Product provision device, program, and product provision system

Abstract

[PROBLEM] To enable efficient provision of a product. [SOLUTION] [Claim 1] A product provision management device can communicate with a terminal of a user. This product provision device comprises: a first-type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of first-type options to a terminal so as to be selectable by a user; a second-type option presentation means for presenting, to the terminal, a plurality of second-type options associated with a first-type option selected by the user from among the plurality of first-type options, the second-type options being presented so as to be selectable by the user; a settlement processing means for performing settlement processing of a cost corresponding to the number of second-type options selected by the user; and a product provision means for presenting, to the terminal, after the settlement processing by the settlement processing means, product information for the product corresponding to the number of the second-type options selected by the user .

Description

Product provision device, program, and product provision system

[0001] The present invention relates to a product provision device, a program, and a product provision system.

[0002] Conventionally, there have been online lottery-style product provision systems (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such online lottery systems, unlike options such as a lottery box or lottery tickets, which are tangible objects, users cannot monopolize options, and the system must prevent users from selecting options such as the lottery box or lottery tickets from other users.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-070937

[0004] On the other hand, in the case of online events, many users participate, so it is important to be able to select options efficiently.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a product provision device, a program, and a product provision system that can provide products efficiently.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a product provision device capable of communicating with a user's terminal, comprising: a first-type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of first-type options to the terminal so that the user can select from them; a second-type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of second-type options to the terminal so that the user can select from among the plurality of first-type options, the second-type options being associated with a first-type option selected by the user; a payment processing means for performing payment processing for a price according to the number of second-type options selected by the user; and a product provision means for presenting product information for products according to the number of second-type options selected by the user to the terminal after payment processing by the payment processing means.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a product provision device capable of communicating with a user terminal, comprising: a first image presentation means for presenting first images associated with a product group including multiple types of products so that only one user can select one of them; a second image presentation means for presenting multiple second images associated with the first images so that only the user who selected the first image can select one of them; a payment processing means for performing a payment process for a price according to the number of second images selected by the user; and a product provision means for presenting, after payment processing by the payment processing means, product information for products according to the number of second images selected by the user to the terminal, wherein each of the second images is associated with one of the products in the product group without overlapping, and the product provision means presents, to the terminal, product information for the product associated with the second image selected by the user, and the first image presentation means cancels the user's selection of the first image after payment processing by the payment processing means, allowing another user to select the first image.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to function as a first-type option presentation means that presents a plurality of first-type options to a terminal so that the user can select from them, a second-type option presentation means that presents a plurality of second-type options to the terminal so that the user can select from among the plurality of first-type options, the second-type options being associated with a first-type option selected by the user, a payment processing means that performs payment processing for a price according to the number of second-type options selected by the user, and a product provision means that, after payment processing by the payment processing means, presents product information for products according to the number of second-type options selected by the user to the terminal.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to function as a first image presentation means that presents first images associated with a product group including multiple types of products so that only one user can select them, a second image presentation means that presents multiple second images associated with the first images so that only the user who selected the first image can select them, a payment processing means that performs payment processing for a price according to the number of second images selected by the user, and a product provision means that, after payment processing by the payment processing means, presents product information for products according to the number of second images selected by the user to the terminal, wherein each second image is associated with one of the products in the product group without overlapping, and the product provision means presents product information for the product associated with the second image selected by the user to the terminal, and the first image presentation means deselects the user's selection of the first image after payment processing by the payment processing means, allowing another user to select the first image.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a product provision system comprising a terminal and a product provision device capable of communicating with the terminal, wherein the product provision device comprises: a first-type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of first-type options to the terminal so that the user can select from them; a second-type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of second-type options to the terminal so that the user can select from among the plurality of first-type options, the second-type options being associated with a first-type option selected by the user; a payment processing means for performing payment processing for a price according to the number of second-type options selected by the user; and a product provision means for presenting, after payment processing by the payment processing means, product information for products according to the number of second-type options selected by the user to the terminal.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide products efficiently.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a product provision method applied to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a product provision device according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the device configuration of a tablet computer, which is an example of a terminal 2. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the product provision device 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database for the Title XXX series. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a terminal 2. FIG. 7 is an operational flowchart of a first-type option presentation process of the product provision device 1. FIG. 8 is an example of a screen listing available titles presented on the terminal 2. FIG. 9 is an example of a lottery box list screen presented on the terminal 2. FIG. 10 is an example of product information for lottery box 1 presented on the terminal 2 when a user selects lottery box 1. FIG. 11 is an operational flowchart of a second-type option presentation process of the product provision device 1. FIG. 12 is an example of a lottery ticket purchase screen displayed on the terminal 2. FIG. 13 is an example of a lottery ticket list screen for the selected lottery box displayed on the terminal 2. FIG. 14 is an example of a payment processing completion screen. FIG. 15 is an example of a lottery ticket opening screen displayed on the terminal 2. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the lottery box database D1 in Modification 1 of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 17 is an example of a bonus product offering screen displayed on the terminal 2 by the product offering unit 115. Fig. 18 is an example of the lottery box database D1 in Modification 2 of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 18 is an example of a lottery box list screen in Modification 2 of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] <Embodiments of the Present Invention> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0014] First, to facilitate understanding of the configuration of this embodiment, a product provision method applied to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining the product provision method applied to this embodiment.

[0015] The method of providing merchandise applied in this embodiment provides merchandise by lottery from among multiple types of merchandise belonging to a title selected by the user. The title is the title of a certain character or event, etc.

