JP7606712B2 - Information processing system, information processing method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a computer program.

In recent years, there has been active development of technology related to crowdfunding. Crowdfunding involves providing funds provided by users using online payment functions to users seeking funds.

Generally, there are two types of projects: "commitment-to-execution" and "execution-when-achieved" (Non-Patent Document 1, etc.).

"Guaranteed execution" refers to a type of project in which the execution of the project is guaranteed at the time recruitment of participants begins, regardless of the total amount of participation fee paid by those who wish to participate.

"Activate upon achievement" is a type of project in which a certain target amount is set for the total participation fee paid by those who wish to participate, and the project is established only if the target amount is reached within the recruitment period set at the start of the project, and if the target amount is not reached, the project is not established.

11-2. What is the difference between the achievement execution type and the execution guarantee type? [online], Fanbeats Management Office, [searched on March 23, 2020], (Fanbeats support > Projects > 11. Participating in a project), Internet <URL: https://faq.fanbeats.jp/hc/ja>

Normally, if a "set-on-go" project fails to be completed, the participation fee payment is automatically canceled.

This has the effect of dissipating participants' motivation to pay the participation fee.
This problem of participants losing their willingness to pay the participation fee can occur not only in crowdfunding but also in online auctions.

The object of the present disclosure is therefore to provide technical improvements that solve or mitigate at least some of the problems of the prior art discussed above.

A more specific object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a computer program that do not waste bidders' willingness to pay in an online auction.

The information processing system in this invention is characterized by comprising: a storage unit that stores a target amount and deadline for funds to be raised in association with a first project; a reception unit that receives funds for the first project from a user terminal operated by a user; a determination unit that determines whether the total amount of funds received by the reception unit has reached the target amount when the deadline has passed; a confirmation unit that confirms the settlement of the funds received by the reception unit when the determination unit determines that the total amount of funds has reached the target amount; and an association unit that associates users who have provided funds to the first project with a first user group and stores in the storage unit information to be presented that is information for utilizing the funds provided to the first project for other purposes when the determination unit determines that the total amount of funds has not reached the target amount.

The information processing system of the present disclosure may further include a project identification unit that identifies a second project that is different from the first project and is eligible for funding, and a first transmission unit that transmits information about the second project identified by the project identification unit as utilization information to a user terminal operated by a user included in the first user group.

The association unit can further associate at least one attribute information attached to the first project with the first user group and store it in the storage unit.

The project identification unit can extract, as the second project, a project that is assigned at least one piece of attribute information associated with the first user group.

The project identification unit can extract, as the second project, a project whose remaining time until the deadline stored in association with the second project is less than or equal to a predetermined period.

The project identification unit can extract, as the second project, a project whose amount to the target amount stored in association with the second project is equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

The information processing system of the present disclosure may further include a change unit that, when the reception unit receives funding for a second project from a user terminal to which utilization information has been transmitted by the first transmission unit, changes the support destination of the funds provided by the user terminal to funds provided for the second project.

The information processing system of the present disclosure may further include a reward granting unit that grants a specific reward to a user who has indicated an instruction to provide funds to the second project.

The information processing system of the present disclosure may further include a content identification unit that identifies content related to advertisements, and a second transmission unit that transmits the content identified by the content identification unit as utilization information to a user terminal operated by a user included in the first user group.

The usage information may include pre-defined advertising content.

The information processing method disclosed herein is characterized by executing a reception step of receiving, from a user terminal operated by a user, a provision of funds for a first project associated with a target amount of funds to be raised and an end date, a determination step of determining whether the total amount of funds received in the reception step has reached the target amount when the end date has passed, a confirmation step of confirming the settlement of the funds received in the reception step when it is determined in the determination step that the total amount of funds has reached the target amount, and an association step of associating the user who provided funds to the first project with a first user group and storing in a predetermined storage unit, as a presentation target for utilization information, which is information for utilizing the funds provided to the first project for other purposes, when it is determined in the determination step that the total amount of funds has not reached the target amount.

The computer program of the present disclosure is characterized in that it has a computer realize a storage function that associates a target amount of funds to be raised and a deadline with a first project and stores them in a specified storage unit, a reception function that accepts provision of funds to the first project from a user terminal operated by a user, a determination function that determines whether the total amount of funds accepted by the reception function has reached the target amount when the deadline has passed, a confirmation function that confirms the settlement of the funds accepted by the reception function when the determination function determines that the total amount of funds has reached the target amount, and an association function that associates users who have provided funds to the first project with a first user group and stores them in the storage unit as a presentation target for utilization information, which is information for utilizing the funds provided to the first project for other purposes, when the determination function determines that the total amount of funds has not reached the target amount.

The present disclosure provides technical improvements that solve or mitigate at least some of the problems of the prior art described above.

