described below). The information processing device 2 is composed of, for example, a server. The plurality of terminals 3 each have the same configuration. In this embodiment, a system is made up of one or more devices or components. Therefore, for example, the information processing device 2 or a terminal 3 alone, which will be described later, can be an example of the information processing system 1. Each of the terminals 3 may be realized by a different type of electronic device, as long as it is configured to be able to execute a game program for progressing through a game.

[0018] The terminal 3 executes a predetermined game based on the user's operation. To this end, the terminal 3 receives (specifically, downloads and installs) a game program and game data from the information processing device 2 via the communication network 11. Each user is assigned account information including identification information and a password in association with the terminal 3. This account information is transmitted from the terminal 3 to the information processing device 2 at the time of login, and is used for user authentication in the information processing device 2.

[0019] After user authentication, mutual communication becomes possible between the information processing device 2 and the terminal 3. After logging in, the terminal 3 receives data required for game progress (data related to the game progress status) from the information processing device 2, and progresses the game while outputting game images and sounds to the display 4a and the speaker 4b based on the user's operation.

[0020] In this embodiment, the multiple terminals 3 include a first terminal 3a and a second terminal 3b, and at least one of them (more specifically, any one of them) is configured to be activated. The game is configured to proceed online on the activated terminal 3, and is configured not to proceed on the deactivated terminal 3. Note that the game only needs to be configured not to proceed online at least on the deactivated terminal 3, and may be configured to proceed as an offline game on the terminal 3, for example.

[0021] 2.1 Hardware Configuration Hereinafter, each hardware component of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0022] <Information processing device 2> 1, the information processing device 2 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The communication unit 21 and the storage unit 22 are electrically connected to the control unit 23 via a communication bus 20.

[0023] The communication unit 21 is a so-called network interface that is communicatively connected to each terminal 3 via a communication network 11 such as the Internet and a LAN. Main information that the information processing device 2 receives via the communication unit 21 includes download request information for a game program, a gacha lottery request in response to a user's operation, a quest execution request, a request to execute / end autoplay, account information, game data, etc. Main information that the information processing device 2 transmits via the communication unit 21 includes information for confirming that the terminal 3 has received the game program, information on the game media obtained by gacha, etc.

[0024] The storage unit 22 is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The storage unit 22 stores various programs including a part of the game program according to this embodiment, various data related to the game, etc.

[0025] Specifically, for example, the storage unit 22 stores a user DB, a lottery list, and the like. In the user DB, for each identification number of a user who plays a game, information such as a user name, a user rank, information on the status of a player character operated by the user, the amount of consumable media usable in the virtual game space, information on parameters, and the like are stored in association with each other. The lottery list is used for a lottery process generally called gacha, and includes a plurality of pieces of information on game media to be selected. In the lottery list, information on the game media (such as name, ability parameters, rarity, and level) is associated with a selection ratio by lottery. Furthermore, the ability parameters include, for example, fighting power, HP, attack power, defense power, intelligence, speed, and the like when the game media is a player character.

[0026] The control unit 23 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the information processing device 2, which is its own device. In particular, the control unit 23 realizes various functions related to the information processing device 2, which is its own device, by reading out a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 22. That is, information processing by software stored in the storage unit 22 is specifically realized by the control unit 23, which is an example of hardware, so that each functional unit described below can be executed. Note that the control unit 23 is not limited to being single, and may be implemented with multiple control units 23 for each function. Also, a combination of these may be used.

[0027] Examples of information processing executed by the control unit 23 include a charge settlement process, a user account authentication process, and a gacha lottery selection process. The charge settlement process is executed, for example, based on a request for a charge required to restore a predetermined amount of parameters during the game. The user account authentication process is executed, for example, using the user's identification information received from the terminal 3. The gacha lottery selection process is a process in which, in response to a gacha lottery request, one or more game media are selected by lottery from a lottery list based on the selection probability for each game medium. According to the gacha lottery selection process, information on the selected game media and the identification information of the user who performed the operation that is the source of the lottery request are associated in the user DB, and the user is thereby granted the game media that he or she won as a result of drawing the gacha.

[0028] Here, to further supplement the above, the "game medium" is electronic data representing elements related to the game, including the name of the character used as the player character, items (weapons, armor, tools) used by the player character in the virtual game space, etc. The user can obtain the game medium by a lottery method called gacha, in addition to direct purchase by charging or clearing a quest. The obtained game medium is stored and managed in the user DB in association with the identification information of the user who has come to own the game medium. Furthermore, "gacha" is a method in which an arbitrary game medium is selected by lottery from a lottery list based on a predetermined selection ratio in the information processing device 2. The arbitrary selected game medium is given to the user's terminal 3. "Giving the game medium selected by gacha to the user / the user owns it" is synonymous with "associating / being associated with the game medium selected by the lottery process with the identification information indicating the user."

[0029] <Terminal 3> A display 4a, a speaker 4b, and an input device 4c are externally connected or built into a first terminal 3a, which is one of the terminals 3. The first terminal 3a also has a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, a control unit 33, a graphic processing unit 34a, an audio processing unit 34b, and an operation unit 34c. The communication unit 31, the storage unit 32, the graphic processing unit 34a, the audio processing unit 34b, and the operation unit 34c are electrically connected to the control unit 33 via a communication bus 30.

[0030] The communication unit 31 is a so-called network interface that is communicatively connected to the communication network 11 in order to transmit and receive various data between the first terminal 3a and the information processing device 2. Main information that the first terminal 3a receives via the communication unit 31 includes account information, download request information for new game data, a gacha execution request, a quest execution request, etc. Main information that the first terminal 3a transmits via the communication unit 31 includes new game data sent from the information processing device 2 in response to download request information, information on the game medium selected by lottery processing, etc.

[0031] The storage unit 32 is composed of an HDD, SSD, RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit 32 stores game data downloaded from the information processing device 2, various programs including a part of the game program, account information of the first terminal 3a which is the device itself, user information, etc. The user information is at least a part of the information in a user DB stored in the storage unit 22 of the information processing device 2. The user DB manages a master of the user information, and at least a part of the information in the master is distributed from the information processing device 2 to the storage unit 32 of the first terminal 3a and stores it.

[0032] The control unit 33 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the first terminal 3a, which is the device itself. In particular, the control unit 33 realizes various functions related to the first terminal 3a, which is the device itself, by reading out a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 32. That is, information processing by the software stored in the storage unit 32 is specifically realized by the control unit 33, which is an example of hardware, so that each functional unit described below can be executed. Note that the control unit 33 is not limited to being single, and may be implemented so that multiple control units 33 are provided for each function. Also, a combination of these may be used.

[0033] In particular, the control unit 33 is configured to execute a game according to the operation of the input device 4c by the user of the first terminal 3a, which is the own device. Specifically, the control unit 33 reads data such as virtual game space objects and textures included in the game data from the storage unit 32, or generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional game image information using data received from the information processing device 2. The game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 34a, and the processed game images are sequentially displayed on the display 4a. In other words, the control unit 33 is configured to perform display control of the display 4a and audio output control of the speaker 4b according to the operation of the user of the first terminal 3a, which is the own device, when executing a game.

[0034] The graphic processing unit 34a renders game images including characters and various objects related to the virtual game space in a moving image format according to game image information output from the control unit 33. The graphic processing unit 34a is connected to the display 4a, which is, for example, a liquid crystal type, and the game images rendered in a moving image format are displayed on the display 4a as a game screen. The audio processing unit 34b is connected to the speaker 4b, and reproduces and synthesizes game sounds according to instructions from the control unit 33, and outputs the sounds from the speaker 4b. The operation unit 34c is connected to the input device 4c, and transmits and receives data related to operation inputs between the input device 4c and the input device 4c. The user inputs operation signals to the first terminal 3a by operating the input device 4c. The input device 4c is a general term for a touch panel integrated with the display 4a, an external game pad, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like.