[0016] One title is associated with a plurality of first-type options, and each of the plurality of first-type options is associated with a plurality of second-type options. Each of the first-type options is associated with a product group including N products of P types associated with the title. Each of the plurality of second-type options associated with each first-type option is associated with one of the products in the product group associated with the first-type option.

[0017] To explain this in more detail using FIG. 1 , the first type of options are lottery boxes, and the second type of options are lottery tickets contained in the lottery boxes. There is one title, the "XXX Series," and each of the multiple lottery boxes 1 through M associated with this title, the "XXX Series," is associated with one product group. Each product group contains P types of products, and each product group is composed of a total of N products of P types, with the types and numbers of products being the same for each product group. The proportion of products belonging to one product group is determined by the prize set for each product type. That is, the higher the prize ranking, the fewer the number of products, and the lower the prize ranking, the more the number of products. For example, if "Product X-1" of the "XXX Series" product group is set as the first prize, "Product X-2" as the second prize, ..., and "Product XP" as the P prize, the probability of winning increases in the order of "Product X-1," "Product X-2," ..., "Product XP." In other words, "Product X-1" has the lowest probability of winning and the smallest number of items. "Product XP" has the highest probability of winning and the largest number of items.

[0018] Here, a case where M=10, N=100, and P=5 in FIG. 3 will be described.

[0019] The title "XXX Series" is associated with ten lottery boxes 1 to 10, and each of lottery boxes 1 to 10 is associated with 100 lottery tickets 1 to 100. There are five types of products in one product group associated with each lottery box 1 to 10: "Product X-1" to "Product X-5," with the first prize being "Product X-1," the second prize being "Product X-2," the third prize being "Product X-3," the fourth prize being "Product X-4," and the fifth prize being "Product X-5." The breakdown of the numbers is 2 "Product X-1," 8 "Product X-2," 20 "Product X-3," 30 "Product X-4," and 40 "Product X-5," for a total of 100 products. In other words, each of the four types of 100 product groups is associated with a respective lottery box 1 to 10.

[0020] Furthermore, each of the lottery tickets 1 to 100 in each of the lottery boxes 1 to 10 is associated with one of the 100 products in the product group associated with the lottery box. The lottery tickets 1 to 100 are associated one-to-one with the products to prevent overlapping. At this time, it is preferable that the association between the lottery tickets 1 to 100 and the products in each of the lottery boxes 1 to 10 is not the same, but is different for each lottery box. This is to prevent the user from discovering the correspondence between the lottery tickets and the products as they repeatedly select lottery tickets.

[0021] Next, the provision of merchandise to a user will be described. A user selects a title they wish to purchase, and then selects one lottery box from the multiple lottery boxes 1 to 10 associated with that title. If the user selects lottery box 5, the user then selects the desired number of lottery tickets from lottery tickets 5-1 to 5-100 associated with lottery box 5. The merchandise associated with the lottery tickets selected by the user is then provided. Note that the lottery ticket selected by the user and used to provide a merchandise cannot be selected by other users.

[0022] In this way, the provision of products associated with the title is realized by a lottery system in which the user can select the product himself.

[0023] [Overall Configuration] The product provision device system according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the product provision device according to this embodiment. In Fig. 2, 1 is the product provision device, and 2 is a user terminal.

[0024] The product providing device 1 and the user terminal 2 can be connected to a communication line N and can communicate with each other. The communication line N refers to a communication path that allows data communication. In other words, the communication line N includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a telephone communication network, a cable network, the Internet, and other communication networks, and the communication method can be either wired or wireless.

[0025] The product provision device 1 is a server system configured to include one or more server devices, storage devices, etc. The product provision device 1 performs various services for providing products to users, obtains product inventory status, and performs procedures for providing products to users.

[0026] The terminal 2 is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, etc. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of a tablet computer, which is an example of the terminal 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the terminal 2 includes a display 21, a touch operation panel 22 integral with the display 21, and a built-in speaker 23. The terminal 2 also includes a control board, a built-in battery, a power button, a volume adjustment button, etc., which are not shown.

[0027] The control board is equipped with various microprocessors such as a CPU, GPU, and DSP, various IC memories such as an ASIC, VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a wireless communication module for wireless communication with a base station. The control board also is equipped with so-called I / F circuits (interface circuits), such as a driver circuit for the touch operation panel 22. These elements equipped on the control board are electrically connected to each other via bus circuits or the like, and are connected to enable reading and writing of data and sending and receiving of signals.

[0028] A product is a product provided to a user, or a product sold by a seller to a user. In this embodiment, a product is a product that is provided to a user in exchange for a monetary payment. The product is expressed in the form of a tangible product or the like. For example, it may be a figurine or other object that has the appearance of a certain character, clothing, a plastic model, an accessory, or the like, but is not limited to these.

[0029] [Functional Configuration] The configuration of each device will be described. First, the configuration of the product provision device 1 will be described. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the product provision device 1.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4 , the product providing device 1 includes a processing unit 10 , a communication unit 11 , and a storage unit 12 .

[0031] The processing unit 10 comprehensively controls the operation of the product provision device 1 based on the programs and data stored in the memory unit 12. The functions of the processing unit 10 can be realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, an ASIC, or an IC memory. The processing unit 10 includes, as main functional units, a user information management unit 111, a first type option presentation unit 112, a second type option presentation unit 113, a payment processing unit 114, and a product provision unit 115.

