JP7093572B2 - Media provision system, media provision method and computer program - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Law 1. Publication by e-mail delivery E-mail delivery date Reiwa March 9, 2020 E-mail delivered "KONAMI Amusement Information" dated March 10, 2020 2. Publication date of public website through telecommunication line March 11, 2nd year Website address https: // p. ageate. 573. jp / game / card_connect / 1 / news / index. html 3. Release by internal announcement of game application Announcement date March 9, 2nd year Target game application Game application for smartphones "Dankira !!!-Boys, be DANCE!-" 4. Public release by implementing online update Date of implementation of update March 12, 2nd year Reiwa Installation location of target amusement machine https: // p. ageate. 573. jp / game / facility / search / p / index. html? gkey = CARDCONNECT 5. Release by distribution of application program Distribution start date March 12, 2nd year Distribution application program Game application for smartphones "Dankira !!!-Boys, be DANCE!-"

The present invention relates to a medium providing system or the like for generating and outputting a physical medium such as a card.

As an example of a system that provides a physical medium to a user, a card to be given to the user of the game is determined by lottery or the like, and the information of the card is recorded in association with the user information of the owner or the user. A system for printing a card with a printer and providing it to a user is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-42239

In the system of Patent Document 1, the printed content of the card is fixed to the content prepared in advance on the system side. Therefore, it is not possible to output a card containing user-specific contents from the system. There is also a system that outputs a user-specific card by printing personal information such as the user's name on the card, but personal information is set as an essential print item and provides a card that reflects the user's intention. Then there is room for improvement.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a medium providing system or the like capable of providing a physical medium having an appearance according to the user's intention.

The medium providing system according to one aspect of the present invention is a medium providing system including a medium output device that generates and outputs a physical medium having an appearance based on predetermined medium information, and is an addition provided by a user. An additional information acquisition means for acquiring information, a selection means for selecting whether to add an additional element corresponding to the acquired additional information to the appearance of the physical medium based on a user's instruction, and the additional element. When the addition of is selected, it is provided with a medium output control means for controlling the medium output device so that a physical medium to which an additional element corresponding to the additional information is added is generated and output. be.

The control method of the medium providing system according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method applied to a medium providing system including a medium output device that generates and outputs a physical medium having an appearance based on predetermined medium information. Therefore, the procedure for acquiring additional information provided by the user to the computer of the medium providing system, and whether or not to add an additional element corresponding to the acquired additional information to the appearance of the physical medium are determined by the user. The procedure for selecting based on the instruction, and when the addition of the additional element is selected, the medium output device is controlled so that the physical medium to which the additional element corresponding to the additional information is added is generated and output. It is to execute the procedure to be performed.

The computer program according to one aspect of the present invention is a computer program applied to a medium providing system including a medium output device that generates and outputs a physical medium having an appearance based on predetermined medium information, and is described above. The computer of the medium providing system is instructed by the user whether or not to add an additional information acquisition means for acquiring additional information provided by the user and an additional element corresponding to the acquired additional information to the appearance of the physical medium. When the selection means to be selected based on the above and the addition of the additional element are selected, the medium output device is controlled so that the physical medium to which the additional element corresponding to the additional information is added is generated and output. It is configured to function as a medium output control means.

The figure which shows an example of the whole structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. The figure which shows the outline of the process performed for printing out a card by the card vendor of FIG. The figure which shows the outline of the lottery print. The figure which shows an example of the character card printed by lottery print. The figure which shows the outline of the profile print. The figure which shows an example of the profile card printed by the profile print. The figure which shows an example of the memorial card printed by the memorial print. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the control system of a server. The figure which shows an example of the structure of a game machine, a card vendor, and a user terminal. A flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the lottery print process. The figure which shows an example of the selection screen for selecting a card to be printed. The figure which shows an example of the selection screen for selecting the card which is the target of printing and addition of an additional element. A flowchart showing an example of a procedure of code output processing for outputting a two-dimensional code on a user terminal.

(overall structure)
First, an example of the overall configuration of the game system provided as an example of the medium providing system according to one embodiment of the invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the game system 1 may be referred to as a server 2 and a plurality of game machines 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D (hereinafter, referred to as game machines 3) capable of functioning as a client of the server 2. There is) and card vendor 4. Further, in the game system 1, a user terminal 5 as an example of a user device can also be used as a client of the server 2. The server 2 may be configured as one physical server using a single computer device, or may be configured as a logical server in which a plurality of computer devices are combined. The server 2 may be provided separately as a server for a game machine that provides various services for the game machine 3 and the card vendor 4 and a server for the user terminal that provides various services for the user terminal 5.

The game machines 3A to 3D are examples of game devices that provide users with games of different types, and are examples of service devices that provide users with various services (including game play) associated with the game. Corresponds to. Although four types of game machines 3A to 3D are shown in FIG. 1, the type of the game machine 3 may be appropriate. The content of the game provided by each game machine 3 may be appropriate. For example, a music game, a dance game, a board game such as mahjong, and various other games may be provided on the game machine 3. The types of games may be distinguished from each other from an appropriate point of view. For example, the type of game may be distinguished from the genre, title, version, and other appropriate viewpoints of the game. The game machine 3 is provided as a business game machine that allows a user to play a game in exchange for payment of a fee or provides a service related to the game to the user. The game machine 3 is installed in a store 6 as an example of a facility that operates a profitable business using the game machine 3. Although a single store 6 is shown in FIG. 1, there are actually a plurality of stores 6, and at least one game machine 3 is installed in each store 6. It should be noted that the game machine for business use is not limited to the type in which a play fee is charged to the user each time the game is played. Game machines that receive comprehensive fees from users in the form of admission fees and membership fees and are used to freely play games within a predetermined range in exchange for them are also included in the category of commercial game machines. The fee is an example of consideration for the service, and the payment may be made by cash payment or may be so-called cashless payment using electronic currency or the like. Further, at least a part of the consideration may be paid by the consumption of alternative currencies such as medals and tokens, or points or other game values.

The card vendor 4 is an example of a medium output device that prints a card associated with a game and outputs it to a user. At least one card vendor 4 is installed in each store 6. The card is an example of a physical medium. The card vendor 4 is provided as a device for business use by printing out a card in exchange for payment of a fee (compensation). As for the payment of the fee, an appropriate payment method may be adopted as in the game machine 3.

The user terminal 5 is an information communication device possessed by the user and used for personal use. For example, a portable information communication terminal device such as a smartphone may be used as the user terminal 5. An information communication device such as a mobile PC or a portable game machine may be used as the user terminal 5. An application program for causing a user to play a predetermined game is implemented in the user terminal 5. By executing the application program, the user terminal 5 also functions as an example of a game device that can cooperate with the card vendor 4.

