Advertising presentation method and program

Abstract

To provide an advertisement presentation method and a program for improving a technique for presenting advertisements to users.SOLUTION: In a system in which a plurality of terminal devices and servers can communicate via a network including a mobile communication network, the Internet, or the like, an advertisement presentation method executed by the terminal devices includes: initiating provision of electronic content S100; temporarily suspending the provision of electronic content if each of one or more conditions is satisfied during the provision of electronic content S102; outputting one or more pieces of question information automatically selected from multiple pieces of question information each related to different advertisements S103; outputting one or more pieces of advertisement information searched according to a search query inputted based on a user operation S105; obtaining answer information for the one or more pieces of question information inputted based on the user operation S106; and resuming the provision of electronic content based on the answer information S109.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an advertisement presentation method and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology for presenting to a user an advertisement for promoting a product, service, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that an advertisement presentation device connected to a server that records distribution information in which advertisements are set presents an advertisement to a user based on distribution information corresponding to the user's user identification information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-108858 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, advertisements have been presented to users while electronic content, such as games, is being provided to them. However, the users who are interested in the electronic content may not necessarily be very interested in the presented advertisements, and the advertising effect of the advertisements may not be sufficient. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the technology for presenting advertisements to users.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for presenting advertisements to users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An advertisement presentation method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: An advertisement presentation method executed by a terminal device, Begin providing electronic content; temporarily suspending provision of said electronic content if each of one or more conditions is met during provision of said electronic content; outputting one or more pieces of question information automatically selected from a plurality of pieces of question information each relating to a different advertisement; outputting one or more pieces of advertisement information searched in response to a search query input based on a user operation; acquiring answer information to the one or more pieces of question information input based on a user operation; and and resuming provision of the electronic content based on the response information.

[0007] A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: To the terminal device, Begin providing electronic content; temporarily suspending provision of said electronic content if each of one or more conditions is met during provision of said electronic content; outputting one or more pieces of question information automatically selected from a plurality of pieces of question information each relating to a different advertisement; outputting one or more pieces of advertisement information searched in response to a search query input based on a user operation; acquiring answer information to the one or more pieces of question information input based on a user operation; and Based on the response information, provision of the electronic content is resumed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, techniques for presenting advertisements to users are improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a server. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first example of a screen displayed on the terminal device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of a screen displayed on the terminal device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third example of a screen displayed on the terminal device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth example of a screen displayed on the terminal device. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fifth example of a screen displayed on the terminal device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sixth example of a screen displayed on the terminal device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0011] (Outline of the embodiment) An overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices 10 and a server 20. The terminal devices 10 and the server 20 are capable of communicating with each other via a network including, for example, a mobile communication network and the Internet.

[0012] The terminal device 10 is any computer that can be used by a user. For example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC (Personal Computer), or other device can be used as the terminal device 10. Although five terminal devices 10 are illustrated in FIG. 1, the system 1 may include two or more terminal devices 10. The server 20 is configured to include one or more computers. For ease of explanation, the server 20 will be described as being configured as one server device, but the server 20 may be configured to include multiple server devices that can communicate with each other.

[0013] The terminal device 10 cooperates with the server 20 to provide electronic content to users. The server 20 communicates with the terminal device 10 to transmit any information used in providing the electronic content to the terminal device 10, and executes any processing used in providing the electronic content. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the electronic content is a mining tool arranged like a game that generates nonce candidate values ​​for obtaining hash values ​​of blocks to be linked to a blockchain.

[0014] However, the electronic content is not limited to the above-mentioned mining tools, and may be any electronic content, such as a game, a social networking service (SNS), or a video distribution service.

[0015] Each terminal device 10 functions as a node in the blockchain network. In this embodiment, a consortium-type blockchain is used, but this is not limiting and other types of blockchain may also be adopted. For example, each terminal device 10 connects to the server 20 and performs login processing. The server 20 stores the IP address of each terminal device 10 that has been granted login permission. The terminal devices 10 that have been granted login permission are connected to each other via P2P (Peer to Peer) communication. Each terminal device 10 stores blockchain data in at least one of its own storage and the cloud storage.

