JP7720052B2 - Method and system for displaying moving images corresponding to still images - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a method, system, tangible medium, and method for manufacturing tangible medium for displaying moving images corresponding to still images.

Patent document 1 discloses a method for manipulating non-fungible tokens to manage objects.

Patent No. 6710501

The inventors came up with the novel idea that if still images attached to tangible media such as trading cards could be made to move, a new level of enjoyment would be added to collecting trading cards. Trading cards have images corresponding to their subject matter and are sold for collection or exchange.

Traditional trading cards are made of paper or plastic cards with still images of some subject, such as celebrities, characters, or vehicles, printed on them. Therefore, these still images do not move. However, if you could see the celebrities, characters, vehicles, etc. displayed on the trading cards move, a new level of enjoyment would be added to collecting trading cards. This enjoyment is not limited to trading cards, but can occur with various tangible media that can be collected by collectors (users).

Therefore, technology is needed that allows collectors (users) to experience the movement of still images attached to tangible media.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a method for displaying a video corresponding to a still image. The disclosed method is for displaying a video corresponding to a still image attached to a tangible medium in a manner that is visible to a human. The tangible medium to which the still image is attached comprises a machine-readable code that indicates at least a first identifier of a non-fungible token whose owner is recorded in a blockchain. The method further comprises: receiving the first identifier, acquired by a user's terminal when the terminal reads the code, from the terminal via a network using the management system; and recording in the blockchain that the user is the owner of the non-fungible token identified by the received first identifier, thereby enabling the video associated with the non-fungible token to be played on the terminal of the user who is recorded in the blockchain as the owner of the non-fungible token. The non-fungible token is associated with an initial image that represents the video when the video is not being played, and the initial image is the same as one of multiple frame images included in the video and is the same as the still image attached to the tangible medium.

Other aspects of the present disclosure are methods for displaying moving images corresponding to still images, tangible media, and methods for manufacturing tangible media. Further details are described in the embodiments below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a method for displaying a moving image corresponding to a still image. FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for displaying a moving image corresponding to a still image. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between a moving image, an initial image, and a still image attached to a tangible medium. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the initial image display and the video playback. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a method for displaying data for non-fungible tokens. FIG. 7 is an illustration of a method for generating tangible media and non-fungible tokens. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the generation process. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the NFT generation process. FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the tangible media manufacturing process.

<1. Overview of methods, systems, tangible media, and tangible media manufacturing methods for displaying moving images corresponding to still images>

(1) A method according to one embodiment is a method for displaying a video corresponding to a still image attached to a tangible medium in a manner that is visible to a human. The tangible medium to which the still image is attached comprises a machine-readable code that indicates at least a first identifier of a non-fungible token whose owner is recorded in a blockchain. The method comprises receiving the first identifier, obtained by a user's terminal when the terminal reads the code, from the terminal via a management system via a network, and recording in the blockchain that the owner of the non-fungible token identified by the received first identifier is the user, thereby making it possible to play the video associated with the non-fungible token on the terminal of the user who is recorded in the blockchain as the owner of the non-fungible token.

The non-fungible token is associated with an initial image that represents the video when the video is not being played, and the initial image is the same as one of multiple frame images included in the video and is also the same as the still image attached to the tangible medium. This allows the user to experience the still image attached to the tangible medium as if it were moving.

(2) It is preferable that the initial image is the same as the first frame image displayed when playback of the video begins. In this case, the video is played so that continuous movement occurs in the initial image, allowing the user to experience the sensation of a still image attached to a tangible medium coming to life.

(3) The tangible medium may have a second identifier attached to the tangible medium so as to be visible to a person as an individual identifier of the tangible medium. Preferably, the method further comprises causing the management system to display the second identifier on the user's terminal together with at least one of the initial image and the video. In this case, because the second identifier is attached to the tangible medium and associated with the non-fungible token, it is easy to recognize that the tangible medium and the non-fungible token correspond to each other.

(4) The first identifier indicated by the code may be the same as the second identifier. The first identifier indicated by the code may be different from the second identifier, but if the first identifier indicated by the code is the same as the second identifier, it becomes easier to verify when the code is read. Note that the first identifier (and second identifier) may be different from or the same as the identifier used to identify non-fungible tokens in a blockchain.

(5) The method may further include determining the video in which the same image as the still image is displayed as the initial image, and storing the initial image, the video, and the second identifier displayed or played on the user's terminal in a database as data associated with the non-fungible token.

(6) The method further comprises determining the still image and the second identifier to be attached to the tangible medium;
The method can further include generating print data for the still image and the code from the determined still image and second identifier, and producing the tangible medium by printing the print data.

(7) A system according to an embodiment is a system for displaying a video corresponding to a still image attached to a tangible medium in a manner that is visible to a human. The tangible medium to which the still image is attached comprises a machine-readable code that indicates at least a first identifier of a non-fungible token whose owner is recorded in a blockchain. The system receives the first identifier from a user's terminal via a network when the terminal reads the code, and records in the blockchain that the user is the owner of the non-fungible token identified by the received first identifier, thereby making the video associated with the non-fungible token playable on the terminal of the user who is recorded in the blockchain as the owner of the non-fungible token. The non-fungible token is associated with an initial image that represents the video when the video is not being played, and the initial image is the same as one of multiple frame images included in the video and is the same as the still image attached to the tangible medium.

