Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can effectively encourage a user to use a first service and a second service.SOLUTION: An information processing device of the present invention includes: a setting unit that sets whether or not a content can be used in a second service in association with a target user who uses a first service that can be used by first software and the second service that can be used by second software in cooperation with the first software. In addition, if the target user satisfies a first condition in the first service, the setting unit sets at least one content selected from among contents that are not yet available to the target user to be usable by the target user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program. [Background Art]

[0002] It is already known that for the purpose of promoting the use of both a first service and a second service that are different from each other, benefits such as privileges are provided in the second service in accordance with the usage status of the first service. For example, according to the technology described in Patent Document 1, the usage result of a karaoke system is reflected in the distribution of music information by a music information distribution system provided to the customer of the karaoke system or via the user's device. This promotes the use of the karaoke system for obtaining privileges in the music information distribution system, and thus can promote the use of both systems. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-106285 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, if the privilege provided by the second service in accordance with the usage status of the first service is determined in advance, the privilege may not match the preference of a service user (hereinafter also referred to as a user). In this case, it becomes difficult to encourage the user to use the first service, and it also becomes difficult for the user to use the second service.

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program capable of effectively promoting the use of a first service and a second service by a user. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0006] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a setting unit that sets whether or not content in a second service is available in a second service, which is available in a first service available by a first software and a second service available by a second software linked to the first software, in association with a target user who uses the second service, and when the target user satisfies a first condition in the first service, the setting unit sets at least one selected piece of content from among the content that the target user has not yet been able to use to a state in which the target user can use it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an information processing device, method, and program are provided that can effectively encourage the use of the first service and the second service by determining the degree of preferential treatment given to a target user in the second service according to the target user's usage status of the first service. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the services available to the user in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an information processing system including an information processing device and a user terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram about user information. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram regarding service usage information. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram about content information. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram regarding availability information. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram of the condition information. [Figure 8A] This is an example screen (part 1) that displays suggested content. [Figure 8B] This is an example screen (part 2) that displays suggested content. [Figure 8C]This is an example screen showing candidate content (Part 3). [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for content available to a target user. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram of the functions of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing an example screen for recommending specific candidate content. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing a modified example of the screen that presents candidate content. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing the procedure of the information processing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a diagram showing the procedure for selecting candidate content in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] This is a diagram showing an example screen for presenting candidate content in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This is an explanatory diagram of the functions of the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] This is a diagram showing an example screen for notifying the conditions for specified content to be selected as candidate content. [Figure 18] In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, this is an explanatory diagram of a configuration that sets content to a state available to the target user. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0009] <<Summary of the Present Invention>> Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience of explanation, the following description may sometimes be given from the perspective of a GUI (Graphic User Interface). However, fundamental data processing techniques for implementing the content (such as communication / transmission techniques, data acquisition techniques, data recording techniques, data processing / analysis techniques, image processing techniques, and visualization techniques) are well-known techniques, so descriptions related thereto will be omitted.

[0010] Also, in the present specification, the "user" is a person who uses a service through the functions of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, and as shown in detail in FIG. 1, the user can operate a predetermined device to use the first service and the second service described later. The predetermined device may be a user terminal 12 owned by the user, or may be a device installed in a store or the like, which is not owned by the user but can be used by the user when visiting the store or the like by inputting a personal identification number, password or the like, or making a deposit or the like.

[0011] The present invention relates to an information processing technology that encourages the use of a plurality of services, and specifically relates to a technology that promotes the use of both a first service and a second service that are different from each other. The type of each service is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, services related to amusement such as games and voting for public competitions, services related to entertainment such as karaoke and movie viewing, services related to distribution of music and videos, services related to reading of e-books, services related to business and work support, services related to education and lessons, medical-related services, insurance or finance-related services, and other life-related services.

[0012] The first service and the second service can each be used through communication between the server computer (hereinafter, the server 10) shown in FIG. 2 and the user terminal 12 used by the user. Specifically, the first service can be used on the user terminal 12, for example, by activating first software installed on the user terminal 12. The second service can be used on the user terminal 12, for example, by activating second software installed on the user terminal 12.

[0013] The first and second software programs are distinct application software programs that are launched individually to perform their own unique functions. Based on the functions of each software program, the server 10 provides content for the corresponding service, and the user terminal 12 can then use the service using the provided content. Content is information or data available to the user within the service. The user specifies content within each service and uses the service by displaying, playing, or otherwise outputting the specified content.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first software and the second software are interconnected, or in other words, the first service and the second service can be associated with each other. More specifically, when a user uses the first service, they download the first software and obtain an account to use the first service. Similarly, when a user uses the second service, they download the second software and obtain an account to use the second service. The user then operates their terminal to perform a predetermined setting (hereinafter referred to as the "interconnection setting") to link these service usage accounts. As a result, the first software and the second software are interconnected, and the services can be associated with each other.

[0015] Regarding service user accounts, you may obtain a separate account for each service, or you may obtain a common account that can be used across multiple services. In the following explanation, we will use the case where you obtain a separate service user account for each service as an example.

[0016] The integration settings between the first and second software can be performed at any time, and there are no particular limitations on the specific procedures for configuring the integration. For example, the integration with the other software may be configured on a settings screen that is displayed while one of the first or second software is running. Alternatively, the integration between the software may be configured by registering a service user account for one software, and then linking the already registered account when registering a service user account for the other software.

[0017] Furthermore, the first and second software may be installed on the same user terminal 12, or each software may be installed on multiple different user terminals 12. The same first software may be installed on multiple user terminals 12, and the same second software may be installed on multiple user terminals 12. Also, there may be multiple instances of the second software that can interact with the first software. For example, one user terminal 12 may have one instance of the first software and two or more instances of the second software installed, and each instance of the second software may interact with the first software. Furthermore, multiple instances of the first software itself may be installed on a single user terminal 12.

[0018] In this invention, the content in the second service includes content that is available to the target user and content that is not yet available to the target user until certain conditions are met. Furthermore, in this invention, when the target user meets predetermined conditions in the first service, the content that is not yet available to the target user in the second service is changed to a state where it is available to the target user. In this way, in this invention, the amount of content available in the second service increases according to the target user's usage of the first service. As the amount of available content increases, the target user has more opportunities to use the second service, and the target user also becomes more proactive in using the first service in order to increase the amount of content available in the second service. In other words, this invention can effectively encourage the target user to use both the first and second services.

