JP2021077158A - Point system and receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

To issue points with respect to viewing a television program.SOLUTION: A point system which gives points in accordance with viewing a television program includes: a viewing detection unit which detects that a viewer is viewing a television program; a point addition unit which gives points to the viewer according to a method in which the viewer views the television program; and a point storage unit which stores the points given to the viewer in association with the television program.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a point system and a receiver.

Points are given when watching TV broadcasts. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system for distributing points by using terrestrial digital broadcasting or the like and using the points.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-258951

However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, points are issued based on the point / coupon information added to the broadcast data of the digital broadcast program, and points are issued for viewing in a conventional TV program. I can't.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of issuing points for viewing on a television program.

The main invention of the present invention for solving the above problems is
A point system that gives points according to the viewing of a TV program gives points according to the viewing detection unit that detects that the viewer is watching the TV program and the method by which the viewer is watching the TV program. It is assumed that a point giving unit to be given to the viewer and a point storage unit to store the points given to the viewer in association with the TV program are provided.

Other problems disclosed in the present application and solutions thereof will be clarified in the columns and drawings of the embodiments of the invention.

According to the present invention, points can be issued for viewing on a television program.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure example of the point system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of the receiver 2. It is a figure which shows the software structure example of the receiver 2. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the viewing log database 231. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of a computer. It is a figure which shows the software configuration example of a log server 4. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the viewing log stored in the viewing log database 431. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the point use log stored in the point use log database 432. It is a figure which shows the software configuration example of the campaign management server 5. It is a figure which shows the composition example of the campaign information registered in the campaign database 531. It is a figure which shows the software configuration example of a user terminal 3. It is a figure which shows the software configuration example of the user management server 6. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the user database 631. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the user history database 632. It is a figure which shows the software configuration example of a store terminal 7. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the point use log stored in the point use log database 731. It is a figure which shows the flow of the registration process of the campaign information. It is a figure which shows the flow of the login process to the point system by a viewer. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process which detects the viewing of a television program by a viewer. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process of giving a point to a viewer. It is a figure explaining the flow of the point utilization process.

The contents of the embodiments of the present invention will be described in a list. The point system and the receiver according to the embodiment of the present invention have the following configurations.

[Item 1]
It is a point system that gives points according to the viewing of content broadcast on TV.
A viewing detection unit that detects that the viewer has viewed the content,
A point giving unit that gives points to the viewer according to the method by which the viewer viewed the content, and a point giving unit.
A point storage unit that stores the points given to the viewer in association with the content.
With

A point system characterized by that.
[Item 2]
The point system described in item 1
The method of viewing the content is any one of real-time viewing, time-shift viewing, VOD viewing, and recording viewing of the content, a point system.
[Item 3]
The point system described in item 1
Further provided with a campaign management database that stores information for identifying the content, point calculation information for calculating the points to be given when the content is viewed, and a period for giving the points.
The point giving unit acquires the content viewed by the viewer and the point calculation information corresponding to the date and time related to the viewing of the content from the campaign management database, and based on the point calculation information, gives the viewer the point calculation information. To calculate the number of points to be awarded,
A point system featuring.
[Item 4]
The point system described in item 1
A usage point acquisition unit that acquires the number of usage of the points used by the viewer, and a usage point acquisition unit.
A usage fee output unit that charges the usage destination of the points according to the number of usages and calculates the distribution of the amount.
A point system characterized by further providing.
[Item 5]
The point system described in item 4, which is the point system.
A viewing log storage unit that stores a viewing log of the content viewed by the viewer, and a viewing log storage unit.
A usage log storage unit that stores usage logs in which the points are used, and a usage log storage unit.
An analysis processing unit that analyzes the relationship between viewing the content and using the points based on the viewing log and the usage log, and outputs the analysis result.
A point system characterized by further providing.
[Item 6]
It ’s a TV broadcast receiver,
A viewing detection unit that detects that the viewer has viewed the content broadcast on the television broadcast,
A point giving unit that gives points to the viewer according to the method by which the viewer viewed the content, and a point giving unit.
A point transmission unit that transmits the points given to the viewer to a server that manages the points.
A receiver characterized by being equipped with.

== Overview ==
Hereinafter, the point system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The point system of the present embodiment is widely included as long as it provides a store (including a real store and an online virtual store, and provides products or services regardless of the form) to viewers of contents broadcast by television broadcasting. It is intended to give points that can be used in.). Content includes at least one of a television show and an advertisement. Further, in the point system of the present embodiment, a number of points are given according to the viewing mode of the television broadcast by the viewer. In the present embodiment, points are given so that the number of points given increases as the viewing time becomes longer, but the viewing mode includes not only the viewing time (how long the viewing time is) but also the number of people. Did you watch it (whether you watched it alone or with multiple people), did you watch a particular corner of the TV show, did a particular ad, watched both the TV show and the ad, or a particular TV Any aspect may be included in which one or more viewers watch a television broadcast, such as whether they have watched another particular television program or advertisement after viewing the program or advertisement. Alternatively, different points can be given depending on the viewing method. The source of points is sales promotion expenses at stores. The viewer will provide a viewing log of which content was being viewed, and it can be understood that points will be issued in consideration of providing the viewing log. Furthermore, the broadcasting station will be paid a usage fee according to the sales promotion cost as a consideration for providing the content. Also,

== Overall configuration ==
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration example of a point system according to the present embodiment.

The receiver 2 is a so-called television, which receives radio waves of television broadcasting (including electric signals such as cable television) (11), decodes the received radio waves, and relates to contents such as television programs and advertisements. Video and audio can be output. Further, the receiver 2 of the present embodiment has a communication function, and can communicate with the user terminal 3, the log server 4, the campaign management server 5, the user management server 6, and the like. The communication between the receiver 2 and the user device 3 can be, for example, wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or WiFi.

