JP7716006B2 - Information processing system, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

Patent Document 1 discloses the following password reissue method:

When reissuing a password, the user (applicant) sends a temporary password created by the user to the authentication server. In response to receiving the temporary password, the authentication server stores the temporary password or initialization password in temporary storage. It then uses the temporary password to create a message requesting a specific process. It then accesses the user information database, searches for an email address or instant messenger address corresponding to the user ID, and sends the message via email or instant messenger to the user terminal at the searched address. In response to receiving the message, the user performs the specific process and sends the temporary password or initialization password to the authentication server. The authentication server verifies whether the temporary password or initialization password received from the user terminal matches the temporary password or initialization password stored in the temporary storage.

International Publication No. 2010/050192

However, there is still room for improvement in the functionality of the above-mentioned publicly known technologies.

In light of the above circumstances, this disclosure aims to provide technology that can provide users with an improved experience.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing system is provided. The information processing system includes at least one processor capable of executing a program to perform the following steps: In the receiving step, input is received from a user specifying one of the second accounts as a specific account linked to a first account in a first service. The user wishes to inquire about their own first account. The second account is an account in at least one second service that is different from the first service. In the output step, when a specific account is identified by the input, information including the first account is output so that the user can inquire about it.

This disclosure allows users to have an improved experience.

1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a first information processing device 2a according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an activity diagram showing an example of a flow of processing executed by the information processing system 1. 1 shows an example of a login screen 5 for a first service S1 provided by a first information processing device 2a. 1 shows an example of a selection screen 6 for a first service S1 provided by a first information processing device 2a. 10 shows an example of a comparison between an authentication screen 7 for the second service S2 and a notification screen 8 for the first service S1 that is displayed thereafter. 10 shows an example of a comparison between an authentication screen 7 for the second service S2 and a notification screen 8 for the first service S1 that is displayed thereafter. 1 shows an example of a lookup table T managed in the storage unit 22 of the first information processing device 2a.

[Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Various features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

The program for realizing the software featured in one embodiment may be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, may be provided as a downloadable medium from an external server, or may be provided so that the program is launched on an external computer and its functions are realized on a client terminal (so-called cloud computing).

In one embodiment, a "unit" can also include, for example, hardware resources implemented by a circuit in the broad sense, and software information processing that can be specifically realized by these hardware resources. In one embodiment, various types of information are handled, and this information can be represented, for example, by physical signal values representing voltage or current, high or low signal values as a collection of binary bits consisting of 0 or 1, or quantum superposition (so-called quantum bits), and communication and calculations can be performed on a circuit in the broad sense.

In a broad sense, a circuit is a circuit realized by at least an appropriate combination of a circuit, circuitry, processor, memory, etc. In other words, it includes application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (e.g., simple programmable logic devices (SPLDs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), etc.

1. Description of the Game Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an information processing system 1 according to one embodiment. In the information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of information processing devices 2 and a plurality of user terminals 3 are communicably connected to each other via a communication network 11, and a game is executed on the user terminals 3. In other words, the information processing system 1 is made up of at least one device.

A game according to one embodiment is an online game executed by the information processing system 1. In this game, a user of a user terminal 3 controls one or more player characters in a virtual game space, and pits the player characters against enemy characters, which are non-player characters. A character is also an example of an object.

The above-mentioned games are played using a user terminal 3, which may be a home game console such as a PlayStation (registered trademark), a portable game console such as a Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), or an electronic device such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet terminal.

2. Overview of Information Processing System 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the information processing system 1 is composed of multiple information processing devices 2 and multiple user terminals 3. Of the multiple information processing devices 2, a first information processing device 2a stores game programs and game data and manages game data (for each account information described below) of the user terminals 3. The information processing device 2 is composed of, for example, a server. In particular, each of the user terminals 3 for playing the game has the same configuration. Note that in one embodiment, a system is composed of one or more devices or components. Therefore, for example, even an information processing device 2 or a user terminal 3 described below alone can be an example of the information processing system 1.

The user terminal 3 executes a predetermined game based on user operations. To do so, the user terminal 3 receives (specifically, downloads and installs) a game program and game data from the first information processing device 2a via the communications network 11. Each user is assigned account information, including identification information and a password, that is associated with the user terminal 3. This account information is sent from the user terminal 3 to the first information processing device 2a upon login and is used for user authentication on the first information processing device 2a.

After user authentication, mutual communication between the first information processing device 2a and the user terminal 3 becomes possible. After logging in, the user terminal 3 receives data necessary for game progress (data related to the game progress status) from the first information processing device 2a, and progresses the game while outputting game images and sounds to the display 4a and speaker 4b based on user operations.

2.1 Hardware Configuration Hereinafter, each hardware configuration of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

<Information processing device 2>
As shown in FIG. 1 , the information processing device 2 includes a first information processing device 2a managed primarily by a game developer and a second information processing device 2b managed primarily by a game-related comprehensive platform provider, both of which have substantially the same configuration. Preferably, the second information processing device 2b may be multiple second information processing devices 2b. More specifically, the first information processing device 2a is a game server providing a first service S1, and the second information processing device 2b is a platform server providing a second service S2 different from the first service S1. In other words, multiple second information processing devices 2b may be configured for each game platform service (second service S2). The information processing device 2 includes a communication unit 21, a memory unit 22, and a control unit 23. The communication unit 21 and the memory unit 22 are electrically connected to the control unit 23 via a communication bus 20.

