Systems, programs, and methods

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a system capable of determining whether information regarding accepted prices and accepted content meets predetermined conditions. [Solution] The system comprises at least one computer device. The system includes a first information receiving means that receives the price of content or the price of a product including content through an operation on a user terminal operated by the user, a second information receiving means that receives information about the content or content data through an operation on the user terminal, and a determination means that determines whether the received price and the information about the content of the received content meet predetermined conditions, or whether the information about the content data identified from the received price and the received content data meets predetermined conditions.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Commodities including content such as music are being sold through the Internet. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a service providing system that sells viewing tickets for digital content to consumers and distributes digital content to consumers who have purchased the viewing tickets.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention can solve, for example, the following problems. The problem of the present invention is to provide a system capable of determining whether the received price and information about the received content satisfy predetermined conditions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The problem of the present invention is [1] A system comprising at least one computer device, comprising: a first information receiving means for receiving the price of content or the price of a product containing content through an operation on a user terminal operated by a user; a second information receiving means for receiving information regarding the content of content or content data through an operation on the user terminal; and a determination means for determining whether the received price and the information regarding the content of content satisfy predetermined conditions, or whether the information regarding the content data identified from the received price and content data satisfies predetermined conditions; [2] The system described in [1] above, comprising information processing means that performs predetermined information processing to enable the sale of the product when the determination means determines that predetermined conditions are met; [3] The system described in [1] or [2] above, wherein the predetermined information processing for enabling the sale of goods includes processing for transmitting information about goods to another computer device, processing for issuing identification information that can identify part or all of the goods, processing for setting a flag indicating that the goods are available for sale, or processing for storing information about goods; [4] A system according to any of [1] to [3] above, wherein the information relating to the content data is the data size of the content, the number of content data within the content, or the length of the playback time of the content; [5] A system according to any one of [1] to [4] above, comprising a display means that controls the display on the user terminal to show information indicating that the accepted price is below a predetermined price corresponding to the predetermined condition, or information prompting the user to input a price equal to or greater than the predetermined price, when the determination means determines that the predetermined conditions are not met; [6] A system according to any one of [1] to [5] above, comprising a third information receiving means for receiving benefit information relating to benefits that may be included in a product through operation on a user terminal, wherein a determination means determines whether the received price, information relating to the content of the received content and the benefit information or information relating to the data of the benefit identified from the benefit information satisfy predetermined conditions, or whether the received price, information relating to the content of the received content and the benefit information or information relating to the data of the benefit identified from the benefit information satisfy predetermined conditions; [7] A system according to any one of [1] to [6] above, wherein predetermined conditions are set for each user or organization to which the user belongs, and a fourth receiving means receives input of one user or organization to which the user belongs by operation on the user terminal, and a determination means determines whether the predetermined conditions corresponding to the received user or organization to which the user belongs are met; [8] A system according to any one of [1] to [7] above, wherein multiple predetermined conditions are set, and a fifth receiving means receives input of information relating to one predetermined condition from among the information relating to multiple predetermined conditions by operation on a user terminal, and a determination means determines whether or not the predetermined condition corresponding to the received information relating to one predetermined condition is met; [9] A program that causes a computer device to function as a first information receiving means for receiving the price of content or the price of a product containing content through an operation on a user terminal operated by the user; a second information receiving means for receiving information about the content of the content or content data through an operation on the user terminal; and a determination means for determining whether the received price and the information about the content of the content that has been received meet predetermined conditions, or whether the information about the content data identified from the received price and the received content data meets predetermined conditions;

[10] A method to be performed in a system comprising at least one computer device, comprising: a first information reception step of receiving the price of content or the price of a product containing content by operating a user terminal operated by a user; a second information reception step of receiving information regarding the content of content or content data by operating a user terminal; and a determination step of determining whether the received price and the information regarding the content of content that has been received satisfy predetermined conditions, or whether the information regarding the content data identified from the received price and the received content data satisfies predetermined conditions; This can be achieved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system that can determine whether the information regarding the received price and received content satisfies predetermined conditions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows a flowchart of the condition setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a condition management table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows a flowchart of the content setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows a flowchart of the reward setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows a flowchart of the product setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments unless it contradicts the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the description of effects is only one aspect of the effects of the embodiments of the present invention and is not limited to those described herein. The order of each process constituting the flowchart described below is not limited to any order insofar as it does not cause contradictions or inconsistencies in the processing content. It is also possible to omit some of the processes constituting the flowchart or to add new processes to each process constituting the flowchart, as long as it does not contradict the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the device that is the main entity that executes each process constituting the flowchart can be changed to another device unless it contradicts the spirit of the present invention. In this case, it is possible to change the processing content so as not to cause contradictions or inconsistencies in the processing content.

[0009] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. System 10 comprises at least one computer device. As shown in the figure, system 10 may comprise a user terminal 1, a server device 2, an administrator terminal 3, and a communication network 4. User terminal 1, server device 2, and administrator terminal 3 are examples of computer devices. User terminal 1, server device 2, and administrator terminal 3 can communicate with each other via the communication network 6. System 10 may also comprise multiple user terminals 1, multiple server devices 2, and multiple administrator terminals 3. Furthermore, system 10 may comprise one or more buyer terminals, one or more seller terminals, and a server device different from server device 2.

[0010] User terminal 1 is a terminal operated by a user (e.g., a record company representative, content holder, etc.) who sets up products to be sold online or in physical stores. The user may belong to a designated organization such as a record company.

[0011] The server device 2 mainly stores content information, privilege information, product information, user information regarding users, predetermined conditions, information regarding the predetermined conditions (also referred to as product types), purchase information regarding the purchase of products, and purchaser information regarding purchasers. The server device 2 may be managed by an administrator who operates the administrator terminal 3.

[0012] The administrator terminal 3 is a terminal operated by an administrator (for example, a person in charge of a system company, etc.) who manages or operates the system 10. The administrator may belong to a predetermined organization and the server device 2. The administrator can set predetermined conditions for setting the products described later. Also, the administrator can set predetermined conditions for each user or the organization to which the user belongs.

[0013] The purchaser terminal is a terminal operated by a user who has the intention to purchase a product or a user who uses the purchased product.

[0014] The seller terminal is operated by a seller who sells the products set by the user. The seller is, for example, an operator who operates a platform such as an EC site (also referred to as a website) that sells products, or a retailer who intends to sell products using those platforms. The operator may manage a server device (also referred to as a web server) that operates the above website. Information on the website is mainly transmitted to the purchaser terminal via the web server. The web server stores information on the products sold on the website. Note that the operators of the user terminal 1 and the seller terminal may be the same or different. That is, the seller terminal can also be regarded as the user terminal 1.

[0015] The user terminal 1, the administrator terminal 3, the purchaser terminal, and the seller terminal are not particularly limited as long as they are computer devices having a display screen and an input unit. The user terminal 1, the administrator terminal 3, the purchaser terminal, and the seller terminal may be stationary ones installed in a company office or the like, or may be portable ones that can be carried when the user moves. Examples of the user terminal 1, the administrator terminal 3, the purchaser terminal, and the seller terminal include a conventional mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a desktop or notebook personal computer, and the like.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user terminal 1 includes a control unit 11, a RAM 12, a storage unit 13, an input unit 14, a display unit 15, and a communication interface 16, which are connected by a bus. Further, the user terminal 1 may include a sound output unit.

