JP2004054312A - System, device, and method for distributing information, program for them, and program recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute information from traders within the same commercial area together to a customer in a specific area by sharing user information of the respective traders for increasing new customers of the individual traders. <P>SOLUTION: This information distribution system is provided with a trader side terminal device transmitting information for distributing it to the user, an information distribution device storing the user information offered from the respective traders and distributing the information received from the trader side terminal device to the user side terminal device of the user matching a predetermined condition in the user information, and the user side terminal device for receiving the information transmitted from the information distribution device. The user information can be used by another trader excepting the trader offering the user information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information distribution system, an information distribution device, an information distribution method, these programs, and a program recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the past, sellers such as general retailers have tried to increase sales and exhaust inventory by using newspaper advertisements and flyers.
[0003]
On the other hand, with the recent enhancement of the communication infrastructure and the high performance and miniaturization of semiconductor devices, an information processing device having a communication function such as a computer, a mobile phone, or a PDA (Personal Data Assistant) (hereinafter referred to as “user terminal”). Device)) has become widely used by general users. Accordingly, with the improvement of communication network technology and the expansion of networks, various types of information are transferred from information distribution sources (information sources) to information devices (consumers, purchasers, suppliers, etc.) of information recipients (consumers, purchasers, suppliers, etc.). For example, it is instantaneously distributed to a personal computer, a mobile terminal, a PDA (Personal Data Assistant), and the like, and the user can obtain information using the user terminal.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventional newspaper advertising and flyer sales promotion activities have considerable time from the creation of advertisements to distribution to customers, and the urgent situation that occurred on the day, for example, sales of special items are less favorable than expected, Conventional newspaper advertisements and flyers have not been able to eliminate these situations, such as the occurrence of inventory items whose product life has expired and the product value has dropped sharply. This is extremely important for products with a product life of several days to several hours.
[0005]
The present invention aims to eliminate the above-mentioned situation by using the information equipment as described above, and to provide each customer with the desired information to improve the sales of the product (for example, to sell out a special sale item) and the profit ratio. Providing information at the right time to improve inventory (such as sold out of inventory), build a continuous relationship between the seller and the customer, and distribute information to increase the intimacy between the customer and the operator The purpose is to do.
[0006]
In addition, the present invention distributes information by sharing the user information of each business operator, thereby simultaneously distributing information from businesses in the same commercial area to customers in a specific area, and providing new information to customers of each business operator. It has the purpose of pioneering.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has the following features as means for solving the problems.
[0008]
A first aspect of the present invention is realized as an information distribution system for distributing information received from a business to a user.
[0009]
This information distribution system stores a terminal device for transmitting information to be distributed to a user, and user information provided by each business, and among the user information, a user of a user who meets predetermined conditions. To the side terminal device, received from the business operator terminal device, an information distribution device that distributes information for distribution to a user, and a user side terminal device for receiving information transmitted from the information distribution device have.
[0010]
The business operator transmits information for distribution to the user, for example, special sale information, discount information, service product information, and the like from the business operator terminal device to the information distribution device.
[0011]
On the other hand, the information distribution device receives user information from a business operator subscribed to this service and stores the user information. These users are not distinguished for each company, but can be used by other companies other than the company that provided the user information.
[0012]
The information distribution device transmits information for distribution to the user at a predetermined timing to the user terminal device. Since the user information is available to other businesses other than the business company that provided the user information, information to be distributed to a user of a certain business is sent to a user of another business. It is possible. By doing so, the operators share the users, and it is possible to increase the number of users without any special user acquisition activities or expenses.
[0013]
The distributed information is transmitted to the user terminal device, and the user browses the information distributed by the user terminal device and uses the information. For example, as for the bargain sale information, an easier product is obtained by using the discount information.
[0014]
A second aspect of the present invention is realized as an information distribution device for distributing information received from a business operator to a user.
[0015]
The information distribution apparatus includes a user information storage unit that stores user information provided by a plurality of businesses, and a user information management unit that extracts a destination of a user side terminal device of a user who meets a predetermined condition from the user information storage unit. Means, distribution information storage means for storing information for distribution to a user, received from the business operator terminal apparatus, and a destination of the user side terminal apparatus received from the user information management means, from the distribution information storage means. Information distribution means for receiving information for distribution to the user and generating data to be transmitted to the user-side terminal device using the information;
[0016]
User information provided by each business is stored in a common user information storage unit.
[0017]
The destination of the information to be distributed may be extracted according to transmission conditions set by the business operator, or may be determined by taking into account the transmission conditions set by the operator of the information distribution apparatus or the transmission conditions set by the business operator. It may be extracted according to conditions.
[0018]
Only the destination of the user that matches the transmission condition is extracted by the user information management unit from the common user information storage unit and sent to the information distribution unit.
[0019]
The information distribution means obtains the content of the information to be distributed, for example, data of the title and the text from the distribution information storage means, and generates data to be transmitted to the user together with the extracted destination. For example, e-mail data is generated in which the destination is a destination mail address and the title and the body are stored in the body.
[0020]
The information distribution device transmits the data to be transmitted to the user terminal device.
[0021]
According to this configuration, the user information can be transmitted to another business other than the business that provided the user information. May be sent to By doing so, the operators share the users, and it is possible to increase the number of users without any special user acquisition activities or expenses.
[0022]
A third aspect of the present invention is realized as an information distribution method for distributing information received from a business operator to a user.
[0023]
The method comprises the steps of: receiving user information from an operator and storing the information; receiving information to be distributed to the user from the operator; and extracting a destination of the user to which the information to be distributed is transmitted; Generating information for transmitting the information to be distributed to the destination extracted in the extracting step.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0025]
[1. Overview of business model realized by this embodiment]
First, an outline of a business model realized by the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a business model realized by the present embodiment.
