Information processing systems and programs

Abstract

This platform provides a new framework that allows users to support specific creators, thereby supporting their activities and contributing to the overall revitalization of the platform. [Solution] The information processing system provides a platform used by creators who submit works and users who may purchase those works. Based on an operation performed by a user on the terminal on the platform to select a creator and support that creator free of charge without purchasing the creator's work, the system accepts the selected creator as a support target. In response to the acceptance of the support target, it delivers and displays an advertisement to the terminal, and in response to the display of the advertisement, it grants a first incentive to the account associated with the supported creator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system and a program for a platform used by a creator who offers works and a user who can be a purchaser of the works.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a "donation model" is known as a mechanism for a user to support a creator of content such as a work (hereinafter also referred to as a "creator"). The donation model is a mechanism in which a user supports the activities of a creator by digital items available on a platform or direct transfer of money via the platform. In this model, since the user consumes their own money to directly support the creator, the user's intention of "wanting to support" can be conveyed to the creator in a clear form. It is widely adopted in live streaming services and the like and has become one of the important revenue sources for creators.

[0003] On the other hand, a system for returning advertising revenue to creators has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system for distributing a reward based on an advertising fee from a sponsor or the like to an author according to the number of downloads of an e-book. In this technology, the consumption behavior (download) of content by a user becomes the starting point for reward distribution.

[0004] As another model, there is a "point activity model". This refers to a mechanism in which a user obtains incentives such as points as a reward for watching an advertisement, answering a questionnaire, registering for a specific service, etc. The main purpose of this model is to promote the promotional activities of advertisers, and the provision of incentives to users functions as an inducement for this. The obtained incentives are usually used for the personal benefit of the user, such as exchange with goods or appropriation for settlement.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-258841 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, the conventional systems described above each had the following challenges in deepening engagement between creators and fans.

[0007] In advertising revenue sharing models like the one described in Patent Document 1, the starting point for reward distribution is content consumption behavior, and there is no process in which a user actively expresses a desire to "support" a particular creator, and then provides support based on that expression of intent.

[0008] Furthermore, while the "tipping model" directly reflects users' willingness to support, it imposes a financial burden on users, creating significant psychological and economic hurdles. This was one reason why many users with a latent desire to support did not actually take action.

[0009] Furthermore, the "point-earning model" is based on the premise that users consume the incentives they earn through watching advertisements, etc., and lacks the social and empathetic function of converting that value into support for creators.

[0010] Thus, conventional technologies have not provided an effective mechanism for users to select specific creators based on their own clear will and support them by expressing their intention to support them, without consuming (purchasing) content or incurring any financial burden.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an information processing system and program that can provide a new framework that allows users to support specific creators, thereby supporting the creators' activities and contributing to the revitalization of the entire platform. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The information processing system according to the first embodiment includes: a platform provision unit that provides a platform for use by creators who submit works and users who may become buyers of works; a support target reception unit that accepts a selected creator as a support target based on an operation performed by a user on a terminal on the platform, in which the user selects a creator and supports the creator free of charge without purchasing the creator's works; an advertisement presentation control unit that delivers and displays an advertisement to the terminal in response to the acceptance of the support target; and a first incentive granting unit that grants a first incentive to the account associated with the support target creator in response to the presentation of the advertisement.

[0013] The program according to the second embodiment causes the information processing system to perform the following steps: providing a platform for use by creators who submit works and users who may become buyers of works; accepting the selected creator as a support target based on an operation performed by the user on the terminal on the platform, in which the user selects a creator and supports the creator free of charge without purchasing the creator's works; delivering and displaying an advertisement to the terminal in response to the acceptance of the support target; and granting a first incentive to the account associated with the support target creator in response to the display of the advertisement. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing system and program that offer a new framework for users to support specific creators, thereby supporting the creators' activities and contributing to the revitalization of the entire platform. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the overall flow of processing performed by the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a platform server according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of a database (DB) stored in the storage unit of the platform server according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a user interface (UI) of a screen displayed on a user terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the processing flow of the support function in the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The information processing system according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

[0017] The information processing system according to this embodiment provides a platform for creators and users to buy and sell handmade works and other works. In the following embodiments, we mainly assume that the works are handmade works, but the system is not limited to such works, and the works may be illustrations, comics, novels, or digital content such as videos.

[0018] (1) System configuration example First, an overall configuration example of the information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration example of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0019] The information processing system 1 mainly includes a platform server 100, an advertisement distribution server 200, a creator's terminal (hereinafter also referred to as "creator terminal") 300A, and a user's terminal (hereinafter also referred to as "user terminal") 300B. When the creator terminal 300A and the user terminal 300B are not distinguished, they may be simply referred to as the terminal 300.

[0020] These devices are connected to each other via a network 5 such as the Internet so as to be communicable. The network 5 is composed of a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a mobile phone network (for example, 5G, LTE), or a combination thereof.

[0021] The platform server 100 is an information processing device that executes main processing according to the present embodiment. Physically, the platform server 100 may be composed of one or more server computers. Logically, the platform server 100 may have a web server function, an application server function, a database server function, and the like. Scalability and availability may be ensured by distributing processing to multiple servers using a load balancing device (load balancer). The platform server 100 may perform various controls related to the provision of a platform on which works are offered, the account management of creators and users, the trading processing of works, and the support function described later.

[0022] The ad delivery server 200 delivers advertising content (also referred to simply as "ads" or "ad data") to the user terminal 300B in response to a request from the platform server 100. The ad delivery server 200 may be a server operated by, for example, a third-party ad network operator. It may be possible to dynamically deliver the most suitable advertisement to the ad slot using a real-time bidding (RTB) mechanism. Furthermore, the ad delivery server 200 may have a function to select and deliver advertisements that are appropriate to the user's interests based on the user's attributes (age, gender, etc.) and their behavioral history within the platform (categories of works viewed, search keywords, etc.).

