JP7700596B2 - Information processing device, information processing method, program, and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

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

In recent years, services operated on SNS (Social Network Service) are becoming more and more popular. In such services, goals indicating actions suggested to the user may be displayed or notified on the user's information terminal.

Patent Document 1 also discloses a lifestyle habit improvement suggestion device that suggests different goals to each user based on the user's related information. This lifestyle habit improvement suggestion device records related information such as weight, activity level, or environmental information about the user's location, and sets different goals for each user based on the analysis of that information. The user can manage their health by receiving notification of the goal and taking the action indicated by the goal.

JP 2020-160569 A

However, if the user does not receive any reward when the goal is achieved, it becomes difficult to maintain the user's rate of action toward the goal. Even if a reward is provided when the goal is achieved, if the conditions for achieving the goal presented to the user are too high or if the user does not have enough time to achieve the goal, the user may give up on attempting the goal from the start. As a result, there is a concern that the frequency with which the user performs actions to achieve the goal may decrease.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved information processing device, information processing method, program, and information processing system that can increase the frequency with which a user performs actions to achieve a goal.

In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device comprising: an achievement confirmation unit that confirms whether or not behavioral achievements, which are achievements for a user's behavior, have achieved a goal; a reward provision control unit that controls provision of a reward to the user when it is confirmed by the achievement confirmation unit that the behavioral achievements have achieved the goal, and controls notification of an alternative means for providing the reward to the user when it is confirmed by the achievement confirmation unit that the behavioral achievements have not achieved the goal, and controls provision of the reward to the user based on the execution of the alternative means by the user; and a goal setting unit that sets the goal and the reward, and controls notification of the goal, a deadline for achieving the goal, and the reward to the user, wherein the reward provision control unit controls notification of the alternative means for providing the reward to the user when it is confirmed by the achievement confirmation unit that the goal has not been achieved at the time the deadline arrives, and controls the provision of the reward to the user based on the execution of the alternative means by the user .

The reward provision control unit may apply different means as the alternative means depending on the level of the behavioral performance.

The reward provision control unit may apply, as the alternative means, a means that is less difficult the higher the behavioral record.

The reward provision control unit may control notifying the user of the alternative measures to be applied based on the current behavioral performance when the achievement confirmation unit confirms that the goal has not been achieved before the deadline arrives.

The reward provision control unit may control notification to the user of additional behavioral achievements and the alternative measures to be applied if the additional behavioral achievements are realized when the achievement confirmation unit confirms that the goal has not been achieved before the deadline arrives.

The reward provision control unit may control provision of the reward to the user before the deadline if the alternative means is executed by the user before the deadline arrives.

The alternative may be the provision of a medium having monetary value.

The alternative may be the provision of virtual media for use in social networking services.

The reward may be the right to participate in a lottery.

The alternative means may be a means selected by the user from a number of candidate means.

In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method executed by a computer, comprising: confirming whether or not behavioral achievements, which are achievements of a user's behavior, have achieved a goal; controlling provision of a reward to the user when it is confirmed that the behavioral achievements have achieved the goal; and when it is confirmed that the behavioral achievements have not achieved the goal, suggesting an alternative means for providing the reward to the user and controlling provision of the reward to the user based on the execution of the alternative means by the user; setting the goal and the reward, and controlling notification of the goal, a deadline for achieving the goal, and the reward to the user, wherein controlling the provision of the reward includes, when it is confirmed by the achievement confirmation unit that the goal has not been achieved at the time the deadline arrives, controlling notification of the alternative means for providing the reward to the user, and controlling the provision of the reward to the user based on the execution of the alternative means by the user.

In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that causes a computer to function as an achievement confirmation unit that confirms whether or not behavioral achievements, which are achievements for a user's behavior, have achieved a goal; a reward provision control unit that controls provision of a reward to the user when it is confirmed by the achievement confirmation unit that the behavioral achievements have achieved the goal, and that controls provision of the reward to the user based on the execution of the alternative means by the user when it is confirmed by the achievement confirmation unit that the behavioral achievements have not achieved the goal, and a goal setting unit that sets the goal and the reward, and controls notification of the goal, a deadline for achieving the goal, and the reward to the user, and when it is confirmed by the achievement confirmation unit that the goal has not been achieved at the time the deadline arrives, the reward provision control unit controls notification of the user of the alternative means for providing the reward and controls provision of the reward to the user based on the execution of the alternative means by the user .

