PRIVILEGE PROVIDER, PRIVILEGE PROVIDER METHOD, AND PROGRAM

Abstract

To reduce a load and so on, on a user while making it possible to diversify an available privilege by a regular purchase contract.SOLUTION: A privilege providing device comprises: a point giving portion to associate a prescribed point according to the kind of a regular purchase contract with user identification information pertaining to a contract user making a regular purchase contract for each prescribed period pertaining to the regular purchase contract; a storage part of a point number to store the point number information indicating the point number corresponding to the privilege use for each privilege in multiple providable privileges; a selection information acquisition part to acquire selection information corresponding to user identification information; and a selection screen output part to display the selectable privilege of the multiple privileges on the selection screen for generating the selection information. The selection screen output part discloses the device to cause to change the remaining selectable privilege of the multiple privileges on the selection screen based on the prescribed point and the point number information and according to more than one privileges selected on the selection screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a privilege providing device, a privilege providing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a technique for automating billing at predetermined intervals for products or the like that are purchased periodically by a customer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP2016-126599A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, as the variety of benefits available through subscription contracts increases, the burden on the user when selecting a benefit (e.g., the operational burden required to find a desired available benefit) and the associated information processing burden increase.

[0005] Therefore, in one aspect, an object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on users while enabling a greater variety of benefits to be available through subscription purchase contracts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] On one side, The user identification information of the contract user who has made a subscription purchase contract is added to the type of the subscription purchase contract. A predetermined number of points are assigned to each of the predetermined periods related to the subscription contract. Department and For each of the multiple benefits that can be offered, points are associated with the use of that benefit. a point number information storage unit that stores point number information representing a number; Selection information associated with the user identification information, the selection information being one of the plurality of benefits A selection information acquisition unit that acquires selection information representing one or more selected benefits; a selection screen output unit that displays selectable benefits from among the plurality of benefits on a selection screen for generating the selection information. The selection screen output unit is A device is provided which changes the remaining selectable benefits among the plurality of benefits on the selection screen in accordance with the benefit selected on the selection screen based on the point number information in the point number information storage unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect, the present invention makes it possible to diversify the benefits available through subscription purchase contracts while reducing the burden on users, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a service system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a play screen for explaining an overview of a competitive game part. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of functions related to subscription-related functions among various functions realized by the server device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of data in a user information storage unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of information related to a game. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of point parameters in a point parameter storage unit. [Figure 7] 13 is an explanatory diagram of point number information in a point number information storage unit. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of selection information in a selection information storage unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an automatic update process. [Figure 10]FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of selection information in a selection information storage unit after an automatic update process. [Figure 11] 4 is a functional block diagram of functions related to subscription-related functions among various functions realized by the terminal device. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a method for selecting from multiple benefits that can be provided in a subscription purchase service. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of another example of a method for selecting from multiple benefits that can be provided in a subscription purchase service. [Figure 14A] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of another example of a method for selecting from multiple benefits that can be provided in a subscription purchase service. [Figure 14B] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of another example of a method for selecting from multiple benefits that can be provided in a subscription purchase service. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a premise of one operation example. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a flow of an operational example. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a premise of another operation example. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a flow of another operation example. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the flow of yet another operational example. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the flow of yet another operational example. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the flow of yet another operational example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Each embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] (Service system overview) An overview of a service system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the service system 1 according to this embodiment. The service system 1 includes a server device 10 and one or more terminal devices 20. For simplicity, three terminal devices 20 are illustrated in Fig. 1, but the number of terminal devices 20 may be two or more.

[0011] The server device 10 is an information processing device such as a server managed by a service operator. In the present embodiment, as an example, the server device 10 realizes a so-called service platform and provides various services via the service platform. Specifically, as an example, the server device 10 provides a service that provides digital content such as an application portal site (hereinafter also simply referred to as a "site") and application software (hereinafter also simply referred to as an "application"), and a social network function (hereinafter also simply referred to as an "SNS function") to registered users (and guest users as necessary). Hereinafter, the registered users (and guest users as necessary) are also simply referred to as "users".

[0012] The number of sites provided by the server device 10 is arbitrary, but in this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that there is one site (hereinafter, also referred to as "site A"). Note that, in a modified example, site A may include multiple sites, including related sites.

[0013] The types and number of digital contents provided by the server device 10 are arbitrary. In the present embodiment, as an example, the digital contents provided by the server device 10 may include one or more game applications (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "game apps"), information providing applications, electronic books, etc. The game apps, etc. may be executable via the site A, or may be executable without the use of a specific site such as the site A (for example, may be executable offline). That is, various applications as digital contents provided by the server device 10 may be installed in the terminal device 20 and used as so-called native applications. Hereinafter, a game refers to a game related to a game app provided by the server device 10. The information providing application may be related to an information providing service of a specific genre (information providing service related to travel, housing, food, fashion, health, beauty, etc.), a broadcasting service by a specific user (for example, Youtube (registered trademark)), etc. In addition, the specific application provided by the server device 10 may be a combination of multiple applications (for example, a hierarchical application).

[0014] The types and number of SNS functions provided by the server device 10 are arbitrary, but here, they may be functions such as diary, chat, message board / bulletin board (community), comment, messenger, friend request, sending object (sending gift), etc. The SNS functions may be executable via site A.

[0015] The terminal device 20 is an information processing device used by a user, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC (Personal Computer), or a game device. The terminal device 20 is capable of executing various applications according to the present embodiment. The various applications may be received by the terminal device 20 from the server device 10 or another predetermined application distribution server via the network 3, or may be stored in advance in a storage device provided in the terminal device 20 or a storage medium such as a memory card readable by the terminal device 20. The server device 10 and the terminal device 20 are connected to each other via the network 3 so as to be able to communicate with each other. For example, the server device 10 and the terminal device 20 work together to execute various processes related to the service.

[0016] The network 3 may include a wireless communication network, the Internet, a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a wired network, or any combination of these.

[0017] (Server device configuration) A specific description will be given of the configuration of the server device 10. The server device 10 is configured by a server computer. The server device 10 may be realized by a plurality of server computers working together.

[0018] The server device 10 includes a server communication unit 11, a server storage unit 12, and a server control unit 13.

[0019] The server communication unit 11 includes an interface for communicating with an external device wirelessly or wiredly and transmitting and receiving information. The server communication unit 11 may include, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication module or a wired LAN communication module. The server communication unit 11 is capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the terminal device 20 via the network 3.

[0020] The server storage unit 12 includes, for example, a primary storage device and a secondary storage device. For example, the server storage unit 12 may include a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like. The server storage unit 12 stores various information and programs used in processing related to the service. At least a part of the information and programs stored in the server storage unit 12 may be shared and synchronized with the terminal device 20.

[0021] The server control unit 13 includes one or more processors. The processor may include a general-purpose processor that realizes a specific function by reading a specific program, and a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The server control unit 13 controls the operation of the entire server device 10. The server control unit 13 will be described in detail later.

[0022] (Terminal Device Configuration) A specific description will be given of the configuration of the terminal device 20. As shown in Fig. 1, the terminal device 20 includes a terminal communication unit 21, a terminal storage unit 22, a display unit 23, an input unit 24, and a terminal control unit 25.

[0023] The terminal communication unit 21 includes an interface for communicating with an external device wirelessly or wiredly and transmitting and receiving information. The terminal communication unit 21 may include a wireless communication module, a wireless LAN communication module, or a wired LAN communication module that supports a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) (registered trademark). The terminal communication unit 21 is capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the server device 10 via the network 3.

[0024] The terminal storage unit 22 includes, for example, a primary storage device and a secondary storage device. For example, the terminal storage unit 22 may include a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like. The terminal storage unit 22 stores various information and programs used in the processing related to the service received from the server device 10. The information and programs used in the processing related to the service may be acquired from an external device via the terminal communication unit 21. For example, a game app may be acquired from a predetermined application distribution server.

[0025] The display unit 23 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, etc. The display unit 23 is capable of displaying a variety of screens.

[0026] The input unit 24 includes an input interface including, for example, a touch panel provided integrally with the display unit 23. The input unit 24 is capable of accepting user input to the terminal device 20. The input unit 24 may include physical keys, and may further include any input interface including a pointing device such as a mouse.

[0027] The terminal control unit 25 includes one or more processors. The terminal control unit 25 controls the overall operation of the terminal device 20. An example of the operation of the terminal control unit 25 will be specifically described below.

[0028] The terminal control unit 25 transmits and receives information via the terminal communication unit 21. For example, the terminal control unit 25 receives various information and programs used in processing related to the service from at least one of the server device 10 and another external server. The terminal control unit 25 stores the received information and programs in the terminal storage unit 22.

[0029] The terminal control unit 25 launches site A and various applications (for example, a native application on the terminal device 20, a game app in site A, etc.) in response to a user's operation. The terminal control unit 25 cooperates with the server device 10 to execute processing related to the service. For example, the terminal control unit 25 causes the display unit 23 to display various screens related to the processing related to the service. For example, a GUI (Graphic User Interface) that detects a user operation may be displayed on the screen. The terminal control unit 25 is capable of detecting a user operation on the screen via the input unit 24.

[0030] In this embodiment, as an example, there are one or more games that each user can play via site A. One of the various games is, for example, a game as described below with reference to FIG.

[0031] (Game app overview) An overview of an example of a game application according to the present embodiment will be described. The game according to the present embodiment includes one or more game parts. At least one of the one or more game parts may be executed using a game medium.

[0032] Game media is electronic data used in a game, and includes any media, such as cards, items, points, in-service currency (or in-game currency), tickets, characters, avatars, parameters, etc. Game media may also be game-related information, such as level information, status information, game parameter information (stamina value and attack power, etc.), or ability information (skills, abilities, spells, jobs, etc.). Game media is electronic data that can be acquired, owned, used, managed, exchanged, synthesized, strengthened, sold, discarded, donated, etc. by a user in a game, but the manner of use of the game media is not limited to those explicitly stated in this specification.

[0033] Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, "game media owned by a user" refers to game media associated as owned game media with a user ID that can uniquely identify the user. Furthermore, "granting game media to a user" refers to associating the game media with a user ID as owned game media. Furthermore, "discarding game media owned by a user" refers to dissociating the association between a user ID and owned game media. Furthermore, "consuming game media owned by a user" refers to the possibility of causing some effect or influence in the game in response to dissociation of the association between a user ID and owned game media. Furthermore, "selling game media owned by a user" refers to dissociating the association between a user ID and owned game media, and associating other game media (e.g., virtual currency or items, etc.) with the user ID as owned game media. Furthermore, "transferring game media owned by user A to user B" refers to dissociating the association between user A's user ID and owned game media, and associating the game media with user B's user ID as owned game media. Additionally, "creating game content" refers to defining or determining at least a portion of the information relating to the game content.