[0017] The control unit 11 is composed of a CPU and a ROM. The control unit 11 executes a program stored in the storage unit 13 to control the user terminal 1. The RAM 12 is a work area of the control unit 11. The storage unit 13 is a storage area for storing programs and data. That is, the storage unit 13 functions as a recording medium storing a program. The control unit 11 performs arithmetic processing based on the program and data read from the RAM 12 and the data input at the input unit 14.

[0018] [[ID=I12]]The display unit 15 has a display screen. The control unit 11 outputs a video signal for displaying an image on the display screen according to the result of the arithmetic processing. Here, the display screen of the display unit 15 may be a touch panel provided with a touch sensor. In this case, the touch panel functions as the input unit 14.

[0019] The communication interface 16 can be connected to the communication network 4 wirelessly or via a wired connection, and can send and receive data with other computer devices via the communication network 4. Data received via the communication interface 16 is loaded into the RAM 12, and calculation processing is performed by the control unit 11.

[0020] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The server device 2 comprises at least a control unit 21, RAM 22, storage unit 23, and communication interface 24, each connected by an internal bus.

[0021] The control unit 21 consists of a CPU and ROM, and executes programs stored in the storage unit 23 to control the server device 2. The control unit 21 also has an internal timer for timing. The RAM 22 is the work area of ​​the control unit 21. The storage unit 23 is a memory area for saving programs and data. In other words, the storage unit 23 functions as a recording medium that stores programs. The control unit 21 reads programs and data from the RAM 22 and performs program execution processing based on information received from the user terminal 1, administrator terminal 3, purchaser terminal, or seller terminal.

[0022] The program may also be stored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. In this case, the program stored on the recording medium may be installed on the user terminal 1, server device 2, administrator terminal 3, purchaser terminal, or seller terminal to perform predetermined functions. Alternatively, the program may be distributed from a computer device outside the system. In this case, the program distributed from a computer device outside the system may be installed on the user terminal 1, server device 2, administrator terminal 3, purchaser terminal, or seller terminal to perform predetermined functions.

[0023] In the embodiments of the invention described below, the server device 2 will be described in which it sets content information, bonus information, and product information, stores various types of information, and transmits content information and bonus information. However, this may be achieved by distributed ledger technology using blockchain instead of, or in addition to, the server device 2. The blockchain network may be constructed as a private network or as a public network. Information management using blockchain can maintain security and guarantee ownership of goods to the purchaser.

[0024] The system 10 according to this embodiment allows users to set up products that include content. The system 10 enables users to set up products that include content and sell those products through one or more sales channels. The system 10 can set up a product if the information entered into the user terminal 1 meets predetermined conditions. Furthermore, the system 10 allows buyers to purchase products that include content.

[0025] In this embodiment, "product" refers to, for example, something that is the subject of a commercial transaction, and may be a tangible or intangible object. In other words, the user can set products that can be purchased online and products that can be purchased in physical stores in System 10. In this embodiment, a product includes content. Furthermore, a product may also include benefits in addition to content. A product may include only content, or it may include both content and benefits. The number of content data within the content included in a product may be one or more, and the number of benefit data within the benefits included in a product may be one or more. Content and benefits will be described later.

[0026] "Product information" refers to information about products that a user can purchase. Product information may also be information that can identify content information corresponding to a product, or a combination of content information and bonus information. For example, product information may be information that stores content identification information that can identify content information, or bonus identification information that can identify both content identification information and bonus information in association. Product information may also be information that stores content information and bonus information in association. Product information may contain at least content information but not bonus information. Product information may include product identification information that can identify a product.

[0027] Product information may be stored in association with a serial code. The purchaser can use the serial code to obtain content information and / or bonus information identified by the product information. The serial code is represented by random alphanumeric characters and symbols, and a different alphanumeric and symbolic code is issued for each individual product. "Different for each product" means that even if multiple products of the same type are purchased, each purchased product will have a different serial code. The serial code can function as product identification information. Because each product has a different serial code, even for products of the same type, one or more serial codes may be associated with and stored for a single product identification information.

[0028] In this embodiment, "content" can be applied to all digital content, including not only music but also images, videos, live streams, movies, dramas, ebooks, games, etc. In other words, content is a concept that includes music data, audio data, image data, video data, and text data. "Content information" refers to information about content, and for example, in the case of music content, it may include not only information about the sound source of the song but also multiple pieces of information such as lyrics and jacket photos. That is, content information may be various pieces of information generally included in content such as CDs. In this embodiment, the content included in the product includes one or more content data. Content data represents a single unit of content. For example, in the case of music content, one piece of content data represents information indicating one song, and in the case of rakugo content, book reading content, or radio content, one piece of content data represents information indicating one episode of audio data.

[0029] In this embodiment, "bonus" refers to something that enhances the value of the product. The bonus may or may not be related to the content included in the product. The bonus included in the product includes one or more bonus data. Bonus data represents a single unit of bonus. For example, one specific bonus is set for one bonus data. Bonus data that combines multiple bonus data may also be set.

[0030] "Benefit information" refers to information about benefits. Benefit information is also information provided to purchasers who purchase a product. Content-related benefit information includes, for example, information about events related to the content, events related to artists related to the content, information about merchandise related to the content, and information related to digital benefits. Content-related benefits are not limited to other content, prizes, entry rights to various raffles, entry rights to events related to the content, or options that users can utilize at events related to the content, or other items that enhance the value of the product. Non-content-related benefits include digital benefits, merchandise, various points, discounts on different products, coupons, etc.

[0031] Event information includes information regarding admission to or participation in the event (also known as admission tickets), and information regarding options used at the event (also known as privilege tickets). Merchandise information includes information that identifies specific physical goods such as tote bags and towels, and information for applying for mailing or other delivery of such goods.

[0032] Information related to digital bonuses includes information about content different from the content information corresponding to the product. Digital bonuses may include, for example, music data, audio data, image data, video data, and / or text data. Digital bonuses may be related to the content corresponding to the product, or they may not be related. Digital bonuses may have restrictions on the number of times or the time period in which they can be played.

[0033] Furthermore, for example, the bonus may include a serial code. The serial code may be used to obtain the right to participate in the above-mentioned event, obtain bonuses related to the content, or enter a lottery for them. There are no particular limitations on how the serial code may be used. Applications for events and various bonuses using the serial code can be made from external sites such as the artist's dedicated site related to the content, or from a dedicated application program downloaded to the purchaser's device. System 10 may also send the user, along with the serial code, a URL for a site where applications for events and various bonuses can be made, and a URL for a site where music data, audio data, image data, video data, and text data related to the content can be downloaded. Note that the serial code given as a bonus and the serial code that functions as product identification information may be different pieces of information.

[0034] The specific details of content information and bonus information can be set as appropriate by users, artists, event organizers, etc., through operations on user terminal 1. Furthermore, whether music data, audio data, image data, video data, and / or text data constitute content or bonuses can be set as appropriate. For example, whether music data, audio data, image data, video data, and / or text data constitute content or bonuses can be set as appropriate by the operator, administrator, user, artist, event organizer, etc., who operate system 10. For example, if system 10 is a platform that provides music data, music data can be treated as content, and other data formats as bonuses, thus differentiating content and bonuses according to the system's purpose. It is also possible to treat some of multiple music data as content and the rest as bonuses. Users may choose which music data to treat as content and which as bonuses, depending on the concept of the product being designed.

