Information management system and information management method

Abstract

To provide a novel technique of transferring among users, use information in a tangible object use state stored in association with a tangible object in a content relating to a tangible object, enabling the use in the tangible object use form.SOLUTION: An information management system manages use information in a tangible object use form stored by user in association with a tangible object in a content relating to a tangible object, enabling the use in the tangible object use form. When a prescribed ownership transfer condition for transferring a tangible object held by a first user to a second user is satisfied, the information management system executes use information transfer processing for transferring the use information of the transfer tangible object held by the first user, to the second user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information management system and the like that manages usage information in a tangible object usage form that is stored in association with a tangible object in content that can be used in the tangible object usage form. [Background technology]

[0002] Some games increase the interest of the game by using tangible objects such as trading cards of characters appearing in the game or character figures in association with the game.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for loaning a player to another player in a game in which a team is formed using players from a player card that has been read. Patent Document 1 also states in paragraph

[0174] that when a player returns to the original player through a loan transfer, a special benefit is given to increase the ability parameters of the player. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-234971 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The player card in Patent Document 1 is an example of a tangible object. The game in Patent Document 1 is content that can be used in a tangible object usage form, and the ability parameters of the players in Patent Document 1 can be said to be usage information in the tangible object usage form that is linked to the tangible object and stored.

[0006] However, the technology in Patent Document 1 is a technology that improves the ability parameters of a player who returns after a loan transfer through benefits. Furthermore, the technology in Patent Document 1 is a technology that loans players who appear in a game, and is not a technology that transfers a tangible player card.

[0007] When a tangible object is transferred between users, if the transferor's (the original owner of the transferred tangible object) usage information itself relating to the tangible object can be transferred to the transferee user along with the tangible object, a groundbreaking interest not previously seen can be obtained. That is, the usage information specific to the tangible object, which can be said to be the individuality of each tangible object, can be continuously and consistently changed even when the tangible object is transferred between users.

[0008] These issues are not limited to games. Even when using other content that is used in association with a tangible object, the evaluation information (usage information) linked to the content can be transferred in the same way as in the conventional technology for games described above, and similar issues exist.

[0009] For example, when using content from a video distribution service that posts tangible still images or videos and receives ratings from viewers, it would be preferable to be able to transfer usage information including the viewers' ratings.

[0010] For example, if a user is using social networking content that introduces figures (tangible objects), it would be ideal if they could transfer usage information including comments (comments and stamps) received from other users about their figure and evaluation information such as the number of evaluation operations.

[0011] For example, if a user is using SNS content that introduces figures (tangible objects), it would be desirable to be able to transfer usage information that includes information indicating that the user has acquired the right to make comments (comments and stamps) and the right to perform rating operations.

[0012] For example, if a user is using the content of a special event site that can only be accessed by users who own a specific figure (tangible object), it would be ideal if usage information including participation history, purchase history, location information, etc. on the site could be transferred.

[0013] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a new technology for transferring usage information for a tangible object usage form, which is stored in association with a tangible object, between users in content that can be used in a tangible object usage form related to the tangible object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The first invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an information management system for controlling usage information in a tangible object usage form, which is managed in association with a tangible object in content that can be used in a tangible object usage form, so that the usage information can be transferred between users, This information management system includes an ownership transfer condition determination means (e.g., ownership transfer condition determination unit 216 in FIG. 10, step S124 in FIG. 16) that determines whether given ownership transfer conditions are met for transferring the tangible object (hereinafter referred to as the "transferred tangible object") owned by a first user to a second user, and a usage information transfer processing means (e.g., usage information transfer processing unit 218 in FIG. 10, steps S214, S218, and S220 in FIG. 17) that executes usage information transfer processing to transfer the usage information (hereinafter referred to as the "transferred usage information") of the transferred tangible object to the second user if the ownership transfer conditions are met.

[0015] A "tangible object" refers to a real physical object. It can take any form. For example, it can be a trading card, a character figure, a toy, etc.

[0016] According to the first invention, when the ownership transfer condition for transferring a tangible object (transfer tangible object) from a first user (transfer source user) to a second user (transfer recipient user) is satisfied, a usage information transfer process is executed to transfer usage information (transfer usage information) of the transferred tangible object to the second user. A new technology can be realized that enables the transfer of the transferred usage information together with the transfer of the transferred tangible object.

[0017] A second invention is an information management system of the first invention, in which the usage information transfer processing means executes a process that makes the transferred usage information available to the second user in the content as part of the usage information transfer process.

[0018] According to the second invention, the second user can use the transferable use information transferred from the first user in the content.

[0019] The third invention is an information management system of the first or second invention, further comprising an ownership information management means (e.g., ownership information management unit 212 in Figure 10, steps S214 to 222 in Figure 17) that manages ownership information (e.g., ownership information 512 in Figures 3 and 8) which is information about the user who owns the tangible object, and that transfers the ownership of the transferred tangible object from the first user to the second user when the ownership transfer conditions are met.

[0020] According to the third invention, ownership information of a tangible object (at least information identifying the current owner) is managed, and when the ownership transfer conditions are met, the ownership information can be changed to reflect the transfer result.

[0021] A fourth invention is an information management system of any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the content is game content, and the tangible object usage form is a form in which game information previously associated with the tangible object becomes available in the game by inputting identification information of the tangible object into the content, and the settings of the game information change when used in the game.

[0022] A fifth invention is an information management system of the fourth invention, in which the usage information is information on the setting contents of the game information that have changed due to use in the game, and the usage information transfer processing means executes a process that includes in the usage information transfer process a process of taking over the setting contents of the transfer usage information and making it available to the second user in the game.

[0023] "Game information" refers to various information that indicates the game progress and game content as a result of a user using a tangible object to access game content. For example, data included in the game information, such as how far the user has progressed in a game stage, the ability parameter values ​​of the player character, playing results, which enemies have been defeated, items acquired by defeating enemies, and the types of game stages that can be played, can be set appropriately depending on the game content.

[0024] According to the fourth or fifth invention, when a second user who has received the transfer of the tangible object uses the tangible object in game content, the second user can enjoy continuous game play related to the tangible object using game information that changes according to the first user's performance in using the content.

[0025] A sixth invention is an information management system of the fourth or fifth invention, in which the usage information includes history information of the use of the game information in the game (for example, the play history of usage information 532 in Figure 4).

[0026] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the second user who receives the transfer of the tangible object can also use the history as the first user's usage record of the game content. For example, if a benefit can be obtained by satisfying a certain condition in the history, the second user may be able to quickly obtain the benefit by using the first user's history information as a foothold.

[0027] A seventh invention is an information management system of any of the fourth to sixth inventions, in which the game information is information about a character or an item (hereinafter collectively referred to as "character"), and the tangible object utilization form is a form in which the character settings change when used in the game.

[0028] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the second user can play a game while inheriting the settings (for example, parameter values) of the character or item used in the game content by the first user.

[0029] An eighth invention is an information management system of any of the first to third inventions, wherein the content is content that receives evaluations regarding the tangible object used in the tangible object usage form from users other than the user who owns the tangible object and makes the results of the evaluations public, and the usage information is information regarding the evaluations received regarding the content.

[0030] According to the eighth invention, if the content is content in a public service that makes a tangible object public, accepts evaluations from users other than the user who owns the tangible object, and also publishes the evaluation results (for example, a video using tangible object 10 posted on a video sharing site), a second user who receives the tangible object can inherit the evaluation results obtained when the first user was the owner.

[0031] A ninth invention is an information management system of any one of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the content is content that grants a given benefit (for example, the content indicated by the benefit definition data when using a tangible object in content data 520 of Figure 4) to a user who owns the tangible object in accordance with use in the tangible object usage form, and the usage information is information about the benefit granted by the tangible object usage form.

[0032] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the second user can inherit the benefits that the first user received when he or she owned the transferred tangible object.

[0033] A tenth invention is an information management system of any one of the first to ninth inventions, in which the usage information transfer processing means executes a process of transferring the transfer usage information to the second user when given usage information transfer conditions (for example, conditions indicated by the transfer execution condition setting data 550 in Figure 6) are met, as part of the usage information transfer process.

[0034] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, by appropriately setting the conditions for transferring usage information, the degree of freedom in transferring usage information related to the transfer of tangible objects can be increased, and various transfer methods can be realized.

[0035] An eleventh invention is an information management system of the tenth invention, wherein the usage information includes a plurality of element information divided by category or classification, the usage information transfer conditions include information type-specific transfer conditions corresponding to each element information included in the usage information (for example, set as the type of usage information to be transferred in the detailed setting screen W6 of Figure 5), and the usage information transfer processing means executes a process of transferring element information included in the transfer usage information that corresponds to the information type-specific transfer conditions that have been met to the second user, as part of the usage information transfer process.

[0036] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, conditions for transfer can be set for each element information of usage information, thereby increasing the degree of freedom and variety when transferring usage information between users.

[0037] A twelfth invention is an information management system according to the eleventh invention, in which the usage information includes, as the element information, information classified by the ownership generation of users who owned the corresponding tangible object.

