JP2015069492A - Incentive system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system capable of determining whether a user has actually viewed a content and affording an incentive.SOLUTION: Image acquisition means 20 of a terminal device 2 captures an image picked up by an imaging unit as a target image. Reference ID extraction means 24 extracts a reference ID embedded in the target image as electronic watermark. Explanatory data transmission means 42 transmits explanatory data 48 in response to the reference ID. Image transmission means 22 transmits the picked-up target image to an information sharing server device 6. Notification means 28 notifies a management server device 4 of transmission of the target image 60. Confirmation means 44 acquires the target image 60 from the information sharing server device 6, extracts the reference ID as the embedded electronic watermark, and confirms whether the extracted reference ID matches the reference ID received by the explanatory data transmission means 42. Incentive execution means 46 executes affording an incentive if it is confirmed that the reference IDs match each other.

Description

  The present invention relates to a system that provides incentives such as points and coupons to people who have seen advertisements or programs such as magazines and televisions.

  In order to increase the number of viewers of content such as advertisements, points are given only to people who have actually viewed the content, or coupons are issued.

  For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is one in which an incentive such as point grant is given to a user requesting distribution. However, with this technique, it is impossible to determine whether or not the user has actually viewed the content. Therefore, the following method has been proposed.

  A voice fingerprint is embedded in the sound of a television broadcast or the like, the voice is received by a mobile phone held by the user, and the user's viewing is confirmed when the voice fingerprint is detected.

  A QR code (trademark) is displayed on an image of a television broadcast, and the user's viewing is confirmed by capturing the image with a mobile phone held by the user.

  An image of a television broadcast is taken by a user's mobile phone or the like, the feature of the image is recognized, and the user's viewing is confirmed. For example, if a logo mark of a product is detected from the captured image, it can be determined that an advertisement for the product is being viewed.

Special table 2003-510654

  However, the prior art as described above has the following problems. The method using voice fingerprints is difficult to use in a noisy environment and cannot be applied to content without voice.

  In the method using the QR code (trademark), the QR code (trademark) is displayed in the image, and there is a problem that the aesthetic appearance of the image is impaired.

  In the method for recognizing the characteristics of the image, there is no risk of losing the aesthetics, but it is difficult to specify the characteristics of the image in character, and its application is limited.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a system that solves the above-described problems and can determine whether a user has actually viewed content and give an incentive.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) An incentive system according to the present invention is an incentive system including a terminal device and a management server device,
The terminal device includes an image acquisition unit that acquires a target image captured by an imaging unit and embedded with a reference ID as a digital watermark, and an information sharing server device that records the target image so that others can access it. Image transmitting means for transmitting to the information sharing server device, and notification means for notifying the management server device that the target image has been transmitted to the information sharing server device,
The management server device receives the notification from the notification unit, acquires the target image recorded in the information sharing server device, extracts a reference ID, and performs confirmation, and the information sharing server device When the confirmation unit confirms that the target image has been recorded on the terminal device, the apparatus includes an incentive execution unit that executes an incentive provision process for the user associated with the terminal device.

  Therefore, it is possible to give an incentive by confirming that the user actually viewed the image and uploaded it to the information sharing server device.

(6) In the incentive system according to the present invention, the terminal device transmits a reference ID extraction unit that extracts a reference ID from the acquired target image, and transmits the extracted reference ID to the management server device. Further comprising explanation data obtaining means for obtaining the explanation data from
The management server device records the explanation data describing the explanation of the incentive in association with the reference ID, receives the reference ID from the terminal device, refers to the recording unit, and sets the reference ID It further comprises explanatory data transmitting means for transmitting the corresponding explanatory data to the terminal device.

  Therefore, it is possible to confirm whether or not the user has uploaded the target image to the information sharing server device.

(7) In the incentive system according to the present invention, the confirmation unit confirms whether or not the reference ID received from the notification unit matches the reference ID received from the description data acquisition unit by the explanation data transmission unit. It is characterized by that.

  Therefore, it is possible to confirm whether or not the user has uploaded the target image to the information sharing server device.

(8) The incentive system according to the present invention is characterized in that the imaging target in which watermark data is embedded is a moving image content displayed on a display.

  Therefore, viewing of the moving image content displayed on the display can be confirmed.

