Revenue distribution support method via blockchain network

Abstract

To provide a method for supporting digital content transaction revenue distribution and account management, with transparency and non-tampering properties ensured.SOLUTION: In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for supporting revenue distribution related to an article transaction via a blockchain network connected to a business operator terminal, an introducer terminal, and a user terminal. The business operator terminal issues invitation data for a transaction of an article provided by a business operator and transmits the invitation data to the introducer terminal. The introducer terminal receives a transaction request for the article via the introduction information from the user terminal of a user who wishes to make a transaction of the article, and records transaction information on the article in a blockchain network (NW) on the basis of the transaction request. The transaction information includes the invitation data. The invitation data includes information on the business operator and the introducer for identifying persons to whom revenues based on the transaction of the article are distributed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention is a method for supporting revenue distribution via a blockchain network. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, the method of trading and managing digital content, including game assets such as game items, via blockchain networks has become widespread.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which game items are managed as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on a blockchain network by associating them with a user's wallet and transferring them to a designated wallet via a smart contract. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-023801 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 reduces transaction costs and simplifies transaction operations for game companies that have existing centralized management systems by executing certain transactions of game items in an in-game centralized management system while executing other transactions via a blockchain network. However, in recent years, games / services have increasingly spread through introductions by third parties other than game operators, such as influencers such as streamers and general users, and there is a growing need for information management of introducer accounts and revenue distribution management. In this situation, no consideration has been given to a revenue distribution method and account management method that is highly transparent and takes into account non-tampering in transactions of digital content such as game items between game operators and introducers who introduce the games.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for supporting account management and revenue sharing for third-party contributors, such as introducers of digital content transactions, while ensuring transparency and non-tampering. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for supporting revenue distribution related to product trading via a blockchain network connected to a business terminal, an introducer terminal, and a user terminal, wherein the business terminal issues invitation data to trade a product provided by the business and transmits the invitation data to the introducer terminal, the introducer terminal receives a transaction request for the product via the introduction information from the user terminal of a user who wishes to trade the product, and records transaction information for the product in the blockchain network based on the transaction request, the transaction information including the invitation data, and the invitation data includes information about the business and the introducer that identifies a recipient to whom revenue based on the transaction of the product is to be distributed. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for supporting revenue sharing and account management in digital content transactions, while ensuring transparency and non-tampering. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an execution system for supporting revenue sharing in digital content trading according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a functional block diagram showing the carrier terminal 100 of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a functional block diagram showing a user terminal 300 of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing an example of product data stored in a business operator terminal 100. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of invitation data stored in the operator terminal 100. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of transaction data stored in a business operator terminal 100. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for facilitating revenue sharing in digital content trading according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a method for supporting revenue sharing in digital content trading according to the first embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the components shown in the embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0011] <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system for supporting revenue distribution of digital content transactions according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The system 1 is composed of a business operator terminal 100 that provides products (in this example, digital content such as game items and character image data), stores invitation data related to transaction invitations such as product purchases, and executes an invitation program, an introducer terminal 200 related to a business operator or individual user of an SNS or the like that introduces products to users, and user terminals 300A and 300B that receive the products, and a blockchain network NW1 for managing product transaction records and the like is connected to each terminal. As another example, each terminal may be connected to a network such as the Internet. For convenience of explanation, each terminal is described as a single terminal or a specific number of terminals, but the number is not limited, and each may be composed of multiple user terminals, multiple content provider terminals, or multiple user terminals. For convenience of explanation, the multiple user terminals 300A and 300B will be collectively referred to as "user terminals 300" and will be described below.

[0012] The business operator terminal 100, the introducer terminal, and the user terminal 300 are connected to each other via a network NW1. The network NW is configured by the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like.

[0013] The operator terminal 100 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing.

[0014] The business operator terminal 100 receives transaction information regarding a transaction for a product such as digital content executed between the introducer terminal 200 and the user terminal 300, or between the user terminals 300, and can record the NFT associated with the digital content by an identifier or the like, together with other transaction information, in the blockchain network. The NFT is, for example, a token issued in a standard called "ERC721" of Etherium, a blockchain network platform, and is a unit of data recorded in the blockchain network. It can indicate unique digital assets such as products related to digital information such as image data and video data, and has a non-fungible nature. While the above digital content can be copied on the network, the NFT is recorded on the blockchain together with a smart contract and is traceable, so that transaction information including details and history of rights holders, owner information, etc. can be proven. In addition, by using a smart contract here, a contract regarding a transaction between digital media and a user, or between users, can be automatically generated, approved, and executed without the intervention of a third party. In addition, smart contracts allow the parties to a transaction and third parties to access transaction information without going through a business operator's terminal, which increases the convenience of the service and reduces operational costs. Products such as digital content are not limited to NFTs, and can be any on-chain data that can be recorded on the blockchain network.

