JP2002182599A - Advantageously service system incidental to game - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To arouse the will to purchase associated merchandise by setting an event which positively arouses the interest of a user to a game during the execution of this game and providing the user with advertisement information in association with this event. SOLUTION: A service management server 11 of a service site to provide game programs through an information communication network 3 is equipped at least with a data base 12 having a game program file 121, an event information file 122 and a merchandise information file 124 storing the merchandise information linked to the event information as advertisement information. When a user accesses the service site through the information communication network 3 by a browser 22 disposed at a user terminal 2, selects and downloads the desired game program from the data base 12 and executes this game program, the user terminal 2 is provided with the prescribed event information from the service site in compliance with the progression of the game program and is provided with the merchandise information associated with this event and the pseudo purchase experience thereof.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides a game program to a user terminal via an information communication network such as the Internet and sets an event in accordance with the progress of the game. The present invention relates to a game-related advertisement service system that provides product / service information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A service for constructing a so-called game portal site for providing a game program to a user terminal via an information communication network such as the Internet is known. In addition, a service of a conventional advertisement-attached game that provides an advertisement of a product or the like in accordance with the provision of a game program includes, for example,
In most cases, a company name or a product name is embedded in the background of a game execution screen in a baseball game, or an advertisement is posted in a banner form on an Internet homepage.

[0003] The above-mentioned conventional advertisement is displayed unilaterally on the user terminal without directly relating to the information displayed on the main screen of the user terminal. In such an advertising method, detailed information such as products is not disclosed unless the user of the terminal clicks a link URL embedded in the advertisement, and market information such as user (customer) needs and product preferences is not disclosed. It is not easy to siphon, and it is very passive, sending ads almost unilaterally.

[0004] It should be noted that Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-22000 discloses a conventional technique related to this type of game accompanying advertisement.
0552 and JP-A-2000-510352.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional game-attached advertisement, the user of the terminal selects the advertisement displayed on the screen at his / her own will, and the details are provided. Is the mainstream. Therefore, the effect of the advertisement depends on whether or not the customer is interested, and does not make the customer actively and frequently access the company name and the product content.

[0006] Further, the customer's purchase propensity and taste for the company or the product can be grasped by accessing the detailed contents of the advertisement. The response is passive, and there is a natural limit to how effective advertising can be.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to improve the inefficient characteristics of such a conventional advertising method, and to provide an event that actively interests customers (users of a game program) during the execution of a game. To provide advertising information related to this event, increase the frequency of access to the advertisement, collect preference information for the advertisement, and provide advertisement information that can motivate the purchase of related products To provide a game-related advertisement service system.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a game storing a game program in a service management server constituting a service site for providing the game program via an information communication network such as the Internet. A database having at least a program file, an event information file storing event information, and a product information file storing product information linked to the event information as advertisement information, and reading data from the database and adding and updating data. A database control means for managing, and a communication control means for controlling transmission and reception of data through the information communication network, wherein the service site is accessed via the information communication network by a browser provided in the user terminal, and a database of the service site is provided. From the desired game pro When a game is selected and downloaded and the game program is executed, predetermined event information is provided from the service site to the user terminal in accordance with the progress of the game program, and product information related to the event and its pseudo information are provided. Configured to provide a purchase experience.

[0009] By publishing the service site configured as described above on the Internet, the frequency of users (customers) accessing corporate advertisements and product information related to the event is increased, and a pseudo product purchase is experienced. By doing so, the actual product purchase behavior can be triggered.

In the service center database,
There is provided a link destination information file for storing link destination information of a product information file linked to the event information stored in the event information file.

[0011] Thus, the product information file linked to the event information can be gradually updated with the company information and the product information independently of the event, so that the most appropriate and latest company information and the product information can be provided in season, month, day, period and the like. it can.

[0012] Further, the database is provided with a personal information data file for storing attribute information of the user terminal and preference information of merchandise collected in association with an event selected by the user of the user terminal.

By providing this personal information data file, it is possible to provide advertisements according to the corporate preferences and product preferences of each user, thereby realizing timely advertisements and advertisement activities required by users. It becomes possible.

Further, the service site is provided with event information setting means for setting event information to be provided at a predetermined stage of the progress of the game program.

By providing the service site with the event information setting means, the stage of the game program provided to the event information can be changed, and the game itself can be changed to enhance the fun.

Further, the user terminal is provided with event information determining means for determining the presence or absence of event information in accordance with the progress of the game program downloaded to the user terminal.

The event information determining means determines that the event information is set in the game program being executed, and displays the fact on the screen of the user terminal.