[0026]
In this business model, the distributor 101 is a business that provides businesses and services to general customers (meaning those who purchase products and services irrespective of corporations and individuals) 102A, 102B,. Collects the user information possessed by each business entity and collects it in a database.
[0027]
The user information includes information indicating a destination of information distribution to the customer (for example, an e-mail address) and information indicating an attribute of the customer. The "attribute" is a matter relating to the characteristics and characteristics of the customer, such as an address, name, gender, age, occupation, and the like.
[0028]
The distributor 101 receives information (hereinafter referred to as distribution information) from each business operator to the customer using the collected user information, and distributes the information to the customer. For example, in the example shown in the figure, a business 102A has a customer (hereinafter, referred to as a user) 103A, while a business 102B has customer users 103B and 103C. The user information of the users 103A, 103B, and 103C is provided to the distributor 101 and is stored in the database 104.
[0029]
Here, the business operator 102A requests the distributor 101 to transmit certain information to the customer, and provides the distributor 101 with the contents of the distribution information (for example, advertisement text). The distributor 101 who has stored the distribution information transmits the distribution information to the user using the contents of the database 104. The database 104 stores the user information of the users 103B and 103C who are the customers of the other business 102B as well as the user information of the user 103A as the customer. The information can be transmitted together with the user 103A to the users 103B and 103C who are customers of another business 102B. As a result, the business operator 102A can make the users 103B and 103C new customers. Similarly, in the case where the business operator 102B sends distribution information to a user, the business operator 102B has a possibility that the user 103A, which is a customer of the business operator 102A, can be used as his or her own customer. In this way, by sharing the user information, a business operator using the business model can acquire a new customer without particularly performing customer development activities. As a result, it is possible to build a continuous relationship between the seller and the customer, and to further increase the intimacy between the customer and the operator.
[0030]
In addition, since the distributor transmits the distribution information to the user using the information device, the distributor can immediately reach the user when necessary. As a result, even if the product has a short product life, it can be provided at an appropriate timing in order to improve the sales of the product (for example, the sale of a bargain product) or the profit margin (the sale of an inventory product). It is possible.
[0031]
In addition, in this business model, as a means of acquiring customer loyalty, as well as distribution information, information indicating preferential treatment of the customer (for example, points for returning to money or products, coupons for receiving product discounts, etc .; , “Service value information”) to the user. As a result, it is possible to build a continuous relationship between the seller and the customer, and to further increase the intimacy between the customer and the operator.
[0032]
In addition, in this business model, a record (hereinafter referred to as a “distribution record”) is kept of which distribution information was transmitted to which user, and information for marketing is provided to each business by analyzing this record. It is also possible. Further taking the record, a visit record indicating when the user came to the store of the business after receiving the distribution information, and / or a purchase record indicating when the user purchased the product indicated by the distribution information, By analyzing the distribution record and the visit record / purchase record, the number of effective customers and the purchase status based on the distribution information are grasped, and these are fed back to the business operator, and information for planning a more effective sales plan. Can be provided. It is also possible to anticipate the flow and behavior of people in the entire shopping area, and to provide information such as events and events for the entire shopping district and schedules.
[0033]
The following contents can be considered as one embodiment of the business model. A reception window for user information is provided for each business operator (store) in a shopping street in a specific area, and a distributor manages the collected user information (including e-mail addresses and fax numbers) in a unified manner. The distribution information is adjusted to the quality and quantity as required, and is transmitted to the user side terminal device such as the mobile phone and the fax of each user in the optimal time zone.
[0034]
In the present business model, the number of participating businesses may be limited to one business and one business in principle. This is because it is not preferable that competitive companies in the same industry share customers. In order to prevent a decrease in competition consciousness in the trade area, a new participation system for competitors may be provided.
[0035]
In the present business model, the contents of the service are explained to the user by a business operator or a distributor, and the user collects user information and transmits the distribution information by accepting the use of the service. This makes it possible to distinguish it from direct mail distributed to an unspecified number of people.
[0036]
The user to whom the user may send distribution information in advance may be selected and designated from the list of businesses. This allows the user to select only the desired information and obtain the information.
[0037]
Further, it is desirable that the acquired user information is hallucination-managed by the distributor. As a result, the user, who is a user, has a sense of security and can use the business model continuously. Also, even in the event that transmission training of poor or bad distribution information occurs, the distributor eliminates this, thereby transmitting only distribution information that is beneficial to consumers.
[0038]
[2. System according to the present embodiment]
Next, a system for realizing the business model (hereinafter, “information distribution system”) will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the information distribution system.
[0039]
The information distribution system includes an information distribution device 202 connected to a communication network 201, an operator terminal device 203 connectable to the communication network 201, and a user terminal device 204 connectable to the communication network 201. ing.
[0040]
[2.1. Communication network]
The communication network 201 enables transmission and reception of information between devices connected thereto, whether wired or wireless, dedicated lines or switched lines, when a session is established with a target device. Works. The communication network 201 may be realized by combining a plurality of networks via a gateway, such as the Internet. Regarding the connection, even if the connection is not directly connected to a main line called a so-called backbone, but is temporarily connected by a PPP (Point to Point Protocol) connection or the like, information is transmitted and received when a session is established. You only need to be able to do it. Note that the "communication network" includes a communication network that does not use an exchange, such as a fixed line of fixed lines.
[0041]
[2.2. Information distribution device]
The information distribution device 202 has a function of recording user information sent from each business, receiving distribution information from the business, and transmitting this based on the user information.