(8) A tangible medium according to an embodiment comprises a still image visible to humans and a machine-readable code. The code is configured to indicate at least a first identifier of a non-fungible token whose owner is recorded in a blockchain. The still image is the same as an initial image of a video associated with the non-fungible token identified by the first identifier indicated by the code. The initial image is an image that indicates the video associated with the non-fungible token when the video is not being played, and is the same as one of multiple frame images included in the video.

(9) A method for manufacturing a tangible medium according to an embodiment includes using data of a still image to be attached to the tangible medium and an identifier of a non-fungible token whose owner is recorded in a blockchain to generate a code indicating at least the identifier and print data for the still image, and printing the print data to manufacture the tangible medium. The still image is the same as an initial image that represents a video associated with the non-fungible token when the video is not being played, and the initial image is the same as one of a plurality of frame images included in the video.

<2. Examples of methods, systems, tangible media, and methods for manufacturing tangible media for displaying moving images corresponding to still images>

Figure 1 shows an example of a system according to an embodiment. The system according to the embodiment includes a management system 10 and a generation system 20. The management system 10 is responsible for managing the display of videos corresponding to still images 51 attached to tangible media 50. The generation system 20 is responsible for manufacturing tangible media 50 to which still images 51 are attached and generating non-fungible tokens 17 corresponding to the still images 51. Videos are associated with the generated non-fungible tokens 17. Hereinafter, non-fungible tokens (Non-Fungible Tokens: NFTs) associated with videos are referred to as video non-fungible tokens or video NFTs.

An example of the tangible medium 50 is a trading card. Trading cards 50 are also called collectible cards. Trading cards 50 are objects of collection by collectors. Trading cards 50 have various still images 51 corresponding to subject matter 51A (object), and are sold for collection or exchange. Subject matter 51A is, for example, entertainers, singers, athletes, other famous people, characters from manga, games, animations, etc., game items, vehicles, machines, tools, animals, plants, etc. The still images 51 are visible to humans.

The tangible medium 50 is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of displaying a still image 51 (and, if necessary, a serial number 52 and code 53, described below) that can be viewed by humans. It is preferable that the tangible medium 50 be something that can be collected by collectors. The tangible medium 50 may be a prepaid card, ticket, stamp, business card, greeting card, or other card.

Tangible medium 50 is constructed by physically attaching still image 51 (and, if necessary, serial number 52 and code 53, described below) to a substrate such as paper or plastic. Physical attachment can be achieved by, for example, printing, pasting, or engraving. Note that in FIG. 1, still image 51 and serial number 52 and code 53, described below, are attached to the same surface of trading card 50, but they may also be distributed across the front and back of trading card 50.

The trading card 50 according to the embodiment has a code 53. The code 53 is in a format that is machine-readable, such as a user terminal 30. The machine-readable code 53 is a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code. The code 53 indicates an identifier (first identifier) for identifying a non-fungible token 17 (NFT) that is associated one-to-one with the trading card 50. The owner of the NFT 17 is recorded in the blockchain 11, and the NFT 17 is tradable.

The code 53 may indicate, for example, a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier). A URI is, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). As an example, the code 53 according to the embodiment is configured to indicate a URL including the domain of the management server 12 and an identifier (first identifier; NFT identifier) for identifying the non-fungible token 17. Note that if the machine that reads the code 53, such as the user terminal 30, knows the domain of the management server 12 in advance, the domain of the management server 12 may be omitted from the information indicated by the two-dimensional code 41.

The code 53 attached to the trading card 50 indicates an identifier (first identifier) for identifying the NFT 17, thereby realizing a one-to-one correspondence between the trading card 50 and the NFT 17.

Trading cards 50 according to the present embodiment are provided with a serial number 52 (tangible medium individual identifier; second identifier). Serial number 52 is a unique identifier that enables the card to be distinguished from other trading cards. Serial number 52 is composed of human-readable numbers, letters, symbols, or a combination of two or more of these. By providing trading card 50 with serial number 52, even if there is another trading card with the same still image 51 attached to trading card 50, trading card 50 can be distinguished from such other trading cards. In other words, serial number 52 can make each individual trading card 50 non-fungible (unique).

The code 53 indicates a non-fungible token 17 that is associated one-to-one with the trading card 50, and thus, like the serial number 52, can ensure the non-fungibility (uniqueness) of each individual trading card 50. However, if the code 53 is in a machine-readable format, such as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code, it becomes difficult for a person to visually recognize the differences between the individual codes 53. On the other hand, if a human-readable serial number 52 is attached to the card 50, it becomes easier to recognize the differences between the individual serial numbers 52, and therefore the differences between the individual cards 50. In this way, the attachment of the serial number 52 ensures the individuality or rarity of each trading card 50.