[0032] The user information management unit 111 uses a user information database to manage user information, such as the user's identification information (user ID) and password for the purchasing service, personal information such as the user's name and address, and product purchase history information for the user.

[0033] The first-type option presentation unit 112 references the lottery box database D1 and controls the presentation of multiple first-type options to the terminal 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a database for the Title XXX series. The database includes the lottery box database D1 and a lottery ticket database D2, which will be described later. For each lottery box, the lottery box database D1 includes a lottery box ID (identification information), a product type ID (identification information) for the type of product included in the lottery box, the number of lottery tickets remaining in the lottery box, and lottery box selection status information. The lottery box selection status information is one of a selectable state, a selected state, and an unselectable state. The selectable state is a state in which a user can select the lottery box. The selected state is a state in which another user has selected the lottery box, and when that user's selection (holding) is released, the lottery box can be selected. The unselectable state is a state in which all lottery tickets associated with the lottery box have been selected (opened), and the lottery tickets in the lottery box cannot be selected.

[0034] Each time a lottery box is selected by a user, the first-type option presentation unit 112 updates the selection state information of that lottery box in the lottery box database D1 to a selected state. The reason for this is that if a lottery box is made selectable by multiple users, the lottery tickets for that lottery box will also be selectable by multiple users, making it impossible to accurately provide the products associated with the lottery tickets. On the other hand, if a user is allowed to select a lottery box for a long period of time, other users will not be able to select that lottery box. Therefore, the first-type option presentation unit 112 measures the time T1 from the user's selection of a lottery box to the decision to purchase a lottery ticket for that lottery box, and if the time T1 exceeds a predetermined TX, it forcibly deselects the lottery box, transitions it to a selectable state, and updates the lottery box to a selectable state in the lottery box database D1.

[0035] In this embodiment, the lottery box (first type of option) is selected by the user, but the system may be configured so that the user can choose between manual selection and automatic selection, and if automatic selection is selected, the first type of option presentation unit 112 may automatically select a selectable lottery box (first type of option) by lottery.

[0036] The second-type option presentation unit 113 references the lottery ticket database D2 and controls the presentation of multiple second-type options to the terminal 2. In this embodiment, the second-type options are lottery tickets. As shown in FIG. 5 , the lottery ticket database D2 is associated with one lottery box and includes a lottery ticket ID (identification information), a product ID (identification information) of a product associated with the lottery ticket ID, and selection state information for the lottery ticket. The selection state information for the lottery ticket includes a selected state in which the user has already selected (opened) the lottery ticket and the product associated with the lottery ticket has been provided, and an unselected state in which the product associated with the lottery ticket has not yet been provided. A "1" is assigned to the selected state, and a "0" is assigned to the unselected state.

[0037] The second type option presentation unit 113 first presents a lottery ticket purchase screen for reserving the number of tickets to purchase, prompts the user to decide the number of tickets to purchase, and then presents a lottery ticket list screen including multiple tickets to the terminal 2. Note that lottery tickets that have already been selected by the user are displayed in a manner that makes them unselectable.

[0038] Furthermore, similar to a lottery box, if a user is allowed to select a lottery ticket for a long period of time, other users will be unable to select that lottery box. Therefore, the second-type option presentation unit 113 measures the time T2 from the presentation of the lottery ticket purchase screen to the completion of payment for the purchase of that lottery ticket, and if the time T2 exceeds a predetermined time TY, it forcibly cancels the selection of the lottery ticket and also cancels the selection of that lottery box. The second-type option presentation unit 113 then updates the lottery box in the lottery box database D1 to a selectable state. Regarding the relationship between time TX and time TY, it is preferable that time TY be longer than time TX, considering that it takes longer to select a lottery ticket.

[0039] In this embodiment, the lottery ticket (second type option) is selected by the user, but the configuration may be such that the user can choose between manual selection and automatic selection, and if automatic selection is selected, the second type option presentation unit 113 can automatically select a selectable lottery ticket (second type option) by lottery.

[0040] The payment processing unit 114 performs payment processing for the reserved lottery ticket. The payment processing is performed after the second type option presentation unit 113 confirms the selection of the lottery ticket. When the payment processing unit 114 completes the payment processing, the second type option presentation unit 113 updates the lottery box database D1 to change the selected lottery box from a selected state to a selectable state. In this way, by performing payment after the type of product associated with the selected lottery ticket and the type of product to be provided to the user are confirmed, the lottery box can be transitioned from a selected state to a selectable state without waiting for the time required for the subsequent provision of the product, such as the lottery ticket opening performance.

[0041] The product provision unit 115 presents a lottery ticket opening screen. When the user selects a lottery ticket to open, product information for the product associated with the opened lottery ticket is presented. The product provision unit 115 updates the selection status information corresponding to the lottery ticket ID of the opened lottery ticket in the lottery ticket database D2 to selected. The product provision unit 115 also performs shipping procedures for the product provided to the user. The delivery address is selected from addresses registered in the user information database.

[0042] The communication unit 11 connects to a communication line N to realize communication.

[0043] The memory unit 12 stores a system program and a function program. The system program is a program for realizing the basic functions of the product provision device 1 as a computer. The function program is a program for causing the processing unit 10 to function as main functional units, including a user information management unit 111, a first type option presentation unit 112, a second type option presentation unit 113, a payment processing unit 114, and a product provision unit 115. The memory unit 12 also stores a lottery box database D1 and a lottery ticket database D2.

