JP3947445B2 - Advertising game distribution system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an advertisement game distribution in which advertisement information is distributed together with a game in a network such as the Internet, or broadcasting and distribution using ground waves and satellites.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an advertising method for carrying out advertisements on the Internet or various networks, for example, a method of providing an area for advertisement on a display screen such as a home page displayed on a terminal is known. In this advertisement, in addition to advertising by displaying on the advertisement screen, a server linked to the advertisement screen is called to perform more detailed advertisement to enhance the advertisement effect.
[0003]
In addition to the one-to-one relationship between the advertiser and the advertising target as in the above-described advertising method, a one-to-many relationship with respect to a plurality of advertising targets is also performed, such as a broadcast advertisement on television.
[0004]
In the advertisement using the advertisement screen as described above, a display is devised, a present is provided, etc. in order to raise the user's attention and interest. However, there is a problem that these devices do not necessarily have the effect of increasing the user's interest.
[0005]
In addition, broadcast advertisements on television are one-way for users, and it is difficult to expect a high recognition effect.
[0006]
In order to achieve a high level of publicity against such problems, the game is implemented by incorporating advertising information such as the name of the advertiser, the name of the product or service to be provided, the name of the product, the content of the service, etc. into the game information. In addition, the applicant has proposed an advertising method that displays advertising information and provides premiums based on game results to increase the interest of the user, thereby improving the advertising effectiveness of the advertisement (see, for example, Reference 1). .
Reference 1 Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-105628
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the advertisement by combining the advertisement information and the game information, it is assumed that the user participates in the game.
[0008]
In the case of a game site on the network, the participant accessing the site recognizes that the game is being played on the game site. Therefore, for those who do not know the game site, the advertising effect by combining the advertisement information and the game information cannot be produced.
[0009]
In addition, programs provided by broadcasts targeted at unspecified majority are usually not played except for game programs, and advertisements that combine advertising information and game information are applied to general broadcast programs. Can not do it.
[0010]
Therefore, the application range of the advertisement by combining the advertisement information and the game information is limited, and there is a problem that it is difficult to advertise to a larger number of users.
[0011]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain a high advertising effect in the distribution of advertisements and games. It is another object of the present invention to obtain a high advertising effect by applying an advertisement combining advertisement information and game information in a general broadcast program.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention gives a great impression to the viewer by suddenly interrupting the advertising game during the reception of the program, thereby enhancing the advertising effect.
[0013]
The advertisement game distribution method of the present invention causes an advertisement game to be interrupted in the middle of a program being received by a viewer by interrupting the advertisement game during broadcast or streaming distribution of the program.
[0014]
During the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game by this interruption, the broadcast or streaming distribution of the program can be interrupted or continued. In the program that interrupts the program, an advertisement game is displayed on the receiving side. On the other hand, when the broadcast or streaming distribution of the program is continued, both the program and the advertising game can be displayed on the receiving side, or only one of them can be displayed. Display of both the program and the advertisement game or only one of them can be selected by the receiver.
[0015]
In addition, the advertising game performs bidirectional data communication between the terminal on the receiver side and the program supply means side that broadcasts and distributes the program, or between the receiver side and the bidirectional management means. Game processing can be performed by direct communication.
[0016]
The timing for interrupting the advertisement game can be determined according to a lottery or a predetermined program. This interruption time can be set on either the broadcast or streaming distribution side of the program or the advertisement game distribution side. For the program for which the interrupt time is set on the side of distributing the advertisement game, the data of the set interrupt time is sent to the program supply means side that broadcasts and distributes the program. The advertisement game can be broadcasted or distributed at the same time when the set interruption time is reached or after a predetermined time has elapsed from the set interruption time.
[0017]
The program can be supplied to the user in the form of broadcast or streaming distribution. The program is formed in one channel with continuous program data as a unit, or the program data is divided into equal numbers and divided. A plurality of channels can be formed by shifting the time in units of, and a program can be formed by the plurality of channels.
[0018]
In the form of forming a program with one channel, when the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game is started at the same time as the interruption time is reached, the broadcast or streaming distribution of the program is interrupted simultaneously with the start, and only the advertising game is broadcast or distributed. . In addition, immediately after the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game is finished, the broadcast or streaming distribution of the suspended program is resumed from the position where it was interrupted.
[0019]
In the form of forming a program with a plurality of channels, broadcasting or distribution of the advertising game can be started at the same time as the interruption time is reached, and broadcasting or distribution of the advertising game can be started after a predetermined time has elapsed from the interruption time.
[0020]
When broadcasting or distribution of the advertising game is started at the same time as the interruption time is reached, immediately after the interruption time is reached, the broadcasting or distribution of the advertising game and the broadcast of the program on the channel during the broadcast or streaming distribution or Streaming distribution is interrupted at the same time, and after the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game by interruption is completed, the divided area at the time of interruption is broadcast or streamed from the start position of the next divided area following the divided area at the end time. Resume delivery.
[0021]
In addition, when broadcasting or distribution of an advertising game is started after a predetermined time has elapsed from the interruption time, if the program is being broadcast or distributed when the interruption time is reached, the broadcast or streaming of the program is performed. Continue the divided area being distributed to the end of the divided area. At the start of the next divided area, the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game is started and at the same time the broadcast or streaming distribution of the next divided area of the program is interrupted. After the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game ends, the broadcast or streaming distribution of the next divided area after the interrupted divided area is resumed from the start position from the start time of the next divided area including the end time. .
