JP7671685B2 - Notification program, notification device, and notification method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a notification program, a notification device, and a notification method.

Technology for notifying users of content update information is known. For example, technology for notifying users of content update information when content that belongs to a category in which the user is interested is updated is known.

Patent No. 6810516

However, the conventional technology described above does not necessarily provide good convenience for users.

For example, the conventional technology described above simply determines the method of presenting updated information about content in a field that interests the user based on the user's level of secrecy in that field, which is not necessarily convenient for the user.

This application was made in consideration of the above, and aims to improve convenience for users.

The notification program of the present application is characterized in that it causes a computer to execute a determination procedure for determining whether the number of contents that satisfy a predetermined condition among the contents that are newly distributed from a predetermined server after a distribution request is made from a user terminal used by the user has reached a predetermined number, and a notification procedure for issuing a predetermined notification to the user when it is determined that the number of contents that satisfy the predetermined condition has reached the predetermined number.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to improve the convenience of users.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification process according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the second application according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a display process according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a notification process according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the terminal device.

Below, the notification program, notification device, and notification method according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the notification program, notification device, and notification method according to the present application are not limited to these embodiments. In addition, the same parts in the following embodiments will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

1. Embodiment
A notification process realized by a notification program or the like of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the notification process according to the embodiment. Fig. 1 shows an example in which an application that provides content related to news articles (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "news app") is implemented in a terminal device 100 used by a user. Note that in Fig. 1, it is assumed that the notification process according to the embodiment is realized by a function of the news app.

As shown in FIG. 1, the notification system 1 according to the embodiment includes a service server 10 and a terminal device 100. The service server 10 and the terminal device 100 are connected to each other via a network N (see FIG. 2, for example) so as to be able to communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly. The network N is, for example, a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. Note that the notification system 1 shown in FIG. 1 may include multiple service servers 10 and multiple terminal devices 100.

The service server 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an information processing device that provides various services to users, and is realized by, for example, a server device or a cloud system. For example, the service server 10 distributes to the terminal device 100 information to be displayed on web pages related to portal sites, news sites, auction sites, weather forecast sites, shopping sites, finance (stock prices) sites, route search sites, map providing sites, travel sites, restaurant introduction sites, web blogs, etc., and various apps installed on the terminal device 100 (for example, portal apps, news apps, auction sites, weather forecast apps, shopping apps, finance (stock prices) apps, route search apps, map providing apps, travel apps, restaurant introduction apps, blog viewing apps, etc.).

In the example of FIG. 1, the service server 10 provides a news site or a news app that provides a news service.

The service server 10 may also function as a distribution device that distributes control information to the terminal device 100. Here, the control information is described in, for example, a script language such as JavaScript (registered trademark) or a style sheet language such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). Note that the application itself distributed from the service server 10 may be regarded as control information.

The terminal device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an information processing device used by a user. The terminal device 100 is realized, for example, by a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 100 is a smartphone used by a user. The terminal device 100 has an output unit (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a screen) such as a liquid crystal display, and employs a touch panel. In other words, user U1 performs various operations on the terminal device 100 by touching the display surface of the output unit with a finger or a dedicated pen.

The notification process of the news app performed by the terminal device 100 will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the screen displayed by the terminal device 100 is an example of the terminal device 100 being a PC, tablet, etc., but it may also be displayed as a screen for a smartphone. The screen displayed by the terminal device 100 may also be displayed by a news app implemented in the terminal device 100, or the display mode may be changed appropriately on the news app side. In the following description, an example is shown in which the terminal device 100 is used by a user U1. In the following description, the terminal device 100 may be regarded as the same as the user U1. That is, in the following, the user U1 may also be read as the terminal device 100.

First, the terminal device 100 acquires content related to a news article (step S1). For example, the terminal device 100 acquires content related to a news article from the service server 10 in response to a launch operation of a news app by the user U1.

Next, the terminal device 100 identifies as specific content those contents that satisfy a predetermined condition among the contents acquired from the service server 10 (step S2). For example, the terminal device 100 identifies as specific content those contents that became the target of distribution by the service server 10 after the news app was last launched (in other words, content that the user U1 missed) among the contents acquired from the service server 10, and whose number of times viewed by other users or whose number of comments posted by other users is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold. The terminal device 100 also identifies as specific content those contents that became the target of distribution by the service server 10 after the news app was last launched, and whose importance, urgency, etc. set by the service server 10 is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Then, the terminal device 100 displays content other than the specific content in the first display mode, and displays the specific content on the screen in the second display mode (step S3). For example, the terminal device 100 displays a screen C1 including an area AR1 for accepting designation of a category of content to be displayed on the screen, an area AR2 for displaying the specific content, and an area AR3 for displaying content other than the specific content. Note that FIG. 1 shows an example in which the screen C1 is initially displayed with the category "Main" preselected in area AR1.