[0038] According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the transfer process, it is possible to set transfer conditions for each element information of the usage information by using information on the ownership generations of users who have owned the tangible object, thereby increasing the degree of freedom and variety when transferring usage information between generations of users.

[0039] A thirteenth invention is an information management system of any one of the first to twelfth inventions, wherein the ownership transfer condition determination means determines, as conditions for transferring a transferable tangible object jointly owned by a third user and a fourth user to a fifth user, that the ownership transfer conditions have been satisfied between the third user and the fifth user and that the ownership transfer conditions have been satisfied between the fourth user and the fifth user, and the usage information transfer processing means executes usage information transfer processing to transfer the transfer usage information when jointly owned by the third user and the fourth user to the fifth user.

[0040] According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, even in a configuration in which joint ownership of tangible objects is permitted, it is possible to obtain the same effect as any one of the first to twelfth aspects of the present invention.

[0041] The fourteenth invention is an information management method for controlling usage information in a tangible object usage form, which is managed in association with a tangible object in content that can be used in a tangible object usage form, so that it can be transferred between users, and includes an ownership transfer condition determination step (e.g., step S124 of Figure 16) for determining whether given ownership transfer conditions for transferring the tangible object (hereinafter referred to as the "transferred tangible object") owned by a first user to a second user are met, and a usage information transfer processing step (e.g., steps S214, S218, and S220 of Figure 17) for executing a usage information transfer process to transfer the usage information of the transferred tangible object to the second user when the ownership transfer conditions are met.

[0042] According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize an information management method that brings about the same effects as those of the first aspect of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information management system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining functions performed by a manufacturing management server. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining functions performed by an ownership information management server. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining functions performed by a content providing server. [Figure 5] Diagram (part 1) to explain the procedure for transferring ownership of tangible objects. [Figure 6] Diagram (part 2) to explain the procedure for transferring ownership of tangible objects. [Figure 7] A diagram to explain the contents of the transfer contract and the notification of the transfer completion. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a change in ownership information upon the establishment of a transfer contract. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a process of transferring usage information by a content providing server. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an information management system. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing examples of programs and data stored in a server storage unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal. [Figure 13] 1 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a manufacturing process for a tangible object. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for setting new ownership of a tangible object. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow related to providing content. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow related to the transfer of ownership of a tangible object. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow relating to the transfer of usage information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described, but it goes without saying that the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information management system 1000. As shown in FIG. The information management system 1000 is a computer system that includes a manufacturing management server 1100a, an ownership information management server 1100b, a content providing server 1100c, and user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) for each user 2 (2a, 2b, ...) that can communicate with these servers, with the user terminals 1500 acting as a man-machine interface (MMIF). Although only three user terminals 1500 are shown in Figure 1, the number of user terminals 1500 is not important in actual system operation.

[0046] The information management system 1000 and the user terminal 1500 can communicate data with each other via the network 9, and the user terminals 1500 can also communicate data with each other via the network 9. The manufacturing management server 1100a, the ownership information management server 1100b, and the content providing server 1100c can communicate data with each other via the network 9.

[0047] The network 9 refers to a communication path that allows data communication. That is, the network 9 includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) using Ethernet (registered trademark), etc., as well as a communication network such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, or the Internet, and the communication method may be either wired or wireless.

[0048] The manufacturing management server 1100a, the ownership information management server 1100b, and the content providing server 1100c are individual computer systems, but can also be considered as a single computer system as a whole. For example, the manufacturing management server 1100a, the ownership information management server 1100b, and the content providing server 1100c each have a main unit, keyboard, touch panel, and storage, and the main unit is equipped with a control board 1150.

[0049] The control board 1150 is equipped with various microprocessors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as a VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a communication device 1153. Note that part or all of the control board 1150 may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or an SoC (System on a Chip).

[0050] The manufacturing management server 1100a, ownership information management server 1100b, and content providing server 1100c each perform their respective roles and functions as servers by their respective control boards 1150 performing calculations based on predetermined programs and data.

[0051] Although the manufacturing control server 1100a, ownership information management server 1100b, and content providing server 1100c are depicted as if they were each a single server device, they may be implemented as a configuration comprising multiple cooperating devices. For example, a single large system rack may be equipped with multiple blade servers each performing a different function, and these servers may be interconnected via an internal bus for data communication, thereby configuring the entire system as a single computer system. Furthermore, the location of the hardware installation is not important. Multiple independent servers installed in separate locations may communicate data over the network 9, allowing them to function as the manufacturing control server 1100a, ownership information management server 1100b, and content providing server 1100c as a whole. Conversely, the functions of the manufacturing control server 1100a, ownership information management server 1100b, and content providing server 1100c may be implemented by a single server system.

[0052] The user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) are computer systems that users use to utilize the information management system 1000. The user terminals 1500 are electronic devices (electronic equipment) that can access the manufacturing management server 1100a, the ownership information management server 1100b, and the content providing server 1100c via the network 9, as well as other user terminals 1500. In other words, the user terminals 1500 function as a man-machine interface in the information management system 1000. Therefore, it can also be said that the information management system 1000 is equipped with the user terminals 1500.

[0053] The user terminal 1500 includes an operation input device (for example, a keyboard, touch panel, game controller, mouse, etc.), a camera, an image display device (for example, a video monitor, touch panel, head-mounted display, etc.), and a control board 1550.

[0054] The control board 1550 is equipped with a CPU 1551, various microprocessors such as a GPU and a DSP, various IC memories 1552 such as a VRAM, a RAM and a ROM, a communication module 1553 for connecting to the network 9, and the like. These elements equipped on the control board 1550 are electrically connected via a bus circuit or the like, and are connected so as to be able to read and write data and send and receive signals. A part or all of the control board 1550 may be configured using an ASIC, an FPGA, or an SoC. The control board 1550 stores programs and various data for realizing the functions of a user terminal in the IC memory 1552.

[0055] In this embodiment, the user terminal 1500 is configured to download programs and various setting data from one of the servers of the information management system 1000, but it may also be configured to read them from a storage medium such as a separately obtained memory card.

[0056] The user terminal 1500 may take any form as long as it is a computer system. For example, it may be a smartphone, a wearable computer such as a smartwatch, a portable game device, a home-use game device, a tablet computer, a personal computer, an arcade game device, etc. When multiple electronic devices are communicatively connected to perform a single function, such as a combination of a smartphone and a smartwatch communicatively connected to the smartphone, the multiple electronic devices can be considered as a single user terminal 1500.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the functions performed by the manufacturing management server 1100a. The manufacturing management server 1100 a is operated by the manufacturer or seller of the tangible object 10 , and registers and manages the unique identification information of the tangible object 10 .

[0058] The tangible object 10 is a tangible object that can be touched, such as a trading card, a character figure, or a model, and is composed of a main body 12 and one or more accessories 14 (14a, 14b). It may also be the main body 12 alone.

[0059] An IC tag 16 is built into the main body 12. An individual identification information sticker 18 is attached to the surface of the main body 12. Individual identification information is recorded on the IC tag 16. Individual identification information is printed on the individual identification information sticker 18. The IC tag 16 does not have to be built-in, and may be in other forms such as a shipping tag. The individual identification information sticker 18 may be omitted.

[0060] The manufacturing management server 1100 a stores and manages the manufacturing registration data 510 . The manufacturing registration data 510 is prepared for each tangible object 10, and stores the name of the tangible object (for example, the product name or the name of a character appearing in the content that served as a reference for the design), the name of the manufacturer, lot information, manufacturing date and time, manufacturing location, individual identification information, and image data at the time of manufacturing in association with each other. The manufacturer of the tangible object 10 inputs this information into the manufacturing management server 1100a as one of the manufacturing or shipping processes, and registers the manufacturing registration data 510.

[0061] The manufacturing registration data 510 is not limited to being registered when the tangible object 10 is manufactured and sold as a finished product. For example, when the tangible object 10 is manufactured and sold as a production kit, and an individual assembles and creates and completes the tangible object 10, the manufacturing registration data 510 may be registered when the production kit is manufactured and sold. Alternatively, the tangible object 10 itself may be manufactured by an individual. In this case, a set including an IC tag 16 having individual identification information and an individual identification information sticker 18 may be sold as an information management registration set for when an individual manufactures the tangible object 10. An individual purchases this set, embeds the IC tag 16 in the body 12 of the tangible object 10 that the individual created, and affixes the individual identification information sticker 18. The individual then uses a predetermined registration website provided by the manufacturing management server 1100a to register the individual identification information, etc., associated with the purchased IC tag 16 and the individual identification information sticker 18, thereby registering the manufacturing registration data 510 corresponding to the tangible object 10 that the individual created.

[0062] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the functions performed by the ownership information management server 1100b. The ownership information management server 1100b stores and manages ownership information 512 of the tangible object 10, and issues an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) that indicates ownership.

[0063] The user 2a who first purchases (or manufactures) the tangible object 10 sets and registers the ownership of the tangible object 10.