[0022]
If there is a time interval between the end time of the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game and the resumption time of the broadcast or streaming distribution of the program, the content data can be distributed during this time zone.
[0023]
The advertising game distribution system of the present invention further includes program supply means for broadcasting or streaming distribution of a program, and the advertisement game distributed from the advertisement game supply means is interrupted during broadcast or streaming distribution of the program for broadcasting or distribution. To do.
[0024]
The program supply means provided in the advertisement game distribution system of the present invention can be configured by a server or the like.
[0025]
The program supply means interrupts or continues the broadcast or streaming distribution of the program during the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game by interruption. The program supply means executes the advertisement game by bidirectional data communication.
[0026]
The interruption time can be set on the program supply means side or the distribution side of the advertising game. When the interruption time is set on the program supply means side, the program supply means side has a lottery means for determining the time to interrupt the advertising game, or a program for determining the time to interrupt the advertising game, and the interruption set by the lottery means lottery Broadcasting or distribution of the advertising game is started based on the timing or the interrupt timing determined by the program.
[0027]
Also, when the interruption time is set on the advertising game distribution side, the program supply means starts broadcasting or distributing the advertising game based on the interruption time data sent from the distribution source of the advertising game.
[0028]
The program supply means immediately starts broadcasting or distributing the advertising game at the interruption time. Also, the broadcast or streaming distribution of the program was interrupted simultaneously with the start of the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game, and the broadcast or streaming distribution of the interrupted program was immediately interrupted after the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game by interruption was completed. Resume from position.
[0029]
Further, the program supply means broadcasts or distributes the program through a plurality of channels formed by dividing the program data equally divided into a predetermined number by shifting the time in units of the division.
[0030]
In the broadcast or streaming distribution of the program by the plurality of channels, immediately after the interruption time is reached, the start of the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game and the interruption of the broadcast or streaming distribution of the program in the channel being broadcast or streaming are simultaneously performed. After the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game by interruption is completed, from the start time of the next divided area following the divided area at the end time, restart the broadcast or streaming distribution from the start position of the divided area at the time of interruption, Alternatively, if the program is broadcast or distributed when the interruption time is reached, continue the divided area during the broadcast or streaming distribution of the program until the end of the divided area, and the next divided area At the start of the broadcast and distribution of advertising games After the broadcast or streaming distribution of the next divided area of the program is interrupted and the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game is finished, from the start time of the divided area next to the divided area including the end time, It can be set as the aspect which restarts broadcast or streaming delivery from the head position of a division area.
[0031]
The program supply means may distribute the content data between the end point of the broadcast or distribution of the advertising game and the restart point of the broadcast or streaming distribution of the program. The content data may be advertisement data, program promotion data, or the like.
[0032]
Here, for broadcasting or distribution, a network including a broadcasting network such as a data channel or a broadcasting network such as a cable television can be used in addition to a network such as a public network, a data network line, and a satellite line.
[0033]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the present invention, the advertisement game is distributed in a form in which the advertisement information is incorporated into the game information, and the terminal executes the game based on the game information and displays the advertisement information. The user plays a game based on the game information and sees the advertisement information displayed as the game is executed. By providing added value such as providing premiums by winning the game, the willingness to participate in the game is increased, and the advertising opportunity for the user to increase the advertising information is increased. According to the present invention, the advertisement game is distributed suddenly during the broadcast or distribution of the program to deepen the impression and further enhance the advertising effect.
[0034]
Incorporation of the advertisement information into the game information can be performed by setting at least a part of the display form of the display elements constituting the game to a display form for specifying the advertisement information. Since the display mode for displaying the advertisement information is performed during the display mode of the game, the advertisement information is always displayed when the game is displayed on the screen. Here, the advertising information is an advertising advertisement that can display an advertiser name, a product name to be provided, a service name, a product content, or a service content by image display, sound or music sound display, or a combination of image and sound. It is a form.
[0035]
The display elements constituting the game include a plurality of display elements that are drawn and displayed independently, and the advertisement information can be displayed by a combination of display forms displayed on the display elements.
[0036]
The advertisement information to be displayed as an image can be in a display form such as a character, a pattern, or a pattern, and the advertisement information to be displayed as a sound can be in a display form such as music or voice. The display form is divided into a plurality of parts, and the divided display forms are displayed on a plurality of game display elements that are drawn and displayed individually, and the display elements are individually drawn and displayed. The combination of display forms displayed on the display elements is changed by the lottery display, and the success or failure of the game can be set by the combination of the display forms.
[0037]
For example, when a combination of a predetermined character, design, and picture representing advertising information is selected, the game is won, and a product, a service, or the like that is represented by a predetermined premium or a character, design, or design displayed in the lottery Provide premiums. In addition, when a combination of predetermined music (for example, theme song or CM song) representing advertisement information and voice (for example, a product name, a service name, an advertiser's voice expression and a catch phrase representing them) is drawn in a game A prize such as a product or service represented by a predetermined prize or a sound displayed by a lottery is provided.
[0038]
Moreover, in addition to using the image display of characters, designs, pictures, etc. and the sound display of music and voice alone, they can be used in combination.