[0015] The introducer terminal 200 and the user terminal 300 are, for example, information processing devices such as personal computers and tablet terminals, but may also be configured as smartphones, mobile phones, PDAs, and the like.

[0016] In this embodiment, the system 1 is described as comprising an operator terminal 100, an introducer terminal 200 and a user terminal 300, and a configuration in which the users of each terminal use their respective terminals to perform operations on the operator terminal 100; however, the operator terminal 100 may be configured as a stand-alone terminal, and the operator terminal itself may be provided with a function for each user to perform operations directly.

[0017] Fig. 3 is a functional block configuration diagram of the operator terminal 100 of Fig. 1. The operator terminal 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit .

[0018] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface that connects to a network such as the blockchain network NW1 or the Internet, and communicates with the introducer terminal 200 and the user terminal 300 via a network such as the blockchain network NW1 or the Internet, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0019] The storage unit 120 stores programs for executing various control processes and various functions in the control unit 130, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 120 also has a product data storage unit 121 that stores various data related to products such as digital content, an invitation data storage unit 122 that stores various data related to product invitation programs, and a transaction data storage unit 123 that stores various data related to product transactions. Here, the data of products such as digital content and invitation data stored and managed by the storage unit 120 can be stored and managed on a blockchain network, and can also be stored and managed both in the business operator terminal 100 and the blockchain network. Note that a database (not shown) storing various data may be constructed on another server outside the storage unit 120 or the business operator terminal 100.

[0020] The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the business operator terminal 100 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 120, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. Functions of the control unit 130 include an information receiving unit 131 that receives information and requests from each terminal, and an information processing unit 132 that executes processing related to product invitations and transactions. The information receiving unit 131 and the information processing unit 132 are started by a program stored in the storage unit 120 and executed by the business operator terminal 100, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0021] The information receiving unit 131 receives information and requests from the introducer terminal 200, the user terminal 300, and the blockchain network NW1 via the communication unit 110. For example, a product transaction request is received from the user terminal 300.

[0022] The information processing unit 132, for example, executes product transaction processing in response to a transaction request from the user terminal 300, and performs processing to record the transaction information in the blockchain network NW1.

[0023] The control unit 130 may also have a screen generation unit (not shown) and generates screen information to be displayed via the user interface of the user terminal 300 upon request. For example, the control unit 130 generates a user interface by using image and text data (not shown) stored in the storage unit 120 as material and arranging various images and text in predetermined areas of the user interface based on predetermined layout rules. The processing related to the image generation unit may also be executed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0024] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the user terminal 300 of Fig. 1. The user terminal 300 includes a communication unit 210, a display operation unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0025] The communication unit 210 is a communication interface for communicating with the carrier terminal 100 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP.

[0026] The display operation unit 220 is a user interface used for inputting instructions by the user and displaying text, images, etc. according to input data from the control unit 240, and is composed of a display, a keyboard, and a mouse when the content provider terminal 300 is configured as a personal computer, and is composed of a touch panel, etc. when the user terminal 300 is configured as a smartphone or tablet terminal. This display operation unit 220 is started up by a control program stored in the storage unit 230 and executed by the user terminal 300, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0027] The storage unit 230 stores programs for executing various control processes and functions in the control unit 240, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM, a ROM, etc. The storage unit 230 also temporarily stores the contents of communication with the carrier terminal 100.

[0028] The control unit 240 controls the overall operation of the user terminal 300 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 230, and is composed of a CPU, a GPU, and the like.

[0029] The inviter terminal 200 may have substantially the same configuration as the user terminal 300, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of product data stored in the business operator terminal 100. As shown in FIG.

[0031] In FIG. 4, the product data 1000 shows an example of one product (a product identified by a product ID "10001") for convenience of explanation, but information on a plurality of products can be stored. As various data related to the product, for example, information on the product such as digital content (for example, subscription related to the right to play a game, game medium information related to characters, items, etc. (image data, game medium information (character (item) name, parameter information (HP, MP, attack power, defense power, etc.), rarity information, ID for associating with NFT, etc.))) and invitation information (described later) associated with the product can be included. Here, the image data stored as the above content data can also be stored in an IPFS server outside the operator terminal 100. In addition, the product data 1000 can also be recorded in a blockchain network.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of invitation data stored in the operator terminal 100. As shown in FIG.

[0033] The invitation data 2000 stores various data related to the invitation program for the product. In FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, an example of one invitation program (a program identified by the invitation ID "20001") is shown, but information related to a plurality of invitation program digital contents can be stored. The various data related to the invitation program can include, for example, introducer information introducing the product (information associated with the introducer such as a wallet address), information on the profit distribution of the invitation program (rules, calculation formulas, etc. for profit distribution between the business and the introducer (or the user in some cases), and the above-mentioned product information (product ID, etc.). Invitation data can also be recorded in a blockchain network.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of transaction data stored in the business operator terminal 100. As shown in FIG.