In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system including: an achievement confirmation unit that confirms whether or not behavioral achievements, which are achievements for a user's behavior, have achieved a goal; a reward provision control unit that controls provision of a reward to the user when it is confirmed by the achievement confirmation unit that the behavioral achievements have achieved the goal, and when it is confirmed by the achievement confirmation unit that the behavioral achievements have not achieved the goal, suggests an alternative means for providing the reward to the user and controls provision of the reward to the user based on the execution of the alternative means by the user; and a goal setting unit that sets the goal and the reward, and controls notification of the goal, a deadline for achieving the goal, and the reward to the user, wherein when it is confirmed by the achievement confirmation unit that the goal has not been achieved at the time the deadline arrives, the reward provision control unit controls notification of the user of the alternative means for providing the reward to the user, and controls provision of the reward to the user based on the execution of the alternative means by the user.

As described above, the present invention makes it possible to increase the frequency with which a user performs actions to achieve a goal.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server 20. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a goal notification message notified to a user. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a setting table stored in the storage unit 220. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a goal achievement message notified to a user. FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a progress notification message notified to a user. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of an alternative means suggestion message notified to a user. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the server 20.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that in this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.

In addition, in this specification and drawings, multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by adding different letters after the same reference numeral. However, if there is no particular need to distinguish between multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration, each of the multiple components will be given only the same reference numeral.

<1. Overall configuration of information processing system>
An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing system that, when it is confirmed that a proposed goal has not been achieved by a user, proposes an alternative means for providing a reward to the user. More specifically, an embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing system that, when it is confirmed that a proposed goal has not been achieved by a user within a deadline, provides the user with an alternative means with a lower degree of difficulty as the track record of the action taken by the user toward the goal (hereinafter, referred to as action track record) is higher, and provides the user with the reward based on the fact that the alternative means has been performed by the user. According to such an information processing system, even in a situation where it is difficult to achieve a goal within a deadline, the possibility that the user will take action to obtain a reward by an alternative means with a lower degree of difficulty increases, so that it is possible to increase the frequency with which the user performs an action to achieve the goal. For example, the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to suggest actions to promote the health of the user. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1, an example of the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an information terminal 10, a server 20, a network 30, and a billing system 40. In FIG. 1, one information terminal 10 and one billing system 40 are shown from the viewpoint of clarity of the drawing, but in reality, multiple information terminals 10 and multiple billing systems 40 may be included in the information processing system 1.

(Information terminal)
The information terminal 10 is a terminal used by a user, and has a display unit for displaying various screens. The information terminal 10 is connected to a network 30 via, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the like, and communicates with a server 20 via the network 30. For example, the information terminal 10 receives a message from the server 20, and notifies the user of the message by displaying the received message on the display unit. In an embodiment of the present invention, when a goal is set by the server 20, when it is confirmed that the goal has been achieved, and when it is confirmed that the goal has not been achieved, the information terminal 10 receives a message from the server 20. The message is notified to the user at a set time until the deadline set for the goal arrives. Alternatively, the message may be notified to the user periodically or irregularly until the deadline set for the goal arrives.

The information terminal 10 also collects related information indicating various information about the user. Examples of related information include physical information such as the user's height or weight, location information, step count information, moving speed information, biometric information such as body temperature or pulse rate, lifestyle information such as dietary content or sleep time, and other information self-reported by the user. The collected related information is transmitted to the server 20 via the network 30. Examples of the information terminal 10 include a smartphone, a PC (Personal Computer), and a smartwatch.

(server)
The server 20 is configured by a computer. The server 20 receives user-related information from the information terminal 10 via the network 30. Furthermore, the server 20 transmits behavior information to be performed by the user or behavioral performance information of the user to the information terminal 10 based on the received user-related information. In addition, the server 20 sets a goal to be notified to the user, and provides a reward when the goal is achieved or an alternative measure to the goal is executed.

(network)
The network 30 is a wired or wireless transmission path for information transmitted from devices connected to the network 30. For example, the network 30 may include public line networks such as the Internet, telephone lines, and satellite communication networks, various LANs (Local Area Networks) including Ethernet (registered trademark), and WANs (Wide Area Networks). The network 30 may also include a dedicated line network such as an IP-VPN (Internet Protocol-Virtual Private Network). Note that the reception and transmission of information between devices may be realized via the network 30 as appropriate.

(Charging system)
The billing system 40 receives from the server 20 the user's billing information (e.g., billing method and billing amount) transmitted from the information terminal 10 to the server 20. The billing system 40 executes billing processing based on the received billing information, and transmits information indicating whether the billing processing has been successful to the server 20. Note that the billing system 40 may receive the user's billing information directly from the information terminal 10 without going through the server 20, or may transmit information indicating whether the billing processing has been successful directly to the information terminal 10.

Examples of billing methods include carrier billing, which adds a billing amount to the monthly usage fee for the information terminal 10, credit card billing, and gift code billing, but any billing method may be implemented as long as the billing system 40 can handle it.

2. Functional configuration of the server
An example of the overall configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Next, the configuration of the server 20 included in the information processing system 1 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions of the server 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a control unit 210, a memory unit 220, and a communication unit 230.