[0034] The game part is a content that the user can play in the game, and includes, for example, quests, missions, mini-games, training, strengthening, and synthesis of game media, game media acquisition events, virtual space exploration events, and battle events with opponents (for example, other users, enemy characters, enemy buildings, etc.). One or more predetermined tasks (game tasks) may be set in each game part. For example, when it is determined that the user has succeeded in achieving one or more game tasks set in the game part played by the user, the user may be given, for example, game media, etc. as a reward. The game tasks may be any task depending on the content of the game part, such as a task of winning a battle against an enemy character, a task of reaching a goal point in the virtual space, and a task of the user's character not reaching a predetermined state (for example, a state incapacitated) until a predetermined time has elapsed. In addition, the achievement of a specific task (clear task) among one or more game tasks set in a game part is also referred to as the completion of the game part. When a user playing a game part succeeds in achieving the clear task, the game part may be determined to be cleared, and the game part may end.

[0035] The one or more game parts may include a game part for single play and a game part for multiplay. The game part for single play may include, for example, a game part (for example, a game part for one person) that is executed based on a user operation on one terminal device 20 used by one user. For example, one terminal device 20 executes the game part for single play alone, or one terminal device 20 and the server device 10 cooperate to execute the game part for single play. On the other hand, the game part for multiplay may include, for example, a game part (for example, a game part for multiple people) that is executed based on a user operation on two or more terminal devices 20 used by two or more users respectively. The game part common to two or more users may include, for example, a game part in which at least a part of the progress processing of the game part and at least a part of the processing result are commonly applied to the two or more users. For example, two or more terminal devices 20 cooperate to execute the game part for multiplay, or two or more terminal devices 20 cooperate to execute the game part for multiplay. One game part may correspond to both single play and multiplay.

[0036] One of the games according to the present embodiment includes, as an example, a battle game part having elements of a side-scrolling action game and elements of a battle game in which a user battles an opponent using game media. A user selects one or more game media to be used in the battle game part from among game media owned by the user (owned game media). Hereinafter, each game media used in the battle game part is also referred to as a first game medium. The one or more first game media are also collectively referred to as a deck or a team. An opponent is, for example, an automatically operated game medium such as an NPC (Non-Player Character), but is not limited to this. For example, an opponent may be a game medium operated by another user. The number of opponents in one battle game part may be determined arbitrarily.

[0037] The competitive game part according to this embodiment will be outlined with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows an example of a play screen for explaining the outline of the competitive game part.

[0038] A user who plays the single-play battle game part using the terminal device 20, for example, operates a moving object 140 arranged in a virtual space to obtain a predetermined item while avoiding obstacles and the like. The moving object 140 corresponds to a predetermined game medium (second game medium). The second game medium may include, for example, a motorcycle, a car, or a person running on a road surface 141. In response to obtaining the item 142, the game medium (first game medium A1, B, C, D, E) included in the deck performs a predetermined action (for example, an attack on the opponent). The action of the first game medium may cause damage to the opponent (in FIG. 2, an object 144 related to the opponent is displayed). Meanwhile, the opponent performs a predetermined action (for example, an attack on the user) at, for example, a predetermined time interval. The action of the opponent may cause damage to the user (in FIG. 2, an object 143 related to the user is displayed). The user and the opponent are each set with a predetermined parameter (total HP and HP) that is reduced by the amount of damage given. 2, image area 145 is an area that displays the remaining total HP in a gauge, image area 148 is an area that displays the remaining HP of the opponent in a gauge, and image area 149 is an area that shows the state of each of the first game media included in the deck. When the opponent's parameter decreases to a predetermined value (e.g., zero), the user is determined to have won. On the other hand, when the user's parameter decreases to a predetermined value (e.g., zero), the user is determined to have lost. When it is determined that the user has won or lost, the competitive game part may end.

[0039] On the other hand, the multi-play battle game part is executed in the same manner as the single-play battle game part described above, except that two or more users battle against a common opponent. Specifically, each of the two or more users uses its own terminal device 20 to play the common battle game part. Each of the two or more users operates a second game medium in a virtual space as described above. A common virtual space may be used for the two or more users, or an independent virtual space may be used for each user. The first game medium included in each of the decks of the two or more users attacks, for example, a common opponent. The above-mentioned parameters of the opponent are commonly applied to the two or more users. For example, the parameters of the opponent may be synchronized between a plurality of terminal devices 20 used by the two or more users. When the parameters of the opponent decrease to a predetermined value (for example, zero), it is determined that the two or more users have won. On the other hand, when the parameters of each of the two or more users decrease to a predetermined value (for example, zero), it is determined that the two or more users have lost. When it is determined that the two or more users have won or lost, the battle game part may end.

[0040] It should be noted that the above-mentioned games are merely examples, and this embodiment can be applied to not only general RPGs (Role Playing Games), but also fishing games, running games, dungeon games, Othello games, fighting games, city-building games, horse racing games, sports games such as baseball games, shooting games, and the like.

[0041] (Subscription-related features) In this embodiment, the server device 10 further has a function for performing various processes related to a subscription contract (hereinafter also referred to as a "subscription-related function") in order to realize a subscription service. A subscription service is a service that enables a user who has entered into a subscription contract (hereinafter also referred to as a "contract user") to use a benefit selected by the contract user from among various benefits that can be provided. In the following, unless otherwise specified, a benefit refers to a benefit that can be provided in the subscription service.

[0042] The various benefits that can be provided to the contracted user in the subscription purchase service may be benefits that can be provided without the network 3, or may instead or in addition include benefits that can be provided via the network 3 (for example, benefits that can be provided on a site such as site A). In this embodiment, as an example, the various benefits that can be provided to the contracted user in the subscription purchase service include various benefits that can be provided on site A.

[0043] The benefit that can be provided without going through the network 3 is arbitrary, but may be, for example, a benefit that can be used when the contracted user uses a specific physical store. In this case, the benefit that can be used when using a specific physical store may be priority reservation of a specific product, a discount on a specific product, free or discounted delivery fee for a specific product, shortened delivery time when using a delivery service, free or discounted usage fee when using a parking lot, etc.

[0044] The benefits that can be provided on site A are determined according to site A and are optional, but may include, for example, benefits related to a specific service that can be provided on site A. The specific service may be an SNS function, a paid service, etc. Alternatively, the specific service may be, for example, a service that allows coins (A coins, described below) that can be used on site A to be purchased on a deferred basis (hereinafter also referred to as a "deferred payment service"). In this case, the benefit related to receiving the specific service on site A may be a benefit to be able to use a deferred payment service, or may be a benefit to be able to increase the usage limit in a deferred payment service.

[0045] Moreover, the benefits available on the site A may include benefits related to the digital content available on the site A. This type of benefit may be, for example, a benefit that allows a user to preferentially obtain specific digital content available on the site A, a benefit that allows a user to obtain (use) digital content available on the site A at a discount, or one or more benefits set in the specific digital content available on the site A. The one or more benefits set in the specific digital content available on the site A are arbitrary, but may be, for example, in the case where the specific digital content is a game app, a benefit that allows a user to spin a predetermined lottery (for example, a specific gacha (registered trademark)), a benefit that allows a user to participate in a specific event, a benefit that eases the conditions for participating in a specific event, a benefit that allows a user to obtain a specific game medium, a benefit that makes it easier to obtain a specific game medium, a benefit that increases the number or value of rewards that can be obtained in a specific event, a benefit that generates an advantageous effect in a specific event, or the like. Furthermore, the one or more benefits set in the game app may be benefits that are unrelated to in-game play, gacha, billing, or the like. In this case, for example, the one or more benefits set in the game app may be in the form of a login bonus, a daily bonus, or the like. A login bonus refers to a reward given when a user logs in at a specified period (daily). For example, a login bonus may be a reward of specific game media that can be used in the game, or A coins. A daily bonus is a reward that can be acquired once or a specified number of times per day or a specified number of days (two or more days). Note that, unlike a login bonus, a daily bonus is awarded when a user performs an operation to acquire a reward at their discretion, rather than at the time of logging in. As with a login bonus, a reward for a daily bonus may be a specific game media that can be used in the game, A coins, etc.

[0046] Another benefit may be a reduction in parameters or time required for actions that can be performed within the digital content. In this case, when the digital content is a game app, the use of the benefit can produce advantageous effects, such as a reduction in the cost required to perform a specific quest, making the quest easier to perform, or a reduction in the time required to build a specific building, making it easier to build the specific building. Another benefit may be an increase in the types of actions that can be performed within the digital content. In this case, when the digital content is a game app, the use of the benefit can produce advantageous effects, such as a building that cannot normally be built, or a specific stamp, being able to be sent.

[0047] In this example, in order to explain one or more benefits set in a specific digital content, some specific examples of one or more benefits set in a game app have been described, but the specific digital content may be something other than a game app. Also, the digital content in which one or more benefits are set may be a plurality of digital contents that can be provided by site A.

[0048] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of functions related to subscription-related functions among various functions realized by the server device 10. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of data in the user information storage unit 30. In FIG. 4 (as well as FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 described later), "***" means that some information is stored, and "···" means that similar information is repeated. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of information related to a game. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of point parameters in the point parameter storage unit 31, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of point number information in the point number information storage unit 32, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of selection information in the selection information storage unit 34.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 3, the server device 10 includes a user information storage unit 30, a point parameter storage unit 31, a point number information storage unit 32, a privilege information storage unit 33, a selection information storage unit 34, a billing processing unit 35, a point granting unit 36, a selection information acquisition unit 37, a determination unit 38, a privilege management unit 40, an information update unit 42, a selection information update unit 44, a notification unit 46, a billing unit 48, a candidate selection unit 52, and a notification unit 54. The point parameter storage unit 31, the point number information storage unit 32, the privilege information storage unit 33, and the selection information storage unit 34 can be realized, for example, by the server storage unit 12 shown in Fig. 1. The billing processing unit 35, the point granting unit 36, the determination unit 38, the privilege management unit 40, the information update unit 42, the selection information update unit 44, the billing unit 48, and the candidate selection unit 52 can be realized, for example, by the server control unit 13 shown in Fig. 1. 1. The selection information acquisition unit 37, the notification unit 46, and the notification unit 54 can be realized by, for example, the server communication unit 11 and the server control unit 13 shown in FIG.

[0050] The distinction between the functional units from the billing processing unit 35 to the candidate selection unit 52 is for the sake of convenience, and some or all of the functions of a specific functional unit (functions described below) may be realized by another functional unit. The same applies to the user information storage unit 30 to the selection information storage unit 34, and some or all of the functions of a specific storage unit (functions described below) may be realized by another storage unit. Some of the functions of the server device 10 may be realized by the terminal device 20.

[0051] The user information storage unit 30 stores user information related to users who use the site A. As shown in Fig. 4, the user information includes a user name, a password, a phone number, owned coins, information related to games, information related to SNS, preference information, and the like, in a form associated with a user ID (an example of user identification information). The user information may include, for example, information registered initially such as a user ID and a user name, as well as information accumulated subsequently such as information related to games.