Specifically, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a computer program that can utilize the willingness of bidders to pay in an online auction without wasting it.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a project page in the present disclosure. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a support amount selection page in the present disclosure. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a server device of the information processing system according to the present disclosure. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a project table in the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a return table in the present disclosure. 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a group table in the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing another example of the configuration of the information processing system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing an example of the flow of an information processing method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration for executing a computer program in the present disclosure.

An embodiment of the information processing system in this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As an example, the information processing system disclosed herein provides a platform that connects creators who originate projects with their fans. A website provided by such a platform can function as a crowdfunding site or an electronic commerce (EC) site.

Crowdfunding mainly includes three types of projects: "purchase-type projects," "investment-type projects," and "donation-type projects."

In a "purchase-type project," backers can receive a gift (return) from the initiator in return for their support. This return can be tangible items such as goods, or intangible items such as services and digital content. Digital content can be, for example, still images, video, audio, game programs, game media (items, cards, avatars, etc.), and document content. Digital content is not limited to these, as long as it can be provided electronically. Digital content can also be the subject of transactions involving money.

In an "investment project," backers can receive money that is a portion of the revenue earned by the initiator.

In a "donation-based project," supporters do not receive any gifts or money.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned "purchase type project" can be further divided into two types: "execution upon achievement type project" and "execution commitment type project".

In a "time-to-win project," the project is complete if the target amount is reached within the time period set by the initiator, and is not complete if the target amount is not reached within the time period set by the initiator. In the latter case, the project will not be executed, so the payment of the support money (funds) will be automatically canceled (refunded), for example, and the backer will not be able to receive the return.

In a "guaranteed execution project," the execution of the project is guaranteed in advance, regardless of the number of participants or the amount of money raised. Therefore, when you join the project, the payment of the benefit you applied for is also guaranteed. In this case, the payment can be thought of as the purchase price of the product (benefit).

The project in this disclosure may fall into any of the above categories, or may fall into other categories. The following explanation will be given assuming that the project in this disclosure is an "execute-on-achievement project" as an example.

Figure 1 shows an example of a project page display screen displayed on a crowdfunding site. The example shown in Figure 1 shows a portion of a project page aimed at raising funds for the creator (fundraiser) to create a game.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display screen 1 can display a project overview 2, an image related to the project 3, the name of the initiator (creator) 4, the total amount of pledges (amount raised) 5, the target amount 6, the number of backers 7, the number of days remaining 8, the achievement rate 9, a support button 10, a detailed project description 11, and the project name 12. In addition, as shown below the detailed project description 11, buttons that allow the project to be shared on internal or external SNS (social networking services) may also be displayed.

In addition, since this project is a "purchase type" case, multiple returns are set. Figures 2(a) to (c) show an example of a display screen that displays multiple support amounts to a user considering providing funds and allows the user to select which support amount they would like to provide. The support amount is also displayed along with the details of the return corresponding to the support amount. Note that in the case of the "commitment type" mentioned above, such funding means the purchase of a return item.

In the example shown in FIG. 2(a), the rewards for a pledge of 5,000 yen are a created game, a thank-you letter from the creator, and a signed postcard. In the example shown in FIG. 2(b), the rewards for a pledge of 10,000 yen are a created game, a thank-you letter from the creator, a signed postcard, and an in-game card (rare). Similarly, in the example shown in FIG. 2(c), the rewards for a pledge of 30,000 yen are a created game, a thank-you letter from the creator, a signed postcard, and an in-game card (S rare), and your name in the game credits.

The game provided as a return includes not only providing a game stored on a recording medium, but also providing a computer program for playing the game on a specified terminal. Alternatively, the game provided as a return may be a Web game in which a computer program is executed on a server. In this case, the return is the right to play such a Web game.

In this case, the computer program is provided to the user by, for example, downloading it free of charge via a network. The computer program may also be provided to the user for a fee via a physical recording medium. An in-game card is a card that can be used in the game and may have an illustration of a character or the like drawn on it. This card may be given a rarity, with the rarity increasing in the order of NR (normal), R (rare), and SR (S rare), although the type and number of rarities are not particularly limited to these. In addition, listing a name in the game credits means listing a name, etc. as a financial provider in the game's end credits, etc.

Users considering funding this project can provide funding to the creator by selecting the button corresponding to the pledge amount that represents the return they desire from the multiple returns presented as shown in Figures 2(a)-(c). In response, the creator will provide a return set according to the pledge amount to the user who provided funding.

In order to realize the above-mentioned crowdfunding site, the information processing system 100 in this disclosure can be configured with one or more client devices 200 and a server device 300, as shown in FIG. 3. These client devices 200 and server devices 300 can be connected via a specified network.