As a specific example, the terminal device 100 displays in the area AR2 numerical information indicating the number of specific contents, "8 articles." The terminal device 100 also displays in the area AR2 specific contents including the title of the content, part of the text information indicating the outline of the content, the time when the content was distributed in the service server 10, label information indicating the label assigned to the content, and the like, in a manner that can be scrolled left and right (carousel display). As a more specific example, the terminal device 100 displays specific contents including label information indicating the label "Everyone's Topic" assigned to specific contents for which the number of comments posted by other users is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the label "Today's Spotlight" assigned to specific contents for which the number of times the content has been viewed by other users is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In addition, the terminal device 100 vertically arranges content other than the specific content, such as titles and images, in the area AR3 and displays it vertically scrollable (tile display). In other words, the terminal device 100 displays the specific content in a manner that allows scrolling in a different direction from the content other than the specific content.

Here, when button B1 included in area AR2 is pressed, the terminal device 100 displays in area AR2 the entire text information showing an overview of the specific content, instead of the specific content corresponding to button B1.

Furthermore, when a scroll operation is performed on area AR2, the terminal device 100 reduces the number indicated by the numerical information according to the number of specific contents displayed in area AR2 (viewed by user U1). In other words, the terminal device 100 displays a countdown indicating the remaining specific contents. Then, when all of the specific contents have been displayed, the terminal device 100 displays the string "Check Completed" in area AR2, as shown on screen C2, indicating that the display of all of the specific contents has been completed.

Furthermore, when a selection operation is performed on a specific content, the terminal device 100 displays a screen C3 showing the link destination of the selected specific content. For example, the terminal device 100 gradually enlarges the specific content on which the selection operation has been performed, and after the specific content is displayed on the entire screen, displays a screen C3 showing the link destination of the specific content. On the other hand, when content displayed in area AR3 is selected, the terminal device 100 does not change the display mode of the selected content, and immediately displays the link destination on the screen. In other words, the terminal device 100 displays the link destination in a different manner when a specific content is selected and when content displayed in area AR3 is selected.

The terminal device 100 may display area AR2 as shown in screen C1 if a predetermined period (e.g., 3 hours, 5 hours) has passed since the news app was last launched, and may display a screen including areas AR1 and AR3 without displaying area AR2 if a predetermined period has not passed since the news app was last launched. The terminal device 100 may also display area AR2 as shown in screen C1 if the number of identified specific contents is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 5, 10), and may display a screen including areas AR1 and AR3 without displaying area AR2 if the number of identified specific contents is less than the predetermined threshold.

In addition, the terminal device 100 may not display area AR2 during times when it is estimated that user U1 will have missed less content (e.g., in the morning), but may instead display a screen including areas AR1 and AR3, and may display area AR2 as shown on screen C1 during times other than the time period when the content is estimated to have been missed by user U1.

The terminal device 100 may display the area AR2 as shown on the screen C1 during a time period corresponding to the behavioral information (in other words, the life rhythm) related to various behaviors of the user U1, and may display a screen including the areas AR1 and AR3 during a time period other than the time period, without displaying the area AR2. For example, the terminal device 100 may display the area AR2 when a news app is started during a time period when it is estimated that the user U1 can view specific content based on the behavioral information. As a specific example, the terminal device 100 may display the area AR2 when a news app is started during a time period before the user U1 moves to the destination of work or school, during the user U1 moves to the destination of work or school, during the time period when the user U1 moves from the destination of work or school to his/her home, during a break, or after returning home from the destination of work or school.

Furthermore, when the terminal device 100 does not acquire specified content such as content whose importance or urgency is equal to or exceeds a specified threshold set by the service server 10 (e.g., disaster information) or content related to breaking news articles, the terminal device 10 may display area AR2 as shown on screen C1, and when such content is acquired, the specific content may not be displayed. For example, when the terminal device 100 acquires specified content, the terminal device 100 may display the specified content in area AR2 instead of the specific content.

The terminal device 100 may also display in area AR2 specific content that belongs to a category specified in area AR1. For example, when the category "Sports" is selected in area AR1, the terminal device 100 may display in area AR2 specific content that belongs to the category "Sports."