[0019] Here, "target user" refers to a user who is considered as the user who uses the service as the target of information processing according to the present invention, and the target user changes as the object of focus changes. The target user may be a single user, or it may be an organization or group consisting of multiple users.

[0020] <<About an information processing device and user terminal of one embodiment of the present invention>> Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The first embodiment will be explained using the case where one user (User A) is the target user as an example.

[0021] [Example configuration of information processing device and user terminal according to the first embodiment] The information processing device and user terminal according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Note that in Figure 2, for the sake of explanation, only one user terminal 12 (user terminal 12 operated by user A) is shown; however, in reality, there are a number of user terminals 12 corresponding to the number of users who utilize the functions of the information processing device.

[0022] In the first embodiment, the information processing device of the present invention is comprised of a server 10, which can communicate with a user terminal 12 via a communication network N, as shown in Figure 2. The server 10 and the user terminal 12 constitute a service communication system (information processing system), and user A, the target user, uses each service through this system. In other words, by the user terminal 12 communicating with the server 10 via the communication network N, user A can use the first service and the second service, and more specifically, can use the content provided by the server 10 in each service. The communication network N is, for example, a communication line network consisting of the Internet or a mobile communication network, and may include LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), intranet, and Ethernet (registered trademark).

[0023] User terminal 12 is operated by user A when user A uses the first service and the second service. User terminal 12 can be composed of, for example, a personal computer, smartphone, mobile phone, tablet, game console, home appliance such as a television receiver capable of inputting information, or a wearable device. As mentioned above, the first software and the second software are installed on user terminal 12, and when each software is started, triggered by the startup operation of each software, the use of the corresponding service begins.

[0024] During the use of the first service and / or the second service, the user terminal 12 performs tasks such as inputting information to be handed over to the server 10 and outputting information distributed from the server 10. Specifically, during the use of each service, the user terminal 12 is operated by user A, generates data corresponding to that operation, and transmits the generated data to the server 10. In addition, during the use of the service, the user terminal 12 receives information related to that service, specifically video or images of content specified by user A when using the service, from the server 10 and displays it on the screen. Furthermore, the user terminal 12 outputs sound from the speaker according to the data received from the server 10, and controls various parts of the terminal to emit vibrations or lights according to the received data.

[0025] During the use of each service, before actually using the content, the user terminal 12 displays a home screen as a standby screen. Also, during periods when the service is not being used, the user terminal 12 displays an initial screen, such as a standby screen (i.e., a screen different from the one displayed when the service is being used).

[0026] Server 10 is a computer that generates and sends / receives data necessary for User A to use the service, and performs various information processing related to User A's use of the service. For example, it can be an SNS server or a server computer for a cloud service. Server computers for cloud services include server computers for ASP (Application Service Provider), SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), or IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). Server 10 may be a single computer or multiple computers arranged in parallel and distributed.

[0027] As hardware components, server 10 includes a processor 10A, memory 10B, communication interface 10C, and storage 10D, as shown in Figure 2, and these are electrically connected via bus 10E.

[0028] The processor 10A may consist of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), MCU (Micro Controller Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The memory 10B may be composed of semiconductor memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0029] The communication interface 10C may be configured, for example, by a network interface card or a communication interface board. The data communication standard using the communication interface 10C is not particularly limited and may include communication via Wi-Fi®-based wireless LAN, communication via 3G-5G or later generations of mobile communication systems, or communication based on LTE (Long Term Evolution).

[0030] Storage 10D may consist of flash memory, HDD (Hard Disc Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), FD (Flexible Disc), MO disk (Magneto-Optical disc), CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), SD card (Secure Digital card), or USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory), etc. Storage 10D may be built into the server 10, attached to the server body as an external device, or may be a NAS (Network Attached Storage), etc.

[0031] Furthermore, the storage 10D may consist of a third computer, such as a database server or online storage, that is connected to the server 10 in a communicative manner. In this case, the server 10, together with the third computer that constitutes the storage 10D, constitutes the information processing device of the present invention. Moreover, as a technology for recording and managing electronic data relating to electronic currency, valuable goods, etc., a distributed ledger technology such as blockchain may be used to avoid unauthorized data tampering.

[0032] Storage 10D stores and accumulates various types of information related to user A's use of the service. This information includes, for example, user information, service usage information, content information, availability information, and conditions information.

[0033] User information is generated for each user who uses the service, specifically for each user who has a service account. As shown in Figure 3, user information includes personal information such as username and identification ID (user ID), the type of service for which the user has an account (i.e., the services that can be used), the validity period of the user account for each service, and the email address or phone number registered when the account was issued. Furthermore, for users who can use multiple services, including the first and second services, as shown in Figure 3, information on whether or not linkage settings are configured between services, and if so, the linked first and second services, is also included in the user information. Furthermore, user information is not limited to the information described above, and may include other information about the user besides that shown in Figure 3.

[0034] Service usage information is information about each user's usage of each service, and is generated for each user for each service. As shown in Figure 4, service usage information includes, for services available to a user (i.e., services for which the user has an account), the number of times the user has used the service, the frequency of use, the date and time of use, the content used within the service and the number of times it has been used, and the amount paid for each use of the service and the total amount paid to date. In addition, if the service is a game (more specifically, an online game), the service usage information may also include information such as completed in-game events and quests (stages), types of items and in-game characters obtained, whether or not charges related to item acquisition have been made, the number of days the game has been played to date (total login days), and in-game status such as the level reached. Furthermore, the service usage information may include items other than those mentioned above. For example, it may include the most recent usage date and time, the number of users when multiple people use the same service, and the score (points) calculated as the result of using the service.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, content information defines the types of content available for each service and is generated for each service. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the content defined in the content information is divided into content that can be used regardless of whether the conditions are met (hereinafter also referred to as unconditional content) and content that becomes available only when the conditions are met (hereinafter also referred to as conditional content).

