Program, apparatus, and system

Abstract

Execute a lottery that is highly satisfactory to the user. 【Solution means】Function the computer as a lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining the character content assigned to the user among a plurality of character contents respectively associated with character elements, a registration unit that registers the character content assigned to the user determined by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user, and an acquisition unit that acquires the payment amount of the cost by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit. The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is assigned to the user according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, an apparatus, and a system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique that aims to make it easier for a player to select a game medium to be exchanged. Patent Document 2 describes a technique that aims to allow a player to participate in the process of generating a card. Patent Document 3 describes a lottery ticket system that aims to promote a product while reducing the burden on the campaign organizer. (Prior Art Documents) (Patent Documents) (Patent Document 1) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-188366 (Patent Document 2) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-131321 (Patent Document 3) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-070937

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, a program is provided. The program causes a computer to function as a lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining character content to be assigned to a user among a plurality of character contents each associated with a character element, a registration unit that registers the character content to be assigned to the user determined by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user, and an acquisition unit that acquires the amount of payment by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit. The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is assigned to the user according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes a lottery based on the changed probability.

[0004] In a second aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining character content to be assigned to a user among a plurality of character contents each associated with a character element, a registration unit that registers the character content determined by the lottery execution unit to be assigned to the user in association with the user's identification information, and an acquisition unit that acquires the amount of payment by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit. The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is assigned to the user according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability.

[0005] In a third aspect of the present invention, a system is provided. The system includes the above-described apparatus and a user terminal that can be used by the user. The apparatus executes a lottery in response to receiving an instruction from the user terminal that the user desires to execute a lottery.

[0006] Note that the above summary of the invention does not list all the features of the present invention. Also, sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0009] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of the system 5 in the first embodiment. The system 5 includes an apparatus 10 and a user terminal 20.

[0010] The apparatus 10 and the user terminal 20 can communicate with each other via a communication network 90. The communication network 90 may be a data transmission path. The communication network 90 may be a wired communication transmission path, a wireless communication transmission path, or a combination thereof. The communication network 90 may include the Internet, a dedicated line network, a wireless communication network, a telephone line network, various cable networks, or a combination thereof. The communication network 90 may include a P2P network such as an ad hoc network.

[0011] The communication method in the wireless communication network may be a mobile communication method or a wireless data communication method. Examples of the mobile communication method include 3G, LTE, 4G, and 5G. Examples of the wireless data communication method include wireless PAN, wireless LAN, wireless MAN, and wireless WAN. The communication method in the wireless communication network may be various short-range wireless communication methods.

[0012] The user terminal 20 is an electronic device used by the user 30. The user terminal 20 may be, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PDA (registered trademark), a tablet, a personal computer, a wearable computer, or the like.

[0013] The device 10 manages character content that can be assigned to the user 30. A plurality of character elements are associated with the character content.

[0014] In the present embodiment, the character element indicates a character of a virtual person, such as a virtual idol, for example, but is not limited thereto. The character element may indicate a character of an actual person, may indicate a character of an organism including an animal, may indicate a character of various devices such as a robot or a ship. In addition, the character element may indicate a character of various concepts such as emotions, nature, and countries. In the present embodiment, the character content is digital content. The character content is presented to the user 30 in the form of a virtual card including an image of a virtual idol.

[0015] The device 10 manages character content using a serial code. The serial code is an example of content identification information for identifying character content.

[0016] The user terminal 20 communicates with the device 10 in response to an instruction from the user 30 and requests the device 10 to assign character content to the user 30. The device 10 determines the character content to be assigned to the user 30 in response to the request from the user terminal 20. The device 10 registers the serial code of the character content determined as the character content to be assigned to the user 30 in association with the user identification information, which is the user identification information of the user 30.

[0017] The user terminal 20 receives character content identified by a serial code registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the device 10 from the device 10, and presents the character content to the user 30 by displaying the received character content.

[0018] The device 10 manages character content given to the user 30 on the condition that the user 30 pays a price, and promotional character content given to the user 30 without the user 30 paying a price. The character content given to the user 30 on the condition that the user 30 pays a price is an example of the first type of character content. The promotional character content given to the user 30 without the user 30 paying a price is an example of the second type of character content.

[0019] The methods for the user 30 to obtain the first type of character content include an individual designation method in which the user 30 designates specific character content given to the user 30, and a lottery method in which the device 10 determines the character content given to the user 30 by lottery from among a plurality of the first type of character content.

[0020] The serial code of the second type of character content is printed, for example, on the face of a promotional card, and is provided to a plurality of users by distributing the promotional card to an unspecified large number. The serial code of the second type of character content may be distributed to a plurality of users 30 through a website or the like. When the user 30 inputs the serial code of the second type of character content into the user terminal 20, the device 10 registers the serial code received from the user terminal 20 in association with the user identification information of the user 30.

[0021] The device 10 can cancel the association between the serial code of the first type of character content and the user identification information of the user 30 according to the instruction obtained from the user 30 through the user terminal 20. The serial code of the character content whose association with the user 30 has been canceled can be re-registered in association with the user identification information of another user 30 according to the instruction of the user 30. Thereby, for the character content registered by the user 30 by paying a cost, the user 30 can be allowed to freely cancel the registration.

[0022] On the other hand, the device 10 cannot cancel the association between the serial code of the second type of character content and the user identification information of the user 30. Thereby, the state in which the character content for promotion is registered in the user 30 can be maintained.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the device 10. The device 10 includes a processing unit 100, a storage unit 190, and a communication unit 192.

[0024] The device 10 is realized by a computer. The processing unit 100 is realized by an arithmetic processing device including a processor. The processing unit 100 executes various operations executed in the device 10 and is responsible for the control of the storage unit 190 and the communication unit 192. The processing unit 100 includes a lottery execution unit 110, a first registration unit 121, a cancellation unit 130, a presentation control unit 140, a determination unit 150, and a selection control unit 160.

[0025] The communication unit 192 is mainly responsible for communication with the user terminal 20 via the communication network 90. The storage unit 190 is realized by a volatile storage medium and a non-volatile storage medium. The storage unit 190 stores a program for causing the computer to function as the device 10 and stores data necessary for the operation of the processing unit 100.

[0026] The functions in the processing unit 100 will be described.

[0027] The first registration unit 121 registers a plurality of character contents in association with first user identification information that is the user identification information of the first user. The release unit 130 releases the association between at least one of the plurality of character contents registered in association with the first user identification information by the first registration unit 121 and the first user identification information. In the first embodiment, the first user is any one user 30, and the second user is another user 30.

[0028] The plurality of character contents includes character contents of a first type and character contents of a second type. The release unit 130 can release the association between the character contents of the first type and the first user identification information among the plurality of character contents registered in association with the first user identification information by the first registration unit 121, and cannot release the association between the character contents of the second type and the first user identification information.

[0029] The presentation control unit 140 performs control for presenting a plurality of character contents registered in association with the first user identification information by the first registration unit 121 to the first user. For example, when character contents of the first type are registered in association with the first user identification information by the first registration unit 121, the presentation control unit 140 performs control for presenting at least the character contents of the first type to the first user, and when the association between the first user identification information and the character contents of the first type is released by the release unit 130, does not perform control for presenting the character contents of the first type to the first user.

[0030] The first registration unit 121 can register the first type of character content whose association with the first user identification information has been released by the release unit 130, in association with the second user identification information which is the user identification information of the second user. After the first registration unit 121 registers the first type of character content in association with the first user identification information, it may be possible to register the first type of character content in association with the second user identification information, on the condition that the association between the first user identification information and the first type of character content has been released by the release unit 130.

[0031] The first registration unit 121 may register the first type of character content in association with the second user identification information, on the condition that the association between the first user identification information and the first type of character content has been released by the release unit 130 after the first registration unit 121 registers the first type of character content in association with the first user identification information, and that the second user has been notified that the first type of character content is to be registered.

[0032] The lottery execution unit 110 executes a lottery to determine the first type of character content as the character content to be assigned to the first user among a plurality of character contents. On the other hand, the lottery execution unit 110 does not determine the second type of character content as the character content to be assigned to the first user among the plurality of character contents.

[0033] The determination unit 150 determines whether a procedure for the first user to pay the cost for the lottery is being performed. The lottery execution unit 110 executes the lottery on the condition that the determination unit 150 determines that a procedure for the first user to pay the cost for the lottery is being performed. The first type of character content is the character content assigned to the first user on the condition that a procedure for the first user to pay the cost has been performed. On the other hand, the second type of character content is the character content assigned to the first user without the condition that a procedure for the first user to pay the cost has been performed.

[0034] When the first type of character content is determined as the character content assigned to the first user by the lottery execution unit 110, the first registration unit 121 registers the first type of character content determined as the character content assigned to the first user by the lottery execution unit 110 in association with the first user identification information without requiring the user operation of the first user.

[0035] The first type of character content is identified by the first content identification information. The second type of character content is identified by the second content identification information. The first registration unit 121 registers the first type of character content and the second type of character content in association with the first user identification information by registering the first content identification information and the second content identification information in association with the first user identification information. The release unit 130 can release the association between the first content identification information and the first user identification information, and cannot release the association between the second content identification information and the first user identification information.

[0036] After the first registration unit 121 registers the first content identification information in association with the first user identification information, it is possible to register the first content identification information in association with the second user identification information, which is the user identification information of the second user, on the condition that the association between the first user identification information and the first content identification information is released by the release unit 130. The first registration unit 121 can perform the process of registering the first content identification information in association with the user identification information of any user 30 multiple times on the condition that the first content identification information is not registered in association with the user identification information of any user 30. Even when the second content identification information is not registered in association with the user identification information of any user 30, it is possible to perform the process of registering the second content identification information in association with the user identification information of any user 30 only once. The release unit 130 can execute the process of releasing the association between the user identification information of any user 30 and the first content identification information multiple times.

[0037] When the first registration unit 121 registers the first type of character content and the second type of character content in association with the first user identification information, the presentation control unit 140 performs control to present the first type of character content and the second type of character content to the first user in a list format. Also, when the first registration unit 121 registers the first type of character content and the second type of character content in association with the first user identification information, the presentation control unit 140 performs control to present the first type of character content and the second type of character content separately.

[0038] The release unit 130 may be able to execute the process of releasing the association between the first user identification information and the first type of character content only during a predetermined first period. The first registration unit 121 may be able to execute the process of registering the first type of character content whose association with the first user identification information has been released by the release unit 121 in association with the second user identification information only during a predetermined second period.

[0039] The prompting control unit 140 may execute control for prompting the user 30 with a plurality of types related to the lottery mode of the character content. The selection control unit 160 may execute control for allowing the user 30 to select a specific type among the plurality of types. The lottery execution unit 110 may execute a lottery according to the specific type selected by the user 30. The plurality of types may include a type for awarding one character content to the user 30 and a type for awarding a plurality of character contents to the user 30. The prompting control unit 140 may execute control for allowing the user 30 to select the number of times to execute the lottery.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 includes a processing unit 200, a storage unit 290, a communication unit 292, a display unit 294, and an operation input unit 296.

[0041] The user terminal 20 is realized by a computer. The processing unit 200 is realized by an arithmetic processing device including a processor. The processing unit 200 executes various operations executed in the user terminal 20 and is responsible for controlling the storage unit 290, the communication unit 292, the display unit 294, and the operation input unit 296. The processing executed by the user terminal 20 described in the present embodiment is realized by the processing unit 200 mainly controlling each unit.

[0042] The communication unit 292 mainly undertakes communication with the device 10 via the communication network 90. The storage unit 290 is realized by a volatile storage medium and a volatile storage medium. The storage unit 290 stores a program for making the computer function as the user terminal 20 and stores data necessary for the operations of the processing unit 200.

[0043] The display unit 294 displays an image based on the image information generated by the processing unit 200. The display unit 294 may be configured to include a display device such as a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal, a cathode ray tube (CRT), or a head-mounted display.

[0044] The operation input unit 296 acquires operations on the user terminal 20 by the user 30. The operation input unit 296 outputs an operation signal based on the acquired operation to the processing unit 200. The operation input unit 296 is realized by, for example, a touch pad, buttons, a joystick, a trackball, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, or the like.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows an example of character content information stored in the apparatus 10. The character content information has content identification information, character element identification information, type information, and content data as data items, and associates these data items with each other. The character content information is stored in the storage unit 190.

[0046] The content identification information is identification information of the character content. The content identification information is the serial code described above.

[0047] The character element identification information is identification information of a character element associated with the character content. For example, the character element identification information is identification information of a virtual idle.

[0048] The type information indicates the type of the character content. The type information indicates whether the character content is a first type of character content or a second type of character content. In FIG. 4, the character content associated with "1" as the type information is a first type of character content. In FIG. 4, the character content associated with "2" as the type information is a second type of character content.

[0049] The content data indicates the image data of the character content. The content data may be the image data of the character content itself. When the image data of the character content itself is stored separately from the character content information, the content data may be any information for specifying the image data of the character content.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows an example of the character content registration information stored in the apparatus 10. The character content registration information has, as data items, user identification information, content identification information, registration date and time information, cancellation date and time information, and a transferred flag, and associates these data items with each other. The character content information is stored in the storage unit 190.

[0051] The user identification information is the user identification information of the user 30. The user identification information is assigned to each of the users 30 by the apparatus 10.

[0052] The content identification information is the identification information of the character content currently registered or previously registered for each user 30.

[0053] The registration date and time information indicates the date and time when the character content was registered for the user 30. The cancellation recording date and time information indicates the date and time when the registration of the character content for the user 30 was cancelled. That is, the cancellation recording date and time information indicates the date and time when the association between the user identification information of the user 30 and the identification information of the character content was cancelled. In FIG. 5, the character content associated with "-" as the cancellation recording date and time information indicates that the association between the user identification information of the user 30 and the identification information of the character content has not been cancelled, and the character content associated with other than "-" as the cancellation recording date and time information indicates that the association between the user identification information of the user 30 and the identification information of the character content has been cancelled.

[0054] The transferred flag indicates whether the association between the user identification information of user 30 and the identification information of the character content has been released and whether the character content has been re-registered to another user 30. In FIG. 5, the character content associated with "true" as the transferred flag is the character content for which the association between the user identification information of user 30 and the identification information of the character content has been released and which has been re-registered to another user 30. The character content associated with "false" as the transferred flag is the character content for which the association between the user identification information of user 30 and the identification information of the character content has been released and which has not been re-registered to another user 30.

[0055] Note that the content identification information is unique identification information. For character content of the same content (which may be referred to as the same character content), unique content identification information is assigned to each of them. Thereby, the same character content can be registered to the same user, and the same character content can be registered to a plurality of users. Here, whether it is the same character content may be determinable based on the content identification information. For example, the content identification information assigned to the same character content may be generated such that a specific partial character string in the character string indicating the content identification information matches.

[0056] FIG. 6 shows an example of the product information stored in the apparatus 10. The product information has a product ID, content identification information, unit price information, and selection control information as data items, and associates these data items with each other. The product information is stored in the storage unit 190.

[0057] The product ID is identification information of the product. The content identification information is a set of one or more content identification information that can be assigned to the user 30. In the case of a product that determines the character content assigned to the user 30 by a lottery method, the content identification information is a list of a plurality of content identification information.