The client device 200 is an information processing device such as a smartphone. In addition to a smartphone, the client device may be a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, an e-book reader, a wearable computer, a game console, or any other type of information processing device. Each client device may include a computer processor, memory, a communication I/F, a display, and storage for storing various information.

<Hardware Configuration>
4, the hardware configuration of the server device 300 will be described. The server device 300 includes a processor 301, a memory 302, a storage 303, an input/output interface (input/output I/F) 304, and a communication interface (communication I/F) 305. The components are connected to each other via a bus B.

The server device 300 can realize the functions and methods described in this embodiment through cooperation between the processor 301, memory 302, storage 303, input/output I/F 304, and communication I/F 305.

The processor 301 executes functions and/or methods realized by codes or instructions included in a program stored in the storage 303. The processor 401 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor, a processor core, a multiprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., and may realize each process disclosed in each embodiment by a logic circuit (hardware) or a dedicated circuit formed in an integrated circuit (an integrated circuit (IC) chip, a large scale integration (LSI)), etc.). These circuits may be realized by one or more integrated circuits, and multiple processes shown in each embodiment may be realized by one integrated circuit. In addition, an LSI may be called a VLSI, a super LSI, an ultra LSI, etc. depending on the degree of integration.

Memory 302 temporarily stores programs loaded from storage 303 and provides a working area for processor 301. Memory 302 also temporarily stores various data generated while processor 301 is executing a program. Memory 302 includes, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc.

Storage 303 stores programs. Storage 303 includes, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), flash memory, etc.

The communication I/F 305 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, communication software, or a combination of these, and transmits and receives various data via a network. The communication may be performed either wired or wirelessly, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication can be performed. The communication I/F 305 communicates with other information processing devices via the network. The communication I/F 305 transmits various data to other information processing devices according to instructions from the processor 301. The communication I/F 305 also receives various data transmitted from other information processing devices and transmits it to the processor 301.

The input/output I/F 304 includes an input device for inputting various operations to the server device 300, and an output device for outputting the results of processing performed by the server device 300. The input/output I/F 304 may be an integrated input device and output device, or may be separate input device and output device.

The input device is realized by any of a variety of devices, or a combination of devices, that can receive input from a user and transmit information related to the input to the processor 301. Examples of input devices include hardware keys such as a touch panel, a touch display, and a keyboard, pointing devices such as a mouse, a camera (operation input via images), and a microphone (operation input via voice).

The output device outputs the processing results processed by the processor 301. The output device includes, for example, a touch panel, a speaker, etc. The client device 200 can also be configured with the same hardware configuration as that shown in FIG. 4, except where otherwise noted.

<Functional configuration>
As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a storage unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a determining unit 130, a finalizing unit 140, and an associating unit 150.

In the following description, it is assumed that all of these components are provided in the server device 300. However, it is also possible for some or all of the memory unit 110, the determination unit 130, and the association unit 150 to be provided in the client device 200.

The memory unit 110 stores the first project in association with the target amount of funds to be raised and the deadline.

These target amounts and deadlines can be managed in a project table associated with each project.

Figure 6 is an example of the above project table. In addition to the target amount and deadline, this project table can also manage data displayed on each project page on the crowdfunding site, such as the project number, project name, total support amount (total funds provided) as shown in Figure 6, as well as the project outline, initiator (creator) name, number of backers, number of days remaining, achievement rate, etc. as shown in Figure 1.

In addition, the amount of support (support course) that can be provided to a project and the corresponding returns may be managed separately as a return table as shown in Figure 7, or may be included in the above project table.

The total amount of support, number of days remaining, achievement rate, etc. can be updated at specified time intervals or when support is provided.

The above project tables are stored in a specified storage device. The specified storage device may be included in either the client device 200 or the server device 300, may be included in both, or may be provided in a specific device other than the above. In this case, it is preferable that the specific device is included in the information processing system 100.

The reception unit 120 receives funding for the first project from a user terminal operated by a user.

The user terminal here corresponds to the client device 200 described above. Note that the user terminal does not have to be owned by the user.

As mentioned above, the first project is a buy-to-play project.

The user can provide funds by selecting one of the following payment methods: credit card, mobile phone carrier payment, debit card payment, prepaid card, etc. Alternatively, funds can be provided by virtual currency such as points used in this system 100 or other services. Here, the explanation will be given assuming that funds are provided by credit card payment.

When the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment accepts a procedure for providing funds from a user terminal, it can perform a process of checking the validity of the credit card and securing a credit limit (authorization process). Then, it does not perform a process of confirming sales until the project is established.

When the deadline has passed, the determination unit 130 determines whether the total amount of funds accepted by the acceptance unit 120 has reached the target amount.