[0064] Specifically, the user uses the user terminal 1500a to access a predetermined website linked to the ownership information management server 1100b and completes the user registration procedure. Following the user registration, the ownership information management server 1100b stores the user registration data 511.

[0065] Next, the user 2a operates the RFID reader / writer 1590 connected to the user terminal 1500a to read the individual identification information from the tangible object 10 for which ownership is to be set. The user terminal 1500a sends a request to the ownership information management server 1100b to set a new ownership, along with the read individual identification information and image data of the tangible object 10 photographed by the user terminal 1500a.

[0066] In response to the request, the ownership information management server 1100b requests the manufacturing management server 1100a to make a manufacturing inquiry about the individual identification information attached to the request. The manufacturing management server 1100a returns the result of comparing the requested individual identification information with the manufacturing registration data 510 to the ownership information management server 1100b. If the inquiry result received from the manufacturing management server 1100a indicates that the product is genuine, the ownership information management server 1100b creates and stores new ownership information 512 in response to a request from the user terminal 1500a.

[0067] The ownership information 512 is held as blockchain data. The ownership information 512 stores, for example, a unique registration ID, individual identification information of the tangible object 10 for which ownership setting is requested, the date and time of new registration, owner information at the time of new registration (e.g., name, address, date of birth, gender, etc.), and image data of the tangible object at the time of new registration.

[0068] Of course, information other than the above may be stored as appropriate in the ownership information 512. Also, storage of one or more pieces of information may be omitted. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which joint ownership of the tangible object 10 is permitted. In this case, the owner information at the time of new registration and the sharing ratio may be associated and stored in the ownership information 512.

[0069] Then, the ownership information management server 1100b issues an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) based on the new registration date and time, the owner user account at the time of new registration, individual identification information, and tangible object image data at the time of new registration, and transmits it to the user terminal 1500a. The user terminal 1500a writes the NFT to the IC tag 16 of the tangible object 10 via the RFID reader / writer 1590. The ownership of this tangible object 10 is secured by the ownership information 512 and the NFT based thereon in a manner that can be verified by a third party.

[0070] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the functions of the content providing server 1100c. In this embodiment, the content is an online game. Therefore, the content providing server 1100c functions as a game server for the online game. Furthermore, in the online game, the user 2 can use a character linked to the tangible object 10 that the user 2 owns as the player character 4 in game play using the tangible object 10. By reading and inputting the individual identification information of the tangible object 10 using the RFID reader / writer 1590 and registering the individual identification information (and thus the tangible object 10) in the user terminal 1500a and the content providing server 1500C, the character linked to the individual identification information (and thus the tangible object 10) can be used as the player character 4. In addition to the method of reading the individual identification information from the IC tag 16 using the RFID reader / writer 1590, a method of inputting the individual identification information by the user operating and inputting a code written on the individual identification information sticker 18 can also be adopted.

[0071] The content providing server 1100c stores and manages content data 520 including various data for realizing the provision of content, user management data 530 for each user, and usage information 532 for each user.

[0072] The content data 520 includes data defining a benefit when using a tangible object that is granted to a user who plays a game using the tangible object 10. The benefit referred to here can be set appropriately depending on the content of the game, such as improving the ability parameter values ​​of the player character 4, granting a skill, granting a special item, granting a special skin, unlocking a playable game stage, etc. Multiple types of data defining a benefit when using a tangible object may be prepared depending on the type of tangible object 10.

[0073] The user management data 530 stores a user account, a password, personal user information (such as name, address, date of birth, and gender), a content ID indicating the game being played, and individual identification information of the tangible object 10 used in the content. In addition, information such as the name of the team to which the user belongs, a list of user accounts of team members, and ranking information may be stored as appropriate.

[0074] The individual identification information of the tangible object 10 being used is read in advance from the tangible object 10 by the user terminal 1500a via the RFID reader / writer 1590. The individual identification information read from the tangible object 10 is provided to the content providing server 1100c in a predetermined tangible object usage procedure before the start of game play.

[0075] The usage information 532 stores various data related to the results and achievements of using the content using the corresponding tangible entity 10. If the content is a game, the usage information 532 corresponds to "game information" such as game data, play data, save data, etc., which change based on the achievements of the user, who is the player, in using the content using the corresponding tangible entity 10.

[0076] Specifically, the usage information 532 includes the following as element information divided by category or classification: (1) A user account indicating the user who can use the usage information; (2) Content ID (e.g., game title), (3) Individual identification information of the tangible object 10 linked to the usage information (4) Play history (e.g., play date and time history, number of plays, cumulative play time, etc.), (5) Game save data, (6) Purchase history of game items, lotteries, etc. (7) A lottery acquisition history indicating the acquisition history of items, etc., through paid / free lotteries related to the game (for example, a set of the lottery date and time and the identification information of the items acquired through the lottery), (8) A history of obtaining benefits when using a tangible object (for example, a set of the date and time of grant and information indicating the content of the benefit); Of course, data other than these can also be stored as appropriate.

[0077] The game save data includes, for example, the type of player character 4 associated with the individual identification information (and thus the tangible object 10), a list of ability parameter values ​​of the player character 4, a list of acquired skills, a list of owned items, etc. The ability parameter value list and the acquired skill list correspond to information on the training results obtained by the user's play and training of the player character 4. This information included in the game save data is also element information divided by classification or category for the usage information 532.

[0078] If the content is other than a game, instead of game save data, data according to the usage pattern of the content for the tangible object 10 is stored. For example, in the case of content in a public service where still images or videos of the tangible object 10 are made public to an unspecified number of people, ratings are obtained from users other than the user who owns the tangible object 10, and the results of the ratings are made public (for example, a video posted on a video sharing site that can display the number of viewer ratings), usage information 532 may store information on the results of ratings by viewers.

[0079] 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining the procedure for transferring ownership of the tangible object 10. An example is shown in which a user 2a transfers the tangible object 10 to a user 2b. The user 2a is the transferor user, and the user 2b is the transferee user.

[0080] An agreement on the transfer has already been reached between user 2a and user 2b, the tangible object 10 is in the possession of user 2b, and user 2a has received payment for the transfer. In other words, the explanation will be given assuming that the transfer of the actual substance of the tangible object 10 has been completed. Based on this premise, both users carry out an ownership transfer procedure via ownership information management server 1100b to change the ownership information 512 of the tangible object 10.

[0081] Specifically, the transferor user (user 2a) and the transferee user (user 2b) each participate in the ownership transfer procedure service provided by the ownership information management server 1100b using the user terminal 1500. It is assumed that user registration has already been completed separately.

[0082] As shown in Figure 5, when the ownership transfer procedure is initiated, a transferor user confirmation screen W2 is displayed on the user terminal 1500a of the transferor user (user 2a). This screen includes input fields for the user name indicating the identity of the transferor user and the password specified during user registration, an input field for the name of the transferee user recognized by the transferor user, and a check box for confirming receipt of the transfer consideration. Once these inputs are made, an additional item setting screen W4 is displayed on the user terminal 1500a.

[0083] The incidental item setting screen W4 is a screen for receiving operation inputs for setting incidental items associated with the transfer. As incidental items, it is set whether or not the usage information associated with the transferor user associated with the use of the content using the tangible object 10 is to be transferred to the transferee user, and if so, how it is to be transferred.

[0084] Specifically, the additional information setting screen W4 displays a content specification field in which information specifying which content usage information is to be transferred is entered, and a check field for the transfer type in which the user can select "Do not transfer," "Transfer all," or "Transfer some" of the usage information.

[0085] In the content specification field, the user is required to enter the content ID (game title), the user account and password of the transfer source user when using the content.

[0086] When "Transfer part" is checked in the check box for transfer type, the ownership information management server 1100b accesses the content providing server 1100c based on the input result in the content specification field and requests an inquiry about the type of information contained in the usage information of the specified content.

[0087] In response to the request, the content providing server 1100c returns the type of information included in the usage information of the specified content as a response result to the ownership information management server 1100b.

[0088] Based on this reply, the user terminal 1500a displays a detailed settings screen W6. The detailed settings screen W6 displays a check box for individually selecting the type of usage information to be transferred, and a check box for selecting how the usage information is to be handled upon transfer. Multiple types of usage information to be transferred can be selected. Only one of the three types of usage information handling can be selected: "transfer inheritance," "integration," and "additional inheritance."

[0089] "Transfer inheritance" is a handling method for usage information in which the transferee user basically inherits the transferor's usage information as is, and can use only that usage information. For example, the user account settings (settings indicating the user) of the transferor's usage information are rewritten to the transferee's user account, and the linking of the usage information is changed from the transferor user to the transferee user. If the transferee user is already using the content and there is already usage information for the transferee user, this will be deleted.

[0090] "Merging" usage information is a handling method in which the transferor's usage information and the transferee's usage information are merged into one. Specifically, if both users are using the same type of player character, the ability parameter values ​​of the transferor's usage information and the transferee's usage information are compared for each type of ability parameter, and the higher value is changed and merged. The same applies to acquired skills. All owned items, available game stage unlock rights, etc., from the transferor's usage information are copied and merged into the transferee's usage information. Note that the transferor's usage information is deleted after the merger.

