JP2005085015A - Content provision method, benefit provision method, method for content provision and benefit provision, device for service commodity provision facility, and content provision device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote user's mutual use by especially making facility use and information content use organically linked to each method and each device suitable to organically link the facility use and the information content use, in a content provision method allowing the facility use and the information content use, a benefit provision method, a method for content provision and benefit provision, a device for a service commodity provision facility, and a content provision device. <P>SOLUTION: Facility use history information according to the facility use is written into a portable medium by a writer, the written facility use history information is read from the portable medium by a reader, and information content corresponding to the read facility use history information is provided from the content provision device. Progress information about the information content use in the content provision device is written into the portable medium by the writer, the written progress information is read from the portable medium by the reader, and a benefit in the facility use is specified according to a difference of the read progress information by a processor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content providing method, a privilege providing method, a content providing and privilege providing method, a service product providing facility apparatus, and a content providing apparatus that enable facility use and information content use. The present invention relates to each of the above methods and apparatuses suitable for organically linking information content usage.

  In situations where facilities or information contents are used, a portable (removable) medium may be used as a storage medium for storing (holding) bonus points / information. For example, there is a theme park, a store, a movie theater, a transportation facility, etc. as a facility that issues points according to use and stores them in a medium. Various benefits are given to the user according to the point balance, and further use is encouraged. Even when using information content, for example, when new characters, items, stages, etc. appear in the game software on a game machine in accordance with the progress status, if the progress status is considered as the usage status, It can be said that the usage information is recorded on the game software medium or the like so as to give a certain kind of privilege to the user.

  In order to write / read points and information to / from the medium, depending on the type of the medium, for example, a magnetic reader / writer is used for a magnetic recording medium, and an IC card (IC medium is used for an IC card or IC medium). ) Lead dryers can be used respectively.

  The use of the medium in the facility use and the information content use as described above is performed independently of each other. For this reason, the effect of prompting the user to use is only within the independent range.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and provides a content providing method, a privilege providing method, a content providing and a privilege providing method, and a service product providing facility apparatus that enable facility use and information content use. In addition, in the content providing device, a content providing method, a privilege providing method, a content providing method, and a privilege providing method capable of organically linking facility use and information content use to mutually promote user use, An object is to provide a service product providing facility apparatus and a content providing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the content providing method according to the present invention writes facility usage history information according to facility usage on a portable medium by a writing device, and the written facility usage history information is portable. A content reading device provides information content corresponding to the read facility usage history information from a content reading device.

  That is, facility usage history information is written on a portable medium according to the facility usage, and the written facility usage history information is read out by the reading device. The content providing apparatus provides information content corresponding to the read facility use history information. This information content therefore depends on the facility usage. Therefore, a privilege at the time of using the information content is given to the user by using the facility, and the use of the facility can be promoted by linking the facility usage to the information content using the medium.

  Here, examples of the content providing apparatus include a home game machine including software, an interactive television, and a PC (personal computer). Examples of facilities include a theme park, various stores, a movie theater, and transportation facilities. Examples of portable media include IC cards, IC memory media, magnetic cards, magnetic disks, and optical disks. Both the contact type and non-contact type IC cards can be used.

  In addition, as an example of information content corresponding to facility usage history information, for example, in the case of a home game machine, characters, items, stages, etc. that do not normally appear in specific game software appear on interactive television. If it is, a program that cannot be normally viewed can be viewed, and if it is a PC, a normally inaccessible page in the Internet site can be accessed, and a specific application can be acquired from the page. Can be mentioned. Examples of the above two paragraphs are the same in the following.

  In addition, the privilege providing method according to the present invention writes the progress information on the use of information content in the content providing device to a portable medium by the writing device, and reads the written progress information from the portable medium by the reading device. The processing device specifies a privilege for using the facility according to the difference in the read progress information.

  That is, progress information on the use of information content in the content providing device is written on a portable medium, and the written progress information is read out by the reading device and used for specifying a privilege when using the facility. Therefore, this privilege corresponds to the progress information on the use of information content. Therefore, the use of the information content gives the user a benefit at the time of using the facility, and the medium is linked from the use of the information content to the use of the facility, so that the use of the information content can be promoted.