Whether the target amount has been reached can be determined before the deadline has passed, but it must be determined at least once the deadline has passed. This determination is made by comparing the total amount of funds with the target amount, and if the total amount of funds is equal to or greater than the target amount, it is determined that the target amount has been reached.

Then, when the determination unit 130 determines that the total amount of funds has reached the target amount, the confirmation unit 140 confirms the settlement of the funds accepted by the acceptance unit 120.

When the determination unit 130 determines that the total amount of funds has reached the target amount, the project is established. In this case, the confirmation unit 140 performs a process to confirm the credit card sales.

When the determination unit 130 determines that the total amount of funds has not reached the target amount, the association unit 150 associates the users who provided funds to the first project with the first user group, and stores them in the storage unit 110 as targets for presentation of utilization information.

If the determination unit 130 determines that the total amount of funds has not reached the target amount, the project will not be established. In this case, the confirmation unit 140 will not process the credit card sales and can cancel the authorization process described above.

The users who provided funds to failed projects are then grouped and managed as a group table, as shown in FIG. 8. As an example, such grouping may be performed for each failed project. Note that a user group may contain only one user.

It should be noted that this group of users also includes those who were willing to pay a certain amount of money in the form of funding for the project.

Therefore, such user groups are stored in the storage unit 110 as targets for presenting useful information.

Utilization information is information for utilizing the funds provided to the first project for other purposes.

Funds provided to the first project are funds that have been authorized for credit card payment but have not yet been cancelled. Funds provided to the first project may also include funds that have been cancelled.

Another use is, for example, the purchase of a specific product or service. As an example, an advertisement offering to purchase a product or service worth the same amount as the funds provided to the first project can be presented to users belonging to the user group.

Alternatively, another use may be, for example, providing funds to another project. As an example, an advertisement offering to provide funds to a second project in the same amount as provided to a first project may be presented to users belonging to a user group.

In this way, rather than simply cancelling and refunding the credit card payments of users who participated in failed projects, the funds can be used for other purposes, so that these users' motivation to pay money is not wasted.

In addition, since these users are also those who are willing to pay a certain amount of money in the form of funding for the project, proposing to these users the purchase of products and services has a very high advertising effect. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present disclosure, it is also possible to generate data that is very valuable as a target for targeted advertising.

In addition, the presentation of useful information can be done, for example, by displaying link information on the user terminal, such as a website introducing a particular product or service, a download site for the product or service if it is electronic, or a web page for a second project.

As an example of a presentation method, you can display text such as "We have another project that we would like to recommend to you. Click here." You can also display a thumbnail image showing the contents of the project together with the text.

As shown in FIG. 9, the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment may further include a project identification unit 160 and a first transmission unit 165.

The project identification unit 160 identifies a second project that is different from the first project and is eligible for funding.

The first transmission unit 165 transmits information about the second project identified by the project identification unit 160 as the above-mentioned utilization information to a user terminal operated by a user included in the first user group.

As mentioned above, we propose another use here: to provide funds to other projects.

There are no particular limitations on the second project, so long as it is different from the first project and is eligible for funding. Being eligible for funding means that the project has not yet reached its deadline. Thus, funding for the second project does not have to have begun when the deadline for the first project has passed.

The user terminals to which the first transmission unit 165 transmits the useful information may be the user terminals of all users included in the first user group, or may be the user terminals of users extracted from the first user group based on other conditions. The first transmission unit 165 may also randomly select users included in the first user group and transmit the useful information to the user terminals operated by those users.

The above extraction can be performed based on user information such as the user's age and gender that is stored in association with the user ID. The user information may also include information on projects that the user has supported currently or in the past, and extraction may be performed based on such project information.

It is preferable that the association unit 150 further associates at least one attribute information attached to the first project with the first user group and stores it in the storage unit 110.

Each project will be assigned attribute information. Attribute information assigned to projects may include information indicating the genre of the project, such as game, anime, manga, etc., as well as information indicating the author based on the author's name, career, etc.

And at least one of these attribute information is associated with the user group and stored.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first group (group ID: 1001) is assigned the attribute information "Manga," "Author A," and "For Teens," and is associated with users with user IDs 2001, 2002, and 2003.

Then, the project identification unit 160 can extract, as the second project, a project that is assigned at least one of the attribute information associated with the first user group.

Which attribute information associated with the first user group is used to extract the second project may be determined based on a priority previously assigned to the attribute information, or the user may be asked to specify the attribute information when the extraction is performed.

The second projects extracted in this way are projects that are likely to interest users belonging to the first user group.

The project identification unit 160 can also extract, as the second project, a project whose remaining time until the deadline stored in association with the second project is less than or equal to a predetermined period.

