Systems, programs, and methods

Abstract

We provide a novel system for displaying advertisements. [Solution] A system comprising a server device and a computer device capable of communicating with the server device, the system further comprising advertising output means for outputting an advertisement on a portion of the window of a running application displayed on the computer device, or on a portion of the home screen displayed on the computer device.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, program, and method for outputting advertisements.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, there are many applications and services that allow free viewing of comics and videos (Non-Patent Document 1, Non-Patent Document 2). Conventionally, there has been an advertisement display status monitoring program that claims to be able to monitor the advertisement display status more accurately (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] We provide a novel system for displaying advertisements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The challenges include, for example, [1] A system comprising a first server device and a user terminal capable of communication with the first server device, the system comprising advertising output means for outputting an advertisement on a portion of the window of a running application displayed on the user terminal, or on a portion of the home screen displayed on the user terminal; [2] The system described in [1] above, wherein, in response to the transmission of an advertisement from the first server device to a user terminal, or the output of an advertisement by an advertisement output means, the first server device, the user terminal, or a second server device different from the first server device becomes capable of executing predetermined information processing; [3] The system described in [2] above, further comprising the ability to perform predetermined information processing in response to a predetermined operation performed on a user terminal related to a second advertisement related to the aforementioned advertisement; [4] The system according to any one of [1] to [3] above, comprising information storage means for storing or updating predetermined information in response to the transmission of an advertisement from the first server device to a user terminal, or in response to the output of an advertisement by the advertisement output means; [5] The system according to any one of [1] to [4] above, wherein the information storage means further stores or updates predetermined information in response to a predetermined operation performed on a user terminal relating to a second advertisement relating to the advertisement; [6] The system described in [4] or [5] above, wherein if the specified information satisfies the specified conditions, the first server device, user terminal, or second server device is capable of performing the specified information processing; [7] A system according to any of [4] to [6] above, wherein the predetermined information is points awarded to a user operating a user terminal; [8] A flag indicating whether or not predetermined information enables predetermined information processing in the first server device, user terminal, or second server device, according to any of the systems described in [4] to [6] above; [9] A system according to any of [2] to [8] above, wherein the predetermined information processing is the process of transmitting content stored in the first server device or the second server device from the first server device or the second server device to a user terminal, or the process of outputting said content at the user terminal;

[10] A system according to any of [2] to [8] above, wherein the predetermined information processing is a process in the first server device or the second server device that grants reward data to a user operating a user terminal, a process that registers that a reward will be granted to a user, or a process that notifies the user terminal that a reward will be granted;

[11] The system according to any of [1] to

[10] above, wherein the advertising output means outputs different advertisements depending on the application, outputs different advertisements depending on the content displayed on the application window, or outputs different advertisements depending on the content displayed on the home screen;

[12] The system according to any of [1] to

[11] above, wherein the advertising output means, based on control information for determining which applications will not output advertisements, does not output the advertisement on a portion of the window of an application that will not output advertisements;

[13] The system according to any one of [1] to

[12] , wherein the advertising output means outputs the advertisement on a portion of the window of the application on which the advertisement is to be output, based on control information for determining the application on which the advertisement is to be output;

[14] A program that causes a user terminal capable of communicating with a first server device to function as an advertising output means, which outputs an advertisement to a portion of the window of a running application displayed on the user terminal, or to a portion of the home screen displayed on the user terminal;

[15] A method to be performed in a system comprising a first server device and a user terminal capable of communicating with the first server device, the method comprising an advertisement output step of outputting an advertisement on a part of the window of a running application displayed on the user terminal, or on a part of the home screen displayed on the user terminal;

[16] A system comprising a first server device, a second server device, and a user terminal capable of communicating with the first and second server devices, the system comprising: an advertising transmission means for transmitting advertisements from the first server device to the user terminal; an advertising output means for outputting the advertisement transmitted from the first server device on a part of the window of a running application displayed on the user terminal, or on a part of the home screen displayed on the user terminal; and a first processing execution means for executing predetermined information processing in the second server device in response to the advertisement being transmitted by the advertising transmission means or to the advertisement being output by the advertising output means. A system comprising: a second processing execution means that performs predetermined information processing in a second server device in response to an advertisement being transmitted by a transmission means and a predetermined operation being performed on the user terminal, or an advertisement being output by an advertisement output means and a predetermined operation being performed on the user terminal; and / or a third processing execution means that performs predetermined information processing in a second server device by consuming points awarded in response to an advertisement being transmitted from the first server device to the user terminal, or by consuming points awarded in response to an advertisement being output on the user terminal that was received from the first server device;

[17] A system comprising a first server device and a user terminal capable of communication with the first server device, the system comprising: an advertising transmission means for transmitting an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal; an advertising output means for outputting an advertisement transmitted from the first server device on a part of the window of a running application displayed on the user terminal, or on a part of the home screen displayed on the user terminal; a first processing execution means for executing predetermined information processing in the first server device in response to the transmission of an advertisement by the advertising transmission means or the output of an advertisement by the advertising output means; a second processing execution means for executing predetermined information processing in the first server device in response to the transmission of an advertisement by the advertising transmission means and the user terminal performing a predetermined operation, or to the output of an advertisement by the advertising output means and the user terminal performing a predetermined operation; and / or a third processing execution means for executing predetermined information processing in the first server device by consuming points granted in response to the transmission of an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal, or by consuming points granted in response to the output of an advertisement received from the first server device on the user terminal;

[18] The system described in

[16] or

[17] above, wherein the predetermined information processing is the process of transmitting content stored in the first server device or the second server device from the first server device or the second server device to a user terminal, or the process of outputting said content at the user terminal;

[19] The system described in

[16] or

[17] above, wherein the predetermined information processing is a process in the first server device or the second server device that grants reward data to a user operating a user terminal, a process that registers that a reward will be granted to a user, or a process that notifies the user terminal that a reward will be granted;

[20] A system according to any of

[16] to

[19] above, wherein the points are awarded to the user in response to the first server device sending an advertisement to the user terminal and the user terminal performing a predetermined operation related to a second advertisement related to the said advertisement, or the points are awarded to the user in response to the user terminal outputting an advertisement received from the first server device and the user terminal performing a predetermined operation related to a second advertisement related to the said advertisement;

[21] A method to be performed in a system comprising a first server device, a second server device, and a user terminal capable of communicating with the first and second server devices, comprising: an advertisement transmission step of transmitting an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal; an advertisement output step of outputting the advertisement transmitted from the first server device on a part of the window of a running application displayed on the user terminal, or on a part of the home screen displayed on the user terminal; and a first processing step of performing predetermined information processing in the second server device in response to transmitting an advertisement in the advertisement transmission step or outputting an advertisement in the advertisement output step. A method comprising: a second processing execution step in which an advertisement is transmitted in the line step and the advertisement transmission step and a predetermined operation is performed on the user terminal, or an advertisement is output in the advertisement output step and a predetermined operation is performed on the user terminal, and / or a third processing execution step in which an predetermined information processing is performed on the second server device by consuming points awarded in response to the transmission of an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal, or by consuming points awarded in response to the output of an advertisement received from the first server device on the user terminal;

[22] A method to be performed in a system comprising a first server device and a user terminal capable of communication with the first server device, the method comprising: an advertisement transmission step of transmitting an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal; an advertisement output step of outputting the advertisement transmitted from the first server device on a part of the window of a running application displayed on the user terminal, or on a part of the home screen displayed on the user terminal; a first processing execution step of performing predetermined information processing in the first server device in response to transmitting an advertisement in the advertisement transmission step or outputting an advertisement in the advertisement output step; a second processing execution step of performing predetermined information processing in the first server device in response to transmitting an advertisement in the advertisement transmission step and performing a predetermined operation on the user terminal, or outputting an advertisement in the advertisement output step and performing a predetermined operation on the user terminal; and / or a third processing execution step of performing predetermined information processing in the first server device by consuming points granted in response to transmitting an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal, or by consuming points granted in response to outputting an advertisement received from the first server device on the user terminal; This can be resolved.

[0007] The challenges include, for example,

[31] A program to cause a computer to function as an advertising unit that retrieves advertisements from an advertising management unit where one or more advertisements are stored; an advertising output unit that outputs the advertisements retrieved by the advertising unit; a status change unit that changes the status information of a status management unit where status information regarding the status of advertisement output is managed; an instruction receiving unit that receives a content output instruction; a determination unit that refers to the status management unit and determines whether the conditions for the status management unit to output content corresponding to the content output instruction are met; a content retrieval unit that retrieves content specified by the content output instruction from a content storage unit where two or more content items are stored, if the determination unit determines that the content output condition is met; and a program to cause the computer to function as a content output unit that outputs the content retrieved by the content retrieval unit only if the determination unit determines that the content output condition is met;

[32] The program described in

[31] for causing the computer to function such that, after outputting the first content, if the advertisement output unit has not output the advertisement, it does not output the second content;

[33] The advertising output unit is programmed according to

[31] or

[32] to cause the computer to function such that it does not output advertisements while the content output unit is outputting content;

[34] The advertising output unit is a program described in any of

[31] to

[33] above that causes the computer to function so as to output the advertisement after the content output unit has finished outputting the content;

[35] The advertising output unit is the program described in

[34] for causing the computer to function such that it outputs the advertisement on the window of a launched application or on the home screen after the content output unit has finished outputting the content;

[36] The advertising management unit stores two or more advertisements, and the advertising acquisition unit is a program described in

[35] for causing the computer to function such that it acquires different advertisements from the advertising management unit depending on the application or home screen on which the advertisements are output;

[37] The advertising output unit refers to a control information management unit which stores control information that is information for determining which applications do not output advertisements, or information for determining which applications output advertisements, and based on the control information, the program described in

[35] or

[36] above causes the computer to function such that it does not output advertisements on the windows of applications that do not output advertisements;

[38] The advertising output unit is a program described in any of

[35] to

[37] above that causes the computer to function to output the advertisement on the application window or the home screen in Picture-in-Picture;

[39] The status management unit manages status information for each of the two or more user identifiers, The determination unit, when the instruction receiving unit receives the content output instruction, determines whether or not the content output conditions are met based on status information paired with a user identifier corresponding to the content output instruction, using any of the programs described in

[31] to

[38] above to cause the computer to function;

[40] A computer comprising: an instruction receiving unit that receives content output instructions; a status management unit that manages status information regarding the output status of advertisements, and determines whether the status management unit satisfies the content output conditions for outputting content corresponding to the content output instructions; a content acquisition unit that acquires the content specified by the content output instructions from a content storage unit that stores two or more contents, if the determination unit determines that the content output conditions are met; and a program to cause the computer to function as a content output unit that outputs the content acquired by the content acquisition unit only if the determination unit determines that the content output conditions are met;

[41] A program for causing a computer to function as an advertising acquisition unit that acquires advertisements from an advertising management unit that stores one or more advertisements; an advertising output unit that outputs the advertisements acquired by the advertising acquisition unit; a status change unit that changes status information in a status management unit that manages status information regarding the output status of advertisements by the advertising output unit; and a completion reception unit that receives notification that content output has been completed, the program for causing the computer to function such that the advertising output unit outputs the advertisement when the completion reception unit receives notification that it has been completed;

[42] A content output device comprising: an ad acquisition unit that acquires an ad from an ad management unit that stores one or more ads; an ad output unit that outputs the ad acquired by the ad acquisition unit; a status change unit that changes the status information of a status management unit that manages status information regarding the status of ad output; an instruction receiving unit that receives a content output instruction; a determination unit that refers to the status management unit and determines whether or not the status management unit satisfies the content output conditions, which are the conditions for the status management unit to output content corresponding to the content output instruction; a content acquisition unit that acquires the content specified by the content output instruction from a content storage unit that stores two or more contents when the determination unit determines that the content output conditions are met; and a content output unit that outputs the content acquired by the content acquisition unit only when the determination unit determines that the content output conditions are met; A content output method realized by an advertisement acquisition unit, an advertisement output unit, a situation change unit, an instruction reception unit, a determination unit, a content acquisition unit, and a content output unit, the advertisement acquisition step in which the advertisement acquisition unit acquires an advertisement from an advertisement management unit in which one or more advertisements are stored, the advertisement output step in which the advertisement output unit outputs the advertisement acquired by the advertisement acquisition unit, the situation change step in which the situation change unit changes the situation information of a situation management unit in which situation information regarding the output situation of an advertisement is managed, the instruction reception step in which the instruction reception unit receives a content output instruction, the determination step in which the determination unit refers to the situation management unit and determines whether or not a content output condition, which is a condition for the situation management unit to output content corresponding to the content output instruction, is satisfied, the content acquisition step in which the content acquisition unit acquires the content specified by the content output instruction from a content storage unit in which two or more contents are stored when the determination unit determines that the content output condition is satisfied, and the content output step in which the content output unit outputs the content acquired by the content acquisition unit only when the determination unit determines that the content output condition is satisfied; can also be solved thereby.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] The present invention can provide a novel system for outputting advertisements.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] [Figure 1] Block diagram of the content output device 1 in Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Flowchart for explaining an operation example of the content output device 1 [Figure 3] Flowchart for explaining an example of the first determination [Figure 4] Flowchart for explaining an example of the advertisement output process [Figure 5] Flowchart for explaining an example of the second determination process [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of the content management table. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of the advertising management table. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the processing of the content output device 1. [Figure 9] Figure showing an example of the same output. [Figure 10] Figure showing an example of the same output. [Figure 11] Figure showing an example of the same output. [Figure 12] Conceptual diagram of information system A in Embodiment 2 [Figure 13] Block diagram of information system A [Figure 14] Flowchart illustrating an example of operation of the content output device 2. [Figure 15] A flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of terminal device 3. [Figure 16] A diagram showing an example of the user management table. [Figure 17] Block diagram of the computer system in the above embodiment [Figure 18] Block diagram showing the system configuration in Embodiment 3 [Figure 19] Block diagram showing the configuration of the user terminal in Embodiment 3 [Figure 20] Block diagram showing the configuration of the first server device in Embodiment 3. [Figure 21] Block diagram showing the configuration of the second server device in Embodiment 3. [Figure 22] A diagram showing the flowchart of the advertisement display process in Embodiment 3. [Figure 23] A diagram showing the flowchart of the application switching process in Embodiment 3. [Figure 24] A diagram showing a flowchart of the execution process for a predetermined information processing in Embodiment 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes embodiments of the content output device and the like with reference to the drawings. Note that components denoted by the same reference numerals in these embodiments perform similar operations, and therefore, further explanation may be omitted.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) In this embodiment, a content output device that manages the output status of advertisements for content playback will be described. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a content output device that can output content based on the managed advertisement output status will be described.