(Control unit 210)
The control unit 210 provides various functions of the server 20. For example, the control unit 210 has a goal setting unit 211, an achievement confirmation unit 212, a reward provision control unit 213, a charge confirmation unit 214, and a lottery function unit 215, as shown in FIG.

The goal setting unit 211 sets a goal indicating an action to be suggested to the user and a reward to be provided when the goal is achieved. The goal setting unit 211 may set a goal based on received user-related information, or may set a goal based on set conditions. The goal setting unit 211 may further set a deadline for achieving the goal.

Furthermore, the goal setting unit 211 generates a goal notification message indicating the set goal, reward, and deadline, and controls notification of the goal notification message to the user. The goal setting unit 211 may control notification of the goal notification message to the user immediately after the goal is set, or may control notification of the goal notification message to the user a certain time after the goal is set. Here, a specific example of the goal notification message notified to the user will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a goal notification message M1 notified to the user. In the example shown in Figure 3, the goal notification message M1 is displayed on the screen of the information terminal 10, and includes a goal notification portion 81 and an OK button 89. The goal notification portion 81 indicates the deadline for achieving the goal, the goal, and the reward to be provided when the achievement confirmation unit 212 confirms that the goal has been achieved. Based on the selection of the OK button 89, the information terminal 10 closes the display of the goal notification message M1.

Note that other information may be added to the goal notification message M1, or information contained in the goal notification message M1 may be partially deleted. The goal notification message M1 may be sent to the information terminal 10 by a mail function, or may be sent to the information terminal 10 as a message on an application. Furthermore, the goal notification message M1 may be notified to the user not only by a screen display, but also in a different form such as a voice notification. Note that the matters that can be applied to the goal notification message M1 in FIG. 3 can also be similarly applied to the other messages described below with reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7.

The goal setting unit 211 also sets alternative means that are conditions for the user to obtain a reward even if the goal is not achieved. In this specification, an example will be mainly described in which the alternative means is a charge involving the payment (provision) of cash. However, the alternative means is not limited to a charge, and the alternative means may be the provision of a medium having other monetary value or the provision of a virtual medium.

When the goal setting unit 211 sets the goal, reward, deadline, alternative means, etc. as described above, it stores information indicating the goal, reward, deadline, and alternative means in a setting table stored in the storage unit 220. Here, a specific example of the setting table stored in the storage unit 220 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a setting table stored in the storage unit 220. As shown in Figure 4, in setting table T1, a user ID, a goal, a start time, an end time, an achievement reward, and an alternative means are associated with each other.

The user ID is identification information for the user of the information terminal 10. The goal indicates the action proposed to the user. The start time indicates the time when the effective period of the goal begins, and the user's behavioral performance after the time indicated by the start time is used to determine whether the goal has been achieved. The end time is the expiration date of the effective period of the goal, and indicates the time when the effective period ends.

The achievement reward is a reward provided to the user when the achievement confirmation unit 212 confirms that the goal has been achieved within the goal's validity period. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the achievement reward is a lottery participation right, which is a right to participate in a lottery. The alternative means are conditions for the user to obtain a reward even if the goal has not been achieved. The alternative means indicate the means by which notification should be given based on the user's behavioral track record.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, three alternative means are shown as corresponding to the goal of "achieving 5,000 steps". Specifically, the alternative means are shown to be charging 500 yen when the remaining number of steps, which is the number of steps remaining to achieve the goal of "achieving 5,000 steps", is 2,500 steps or more, charging 200 yen when the remaining number of steps is less than 2,500 steps but 1,000 steps or more, and charging 100 yen when the unachieved number of steps is less than 1,000 steps. In this way, different means may be set as alternative means according to the level of the behavioral performance. Furthermore, the lower the user's behavioral performance, the more difficult the means may be set, and the higher the user's behavioral performance, the more difficult the means may be set. For example, charging 500 yen is more difficult than charging 200 yen and charging 100 yen.

On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 4, for the goal "achieve 6.5 hours or more of sleep per day", only one alternative means is shown for the user to obtain a reward even if the goal is not achieved. Specifically, for the goal "achieve 6.5 hours or more of sleep per day", charging 100 yen is an alternative means for the user to obtain a reward even if the goal is not achieved. When the set goal cannot be divided into stages of achievement, such as the goal "achieve 6.5 hours or more of sleep per day", the alternative means notified will not change based on the user's behavioral track record.

The achievement confirmation unit 212 confirms whether the goal set by the goal setting unit 211 has been achieved. Specifically, the achievement confirmation unit 212 stores the user's related information sent from the information terminal 10 in the storage unit 220, confirms the user's behavioral record based on the related information stored in the storage unit 220, and judges whether the behavioral record has achieved the goal. Furthermore, the achievement confirmation unit 212 judges whether the deadline for the goal has arrived. The achievement confirmation unit 212 may periodically or irregularly check the behavioral record and judge whether the behavioral record has achieved the goal until the deadline for the goal arrives, or may perform the check at a set time.