[0052] The user ID is information that can uniquely identify a user. The user ID may be in the form of a user account. Hereinafter, the user ID is also simply referred to as a user.

[0053] The user name is information indicating the name of the user. Unlike the user ID, the user name does not necessarily have to be able to uniquely identify the user. The user name may be arbitrarily determined and changed in response to a user operation on the terminal device 20.

[0054] The password is a password that enables the user to log in to site A using the user name. Multiple types of passwords may be set depending on the purpose.

[0055] The phone number is, for example, a phone number for Short Message Service (SMS) authentication.

[0056] The owned coins indicate the number of coins owned by the user (the number of coins currently available). In the present embodiment, as an example, the coins are usable at site A (hereinafter, referred to as "A coins"), and the user can receive digital content and various rewards within the game by spending the owned A coins. For example, the user can acquire a desired first game medium or a desired item by spending the owned A coins. Furthermore, by spending the owned A coins, the user can spin a gacha, for example. In a modified example, the A coins may be game media that can be used only within the game. The initial value of the owned coins is, for example, 0. The owned coins can be updated by the billing unit 48, as described later.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 5, the information about the game may include, for each user ID, a rank, information about owned game media, information about used game media, and friend information.

[0058] The rank is a parameter indicating the user's proficiency with the game. In this embodiment, the rank value may increase as the user plays the game. The higher the rank, the higher the user's proficiency with the game.

[0059] The information on owned game media includes various information specific to the game media that the user owns in the game (owned game media). When a game medium is acquired by a user, the game medium is associated with the user as owned game media. Details of the information on owned game media are omitted, but may include the name, rarity, level, cost, HP (Hit Points), attack power, recovery power, etc. of the game medium for each game medium ID.

[0060] The information on the game media to be used is information indicating a game medium (first game medium) to be used by the user in the battle game part. The first game medium is selected from among the owned game media. In this embodiment, for example, up to five game media selected from one or more owned game media are each associated with the user as the first game medium. Therefore, one game medium may be both the owned game medium and the first game medium at the same time. The first game medium may be selected automatically or in response to a user operation, for example, in a dedicated game part. For example, the dedicated game part may include a game part in which so-called deck organization or team organization is performed. Up to five first game media indicated in the information on the game media to be used constitute one deck. The information on the game media to be used may include information on a plurality of decks.

[0061] The friend information indicates user IDs of users who are in a friend relationship in a game. For example, if user A is in a friend relationship with users B and C, the friend information associated with user A includes the user IDs of users B and C. Note that a friend relationship is realized through a friend request or the like. In this way, the friend information includes the user IDs of other users who are unidirectionally or bidirectionally associated with the user. Note that users who are in a friend relationship may be able to communicate with each other, such as by sending and receiving messages, during a game, for example. Note that the information about a user may include information indicating a group to which the user belongs (e.g., a guild or party) instead of or in addition to the friend information.

[0062] The content of the information about the game is not limited to the above. For example, the information about the user may further include information indicating predetermined in-game points owned by the user in the game. The in-game points are consumed by the user to play game parts. The amount of the in-game points consumed may differ for each game part. The in-game points may increase, for example, over time or in response to the use of a predetermined game medium.

[0063] The information about the SNS may include various information related to the SNS function. For example, the information about the SNS may include information about an avatar and friend information for each user ID. The information about the avatar may include clothing information for dressing up. The friend information may represent a user ID or a group ID connected via the SNS function. The friend information may be the same as the friend information in the game, or may be different.

[0064] The preference information includes information that represents the user's preference or information from which the user's preference can be derived. The information that represents the user's preference may be information that represents what services or benefits in the service the user likes, what services or benefits the user does not like, what services or benefits the user is interested in, what services or benefits the user is not interested in, and the like. The preference information may be generated, for example, based on a simple questionnaire survey at the time of initial registration. Furthermore, the information from which the user's preference can be derived may be the user's log information, etc. In this case, the log information to be accumulated may be all log information that may be related to the user's preference, or may be specific log information (for example, log information related to an operation log). The log information represents various activities (login, logout, use of digital content, access / use of SNS functions, billing, etc.) on site A based on each user ID. Furthermore, the log information to be accumulated may include log information related to game play.

[0065] The point parameter storage unit 31 stores parameter information indicating point parameters for each type of subscription contract. There may be only one type of subscription contract, but in this embodiment, as an example, there are two types of subscription contracts: "subscription purchase contract A1" and "subscription purchase contract A2", as shown in FIG. 6. The point parameters are parameters for calculating predetermined points, which will be described later. In FIG. 6, the value of the point parameter related to "subscription purchase contract A1" is "5", and the value of the point parameter related to "subscription purchase contract A2" is "10".

[0066] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the point parameter storage unit 31 indicates, for each type of subscription contract, the amount (monthly amount) that a contracted user will pay under the subscription contract.

[0067] When the type of regular purchase contract changes (for example, when one type is deleted or a new type is added), the parameter information in the point parameter storage unit 31 is updated accordingly.

[0068] The point number information storage unit 32 stores point number information indicating the number of points associated with the use of each of multiple benefits that can be provided in the subscription purchase service. In Fig. 7, multiple benefits that can be provided in the subscription purchase service include "Benefit B1", "Benefit B2", etc., and the number of points (the number of points required to use the benefit) is specified for each of them.

[0069] The point number information in the point number information storage unit 32 is updated whenever the benefits that can be provided in the subscription purchase service change (for example, when a benefit is deleted or a new benefit is added).

[0070] In this embodiment, the number of benefits that can be provided in the subscription service is significantly greater than the number of types of subscription contracts. For example, the number of types of subscription contracts may be about 2 to 5, while the number of benefits that can be provided in the subscription service is, for example, 10 or more. Note that the number of benefits that can be provided in the subscription service and the number of types of subscription contracts may increase or decrease as appropriate during operation, but even in this case, the relationship that the number of benefits that can be provided in the subscription service is significantly greater than the number of types of subscription contracts is maintained.

[0071] The benefit information storage unit 33 stores benefit information (not shown) related to a plurality of benefits that can be provided in the subscription purchase service. The benefit information may include information that indicates the content of the benefit. When the benefit that can be provided in the subscription purchase service changes (for example, when a benefit is deleted or a new benefit is added), the benefit information in the benefit information storage unit 33 is updated accordingly.

[0072] The selection information storage unit 34 stores selection information for each contract user. The selection information is associated with a user ID and indicates one or more benefits selected by the contract user from among a plurality of benefits that can be provided in the subscription purchase service. In the example shown in FIG. 8, three benefits, "Benefit B1", "Benefit C1", and "Benefit D1", are associated with the user ID "U01", and four benefits, "Benefit B2", "Benefit C1", "Benefit D95", and "Benefit E60", are associated with the user ID "U03". In this case, it indicates that the three benefits, "Benefit B1", "Benefit C1", and "Benefit D1", have been selected by the contract user associated with the user ID "U01", and the four benefits, "Benefit B2", "Benefit C1", "Benefit D95", and "Benefit E60", have been selected by the contract user associated with the user ID "U03".

[0073] The billing processor 35 performs various billing processes based on the subscription contract. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the billing processor 35 performs a settlement process (e.g., an automatic withdrawal process from a registered account) of "500 yen" per month for a contracted user who has signed a "subscription contract A1", and a settlement process of "1000 yen" per month for a contracted user who has signed a "subscription contract A2". When the settlement process is completed, the billing processor 35 may notify the corresponding contracted user of the details. Such a notification may be realized via the site A or by e-mail or the like. The monthly billing amount (billing amount related to the subscription contract) is basically constant, but may be changed as appropriate. For example, the billing processor 35 may bill an amount different from the regular monthly billing amount only for a specific period. In addition, when a campaign such as a free first month or a free birthday month is implemented, the billing processor 35 may execute a billing process according to the contents of the campaign.

[0074] The point allocating unit 36 ​​associates a predetermined number of points according to the type of subscription contract with the user ID of the contracted user for each predetermined period ΔT1 related to the subscription contract. The predetermined period ΔT1 is arbitrary and may vary depending on the type of subscription contract, but in this embodiment, it is a fixed period of one month. The predetermined number of points is determined depending on the type of subscription contract. In this embodiment, as an example, the predetermined number of points is determined based on a point parameter associated with the type of subscription contract. Specifically, the point allocating unit 36 ​​refers to the parameter information in the point parameter storage unit 31, and determines the predetermined number of points based on the value of the point parameter associated with the type of subscription contract by the contracted user. For example, the point allocating unit 36 ​​determines (calculates) the predetermined number of points pt from the value k1 of the point parameter using the following calculation formula. pt=k1×10 In this case, if the point parameter is "5", the specified points are "50", and if the point parameter is "10", the specified points are "100". In a modified example, the value of the point parameter may be a parameter representing the specified points themselves. In another modified example, the point parameter may represent the type of subscription contract rather than a parameter such as a numerical value. In either case, the point allocating unit 36 ​​refers to the parameter information in the point parameter storage unit 31 and determines the specified points based on the point parameter associated with the type of subscription contract by the contracted user.

[0075] The timing of the point allocating unit 36 ​​to allocate the predetermined points is arbitrary and may be different for each contract user or may be constant. For example, it may be every other month according to the date of the contract. In this case, the update timing is different for each user, for example, the 26th, the 23rd, etc. However, in the present embodiment, as an example, the timing of the point allocating unit 36 ​​to allocate the predetermined points is the time of the contract for a new contract user, and is uniformly the beginning of the month (for example, the time when the settlement process by the billing processing unit 35 is completed) for other contract users. The point allocating unit 36 ​​may automatically associate the predetermined points according to the type of subscription contract with the user ID of each contract user when the current time becomes 0:00 at the beginning of the month based on the date and time information.

[0076] In this embodiment, the point allocating unit 36 ​​associates a predetermined point according to the type of subscription contract with each predetermined period ΔT1 related to the subscription contract, regardless of the selection information related to the contracted user in the most recent predetermined period ΔT1. That is, in this embodiment, even if a certain contracted user only selects a benefit with a number of points significantly less than the predetermined points in the most recent predetermined period ΔT1, the difference in points is not carried over to the next predetermined period ΔT1. However, in a modified example, such a carryover of points may be realized.

[0077] Furthermore, in the case of a point increase campaign in which the amount of predetermined points pt awarded is greater than usual in a specific month such as the first month or birthday month, the point awarding unit 36 ​​may award each contracted user with the predetermined points pt according to the content of the campaign. In this case, each contracted user can use the additional benefit as a "trial" only in the specific month, improving convenience. If the trial result of the additional benefit is good, each contracted user can change the selection information to incorporate the additional benefit from the next month. In this modified example, selection information for a specific month and selection information for a normal month may be set.