[0035] The configuration of the second terminal 3b is almost the same as that of the first terminal 3a described above, so the common configuration is denoted by the same component numbers and detailed description thereof is omitted. Here, the differences between the first terminal 3a and the second terminal 3b are described.

[0036] In this embodiment, each of the first terminal 3a and the second terminal 3b uses a payment application corresponding to its operating system to execute various payment processes that require a fee, such as purchasing items in the game, setting up or updating a subscription contract, etc. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the payment application and payment process of the first terminal 3a are referred to as the first payment application and the first payment process, respectively, and the payment application and payment process of the second terminal 3b are referred to as the second payment application and the second payment process, respectively. In other words, the first terminal 3a is configured to execute the first payment process using the first payment application, and the second terminal 3b is configured to execute the second payment process using the second payment application.

[0037] The first terminal 3a and the second terminal 3b of this embodiment are configured to be controlled by different types of OS (operating systems). Accordingly, the first terminal 3a and the second terminal 3b each perform a payment process using a different payment application, and the contents of the process are managed by a management server (not shown) corresponding to each payment application, and cannot be managed by the different payment application. In other words, the second terminal 3b is configured to be unable to manage the first payment process.

[0038] 2.2 Functional Configuration Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device 2 of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information processing device 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the control unit 23 (processor) executes various programs stored in the storage unit 22 to function as an acquisition unit 231, a notification unit 232, a restriction unit 233, a start unit 234, an allowance unit 235, and an assignment unit 236. That is, information processing by software stored in the storage unit 22 is specifically realized by the control unit 23, which is an example of hardware, and can be executed as each functional unit included in the control unit 23.

[0040] The acquisition unit 231 is configured to acquire various information and inputs as an acquisition step. For example, the acquisition unit 231 acquires information such as user information and an input of a participation request from a user from the storage unit 22 of the information processing device 2, or acquires the information from the terminal 3 or another external device via the communication network 11. In this embodiment, the various information accepted by the acquisition unit 231 is described as being stored in the storage unit 22.

[0041] The notification unit 232 performs various notifications to the user by displaying various information stored in the storage unit 22 or the storage unit 32 or a screen including the information on the display 4a of the terminal 3 in a visible manner as a first notification step, a second notification step, or a third notification step. Specifically, the notification unit 232 may generate visual information itself generated in a human-visible manner such as a screen, an image (e.g., a still image or a video), an icon, text, etc., or may generate rendering information for displaying the visual information on the display 4a, and transmit the information to the terminal 3 via the communication network 11.

[0042] The restriction unit 233 is configured to restrict the setting and updating of various information as a restriction step.

[0043] The initiation unit 234 is configured to initiate various processes as a starting step.

[0044] The permission unit 235 is configured to permit the provision of various information to the user as a permission step.

[0045] The assigning unit 236 is configured to assign various pieces of information in association with the user under a predetermined condition as an assigning step.

[0046] The details of each of the above functional units will be described in detail together with the explanation of information processing to be given later.

[0047] 3. Explanation of terms This section provides explanations of various terms related to information processing, which will be described later.

[0048] <Game Information> The game information IF1 is information about the provision status of the game, and includes, for example, user information IF2 about a user who progresses through the game on the terminal 3, the status of a character in the game operated by the user, items acquired by the user, and various information such as the completion status of a quest provided in the game. The user information IF2 includes information about a user account for a user to log in to the game. Hereinafter, the game information IF1 about the provision status of the game provided on the first terminal 3a is referred to as first game information IF1a, and the game information IF1 about the provision status of the game provided on the second terminal 3b is referred to as second game information IF1b. In addition, the user information IF2 about the user of the first terminal 3a is referred to as first user information IF2a, and the user information IF2 about the user of the second terminal 3b is referred to as second user information IF2b. In this embodiment, the user of the first terminal 3a and the user of the second terminal 3b are the same, but may be different. Hereinafter, the user of the first terminal 3a may be referred to as the first user, and the user of the second terminal 3b may be referred to as the second user.

[0049] <Subscription information> The subscription information IF3 is information provided to the user in a subscription manner, and is configured to be provided to the user at each terminal 3 by performing the above-mentioned payment process at that terminal 3. The subscription method here refers to, for example, a processing method in which the user can enjoy a predetermined in-game service such as the acquisition of an item for a certain period of time, and the period is periodically updated. The game in this embodiment is configured to be able to provide such subscription information IF3. Hereinafter, the payment process that enables the subscription information IF3 to be provided may be referred to as a payment process related to the subscription information IF3, or simply as a payment process. Such a payment process allows the provision of the subscription information IF3 by paying a predetermined price. The subscription information IF3 can be implemented in any form, such as an item given to the user or a limited currency that functions as a price for the item.

[0050] The information processing system 1 sets a predetermined first start date t1a and a first deadline t2a in the first terminal 3a by performing a first settlement process related to the subscription information IF3, and allows provision of the subscription information IF3 from the first start date t1a to the first deadline t2a. The first start date t1a is set to coincide with the timing of a predetermined process such as the first settlement process or a first setting process described later. The first deadline t2a is a deadline by which the subscription information IF3 can be provided in the first terminal 3a, and is set to be a certain period of time, for example, 30 days, one month, or one year after a reference process is performed. The first deadline t2a may be set to be variable rather than fixed. For example, the first deadline t2a may be variable depending on the aspect of the first settlement process, such as the consideration to be paid or the aspect of the subscription contract. Information related to such a first deadline t2a is included in the second user information IF2b, for example.

[0051] The first payment application of the first terminal 3a may automatically cause the first terminal 3a to perform the first payment process when the first deadline t2a has elapsed, unless the user performs a predetermined cancellation operation on the first terminal 3a. As a result, the first start date t1a is updated to match the first deadline t2a before the update, and the first deadline t2a is updated to be a certain period after the first start date t1a after the update. In this way, the period during which the subscription information IF3 can be provided on the first terminal 3a is automatically updated. The update of the first deadline t2a by the first payment process is performed automatically, regardless of whether the first user information IF2a is activated, unless the user performs a predetermined cancellation operation on the first terminal 3a. Such a process of updating the first deadline t2a is also referred to as a first setting process. In other words, the first terminal 3a is configured to execute the first setting process using the first payment application when the first deadline t2a has elapsed. The first setting process includes a process of resetting the first deadline t2a by executing a first payment process.

[0052] Similarly, the information processing system 1 sets a predetermined second start date t1b and a second deadline t2b in the second terminal 3b by performing the second payment process related to the subscription information IF3, and allows the provision of the subscription information IF3 from the second start date t1b to the second deadline t2b. The second start date t1b and the second deadline t2b are similar to the first start date t1a and the first deadline t2a, including the specific manner of updating, and therefore will not be described again. That is, the second game information IF1b further includes information related to the second deadline t2b. In addition, the second terminal 3b is configured to execute a second setting process using a second payment application when the second deadline t2b has passed. The second setting process includes a process of executing a second payment process to set the second deadline t2b again. In addition, these setting processes are not limited to processes such as updating existing deadlines t2a, t2b stored in the memory unit 32, etc., but may include processes for setting new deadlines t2a, t2b under circumstances where deadlines t2a, t2b had been set in the past.

[0053] As described above, the first terminal 3a and the second terminal 3b in this embodiment cannot manage each other's payment processing. Therefore, the first setting process in the first terminal 3a and the second setting process in the second terminal 3b are performed independently in each terminal 3. Therefore, the payment processing related to the subscription information IF3 described above is continuously updated independent of the status of the payment processing of the other terminals 3. That is, the first terminal 3a is configured to perform the first payment processing using the first payment application so that the provision of the subscription information IF3 in the first terminal 3a is continued after the first deadline t2a, regardless of the provision status of the subscription information IF3 in the second terminal 3b. The same applies to the second terminal 3b.