[0035] [Condition setting process] First, we will explain the condition setting process, which is the process of setting predetermined conditions when configuring a product. In the following explanation, we will mainly assume that the content included in the product is primarily music. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the condition setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention. The administrator logs into system 10 by accessing server device 2 via a web browser from administrator terminal 3. Alternatively, logging into system 10 may be done by launching an application program downloaded to administrator terminal 3 and accessing server device 2. When logging into system 10, the administrator may be prompted to enter a password and user ID.

[0036] First, the administrator terminal 3 accepts the selection of a user or organization to which a user belongs (hereinafter referred to as "user, etc.") for which predetermined conditions are to be set (Step S1). In Step S1, a list of user identification information (also called user ID) that can identify users, etc. registered in System 10 is displayed, and one user identification information may be selected from among them. Next, the administrator terminal 3 accepts the input of predetermined conditions for setting the product (Step S2).

[0037] The administrator terminal 3 transmits the user identification information and predetermined conditions entered in step S1 as input information to the server device 2 (step S3). When the server device 2 receives the input information transmitted in step S3 (step S4), it stores the predetermined conditions in the storage unit 23, associating them with the user identification information (step S5). The condition setting process is completed by the processing in steps S1 to S5.

[0038] The predetermined conditions, which are received as input in step S2 and stored in step S5, are the conditions that a product must satisfy in order to be available for sale when the user sets up the product. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 10 can control a product to be available for sale by setting up a product that satisfies the predetermined conditions.

[0039] In step S2, the administrator can input the following conditions for a product, as a set of conditions: the price of the product, the data of the product, and / or the content of the product. In addition, in step S2, the administrator may input the data of the content and the conditions for benefits in addition to the data of the product, or as information related to the product data. Furthermore, the administrator may input information regarding the amount that the administrator will charge to the user for the product in which the conditions are entered.

[0040] The product price conditions are the price requirements set for products that are sold, such as the minimum selling price. This ensures that System 10 does not set up products priced lower than the minimum selling price. The administrator enters the product price conditions while considering other factors.

[0041] Product data conditions are conditions regarding information about the data of the products being sold, such as the maximum data size of the product. Product data conditions are a concept that includes the content data conditions and bonus conditions described below. Information about product data is information that affects the data size of the product. Information about product data includes, for example, the overall data size of the product, the data size of the content, the number of content data items within the content, the length of the content's playback time, the data format of the content, the data size of the bonus items, and the number of bonus data items.

[0042] The conditions regarding the content are conditions regarding information about the content, and may include, for example, that the product contains specified information as content, or that the genre of the content be music. Information regarding the content refers to information about the content itself. For example, information regarding the content may include the genre of the content, the artist, the genre of the content data, lyrics, jacket photo, lyric sheet, title, master title, and specific content.

[0043] The conditions regarding content data refer to the information about the content data included in the product being sold. For example, this could be an upper limit on the size of the content data, or an upper limit on the number of content data items within the content (e.g., the number of songs). Information regarding content data refers to information that affects the size of the content data. Examples of information regarding content data include the size of the content data, the number of content data items within the content, the length of the content's playback time, and the data format of the content.

[0044] The data size of the content may be the data size of a single content data if the product contains multiple content data, or it may be the total data size of some or all of the content data. The number of content data within the content may be the number of some or all of the content data included in the product if the product contains multiple content data. The playback time of the content may be the playback time of a single content data if the product contains multiple content data, or it may be the total playback time of some or all of the content data.

[0045] The conditions for a bonus are conditions relating to the bonus itself or the bonus data. For example, this could be that a product includes a specified bonus, or it could be an upper limit on the bonus data size, or it could be the number of bonus data items. The bonus data size could be the bonus data size set by the user in system 10, or it could be the bonus data size sent to the purchaser. If a product contains multiple bonus data items, the bonus data size could be the data size of a single bonus data item, or it could be the total data size of all bonus data items. Furthermore, if a product contains multiple bonus data items, the number of bonus data items within a bonus could be the total number of bonus data items included in the product.

[0046] In step S5, the predetermined conditions entered in step S2 are stored in the condition management table. The condition management table is set in the RAM 22, storage unit 23, etc., of the server device 2. The condition management table stores the conditions for the price of the product, the conditions related to the product data, and / or the conditions related to the content in association with each other. In addition to the conditions related to the product data, or as conditions related to the product data, the condition management table may also store conditions related to the content data and conditions for benefits.

[0047] Furthermore, the condition management table may store information relating the price of a product to the amount that the administrator charges the user. The condition management table may also contain multiple predetermined conditions. To distinguish each predetermined condition, the information indicating the condition is called the product type. The product type may indicate the type of product to which the predetermined condition is associated. Additionally, multiple condition management tables may be provided for each user. In other words, the predetermined conditions may be set for each user or organization to which the user belongs.

[0048] Figure 5 shows an example of a condition management table 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The condition management table 100 stores the company name (organization to which the user belongs) 102, product type 104, maximum number of songs 106, minimum selling price 108, maximum data size for the product 110, and maximum data size for the bonus 112, each associated with the other. Other information may also be stored in the condition management table 100.

[0049] Company name 102 indicates the user or the organization to which the user belongs. Product type 104 is a type of product for which predetermined conditions are set. Song limit 106 indicates the upper limit on the number of content data included in the content corresponding to the product. For example, it is the upper limit on the number of songs included in the content corresponding to the product. Minimum selling price 108 indicates the minimum selling price of the product. Product data size limit 110 indicates the upper limit on the total data size of the product. The total data size of the product is the sum of the data sizes of the content and bonuses. In addition to the content and bonuses, the total data size of the product may also include data size that includes information for selling the product. Bonus data size limit 112 indicates the upper limit on the data size of bonuses included in the product. Song limit 106, product data size limit 110, and bonus data size limit 112 are examples of conditions related to product data. Minimum selling price 108 is an example of a condition related to the price of the product. The condition management table 100 may store the genre of content as an example of a condition related to the content.

[0050] For example, in Figure 5, company names 102 show Company A and Company B, and several predetermined conditions related to the products of the two organizations are stored. Company A has five types of product types 104, from Type A to Type E. For example, if product type 104 is "Type A", the maximum number of songs 106 is "4 songs", the minimum selling price 108 is "1000 yen", the maximum data size of the product 110 is "150 MB", and the maximum data size of the bonus item 112 is "15 MB". For each product type 104, the maximum number of songs 106, minimum selling price 108, maximum data size of the product 110, and maximum data size of the bonus item 112 may all be different, or some may be the same.

[0051] Furthermore, the condition management table 100 may also store information 120 relating to the product type 104 and the amount that the administrator charges to the user. The information 120 relating to the amount that the administrator charges to the user includes, for example, a generation fee 122 and a server traffic fee 124. The generation fee 122 is the amount that the administrator charges to the user for each product corresponding to product type 104 that is purchased. The server traffic fee 124 is a value used to calculate the amount that the administrator charges to the user for each product corresponding to product type 104 that is purchased, and the amount charged is the product's sales price multiplied by the server traffic fee 124. For example, if Company A (company name 102) selects type B as product type 104 and sets a product price of 2000 yen, when one of these products is purchased, a total of 220 yen (100 yen for generation costs 122 and 120 yen for server traffic costs 124) may be specified as the amount that the administrator will bill Company A. For each product type 104, the associated generation costs 122 and server traffic costs 124 may all be different, or some may be the same.