[0078] The selection information acquiring unit 37 acquires the selection information from each contracted user. The selection information is as described above. The selection information acquiring unit 37 stores the acquired selection information in the selection information storage unit .

[0079] The determination unit 38 determines, for each contracted user, whether or not the total number of points associated with one or more benefits selected by the contracted user has a predetermined relationship with the specified points associated by the point allocation unit 36 ​​(specified points associated with the user ID of the corresponding contracted user).

[0080] The total number of points associated with one or more benefits selected by a contracted user is determined based on the selection information (selection information related to the corresponding contracted user) in the selection information storage unit 34 and the point number information in the point number information storage unit 32. In other words, for a certain contracted user, the "total number of points associated with one or more benefits selected by that contracted user" is the total number of points associated with the benefits represented by the selection information related to that contracted user. Hereinafter, such a total number of points is also referred to as the "total point number of selected benefits."

[0081] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the selection information related to the user ID “U01” indicates that three benefits consisting of “Benefit B1”, “Benefit C1”, and “Benefit D1” have been selected by the contract user related to the user ID “U01”. In this case, according to the point number information (see FIG. 7) in the point number information storage unit 32, if the points associated with “Benefit B1”, “Benefit C1”, and “Benefit D1”, respectively, are pt1, pt2, and pt3, the total points of the selected benefits is the total of the points associated with “Benefit B1”, “Benefit C1”, and “Benefit D1”, which is pt1+pt2+pt3. Therefore, in this case, the determination unit 38 determines the relationship between the predetermined points associated with the user ID “U01” and the total points of the selected benefits (=pt1+pt2+pt3). In this case, the predetermined points pt are pt=k1×10 based on the value k1 of the point parameter associated with the user ID “U01”, as described above.

[0082] In the present embodiment, as an example, the predetermined relationship is a relationship in which the total point of the selected privilege is equal to or less than a predetermined point. In this case, the determination unit 38 executes a determination process to determine whether the total point of the selected privilege is equal to or less than a predetermined point.

[0083] Here, selection information indicating that a privilege has been selected in which the total point value of the selected privilege exceeds a predetermined value is referred to as “selection information requiring reselection,” and other selection information (i.e., selection information indicating that a privilege has been selected in which the total point value of the selected privilege does not exceed a predetermined value) is referred to as “selection information not requiring reselection.” In this embodiment, the selection information storage unit 34 stores only selection information that does not require reselection.

[0084] The method of determination by the determination unit 38 may differ depending on whether the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition unit 37 is configured to include selection information that requires reselection. For example, in the case where the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition unit 37 is configured to include selection information that requires reselection, the determination unit 38 may execute a determination process based on the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition unit 37. On the other hand, in the case where the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition unit 37 is configured not to include selection information that requires reselection (for example, in the case where the selection by the contracted user is performed on the terminal device 20 so that only selection information that does not require reselection is transmitted to the server device 10), the determination unit 38 may perform a determination based on whether the selection information is acquired by the selection information acquisition unit 37. In this case, when the selection information is acquired by the selection information acquisition unit 37, the determination unit 38 may determine that the total points of the selection privilege based on the selection information has a predetermined relationship with the predetermined points (i.e., the determination unit 38 may determine that the selection information is "selection information that does not require reselection").

[0085] In this embodiment, the notification unit 54 described below performs a notification process to notify a contracted user, etc. of a combination of benefits in such a manner that only selection information that does not require reselection is acquired. That is, the notification unit 54 described below notifies a contracted user (or a non-contracted user) of a combination that can be selected within a range in which the total points of the selected benefits does not exceed a predetermined point. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the user makes a selection based on the notification by the notification unit 54, only selection information that does not require reselection is transmitted to the server device 10. That is, this embodiment is configured such that the selection by the contracted user is executed in the terminal device 20 so that only selection information that does not require reselection is transmitted to the server device 10.

[0086] When the determination unit 38 determines that the total points of the selected benefits based on the selection information for a certain contract user have a predetermined relationship with respect to the predetermined points, the benefit management unit 40 enables the contract user to use one or more selected benefits. That is, the benefit management unit 40 enables the contract user to use one or more selected benefits based on the user identification information. The process of enabling the use of the benefit by the benefit management unit 40 may be realized in an appropriate manner according to the attributes of each benefit. For example, if the attribute of the benefit is a benefit that can be used when using a specific physical store, the process of enabling the use of the benefit may be realized by a process of issuing a coupon for making the benefit available. Note that this type of coupon may be transmitted to the terminal device 20 as an electronic coupon, or may be mailed as a paper coupon. Also, if the attribute of the benefit is a benefit that can be provided at site A, the process of enabling the use of the benefit is a process of making the benefit available at site A. For example, if the benefit available at site A is the ability to participate in a specific event in a game app, the process that enables the use of the benefit may be a process of sending an invitation ticket to the specific event as an electronic ticket to terminal device 20, or a process of making a participation button appear on the home screen of the game app, etc.

[0087] In addition, the privilege management unit 40 may appropriately restrict the use of the privilege depending on the usage status of the privilege. For example, in the case of a privilege that can be used only once a month, when the privilege is used by a contracted user, the privilege management unit 40 restricts the use of the privilege by the contracted user for that month.

[0088] The information update unit 42 updates the point number information in the point number information storage unit 32 and the benefit information in the benefit information storage unit 33 in response to changes such as addition or deletion of benefits that can be provided in the subscription service. The information update unit 42 also updates the parameter information in the point parameter storage unit 31 in response to changes such as addition or deletion of types of subscription contracts.

[0089] The selection information update unit 44 updates the selection information in the selection information storage unit 34 in response to an instruction from the contracted user to change the selection information. The contracted user can freely change the selection information as long as the total points of the selected benefits does not exceed a predetermined number of points. In other words, the contracted user can reselect the desired benefit. However, such a change may be possible every predetermined period ΔT1. Furthermore, when the selection information acquisition unit 37 acquires selection information from a new contracted user, the selection information update unit 44 updates the selection information in the selection information storage unit 34.

[0090] In this embodiment, on the premise that a subscription contract for a certain contracted user is maintained, the selection information in the selection information storage unit 34 for that certain contracted user is maintained without change unless that certain contracted user gives an instruction to change the selection information.

[0091] However, the benefits that can be provided in the subscription service may be appropriately changed, such as added or deleted. For example, when a certain benefit among the benefits that can be provided in the subscription service ends and a new equivalent benefit is newly set to replace it, a contracted user who has selected the certain benefit may find it troublesome to perform a selection task to reselect the new equivalent benefit each time.

[0092] Therefore, the selection information update unit 44 preferably performs an automatic update process for automatically updating the selection information in the selection information storage unit 34 in response to a specific change in the benefits that can be provided in the subscription purchase service when the change is made. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the automatic update process. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the selection information in the selection information storage unit 34 after the automatic update process. FIG. 9 shows that, in a chronological order, "Benefit B1" (an example of a first benefit) ends (is unavailable) at time t1 (an example of a certain timing) between February and March, and "Benefit B1'" (an example of a second benefit) becomes available from time t1. "Benefit B1'" is assumed to be a benefit related to "Benefit B1". Here, the relationship between benefits may include not only a relationship in which there is a difference in version or detailed specifications, but also a relationship in which the attributes of the benefits are the same but there is a significant difference in specifications. For example, when benefit B1 is provided only for a certain period and is not provided from the next period, "Benefit B1'" may be a benefit that functions as a successor (successor version) of "Benefit B1". In this case, the selection information update unit 44 realizes the automatic update process by executing a rewrite of the selection information (selection information related to user ID "U01" in FIG. 10) in which "Privilege B1" is the selection target, changing the selection target from "Privilege B1" to "Privilege B1'", as shown in Fig. 10. This realizes a user-friendly configuration because the selection information can be automatically updated in response to specific changes in the benefits that can be provided in the subscription purchase service, without requiring the contracted user to perform cumbersome input for changes, etc.

[0093] 9, when the selection information update unit 44 executes the automatic update process as described above, from time t1, one of the benefits available to the contracted user associated with user ID "U01" is changed from "Benefit B1" to "Benefit B1'". In response to this, the benefit management unit 40 changes one of the benefits available to the contracted user associated with user ID "U01" from "Benefit B1" to "Benefit B1'".

[0094] In the example shown in FIG. 9, the time t1 is not the beginning of the month, but is in the middle of the month, but may be the beginning of the month. In this case, the timing of the change from "Special Offer B1" to "Special Offer B1'" is synchronized with the start timing of each predetermined period ΔT1 of the subscription purchase contract. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the time when "Special Offer B1" becomes unavailable and the time when "Special Offer B1'" becomes available are the same time t1, but these timings may be different. For example, the time when "Special Offer B1'" becomes available may be before the time when "Special Offer B1" becomes unavailable. In this case, a period during which both "Special Offer B1" and "Special Offer B1'" can be selectively used is set as a transition period. In this way, the time when "Special Offer B1'" becomes available does not necessarily have to be the same as the time when "Special Offer B1" becomes unavailable, as long as it is set according to the time when "Special Offer B1" becomes unavailable.

[0095] Whether such automatic renewal processing can be performed may be determined for each contract user. For example, a contract user may be asked in advance (for example, at the time of contracting) whether or not he / she desires such automatic renewal processing. In this case, the automatic renewal processing can be realized in a manner according to the intention of each contract user. For contract users who do not desire the automatic renewal processing, a guide for having them perform a selection task to reselect the benefit may be appropriately transmitted (notified). This type of notification may be realized in the same manner as the notification by notification unit 46 described below.

[0096] When the selection information update unit 44 executes an automatic update process (rewrite of the selection information), the notification unit 46 notifies the notification destination associated with the user identification information of information related to the rewrite, based on the user identification information associated with the selection information for which the automatic update process has been executed. The notification method is arbitrary, and may be realized by notification by email, notification within the app, notification by a chat function on site A, notification by telephone, notification by mailing a paper medium, etc. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the notification unit 46 may notify the information related to the rewrite by SMS to a telephone number (see FIG. 4), which is an example of a notification destination associated with the user ID "U01".

[0097] The billing unit 48 executes processing related to billing services. In this embodiment, as an example, A coins can be used at site A. In this case, when the billing unit 48 receives a request from a user to provide (purchase) A coins, the billing unit 48 provides the user with A coins under specified conditions. The user here includes users other than contracted users, and the same applies in the following explanation of the billing unit 48. The billing unit 48 may provide the user with A coins on the condition that payment is made at that time, regardless of whether the payment is made later, or may provide the user with A coins on a later payment basis based on a later payment service.

[0098] Furthermore, when the billing unit 48 receives a request from a user to consume A coin, it realizes the consumption of A coin and enables the user to use a predetermined benefit according to the consumption. Therefore, in this embodiment, the user can use a predetermined benefit at site A by consuming A coin. The predetermined benefit may be a benefit that allows the user to acquire a desired first game medium, a benefit that allows the user to acquire a desired item, a benefit that allows the user to spin a desired gacha, etc.