[0016] In order to link a new block to the blockchain, it is necessary to find (mine) a correct nonce whose hash value satisfies a standard according to the mining difficulty, i.e., to succeed in mining. In mining according to this embodiment, a nonce candidate is generated based on a user's operation on the terminal device 10. If the generated nonce candidate is a correct nonce, a new block is linked to the blockchain and a reward (e.g., electronic money, crypto assets, stable coins, vouchers, legal tender, etc.) is given to the user. On the other hand, if the generated nonce candidate is not a correct nonce, a new nonce candidate can be generated based on the user's operation on the terminal device 10. Therefore, in order to obtain a reward, the user can repeatedly perform mining until a correct nonce is found. Specific examples of mining progress will be described later.

[0017] Conventionally, the hash rate of a computer used for mining depends on the computing power of the computer. For this reason, businesses participating in mining typically deploy expensive computers with high computing power and mechanically repeat the determination and verification of nonce candidate values. Furthermore, when the hash rate of the entire blockchain increases, it is common to increase the mining difficulty to maintain the hash rate at a predetermined target value. Therefore, conventionally, it has been difficult for individuals using computers with relatively low computing power to participate in mining. Furthermore, the difficulty of mining a blockchain may increase to the point where it becomes virtually impossible to find the correct nonce, resulting in a hard fork of the blockchain being unavoidable. In contrast, with mining according to this embodiment, user operation is required to determine nonce candidate values, so the hash rate of the terminal device 10 does not depend on the computing power. Therefore, mining according to this embodiment makes it easy for individuals using terminal devices 10 with relatively low computing power to participate in mining.

[0018] An overview of this embodiment will be described below, and details will be provided later. The terminal device 10 starts providing electronic content (in this embodiment, mining progress). If one or more conditions are met during the provision of the electronic content, the terminal device 10 temporarily stops providing the electronic content. The terminal device 10 outputs one or more pieces of question information automatically selected from a plurality of pieces of question information each relating to a different advertisement. The terminal device 10 outputs one or more pieces of advertisement information searched in response to a search query input based on a user operation. The terminal device 10 acquires one or more pieces of answer information corresponding to the one or more pieces of question information input based on a user operation. The terminal device 10 then resumes providing the electronic content based on the one or more pieces of answer information.

[0019] According to this embodiment, a user can search for advertising information that provides a hint for obtaining correct answer information (e.g., information indicating the correct name of the product related to the advertisement) to question information about the advertisement (e.g., information asking about the name of the product related to the advertisement) in order to resume provision of electronic content. Generally, users tend to remember information that they actively search for more easily than information that is passively presented. For example, conventional services that distribute electronic content such as videos or music generally employ a method in which playback of the electronic content is temporarily paused, advertising information is played, and the playback of the advertising information can be skipped after a certain time has elapsed since the start of playback of the advertising information. However, this conventional method does not necessarily provide sufficient motivation for users who want to continue viewing the temporarily paused electronic content, so the playback of the advertising information tends to be skipped, resulting in a problem that the advertising information is less likely to remain in the user's memory. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the advertising information is more likely to remain in the user's memory than when, for example, the advertising information is simply presented to the user, thereby improving the advertising effectiveness of the advertising information. This improves the technology for presenting advertisements to users.

[0020] In this embodiment, possible payment methods for the advertising fees paid by the advertiser include, for example, a method of paying an electronic content provider such as a company that provides electronic content up to the number of times question information related to the advertisement is displayed while the electronic content is being provided, a method of paying a user who actively searches for advertising information and finds the correct answer information, a method of paying the electronic content provider with an agreement to distribute a portion of the advertising fees as a reward to a user who finds the correct answer information, or a method of paying the electronic content provider an advertising fee according to the number of times the advertisement is displayed, etc. However, the method of paying the advertising fees is not limited to the examples described above.

[0021] Alternatively, for example, if the electronic content provider recognizes that the advertiser is aiming for a non-profit activity or an equivalent activity, an embodiment is also possible in which advertising information is presented without the advertiser paying advertising fees.

[0022] Furthermore, in the game-style mining tool, which is the electronic content according to this embodiment, nonce candidate values ​​are generated based on user operations, as described above. Therefore, if a malicious user commits fraudulent acts, such as tampering with the program or using a fraudulent tool, the mining speed (i.e., the speed at which nonce candidate values ​​are generated) may be unfairly high compared to when the user operates the tool himself / herself. In contrast, according to this embodiment, in order to resume the provision of electronic content that has been temporarily stopped (here, the progress of mining), the user must actively search for advertising information that provides hints for obtaining correct answer information to question information. Therefore, fraudulent acts by malicious users may be reduced.