[0036] Furthermore, conditional content is divided into unlocked content and usage-based content. Unlocked content is content that becomes available when certain conditions (hereinafter referred to as unlocked conditions) are met within the service in which the content is used. For example, unlocked content in Service 2 becomes available when the unlocked conditions are met in Service 2. Whether or not unlocked content can be used is set for each user, and users who meet the unlocked conditions can use the unlocked content corresponding to those conditions. In other words, for example, if user A meets unlocked condition K1, user A can use the unlocked content corresponding to unlocked condition K1, while if user B meets unlocked condition K2, user B can use the unlocked content corresponding to unlocked condition K2. Content with usage conditions is content that requires users to meet certain conditions (hereinafter referred to as "usage conditions") within a service different from the service in which the content is used, in order to become available. For example, in order for content with usage conditions to become available in a second service, the usage conditions must be met in the first service. Whether or not content with usage conditions can be used is set for each user, and users who meet the usage conditions can use the content with usage conditions corresponding to those conditions. In other words, for example, if user A meets usage condition R1, user A can use the content with usage conditions corresponding to usage condition R1, while if user B meets usage condition R2, user B can use the content with usage conditions corresponding to usage condition R2. Please note that content with conditions may include content that has both unlocking conditions and content that has usage conditions.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, availability information indicates whether each piece of content within each service is currently available to each user, and is generated for each user. In other words, whether each piece of content is available or not is set individually for each user and changes from user to user. Of the content, content without conditions is always available, except in cases such as content that is available for a limited time. Content with conditions is not yet available in the initial stage, and becomes available to users who meet the conditions for that content.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7, the condition information defines the conditions (specifically, unlock conditions or usage conditions) that must be met for conditional content to become available within each service. The content of the conditions defined in the condition information is predetermined by the system and may be changed (updated) as needed. In the first embodiment, the terms of use include the first and second conditions described later.

[0039] Furthermore, the server 10 has programs for the operating system (OS) and information processing programs for providing services installed. These programs correspond to the "programs" of the present invention and are programs that control the server 10, which is a computer. In other words, the server 10 performs its function as an information processing device of the present invention by being executed by the processor 10A described above. The above information processing program may be obtained by reading it from a computer-readable recording medium, or it may be obtained (downloaded) via a network such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0040] [Regarding the method for promoting service use in the first embodiment] In the first embodiment, with the aim of encouraging the use of both the first and second services, which are distinct from each other, the number of content items available in the second service (in other words, the number of content options) increases depending on the usage status of the first service. More specifically, if user A (the target user) meets the first condition in the first service, at least one selected piece of content from among the content that the target user has not yet been able to use in the second service is set to be available for user A.

[0041] The method for promoting the use of the services described above in the first embodiment will be explained below with specific examples. In the following explanation, we will use the case in which the first service is an online game (hereinafter simply referred to as "game") and the second service is the distribution of karaoke music (hereinafter simply referred to as "karaoke") as an example. Furthermore, the user terminal 12 of the target user, User A, has a game application program (corresponding to the first software, hereinafter referred to as the game app) and a karaoke application program (corresponding to the second software, hereinafter referred to as the karaoke app) installed. In other words, in the case described below, User A will use the game and karaoke.

[0042] User A has configured the link between the first software, a game application, and the second software, a karaoke application, using the procedure described above. Let's assume that User A has launched the first software and used (played) the game, and has fulfilled the first condition in that game. Here, the first condition can be arbitrarily determined as a condition that can be achieved in the game, for example, clearing a specific quest in the game, playing a specific quest a certain number of times (number of uses), User A's status or parameters in the game exceeding a certain value, performing a payment process corresponding to in-game charges to obtain items, etc., or reaching a certain number of days logged into the game. Note that a quest (stage) in the game corresponds to a "specified game" that can be played within the first service.

[0043] After the first condition is met, when user A launches the second software and uses karaoke, a list screen LS, as shown in Figures 8A-8C, is displayed. The list screen LS displays one or more candidate content items that user A can select. The candidate content items are those that user A cannot currently use in the second service, but which are candidates to be set to become available to user A.

[0044] In the first embodiment, candidate content is selected from content that user A cannot yet use at the time user A fulfills the first condition in the game, more specifically from content with usage conditions corresponding to the first condition. Content with usage conditions corresponding to the first condition is content that requires user A to fulfill the first condition in order to become available (i.e., content that has the first condition as a usage condition). The content in the second service, karaoke, is the songs played in karaoke.

[0045] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, candidate content is selected according to User A's karaoke usage history. Specifically, the number of candidate content items selected increases or decreases depending on the number of times User A has used karaoke to date. For example, if User A has used karaoke an average number of times, the list screen LS shown in Figure 8A is displayed on User A's user terminal 12, and this list screen LS displays the usual number of candidate content items. If User A has used karaoke relatively infrequently, the list screen LS shown in Figure 8B is displayed, and this list screen LS displays fewer candidate content items than usual. On the other hand, if User A has used karaoke relatively frequently, the list screen LS shown in Figure 8C is displayed, and this list screen LS displays more candidate content items than usual.

[0046] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on which content is selected as candidate content from among the content that User A cannot yet use in karaoke (specifically, content with usage conditions). For example, a priority order may be set for each piece of content with usage conditions, and the content with usage conditions that User A cannot yet use may be selected as candidate content in order from the highest priority. Alternatively, candidate content may be selected by lottery or randomly from the content with usage conditions that User A cannot yet use.

[0047] Furthermore, the candidate content displayed on the list screen (LS), that is, the content selected as candidate content, may change dynamically. Specifically, if User A's karaoke usage changes, for example, if the number of times they use karaoke increases, the number of candidate content displayed on the list screen (LS) may increase. To illustrate with a specific example, if relatively few candidate content items are displayed on the list screen (LS) immediately after User A fulfills the first condition in the game (for example, the state in Figure 8B), then as User A's number of karaoke uses increases, more candidate content items will be displayed on the list screen (for example, the state in Figure 8A or 8C).

[0048] With the list screen LS displayed on the user terminal 12, User A selects content from the candidate content that they want to change from an unavailable state to an available state on the list screen LS. The candidate content selected by User A is then set to an available state for User A. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the newly available content (candidate content) is added to the song selection list PL. The song selection list PL displays the content that User A can currently use, in a state where User A can select it. By selecting any one of the contents displayed in the song selection list PL, User A can actually use the selected content.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the number of candidate content items that can be selected by user A on the list screen LS and made available to user A is not limited to one, but may be two or more. In this case, the number of candidate content items that user A can select, i.e., the number of candidate content items that can be made available to user A, may be determined, for example, according to the usage status of the second service, karaoke, specifically the number of times karaoke has been used.

[0050] [Functions of the information processing device according to the first embodiment] Next, the functions of the information processing device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 10. Note that the functions of the information processing device described below are primarily functions related to promoting the use of multiple services, and other functions, such as functions related to the progress of content in the services, will not be described.