[0042]
The information distribution device 202 is an information processing device such as a computer and a workstation, and includes an arithmetic processing unit (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an input / output device (I / O), and a hard disk. It is composed of a device having an external storage device such as a device. A program for causing the information processing device to function as the information distribution device 202 or a program for executing a method of distributing information is stored in the ROM or the external storage device, and the program is loaded on the main memory. The information distribution apparatus 202 is realized by the CPU executing this. Further, the above-mentioned program does not necessarily need to be stored in the storage device in the device, and is provided from an external device (for example, an ASP (a server device of an application service provider or the like)) and is loaded on the main memory. There may be.
[0043]
The information distribution device 202 includes a communication control unit 205, a user information management unit 206, a user information storage unit 207, a distribution information reception unit 208, a distribution information storage unit 209, an information distribution unit 210, a clock unit 211, , An information distribution condition setting unit 212, an input unit 213, and a display unit 214.
[0044]
The communication control means 205 is connected to the communication network 201, and establishes a connection with the provider side terminal device 203 and the user side terminal device 204 via this communication network 201 and exchanges information including data transmission / reception. It has a function to execute, and is constituted by, for example, a protocol stack including TCP / IP.
[0045]
The user information management means 206 is connected to the communication control means 205 and the user information storage means 207. The user information management means 207 receives the user information from the provider side terminal device 203 via the communication network 201 and the communication control means 205, and stores the user information in the user information storage means 207.
[0046]
Further, the user information management means 206 is connected to the input means 213 and the information distribution means 210. The user information management unit 206 receives the user information input by the operator from the input unit 213, and stores the user information in the user information storage unit 207. Further, the user information management unit 206 reads out all or part of the user information (for example, a mail address of a user who meets the distribution conditions) from the user information storage unit 207 in response to a request from the information distribution unit 210, and To the information distribution means 210.
[0047]
The user information storage unit 207 stores user information in a readable and writable manner. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the user information stored in the user information storage unit 207. In the user information, one record 300 is created for one user. Each record includes a user information identification information field 301, status information field 302, destination information field 303, name field 304, gender field 305, age field 306, occupation field 307, telephone number field 308, and accumulated service value information field 309. Have.
[0048]
The user identification information field 301 stores information for uniquely identifying a user, for example, a user ID. The status information field 302 stores information indicating whether to transmit distribution information to the user or whether distribution is currently stopped. In the name field 304, the gender field 305, the age field 306, the occupation field 307, and the telephone number field 308, the name, gender, age, occupation, and telephone number are stored as information indicating the attributes of the corresponding users. The cumulative service value information field 309 stores information indicating the service value (for example, cumulative points) given to the corresponding user. Note that this cumulative service value information field 309 may be provided only in the case of a business model using service value.
[0049]
Returning to FIG. The distribution information receiving unit 208 is connected to the communication control unit 205 and the distribution information storage unit 209. The distribution information unit 208 receives distribution information from the business terminal 203 via the communication network 201 and the communication control unit 205, and stores the distribution information in the distribution information storage unit 207.
[0050]
Further, as a modified example of the information distribution apparatus 202, the distribution information receiving unit 208 is connected to the input unit 213 and the display unit 214, and the distribution (the operator) of the information distribution apparatus 202 is input using the input unit 213. The information may be stored in the distribution information storage unit 209. According to this configuration, the business operator transmits the content of the distribution information to the operator of the distribution information device by fax, and the operator inputs the content to the information distribution device using a keyboard or the like and receives the distribution information. It is also possible.
[0051]
The distribution information receiving unit 208 is connected to the input unit 213. The user information management unit 206 receives the distribution information input by the operator from the input unit 213, and stores the distribution information in the distribution information storage unit 207.
[0052]
The distribution information storage unit 209 stores the distribution information record in a readable and writable manner. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a distribution information record stored in the distribution information storage unit 209. In the distribution information record, one record 400 is created for one distribution request. Each record has a distribution information identification information field 401, a provider identification information field 402, a transmission condition information field 403, a title field 404, a body field 405, a transmission time field 406, and a transmission destination field 407.
[0053]
The distribution information identification information field 401 stores information for uniquely specifying distribution information, for example, a distribution number. The business operator identification information field 402 stores information for uniquely specifying the business that requested the prestige, for example, the business operator ID. The transmission condition information field 404 stores various conditions for transmitting the information, for example, the attribute of the user of the transmission destination, designation of the transmission time, and the like. The title field 404 stores a headline of information to be distributed. The body field 405 stores the body of the information to be transmitted (which may include only an image or both an image and characters). The transmission time field 406 stores the time when the information on the record was transmitted. The transmission destination field 407 stores information for specifying the user of the transmission destination of the information. For example, the user ID or the mail address of the user extracted as the transmission destination is stored. The transmission time field 406 and the transmission destination field 407 are written by the information distribution means 210, and the other fields store data supplied from the business operator terminal device 203 or the input means 213.
[0054]
Returning to FIG. 2 again, a configuration example of the information distribution device 202 will be described.
The information distribution unit 210 is connected to the communication control unit 210, the information distribution condition setting unit, the clock unit 211, and the user information management unit 206. The information distribution unit 210 receives the time information from the clock unit 211 and, when a predetermined time or a time specified by the information distribution condition setting unit 212 has arrived, refers to the contents stored in the distribution information storage unit 209 and performs the undistribution. A search is performed to determine whether or not there is a distribution information record 400, and if there is an undistributed distribution information record 400, transmission processing of the distribution information record 400 is started.
[0055]
First, the information distribution unit 210 passes the conditions stored in the transmission condition field 403 of the distribution information record 400 to be transmitted or the conditions received from the information distribution condition setting unit 212 to the user information management unit 206. The user information management unit 206 extracts a user record 300 matching the condition from the user information storage unit 207, and stores the destination information (for example, an e-mail address) stored in the destination information field 303 of the extracted user record 300. It is passed to the information distribution means 210. The information distribution means 210 acquires title data and text data from the received destination information and the title field 404 and the text field 405 of the distribution information record 400, and generates transmission data from them.