[0054] <Out-of-game currency> The non-game currency is a currency that is not limited to being used within a game, but is configured to be circulated outside the game. The non-game currency includes, for example, a currency certified by a predetermined external institution such as a central bank, and a crypto asset (virtual currency) guaranteed by a distributed ledger system using a blockchain or the like. The currency certified by an external institution is not limited to banknotes or coins guaranteed by a central bank, but may be any currency that has exchangeability for goods or services in the real world or in a virtual space outside the game, such as a local currency approved by a local government or points used by various companies for cashless payment. In addition, the currency is not limited to one that is settled by spot trading, and may be one that is settled by credit trading using a credit card or the like. In this embodiment, the consideration paid by each payment process is determined by the non-game currency.

[0055] <In-game currency> The in-game currency is information that functions as a currency circulated only within the game, and is consumed as a payment when an item is granted to the user information IF2. The in-game currency is configured to be inconvertible to the out-of-game currency. The in-game currency includes, for example, paid currency that can be directly purchased using out-of-game currency, free currency granted to the user as the game progresses, and special currency granted as an example of the subscription information IF3.

[0056] 4. Overview of Information Processing In this section, an overview of the flow of the information processing method executed by the information processing system 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is an activity diagram showing an overview of the information processing executed by the information processing system 1. The results of the processing in each activity included in the information processing described below can be appropriately output in a manner that can be recognized by the user using the display 4a of the terminal 3 or the like. The information processing can include any exception processing not shown. Exception processing includes the interruption of the information processing and the omission of each process. Selection or input performed in the information processing can be based on a user operation or can be performed automatically without relying on a user operation.

[0057] This information processing is performed to transfer the progress of the game from the first terminal 3a to the second terminal 3b. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user account through which the user logs in on the first terminal 3a is activated, and the user account through which the user logs in on the second terminal 3b is deactivated.

[0058] [Activity A11] First, in activity A11, the control unit 33 of the first terminal 3a acquires a handover command for the first game information IF1a in the first terminal 3a from the user.

[0059] [Activity A12] Next, in activity A12, the control unit 33 of the first terminal 3a generates a takeover ID. The takeover ID is presented to the user of the first terminal 3a via the display 4a or the like. The takeover ID in this embodiment may be represented by a symbol string including alphabets or numbers, or may be a graphic such as a two-dimensional barcode.

[0060] [Activity A13] Next, in activity A13, the control unit 33 of the first terminal 3a transmits the generated takeover ID and the first game information IF1a to the information processing device 2. In this embodiment, the latest first game information IF1a used for backup is transmitted. The first game information IF1a includes information related to the first time limit t2a.

[0061] [Activity A21] Next, the process proceeds to activity A13, where the acquisition unit 231 of the information processing device 2 acquires the transmitted takeover ID and first game information IF1a. The control unit 23 of the information processing device 2 associates the takeover ID with the first game information IF1a and stores them in the storage unit 22. Note that this association may be performed by the first terminal 3a.

[0062] [Activity A31] Meanwhile, in activity A31, the control unit 33 of the second terminal 3b accepts a login to the game from the user through the second terminal 3b. The user logs in to the game from the second terminal 3b by inputting second user information IF2b to the second terminal 3b. The input second user information IF2b may be the same user ID and password as the first user information IF2a used for logging in, or may be automatically generated when the game is started.

[0063] [Activity A32] Next, in activity A32, the control unit 33 of the second terminal 3b accepts input of the handover ID generated in activity A12 from the user.

[0064] [Activity A33] When the user has completed input of the takeover ID, the process proceeds to activity A33, and the control unit 33 of the second terminal 3b transmits an execution command for the takeover process to the information processing device 2. The execution command for the takeover process includes second game information IF1b.

[0065] [Activity A22] After that, in activity A22, the acquisition unit 231 of the information processing device 2 acquires an execution command for the handover process. The acquisition unit 231 of the information processing device 2 acquires the second game information IF1b. This allows the control unit 23 to grasp the progress of the games on the first terminal 3a and the second terminal 3b, and the first and second deadlines t2a and t2b, which are deadlines for providing the subscription information IF3 on the first terminal 3a and the second terminal 3b. In this embodiment, the first terminal 3a is permitted to provide the subscription information IF3 up to the first deadline t2a, but the second terminal 3b is not permitted to provide the subscription information IF3.

[0066] [Activity A23, Activity A14, Activity A34] Thereafter, in activity A23, the control unit 23 executes a handover process. As a result, in activity A14, the control unit 23 causes the control unit 33 of the first terminal 3a to deactivate the first user information IF2a of the first terminal 3a before the handover. Also, in activity A34, the control unit 23 causes the control unit 33 of the second terminal 3b to activate the second user information IF2b of the second terminal 3b after the handover. Then, the control unit 23 transmits the first game information IF1a to the second terminal 3b, thereby reflecting the first game information IF1a in the second game information IF1b. In this manner, the second user information IF2b is associated with the first user information IF2a via the handover ID. In this embodiment, the game is configured to proceed online in the activated terminal 3, and is configured not to proceed in the deactivated terminal 3. Therefore, the game as content is configured so that, for example, when the first user information IF2a is associated with the second user information IF2b by a handover process, the progress of the game on the first terminal 3a is stopped and the progress of the game on the second terminal 3b is started.

[0067] In the first game information IF1a, if the first deadline t2a is set to be later than the second deadline t2b, the control unit 23 sets the second deadline t2b to the first deadline t2a at the time of the handover process. Hereinafter, the first deadline t2a at the time of the handover process that is set as the second deadline t2b is referred to as the corresponding deadline. As a result, the permission unit 235 allows the provision of the subscription information IF3 in the second terminal 3b at least until the corresponding deadline.

[0068] The process of allowing the provision of the subscription information IF3 in the second terminal 3b is performed regardless of whether the provision of the subscription information IF3 in the second terminal 3b is allowed by the second payment process. In this embodiment, the permission unit 235 allows the execution of the second payment process after the response deadline. According to this configuration, the subscription information IF3 in the second terminal 3b that was allowed until a predetermined deadline with the first payment process can be continuously used by the second payment process after the predetermined deadline. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the provision of the subscription information IF3. For example, when a payment command instructing the execution of the second payment process related to the subscription information IF3 is acquired from the user before the response deadline, the permission unit 235 performs a reservation process for the second payment process. The reservation process is a process of automatically performing the second payment process after the response deadline has passed, and is set so that the response deadline coincides with the second start time t1b, for example. As a result, the start unit 234 starts the provision of the subscription information IF3 based on the second payment process by the payment command after the response deadline. According to this configuration, the payment command is sent in advance at the deadline, so that the user can smoothly receive the subscription information IF3 based on the second payment process after the deadline. This information process is also applicable to cases where the reservation process is not included.

[0069] Then, the notification unit 232 outputs notification information IF4 related to the handover to the second terminal 3b. The notification information IF4 includes information related to the second payment process (for example, information prompting the second user to perform the second payment process described below) and information prompting the second user to stop the first payment process by the first payment application. For example, the notification unit 232 outputs the following information as notification information IF4: (A) At the time when the handover process is performed, the second terminal 3b is also permitted to provide the subscription information IF3 until the first deadline t2a. (B) If the user wishes to permit the provision of the subscription information IF3 even after the first deadline t2a has elapsed, the user must newly perform a second payment process for the subscription information IF3 at the second terminal 3b. (C) Stopping the automatic execution of the first payment process (first setting process) related to the subscription information IF3 in the first terminal 3a.