The second project extracted as a project with a remaining period less than or equal to the specified period urges the user to make a decision to support it, and has a strong appeal to the user. The specified period may be any period. As an example, the specified period is less than or equal to one-quarter of the funding acceptance period, more preferably less than one-seventh, even more preferably less than one-fourteenth, and even more preferably less than one-thirty-fifth. The specified period may be a specific numerical value, such as 72 hours, 48 hours, or 24 hours.

On the other hand, the second project, which is extracted as a project with a remaining period equal to or longer than a predetermined period, gives the user ample time to make a support decision.

When presenting the extracted second project, the remaining time can also be displayed to further pique the user's interest.

The project identification unit 160 can extract, as the second project, a project whose amount to the target amount stored in association with the second project is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount may be any amount as long as it is equal to or less than the target amount. As an example, the predetermined amount is preferably equal to or less than one-quarter of the target amount, and more preferably equal to or less than one-tenth of the target amount.

The second project, which is extracted as a project whose target amount is less than a specified amount, is one that has a high possibility of success with the support of users and has strong appeal to users.

When presenting the extracted second project, the amount up to the target amount can also be displayed to further pique the user's interest.

The information processing system 100 according to this embodiment may further include a change unit 170, as shown in FIG. 9. The change unit 170 is included in the server device 300.

When the reception unit 120 receives funding for the second project from the user terminal to which the utilization information is transmitted by the first transmission unit 165, the change unit 170 changes the support recipient from the support money provided to the first project by the user terminal to funds provided to the second project.

This configuration eliminates the need to process refunds to users, reducing the amount of work required.

The change in the support destination may not only be from a first project to a second project, but may also be to multiple destinations, such as from a first project to a second project and a third project.

For example, if you back a project with 20,000 yen and it fails, you can use that money to back another project in 10,000 yen increments.

The information processing system 100 according to this embodiment may further include a bonus granting unit 180, as shown in FIG. 9. The bonus granting unit 180 is included in the server device 300.

The reward granting unit 180 grants a specific reward to a user who has indicated an instruction to provide funds to the second project.

The specified benefit may be points that can be used as virtual currency in the information processing system 100, or an additional fund when supporting another project.

As shown in FIG. 8, the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment may further include a content identification unit 190 and a second transmission unit 195. The content identification unit 190 and the second transmission unit 195 are included in the server device 300.

The content identification unit 190 identifies content related to the advertisement.

Advertising content can be content that has been registered in advance by an advertiser, either for a fee or free of charge. The content may include specific products or services, or other projects, such as those listed as examples of other uses above.

Attribute information is attached to such content, and the content identification unit 190 can identify the content by using the attribute information associated with the group as described above.

The advertiser can specify which attribute information to use from among the attribute information associated with the group. Furthermore, the content related to the advertisement is not limited to advertisements related to projects on the crowdfunding site, but may be advertisements related to any EC site.

The second transmission unit 195 transmits the content identified by the content identification unit as utilization information to a user terminal operated by a user included in the first user group.

This configuration makes it possible to effectively perform targeted advertising targeting users who have funds that are subject to refund when a project in the information processing system 100 is not completed.

Specifically, the server device 300 accepts a process in which the advertiser registers the advertisement content, and the registration content is stored in the memory unit 110 of the server device 300. If the determination unit 130 determines that the total amount of funds has not reached the target amount, the memory unit 110 is referenced and the advertisement content is read out. When the advertisement content is registered, a payment of money (or points may be required), or it may be free of charge and determined on a first-come, first-served basis. The advertiser may be the initiator of the crowdfunding.

The utilization information may also include content related to pre-set advertisements.

In another embodiment of the information processing system of the present disclosure, the determination process by the determination unit may be performed by a user terminal. In this case, it is determined whether the total amount of funds has reached the target amount based on the target amount stored in the client terminal. The result of the determination is then transmitted to the server device.

In another embodiment of the information processing system of the present disclosure, the association process by the association unit may be performed by the client terminal. In this case, the user is associated with the first user group and stored in the client terminal.

Next, an embodiment of the information processing method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 10, the information processing method disclosed herein is characterized by including a reception step S110, a determination step S120, a determination step S130, and an association step S140.

The reception step S110 receives, from a user terminal operated by a user, a provision of funds for a first project associated with a target amount of funds to be raised and a deadline. Such reception step S110 can be executed by the reception unit 120 described above.

In the judgment step S120, if the deadline has passed, it is judged whether the total amount of funds accepted in the acceptance step has reached the target amount. Such judgment step S120 can be executed by the judgment unit 130 described above.

In the confirmation step S130, when it is determined in the determination step that the total amount of funds has reached the target amount, the settlement of the funds accepted in the acceptance step is confirmed. Such confirmation step S130 can be executed by the confirmation unit 140 described above.