[0044] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the terminal 2. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 2.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal 2 includes an operation input unit 30, a processing unit 31, an image display unit 32, a sound output unit 33, a communication unit 34, and a storage unit 35.

[0046] The operation input unit 30 is used to input various operations by the user and outputs an operation input signal corresponding to the operation input to the processing unit 31. The functions of the operation input unit 30 can be realized by, for example, elements that are directly operated by the user's fingers, such as a touch operation pad, a home button, a button switch, a joystick, or a trackball, as well as elements that detect movement or posture, such as an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a tilt sensor, or a geomagnetic sensor. In Figure 2, this corresponds to the touch operation panel 22.

[0047] The processing unit 31 comprehensively controls the operation of the terminal 2 based on programs and data stored in the memory unit 35, operation input signals from the operation input unit 30, etc. The functions of the processing unit 31 can be realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, an ASIC, an IC memory, etc. The processing unit 31 includes a calculation unit 40, an image generation unit 41, a sound generation unit 42, and a communication control unit 43 as its main functional units.

[0048] The calculation unit 40 executes various processes for purchasing the product 3 and outputs the results to the image generation unit 41, the sound generation unit 42, and the communication control unit 43. The calculation unit 40 includes a display control unit 50 and a product purchase processing unit 51.

[0049] The display control unit 50 uses information provided by the product provision management device 1 and user operation information to display and present a product purchase screen for the product 3 .

[0050] The product purchase processing unit 51 performs a product purchase procedure. Specifically, the product purchase processing unit 51 performs a purchase process for the product 3 with the product providing device 1.

[0051] The image generation unit 41 generates one image per frame time (for example, 1 / 60 seconds) based on the processing results of the calculation unit 40, and outputs the generated image signal to the image display unit 32. The functions of the image generation unit 41 can be realized by, for example, a processor such as a GPU or a digital signal processor (DSP), a video signal IC, a program such as a video codec, an IC memory for drawing frames such as a frame buffer, an IC memory used for expanding texture data, etc.

[0052] The sound generation unit 42 generates sound signals such as sound effects and various operation sounds based on the processing results of the calculation unit 40, and outputs the signals to the sound output unit 33. The function of the sound generation unit 42 can be realized by, for example, a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP) or a voice synthesis IC, or an audio codec capable of reproducing audio files.

[0053] The communication control unit 43 performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with the product provision management device 1 .

[0054] The image display unit 32 displays a screen based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 41. The function of the image display unit 32 can be realized by a display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head-mounted display. In FIG. 2 , the image display unit 32 corresponds to the display 21.

[0055] The sound output unit 33 outputs sound effects and the like based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 42. In FIG.

[0056] The communication unit 34 realizes communication by connecting to the communication line N. The function of the communication unit 34 can be realized by, for example, a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc.

[0057] The storage unit 35 stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the terminal 2 and realizing various functions of the terminal 2, as well as data used during execution of these programs. The storage unit 35 can be realized, for example, by RAM, ROM, IC memory such as flash memory, magnetic disks such as hard disks, or optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs. Specifically, the storage unit 35 stores a system program and a control program that controls the terminal 2 to process the purchase of an item (product) 3. The system program is a program for realizing the basic functions of the terminal 2 as a computer. The control program is a program for causing the processing unit 31 to function as the calculation unit 40.

[0058] [Explanation of Operation] The operation of the product provision system in this embodiment will be described, focusing on the operation of the product provision device 1. Fig. 7 is an operational flowchart of the first type option presentation process of the product provision device 1.

[0059] First, the user accesses the product providing device 1 using the terminal 2 and requests a product purchase screen.

[0060] Upon receiving the request for the product purchase screen, the first type option presentation unit 112 of the product providing device 1 presents a purchasable title list screen to the terminal 2 (Step 100). FIG. 8 is an example of the purchasable title list screen presented to the terminal 2. For each title, the purchasable title list screen also displays a description of the type of product belonging to the product group associated with that title. The user selects the title they wish to purchase. In this example, it is assumed that the user selected the title "XXX Series."

[0061] The first type option presentation unit 112 determines the selection of a title to purchase (Step 101), and when a title to purchase is selected (Step 102), reads out lottery box information from the lottery box database D1 for the selected title (Step 103). The lottery box information includes a lottery box ID, the number of remaining lottery tickets, and lottery box selection status information.

[0062] The first-type option presentation unit 112 uses the read lottery box information to present a lottery box list screen on the terminal 2 (Step 104). The first-type option presentation unit 112 also presents the status of each lottery box (selectable, non-selectable, selected) and the number of remaining lottery tickets in that lottery box. FIG. 9 is an example of a lottery box list screen presented on the terminal 2. In the example of FIG. 9, lottery boxes 1 to 4 are displayed out of lottery boxes 1 to 10 for the title "XXX Series." To view lottery boxes 5 and beyond, users can select the next page. For each of lottery boxes 1 to 4, the status of the lottery box (selectable, non-selectable, selected) and the number of remaining lottery tickets in that box are presented. For example, lottery box 1 is selectable, and 55 lottery tickets remain. Lottery box 2 is in an unselectable state and has 0 lottery tickets remaining. Lottery box 3 is in a selectable state and has 5 lottery tickets remaining. Lottery box 4 is in a selectable state and has 15 lottery tickets remaining.