[0052] In addition, while the above describes a configuration in which the minimum selling price of a product is stored as a predetermined condition, a minimum selling price for content may be set in addition to, or instead of, the minimum selling price of a product. Furthermore, while the above describes the storage of the maximum data size for products and the maximum data size for bonuses as predetermined conditions, a maximum data size for content may also be set in addition to these.

[0053] Furthermore, the predetermined conditions stored in the condition management table 100 only need to include an upper limit on the number of content data, a minimum selling price for products, content, and / or benefits, and / or an upper limit on the data size of products, content, and / or benefits, and combinations of these elements can be set as appropriate. It is also preferable that the predetermined conditions are associated with both conditions related to the price of products, content, and / or benefits, and the upper limit on the number of content data, the data size of the content, or the length of the playback time of the content.

[0054] The data size limit 112 for the bonus item may be determined according to the data size limit 110 for the product. For example, the data size limit 112 for the bonus item may be determined to be a predetermined percentage (e.g., 10%) of the data size limit 110 for the product. In this case, when the data size limit for the product is entered into the administrator terminal 3 in step S2, the data size limit for the bonus item is automatically determined. Then, in step S5, the determined data size limit for the bonus item is stored in association with the data size of the product.

[0055] Furthermore, information 120 regarding the amount that the administrator charges to users may be specified according to the minimum selling price 108 or the maximum data size 110 of the product. For example, the generation cost 122 may be specified to be (e.g., 10%) of the minimum selling price 108. Also, the server traffic cost 124 may be specified to be a predetermined percentage associated with the maximum data size 110 of the product (e.g., 6.0% for less than 2048MB, and 8.0% for 2048MB or more).

[0056] The above describes a method of storing predetermined conditions in the condition management table 100, but is not limited to this. For example, predetermined conditions may be stored as a calculation formula. In this case, the administrator operates the administrator terminal 3 and inputs a calculation formula that can identify conditions related to product data and / or conditions related to content content from the price of the product. Alternatively, the administrator operates the administrator terminal 3 and inputs a calculation formula that can identify conditions for the price of the product from information about the product data and / or information about the content content. The input calculation formula is stored in the server device 2.

[0057] Next, we will describe the process by which the user operates user terminal 1 to set up products that can be sold. The process of setting up products comprises a content setting process, a bonus setting process, and a product setting process. In the content setting process, the price of the product to be sold and at least one content item to be included in the product to be sold are set. In the bonus setting process, at least one bonus item is set in association with the set content. In the product setting process, the product to be sold to the user is set.

[0058] [Content configuration process] First, let's explain the content setting process. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the content setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] The user logs into system 10 by accessing server device 2 via a web browser from user terminal 1 (step S11). Alternatively, logging into system 10 may be done by launching an application program downloaded to user terminal 1 and accessing server device 2.

[0060] In addition, users may pre-configure the initial settings for their assigned personnel by operating user terminal 1. Initial setup involves entering company information, department, personnel name, phone number, email address, and assigned artist. Each registered personnel may be assigned a unique identifier (also called a personnel ID). The personnel ID is stored in association with the user ID corresponding to the organization to which they belong.

[0061] In step S11, when a user logs into system 10, server device 2 identifies predetermined conditions corresponding to the user (step S12). In step S11, the user ID is transmitted from user terminal 1. Alternatively, server device 2 identifies the user ID from the person in charge ID transmitted from user terminal 1 in step S11. In other words, server device 2 accepts input from one user or the organization to which the user belongs through an operation on user terminal 1. Then, in step S12, server device 2 refers to the condition management table 100 and identifies predetermined conditions corresponding to the user ID. Specifically, when a person in charge at Company A logs into system 10, five predetermined conditions, type A to type E, for product type 104 corresponding to Company A are identified in the condition management table 100.

[0062] The predetermined conditions identified in step S12 may be one predetermined condition corresponding to one product, or multiple predetermined conditions corresponding to multiple products. In step S12, it is preferable that all predetermined conditions associated with the user (company name 102) corresponding to the user operating the user terminal 1 are identified.

[0063] Server device 2 transmits information regarding the predetermined conditions identified in step S12 to user terminal 1 (step S13). Upon receiving the information regarding the predetermined conditions at user terminal 1 (step S14), the predetermined conditions are output at user terminal 1. User terminal 1 displays the predetermined conditions in a manner that shows that they correspond to various conditions associated with product type 104. Additionally, each of the product types 104 is displayed at user terminal 1. Upon operation at user terminal 1, user terminal 1 accepts input of one product type corresponding to the product to be set from the product types which are information regarding multiple predetermined conditions output (step S15).

[0064] Next, user terminal 1 accepts input of the product price through an operation on the user terminal 1 (step S16). Furthermore, user terminal 1 accepts input of information regarding the content through an operation on the user terminal 1 (step S17). In step S17, user terminal 1 accepts information regarding the content and / or content data through an operation on the user terminal 1.

[0065] The process in step S17 will be explained in more detail. In step S17, the user can input a master title by operating user terminal 1. The master title represents a group that can be set with one or more content items and one or more bonus information items. The master title also represents the title information of the product type related to the product being sold. The title information includes the artist name, title name, music genre, label name, etc.

[0066] Here, a product type refers to the content of a product sold to a user, and each product has the same or different content and is associated with the same or different bonuses. A product type is also called a product variation and is stored in association with the master title. For example, if the master title is "Title A," then product types such as "Title A Standard Edition," "Title A Limited First Edition," and "Title A Limited First Edition Type A" can be set. "Title A Standard Edition," "Title A Limited First Edition," and "Title A Limited First Edition Type A" each have different content and can be associated with different bonuses. Furthermore, product types with the same name may have different content and be associated with different bonuses.

[0067] Next, the user can operate user terminal 1 to input information about the product type as information about the content. Input items include, for example, the name of the product type, the date and time the product goes on sale, the date and time the content becomes available for download, and the product number. The user can also operate user terminal 1 to select whether the product type being set is sold online or in physical stores. Note that inputting the price of the product corresponding to step S16 may be performed when inputting the product type information.

[0068] The product sales start date and the content download start date can be the same or different. This allows products to be sold before the content download start date.

[0069] Next, the user can operate user terminal 1 to input content data to associate with the product type. The input content data may be music data, video data, etc., that are pre-stored in server device 2, or music data, video data, etc., that are stored in the storage unit 13 of user terminal 1 or in other server devices. The user can also operate user terminal 1 to edit the content data as appropriate. In the case of music data, related content data (album cover image, lyrics text, etc.) may also be input.

[0070] Next, the user terminal 1 transmits the input information entered in steps S15 to S17 to the server device 2 (step S18). The server device 2 receives the input information (step S19). Upon receiving the input information, the server device 2 refers to the condition management table 100 and identifies predetermined conditions corresponding to the type of product received. Then, based on the input information, the server device 2 determines whether the information regarding the received price and the content of the received content satisfies predetermined conditions, or whether the information regarding the content data identified from the received price and content data satisfies predetermined conditions (step S20).

[0071] The phrase "whether the accepted price and the information regarding the content of the accepted content meet predetermined conditions" includes the concept of determining in step S16 whether the accepted price meets predetermined conditions, and in step S17 whether the information regarding the content of the accepted content meets predetermined conditions. More specifically, the server device 2 determines whether predetermined conditions are met regarding the correspondence between the price and the information regarding the content of the content.