When it is determined in the determination step that the total amount of funds has not reached the target amount, the association step S140 associates the users who provided funds to the first project with the first user group and stores them in a predetermined storage unit as targets for presentation of utilization information, which is information for utilizing the funds provided to the first project for other purposes. Such association step S140 can be executed by the association unit 150 described above.

The above configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least some of the problems of the conventional technology described above.

Specifically, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to utilize the willingness of participants in crowdfunding projects to pay the participation fee without wasting it.

In addition, the configuration of the present disclosure can generate highly valuable data that can be used as a target for targeted advertising.

Finally, an embodiment of the computer program of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

The computer program in this disclosure is characterized by having a computer realize a storage function, a reception function, a determination function, a confirmation function, and an association function.

The storage function associates the first project with the target amount of funds to be raised and the deadline, and stores the associated information in a specified storage unit.

The reception function accepts funding for the first project from a user terminal operated by a user.

When the deadline has passed, the determination function determines whether the total amount of funds received by the reception function has reached the target amount.

The confirmation function confirms the settlement of the funds accepted by the acceptance function when the determination function determines that the total amount of funds has reached the target amount.

When the determination function determines that the total amount of funds has not reached the target amount, the association function associates the users who provided funds to the first project with the first user group and stores in the memory unit the users who provided funds to the first project as targets for presentation of utilization information, which is information for utilizing the funds provided to the first project for other purposes.

The above functions can be realized by the reception circuit 1120, judgment circuit 1130, determination circuit 1140, and association circuit 1150 shown in FIG. 11. The reception circuit 1120, judgment circuit 1130, determination circuit 1140, and association circuit 1150 are realized by the reception unit 120, judgment unit 130, determination unit 140, and association unit 150 described above, respectively. Details of each unit are as described above.

The above configuration provides a technical improvement that solves or alleviates at least some of the problems of the conventional technology described above.

Specifically, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to utilize the willingness of participants in crowdfunding projects to pay the participation fee without wasting it.

In addition, an information processing device such as a computer or a mobile phone can be suitably used to function as the server device or terminal device according to the above-mentioned embodiment. Such an information processing device can be realized by storing a program describing the processing contents for realizing each function of the server device or terminal device according to the embodiment in a memory unit of the information processing device, and reading and executing the program by the CPU of the information processing device.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

The method described in the embodiment can be stored as a program that can be executed by a calculator (computer) on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, MO, etc.), semiconductor memory (ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc.), and can also be distributed by transmitting it via a communication medium. The program stored on the medium also includes a setting program that configures the software means (including not only execution programs but also tables and data structures) that the calculator executes. The computer that realizes this device reads the program recorded on the recording medium, and in some cases, configures the software means using the setting program, and executes the above-mentioned processing by controlling the operation of this software means. Note that the recording medium referred to in this specification is not limited to a storage medium for distribution, but also includes a storage medium such as a magnetic disk or semiconductor memory provided inside the computer or in a device connected via a network. The storage unit may function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory, for example.

The problem of participants' willingness to pay the participation fee going to waste can also occur in online auctions. For example, even though a first bidder has specified a bid price for a desired product, a second bidder may make a bid at a higher price. In this case, if for some reason the auction ends without the first bidder being able to make a new bid, the first bidder's willingness to pay may go to waste.

The first bidder's willingness to pay can be a significant waste, especially when the first bidder is unaware that the bid has been updated, or when the bid is updated so close to the end of the auction period that there is no time left to rebid, and the first bidder is willing but unable to rebid.

If a page where an auction for a similar product is being held is proposed to such a first bidder, the first bidder is likely to start a new bid, and a high advertising effect can be expected. In particular, when the auction period for a similar product is about to end, the first bidder will be more motivated to bid, and a high advertising effect can be expected.

An information processing system applied to an online auction may include the components of the information processing system described above as appropriate. An information processing system applied to an online auction may include, for example, a storage unit, a reception unit, a determination unit, a confirmation unit, a permission unit, an identification unit, an association unit, and a transmission unit.

The storage unit may store seller identification information that identifies the seller, product identification information that identifies the product being auctioned, the auction deadline, the highest bid amount, and bidder information that identifies the bidder in association with one another.

The reception unit accepts (receives) bidder information, product identification information, and amount information indicating a predetermined amount from a terminal operated by a bidder. Note that the reception unit only accepts amount information indicating an amount that exceeds the highest bid amount stored in the memory unit. The amount information accepted by the reception unit is stored (updated) in the memory unit as the highest bid amount, and the bidder information accepted by the reception unit is also stored (updated) in the memory unit.

The determination unit determines whether the auction deadline stored in the memory unit has passed.

