KR20020052641A - Apparatus and method for fulfiling research by using computer game - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A research system and a method using a computer game are provided to analyze a response of a user offered from a user system by a research server after executing a game program including a research module performing the research by interfacing to the user on the user system. CONSTITUTION: The system comprises a situation data storage(24) for storing the situation data, that is matched to a module ID recognizing a module, to receive the response from the user, a game program storage for storing the response data from the user, and a transmitter(230) transmitting the user information and the response data stored by each matched the module ID to the research server(30). A controller(220) executes the game program stored in the game program storage, outputs the situation data corresponding to a position executing the research module while the game is executed, and transmits a research result module to the research module through the transmitter.

Description

Research execution system and method using computer game {Apparatus and method for fulfiling research by using computer game}

The present invention relates to a method for performing research, and more particularly, to a method for performing research using a computer game.

In recent years, as marketing needs have increased as well as product performance, companies are conducting marketing activities in various ways. In order to carry out marketing effectively, it is necessary to analyze the propensity of consumers as buyers.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of analyzing consumer disposition through behavior of consumers in real life.

Referring to FIG. 1, consumers perform a myriad of activities such as shopping, eating, drinking, wearing, and enjoying in real life. Analyzing such behaviors can identify the consumer's propensities for marketing, such as "purchasing patterns", "preferences", "tiers", and "economics." In the end, all the actions of individual consumers can be used as the basis for the company's marketing activities.

Hereinafter, a research method currently being performed will be described.

First, suppose a car company is going to launch a new car. At this time, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b to examine the consumer's response to the shape of the rear design of the vehicle. FIG. 2A is a slightly raised rear design, and FIG. 2B is a gently lowered rear design. Of these two designs, consumers are trying to investigate which one they prefer. The purpose of doing this could be:

i) Depending on the design of the vehicle, the sales volume is greatly affected.

ii) The design change of the vehicle is expensive.

iii) Consumer preferences can vary according to domestic demand and exports.

iv) Preferences may vary by age and class.

v) The sales strategy and main targets are set accordingly.

As a result, it can be seen that the purpose is to set the direction of future marketing by grasping the preferences of consumers.

In order to do this, conventionally, a method of analyzing an existing vehicle, conducting a survey through telephone, face-to-face or internet, etc., and preparing a report through expert prediction based on this is used.

However, such a research method has the following problems.

First, since the investigation is based on the existing vehicle in the state that the actual vehicle has not yet been released, the reliability of the survey may be low.

Second, the survey also has a problem of spatial constraints and sampling limits.

Third, there is a problem that reliability is questioned because expert prediction also depends heavily on experience.

Next, in the last US presidential election, there was a fierce battle between Republican Bush and Democrat Gore. In most countries with a presidential election, it is common to poll people before the election to predict which candidate will be elected. By doing this research, you can find out who your teens, teens, twenties, and thirties are, and how they differ by income level, occupation, and educational background. In addition, the results of these surveys, the election camp of each candidate camp can identify the prior support and favorability before voting, it is possible to establish a more scientific election plan for the actual vote. In addition, firms can grasp the support and preference of pre-election opinions in advance to predict their chances of winning and prepare for changes in national management policies. In other countries, such as Korea, which are heavily influenced by US foreign policy, predicting which candidates will be elected can effectively cope with future policy changes.

As a survey method in this case, there are public opinion polls by telephone and face-to-face and public opinion polls by the Internet. In the case of telephone-to-face-to-face, the high cost and unsatisfactory answers can pose a challenge to the reliability of the survey. Internet polls are a way to find answers by giving context and questions to visitors who visit a website. The biggest problem with this method is that it is surprisingly time consuming because the investigator does not select a sample but has to open the website and wait for the visitor. In addition, depending on the nature of the website, it is likely that only a certain class and a specific sample will be answered, which may cost less, but the sample is questioned.

After all, the traditional research method by phone or face-to-face is excessively expensive or effort, while the effect and reliability is very low due to the incomplete answer of the questionnaire (object of the survey). In addition, there is a research method using the Internet, but it is also difficult to expect sincere answers and reliability of samples may be a problem.

In other words, the conventional research methods have a fundamental problem that the reliability of the questionnaire cannot be questioned because the questionnaire actively participates and responds proactively, rather than reluctantly or expects a certain price.

Accordingly, there has been a demand for a method that enables researchers, such as ordinary citizens and consumers, to easily and funly participate in the research while also performing reliable research.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to execute a game program including at least one research module for performing a research while interfacing with a user in a user system, and for a research module in the user system in a research performing server. The present invention provides a research performance system using a computer game that receives and analyzes a user's response.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a user system suitable for such a system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a computer readable recording medium recording a method of outputting situation data requiring a user's response during execution of a game program, and receiving a response and transmitting the response to the research performing server. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a server system suitable for the system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for performing research in the server system.

Still another object of the present invention is a computer that records a method of outputting situation data requiring a user's response during execution of a game program, receiving a response, and transmitting the response to the research performing server when the game is a racing game. To provide a recording medium that can be read by.

Still another object of the present invention is a computer for performing research by connecting to a research performing server when installing a game program in a user system, performing user registration, and executing the game program after recording user authentication information in the user system. It is to provide a research performance system using a game.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a user system suitable for such a system.

Still another object of the present invention is to perform a research by connecting to a research performing server when installing a game program in a user system, performing user registration, and executing the game program after recording user authentication information in the user system. It is to provide a computer-readable recording medium that recorded the.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a server system suitable for the system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for performing research in the server system.

Another object of the present invention, when the game is a racing game, when the game program is installed in the user system, the user accesses a research performing server to perform user registration, and after recording the user authentication information in the user system, the game program. The present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium on which a method for performing research is recorded.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of analyzing consumer disposition through behavior of consumers in real life.

2A and 2B are diagrams for investigating a consumer's preference for a rear design of an automobile.

3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of performing research using a computer game according to the method of the present invention.

4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an entire process of performing research according to the method of the present invention.

5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a process of generating a research result DB for one user.

6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a process of collecting a research result module from a plurality of users.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of building a user DB by installing a recording medium recording a game program in a user system according to the present invention.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed operation of a game program for performing research according to the present invention.

9A and 9B are flowcharts illustrating an operation of a user system in a research performing system using a game according to the present invention.

10A is a structural diagram of a game program according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10B is a structural diagram of response data.

11A and 11B illustrate examples of situation data and response data output to a display device of a user system when the game according to the present invention is a racing game.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between items supplemented or exchanged in a racing car as a kind of energy in a racing game, and mileage of the racing car.

13A is a diagram for describing an energy charging process when a game according to the present invention is a racing game and the energy to be charged is gasoline.

FIG. 13B is a view for explaining an energy charging process when the game according to the present invention is a racing game and the energy to be charged is engine oil.

14A is a data structure diagram of a research results module.

14B is a data structure diagram of a new research module.

15A and 15B illustrate an example of a screen when the passenger selection module and the beverage selection module are respectively output from the user system.

Fig. 16A is a structural diagram of a game program installed in the current user system.

16B is a structural diagram of a game program including updated research modules.

17 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a process of continuously updating modules of a game program for each module.

18 is a diagram showing the overall progress of the game when the game is a racing game.

19 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a research execution server in a research execution system using a computer game according to the present invention.

20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a new research DB configuration.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a research result DB structure diagram for Module 1. FIG.

22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user DB structure diagram.

23A to 23C illustrate examples of research analysis results.

24 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user system in a research performance system using a computer game according to the present invention.

25 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a research execution server in a research execution system using a computer game according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating another example of a configuration of a research execution server in a research execution system using a computer game according to the present invention.

27 is a structural diagram of a game program according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In order to achieve the above object,

A user system for executing a game program including at least one research module for performing research while interfacing with a user; And a research performing server configured to receive and analyze a user's response to a research module in the user system, wherein the research module is performed at a predetermined position in the game program, module ID information for recognizing the module, and a user. Includes contextual data to receive a response from,

The user system

(a) storing the game program, user information associated with the user of the user system and the research module, (b) outputting context data corresponding to the at least one research module during execution of the game program, ( c) receiving response data about the context data from a user and storing the response data corresponding to the module ID, and (d) researching the user information stored in the above (a) and the response data stored corresponding to the module ID in (c). As a result module, it is programmed to send to the research performing server,

The research performing server

(e) receiving and storing a research result module from the user system, and (f) analyzing each research module based on the user information and the response data of the research result module for each research module. A research performing system is provided.

In order to achieve the above other object,

A user system capable of executing a game program while communicating with a research execution server,

A context data storage unit corresponding to a module ID capable of recognizing a module and storing context data for receiving a response from a user; A game program storage unit for storing the game program; A response data storage unit for receiving response data on the situation data from a user and storing the response data corresponding to the module ID; A transmission unit for transmitting user information related to a user of the user system and response data stored corresponding to the module ID to a research performing server as a research result module; And executing a game program stored in the game program storage unit, outputting corresponding situation data at a position at which the research module is to be executed during execution of the game program, and transmitting the research result module to a research performing server through a transmitter. A user system for performing research using a computer game, comprising a control unit, is provided.

In order to achieve the above another object,

A computer-readable recording medium mounted on a user system and recording a method of executing a game program while communicating with a research server,

The game program includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in the game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and context data to be provided to a user,

(a) outputting corresponding situation data at a position at which the research module is to be executed during execution of a game program; (b) receiving response data about the situation data from a user and storing the response data in a memory of a user system corresponding to the module ID; And (c) transmitting the user information related to the user of the user system and the response data stored in correspondence with the module ID to the research performing server as a research result module. A recording medium is provided.

In order to achieve the above another object,

A server system for performing research while communicating with a user system capable of executing a game program,

The game program includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in the game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and context data to be provided to a user,

A receiving unit for receiving a research result module from the user system, the research result module including user information related to a user of the user system and response data of a user stored corresponding to the module ID; A research result DB for storing the research result module received by the receiver; And a control unit for analyzing the research results based on the user information and the response data stored in the research result DB for each research module.

In order to achieve the above another object,

In a method for performing research using a game program while communicating with a user system,

The game program includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in the game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and context data to be provided to a user,

(a) receiving from the user system a research result module comprising user information associated with a user of the user system and response data of the user stored corresponding to the module ID; (b) storing the research result module received in step (a); (c) For each research module, a method of performing research using a computer game in a server system, comprising analyzing research results based on the user information and the response data.

In order to achieve the above another object,

A computer-readable recording medium mounted on a user system and recording a method for performing research using a game program while communicating with a research performing server,

The game is a racing game played by a racing car and includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in a game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and a situation for providing to the user. Contains data,

(a) outputting corresponding situation data at a position at which the research module is to be executed during execution of a game program; (b) receiving response data about the situation data from a user and storing the response data in a memory of a user system corresponding to the module ID; And (c) transmitting user information associated with a user of the user system and response data stored corresponding to the module ID to a research performing server as a research result module. (d) If the user wants to play the racing game more than once after the racing game is finished, it is determined whether there is an item to be replenished or exchanged in the racing car based on the distance that the racing car has traveled so far. Doing; (e) if it is determined that there is an item to be replenished or exchanged, attempting to connect to the research performing server; (f) when connected to the research performing server, transmitting user information associated with a user of the user system and response data stored corresponding to a module ID to the research performing server as a research result module; (g) receiving and storing, at the research performing server, a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different context data; And (h) updating the status data of the current research module with the status data of the corresponding new research module stored in the step (g), and a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing on the computer. .

In order to achieve the above another object,

A user system for executing a game program including at least one research module for performing research while interfacing with a user; And a research performing server configured to receive and analyze a user's response to a research module in the user system, wherein the research module is performed at a predetermined position in the game program, module ID information for recognizing the module, and a user. Includes contextual data to receive a response from,

The user system (a) if the game program is not installed, requests a connection to the research execution server, and after being connected, receives the user information including at least user authentication information and personal information from the user. Perform user registration on the research performing server, store user authentication information in a memory of the user system after performing user registration, and (b) user authentication information input by a user if the game program is installed Compare the user authentication information stored in the memory of the user system with the user authentication information, and execute the game program when the two match with each other, and (c) the corresponding situation data at the location where the respective research module is to be executed during the game program execution. And (d) responding to the situation data from the user. Receiving the data in correspondence with the module ID stored in the user's system memory and, (e) is programmed to transmit stored response data and the user authentication information in correspondence with the module ID to the server, as carried risseochi risseochi result module,

The research performing server

(f) storing the user information input in (a), (g) receiving and storing the research result module from the user system, and (h) for each research module, based on the user information and the response data. A research performance system using a computer game is provided that is programmed to analyze research results.

In order to achieve the above another object,

A user system capable of executing a game program while communicating with a research execution server,

A context data storage unit corresponding to a module ID capable of recognizing a module and storing context data for receiving a response from a user; A game program storage unit for storing the game program; A user authentication information storage unit for storing user authentication information at the time of user registration in the research performing server; A response data storage unit for receiving response data on the situation data from a user and storing the response data corresponding to the module ID; A transmission unit for transmitting the user authentication information and the response data stored corresponding to the module ID as a research result module to a research performing server; And if the game program is not installed, requesting the research performing server to access the user, and after being connected, receive user information including at least user authentication information and personal information from the user and register the user with the research performing server. And store the user authentication information in the memory of the user system, and when the game program is installed, the user authentication information input by the user is compared with the user authentication information stored in the memory of the user system. If it matches with each other, the game program is executed, and during the execution of the game program outputs the corresponding situation data at the position to be executed, and controls to transmit the research result module to the research performing server through the transmission unit Control A user system is provided for performing research using a computer game comprising.

In order to achieve the above another object,

A computer-readable recording medium mounted on a user system and recording a method for performing research using a game program while communicating with a research performing server,

The game program includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in the game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and context data to be provided to a user,

(a) If the game program is not installed, request the connection to the research performing server, and after being connected, the user receives at least the user information including user authentication information and personal information from the user and receives the information from the user. Performing user registration, and storing the user authentication information in a memory of the user system after performing user registration; (b) if the game program is installed, comparing the user authentication information input by the user with the user authentication information stored in the memory of the user system and executing the game program when the game programs match each other; (c) outputting corresponding situation data at a position where each research module is to be executed during execution of a game program; (d) receiving response data about the situation data from a user and storing the response data in a memory of a user system corresponding to the module ID; And (e) transmitting the response data and the user authentication information stored corresponding to the module ID to the research performing server as a research result module.

In order to achieve the above another object,

A server system for performing research while communicating with a user system capable of executing a game program,

The game program includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in the game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and context data to be provided to a user,

A user DB for storing user information including user authentication information and personal information; A receiving unit for receiving, from the user system, a research result module including user authentication information and response data of a user stored corresponding to the module ID; A research result DB for storing the research result module received by the receiver; And a control unit for analyzing research results based on the user information stored in the user DB and the response data stored in the research result DB for each research module. do.

In order to achieve the above another object,

In a method for performing research using a game program while communicating with a user system,

The game program includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in the game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and context data to be provided to a user,

(a) storing user information including user authentication information and personal information; (b) receiving a research result module from the user system including user authentication information and response data of a user stored corresponding to the module ID; (c) storing the research result module received in step (b); (d) analyzing the research results for each research module based on the user information stored in the step (a) and the response data of the research result module stored in the step (c). A method of performing research using a computer game is provided.

In order to achieve the above another object,

A computer-readable recording medium mounted on a user system and recording a method for performing research using a game program while communicating with a research performing server,

The game is a racing game played by a racing car and includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in a game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and a situation for providing to the user. Contains data,

(a) If the game program is not installed, request the connection to the research performing server, and after being connected, the user receives at least the user information including user authentication information and personal information from the user and receives the information from the user. Performing user registration, and storing the user authentication information in a memory of the user system after performing user registration; (b) if the game program is installed, comparing the user authentication information input by the user with the user authentication information stored in the memory of the user system and executing the game program when the game programs match each other; (c) outputting corresponding situation data at a position at which the research module is to be executed during execution of a game program; (d) receiving response data about the situation data from a user and storing the response data in a memory of a user system corresponding to the module ID; And (e) transmitting the user information registered in the research performing server in step (a) and the response data stored corresponding to the module ID to the research performing server as a research result module. (f) In the case where the user wants to play the racing game more than once after the racing game is finished, it is determined whether there is an item to be supplemented or exchanged in the racing car based on the distance that the racing car has traveled so far. Doing; (g) if it is determined that there is an item to be replenished or exchanged, attempting to connect to the research performing server; (h) when connected to the research performing server, transmitting the user information and response data stored corresponding to the module ID to the research performing server as a research result module; (i) receiving and storing, at the research performing server, a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different context data; And (j) updating the status data of the current research module with the status data of the corresponding new research module stored in step (i), and a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing on the computer. .

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of performing research using a computer game according to the method of the present invention. 3 is a view of the present invention corresponding to FIG. 1.

In FIG. 3, the research performing server 30 continuously provides the user system 20 with new situation data necessary to perform research for a consumer (user). The user system 20 updates the currently stored context data with the corresponding new context data provided from the research performing server 30. Here, the user system 20 means a system which can be executed by mounting a PC, a game system, or other game programs. In FIG. 1, eating, drinking, shopping, etc. are performed by the behavior of consumers in real life, but in FIG. 3, a certain situation is presented to the user using a game program mounted in the user system 20, and a response to the situation is provided. It is done by receiving. And, the response of the consumer (user) is transmitted to the research performing server 30 again. The research performing server 30 analyzes the purchase pattern, the preference, the hierarchy, and the like of the consumer based on the response received from the consumer and provides the research requester 40.

4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an entire process of performing research according to the method of the present invention.

4 includes both the process performed online and the process performed offline.

Referring to FIG. 4, the research performer 50 produces a game 400 and distributes the game to the game user 60 for free or for a fee. Here, the game is stored in the recording medium in the form of a program, and may be any kind of game as long as it can be executed by a computer or a game system. However, the game program should include at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in the game program. The research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and context data displayed to the user to receive a response from the user. Here, the research module is continuously updated by the new research module received from the research performer 50. Detailed description thereof will be described later. Situation data typically consists of scenarios that are suitable for the research performer 50 to accomplish the research objectives requested by the research requester 40.

On the other hand, the research requester 40 requests the research performer 50 to perform the research. 406) It registers as a new research module in the new research DB 34. (408) Here, a new research module is a module for updating the corresponding research module in the game program installed in the user system 20. To this end, the new research module stored in the new research DB 34 is transmitted to the system of the game user 60 under a predetermined transmission situation (to be described later) and stored in the new research module storage unit 22.

The game user 60 installs a game program distributed free or for a fee. (414) The user must be registered at the time of installation (416), and the registered contents (ID, password, personal information, etc.) are performed by the researcher 50. Is transmitted to and stored in the user DB 32. After registering the user, the user starts the game (420), and presents various situations to the user while the game is in progress (422). Here, the situations are continuously received from the new research DB 34 of the researcher 50. Is updated. If a situation is presented during the game, the users will respond (424; if not responding, it is preferable not to proceed with the game), and the response is stored in the response data storage 24 corresponding to the situation. On the other hand, when a transmission situation defined by a program occurs during the game in progress (428), the system of the user 60 transmits the responses along with the user information to the research performer 50, and the new situation data from the research performer 50. And a new research module including the module ID. (430) The system of the user 60 stores the received new research module in the new research module storage unit 412. The research performer 50 stores the received response result in the research result DB 36. If data has been transmitted or received, or if no transmission occurs, the game continues.

The research performer 50 analyzes the research result based on the user's response result data stored in the research result DB 36 and the user information stored in the user DB 32 (436), and then generates a report (438). Provide 40. The research requester 40 receives the research results (440) and utilizes them for future marketing.

5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a process of generating a research result DB for one user.

As described above, the game program installed in the user system in FIG. 5 includes at least one research module by default. When the game program is installed, the game program and the situation data are stored in the user system. The game program is programmed to read and present the situation data to the user when the location of the module preset by the program is stored, and to store the response input by the user in the memory of the user system 20. The user's response is stored in the memory (preferably non-volatile memory) of the user system 20 as response data corresponding to the module ID, and when a certain transmission situation occurs, the user's response is transmitted to the research performing server 30 together with the user information to perform the research result. It is stored in the DB 36. In addition, the module is continuously updated by the new research module transmitted from the new research DB 34 of the research performing server 30. Specifically, the context data of the research module is updated with the context data of the corresponding new research module.

Assuming that the game distributed by the user is a racing game, the module will be described in more detail as follows. The user may be presented with a situation to drink at the rest stop before or during the start of the race. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, four types of beverages, A, B, C, and D, may be presented. In response, the user selects one, and the result is a response. This response is transmitted to the research performing server 30 as a research result module together with the user authentication information (ID, password) and the module ID.

6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a process of collecting a research result module from a plurality of users.

Research results modules may be provided from the systems 20a, 20b, 20c of many users who have registered as members of the research execution server 30. Here, the responses of each user (pepsi cola, coca cola, cola independence 815) may be different for the same situation (for example, a situation in which a beverage should be selected). In FIG. 6, the user 1 is a case where the response A is selected in response to the situation 1 while the system 20a is playing the game. Similarly, user 2 is the case where response B is selected for the same situation 1, and user 3 is the case where response A is selected. Each of the user systems 20a-20c sends each response along with the user information and module ID to the research performing server 30 as a research results module. The research performing server 22 collects the research result module from many users, and then provides statistics to the requesting requester 40 by analyzing statistics analyzed by age, occupation, gender, and country based on the user information. The research requester 40 may predict the beverage consumption tendency of the current and future users based on the analysis result.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of building a user DB by installing a recording medium recording a game program in a user system according to the present invention.

The user inserts a game CD or a medium on which the game has been recorded for free or offline on his system and inputs an installation command (step 702). (Step 704) If the user agrees, the user system 20 attempts to connect to the Internet (step 706) and connects to the research performing server 30 (step 708). In step 30, the user receives personal information from the user and registers as a member (steps 710 and 712). The personal information includes user authentication information composed of the user's ID and password and general individuals such as other ages, occupations, hobbies and interests. Contains information. Such information is stored in the user DB 32 of the research performing server 30. The user system 20 stores the ID and password assigned by the user at the time of membership registration in its own memory (preferably non-volatile memory) (step 714). This is to perform user authentication by the user system 20 by inputting. Installation is performed. (Step 716) When installation is performed, the game program and the situation data are stored in the memory of the user system 20. The stored situation data is read at the location of each module during future game play and displayed on the display of the user system 20.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed operation of a game program for performing research according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, it can be seen that there are a plurality of research modules described above in the game program. Each module has two or more types (situation choices) for getting a response from the user. Module 1 consists of situation 1 (eg, a beverage selection situation) and three responses (choose from three cola). Module 2 consists of situation 2 (eg passenger choice) and two responses (response 1A, response 1B). Module 3 and module 4 have the same structure. In each module, the direction of the future game can be programmed according to the user's response to a given situation. In this case, each research module includes "post process code" which is a code defining a future game progress direction after the response is selected. Referring to FIG. 8, it can be seen that the situation given to the user and the response received from the user are similar to those occurring in real life. In real life, various situations are given, and the life is made by the user making a choice about it. The present invention can perform efficient research by collecting and analyzing a user's response to various situations online through a game.

9A and 9B are flowcharts illustrating an operation of a user system in a research performance system using a computer game according to the present invention.

Operations in FIGS. 9A and 9B will be described under the assumption that the installation process of FIG. 7 has already been performed.

Inputting user authentication information when a user inserts a medium recording a game program for performing the method of the present invention into his system or inputs an execution command of a game program that is already installed and stored in the hard disk drive of the user system. If user authentication information is input from the user, the user's approval is determined by comparing the input authentication information with the user ID and password stored in the user authentication information storage unit 26 (step 904). Step) If both are the same, it is determined that the user approval. This is to ensure the reliability of the research by allowing only the user registered in the research performing server 30 to play the game. The user has already recorded all the user's personal information in the research performing server 30, because if the other user (user information is different) that the user is not authenticated to play the game, you may question the research results to be. Therefore, a user who has not been authenticated must always register a user in the user DB 32 of the research performing server 30, and the user authentication information storage 22 of the user system 30 authenticates the user by the research performing server 30. Information must be recorded before the game can be played.

After the user is authenticated, the game process starts and proceeds with the game (steps 906 and 908). The structure of the game program according to the present invention is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10A, the game program largely includes main process code 100 and data 120 for the overall progression of the game. The main process code is program code that causes the operations shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B to be performed. The data consists of situation data S1 and S2 stored corresponding to the module IDs M1 and M2. Although only two modules are shown here for convenience, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that more modules may be included. The context data S1 and S2 are displayed at positions A11 and A22 of the memory 24 (the context data storage), respectively. The position at which such situation data is displayed is constant for each module. In addition, when new situation data is received from the research performing server 30, it is updated by continuously overwriting the situation data of the immediately preceding module.

It is determined whether the module 1 (module ID; M1) is to be performed while the game program is in progress (step 910). If it is determined that the module 1 is to be executed, the situation data stored at the address A11 of the situation data storage unit 24 is determined. S1 is outputted to a display unit (e.g., a monitor) of the user system 20 (step 912). It is determined whether a response to the situation data 1 is input from the user (step 914). As shown, the response data R1 is stored in the response data storage 26 of the user system 20 in correspondence with the module ID M1 of the module 1 (step 916). The game no longer proceeds until response data is entered. In this case, a message or voice may be output to prompt the user to respond.

FIG. 11A illustrates an example of situation data and response data output to a display device of a user system when the game is a racing game. Hereinafter, for convenience, the module illustrated in FIG. 11A will be referred to as a "vehicle model selection module". In FIG. 11A, when a user selects a model, racing is performed by the selected model. The user can select either type A model or type B model. The Type A model is raised in the trunk of the car and the Type B is lower in the rear trunk of the car. It can be seen that the user "bys7" has selected type B. In the "Vehicle Selection Module", B is the response data. Such research may be performed by the research requestor requesting to determine the preference of the consumer (user) for the rear shape of the vehicle before the vehicle is released.

The game proceeds again (step 918), and it is determined whether module 2 (module ID; M2) is to be performed (step 920). If it is determined that module 2 is to be performed, the situation data storage unit 24 The situation data S2 stored at the address A22 is retrieved and output to the display unit of the user system 20 (step 922). It is determined whether a response to the situation data 2 is input from the user (step 924). The response data R2 is stored in the response data storage 26 in correspondence with the module ID M2 (step 926).

FIG. 11B shows another example of situation data and response data output to the display device of the user system when the game is a racing game. Hereinafter, the module shown in FIG. 11B will be referred to as a "food selection module". Here, the user "bys7" may know that the kimchi stew B is selected as a response to the food selection situation, and "B" is the response data from the "food selection module". This module can be used for research aimed at examining the food consumption tendency of users visiting highway rest areas.

While playing the game again (step 928), it is determined whether the module n (module ID; Mn) is to be performed (step 930). The stored situation data Sn is retrieved and output to the display unit of the user system 20 (step 932). If a response Rn to the situation data n is input from the user, the response data Rn is returned to the response data storage unit 26. Are stored corresponding to the module ID Mn (steps 934 and 936).

The game continues and ends the game (step 938). Here, the end of the game does not end the game and completely exits the program. For example, in the case of a racing game, one race is completed. Therefore, the user can play the racing game again without ending the game program.

The user determines whether to continue the game and checks the energy if the user continues (steps 940 and 942). Here, energy is a kind of power required to continue the game after the game is finished once. Energy is initially given a certain amount and decreases continuously as the game progresses. Taking the racing game as an example, the concept of energy will be described in more detail. In the case of a racing game, the game is played with a racing car, so the basic requirement for the racing is gasoline. Therefore, if the gasoline (energy) is set to go 1000km by default, and you have to drive 300km for one race, you can only go 100km after 3 racing games. In order to put gasoline is to be a situation. Apart from gasoline, things that are consumed while driving a car (engine oil, tires, batteries, etc.) can be regarded as a kind of energy, and they can be checked in the same way so that they can be replenished or exchanged in order to continue the game. Of course, in this case, as shown in Figure 12, the replenishment is much less frequently than gasoline. As will be described later, in the present invention, energy is a concept corresponding to a new research module or a basic research module transmitted from the research performing server 30 to the user system 20. In this case, a method of reducing energy according to the mileage and increasing the energy by gasoline injection may use a general algorithm widely used in a conventional computer game. If it is determined in step 940 that the game does not continue, the process is terminated by completely exiting the game program.

If it is determined that the energy check is sufficient (step 944), the game process is processed again from the beginning (step 906). Here, it is preferable to determine whether there is enough energy to perform at least one game. Do. Otherwise, if there is a little energy remaining, the game may need to be recharged in the middle of the game, and the user may lose interest in the game.

If it is determined that there is not enough energy (i.e. if there is no energy available for at least one racing event), the user is asked to recharge the energy using a screen or a message (step 946). If the user agrees, the server attempts to connect to the research execution server (steps 948 and 950). If the user does not agree, the game is terminated. Of course, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the request for consent may be added once again in addition to the termination, and the game may be terminated if the consent is not agreed after a certain time. The energy charging process when the game is a racing game and the energy to be charged is gasoline is shown in Fig. 13A. 13A and 13B are screens displayed on the display device of the user system 20 in response to steps 946 to 950.

The research result module is transmitted to the research execution server 30 (step 952). The research result module stores user authentication information (ID and password) stored in the user authentication information storage unit 22 as shown in FIG. The data storage unit 24 refers to the sum of the response data R1, R2, ..., Rn stored corresponding to the module IDs M1, M2, ..., Mn. The research result module illustrated in FIG. 13B may be transmitted to the research performing server 30 in the form of packet data. Although not shown, the research result module may also transmit information (hereinafter, referred to as energy ID information) to inform the research performing server 30 of what energy should be charged.

After transmitting the research result module, the data is output from the research performing server 30 to select energy items (hereinafter, referred to as energy situation data). (Step 952) It is determined that the user inputs a response. In operation 956, the response is stored in the research result DB 36 provided in the research performing server 30. The third and fourth pictures of FIG. 13A are screens displayed on the display device of the user system 20 in correspondence with steps 954 and 956. In particular, the third figure of FIG. 13A represents energy situation data. In addition, the fourth figure of FIG. 13A shows that the user "bys7" is actually fueled when the SK company's gasoline A is selected as the response data for the energy situation data. In addition, while being lubricated in FIG. 13A, a new research module or a basic research module to be described later is received. This is to present the situation to the user and get a response when charging the energy, so that the whole process of the game is as close as possible to real life. Also, it is to perform basic research even in online state (user system and research execution server connected). In addition, the response to the energy situation data is also recorded in the research performing server 30, so that the other situation data may be presented the next time the user connects. This can be easily done by recording the energy ID transmitted in the research result module in the user system 20 and a record of what energy situation data was previously provided to the user in the research performing server 30.

The new research module or basic research module (energy) is received from the research performing server 30 and stored in the new research module storage unit 28 (step 960). FIG. 14B illustrates the structure of the new research module. When the new research module is transmitted in the form of a packet from the research performing server 30, an address for specifying a destination of the user system such as an IP address of the user system may be included and transmitted. Since this corresponds to general information used in server-client communication, the illustration is omitted. In FIG. 14B, the new research modules M1-1 and M2-1 correspond to the modules M1 and M2, respectively. That is, the module to update the modules M1 and M2 of the current user system 20. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B.

FIG. 15A is a passenger selection module, and is a module to update the vehicle model selection module shown in FIG. 11A. The passenger selection module shown in FIG. 15A is a module presented to the user at the same position as the vehicle model selection module (exactly the situation data of the vehicle model selection module) shown in FIG. 11A when the user plays a racing game in the future. When the user selects a person to ride, the racing proceeds with the selected person in the vehicle. Particularly, the passenger selection module of FIG. 15A is to select a passenger from among a bush and a gore, and it can be seen that the user bys7 selects the bush A. FIG. In this case, the response data in the passenger selection module is A, and the response data A will be stored in the response data storage 26 corresponding to the module ID M1-1. This module can be performed when a research requestor has asked for research to find out which candidates could be elected to what extent of votes before the US presidential election.

FIG. 15B is a beverage selection module which updates the food selection module shown in FIG. 11B. The beverage selection module shown in FIG. 15B is a module presented to the user at the same position as the food selection module (exactly the status data of the food selection module) shown in FIG. 11B when the user plays a racing game in the future. In FIG. 15B, it can be seen that the user "bys7" has selected Coca-Cola. In this case, "A" is the response data in the beverage selection module, and the response data A will be stored in the response data storage 26 corresponding to the module ID M2-1. This module could be used for research aimed at investigating which consumers prefer beverages (cola here).

Meanwhile, although only one new research module is shown in FIG. 14B, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that two or more new research modules may be transmitted to the user system 20. However, whether to send one new research module or two or more modules may be determined according to the amount of new research modules held in the research performing server 30 and whether the user who will receive the modules is a target desired by the research requestor 40. Can be. In addition, in step 960, the basic research module refers to a module which is arbitrarily produced by the research performing server 30 and transmitted to the user system 20 when there is no new research module corresponding to a target desired by the research requester.

It is determined whether all of the new research modules have been received (step 962). This is because when the research performing server 30 sends the new research module in the form of packet data, it transmits a "transmission start signal" and a "transmission completion signal" (in general communication Can be easily determined. This is shown in the fifth figure of FIG. 13A. If not received, repeat step 960 to perform.

When all the new research modules are received, the energy charging completion signal is transmitted to the research performing server 30 (step 964).

The context data stored in the current context data storage 24 is updated with the context data of the corresponding new research module (step 966). Specifically, this is related to M1 such as M1, M1-1, ... Since the module always has a position "A11" in the situation data storage unit 24, the new situation data may be overwritten in the position.

The display device of the current user system 20 displays an indication that the energy has been charged (step 968). This is to inform the user that the reception of the new data module from the research performing server 30 is completed. In the meantime, when the energy charge display is performed, the user system 20 may be displayed so that the user may know whether the new research module is proportional to the energy. This can be easily implemented using algorithms widely used in existing computer games.

On the other hand, the amount of energy is preferably to be determined in proportion to the size of the new research module transmitted from the research performing server 30 or the unit price of the research requested by the research requester 40. For example, if the size of the new research module is 3M (mega) bytes, the amount of energy can be set to 300 liters. If the research unit price is relatively high, the same 3M bytes can be more than doubled. . And, the mileage can be determined, for example, "10 km / l liter". In any case, the amount of this energy is already determined in the research performing server 30 and transmitted to the user system 20. The process of updating the existing research module in the user system is illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B.

16A shows a data structure of a game program installed in the current user system 20. 16B shows a data structure of a game program including updated research modules. Referring to FIG. 16B, new research modules (new research module) received from the research performing server 30 by a module (research module 1-research module n) set in the current game program under the control of the game process (FIGS. 9A and 9B). It can be seen that 1-new research module n) is updated.

17 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a process of continuously updating modules of a game program for each module.

Referring to FIG. 17, Module 1 (M1) and Module 2 (M2) are respectively a vehicle model selection module and a passenger selection module, which are set in the current game program or are set by default at the time of game program production. The food selection module M1-1 and the beverage selection module M2-1 correspond to new research modules for replacing the module M1 and the module M2, respectively. The record selection module M1-2 and the shopping mall selection module M2-2 correspond to new research modules for replacing the modules M1-1 and M2-1, respectively. Modules M1, M1-1, M1-2, ... (exactly the context data of each module) are located at a certain position A11 of the context data storage 24 of the user system 20. Similarly, modules M2, M2-1, M2-2, ... (exactly the context data of each module) are also located at a constant position A22 of the context data storage 24 of the user system 20. These new research modules are continuously sent to the user system 20 to update the currently set research module. By doing so, you can use the same game program and perform research that meets the needs of many research requesters.

18 is a diagram showing the overall progress of the game when the game is a racing game.

Referring to Fig. 18, situation 1 is provided to the user at the position of module 1, situation 2 is provided at the position of module 2, and situation 3, ..., at the position of module 3, ..., n is continued. n is provided to the user. In response to the user's response, the user's response is stored in the response data storage 26 of the user system 20 and transmitted to the research performing server 30 when a certain transmission situation occurs. As described above, the location of each module is fixed, but only its contents are continuously updated by the new research module transmitted from the research performing server 30.

19 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a research execution server in a research execution system using a computer game according to the present invention.

The user DB 32 is established by performing user registration. (Step 1600) This is performed by the research performing server 30 in correspondence with steps 710 and 712 of FIG. 7 described above.

The new research module is registered in the new research DB 34 (step 1602). The new research module refers to a module for updating a research module currently set in a game program installed in a user system. The contents of the new research module are generally made to suit the research requested by the research requester 20 as shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B and 15A, 15B.

20 shows an example of a new research DB configuration. The new research DB 34 is largely comprised of a user target that a research requestor wants to research, a new research module (module ID, status data), the size of the new research module, and a request order of the research requestor. Currently, No. 1 in the referral ranking is a new research module related to a food selection module whose purpose is to investigate the food consumption tendency of workers in their 20s. The size of this information is 3M bytes and the amount of energy sent to the user system 20 is 300 liters. The second place in the referral order is to investigate the preference of drinking water among teenage students, and the size of the information is 5 megabytes (500 liters of energy equivalent). In the case of the third-ranked client, the 40-year-old housewife surveyed the propensity to consume music. The size was 4 megabytes (800 liters of energy equivalent). Normally, the size of the new research module and the amount of converted energy are proportional (see 1st and 2nd order positions), but when the research unit price is high, as shown in the 3rd and 4th rank selection and food selection modules, Even if the size of information is small, the converted energy amount may be large. For example, the No. 1 and No. 4 referrals survey the consumer's propensity to consume food, but it can be seen that the amount of energy converted may vary depending on the target. On the other hand, the request order is the basis for determining the transmission order to the user system 20 when there are several identical modules. That is, the new research module having a high order of priority is transmitted to the user system 20 in order.

It is determined whether there is a connection request from the user system 20 (step 1604). This corresponds to step 950 of FIG. 9A, and occurs when a new research module is transmitted to the user system 20. The determination of the connection request may be made based on a normal server-client module communication method. If there is no connection request, the flowchart ends.

If it is determined that there is a connection request from the user system 20, the research result module is received from the user system 20 and stored in the research result DB 36. (Step 1606) The research result DB for module 1 is shown in FIG. One example of the structure is shown. Referring to FIG. 21, in response to the status data of Module 1, it can be seen that the user with ID "bys7" selected B, and the users with ID "choijb" and "Ketty" all selected A. It can be seen.

The ID of the module stored in the new research DB 34 is compared with the ID of the research result module received and stored in step 1606 (step 1608), and it is determined whether a new module exists (step 1610). The following description will be made with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21. There are two new modules (two M1-1) following the module 1 received in FIG. 21 and stored in the research result DB 36 in the new research DB 34 shown in FIG. In this case, it is determined that a new module exists.

If it is determined that the new module does not exist, the research requester 40 transmits the basic research module registered to the research performing server 20 regardless of the request. (Step 1612) Of course, the size ( Converted energy amount) is determined.

In the case where a new module exists, the research requester 40 determines whether a desired target exists. (Step 1614) Referring to the case of the user "bys7", this step will be described in more detail as follows. Referring to FIG. 22, it can be seen that the user "bys7" is an office worker in his 30s. Again, referring to FIG. 20, there are two new modules corresponding to the current module 1 (M1) (first order and fourth order), but only the food selection module M1-1 having the fourth rank is requested by the research requester. It is determined by the desired target. If there is no target, the basic research module is transmitted (step 1612).

If it is determined that the target exists, a new research module corresponding to the target is retrieved from the new research DB 34 and transmitted to the user system 20 (step 1616). The data structure of the new research module is already shown in FIG. 14B. As explained. The food selection modules M1-1 and S1-1 corresponding to the target described above are transmitted. Here, before transmitting the module to the user system 20, the size of the module to be transmitted, the time taken for transmission, and the converted energy amount may be informed so that the user can know.

It is determined whether the charging completion signal has been received from the user system 20 (step 1618). This step corresponds to step 964 of FIG. 9B, which indicates that the user system 20 has received all of the new research modules. Is received from the user system 20. If it is determined that the charging completion signal has not been received, transmission of the new research module is continued to the user system 20, and when the charging completion signal is received, the transmission of the new research module is terminated (step 1620).

Meanwhile, the research results are analyzed based on the user DB 32 and the research results DB 36. The user DB 32 basically includes user authentication information (ID and password). In addition, the user DB 32 includes age, occupation, country, and the like. A detailed method of analyzing the research results will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, it can be seen that the user bys7 (30s office workers, Koreans) selected B as a response to Module 1. And ketty (a housewife in the twenties, an American) knows that she chose answer A. By gathering the responses of all users for each module and classifying the data by a general statistical processing program, the research results can be analyzed. Here, the statistical processing program is a program for classifying the respective data for each item and obtaining a distribution, which can be easily understood and implemented by those skilled in the research field (programs commonly used in statistical processing and analysis). Therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

23A to 23C illustrate an example of analyzing research results.

23A is a diagram illustrating responses classified by user's nationality. By using a communication network such as the Internet, research can be performed by using the method of the present invention for gamers around the world. Referring to FIG. 23A, it can be seen that a large number of users answered B in Korea and Japan, and a relatively large number of users answered A in the US. If the content of the module is to select beverages, such research will help you identify the consumption preferences and preferences of beverages in each country.

FIG. 23B is a diagram illustrating age preferences of users of each country.

The first diagram of FIG. 23B is a user's age preference for Korea, and it can be seen that the preferences of teenagers and 20s are prominent for response A, and the preferences of 30s or more are prominent for response B. The second and third drawings of FIG. 23B are for the US and Japan, respectively, and can be easily identified by age preference.

FIG. 23C is a diagram illustrating response characteristics of a user (Korea) by occupation.

Referring to FIG. 23C, it is possible to easily know the occupation preference of each user for the schedule module. In particular, in Figure 23c it can be seen that office workers and civil servants prefer B.

23A to 23C are merely examples of analysis, and the analysis may be performed by various other categories using the user DB 32, the research result DB 36, and a known statistical processing program.

The analyzed research results are prepared as a report (computer file, hard copy, etc.) (step 1626) and provided to the research requester. In the case of a computer file, it may be provided to a research requestor in the form of a single DB, and a hard copy may be provided as a document created based on the research results.

According to the above research report, the research requester can concentrate on marketing for a specific occupation, age group or country. From Korea's point of view, the results of research analysis on US and Japanese users help to establish export marketing strategies, and in Korea, they can be used for domestic marketing strategies.

24 is a diagram showing the configuration of a user system in a research performance system using a computer game according to the present invention.

The user system 20 will generally be a personal computer capable of executing a game program, but may also be a game device such as a play station or an X-box.

The control unit 220 may include a main memory (RAM) for storing the main process code of the game program for performing the method of the present invention and a microprocessor operated by the main process, and controls the operation of the entire system. Done. In this case, the microprocessor may be a general-purpose one and may execute a game program.

The input unit 210 may be configured as a conventional input device, converts a user's input into a digital signal that can be understood by a computer, and transmits the input signal to the controller 220. The input unit 210 may be a keyboard, a mouse, or a pen input device in the case of a computer, and may be a button or a joystick in a game device.

The display unit 200 functions to display the contents of the game program to the user under the control of the control unit 220, and may be implemented as a conventional CRT monitor or flat panel display (LCD).

The transmitting unit 230 transmits user information or information necessary for performing the method of the research result module and other research performing server 30 to the research performing server 30 through the communication network 25. The transmitter 230 may be implemented as a general transmitter. In addition to the transmission function, the transmitter 230 may further perform a function of requesting connection to the research performing server 30 through the communication network 25.

The receiver 240 functions to receive information necessary for performing the method of the present invention from the new research module and the other user system 20 from the research performing server 30. The receiver 240 may be implemented as a general receiver.

The memory unit 250 includes a user authentication information storage unit 22, a situation data storage unit 24, a response data storage unit 24, and a new research module storage unit 22. The memory unit 250 may be implemented as a nonvolatile memory device such as a hard disk. In addition, each storage unit 22-24 of the memory unit 250 may be implemented as one memory device or may be implemented in a separate form. In addition, the main process code for executing the game program of the invention can be stored.

The user authentication information storage section 22 stores user authentication information (ID, password) stored at the time of installation of the game program by the user. The situation data storage unit 24 stores the situation data included in the game program. In addition, the situation data storage unit 24 overwrites and stores new situation data included in the new research module transmitted from the research performing server 30. The response data storage 26 stores the result of the user's response to the situation presented to the user while the game is in progress. The new research module storage unit 28 stores the new research module (module ID, status data) received from the research performing server 30 through the communication network 25.

The recording medium execution drive 260 has a function of mounting the game program to execute the game program in conjunction with the control unit 220. The recording medium execution drive may be a CD ROM drive, a DVD ROM drive, a hard disk drive (HDD), or the like.

Now, the overall operation of the user system shown in FIG. 24 will be described.

First, when a user obtains a game program according to the present invention and inserts it into the recording medium execution drive 260 and then inputs an installation command through the input unit 210, the user performs the research through the transmission unit 230 before performing the installation. An attempt is made to connect to the server 30. When the user registers by inputting user information after connecting to the research performing server 30, the user authentication information is stored in the user authentication information storage unit 22, and the game program is installed. As the game progresses, situation data corresponding to the corresponding module stored in the situation data storage unit 24 is presented to the user, and when the user responds, the result is stored in the response data storage unit 26. If the controller 220 determines that a situation in which energy is insufficient to continue the game after the game program is executed at least once and terminates has occurred, the controller 220 attempts to connect to the research performing server 30 through the transmitter 230. do. When the connection is established, the response data (stored corresponding to the module ID) and the user authentication information stored in the response data storage unit 26 are transmitted to the research performing server 30 through the communication network 25 as the research result module. Then, the new research module is received from the research performing server 30 through the receiver 240 and stored in the new research module storage unit 28. The controller 220 updates the currently set context data with the context data of the corresponding new research module. After that, the process is repeated. All of these operations are performed by the controller 220 executing a program recorded in the game program.

25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a research execution server in a research execution system using a computer game according to the present invention.

The research performing server 30 may be implemented as a server computer installed on the research performer side.

The controller 330 may be implemented as a main memory (RAM) including a program for performing the operation of FIG. 16 and a microprocessor for a server operated by a program stored in the main memory. The controller 330 also controls the overall functions of the research performing server 30. Here, a general purpose may also be used for the server microprocessor.

The transmitting unit 310 functions to transmit information necessary for performing the method of the present invention in the new research module and the other user system 20 to the user system 20 through the communication network 25. The transmitter 310 may be implemented by a general transmitter.

Receiving unit 320 is a research result module (user authentication information, response data corresponding to the module ID) and other information required to perform the method of the present invention in the research performing server 30 through the user network 20 ) To receive from. The receiver 320 may be implemented as a general receiver.

The configuration of the user DB 32 has already been described with reference to FIG. 22.

Game DB 1 340 includes a new research DB 34, a research results DB 36, and a basic research DB 38. The new research DB 34 may be implemented as a nonvolatile memory device such as a hard disk. In addition, each DB 34-38 included in the new research DB 34 may be implemented as a single DB or may be implemented as a separate DB. The research result DB 36 stores the research result module (user authentication information, response data corresponding to the module ID) received from the user system 20 through the transmission unit 310 while the game is in progress. The new research DB 34 stores a new research module (situation data corresponding to the module ID) to be transmitted to the user system 20 through the communication network 25. The configuration of the game DB 2 360 is basically the same as that of the game DB 1 340.

Now, the overall operation of the research performing server illustrated in FIG. 25 will be described.

First, a new research module composed of situation data suitable for research requested by a research requester is stored in a new research DB 34. In addition, the basic research module, which is not related to the request of the research requestor but is suitable for performing the research method of the present invention arbitrarily, is stored in the basic research DB 38.

The user information is received from the user system 20 and stored in the user DB 32. After receiving the energy charging request from the user system 20, the research result module is received and stored in the research result DB 36. The new requesting module corresponding to the target requested by the research requester 40 is transmitted to the user system 20 through the transmitter 310. Based on the research result DB 38 and the user DB 32, analysis of the research result is performed by a conventional statistical processing program. The analyzed results are provided to the research requestor in the form of a computer-readable file.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating another example of a research execution server configuration in a research execution system using a computer game according to the present invention.

The system shown in Fig. 25 corresponds to a user obtaining a game program offline or paid for free and installing it in the user system. However, the system shown in FIG. 26 corresponds to the case of downloading a game program to the user system 20 via a communication network. To this end, the research performing server 30 further includes a game program storage unit 370 and a download unit 380. The game program storage unit 370 stores the game program performing the method of the present invention, preferably in a compressed form. The download unit 380 functions to download the game program to the user system 20. The downloader 380 may be integrated into the transmitter 310 and implemented. The downloading method is performed by downloading a game program when a user connects to the research performing server 30 through the Internet and requests a download.

Through the above process, the research may be performed on game users of various layers using the game, and analyzed and provided to the research requester.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and of course, modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the situation data of the game program may not be updated, and only one user response data may be received from the user system to perform research. Even in this case, the data structure of the game program is as shown in FIG. 10A. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 27, the game may be divided into levels, and a research module may be provided to correspond to each main process code. In addition, the user authentication information does not necessarily need to be registered in the research performing server at the time of installation, and the user may be registered in the research performing server in a known manner. In addition, although the present invention has been described using a racing game as an example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be performed using various games such as a princess maker game.

Therefore, the scope of the claims in the present invention will not be defined within the scope of the detailed description, but will be limited to the claims below.

According to the present invention, by performing a research using a game has the following effects.

First, it is possible to perform efficient research while the cost is much lower than the conventional research methods by telephone and visit.

Second, since the research is performed while using the game, the questionnaire can take the survey much more fun than the conventional survey method, and as a result, the research can be guaranteed reliable.

Third, the whole process of the game is done in a way that is similar to what is happening in real life, so that structured research can be performed.

Fourth, the game of the present invention can be distributed to a large number of users in the form of a CD can always secure a wider sample hundreds of times more than the number of existing research samples.

As a result, by increasing the reliability and convenience of research, it can be utilized for various research needs in various research fields.

Claims (41)

A user system for executing a game program including at least one research module for performing research while interfacing with a user; And A research performing server for receiving and analyzing a user's response to a research module in the user system, The research module is performed at a predetermined position in the game program, and includes module ID information for recognizing the module and situation data for receiving a response from a user. The user system (a) storing the game program, user information associated with a user of the user system, and the research module, (b) outputting context data corresponding to the at least one research module during the execution of a game program; (c) receiving response data about the situation data from a user and storing the response data corresponding to the module ID; (d) program the user information stored in (a) and the response data stored corresponding to the module ID in (c) to the research performing server as a research result module, The research performing server (e) receive and store a research results module from the user system, (f) a research game system using a computer game, wherein each research module is programmed to analyze a research result based on the user information and the response data of the research result module. The method of claim 1, The research performing server Program a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different status data to the user system, The user system And receive the new research module and program to update the context data of the current research module with the context data of the corresponding new research module. The method of claim 1, The user system At the end of each game program, it is checked whether there is enough energy to execute the game program once more, and if it is determined that it is not sufficient, the research execution server is connected to transmit the research result module stored in the memory of the current user system. Receive a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module from the research performing server but different from the context data, and update the context data of the current research module with the context data of the corresponding new research module; , The research performing server And store the research result module transmitted from the user system, and transmit a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different context data to the user system. A user system capable of executing a game program while communicating with a research execution server, A context data storage unit corresponding to a module ID capable of recognizing a module and storing context data for receiving a response from a user; A game program storage unit for storing the game program; A response data storage unit for receiving response data on the situation data from a user and storing the response data corresponding to the module ID; A transmission unit for transmitting user information related to a user of the user system and response data stored corresponding to the module ID to a research performing server as a research result module; And Executing a game program stored in the game program storage unit, outputting corresponding situation data at a position at which the research module is to be executed during execution of the game program, and controlling the research result module to be transmitted to a research performing server through a transmitter; A user system for performing research using a computer game, comprising a control unit. The method of claim 4, wherein A receiving unit for receiving a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different status data from the research performing server; And Further comprising a new research module storage unit for storing the new research module received by the receiving unit, The control unit, And update the situation data of the current research module to the received state data of the corresponding new research module. The method of claim 4, wherein The control unit At the end of each game program, it is checked whether there is enough energy to perform the game program one more time, and if it is determined that it is not enough, the user attempts to connect to the research performing server, and after the user program and the response are received. And transmit data to the research performing server as a research result module. The method of claim 6, A receiving unit for receiving a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different status data from the research performing server; And Further comprising a new research module storage unit for storing the new research module received by the receiving unit, The control unit, And update the situation data of the current research module to the received state data of the corresponding new research module. A computer-readable recording medium mounted on a user system and recording a method of executing a game program while communicating with a research server, The game program includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in the game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and context data to be provided to a user, (a) outputting corresponding situation data at a position at which the research module is to be executed during execution of a game program; (b) receiving response data about the situation data from a user and storing the response data in a memory of a user system corresponding to the module ID; And (c) a computer-readable program having recorded thereon a program for executing on the computer the user information relating to the user of the user system and the response data stored corresponding to the module ID to the research performing server as a research result module. Record carrier The method of claim 8, (d) receiving a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different context data from the research performing server; And (e) updating the status data of the current research module with the received status data of the corresponding new research module. The method of claim 8, (f) checking whether there is enough energy to perform the game program one more time at the end of each game program; (g) if it is determined that the energy is not sufficient as a result of the check in the step (f), attempting to access the research performing server; And (h) after connecting to the research performing server, transmitting the user information and the response data as a research result module to the research performing server. The method of claim 10, (i) receiving a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different context data from the research performing server; And (j) updating the status data of the current research module with the received status data of the corresponding new research module. A server system for performing research while communicating with a user system capable of executing a game program, The game program includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in the game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and situation data for providing to a user. A receiving unit for receiving a research result module from the user system, the research result module including user information related to a user of the user system and response data of a user stored corresponding to the module ID; A research result DB for storing the research result module received by the receiver; And And a control unit for analyzing the research result based on the user information and the response data stored in the research result DB for each research module. The method of claim 12, A new research DB for storing a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different status data; And Further comprising a transmission unit for transmitting the new research module to the user system, The control unit controls to transmit the new research module stored in the new research DB to the user system through the transmission unit when there is a request for transmission of the new research module from the user system. Server system. The method of claim 13, The new research DB Saves the new research module corresponding to the target requested by the research sponsor, The control unit Extracting a new research module related to a target requested by the research client from the new research DB based on the user information requesting the new research module, and controlling to transmit the extracted new research module to a user system through the transmitter; A server system for performing research using a computer game. The method of claim 12, A game program storage unit for storing the game program; And Further comprising a download unit for downloading the game program to the user system, The controller performs a research using a computer game, in response to the game program download request from the user system, transmitting the game program stored in the game program storage unit to the user system through the download unit. Server system. In a method for performing research using a game program while communicating with a user system, The game program includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in the game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and context data to be provided to a user, (a) receiving from the user system a research result module comprising user information associated with a user of the user system and response data of the user stored corresponding to the module ID; (b) storing the research result module received in step (a); and (c) analyzing the results of the research based on the user information and the response data for each research module. The method of claim 16, (d) storing a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different situation data; (e) receiving a connection request from the user system; (f) receiving and storing a research result module including response data stored corresponding to user information and a module ID from the user system; And and (g) transmitting the new research module stored in the step (d) to the user system. The method of claim 17, (h) receiving a connection request from the user system; (i) receiving and storing a research result module including energy item information requiring charging from the user system, user information associated with a user of the user system, and response data stored corresponding to the module ID; (j) providing, to the user system, energy selection situation data requiring a user's response based on the energy item information; (k) receiving response data corresponding to the energy selection situation data in step (j) from a user, and storing user information and response data corresponding to the energy item information as a research result module; And (l) transmitting a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module stored in step (i) but having different context data to the user system, using a computer game in a server system. How to do research. The method of claim 17, Step (e) stores a new research module for each target desired by the research requester, (m) determining whether a module related to the target exists in the new research module of step (e) based on the user information of the research result module; And and (n) if it is determined that there is a new research module related to the target, transmitting the new research module related to the target to a user system. How to do it. The method of claim 19, If it is determined in step (n) that the module related to the target does not exist, the method further comprises the step of transmitting a basic research module manufactured irrelevant to the target to the user system using a computer game in a server system. How to do research. The method of claim 16, Step (c) is A method of performing research using a computer game in a server system, characterized in that the analysis is performed on at least one of a user's gender, age, occupation, and nationality based on user information. A computer-readable recording medium mounted on a user system and recording a method for performing research using a game program while communicating with a research performing server, The game is a racing game played by a racing car and includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in a game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and a situation for providing to the user. Contains data, (a) outputting corresponding situation data at a position at which the research module is to be executed during execution of a game program; (b) receiving response data about the situation data from a user and storing the response data in a memory of a user system corresponding to the module ID; And (c) transmitting user information related to a user of the user system and response data stored corresponding to the module ID to a research performing server as a research result module; (d) If the user wants to play the racing game more than once after the racing game is finished, it is determined whether there is an item to be replenished or exchanged in the racing car based on the distance that the racing car has traveled so far. Doing; (e) if it is determined that there is an item to be replenished or exchanged, attempting to connect to the research performing server; (f) when connected to the research performing server, transmitting user information associated with a user of the user system and response data stored corresponding to a module ID to the research performing server as a research result module; (g) receiving and storing, at the research performing server, a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different context data; And (h) A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to update the status data of a current research module with the status data of a corresponding new research module stored in step (g). A user system for executing a game program including at least one research module for performing research while interfacing with a user; And A research performing server for receiving and analyzing a user's response to a research module in the user system, The research module is performed at a predetermined position in the game program, and includes module ID information for recognizing the module and situation data for receiving a response from a user. The user system (a) If the game program is not installed, request the connection to the research performing server, and after being connected, the user receives at least the user information including user authentication information and personal information from the user and receives the information from the user. Perform user registration, store user authentication information in a memory of the user system after user registration is performed, (b) when the game program is installed, compares the user authentication information input by the user with the user authentication information stored in the memory of the user system and executes the game program when the two match. (c) outputting the corresponding situation data at the position at which the respective research module is to be executed during the execution of the game program; (d) receiving response data about the situation data from the user and storing the response data in the memory of the user system corresponding to the module ID; (e) programmed to transmit the response data and the user authentication information stored corresponding to the module ID as a research result module to a research performing server; The research performing server (f) storing the user information entered in (a) above, (g) receive and store the research results module from the user system, (h) a research game system using a computer game, wherein each research module is programmed to analyze research results based on the user information and the response data. A user system capable of executing a game program while communicating with a research execution server, A situation data storage unit corresponding to a module ID capable of recognizing a module and storing situation data for receiving a response from a user; A game program storage unit for storing the game program; A user authentication information storage unit for storing user authentication information at the time of user registration in the research performing server; A response data storage unit for receiving response data on the situation data from a user and storing the response data corresponding to the module ID; A transmission unit for transmitting the user authentication information and the response data stored corresponding to the module ID as a research result module to a research performing server; And If the game program is not installed, a request is made to the research performing server, and after being connected, the user receives user information including at least user authentication information and personal information from the user and registers the user with the research performing server. And store the user authentication information in the memory of the user system, and when the game program is installed, the user authentication information input by the user and the user authentication information stored in the memory of the user system are compared with each other. A control unit which causes the game program to be executed when it matches, outputs the corresponding situation data at a position at which the research module is to be executed during execution of the game program, and transmits the research result module to a research performing server through a transmitter; To User system for performing risseochi using a computer game wherein you must. The method of claim 24, A receiving unit for receiving, from the research performing server, a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different status data; And Further comprising a new research module storage unit for storing the new research module received by the receiving unit, And the controller controls to update the context data of the current research module with the context data of the corresponding new research module stored in the new research module storage unit. The method of claim 24, The control unit At the end of each game program, it is checked whether there is enough energy to perform the game program one more time, and if it is determined that it is not enough, the user attempts to connect to the research performing server, and after the user program and the response And transmit data as a research result module to the research performing server. The method of claim 26, A receiving unit for receiving, from the research performing server, a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different status data; And Further comprising a new research module storage unit for storing the new research module received by the receiving unit, And the controller controls to update the context data of the current research module with the context data of the corresponding new research module stored in the new research module storage unit. A computer-readable recording medium mounted on a user system and recording a method for performing research using a game program while communicating with a research performing server, The game program includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in the game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and context data to be provided to a user, (a) If the game program is not installed, request the connection to the research performing server, and after being connected, the user receives at least the user information including user authentication information and personal information from the user and receives the information from the user. Performing user registration, and storing the user authentication information in a memory of the user system after performing user registration; (b) if the game program is installed, comparing the user authentication information input by the user with the user authentication information stored in the memory of the user system and executing the game program when the game programs match each other; (c) outputting corresponding situation data at a position where each research module is to be executed during execution of a game program; (d) receiving response data about the situation data from a user and storing the response data in a memory of a user system corresponding to the module ID; And (e) a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to transmit the response data stored in correspondence with the module ID and the user authentication information as a research result module to a research performing server. The method of claim 28, (f) receiving a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different context data from the research performing server; And (g) updating the status data of the current research module with the status data of the corresponding new research module. The method of claim 28, (h) checking whether there is sufficient energy to perform the game program one more time at the end of each game program; (i) attempting to access the research performing server when it is determined in step (h) that the energy is not sufficient; And (j) after being connected to the research performing server, transmitting the user information and the response data as a research result module to the research performing server. The method of claim 30, (k) receiving a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different context data from the research performing server; And (l) updating the status data of the current research module with the received status data of the corresponding new research module. A server system for performing research while communicating with a user system capable of executing a game program, The game program includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in the game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and context data to be provided to a user, A user DB for storing user information including user authentication information and personal information; A receiving unit for receiving, from the user system, a research result module including user authentication information and response data of a user stored corresponding to the module ID; A research result DB for storing the research result module received by the receiver; And And a control unit for analyzing the research results based on the user information stored in the user DB and the response data stored in the research result DB for each research module. 33. The method of claim 32, A new research DB for storing a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different status data; And Further comprising a transmission unit for transmitting the new research module to the user system, The control unit controls to transmit the new research module stored in the new research DB to the user system through the transmission unit when there is a request for transmission of the new research module from the user system. Server system. The method of claim 33, wherein The new research DB Saves the new research module corresponding to the target requested by the research sponsor, The control unit Extracting a new research module related to a target requested by the research client from the new research DB based on the user information requesting the new research module, and controlling to transmit the extracted new research module to a user system through the transmitter; A server system for performing research using a computer game. 33. The method of claim 32, A game program storage unit for storing the game program; And Further comprising a download unit for downloading the game program to the user system, The controller performs a research using a computer game, in response to the game program download request from the user system, transmitting the game program stored in the game program storage unit to the user system through the download unit. Server system. In a method for performing research using a game program while communicating with a user system, The game program includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in the game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and context data to be provided to a user, (a) storing user information including user authentication information and personal information; (b) receiving a research result module from the user system including user authentication information and response data of a user stored corresponding to the module ID; (c) storing the research result module received in step (b); (d) analyzing the research results for each research module based on the user information stored in the step (a) and the response data of the research result module stored in the step (c). How to conduct research using computer games. The method of claim 36, (e) storing a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different situation data; (f) receiving a connection request from the user system; (g) receiving and storing a research result module including response data stored corresponding to user information and a module ID from the user system; And (h) transmitting the new research module to the user system. The method of claim 37, (i) receiving a connection request from the user system; (j) receiving and storing a research result module including energy item information requiring charging from the user system, user information associated with a user of the user system, and response data stored corresponding to the module ID; (k) providing situation data for energy selection requiring a user's response to the user system based on the energy item information; (l) receiving response data about the situation data in step (k) from a user, and storing the response data corresponding to the user information and the energy item information as a research result module; And (m) transmitting a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module stored in step (j) but different from the context data to the user system, using the computer game in the server system. How to do research. The method of claim 37, Step (e) stores a new research module for each target desired by the research requester, (o) determining whether a module related to the target exists in the new research module of step (e) based on the user information of the research result module; And and (p) if it is determined that there is a new research module related to the target, transmitting the new research module related to the target to a user system. How to do it. The method of claim 36, Step (d) A method of performing research using a computer game in a server system, characterized in that the analysis is performed on at least one of a user's gender, age, occupation, and nationality based on user information. A computer-readable recording medium mounted on a user system and recording a method for performing research using a game program while communicating with a research performing server, The game is a racing game played by a racing car and includes at least one research module executed at a predetermined position in a game program, wherein the research module includes a module ID for identifying the module and a situation for providing to the user. Contains data, (a) If the game program is not installed, request the connection to the research performing server, and after being connected, the user receives at least the user information including user authentication information and personal information from the user and receives the information from the user. Performing user registration, and storing the user authentication information in a memory of the user system after performing user registration; (b) if the game program is installed, comparing the user authentication information input by the user with the user authentication information stored in the memory of the user system and executing the game program when the game programs match each other; (c) outputting corresponding situation data at a position at which the research module is to be executed during execution of a game program; (d) receiving response data about the situation data from a user and storing the response data in a memory of a user system corresponding to the module ID; And (e) transmitting user information registered to the research execution server in step (a) and response data stored corresponding to the module ID to the research execution server as a research result module; (f) In the case where the user wants to play the racing game more than once after the racing game is finished, it is determined whether there is an item to be supplemented or exchanged in the racing car based on the distance that the racing car has traveled so far. Doing; (g) if it is determined that there is an item to be replenished or exchanged, attempting to connect to the research performing server; (h) when connected to the research performing server, transmitting the user information and response data stored corresponding to the module ID to the research performing server as a research result module; (i) receiving and storing, at the research performing server, a new research module corresponding to the module ID of the research result module but having different context data; And (j) A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to update the status data of a current research module with the status data of a corresponding new research module stored in step (i).