[0056]
Alternatively, the information distribution means 210 may create one transmission data for one distribution information record 400. In this case, when distributing information to a user using an e-mail, one e-mail is transmitted for each piece of distribution information. Alternatively, one transmission data may be generated from a plurality of distribution records 400. In this case, the contents of a plurality of pieces of distribution information are combined into one e-mail and distributed to the destination user.
[0057]
The information distribution unit 210 passes the generated transmission data to the communication control unit 205, and ends the processing. The communication control unit 205 executes transmission data transmission processing according to a predetermined communication protocol, and transmits the transmission data to the user-side terminal device 204 corresponding to the destination information.
[0058]
The information distribution condition setting unit 212 receives the information distribution condition input by the operator of the information distribution system using the input unit 213, and passes the information distribution condition to the information distribution unit 210.
[0059]
The input unit 213 is an input device such as a keyboard and a pointing device. The display means 213 has a user interface for input, which is a display device for browsing the contents of user information and distribution information, such as a liquid crystal display device and a printer device.
[0060]
Each of the means 205 to 212 is constituted by any one of a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I / O, an external storage device, or a combination of at least two or more of them and a program, and each is constituted by physically independent hardware. No need to be done. In addition, the above-described units need not necessarily be physically housed, mounted, and mounted in a single device.For example, the above-described units may be distributed and arranged in a plurality of computers connected to each other via a network. The information distribution device 202 may be configured. It should be noted that “connected” means that data can be exchanged, and does not necessarily require the presence of physical connection means.
[0061]
[2.3. Business side terminal device]
Next, the operator terminal device 203 will be described.
The business operator terminal device 203 has a function of transmitting user information and distribution information to the information distribution device 203 via the communication network 201, or correcting or deleting the transmitted information.
[0062]
The business operator terminal device 203 is an information processing device such as a computer or a workstation, and includes an arithmetic processing device (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and an input / output device (I / O). And a device having an external storage device such as a hard disk device. A program for causing the information processing device to function as the business operator terminal device 203 is stored in the ROM or the external storage device, and the program is loaded on the main memory, and the CPU executes the program to execute the business. The terminal device 203 is realized. Further, the above program may not necessarily be stored in the storage device in the device, and may be read by a computer such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD (Compact Disc), and a DVD (Digital Video Disc). It may be provided from a simple program recording medium or an external device (for example, an ASP (server of an application service provider or the like)) and loaded in a main memory.
[0063]
The business operator terminal device 203 has a data transmission / reception unit 201, an input unit 216, and a display unit 217.
[0064]
The data transmission / reception means 215 connects to the communication network 201, transmits data to the information distribution device 202 via the communication network 201, or receives data from the information distribution device via the communication network 201, and All or a part is passed to the display means 217. The display unit 217 provides the received data in a form that can be recognized by the operator of the business terminal device 203. For example, if the received data is an input interface for user information, it is displayed to prompt the user for input. The input unit 216 converts the information input by the operator into a signal that can be handled by the data transmission / reception unit 215 and passes the signal to the data transmission / reception unit 215, which transmits the information to the information distribution device 202 via the communication network 201. I do. For example, the business operator inputs user information (name, e-mail address, etc.) using a keyboard as input means 216 based on a questionnaire sheet describing the user information. Is sent to the information distribution apparatus 202 as
[0065]
[2.4. User side terminal device 204]
The user side terminal device 204 is a device for receiving distribution information from the information distribution device 202 via the communication network 201 and presenting the distribution information to the user as contents that the user can recognize. The user side terminal device 202 is an information processing device or an information display device having a communication mechanism connectable to the communication network 201. The information processing device is a device including an external processing device such as an arithmetic processing device (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an input / output device (I / O), and a hard disk device. Specific examples of the information processing device include a mobile phone, a pager, a PDA (Personal Data Assistant), a computer, and a workstation having a data transmission / reception function. The information presentation device is a device having an output function such as a facsimile or a network compatible printer.
[0066]
The user-side terminal device 204 includes a data transmitting / receiving unit 218, an input unit 219, and a display unit 220.
[0067]
The data transmission / reception unit 218 establishes a connection with the information distribution apparatus 202 via the communication network 201, transmits data to the information distribution apparatus 202 via the communication network 201, or transmits information to the information distribution apparatus 202 via the communication network 201. The data is received from 202, and the received data is passed to the display unit 217. The display unit 217 provides the received data in a form that can be recognized by the user (for example, displaying the data on a liquid crystal display, printing on paper, or the like).
[0068]
For example, when the user-side terminal device 204 is a mobile phone, the user-side terminal device (mobile phone) 204 receives an e-mail transmitted from the information distribution device 202 and displays the e-mail on a liquid crystal display as display means. The contents, such as a message and an image, are displayed to allow the user to recognize information from the business operator.
[0069]
[2. Operation example of information distribution system]
Next, an operation example of the information distribution system will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the information distribution system. In this figure, when an advertisement is sent from the business X and the business Y to the information distribution device 202, the information distribution device 202 Accordingly, the users A and B are extracted, and the advertisements are combined into one e-mail and transmitted to the users A and B. Then, a new advertisement is sent from the business Y to the information distribution device 202, and the information distribution device 202 It is assumed that the user B is extracted according to the transmission condition, and the advertisement is combined into one e-mail and transmitted to the user B. It is assumed that the user A is a user registered as a customer of the company X, and the user B is a user registered as a customer of the company Y.