(9) The incentive system according to the present invention is characterized in that the watermark data is embedded for each frame of moving image content.

  Therefore, an image in which a digital watermark is embedded can be obtained at any timing while a moving image is displayed.

(10) The incentive system according to the present invention is characterized in that the imaging target in which the watermark data is embedded is a printed image.

  Therefore, it can be confirmed that the printed matter has been viewed.

  In the embodiment, “image acquisition means” corresponds to step S51.

  In the embodiment, the “reference ID extraction unit” corresponds to step S53.

  In the embodiment, “explanation data acquisition means” corresponds to steps S53 and S54.

  In the embodiment, “image transmission means” corresponds to step S58.

  In the embodiment, “notification means” corresponds to step S60.

  In the embodiment, “explanation data transmission means” corresponds to step S101.

  In the embodiment, “confirmation means” corresponds to step S105.

  In the embodiment, “incentive execution means” corresponds to step S106.

  The “program” is a concept that includes not only a program that can be directly executed by the CPU, but also a source format program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

It is a figure showing the whole incentive system composition by one embodiment of this invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a video transmission device 12. FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between reference ID and an image | video. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a terminal device 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a management server device 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the provider terminal device 8. It is a flowchart of the registration process of the incentive description data. It is an example of description data. It is a flowchart of an incentive process. It is a flowchart of an incentive device. It is an example of a target image. It is an example of a display of description data. It is a flowchart of the incentive process by other embodiment.

1. Overall Configuration FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an incentive system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A reference ID is embedded as a digital watermark in a screen of a television or an image of a magazine.

  The business operator who uses this system transmits explanation data 48 in which the content of the incentive is explained by the business operator terminal device 8 to the management server device 4. The management server device 4 issues a reference ID and records the explanation data 48 in association with the reference ID. Further, the business entity terminal device 8 transmits this reference ID to the video transmission device 12 such as a TV broadcast device. The video transmission device 12 embeds a reference ID as a digital watermark in each frame of the content image and transmits it as a broadcast program.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the video transmission device 12. The program content program and the reference ID are given to the program data generation unit 120. The program data generation unit 120 embeds a reference ID as a digital watermark in the video of the program. The program data generated in this way is recorded in the program recording unit 120.

  The system information generation unit 124 generates control data and the like. The packetizing unit 126 packetizes program data and control data. The transmission unit 128 transmits the program data and control data packetized in this way.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a program program in which a reference ID is embedded. In this embodiment, the reference ID is embedded in the advertisement of the product A and the advertisement part of the product B. The advertisement of the product A is configured from the AAAth frame to the BBBth frame. A reference ID “123456” is embedded in the advertisement of the product A. In this embodiment, the reference ID is embedded in all the frames from AAA to BBB. Similarly, the reference ID “234567” is embedded in all frames from the BBBth to the CCCth, which are advertisements for the product B.

  As described above, since the reference ID is embedded for all the frames, an image in which the reference ID is embedded can be obtained at any timing.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the user captures this screen or image by the imaging unit of the terminal device 2. The image acquisition unit 20 of the terminal device 2 captures an image captured by the imaging unit as a target image. The reference ID extraction unit extracts a reference ID embedded as a digital watermark in the target image. The explanation data acquisition unit 26 transmits this reference ID to the management server device 4.

  In the recording unit 40 of the management server device 4, explanation data 48 that describes the contents of the incentive is recorded in association with the reference ID. The explanation data transmission means 42 of the management server device 4 receives the reference ID from the terminal device 2 and returns the explanation data 48 recorded in association with the reference ID. Thereby, the user can know the contents of the incentive.

  The image transmission means 22 of the terminal device 2 transmits the captured target image to the information sharing server device 6 such as an SNS server in response to a user operation. The information sharing server device 6 records the received target image 60 so that it can be accessed by other people. The fact that the user performs such an operation is proof that the user actually viewed the target image. In addition, since it can be accessed by other people, if the target image is advertising content, the spread of the advertising effect can be expected.

  The notification unit 28 of the terminal device 2 notifies the management server device 4 that the target image 60 has been transmitted to the information sharing server device 6. The confirmation unit 44 of the management server device 4 receives the notification and acquires the target image 60 from the information sharing server device 6. Further, a reference ID as a digital watermark embedded in the acquired target image 60 is extracted, and it is confirmed whether or not it matches the reference ID received by the explanation data transmission means 42. The incentive execution unit 46 executes incentive provision such as provision of points to the user of the terminal device 2 when it is confirmed that the reference IDs match.