Information communication between the server 2 and the game machine 3, the card vendor 4, and the user terminal 5 is possible via the network 7. The network 7 includes a LAN 7a for each store 6 configured to accommodate the game machine 3 and the card vendor 4 in the same store 6, and a WAN 7b for connecting the LAN 7a and the server 2. WAN7b is an example of the Internet. The LAN 7a is connected to the WAN 7b via a router 7c installed in each store 6. The user terminal 5 is connected to the WAN 7b via an access point 7d prepared by a communication company or the like. The server 2 may also be connected to the WAN 7b with an appropriate configuration.

In the game system 1, there are a virtual card displayed on the screen of the card vendor 4 and the like, and a card as a physical entity printed out to the user by the card vendor 4. In the following, the former may be referred to as a virtual card and the latter as a real card to distinguish between the two.

(Overview of card printing process)
FIG. 2 shows an outline of the processing performed for the card vendor 4 to print out the actual card. The card vendor 4 first performs a standby process of waiting for a user's start operation while displaying a title screen or the like (step S1). When the user performs a predetermined start operation on the card vendor 4, a user authentication process in which the server 2 authenticates the user via the card vendor 4 is performed (step S2). When the user authentication is completed, a content selection process for allowing the user to select which type of game the actual card should be printed is performed (step S3). When the type of the game is selected, the process shifts to the content home that allows the user to select the type (or type) of the actual card to be printed (step S4). In the content home processing, any one of the three types of lottery print, profile print, and memorial print can be selected. When the type of the actual card is selected, a process of setting the print condition (corresponding to an example of the output condition) of the card corresponding to the selected type is performed based on the user's instruction (steps S5 to S7). ..

When the printing conditions are set by lottery printing, profile printing, or memorial printing, the fee required for printing is settled (step S8), and then printing is started (step S9). After printing starts, the process is returned to the content home. When the user again selects one of the three types of lottery print, profile print, and memorial print at the content home, a process of setting print conditions corresponding to the selected type is performed (step S5). ~ S7). The process may be returned directly to the content select after the start of printing. In that case, it is possible to present the user with a type of game different from the type of the previously selected game and give the user an opportunity to select the game. If there is no type selection in the content home, a print wait process that waits until printing is completed is performed (step S10), and when printing is completed, a process of ending one play and canceling user authentication is performed (step). S11). After that, the card vendor 4 returns to the standby process of step S1. It is also possible to return the process from the content home in step S4 to the content select in step S3 according to the instruction of the user. Further, according to the user's instruction, the process may proceed from the content selection in step S3 to the print standby in step S10.

Next, the outlines of the lottery print, the profile print, and the memorial print performed in steps S5 to S7 of FIG. 2 will be described in order.

(Lottery print)
FIG. 3 shows an example of a printing procedure in lottery printing (step S5 in FIG. 2). In the lottery print, one virtual card Cv to be given to the user is selected by lottery from the selection candidate card group GC1 as an example of the selection range including a plurality of virtual card Cvs associated with the game. The card group GC1 is prepared separately for each title of the game provided by each of the game machine 3 and the user terminal 5. The title of a game is an example of a concept that distinguishes between different games, and is different from the type of game. For example, there may be games of the same type but different titles. The lottery of the virtual card Cv is performed for the card group GC1 corresponding to the title of the game selected by the user.

When the virtual card Cv is selected by lottery, the selected virtual card Cv is incorporated into the print candidate card group GC2 as an example of the output candidate. The card group GC2 is a set of virtual cards Cv that the user has acquired but has not yet instructed to print. For example, the virtual card Cv selected in the lottery this time or earlier and whose printing is suspended, or the virtual card Cv exchanged with another user may be included in the card group GC2. When the user selects the output target, that is, the virtual card Cv to be printed from the print candidate card group GC2 and instructs the print output, the actual card Cr corresponding to the selected virtual card Cv is printed and output by the card vendor 4. Will be done.

Regarding the printing of the actual card Cr, it is possible to select whether to print by adding an appropriate additional element AE to the appearance or to print without adding the additional element AE, based on the user's instruction. be. Printing of the additional element AE is performed according to the following procedure. First, an application program for a game is executed on the user terminal 5, and a two-dimensional code CD in which additional information IA is recorded is output by using the function of the program. Additional information IA includes, for example, the user's name in the game of the user terminal 5, the profile of the user in the game such as the title, the profile of the character acquired in the game, the progress of the game, the item acquired in the game, and the like. Various information associated with the game in the game may be generated. Even if the code required to form a certain relationship such as friends between users, the right to vote for popularity votes targeting a specific character group, event information associated with the game, etc. are set as additional information IA. good. The additional information IA may be appropriately set as long as it is the basis of the additional element AE to be printed on the card.

The two-dimensional code CD is an example of a code in which additional information is recorded in an optically readable manner by the card vendor 4. Not limited to the two-dimensional code CD, various codes such as a one-dimensional code may be used for recording the additional information IA. Symbols that represent meanings such as letters and numbers may be used as at least part of the code. The additional information IA may be recorded on the two-dimensional code CD in an encrypted state so that it can be acquired only by the card vendor 4. In that case, the card vendor 4 side can acquire the additional information IA by decoding the information recorded on the two-dimensional code CD by a predetermined procedure. Even if the two-dimensional code CD is read by using an optical reading device other than the card vendor 4, it is impossible to decode and acquire the additional information IA from the obtained information.

In addition to the additional information IA, the incidental information IS may be recorded on the two-dimensional code CD. Ancillary information IS is information that is not premised on printing on the actual card Cr. For example, various information for the purpose of notification to the user, advertisement, etc., such as link information to a website containing a campaign for linking the game of the user terminal 5 and the card vendor 4, is a two-dimensional code as ancillary information IS. It may be recorded on a CD. The incidental information IS may be recorded on the two-dimensional code CD without being encrypted. Thereby, by reading the two-dimensional code CD using an optical reading device other than the card vendor 4, it is possible to notify the user of the campaign information and the like.

After having the card vendor 4 acquire the additional information IA, it is selected based on the user's instruction whether or not the additional element AE corresponding to the additional information IA should be added to the actual card Cr. When a plurality of virtual card Cvs are selected as print targets, it may be selected whether or not to add an additional element AE for each virtual card Cv to be printed. Then, with respect to the virtual card Cv in which the addition of the additional element AE is selected, the corresponding real card Cr is printed out in a manner in which the additional element AE is added. On the other hand, with respect to the virtual card Cv in which the addition of the additional element AE is not selected, the corresponding real card Cr is printed out in a manner in which the addition of the additional element AE is not added.