The event information set in the downloaded game program is automatically detected and notified to the service site, and the corresponding event information is downloaded to the user terminal by the detection of the event detecting means of the service site, and the corresponding user information is used. Is displayed on the screen of the user terminal,
By providing the above-mentioned event information determination means in the user terminal, it is possible to cancel the download of the event information by the user's intention, and the game can be continued without interruption.

The present invention is not limited to the above configuration and the configuration of the embodiment described later, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the technical idea of the present invention.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a game-based advertisement service system according to the present invention. The service site 1 that operates the game-related advertisement service system includes a service management server 11 that manages the service, and a service management server 1 that manages the service.
1 has a database (DB) 12 that is centrally managed and is disclosed on an information communication network 3 such as the Internet. The database (DB) 12 stores a game program to be described later, event information, product information, and various other data required for operating the present system.

A user who uses the service connects to the service site 1 from a user terminal 2 having a browser via an information communication network, and connects to the database 1 of the service site 1.
1 to download the game program stored therein and execute the game.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining one embodiment of the game accompanying advertisement service system of the present invention. The service management server 11 uses a game program, event information and product information stored in the database 12 and other various data required for operating the present system, and responds to a request from the user terminal 2. , Download the required data.

The database 12 includes a game program file (noted as a game program in the figure) 121, an event information file (noted as event information) 12
2. It is composed of a link information file (same as link information), a goods information file (same as goods information), and a personal information file (same as personal information).

Although not shown, this database 1
2 has a program file for storing an operation system, related application programs, and other various programs necessary for operating the service management server. In addition, the service management server 11 includes various functional parts of a normal computer (generally, a personal computer) such as an arithmetic unit, a memory such as a RAM and a ROM, a display unit, and an input / output unit.

The database control means 13 controls reading, writing, and updating of data from each of the above-mentioned databases, and transmits the game program requested by the user terminal 2 via the information communication network 3 by the communication control means 15. Transfer to the user terminal 2.

The database control means 13 collects, as marketing information, data such as product preferences generated by the operation of the user terminal, and creates a personal information file 125.
Store or update. Personal information includes user name, user ID, password, date of use, date of registration, type of selected game program, game progress, preference information, amount of money (in the case of using a prepaid system), credit Card number (in case of sequential use system) and other necessary information can be listed.

The event information file 122 includes location information (steps for associating event information during the game) set at the stage of the progress of the game program, the type of event (for example, getting married, purchasing a car, and purchasing insurance).・
..), related product IDs, their prices, etc. are stored. The product information file 124 includes a product name, its specifications,
The outer shape, maker name, maker URL, release date, contact information, and the like are stored.

The contents of the event information file 122 and the product information file 124 can be appropriately rewritten. The database control unit 13 also rewrites and updates the event information file 122 and the product information file 124.

The event information setting means 14 sets optimal and latest events, company information, and product information in the season, month, day, period, and the like in the event information file 122 and the product information file 124. The link destination information file (denoted as link information in the figure) 123 includes a product information file 124
Is stored, or a collection of URLs of the company or the product provider from which the specific contents of the product are accessed.

The event information detecting means 16 is a user terminal 2
The event information transmitted from the side is detected, and the corresponding event information stored in the event information file 122 is read in accordance with the detection.
3 and the communication control means 15 instructs the user terminal 2
Transfer to

On the other hand, the user terminal 2 can basically use this system only with a browser. That is, the user terminal 2 can acquire company information and product information related to necessary game programs and event information using the browser.

The game program downloaded via the information communication network 3 or the event set at a predetermined stage of the game program and its related information (company information, product information), etc. are stored in the storage means 23.

The event information presence / absence determining means includes a monitor 2
1. Event information set in a game program developed on the server 1 is detected, and the result is transmitted to the event detecting means 16 of the service management server 11 via the information communication network 3.
Transfer to The event detecting means 16 stores the database 12 based on the event information transferred from the user terminal 2.
The event information file 122 is retrieved, read out, transferred to the user terminal 2 and provided.

The user looks at the provided event information and sees its contents (corporate advertising, merchandise sales, other information provision).
If you want to know more information about
1 Click the link button displayed on the top. This click information searches for a corresponding URL from a link collection stored in a link information file constituting the database 12 of the service management server 11, and executes a service for connecting the user terminal 2 to the service site of the URL.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a basic operation example of the game-based advertisement service system according to the present invention. This flowchart shows a rough flow of processing when a user terminal wishing to play a game accesses a service site of the present invention, downloads a desired game program, and executes the game. Although not shown, various buttons for using the browser are displayed on the monitor screen of the user terminal, and various buttons for executing the game (start, (Including the end) is displayed.