  Here, the progress information on the use of the information content can include, for example, the number of times the information content is used, the usage time, the conquest position in the game information content, and the high score. Further, the benefits for using the facilities can include, for example, discounts on usage fees, provision of premiums such as original goods, and the like. The same applies to the following.

  In the content providing and privilege providing method according to the present invention, facility use history information corresponding to facility use is written on a portable medium by the first writing device, and the written facility use history information is stored in the portable device. Read from a possible medium by a first reading device, provide information content corresponding to the read facility usage history information from a content providing device, and use information of the information content in the content providing device as progress information The portable writing medium is written by the second writing device, the written progress information is read from the portable medium by the second reading device, and the facility is used according to the difference of the read progress information. It is characterized in that the processing device specifies the privilege.

  This method is a further organic combination of the content providing method and the privilege providing method. Therefore, in addition to the link from the facility use to the information content use, the link in the opposite direction is also made depending on the medium, and the facility use and the information content use can be promoted mutually.

  In addition, the service product providing facility apparatus according to the present invention includes a writing unit that writes facility use history information to a portable medium in accordance with facility use, and information on the use of information content written in advance on the portable medium. And a processing unit for specifying a privilege for using the facility according to the difference in the read progress information. This device is a device to be provided on the service product provision facility side in order to implement the above-described content provision and privilege provision methods.

  In addition, the content providing apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading unit that reads facility usage history information written in advance on a portable medium, and a content providing unit that provides information content corresponding to the read facility usage history information And a writing unit for writing progress information on the use of the information content on the portable medium. This apparatus is an apparatus that should be provided on the side that receives the provision of information content in order to implement the above-described content provision and privilege provision methods.

  According to the present invention, the information content provided by the content providing apparatus is in accordance with facility use. Therefore, a privilege at the time of using the information content is given to the user by using the facility, and the use of the facility can be promoted by linking the facility usage to the information content using the medium. Further, according to the present invention, the benefits for using the facility are in accordance with the progress information for using the information content. Therefore, the use of the information content gives the user a benefit at the time of using the facility, and the medium is linked from the use of the information content to the use of the facility, so that the use of the information content can be promoted.

  As an embodiment of the service product provision facility apparatus according to the present invention, the reading unit can also read the unique information individually given and held in the portable medium, and the privilege used by the user A recording unit that records information related to the read-out specific information, and the processing unit refers to / uses the recorded information to identify the benefit when using the facility , And so on. In this case, it is suitable for setting a limit on the number of benefits provided to the user at the service product providing facility.

  Here, a plurality of combinations of writing units and reading units may be provided as clients, and a server having a recording unit may be connected to each client. Such an aspect is suitable when the service product providing facility is large-scale, and facility use and privilege provision are accepted at each venue.

  Based on the above, embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration for realizing a content providing and privilege providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which game software is provided as content provision, and privilege provision is provided at a theme park as privilege provision. FIG. A contactless IC card is used as a medium for linking these provisions.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this system includes a server 10 and clients 20A, 20B,..., 20N in a theme park 1, a non-contact IC card 2, an IC card reader / writer 3, and a consumer game machine 4. Have. The home game machine 4 is provided with game software 41 and a storage unit 42 so as to be detachable or impossible. That is, the storage unit 42 may be a medium (for example, a hard disk or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory) built in the consumer game machine 4 or a removable medium (for example, an IC memory medium). In the latter case, the game software 41 may be included in the medium.

  The theme park 1 includes a server 10 and clients 20A, 20B,..., 20N having connections with the server 10. The server 10 records information sent from the clients 20A, 20B,..., 20N, and transmits response information in response to inquiries from the clients 20A, 20B,. Further, the operation programs of the clients 20A, 20B,..., 20N are updated.

  The server 1 includes a processing unit 11 and a recording unit 12. In the recording unit 12, customer personal information 12a (for example, name, address, contact information, etc.), customer ID (identification) 12b, and privilege use count data 12c are recorded in association with each other. The processing unit 11 accesses (reads / writes) these data, and transmits / receives information read / written as necessary to / from the client 20A or the like. It also manages the distribution of update programs for clients 20A, 20B,. The server 1 is provided in an office or a management building of the theme park 1.

  Each of the clients 20A, 20B,..., 20N wirelessly writes / reads information to / from the non-contact IC card 2, and exchanges the written information and the read information with the server 10. Further, a certain process is performed based on the read information, and the result is displayed on a display unit (not shown).