The reward provision control unit 213 controls the provision of the reward set by the goal setting unit 211 to the user. Specifically, when the achievement confirmation unit 212 confirms that the goal has been achieved, the reward provision control unit 213 controls the provision of the reward to the user. Alternatively, when the achievement confirmation unit 212 confirms that the goal has not been achieved, the reward provision control unit 213 controls notification to the user of an alternative means for providing the reward even if the goal has not been achieved. Furthermore, the reward provision control unit 213 controls the provision of the reward to the user based on the fact that the alternative means has been executed by the user.

As described above, the alternative means notified to the user by the reward provision control unit 213 changes depending on the level of the behavioral achievement confirmed by the achievement confirmation unit 212. For example, the alternative means becomes more difficult the lower the behavioral achievement, and becomes less difficult the higher the behavioral achievement.

When the achievement confirmation unit 212 confirms that the goal has been achieved, the reward provision control unit 213 generates a goal achievement message indicating that the goal has been achieved and that a reward will be provided, along with the goal, reward, and deadline, and controls notification of the goal achievement message to the user. Here, a specific example of the goal achievement message notified to the user will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a goal achievement message M2 notified to the user. In the example shown in Figure 5, the goal achievement message M2 is displayed on the screen of the information terminal 10, and includes a goal achievement notification portion 81, a goal achievement notification portion 84, and an OK button 89. The goal achievement notification portion 84 indicates that the goal has been achieved and that a reward will be provided.

On the other hand, if the achievement confirmation unit 212 confirms within the deadline that the goal has not been achieved, the reward provision control unit 213 generates a progress notification message that indicates, together with the goal, reward, and deadline, the time remaining until the deadline, the remaining actions to achieve the goal, alternative means based on the current behavioral performance for the user to obtain the reward even if the goal has not been achieved, and additional actions to lower the difficulty of the alternative means, and controls the notification of the progress notification message to the user. Here, a specific example of a progress notification message notified to the user will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a progress notification message M3 notified to the user. In the example shown in Figure 6, the progress notification message M3 is displayed on the screen of the information terminal 10, and includes a goal notification portion 81, a progress notification portion 85, and an OK button 89. The progress notification portion 85 indicates the time remaining until the deadline, the remaining actions to achieve the goal, alternative means based on the current behavioral performance that allows the user to earn a reward even if the goal has not been achieved, and additional actions to lower the difficulty of the alternative means.

When the achievement confirmation unit 212 confirms that the goal has not been achieved when the deadline arrives, the reward provision control unit 213 generates an alternative means suggestion message that indicates, together with the goal, reward, and deadline, an alternative means for the user to obtain the reward even if the goal has not been achieved, and an option as to whether or not to execute the alternative means, and controls notification of the alternative means suggestion message to the user. Here, a specific example of the alternative means suggestion message notified to the user will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of an alternative means suggestion message M4 notified to the user. In the example shown in Figure 7, the alternative means suggestion message M4 is displayed on the screen of the information terminal 10, and includes a goal notification portion 81, an alternative means suggestion portion 86, a charge consent button 87, and an OK button 89. The alternative means suggestion portion 86 indicates an alternative means by which the user can obtain a reward even if the goal is not achieved. Based on the selection of the charge consent button 87, the information terminal 10 transmits information to the server 20 indicating that the user agrees to the displayed charge amount.

The billing confirmation unit 214 confirms whether or not a billing request from the user and billing processing by the billing system 40 are acceptable. Specifically, if the user agrees to be billed as an alternative means to obtain a reward when the goal is not achieved, it receives the agreed billing amount from the information terminal 10 and controls the request for billing processing to the billing system 40.

When the requested billing process is processed by the billing system 40 without any problems, the billing confirmation unit 214 controls the notification of a message (billing success message) to the user indicating that the billing process was successful. In addition, when the requested billing process is not processed by the billing system 40, the billing confirmation unit 214 controls the notification of a message (billing failure message) to the user indicating that the billing process has failed. When the requested billing process is not processed by the billing system 40, the billing confirmation unit 214 may add an option to the billing failure message asking whether to request billing again, or may add an instruction to repeat the procedure in an alternative means suggestion message.

The lottery function unit 215 has a function of conducting lotteries. Specifically, when a user consumes lottery participation rights, which are rights to participate in a lottery provided as a reward, the lottery function unit 215 conducts lotteries for the number of lottery participation rights selected for consumption. The lottery function unit 215 controls the provision of prizes won as a result of the lottery to the user. The prizes won as a result of the lottery may be media having monetary value or virtual media used in a social network service. Alternatively, the lottery function unit 215 may provide items that the user can use in real life as prizes.