[0023] The creator terminal 300A is an information processing terminal used by creators. Creators use the creator terminal 300A to submit their works to the platform, manage work information, manage sales, etc. Creators can also check the status of the first incentive, described below, which is awarded based on the support they receive from their fans. In the illustrated example, there is one creator and one terminal 300A, but in reality, there may be multiple creators and their terminals 300A.

[0024] User terminal 300B is an information processing terminal used by users who may purchase works. Users use user terminal 300B to view, search for, and purchase works on the platform. Users also use user terminal 300B to perform support operations for specific creators, as described below. In the illustrated example, there is one user and one terminal 300B, but in reality, there may be multiple users and their terminals 300B.

[0025] Each terminal 300 is, for example, a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer (PC). These terminals either have dedicated application software installed for using the platform or are equipped with a web browser. In this embodiment, we primarily assume that the support function is provided via a dedicated application, especially on user terminal 300B. The dedicated application is, for example, a native application developed for each OS (Operating System), and communication with the platform server 100 may be performed using an encrypted protocol such as HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure).

[0026] (2) Overview of System Operation Next, an overview of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the overall flow of processing performed by the information processing system according to this embodiment.

[0027] In step S1, the platform server 100 provides a platform for use by creators who submit their works and users who may become buyers of those works. This is a fundamental function of the information processing system, creating an environment where creators can publish (submit) their works and users can discover and purchase those works. This platform may not only serve as a place for e-commerce, but may also play a role in promoting communication between creators and users and forming a community.

[0028] In step S2, the platform server 100 receives the user's expression of intent to support a specific creator. Specifically, it detects the free support operation performed by the user on their terminal 300B after selecting a specific creator on the platform. This support operation is a dedicated action for the user to express a clear intention to support a specific creator without incurring any financial burden. This step is important because, unlike conventional content consumption or passive advertising viewing, it starts the system's processing with the user's active "intention to support." This makes it possible to capture the user's latent desire to support as a concrete action.

[0029] In step S3, the platform server 100, having received a support target in step S2, controls the delivery and presentation of an advertisement to the terminal 300B of the user who performed the support operation. This step corresponds to the monetization process, which converts the user's intention to support into revenue from advertisers. By presenting an advertisement at a moment of extremely high user engagement, such as a support operation, the acceptability of the advertisement can be increased, and effective monetization can be achieved.

[0030] In step S4, the platform server 100 grants the first incentive to the account associated with the supported creator in response to the advertisement presented in step S3. This first incentive is generated using advertising revenue and serves as direct support for the creator. This converts the user's gratuitous support into a tangible reward of value to the creator. This process plays a crucial role in economically supporting the creator's creative activities and improving their motivation.

[0031] In step S5, the platform server 100 also grants a second incentive to the account associated with the user who performed the support action, in response to the display of the advertisement. This step provides users with a reward for their altruistic support actions. This elevates the act of supporting into an enjoyable experience incorporating gamification elements, and can serve as a powerful motivation to encourage continued user participation. By balancing support for creators with the user's own benefits, a sustainable engagement loop is formed.

[0032] Through the series of processes from steps S1 to S5 described above, this information processing system 1 builds a new ecosystem that benefits all three parties: users, creators, and platform operators.

[0033] (3) Example Server Configuration Next, an example of the configuration of the platform server 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the platform server 100 according to this embodiment.

[0034] The platform server 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a processing unit 130.

[0035] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for sending and receiving data between the creator terminal 300A, the user terminal 300B, and external devices such as the advertising distribution server 200 via the network 5.

[0036] The storage unit 120 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), or RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores programs executed by the processing unit 130 and various data used in processing. The storage unit 120 may be configured as cloud storage. The storage unit 120 mainly includes a user database storage unit 121, a creator database storage unit 122, and a support log database storage unit 123. Details of these databases will be described later.

[0037] The processing unit 130 is composed of one or more processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes programs stored in the storage unit 120. The processing unit 130 also performs information processing using the information stored in the storage unit 120. The processing unit 130 controls the operation of the entire platform server 100 and realizes various functions according to this embodiment.

[0038] The processing unit 130 includes, as logical functional blocks, a platform provision unit 131, a support target reception unit 132, an advertisement presentation control unit 133, a first incentive granting unit 134, and a second incentive granting unit 135. The operation of each functional unit will be described in detail below.

[0039] (3.1) First aspect of the platform server In its first aspect, the platform server 100 includes: a platform provision unit 131 that provides a platform for use by creators who submit works and users who may become buyers of works; a support target reception unit 132 that accepts a selected creator as a support target based on an operation performed by a user on the terminal 300B to select a creator on the platform and support the creator free of charge without purchasing the creator's works; an advertisement presentation control unit 133 that delivers and displays advertisements to the terminal 300B in response to the acceptance of a support target; and a first incentive granting unit 134 that grants a first incentive to the account associated with the support target creator in response to the display of advertisements.

[0040] From the first perspective, users can translate their desire to support a particular creator into concrete action through the easy operation of "support," separate from the burdensome act of purchasing a work. Creators can receive fan support as direct assistance, which leads to increased motivation for their creative activities.

[0041] The term "platform" may be interpreted as a marketplace, online community, or service infrastructure, etc. The term "support operation" may be interpreted as a support instruction operation, support action, cheer sending operation, etc. The term "first incentive" may be interpreted as the first reward, creator benefits, or support payment, etc.

[0042] Furthermore, the action "receive" may be reinterpreted as receiving, accepting, or recognizing, etc. The action "make present" may be reinterpreted as displaying, providing, or outputting, etc. The action "grant" may be reinterpreted as providing, adding, or assigning, etc.

[0043] Thus, in the first aspect, the platform provider unit 131 provides basic website or application functions for creators to submit their works and for users to view and purchase those works. This includes user account management, creator shop page generation, work search functionality, payment functionality, etc.