[0058] The unit price information indicates the cost per character content that the user 30 should pay. The selection control information is information for performing control to allow the user 30 to select a product. The selection control information includes image information, description text information, and quantity information of the product presented to the user 30. The quantity information indicates the number that the user 30 can select as the number of times to execute the lottery.

[0059] FIG. 7 shows an example of the payment information stored in the device 10. The payment information has a product ID, user identification information, cost information, quantity information, payment method, procedure date and time, and granted content identification information as data items, and associates these data items with each other. The payment information is stored in the storage unit 190.

[0060] The product ID is identification information of the product to be the transaction target. The user identification information is the user identification information of the user 30 who has performed the procedure for paying the cost.

[0061] The cost information indicates the cost for the user 30 to acquire the character content. The cost information includes information indicating the cost when the character content given to the user 30 is determined by a lottery method. The cost information includes information indicating the cost when the character content given to the user 30 is determined by an individual designation method.

[0062] The quantity information indicates the quantity to be the transaction target. When the character content given to the user 30 is selected by a lottery method, the quantity information indicates the number of character contents selected by the lottery.

[0063] The payment method indicates the payment method of the cost by the user 30. Examples of the payment method of the cost can include credit card payment, electronic money payment, convenience store payment, bank transfer, and the like.

[0064] The procedure date and time indicates the date and time when user 30 performs the procedure for paying the consideration. For example, when the payment method is credit card payment, the procedure date and time may be the date and time when authorization for authorization in credit card settlement is obtained. When the payment method is electronic money payment or convenience store payment, the procedure date and time may be the date and time when a notification indicating that payment has been made is received from the settlement institution for each payment method. When the payment method is bank transfer, the procedure date and time may be the date and time when the deposit can be confirmed.

[0065] The assigned content identification information indicates the content identification information of the character content assigned to user 30 by a lottery method. The assigned content identification information is generated based on the lottery result by the lottery execution unit 110 and is set in the payment information.

[0066] FIG. 8 schematically shows an example of a character content list screen 800 displayed on the user terminal 20. The character content list screen 800 includes objects 810, 820, and 830 corresponding to the character content, respectively. It is assumed that the objects 810, 820, and 830 shown in FIG. 8 are objects corresponding to the first type of character content.

[0067] Note that the character content list screen 800 includes objects 892, 894, 896, and 898. The object 892 is an object for receiving an instruction from user 30 to display a my page screen for displaying user information and performing user settings. The object 894 is an object for receiving an instruction from user 30 to display a character content list screen. The object 896 is an object for receiving an instruction from user 30 to display a serial code input screen. The object 898 is an object for receiving an instruction from user 30 to display a shopping screen.

[0068] When the user terminal 20 detects that the user 30 has performed an operation of pressing the object 894, it sends a display request for the digital album to the device 10. The display request for the digital album includes the user identification information of the user 30. When the device 10 receives the display request for the digital album from the user terminal 20, it causes the user terminal 20 to display the character content list screen 800 shown in FIG. 8. Here, it is assumed that the content identification information of the character content corresponding to the object 810, the object 820, and the object 830 is registered in the character content registration information in association with the user identification information of the user 30.

[0069] When the device 10 receives a display request for the digital album from the user terminal 20 for the user 30, the presentation control unit 140 refers to the character content registration information and acquires the content identification information whose cancellation date and time information is "-" among the content identification information registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30. The presentation control unit 140 refers to the character content information, acquires the content data and the type information associated with the acquired content identification information, and based on the acquired content data, acquires the image data of the object 810, the object 820, and the object 830. The presentation control unit 140 transmits the acquired content identification information, image data, and type information to the user terminal 20 as a display response for the digital album. The user terminal 20 generates the character content list screen 800 based on the image data and the like included in the display response received from the device 10 and displays it on the display unit 294.

[0070] As described above, the presentation control unit 140 performs control for presenting a plurality of character contents registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the first registration unit 121 to the user 30. When a first type of character content is registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the first registration unit 121, the presentation control unit 140 performs control for presenting at least the first type of character content to the user 30. When the association between the user identification information of the user 30 and the first type of character content is released, the presentation control unit 140 does not perform control for presenting the first type of character content to the user 30.

[0071] FIG. 9 schematically shows an example of a serial code input screen 900 displayed on the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 displays the serial code input screen 900 when the user 30 performs an operation of pressing the object 896.

[0072] The serial code input screen 900 includes an object 910 for inputting a serial code. When a serial code is input to the object 910 and an operation of pressing the object 920 is performed, the user terminal 20 transmits a content registration request to the apparatus 10. The content registration request includes the input serial code and the user identification information of the user 30.

[0073] When the apparatus 10 receives the content registration request transmitted from the user terminal 20, the first registration unit 121 refers to the character content information, specifies content identification information that matches the serial code included in the received content registration request, and acquires content data associated with the specified content identification information. The first registration unit 121 registers the specified content identification information in the character content registration information in association with the user identification information of the user 30.

[0074] When the registration is completed, the presentation control unit 140 causes the user terminal 20 to display a character content list screen by performing the same processing as the processing described in relation to FIG. 8.

[0075] As a result, the user 30 can obtain promotional character content (corresponding to the second type of character content) by entering the serial code printed on the promotion card into the serial code input screen. In this way, the second type of character content is character content provided to the user 30 without the condition that the user 30 has completed the procedure for paying a price.

[0076] Note that the first registration unit 121 can register the content identification information of the second type of character content in association with the user identification information of a plurality of users 30. However, even if the content identification information of the second type of character content is not registered in association with the user identification information of any user 30, the process of registering the content identification information of the second type of character content in association with the user identification information of one user 30 is limited to once.

[0077] FIG. 10 schematically shows an example of a character content list screen 1000 displayed on the user terminal 20. The character content list screen 1000 includes an object 1010 in addition to the objects shown on the character content list screen 800. The object 1010 is an object corresponding to the second type of character content.

[0078] When displaying the character content list screen, the data transmitted from the device 10 to the user terminal 20 includes type information corresponding to each character content. The user terminal 20 displays the object 1010 corresponding to the second type of character content in a manner different from the objects 810, 820, and 830 corresponding to the first type of character content based on the type information. Thereby, it is possible to distinguish and present the character content purchased by the user 30 and the promotional character content.

[0079] In this way, when the presentation control unit 140 has the first type of character content and the second type of character content registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the first registration unit 121, the presentation control unit 140 performs control for presenting the first type of character content and the second type of character content to the first user in a list format. In this case, the presentation control unit 140 can present the first type of character content and the second type of character content separately.

[0080] Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14, a process for assigning character content to the user 30 by a lottery method will be described. The character content described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14 is assumed to be the first type of character content unless otherwise specified. As described above, the first type of character content is character content assigned to the first user on the condition that the user 30 has performed a procedure for paying a cost.

[0081] FIG. 11 schematically shows an example of a first shopping screen 1100 displayed on the user terminal 20. The shopping screen 1100 is displayed on the user terminal 20 in response to an operation in which the user 30 presses the object 898.

[0082] When the user 30 presses the object 898, the user terminal 20 transmits a display request for the shopping screen to the device 10. When the device 10 receives the display request for the shopping screen from the user terminal 20, the selection control unit 160 refers to the product information and acquires the product ID, content identification information, unit price information, and selection control information. The presentation control unit 140 transmits display response information including the information acquired by the selection control unit 220 to the user terminal 20.

[0083] The user terminal 20 generates the objects 1110 and 1120 based on the display response information received from the device 10, and causes them to be displayed on the display unit 294. Both the object 1110 and the object 1120 indicate products that determine character content assigned to the user 30 by a lottery method.

[0084] The object 1110 indicates a product that can lottery the character content assigned to the user 30 in units of one from among ten types of character content. The object 1120 indicates a product that lotteries the character content assigned to the user 30 in units of five from among twenty types of character content.

[0085] Note that the object 1110 and the object 1120 function as objects that present the user 30 with options for selecting a plurality of types regarding the lottery mode of the character content. By selecting the object 1110, the user 30 can select a first type of lottery mode that assigns one character content to the user 30. By selecting the object 1120, the user 30 can select a second type of lottery mode that assigns a plurality of character contents to the user 30.

[0086] FIG. 12 schematically shows an example of a second shopping screen 1200 displayed on the user terminal 20. The shopping screen 1200 in FIG. 12 is a screen displayed on the user terminal 20 in response to an operation in which the user 30 presses the object 1110 on the shopping screen 1100 in FIG. 11.

[0087] When the user terminal 20 detects that the user 30 performs an operation of pressing the object 1110, it sends a product detail information request to the device 10. The product detail information request includes a product ID. When the device 10 receives the product detail information request, the presentation control unit 140 refers to the product information to identify the content identification information and unit price information associated with the product ID included in the product detail information request, and refers to the character content information to identify the content data associated with the identified content identification information. The presentation control unit 140 transmits a product detail information response including thumbnail images of each character content generated from the identified content data to the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 displays a shopping screen 1200 based on the product detail information response received from the device 10.

[0088] The shopping screen 1200 includes an object 1210 that shows a thumbnail image of the character content to be the lottery target, an object 1220 for selecting the quantity of the character content to be drawn, and an object 1230 for the user 30 to add the product as a product to be purchased.

[0089] The object 1220 functions as an object that presents the user 30 with options for selecting a plurality of types regarding the lottery mode of the character content. When 1 is selected as the quantity in the object 1220, a first type of lottery mode for awarding one character content to the user 30 is selected. When a quantity of 2 or more is selected by the object 1220, a second type of lottery mode for awarding a plurality of character contents to the user 30 is selected.

[0090] When the user 30 selects a quantity with the object 1220, the object 1230 is activated, and the user 30 can operate the object 1230.

[0091] FIG. 13 schematically shows an example of a third shopping screen 1300 displayed on the user terminal 20. The shopping screen 1300 in FIG. 13 is a screen displayed on the user terminal 20 in response to an operation in which the user 30 presses the object 1230 on the shopping screen 1200 in FIG. 12.

[0092] The shopping screen 1300 includes an object 1310 indicating information on the product to be purchased by the user 30, an object 1320 for selecting a payment method, and an object 1330 for receiving a purchase instruction from the user 30.

[0093] When the user 30 performs an operation of pressing the object 1330 on the shopping screen 1300, the user terminal 20 transmits a purchase execution request indicating the product ID, quantity, and payment method to the device 10. When receiving the purchase request, the device 10 performs processing for the user 30 to pay the price. Specifically, the device 10 registers a new record in the payment information described in relation to FIG. 7 based on the received purchase request.

[0094] When the payment method is credit card payment, the device 10 performs authorization with the settlement institution, waits for the result of authorization approval, and registers a new record in the payment information. When the payment method is electronic money or convenience store payment, after the device 10 registers a new record in the payment information, when it receives a notification from the settlement institution that the payment has been made, it updates the procedure date and time of the payment information. When the payment method is bank transfer, after the device 10 registers a new record in the payment information, when it can confirm the deposit, it updates the procedure date and time of the payment information.

[0095] The determination unit 150 determines whether a procedure for the user 30 to pay the cost for the lottery is being performed. Specifically, when date and time information is set in the procedure date and time of the payment information, the determination unit 150 determines that a procedure for the user 30 to pay the cost for the lottery is being performed. The lottery execution unit 110 executes the lottery on the condition that the determination unit 150 determines that a procedure for the user 30 to pay the cost for the lottery is being performed.

[0096] In addition, when credit card payment is specified as the payment method and authorization approval is obtained, following the registration of a new record in the payment information, the lottery execution unit 110 executes the lottery. The lottery execution unit 110 refers to the product information to identify a plurality of character contents associated with the product ID, and determines, for each of the identified plurality of character contents, the probability (which may be referred to as the "selection probability") of being selected as the character content to be assigned to the user 30. In the present embodiment, the lottery execution unit 110 may determine the same selection probability for all character contents. The lottery execution unit 110 determines, based on the determined selection probability, the number of character contents specified by the quantity of the payment information from among the plurality of character contents specified by the product ID as the character contents to be assigned to the user 30.

[0097] The first registration unit 121 registers the content identification information of the character content determined as the character content to be assigned to the user 30 by the lottery execution unit 110 in the character content registration information in association with the user identification information of the user 30. In this way, when the first type of character content is determined as the character content to be assigned to the user 30 by the lottery execution unit, the first registration unit 121 registers, without requiring the user operation of the user 30, the character content determined as the character content to be assigned to the user 30 by the lottery execution unit 110 in association with the user identification information of the user 30.

[0098] FIG. 14 schematically shows an example of a lottery result screen 1400 displayed on the user terminal 20. As described above, when the payment method is credit card payment, when the user 30 presses the object 1330 in FIG. 13, authorization is performed in the apparatus 10, and when authorization approval is obtained, the lottery execution unit 110 executes a lottery.

[0099] When the lottery is executed, the presentation control unit 140 refers to the content identification information for attaching payment information, and specifies the content identification information of the character content to be given to the user 30 determined by the lottery execution unit 110. The presentation control unit 140 refers to the character content information, specifies the content data associated with the specified content identification information, and generates an image of the character content to be given to the user 30 determined by the lottery execution unit 110 based on the specified content data. The presentation control unit 140 transmits the generated image to the user terminal 20 as lottery result information.

[0100] When the user terminal 20 receives the lottery result information from the apparatus 10, it generates a lottery result screen 1400 based on the lottery result information and displays it on the display unit 294. The lottery result screen 1400 includes an object 1410 showing a list of character contents given to the user 30.

[0101] As described in relation to FIGS. 11 to 14, the lottery execution unit 110 can execute a lottery for determining, as the character content to be given to the user 30, the first type of character content among a plurality of character contents, and does not determine the second type of character content among the plurality of character contents as the character content to be given to the user 30.

[0102] A process for canceling the registration of the first type of character content will be described in relation to FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0103] FIG. 15 schematically shows an example of a character content screen 1500 displayed on the user terminal 20. The character content screen 1500 is a screen for displaying specific character content selected by the user 30.

[0104] For example, when the user terminal 20 is displaying the character content list screen 1000, if the user 30 performs an operation of selecting the object 830, the user terminal 20 generates a character content screen 1500 that mainly displays the character content corresponding to the object 830, and displays it on the display unit 294.

[0105] The character content screen 1500 includes an object 1510 indicating the character content selected by the user 30 and an object 1520 for receiving an instruction to cancel the registration of the character content. When the user 30 performs an operation of pressing the object 1520, the user terminal 20 displays a cancellation registration screen for canceling the registration of the character content selected by the user 30.

[0106] FIG. 16 schematically shows an example of a cancellation registration screen 1600 displayed on the user terminal 20. The cancellation registration screen 1600 includes an object 1610 indicating the content identification information of the character content selected by the user 30, an object 1620 for receiving an instruction to cancel the registration, and a 1630 indicating the content identification information of the character content for which the registration has been canceled.

[0107] When the user 30 performs an operation of pressing the object 1520 on the character content screen 1500 in FIG. 15, the user terminal 20 transmits a cancellation registration information request to the device 10. The cancellation registration information request includes the user identification information of the user 30. When receiving the cancellation registration information request, the device 10 refers to the character content registration information, identifies the content identification information of the character content that the user 30 has already canceled, and transmits a cancellation registration information response including the identified content identification information to the user terminal 20.