[0051] The information processing device according to the first embodiment is configured by a server 10 as described above, and as shown in Figure 10, it has an operation reception unit 21, a setting unit 22, a selection unit 23, a presentation unit 24, and a guidance unit 25. These functional units are realized through the cooperation of various hardware devices constituting the server 10 and programs installed on the server 10. Each functional unit will be described in detail below.

[0052] (Operation reception desk) The operation reception unit 21 receives operations (user operations) performed by the target user on the user terminal 12 while the first software and / or the second software are running, that is, while the target user is using the first service and / or the second service through the user terminal 12. Specifically, the operation reception unit 21 obtains data indicating the content of the user operation from the user terminal 12 via the communication network N. The user operations accepted by the operation reception unit 21 include various selections, specifications, instructions, requests, commands, permissions or denials, registrations, and other input operations during service use. Furthermore, selection and specification include the selection and specification of content (including candidate content) by the target user.

[0053] (Settings section) The setting unit 22 sets whether or not content is available, in association with the user. In the first embodiment, the setting unit 22 sets whether or not content is available in the second service, in association with the target user who uses the first service and the second service. Also, in the first embodiment, if the target user satisfies the first condition in the first service, the setting unit 22 sets at least one selected piece of content that the target user has not yet been able to use in the second service (specifically, content with usage conditions) to a state where the target user can use it.

[0054] To explain in more detail, if the target user selects at least one candidate content item on the list screen LS while the list screen LS is displayed on the user terminal 12, the setting unit 22 sets the candidate content item selected by the target user to a state where it is available for the target user to use. The content set to be available for the target user is then actually used by the target user when they select that content in the second service. Furthermore, the selection of candidate content is not limited to being performed by the target user; for example, candidate content may be automatically selected by the system (i.e., server 10). Specifically, at least one candidate content may be selected from the selected candidate content by lottery or other means, and the selected candidate content may be set to be available for the target user. Alternatively, candidate content may be automatically selected according to predetermined rules, and the selected candidate content may be set to be available for the target user.

[0055] (Selection Department) The selection unit 23 selects candidate content from among the content that the target user has not yet been able to use in the second service (specifically, content with usage conditions). In the first embodiment, when the target user meets the first condition in the first service, the selection unit 23 selects candidate content according to the target user's usage of the second service. Specifically, when the target user's usage of the second service is at the first usage level, the selection unit 23 selects more candidate content than when the usage level is at the second usage level, which is lower than the first usage level. Here, the usage level of the second service is a numerical representation of the degree to which the target user has used the second service, and specifically, it may be the total number of uses to date, or the number of uses in a unit period (for example, one month or one year), i.e., the frequency of use. Furthermore, if the second service is a game, the usage level of the second service may be the number of times a predetermined quest has been completed, the total number of login days to date, the number of items obtained, the number of enemy monsters defeated, and the target user's level reached in the game.

[0056] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, if the user's usage of the second service changes between the time candidate content is selected and the user selects candidate content, the selection unit 23 re-selects candidate content according to the changed usage status. For example, suppose the number of times the user uses the second service increases to a predetermined number or more before the user selects candidate content. In this case, the selection unit 23 re-selects candidate content according to the increased number of times the second service is used, thereby changing the number of candidate content selected or the type of content selected as candidate content.

[0057] (Presentation part) The presentation unit 24 presents the candidate content selected by the selection unit 23 to the target user in a state where the user can select it. Specifically, the presentation unit 24 transmits display data of the candidate content to the target user's user terminal 12. The user terminal 12 receives the display data sent by the presentation unit 24 and expands the display data. As a result, a list screen LS is displayed on the display of the user terminal 12, and on this screen, two or more candidate content selected by the selection unit 23 are displayed in a state where the target user can select them (see Figures 8A to 8C).

[0058] Furthermore, the list screen LS containing the candidate content may be displayed on the display of the user terminal 12 when the target user is using the second service, that is, it may be displayed within the usage screen of the second service. However, it is not limited to this, and for example, if the target user has configured the linkage settings between the first software and the second software, the candidate content may be displayed on the display of the user terminal 12 when the target user is using the first service, that is, the candidate content may be displayed within the usage screen of the first service.

[0059] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, if the target user's usage of the second service changes before the target user selects candidate content, the selection unit 23 re-selects candidate content according to the changed usage status. In this case, the presentation unit 24 updates the candidate content presented to the target user according to the change in the usage status of the second service. In other words, when the selection unit 23 re-selects candidate content, the presentation unit 24 updates the candidate content presented to the target user in conjunction with this to the candidate content re-selected by the selection unit 23. The presentation unit 24 then presents the updated candidate content to the target user.

[0060] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when the presentation unit 24 presents two or more candidate contents, it may recommend candidate contents from among the two or more candidate contents that correspond to the target user's usage of the second service. Specifically, if there is a frequently used content in the second service that the target user has used a predetermined number of times or more, the presentation unit 24 recommends candidate contents associated with the frequently used content, as shown in Figure 11. Here, the number of uses may be the total number of uses to date, or it may be the number of uses in a unit period (for example, one month or one year), i.e., the frequency of use. Also, the numerical value (determined number) used as a criterion for determining whether or not a content is frequently used may be set to an arbitrary value.

[0061] Candidate content associated with frequently used content is, for example, candidate content belonging to the same genre or category as the frequently used content. To give a specific example, if the second service is karaoke, candidate content associated with frequently used content would be songs of the same genre as the songs that the target user frequently sings at karaoke (frequently used songs), or songs sung by the same singer as the frequently used songs.

[0062] The method for determining the recommended candidate content is not limited to the method described above; for example, it may be determined based on the target user's usage of the first service. In other words, when presenting candidate content, the presentation unit 24 may recommend candidate content from two or more candidate content options that best suits the target user's usage of the first service. To illustrate with a specific example, suppose the first service is a game and the second service is karaoke, and the target user fulfills the first condition by clearing a specific quest (corresponding to a predetermined game) in the game. In this case, the game music (BGM) played during the cleared specific quest is considered the specific content, and candidate content associated with the specific content—specifically, candidate content of the same genre as the specific content, or candidate content that is the same song as the specific content—may be recommended. As another example, candidate content may be recommended that is set to be available to users who have a predetermined relationship with the target user, specifically, users who are friends with the target user. A friendship relationship is established when one of the two friends requests a friendship from the other, and the other accepts the request. Note that users who have a predetermined relationship with the target user (hereinafter referred to as "users with a predetermined relationship") may have a predetermined relationship with the target user in the first service, or they may have a predetermined relationship with the target user in the second service.