[0044] The support recipient reception unit 132 accepts creators to be supported based on "support operations" performed by users. These support operations are dedicated operations for supporting creators that do not involve any financial burden (i.e., are free) and are performed by the user on their own device 300B after selecting a specific creator on the platform. Specifically, this includes tapping or clicking the "support button" located on the creator's shop page or work details page. This operation is performed through an interface that is clearly distinct from "purchase operations" such as adding a work to a cart or proceeding to the purchase process.

[0045] When a user taps the support button, the user terminal 300B may send information identifying the selected creator (creator ID) and a signal indicating that a support operation has been performed to the platform server 100. Upon receiving this signal, the support recipient unit 132 may formally accept the creator as a support recipient. This is fundamentally different from conventional technologies in which advertisements are displayed or rewards are distributed passively in conjunction with content consumption, as it starts with the user's active expression of support.

[0046] The ad presentation control unit 133 is triggered when the support target reception unit 132 receives a support target. The ad presentation control unit 133 requests ad delivery from the ad delivery server 200. At this time, it may also send user attribute information, etc., to the ad delivery server 200 and request the delivery of targeted ads. When the ad presentation control unit 133 receives ad data (video ads, banner ads, etc.) from the ad delivery server 200, it sends the ad data to the user terminal 300B and controls it to display.

[0047] The first incentive granting unit 134 operates on the condition that the advertisement has been properly presented to the user terminal 300B. Confirmation that the advertisement has been presented may be performed, for example, by the platform server 100 receiving a signal from the user terminal 300B indicating that the advertisement has been displayed or viewed. When this condition is met, the first incentive granting unit 134 grants the first incentive, calculated based on predetermined rules, to the account information of the creator who has been supported (stored in the creator DB described later) (for example, by adding the value of a specific field in the account information).

[0048] (3.2) Second aspect of the platform server In the second aspect of platform server 100, the primary incentive is advertising credits available on the platform. According to this aspect, intangible support from fans is transformed into a concrete force that directly leads to the creator's promotional activities, i.e., increased awareness of their work. This creates a virtuous cycle within the platform of "support → advertising → increased awareness → acquisition of new fans and increased sales → further support," revitalizing the entire platform's economic sphere.

[0049] Here, "advertising credits" refers to value information valid only within the platform, consumed to use the advertising services provided by the platform. This can also be described as promotional points, internal currency for advertising expenses, or marketing activity funds.

[0050] In this respect, the first incentive granted by the first incentive granting unit 134 is not cash or cash equivalents, but advertising credits usable only within the platform. Creators can use these credits to advertise their work, such as by displaying it higher on the platform's search results page or being featured on special pages. This means that fan support not only directly contributes to the creator's sales, but is also converted into marketing investment to acquire future fans. This mechanism is distinct from a simple revenue sharing model in that it prevents the outflow of value outside the platform and forms a "closed-loop economy" that reinvests value within the platform. The first incentive granting unit 134 records the balance of the granted credits in the creator DB storage unit 122 and controls it so that creators can check the balance from the creator terminal 300A.

[0051] (3.3) The third aspect of the platform server In a third aspect of the platform server 100, the support target reception unit 132 performs count control, limiting the number of support operations performed by the same user within a predetermined period. This aspect prevents fraudulent large-scale acquisition of incentives by specific users. At the same time, the scarcity of "only a limited number of support operations per day" motivates users to access the platform and perform support operations daily, contributing to an increase in the platform's daily active users (DAU).

[0052] Here, "predetermined period" refers to a fixed time interval set in the system beforehand, defined in units such as "1 day" or "24 hours." This can also be rephrased as a set time frame, a certain period, or a specified time interval. "Limiting the number of times" means setting an upper limit on the number of support operations that can be performed within the predetermined period, and can also be expressed as controlling the frequency of execution, setting an upper limit on the number of times, or limiting the frequency of use.

[0053] In this regard, when the support target reception unit 132 receives a support operation signal from the user terminal 300B, it first refers to the support log DB storage unit 123, which will be described later. It then checks the number of times the user who sent the signal (identified by user ID) performed a support operation within a predetermined period (for example, "1 day"). Only if this number has not reached a predetermined upper limit (for example, "6 times"), the support operation is accepted as valid, and the process proceeds to the subsequent advertisement display control process. If the upper limit has been reached, the support operation may not be accepted, and a message notifying the user terminal 300B that the limit has been reached may be displayed. This count counter is reset at a predetermined time (for example, 5 a.m. every day).

[0054] (3.4) The fourth aspect of the platform server In the fourth aspect of the platform server 100, the support target reception unit 132 accepts a creator as a support target in response to a support operation being performed on the platform on a page associated with the creator or the creator's shop. According to this aspect, support actions can be encouraged in the very context in which a user's desire to support a particular creator is strongest after viewing their work or profile. This makes the presentation of advertisements less likely to be perceived as abrupt and provides a more natural user experience.

[0055] Here, "pages associated with a shop" refers to web pages or application screens on the platform that are linked to a specific creator. This can be rephrased as a creator's gallery page, an artist's profile screen, or a seller's list of works page, etc.

[0056] In this regard, the "support button," which serves as the starting point for support operations, is placed on specific pages on the platform. Specifically, these are the "shop pages" assigned to individual creators (pages displaying a list of their works and profiles) and the individual "work details pages" that each creator publishes. When a user is browsing these pages, the creators featured on those pages are automatically set as the target of support when the support button is pressed. This allows users to intuitively support creators without having to search for or select them separately.

[0057] (3.5) The fifth aspect of the platform server In the fifth aspect of the platform server 100, the support target reception unit 132 can accept creators that a user does not follow on the platform as support targets. According to this aspect, users can easily support not only their known favorite creators, but also creators they have newly discovered through searches or accidental discoveries. This promotes the building of new relationships between creators and fans, motivates users to browse the platform and discover unknown works, and leads to the overall revitalization of the platform.