As described above, an incentive can be given in response to the user actually viewing the video.

2. Hardware Configuration FIG. 4 shows a hardware configuration of the terminal device 2. In this embodiment, a mobile phone device is used as the terminal device 2. A touch screen 32, a camera 34, a nonvolatile memory 38, and a communication circuit 36 are connected to the CPU 30. In FIG. 4, a call circuit and the like are omitted.

  The communication circuit 36 is for connecting to the Internet. In the nonvolatile memory 38, an operating system 31 such as Android (trademark) and a terminal program 33 are recorded. The terminal program 33 exhibits its function in cooperation with the OS 31. The OS 31 and the terminal program 33 are the ones recorded in the recording medium and installed in the nonvolatile memory 38.

  FIG. 5 shows a hardware configuration of the management server device 4. A memory 52, a CD-ROM drive 54, a hard disk 56, and a communication circuit 58 are connected to the CPU 50.

  The communication circuit 58 is for connecting to the Internet. In the hard disk 56, an operating system 51 such as WINDOWS (trademark), a management server program 53, and a correspondence table 55 are recorded. The management server program 53 performs its function in cooperation with the OS 51. The OS 51 and the management server program 53 are the ones recorded on the CD-ROM 57 and installed on the hard disk 56 via the CD-ROM drive 54.

  The hardware configuration of the information providing server device 6 is the same as that of the management server device 4. However, the information providing server program is recorded in the hard disk 56 instead of the management server program 53.

FIG. 6 shows a hardware configuration of the operator terminal device 8. A memory 92, a mouse / keyboard 94, a CD-ROM drive 96, a hard disk 98, and a communication circuit 99 are connected to the CPU 90. The basic configuration is the same as that of the management server device 4. However, the operator terminal program 93 is recorded on the hard disk 98.

3. Incentive Explanation Data Registration Process FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the operator terminal program 93 and the management server program 53 when registering incentive explanation data.

  First, the CPU 90 of the business entity terminal device 8 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as the business entity terminal device 8) transmits incentive explanation data 48 to the management server device 4 (step S1). The CPU 50 of the management server device 4 (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as “management server device 4”) having received this generates a reference ID corresponding to the explanation data, records it in the hard disk 56 in association with the explanation data 48. (Step S11). An example of the explanation data 48 recorded in this way is shown in FIG.

  Next, the management server apparatus 4 transmits reference ID with respect to the provider terminal device 8 (step S12). Receiving the reference ID, the information providing terminal device 8 transmits this to the video transmission device 12 (step S2). Thereby, the video transmission device 12 embeds the reference ID as a digital watermark in the video of the corresponding program (program content) and transmits it.

As watermark generation methods, watermark information that cannot be identified by the human eye is embedded in the noise portion of the image, watermark information that cannot be identified by the human eye is embedded in a portion where similar image components are continuous, and quantization is performed. For example, watermark information composed of noise components that cannot be identified by human eyes can be embedded in a part of the noise components. Alternatively, it is also possible to use a method of embedding watermark information that is difficult to be identified by the human eye by adding a small amount of change to the image in a certain pattern in a region having a high spatial frequency. The luminance information of the image can be used as an object to which a small amount of change is applied to the image.

4). Incentive Process FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the terminal program 33 and the management server program 53 in the incentive process.

  First, the user images the screen of the TV receiver 10 with the camera 34 of the terminal device 2 (step S51). As a result, a video of the broadcast program (program content) is captured and recorded in the nonvolatile memory 38 as a target image. FIG. 11 shows a screen example of the TV receiver 10.

  The CPU 30 of the terminal device 2 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “terminal device 2”) determines whether or not a digital watermark is embedded in the captured target image (step S52). If not embedded, the process ends.

  If it is embedded, the reference ID is extracted and transmitted to the management server device 4 (step S53). Here, it is assumed that “123456” is extracted as the reference ID.