[0070] The timing of generating these pieces of notification information IF4 is arbitrary, and may be output before the response deadline (first deadline t2a) elapses or after the response deadline (first deadline t2a) elapses depending on the contents. For example, when the second user information IF2b is activated by the handover process, the notification unit 232 may output notification information IF4 regarding (A) or notification information IF4 regarding (B) (an example of first notification information, hereinafter referred to as recommended notification information IF4a). In particular, the notification unit 232 may output the recommended notification information IF4a periodically or irregularly until the response deadline elapses. In other words, during at least a part of the period until the response deadline, the notification unit 232 outputs the first notification information regarding the second payment process to the user of the second terminal 3b. According to such a configuration, the user is notified of the necessity of performing the second payment process before the response deadline elapses, and smooth progress of the subscription can be promoted even after the response deadline.

[0071] Furthermore, if the second payment process is restricted until the first deadline t2a has elapsed, the notification unit 232 may output notification information IF4 regarding (C) (an example of third notification information, hereinafter referred to as reminder notification information IF4b) after the first deadline t2a has elapsed. In other words, the notification unit 232 may output third notification information that prompts the user to stop the first payment process by the first payment application. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the first terminal 3a and the second terminal 3b from performing the payment process in the same manner. Note that the above (A) to (C) are merely examples and are not limited to these.

[0072] [Activity A35] After activity A34, in activity A35, the control unit 33 of the second terminal 3b acquires the first game information IF1a transmitted from the information processing device 2 and updates the second game information IF1b based on the first game information IF1a. This allows the user to play the game on the second terminal 3b while inheriting the progress of the game played on the first terminal 3a.

[0073] [Activity A36] Next, in activity A36, the control unit 33 of the second terminal 3b causes the notification information IF4 output in the handover process to be displayed on the display 4a of the second terminal 3b. This causes the notification information IF4 to be presented to the user. The timing at which the notification information IF4 is presented to the user is set according to the output from the notification unit 232. Details of the manner in which the notification information IF4 is presented to the user will be described later in the next section.

[0074] Through the above process, the game information IF1 is handed over from the first terminal 3a to the second terminal 3b.

[0075] Next, a description will be given of the payment process in each terminal 3 after the handover has been performed. Note that the following process does not need to be performed consecutively with the above-mentioned handover process, and may be performed independently.

[0076] [Activity A14, Activity A15] First, in activity A14, the control unit 33 of the first terminal 3a deactivates the first user information IF2a. After that, the control unit 33 allows the provision of subscription information IF3 for the first user information IF2a until the first deadline t2a has elapsed. If an operation to end the update of the first deadline t2a is not performed before the first deadline t2a has elapsed, the update of the first deadline t2a will continue. As a result, the process proceeds to activity A15, and after the first deadline t2a has elapsed, the control unit 33 of the first terminal 3a executes the first payment process using the first payment application. As a result, the first setting process is performed, and the first deadline t2a is updated.

[0077] [Activity A24] Thereafter, in activity A24, the control unit 23 acquires the updated first time limit t2a. This allows the control unit 23 to know that the first payment process has been performed in the first terminal 3a and that the provision of the subscription information IF3 has been continuously permitted. In this embodiment, when the first time limit t2a is further updated, the control unit 23 acquires information regarding the state of the first user information IF2a (i.e., whether or not it is activated). Thereafter, the provision of the subscription information IF3 in the first terminal 3a is permitted until the updated first time limit t2a has elapsed.

[0078] Here, when the first setting process is performed so as to satisfy a predetermined condition, the control unit 23 updates the cumulative information IF5. The cumulative information IF5 indicates a cumulative total regarding the first setting process and the second setting process performed so as to satisfy the predetermined condition, and indicates, for example, the number of times the first setting process and the second setting process are performed so as to satisfy the predetermined condition. In the following, the number of times the first setting process and the second setting process are performed so as to satisfy the predetermined condition may be referred to as a judgment value. The judgment value is used to judge whether or not to perform the granting process described later, and is configured to increase by updating the cumulative information IF5. The predetermined condition is a condition indicating that the subscription information IF3 is continuously provided in each of the first terminal 3a and the second terminal 3b. The predetermined condition in this embodiment is set so as to be satisfied by the first terminal 3a being permitted to provide the subscription information IF3 around the first time limit t2a. Alternatively, the predetermined condition may be set so as to be satisfied by the second terminal 3b being permitted to provide the subscription information IF3 around the second time limit t2b. In other words, the predetermined condition is satisfied by the fact that the periods during which the provision of subscription information IF3 is permitted are consecutive before and after the deadlines t2a and t2b. The control unit 33 of the first terminal 3a performs the first setting process to update the first start date t1a and the first deadline t2a so that the second start date t1b after the update becomes the first start date t1a before the update. Therefore, the first setting process is a process that satisfies the predetermined condition. Similarly, the second setting process is also a process that satisfies the predetermined condition.

[0079] The predetermined condition in this embodiment includes that the user information IF2 of the terminal 3 corresponding to the setting process is activated. In this embodiment, since the first user information IF2a of the second terminal 3b is deactivated in the activity A14, the predetermined condition is not satisfied even if the first setting process is performed. Therefore, the cumulative information IF5 is not updated. In other words, the predetermined condition includes that the first setting process and the second setting process are performed in a situation where the game progresses in the corresponding terminal. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the reward information IF6 from being provided by the setting process in a terminal where the game has not been started, and therefore it is possible to prevent the reward information IF6 from being provided uselessly. The reward information IF6 and the granting process for granting the reward information IF6 will be described later.

[0080] [Activity A16] On the other hand, if a cancellation operation is performed to end the update of the first time limit t2a before the first time limit t2a has elapsed, the process proceeds to activity A16. When the first time limit t2a has elapsed, the provision of the subscription information IF3 to the first user information IF2a corresponding to the first terminal 3a is terminated. In addition, this information process related to the provision of the subscription information IF3 in the first terminal 3a is terminated.

[0081] In the second terminal 3b, the second deadline t2b is updated in the same manner as in the first terminal 3a. An example of the process will be described below. Here, a case will be described in which the corresponding deadline is set as a result of the above-mentioned handover process.

[0082] [Activity A37] First, the control unit 33 of the second terminal 3b allows the provision of subscription information IF3 for the second user information IF2b until the set corresponding deadline (i.e., the first deadline t2a at the time of the handover process) has elapsed. Thereafter, if a release operation to end the update of the second deadline t2b is not performed before the corresponding deadline has elapsed, the update of the second deadline t2b will continue. As a result, the process proceeds to activity A37, and the control unit 33 of the second terminal 3b executes the second payment process using the second payment application after the second deadline t2b has elapsed. As a result, the second setting process is performed, and the second deadline t2b is updated. Note that the update of the second deadline t2b includes updating the second deadline t2b from the corresponding deadline.

[0083] [Activity A25] Thereafter, in activity A25, the control unit 23 acquires the updated second time limit t2b. This allows the control unit 23 to know that the second payment process has been performed in the second terminal 3b and the provision of the subscription information IF3 has been continuously permitted. In this embodiment, when the second time limit t2b is further updated, the control unit 23 acquires information on the state of the second user information IF2b (i.e., whether or not it is activated). Thereafter, the provision of the subscription information IF3 in the second terminal 3b is permitted until the updated second time limit t2b has elapsed. At this time, if the second setting process is performed so as to satisfy the above-mentioned predetermined condition, the control unit 23 updates the cumulative information IF5 in the same manner as in activity A24. The details of the predetermined condition and the update of the cumulative information IF5 are the same as those described above.

[0084] Here, when the judgment value becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value as a result of updating the cumulative information IF5 in the activity A24 and the activity A25, the granting unit 236 performs a granting process in the activity A26. As a result, the granting unit 236 grants the reward information IF6 available in the game to the activated user information IF2 (the second user information IF2b in this embodiment). In other words, the granting unit 236 grants the reward information IF6 available in the game to any one of the first user information IF2a and the second user information IF2b (or more specifically, any one of the multiple terminals 3) based on the cumulative information IF5. According to this configuration, the reward information IF6 is granted only to the user information IF2 of the terminal 3 in which the user is progressing in the game, so that it is possible to prevent the reward information IF6 from being granted uselessly to an inactive terminal 3 in which the user is not progressing in the game.