[0058] Here, "creators you don't follow" refers to creators that a user has not explicitly registered as being of interest. This can be rephrased as authors who are not favorited, producers with whom you do not have a subscription relationship, or unregistered creators.

[0059] In this respect, users can "follow" their favorite creators on the platform and easily receive information about their new works, etc. In this respect, the ability to perform a support operation does not depend on the existence of this follow relationship. When the support target reception unit 132 receives a signal for a support operation, it accepts the operation regardless of whether a follow relationship exists between the user who performed the operation and the creator being supported. This makes it possible to immediately support, for example, a creator that you accidentally found in a search result or a creator you learned about through another user's review.

[0060] (3.6) The sixth aspect of the platform server In the sixth aspect of the platform server 100, the first incentive granting unit 134 controls the creator's terminal 300A to display the status of the granting of the first incentive to the creator, and also controls the system so that the creator is not notified of the identification information of the user who performed the support operation. According to this aspect, the creator can concretely grasp the total amount of support from fans and increase their motivation for creative activities. On the other hand, since the support is given anonymously, users can easily perform the support operation out of pure feelings of support without worrying about what others think. This has the effect of lowering the psychological barrier for users and increasing the frequency of support actions.

[0061] Here, "user identification information" refers to information used to uniquely identify a user on the platform, and includes user ID, username, or account information. "Controlling so that notifications are not made" means systematically controlling so that creators cannot view user identification information, and can also be expressed as keeping it confidential, masking it, or anonymizing it.

[0062] In this respect, the first incentive granting unit 134 does not disclose any individual information to the creator, such as who supported them. The only information that creators can check on the creator terminal 300A is aggregated information, such as the "total number of support requests per month" and the "total amount of advertising credits" awarded as a result. This allows creators to receive support purely as a form of assistance without feeling obligated to respond to individual users, such as expressing gratitude. For users, this anonymity also encourages support, as it eliminates any hesitation about making small donations or frequent support.

[0063] (3.7) The seventh aspect of the platform server In the seventh aspect of the platform server 100, the first incentive granting unit 134 aggregates and manages the first incentives granted to the same creator by multiple users. According to this aspect, the small incentives generated from a single support action by an individual user, when combined in large numbers, become a meaningful force that can be used for actual promotional activities by the creator. Small amounts of support from many fans can be bundled together and transformed into significant value.

[0064] Here, "managing in a consolidated manner" means that instead of managing incentives from multiple users individually, they are aggregated as a single total amount for a specific creator, and then recorded and retained. This can also be expressed as accumulating and recording, retaining a total, or aggregating and centrally managing.

[0065] In this respect, the first incentive granting unit 134 accumulates and adds up the first incentives generated from all support operations performed for a specific creator (identified by creator ID) during a predetermined aggregation period (for example, one month). Then, at a predetermined timing after the end of the aggregation period, the total amount is granted to the creator's account as advertising credits all at once. This process is achieved by updating the "Owned Advertising Credit Balance" field for each creator stored in the creator DB storage unit 122.

[0066] (3.8) The eighth aspect of the platform server In the eighth aspect of the platform server 100, the platform server 100 further includes a second incentive granting unit 135 that grants a second incentive to the account associated with the user who performed the support action in response to the presentation of an advertisement. According to this aspect, the altruistic act of supporting a creator becomes a beneficial action for the user who performed the support. This strengthens the user's motivation to support and promotes the continued use of the function.

[0067] Here, "secondary incentive" refers to a reward given to the user who performed the support action, separate from the primary incentive given to the creator. This can be rephrased as a second reward, user benefit, or a return for supporters.

[0068] In this respect, the platform server 100 further includes a second incentive granting unit 135 as a functional block of the processing unit 130. Similar to the first incentive granting unit 134, this second incentive granting unit 135 may be triggered by a signal from the user terminal 300B indicating the completion of ad display or viewing. The second incentive granting unit 135 grants a second incentive calculated based on predetermined rules to the account information of the user who performed the support operation (stored in the user DB described later). As a result, the user's support experience evolves from a mere act of assistance to a two-way interaction in which the user also receives a reward.

[0069] (3.9) The ninth aspect of the platform server In the ninth aspect of the platform server 100, the second incentive granting unit 135 controls the system to display the accumulated status of the second incentive to the user's terminal 300B. According to this aspect, the user can visually check the results of their support activities (how much they have supported and how much incentive they have received) at any time. This has the effect of satisfying the user's sense of accomplishment and increasing their satisfaction and motivation to continue using the function.

[0070] Here, "accumulation status" refers to the total amount and history of the second incentive that the user has earned so far. This can be rephrased as cumulative amount, total number held, or accumulated state.

[0071] In this respect, the second incentive granting unit 135 records the result of granting the second incentive to the user in the user database storage unit 121. Then, when the user accesses their My Page or similar from the user terminal 300B, the current status of the accumulated second incentive is read from the user database storage unit 121 and transmitted that information to the user terminal 300B for display. This allows the user to easily grasp their progress toward achieving their goal.

[0072] (3.10) The tenth aspect of the platform server In the tenth aspect of platform server 100, the second incentive is digital stamps. Once a predetermined number of digital stamps are accumulated, they can be exchanged for rewards usable within the platform. According to this aspect, the intangible act of "support" is visualized as a collectible digital item, the "digital stamp." This provides users with the enjoyment of collecting and enhances user engagement through gamification elements. Furthermore, the clear goal of exchanging stamps for rewards provides a strong motivation for continued support.

[0073] Here, "digital stamps" refer to electronic image data or information given to users as proof of their support, and can also be described as virtual collectibles or digital badges. "Rewards" are benefits that users can enjoy in exchange for accumulated digital stamps, and could include discount coupons, access to special content, prizes, etc.