When printing the actual card Cr, the user needs to pay the price. The printing consideration may be charged for each time the user requests a lottery at the card vendor 4, or may be charged according to the number of printed sheets. When an opportunity to draw a virtual card Cv in association with the game play on the game machine 3 is given, the user is provided with the consideration for printing the actual card Cr corresponding to the virtual card Cv so as to be included in the game play fee. You may be charged. Also in the case of printing the actual card Cr corresponding to the game of the user terminal 5, for example, the price for printing may be charged in association with the lottery, or the charge may be charged in association with the number of printed sheets. In any case, an appropriate billing system may be set for the lottery of the virtual card Cv and the printing of the actual card Cr. The user may be able to select a special process for printing the actual card Cr. Additional charges may be incurred in response to that choice. As the special processing, options such as processing for adding a glossy feeling, hologram processing, and selection of a high-quality printing mount may be prepared.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a character card 100 output in association with a game of a user terminal 5 as an example of an actual card Cr in a lottery print. The character card 100 is an example of a real card Cr having an appearance associated with a game played on the user terminal 5. On the surface of the character card 100, for example, a character image 101 representing a character appearing in a game of a user terminal 5 is printed. The character image 101 is different for each character. Even if the characters are the same, the character image 101 may be differentiated according to the magnitude of the value such as the rarity of the actual card Cr. As a result, the card vendor 4 can selectively print a plurality of character cards 100 having different appearances from each other. On the other hand, the back surface of the character card 100 differs depending on the presence or absence of the additional element AE. The back surface A is an example of the back surface of the character card 100 when the additional element AE is not added. In this example, the title image 102 expressing the logo or mark of the title of the game provided by the user terminal 5 and the two-dimensional code 103 associated with the game are printed. As an example, the two-dimensional code 103 records the URL of a website for downloading an application program for making the user terminal 5 function as a game device. In addition to this, the two-dimensional code 103 may record various types of information for the purpose of advertising and promoting the game. However, the information recorded in the two-dimensional code 103 is prepared in advance by the operating entity of the game system 1 and does not depend on the additional information IA provided from the user terminal 5.

The back surface B in FIG. 4 is an example of the back surface of the character card 100 when the additional element AE is added. In this case, the title image 102 and the two-dimensional code 103 are printed as in the case of the back surface A, but in addition to them, the profile unit 104 is printed as an example of the additional element AE. The profile unit 104 further includes, for example, an information unit 104a indicating a name and a title in the user's game, and a memo unit 104b. Information such as the name of the information unit 104a is included in the additional information IA recorded on the two-dimensional code CD output by the user terminal 5, and the information unit 104a has the name determined based on the additional information IA. Etc. are printed. The memo unit 104b is a handwritten column for the user or the like to write an appropriate matter after the print output of the character card 100. The profile unit 104 is not limited to the format shown in the figure, and may be configured in an appropriate format. The profile unit 104 of FIG. 4 is an example of the additional element AE shown in FIG. 3, and the content of the additional element AE may be appropriately changed according to the additional information IA. For example, an additional element AE corresponding to various additional information IA associated with the game on the user terminal 5, such as a profile of a character acquired in the game, a progress status of the game, an item acquired in the game, etc., is printed on the actual card Cr. You can do it. Additional Information If the IA contains codes necessary to form certain relationships such as friends, voting rights for popularity votes for specific character groups, event information associated with the game, etc., those The code corresponding to the additional information IA may be recorded on the actual card Cr as the additional element AE.

As described above, in the game system 1, by providing the additional information IA from the user terminal 5 to the card vendor 4 via the two-dimensional code CD, an additional element AE related to the game played on the user terminal 5 is added. Then, a real card Cr having an appearance related to the game can be printed out. Thereby, it is possible to provide the actual card Cr with originality to the user. By providing the additional information IA from the user terminal 5, it is possible to add various additional element AEs that are not bound by the range prepared in advance on the card vendor 4 side to the actual card Cr. Thereby, it is possible to provide a wide variety of real card Crs full of originality, and it is possible to enhance the flexibility or expandability of the real card Crs. By selecting whether or not to add the additional element AE based on the user's instruction, the appearance is in line with both the user who wants to add the additional element AE and the user who does not want to add the additional element AE. It is possible to provide a real card Cr.

In order to acquire the additional information IA by reading the two-dimensional code CD by the card vendor 4, the user device such as the user terminal 5 that is the provider of the additional information IA is sent to the server 2 of the game system 1 or to the card vendor 4. Compared to the case of accessing and providing the additional information IA by communication, the degree of freedom and flexibility regarding the acquisition of the additional information IA and the addition of the corresponding additional element AE are high, and it is necessary to acquire and add them. The burden of work, processing, etc. required for work or processing is also reduced. For example, when the game provided by the user terminal 5 is managed by a system different from the game system 1, a program for connecting the user terminal 5 to the server 2 of the game system 1 is provided for each. It is necessary to take various measures such as implementing it in the system or introducing a mechanism to ensure security in each system. However, when the additional information IA is provided via the two-dimensional code CD, it is possible to acquire the additional information IA if the specifications such as the format of the two-dimensional code CD are adjusted to the convenience of the game system 1. Moreover, if the data necessary for adding the additional element AE is additionally implemented on the game system 1, it is possible to add the additional element AE corresponding to the new additional information IA. Therefore, the degree of freedom and flexibility of the acquisition of additional information IA and the addition of the corresponding additional element AE are high, and there are few additions and changes of various additional information IA even after the start of operation of the card vendor 4. It is possible to easily deal with it at a burden.

(Profile print)
FIG. 5 shows an example of the procedure for printing a card in profile printing. In profile printing (step S6 in FIG. 2), a card (actual card) that can be used to set a predetermined game-related relationship between users is printed. For example, a real card for setting relationships such as friends, groups, and rivals among game users is printed on the profile print.

In the case of profile printing, a user who wishes to print a card (hereinafter, may be referred to as a target user) first performs an operation of designating print contents on the game machine 3 or the user terminal 5, and then performs an operation to specify the print contents to the server 2. A reservation is made for printing an actual card (hereinafter, may be referred to as a profile card) in printing (FIG. 5 (a)). It may be possible for the user to browse the print reservation information of the profile card stored in the server 2 on the user terminal 5 and make adjustments such as processing, correction, and addition of the print contents.

The print reservation information stored in the server 2 is provided to the card vendor 4 based on the instruction of the target user. When the user selects profile print at the card vendor 4, the profile card 110 as an example of the actual card Cr is printed out to the target user based on the information of the given print reservation (FIG. 5). (B)).

FIG. 6 shows an example of the profile card 110. The profile card 110 of FIG. 6 is a card that is printed out in association with a dance game. On the surface of the profile card 110, information such as a play image 111a of the target user being played by the camera of the game machine 3, a name (may be a nickname, etc.) 111b used by the target user in the game, and a play time 111c. Is recorded as an example of the symbolic information 111 for identifying the target user. A two-dimensional code 113 and an image 114 symbolizing the game title are recorded on the back surface of the profile card 110. In FIG. 6, the play image 111a shows the user in a white state, but the image taken by the user is actually recorded as the play image 111a.