[0085] The conditions for granting the reward information IF6 are arbitrary, but in this embodiment, the reward information IF6 is granted each time the judgment value increases. The specific form of the reward information IF6 is arbitrary, but for example, it is in-game currency (particularly special currency) that can be used in the game. The amount of special currency granted as the reward information IF6 is configured to increase as the judgment value increases, for example, and becomes fixed when the judgment value reaches a predetermined value or more. Note that the reward information IF6 may be realized in any form that can be used in the game, such as a normal item, a special item, or a paid currency.

[0086] [Activity A38] On the other hand, if a cancellation operation is performed to end the update of the second deadline t2b before the corresponding deadline (or the second deadline t2b) elapses, the process proceeds to activity A38. Then, when the second deadline t2b elapses, the provision of the subscription information IF3 to the second user information IF2b corresponding to the second terminal 3b is terminated. This ends the information process related to the provision of the subscription information IF3 in the second terminal 3b.

[0087] In summary, the information processing method executed by the information processing system includes the following steps. In the acquisition step, first content information related to the provision status of the content provided at the first terminal and second content information related to the provision status of the content provided at the second terminal are acquired. The content is configured to be able to provide subscription information provided to the user in a subscription manner. The first terminal is configured to execute a first payment process using a first payment application. The first payment process is a process in which a predetermined first deadline is set at the first terminal and provision of the subscription information is permitted until the first deadline. The second terminal is configured to execute a second payment process using a second payment application, and is configured to make the first payment process unmanageable. The second payment process is a process in which a predetermined second deadline is set at the second terminal and provision of the subscription information is permitted until the second deadline. The first content information includes first user information related to a user to whom the content is provided and information related to the first deadline during which provision of the subscription information at the first terminal is permitted. The second content information includes second user information related to a user to whom the content is provided. In the allowing step, if the provision of the subscription information is permitted in the first terminal and the second user information is associated with the first user information, the provision of the subscription information is permitted in the second terminal at least until a predetermined response deadline corresponding to the first deadline, regardless of whether the provision of the subscription information in the second terminal is permitted by the second payment process.

[0088] According to this configuration, the provision status in which the subscription information is permitted at the first terminal can be reflected by the first payment process when providing content at the second terminal, thereby improving the convenience of providing subscription information to the user.

[0089] 5. Details of data processing In this section, we will use figures to explain the details of the information processing outlined in the previous section.

[0090] 5.1. Menu screen IM1 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen IM1 displayed on the display 4a. The menu screen IM1 includes a gacha button B1, a formation button B2, a quest button B3, a shop button B4, and a setting button B5. When the user operates the gacha button B1, the screen transitions to a screen for executing a game in which game media such as characters and items are probabilistically given to the user information IF2 by consuming in-game currency. When the user operates the formation button B2, the screen transitions to a screen for determining the formation of characters used by the user to progress in the game. When the user operates the quest button B3, the screen transitions to a screen for executing the in-game part that is the main part of the game. In the in-game part, a battle or a puzzle game using characters owned by the user is executed. When the user operates the shop button B4, the screen transitions to a normal shop screen where the user can purchase various items. When the user operates the setting button B5, the screen transitions to a setting screen for performing various settings related to the game. On the setting screen, the above information processing for taking over the game information IF1 is executed. When the shop button B4 is operated while the menu screen IM1 is displayed, the selection screen IM2 is displayed. The menu screen IM1 is the screen that is displayed first when the user logs into the game, for example, and is also called the home screen.

[0091] 5.2.About the selection screen IM2 5 is a diagram showing an example of the selection screen IM2 displayed on the display 4a. The selection screen IM2 is a screen for receiving a purchase method designation from the user, and includes a charge button B31, a currency consumption shop button B32, and a VIP shop button B33.

[0092] The charge button B31 corresponds to an object called "non-game currency shop" in the figure. When the user operates the charge button B31, the screen transitions to a normal shop screen IM3 where non-game currency is consumed to purchase in-game currency and in-game items.

[0093] The currency consuming shop button B32 corresponds to an object called "in-game currency shop" in the figure. When the user operates the currency consuming shop button B32, a transition is made to a screen in which a process of granting various items to the user is executed by consuming in-game currency. In the currency consuming shop, various items are granted to the user in accordance with the consumption of the above-mentioned paid currency or non-paid currency.

[0094] The VIP shop button B33 corresponds to an object called "VIP shop" in the figure. When the user operates the VIP shop button B33, the screen transitions to a VIP shop screen IM4 in which a process of granting various items to the user by consuming special currency is executed.

[0095] 5.3.Regarding the normal shop screen IM3 6 is a diagram showing an example of a normal shop screen IM3 displayed on the display 4a. Under the control of the control unit 23, the normal shop screen IM3 presents visual information 5 that allows the user to view at least a portion of the in-game currency and normal items that can be purchased by consuming the non-game currency. The visual information 5 includes a subscription area 50, three item set areas 51, and four individual item areas 52. When the user operates each of the areas 50, 51, and 52, a payment processing command for the selected item is generated, and the selected item is associated with the user information IF2.

[0096] The subscription area 50 is an area where information related to the subscription information IF3 described above can be presented. The subscription area 50 includes a continuous count area 501, a benefit list button 502, a shop transition button 503, and a reservation purchase button 504. The subscription area 50 indicates that a special currency (for example, an object called a VIP ticket) is added to the user information IF2 as the subscription information IF3.

[0097] The continuous count area 501 displays cumulative information IF5. The cumulative information IF5 indicates the number of times the first setting process or the second setting process has been performed to satisfy a predetermined condition.

[0098] When the user operates the shop transition button 503, the screen displayed on the display 4a transitions from the normal shop screen IM3 to the VIP shop screen IM4.

[0099] A command to perform the above reservation process is generated by the user operating the reservation purchase button 504. Note that the control unit 33 may receive a designation of the time to perform the payment process related to the subscription information IF3 by the user operating the reservation purchase button 504.

[0100] 5.3.About the VIP Shop Screen IM4 FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the VIP shop screen IM4 displayed on the display 4a.

[0101] The VIP shop screen IM4 includes visual information 6 that allows the user to view at least a part of special items that can be purchased only with special currency. The visual information 6 includes a plurality of special item areas 61. When the user performs an operation on each special item area 61, a processing command is generated to associate the selected special item with the user information IF2. As a result, the acquisition unit 231 acquires a purchase processing command from the user. Then, a process is performed to purchase the special item corresponding to the command, and the item is added to the user information IF2. The special item may include non-consumable items that the user can continuously use as the game progresses. The non-consumable items are equipment (clothes, weapons, armor, accessories, etc.) of a character that the user can operate, and the type of character. In addition, the special item may include a consumable item that can be used a limited number of times. The consumable items may include an item set (VIP set) composed of a plurality of normal items, and limited items (VIP item 1, VIP item 2, etc.) that are not listed in the normal items.

[0102] 5.4. Transfer screen IM5 FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the transition screen IM5 displayed on the display 4a.

[0103] The takeover screen IM5 includes a first takeover button B51 (corresponding to "save takeover data") for generating a takeover command, and a second takeover button B52 (corresponding to "restore takeover data") for generating a takeover process execution command. When the user operates the first takeover button B51, the control unit 33 of the first terminal 3a acquires the takeover command (activity A11). After that, a takeover ID is generated (activity A12), and the takeover ID and the first game information IF1a and the like are transmitted to the information processing device 2 (activity A13). Then, the acquisition unit 231 acquires the takeover ID and the first user information IF2a (activity A21). The generated takeover ID is presented to the user via the display 4a. Note that the first takeover button B51 and the second takeover button B52 may be displayed on different screens.

