JP5425655B2 - Game point management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for managing game points used in a game provided via a network.

  Various types of games (gambling games, table games, puzzle games, action games, role playing games, etc.) have already been provided to users such as mobile phone terminals and personal computers via a network (for example, See the prior art document below). This type of service has gained a large number of users, especially young people.

  Some games offered to users are free and others are paid. Usually, a user who plays a paid game often purchases game points in advance and consumes the game points in the game in many cases. Depending on the game, it is possible for game points to move between users as a result of a match between a user and another user, or for a user to present game points to other users. Yes.

  On the other hand, game points acquired in a game can be consumed only in the game. Therefore, even if the user wins many game points, it only has utility that satisfies the user's honor. In other words, the presence of game points has not necessarily contributed to improving the attractiveness of game services.

  In addition, it may be possible to add a prize of valuable prizes in the real world to a game provided via a network, or to give some kind of return to a “customer” user. However, there has never been a service that attempts to realize these using game points.

NHN Japan Co., Ltd., “Han Game”, [online], [Search February 4, 2010], Internet <URL http://www.hangame.co.jp/> Game Spot Co., Ltd., “Sukato Golf Panya”, [online], [Search February 4, 2010], Internet <URL http://www.pangya.jp/>

  An object of the present invention is to propose a completely new method of using game points, and to provide new added value to services for providing various games via a network.

  In the present invention, a server of an electronic commerce site that can communicate via a telecommunication line with a plurality of information processing terminals used by a plurality of users playing a game, and sells or lends goods or services to the users. A point storage unit for storing game points associated with a user identifier for identifying the user, and a transmission from the information processing terminal. Information indicating that the game point held by the user of the information processing terminal is to be exchanged for a conversion point that can be used as a consideration for goods or services on the electronic commerce site. An exchange request receiving unit that receives an exchange request including an amount and a destination of exchange points, and based on the exchange request, A server of the e-commerce site, which is information indicating that the conversion point is requested to be issued at the child commerce site, and includes an amount of conversion points corresponding to the amount of game points to be exchanged and an exchange destination. A point for associating a result obtained by subtracting game points to be exchanged from game points held by the user with a user identifier for identifying the user based on the exchange request An exchange point update unit to be written in the storage unit, and exchange notification information for displaying on the information processing terminal that the processing for exchanging the game points with the conversion point has been performed is directed to the information processing terminal. A game point management system comprising an exchange notification information transmitting unit for replying is constructed.

  According to this game point management system, it is possible to realize exchange between game points acquired by each user and exchange points that can be used on prizes that are valuable in the real world, that is, electronic commerce sites. It is also possible to allow more users to play the game repeatedly for a longer time by returning game points to the “customer” user.

  If the game point manager needs to purchase the conversion points from the electronic commerce site in advance as a resource to exchange for the game points, the amount of conversion points to be purchased is included. It is preferable that the system further includes a prepaid request transmission unit that transmits a prepaid request to the server of the electronic commerce site.

  The exchange request receiving unit can communicate with servers of a plurality of electronic commerce sites via a telecommunication line, and the exchange point of the electronic commerce site selected by the user of the information processing terminal is exchanged. If the system also receives the information to be specified, and the delivery request transmitter transmits the delivery request to the server of the electronic commerce site selected by the user of the information processing terminal, the game points owned by the user Can be exchanged for a conversion point of the electronic commerce site desired by the user, and the user benefit is further increased.

  Based on the ranking request, a ranking request receiving unit that receives a ranking request that indicates that the user wants to browse ranking information that is transmitted from the information processing terminal according to the number of game points that each user has, A ranking information transmitting unit for returning, to the information processing terminal, ranking information for displaying the amount of game points held by the plurality of users stored in the point storage unit on the information processing terminal. If the system is provided, it is possible to intensify the game point acquisition competition among the users. In addition, if users who have more game points are displayed at the top of the ranking, it is possible to increase the incentive for users to keep game points without exchanging them for conversion points. Connected.

  The game points are purchased by each user who plays the game. In order to allow users to smoothly accept applications for purchasing game points, a system that can communicate via a telecommunication line with the server of the receiving company that collects the price when the user purchases game points. A purchase request receiving unit that is transmitted from the information processing terminal and indicates that the user of the information processing terminal wants to purchase game points, and receives a purchase request including the amount of game points to be purchased; , Based on the purchase request, information indicating that the user is requested to collect the price, and transmits a receipt request including a price corresponding to the amount of game points to be purchased to the server of the receiving company. Based on the receipt request transmission unit and the purchase request, the newly purchased game points are added to the game points held by the user. Purchase point update unit that writes the result in the point storage unit in association with a user identifier for identifying the user, and purchase for displaying on the information processing terminal that the process of purchasing the game points has been performed It is preferable to further include a purchase notification information transmission unit that returns notification information to the information processing terminal.

  It is possible to communicate with servers of a plurality of receiving company sites via telecommunication lines, and through which receiving company the purchase request receiving unit selects the receiving company selected by the user of the information processing terminal. The receipt request transmitting unit is configured to transmit the receipt request to the server of the receipt company selected by the user of the information processing terminal. This makes it possible to pay for the purchase price of the game points through the user, thereby improving the convenience for the user.

  The point-of-purchase update unit associates the history of purchase of game points by the user or information on the amount of game points purchased within the most recent predetermined period with the user identifier that identifies the user in the point storage unit. When the purchase request is received, referring to the information stored in the point storage unit, the purchase amount of the game points by the user who brought the purchase request is predetermined within the most recent predetermined period. A purchase upper limit determination unit that determines whether the purchase amount exceeds the threshold, and when the purchase upper limit determination unit determines that the purchase amount exceeds the threshold within the most recent predetermined period, the receipt request transmission Does not transmit the receipt request, the purchase point update unit does not add game points, and the purchase notification transmitter transmits the game If the system returns non-purchase notification information for displaying on the information processing terminal that the processing for purchasing the points has not been performed to the information processing terminal, the user will have excessive game points. It can prevent purchasing and excessive consumption.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the completely new utilization method of the game point can be proposed, and a new added value can be given to the service which provides various games via a network.