[0108] When the user terminal 20 receives the deregistration information response transmitted from the device 10, it generates a deregistration screen 1600 including the object 1630 based on the received deregistration information response and displays it on the display unit 294. Thereby, the user 30 can be presented with the identification information of the character content that the user 30 deregistered in the past.

[0109] When the user 30 performs an operation of pressing the object 1620, the user terminal 20 transmits a deregistration request including the content identification information of the character content to be deregistered and the user identification information of the user 30 to the device 10.

[0110] When the device 10 receives the deregistration request transmitted from the user terminal 20, the cancellation unit 130 updates the character content registration information based on the received deregistration request. Specifically, the cancellation unit 130 sets the cancellation date and time in the cancellation date and time information associated with the content identification information included in the deregistration request among the plurality of character contents registered in the character content registration information in association with the user identification information of the user 30, and sets the transferred flag associated with the content identification information to false. Thereby, the cancellation unit 130 cancels the association between the content identification information included in the deregistration request and the user identification information of the user 30.

[0111] In this way, the cancellation unit 130 can cancel the registration between the first type of character content and the user 30. Note that the cancellation unit 130 refers to the character content information, specifies the type information associated with the content identification information included in the deregistration request, and if the specified type information is "2", that is, if the character content specified by the content identification information included in the deregistration request is the second type of character content, the deregistration request is discarded.

[0112] FIG. 17 schematically shows an example of a character content screen 1700 displayed on the user terminal 20. The character content screen 1700 is a screen for displaying specific second-type character content selected by the user 30.

[0113] For example, when the user terminal 20 is displaying the character content list screen 1000, if the user 30 performs an operation of selecting the object 1010, the user terminal 20 generates a character content screen 1700 that mainly displays the second-type character content corresponding to the object 1010, and displays it on the display unit 294.

[0114] The character content screen 1700 includes an object 1710 indicating the second-type character content selected by the user 30 and an object 1720. Different from the object 1520 in FIG. 15, the object 1720 is an object for which the operation by the user 30 is invalidated. Even if the user 30 performs an operation of pressing the object 1720, the user terminal 20 does not transition to a cancellation screen for canceling the registration of the character content selected by the user 30.

[0115] As described above, the first registration unit 121 registers a plurality of character contents in association with the user identification information of the user 30. The cancellation unit 130 cancels the association between at least one of the plurality of character contents registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the first registration unit 121 and the first user identification information. The cancellation unit 130 can cancel the association between the character content of the first type and the first user identification information among the plurality of character contents registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the first registration unit 121, and cannot cancel the association between the character content of the second type and the user identification information of the user 30. Specifically, the cancellation unit 130 can cancel the association between the content identification information of the character content of the first type and the user identification information of the user 30, and cannot cancel the association between the content identification information of the character content of the second type and the user identification information of the user 30.

[0116] FIG. 18 schematically shows an example of the transfer screen 1800 displayed on the user terminal 20. The transfer screen 1800 is a screen for transferring the character content whose registration has been cancelled to another user 30. It is assumed that the character content described in relation to FIG. 18 is the character content of the first type.

[0117] The transfer screen 1800 is displayed through the my page that transitions by selecting the object 892. For example, when the user terminal 20 receives an instruction from the user 30 to display the transfer screen on the my page, the user terminal 20 transmits a transfer screen display request to the device 10. The transfer screen display request includes the user identification information of the user 30.

[0118] When the device 10 receives the transfer screen display request, the device 10 refers to the character content registration information, specifies the content identification information and the transferred flag of the character content whose date and time are set in the cancellation date and time information, and transmits a transfer screen display response including the specified content identification information and the transferred flag to the user terminal 20.

[0119] When the user terminal 20 receives the transfer screen display response, it displays the transfer screen 1800 on the display unit 294 based on the received transfer screen display response. The transfer screen 1800 includes an object 1810 showing a list of content identification information of the character content for which registration has been cancelled, and an object 1820 for receiving an instruction from the user 30 to transfer the character content to another user 30.

[0120] The user terminal 20 displays the object 1820 in the vicinity of the content identification information for which the transferred flag is false (specifically, "4444-ABCD" in FIG. 18), and does not display the object 1820 in the vicinity of the content identification information for which the transferred flag is true. As a result, the user terminal 20 can receive an instruction from the user 30 to transfer the character content only for the character content for which registration has been cancelled and which has not been transferred to another user 30.

[0121] When the user 30 performs an operation of pressing the object 1820, the user terminal 20 causes the user 30 to select another user 30 as the transfer destination. For example, the user 30 may be allowed to select another user 30 as the transfer destination from a list of other users 30 pre-registered as friends.

[0122] The device 10 acquires the user identification information of the other user 30 selected on the user terminal 20, and when accessing the device 10 through the user terminal 20 of the other user 30, notifies the content identification information to be transferred, thereby notifying the other user 30 that the character content to be transferred from the user 30 should be registered.

[0123] When the other user 30 inputs the content identification information notified through the device 10 through the serial code input screen 900 in FIG. 9, the first registration unit 121 can register the character content transferred from the user 30.

[0124] Note that the cancellation unit 130 can execute a process of canceling the association between the user identification information of any user 30 and the content identification information of the first type of character content a plurality of times. The first registration unit 121 can execute a process of registering the first type of character content to another user 30 a plurality of times on the condition that the content identification information of the first type of character content is not registered in association with the user identification information of any user 30. As a result, any user 30 can execute the registration and cancellation of the same character content a plurality of times.

[0125] As described above, the first registration unit 121 can register the first type of character content whose association with the user identification information of the user 30 has been canceled by the cancellation unit 130 in association with the user identification information of another user 30. Specifically, after registering the first type of character content in association with the user identification information of the user 30, the first registration unit 121 can register the first type of character content in association with the user identification information of another user 30 on the condition that the association between the user identification information of the user 30 and the first type of character content has been canceled by the cancellation unit 130. More specifically, after registering the first type of character content in association with the user identification information of the user 30, the first registration unit 121 registers the first type of character content in association with the user identification information of another user 30 on the condition that the association between the user identification information of the user 30 and the first type of character content has been canceled and that the fact that the first type of character content should be registered has been notified to another user 30.

[0126] Note that the content identification information to be transferred may be notified to other users 30 through the SNS application. For example, the user terminal 20 may cooperate with the SNS application installed on the user terminal 20 to select, through the SNS application, another user 30 who is the transferee of the character content from the list of other users 30 pre-registered in the SNS application. The user terminal 20 may notify other users 30 that they should register the character content transferred from the user 30 by sending a message including the content identification information to be transferred and the URI information for accessing to register the serial code through the SNS application.

[0127] In addition, the user terminal 20 may select another user 30 as the transferee by having the user 30 input the phone number and / or email address of another user 30 as the transferee. The user terminal 20 may notify other users 30 that they should register the character content transferred from the user 30 by sending a message including the content identification information to be transferred and the URI information to the other user 30 as the transferee by short message and / or email.

[0128] Note that the process of the release unit 130 releasing the association between the user identification information of the user 30 and the first type of character content may be executable only in a predetermined first period. The first period may be a predetermined campaign period in which the release is permitted. The process of the first registration unit 121 registering the first type of character content whose association with the user identification information of the user 30 has been released by the release unit 130 in association with the user identification information of other users 30 may be executable only in a predetermined second period. The second period may be a predetermined campaign period in which the release is permitted. The first period and the second period may be different non-overlapping periods.

[0129] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the apparatus 10. The flowchart of FIG. 19 starts when (i) the apparatus 10 is requested by the user terminal 20 to register character content using a serial code, (ii) when it is determined that after the apparatus 10 receives a purchase execution request, a payment procedure by the user 30 has been performed, or (iii) when an instruction regarding cancellation of registration of character content is received from the user terminal 20.

[0130] In step S2002, the apparatus 10 determines which of the processes of serial code registration, lottery, and cancellation of registration of character content to execute.

[0131] (i) When the apparatus 10 is requested by the user terminal 20 to register character content using a serial code, in step S2010, the first registration unit 121 registers the character content identified by the serial code in association with the user identification information of the user 30.

[0132] (ii) When it is determined that after the apparatus 10 receives a purchase execution request, a payment procedure by the user 30 has been performed, the lottery execution unit 110 determines to execute a lottery.

[0133] In step S2004, the lottery execution unit 110 determines the selection probability of character content. In the first embodiment, the lottery execution unit 110 uniformly sets the selection probability of each character content.

[0134] In step S2006, the lottery execution unit 110 conducts a lottery of character content with the lottery probability determined in step S2004. In step S2008, the first registration unit 121 registers the character content assigned to the user 30 in the character content registration information based on the execution result of the lottery in step S2006.

[0135] (iii) When an instruction regarding cancellation of registration of character content is received from the user terminal 20, in step 2012, the cancellation unit 130 cancels the registration of the character content associated with the user identification information of the user 30 by the first registration unit 121.

[0136] (Second Embodiment) Next, the system in the second embodiment will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions of the operations similar to those described in relation to the first embodiment are omitted. In the second embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the term "character element" refers to the first type of character element described above.

[0137] The system in the second embodiment includes a device 12 instead of the device 10 included in the system 5 in the first embodiment. When determining the character content assigned to the user 30 by a lottery method, the device 12 executes a lottery according to a specific character element previously selected by the user 30. For example, the device 12 increases the probability that the character content associated with a specific character element previously selected by the user 30 is selected in the lottery, and executes the lottery. Thereby, a lottery with a high degree of satisfaction for the user 30 can be executed.

[0138] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the device 12 in the second embodiment. The device 12 includes a processing unit 102, a storage unit 190, and a communication unit 192. The processing unit 102 is a component corresponding to the processing unit 100 of the device 10 in the first embodiment.

[0139] In addition to the components included in the processing unit 100 in the first embodiment, the processing unit 102 further includes a second registration unit 122. The functions in the processing unit 102 will be described.

[0140] The lottery execution unit 110 executes a lottery to determine the character content to be assigned to the user 30 among a plurality of character contents associated with each character element. The first registration unit 121 registers the character content assigned to the user 30 determined by the lottery execution unit 110 in association with the user identification information of the user 30.

[0141] The presentation control unit 140 executes control for presenting to the user 30 the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information or the character content registered in association with the identification information. The second registration unit 122 registers, in association with the identification information, the character element selected by the user 30 or the character element associated with the character content selected by the user 30 among the character elements or character contents presented to the user 30 by the presentation control unit 140. The lottery execution unit 110 executes a lottery according to the character element registered in association with the identification information by the second registration unit 122.

[0142] The second registration unit 122 may register, as a first type of character element, in association with the identification information, the character element selected by the user 30 or the character element associated with the character content selected by the user 30 among the character elements or character contents presented to the user 30 by the presentation control unit 140. The second registration unit 122 may register, as a second type of character element, in association with the identification information, the character element not selected by the user 30 or the character element associated with the character content not selected by the user 30 among the character elements or character contents presented to the user 30 by the presentation control unit 140. The lottery execution unit 110 may execute a lottery according to the first type of character element.

[0143] The lottery execution unit 110 may determine the probability that character content is given to the user 30 based on the first type of character element, and execute a lottery based on the determined probability.

[0144] When there is a character element registered in association with the identification information as the first type of character element by the second registration unit 122, the lottery execution unit 110 may determine a high probability that the character content associated with the first type of character element is given to the user 30.

[0145] The second registration unit 122 may limit the number of the first type of character elements registered in association with the identification information to a predetermined number or less.

[0146] The lottery execution unit 110 may vary the lottery mode depending on whether there is a character element registered in association with the identification information as the first type of character element by the second registration unit 122 and whether there is no character element registered in association with the identification information as the first type of character element by the second registration unit 122.

[0147] When there is a character element registered in association with the identification information as the first type of character element by the second registration unit 122, the lottery execution unit 110 may execute a lottery without relatively changing the probability that a plurality of character contents associated with the second type of character element are given to the user 30.

[0148] When there is no character element registered in association with the identification information as the first type of character element by the second registration unit 122, the lottery execution unit 110 may execute a lottery without relatively changing the probability that a plurality of character contents associated with the second type of character element are given to the user 30.

[0149] Each of the plurality of character elements may be assigned an attribute. The lottery execution unit 110 may execute a lottery according to the attribute assigned to the character element of the first type. Specifically, when there is a character element registered in association with the identification information as a character element of the first type by the second registration unit 122, the lottery execution unit 110 determines a high probability that the character content associated with the character element having the same attribute as the attribute assigned to the character element of the first type is assigned to the user 30, and based on the determined probability, may execute a lottery.

[0150] When there is a character element registered in association with the identification information as a character element of the first type by the second registration unit 122, the lottery execution unit 110 determines a low probability that the character content associated with the character element having an attribute different from the attribute assigned to the character element of the first type is assigned to the user 30, and based on the determined probability, may execute a lottery.

[0151] Based on an instruction from the user 30, the second registration unit 122 may re-register the character element registered in association with the identification information as a character element of the first type as a character element of the second type in association with the identification information.

[0152] When there is a character element registered in association with the identification information as a character element of the first type by the second registration unit 122, the presentation control unit 140 may execute control for presenting to the user 30 that a lottery is performed according to the character element of the first type.

[0153] The presentation control unit 140 may further execute control for presenting the character element of the first type and the character element of the second type to the user 30 separately.

[0154] The prompt control unit 140 may further execute control for presenting a plurality of types related to the lottery mode of character content to the user 30. The selection control unit 160 may execute control for allowing the user 30 to select a specific type among the plurality of types. The lottery execution unit 110 may execute a lottery according to the specific type selected by the user 30. The plurality of types may include a type for awarding one character content to the user 30 and a type for awarding a plurality of character contents to the user 30.

[0155] The selection control unit 160 may execute control for allowing the user 30 to select the number of times to execute the lottery. The lottery execution unit 110 may further execute the lottery according to the number of times selected by the user 30.

[0156] The determination unit 150 determines whether a procedure for the user 30 to pay the cost for the lottery is being performed. The lottery execution unit 110 may execute the lottery on the condition that the determination unit 150 determines that a procedure for the user 30 to pay the cost for the lottery is being performed.

[0157] FIG. 21 shows an example of the data structure of character element information stored in the device 12. The character element information has character element identification information, name information, and attribute information as data items, and associates these data items with each other. The character element information is stored in the storage unit 190.

[0158] The character element identification information is the identification information of the character element. The name information indicates the name associated with the character element. In the present embodiment, the name information is the name of a virtual idol.

[0159] Attribute information indicates the attributes assigned to character elements. In FIG. 21, as an example of attributes, "summer" and "winter" are shown. For example, if an idol named "Ako" and an idol named "Bimi" are set to like summer, and an idol named "Nana" is set to like winter, then "summer" is set in the attribute information of the idols named "Ako" and "Bimi", and "winter" is set in the attribute information of the idol named "Nana".

[0160] FIG. 22 shows an example of the data structure of the selected character element information stored in the device 12. The selected character element information has user identification information, character element identification information, and a selection flag as data items, and associates these data items with each other. The selected character element information is stored in the storage unit 190.