[0023] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0024] (Terminal Device Configuration) As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an output unit 12, an input unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0025] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces for communicating via a network such as the Internet. The communication interfaces are compatible with mobile communication standards such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation), wired LAN (Local Area Network) standards, or wireless LAN standards, but are not limited to these and may be compatible with any communication standard. In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 communicates with the server 20 and other terminal devices 10 via the communication unit 11.

[0026] The output unit 12 includes one or more output devices that output information so that the user can recognize it. Examples of the output devices include, but are not limited to, a display that outputs information as an image, or a speaker that outputs information as sound.

[0027] The input unit 13 includes one or more input devices that detect user operations, such as, but not limited to, physical keys, capacitive keys, a touch screen that is integrated with the display of the output unit 12, a microphone that accepts voice input, or a camera.

[0028] The storage unit 14 includes one or more memories. The memories may be, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, optical memories, or the like, but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 14 may function as, for example, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 14 stores any information used in the operation of the terminal device 10. For example, the storage unit 14 may store system programs, application programs, blockchain data, and the like.

[0029] The control unit 15 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a predetermined process, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 15 controls the overall operation of the terminal device 10.

[0030] (Server configuration) As shown in FIG. 3, the server 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit .

[0031] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces for communicating via a network such as the Internet. The communication interfaces may be compatible with, for example, a wired LAN standard or a wireless LAN standard, but are not limited to these and may be compatible with any communication standard, such as a mobile communication standard or other communication means. In this embodiment, the server 20 communicates with each terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21.

[0032] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the server 20. For example, the storage unit 22 may store a system program, an application program, a database, and the like.

[0033] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 23 controls the overall operation of the server 20.

[0034] (Operation flow of terminal device) The operation of each terminal device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In summary, this operation is to temporarily stop providing electronic content and then resume providing the electronic content based on answer information to question information presented to the user. As described above, in this embodiment, the electronic content will be described as a mining tool arranged like a game that generates nonce candidate values ​​for obtaining hash values ​​of blocks to be linked to a blockchain.

[0035] Step S100: The control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 starts providing electronic content (here, the progress of mining).

[0036] Specifically, the control unit 15 executes a mining application program according to this embodiment in response to a predetermined user operation on the input unit 13. The application program is stored in advance in, for example, the storage unit 14. When the application program is executed, the control unit 15 connects to the server 20 via, for example, the communication unit 11, and performs login processing. As described above, the terminal devices 10 that have been granted login permission by the server 20 are connected to each other via P2P communication. Then, the control unit 15 starts the mining process.

[0037] Here, a first example of a mining screen displayed on the display of the output unit 12 of the terminal device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The display control of the screen is performed by the control unit 15. The screen shown in Fig. 5 includes a plurality of cards 30 (30a to 30j), an add button 31, a selection area 32, a back button 33, and an execute button 34.

[0038] Each of the multiple cards 30 is, for example, a virtual card with a different design, and is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that accepts a selection operation by a user. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the outline of the card 30 (30a) selected by the user is indicated by a bold frame. Each of the multiple cards 30 is assigned a different value. The value assigned to each card is, for example, an integer value between 0 and 9, but is not limited to this. Here, the value of each card 30 is determined, for example, randomly so that there is no specific correspondence between the design and the value of the card 30. Therefore, the user of the terminal device 10 can distinguish each card 30 based on the design, but cannot recognize the value of each card 30. In other words, the design of each card 30 is presented to the user, but the value of each card 30 is kept secret from the user. The design and value of each card 30 are determined, for example, by the control unit 23 of the server 20 and notified to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21. Hereinafter, a plurality of cards 30 (30a to 30j) will be collectively referred to as a "card set."

[0039] The add button 31 and the back button 33 are GUIs that accept user operations. When a user operation on the add button 31 is detected, the control unit 15 replaces the current card set displayed on the screen with the next card set. On the other hand, when a user operation on the back button 33 is detected, the control unit 15 replaces the current card set displayed on the screen with the previous card set. Note that the designs and values ​​of the cards 30 may differ for each card set.