[0039]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of an advertisement distribution system to which the advertisement game distribution of the present invention can be applied. In FIG. 1, a server such as a game server 2-1, an advertisement server 2-2, a general server 111, a broadcasting station 3, and a user side terminal 4 are connected to a network 5. The terminal 4 receives the distribution information by connecting to the game server 2-1 or the advertisement server 2-2 directly or via the general server 11, and the advertisement information is displayed together with the display of the game on the screen.
[0040]
The broadcast station 3 is connected to the game server 2-1 and the advertisement server 2-2 via the network 5, receives distribution information including game information and advertisement information, and broadcasts it together with program information provided by the broadcast station 3. The user receives the distribution information by receiving the broadcast, and forms and displays a display screen based on the game information and the advertisement information. The user and the broadcasting station can perform a two-way communication by using a communication line such as a telephone line, and the two-way communication allows a communication process that occurs with the execution of the game to be performed. be able to. This bidirectional communication can also be used for the transmission and reception of the distribution information. The two-way communication not only makes the user feel interested in participating in the game, but also knows the user's reaction and can enhance the advertising recognition effect and appeal effect.
[0041]
In the above configuration, the game server provided on the network is used as the advertisement distribution means, and the game information and the advertisement information are distributed as the distribution information. The advertisement server and the game server provided on the network are used as the advertisement distribution means. Information such as a form in which advertisement information is fetched from the server and the advertisement information is incorporated into the game information to form and distribute distribution information, or an advertisement server and game server provided on the network, and a broadcasting station is used as the advertisement distribution means Depending on the distribution form, various forms can be adopted.
[0042]
Further, when the advertisement distribution means includes a broadcasting station, various modes can be adopted depending on the distribution information formation mode. For example, a broadcasting station captures and broadcasts distribution information in which advertising information is incorporated into game information from a game server via a network, and the broadcasting station receives advertising information and game information from the advertising server and game server via a network. The distribution information is formed by incorporating the advertisement information into each of the captured game information, and the distribution information is broadcast, or the game server broadcasts the distribution information from the advertisement server via the network, and the advertisement information is included in the game information. The broadcast information can be formed in such a manner that the broadcast information is taken in from the game server via the network and broadcast.
[0043]
In the above-described information advertisement distribution system, the display mode of advertisement information such as characters, designs, and pictures constitutes a display element of the game, so that the game user always sees the advertisement information. Therefore, the user has more opportunities to access the distribution information by the game, and the advertisement information is displayed as the game is executed. Therefore, the advertisement information can be effectively advertised to the user who has accessed the game. In addition, the prizes obtained from the game can motivate the user to participate in the game and increase the chance of the user touching the advertisement information.
[0044]
An embodiment of the advertisement distribution system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration shown in FIG. 2 is a configuration in which an advertisement game server provided on a network is used as advertisement distribution means, and game information and advertisement information are distributed as distribution information.
[0045]
The advertising game server 2 includes the game server 2-1 and the advertising server 2-2 shown in FIG. 1 and is a server that exclusively distributes the advertising game on the network. The advertising game server 2 is a network 5 via the transmission / reception means 2A. Connected. The advertisement game server 2 includes various databases, distributes information stored in the database to the terminal 4 on the user side via the network 5, and stores usage information obtained via the network 5 in the database. As a result, the game is executed and the advertisement is performed. As the database, for example, a game information database 2D that stores game information for executing a game, an advertisement information database 2E that stores advertisement information used for advertising, and a distribution that is formed and distributed by incorporating the advertisement information into the game information There are a distribution information database 2F for storing information, a game history database 2G for storing game implementation status, a customer database 2H for storing information on users participating in the game, an advertiser database 2I for storing advertiser information, and the like. These databases are managed by the game management means 2C.
[0046]
Further, the game server 2 sends game information or distribution information in which advertisement information is incorporated into the game information to the broadcast / distribution server 3 via the network 5, and performs game processing with the user via the broadcast / distribution server. I do.
[0047]
When the transmission / reception means 2A receives access from the terminal 4 via the network 5, the authentication means 2B collates with the customer information stored in the customer database 2H, and determines the presence or absence of registration. The presence / absence of registration can be used for approval processing for participation in a paid game and acquisition of new customer data.
[0048]
The game management means 2C reads the advertisement information incorporated in the game information from the distribution information database 2F, distributes it from the transmission / reception means 2A to the terminal 4 via the network 5, and performs transmission / reception with the terminal 4 for game processing. The game result is stored in the game history database 2G.
[0049]
Customer data stored in the customer database 2H and game history data stored in the game history database 2G can be transmitted to the advertiser directly via the network 5 or by transmission / reception means (not shown). .
[0050]
When registering advertisement information in the advertisement information database 2E or changing / updating advertisement information, the authentication means 2B compares the accessed advertiser information with the advertiser information stored in the advertiser database 2I. Then, the advertisement information transmitted from the advertisement server 2-2 by the game management means 2C is stored in the advertisement information database 2E or updated with new advertisement information.
[0051]
The broadcast / distribution server 3 broadcasts a program toward the user. Further, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which data communication is performed with a user via a communication line such as a telephone line to form bidirectional communication.
[0052]
The broadcast / distribution server 3 includes transmission / reception means 3 </ b> A connected to the network 5. In addition, in the case of performing bidirectional communication, a communication unit 3C is provided that connects to the terminal 4 through a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition to the broadcast means 3B for sending the program to the user, the download converter 3E for downloading the delivery information sent from the advertisement game server 2, the delivery information database 3F for storing the delivery information, and the program for storing the program. A database such as a broadcast database 3G and a management database 3H is provided. Further, for bidirectional communication, bidirectional management means 3D for controlling bidirectional communication can be provided.