The terminal device 100 may also display in area AR2 specific content identified based on the importance according to the attributes of user U1 (e.g., demographic attributes, psychographic attributes). For example, the terminal device 100 may display in area AR2 specific content that corresponds to the hobbies and preferences of user U1. The terminal device 100 may also display in area AR2 disaster information and crime prevention information for the area where user U1 resides.

When all of the specific content has been displayed, the terminal device 100 may also display a specific digital content on the screen. When all of the specific content has been displayed, the terminal device 100 may also display a screen indicating that a benefit that can be used in a specific electronic transaction service, a specific electronic payment service, or the like has been granted to the user U1.

Here, the terminal device 100 may execute, in the background, a process of acquiring content related to news articles and a process of identifying specific content. In such a case, the terminal device 100 determines whether the number of specific contents has reached a predetermined number (step S4). For example, the terminal device 100 determines whether the number of specific contents that have been targeted for distribution by the service server 10 since the last time the news app was launched and content related to news articles was displayed on the screen has reached a predetermined number (e.g., 5, 10).

Next, when it is determined that the number of specific contents has reached a predetermined number, the terminal device 100 issues a predetermined notification to the user U1 (step S5). For example, the terminal device 100 displays on the screen a notification (such as a push notification) indicating that the number of specific contents has reached the predetermined number.

As described above, the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment identifies, from among the content missed by user U1, content that has been viewed by other users, the number of comments posted by other users, its importance, urgency, etc., above a predetermined threshold, and displays the content on the screen in a manner that is easier to view than other content. In this way, the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment makes it possible, for example, to present an important news article to a user who has missed such a news article as a news article that should be viewed, thereby preventing a situation in which the user is unaware of an important news article and embarrassed. In other words, the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment can provide content to the user in an appropriate manner.

Furthermore, the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment issues a predetermined notification to the user when the number of news articles that the user needs to view reaches a predetermined number. This allows the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment to notify the user that there are a large number of news articles to view, and encourage the user to view the news articles. In other words, the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment can improve the convenience of the user.

2. Configuration of terminal device
Next, a terminal device 100 for implementing the above-mentioned update process will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the terminal device 100 has a communication unit 110, an input unit 120, an output unit 130, and a control unit 140.

(Regarding communication unit 110)
The communication unit 110 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC), etc. The communication unit 110 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from the service server 10 and the like.

(Regarding the input section 120 and the output section 130)
The input unit 120 is an input device that accepts various operations from a user. For example, the input unit 120 is realized by a keyboard, a mouse, operation keys, etc. The output unit 130 is a display device for displaying various information. In other words, the output unit 130 corresponds to the display screen of the terminal device 100. For example, the output unit 130 is realized by a liquid crystal display, etc. It should be noted that when a touch panel is adopted in the terminal device 100, the input unit 120 and the output unit 130 are integrated.

(Regarding the control unit 140)
The control unit 140 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the terminal device 100 using a RAM as a working area. When control information or an application for realizing the above-mentioned notification process is distributed from an application distribution server or the like, the control unit 140 operates according to the control information or application to realize information processing.

The control unit 140 is a controller, and is realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

Here, the control unit 140 executes multiple applications to realize various functions related to the terminal device 100. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 140 executes a first application 141 and a second application 142. Note that the control unit 140 may execute any number of applications other than the applications shown in FIG. 2 to achieve any function.

The first application 141 is an application that becomes the OS (Operating System) of the terminal device 100. The second application 142 causes the terminal device 100 to execute the above-mentioned information processing. An example of the functional configuration of the second application 142 will be described below with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the second application according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the second application 142 according to the embodiment has an acquisition unit 1421, an identification unit 1422, a display unit 1423, a determination unit 1424, and a notification unit 1425, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of the information processing described below.

(Regarding the Acquisition Unit 1421)
The acquisition unit 1421 acquires content from a predetermined server based on a content distribution request displayed on a user terminal used by the user. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the acquisition unit 1421 acquires content from the service server 10 in response to an application start operation by the user U1.

The acquisition unit 1421 may also acquire content from a specified server based on a delivery request for content that is a news article. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the acquisition unit 1421 acquires content related to a news article from the service server 10 in response to an operation by user U1 to launch a news app.