[0040] The selection area 32 is an area where images of cards 30 selected by the user in each card set are displayed side by side. In the example shown in FIG. 5, only the image of the card 30a selected in the first card set is shown. Here, for example, if the user selects a new card 30 in the next card set, the control unit 15 adds the image of the selected card 30 to the selection area 32. In this case, images of two cards 30 are displayed in the selection area 32. The user can select cards 30 in any number of card sets, one or more.

[0041] The execute button 34 is a GUI that accepts user operations. When a user operation on the execute button 34 is detected, the control unit 15 generates one nonce candidate value using the values ​​of each card 30 displayed in the selection area 32. For example, if n cards 30 (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) are displayed in the selection area 32, an n-digit nonce candidate value is generated by arranging the values ​​of the n cards 30. However, the method for generating the nonce candidate value is not limited to this example. For example, a value obtained by adding or multiplying the values ​​of each card 30 displayed in the selection area 32 may be generated as the nonce candidate value. Once the nonce candidate value is generated, mining proceeds further, and a determination is made as to whether the nonce candidate value is the correct nonce. If the generated nonce candidate value is the correct nonce, a new block is linked to the blockchain using the nonce candidate value (i.e., the correct nonce), and a reward is given to the user of the terminal device 10.

[0042] Step S101: The control unit 15 determines whether or not each of one or more conditions is satisfied while the electronic content is being provided (here, while mining is in progress). If it is determined that each condition is satisfied (step S101-Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if it is determined that at least one condition is not satisfied (step S101-No), the process repeats step S101.

[0043] Here, the one or more conditions include a first condition that one nonce candidate value is generated based on a user operation on the execute button 34 shown in Fig. 5. If the one or more conditions include only the first condition, it is determined that the first condition is satisfied every time the user operates the execute button 34, and the process proceeds to step S102.

[0044] Furthermore, the one or more conditions may further include a second condition that the elapsed time after a new block was last linked to the blockchain using a nonce candidate value generated by the terminal device 10 (i.e., since the user last successfully mined) is less than a threshold, or the number of new blocks linked to the blockchain is less than a threshold. If the one or more conditions include the first condition and the second condition, when the user operates the execute button 34, it is determined that each of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied until a predetermined time has passed since the user last successfully mined, or until a predetermined number of new blocks have been linked to the blockchain, and the process proceeds to step S102.

[0045] Step S102: If it is determined in step S101 that each condition is satisfied (step S101-Yes), the control unit 15 temporarily stops providing the electronic content (here, the progress of mining).

[0046] Specifically, when the first condition, or the first condition and the second condition, are satisfied, the control unit 15 temporarily stops the progress of mining before determining whether or not the one generated nonce candidate value is the correct nonce.

[0047] Step S103: The control unit 15 receives and outputs one or more pieces of question information that are automatically selected from a plurality of pieces of question information each relating to a different advertisement.

[0048] Specifically, the control unit 23 of the server 20 automatically selects, for example, randomly, one or more pieces of question information from a plurality of pieces of question information pre-stored in the storage unit 22. The control unit 15 receives the one or more pieces of question information automatically selected by the server 20 from the server 20 via the communication unit 11, and outputs the one or more pieces of question information via the display of the output unit 12. In this embodiment, the control unit 15 displays, for example, a screen shown in Fig. 6 on the display of the output unit 12, and outputs the question information on the screen. Details of the screen will be described later.

[0049] Here, the question information regarding the advertisement is information indicating any question related to the advertisement. For example, the question information regarding the advertisement is information asking about the name of a product related to the advertisement, but the specific content of the question information is not limited to this example. Note that the memory unit 22 of the server 20 pre-stores a plurality of pieces of question information and a plurality of pieces of correct answer information corresponding to the plurality of pieces of question information. The correct answer information is information indicating the correct answer to the corresponding question information. For example, if the question information regarding the advertisement is information asking about the name of a product related to the advertisement, the correct answer information corresponding to the question information is information indicating the correct name of the product, but the specific content of the correct answer information is not limited to this example.

[0050] A second example of the mining screen displayed on the display of the output unit 12 of the terminal device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The screen shown in Fig. 6 includes a question display area 35, a first input field 36, a search button 37, a second input field 38, and an answer button 39.

[0051] The question display area 35 is an area where question information is displayed. The control unit 15 causes the question display area 35 to display one or more pieces of question information received from the server 20 as described above.