[0012] Furthermore, in this embodiment, we will describe a content output device that prevents the viewing of other content if, after viewing one piece of content, the advertisement output status does not meet the content output conditions.

[0013] Furthermore, in this embodiment, we will describe a content output device that does not output advertisements in the application that plays the content (hereinafter referred to as "app" as appropriate).

[0014] Furthermore, in this embodiment, we will describe a content output device that outputs advertisements after content playback.

[0015] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a content output device that outputs advertisements to other apps or the home screen after content playback will be described. In this embodiment, for example, the content output device outputs advertisements to other apps or the home screen using Picture-in-Picture (PiP).

[0016] Furthermore, in this embodiment, we will describe a content output device that selects and outputs advertisements according to the target to which the advertisement is output (another app or the home screen).

[0017] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a content output device that manages information for determining which apps output advertisements and which do not will be described.

[0018] In this specification, information X being associated with information Y means that information Y can be obtained from information X, or information X can be obtained from information Y, and the method of association is irrelevant. Information X and information Y may be linked, may reside in the same buffer, may information X be contained in information Y, or information Y may be contained in information X, and so on.

[0019] Furthermore, in this specification, selecting or determining information Z means obtaining information Z, obtaining a pointer to information Z, obtaining the ID of information Z, setting a flag on information Z, etc., and it is sufficient to be able to access information Z.

[0020] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the content output device 1 in this embodiment. Here, the content output device 1 is a terminal. The content output device 1 is, for example, a smartphone, tablet terminal, personal computer, etc., but the type is not limited.

[0021] The content output device 1 comprises a storage unit 11, a reception unit 12, a processing unit 13, and an output unit 14. The storage unit 11 comprises a content storage unit 111, an advertising management unit 112, a status management unit 113, and a control information management unit 114. The reception unit 12 comprises an instruction reception unit 121. The processing unit 13 comprises a judgment unit 131, a content acquisition unit 132, an advertising acquisition unit 133, and a status change unit 134. The output unit 14 comprises a content output unit 141 and an advertising output unit 142.

[0022] The storage unit 11 stores various types of information. These types of information include, for example, content, advertisements, status information, control information, one or more applications, and various conditions. The type of application is not limited. The various conditions include, for example, content output conditions. It goes without saying that these various conditions may also be embedded in the program.

[0023] Content output conditions are conditions for determining whether or not to output content. Content output conditions are conditions related to the status management unit 113. Conditions related to the status management unit 113 are conditions related to status information. For example, a content output condition is that there is no status information in the status management unit 113 indicating that an advertisement has not been output. For example, a content output condition is that there is status information in the status management unit 113 indicating that an advertisement has been output. For example, a content output condition is that there is no status information in the status management unit 113 with a negative point count. For example, a content output condition is that there is status information in the status management unit 113 with a positive point count. For example, a content output condition is that "the number of points required to output content <= the positive point count indicated by the status information".

[0024] Ad output conditions are the conditions for displaying an ad. For example, an ad output condition might be that the situational information is information that cannot be used to display content. Another example of an ad output condition might be that the points in the situational information are below a threshold (for example, 0 or less).

[0025] The content storage unit 111 stores one or more content items. Each content item is typically associated with a content identifier. Each content item is also associated with, for example, one or more content attribute values. Furthermore, each content item is associated with, for example, the number of points required for content output. Note that the number of points can be considered a content attribute value.

[0026] Content is the information that is output. Content is typically the information that a user views. Preferably, content is stream data. Content can be, for example, video, still images, music, audio, or a combination of video and audio, regardless of its data type. Examples of content include comics, movies, books, music, and photographs.

[0027] A content identifier is information that identifies content. Examples of content identifiers include the content ID and content name. Content attribute values ​​include, for example, the content type, the content author, the content performer, the content size, the content playback time, and the price for outputting the content.

[0028] The ad management unit 112 stores one or more ads. Ads can be, for example, videos, videos and audio, audio, or still images. Ads may also have one or more ad attribute values ​​associated with them. Ad attribute values ​​may include, for example, the type of app to which the ad is displayed, the app identifier, and the number of points obtained from displaying the ad.

[0029] The status management unit 113 stores one or more status information. The status information may also be associated with the application identifier of the application that outputs the content.

[0030] Status information refers to information regarding the output status of advertisements. This information may include information regarding both the output status of advertisements and the output status of content. For example, status information may include information regarding the output status of content for which advertisements have not yet been outputted. Examples of status information include information indicating that advertisements have not been outputted, information indicating that advertisements have been outputted, information indicating that content has been outputted, the number of points earned from advertisement output, and the number of negative points earned from content output. If the status information includes points, points will increase from advertisement output and decrease from content output.

[0031] For example, if the status management unit 113 contains status information indicating that no advertisement has been output, new content cannot be output. For example, if the status management unit 113 contains status information indicating that an advertisement has been output, new content can be output. For example, if the status management unit 113 contains status information indicating that content has been output, new content cannot be output. For example, if the status management unit 113 contains status information indicating that an advertisement has been output, new content can be output. For example, if the status management unit 113 contains a positive number of points obtained from the output of an advertisement, content corresponding to that number of points can be output. For example, if the status management unit 113 contains a negative number of points obtained from the output of content, new content cannot be output until the negative number of points becomes 0 or positive and no advertisement is output.

[0032] The control information management unit 114 stores control information. This control information is used to determine which applications will not display advertisements, or which applications will display advertisements. An application that displays advertisements is one that can display advertisements in Picture-in-Picture (PinP) within the application's window while the application is running. The application may also be a web page.

[0033] The control information may include, for example, one or more app identifiers that identify applications that do not display ads, or one or more app identifiers that identify applications that display ads. The control information may include, for example, one or more attribute values ​​(e.g., app type) of applications that do not display ads, or one or more attribute values ​​of applications that display ads. For example, if the control information identifies an application that displays ads, then ads will only be displayed on the screen of that application.

[0034] The content storage unit 111, the advertising management unit 112, the status management unit 113, and the control information management unit 114 may reside in external devices not shown. For example, the content storage unit 111 may reside in a content server not shown. For example, the advertising management unit 112 may reside in an advertising server not shown.

[0035] The reception unit 12 receives various instructions and information. These instructions and information include, for example, instructions for content output, instructions for launching an application, and instructions for displaying advertisements.

[0036] A content output instruction is an instruction to output content. Content output instructions typically have a content identifier. An ad output instruction is an instruction to output an advertisement.

[0037] Any means of inputting instructions and information is acceptable, such as a touch panel, keyboard, mouse, or menu screen.

[0038] The instruction receiving unit 121 receives various instructions. These instructions include, for example, instructions to output content, instructions to launch an application, and instructions to output advertisements. In this context, "receiving" usually refers to receiving information input from input devices such as touch panels, keyboards, and mice, but it may also include receiving information transmitted via wired or wireless communication lines, and receiving information read from recording media such as optical discs, magnetic discs, and semiconductor memory.

[0039] The processing unit 13 performs various processes. These various processes include, for example, the processes performed by the judgment unit 131, the content acquisition unit 132, the advertisement acquisition unit 133, and the status change unit 134.

[0040] The determination unit 131 performs a first decision process to determine whether or not to output content. That is, the determination unit 131 refers to the status management unit 113 and determines whether or not the status management unit 113 satisfies the content output conditions. For example, the determination unit 131 determines whether or not the content output conditions for outputting content corresponding to a content output instruction are met. It can also be considered that whether or not the status management unit 113 satisfies the content output conditions is the same as whether or not the status information satisfies the content output conditions.

[0041] The decision unit 131 performs a second decision process to determine whether or not to output an advertisement. In other words, the decision unit 131 refers to the status management unit 113 and determines whether or not the status management unit 113 satisfies the advertisement output conditions. It can be considered that whether or not the status management unit 113 satisfies the advertisement output conditions is the same as whether or not the status information satisfies the advertisement output conditions.

[0042] The content acquisition unit 132 acquires the content specified by the content output instruction from the content storage unit 111. For example, if the determination unit 131 determines that the content output conditions are met, the content acquisition unit 132 acquires the content specified by the output instruction from the content storage unit 111, which stores two or more contents.

[0043] The ad acquisition unit 133 acquires ads from the ad management unit 112. It is preferable for the ad acquisition unit 133 to acquire different ads from the ad management unit 112 depending on the application or home screen on which the ad is displayed. For example, the ad acquisition unit 133 acquires an ad that corresponds to the application on which the ad is displayed. For example, the ad acquisition unit 133 acquires an ad that corresponds to the home screen. The method of associating applications or home screens with ads is not limited. An ad may be associated with one or more app identifiers, or an ad may be associated with one or more app attribute values ​​(for example, app type).

[0044] The ad acquisition unit 133 acquires ads from the ad management unit 112 immediately after the content output is completed, for example.

[0045] The status change unit 134 modifies the status information of the status management unit 113. For example, if an advertisement is output, the status change unit 134 modifies the status information of the status management unit 113 to enable the output of new content. For example, if content is output, the status change unit 134 modifies the status information of the status management unit 113 to disable the output of new content.

[0046] The output unit 14 outputs various types of information. These types of information include, for example, content, advertisements, and a message indicating that content cannot be output.

[0047] Here, output usually refers to displaying on a screen or projecting using a projector, but it may also be a concept that includes printing with a printer, sound output, transmission to an external device, storage on a recording medium, and transfer of processing results to other processing devices or other programs.

[0048] The content output unit 141 outputs the content acquired by the content acquisition unit 132. Preferably, the content output unit 141 outputs the content acquired by the content acquisition unit 132 only when the determination unit 131 determines that the content output conditions are met.

[0049] It is preferable that the content output unit 141 does not output the second content after outputting the first content, if the advertisement output unit 142 has not output an advertisement.

[0050] The ad output unit 142 outputs the ads acquired by the ad acquisition unit 133. It is preferable that the ad output unit 142 refrain from outputting ads while the content output unit 141 is outputting content, in order to allow users to comfortably view the content.

[0051] It is preferable for the advertisement output unit 142 to output advertisements after the content output unit 141 has finished outputting content.

[0052] The ad output unit 142 preferably outputs ads on the window of the launched application or on the home screen. It is even more preferable for the ad output unit 142 to output ads on the window of the launched application or on the home screen after the content output unit 141 has finished outputting the content.

[0053] If the ad output unit 142 detects, based on the control information from the control information management unit 114, that the app does not output ads, it is preferable that the ad output unit 142 refrains from displaying ads on the app's window.

[0054] The ad output unit 142 is preferably configured to output ads in Picture-in-Picture (PiP) format on the app window or the home screen.

[0055] The storage unit 11, content storage unit 111, advertising management unit 112, status management unit 113, and control information management unit 114 are preferably made of non-volatile recording media, but can also be made of volatile recording media.

[0056] The process by which information is stored in the storage unit 11, etc. is not relevant. For example, information may be stored in the storage unit 11, etc. via a recording medium, information transmitted via a communication line, etc. may be stored in the storage unit 11, etc., or information input via an input device may be stored in the storage unit 11, etc.

[0057] The reception unit 12 and the instruction reception unit 121 can be implemented using device drivers for input means such as touch panels and keyboards, or control software for menu screens.

[0058] The processing unit 13, the determination unit 131, the content acquisition unit 132, the advertisement acquisition unit 133, and the status change unit 134 can typically be implemented using a processor, memory, etc. The processing procedures of the processing unit 13, etc., are typically implemented in software, and this software is recorded on a recording medium such as ROM. However, it may also be implemented in hardware (dedicated circuitry). The processor can be a CPU, MPU, GPU, etc., and the type is not limited.

[0059] The output unit 14, the content output unit 141, and the advertising output unit 142 may or may not be considered to include output devices such as displays and speakers. The output unit 14, etc., can be implemented using driver software for the output device, or driver software for the output device and the output device, etc.