The communication unit 21 is a so-called network interface that is communicatively connected to each user terminal 3 via a communication network 11 such as the Internet or a LAN. The main information received by the first information processing device 2a of the information processing devices 2 via the communication unit 21 includes game program download request information, gacha lottery requests in response to user operations, quest execution requests, autoplay execution/end requests, account information, game data, etc. The main information transmitted by the first information processing device 2a via the communication unit 21 includes information confirming that the user terminal 3 has received the game program, information regarding game media obtained through gacha, etc.

The storage unit 22 is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 22 stores various programs, including part of the game program according to one embodiment, as well as various game-related data.

Specifically, for example, the storage unit 22 of the first information processing device 2a stores a user DB, a lottery list, and the like. The user DB stores, for each identification number (account information) of a user playing a game, information such as the user name, user rank, status information related to the player character operated by the user, the amount of consumable media usable in the virtual game space, information related to parameters, and the like, in association with each other. The lottery list is used for a lottery process commonly known as gacha, and includes multiple pieces of information related to game media to be selected. The lottery list associates information related to game media (name, ability parameters, rarity, level, etc.) with the selection rate in the lottery. Furthermore, ability parameters include, for example, combat power, HP, attack power, defense power, intelligence, speed, etc., if the game media is a player character.

The control unit 23 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the information processing device 2, which is its own device. In particular, the control unit 23 realizes various functions related to the information processing device 2, which is its own device, by reading out predetermined programs stored in the storage unit 22. In other words, information processing by software stored in the storage unit 22 is specifically realized by the control unit 23, which is an example of hardware, and each of the functional units described below can be executed. Note that the control unit 23 is not limited to being single, and multiple control units 23 may be provided for each function. A combination of these may also be used. In other words, the information processing system 1 has at least one processor capable of executing programs that cause each of the following units to function.

Examples of information processing executed by the control unit 23 include payment settlement processing, user account authentication processing, and gacha lottery selection processing. Payment settlement processing is executed, for example, based on a request for payment necessary to restore a predetermined amount of in-game parameters. User account authentication processing is executed, for example, using user identification information received from the user terminal 3. Gacha lottery selection processing is processing in which, in response to a gacha lottery request, one or more game media are selected by lottery from a lottery list based on the selection probability for each game medium. According to the gacha lottery selection processing, information about the selected game media and the identification information of the user who performed the operation that sent the lottery request are associated in the user DB, and the user is thereby awarded the game media that they won as a result of their own gacha draw.

To further expand on the above, "game media" refers to electronic data representing elements related to a game, such as the name of the character used as the player character and items (weapons, armor, tools) used by the player character in the virtual game space. Users can obtain game media through direct purchase, completing quests, or through a lottery system known as gacha. Obtained game media is stored and managed in a user database in association with the identification information of the user who will own the game media. Furthermore, "gacha" is a method in which the information processing device 2 randomly selects game media from a lottery list based on a predetermined selection ratio. The selected game media is granted to the user terminal 3 (stored in association with account information). "Granting game media selected through gacha to a user/owning the user" is synonymous with "associating/being associated with the game media selected through the lottery process with identification information identifying the user."

<User terminal 3>
1, a display 4a, a speaker 4b, and an input device 4c are externally connected or built into the user terminal 3. The user terminal 3 also has a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, a control unit 33, a graphics processing unit 34a, an audio processing unit 34b, and an operation unit 34c. The communication unit 31, the storage unit 32, the graphics processing unit 34a, the audio processing unit 34b, and the operation unit 34c are electrically connected to the control unit 33 via a communication bus 30.

The communication unit 31 is a so-called network interface that is communicatively connected to the communication network 11 to transmit and receive various data between the user terminal 3 and the information processing device 2. Main information received by the user terminal 3 via the communication unit 31 includes account information, download request information for new game data, gacha execution requests, quest execution requests, etc. Main information transmitted by the user terminal 3 via the communication unit 31 includes new game data sent from the information processing device 2 in response to download request information, information regarding game media selected by lottery processing, etc.

The storage unit 32 is composed of an HDD, SSD, RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit 32 stores game data downloaded from the first information processing device 2a, various programs including part of the game program, account information for the user terminal 3 (the device itself), user information, etc. The user information is at least a portion of the information in the user DB stored in the storage unit 22 of the first information processing device 2a. The user DB manages the master data of the user information, and the storage unit 32 of the user terminal 3 stores at least a portion of this master data distributed from the first information processing device 2a.

The control unit 33 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the user terminal 3, which is its own device. In particular, the control unit 33 realizes various functions related to the user terminal 3, which is its own device, by reading out predetermined programs stored in the storage unit 32. In other words, information processing by software stored in the storage unit 32 is specifically realized by the control unit 33, which is an example of hardware, and each of the functional units described below can be executed. Note that the control unit 33 is not limited to being single, and implementation may include multiple control units 33 for each function. A combination of these may also be used.