[0072] Furthermore, the phrase "whether the accepted price and the information regarding the content data identified from the accepted content data satisfy predetermined conditions" includes the concept of determining in step S16 whether the accepted price satisfies predetermined conditions, and in step S17 whether the information regarding the content data identified from the accepted content data satisfies predetermined conditions. More specifically, the server device 2 determines whether predetermined conditions are met regarding the correspondence between the price and the information regarding the content data.

[0073] The above correspondence may be stored in the condition management table 100 described above, or it may be defined by the calculation formula described above. Hereafter, the same meaning will be used for the correspondence.

[0074] Step S20 describes the process of identifying information about the content data from the content data. In step S17, the server device 2 identifies the content data selected by the user terminal 1. Next, based on the content data, the server device can identify the number of content data items included in the content, the data size of the content, the playback time of the content, etc. As a result, the server device 2 can identify predetermined information from the information about the content data.

[0075] In step S20, for example, the server device 2 compares the price of the accepted goods with the minimum selling price 108 corresponding to the specified conditions. If the price of the accepted goods is less than the minimum selling price 108, the server device 2 can determine that the price conditions for the goods are not met.

[0076] Furthermore, for example, server device 2 compares the content of the received content with the content of the content corresponding to the specified predetermined conditions. If the content of the received content does not match the content of the specified content, server device 2 can determine that the conditions regarding the content of the content are not met.

[0077] Furthermore, for example, server device 2 compares information regarding the data of the identified content with information regarding the data of the product or content corresponding to the identified predetermined conditions (e.g., a maximum number of songs of 106, a maximum data size for the product of 110, and a maximum data size for the content). If the data size of the identified content is greater than the maximum data size for the product of 110, or if the number of identified content data is greater than the identified maximum number of songs of 106, server device 2 can determine that the conditions regarding the content data are not met.

[0078] If the process in step S20 determines that the predetermined conditions are not met (NO in step S20), the server device 2 outputs error information indicating that the predetermined conditions are not met to the user terminal 1 (step S21). The processes from step S15 onward are then executed again.

[0079] The manner in which error information is output is not particularly limited. The error information output may change in step S20 depending on the content of the conditions that are not met. In step S21, for example, if the condition for the price of the product is not met among the predetermined conditions, the server device 2 may control the user terminal 1 to display information indicating that the accepted price is below the predetermined price, or information prompting the user to input a price equal to or greater than the predetermined price. The predetermined price is the price corresponding to the predetermined condition, for example, the minimum selling price of 108.

[0080] Furthermore, for example, in step S21, if the conditions related to the content are not met among the predetermined conditions, the server device 2 may be controlled to display information on the user terminal 1 indicating that the genre of the received content is different, or information prompting the user to change the genre of the received content.

[0081] Furthermore, for example, in step S21, if the conditions relating to product data are not met among the predetermined conditions, the server device 2 may control the display on the user terminal 1 of information indicating that the number of received content data exceeds a predetermined number, information indicating that the data size of the received content exceeds a predetermined data size, information prompting the user to input content so that the number of content data is less than or equal to a predetermined number, or information prompting the user to input content so that the data size is less than or equal to a predetermined number. The predetermined number of content data and the predetermined data size correspond to predetermined conditions, for example, the number of songs with a maximum limit of 106 and the data size of the product with a maximum data size limit of 110.

[0082] Furthermore, for example, in step S21, if the predetermined conditions are not met, the server device 2 may be controlled to display information on the user terminal 1 prompting the user to select another type of product. This allows the user to select a product that meets the predetermined conditions.

[0083] If the process in step S20 determines that the predetermined conditions are met (YES in step S20), the predetermined information processing necessary to enable the sale of the product is executed (step S22). The content setting process is completed by the processing in steps S11 to S22.

[0084] In this embodiment, the process that enables the sale of a product is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, a process of transmitting information about the product to another computer device, a process of issuing identification information that can identify part or all of the product, a process of setting a flag indicating that the product is available for sale, or a process of storing information about the product.

[0085] In step S22, for example, the server device 2 issues content identification information (also called a content ID) that can identify the content, and stores the information regarding the price of the product and the content of the product received in step S19 in association with the issued content ID. Content identification information is an example of identification information that can identify a part of the product. The content ID may also be registered in the server device 2 in association with the type of product. The content ID may also be registered in the server device 2 in association with the user ID and / or person in charge ID mentioned above. The product type is registered through the processing in step S22.

[0086] [Benefit setting process] Next, the bonus setting process will be described. Figure 7 is a flowchart of the bonus setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention. The bonus setting process allows you to set the bonuses included in a product by inputting options related to the bonuses and information about the bonuses. Furthermore, the bonus setting process can associate at least one content with at least one bonus.

[0087] First, the user logs into system 10, similar to step S11. Next, the user terminal 1 accepts the selection of a master title through an operation on the user terminal 1. At this time, a list of master titles stored in server device 2 is displayed on user terminal 1, and any master title can be selected. Alternatively, the user may select an artist, and the master titles associated with that artist may be displayed on user terminal 1.

[0088] Next, through an operation on user terminal 1, user terminal 1 accepts input of benefit information regarding benefits that may be included in the product (step S31). The benefit information accepted in step S31 is not set as a product at the benefit setting processing stage. Therefore, the concept of benefits that may be included in the product includes both benefits that the user wishes to include in the product and benefits that the user plans to include in the product.

[0089] The reward information entered in step S31 is not limited to any particular purpose. The reward information may include, for example, the name of the reward, a specific overview, the type of reward, the content corresponding to the reward, the application requirements for the reward, the distribution period for the reward, the number of people to receive the reward, whether or not there is a lottery, the lottery method, the maximum number of winners, and usage restrictions. The user enters the above information as reward information.

[0090] For example, a user can operate user terminal 1 to input, as application conditions for a reward, the target product, the number of times or rights to receive a predetermined reward based on information regarding the purchase of the product, and the number of times or rights to enter a lottery for a predetermined reward based on the conditions regarding the purchase of the product. Information regarding the purchase of a product may include, for example, the number of times the product has been purchased, the purchase amount, the cumulative purchase amount, and the combination of products purchased. The product entered here may be a product type that has not yet been set as a product. In addition, a user may set one or more reward data within the reward information of 1. A user may associate different application conditions with each reward data.

[0091] Next, the user terminal 1 transmits the input information entered in step S31 to the server device 2 (step S32). The server device 2 receives the input information (step S33). Upon receiving the input information, the server device 2 stores the benefit information in the storage unit 23 (step S34). The benefit setting process is completed by the processing in steps S31 to S34.

[0092] In step S34, for example, the server device 2 may issue reward identification information (also called a reward ID) that can identify the reward information and store it in association with the reward information. Reward identification information is an example of identification information that can identify a part of a product. The server device 2 may also store the reward ID in association with the selected master title. The reward ID may also be registered with the server device 2 in association with the user ID and / or person in charge ID mentioned above. The server device 2 may also store the reward ID in association with the content ID corresponding to the content or target product type entered when the reward information was entered.

[0093] In addition, during the bonus setting process, in addition to the master title, or instead of the master title, content stored in step S22 may be selected, or a registered product type may be selected. If content is selected before step S31, the bonus ID and the selected content ID can be stored in association. In this case, the processes in steps S46 to S48 described below may be executed instead of step S34. In this case, step S48 corresponds to the process in step S34, and the server device 2 may store the bonus ID in association with the price and content information of the product corresponding to the selected content or selected product type, and the product type.