[0063] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the method of recommending specific candidate content. For example, as shown in Figure 11, when presenting candidate content, text or an identification mark indicating that it is recommended, such as the word "recommended," may be displayed near the recommended candidate content. Also, when recommending candidate content that has been set to be available to users with a predetermined relationship, in addition to displaying text or an identification mark, information about the users with the predetermined relationship (e.g., username) and the number of users with the predetermined relationship who have access to the recommended candidate content may also be displayed. In addition, to recommend a candidate content, it may be presented (displayed) in a manner that is more prominent than other candidate content.

[0064] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when the presentation unit 24 presents candidate content, it may also display information regarding conditions for increasing the number of candidate content items on the user terminal 12's display, as shown in Figure 12. The conditions for increasing the number of candidate content items are, for example, conditions related to the usage status of the second service necessary to increase the number of candidate content items (specifically, the number of uses that increases the number of candidate content items).

[0065] (Information Department) The guidance unit 25 prompts the target user to configure the above-mentioned integration settings if the target user has not yet configured the integration settings between the first software and the second software, and the target user has met the first condition in the first service. This makes the target user aware that the integration settings between the first software and the second software have not been configured and guides them to configure the integration settings. The target user who has configured the integration settings can then enjoy the benefits based on the integration settings, specifically, the benefit that the number of content available in the second service will increase according to their usage of the first service.

[0066] Furthermore, the specific method for providing guidance to encourage the user to configure the linking settings is not particularly limited. For example, a message or image prompting the user to configure the linking settings may be displayed on the user terminal 12 of the target user while the target user is using the first service or the second service, or a sound or voice prompting the user to configure the linking settings may be played. In addition, the light-emitting part of the user terminal 12 of the target user may be illuminated, or the vibration-generating part may be vibrated, for the purpose of prompting the user to configure the linking settings.

[0067] [Regarding the information processing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention] Next, we will explain, with reference to Figure 13, an information processing flow using the information processing device according to the first embodiment, which promotes the use of both the first service and the second service (hereinafter simply referred to as the information processing flow).

[0068] The information processing flow according to the first embodiment employs an information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention. In other words, each step in the information processing flow described below (specifically, each step shown in Figure 13) corresponds to a component of the information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the information processing flow described below is merely an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps added, or the order of execution of steps rearranged without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the following explanation, we will use the example of a user A, who is the target user, operating user terminal 12 to use the first service (game) via a game application and the second service (karaoke) via a karaoke application.

[0069] In the information processing flow, User A configures the linkage between the first software (game application) and the second software (karaoke application) according to the procedure described above. Furthermore, the server 10, which constitutes the information processing device, configures the availability of services provided by the karaoke application, i.e., the availability of each karaoke content (song), in association with User A during the information processing flow.

[0070] The information processing flow begins, for example, when user A launches a game application and starts playing the game (S001). When user A progresses through the game and fulfills the first condition in the game (S002), the processor 10A of server 10 reads user A's service usage information from storage 10D and identifies user A's karaoke usage status (specifically, the number of times and frequency of use to date) (S003). Then, the processor 10A selects candidate content from among the karaoke content that user A has not yet been able to use (specifically, content with usage conditions) according to the karaoke usage status identified in S003 (S004). In this case, when user A's karaoke usage level (number of times and frequency of use) is at the first usage level, the processor 10A selects more candidate content than when the usage level is at the second usage level, which is lower than the first usage level.

[0071] Subsequently, the processor 10A presents the candidate content selected in S004 to user A (S005). Specifically, the processor 10A generates display data for a list screen LS showing the selected candidate content and sends the generated display data to user A's user terminal 12. On user A's user terminal 12, the received display data is expanded to display the list screen LS, and the selected candidate content is displayed on the list screen LS in a state where user A can select it.

[0072] Furthermore, in step S005, when presenting two or more candidate content items on the list screen LS, processor 10A may recommend at least one candidate content item determined according to user A's game or karaoke usage. For example, if user A has cleared a specific quest in the game as the first condition, processor 10A may recommend candidate content associated with that specific quest. Alternatively, if there is frequently used content (frequently used song) in karaoke that user A has used a predetermined number of times or more, processor 10A may recommend candidate content associated with that frequently used content.

[0073] User A can select one or more candidate content items from the list screen LS. When User A selects candidate content items (Yes in S006), processor 10A accepts the selection and sets the selected candidate content items to be available for User A (S007, S008). The content items that have been set to be available for User A can then be selected and used by User A in karaoke, and specifically, they are added to the song selection list PL shown in Figure 9.

[0074] On the other hand, if user A's karaoke usage status changes before user A selects candidate content (No in S006 and Yes in S009), processor 10A updates the candidate content presented to user A according to the changed karaoke usage status (S010). Specifically, processor 10A re-selects candidate content according to the changed karaoke usage status, generates display data for the list screen LS showing the re-selected candidate content, and sends the generated display data to user A's user terminal 12. On user A's user terminal 12, the received display data is expanded to display the list screen LS, and the updated candidate content is displayed on the list screen LS in a state where user A can select it. After that, the process returns to step S006, and the steps from S006 onward are performed according to the procedure described above.

[0075] The series of steps S001 to S010 described above are repeated until User A finishes using the game and karaoke (S011). When User A finishes using the game and karaoke, the information processing flow according to the first embodiment ends.

[0076] <<Other Embodiments>> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is merely an example given to facilitate understanding of the present invention and does not limit it. That is, the present invention can be modified or improved from the above embodiment without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, the present invention includes equivalents thereof. Also, the screen examples shown in the drawings referenced in the description of the above embodiments are merely examples, and the screen configuration, the content of the information displayed, and the GUI (Graphical User Interface), etc., can be freely designed and modified as appropriate according to the system design specifications and user preferences.

[0077] Furthermore, regarding "notification of information" in the above embodiment, the means of notification are not particularly limited. For example, notification may be by email, or by displaying a message or playing sound / audio while using the first / second service. Also, when notifying a user who has an SNS account (an account for posting articles, images, etc. on an SNS site, or for exchanging messages etc. with other SNS users), information may be notified by utilizing SNS posting or message exchange. In addition, the screen on which the message etc. is displayed may be the waiting screen while using the first / second service, or it may be the initial screen (standby screen) of the user terminal 12.