The user terminal 3 is assumed to be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet computer carried by the viewer. The receiver 2 can determine that the viewer is watching the content (television program or advertisement) being played by the receiver 2 by receiving the message from the user terminal 3 (21). .. The viewing log of the content by the viewer is sent from the receiver 2 to the log server 4 (24) and managed by the log server 4.

Broadcasting station 1 sets information (hereinafter referred to as campaign information) for calculating the number of points to be given for each content (12), and this campaign information is managed by the campaign management server 5. The campaign management server 5 can be realized by, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a cloud computer, or the like.

The receiver 2 inquires the campaign management server 5 about the points to be given to the viewer (22), and notifies the user management server 6 of the points (23). The points given to the viewer are managed by the user management server 6. The user management server 6 can be realized by, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a cloud computer, or the like. The points notified from the receiver 2 are added to the balance of points on the user management server 6. The balance of points is also referred to from the user terminal 3 (31).

Viewers can use the points at the store. When the points are used, the user terminal 3 notifies the store terminal 7 of the points to be used (32). The store terminal 7 can be realized by, for example, a tablet computer, a personal computer, a smartphone, or the like. From the store terminal 7, the used points are notified to the user management server 6 (71), and the balance of points is subtracted from the user management server 6. Further, the point usage log is transmitted from the store terminal 7 to the log server 4 (72) and accumulated in the log server 4. As a result, the log server 4 can analyze how many points are given by viewing which content and how many points are used in the store.

== Receiver 2 ==
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the receiver 2. The receiver 2 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, a storage device 203, a communication device 204, a broadcast reception module 205, and an output device 206. The storage device 203 stores various data and programs, such as a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, and a flash memory. The communication device 204 is a device for performing communication, for example, an adapter for connecting to Ethernet (registered trademark), a modem for connecting to a public telephone network, a wireless communication device for wireless communication, and serial communication. USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector and RS232C connector for. The receiver 2 may also include a plurality of communication devices 204. The broadcast reception module 205 is a module that receives radio waves of television broadcasting and decodes video and audio from the received radio waves. For the broadcast reception module 205, hardware related to reception and decoding of general television broadcasts can be used. The output device 206 includes a display and a speaker that output data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a software configuration example of the receiver 2. The receiver 2 includes video / audio processing unit 211, viewing detection unit 212, viewing log registration unit 213, viewing log transmission unit 214, point acquisition unit 215, and point addition unit 216, and a viewing log database 231. .. Each of the above functional units is realized by the CPU 201 included in the receiver 2 reading the program stored in the storage device 203 into the memory 202 and executing the program, and the viewing log database 231 has the memory 202 and the storage device 203. Realized as part of the storage area provided.

The video / audio processing unit 211 controls the broadcast reception module 205 to output the video and audio of the content from the output device 206. For the video and audio output processing (television broadcast reproduction processing) by the video / audio processing unit 211, a general method can be adopted, and the description thereof will be omitted here.

The viewing detection unit 212 detects that the viewer is watching the television broadcast. It is presumed that the viewing detection unit 212 is viewing the content output by the receiver 2 while the viewer is able to communicate with the user terminal 3. In the present embodiment, a message is periodically transmitted from the user terminal 3 to the receiver 2, and the viewing detection unit 212 can communicate with the user terminal 3 while the user terminal 3 is receiving the message. When a time-out occurs after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last message was received from the user terminal 3, it is detected that communication with the user terminal 3 has become impossible, and viewing is performed with this. It is possible to detect that a person has finished viewing the content.

The viewing log database 231 stores a log related to viewing of the content by the viewer (hereinafter, referred to as a viewing log). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the viewing log database 231. The viewing log database 231 stores a viewing log, and the viewing log contains a date and time, an event, a viewing type, a channel / content, a playback position, and one or more user IDs (user ID 1, user ID 2, user ID 3 ... )including. In these user ID 1, user ID 2, user ID 3, ..., When a plurality of viewers view at the same time, a user ID indicating each of the plurality of viewers can be recorded. The event is an event that occurs in the receiver 2, for example, when a message is first received from the user terminal 3 (smartphone login), the power of the receiver 2 is turned on (receiver power OK), and the viewer The channel is selected, the message from the user terminal 3 is received from the second time onward (viewing continues), the communication with the user terminal 3 is disconnected (smartphone log-off), and the like. Information indicating operations and processing in the receiver 2 and communication between the user terminal 3 and the receiver 2 is set. The viewing type indicates a viewing method of the content, for example, real-time (RT), time-shift (TS), video-on-demand (VOD), recording (RP), and the like. The channel / content is information for identifying the viewed content. In this embodiment, which channel or which content is viewed is shown. The playback position is set to the same value as the date and time in the "Date and time" column for real-time viewing, and the date and time when the content was first broadcast is set for time-shifting, video-on-demand, and recording. The user ID is information indicating a viewer who has viewed the content.

The viewing log registration unit 213 registers the viewing log in the viewing log database 231. The viewing log registration unit 213 can create a viewing log related to the event when an event occurs in the receiver 2, and register the created viewing log in the viewing log database 231. Here, when the event is related to the start or end of viewing (“smartphone login” or “smartphone log off”), the viewing log registration unit 213 determines the user ID (viewer or communication that sent the message) related to the event. Only the user ID indicating the viewer who timed out) is included in the new viewing log, and in other cases, the latest viewing log registered in the viewing log database 231 excluding the one related to authentication. The user ID set in is copied to the user ID of the new viewing log. If the latest viewing log event registered in the viewing log database 231 is "smartphone log off", the user ID of the latest viewing log is deleted from the new viewing log from the user ID of the viewing log. can do.