In the embodiment, as an example, the identifier (first identifier; NFT identifier) included in the URI indicated by code 53 is the same as serial number 52 (tangible medium individual identifier; second identifier). As described above, code 53 according to the embodiment is configured to indicate a URL including, as an example, the domain of management server 12 and serial number 52. Therefore, when code 53 attached to trading card 50 is read by a machine, the serial number 52 attached to trading card 50, etc., can be obtained. The serial number 52 read by a machine, such as a user terminal 30, may be displayed on the user terminal 30 after reading code 53 for user confirmation. Note that the identifier (first identifier; NFT identifier) indicated by code 53 may be an identifier (NFT identifier) that uniquely identifies NFT 17 in blockchain 11, as described below, or any other identifier capable of identifying individual NFTs 17.

In this embodiment, an NFT 17 that is one-to-one mapped to the trading card 50 is used to display a video that corresponds to the still image 51 attached to the trading card 50. Tokens for which transactions are recorded in the blockchain include the aforementioned NFT 17 and fungible tokens. Fungible tokens may have currency properties, such as being mutually exchangeable with legal tender. Examples of fungible tokens are Bitcoin or Ether.

Unlike such fungible tokens, NFTs are non-fungible tokens. NFTs may have unique value that distinguishes them from other NFTs. To ensure non-fungibility, NFTs have a unique identifier in the blockchain 11 that enables them to be distinguished from other NFTs. Here, information used to identify an NFT in the blockchain is referred to as an "NFT_ID." The NFT_ID is, for example, identification information written into the NFT as reference information. Note that a device outside the blockchain 11 (e.g., a user terminal 30) may use a different identifier associated with the NFT_ID as an identifier for identifying the NFT. As described below, in this embodiment, as an example, the serial number associated with the NFT_ID (see management database 12A in Figure 2) is also used as the NFT identifier (first identifier). Therefore, in this embodiment, as an example, the first identifier indicated by code 53 is serial number 52.

In this embodiment, trading cards 50, which are guaranteed to be non-fungible, and non-fungible tokens 17, which are also non-fungible, are associated one-to-one. This allows collectors (users) to enjoy the pleasure of combining and owning both 50 and 17, both of which are non-fungible.

The management system 10 for displaying moving images corresponding to still images 51 includes a smart contract 11A implemented in a blockchain 11, which is a computer network system. In other words, the management system 10 according to the embodiment is a system that utilizes the blockchain 11. The smart contract 11A is software (computer program) that is executable and implemented in the blockchain 11, and automatically executes a predetermined protocol. The smart contract 11A is implemented in the blockchain 11, for example, by being saved at a predetermined contract address in the blockchain 11 by an administrator of the management system 10. A computer that constitutes the blockchain 11 executes the smart contract 11A. This executes the protocol specified by the smart contract 11A.

The blockchain 11 is composed of a P2P (Peer to Peer) computer network system in which multiple computers are interconnected. The smart contract 11A can be executed by any of the multiple computers that make up the computer network system. The blockchain 11 has an NFT record 11B. The NFT record 11B indicates, for example, the owner of the NFT and the transaction record of the NFT. The transaction record may also include information about past owners.

Smart contract 11A is stored at a contract address, which is an address in the blockchain. In other words, smart contract 11A is stored at the contract address. Smart contract 11A is executed by being called by another computer via network 15. Smart contract 11A is called, for example, by management server 12. A contract address is a type of blockchain address, and can be used to identify a smart contract that owns a non-fungible token or a fungible token, just like a blockchain address that identifies a user (owner) who owns a non-fungible token or a fungible token. A blockchain address is a unique address in blockchain 11. A blockchain address is expressed, for example, as 0xZZZZZZZ. Note that each Z is independently any number or symbol, and the number of digits of Z is a number predetermined in the blockchain. A blockchain address functions as an account where tokens, smart contracts, etc. are stored.

The management server 12, together with the aforementioned smart contract 11A, may constitute the management system 10 of the embodiment. The management server 12 is connected to a network 15 such as the Internet. The management server 12 is a system that performs the processing required by the management system 10. The management server 12 is operated by an administrator of the management system 10.

The management server 12 is configured by a computer having a processor and memory. The management server 12 may be configured by multiple computers connected via a network 15. The memory is connected to the processor. The memory includes, for example, a primary storage device and a secondary storage device. The primary storage device is, for example, RAM. The secondary storage device is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD). The memory includes a computer program executed by the processor. The processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the memory. The computer program has program code for processing executed by the computer (see Figure 3).

The management system 10 of the embodiment may include a data server 13 connected to the network 15. The data server 13 is a system (database) that stores and manages data such as non-fungible token data 13A (NFT data) described below. As an example, the data server 13 is configured as a computer network system made up of one computer or multiple computers. The data server 13 functions, for example, as a file system. As an example, the file system of the embodiment is IPFS (InterPlanetary File System). IPFS is an example of a P2P distributed file system.