  The clients 20A, 20B,..., 20N each have a processing unit 21, a writing unit 22, and a reading unit 23. The processing unit 21 mediates information transmission / reception with the server 10, controls the writing unit 22 and the reading unit 23, and processes information obtained by reading. The writing unit 22 and the reading unit 23 include an antenna (may be shared for writing and reading: not shown), and exchange information wirelessly with the non-contact IC card 2 close to the antenna. Each of the clients 20A, 20B,..., 20N is provided at each contact place (for example, an entrance gate, a shop, etc.) with a customer in the theme park 1.

  The non-contact IC card 2 has a theme park use history data area 2A, a home game machine use history (progress) data area 2B, and a customer ID area 2C as information holding areas. Writing is performed in the theme park usage history data area 2A by bringing the non-contact IC card 2 in the theme park 1 close to the writing unit 22 of the client 20A. The home game machine usage history data area 2B is written by bringing the non-contact IC card 2 close to a writing unit 32 (same as described later) of an IC card reader / writer 3 (described later) in each home. In the customer ID area 2C, customer ID data (specific information) is recorded in advance when the contactless IC card 2 is delivered (issued) to the customer.

  Further, for customer identification, reading is performed from the customer ID area 2C by bringing the non-contact IC card 2 close to the reading unit 23 such as the client 20A in the theme park 1. Similarly, in the theme park 1, reading is performed from the home game machine usage history data area 2B by bringing the non-contact IC card 2 close to the reading unit 23 such as the client 20A. Reading from the theme park use history data area 2A is performed by bringing the non-contact IC card 2 close to a reading unit 33 (described later) of the IC card reader / writer 3 in each home.

  The data in the theme park usage history data area 2A includes a usage amount 2Aa, usage content 2Ab, and usage date 2Ac (described later in FIG. 2). The data in the home game machine usage history data area 2B includes game software name 2Ba and flag data 2Bb for use of benefits at the theme park (described later in FIG. 3). The contactless IC card 2 is first received and received by each customer (user) in the theme park 1 or an agent. Thereby, personal information is input from an input unit (not shown) and recorded as customer personal information 12 a in the recording unit 12 of the server 10 in the theme park 1.

  The IC card reader / writer 3 is used by being connected to the consumer game machine 4. Information is read from and written to the non-contact IC card 2 wirelessly, and the read and written information is transmitted to and received from the consumer game machine 4. The IC card reader / writer 3 includes a processing unit 31, a writing unit 32, and a reading unit 33. The processing unit 31 mediates transmission / reception of information with the consumer game machine 4 and controls the writing unit 32 and the reading unit 23. The writing unit 32 and the reading unit 33 include an antenna (may be shared for writing and reading: not shown), and exchange information wirelessly with the non-contact IC card 2 close to the antenna. The IC card reader / writer 3 may be built in and configured as a part of the consumer game machine 4.

  The home game machine 4 is provided with a game as information content when game software 41 is attached. Further, the data (theme park use history data) read by the IC card reader / writer 3 and sent to the consumer game machine 4 is processed by a program included in the game software 41.

  Further, the home game machine 4 includes a storage unit 42. The storage unit 42 stores a game software name 42a and a game progress status 42b, which are the results of providing the game to the user (player). In addition, the storage unit 42 stores the result of the above-described processing by the program of the game software 41 as flag data 42c for use of benefits in the game software. The game software name 42 a and the game progress status 42 b stored in the storage unit 42 are sent to the non-contact IC card 2 by the writing unit 32 of the IC reader / writer 3 through processing by the game software 41 in the home game machine 4. Written.

  In this embodiment, each of the clients 20A, 20B,..., 20N functions as a writing device (first writing device), a reading device (second reading device), and a processing device, and the IC card reader / writer 3 is a writing device. It functions as both a (second writing device) and a reading device (first reading device). In addition, the content providing apparatus includes a consumer game machine 4 and game software 41 (including a storage unit 42 in some cases).

  Next, the actual operation in the embodiment having the above configuration will be described. First, a customer obtains a contactless IC card 2 for linking facility use / information content use at a theme park 1 or an agent in the city. Here, when the customer declares personal information, this information is recorded as customer personal information 12a in the recording unit 12 of the server 10 from an input unit (not shown). Further, the customer ID associated therewith is recorded in the recording unit 12 as the customer ID 12b. This customer ID is also recorded and held in the customer ID area 2C of the non-contact IC card 2.