In the two-dimensional code 113, setting information necessary for setting a relationship such as a friend between the target user and another user is embedded. For example, a user ID as user identification information for identifying a target user is embedded in the two-dimensional code 113. The group ID or the like of the group to which the target user belongs may be embedded in the two-dimensional code 113. Another user who received the profile card 110 receives the user authentication of the game machine 3 and causes the game machine 3 to read the information of the two-dimensional code 113 of the profile card 110, so that the user and the target user are friends. Etc. are set.

(Memorial print)
In the memorial print (step S7 in FIG. 2), a card (actual card) commemorating the user playing the game is printed. The procedure is the same as the profile print procedure shown in FIG. 5, and the print reservation information indicating the print content is transmitted from the game machine 3 to the server 2 and stored in the server 2 to be instructed by the target user. Based on this, the reservation information of the server 2 is provided to the card vendor 4, and the memorial card 120 corresponding to the reservation information is printed out as Cr of the actual card. The memorial card 120 may be printed with appropriate content that has value as a memorial to the play of the game. For example, game screenshots, pre-prepared commemorative images, symbols, etc. may be included as appropriate.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the memorial card 120 output in association with the dance game. In the memorial card 120 of FIG. 7, an image 120a during play by the user is recorded on the front surface, and a text 120b indicating the name of the user and the date and time of play is recorded as commemorative information on the back surface. Further, in the memorial card 120 of FIG. 7, an object 121 for decorating the image 120a and a background image 122 showing a game title and the like are also recorded. Since the memorial card 120 is a card having a souvenir property that is not supposed to be read by the game machine 3, an information recording unit such as the two-dimensional code 103 in FIG. 4 or the two-dimensional code 113 in FIG. 6 is used. I don't have it. However, the memorial card 120 may be provided with a two-dimensional code in which information for the purpose of advertising to the user is recorded.

(Game system control system)
Next, an example of the configuration of the control system of the game system 1 for printing the various cards described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 shows an example of a main part of the control system in the server 2. The server 2 includes a control unit 10 and a storage unit 11. The control unit 10 is configured as a computer unit including a microprocessor and an internal storage device necessary for its operation. The storage unit 11 is a storage device capable of holding storage using a magnetic disk or the like, and functions as an external storage device for the control unit 10. The database server may be used as at least part of the storage unit 11.

For example, game data Dg and play data Dp are recorded in the storage unit 11 as data to be referred to by the server 2. The game data Dg includes various data such as image data and audio data to be used in the game played on the game machine 3. The game data Dg further includes card data Dc. The card data Dc contains information for identifying all the virtual card Cvs prepared for the lottery print lottery, information for displaying those virtual card Cvs, or the actual card Cr corresponding to the virtual card Cvs. It may contain information such as layouts, formats, and templates needed to print. Therefore, the card data Dc is used as an example of the medium information that is the basis for determining the appearance of the actual card Cr. Information such as the format and template of the actual card Cr output by the profile print and the memorial print may also be included in the card data Dc. The play data Dp is data for each user in which information related to the user's play of the game is stored. FIG. 8 shows the play data Dp corresponding to one user. Information on the virtual card Cv acquired by the user at the card vendor 4, information on the virtual card Cv whose printing is suspended, information on the profile card Cp reserved by the user on the game machine 3, and information on the memorial card Cm are also saved in the play data Dp. May be done.

The control unit 10 is provided with a game management unit 20 and a print management unit 21 as logical devices realized by a combination of the hardware and predetermined server programs PGs. The game management unit 20 provides the game machine 3 with various services related to the game played on the game machine 3. For example, the game management unit 20 provides services such as provision of play data Dp to the game machine 3, storage of play data Dp updated by the game machine 3, and matching between users. Further, the game management unit 20 provides the user terminal 5 with a service related to the game played on the user terminal 5. However, the game management unit 20 may be provided separately for each of the game machine 3 and the user terminal 5.

The print management unit 21 provides various services related to card printing in the card vendor 4 to the game machine 3, the card vendor 4, and the user terminal 5. In order to provide these services, the print management unit 21 is provided with a lottery print processing unit 23, a profile print processing unit 25, a memorial print processing unit 26, and a sample print processing unit 27 as further logical devices. The lottery print processing unit 23 is in charge of processing related to the lottery print, such as lottery of the virtual card Cv in the lottery print and generation of data necessary for printing the actual card Cr corresponding to the virtual card Cv. As a result, the lottery print processing unit 23 functions as an example of the item selection means. The profile print processing unit 25 is in charge of processing related to profile printing, such as reservation of printing related to profile printing and generation of data necessary for printing. The memorial print processing unit 26 is in charge of processing related to memorial printing, such as reservation of printing related to memorial printing and generation of data necessary for printing. The sample print processing unit 27 is in charge of processing necessary for printing out the actual card Cr as a sample card based on the instruction of the operator of the card vendor 4. Printing of the sample card will be described in detail later.

The control unit 10 of the server 2 is provided with a user authentication unit 28 and a payment processing unit 29 as further logical devices. The user authentication unit 28 authenticates the user in response to a request from each of the game machine 3, the card vendor 4, and the user terminal 5 as a client. The payment processing unit 29 executes payment processing for collecting charges from the user in response to requests from the game machine 3, the card vendor 4, and the user terminal 5. As the payment process, various payment processes using the network 7, such as payment by electronic currency, payment by credit card, and online payment provided by a financial institution, may be used. However, with respect to the payment in the game machine 3 and the card vendor 4, cash payment using currency may be used instead of or in addition to the payment using the network 7.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a main part of the control system in each of the game machine 3, the card vendor 4, and the user terminal 5. The game machine 3 includes a control unit 30 configured as a computer unit including a microprocessor and an internal storage device necessary for its operation. A card reader 31, a camera 32, and an operation detection device 33 are connected to the control unit 30 as input devices, and a display device 34 is connected as an output device. The card reader 31 is provided to read the user identification information necessary for user authentication from the authentication medium possessed by the user. As an example, a card including a storage unit such as a magnetic stripe or RFID is used as the authentication medium. The card referred to here is different from the actual card Cr printed by the card vendor 4. The camera 32 is used to acquire an image of the user during the game or to read the two-dimensional code 113 of the profile card 110. The operation detection device 33 detects the user's operation. For example, a touch panel arranged on the screen of the display device 34 may be used as at least a part of the operation detection device 33. The display device 34 is used for displaying a game screen or the like.