The confirmation unit confirms the payment of the highest bid amount stored in the memory unit when the determination unit determines that the auction deadline has passed. At this time, the bidder information corresponding to the highest bid amount stored in the memory unit corresponds to information indicating the successful bidder. The confirmation unit proceeds with the payment process for the credit card corresponding to the successful bidder.

When the determination unit determines that the auction deadline has passed, the permission unit permits the sending and receiving of information regarding the delivery of the item between the terminal operated by the seller and the terminal operated by the successful bidder.

When the determination unit determines that the auction deadline has passed, the identification unit refers to the memory unit to identify bidder information indicating bidders other than the successful bidder from among the bidder information accepted by the acceptance unit.

The associating unit associates the terminal of the bidder corresponding to the bidder information identified by the identifying unit with URL information where a product similar to the above product is being auctioned (or will be auctioned in the future).

The transmission unit transmits the URL information to the terminal of the bidder associated by the association unit.

In addition, such an information processing system may not include a confirmation unit, and instead, in the case of sending and receiving information permitted by the permission unit, the successful bidder may confirm payment by another means (for example, by bank transfer, etc.).

Furthermore, instead of determining whether the auction deadline has passed, the determination unit may determine whether the time until the auction deadline falls below a predetermined time period. Then, when it is determined that the time until the auction deadline falls below the predetermined time period, the identification unit, the association unit, and the transmission unit may perform the functions described above.
[Additional Notes]
[1] a storage unit that stores a target amount of funds to be raised and a deadline for a first project in association with the first project;
a receiving unit that receives the provision of funds to the first project from a user terminal operated by a user;
a determination unit that determines whether or not the total amount of the funds accepted by the acceptance unit has reached the target amount when the deadline has passed;
a confirmation unit that confirms the settlement of the funds accepted by the acceptance unit when the determination unit determines that the total amount of the funds has reached the target amount;
An information processing system comprising: an association unit which, when the determination unit determines that the total amount of funds has not reached the target amount, associates the user who provided funds to the first project with a first user group and stores in the memory unit the user as a target for presentation of utilization information, which is information for utilizing the funds provided to the first project for other purposes.
[2] The information processing system further comprises:
a project identification unit that identifies a second project that is different from the first project and is available for funding;
The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a first transmission unit that transmits information regarding the second project identified by the project identification unit as the useful information to the user terminal operated by a user included in the first user group.
[3] The information processing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the associating unit further associates at least one attribute information attached to the first project with the first user group and stores the association in the memory unit.
[4] The information processing system according to claim 3, characterized in that the project identification unit extracts, as the second project, a project to which at least one of the attribute information associated with the first user group is attached.
[5] The information processing system according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the project identification unit extracts, as the second project, a project whose remaining time until the deadline stored in association with the second project is less than a predetermined period or more than a predetermined period.
[6] An information processing system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the project identification unit extracts, as the second project, a project whose amount to the target amount stored in association with the second project is less than a predetermined amount.
[7] The information processing system further comprises:
An information processing system as described in any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the reception unit is further equipped with a change unit that, when it receives funding for the second project from the user terminal to which the utilization information was transmitted by the first transmission unit, changes the support destination of the funds provided to the first project by the user terminal to funds provided to the second project.
[8] The information processing system further comprises:
7. The information processing system according to claim 6, further comprising a reward provision unit that provides a predetermined reward to the user who has indicated an instruction to provide funds to the second project.
[9] The information processing system further comprises:
a content identification unit that identifies content related to an advertisement;
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a second transmission unit that transmits the content identified by the content identification unit as the useful information to the user terminal operated by a user included in the first user group.
[10] The information processing system according to claim 9, wherein the useful information includes content related to a preset advertisement.
[11] A receiving step of receiving, from a user terminal operated by a user, a provision of funds to a first project associated with a target amount and a deadline for raising funds;
a determination step of determining whether or not the total amount of the funds accepted in the acceptance step has reached the target amount when the deadline has passed;
a confirmation step of confirming the settlement of the funds accepted in the acceptance step when it is determined in the determination step that the total amount of the funds has reached the target amount;
An information processing method that executes an association step in which, if it is determined in the determination step that the total amount of funds has not reached the target amount, the user who provided funds to the first project is associated with a first user group, and the user is stored in a specified memory unit as a target for presentation of utilization information, which is information for utilizing the funds provided to the first project for other purposes.
[12] A computer comprising:
a storage function for storing a target amount of funds to be raised and a deadline for completion of the first project in a predetermined storage unit in association with the first project;
a receiving function for receiving the provision of the funds to the first project from a user terminal operated by a user;
a determination function for determining whether or not the total amount of the funds accepted by the acceptance function has reached the target amount when the deadline has passed;
a confirmation function for confirming the settlement of the funds accepted by the acceptance function when the determination function determines that the total amount of the funds has reached the target amount;
and an association function that, when the judgment function determines that the total amount of funds has not reached the target amount, associates the user who provided funds to the first project with a first user group and stores in the memory unit the utilization information, which is information for utilizing the funds provided to the first project for other purposes, as a target for presentation.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Information processing system 110 Storage unit 120 Reception unit 130 Determination unit 140 Confirmation unit 150 Association unit 160 Project identification unit 165 First transmission unit 170 Change unit 180 Benefit granting unit 190 Content identification unit 195 Second transmission unit 200 Client device 300 Server device