(Storage unit 220)
The storage unit 220 stores programs and data for controlling the operation of the server 20. The programs include an OS (Operating System) and applications, etc. The data includes user-related information transmitted from the information terminal 10 to the server 20, the setting table T1 described above, etc.

(Communication unit 230)
The communication unit 230 communicates with other devices. For example, the communication unit 230 is directly connected to the network 30 and communicates with the information terminal 10 used by the user or the billing system 40 via the network 30. More specifically, the communication unit 230 receives user-related information and the like transmitted from the information terminal 10, and transmits messages to the information terminal 10 under the control of the control unit 210. The communication unit 230 also receives billing processing information and the like transmitted from the billing system 40, and transmits a billing processing request to the billing system 40 under the control of the control unit 210.

3. Operation of Information Processing System
The overall configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention and the functional configuration of the server 20 have been described above. Next, the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 8A and 8B.

Figures 8A and 8B are flowcharts showing the operation of the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, first, the goal setting unit 211 sets a goal indicating an action to be proposed to the user and information associated with the goal (such as a reward, a deadline, and an alternative means) (S11). Then, the communication unit 230 sends a goal notification message M1 to the information terminal 10 (S15), and the information terminal 10 displays the goal notification message M1 as described with reference to Figure 3, thereby notifying the user of the goal.

After the goal notification message M1 is sent to the information terminal 10, the achievement confirmation unit 212 checks whether a certain amount of time has passed since the goal notification message M1 was sent (S19). The achievement confirmation unit 212 waits until the certain amount of time has passed (S19/No), and if it is confirmed that the certain amount of time has passed (S19/Yes), it checks the user's behavioral track record from the user's related information stored in the memory unit 220 (S23) and determines whether the goal has been achieved based on the confirmed user's behavioral track record (S27). Subsequent processing branches depending on the result of this determination.

First, when the achievement confirmation unit 212 determines that the goal has been achieved (S27/Yes), as shown in FIG. 8B, the communication unit 230 transmits a goal achievement message M2 to the information terminal 10 (S31), and the information terminal 10 displays the goal achievement message M2 as described with reference to FIG. 5, thereby notifying the user that the goal has been achieved. The communication unit 230 transmits a lottery entry right to the information terminal 10 as a reward for the user achieving the goal (S71).

On the other hand, if the achievement confirmation unit 212 determines that the goal has not been achieved (S27/No), the communication unit 230 sends a progress notification message M3 to the information terminal 10 (S35), and the information terminal 10 displays the progress notification message M3 as described with reference to FIG. 6, thereby notifying the user of the time remaining until the deadline, the remaining actions to achieve the goal, alternative means based on the current behavioral performance that allows the user to obtain a reward even if the goal has not been achieved, and additional actions to reduce the difficulty of the alternative means.

After the progress notification message M3 is sent to the information terminal 10, the achievement confirmation unit 212 judges whether the goal deadline has arrived (S39). If it is judged that the goal deadline has not arrived (S39/No), the server 20 executes the process again from S19. If it is judged that the goal deadline has arrived (S39/Yes), as shown in FIG. 8B, the achievement confirmation unit 212 checks the user's behavioral record from the user's related information stored in the memory unit 220 (S43), and judges whether the goal has been achieved based on the checked user's behavioral record (S47).

If the achievement confirmation unit 212 determines that the goal has been achieved (S47/Yes), the communication unit 230 sends a goal achievement message M2 to the information terminal 10 (S31), and sends a lottery entry ticket to the information terminal 10 as a reward for the user achieving the goal (S71).

On the other hand, if the achievement confirmation unit 212 determines that the goal has not been achieved (S47/No), the communication unit 230 sends an alternative means suggestion message M4 to the information terminal 10 (S51), and the information terminal 10 displays the alternative means suggestion message M4 as described with reference to FIG. 7, thereby notifying the user of alternative means for obtaining a reward even if the goal has not been achieved and the option of whether or not to execute the alternative means.

After the alternative means proposal message M4 is sent to the information terminal 10, the billing confirmation unit 214 confirms whether the user has agreed to the billing in the alternative means proposal message M4 (S55). If it is confirmed that the user does not agree to the billing (S55/No), the server 20 ends the process without sending the lottery participation right to the information terminal 10. If it is confirmed that the user agrees to the billing (S55/Yes), the communication unit 230 sends a billing processing request to the billing system 40 (S59).

Then, the billing confirmation unit 214 checks whether the billing process was successful or not based on the information received from the billing system 40 (S63). If it is confirmed that the billing process was not successful (S63/No), the communication unit 230 sends a billing failure message to the information terminal 10 (S65), and the server 20 executes the process again from S55. If it is confirmed that the billing process was successful (S63/Yes), the communication unit 230 sends a billing success message to the information terminal 10 (S67), and then sends a lottery entry ticket to the information terminal 10 (S71).