[0161] The user identification information is the user identification information of user 30. The character element identification information is the identification information of the character element.

[0162] The selection flag indicates whether user 30 has selected the character element as a first type of character element. A character element associated with the selection flag being true indicates that it has been selected as a first type of character element by user 30. A character element associated with the selection flag being false indicates that it has been selected as a second type of character element by user 30.

[0163] As an example, the first type of character element is the character element selected by user 30 as their favorite (so-called "ooshi") character element, and the second type of character element is the character element selected by user 30 as a character element that is not their favorite.

[0164] FIG. 23 schematically shows an example of a character element selection screen 2400 displayed on the user terminal 20. The character element selection screen 2400 is displayed via a my page that is transitioned by selecting the object 892. For example, when the user terminal 20 receives an instruction from the user 30 to select a character element of the zodiac sign on the my page, the user terminal 20 transmits a character element selection screen request to the device 12. The character element selection screen request includes the user identification information of the user 30.

[0165] When the device 12 receives the character element selection screen request, the presentation control unit 140 refers to the character content registration information and identifies the content identification information of the character content registered in association with the user identification information included in the character element selection screen request. The presentation control unit 140 further refers to the character content information and identifies the character element identification information of the character element associated with the identified content identification information. The presentation control unit 140 further refers to the character element information and acquires the name information associated with the identified character element identification information.

[0166] The presentation control unit 140 further acquires an image of the character element corresponding to the identified character element identification information. For example, the presentation control unit 140 refers to the character content information and acquires an image of each character element based on the content data associated with each character element identification information. The image of the character element may be an image of the character element extracted from the character content, or may be an image of the character content itself.

[0167] The presentation control unit 140 further refers to the selected character element information and acquires the character element identification information and the selection flag associated with the user identification information included in the character element selection screen request. The presentation control unit 140 transmits a character element selection screen response including the acquired character element identification information and name information, the image of each character element, and the character element identification information and the selection flag to the user terminal 20.

[0168] When the user terminal 20 receives a character element selection screen response, it displays the character element selection screen 2400 on the display unit 294 based on the received character element selection screen response. The character element selection screen 2400 includes an object 2410 indicating a list of character elements and an object 2420 for receiving an instruction from the user 30 to select a character element.

[0169] When the user 30 of the user terminal 20 performs an operation of pressing an image of a specific character element, the user terminal 20 highlights the selected character element. In the example of FIG. 23, the character element named "Ako" is in a selected state. The user 30 can select a plurality of character elements with a predetermined number as the upper limit. The predetermined number may be less than the total number of character elements.

[0170] When the user 30 of the user terminal 20 presses the object 2420 in a state where a specific character element is selected, the user terminal 20 transmits a character element selection request including the identification information of the selected character element and the user identification information of the user 30 to the device 12.

[0171] When the device 12 receives the character element selection request transmitted from the user terminal 20, the second registration unit 122 updates the selection flag of the selected character element information based on the received character element selection request.

[0172] In this way, the presentation control unit 140 executes control for presenting to the user 30 the character elements associated with the character content registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 or the character content registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30. The second registration unit 122 registers, in association with the user identification information of the user 30, the character elements selected by the user 30 among the character elements or character content presented to the user 30 by the presentation control unit 140 or the character elements associated with the character content selected by the user 30.

[0173] As described in relation to FIG. 23, the second registration unit 122 registers, as the first type of character elements, in association with the user identification information of the user 30, the character elements selected by the user 30 among the character elements or character content presented to the user 30 by the presentation control unit 140 or the character elements associated with the character content selected by the user. Further, the second registration unit 122 registers, as the second type of character elements, in association with the user identification information of the user 30, the character elements that were not selected by the user 30 among the character elements or character content presented to the user 30 by the presentation control unit 140 or the character elements associated with the character content not selected by the user 30.

[0174] FIG. 24 schematically shows an example of a character content list screen 2500 displayed on the user terminal 20. The character content list screen 2500 is a screen corresponding to the character content list screen 800 in FIG. 8. Specifically, the character content list screen 2500 is a character content list screen displayed in a state where the first type of character elements are selected by the user 30.

[0175] When the device 12 receives a display request for a digital album from the user terminal 20, the presentation control unit 140 refers to the selected character element information and identifies the character element identification information of the character element selected by the user 30 as the first type of character element. The presentation control unit 140 includes the identified character element identification information in the display response of the digital album and transmits it to the user terminal 20.

[0176] The user terminal 20 generates an object 2510 based on the character element information included in the received display response of the digital album and displays it on the display unit 294. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, an object 2510 indicating character content associated with a character element named "Ako" is displayed more prominently than other objects 820 and 830. In this way, the presentation control unit 140 executes control for presenting the first type of character element and the second type of character element to the user 30 separately. Thereby, the user 30 can easily recognize the character content of the character element of their zodiac sign.

[0177] FIG. 25 schematically shows an example of a second shopping screen 2600 displayed on the user terminal 20. The shopping screen 2600 includes an object 2610 in addition to the objects included in the shopping screen 1200 of FIG. 12.

[0178] The object 2610 is generated based on the product detailed information response transmitted from the device 12. When the device 12 receives a product detailed information request from the user terminal 20, the presentation control unit 140 refers to the character element information and the selected character element information and identifies the name information of the character element selected by the user 30 as the first type of character element. The presentation control unit 140 includes the identified name information in the product detailed information response and transmits it to the user terminal 20.

[0179] The user terminal 20 generates an object 2610 based on the name information included in the product detail information response. The object 2610 indicates that the selection probability of the character content related to the first type of character element is high. The object 2610 is an example of an object indicating that a lottery is to be conducted according to the first type of character element.

[0180] In this way, when there is a character element registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 as the first type of character element by the second registration unit 122, the presentation control unit 140 executes control for presenting to the user 30 that a lottery is to be conducted according to the first type of character element.

[0181] Subsequently, a specific example of the process related to the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit 110 in the second embodiment will be described.

[0182] (Selection probability when there is no first type of character element) When there is no character element registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 as the first type of character element by the second registration unit 122, the lottery is executed without relatively changing the probability that a plurality of character contents associated with the second type of character element are given to the user 30. That is, the lottery execution unit 110 selects the character elements given to the user 30 with the same selection probability as described in relation to FIG. 13 and the like. As an example, when determining the character content given to the user 30 from among 10 types of character contents, the lottery execution unit 110 sets the probability that each character content is determined as the character content given to the user 30 to 10 [%] for any character content. Here, the same selection probability set when there is no character element registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 as the first type of character element will be referred to as the "reference probability".

[0183] (Selection probability when there is a first type of character element) A case where there is a character element registered in the second registration unit 122 in association with the user identification information of the user 30 as a first-type character element will be described. In this case, the lottery execution unit 110 determines a high probability that the character content associated with the first-type character element will be given to the user 30. On the other hand, the lottery execution unit 110 executes the lottery without relatively changing the probability that a plurality of character contents associated with the second-type character element will be given to the user 30.

[0184] As an example, as shown in FIG. 25, a case of determining the character content to be given to the user 30 from among 10 types of character contents will be described. In the example of FIG. 25, there are 3 character contents associated with the character element named "Ako", 3 character contents associated with the character element named "Bimi", and 4 character contents associated with the character element named "Nana". In this case, the selection probability of the 3 character contents associated with the character element named "Ako" is set to K1 times the reference probability (where K1 is a value greater than 1), and the selection probabilities of the character contents associated with the other character elements are made relatively uniform. For example, K1 may be 1.5. For example, the selection probability of each of the 3 character contents associated with the character element named "Ako" is set to 15 [%], and the selection probability of each of the character contents associated with the other character elements is set to 55 / 7 [ %].

[0185] (Selection probability based on attributes) When a character element registered by the second registration unit 122 as a character element of the first type in association with the user identification information of the user 30 exists, the lottery execution unit 110 may perform a lottery according to the attribute. For example, when a character element registered by the second registration unit 122 as a character element of the first type in association with the user identification information of the user 30 exists, the lottery execution unit 110 determines a high probability that a character content associated with a character element to which the same attribute as the attribute assigned to the character element of the first type is assigned to the user 30. In addition, the lottery execution unit 110 determines a low probability that a character content associated with a character element to which an attribute different from the attribute assigned to the character element of the first type is assigned to the user 30, and performs a lottery based on the determined probability.

[0186] As an example, as shown in FIG. 25, a case will be described where character content to be assigned to user 30 is determined from 10 types of character content. The attribute information assigned to the character element named "Ako" and the character element named "Bumi" is "summer", and the attribute information assigned to the character element named "Cina" is "winter". Therefore, the selection probability of six character contents associated with "summer" is set to K2 times the reference probability (where K2 is a value greater than 1), and the selection probability of character contents associated with other character elements is set to be relatively uniform. For example, K2 may be 1.3. For example, the selection probability of each of six character contents associated with the character element named "Ako" or "Bumi" is set to 13[%], and the selection probability of each of character contents associated with other character elements is set to 22 / 4[%] (i.e., (100-13x6) / 4[%]).

[0187] (Selection probability based on both character elements and attributes of the first type) When there is a character element registered by the second registration unit 122 in association with the user identification information of the user 30 as a first-type character element, the lottery execution unit 110 may conduct a lottery according to the first-type character element and its attributes. For example, the selection probability of the character content of the character element named "Ako" is set to K1xK2 times the reference probability, and the selection probability of the character content of another character element (the character element of "Bimi") that only matches the character element and its attributes of "Ako" is set to K2 times the reference probability. For example, the selection probability of each of the three pieces of character content associated with the character element named "Ako" is set to 10xK1xK2 [%], the selection probability of each of the three pieces of character content associated with the character element named "Bimi" is set to 10xK2 [%], and the selection probability of each of the character content associated with the other four character elements is set to (100 - 10xK1xK2x3 - 10xK2x3) / 4 [%].

[0188] In this way, the lottery execution unit 110 determines the probability that character content is assigned to the user 30 based on the first-type character element, and conducts a lottery based on the determined probability. As described above, by increasing the selection probability of the character content associated with the first-type character element, the user 30 can obtain the character content associated with the character element of their true destiny with a higher probability.

[0189] Note that instead of increasing the selection probability associated with the first-type character element, a form of decreasing the selection probability associated with the first-type character element can also be adopted. In this case, the first-type character element selected by the user 30 does not necessarily have to be the character element of the user's true destiny.

[0190] In addition, the lottery execution unit 110 "executing a lottery according to the character elements registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the second registration unit 122" includes various concepts other than changing the selection probability of each character content. For example, "executing a lottery according to the character elements registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the second registration unit 122" may include different lottery modes depending on whether there are character elements registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 as the first type of character elements by the second registration unit 122 and whether there are no character elements registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 as the first type of character elements by the second registration unit 122. As an example, "executing a lottery according to the character elements registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the second registration unit 122" may include allowing the user 30 to participate in a time-limited lottery associated with the first type of character elements.

[0191] As described above, according to the second embodiment, a lottery can be executed according to specific character elements preselected by the user 30. Thereby, a lottery with high satisfaction for the user 30 can be executed.

[0192] (Third Embodiment) The system in the third embodiment will be described. In the description of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as those in the second embodiment, and the detailed description of the operations described in relation to the second embodiment is omitted. In the third embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the term "character element" refers to the first type of character element described above.

[0193] The system in the third embodiment includes device 13 instead of device 12 in the second embodiment. When determining the character content given to user 30 by a lottery method, device 13 changes the probability that the same character content as the character content already registered for user 30 is given to user 30 according to the cost paid by user 30. As an example, device 13 may lower the probability that the same character content as the character content already registered for user 30 is given to user 30 as the cost paid by user 30 increases. Thereby, a lottery with high satisfaction for user 30 can be performed.

[0194] Figure 26 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of device 13 in the third embodiment. Device 13 includes a processing unit 103, a storage unit 190, and a communication unit 192. The processing unit 103 is a component corresponding to the processing unit 102 of device 12 in the second embodiment.

[0195] In addition to the components included in the processing unit 100 in the first embodiment, the processing unit 103 further includes an acquisition unit 170. The functions of the processing unit 103 will be described.

[0196] The lottery execution unit 110 executes a lottery for determining the character content to be given to user 30 from among a plurality of character contents associated with respective character elements. The first registration unit 121 registers the character content given to user 30 determined by the lottery execution unit 110 in association with the user identification information of user 30. The acquisition unit 170 acquires the amount of payment by user 30 for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit 110. The lottery execution unit 110 changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 is given to user 30 according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit 170, and executes a lottery based on the changed probability.

[0197] The storage unit 190 stores information indicating the amount of payment by the user 30 for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit 110 in association with the identification information. The acquisition unit 170 may acquire the payment amount indicated by the information stored in association with the identification information by the storage unit 190 as the payment amount by the user 30 for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit 110.

[0198] The lottery execution unit 110 may reduce the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 is given to the user 30 according to the height of the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit 170.

[0199] The lottery execution unit 110 may reduce the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 is given to the user 30 as the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit 170 is higher.

[0200] Each of the plurality of character elements may be assigned an attribute. The lottery execution unit 110 may reduce the probability that the character content associated with the character element having the same attribute as the attribute assigned to the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 is given to the user 30 according to the height of the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit 170.

[0201] The lottery execution unit 110 may reduce the probability that the character content associated with the character element having the same attribute as the attribute assigned to the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 is given to the user 30 as the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit 170 is higher.

[0202] The first registration unit 121 may be able to register the same multiple character contents in association with identification information in duplicate. The lottery execution unit 110 may further reduce the probability that the same character content as the said character content is given to the user 30 according to the number of the same character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121.

[0203] Each of the plurality of character elements may be given an attribute. The first registration unit 121 may be able to register a plurality of character contents associated with the character elements given the same attribute in association with identification information. The lottery execution unit 110 may further reduce the probability that the character content associated with the character element given the same attribute as the said attribute among the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 is given to the user 30 according to the number of the character contents associated with the character elements given the same attribute.

[0204] The lottery execution unit 110 may execute a lottery so as not to give the user 30 the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121.

[0205] Each of the plurality of character elements may be given an attribute. The lottery execution unit 110 may execute a lottery so as not to give the user 30 the character content associated with the character element given the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121.

[0206] The presentation control unit 140 performs control for presenting the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 to the user 30. The first registration unit 121 may be able to register a plurality of the same character contents in duplicate in association with the identification information. The presentation control unit 140 may perform control for distinguishing and presenting, among the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121, the character contents registered in duplicate and the character contents not registered in duplicate.

[0207] The presentation control unit 140 may perform control for presenting the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 to the user 30. The first registration unit 121 may be able to register a plurality of the same character contents in duplicate in association with the identification information. The presentation control unit 140 may perform control for further presenting the number of the character contents registered in duplicate among the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121.

[0208] The presentation control unit 140 may perform control for presenting to the user 30 that the probability that the same character contents as the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 are given to the user 30 is changed according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit 170.

[0209] The presentation control unit 140 may perform control for presenting to the user 30 that the probability that the same character contents as the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 are given to the user 30 is changed according to the status of the plurality of character contents registered in the first registration unit 121 in association with the identification information.

