TWI859104B - Privilege granting system and privilege granting method - Google Patents

Abstract

[Topic] Limiting users who can receive gifts according to the attributes of the users. [Solution] The gift giving system acquires user identification information. The gift giving system determines whether the user of the terminal device is a candidate extracted based on the pre-set user attributes based on the user identification information. If the user is a candidate, the gift giving system sends notification information to the terminal device for notifying the candidate of a preferential activity in which a gift is given to the candidate on the condition that the candidate takes a specified action. The gift giving system receives a request for receiving screen information that is used to cause the receiving screen that is specified to be displayed after the completion of a predetermined action to be displayed by the terminal device. When receiving the request for receiving screen information, the gift giving system determines whether the user of the terminal device is a candidate. If the user is a candidate, the gift giving system sends the receiving screen information to the terminal device, and if the user is not a candidate, the receiving screen information is not sent.

Description

Gift giving system and gift giving method

The present invention relates to a method for giving a gift to a user who meets a portion of the specified conditions.

Previously, systems that give gifts to users on condition that the user takes a predetermined action, such as purchasing a product or reserving a service, have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device that gives gifts to users who purchase a product. The information processing device generates a 2D code representing a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that will utilize recipe information of a target product set by an advertiser. The user terminal used by the user displays the recipe information by reading the 2D code posted on a flyer, etc. The user terminal displays the product advertisement page of the target product in response to an operation on a link such as an advertisement banner displayed on the recipe information. The product advertisement page is, for example, a promotional event platform for notifying that a gift will be provided as a reward for purchasing the target product. The information processing device registers the user ID for identifying the user in response to the operation of the registration button displayed on the product advertisement page. Thereafter, once the user purchases the target product in the store, the store terminal used in the store performs electronic checkout, and as a result of the electronic checkout, the user ID, etc., is sent to the information processing device. The information processing device determines whether the user has purchased the target product based on the information registered when the user registered and the information when the user purchased the target product, and gives a gift to the user who purchased the target product.

[Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-81879

Registration is considered to be equivalent to applying for participation in a promotion or registering me in the list of users who can participate in the promotion. On the other hand, it is different from whether the user has applied for participation in the promotion or whether it is necessary to apply for participation in the promotion. For example, there may be a situation where you want to give gifts only to a part of users who are predetermined by the parties or advertisers of the promotion. For example, you may want to give gifts only to users with specific attributes. However, in the previous technology, such a situation was not considered. For example, if it is assumed that the advertisement banner will be displayed on the user terminal of any user as long as the 2D code is read, the product advertisement page can be displayed through the link of the advertisement banner and registration can be performed. Therefore, it is not possible to limit the users to whom gifts are given. Even if the information processing device is configured so that the advertisement banner is not displayed to users other than specific users, as long as the URL of the product advertisement page can be obtained by some method, the user can still display the product advertisement page and register.

This invention is developed in view of the above problems. One of the topics is to provide a gift giving system and gift giving method that can limit users who can receive gifts according to the attributes of the users.

One aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring user identification information for identifying a user of a terminal device from a previously recorded terminal device; and a candidate determination means for performing a first determination based on the previously acquired user identification information to determine whether the user of the previously recorded terminal device is a candidate extracted based on a preset user attribute; and a notification information sending means for sending notification information to the pre-recorded terminal device when it is determined that the user of the pre-recorded terminal device is a pre-recorded candidate, the notification information being used to inform the pre-recorded candidate of a preferential activity in which a gift is given to the pre-recorded candidate on condition that the pre-recorded candidate takes a predetermined action, and the notification information is a link to a preferential activity screen showing guidance for the pre-recorded preferential activity; and a request receiving means, The receiving screen information transmission means is used to receive a request for receiving screen information from the pre-recorded terminal device, wherein the request for receiving screen information is used to cause the pre-recorded terminal device to display a receiving screen, wherein the receiving screen is a receiving screen that is specified to be displayed after the action specified in the pre-recorded action is completed and is a receiving screen that indicates the receipt of the pre-recorded gift; and the receiving screen information transmission means is used to receive the pre-recorded gift in response to the fact that the pre-recorded request is received. The screen information is sent to the previously recorded terminal device; the previously recorded candidate determination means is to further perform the second determination when the previously recorded request has been received to determine whether the user of the previously recorded terminal device is the previously recorded candidate; the previously recorded received screen information sending means is to not send the previously recorded received screen information to the previously recorded terminal device if the user of the previously recorded terminal device is determined in the previously recorded second determination to be not the previously recorded candidate.

According to this aspect, candidates for users who are given gifts are extracted based on pre-set user attributes. The user of the terminal device will be determined whether or not he is a candidate. If the user is a candidate, notification information will be sent to the terminal device. The notification information is used to inform the candidate of a promotional event in which a gift is given to the candidate on the condition that the candidate takes a specified action. The notification information is a link to a promotional event screen that contains instructions for the promotion. Therefore, when the user who has been determined to be a candidate operates the notification information, the terminal device will display the promotional event screen. After the specified action is completed, a request to receive screen information will be sent from the terminal device. The receiving screen information is information required to display the receiving screen indicating the receiving of the gift. When the receiving screen information is requested, it is further determined whether the user of the terminal device is a candidate. If the user is a candidate, the receiving screen information is sent to the terminal device. Therefore, the terminal device displays the receiving screen and the user can receive the gift. If the user is not a candidate, the receiving screen information is not sent. Therefore, the terminal device does not display the receiving screen and the user cannot receive the gift. Therefore, even if the user is not a candidate, the user successfully participates in the promotion by causing the promotion screen to be displayed through some method, but the user cannot receive the gift afterwards. Therefore, users who can receive gifts can be restricted according to the user's attributes.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the pre-record receiving screen is a screen indicating that the receipt of the pre-record gift has been completed; after the pre-record specified action is completed, the receiving operation screen that can accept the receiving operation required to receive the pre-record gift is displayed by the pre-record terminal device; the pre-record request receiving means receives the pre-record request from the pre-record terminal device when the pre-record receiving operation is accepted in the pre-record receiving operation screen.

According to this aspect, the terminal device displays the receiving operation screen after the specified action is completed. In the receiving operation screen, when the acceptance operation required for receiving the gift has been accepted, it is determined whether the user is a candidate. If the user is a candidate, the terminal device displays the receiving screen. The receiving screen indicates that the gift has been received. If the user is not a candidate, even if the acceptance operation has been accepted in the receiving operation screen, the terminal device will not display the receiving screen. Therefore, the users who can receive the gift can be limited according to the attributes of the user.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized by further comprising: A granting means for performing granting processing of granting a gift to the user of the aforementioned terminal device when the user of the aforementioned terminal device is determined to be a candidate for the aforementioned supplement in the aforementioned second determination.

According to this profile, if the user is a candidate, the user completes the gift collection and the terminal device displays the collection screen.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the actions specified in the foregoing include actions related to the specified service; the specified service screen provided by the foregoing service and containing the specified operation elements will be displayed by the foregoing terminal device because the foregoing user follows the foregoing instructions displayed through the foregoing preferential activity screen; and the foregoing collection operation screen is displayed by the foregoing terminal device in response to the fact that the foregoing operation elements in the foregoing service screen are operated.

According to this side, if the user takes action according to the guidance displayed on the promotional event screen, the terminal device will display the service screen provided by the specified service. The specified action as a condition for the gift to be given includes actions related to the service. The service screen contains operation elements. Once the operation elements in the service screen are operated, the terminal device will display the collection operation screen. In the collection operation screen, when the acceptance operation required to receive the gift has been accepted, it will be determined whether the user is a candidate. Therefore, the screen displayed on the terminal device is transferred from the screen provided by the service related to the promotion to the screen required to receive points.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the pre-record collection screen is a collection operation screen that can accept the collection operation required for collecting the pre-record gift; and further comprises: granting means, which is used to perform granting processing of granting a gift to the user of the pre-record terminal device in response to the fact that the pre-record collection operation is accepted in the pre-record collection operation screen displayed by the pre-record terminal device based on the collection screen information sent by the pre-record.

According to this profile, if the user is a candidate, the terminal device displays a receiving operation screen as a receiving screen. In the receiving operation screen, once the acceptance operation required to receive the gift is accepted, the gift is given to the user. If the user is not a candidate, the terminal device does not display the receiving operation screen. In this case, the user cannot perform the operation required to receive the gift. Therefore, the users who can perform the operation required to receive the gift can be limited according to the attributes of the user.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the actions specified in the foregoing include actions related to the specified service; the specified service screen provided by the foregoing service and containing an operation element operable to display the foregoing receiving operation screen will be displayed by the foregoing terminal device because the foregoing user follows the foregoing instructions displayed through the foregoing preferential activity screen; the foregoing request receiving means receives the foregoing request from the foregoing terminal device when the foregoing operation element is operated in the service screen displayed in the foregoing.

According to this side, if the user takes an action according to the guidance displayed on the promotional event screen, the terminal device will display the service screen provided by the specified service. The specified action as a condition for the gift to be given includes actions related to the service. The service screen will contain operation elements. When the operation elements in the service screen are operated, it will be determined whether the user is a candidate. Therefore, according to the attributes of the user, it is possible to limit the users who can move the screen displayed on the terminal device from the screen provided by the service related to the promotion to the screen required for collecting points.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises: operation element information sending means for sending operation element information to the previous terminal device displaying the previous service screen, which is used to make the previous terminal device display the previous operation element in the previous service screen; previous candidate determination means for further performing the third determination when the previous terminal device displays the previous service screen to determine whether the user of the previous terminal device is the previous candidate; previous operation element information sending means for not sending the previous operation element information when it is determined in the third determination that the user of the previous terminal device is not the previous candidate.

According to this profile, when the terminal device displays the service screen, it will further determine whether the user is a candidate. If the user is a candidate, the operation element will be displayed in the service screen. If the user is not a candidate, the operation element is not displayed. Therefore, according to the attributes of the user, it is possible to limit the users who can move the screen displayed on the terminal device from the screen provided by the service related to the promotion to the screen required for collecting points.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the pre-recorded preferential activity screen is a screen that can accept display operations, and the display operation is used to display an operation screen that can accept operations required to take the pre-recorded action; and also has: updating means, which is used to update the operator-specific information that can identify the operator who has performed the pre-recorded display operation to indicate that the pre-recorded preferential activity screen has been accepted. The user identified as the previous operator is identified as the previous operator based on the user identification information obtained previously; and the operator determination means determines whether the user of the previous terminal device is the previous operator based on the previous operator specific information and the user identification information obtained previously; the previous operation element information sending means does not send the previous operation element information when it is determined that the user of the previous terminal device is not the previous operator.

According to this aspect, once the display operation is accepted in the promotion screen, the terminal device will display the operation screen. The operation screen is a screen that can accept the operations required to take the specified action. By operating in the operation screen, the user will eventually be able to take the specified action, and the terminal device displays the service screen. In the case where the user is both a candidate and an operator who has performed the display operation, the terminal device displays the operation elements in the service screen. In the case where the user is not an operator who has performed the display operation, the terminal device does not display the operation elements even if the user is a candidate. Therefore, depending on whether or not the user has confirmed the instructions on the promotional event screen, the user can be restricted from migrating the screen displayed on the terminal device from the screen provided by the service related to the promotional event to the screen required for collecting points.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the aforementioned service screen is the aforementioned operation screen, or is a screen that is predetermined to be displayed after the aforementioned operation screen.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the action specified in the foregoing includes operating the operating elements in the foregoing.

Still another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the promotional activity fees generated for implementing the pre-recorded promotional activities and the promotional activity fees that will increase each time a pre-recorded gift is given to any user are stored in the storage means; the pre-recorded notification information sending means does not send the pre-recorded notification information to the pre-recorded terminal device when the promotional activity fees stored in the pre-recorded promotional activities are above a predetermined ratio of the budget set for the pre-recorded promotional activities; the pre-recorded promotional activity screen is a screen that can accept display operations, and the display operation is used to display an operation screen that can accept operations required to take actions specified in the pre-recorded promotional activities; and it also has: updating means, which is used to specify a screen that can perform pre-recorded display operations when the pre-recorded display operation has been accepted in the pre-recorded promotional activity screen. The operator specific information of the operator who performed the operation is updated to indicate that the user who was identified by the user identification information obtained in the previous record is the previous operator; and the operator determination means determines whether the user of the previous record terminal device is the previous operator based on the previous operator specific information and the user identification information obtained in the previous record; the previous record collection screen information sending means does not send the previous record collection screen information when the previous record discount activity fee is higher than the previous record predetermined ratio of the previous record budget, and sends the previous record collection screen information when it is determined that the user of the previous record terminal device is a previous record candidate and the user of the previous record terminal device is the previous operator even if the previous record discount activity fee is higher than the previous record predetermined ratio of the previous record budget.

According to this aspect, each time a gift is given to a user, the promotion fee will increase. When the promotion fee reaches a predetermined ratio of the budget, the sending of notification information to the terminal device is stopped. Therefore, the terminal device does not display the notification information. In the promotion screen, once the display operation is accepted, the terminal device will display the operation screen. The operation screen is a screen that accepts the operations required to take the specified action. By operating in the operation screen, the user will eventually be able to take the specified action, and the terminal device will display the service screen. When a request for receiving screen information is sent from the terminal device, if the promotion fee has reached or exceeded the specified ratio of the budget, the terminal device will not display the receiving screen even if the user is a candidate. However, if the user is both a candidate and an operator who has performed the display operation, the terminal device will still display the receiving screen even if the promotion fee has reached or exceeded the specified ratio of the budget. Therefore, while suppressing the promotion fee from becoming too large relative to the budget, the notification information can be displayed before the promotion fee reaches the specified ratio of the budget, and the user who confirms the guidance on the promotion screen can still be given a gift even if the promotion fee has reached the specified ratio later.

Another aspect of the present invention is that the notification information sent in the foregoing is an advertisement.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the promotional activity fee charged to the advertiser for implementing the pre-recorded promotional activity is recorded in the recording means; and further comprises: a first adding means for adding the pre-recorded advertising fee to the promotional activity fee recorded in the pre-recorded event in response to the fact that the advertising fee different from the gift fee required for the pre-recorded gift is generated as a result of sending the pre-recorded notification information by the pre-recorded notification information sending means; and a second adding means for adding the pre-recorded gift fee corresponding to the pre-recorded gift given to the promotional activity fee recorded in the pre-recorded event in response to the fact that the pre-recorded gift is given to any user.