[0063] The user selects a desired lottery box from the lottery boxes displayed on the terminal 2. The first-type option presentation unit 112 determines the selection of the lottery box (Step 105). If the selected lottery box is in an unselectable state or a selected state (Step 106), the first-type option presentation unit 112 returns to Step 104 and waits for a new lottery box to be selected. On the other hand, if the selected lottery box is in a selectable state, the first-type option presentation unit 112 updates the selection state information of the lottery box ID of that lottery box in the lottery box database D1 to a selected state (Step 107).

[0064] The first type option presentation unit 112 refers to the lottery ticket database D2 associated with the selected lottery box, and calculates the number of lottery tickets that have not been selected for each product in the lottery box (Step 108).

[0065] The first-type option presentation unit 112 presents product information for the selected lottery box to the terminal 2 (Step 109). Fig. 10 shows an example of product information for lottery box 1 presented to the terminal 2 when the user selects lottery box 1. In the example of Fig. 10, it is displayed that lottery box 1 contains two lottery tickets for the first prize "Turning Panda Doll," eight lottery tickets for the second prize "Robocon X Figure," fifteen lottery tickets for the third prize "Warrior X Figure," and thirty lottery tickets for the fourth prize "X Ghost Sticker." The product information also displays a lottery ticket purchase decision button for purchasing a lottery ticket for the lottery box with the displayed product information.

[0066] When the first type option presentation unit 112 presents the product information of the lottery box to the terminal 2, it starts measuring time T1 (Step 110). Here, time T1 is the time from the presentation of the product information of the lottery box to the determination of the number of lottery tickets to be reserved for purchase for that lottery box.

[0067] The first-type option presentation unit 112 determines whether time T1 exceeds a predetermined time TX (Step 111). If time T1 exceeds time TX, the first-type option presentation unit 112 updates the selected lottery box (the lottery box displaying product information) from a selected state to a selectable state (Step 112) and returns the screen of the terminal 2 to the lottery box list screen (Step 104). If time T1 does not exceed time TX, the first-type option presentation unit 112 determines whether to purchase the lottery ticket for the selected lottery box (Step 113). If it is decided to purchase the lottery ticket for the selected lottery box (Step 114), the first-type option presentation unit 112 notifies the second-type option presentation unit 113 of this fact (Step 115) and ends measurement of time T1 (Step 116).

[0068] Next, the second-type option presentation process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0069] First, the second type option presentation unit 113 presents a lottery ticket purchase screen on the terminal 2 (Step 200). Fig. 12 shows an example of the lottery ticket purchase screen displayed on the terminal 2. The user inputs the number of lottery tickets to reserve for purchase on the lottery ticket purchase screen.

[0070] When the second-type option presentation unit 113 presents the lottery ticket purchase screen on the terminal 2, it starts measuring time T2 (Step 202). Here, time T2 is the time from the presentation of the lottery ticket purchase screen to the completion of payment for the purchase of that lottery ticket. In addition, the second-type option presentation unit 113 reads out the lottery ticket information of the selected lottery box from the lottery ticket database D2 (Step 202). The read out lottery ticket information is the lottery ticket ID and selection information.

[0071] The second-type option presentation unit 113 determines whether to reserve the number of lottery tickets to purchase (Step 203). When the reserved number of lottery tickets to purchase has been determined (Step 204), the second-type option presentation unit 113 presents a lottery ticket list screen for the selected lottery box on the terminal 2 (Step 205). FIG. 13 is an example of the lottery ticket list screen for the selected lottery box displayed on the terminal 2. On the lottery ticket list screen of FIG. 13, images of lottery tickets with already selected lottery ticket IDs are displayed with dotted lines, and selectable lottery tickets are displayed with solid lines. The user can select the number of lottery tickets reserved for purchase from the selectable lottery tickets. On the other hand, when the reserved number of lottery tickets to purchase has not been determined, the second-type option presentation unit 113 determines whether the time T2 exceeds a predetermined time TY (Step 214). If the time T2 exceeds the time TY, the second-type option presentation unit 113 updates the selected lottery box from a selected state to a selectable state (Step 211), and stops the process.

[0072] Next, the second-type option presentation unit 113 determines whether the selection of lottery tickets is complete on the lottery ticket list screen (Step 206). If the selection of lottery tickets is not complete (Step 207), the second-type option presentation unit 113 determines whether time T2 exceeds a predetermined time TY (Step 215). If time T2 exceeds time TY, the second-type option presentation unit 113 updates the selected lottery box from a selected state to a selectable state (Step 211) and stops processing.

[0073] On the other hand, when the user has completed the selection of the lottery ticket (Step 207), the payment processing unit 114 performs payment processing for the purchase of the lottery ticket (Step 208). FIG. 14 shows an example of a payment processing completion screen. Upon completion of the payment processing, the second-type option presentation unit 113 sets a flag of "1" in the selection information of the lottery ticket ID for the lottery ticket for which selection has been completed, and updates the lottery ticket database D2 (Step 210). Furthermore, the second-type option presentation unit 113 updates the lottery box database D1 by changing the selection state information of the selected lottery box from a selected state to a selectable state (Step 211).

[0074] As a result, the lottery box that has been selected by the user becomes selectable by other users, and other users can select that lottery box. Also, at the time of payment, the selected lottery ticket is confirmed, and the product associated with that lottery ticket is also confirmed, so that the next user who selects that lottery box can be accurately informed of information about the remaining lottery tickets and products, and lottery tickets that have already been selected will not be selected by other users.