  It should be noted that such issuance of the non-contact IC card 2 can be received using a PC in the home via a network. For example, a contactless IC card 2 on which no information is written is used, an IC card reader / writer that reads and writes information wirelessly is connected to the PC, and personal information is reported using the Internet website, etc. What is necessary is just to comprise so that transmission of ID information may be performed.

  As described above, when a customer who has issued the non-contact IC card 2 uses the theme park 1, the non-contact IC card 2 is used at each place in the theme park 1, for example, an entrance gate, a shop, an attraction or a restaurant. It is brought close to the writing unit 22 such as the client 20A. As a result, facility usage information in the theme park usage history data area 2A of the non-contact IC card 2 is written and accumulated as a history. The facility usage information is data indicating the usage amount 2Aa, the usage content 2Ab (for example, which shop or attraction in the theme park 1 was used, and what kind of ticket was entered. That is, ticket type, shop name, Information for identifying an attraction name), and use date 2Ac.

  Incidentally, although the case where it links | links with one theme park 1 is demonstrated here, it can also be made to link | link with several theme parks. In this case, information for specifying the theme park name is also recorded on the non-contact IC card 2 as a part of the information of the usage content 2Ab.

  An example of the facility usage information history (hereinafter referred to as usage history data) recorded in the non-contact IC card 2 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the usage amount 2Aa, the usage content 2Ab, and the usage date and time 2Ac are associated and recorded as a history. When the usage amount does not occur (for example, the attraction on the day when the free pass is purchased. Attraction D in the figure), the usage amount 2Aa is 0. Usage history data is accumulated each time the theme park 1 is used, but the data capacity in the non-contact IC card 2 is limited, and when it becomes full, it is automatically deleted from the oldest usage date 2Ac. However, new data may be written.

  When a customer plays in the home game machine 4 in which the game software 41 compatible with the non-contact IC card 2 is installed in the home, the non-contact IC card 2 can be linked and used. That is, the non-contact IC card 2 is brought close to the reading unit 33 of the IC card reader / writer 3 connected to the consumer game machine 4 to read the stored information. For example, it may be possible to present a menu “read data from a non-contact IC card” on the start screen of the game software 41. By selecting this menu, the non-contact IC card 2 is accessed via the IC card reader / writer 3 from the consumer game machine 4 equipped with the game software 41, and the recorded use history data can be read.

  When the read usage history data matches the privilege granting condition programmed in advance in the game software 41, a flag indicating that the privilege can be used is set in the program in the game software 41. A processing program and a flag area relating to the privilege granting conditions are prepared in the game software 41 in advance. As an example, it is assumed that the game software 41 has the following benefits and privilege granting conditions based on the usage history data of the non-contact IC card 2.

1. There is a usage history of theme park 1 within 3 months from the current date and time.
→ Special character A that does not appear normally appears.
2. Cumulative usage amount exceeds 10,000 yen.
-> Special item A that does not normally appear can be acquired.
3. I use Shop A in the park.
→ Special items B that do not normally appear can be acquired.
4.1 Attraction A in the park is used between 12:00 and 13:00.
→ A special character B that does not appear normally appears.
5). Conquer all the attractions in the park.
→ You can go to a special stage A that you can't usually go to.

  Therefore, when the game software 41 is played on the home-use game machine 4 on May 15, 2003 using the non-contact IC card 2 in which the usage history data as shown in FIG. After the data is read, the following processing is performed by the program of the game software 41 corresponding to the above.

1. The latest data on the use date and time of the use history data is referred to, and if the difference is within three months as compared with the current time indicated by the clock in the consumer game machine 4, a privilege use flag is set.
→ In this case, the condition is met, so character A appears by flag.
2. The sum of the usage amount of the usage history data is obtained, it is checked whether or not it exceeds 10,000 yen, and if the condition is met, a privilege use flag is set.
→ In this case, since the condition is satisfied, the item A can be acquired by the flag.
3. With reference to the usage contents of the usage history data, it is checked whether there is data of shop A. If the conditions are met, a privilege usage flag is set.
→ In this case, item B can be acquired by the flag because the condition is satisfied.
4). The usage date and time and usage details of the usage history data are referenced to check whether there is data that satisfies the conditions, and if the conditions are satisfied, a privilege usage flag is set.
→ Attraction A is used, but character B does not appear because the usage time is 11:30 and the time condition is not satisfied.
5). Check the usage details of usage history data, check whether there is data for all attractions (in this case, it is assumed that there are four attractions A, B, C, and D in the park). Set a flag.
→ Since there is no usage data for attraction C, it is not possible to proceed to stage A.