(Regarding the identification unit 1422)
The identification unit 1422 identifies, as the specific content, the content that has become a new distribution target in the specified server after the previous distribution request has been made, among the contents acquired by the acquisition unit 1421, and satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the identification unit 1422 identifies, as the specific content, the content that has become a distribution target in the service server 10 after the previous news application has been started, and satisfies a predetermined condition, among the contents acquired from the service server 10. As a specific example, the identification unit 1422 identifies, as the specific content, the content that has become a distribution target in the service server 10 after the previous news application has been started, and has a number of times viewed by other users, a number of comments posted by other users, or the like, that is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, among the contents acquired from the service server 10, and has a level of importance, urgency, or the like set by the service server 10 that is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, among the contents acquired from the service server 10, and has become a distribution target in the service server 10 after the previous news application has been started, among the contents acquired from the service server 10.

The identification unit 1422 may also identify specific content based on the importance according to the attributes of the user. For example, the identification unit 1422 determines the importance of content corresponding to the user's hobbies and preferences to be higher than the importance of other content, and identifies content whose importance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold as specific content. The identification unit 1422 also determines the importance of content related to disaster information and crime prevention information in the area in which the user lives to be higher than the importance of other content, and identifies content whose importance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold as specific content. The identification unit 1422 also determines the importance of content corresponding to the user's life stage (e.g., job hunting, raising children) to be higher than the importance of other content, and identifies content whose importance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold as specific content.

(Regarding the display unit 1423)
The display unit 1423 causes the user terminal to display the content other than the specific content in a first display mode, and the specific content in a second display mode. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the display unit 1423 causes the content other than the specific content to be displayed in the first display mode, and the specific content to be displayed in the second display mode that is easier to view than the content other than the specific content.

The display unit 1423 may also display the specific content in a predetermined area of the screen of the user terminal that is easier to view than other areas, and display content other than the specific content in the other areas. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 displays the specific content in area AR2 (top of the screen) that is easier to view than other areas, and displays content other than the specific content in area AR3.

In addition, the display unit 1423 may display specific content in a predetermined area if a predetermined period of time has passed since the previous distribution request, and may display the content to be distributed without displaying the predetermined area if a predetermined period of time has not passed since the previous distribution request. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 may display area AR2 as shown in screen C1 if a predetermined period of time has passed since the news app was last launched, and may display a screen including areas AR1 and AR3 without displaying area AR2 if a predetermined period of time has not passed since the news app was last launched.

In addition, the display unit 1423 may display the specific content in a specified area when the number of specific contents is equal to or greater than a specified threshold, and may display the content to be distributed without displaying the specified area when the number of specific contents is less than the specified threshold. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 may display area AR2 as shown in screen C1 when the number of specific contents identified is equal to or greater than a specified threshold, and may display a screen including areas AR1 and AR3 without displaying area AR2 when the number of specific contents identified is less than the specified threshold.

The display unit 1423 may also display specific content in a specified area during a specified time period, and display the content to be distributed without displaying the specified area during time periods other than the specified time period. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 may not display area AR2 during a time period in which it is estimated that user U1 will have missed little content, but may display a screen including areas AR1 and AR3, and may display area AR2 as shown on screen C1 during time periods other than the specified time period.

In addition, the display unit 1423 may display specific content in a predetermined area during a time period corresponding to the user's behavior information, and may display the content to be distributed without displaying the predetermined area during a time period other than the time period. For example, the display unit 1423 displays a predetermined area during a time period corresponding to the user's behavior history in a news app or behavior history in various other services. To give a specific example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 displays the area AR2 when the news app is started during a time period before the user U1 moves to the destination of work or school, while the user U1 is moving to the destination of work or school, a time period when the user U1 moves from the destination of work or school to his/her home, a time period when taking a break, a time period after returning home from the destination of work or school, etc.

In addition, the display unit 1423 may display specific content in a specified area if the acquisition unit 1421 does not acquire the specified content, and may display the content to be distributed without displaying the specified area if the specified content is acquired by the acquisition procedure. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 may display area AR2 as shown in screen C1 if the display unit 1423 does not acquire specified content such as content whose importance or urgency is equal to or greater than a specified threshold set by the service server 10 (e.g., disaster information) or content related to breaking news articles, and may display such content in area AR2 instead of the specific content if such content is acquired.

The display unit 1423 may combine a plurality of the above processes to display specific content in a predetermined area. For example, if a predetermined period of time has passed since the previous distribution request, the number of specific content is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it is a predetermined time period, and the specific content has not been acquired, the display unit 1423 may display the specific content in a predetermined area, and if a predetermined period of time has not passed since the previous distribution request, the number of specific content is less than a predetermined threshold, it is not a predetermined time period, or the specific content has been acquired, the display unit 1423 may display the content to be distributed without displaying the predetermined area.