[0053]
The broadcast / distribution server 3 reads out a program from the broadcast database 3G and broadcasts it from the broadcast unit 3B, and also reads out distribution information including game information from the distribution information database 3F and broadcasts it from the broadcast unit 3B. In bidirectional communication, a bidirectional communication path is formed between the terminal 4 on the user side and the communication means 3C. The bidirectional management means 3D performs bidirectional management and performs a game process based on communication from the terminal 4. Note that data in bidirectional communication can be stored in the management database 3H.
[0054]
Note that the bidirectional communication may be configured to be performed not by the broadcast / distribution server but by another interactive management server.
[0055]
With the above configuration, information in which advertisement information is embedded in game information can be broadcast or distributed to a terminal. Broadcast means an information providing mode for supplying programs and advertising game information to unspecified terminals, and distribution is an information providing mode for supplying programs and advertising game information to specific terminals. is there. In the case of broadcasting, the terminal can be configured by a receiver or an STB.
[0056]
Next, the first to sixth aspects of the advertising game distribution system of the present invention will be described.
A 1st aspect and a 2nd aspect are aspects which distribute a program and an advertisement game with respect to a specific user side terminal from a broadcast / distribution server, and a 3rd aspect-a 6th aspect are broadcast / distribution. This is a mode in which a program and an advertisement game are broadcast from a server to an unspecified user terminal.
[0057]
First, the first aspect and the second aspect will be described. In the first aspect and the second aspect described below, the advertisement game information obtained by adding the advertisement information to the game information described above will be described as already formed and configured as advertisement game data. Therefore, the advertisement game server 2 shown below includes the game server 2-1 and the advertisement server 2-2 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, or the other advertisement data or game data is taken into one server. The configuration.
[0058]
The difference between the first mode and the second mode is whether the advertising game interruption time is set on the advertising game server side or on the broadcast / distribution server side.
[0059]
The first mode will be described with reference to the schematic block diagram of FIG. 3 and the state transition diagram of FIG.
In the first aspect, the advertising game distribution system 1 has the advertising game data 2c in which the advertising information is added to the game information, and transmits the program to the broadcast / distribution server 3 at a predetermined timing, and the network 5 And a broadcast / distribution server 3 that distributes through the network. When the advertisement game data is sent from the advertisement game server 2, the broadcast / distribution server 3 interrupts the program being distributed and distributes the advertisement game data to the terminal 4. The terminal 4 can suddenly start the game while receiving the distributed program, and then play the game in both directions. Advertisement information is included in the game, and the advertisement effect is enhanced by executing the game, and the impression of the advertisement is enhanced by suddenly interrupting the game during the program.
[0060]
The advertisement game server 2 includes a transmission / reception control means 2a for controlling transmission / reception of advertisement game data and game results, a transmission / reception means 2b for transmitting / receiving data to / from the broadcast / distribution server 3, and an advertisement in which advertisement information is added to game information. Storage means 2c for storing game data, game management means 2e for managing game results, and storage means 2d are provided. Here, it is assumed that the advertisement game data is stored in the storage means 2c with the advertisement information added to the game information in the above-described manner.
[0061]
The broadcast / distribution server 3 includes a control unit 3a for controlling program distribution and advertisement game data interruption, a transmission / reception unit 3b for transmitting / receiving advertisement game data and game results to / from the advertisement game server 2, and a network 5. Transmission / reception means 3c for transmitting / receiving advertisement game data and game operation data to / from the terminal 4, via storage means 3d for storing broadcast distribution content data for storing programs to be distributed, and storage means for storing applications for advertisement games 3e.
[0062]
Execution of the advertising game according to the first aspect will be described with reference to the transition state diagram of FIG. Note that () shown below corresponds to the numbers in the figure.
[0063]
When a program provided by the broadcast / distribution server 3 is selected from the terminal 4 (1), the broadcast / distribution server 3 sets the distribution of the selected program (2) and distributes the program to the terminal 4 Start (3). The terminal 4 receives the program distribution and receives it (for example, STB) for viewing (4). The broadcast / distribution server 3 starts program distribution and notifies the advertising game server 2 of program distribution (5).
[0064]
The advertising game server 2 receives the notification of the start of the program and performs a lottery or setting process for determining the interruption time (insertion time) of the advertising game. In the lottery, for example, a time when an advertising game is interrupted during program distribution is selected using a random number generated internally. In the setting process, the time and conditions for interrupting the advertising game during program distribution are determined in advance by the program (6).
[0065]
The interruption time (insertion time) is determined by lottery or program setting (7), and the determined interruption time (insertion time) is notified to the broadcast / distribution server 3. Also, the advertisement game data is distributed to the broadcast / distribution server 3 (8).
[0066]
The broadcast / distribution server 3 receives the advertisement game data and the interruption time (insertion time) (9), sets the interruption time (insertion time), and stores the advertisement game data in the advertisement game application 3e (10).
[0067]
Based on the interruption time (insertion time), the control means 3a interrupts the program being distributed and starts distributing the advertising game. Here, the interrupt position of the interrupted program is stored. In addition, although the form which interrupts the delivery of a program is demonstrated here during the delivery of an advertising game, both a program and an advertising game are delivered without interrupting the delivery of a program, and selectively displayed on the terminal side (11).