[0060] Next, an example of the operation of the content output device 1 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 2.

[0061] (Step S201) The instruction receiving unit 121 determines whether or not it has received a content output instruction from the user. If a content output instruction has been received, the process proceeds to step S202; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S215.

[0062] (Step S202) The content acquisition unit 132 acquires the content identifier included in the content output instruction.

[0063] (Step S203) The decision unit 131 makes a decision on whether or not to output content. This decision is called the first decision. An example of the first decision will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 3.

[0064] (Step S204) If the result of the judgment in step S203 is that the content can be output, proceed to step S205; otherwise, proceed to step S211.

[0065] (Step S205) The content acquisition unit 132 acquires the content identified by the content identifier acquired in step S202 from the content storage unit 111. The content output unit 141 outputs the content acquired by the content acquisition unit 132. The content acquisition unit 132 stores the content identifier of the output content in a buffer (not shown).

[0066] (Step S206) The content acquisition unit 132 determines whether it has completed outputting all content identified by the content identifier acquired in step S202. If the content output is complete, the unit proceeds to step S207; otherwise, it returns to step S205. In the case of content such as streams or comics, the output of the content is determined to be complete when playback of the stream to the end is finished or when output of the comic to the last page is finished.

[0067] (Step S207) The status change unit 134 updates the status information in the status management unit 113 in accordance with the completion of content output.

[0068] The status change unit 134 updates the status information to, for example, status information indicating that the next content cannot be output. The status change unit 134 deletes, for example, status information indicating that the next content can be output. The status change unit 134 stores, for example, status information indicating that the next content cannot be output. The status change unit 134 reduces the current number of points indicated by the status information by, for example, the number of points that are paired with the output content.

[0069] (Step S208) The ad acquisition unit 133, etc., performs processing to output the ad. An example of such ad output processing will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 4.

[0070] (Step S209) The status change unit 134 determines whether the advertisement output was completed in step S208. If the advertisement output is completed, the process proceeds to step S210; otherwise, it returns to step S201. Note that if the advertisement output is not completed, for example, the user has forcibly terminated the advertisement output.

[0071] (Step S210) The status change unit 134 updates the status information in the status management unit 113 in accordance with the completion of the advertisement output. Return to step S201.

[0072] The status change unit 134 updates the status information of the status management unit 113 to status information indicating that the next content can be output. The status change unit 134 deletes status information indicating that the next content cannot be output. The status change unit 134 stores status information indicating that the next content can be output. The status change unit 134 increases the current number of points indicated by the status information by the number of points corresponding to the outputted advertisement.

[0073] (Step S211) The output unit 14 outputs a message indicating that it is not possible to output the content that was instructed to be output.

[0074] (Step S212) The ad acquisition unit 133, etc., performs processing to output the ad. An example of such ad output processing will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 4.

[0075] (Step S213) The status change unit 134 determines whether the output of the advertisement was completed in step S212. If the output of the advertisement is completed, the process proceeds to step S214; otherwise, it returns to step S201.

[0076] (Step S214) The status change unit 134 updates the status information in the status management unit 113 in accordance with the completion of the advertisement output. Return to step S201.

[0077] The status change unit 134 updates the status information to indicate, for example, that the next content can be output. The status change unit 134 deletes, for example, status information indicating that the next content cannot be output. The status change unit 134 stores, for example, status information indicating that the next content can be output. The status change unit 134 increases the current number of points indicated by the status information by, for example, the number of points corresponding to the outputted advertisement.

[0078] (Step S215) The instruction receiving unit 121 determines whether or not it has received an instruction to launch the application. If it has received an instruction to launch the application, it proceeds to step S216; otherwise, it proceeds to step S222.

[0079] (Step S216) The processing unit 13 reads the application corresponding to the application startup instruction from the storage unit 11 and starts it.

[0080] (Step S217) The decision unit 131 makes a decision on whether or not to output an advertisement. This decision is called the second decision process. An example of the second decision process will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 5.

[0081] (Step S218) If the result of the decision in step S217 is "output the advertisement", proceed to step S219; otherwise, return to step S201.

[0082] (Step S219) The ad acquisition unit 133, etc., performs processing to output the ad. An example of such ad output processing will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 4.

[0083] (Step S220) The status change unit 134 determines whether the output of the advertisement was completed in step S219. If the output of the advertisement is completed, the process proceeds to step S221; otherwise, it returns to step S201.

[0084] (Step S221) The status change unit 134 updates the status information in the status management unit 113 in accordance with the completion of the advertisement output. Return to step S201.

[0085] The status change unit 134 updates the status information to indicate, for example, that the next content can be output. The status change unit 134 deletes, for example, status information indicating that the next content cannot be output. The status change unit 134 stores, for example, status information indicating that the next content can be output. The status change unit 134 increases the current number of points indicated by the status information by, for example, the number of points corresponding to the outputted advertisement.

[0086] (Step S222) The reception unit 12 determines whether or not it has received an ad output instruction from the user. If an ad output instruction has been received, it proceeds to step S219; otherwise, it proceeds to step S223.

[0087] (Step S223) The reception unit 12 determines whether or not it has received any other instructions. If it has received any other instructions, it proceeds to step S224; otherwise, it returns to step S201.

[0088] (Step S224) The processing unit 13 performs processing according to other instructions. Return to step S201.

[0089] Note that steps S208 to S210 are optional in the flowchart in Figure 2. If they are omitted, the process returns from step S207 to step S201.

[0090] Also, in the flowchart of Figure 2, steps S212 to S214 are optional. If they are omitted, the process returns from step S211 to step S201.

[0091] Furthermore, as shown in the flowchart in Figure 2, processing is terminated by power-off or processing termination interrupts.

[0092] Next, an example of the first decision in step S203 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 3.

[0093] (Step S301) The determination unit 131 acquires the status information from the status management unit 113.

[0094] (Step S302) The determination unit 131 determines whether or not a point count exists that is paired with the content identifier. If a point count exists, the unit proceeds to step S303; otherwise, the unit proceeds to step S304.

[0095] (Step S303) The determination unit 131 obtains the number of points that corresponds to the content identifier.

[0096] (Step S304) The determination unit 131 determines whether the status information, or the status information and the number of points, satisfies the content output conditions of the storage unit 11. If the content output conditions are met, the unit proceeds to step S305; otherwise, it proceeds to step S306.

[0097] (Step S305) The determination unit 131 assigns the value "Output OK" to the variable "Decision Result". It returns to the higher-level process.

[0098] (Step S306) The determination unit 131 assigns the value "Output not possible" to the variable "Decision result". It returns to the higher-level process.

[0099] Next, an example of the advertising output process in step S208 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 4.

[0100] (Step S401) The ad acquisition unit 133 acquires one or more content attribute values ​​of the output content. However, if the content identifier of the output content is not present in a buffer (not shown), the ad acquisition unit 133 does not acquire one or more content attribute values.

[0101] (Step S402) The ad acquisition unit 133 acquires the app identifier of the running app. However, if there is no running app, the ad acquisition unit 133 does not acquire the app identifier.

[0102] (Step S403) The ad acquisition unit 133 determines whether or not it obtained the app identifier in step S402. If it obtained the app identifier, it proceeds to step S404; otherwise, it proceeds to step S405.

[0103] (Step S404) The ad acquisition unit 133 acquires one or more app attribute values ​​that are paired with the acquired app identifier.

[0104] (Step S405) The ad acquisition unit 133 selects and acquires an ad from the ad management unit 112.

[0105] The ad acquisition unit 133 acquires ads from the ad management unit 112 that correspond to one or more types of information, such as a content identifier, one or more content attribute values, an app identifier, and one or more app attribute values. The ad acquisition unit 133 may also randomly select ads from the ad management unit 112.

[0106] (Step S406) The ad output unit 142 determines whether the app is running or not. If the app is running, proceed to step S407; otherwise, proceed to step S408.

[0107] (Step S407) The ad output unit 142 outputs the acquired ad in Picture-in-Picture (PiP) on top of the window of the running application. It then returns to the higher-level processing.

[0108] (Step S408) The ad output unit 142 outputs the acquired ad on the home screen in Picture-in-Picture (PiP) format. It then returns to the higher-level processing.

[0109] Next, an example of the second decision process in step S217 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 5.

[0110] (Step S501) The judgment unit 131 acquires the status information from the status management unit 113.

[0111] (Step S502) The determination unit 131 determines whether the situation information obtained in step S501 satisfies the advertising output conditions. If the advertising output conditions are met, the unit proceeds to step S503; otherwise, the unit proceeds to step S507.

[0112] (Step S503) The determination unit 131 acquires control information from the control information management unit 114.

[0113] (Step S504) The determination unit 131 obtains application information of the running application. The application information is an application identifier, or / and one or more application attribute values.

[0114] (Step S505) The determination unit 131 uses the control information and the application information to determine whether or not an advertisement can be displayed on the window of the running application. If an advertisement can be displayed, the process proceeds to step S506; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S507.

[0115] (Step S506) The judgment unit 131 assigns the value "Output advertisement" to the variable "Judgment result". It returns to the higher-level process.

[0116] (Step S507) The decision unit 131 assigns the value "Do not output advertisement" to the variable "Decision Result". It returns to the higher-level process.

[0117] The following describes a specific example of the operation of the content output device 1 in this embodiment. Here, the content is, for example, manga content. The content output device 1 is a smartphone used by the user.

[0118] Furthermore, the content storage unit 111 of the content output device 1 stores the content management table shown in Figure 6. The content management table is a table for managing content. The content management table manages one or more records that have "ID", "Content Identifier", "Content Attribute Value", "Points", and "Content". In this case, "Content Attribute Value" is "Type" and "Price". "Points" is the number of points consumed for content output. "Content" is the file name of the manga. The actual data identified by the file name resides in the content storage unit 111.

[0119] Furthermore, the advertising management unit 112 stores the advertising management table shown in Figure 7. The advertising management table is a table for managing advertisements. The advertising management table manages one or more records that have an "ID," "advertising identifier," "advertising attribute value," and "advertisement." The "advertising attribute value" here is "data type" and "points." "Points" is the number of points obtained by viewing the advertisement. "Advertisement" is the file name of the advertisement. The actual data identified by the file name resides in the advertising management unit 112.

[0120] Furthermore, the status management unit 113 stores the number of points the user possesses. Also, the status management unit 113 initially stores a ticket that allows the user to read one manga (volume 1) unconditionally. Note that the ticket is an example of status information. The initial value of points is "0".

[0121] The control information management unit 114 stores the app identifiers "App 5" and "App 8" of apps that cannot be output with advertisements superimposed. These app identifiers are the app identifiers specified by the user of the content output device 1.

[0122] In light of the above situation, let's look at two specific examples. Specific example 1 is when an advertisement is displayed as Picture-in-Picture (PiP) on the home screen. Specific example 2 is when an advertisement is displayed as Picture-in-Picture (PiP) on the app window.

[0123] (Specific example 1) Assume that the user of content output device 1 inputs a content output instruction containing the content identifier "1-1" to content output device 1. Then, the instruction receiving unit 121 of content output device 1 receives the content output instruction "<content identifier>1-1". Next, the content acquisition unit 132 acquires the content identifier "1-1" included in the content output instruction.

[0124] Next, the judgment unit 131 refers to the status management unit 113 and detects that there is status information indicating a ticket that allows reading only one volume of manga. The judgment unit 131 then obtains the judgment result "Output possible".

[0125] Next, the content acquisition unit 132 acquires the actual data of the manga identified as "file11," which is identified as content identifier "1-1," from the content storage unit 111. Then, the content output unit 141 outputs the manga.

[0126] Next, the user operates the content output device 1 and turns the pages of the manga being output, and finishes reading the manga (see Figure 8(a)). The content acquisition unit 132 then determines that it has finished outputting the content.

[0127] Next, the status change unit 134 deletes the ticket from the status management unit 113 in accordance with the completion of content output. This deletion also constitutes an update of the status information.

[0128] Next, the user decides to read the second volume of the manga and inputs the content output instruction "<content identifier>1-2" to the content output device 1. The instruction receiving unit 121 then receives the content output instruction. Next, the content acquisition unit 132 acquires the content identifier "1-2" included in the content output instruction.

[0129] Next, the determination unit 131 refers to the status management unit 113 and detects that there is no ticket to read only one volume of manga and that "points = 0", and determines that the content output conditions (ticket exists OR points >= points paired with content identifier) ​​are not met. Then, the determination unit 131 obtains the determination result "Output not possible".

[0130] Next, the output unit 14 outputs a message to the content output device 1 indicating that it cannot output the manga that was instructed to be output (see Figure 8(b)). Note that in Figure 8(b), the message includes "×".

[0131] Next, the ad acquisition unit 133 performs processing to output the ad. That is, the ad acquisition unit 133 randomly acquires an ad from, for example, the ad management table (Figure 7). Next, the ad output unit 142 determines that the app is not running. Then, the ad output unit 142 outputs the acquired ad on the home screen in picture-in-picture (PiP) format. This is illustrated in Figure 9. In Figure 9, ad 901 is output on the home screen in picture-in-picture format. The user has then finished viewing ad 901 in Figure 9.