According to this aspect, as a result of sending the notification information as an advertisement, once the advertising fee is incurred, the promotional expenses will increase. In addition, once the gift expenses required to give gifts are incurred, which are different from the advertising fees, the promotional expenses will increase. Therefore, the advertising fees and gift expenses are added to the promotional expenses separately.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the means for sending the pre-notification information does not send the pre-notification information to the pre-notification terminal device when the pre-notification promotion fee is greater than a predetermined ratio of the budget set for the pre-notification promotion.

According to this aspect, when the promotional activity expenses reach a predetermined ratio of the budget, the sending of notification information to the terminal device is stopped. Therefore, the terminal device does not display the notification information. Therefore, the promotional activity expenses including advertising expenses and gift expenses can be prevented from becoming excessive relative to the budget.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the aforementioned advertising fee is generated because the user of the aforementioned terminal device takes at least a portion of the predetermined actions among the aforementioned actions.

According to this aspect, by giving rewards to users who take certain actions, the results of advertising can be promoted.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the pre-record instructions displayed on the pre-record discount activity screen contain pre-record conditions.

According to this profile, users can confirm the actions required as conditions for receiving gifts on the promotional event screen.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the pre-recorded candidate determination means determines whether the user of the pre-recorded terminal device is a pre-recorded candidate based on the user identification information obtained in the pre-recorded state and the candidate identification information that can identify the pre-recorded candidate.

Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the pre-recorded candidate specific information is information indicating the attributes of the user of the pre-recorded terminal device.

Still another aspect of the present invention is a gift giving method executed by a computer, characterized in that it comprises: an acquisition step of acquiring user identification information for identifying a user of a terminal device from a previously recorded terminal device; and a first candidate determination step of determining whether the user of the previously recorded terminal device is a candidate extracted based on a pre-set attribute based on the previously acquired user identification information; and The notification information sending step is to send notification information to the pre-recorded terminal device when it is determined that the user of the pre-recorded terminal device is a pre-recorded candidate, and the notification information is used to inform the pre-recorded candidate of a preferential activity that will give a gift to the pre-recorded candidate if the pre-recorded candidate takes a specified action, and the notification information contains a link to the preferential activity screen that shows the guidance of the pre-recorded preferential activity; and the request receiving step is to receive the screen information A request is received from the previous terminal device, the request for receiving screen information is used to make the previous terminal device display a receiving screen, the receiving screen is a receiving screen that is specified to be displayed after the action specified in the previous record is completed, and is a receiving screen that indicates the receipt of the previous gift; and a second candidate determination step is to determine the user of the previous terminal device based on the user identification information obtained in the previous record when the previous request has been received. Whether it is a previously recorded candidate; and the step of sending the received screen information, when it is determined by the previously recorded second candidate determination step that the user of the previously recorded terminal device is a previously recorded candidate, the previously recorded received screen information is sent to the previously recorded terminal device; when it is determined by the previously recorded second candidate determination step that the user of the previously recorded terminal device is not a previously recorded candidate, the previously recorded received screen information is not sent to the previously recorded terminal device.

According to the present invention, users who can receive gifts can be restricted according to the attributes of the users.

1: Information distribution server

2: Service server

3: Points plan server

4: Member information management server

5: User terminal

11,21,31: System Control Department

11a,21a,31a:CPU

11b,21b,31b:ROM

11c, 21c, 31c: RAM

12,22,32: System bus

13,23,33: Input and output interface

14,24,34: Memory

15,25,35: Communications Department

14a: Promotion DB

14b: CTA button operation DB

14c: Points collection DB

14d: Promotional activity expenses DB

34a: Points DB

34b: Points History DB

41: Member DB

42: Identification information conversion DB

43: Action History DB

60: Candidate list

100: Provide information

110: Points

120: Condition information

130:Button

140: Deadline information

200: Promotion login screen

210: Condition information

220: CTA button

300: Participation screen

310: Start button

400: Service screen

410: Wire elements

500: Points collection operation screen

510: Notification message

520: Message

530:Collect button

600: Points collection completed screen

610: Receive completion message

700: Points collection is not visible

710: Received invalid message

800: Points collection is not available on the screen

810: Received invalid message

1101: User identification information acquisition unit

1102: Candidate determination unit

1103: Inform the information delivery department

1104: Operator specific information update unit

1105: Operator determination unit

1106: Operational element information transmission department

1107: Advertising fee calculation department

2101: Login screen information sent to the signal department

2102: Service screen information delivery department

3101: Receive screen information and request the receiving unit

3102: User identification information acquisition unit

3103: Candidate Judgment Department

3104: Receive screen information and send it to the signal department

3105: Points Granting Department

3106: Operator determination unit

3107: Points Fee Addition Department

NW: Network

S: Communication system

[Figure 1] An example of a schematic structure of a communication system S according to an embodiment.

[Figure 2] Illustration of a screen migration example.

[Figure 3] Illustration of a screen migration example.

[Figure 4] A block diagram showing an example of the schematic structure of the information distribution server 1 according to one embodiment.

[Figure 5] Illustration of an example of information stored in the database and list of the information distribution server 1.

[Figure 6] A block diagram showing an example of the schematic structure of the service server 2 according to an embodiment.

[Figure 7] A block diagram showing an example of the schematic structure of the point plan server 3 according to one embodiment.

[Figure 8] Illustration of an example of information stored in the database of the Points Plan Server 3.

[Figure 9] An example of information stored in the database of the member information management server 4.

[Figure 10] An example of a functional block diagram of the system control unit 11 in the information distribution server 1.

[Figure 11] An example of the conditions set on each screen to appropriately award points.

[Figure 12] An example of a functional block diagram of the system control unit 21 in the service server 2.

[Figure 13] An example of a functional block diagram of the system control unit 31 in the point plan server 3.

[Figure 14] A flowchart showing an example of terminal processing in the user terminal 5 in one embodiment.

[Figure 15] A flowchart showing an example of a notification information sending control process executed by the system control unit 11 of the information distribution server 1 according to one embodiment.

[Figure 16] A flowchart showing an example of wire element information transmission control processing executed by the system control unit 11 of the information distribution server 1 according to one embodiment.

[Figure 17] A flowchart of a processing example of the communication system S described in an embodiment.

[Figure 18] A flowchart showing an example of a control process for receiving screen information and sending it executed by the system control unit 31 of the point program server 3 according to one embodiment.

[Figure 19] A flowchart showing an example of point granting processing executed by the system control unit 31 of the point program server 3 according to one embodiment.

[Figure 20] Illustration of a screen migration example.

[Figure 21] A flowchart of a processing example of the communication system S described in an embodiment.

[Figure 22] A flowchart showing an example of a control process for receiving screen information and sending it executed by the system control unit 31 of the point program server 3 according to one embodiment.

[Figure 23] A block diagram showing an example of the schematic structure of the information distribution server 1 according to one embodiment.

[Figure 24] An illustration of an example of information stored in the promotion DB 14a and promotion fee DB 14d.

[Figure 25] An example of a functional block diagram of the system control unit 11 in the information distribution server 1.

[Figure 26] An example of the conditions set on each screen in order to appropriately award points according to the promotion budget.

[Figure 27] An illustration of an example of a functional block of the system control unit 31 in the point plan server 3.

[Figure 28] A flowchart showing an example of a notification information sending control process executed by the system control unit 11 of the information distribution server 1 according to one embodiment.

[Figure 29] A flowchart showing an example of a control process for receiving screen information and sending it executed by the system control unit 31 of the point program server 3 according to one embodiment.

The following is a detailed description of the implementation of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The gift granting system described in at least one implementation may also be a system that grants gifts to users selected based on pre-set user attributes on the condition that the user takes a predetermined action. A preferential activity for granting gifts is also called a point-earning preferential activity. The conditions required to obtain points are also called point-earning conditions. In addition, there may be a situation where a predetermined action is called a point-earning condition.

The user selected based on the pre-set user attributes is called a candidate for the user to whom the gift giving system is to give the gift. The selected user is also referred to as a candidate. In addition, the candidate is also referred to as the target of the discount activity. The candidate may also be a user with the pre-set user attributes. User attributes are also referred to as attributes. User attributes may also include information about the user registered by the user himself. Examples of such information include date of birth, gender, address, etc. In addition, user attributes may also include one or more actions taken by the user. Although there is no particular limitation on the actions that serve as user attributes, examples of such user attributes include purchasing a transaction object, making a reservation, browsing information, and logging in as a member. The transaction object may be any object of a commercial transaction. The transaction object may be, for example, at least one of a product and a service. Furthermore, user attributes may also include attributes of the user inferred based on the user's actions. For example, a user who purchases cat food relatively frequently may be inferred to have the attribute of liking cats.

Candidates may be users who are part of the members of the designated service, for example. User attributes that are conditions for candidate status may be preset, for example, by the business that grants the gift or the business that bears the initial funds for the gift. Examples of such businesses include the operator of the designated service, the operator of other services, or the advertiser. In the case of an advertiser, the initial funds for the gift may be borne by the advertiser. Candidates for users who are given gifts in a promotion may be users who are stipulated to receive the gift once they participate in the promotion. Among the members of the designated service, users other than candidates are called non-candidates. Non-candidates may be defined as users who cannot receive gifts even if they participate in the promotion. Participating in the promotion may be, for example, taking a specified action. Therefore, it may be defined that if a candidate takes a specified action, he or she can receive the gift, while a non-candidate cannot receive the gift even if he or she takes the specified action. In order to participate in the promotion, a candidate may or may not register for the promotion in advance. Registration may be equivalent to an application for participation in the promotion or a procedure required to add the user to the list of participants scheduled for the promotion. Registration itself may not be included in the specified action. It can also be stipulated that even if non-waiting candidates register for the promotion and take the required actions, they will still not receive the gift.

There are no specific restrictions on the gifts given in promotional activities, but examples of gifts include: points that can be used in point plans, electronic coupons, electronic currency, cash back, discounts, digital content, tangible items, etc.

User identification information required to identify each member can also be registered in the designated service. The designated service is not particularly limited, but examples of the designated service include Internet comprehensive services, online shopping, facility reservation services, mobile communication services, etc.

The specified action that becomes the condition for earning points may be, for example, an action that can be taken online. The specified action may also be equivalent to, for example, a specified operation or a combination of specified operations performed by the user on the terminal device. For example, the specified action may be a specific operation of the user on the website, or a specific operation of the user on the application (App) of the service. The specified action may be an action that can be taken offline, or an action that can be captured by the gift giving system through the Internet. The specified action may also be, for example, an ideal action for the above-mentioned business operator. Examples of the specified actions include: member registration, registration of user information, installation of the service application, purchase of transaction objects, and use of the service in other specific forms.

The implementation form described below is the implementation form when the specified service is the Internet comprehensive service and the gift is points.

[1. First implementation form] [1-1. Communication system structure]

First, the structure and function overview of the communication system S described in this embodiment are explained with reference to FIG1. FIG1 is a diagram of an example of the overview structure of the communication system S described in this embodiment. As shown in FIG1, the communication system S is composed of: an information distribution server 1, a plurality of service servers 2, a point plan server 3, a member information management server 4, and a plurality of user terminals 5. The information distribution server 1, each service server 2, the point plan server 3, the member information management server 4, and each user terminal 5 are connected to a network NW. The network NW is constructed by, for example, the Internet, a dedicated communication line (such as a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line), a mobile communication network (including base stations, etc.), and a gateway.

The information distribution server 1, the service server 2, the point plan server 3, and the member information management server 4 can also perform processing related to the specified Internet integrated service. The Internet integrated service can also be a collection of services provided mainly through a network such as the Internet. These server devices can also belong to the same domain corresponding to the Internet integrated service. The combination of the information distribution server 1 and the point plan server 3 can also be equivalent to an example of the gift system of the present invention. Alternatively, the combination of the information distribution server 1, the service server 2, and the point plan server 3 can also be equivalent to an example of the gift system.

The information delivery server 1 may be a server device that delivers information to the user terminal 5. For example, the information delivery server 1 may deliver notification information. For example, the information delivery server 1 may display notification information on a predetermined web page, or may display notification information on a screen of a predetermined application executable by the user terminal 5. The notification information may be information required to inform the user of a specific thing. For example, the notification information may be information used to inform about a point-earning promotion. The notification information may be an advertisement or not. The difference between an advertisement and non-advertisement may be the difference in whether or not an advertising fee is required for the delivery of the notification information. For the sake of convenience, in this implementation, it is assumed that the initial funds required to grant points as gifts are not included in the advertising fee. However, the initial funds may also be included in the advertising fee.

Each service server 2 may also be a server device that performs processing required to provide specific services included in the Internet comprehensive service to users. The services provided may also include services that can be provided through online services and other networks. Examples of services included in the Internet comprehensive service include: online shopping at online shopping centers, sales services for digital content such as electronic books, reservation services for the use of facilities such as accommodation facilities, ticket reservation services, information search services, online banking, online securities, credit card settlement, electronic settlement services, instant messaging services, mobile communication services, map services, social network services, point activity support services, point plans, etc. In addition, the point plan related processing may be performed by the point plan server 3 instead of any service server 2. Each service server 2 may send a web page corresponding to the service of the service server 2 in response to a request from a user terminal 5, and may perform the related processing of the service. With respect to at least one service, an application required for utilizing the service may be provided to the user terminal 5. The application may be downloaded, for example, from a predetermined application platform, or may be downloaded from the service server 2 corresponding to the service. The service server 2 can also send the web page of the service, or send other information required for the user terminal 5 to display a specific screen, in response to a request from the user terminal 5 that is executing the application. In this embodiment, the operator of each service can also set up a point-earning promotion activity to promote the use of the service.