The data server 13, which constitutes the file system, controls external access to stored data. For example, if the access is from the owner of an NFT associated with the NFT data 13A, the data server 13 may permit access to the NFT data 13A associated with the NFT owned by that person. Furthermore, the data server 13 may deny access from persons other than the owner of the NFT associated with the NFT data 13A. That is, the NFT data 13A is displayed on the device of the owner of one or more NFTs corresponding to the NFT data 13A, but is not displayed on devices other than the owner of the NFT associated with the NFT data 13A. The data server 13 may also permit access from third parties other than the owner of the NFT associated with the NFT data 13A. When permitting access from third parties, the permission may be limited; for example, access to the initial image or serial number of a video included in the data constituting the NFT data may be permitted, but access to the video may be prohibited. In this case, a third party may be able to see or view the initial image or serial number associated with an NFT owned by another person in order to consider purchasing that NFT, but they will not be able to play the video until they receive the NFT from the owner.

Figures 2 and 3 show a method for displaying a video corresponding to a still image 51 on a user terminal 30 using the management system 10. The user terminal 30 is a smartphone, wearable device, or personal computer owned by the user. The user terminal 30 is equipped with a reader, such as a camera (not shown), for reading the code 53.

First, a user (user A in Figure 3) obtains a trading card 50 by, for example, purchasing it from a seller. At the time user A obtains trading card 50, the NFT 17 associated with trading card 50 is owned by smart contract 11A. That is, the NFT 17 is stored at the contract address where smart contract 11A is stored. Smart contract 11A is managed by the administrator of management system 10. Therefore, if the administrator is the same person as the seller or an agent of the seller, at the time user A obtains trading card 50, the NFT 17 associated with trading card 50 is effectively owned by the seller. A still image 51 is attached to trading card 50, but this still image 51 does not move.

If user A wants to experience the still image 51 moving, he or she has the user terminal 30 read the code 53 attached to the card 50 (step S301 in Figure 3). By reading the code 53, the user terminal 30 obtains the URL indicated by the code 53 (the domain and serial number of the management server 12). In other words, the user terminal 30 obtains the first identifier indicated by the code 53. To confirm the read content, the read content (either or both of the domain and serial number of the management server 12) may be displayed on the display 31 of the user terminal 30.

The user terminal 30, having acquired the URL, executes network access in accordance with the URL (step S302). That is, the user terminal 30 accesses the management server 12 and transmits the serial number, which is the first identifier, to the management server 12 (step S302). This access from the user terminal 30 to the management server 12 is a request (owner change request) for an operation to change the owner of the NFT 17 associated with the trading card 50 to user A. Note that when the user terminal 30 accesses the management server 12, user A's account (blockchain address) in the blockchain 11 may also be transmitted from the user terminal 30 to the management server 12.

The management server 12 acquires a serial number, which is a first identifier, from the user terminal 30 through access from the user terminal 30 (step S303). The management server 12 is equipped with a management database 12A shown in FIG. 2. The management server 12 references the management database 12A and converts the acquired serial number (e.g., serial number: 012345) into an NFT_ID (e.g., DDDDD) that indicates NF17 in the blockchain (step S304). The management database 12A is configured as a table that associates the serial number, which is an NFT identifier (first identifier) that indicates correspondence with the trading card 50, with the NFT_ID, which is an identifier in the blockchain. Note that if the first identifier indicated by code 53 is the NFT_ID itself, the management database 12A is not required, and the conversion in step S304 is also not required.

In step S304, when the management server 12 acquires the NFT_ID, it calls smart contract 11A to perform the owner change operation on the NFT 17 indicated by the NFT_ID, with the NFT 17 indicated by the NFT_ID as the target of the owner change operation (step S305). When calling, the management server 12 provides smart contract 11A with the NFT_ID of the NFT 17 that is the target of the operation and user A's account (blockchain address) in the blockchain 11. Smart contract 11A identifies the NFT 17 that is the target of the operation by the NFT_ID of the NFT 17. Smart contract 11A also identifies user A, the new owner of the NFT 17, by user A's account.

The invoked smart contract 11A executes an operation to change the owner of the identified NFT 17, which is the target of the operation, to the identified user A (step S307). This operation is performed, for example, by smart contract 11A executing a command in the blockchain 11 to send the NFT 17 from the contract address of smart contract 11A to the blockchain address of user A. As a result, user A now owns the NFT 17 associated with the trading card 50. The fact that user A has become the owner of the NFT 17 is recorded in the blockchain 11. Smart contract 11A may notify the management server 12 of the completion of the owner change.

Note that prior to step S307, it may be determined whether the owner of the identified NFT 17 that is the target of the operation has already been changed. If the owner of the NFT 17 has already been changed to another user, the owner change process may not be performed, and the management server 12 may be notified that an owner change will not be performed, and processing in the smart contract 11A may end. In this case, an owner change request using the reading of code 53 is limited to one time. Note that an owner change using the reading of code 53 does not have to be limited to one time.