[0052] The first input field 36 is an input field that accepts text input by the user. In this embodiment, the user can input any text into the first input field 36. However, the method of inputting text is not limited to this example, and for example, the user may input text selected by the user from multiple texts included in a pull-down menu.

[0053] The search button 37 is a GUI that accepts a user operation. When a user operation on the search button 37 is detected, the control unit 15 acquires the text entered in the first input field 36 as a search query and transmits it to the server 20 via the communication unit 11.

[0054] The second input field 38 is an input field that accepts text input by the user. In this embodiment, the user can input any text into the second input field 38. However, the method of inputting text is not limited to this example, and for example, the user may input text selected by the user from multiple texts included in a pull-down menu.

[0055] The answer button 39 is a GUI that accepts a user operation. When a user operation on the answer button 39 is detected, the control unit 15 acquires the text entered in the second input field 38 as answer information to one or more pieces of question information displayed in the question display area 35, and transmits the acquired text to the server 20 via the communication unit 11.

[0056] Step S104: The control unit 15 acquires and transmits the search query input based on the user's operation.

[0057] Here, it is assumed that the user inputs any text as a search query into the first input field 36 and operates the search button 37 in order to search for advertising information that provides a hint for obtaining an answer to the one or more pieces of question information output in step S103. When the control unit 15 detects a user operation on the search button 37, it acquires the text input into the first input field 36 as a search query and transmits the search query to the server 20 via the communication unit 11. The control unit 23 of the server 20 searches for one or more pieces of advertising information in response to the search query received from the terminal device 10 and transmits the one or more pieces of advertising information to the terminal device 10. Here, the server 20 may function as, for example, a web page search engine and transmit information about a web page searched for in response to the search query received from the terminal device 10 (e.g., a URL of the web page) to the terminal device 10 as advertising information. Alternatively, the server 20 may store a plurality of pieces of advertising information in the storage unit 22 in advance and transmit advertising information searched for from the storage unit 22 in response to the search query received from the terminal device 10 to the terminal device 10.

[0058] Step S105: The control unit 15 receives and outputs one or more pieces of advertising information searched in response to the search query in step S104.

[0059] Specifically, the control unit 15 receives one or more pieces of advertising information searched in response to the search query in step S104 from the server 20 via the communication unit 11, and outputs the information to the display of the output unit 12. The advertising information may include hints for obtaining an answer to the question information. The user can consider answer information to the question information by referring to the output advertising information. The advertising information may be displayed on any mining screen provided by the mining application program according to this embodiment, or may be displayed on a web browser screen provided by a general-purpose web browser application program.

[0060] Step S106: The control unit 15 acquires and transmits answer information to one or more pieces of question information input based on a user operation.

[0061] Here, it is assumed that the user inputs any text as answer information into the second input field 38 and operates the answer button 39. When the control unit 15 detects a user operation on the answer button 39, it acquires the text input into the second input field 38 as answer information and transmits it to the server 20 via the communication unit 11. The control unit 23 of the server 20 determines whether the answer information is correct based on the answer information received from the terminal device 10 and the correct answer information stored in the storage unit 22 as described above. For example, if the answer information contains one or more pieces of correct answer information corresponding to one or more pieces of question information in step S103, the control unit 23 may determine that the answer information is correct, and if the answer information does not contain at least one piece of correct answer information, the control unit 23 may determine that the answer information is incorrect. Then, the control unit 23 transmits information indicating whether the answer information is correct to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21.

[0062] Step S107: The control unit 15 receives information indicating whether the answer information of step S106 is correct or not.

[0063] Specifically, the control unit 15 receives from the server 20 via the communication unit 11 information indicating whether the answer information in step S106 is correct or not.

[0064] Step S108: The control unit 15 determines whether the answer information of step S106 is correct or not based on the information received in step S107. If it is determined that the answer information is correct (step S108-Yes), the process proceeds to step S109. On the other hand, if it is determined that the answer information is incorrect (step S108-No), the process returns to step S103.

[0065] Step S109: If it is determined in step S108 that the answer information is correct (step S108-Yes), the control unit 15 resumes the provision of the electronic content (here, the progress of mining) that was paused in step S102. After that, the process returns to step S101.

[0066] As described above, in step S102, the progress of mining is temporarily stopped before it is determined whether or not the one generated nonce candidate value is the correct nonce. Therefore, when the progress of mining is resumed in step S109, it is determined whether or not the one generated nonce candidate value is the correct nonce.