  As a result of the above processing, the flags are set for the benefits 1, 2 and 3, and the conditions for the benefits 4 and 5 are not satisfied and the flag is not set. The flag data is stored (updated and recorded) in “flag data 42c for privilege use in game software” in the storage unit 42. When the use history data of the non-contact IC card 2 is read and the above process is completed, if there are more benefits available on the screen of the home game machine 4, that effect (in this case, privilege 1, 2 and 3 are increased).

  Of the flag data 42c, those for which the privilege grant condition is not related to the current time (privileges 2, 3, 4, 5) are stored and stored in the storage unit 42, so that the next game software 41 is started. Thereafter, the privilege can be used in the game software 41 by the flag data 42c without reading the non-contact IC card 2. Since the benefit 1 is related to the playing time, the contactless IC card 2 is read from the next time onward in order to make the privilege available.

  The above description corresponds to the operation as a content providing system linked to facility use. That is, as described above, facility usage history information is written to a portable medium (in this case, a non-contact IC card 2) according to the use of the facility (in this case, theme park 1), and the written facility usage history is recorded. The information is read by the reading device (IC card reader / writer 3) and referred to by the content providing device (the home game machine 4 and the game software 41). The content providing apparatus changes the information content (in this case, a game) to be provided by this reference. The information content is therefore dependent on facility usage. Therefore, a privilege at the time of using the information content is given to the user by using the facility, and the use of the facility can be promoted by linking the facility usage to the information content using the medium.

  Below, the part equivalent to the operation | movement as a privilege provision system linked to information content utilization is demonstrated. First, when the customer plays the game software 41 on the home-use game machine 4, the game software name 42a and the game progress status 42b are stored in the storage unit 42. The game progress status 42b is information indicating that various conditions are satisfied in the game, for example.

  The game software name 42 a and the game progress status 42 b stored in the storage unit 42 are stored in the home game machine usage history data area 2 B in the non-contact IC card 2 by the IC card reader / writer 3 connected to the home game machine 4. Written in association with each other. For this purpose, for example, it may be possible to present a menu “write data to a non-contact IC card” on the start screen of the game software 41. The above writing is performed by selecting this menu.

  An example of the structure of the usage (progress) history data of the game software 41 written in the non-contact IC card 2 is shown in FIG. That is, there is a data area for each of a plurality of game software 41 (IC card linkage compatible software A and B) corresponding to linkage with the theme park 1, and in this example, the number of flags per game software is limited. (6 here). Each flag corresponds to each progress information of the game progress status 42b and also corresponds to a privilege that can be received at the linked theme park 1.

For example, it is assumed that the following settings are made between the progress information of the game progress status 42b and the benefits received at the theme park 1.
1. I play with the game software 41 even once.
→ 500 yen discount on entrance fee and free pass fee.
2. Play time exceeds 5 hours-> 1000 yen discount when shopping at Shop A.
3. The high score in the game exceeds 10,000 points.
→ You can get original theme park goods at Shop B.
4). Clear the game.
→ Admission fee and free pass fee are reduced by half.

  In this game software 41, since there are four benefits that can be exchanged in cooperation, benefits 1 to 4 of the usage (progress) history data in FIG. 3 are used. For example, when “write data to non-contact IC card” is selected in a state where the play time is 2 hours, the high score is 12,000 points, and is not yet cleared, the contact IC card from the home game machine 4 via the IC card reader / writer 4 is selected. 2, flag data is recorded as shown in FIG. That is, since it is the benefits 1 and 3 that satisfy the condition at this time, only the benefits 1 and 3 flags are set.

  As described above, when the contactless IC card 2 with the written information is brought to the theme park 1, the home game machine usage history data recorded in the contactless IC card 2 by the client 20A installed at the entrance gate or shop. Can be read out.

