JP3770372B2 - Advertising mediation system using games - Google Patents

Description

【００５２】
このような広告実施条件下において、例えばプレーヤ“Bob Miller”の車両に着目すれば、同図(a) に示したように、同車の順位が３位であり、アクセス数が“２３”であると、その広告枠Ｗ１には“ＸＹＺ”が表示されるか、広告枠Ｗ２は空白となる。また、広告塔の広告枠Ｗ３には、アクセス数が１０以上５０未満のときに選択される“ＡＢＣ”が表示される。
【００５３】
また、同図(b) に示したように、プレーヤ「Bob Miller」の車両が１位であり、アクセス数が“５２”であると、その広告枠Ｗ１に“ＸＹＺ”が表示され、広告枠Ｗ２には“ＤＦＧ”が表示される。また、広告塔の広告枠Ｗ３には、アクセス数が５０以上のときに選択される“ＳＴＵ”が表示される。
【００５４】
このように、本実施形態ではゲーム展開やアクセス数（観戦者数）に基づいて、広告の実施／不実施や広告ファイルを動的に切り換えることができるので、広告を、その内容や対象者に最適な方法およびタイミングで実施することができるようになる。
【００５５】
ゲームセッションが終了すると、ゲームセンタ・サーバ１は課金管理サーバ３に対して、ゲームのプレー時間および広告の実施実績を通知する［図１のステップＳ６］。なお、これらの情報を広告仲介サーバ２が管理している場合には、当該情報が広告仲介サーバ２から課金管理サーバ３に対して通知される［ステップＳ７］。
【００５６】
課金管理サーバ３は、ゲームセンタ・サーバ１（または、広告仲介サーバ２）から通知されたプレー時間等に基づいて、当該ゲームのプレー料金を各プレーヤごとに算出する。さらに、前記通知された広告の実施実績に基づいて、各プレーヤのプレー料金から、前記広告の実施に対してスポンサから提供される広告料の一部を減じたり、ゲームの無料利用時間を提供する。
【００５７】
次いで、上記した各サーバ１、２、３の構成およびその動作をさらに詳細に説明する。
【００５８】
図６は、前記広告仲介サーバ２の主要部の構成を示したブロック図であり、当該広告仲介サーバ２は、通信機能部２０５および通信ネットワークＮＴを介して各スポンサ端末Ｔ１，Ｔ２および他のサーバ１、３と通信する。
【００５９】
広告募集・申込画面配信部２０６は、図９に示したように、各ゲームごとに用意されている複数の広告枠の内容を示した広告用データテーブル２０６ａを具備し、前記図２、３に関して説明した広告募集画面を各スポンサ端末Ｔ１，Ｔ２へ配信する。さらに、スポンサからの要求に応答して、前記図４に関して説明した広告申込画面を配信する。
【００６０】
図９において、たとえばゲーム「ｇ１」の広告枠「ｇ１−ｘ１」は、後援が全日であり、広告実施時間が１５時から２４時であり、その内容は、ゲーム画面の右上隅に確保された広告画像枠＃１に静止画を挿入するものと、広告音声情報を３分ごとに１０秒間づつ挿入するものである。広告募集・申込画面配信部２０６は、このデータテーブル２０６ａに基づいて前記広告募集画面および広告申込画面を生成し、前記各スポンサ端末Ｔ１，Ｔ２へ配信する。
【００６１】
各スポンサ端末Ｔ１，Ｔ２が前記広告申込画面（図４）から入力した広告実施条件、広告ファイル識別子、スポンサ名等（以下、これらを総称して広告申込データと表現する場合もある）は広告申込管理部２０２に入力されて集計される。広告申込データの集計結果は広告申込メモリ２０１の広告申込データテーブル２０１ａに書き込まれる。前記広告申込管理部２０２は、各スポンサ端末Ｔ１，Ｔ２から広告の申込を削除する旨の要求を受信すると、広告申込メモリ２０１に対して当該広告申込データの削除を指示する。
【００６２】
図１０は、前記広告申込データテーブル２０１ａの登録内容を模式的に示した図であり、各ゲームの広告枠ごとに、そのスポンサ名、広告の画像ファイルや音声ファイルを特定するための広告ファイル識別子、広告実施条件および希望料金が、広告申込データとして登録されている。
【００６３】
ゲーム開催情報取得部２０４は、ゲームセンタ・サーバ１から通知されるゲームの開催情報を取得して記録する。この開催情報には、ゲームの開始時刻、参加プレーヤ名、参加プレーヤ数、観戦者数などが含まれ、開始直前の最新情報が通知される。各ゲームに関する開催情報は、ゲームセッションの終了時点で消去される。
【００６４】
広告実施条件判定部２０３は、前記ゲーム開催情報取得部２０４に記録された開催情報を参照し、これを前記広告申込メモリ２０１に登録されている各広告申込データの広告実施条件と比較する。そして、今回の開催情報により満足される広告実施条件を含む広告申込データが登録されていれば、その広告申込データ、すなわち広告枠、スポンサ名、広告内容および広告実施条件等を、広告要求データとしてゲームセンタ・サーバ１に通知する。したがって、ゲームセンタ・サーバ１に通知される前記広告要求データは、広告申込メモリ２０１に記憶された多数の広告申込データのうち、開催情報が広告実施条件を満足すると判断された一部のデータである。
【００６５】
例えば、前記開催情報として、参加プレーヤ数が１５人である旨がゲームセンタ・サーバ１から通知されていれば、広告実施条件が指定されていない広告申込データのみならず、広告枠「ｇ２−ｘ１」に関するスポンサ「ｓ４」（参加プレーヤ数が６人以上）のデータが広告要求データとして通知される。さらに、前記開催情報として、参加プレーヤにＥ氏が含まれている旨が通知されていれば、広告枠「ｇ１−ｘ６」に関するスポンサ「ｓ１」（参加プレーヤ数が１０人以上）の広告申込データも、広告要求データとして通知される。
【００６６】
なお、ゲーム「ｇ１」の広告枠「ｇ１−ｘ３」では２つのスポンサ「ｓ１」，「ｓ２」が競合しているが、スポンサ「ｓ１」に関しては、その広告実施条件である「アクセス数が２０人以上」が満足されないので、実質的には競合しない。また、複数のスポンサが競合する場合には、申込順位や希望金額に基づいていずれかの組み合わせのみが選択される。本実施例では、他の全ての条件が同一であれば申込順に選択される。
【００６７】