The viewing log transmission unit 214 transmits the viewing log to the log server 4. The viewing log transmission unit 214 may, for example, monitor the viewing log database 231 and transmit the viewing log newly registered in the viewing log database 231 to the log server 4.

The point acquisition unit 215 acquires points to be given to the viewer. In the present embodiment, the point acquisition unit 215 transmits a request for acquiring points (hereinafter referred to as a point acquisition request) to the campaign management server 5, and is given to the viewer who is replied by the campaign management server 5. You can get the number of points. In the point acquisition request, the channel that the viewer is watching and the date and time of the viewing log are set. As mentioned above, if you are watching a real-time TV broadcast, the current date and time is set, and if you are watching by time-shifting or video on demand, the date and time when the content was first broadcast is set. It will be set.

The point addition unit 216 gives points to the viewer. The point addition unit 216 transmits a request (hereinafter referred to as a point addition request) to the user management server 6 so as to add the points acquired by the point acquisition unit 215 to the point balance of the viewer. In the user management server 6, the viewer's point balance is increased in response to the point addition request, as will be described later. The point addition unit 216 includes a viewer who gives points, that is, a user ID and a date and time indicating a viewer who is viewing the content, a channel viewed by the viewer, a store where the points can be used, and the viewer. A point addition request including the number of points to be given to the user management server 6 is transmitted to the user management server 6. The point addition unit 216 may eliminate the duplicate point addition request so that the duplicate points are not added. For example, the user management server 6 stores the content of the point addition request (at least the user ID, the date and time, and the channel) as the point addition history, and the point addition unit 216 stores the content of the point addition request (user ID, date and time, and channel) having the same content. When the same channel is transmitted), it is possible to prevent the point addition corresponding to the transmission.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a computer used as a user terminal 3, a log server 4, a campaign management server 5, a user management server 6, and a store terminal 7. The computer includes a CPU 101, a memory 102, a storage device 103, a communication interface 104, an input device 105, and an output device 106. The storage device 103 stores various data and programs, such as a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, and a flash memory. The communication interface 104 is an interface for connecting to the communication network 30, for example, an adapter for connecting to Ethernet (registered trademark), a modem for connecting to a public telephone network, and a wireless communication device for performing wireless communication. , USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector for serial communication, RS232C connector and the like. The input device 105 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a button, a microphone, or the like for inputting data. The output device 106 is, for example, a display, a printer, a speaker, or the like that outputs data.

== Log server 4 ==
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a software configuration example of the log server 4. The log server 4 includes each function unit of the viewing log registration unit 411, the point usage log registration unit 412, and the analysis processing unit 413, and each storage unit of the viewing log database 431 and the point usage log database 432.

The viewing log database 431 stores the viewing log. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a viewing log stored in the viewing log database 431. The viewing log registered in the viewing log database 431 is obtained by adding a receiver ID indicating the receiver 2 that created the viewing log to the viewing log stored in the viewing log database 231 of FIG. 4 described above.

The viewing log registration unit 411 registers the viewing log in the viewing log database 431. The viewing log registration unit 411 receives the viewing log transmitted from the receiver 2, adds a receiver ID indicating the source receiver 2 to the received viewing log, and registers it in the viewing log database 431.

The point usage log database 432 stores a log related to the use of points in a store (hereinafter, referred to as a point usage log). FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a point usage log stored in the point usage log database 432. In the point usage log, the store where the points were used, the processing ID indicating the processing related to the use of the points, the date and time when the points were used, the user ID indicating the viewer who used the points, and the products (services) related to the use of the points. The product ID indicating the product ID, the price of the product, the number of points used, the promotion rate, and the payment cost are included. The payment cost is a sales promotion cost related to the use of points, and the sales promotion rate is information for calculating the sales promotion cost (payment cost) to be paid according to the number of points. In the present embodiment, the payment cost can be calculated by multiplying the number of points used (“point use”) by the sales promotion rate.

The point usage log registration unit 412 registers the point usage log in the point usage log database 432. The point usage log registration unit 412 receives the point usage log transmitted from the store terminal 7 described later, adds the store ID indicating the store to the received point usage log, and registers it in the point usage log database 432. ..

The analysis processing unit 413 analyzes the relationship between content viewing and purchasing activity based on the viewing log and the point usage log. For example, the analysis processing unit 413 links the viewing log and the point usage log by the user ID, and based on the linked viewing log and the point usage log, the viewer who viewed which content purchased what product. It is possible to analyze what kind of content was viewed by the viewer who purchased which product.

== Campaign management server 5 ==
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a software configuration example of the campaign management server 5. The campaign management server 5 includes each functional unit of the campaign information input unit 511, the point issuing unit 513, the point notification receiving unit 514, and the content usage fee output unit 515, and the campaign database 531.