The display unit 1423 may also cause the user terminal to display content other than the specific content among the content belonging to the category selected by the user in a first display mode, and to display the specific content in a second display mode. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, when the category "sports" is selected in area AR1, the display unit 1423 causes the specific content belonging to the category "sports" to be displayed in area AR2.

The display unit 1423 may further display numerical information indicating the number of specific contents on the user terminal, and may decrease the number indicated by the numerical information in response to an operation for viewing the specific contents. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 displays numerical information indicating the number of specific contents, "8 articles," in the area AR2. Then, the display unit 1423 decreases the number indicated by the numerical information in response to a scroll operation on the area AR2 and the number of specific contents displayed in the area AR2.

The display unit 1423 may further display label information indicating a label assigned to the specific content. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 displays the specific content including label information indicating a label such as "Everyone's Topic" assigned to the specific content for which the number of comments posted by other users is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold, or a label such as "Today's Spotlight" assigned to the specific content for which the number of times the content has been viewed by other users is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The display unit 1423 may also display the specific content in a manner that allows scrolling in a direction different from that of content other than the specific content. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 displays the specific content in area AR2 in a manner that allows scrolling left and right, and displays content other than the specific content in area AR3 so that it can be scrolled vertically.

When a specific content is selected, the display unit 1423 may display the link destination of the specific content on the user terminal in a manner different from that when a content other than the specific content is selected. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, when a selection operation is performed on the specific content, the display unit 1423 displays a screen C3 indicating the link destination of the selected specific content in a manner different from that when a content other than the specific content is selected.

Furthermore, when a specific content is selected, the display unit 1423 may gradually enlarge the specific content, and after the specific content is displayed over the entire screen of the user terminal, display a link destination of the specific content on the screen, and when content other than the specific content is selected, display the link destination on the screen while maintaining the state of the selected content. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 may gradually enlarge the specific content for which a selection operation has been performed, and after the specific content is displayed over the entire screen, display a screen C3 indicating the link destination of the specific content. On the other hand, when content displayed in area AR3 is selected, the display unit 1423 does not change the display mode of the selected content, and immediately displays the link destination on the screen.

The display unit 1423 may also display specific content that has a greater amount of information than content other than the specific content. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 displays content including a title, an image, etc., as content other than the specific content in area AR3, and displays content that has a greater amount of information than the content displayed in area AR3 as the specific content in area AR2.

The display unit 1423 may also display, as the specific content, content including the content title, an image, text information indicating an outline of the content, and the time when the content was distributed on a specific server, and may display, as the content other than the specific content, content including the content title and an image. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 displays, in area AR2, specific content including the content title, part of the text information indicating an outline of the content, the time when the content was distributed on the service server 10, label information indicating the label assigned to the content, and the like, and displays, in area AR3, content including the content title, an image, and the like, as the content other than the specific content.

The display unit 1423 may also display specific content indicating a portion of the text information, and display the entire text information in response to a predetermined operation on the specific content. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 displays specific content including a portion of the text information indicating an outline of the content in area AR2, and when button B1 is pressed, displays the entire text information indicating the outline of the specific content in area AR2, replacing the specific content corresponding to button B1.

Furthermore, the display unit 1423 may display a specified content when all of the specific content has been viewed. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the display unit 1423 displays a specified digital content on the screen when all of the specific content has been displayed. Furthermore, the display unit 1423 displays a screen indicating that a benefit that can be used in a specified electronic transaction service, a specified electronic payment service, or the like has been granted to the user U1 when all of the specific content has been displayed. Note that the display unit 1423 may display a specified digital content on the screen when the user performs a specified action (for example, posting a comment on the specific content) after all of the specific content has been displayed.

Here, it is conceivable that there may be a desire to display specific content that includes different content from when it is displayed on the user terminal as content other than the specific content. Therefore, the display unit 1423 may display specific content that includes a title that is different from when it is displayed as content other than the specific content. For example, using FIG. 1 as an example, the display unit 1423 displays in area AR2 specific content that includes a title that is different from when it is displayed in area AR3. Note that the display unit 1423 may display specific content that includes an image that is different from when it is displayed as content other than the specific content.