[0035] The transaction data 3000 stores various data related to the transaction of a product related to digital information. In FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation, an example of one transaction (a transaction identified by transaction ID "30001" is shown, but information related to multiple transactions can be stored. The various data related to the transaction can include, for example, the above-mentioned product information, transactor information (information on the parties involved in the transaction of the product (e.g., the transferor and transferee of the game medium)), transaction date and time (date and time when the transaction was executed, etc.), transaction price (sale price of the transacted product, etc.), and invitation information (mentioned above) associated with the transaction. Here, as described above, the product information can also be managed as information linked to the NFT. In addition, the transaction data can also be recorded on a blockchain network.

[0036] <Processing flow> The process flow of the method for supporting revenue distribution in product trading executed by the system 1 of this embodiment will be described below. Specifically, the method for supporting revenue distribution in product trading will be described using the flowchart of Fig. 7, taking digital content as an example of the product. In addition, in this example, the operator of the operator terminal 100 will be a game operator that provides digital content such as game media, and the introducer terminal 200 will be an SNS operator where the game operator operates an account.

[0037] First, as the process of step S101, the information processing unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the business operator terminal 100 transmits invitation data (e.g., an invitation code) related to a transaction of digital content, which has been generated in advance, to the introducer terminal 200. For example, the introducer can obtain the invitation data generated by the business operator by accessing the business operator terminal 200. Here, the invitation data only needs to be able to identify the introducer (account) and the introduced person on-chain, so in addition to the wallet address of the introducer, it may be tokenized as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT), Semi-Fungible Token (SFT), etc., or may be provided via the web. In addition, the invitation data may be configured as either a transferable or non-transferable configuration, and by configuring it as a transferable data, the introducer can monetize the invitation data. In either case, information about the introducer who obtained the invitation data is recorded in a smart contract of the blockchain network NW1, and the introducer related to the commodity transaction can be traced by linking it to transaction information related to the commodity transaction later.

[0038] Next, in the process of step S102, the introducer terminal 200 that has acquired the invitation data transmits the invitation data to the user of the user terminal 300 via SNS or the like in order to introduce a trading opportunity for digital content. Here, the user that has acquired the invitation data can also share the invitation data with other users via SNS or the like, and in that case, in the process of step S102, the invitation data can be transmitted from the user terminal 300A to the user terminal 300B. As described above, information about the user that has acquired the invitation data is transmitted to the business operator terminal 100 in step S103 or to the blockchain network NW1 in step S105, for example, every time the user selects the link information of the invitation data, and is recorded in the smart contract of the business operator terminal 100 in step S104 and in step S106, respectively. Here, the introduced user can also obtain a new NFT by minting, and in that case, the minted user information is recorded in the smart contract.

[0039] Next, in the process of step S107, the user who acquired the invitation data (in this example, the user related to the user terminal 300B is illustrated, but it may be the user terminal 300A or both) transmits a transaction request for trading digital content to the operator terminal 100 via the user terminal 300B. For example, when the user who received the invitation data wants to download a paid game or acquire a game medium, the game operator charges the user. In the process of step S108, in response to the transaction request from the user terminal 300B, the operator terminal 100 executes a transaction process for digital content. The operator terminal 100 performs a process of recording, as transaction information, product information (NFT ID) related to the traded digital content, trader information (in this example, the game operator and the user), transaction price (in this example, the amount charged), and invitation information (in this example, the invitation data and introducer / introduced person information linked to the invitation data, and revenue distribution information) in the blockchain network NW1, and in the process of step S109, the transaction information is recorded in a smart contract of the blockchain network NW1.

[0040] As described above, the transaction information recorded in the blockchain network NW1 is managed in association with the invitation data as a transaction related to the invitation data, by making a transaction request using the wallet address linked to the user's introduced user based on the account addresses of the introducer user and the introduced user as the wallet addresses included in the invitation data, or by referencing the NFT (as the right to execute a transaction) acquired by the introduced user via the introducer. Therefore, in the processing of step S110, the invitation data recorded in the smart contract in the blockchain network NW1 is referenced in order to execute revenue distribution associated with the user's charge, and in the processing of steps S111 and S112, revenue distribution processing is executed for the wallets linked to the business operator terminal 100 and the introducer terminal 200 (and the user terminal 300A if the user terminal 300A becomes the introducer) based on the introducer / introduced user and revenue distribution rules specified in the smart contract. Here, regarding revenue distribution, the fee amount transferred to the operator terminal 100 on-chain may be transferred by the game operator to each introducer by on-chain or off-chain processing.