The campaign database 531 stores information for determining points to be given to the viewer (hereinafter, referred to as campaign information). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of campaign information registered in the campaign database 531. In the campaign information, the TV broadcast channel, the start date and time of the campaign, the end date and time of the campaign, the company name, the sales promotion rate, the point award rate, the upper limit, the award points, and the points used are associated with the campaign ID that identifies the campaign information. Including. The channel is a channel (may specify video content or audio content delivered on demand) that is the target of a campaign that gives points to viewers. The channel may include information that identifies content such as a specific TV program or advertisement. For example, it can be attached to a channel to include the start date and time of the content and the end date and time of the content. The company name is information that identifies the store where the points can be used. Information indicating all stores (“*” in the example of FIG. 10) may be set. The sales promotion rate is information for calculating the sales promotion expenses that the store should pay for the use of points. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that it is a coefficient for the points used, and the sales promotion cost can be calculated by multiplying the number of points used by the sales promotion rate. The point award rate is information for determining the number of points to be issued according to the viewing time of the viewer. In the present embodiment, the point award rate is set to a unit time (5 minutes, 15 minutes, and 10 minutes are set in the example of FIG. 10) and the number of points to be awarded per unit time. Shall be. The upper limit is the upper limit of the number of points that can be issued. The usage points are the number of points actually used in the store (that is, the usage record of points). Campaign information is provided between the "start date and time" and the "end date and time" until the "grant points" given to the viewers who were watching the content of the "channel" reach the "upper limit". , It means that the number of points that can be used at the company (store) indicated by the "company name" will be issued according to the "point award rate". Further, when points are given according to the viewing method, for example, the points given to the recorded program (RP) can be set to be different from the points given to the real-time viewing. In particular, viewers who watch recorded programs are likely to have high royalties for the programs, so the points given to recorded programs are higher than the points given to real-time viewing (for example, double). Can be given. At this time, in the campaign database 531, the "end date and time of the content" can be set within 3 days from the broadcast date and time of the content, and for the viewer who viewed the recorded program within 3 days from the broadcast date of the content. , Points can be awarded. Further, the time shift and VOD can be set differently from the real-time viewing, or can be set differently from each other.

The campaign information input unit 511 newly registers or updates the campaign information. The campaign information input unit 511 uses the channel related to the campaign to give points, the start date and time and end date and time of the campaign, the store (company name) where the points can be used, the sales promotion rate for calculating the sales promotion cost related to the point use, and the points. It accepts the input of the grant rate and the upper limit, creates the campaign information in which these are set, and registers it in the campaign database 531. The campaign information input unit 511 can also receive the contents of one or more items of the campaign information and update the campaign information registered in the campaign database 531. The campaign information input unit 511 can receive such information from the computer used by the user of the broadcasting station 1, for example.

The point issuing unit 513 issues points to the viewer. The point issuing unit 513 calculates and responds to the points to be issued to the viewer in response to the point acquisition request transmitted from the receiver 2. For example, the point issuing unit 513 searches the campaign database 531 for campaign information in which the date and time included in the point acquisition request falls from the start date and time to the end date and time corresponding to the channel included in the point acquisition request. It is possible to respond using the point award rate of the campaign information as the number of points. The point issuing unit 513 can also respond to the stores (company name of the campaign information) where the points can be used. In addition, the point acquisition period is set in the campaign information, and the point issuing unit 513 issues points when the date and time when the point acquisition request is received is within the acquisition period, and the date and time when the point acquisition request is received is set. Points may not be issued if the points are outside the acquisition period.

The point notification receiving unit 514 receives notifications of used points (hereinafter referred to as point usage notifications). In the present embodiment, the point notification receiving unit 514 receives the point usage notification from the user management server 6. The point usage notification includes the store (company name) where the points were used, the date and time when the points were used, and the number of points used. The point notification receiving unit 514 corresponds to the company name included in the received point usage notification from the campaign database 531, and the usage date and time included in the point usage notification is the point used for the campaign information from the start date and time to the end date and time. Add the number of points included in the usage notification.

The content usage fee output unit 515 outputs a content usage fee to be paid to the broadcasting station. The content usage fee output unit 515 reads the campaign information of the corresponding channel from the campaign database 531 for each broadcasting station, and determines the usage fee based on the usage points included in the read campaign information. For example, the content usage fee output unit 515 may calculate the usage fee by multiplying the number of usage points by a constant coefficient or a coefficient set in advance for each broadcasting station. In addition, the content usage fee output unit 515 can also output sales promotion expenses to be paid by the store (person who promotes sales) for the use of points. The content usage fee output unit 515 receives the designation of the target store, reads the campaign information corresponding to the designated store from the campaign database 531, and multiplies the read promotion rate of the campaign information by the usage point to promote the sales promotion cost. Can be calculated. The store may be designated by accepting input from an input device such as a keyboard, or by receiving a request for sales promotion expenses including information for identifying the store (hereinafter referred to as a request for acquisition of sales promotion expenses) from the outside. May be good. When the sales promotion cost acquisition request is received, the content usage fee output unit 515 can also send the calculated sales promotion cost as a response to the sales promotion cost acquisition request. Further, when allocating sales promotion expenses to a servicer related to the receiver 2 (for example, a manufacturer of the receiver 2 or a business operator that distributes and operates the receiver 2), the content usage fee output unit 515 may use the content usage fee output unit 515. The service consideration for the servicer may be calculated. In this case, the content usage fee output unit 515 can calculate, for example, a usage fee according to the amount of logs transmitted by the receiver 2 to the log server 4 and output the usage fee. That is, the content usage fee output unit 515 distributes the sales promotion fee from the store (advertiser) to the usage fee of the point system of the present embodiment, the content usage fee, the service consideration to the servicer, and the like. Calculations related to distribution can be performed. The content usage fee output unit 515 may perform payment processing of the calculated content usage fee (as well as the system usage fee and the service consideration to the servicer).

== User terminal 3 ==
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a software configuration example of the user terminal 3. The user terminal 3 includes each functional unit of a login processing unit 311, a point balance display unit 312, a connection processing unit 313, and a point utilization unit 314.

The login processing unit 311 performs a login process for receiving user authentication. The login processing unit 311 communicates with the user management server 6 described later to perform login processing. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the connection processing unit 313 transmits the user ID and the password to the campaign management server 5 and the password is collated on the user management server 6.

The point balance display unit 312 acquires and displays the point balance of the viewer managed by the user management server 6. The point balance display unit 312 can send a point balance request (hereinafter referred to as a point balance request) to the user management server 6 and receive the balance returned from the user management server 6. A user ID is set in the point balance request.