Furthermore, there may be cases where video content is desired to be displayed as the specific content. Therefore, the display unit 1423 may display the specific content, which is a thumbnail of the video content, and play the video content in response to a selection operation on the specific content. For example, using FIG. 1 as an example, the display unit 1423 displays the specific content, which is a thumbnail of the video content, in the area AR2, and when a selection operation is performed on the specific content, displays the video content on the entire screen and plays it.

(Regarding the determination unit 1424)
The determination unit 1424 determines whether or not the number of contents that satisfy a predetermined condition and that are newly distributed in the predetermined server after a distribution request is made from the user terminal used by the user, among the contents distributed from the predetermined server, has reached a predetermined number. For example, the determination unit 1424 determines whether or not the number of specific contents that have become distribution targets in the service server 10 after a distribution request is made from the terminal device 100, among the contents distributed from the service server 10, has reached a predetermined number.

The determination unit 1424 may also determine whether the number of web contents that have become new distribution targets on a specified server after a distribution request is made from a user terminal and that satisfy a specified condition has reached a specified number. For example, the determination unit 1424 determines whether the number of specific contents that have become distribution targets on the service server 10 after a distribution request is made from the terminal device 100, such as videos and content posted by other users on SNS, distributed from the service server 10, has reached a specified number.

The determination unit 1424 may also determine whether the number of news articles that have become new targets for distribution on a specified server after a distribution request has been made from a user terminal and that satisfy a specified condition has reached a specified number. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the determination unit 1424 determines whether the number of specific contents that have become targets for distribution on the service server 10 after the previous time the news app was launched and content related to a news article was displayed on the screen has reached a specified number.

The determination unit 1424 may also determine whether or not the number of messages newly sent from other users to the user after the user terminal accesses a specified server has reached a specified number. For example, when the service server 10 provides a service (e.g., short message service (SMS) or instant messenger) through which users exchange messages with each other, the determination unit 1424 determines whether or not the number of messages newly sent from other users after the terminal device 100 accesses the service server 10 has reached a specified number among the messages sent from other users.

(Regarding the notification unit 1425)
When it is determined that the number of contents that satisfy a predetermined condition has reached a predetermined number, the notification unit 1425 issues a predetermined notification to the user. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the determination unit 1424 displays on the screen a notification indicating that the number of specific contents has reached a predetermined number.

3. Flow of display process by terminal device 100
Next, a procedure of the display process of the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the display process according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 100 acquires content from a predetermined server based on a content distribution request (step S101). Next, the terminal device 100 identifies as specific content a content that has become a new distribution target after the previous content distribution request was made and that satisfies a predetermined condition (step S102). Next, the terminal device 100 determines whether a predetermined period has passed since the previous distribution request was made (step S103). If the predetermined period has passed (step S103; Yes), the terminal device 100 displays the specific content in a predetermined area in a first display mode and displays content other than the specific content in other areas in a second display mode (step S104), and ends the process.

On the other hand, if the specified period has not elapsed (step S103; No), the terminal device 100 displays the content to be distributed without displaying the specified area (step S105), and ends the process.

4. Flow of notification process by terminal device 100
Next, a procedure of a notification process of the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of a notification process according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal device 100 acquires content from a predetermined server (step S201). Next, the terminal device 100 determines whether the number of contents that are newly distributed after the distribution request has been made and that satisfy predetermined conditions has reached a predetermined number (step S202). If the number of contents has reached the predetermined number (step S202; Yes), the terminal device 100 gives a predetermined notification to the user (step S203) and ends the process.

On the other hand, if the number of contents has not reached the predetermined number (step S202; No), the terminal device 100 ends the process.

5. Modifications
The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications and applications are possible.

5-1. Services provided by the service server 10
In the above embodiment, an example in which the service server 10 provides a news service has been shown, but the service provided by the service server 10 is not limited to this example, and any service may be provided. The terminal device 100 may identify specific content from among the content corresponding to the service provided by the service server 10 and display it on the screen. For example, when the service server 10 provides various web content (e.g., videos or content posted by other users on SNS), the terminal device 100 may identify specific content from among the web content and display it on the screen. Also, when the service server 10 provides a short message service or an instant messenger, the terminal device 100 may identify specific content from among messages sent by other users and display it on the screen.

5-2. Processing Mode
Among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, and conversely, all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above text and drawings can be changed arbitrarily unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the illustrated information.

In addition, each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined as appropriate to the extent that the processing content is not contradictory.