First, the user starts the browser of the user terminal (S-1) and logs in to the service site (8S-2). After login, user registration described later is performed to enable use of this service site. A list of game programs is presented to the registered user, and a desired game program is selected from the list (S-
3) Download to the storage means of the user terminal (S-
4).

When the download of the game program is completed (S-5), the game is started (S-6). Event information is displayed at a predetermined stage during the execution of the game program (a stage set by the event information setting means in FIG. 2).

It is desirable that the game is ended and the game program stored in the storage means of the user terminal is deleted by the user clicking the game end button. However, it is also possible to enable multiple uses by setting conditions at the time of user registration.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing for user registration executed after login to the service site in FIG. When the user logs in to the service site, a user registration screen is displayed, a predetermined user registration item (personal information) is input, and registration is performed (S-21). This personal information is stored in a personal information file constituting the database of FIG.

The use of this service site is charged in principle, but some game programs can be free. For example, a game for an experience or a demonstration can be provided free of charge. Alternatively, in the case of a game whose main purpose is to sell products, the use of the game program itself can be provided free of charge. This is due to an agreement between the service site and the advertising provider.

When the user selects the use of a free game program (free of S-22), a list of free games is displayed, and the user selects a desired game program from this list (S-3). ), And goes to the download process (S-4 in FIG. 3).

On the other hand, when the user selects the use of the paid game program (paid in S-22), the charging information is displayed to request the user's consent (S-23). For example, items similar to the provision conditions of a known game program, such as whether the usage fee is a time system, a number system, or an unlimited flat fee, are presented to the user. At this time, the above information can be set for each game program.

The user selects the above use conditions and notifies the service site. The service site authenticates the user by comparing the personal information of the user registered in the personal information file in advance with the notification (S-24). Authentication is OK
If so, prompt the user to select a game program. The user selects the game program shown in FIG. 3 (S-3).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of processing involved in providing event information and related company information and product information when using the game program of the service site according to the present invention.

Here, a game program using a random number using dice or roulette as a basis for game progress will be described as an example. However, even in the case of other games, for example, a game in which a plurality of steps are sequentially cleared or a role playing game, an event is set in a predetermined step or all steps by the event information setting means in FIG. It is also possible to display dice or roulette on the clear screen of, and execute the event.

In FIG. 5, a game using dice or roulette is started (S-11), and before the game is over (S-12), the number of specified dice or the number of roulettes in the course of the game is reduced. When the position coincides with the set position (for example, the stop position of the sugoroku game) (S-13), the event information presence / absence determining means 2 in FIG.
4 detects the presence of an event and notifies the service site of this.

The service site transmits corresponding event information and merchandise information from the event information file and the merchandise information file to the user terminal based on "event information present" notified from the user terminal (S-14).

The user looks at the displayed event information and product information, determines that he / she wants to obtain more detailed company information or product information, and clicks the button to that effect to notify the service site (S -15), the service site retrieves the corresponding URL from the link destination information file, transmits it to the user terminal, and displays it (S-1).
7).

If the user does not need the detailed information in step (S-15), the preference information indicating that the user has "negative preference" for the event information is stored in the personal information file. (S-16), the personal information file is updated with this information (S-21).

The user who has requested detailed company information or product information selects the detailed information set for the product of the company from the displayed contents (S-1).
8) Acquire the information (S-20).

With this selection, the user's preference information (here, “positive preference”) is added as preference information, and the personal information file is updated (S-21).

On the other hand, if the user does not need the detailed information in step (S-18), the user adds the preference information indicating that the user has "negative preference" to the detailed information to the personal information file. Then, the personal information file is updated with this information (S-21).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a game example according to the present invention. This game program obtains the number of frames to advance by the number of dice, and “No. 1” to “No. 7” indicate the frames of the game, and the frames “No. N
o. "Event 1", "Event 2",
It is assumed that “event 3” has been set. Hereinafter, the number of dice will be described. A dice is displayed on the monitor, and a "roll dice" button is displayed.

First, the game starts, the first number of eyes is “1”, the process proceeds to the frame “No. 1”, and the next number of eyes is “1”.
Then, the process proceeds to the frame “No. 2”. Since “Event 1” is set in the frame “No. 2”, “Event 1” is displayed on the monitor of the user terminal according to the above-described processing.

Here, “event 1” is “deposit”, and the user is instructed on the amount to be deposited.
A city bank will be described as an example of a deposit destination, and a time deposit of the advertiser XX Bank and a link to the homepage of the city bank will be displayed.

If the user is interested, he / she browses the advertisement of the time deposit of the relevant XX bank and its detailed information.