The connection processing unit 313 transmits a message to the receiver 2. The connection processing unit 313 periodically (for example, an arbitrary time such as every 15 seconds, every 1 minute, every 5 minutes, etc. can be set) sends a message to the receiver 2. As described above, in the receiver 2, it is estimated that the viewer is viewing the content output from the receiver 2 while receiving the message transmitted from the connection processing unit 313.

The point utilization unit 314 performs processing related to the utilization of points. For example, the point usage unit 314 accepts the designation of the number of points to be used up to the balance of the points acquired by the point balance display unit 312 described above at the time of payment of the product, and specifies the designated number of points and the user ID. The points can be used by transmitting the requested request (hereinafter referred to as a point use request) to the store terminal 7. At the store terminal 7, the settlement process is performed by subtracting the amount corresponding to the number of points set in the point usage request from the product price.

== User management server 6 ==
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a software configuration example of the user management server 6. The user management server 6 includes each function unit of the user information registration unit 611, the authentication processing unit 612, the point transmission unit 613, the point addition request reception unit 614, the point subtraction request reception unit 615, and the point notification transmission unit 616, and the user database. It includes 631 and each storage unit of the user history database 632.

The user database 631 stores information about a viewer (user) (hereinafter, referred to as user information). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the user database 631. The user information registered in the user database 631 includes authentication information (password) and a balance of points in association with a user ID that identifies a viewer. The authentication information may be any information used to authenticate the viewer (or user terminal 3), such as a feature amount such as a fingerprint or an iris, or a public key, instead of a password. Further, in the example of FIG. 13, the user information includes the main point balance, the company A point balance, and the company B point balance. That is, the user information includes the balance of points that can be used at the store for each store. The main point balance is the balance of points that can be used at any store. In the example of FIG. 13, the point balance for each store is added as a column in the user information, but one or more balance information in which the store and the balance are associated with each other may be included.

The user information registration unit 611 registers the user information in the user database 631. The user information registration unit 611 accepts the input of the user ID and password, creates the user information in which the accepted user ID and password are set, sets the balance of points to 0, and can register the user database 631.

The authentication processing unit 612 authenticates the viewer. The authentication processing unit 612 can authenticate the viewer by using the authentication information (for example, password) included in the user information. The authentication processing unit 612 can perform authentication by receiving a user ID and a password from the user terminal 3 and collating the password of the user information corresponding to the received user ID with the received password, for example. As the user authentication method, a general method can be adopted, and the description thereof will be omitted here.

The point transmission unit 613 responds to the point balance request in response to the point balance request. As described above, the user ID is set in the point balance request transmitted from the user terminal 3. The point transmission unit 613 can read the balance of points corresponding to the user ID included in the point balance request from the user database 631 and respond.

The user history database 632 stores the usage history of points by the viewer. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the user history database 632. Each usage history included in the user history database 632 is associated with the user ID and the date and time, and the viewed channel, the number of points added (addition content), the number of points used (subtraction content), the point balance, and points are given. Or memorize the used store (processing target).

The point addition request receiving unit 614 registers the point usage history and increases the viewer's point balance in response to the point addition request. Upon receiving the point addition request, the point addition request receiving unit 614 generates a new usage history, and generates the user ID, date and time, channel, store, and number of points included in the received point addition request. Set for each of the history user ID, date and time, viewing channel, processing content, and addition content. Further, the point addition request receiving unit 614 updates the user database 631 so as to add the number of points to the balance corresponding to the store in the user information corresponding to the user ID. Further, the point addition request receiving unit 614 sets the balance of the updated user information as the point balance of the generated usage history and registers it in the user history database 632.

The point subtraction request receiving unit 615 registers the usage history of points in response to a request (hereinafter referred to as a point subtraction request) instructing the viewer to reduce the number of points used from the point balance of the viewer, and also registers the viewer. Decrease the point balance of. The point subtraction request receiving unit 615 receives the point subtraction request from the store terminal 7. The point subtraction request includes the user ID, the date and time when the points were used, the number of points used, and the store where the points were used. Upon receiving the point subtraction request, the point subtraction request receiving unit 615 generates a new usage history, and the user ID, date and time, the number of points, and the store included in the received point subtraction request are generated by the user in the usage history. Set the ID, date and time, subtraction content, and processing target, respectively. Further, the point subtraction request receiving unit 615 updates the user database 631 so as to subtract the number of points from the balance of the user information corresponding to the user ID corresponding to the store. Further, the point subtraction request receiving unit 615 sets the balance of the updated user information as the point balance of the generated usage history and registers it in the user history database 632.

The point notification transmission unit 616 transmits the point usage notification to the campaign management server 5. The point notification transmission unit 616 transmits a corresponding point usage notification each time a point subtraction request is received. The point notification transmission unit 616 manages the point usage notification including the processing target (store), the date and time, and the subtraction content of the usage history registered in response to the point subtraction request as the company name, the usage date and time, and the number of points, respectively. Send to server 5. As described above, the campaign management server 5 manages the number of used points in association with the number of issued points.

== Store terminal 7 ==
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a software configuration example of the store terminal 7. The store terminal 7 includes each function unit of the point processing unit 711, the payment processing unit 712, the point subtraction request transmission unit 713, the point usage log transmission unit 714, and the sales promotion expense output unit 715, and the storage unit of the point usage log database 731. To be equipped. Each of the functional units is realized by the CPU 101 included in the store terminal 7 reading a program stored in the storage device 103 into the memory 102 and executing the program, and the storage unit is the memory 102 and the memory 102 included in the store terminal 7. It is realized as a part of the storage area provided by the storage device 103.

The point usage log database 731 stores the point usage log related to the points used in the store. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a point usage log stored in the point usage log database 731. The point usage log is obtained by removing the store ID from the point usage log stored in the point usage log database 432 shown in FIG.