また、上記した競合時の選択はオペレータによる操作によっても可能であり、広告掲示条件判定部２０３は、競合が発生した旨を操作端末２０７に通知し、広告仲介サービス提供者に選択操作を促す。広告仲介サービス提供者は当該操作端末２０６からスポンサを選択する。選定結果は広告実施条件判定部２０３に通知される。
【００６８】
図７は、前記ゲームセンタ・サーバ１の構成を示したブロック図であり、当該ゲームセンタ・サーバ１は、通信機能部１０２および通信ネットワークＮＴを介して各ゲーム端末Ｇ１〜Ｇ４およびスポンサ端末Ｔ１，Ｔ２、ならびに他のサーバ２、３と通信する。
【００６９】
ゲーム実行部１０１は、プレーヤのゲーム端末Ｇ１，Ｇ２と通信してゲームプログラムを開始し、プレーヤがゲーム端末Ｇ１，Ｇ２で行った操作を検知してゲームを進行させると共に、ゲーム画面およびゲーム音声をゲーム端末Ｇ１，Ｇ２および観戦者のゲーム端末Ｇ３，Ｇ４へ送出する。
【００７０】
ゲーム開催情報通知部１０３は、開催予定のゲームに関する情報を前記広告仲介サーバ２へ通知する。この開催情報の通知に応答して広告仲介サーバ２から通知される前記広告要求データ（広告申込メモリ２０１に記憶された多数の広告申込データのうち、開催情報が広告実施条件を満足するとして広告仲介サーバ３から通知されたデータ）は広告要求メモリ１０４に記憶される。
【００７１】
広告挿入指示部１０６は、当該ゲームの実行前に、広告要求メモリ１０４に登録されている前記広告要求データをゲーム実行部１０１へ転送し、当該ゲームプログラムにおける広告枠と広告ファイルとの対応付けを行う。広告挿入指示部１０６はさらに、広告の実施が確定している広告要求データについては、その広告実施フラグをオンに設定する。
【００７２】
広告実施が未だ確定しておらず、ゲーム展開に応じて実施／不実施が確定する広告要求データについては、広告実施フラグを初期状態のオフに設定する。前記広告枠と広告ファイルとの対応関係および広告実施フラグはゲーム実行部１０１に記録される。
【００７３】
ゲーム実行部１０１がゲームプログラムを開始すると、各ゲーム端末Ｇ１，Ｇ２での操作に応答してゲームが進行し、前記広告実施フラグに従って所定の広告枠で広告ファイルが再生される。すなわち、広告が実施されてゲーム画面またはゲーム音声中で広告の画像または音声が聴視覚情報として出力される。
【００７４】
ゲーム展開は広告選定部１０５に通知される。広告選定部１０５は、通知されたゲーム展開に基づいて、広告要求メモリ１０４に記録されている各広告要求データの広告実施条件が満たされるかどうかを判別し、広告実施条件が満たされる広告要求データがあれば、ゲーム実行部１０１に対してその旨を通知する。ゲーム実行部１０１は、広告実施条件が満たされている広告要求データに関する広告実施フラグを追加的にオンに設定する。
【００７５】
ユーザ利用時間管理部１０８は、ゲーム実行部１０１からゲーム開始・終了等が通知されると、ユーザごとに利用時間データを記録し、ユーザへ要求するサービス利用料金の基礎データとして集計する。ユーザごとに集計されたサービス利用時間データは、通信機能部１０２を介して課金管理サーバ３に送信される。
【００７６】
ゲームの利用時間に関して各ユーザに制限時間がある場合には、当該ユーザの利用時間値を上限値と比較し、当該ユーザのサービス利用を終了するようゲーム実行部１０１に指示する。当該ユーザに対して無料利用時間が提供される場合には、その時間値を上限値に加算する。
【００７７】
ゲーム実行部１０１はさらに、広告が実行された広告枠の実績データを広告実績通知部１０７に転送する。広告実績通知部１０７は、当該ゲームの終了時に前記実績データを課金管理サーバ３へ通知する。
【００７８】
図８は、前記課金管理サーバ３の構成を示したブロック図であり、当該課金管理サーバ３は、通信機能部３０２および通信ネットワークＮＴを介して他のサーバ１、２と通信する。
【００７９】
広告実績メモリ３０１の広告実績データテーブル３０１ａには、前記ゲームセンタ・サーバ１の広告実績通知部１０７から通知された実績データが記憶される。図１１は、広告実績データテーブル３０１ａの内容を模式的に表現した図であり、各ゲームの広告枠ごとに、広告を実施したスポンサ名と、実施された広告の内容（画像ファイル名あるいは音声ファイル名）と、広告の実施日時が格納されている。
【００８０】
広告料メモリ３０３には、図１２に示したように、各ゲームの広告枠ごとに、広告の実施日時と単位料金とがテーブル形式で登録されている。前記単位料金は、広告１回あたり、あるいは広告が実施された単位時間あたりの料金である。広告料配分率メモリ３０４には、図１３に示したように、各ゲームの各広告枠ごとに、広告料の一部をゲームサービス提供者、後援対象のプレーヤおよび通信ネットワーク提供者へ配分する際の割合あるいは価格値が保持されている。
【００８１】
広告料配分計算部３０５は、前記広告実績メモリ３０１に記録された情報、前記広告料メモリ３０３に記憶されている広告料、および広告料配分率メモリ３０４に記憶されている配分率を用いて、スポンサの支払額、ゲームサービス提供者の受取額、後援されたプレーヤの受取額、通信ネットワーク提供者の受取額を計算する。このように、本実施形態では、スポンサから徴収する広告料金を広告の実施実績に基づいて算出するようにしたので、公平な課金が可能になる。
【００８２】
前記計算結果は、支払集計メモリ３０６および受取集計メモリ３０７に記録される。受取集計メモリ３０７に記録された受取額の情報の一部、例えば、プレーヤが受け取り額は、例えはゲームの無料利用時間として通信機能部３０２を介してゲームセンタ・サーバ１に通知される。
【００８３】
ゲームセンタ・サーバ１は、当該の情報を受け取ると、これをユーザ利用時間管理部１０８に記録する。ユーザ利用時間管理部１０８は、プレーヤや観戦者などのゲームサービス・ユーザごとにゲームの無料利用時間を管理する。例えば、ユーザ利用時間管理部１０８は、ユーザごとに料金支払が必要となるサービス利用時間を積算する。ユーザ利用時間管理部１０８は、あるユーザに対する無料利用時間の情報を受信すると、当該ユーザに関するサービス利用時間積算値から当該無料利用時間値を減算する。これにより、ユーザごとの受取額が確定した時点で即座にサービス利用料金請求に反映させることが可能となる。
【００８４】