As a result of the owner change request using the code 53 read as described above, the NFT data associated with the NFT 17 is displayed on the user terminal 30 of user A, who has become the owner of the NFT 17 (step S309). As shown in FIG. 2, an NFT display screen 35 based on the NFT data 13A associated with the NFT 17 is displayed on the display 31 of the user terminal 30. Note that an application program for displaying the NFT data 13A associated with the NFT 17 owned by the user is installed on the user terminal 30. Hereinafter, the display of the "NFT data 13A" will also be referred to simply as the "display of the NFT 17." The display of the NFT 17 is performed by this application program. The transmission of the aforementioned owner change request may also be performed by this application program.

NFT data 13A is data associated with NFT 17 and includes data that appears on the screen (NFT display screen 35) when NFT 17 is displayed on display 31. NFT data 13A is configured as hypermedia including video and other data. In this embodiment, NFT data 13A is stored on data server 13. Management server 12 and data server 13 execute processing to display NFT data 13A on terminal 30 of user A, who has become the owner of NFT 17 (step S308).

With the NFT display screen 35 displayed, user A performs an operation on the user terminal 30 to play the video stored in the NFT 17 (step S310), which starts playback of the video stored in the NFT 17 (step S311). Preferably, video playback can be performed by user A, who is the owner of the NFT 17, but not by users A who are not the owner of the NFT 17. By playing the video, user A experiences the still image 51 as if it were moving. This point will be described in more detail below.

In this embodiment, the NFT data 13A is configured to provide the experience of a still image 51 attached to a trading card 50 moving as the video is played. As shown in FIG. 4, the NFT data 13A in this embodiment includes a video 39 and an initial image 37 for the video 39. The video 39 is composed of a plurality of frame images arranged in chronological order, as shown in FIG. 4, for example. The video 39 is not limited to a two-dimensional video displayed on a two-dimensional display device such as a general display, but may also be a three-dimensional video for stereoscopic viewing.

The initial image 37 is a still image that shows the video 39 when the video 39 is not being played. The initial image 37 may be a two-dimensional still image, but may also be a three-dimensional still image. The initial image is an image that allows the user to visually recognize the presence of the video 39 when the NFT 17 is displayed on the user terminal 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the initial image 37 is displayed in the same size as the video 39 in the area where the video 39 is displayed on the NFT display screen 35.

As shown in FIG. 4, the initial image 37 is selected from one of the multiple frame images included in the video 39. The initial image 37 is, for example, the first frame image of the video 39. The first frame image (first frame image) is the frame image at the beginning of the multiple frame images that make up the video 39, and is displayed at the start of playback. The initial image 37 may also be the nth frame image that is located midway among the multiple frame images. Note that if the video 39 is a three-dimensional video and the initial image 37 is a two-dimensional still image, the initial image 37 may be a two-dimensional version of a three-dimensional image included in the three-dimensional video 39.

In the NFT data 13A, the initial image 37 may exist as image data separate from the video 39, but it does not have to exist as image data separate from the video 39. For example, the initial image 37 may be indicated by a pointer that indicates the frame image used as the initial image 37 from among the multiple frame images that make up the video 39.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the initial image 37 is the same as the still image 51 attached to the trading card 50, which is a tangible medium. In other words, the still image 51 attached to the trading card 50 is the same as the initial image 37 included in the NFT 17 corresponding to the trading card 50. For example, if the initial image 37 is the same as the first frame image, the still image 51 is also the same as the first frame image. Furthermore, if the initial image 37 is the same as the nth frame image, the still image 51 is also the same as the nth frame image.

Here, "the same image" refers to an image that is similar enough that a person can recognize it as the same image when viewing it. For example, some image processing may have been applied to either or both of the initial image 37 and still image 51, resulting in differences between the two images 37 and 51 that are not noticeable at first glance, or the number of pixels between the two images 37 and 51 may be different. If a person viewing them can recognize them as the same image, then the two images 37 and 51 can be said to be the same image. For example, if the subject 38 in the initial image 37 is a certain celebrity and the subject 51A in the still image 51 is the same celebrity, and the celebrity is depicted in the same pose in both images 37 and 51, as shown in Figure 5, then the two images 37 and 51 can be recognized as the same image.

When the ownership of NFT 17 is changed (from smart contract 11A) to user A and NFT data 13A is displayed on user A's user terminal 30 (step S309 in FIG. 3), the presence of video 39 included in NFT data 13A is indicated to user A, and an initial image 37 associated with NFT 17 is displayed on the NFT display screen 35 of user terminal 30 along with video 39. As shown in FIG. 5, because this initial image 37 is the same as the still image 51 attached to trading card 50, user A experiences as if a tangible medium, trading card 50, has appeared on the display 31 of user terminal 30. In other words, when code 53 attached to trading card 50 is read by user terminal 30, the user experiences as if the trading card 50 itself has been digitized and imported into user terminal 30. User A can view the initial image 37 displayed on the display 31 of the user terminal 30 as the same as the still image 51 attached to the trading card 50.