The control unit 30 is provided with a game control unit 35 and a print management unit 36 as logical devices realized by a combination of the hardware and a predetermined game machine program PGg. The game control unit 35 controls the progress of the game played by the user while referring to the output of the operation detection device 33. The print management unit 36 executes the process associated with the printing of the actual card Cr by the card vendor 4 according to the instruction of the server 2. For example, the print management unit 36 acquires information necessary for reserving printing of the profile card 110 and the memorial card 120 and provides the information to the server 2. That is, the print management unit 36 is a logical device that imparts a control function related to printing of the actual card Cr to the game machine 3.

The card vendor 4 includes a control unit 40 configured as a computer unit including a microprocessor and an internal storage device necessary for its operation. A card reader 41, an operation detection device 42, and a camera 43 are connected to the control unit 40 as input devices, and a display device 44 and a printer 45 are connected as output devices. The card reader 41 is provided to read the user identification information necessary for user authentication from the authentication medium possessed by the user. The authentication medium is as described above. The operation detection device 42 detects the user's operation. For example, a touch panel arranged on the screen of the display device 44 may be used as at least a part of the operation detection device 42. The camera 43 functions as an example of optical reading means by being used for reading a two-dimensional code CD or the like displayed on the user terminal 5. The display device 44 is used to display a guidance screen or the like in the card vendor 4. The printer 45 functions as an example of the medium output means by printing and outputting the actual card Cr.

The control unit 40 is provided with a print management unit 46, a printer control unit 47, and a code acquisition unit 48 as logical devices realized by a combination of the hardware and a predetermined vendor program PGv. The print management unit 46 executes the process associated with the printing of the actual card Cr by the card vendor 4 according to the instruction of the server 2. For example, the print management unit 46 acquires and provides the information necessary for providing the user with the services of lottery print, profile print, and memorial print according to the instruction of the server 2. That is, the print management unit 46 is a logical device that imparts a user interface function related to printing of the actual card Cr to the card vendor 4. The printer control unit 47 controls the printer 45 according to the information provided from the server 2. The code acquisition unit 48 reads the two-dimensional code CD (FIG. 3) output from the user terminal 5 and acquires the additional information IA recorded on the two-dimensional code CD. The code acquisition unit 48 may be used not only for acquiring the two-dimensional code CD displayed on the user terminal 5 but also for acquiring other information.

The user terminal 5 includes a control unit 50 configured as a computer unit including a microprocessor and an internal storage device necessary for its operation. A camera 51 and an operation detection device 52 are connected to the control unit 50 as input devices, and a display device 53 is connected as an output device. Each of the camera 51, the operation detection device 52, and the display device 53 is general-purpose hardware provided in an information communication terminal such as a smartphone.

The control unit 50 is provided with a game control unit 55 and a service management unit 56 as logical devices realized by a combination of the hardware and a predetermined user terminal program PGu. The game control unit 55 executes various processes necessary for the user to play a predetermined game on the user terminal 5 in cooperation with the server 2. For example, the game control unit 55 controls the progress of the game played by the user while referring to the output of the operation detection device 52. As a result, the game control unit 55 functions as an example of the game providing means. Further, the game control unit 55 generates the above-mentioned two-dimensional code CD in association with the game and displays it on the display device 53. The service management unit 56 provides the user terminal 5 with an interface function necessary for providing the service related to the game of the game machine 3 and the service related to the printing of the actual card Cr in the card vendor 4 to the user of the user terminal 5. It is a logical device to be given. For example, the service management unit 56 makes a reservation for the profile card Cp or the memorial card Cm, an interface function for making adjustments such as corrections to the reservation contents, or a friend or the like using the two-dimensional code 113 of the profile card Cp. Provides an interface function for setting the relationship between.

Each of the game machine 3, the card vendor 4, and the user terminal 5 may be appropriately provided with various hardware such as a storage unit that functions as an external storage device for the control units 30, 40, and 50, and an output device such as a speaker. However, those illustrations are omitted. Further, logical devices other than those shown in the drawings may be appropriately provided in each of the control units 30, 40, and 50. The programs PGs, PGg, PGv, and PGu shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are provided and installed in a state of being recorded on a predetermined storage medium. However, the programs PGg, PGv, and PGu directed to the game machine 3, the card vendor 4, and the user terminal 5 as clients may be distributed from the server 2 via the network 7.

(Processing related to printing additional elements)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13, an example of the process performed in the game system 1 for printing the actual card Cr to which the additional element AE is added will be described. FIG. 10 shows an example of a procedure of lottery print processing executed by the print management unit 46 of the card vendor 4 in cooperation with the lottery print processing unit 23 of the server 2. This process is a case where the process proceeds from the content home (S4) of FIG. 2 to the lottery print (S5), and the title of the game provided by the user terminal 5 in the content select (S3) of FIG. Is selected, and this is executed when the character card 100 of FIG. 4 is printed out as an actual card.

When the lottery print of FIG. 10 is started, the print management unit 46 executes a card lottery process for drawing a card to be given to the user from the card group GC1 of FIG. 3 (step S101). In the card lottery process, one or a plurality of virtual card Cvs may be selected by lottery based on a user's instruction. The lottery of the virtual card Cv can be executed by the print management unit 46 by the card vendor 4 acquiring information on the selection candidate card GC1 and the lottery probability of each card from the server 2. Alternatively, the card lottery process may be executed by requesting the lottery print processing unit 23 of the server 2 for the lottery and receiving the result by the print management unit 46. When the lottery print processing unit 23 executes a lottery, the print management unit 46 provides an input / output interface function for acquiring a user's instruction necessary for the lottery or presenting information to the user. In the card lottery process, a settlement process for collecting a fee as consideration for the lottery from the user may also be executed. In that case, the consideration may include at least a part of the fee required for printing the character card 100 (actual card Cr). For example, as the minimum number of prints, the consideration required for printing one character card 100 may be included in the consideration for one lottery.

When the virtual card Cv is selected by lottery, the print management unit 46 adds the selected virtual card Cv to the print candidate card group GC2 of FIG. 3 (step S102). In addition to the virtual card Cv drawn this time, the card group GC2 may include a virtual card Cv or the like that was selected in the lottery before the previous time but was not selected as a print target, and the information is stored in the play data Dp. You can do it.

Subsequently, the print management unit 46 presents the virtual card Cv included in the print candidate card group GC2 to the user via the display device 44 of the card vendor 4 (step S103). For example, the print management unit 46 causes the display device 44 to display the selection screen 200A shown in FIG. The selection screen 200A has a candidate display unit 201 for displaying a list of virtual card Cvs of print candidates, a print instruction button 202 for instructing confirmation of selection of a print target, and an information presentation unit 203 for notifying the user of reference information. Includes. The candidate display unit 201 also displays a check box 204 for selecting whether or not to set as a print target for each virtual card Cv of print candidates. Each time the check box 204 corresponding to the virtual card Cv desired to be printed is touch-operated, the target or non-target for printing is switched. In the example of FIG. 11, the chuck marks are displayed in the check boxes 204 corresponding to the virtual card Cv on the upper left and the upper right, so that the virtual card Cv is set as the print target.