  The management server device 4 that has received the reference ID reads the corresponding explanation data from the hard disk 56. The description data corresponding to the reference ID is acquired with reference to the table of FIG. Here, as the explanation data corresponding to “123456”, “coupon A” “coupon that can purchase product A with XX% discount” is acquired. Further, this explanation data is transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step S101). Further, the received reference ID is recorded in association with the user (step S102).

  Receiving this, the terminal device 2 displays the explanation data on the screen of the touch screen 32 (step S54). For example, the explanatory data is displayed as shown in FIG. At this time, the terminal device 2 also displays an OK button 500 and an NG button 502 for confirming whether or not the user desires an incentive.

  Next, the terminal device 2 determines which of the OK button 500 and the NG button 502 has been clicked (step S55). If the OK button 500 is pressed, the flag F is set to “1” (step S57). If the NG button is pressed, the flag F is set to “0” (step S56). Here, the description will be made assuming that the user desires an incentive and presses the OK button 500.

  The user operates the terminal device 2 to upload the captured target image to the information sharing server device 6 (step S58). The information sharing server device 6 records the target image so that it can be browsed (step S151).

  The terminal device 2 determines whether or not the flag F is “1” (step S59). If the flag F is “0”, step S60 is not executed. Here, since the flag F is “1”, the terminal device 2 transmits the URL and the image file name of the information sharing server device 6 that uploaded the target image to the management server device 4 (step S60). Thereby, the management server device 4 knows that the target image has been uploaded to the information sharing server device 6.

  The management server device 4 accesses the information sharing server device 6 based on the received URL, specifies the image file name, and requests transmission of the target image (step S103). The information sharing server device 6 transmits the target image to the management server device 4 (step S152).

  The management server device 4 extracts a reference ID embedded as a digital watermark in the received target image (step S104). Next, the management server device 4 determines whether or not the reference ID recorded in step S102 matches the reference ID extracted in step S104 (step S105). If they do not match, the process ends. If they match, the management server device 4 executes incentive provision processing (step S106). For example, coupon data and privilege image data are transmitted to the terminal device 2. Alternatively, points are given to the user. Specifically, points are recorded in association with user IDs that specify users.

  The incentive provision process may be performed by the management server apparatus 4 alone, or may be performed by giving a command to another server apparatus that issues a coupon or provides points.

As described above, an incentive can be given on the condition that the user has actually viewed the image.

5. Other embodiments
(1) In the above embodiment, the terminal device 2 extracts watermark data. However, this may be performed by the management server device 4. In this case, the target image may be transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the management server device 4.

  Further, the terminal device 2 may determine whether or not the watermark data can be acquired, and only the data that can acquire the watermark data may be transmitted to the management server device 4.

(2) In the above embodiment, a mobile phone is used as the terminal device 2. However, a portable game device may be used.

(3) In the above embodiment, the content displayed on the screen of the TV receiver is the imaging target. However, the content displayed on the display of the PC device may be the imaging target.

(4) In the above embodiment, the content displayed on the screen of the TV receiver is set as the imaging target. However, the content displayed on the guidance display installed in the street or public institution may be set as the imaging target.

(5) In the above embodiment, the presence or absence of a digital watermark is determined in step S52, and the watermark data is extracted in step S53. However, if it is impossible to determine the presence or absence of the digital watermark without performing the watermark data extraction process, steps S52 and S53 are executed integrally.

(6) In the above embodiment, the URL of the management server device 4 is recorded in advance on the terminal program 33 side. Thereby, in step S53, the terminal device 2 can access the management server device 4. However, instead of doing this, the URL of the management server device 4 may be embedded as a digital watermark, and this URL may be extracted and accessed.

(7) In the above embodiment, the reference ID is extracted in step S53 and transmitted to the management server device 4 to obtain the explanation data. However, such processing may be omitted. A flowchart in this case is shown in FIG.

  First, the user images the screen of the TV receiver 10 with the camera 34 of the terminal device 2 (step S51). As a result, a video of the broadcast program (program content) is captured and recorded in the nonvolatile memory 38 as a target image.

  The user operates the terminal device 2 to upload the captured target image to the information sharing server device 6 (step S58). The information sharing server device 6 records the target image so that it can be browsed (step S151). The terminal device 2 transmits the URL and image file name of the information sharing server device 6 that uploaded the target image to the management server device 4 (step S60). Thereby, the management server device 4 knows that the target image has been uploaded to the information sharing server device 6.

