Social Game Ad Delivery via Point Incentives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Advertisers face challenges in ensuring that targeted advertisements are displayed to specific interest groups due to the increasing effectiveness of pop-up and advertisement blockers in social-networking applications.

Innovation Solution

A system that facilitates a game within a social-networking application, where users earn points for actions, including viewing advertisements, and can join or take over groups, with scores determining rewards and incentives, thereby promoting engagement and advertisement visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional web-based advertising is used in social-networking applications, then advertisers can display advertisements to targeted interest groups, but pop-up blockers and advertisement blockers prevent the advertisements from being displayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvertisement delivery reliabilityVSAvoidad-blocking software interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a game as an intermediary medium to deliver advertising content. Instead of directly displaying ads that are blocked by software, the system embeds advertising within a game context that users actively engage with, bypassing traditional ad-blockers. The game serves as a mediator between the advertiser and the user, allowing ad delivery without triggering blocking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of user engagement (which could lead to ad-blocking) into a beneficial mechanism by making users actively participate in the game. Users who would normally block ads are now engaged in gameplay where advertising content is integrated, turning potential ad-blockers into active participants who inadvertently view and interact with advertising content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If a game is integrated within a social-networking application to deliver advertisements, then advertisement visibility increases, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvertisement visibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-functional system where the game serves multiple purposes: entertainment, user engagement, and advertising delivery. The same game infrastructure is used to achieve both user retention and ad delivery, eliminating the need for separate advertising display mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity despite the integrated approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the advertising delivery function with the game functionality. Instead of maintaining separate systems for games and advertising, the patent combines them into a unified platform where advertising content is delivered through game mechanics, user interactions, and social networking features, simplifying the overall architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If users are incentivized to participate in the game through points and rewards, then user engagement increases, but the cost to the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser engagementVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where users receive points and rewards based on their game participation and advertising interactions. This feedback loop encourages continued engagement as users see tangible benefits from their actions. The system uses this feedback to optimize ad delivery and user participation, ensuring that the cost of rewards is balanced by the value of increased engagement and ad visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts reward parameters such as point values, reward thresholds, and incentive structures based on user behavior patterns and engagement levels. By changing these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between user engagement and system cost, providing sufficient incentives to maintain participation while controlling expenditure on rewards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8277320B1Facilitating a game that operates within a social-networking application

Publication Date: 2012.10.02 INTUIT INC

AI summary

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for facilitating a game that operates within a social-networking application. During operation, the system receives a request from a user to participate in a game that is running within the social-networking application, wherein the request is received at the game. Next, in response to the request, the system adds the user to the game. The system then receives a notification at the game that the user has performed an action within the social network. Next, in response to the notification, the system determines a point value assigned to the action. Finally, the system increments a score associated with the user by the point value.