[0210] The character content may include a first character content (character content of the first type) granted to the user 30 on the condition that the user 30 has completed the procedure for paying the price, and a second character content (character content of the second type) granted to the user 30 without the condition that the user 30 has completed the procedure for paying the price. The lottery execution unit 110 may change the probability that the same character content as the first character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 is granted to the user 30 according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit 170, and execute a lottery based on the changed probability.

[0211] The lottery execution unit 110 may execute a lottery without changing the probability that the same character content as the second character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 is granted to the user 30.

[0212] The payment method by the user 30 for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit 110 may include a first method and a second method. The lottery execution unit 110 may change the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 is granted to the user 30 according to the payment amount in the first method by the user 30, and execute a lottery based on the changed probability.

[0213] The lottery execution unit 110 may change the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 is granted to the user 30 according to the cumulative amount of the payment amount of the price by the user 30, and execute a lottery based on the changed probability.

[0214] The lottery execution unit 110 may change the probability that the user 30 is given the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 according to the cumulative amount of the payment amount within a predetermined period by the user 30, and execute a lottery based on the changed probability.

[0215] FIG. 27 schematically shows an example of a character content list screen 2800 displayed on the user terminal 20. The character content list screen 2800 shows a state where three character contents have been additionally registered for the user 30 as a result of the lottery described in connection with FIGS. 11 to 14, with four character contents registered for the user 30 as shown in the character content list screen 1000.

[0216] The character content list screen 2800 includes an object 2810, an object 2820, and an object 2830 in addition to the objects shown in the character content list screen 1000. The object 2810 and the object 2820 are two character contents newly registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the first registration unit 121 according to the lottery result shown in FIG. 14.

[0217] As shown in FIG. 14, the remaining one character content selected in the lottery is the same character content as the object 830 already registered for the user 30. In this case, the character content is displayed in a form that is displayed at the same position as shown in the character content list screen 2800.

[0218] Specifically, in the apparatus 13, when, with reference to the character content registration information, a plurality of content identification information indicating the same character content is registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30, the presentation control unit 140 includes, in the display response transmitted to the user terminal 20 in response to the display request of the digital album, information indicating the number of character contents registered in duplicate. Thereby, the user terminal 20 displays a character content list screen 2800 including the object 2830. Thereby, the user 30 can distinguish and recognize the character contents registered in duplicate and the character contents not registered in duplicate.

[0219] As described above, the presentation control unit 140 performs control for presenting, in a distinguishable manner, the character contents registered in duplicate and the character contents not registered in duplicate among the character contents registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the first registration unit 121. Specifically, the presentation control unit 14 performs control for further presenting the number of character contents registered in duplicate among the character contents registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the first registration unit 121.

[0220] FIG. 28 schematically shows an example of a second shopping screen 2900 displayed on the user terminal 20. The shopping screen 2900 includes an object 2910 in addition to the objects included in the shopping screen 2600 of FIG. 25.

[0221] The object 2910 is generated based on the product detail information response transmitted from the device 13. When the device 13 receives a product detail information request from the user terminal 20, the acquisition unit 170 refers to the payment information and acquires the cost information associated with the user identification information of the user 30. When the cumulative amount of the payment amount indicated by the cost information exceeds a predetermined amount, the presentation control unit 140 generates probability change information indicating that the selection probability of the same character content as the character content registered in association with the user 30 is changed, and includes the generated probability change information in the product detail information response and transmits it to the user terminal 20.

[0222] When the probability change information is included in the product detail information response, the user terminal 20 generates the object 2910. As a result, the user 30 can know that the probability of selecting the same character content as the character content already possessed is changed. Therefore, the willingness of the user 30 to purchase a product can be enhanced.

[0223] Note that the presentation control unit 140 may generate probability change information indicating that the selection probability is changed when the cumulative amount of the payment amount of the cost within a predetermined period by the user 30 exceeds a predetermined amount. The predetermined period may be a period from a timing a predetermined time before the present to the present.

[0224] Further, the presentation control unit 140 may generate probability change information indicating that the selection probability is to be changed according to the registration status of a plurality of character contents registered by the first registration unit 121 in association with the user identification information of the user 30. For example, when the number of the same character contents registered by the first registration unit 121 in association with the user identification information of the user 30 exceeds a predetermined number, probability change information indicating that the selection probability is to be changed may be generated. In this case, the presentation control unit 140 may generate probability change information indicating that the selection probability is to be changed regardless of the cumulative amount of the cost paid by the user 30, or even when the amount of the cost paid by the user 30 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

[0225] Note that the "amount of cost paid" by the user 30 may be the amount of cost paid in a predetermined first method. The first method may be, but is not limited to, credit card payment or electronic money payment, and the first method may be other payment methods.

[0226] A specific example of the process related to the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit 110 in the third embodiment will be described.

[0227] (Selection probability when the cumulative amount of the payment amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount) When the cumulative amount of the payment amount of the user 30 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the lottery is executed without changing the selection probability. That is, as described in relation to FIG. 13 and the like, the lottery execution unit 110 selects the character elements given to the user 30 with the same selection probability. As an example, when determining the character content given to the user 30 from among 10 types of character contents, the lottery execution unit 110 sets the probability that each character content is determined as the character content given to the user 30 to 10 [%] for any character content. Here, the selection probability when the cumulative amount of the payment amount of the user 30 is less than a predetermined amount is referred to as the "reference probability".

[0228] (Selection probability when the cumulative amount of the payment amount exceeds a predetermined amount) When the cumulative amount of payments made by user 30 exceeds a predetermined amount, the lottery execution unit 110 decreases the selection probability of the character content registered in association with the user identification information of user 30 from the reference probability.

[0229] As an example, as shown in FIG. 28, a case of determining the character content to be given to user 30 from among 10 types of character content will be described.

[0230] Here, as shown in FIG. 27, it is assumed that two pieces of the character content indicated by the object 830 have already been registered for user 30. As shown in FIG. 28, among the character content to be subject to the lottery, one piece of the character content indicated by the object 830 is included.

[0231] In this case, the lottery execution unit 110 decreases the selection probability of the character content indicated by the object 830 by a predetermined value. The lottery execution unit 110 sets it to L1 times the reference probability (where L1 is a value that is 0 or more and less than 1), and makes the selection probabilities of the character content associated with the other character elements relatively uniform. For example, L1 may be 0.5. For example, the selection probability of the character content indicated by the object 830 is set to 5 [%], and the selection probability of each of the character content associated with the other character elements is set to 95 / 9 [%].

[0232] Note that the lottery execution unit 110 may decrease the selection probability according to the height of the cumulative amount of payments made by user 30. For example, the higher the cumulative amount of payments made by user 30, the more the lottery execution unit 110 may decrease the selection probability.

[0233] Further, the lottery execution unit 110 may reduce the selection probability of the character content according to the number of the same character content registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30. For example, the lottery execution unit 110 may reduce the selection probability of the character content as the number of the same character content registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 increases. For example, as the number of the same character content registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 increases, L1 may be decreased.

[0234] (Selection probability based on attributes) When the cumulative amount of payments made by the user 30 exceeds a predetermined amount, the lottery execution unit 110 reduces the selection probability of the character content associated with the character element having the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30, below the reference probability.

[0235] As an example, as shown in FIG. 28, a case of determining the character content given to the user 30 from among 10 types of character content will be described.

[0236] Here, for the purpose of easy explanation, it is assumed that only the character content shown by the object 810 in FIG. 27 is registered for the user 30. As shown in FIG. 28, among the character content to be subject to the lottery, there are 6 pieces of character content associated with the character element having the attribute "summer" given to the character element (character element named "Ako") associated with the object 810 (character element named "Ako" or character element named "Bimi").

[0237] In this case, the lottery execution unit 110 reduces the selection probability of the six character contents by a preset value. The lottery execution unit 110 sets it to L2 times the reference probability (where L2 is a value greater than or equal to 0 and less than 1), and makes the selection probabilities of the character contents associated with other character elements relatively uniform. For example, L2 may be 0.8. For example, the selection probability of the six character contents is set to 8%, and the selection probability of each of the character contents associated with other character elements is set to 13%.

[0238] Note that the lottery execution unit 110 may further reduce the selection probability of the character contents associated with the character elements to which the same attribute is assigned and registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30, according to the number of the character contents associated with the character elements to which the same attribute is assigned. For example, the lottery execution unit 110 may reduce the selection probability of the character contents associated with the character elements to which the same attribute is assigned, the greater the number of the character contents associated with the character elements to which the same attribute is assigned and registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30. For example, the greater the number of the character contents associated with the character elements to which the same attribute is assigned and registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30, the smaller L2 may be made.

[0239] In addition, the lottery execution unit 110 may reduce the selection probability based on the attribute according to the height of the cumulative payment amount by the user 30. For example, the lottery execution unit 110 may reduce the selection probability based on the attribute, the greater the cumulative payment amount by the user 30.

[0240] Further, the lottery execution unit 110 may reduce the selection probability of the character content associated with the character element to which the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content is given, according to the number of the same character content registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30. For example, the lottery execution unit 110 may reduce the selection probability as the number of the same character content registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 increases.

[0241] (Selection Probability Based on Both Character Content and Attribute) When the cumulative amount of the payment made by the user 30 exceeds a predetermined amount, the lottery execution unit 110 may conduct a lottery according to both the character content registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 and the attribute given to the character element associated with the content.

[0242] For example, as described above, the lottery execution unit 110 sets the selection probability of the character content registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 to L1xL2 times the reference probability. Further, the lottery execution unit 110 sets the selection probability of the character content associated with the character element to which the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content is given, to L2 times the reference probability. Further, the lottery execution unit 110 makes the selection probabilities of other character content relatively uniform.

[0243] (Selection Probability Further Based on the First Type of Character Element) Note that the lottery execution unit 110 may further determine the selection probability based on the first type of character elements described in relation to the second embodiment. For example, for character content associated with the first type of character elements, the selection probability may be further multiplied by K1. Also, for character content to which the same attribute as the attribute given to the first type of character elements is given, the selection probability may be further multiplied by K2. Thereby, the selection probability can be determined in consideration of the first type of character elements selected by the user 30. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that only the character content of the character elements not desired by the user 30 is given to the user 30.

[0244] In the above, a specific example of the process related to the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit 110 has been described. As described above, the "cumulative payment amount" may be the cumulative amount of the payment of the cost within a predetermined period by the user 30. The predetermined period may be a period from a timing a predetermined time before the present to the present.

[0245] Also, as described above, the "payment amount of the cost" by the user 30 may be the payment amount of the cost in a predetermined first method. The first method may be credit card payment or electronic money payment, but is not limited thereto, and the first method may be other payment methods.

[0246] FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process executed by the apparatus 13. The flowchart of FIG. 29 starts when it is determined that the payment procedure by the user 30 has been performed after the apparatus 13 receives a purchase execution request.

[0247] In step S3002, the acquisition unit 170 refers to the payment information and acquires the cost paid by the user 30. In step S3004, the lottery execution unit 110 determines the selection probability of each object to be the lottery target according to the cost acquired in step S3002.

[0248] In step S3006, the lottery execution unit 110 executes a lottery based on the selection probability determined in step S3006. In step S3008, the first registration unit 121 registers the character content assigned to the user 30 based on the execution result of the lottery in step S3006 in the character content registration information.

[0249] As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to determine the probability that the same character content as the character content already registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 is assigned according to the cost paid by the user 30. Thereby, a lottery with a high degree of satisfaction for the user 30 can be performed.

[0250] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, the system in the fourth embodiment will be described. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the third embodiment, and the detailed description of the operations described in relation to the third embodiment is omitted. In the fourth embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the term "character element" refers to the first type of character element described above.

[0251] The differences between the functions of the device 13 in the fourth embodiment and the functions of the device 13 in the third embodiment will be schematically described.

[0252] As a first method, when the device 13 determines the character content to be assigned to the user 30 by a lottery method, when the same character content is continuously determined a predetermined number of times or more as the character content to be assigned to the user 30, when a new lottery is executed, the probability that the same character content is assigned to the user 30 is reduced.

[0253] Thereby, the possibility that the same character content is continuously assigned to the user 30 many times can be reduced, so that a lottery with a high degree of satisfaction for the user 30 can be performed.

[0254] As a second method, when the apparatus 13 determines the character content given to the user 30 by a lottery method, if the character content associated with the same character element as the character content given to the user 30 is continuously determined a predetermined number of times or more, when a new lottery is executed, the probability that the character content associated with the same character element is given to the user 30 is decreased.

[0255] Thereby, the possibility that the character content associated with the same character element is continuously given to the user 30 many times can be reduced, so that a lottery with high satisfaction can be performed for the user 30.

[0256] The operations of each part of the processing unit 103 of the apparatus 13 in the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0257] The lottery execution unit 110 executes a lottery for determining the character content given to the user 30 among a plurality of character contents respectively associated with character elements. The first registration unit 121 registers the character content given to the user 30 determined by the lottery execution unit 110 in association with the user identification information of the user 30. When the lottery execution unit 110 executes a new lottery in the case where (i) the same character content as the character content given to the user 30 is continuously determined a predetermined number of times or more, or (ii) the character content associated with the same character element as the character content given to the user 30 is continuously determined a predetermined number of times or more, (iii) the probability that the same character content is given to the user 30 is decreased, or (iv) the probability that the character content associated with the same character element is given to the user 30 is decreased.

[0258] When the lottery execution unit 110 determines the same character content as the character content to be given to the user 30 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, or (ii) when the lottery execution unit 110 determines the character content associated with the same character element as the character content to be given to the user 30 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, the probability may be decreased when a new lottery is executed from the next time onward.

[0259] The predetermined number of times may be two times.

[0260] When the lottery execution unit 110 determines the same character content as the character content to be given to the user 30 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, or (ii) when the lottery execution unit 110 determines the character content associated with the same character element as the character content to be given to the user 30 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, (iii) a new lottery may be executed so that the same character content is not given to the user 30, or (iv) the character content associated with the same character element is not given to the user 30.

[0261] Attributes may be given to each of the plurality of character elements. When the lottery execution unit 110 determines the character content associated with the character element with the same attribute as the character content to be given to the user 30 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, the probability that the character content associated with the character element with the same attribute is given to the user 30 may be decreased when a new lottery is executed. When the lottery execution unit 110 determines the character content associated with the character element with the same attribute as the character content to be given to the user 30 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, a new lottery may be executed so that the character content associated with the character element with the same attribute is not given to the user 30 when a new lottery is executed.

[0262] The selection control unit 160 executes control for allowing the user 30 to select a specific type among a plurality of types regarding the lottery mode of the character content. The plurality of types include a first type for giving one character content to the user 30 and a second type for giving a plurality of character contents to the user 30. The lottery execution unit 110 further executes a lottery according to the type selected by the user 30.

[0263] When the lottery execution unit 110 executes the lottery of the first type a plurality of times, when (i) the same character content exceeding a predetermined number is determined as the character content to be given to the user 30, or (ii) the character content exceeding a predetermined number associated with the same character element is determined as the character content to be given to the user 30, the lottery may be executed again for the same character content or the character content associated with the same character element.

[0264] When the lottery execution unit 110 executes the lottery of the first type a plurality of times, when (i) all the character contents determined as the character contents to be given to the user 30 are the same character content, or (ii) the same character element is associated with all the character contents determined as the character contents to be given to the user 30, the lottery may be executed again for all the character contents.