[0068]
In the terminal 4, the program being distributed is interrupted, the advertising game is received, and the advertising game is started (12). When executing the advertising game, the terminal 4 performs interactive processing with the broadcast / distribution server 3 (13), and executes the advertising game by operating the advertising game (14). Game results and the like resulting from the execution of the advertising game are sent to the advertising game server 2 for game management (15). When the advertising game ends (16), a notification of the end of the advertising game is sent to the advertising game server 2 and game management is performed (15).
[0069]
When the advertisement game ends, the broadcast / distribution server 3 reads the interrupt position of the interrupted program (18), and resumes program distribution (19). The terminal 4 can view the interrupted program again by resuming the program distribution (20).
[0070]
When the distribution of the program from the broadcast / distribution server ends (21), the program viewing on the terminal ends (22).
[0071]
Next, a 2nd aspect is demonstrated using the schematic block diagram of FIG. 5, and the state transition diagram of FIG. The second mode is a mode in which the interruption time (insertion time) of advertisement data is set on the broadcast / distribution server side.
[0072]
Therefore, the configuration shown in the schematic block diagram of FIG. 5 of the second mode is the same as the configuration of the first mode shown in the schematic block diagram of FIG. 3 in the interrupt (insertion time) timing provided on the advertising game server 2 side. Instead of the control means 2f, it is different in that an interrupt (insertion time) timing control means 3f is provided on the broadcast / distribution server 3 side, and other common configurations can be adopted.
[0073]
Execution of the advertising game according to the second aspect will be described using the transition state diagram of FIG. Note that () shown below corresponds to the numbers in the figure.
[0074]
When the program provided by the broadcast / distribution server 3 is selected from the terminal 4 (31), the broadcast / distribution server 3 sets the distribution of the selected program (32) and distributes the program to the terminal 4 Start (37). The terminal 4 receives the program distribution (for example, STB) and views it (38).
[0075]
The advertisement game server 2 distributes the advertisement game data to the broadcast / distribution server 3 in advance (33). The broadcast / distribution server 3 receives the distributed advertising game data (34) and records it in the advertising game application 3e (35). The interruption (insertion time) time control means 3f in the broadcast / distribution server 3 sets the interruption time of the advertising game based on a lottery or a predetermined program (36).
[0076]
The broadcast / distribution server 3 monitors the interruption time set during the distribution of the program, interrupts the program when the interruption time is reached, and starts the distribution of the advertising game (39). As in the first mode, while the advertisement game is being distributed, a mode in which the program distribution is interrupted will be described. However, both the program and the advertisement game are distributed without interrupting the program distribution, and the terminal side Alternatively, the display mode can be selectively displayed.
[0077]
In the terminal 4, the program being distributed is interrupted, the advertising game is received, and the advertising game is started (40). When executing the advertising game, the terminal 4 performs interactive processing with the broadcast / distribution server 3 (41), and executes the advertising game by operating the advertising game (42). Game results and the like resulting from the execution of the advertisement game are sent to the advertisement game server 2 for game management (43). When the advertisement game ends (44), a notification of the end of the advertisement game is sent to the advertisement game server 2 and game management is performed (45).
[0078]
When the advertisement game ends, the broadcast / distribution server 3 reads the interrupt position of the interrupted program (46) and resumes the program distribution (47). The terminal 4 can view the interrupted program again by resuming the program distribution (48).
[0079]
When distribution to the program from the broadcast / distribution server ends (49), program viewing at the terminal ends (50).
[0080]
Next, an aspect of interrupting an advertising game and an aspect of resuming a program interrupted by the interruption will be described.
[0081]
In the first mode, an interrupt is made at an arbitrary time while a program is being distributed, the program is interrupted and the advertising game is distributed, and the interrupted program is resumed when the advertising game ends. FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining the first mode.
[0082]
In FIG. 7, programs 1, 2,... Are sequentially distributed, and the terminal views the distributed programs. For example, when the program 1 is distributed, the terminal starts viewing the program 1. When an interruption occurs at the time when the time Ta has elapsed after the start of the program 1, the distribution is interrupted and the distribution of the advertising game is started. When the advertising game ends, the interrupted program is resumed.
[0083]
During one program, a plurality of interruptions may be performed to allow a plurality of advertisement games to be played.
[0084]
Thereby, the program 1 is divided into a plurality of programs 1a, 1b, and 1c. Note that the number of divisions may be arbitrary. Assuming that the total distribution time of the program 1 is T, the programs 1a, 1b, and 1c are divided and distributed by the distribution times Ta, Tb, and Tc, respectively. In addition, each advertising game performed by interruption can have the same time width or a different time width.
[0085]
For a program that resumes the program from the position where it was interrupted, assuming that the time width of each advertising game is TG1, TG2, the start of program 2 is the time width (TG1 + TG2) of the advertising game with the program time width T (= Ta + Tb + Tc). After the addition (Ta + Tb + Tc + TG1 + TG2).
[0086]
Further, the program may be resumed from the position where the predetermined time has elapsed from the interrupted position. For this program, the time required for distribution of program 1 is longer by the overlapped part than (Ta + Tb + Tc + TG1 + TG2) described above.
[0087]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the broadcast / distribution server in the first mode.