[0104] After the user logs in to the second terminal 3b or the like (activity A31), when the user operates the second takeover button B52, a predetermined input field for accepting input of a takeover ID is displayed on the display 4a. The user enters the takeover ID into the input field, and the generated takeover ID is accepted (activity A32). Thereafter, a command to execute the takeover process is transmitted (activity A33), the acquisition unit 231 acquires the command to execute the takeover process (activity A22), and the takeover process is executed (activity A23). As a result, the first user information IF2a of the terminal 3 (first terminal 3a) where the takeover ID is generated is deactivated (activity A14), and the second user information IF2b of the terminal 3 (second terminal 3b) where the takeover ID is accepted is activated (activity A34).

[0105] 5.5.Notification screen IM6 9 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen IM6 displayed on the display 4a. The notification screen IM6 is displayed on the display 4a of the terminal 3 (second terminal 3b) in which the user information IF2 has been activated as a result of the handover process.

[0106] The notification screen IM6 includes information on the carried-over game information IF1 ("game data", "subscription data"), recommendation notification information IF4a, reminder notification information IF4b, a pre-purchase button B521, and a notification button B522. The recommendation notification information IF4a includes information for prompting a reservation process or the like before the deadline passes, and displays "Please pre-purchase the subscription purchased on the previous terminal...". The reminder notification information IF4b includes information for prompting a user to stop the automatic update (first setting process) of the provision of the subscription information IF3 on the previous terminal (first terminal 3a), and displays "Please do not forget to cancel the subscription purchased on the previous terminal...". When the user operates the notification button B522, a signal is generated to output notification information to stop the automatic update to the first terminal 3a. The notification information is an example of the reminder notification information IF4b.

[0107] 5.6. Details of updating cumulative information IF5 Next, details of updating the cumulative information IF5 will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 12. Figs. 10 to 12 are diagrams showing the time-series relationship between the activation periods of the first terminal 3a and the second terminal 3b and the first and second deadlines t2a and t2b. In each diagram, the first active period Act1 indicates the period during which the first user information IF2a is activated. The second active period Act2 indicates the period during which the second user information IF2b is activated. The first valid period Sub1 indicates the period during which the provision of the subscription information IF3 is permitted in the first terminal 3a (for example, the period from the first start time t1a to the first deadline t2a). The second valid period Sub2 indicates the period during which the provision of the subscription information IF3 is permitted in the second terminal 3b (for example, the period from the second start time t1b to the second deadline t2b). A first takeover timing tx1, a second takeover timing tx2, and a third takeover timing tx3 each indicate the timing at which the takeover process is performed.

[0108] First, as shown in FIG. 10, a handover process is performed from the first terminal 3a to the second terminal 3b at the first handover timing tx1. As a result, the first user information IF2a of the first terminal 3a is deactivated, and the second user information IF2b of the second terminal 3b is activated. Next, in the first terminal 3a, a cancellation operation is performed to end the update of the first time limit t2a before the first time limit t2a elapses, and processing is performed so that the next first setting process is not performed. Meanwhile, in the second terminal 3b, a reservation process for the second payment process regarding the provision of the subscription information IF3 is performed before the first time limit t2a as the response time limit elapses. As a result, the second setting process is performed in the second terminal 3b having the activated user information IF2 at the same time as the response time limit (first time limit t2a) elapses. In the second setting process, the second start time t1b becomes the response time limit, and a new second time limit t2b is set. As a result, the provision of the subscription information IF3 is continuously permitted, so that the judgment condition is satisfied, and the judgment value as the cumulative information IF5 increases by 1. On the other hand, since the first setting process is not performed, there is no increase in the judgment value due to the first setting process. After that, when the updated second deadline t2b has elapsed, the judgment value is further increased by 1. This is then repeated.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 11, the second terminal 3b may execute the second payment process after the handover process at the first handover timing tx1. In this example, the reservation process of the second payment process for the provision of the subscription information IF3 is not performed in the second terminal 3b until the first deadline t2a as the response deadline has elapsed, and the second payment process for the provision of the subscription information IF3 is performed after the response deadline (first deadline t2a) has elapsed. Note that the explanation of the points common to the chronological relationship shown in FIG. 10 will not be repeated. As a result, the provision of the subscription information IF3 is not permitted from the response deadline to the second start time t1b newly set by the second payment process being performed. In the following, the period during which the provision of the subscription information IF3 is not permitted may be referred to as a release period. In this case, the second setting process is not performed in the activated second terminal 3b so that the predetermined condition in this embodiment is satisfied, and therefore the judgment value as the cumulative information IF5 is not increased.

[0110] Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the first setting process may be executed in the first terminal 3a without performing a release operation to end the update of the first time limit t2a before the first time limit t2a has elapsed. Also, even after the corresponding time limit in the second terminal 3b has elapsed, the provision of subscription information IF3 is permitted for the first user information IF2a. Under this circumstance, the handover process is executed again from the second terminal 3b to the first terminal 3a at the second handover timing tx2 in the period from the second start time t1b set after the release period to the first time limit t2a. Note that the explanation of the points common to the chronological relationship shown in FIG. 11 will not be repeated. As a result, the first time limit t2a arrives with the first user information IF2a of the first terminal 3a activated, and the first setting process is executed. Since the first setting process satisfies a predetermined condition, the judgment value increases based on the first setting process. Thereafter, at the third handover timing tx3 before the second time limit t2b has elapsed, the handover process is performed again from the first terminal 3a to the second terminal 3b. As a result, the first user information IF2a of the first terminal 3a is deactivated again, and the second user information IF2b of the second terminal 3b is activated. Then, with the second user information IF2b inactivated, the second setting process is performed at the second time limit t2b. Since the provision of the subscription information IF3 at the second terminal 3b is permitted continuously before and after the second time limit t2b, the second setting process satisfies the predetermined condition. Therefore, the judgment value increases based on the second setting process. In this way, even if the setting process (or the payment process) is performed at the terminal 3 corresponding to the deactivated user information IF2, if the user information IF2 is activated when the time limit for providing the subscription information IF3 arrives, a part of the benefit from the setting process and the payment process can be enjoyed as the reward information IF6. Therefore, the user's willingness to pay for the game can be increased.

[0111] It is preferable that the subscription information IF3 itself can be received only at one of the multiple terminals 3 (the first terminal 3a and the second terminal 3b) that are permitted to receive the subscription information IF3. This makes it possible to prevent the balance of the game (contents) from being damaged by the multiple terminals 3 receiving the subscription information IF3 in a duplicated manner.

[0112] [others] The information processing system 1 according to the above embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0113] The predetermined condition is not limited to being satisfied by the period during which the provision of the subscription information IF3 is permitted to continue before and after the deadline t2a, t2b. For example, the predetermined condition may be set to be satisfied by performing the second payment process within a certain period after the deadline t2a, t2b has elapsed and setting the start date t1a, t1b again. For example, the predetermined condition may be set to be satisfied when the above-mentioned release period is within a predetermined period. The predetermined period is, for example, a case where it is sufficiently shorter than the period from the start date t1a, t1b to the deadline t2a, t2b during which the provision of the subscription information IF3 is permitted. A case where it is sufficiently short is, for example, a case where the ratio of the release period to the period from the start date t1a, t1b to the deadline t2a, t2b is 0.1 or less, 0.2 or less, 0.3 or less, 0.4 or less, or 0.5 or less. The ratio may be equal to or less than any value within a range between any two of the numerical values ​​exemplified here.

[0114] Each setting process and each payment process may be performed simultaneously or at different times. For example, the information processing system 1 may complete the payment of the non-game currency through the payment process and then immediately update the deadlines t2a and t2b through the setting process. Furthermore, when the information processing system 1 accepts an operation for a reservation process, it may complete the payment process when the deadlines t2a and t2b have elapsed and perform a setting process to update the corresponding deadlines t2a and t2b. In other words, the payment process and the setting process may be separate processes or a series of processes.