The point plan server 3 may also be a server device that performs processing related to the point plan. For example, the point plan server 3 may also manage the points held by each user. The number of points held by a user is called the number of points that can be utilized. The point plan server 3 may also update the number of points that can be utilized by the user in accordance with the acquisition and utilization of points by the user. Furthermore, the point plan server 3 may also perform processing for awarding points to users who have participated in point-earning promotions. The point plan in this embodiment may also be, for example, a service that mainly awards points to users at a predetermined ratio of the purchase cost, etc., when the user purchases a transaction object. Examples of purchase patterns of transaction objects that are the subject of point granting include: purchase of transaction objects that utilize services included in the Internet comprehensive service, purchase of transaction objects in physical stores in cooperation with these services, etc. In addition, the point plan may also grant points to users at a predetermined rate of the usage fee of the services included in the Internet comprehensive service. Furthermore, the point plan may also be a service that allows users to use points when purchasing transaction objects in these services or physical stores.

The member information management server 4 may be a server device that manages information about members of the Internet integrated service. Once a user becomes a member of the Internet integrated service, a user ID is assigned to the user. The user ID may be identification information used to identify the user in the Internet integrated service. A user who becomes a member of the Internet integrated service may be able to use many services included in the Internet integrated service. Alternatively, in order to use some services, the user may have to perform another member registration conditional on being a member of the Internet integrated service.

Each user terminal 5 may be a terminal device used by a user who can use the Internet integrated service. Examples of the user terminal 5 include: a personal computer, a mobile phone such as a smart phone, an information portable terminal such as a tablet computer or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a set-top box, etc. Each user terminal 5 may also have a built-in web browser. In addition, at least a portable terminal device among the user terminals 5 may be installed with an application required for using the services included in the Internet integrated service. Each user terminal 5 can also receive information such as web pages from the information distribution server 1, service server 2 or point plan server 3 according to the operation of the user, for example, and display it on the screen according to the web browser or application.

[1-2. Screen migration for point earning promotion]

Next, an example of screen migration of the user terminal 5 until the point is obtained in the point-acquisition promotion is explained with reference to FIG2 and FIG3. FIG2 and FIG3 are diagrams of screen migration examples. For example, it is assumed that the operator of a service included in the Internet integrated service sets up a point-acquisition promotion. The service is assumed to be, for example, a point plan. The attributes of the user who becomes a candidate are predetermined. For example, it can also be stipulated that the user attributes are common in all promotions. Alternatively, the user attributes can also be stipulated according to the amount of points granted. Alternatively, the user attributes can also be stipulated according to each promotion.

Next, it is assumed that a certain user is using a certain service. The service being used is not particularly limited. The user terminal 5 displays a certain screen about the service being used by the user in a web browser or application. The screen may or may not be a web page. For example, the user terminal 5 may display the screen on the display based on an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) file sent from a server device or other information required to display the screen. Hereinafter, all the screens mentioned in this embodiment may or may not be web pages. The screen displayed by the user terminal 5 may contain notification information 100, such as shown in FIG. 2. The notification information 100 is information used to notify the point earning promotion. The notification information 100 is not displayed to non-candidates. The notification information 100 is sent to the user terminal 5 by the information delivery server 1. The notification information 100 may also include, for example, a point amount 110, condition information 120, a button 130, and a deadline information 140. The point amount 110 indicates the amount of points that will be given to a user who participates in a point-earning preferential activity. The condition information 120 may also be information indicating a predetermined action as a condition for obtaining points. The condition information 120 may also include information for promoting participation in preferential activities. The point-earning condition in the example of FIG. 2 is to start using points. The so-called point utilization may also be, for example, using a point plan to invest the points owned by the user in financial products. Button 130 is a button required to display the preferential activity login screen 200. Button 130 may also be embedded with a link to the preferential activity login screen 200. The link may be a normal link or a deep link. Hereinafter, all links mentioned in this embodiment may be normal links or deep links. Depending on the type of link, the user terminal 5 displays the screen with a web browser or with an application corresponding to a specific service. Information to promote participation in preferential activities may also be displayed in button 130. Button 130 may also be a button required to transfer the control of the screen after button 130 is operated to service server 2 (or point plan server 3). Deadline information 140 indicates the deadline for taking the specified action required to obtain points.

Once the user presses the button 130, as shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 5 may also display a preferential activity login screen 200. The preferential activity login screen 200 may be displayed, for example, by the control of the service server 2 corresponding to the service implementing the point-earning preferential activity. The preferential activity login screen 200 may also be a screen showing the guidance of the point-earning preferential activity. The guidance of the point-earning preferential activity may also include the point-earning conditions. The preferential activity login screen 200 may also include condition information 210. The condition information 210 may also be information that more specifically indicates the point-earning conditions. For example, the condition information 210 may also use text or images to indicate the conditions. The conditional information 210 shown in the example of FIG. 2 causes the screen for using points to be displayed, and indicates that the image of the panda should be touched. The promotion landing screen 200 may also include a CTA (Click To Action) button 220. The CTA button 220 may also be a button that can be operated in order to participate in the promotion to obtain actual points. For example, the CTA button 220 may also be a button required to display the participation screen 300. The CTA button 220 may also be embedded with a link to the participation screen 300. The CTA button 220 may also display information urging participation in the promotion.

When the user presses the CTA button 220, as shown in FIG. 2 , the user terminal 5 may display a participation screen 300. The participation screen 300 may be a screen that accepts operations required to take a predetermined action as a condition for obtaining points. The operations required to take a predetermined action may be, for example, operations corresponding to at least a part of the predetermined action, or operations that display a screen for performing operations corresponding to at least a part of the predetermined action. The participation screen 300 may or may not be one of the screens for implementing the service for obtaining points. The structure and display content of the participation screen 300 vary depending on the content of the service or the preferential activity. The participation screen 300 shown in FIG. 2 is a screen that allows the operation of starting the point utilization in the point plan. The participation screen 300 may also include, for example, a start button 310. The start button 310 is a button required to start the point utilization and display the service screen 400.

Once the user presses the start button 310, as shown in FIG. 3 , the user terminal 5 may also display a service screen 400. The service screen 400 may also be displayed, for example, by the control of the service server 2 corresponding to the service for implementing the point-earning preferential activity. The service screen 400 may also be a screen that is displayed by the user terminal 5 in accordance with the instructions (e.g., condition information 210) shown in the preferential activity login screen 200. The service screen 400 may also be one of the screens for implementing the preferential activity service. The service screen 400 may also be a screen that is used to display the point-earning operation screen 500 and that the required operation is possible. For example, the service screen 400 may also contain a wire element 410. The lead element 410 may be an operational element that can be operated in order to display the point collection operation screen 500. A link to the point collection operation screen 500 may be embedded in the lead element 410. Examples of the lead element 410 include buttons, small icons, pull bars, links, and other clickable images. The action specified as a condition for obtaining points may or may not include operating the lead element 410. Operating the lead element 410 may be equivalent to the specified action. Alternatively, operating the lead element 410 may be equivalent to the last action among multiple actions included in the specified action. The lead element 410 may be a button required to transfer control of the screen after the lead element 410 is operated to the point plan server 3. The service screen 400 shown in FIG. 3 is a screen for using points. Information about the points being used is displayed on the screen. Then, as a guide element 410, an image of a panda is displayed.

There are many ways to migrate the screen from the promotional event login screen 200 to the service screen 400 by means of a service or promotional event. For example, if the CTA button 220 is operated in the promotional event login screen 200, the service screen 400 may be directly displayed. The service screen 400 in this case may be, for example, a screen having the properties of the participation screen 300. In addition, a plurality of screens may be displayed between the promotional event login screen 200 and the service screen 400. For another example, the point acquisition condition may include installing an application of a certain service. In this case, once the CTA button 220 is operated, the user terminal 5 may also start the application of the application platform. The user installs the application in the screen of the application platform as the participation screen 300. Then, the user activates the installed application. The predetermined screen of the application may also be the service screen 400. For another example, the preferential activity login screen 200 may not include the CTA button 220. The user can know what conditions should be met through the condition information 210 displayed in the preferential activity login screen 200. Thereafter, the user accesses the website of the service implementing the preferential activity, or activates the application of the service. Then, once the user takes the action required to satisfy the conditions for obtaining points within the service, the service server 2 may also cause the service screen 400 to be displayed on the user terminal 5.

Once the user presses the wire element 410, as shown in FIG3, the user terminal 5 may also display the point collection operation screen 500. The point collection operation screen 500 may also be displayed by, for example, the control of the point program server 3. The point collection operation screen 500 may also be a screen where the operation required to collect points as a gift is possible. The point collection operation screen 500 may also include, for example, a notification message 510, an urging message 520, and a collection button 530. The notification message 510 may also be a message indicating that points can be collected. The urging message 520 may also be a message urging the collection of points. The collection button 530 is a button required for collecting points. Once the user presses the collection button 530, points are given to the user. Then, as shown in FIG. 3 , the user terminal 5 may also display a point collection completion screen 600. The point collection completion screen 600 may also include, for example, a notification message 510 and a collection completion message 610. The collection completion message 610 may also be a message indicating that the collection of points has been completed. In this way, points can be quickly awarded to users who have met the point acquisition conditions. For example, a few seconds after the collection completion message 610 is displayed, the user terminal 5 may also display a screen of a service such as implementing a point acquisition discount activity. The screen may also be a service screen 400. The service screen 400 displayed at this time does not contain the wire element 410.

As mentioned above, the notification information 100 is displayed only to the candidates. However, even for non-candidates for whom the notification information 100 is not displayed, there may still be a situation where the content of the preferential activity can be known through some method. In this way, it can be imagined that the non-candidates will privately participate in the preferential activity in order to obtain points. In addition, for example, if the URL of the preferential activity login screen 200 or the point collection operation screen 500 is successfully obtained through some method, the non-candidate can use the URL to display the preferential activity login screen 200 or the point collection operation screen 500. In this case, if it is the previous case, there will be a situation where the non-candidate can successfully obtain points. Therefore, the point plan server 3 may display the point collection completion screen 600 only when the user who operates the collection button 530 in the point collection operation screen 500 is a candidate. The point plan server 3 may not display the point collection completion screen 600 when the user who operates the collection button 530 is not a candidate. In this case, the point plan server 3 may display the point collection impossible screen 700 as shown in FIG. 3. The point collection impossible screen 700 may be a screen indicating that the collection of points is impossible. The point collection impossible screen 700 may include, for example, a collection impossible message 710. The collection impossible message 710 may be a message indicating that the collection of points is impossible.

[1-3. Server structure] [1-3-1. Composition of information distribution server]

Next, the structure of the information distribution server 1 is described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of the general structure of the information distribution server 1 described in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the information distribution server 1 is equipped with: a system control unit 11, a system bus 12, an input/output interface 13, a memory unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The system control unit 11 and the input/output interface 13 are connected via the system bus 12.

The system control unit 11 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11c, etc.

The input/output interface 13 performs interface processing between the memory unit 14 and the communication unit 15 and the system control unit 11.

The memory unit 14 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive. The memory unit 14 may also store databases such as: promotion activity DB 14a, CTA button operation DB 14b, and point collection DB 14c. "DB" is an abbreviation for database.

FIG5 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the database and list of the information distribution server 1. Promotion information about various point-earning promotions may also be stored in the promotion DB14a. For example, the promotion information may be set by the operator of the service that implements the promotion. As shown in FIG5 , in the promotion DB14a, promotion information such as promotion ID, the amount of points granted, promotion period, point-earning condition text, login screen URL, and lead element data URL may be associated with each other and stored. The promotion ID is identification information used to identify the promotion. The promotion ID may also be identification information of the service that implements the promotion. The amount of points granted indicates the amount of points granted to the participants of the promotion. The promotion period indicates the start date and end date of the promotion period. The point acquisition condition text is text information indicating the point acquisition condition. The point acquisition condition text is condition information 120 equivalent to the notification information 100. The login screen URL is the URL indicating the promotion login screen 200. The wire element data URL indicates the URL of the data required for the wire element 410 to be displayed by the user terminal 5. The data may be, for example, image or video data, or multimedia content data.

The CTA button operation DB14b may also store information about the user who operated the CTA button 220 in the promotion login screen 200. For example, in the CTA button operation DB14b, the promotion ID and the user ID may be associated with each other and stored according to each user who operated the CTA button 220. The promotion ID indicates the promotion for the operated CTA button 220. The user ID indicates the user who operated the CTA button 220.

Information about users who have received points in a promotional event may also be stored in the point collection DB 14c. For example, for each user who has received points, the promotional event ID and the user ID may be associated with each other and stored in the point collection DB 14c. The promotional event ID indicates the promotional event that has given points to the user. The user ID indicates the user who has received the points.

The information distribution server 1 can also provide the API (Application Programming Interface) required for accessing the promotion DB14a, CTA button operation DB14b and point collection DB14c to the service server 2 and the point plan server 3. The service server 2 and the point plan server 3 can also use the API to obtain the information stored in the database from the information distribution server 1. Alternatively, at least one of these databases can also be stored in the point plan server 3. The point plan server 3 can also provide the API required for accessing the database.

The memory unit 14 may also store a candidate list 60. The candidate list 60 is a list of candidates for users who have received points. For example, the candidate list 60 may also include the user ID of each candidate. When the user attributes of the candidates are the same during all promotions, only one candidate list 60 may be stored in the memory unit 14. When the user attributes are set according to the amount of points given, the memory unit 14 may store a candidate list 60 for each range of the amount of points. In this case, the file name of each candidate list 60 or the directory name of the directory storing the candidate list 60 may also include the range of the number of points. In the case of setting the user attributes according to each promotion, the candidate list 60 may also be stored in the memory unit 14 according to each promotion. In this case, the file name of each candidate list 60 or the directory name of the directory storing the candidate list 60 may also include, for example, the promotion ID. The candidate list 60 and the promotion may also be associated in this way.

The same candidate list 60 may be stored in each of the information distribution server 1, the service server 2, and the point plan 3. Each server device may also refer to the candidate list 60 stored in the server device. Alternatively, instead of each server device storing the candidate list 60, either the service server 2 or the point plan 3 may store a database representing the candidates. The server device storing the database may also provide the API required to access the database to other server devices.

Furthermore, the memory unit 14 may also store various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS (Database Management System), and an information distribution server program. The information distribution server program is a program that causes the system control unit 11 to execute related processing for the distribution of notification information. The information distribution server program may be obtained from other devices through the network NW, for example, or may be recorded in a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, an optical disk, or a memory card and then read through a drive device.

The communication unit 15 is composed of, for example, a network interface card. The communication unit 15 is connected to the service server 2, the point plan server 3, the member information management server 4, or the user terminal 5 through the network NW, and controls the communication status with the connected device.