As shown in FIG. 5, the NFT data 13A of this embodiment includes serial number data 36 (second identifier data) indicating the serial number 52 (second identifier) attached to the trading card 50. The serial number data 36 is displayed on the NFT display screen 35 together with an initial image 37. The serial number data 36 is also displayed on the NFT display screen 35 while the video is being played. The displayed serial number data 36 is displayed in a human-readable format, similar to the serial number 52 attached to the trading card 50. The displayed serial number data 36 is the same as the serial number 52 attached to the corresponding trading card 50.

The fact that the displayed serial number data 36 is the same as the serial number 52 attached to the corresponding trading card 50 helps user A recognize the identity of the NFT 17 (NFT data 13A) displayed on the display 31 of the user terminal 30 and the trading card 50. In this way, the identity of the serial number 52 and the serial number data 36, as well as the identity of the still image 51 and the initial image 37, allows user A to recognize that the NFT display screen 35 displays a digitized trading card 50. In particular, even if there are some visual differences between the trading card 50 and the NFT display screen 35, user A can recognize that the two 35 and 50 correspond due to the commonality of the serial numbers.

When the initial image 37 is the same image as the first frame image of the video 39, visual continuity is ensured between the initial image 37 and the video 39 at the start of playback. Therefore, when the video 39 is played from the beginning, the subject 38 (object) appearing in the initial image 37 appears to have begun to move from the initial image 37. To user A, the initial image 37 displayed on the display 31 of the user terminal 30 can be seen as the same as the still image 51 attached to the trading card 50. Therefore, when the subject 38 (subject) in such initial image 37 begins to move, user A experiences the same as if the subject 51A (subject) in the still image 51 attached to the trading card 50 has begun to move.

If initial image 37 is the nth frame image midway through multiple frame images, initial image 37 will be different from the first frame image of video 39, and as a result, visual continuity between initial image 37 and video 39 at the start of playback may not be ensured. However, as video 39 continues to play, the nth frame image, which is the same image as initial image 37, will always be displayed. In other words, when the nth frame image is displayed, the same image as still image 51 attached to trading card 50 appears on NFT display screen 35. Then, as video 39 continues to play, user A experiences the sensation that subject 51A (the object) in still image 51 attached to trading card 50 has begun to move.

Figure 6 shows an example of a method for displaying NFT data 13A associated with NFT 17 on the terminal 30 of user A, the owner of the NFT 17. User A signs in to user A's account on the management server 12 via the terminal 30. Signing in is performed, for example, by an application program installed on the terminal 30. During this sign-in, the management server 12 can obtain user A's blockchain address (user A's account on the blockchain) from the user terminal 30.

The management server 12, which has user A's blockchain address, can access the blockchain 11, refer to one or more NFTs owned by user A in the blockchain 11, and obtain information 120A, 120B (e.g., NFT_ID) of one or more NFTs owned by user A.

When the management server 12 displays the NFT owned by user A on the user terminal 30 (step S308 in Figure 3), it accesses the data server 13 to reference the NFT data stored on the data server 13. In other words, the management server 12 calls the data server 13 to reference the NFT data.

The management server 12 sends user A's blockchain address to the data server 13 (database) to reference the NFT data associated with the NFT owned by user A. Upon receiving user A's blockchain address, the data server 13 accesses the blockchain 11 to reference the NFT owned by user A indicated by that blockchain address. Through this access, the data server 13 obtains the NFT_ID of the NFT owned by user A.

As an example, it is assumed that data server 13 stores data 13A for a first NFT and data 13B for a second NFT. In data server 13, data 13A for a first NFT is associated with NFT_ID: DDDDD. Therefore, data 13A for a first NFT is associated with the NFT indicated by NFT_ID: DDDDD. Furthermore, in data server 13, data 13B for a second NFT is associated with NFT_ID: EEEEE. Therefore, data 13B for a second NFT is associated with the NFT indicated by NFT_ID: EEEEE.

When data server 13 receives a call using user A's blockchain address, it responds to the call by allowing access to the NFT data associated with the NFT owned by user A. That is, data server 13 references the NFT_ID of the NFT owned by user A in blockchain 11, and allows access to the NFT data stored on data server 13 that is associated with the NFT_ID of the NFT owned by user A.

Through the above processing, the management server 12 can acquire NFT data 13A associated with the NFT with NFT_ID: DDDDD owned by user A. The management server 12 can also acquire NFT data 13B associated with another NFT owned by user A (an NFT with NFT_ID: EEEEE). The acquired NFT data 13A and 13B are transmitted to the user terminal 30 for display on the user terminal 30.

In addition, in the data server 13, one NFT data item may be associated with multiple NFT IDs.

Furthermore, the association between NFT 17 and NFT data 13A may be achieved, for example, by NFT 17 having a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) that indicates NFT data 13A.

Returning to FIG. 1, the generation system 20 of the embodiment includes a generation processing device 21 and an issuing device 22. The generation processing device 21 is configured by a computer connected to the network 15. The generation processing device 21 may also be called a generation server.