なお、上記した実施形態では、スポンサが広告の実施に対して支払う広告料金の一部が、ゲームの無料利用時間として各プレーヤに還元されるものとして説明したが、プレーヤから徴収するプレー料金を割り引く方法で還元しても良い。あるいは、サービスポイントとして各プレーヤに提供し、サービスポイントの積算値に応じて各種のサービスが受けられるようにしても良い。
【００８５】
また、上記した実施形態では、ゲームへのアクセス数、参加プレーヤ数、プレーヤの順位に応じて広告の実施／不実施、あるいは広告の内容を異ならせるものとして説明したが、本発明はこれのみに限定されるものではない。
【００８６】
例えば、野球ゲームであれば、一方のチームが攻撃中のとき、いずれかの打者がホームランを打ったとき、特定の打者がホームランを打ったとき、回数が終盤の７、８、９回のときに、それぞれ広告を実施する、あるいは広告内容を切り換えるといった設定も可能である。
【００８７】
さらに、上記した実施形態では、ゲームプログラムがゲームセンタ・サーバ１のゲーム実行部１０１で実施されるものとして説明したが、本発明はこれのみに限定されるものではなく、ゲーム実行部１０１がゲームの開催ごとにゲームプログラムを各ゲーム端末Ｇ１，Ｇ２へダウンロードし、各ゲーム端末Ｇ１，Ｇ２がゲームプログラムを独自に実行するようにしても良い。
【００８８】
さらに、上記した実施形態ではプレーヤがゲーム料金を支払い、観戦者が観戦料金を支払うものとして説明したが、本発明はこれのみに限定されるものではない。例えば、ゲーム料金をプレーヤから徴収しないゲームであれば、広告料収入の一部がプレーヤに還元されないように前記広告料配分率メモリ３０４の配分率を設定すれば良い。なお、このような場合でも、プレーヤに対して懸賞金相当の金額が配分されるように前記配分率を設置することも可能である。この場合は、前記課金管理サーバ３において配分率を計算し、受取集計メモリ３０７に積算して登録する。
【００８９】
さらに、上記した実施形態では、複数のプレーヤがそれぞれのゲーム端末Ｇから同一のゲームに参加するものとして説明したが、コンピュータを仮想相手とする場合や一人用ゲームであれば、一人のプレーヤのみでもゲームを開始できる。なお、上記した一人用ゲーム等に対しては、「参加プレーヤが２名以上」という実現不可能な広告条件の設定が予め禁止されるようにすることが望ましい。
【００９０】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、以下のような効果が達成される。
【００９２】
(1)本発明のゲームを利用した広告仲介システムによれば、ゲーム画面中およびゲーム音声中での広告実施を希望するスポンサに対して、広告実施条件をゲーム展開と対応付けて自由に設定させることができるので、スポンサの意向を満足できる広告の仲介が可能になる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明が適用されるゲーム配信／広告仲介システムの主要部の構成を示したブロック図である。
【図２】 広告募集画面の一例を示した図である。
【図３】 広告募集画面の他の一例を示した図である。
【図４】 広告申込画面の一例を示した図である。
【図５】 レーシングカー・ゲームのゲーム展開に応じて広告が切り換わる様子を示した図である。
【図６】 広告仲介サーバの構成を示したブロック図である。
【図７】 ゲームセンタ・サーバの構成を示したブロック図である。
【図８】 課金管理サーバの構成を示したブロック図である。
【図９】 広告用データテーブルの記憶内容を示した図である。
【図１０】 広告申込データテーブルの記憶内容を示した図である。
【図１１】 広告実績データテーブルの記憶内容を示した図である。
【図１２】 広告料メモリの記憶内容を示した図である。
【図１３】 広告料配分率メモリの記憶内容を示した図である。
【符号の説明】
１…ゲームセンタ・サーバ、２…広告仲介サーバ、３…課金管理サーバ、Ｇ１〜Ｇ４…ゲーム端末、Ｔ１，Ｔ２…スポンサ端末、ＮＴ…通信ネットワーク[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention implements an advertisement by inserting a still image, a moving image, or sound in a game screen or game sound.In relation to the mediation system of advertisements, the implementation / non-execution of advertisements, the contents of advertisements, the placement of advertisements, the advertisement placement method, the timing of advertisement implementation, etc. can be switched according to game developmentUsing a gameAd mediation system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, advertisements using newspapers, magazines, televisions, radios, billboards, posters, and the like have been known. However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-10440 focuses on computer games as a new advertisement posting medium. A technique has been proposed in which an advertisement is inserted into the game screen by displaying the advertisement on the body of a racing car running on the game screen or on a signboard in the racing course.