4. Hardware Configuration
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. The above-mentioned information processing such as confirmation of goal achievement and reward provision control is realized by cooperation between software and the hardware of the server 20 described below.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of server 20. As shown in FIG. 9, server 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 903, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 905, and a host bus 907. Server 20 also includes an interface 909, a storage device 911, and a communication interface 913.

The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processing device and control device, and controls the overall operation of the server 20 in accordance with various programs. The CPU 901 may also be a microprocessor. The ROM 903 stores programs and calculation parameters used by the CPU 901. The RAM 905 temporarily stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 901 and parameters that change as appropriate during the execution. These are interconnected by a host bus 907 consisting of a CPU bus and the like. The CPU 901, ROM 903, and RAM 905 work together with software to realize functions such as the achievement confirmation unit 212 and reward provision control unit 213 described with reference to FIG. 2.

The host bus 907 interconnects the CPU 901, the ROM 903, and the RAM 905. The host bus 907 also includes multiple functions. As an example, the host bus 907 may have the functions of a bridge and an external bus such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect/Interface) bus. Note that the host bus 907 does not necessarily have to have the functions of a bridge and an external bus, and the bridge and the external bus may be configured separately.

The interface 909 connects peripheral devices such as the storage device 911 and the communication interface 913 to the server 20. As an example, the interface 909 can be realized by a connector or the like.

The storage device 911 is a device for storing data configured as an example of the storage unit 220 of the server 20 according to this embodiment. The storage device 911 may include a storage medium, a recording device for recording data on the storage medium, a reading device for reading data from the storage medium, and a deletion device for deleting data recorded on the storage medium. The storage device 911 may be, for example, a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk, or may be a nonvolatile memory such as an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), a ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM), or a phase change random access memory (PRAM).

The communication interface 913 is a communication means provided in the server 20 according to this embodiment, and communicates with an external device via the network 30 (or directly). The communication interface 913 may be an interface for wireless communication, and in this case may include, for example, a communication antenna, an RF circuit, and other circuits for communication processing. The communication interface 913 may also be an interface for wired communication, and in this case may include, for example, a LAN terminal, a transmission circuit, and other circuits for communication processing.

<5. Effects>
As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, a user can obtain a reward when the user achieves a goal, and can obtain a reward by performing an alternative means even when the user fails to achieve the goal. The existence of a reward increases the likelihood that the user will be motivated to achieve the goal. Furthermore, the existence of an alternative means reduces the likelihood that the user will give up on attempting the goal. As a result, for a goal that involves a reward and an alternative means, it is expected that the user will increase the frequency with which the user performs an action to achieve the goal.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, different alternative means are provided depending on the level of the behavioral performance, and the higher the behavioral performance, the lower the difficulty of the alternative means provided. Therefore, even if the user is unlikely to achieve the goal, he or she may try to further increase the number of actions taken toward the goal in order to obtain a reward by using an alternative means with a slightly lower level of difficulty.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, goals are set with a deadline. By setting a deadline for a goal, the user is more likely to be conscious of achieving the goal by the deadline rather than abandoning the goal, and to systematically take action to achieve the goal. As a result, it is expected that the frequency with which actions are taken to achieve the goal will increase.

Furthermore, if the goal is not achieved within the deadline, the user is notified with a progress notification message M3. The progress notification message M3 shows the user alternative measures based on the user's current behavioral performance and additional actions to lower the difficulty of the alternative measures. The progress notification message M3 allows the user to understand the conditions under which the difficulty of the alternative measures will be lowered. Therefore, even if the goal cannot be achieved, the user is more likely to attempt to perform an action to make the alternative measures easier to a level of difficulty that is tolerable to the user. As a result, it is possible to further increase the frequency with which the user performs actions toward the goal.

An alternative in an embodiment of the present invention is the provision of a medium having monetary value. Thus, the user can recognize that performing an action toward the goal is equivalent to receiving monetary compensation. Alternatively, the user can recognize that not performing an action toward the goal will result in a monetary disadvantage. As a result, the user is expected to increase the frequency with which they perform actions toward achieving the goal, so that it is financially beneficial for them.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the reward is a lottery participation right, which is the right to participate in a lottery. By spending the lottery participation right, the user can obtain a prize that is won as a result of the lottery. In order to obtain the prize that the user desires, the user is expected to strive to obtain as many lottery participation rights as possible. As a result, the user is expected to increase the frequency with which the user performs actions to achieve their goals.