[0078] Furthermore, the "terminal display screen" in the above embodiment may be a screen composed of a display device built into the terminal itself, or a screen composed of a display device connected to the terminal by wire or wireless means. In addition to general stationary displays, displays connected to the terminal may include HMDs (Head Mounted Displays) such as VR goggles.

[0079] Furthermore, the service user account in the above embodiment may also be used as an account for social networking services (SNS). Additionally, the service user account and the SNS account may be linked. For example, if a target user who has a user account for the first service meets the first condition in the first service, a list of candidate content and various messages regarding content usage may be posted to the SNS site (for example, on the timeline) to notify the target user.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the server 10 functions as the information processing device of the present invention, but some of the functions of the server 10 may be provided by the user terminal 12. In that case, the information processing device of the present invention will be configured through the cooperation of the server 10 and the user terminal 12.

[0081] Furthermore, several other embodiments of the present invention, different from the first embodiment described above, are conceivable. Each of these embodiments (the second to fourth embodiments) will be described below. In the following, we will primarily explain the differences from the first embodiment, and omit explanations of the common points. Furthermore, with respect to the multiple embodiments, including the first embodiment described above, the elements and features of each embodiment may be combined as appropriate. In other words, the configuration of any of the first to fourth embodiments can be applied to the other embodiments, and the effects resulting from that configuration can be similarly exhibited in the other embodiments.

[0082] [Second Embodiment] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the procedure for selecting candidate content. The configuration of the second embodiment, particularly the configuration related to the selection of candidate content, will be described below. In the following explanation, we will use the example of a case where the target user is User A, the first service is the first game available through the first game application, and the second service is the second game available through the second game application.

[0083] In the second game, multiple quests are available as content. Some of these quests are content that User A cannot access when playing the second game for the first time; specifically, they are content with unlock conditions. Content with unlock conditions becomes available when User A's usage of the second game meets the unlock conditions. Meeting the unlock conditions in the second game means, for example, that User A's total play time in the second game exceeds a certain amount of time, that User A's total login days exceed a certain number of days, that User A completes a specific quest in the second game, or that User A reaches a certain level in the second game. Then, the unlocked content, that is, content with unlock conditions that has met the unlock conditions, is changed by the setting unit 22 from a state where User A cannot access it to a state where User A can access it.

[0084] In the second embodiment, when the information processing device (specifically, the selection unit 23) selects candidate content, it selects content that is not yet available to user A in the second game and is not unlocked content. Referring to Figure 14, for example, among the multiple quests Q1 to Q6 which are content in the second game, quests Q2 to Q6 are content with unlocking conditions and content with usage conditions. Furthermore, quest Q2 is unlocked when the user reaches level 10, quest Q3 is unlocked when the user reaches level 20, and quests Q4 to Q6 are unlocked when the user reaches level 30 or higher.

[0085] In the above case, if User A meets the first condition in the first game, the selection unit 23 selects a predetermined number of candidate content (3 in the example in Figure 14) from among the quests that User A has not yet been able to use. In this case, if User A's level reached in the second game is less than 10, the selection unit 23 will select quests Q2, Q3, and Q4 as candidate content, as shown in Figure 14. On the other hand, if User A's level is 10 or higher but less than 20, Quest Q2 is considered unlockable content, and the selection unit 23 will select Quests Q3, Q4, and Q5 as candidate content, as shown in Figure 14. Furthermore, if quests Q2, Q3, and Q4 are presented as candidate content when User A's level is below 10, and User A's level reaches 10 or higher (specifically, 10-20) in the second game, quest Q2 will be unlocked. In this case, the presented candidate content may be changed to include other content besides quest Q2, such as quest Q5, instead of the unlocked quest Q2; in other words, the candidate content may be updated to quests Q3, Q4, and Q5.

[0086] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the selection unit 23 may select two or more candidate contents. In this case, the candidate contents may include contents that can become unlocked contents and contents that cannot become unlocked contents. Content that can become unlocked contents are contents with unlocking conditions. Content that cannot become unlocked contents are contents that have usage conditions and do not fall under the category of contents with unlocking conditions.

[0087] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, if two or more candidate content items are selected, the presentation unit 24 may present the two or more candidate content items in a manner that allows for the identification of candidate content items that can become unlocked content and candidate content items that cannot become unlocked content. Specifically, as shown in Figure 15, characters or signs (in Figure 15, the characters "Unlocked at level...") may be displayed near candidate content items that can become unlocked content to indicate that they are content that can become unlocked content. Also, characters or signs may be displayed near candidate content items that cannot become unlocked content to indicate that they are content that cannot become unlocked content. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 15, no characters or signs may be displayed for candidate content items that cannot become unlocked content.

[0088] [Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, candidate content is selected using a procedure different from that of the first and second embodiments. The configuration related to the selection of candidate content in the third embodiment will be described below. In the following explanation, we will use the example of a case where the target user is User A, the first service is a game accessible via a game application, and the second service is karaoke accessible via a karaoke application.

[0089] In the third embodiment, when user A satisfies the first condition in the game (first service), the selection unit 23 selects candidate content corresponding to the first condition from among the content that user A has not yet been able to use in the karaoke (second service). To explain with a specific example, suppose the first condition is clearing a specific quest in the game. In this case, the selection unit 23 selects content of the same genre as the game music (BGM) played during the play of the specific quest, or content that is the same song as that game music, as candidate content corresponding to the first condition.

[0090] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the server 10 constituting the information processing device may further include a notification unit 26 in addition to the above-described functional units (operation reception unit 21, setting unit 22, selection unit 23, presentation unit 24, and guidance unit 25), as shown in Figure 16. As shown in Figure 17, when user A specifies a designated content, the notification unit 26 notifies user A of the first condition for that designated content to be selected as candidate content. The designated content is content specified by user A from among the content that user A cannot yet use in karaoke (more specifically, content with usage conditions), and in Figure 17, songs G1 and G2 correspond to the designated content. The designation of the designated content may be made, for example, through a designation screen (not shown) while user A is using karaoke.

[0091] Furthermore, when User A specifies a particular content, suggestions for other content may be made to User A. For example, if User A uses a certain content in karaoke (second service), content of the same genre / category with usage conditions may be suggested to User A as specified content. Furthermore, the specific method for notifying the user of the first condition for the designated content to be selected as candidate content is not particularly limited. For example, the first condition may be displayed on the game screen while user A is playing the game. Alternatively, while using karaoke, the first condition may be displayed on user A's user terminal 12, or an audio recording representing the first condition may be played. Alternatively, an email or message indicating the first condition may be sent to user A.