[0067] For example, if the question asks about the name of a product related to the advertisement and the user already knows the name of the product, the user can answer the question without searching for the advertisement information. In such a case, steps S104 and S105 described above are omitted.

[0068] As described above, the terminal device 10 according to this embodiment starts providing electronic content. When one or more conditions are satisfied during the provision of the electronic content, the terminal device 10 temporarily stops providing the electronic content. The terminal device 10 outputs one or more pieces of question information automatically selected from a plurality of pieces of question information each relating to a different advertisement. The terminal device 10 outputs one or more pieces of advertisement information searched in response to a search query input based on a user operation. The terminal device 10 acquires one or more pieces of answer information corresponding to the one or more pieces of question information input based on a user operation. The terminal device 10 then resumes providing the electronic content based on the one or more pieces of answer information.

[0069] According to this embodiment, a user can search for advertising information that provides a hint for obtaining correct answer information to advertising question information in order to resume provision of electronic content. As described above, users generally tend to remember information that they actively search for more easily than information that is passively presented to them. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the likelihood that advertising information will remain in the user's memory is increased, for example, compared to when advertising information is simply presented to the user. Therefore, the technology for presenting advertisements to users is improved in that the advertising effectiveness of the advertising information can be improved. As described above, users generally tend to remember information that they actively search for more easily than information that is passively presented to them. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the likelihood that advertising information will remain in the user's memory is increased, for example, compared to when advertising information is simply presented to the user. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the technology for presenting advertisements to users is improved in that the advertising effectiveness of the advertising information can be improved.

[0070] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0071] Furthermore, since the present disclosure provides specific explanations based on embodiments, it should be noted that not all configurations and effects utilizing the present disclosure are necessarily described. Furthermore, it should be noted that the present disclosure is not bound by the motives and points of view that actually led the inventors to the invention. Therefore, even if the use of the present disclosure results in effects not described in the disclosure, or includes new motives and points of view, the invention naturally falls within the technical scope of the invention as long as it has the configuration described in the claims.

[0072] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and operation of the terminal device 10 or the server 20 may be distributed among a plurality of computers that can communicate with each other.

[0073] Furthermore, blockchains can be used for, for example, transaction management of crypto assets such as virtual currencies, or for verifying the uniqueness of digital data or electronic information using NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and transaction management. However, blockchains are not limited to these examples and can be used for various purposes. For example, blockchains may be used to determine electronic keys for locking and unlocking devices used in display cases or safes, or winning lottery numbers. It should be noted that the present disclosure is applicable to blockchains used for any purpose.

[0074] Also possible is an embodiment in which, for example, a general-purpose computer functions as the terminal device 10 or the server 20 according to the above-described embodiments. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing each function of the terminal device 10 or the server 20 according to the above-described embodiments is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the text entered in the second input field 38 included in the screen shown in Fig. 6 is acquired as answer information. However, the acquisition of answer information is not limited to this example, and any method can be adopted.

[0076] As an example, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 may present a plurality of options to the user along with question information, and acquire one or more options selected by the user from the plurality of options as answer information. Here, the plurality of options may be presented in any manner that the user can recognize through sight, hearing, touch, or the like. Specifically, each of the plurality of options may be presented to the user by an image, sound, vibration, or the like.

[0077] Here, a case where each of the multiple options is presented as an image will be described as an example. In this case, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 displays the screen shown in FIG. 7 on the display of the output unit 12 instead of the screen shown in FIG. 6. The screen shown in FIG. 7 includes multiple (here, nine) images 40 corresponding to the multiple (here, nine) options, instead of the second input field 38 shown in FIG. 6. The multiple images 40 may be different images, or may include two or more identical images. When the control unit 15 detects a user operation to select an image 40 via the input unit 13, the control unit 15 sets the image 40 to a "selected" state. When the control unit 15 detects a user operation on the answer button 39, the control unit 15 acquires information indicating each image 40 that is currently selected as answer information and transmits it to the server 20 via the communication unit 11. Note that the user may select one or more images 40, or may not select any images 40. If a user operation on the answer button 39 is detected when none of the images 40 is selected, the control unit 15 may acquire information indicating that none of the images 40 is selected as answer information.