[0132] Furthermore, the user inputs an advertisement output instruction to the content output device 1 to read three more volumes of manga (content identifiers "1-2", "1-3", and "1-4") and watches the advertisements (see Figure 8(c)). As a result, the status management unit 113 accumulates 15 points.

[0133] Next, suppose the user inputs a content output instruction to content output device 1 that includes content identifiers "1-2" to "1-4". The content output device 1 then sequentially outputs the manga identified by "1-2", the manga identified by "1-3", and the manga identified by "1-4" (see Figure 8(d)). As a result, the user can read three volumes of manga identified by "1-2" to "1-4".

[0134] (Specific example 2) Similar to Specific Example 1, the user of content output device 1 inputs a content output instruction having the content identifier "1-1" into content output device 1, and the user finishes reading the manga identified by the content identifier "1-1".

[0135] Then, the status change unit 134 deletes the ticket from the status management unit 113 in accordance with the completion of content output.

[0136] Next, let's assume the user has entered a command to launch an application (search engine α) identified by the application identifier "App 1". This launch command might be, for example, a double-click on the application's icon.

[0137] Next, the instruction receiving unit 121 receives an instruction to launch the application. Then, the processing unit 13 reads the application "search engine α.exe" corresponding to the application launch instruction from the storage unit 11 and launches "search engine α".

[0138] Next, the judgment unit 131 performs what is called the second judgment process. That is, the judgment unit 131 obtains the status information "points = 0" from the status management unit 113. Next, the judgment unit 131 determines that the status information satisfies the advertising output condition "no ticket AND points <= 0".

[0139] Next, the determination unit 131 obtains the control information "App 5" and "App 8" from the control information management unit 114. The determination unit 131 also obtains the application identifier "App 1" of the running application.

[0140] Next, the determination unit 131 detects that the acquired app identifier is not included in the control information and determines that it can display an advertisement on the window of the running app "Search Engine α". The determination unit 131 then obtains the determination result "Display advertisement".

[0141] Next, the ad acquisition unit 133 acquires ads that match the ad attribute values ​​that the app "Search Engine" satisfies. Then, the ad output unit 142 outputs the ad in Picture-in-Picture (PiP) on the window of the app "Search Engine α". An example of such output is shown in Figure 10. In Figure 10, 1001 is an ad.

[0142] As a result of the advertisement being output, the status change unit 134 changes the status information point in the status management unit 113 from "0" to point "5", which corresponds to the output advertisement.

[0143] As described above, this embodiment makes it possible to achieve both a comfortable viewing experience for users and the viewing of advertisements for users.

[0144] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to encourage users to view advertisements.

[0145] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to display only one advertisement in order to view one piece of content. In this case, there is no need to manage points associated with the content or points associated with the advertisement.

[0146] In this specific example, the device that outputs content and advertisements was a smartphone. However, as mentioned above, the device that outputs content and advertisements may also be a tablet device or a personal computer. In such a case, an example of advertisement output is shown in Figure 11. In Figure 11, advertisement 1102 is output as Picture-in-Picture (PiP) on the screen (window) where application 1101 is displayed.

[0147] Furthermore, the processing in this embodiment may be implemented by software. This software may be distributed by software download or the like. Alternatively, this software may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. This also applies to other embodiments in this specification. The software that implements the content output device 1 in this embodiment is the following program. In other words, this program is a program that causes a computer to function as an advertisement acquisition unit that acquires advertisements from an advertisement management unit that stores one or more advertisements, an advertisement output unit that outputs the advertisements acquired by the advertisement acquisition unit, a status change unit that changes the status information of a status management unit that manages status information regarding the status of advertisement output, an instruction receiving unit that receives instructions to output content, a determination unit that refers to the status management unit and determines whether the status management unit satisfies the conditions for outputting content corresponding to the output instruction, a content acquisition unit that acquires the content specified by the output instruction from a content storage unit that stores two or more contents when the determination unit determines that the conditions for outputting content are met, and a content output unit that outputs the content acquired by the content acquisition unit only when the determination unit determines that the conditions for outputting content are met.

[0148] The above program is preferably designed to run in the background, monitoring the launch and operation of other applications.

[0149] In this embodiment, for example, the operation of the above program may be implemented by two applications. That is, the above program may have separate applications for outputting content and for outputting advertisements. Alternatively, there may be two or more applications that output content, and one application that outputs advertisements to those two or more applications. In such cases, it is preferable that the application that outputs advertisements runs in the background and monitors the operation of the applications that output content, as well as the startup and operation of other applications.

[0150] An application (program) that performs the function of outputting content in such cases is a program that causes a computer to function as a content output unit, which includes an instruction receiving unit that receives instructions to output content, a status management unit that manages status information regarding the status of advertising output, and a determination unit that determines whether the status management unit satisfies the content output conditions corresponding to the output instruction, a content acquisition unit that acquires the content specified by the output instruction from a content storage unit that stores two or more contents when the determination unit determines that the content output conditions are met, and a content output unit that outputs the content acquired by the content acquisition unit only when the determination unit determines that the content output conditions are met.

[0151] Furthermore, the application (program) that performs the function of outputting advertisements in such cases is a program that causes the computer to function as an advertisement acquisition unit that acquires advertisements from an advertisement management unit in which one or more advertisements are stored, an advertisement output unit that outputs the advertisements acquired by the advertisement acquisition unit, a status change unit that changes the status information of a status management unit in which status information regarding the output status of advertisements of the advertisement output unit is managed, and a completion reception unit that receives notification that content output has been completed, and the program causes the computer to function such that the advertisement output unit outputs the advertisement when the completion reception unit receives notification that it has been completed.

[0152] Furthermore, both the app that outputs the above content and the app that outputs advertisements can access the same status management unit.

[0153] Furthermore, in an application that performs the function of outputting advertisements, the application may configure the computer so that the advertisement output unit outputs the advertisement after the content output unit has finished outputting the content. Furthermore, in an application that performs the function of outputting advertisements, the application may configure the computer so that the advertisement output unit outputs the advertisement on the window of the launched application or on the home screen after the content output unit has finished outputting the content.

[0154] In Embodiment 1, the content output device 1 has the function of outputting content and the function of outputting advertisements. However, the processing performed by the content output device 1 may be divided and executed by two information processing devices. For example, the first information processing device may output content, and the second information processing device, which is able to communicate with the first information processing device, may output advertisements.

[0155] (Embodiment 2) In this embodiment, the difference from Embodiment 1 is that the content output device is a server that provides content and distributes advertisements.

[0156] Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram of information system A in this embodiment. Information system A comprises a content output device 2 and one or more terminal devices 3.

[0157] Content output device 2 is, for example, a cloud server or an ASP server, but the type is not specified. Terminal device 3 is a terminal used by the user. Terminal device 3 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, etc., but the type is not specified.

[0158] Figure 13 is a block diagram of information system A in this embodiment. The content output device 2 comprises a storage unit 21, a receiving unit 22, a processing unit 23, and a transmission unit 24.

[0159] The storage unit 21 includes a content storage unit 111, an advertising management unit 112, and a status management unit 213. The receiving unit 22 includes an instruction receiving unit 121. The processing unit 23 includes a determination unit 131, a content acquisition unit 132, an advertising acquisition unit 133, and a status change unit 134. The transmission unit 24 includes a content output unit 141 and an advertising output unit 142.

[0160] The terminal device 3 comprises a terminal storage unit 31, a terminal receiving unit 32, a terminal processing unit 33, a terminal transmission unit 34, a terminal receiving unit 35, and a terminal output unit 36.

[0161] The status management unit 213, which constitutes the content output device 2, stores status information for each of the two or more user identifiers.

[0162] The storage unit 21 may also include a control information management unit 114. In this case, the control information management unit 114 may store control information for each of two or more user identifiers. The control information may be common to all users.

[0163] The content output unit 141 transmits the content acquired by the content acquisition unit 132 to the terminal device 3.

[0164] The advertising output unit 142 transmits the advertisements acquired by the advertising acquisition unit 133 to the terminal device 3.

[0165] The receiving unit 22 receives various instructions and information from the terminal device 3. The instruction receiving unit 121, which constitutes the receiving unit 22, receives various instructions from the terminal device 3. These instructions include, for example, content output instructions and advertisement output instructions.

[0166] The processing unit 23 performs various processes. These processes include, for example, those performed by the judgment unit 131, the content acquisition unit 132, the advertisement acquisition unit 133, or the status change unit 134.

[0167] The transmission unit 24 transmits various types of information to the terminal device 3. These types of information include, for example, content and advertisements.

[0168] Various types of information are stored in the terminal storage unit 31, which constitutes the terminal device 3. These types of information include, for example, a user identifier. The terminal storage unit 31 may also include a control information management unit 114.

[0169] The terminal reception unit 32 receives various instructions and information. These instructions include, for example, instructions to output content, instructions to launch an application, and instructions to output advertisements. Reception here usually refers to the reception of information input from input devices such as touch panels, keyboards, and mice, but it may also be a concept that includes the reception of information transmitted via wired or wireless communication lines, and the reception of information read from recording media such as optical discs, magnetic discs, and semiconductor memory.

[0170] The terminal processing unit 33 performs various processes. These processes include, for example, converting instructions and information received by the terminal receiving unit 32 into instructions and information for a data structure to be transmitted. Other processes include, for example, converting information received by the terminal receiving unit 35 into information for a data structure to be output.

[0171] The terminal transmission unit 34 transmits various instructions and information. These instructions and information include, for example, instructions to output content and instructions to output advertisements.

[0172] The terminal receiving unit 35 receives various types of information. These types of information include, for example, content and advertisements.

[0173] The terminal output unit 36 ​​outputs various types of information. These types of information include, for example, the app screen, content, and advertisements.

[0174] The terminal output unit 36 ​​is preferably configured to output advertisements in Picture-in-Picture (PiP) format on the home screen or on the application window.

[0175] Here, output usually refers to displaying on a screen or projecting using a projector, but it may also be a concept that includes printing with a printer, sound output, transmission to an external device, storage on a recording medium, and transfer of processing results to other processing devices or other programs.

[0176] The storage unit 21 and the terminal storage unit 31 are preferably made of non-volatile recording media, but can also be made of volatile recording media.

[0177] The process by which information is stored in the storage unit 21, etc. is not relevant. For example, information may be stored in the storage unit 21, etc. via a recording medium, information transmitted via a communication line, etc. may be stored in the storage unit 21, etc., or information input via an input device may be stored in the storage unit 21, etc.

[0178] The receiving unit 22, instruction receiving unit 121, transmission unit 24, content output unit 141, advertisement output unit 142, terminal transmission unit 34, and terminal receiving unit 35 are typically implemented by wireless or wired communication means.

[0179] The processing unit 23 and the terminal processing unit 33 can typically be implemented using a processor, memory, etc. The processing procedures of the processing unit 23, etc., are usually implemented in software, and this software is recorded on a recording medium such as ROM. However, it may also be implemented in hardware (dedicated circuitry). The processor can be a CPU, MPU, GPU, etc., and the type is not limited.

[0180] The terminal reception unit 32 can be implemented using device drivers for input means such as touch panels and keyboards, or control software for menu screens, etc.

[0181] The terminal output unit 36 ​​may or may not be considered to include output devices such as displays and speakers. The terminal output unit 36 ​​can be implemented using driver software for an output device, or a driver software for an output device and an output device.

[0182] Next, an example of the operation of content output device 2, which constitutes information system A, will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 14.

[0183] (Step S1401) The instruction receiving unit 121 determines whether or not it has received a content output instruction from the terminal device 3. If a content output instruction is received, the unit proceeds to step S1402; otherwise, it proceeds to step S1415. Such a content output instruction includes a content identifier and a user identifier.

[0184] (Step S1402) The content acquisition unit 132 acquires the content identifier and user identifier included in the received content output instruction.

[0185] (Step S1403) The determination unit 131 makes a decision on whether or not to send the content. That is, the determination unit 131 obtains status information that corresponds to the user identifier obtained in step S1402, for example. Next, the determination unit 131 determines whether or not the status information satisfies the content output conditions (for example, "the number of points is not negative" and "the user has a ticket to output content") and obtains the determination result.

[0186] (Step S1404) If the result of the decision in step S1403 is that the content can be sent, proceed to step S1405; otherwise, proceed to step S1411.

[0187] (Step S1405) The content acquisition unit 132 acquires the content identified by the content identifier acquired in step S1402 from the content storage unit 111. The content output unit 141 transmits the content acquired by the content acquisition unit 132 to the terminal device 3.

[0188] (Step S1406) The content acquisition unit 132 acquires all content identified by the content identifier acquired in step S1402 and determines whether the output of the content has been completed. If the output of the content has been completed, the unit proceeds to step S1407; otherwise, it returns to step S1405.

[0189] (Step S1407) The status change unit 134 updates the status information paired with the user identifier in accordance with the completion of content transmission.

[0190] The status change unit 134 updates the status information paired with the user identifier obtained in step S1402 to status information indicating that the next content cannot be transmitted. The status change unit 134 deletes the status information paired with the user identifier, which indicates that the next content can be transmitted. The status change unit 134 stores the status information indicating that the next content cannot be transmitted, associating it with the user identifier. The status change unit 134 reduces the current number of points indicated by the status information paired with the user identifier by the number of points paired with the transmitted content.