The interrupt (insertion) time of the advertising game set by the lottery or program is monitored (step S1), the distribution of the program being distributed is interrupted at the time of the interrupt time (step S2), and the interrupted position is stored. The interruption position serves as a reference for the resumption position of the program when the distribution of the program is resumed. Instead of storing the interrupted position, a set interrupt timing can be used (step S3).
[0088]
The program is interrupted and advertisement game distribution is started (step S4). In the distribution of the advertising game, when bidirectional communication is not set with the terminal, bidirectional setting processing is performed and the advertising game is executed (step S5).
[0089]
After the advertisement game is finished (step S6), the interruption position or interruption time stored in the storage means is read to obtain the interruption position of the program (step S7), and the program is resumed. In this resumption, as described above, the reproduction can be started from the interruption position, or can be resumed after returning for a predetermined time (step S8).
[0090]
The advertisement data interruption process can be repeated a plurality of times until the program ends. Alternatively, the number of interrupts in one program may be limited so that an interrupt request exceeding this is not accepted (steps S9 and S10).
[0091]
A 2nd aspect is an example of an aspect applied to the distribution aspect which distributes a program by a some channel. The program is divided at time intervals equal to, for example, A to D, and these are sequentially shifted and arranged in units of division times to form and distribute a plurality of channels CH1 to CH4 having different start times. With this distribution form, the user can watch the program together when desired without waiting for the end of the program. This distribution method is called, for example, near on demand (NVOD).
[0092]
In such a distribution mode, the interruption and the program of the advertisement game of the present invention can be resumed by the following two examples.
[0093]
The first example (FIG. 9B) is a mode in which the interrupted interrupted area is interrupted and the interrupted divided area is restarted from the beginning.
[0094]
For example, when the terminal receives CH1 distribution and an interrupt request for an advertising game is issued in the middle of the divided area B of CH1, distribution of the divided area B is immediately interrupted to interrupt the advertising game. When the advertisement game ends and distribution of the divided area B is resumed, a channel on which distribution of the divided area B is newly performed after the advertisement game ends is detected (CH4 channel in the example shown in FIG. 9B). Then, the distribution of the divided area B is received from this channel and the process is resumed. At this time, if there is a time interval between the end of the advertising game and the divided area B, another program or advertisement may be distributed during this time period to connect the divided areas.
[0095]
The second example (FIG. 9C) is a mode in which the distribution is interrupted after the distribution of the divided area is completed and restarted from the next divided area.
[0096]
For example, when the terminal receives the distribution of CH1 and an interrupt request for an advertising game is issued in the middle of the divided area B of CH1, the distribution of the divided area B is not interrupted until the distribution of the divided area B is completed. After finishing, the distribution of the next divided area C is stopped and the advertising game is interrupted. When the advertisement game ends and the distribution of the program is resumed, a channel on which the divided area C is newly distributed after the advertisement game ends is detected (CH4 channel in the example shown in FIG. 9C). The distribution of the divided area C is received from the channel and restarted. At this time, if there is a time interval between the end of the advertising game and the divided area C, another program or advertisement may be distributed during this time period to connect the divided areas.
[0097]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the broadcast / distribution server in the above example.
The interrupt (insertion) time of the advertising game set by the lottery or the program is monitored (step S11), and when the interrupt request for the advertising game is requested, the division area in the near-on-demand distribution is confirmed to determine the program division position. Confirm (step S12). The program is interrupted at the division position (step S13), and the interrupted division area is recorded. The interruption position serves as a reference for the resumption position of the program when the distribution of the program is resumed. Instead of storing the interrupted position, the set interrupt timing can be used (step S14).
[0098]
The program is interrupted and advertisement game distribution is started (step S15). In the distribution of the advertising game, when bidirectional communication is not set with the terminal, bidirectional setting processing is performed and the advertising game is executed (step S16).
[0099]
After the advertisement game is over (step S17), the interruption position or interruption time stored in the storage means is read to obtain the interruption position of the program (step S18), and the program is resumed.
[0100]
In the program restart, it is determined whether or not the end time of the advertising game is the start time of the divided area (step S19). When there is time before the start time of the divided area, another program or advertisement is distributed. This other program or advertisement may be distributed based on data stored in advance in the broadcast / distribution server (step S20).
[0101]
At the start time of the divided area, the interrupted divided area or the next divided area is restarted from the top (step S21). The advertisement data interruption process can be repeated a plurality of times until the program ends. Alternatively, the number of interrupts in one program may be limited so that an interrupt request exceeding this is not accepted (steps S22 and S23).
[0102]
Next, the third to sixth aspects of the present invention will be described. These modes are modes in which a program and an advertisement game are broadcasted from a broadcast / distribution server to an unspecified user terminal.
[0103]
FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram for explaining a mode of broadcasting. In FIG. 11, broadcasting is performed for two-way communication with a broadcasting station 6 that broadcasts programs and advertisements via a transmission system 7 and a receiver (STB and TV) 8 that receives the broadcasted programs and advertisements. Bidirectional management means 9 is provided.
[0104]
The broadcast station 6 is operated by, for example, a consigned broadcaster. A program is broadcast to a receiver (STB or TV) through an uplink facility of the transmission link 7 through satellite broadcasting or the like. The broadcasting station 6 includes a program management means 6a for managing broadcast programs in an integrated manner, an information management means 6b for managing various information sent by broadcasting, and a sending means for sending various information (main line sending means 6c, EPG generation). Sending means 6d, caption sending means 6e, data broadcasting sending means 6f), multiplexing means 6g for multiplexing these various information, data broadcasting forming means 6h for forming data broadcasting, and data broadcasting creating means 6h. A program server 6i to be supplied is provided.