[0099] In this embodiment, the benefits that can be provided in the subscription service preferably include benefits that are different from the predetermined benefits that can be used by consuming A coins. For example, some of the multiple benefits that can be provided in the subscription service are the same as the predetermined benefits that can be used by consuming A coins, but the rest of the multiple benefits that can be provided in the subscription service are different from the predetermined benefits that can be used by consuming A coins. This allows the operator to effectively promote the use of the subscription service by preparing attractive benefits that can be used only when the subscription service is used. In addition, it is possible to separate the subscription service and the billing service, and it is possible to design benefits that match the characteristics of the subscription service. In a modified example, the billing service may be omitted and the subscription service may be unified.

[0100] In addition, even if some of the multiple benefits that can be provided in the subscription service are the same as the predetermined benefits that can be used by consuming A coins, the subscription service may be designed to be more advantageous in terms of price than the paid service. This can effectively promote the use of the subscription service. In addition, all of the predetermined benefits that can be used by consuming A coins may be set as benefits that can be provided in the subscription service. This gives the subscription service an advantage over the paid service, and can effectively promote the use of the subscription service.

[0101] The candidate selection unit 52 selects one or more combination candidates from among various combinations of multiple benefits that can be provided in the subscription purchase service, where the total point value of the selected benefits does not exceed a predetermined point value. In other words, the candidate selection unit 52 selects one or more combination candidates where the total point value of the selected benefits has a predetermined relationship with the predetermined point value.

[0102] In this case, the candidate selection unit 52 may randomly select one or more combination candidates. However, the candidate selection unit 52 preferably selects one or more combination candidates recommended for each user. The user here includes users other than the contracted user, and the same applies in the following description of the candidate selection unit 52 and the candidate selection unit 52.

[0103] For example, the candidate selection unit 52 selects one or more combination candidates that match the user's preferences based on preference information from the user information in the user information storage unit 30. For example, when the preference information relating to a certain user indicates that the user has a high preference for a specific game app, one or more combination candidates may be selected in a form that includes at least one benefit set in the specific game app.

[0104] Alternatively, the candidate selection unit 52 selects one or more combination candidates that suit the user based on the log information of the user information in the user information storage unit 30.

[0105] For example, for a certain user, the progress of the game by the user may be derived from log information related to the user, and if a specific benefit set in the game app is useful according to the progress, one or more combination candidates may be selected in a manner including at least one of the specific benefits. The progress of the game may be, for example, a state or situation of which content in the game has been consumed (achieved / cleared) and to what extent. For example, in the case of a game in which the stage, level, story, etc. change when a mission or quest is cleared, the progress may be the user's current stage, level, etc. In this case, the specific benefit may be a benefit that may vary depending on the stage, level, etc., and may be a benefit useful for further progress in the game. The progress of the game is derived directly or indirectly based on the log information, and may be derived from, for example, information about the game (see FIG. 5) or may be a part of the information about the game. The information about the game is generated based on the log information. In this case, based on the user's progress, an operation that the user should or will perform next can be derived or predicted, and a benefit suitable for that operation can be presented. Such prediction of the operation may be realized using artificial intelligence. For example, it is possible to use artificial intelligence to input log information and output (generate) predicted results of operations. In the case of artificial intelligence, this can be realized by implementing a convolutional neural network obtained by machine learning. In machine learning, for example, weights of a convolutional neural network that minimizes the error of the predicted results are learned using performance data related to the log information.

[0106] Alternatively, for a certain user, the operation tendency of the user may be derived from the log information related to the user, and if a specific benefit set in the game app is useful according to the operation tendency, one or more combination candidates may be selected in a manner including at least one of the specific benefits. In this case, based on the user's operation information, etc., an operation that the user should or will perform next may be derived or predicted, and a benefit suitable for that operation may be presented. Note that, similarly, such prediction of an operation may be realized using artificial intelligence. For example, it is also possible to input log information and output (generate) a predicted result of an operation using artificial intelligence. In the case of artificial intelligence, this can be realized by implementing a convolutional neural network obtained by machine learning. In machine learning, for example, weights of a convolutional neural network that minimizes the error of the predicted result are learned using performance data related to the log information.

[0107] The above-described method of selecting one or more combination candidates based on the game progress and operation trends is not limited to game apps, but can also be applied to other apps.

[0108] The timing of execution of the selection process by the candidate selection unit 52 may be a timing corresponding to the timing of notification by the notification unit 54 described later. For example, the timing of the selection process by the candidate selection unit 52 for one or more combination candidates related to a certain user may be the timing of application for a subscription purchase by the certain user (the timing of conclusion of a subscription purchase contract) or the timing of renewal of the subscription purchase contract of the certain user (contracted user) (in this embodiment, as an example, at the beginning of the month).

[0109] As described above, the multiple benefits that can be provided in the subscription service may be changed after the fact. In addition, the preferences of the contracted user, the progress of the game by the contracted user, the operation tendency of the contracted user, etc. may also change after the fact. Therefore, the candidate selection unit 52 preferably selects one or more combination candidates that suit the user's preferences, the progress of the game by the user, the operation tendency of the user, etc., based on the user information in the user information storage unit 30, periodically or irregularly, even at a timing other than the time of conclusion of the subscription contract. In this case, the notification timing by the notification unit 54 described later may be synchronized with the selection timing by the candidate selection unit 52. This makes it possible to present the user with benefits that suit the user in accordance with various subsequent changes.

[0110] Here, when the candidate selection unit 52 executes the selection process based on the user information as described above, the execution condition of the selection process may be limited to when there is a significant change in the user information and / or when there is a change in the benefits that can be provided in the subscription purchase service. For example, the timing of the selection process by the candidate selection unit 52 for one or more combination candidates related to a certain user may be set when there is a significant change in the user's preferences based on the user information of the certain user, the progress of the user's game, the user's operation tendency, etc. This reduces the frequency of the selection process by the candidate selection unit 52, thereby efficiently reducing the processing load.

[0111] The notification unit 54 notifies the user of one or more selectable combinations of a plurality of benefits that can be provided in the subscription service, within a range in which the total points of the selected benefits does not exceed a predetermined point. The notification method is arbitrary and may be the same as the notification method by the notification unit 46 described above. The timing of notification by the notification unit 54 is also arbitrary, and may be, for example, when applying for the subscription, when renewing, or synchronized with the timing of selection by the candidate selection unit 52 as described above. In addition, when guidance information related to the subscription service is posted on site A, a notification may be executed to the user when the user views the guidance information.

[0112] When the user receives a notification from the notification unit 54, the user selects a desired combination from the one or more combinations notified, and “selection information that does not require reselection” is transmitted to the server device 10.

[0113] In this embodiment, the notification unit 54 may notify one or more randomly selected combinations (however, combinations in which the total points of the selected benefits does not exceed a predetermined number of points), but preferably notifies one or more combination candidates selected by the candidate selection unit 52. This makes it possible to notify each user of combination candidates that are likely to match the user's preferences, the user's game progress, the user's operation tendencies, and the like, making it easier for the user to select a desired benefit. In other words, by presenting a selection screen (see FIG. 13 or FIG. 14A) based on such notification, a user interface (UI) that makes it easy for the user to select a desired benefit can be realized.

[0114] Fig. 11 is a functional block diagram of functions related to subscription-related functions among various functions realized by the terminal device 20. Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a method for selecting multiple benefits that can be provided in a subscription service, and is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram of another example of a method for selecting multiple benefits that can be provided in a subscription service, and is a diagram showing another example of a selection screen. Figs. 14A and 14B are explanatory diagrams of another example of a method for selecting multiple benefits that can be provided in a subscription service, and are diagrams showing another example of a selection screen. In the following description related to Fig. 11, a user refers to a user of the terminal device 20.

[0115] As shown in Fig. 11, the terminal device 20 includes a selection screen output unit 210, a selection result generation unit 212, and a selection information transmission unit 214. The selection screen output unit 210 and the selection result generation unit 212 can be realized, for example, by the terminal control unit 25 shown in Fig. 1. The selection information transmission unit 214 can be realized, for example, by the terminal communication unit 21 and the terminal control unit 25 shown in Fig. 1. Some or all of the functions of the selection screen output unit 210 and / or the selection result generation unit 212 may be realized by the server device 10.

[0116] The selection screen output unit 210 outputs a selection screen that assists the user in selecting a desired benefit. For example, the selection screen output unit 210 outputs a selection screen when the user operates a subscription button (or a subscription benefit selection change button) (not shown) at site A on the terminal device 20. The selection screen may be any screen that allows the user to select any combination of one or more benefits from among a plurality of benefits that can be provided in the subscription service.

[0117] In the example shown in FIG. 12, the selection screen G1200 includes check boxes B1211, B1212, B1213, etc. that allow the selection of all of the multiple benefits that can be provided in the subscription service, and the check boxes B1211, B1212, B1213, etc. are arranged near the benefit buttons B1201, B1202, B1203, etc. that represent the corresponding benefits. The benefit buttons B1201, B1202, B1203, etc. may be drawn with the name of the benefit, the number of points required to use the benefit, etc. The number of points required to use the benefit is consistent with the point number information in the point number information storage unit 32 shown in FIG. 7. The benefit buttons B1201, B1202, B1203, etc. may be configured to transition to an explanation screen for the benefit when operated. In this case, an explanation based on the benefit information in the benefit information storage unit 33 may be written on the explanation screen. In this way, the user can easily select the desired benefit by inputting a check mark in each check box associated with each benefit button corresponding to the desired benefit combination.

[0118] The selection screen G1200 may be a scrollable screen. If the number of benefits that can be provided in the subscription purchase service is large, multiple selection screens G1200 may be prepared for each category.

[0119] 12, the selection screen G1200 includes an image portion G1230 that shows the currently selected benefit, and an image portion G1240 that shows the total number of points associated with the use of the currently selected benefit. The selection screen G1200 also includes a Confirm button B1220. The user can select a desired combination of benefits and then operate the Confirm button B1220 to complete the benefit selection process.

[0120] The selection screen output unit 210 may activate (in a state where a check mark can be placed) only selectable check boxes among the check boxes B1211, B1212, B1213, etc., so that the total number of points associated with the use of the currently selected benefit does not exceed a predetermined number of points. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 12, the total number of points associated with the use of the currently selected benefit is "40". In this case, if the predetermined number of points is "50", the selection screen output unit 210 may activate (in a state where a check mark can be placed) only check boxes related to the benefit with the number of points associated therewith of "10" or less. In this case, the selection screen output unit 210 cooperates with the determination unit 38 of the server device 10 to determine whether the total number of points of the selected benefit is equal to or less than the predetermined number of points.