[0003]
The above-described computer game is played on a plurality of game terminals connected to a game center server via a communication network, and a plurality of players operating each game terminal can also play against each other.
[0004]
In such a center type game system, the game center server monitors the progress of the game. The game center server further detects and processes an operation performed by the player at the game terminal, determines an image to be displayed on the game terminal, transmits image data to the game terminal, and causes the game terminal to display the image. The audio information is also reproduced by the game terminal by transmitting a control signal from the game center server to the game terminal. There is also a spectator who accesses the game center server to watch the game and reproduces the game image and the game sound on the game terminal.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The effect of advertisement greatly depends not only on its contents and implementation period, but also on the implementation timing and the number of viewers. However, in the conventional advertising system using a game, it is not possible to specify an advertisement embodiment such as advertisement implementation / non-execution, advertisement content or advertisement implementation timing according to game development and the number of viewers. .
[0006]
For example, in a racing car game, the number of spectators increases in a race development with a small lap time difference compared to a race development with a large lap lime difference between a vehicle that runs first and a vehicle that runs second. Therefore, it is desirable that the advertisement is concentrated when the difference in lap time between the first place and the second place is small.
[0007]
Furthermore, the number of spectators will increase in races where popular players and teams are higher than in other races. Therefore, it is desirable to execute the advertisement when a specific popular racer is at the top.
[0008]
However, in the above-described conventional technology, the sponsor who is the client of the advertisement is an embodiment of the advertisement according to the so-called game development such as the difference between the first and second lap lime and whether a specific player is higher. Could not be specified.
[0009]
  The object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art described above,Sponsors associate advertising conditions with game developmentSpecified nowUsing a gameThe purpose is to provide an advertising mediation system.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that the following measures are taken.
[0013]
  (1) An advertising mediation system using a game according to the present invention includes:A game center server that executes a game program, a game terminal that communicates with the game center server to play a game, an advertisement intermediary server, and a sponsor terminal are connected to each other via a network, and an advertisement prepared during a game on the game terminal An advertisement application in which an advertisement intermediary server recruits from a sponsor terminal and executes it in a game center server, and the advertisement intermediary server inputs advertisement application data including an advertisement identifier and advertisement implementation conditions for the advertisement space Means for delivering a screen to a sponsor terminal, means for collecting application application data input from the advertisement application screen from a sponsor terminal, and means for notifying the received application application data to a game server, the sponsor terminal Means for receiving the advertisement application screen from the advertisement intermediary server; Means for displaying an application screen; and means for returning the application data input from the advertisement application screen to the advertisement mediation server, wherein the game center server is based on the advertisement application data notified from the advertisement mediation server. To implement advertising in each advertising space of the gameIt is characterized by including.
[0016]
  AboveCharacteristic (1) InAccording to the present invention, it is possible to freely set the advertisement execution condition in association with the game development for the sponsor who wants to execute the advertisement on the game screen and in the game sound, so that the mediation of the advertisement that satisfies the sponsor's intention. Is possible.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a game distribution / advertisement mediation system to which the present invention is applied. A plurality (four in the present embodiment) of game terminals G1 to G4 and a plurality (a book) The embodiment includes two sponsor terminals T1 and T2, a game center server 1, an advertisement mediation server 2, and a charge management server 3. The game terminals G1 to G4 can also function as game watching terminals.
[0018]
The terminals G1 to G4, T1, T2 and the servers 1, 2, 3 are connected to each other via the communication network NT, and sound / images from the start to the end of the game (hereinafter also referred to as a game session). Such information and various control signals are transmitted / received via the communication network NT.
[0019]
A player participating in the game from the game terminal G pays a communication service fee to the administrator of the communication network NT, and pays a game fee to the administrator of the game center server 1 for a paid game. The spectator watching the game from the game terminal G pays the watching fee to the manager of the game center server 1 and pays the communication service fee to the administrator of the communication network NT. The sponsor requesting the advertisement from the sponsor terminals T1 and T2 pays the advertisement fee to the administrator of the game center server 1. The manager of the game center server 1 pays the advertisement brokerage fee to the manager of the advertisement brokerage server 2.
[0020]
In FIG. 1, the servers 1, 2, and 3 are connected to each other via a communication network NT. For the connection of each server, a local area network using a telephone line or TCP / IP, a wide area network, Other communication networks such as the Internet can also be used. When the functions of the servers 1, 2, and 3 are realized by a single computer, the internal bus of the computer can be used instead of the communication network NT.
[0021]
In FIG. 1, only one game center server is shown. However, a plurality of game center servers can be connected to the communication network NT. Can be held in parallel. Note that, as will be described in detail later, a dotted line arrow and a one-dot chain line arrow in FIG. 1 indicate a game path and an advertisement communication path and a communication path for money exchange related to charges, respectively.
[0022]
In such a configuration, the game center server 1 establishes a game session, and a plurality of players participate in the game session from the game terminals G1 and G2. In this game session, at least one advertising space to be inserted into the game screen or the game sound is prepared. The game screen is displayed on the display of each game terminal G1, G2 operated by the player, and the game sound is output from the speaker of each game terminal G1, G2. The player operates the game terminals G1 and G2 while referring to the game screen to participate in the game. The game screen and game sound are also output from the spectator's game terminals G3 and G4.
[0023]
The advertisement mediation server 2 will be described in detail later on an advertisement solicitation screen and an advertisement application screen for soliciting advertisement placement in a plurality of advertisement spaces prepared during and before the game session executed by the game center server 1. As described above, it is distributed to all sponsor terminals T1, T2 registered in advance.
[0024]
Each sponsor terminal T1, T2 refers to the advertisement recruitment screen distributed from the advertisement mediation server 2 (to be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3), the recruitment essential points of each advertisement space, that is, the advertisement placement position, Examine the posting method and implementation timing. When an advertisement is executed, an identifier for specifying an image file or an audio file of the advertisement and an advertisement execution condition from an advertisement application screen (which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 4) distributed from the advertisement mediation server 2. Apply to use the inventory by specifying.