[0070]
First, the provider Y transmits distribution information including advertisement contents to the information distribution apparatus 202 using the provider side terminal device 204 (referred to as the provider side terminal device Y), and requests transmission to the user (step S501). ). Note that the provider Y can include transmission conditions in the distribution information.
[0071]
Next, the company X uses the company-side terminal device 204 (referred to as the company-side terminal device X) to transmit distribution information including the advertisement content to the information distribution device 202, and requests transmission to the user (step). S502). Note that the company X can also include transmission conditions in the distribution information.
[0072]
Next, the information distribution device 202 detects that a predetermined time has arrived, and creates data for information distribution (step S503). That is, the information distribution device 202 determines distribution information to be processed at the predetermined time, determines a user to be a destination according to the distribution information, obtains an e-mail address of the user, and transmits an e-mail. Generate data. As the predetermined time, a case in which a time determined by the operator in advance (for example, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00 every day) is used, and a time described in the transmission condition (the time specified by the business operator and the time of the information distribution device) Any of the times determined by the operator in view of the contents of the distribution information may be used), but any may be used.
[0073]
FIG. 6 is an example of an input user interface displayed on the display unit 217 of the business operator terminal device 203 or the display unit 214 of the information distribution device 202, and is an example of an input user interface for creating data for information distribution. is there. The operators of the business operator terminal device 203 and the information distribution device 202 use this input interface to input a title and a text, set transmission conditions, select and determine a transmission destination user, and add, modify, and delete user information. .
[0074]
The input interface 600 has a title input box 601 for inputting advertisement content and a text input box 602. The button object 603 performs an operation of reading data transmitted in the past and capturing the data in the title input box 601 and the body input box 602. The button object 604 performs an operation of activating a user interface for setting an e-mail (designating a transmission mail server, a reception mail server, and the like).
[0075]
The input interface 600 further includes a field 605 for displaying a transmission condition, a button object 606 for setting an extraction condition of a transmission destination user, a field 607 for displaying user information of the extracted user, and a user displayed in the field 607. A button object 608 for checking all information, a button object 609 for unchecking all user information, a button object 610 for saving a check state attached to the user information, It has a button object 611 for starting a user interface for adding, modifying, and deleting, and a button object 612 for ending the user interface 600.
[0076]
FIG. 7 shows an example of an input user interface displayed on the display unit 217 of the business entity terminal device 203 or the display unit 214 of the information distribution device 202 when the button object 603 is activated. This is a screen for displaying distribution information stored in the distribution information storage unit 202 and transmitted. The user interface 700 has an area 701, and the area 701 displays the contents of the transmitted distribution information stored in the distribution information storage unit 207 of the information distribution apparatus 202.
[0077]
When the operator selects and determines any of the displayed distribution information using a cursor key, a pointing device, or the like, the content of the information is read. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display state of the user interface 600 after the information is read. As shown in FIG. 8, the contents of the distribution information selected in the user interface 700 are displayed in a title input box 601, a text input box 602, a field 605 for displaying transmission conditions, and a field 607 for displaying user information in the input user interface 600. Is displayed. The contents of the selected distribution information are displayed in a title input box 601, a text input box 602, a field 605 for displaying transmission conditions, and a field 607 for displaying user information of the input user interface 600.
[0078]
By using the button object 603 and the user interface 700, the operator can use the past distribution information to save the trouble of inputting. In addition, it is of course possible for the operator to manually input all without using past distribution information.
[0079]
Returning to FIG. 6, the description of the user interface 600 will be continued.
The button object 606 displayed in the field 605 performs an operation of launching a transmission condition input / modification user interface for extracting a destination user. The operator can input the transmission condition and correct the transmission condition displayed in the field 605 by using the transmission condition input / modification user interface.
[0080]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the transmission condition input / correction user interface 900. The communication condition input / modification user interface 900 includes check boxes 901, 902, and 903 for specifying the gender of the user to be extracted as the transmission destination, and a check box for specifying the age (age) of the user to be extracted as the transmission destination. 904, list boxes 905, 096, 907, 908, a check box 909 for designating the occupation of the user to be extracted as the transmission destination, list boxes 910, 911, 912, 913, and the occupation of the user to be extracted as the transmission destination. It has check boxes 914, list boxes 915, 916, 917, and 918 for designation. The operator sets conditions for extracting a user to be a transmission destination from the user information storage unit 207 by using the check boxes 901 to the list box 918.
[0081]
When the button object 920 is activated by pressing the enter key or clicking the pointing device after the check boxes 901 to list box 918 are completed, the user information of the user according to the set conditions is extracted from the user information storage unit 207. The extracted contents are displayed in a field 607 of the user interface 600 (see FIG. 8). When the button object 921 is activated by pressing the enter key or clicking the pointing device, the user interface 900 is closed, and the transmission condition setting processing is interrupted / terminated.
[0082]
When the check box 919 is checked, the transmission conditions set in the check boxes 901 to 918 are written in the transmission condition information field 403 of the distribution information record 400.
[0083]
Returning to FIG. 6, the description of the user interface 600 will be continued.
The button object 611 launches a user interface for browsing user information and adding / modifying / deleting user information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface for browsing user information and newly adding, modifying, and deleting user information. When the operator activates the button object 611 by pressing the enter key or clicking the pointing device, the user interface 1000 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display means 217 of the business operator terminal device 203 or the display means 214 of the information distribution device 202. Is done. The user interface 1000 includes a button object 1001 for adding new user information, a button object 1002 for correcting registered user information, a button object 1003 for deleting registered user information, An area 1004 for displaying completed user information in a list and a button object 1005 for ending the user interface 1000 are provided.