[0094] [Product setup process] Next, the product setting process will be described. Figure 8 is a flowchart of the product setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the product setting process, the user selects one content from one or more set contents. The user also selects one or more bonus information from one or more set bonus information.

[0095] First, the user logs into system 10 in the same way as in step S11. Next, through an operation on user terminal 1, user terminal 1 accepts the selection of one or more content items related to the product to be sold (step S41). Next, through an operation on user terminal 1, user terminal 1 accepts the selection of one or more bonus information items related to the product to be sold (step S42).

[0096] In step S41, the content stored in step S22 is displayed in a list, and any content may be selected. In step S42, the bonus information stored in step S34 is displayed in a list, and any bonus information may be selected. Alternatively, in steps S41 and S42, when the user selects a master title, the content and bonuses stored in association with that master title may be displayed in a list. Furthermore, in step S42, bonuses that meet predetermined display conditions may be displayed. For example, predetermined display conditions include bonuses whose distribution period is in the future or has not yet ended. Alternatively, if bonus information is set in association with content during the bonus setting process, the user may select content and bonus information by selecting one or more bonus information items. For example, step S41 may be omitted, and by selecting bonus information in step S42, the content or product type associated with the bonus information may be selected.

[0097] Furthermore, in step S41 or S42, the user may select a channel (also called a sales channel) through which the product will be sold. A sales channel is a place where the product is sold, such as a website or a physical store. By inputting information from the user terminal 1, the user can generate a product to be sold through the selected sales channel by combining one or more bonus information items with the content.

[0098] Next, the user terminal 1 transmits the input information entered in steps S41 and S42 to the server device 2 (step S43). The server device 2 receives the input information (step S44). Upon receiving the input information, the server device 2 performs a process to identify the combination of content and bonus information corresponding to the product (step S45).

[0099] In step S45, if there are multiple possible combinations of content and benefits, one product may be identified that combines the most benefits with the content. Alternatively, multiple different products may be identified for each possible combination of content and benefits. The user can select which product to identify by inputting an operation into the user terminal 1. Alternatively, the server device 2 may be pre-configured to store a setting condition, such as setting the product that combines the most benefits. It is also possible to set it so that one piece of content can be combined with multiple benefits, but one benefit cannot be combined with multiple pieces of content.

[0100] For example, when content X is selected in step S41 and benefits A and B are selected in step S42, if the setting identifies one product that combines the most benefits with the content, then in step S45, one combination of products will be identified: content X with benefits A and B. On the other hand, if the setting identifies multiple different products for each possible combination of content and benefits, then in step S45, two combinations of products will be identified: content X with benefit A, and content X with benefit B.

[0101] Next, the server device 2 refers to the condition management table 100 and identifies predetermined conditions corresponding to the product including the content and benefits identified in step S45. The predetermined conditions are identified by the content ID. The server device 2 can identify the predetermined conditions based on the content ID corresponding to the content identified in step S45. Since the content ID is stored in association with the product type in step S22, the server device 2 can identify the predetermined conditions corresponding to the content entered in step S41. Then, the server device 2 determines, based on the input information, whether the information regarding the received price and the identified product data satisfies the predetermined conditions (step S46).

[0102] The phrase "whether the information regarding the accepted price and the data of the identified product satisfies predetermined conditions" includes the concept of determining whether the price of the product corresponding to the content corresponding to the product combination identified in step S45 satisfies predetermined conditions, and also determining whether the information regarding the product data corresponding to the content and bonus information corresponding to the product combination identified in step S45 satisfies predetermined conditions. More specifically, the server device 2 determines whether predetermined conditions are met regarding the correspondence between the price and the information regarding the product data.

[0103] If combinations corresponding to multiple products are identified in step S45, in step S46, the server device 2 performs a determination for each identified combination to see if it satisfies predetermined conditions. For example, in step S46, the server device 2 can compare the price of the products corresponding to the identified predetermined product combination with the product data size limit 110, the bonus data size limit 112, and / or the content data size limit.

[0104] For example, since the price of the product has already been determined in step S20, in step S46, the server device 2 compares the sum of the data sizes of the content and benefits corresponding to the identified predetermined product combination, i.e., the product data size, with the product data size limit 110. If the product data size is greater than the product data size limit 110, the server device 2 can determine that the conditions regarding the product data are not met. Also, for example, since the price of the product has already been determined in step S20, in step S46, the server device 2 compares the sum of the data sizes of the benefits corresponding to the identified predetermined product combination with the benefit data size limit 112. If the benefit data size is greater than the benefit data size limit 112, the server device 2 can determine that the conditions regarding the product data or the benefit information data are not met.

[0105] Furthermore, for example, in step S46, the server device 2 can determine whether the information regarding the accepted price and content and the bonus information or the data of the bonus identified from the bonus information meets predetermined conditions, or whether the information regarding the accepted price and content and the bonus information or the data of the bonus identified from the bonus information meets predetermined conditions.

[0106] In step S46, the server device 2 can identify the data size and number of bonus data items as information related to the bonus data, based on the bonus information identified in step S45. This process is similar to the process of identifying information related to content data from content data.

[0107] The phrase "whether the accepted price, the information regarding the content of the accepted content, and the bonus information or the information regarding the bonus data identified from the bonus information satisfy predetermined conditions" includes, as above, the concept of determining whether the price of the product corresponding to the content selected in step S41 (or the content corresponding to the combination of products identified in step S45) satisfies predetermined conditions, determining whether the information regarding the content of the content selected in step S41 (or the content corresponding to the combination of products identified in step S45) satisfies predetermined conditions, and determining whether the accepted bonus information (or the bonus information corresponding to the combination of products identified in step S45) or the information regarding the bonus data identified from the bonus information satisfies predetermined conditions. More specifically, the server device 2 determines whether predetermined conditions are met regarding the correspondence between the price, the information regarding the content of the content, and the information regarding the bonus information or the information regarding the bonus data identified from the bonus information.

[0108] The phrase "whether the accepted price, the information regarding the data of the accepted content, and the bonus information or the information regarding the bonus data identified from the bonus information satisfy predetermined conditions" includes, as above, the concept of determining whether the price of the product corresponding to the content selected in step S41 (or the content corresponding to the combination of products identified in step S45) satisfies predetermined conditions, determining whether the information regarding the data of the content selected in step S41 (or the content corresponding to the combination of products identified in step S45) satisfies predetermined conditions, and determining whether the accepted bonus information (or the bonus information corresponding to the combination of products identified in step S45) or the information regarding the bonus data identified from the bonus information satisfies predetermined conditions. More specifically, the server device 2 determines whether predetermined conditions are met regarding the correspondence between the information regarding the price and the data of the content and the bonus information or the information regarding the bonus data identified from the bonus information.

[0109] If the process in step S46 determines that the predetermined conditions are not met (NO in step S46), the server device 2 outputs error information indicating that the predetermined conditions are not met to the user terminal 1 (step S47). The process in step S47 is the same as the process in step S21. After the process in step S47, the processes in step S42 or from S41 onwards are executed again.

[0110] In step S47, for example, the server device 2 may control the user terminal 1 to display information indicating that the data size of the products corresponding to the identified product combination exceeds a predetermined data size, information indicating that the data size of the accepted benefit exceeds a predetermined data size, or information prompting the user to select content and / or benefit information so that the data size is less than or equal to a predetermined data size. The predetermined data size corresponds to a predetermined condition and is, for example, the data size of the product data size limit 110, the data size of the benefit data size limit 112, or the data size limit of the content.