[0025]
In the advertisement implementation condition, a plurality of dynamic variation factors (hereinafter, also simply represented by “game development”) such as game development, the number of players, and the number of spectators are designated, and the game development is a predetermined advertisement implementation condition. The advertisement will be executed only when the above is satisfied.
[0026]
The advertisement mediating server 2 further collects the identifier of the advertisement file and the advertisement execution condition inputted by the sponsor itself from the advertisement application screen displayed on the display of each sponsor terminal T1, T2, Notify server 1. The game center server 1 refers to the advertisement execution conditions specified by each sponsor, and dynamically switches advertisements to be executed using each advertisement space of the game according to the game development.
[0027]
The charge management server 3 calculates the play fee of the game for each player after the game is over. Furthermore, a part of the advertising fee and sponsorship fee provided by each sponsor who advertised in the game is returned to the player sponsored by the sponsor, and the player's play fee is reduced, Provide free usage time.
[0028]
Next, the present invention will be described in more detail using a racing car game as an example. In an actual car race, sponsor's advertisements are displayed on the body of the racing car, the signboard beside the racing course, the buildings around the course and the advertising tower. Therefore, if an advertisement is placed in a similar place in a racing car game, the advertisement can be implemented without causing the player or spectator to feel uncomfortable, and the reality of the game itself is improved. Therefore, also in this embodiment, advertisement frames are prepared for the body of the racing car operated by the player, the signboard beside the racing course, the buildings around the course, and the advertising tower.
[0029]
A player who wishes to participate in the racing car game registers participation in the game center server 1 before starting the game. Here, as the past performance of the player participating in the game in the racing car game, for example, if the ranking or time is already registered in the game center server 1, the performance is retrieved and prepared. The game center server 1 further prepares information such as the current number of players participating in the race, the number of spectators, the number of sponsors scheduled to advertise in the game, and their names. As shown in FIG. 1, these pieces of information are provided from the game center server 1 to the advertisement mediating server 2 via the communication network NT [Step S1], and further, in response to a request from the sponsor, Provided to sponsor terminals T1 and T2.
[0030]
The advertisement mediation server 2 distributes advertisement solicitation screens related to a plurality of advertisement frames prepared during the racing car game executed by the game center server 1 to the sponsor terminals T1 and T2 [step S2]. The advertisement solicitation screen is displayed on the displays of the sponsor terminals T1 and T2.
[0031]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of an advertisement solicitation screen distributed regarding the racing car game from the advertisement mediation server 2 to each sponsor terminal T1, T2, where the name of the target game is “g1”. The advertising space is “g1-x1”. The name “g1” is, for example, an identifier of a racing car game, and the advertisement frame “g1-x1” is, for example, an identifier of an advertisement frame prepared on a signboard beside the racing course.
[0032]
In this advertisement solicitation screen, “advertisement display frame”, “advertising display area”, “target session”, “supported subject”, “number of simultaneous selections” and “standard advertisements” which are the application guidelines for the above-mentioned advertising space “g1-x1” The explanation about “Price” is published.
[0033]
In the “advertisement display frame”, an embodiment and timing of the advertisement are described. In the example of FIG. 2, an advertisement of “still image” is displayed in the upper right corner of the game screen as the advertisement frame “g1-x1”. The “sound” advertisement is inserted for about 10 seconds every 3 minutes, and the “moving image” advertisement is not executed.
[0034]
The “advertising area” indicates the geographical condition in which the advertisement is performed. In the example of FIG. 2, the entire area in Japan is targeted. That is, in the advertising mediation system of the present invention, it is possible to carry out different advertisements for each game terminal location on the same advertising space on the game. For example, different sponsors are used in the Kanto region and the Kansai region. Can run ads. However, in the example of FIG. 2, since the entire area of Japan is designated as the implementation area, the same advertisement is displayed in all areas.
[0035]
In the “target session”, an explanation about a game in which an advertisement is executed is described. In this embodiment, all games held from 15:00 to 24:00 on May 1, 2000 to July 31, 2000 are described. Session is targeted.
[0036]
“Supported object” indicates a possible form of support in the game. The sponsorship in the present embodiment means that the sponsor nominates a specific participating player, places an advertisement on the vehicle body, and the sponsor pays a price to the player as a price. In the example of FIG. 2, it is indicated that a specific player cannot be specified and sponsored, and the entire game session can be sponsored.
[0037]
“Number of simultaneous selections” indicates, for example, the number of cases where a plurality of advertisements are posted on the advertisement space in a time-sharing manner, and up to two cases are accepted in the example of FIG. The “standard advertising fee” is a fee for using the advertising space. In the example of FIG. 2, a fixed fee is shown, but it can also be presented as a fee in time units or game units.
[0038]
The “statistical information of the game” is an indicator for displaying and referring to history information such as the name and lap time of the upper player and personal information as the past performance regarding the game “g1”. Sponsors can recognize the ability of each player, the popularity of the game, etc. by obtaining the “statistical information of the game”, which can be used as a reference when specifying advertisement implementation conditions and sponsors. Can do.
[0039]
“Display example of advertising space” is an indicator for presenting a game screen or a sample of sound when an advertisement is executed using the advertising space. “Application input to advertisement space” is an indicator for displaying an advertisement application screen described later. The “all advertisement space list” is an indicator for displaying a list of all advertisement spaces prepared for the game.
[0040]
FIG. 3 is an advertisement application screen relating to another advertisement frame “g1-x5” in the same game, and the contents of “still image” and “sound” and “support target” of the advertisement display frame are different from the above. Yes.
[0041]
Each sponsor determines on which advertisement frame “g1-x1”, “g1-x5”, etc. the advertisement is to be displayed based on the advertisement solicitation screens of FIGS. If the user wishes to publish the advertisement, the “input application to the advertising space” indicator on the screen is selected, and an advertisement application screen is requested from the advertisement mediation server 2. The advertisement mediation server 2 distributes the advertisement application screen in response to the request.
