Fan service exchange support system, management server and fan service exchange support program

Abstract

To provide a fan service exchange support system and related technology, which enables purchasers of original fan services by celebrities to exchange the fan services purchased by each of them with fan services purchased by others. [Solution] When the management server 2 receives an exchange request together with the fan service ID to be transferred, it refers to the purchased fan service table to identify the owner of the fan service to be transferred as user UR2 (step S10), and sends an exchange request notification to the user terminal 3B corresponding to user UR2 (step S11). In response to the exchange agreement notification from the user terminal 3B, the management server 2 rewrites the owner of the fan service to be transferred from user UR1 to user UR2, and also rewrites the owner of the fan service to be transferred from user UR2 to user UR2.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fan service exchange support system, a management server, and a fan service exchange support program, and more particularly to a fan service exchange support system for exchanging purchased fan services between purchasers of fan services, and related technologies. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the diversification of media, celebrities such as entertainers and athletes have increasingly diverse means of gaining fans. In particular, with the rise of social networking services (SNS), the younger generation, known as Generation Z, is increasingly turning away from television. Therefore, in order to gain new fans from this younger generation, it is necessary to actively utilize SNS in addition to traditional media such as television and radio.

[0003] Against this background, the inventor of the present application proposed a system that allows specific celebrities to participate online in face-to-face parties where ordinary people gather at restaurants, etc., as a way to gain fans (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] The inventors of the present application have also proposed a system that allows celebrities to adjust the amount of fan service they provide to specific fans for a fee while ensuring a certain level of profit (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7240776 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7655520 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The system described in Patent Document 2 can adjust the supply of fan services to the extent that the celebrity can provide them, but if the demand for fan services increases in conjunction with the celebrity's increasing popularity, the supply of fan services will be insufficient. In that case, many fans will be unable to purchase fan services, and the needs of the fans who are the consumers may not be fully met.

[0007] Furthermore, if a shortage of fan service occurs, some fans may purchase more fan service than necessary, making it even more difficult to provide the fan service.Furthermore, fans who purchase more fan service than necessary may not be able to consume all of it, and as a result, the deadline may pass without some fan service being provided.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a fan service exchange support system and related technology that allows purchasers of original fan services from celebrities to exchange fan services purchased by each of them with fan services purchased by others. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fan service exchange support system that provides a fan service exchange service between purchasers of original fan services from celebrities, allowing each purchaser to exchange the fan service purchased by the purchaser with a fan service purchased by another purchaser, the system comprising: a management server; a first user terminal configured to be able to communicate with the management server over a network and used by a first user; and a second user terminal configured to be able to communicate with the management server over a network and used by a second user, the management server having a memory unit that stores a purchased fan service table in which information about purchased fan services is recorded, and a control unit that executes processing related to the fan service exchange service, the purchased fan service table recording an identifier of the purchased fan service, a type of the purchased fan service, an owner of the purchased fan service, and whether the purchased fan service can be transferred, all in association with each other, and the first user terminal receives a first request on a first screen for the first user to select a purchased fan service that the first user wishes to transfer to another user, the first user terminal being configured to receive ... second user terminal being configured to receive a second request on the management server. the control unit, in response to the first request, identifies one or more purchased fan services owned by the first user from the purchased fan service table and transmits information on the first screen displaying the identified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the first user terminal; when one purchased fan service is selected as a fan service to be transferred via the first screen, the first user terminal transmits a second request on a second screen to the management server for selecting purchased fan services to be transferred from another person, along with an identifier of the fan service to be transferred; in response to the second request, the control unit, in response to the second request, identifies one or more purchased fan services that are transferable by another person from the purchased fan service table and transmits information on the second screen displaying the identified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the first user terminal; when one purchased fan service is selected as a fan service to be transferred via the second screen, the first user terminal transmits an exchange request to the management server along with the identifier of the fan service to be transferred;The control unit, in response to the exchange request, identifies the owner of the fan service to be transferred as the second user by referring to the purchased fan service table, and sends an exchange request notification to the second user terminal indicating that the second user wishes to exchange the fan service to be transferred for the fan service to be received; when the second user terminal inputs an operation to agree to the exchange in response to the exchange request notification, the second user terminal sends an exchange agreement notification to the management server; and the control unit, in response to the exchange agreement notification, rewrites the owner of the fan service to be transferred, recorded in the purchased fan service table, from the first user to the second user, and rewrites the owner of the fan service to be received from the second user to the first user.

[0010] Here, for each of the multiple types of fan services available for purchase, a maximum number that a single user can purchase is set for each type, and the first screen preferably displays the number of purchases made by the first user relative to the maximum number of each fan service, as well as the conditions for obtaining a bonus separate from the fan service already purchased.

[0011] Furthermore, the conditions for obtaining the benefits include a complete condition, which is the minimum number of purchases of each of the fan services required to obtain a first benefit, and a half-complete condition, which is the minimum number of purchases of each of the fan services required to obtain a second benefit that is inferior to the first benefit; and the first screen preferably has a scale bar consisting of a number of boxes arranged consecutively, the number of boxes corresponding to the maximum number of each of the fan services being arranged consecutively, and of the boxes constituting the scale bar, the number of boxes corresponding to the number of purchases of each of the fan services being highlighted; and the scale bar preferably has a first marking at the box position that satisfies the complete condition, and a second marking at the box position that satisfies the half-complete condition.