The settlement processing unit 712 performs processing related to the settlement of the product. Here, when the point usage request is transmitted from the user terminal 3, the payment processing unit 712 receives the point usage request and subtracts the amount corresponding to the number of points set in the point usage request from the product price. And process the payment.

The point processing unit 711 performs processing related to the use of points. The point processing unit 711 includes a processing ID for specifying the payment processing by the payment processing unit 712, a date and time when the payment processing was performed, a user ID included in the point usage request, and a product ID indicating the product for which the payment processing was performed. Generate a point usage log that sets the price of the product, the number of points included in the point usage request, the preset sales promotion rate for the product, and the payment cost obtained by multiplying the points by the sales promotion rate, and use the points. Register in the log database 731.

The point subtraction request transmission unit 713 transmits the point subtraction request to the user management server 6. The point subtraction request includes a user ID indicating a viewer, a date and time when the points were used, a store where the points were used, and the number of points used.

The point usage log transmission unit 714 transmits the point usage log registered in the point usage log database 731 to the outside. In the present embodiment, the point usage log transmission unit 714 transmits the point usage log to the log server 4. Each time a new point usage log is registered, the point usage log transmission unit 714 may specify the newly registered point usage log and send it to the log server 4, or at regular intervals, the present It is possible to read the point usage log including the date and time after a certain period from the date and time from the point usage log database 731 and send it to the log server 4.

The sales promotion cost output unit 715 calculates the sales promotion cost to be paid. For example, the sales promotion cost output unit 715 can calculate the total payment cost obtained by multiplying the point usage by the sales promotion rate and output it as the sales promotion cost. The sales promotion cost output unit 715 may perform a process of paying the sales promotion cost. The payee can be the operator of the point system according to this embodiment. Further, the calculation of the sales promotion cost may be performed on the campaign management server 5. In this case, the sales promotion cost output unit 715 sends a sales promotion cost acquisition request in which information for identifying the store corresponding to the store terminal 7 is set to the campaign management server 5, and receives the sales promotion cost returned from the campaign management server 5. be able to.

Hereinafter, the processing executed in the point system according to the present embodiment will be described.

== Registration process of campaign information ==
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a flow of registration processing of campaign information. At broadcasting station 1, the computer accepts and sets the channel related to the campaign to award points, the start date and time and end date and time of the campaign, the store (company name) where the points can be used, the point award rate, and the upper limit. The campaign information registration request can be sent to the campaign management server 5 (S821). For example, the campaign information input unit 511 sends an input screen in which form information is set to a computer operated by a user of broadcasting station 1, and the campaign management server 5 makes a request for setting the data input in this input screen. It can be realized by accepting. The campaign information input unit 511 generates campaign information in which various information set in the received campaign information registration request is set and registers it in the campaign database 531 (S822), and registers a message indicating that the registration is completed in the campaign information. It can be sent as a response to the request (S823).

== Login process ==
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a flow of login processing to the point system by the viewer.

The login processing unit 311 of the user terminal 3 transmits a request (login screen request) for acquiring a login screen for logging in to the user management server 6 (S801). The authentication processing unit 612 of the user management server 6 responds to the user terminal 3 with information for displaying the login screen (for example, screen data described by HTML) (S802). The login processing unit 311 of the user terminal 3 accepts the input of the user ID and password from the viewer (S803). The login processing unit 311 may store the user ID and password in the storage device 103 or the like of the user terminal 3 and read the stored user ID and password. The login processing unit 311 transmits a login request in which the received user ID and password are set to the user management server 6 (S804), and the authentication processing unit 612 of the user management server 6 includes the user ID and the user ID included in the login request. The viewer is authenticated using the password (S805). The authentication processing unit 612 can perform authentication processing by collating, for example, the user ID and password of the user information registered in the user history database 632 with the user ID and password included in the login request. .. The authentication processing unit 612 responds to the user terminal 3 with the result of the authentication (S806).

When the authentication is successful, the point balance display unit 312 of the user terminal 3 transmits the point balance request to the user management server 6 (S807), and the point transmission unit 613 of the user management server 6 is included in the point balance request. The balance of points corresponding to the user ID is read from the user database 631 (S808), and the balance of the read points is responded to the user terminal 3 (S809). The point balance display unit 312 of the user terminal 3 can output the balance of the responded points (S810).

== Viewing detection processing ==
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for detecting viewing of content by a viewer.
The connection processing unit 313 of the user terminal 3 transmits the first message (check-in message) to the receiver 2 (S841), and the viewing detection unit 212 of the receiver 2 communicates with the user terminal 3. The establishment can be detected as the viewer has started viewing (S842).

A message is periodically transmitted from the connection processing unit 313 of the user terminal 3 to the receiver 2 (S843), and the connection processing unit 313 receives the message from the user terminal 3 before the time-out occurs, so that the viewer can use it. It can be determined that the viewing of the content is continuing (S844). The connection processing unit 313 can determine that the viewing has ended when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last message was received from the user terminal 3 and a timeout occurs (S845).

== Point award processing ==
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for giving points to the viewer.
A message is continuously transmitted from the connection processing unit 313 of the user terminal 3 to the receiver 2 (S861), and as shown in FIG. 19, the viewing detection unit 212 of the receiver 2 is continuously viewing. It is assumed that it has been determined.

The point acquisition unit 215 of the receiver 2 transmits a point acquisition request for which the channel / content currently being viewed is set to the campaign management server 5 (S862), and the point issuing unit 513 of the campaign management server 5 requests the point acquisition. Acquire campaign information corresponding to (S863). Specifically, the point issuing unit 513 corresponds to the channel / content included in the point acquisition request, and stores the campaign information in which the date and time included in the point acquisition request is entered from the start date and time to the end date and time in the campaign database 531. You can search from. The point issuing unit 513 determines the number of points according to the acquired campaign information, and responds with the determined number of points and the store (company name) (S864). The point issuing unit 513 can determine, for example, the point award rate included in the campaign information as the number of points.