[0191] (Step S1408) The ad acquisition unit 133 and the like perform processing for transmitting the ad. That is, the ad acquisition unit 133 acquires an ad randomly from the ad management unit 112, for example. Next, the ad output unit 142 transmits the ad to the terminal device 3. It is preferable that the ad be output in picture-in-picture (PiP) format on the terminal device 3.

[0192] (Step S1409) The status change unit 134 determines whether the transmission of the advertisement was completed in step S1408. If the transmission of the advertisement is completed, the process proceeds to step S1410; otherwise, it returns to step S1401. If the transmission of the advertisement is not completed, for example, information is received from the terminal device 3 indicating that the output of the advertisement, which is a stream, was interrupted midway through the output.

[0193] (Step S1410) The status change unit 134 updates the status information in the status management unit 213 in accordance with the completion of the advertisement transmission. The process returns to step S1401. Note that the completion of the advertisement transmission means that all the data of one advertisement, which is a stream, has been transmitted to the terminal device 3.

[0194] The status change unit 134 updates the status information associated with the user identifier to status information indicating that the next content can be sent. The status change unit 134 deletes status information associated with the user identifier that indicates that the next content cannot be sent. The status change unit 134 stores status information indicating that the next content can be sent, associated with the user identifier. The status change unit 134 increases the current number of points indicated by the status information associated with the user identifier by the number of points associated with the sent advertisement.

[0195] (Step S1411) The output unit 14 sends a message to the terminal device 3 indicating that it is unable to transmit the content that was instructed to be output.

[0196] (Step S1412) The ad acquisition unit 133 and the like perform processing for transmitting the ad. That is, the ad acquisition unit 133 acquires an ad randomly from the ad management unit 112, for example. Next, the ad output unit 142 transmits the ad to the terminal device 3. It is preferable that the ad be output in picture-in-picture (PiP) format on the terminal device 3.

[0197] (Step S1413) The status change unit 134 determines whether the advertisement transmission was completed in step S1412. If the advertisement transmission is completed, the process proceeds to step S1414; otherwise, it returns to step S1401.

[0198] (Step S1414) The status change unit 134 updates the status information in the status management unit 213 in accordance with the completion of the advertisement transmission. Return to step S1401.

[0199] The status change unit 134 updates the status information associated with the user identifier to status information indicating that the next content can be sent. The status change unit 134 deletes status information associated with the user identifier that indicates that the next content cannot be sent. The status change unit 134 stores status information indicating that the next content can be sent, associated with the user identifier. The status change unit 134 increases the current number of points indicated by the status information associated with the user identifier by the number of points associated with the sent advertisement.

[0200] (Step S1415) The instruction receiving unit 121 determines whether or not it has received an instruction to launch the application. If an instruction to launch the application has been received, the unit proceeds to step S1416; otherwise, it proceeds to step S1422.

[0201] (Step S1417) The decision unit 131 makes a decision on whether or not to send an advertisement. This decision is called the second decision process. The decision unit 131, for example, obtains status information that is paired with the user identifier included in the app launch instruction, determines whether or not the status information satisfies the advertisement output conditions, and obtains the decision result. The advertisement output conditions are, for example, "the points in the status information are negative" and "there is no ticket to send content in the status information".

[0202] (Step S1418) If the result of the decision in step S1417 is "Send the ad", proceed to step S1419; otherwise, return to step S1401.

[0203] (Step S1419) The ad acquisition unit 133 and the like perform processing for transmitting the ad. That is, the ad acquisition unit 133 acquires an ad randomly from the ad management unit 112, for example. Next, the ad output unit 142 transmits the ad to the terminal device 3. It is preferable that the ad be output in picture-in-picture (PiP) format on the terminal device 3.

[0204] (Step S1420) The status change unit 134 determines whether the advertisement transmission was completed in step S1419. If the advertisement transmission is completed, the process proceeds to step S1421; otherwise, it returns to step S1401.

[0205] (Step S1421) The status change unit 134 updates the status information of the status management unit 213, which is paired with the user identifier, in accordance with the completion of the advertisement transmission. Return to step S1401.

[0206] The status change unit 134 updates the status information associated with the user identifier to status information indicating that the next content can be sent. The status change unit 134 deletes status information associated with the user identifier that indicates that the next content cannot be sent. The status change unit 134 stores status information indicating that the next content can be sent, associated with the user identifier. The status change unit 134 increases the current number of points indicated by the status information associated with the user identifier by the number of points associated with the sent advertisement.

[0207] (Step S1422) The reception unit 12 determines whether or not it has received an advertisement output instruction from the terminal device 3. If an advertisement output instruction has been received, the unit proceeds to step S1419; otherwise, it proceeds to step S1423.

[0208] (Step S1423) The reception unit 12 determines whether or not it has received any other instructions. If it has received any other instructions, it proceeds to step S1424; otherwise, it returns to step S1401.

[0209] (Step S1424) The processing unit 13 performs processing according to other instructions. Return to step S1401.

[0210] In the flowchart in Figure 14, processing is terminated by power-off or processing termination interrupts.

[0211] Next, an example of the operation of terminal device 3 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 15.

[0212] (Step S1501) The terminal reception unit 32 determines whether or not it has received a content output instruction. If it has received a content output instruction, it proceeds to step S1502; otherwise, it proceeds to step S1505.

[0213] (Step S1502) The terminal processing unit 33 obtains the user identifier of the terminal storage unit 31 and constitutes a content output instruction to be transmitted, which has the user identifier and the content identifier of the content output instruction received in step S1501. The terminal transmission unit 34 transmits the content output instruction to the content output device 2.

[0214] (Step S1503) The terminal receiving unit 35 determines whether or not it has received content or a message from the content output device 2. If content or the like has been received, the unit proceeds to step S1504; otherwise, it returns to step S1503.

[0215] (Step S1504) The terminal output unit 36 ​​outputs content or a message. Return to step S1501.

[0216] (Step S1505) The terminal receiving unit 35 determines whether or not an advertisement has been received. If an advertisement has been received, the process proceeds to step S1506; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1509.

[0217] (Step S1506) The terminal processing unit 33 determines whether or not an application is running. If an application is running, proceed to step S1507; otherwise, proceed to step S1508.

[0218] (Step S1507) The terminal output unit 36 ​​outputs the advertisement received via Picture-in-Picture on the window of the running application. Return to step S1501.

[0219] (Step S1508) The terminal output unit 36 ​​outputs the advertisement received via Picture-in-Picture on the home screen. Return to step S1501.

[0220] (Step S1509) The terminal reception unit 32 determines whether or not it has received an instruction to launch the application. If it has received an instruction to launch the application, it proceeds to step S1510; otherwise, it proceeds to step S1512.

[0221] (Step S1510) The terminal processing unit 33 starts the application corresponding to the startup instruction.

[0222] (Step S1511) The terminal processing unit 33 obtains the user identifier of the terminal storage unit 31 and configures a startup instruction for the application having that user identifier. The terminal transmission unit 34 transmits the startup instruction for the application to the content output device 2. The process returns to step S1501.

[0223] Furthermore, it is preferable that, based on the transmission of an application launch command, the terminal device 3 receives an advertisement from the content output device 2 and displays the advertisement in Picture-in-Picture (PiP) on the window of the application.

[0224] (Step S1512) The terminal reception unit 32 determines whether or not it has received an advertisement output instruction. If it has received an advertisement output instruction, it proceeds to step S1513; otherwise, it proceeds to step S1514.

[0225] (Step S1513) The terminal processing unit 33 obtains the user identifier of the terminal storage unit 31 and configures an advertisement output instruction having said user identifier. The terminal transmission unit 34 transmits said advertisement output instruction to the content output device 2. The process returns to step S1501.

[0226] (Step S1514) The terminal reception unit 32 determines whether or not it has received any other instructions. If it has received any other instructions, it proceeds to step S1514; otherwise, it returns to step S1501.

[0227] (Step S1515) The terminal processing unit 33 performs processing according to other instructions. The process returns to step S1501. Note that the other instructions may also be sent to the content output device 2.

[0228] In the flowchart shown in Figure 15, processing is terminated by power-off or processing termination interrupts.

[0229] The following describes a specific example of the operation of information system A in this embodiment. Here, the content output by content output device 2 is, for example, a comic book.

[0230] Let's assume that the content storage unit 111 of the content output device 2 currently stores the content management table shown in Figure 6. Also, let's assume that the advertising management unit 112 of the content output device 2 stores the advertising management table shown in Figure 7.

[0231] Furthermore, the status management unit 213 stores the user management table shown in Figure 16. The user management table is a table that manages user information for each user. The user management table manages one or more records that have "ID", "user identifier", "status information", and "user attribute value". In this case, the "user attribute value" is "gender" and "age". The "status information" here is points. Points indicate the number of content items that can be viewed. Here, it is assumed that the points given when a user registers with the content output device 2 are "1". In other words, after user registration, a user can view one volume of manga without watching any advertisements.

[0232] In Figure 16, user "U001" (hereinafter referred to as User 1) has a status information (points) of "3" because, after registering, they watched two advertisements without viewing any manga. This means that User 1 will be able to read 3 volumes of manga for free without watching any further advertisements.

[0233] In Figure 16, user "U002" (hereinafter referred to as User 2) has viewed one volume of manga after registering, and therefore their status information (points) has changed from the initial value of "1" to "0". In other words, this user will no longer be able to read manga without watching advertisements.

[0234] In Figure 16, the user with user identifier "U003" (hereinafter referred to as User 3) is assumed to have just registered. In other words, the user's status information (points) is the initial value of "1," and this user will be able to read one volume of manga without watching advertisements.

[0235] In the above situation, the following two specific examples will be explained. Specific example 1 is the case where user 2 inputs a content output instruction and the manga cannot be viewed. Specific example 2 is the case where user 3 inputs a content output instruction and the manga can be viewed.

[0236] (Specific example 1) Assume that user 2 inputs a content output instruction to terminal device 3. Then, terminal reception unit 32 receives the content output instruction. Next, terminal processing unit 33 obtains the user identifier "U002" from terminal storage unit 31 and constructs a content output instruction to be transmitted, "<user identifier>U002 content identifier>1-2", which has the user identifier and the content identifier of the content output instruction (for example, "1-2"). Terminal transmission unit 34 transmits the content output instruction to content output device 2.

[0237] Next, the instruction receiving unit 121 of the content output device 2 receives the content output instruction from the terminal device 3. Then, the content acquisition unit 132 acquires the content identifier "1-2" and the user identifier "U002" included in the content output instruction.

[0238] Next, the determination unit 131 obtains status information "0" which is paired with the user identifier "U002" from the user management table (Figure 16). Then, the determination unit 131 determines that the status information "0" does not satisfy the content output condition (status information >= 1) and obtains the determination result "Transmission not possible".

[0239] Next, the output unit 14 sends a message to the terminal device 3 indicating that it is unable to transmit the content that was instructed to be output.

[0240] Next, the terminal receiving unit 35 of the terminal device 3 receives the message from the content output device 2. Then, the terminal output unit 36 ​​outputs the message.

[0241] Furthermore, the ad acquisition unit 133 of the content output device 2 randomly acquires ads from the ad management table (Figure 8). Next, the ad output unit 142 transmits the ad to the terminal device 3.

[0242] Next, the terminal receiving unit 35 of the terminal device 3 receives an advertisement from the content output device 2. Next, the terminal processing unit 33 determines that the application is not running. Next, the terminal output unit 36 ​​outputs the received advertisement via Picture-in-Picture (PiP) on the home screen. An example of such output is shown in Figure 9.

[0243] Furthermore, if terminal device 3 is a personal computer, and for example a window is displayed on the screen, terminal device 3 will output an advertisement in picture-in-picture (PiP) format on that window, as shown in Figure 11.

[0244] (Specific example 2) Assume that user 3 has entered a content output instruction into terminal device 3 for the first time since user registration. The terminal reception unit 32 then receives the content output instruction. Next, the terminal processing unit 33 obtains the user identifier "U003" from the terminal storage unit 31 and constructs a content output instruction to be transmitted, "<user identifier>U003 content identifier>1-1", which has the user identifier and the content identifier (for example, "1-1") of the content output instruction. The terminal transmission unit 34 transmits the content output instruction to content output device 2.

[0245] Next, the instruction receiving unit 121 of the content output device 2 receives an instruction to output the content from the terminal device 3. Then, the content acquisition unit 132 acquires the content identifier "1-1" and the user identifier "U003" included in the content output instruction.

[0246] Next, the determination unit 131 obtains status information "1" which is paired with the user identifier "U003" from the user management table (Figure 16). Then, the determination unit 131 determines that the status information "1" satisfies the content output condition (status information >= 1) and obtains the determination result "transmission possible".

[0247] Next, the content acquisition unit 132 acquires the content "file11," identified by the content identifier "1-1," from the content management table (Figure 6). The content output unit 141 transmits the content "file11" acquired by the content acquisition unit 132 to the terminal device 3.

[0248] Next, the terminal receiving unit 35 of the terminal device 3 receives the content "file11" from the content output device 2. Then, the terminal output unit 36 ​​outputs the content "file11".

[0249] Furthermore, the status change unit 134 of the content output device 2 updates the status information paired with the user identifier "U003" from "1" to "0" when the transmission of the content is completed.