The information presentation unit 203 of the selection screen 200A displays a message notifying the user that the camera 43 of the card vendor 4 should read the two-dimensional code CD (FIG. 3) when printing the additional element AE. Following the display of the selection screen 200A, the print management unit 46 causes the code acquisition unit 48 to start detecting the two-dimensional code CD (step S104). In response to this, the code acquisition unit 48 activates the camera 43 and starts reading the two-dimensional code CD. In that state, when the user holds the 2D code CD over the camera 43, the code acquisition unit 48 reads the 2D code CD through the camera 43 and decodes the additional information IA recorded on the 2D code CD. To get. The process for displaying the two-dimensional code CD on the user terminal 5 will be described later.

Next, the print management unit 46 determines whether or not the code acquisition unit 48 has acquired the additional information IA (step S105), and if so, proceeds to step S106 to obtain the virtual card Cv to be printed and the addition. The virtual card Cv to which the element AE is to be added is selected based on the user's instruction. In this case, the print management unit 46 changes the selection screen 200A to the selection screen 200B of FIG. Further, the content of the additional element AE corresponding to the acquired additional information IA, for example, the content of the profile unit 104 in FIG. 4 may be displayed on the display device 44 for confirmation at this stage.

The selection screen 200B has the same configuration as the selection screen 200A except that a check box 205 for selecting a virtual card Cv to which the additional element AE is to be added is added in the candidate display unit 201. However, the information presentation unit 203 of the selection screen 200B displays a message prompting the selection of the card to be printed with the additional element AE. If you check the check box 204 for selecting the print target and then check the check box 205, the virtual card Cv corresponding to those check boxes 204 and 205 is the print target and the additional element AE is set. It is selected as the target card to be added. In the example of FIG. 12, the virtual card Cv on the upper left is selected as the card to be printed and the target to which the additional element AE is added. It should be noted that the additional element AE cannot be selected as an addition target without being selected as a print target.

Returning to FIG. 10, the print management unit 46 determines whether or not the selection of the print target and the card to be added to the selection element is confirmed depending on whether or not the print instruction button 202 is operated after the selection screen 200B is displayed. Determination (step S107). If it is not confirmed, the print management unit 46 returns to the process of step S106. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that the additional information IA has not been acquired, the print management unit 46 continues to display the selection screen 200A and selects the virtual card Cv to be printed based on the user's instruction (). Step S108). After that, the print management unit 46 determines whether or not the selection of the card to be printed is confirmed depending on whether or not the print instruction button 202 is operated (step S109). If it is not confirmed, the print management unit 46 returns to the process of step S105.

If it is determined in step S107 or S109 that the selection is confirmed, the print management unit 46 counts the number of cards to be printed (step S110), and executes a payment process for collecting a fee according to the number of prints from the user. (Step S111). When payment in electronic currency is selected, payment processing may be performed in cooperation with the payment processing unit 29 of the server 2. If a part of the printing fee has already been settled in the lottery process in step S101, it is sufficient to settle the shortfall in step S111. When a special printing such as a process for adding a glossiness is instructed by the user, the additional charge required for the special printing may be settled in step S111.

When the payment process is completed, the print management unit 46 provides the printer control unit 47 with print data for printing the character card 100 corresponding to the virtual card Cv selected as the print target, and instructs the printer control unit 47 to start the print process. (Step S112). The print data may be generated based on the card data Dc of the server 2. The card data Dc may be acquired from the server 2 after the selection of step S107 or S109 is confirmed. Alternatively, the card data Dc may be read from the server 2 into the card vendor 4 in advance and stored, and when the step S112 is executed, print data may be generated based on the card data Dc stored in the card vendor 4. When the target card to which the additional element AE is to be added is selected by the process of step S106, the target card corresponds to the additional information IA acquired by the code acquisition unit 48 in the process of step S104. The print data is generated and passed to the printer control unit 47 so that the additional element AE to be added, for example, the profile unit 104 of FIG. 4 is added. By executing the process of step S112, the printer 45 operates under the control of the printer control unit 47, and printing of the character card 100 is started.

When the start of the print process is instructed in step S112, the print management unit 46 updates the information of the print hold card recorded in the play data Dp (step S113). The update is performed so as to exclude the virtual card Cv corresponding to the character card 100 printed this time from the reserved card. When the process of step S113 is completed, the print management unit 46 ends the process of FIG. As a result, the card vendor 4 returns to the state of the content home (S4) shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a procedure of code output processing executed by the game control unit 55 in order to output a two-dimensional code CD on the user terminal 5. The process of FIG. 13 is started when, for example, a user performs a predetermined operation while a game based on the user terminal program PGu is being executed on the user terminal 5. When the game control unit 55 starts the process of FIG. 13, first, the game control unit 55 acquires the information necessary for generating the additional information IA as reference information (step S201). For example, necessary additions such that information for specifying the user's name, title, etc. in the game is acquired as reference information based on the user's play data regarding the game played on the user terminal 5. Various information related to the game may be acquired as reference information according to the content of the information IA. The user's play data may be held in the user terminal 5 or may be held in the server 2.

Next, the game control unit 55 generates additional information IA based on the obtained reference information (step S202), and generates a two-dimensional code CD in which the generated additional information IA is recorded (step S203). Further, the game control unit 55 displays the generated two-dimensional code CD on the display device 53, and then ends the process of FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, the process of FIG. 13 continuously processes the processes of steps S201 to S204 with the user's operation as a trigger, but the processes of steps S201 to S203 are executed in advance at an appropriate time. A two-dimensional code CD may be created, and the two-dimensional code CD may be read out and displayed on the display device 53 by another operation of the user. Alternatively, the processing of steps S201 and S202 is executed at an appropriate time to generate and save the additional information IA in advance, and the additional information IA is read out by another operation of the user to execute the processing of steps S203 and S204. You may.