[1-3-2. Service server configuration]

Next, the structure of each service server 2 is described with reference to FIG6 . FIG6 is a block diagram of an example of the general structure of the service server 2 described in this embodiment. As shown in FIG6 , the service server 2 is equipped with: a system control unit 21, a system bus 22, an input/output interface 23, a memory unit 24, and a communication unit 25. The system control unit 21 and the input/output interface 23 are connected via the system bus 22.

The system control unit 21 is composed of CPU 21a, ROM 21b, RAM 21c, etc.

The input/output interface 23 performs interface processing between the memory unit 24 and the communication unit 25 and the system control unit 21.

The memory unit 24 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive. The memory unit 24 of the service server 2 corresponding to the service implementing the preferential activity may also store a candidate list 60 for the preferential activity. In addition, the memory unit 24 may also store information for displaying the preferential activity login screen 200, the participation screen 300, the service screen 400, etc. on the user terminal 5. The information may also be, for example, an HTML file. In addition, the data of the wire element 410 may also be stored in the memory unit 24.

The memory unit 24 may also store various programs such as operating systems, DBMS, and service server programs. The service server program is a program that causes the system control unit 21 to execute the relevant processing of the service corresponding to the service server 2. The service server program can be obtained from other devices through the network NW, for example, or recorded in a recording medium such as a tape, an optical disk, a memory card, etc. and then read through a drive device.

The communication unit 25 is composed of, for example, a network interface card. The communication unit 25 is connected to the information distribution server 1, the point plan server 3, the member information management server 4, or the user terminal 5 through the network NW, and controls the communication status with the connected device.

[1-3-3. Structure of the Points Plan Server]

Next, the structure of the point plan server 3 is described with reference to FIG7 and FIG8. FIG7 is a block diagram of an example of the general structure of the point plan server 3 described in this embodiment. As shown in FIG7, the point plan server 3 is equipped with: a system control unit 31, a system bus 32, an input/output interface 33, a memory unit 34, and a communication unit 35. The system control unit 31 and the input/output interface 33 are connected via the system bus 32.

The system control unit 31 is composed of CPU 31a, ROM 31b, RAM 31c, etc.

The input/output interface 33 performs interface processing between the memory unit 34 and the communication unit 35 and the system control unit 31.

The memory unit 34 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive. Databases such as the point DB 34a and the point history DB 34b may also be stored in the memory unit 34. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the database of the point plan server 3. The point amount that each user can use may also be stored in the point DB 34a. For example, in DB 34a, as shown in FIG. 8, the user ID and the point amount that can be used may also be associated with each other and stored.

The point history DB34b may also store the history of points obtained and used by the user. For example, in the point history DB34b, each time points are obtained or used by a user, the user ID, change date and time, service information, content information, and the amount of changed points may be associated with each other and stored as a point log. The user ID indicates the user who has obtained or used the points. The change date and time indicates the date and time when the points were obtained or used. The service information indicates the service for which the points were obtained or used. The content information indicates the content of the event that became a factor in obtaining or using the points. The amount of changed points indicates the amount of points obtained or used by the user. Positive change point amounts represent gains, and negative change point amounts represent utilization.

The memory unit 34 may also store a candidate list 60. In addition, the memory unit 34 may store information for displaying the point collection operation screen 500, the point collection completion screen 600, the point collection impossible screen 700, etc. on the user terminal 5. The information may be, for example, an HTML document. The memory unit 34 may also store various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS, and a point plan server program. The point plan server program is a program for causing the system control unit 31 to execute point plan-related processing. The point program server program can be obtained from other devices through the network NW, for example, or recorded in a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, optical disk, memory card, etc. and then read through a drive device.

The communication unit 35 is composed of, for example, a network interface card. The communication unit 35 is connected to the information distribution server 1, the service server 2, the member information management server 4, or the user terminal 5 through the network NW, and controls the communication status with the connected device.

[1-3-4. Member information management server database structure]

Next, the structure of the database stored in the information distribution server 1 is explained with reference to FIG9. The member information management server 4 as a storage means can also store databases such as member DB41, identification information conversion DB42, and action history DB43. The member information management server 4 can also provide the API required to access these databases to the information distribution server 1, service server 2, and point plan server 3.

FIG9 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the database of the member information management server 4. Member information indicating the attributes of each member of the Internet integrated service may also be stored in the member DB 41. For example, in the member DB 41, as shown in FIG9, user ID, name, gender, date of birth, telephone number, address, member level, service utilization status, etc. may be stored in association with each other as member information. Information such as telephone number or address may also be changed at any time by the user. Member level indicates the level of the user in the Internet integrated service. It may also be that the higher the member level, the more likely the user is to receive courtesy in the Internet integrated service. The total number of membership levels is not particularly limited. Examples of membership levels include Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and General. The levels are ranked from high to low in the order of Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and General. Membership levels may also be determined based on the use of the Internet Integrated Service by the user. For example, the membership level may be determined based on at least one of the amount of points earned by the user in the past period and the number of times the points were earned. In order to earn points, it may be necessary to use the services included in the Internet Integrated Service. For example, it may be necessary for the user to use these services to purchase the transaction object. Alternatively, the higher the amount of points a user obtains, or the more times a user obtains points, the higher the membership level will be. For example, the member information management server 4 may also update the membership level of each user stored in the member DB41 every month. The member information management server 4 may also determine the membership level of each user based on, for example, the point history DB34b of the point program server 3. The service utilization status may also indicate whether the user has utilized the service for each service included in the Internet integrated service. For example, the service utilization status of a service that requires member login in order to utilize the service may also indicate whether the user has performed member login. The service utilization status of credit card settlement may also indicate whether a credit card has been issued to the user. The service usage status of online banking or online securities can also indicate whether the user's account has been opened. The service usage status of services that can be used in applications can also indicate whether the user has ever logged in from the application of the service.

In the identification information conversion DB 42, information required for binding a user who is a member of the Internet integrated service with the user terminal 5 used by the user can also be stored for each user terminal 5. For example, in the identification information conversion DB 42, the terminal ID and the user ID can also be stored in association with each other. The terminal ID is identification information for identifying the user terminal 5 used by the user. The user ID indicates the user using the user terminal 5. When a user uses a user terminal 5 to access the server device of the Internet integrated service (e.g., the service server 2 or the point program server 3) for the first time in order to use the Internet integrated service, the server device may generate a new terminal ID for the user terminal 5. Then, the server device may send a web cookie containing the terminal ID to the user terminal 5 as an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) web cookie associated with the domain of the Internet integrated service. The user terminal 5 memorizes the web cookie received from the server device. As mentioned above, the information distribution server 1, each service server 2, and the point program server 3 belong to the domain of the Internet integrated service. Therefore, when the user terminal 5 sends a request to these server devices, it also sends the stored network cookies. In this way, each server device can obtain the terminal ID from the user terminal 5. When the user logs in as a member of the Internet integrated service or logs in, the user terminal 5 sends the user ID of the user to a certain server device of the Internet integrated service. The server device can also associate the user ID received from the user terminal 5 with the terminal ID and store it in the identification information conversion DB42. Since the terminal ID is associated with the user ID, the terminal ID can also be said to be used to identify the user's information.

The action history DB43 stores the action history of each user when using each service included in the Internet integrated service. For example, in the action history DB43, each time the user's action is recorded, the log ID, action date and time, service ID, user ID, and action information can be associated with each other and stored as an action log. The log ID is identification information for identifying the action log. The action date and time indicates the date and time when the action was taken. The service ID is identification information for identifying the service that recorded the action. The user ID indicates the user who took the action. The action information indicates the content of the action taken. When a user takes a certain action, an action log representing the action can also be stored in the action history DB43 in real time. For example, each service server 2 and the point plan server 3 can monitor the actions of each user in the service corresponding to the server device. Once the server device detects that a user has taken a predetermined action in the service, it can generate an action log for the action and store it in the action history DB43.

The operator of the service that implements the point-earning discount activity can also use the member DB41 or the action record DB43, for example, to extract users with pre-set user attributes as candidates. For example, the operator can also retrieve the user ID of the user with the attribute from the member DB41 or the action record DB43. The operator can also create a candidate list 60 containing the retrieved user ID.

[1-4. Overview of system control unit functions] [1-4-1. Information distribution server]

Next, the functional overview of the system control unit 11 in the information distribution server 1 is explained with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the functional block of the system control unit 11 in the information distribution server 1. The system control unit 11 functions as a user identification information acquisition unit 1101, a candidate determination unit 1102, a notification information transmission unit 1103, an operator specific information update unit 1104, an operator determination unit 1105, and an operation element information transmission unit 1106, etc., by reading and executing various program codes contained in the information distribution server program by the CPU 11a.

The user identification information acquisition unit 1101 can also acquire the terminal ID of the user used to identify the user terminal 5 from the user terminal 5. For example, among the web pages distributed by the service server 2 corresponding to at least one service, a display frame required to display the notification information 100 of a certain preferential activity can also be set in a specific web page. For example, the HTML file of the web page can also contain tag information or scripts required for the user terminal 5 to receive the notification information 100 from the information distribution server 1 as the information of the display frame. The tag information can also be a combination of HTML tags. Based on such an HTML file, the user terminal 5 sends a notification information request to the information distribution server 1 according to the information of the display frame when displaying the web page. The request to notify information may also indicate a request to notify information. The request to notify information may also contain, for example, the promotion ID of the promotion corresponding to the display frame and the terminal ID of the network cookie. Therefore, the information delivery server 1 may obtain the terminal ID.

Furthermore, the user identification information acquisition unit 1101 may also acquire the terminal ID from the user terminal 5 when accepting the user's operation on the CTA button 220 in the promotion login screen 200. For example, when the promotion login screen 200 is a web page, the HTML file of the web page may also contain tag information and scripts required to display the CTA button 220. The script may also be written so that once the user operates the CTA button 220, the user terminal 5 will send a participation screen information request to the information distribution server 1. The participation screen information request may also contain, for example, the promotion ID of the promotion corresponding to the promotion login screen 200 and the terminal ID as a web cookie.

Furthermore, the user identification information acquisition unit 1101 can also acquire the terminal ID from the user terminal 5 when the user terminal 5 displays the service screen 400. The web page of the service screen 400 can also be set with a display frame required to display the wire element 410. The user terminal 5 sends the wire element information request to the information distribution server 1 according to the information of the display frame. The wire element information request can also indicate that the information used to display the service screen 400 by the user terminal 5 is the wire element information request. The wire element information request can also contain, for example, the discount activity ID of the discount activity corresponding to the service screen 400 and the terminal ID as a network cookie.

The candidate determination unit 1102 can also determine whether the user of the user terminal 5 from which the terminal ID is obtained is a candidate based on the terminal ID obtained by the user identification information acquisition unit 1101. For example, the candidate determination unit 1102 can also make a determination based on the terminal ID and candidate specific information that can identify the candidate. The candidate specific information can also be, for example, information that directly indicates the candidate, or information that indicates the attributes of the user of the user terminal 5. Based on the comparison of the user's attributes with the pre-set user attributes, it can be determined whether the user is a candidate. The candidate specific information can also be, for example, the candidate list 60.

The candidate determination unit 1102 can also determine whether the user of the user terminal 5 is a candidate when receiving a notification information request from the user terminal 5. Furthermore, the candidate determination unit 1102 can also make a determination when receiving a wire element information request from the user terminal 5 while the user terminal 5 displays the service screen 400.

The notification information sending unit 1103 may send notification information of the preferential activity to the user terminal 5 when the user of the user terminal 5 from which the terminal ID is obtained is determined by the candidate determination unit 1102 to be a candidate. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of conditions set in each screen in order to appropriately grant points. The notification information sending unit 1103 may display notification information 100 on the user terminal 5 used by the candidate of the preferential activity as shown in FIG. 11 by sending notification information. On the other hand, the notification information sending unit 1103 may not send notification information to the user terminal 5 when the user of the user terminal 5 from which the terminal ID is obtained is not a candidate. In this case, the user terminal 5 does not display the notification information. In this way, the notification information 100 can be displayed only to the candidate.

The notification information sent may also include a link to the promotion login screen 200. For example, the notification information sending unit 1103 may also generate tag information corresponding to the notification information based on the promotion information stored in the promotion DB 14a. The tag information may also include tags required for the user terminal 5 to display the notification information 100. For example, the notification information sending unit 1103 may also generate tag information including: the amount of points granted, the end date of the promotion period, the text of the point acquisition condition, the login screen URL, the promotion ID, etc. The login screen URL may also be used as information indicating the promotion login screen 200 of the link target. The notification information sending unit 1103 can also send the generated tag information to the user terminal 5. The user terminal 5 can also display the notification information 100 in the display frame of the web page according to the tag information.

The notification information sending unit 1103 may send notification information to the user terminal 5 only when the user is a candidate and the user has not received points in the promotion. The notification information sending unit 1103 may not send notification information when the user has already received points. The notification information sending unit 1103 may determine whether the user has already received points by referring to the point collection DB 14c.

When a display operation for displaying the participation screen 300 (or the service screen 400) is received in the preferential activity login screen 200, the operator specific information updating unit 1104 can also update the operator specific information that can be used to identify the operator who performed the display operation. At this time, the operator specific information updating unit 1104 can also update the operator specific information to indicate that the user identified by the terminal ID acquired by the user identification information acquisition unit 1101 is the operator. The display operation can also be, for example, the operation of the CTA button 220. The operator specific information can also be, for example, the CTA button operation DB 14b. As described above, when the user operates the CTA button 220, the user terminal 5 sends a participation screen information request to the information distribution server 1. The operator specific information updating unit 1104 can also detect the display operation by receiving the participation screen information request from the user terminal 5. The operator specific information updating unit 1104 can also obtain the user ID associated with the terminal ID from the identification information conversion DB 42. The operator specific information updating unit 1104 can also store the combination of the preferential activity ID and the user ID contained in the participation screen information request in the CTA button operation DB 14b.

The operator determination unit 1105 can also determine whether the user represented by the terminal ID is the operator of the CTA button 220 based on the operator information and the terminal ID acquired by the user identification information acquisition unit 1101 when the service screen 400 is displayed on the user terminal 5. As mentioned above, when the service screen 400 is displayed, the user terminal 5 sends a lead element information request to the information distribution server 1. The operator determination unit 1105 can also obtain the user ID associated with the terminal ID from the identification information conversion DB 42. The operator determination unit 1105 can also make a determination based on whether the combination of the promotion activity ID and the user ID contained in the lead element information request is stored in the CTA button operation DB 14b.

