Cross-Promoting Real and Virtual Objects via Redemption Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional advertising techniques have become less effective due to increased entertainment options and the ability of consumers to avoid advertisements, necessitating new methods to reach a larger audience, particularly in virtual worlds like MMO applications.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes redemption codes to link real-world objects with virtual objects in MMO applications, allowing participants to receive virtual objects and access information or purchasing interfaces for real objects, thereby cross-promoting both worlds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional advertising techniques are used, then advertising can be delivered to consumers, but advertising effectiveness decreases due to increased entertainment options and consumer ability to avoid advertisements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions advertising from conventional two-dimensional media (TV, radio, print) to a three-dimensional virtual world environment where advertisements are integrated into the virtual landscape, allowing consumers to encounter ads naturally while navigating the virtual environment rather than being passively exposed to traditional advertising formats
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual objects and virtual world environments as intermediaries between advertisers and consumers. These virtual elements serve as mediators that deliver advertising messages in an engaging, immersive manner that conventional advertising cannot achieve, thereby resolving the effectiveness problem while adapting to the evolving entertainment landscape
2Quantity of substance
If virtual worlds are used as advertising medium, then advertisers can reach larger number of consumers, but the complexity of integrating real-world advertisements into virtual environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the advertising integration into distinct modular components: virtual objects, redemption codes, and interaction interfaces. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed, developed, and maintained, reducing the overall integration complexity while enabling widespread consumer access across multiple platforms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtual copies of real-world objects and experiences within the virtual world. By creating digital representations that mirror real-world products and environments, the system enables advertising without requiring actual physical integration, thereby reaching larger audiences while simplifying the integration process through digital duplication rather than physical modification
3Adaptability or versatility
If redemption codes are used to link real and virtual objects, then cross-promotion between real and virtual worlds is enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the redemption code system to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a product key, a virtual currency, a tracking mechanism, and an advertising medium. This multi-functionality enables cross-promotion between real and virtual worlds while avoiding the need for separate complex systems for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the advertising infrastructure with the existing virtual world economy and social structures. By combining promotional mechanisms with familiar virtual world elements like avatars, inventories, and social interactions, the system achieves cross-promotion capability without adding significant complexity, as the same infrastructure serves both entertainment and advertising purposes
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are described herein for cross promoting real objects in a real world and virtual objects in a virtual world. A redemption code is received from a first participant in the virtual world. A virtual object corresponding to the redemption code is provided to the first participant. A request for information regarding the real object is received from a second participant of the virtual world and via the virtual object. Upon receiving the request via the virtual object, information regarding the real object is provided to the second participant and via the virtual object.