In the above embodiment, the code acquisition unit 48 of the card vendor 4 functions as an example of the additional information acquisition means by acquiring the additional information IA of the two-dimensional code CD corresponding to the process of step S104 of FIG. Further, the print management unit 46 of the card vendor 4 functions as an example of the output target selection means by selecting the virtual card Cv to be printed in step S106 or S108 of FIG. 10, and selects the addition target of the additional information IA. By doing so, it functions as a selection means, by selecting the addition target of the additional information IA in step S106 of FIG. 10, it functions as a selection means, and in step S112 of FIG. 10, the addition of the additional element AE is selected. Print data is generated and provided to the printer control unit 47 so that the profile unit 104 is added to the appearance of the character card 100, and the profile unit 104 is not added to the character card 100 to which the addition of the additional element AE is not selected. Is generated and provided to the printer control unit 47, thereby functioning as an example of the medium output control means. Further, the game control unit 55 of the user terminal 5 functions as an example of the additional information output means by executing the processes of steps S201 to S204 of FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and may be carried out in various modified or modified forms. For example, in the above embodiment, the print management unit 46 of the card vendor 4 proactively executes the lottery print process shown in FIG. 10, but the lottery print processing unit 23 of the server 2 proactively executes the process. May be good. For example, while the card vendor 4 functions as a remote control terminal for the server 2, steps S101 to S112 in FIG. 10 are executed by the lottery print processing unit 23, and print data is provided from the server 2 to the print management unit 46. The print management unit 46 and the printer control unit 47 may be responsible for the subsequent processing. In addition, the process of FIG. 10 may be executed while appropriately sharing between the server 2 and the card vendor 4.

The card vendor 4 is not limited to an example configured as a dedicated machine for printing and outputting an actual card Cr. In addition to the print output function, other functions may be implemented in the card vendor 4. For example, a function for causing a user to play a predetermined game may be implemented in the card vendor 4 so that the card vendor 4 can also function as a game machine.

In the above embodiment, the additional information IA is recorded on the two-dimensional code CD and displayed and output on the user terminal 5, but as described above, the additional information IA may be output in various modes. The additional information IA is not limited to the example of being recorded and output in an optically readable manner on the code. For example, the additional information IA may be output by using the wireless communication of the user terminal 5 or the short-range communication function, and the additional information acquisition means also receives and acquires the additional information IA transmitted from the user terminal 5. It may be provided in. Further, the acquisition of the additional information IA is not limited to the example in which the output from the user terminal 5 is directly received by the card vendor 4. For example, additional information IA may be sent from the user terminal 5 to the card vendor 4 via the server 2. Alternatively, the user terminal 5 displays and outputs the additional information IA using symbols indicating the meanings of characters, numbers, etc., and the user who reads it manually inputs the additional information IA to the card vendor 4. You may do it.

In the above embodiment, the game control unit 55 of the user terminal 5 executes both the generation of the additional information IA and the two-dimensional code CD, but the user generates the additional information IA and the two-dimensional code CD on the server 2 side. It may be provided to the terminal 5.

In the above embodiment, one type of profile unit 104 is added to the appearance of the character card 100 as an additional element AE corresponding to the additional information IA, but a plurality of types of additional element AEs can be added based on the additional information IA, and the user One or more additional elements AE may be selectively added to the character card 100 based on the instruction of. Alternatively, a plurality of types of additional information IA may be recorded on the two-dimensional code CD, and the card vendor 4 may selectively acquire one or more types of additional information IA based on the user's instruction. Further, the additional element AE may include information that is read by the game machine 3 and has a certain influence on the game of the game machine 3. The additional element AE does not necessarily have to exhibit the newly prepared appearance in association with the additional information IA as a whole. Even if a part of various appearance elements to be expressed on a physical medium is changed, for example, an image whose appearance is changed by equipping a character image with a specific item is added as an additional element AE. good.

In the above embodiment, the character card 100 as an example of the physical medium is printed by adding the profile unit 104 as an example of the additional element AE, but the physical medium is limited to the example provided to the user through a lottery. It may be provided to the user according to an appropriate procedure. The physical medium is not limited to the card as a printed matter, and may be output as a three-dimensional medium or may be output as a medium having some function such as a seal.

In the above embodiment, the character card 100 having the appearance related to the game provided by the user terminal 5 is provided to the user, and the additional element AE added to the character card 100 is also associated with the game of the user terminal 5. Although based on the additional information IA provided, the physical medium provided by the media providing system of the present invention is not limited to the form having the appearance associated with the game, and has various appearances. A physical medium may be provided. The additional elements to be added to the appearance of the physical medium are not limited to the examples related to the game of the user apparatus, and additional elements corresponding to various additional information may be added to the appearance of the physical medium. The user device is not limited to the example of providing the play of the game, and may be provided so as to provide various services or functions to the user.

Various embodiments of the present invention derived from each of the above-described embodiments and modifications are described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, the corresponding components shown in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, whereby the present invention is limited to the illustrated form. It's not something.

The medium providing system according to one aspect of the present invention provides a medium including a medium output device (4) that generates and outputs a physical medium (Cr, 100) having an appearance based on predetermined medium information (Dc). The physical system (1) includes additional information acquisition means (48, S104) for acquiring additional information (IA) provided by the user, and additional elements (AE, 104) corresponding to the acquired additional information. Selection means (46, 106) for selecting whether or not to add to the appearance of the target medium based on the user's instruction, and when the addition of the additional element is selected, the additional element corresponding to the additional information is added. It is provided with a medium output control means (46, S112) for controlling the medium output device so that the physical medium is generated and output.

The control method of the medium providing system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a medium output device (4) that generates and outputs a physical medium (Cr, 100) having an appearance based on predetermined medium information (Dc). A control method applied to the media providing system (1), which is a procedure (S104) for acquiring additional information (IA) provided by a user to a computer (40) of the media providing system, and an acquired addition. A procedure (S106) for selecting whether or not to add an additional element (AE) corresponding to the information to the appearance of the physical medium based on the user's instruction, and when the addition of the additional element is selected, the above. The procedure (S112) for controlling the medium output device so that a physical medium to which additional elements corresponding to additional information are added is generated and output is executed.

The computer program according to one aspect of the present invention is a medium providing system including a medium output device (4) that generates and outputs a physical medium (Cr, 100) having an appearance based on predetermined medium information (Dc). Additional information acquisition means (48, S104), which is a computer program (PGv) applied to (1) and acquires additional information (IA) provided by a user to the computer (40) of the medium providing system. Selection means (46, S106) for selecting whether or not to add an additional element (AE) corresponding to the acquired additional information to the appearance of the physical medium based on the user's instruction, and addition of the additional element. When is selected, it functions as a medium output control means (46, S112) that controls the medium output device so that a physical medium to which an additional element corresponding to the additional information is added is generated and output. It is configured as follows.

According to the above aspect, the physics with originality to the user is obtained by acquiring the additional information provided by the user, adding the additional element corresponding to the obtained additional information to the appearance, and outputting the physical medium. It is possible to provide a target medium. By providing additional information from the user side, it is possible to add various additional elements that are not bound by the range prepared in advance to the physical medium. As a result, it is possible to provide a wide variety of physical media full of originality, and it is possible to increase the flexibility or expandability of the provision of physical media. By selecting whether or not to add an additional element based on the user's instruction, the physical appearance of the user who wants to add the additional element and the user who does not want to add the additional element are in line with the intention. It is possible to provide a medium.