  5 is a flowchart showing a read processing operation flow in the clients 20A,... In the system shown in FIG. First, the home game machine usage history data area 2B in the non-contact IC card 2 is accessed (step 51), and it is determined whether there is any writing (step 51). If there is no writing, the fact that the privilege cannot be used is displayed on the display unit such as the client 20A (step 52).

  If there is data writing, the game software name 2Ba recorded in the home game machine usage history data area 2B is read (step 53), and the corresponding data writing (flag writing) is checked and the client 20A etc. Hold (step 54). If another game software name 2Ba exists (Y in step 55), the above steps 53 and 54 are repeated. It should be noted that the data in the customer ID area 2C is also read along with the above reading.

  If it is determined from the above-mentioned flag writing information that no flag has been written (N in Step 56), the fact that the privilege cannot be used is displayed on the display unit such as the client 20A (Step 52).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the flag has been written based on the held flag writing information as in the above example (when it is confirmed that there is a privilege 1, 3 flag for software A) (step 56 Y), in order to determine whether or not the privilege has already been used and the privilege can be used, the server 10 is inquired (step 57). Specifically, the privilege use count data 12c in the recording unit 12 of the server 10 is referred to using the read customer ID. The number of times of use of a privilege is set in advance, and a privilege that has already been reached cannot be used.

  For example, regarding the use of benefits at theme park 1, it is assumed that the number of benefits 1: 3, privilege 2: 1, privilege 3: 1, and privilege 4: 1: is limited. If the number of benefits has not been reached (if all have been reached) (N in Step 58), the fact that the benefits cannot be used is displayed on the display unit such as the client 20A (Step 52).

  If the number of benefits has not been reached (for example, if the customer has not yet received any benefits at theme park 1 by software A) (Y in step 58), then Duplication of the same privilege is checked for the privilege related to the group (step 59). This is to check whether there are usage histories of a plurality of game software in the home game machine usage history data 2B in the non-contact IC card 2 and the benefits that can be used between them are duplicated.

  For example, in addition to the game software A, the data of the game software B is also stored at the same time, and if it is determined that the software B can also obtain a privilege (privilege 1) with a 500 yen discount on the entrance fee / free pass fee, In the client 20A or the like, the process is changed depending on whether the privilege duplication is permitted (Y in Step 60) or the privilege is selected (N in Step 60). The theme park 1 side determines in advance whether or not to allow the privilege duplication. When the privilege duplication is permitted, the fact that the privilege can be used redundantly is displayed as a privilege specific result (step 61: in this case, 1000 yen discount is possible).

  When privilege duplication is not permitted, in order to prompt selection of a privilege, for example, a touch panel is provided on a display unit (not shown) such as the client 20A to input the selection. And the privilege which takes in the result of selection and is available is displayed as a privilege specific result (step 61). In addition, when the same privilege does not overlap (N of step 59), the display of the privilege which can be utilized immediately is performed as a privilege specific result. When the customer receives the privilege according to the display of the available privilege, the privilege usage count data 12c of the recording unit 12 in the server 1 is rewritten by communication from the client 20A or the like. For example, as in the above example, when there are flags for benefits 1 and 3 and these benefits have been used when no benefits have been received, benefits 1 and 3 are used once and other benefits Is the privilege use count data 12c that remains zero.

  Note that the processing at the client 20A or the like can be limited to a part depending on the target privilege. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the privilege targeted by each client 20A or the like is limited, the process shown in FIG. 4 is performed only for the flag corresponding to the privilege. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of home game machine usage history (progress) data to be checked by each of the clients 20A,... In the system shown in FIG. Such restriction of processing of the client 20A and the like can be realized by transmission (update) of control information from the server 10. Such a limitation of privilege is useful when, for example, the privilege that can be applied inevitably differs between the privilege at the entrance gate in the theme park 1 and the privilege at the shop.

  Also, which game software of the game software data that can be recorded in the contactless IC card 2 is checked by the client 20A or the like is changed by downloading a control program from the server 10 to each client 20A or the like. Is possible. That is, when the number of game software to be checked increases, a control program including the information is downloaded from the server 10 to each client 20A or the like for updating, and based on the downloaded program, as shown in FIG. Processing is done.