[0012] In addition, it is preferable that the memory unit further stores a fee table in which fees for each type of fan service are recorded, and a user table in which points held by each user are recorded, and that the control unit, in response to the exchange agreement notification, obtains from the fee table a first fee for the fan service desired to be transferred and a second fee for the fan service desired to be received, and if the second fee is greater than the first fee, adds points equivalent to the difference to the points of the second user in the user table.

[0013] In addition, the purchased fan service table further records the date of provision of the purchased fan service in association with the date of provision, and the first user terminal sends a third request of a third screen to the management server for selecting a fan service that the user wishes to receive free of charge from another person, and in response to the third request, the control unit identifies one or more purchased fan services from the purchased fan service table that are transferable by another person and for which the period from the present to the provision date is less than a predetermined period, and sends information of the third screen that displays the identified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the first user terminal, and when one purchased fan service is selected as a fan service desired to be provided free of charge via the third screen, the first user terminal It is preferable that the control unit, in response to the request for free provision, identifies the owner of the fan service desired to be provided free of charge as the second user from the purchased fan service table, and sends a free provision request notification to the second user terminal indicating that the second user terminal desires to provide the fan service free of charge, and when an operation is input in response to the free provision request notification indicating agreement to the free provision, the second user terminal sends a free provision agreement notification to the management server, and in response to the free provision agreement notification, the control unit rewrites the owner of the fan service desired to be provided free of charge recorded in the purchased fan service table from the second user to the first user.

[0014] In addition, it is preferable that the control unit, in response to the free provision agreement notification, add points equivalent to a third fee for the free provision desired fan service to the second user's points in the point management table.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferable that the memory unit further stores a user table in which a rank is recorded for each user, and that the first user terminal transmits the third request to the management server only if the rank of the first user meets a criterion.

[0016] The present invention also provides a management server for providing a fan service exchange service in which purchasers of original fan services from celebrities exchange fan services purchased by each of them for fan services purchased by others, the management server comprising: a memory unit for storing a purchased fan service table in which information about purchased fan services is recorded; and a control unit for executing processing related to the fan service exchange service, wherein the purchased fan service table records an identifier of the purchased fan service, a type of the purchased fan service, an owner of the purchased fan service, and whether the purchased fan service can be transferred, all in association with each other; and in response to receiving a first request on a first screen from a first user terminal for a first user to select a purchased fan service that the first user wishes to transfer to another user, the control unit identifies one or more purchased fan services owned by the first user from the purchased fan service table, and before displaying the identified one or more purchased fan services as selectable, transmits information of the first screen to the first user terminal; in response to receiving a second request of a second screen from the first user terminal for selecting a purchased fan service that the user wishes to receive from another person along with the identifier of the fan service to be transferred selected via the first selection screen, identifies one or more purchased fan services that the user wishes to receive from another person in the purchased fan service table, and transmits information of the second screen displaying the identified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the first user terminal; in response to receiving an exchange request from the first user terminal along with the identification information of the fan service to be transferred selected via the second screen, identifies the owner of the fan service to be transferred as a second user by referring to the purchased fan service table, and transmits an exchange request notification to the second user terminal indicating that the user wishes to exchange the fan service to be transferred for the fan service to be received; and in response to receiving an exchange agreement notification from the second user terminal indicating that the user agrees to the exchange,The management server is characterized by rewriting the owner of the fan service desired to be transferred recorded in the purchased fan service table from the first user to the second user, and rewriting the owner of the fan service desired to be received from the second user to the first user.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention provides a management server for providing a fan service exchange service in which purchasers of original fan services from celebrities exchange fan services purchased by each purchaser for fan services purchased by others, the management server storing a purchased fan service table in which identifiers of the purchased fan services, types of the purchased fan services, owners of the purchased fan services, and transferability of the purchased fan services are recorded in association with each other, the management server comprising the steps of: (a) in response to receiving from a first user terminal a first request of a first screen for a first user to select a purchased fan service that the first user wishes to transfer to another user, identifying one or more purchased fan services owned by the first user from the purchased fan service table and transmitting information of the first screen that displays the identified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the first user terminal; and (b) in response to receiving from the first user terminal a second request of a second screen for selecting a purchased fan service that the first user wishes to transfer from another user together with the identifier of the fan service selected via the first selection screen, The present invention provides a fan service exchange support program for executing the following steps: c) identifying one or more purchased fan services that another person has made transferable from the purchased fan service table, and sending information on the second screen that displays the identified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the first user terminal; b) in response to receiving an exchange request from the first user terminal along with the identification information of the fan service selected via the second screen, referring to the purchased fan service table to identify the owner of the fan service desired to be transferred as a second user, and sending an exchange request notification to the second user terminal indicating that the second user wishes to exchange the fan service desired to be transferred for the fan service desired to be received; and d) in response to receiving an exchange agreement notification from the second user terminal agreeing to the exchange, rewriting the owner of the fan service desired to be transferred recorded in the purchased fan service table from the first user to the second user and rewriting the owner of the fan service desired to be received from the second user to the first user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, a first user sends an exchange request notification to a second user terminal, requesting that the first user exchange a fan service they wish to transfer for a fan service they wish to receive. In response to receiving an exchange agreement notification from the second user terminal, the owner of the fan service they wish to transfer recorded in the purchased fan service table is rewritten from the first user to the second user, and the owner of the fan service they wish to receive is rewritten from the second user to the first user. This allows purchasers of original fan services from celebrities to exchange fan services purchased by each of them for fan services purchased by others.