[0074] In this respect, the second incentive granting unit 135 grants the user one digital stamp for each support operation. The number of stamps a user possesses is recorded in the user database storage unit 121. When the number of stamps a user possesses reaches a predetermined number (for example, 30), the user can exchange those stamps for a reward (for example, a 500 yen discount coupon that can be used when purchasing a work) on the platform. Once the exchange process is completed, the predetermined number is deducted from the number of stamps a user possesses. This entire mechanism provides users with a clear goal to achieve in a short period of time and contributes to improving the usage rate, especially in the initial stages of feature introduction.

[0075] (3.11) Eleventh aspect of the platform server In the eleventh aspect of the platform server 100, the second incentive is information on the support level, which indicates the amount or frequency of support activities from a user to a particular creator. The support level increases in accordance with the increase in the number of support operations performed by the user to that particular creator. According to this aspect, the depth of the relationship between the user and the particular creator is visualized as the "support level." The gamification element of leveling up satisfies the user's need for recognition and sense of accomplishment, increases loyalty to the particular creator, and motivates them to maintain long-term engagement.

[0076] Here, "support level" is an indicator that shows the degree of support between a specific user and a specific creator in stages. This can be rephrased as support stage, fan rank, or support tier.

[0077] In this regard, the second incentive granting unit 135 records the cumulative number of support operations for each user and each creator being supported in the support log DB storage unit 123, etc. Each time this cumulative number exceeds a predetermined threshold, the "support level" of that user for that creator is increased in stages. For example, it may be set so that level 1 is reached after 3 cumulative support operations, and level 2 after 21. This support level is displayed as a heart icon, etc., when the user views the creator's shop page, etc. Unlike coupons, the support level is a permanent status information that is not reset once it is raised, and is a mechanism to encourage long-term activity by users.

[0078] (3.12) The twelfth aspect of the platform server In the twelfth aspect of the platform server 100, the first incentive distribution unit 134 and the second incentive distribution unit 135 distribute the first and second incentives to creators and users, respectively, so as to distribute at least a portion of the advertising revenue obtained from the delivery of advertisements. According to this aspect, a sustainable ecosystem is built in which creators, users, and platform operators all benefit, using the revenue obtained from advertisers as the source. User support actions become platform revenue, and this revenue is returned to creators and users, thereby encouraging further support actions and revitalizing the platform.

[0079] Here, "advertising revenue" refers to the payment that advertisers make to platform operators for displaying their advertisements. This can be rephrased as advertising revenue, profits from advertising, or advertising placement fees.

[0080] This aspect reveals the core of the business model of this information processing system. The ad presentation control unit 133 presents an ad to the user terminal 300B, thereby allowing the platform operator to obtain advertising revenue from the operator (or advertiser) of the ad distribution server 200. The first incentive granting unit 134 and the second incentive granting unit 135 use this advertising revenue as the source to generate a first incentive for creators (advertising credits) and a second incentive for users (digital stamps, etc.), and grant (distribute) them respectively. The specific value of the incentive (for example, the amount of advertising credits granted for one support) may be set variably according to the unit price of advertising revenue, etc.

[0081] (4)DB configuration example Next, an example of the database (DB) configuration according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the database (DB) configuration stored in the storage unit 120 of the platform server 100 according to this embodiment.

[0082] Figure 4(a) shows an example of the user database configuration. The user database is stored in the user database storage unit 121 and manages information (including account information) of users registered on the platform. The user database has fields such as "User ID", "User Information", "Following Creator Information", "Number of Stamps Owned", and "Support Level Information". "User ID" is an identifier that uniquely identifies each user. "User Information" stores basic account information such as username, email address, and password. "Following Creator Information" stores a list of creator IDs that the user has registered as favorites. "Number of Stamps Owned" is a field that records the current number of digital stamps owned, which is an example of a second incentive. "Support Level Information" is another example of a second incentive and stores information on which creators a user has reached which support level (for example, a list of creator ID and level pairs).

[0083] Figure 4(b) shows an example of the Creator Database configuration. The Creator Database is stored in the Creator Database Storage Unit 122 and manages information (including account information) of creators registered on the platform. The Creator Database has fields such as "Creator ID," "Creator Information," "Advertising Credit Balance," and "Work Information." "Creator ID" is an identifier that uniquely identifies each creator. "Creator Information" stores profile information such as the creator's brand name and self-introduction. "Advertising Credit Balance" is a field that records the current balance of advertising credits, which is an example of the first incentive. "Work Information" stores information such as the ID, title, and price of works that the creator has submitted.

[0084] Figure 4(c) shows an example of the configuration of the support log DB. The support log DB is stored in the support log DB storage unit 123 and records the history of all support operations performed by the user. The support log DB has fields such as "Log ID", "Support Execution User ID", "Supported Creator ID", "Execution Date and Time", and "Incentive Information". The "Log ID" is an identifier that uniquely identifies each support operation. The "Support Execution User ID" and "Supported Creator ID" record the IDs of the user who performed the support operation and the creator who was supported, respectively. The "Execution Date and Time" records the date and time the support operation was performed. This information is referenced when performing the count control described in claim 3. The "Incentive Information" records information about the type and amount of incentives given to the user and creator by that support operation.

[0085] (5) Screen display example Next, an example of a screen display according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface (UI) of the screen displayed on the user terminal 300B according to this embodiment.

[0086] Figure 5(a) shows an example of the screen display when a user is browsing a creator's shop page. The shop page includes an area that displays "creator information" such as the creator's icon, brand name, and self-introduction, as well as a "works tab" that displays a list of the works being offered. In this embodiment, in addition to this information, a "support button" is provided. This support button is placed in a position that allows the user to intuitively operate it, for example, alongside a button to "follow" the creator or a "message button" to send a message to the creator. When the user taps this "support button," it is determined that a support action has been taken.