The figure which shows the whole outline | summary of the game point management system of one Embodiment of this invention. The hardware resource block diagram of the information processing server in the embodiment. The hardware resource block diagram of the information processing terminal in the embodiment. The functional block diagram of an information processing server. The figure which illustrates the information memorized by the point storage part. The figure which illustrates the information memorized by the point storage part. The flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of the process which an information processing server performs according to a program. The functional block diagram of an information processing server. The figure which illustrates the game image or image | video displayed on a screen on an information processing terminal. The figure which illustrates the game image or image | video displayed on a screen on an information processing terminal. The figure which illustrates the game image or video (especially the amount of game points which the user acquired) displayed on a screen on an information processing terminal. The figure which illustrates the ranking information displayed on a screen on an information processing terminal. The functional block diagram of an information processing server. The figure which illustrates the information memorized by the advance payment storage part. The flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of the process which an information processing server performs according to a program.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the game point management system of this embodiment will be outlined. As shown in FIG. 1, the game point management system has an information processing server 1 as a core of a person who manages and manages game points called “enjoy coins”. Information processing terminal 2, EC server 3 operated by each electronic commerce site, and settlement server 4 operated by each receiving company, and a telecommunication line (mobile phone network, PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) A network, the Internet, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), and the like are communicably connected to each other.

  The information processing server 1 is a known server computer, personal computer, workstation or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing server 1 includes hardware resources such as a processor 1a, a main memory 1b, an auxiliary storage device 1c, a display control device 1d, a display 1e, an operation input device 1f, and a communication interface 1g. Are controlled by a controller (system controller, I / O controller, etc.) 1h to operate in cooperation.

  The auxiliary storage device 1c is a hard disk drive, a flash memory, an optical disk drive, or the like. The display control device 1d temporarily stores a video chip (graphics processor) that generates image data to be displayed based on a drawing instruction received from the processor 1a and sends the image data to the display 1e, image data, and the like. The video memory etc. The operation input device 1f is a pointing device such as a push button, a keyboard, a mouse, a track pad, or a touch panel that can be operated with fingers. The communication interface 1g is a device for performing information communication via a telecommunication line, and is typified by a NIC (Network Interface Card) or a wireless LAN transceiver, but besides these, a USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394, or the like. The interface can also be adopted.

  Normally, a program to be executed by the processor 1a is stored in the auxiliary storage device 1c. When the program is executed, the program is read from the auxiliary storage device 1c into the main memory 1b and decoded by the processor 1a. In this embodiment, a known OS (Operating System) program and various device driver programs attached thereto are installed in advance to mediate the use of the hardware resources by other programs. In addition, programs necessary for configuring the game point management system according to the present invention (which may include a web server program, an e-mail server program, etc.) are installed.

  The information processing terminal 2 used by the user is a mobile phone terminal, a PHS terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a personal computer, or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing terminal 2 includes hardware resources such as a processor 2a, a main memory 2b, an auxiliary storage device 2c, a display control device 2d, a display 2e, an operation input device 2f, and a communication interface 2g. Are controlled by the controller 2h to operate in cooperation. When the information processing terminal 2 is a mobile phone terminal or a PHS terminal, the communication interface 2g is a device for wireless connection to the mobile phone network or the PHS network.

  Usually, a program to be executed by the processor 2a is stored in the auxiliary storage device 2c, and when the program is executed, it is read from the auxiliary storage device 2c into the main memory 2b and decoded by the processor 2a. This computer is preinstalled with a known OS program and various device driver programs attached thereto, and mediates the use of the hardware resources by other programs. In addition, an application program, a web browser program, an e-mail client program, and the like necessary for playing the game are installed.

  The EC server 3 is a given one established by an administrator of an existing electronic commerce site, and its hardware resource configuration is in accordance with the information processing server 1. In general, the EC server 3 receives a purchase order or the like of a product or service from a customer user via a telecommunication line, and executes processing necessary for providing the product or service to the user and receiving a purchase price or the like. . The EC server 3 manages accounts of users who are customers, and in particular, associates conversion points possessed by each user with user identifiers (conversion point account numbers, membership numbers, etc.) identifying the users. I remember. A conversion point is given by the e-commerce site administrator every time a user purchases a product or service on an e-commerce site. As a consideration for the product or service on the e-commerce site (typically Can be used as 1 conversion point = 1 yen).

  The settlement server 4 is a given server established by an existing receiving company that receives the purchase price of game points, for example, a credit card company, an electronic money system operating company, etc. Same as Server 1. In general, the settlement server 4 sends a settlement request (a receipt request described later corresponds to this) from a business operator who wants to collect the price from the user, here an operation manager of the game point, via an electric communication line. , Execute processing necessary for collecting the price from the user, and when the processing is properly completed, return a settlement completion notice to the provider.

The operation of the information processing server 1 which is the main body of the game point management system will be described in detail in several phases. The outline is
[Phase 1] Game point purchase process [Phase 2] Game process and ranking display process [Phase 3] Game point exchange process.

  [Phase 1] In Phase 1, processing related to the act of purchasing game points by the user is performed. The information processing server 1 in the phase 1 operates the hardware resources according to the program, and stores the point storage unit 101, the purchase request reception unit 102, the purchase upper limit determination unit 103, the receipt request transmission unit 104, the purchase shown in FIG. The function as the time point update unit 105 and the purchase notification information transmission unit 106 is exhibited.