[0121] In the example shown in FIG. 12, check boxes B1211, B1212, B1213, ... are not checked in the initial state, but check boxes corresponding to a recommended set such as the example shown in FIG. 13 may be checked as a default. In this case, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a user operates a button (not shown) such as "enable default selection of recommendations" to check the check boxes corresponding to the recommended set such as the example shown in FIG. 13. In these cases, various benefits recommended for each user can be presented based on the notification by the notification unit 54 described above, so that a user interface (UI) that allows the user to easily select a desired benefit can be realized.

[0122] In the example shown in FIG. 13, the selection screen G1300 is generated in a manner that makes it easy for the user to select one or more combinations based on one or more combinations notified by the above-mentioned notification unit 54. Specifically, the selection screen G1300 includes check boxes B1311, B1312, etc. that allow a user to select a plurality of recommended sets, and the check boxes B1311, B1312, etc. are arranged near the "recommended set buttons" B1301, B1302, etc. that represent the corresponding recommended sets. At least one of the plurality of recommended sets corresponds to the benefit of one or more combinations notified by the above-mentioned notification unit 54. Note that, although there are a plurality of recommended sets in FIG. 13, there may be only one. The "recommended set buttons" B1301, B1302, ... may be configured to display the names of one or more benefits that make up the recommended set. The "recommended set buttons" B1301, B1302, ... may be configured to transition to an explanatory screen for one or more benefits that make up the recommended set when operated. In this way, if a recommended set corresponding to the desired combination of benefits is available, the user can easily select the desired benefit by checking the check box associated with the recommended set. In this way, various recommended benefits can be presented for each user based on the notification by notification unit 54 described above, so that a user interface (UI) that makes it easy for users to select their desired benefit can be realized.

[0123] 13, the selection screen G1300 includes an OK button B1320. After selecting a desired recommended set, the user can operate the OK button B1320 to complete the privilege selection process.

[0124] The selection screen G1300 may be realized in combination with the selection screen G1200. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the selection screen G1300 includes an OK button B1320, and when the user operates the OK button B1320, the selection screen output unit 210 transitions from the selection screen G1300 to the selection screen G1200. In this case, the selection screen G1200 may be output in a state in which a check mark is placed in each check box associated with each benefit constituting the recommended set checked on the selection screen G1300. In this case, the user can make a final check of the contents of the image portion G1230 on the selection screen G1200, and then, if there are no problems, operate the confirm button B1220 to complete the selection work.

[0125] In the example shown in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, there are buttons B1411, B1412, etc. for checking all the recommended sets at once, and it is possible to check check boxes B1421, B1422, B1423, etc. corresponding to each benefit in the recommended set buttons B1401, B1402, etc. In this case, the user can select a button of a desired recommended set from among the buttons B1400, B1401, etc., and then replace some of the benefits in the recommended set related to the selected button. Specifically, when the user selects the button of the benefit to be replaced from among the buttons B1431, B1432, B1433 representing the benefits in "recommended set 1", for example, the screen transitions to a benefit selection screen (not shown) and the user can select the desired benefit. In the example shown in Figures 14A and 14B, the user selects button B1411 corresponding to "recommended set 1" shown in Figure 14A, and then changes from "bonus B1" to "bonus B2" in "recommended set 1." In this way, a user interface (UI) that allows flexible selection of bonuses while saving the user's effort can be realized.

[0126] 14A and 14B, the buttons B1411, B1412, ... are not checked in the initial state, but the checkboxes corresponding to the most recommended sets may be checked by default. Also, when any of the buttons B1411, B1412, ... is selected, the buttons (buttons B1431, B1432, B1433, etc.) representing benefits in the selected recommended set may be configured to be automatically checked.

[0127] The selection result generating unit 212 generates a result of the privilege selection made by the user based on the user's operation input on the selection screen. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 12, the combination of privileges with a check mark when the Confirm button B1220 is operated is generated as the selection result.

[0128] The selection information transmitting unit 214 transmits selection information including the selection result generated by the selection result generating unit 212 to the server device 10. In this case, the selection information transmitting unit 214 may transmit selection information in which the selection result generated by the selection result generating unit 212 is associated with the user ID of site A as a change instruction to the server device 10 (selection information acquiring unit 37). In this manner, the selection information transmitted from the terminal device 20 is acquired by the selection information acquiring unit 37 of the server device 10, as described above. Note that the selection information generated based on the selection screen G1200 or G1300 shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13 becomes the above-mentioned "selection information that does not require reselection."

[0129] According to the present embodiment described above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

[0130] First, according to this embodiment, a predetermined number of points according to the type of subscription contract is given to the subscription user for each predetermined period ΔT1. The subscription user can select and use a desired combination of benefits from among multiple benefits that can be provided in the subscription service, as long as the total point amount of the selected benefits does not exceed the predetermined number of points.

[0131] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to diversify the combinations of benefits available through subscription purchase contracts without excessively diversifying the types of subscription purchase contracts. Specifically, in a comparative example in which the number of types of subscription purchase contracts is set to the number of possible combinations of diverse benefits, the types of subscription purchase contracts are excessively diversified, and the processing load related to subscription purchase contracts increases. In contrast, according to this embodiment, it is possible to diversify the combinations of benefits available through subscription purchase contracts while setting a smaller number of types of subscription purchase contracts, without setting the number of types of subscription purchase contracts to the number of possible combinations of diverse benefits.

[0132] According to this embodiment, the selection information update unit 44 updates the selection information in the selection information storage unit 34 in response to an instruction from a contracted user to change the selection information, as described above. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the user can change the selection information after the fact without changing the type of subscription contract.

[0133] In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the processing load associated with a subscription purchase contract while increasing convenience for the contracted user.

[0134] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as described above, the selection information update unit 44 executes an automatic update process (rewrites the selection information) in response to specific changes in the benefits that can be provided in the subscription service, so that even if specific changes occur in the benefits that can be provided in the subscription service, the contracted user can maintain a state in which he or she can use the same benefits without taking any special procedures. This makes it possible to efficiently reduce the processing load on the server device 10 compared to the case in which a notice to change the selection information is output to the contracted user in response to specific changes in the benefits that can be provided in the subscription service.

[0135] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the automatic update process (rewriting of selected information) is executed by the selection information update unit 44, the notification unit 46 notifies the corresponding contract user of information regarding the rewrite. This allows the contents of the automatic update process to be properly communicated to the contract user while improving the convenience of the contract user. Furthermore, compared to a case where a specific change in the benefits that can be provided in the subscription purchase service is notified to all contract users, this realizes more efficient notification and efficiently reduces the processing load on the server device 10. Note that, although it is expected that there will be a small number of contract users who do not want the selection information to be rewritten due to such changes, according to this embodiment, such contract users can change the selection information upon receiving such notification, and therefore the adverse effects caused by the automatic update process (rewriting of selected information) can also be minimized.

[0136] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the billing unit 48 is provided, it is possible to provide both the billing service and the subscription service. In this case, by at least partially differentiating the predetermined benefits that can be provided by the billing service from the benefits that can be provided by the subscription service, it is possible to appropriately separate them. In addition, in this case, by setting the benefits that can be provided by the subscription service to be more advantageous than the predetermined benefits that can be provided by the billing service, it is possible to provide effective motivation for users other than the contracted user to enter into a subscription contract.

[0137] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the notification unit 54 notifies the user of one or more selectable combinations of multiple benefits that can be provided in the subscription service, within a range in which the total points of the selected benefits do not exceed a predetermined number of points. This makes it easier for the contracted user to select a benefit within a range in which the total points of the selected benefits do not exceed a predetermined number of points, even if the benefits that can be provided in the subscription service are diversified, thereby improving convenience for the contracted user.

[0138] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the candidate selection unit 52 is provided, various combinations of benefits according to the user's preferences, the user's game progress, the user's operation tendency, etc. can be notified to each user by the notification unit 54. This makes it easy for the contracted user to select a desired benefit even when the benefits that can be provided in the subscription purchase service are diversified, thereby improving the convenience of the contracted user.

[0139] Next, with reference to FIG. 15 and subsequent figures, various operational examples will be described in which a plurality of benefits that can be provided in a subscription purchase service are set for each of a plurality of digital contents.

[0140] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the premise of one operation example, and is a table showing an example of the relationship between a plurality of digital contents, benefits set for each digital content, and a server computer that manages each digital content.

[0141] In FIG. 15, 51 benefits, A0 to A50, are set for the digital content "game app GA" and are managed by the server computer SA. Similarly, 41 benefits, B0 to B40, are set for the digital content "game app GB" and are managed by the server computer SA. Similarly, 6 benefits, C0 to C5, are set for "electronic books DD0 to DD5", a collection of 6 digital contents, and are managed by the server computer SC. Similarly, one or more benefits may be set for other digital contents. Note that the digital content to which one or more benefits are set may be a part or all of various applications provided by the server device 10.

[0142] Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram of this operation example, and is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic flow of operations until a new user U10 who desires a subscription service makes a subscription contract and becomes able to use the desired benefits under the premise shown in Fig. 15. Note that the various server computers (management server computer, server computer SC, and server computer SA) shown in Fig. 16 constitute the server device 10 shown in Fig. 1. Note that in Fig. 16 (and the same goes for other flowcharts described below), the processing order of each step may be changed as long as the relationship between input and output of each step is not lost.

[0143] In step S1500, when the user U10 enters into a subscription contract, the user U10 transmits the type of the subscription contract from the terminal device 20 to the management server computer.

[0144] In step S1502, the management server computer associates a predetermined number of points according to the type of the received regular purchase contract with the user ID of the user U10. This process can be realized by the point allocating unit 36 ​​described above.

[0145] In step S1504, the management server computer notifies the terminal device 20 related to the user U10 of the combination of benefits that can be used with the associated predetermined points. At this time, the management server computer may include the candidate selection unit 52 and the notification unit 54 described above, and in this case, the user U10 is notified of the combination selected based on the preference information in the user information related to the user U10.

[0146] In step S1506, the user U10 displays the notification (combination of benefits available with a predetermined number of points) from the management server computer on the display unit 23 of the terminal device 20. In this case, the terminal device 20 may output a selection screen such as those shown in Fig. 12 to Fig. 14A.

[0147] In step S1508, the user U10 performs a selection operation on the terminal device 20 and transmits the selection information to the management server computer from the terminal device 20. Here, it is assumed that the selection information in which the privilege A0, the privilege B0, and the privilege C0 are selected is transmitted to the management server computer.

[0148] In step S1509, the management server computer determines whether the total points of the selected benefits is equal to or less than a predetermined number of points, based on the received selection information. This process (determination process) can be realized by the determination unit 38 described above. In FIG. 16, if the received selection information corresponds to the combination of benefits notified in step S1504, the management server computer may determine that the total points of the selected benefits is equal to or less than a predetermined number of points. If it is determined that the total points of the selected benefits is not equal to or less than the predetermined number of points, the management server computer may transmit a request to the terminal device 20 to redo the selection.