[0087] When the support button is tapped, a pop-up "support information area" as shown in Figure 5(b) is overlaid on the screen. This support information area displays the name of the creator being supported (for example, a message such as "Let's support (creator name)!"), a brief explanation of the support function (for example, "A portion of the advertising revenue will be returned to the creator."), and a "support execution button" to watch an advertisement (for example, "Watch an ad and get a stamp"). When the user taps this support execution button, the ad presentation control unit 133 of the platform server 100 works in conjunction with the ad distribution server 200 to display an advertisement, such as a video ad, on the screen. If the user wishes to cancel their support, they can close the pop-up by tapping the "cancel button" (for example, "Not now").

[0088] When the support button is tapped, the screen transitions to an ad display screen. On the ad display screen, for example, a video ad is played in full screen. A message indicating that the user is currently in the process of supporting a creator (for example, "Watch an ad to support the creator...") may be displayed at the top or bottom of the screen. A timer showing the remaining playback time of the ad and a button to skip the ad after a predetermined time may also be displayed.

[0089] Once the ad viewing is complete, the screen transitions to a support completion screen. On this screen, a message of gratitude for the user's support (for example, "Thank you for your support!") is displayed. Simultaneously, the digital stamp, the second incentive earned by the user through this support action, is displayed with an animation effect. This allows the user to visually experience the sense of accomplishment from earning the reward. Furthermore, information indicating the number of support actions performed that day and the maximum number of actions allowed (for example, "Today's support count: 1 / 6") is displayed on the screen, allowing the user to see how many more support actions are available. Through this series of screen transitions and displays, the user can experience the entire process from supporting an ad to receiving a reward smoothly and enjoyably.

[0090] (6) Example of operation flow Next, an example of the processing flow of the support function in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the support function in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0091] In step S11, the user launches a dedicated application installed on user terminal 300B and logs into the platform. The user searches for works, checks new works from followed creators, and accesses a specific creator's shop page or work details page.

[0092] In step S12, when the user taps the "support button" placed on the page as shown in Figure 5(a), the application on the user terminal 300B detects this tap as the trigger to start the support operation. In response to the detection, the application overlays a modal support information area on the current screen as shown in Figure 5(b). This display gives the user the opportunity to make a final confirmation of the support content and choose whether to actually perform the support or cancel it.

[0093] In step S13, when the user taps the "Execute Support Button" in the support information area, the user terminal 300B sends a support request to the platform server 100 in the form of an HTTPS request or the like. This request includes at least the creator ID corresponding to the currently displayed page, and an ID (or authentication token) that identifies the user who performed the action.

[0094] In step S14, the support request reception unit 132 of the platform server 100 receives a support request from the user terminal 300B. First, the support request reception unit 132 searches the support log DB storage unit 123 using the user ID and current date and time information included in the request. This allows it to aggregate the number of support operations performed by the user within a predetermined period (for example, 24 hours from 5:00 AM on the same day). It then determines whether this aggregated number is less than the system's set upper limit (for example, 6 times). If the upper limit has not been reached, the support is accepted as valid and the process proceeds to the next step. If the upper limit has been reached, the support request reception unit 132 does not execute the next step and sends an error message to the user terminal 300B indicating that the upper limit has been reached, and the user terminal 300B displays a message such as "The upper limit for today's number of support attempts has been reached."

[0095] In step S15, if it is determined that the support is effective, the ad presentation control unit 133 of the platform server 100 requests ad delivery from the ad delivery server 200. At this time, in order to deliver ads that are more relevant to the user, the user's registered attributes (age, gender, etc.) and behavioral history within the platform (categories of works viewed, etc.) may be sent to the ad delivery server 200 in an anonymized format.

[0096] In step S16, the ad delivery server 200 selects the most suitable ad content (e.g., a video ad URL and display data) based on the received information and sends it to the platform server 100 as a response. Alternatively, the ad delivery server 200 may send the ad data directly to the user terminal 300B.

[0097] In step S17, the platform server 100 transfers the received advertising data to the user terminal 300B. The application on the user terminal 300B interprets the advertising data and presents the advertisement. For example, it may play a full-screen video advertisement. At this time, the system may be controlled so that the user cannot close the advertisement until the advertisement has finished playing or until a certain period of time (e.g., 15 seconds) has elapsed.

[0098] In step S18, once the advertisement presentation is complete (for example, when the video is played to completion or the user taps the close button), the user terminal 300B may send a signal to the platform server 100 indicating that the advertisement has been viewed. This signal may include information such as whether the advertisement was viewed to completion or skipped midway. The platform server 100 detects that the advertisement presentation is complete upon receiving this signal. Alternatively, the platform server 100 may detect that the advertisement presentation is complete based on a signal from the advertisement delivery server 200.

[0099] In step S19, the platform server 100 receives a signal indicating the completion of ad viewing and initiates the incentive granting process. Here, the first incentive granting unit 134 calculates a predetermined amount of advertising credits for the creator who has been supported. This amount may fluctuate based on advertising revenue. The calculated amount is not directly added to the creator's record in the creator DB storage unit 122, but may be temporarily recorded in a separate table for monthly aggregation, for example. The second incentive granting unit 135 adds one to the "number of stamps held" in the user DB storage unit 121 for the user who performed the support operation. Furthermore, it refers to the support log DB storage unit 123 to calculate the cumulative number of times the user has supported the creator, and if that number reaches the level-up threshold, it updates the "support level information". Finally, a new record containing the results of this series of processes is written to the support log DB storage unit 123.

[0100] In step S20, if the incentive granting process is successfully completed, the platform server 100 (second incentive granting unit 135) sends detailed information about the granted second incentive (for example, a message such as "You have earned one stamp," the updated number of stamps held, and a notification to that effect if the user has leveled up) to the user terminal 300B as a success response.

[0101] In step S21, the user terminal 300B receives a success response and displays a support completion screen based on its content. For example, an image of the acquired digital stamp is displayed in the center of the screen with animation, and at the same time, a message such as "Thank you for your support!" is displayed.