[0111] If the process in step S46 determines that the predetermined conditions are met (YES in step S46), the predetermined information processing to enable the sale of the product is performed (step S48). The process in step S48 registers the product as a product that can be sold. The product setting process is completed by the processes in steps S41 to S48.

[0112] The processing in step S48 is the same as the processing in step S22. In step S48, for example, the server device 2 issues product identification information (also called product ID) that can identify a product, and can store it in association with the benefit ID and content ID corresponding to the combination identified in step S45. Product identification information is an example of identification information that can identify part or all of a product. The server device 2 can also store the product ID in association with the price of the product. The server device 2 may also store the product ID in association with the benefit information, the information regarding the price and content of the product received in step S19, the user identification information, and the type of product. The product ID may also be registered in the server device 2 in association with the user ID and / or person in charge ID mentioned above.

[0113] The product ID may be registered in the product database of server device 2 in association with the product price, content ID, benefit ID, user ID, sales channel information, and other related information. Alternatively, server device 2 or another server device may set a flag for the product ID to indicate that the corresponding product is available for sale. The product type is registered as a product through the processing in step S48.

[0114] Furthermore, in step S48, the process of transmitting product information to another computer device may be performed. For example, server device 2 may transmit the product ID to the management server of the website corresponding to the sales channel entered in step S41 or S42. Once transmitted to the management server, the product corresponding to the product ID may be displayed on the website as a product available for purchase.

[0115] Product identification information can identify the content and benefits included in the product being sold. Therefore, by notifying channels other than the one selected in step S41 or S42 of the product identification information, the product can be sold through channels other than the one selected.

[0116] In the above, steps S20 and S46 compare the input information with predetermined conditions corresponding to the received user and the type of product received. In other words, in the embodiment of the present invention, the determination means corresponding to steps S20 and S46 can determine whether or not the predetermined conditions corresponding to the received user are met. Furthermore, the determination means corresponding to steps S20 and S46 can determine whether or not the predetermined conditions corresponding to the type of product received are met.

[0117] [Purchase Processing] Next, we will explain the purchase process, in which a user buys a product and the product is delivered.

[0118] Following the processing in step S48, the products that become available for purchase become viewable on the website. A purchase request for the product is sent to the management server in response to an operation on the buyer's terminal. The management server or a designated payment system then performs the payment processing for the product. Any known method can be used for payment.

[0119] Upon completion of payment for a product, server device 2 receives information from the management server indicating that the product has been purchased. Server device 2 stores the number of times the product has been purchased, associated with the product ID corresponding to the product. Server device 2 may also store the purchaser identification information of the person who purchased the product, associated with the product ID.

[0120] Furthermore, server device 2 can transmit content information corresponding to the purchased product to the purchaser's terminal in response to operations performed by the purchaser on the purchaser's terminal. The purchaser may obtain the content by downloading it or by streaming it. In addition, server device 2 can transmit bonus information corresponding to the purchased product to the purchaser's terminal in response to operations performed by the purchaser on the purchaser's terminal. The content information and bonus information may be transmitted at different times.

[0121] Furthermore, the transmission of content information and / or bonus information may be performed in response to an operation by the purchaser on the purchaser's terminal, or in response to the completion of payment for the product. In addition, the transmission of content information and bonus information may be performed when the user information of the user corresponding to the purchaser is stored in the server device 2, or when a predetermined application program is installed on the purchaser's terminal.

[0122] [Invoice Amount Identification Process] Next, we will explain the process of determining the billing amount that the administrator will charge the user.

[0123] First, server device 2 identifies the user or organization to which the user belongs, which is responsible for determining the billing amount. Next, server device 2 identifies the number of times each product set by the user was sold during a predetermined period (for example, the previous month). Server device 2 also identifies the condition management table 100 corresponding to the user.

[0124] The server device 2 then refers to the condition management table 100 and determines the billing amount to be charged to the user, etc., based on the identified number of purchases and the cost set for the product. The server device 2 stores the billing amount in association with the user, etc. The billing amount determination process is completed with the above processing.

[0125] The billing amount is determined based on the generation cost 122 and server traffic cost 124 defined in the condition management table 100. Therefore, the billing amount is determined regardless of the number of times content was sent to the purchased customer terminal, or the size of the data of the content sent to the purchased customer terminal.

[0126] For example, if Company A, as shown in Figure 5, sells Type A product (priced at 1,000 yen) 10 times, Type B product (priced at 1,800 yen) 20 times, and Type E product (priced at 3,000 yen) 10 times, the invoice amounts for each product will be 1,600 yen, 4,160 yen, and 4,400 yen. Therefore, Server Device 2 identifies 10,160 yen as the invoice amount for the user.

[0127] Furthermore, the conditions for calculating the billing amount may be varied depending on the number of products sold or the sales amount. For example, system 10 may be set so that if the number of products sold is a predetermined quantity (e.g., 50 units) or more, or if the sales amount of the products is a predetermined amount (e.g., 1 million yen) or more, the generation cost 122 and / or server traffic cost 124 are reduced by a predetermined percentage (e.g., 10%). The predetermined percentage may be varied depending on the number of products sold or the sales amount.

[0128] [Other embodiments] The system 10 according to the present invention is not limited to the above and can be modified within the scope of its gist. Furthermore, the configuration of the system 10 described above and the following configurations may be combined in any way.

[0129] In addition, in system 10, it is sufficient for either step S20 or S46 to be executed. For example, if step S46 is executed, step S20 may be omitted.

[0130] Note that the bonus setting process may be omitted. In this case, steps S42 and S45 are omitted. In this case, in step S48, a product containing only content is set.

[0131] In step S16, system 10 may accept the price of the content through an operation on the user terminal 1. In this case, in step S20, server device 2 can determine whether the information regarding the accepted content price and content content satisfies predetermined conditions, or whether the information regarding the accepted content price and content data satisfies predetermined conditions. As predetermined conditions, the condition management table 100 stores information regarding the content price, content content information, and content data information in association. Furthermore, in step S31, the system may accept the price of a benefit as benefit information. In this case, in step S46, server device 2 can determine whether the information regarding the accepted benefit price and benefit data satisfies predetermined conditions. As predetermined conditions, the condition management table 100 stores information regarding the benefit price and benefit data in association. In addition, in step S45, server device 2 may add the accepted content price and benefit price together to determine the price of the product.

[0132] In step S41 or S42, the user may edit the price, sales date, etc., of the product to be sold by operating the user terminal 1. In addition, the content information and bonus information identified by the product information registered in the product setting process may be editable, for example, until the product release date. Furthermore, even after the product release, bonus information may be set considering the sales trends of the product. In this case, a process (step S20 or S46) is executed to determine whether the corresponding predetermined conditions are met according to the information to be edited or set.

[0133] Note that the processing in step S21 or S47 may be omitted. Also, if a combination of products that satisfies the predetermined conditions exists in step S46, step S47 may not be executed. In this case, in step S47, the system may be controlled to display the product combinations for which the predetermined processing was performed and the product combinations for which the predetermined processing was not performed on the user terminal 1 in a manner that allows for distinction.