[0084]
When the operator activates the button object 1001 for adding new user information, the user interface for new registration of user information is displayed on the display unit 217 of the business operator side terminal device 203 or the display unit 214 of the information distribution device 202. Will be displayed. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface for newly registering user information. The operator inputs a new user's name, gender, e-mail address as information distribution destination information, age, occupation, fax, telephone number, address, and the like according to the user interface 1100. After the input is completed, when the operator activates the button 1101, the input information is written and stored in the user information storage unit 207 as a new record 300 of the user information.
[0085]
Returning to FIG. 10, the description of the user interface 1000 for browsing user information and newly adding, modifying, and deleting user information will be continued. A button object 1002 provided on the user interface 100 is a button for starting up a user interface for correcting registered user information. When the operator designates any user information to be displayed in the area 1004 of the user interface 1000 and activates the button object 1002 for modifying the user information, the user interface for modifying the user information is changed to the operator's interface. The information is displayed on the display means 217 of the operating terminal 203 or the display means 214 of the information distribution apparatus 202. The user information is specified by checking a check box of each user information.
[0086]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a user interface for correcting user information. In this example, it is assumed that the record “No. 1” in the top row shown in FIG. 10 has been selected. The user interface 1002 displays the contents of the selected user information in an editable manner. The operator can add or delete the displayed content using a keyboard and a pointing device. With this function, a user's address can be changed, an e-mail address can be changed, and attribute information (age, occupation, and the like) can be changed and corrected, and correct user information can be held in accordance with the actual situation. When the operator activates the button 1201 after the input is completed, the input information is overwritten on the corresponding record 300 of the user information and stored in the user information storage unit 207.
[0087]
Returning to FIG. 10, the description of the user interface 1000 for browsing user information and newly adding, modifying, and deleting user information will be continued. A button object 1003 provided on the user interface 1000 is a button for deleting registered user information. When the operator designates any user information to be displayed in the area 1004 of the user interface 1000 and activates the button object 1003 for deleting the user information, the record of the selected user information is stored in the user information storage unit. Removed from. The user information is specified by checking a check box of each user information.
[0088]
With this function, it is possible to organize users who no longer desire information distribution, users whose destinations are unknown, and the like.
[0089]
Returning to FIG. 5 again, the description of the operation example of the information distribution system will be continued.
After the operator performs necessary processing using the user interface group shown in FIGS. 6 to 11 as described above, the input information, for example, the information distribution apparatus 202 detects that a predetermined time has come, Data creation for information distribution is performed (step S503).
[0090]
Subsequently, the information distribution apparatus 202 transmits the created data to the user extracted according to the set transmission condition (the user information displayed in the area 607 and corresponding to the checked user information). (Steps S504 and S505). In this example, two of the user-side terminal devices A and B are extracted according to the set transmission conditions, and e-mails having the advertisement contents of the businesses X and Y are transmitted to the user-side terminal device A (step S1). Along with S504), it is also transmitted to the user terminal device B (step S505). FIG. 13A is a display example of an electronic mail having an advertisement content displayed on the display unit 220 of the user-side terminal device 204. In this example, it is assumed that the company X is “XX meat shop” and the company Y is “XX futon”, and the advertisement contents of both companies are distributed to users A and B as position e-mails. Is shown.
[0091]
The information to be distributed is not limited to the information shown in FIG. 13A, but may also include information (referred to as “incentive information”) that gives an incentive to the user, such as a special treatment coupon, a discount coupon, or a coupon. . FIG. 13B shows a display example of incentive information transmitted to the user terminal device 204 by the information distribution system. The user can receive a service such as a discount by displaying the incentive information on the display means (displaying it on a liquid crystal display, printing it out with a printer, etc.) and showing it to the business operator.
[0092]
Further, in the example shown in FIG. 13A, the distribution information of a plurality of businesses is distributed as one e-mail, but the present embodiment is not limited to this, and is not limited to this. The distribution information may be distributed as one e-mail. FIG. 14 is a display example of an electronic mail having an advertisement content displayed on the display unit 220 of the user-side terminal device 204 when the distribution information of one business is distributed as one electronic mail. In this case, the users A and B receive the electronic mail of the advertisement of the business X and the electronic mail of the advertisement of the business Y, respectively.
[0093]
Returning to FIG. 5 again, the description of the operation example of the information distribution system will be continued.
In steps S504 and S505, the distribution of information to the user is temporarily terminated. After the distribution of the information, it is assumed that the merchandise X is sold out and the request for information distribution is not made again, and the business Y is not sold out.
[0094]
In order to sell out the merchandise, the company Y transmits the distribution information including the advertising content to the information distribution device 202 again from the company side terminal device Y, and requests transmission to the user (step S506). The contents of this advertisement may be the same as in step S501, or may be changed. On the other hand, the company X does not transmit the distribution information including the advertisement content.
[0095]
After accepting the request for the distribution information, the information distribution device 202 executes the same processing as in step S503. That is, it detects that a predetermined time has arrived, and creates data for information distribution (step S507).
[0096]
In the example shown in the figure, it is assumed that the transmission condition is newly set in step S507, and only user B is extracted as the transmission destination.
[0097]
The information distribution device 202 generates data of an e-mail addressed to the user-side terminal device B and having the advertisement content transmitted in step 506, and transmits the data to the user-side terminal device B (step S508). ).
[0098]
Similarly, the information distribution system receives an information distribution request from a business operator and information content to be distributed, waits for a predetermined time to arrive, and timely transmits information to a user who meets transmission conditions. Is repeated to execute appropriate information distribution according to the sales of the product.
[0099]
[3. Second Embodiment]
Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the present invention. The information distribution system according to the second embodiment assigns a service value to a user every time information is distributed to the user, and assigns the given service value to the user. It is characterized by management. Here, the “service value” is a value that can or cannot be converted into money and is an economically useful value. For example, points that can be added to products and discounts.