6. Modifications
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such an example. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a reward is provided to a user based on the fact that the user has executed the notified alternative means when it is confirmed that the goal has not been achieved at the time the deadline arrives. However, the timing of reward provision in the information processing system 1 of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the time when the deadline arrives or the time when the deadline has passed. For example, the timing of reward provision in the information processing system 1 of the present invention may be a time before the deadline arrives. Specifically, the reward may be provided to the user before the deadline arrives if the user executes the alternative means before the deadline arrives.

If the user executes an alternative method before the deadline, the user may receive a reward before the deadline. This increases the likelihood that the user will take some action toward more goals. As a result, it is expected that the number of actions taken by the user toward more goals will increase.

In the above embodiment, an example was mainly described in which the alternative means is charging involving the payment (provision) of cash. However, the alternative means is not limited to charging, and the alternative means may be the provision of a virtual medium. The virtual medium may be, for example, a virtual item or virtual currency used in a social network service.

Furthermore, the alternative may be the performance of an action required of the user. The action required of the user may be, for example, watching an advertisement of a certain length or signing up for a specified service.

In addition, although the above describes an example in which only one alternative means is notified to the user, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above example. For example, in the information processing system 1 of the present invention, multiple candidate means may be notified to the user, and the alternative means may be a means selected by the user from the multiple candidate means. Specifically, the goal setting unit 211 sets multiple candidate means when setting a goal, and associates the set goal and other information with the multiple candidate means and stores them in the setting table T1 stored in the storage unit 220. Then, when it is confirmed that the set goal has not been achieved, the multiple candidate means that have been set are notified to the user. The user can execute a means selected from the multiple notified candidate means as an alternative means.

Regarding the selection of a means from among the multiple candidate means described above, if a user cannot achieve the goal, he or she will be less likely to give up on attempting the goal if the user can earn a reward by executing the alternative means selected by the user. For example, when the user's track record toward the goal reaches a certain stage, the only alternative means notified is to pay a fee. In that case, a user who feels that it is not necessary to earn a reward by paying money may give up on attempting the goal. However, if the alternative means notified in the above case can be selected from among paying a fee or being provided with a virtual item, it is more likely that an alternative means within the user's tolerance range can be provided.

As mentioned above, there are many alternative means other than charging, such as the provision of virtual media or the execution of actions imposed on the user, and if users can choose their preferred alternative means from a variety of candidate means, it is expected that more users will take action toward their goals. As a result, it is expected that the number of times users take action toward their goals will increase.

In addition, the goal in the embodiment of the present invention may be set based on the received user related information. For example, the goal setting unit 211 may notify a user who is determined to be lacking in vegetables based on the user's health information of a goal aimed at consuming vegetables. Furthermore, the goal setting unit 211 may notify a user whose hobby is exercise of a goal aimed at muscle training based on the user's hobby information. Furthermore, the goal setting unit 211 may notify a user who has already achieved 2,500 steps at the present time of a goal advantageous to the user of walking 3,000 steps based on the user's behavior information.

In goals that are set based on the user's related information as described above, the user can earn rewards by achieving goals that are beneficial to the user, which can improve the user's motivation to achieve the goals. As a result, it is expected that the frequency with which the user performs actions to achieve the goals will increase.

In addition, goals in an embodiment of the present invention may be set based on information preset in the goal setting unit 211. For example, the goal setting unit 211 may classify users into groups based on the user's age and notify each user of a different purpose for each group. The goal setting unit 211 may associate a date with each goal, and when that date arrives, notify all users at once of the goal associated with that date.

In the above, an example was described in which different means are set as alternative means in the setting table T1 depending on the level of the user's behavioral achievement, but alternative means that change continuously depending on the level of the user's behavioral achievement may also be set. For example, the goal setting unit 211 may set a formula that indicates the relationship between the level of the user's behavioral achievement and the amount of money. In this case, the alternative means is to charge the amount obtained by substituting the level of the user's behavioral achievement into the formula. The amount can change continuously depending on the level of the user's behavioral achievement. In such a configuration, if the user's behavioral achievement increases even slightly, the amount charged will decrease, making it easier for the user to be motivated to take action.

The control unit 210 in an embodiment of the present invention may also have a function to check the goals that the user has attempted up to now, which are stored in the storage unit 220, and provide the user with different rewards based on the achievements for the goals attempted up to now. The control unit 210 may, for example, have a function to check the history of the user's behavioral achievements for the goals attempted up to now, and provide an additional lottery entry right or a different reward based on the number of such behavioral achievements in the history. Alternatively, the control unit 210 may have a function to provide an additional lottery entry right or a different reward based on the number of goals that the user has achieved up to now.

According to the above-mentioned function, the more goals a user attempts to achieve, the more rewards he or she can obtain. This increases the likelihood that the user will take action toward more goals. As a result, it is expected that the number of times the user takes action toward more goals will increase.