[0042]
FIG. 4 is a view showing a display example of the advertisement application screen. The sponsor applies for an advertisement from the advertisement application screen displayed on the display of his sponsor terminal.
[0043]
In “input sponsored sponsor information”, a sponsor name (“A-company” in the present embodiment) is input in “Name”, and a usage registration number of the sponsor (in this embodiment, “1234567”). ) Is entered. In “Password”, a password previously assigned to the sponsor is input. In “advertised bulletin data file sent”, whether an image file or an audio file of an advertisement to be displayed in the advertisement frame has already been transmitted to the advertisement mediation server 2 is input. The transmission destination of each file is given as a “file destination host name”, and if it has not been transmitted, it can be transmitted to the host. In the host, advertisement image files and audio files are managed in advance with unique identifiers. If the file has already been transmitted, the file name of the image file or audio file is input to “data file name”.
[0044]
In “Advertisement Execution Condition Input”, conditions such as designation of sponsors and implementation / non-execution of advertisement using the advertisement space are input. The advertisement space “g1-x1” can be sponsored as shown in FIG. The sponsor designates a specific player as a sponsor. In FIG. 4, “James Kelly” is designated as a sponsor.
[0045]
Furthermore, as an advertisement implementation condition, when the number of accesses to the game, that is, the number of spectators is “20” or more and the number of participating players is five or more, or “John Smith” and “Peter Brown” are included in the participating players. It is specified that the advertisement is executed only when it is included.
[0046]
As described above, when the input to the advertisement application screen related to the advertisement space “g1-x1” of the game “g1” is completed, the advertisement execution condition and the advertisement file identifier are returned to the advertisement mediation server 2 [step S3]. . The advertisement mediation server 2 receives the advertisement implementation condition and the advertisement file identifier returned from each sponsor terminal T1, T2.
[0047]
The advertisement mediating server 2 determines the advertising space that can be determined before the start of the game session based on the information notified from the game center server 1 and the advertisement implementation conditions returned from the sponsor terminals T1 and T2. Determine the sponsor. This determination content is notified to the game center server 1 [step S4]. Further, the game center server 1 is also notified of the advertisement execution conditions for switching advertisements according to game development or the like during execution of the game [step S4].
[0048]
The game center server 1 receives the advertisement execution condition and advertisement file identifier received from the advertisement mediation server 2 and the game development (player participation status, score, score difference with other players, information displayed on the game screen, win / loss result, Based on real-time situation information such as the number of spectators), the game specified by the advertisement fife identifier is output from each game terminal as audiovisual information in a game development that satisfies the advertisement implementation conditions [step S5]. .
[0049]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how advertisements are switched according to game development in a racing car game, and in particular, shows how sponsors are switched according to the ranking of players and the number of accesses.
[0050]
Here, there are two advertising frames W1, W2 on the side of the vehicle body, and there is one advertising frame W3 on the advertising tower. It is assumed that the following advertisement implementation conditions are presented from a specific sponsor for each of the advertising spaces W1, W2, and W3.
[0051]

[0052]
For example, if attention is paid to the vehicle of the player “Bob Miller” under such an advertisement implementation condition, as shown in FIG. 5A, the ranking of the vehicle is third and the number of accesses is “23”. If there is, “XYZ” is displayed in the advertising space W1 or the advertising space W2 is blank. Further, “ABC” selected when the number of accesses is 10 or more and less than 50 is displayed in the advertisement space W3 of the advertisement tower.
[0053]
Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the vehicle of the player “Bob Miller” is in the first place and the number of accesses is “52”, “XYZ” is displayed in the advertising space W1, and the advertising space is displayed. “DFG” is displayed in W2. In addition, “STU” selected when the number of accesses is 50 or more is displayed in the advertising space W3 of the advertising tower.
[0054]
As described above, in the present embodiment, advertisement execution / non-execution and advertisement files can be dynamically switched based on the game development and the number of accesses (the number of spectators). It will be possible to implement in the optimum method and timing.
[0055]
When the game session is over, the game center server 1 notifies the charge management server 3 of the game play time and advertisement performance [step S6 in FIG. 1]. When the advertisement mediation server 2 manages these pieces of information, the information is notified from the advertisement mediation server 2 to the billing management server 3 [step S7].
[0056]
The accounting management server 3 calculates the play fee of the game for each player based on the play time notified from the game center server 1 (or the advertisement mediation server 2). Further, based on the notified advertisement execution result, a part of the advertisement fee provided by the sponsor for the advertisement execution is subtracted from the play fee of each player, or a free use time of the game is provided. .
[0057]
Next, the configuration and operation of each of the servers 1, 2, and 3 will be described in more detail.
[0058]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the advertisement mediation server 2, which is connected to each sponsor terminal T1, T2 and other servers via the communication function unit 205 and the communication network NT. Communicate with 1,3.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 9, the advertisement recruitment / application screen distribution unit 206 includes an advertisement data table 206a indicating the contents of a plurality of advertisement spaces prepared for each game. The described advertisement recruitment screen is distributed to each sponsor terminal T1, T2. Further, the advertisement application screen described with reference to FIG. 4 is distributed in response to the request from the sponsor.
[0060]
In FIG. 9, for example, the advertising space “g1-x1” of the game “g1” is sponsored all day, the advertisement implementation time is from 15:00 to 24:00, and the content is secured in the upper right corner of the game screen A still image is inserted into the advertisement image frame # 1 and an advertisement audio information is inserted every 3 minutes for 10 seconds. The advertisement solicitation / application screen distribution unit 206 generates the advertisement solicitation screen and the advertisement application screen based on the data table 206a, and distributes them to the sponsor terminals T1 and T2.
[0061]
The advertisement implementation conditions, advertisement file identifiers, sponsor names, etc. (hereinafter may be collectively referred to as advertisement application data) entered from the advertisement application screen (FIG. 4) by the sponsor terminals T1 and T2 The data is input to the management unit 202 and aggregated. The total result of the advertisement application data is written in the advertisement application data table 201a of the advertisement application memory 201. When receiving the request for deleting the advertisement application from each sponsor terminal T1, T2, the advertisement application management unit 202 instructs the advertisement application memory 201 to delete the advertisement application data.