[0115] In addition, in the handover process, the restriction unit 233 may restrict the second payment process so that provision of the subscription information IF3 based on the second payment process is not permitted until the corresponding deadline (first deadline t2a). With this configuration, it is possible to prevent overlapping of permission to provide the subscription information IF3 based on the corresponding deadline and permission to provide the subscription information IF3 based on the second payment process. For example, the restriction unit 233 restricts the second payment process so that the second payment process is not performed until the first deadline t2a has elapsed even if a command for the second payment process is received.

[0116] In this case, the notification unit 232 may output notification information IF4 notifying that the second payment process will be performed after the first deadline t2a has elapsed. In other words, in accordance with the response deadline (second deadline t2b), the notification unit 232 outputs notification information IF4 (second notification information) regarding the second payment process to the user of the second terminal 3b. With this configuration, the user is prompted to perform the second payment process after the response deadline, so that a more convenient information processing method can be implemented for the user.

[0117] The second notification information is realized as a termination notification screen IM7. FIG. 13 shows an example of the termination notification screen IM7 displayed on the display 4a. The termination notification screen IM7 includes termination notification information indicating that the second time limit t2b has passed ("Expired"), a shop transition button B6, and an acceptance button B7. When the user operates the shop transition button B6, the screen transitions to the normal shop screen IM3. This makes it easier for the user to be continuously provided with the subscription information IF3. When the user operates the acceptance button B7, the screen does not transition to the normal shop screen IM3, but transitions to the menu screen IM1, etc., and the game continues. Note that the second notification information is not limited to the termination notification screen IM7 itself, and may be realized by a part of it. For example, the termination notification screen IM7 may be realized by the termination notification information alone or the shop transition button B6 alone, etc.

[0118] The granting process in the activity A26 is not limited to being performed only for the activated user information IF2, and may also be performed for the deactivated user information IF2. That is, the granting unit 236 may grant reward information IF6 available in the game to at least one of the first user information IF2a and the second user information IF2b based on the cumulative information IF5. With this configuration, the user can enjoy the benefit of performing a settlement process to allow the provision of the subscription information IF3 continuously on both the first terminal 3a and the second terminal 3b, thereby improving the interest of the game.

[0119] In the handover process, the control unit 23 does not need to match the response deadline with the first deadline t2a. For example, the control unit 23 may set the response deadline to a deadline later than the first deadline t2a or earlier than the first deadline t2a as long as the response deadline is not earlier than both the first deadline t2a and the second deadline t2b at the time of the handover process. In other words, the response deadline only needs to correspond to the first deadline t2a.

[0120] The content to which the above-mentioned information processing can be applied is not limited to games. For example, the above-mentioned information processing can be applied to any content that can be provided by a subscription method, such as a shopping service, a business management service for a company, a service using a machine learning database, a service using a trained model, or the use of public transportation.

[0121] Each process of the above information processing may be performed by any of the information processing device 2, the first terminal 3a, and the second terminal 3b. For example, each process executed by the information processing device 2 may be performed by the second terminal 3b. In other words, the information processing device 2 only needs to manage the game progress status and the latest game information IF1 of each terminal 3 as a game server, and the first time limit t2a, the second time limit t2b, etc. may be set and updated on-premise by each terminal 3.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the distinction between the first terminal 3a and the second terminal 3b is merely for convenience, and the same applies if they are interchanged.

[0123] The output destination of information or data (hereinafter referred to as "information, etc.") may be another device, a display, a memory unit (including a built-in memory unit and an external memory unit), etc. Acquisition of information, etc. includes acquiring information, etc. generated by the device itself, in addition to acquiring information, etc. transmitted from another device. The table in which parameters are associated is not limited to the table shown in the figure, and the number of parameters may be reduced or increased. Also, information, etc. corresponding to parameters may be obtained by a formula, a conditional formula, etc. without using a table.

[0124] At least one of the devices included in the information processing system 1 may be installed outside Japan.

[0125] The information processing device 2 may be an on-premise type or a cloud type. As the information processing device 2 in the cloud type, the above-mentioned functions and processes may be provided in the form of, for example, SaaS (Software as a Service) or cloud computing.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the information processing device 2 performs various storage and control, but multiple external devices may be used instead of the information processing device 2. That is, various information and programs may be distributed and stored in multiple external devices using block chain technology or the like.

[0127] The above-mentioned embodiment may be an information processing device. The information processing system 1 includes at least one processor capable of executing a program to perform each part of the information processing method. The above-mentioned embodiment may be an information processing method. The information processing method includes each part of the same information processing system. The above-mentioned embodiment may be a program. The program causes at least one computer to execute each step of the information processing method.

[0128] Furthermore, it may be provided in the following aspects:

[0129] (1) An information processing method executed by an information processing system, comprising the following steps: in the acquisition step, first content information relating to a provision status of content provided at a first terminal and second content information relating to a provision status of the content provided at a second terminal are acquired, where the content is configured to be able to provide subscription information provided to a user in a subscription manner; the first terminal is configured to execute a first payment process using a first payment application, where the first payment process is a process of setting a predetermined first deadline in the first terminal and allowing the provision of the subscription information until the first deadline; the second terminal is configured to execute a second payment process using a second payment application and is configured to make the first payment process unmanageable; where the second payment process is a process of setting a predetermined first deadline in the first terminal and allowing the provision of the subscription information until the first deadline; an information processing method comprising: a process of setting a specified second deadline in a second terminal and allowing the provision of the subscription information until the second deadline, wherein the first content information includes first user information regarding a user to whom the content is provided and information regarding the first deadline for which the provision of the subscription information is allowed in the first terminal; and the second content information includes second user information regarding the user to whom the content is provided; and in a allowing step, if the second user information is associated with the first user information when the provision of the subscription information is allowed in the first terminal, the provision of the subscription information is allowed in the second terminal at least until a specified corresponding deadline corresponding to the first deadline, regardless of whether the provision of the subscription information is allowed in the second terminal by the second payment process.

[0130] According to this configuration, the provision status in which the subscription information is permitted at the first terminal can be reflected by the first payment process when providing content at the second terminal, thereby improving the convenience of providing subscription information to the user.

[0131] (2) In the information processing method described above in (1), the allowing step further allows execution of the second payment process after the corresponding deadline.

[0132] According to this configuration, the subscription information in the second terminal that was permitted until a certain time limit in accordance with the first payment process can be continuously used after the certain time limit by the second payment process, thereby facilitating the provision of subscription information.

[0133] (3) An information processing method as described in (2) above, further comprising, in a first notification step, outputting first notification information regarding the second payment processing to a user of the second terminal during at least a portion of the deadline until the response deadline.

[0134] According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to promote smooth provision of subscriptions even after the deadline.

[0135] (4) In the information processing method described in (2) or (3) above, a further restriction step restricts the second payment processing so that the provision of the subscription information based on the second payment processing is not permitted until the response deadline.

[0136] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent overlapping of permission to provide the subscription information based on the response deadline and permission to provide the subscription information based on the second payment process.

[0137] (5) The information processing method according to (4) above, further comprising, in a second notification step, outputting second notification information regarding the second payment processing to a user of the second terminal according to the deadline.

[0138] According to this configuration, the user is prompted to execute the second payment process after the deadline, so that a more convenient information processing method can be provided to the user.

[0139] (6) An information processing method according to any one of (2) to (5) above, further comprising, in the starting step, when a payment command instructing execution of the second payment processing is obtained before the response deadline, starting provision of the subscription information based on the second payment processing by the payment command after the response deadline.

