Virtual Currency Advertising System for Anonymized Targeted Exposure

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Solution Overview

Problem

The electronic advertising industry faces challenges in balancing the presentation of advertisements with user experience, as current systems often overwhelm consumers with intrusive ads and rely on personal data tracking, which is undesirable for many users.

Innovation Solution

A system that rewards users with electronic 'points' for accessing advertisements, allowing them to redeem these points for restricted content without spending cash or sharing personal information, thereby providing advertisers with targeted exposure without intrusive methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional electronic advertising systems are used to maximize advertiser exposure, then advertisers can reach more consumers, but users experience intrusion and annoyance from pop-up ads and in-text callout balloons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvertiser exposureVSAvoiduser intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional advertising model by rewarding users for viewing ads rather than forcing ads on users. Users receive virtual currency for voluntarily viewing advertisements, transforming the harmful intrusion into a beneficial exchange that increases both exposure and user satisfaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the potentially harmful experience of ad viewing into a beneficial one by compensating users with virtual currency. What was previously a nuisance (ad exposure) becomes a rewarded activity, eliminating intrusion while maintaining or increasing advertiser reach

Inventive Principle:

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If algorithmic data mining is used to target advertisements, then advertisers can reach interested individuals, but user anonymity and privacy are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvertising targetingVSAvoiduser anonymity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces virtual currency as an intermediary that enables targeted advertising without requiring personal data collection. The currency system mediates between advertiser targeting needs and user privacy, allowing ads to be delivered to interested users through reward mechanisms rather than data mining

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Users self-select which advertisements to view by choosing to engage with them for virtual currency rewards. This self-service mechanism replaces algorithmic data mining, as users voluntarily provide their attention to ads they find interesting rather than having their behavior tracked and analyzed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If users are forced to spend time viewing advertisements, then advertisers gain exposure, but users lose control over their browsing experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadvertiser exposureVSAvoiduser control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the advertising experience based on user choices. Users can freely choose which ads to view and when to redeem their virtual currency, creating a flexible system that adapts to user preferences rather than imposing a fixed advertising schedule

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Users perform the action of viewing ads in advance to accumulate virtual currency for future content access. This preliminary action gives users control over their browsing experience, as they can strategically choose which ads to view based on their interests and future content needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9001979B2Apparatus and method for anonymously presenting targeted advertisements and desirable media content in association with a virtual currency

Publication Date: 2015.04.07 TERMINAL LABS INC

AI summary

An electronic advertising system anonymously directs the attention of a user to content provided by an advertiser, in exchange for subsequently permitting the same user to access otherwise restricted desirable content of another part. Such desirable content may include online entertainment media, digital video content, social media, news media, and other privileged services or data. The user accumulates points, or virtual currency, in exchange for viewing the advertisements of vendor affiliates of the present system. The user may then spend previously accumulated points, or virtual currency, in order to access desirable content of redeemer affiliates of the present system. The present system further facilitates financial transactions between the system operator, vendor affiliates, and redeemer affiliates, relative to the movement of virtual currency amongst the various parties.