[0250] From this point forward, User 3 can view the manga in question. However, User 3 cannot view the next manga without watching an advertisement.

[0251] As described above, this embodiment makes it possible to achieve both the ability for two or more users to comfortably view content and for each user to view advertisements.

[0252] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to encourage users to view advertisements.

[0253] The software that implements the content output device 2 in this embodiment is as follows: This program causes the computer to function as an advertisement acquisition unit that acquires advertisements from an advertisement management unit where one or more advertisements are stored, an advertisement output unit that outputs the advertisements acquired by the advertisement acquisition unit, a status change unit that changes the status information of a status management unit where status information regarding the status of advertisement output is managed, an instruction receiving unit that receives content output instructions, a determination unit that refers to the status management unit and determines whether the status management unit satisfies the content output conditions, which are the conditions for the status management unit to output content corresponding to the content output instruction, a content acquisition unit that acquires the content specified by the content output instruction from a content storage unit where two or more content items are stored if the determination unit determines that the content output conditions are satisfied, and a content output unit that outputs the content acquired by the content acquisition unit only if the determination unit determines that the content output conditions are satisfied.

[0254] Figure 17 is a block diagram of a computer system 300 that executes the program described herein to realize the various embodiments of content output device 1, content output device 2, or terminal device 3 described above.

[0255] In Figure 17, the computer system 300 includes a computer 301 with a CD-ROM drive, a keyboard 302, a mouse 303, and a monitor 304.

[0256] In Figure 17, the computer 301 includes, in addition to the CD-ROM drive 3012, an MPU 3013, a bus 3014 connected to the CD-ROM drive 3012, a ROM 3015 for storing programs such as boot-up programs, a RAM 3016 connected to the MPU 3013 for temporarily storing instructions for application programs and providing temporary storage space, and a hard disk 3017 for storing application programs, system programs, and data. Although not shown here, the computer 301 may further include a network card for providing connectivity to a LAN.

[0257] The program that causes the computer system 300 to execute the functions of the content output device 1, etc., as described above, may be stored on the CD-ROM 3101, inserted into the CD-ROM drive 3012, and then transferred to the hard disk 3017. Alternatively, the program may be transmitted to the computer 301 via a network (not shown) and stored on the hard disk 3017. The program is loaded into the RAM 3016 when executed. The program may also be loaded directly from the CD-ROM 3101 or the network.

[0258] The program does not necessarily have to include an operating system (OS) or third-party program that causes the computer 301 to execute functions such as the content output device 1 of the above-described embodiment. The program only needs to include the instruction portion that calls appropriate functions (modules) in a controlled manner and obtains the desired result. How the computer system 300 operates is well known, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0259] In the above program, steps such as sending information and receiving information do not include hardware-based processing, such as processing performed by a modem or interface card in the transmission step (processing that can only be performed by hardware).

[0260] Also, the computer that executes the above program may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

[0261] In Embodiment 2, the content output device 2 has a function of outputting content and a function of outputting an advertisement. However, the processing executed in the content output device 2 may be shared and executed by two information processing devices. For example, in the first information processing device, content may be output, and in the second information processing device that can communicate with the first information processing device, an advertisement may be output.

[0262] Also, in each of the above embodiments, it is needless to say that two or more communication means existing in one device may be physically realized by one medium.

[0263] Also, in each of the above embodiments, each process may be realized by being centrally processed by a single device, or may be realized by being distributedly processed by a plurality of devices.

[0264] Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible, and they are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0265] In the technologies related to Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2, there are various restrictions for continuously viewing content for free. The restrictions are, for example, the number of times content can be viewed for free per day is determined, not all content can be viewed for free, or content cannot be viewed unless an advertisement is viewed. Also, in Patent Document 1, it has been difficult to achieve both allowing a user to comfortably view content and having the user view an advertisement. Therefore, in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, we provide a post-payment advertising system in which, for example, the content the user is looking for (e.g., manga or music) is output first, and the advertisements corresponding to the output of that content are viewed later. Furthermore, in Embodiments 1 and 2, for example, by using the Picture-in-Picture (PinP) function and displaying advertisements there, a mechanism is provided that allows users to watch advertisements and accumulate points even while other apps are running.

[0266] (Embodiment 3) The descriptions of the advertising management unit, status management unit, judgment unit, advertising acquisition unit, status change unit, instruction reception unit, and advertising output unit in Embodiments 1 and 2, as well as the descriptions of the processing in each of these units, can also be applied to Embodiment 3 to the extent that they do not cause inconsistencies. Furthermore, the descriptions of the content storage unit, content acquisition unit, and / or content output unit, as well as the descriptions of the processing in each of these units, can also be applied to Embodiment 3 to the extent that they do not cause inconsistencies.

[0267] Embodiment 3 relates to a system comprising a server device and a computer device capable of communicating with the server device, wherein the system includes an advertising output means for outputting an advertisement to a part of the window of a running application displayed on the computer device, or to a part of the home screen displayed on the computer device. Here, the term "window of a running application" is a concept that includes not only a window displayed on a part of the display screen, but also the entire display screen when the content corresponding to the application is displayed in full screen across the entire display screen.

[0268] Figure 18 is a block diagram showing the system configuration. System 50 comprises at least one computer device, for example, a server device. System 50 may include multiple computer devices, and these multiple computer devices may perform the functions of a server.

[0269] System 50 consists of, for example, a user terminal 53 operated by the user, a server device, and a communication network 54. In the following description, we will use a system 50 that includes a first server device 51 and a second server device 52 as an example, but the first server device and the second server device may be a single server device, or they may be physically configured as a single unit.

[0270] The user terminal 53 can communicate with the first server device 51 and / or the second server device 52 via the communication network 54. The system 50 may have one user terminal 53 or multiple user terminals 53.

[0271] The user terminal 53 is not particularly limited as long as it is a computer device having a display screen and an input unit. The user terminal 53 may be a stationary type or a portable type that can be carried by the user when moving. Examples of user terminals 53 include conventional mobile phones, tablet terminals, smartphones, and desktop or notebook personal computers. The user terminal 53 is preferably a portable terminal such as a tablet terminal or smartphone. The present invention can be suitably used with tablet terminals or smartphones that are normally set to display in full screen mode, where one application window is displayed across the entire screen, except when displayed in Picture-in-Picture (PiP) format.

[0272] Figure 19 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user terminal. The user terminal 53 comprises a control unit 53a, main memory 53b, storage unit 53c, input device 53d, display device 53e, and communication interface 53f, all of which are connected by a bus.

[0273] The control unit 53a consists of a CPU and ROM. The control unit 53a executes programs stored in the storage unit 53c and controls the user terminal 53. For example, RAM is used as the main memory 53b. The main memory 53b is the work area of ​​the control unit 53a. The storage unit 53c is a storage area for saving programs and data. The control unit 53a performs calculation processing based on programs read from the main memory 53b, programs stored in an external storage medium, and data input by the input device 53d.

[0274] The display device 53e has a display screen. The control unit 53a outputs a video signal for displaying an image on the display screen according to the result of the calculation process. Here, the display screen may be a touch panel equipped with a touch sensor. In this case, the touch panel functions as an input device 53d.

[0275] The communication interface 53f can be connected to the communication network 54 wirelessly or via a wired connection, and can send and receive data with the first server device 51 or the second server device 52 via the communication network 54. The data received via the communication interface 53f is loaded into the main memory 53b, and calculation processing is performed by the control unit 53a.

[0276] Figure 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first server device 51. The first server device 51 comprises a control unit 51a, a main memory 51b, a storage unit 51c, and a communication interface 51d, all of which are connected by a bus.

[0277] The control unit 51a consists of a CPU and ROM, and executes programs stored in the storage unit 51c to control the first server device 51. The control unit 51a also has an internal timer for measuring time. The main memory 51b is the work area of ​​the control unit 51a. The storage unit 51c is a storage area for saving programs and data. The control unit 51a performs program execution processing based on programs read from the main memory 51b, programs stored on an external storage medium, and information received from the user terminal 53.

[0278] Figure 21 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second server device 52. The second server device 52 comprises a control unit 52a, a main memory 52b, a storage unit 52c, and a communication interface 52d, all of which are connected by a bus.

[0279] The control unit 52a consists of a CPU and ROM, executes programs stored in the storage unit 52c, and controls the second server device 52. The control unit 52a also has an internal timer for timing. The main memory 52b is the work area of ​​the control unit 52a. The storage unit 52c is a storage area for saving programs and data. The control unit 52a performs program execution processing based on programs read from the main memory 52b, programs stored on an external storage medium, and information received from the user terminal 53.

[0280] The first server device 51 has a function to communicate with the user terminal 53 and control the output of advertisements on the user terminal 53. The user terminal 53, operated by the user, has an application installed (hereinafter referred to as the first application) that accesses the first server device 51 and displays advertisements on the user terminal 53's display screen. The user operates the input device 53d of the user terminal 53 to launch the first application and access the first server device 51. The first application may be a browser.

[0281] By operating the input device 53d, the user can use the functions of the first application to send an advertisement output request to the first server device 51. When the first server device 51 receives the advertisement output request, the advertisement stored in the first server device 51 is transmitted to the user terminal 53. The user terminal 53 may download the advertisement or receive the advertisement in a streaming format.

[0282] The user management table is stored in the main memory 51b of the first server device 51. Also, the user management table may be stored in the main memory 52b of the second server device 52.

[0283] In the user management table of the first server device 51 or the second server device 52, in association with user identification information (user ID) for identifying a user, there is stored the history of advertisement output, or information updated in response to sending an advertisement (data related to the advertisement) from the first server device to the user terminal, or information updated in response to an advertisement being output from the user terminal. Examples of information updated in response to sending an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal or in response to an advertisement being output from the user terminal include points given to the user. The points are given to the user, for example, each time an advertisement is sent to the user terminal 53 or each time an advertisement is output at the user terminal 53, and the point value is added and updated in the user management table. Also, the point value added may differ depending on the advertisement. The given points are consumed when executing a predetermined request or a predetermined information process in the first server device 51, the second server device 52, or the user terminal 53. The predetermined request and the predetermined information process will be described later.

[0284] Furthermore, information that is updated in response to the transmission of an advertisement from the first server device 51 to the user terminal 53, or information that is stored or updated in response to the output of an advertisement at the user terminal 53, includes a flag indicating whether or not a predetermined request from the user can be executed. Furthermore, information that is updated in response to the transmission of an advertisement from the first server device 51 to the user terminal 53, or information that is stored or updated in response to the output of an advertisement, includes a flag indicating whether or not a predetermined information processing can be executed at the first server device 51, the second server device 52, or the user terminal 53. In the user management table of the first server device 51, the aforementioned flag is stored in association with user identification information that identifies the user. For example, "true" is stored if the conditions for enabling the execution of a predetermined request are met, and "false" is stored if the conditions for enabling the execution of a predetermined request are not met. For example, "true" is stored if the conditions for enabling the execution of a predetermined information processing are met, and "false" is stored if the conditions for enabling the execution of a predetermined information processing are not met.

[0285] Conditions for enabling the execution of a predetermined request or for enabling predetermined information processing can be set as appropriate. For example, the following conditions can be set to enable the execution of a predetermined request or for enabling predetermined information processing: that an advertisement has been sent from the first server device 51 to the user terminal 53 of one user; that an advertisement has been output to the user terminal 53 of one user; that the number of times an advertisement has been sent from the first server device 51 to the user terminal 53 of one user is greater than or equal to a predetermined number; that the number of times an advertisement has been output to the user terminal 53 of one user is greater than or equal to a predetermined number; that the duration of the video advertisement sent from the first server device 51 to the user terminal 53 of one user is greater than or equal to a predetermined duration; or that the duration of the video advertisement output to the user terminal 53 of one user is greater than or equal to a predetermined duration. Here, for example, displaying a single video ad from beginning to end, or displaying it from the beginning to a predetermined time, can be counted as one display. Furthermore, the duration of a video ad can be the duration of a single video ad, or the sum of the durations of multiple video ads. For example, if any of these conditions are met, points may be added to the user's account, or the above flag may be updated from "false" to "true".

[0286] In addition to the conditions relating to the transmission of advertisements from the first server device 51 or the conditions relating to the output of advertisements at the user terminal 53, further conditions can be added as conditions that enable the execution of a predetermined request or conditions that enable predetermined information processing (for example, conditions that add points to the user's account, or conditions that update the above flag from "false" to "true").

[0287] For example, a condition can be set that a predetermined operation is performed on the user terminal 53 in response to a second advertisement related to an advertisement transmitted from the first server device 51, that is, an advertisement output on the user terminal 53. The second advertisement may be, for example, an advertisement displayed in a second application, or an advertisement displayed on any website. The second advertisement may be a text advertisement, a still image advertisement, a video advertisement, or an audio advertisement, but it may also be a banner advertisement, for example. The relationship between the second advertisement and the advertisement output on the user terminal 53 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the second advertisement is, for example, an advertisement for the same product or service as the advertisement output on the user terminal 53, or an advertisement from the same advertiser as the advertisement output on the user terminal 53.

[0288] The user terminal 53 can be required to select a link attached to a banner ad, which is a second advertisement, or to press a button requesting to receive points on the page where the second advertisement is displayed, as a condition for enabling the execution of a predetermined request or for enabling predetermined information processing. By adding such conditions, points can be awarded not simply because a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) advertisement is displayed on the user terminal 53, but only to users who have shown a certain level of interest in the content of the advertisement through the second advertisement.