[0075] On the other hand, if the payment processing unit 114 does not complete the payment processing (Step 209), the second-type option presentation unit 113 determines whether the time T2 exceeds a predetermined time TY (Step 216). If the time T2 exceeds the time TY, the second-type option presentation unit 113 updates the selection state information of the selected lottery box from a selected state to a selectable state (Step 211) and stops the processing.

[0076] When the payment processing unit 114 completes the payment processing (Step 209), the product providing unit 115 displays a lottery ticket opening screen (Step 212) and displays product information for the product associated with the opened lottery ticket (Step 213). Figure 15 shows an example of the lottery ticket opening screen displayed on terminal 2. By selecting the lottery ticket to open, the user can view product information for the product associated with that lottery ticket.

[0077] The method of providing products applied in this embodiment is to provide products in the form of a lottery box. Therefore, the lottery box must be selectable by only one user. On the other hand, it is not desirable for one user to monopolize the selection of the lottery box. In this embodiment, the lottery box is configured so that only one user can select a lottery ticket, and after the user has completed selecting a lottery ticket, payment for the purchase of the lottery ticket is made and the lottery ticket is then opened, thereby shortening the time required to maintain the selection of the lottery box for one user.

[0078] Furthermore, since one product is associated with the selected lottery ticket, the next user to select the lottery box can be accurately informed of information about the remaining lottery tickets and products, and duplicate products can be prevented from being provided.

[0079] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which multiple first-type options (lottery boxes) are used, but multiple first-type options (lottery boxes) are not necessarily required. Even if there is a single first-type option (lottery box), similar to this embodiment, the same effect can be achieved as long as only one user can select the first-type option (lottery box), multiple second-type options (lottery tickets) are associated with that first-type option (lottery box), and the second-type options (lottery tickets) are associated one-to-one with products in the product group of the first-type option (lottery box). In other words, the time required to maintain the lottery box selection for one user can be shortened, and the provision of duplicate products can be prevented.

[0080] <First Modification of the Present Embodiment> Offering highly interesting products is advantageous for both users and product providers. Therefore, in a first modification of the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a special benefit is given to a user who selects the last lottery ticket remaining in a lottery box.

[0081] 16 is a diagram showing an example of the lottery box database D1 in the first modification of the embodiment of the present invention. In the example of Fig. 16, for each lottery box, a product XX is listed, which is a special product to be given to a user who selects the last lottery ticket remaining in the lottery box.

[0082] The product provision unit 115 refers to the selection status in the lottery ticket database D2 each time a lottery ticket is opened, and when the selection status of all the lottery tickets in the lottery ticket database D2 has become "selected," the product provision unit 115 provides the bonus product in that lottery box to the user who selected the last lottery ticket. Figure 17 shows an example of a bonus product provision screen displayed on the terminal 2 by the product provision unit 115.

[0083] By configuring it in this way, it is possible to provide a highly interesting product providing system.

[0084] <Variation 2 of the embodiment of the present invention> When a user selects a lottery box, that lottery box cannot be selected by other users. However, there may be cases where other users want to select that lottery box. Therefore, even if a lottery box is in a selected state, if the selection of the lottery box is canceled, the user may be given priority to select that lottery box.

[0085] In this case, a column for the number of people waiting to select a lottery box is added to the lottery box database D1, and the number of waiting people is managed. Figure 18 is an example of the lottery box database D1 in Modification 2 of the embodiment of the present invention. In the example of Figure 18, a column for information on users waiting to be selected is newly added to the lottery box database D1, in which the user IDs of users waiting to be selected are entered.

[0086] 19, the first type option presentation unit 112 displays a lottery box list screen, and displays a selection standby button 90 for the selected lottery box on the lottery box list screen. When a user selects the selection standby button 90, the user ID of the user is entered in the information field for selection standby users in the lottery box database D1, and the number of people waiting to be selected is increased.

[0087] When the selection state information in the lottery box database D1 transitions from selected to selectable, the first type option presentation unit 112 references the user ID with the highest waiting rank and notifies that user. This allows the notified user to select that lottery box. The second variation of the present embodiment is effective for a system in which, like the configuration of the first variation of the present embodiment, a special benefit is given to the user who selects the last lottery ticket remaining in the lottery box. This is because the lottery box can be selected taking into account the number of tickets remaining in the lottery box.

[0088] Although the present invention has been described above by way of preferred embodiments, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified and implemented in various ways within the scope of its technical concept.

[0089] Furthermore, some or all of the above-described embodiments may also be described as in the following supplementary notes, but are not limited to the following.

[0090] [Supplementary Note 1] A product provision device capable of communicating with a user terminal, comprising: a first-type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of first-type options to the terminal so that the user can select from them; a second-type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of second-type options to the terminal so that the user can select from among the plurality of first-type options, the second-type options being associated with a first-type option selected by the user; a payment processing means for performing payment processing for a price according to the number of second-type options selected by the user; and a product provision means for presenting, after payment processing by the payment processing means, product information for products according to the number of second-type options selected by the user to the terminal.

[0091] [Supplementary Note 2] A product provision device as described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein a product group including different products is associated with each of the plurality of first-type options, each of the plurality of second-type options associated with each first-type option is associated with one of the products in the product group, and the product provision means presents product information of the product associated with the second-type option selected by the user to the terminal.

[0092] [Supplementary Note 3] The product providing device according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein the first-type option presentation means cancels the selection of the first-type option on condition that the payment processing means has completed the payment processing.

[0093] [Supplementary Note 4] The product providing device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the first-type option presentation means controls so that one first-type option can be selected by only one user.