[0265] When the lottery execution unit 110 executes the lottery of the second type, when (i) the same character content exceeding a predetermined number is determined as the character content to be given to the user 30, or (ii) the character content exceeding a predetermined number associated with the same character element is determined as the character content to be given to the user 30, the lottery may be executed again for the same character content or the character content associated with the same character element.

[0266] When the lottery execution unit 110 further executes the second type of lottery, (i) when all the character contents determined as the character contents to be given to the user 30 are the same character content, or (ii) when the same character element is associated with all the character contents determined as the character contents to be given to the user 30, the lottery may be executed again for all such character contents.

[0267] The lottery execution unit 110 may further execute the lottery again for some of the character contents that meet a predetermined condition among the character contents determined as the character contents to be given to the user 30 by executing the lottery.

[0268] The lottery execution unit 110 may further execute the lottery again for the character content selected by the user 30 among the character contents determined as the character contents to be given to the user 30 by executing the lottery.

[0269] When executing the lottery again, the presentation control unit 140 may perform control to present to the user 30 that the lottery is to be executed again.

[0270] The presentation control unit 140 may execute control to present to the user 30 the character content determined as the character content to be given to the user 30 by the lottery performed by the lottery execution unit 110.

[0271] When the prompting control unit 140 determines the same character content as the character content assigned to the user 30 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, or (ii) when the character content associated with the same character element as the character content assigned to the user 30 is determined continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, the control unit 140 may execute control to prompt the user 30 that the same character content has been registered continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, or that the character content associated with the same character element has been registered continuously for a predetermined number of times or more.

[0272] The determination unit 150 determines whether a procedure for the user 30 to pay the cost for the lottery is being performed. The lottery execution unit 110 may execute the lottery on the condition that the determination unit 150 determines that a procedure for the user 30 to pay the cost for the lottery is being performed.

[0273] The character content may include a first character content assigned to the user 30 on the condition that a procedure for the user 30 to pay the cost is being performed, and a second character content assigned to the user 30 without the condition that a procedure for the user 30 to pay the cost is being performed. When the lottery execution unit 110 executes a new lottery in the case of (i) determining the same first character content as the character content assigned to the user 30 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, or (ii) determining the first character content associated with the same character element as the character content assigned to the user 30 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, (iii) the probability that the same first character content is assigned to the user 30 may be decreased, or (iv) the probability that the first character content associated with the same character element is assigned to the user 30 may be decreased.

[0274] FIG. 30 schematically shows an example of a situation where the lottery execution unit 110 changes the selection probability. FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the first method described above.

[0275] Figure 30 shows a situation where, when the lottery execution unit 110 executes the first lottery (Lottery 1) based on an arbitrary timing, the character content 3110 is determined as the character content given to the user 30, and when the subsequent second lottery (Lottery 2) is executed, the character content 3120 is determined as the character content given to the user 30. Here, the character content 3120 is the same character content as the character content 3110.

[0276] In this case, when the lottery execution unit 110 executes the subsequent third lottery (Lottery 3), the selection probability that the same character content as the character content 3110 is selected as the character content given to the user 30 is decreased. Thereby, the possibility that the same character content is continuously given to the user 30 many times can be reduced.

[0277] Note that when the lottery execution unit 110 further executes the subsequent fourth lottery (Lottery 4), the selection probability that the same character content as the character content 3110 is selected as the character content given to the user 30 may also be decreased. The number of times of decreasing the selection probability when the lottery execution unit 110 conducts a new lottery may be a predetermined number of times of 1 or more.

[0278] Also, when the same character content is continuously determined as the character content given to the user 30 for a predetermined number of times or more, the lottery execution unit 110 may determine the selection probability of the same character content based on the number of times that the same character content is continuously determined as the character content given to the user 30. For example, the lottery execution unit 110 may decrease the selection probability of the same character content as the number of times that the same character content is continuously determined as the character content given to the user 30 increases.

[0279] Also, when the same character content is determined continuously for a predetermined number of times or more as the character content given to the user 30, the lottery execution unit 110 may determine the selection probability of the same character content according to the character elements associated with the same character content. For example, when the character element associated with the same character content is the first type of character element described above, the lottery execution unit 110 may reduce the decrease amount of the selection probability of the same character content compared to the case where the character element associated with the same character content is the second type of character element described above. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the state where the specific character element selected by the user 30 is not given to the user 30 continues.

[0280] Also, when the same character content is determined continuously for a predetermined number of times or more as the character content given to the user 30, the lottery execution unit 110 may determine the selection probability of the same character content according to the amount of payment of the cost by the user 30. For example, the lottery execution unit 110 may reduce the selection probability of the same character content as the amount of payment of the cost by the user 30 increases.

[0281] FIG. 31 schematically shows an example of a lottery result screen 3200 displayed on the user terminal 20. The lottery result screen 3200 is an example of a lottery result screen when the character content 3120 is determined as the character content given to the user 30 in the lottery 2 of FIG. 30.

[0282] The lottery result screen 3200 includes an object 3210 showing a list of character contents determined as the character contents given to the same card user 30, and an object 3220.

[0283] The object 3220 is generated based on the control information transmitted from the device 13. Specifically, when the lottery execution unit 110 executes a lottery, the presentation control unit 140 refers to the content identification information for granting payment information and the registration date and time information of the registration information, and determines whether the same character content as the character content granted to the user 30 determined by the lottery execution unit 110 executing the lottery has been continuously granted to the user 30. When the presentation control unit 140 determines that the same character content as the character content granted to the user 30 determined by the lottery execution unit 110 executing the lottery has been continuously granted to the user 30, the presentation control unit 140 transmits, to the user terminal 20, control information indicating that the same character content has been continuously granted to the user 30, together with an image of the character content 3120 granted by the lottery execution unit 110 executing the lottery.

[0284] Accordingly, the user terminal 20 displays the object 3220 on the display unit 294 based on the control information received from the device 13. The object 3220 is an example of a message indicating that the same character content has been determined continuously for a predetermined number of times or more. Therefore, the user 30 can know in advance that the selection probability will be changed at the next lottery.

[0285] In this way, when the presentation control unit 140 determines the same character content as the character content granted to the user 30 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more, the presentation control unit 140 executes control for presenting to the user 30 that the same character content has been determined continuously for a predetermined number of times or more.

[0286] FIG. 32 schematically shows an example of a second shopping screen 3300 displayed on the user terminal 20. The shopping screen 3300 includes an object 3310 in addition to the objects included in the shopping screen 2600 of FIG. 25.

[0287] The object 3310 is generated based on the product detail information response transmitted from the device 13. When the device 13 receives a product detail information request from the user terminal 20, the presentation control unit 140 refers to the content identification information for attaching payment information and the registration date and time information of the registration information, and determines whether the same character content as the character content assigned to the user 30 determined by the lottery execution unit 110 executing the lottery is continuously assigned to the user 30. When the presentation control unit 140 determines that the same character content as the character content assigned to the user 30 determined by the lottery execution unit 110 executing the lottery is continuously assigned to the user 30, the presentation control unit 140 includes message information indicating that the same character content has been continuously assigned in the product detail information response and transmits it to the user terminal 20.

[0288] The user terminal 20 generates the object 3310 based on the message information included in the product detail information response. The object 3310 is another example of a message indicating that the same character content has been determined continuously for a predetermined number of times or more. Thereby, the user 30 can know in advance that the selection probability is changed.

[0289] FIG. 33 schematically shows an example of a lottery result screen 3400 displayed on the user terminal 20. Different from the example shown in FIG. 30, the lottery result screen 3400 is an example of a lottery result screen when the same character content as the character content 3120 is determined as the character content assigned to the user 30 in the lottery 3.

[0290] The lottery result screen 3400 includes an object 3410 showing a list of the character content determined as the character content assigned to the user 30 and an object 3420.

[0291] The object 3420 is generated based on the control information transmitted from the device 13. For example, when the lottery execution unit 110 executes a lottery, the presentation control unit 140 refers to the content identification information for granting payment information and the registration date and time information of the registration information, and identifies the character content granted to the user 30 by a plurality of predetermined lotteries executed most recently. When the same character content among the identified character contents exceeds a predetermined number, or when all the character contents are the same character content, the presentation control unit 140 transmits control information including a message indicating that the lottery can be executed again to the user terminal 20.

[0292] Thereby, the user terminal 20 displays the object 3420 on the display unit 294 based on the control information received from the device 13. The object 3420 is an example of an object indicating that the lottery is to be executed again.

[0293] In the above, the case where the lottery is executed in the first type of lottery mode for granting one character content to the user 30 has been taken up and explained. Next, the case where the lottery is executed in the second type of lottery mode for granting a plurality of character contents to the user 30 will be explained.

[0294] FIG. 34 schematically shows an example of a lottery result screen 3500 displayed on the user terminal 20. The lottery result screen 3500 shows a case where at least some of the plurality of character contents determined as the character contents to be granted to the user 30 are the same character content.

[0295] The lottery result screen 3500 includes an object 3510 showing a list of the character contents determined as the character contents to be granted to the user 30, and an object 3520.

[0296] The object 3520 is generated based on the control information transmitted from the device 13. For example, when the lottery execution unit 110 executes a lottery, the presentation control unit 140 refers to the content identification information for granting payment information and identifies the character content granted to the user 30. When the number of the same character content among the identified character content exceeds a predetermined number, or when all the character content is the same character content, the presentation control unit 140 transmits control information including a message indicating that the lottery can be executed again to the user terminal 20.

[0297] Accordingly, the user terminal 20 displays the object 3520 on the display unit 294 based on the control information received from the device 13. The object 3520 is an example of an object indicating that the lottery is to be executed again.

[0298] Note that on the lottery result screen 3500, the user 30 may be able to select the character content to be the subject of executing the lottery again. For example, among the objects 3530, 3540, and 3550 indicating the character content determined as the character content granted to the user 30 by the lottery, the character content indicated by the object on which the user 30 has performed a predetermined operation (for example, a long-press operation, etc.) may be the subject of executing the lottery again.

[0299] The user terminal 20 transmits the content identification information of the character content indicated by the object on which an operation predetermined by the user 30 has been performed to the apparatus 13. When the apparatus 13 receives the content identification information, the lottery execution unit 110 may cancel the assignment of the content identification information and re-execute the lottery for the character content selected by the user 30. In this way, among the character content determined as the character content to be assigned to the user 30 by executing the lottery, the lottery execution unit 110 can re-execute the lottery for the character content selected by the user 30. Note that the target for re-executing the lottery may be all character content.

[0300] As shown in FIG. 34, a situation where a plurality of character content to be assigned to the user 30 is determined by the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit 110 can occur at least when the quantity is set to 2 or more in the lottery result screen 3400 shown in FIG. 32.

[0301] FIG. 35 schematically shows an example of a situation where the lottery execution unit 110 changes the selection probability. FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the second method described above.

[0302] FIG. 35 shows a situation where when the lottery execution unit 110 executes the first lottery (lottery 1) based on an arbitrary timing, the character content 3610 is determined as the character content to be assigned to the user 30, and when the subsequent second lottery (lottery 2) is executed, the character content 3620 is determined as the character content to be assigned to the user 30. Here, the character content 3620 is character content associated with the same character element as the character element associated with the character content 3110.

[0303] In this case, when the lottery execution unit 110 executes the subsequent third lottery (Lottery 3), the selection probability that the character content associated with the same character element as the character element associated with the character content 3610 is selected as the character content given to the user 30 is reduced. Thereby, the possibility that the character content associated with the same character element is continuously given to the user 30 many times can be reduced.

[0304] Note that when the lottery execution unit 110 further executes the subsequent fourth lottery (Lottery 4), the selection probability that the character content associated with the same character element as the character element associated with the character content 3610 is selected as the character content given to the user 30 may also be reduced. The number of times the selection probability is reduced when the lottery execution unit 110 conducts a new lottery may be a predetermined number of times of 1 or more.

[0305] Note that even when the second method is applied, the same processing as the processing described in relation to FIGS. 31 to 34 can be executed.

[0306] FIG. 36 schematically shows an example of a situation where the lottery execution unit 110 changes the selection probability. FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the third method.

[0307] FIG. 36 shows a situation where when the lottery execution unit 110 executes the first lottery (Lottery 1) based on an arbitrary timing, the character content 3710 is determined as the character content given to the user 30, and when the subsequent second lottery (Lottery 2) is executed, the character content 3720 is determined as the character content given to the user 30. Here, the character content 3720 is the character content associated with the character element to which the same attribute (for example, "summer") as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content 3710 is given.

[0308] In this case, when the lottery execution unit 110 executes the subsequent third lottery (Lottery 3), the selection probability of selecting character content associated with a character element to which the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content 3710 is given as the character content given to the user 30 is decreased. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the character content associated with the character element to which the same attribute is given is continuously given to the user 30 many times.

[0309] Note that when the lottery execution unit 110 further executes the subsequent fourth lottery (Lottery 4), the selection probability of selecting character content associated with a character element to which the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content 3710 is given as the character content given to the user 30 may also be decreased. The number of times of decreasing the selection probability when the lottery execution unit 110 conducts a new lottery may be a predetermined number of times of 1 or more.

[0310] Also, even when applying the third method, it is possible to execute the same processing as the processing described in relation to FIGS. 31 to 34.

[0311] Note that the lottery execution unit 110 can determine the selection probability by combining two or more of the first method, the second method, and the third method. As an example, the lottery execution unit 110 may determine the reduction width of the selection probability in consideration of the first method and the second method, may determine the reduction width of the selection probability in consideration of the first method and the third method, may determine the reduction width of the selection probability in consideration of both the second method and the third method, and may determine the reduction width of the selection probability in consideration of the first method, the second method, and the third method.

[0312] FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the apparatus 13. The flowchart of FIG. 37 starts when it is determined that the payment procedure by the user 30 has been performed after the apparatus 13 has received a purchase execution request.

[0313] In step S3802, the lottery execution unit 110 determines whether to reduce the selection probability of character content. For example, as described in relation to FIGS. 30, 35, 36, etc., the lottery execution unit 110 determines whether to reduce the selection probability of character content according to at least one of the first method, the second method, and the third method.

[0314] In step S3802, if the lottery execution unit 110 determines to change the selection probability of character content, in step 3804, it reduces the selection probability of the character content to be the target of the reduction in selection probability, and proceeds to step S3806. In step S3802, if the lottery execution unit 110 determines not to change the selection probability of character content, it proceeds to step S3806 without executing step S3804.

[0315] In step S3806, the lottery execution unit 110 executes a lottery. In step S3808, the first registration unit 121 registers the character content assigned to the user 30 based on the execution result of the lottery in step S3806 in the character content registration information.

[0316] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the same character content is continuously given to the user 30 many times. Also, it is possible to reduce the possibility that character content associated with the same character element is continuously given to the user 30 many times. Thereby, a lottery with high satisfaction for the user 30 can be performed.

[0317] (Fifth Embodiment) Next, the system in the fifth embodiment will be described. In the description of the fifth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the fourth embodiment, and the detailed description of the operations described in relation to the fourth embodiment is omitted. In the fifth embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the term "character element" refers to the first type of character element described above.