The operation element information sending unit 1106 may also send the lead element information for causing the user terminal 5 displaying the service screen 400 to display the lead element 410 to the user terminal 5. For example, the lead element information may be tag information required for displaying the lead element 410. The tag information may also include, for example, the lead element data URL stored in the preferential activity DB 14a and the URL of the point collection operation screen 500. The URL of the point collection operation screen 500 may also include, for example, the preferential activity ID of the preferential activity corresponding to the point collection operation screen 500. The user terminal 5 can also receive the data of the wire element 410 from a service server based on the wire element data URL included in the wire element information, and display the image of the wire element 410 in the service screen 400 based on the data. Furthermore, once the wire element 410 is operated, the user terminal 5 sends a request for receiving the operation screen information to the point plan server 3 based on the URL of the point receiving operation screen 500. The request for receiving the operation screen information can also represent a request for information that causes the point receiving operation screen 500 to be displayed by the user terminal 5. The information can also be, for example, an HTML document. The request for the point receiving operation screen information can also contain the URL of the point receiving operation screen 500. Furthermore, the request for the point receiving operation screen information can also contain the terminal ID as a network cookie.

The operation element information signaling unit 1106 can also send the lead element information when the candidate determination unit 1102 determines that the user of the user terminal 5 is a candidate. By sending the lead element information, the operation element information signaling unit 1106 can also display the lead element 410 in the service screen 400 through the user terminal 5 as shown in FIG. 11. On the other hand, the operation element information signaling unit 1106 can also not send the lead element information when the user of the user terminal 5 is not a candidate. In this case, the user terminal 5 does not display the lead element 410 in the service screen 400. In this way, the lead element 410 can be displayed only for the candidate.

Furthermore, the operation element information element transmission unit 1106 may transmit the lead element information only when the user is determined to be a candidate by the candidate determination unit 1102 and is determined to be the operator of the CTA button 220. On the other hand, the operation element information element transmission unit 1106 may not transmit the lead element information when the user is not the operator of the CTA button 220. In this way, the lead element 410 can be displayed only to the user who has confirmed the guidance of the preferential activity on the preferential activity screen 200. The operation element information signaling unit 1106 is for the promotional activities for which the CTA button 220 is not displayed in the promotional activities login screen 200, and can also determine whether to display the lead element 410 based on whether the user of the user terminal 5 is a candidate.

[1-4-2. Service Server]

Next, the functional overview of the system control unit 21 in the service server 2 corresponding to the service for implementing the point-earning discount activity is explained with reference to FIG12. FIG12 is a diagram of an example of the functional block of the system control unit 21 in the service server 2. The system control unit 21 reads and executes various program codes contained in the service server program through the CPU 21a, and functions as a login screen information sending unit 2101 and a service screen information sending unit 2102, etc., as shown in FIG12.

The login screen information sending unit 2101 can also send information for displaying the preferential activity login screen 200 by the user terminal 5 to the user terminal 5 in response to the user operating the notification information sent to the user terminal 5 by the information distribution server 1. The information sent can also be, for example, an HTML document.

The service screen information sending unit 2102 can also send information used to display the service screen 400 on the user terminal 5 to the user terminal 5. The information sent here can also be an HTML document.

In addition, the system control unit 21 of the service server 2 corresponding to at least one service may also have the same functions as the user identification information acquisition unit 1101, the candidate determination unit 1102, the operator specific information update unit 1104, the operator determination unit 1105, and the operation element information transmission unit 1106 of the information distribution server 1. Then, the control of whether the wire element 410 is displayed on the service screen 400 in the service regarding the preferential activity may also be performed by the service server 2 instead of the information distribution server 1.

[1-4-3. Points Plan Server]

Next, the functional overview of the system control unit 31 in the point plan server 3 is explained with reference to FIG11 and FIG13. FIG13 is a diagram showing an example of the functional block of the system control unit 31 in the point plan server 3. The system control unit 31 reads and executes various program codes contained in the point plan server program through the CPU 31a, and functions as a receiving screen information request receiving unit 3101, a user identification information obtaining unit 3102, a candidate determination unit 3103, a receiving screen information sending unit 3104, and a point granting unit 3105, as shown in FIG13.

The receiving screen information request receiving unit 3101 can also receive a request for receiving screen information to display the receiving screen that is specified to be displayed after the predetermined action as a condition for obtaining points is completed. The receiving screen can also be a screen indicating the receiving of points. For example, the receiving screen can also be a screen indicating that the receiving of points is possible, a screen that can accept the receiving point operation, or a screen indicating that the receiving of points has been completed. In this embodiment, the receiving screen is the point receiving completion screen 600. For example, once the receiving button 530 is operated in the point receiving operation screen 500, the user terminal 5 can also send a point granting request to the point program server 3. The point granting request can also be equivalent to the receiving screen information request. The point granting request may also include: the terminal ID of the user terminal 5 and the promotional activity ID of the promotional activity corresponding to the point receiving operation screen 500.

The user identification information acquisition unit 3102 and the candidate determination unit 3103 may also have substantially the same functions as the user identification information acquisition unit 1101 and the candidate determination unit 1102 of the information distribution server 1. Here, the user identification information acquisition unit 3102 may also acquire the terminal ID from the request for receiving screen information received from the user terminal 5 by the screen information receiving request receiving unit 3101. The candidate determination unit 3103 may also determine whether the user is a candidate based on the terminal ID and the candidate list 60 acquired by the user identification information acquisition unit 3102 when receiving the request by the screen information receiving request receiving unit 3101.

The receiving screen information sending unit 3104 can also send the receiving screen information to the user terminal 5 in response to receiving the receiving screen information request through the receiving screen information request receiving unit 3101. The receiving screen information can also be, for example, an HTML document, or information required to change the currently displayed screen to the receiving screen. Here, the receiving screen information sending unit 3104 can also send the receiving screen information when it is determined by the candidate determination unit 3103 that the user of the user terminal 5 is a candidate. In this way, the receiving screen information sending unit 3104 can also cause the user terminal 5 to display the point collection completion screen 600 as shown in Figure 11. On the other hand, the receiving screen information sending unit 3104 may not send the receiving screen information when the user of the user terminal 5 is not a candidate. In this case, the receiving screen information sending unit 3104 may also send information such as the point receiving impossible screen 700 to the user terminal 5. In this way, the receiving screen can be displayed only to the candidate.

The point granting unit 3105 may also perform a process of granting points to the user of the user terminal 5 after the user satisfies the point acquisition condition. For example, the point granting unit 3105 may also grant points in response to receiving an operation required for receiving points in the point receiving operation screen 500. Here, the point granting unit 3105 may also grant points to the user when the user is determined to be a candidate by the candidate determining unit 1102. The point granting unit 3105 can also grant points based on, for example, the terminal ID acquired by the user identification information acquisition unit 3102 by adding the amount of points available for use of the user stored in the point DB 34a to the amount of points granted for the promotion.

[1-5. Communication system operation]

Next, the operation of the communication system S is described with reference to FIG. 14 to FIG. 19. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a processing example of the communication system S described in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, a user terminal 5 displays a web page of a service, for example (step S101). The web page contains a display frame of notification information 100. Therefore, the user terminal 5 sends a notification information request to the information distribution server 1 (step S102). The information distribution server 1 that receives the notification information request executes the notification information sending control process (step S103).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an example of the notification information sending control process executed by the system control unit 11 of the information distribution server 1 described in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the notification information sending unit 1103 obtains the preferential activity information associated with the preferential activity ID included in the notification information request from the preferential activity DB 14a (step S201). Next, the candidate determination unit 1102 obtains the user ID associated with the terminal ID included in the notification information request from the identification information conversion DB 42. The candidate determination unit 1102 determines whether the user ID is stored in the candidate list 60 (step S202). Here, when the amount of points granted is different between the candidate lists 60, the candidate determination unit 1102 may also use the candidate list 60 corresponding to the amount of points granted contained in the promotion information to make a determination. When the candidate list 60 is different for each promotion, the notification information sending unit 1103 may also use the candidate list 60 corresponding to the promotion ID contained in the notification information request to make a determination. When the user ID is not stored in the candidate list 60 (step S202: NO), the notification information sending control process is terminated.

If the user ID is recorded in the candidate list 60 (step S202: YES), the notification information sending unit 1103 determines whether today is within the promotion period included in the obtained promotion information (step S203). If today is outside the promotion period (step S203: NO), the notification information sending control process ends.

If today is within the promotion period (step S203: YES), the notification information sending unit 1103 determines whether the combination of the promotion ID and the user ID contained in the notification information request has been stored in the point collection DB 14c (step S204). If the combination has been stored (step S204: YES), the notification information sending control process ends.

If the combination has not been memorized (step S204: NO), the notification information sending unit 1103 generates notification information based on the obtained preferential activity information and sends the notification information to the user terminal 5 (step S205). Once step S205 is completed, the notification information sending control process is completed.

Returning to FIG. 14 , in the notification information sending control process, the information distribution server 1 sends the notification information to the user terminal 5 (step S104), or terminates the related processing of point granting without sending the notification information. When the notification information is sent, the user terminal 5 displays the notification information 100 in the web page (step S105). Thereafter, the user presses the button 130 for the notification information 100 (step S106). The user terminal 5 that detects the operation sends a preferential activity login screen information request containing the URL of the preferential activity login screen to the service server 2 corresponding to the URL (step S107). The login screen information sending unit 2101 of the service server 2 sends the HTML file of the web page of the promotional activity login screen 200 to the user terminal 5 (step S108). The user terminal 5 displays the promotional activity login screen 200 based on the HTML file.

In the preferential activity login screen 200, the user performs an operation of pressing the CTA button 220 (step S109). The user terminal 5 that detects this operation sends a request for participation screen information to the information distribution server 1 (step S110). The operator specific information update unit 1104 of the information distribution server 1 obtains the user ID associated with the terminal ID included in the participation screen information request from the identification information conversion DB 42. The operator specific information update unit 1104 stores the combination of the preferential activity ID and the user ID included in the participation screen information request in the CTA button DB 14b (step S111). Next, the operator specific information updating unit 1104 sends a URL change response to the user terminal 5 (step S112). The URL change response may also be, for example, a response in accordance with HTTP redirection. The URL change response may also contain the URL of the original participation screen 300. The user terminal 5 that receives the URL change response, for example, sends a participation screen information request to the service server 2 (step S113). The service server 2 that receives the participation screen information request sends the HTML file of the participation screen 300 to the user terminal 5 (step S114). The user terminal 5 displays the participation screen 300 based on the HTML file. In this way, the user can participate in the promotion.

Afterwards, as the user gradually performs the operations required to meet the conditions for obtaining points, the service server 2 finally sends the HTML file of the service screen 400 to the user terminal 5 (step S115). The user terminal 5 displays the service screen 400 based on the HTML file. At this time, the user terminal 5 sends a wire element information request to the information distribution server 1 (step S116). The information distribution server 1 that receives the wire element information request executes the wire element information transmission control process (step S117).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an example of the lead element information transmission control process executed by the system control unit 11 of the information distribution server 1 described in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the operation element information transmission unit 1106 obtains the preferential activity information associated with the preferential activity ID included in the lead element information request from the preferential activity DB 14a (step S301). Next, the candidate determination unit 1102 obtains the user ID associated with the terminal ID included in the lead element information request from the identification information conversion DB 42. The candidate determination unit 1102 determines whether the user ID is stored in the candidate list 60 (step S302). The candidate list 60 used in the determination may be the same as that in step S202 of the notification information transmission control process shown in FIG15. When the user ID is not stored (step S302: NO), the wire element information transmission control process is terminated.

If the user ID is stored (step S302: YES), the operation element information sending unit 1106 determines whether today is within the promotion period contained in the promotion information (step S303). If today is outside the promotion period (step S303: NO), the wire element information sending control process ends.

If today is within the promotion period (step S303: YES), the operation element information sending unit 1106 determines whether the combination of the promotion ID and the user ID contained in the lead element information request is stored in the point collection DB 14c (step S304). If the combination is stored (step S304: YES), the lead element information sending control process ends.

If the combination is not stored (step S304: NO), the operator determination unit 1105 determines whether the combination of the preferential activity ID and the user ID contained in the wire element information request is stored in the CTA button operation DB 14b (step S305). If the combination is not stored (step S30: NO), the wire element information transmission control process ends.

When the combination is memorized (step S305: YES), the operation element information sending unit 1106 generates the lead element information based on the obtained promotion information and sends the lead element information to the user terminal 5 (step S306). Once step S306 is completed, the lead element information sending control process is completed. In addition, for promotions without a CTA button in the promotion landing screen 200, step S305 may not be executed.

Returning to FIG. 14 , in the wire element information transmission control process, the information distribution server 1 sends the wire element information to the user terminal 5 (step S118), or terminates the point granting related process without sending the wire element information. When the wire element information is sent, the user terminal 5 displays the wire element 410 on the service screen 400 based on the wire element information (step S119).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a processing example of the communication system S described in the present embodiment. After step S119, as shown in FIG. 17, the user performs an operation of pressing the wire element 410 (step S401). The user terminal 5 that detects the operation sends a request for receiving the operation screen information to the point plan server 3 (step S402). The point plan server 3 that receives the request for receiving the operation screen information sends an HTML file of the point receiving operation screen 500 to the user terminal 5 (step S403). The user terminal 5 displays the point receiving operation screen 500 based on the HTML file. The user performs an operation of pressing the receiving button 530 from the point receiving operation screen 500 (step S404). The user terminal 5 that detects the operation sends a point granting request to the point plan server 3 (step S405). The point plan server 3 that receives the point granting request executes the screen information sending control process (step S406).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an example of the control process of receiving screen information transmission executed by the system control unit 31 of the point program server 3 described in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the receiving screen information transmission unit 3104 obtains the preferential activity information associated with the preferential activity ID included in the point granting request from the preferential activity DB 14a (step S501). Next, the candidate determination unit 3103 obtains the user ID associated with the terminal ID included in the point granting request from the identification information conversion DB 42. The candidate determination unit 3103 determines whether the user ID is stored in the candidate list 60 (step S501). The candidate list 60 used in the determination may also be the same as that in step S202 of the notification information sending control process shown in FIG15 .