[0094] [Supplementary Note 5] The product providing device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the first-type option presentation means presents each of the first-type options in any one of a selectable state, a selected state, and an unselectable state.

[0095] [Supplementary Note 6] The product provision device described in Supplementary Note 5, wherein the first-type option presentation means presents the first-type option in a selectable or selected state, provided that at least one of the plurality of second-type options associated with the first-type option is selectable, and presents the first-type option in an unselectable state, provided that all of the plurality of second-type options associated with the first-type option are unselectable.

[0096] [Supplementary Note 7] The product provision device described in Supplementary Note 5, wherein the first-type option presentation means allows only one user to select one first-type option, and presents the selected first-type option in a selected state until the selection is canceled.

[0097] [Supplementary Note 8] The product provision device described in Supplementary Note 5, wherein the first-type option presentation means cancels the selection of the first-type option on the condition that the second-type option presentation means has not presented a second-type option within a predetermined time from the selection of the first-type option.

[0098] [Supplementary Note 9] The product provision device described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the first type option presentation means controls the first type options presented in a selected state so that they can be waited to be selected after being deselected, and presents the number of users waiting.

[0099] [Supplementary Note 10] The product providing device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 9, wherein the first-type option presentation means presents, in a viewable manner, product information of products belonging to a product group associated with the first-type option selected by the user.

[0100] [Supplementary Note 11] The product provision device according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein the first-type option presentation means presents, for each product included in a product group associated with the selected first-type option, a product image of the product and the available number of the product.

[0101] [Supplementary Note 12] The product providing device described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 11, wherein the second type option presentation means presents the second type option selected by the user and for which the payment process has been completed in an unselectable manner, on the condition that the payment process by the payment processing means has been completed.

[0102] [Supplementary Note 13] The product provision device described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 12, wherein the second type option presentation means cancels the selection of the first type option and the second type option on the condition that payment processing has not been performed by the payment processing means within a predetermined time from the selection of the second type option.

[0103] [Supplementary Note 14] The product provision device described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 13, wherein the group of products includes a first type of product associated with a second type of option and a second type of product not associated with a second type of option, and the product provision means presents product information of the second type of product to the user on the condition that the user selects the last selectable second type option and the payment process for the last second type option is completed.

[0104] [Supplementary Note 15] The product provision device described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 14, wherein the first type option presentation means controls to enable selection of a first type option by lottery instead of selection of a first type option by the user, and the second type option presentation means controls to enable selection of a second type option by lottery instead of selection of a second type option by the user.

[0105] [Supplementary Note 16] The product provision device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 15, wherein the first type of option is an image resembling a lottery box, and the second type of option is an image resembling a lottery ticket.

[0106] [Supplementary Note 17] A product provision device capable of communicating with a user terminal, comprising: a first image presentation means for presenting first images associated with a product group including multiple types of products so that only one user can select them; a second image presentation means for presenting multiple second images associated with the first images so that only the user who selected the first images can select them; a payment processing means for performing a payment process for a price according to the number of second images selected by the user; and a product provision means for presenting, to the terminal, product information for products according to the number of second images selected by the user after the payment processing by the payment processing means, wherein each of the second images is associated with one of the products in the product group without overlapping, and the product provision means presents, to the terminal, product information for the product associated with the second image selected by the user, and the first image presentation means cancels the selection of the first image by the user after the payment processing by the payment processing means, allowing another user to select a first image.

[0107] [Supplementary Note 18] A program that causes a computer to function as: a first-type option presentation means that presents a plurality of first-type options to a terminal so that the user can select from them; a second-type option presentation means that presents a plurality of second-type options to the terminal so that the user can select from among the plurality of first-type options, the second-type options being associated with a first-type option selected by the user; a payment processing means that performs payment processing for a price according to the number of second-type options selected by the user; and a product provision means that presents, after payment processing by the payment processing means, product information for products according to the number of second-type options selected by the user to the terminal.

[0108] [Supplementary Note 19] A program that causes a computer to function as: a first image presenting means that presents first images associated with a product group including multiple types of products so that only one user can select them; a second image presenting means that presents multiple second images associated with the first images so that only the user who selected the first image can select them; a payment processing means that performs payment processing for a price according to the number of second images selected by the user; and a product providing means that, after payment processing by the payment processing means, presents product information for products according to the number of second images selected by the user to the terminal; each of the second images is associated with one of the products in the product group without overlapping, and the product providing means presents product information for the product associated with the second image selected by the user to the terminal; and the first image presenting means that, after payment processing by the payment processing means, cancels the selection of the first image by the user and allows another user to select a first image.

[0109] [Supplementary Note 20] A product provision system comprising: a terminal; and a product provision device capable of communicating with the terminal, wherein the product provision device comprises: a first-type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of first-type options to the terminal so that the user can select from them; a second-type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of second-type options to the terminal so that the user can select from among the plurality of first-type options, the second-type options being associated with a first-type option selected by the user; a payment processing means for performing a payment process for a price according to the number of second-type options selected by the user; and a product provision means for presenting, after the payment processing by the payment processing means, product information of products according to the number of second-type options selected by the user to the terminal.