The generation processing device 21 is composed of a computer having a processor and memory. The generation processing device 21 may be composed of multiple computers connected via a network 15. The memory is connected to the processor. The memory includes, for example, a primary storage device and a secondary storage device. The primary storage device is, for example, RAM. The secondary storage device is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD). The memory includes a computer program executed by the processor. The processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the memory. The computer program has program code for the generation process (see Figures 6 to 9) executed by the computer.

The issuing device 22 is composed of a printer connected to the network 15 or the generation processing device 21. The issuing device prints on a printing substrate such as paper or plastic, and issues a tangible medium 50 (printed medium).

Figures 7 to 10 show an example of the generation process executed by the generation processing device 21. In the generation process according to the embodiment, a tangible medium 50 (trading card) with a still image 51 attached and a video NFT 17 with an initial image 37 and video 39 corresponding to the still image 51 are generated. Hereinafter, the association of video 39, etc. with NFT 17 may be expressed as "NFT 17 includes video 39, etc." or "video 39 is incorporated into NFT 17."

As shown in FIG. 8, in the generation process, material data for the tangible medium 50 and NFT 17 is determined (step S801). The determined material data includes a still image 51 to be attached to the trading card 50, as well as an initial image 37 and video 39 to be incorporated into the NFT 17.

In step S801, material data for the tangible medium 50 and NFT 17 is determined from multiple pieces of material data stored in the material database 21A (see Figure 7) provided in the generation processing device 21. The material database shown in Figure 7 stores multiple pairs of videos and still images. Each pair of videos and still images is assigned an image number. For example, the pair of still image A2 and video A3 is assigned image number 101. The pair of still image B2 and video B3 is assigned image number 102.

Here, as an example, we will assume that still images A2 and B2 are the same as the first frame images of videos A3 and B3.

In the material database 21A, still images may exist as image data separate from videos, but they do not have to exist as image data separate from videos. For example, still images may be indicated by a pointer that indicates a frame image that is a still image among multiple frame images that make up a video.

In step S801, one of multiple image numbers is selected. The selection may be made by an operator's selection operation, or the generation processing device 21 may select randomly or according to predetermined rules. For example, when image number 101 is selected, still image A2 and video A3 are determined as the material data.

The material database 21A may be stored on a computer separate from the generation processing device 21. Furthermore, the material data may be determined by the generation processing device 21 acquiring it from an external computer via the network 15.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the generation process, a serial number (first identifier, second identifier) is determined (step S802). The serial number may be determined by an operator entering the serial number, or may be generated by the generation processing device 21 in accordance with predetermined rules. The serial number is determined to be unique and different from other serial numbers. For example, 012345 is determined as the serial number. The determined serial number is used as the serial number data 36 incorporated into the NFT 17 and as the serial number 52 attached to the tangible medium.

Once the material data and serial number have been determined, the NFT 17 is generated (step S803). The tangible medium 50 (trading card) is also manufactured (step S804).

Figure 9 shows the process for generating an NFT 17 (step S803) corresponding to the tangible medium 50 manufactured in the manufacturing process for the tangible medium 50 (step S804). In step S901, the NFT_ID of the NFT 17 is obtained. The NFT_ID is obtained, for example, by issuing an initial NFT in the blockchain 11 and obtaining the NFT_ID of that initial NFT. Note that the initial NFT may be generated prior to step S901.

The issuance of an initial NFT is achieved by executing an NFT issuance command prepared in the blockchain 11. When the NFT issuance command is executed in the blockchain, the computer that makes up the blockchain accepts the NFT issuance command and executes the process of issuing the NFT in the blockchain. The issued NFT is recorded in the blockchain. An NFT_ID is assigned to the NFT issued in the blockchain. After executing the NFT issuance command to issue the initial NFT, the generation processing device 21 waits until the initial NFT is issued in the blockchain. After the waiting time, the generation processing device 21 can obtain the identifier of the issued initial NFT. For example, DDDDD is obtained as the NFT_ID of the initial NFT.

Next, using the material data determined in step S801 and the serial number determined in step S802, NFT data 13A associated with the NFT ID is generated (step S902). NFT data 13A is data incorporated into the initial NFT and includes data that appears on the screen (NFT display screen 35) when the NFT 17 is displayed. NFT data 13A is configured as hypermedia including, for example, an initial image 37, video 39, serial number data 36, and other data. Note that even if the material data is the same, each piece of NFT data 13A is unique from other NFT data because the serial number is different. NFTs 17 and NFT data 13A have a one-to-one correspondence, and one piece of NFT data 13A can be incorporated into only one NFT 17.

The generation processing device 21 associates the NFT_ID with the generated NFT data 13A and stores them in the data server 13 (step S903). As a result, the NFT data 13A is incorporated into the initial NFT. By incorporating the NFT data 13A into the initial NFT, a video NFT 17 including the NFT data 13A is generated.

The generation processing device 21 transmits the combination of the serial number (012345) and the NFT ID (DDDDD) to the management server 12 for registration in the management database 12A of the management server 12 (step S904). Upon receiving the combination of the serial number (012345) and the NFT ID (DDDDD), the management server 12 registers the combination in the management database 12A (see FIG. 7). As described above, the management database 12A is used to convert the serial number into an NFT ID (see step S304 in FIG. 3).