The dice are rolled again, and the number of stitches is "3". Therefore, the frame position is the frame “No. 5”. “Event 3” is set in this frame. “Event 3” is “buy a car”. In this event, the conditions for purchasing a car will be described, and the vehicle type ○ of the advertiser ○ will be described with insurance and a loan. In this explanation, we will explain the product focusing on the best selling car,
○ Display link information to the homepage of the car. If the user is interested in a car, another product (a different car model)
View ads and their details.

Then, the player keeps rolling the dice until the number of eyes that can end the game is obtained, and repeats the above-mentioned event. When the event information file is stopped again at the position where it was once stopped, data for detecting the number of times of reading the event information file is provided in each event data so as to read another event. In other words, if one game is read immediately before or several times before, another event is set to be read. This setting is performed in advance by the event information setting means of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an event data record showing an example of the data structure of event data. This event data record contains the game No. Control data, including
Includes event data, read count, presence / absence of link destination, link destination data. For example, “event 1” is set to the game frame “No. 2”, and the data of this setting frame is a part of the control data. The control data includes the timing of starting and ending the reading of the event data, the display position on the game screen, and the like.

It is to be noted that the example of the structure of the data record is merely an example, and other known data structures may have the same structure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the game screen displayed on the monitor of the user terminal. The dice 21a is displayed in the game screen of the monitor 21, and a "roll dice" button is displayed. The user clicks the “roll dice” button to make an eye, and displays the event information 21 set according to the number of eyes.
b is displayed at an appropriate position on the screen.

The user can display the event information 21b.
Click to perform the operation as described above. In addition,
A "pass" button may be set in the event information display 21b so that the next dice roll can be performed without executing the event.

In the above description, the game frame is defined as “event 1” to “event 1”.
Although described as the frame “No. 7,” the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a game such as a sugoroku game, a life game, or the like, in which a random number of dice, roulette, etc. is generated to advance the game Then, the number of frames can be set arbitrarily according to the number of steps in the game.

By adopting the configuration of the above embodiment,
The user can enjoy the event as the game progresses, and the event itself is provided with an advertisement function, so that the user can obtain product information together with the game. On the other hand, companies that provide advertisements on service sites can proactively advertise products to users and provide detailed product information directly to users, leaving them in the potential memory of users and guiding purchase behavior It is possible to do. In addition, the user's preferences associated with the execution of the event can be picked up from the selection behavior, and this can be used as marketing data to segment users (customers). To promote more effective corporate advertising and product sales.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By setting an event that actively interests the user during the execution of the game, providing advertisement information in connection with this event, and increasing the frequency of access to the advertisement, It is possible to provide a game-related advertisement service system that can motivate the purchase of related products and can collect and use taste information on the advertisement for marketing to promote product sales and the like. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a game accessory advertisement service system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a game-based advertisement service system 1 according to the present invention;
It is a block diagram explaining an Example.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation example of the game-based advertisement service system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a process for user registration performed after logging in to a service site in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process accompanying provision of event information and related company information and product information when using a game program of a service site according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a game example according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an event data record showing an example of a data structure of event data.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a game screen displayed on a monitor of a user terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 service site 2 user terminal 3 information communication network 11 service management server 12 database (DB) 121 game program file (game program) 122 event information file (event information) 123 link information file (link information) 124 product information file (product) Information) 125 personal information file (personal information) 13 database control means 14 event information setting means 15 communication control means 16 event detection means 21 monitor 22 browser 23 storage means.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 326 G06F 17/60 326 502 502 502

Claims (5)

[Claims] A database including at least a game program file storing a game program, an event information file storing event information, and a product information file storing product information linked to the event information as advertisement information; A service site configured by a service management server including at least a database control unit that manages data reading from the database and appending and updating of data, and a communication control unit that controls transmission and reception of data through an information communication network; A user terminal that includes a browser that accesses the service site via an information communication network, selects and downloads a desired game program from a database of the service site, and executes the game program. Download A game-related advertisement service system, wherein predetermined event information is provided from the service site to the user terminal in accordance with the progress of the loaded game program, and product information related to the event is provided. 2. The game according to claim 1, wherein the database includes a link destination information file for storing link destination information of a product information file linked to the event information stored in the event information file. Ancillary advertising service system. 3. The database includes a personal information data file storing attributes of the user terminal and preference information of products collected in association with an event selected by the user of the user terminal. The game-based advertisement service system according to claim 1, wherein 4. The game accessory advertisement according to claim 1, further comprising an event information setting means for setting event information to be provided at a predetermined stage of the progress of the game program on the service site. Service system. 5. The user terminal according to claim 1, further comprising an event information judging means for judging the presence or absence of event information in accordance with the progress of the game program downloaded to said user terminal. The game-related advertising service system described in the above.