[0110] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Product provision device 2 Terminal 10 Processing unit 11 Communication unit 12 Storage unit 111 User information management unit 112 First type option presentation unit 113 Second type option presentation unit 114 Payment processing unit 115 Product provision unit

Claims

1. A product provision device capable of communicating with a user terminal, comprising: a first type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of first type options to the terminal so that the user can select from them; a second type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of second type options to the terminal so that the user can select from among the plurality of first type options, the plurality of second type options being associated with a first type option selected by the user; a payment processing means for performing a payment process for a price according to the number of second type options selected by the user; and a product provision means for presenting to the terminal product information of products according to the number of second type options selected by the user after payment processing by the payment processing means.

2. A product provision device as described in claim 1, wherein a product group including different products is associated with each of the multiple first type options, each of the multiple second type options associated with each first type option is associated with one of the products in the product group, and the product provision means presents to the terminal product information of the products associated with the second type option selected by the user.

3. The product providing device according to claim 2, wherein the first type option presentation means cancels the selection of the first type option on condition that payment processing by the payment processing means has been completed.

4. The product providing device according to claim 3, wherein the first type option presentation means controls so that one first type option is selectable only for one user.

5. The product providing device according to claim 4, wherein the first type option presentation means presents each first type option in any one of a selectable state, a selected state, and an unselectable state.

6. The product provision device described in claim 5, wherein the first-type option presentation means presents the first-type option in a selectable or selected state, on condition that at least one of a plurality of second-type options associated with the first-type option is selectable, and presents the first-type option in an unselectable state, on condition that all of the plurality of second-type options associated with the first-type option are unselectable.

7. The product provision device according to claim 5, wherein the first type option presentation means allows only one first type option to be selected by one user, and presents the selected first type option in a selected state until the selection is deselected.

8. The product provision device as described in claim 5, wherein the first-type option presentation means cancels selection of a first-type option on condition that a second-type option has not been presented by the second-type option presentation means within a predetermined time from selection of the first-type option.

9. The product provision device according to claim 3, wherein the first type option presentation means controls the first type of option presented in a selected state to be able to wait for selection after being deselected, and presents the number of users waiting.

10. The product providing device according to claim 5, wherein the first type option presentation means presents viewable product information of products belonging to a product group associated with the first type option selected by the user.

11. The product provision device according to claim 10, wherein the first type option presentation means presents, for each product included in a group of products associated with the selected first type option, a product image of the product and the available quantity of the product.

12. The product provision device as described in claim 3, wherein the second type option presentation means presents, on condition that the payment processing by the payment processing means has been completed, the second type option selected by the user and for which the payment processing has been completed in an unselectable manner.

13. The product provision device of claim 3, wherein the second type option presentation means cancels selection of the first type option and the second type option on condition that payment processing has not been performed by the payment processing means within a predetermined time from selection of the second type option.

14. A product provision device as described in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the group of products includes a first type of product associated with a second type of option and a second type of product not associated with the second type of option, and the product provision means presents product information of the second type of product to the user on condition that the user selects the last selectable option of the second type and payment processing for the last option of the second type is completed.

15. The product provision device described in claim 3, wherein the first type option presentation means controls to enable selection of a first type of option by lottery instead of selection of a first type of option by a user, and the second type option presentation means controls to enable selection of a second type of option by lottery instead of selection of a second type of option by a user.

16. The product provision device according to claim 1, wherein the first type of option is an image resembling a lottery box, and the second type of option is an image resembling a lottery ticket.

17. A product provision device capable of communicating with a user terminal, comprising: a first image presenting means for presenting first images associated with a product group including multiple types of products in a manner selectable only by one user; a second image presenting means for presenting multiple second images associated with the first images in a manner selectable only by the user who selected the first image; a payment processing means for performing a payment process of a price according to the number of second images selected by the user; and a product provision means for presenting, after payment processing by the payment processing means, product information of products according to the number of second images selected by the user, to the terminal, wherein each of the second images is associated with one of the products in the product group without overlapping, and the product provision means presents, to the terminal, product information of the products associated with the second image selected by the user, and the first image presenting means cancels the selection of the first image by the user after payment processing by the payment processing means, allowing another user to select a first image.

18. A program that causes a computer to function as: a first type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of first type options to a terminal so that the user can select from them; a second type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of second type options to the terminal so that the user can select from among the plurality of first type options, the plurality of second type options being associated with a first type option selected by the user; a payment processing means for performing payment processing of a price according to the number of second type options selected by the user; and a product provision means for presenting product information of products according to the number of second type options selected by the user to the terminal after payment processing by the payment processing means.

19. A program for causing a computer to function as: a first image presenting means for presenting first images associated with a product group including multiple types of products so that only one user can select them; a second image presenting means for presenting multiple second images associated with the first images so that only the user who selected the first image can select them; a payment processing means for performing a payment process for a price according to the number of second images selected by the user; and a product providing means for presenting, on the terminal, product information for products according to the number of second images selected by the user after payment processing by the payment processing means; each of the second images is associated with one of the products in the product group without overlapping, the product providing means presents, on the terminal, product information for the products associated with the second image selected by the user, and the first image presenting means cancels the selection of the first image by the user after payment processing by the payment processing means, allowing another user to select a first image.

20. A product provision system comprising: a terminal; and a product provision device capable of communicating with the terminal, wherein the product provision device comprises: a first type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of first type options to the terminal so as to be selectable by the user; a second type option presentation means for presenting a plurality of second type options to the terminal so as to be selectable by the user, the plurality of first type options being associated with a first type option selected by the user among the plurality of first type options; a payment processing means for performing a payment process for a price according to the number of second type options selected by the user; and a product provision means for presenting to the terminal product information of products according to the number of second type options selected by the user after payment processing by the payment processing means.

Images