  As described above, in this privilege providing system, the progress (history) information on the use of information content (in this case, a game) in the content providing device (in this case, the home game machine 4 and the game software 41) can be carried. It is written on the medium (in this case, the non-contact IC card 2), and the written progress information is read out by the reading device (in this case, the client 20A or the like) to use the facility (in this case, the theme park 1). Used to identify benefits. Therefore, this privilege corresponds to the progress information on the use of information content. Therefore, the use of the information content gives the user a benefit at the time of using the facility, and the medium is linked from the use of the information content to the use of the facility, so that the use of the information content can be promoted.

  In addition, although the above embodiment demonstrated linkage with the theme park 1, the consumer game machine 4, and the game software 41, this invention is not limited to this form. For example, the present invention can be applied to each facility other than the theme park 1 (an entrance fee or a fee for a service or a product in a store in a city, a movie theater, a transportation facility, or the like). Even in this case, the non-contact IC card 2 records the use date and time, the use amount, and the use contents, and links the home game machine 4 and the game software 41 based on the data.

  Conversely, linkage with home digital content providing devices other than the home game machine 4 and the game software 41 can be considered. For example, in the case of linking with a two-way digital television, there is a benefit that a special program that cannot be normally viewed can be viewed by using the non-contact IC card 2 in which a usage history is recorded. In addition, when linked with a PC, there is a benefit that simple application software such as a desktop accessory can be downloaded for free from an Internet site that is not normally accessible, or a discount service can be received through online shopping.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the non-contact IC card 2 is used as a portable medium has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and other portable types such as MO, CD, and memory card are used. A system can also be configured using a recording medium.

It is a figure which shows the structure which implement | achieves the content provision and privilege provision method which concern on one Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: Game software is provided as content provision, and the privilege provision in a theme park is provided as an example, respectively. . The figure which shows an example of theme park utilization log | history data written in the non-contact IC card 2 used with the system shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the home game machine utilization log | history (progress) data written in the non-contact IC card 2 used with the system shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a read processing operation flow in clients 20A,... In the system shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of home game machine usage history (progress) data to be checked by the clients 20A in the system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Theme park, 2 ... Non-contact IC card, 2A ... Theme park usage history data area, 2Aa ... Usage amount, 2Ab ... Usage content, 2Ac ... Usage date, 2B ... Home game machine usage history (progress) data area, 2Ba ... game software name, 2Bb ... flag data for use of benefits at the theme park, 2C ... customer ID area, 3 ... IC card reader / driver, 4 ... home game machine, 10 ... server, 11 ... processing unit, 12 ... Recording unit, 12a ... customer personal information, 12b ... customer ID, 12c ... privilege use count data, 20A, 20B, 20N ... client, 21 ... processing unit, 22 ... writing unit, 23 ... reading unit, 31 ... processing unit, 32 ... Write unit, 33 ... Read unit, 41 ... Game software, 42 ... Storage unit, 42a ... Game software name, 42b ... Game progress, 42c ... Flag data for the benefits available in Musofuto.

Claims (6)

Write facility usage history information according to facility usage on portable media by writing device,
Read the written facility use history information from the portable medium by a reading device,
A content providing method comprising providing information content corresponding to the read facility use history information from a content providing device. Write progress information on the use of information content in the content providing device to a portable medium by a writing device,
Reading the written progress information from the portable medium by a reading device;
A privilege providing method, wherein a processing device identifies a privilege for using a facility according to the difference in the read progress information. The facility writing history information corresponding to facility use is written on a portable medium by the first writing device,
Reading the written facility use history information from the portable medium by a first reading device,
Providing information content corresponding to the read facility use history information from a content providing device;
The progress information of the use of the information content in the content providing device is written to the portable medium by a second writing device,
Reading the written progress information from the portable medium by a second reading device;
A processing apparatus specifies a privilege for using the facility according to the difference in the read progress information. A writing unit that writes facility usage history information to a portable medium according to facility usage;
A reading unit for reading progress information on the use of information content written in advance on the portable medium;
A service product providing facility apparatus comprising: a processing unit that identifies a privilege for using the facility according to the difference in the read progress information. A reading unit for reading facility use history information written in advance on a portable medium;
A content providing unit for providing information content corresponding to the read facility use history information;
A content providing apparatus comprising: a writing unit that writes progress information on the use of the information content on the portable medium. The reading unit can also read specific information individually given and held in the portable medium,
A recording unit that records information related to the privilege used by the user in association with the read-out specific information;
The service product providing facility apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit refers to / uses the recorded information to identify the privilege when using the facility.

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