  The point storage unit 101 uses the required storage area of the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage device 1c to associate the game points held by each user with a user identifier (membership number or the like) that identifies the user. Remember. The game points are consumed when playing the game on the game service providing site established by the game point management manager. Further, movement may occur between users according to the result of the game played. In other words, game points may move from those who have not won in a gambling game or the like to those who have won, or game points may move from a loser to a winner in a table game or the like. Furthermore, the game points can also be used by a user to purchase goods or services at a game service providing site. The goods or services mentioned here are, for example, virtual items such as clothes worn on so-called avatars (two-dimensional or three-dimensional character models that imitate the user in a virtual space), music, video, game applications, etc. Digital content and the like. Game points are exchanged at a predetermined rate for real money. In this embodiment, it is determined that 10,000 game points can be purchased for 7 yen.

  5 and 6 illustrate information stored in the point storage unit 101. FIG. In the present embodiment, the point storage unit 101 stores, for each user, a past game point purchase history (purchase date and purchase amount, shown in FIG. 5) and a current game point holding amount (shown in FIG. 6). I remember it. Instead of the past purchase history, the amount of game points purchased in the most recent predetermined period (for example, within this month or the past 30 days) may be stored.

  The purchase request receiving unit 102 receives a purchase request transmitted from the information processing terminal 2 used by the user via an electric communication line. The purchase request is information indicating that the user of the information processing terminal 2 desires to purchase game points. At least an identifier for identifying the user and the amount of game points that the user wants to purchase (how many points) Or how many yen worth). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are a plurality of collection companies that settle the purchase price of game points. That is, the user selects an arbitrary one from a plurality of settlement methods such as a credit card and electronic money, or selects an arbitrary one from a plurality of credit card companies or electronic money management companies, and You can pay for the purchase price of points. Therefore, the purchase request receiving unit 102 also receives information specifying the receiving company selected by the user through which the payment is received.

  The purchase upper limit determination unit 103 refers to the information stored in the point storage unit 101 when the purchase request is received by the purchase request reception unit 102, and the purchase amount of game points by the user who has caused the purchase request is the latest. It is determined whether or not a predetermined threshold is exceeded within a predetermined period. In this embodiment, one user limits the number of game points that can be purchased in one month to about 70 million points (50,000 yen worth). The purchase upper limit determination unit 103 stores information on past game point purchase history (or the amount of game points purchased in the most recent predetermined period) associated with the user identifier that identifies the user who has caused the purchase request. Read from the point storage unit 101. Then, based on the read information, it is determined whether or not the amount of game points purchased in the current month or in the last 30 days exceeds the threshold value of 350,000 including those purchased this time. If it exceeds, the purchase of the game point by the user who has caused the purchase request is rejected.

  Based on the purchase request received by the purchase request receiving unit 102, the receipt request transmitting unit 104 transmits the receipt request to the settlement server 4 of the receiving company via the telecommunication line. The receipt request is information indicating that the user is requested to collect the purchase price of the game points, and includes at least a price corresponding to the amount of game points to be purchased. As already described, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are a plurality of collection companies that settle the purchase price of game points. Accordingly, the receipt request transmitting unit 104 transmits a receipt request to the designated receiving company in accordance with the information specifying which receiving company the price is received through. However, if the purchase upper limit determination unit 103 determines that the user refuses to purchase game points, no collection request is issued.

  The details of the procedure from the receipt request to the completion of settlement differ depending on the manner of the receipt company. Here are some examples.

  (1) When the receiving company is a credit card company, and the game point management manager receives payment directly from the receiving card company; the purchase request received by the purchase request receiving unit 102 includes a user Are entered via the information processing terminal 2, including the credit card number, the credit card owner's first and last name, the expiration date of the credit card, designation of one-time payment or split (revolving) payment, and the like. The receipt request transmission unit 104 sends a receipt request including the credit card number and the purchase price of the game points to the payment server 4 of the credit card company. The payment server 4 of the credit card company refers to the credit card number included in the received receipt request and determines whether credit is acceptable. If the credit card purchase is permitted, a payment completion notification indicating that is sent back to the information processing server 1. The information processing server 1 receives the payment completion notification from the payment server 4 and determines that the payment has been properly received.

  (2) When the receiving company is a credit card payment agent and the game point manager does not receive payment directly from the credit card company but receives payment from the payment agent; in this case, the credit card number, The credit card owner's first and last name, the expiration date of the credit card, designation of single payment or split (revolving) payment, etc. are exchanged between the information processing terminal 2 used by the user and the payment server 4 of the payment agent. Therefore, the purchase request receiving unit 102 does not receive such information. The receipt request transmission unit 104 transmits a receipt request including at least the purchase price of the game point to the payment server 4 of the payment agent. Thereafter, separate communication occurs between the information processing terminal 2 used by the user and the payment server 4 of the payment agent, and the credit card number and the like are transmitted and received. The settlement server 4 also refers to the received credit card number or the like to determine whether or not credit is possible. If the credit card purchase is permitted, a payment completion notification indicating that is sent back to the information processing server 1. The information processing server 1 receives the payment completion notification from the payment server 4 and determines that the payment has been properly received.

  (3) In the case where the receiving company is an electronic money system operating company; according to (1) or (2) above. At this time, instead of information such as a credit card number, information on electronic money owned by the user (in the case of prepaid electronic money purchased at a convenience store or the like, an ID printed on the purchased card) Code). The settlement server 4 receives information about the electronic money from the information processing server 1 or the information processing terminal 2, and refers to the information to determine whether payment is possible. If the purchase by electronic money is permitted, a settlement completion notification indicating that is returned to the information processing server 1. The information processing server 1 receives the payment completion notification from the payment server 4 and determines that the payment has been properly received.

  Based on the purchase request received by the purchase request receiving unit 102, the purchase point update unit 105 reads out game point information associated with the user identifier for identifying the user who brought the purchase request from the point storage unit 101, The result of adding the newly purchased game points to the game points currently held by the user is written in the point storage unit 101 in association with the user identifier for identifying the user. In addition, information on the purchase history (or the amount of game points purchased during the most recent predetermined period) of the game points purchased this time is also written in the point storage unit 101. However, as a result of the determination by the purchase upper limit determination unit 103, when the purchase of the game point by the user is rejected, the writing to the point storage unit 101 is not performed.