[0100]
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information distribution device 1500 according to the second embodiment. The configuration of the information distribution device 1500 is almost the same as that of the information distribution device 202 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The information distribution device 1500 is different from the information distribution device 202 according to the first embodiment in further including a service value unit 1501 and a service value storage unit 1502. The other configuration is the same as the configuration shown in FIG.
[0101]
The service value processing unit 1501, when notified of the information distribution from the information distribution unit 210, operates to add points to the user who is the destination of the information distribution. Points may be added to one point for one distribution, or the number of information included in one distribution (for example, when advertising information from four businesses is collectively governed by e-mail, four points are used). ) May be set freely according to the characteristics of the business operator, consumer trends, and the like. The added points are stored in the service value storage unit 1502 so that it is possible to know which user has acquired what points.
[0102]
FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen displayed by the display unit 214 of information distributed to the user terminal device 204 by the information distribution system according to the present embodiment. In the example shown in the figure, the points indicating the service value attached to the user are indicated as “current accumulated points = 17 points” together with the advertisement information from the business operator. With this display, the user can grasp the service value that has been acquired at present. In addition, it is expected that the probability of opening the e-mail transmitted from the present information system is increased because the user grasps the service value that has been acquired at present.
[0103]
[3.1. Modification of Second Embodiment]
As a modified example of the second embodiment, it is conceivable to receive a reply from the user for an e-mail transmitted from the information distribution system. In this modification, the information distribution device 1500 further includes a reply receiving unit 1503 and a reply storage unit 1504.
[0104]
The reply receiving unit 1503 receives a reply to the e-mail transmitted from the information distribution device 1500, and in response, stores in the reply storage unit 1504 which user has returned what distribution information (e-mail).
[0105]
FIG. 17 shows a display example of an e-mail transmitted to the user terminal device 204 in this modification. In this example, a reply icon 1700 is displayed, and a reply mail is automatically transmitted to the information distribution device 1500 when the user clicks the icon 1700 or presses a key.
[0106]
Further, the service value processing means 1501 is connected to the reply receiving means 1503, and the service value processing means 1501 gives points to the user only when notified of the reply reception from the reply receiving means 1503. You may do it. By doing so, it is expected that the rate of opening e-mails from the information distribution system will be higher.
[0107]
According to the present modification, it is possible to obtain information useful for marketing, such as which user reacts to information or not.
Further, in another modified example of the present information distribution system, it is possible to handle products (for example, quality-flow products) which are kept after being kept for a certain period of time from among the stocks, and can promptly convert the stocks into cash.
[0108]
The information distribution device 202 stores attribute information (for example, a product name, a brand name, a selling price, and the like) of each stock item along with a possible sales start date. On the other hand, the information distribution device 202 receives information on a product desired to be purchased from the user and stores the information. The information distribution device 202 automatically searches for merchandise that can be sold today from the stored inventory information, and then extracts a user who desires the merchandise extracted by the automatic search. The information of the product is transmitted to the user-side terminal device 204 of the extracted user, and the user who replies first to this is granted a purchase reservation.
[0109]
As a result, it is possible to provide an information distribution system for quickly cashing inventory items.
[0110]
[4. Analysis of distribution information]
In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the following information can be obtained by analyzing the distribution information stored in the distribution information device 202, or the distribution information and the information regarding the user's visit to the store.
[0111]
(1) It is possible to grasp the consumption tendency of each user and use it as a reference for future information distribution.
(2) The number of visitors to each store within a predetermined survey period (about 1 to 3 months) is obtained as statistical data according to time zone, gender, age, etc., and from this data, the data is obtained within the area (for example, the same shopping street). By grasping the total number of customers and the purchase situation, and feeding back this information to each store, the merchandise handled at each store and the content of the information to be distributed to consumers are made more suitable.
(3) Predict the flow and behavior of people in the same shopping area based on the statistical data, and use the information to determine items such as events and schedules of the entire shopping district.
[0112]
[5. Example of distribution information analysis]
Generally, in order to sell a product without waste, it is necessary to prepare only a necessary amount of the product according to sales and store it in a store. This is especially important in fresh food products where the life of the product is from hours to days.
[0113]
In a store, it is necessary to display goods so as not to always create a "no goods" state for customers who come to the store. To do so, it is necessary to plan how many products to display at any given time, always maintain a predetermined number of stocks and the number of displays, and also plan the timing of creating additional products. .
[0114]
Using the distribution record of the present information distribution system, the number of customers information, and the information on the sales of the products, the number of products and the timing of store display that match the sales of the products can be obtained by analysis. Hereinafter, this analysis method will be described.
[0115]
First, the following information is obtained for each product.
(1) At the same time as displaying the product, the product distribution system distributes the product information to the user.
(2) The following information is obtained at the store.
(A) Record the purchase time of the first purchaser.
(B) The number of units sold of the product is recorded for each time period (for example, every hour) from the start of display.
(C) Record the time when all displayed products are sold out.
Here, the time from the display start time to the time (A) is defined as “actually measured reaction time”, and the time from (A) to (C) is defined as “actually measured sold out time”.
[0116]
The measurement of the reaction time and the sold-out time is measured for each product, and the average time is taken as “reaction time” and “sold-out time”. In addition, the product life is defined as the time from the product creation time to the time when each product can maintain its product value and can be sold.
[0117]
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a sales situation of a certain product. In the example of this figure, at time t0, a product is displayed and information distribution to the user is performed. After the reaction time X has elapsed, one of the four displayed products is sold. Next, one product is sold next time. At time t1 when the product life of the product has expired, two products remain, and the product is discarded and cannot be sold.