[0149] In step S1510, the management server computer transmits a privilege release request to the corresponding server computer based on the selection information related to user U10 in the selection information storage unit 34, based on the result of the determination in step S1509 being positive (i.e., the total points of the selected privileges is determined to be equal to or less than the predetermined points). This process can be realized by the privilege management unit 40 described above. In FIG. 16, based on the selection information specifying privileges A0, B0, and C0 as the selection targets, the management server computer transmits a privilege release request to the server computer SA that manages privileges A0 and B0, which enables the privileges A0 and B0 to be used based on the user ID related to user U10, and transmits a privilege release request to the server computer SC that manages privilege C0, which enables the privilege C0 to be used based on the user ID related to user U10.

[0150] In step S1512, the one or more corresponding server computers release (make available) the corresponding privileges in response to the privilege release request. This process can be realized by the above-mentioned privilege management unit 40. In Fig. 16, the server computer SA enables the privilege A0 and the privilege B0 to be used based on the user ID of the user U10, and the server computer SC enables the privilege C0 to be used based on the user ID of the user U10.

[0151] In step S1514, the user U10 uses the benefits A0, B0, and C0 on the terminal device 20 as appropriate.

[0152] Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the premise of another operation example, and is a table diagram showing an example of the relationship between one digital content, a benefit set in the one digital content, and a server computer that manages the one digital content. In Fig. 17, unlike the premise shown in Fig. 15, the benefits that can be provided in the subscription purchase service are limited to benefits related to one specific digital content.

[0153] Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram of another operation example, which is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic flow of operations until a new user U10 who desires a subscription service enters into a subscription contract and becomes able to use the desired benefits under the premise shown in Fig. 17. Note that in Fig. 18, the same step numbers may be used for processes that may be substantially the same as those in Fig. 16, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0154] The example shown in Fig. 18 differs from the example shown in Fig. 16 in that in step S1508, selection information designating bonus A0 and bonus A1 as selection targets is sent to the management server computer. In this case, in step S1510, the management server computer transmits a bonus release request to the server computer SA that manages bonus A0 and bonus A1 based on the selection information designating bonus A0 and bonus A1 as selection targets, to enable the use of bonus A0 and bonus A1 based on the user ID related to user U10. This process can be realized by the bonus management unit 40 described above.

[0155] Although the case where the user U10 newly enters into a regular purchase contract has been described with reference to Figs. 16 and 18, the same applies to a case where the user U10 changes the type of regular purchase contract.

[0156] Fig. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the flow of operations until user U10 changes the benefits related to the subscription purchase contract and becomes able to use a new desired benefit under the premise shown in Fig. 15. Note that in Fig. 19, the same step numbers may be used for processes that may be substantially the same as those in Fig. 16, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0157] In step S1800, the user U10 wishes to change the selected benefit (benefit related to the subscription purchase contract), and transmits a benefit inquiry from the terminal device 20 to the management server computer.

[0158] In step S1802, the management server computer selects (derives) a combination of benefits suitable for user U10, based on the user information related to user U10. This process can be realized by the candidate selection unit 52 described above. In this case, in step S1504, the management server computer notifies the terminal device 20 of the combination of benefits selected in step S1802. In a modified example, the management server computer may generate a list of benefits based on the benefit information in the benefit information storage unit 33, and notify the terminal device 20 of the generated list of benefits.

[0159] In this case, if user U10 changes the benefits related to the subscription contract, new selection information is sent to the management server computer in step S1508, and the management server computer performs the same processing based on the new selection information.

[0160] Note that while FIG. 19 relates to the flow of operations under the premise shown in FIG. 15, the same applies to the flow of operations under the premise shown in FIG.

[0161] Fig. 20 is an explanatory diagram that shows an outline of the flow of operations at the time of renewal when user U10 maintains the subscription contract beyond a predetermined period ΔT1 under the premise shown in Fig. 15. Note that in Fig. 20, processes that may be substantially the same as those in Fig. 16 may be given the same step numbers and explanations thereof may be omitted.

[0162] In step S2000, the management server computer determines whether the renewal time for the user U10 has arrived. In this embodiment, as described above, the renewal time is the beginning of the month. Therefore, the management server computer judges whether it is the beginning of the month or not. If it is time to update, the process proceeds to step S2002.

[0163] In step S2002, the management server computer performs billing processing based on the subscription contract for the user U10. This processing can be realized by the billing processing unit 35 described above.

[0164] In step S2004, the management server computer associates a predetermined number of points according to the type of subscription contract related to the user U10 (same as the previous renewal time unless there is a change) with the user ID related to the user U10. This process can be realized by the point allocating unit 36 ​​described above.

[0165] In step S2006, the management server computer transmits a notification to the terminal device 20 of the user U10 that the subscription contract will be maintained for an additional predetermined period ΔT1. In this case, the notification may include information indicating the currently selected benefit (i.e., selection information).

[0166] In step S2008, the user U10 displays the notification from the management server computer (notification that the subscription contract will be maintained for an additional predetermined period ΔT1) on the display unit 23 of the terminal device 20. In this case, the user U10 may change the benefits related to the subscription contract as shown in FIG. 19, if necessary.

[0167] In step S2009, the management server computer determines whether or not the total points of the selected benefits is equal to or less than a predetermined number of points, based on the selection information of user U10 stored in the selection information storage unit 34. This process (determination process) can be realized by the above-mentioned determination unit 38. In FIG. 20, there is no change in the selection information of user U10 due to the update, so step S2009 may be omitted.

[0168] Although not described in Fig. 20, the management server computer may transmit a notification to the terminal device 20 of the user U10 before the renewal time for the user U10 arrives (for example, one week before). In this case, the user U10 can easily change the benefits related to the subscription purchase contract as shown in Fig. 19 according to the current renewal timing, if necessary.

[0169] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram that shows a general flow of operations when a specific change occurs to the benefits that can be provided in a subscription purchase service.

[0170] In step S2100, the management server computer determines whether or not a specific change has been made to the benefits that can be provided in the subscription service. The specific change is as described above. If a specific change has been made, the process proceeds to step S2102.

[0171] In step S2102, the management server computer automatically updates the selection information in the selection information storage unit 34 in response to the specific change. This process (automatic update process) can be realized by the selection information update unit 44 described above. In FIG. 21, it is assumed that the user U10 has selected a benefit related to the specific change. In this case, the selection information related to the user U10 in the selection information storage unit 34 is automatically updated.

[0172] In step S2104, the management server computer transmits a notification that the selection information has been automatically updated to the terminal device 20 related to the user U10. In this case, the notification may include information (i.e., the selection information) indicating the currently selected benefit (the benefit after the automatic update).

[0173] In step S2106, the user U10 displays the notification from the management server computer (notification that the selected information has been automatically updated) on the display unit 23 of the terminal device 20. In this case, the user U10 may change the benefits related to the subscription purchase contract as shown in FIG.

[0174] Although not explained in FIG. 21, the management server computer sends a privilege release request to the corresponding server computer at an appropriate time based on the selection information for user U10 in the selection information storage unit 34 (selection information after the automatic update process), enabling use based on the user ID for user U10.

[0175] 21, the management server computer may determine whether or not the total points of the selected privilege is equal to or less than a predetermined number of points after the automatic update process, based on the selection information related to user U10 in the selection information storage unit 34 (selection information after the automatic update process). This process (determination process) can be realized by the above-mentioned determination unit 38. If the number of points corresponding to the privilege before and after the change in the automatic update process does not change, such a determination process may be omitted.

[0176] Although each embodiment has been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims. In addition, it is also possible to combine all or a plurality of the components of the above-described embodiments.

[0177] For example, in the above-described embodiment, at least a part of the screen (a game screen or a selection screen as shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13) displayed on the terminal device 20 may be a web display displayed on the terminal device 20 based on data generated by the server device 10, and at least a part of the screen may be a native display displayed by a native application installed on the terminal device 20.

[0178] In addition, the following supplementary notes are disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0179] [Appendix 1] a point allocating unit that associates a predetermined number of points according to a type of subscription contract with user identification information related to a contract user who has made a subscription contract for each predetermined period related to the subscription contract; a point number information storage unit configured to store, for each of a plurality of benefits that can be provided, point number information that indicates a number of points associated with the use of the benefit; a selection information acquiring unit that acquires selection information associated with the user identification information, the selection information representing one or more selected benefits from among the plurality of benefits; a determination unit that determines whether or not a total number of points determined by the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition unit and the point number information in the point number information storage unit, the total number of points being associated with the one or more selected benefits, has a predetermined relationship with the predetermined points associated by the point allocating unit; and a privilege management unit that enables use of the selected one or more privileges based on the user identification information when the determination unit determines that the specified relationship exists.

[0180] [Appendix 2] The method further includes a point parameter storage unit that stores parameter information that represents a point parameter for each type of the subscription contract, The device described in Appendix 1, wherein the point allocating unit refers to the parameter information in the point parameter storage unit and determines the specified points based on the point parameters associated with the type of subscription contract by the contracted user.

[0181] [Appendix 3] 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of subscription contract types is less than the number of the plurality of benefits.

[0182] [Appendix 4] The device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, further comprising an information update unit that updates the point number information in the point number information storage unit based on a new benefit that is added as one of the plurality of benefits, or a benefit among the plurality of benefits that becomes unavailable.

[0183] [Appendix 5] The plurality of benefits include a first benefit that becomes unavailable from a certain timing, and a second benefit that becomes available at the same timing and is related to the first benefit; a selection information storage unit that stores the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition unit; The device described in any one of appendix 1 to 4, further including a selection information update unit that performs an rewrite of the selection information in the selection information storage unit, in which the first benefit is a selection target, to change the selection target from the first benefit to the second benefit.

[0184] [Appendix 6] The device described in Appendix 5 further includes a notification unit that, when the selection information update unit rewrites the selection information, notifies a notification destination associated with the user identification information of information related to the rewrite based on the user identification information associated with the selection information on which the rewrite has been performed.

[0185] [Appendix 7] The device further includes a charging unit that enables a user to use a predetermined benefit by charging a fee, The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of benefits include a benefit different from the predetermined benefit.

[0186] [Appendix 8] The device according to any one of appendices 1 to 7, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the predetermined relationship is such that the total is equal to or less than the predetermined point.

[0187] [Appendix 9] The device described in Appendix 8, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the contracted user or non-contracted user of one or more selectable combinations from among the plurality of combinations of benefits, the total of which does not exceed the specified points.

[0188] [Appendix 10] a user information storage unit that stores user information relating to one of the contracted users and the non-contracted users; a candidate selection unit that selects one or more combination candidates from among selectable combinations within a range in which the total does not exceed the predetermined points based on the user information, The device according to claim 9, wherein the notification unit notifies the one user of the combination candidates selected by the candidate selection unit.

[0189] [Appendix 11] The user information includes information that represents a preference of the one user or information from which the preference can be derived, The device of claim 10, wherein the candidate selection unit selects the one or more combination candidates that match a preference of the one user.