[0289] In addition to managing points and flags in the user management table, it is also possible to enable the execution of predetermined requests simply in response to the transmission of an advertisement from the first server device 51 or the output of an advertisement at the user terminal 53. Furthermore, it is possible to enable predetermined information processing at the first server device 51, the second server device 52, or the user terminal 53 simply in response to the transmission of an advertisement from the first server device 51 or the output of an advertisement at the user terminal 53.

[0290] When a specified request is made, or when a specified information processing is performed, the user management table is updated, a portion of the points are consumed and deducted, or the above flag is updated from "true" to "false".

[0291] The user management table of the first server device 51 stores the presence or absence of points or flags in association with user identification information, and similarly, the user management table of the second server device 52 also stores the presence or absence of points or flags in association with user identification information. For example, it is possible to convert some of the points stored in the user management table of the first server device 51 to points in the user management table of the second server device 52 by operating the user terminal 53. It is also possible to synchronize the user management table of the second server device 52 with the user management table of the first server device 51.

[0292] When the user terminal 53 receives an advertisement from the first server device 51, the advertisement is displayed on the user terminal 53's display screen. The advertisement can be displayed across the entire display screen, but it can also be displayed in a picture-in-picture (PinP) format in a portion of the display screen, as shown in Figures 9 to 11. For example, it can be displayed in PinP format in a portion of the screen of the first application used to display the advertisement. Furthermore, if the user terminal 53 does not display the first application on its display screen, and a screen from another application different from the first application is displayed, it is possible to display the advertisement in PinP format in a portion of the screen of the other application, as shown in Figure 10. Moreover, if the user terminal 53 does not display the first application on its display screen, and the home screen is displayed, it is possible to display the advertisement in PinP format in a portion of the home screen, as shown in Figure 9. In this way, the user can view the advertisement even when a screen from another application different from the first application is displayed, or when the home screen is displayed. Furthermore, even if an advertisement is viewed while a screen from a different application than the first application is displayed, or while the home screen is displayed, it will still be possible to use points or other means to fulfill the conditions for receiving goods or services from the second application.

[0293] The format of the data that makes up the advertisement is not particularly limited and may include, for example, text ads, audio ads, still image ads (e.g., banners), or video ads.

[0294] The second server device 52 performs a different role from the first server device 51. The role and functions of the second server device 52 are not particularly limited. The user can operate the user terminal 53 to request the second server device 52 to perform a predetermined request or to perform a predetermined information processing.

[0295] For example, the second server device 52 has the function of communicating with the user terminal 53 and providing goods or services to the user terminal 53. The user terminal 53 operated by the user has an application installed (hereinafter referred to as the second application) for accessing the second server device 52 and receiving goods or services. The user operates the input device 53d to launch the second application and access the second server device 52. The second application may be a browser.

[0296] The goods and services that can be obtained through the second application are not particularly limited. Goods include, for example, books, home appliances, electronic devices, stationery, food, clothing, toys, etc., which can be purchased on regular e-commerce sites, as well as digital content (downloads of digital content such as comics and videos). Services include, for example, services that can be received offline, such as in stores, as well as services that can be received online. Online services include services that provide games, content distribution services for comics, videos, music, audio, books, and games, and communication tools such as SNS. Furthermore, online services also include SaaS (Software as a Service).

[0297] For example, a user can operate the input device 53d of the user terminal 53 to send a purchase request (a request to execute a predetermined information processing) to the second server device 52. The second server device 52 queries the user management table of the first server device 51 and determines whether the points awarded to the corresponding user are equal to or greater than the points required for the product. If the determination shows that the points awarded to the corresponding user are equal to or greater than the points required for the product, the points are consumed and the user is able to purchase the product.

[0298] For example, a user can operate the input device 53d of the user terminal 53 to send a request for the distribution of content such as comics, videos, music, audio, books, and games (a request to execute a predetermined information processing) to the second server device 52. The second server device 52 queries the user management table of the first server device 51 and determines whether a flag indicating that the requested content can be distributed is stored for the corresponding user. If the result of the determination is that a flag indicating that the requested content can be distributed is stored, the flag is updated to indicate that the content cannot be distributed, and then the content is distributed from the second server device 52 to the user terminal 53.

[0299] The aforementioned predetermined information processing is not particularly limited. When purchasing a product in the second application, the predetermined information processing can be the purchase processing of the product by the second server device 52 or the purchase processing after a price reduction, or the purchase request of the product by the user terminal 53 or the transmission processing after a price reduction. Therefore, if the points assigned to the corresponding user in the user management table are less than a predetermined value, or if a flag for allowing product purchase is not stored, the purchase processing of the product by the second server device 52 or the transmission of a purchase request for the product by the user terminal 53 cannot be executed.

[0300] Furthermore, when a content distribution service is provided by the second application, the predetermined information processing can be content distribution processing by the second server device 52, or content distribution processing with a reduced distribution fee, or content output processing by the user terminal 53, or content output processing with a reduced distribution fee. Therefore, in the user management table, if the points assigned to the corresponding user are less than a predetermined value, or if a flag for enabling content distribution is not stored, the content distribution processing by the second server device 52 or the content output processing by the user terminal 53 cannot be executed.

[0301] The user can receive benefits by using the second application in response to the sending of an advertisement to the user terminal 53 or the display of an advertisement on the user terminal 53. The user can operate the user terminal 53 to make a predetermined request in the second application. The predetermined request can be set appropriately depending on the purpose and use of the second application. The predetermined request also includes a request to perform a predetermined information processing.

[0302] The specified information processing can be set appropriately depending on the purpose and use of the second application. When a specified request coincides with a request to perform a specified information processing, the specified information processing may include, for example, the exchange of points that can be used to purchase or receive discounts on goods (including the advertiser's goods) and services (for example, converting points awarded in response to sending an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal or outputting an advertisement from the user terminal into other points that can be used to purchase goods and services), the granting of coupon data to the user (user terminal 53) that enables free exchange or discounts on goods, the granting of ticket data to the user (user terminal 53) that enables the provision of services free of charge or at a discount, the processing of donations to various organizations via the network, the processing that enables free or discounted use of content distribution services, the processing of content distribution in content distribution services, the processing of purchasing securities such as stocks or investment trusts, or the processing of payment of utility bills. If a predetermined request coincides with a request to execute a predetermined information processing, that is, if the user operates the user terminal 53 and requests the execution of a predetermined information processing in the second application, the information processing as illustrated here will be executed in step S27.

[0303] The specified request may be a request other than an information processing request. For example, the specified request may be a request for a benefit in the real world, rather than a request for the execution of information processing, such as mailing goods or various items, or mailing benefits (coupons or tickets for goods). In this case, the specified information processing in step S27 may be a notification from the second server device 52 to the user terminal 53 that goods or benefits will be provided, or a registration in the user management table of the first server device 51 or the second server device 52 that goods or benefits will be provided. In other words, the specified information processing in step S27 may be a notification to the user terminal 53 that the user can receive benefits in the real world, or a registration in the user management table that the user can receive benefits in the real world.

[0304] Figure 22 is a flowchart showing the advertisement display process of Embodiment 3. Note that during the execution of steps S4 to S9, steps S11 to S16 of the application switching process, which will be described later, can be executed concurrently.

[0305] The user operates the input device 53d of the user terminal 53 to launch the first application, access the first server device 51, and log in (step S1). When logging in, the user enters user identification information that can identify the user and a password.

[0306] Next, the user operates the input device 53d to send an advertisement output request to the first server device 51 (step S2). The first server device 51 receives the advertisement output request from the user terminal 53 (step S3).

[0307] When the first server device 51 receives an advertisement output request, it identifies the advertisement to send to the user terminal 53 (step S4). The advertisement data sent to the user terminal 53 may be text data, still image data, video data, or audio data.

[0308] In step S4, advertisements can be identified so that different advertisements are displayed depending on the application running on the user terminal 53 when step S4 is executed. As mentioned above, since the application switching process can be executed concurrently with the advertisement display process, the application running on the user terminal 53 may be a different application from the first application. In this case, information about the application running on the user terminal 53 is sent to the first server device 51, and this information about the application running is used to identify advertisements. For example, if the application running is a game, advertisements related to games will be identified. In this way, advertisements can be identified according to the genre and purpose of the application running.

[0309] Furthermore, in step S4, when executing step S4, it is possible to identify advertisements so that different advertisements are displayed depending on the content displayed in the window of the application running on the user terminal 53. At this time, information regarding the content displayed in the window of the application running on the user terminal 53 is sent to the first server device 51, and this information regarding the running application is used to identify the advertisements.

[0310] Furthermore, when step S4 is executed, if an application that enables the capture of the real world using the camera installed on the user terminal 53 is running, the advertisement can be identified so that different advertisements are displayed depending on the image captured by the camera. When step S4 is executed, the image information captured by the camera of the user terminal 53 is transmitted to the first server device 51, and this image information is used to identify the advertisement. The display screen of the user terminal 53 shows the real world as captured by the camera (i.e., the real world corresponding to the image information). For example, if the real world captured by the camera is a seascape, advertisements related to the sea (for example, advertisements for fishing equipment or marine sports) will be displayed. For scenery identification, a predictive model trained on machine learning can be used, which takes the image as input data and the content of the image as output data.

[0311] Furthermore, if the home screen is displayed when step S4 is executed, the system can identify advertisements so that different advertisements are displayed depending on the content of the home screen. The content of the home screen includes, for example, icons corresponding to various applications displayed on the home screen or a standby image displayed on the home screen. During the execution of step S4, the content of the home screen is transmitted to the first server device 51, and this information about the running application is used to identify advertisements.

[0312] In step S4, when an advertisement is identified, the first server device 51 transmits the identified advertisement to the user terminal 53 (step S5). The user terminal 53 receives the advertisement from the first server device 51 (step S6). If the advertisement is a video, it is received in streaming format. The received advertisement is output by the user terminal 53 (step S7).

[0313] In step S7, the advertisement can be displayed across the entire screen, or it can be displayed in a picture-in-picture (PinP) format in a portion of the screen, as shown in Figures 9 to 11. For example, it can be displayed in PinP format in a portion of the screen of the first application used to display the advertisement.

[0314] If the advertisement is a text ad or a still image ad, the ad will end after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the ad was displayed. If the advertisement is a video ad or an audio ad, the ad will stop being displayed when the video or audio data has finished playing (Step S8).

[0315] The user management table stored in the storage unit 51c of the first server device 51 is updated (step S9). The user management table stores user identification information (user ID) that can identify the user operating the user terminal 53, and the points owned by the user, in association with each other. In step S9, points are awarded in response to the first server device 51 sending an advertisement to the user terminal 53, or in response to the user terminal 53 outputting an advertisement. Different point values ​​may be awarded for each advertisement. The value of the points to be awarded for each advertisement may be stored in advance, or the value of the points may be determined according to the playback time of the video or audio advertisement. In addition, in step S9, points may be awarded each time an advertisement is sent from the first server device 51, or in response to the user terminal 53 outputting one advertisement, or points may be awarded according to the total duration of the transmitted advertisements, or the total duration of the output advertisements.

[0316] Once step S9 is completed, the process returns to step S4, and steps S4 through S9 can be repeated. When repeatedly playing advertisements, step S4 may identify the same advertisement that was previously sent to the user terminal 53, or it may identify an advertisement that is different from the advertisement previously sent to the user terminal 53. Alternatively, the user may terminate the continuous playback of advertisements without returning to step S4 by operating the input device 53d of the user terminal 53.

[0317] In step S9, points are awarded in response to the transmission of an advertisement from the first server device 51 to the user terminal 53, or in response to the output of an advertisement at the user terminal 53. Alternatively, for example, a flag indicating whether or not predetermined information processing is enabled can be updated at the first server device 51, the second server device 52, or the user terminal 53. The flag indicating that predetermined information processing is enabled is set each time the transmission of an advertisement from the first server device 51 or the output of an advertisement at the user terminal 53 is completed, each time these advertisement transmissions or advertisement outputs are completed a predetermined number of times, or each time the total time of these advertisement transmissions or advertisement outputs has elapsed a predetermined time.

[0318] The ad display process is completed in steps S1 to S9.

[0319] Figure 23 is a flowchart of the application switching process in Embodiment 3. The case in which the application switching process is performed during the execution of steps S4 to S9, that is, while an advertisement is being displayed on the user terminal 53 (for example, while a video advertisement is being played), will be explained.

[0320] On user terminal 53, the first application is running, and an advertisement from the first application is displayed in picture-in-picture format on a portion of the user terminal 53's display screen. At this point, the user operates the input device 53d of user terminal 53 to close the window of the first application (step S11).

[0321] When the window of the first application is closed, the home screen is displayed on the user terminal 53 (step S12). Even when the window of the first application is closed, the operation of the first application does not terminate while an advertisement is being displayed on the user terminal 53 (for example, while a video advertisement is being played). In step S12, the advertisement is displayed in Picture-in-Picture (PinP) format on a part of the display screen, as shown in Figure 9.