[0118]
To prevent waste products from remaining, the product display time can be delayed by the reaction time from the information distribution, or the number of exhibits can be sold out by subtracting the reaction time from the product life by referring to the information in (a) above. It may be adjusted to display a large quantity. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a sales situation when the product display time is delayed by the reaction time from the information distribution. This figure shows a situation in which all displayed products are sold before the end of the product life by displaying the products after the reaction time has elapsed from the information distribution.
[0119]
Examples shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 are:
Reaction time + Sold out time> Product life
This is an example of a product where the relationship of
Reaction time + sold out time <product life
It is also possible to use the information distribution system to optimize the product display timing and the display quantity for the products that satisfy the relationship (1).
[0120]
FIG. 20 is a diagram exemplifying a sales situation of a product having the above relationship. First, at time t2, a product is displayed and information distribution to the user is performed. After the reaction time X elapses, the product is gradually sold, and the product displayed at time t3 before time t4, when the product life of the product is reached, is sold out, and a "no product" condition occurs between t3 and t4. Would.
[0121]
In order to solve such inconvenience, the quantity which can be sold out during the time “t3−t4” is predicted from the data of (a), and the quantity obtained by the prediction is increased and displayed in advance at the time t2. , Or a change in the product creation plan so that a new additional product can be displayed at the time t3.
[0122]
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a sales situation in a case where the quantity is increased and displayed at time t2 in advance. In the example shown in this figure, the problem does not occur because the product does not run out until time t4 when the product life expires.
[0123]
As described above, by using this information distribution system, information can be transmitted in a timely manner, and the display time and the number of displayed products can be determined in accordance with the timing of transmitting this information. It is possible to eliminate occurrence of occurrence and running out of goods.
[0124]
【The invention's effect】
Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to build a continuous relationship between a sales company and a customer by eliminating inventory and providing desired information to each customer at an appropriate timing. Become. In addition, it is possible to increase the intimacy between the customer and the business.
[0125]
Further, according to the present invention, by sharing and distributing the user information of each business operator, the information from the business operator in the same commercial area is also distributed to customers in a specific area, and the customer information of each business operator is distributed. It is possible to facilitate new development of a new product.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a business model realized by an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the information distribution system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of user information.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a distribution information record.
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the information distribution system.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input user interface for creating data for information distribution.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input user interface.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display state of a user interface after information is read.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transmission condition input / correction user interface.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface for browsing user information and newly adding, modifying, and deleting user information.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface for newly registering user information.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of a user interface for correcting user information.
FIG. 13A is a display example of an electronic mail having an advertisement content displayed on a display unit of the user side terminal device, and is a table of incentive information transmitted to the user side terminal device by the information distribution system; It is a figure showing an example.
FIG. 14 is a display example of an electronic mail in a case where distribution information of one business is distributed as one electronic mail.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information distribution device according to a second embodiment;
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed by a display unit of the user-side terminal device.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an e-mail transmitted to the user-side terminal device.
FIG. 18 is a view showing a sales situation of a certain product.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a sales situation when a product display time is delayed by a reaction time from information distribution.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a sales situation of a product having a relationship of “reaction time + sold out time <product life”;
FIG. 21 is a view showing a sales situation in a case where the quantity is increased and displayed at time t2 in advance.
[Explanation of symbols]
201… Communication network
202 Information distribution device
203… business terminal device
204: User terminal device
205 communication control means
206… User information management means
208… distribution information management means
210… Information distribution means

Claims (12)

In an information distribution system for distributing information received from a business to a user,
A provider-side terminal device for transmitting information for distribution to a user,
For storing the user information provided by each business operator, and destined for the user received from the business operator terminal device, to the user side terminal device of the user meeting predetermined conditions in the user information. An information distribution device that distributes information;
An information distribution system, comprising: a user-side terminal device for receiving information transmitted from the information distribution device. User information storage means for storing user information provided by a plurality of businesses,
User information management means for extracting a destination of a user side terminal device of a user meeting predetermined conditions from the user information storage means;
Distribution information storage means for storing information for distribution to the user, received from the business operator side terminal device,
An information distribution unit that receives a destination of the user-side terminal device from the user information management unit, receives information for distribution to the user from the distribution information storage unit, and generates data to be transmitted to the user-side terminal device by using the information distribution unit; An information distribution device, comprising: 3. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information distribution unit generates information to be distributed to a user from a plurality of businesses by including the information in the same data. The information distribution device according to claim 1,
The information distribution device further includes a service value management unit that manages a service value provided to the user, wherein the information distribution unit receives a value of the service value given to the user from the service value management unit, This value is included in data to be transmitted to the user side terminal device,
An information distribution device characterized by the above-mentioned. The information distribution device according to claim 4,
The information distribution device further includes a reply receiving unit for receiving a reply notifying that the data transmitted by the information distribution device has been received,
The reply accepting unit informs the service value processing unit that the notification has been received, and the service value processing unit assigns a service value to a user who is a sender of the notification.
An information distribution device characterized by the above-mentioned. Receiving user information from the business operator and storing it;
Receiving information to be delivered to the user from the operator;
Extracting a destination of a user as a destination of the information to be distributed;
Generating information for transmitting the information to be delivered to the destination extracted in the extracting step;
An information distribution method comprising: The information distribution method according to claim 6,
The information distributing method, wherein in the generating step, a plurality of pieces of information to be distributed received from a plurality of businesses are included in information for one transmission. 7. The information distribution method according to claim 6, wherein the information for distribution includes a value of service value. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a notification that the distributed information has been received;
Providing service value to the user who transmitted the notification received in the receiving step,
An information distribution method, comprising: A program for causing a computer to function as the information distribution device according to any one of claims 2 to 5. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 6 to 9. A computer-readable program recording medium storing the program according to claim 10.

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