6. Effects
As described above, the second application 142 included in the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit 1421, a specification unit 1422, a display unit 1423, a determination unit 1424, and a notification unit 1425. The acquisition unit 1421 acquires content from a predetermined server based on a distribution request for content displayed on a user terminal used by a user. The acquisition unit 1421 also acquires content from a predetermined server based on a distribution request for content that is a news article. The specification unit 1422 specifies, as specific content, content that has become a new distribution target in the predetermined server after the previous distribution request has been made, and satisfies a predetermined condition, among the contents acquired by the acquisition unit 1421. The specification unit 1422 also specifies the specific content based on the importance according to the attributes of the user. The display unit 1423 causes the user terminal to display content other than the specific content in a first display mode, and to display the specific content in a second display mode. The determination unit 1424 determines whether or not the number of contents that satisfy a predetermined condition among the contents distributed from a predetermined server after a distribution request is made from a user terminal used by the user, which are newly distributed in the predetermined server, reaches a predetermined number. The determination unit 1424 also determines whether or not the number of web contents that satisfy a predetermined condition among the web contents, which satisfy a predetermined condition among the web contents, which satisfy a predetermined condition among the news articles, which satisfy a predetermined condition among the news articles, which satisfy a predetermined condition among the news articles, which satisfy a predetermined condition among the news articles, which satisfy a predetermined condition among the news articles, reaches a predetermined number. The determination unit 1424 also determines whether or not the number of messages that are newly sent from other users to the user after the user terminal accesses the predetermined server, reaches a predetermined number among the messages sent from other users to the user, reaches a predetermined number. If it is determined that the number of contents that satisfy the predetermined condition reaches a predetermined number, the notification unit 1425 performs a predetermined notification to the user.

As a result, the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment can present important news articles to a user who has missed such news articles as news articles to be viewed, and therefore can provide content to the user in an appropriate manner. Furthermore, the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment can notify the user that there are an accumulation of news articles to be viewed, and can promote viewing of the news articles, thereby improving user convenience.

In the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment, for example, the display unit 1423 displays the specific content in a predetermined area of the screen of the user terminal that is easier to view than other areas, and displays content other than the specific content in other areas. If a predetermined period has passed since the previous distribution request, the display unit 1423 displays the specific content in the predetermined area, and if a predetermined period has not passed since the previous distribution request, the display unit 1423 displays the content to be distributed without displaying the predetermined area. If the number of specific contents is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the display unit 1423 displays the specific content in the predetermined area, and if the number of specific contents is less than the predetermined threshold, the display unit 1423 displays the content to be distributed without displaying the predetermined area. If it is a predetermined time period, the display unit 1423 displays the specific content in the predetermined area, and if it is a time period other than the predetermined time period, the display unit 1423 displays the content to be distributed without displaying the predetermined area. Furthermore, the display unit 1423 displays the specific content in a predetermined area if it is a time period according to the user's behavior information, and displays the content to be distributed without displaying the predetermined area if it is a time period other than the time period. Furthermore, the display unit 1423 displays the specific content in a predetermined area if the acquisition unit 1421 has not acquired the specific content, and displays the content to be distributed without displaying the predetermined area if the specific content has been acquired by the acquisition procedure.

As a result, the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment can display the specific content at an appropriate timing, thereby enhancing the appeal of the specific content.

In addition, in the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment, for example, the display unit 1423 causes the user terminal to display, among the contents belonging to the category selected by the user, the contents other than the specific content in a first display mode, and to display the specific content in a second display mode. The display unit 1423 also causes the user terminal to display numerical information indicating the number of specific contents, and decreases the number indicated by the numerical information in response to an operation for viewing the specific content. The display unit 1423 also causes label information indicating a label assigned to the specific content. The display unit 1423 also displays the specific content in a mode that allows scrolling in a different direction from the contents other than the specific content. Furthermore, when the specific content is selected, the display unit 1423 causes the user terminal to display the link destination of the specific content in a mode that differs from the case in which content other than the specific content is selected. Furthermore, when a specific content is selected, the display unit 1423 gradually enlarges the specific content, and after the specific content is displayed on the entire screen of the user terminal, displays the link destination of the specific content on the screen, and when a content other than the specific content is selected, displays the link destination on the screen while maintaining the state of the selected content. Furthermore, the display unit 1423 displays the specific content having a larger amount of information than the content other than the specific content. Furthermore, the display unit 1423 displays, as the specific content, content including the title of the content, an image, text information indicating the outline of the content, and the time when the content became the target of distribution on a specified server, and displays, as the content other than the specific content, content including the title of the content and an image. Furthermore, the display unit 1423 displays the specific content indicating a part of the text information, and displays the entire text information in response to a specified operation on the specific content. Furthermore, when the specific content has been viewed in its entirety, the display unit 1423 displays the specified content.