[0019] Furthermore, the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not describe at all the specific configuration for exchanging fan services purchased by each purchaser of an original fan service from a celebrity with fan services purchased by others, such as the fan service exchange support system, management server, and fan service exchange support program of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a fan service exchange support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a purchased fan service table in which information about purchased fan services is recorded. [Figure 3] A figure showing a fee table in which the fees for fan services are recorded by type. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a user table in which owned points and ranks are recorded in association with each other for each user. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the processing between the management server and each user terminal in exchanging purchased fan services. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting a purchased fan service that the user wishes to transfer to another person. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a purchased fan service that the user wishes to transfer to another person has been selected on the screen shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting a purchased fan service that the user wishes to receive from another person. [Figure 9] 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a purchased fan service that the user wishes to receive from another person has been selected on the screen shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] A figure showing an example of a purchased fan service table after the exchange of purchased fan services has been completed. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a user table after the exchange of a purchased fan service has been completed. [Figure 12] A sequence diagram showing the processing between the management server and each user terminal when a purchased fan service is transferred free of charge. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen (a screen including a display button for a list of free items) according to a modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting fan services to be received free of charge. [Figure 15] 15 is a diagram showing a state in which a fan service that the user wishes to receive free of charge from another person is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 14. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] <1. Embodiment> A fan service exchange support system, management server, and fan service exchange support program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 11. The fan service exchange support system is a system for providing a service (hereinafter simply referred to as a "fan service exchange service") that allows purchasers of original fan services from celebrities to exchange fan services purchased by each purchaser for fan services purchased by others.

[0022] Examples of original fan services include a service in which a celebrity sends a letter addressed to a specific fan (hereinafter simply referred to as a "letter"), a service in which a celebrity delivers a voice message to a specific fan (hereinafter simply referred to as a "voicemail"), a service in which a celebrity delivers a video message to a specific fan (hereinafter simply referred to as a "video letter"), and a service in which a celebrity can be engaged in online conversations for a limited time (hereinafter simply referred to as a "video chat").

[0023] In the following, as an example of a fan service exchange support system according to the present invention, a fan service exchange support system 1 as shown in Fig. 1 is illustrated. Also, as an example of a management server according to the present invention, a management server 2 as shown in Fig. 1 is illustrated. Furthermore, as an example of a program according to the present invention, a program executed by the management server 2 shown in Fig. 1 (hereinafter also referred to as a "fan service exchange support program") is illustrated.

[0024] 1, the fan service exchange support system 1 is configured to include a management server 2 and user terminals 3 (3A, 3B). Each of the user terminals 3 (3A, 3B) is configured to be able to communicate with the management server 2 via the Internet.

[0025] The management server 2 is a server computer for providing a fan service exchange service. As shown in Fig. 1, the management server 2 is configured to include a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. These units are connected via a bus (not shown).

[0026] The control unit 21 is composed of a processor (CPU), memory (RAM and ROM), etc. The processor executes a program to control each part of the management server 2 and perform processing to realize the functions of the management server 2. The memory is a computer-readable recording medium that stores the programs (including the fan service replacement support program) executed by the processor.

[0027] The storage unit 22 is a computer-readable recording medium (a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD)), and stores various data and programs used by the processor.

[0028] The communication unit 23 is a communication interface that is connected to a communication network (here, the Internet) and performs data communication with the user terminals 3A and 3B via the communication network.

[0029] The storage unit 22 stores a purchased fan service table DT1 (see FIG. 2), a fee table DT2 (see FIG. 3), and a user table DT3 (see FIG. 4).

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the purchased fan service table DT1 is a data table for recording information about purchased fan services purchased by users (members). Specifically, the purchased fan service table DT1 records the "ID," "type," "owner," "transferability," and "provision date" of the purchased fan service in association with each other.

[0031] "ID" records the identifier of the purchased fan service, and "Type" records the type of purchased fan service (either "Letter," "Voicemail," "Video Letter," or "Video Chat"). "Owner" records the most recent owner of the purchased fan service, and "Transferability" records "Yes" or "No." Furthermore, "Provided Date" records the date on which the celebrity provides the purchased fan service.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, the fee table DT2 is a data table that records the fees for each type of fan service ("letter," "voicemail," "video letter," and "video chat").

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, user table DT3 is a data table that records the "owned points" and "rank" for each user. The "owned points" records the user's most recent owned points. The "owned points" can be used when purchasing fan services, with 1 point equaling 1 yen. The "rank" records one of three ranks (A, B, C) that are set according to the purchase history of fan services (purchase frequency and purchase amount). Rank "A" is the highest and rank "C" is the lowest.

[0034] Furthermore, for each of the multiple types of fan services available for purchase ("letter," "voicemail," "video letter," and "video chat"), a maximum number ("6," "4," "2," "2") that a single user can purchase is set. The storage unit 22 also stores the maximum number ("6," "4," "2," "2") that a single user can purchase.