[0140] According to this configuration, the payment command is transmitted in advance at the deadline, so that the user can smoothly receive the subscription information based on the second payment process after the deadline.

[0141] (7) In the information processing method described in any one of (1) to (6) above, the first terminal is configured to perform the first payment processing using the first payment application so that the provision of the subscription information in the first terminal continues after the first deadline regardless of the provision status of the subscription information in the second terminal, and the information processing method further includes a third notification step, in which third notification information is output to prompt the user to stop the first payment processing by the first payment application.

[0142] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the first terminal and the second terminal from performing the same payment process at the same time.

[0143] (8) In the information processing method described in any one of (1) to (7) above, the second content information further includes information regarding the second deadline; the first terminal is configured to execute a first setting process using the first payment application when the first deadline has passed, wherein the first setting process includes a process of resetting the first deadline by executing a first payment process; and the second terminal is configured to execute a second setting process using the second payment application when the second deadline has passed, wherein the second setting process includes a process of executing the second payment process so as to reset the second deadline; the information processing method further includes a granting step, in which reward information usable for the content is granted to at least one of the first user information and the second user information based on cumulative information, wherein the cumulative information indicates a cumulative total regarding the first setting process and the second setting process executed to satisfy a predetermined condition, and the predetermined condition is a condition indicating that the subscription information is continuously provided in each of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0144] With this configuration, the user can enjoy the benefit of performing payment processing to allow the continuous provision of subscription information on both the first terminal and the second terminal, thereby increasing the interest of the content.

[0145] (9) In the information processing method described in (8) above, the content is configured such that, when the first user information is associated with the second user information, provision of the content on the first terminal is stopped and provision of the content on the second terminal is started, and the specified condition includes that the first setting process and the second setting process are performed corresponding to the terminal under a situation where the content is being provided on the corresponding terminal, respectively.

[0146] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent reward information from being granted through a setting process on a terminal on which the content has not been started, thereby preventing reward information from being provided unnecessarily.

[0147] (10) An information processing system comprising at least one device, the information processing system having at least one processor capable of executing a program to perform each step of the information processing method described in any one of (1) to (9) above.

[0148] According to this configuration, it is possible to improve the convenience of providing subscription information to the user.

[0149] (11) A program that causes at least one computer to execute each step of the information processing method according to any one of (1) to (9) above.

[0150] According to this configuration, it is possible to improve the convenience of providing subscription information to the user. Of course, this is not the case.

[0151] Finally, various embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described, but these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the disclosure. The embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the disclosure, and are included in the disclosure and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] 1: Information processing system 11: Communication Networks 2: Information processing equipment 20: Communication bus 21: Communications Department 22: Storage section 23: Control section 231: Acquisition Department 232: Notification Department 233: Restriction section 234 :Start part 235: Tolerance section 236: Granting section 3: Terminal 3a: Terminal 1 3b: 2nd terminal 30: Communication bus 31: Communications Department 32: Storage section 33: Control section 34a: Graphics processing unit 34b: Audio processing section 34c: Operation section 4a: Display 4b: Speaker 4c: Input device 5: Visual information 50: Subscription area 501: Continuous count area 502: Benefits list button 503: Shop transition button 504: Pre-order button 51: Item set area 52: Single item area 6: Visual information 61: Special Item Area Act1: First active period Act2: Second active period B1: Gacha button B2: Organization button B3: Quest button B31: Charge button B32: Currency consumption shop button B33: VIP shop button B4: Shop button B5: Setting button B51: First handover button B52: Second handover button B521: Pre-order button B522: Notification button B6: Shop transition button B7: Accept button IF1 :User information IF1a: First user information IF1b: Second user information IF2 :Game Information IF2a: First Game Information IF2b: Second game information IF3: Subscription Information IF4: Notification information IF4a: Recommended notification information IF4b: Reminder notification information IF5: Cumulative information IM1: Menu screen IM2: Selection screen IM3: Normal shop screen IM4: VIP shop screen IM5: Handover screen IM6: Notification screen IM7: End notification screen Sub1: First validity period Sub2: Second validity period t1a: First period t1b: 2nd start period t2a: 1st deadline t2b: 2nd deadline tx1: First handover timing tx2: Second handover timing tx3: Third handover timing

Claims

1. An information processing method executed by an information processing system, comprising: It includes the following steps: In the acquisition step, first content information on a provision status of a content provided at a first terminal and second content information on a provision status of the content provided at a second terminal are acquired, where The content is configured to be capable of providing subscription information to be provided to a user in a subscription manner; the first terminal is configured to execute a first payment process using a first payment application, wherein the first payment process is a process of setting a predetermined first deadline in the first terminal and allowing provision of the subscription information until the first deadline; the second terminal is configured to execute a second payment process using a second payment application and is configured to be unable to manage the first payment process, wherein the second payment process is a process of setting a predetermined second deadline in the second terminal and allowing the provision of the subscription information until the second deadline; The first content information includes first user information regarding a user to whom the content is provided and information regarding a first time limit during which the provision of the subscription information in the first terminal is permitted; The second content information includes second user information regarding a user to which the content is provided, In the allowing step, when the provision of the subscription information is permitted in the first terminal and the second user information is associated with the first user information, the provision of the subscription information is permitted in the second terminal at least until a predetermined corresponding deadline corresponding to the first deadline, regardless of whether the provision of the subscription information in the second terminal is permitted by the second payment process. Information processing methods.

2. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, The allowing step further allows execution of the second settlement process after the corresponding deadline. Information processing methods.

3. 3. The information processing method according to claim 2, Furthermore, in the first notification step, first notification information regarding the second settlement process is output to a user of the second terminal during at least a part of the period until the deadline. Information processing methods.

4. 3. The information processing method according to claim 2, Furthermore, in the limiting step, the second payment process is limited so that provision of the subscription information based on the second payment process is not permitted until the corresponding deadline. Information processing methods.

5. 5. The information processing method according to claim 4, Furthermore, in the second notification step, second notification information regarding the second payment processing is output to a user of the second terminal in accordance with the deadline. Information processing methods.

6. 3. The information processing method according to claim 2, Furthermore, in the starting step, when a payment command instructing execution of the second payment process is acquired before the corresponding deadline, provision of the subscription information based on the second payment process according to the payment command is started after the corresponding deadline. Information processing methods.

7. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, the first terminal is configured to perform the first payment process using the first payment application so that the provision of the subscription information in the first terminal is continued after the first deadline, regardless of a provision status of the subscription information in the second terminal; The information processing method further includes a third notification step, In the third notification step, third notification information is output to prompt the user to stop the first payment process by the first payment application. Information processing methods.

8. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, The second content information further includes information regarding the second deadline, the first terminal is configured to execute a first setting process using the first payment application when the first deadline has passed, wherein the first setting process includes a process of resetting the first deadline by executing a first payment process; the second terminal is configured to execute a second setting process using the second payment application when the second deadline has passed, wherein the second setting process includes a process of executing the second payment process so as to set the second deadline again; The information processing method further includes an assignment step, In the providing step, reward information available for the content is provided to at least one of the first user information and the second user information based on cumulative information, the cumulative information indicates a cumulative total regarding the first setting process and the second setting process executed so as to satisfy a predetermined condition, The predetermined condition is a condition indicating that the subscription information is continuously provided in each of the first terminal and the second terminal. Information processing methods.

9. 9. The information processing method according to claim 8, The content is configured such that, when the first user information is associated with the second user information, provision of the content at the first terminal is stopped and provision of the content at the second terminal is started; the predetermined condition includes that the first setting process and the second setting process are performed in a state in which the content is provided to a corresponding terminal, and the setting process corresponding to the corresponding terminal is performed. Information processing methods.

10. An information processing system comprising at least one device, The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising at least one processor capable of executing a program to perform each step of the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Information processing system.

11. A program, A program for causing at least one computer to execute each step of the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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