As a result, the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment can display enriched specific content, thereby enhancing the appeal of the specific content.

In addition, in the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment, for example, the display unit 1423 displays specific content including a title different from that when the specific content is displayed as content other than the specific content.

As a result, the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment can display specific content whose contents have been changed as desired, and can display any content according to the situation of the content distributor, etc., as the specific content.

In addition, in the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment, for example, the display unit 1423 displays specific content, which is a thumbnail of video content, and plays the video content in response to a selection operation on the specific content.

As a result, the terminal device 100 according to the embodiment can display video content as specific content, thereby improving convenience.

7. Hardware Configuration
Moreover, the terminal device according to each embodiment described above is realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 6, for example. The terminal device 100 will be described below as an example. Fig. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the terminal device. The computer 1000 has a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM 1300, a HDD 1400, a communication interface (I/F) 1500, an input/output interface (I/F) 1600, and a media interface (I/F) 1700.

The CPU 1100 operates based on a program stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400, and controls each component. The ROM 1300 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 is started, and programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000, etc.

HDD 1400 stores programs executed by CPU 1100 and data used by such programs. Communication interface 1500 receives data from other devices via communication network 500 (corresponding to network N in the embodiment) and sends it to CPU 1100, and also transmits data generated by CPU 1100 to other devices via communication network 500.

The CPU 1100 controls output devices such as a display and a printer, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, via the input/output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input devices via the input/output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also outputs data generated via the input/output interface 1600 to the output devices.

The media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 1800 and provides it to the CPU 1100 via the RAM 1200. The CPU 1100 loads the program from the recording medium 1800 onto the RAM 1200 via the media interface 1700 and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase change rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the terminal device 100, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes a program loaded onto the RAM 1200 to realize the functions of the control unit 140. In addition, the HDD 1400 stores each piece of data in the storage device of the terminal device 100. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800, but as another example, these programs may be obtained from another device via a specified communication network.

[8. Other]
Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in other forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the forms described in the Disclosure of the Invention section.

In addition, the configuration of the above-mentioned terminal device 100 can be flexibly changed, for example, by calling external platforms, etc., using an API (Application Programming Interface) or network computing, depending on the function.

In addition, the word "part" in the claims can be read as "means" or "circuit." For example, a display part can be read as a display means or a display circuit.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Terminal device 110 Communication unit 120 Input unit 130 Output unit 140 Control unit 141 First application 142 Second application 1421 Acquisition unit 1422 Identification unit 1423 Display unit 1424 Determination unit 1425 Notification unit

Claims (6)

a determination step of determining whether or not a number of contents that satisfy a predetermined condition among contents distributed from a predetermined server and that have become new distribution targets in the predetermined server after a distribution request is made from a user terminal used by the user in response to an operation of the user has reached a predetermined number;
and a notification procedure for, when it is determined that the number of contents satisfying the predetermined condition has reached a predetermined number, giving a predetermined notification to the user. The determination procedure includes:
The notification program according to claim 1, characterized in that it determines whether or not the number of web contents that satisfy predetermined conditions among the web contents that have become newly distributed on the specified server after a distribution request is made from the user terminal has reached a predetermined number. The determination procedure includes:
The notification program according to claim 2, characterized in that it determines whether the number of news articles that satisfy specified conditions and that have become new distribution targets on the specified server after a distribution request is made from the user terminal has reached a specified number. The determination procedure includes:
A notification program as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it determines whether the number of messages sent from other users to the user after the user terminal accesses the specified server has reached a specified number. a determination unit that determines whether or not a number of contents that satisfy a predetermined condition among contents distributed from a predetermined server and that have become new distribution targets in the predetermined server after a distribution request is made from a user terminal used by the user in response to an operation of the user has reached a predetermined number;
and a notification unit that, when it is determined that the number of contents that satisfy the predetermined condition has reached a predetermined number, issues a predetermined notification to the user. 1. A computer implemented notification method, comprising:
a determining step of determining whether or not the number of contents that satisfy a predetermined condition among the contents distributed from a predetermined server and that are newly distributed from the predetermined server after a distribution request is made from a user terminal used by the user in response to an operation of the user has reached a predetermined number;
and if it is determined that the number of contents satisfying the predetermined condition has reached a predetermined number, a notification step of issuing a predetermined notification to the user.

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