[0091] "Additional inheritance" is a handling method for handling usage information, in which the linking of usage information is changed from the transferor user to the transferee user, and additional usage information is created that can be used by the transferee user. It differs from "transfer inheritance" in that if the transferee user is already using the specified content and already has usage information for the transferee user, this information will not be deleted but will remain. In other words, after the transfer, one more piece of usage information (a character that can be used as a player character and its information) will be linked to the transferee user.

[0092] 6, when the ownership transfer procedure is initiated, a transferee user confirmation screen W10 is displayed on the user terminal 1500b of the transferee user (user 2b). The screen includes input fields for the user name and password indicating the identity of the transferee user, individual identification information of the transferred tangible object 10, a field for specifying image data of the transferred tangible object 10, and a check field for confirming receipt of the transferred tangible object 10.

[0093] The individual identification information of the transferred tangible object 10 may be entered as text, such as a numerical value, or may be read by operating a read start icon using the RFID reader / writer 1590 connected to the user terminal 1500b. The image data of the transferred tangible object 10 is captured in advance by the user terminal 1500b, and the image data file is designated. Alternatively, a capture start icon may be operated to capture the image on the spot with the user terminal 1500b.

[0094] When the transferee user fills in these fields, an additional item confirmation screen W12 is displayed on the user terminal 1500b. This screen displays an additional item display operation icon that displays the additional items set by the transferor user, and a check box that the transferee user can use to declare that they have confirmed the additional items. When the additional item display operation icon is operated, the contents of the additional items set on the transferor user's user terminal 1500a are displayed on the user terminal 1500b.

[0095] In addition, the additional information confirmation screen W12 displays a transfer execution condition display operation icon that displays the transfer execution conditions related to the content specified by the transferor user, and a check box that indicates that the recipient user has confirmed the transfer execution conditions.

[0096] The transfer execution conditions are prepared for each content and indicate the requirements that must be met in order to transfer the usage information of that content. The transfer execution conditions are independently set by the administrator of the content providing service (in this embodiment, the content is an online game, so the game provider) on the content providing server 1100c.

[0097] The transfer execution condition setting data 550, which defines the transfer execution conditions, is managed by the content providing server 1100c. The transfer execution condition setting data 550 includes a content ID (game title) that specifies the content to which the conditions apply, and information on the condition configuration. The condition configuration is described by combining one or more sub-conditions.

[0098] Sub-conditions include, for example: (1) The conditions of the transfer contract agreement regarding the transfer contract agreement for the tangible object 10 (for example, whether the agreement has been concluded, the difference between the agreed date and the current date, etc.); (2) Transfer conditions regarding the type of transfer; (3) User relationship conditions regarding the relationship between the transferor user and the transferee user (e.g., same sex, same age, same team, different team, friend registration, etc.), (4) Non-transferable information type conditions indicating the types of information that are not permitted to be transferred among the usage information 532; (5) Transfer consideration conditions (e.g., the transfer consideration is in-game currency, the transfer consideration is game items, the maximum amount of the transfer consideration, etc.), (6) Classification conditions for classification of element conditions of the usage information 532 (for example, corresponds to a specified classification, etc.), (7) Type conditions for the classification of element conditions of the usage information 532 (for example, corresponds to a specified type, etc.), Of course, sub-conditions other than these can also be set as appropriate.

[0099] When the transfer execution condition display operation icon is operated, the ownership information management server 1100b requests the content providing server 1100c for the contents of the transfer execution conditions for the content specified by the transferor user on the supplementary item setting screen W4. In response to the request, the content providing server 1100c replies with the corresponding transfer execution conditions. The ownership information management server 1100b displays the received transfer execution conditions on the user terminal 1500b of the transferee user.

[0100] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the transfer contract and the notification of the transfer completion. Once the various inputs required for the transfer are made on the user terminal 1500a of the transferor user and on the user terminal 1500b of the transferee user, the contents of the transfer contract are determined. A contract content confirmation screen W14 showing the final contents of the transfer contract is displayed on both the user terminal 1500a and the user terminal 1500b.

[0101] The contract content confirmation screen W14 displays an approval operation icon and a contract cancellation operation icon, and when both the transferor user and the transferee user operate the approval operation icons, the ownership information management server 1100b considers that the transfer contract content has been confirmed and determines that the transfer contract has been established. In other words, the ownership information management server 1100b determines that the ownership transfer conditions for transferring a tangible object owned by a first user to a second user have been met.

[0102] If it is determined that the transfer contract has been concluded, a transfer completion notification screen W16 is displayed on both user terminal 1500a and user terminal 1500b. At the same time, ownership information management server 1100b sends data indicating the contract details and the conclusion of the contract to the email addresses registered in advance by each of the transferor user and the transferee user.

[0103] 8 is a diagram for explaining changes to the ownership information 512 accompanying the establishment of a transfer contract. When a transfer contract is established, the ownership information management server 1100b adds transfer history data 514 to the ownership information 512 of the tangible object 10 to be transferred. Incidentally, in the example of FIG. 8, since this is the first transfer of the tangible object 10, only one piece of transfer history data 514 is shown.

[0104] The transfer history data 514 stores various data describing the contents of the transfer contracts that have been concluded. Specifically, the transfer history data 514 includes a unique transfer ID, the date and time the transfer contract was concluded, the name of the transferor user, the name of the transferee user, individual identification information of the tangible object to be transferred (transferred tangible object), image data of the transferred tangible object, and incidental item setting data. Of course, data other than these may also be included as appropriate.

[0105] The incidental item setting data includes information for identifying the usage information to be transferred, such as a content category, a content ID (e.g., a game title), the user account of the transferor user when using the content, etc. The incidental item setting data also includes a setting for the transfer form of the usage information, a setting for handling the specified usage information, and a type of usage information to be excluded from transfer.

[0106] The non-transferable usage information type indicates the type of usage information that was not selected in the type of usage information to be transferred on the detailed setting screen W6 (see FIG. 5). The non-transferable usage information type may be configured to always include items acquired by lottery (lottery acquisitions; regardless of whether they are items or characters).

[0107] Then, the ownership information management server 1100b issues an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) based on the ownership information 512 and transmits it to the user terminal 1500b. User terminal 1500b writes the NFT to IC tag 16 of tangible object 10 via RFID reader / writer 1590. The ownership information 512 and the NFT allow a third party to confirm that ownership of tangible object 10 belongs to user 2b, the transferee user.

[0108] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the transfer process of the usage information by the content providing server 1100c. The content providing server 1100c periodically sends a transfer occurrence inquiry request to the ownership information management server 1100b. In response to the request, the ownership information management server 1100b provides the content providing server 1100c with part or all of the transfer history data 514 of transfer contracts that have been concluded since the previous transfer occurrence inquiry up to the present.

[0109] The content providing server 1100c executes a transfer process of the usage information based on the received transfer history data 514. The content of the transfer process changes depending on the settings of the additional items. Specifically, it changes depending on the settings of the transfer form of the usage information, the settings of how the usage information is handled, and the settings of the types of usage information excluded from transfer, among the additional items.

[0110] In the example of Figure 9, the usage information handling setting is set to "transfer inheritance" and the transfer exclusion usage information type is set to the default "lottery wins." That is, the "transfer inheritance" transfer process deletes the transferee user's usage information 532. The user account of the transferor user (user 2a) in the usage information 532 is then changed from the transferor user's (user 2a) account to the transferee user's (user 2b) account. Next, because the transfer exclusion usage information type is set to "lottery wins" by default, the lottery win history is referenced to search for and delete the lottery wins from the owned item list. The transferee user is then unable to use the items the transferor user won in the lottery. This prevents the misuse of the ownership transfer mechanism for lottery wins by reselling or cashing them. After the lottery wins are deleted, the lottery win history is deleted. Even if the usage information handling setting is set to "integration" or "additional inheritance," the transfer exclusion usage information type can always include lottery wins. Details of the transfer process will be described later in the operation description.

[0111] Next, the functional configuration will be described. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information management system 1000. The information management system 1000 includes an operation input unit 100s, a server processing unit 200s, a sound output unit 390s, an image display unit 392s, a communication unit 394s, and a server storage unit 500s.

[0112] The operation input unit 100s is a means for inputting various operations for managing the information management system 1000. For example, a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, etc., correspond to this.

[0113] The server processing unit 200s is realized by electronic components such as a processor serving as an arithmetic circuit, such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, or FPGA, as well as IC memory, and controls input and output of data between the server processing unit 200s and each functional unit including the operation input unit 100s and the server storage unit 500s.The server processing unit 200s performs various arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100s, data received from the user terminal 1500, etc., and comprehensively controls the operation of the information management system 1000.

[0114] The server processing unit 200s includes a manufacturing management unit 210, an ownership information management unit 212, a content provision control unit 214, an ownership transfer condition determination unit 216, a usage information transfer processing unit 218, a timing unit 280s, a sound generation unit 290s, an image generation unit 292s, and a communication control unit 294s. Of course, other functional units may also be included as appropriate.