[0092] [Fourth Embodiment] In the fourth embodiment, when a target user meets multiple conditions in the first service, the amount of content that is not yet available to the target user in the second service and is set to be available to the target user increases according to each condition. In this respect, the fourth embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments. The configuration related to the above-mentioned differences in the fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 18. For the purposes of this explanation, we will use the example of a case where the target user is User A, the first service is a game accessible via a game application, and the second service is karaoke accessible via a karaoke application.

[0093] In the fourth embodiment, suppose user A fulfills the first condition in the game, for example, by clearing a specific quest. In this case, the setting unit 22 sets the selected first content (song G1 in Figure 18) from among the content that user A has not yet been able to use in karaoke to a state where user A can use it, in accordance with the procedure described above.

[0094] Subsequently, suppose user A fulfills a second condition in the game that is different from the first condition, for example, by making a payment in response to an in-game charge. In this case, the setting unit 22, in the same manner as with the first content, sets the second content (song G2 in Figure 18), which is different from the first content and is not yet available to user A in the karaoke system, to a state where user A can use it.

[0095] Thereafter, whenever User A meets a new condition (usage condition) in the game, the same procedure as above is repeated for each condition. In other words, in the fourth embodiment, each time User A meets a usage condition in the game, the setting unit 22 sets a selected piece of content from among the content that User A has not yet been able to use in karaoke to a state where it can be used by the user.

[0096] <<Summary>> One of the objectives of the present invention is to facilitate the use of both the first service and the second service, which are available through different software. More specifically, the objective is to solve the problems corresponding to [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 15] shown below.

[0097] [Note 1] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 1, and specifically, to effectively encourage the use of both the first service and the second service, which are distinct from each other. To solve the above problems, the information processing device of the present invention, as configured in Appendix 1, includes a setting unit that sets whether or not content in the second service is available, in association with a target user who uses a first service available by first software and a second service available by second software linked with the first software, and when the target user satisfies the first condition in the first service, the setting unit sets at least one selected piece of content from among the content that the target user has not yet been able to use to a state in which the target user can use it. According to the above configuration, the level of preferential treatment given to the target user in the second service, specifically the content made available to the target user in the second service, is determined based on the target user's usage of the first service. As a result, the target user will use the newly available content in the second service and will also actively use the first service to increase the amount of content available to them. Consequently, the use of both the first and second services can be effectively encouraged.

[0098] [Note 2] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 2, specifically, to determine the degree of preferential treatment given to target users in the second service, taking into consideration the intentions of the target users. To solve the above problems, the information processing device of the present invention, as configured in Appendix 2, includes a selection unit that selects candidate content from among the content that is not yet available to the target user, according to the target user's usage status of the second service. The setting unit then sets the candidate content selected by the target user to a state where it is available to the target user. According to the above configuration, the system accepts the selection of target users and sets the selected candidate content to be available to the target users. This allows the system to determine the level of preferential treatment given to target users in the second service, taking into account the target users' intentions (specifically, their preferences or interests).

[0099] [Note 3] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 3, and more specifically, to promote the use of the second service more effectively. To solve the above problems, in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, as configured in Appendix 3, when the usage level of the second service by the target user is the first usage level, the selection unit may select more candidate content than when the usage level is the second usage level, which is lower than the first usage level. According to the above configuration, the more a target user uses the second service, the more candidate content will be selected, leading to more active use by the target user. In other words, it effectively encourages the target user to use the second service.

[0100] [Note 4] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 4, specifically, to appropriately select candidate content. To solve the above problems, in the information processing device of the present invention, as configured in Appendix 4, among the content in the second service, content that is made available when the target user's usage status of the second service satisfies the release conditions may be set by the setting unit from a state where it is not yet available to the target user to a state where it is available to the target user. In addition, the selection unit may select content that is not yet available to the target user and is not made available as candidate content. According to the above configuration, by selecting candidate content while excluding unlocked content, it is possible to appropriately (rationally) select candidate content without including content that has already been unlocked and made available to the target users.

[0101] [Note 5] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 5, and specifically, to present candidate content in a manner that makes it easy for the user to understand the types of candidate content. To solve the above problems, the information processing device of the present invention, as configured in Appendix 5, includes a presentation unit that presents two or more candidate contents selected by the selection unit to the target user in a state in which the target user can select them. Furthermore, the presentation unit may present each candidate content in a manner that allows identification of candidate contents that can become unlocked content and candidate contents that cannot become unlocked content. The above configuration makes it easier to identify whether each presented candidate content can become unlockable content. As a result, candidate content can be presented in a way that makes it easy for users to understand the type of content (whether it can become unlockable content or not).

[0102] [Note 6] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 6, and specifically, to promote the use of the first service more efficiently. To solve the above problems, the information processing device of the present invention, as configured in Appendix 6, includes a selection unit that, when a target user satisfies a first condition in the first service, selects candidate content corresponding to the first condition from among content that is not yet available to the target user. The setting unit may also set the candidate content selected by the target user to a state where it is available to the target user. According to the above configuration, candidate content is selected in association with the first condition that the target user has met in the first service. As a result, the target user will actively use the first service in order to meet the first condition, and consequently, the use of the first service can be promoted more efficiently.

[0103] [Note 7] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 7, and specifically, to promote the use of the first service more efficiently. To solve the above problems, the information processing device of the present invention, as configured in Appendix 7, includes a notification unit that notifies the target user of the first condition for the designated content to be selected as candidate content when the target user selects designated content from among the content that is not yet available to the target user. According to the above configuration, the first condition for the specified content to be selected as candidate content is notified to the target user, allowing the target user to properly understand this first condition. As a result, the target user will actively use the first service in order to satisfy the notified first condition, specifically so that the specified content is selected as candidate content. Consequently, the use of the first service can be promoted more efficiently.

[0104] [Note 8] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 8, and specifically, to further encourage the use of the first service. To solve the above problems, the information processing apparatus of the present invention, as configured in Appendix 8, may, when a target user satisfies the first condition in the first service, set the selected first content from among the content that is not yet available to the target user to a state where the target user can use it. Furthermore, after the first content has been set to a state where the target user can use it, when the target user satisfies the second condition in the first service, the setting unit may set a second content, different from the first content, from among the content that is not yet available to the target user to a state where the target user can use it. According to the above configuration, if a target user meets multiple conditions (the first and second conditions) in the first service, the amount of content available to the target user in the second service will increase for each condition met. This will encourage the target user to use the first service more actively, further promoting its use.