[0190] [Appendix 12] The user information includes log information of the one user, The device described in Appendix 10, wherein the candidate selection unit predicts or derives an operation that the user may perform in the future or an operation that the user should perform next based on log information of the user, and selects the one or more combination candidates that are compatible with the predicted or derived operation.

[0191] [Appendix 13] The plurality of benefits may be at least one of a benefit at a physical store, a benefit related to a specific service that can be provided at a specific site, and a benefit related to digital content. 13. The device according to any one of appendices 1 to 12, including one.

[0192] [Appendix 14] The device according to any one of appendices 1 to 13, wherein the plurality of benefits include one or more benefits set within each of a plurality of digital contents, or a plurality of benefits set within a specific digital content.

[0193] [Appendix 15] a predetermined number of points corresponding to a type of subscription contract is associated with user identification information of a contract user who has made a subscription contract for each predetermined period of the subscription contract; storing, for each of a plurality of benefits that can be provided, point number information representing a number of points associated with the use of the benefit in a point number information storage unit; obtaining selection information associated with the user identification information, the selection information representing one or more selected benefits from the plurality of benefits; determining whether or not a total number of points determined by the acquired selection information and the point number information in the point number information storage unit, the total number of points being associated with the one or more selected benefits, has a predetermined relationship with the predetermined point; A computer-implemented method including enabling use of the selected one or more benefits based on the user identification information when it is determined that the predetermined relationship exists.

[0194] [Appendix 16] a predetermined number of points corresponding to a type of subscription contract is associated with user identification information of a contract user who has made a subscription contract for each predetermined period of the subscription contract; storing, for each of a plurality of benefits that can be provided, point number information representing a number of points associated with the use of the benefit in a point number information storage unit; obtaining selection information associated with the user identification information, the selection information representing one or more selected benefits from the plurality of benefits; determining whether or not a total number of points determined by the acquired selection information and the point number information in the point number information storage unit, the total number of points being associated with the one or more selected benefits, has a predetermined relationship with the predetermined point; A program that causes a computer to execute a process that enables the use of the selected one or more benefits based on the user identification information when it is determined that the specified relationship exists. [Explanation of symbols]

[0195] 1 Service System 3. Network 10. Server equipment 11 Server Communication Section 12 Server memory section 13 Server control unit 20 Terminal Equipment 21 Terminal communication unit 22 Terminal memory section 23 Display section 24 Input section 25 Terminal control unit 30 User information storage unit 31 Point parameter storage section 32 Point number information storage section 33 Benefit information storage unit 34 Selection information storage unit 35 Claims Processing Department 36 Point Granting Department 37 Selection information acquisition unit 38 Judgment section 40 Benefits Management Department 42 Information update department 44 Selection information update section 46 Announcement Department 48 Billing Department 52 Candidate Selection Section 54 Notification Department 210 Selection screen output section 212 Selection result generation unit 214 Selection information transmission unit

Claims

1. a point allocating unit that associates a predetermined number of points according to a type of subscription contract with user identification information related to a contract user who has made a subscription contract for each predetermined period related to the subscription contract; a point number information storage unit that stores, for each of a plurality of benefits that can be provided, point number information that indicates a number of points associated with the use of the benefit; a selection information acquiring unit that acquires selection information associated with the user identification information, the selection information representing one or more selected benefits from among the plurality of benefits; a selection screen output unit that displays remaining benefits among the plurality of benefits on a selection screen for generating the selection information; The selection screen output unit determines selectable benefits from the remaining benefits of the plurality of benefits based on one or more benefits currently selected on the selection screen, in accordance with the relationship between the specified points and the point number information in the point number information storage unit, and changes the display on the selection screen to a state in which the contracted user can select the selectable benefits in accordance with the determination.

2. a determination unit that determines whether or not a total number of points determined by the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition unit and the point number information in the point number information storage unit, the total number of points being associated with the one or more selected benefits, has a predetermined relationship with the predetermined point; The device of claim 1 , further comprising a privilege management unit that enables use of the selected one or more privileges based on the user identification information when the determination unit determines that the specified relationship exists.

3. The device described in claim 2, wherein the selection screen output unit calculates a first sum of the number of points associated with the use of one or more of the benefits based on one or more of the benefits currently selected on the selection screen, and determines the selectable benefits according to a relationship between the first sum and the specified points.

4. the determination unit determines whether or not the predetermined relationship is a relationship in which the total is equal to or less than the predetermined point; The device described in claim 3, wherein the selection screen output unit determines the selectable benefits so that a second total obtained by adding the first total and the number of points associated with the use of the selectable benefit is less than or equal to the specified points.

5. a point allocating unit that associates a predetermined number of points according to a type of subscription contract with user identification information related to a contract user who has made a subscription contract for each predetermined period related to the subscription contract; a point number information storage unit configured to store, for each of a plurality of benefits that can be provided, point number information that indicates a number of points associated with the use of the benefit; a selection information acquiring unit that acquires selection information associated with the user identification information, the selection information representing one or more selected benefits from among the plurality of benefits; a notification unit that notifies the contracted user or the non-contracted user of one or more selectable combinations among the plurality of combinations of benefits, the total number of points being determined by the selection information and the point number information, and the total number of points associated with the one or more selected benefits not exceeding the predetermined number of points; The device is provided with a selection screen output unit that displays, on a selection screen for generating the selection information, the remaining benefits among the multiple benefits, and the one or more combinations of benefits that can be selected within a range in which the total number of points associated with the selected one or more benefits does not exceed the specified points.

6. a user information storage unit that stores user information relating to one of the contracted users and the non-contracted users; a candidate selection unit that selects one or more combination candidates from among combinations that can be selected within a range in which the total does not exceed the predetermined points based on the user information, The device according to claim 5 , wherein the notification unit notifies the one user of the combination candidates selected by the candidate selection unit.

7. The user information includes information that represents a preference of the one user or information from which the preference can be derived, The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the candidate selection unit selects the one or more combination candidates that match a preference of the one user.

8. The user information includes log information of the one user, The device according to claim 6 , wherein the candidate selection unit predicts or derives an operation that the one user may perform in the future or an operation that the one user should perform next based on log information of the one user, and selects the one or more combination candidates that match the predicted or derived operation.

9. The device described in any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an information update unit that updates the point number information in the point number information storage unit based on a new benefit that is added as one of the plurality of benefits, or a benefit among the plurality of benefits that becomes unavailable.

10. The plurality of benefits include a first benefit that becomes unavailable from a certain timing, and a second benefit that becomes available at the same timing and is related to the first benefit, a selection information storage unit that stores the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition unit; The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a selection information update unit that performs rewriting of the selection information in the selection information storage unit, the selection information having the first benefit as a selection target, to change the selection target from the first benefit to the second benefit.

11. The device described in claim 10, further comprising a notification unit that, when the selection information update unit rewrites the selection information, notifies a notification destination associated with the user identification information of information related to the rewrite based on the user identification information associated with the selection information on which the rewrite has been performed.

12. A charging unit is further provided for enabling a predetermined benefit to be used by charging a fee, The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the plurality of rewards includes a reward different from the predetermined reward.

13. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the plurality of offers include at least one of offers at a physical store, offers related to a specific service available at a specific site, and offers related to digital content.

14. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the plurality of benefits include one or more benefits set within each of a plurality of digital contents, or a plurality of benefits set within a particular piece of digital content.

15. a point allocating step of associating a predetermined number of points according to the type of subscription contract with user identification information relating to a contract user who has made a subscription contract for each predetermined period related to the subscription contract; a point number information storage step of storing, for each of a plurality of benefits that can be provided, point number information indicating the number of points associated with the use of the benefit; a selection information acquiring step of acquiring selection information associated with the user identification information, the selection information representing one or more selected benefits from among the plurality of benefits; a selection screen output step of displaying remaining benefits among the plurality of benefits on a selection screen for generating the selection information; A method executed by a computer, wherein the selection screen output step includes determining selectable benefits from the remaining benefits of the plurality of benefits based on one or more benefits currently selected on the selection screen, in accordance with the relationship between the specified points and the point number information stored in the point number information storage step, and changing the display on the selection screen to a state in which the selectable benefits can be selected by the contracted user in accordance with the determination.

16. a point allocation process for associating a predetermined number of points according to the type of subscription contract with user identification information related to a contract user who has made a subscription contract for each predetermined period related to the subscription contract; a point number information storage process for storing, for each of a plurality of benefits that can be provided, point number information indicating the number of points associated with the use of the benefit; a selection information acquisition process for acquiring selection information associated with the user identification information, the selection information representing one or more selected benefits from among the plurality of benefits; a selection screen output process for displaying remaining benefits among the plurality of benefits on a selection screen for generating the selection information; The selection screen output process includes a program that determines selectable benefits from the remaining benefits of the plurality of benefits based on one or more benefits currently selected on the selection screen, in accordance with the relationship between the specified points and the point number information stored in the point number information storage process, and changes the display on the selection screen to a state in which the contracted user can select the selectable benefits in accordance with the determination.

17. a point allocating step of associating a predetermined number of points according to the type of subscription contract with user identification information relating to a contract user who has made a subscription contract for each predetermined period related to the subscription contract; a point number information storage step of storing, for each of a plurality of benefits that can be provided, point number information indicating the number of points associated with the use of the benefit; a selection information acquiring step of acquiring selection information associated with the user identification information, the selection information representing one or more selected benefits from among the plurality of benefits; a notification step of notifying the contracted user or the non-contracted user of one or more selectable combinations among the combinations of the plurality of benefits, the total number of points being determined by the selection information and the point number information, and the total number of points associated with the one or more selected benefits not exceeding the predetermined number of points; A method executed by a computer, comprising: a selection screen output process for displaying, on a selection screen for generating the selection information, the remaining benefits among the plurality of benefits, the one or more combinations of benefits that can be selected within a range in which the total number of points associated with the selected one or more benefits does not exceed the specified points.

18. a point allocation process for associating a predetermined number of points according to the type of subscription contract with user identification information related to a contract user who has made a subscription contract for each predetermined period related to the subscription contract; a point number information storage process for storing, for each of a plurality of benefits that can be provided, point number information indicating the number of points associated with the use of the benefit; a selection information acquisition process for acquiring selection information associated with the user identification information, the selection information representing one or more selected benefits from among the plurality of benefits; a notification process for notifying the contracted user or the non-contracted user of one or more selectable combinations among the combinations of the plurality of benefits, the total number of points being determined by the selection information and the point number information, and the total number of points associated with the one or more selected benefits not exceeding the predetermined number of points; A program for causing a computer to execute a selection screen output process that displays, on a selection screen for generating the selection information, the remaining benefits among the multiple benefits, and one or more combinations of benefits that can be selected within a range in which the total number of points associated with the selected one or more benefits does not exceed the specified points.

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