[0115] The manufacturing management unit 210 manages information relating to the manufacturing of the tangible object 10. Specifically, it manages manufacturing registration data 510 (see FIG. 2).

[0116] The ownership information management unit 212 manages ownership information, which is information about the user 2 who owns the tangible object 10, and modifies the ownership information so that the ownership of the tangible object to be transferred is transferred from the first user to the second user when the ownership transfer conditions are met. Specifically, the ownership information management unit 212 manages ownership information 512 as the ownership information, and adds transfer history data 514 when the ownership transfer conditions are met (see FIGS. 3 and 8).

[0117] The content provision control unit 214 controls the provision of content to the user terminal 1500 and manages various data related to the provision. Specifically, it manages content data 520, user management data 530, and usage information 532 (see FIG. 4).

[0118] The ownership transfer condition determination unit 216 determines whether a given ownership transfer condition for transferring a tangible object to be transferred owned by a first user to a second user is satisfied.

[0119] When the ownership transfer condition is satisfied, the usage information transfer processing unit 218 executes a usage information transfer process for transferring the usage information (transfer usage information) of the transfer tangible object owned by the first user to the second user.

[0120] The timekeeping unit 280s uses a system clock to measure various times such as the current date and time and time limits.

[0121] The sound generation unit 290s is realized by executing an IC or software that generates or decodes audio data, and generates or decodes audio data such as operation sounds, sound effects, background music, and voice calls related to system management of the information management system 1000 and provision of online games. The audio signals related to system management are output to the sound output unit 390s.

[0122] The sound output unit 390s is realized by a speaker or the like, and emits sound based on an audio signal.

[0123] The image generation unit 292s generates images of various management screens for system management of the information management system 1000, and outputs the image data to the image display unit 392s. The image display unit 392s is realized by a device that displays images, such as a flat panel display, a head-mounted display, or a projector.

[0124] The image display unit 392s also generates images necessary for providing content, such as generating a content screen to be displayed on each user terminal 1500, and rendering a game space image obtained by capturing a virtual three-dimensional space with a virtual camera, which serves as the basis for a gameplay image.

[0125] The communication control unit 294s executes data processing related to data communication, and realizes data exchange with external devices via the communication unit 394s.

[0126] The communication unit 394s connects to the network 9 and realizes communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to the communication device 1153.

[0127] The server storage unit 500s stores programs and various data for implementing various functions that allow the server processing unit 200s to comprehensively control the information management system 1000. It is also used as a work area for the server processing unit 200s, temporarily storing the results of calculations executed by the server processing unit 200s in accordance with the various programs. This function is realized by, for example, IC memory such as RAM or ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROMs or DVDs, online storage, etc. In the example of FIG. 1, these correspond to storage media such as the IC memory 1152 and hard disks mounted on the main device 1101. Online storage may also be included in the server storage unit 500s.

[0128] 11 is a diagram showing examples of programs and data stored in the server storage unit 500s. The server storage unit 500s in this embodiment stores a server program 501, a distribution client program 503, manufacturing registration data 510 (see FIG. 2), ownership information 512 (see FIGS. 3 and 8), content data 520 (see FIG. 4), user management data 530 (see FIG. 4), usage information 532 (see FIG. 4), transfer contract setting work data 540, transfer execution condition setting data 550 (see FIG. 6), transfer execution history data 560, content play data 700, and a current date and time 900. The server storage unit 500s also stores other programs and data (e.g., timers, counters, various flags, etc.) as appropriate.

[0129] The server program 501 is a program that is read and executed by the server processing unit 200s to cause the server processing unit 200s to realize the functions of the manufacturing management unit 210, the ownership information management unit 212, the content provision control unit 214, the ownership transfer condition determination unit 216, and the usage information transfer processing unit 218. When the information management system 1000 is configured with a manufacturing management server 1100a, an ownership information management server 1100b, and a content providing server 1100c, the server program 501 includes a manufacturing management server program for realizing the function of the manufacturing management server 1100a, an ownership information management server program for realizing the function of the ownership information management server 1100b, and a content providing server program for realizing the function of the content providing server 1100c, and these are executed by the respective server devices.

[0130] The delivery client program 503 is an original program that is provided to the user terminal 1500 and executed.

[0131] The transfer contract setting operation data 540 temporarily stores various operation data related to the ownership transfer procedure. The results of the operation inputs on the various screens shown in Figures 5 and 6 are stored here.

[0132] The transfer execution history data 560 is created each time a transfer of the usage information 532 is executed in response to the establishment of a transfer of ownership, and stores various data indicating the history of the transfer execution. For example, one transfer execution history data 560 stores, in association with each other, the contract ID at which the transfer was established, the execution date and time, the transfer ID (see FIG. 8) of the transfer history data 514 that was the origin of the transfer, and the like.

[0133] The play data 700 stores various data for the user to use the content. If the content is an online game, the play data 700 corresponds to play data and game progress control data that store various data necessary for controlling the game progress.

[0134] 12 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal 1500. The user terminal 1500 includes an operation input unit 100, a device processing unit 200, a sound output unit 390, an image display unit 392, a communication unit 394, and a device storage unit 500.

[0135] The operation input unit 100 outputs an operation input signal corresponding to various operation inputs made by the user to the device processing unit 200. For example, the operation input unit 100 can be realized by a push switch, a joystick, a touchpad, a trackball, an acceleration sensor, a gyro, or the like.

[0136] The device processing unit 200 is realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, and an IC memory, and controls input and output of data between the device processing unit 200 and each functional unit including the operation input unit 100 and the device storage unit 500. The device processing unit 200 controls the operation of the user terminal 1500 by executing various arithmetic processes based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, and various data received from the information management system 1000.

[0137] The device processing unit 200 in this embodiment includes a client control unit 260 , a clock unit 280 , a sound generation unit 290 , an image generation unit 292 , and a communication control unit 294 .

[0138] The client control unit 260 performs various controls to make the user terminal 1500 function as an MMIF (Man-Machine Interface) as a client in the information management system 1000. Specifically, the client control unit 260 has an operation input information providing unit 261 and a display control unit 262.

[0139] The operation input information providing unit 261 controls transmission of operation input information to the information management system 1000 in response to input from the operation input unit 100 .

[0140] The display control unit 262 performs control to display various images based on data received from the information management system 1000.

[0141] The timekeeping unit 280 uses a system clock to keep track of the current date and time, time limit, and the like.

[0142] The sound generation unit 290 is realized by, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a voice synthesis IC, or an audio codec capable of playing audio files, and generates sound signals for music, sound effects, and various operation sounds, and outputs them to the sound output unit 390.

[0143] The sound output unit 390 is realized by a device that outputs (emits sound) based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 290, such as a speaker.

[0144] The image generation unit 292 generates and outputs an image signal that causes the image display unit 392 to display an image based on the control of the client control unit 260. In the example of Fig. 1, this corresponds to a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a graphics controller, a graphics board, etc., mounted on the control board 1550.

[0145] The image display unit 392 is realized by a device that displays images, such as a flat panel display, a head-mounted display, or a projector.

[0146] The communication control unit 294 executes data processing related to data communication, and realizes data exchange with external devices via the communication unit 394.

[0147] The communication unit 394 connects to the network 9 to realize communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to the communication module 1553.

[0148] The device storage unit 500 stores programs for causing the device processing unit 200 to realize given functions, various data, etc. It is also used as a work area for the device processing unit 200, and temporarily stores the results of calculations executed by the device processing unit 200 in accordance with the various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 100, etc. These functions are realized by, for example, IC memory such as RAM or ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROMs or DVDs, etc. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to the IC memory 1552 mounted on the control board 1550.

[0149] Specifically, the terminal storage unit 500 stores a client program 502 (application program) for causing the device processing unit 200 to function as the client control unit 260, and a current date and time 900. Of course, data other than these can also be stored as appropriate.

[0150] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the manufacturing process of the tangible object 10. The manufacturer stores the individual identification information in the IC tag 16 (step S12) and creates the individual identification information sticker 18 (step S14). Note that if the IC tag 16 with the individual identification information already stored and the printed individual identification information sticker 18 are purchased separately, these steps can be omitted.

[0151] Next, the manufacturer produces the tangible object 10 incorporating the IC tag 16, and affixes the individual identification information sticker 18, which is a set with the IC tag 16, to the surface of the tangible object (step S16).

[0152] The manufacturer then takes an image of the tangible object 10 at the time of manufacturing (step S18), inputs necessary information into the manufacturing registration data 510 in the manufacturing management server 1100a, and creates and stores (step S20) new manufacturing registration data 510. Specifically, when the manufacturing management server 1100a detects a predetermined manufacturing registration creation operation input, it requests the input of individual identification information and manufacturing image data, and when these are input, creates and stores new manufacturing registration data 510.

[0153] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing related to the setting of new ownership of the tangible entity 10 (see FIG. 3). User 2, who wishes to newly establish ownership of tangible object 10, inputs a predetermined new ownership establishment operation into user terminal 1500. When user terminal 1500 detects this (step S30), it displays a message to user 2 urging him / her to read the individual identification information of tangible object 10 and take a photograph of tangible object 10 using RFID reader / writer 1590, and reads the individual identification information, photographs tangible object 10, and saves the image data in response to these operations by user 2 (step S32).