[0105]
The main line sending means 6c is a means for sending a general program, the EPG generation sending means 6d is a means for generating and sending information of an electronic program guide, and the caption sending means 6e sends character information such as captions. The data broadcast sending means 6f is means for sending various digital data. The advertisement game can be broadcast using the broadcast sending means 6f.
[0106]
The bidirectional management means 9 is means for managing bidirectional communication with a user. The bidirectional management means 9 performs bidirectional communication using a receiver 8 such as an STB, and a terminal 4 such as a personal computer or a mobile phone. Two-way communication can also be performed using. The interactive management unit 9 includes an STB gateway 9d and an application response unit 9b in order to execute an interactive game by performing bidirectional communication with the receiver 8. The interactive management means 9 includes an Internet gateway 9c and a program application means 9a in order to execute an interactive game by performing bidirectional communication with the terminal 4 such as a personal computer or a mobile phone.
[0107]
The data of the advertising game played between the terminal 4 such as a personal computer or a mobile phone or the receiver 8 and the interactive management means 9 is sent from the program application means 9a to the data broadcast creating means 6h for data broadcasting. It is converted into data and broadcast.
[0108]
Hereinafter, the third to sixth aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following third to sixth aspects, the advertisement game information obtained by adding the advertisement information to the game information described above will be described as already formed and configured as advertisement game data. Therefore, the advertisement game server 2 shown below includes the game server 2-1 and the advertisement server 2-2 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, or the other advertisement data or game data is taken into one server. The configuration.
[0109]
The third mode is a mode in which the advertising game is broadcast by data broadcasting and the game management is performed by the program application unit of the bidirectional management unit, and the interruption time of the advertising game is set on the bidirectional management unit side.
[0110]
FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the third aspect. The third mode includes the advertisement / game server 2 in the broadcast mode of FIG. 11 described above. The advertisement / game server 2 notifies the information management control means 6b that the advertisement game is distributed, and distributes the advertisement game data to the advertisement / game application means 9a.
[0111]
An operation example according to the third aspect will be described with reference to the transition state diagram of FIG. The numbers indicated by () correspond to the numbers in FIG.
[0112]
The broadcasting station 6 sends a signal obtained by multiplexing the created program broadcast (51) by the multiplexing means 6g to the transmission system 7 having an uplink facility (52) and broadcasts it via a broadcasting satellite or the like. The user receives and watches the program with the receiver 8 such as an STB (53). The advertisement game server 2 distributes the advertisement game in which the advertisement information is added to the game information to the interactive management means 9 (54). The interactive management means 9 records the distributed advertising game in the advertising game application means 9a (55). The advertising game application 9a sets a time when the advertising game is interrupted (56) and creates display data of the advertising game (57).
[0113]
The created advertisement game data is sent to the data broadcast creating means 6h of the broadcasting station 6 to create a data broadcast (58). The created data broadcast data is sent to the data broadcast sending means 6f and then multiplexed with other data by the multiplexing means 6g (60). The multiplexed data is sent to the transmission system 7 (61) and broadcast from the transmission system 7 (62).
[0114]
The STB 8 receives and displays the broadcast data that has been broadcast (63), and performs a game operation through bidirectional communication with the bidirectional management means 9 (64). In the game operation by the two-way communication, the application response means 9b is driven based on the game operation signal sent from the STB 8 to play the advertisement game, and the game management is performed by the advertisement game application means 9a (65). Further, when two-way communication is performed using the terminal 4 such as a personal computer or a portable terminal, the game operation signal (66) from the terminal 4 is processed by the advertisement / game application means 9a through the Internet gateway 9c (67). .
[0115]
The fourth mode is a mode in which the advertising game is broadcast by data broadcasting, the game management is performed by the data broadcasting creation means of the broadcasting station, and the advertising game interruption time is set on the broadcasting station side.
[0116]
FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the fourth aspect. The fourth mode includes the advertisement / game server 2 in the broadcast mode of FIG. 11 described above. The advertisement / game server 2 notifies the information management control means 6b that the advertisement game is distributed, and sends the advertisement game data to the data broadcast creating means 6h of the broadcasting station 6.
[0117]
An operation example according to the fourth aspect will be described with reference to the transition state diagram of FIG. Note that the numbers indicated by () correspond to the numbers in FIG.
[0118]
The broadcast station 6 sends a signal obtained by multiplexing the created program broadcast (71) by the multiplexing means 6g to the transmission system 7 having an uplink facility (72) and broadcasts it via a broadcast satellite or the like. The user receives and views the program with the receiver 8 such as an STB (73). The advertising game server 2 distributes the advertising game in which the advertising information is added to the game information to the data broadcast creating means 6h of the broadcasting station (74). The data broadcast creating means 6h creates a data broadcast of the advertisement game based on the distributed advertisement game (75), sets an interruption time (76), and creates broadcast data of the advertisement game (77).
[0119]
The created data broadcast data is sent to the data broadcast sending means 6f and then multiplexed with other data by the multiplexing means 6g (78). The multiplexed data is sent to the transmission system 7 (79) and broadcast from the transmission system 7 (80).