If the user ID is stored (step S501: YES), the screen information receiving unit 3104 determines whether today is within the promotional period contained in the promotional information (step S503). If today is within the promotional period (step S503: YES), the screen information receiving unit 3104 determines whether the combination of the promotional ID and the user ID contained in the lead element information request is stored in the point collection DB 14c (step S504).

When the combination is not memorized (step S504: NO), the point granting unit 3105 performs point granting processing (step S505).

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an example of point granting processing executed by the system control unit 31 of the point program server 3 described in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the point granting unit 3105 obtains the preferential activity information containing the preferential activity ID identical to the preferential activity ID contained in the point granting request from the preferential activity DB 14a (step S601). Next, the point granting unit 3105 obtains the user ID associated with the terminal ID contained in the point granting request from the identification information conversion DB 42. The point granting unit 3105 obtains the user ID associated with the obtained user ID from the identification information conversion DB 42. The point granting unit 3105 updates the available points amount by adding the granting points amount contained in the preferential activity information to the available points amount stored in the point DB 34a by associating it with the acquired user ID (step S602). Next, the point granting unit 3105 stores the combination of the preferential activity ID and the user ID contained in the point granting request in the point collection DB 14c (step S603), and the point granting process is completed.

Returning to FIG. 18, once the point granting process is completed, the receiving screen information sending unit 3104 sends the data required to update the point receiving operation screen 500 to the point receiving completion screen 600 to the user terminal 5 (step S506). The data may also include, for example, information required to change the urging message 520 to the receiving completion message 610, and information required to delete the receiving button 530. Once step S506 is completed, the receiving screen information sending control process is completed.

When the main user ID is not stored (step S502: NO), when today is outside the promotion period (step S503: NO), or when the combination of the promotion ID and the user ID is stored in the point collection DB 14c (step S504: YES), the collection screen information sending unit 3104 sends the data required to update the point collection operation screen 500 to the point collection disabled screen 700 to the user terminal 5 (step S507). The data may also include, for example, information required to change the notification message 510 to the collection disabled message 710, and information required to delete the urging message 520 and the collection button 530. Once step S507 is completed, the control process of receiving screen information and sending it is completed.

Returning to FIG. 17, in the control process of sending the information of the receiving screen, the point management server 3 sends the data of the point receiving completion screen 600 or the point receiving impossible screen 700 to the user terminal 5. The user terminal 5 displays the point receiving completion screen 600 or the point receiving impossible screen 700 based on the data.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the gift giving system can also obtain the terminal ID from the user terminal 5. Furthermore, the gift giving system can also determine whether the user of the user terminal 5 is a candidate based on the terminal ID. Furthermore, the gift giving system can also send notification information to the user terminal 5 when the user is a candidate. Furthermore, the gift giving system can also receive a request to receive screen information from the user terminal 5. Furthermore, when receiving the request to receive screen information, it can also further determine whether the user of the user terminal 5 is a candidate. Furthermore, the gift giving system can send the received screen information to the user terminal 5 when the user is a candidate. The gift giving system can also not send the receiving screen information if the user is not a candidate. Therefore, the users who can receive gifts can be restricted according to the user's attributes.

Here, the gift granting system may also receive a request for receiving screen information from the user terminal 5 when the receiving operation is accepted in the point receiving operation screen. Furthermore, the gift granting system may also perform gift granting processing for the user of the user terminal 5 when the user of the user terminal 5 is a candidate. In this case, when the user is a candidate, the user completes the gift receiving, and the user terminal 5 displays the point receiving completion screen.

Here, in response to the fact that the wire element in the service screen is operated, the point collection operation screen is displayed by the user terminal 5. Therefore, the screen displayed on the user terminal 5 is transferred from the screen provided by the service related to the promotion to the screen required for collecting points.

Here, the gift giving system may also send lead element information to the user terminal 5 displaying the service screen. Furthermore, the gift giving system may further determine whether the user of the user terminal 5 is a candidate when the user terminal 5 displays the service screen. Furthermore, the gift giving system may not send lead element information when the user is not a candidate. In this case, the user who can move the screen displayed on the user terminal 5 from the screen provided by the service related to the promotion to the screen required for collecting points can be limited according to the attributes of the user.

Here, the gift system may also update the operator-specific information when a display operation is accepted in the promotion login screen. Furthermore, the gift system may also determine whether the user of the user terminal 5 is an operator based on the operator-specific information and the terminal ID. Furthermore, the gift system may not send the lead element information when the user is not an operator. In this case, the user who can move the screen displayed on the user terminal 5 from the screen provided by the service related to the promotion to the screen required for collecting points can be restricted according to whether the guidance is confirmed in the promotion login screen.

[2. Second implementation form] [2-1. Overview of the functions of the system control unit of the point plan server]

Next, the second implementation form is described. Except for the following points, the second implementation form can also be the same as the first implementation form. In this implementation form, the time point of determining whether the user is a candidate in response to the request for receiving screen information is different from the situation in the first implementation form.

First, the functional overview of the system control unit 31 of the point plan server 3 is described with reference to FIG. 20. The receiving screen information request receiving unit 3101 can receive a request for information for displaying the point receiving operation screen 500 as a request for receiving screen information from the user terminal 5. The request can also be a request for receiving operation screen information sent from the user terminal 5 in response to the wire element 410 being operated in the service screen 400. The candidate determination unit 3103 can also determine whether the user is a candidate when the request for receiving operation screen information is received.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of screen migration. In FIG. 20 , the same symbols are used to mark the same components as those in FIG. 3 . Here, the receiving screen information sending unit 3104 can also send information for displaying the point receiving operation screen 500 to the user terminal 5 when the user is determined to be a candidate by the candidate determination unit 3103. As a result, as shown in FIG. 20 , the user terminal 5 displays the point receiving operation screen 500. Thereafter, when the user operates the receiving button 530, the user terminal 5 displays the point receiving completion screen 600. The point receiving impossible screen 700 is basically not displayed. On the other hand, the receiving screen information sending unit 3104 can also send information for displaying the point receiving impossible screen 800 to the user terminal 5 when the user is not a candidate. In this way, as shown in FIG. 20, the user terminal 5 displays the point receiving impossible screen 800. The point receiving impossible screen 800 can also be a screen indicating that the receiving of points is impossible. The point receiving impossible screen 800 can also include, for example, the receiving impossible message 710. The receiving impossible message 810 can also be a message indicating that the receiving of points is impossible. The point receiving impossible screen 800 can also be a screen for accepting the operation required for receiving points. For example, the point receiving impossible screen 800 can also not include the operating elements such as the receiving button 530.

In addition, the candidate determination unit 3103 can also determine whether the user is a candidate when receiving a point granting request from the user terminal 5. The receiving screen information sending unit 3104 can also display the point receiving completion screen 600 or the point receiving failure screen 700 through the user terminal 5 according to the determination result.

[2-2. Communication system operation]

Next, the operation of the communication system S is described with reference to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a processing example of the communication system S described in this embodiment. In FIG. 21, the same symbols are used for the same processing as FIG. 17. As shown in FIG. 21, the user terminal 5 (step S401) that detects the operation of the wire element 410 in the service screen 400 sends a request for receiving the operation screen information to the point plan server 3 (step S402). The point plan server 3 that receives the request for receiving the operation screen information executes the control processing for sending the received screen information (step S411).

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of an example of the control process of receiving screen information transmission executed by the system control unit 31 of the point program server 3 described in this embodiment. In FIG. 22, the same symbols are used for the same processes as those in FIG. 18. As shown in FIG. 22, first, steps S501 to S504 are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In addition, these steps are executed using the preferential activity ID and the terminal ID contained in the request for receiving the operation screen information. The receiving screen information transmission unit 3104 obtains the user ID associated with the terminal ID from the identification information conversion DB 42. When the combination of the promotion activity ID and the user ID is not stored in the point collection DB 14c (step S504: NO), the receiving screen information sending unit 3104 sends the HTML document of the point collection operation screen 500 to the user terminal 5 (step S511), and the receiving screen information sending control process is terminated.

If the user ID is not recorded (step S502: NO), if today is outside the promotion period (step S503: NO), or if the combination is recorded in the point collection DB14c (step S504: YES), the receiving screen information sending unit 3104 sends the HTML document of the point collection non-screen 800 to the user terminal 5 (step S512), and the receiving screen information sending control processing is terminated.

Returning to FIG. 21, in the receiving screen information transmission control process, when the point plan server 3 sends the HTML file of the point receiving operation screen 500 to the user terminal 5 (step S412), the user terminal 5 displays the point receiving operation screen 500 based on the HTML file. The user terminal 5 that detects the operation of the receiving button 530 in the point receiving operation screen 500 sends a point granting request to the point plan server 3 (step S405). The point plan server 3 that receives the point granting request executes the point granting process (step S413). The point granting process may also be the same as the point granting process of the first embodiment. On the other hand, when the point plan server 3 sends the HTML document of the point collection non-screen 800 to the user terminal 5 during the control process of sending the collection screen information, the user terminal 5 displays the point collection non-screen 800.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the users who can perform the operations required to receive the gift can be limited according to the user's attributes. Also, the users who can move the screen displayed on the user terminal 5 from the screen provided by the service related to the promotion to the screen required to receive the points can be limited according to the user's attributes.

[3. The third implementation form]

Next, an overview of the third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment may be the same as the first embodiment or the second embodiment except for the points described below. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a candidate list is used as candidate specific information required to determine whether a user is a candidate. In this embodiment, information representing attributes of the user of the terminal user 5 is used as the candidate specific information. For example, the candidate specific information may be information representing the attributes of each user. The candidate specific information in this case may be information that can be updated or changed as the user takes a certain action. For example, as candidate specific information, at least one of the gender, date of birth, telephone number, address, membership level, and service usage status recorded in member DB41 may be used. Also, as candidate specific information, for example, the action log recorded in action history DB43 may be used. Information such as telephone number or address is information that can be changed by the user at any time or in real time. Membership level and service usage status are information that can be changed at any time or in real time at a predetermined time point according to the user's actions. In action history DB43, action logs are added at any time or in real time according to the user's actions.

For example, at least one of the information delivery server 1 and the point program server 3 may or may not store candidate attribute information indicating the attributes of the user who is a candidate. If the user attributes of the candidates during the entire promotion are the same, only one candidate attribute information needs to be stored. If the user attributes are set according to the amount of points given, the candidate attribute information may be stored for each range of the amount of points. In this case, the range of the amount of points and the candidate attribute information may be associated and stored in the predetermined database. In the case where user attributes are set for each promotion, candidate attribute information may also be stored in the promotion DB 14a. An API required to access candidate attribute information stored in a server device from other server devices may also be provided.

Each of the candidate determination unit 1102 of the information delivery server 1 and the candidate determination unit 3103 of the point program server 3 can also determine whether the user is a candidate based on, for example, the terminal ID, the candidate attribute information, and the candidate specific information. For example, in step S202 of the notification information sending control process shown in FIG. 15, the information delivery server 1 determines whether the user is a candidate. In this step 202, the information delivery server 1 can also obtain the candidate attribute information. The information delivery server 1 can also obtain the user ID associated with the terminal ID included in the notification information request from the identification information conversion DB 42. The information distribution server 1 may also obtain information associated with the acquired user ID from at least one of the member DB 41 and the action history DB 43. The information distribution server 1 may also determine, based on the acquired information, whether the user of the user terminal 5 that has sent the notification information request has the attribute indicated by the candidate attribute information. The information distribution server 1 may also determine that the user is a candidate if the user has the attribute indicated by the candidate attribute information and execute step S202. The information distribution server 1 may determine that the user is not a candidate if the user does not have the attribute indicated by the candidate attribute information and terminate the notification information sending control processing. The same determination can be made in step S302 of the wire element information transmission control process shown in FIG16 and step S502 of the screen information reception transmission control process shown in FIG18.

The attributes of the user may change based on the user's actions or other reasons. Therefore, for example, when the notification information 100 is displayed, the user may have the attribute of being a candidate, but on the other hand, when the service screen 400 is displayed or the point collection operation screen 500 is displayed, the user may no longer have the attribute of being a candidate. Since the candidate list 60 is static information, even if the attributes of the user change, the candidate list will not change. Therefore, a user who is not actually a candidate when the service screen 400 or the point collection operation screen 500 is displayed may also be able to collect points. In contrast to the candidate list 60, the member DB 41 and the action history DB 43 are dynamically updated in accordance with the user's actions. For example, following the action, the member DB 41 and the action history DB 43 may show the changed attributes of the user. Therefore, even if the user has the attribute of being a candidate when the notification information 100 is displayed, the service screen 400 or the point collection operation screen 500 can be displayed, but the user no longer has the attribute of being a candidate when the screen is displayed, the points can be suppressed.

[4. Implementation form No. 4] [4-1. Overview]

Next, the outline of the fourth implementation form is described. In addition to the following points, the fourth implementation form may be the same as at least one of the first to third implementation forms.

The information distribution server 1 described in this embodiment can also distribute the notification information as an advertisement. The advertiser of the advertisement is, for example, an operator that provides online services to users on a website in a domain different from the domain of the Internet integrated service. The service provided by the operator may not include the Internet integrated service. One of the multiple service servers 2 can also be a server device that performs the processing required to provide the service of the operator.

Advertising services of Internet integrated services are promotional fees that can be charged from advertisers. Promotional fees can also include, for example, advertising fees and point fees. Advertising fees are charged in response to the delivery of advertisements. The timing of advertising fees varies depending on the payment method. Examples of payment methods include preview fees, click-through fees, and performance-based fees. The payment method to be used can also be predetermined by the operator of the advertising service. Point fees are equivalent to the fees required to grant points to users. Point fees are charged in response to granting points to users. The amount of the point fee may be an amount equal to the number of points granted, or an amount higher than that amount by a specified ratio. In addition, if a point-earning promotion is implemented for a service included in the Internet Comprehensive Service, the operator of the service may only bear the point fee as the promotion fee.