[0318] Regarding the functions of the apparatus 13 in the fifth embodiment, differences from the functions of the apparatus 13 in the fourth embodiment will be outlined. Generally, the apparatus 13 in the fifth embodiment executes a process of reducing the selection probability described as the first method in the fourth embodiment when the same character content as the "character content registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the first registration unit 121" is determined continuously a predetermined number of times or more as the character content given to the user 30.

[0319] Thereby, the possibility that the same character content as the character content already registered for the user 30 is continuously given many times can be reduced. Therefore, a lottery with high satisfaction for the user 30 can be performed.

[0320] Also, generally, the apparatus 13 in the fifth embodiment executes a process of reducing the selection probability described as the second method in the fourth embodiment when the character content associated with the same character element as the "character element associated with the character content registered in association with the user identification information of the user 30 by the first registration unit 121" is determined continuously a predetermined number of times or more as the character content given to the user 30.

[0321] Thereby, the possibility that the character content associated with the same character element as the character element associated with the character content already registered for the user 30 is continuously given many times can be reduced. Therefore, a lottery with high satisfaction for the user 30 can be performed.

[0322] The operations of each part of the processing unit 103 of the apparatus 13 in the fifth embodiment will be described.

[0323] The lottery execution unit 110 performs a lottery to determine the character content to be assigned to the user 30 from among a plurality of character contents associated with each character element. The first registration unit 121 registers the character content determined by the lottery execution unit 110 to be assigned to the user 30 in association with the user identification information of the user 30. When the lottery execution unit 110 (i) determines the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more as the character content to be assigned to the user 30, or (ii) determines the character content associated with the same character element as the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more as the character content to be assigned to the user 30, when performing a new lottery in the future, (iii) it reduces the probability that the same character content is assigned to the user 30, or (iv) it reduces the probability that the character content associated with the same character element is assigned to the user 30.

[0324] When the lottery execution unit 110 (i) determines the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more as the character content to be assigned to the user 30, or (ii) determines the character content associated with the same character element as the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more as the character content to be assigned to the user 30, when performing a new lottery after the next time, the probability may be reduced.

[0325] The predetermined number of times may be 2 times.

[0326] When the lottery execution unit 110 determines the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 for a predetermined number of times or more in succession as the character content to be given to the user 30, or (ii) when the lottery execution unit 110 determines the character content associated with the same character element as the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 for a predetermined number of times or more in succession as the character content to be given to the user 30, (iii) when the same character content is not given to the user 30, or (iv) when the character content associated with the same character element is not given to the user 30, a new lottery may be executed.

[0327] Each of the plurality of character elements may be given an attribute. When the lottery execution unit 110 determines the character content associated with the character element given the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 for a predetermined number of times or more in succession as the character content to be given to the user 30, when executing a new lottery, the probability that the character content associated with the character element given the same attribute is given to the user 30 may be decreased.

[0328] When the lottery execution unit 110 determines the character content associated with the character element given the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 for a predetermined number of times or more in succession as the character content to be given to the user 30, when executing a new lottery, a new lottery may be executed so that the character content associated with the character element given the same attribute is not given to the user 30.

[0329] The selection control unit 160 executes control for causing the user 30 to select a specific type among a plurality of types related to the lottery mode of character content. The plurality of types include a first type for providing one piece of character content to the user 30 and a second type for providing a plurality of pieces of character content to the user 30. The lottery execution unit 110 may further execute a lottery according to the type selected by the user 30.

[0330] When the lottery execution unit 110 further executes the lottery of the first type a plurality of times, (i) when the number of character contents determined as the character contents to be provided to the user 30 exceeds a predetermined number of the same character contents as the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121, or (ii) when the number of character contents determined as the character contents to be provided to the user 30 exceeds a predetermined number of character contents associated with the same character elements as the character elements associated with the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121, the lottery may be executed again for the same character contents or the character contents associated with the same character elements.

[0331] When the lottery execution unit 110 further executes the lottery of the first type a plurality of times, (i) when all the character contents determined as the character contents to be provided to the user 30 are the same character contents as the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121, or (ii) when the same character elements as the character elements associated with the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 are associated with all the character contents determined as the character contents to be provided to the user 30, the lottery may be executed again for all the character contents.

[0332] When the lottery execution unit 110 further executes a second type of lottery, (i) when the number of character contents determined as the character contents to be given to the user 30 exceeds a predetermined number of the same character contents as the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121, or (ii) when the number of character contents determined as the character contents to be given to the user 30 exceeds a predetermined number of character contents associated with the same character elements as the character elements associated with the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121, the lottery may be executed again for the same character contents or the character contents associated with the same character elements.

[0333] When the lottery execution unit 110 further executes a second type of lottery, (i) when all the character contents determined as the character contents to be given to the user 30 are the same character contents as the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121, or (ii) when all the character contents determined as the character contents to be given to the user 30 are associated with the same character elements as the character elements associated with the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121, the lottery may be executed again for all the character contents.

[0334] The lottery execution unit 110 may further execute the lottery again for some of the character contents determined as the character contents to be given to the user 30 by executing the lottery, which satisfy a predetermined condition.

[0335] The lottery execution unit 110 may further execute the lottery again for the character contents selected by the user 30 among the character contents determined as the character contents to be given to the user 30 by executing the lottery.

[0336] When re - executing the lottery, the prompting control unit 140 may perform control to prompt the user 30 that the lottery is to be re - executed.

[0337] The prompting control unit 140 may execute control to present to the user 30 the character content determined as the character content to be assigned to the user 30 by the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit 110.

[0338] When the prompting control unit 140 determines the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 for a predetermined number of times or more continuously as the character content to be assigned to the user 30, or (ii) when the prompting control unit 140 determines the character content associated with the same character element as the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 for a predetermined number of times or more continuously as the character content to be assigned to the user 30, the prompting control unit 140 may execute control to prompt the user 30 that the same character content has been registered for a predetermined number of times or more continuously, or that the character content associated with the same character element has been registered for a predetermined number of times or more continuously.

[0339] The determination unit 150 may determine whether a procedure for the user 30 to pay the cost for the lottery is being performed. The lottery execution unit 110 may execute the lottery on the condition that the determination unit 150 determines that a procedure for the user 30 to pay the cost for the lottery is being performed.

[0340] The character content may include a first character content granted to the user 30 on condition that the user 30 has performed a payment procedure, and a second character content granted to the user 30 without the condition that the user 30 has performed a payment procedure. When the lottery execution unit 110 determines (i) the same first character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more as the character content to be granted to the user 30, or (ii) the same first character content associated with the same character element as the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the first registration unit 121 continuously for a predetermined number of times or more as the character content to be granted to the user 30, when a new lottery is executed, (iii) the probability that the same first character content is granted to the user 30 may be decreased, or (iv) the probability that the first character content associated with the same character element is granted to the user 30 may be decreased.

[0341] FIG. 38 schematically shows an example of a situation where the lottery execution unit 110 changes the selection probability. FIG. 38 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the process related to the first method described above.

[0342] In FIG. 38, "Lottery 0" indicates a lottery executed by the lottery execution unit 110 before executing (Lottery 1) shown in FIG. 30. The character content 3900 determined as the character content to be granted to the user 30 by the lottery execution unit 110 executing Lottery 0 is registered by the first registration unit 121 in association with the user identification information of the user 30.

[0343] When the lottery execution unit 110 executes lottery 1, character content 3110 is determined as the character content given to the user 30. When the subsequent lottery 2 is executed, the situation where character content 3120 is determined as the character content given to the user 30 is shown. Here, the character content 3120 is the same character content as the character content 3110 and is also the same character content as the character content 3900.

[0344] In this case, when the lottery execution unit 110 executes the subsequent lottery 3, the selection probability that the same character content as the character content 3110 is selected as the character content given to the user 30 is reduced. Thereby, the possibility that the same character content is continuously given to the user 30 many times can be reduced.

[0345] Note that when the lottery execution unit 110 further executes the subsequent lottery 4, the selection probability that the same character content as the character content 3110 is selected as the character content given to the user 30 may also be reduced. The number of times the selection probability is reduced when the lottery execution unit 110 conducts a new lottery may be a predetermined number of times of 1 or more.

[0346] FIG. 39 schematically shows an example of the situation where the lottery execution unit 110 changes the selection probability. FIG. 39 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the process related to the second method described above.

[0347] In FIG. 39, "lottery 0" indicates the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit 110 before executing lottery 1 shown in FIG. 35. The character content 4000 determined as the character content given to the user 30 when the lottery execution unit 110 executes lottery 0 is registered by the first registration unit 121 in association with the user identification information of the user 30.

[0348] When the lottery execution unit 110 executes Lottery 1, character content 3610 is determined as the character content to be assigned to the user 30. When subsequent Lottery 2 is executed, the situation where character content 3620 is determined as the character content to be assigned to the user 30 is shown. Here, the character content 3620 is character content associated with the same character elements as those associated with the character content 3110, and is also character content associated with the same character elements as those associated with the character content 4000.

[0349] In this case, when the lottery execution unit 110 executes subsequent Lottery 3, the selection probability that character content associated with the same character elements as those associated with the character content 3610 is selected as the character content to be assigned to the user 30 is decreased. Thereby, the possibility that character content associated with the same character elements is continuously assigned to the user 30 multiple times can be reduced.

[0350] Note that when the lottery execution unit 110 executes subsequent Lottery 4 as well, the selection probability that character content associated with the same character elements as those associated with the character content 3610 is selected as the character content to be assigned to the user 30 may be decreased. The number of times the selection probability is decreased when the lottery execution unit 110 conducts a new lottery may be a predetermined number of times of 1 or more.

[0351] FIG. 40 schematically shows an example of the situation where the lottery execution unit 110 changes the selection probability. FIG. 40 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the processing related to the third method.

[0352] In FIG. 40, “Lottery 0” indicates the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit 110 before executing the lottery 1 shown in FIG. 36. The character content 4100 determined as the character content to be assigned to the user 30 when the lottery execution unit 110 executes Lottery 0 is registered by the first registration unit 121 in association with the user identification information of the user 30.

[0353] When the lottery execution unit 110 executes Lottery 1, the character content 3710 is determined as the character content to be assigned to the user 30. When the subsequent Lottery 2 is executed, the situation where the character content 3720 is determined as the character content to be assigned to the user 30 is shown. Here, the character content 3720 is the character content associated with the character element to which the same attribute (for example, “summer”) as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content 3710 is given, and is also the character content associated with the character element to which the same attribute (for example, “summer”) as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content 4100 is given.

[0354] In this case, when the lottery execution unit 110 executes the subsequent Lottery 3, the selection probability of selecting the character content associated with the character element to which the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content 3710 is given is decreased. Thereby, the possibility that the character content associated with the character element to which the same attribute is given is continuously assigned to the user 30 many times can be reduced.

[0355] In addition, even when the lottery execution unit 110 executes the subsequent lottery 4, the selection probability of selecting character content associated with a character element having the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content 3710 as the character content given to the user 30 may be decreased. The number of times of decreasing the selection probability when the lottery execution unit 110 conducts a new lottery may be a predetermined number of times of 1 or more.

[0356] In addition, in the fifth embodiment as well, the lottery execution unit 110 can determine the selection probability by combining two or more of the first method, the second method, and the third method. As an example, the lottery execution unit 110 may determine the reduction width of the selection probability in consideration of the first method and the second method, may determine the reduction width of the selection probability in consideration of the first method and the third method, may determine the reduction width of the selection probability in consideration of both the second method and the third method, and may determine the reduction width of the selection probability in consideration of the first method, the second method, and the third method.

[0357] Also, as the processing executed by the apparatus 13 and the user terminal 20 in the fifth embodiment, the same processing as the processing described with reference to FIGS. 31 to 34 of the fourth embodiment can be executed.

[0358] As the processing executed by the apparatus 13 in the fifth embodiment, the same processing as the flowchart shown in FIG. 37 can be applied. For example, in S3802, the processing of determining whether to decrease the selection probability may be the processing described in relation to FIGS. 38 to 40 and the like. Therefore, the description of the flowchart executed by the apparatus 13 in the fifth embodiment is omitted.

[0359] As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the same character content is continuously given to the user 30 many times. In addition, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the character content associated with the same character element is continuously given to the user 30 many times. Thereby, a lottery with high satisfaction for the user 30 can be conducted.

[0360] FIG. 41 shows an example of a computer 2000 in which multiple embodiments of the present invention can be embodied, in whole or in part. A program installed in the computer 2000 causes the computer 2000 to function as the system 5 according to the embodiment or each part of the system, the user terminal 20 or each part of the user terminal, or a device such as the devices 10, 12, and 13 or each part of the device, executes operations associated with the system or each part of the system or the device or each part of the device, and / or executes a process according to the embodiment or a stage of the process. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 2012 to cause the computer 2000 to execute specific operations associated with some or all of the processing procedures and blocks of the block diagrams described herein.

[0361] The computer 2000 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 2012 and a RAM 2014, which are interconnected by a host controller 2010. The computer 2000 also includes a ROM 2026, a flash memory 2024, a communication interface 2022, and an input / output chip 2040. The ROM 2026, the flash memory 2024, the communication interface 2022, and the input / output chip 2040 are connected to the host controller 2010 via an input / output controller 2020.

[0362] The CPU 2012 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2026 and the RAM 2014, thereby controlling each unit.

[0363] The communication interface 2022 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The flash memory 2024 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2012 in the computer 2000. The ROM 2026 stores a boot program and the like executed by the computer 2000 at activation, and / or a program dependent on the hardware of the computer 2000. The input / output chip 2040 may also connect various input / output units such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a monitor to the input / output controller 2020 via input / output ports such as a serial port, a parallel port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, a monitor port, a USB port, and an HDMI (registered trademark) port.

[0364] The program is provided via a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a memory card or via a network. The RAM 2014, the ROM 2026, or the flash memory 2024 is an example of a computer-readable storage medium. The program is installed in the flash memory 2024, the RAM 2014, or the ROM 2026 and executed by the CPU 2012. The information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 2000, resulting in cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. The device or method may be configured by realizing the operation or processing of information according to the use of the computer 2000.

[0365] For example, when communication is executed between the computer 2000 and an external device, the CPU 2012 may execute a communication program loaded into the RAM 2014 and instruct the communication interface 2022 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. The communication interface 2022 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as the RAM 2014 and the flash memory 2024 under the control of the CPU 2012, transmits the read transmission data to the network, and writes the received data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area provided on the recording medium and the like.

[0366] Further, the CPU 2012 may cause all or a necessary part of a file or database stored in a recording medium such as the flash memory 2024 to be read into the RAM 2014, and execute various types of processing on the data on the RAM 2014. The CPU 2012 then writes back the processed data to the recording medium.

[0367] Various types of information such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases may be stored in the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 2012 may execute various types of processing on the data read from the RAM 2014, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branch, unconditional branch, information search / replacement, etc. described in this specification and specified by the instruction sequence of the program, and write back the result to the RAM 2014. Further, the CPU 2012 may search for information in files, databases, etc. in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 2012 searches for an entry that matches the condition in which the attribute value of the first attribute is specified from among the plurality of entries, reads the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby obtains the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0368] The programs or software modules described above may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium on or near the computer 2000. A recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as the computer-readable storage medium. The program stored in the computer-readable storage medium may be provided to the computer 2000 via a network.