In particular, the control unit 33 is configured to execute the game in accordance with operation of the input device 4c by the user of the user terminal 3, which is the user's own device. Specifically, the control unit 33 reads data such as virtual game space objects and textures included in the game data from the storage unit 32, or generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional game image information using data received from the first information processing device 2a. The game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 34a, and the processed game images are sequentially displayed on the display 4a. In other words, the control unit 33 is configured to control the display of the display 4a and the audio output of the speaker 4b in accordance with operation, etc., of the user of the user terminal 3, which is the user's own device, when executing the game.

The graphics processing unit 34a renders game images, including characters and various objects related to the virtual game space, in animated format in accordance with game image information output from the control unit 33. The graphics processing unit 34a is connected to the display 4a, which may be, for example, an LCD, and the game images rendered in animated format are displayed on the display 4a as a game screen. The audio processing unit 34b is connected to the speaker 4b and plays and synthesizes game audio in accordance with instructions from the control unit 33, outputting this from the speaker 4b. The operation unit 34c is connected to the input device 4c and transmits and receives data related to operation inputs to and from the input device 4c. The user inputs operation signals to the user terminal 3 by operating the input device 4c. The input device 4c is a general term for a touch panel integrated with the display 4a, an external game pad, a mouse, a keyboard, etc.

2.2 Functional Configuration Next, the functional configuration of the first information processing device 2a of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a first information processing device 2a according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 23 (processor) executes various programs stored in the storage unit 22, thereby functioning as a reception unit 231, an acquisition unit 232, a calculation unit 233, a presentation unit 234, and a display control unit 235. In other words, information processing by software stored in the storage unit 22 is specifically realized by the control unit 23, which is an example of hardware, and can be executed as each functional unit included in the control unit 23.

The reception unit 231 is configured to receive various types of information as a reception step. For example, the reception unit 231 receives user account information, game data, input from the user, etc. from the storage unit 22, the user terminal 3, or other external devices. Preferably, the reception unit 231 is configured to execute a first reception step and a second reception step. Details will be described below.

The acquisition unit 232 is configured to acquire various information as an acquisition step. Details will be described later.

The calculation unit 233 is configured to perform calculations or processes related to various information processing. Specifically, the calculation unit 233 may, as an output step, output information IF0 including the first account A1 so that the user can refer to it, or, as an execution step, may execute a predetermined function of the first service S1. Details will be described later.

The presentation unit 234 is configured to present various information to the user as a presentation step. In one embodiment, presentation may be in the form of a display using visual information, or may be in the form of information relating to the five senses other than visual information, such as auditory information, tactile information, or a combination of information relating to all five senses (so-called multimodal information).

As a display step, the display control unit 235 is configured to execute processing for displaying various pieces of information stored in the memory unit 32 or screens containing such information on the display 4a of the user terminal 3 in a visible manner. As an example, the display control unit 235 may generate visual information itself, such as a screen, image (e.g., a still image or video), icon, text, etc., generated in a manner visible to humans, or may generate rendering information for displaying the visual information on the display 4a and transmit this.

3. Overview of Information Processing Fig. 3 is an activity diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the information processing system 1. Below, the flow of information processing will be outlined along this activity diagram.

In one embodiment, the information processing system 1 includes at least one device. The first information processing device 2a is a game server, and the second information processing device 2b is a platform server. The user has a first account A1 for a first service S1 provided by the first information processing device 2a. The user has multiple second accounts A2 for a second service S2 provided by the second information processing device 2b. Multiple second services S2 exist, provided by multiple different companies, such as companies that provide game hardware. The first account A1 for the first service S1 can be linked to various second services S2 for the second service S2. In particular, the second account A2 linked to the first account A1 is referred to as a "specific account." In the following description, it is assumed that a user who has forgotten their first account A1 inquires about their own first account A1 via at least one second service S2 different from the first service S1. In other words, the user is someone who wants to inquire about their own first account A1.

First, the user terminal 3 accesses the first service S1 provided by the first information processing device 2a via the communication unit 31 and the communication network 11 (activity A101). This allows the user to view the screen for the first service S1 (e.g., the login screen 5 described below) on the display 4a of the user terminal 3. Next, the user, who has forgotten the first account A1 and is unable to log in to the first service S1, attempts to inquire about the first account A1. That is, triggered by a specific input on the user's screen, the user terminal 3 sends a request to inquire about the first account A1 to the first information processing device 2a (activity A102). The first information processing device 2a receives the inquiry request sent from the user terminal 3 (activity A103).

Next, as a first display step, the display control unit 235 displays a screen (e.g., selection screen 6 described below) on which the user can enter input (described below) in response to the inquiry request. That is, a selection screen (e.g., selection screen 6 described below) is displayed on the display 4a of the user terminal 3 (activity A104). Multiple second services S2 are presented to the user via this selection screen. Then, one of the presented second services S2 is designated by the user's input on the selection screen (activity A105). In other words, the reception unit 231 receives input from the user designating one of the second accounts A2 as a specific account linked to the first account A1 in the first service S1.