[4-2. Structure of information distribution server]

Next, the structure of the information distribution server 1 is described with reference to FIG. 23 and FIG. 24. FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an example of the general structure of the information distribution server 1 described in this embodiment. In FIG. 23, the same components as those in FIG. 4 are marked with the same symbols. The difference between FIG. 20 and FIG. 4 is that in FIG. 23, the memory unit 14 also stores the discount activity fee DB 14d.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the promotion DB 14a and the promotion fee DB 14d. The difference between the promotion DB 14a shown in FIG. 24 and the promotion DB 14a shown in FIG. 5 is that the promotion DB 14a shown in FIG. 24 also stores the advertiser ID, promotion budget, and advertisement delivery stop ratio. The advertiser ID is identification information for identifying the advertiser. The promotion budget is a budget set for obtaining points for promotions. The promotion budget may indicate, for example, the entire promotion period or the monthly budget. The ad delivery stop ratio indicates that if the advertiser's participation screen information requirements reach a certain percentage of the promotion budget, the delivery of the information as an advertisement will be stopped. The ad delivery stop ratio can also be set within a range below 100%, for example. The promotion budget and ad delivery stop ratio can also be set by the advertiser.

The promotion fee DB14d may also store information about the fees that advertisers who obtain promotional activities at different points have to bear. For example, in the promotion fee DB14d, the promotion ID and the fee amount may be associated with each other and stored. The fee amount indicates the current amount of the fee for the promotion indicated by the promotion ID. The initial value of the fee amount is zero.

[4-3. Overview of system control unit functions] [4-3-1. Information distribution server]

Next, the functional overview of the system control unit 11 in the information distribution server 1 is explained with reference to FIG. 25 and FIG. 26. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the functional block of the system control unit 11 in the information distribution server 1. In FIG. 25, the same components as those in FIG. 11 are marked with the same symbols. The difference between FIG. 25 and FIG. 11 is that in FIG. 25, the system control unit 11 also functions as the advertising fee calculation unit 1107.

The advertising fee adding unit 1107 can also add the advertising fee to the expense amount of the preferential activity stored in the preferential activity expense DB 14d when the result of the notification information sent by the notification information sending unit 1103 is that the advertising fee will be generated. For example, the advertising fee adding unit 1107 can also update the expense amount by adding the advertising fee of the predetermined unit price. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of the conditions set in each screen in order to appropriately give points according to the preferential activity budget. As shown in FIG. 26, the advertising fee can also be added to the preferential activity expense during the period from when the notification information 100 as an advertisement is displayed to when the service screen 400 is displayed. In the case of preview charges, advertising fees may be generated once the notification information 100 is displayed. In the case of click-through charges, advertising fees may be generated once the user terminal 5 displays the promotion landing screen 200 through the user's operation of the notification information 100. In the case of performance-based charges, advertising fees may be generated when a conversion occurs. A conversion may also be, for example, an action taken by a user that corresponds to the result of the advertisement. A conversion may also include at least a part of the actions specified as a condition for obtaining points. The operation action of the wire element 410 in the service screen 400 may not be included in the conversion. Point fees are charged in response to the granting of points to the user.

As shown in FIG. 26 , the notification information sending unit 1103 may send notification information to the user terminal 5 when the cost amount of the promotional activity recorded in the promotional activity cost DB 14d is less than the advertising delivery stop ratio of the promotional activity budget recorded in the promotional activity DB 14a. For example, if the promotional activity budget is 100,000 yen and the advertising delivery stop ratio is 95%, the notification information will be sent when the cost amount is less than 95,000 yen. On the other hand, the notification information sending unit 1103 may not send notification information when the cost amount of the promotional activity reaches or exceeds the advertising delivery stop ratio of the promotional activity budget. This way, you can stop sending notification messages before the fees you need to pay exceed the promotion budget.

The operation element information sending unit 1106 may not send the lead element information to the user terminal 5 even if the user of the terminal user 5 is a candidate when the cost of the promotion reaches the advertising delivery stop ratio of the promotion budget. This can prevent the cost to be paid from exceeding the promotion budget by a large margin. Here, the operation element information sending unit 1106 may not send the lead element information when the cost of the promotion reaches the advertising delivery stop ratio of the promotion budget and the operator determination unit 1105 determines that the user is not the operator of the CTA button 220. On the other hand, the operation element information sending unit 1106 can send the lead element information even if the cost of the promotion reaches or exceeds the advertising delivery stop ratio of the promotion budget, when the user of the user terminal 5 is determined to be a candidate by the candidate determination unit 1102 and the operator determination unit 1105 determines that the user is the operator of the CTA button 220. The user who operated the CTA button 220 is considered to be the user who caused the promotion login screen 200 to be displayed by operating the notification information 100 displayed before the cost of the promotion reaches or exceeds the advertising delivery stop ratio of the promotion budget. Then, the user who operated the CTA button 220 in the promotion landing screen 200 may believe that points can be obtained by participating in the promotion. For such a user, even if the cost of the promotion has reached the advertising delivery stop ratio of the promotion budget after the display of the notification information 100, it may still be appropriate to grant points. In addition, the display of the wire element 410 is based on the operation of the CTA button 220 as in the first implementation form, and there is no need to change the processing of the operation element information sending unit 1106 from the first implementation form.

When the service for implementing a point-earning discount activity is provided in a domain different from the domain of the Internet integrated service, the user identification information acquisition unit 1101 may be unable to obtain the service screen 400 when the user terminal 5 displays the service screen. The reason is that the network cookie of the terminal ID stored in the user terminal 5 is equivalent to a third-party network cookie for the domain of the service. In recent years, the use of third-party network cookies has been prohibited and has become the mainstream. Therefore, the operation element information sending unit 1106 of the information distribution server 1 cannot control whether the wire element 410 is displayed in the service screen 400. The HTML document of the service screen 400 sent from the service server 2 corresponding to such a service can also be written so that the wire element 410 must be displayed. In this case, even a user who is not a candidate can still operate the wire element 410. However, by the control of the point plan server 3, the point collection operation screen 500 or the point collection completion screen 600 is displayed only to the candidate. Therefore, even if the display of the wire element 410 cannot be controlled, it will not cause a big problem.

[4-3-3. Points Plan Server]

Next, the functional overview of the system control unit 31 in the point plan server 3 is explained with reference to FIG27. FIG27 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the system control unit 31 in the point plan server 3. In FIG27, the same components as those in FIG13 are marked with the same symbols. The difference between FIG27 and FIG13 is that in FIG27, the system control unit 31 also functions as an operator determination unit 3106 and a point fee addition unit 3107.

The operator determination unit 3106 may also have the same function as the operator determination unit 1105 of the information distribution server 1. Here, the operator determination unit 3106 may also determine whether the user is the operator of the CTA button 220 based on the terminal ID and the CTA button operation DB 14b acquired by the user identification information acquisition unit 3102 when receiving a request to receive screen information from the user terminal 5 through the screen information request receiving unit 3101.

The receiving screen information sending unit 3104 can also send the HTML file of the point receiving non-screen 700 to the user terminal 5 as shown in FIG. 26 when the fee amount of the preferential activity stored in the preferential activity fee DB 14d reaches the advertisement delivery stop ratio of the preferential activity budget stored in the preferential activity DB 14a, even if the user of the terminal user 5 is a candidate. This can prevent the fee to be paid from exceeding the preferential activity budget by a large margin. Here, the receiving screen information sending unit 3104 may not send the HTML file of the screen 700 where the points cannot be received when the amount of the promotional activity fee reaches or exceeds the advertising delivery stop ratio of the promotional activity budget and when the operator determination unit 3106 determines that the user is not the operator of the CTA button 220. On the other hand, the receiving screen information sending unit 3104 may send the HTML file of the screen 700 where the points cannot be received as shown in FIG. 26 even if the amount of the promotional activity fee reaches or exceeds the advertising delivery stop ratio of the promotional activity budget and when the operator determination unit 3106 determines that the user of the user terminal 5 is a candidate and the operator determination unit 3106 determines that the user is the operator of the CTA button 220. For the same reason as above, for users who operate the CTA button 220 in the promotion landing screen 200, even if the promotion cost has reached or exceeded the advertising delivery stop ratio of the promotion budget after the notification information 100 is displayed, it may still be appropriate to grant points.

The point granting unit 3105 may not grant points to the user of the user terminal 5 when the amount of the stored promotional activity exceeds the advertising delivery stop ratio of the promotional activity budget. Furthermore, the point granting unit 3105 may grant points to the user even if the amount of the promotional activity exceeds the advertising delivery stop ratio of the promotional activity budget when the user is a candidate and the user is the operator of the CTA button 220.

The point fee adding unit 3107 can also add the point fee corresponding to the amount of points given to the fee amount of the preferential activity stored in the preferential activity fee DB14d in response to the point giving process performed by the point giving unit 3105. For example, the point fee adding unit 3107 can also convert the amount of points given into point fees based on the exchange rate between points and money. For example, 1 point can be equivalent to 1 yen.

[4-4. Communication system operation]

Next, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to FIG. 28 and FIG. 29. The operation example shown below is an example of a case where the payment method of the advertising fee is a preview payment method.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of an example of notification information sending control processing executed by the system control unit 11 of the information distribution server 1 described in the present embodiment. In FIG. 28, the same symbols are used for the same processing as in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 28, first, steps S201 to S204 are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. When the combination of the promotional activity ID contained in the notification information request and the user ID obtained from the identification information conversion DB42 is not stored in the point collection DB14c (step S204: NO), the notification information sending unit 1103 calculates the advertising delivery stop amount by multiplying the promotional activity budget contained in the promotional activity information by the advertising delivery stop ratio. The notification information sending unit 1103 determines whether the fee amount associated with the discount activity ID included in the discount activity information and recorded in the discount activity fee DB14d is less than the advertising delivery stop amount (step S211). If the fee amount is greater than the advertising delivery stop amount (step S231: NO), the notification information delivery control processing is terminated.

If the fee amount is less than the advertisement delivery stop amount (step S231: YES), the notification information sending unit 1103 sends notification information to the user terminal 5 (step S205). Next, the advertising fee adding unit 1107 adds the predetermined advertising unit price to the fee amount stored in the promotion fee DB 14d by associating it with the promotion ID contained in the promotion information to update the participation screen information request (step S232), and the notification information delivery control processing is completed.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of an example of the control process of receiving screen information transmission executed by the system control unit 31 of the point program server 3 described in the present embodiment. In FIG. 29, the same symbols are used for the same processes as those in FIG. 18. As shown in FIG. 29, first, steps S501 to S504 are executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. When the acquired user ID is not recorded in the point collection DB 14c (step S504: NO), the information transmission unit 1103 is informed that the advertising delivery stop amount is calculated by multiplying the promotional activity budget contained in the acquired promotional activity information by the advertising delivery stop ratio. The notification information sending unit 1103 determines whether the fee amount associated with the preferential activity ID included in the preferential activity information and stored in the preferential activity fee DB 14d is less than the advertisement delivery stop amount (step S531). If the fee amount is greater than the advertisement delivery stop amount (step S531: NO), the operator determination unit 3106 determines whether the combination of the preferential activity ID and the user ID included in the collection operation screen information request is stored in the CTA button operation DB 14b (step S532). If the combination is not memorized (step S532: NO), the receiving screen information transmission unit 3104 sends the data of the point receiving non-screen 700 to the user terminal 5 (step S507), and the receiving screen information transmission control processing is terminated. If the combination is memorized (step S532: YES), or if the fee amount does not reach the advertisement delivery stop amount (step S531: YES), the point granting unit 3105 executes the point granting processing (step S505). Next, the advertising fee calculation unit 1107 adds the point fee calculated according to the amount of points granted to the fee amount stored in the preferential activity fee DB 14d by establishing an association with the preferential activity ID contained in the preferential activity information, and updates the participation screen information request (step S533). Next, the receiving screen information sending unit 3104 sends the data of the point receiving completion screen 600 to the user terminal 5 (step S506), and the receiving screen information sending control processing is completed.

As described above, according to this implementation form, the gift giving system adds advertising fees to the promotional activity fees as advertising fees are generated, and adds gift fees to the promotional activity fees as gifts are given to a certain user. In this case, the advertising fees and gift fees can also be added to the promotional activity fees separately.

Furthermore, the gift giving system may not send notification information to the user terminal 5 when the promotional activity cost exceeds the budgeted advertising delivery stop ratio. In this case, the promotional activity cost can be prevented from becoming excessive relative to the budget.

Furthermore, the gift giving system may not send the receiving screen information when the promotion cost reaches the budgeted advertising delivery stop ratio. Furthermore, the gift giving system may send the receiving screen information even if the promotion cost reaches the budgeted advertising delivery stop ratio when the user of the user terminal 5 is a candidate and the user has performed the display operation on the promotion screen. In this case, the promotion cost can be suppressed from becoming too large relative to the budget, and at the same time, the notification information can be displayed before the promotion cost reaches the budgeted advertising delivery stop ratio. For users who confirm the guidance on the promotion login screen, even if the promotion cost has reached the advertising delivery stop ratio later, the gift can still be given.

Furthermore, it is also possible that advertising fees are generated when a user takes at least a portion of the predetermined actions. In this case, by giving a gift to the user who takes the predetermined action, the achievement of the advertising can be promoted.

(Note 1) A gift giving system is characterized by comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring user identification information for identifying a user of a terminal device from a previously recorded terminal device; and a candidate determination means for performing a first determination based on the previously acquired user identification information to determine whether the user of the previously recorded terminal device is a candidate extracted based on a preset user attribute. and a notification information sending means, which is used to send notification information to the previous record terminal device when it is determined that the user of the previous record terminal device is a previous record candidate, and the notification information is used to inform the previous record candidate of a preferential activity that will give a gift to the previous record candidate if the previous record candidate takes a specified action, and the notification information contains a link to a preferential activity screen that shows a guide to the previous record preferential activity; and a request for receiving a signal means for receiving a request for receiving screen information from the pre-recorded terminal device, the request for receiving screen information being used to cause the pre-recorded terminal device to display a receiving screen, the receiving screen being a receiving screen that is specified to be displayed after the action specified in the pre-recorded action is completed and is a receiving screen that indicates the receipt of the pre-recorded gift; and receiving screen information sending means for sending the pre-recorded gift to the pre-recorded terminal device in response to the fact that the pre-recorded request is received. The received screen information is sent to the previously recorded terminal device; the previously recorded candidate determination means is to further perform the second determination when the previously recorded request has been received to determine whether the user of the previously recorded terminal device is the previously recorded candidate; the previously recorded received screen information sending means is to not send the previously recorded received screen information to the previously recorded terminal device if the user of the previously recorded terminal device is determined in the previously recorded second determination to be not the previously recorded candidate.