[0035] Next, the user terminals 3 (3A, 3B) will be described. Because the user terminals 3A and 3B have the same configuration, they will be collectively referred to as user terminals 3 in the following description. Note that user terminal 3A is a terminal used by user UR1, and user terminal 3B is a terminal used by user UR2. Here, user UR1 is an example of a first user according to the present invention, and user UR2 is an example of a second user according to the present invention.

[0036] 1, the user terminal 3 is configured to include a control unit 31, a display unit 32, an input unit 33, and a communication unit 34. These units are connected via a bus (not shown).

[0037] The control unit 31 is composed of a processor (CPU), memory (RAM and ROM), etc. The processor executes a program to control each part of the user terminal 3 and perform processing to realize the functions of the user terminal 3. The memory is a computer-readable recording medium that stores the program executed by the processor.

[0038] The display unit 32 is configured with a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like that can display various screens. The input unit 33 is an input device that can accept user input operations. When the user terminal 3 is configured with a general personal computer, the display unit 32 (monitor) and the input unit 33 (mouse, keyboard, etc.) are provided separately. On the other hand, when the user terminal 3 is configured with a tablet terminal including a smartphone, the display unit 32 and the input unit 33 are configured as an integrated touch panel that is integrated with a touch sensor.

[0039] The communication unit 34 is a communication interface that is connected to a communication network (here, the Internet) and performs data communication with the management server 2 via the communication network.

[0040] Next, the exchange process for exchanging a fan service purchased by each user for a fan service purchased by another user will be described in detail with reference to the sequence diagram of Figure 5. The following describes an example of the exchange process for exchanging a fan service purchased by user UR1 for a fan service purchased by user UR2.

[0041] In response to a predetermined operation input, the user terminal 3A transmits a display request RQ1 for the screen SC1 (see FIG. 6) to the management server 2 (step S1 in FIG. 5). The screen SC1 is a screen for the user UR1 to select a purchased fan service that he or she wishes to transfer to another person, and is an example of a first screen according to the present invention. The display request RQ1 is also an example of a first request according to the present invention.

[0042] As shown in Figure 6, screen SC1 displays the number of purchases made by user UR1 relative to the upper limit of each fan service. Specifically, scale bars SB1 to SB4 are displayed, each consisting of a series of boxes corresponding to the upper limit ("6", "4", "2", "2") of each fan service ("letter", "voicemail", "video letter", "video chat"). Of the boxes that make up the scale bars SB1 to SB4, the number of boxes that correspond to the number of purchases ("4", "2", "1", "0") for each fan service ("Letter", "Voicemail", "Video Letter", "Video Chat") are highlighted (the interior of the box is displayed with a shaded area).

[0043] Screen SC1 also displays conditions for obtaining a special benefit in addition to the fan service already purchased. In this embodiment, two types of benefits are available: a top benefit (a benefit that allows you to participate in a trip accompanied by a celebrity) and a regular benefit (a benefit that allows you to be invited to a party attended by a celebrity). Hereinafter, the condition for obtaining the top benefit (the minimum number of each fan service to be purchased) will be referred to as the "complete condition," and the condition for obtaining a regular benefit (the minimum number of each fan service to be purchased) will be referred to as the "half-complete condition."

[0044] Furthermore, on the scale bars SB1 to SB4, a "C" is added to the box positions that satisfy the complete condition, and an "H" is added to the box positions that satisfy the half-complete condition. Here, "C" is an example of the first display according to the present invention, and "H" is an example of the second display according to the present invention.

[0045] On screen SC1, "C" is placed at the position corresponding to the maximum number of each fan service, and "H" is placed at the position corresponding to half of the maximum number. In other words, on screen SC1 shown in Figure 6, it can be seen that the minimum number of each fan service to be purchased to fulfill the complete condition is the maximum number of each fan service, and the minimum number of each fan service to fulfill the half-complete condition is half of the maximum number of each fan service.

[0046] In response to the display request RQ1, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 identifies one or more purchased fan services owned by the user UR1 from the purchased fan service table DT1 (step S2). Specifically, the control unit 21 identifies one or more purchased fan services whose owner in the purchased fan service table DT1 is the user UR1.

[0047] Then, the control unit 21 transmits screen information of the screen SC1 that displays the specified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the user terminal 3A (step S3).

[0048] In response to this, the user terminal 3A displays the screen SC1 based on the screen information received from the management server 2 (step S4).

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, on the screen SC1, the decision button BT1 at the bottom is grayed out (disabled) until one purchased fan service is selected as a fan service to be transferred.

[0050] When a purchased fan service is selected as a fan service to be transferred via screen SC1, user terminal 3A transmits the identifier of the fan service to be transferred and a display request RQ2 for screen SC2 (see FIG. 8) to management server 2 (step S5). Screen SC2 is a screen for selecting a purchased fan service to be transferred from another person, and is an example of a second screen according to the present invention. Display request RQ2 is also an example of a second request according to the present invention.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7, for example, when a box BX corresponding to the fan service "Letter" is selected on screen SC1, one of the purchased fan services associated with the box BX is selected as the fan service to be transferred. The selected box BX is surrounded by a thick frame. The decision button BT1 at the bottom is restored from being grayed out and becomes enabled. When the decision button BT1 is pressed while the box BX corresponding to the fan service "Letter" is selected, the processing of step S5 described above is executed.