[0154] Next, the user terminal 1500 accesses the ownership information management server 1100b and requests the establishment of new ownership, along with the read individual identification information and image data (step S34).

[0155] When the ownership information management server 1100b receives the request, it requests the manufacturing management server 1100a to make a manufacturing inquiry about the individual identification information attached to the request (step S40). The manufacturing management server 1100a collates the requested individual identification information with the manufacturing registration data 510, and returns the result of the inquiry (for example, whether manufacturing registration is present or absent) to the ownership information management server 1100b (step S42).

[0156] If the ownership information management server 1100b can determine from the inquiry result obtained from the manufacturing management server 1100a that the tangible object 10 of the individual identification information is genuine (YES in step S44), it creates and stores new ownership information 512 in response to a request from the user terminal 1500a (step S46).

[0157] The ownership information management server 1100b may attach image data at the time of manufacture to the inquiry response, and compare the image data at the time of manufacture with the image data attached to the new ownership setting request to additionally perform an authenticity determination process for the tangible object 10. Then, if the inquiry response is "registered" and the result of the authenticity determination process is "true," the tangible object 10 is determined to be genuine.

[0158] Next, the ownership information management server 1100b issues an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) based on the new registration date and time, the owner user account at the time of new registration, and the tangible object image data at the time of new registration, and sends it to the user terminal 1500a (step S48).

[0159] The user terminal 1500a writes the received NFT to the IC tag 16 of the tangible object 10 via the RFID reader / writer 1590 (step S50). After the NFT is written, the NFT stored in the IC tag 16 can be read and an NFT authenticity determination service separately provided by the ownership information management server 1100b can be used to confirm that the tangible object 10 is genuine and who its owner is.

[0160] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing related to the provision of content. A user 2 who wishes to use content inputs a content use start operation into the user terminal 1500. When the user terminal 1500 detects this, it accesses the content providing server 1100c and starts the login procedure processing (step S70). In response to this, the content providing server 1100c executes the login acceptance processing (step S72).

[0161] A user 2 who wishes to use the tangible object 10 in content inputs a predetermined operation for using the tangible object after logging in. The user terminal 1500 detects this, reads out the individual identification information from the tangible object 10 using the RFID reader / writer 1590, and transmits the individual identification information together with a tangible object use request to the content providing server 1100c (step S74).

[0162] Upon receiving the request, the content providing server 1100c transmits a request for querying ownership along with the received individual identification information to the ownership information management server 1100b (step S76).

[0163] When the ownership information management server 1100b receives the request, it returns the user information (name, address, date of birth, gender, etc.) of the user who is the most recent owner of the tangible object 10 of the received individual identification information (the transferee user in the most recent transfer) to the content providing server 1100c (step S78).

[0164] The content providing server 1100c determines from the inquiry response whether the user 2 whose login was accepted in step S72 has ownership of the tangible object 10 whose individual identification information was received in the request in step S74. Specifically, the content providing server 1100c compares the user personal information in the user management data 530 (see FIG. 4) of the user 2 whose login was accepted in step S72 with the user information received as the inquiry response to make the determination. For example, a positive determination may be made if the names match, or a positive determination may not be made if all of the names, addresses, and dates of birth do not match.

[0165] If it is determined that the user has ownership (YES in step S80), the content providing server 1100c registers the individual identification information received in the request of step S74 in the user management data 530 (see FIG. 4) of the user (logged-in user) whose login was accepted in step S72 (step S82). However, if the individual identification information has already been registered as individual identification information for a tangible object that is already in use, step S82 is skipped.

[0166] Next, content providing server 1100c grants a benefit based on the benefit definition data for when a tangible object is used in content data 520 (see FIG. 4) for the content (step S84). Specifically, if the benefit is a change in ability parameter value, acquisition of a skill, provision of a usable character, provision of an item, or the like, the game save data in login user usage information 532 (see FIG. 4) is updated. Then, to prevent double acquisition of the benefit when a tangible object is used, the benefit acquisition history for when a tangible object is used is updated. Note that in a configuration in which multiple types of benefit definition data for when a tangible object is used are prepared according to the type of tangible object 10, the tangible object name is queried from manufacturing management server 1100a as appropriate, along with the individual identification information.

[0167] If it is determined that the user does not have ownership (YES in step S80), the content providing server 1100c skips steps S82 and S84. Instead, the content providing server 1100c may display a notice on the user terminal 1500 informing the user that the content is not available for use.

[0168] Next, the content providing server 1100c starts providing the content and starts updating the usage information 532 (step S88). The content providing server 1100c functions as a game server and starts transmitting various content execution data, such as image data for playing the online game, to the user terminal 1500. As a result, play of the online game begins on the user terminal 1500 (step S90).

[0169] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing related to the transfer of ownership of the tangible object 10. The user terminal 1500a of the transferring user 2a and the user terminal 1500b of the receiving user 2b both access the ownership information management server 1100b, and when each detects an input to start the ownership transfer procedure, they send a request to the ownership information management server 1100b to start the transfer procedure (step S100).

[0170] The ownership information management server 1100b requests the user terminal 1500 that made the request to confirm the user and to input the necessary operations to set the transfer contract contents (step S102).

[0171] When the user terminal 1500a and the user terminal 1500b receive the request, they accept the requested operation input (step S104). Specifically, the user terminal 1500a of the transfer source user 2a displays a transfer source user confirmation screen W2, an additional item setting screen W4, and a detailed setting screen W6 (see FIG. 5).

[0172] In relation to the detailed setting screen W6, the user terminal 1500a inquires of the content providing server 1100c about the type of information included in the usage information, and the content providing server 1100c responds to this inquiry (step S106).

[0173] Furthermore, the result of the operation input by the transfer source user 2a is transmitted from the user terminal 1500a to the ownership information management server 1100b. The ownership information management server 1100b sets the content of the incidental items based on the operation input result received from the user terminal 1500a of the transferee user 2a (step S108). Then, since the information of the operation input on the incidental items setting screen W4 includes the name of the transferee user (see FIG. 5), the ownership information management server 1100b matches the transferee user with the transferee user and transmits the incidental items content information to the user terminal 1500b of the transferee user 2b.

[0174] When the user terminal 1500b of the transferee user 2b receives a request for user confirmation and the operational input required to set the transfer contract contents, it displays the transferee user confirmation screen W10 (see Figure 6) and displays the additional items confirmation screen W12 based on the content information of the additional items received from the ownership information management server 1100b.

[0175] Furthermore, when the user terminal 1500b detects a confirmation input of the transfer execution conditions on the supplementary item confirmation screen W12, it sends a transfer execution condition reference request to the content providing server 1100c. In response to this, the content providing server 1100c returns the data of the transfer execution conditions (step S110). The result of the operation input by the transferee user is sent to the ownership information management server 1100b.

[0176] Once the ownership information management server 1100b has received the results of user confirmation and the operational input required to set the transfer contract contents, it sets the transfer contract contents (contents stored in the transfer history data 514: see Figure 8) and sends a confirmation operation request for the contract contents from the transferor user 2a and the transferee user 2b to the user terminal 1500a and the user terminal 1500b (step S120).

[0177] When the user terminal 1500a and the user terminal 1500b receive the confirmation operation request, they display the contract content confirmation screen W14 (see FIG. 7) and transmit the result of the confirmation operation input for approval / contract cancellation to the ownership information management server 1100b (step S122).

[0178] If the ownership information management server 1100b has completed all of the following steps, it determines that the transfer contract has been concluded, and sends a prescribed completion notification to user terminal 1500a and user terminal 1500b (step S124). The ownership information management server 1100b ...

[0179] Furthermore, the ownership information management server 1100b generates and adds transfer history data 514 relating to the transfer that has just been completed to the ownership information 512 of the tangible object 10 that is the subject of the transfer (step S126).Then, the ownership information management server 1100b issues an NFT and transmits it to the user terminal 1500b (step S128).

[0180] Upon receiving the notification, the user terminal 1500a and the user terminal 1500b display the transfer completion notification screen W16 (see FIG. 7) and provide services such as sending the transfer contract details by email (step S130). The user terminal 1500b writes the received NFT via the RFID reader / writer 1590 to the IC tag 16 of the received tangible object 10 (step S132).

[0181] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the usage information transfer process. The content providing server 1100c periodically sends a transfer occurrence inquiry request to the ownership information management server 1100b (step S200). In response to the request, the ownership information management server 1100b provides the content providing server 1100c with part or all of the transfer history data 514 of transfer contracts that have been concluded since the previous transfer occurrence inquiry request up to the present (step S202).

[0182] The content providing server 1100c compares the received transfer history data 514 with the transfer execution history data 560 (see FIG. 11) to search for transfer histories in which the transfer of the usage information 532 has not yet been executed. If there is an unexecuted transfer history, loop A, i.e., the transfer process of the usage information, is executed for each corresponding transfer history data 514 (steps S206 to S224).