[0041] Next, another example of an introduction scenario will be described using the flowchart showing the method for supporting revenue distribution in product trading in Fig. 8. In this example, the operator of the operator terminal 100 is assumed to be a game operator that provides digital content such as game media, and the introducer terminal 200 is assumed to be an individual operator such as a streamer that introduces trading opportunities for games and / or digital content such as game media of the game operator.

[0042] First, in the process of step S201, the information processing unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the business operator terminal 100 transmits previously generated invitation data (e.g., an invitation code) related to a digital content transaction to the introducer terminal 200. For example, the introducer can obtain the invitation data generated by the business operator by accessing the business operator terminal 200. Here, the invitation data may be tokenized as an NFT or may be provided via the web. In either case, information about the introducer who obtained the invitation data is recorded in a smart contract of the blockchain network NW1, and the introducer related to the commodity transaction can be traced by linking it to transaction information related to the commodity transaction later.

[0043] Next, in the process of step S202, the introducer of the introducer terminal 200 who has acquired the invitation data transmits the invitation data to the user of the user terminal 300 via video distribution or the like in order to introduce a trading opportunity for digital content. In the process of step S202, when the user terminal 300 accesses the introducer terminal 200, information about the user who has acquired the invitation data is transmitted to the business operator terminal 100 in step S203 or to the blockchain network NW1 in step S205 when the user selects link information of the invitation data, and is recorded in the smart contract of the business operator terminal 100 in step S204 and in the blockchain network NW1 in step S206.

[0044] Next, when the user who received the invitation data wants to download a paid game or obtain game media, the game operator charges the user. In step S207, in response to a transaction request from the user terminal 300, in step S208, the operator terminal 100 executes a transaction process for digital content. The operator terminal 100 performs a process of recording, as transaction information, product information (NFT ID) related to the traded digital content, trader information (in this example, the game operator and the user), transaction price (in this example, the charge amount), and invitation information (in this example, the invitation data and introducer / introduced person information linked to the invitation data, and revenue distribution information) in the blockchain network NW1, and in step S209, the transaction information is recorded in a smart contract in the blockchain network NW1.

[0045] As described above, the transaction information recorded in the blockchain network NW1 is managed in association with the invitation data, so that in step S210, the invitation data recorded in the smart contract in the blockchain network NW1 is referenced in order to execute revenue distribution associated with the charge by the user, and in steps S211 and S212, revenue distribution processing is executed for the wallets associated with each user for the operator terminal 100 and the introducer terminal 300 based on the introducer and revenue distribution rules defined in the smart contract. Here, regarding the revenue distribution, the game operator may remit the charge amount transferred to the operator terminal 100 on-chain to each introducer in an off-chain process.

[0046] Thus, according to this example, it is possible to trace introducers involved in product transactions while ensuring the transparency and non-tampering of the transactions, and revenue distribution can be carried out, allowing the business operator to operate their business in a sound manner.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the transaction of digital content has been described as an example, but the present embodiment can also be applied to advertising content (including advertising media) such as video advertising. In this case, when an introducer introduces advertising content such as video advertising provided by a business operating company to a user via an introducer terminal and the user accesses the video advertising, the advertising fee can be distributed to the operating company based on the method of supporting revenue distribution according to the above embodiment, while the operating company can share a portion of the advertising fee with the introducer.

[0048] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they can be embodied in various other forms and can be implemented with various omissions, substitutions, and modifications. These embodiments and modifications, as well as omissions, substitutions, and modifications, are included in the technical scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1 System 100 Business operator terminal, 110 Communication unit, 120 Storage unit, 130 Control unit, 200 Introducer terminal, 300 User terminal, NW1 Blockchain network

Claims

1. A method for supporting revenue sharing regarding a commodity transaction via a blockchain network connected to a business terminal, an introducer terminal, and a user terminal, comprising: The carrier terminal includes: Issue invitation data to trade products offered by businesses; Sending invitation data to the introducer terminal; The introducer terminal, receiving a transaction request for the product via the introduction information from the user terminal of a user who wishes to trade the product; Recording transaction information of the product on a blockchain network based on the transaction request; The method, wherein the transaction information includes the invitation data, the invitation data including information about the business and the introducer that identifies recipients for sharing revenue based on the transaction of the product.

2. 2. The method of claim 1 , The method, wherein the goods are traded as on-chain data recorded on the blockchain network.

3. 2. The method of claim 1 , The method, wherein the product is digital content or advertising content (including advertising media).

4. 2. The method of claim 1 , The method, wherein the invitation data can be shared with a user terminal different from the user terminal, and when shared with the different user terminal, includes user information regarding the different user terminal as information identifying recipients to whom revenue based on the transaction of the product will be shared.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the invitation data is an invitation code.

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