[0062]
FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the registration contents of the advertisement application data table 201a, and for each advertisement frame of each game, an advertisement file identifier for identifying a sponsor name, an advertisement image file, and an audio file. The advertisement execution condition and the desired fee are registered as the advertisement application data.
[0063]
The game holding information acquisition unit 204 acquires and records game holding information notified from the game center server 1. This holding information includes the game start time, the participating player names, the number of participating players, the number of spectators, and the like, and the latest information immediately before the start is notified. The held information regarding each game is deleted at the end of the game session.
[0064]
The advertisement execution condition determination unit 203 refers to the held information recorded in the game holding information acquisition unit 204 and compares it with the advertisement execution condition of each advertisement application data registered in the advertisement application memory 201. If the application data including the advertisement implementation conditions that are satisfied by the information held this time is registered, the application application data, that is, the advertising space, sponsor name, advertisement contents, and advertisement execution conditions are used as the advertisement request data. The game center server 1 is notified. Therefore, the advertisement request data notified to the game center server 1 is a part of the data for which the holding information is determined to satisfy the advertisement implementation condition among the large number of advertisement application data stored in the advertisement application memory 201. is there.
[0065]
For example, if the game center server 1 notifies that the number of participating players is 15 as the holding information, not only the application application data for which the advertisement execution condition is not specified, but also the advertising space “g2-x1”. "S4" (the number of participating players is 6 or more) is notified as advertisement request data. Furthermore, if the participating player is notified that Mr. E is included in the participation information, the advertisement application data of the sponsor “s1” (the number of participating players is 10 or more) related to the advertising space “g1-x6”. Is also notified as advertisement request data.
[0066]
In addition, in the advertising space “g1-x3” of the game “g1”, the two sponsors “s1” and “s2” compete with each other. However, regarding the sponsor “s1”, “the number of accesses is 20”. Since “more than people” is not satisfied, there is virtually no competition. When a plurality of sponsors compete, only one of the combinations is selected based on the application order and the desired amount. In this embodiment, if all other conditions are the same, they are selected in the order of application.
[0067]
The selection at the time of competition can also be performed by an operation by an operator, and the advertisement posting condition determination unit 203 notifies the operation terminal 207 that a competition has occurred, and prompts the advertisement mediation service provider to perform a selection operation. The advertisement mediating service provider selects a sponsor from the operation terminal 206. The selection result is notified to the advertisement implementation condition determination unit 203.
[0068]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the game center server 1, which is connected to the game terminals G1 to G4 and the sponsor terminal T1, via the communication function unit 102 and the communication network NT. Communicate with T2, as well as with other servers 2,3.
[0069]
The game execution unit 101 communicates with the game terminals G1 and G2 of the player to start a game program, detects an operation performed by the player on the game terminals G1 and G2, advances the game, and displays a game screen and game sound. It is sent to game terminals G1, G2 and spectator game terminals G3, G4.
[0070]
The game holding information notification unit 103 notifies the advertisement mediation server 2 of information related to the game scheduled to be held. The advertisement request data notified from the advertisement mediation server 2 in response to the notification of the event information (among the large number of advertisement application data stored in the advertisement application memory 201, the advertisement mediation that the event information satisfies the advertisement implementation conditions) Data notified from the server 3) is stored in the advertisement request memory 104.
[0071]
The advertisement insertion instruction unit 106 transfers the advertisement request data registered in the advertisement request memory 104 to the game execution unit 101 before executing the game, and associates the advertisement space and the advertisement file in the game program. Do. Further, the advertisement insertion instructing unit 106 sets the advertisement execution flag to ON for the advertisement request data for which the advertisement has been confirmed.
[0072]
For the advertisement request data for which execution / non-execution is determined in accordance with the game development, the advertisement execution flag is set to the initial state OFF. The correspondence between the advertisement space and the advertisement file and the advertisement execution flag are recorded in the game execution unit 101.
[0073]
When the game execution unit 101 starts a game program, the game proceeds in response to operations at the game terminals G1 and G2, and an advertisement file is reproduced in a predetermined advertisement frame according to the advertisement execution flag. That is, the advertisement is executed, and the image or sound of the advertisement is output as the auditory visual information on the game screen or the game sound.
[0074]
The game development is notified to the advertisement selection unit 105. The advertisement selection unit 105 determines whether or not the advertisement execution condition of each advertisement request data recorded in the advertisement request memory 104 is satisfied based on the notified game development, and the advertisement request data that satisfies the advertisement execution condition If there is, the fact is notified to the game execution unit 101. The game execution unit 101 additionally sets the advertisement execution flag related to the advertisement request data that satisfies the advertisement execution condition to ON.
[0075]
When a game start / end is notified from the game execution unit 101, the user usage time management unit 108 records usage time data for each user, and totals it as basic data of a service usage fee requested to the user. The service usage time data aggregated for each user is transmitted to the accounting management server 3 via the communication function unit 102.
[0076]
When each user has a time limit regarding the game usage time, the user's usage time value is compared with the upper limit value, and the game execution unit 101 is instructed to end the service usage of the user. When the free usage time is provided to the user, the time value is added to the upper limit value.
[0077]
The game execution unit 101 further transfers the result data of the advertising space in which the advertisement is executed to the advertisement result notification unit 107. The advertisement result notification unit 107 notifies the charge management server 3 of the result data at the end of the game.
[0078]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the accounting management server 3, and the accounting management server 3 communicates with the other servers 1 and 2 via the communication function unit 302 and the communication network NT.
[0079]
In the advertisement record data table 301a of the advertisement record memory 301, record data notified from the advertisement record notification unit 107 of the game center server 1 is stored. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically representing the contents of the advertisement performance data table 301a. For each advertising space of each game, the sponsor name that executed the advertisement and the contents of the executed advertisement (image file name or audio file). Name) and the date and time of advertisement execution.