[0134] System 10 can send some or all of the content information to other users according to predetermined transmission conditions. For example, a gift sending function may be provided as a benefit related to the content. The "gift sending function" refers to a function that allows a purchaser to send some or all of the content information and / or benefit information to other users according to predetermined transmission conditions (for example, the number of times the purchaser has purchased the product) by operating the purchaser's terminal. Users can configure the gift sending function as appropriate, for example, they can set the number of times the content information sent to other users can be played, whether or not it can be downloaded, the playback period, etc.

[0135] Furthermore, since system 10 can detect information such as the user type, purchase date and time, number of content downloads, number of content plays, and number of times content was sent to other users for products purchased by a buyer, it can suitably manage sales statistics. This allows users or administrators to easily manage sales status. In addition, users or administrators can easily check the correlation between events and sales figures.

[0136] Furthermore, since the product includes content and bonuses, it is possible to set a price higher than when the content is sold separately. While the content can be purchased separately, it is preferable that the bonus tickets, admission tickets, digital bonuses, merchandise, and / or serial codes included in the bonuses cannot be purchased separately.

[0137] Thus, a system comprising at least one computer device includes a first information receiving means that receives the price of a product including content through an operation on a user terminal operated by the user, a second information receiving means that receives information regarding the content of the content or information regarding the data of the content through an operation on the user terminal, and a determination means that determines whether the received price and the received information regarding the content of the content satisfy predetermined conditions, or whether the received price and the received information regarding the data of the content or information identified from the information regarding the data of the content satisfy predetermined conditions, thereby enabling determination of whether the price and the information regarding the content of the content satisfy predetermined conditions. Furthermore, it is possible to determine whether the price and the information regarding the data of the content or information identified from the information regarding the data of the content satisfy predetermined conditions.

[0138] Furthermore, by providing the system with information processing means that executes predetermined information processing to enable the sale of a product when the determination means determines that predetermined conditions are met, it becomes possible to sell products that meet the predetermined conditions. This prevents content from being sold at unfairly low prices.

[0139] Furthermore, if the system determines, through a determination means, that the predetermined conditions are not met, the system can be equipped with a display means that controls the display on the user terminal to show information indicating that the accepted price is below a predetermined price corresponding to the predetermined conditions, or information prompting the user to enter a price equal to or greater than the predetermined price. This allows the system to notify the user that the entered price does not meet the predetermined conditions. It also allows the user to be prompted to set the price of the product at or above the predetermined price.

[0140] Furthermore, the system includes a third information receiving means that receives benefit information regarding benefits that may be included in a product through operations on the user terminal, and the determination means determines whether the received price and information regarding the content content and information regarding benefit information or benefit data identified from the benefit information satisfy predetermined conditions, or whether the received price and information regarding the content data and information regarding benefit information or benefit data identified from the benefit information satisfy predetermined conditions.

[0141] Furthermore, in this manner, predetermined conditions are set for each user or organization to which the user belongs, and the system includes a fourth receiving means that accepts input of one user or organization to which the user belongs through operation on the user terminal, and a determination means that determines whether the predetermined conditions corresponding to the accepted user or organization to which the user belongs are met, thereby enabling the setting of different predetermined conditions for each user or organization to which the user belongs. Furthermore, in this manner, multiple predetermined conditions are set, and the system includes a fifth receiving means that accepts input of information relating to one predetermined condition from among the information relating to multiple predetermined conditions through operation on the user terminal, and a determination means that determines whether the predetermined conditions corresponding to the accepted information relating to one predetermined condition are met, thereby enabling the setting of a product corresponding to one predetermined condition selected from among the multiple predetermined conditions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 1. User terminal 2. Server device 3. Administrator terminal 4. Communication network 10 Systems 11 Control unit 12 RAM 13 Storage unit 14 Input section 15 Display section 16 Communication interface 21 Control unit 22 RAM 23 Storage unit 24 Communication interface 100 Condition Management Table 102 Company Name 104 Product Type 106 Maximum Number of Songs 108 Minimum selling price 110 Maximum data size for products 112 Data size limit for benefits 120 Information regarding the amount to be billed 122 Generation costs 124 Server traffic costs

Claims

1. A system comprising at least one computer device, A first information receiving means that receives the price of content or the price of a product containing content through an operation on a user terminal operated by the user, A second information receiving means that receives information about the content or content data through operations on the user's terminal, A determination means that identifies the minimum selling price of a product from information about the content of the received content and determines whether the accepted price is equal to or equal to the minimum selling price of the product, or identifies the minimum selling price of a product from information about the content data identified from the received content data and determines whether the accepted price is equal to or equal to the minimum selling price of the product. A system equipped with these features.

2. If the determination means determines that the accepted price is equal to or greater than the minimum selling price of the product, the information processing means executes predetermined information processing to enable the sale of the product. The system according to claim 1, comprising:

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein predetermined information processing for enabling the sale of goods includes processing for transmitting information about goods to another computer device, processing for issuing identification information that can identify part or all of the goods, processing for setting a flag indicating that the goods are available for sale, or processing for storing information about goods.

4. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information regarding the content data is the data size of the content, the number of content data within the content, or the length of the playback time of the content.

5. Display means control the display on the user terminal to show information indicating that the accepted price is below the minimum selling price of the product, or information prompting the user to enter a price equal to or greater than the minimum selling price of the product, when the determination means determines that the accepted price is not equal to or greater than the minimum selling price of the product. The system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

6. A third information receiving means that receives information about benefits that may be included in a product through operation on the user's terminal. Equipped with, The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination means determines the minimum selling price of the product from information regarding the content of the received content and information regarding bonus information or bonus data identified from the bonus information, and determines whether the received price is equal to or equal to the minimum selling price of the product, or determines the minimum selling price of the product from information regarding content data identified from the received content data and information regarding bonus information or bonus data identified from the bonus information, and determines whether the received price is equal to or equal to the minimum selling price of the product.

7. The minimum selling price of the product is set for each user or organization to which the user belongs. A fourth receiving means that accepts input from one user or the organization to which said user belongs through operation on the user terminal. Equipped with, The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination means determines whether the accepted price is equal to or greater than the minimum selling price of the product corresponding to the accepted user or the organization to which the user belongs.

8. A minimum selling price is set for multiple products. A fifth receiving means that accepts input of the lowest selling price of one product from among the lowest selling prices of multiple products, via operation on the user's terminal. Equipped with, The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination means determines whether the accepted price is equal to or greater than the minimum selling price of the accepted product.

9. Computer equipment, A first information receiving means that receives the price of content or the price of a product containing content through an operation on a user terminal operated by the user, A second information receiving means that receives information about the content or content data through operations on the user's terminal, A determination means that identifies the minimum selling price of a product from information about the content of the received content and determines whether the accepted price is equal to or equal to the minimum selling price of the product, or identifies the minimum selling price of a product from information about the content data identified from the received content data and determines whether the accepted price is equal to or equal to the minimum selling price of the product. A program that makes something function as such.

10. A method performed in a system comprising at least one computer device, A first information reception step involves receiving the price of the content or the price of a product containing the content through an operation on a user terminal operated by the user, A second information reception step involves receiving information about the content or content data through operations on the user's terminal. A determination step which involves identifying the minimum selling price of a product from information about the content of the received content and determining whether the accepted price is equal to or equal to the minimum selling price of the product, or identifying the minimum selling price of a product from information about the content data identified from the received content data and determining whether the accepted price is equal to or equal to the minimum selling price of the product. A method having.

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