Next, in response to the input in activity A105, the user terminal 3 accesses the second service S2 provided by the second information processing device 2b via the communication unit 31 and the communication network 11. That is, the screen displayed on the display 4a transitions to a screen provided by the second information processing device 2b (e.g., authentication screen 7, described below). This screen requests the user to log in to the second service S2 using their own second account A2 (activity A106). In other words, when the presentation unit 234 receives input from the user as a first presentation step, it presents the user with a request to log in to the second service S2 using the second account A2 included in the input. The user attempts to log in to the second service S2 using the second account A2. That is, the second account A2 and the password corresponding to the second account A2 are input, and the control unit 23 of the second information processing device 2b performs authentication (activity A107). More specifically, the control unit 23 performs a comparison process between the information entered by the user and a database that manages combinations of second accounts A2 and passwords stored in the storage unit 22 of the second information processing device 2b.

If the combination of the entered second account A2 and password is authenticated in activity A107, the user can log in to the second service S2 using the second account A2. That is, the screen displayed on display 4a transitions to the post-login screen for the second service S2 (e.g., notification screen 8, described below). Then, it is determined whether the logged-in second account A2 is associated with the first account A1 (activity A108). If they are associated, the user can inquire about the forgotten first account A1, regardless of the determination result of the information processing shown in activity A109, described below.

In other words, as an output step, the calculation unit 233 outputs information IF0 including the first account A1 so that the user can inquire when a specific account is identified by input. Specifically, when the second account A2 is identified as a specific account due to successful login, the calculation unit 233 outputs information IF0 including the first account A1 so that the user can inquire (activity A111). As a first display step, the display control unit 235 displays visual information (an example of information IF0) including the first account A1 when a specific account is identified by input (activity A112). According to this aspect, the user can directly visually confirm the first account A1 that they wish to inquire about via the screen. In particular, having the user log in using the second account A2 can increase the level of security when inquiring about the first account A1.

In addition, if the combination of the entered second account A2 and password in activity A107 is not authenticated, or if it is authenticated but the first account A1 is not linked to the second account A2, information processing may return to activity A104.

In addition, activity A109 may determine the number or number of times second accounts A2 have logged in to the second service S2. For example, suppose the second account A2 that attempts to log in first is not linked to the first account A1, but another second account A2 that attempts to log in second is linked to the first account A1. In such a case, the example branching condition shown in activity A109, "success on second or subsequent attempts," is met, so information processing proceeds to activity A110, and the user is presented with re-linking information IF1, which will be described later.

It is expected that users will preferentially attempt to log in using the second account A2 that they currently use frequently. Therefore, usability may be improved by re-linking the first account A1 to the second account A2 that they first attempted to log in to. Re-linking information IF1 is information that recommends re-linking to the second account A2 that they attempted to log in to earlier. Re-linking information IF1 may be a simple pop-up notification, or an object such as a button that allows users to re-link with one touch.

In summary, an information processing method according to one embodiment includes the following steps: In the reception step, input is received from a user specifying one of the second accounts A2 as a specific account linked to the first account A1 in the first service S1. The user wishes to inquire about their own first account A1. The second account A2 is an account in at least one second service S2 that is different from the first service S1. In the output step, when a specific account is identified by the input, information IF0 including the first account A1 is output so that the user can inquire about it. Furthermore, a program that causes at least one computer to execute each of the above steps may be provided. According to this aspect, a technology that can provide users with an improved experience can be provided.

4. Details of Information Processing In this section, the details of the information processing outlined in the previous section will be explained using additional diagrams, etc.

4.1 Screen Transition Fig. 4 shows an example of a login screen 5 for the first service S1 provided by the first information processing device 2a. Fig. 5 shows an example of a selection screen 6 for the first service S1 provided by the first information processing device 2a. Figs. 6 and 7 show an example of a comparison between an authentication screen 7 for the second service S2 and a notification screen 8 for the first service S1 that is displayed thereafter.

As shown in FIG. 4, login screen 5, which is titled "MYGAME SERVICE," includes input fields 51 and 52, a button 53, and links 54 to 56. "MYGAME SERVICE" is an example of the name of the first service S1, and will be used appropriately in the following explanation.

The input fields 51 and 52 are fields into which the user can input text information. When no text is entered, the text "ID" and "Password" are displayed, respectively. The input fields 51 and 52 are configured to accept text input by the user. The first account A1 for the first service S1 is entered in the input field 51, and the password corresponding to the first account A1 is entered in the input field 52. Furthermore, the button 53, which displays the text "Login," is configured to accept a user press (an example of an operation). The press may be a click or a tap. When the user presses the button 53 with appropriate text information entered in the input fields 51 and 52, the user can log in to the first service S1 using the first account A1. However, in one embodiment, the user has forgotten their own first account A1 and is therefore unable to log in in the first place.

Link 54 is text information "External Service Linkage" with a hyperlink to another URL. When the user clicks or taps link 54, they are taken to a screen not shown. Via the screen not shown, the user can link their first account A1 with their second account A2 in various second services S2. In one embodiment, it is assumed that the linkage between the first account A1 and the second account A2 has already been completed.