[0078] For example, in FIG. 7 , the question display area 35 displays the question information, "Please select all products of Company A," and of the nine images 40, two are images of products of Company A and the remaining seven images 40 are images of products of Company B. In this case, the user operates the first input field 36 and the search button 37 to search for products of Company A. Then, the user selects each image 40 that the user determines to be a product of Company A based on the search results, and operates the answer button 39 to submit the answer information. Then, if the images 40 shown in the answer information (i.e., the images 40 selected by the user) match the images 40 shown in the correct answer information (i.e., the two images 40 showing products of Company A), the answer information is determined to be correct.

[0079] It should be noted that the multiple images corresponding to the multiple options are not limited to the specific example shown in Fig. 7 and may be presented to the user in any manner. For example, while nine images 40 are arranged in a 3x3 array in Fig. 7, each image 40 may be displayed at any position on the screen, or each image 40 may move on the screen. Also, while each image 40 is rectangular in Fig. 7, it may be any shape, such as a circle as shown in Fig. 8 or a polygon as shown in Fig. 9.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above specific example, an example was described in which multiple images corresponding to multiple options were displayed. However, for example, a single image may be displayed on the screen, with multiple areas corresponding to the multiple options set on the image. For example, suppose that question information such as "Please select all products of Company A" is displayed in question display area 35, and two products of Company A and seven products of Company B are shown on a single image displayed on the screen, with a total of nine areas set corresponding to the products. In such a case, the user selects an area corresponding to each product determined to be a product of Company A and operates answer button 39 to submit the answer information. Then, if the areas shown in the answer information (i.e., the areas selected by the user) match the areas shown in the correct answer information (i.e., the two areas corresponding to Company A's products), the answer information is determined to be correct.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the storage unit 22 of the server 20 previously stores a plurality of pieces of question information related to different advertisements, a plurality of pieces of correct answer information corresponding to the plurality of pieces of question information, and a plurality of pieces of advertisement information serving as hints for obtaining answers to the respective pieces of question information. Here, the storage unit 22 may further store information indicating an advertiser of an advertisement related to each piece of question information and information indicating an advertiser of each piece of advertisement information. In this case, the control unit 23 of the server 20 may transmit one or more pieces of question information to the terminal device 10 (step S103), search for one or more pieces of advertisement information from the plurality of pieces of advertisement information in response to a search query received from the terminal device 10, and transmit the searched piece of advertisement information to the terminal device 10 (step S104). If the control unit 23 determines that the answer information received from the terminal device 10 is correct (step S106), the control unit 23 may determine whether the advertiser of the advertisement related to the question information in step S103 is the same as the advertiser related to the advertisement information in step S103. Here, if the answer information is correct and the advertiser associated with the question information is the same as the advertiser associated with the advertisement information, this suggests that there is a high possibility that a user who checked the question information regarding, for example, an advertisement for Company A actively sought out Company A's advertisement information and arrived at the correct answer information. If it is determined that the answer information is correct and that the advertiser associated with the question information is the same as the advertiser associated with the advertisement information, the control unit 23 may grant a predetermined reward to the user of the terminal device 10. The predetermined reward may be paid, for example, from advertising fees paid to the electronic content provider by the advertisers determined to be the same, but is not limited to this.