Claims (9)

a storage function for storing in a storage unit, in association with product identification information for identifying a product to be put up for auction in an online auction, deadline information relating to a deadline for the auction of the product, and user information of users who have placed bids in the auction;
a receiving function for receiving, from a terminal operated by a predetermined user, product identification information of a product that is the subject of a bid, amount information regarding a bid amount, and user information related to the terminal;
a determination function for determining whether a predetermined condition regarding the closing time limit of the auction is satisfied based on the time limit information stored in the storage unit;
a specifying function that, when it is determined by the determining function that the predetermined condition is satisfied, specifies user information other than that of a successful bidder in the auction among the user information received by the receiving function by referring to the storage unit;
a presentation function for presenting auction information on another auction in which another product related to the product in the auction is being or will be put up for auction to a terminal related to the user information identified by the identification function ;
determining whether an update to the bid amount for the auction has occurred when the time until the auction deadline falls below a predetermined time period ;
The presentation function is an information processing system that presents auction information regarding the other auction when it is determined that the bid amount for the auction was updated when the period until the deadline for the auction falls below a predetermined period . The circuit further comprises:
The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the judgment function determines that the specified condition is satisfied, a confirmation function is executed to confirm the settlement of the bid amount of the user who submitted the highest bid for the auction among the users associated with the user information stored in the memory unit. The circuit further comprises:
The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the determination function determines that the specified condition is satisfied, the system is configured to execute an authorization function that permits transmission and reception of information regarding the item between a terminal operated by a user who puts up the item in the auction and a terminal operated by a user who has bid the highest price for the auction. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the presentation function presents auction information regarding another auction in which another item related to the item in the auction is being or will be put up for auction to terminals related to all user information identified by the identification function. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the presentation function presents the auction information by transmitting URL information for displaying the other auction as the auction information to a terminal related to the user information identified by the identification function . The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that another product related to the product in the auction is a product similar to the product. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the other auction is an auction in which another product related to the product in the auction is being offered or will be offered, and the time remaining until the deadline for the other auction is less than a predetermined period. One or more circuits of the computer include
a storage step of storing product identification information for identifying a product to be put up for auction in an online auction in association with deadline information regarding a deadline for the auction of the product and user information of users who have placed bids in the auction;
a receiving step of receiving, from a terminal operated by a predetermined user, product identification information of a product that is the subject of a bid, amount information regarding a bid amount, and user information related to the terminal;
a determining step of determining whether a predetermined condition regarding the closing time limit of the auction is satisfied based on the time limit information stored in the storing step;
a specifying step of specifying, when it is determined in the determining step that the predetermined condition is satisfied, user information other than that of a successful bidder in the auction among the user information received in the receiving step by referring to the information stored in the storing step;
a presentation step of presenting auction information regarding another auction in which another product related to the product in the auction is being or will be put up for auction to a terminal related to the user information identified in the identification step ;
determining whether an update to the bid amount for the auction has occurred when the time remaining until the auction deadline falls below a predetermined time period ;
In the presentation step, when it is determined that the bid amount for the auction was updated when the period until the deadline for the auction falls below a predetermined period, the auction information for the other auction is presented . One or more circuits of the computer include
a storage function for storing product identification information for identifying a product to be put up for auction in an online auction in association with deadline information relating to a deadline for the auction of the product and user information of users who have placed bids in the auction;
a receiving function for receiving, from a terminal operated by a predetermined user, product identification information of a product that is the subject of a bid, amount information regarding a bid amount, and user information related to the terminal;
a determination function that determines whether a predetermined condition regarding the closing time limit of the auction is satisfied based on the time limit information stored by the storage function;
a specifying function that, when it is determined by the determining function that the predetermined condition is satisfied, specifies user information other than that of the successful bidder in the auction among the user information accepted by the accepting function by referring to the information stored by the storing function;
a presentation function for presenting auction information on another auction in which another product related to the product in the auction is being or will be put up for auction to a terminal related to the user information identified by the identification function ;
determining whether a bid amount for the auction is updated when the time remaining until the auction deadline falls below a predetermined time period;
Run the command ,
The presentation function is a computer program that presents auction information regarding the other auction when it is determined that an update of the bid amount for the auction was made when the period until the deadline for the auction falls below a predetermined period .

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