Link 55 is text information that reads "Forgot your password?" with a hyperlink to another URL. When the user clicks or taps link 55, they are taken to a screen not shown. Via the screen not shown, the user can inquire about the password corresponding to first account A1, for example, via a registered email address. However, in one embodiment, the user has forgotten their own first account A1 and is therefore unable to use this function.

Link 56 is text information that reads "Forgot your ID?" with a hyperlink to another URL. When the user clicks or taps link 56, the screen transitions to selection screen 6 shown in FIG. 5. That is, as a first reception step, the reception unit 231 receives from the user a request to inquire about first account A1 in first service S1.

As shown in FIG. 5, selection screen 6, which displays the title "For those who have forgotten their MYGAME ID," includes buttons 61 to 64. Selection screen 6 also includes focus indicators 61a and 61b adjacent to button 61, and focus indicator 62a adjacent to button 62. "MYGAME ID" is an example of a generic term for first account A1, and will be used appropriately in the following explanation.

Buttons 61-63 are respectively labeled "PlayWork," "STORM," and "Hako Plaza," and are configured to accept user presses. "PlayWork," "STORM," and "Hako Plaza" are all examples of names for the second service S2, which is a platform, and will be used appropriately in the following explanation.

The text "Linked" is displayed in the attention indicators 61a and 62a. This allows the user to visually understand that both the second account A2 for "PlayWork" and the second account A2 for "STORM" are linked to the first account A1 for "MYGAME SERVICE." Meanwhile, the button 63 does not have an indication equivalent to the attention indicators 61a and 62a. This indicates that the user does not have a second account A2 for "Hako Plaza," or, if they do, it is not linked to the first account A1.

For example, when the user selects and clicks or taps button 62 out of buttons 61-63, the user is transitioned to authentication screen 7 shown in FIG. 6A. Authentication screen 7 may be displayed as a page of "MYGAME SERVICE" through an API provided by "STORM," or may be implemented by jumping to a URL managed by "STORM." In other words, as a second reception step, the reception unit 231 receives input from the user specifying one of the second accounts A2 after the inquiry request. This configuration provides an environment in which the user can inquire about first account A1 at will, for example, if they have forgotten their first account A1.

As shown in FIG. 6A, authentication screen 7, which is displayed with the title "STORM," includes input fields 71 and 72 and a button 73. Input fields 71 and 72 are fields into which the user can input text information. As an example, the email address "chizakara@ipx.tokyo" (an example of second account A2) is entered in input field 71, and the password corresponding to second account A2 is entered in input field 72. Furthermore, button 73, which is displayed with the text "Next," is configured to accept a user press (an example of an operation). When the user presses button 73, authentication of second account A2 "chizakara@ipx.tokyo" is performed. As a result of the authentication, the screen displayed on display 4a may transition from authentication screen 7 shown in FIG. 6A to notification screen 8 shown in FIG. 6B.

Referring to FIG. 6B, notification screen 8 is a screen on which the title "For those who have forgotten their MYGAME ID" is again displayed, and includes area 81a and button 83. Area 81a displays the text "The account you specified for this platform was not linked to your MYGAME ID." In other words, this lets the user know that second account A2, "chizakara@ipx.tokyo," is not linked to first account A1. Button 83, on which the text "Back" is displayed, is configured to accept a user press. When button 83 is pressed, the screen displayed on display 4a transitions to selection screen 6 shown in FIG. 5.

Let's say the user again clicks or taps button 62 on selection screen 6, and this time enters the information shown in FIG. 7A on authentication screen 7. The email address "okkun@ipx.tokyo" (an example of second account A2) is entered in input field 71, and the password corresponding to this second account A2 is entered in input field 72. When the user presses button 73, authentication of second account A2 "okkun@ipx.tokyo" is performed. As a result of the authentication, the screen displayed on display 4a may transition from authentication screen 7 shown in FIG. 7A to notification screen 8 shown in FIG. 7B.

Referring to FIG. 7B, notification screen 8 includes area 81b and buttons 82 and 83. Area 81b displays the text "Here is your MYGAME ID. MYGAME ID: shoko_love." This text information is an example of information IF0 that includes first account A1. In other words, second account A2 "okkun@ipx.tokyo" is linked to first account A1, and the user can inquire about first account A1 "shoko_love," which the user has forgotten, via notification screen 8.

Also, button 82 displays the text "Change the account linked to your MYGAME ID to the account you tried earlier." This text information is an example of re-linking information IF1. By pressing button 82, the user can change the first account A1 linked to the second account A2 "okkun@ipx.tokyo" to the second account A2 "chizakara@ipx.tokyo" that was tried earlier. This process may be performed with a single click, or may be performed via some kind of authentication process. Also, in the example of notification screen 8 shown in FIG. 7B, information IF0 including the first account A1 and re-linking information IF1 are both arranged so that they can be viewed at a glance, but they may also be displayed on separate screens.