[0102] On the other hand, in the creator's workflow, in step S22, the creator logs into the platform from creator terminal 300A at any time and accesses a dashboard screen to check their activity status.

[0103] In step S23, the platform server 100 (first incentive granting unit 134) reads the current "owned advertising credit balance" from the creator DB storage unit 122 in response to a request from the creator, and transmits the read balance information to the creator terminal 300A. As mentioned above, this balance is not updated in real time each time a support operation is performed, but rather, for example, once a month, the credits generated from support in the previous month are aggregated and reflected by batch processing.

[0104] In step S24, the creator terminal 300A displays the advertising credit balance on the dashboard based on the received information. This allows creators to regularly check the total amount of support from fans without being bothered by individual support, and use this information to help with their promotional planning.

[0105] (7) Other embodiments The second incentive may be used to unlock access to specific features on the platform. This directly links support activities to an improved user experience on the platform, fostering loyal users. For example, users who reach a certain support level may be granted perks such as access to exclusive content or early purchase rights for new releases.

[0106] The platform server 100 (advertisement display control unit 133) instructs the generation of an incentive when it receives a signal from terminal 300B indicating that the advertisement has been viewed. This configuration ensures value to advertisers and enhances the reliability of the business model by requiring that the advertisement has been viewed. For example, the conditions for viewing completion may include the video advertisement being played to the end or a specific button placed within the advertisement being operated.

[0107] The platform server 100 (first incentive granting unit 134 and / or second incentive granting unit 135) may be configured to adjust the amount of incentive based on the relationship between the user's attributes and the advertised product. This configuration allows advertisers to grant more incentives to users who are of higher value to them, thereby maximizing advertising revenue. For example, when the ad presentation control unit 133 requests an advertisement from the ad distribution server 200, it anonymizes and transmits user attribute information (age, gender, interest category, etc.) read from the user DB storage unit 121. The ad distribution server 200 selects an advertisement that has a high correlation between the target audience set by the advertiser and the user's attributes, and returns information indicating the degree of correlation (or ad unit price) along with the advertisement data to the platform server 100. The first incentive granting unit 134 and / or second incentive granting unit 135 can set calculation rules so that the higher the degree of correlation, the greater the amount of incentive granted.

[0108] The platform server 100 (first incentive distribution unit 134 and / or second incentive distribution unit 135) may be configured such that the amount of incentive varies depending on the user's action toward the advertisement. This configuration can encourage user actions that are of higher value to the advertiser and improve the effectiveness of the advertisement. For example, the first incentive distribution unit 134 and / or second incentive distribution unit 135 may provide a standard amount of incentive to users who watch the advertisement to the end (complete viewing), and provide a smaller amount of incentive, or no incentive at all, to users who skip the advertisement midway. Furthermore, the configuration may be such that additional incentives are provided in addition to the standard amount to users who tap or click on the advertisement and transition to the advertiser's website. This can encourage more active user engagement with the advertisement.

[0109] In addition, in the embodiment described above, at least a portion of the processing performed by the platform server 100 may be modified to be performed on the terminal 300 side. In this case, at least a portion of each part included in the processing unit 130 described above may be moved to the terminal 300, or at least a portion of the information stored by the storage unit 120 described above may be stored by the terminal 300.

[0110] The operation flow and operation examples in the above-described embodiments do not necessarily have to be executed chronologically in the order shown in the flowchart. For example, the steps in the operation may be executed in a different order than that shown in the flowchart, or they may be executed in parallel. Also, some of the steps in the operation may be deleted, or further steps may be added to the process.

[0111] A program may be provided that causes a computer (information processing system) to perform the operations according to the above embodiment. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. Using a computer-readable medium, it is possible to install the program on a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transient storage medium. The non-transient storage medium is not particularly limited, but may be a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

[0112] For example, the program according to this embodiment is a program that causes an information processing system to execute the following steps: providing a platform for use by creators who submit works and users who may become buyers of works; accepting the selected creator as a support target based on an operation performed by a user on the terminal on the platform, in which the user selects a creator and supports the creator free of charge without purchasing the creator's works; delivering and displaying an advertisement to the terminal in response to the acceptance of the support target; and granting a first incentive to the account associated with the support target creator in response to the display of the advertisement.

[0113] Such a program, when installed and executed on a computer, can realize the effect provided by the aforementioned information processing system 1, which allows users to support creators without any financial burden. This program is stored in the memory unit 120 of the platform server 100 and executed by the processing unit 130, thereby realizing the aforementioned functions such as the platform provision unit 131, the support target reception unit 132, the advertisement presentation control unit 133, and the first incentive granting unit 134.

[0114] The functions realized by the information processing system 1 may be implemented in a circuit or processing circuitry, including a general-purpose processor, an application-specific processor, an integrated circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and / or a combination thereof, programmed to realize the described functions. A processor, including transistors and other circuits, is considered a circuit or processing circuitry. A processor may be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in memory. In this specification, a circuit, a unit, or a means is hardware programmed to realize or execute the described functions. Such hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein, or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or execute the described functions. If such hardware is a processor that is considered a type of circuit, then such circuit, a means, or a unit is a combination of hardware and software used to constitute such hardware and / or processor.

[0115] As used herein, the terms “based on” and “according to” do not mean “based solely on” or “according solely to” unless otherwise specified. “Based on” means both “based solely on” and “based at least partially on.” Similarly, “according to” means both “based solely on” and “according at least partially to.” Furthermore, the terms “include,” “comprise,” and their variations do not mean to include only the listed items, but may include only the listed items, or may include additional items in addition to the listed items. Also, the term “or” as used herein is not intended to mean exclusive OR. Where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, these articles are considered plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0116] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to those described above, and various design changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0117] (8) Note The disclosure described above may also be expressed as follows:

[0118] The first feature is an information processing system characterized by comprising: a platform provision unit that provides a platform used by creators who submit works and users who may become buyers of works; a support target reception unit that accepts the selected creator as a support target based on an operation performed by the user on the terminal on the platform, in which the user selects a creator and supports the creator free of charge without purchasing the creator's works; an advertisement presentation control unit that delivers and displays an advertisement to the terminal in response to the acceptance of the support target; and a first incentive granting unit that grants a first incentive to the account associated with the support target creator in response to the presentation of the advertisement.