The point addition unit 216 of the receiver 2 makes a point addition request for setting the user ID, date and time, and channel included in the latest viewing log, and the store and the number of points received from the campaign management server 5. (S865). The point addition request receiving unit 614 of the user management server 6 adds the given points to the viewer's point balance in response to the point addition request (S866). For example, the point addition request receiving unit 614 sets the point balance included in the user information corresponding to the user ID included in the point addition request corresponding to the store included in the point addition request. The user database 631 can be updated to add the number of points included in the point addition request. Further, in the present embodiment, the point addition request receiving unit 614 generates a new usage history, and the user ID, date and time, channel, store, and number of points included in the received point addition request, and the updated user. It is assumed that the point balance of the information is set in the user ID, date and time, viewing channel / content, processing content, addition content, and point balance of the generated usage history, respectively, and registered in the user history database 632.

The point notification transmission unit 616 transmits a point usage notification to the campaign management server 5 including the processing target (store) of the usage history, the date and time, and the subtraction content as the company name, the usage date and time, and the number of points, respectively (S867). The point notification receiving unit 514 of the campaign management server 5 adds the number of points given to the points given in the campaign information in response to the point notification (S868). For example, the point notification receiving unit 514 corresponds to the company name included in the received point usage notification from the campaign database 531, and the usage date and time included in the point usage notification is the usage point of the campaign information from the start date and time to the end date and time. , The number of points included in the point usage notification can be added.

The point notification transmission unit 616 may notify the user terminal 3 of the balance of the updated points (S869). The point balance display unit 312 of the user terminal 3 can update the display according to the received point balance.

== Point usage processing ==
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a flow of point utilization processing. Here, it is assumed that the viewer uses points when visiting a store and purchasing a product.

When the viewer visits the store, the viewer operates the user terminal 3 to specify the number of points to be used. The point usage unit 314 of the user terminal 3 transmits a point usage request for which a specified number of points is set to the store terminal 7 (S881).

The payment processing unit 712 of the store terminal 7 subtracts the amount corresponding to the number of points set in the point usage request from the product price to perform payment processing (S882). The point processing unit 711 transmits to the user management server 6 a point subtraction request in which a user ID indicating a viewer, a date and time when the points are used, a store where the points are used, and the number of points used are set (S883). ..

The point subtraction request receiving unit 615 of the user management server 6 subtracts points from the user's point balance in response to the received point subtraction request (S884). The point subtraction request receiving unit 615 updates the user database 631 so as to subtract the number of points from the balance corresponding to the store in the user information corresponding to the user ID set in the point subtraction request, and also updates the point subtraction request. It is possible to generate a usage history in which the user ID, date and time, the number of points and the store, and the point balance of the updated user information are set, and register them in the user history database 632. The point notification transmission unit 616 transmits a point usage notification in which the processing target (store) of the usage history registered in response to the point subtraction request, the date and time, and the subtraction content are set to the campaign management server 5 (S885).

The point notification receiving unit 514 of the campaign management server 5 adds points to the usage points of the campaign information according to the point usage notification received from the user management server 6 (S886). The point notification receiving unit 514 corresponds to the company name included in the received point usage notification from the campaign database 531, and the usage date and time included in the point usage notification is the point used for the campaign information from the start date and time to the end date and time. The number of points included in the usage notification can be added. In the campaign management server 5, the content usage fee output unit 515 calculates and outputs the content usage fee according to the usage points of the campaign information, and pays the content usage fee (S887). The content usage fee output unit 515 may perform payment processing.

The point usage log transmission unit 714 of the store terminal 7 transmits the point usage log registered in the point usage log database 731 to the log server 4 (S888), and the point usage log registration unit 412 of the log server 4 receives the received usage. A store ID indicating a store is added to the log and registered in the point usage log database 432 (S889). In the store terminal 7, the sales promotion cost output unit 715 calculates and outputs the sales promotion cost to be paid according to the use of the points, and the sales promotion cost is paid (S890). For example, the sales promotion cost output unit 715 can calculate the sales promotion cost by multiplying the point usage value of the usage log by a coefficient of the sales promotion rate. The sales promotion cost output unit 715 may perform processing related to payment of the sales promotion cost.

As described above, according to the point system of the present embodiment, points that can be used in the store can be given according to the time when the viewer views the content output from the receiver 2. Therefore, it becomes possible to use the content provided by the television broadcast as an advertisement related to sales promotion in the store. On the other hand, since it is possible to link the viewing of television with the use of points by the user ID using the user terminal 3 of the viewer, advertising activities by issuing points using television broadcasting, which is a medium for mass advertising. You can accurately grasp the effect of.

As described above, according to the point system of the present embodiment, points that can be used in the store can be given according to the method in which the viewer views the content output from the receiver 2. Therefore, for example, a viewer who has watched a recorded program of the same content can be presumed to have high royalties for the content, and by issuing more points, an effect of sales promotion to the viewer can be expected.

Further, according to the point system of the present embodiment, it is possible to estimate the time during which the viewer is watching the television broadcast by communicating the user terminal 3 with the receiver 2. Conventionally, it has been difficult to grasp the state of watching television, which is a mass broadcast, but in the point system of the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately estimate whether or not the viewer is watching.