In other words, in the second presentation step, when the user has multiple second accounts A2 for one of the second services S2 and a specific account is identified by the nth (n≧2) input, the presentation unit 234 presents re-linking information IF1 that prompts the user to re-link the first account A1 with the second account A2 included in the 1st to n-1th (inclusive) input. This aspect makes it easier for the user to re-set the second account A2 that the user is currently actively using as the specific account. Of the above values of 1 to n-1, 1 is most preferable. This is because the second account A2 that the user first attempted to log in to is considered to be the second account A2 with the highest priority.

Preferably, as the second presentation step, the presentation unit 234 presents the re-link information IF1 when the second account A2 in one of the second services S2 has not reached the account switching limit. In recent years, accounts with excellent play logs have been illegally bought and sold online. Game platform services, which are an example of the second service S2, want to prevent the illegal buying and selling of second accounts A2. Therefore, by setting a limit on the number of switching times for the second account A2 as described above, it is possible to prevent an illegally obtained second account A2 from being re-linked to the first account A1.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the attention display 61b displays the text "Logged in." This display indicates that a login session for one second account A2 is maintained on the "PlayWork" website, which is accessed when button 61 is pressed, i.e., that a certain period of time has not passed since the last login. Preferably, when button 61 is pressed, the login request to "PlayWork" is omitted, and the notification screen 8 is displayed immediately after pressing the button 61 without transitioning to authentication screen 7. In other words, as a first display step, the display control unit 235 may display visual information including the first account A1 when a login session for the second service S2 using a specific account is active on the screen. According to this aspect, the user can identify the second account A2 recommended as a specific account without having to enter any authentication information for the second account A2.

In addition, a function may be implemented that suggests to the user second accounts A2 that are likely to be linked to the first account A1, based on the past access history of the user terminal 3, regardless of whether a login session has occurred. In other words, the acquisition unit 232 acquires the user's access history to each second service S2 as a first acquisition step. The display control unit 235 displays, as a first display step, visual information indicating the second account A2 that is recommended as a specific account based on the access history on a screen (e.g., notification screen 8). According to this aspect, the user can identify the second account A2 that is recommended as a specific account even if they have forgotten their past usage history of the second service S2.

Note that because the user terminal 3 has not yet logged in to the first service S1, the first information processing device 2a cannot identify which first account A1 the user terminal 3 corresponds to. However, if the first information processing device 2a can acquire the user terminal 3's past access history, it can identify the first account A1 with which the user terminal 3 has previously logged in to the first service S1 and the second account A2 with which the user terminal 3 has previously logged in to the second service S2, and based on that information, it can identify the second account A2 that is likely to be linked to the first account A1. The user terminal 3's past access history may be, for example, a web browser cookie. This may allow the attention displays 61a, 62a, and 61b to be displayed.

4.2 Utilization of Related Information IF2 FIG. 8 shows an example of a lookup table T managed in the storage unit 22 of the first information processing device 2a. The lookup table T comprehensively manages information about the second account A2 linked to the user's first account A1 and various games associated with the second account A2. Note that the grayed-out portions in FIG. 8 represent information that is not originally included in the lookup table T. Please note that this information is added for reference purposes to indicate that it is not prohibited to have a second account A2 that is not linked to the first account A1.

In one example, a first account A1 called "shoko_love" is linked to a second account A2 called "winkers" in "PlayWork" and a second account A2 called "okkun@ipx.tokyo" in "STORM." The second account A2 called "winkers" in "PlayWork" is associated with the games "Story Fighters" and "Rocky Man," and manages their play logs or battle records. The second account A2 called "okkun@ipx.tokyo" in "STORM" is also associated with the game "Rocky Man," and manages its play logs or battle records. Such play logs or battle records are examples of related information IF2, described below. For example, cells T1 and T2 in Figure 8 both show the play log or results of a game called "Rockyman" by a user with a first account A1 called "shoko_love."

In other words, the related information IF2, which is originally managed by the second service S2, can also be handled by the first service S1. This allows various functions to be realized through the first service S1 based on the related information IF2 or some secondary information further generated from the related information IF2. For example, cells T1 and T2 are information originally managed by different second services S2, but both are play logs or results for the same game, "Rockyman." The first service S1 may provide the user with a function to view a play log or results (an example of secondary information) that integrates the information in cells T1 and T2. In addition, rankings of users linked to the first account A1 may be provided. In addition to user-oriented functions, functions such as marketing analysis may also be provided by an administrator managing the first information processing device 2a using the related information IF2. In other words, as a first acquisition step, the acquisition unit 232 acquires the related information IF2 associated with a specific account in the second service S2. In the execution step, the calculation unit 233 executes a predetermined function in the first service S1 based on the related information IF2 or secondary information generated based on the related information IF2. According to this aspect, new functions of the first service S1 can be realized based on information obtained from various second services S2.

[others]
The information processing system 1 according to the above-described embodiment may be configured as follows.

In one embodiment, when a user makes a query request on the login screen 5, a selection screen 6 is displayed that allows the user to select one of the second accounts A2, but the query request may be omitted. For example, the login screen 5 may be configured to allow the user to select a second service S2 that is a candidate for collaboration, as shown on the selection screen 6.

In one embodiment, information IF0 including the first service S1 is described as visual information displayed on the notification screen 8, but it may also be output via email or the message function of various apps without using the notification screen 8.