[0105] [Note 9] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 9, specifically by presenting candidate content in consideration of changes in the usage status of the second service. To solve the above problems, the information processing device of the present invention, as configured in Appendix 9, includes a presentation unit that, when the target user satisfies the first condition in the first service, presents to the target user a selection of candidate content chosen from among the content that the target user has not yet been able to use, in a state in which the target user can select it. The setting unit may also set the candidate content selected by the target user to a state in which the target user can use it. Furthermore, if the target user's usage status of the second service changes before the target user selects candidate content, the presentation unit may update the candidate content in accordance with the change in usage status and present the updated candidate content to the target user. According to the above configuration, if the user's usage of the second service changes before the user selects candidate content, the candidate content is updated accordingly. This allows the user to be presented with candidate content that has been appropriately updated in accordance with the changes in their usage of the second service.

[0106] [Note 10] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 10, and specifically, to inform the target user of suitable candidate content, taking into account the target user's usage of the first service. To solve the above problems, the information processing device of the present invention, as configured in Appendix 10, includes a presentation unit that, when the target user satisfies the first condition in the first service, presents to the target user a selection of candidate content chosen from among the content that the target user has not yet been able to use, in a state in which the target user can select it. The setting unit may also set the candidate content selected by the target user to a state in which the target user can use it. Furthermore, when presenting candidate content, the presentation unit may recommend candidate content according to the target user's usage status of the first service. With the above configuration, candidate content is recommended according to the target user's usage of the first service. Therefore, the target user can understand the candidate content that corresponds to their usage of the first service (for example, content they frequently use in the first service), specifically, candidate content that is appropriate for their usage of the first service.

[0107] [Note 11] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 11, specifically, to inform the target user of suitable candidate content when playing a game in the first service. To solve the above problems, the information processing device of the present invention may, as configured in Appendix 11, have a first condition that includes clearing a predetermined game playable within the first service, and the presentation unit may recommend candidate content associated with the predetermined game. According to the above configuration, if the target user clears a designated game within the first service as the first condition, candidate content associated with that game will be recommended, allowing the target user to understand candidate content that matches the game (for example, candidate content in the same music genre as the game's background music).

[0108] [Note 12] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 12, and specifically, to inform the target user of suitable candidate content, taking into account the target user's usage of the second service. To solve the above problems, the information processing device of the present invention, as configured in Appendix 12, includes a display unit that, when the target user satisfies the first condition in the first service, displays candidate content selected from content that is not yet available to the target user, in a state that the target user can select. The setting unit may also set the candidate content selected by the target user to a state that is available to the target user. Furthermore, when displaying candidate content, the display unit may recommend candidate content according to the target user's usage status of the second service. With the above configuration, candidate content is recommended according to the target user's usage of the second service, so the target user can understand the candidate content that corresponds to their usage of the second service, specifically, candidate content that is appropriate for their usage of the second service.

[0109] [Note 13] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 13, and specifically, to inform the target user of suitable candidate content in the second service, taking into account the existence of content that the target user uses frequently. To solve the above problems, in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, as configured in Appendix 13, if there is frequently used content in the second service that has been used by the target user a predetermined number of times or more, the presentation unit may recommend candidate content associated with the frequently used content. According to the above configuration, if there is a frequently used content in the second service that has been used by the target user more than a predetermined number of times, the target user can identify candidate content that is appropriate for the frequently used content (for example, candidate content in the same genre as the frequently used content) by recommending candidate content associated with the frequently used content.

[0110] [Note 14] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems described in Appendix 14, and specifically, to effectively encourage the use of both the first service and the second service. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an information processing method configured as described in Appendix 14, in which a processor associates a target user with a first service available by the first software and a second service available by the second software linked with the first software, sets whether or not content in the second service is available, and when the target user satisfies the first condition in the first service, the processor sets at least one selected piece of content from among the content not yet available to the target user to a state where it is available to the target user. According to the above configuration, the content available to the target user in the second service is determined based on the target user's usage of the first service. This effectively encourages the use of both the first and second services.

[0111] [Note 15] One of the objectives of the present invention is to solve the problems corresponding to Appendix 15, and specifically, to effectively encourage the use of both the first service and the second service. To solve the above problems, the program of the present invention, as configured in Appendix 15, is a program in which the processor associates a target user with a first service available by the first software and a second service available by the second software which works in conjunction with the first software, sets whether or not content in the second service is available, and when the target user satisfies the first condition in the first service, the processor sets at least one selected piece of content from among the content that the target user has not yet been able to use to a state in which the target user can use it. According to the above configuration, the content available to the target user in the second service is determined based on the target user's usage of the first service. This effectively encourages the use of both the first and second services. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 10. Server (Information Processing Device) 10A Processor 10B memory 10C communication interface 10D Storage 10E Bus 12 User terminals 21 Operation Reception Section 22 Setting section 23 Selection Department 24 Presentation section 25 Information Department 26 Notification Department LS List Screen N Communication Network PL Selection List

Claims

1. A setting unit sets whether or not content in the second service is available, in association with target users who use the first service available through the first software and the second service available through the second software which is linked to the first software. The system includes a selection unit that selects multiple candidate content items from among the content items that the target user has not yet been able to use, according to the number of times or the degree to which the target user has used the second service, Information processing device, in which, when the target user satisfies the first condition relating to what can be achieved by using the first service, the setting unit sets the candidate content selected by the target user from among the candidate content selected from the content that the target user has not yet been able to use to a state in which the target user can use it.

2. The processor associates the first service available through the first software and the second service available through the second software, which works in conjunction with the first software, with the target users who will be using the second service, and sets whether or not the content in the second service can be used. The processor selects multiple candidate content items from among the content items that the target user has not yet been able to use, according to the number of times or the degree to which the target user has used the second service. Information processing method in which, when the target user satisfies a first condition relating to what can be achieved by using the first service, the processor sets the candidate content selected by the target user from among the content not yet available to the target user to a state where the target user can use it.

3. The first service available through the first software and the second service available through the second software, which works in conjunction with the first software, are associated with target users, and the processor is instructed to set whether or not the content in the second service is available. The processor is instructed to select multiple candidate content items from among the content items that the target user has not yet been able to use, according to the number of times or the degree to which the target user has used the second service. A program that, when the target user satisfies a first condition relating to what can be achieved by using the first service, causes the processor to set the candidate content selected by the target user from among the content not yet available to the target user to a state where the target user can use it.

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