[0322] In step S12, the advertisement displayed on the home screen may be the same advertisement that was displayed before closing the first application window in step S11, or a new advertisement can be identified and the display can be switched from the advertisement that was displayed before closing the first application window to the newly identified advertisement.

[0323] The home screen displays icons for one or more applications. These icons may include an icon corresponding to a second application. The user operates the input device 53d of the user terminal 53 to select an icon corresponding to an application other than the first application (step S13). The user may also select an icon corresponding to a second application.

[0324] When an icon corresponding to an application different from the first application is selected, application identification information that can identify the selected application is sent from the user terminal 53 to the first server device 51, and it is determined whether or not it is an application that can output advertisements (step S14).

[0325] If the determination in step S14 determines that the application is not capable of outputting advertisements, the transmission of video or audio advertisements from the first server device 51 to the user terminal 53 in streaming format is interrupted (step S15).

[0326] Even if the transmission of an advertisement in streaming format is interrupted, if the window of an application that cannot display advertisements is closed and then an application that can display advertisements is started, the transmission of the video or audio advertisement from the first server device 51 can be started from the point in time when the transmission of the video or audio advertisement was interrupted.

[0327] The determination in step S14 may be made, for example, based on control information for determining which applications do not display advertisements, or based on control information for determining which applications display advertisements.

[0328] If the result of the determination in step S14 determines that the application is not capable of displaying advertisements, the video advertisement will not be displayed, and the screen corresponding to the selected application will be displayed on the user terminal 53 (step S16).

[0329] If the determination in step S14 determines that the application is capable of displaying advertisements, the transmission of video advertisements from the first server device 51 to the user terminal 53 in streaming format will not be interrupted, and advertisements will be displayed on the user terminal 53's display screen along with the screen corresponding to the selected application, as well as on a portion of the display screen corresponding to the application (step S16).

[0330] In step S16, even if another application different from the first application is displayed, the operation of the first application will not terminate while the advertisement is being displayed on the user terminal 53 (for example, while a video advertisement is being played). In step S16, the advertisement is displayed in Picture-in-Picture (PinP) format in a part of the display screen, as shown in Figure 10.

[0331] In step S16, the advertisement displayed on the window of an application other than the first application may continue to display the advertisement that was displayed before selecting the icon of the other application in step S13, or a new advertisement to be displayed can be identified and the display can be switched from the advertisement that was displayed on the home screen to the newly identified advertisement.

[0332] Steps S11 to S16 complete the application switching process from the first application to another application (including the second application) that is different from the first application.

[0333] Furthermore, if the user closes the window of the other application by operating the input device 53d of the user terminal 53 while the other application is displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 53, the home screen will be displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 53. Even in this case, while the user terminal 53 is outputting an advertisement (for example, while playing a video advertisement), the operation of the first application will not be terminated, and the advertisement will be displayed in Picture-in-Picture (PinP) format.

[0334] Figure 24 is a flowchart showing the execution process of a predetermined information processing according to Embodiment 3. The user operates the input device 53d of the user terminal 53 to launch the second application, access the second server device 52, and log in (step S21). When logging in, the user enters user identification information that can identify the user and a password.

[0335] The user performs a predetermined operation on the second application using the user terminal 53 (step S22). The predetermined operation is not particularly limited as long as it involves making a predetermined request to the second server device 52 or a business operator that provides goods or services using the second server device 52. Examples of predetermined requests include, for example, requesting the purchase of goods or services, requesting a discount on goods or services, requesting the provision of goods or services free of charge, requesting the loan of goods, requesting the distribution of content, and requesting the awarding of points (these points are different from the points awarded to the user by the first server device 51 and are usable on other platforms).

[0336] By performing a predetermined operation, a predetermined request is sent from the user terminal 53 to the second server device 52 (step S23). When the second server device 52 receives the predetermined request (step S24), it determines whether the conditions for executing the predetermined request are met (step S25).

[0337] In step S24, for example, based on the user management table stored in the second server device 52, it is possible to determine the number of points corresponding to the user identification information or the presence or absence of a flag (a flag indicating that the conditions for executing a predetermined request from the user are met) (whether or not the flag is set).

[0338] In addition, in step S24, the second server device 52 can query the first server device 51 based on the user identification information to determine whether or not it is possible to execute a predetermined request. The first server device 51, based on the user identification information received from the second server device 52, refers to the user management table and identifies the number of points or the presence or absence of a flag (a flag indicating that the conditions for executing a predetermined request from the user are met) corresponding to the user identification information (whether or not the flag is set). The identified number of points or the presence or absence of the flag for the user is transmitted to the second server device 52. The second server device 52 determines whether or not it is possible to execute a predetermined request based on the received number of points or the presence or absence of the flag for the user.

[0339] Alternatively, instead of the second server device 52 querying the first server device 51 for the number of user points or the presence or absence of a flag, the first server device 51 may periodically send information from the user management table to the second server device 52.

[0340] In step S25, if it is determined that the conditions for executing the predetermined request are not met (No in step S25), it is notified that the conditions for executing the predetermined request are not met or that the predetermined request cannot be executed (step S26). On the other hand, in step S25, if it is determined that the conditions for executing the predetermined request are met (YES in step S25), the predetermined information processing is performed (step S27).

[0341] When the predetermined information processing is performed, the user management table is updated (step S28). In the user management table, points corresponding to the predetermined request are deducted, or the flag is updated from "true" to "false".

[0342] Steps S21 to S28 complete the execution of the predetermined information processing.

[0343] In this example, in step S22, the user terminal 53 is operated to send a predetermined request to the second server device 52 on the second application, thereby executing predetermined information processing. However, if the predetermined request becomes available in response to the first server device 51 sending an advertisement to the user terminal 53, or in response to the user terminal 53 outputting an advertisement, the predetermined information processing may be executed automatically. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0344] A Information Systems 1, 2 Content output device 3 Terminal devices 11, 21 Storage Unit 12 Reception Department 13, 23 Processing Unit 14 Output section 22 Receiving section 24 Transmitter 31 Terminal storage section 32 Terminal reception area 33 Terminal Processing Unit 34 Terminal transmission unit 35 Terminal receiving unit 36 Terminal output section 111 Content storage section 112 Advertising Management Department 113, 213 Situation Management Department 114 Control Information Management Department 121 Instruction Reception Department 131 Judgment Department 132 Content Acquisition Section 133 Advertising Acquisition Department 134 Situation Change Section 141 Content Output Section 142 Advertising Output Section 50 Systems 51. First Server Device 52 Second Server Device 53 User terminals 54 Communication Networks

Claims

1. A system comprising a first server device and a user terminal capable of communicating with the first server device, Advertisement output means that displays an advertisement on a portion of the window of a running application displayed on the user's terminal, or on a portion of the home screen displayed on the user's terminal. A system equipped with these features.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, in response to the transmission of an advertisement from the first server device to a user terminal, or in response to the output of an advertisement by the advertisement output means, the first server device, the user terminal, or a second server device different from the first server device becomes capable of executing predetermined information processing.

3. Furthermore, the system according to claim 2, wherein predetermined information processing can be performed in response to a predetermined operation related to a second advertisement related to the aforementioned advertisement being performed on the user terminal.

4. Information storage means that stores or updates predetermined information in response to the transmission of an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal, or in response to the output of an advertisement by the advertisement output means. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information storage means further stores or updates predetermined information in response to a predetermined operation performed on the user terminal related to a second advertisement related to the advertisement.

6. The system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein predetermined information processing is possible in the first server device, user terminal, or second server device when predetermined information satisfies predetermined conditions.

7. The system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the predetermined information is points awarded to a user operating a user terminal.

8. The system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the predetermined information is a flag indicating whether or not predetermined information processing is possible in the first server device, user terminal, or second server device.

9. The system according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the predetermined information processing is the process of transmitting content stored in the first server device or the second server device from the first server device or the second server device to a user terminal, or the process of outputting the content at the user terminal.

10. The system according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the predetermined information processing is a process in the first server device or the second server device that grants reward data to a user operating a user terminal, a process that registers that a reward will be granted to a user, or a process that notifies the user terminal that a reward will be granted.

11. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the advertising output means outputs different advertisements depending on the application, outputs different advertisements depending on the content displayed on the application window, or outputs different advertisements depending on the content displayed on the home screen.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the advertising output means, based on control information for determining which applications do not output advertisements, does not output the advertisement on a portion of the window of an application that does not output advertisements.

13. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the advertising output means outputs the advertisement on a portion of the window of the application on which the advertisement is to be output, based on control information for determining the application on which the advertisement is to be output.

14. User terminals capable of communicating with the first server device, Advertisement output means that displays an advertisement on a portion of the window of a running application displayed on the user's terminal, or on a portion of the home screen displayed on the user's terminal. A program that makes something function as such.

15. A method to be performed in a system comprising a first server device and a user terminal capable of communicating with the first server device, Ad output step: Displays an advertisement on a portion of the window of a running application displayed on the user's terminal, or on a portion of the home screen displayed on the user's terminal. A method having.

16. A system comprising a first server device, a second server device, and a user terminal capable of communicating with the first and second server devices, An advertising transmission means for transmitting advertisements from a first server device to a user terminal, An advertising output means that outputs an advertisement transmitted from the first server device to a portion of the window of a running application displayed on the user terminal, or to a portion of the home screen displayed on the user terminal, A first processing execution means that performs predetermined information processing in a second server device in response to an advertisement being transmitted by an advertisement transmission means or an advertisement being output by an advertisement output means. A second processing execution means that transmits an advertisement by an advertisement transmission means and performs predetermined information processing in a second server device in response to a predetermined operation performed on the user terminal, or outputs an advertisement by an advertisement output means and performs predetermined operation on the user terminal, and / or A third processing execution means executes predetermined information processing in the second server device by consuming points awarded in response to sending an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal, or by consuming points awarded in response to outputting an advertisement received from the first server device at the user terminal. A system equipped with these features.

17. A system comprising a first server device and a user terminal capable of communicating with the first server device, An advertising transmission means for transmitting advertisements from a first server device to a user terminal, An advertising output means that outputs an advertisement transmitted from the first server device to a portion of the window of a running application displayed on the user terminal, or to a portion of the home screen displayed on the user terminal, A first processing execution means that performs predetermined information processing in the first server device in response to the transmission of an advertisement by the advertisement transmission means or the output of an advertisement by the advertisement output means. A second processing execution means that transmits an advertisement by an advertisement transmission means and performs a predetermined operation on the user terminal, or outputs an advertisement by an advertisement output means and performs a predetermined operation on the user terminal, and / or, A third processing execution means that performs predetermined information processing in the first server device by consuming points awarded in response to sending an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal, or by consuming points awarded in response to outputting an advertisement received from the first server device at the user terminal. A system equipped with these features.

18. The system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the predetermined information processing is the process of transmitting content stored in the first server device or the second server device from the first server device or the second server device to a user terminal, or the process of outputting the content at the user terminal.

19. The system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the predetermined information processing is a process in the first server device or the second server device that grants reward data to a user operating a user terminal, a process that registers that a reward will be granted to a user, or a process that notifies the user terminal that a reward will be granted.

20. The aforementioned points are awarded to the user in response to the transmission of an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal and the user performing a predetermined operation related to a second advertisement related to the aforementioned advertisement on the user terminal, or The system according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the aforementioned points are awarded to the user in response to the user outputting an advertisement received from the first server device at the user terminal and performing a predetermined operation related to a second advertisement related to the aforementioned advertisement at the user terminal.

21. A method to be performed in a system comprising a first server device, a second server device, and a user terminal capable of communicating with the first and second server devices, An advertising transmission step in which an advertisement is sent from the first server device to the user terminal, An advertising output step in which an advertisement sent from the first server device is displayed on a part of the window of a running application displayed on the user terminal, or on a part of the home screen displayed on the user terminal, In response to sending an advertisement in the advertisement transmission step, or to outputting an advertisement in the advertisement output step, the second server device performs a first processing execution step in which it performs predetermined information processing. A second processing execution step in which, in response to sending an advertisement in the advertisement transmission step and performing a predetermined operation on the user terminal, or in response to outputting an advertisement in the advertisement output step and performing a predetermined operation on the user terminal, a second server device executes predetermined information processing, and / or A third processing execution step in which the second server device performs predetermined information processing by consuming points awarded in response to sending an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal, or by consuming points awarded in response to outputting an advertisement received from the first server device at the user terminal. A method having.

22. A method to be performed in a system comprising a first server device and a user terminal capable of communicating with the first server device, An advertising transmission step in which an advertisement is sent from the first server device to the user terminal, An advertising output step in which an advertisement sent from the first server device is displayed on a part of the window of a running application displayed on the user terminal, or on a part of the home screen displayed on the user terminal, In response to sending an advertisement in the advertisement transmission step, or to outputting an advertisement in the advertisement output step, the first server device performs a predetermined information processing in a first processing execution step. A second processing execution step in which, in response to sending an advertisement in the advertisement transmission step and performing a predetermined operation on the user terminal, or in response to outputting an advertisement in the advertisement output step and performing a predetermined operation on the user terminal, the first server device performs predetermined information processing, and / or A third processing execution step in which the first server device performs predetermined information processing by consuming points awarded in response to sending an advertisement from the first server device to the user terminal, or by consuming points awarded in response to outputting an advertisement received from the first server device at the user terminal. A method having.

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