[0119] The second feature is an information processing system characterized in that, in the first feature, the first incentive is an advertising credit available on the platform.

[0120] The third feature is an information processing system characterized in that, in the first or second feature, the support target reception unit performs a count control that limits the number of support operations performed by the same user within a predetermined period.

[0121] The fourth feature is an information processing system characterized in that, in any of the first to third features, the support target reception unit accepts a creator as a support target in response to the support operation being performed on the platform on a page associated with the creator or the creator's shop.

[0122] The fifth feature is that, in any of the first to fourth features, the support target reception unit is an information processing system that can accept creators that the user does not follow on the platform as support targets from that user.

[0123] The sixth feature is an information processing system characterized in that, in any of the first to fifth features, the first incentive granting unit controls the creator to display the status of the granting of the first incentive to the creator on the creator's terminal, and controls the creator so that the identification information of the user who performed the support operation is not notified to the creator.

[0124] The seventh feature is an information processing system characterized in that, in any of the first to sixth features, the first incentive granting unit aggregates and manages the first incentives granted to the same creator by multiple users.

[0125] The eighth feature is an information processing system characterized in that, in any of the first to seventh features, it further includes a second incentive granting unit that grants a second incentive to the account associated with the user who performed the support operation in response to the presentation of the advertisement.

[0126] The ninth feature is an information processing system characterized in that, in any of the first to eighth features, the second incentive granting unit controls the system to display the accumulation status of the second incentive on the user's terminal.

[0127] The tenth feature is an information processing system characterized in that, in any of the first to ninth features, the second incentive is a digital stamp, and the digital stamps, once accumulated in a predetermined number, can be exchanged for rewards usable within the platform.

[0128] The eleventh feature is an information processing system characterized in that, in any of the first to tenth features, the second incentive is information on the support level indicating the amount or frequency of support activities from a user to a specific creator, and the support level increases in accordance with the increase in the number of support operations from the user to the specific creator.

[0129] The twelfth feature is an information processing system characterized in that, in any of the first to eleventh features, the first incentive granting unit and the second incentive granting unit grant the first incentive and the second incentive so as to distribute at least a portion of the advertising revenue obtained from the distribution of the advertisement to the creator and the user.

[0130] The thirteenth feature is a program characterized by causing an information processing system to execute the following steps: providing a platform for use by creators who submit works and users who may become buyers of those works; accepting the selected creator as a support target based on an operation performed by a user on the terminal on the platform, in which the user selects a creator and supports the creator free of charge without purchasing the creator's works; delivering and displaying an advertisement to the terminal in response to the acceptance of the support target; and granting a first incentive to the account associated with the support target creator in response to the display of the advertisement. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0131] 1: Information Processing System 5: Network 100: Platform Server 110: Communications Department 120: Storage section 121: User DB Storage Unit 122: Creator DB Memory Department 123: Support Log DB Memory Section 130: Processing Unit 131: Platform Provider Department 132: Supporter Reception Department 133: Advertisement display control unit 134: First Incentive Granting Department 135: Second Incentive Granting Department 200: Ad delivery server 300: Terminal 300A: Creator Terminal 300B: User terminal

Claims

1. The platform provider division provides a platform used by creators who submit their works and users who may become buyers of those works, The aforementioned platform includes a support target reception unit that accepts the selected creator as a support target based on an operation performed by the user on their device to select a creator and support the creator free of charge without purchasing the creator's works, An advertising display control unit that, upon receiving the aforementioned support target, delivers and displays an advertisement to the terminal, The system includes a first incentive granting unit that grants a first incentive to an account associated with the creator being supported in response to the presentation of the aforementioned advertisement, The first incentive is advertising credits available on the platform. Information processing system.

2. The aforementioned support recipient reception unit performs a count control that limits the number of times the same user can perform a support operation within a predetermined period. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The support recipient reception unit accepts a creator as a support recipient in response to the support operation being performed on the platform on a page associated with the creator or the creator's shop. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned support recipient reception unit can accept creators that a user does not follow on the platform as support recipients from that user. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The first incentive granting unit aggregates and manages the first incentives granted to the same creator by multiple users. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The system further includes a second incentive granting unit that grants a second incentive to the account associated with the user who performed the support operation in response to the presentation of the aforementioned advertisement. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The second incentive granting unit controls the system to display the accumulation status of the second incentive on the user's terminal. The information processing system according to claim 6.

8. The second incentive mentioned above is a digital stamp, The aforementioned digital stamps, once accumulated in a predetermined number, can be exchanged for rewards usable within the platform. The information processing system according to claim 6.

9. The second incentive is information on the support level, which indicates the amount or frequency of support activities from users to a particular creator. The aforementioned support level increases in accordance with the number of times the user performs a support action for that particular creator. The information processing system according to claim 6.

10. The first incentive distribution unit and the second incentive distribution unit distribute the first incentive and the second incentive so as to distribute at least a portion of the advertising revenue obtained from the distribution of the advertisement to the creator and the user. The information processing system according to claim 6.

11. The steps include providing a platform for creators who submit their works and users who may become buyers of those works, The aforementioned platform includes a step in which a user selects a creator and performs an operation on their device, based on a support operation in which the user supports the creator free of charge without purchasing the creator's works, and accepts the selected creator as a support target. The steps include: In response to receiving the aforementioned support target, delivering and displaying an advertisement to the aforementioned terminal; The process includes the step of granting a first incentive to the account associated with the creator being supported in response to the presentation of the aforementioned advertisement, The first incentive is advertising credits available on the platform. program.

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