Conditions may be imposed for the presentation of the aforementioned re-link information IF1. For example, if the play log or battle record of the second account A2 that attempted to log in first is more preferable than the play log or battle record of another second account A2 that attempted to log in later, the re-link information IF1 may be presented; if it is not more preferable, the re-link information IF1 may not need to be presented.

Restrictions other than the switch count limit may be imposed on the re-linking of the second account A2 and the re-linking of the re-linking information IF1 described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, in the first service S1, related information IF2 can be handled via the linked second account A2 (specific account). Therefore, by imposing conditions on related information IF2, re-linking of the second account A2 may be restricted. For example, if an attempt is made to re-link a second account A2 that has an outstanding play log or battle record despite never having logged in to the user terminal 3 based on access history, the calculation unit 233 may determine that the second account A2 has been fraudulently traded and restrict re-linking. In other words, as a third acquisition step, the acquisition unit 232 acquires related information IF2 associated with the second account A2 included in the 1st to n-1th inputs. As a second presentation step, the presentation unit 234 presents re-linking information IF1 if the related information IF2 satisfies a predetermined condition. This configuration also discourages fraudulent trading of the second account A2.

Conversely to the previous example, if an attempt is made to relink to second account A2, which has almost no accumulated play logs or battle records, it may be determined that this is a possible erroneous operation. In such a case, an alert may be output to notify the user of the possible erroneous operation, or the relinking may be permitted without counting the number of times the account has been switched.

As mentioned above, the information processing system 1 includes at least one device (e.g., a first information processing device 2a, etc.), but at least one of these devices may be installed outside Japan. For example, the first information processing device 2a may be installed in Japan, and the second information processing device 2b may be installed outside Japan. Similarly, a user may access various information processing devices 2 from outside Japan using their own user terminal 3. This type of configuration allows for a more interesting experience to be provided to the user through a variety of management formats.

In one embodiment, the reception unit 231, acquisition unit 232, calculation unit 233, presentation unit 234, and display control unit 235 are described as functional units implemented by the control unit 23 of the first information processing device 2a, but at least some of these may be implemented as functional units implemented by the control unit 23 of the second information processing device 2b. Alternatively, they may be implemented as functional units implemented by the control unit 33 of the user terminal 3. Furthermore, the various pieces of information described in the above example may be stored not only in the storage unit 22 of the first information processing device 2a, but also in a distributed manner in other external devices.

Furthermore, it may be provided in the following forms:

(1) An information processing system comprising at least one processor capable of executing a program to perform the following steps: in a receiving step, an input is received from a user specifying one of the second accounts as a specific account linked to a first account in a first service, wherein the user wishes to inquire about their own first account, and the second account is an account in at least one second service different from the first service; and in an output step, when the specific account is identified by the input, information including the first account is output so that the user can inquire about it.

This aspect provides technology that can provide users with an improved experience.

(2) In the information processing system described in (1) above, the receiving step includes a first receiving step and a second receiving step, in which the first receiving step receives a request for inquiry about the first account in the first service from the user, and in the second receiving step, receives the input from the user after the inquiry request.

This configuration provides an environment where a user can check their first account at will, for example, if they forget their first account.

(3) In the information processing system described in (2) above, the first display step further includes displaying a screen on which the user can enter the input in response to the inquiry request, and, if the specific account is identified by the input, displaying visual information including the first account.

In this manner, the user can directly view the first account they wish to inquire about on the screen.

(4) In the information processing system described in (3) above, the first acquisition step further acquires the user's access history to each of the second services, and the first display step displays visual information on the screen indicating the second account recommended as the specific account based on the access history.

According to this aspect, even if the user has forgotten their past usage history of the second service, they can still find out which second accounts are recommended as specific accounts.

(5) In the information processing system described in (3) or (4) above, in the first display step, visual information including the first account is displayed when a login session to the second service using the specific account is valid on the screen.

In this manner, the user can identify second accounts that are recommended as specific accounts without having to enter information related to authentication of the second account.

(6) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (5) above, the second acquisition step further acquires related information associated with the specific account in the second service, and the execution step executes a predetermined function in the first service based on the related information or secondary information generated based on the related information.

In this manner, new first service functions can be realized based on information obtained from various second services.

(7) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (6) above, in the first presentation step, when the input is received from the user, a request to log in to the second service using the second account included in the input is presented to the user, and in the output step, when the login is successful and the second account is identified as the specific account, information including the first account is output so that it can be referenced by the user. System.

This configuration can increase the level of security when querying the first account.

(8) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (7) above, the second presentation step further comprises presenting re-linking information that encourages the user to re-link the first account to the second account included in the 1st to n-1th inputs when the user has multiple second accounts for one of the second services and the specific account is identified by the nth (n≧2) input.

This aspect makes it easier for a user to reset a second account that the user is currently actively using as a specific account.

(9) In the information processing system described in (8) above, in the second presentation step, the re-linking information is presented if the second account for one of the second services has not reached the account switching limit.

This aspect makes it possible to prevent fraudulent buying and selling of second accounts.