  The purchase notification information transmitting unit 106 sends purchase notification information for displaying on the information processing terminal 2 that the processing for purchasing the game points has been performed, toward the information processing terminal 2 of the user who has caused the purchase request. Reply via telecommunications line. The purchase announcement information is, for example, text data and / or image data for displaying a message such as “You purchased x points. Your enjoyed coins are now y points.” The information is transmitted to the information processing terminal 2 in the form of HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), e-mail, or the like.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination by the purchase upper limit determination unit 103, if the purchase of the game point by the user is rejected, the purchase notification information transmission unit 106 has determined that the process of purchasing the game point has not been performed. 2 returns non-purchase notice information to be displayed on the screen to the information processing terminal 2 of the user who made the purchase request via the telecommunication line. The non-purchase notification information is text data and / or image data for displaying a message such as “Enjoy coins cannot be purchased”, and is transmitted to the information processing terminal 2 in the form of HTML, e-mail, or the like. To do.

  The information processing terminal 2 receives the purchase notification information or the non-purchase notification information returned from the information processing server 1 and displays the screen on its own display.

  FIG. 7 shows a procedure example of processing executed by the information processing server 1 in the phase 1. The information processing server 1 waits for a purchase request transmitted from the information processing terminal 2 used by the user. When a purchase request is received (step S1), information on the purchase history of game points by the user who has made the purchase request is read from the point storage unit 101, and the amount of game points purchased in the current month or the last 30 days is calculated. It is determined whether or not a predetermined threshold value is exceeded (step S2).

  When the amount of game points purchased by the user who has made a purchase request this month or within the last 30 days exceeds a predetermined threshold, the purchase request is rejected and a non-purchase notice is sent to the information processing terminal 2 Information is returned (step S3), and the process is terminated.

  Conversely, if the amount of game points purchased in the current month or the last 30 days does not exceed a predetermined threshold, a receipt request based on the received purchase request is sent to the receipt company selected by the user in the purchase request. It transmits toward the payment server 4 (step S4). Thereafter, it waits for a payment completion notice transmitted from the payment server 4 (step S5).

  When the payment completion notification cannot be received from the payment server 4 or when the notification indicating that the payment is not possible or the payment is not possible is received from the payment server 4, the purchase request is rejected and directed to the information processing terminal 2. Then, non-purchase notification information is returned (step S3), and the process is terminated.

  When an appropriate payment completion notification is received from the payment server 4, the information stored in the point storage unit 101 is updated to add the game points to be purchased this time to the game points already owned by the user. (Step S6). In step S6, the point purchase history is also updated. Then, the purchase notice information is returned to the information processing terminal 2 (step S7), and the process is terminated.

  [Phase 2] In phase 2, processing related to the game act of the user is performed. The information processing server 1 in phase 2 operates the hardware resources according to the program, and functions as the point storage unit 101, the game processing unit 107, the ranking request receiving unit 108, and the ranking information transmitting unit 109 shown in FIG. Demonstrate.

  The game processing unit 107 executes various processes necessary for the progress of the game played by the user and various processes related to increase / decrease or movement of game points held by the user. The content of the process executed by the game processing unit 107 differs depending on the type of game and the specific mode, and thus is not limited uniquely.

  Here, a horse racing game is taken as an example of the game. The rules of a horse racing game are almost the same as a real horse racing. That is, each user consumes game points and purchases a winning voting ticket, and a horse that wins the race (single win type) or a horse that wins a prize (single win type, double win type, triple win single type, triple win double type) Etc.). Then, after the race is settled, game points are refunded to the user who has been voted according to the odds.

In such a horse racing game, the game processing unit 107 performs at least the following processing;
・ Receiving an application for purchase of a winning voting ticket by a user via a telecommunication line. This purchase application includes a user identifier for identifying a user who is going to purchase a winning horse voting ticket, and information designating how many winning voting tickets are to be purchased for which horse or which horse combination. By the way, Victory Ballot Tickets can be purchased with 100 game points.
-Based on the received purchase application, the result obtained by subtracting the game points for the winning voting ticket to be purchased from the gaming points owned by the user who purchases the winning voting ticket is associated with the user identifier for identifying the user. To the point storage unit 101.
Based on the received purchase application, information regarding which user has purchased what kind of voting ticket is temporarily stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage device 1c.
In addition, based on the temporarily stored information, odds corresponding to the number of winning voting tickets already purchased by each user are calculated. Usually, the odds are obtained by deducting a predetermined deduction rate from the game points for all the winning voting tickets purchased and dividing the remaining points by the number voted for each horse or combination of horses. Is calculated. The deduction rate is 25% (payout 75%) in an actual central horse race, but is 10% (payout 90%) in this embodiment, for example. It should be noted that the deduction rate does not always have to be constant, and may be reduced when conducting a campaign for returning the game points to the user. Furthermore, the deduction rate is negative (so that the payout is 100% or more). May be).
The information on the calculated odds is transmitted to the information processing terminal 2 via the telecommunication line and is displayed on the information processing terminal 2 on the screen. FIG. 9 shows an example of the screen display.
-Determine the race result, that is, the winning horse and the winning horse in the race (including lottery processing). The determination algorithm of the winning horse and the winning horse may be the same as that in known horse racing game software. In addition, development on the race road (position of each horse at each intermediate point on the course, passage time, etc.) may be determined.
Information related to the race result and information related to the development on the race road are transmitted to the information processing terminal 2 via the telecommunication line and displayed on the information processing terminal 2 on the screen. FIG. 10 shows an example of the screen display.
-Based on the temporarily stored information, for the user who won the winning voting ticket, the information indicating the winning and the amount of game points to be refunded (the odds multiplied by the number of voting tickets) The information is transmitted to the processing terminal 2 via the telecommunication line and displayed on the information processing terminal 2. FIG. 11 shows an example of the screen display.
Based on the temporarily stored information, a point storage unit that associates the result of adding the game points to be paid back to the game points held by the user who won the winning voting ticket with the user identifier for identifying the user 101 is written.
-Based on the temporarily stored information, information indicating that the winning voting ticket has not been won is transmitted to the information processing terminal 2 via the telecommunication line, The screen is displayed on the processing terminal 2.

  In particular, in the game process, information stored in the point storage unit 101 is updated in accordance with increase / decrease or movement of game points generated as a result of the user playing the game.

  The ranking request receiving unit 108 receives a ranking request transmitted from the information processing terminal 2 used by the user via the telecommunication line. The ranking request is information indicating that the user wants to browse ranking information corresponding to the number of game points held by each user, and includes at least a user identifier for identifying the user. The ranking request may come from a manual operation by the user, or automatically from the information processing terminal 2 in accordance with a program installed in the information processing terminal 2 (for example, at the end of each race). Sometimes it comes.

  Based on the ranking request received by the ranking request receiving unit 108, the ranking information transmitting unit 109 displays on the information processing terminal 2 the amount of game points held by a plurality of users stored in the point storage unit 101 on the screen. Ranking information is sent back to the information processing terminal 2 of the user who has made the ranking request via the telecommunication line. FIG. 12 shows a screen display example of ranking information on the information processing terminal 2.

  [Phase 3] In phase 3, processing related to the act of exchanging game points for conversion points by the user is performed. The information processing server 1 in the phase 3 operates the hardware resource according to the program, and stores the point storage unit 101, the prepaid storage unit 110, the prepaid request transmission unit 111, the exchange request receiving unit 112, and the delivery request shown in FIG. It functions as the transmission unit 113, the exchange point update unit 114, and the exchange notification information transmission unit 115.

  The prepaid storage unit 110 uses the required storage area of the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage device 1c, and prepays each e-commerce site to the operation manager of the e-commerce site (or applies for advance payment). Information) is stored in association with an identifier (such as a domain name) for identifying the electronic commerce site. FIG. 14 illustrates information stored in the advance payment storage unit 110.

  When exchanging game points for conversion points, the funds are required. This is because an operation manager of an electronic commerce site that exchanges game points for conversion points, that is, issues conversion points to users, needs to obtain a price for the exchange action in some form. Depending on the electronic commerce site, when a point managed by another business operator, in this case, a game point is exchanged for its own conversion point, the advance payment of the price is required. In short, if you want to exchange 10,000 game points for 7 conversion points (1 conversion point = 1 yen, 10,000 game points are equivalent to 7 yen), the game point management administrator will be able to exchange e-commerce in advance. You have to pay the site administrator for 7 conversion points. The advance payment storage unit 110 stores the amount of money paid in advance to the electronic commerce site.

  The advance payment request transmission unit 111 transmits the advance payment request to the EC server 3 of the electronic commerce site via the telecommunication line. The advance payment request is information indicating that an application for conversion points to be purchased in advance from an electronic commerce site is applied, and includes at least the amount of conversion points that the user desires to purchase (or the price for purchase of conversion points). The prepaid request transmission unit 111 works to prepay the price of conversion points at the e-commerce site, and applies for purchase of conversion points in a necessary amount prior to transmission of the distribution request by the following distribution request transmission unit 113. . The advance payment request transmission unit 111 refers to the advance payment amount for each electronic commerce site stored in the advance payment storage unit 110 periodically (for example, at a specific time every day), and the advance payment amount is a predetermined threshold (for example, Send an advance payment request to the EC server 3 of the e-commerce site that is less than (1 million yen) to apply for the purchase of conversion points for a predetermined additional purchase amount (for example, 1 million yen) To do. In addition, after the advance payment request is transmitted (and further, a notification indicating acceptance is returned from the EC server 3 and received), the advance payment relating to the electronic commerce site stored in the advance payment storage unit 110 is stored. The price is increased by the amount of additional purchase.

  The exchange request receiving unit 112 receives an exchange request transmitted from the information processing terminal 2 used by the user via the telecommunication line. The exchange request is information indicating that the user wishes to exchange the game points held by the user with exchange points that can be used as consideration for goods or services on the electronic commerce site, and at least a user identifier for identifying the user, It includes the amount of game points to be exchanged and the recipients of exchange points. The destination of the conversion points varies depending on the electronic commerce site and the mode of the conversion points. Normally, the user has registered as a member in advance in the target electronic commerce site, and the member number of the user or the account number of the conversion point on the electronic commerce site is the destination for the conversion point mentioned here. However, depending on the e-commerce site, the conversion point is delivered to the user as a tangible object such as a paper coupon, and the ID code or the like printed on the coupon is entered on the e-commerce site. It may be available as a compensation for In this case, the address or residence of the user who is the mailing address of the coupon ticket is the delivery destination of the conversion point mentioned here.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, it is assumed that there are a plurality of electronic commerce sites to which conversion points are issued. That is, the user can select an arbitrary one from a plurality of electronic commerce sites and exchange it for a conversion point. Therefore, the exchange request receiving unit 112 also receives information specifying which exchange point of the electronic commerce site selected by the user is to be exchanged.

  The delivery request transmission unit 113 transmits the delivery request to the EC server 3 of the electronic commerce site via the telecommunication line based on the exchange request received by the exchange request receiving unit 112. The grant request is information indicating that the exchange point is requested to be issued on the electronic commerce site, and is equivalent to the amount of game points to be exchanged (calculated in accordance with a predetermined exchange rate) and the exchange points. Including the recipient of As already described, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are a plurality of electronic commerce sites to which conversion points are issued. Accordingly, the delivery request transmission unit 113 transmits a delivery request to the EC server 3 of the designated electronic commerce site according to information designating which exchange point of the electronic commerce site is to be exchanged.

  When receiving the delivery request, the EC server 3 returns a delivery completion notification indicating that to the delivery destination included in the delivery request via the telecommunication line. The information processing server 1 receives the delivery completion notification from the EC server 3 and determines that the exchange points have been properly delivered.

  Based on the exchange request received by the exchange request receiving unit 112, the exchange point update unit 114 reads game point information associated with the user identifier for identifying the user who has caused the exchange request from the point storage unit 101, The result of subtracting the game point to be exchanged for the conversion point from the game point currently held by the user is written in the point storage unit 101 in association with the user identifier for identifying the user.

  In addition, the information on the advance payment amount stored in the advance payment storage unit 110 and associated with the identifier of the electronic commerce site to which the exchange points are issued is subtracted by the exchanged exchange points. Depending on the electronic commerce site, the value of the exchange point to be delivered may not be equivalent to the advance payment amount offset with the exchange point. For example, it is a case where only 8,000 yen conversion points can be issued with 10,000 yen advance payment. In such a case, the amount stored in the advance payment storage unit 110 is subtracted not by the value of the exchange point itself to be delivered, but by the amount of money that is offset by the exchange point to be delivered.

  The exchange notification information transmission unit 115 displays the purchase notification information for displaying on the information processing terminal 2 that the processing for exchanging game points for conversion points has been performed, on the information processing terminal 2 of the user who caused the exchange request. Reply via the telecommunication line. The exchange notice information is, for example, text data for displaying a message such as “Enjoy Coin x points have been exchanged for n points on m sites. Your enjoy coins now have y points”. And / or image data that is transmitted to the information processing terminal 2 in the form of HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), e-mail, or the like.

  On the other hand, when the exchange of the game points to the exchange points is impossible, the exchange notification information transmitting unit 115 displays on the information processing terminal 2 that the process of exchanging the game points for the exchange points has not been performed. Non-exchange notification information is sent back to the information processing terminal 2 of the user who brought the exchange request through the telecommunication line. The non-exchange notification information is, for example, text data and / or image data for displaying a message “Enjoy coins cannot be exchanged”, and is transmitted to the information processing terminal 2 in the form of HTML, e-mail, or the like. To do.

  The information processing terminal 2 receives the exchange notification information or the non-exchange notification information returned from the information processing server 1 and displays the screen on its own display.

  FIG. 15 shows a procedure example of processing executed by the information processing server 1 in phase 3. The information processing server 1 waits for an exchange request transmitted from the information processing terminal 2 used by the user. When the exchange request is received (step S8), the delivery request based on the received exchange request is transmitted to the EC server 3 of the electronic commerce site selected by the user in the exchange request (step S9). Thereafter, it waits for a delivery completion notification transmitted from the EC server 3 (step S10).

  When the delivery completion notification cannot be received from the EC server 3 or when the notification indicating that the delivery is not possible is received from the EC server 3, the exchange request is rejected, and no exchange is made toward the information processing terminal 2. The notification information is returned (step S11), and the process is terminated.

  When an appropriate delivery completion notification is received from the EC server 3, the information stored in the point storage unit 101 is updated to subtract the game points exchanged this time from the game points held by the user. (Step S12). At the same time, the information on the advance payment amount stored in the advance payment storage unit 110 is also updated. Then, the purchase notice information is returned to the information processing terminal 2 (step S13), and the process is terminated.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to communicate with a plurality of information processing terminals 2 used by a plurality of users who play a game via an electric communication line, and to sell or lend goods or services to the users. A point storage unit 101 that is communicable with a server 3 of a commercial transaction site via a telecommunication line, and stores a game point possessed by each user in association with a user identifier for identifying the user; Information indicating that the game points possessed by the user of the information processing terminal 2 and transmitted from the information processing terminal 2 are to be exchanged for exchange points that can be used as consideration for goods or services on the electronic commerce site. An exchange request receiving unit 112 for receiving an exchange request including an amount of game points to be exchanged and a destination of exchange points; Based on the exchange request, information indicating that the exchange point is requested to be delivered on the electronic commerce site, and the delivery request includes the exchange point amount corresponding to the game point amount to be exchanged and the exchange point delivery destination. Is sent to the server 3 of the e-commerce site, and the result obtained by subtracting the game points to be exchanged from the game points held by the user based on the exchange request is given to the user. In order to display on the information processing terminal 2 on the information processing terminal 2 that the exchange point update unit 114 that writes to the point storage unit 101 in association with the user identifier to be identified and the process of exchanging the game points with the exchange points are performed. An exchange notification information transmitting unit 115 for returning the exchange notification information to the information processing terminal 2 Since the game point management system is provided, it is possible to exchange the game points acquired by each user with the reward points that are valuable in the real world, that is, redeemable points that can be used on the electronic commerce site. . It is also possible to allow more users to play the game repeatedly for a longer time by returning game points to the “customer” user.

  Prepayment for sending a prepayment request including the amount of exchange points to be purchased in advance by the game point management manager from the electronic commerce site to the server 3 of the electronic commerce site as a resource to exchange with the game point Since the system further includes the request transmission unit 111, the game points can be exchanged smoothly for conversion points.

  The exchange request receiving unit 112 can communicate with the exchange points of any electronic commerce site selected by the user of the information processing terminal 2 and can communicate with the servers 3 of the plurality of electronic commerce sites via telecommunication lines. The delivery request transmission unit 113 also receives information specifying whether to perform the delivery request, and the delivery request transmission unit 113 transmits the delivery request to the server 3 of the electronic commerce site selected by the user of the information processing terminal 2. The stored game points can be exchanged for conversion points on the electronic commerce site desired by the user, and the user benefits are further increased.

  Based on the ranking request, a ranking request receiving unit 108 that receives a ranking request that indicates that the user wants to browse ranking information that is transmitted from the information processing terminal 2 according to the number of game points held by each user. Ranking information for returning, to the information processing terminal 2, ranking information for displaying on the information processing terminal 2 the amount of game points held by the plurality of users stored in the point storage unit 101 Since the system further includes the transmission unit 109, it is possible to increase the game point acquisition competition among the users. In addition, if users who have more game points are displayed at the top of the ranking, it is possible to increase the incentive for users to keep game points without exchanging them for conversion points. Connected.

  The user of the information processing terminal 2 that can communicate with the server 4 of the receiving company that collects the price when the user purchases game points via an electric communication line and is transmitted from the information processing terminal 2 Information indicating that it is desired to purchase game points, a purchase request receiving unit 102 for receiving a purchase request including the amount of game points to be purchased, and requesting collection of a price from the user based on the purchase request And a receipt request transmitting unit 104 that transmits a receipt request including a price corresponding to the amount of game points to be purchased to the server 4 of the receiving company, and the user based on the purchase request. The point storage unit associates a result obtained by adding a newly purchased game point to a game point held by a user identifier for identifying the user. The point-of-purchase update unit 105 to be written in 01 and purchase notice information for displaying on the information processing terminal 2 that the processing for purchasing the game point has been performed are returned to the information processing terminal 2. Since the system further includes the purchase notification information transmission unit 106, it is possible to smoothly accept a user application for purchasing game points.

  The purchase request receiving unit 102 can communicate with a server of a plurality of receiving company sites via a telecommunication line, and the purchase request receiving unit 102 receives the payment via any receiving company selected by the user of the information processing terminal 2. The receipt request transmitting unit 104 also receives information specifying whether to perform the receipt request to the server 4 of the receipt company selected by the user of the information processing terminal 2. The purchase price of the game points can be paid through the receiving company, and the convenience for the user is increased.

  The point-of-purchase update unit 105 associates the history of the purchase of game points by the user or the information on the amount of game points purchased within the most recent predetermined period with the user identifier for identifying the user. 101. When the purchase request is received, the information stored in the point storage unit 101 is referred to when the purchase request is received. A purchase upper limit determination unit 103 for determining whether or not the purchase amount exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and the purchase upper limit determination unit 103 determines that the purchase amount exceeds the threshold value within the most recent predetermined period. The receipt request transmission unit 104 does not transmit the receipt request, and the purchase point update unit 105 adds game points. In addition, non-purchase notification information for displaying on the information processing terminal 2 that the purchase notification transmission unit has not performed the process of purchasing the game point is returned to the information processing terminal 2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from purchasing and excessively spending game points.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above. For example, a function of exchanging convertible points managed by the electronic commerce site for game points managed by the game point management system may be added. In this case, a request for requesting the delivery of game points is transmitted from the EC server 3 to the information processing server 1 via the telecommunication line. This request includes a user identifier that is a delivery destination of game points and an amount of game points that are requested to be delivered. When the information processing server 1 receives the request, the information processing server 1 issues the requested amount of game points to the user identified by the user identifier. That is, the result obtained by adding the game points newly issued to the game points held by the user is written in the point storage unit 101 in association with the user identifier for identifying the user.

  Further, the functions of the units shown in FIGS. 3, 8, and 13 are distributed to a plurality of computers, and their cooperation does not prevent the establishment of the game point management system according to the present invention.

  In addition, the specific configuration of each unit, the processing procedure, and the like can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The game point management system according to the present invention can be applied to a service that provides a game via a network.

1. Information processing server (game point management system)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Point memory | storage part 102 ... Purchase request receiving part 103 ... Purchase upper limit determination part 104 ... Acquisition request transmission part 105 ... Purchase point update part 106 ... Purchase notification transmission part 108 ... Ranking request reception part 109 ... Ranking information transmission part 112 ... Exchange request receiving unit 113 ... Delivery request transmitting unit 114 ... Exchange point update unit 115 ... Exchange notification transmitting unit 2 ... Information processing terminal 3 ... Electronic commerce site server 4 ... Receiving company server

Claims (14)

A server of an electronic commerce site that can communicate with a plurality of information processing terminals used by a plurality of users playing a game via a telecommunication line, and sells or lends goods or services to the user, and a telecommunication line A system capable of communicating via
A point storage unit for storing game points held by each user in association with a user identifier for identifying the user;
Information indicating that it is desired to exchange game points owned by the user of the information processing terminal, which are transmitted from the information processing terminal, with exchange points that can be used as consideration for goods or services on the electronic commerce site, An exchange request receiving unit for receiving an exchange request including an amount of game points to be exchanged and a destination of exchange points;
Based on the exchange request, information indicating that the exchange point is requested to be delivered on the electronic commerce site, and the delivery request includes the exchange point amount corresponding to the game point amount to be exchanged and the exchange point delivery destination. A delivery request transmitter that transmits the request to the server of the electronic commerce site;
Based on the exchange request, an exchange point update unit that writes a result obtained by subtracting game points to be exchanged from game points held by the user to a user identifier that identifies the user in the point storage unit,
An exchange notification information transmission unit for returning, to the information processing terminal, exchange notification information for causing the information processing terminal to display on the information processing terminal that processing for exchanging the game point with the conversion point has been performed. Game point management system. Prepayment that is a resource to be exchanged for the game point, and that sends a prepayment request including the amount of exchange points that the game point management manager has purchased in advance from the electronic commerce site to the server of the electronic commerce site The game point management system according to claim 1, further comprising a request transmission unit. It is possible to communicate with servers of a plurality of electronic commerce sites via telecommunication lines,
The exchange request receiving unit also receives information specifying which exchange point of the electronic commerce site to be exchanged, selected by the user of the information processing terminal,
The game point management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the delivery request transmission unit transmits the delivery request to a server of an electronic commerce site selected by a user of the information processing terminal. A ranking request receiving unit that receives a ranking request that indicates that the user wants to browse ranking information that is transmitted from the information processing terminal according to the number of game points that each user has;
Based on the ranking request, the ranking information for displaying the amount of game points held by the plurality of users stored in the point storage unit on the information processing terminal is returned to the information processing terminal. The game point management system according to claim 1, further comprising a ranking information transmission unit. It is possible to communicate via a telecommunication line with a server of a receiving company that collects a price when a user purchases game points,
A purchase request receiving unit that is transmitted from the information processing terminal and indicates that the user of the information processing terminal wants to purchase game points, and receives a purchase request including the amount of game points to be purchased;
Information indicating that the user is requested to collect money based on the purchase request, and is a receipt for sending a receipt request including a price corresponding to the amount of game points to be purchased to the server of the receiving company. A request transmitter;
Based on the purchase request, the point-of-purchase update unit writes the result of adding the newly purchased game points to the game points held by the user in the point storage unit in association with the user identifier for identifying the user When,
2. A purchase notice information transmitting unit for returning, to the information processing terminal, purchase notice information for displaying on the information processing terminal that the processing for purchasing the game points has been performed. 2. The game point management system according to 2, 3, or 4. It is possible to communicate with servers at multiple receiving company sites via telecommunication lines,
The purchase request receiving unit also receives information specifying a receiving company through which receiving company selected by the user of the information processing terminal,
The game point management system according to claim 5, wherein the receipt request transmission unit transmits the receipt request to a server of a receipt company selected by a user of the information processing terminal. The point-of-purchase update unit associates the history of purchase of game points by the user or information on the amount of game points purchased within the most recent predetermined period with the user identifier that identifies the user in the point storage unit. Write,
When the purchase request is received, referring to the information stored in the point storage unit, whether the purchase amount of the game points by the user who brought the purchase request exceeds a predetermined threshold within the most recent predetermined period Further comprising a purchase upper limit determination unit for determining whether or not
When the purchase upper limit determination unit determines that the purchase amount exceeds the threshold within the most recent predetermined period, the receipt request transmission unit does not transmit the receipt request, and the purchase point update unit Non-purchase notice information for causing the information processing terminal to display on the information processing terminal that the purchase notice transmitting unit has not performed the process of purchasing the game point. The game point management system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the game point management system replies to the destination. It is used for configuring the game point management system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, comprising:
A point storage unit for storing game points possessed by each user in association with a user identifier for identifying the user,
Information indicating that it is desired to exchange game points owned by the user of the information processing terminal, which are transmitted from the information processing terminal, with exchange points that can be used as consideration for goods or services on the electronic commerce site, An exchange request receiving unit for receiving an exchange request including an amount of game points to be exchanged and a destination of exchange points;
Based on the exchange request, information indicating that the exchange point is requested to be delivered on the electronic commerce site, and the delivery request includes the exchange point amount corresponding to the game point amount to be exchanged and the exchange point delivery destination. Issuance request transmitter for transmitting to the server of the electronic commerce site,
Based on the exchange request, an exchange point update unit that writes a result of subtracting game points to be exchanged from game points held by the user in the point storage unit in association with a user identifier for identifying the user, and ,
A program for functioning as an exchange notice information transmitting unit for returning, to the information processing terminal, exchange notice information for displaying on the information processing terminal that processing for exchanging the game points with the conversion point has been performed. . In addition, the computer
Prepayment that is a resource to be exchanged for the game point, and that sends a prepayment request including the amount of exchange points that the game point management manager has purchased in advance from the electronic commerce site to the server of the electronic commerce site The program according to claim 8, which also functions as a request transmission unit. The exchange request receiving unit also receives information specifying which exchange point of the electronic commerce site to be exchanged, selected by the user of the information processing terminal,
The program according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the delivery request transmission unit transmits the delivery request to a server of an electronic commerce site selected by a user of the information processing terminal. In addition, the computer
A ranking request receiving unit that receives a ranking request that indicates that the user wants to view ranking information that is transmitted from the information processing terminal and that corresponds to the number of game points that each user has, and
Based on the ranking request, the ranking information for displaying the amount of game points held by the plurality of users stored in the point storage unit on the information processing terminal is returned to the information processing terminal. The program according to claim 8, 9 or 10, which also functions as a ranking information transmission unit. In addition, the computer
A purchase request receiving unit that receives information from the information processing terminal that indicates that the user of the information processing terminal wants to purchase game points and includes a purchase request including the amount of game points to be purchased.
Information indicating that the user is requested to collect money based on the purchase request, and is a receipt for sending a receipt request including a price corresponding to the amount of game points to be purchased to the server of the receiving company. Request transmitter,
Based on the purchase request, the point-of-purchase update unit writes the result of adding the newly purchased game points to the game points held by the user in the point storage unit in association with the user identifier for identifying the user As well as
9. A function of a purchase notice information transmitting unit that sends back to the information processing terminal purchase notice information for displaying on the information processing terminal that processing for purchasing the game points has been performed. The program according to 9, 10 or 11. The purchase request receiving unit also receives information specifying a receiving company through which receiving company selected by the user of the information processing terminal,
The program according to claim 12, wherein the receipt request transmission unit transmits the receipt request to a server of a receipt company selected by a user of the information processing terminal. The point-of-purchase update unit associates the history of purchase of game points by the user or information on the amount of game points purchased within the most recent predetermined period with the user identifier that identifies the user in the point storage unit. Write,
Further, when the computer receives the purchase request, it refers to the information stored in the point storage unit, and the purchase amount of the game points by the user who has made the purchase request is predetermined within the most recent predetermined period. Function as a purchase upper limit determination unit that determines whether the threshold is exceeded,
When the purchase upper limit determination unit determines that the purchase amount exceeds the threshold within the most recent predetermined period, the receipt request transmission unit does not transmit the receipt request, and the purchase point update unit Non-purchase notice information for causing the information processing terminal to display on the information processing terminal that the purchase notice transmitting unit has not performed the process of purchasing the game point. The program according to claim 12 or 13, which sends a reply to.

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