The computer program according to one aspect of the present invention may be provided in a state of being stored in a storage medium. By using this storage medium, for example, by installing and executing a computer program according to the present invention on a computer, the system of the present invention can be realized by using the computer. The storage medium for storing the computer program may be a non-transient storage medium such as a CDROM.

The media providing system of the above aspect may include additional information output means (55, S201 to S204) for outputting the additional information to a predetermined user device, and the additional information acquisition means outputs from the additional information output means. You may get the additional information provided. According to this, by outputting additional information on the user device, various additional information is output based on various information held by the user device, and the additional elements corresponding to the additional information are the appearance of the physical medium. It is possible to add to.

Further, the media providing system includes a game providing means (55) for causing the user to play a predetermined game on the user device, and the additional information output means includes the information associated with the game. May be output to the user device, and the medium output control means may cause the medium output device to generate the physical medium based on the medium information so as to have an appearance associated with the game. According to this, the information associated with the game provided by the user device is acquired by the additional information acquisition means as additional information, and the same game is created with respect to the physical medium having the appearance associated with the game. It is possible to add related additional elements based on the user's instructions.

The additional information output means outputs a code (CD) in which the additional information is recorded in an optically readable manner, and the medium providing system optically records the additional information recorded in the code. An optical reading means (43) for reading may be provided, and the additional information acquisition means may acquire the additional information via the optical reading means. According to this, it is possible to acquire additional information from the user device by a relatively simple mechanism of optically reading the code output by the user device. Additional information can be obtained simply by outputting the code from the user device according to the predetermined specifications. Therefore, compared to the case of acquiring additional information via a communication line, there is a high degree of freedom and flexibility regarding the acquisition of additional information and the addition of corresponding additional elements, and the program necessary for acquiring and adding such information. The burden required for work such as implementation of such information or ensuring security is also reduced.

The additional information is encrypted and recorded in the code, and unencrypted incidental information (IS) is recorded, and the additional information acquisition means decodes the information read by the optical reading means. The additional information may be obtained. According to this, the acquisition of additional information is controlled so that the additional information cannot be decoded unless the information read by the optical reading means is decoded by the additional information acquisition means, while the general-purpose reading means is used for the incidental information. But you can use the information in the code properly so that you can get it. Therefore, it is possible to expand the use of the code by recording information intended to be widely known to the general public, such as advertising information, as incidental information.

The optical reading means may be provided in the medium output device. This allows additional information to be provided directly from the user device to the media output device. Thereby, the user who operates the medium output device can easily acquire additional information on the spot.

Output target selection means (46) that presents to the user an output candidate (GC2) corresponding to each of the plurality of physical media having different appearances, and selects at least one physical medium to be output based on the user's instruction. , S106, S108), the selection means selects whether or not to add the additional element for each physical medium selected as the output target based on the user's instruction, and the medium output control means. Causes the medium output device to generate the physical medium selected as the output target, and outputs the physical medium to which the additional element is added to the medium output for the physical medium from which the addition of the additional element is selected. It may be generated by the device. According to this, it is possible for the user to select whether or not to add an additional element for each physical medium desired to be output, and to provide the physical medium further according to the user's intention. Can be done.

1 Game system (media provision system)
4 Card vendor (media output device)
5 User terminal (user device)
43 Camera (optical reading means)
46 Print management unit (selection means, medium output control means, output target selection means)
48 Code acquisition unit (additional information acquisition means)
55 Game control unit (game providing means, additional information output means)
100 character card (physical medium)
104 Profile part (additional element)
AE additional element CD 2D code GC2 Print candidate card group (output candidate)
IA additional information IS incidental information

Claims (8)

A medium providing system including a medium output device that generates and outputs a physical medium having an appearance based on predetermined medium information.
An additional information generating means for generating additional information for adding an additional element to the appearance of the physical medium based on reference information acquired by a user apparatus possessed by the user.
An additional information output means for outputting the generated additional information from the user device, and
An additional information acquisition means for acquiring additional information output from the user device , and
A selection means for selecting whether or not to add an additional element corresponding to the acquired additional information to the appearance of the physical medium based on the user's instruction.
When the addition of the additional element is selected, the medium output control means for controlling the medium output device so that the physical medium to which the additional element corresponding to the additional information is added is generated and output.
Media provision system equipped with. A game providing means for causing the user to play a predetermined game on the user device is provided.
The additional information generation means acquires the information associated with the game as the reference information and generates the additional information based on the reference information.
The media providing system according to claim 1 , wherein the media output control means causes the media output device to generate the physical medium based on the media information so as to have an appearance associated with the game. The additional information output means outputs a code in which the additional information is recorded in an optically readable manner.
The media providing system is provided with an optical reading means for optically reading the additional information recorded in the code.
The media providing system according to claim 2, wherein the additional information acquisition means acquires the additional information via the optical reading means. In the code, the additional information is encrypted and recorded, and at the same time, unencrypted incidental information is recorded.
The media providing system according to claim 3 , wherein the additional information acquisition means decodes the information read by the optical reading means and acquires the additional information. The media providing system according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the optical reading means is provided in the medium output device. An output target selection means for presenting an output candidate corresponding to each of the plurality of physical media having different appearances to the user and selecting at least one physical medium to be output based on the user's instruction is provided.
The selection means selects whether or not to add the additional element for each physical medium selected as the output target based on the instruction of the user.
The medium output control means causes the medium output device to generate the physical medium selected as the output target, and the physical medium to which the additional element is selected is physically added with the additional element. The medium providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the medium is generated by the medium output device. A control method applied to a medium providing system including a medium output device that generates and outputs a physical medium having an appearance based on predetermined medium information, and is applied to a computer of the medium providing system.
A procedure for generating additional information for adding an additional element to the appearance of the physical medium based on reference information acquired by a user device possessed by the user.
Procedure for outputting the generated additional information from the user device,
Procedure for acquiring additional information output from the user device ,
A procedure for selecting whether or not to add an additional element corresponding to the acquired additional information to the appearance of the physical medium based on the user's instruction, and if the addition of the additional element is selected, the additional information. A procedure for controlling the medium output device so that a physical medium having an additional element corresponding to the above is generated and output.
How to control the media providing system to execute. A computer program applied to a medium providing system including a medium output device that generates and outputs a physical medium having an appearance based on predetermined medium information, wherein the computer of the medium providing system is used.
An additional information generating means, which generates additional information for adding an additional element to the appearance of the physical medium based on reference information acquired by a user apparatus possessed by the user.
Additional information output means for outputting the generated additional information from the user device,
Additional information acquisition means for acquiring additional information output from the user device ,
A selection means for selecting whether or not to add an additional element corresponding to the acquired additional information to the appearance of the physical medium based on the user's instruction, and if the addition of the additional element is selected, the addition. A medium output control means that controls the medium output device so that a physical medium to which additional elements corresponding to information are added is generated and output.
A computer program configured to function as.

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