[0369] A program installed in computer 2000 that causes computer 2000 to function as device 10, device 12, or device 13, when executed by the computer, may act on CPU 2012 or the like to cause computer 2000 to function as each part of device 10, device 12, or device 13. The information processing described in these programs, when read into computer 2000, functions as each part of device 10, device 12, or device 13, which is a specific means in which software and the various hardware resources described above cooperate. Then, by these specific means, by realizing the calculation or processing of information according to the purpose of use of computer 2000 in the present embodiment, a specific device 10, device 12, or device 13 corresponding to the purpose of use is constructed.

[0370] Various embodiments have been described with reference to block diagrams and the like. In a block diagram, each block may represent (1) a stage of a process in which an operation is executed or (2) each part of a device having a role of executing an operation. The specific stages and each part may be implemented by a dedicated circuit, a programmable circuit supplied together with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and / or a processor supplied together with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The dedicated circuit may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include an integrated circuit (IC) and / or discrete circuits. The programmable circuit may include a reconfigurable hardware circuit including memory elements such as logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic array (PLA), etc.

[0371] A computer-readable storage medium may include any tangible device that can store instructions executable by a suitable device. As a result, a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein constitutes at least a part of a product that can be executed to provide means for performing the operations specified in a process flow or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable storage media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, and the like. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include floppy (registered trademark) disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, and the like.

[0372] Computer-readable instructions may include any combination of one or more programming languages, including source code or object code written in, for example, assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or object-oriented programming languages such as Smalltalk (registered trademark), JAVA (registered trademark), C++, and conventional procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages.

[0373] Computer-readable instructions may be provided to a processor or programmable circuitry of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, either locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc., and executed to provide means for performing the processing procedures or operations specified in the described flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0374] As described above, the present invention has been described using embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that forms with such changes or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0375] It should be noted that the execution order of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, the specification, and the drawings is not explicitly stated as "earlier" or "preceding" etc., and can be realized in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Regarding the operation flow in the claims, the specification, and the drawings, even if it is described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it must be implemented in this order.

[0376] Also, some or all of the above embodiments are described as follows in the appended notes, but are not limited thereto. [Appended Note 1] A computer, a lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining character content assigned to a user among a plurality of character contents each associated with a character element, A registration unit that registers the character content assigned to the user determined by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user, and An acquisition unit that acquires the amount of payment made by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit, function as The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is assigned to the user according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. Program. [Appendix 2] The program causes the computer to A storage unit that stores information indicating the amount of payment made by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information, function further as The acquisition unit acquires, as the amount of payment made by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit, the payment amount indicated by the information stored in association with the identification information by the storage unit. The program according to Appendix 1. [Appendix 3] The lottery execution unit decreases the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is assigned to the user according to the height of the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit. The program according to Appendix 1 or 2. [Appendix 4] The higher the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, the lower the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is assigned to the user by the lottery execution unit. The program according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3. [Appendix 5] Attributes are respectively assigned to the plurality of character elements, The lottery execution unit reduces the probability that the user is given character content associated with a character element to which the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit according to the amount of payment acquired by the acquisition unit. The program according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4. [Appendix 6] The lottery execution unit reduces the probability that the user is given character content associated with a character element to which the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit, as the amount of payment acquired by the acquisition unit is higher. The program according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5. [Appendix 7] The registration unit can register the same plurality of character contents in association with the identification information in duplicate. The lottery execution unit further reduces the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user according to the number of the same character contents. The program according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6. [Appendix 8] Attributes are respectively given to a plurality of the character elements. The registration unit can register a plurality of character contents associated with character elements to which the same attribute is given in association with the identification information. The lottery execution unit further reduces the probability that the character content associated with the character element to which the same attribute as the attribute given to the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user according to the number of the character contents associated with the character elements to which the same attribute is given among the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit. The program according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7. [Appendix 9] The lottery execution unit executes the lottery so as not to give the user the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit. The program according to any one of Appendices 1 to 8. [Appendix 10] Attributes are respectively assigned to the plurality of character elements. The lottery execution unit executes the lottery so as not to give the user the character content associated with the character element to which the same attribute as the attribute assigned to the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is assigned. The program according to any one of Appendices 1 to 9. [Appendix 11] The program causes the computer to A presentation control unit that performs control for presenting the user with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit. Function further as The registration unit can register the same plurality of character contents in association with the identification information in duplicate. The presentation control unit performs control for presenting, separately, the character contents registered in duplicate and the character contents not registered in duplicate among the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit. The program according to any one of Appendices 1 to 10. [Appendix 12] The program causes the computer to A presentation control unit that performs control for presenting the user with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit. Function further as The registration unit can register a plurality of identical character contents in association with the identification information in duplicate. The presentation control unit performs control for further presenting the number of character contents registered in duplicate among the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit. The program according to any one of Appendices 1 to 11. [Appendix 13] The program causes the computer to A presentation control unit that performs control for presenting to the user that the probability of the user being given the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is changed according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit. The program according to any one of Appendices 1 to 12, which further functions as [Appendix 14] The program causes the computer to A presentation control unit that performs control for presenting to the user that the probability of the user being given the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is changed according to the status of the plurality of character contents registered in the registration unit in association with the identification information. The program according to any one of Appendices 1 to 13, which further functions as [Appendix 15] The character content includes a first character content given to the user on the condition that the user has performed a procedure for paying a cost, and a second character content given to the user without the condition that the user has performed a procedure for paying a cost. The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the user is given the same character content as the first character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 14. [Supplementary Note 16] The lottery execution unit executes the lottery without changing the probability that the same character content as the second character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user. The program according to Supplementary Note 15. [Supplementary Note 17] The payment methods by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit include a first method and a second method. The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user according to the payment amount in the first method by the user, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 16. [Supplementary Note 18] The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user according to the cumulative amount of the payment amount of the cost by the user, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 17. [Supplementary Note 19] The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user according to the cumulative amount of the payment amount of the cost within a predetermined period by the user, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 18. [Supplementary Note 20] A lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining the character content to be given to the user among a plurality of character contents each associated with a character element. A registration unit that registers the character content assigned to the user determined by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user; An acquisition unit that acquires the amount of payment made by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit; Comprising: The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is assigned to the user according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. Device. [Appendix 21] The device according to Appendix 20, A user terminal that can be used by the user, Comprising: The device executes the lottery in response to the user terminal receiving an instruction from the user to execute the lottery. System.

Explanation of symbols

[0377] 10, 12, 13 Device 20 User terminal 30 User 90 Communication network 100, 102, 103 Processing unit 110 Lottery execution unit 121 First registration unit 122 Second registration unit 130 Release unit 140 Presentation control unit 150 Judgment unit 160 Selection control unit 170 Acquisition unit 190 Storage unit 192 Communication unit 200 Processing unit 290 Storage unit 292 Communication unit 294 Display unit 296 Operation input unit 800 Character content list screen Objects 810, 820, 830, 892, 894, 896, 898 900 Serial Code Input Screen Object 910 1000 Character Content List Screen Object 1010 1100 Shopping Screen Objects 1110, 1120 1200 Shopping Screen Objects 1210, 1220, 1230 1300 Shopping Screen Objects 1310, 1320, 1330 1400 Lottery Result Screen Object 1410 1500 Character Content Screen Objects 1510, 1520 1600 Registration Cancellation Screen Objects 1610, 1620, 1630 1700 Character Content Screen Objects 1710, 1720 1800 Transfer Screen Objects 1810, 1820 1800 Transfer Screen 2400 Character Element Selection Screen Objects 2410, 2420 2500 Character Content List Screen Object 2510 2600 Shopping Screen Object 2610 2800 Character Content List Screen Objects 2810, 2820, 2830 2900 Shopping Screen Object 2910 Character Contents 3110, 3120 3200 Lottery Result Screen Objects 3210, 3220 3300 Shopping Screen 3310 Object 3400 Lottery Result Screen 3410, 3420 Object 3500 Lottery Result Screen 3510, 3520, 3540 Object 3610, 3620 Character Content 3710, 3720 Character Content 3900, 4000, 4100 Character Content

Claims

1. Function the computer as a lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining character content assigned to a user among a plurality of character contents each associated with a character element, a registration unit that registers the character content assigned to the user determined by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user, and an acquisition unit that acquires the amount of payment by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit ; The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is assigned to the user according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability, The registration unit can register the same plurality of character contents in association with the identification information in duplicate, The lottery execution unit further reduces the probability that the same character content as the character content is assigned to the user according to the number of the same character contents registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit program.

2. Function the computer as a lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining character content assigned to a user among a plurality of character contents each associated with a character element, a registration unit that registers the character content assigned to the user determined by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user, and an acquisition unit that acquires the amount of payment by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit ; The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is assigned to the user according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability, Attributes are respectively assigned to the plurality of character elements, The registration unit can register a plurality of character contents associated with character elements to which the same attribute is assigned in association with the identification information The lottery execution unit reduces the probability that character content associated with a character element to which the same attribute is assigned is given to the user, according to the number of character content associated with the character element to which the same attribute is assigned among the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit. Program. **Claim 3** A program that causes a computer to a lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining character content to be given to a user among a plurality of character content respectively associated with character elements; a registration unit that registers the character content determined to be given to the user by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user; and an acquisition unit that acquires the amount of payment by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit function as The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user according to the amount of payment acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The program causes the computer to a presentation control unit that performs control for presenting to the user that the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user is changed according to the amount of payment acquired by the acquisition unit function further as a program. **Claim 4** A program that causes a computer to a lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining character content to be given to a user among a plurality of character content respectively associated with character elements; a registration unit that registers the character content determined to be given to the user by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user; and an acquisition unit that acquires the amount of payment by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit function as The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user according to the amount of payment acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The program causes the computer to perform presentation control for presenting to the user that the probability of the user being given character content identical to the character content registered in association with the identification information is changed according to the status of a plurality of character contents registered in the registration unit in association with the identification information. The program further causes the computer to function as a presentation control unit. **Claim 5** The program causes the computer to function further as a storage unit that stores, in association with the identification information, information indicating the amount of payment by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit. and the acquisition unit acquires, as the amount of payment by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit, the amount of payment indicated by the information stored in association with the identification information by the storage unit. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4. **Claim 6** The lottery execution unit reduces the probability that the user is given character content identical to the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit according to the height of the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4. **Claim 7** The higher the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, the more the lottery execution unit reduces the probability that the user is given character content identical to the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4. **Claim 8** Attributes are respectively assigned to a plurality of the character elements, and the lottery execution unit reduces the probability that the user is given character content associated with a character element having the same attribute as the attribute assigned to the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit according to the height of the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit. The program according to any one of claims 1, 3, and 4. **Claim 9** The lottery execution unit reduces the probability that the user is given character content associated with a character element to which the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given, as the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit is higher. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. The lottery execution unit executes the lottery so as not to give the user the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit. The program according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

11. Each of the plurality of character elements is given an attribute. The lottery execution unit executes the lottery so as not to give the user character content associated with a character element to which the same attribute as the attribute given to the character element associated with the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given. The program according to any one of claims 1, 3, and 4.

12. The program causes the computer to function further as a presentation control unit that performs control for presenting to the user the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit and, the registration unit can register the same plurality of character contents in association with the identification information in duplicate, and the presentation control unit performs control for presenting separately the character content registered in duplicate and the character content not registered in duplicate among the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit. The program according to claim 2.

13. The program causes the computer to function further as a presentation control unit that performs control for presenting to the user the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit and, the registration unit can register the same plurality of character contents in association with the identification information in duplicate. The presentation control unit performs control for further presenting the number of character contents that are registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit and are duplicated. The program according to claim 2.

14. A computer, a lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining character content to be given to a user from among a plurality of character contents associated with character elements respectively, a registration unit that registers the character content to be given to the user determined by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user, and an acquisition unit that acquires the amount of payment by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit function as, The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The character content includes a first character content given to the user on the condition that a procedure for paying a cost by the user is being performed, and a second character content given to the user without the condition that a procedure for paying a cost by the user is being performed. The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the first character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. Program.

15. The lottery execution unit executes the lottery without changing the probability that the same character content as the second character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user. The program according to claim 14.

16. The payment methods by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit include a first method and a second method. The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user according to the payment amount in the first method by the user, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

17. The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user according to the cumulative amount of the payment amount of the cost by the user, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

18. The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user according to the cumulative amount of the payment amount of the cost within a predetermined period by the user, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

19. A lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining character content to be given to a user among a plurality of character contents each associated with a character element; A registration unit that registers the character content given to the user determined by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user; An acquisition unit that acquires the payment amount of the cost by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit Comprising The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is given to the user according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The registration unit can register the same plurality of character contents in association with the identification information in duplicate. The lottery execution unit further reduces the probability that the same character content as the character content is given to the user according to the number of the same character contents registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit. Device. [

20. ] Among a plurality of character contents each associated with a character element, a lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining the character content assigned to a user, a registration unit that registers the character content assigned to the user determined by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user, and an acquisition unit that acquires the amount of payment by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit and includes: The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is assigned to the user according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. Attributes are respectively assigned to the plurality of character elements. The registration unit can register, in association with the identification information, a plurality of character contents associated with character elements to which the same attribute is assigned. The lottery execution unit further reduces the probability that the character content associated with the character element to which the same attribute is assigned is assigned to the user according to the number of character contents associated with the character element to which the same attribute is assigned among the character contents registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit. Device. [

21. ] A device, among a plurality of character contents each associated with a character element, a lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining the character content assigned to a user, a registration unit that registers the character content assigned to the user determined by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user, and an acquisition unit that acquires the amount of payment by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit and includes: The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is assigned to the user according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The device A presentation control unit that performs control to present to the user that the probability of the user being given character content identical to the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is changed according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit An apparatus further comprising the same. **Claim 22**: An apparatus, A lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining character content to be given to a user among a plurality of character contents each associated with a character element, A registration unit that registers the character content to be given to the user determined by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user, An acquisition unit that acquires the payment amount of the cost paid by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit Comprising: The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the user is given character content identical to the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The apparatus A presentation control unit that performs control to present to the user that the probability of the user being given character content identical to the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is changed according to the status of the plurality of character contents registered in the registration unit in association with the identification information An apparatus further comprising the same. **Claim 23**: An apparatus, A lottery execution unit that executes a lottery for determining character content to be given to a user among a plurality of character contents each associated with a character element, A registration unit that registers the character content to be given to the user determined by the lottery execution unit in association with the identification information of the user, An acquisition unit that acquires the payment amount of the cost paid by the user for the lottery executed by the lottery execution unit Comprising: The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the user is given character content identical to the character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. The character content includes a first character content granted to the user on the condition that the user has completed the payment procedure, and a second character content granted to the user without the condition that the user has completed the payment procedure. The lottery execution unit changes the probability that the same character content as the first character content registered in association with the identification information by the registration unit is granted to the user according to the payment amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and executes the lottery based on the changed probability. Device.

24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 23, and a user terminal available to the user comprising: The apparatus executes the lottery in response to receiving an instruction from the user terminal to execute the lottery. System.

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