[0183] Specifically, if the transfer execution conditions indicated in the transfer execution condition setting data 550 (see Figure 6) are satisfied for the transfer history to be processed in loop A (YS in step S208), the content providing server 1100c refers to the transfer type setting of the usage information 532 included in the transfer history data 514.

[0184] If the setting of the transfer type indicates that some or all of the usage information 532 will be "transferred" (Transfer in step S210), the content providing server 1100c further refers to the "Handling of usage information" setting in the additional item setting data of the transfer history data 514, and if it indicates "Transfer inheritance" (YES in step S212), it executes the transfer inheritance transfer process (step S214).

[0185] Specifically, if the transferee user's usage information 532 is not available, the content providing server 1100c searches for the transferor user's usage information 532 (see FIG. 4) relating to the content indicated by the "content ID" in the ancillary item setting data of the transfer history data 514 to be processed in loop A as a transfer process for transfer inheritance. Then, the content providing server 1100c rewrites the user account to the transferee user's user account. Furthermore, the content providing server 1100c erases or rewrites to a default value the data of the usage information 532 corresponding to the "transfer-exclusion usage information type" in the ancillary item setting data of the transfer history data 514 to be processed in loop A. Furthermore, the content providing server 1100c erases or rewrites to a default value the data acquired by lottery indicated in the lottery acquisition history of the transferor user's usage information 532. In other words, the transferor user's usage information 532 is rewritten as if it were the transferee user's usage information 532.

[0186] If the transferee user's usage information 532 exists, the content providing server 1100c may perform the transfer process of transfer inheritance by overwriting the transferee user's usage information 532 with the transferee user's usage information 532 and deleting the overwritten transferee user's usage information 532. The same applies to data that falls under the "transfer-excluded usage information type" and data acquired by lottery indicated in the lottery acquisition history.

[0187] In addition, if there are multiple pieces of usage information 532 of the transferor user for one piece of content (for example, the transferor user has been transferred tangible object 10 from another user and the handling of the usage information at that time is "additional inheritance"), the transfer process for transfer inheritance may allow the transferee user to select which of the multiple pieces of usage information 532 to make the target of transfer inheritance.

[0188] If the setting of "Handling of Usage Information" indicates "Integration" (Integration in step S216), the content providing server 1100c executes the transfer process of integration (step S218).

[0189] Specifically, if the transferor user and the transferee user are using the same type of player character, the content providing server 1100c performs the integration transfer process by comparing the ability parameter values ​​of each item between the transferor user's usage information 532 and the transferee user's usage information 532, and changing the ability parameter value to the higher value (the side that is advantageous to the transferee user) and integrating them. The same applies to acquired skills.

[0190] Owned characters and items in the transferor's usage information 532 are added to the transferee user's usage information 532. However, ability parameters and acquired skills corresponding to usage information 532 that corresponds to the "transfer-excluded usage information type" are not integrated in this way. In addition, items acquired by lottery shown in the lottery acquisition history of the transferor's usage information 532 are not subject to integration.

[0191] If the transferor user and the transferee user are using different types of player characters, the player character type in the usage information 53 is converted from that of the transferee player to that of the transferor player (the character in the tangible object 10). Then, ability parameter values ​​are compared and integrated according to an exchange rate corresponding to a combination of character types that is separately prepared. The acquired skills may be substituted for skills that can be used with the type of player character of the transferee user and granted according to exchange rules corresponding to a combination of character types that is separately prepared.

[0192] In addition, when there are multiple pieces of usage information 532 of the transferor user for one piece of content, the transferee user may be allowed to select which of the multiple pieces of usage information 532 to integrate in the integration transfer process. Alternatively, all of the multiple pieces of usage information 532 may be integrated.

[0193] If the setting of "handling of usage information" indicates "additional inheritance" (integration in step S216), the content providing server 1100c executes a transfer process of additional inheritance (step S220).

[0194] Specifically, in the transfer process of additional inheritance, if the transferee user's usage information 532 already exists, the content providing server 1100c leaves it as it is and changes the transferor user's usage information 532 in the same manner as in the transfer process of transfer-over inheritance, and sets this as the transferee user's additional usage information 532. In other words, in the case of additional inheritance, the transferee user has multiple pieces of usage information 532, and can select any one of them to use for playing the content.

[0195] In addition, when there are multiple pieces of usage information 532 of the transferor user for one piece of content, in the additional inheritance transfer process, all of the multiple pieces of usage information 532 are treated as additional usage information 532 of the transferee user. Alternatively, the transferee user may be allowed to select a target for the additional inheritance transfer process from the multiple pieces of usage information 532 so that the number of pieces of usage information 532 is within a predetermined allowable number.

[0196] When the content providing server 1100c has executed any of the transfer processes, it creates new transfer execution history data 560 (step S222) and notifies the transferee that the transfer execution has been completed (step S223). For example, the notification may be displayed on the user terminal 1500 of the transferor user, or an email notifying the transferee may be sent to an email address associated with the transferor user and registered in advance. Then, the content providing server 1100c ends the loop A (step S224).

[0197] As described above, according to this embodiment, by setting the transfer contract details, including the supplementary matters regarding the transfer of usage information, and changing the processing details of the usage information transfer process according to the set details of the supplementary matters and the set details of the transfer conditions, in content that can be used in a tangible object usage form related to a tangible object, usage information in the tangible object usage form that is linked to the tangible object and stored for each user can be transferred between users. In other words, when the ownership transfer conditions for transferring a tangible object (transfer tangible object) from a first user (transfer source user) to a second user (transferee user) are satisfied, a usage information transfer process can be executed to transfer usage information (transfer usage information) of the transferred tangible object to the second user. A new technology can be realized that enables the transfer of transfer usage information along with the transfer of the transferred tangible object.

[0198] [Modification] An example of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described above, but the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described form, and components can be added, omitted, or modified as appropriate.

[0199] (Variation 1) For example, although the content has been described as an online game, the genre and content of the game are not limited to those in the above embodiment and can be set as appropriate.

[0200] (Variation 2) In addition, in the above embodiment, the conditions for a transfer of ownership to be successful are that all of the following are obtained: confirmation by the transferor user, confirmation by the transferee user, confirmation of receipt of the transfer consideration by the transferor user, confirmation of receipt of the transferred tangible item by the transferee user, confirmation of manufacture based on the individual identification information of the transferred tangible item, setting of the transfer contract contents, and confirmation of the transfer contract contents by both the transferor user and the transferee user; however, a configuration in which some of these are omitted is also possible.

[0201] In addition, if there is a trading site that guarantees that the transaction has been executed properly by using a transaction completion number issued when the transaction is completed, when the tangible object 10 is transferred through the trading site, the transaction completion number or the like is entered as part of the ownership transfer procedure, and the ownership information management server 1100b communicates with the server of the trading site and determines that the ownership transfer has been completed when it receives proof of transaction completion using the transaction completion number.

[0202] (Variation 3) In addition, in the above embodiment, the tangible object 10 is exemplified as having one owner, but it may be configured to allow joint ownership. In that case, the number of transfer source users and transfer recipient users in the above embodiment is prepared in accordance with the number of joint owners, and the sharing ratio is also set.

[0203] The tangible object 10 may be transferred individually within the share ratio (share) of each co-owner. However, since who will keep the co-owned tangible object 10 is determined by agreement between the co-owners, if the transfer is made within the share ratio, the transferee user may not necessarily be able to receive the tangible object 10. Therefore, the input items on the transferee user confirmation screen W10 (see FIG. 6) may be omitted as appropriate.

[0204] In addition, in a configuration that allows joint ownership, transfers may be made subject to the consent of all joint owners, and the authority regarding the transfer (for example, whether or not the owner has the authority to confirm the contract contents, whether or not the owner has the authority to set additional matters, etc.) may be granted depending on the share of ownership. Specifically, in a case where two people jointly own a tangible object 10 and transfer it to another person, one of the two transferor users with a higher share of ownership may perform the setting operation for the ancillary items. Then, when one of the transferor users confirms and approves the transfer agreement with the transferee user and the other transferor user also confirms and approves the transfer agreement with the same transferee user, it is determined that the transfer agreement for the tangible object 10 has been established, and the ownership information 512 is changed. Then, the usage information 532 of the two transferor users is transferred to one transferee user.

[0205] (Variation 4) Furthermore, in a configuration that allows joint ownership, if there are multiple transferor users and one transferee user, in the transfer process of "transfer inheritance" or "integration," the transferor user's usage information 532 may be integrated into one usage information 532 in the same manner as in the transfer process of "integration," and then transferred. In the transfer process of "additional inheritance," the transferor user's usage information 532 may be transferred as separate usage information 532 and as additional usage information of the transferee user.

[0206] Furthermore, in a configuration that allows joint ownership, if there are multiple transferor users and multiple transferee users, in the transfer processes of "transfer inheritance," "integration," and "additional inheritance," the transferor user's usage information 532 may be integrated into one usage information 532 in the same manner as in the "integration" transfer process, and then the same information may be copied and transferred to each of the multiple transferee users. Alternatively, if there are the same number of transferor users and transferee users, combinations of transferor and transferee may be created randomly, and one-to-one transfers may be performed for each combination.