Further, the user terminal 3 is a device such as a smartphone that is expected to be carried by the viewer at all times, and the communication between the user terminal 3 and the receiver 2 is performed by, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark). When the method is limited to communication over a relatively short distance, it becomes clear that the viewer is at least in the vicinity of the receiver 2, so that the output from the receiver 2 is being viewed. Since there is a high probability that at least the audio is being heard, the viewing time by the viewer can be estimated accurately.
Further, in the point system of the present embodiment, since the TV viewing log and the point usage log are accumulated in the log server 4, the points issued for viewing which channel (content) are in which store and what kind of product. It is possible to analyze whether it was used for the purchase of. Therefore, it is possible to use it for the next sales promotion activity while accurately measuring the advertising effect.

Further, according to the point system of the present embodiment, since the server is accessed from the receiver 2 instead of the user terminal 3, points can be issued at least in a situation where it is guaranteed that the content has been played.

Further, according to the point system of the present embodiment, the sales promotion expenses in the store can be returned to the broadcasting station 1 that provided the content. Therefore, it is possible to add a new sponsor in addition to the sponsor for the conventional TV program or channel, and in the present embodiment, the number of points according to the viewing time is given, so that the user can watch for a long time. It is expected that the quality of the content will be improved.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the above embodiment is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not for limiting and interpreting the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention also includes an equivalent thereof.

For example, in the present embodiment, the points are managed in a distributed manner by the campaign management server 5 and the user management server 6, but the campaign management server 5 and the user management server 6 can be operated as a single server. Similarly, the log server 4, the campaign management server 5, and the user management server 6 may be operated as a single server or two servers.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the points are used, the point use request is transmitted from the user terminal 3 to the store terminal 7, but the points are not communicated between the user terminal 3 and the store terminal 7. You may try to use it. For example, points may be used by displaying a barcode, QR code (registered trademark), or the like on the user terminal 3 and reading the barcode or QR code (registered trademark) with a code reader provided in the store terminal 7. In this case, the store terminal 7 can confirm the point balance and approve the use of points to the user management server 6 before the payment processing. Further, the user terminal 3 displays a coupon code, a passcode, or the like, and the viewer verbally conveys this to the store clerk and the clerk inputs it to the store terminal 7, or the viewer inputs it to the store terminal 7. , Points may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the receiver 2 sends a point acquisition request to the campaign management server 5, and the campaign management server 5 determines the points to be given to the viewer, but the receiver 2 determines the points. You may do it. In this case, the receiver 2 is provided with a campaign information acquisition unit that acquires campaign information from the campaign management server 5, a campaign information storage unit that stores campaign information, and a point issuing unit, and the point issuing unit provides campaign information. It is possible to determine the points to be issued based on.

Further, in the present embodiment, the campaign information is input from the broadcasting station 1, but it may be registered from other than the broadcasting station 1. For example, an advertiser (a store operator or an advertising agency, a manufacturer of a product provided in a store, a planning company such as an advertising agency that plans a campaign such as product recognition or sales promotion) registers campaign information. You may do so. In this case, it is possible to provide a service for awarding points without causing the broadcasting station 1 to take time and effort.

1 Broadcasting station 2 Receiver 3 User terminal 4 Log server 5 Campaign management server 6 User management server 7 Store terminal 211 Video / audio processing unit 212 Viewing detection unit 213 Viewing log registration unit 214 Viewing log transmission unit 215 Point acquisition unit 216 Point addition unit 231 Viewing log database 311 Login processing unit 312 Point balance display unit 313 Connection processing unit 314 Point usage unit 411 Viewing log registration unit 412 Point usage log registration unit 413 Analysis processing unit 431 Viewing log database 432 Point usage log database 511 Campaign information input unit 513 Point transmission unit 514 Point notification reception unit 515 Content usage fee output unit 531 Campaign database 611 User information registration unit 612 Authentication processing unit 613 Point transmission unit 614 Point addition request reception unit 615 Point subtraction request reception unit 616 Point notification transmission unit 631 User Database 632 User history database 711 Point processing unit 712 Payment processing unit 713 Point deduction request transmission unit 714 Point usage log transmission unit 715 Sales promotion cost output unit 731 Point usage log database

Claims (6)

It is a point system that gives points according to the viewing of content broadcast on TV.
A viewing detection unit that detects that the viewer has viewed the content,
A point giving unit that gives points to the viewer according to the method by which the viewer viewed the content, and a point giving unit.
A point storage unit that stores the points given to the viewer in association with the content.
With

A point system characterized by that. The point system according to claim 1.
The method of viewing the content is any one of real-time viewing, time-shift viewing, VOD viewing, and recording viewing of the content, a point system. The point system according to claim 1.
Further provided with a campaign management database that stores information for identifying the content, point calculation information for calculating the points to be given when the content is viewed, and a period for giving the points.
The point giving unit acquires the content viewed by the viewer and the point calculation information corresponding to the date and time related to the viewing of the content from the campaign management database, and based on the point calculation information, gives the viewer the point calculation information. To calculate the number of points to be awarded,
A point system featuring. The point system according to claim 1.
A usage point acquisition unit that acquires the number of usage of the points used by the viewer, and a usage point acquisition unit.
A usage fee output unit that charges the usage destination of the points according to the number of usages and calculates the distribution of the amount.
A point system characterized by further providing. The point system according to claim 4.
A viewing log storage unit that stores a viewing log of the content viewed by the viewer, and a viewing log storage unit.
A usage log storage unit that stores usage logs in which the points are used, and a usage log storage unit.
An analysis processing unit that analyzes the relationship between viewing the content and using the points based on the viewing log and the usage log, and outputs the analysis result.
A point system characterized by further providing. It ’s a TV broadcast receiver,
A viewing detection unit that detects that the viewer has viewed the content broadcast on the television broadcast,
A point giving unit that gives points to the viewer according to the method by which the viewer viewed the content, and a point giving unit.
A point transmission unit that transmits the points given to the viewer to a server that manages the points.
A receiver characterized by being equipped with.

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