[0082] As described below, this configuration offers advantages over, for example, affiliate marketing, a conventional advertising method. In affiliate marketing, an affiliate advertiser posts an affiliate advertisement on a web page, such as a blog, and the advertiser pays the affiliate an affiliate fee, a portion of the advertising fee, via an application service provider (ASP), based on the number of times end users click on the affiliate advertisement from the web page. In other words, in affiliate marketing, the advertiser does not pay a portion of the advertising fee to the end user. Therefore, even if an end user clicks on an affiliate advertisement, the end user's favorable impression of the advertiser does not necessarily improve. Furthermore, because affiliates do not receive a reward in the affiliate marketing system, some affiliates have colluded with numerous end users under the promise of paying a portion of the affiliate fee, thereby unfairly inflating the number of clicks on the affiliate advertisement. In such cases, there is a problem that the advertising costs paid by the advertiser increase unnecessarily without the promotional effect of the affiliate advertising being fully realized.In contrast to this, in this embodiment, a portion of the advertising costs is paid by the advertiser via the electronic content provider to a user who actively searches for the advertiser's advertising information in response to question information and arrives at the correct answer information, which can improve users' favorable impressions of the advertiser and reduces the possibility of an unnecessary increase in advertising costs paid by the advertiser, as occurs with affiliate advertising.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, a screen for outputting one or more pieces of question information has been described with reference to the specific examples of FIGS. 6 to 9. However, as shown in FIG. 10, the screen may further include a hint button 41. The hint button 41 is a GUI that accepts a user operation. When a user operation on the hint button 41 is detected, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 transmits a hint information acquisition request to the server 20. The control unit 23 of the server 20 transmits the hint information to the terminal device 10 in response to the acquisition request. The control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 then outputs the received hint information via the output unit 12. Here, the "hint information" is any information that a user can use to obtain correct answer information for one or more pieces of output question information. For example, the hint information may be information suggesting a search query for appropriately searching for advertising information that serves as a hint for obtaining correct answer information, or may be information suggesting correct answer information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 System 10 Terminal Equipment 11 Communications Department 12 Output section 13 Input section 14 Storage section 15 Control Unit 20 servers 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 30(30a~30j) Card 31 Add button 32 Selection Area 33 Back button 34 Execute button 35 Question display area 36 First input field 37 Search button 38 Second input field 39 Answer button 40 images 41 Hint Button

Claims

1. An advertisement presentation method executed by a terminal device, Begin providing electronic content; temporarily suspending provision of the electronic content if each of one or more conditions is satisfied during provision of the electronic content; outputting one or more pieces of question information automatically selected from a plurality of pieces of question information each relating to a different advertisement; outputting one or more pieces of advertisement information searched in response to a search query input based on a user operation; acquiring answer information to the one or more pieces of question information input based on a user operation; and and resuming provision of the electronic content based on the response information. and (iii) a method of presenting advertisements.

2. The advertisement presentation method according to claim 1, Sending the obtained answer information to a server; and receiving information indicating whether the answer information is correct from the server; Further comprising: When the answer information is correct, the terminal device resumes providing the electronic content.

3. 3. The advertisement presentation method according to claim 1 or 2, The method further includes, if the answer information is incorrect, outputting one or more pieces of question information that are automatically newly selected from the plurality of pieces of question information.

4. The advertisement presentation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, sending the search query to a server; and receiving, from the server, information about one or more web pages searched by the server based on the search query, as the one or more pieces of advertising information; The method further comprises:

5. The advertisement presentation method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The terminal device is a computer that functions as a node in a blockchain network, The electronic content is a mining tool that generates nonce candidate values ​​for obtaining hash values ​​of blocks to be linked to a blockchain, The one or more conditions include a first condition that one nonce candidate value is generated based on a user operation.

6. The advertisement presentation method according to claim 5, The one or more conditions further include a second condition that the elapsed time since a new block was last linked to the blockchain using a nonce candidate value generated by the terminal device is less than a threshold or the number of new blocks linked to the blockchain is less than a threshold.

7. To the terminal device, Begin providing electronic content; temporarily suspending provision of the electronic content if each of one or more conditions is satisfied during provision of the electronic content; outputting one or more pieces of question information automatically selected from a plurality of pieces of question information each relating to a different advertisement; outputting one or more pieces of advertisement information searched in response to a search query input based on a user operation; acquiring answer information to the one or more pieces of question information input based on a user operation; and and resuming provision of the electronic content based on the response information. A program that executes.

8. An advertisement presentation method executed by a server capable of communicating with a terminal device, storing a plurality of pieces of question information relating to different advertisements, a plurality of pieces of correct answer information respectively corresponding to the plurality of pieces of question information, a plurality of pieces of advertisement information, information indicating advertisers of advertisements relating to each piece of question information, and information indicating advertisers relating to each piece of advertisement information; automatically selecting one or more pieces of question information from the plurality of pieces of question information and transmitting the selected piece of question information to the terminal device in response to the temporary suspension of provision of the electronic content on the terminal device; When receiving a search query from the terminal device, searching for one or more pieces of advertisement information from the plurality of pieces of advertisement information in response to the search query and transmitting the searched information to the terminal device; receiving answer information to the one or more pieces of question information from the terminal device; determining whether the answer information is correct based on the received answer information and one or more pieces of correct answer information respectively corresponding to the one or more pieces of question information; If the answer information is determined to be correct, a reward is given to the user of the terminal device. A method comprising:

Images