Furthermore, a computer program can be created to cause hardware such as the CPU 901, ROM 903, and RAM 905 built into the server 20 to perform functions equivalent to those of each of the components of the server 20 described above. A storage medium storing the computer program may also be provided.

The present invention is applicable to improving a user's behavior, and in particular to suggesting actions to promote the user's health. The present invention can also be expected to serve as a long-term goal achievement step chart for accumulating the results necessary to achieve the user's long-term goals.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Information processing system 10 Information terminal 20 Server 30 Network 40 Charging system 210 Control unit 211 Goal setting unit 212 Achievement confirmation unit 213 Reward provision control unit 214 Charging confirmation unit 215 Lottery function unit 220 Storage unit 230 Communication unit

Claims (13)

an achievement confirmation unit that confirms whether or not a behavioral result, which is a result of a user's behavior, has achieved a goal;
When the achievement confirmation unit confirms that the behavioral performance has achieved the goal, the provision of a reward to the user is controlled;
a reward provision control unit that controls notification of an alternative means for providing the reward to the user when the achievement confirmation unit confirms that the behavioral record does not achieve the goal, and controls provision of the reward to the user based on the execution of the alternative means by the user;
a goal setting unit that sets the goal and the reward, and controls notification of the goal, the deadline for achieving the goal, and the reward to the user;
Equipped with
The reward provision control unit, when the achievement confirmation unit confirms that the goal has not been achieved when the deadline arrives, controls notification to the user of the alternative means for providing the reward, and controls the provision of the reward to the user based on the alternative means being executed by the user, in an information processing device. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the reward provision control unit applies different means as the alternative means depending on the level of the behavioral achievement. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the reward provision control unit applies, as the alternative means, a means of lower difficulty the higher the behavioral record. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reward provision control unit controls notification to the user of the alternative measures to be applied based on current behavioral performance when the achievement confirmation unit confirms that the goal has not been achieved before the deadline arrives. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reward provision control unit controls notification to the user of additional behavioral achievements and the alternative measures to be applied if the additional behavioral achievements are realized when the achievement confirmation unit confirms that the goal has not been achieved before the deadline arrives. The information processing device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the reward provision control unit controls provision of the reward to the user before the deadline if the alternative means is executed by the user at a time before the deadline arrives. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the alternative means is the provision of a medium having monetary value. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the alternative means is provision of a virtual medium used in a social network service. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the reward is a right to participate in a lottery. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the alternative means is a means selected by the user from a plurality of candidate means. Checking whether a behavioral record, which is a record of a user's behavior, has achieved a goal;
When it is confirmed that the behavioral performance has achieved the goal, the provision of a reward to the user is controlled;
when it is determined that the behavioral performance does not achieve the goal, suggesting an alternative means for providing the reward to the user, and controlling the provision of the reward to the user based on the execution of the alternative means by the user;
setting the goal and the reward and controlling notification of the goal, the deadline for achieving the goal, and the reward to the user;
Including,
An information processing method executed by a computer, wherein controlling the provision of the reward includes controlling notification of the user of alternative means for providing the reward when it is confirmed that the goal has not been achieved when the deadline arrives, and controlling the provision of the reward to the user based on the alternative means being executed by the user . Computer,
an achievement confirmation unit that confirms whether or not a behavioral result, which is a result of a user's behavior, has achieved a goal;
When the achievement confirmation unit confirms that the behavioral performance has achieved the goal, the provision of a reward to the user is controlled;
a reward provision control unit that, when it is confirmed by the achievement confirmation unit that the behavioral achievement does not meet the goal, proposes an alternative means for providing the reward to the user, and controls provision of the reward to the user based on the alternative means being executed by the user;
a goal setting unit that sets the goal and the reward, and controls notification of the goal, the deadline for achieving the goal, and the reward to the user;
Functioning as a
The reward provision control unit is a program that, when the achievement confirmation unit confirms that the goal has not been achieved when the deadline arrives, controls notification to the user of the alternative means for providing the reward, and controls the provision of the reward to the user based on the alternative means being executed by the user . an achievement confirmation unit that confirms whether or not a behavioral result, which is a result of a user's behavior, has achieved a goal;
When the achievement confirmation unit confirms that the behavioral performance has achieved the goal, the provision of a reward to the user is controlled;
a reward provision control unit that, when it is confirmed by the achievement confirmation unit that the behavioral achievement does not meet the goal, proposes an alternative means for providing the reward to the user, and controls provision of the reward to the user based on the alternative means being executed by the user;
a goal setting unit that sets the goal and the reward, and controls notification of the goal, the deadline for achieving the goal, and the reward to the user;
Equipped with
The reward provision control unit controls notification to the user of the alternative means for providing the reward when the achievement confirmation unit confirms that the goal has not been achieved when the deadline arrives, and controls the provision of the reward to the user based on the alternative means being executed by the user.This is an information processing system.

Images