[0120]
The STB 8 receives and displays the broadcast data that has been broadcast (81), and performs a game operation through bidirectional communication with the bidirectional management means 9 (82). In the game operation by the two-way communication, the application response means 9b is driven based on the game operation signal sent from the STB 8, and the advertisement game is played, and the game management is performed by the advertisement game application means 9a '(83). Further, when two-way communication is performed using the terminal 4 such as a personal computer or a portable terminal, the game operation signal (84) from the terminal 4 is processed by the advertisement / game application means 9a 'through the Internet gateway 9c (85). ).
[0121]
In the fifth and sixth aspects, on the broadcast station side, the broadcast data creation and transmission of the advertisement game is not performed by using the data broadcast creation means 6h and the broadcast transmission means 6f of the above aspect, but the dedicated game / advertisement broadcast creation means. 6j and game / advertisement broadcast sending means 6k.
[0122]
The fifth aspect is an aspect in which game management is performed by the application means of the interactive management means, and the sixth aspect is an aspect in which game management is performed by the data broadcast creation means of the broadcasting station.
[0123]
FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the fifth aspect. The fifth mode includes a game / advertisement broadcast creating means 6j and an advertisement / game broadcast sending means 6k on the broadcasting station 6 side, and an advertisement / game application means 9a 'for performing game management on the interactive management means 9 side. Prepare.
[0124]
The game data of the advertisement game is created by the advertisement / game broadcast creating means 6j and sent from the advertisement / game broadcast sending means 6k. The interruption time of the advertising game is set by the advertising / game application means 9a ′.
[0125]
FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram for explaining the sixth aspect. The sixth aspect includes an advertisement / game broadcast creating means 6j and an advertisement / game broadcast sending means 6k on the broadcasting station 6 side.
[0126]
The game data of the advertisement game is created by the advertisement / game broadcast creating means 6j and sent from the advertisement / game broadcast sending means 6k. Further, the advertisement game interruption time is set by the advertisement / game broadcast creating means 6j.
[0127]
【The invention's effect】
According to the advertisement game distribution method and the advertisement game distribution system of the present invention, a high advertising effect can be obtained in the distribution of advertisements and games. Further, in a general broadcast program, an advertisement combining advertisement information and game information can be applied to obtain a high advertising effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of an advertisement distribution system to which an advertisement game distribution of the present invention can be applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the advertisement distribution system of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram for explaining a first aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram for explaining a first aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram for explaining a second aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram for explaining a second aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining a first aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the broadcast / distribution server in the first mode of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of interruption of an advertising game and resumption of a program according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of a broadcast / distribution server in an example of interruption of an advertising game and resumption of a program according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram for explaining a mode of broadcasting.
FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram for explaining a third aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a state transition diagram for explaining a third aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram for explaining a fourth aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a state transition diagram for explaining a fourth aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram for explaining a fifth aspect of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram for explaining a sixth aspect of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Advertising game distribution system
2 Advertising game server
2A transmission / reception means
2B authentication means
2C game management means
2D game information database
2E Advertising information database
2F distribution information database
2G game history database
2H customer database
2I Advertiser Database
2a Transmission / reception control means
2b Transmission / reception means
2c Advertising game data
2d management data
2e Game management means
2f Interrupt (insertion) timing control means
2-1 Game server
2-2 Advertising server
3 Broadcast distribution server
3A transmission / reception means
3B broadcasting means
3C communication means
3D interactive management means
3E download converter
3F distribution information database
3G broadcast database
3H management database
3a Control means
3b, 3c Transmission / reception means
3d broadcast distribution content data
3e Advertising game application
4 terminals
5 network
6 broadcasting stations
6a Program management means
6b Information management control means
6c Main line discharge means
6d EPG sending means
6e Subtitle sending means
6f Data broadcast sending means
6g Multiplexing means
6h Data broadcasting creation means
6i program server
6j Advertising / game broadcast creation means
6k advertising / game broadcast sending means
7 Transmission system
8 TV, STB
9 Interactive management means
9a Program application means
9a 'Advertising / game application means
9b Application response means
9c Internet gateway
9d STB gateway
10 Advertising distribution system
11 servers
12 Financial Server

Claims (2)

An advertising game distribution system for broadcasting or streaming an advertising game,
Program supply means for broadcasting or streaming the program;
An advertisement game supply means for supplying an advertisement game,
The advertisement game is a game that displays advertisement information during game execution by setting at least a part of the display form of the display elements constituting the game to a display form that specifies advertisement information,
The advertising game supply means determines an interruption time, transmits the determined interruption time to the program supply means,
The program supply means receives the interrupt timing, performs interrupt processing based on the interrupt timing, interrupts broadcasting or streaming distribution of the program, and replaces the interrupted program with the advertisement game supply means Broadcast or distribute the game information and advertisement information of the advertisement game supplied from
In addition, the program supply means limits the number of interrupts to be performed during the period of broadcasting or streaming distribution of one program in the interrupt process, and does not accept an interrupt request exceeding the interrupt number. Distribution system. The advertising game supply means includes a lottery means for determining a time to interrupt the advertising game or a program for determining a time to interrupt the advertising game,
2. The advertising game distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the interruption time is determined by selecting an interruption time by the lottery means or by setting an interruption time determined in the program.

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