(10) In the information processing system described in (8) or (9) above, the third acquisition step further acquires related information associated with the second account included in the 1st to n-1th inputs, and the second presentation step presents the re-linking information if the related information satisfies a predetermined condition.

This aspect makes it possible to prevent fraudulent buying and selling of second accounts.

(11) An information processing system according to any one of (1) to (10) above, comprising at least one device, at least one of which is installed outside Japan.

This type of implementation allows for a variety of management options, providing users with a more engaging experience.

(12) An information processing method comprising the steps of the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (11) above.

This aspect provides technology that can provide users with an improved experience.

(13) A program that causes at least one computer to execute each step of the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (11) above.

According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a technology that can provide a more improved experience to the user.
Of course, this is not the case.

Finally, while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The novel embodiments may be embodied in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. Such embodiments and their variations are intended to fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure, as well as the disclosure and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

1: Information processing system 11: Communication network 2: Information processing device 2a: First information processing device 2b: Second information processing device 20: Communication bus 21: Communication unit 22: Memory unit 23: Control unit 231: Reception unit 232: Acquisition unit 233: Calculation unit 234: Presentation unit 235: Display control unit 3: User terminal 30: Communication bus 31: Communication unit 32: Memory unit 33: Control unit 34a: Graphic processing unit 34b: Audio processing unit 34c: Operation unit 4a: Display 4b: Speaker 4c: Input device 5: Login screen 51: Input field 52: Input field 53: Button 54: Link 55: Link 56: Link 6: Selection screen 61: Button 61a: Focus display 61b: Focus display 62: Button 62a: Focus display 63: Button 64: Button 7 : Authentication screen 71 : Input field 72 : Input field 73 : Button 8 : Notification screen 81a : Area 81b : Area 82 : Button 83 : Button A1 : First account A2 : Second account IF0 : Information including first account IF1 : Re-linking information IF2 : Related information S1 : First service S2 : Second service T : Lookup table T1 : Cell T2 : Cell

Claims (9)

An information processing system,
At least one processor is provided that can execute a program to perform the following steps:
In the receiving step, an input specifying one of the second accounts as a specific account linked to the first account in the first service is received from the user,
The user is a person who wishes to inquire about his or her own first account;
the second account is an account in at least one second service different from the first service;
In the output step, when the specific account is identified by successfully logging in to the second service, information including the first account is output so that the user can refer to it;
the receiving step includes a first receiving step and a second receiving step,
In the first receiving step, a request for inquiry about the first account in the first service is received from the user;
In the second receiving step, the input is received from the user after the inquiry request;
In the first acquisition step, when information on past logins of the user to each of the second services is stored in a storage medium, the information on past logins is read from the storage medium and acquired as an access history;
In the first display step,
In response to the inquiry request, display a screen on which the user can input the input;
The system displays visual information on the screen indicating the second account that is recommended as the specific account based on the access history. An information processing system,
At least one processor is provided that can execute a program to perform the following steps:
In the receiving step, an input specifying one of the second accounts as a specific account linked to the first account in the first service is received from the user,
The user is a person who wishes to inquire about his or her own first account;
the second account is an account in at least one second service different from the first service;
In the output step, when the specific account is identified by successfully logging in to the second service, information including the first account is output so that the user can refer to it;
the receiving step includes a first receiving step and a second receiving step,
In the first receiving step, a request for inquiry about the first account in the first service is received from the user;
In the second receiving step, the input is received from the user after the inquiry request;
In the first display step,
In response to the inquiry request, display a screen on which the user can input the input;
A system that displays visual information including the first account when a login session to the second service using the specific account is valid on the screen. An information processing system,
At least one processor is provided that can execute a program to perform the following steps:
In the receiving step, an input specifying one of the second accounts as a specific account linked to the first account in the first service is received from the user,
The user is a person who wishes to inquire about his or her own first account;
the second account is an account in at least one second service different from the first service;
In the output step, when the specific account is identified by successfully logging in to the second service, information including the first account is output so that the user can refer to it;
In the second presentation step, if the user has multiple second accounts for one of the second services and the specific account is identified by the nth (n≧2) input, the system presents re-linking information encouraging the user to re-link the first account to the second account included in the 1st to n-1th inputs. In the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
moreover,
In the second obtaining step, related information associated with the specific account in the second service is obtained;
In the execution step, the system executes a predetermined function in the first service based on the related information or secondary information generated based on the related information . In the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Furthermore, in the first presentation step, when the input is received from the user, a request to log in to the second service using the second account included in the input is presented to the user;
In the output step, if the login is successful and the second account is identified as the specific account, information including the first account is output so that the user can query it . 4. The information processing system according to claim 3 ,
In the second presentation step, the system presents the re-linkage information if the second account in one of the second services has not reached a limit value for the number of account switches. 7. The information processing system according to claim 3 or claim 6 ,
Furthermore, in a third acquisition step, related information associated with the second account included in the input from 1 to n-1 times is acquired;
In the second presentation step, the re-linkage information is presented when the related information satisfies a predetermined condition. An information processing method, comprising:
A method comprising the steps of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . A program,
A program causing at least one computer to execute each step of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .