KR20120105949A - Method of purchase contents using game points and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A content purchasing method with a game point capable and a system thereof are provided to reduce costs for a game and easily purchase another game in the game by using the game point as cash. CONSTITUTION: A terminal device(300) connects to a game service providing device(100) in the execution of a game. The terminal device purchases another game by using a game point generated in the game. The game service providing device generates game list information purchased by using the game point of the terminal device. The game service providing device transmits the generated game list information to the terminal device. The game service providing device pays for the game requested by the terminal device through the game point. [Reference numerals] (100) Game service providing device; (200) Game content storage device; (201) Game program; (202) Trial version program of a game; (300) Terminal device; (400) Network

Description

Method of purchasing contents and system using game points {Method of purchase contents using game points and system}

The present invention relates to a method and a system for purchasing content using game points that enable the user to purchase other games and the like with game points acquired in the game during game play, and to experience the target game before purchasing the game.

With the development of communication technology, most people use portable mobile terminals, and communication companies provide various contents services. Accordingly, portable mobile terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Data Assistants) are evolving into total entertainment devices beyond the scope of simple communication devices.

In the case of games, the number of people who want to enjoy the game through a portable mobile terminal during the commute time or slack time is increasing, and the types of games provided are diversified by quizzes, cards, strategy simulation, sports training, etc. .

As the number of game users increases and the types of games are increased, competition is fierce, and game providers are paying game points according to the progress of the game or performing specific tasks in the game in order to increase the user's loyalty to the game. However, such a game point is limited in its use range by purchasing items that can be used only in the game. In addition, in order to download other game programs, there is an inconvenience in that the running game program must be terminated and connected to a wired / wireless network separately.

In addition, from the user's point of view, since it is not possible to know which game suits his or her taste, the communication fee has to be increased since it is necessary to continuously access the game server until the user finds and downloads a favorite game program.

On the other hand, in the aspect of game operators, there is a problem that the user avoids downloading of the game program due to the above-mentioned communication fee increase problem, thereby inhibiting sales growth and new game development.

An object of the present invention, the content using the game point, so that you can purchase another game using the user's game points while using the game program, and to experience the game in advance according to the user's choice before purchasing the game The present invention provides a method of purchase and a system thereof.

The present invention provides a means for solving the problem, the terminal device connected to the game service providing apparatus during the game execution to purchase another game with the game points generated during the game execution, and receives the purchased game; Generate game list information that can be purchased as game points of the terminal device and transmit the game list information to the terminal device, pay the game requested by the terminal device to the game point of the user, and play the paid game after the running game is finished. Game service providing apparatus for transmitting to; And a game content storage device for storing a plurality of game programs and providing a program of the corresponding game to a terminal device in response to a request from a game service providing device.

In addition, the present invention as a means for solving the above-described problems, a game user information DB for storing information including game points accumulated during game execution, purchase history, whether or not the game transfer is completed, and game points A storage unit including a game information DB for storing a list of games that can be purchased with; And a game module for generating a list of games that can be purchased with the user's game points with game list information stored in the game information DB, and a payment module for paying for the game requested to be purchased using the game points. Providing a list of games that can be purchased with the user's game points according to the user's request while the game is running, paying the selected game among the games included in the game list with the game points, and terminal the paid game after the running game is finished. It provides a game service providing apparatus comprising a purchase service providing unit for requesting the game content storage device to transmit to the device.

In addition, the present invention is a means for solving the above problems, Communication unit for transmitting and receiving data through a network; According to the user's request during the game execution, including a payment module for proceeding with the payment of the game that the user wants to purchase with game points accumulated during the game execution, and a game list generation module for generating a list of games that can be purchased with the game point. A controller for providing a list of games that can be purchased with the user's game points, executing game point payment for a selected game among the games included in the game list, and transmitting the paid game through a communication unit after the running game is finished; ; And a storage unit including a game user information DB including a game user's game point, a purchase history, and whether or not a purchased game is transmitted.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a means for solving the above problems, providing a list of games that can be purchased as game points during game execution; Paying for the game selected by the user from the game list information using game points accumulated during game execution; After the running game is finished, the method provides a content purchase method using a game point comprising the step of providing a user with a payment-completed game.

Content purchase method using a game point according to the present invention, before the step of paying in game points, confirming the user's request for the trial version of the game; If the user requests a trial version of the game, pausing the running game; Providing a trial version of the game to a user; When the game trial version ends, the method may further include re-running the paused game.

According to the present invention, the user can use the game points as cash, saving money, and can easily purchase another game as if purchasing an item in the game. In addition, you can experience the game to buy in advance can reduce the communication cost according to the game purchase. In terms of game operators, it is possible to prevent customer churn and increase sales through game sales as a reward to users, and as a telecommunication company, it is possible to secure communication costs by increasing game users.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a content purchase system using game points according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a game service providing apparatus in a content purchase system using game points according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a content purchase method using game points according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a payment method of a content purchase method using game points according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing method when a transmission failure of a paid game is performed in a content purchase method using game points according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a block diagram illustrating a content purchase system using game points according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device in a content purchase system using game points according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a content purchase method using game points according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, detailed description of well-known functions or constructions that may obscure the subject matter of the present invention will be omitted. In addition, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible throughout the drawings.

The terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as limited to ordinary or dictionary meanings and the inventor is not limited to the meaning of the terms in order to describe his invention in the best way. It should be interpreted as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the technical ideas of the present invention are described. Therefore, It is to be understood that equivalents and modifications are possible.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a content purchase system using game points according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the content purchase system using game points according to the present invention includes a game service providing apparatus 100; The game content storage device 200, the terminal device 300, and the network 400 may be included.

The game service providing device 100 is a server device that provides a game service to a plurality of terminal devices 300 through a network 400. More specifically, when the game service providing apparatus 100 receives a request for transmission of game list information from the terminal device 300 executing a game, the game service providing apparatus 100 transmits game list information to the terminal device 300, and among the transmitted game lists. When requested to purchase a game, the user pays for the game points accumulated during the game and allows the user to receive the game.

The game content storage device 200 provides a game program 201 or a trial version program 202 of a game to a game service providing device 100 or a plurality of terminal devices 300 through a network 400. More specifically, in the content purchase system using game points according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the list of the game program 201 or the trial version program 202 of the game stored in the game service providing apparatus 100 may be transmitted, The game program 201 or the trial version program 202 of the game is transmitted to the plurality of terminal devices 300 at the request of the game service providing apparatus 100.

The game service providing apparatus 100 and the game content storage device 200 may be implemented as one server device or may be implemented as a distributed server structure in which load or functions are distributed to a plurality of servers. In addition, the game service providing apparatus 100 and the game content storage apparatus 200 may operate in a server-client computing scheme or in a cloud computing scheme. That is, the game service providing apparatus 100 may include one or more of computer resources required to proceed with a content purchase service using game points, for example, hardware such as a storage unit, software for executing payment or game list generation using game points. Alternatively, the content may be provided to the game content storage device 200.

The terminal device 300 is a various type of device used by a user, for example, a personal computer (PC), a notebook computer, a mobile phone, a tablet PC, a navigation terminal, a smart phone, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Portable Multimedia Players (PMPs), and digital broadcast receivers may be included. Of course, this is merely an example, and it should be construed as a concept including a device that is currently developed, commercialized, or capable of all communication to be developed in the future, in addition to the above-described examples.

In the content purchase system using the game point according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device 300 requests the content transmission to the game service providing device 100 and receives the content from the game content storage device 200. .

The network 400 provides a passage for transmitting and receiving data between the game service providing apparatus 100, the game content storage device 200, and the plurality of terminal devices 300. The network 400 is an IP network providing a data transmission / reception service and a disconnected data service through an internet protocol (IP), an IP network structure in which different networks are integrated based on IP. IP) network. In addition, the network 400 includes a wired network, a wireless broadband network (Wibro), a third generation mobile network including WCDMA, a 3.5 generation mobile network including a high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) network and an LTE network, and LTE advanced. It can be made by including one or more of the wireless LAN, including a 4G mobile network, satellite network and Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi) network.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a game service providing apparatus 100 in a content purchase system using game points according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the configuration of the game service providing apparatus 100 is expressed in functional units, but in practice, the game service providing apparatus 100 may be distributed to a plurality of server apparatuses or may be implemented in one server apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the content purchase system using game points according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the game service providing apparatus 100 may include a storage unit 110, an authentication unit 115, and a purchase service providing unit 120. ), The game service provider 130 may be included.

The storage unit 110 is a means for storing data and a program for the operation of the game service providing apparatus 100, and in particular, a plurality of game user information DBs 111 for content purchase using game points according to the present invention. And game information DB 112 is stored.

The authentication unit 115 authenticates the service use authority of the user who accesses the game service providing apparatus 100 or requests a service through the network 400. The service according to the present invention, that is, a game service executed by accessing the game service providing apparatus 100 by the content purchase service using the game point or the terminal device 300 to the user authenticated by the authentication unit 115, Can be provided.

The purchase service provider 120 provides a content purchase service using game points while the game is running, in response to a user's request that the authentication unit 115 confirms that the user has permission to use the service. In accordance with the request of the terminal device 300, a payment module 121 enables payment of game points for a game requested for purchase, generates and transmits a game list, and a game list generation module for generating a game list that can be purchased with game points. Provides 122. The purchase service provider 120 may include at least one of a payment module 121 and a game list generation module 122 for a content purchase service using game points according to the present invention. The payment module 121 enables the user to pay for a game requested by the user through game points or other payment means. The game list generation module 122 receives the list of the game program 201 or the trial version program 202 of the game stored in the game content storage device 200 through the network 400, thereby providing the game service device 100 to the game user. ) Creates a game list when requesting game list information. At this time, the game list information may be classified according to classification criteria such as game type or game development company, game series, and the like, so that the user may conveniently browse the list.

The term 'module' refers to a hardware component such as software or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), and the module performs certain roles. However, a module is not limited to software or hardware. A module may be configured to reside on an addressable storage medium and may be configured to execute one or more processors. Thus, as an example, a module may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, and processes, functions, properties, procedures, subroutines. Examples, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functionality provided by the components and modules may be combined into a smaller number of components and modules or further separated into additional components and modules.

The game service provider 130 provides a game execution service according to a user's request that the authentication unit 220 confirms that the user has permission to use the service. That is, the terminal device 300 may access the game service providing apparatus 100 to execute a game. In the content purchase system using the game point according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the game service providing apparatus 100 may allow the terminal device 300 to purchase a game service providing apparatus so that the terminal device 300 may purchase content during game execution. It may include a game service provider 130 for connecting to the 100 to run the game.

The game service providing apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration allows the terminal device 300 to purchase other game contents as if the terminal device 300 purchases an item used in the game by using game points during game execution. Conventionally, in order for a user of the terminal device 300 to purchase another game, the user must terminate the running game program and access the wired / wireless network separately, but according to the present invention, the game service providing device 100 requests game list information while the game is running. Game points can be purchased for game users, so game users can more easily purchase and receive games.

A content purchase method using game points in the content purchase system using game points according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In the content purchase method using the game point according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device 300 requests the game service providing device 100 to purchase a game using game points while the game is running, and thus the game content storage device 200. Transmits the game program 201 or the trial version program 202 of the game.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device 300 is connected to the game service providing device 100 by the game service providing unit 130 or in the game in the terminal device 300. Is being executed (S105).

The game service providing apparatus 100 requests game information from the game content storage device 200 to generate a game list in operation S110. Then, the game content storage device 200 transmits the list of currently stored game programs 201 and the trial version program 202 of the game to the game service providing apparatus 100 (S115). In this case, the received game information is stored in the game information DB 112 so that the game service providing apparatus 100 can provide the terminal device 300 (S115).

When the terminal device 300 requests transmission of the game list information to the game service providing device 100 to output a game purchase list that can be purchased as game points while the game is running (S125), the game list generation module 122 Generates game list information using game information stored in game information DB 112. In this case, the game list information may be generated by sorting according to classification criteria such as a game type or a game development company, a game series, a difficulty level, and a game type so that the user may easily view the game list. In addition, since the game may not be executed according to the type of the terminal device 300 when generating the game list information, the game list information may be generated except this.

When the generated game list information is transmitted to the terminal device 300 (S135), the user of the terminal device 300 selects a game to purchase as a game point by viewing the game list (S140). In this case, in order to allow the user to play the game without paying the game before purchasing the game, the user can purchase the game if the user likes to purchase the game if the user likes to play the game after completing the trial step. Then pay the game. In another embodiment, the user may purchase the game immediately without executing the trial version game. In this case, when the game is selected for purchase, the user may receive the game including a payment step. In addition, the game list may include a free game that does not require a payment step even if it is not a trial game. In this case, the game is transmitted without including the payment step as in the trial game.

Receiving another game while the game is running may cause a lot of load on the terminal device 300, and thus, game execution and game transmission may not be smooth. Therefore, when the currently running game is ended or paused, the terminal device 300 is in an idle state. Game can be delivered smoothly. Accordingly, the terminal device 300 requests the game service providing apparatus 100 to transmit the game selected by the user after the game being executed is ended or paused (S145) (S150). The game service providing apparatus 100 requests the game content storage device 200 to transmit the corresponding game to the terminal device 300 (S155), and the game content storage device 200 corresponds to the terminal device 300. The game is transmitted (S160).

The user can no longer play the game after the trial phase of the trial game received. At this time, a message asking whether to purchase the game may be output to ask a purchase intention. That is, when the user executes the trial game (S165) and determines the purchase (S170), the terminal device 300 requests the game service providing apparatus 100 to pay for the game (S175). In this case, the payment may be made by a game point or another payment means. In FIG. 4, the payment method in the content purchase method using the game point according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

When payment is completed according to the payment method of FIG. 4 (S180), the game service providing apparatus 100 may transmit a payment completion message and remaining point information to the terminal device 300 (S185). If you are running a trial version of a game and you purchase a game after the experience phase ends, you may be able to send it immediately because the game is not running.

The game service providing apparatus 100, which has received a request for game transmission from the terminal device 300, requests that the game content storage device 200 transmit the paid game to the terminal device 300 when the game being executed in the terminal device ends. (S200). The game content storage device 200 receiving the request for transmission transmits a game to the terminal device 300 (S205), and when the transmission is completed, the game service providing device 100 is then used in another game purchase step for the same game user. Or it may be stored in the game user information DB 111 for the user information, such as order history, remaining points, transmission completion or the like in order to provide the game purchase information to the user (S210).

On the other hand, during the execution of the trial game in step S165, if the trial game ends without a purchase decision, the terminal device 300 may execute the game previously paused in step S145 again.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the user may request the purchase of a specific game at step S170 without executing steps 140 to S165 and may purchase the game without executing the trial version.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a payment method in a content purchase method using game points according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in FIG. 3, a payment request (S175) is received from the terminal device 300 and payment is performed (S180). The game service providing device 100 receives a payment request and pays a game using only game points. In order to check whether or not it is possible, the balance of the game point of the user is checked in the game user information DB 111 (S305).

If the game point possessed by the user is higher than or equal to the game price (S310), since the user can purchase the game selected by the user only with the game point, a message indicating that payment is possible with the game point may be performed (S315). Then, the game price is subtracted from the game user's holding point and stored in the game user information DB 111 (S320).

On the other hand, if the game point possessed by the user is lower than the game price (S310), since the reserve point is insufficient, a message may be output to purchase the difference by another payment method or to order another game (S325). Even if the game points are insufficient, the user may want to purchase the game, so payment may be possible with other payment methods.

If the user wants to purchase the difference by another payment method (S330), the payment is processed by the payment module 121 (S335). Of course, if the game points are zero, you will have to pay the full amount instead of the difference.

If the user cannot purchase the corresponding game because the game points are insufficient, the user may want to select another game that can be purchased only with the game points. Paying with other payment methods can be more complicated than paying with game points from the user's point of view, which can be cumbersome and reluctant to pay with other payment methods. If you want to order another game (S340), by selecting another game (S345), you can pay in game points.

In addition, if the game points are insufficient, you may want to return to the game that was in progress with the intention to purchase more game points by purchasing more games. In this case, the process returns to the game execution step S105 of FIG. 3 and the user may continue the game to accumulate more game points.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing method when a game transmission fails in a content purchase method using game points according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

After the payment is completed, the game is transmitted to the terminal device 300 due to various reasons such as a power cut off during communication through the network 400, communication cannot be performed, or a load is placed on the game service providing device. May fail or attempt to transmit. If the game is transmitted without a payment process, such as a trial game or a free game, the request is sent again at the viewing of the game list (S140), but if the game including the payment process is transmitted, the payment process is again to receive the retransmission. In the case of retransmission due to transmission failure, the transmission must be performed without a payment process.

Referring to FIG. 5, after the game being executed in the terminal device 300 is terminated (S402), while receiving the selected game (S403), the game transmission may fail due to an error (S405). In this case, the terminal device 300 and the game content storage device 200 transmit a message indicating that the game transmission has failed to the game service providing device 100 (S410).

When the user is using the terminal device 300 in an environment in which the current network condition is poor, or there is an error in the terminal device 300, the transmission may continue to fail. You may want to receive the game. If the user of the terminal device 300 wants to retransmit immediately (S415), the game service providing apparatus 100 may request the game content storage device 200 to retransmit the game so that the terminal device 300 may retransmit the game. (S420). If the transmission fails again (S425), the game service providing apparatus 100 receives a transmission failure message (S410), if the transmission is successful (S425), and receives a message that the transmission was successful (S430). In addition, the game service providing apparatus 100 may store information that can be usefully used when providing a game service, such as the number of retransmissions or completion of transmission, in the game user information DB 111 (S435).

On the other hand, if the user of the terminal device 300 wants to be retransmitted later, such as when the user moves to a good network environment, or after receiving an error of the terminal device 300 to receive the game transmission (S440), The service providing apparatus 100 records that the transmission of the game is not completed in the game user information DB (S445). If a user who determines that the game is in a state capable of being retransmitted later requests a retransmission to the game service providing apparatus 100 through the terminal apparatus 300 (S450), the game service providing apparatus 100 may determine the terminal apparatus 300. If it is determined that the game is running, the game is terminated or in a paused state, the terminal device 300 allows the game to be retransmitted (S420).

In addition, when the transmission fails due to an error on the terminal device 300 or the network, the user may give up the game transmission and the user wants a refund. Therefore, the refund processing may be performed only when the payment game is not transmitted. If the user does not want to resend later, proceed with the refund process (S460). If the game is purchased with game points, the point is increased by the deducted score and stored in the game user information DB. If a payment method other than the game point is used, the refund is performed according to the refund processing of each payment method.

6 is a block diagram illustrating a content purchase system using game points according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the content purchase system using game points of the present invention includes a terminal device 300 and a game content storage device. 200 may be included. The content purchase system using game points according to the second embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the terminal device 300 generates and sets a game list.

The terminal device 300 receives a game program from a game content storage device by purchasing content by using game points while executing a game. More specifically, when the game list information is requested from the user through the input unit 360 during game execution, the terminal device 300 receives the game list from the game content storage device 200 by the game list generation module 332. Create a list of games to be shown to the user, and outputs through the output unit 350. Receives a game to be purchased from the user through the input unit 360 from the output game list, the game content storage device 200 is requested to send the game selected by the user is received, and payment is required, payment module 331 After the payment is completed by the game content storage device 200 receives the game.

The game content storage device 200 is the same device as the game content storage device 200 of FIG. 1, and transmits a game program 201 or a trial version program 202 of a game stored at the request of the terminal device 300. give.

The game content storage device 200 may be short-range wireless communication (eg, Bluetooth, WLAN, Zigbee, IrDA, NFC, etc.) or short-range wired communication (eg, in the content providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention). , USB, etc.)

In addition, the terminal device 300 and the game content storage device 200 may be connected to a network. In this case, the network provides a passage for transmitting and receiving data between the terminal device 300 and the game content storage device 200. For example, a network transmits and receives a large amount of data through the Internet Protocol (IP) and there is no disconnection. IP network that provides data service, and may be an All IP network, an IP network structure integrating different networks based on IP. In addition, the network includes a wired network, a wireless broadband network (Wibro), a third generation mobile network including WCDMA, a 3.5 generation mobile network including a high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) network and an LTE network, and a fourth generation including LTE advanced. It may include one or more of a wireless LAN including a mobile network, a satellite network and a Wi-Fi network.

Referring to FIG. 7, the terminal device 300 of the content purchase system using the game point according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a communication unit 310, a control unit 330, an output unit 350, and an input unit 360. The storage unit 370 may be included.

The communicator 310 is a means for allowing the terminal device 300 to connect with the game content storage device 200. The communication unit 311 is a means for allowing the terminal device 300 and the storage device 400 to connect a network or short-range wireless communication (Bluetooth, Zigbee, WLAN, etc.) or short-range wired communication (USB, etc.).

The controller 330 controls overall operations of the terminal device 100, and basically operates based on an operating program stored in the storage unit 370 to build a basic platform environment of the terminal device 100, and Optionally, run the application to provide arbitrary functionality. According to a request of the user of the terminal device 300, the game list may be retrieved from the game content storage device to generate game list information for the user to view, and the game that the user wants to purchase may be paid by game points or other payment means. In addition, the terminal device 300 can execute a game. The controller 330 may include a payment module 331 for proceeding with payment of a game to be purchased, a game list generation module 332 for generating a game list, and a game execution module 320. The payment module 331, the game list generation module 332, and the game execution module 320 may be implemented by software or hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, the storage unit 370 may be in the form of a program. ) And may be implemented as executed by the controller 330.

The payment module 331 allows the user to make a payment with a game point or other payment means for a game to be purchased, and receive the payment for the completed game.

The game list generation module 332 is a game program 201 and a game stored in the game content storage device 200 when the user requests game list information to purchase another game as a game point while the game is running. By requesting the list information of the trial version of the program 202, the game list is generated according to various classification criteria for the user to view.

The game execution module 320 may execute the game program 371 stored in the storage unit 370 of the terminal device 300. It is possible to execute a game in the terminal device 300 without accessing the game service providing apparatus 100.

The output unit 350 is an output unit for displaying the operation state and the operation result of the terminal device 300. In the present invention, the output unit 350 outputs a game execution screen or a game purchase screen. The output unit 350 may be configured as a display means for outputting the game execution or purchase screen. The display means may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), or an active matrix organic light (AMOLED). Emitting Diodes, flexible displays, or three-dimensional displays can be any one.

The input unit 360 is a means for generating a user input signal for controlling or operating the terminal device 300 according to a user's manipulation. The input unit 360 may be implemented by various means. For example, the input unit 360 may include one or more of a key input unit, a touch input unit, a gesture input unit, and a voice input unit. The key input means generates a signal corresponding to the key according to the key operation, and corresponds to a keypad and a keyboard. The touch input means recognizes an input operation by detecting an operation of touching a specific portion of the user, and may include a touch pad, a touch screen, and a touch sensor. The gesture input means recognizes a specific specific action such as a user's motion, for example, shaking or moving the terminal device, approaching the terminal device, or blinking an eye, as a specific input signal. It may include one or more of a sensor, a camera, an altimeter, a gyro sensor, and a proximity sensor.

The storage unit 370 is a means for storing data or a program necessary for the operation of the terminal device 300. The storage unit 370 may basically store an operating program (OS) and one or more application programs of the terminal device 300. In addition, in the present invention, the storage unit 370 stores a game program 371 for game execution and a game user information DB 372 necessary for purchasing game content as game points. The storage unit 370 may store all kinds of data such as RAM (Read Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), hard disk (HDD), flash memory, CD-ROM, DVD, and the like. Media may be included.

The terminal device 300 having the above-described configuration allows a user to purchase a game using game points while the game is running, so that the user can purchase the game as game points after executing the trial game without having to access a wired or wireless network. To be able.

A content purchase method in the content purchase system using game points according to the second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In the content purchase method according to the second embodiment of the present invention, after the terminal device 300 pays for a game to be purchased using game points without the game service providing device 100 (in the case of a trial program of a game or a free game) Except for the payment process, the game program 201 or the trial version program 202 of the game may be received from the game content storage device 200.

Referring to FIG. 8, when a user requests the output of game list information that can be purchased as game points to purchase a game with game points accumulated through the game, the game list of the terminal device 300 is executed. The generation module 332 requests the list of the game program 201 and the trial version program 202 of the game from the game content storage device 200, receives the list, and generates a game list and outputs the generated game list through the output unit 350 (S510). ). In this case, the game list information may be generated by sorting according to classification criteria such as a game type or a game development company, a game series, a difficulty level, and a game type so that the user may easily view the game list. In addition, since the game may not be executed according to the type of the terminal device 300 when generating the game list information, a game list may be generated except this.

At this time, as in the content purchase method using game points according to the first embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 3, most users first execute a trial game that can play a game without having to pay before purchasing a game. After the end, if the user likes to purchase the game, the user receives the trial game and includes the step of paying for the game.

If the user attempts to receive a trial game in order to first try the trial version of the output game list (S515), the terminal device 300 may receive the game smoothly because the game is ended or paused. If it is in a state capable of receiving the terminal device 300 transmits the game content storage device 200 by requesting the transmission of the game selected by the user (S520). The received game is stored in the storage unit 370.

If the user executes the trial game received and the experience step ends, the terminal device 300 can output a message indicating that the game can no longer proceed and purchase the game. During the trial game execution (S525), if the purchase of the game is determined (S535), the payment is made by the payment module 331 (S540). The payment method may be performed by the aforementioned FIG. 4. However, payment is made in the terminal device 300 instead of the game service providing device 100. When the payment is completed, the user may output the remaining point information and the payment completion message through the output unit 350 so that the user may confirm whether the payment is completed (S545).

Similar to the content purchase method using game points according to the first embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 3, when a game that is being executed for smooth game transmission is terminated or in a paused state, the game is transmitted to the game content storage device 200. The request may be received to receive the payment game (S550). When the transmission is completed, information that helps the user use the game, such as order details, remaining point information, and whether the transmission is completed, may be stored in the game user information DB 372 (S555).

When the transmission fails for payment of the game, the processing method according to the transmission failure of FIG. 5 is not included. Since the game service providing apparatus 100 is not included, the process of transmitting a message to the game service providing apparatus 100 is not included. Instead, a retransmission process is performed in the terminal device 300.

Meanwhile, the game service providing device 100 or the game content storage device 200 may provide the above-described service based on cloud computing technology.

Here, cloud computing refers to on-demand virtualized IT resources, for example, hardware (server, storage, network, etc.), software (database, security, web server, etc.), services, data, etc. using Internet technology. ) Means technology that serves in a way.

Accordingly, in the present invention, the cloud computing device includes a computing resource including at least one of hardware, software, services, and data necessary for the game service providing device 100 or the game content storage device 200 to provide the content according to the present invention. In response to a request of the game service providing apparatus 100 or the game content storage apparatus 200. For example, the cloud computing device stores game user information or game content, and provides the game user information or game content in response to a request of the game service providing device 100 or the game content storage device 200, or the content. Software or hardware necessary for purchase may be prepared and provided to the game service providing apparatus 100 or the game content storage apparatus 200.

That is, the content purchase according to the present invention may be made through the interworking of the game service providing apparatus 100 or the game content storage apparatus 200 with the cloud computing device. In this case, one or more components of the game service providing apparatus 100 or the game content storage apparatus 200 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example, the storage 110 and the purchase service providing unit ( 120, one or more of the content storage space of the game content storage device 200 may be implemented in the cloud computer device.

As a result, the cloud computing device may store one or more of game user information or game content, and provide the same to the game service providing device 100 or the game content storage device 200 when necessary. In addition, the cloud computing device provides a computing environment in which payment of a game to be purchased or a game list is generated or a game service is provided, and according to a request of the game service providing device 100 or the game content storage device 200. Game payment, game list information, or game service provision may be provided to the game service providing apparatus 100 or the game content storage device 200 through the computing environment.

Accordingly, the game service providing apparatus 100 or the game content storage device 200 may provide game content to the terminal device 300 using game points based on the computing resources provided by the cloud computing device. have. That is, one or more functions may be executed through the cloud computing device in the process of providing the terminal device 300 with the game content purchased using the game points.

According to the above, the service provider may provide the requested content to the terminal device 300 using the computing resources of the cloud computing device even if the game service providing device 100 or the game content storage device 200 is not completely built. Will be.

Meanwhile, when the terminal device 300 receives the content from the game content storage device 200 according to the content purchase method using the game points according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the received content is the terminal device 300. The storage unit 370 may be stored in the storage unit 370. If the cloud computing device is available, the received content may be stored and used in a storage space of the cloud computing device. If there is insufficient content storage space in the terminal device 300, the content can no longer be stored, or if another terminal device 300 wants to write the content, the cloud computing device stores and uses the received content. Can be. Therefore, when the user lacks a storage space of the storage unit 370 of the terminal device 300 or wants to use the same content in another terminal device 300, the user can use the cloud computing device to store the received content more conveniently. There is an advantage that can be used. Furthermore, as a user is provided with a convenient content using environment, the user may want to receive and use more content, thereby increasing revenue from a service provider's point of view.

In addition, the above-mentioned game is not limited to the game and may include various contents such as game items or game characters.

The content purchase method using game points according to the present invention may be implemented in software form readable through various computer means and recorded on a computer readable recording medium. Here, the recording medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. Program instructions recorded on the recording medium may be those specially designed and constructed for the present invention, or they may be of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. For example, the recording medium may be magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tapes, optical disks such as Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), digital video disks (DVD), Magnetic-Optical Media, such as floppy disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like. do. Examples of program instructions may include machine language code such as those generated by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that may be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. Such hardware devices may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In addition, although specific terms are used in the specification and the drawings, they are only used in a general sense to easily explain the technical contents of the present invention and to help the understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the user can use the game points as cash, saving money, and can easily purchase another game as if purchasing an item in the game. In addition, you can experience the game to buy in advance can reduce the communication cost according to the game purchase. In terms of game operators, it is possible to prevent customer churn and increase sales through game sales as a reward to users, and as a telecommunication company, it is possible to secure communication costs by increasing game users.

100: game service providing apparatus 110: storage unit 115: authentication unit
120: purchase service provider 130: game service provider
200: game content storage device 300: terminal device 310: communication unit
320: game execution module 330: control unit 350: output unit
360: input unit 370: storage unit 400: network

Claims (5)

A terminal device which accesses a game service providing apparatus during game execution, purchases another game with game points generated during game execution, and receives the purchased game;
Generate game list information that can be purchased as a game point of the terminal device and transmit the game list information to the terminal device, pay the game requested by the terminal device to the game point of the user, and play the paid game after the running game is finished. Game service providing apparatus for transmitting to the terminal device; And
And a game content storage device for storing a plurality of game programs and providing a program of a corresponding game to a terminal device in response to a request from the game service providing device. A game user information DB that stores information including game points accumulated during game execution, a purchase history, and whether the game has been transferred, and a game information DB that stores a list of games that can be purchased with game points. Storage unit; And
Including a payment module for performing a payment for the game requested to purchase using the game point, and a game list generation module for generating a list of games that can be purchased with the user's game points with the game list information stored in the game information DB, Providing a list of games that can be purchased with the user's game points according to the user's request during game execution, paying the selected game among the games included in the game list as game points, and after the running game is finished, the paid game And a purchase service providing unit requesting the game content storage device to transmit the data to the terminal device. Communication unit for transmitting and receiving data through the network;
According to the user's request during the game execution, including a payment module for proceeding with the payment of the game that the user wants to purchase with game points accumulated during the game execution, and a game list generation module for generating a list of games that can be purchased with the game point. Providing a list of games that can be purchased with the user's game points, executing game point payment for the selected game among the games included in the game list, and receiving the paid game through the communication unit after the running game is finished. Control unit; And
And a storage unit including a game user information DB including a game user's game point, a purchase history, and whether or not a purchased game is completed. Providing a list of games available for purchase as game points while the game is running;
Paying for the game selected by the user from the game list information using game points accumulated during the game execution;
After the running game is terminated, the method of purchasing content using a game point comprising the step of providing a user with a payment-completed game. 5. The method of claim 4,
Confirming a user's request for a trial version of the game before the payment with the game points;
If the user requests a trial version of the game, pausing the running game;
Providing a trial version of the game to a user;
When the game trial is terminated, the method of purchasing content using game points further comprising the step of re-executing the paused game.

Images