  The management server device 4 accesses the information sharing server device 6 based on the received URL, specifies the image file name, and requests transmission of the target image (step S103). The information sharing server device 6 transmits the target image to the management server device 4 (step S152).

  The management server device 4 extracts a reference ID embedded as a digital watermark in the received target image (step S104). If it can be extracted, incentive provision processing is executed (step S106). If it cannot be extracted, the incentive provision process is not executed.

  Note that the incentive provision process may be performed only when it is confirmed that the extracted reference ID is a legitimate one generated according to the rules, as well as whether the reference ID has been extracted.

(8) It should be noted that other embodiments in the following embodiments can be applied to this embodiment as long as they do not contradict the essence.

Claims (10)

An incentive system comprising a terminal device and a management server device,
The terminal device
Image acquisition means for acquiring a target image captured by an imaging unit and embedded with a reference ID as a digital watermark;
Image transmitting means for transmitting the target image to an information sharing server device in order to record the image so that others can access it;
Notification means for notifying the management server device that the target image has been transmitted to the information sharing server device;
With
The management server device
Confirmation means for receiving the notification from the notification means, acquiring the target image recorded in the information sharing server device, extracting a reference ID, and performing confirmation;
An incentive execution means for executing an incentive provision process for a user associated with the terminal device when confirmation by the confirmation means that the target image has been recorded in the information sharing server device;
An incentive system characterized by comprising. The information sharing server receives a notification from the terminal device that the target image captured by the imaging unit and embedded with the reference ID as a digital watermark is transmitted to the information sharing server device so as to be accessible by others. Confirmation means for acquiring the target image recorded in the apparatus, extracting a reference ID, and performing confirmation;
An incentive execution means for executing an incentive provision process for a user associated with the terminal device when confirmation by the confirmation means that the target image has been recorded in the information sharing server device;
A management server device. A management server program for realizing a management server device by a computer, the computer comprising:
The information sharing server receives a notification from the terminal device that the target image captured by the imaging unit and embedded with the reference ID as a digital watermark is transmitted to the information sharing server device so as to be accessible by others. Confirmation means for acquiring the target image recorded in the apparatus, extracting a reference ID, and performing confirmation;
A management server program for functioning as incentive execution means for executing incentive provision processing for a user associated with the terminal device when confirmation of recording of the target image on the information sharing server apparatus is performed by a confirmation means. Image acquisition means for acquiring a target image captured by an imaging unit and embedded with a reference ID as a digital watermark;
Image transmitting means for transmitting the target image to an information sharing server device in order to record the image so that others can access it;
Notification means for notifying the management server device that the target image has been transmitted to the information sharing server device;
A terminal device comprising: A terminal program for realizing a terminal device by a computer, wherein the computer is
Image acquisition means for acquiring a target image captured by an imaging unit and embedded with a reference ID as a digital watermark;
Image transmitting means for transmitting the target image to an information sharing server device in order to record the image so that others can access it;
A terminal program for functioning as a notification unit that notifies the management server device that the target image has been transmitted to the information sharing server device. In the system, apparatus, or program in any one of Claim 1 to 5,
The terminal device
Reference ID extraction means for extracting a reference ID from the acquired target image;
Explanation data acquisition means for transmitting the extracted reference ID to the management server apparatus and acquiring the explanation data from the management server apparatus;
Further comprising
The management server device
A recording unit that records explanation data describing the explanation of the incentive in association with the reference ID;
Receiving the reference ID from the terminal device, referring to the recording unit, and transmitting the description data corresponding to the reference ID to the terminal device;
A system, apparatus, or program characterized by further comprising: The system, apparatus or program of claim 6.
The confirmation means performs confirmation according to whether or not the reference ID received from the notification means matches the reference ID received from the explanation data acquisition means by the explanation data transmission means. . The system, apparatus or program according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The system, apparatus, or program characterized in that the imaging target in which the watermark data is embedded is moving image content displayed on a display. The system, apparatus or program of claim 8.
A system, apparatus, or program characterized in that the watermark data is embedded for each frame of the moving image content. The system, apparatus or program according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The system, apparatus, or program is characterized in that the imaging target in which the watermark data is embedded is a printed image.

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