[0207] (Variation 5) It is also possible to configure the transfer process of the usage information 532 by setting information indicating the generation of ownership of the user. Specifically, the number of transfers, which is incremented by "1" each time a transfer process is performed, is stored as information indicating the user's ownership generation, in association with all or part of the information included in the usage information 532. Then, in the integration transfer process (step S218 in FIG. 17) or the additional inheritance transfer process (step S220 in FIG. 17), it may be configured to determine whether or not to allow the transfer of the information based on the number of transfers.

[0208] For example, if a certain item is newly acquired, the number of transfers of that item is set to "0" and added to the list of owned items. Then, in the integration transfer process and the addition / inheritance transfer process, the number of transfers of the item is incremented by "1" each time the tangible object 10 is transferred. Meanwhile, a transfer count upper limit is set as an additional item. The administrator of the content providing server 1100c or the game provider may set the transfer count upper limit in the transfer execution condition setting data 550 (see FIG. 6). Then, in the integration transfer process and the addition / inheritance transfer process, an item whose transfer count after the increment exceeds the transfer count upper limit is excluded from transfer.

[0209] By appropriately determining which element information in the usage information 532 is set to the number of transfers and by appropriately setting the upper limit on the number of transfers, it is possible to prevent items, skills, etc. from concentrating on a few users through transfers, resulting in the emergence of extremely capable player characters, and to prevent undesirable changes to the game balance.

[0210] (Variation 6) Note that the transfer form of usage information is not limited to this. For example, in any of the transfer by transfer (step S214 in FIG. 17), the transfer by integration (step S218 in FIG. 17), and the transfer by additional inheritance (step S220 in FIG. 17), a configuration is also possible in which a copy of the transferor's usage information 532 is created and the transfer by transfer, the transfer by integration, or the transfer by additional inheritance is executed based on the copy. In such a configuration, the transferor user can continue to use the usage information even after the transfer. The transferee user has obtained a copy of the transferor user's usage information at the time of the transfer. This configuration can also be applied to other modified examples. [Explanation of symbols]

[0211] 10...Tangible objects 16...IC tag 200s...Server processing section 210…Manufacturing Management Department 212...Property Information Management Department 214...Content provision control unit 216... Ownership transfer condition determination section 218...Usage information transfer processing unit 500s...Server storage section 510...Manufacturing registration data 511...User registration data 512...Proprietary information 514...Transfer history data 520...Content data 530...User management data 532…Usage information 540...Transfer contract setting work data 550...Transfer execution condition setting data 560...Transfer execution history data 1000...Information Management System 1100a...Manufacturing management server 1100b...Ownership information management server 1100c...Content provider server 1150...Control board 1500...User terminal 1550...Control board 1590...RFID reader / writer W2...Transfer source user confirmation screen W4...Additional items setting screen W6…Detailed settings screen W10...Transferee user confirmation screen W12: Additional information confirmation screen W14...Contract details confirmation screen W16…Transfer completion notification screen

Claims

1. An information management system for controlling use information in a tangible object use form, which is managed in association with a tangible object in content that can be used in a tangible object use form, so that the use information can be transferred between users, an ownership transfer condition determination means for determining whether a given ownership transfer condition for transferring the tangible object owned by the first user (hereinafter referred to as the "transferred tangible object") to the second user is satisfied; a usage information transfer processing means for executing a usage information transfer process for transferring the usage information (hereinafter referred to as "transfer usage information") of the transferred tangible object to the second user when the ownership transfer condition is satisfied; Equipped with The usage information transfer processing means executes the usage information transfer process including a process based on the number of transfers of the transfer tangible object and a process of transferring the transfer usage information to the second user when a given usage information transfer condition is satisfied; The usage information includes a plurality of element information divided by division or category, The usage information transfer conditions include information type-specific transfer conditions corresponding to each element information included in the usage information, the use information transfer processing means executes a process of transferring, to the second user, element information that corresponds to the satisfied transfer condition by information type, among element information included in the transfer use information, as part of the use information transfer process; Information management system.

2. The usage information transfer processing means executes different processing depending on whether the number of transfers satisfies a given threshold condition. The information management system according to claim 1 .

3. the usage information transfer processing means executes a process of making the second user able to use the transferred usage information in the content as part of the usage information transfer process.

3. The information management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. an ownership information management means for managing ownership information, which is information about a user who owns the tangible object, and which transfers the ownership of the tangible object to be transferred from the first user to the second user when the ownership transfer condition is satisfied; The information management system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

5. the content is a game content, The tangible object usage form is a form in which game information previously associated with the tangible object becomes available in the game by inputting identification information of the tangible object into the content, and the setting content of the game information changes when the tangible object is used in the game. The information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the usage information is information about setting contents of the game information that have changed due to usage in the game, the use information transfer processing means executes a process of taking over the setting contents of the transfer use information and making it available to the second user in the game, as part of the use information transfer process. The information management system according to claim 5 .

7. The usage information includes history information of the use of the game information in the game.

7. The information management system according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The game information is information about a character or an item (hereinafter collectively referred to as "character"); The tangible object usage form is a form in which the setting of the character changes when used in the game.

8. The information management system according to claim 5, wherein the information management system comprises:

9. the content is content that accepts evaluations of the tangible object used in the tangible object use form from users other than the user who owns the tangible object and makes the results of the evaluations public; The usage information is information about the evaluation received regarding the content. The information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. the content is content that provides a given benefit to a user who owns the tangible object in accordance with the use of the tangible object in the form of use of the tangible object; The usage information is information about the benefit granted in accordance with the tangible object usage form. The information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The usage information includes, as the element information, information classified by ownership generation of users who owned the corresponding tangible object. The information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. An information management system for controlling use information in a tangible object use form, which is managed in association with a tangible object in content that can be used in a tangible object use form, so that the use information can be transferred between users, an ownership transfer condition determination means for determining whether a given ownership transfer condition for transferring the tangible object owned by the first user (hereinafter referred to as the "transferred tangible object") to the second user is satisfied; a usage information transfer processing means for executing a usage information transfer process for transferring the usage information (hereinafter referred to as "transfer usage information") of the transferred tangible object to the second user when the ownership transfer condition is satisfied; Equipped with The usage information transfer processing means executes a process based on the number of transfers of the transfer tangible object in the usage information transfer process, the ownership transfer condition determination means determines, as a condition for transferring a tangible object to be transferred that is jointly owned by a third user and a fourth user to a fifth user, that the ownership transfer condition has been satisfied between the third user and the fifth user, and that the ownership transfer condition has been satisfied between the fourth user and the fifth user; the usage information transfer processing means executes a usage information transfer process for transferring the transfer usage information jointly owned by the third user and the fourth user to the fifth user; Information management system.

13. 1. An information management method for controlling usage information in a tangible object usage form, which is managed in association with a tangible object in content that can be used in a tangible object usage form, so as to be transferable between users, comprising: an ownership transfer condition determination step of determining whether a given ownership transfer condition for transferring the tangible object owned by the first user (hereinafter referred to as the "transfer tangible object") to the second user is satisfied; a usage information transfer processing step of executing a usage information transfer process for transferring the usage information (hereinafter referred to as "transfer usage information") of the transferred tangible object to the second user when the ownership transfer condition is satisfied; Including, The usage information transfer processing step is a step of executing a process based on the number of transfers of the transfer tangible object and a process of transferring the transfer usage information to the second user when a given usage information transfer condition is satisfied, in the usage information transfer processing; The usage information includes a plurality of element information divided by division or category, The usage information transfer conditions include information type-specific transfer conditions corresponding to each element information included in the usage information, The usage information transfer processing step is a step of transferring, to the second user, element information that satisfies the information type-specific transfer conditions among element information included in the transfer usage information, as part of the usage information transfer processing. Information management method.

14. 1. An information management method for controlling usage information in a tangible object usage form, which is managed in association with a tangible object in content that can be used in a tangible object usage form, so as to be transferable between users, comprising: an ownership transfer condition determination step of determining whether a given ownership transfer condition for transferring the tangible object owned by the first user (hereinafter referred to as the "transfer tangible object") to the second user is satisfied; a usage information transfer processing step of executing a usage information transfer process for transferring the usage information (hereinafter referred to as "transfer usage information") of the transferred tangible object to the second user when the ownership transfer condition is satisfied; Including, the use information transfer processing step is a step of executing a process based on the number of transfers of the transfer tangible object in the use information transfer processing; the ownership transfer condition determination step is a step of determining whether the ownership transfer condition has been satisfied between the third user and the fifth user and whether the ownership transfer condition has been satisfied between the fourth user and the fifth user as a condition for transferring a tangible object to be transferred that is jointly owned by a third user and a fourth user to a fifth user; the usage information transfer processing step is a step of executing a usage information transfer process for transferring the transfer usage information jointly owned by the third user and the fourth user to the fifth user; Information management method.

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