[0080]
In the advertisement fee memory 303, as shown in FIG. 12, the advertisement execution date and unit fee and the unit fee are registered in a table format for each advertisement frame of each game. The unit charge is a charge per advertisement or per unit time when the advertisement is executed. As shown in FIG. 13, the advertisement fee allocation rate memory 304 distributes a part of the advertisement fee to the game service provider, the sponsored player, and the communication network provider for each advertising space of each game. Percentage or price value is retained.
[0081]
The advertisement fee distribution calculation unit 305 uses the information recorded in the advertisement performance memory 301, the advertisement fee stored in the advertisement fee memory 303, and the distribution rate stored in the advertisement fee distribution rate memory 304, The sponsor's payment amount, the game service provider's receipt amount, the sponsored player's receipt amount, and the communication network provider's receipt amount are calculated. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the advertisement fee collected from the sponsor is calculated based on the advertisement performance, fair charging is possible.
[0082]
The calculation result is recorded in the payment summary memory 306 and the receipt summary memory 307. A part of the received amount information recorded in the received total memory 307, for example, the received amount by the player, is notified to the game center server 1 through the communication function unit 302 as, for example, a free use time of the game.
[0083]
When the game center server 1 receives the information, the game center server 1 records the information in the user usage time management unit 108. The user usage time management unit 108 manages the free usage time of a game for each game service / user such as a player or a spectator. For example, the user usage time management unit 108 accumulates service usage time that requires payment for each user. When the user usage time management unit 108 receives information on the free usage time for a certain user, the user usage time management unit 108 subtracts the free usage time value from the service usage time integrated value related to the user. As a result, when the amount received for each user is confirmed, it can be immediately reflected in the service usage fee bill.
[0084]
In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that a part of the advertising fee paid by the sponsor for the execution of the advertisement is returned to each player as the free usage time of the game. However, the playing fee collected from the player is discounted. It may be reduced by a method. Alternatively, it may be provided to each player as a service point so that various services can be received according to the accumulated value of the service point.
[0085]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the advertisement is executed / not executed or the contents of the advertisement are made different depending on the number of accesses to the game, the number of participating players, and the ranking of the players. It is not limited.
[0086]
For example, in the case of a baseball game, when one team is attacking, when any batter hits a home run, when a specific batter hits a home run, or when the number of times is 7, 8, 9 In addition, it is possible to perform settings such as executing advertisements or switching advertisement contents.
[0087]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the game program has been described as being executed by the game execution unit 101 of the game center server 1; however, the present invention is not limited to this, and the game execution unit 101 is a game. The game program may be downloaded to each of the game terminals G1 and G2 every time the game terminal is held, and the game terminals G1 and G2 may independently execute the game program.
[0088]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the player pays the game fee and the spectator pays the watching fee, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the game fee is not collected from the player, the distribution rate of the advertising fee distribution rate memory 304 may be set so that a part of the advertising fee revenue is not returned to the player. Even in such a case, the distribution ratio can be set so that an amount equivalent to the prize money is distributed to the players. In this case, the billing management server 3 calculates the distribution rate, adds it to the receipt total memory 307, and registers it.
[0089]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a plurality of players participate in the same game from the respective game terminals G. However, in the case of using a computer as a virtual opponent or a single-player game, only one player can be used. You can start the game. It should be noted that for the above-mentioned single-player game or the like, it is desirable to prohibit in advance the setting of an unrealizable advertising condition of “two or more participating players”.
[0090]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the following effects are achieved.
[0092]
  (1)Of the present inventionUsing a gameAccording to the advertising mediation system, sponsors who wish to carry out advertisements on the game screen and in the game sound can freely set the advertisement implementation conditions in association with the game development, thus satisfying the sponsor's intention. Mediation of possible advertisements becomes possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a game distribution / advertisement mediation system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement recruitment screen.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of an advertisement recruitment screen.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement application screen.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how advertisements are switched according to the development of a racing car game.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an advertisement mediation server.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game center server.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charging management server.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing stored contents of an advertisement data table.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing storage contents of an advertisement application data table.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the stored contents of an advertisement performance data table.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing storage contents of an advertisement fee memory.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents stored in an advertisement fee distribution rate memory.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game center server, 2 ... Advertisement mediation server, 3 ... Billing management server, G1-G4 ... Game terminal, T1, T2 ... Sponsor terminal, NT ... Communication network

Claims (2)

A game center server that executes a game program, a game terminal that communicates with the game center server to play a game, an advertisement mediation server, and a sponsor terminal are connected to each other via a network and prepared during a game on the game terminal In an advertisement mediation system in which an advertisement mediating server recruits advertisements to be carried out in an advertising space from a sponsor terminal and executes it in a game center server ,
The advertisement mediation server is
Means for delivering a line screen for inputting line data including the relationship to ad identifier and the advertisement execution condition to the inventory to the sponsor terminal,
Means for collecting the line item data input from the line item screen from the sponsor terminal ;
Means for notifying the received advertisement application data to the game server,
The sponsor terminal is
Means for receiving the advertisement application screen from the advertisement intermediary server;
Means for displaying the application screen;
Means for returning the application data input from the application application screen to the advertisement intermediary server,
The game center server is
An advertising mediation system using a game, comprising means for executing an advertisement in each advertising space of the game based on the advertisement application data notified from the advertisement mediation server . The advertisement mediation server is
Means for delivering to the sponsor terminal an advertisement solicitation screen that displays a request for each advertisement space and inputs a request for an advertisement application screen for each advertisement space for a plurality of advertisement spaces prepared during a game on the game terminal; ,
Means for receiving identification information of the advertising space requested on the advertisement soliciting screen from a sponsor terminal;
The means for distributing the advertisement application screen to a sponsor terminal distributes an advertisement application screen of an advertising space corresponding to the identification information received from the sponsor terminal . Mediation system.

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