Figure 10 shows the manufacturing process (step S804) for the tangible medium 50 corresponding to the video NFT 17 generated in step S803. In step S1001, two-dimensional code data (code data) is generated from the serial number (012345) and the domain of the management server. The two-dimensional code data is data that indicates the pattern of the two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code data is used to print the two-dimensional code 53. The two-dimensional code 53 indicates a URL, which indicates the domain of the management server 12 and the serial number (012345).

Next, tangible medium data for the tangible medium 50 (trading card) corresponding to the NFT 17 is generated (step S1002) from the still image 51 determined in step S801, the serial number 52 determined in step S802, the two-dimensional code data generated in step S1001, and other data, if necessary. The tangible medium data is print data used for printing. The tangible medium data is configured as image data that appears as the still image 51, serial number 52, and two-dimensional code 53 when printed, for example.

The generated tangible medium data is sent to the issuing device 22 (step S1003). Having received the tangible medium data, the issuing device 22 issues a printed tangible medium 50 (see FIG. 7). The issued tangible medium 50 is then sold. The still image 51 assigned to the tangible medium 50 is the same as the initial image 37 in the NFT data 13A, and the serial number 52 assigned to the tangible medium 50 is the same as the serial number data 36 included in the NFT data 13A. Therefore, the tangible medium 50 corresponds to the NFT 17 generated in step S803. Furthermore, by reading the two-dimensional code 53 on the tangible medium 50, the NFT 17 corresponding to the tangible medium 50 can be operated.

<3. Notes>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

10: Management system 11: Blockchain 11A: Smart contract 11B: Record 12: Management server

12A: Management database 13: Data server (database)
13A: Non-fungible token data (NFT data)
13B: Non-fungible token data (NFT data)
15: Network 17: Non-fungible token 20: Generation system 21: Generation processing device 21A: Material database 22: Issuance device 30: User terminal 31: Display 35: NFT display screen 36: Serial number data 37: Initial image 38: Subject 39: Video 41: Two-dimensional code 50: Tangible medium (trading card)
51: Still image 51A: Subject 52: Serial number 53: Two-dimensional code 120A: NTF information 120B: NFT information A: User

Claims (5)

1. A method for displaying moving images corresponding to still images applied to a tangible medium for human viewing, comprising:
The tangible medium to which the still image is attached is a machine-readable code, the code indicating at least a first identifier of a non-fungible token whose owner is recorded in a blockchain ;
a second identifier attached to the tangible medium so as to be human-visible as an individual identifier of the tangible medium;
Equipped with
The method comprises:
receiving the first identifier acquired by the user's terminal by reading the code from the terminal via a network by a management system;
The management system executes a process of recording in the blockchain that the owner of the non-fungible token identified by the received first identifier is the user, and in a state in which an initial image, which is the same image as the still image attached to the tangible medium and which shows the video when the video is not being played and which is associated with the non-fungible token, is displayed together with the second identifier on the terminal of the user recorded in the blockchain as the owner of the non-fungible token, when an operation to play the video is performed on the terminal of the user, the management system executes a process of displaying the video associated with the non-fungible token together with the second identifier on the terminal of the user.
Prepare for this.
the video has the same image as the still image attached to the tangible medium as a first frame image to be displayed when the video is played back;
A method for displaying moving images corresponding to still images. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first identifier indicated by the code is the same as the second identifier. The method comprises:
determining the moving image in which an image identical to the still image is displayed as the initial image;
The method of claim 2 , further comprising: storing the initial image, the video, and the second identifier played or displayed on the user's terminal in a database as data associated with the non-fungible token. The method comprises:
determining the still image and the second identifier to be applied to the tangible medium;
generating print data for the still image and the code from the determined still image and second identifier;
The method of claim 2 or claim 3 , further comprising: producing the tangible medium by printing the print data. 1. A system for displaying moving images corresponding to still images applied to a tangible medium for human viewing, comprising:
The tangible medium to which the still image is attached is a machine-readable code, the code indicating at least a first identifier of a non-fungible token whose owner is recorded in a blockchain ;
a second identifier attached to the tangible medium so as to be human-visible as an individual identifier of the tangible medium;
Equipped with
The system comprises:
receiving the first identifier from a user's terminal via a network, the first identifier having been acquired by the terminal reading the code;
The system is configured to record in the blockchain that the owner of the non-fungible token identified by the received first identifier is the user, and to display an initial image, which is the same image as the still image attached to the tangible medium and which shows the video when the video is not being played, associated with the non-fungible token , together with the second identifier, on the terminal of the user recorded in the blockchain as the owner of the non-fungible token. When an operation to play the video is performed on the terminal of the user, the video associated with the non-fungible token is displayed on the terminal of the user, together with the second identifier .
the video has the same image as the still image attached to the tangible medium as a first frame image to be displayed when the video is played back;
A system for displaying moving images corresponding to still images.