[0052] In response to the display request RQ2, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 identifies one or more purchased fan services that are transferable by other people (users other than user UR1) from the purchased fan service table DT1 (step S6). Specifically, the control unit 21 identifies one or more purchased fan services whose transferability is "Yes" in the purchased fan service table DT1 and whose owner is not "user UR1."

[0053] Then, the control unit 21 transmits screen information of the screen SC2 that displays the specified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the user terminal 3A (step S7).

[0054] In response to this, the user terminal 3A displays the screen SC2 based on the screen information received from the management server 2 (step S8).

[0055] As shown in Fig. 8, screen SC2 displays a selectable list of purchased fan services that have been made transferable by others. Screen SC2 also displays a decision button BT2 for selecting and deciding on a fan service that the user wishes to receive. Note that the decision button BT2 is grayed out (disabled) when no fan service that the user wishes to receive has been selected.

[0056] When one purchased fan service is selected as a fan service to be transferred via the screen SC2, the user terminal 3A transmits the identifier of the fan service to be transferred and an exchange request to the management server 2 (step S9).

[0057] As shown in FIG. 9, for example, when one purchased fan service (here, the fourth from the top, "Video Chat") is selected on screen SC2, the selected purchased fan service is surrounded by a thick frame and becomes selected. The selected purchased fan service is surrounded by a thick frame. Also, the Confirm button BT2 at the bottom returns from being grayed out and becomes enabled. When the Confirm button BT2 is pressed while the fourth from the top, "Video Chat," is selected, the processing of step S9 described above is executed.

[0058] In response to the exchange request, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 refers to the purchased fan service table DT1 and identifies the owner of the fan service desired to be received as user UR2 (step S10). Specifically, the control unit 21 identifies a record in the purchased fan service table DT1 that matches the ID of the fan service desired to be received, and identifies the owner of that record (user UR2) as the owner of the fan service desired to be received.

[0059] The control unit 21 transmits to the user terminal 3B of the identified owner (user UR2) an exchange request notification indicating that the user UR1 wishes to exchange the fan service they wish to transfer for the fan service they wish to receive (step S11).

[0060] When the user terminal 3B inputs an operation to agree to the exchange in response to the exchange request notification from the management server 2 (step S12), the user terminal 3B transmits an exchange agreement notification to the management server 2 (step S13).

[0061] In response to the exchange agreement notification, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 rewrites the owner of the fan service to be transferred recorded in the purchased fan service table DT1 from user UR1 to user UR2, and also rewrites the owner of the fan service to be received from user UR2 to user UR1 (step S14).

[0062] For example, suppose the fan service desired to be transferred has ID "0002" in the purchased fan service table DT1, and the fan service desired to be transferred has ID "0034" in the purchased fan service table DT1. In this case, the control unit 21 rewrites the owner of the record with ID "0002" in the purchased fan service table DT1 from "U045" to "U031", and rewrites the owner of the record with ID "0034" in the purchased fan service table DT1 from "U031" to "U045", as shown in Figure 10.

[0063] In addition, in response to the exchange consent notification, the control unit 21 executes a process of giving points to the user UR2 who consented to the exchange (step S15).

[0064] Specifically, the control unit 21 obtains the fee for the fan service to be transferred (an example of the first fee according to the present invention) and the fee for the fan service to be received (an example of the second fee according to the present invention) from the fee table DT2. If the fan service to be transferred is "letter" and the fan service to be received is "video chat," the fee for the fan service to be transferred of "3,000 yen" and the fee for the fan service to be received of "15,000 yen" are obtained.

[0065] Next, if the fee for the fan service desired to be received, "15,000 yen," is greater than the fee for the fan service desired to be transferred, "3,000 yen," the control unit 21 adds points (12,000 pt) equivalent to the difference, "12,000 yen," to the points of user UR2 in user table DT3. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, if user UR2 is "U031," 12,000 pt is added to the points held for user "U031." Note that in the opposite case (when the fee for the fan service desired to be received is less than the fee for the fan service desired to be transferred), the above-mentioned point allocation process is not executed.

[0066] Finally, the control unit 21 transmits an exchange establishment notification to the user terminal 3A indicating that the exchange has been established (step S16).

[0067] According to the above-described embodiment, user UR1 can select a fan service they wish to transfer via screen SC1 shown in FIG. 7 and can select a fan service they wish to receive via screen SC2 shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, an exchange request notification indicating a desire to exchange the fan service they wish to transfer for the fan service they wish to receive is sent to user terminal 3B of the owner of the fan service they wish to receive (user UR2) (step S11 in FIG. 5). In response to receiving the exchange agreement notification from user terminal 3B, the owner of the fan service they wish to transfer recorded in purchased fan service table DT1 is rewritten from user UR1 to user UR2, and the owner of the fan service they wish to receive is rewritten from user UR2 to user UR1 (step S14 in FIG. 5). Thus, purchasers of original fan services from celebrities can exchange fan services purchased by each of them for fan services purchased by others.

[0068] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the screen SC1 shown in Fig. 6 displays the number of purchases by user UR1 relative to the upper limit of each fan service. Screen SC1 also displays the conditions for obtaining a special benefit (complete condition and half-complete condition) for obtaining a special benefit other than the fan service already purchased. Therefore, user UR1 can easily grasp the upper limit of each fan service and the current number of purchases, and at the same time, can also grasp the conditions for obtaining a special benefit.

[0069] In particular, in the above-described embodiment, scale bars SB1 to SB4 are arranged on the screen SC1 shown in FIG. 6, with a number of boxes corresponding to the upper limit of each fan service lined up in a row. Of the boxes constituting each scale bar SB1 to SB4, the number of boxes corresponding to the purchase number of each fan service is highlighted (displayed with shading). Furthermore, on each scale bar SB1 to SB4, a "C" is added to the position of the box that satisfies the completion condition, and an "H" is added to the position of the box that satisfies the half-completion condition. This allows user UR1 to intuitively grasp the status of achievement of the completion condition and the half-completion condition for the current number of purchases.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, if the price of the fan service desired to be acquired is greater than the price of the fan service desired to be transferred, the points equivalent to the difference are added to the points held by user UR2 in user table DT3. This makes it easier for user UR2 who owns the fan service desired to be acquired to agree to the exchange request notification, thereby promoting the exchange of purchased fan services.

[0071] <2. Modifications> The fan service exchange support system, management server, and fan service exchange support program according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0072] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which an exchange process is executed to exchange a fan service purchased by each user for a fan service purchased by another user. However, this is not limiting. In addition to the exchange process, if certain conditions are met, a free transfer process may be executed to acquire the fan service purchased by another user free of charge. Here, a purchased fan service that meets certain conditions refers to a service that the owner has made transferable and for which the time period from the current date until the date of provision is less than a predetermined period.

[0073] Furthermore, because purchased fan services have a set delivery date, the shorter the time until the delivery date, the more difficult it becomes to exchange through the exchange process. In this regard, if purchased fan services whose delivery date is approaching can be offered free of charge, it will be possible to transfer the purchased fan services to those who wish to receive them free of charge and make effective use of them.

[0074] The free transfer process according to the above-described modified example will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0075] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 3A of the user UR1. The screen SC11 differs from the screen SC1 shown in FIG. 6 in that a button BT11 is added to the upper right portion of the screen SC1.

[0076] When button BT11 is selected on screen SC11, user terminal 3A transmits a display request RQ3 for screen SC3 (see FIG. 14) to management server 2 (step S51 in FIG. 12). Screen SC3 is a screen for user UR1 to select a purchased fan service that he or she wishes to receive free of charge from another person, and is an example of a third screen according to the present invention. Furthermore, display request RQ3 is an example of a third request according to the present invention.

[0077] In response to the display request RQ3, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 identifies one or more purchased fan services from the purchased fan service table DT1 that are transferable by another person and for which the period from the present to the date of provision is less than a predetermined period (step S52).

[0078] In this modified example, the control unit 21 will identify purchased fan service tables DT1 for which the transferability is recorded as "yes" and the period from the present to the date of provision of the purchased fan service table DT1 is "less than one week."

[0079] The control unit 21 transmits screen information of a screen SC3 that displays one or more purchased fan services specified in step S52 in a selectable manner to the user terminal 3A (step S53).

[0080] In response, the user terminal 3A displays screen SC3 based on the screen information received from the management server 2 (step S54). As shown in FIG. 14, screen SC3 displays a selectable list of multiple purchased fan services that are transferable by others and whose delivery date is less than one week from the current date. Screen SC3 also displays a decision button BT3 for selecting and deciding on a fan service desired for free transfer. The decision button BT3 is grayed out (disabled) when no fan service desired for free transfer has been selected.

[0081] As shown in Figure 15, when one purchased fan service (here, the second from the top, "Voicemail") is selected on screen SC3, the selected purchased fan service is surrounded by a thick frame and becomes selected, and the decision button BT3 is no longer grayed out and can be pressed.

[0082] When a purchased fan service is selected as a fan service desired to be provided free of charge via screen SC3 and the decision button BT3 is pressed, the user terminal 3A sends a request for free provision to the management server 2 along with the identifier (fan service ID) of the fan service desired to be provided free of charge (step S55).

[0083] In response to the request for free provision, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 identifies the owner of the free-of-charge fan service from the purchased fan service table DT1 (step S56). Specifically, the control unit 21 identifies a record from the purchased fan service table DT1 that matches the ID of the free-of-charge fan service, and identifies the owner of that record (user UR2) as the owner (user UR2) of the free-of-charge fan service.

[0084] The control unit 21 transmits a free provision request notice to the user terminal 3B of the identified owner, indicating that the free provision of the free provision desired fan service is desired (step S57).

[0085] When the user terminal 3B inputs an operation to agree to the free provision of the desired fan service in response to the free provision request notification from the management server 2 (step S58), the user terminal 3B sends a free provision agreement notification to the management server 2 (step S59).

[0086] In response to the free-of-charge consent notification, the control unit 21 of the management server 2 rewrites the owner of the free-of-charge desired fan service recorded in the purchased fan service table DT1 from user UR2 to user UR1 (step S60).

[0087] The control unit 21 also grants user UR2 points equivalent to the fee for the fan service they wish to receive free of charge (step S61). Specifically, the control unit 21 references the purchased fan service table DT1 to acquire the type of fan service they wish to receive free of charge, and acquires the price (fee) for that type from the fee table DT2. The control unit 21 then adds the points equivalent to the acquired fee to the points held in the record corresponding to user UR2 in the user table DT3.

[0088] Finally, the control unit 21 transmits a free provision establishment notification to the user terminal 3A indicating that the free provision has been established (step S62).

[0089] According to the above-described modified example, the purchased fan service can be transferred to another person free of charge even if the period until the provision date of the purchased fan service is less than the specified period, so that the purchased fan service can be utilized more effectively than a service that only involves an exchange process.

[0090] Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned variant example, users who provide purchased fan services free of charge are awarded points equivalent to the cost of the purchased fan services, making it easier for users of purchased fan services whose delivery date is approaching to agree to the free delivery.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above-described modified example, the case where the display request RQ3 for screen SC3 can be sent to the management server 2 regardless of the rank of user UR1 has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. The display request RQ3 for screen SC3 may be sent to the management server 2 only when the rank of user UR1 satisfies a criterion (for example, when the rank is "A").

[0092] Specifically, if the rank of user UR1 is other than "A" (if it is "B" or "C"), the button BT11 in the screen SC11 in FIG. 13 may be grayed out (disabled). On the other hand, if the rank of user UR1 is "A", the grayed-out state of the button BT11 may be canceled (enabled) and the button BT11 may be made pressable. As a result, the user terminal 3A will send a display request RQ3 for the screen SC3 to the management server 2 only if the rank of user UR1 meets the criteria (if it is rank "A").

[0093] According to this variation, fans who can apply for free provision can be limited to high-ranking users, making it possible to provide added value to loyal customers who use fan services frequently and spend a high amount. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1. Fan Service Exchange Support System 2 Management Server 3. User terminal 3A, 3B User terminal 21 Control Unit 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 31 Control Unit 32 Display section 33 Input section 34 Communications Department BT1~BT3 Confirmation button BX Box DT1 Purchased Fan Service Table DT2 Price Table DT3 User Table RQ1, RQ3 Display request SB1~SB4 scale bar UR1, UR2 users

Claims

1. A fan service exchange support system that provides a fan service exchange service in which purchasers of original fan services by celebrities exchange the fan services they have purchased with fan services purchased by others, A management server; a first user terminal configured to be able to communicate with the management server over a network and used by a first user; a second user terminal configured to be able to communicate with the management server over a network and used by a second user; Equipped with The management server a storage unit that stores a purchased fan service table in which information regarding purchased fan services is recorded; a control unit that executes processing related to the fan service replacement service; and The purchased fan service table records an identifier of the purchased fan service, a type of the purchased fan service, an owner of the purchased fan service, and whether the purchased fan service can be transferred, in association with each other; The first user terminal sends a first request of a first screen to the management server for the first user to select a purchased fan service that the first user wishes to transfer to another person; In response to the first request, the control unit identifies one or more purchased fan services owned by the first user from the purchased fan service table, and transmits information of the first screen that displays the identified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the first user terminal; When one purchased fan service is selected as a fan service to be transferred via the first screen, the first user terminal sends a second request of a second screen to the management server, along with an identifier of the fan service to be transferred, for selecting a purchased fan service to be transferred from another person; In response to the second request, the control unit identifies one or more purchased fan services that are transferable by another person from the purchased fan service table, and transmits information about the second screen that displays the identified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the first user terminal; When one purchased fan service is selected as a fan service to be acquired via the second screen, the first user terminal transmits an exchange request to the management server together with an identifier of the fan service to be acquired; In response to the exchange request, the control unit refers to the purchased fan service table to identify the owner of the fan service desired to be transferred as the second user, and sends an exchange request notification to the second user terminal indicating that the owner wishes to exchange the fan service desired to be transferred for the fan service desired to be transferred; When an operation to agree to the exchange is input in response to the exchange request notification, the second user terminal transmits an exchange agreement notification to the management server; The control unit is characterized in that, in response to the exchange agreement notification, it rewrites the owner of the fan service desired to be transferred recorded in the purchased fan service table from the first user to the second user, and rewrites the owner of the fan service desired to be received from the second user to the first user.

2. There are multiple types of fan services available for purchase, and each type has a maximum number that can be purchased by a single user. The fan service exchange support system described in claim 1, characterized in that the first screen displays the number of purchases by the first user relative to the maximum number of each fan service, as well as the conditions for obtaining a special benefit other than the fan service already purchased.

3. The benefit acquisition conditions include a complete condition, which is a minimum number of purchases of each of the fan services required to acquire a first benefit, and a half-complete condition, which is a minimum number of purchases of each of the fan services required to acquire a second benefit that is inferior to the first benefit; A scale bar is arranged on the first screen, and the scale bar is configured by continuously arranging boxes in a number corresponding to the upper limit number of each of the fan services, Among the boxes constituting the scale bar, the number of boxes corresponding to the number of purchases of each of the fan services is highlighted, The fan service exchange support system according to claim 2, characterized in that a first mark is attached to the scale bar at a box position that satisfies the completion condition, and a second mark is attached to a box position that satisfies the half-completion condition.

4. The storage unit further stores a fee table in which fees for each type of fan service are recorded, and a user table in which points held by each user are recorded, In response to the exchange agreement notification, the control unit: Obtaining a first fee for the fan service to be transferred and a second fee for the fan service to be received from the fee table; The fan service exchange support system of claim 1, wherein if the second fee is greater than the first fee, points equivalent to the difference are added to the points of the second user in the user table.

5. The purchased fan service table further records the date of provision of the purchased fan service in association with the date of provision of the purchased fan service, The first user terminal transmits a third request of a third screen for selecting a fan service that the user wishes to receive free of charge from another person to the management server; In response to the third request, the control unit identifies one or more purchased fan services from the purchased fan service table that are transferable by another person and for which the period from the present to the date of provision is less than a predetermined period, and transmits information on the third screen that displays the identified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the first user terminal; When one purchased fan service is selected as a fan service desired to be provided free of charge via the third screen, the first user terminal transmits a request for free provision to the management server together with an identifier of the fan service desired to be provided free of charge; In response to the free-of-charge request, the control unit identifies the owner of the free-of-charge fan service from the purchased fan service table as the second user, and transmits a free-of-charge request notification to the second user terminal indicating that the free-of-charge fan service is desired; When an operation to agree to the free provision is input in response to the free provision request notice, the second user terminal transmits a free provision agreement notice to the management server; A fan service exchange support system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit, in response to the free provision agreement notification, rewrites the owner of the free provision desired fan service recorded in the purchased fan service table from the second user to the first user.

6. The storage unit further stores a user table in which points are recorded for each user, The fan service exchange support system described in claim 5, characterized in that the control unit, in response to the notification of agreement to the free provision, adds points equivalent to a third fee for the fan service desired to be provided free of charge to the points of the second user in the user table.

7. the storage unit further stores a user table in which a rank is recorded for each user; The fan service exchange support system of claim 5 , wherein the first user terminal transmits the third request to the management server only if the rank of the first user satisfies a criterion.

8. A management server that provides a fan service exchange service in which purchasers of original fan services by celebrities exchange the fan services they have purchased with fan services purchased by others, a storage unit that stores a purchased fan service table in which information regarding purchased fan services is recorded; a control unit that executes processing related to the fan service replacement service; Equipped with The purchased fan service table records an identifier of the purchased fan service, a type of the purchased fan service, an owner of the purchased fan service, and whether the purchased fan service can be transferred, in association with each other; The control unit In response to receiving a first request for a first screen from a first user terminal for selecting a purchased fan service that the first user wishes to transfer to another person, identify one or more purchased fan services owned by the first user from the purchased fan service table, and transmit information for the first screen that displays the identified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the first user terminal; In response to receiving a second request from the first user terminal for a second screen for selecting a purchased fan service that the user wishes to receive from another person along with the identifier of the fan service desired to be transferred via the first screen, the system identifies one or more purchased fan services that the other person has made transferable from the purchased fan service table, and transmits information about the second screen that displays the identified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the first user terminal; In response to receiving an exchange request from the first user terminal together with the identification information of the fan service selected via the second screen, refer to the purchased fan service table to identify the owner of the fan service desired to be transferred as a second user, and send an exchange request notification to the second user terminal indicating that the fan service desired to be transferred and the fan service desired to be transferred are to be exchanged; A management server characterized in that, in response to receiving an exchange consent notification from the second user terminal indicating agreement to the exchange, the owner of the fan service desired to be transferred recorded in the purchased fan service table is rewritten from the first user to the second user, and the owner of the fan service desired to be received is rewritten from the second user to the first user.

9. A management server that provides a fan service exchange service in which purchasers of original fan services by celebrities exchange the fan services they have purchased with fan services purchased by others, the management server storing a purchased fan service table that associates and records identifiers of purchased fan services, types of the purchased fan services, owners of the purchased fan services, and whether the purchased fan services can be transferred. a) in response to receiving a first request for a first screen from a first user terminal for selecting a purchased fan service that the first user wishes to transfer to another person, identifying one or more purchased fan services owned by the first user from the purchased fan service table, and transmitting information of the first screen that displays the identified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the first user terminal; b) in response to receiving a second request on a second screen from the first user terminal for selecting a purchased fan service that the user wishes to receive from another person along with the identifier of the fan service desired to be transferred via the first screen, identifying one or more purchased fan services that the other person has made transferable from the purchased fan service table, and transmitting information on the second screen that displays the identified one or more purchased fan services in a selectable manner to the first user terminal; c) in response to receiving an exchange request from the first user terminal together with the identification information of the fan service selected via the second screen, referencing the purchased fan service table to identify the owner of the fan service desired to be transferred as a second user, and sending an exchange request notification to the second user terminal indicating that the fan service desired to be transferred and the fan service desired to be transferred are to be exchanged; d) in response to receiving an exchange consent notification from the second user terminal indicating consent to the exchange, rewriting the owner of the fan service to be transferred recorded in the purchased fan service table from the first user to the second user and rewriting the owner of the fan service to be received from the second user to the first user; A fan service exchange support program to help carry out this.

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