(Note 2) The gift giving system described in Note 1, wherein the pre-record receiving screen is a screen indicating that the receipt of the pre-record gift has been completed; after the completion of the action specified in the pre-record, the receiving operation screen that can accept the receiving operation required for receiving the pre-record gift is displayed by the pre-record terminal device; the pre-record request receiving means is to receive the pre-record request from the pre-record terminal device when the pre-record receiving operation is accepted in the pre-record receiving operation screen.

(Supplementary Note 3) The gift granting system described in Supplementary Note 2 further comprises: granting means for performing granting processing of granting a gift to the user of the aforementioned terminal device when the user of the aforementioned terminal device is determined to be a candidate for the aforementioned supplement in the second determination of the aforementioned terminal device.

(Note 4) The gift giving system as described in Note 2 or 3, wherein the actions specified in the foregoing note include actions related to the specified service; the specified service screen provided by the foregoing service and containing the specified operation elements will be displayed by the foregoing terminal device because the foregoing user follows the foregoing instructions displayed through the foregoing discount activity screen; and the foregoing collection operation screen is displayed by the foregoing terminal device in response to the fact that the foregoing operation elements in the foregoing service screen are operated.

(Note 5) The gift granting system as described in Note 1, wherein the pre-record receiving screen is a receiving operation screen that can accept the receiving operation required for receiving the pre-record gift; and further comprises: granting means, which is used to perform granting processing of granting a gift to the user of the pre-record terminal device in response to the fact that the pre-record receiving operation is accepted in the pre-record receiving operation screen displayed by the pre-record terminal device based on the receiving screen information sent by the pre-record.

(Note 6) The gift giving system as described in Note 5, wherein the actions specified in the foregoing note include actions related to the specified service; the specified service screen provided by the foregoing service and containing an operation element operable to display the foregoing note receiving operation screen will be displayed by the foregoing note terminal device because the foregoing note user follows the foregoing note instructions displayed through the foregoing note discount activity screen; the foregoing note request receiving means receives the foregoing note request from the foregoing note terminal device when the foregoing note operation element is operated in the service screen displayed by the foregoing note.

(Supplementary Note 7) The gift giving system as described in Supplementary Note 4 or 6, further comprising: operation element information sending means for sending operation element information to the pre-recorded terminal device displaying the pre-recorded service screen, which is used to make the pre-recorded terminal device display the pre-recorded operation element in the pre-recorded service screen; pre-recorded candidate determination means for further performing the third determination when the pre-recorded terminal device displays the pre-recorded service screen to determine whether the user of the pre-recorded terminal device is a pre-recorded candidate; pre-recorded operation element information sending means for not sending the pre-recorded operation element information when the user of the pre-recorded terminal device is determined in the pre-recorded third determination to be not a pre-recorded candidate.

(Note 8) The gift giving system as described in Note 7, wherein the screen of the previous preferential activity is a screen that can accept display operations, and the display operation is used to display an operation screen that can accept operations required to take the actions specified in the previous note; and also has: updating means, which is used to update the operator-specific information of the operator who has performed the previous display operation when the previous display operation has been accepted in the previous preferential activity screen. Indicates that the previously recorded user identified by the previously recorded user identification information is the previously recorded operator; and the operator determination means determines whether the user of the previously recorded terminal device is the previously recorded operator based on the previously recorded operator specific information and the previously recorded user identification information; and the previously recorded operation element information sending means does not send the previously recorded operation element information when it is determined that the user of the previously recorded terminal device is not the previously recorded operator.

(Note 9) In the gift giving system described in Note 8, the aforementioned service screen is the aforementioned operation screen, or a screen that is predetermined to be displayed after the aforementioned operation screen.

(Note 10) The gift giving system described in any of Notes 4, 6 to 9, wherein the actions specified in the preceding note include operating the operating elements in the preceding note.

(Note 11) In the gift giving system described in any of Notes 1 to 10, the discount activity fee generated for implementing the aforementioned discount activity and the discount activity fee that increases each time a user gives a aforementioned gift is recorded in the storage means; the aforementioned notification information sending means is the discount activity fee recorded in the aforementioned note and is recorded for the aforementioned discount activity. If the amount exceeds the specified ratio of the set budget, the pre-notification information will not be sent to the pre-notification terminal device; the pre-notification promotion screen is a screen that can accept display operations, and the display operation is used to display the operation screen that can accept the operation required to take the pre-notification action; it also has: update means, which is used to update the pre-notification display operation in the pre-notification promotion screen when the pre-notification display operation has been accepted. The operator identification information of the operator who has performed the previous record display operation is updated to indicate that the previous record user identified by the user identification information obtained by the previous record is the previous record operator; and the operator determination means determines whether the user of the previous record terminal device is the previous record operator based on the previous record operator identification information and the user identification information obtained by the previous record; the previous record collection screen information sending means does not send the previous record collection screen information when the previous record discount activity fee is higher than the previous record predetermined ratio of the previous record budget, and sends the previous record collection screen information when it is determined that the user of the previous record terminal device is a previous record candidate and the user of the previous record terminal device is the previous record operator even if the previous record discount activity fee is higher than the previous record predetermined ratio of the previous record budget.

(Note 12) In the gift giving system described in any of Notes 1 to 10, the notification information sent in the preceding note is an advertisement.

(Appendix 13) The gift giving system as described in Appendix 12, wherein the preferential activity fee charged to the advertiser for implementing the preferential activity mentioned above is stored in the storage means; and further comprising: a first adding means for generating a different amount from the user in accordance with the result of sending the notification information mentioned above by the notification information sending means mentioned above. The second adding means is used to add the pre-recorded gift fee corresponding to the pre-recorded gift given to the pre-recorded gift fee in response to the fact that the pre-recorded gift is given to any user, and the pre-recorded gift fee corresponding to the pre-recorded gift given to the pre-recorded gift fee is added to the pre-recorded gift fee.

(Note 14) In the gift giving system described in Note 13, the means for sending the notification information mentioned above does not send the notification information mentioned above to the terminal device mentioned above when the cost of the promotional activity mentioned above is greater than a predetermined ratio of the budget set for the promotional activity mentioned above.

(Note 15) A gift giving system as described in Note 13 or 14, wherein the aforementioned advertising fee is generated due to the user of the aforementioned terminal device taking at least a portion of the predetermined actions among the aforementioned actions.

(Note 16) In the gift giving system described in any of Notes 1 to 15, the pre-record instructions displayed through the pre-record promotion activity screen contain pre-record conditions.

(Note 17) A gift giving system as described in any one of Notes 1 to 15, wherein the means for determining a candidate for the previous record is to determine whether the user of the previous record terminal device is a candidate for the previous record based on the user identification information obtained from the previous record and the candidate identification information that can identify the candidate for the previous record.

(Note 18) In the gift giving system described in Note 17, the pre-registered candidate specific information is information indicating the attributes of each user.

(Note 19) A gift granting method is a gift granting method executed by a computer, characterized in that it comprises: an acquisition step of acquiring user identification information for identifying a user of a terminal device from a previously recorded terminal device; and a first candidate determination step of determining whether the user of the previously recorded terminal device is a candidate extracted based on a pre-set attribute based on the previously acquired user identification information. and a notification information sending step, in which, if it is determined that the user of the pre-recorded terminal device is a pre-recorded candidate, notification information is sent to the pre-recorded terminal device, the notification information being used to inform the pre-recorded candidate of a preferential activity in which a gift is given to the pre-recorded candidate on the condition that the pre-recorded candidate takes a predetermined action, and the notification information is a link to a preferential activity screen showing a guide to the pre-recorded preferential activity; and a requesting receiving step, in which the receiving screen information is sent to the pre-recorded terminal device. The request for receiving the information of the receiving screen is used to make the terminal device of the previous record display a receiving screen, which is a receiving screen that is specified to be displayed after the action specified in the previous record is completed, and is a receiving screen that indicates the receipt of the previous gift; and a second candidate determination step, which is to determine the user of the terminal device of the previous record based on the user identification information obtained in the previous record when the previous record request has been received. Whether it is a previously recorded candidate; and the step of sending the received screen information is that if the user of the previously recorded terminal device is determined to be a previously recorded candidate by the previously recorded second candidate determination step, the previously recorded received screen information is sent to the previously recorded terminal device; if it is determined to be not a previously recorded candidate by the previously recorded second candidate determination step, the previously recorded received screen information is not sent to the previously recorded terminal device.

1: Information distribution server

2: Service server

3: Points plan server

4: Member information management server

5: User terminal

NW: Network

S: Communication system

Claims (19)

A gift giving system is characterized by having: A candidate determination means for performing determination processing based on user identification information for identifying a previously recorded user and obtained from a terminal device, to determine whether the user of the previously recorded terminal device is a candidate extracted based on a pre-set user attribute; and The notification information sending means is used to send notification information to the pre-recorded terminal device when it is determined that the user of the pre-recorded terminal device is a pre-recorded candidate, the notification information is used to inform the pre-recorded candidate of a preferential activity in which a gift will be given to the pre-recorded candidate on the condition that the pre-recorded candidate takes a specified action, and the notification information is a link to a preferential activity screen that contains instructions for going to the pre-recorded preferential activity; and The request receiving means is used to receive a request for receiving screen information from the pre-recorded terminal device, the request for receiving screen information is used to make the pre-recorded terminal device display a receiving screen, the receiving screen is a receiving screen that is specified to be displayed after the pre-recorded specified action is completed, and is a receiving screen that indicates the receipt of the pre-recorded gift; and The means for sending the received screen information is used to send the received screen information to the recorded terminal device in response to the fact that the recorded request is received; The means for determining the candidate for the recorded request is used to further perform the recorded determination process when the recorded request has been received; The means for sending the received screen information is used to not send the received screen information to the recorded terminal device if the user of the recorded terminal device is determined not to be the recorded candidate in the recorded determination process performed when the recorded request is received. The gift giving system as described in claim item 1, wherein: The pre-recorded receiving screen is a screen indicating that the receiving of the pre-recorded gift has been completed; After the pre-recorded action is completed, the receiving operation screen that can accept the receiving operation required to receive the pre-recorded gift is displayed by the pre-recorded terminal device; The pre-recorded request receiving means is to receive the pre-recorded request from the pre-recorded terminal device when the pre-recorded receiving operation is accepted in the pre-recorded receiving operation screen. The gift granting system as described in claim 2, wherein, further comprises: granting means for performing granting processing of granting a gift to the user of the previous record terminal device when the user of the previous record terminal device is determined to be a previous record candidate in the previous record determination processing performed when the previous record request is received. A gift giving system as described in claim 2, wherein: The actions specified in the foregoing include actions related to the specified service; The specified service screen provided by the foregoing service and containing the specified operation elements will be displayed by the foregoing terminal device because the foregoing user follows the foregoing instructions displayed through the foregoing discount activity screen; In response to the fact that the foregoing operation elements in the foregoing service screen are operated, the foregoing collection operation screen is displayed by the foregoing terminal device. A gift granting system as described in claim 1, wherein: a pre-record receiving screen is a receiving operation screen that can accept the receiving operation required for receiving the pre-record gift; and further comprising: granting means for performing a gift granting process for granting a gift to a user of the pre-record terminal device in response to the fact that the pre-record receiving operation is accepted in the pre-record receiving operation screen displayed by the pre-record terminal device based on the receiving screen information sent by the pre-record. A gift giving system as described in claim 5, wherein: The actions specified in the foregoing include actions related to the specified service; The specified service screen provided by the foregoing service, which is a service screen that contains an operation element that can be operated in order to display the foregoing receiving operation screen, will be displayed by the foregoing terminal device because the foregoing user follows the foregoing instructions displayed through the foregoing discount activity screen; The foregoing request receiving means receives the foregoing request from the foregoing terminal device when the foregoing operation element is operated in the service screen displayed by the foregoing. A gift giving system as described in claim 4 or 6, wherein, further comprises: operation element information sending means for sending operation element information to a pre-recorded terminal device displaying a pre-recorded service screen, which is used to make the pre-recorded terminal device display the pre-recorded operation element in the pre-recorded service screen; pre-recorded candidate determination means for further executing a pre-recorded determination process when the pre-recorded terminal device displays the pre-recorded service screen; pre-recorded operation element information sending means for not sending the pre-recorded operation element information when the pre-recorded determination process executed when the pre-recorded terminal device displays the pre-recorded service screen determines that the user of the pre-recorded terminal device is not a pre-recorded candidate. A gift giving system as described in claim 7, wherein: The pre-recorded preferential activity screen is a screen that can accept display operations, and the display operation is used to display an operation screen that can accept operations required to take the pre-recorded action; It also has: Update means, which is used to update the operator-specific information that can identify the operator who has performed the pre-recorded display operation when the pre-recorded display operation has been accepted in the pre-recorded preferential activity screen to indicate that the pre-recorded user identified by the user identification information obtained by the pre-recorded record is the pre-recorded operator; and Operator determination means, which determines whether the user of the pre-recorded terminal device is the pre-recorded operator based on the pre-recorded operator-specific information and the user identification information obtained by the pre-recorded record; The means for sending the aforementioned operation element information is to not send the aforementioned operation element information if it is determined that the user of the aforementioned terminal device is not the aforementioned operator. A gift giving system as described in claim 8, wherein the previous service screen is the previous operation screen, or a screen that is scheduled to be displayed after the previous operation screen. A gift giving system as described in claim 4 or 6, wherein the action specified in the preceding paragraph includes operating the operating elements of the preceding paragraph. A gift giving system as described in any one of claim items 1 to 6, wherein: The discount activity fee generated for implementing the pre-recorded discount activity and the discount activity fee that increases each time a pre-recorded gift is given to any user is stored in the storage means; The pre-recorded notification information sending means does not send the pre-recorded notification information to the pre-recorded terminal device when the discount activity fee stored in the pre-recorded discount activity is a predetermined ratio of the budget set for the pre-recorded discount activity; The pre-recorded discount activity screen is a screen that can accept display operations, and the display operation is used to display an operation screen that can accept operations required to take actions specified in the pre-recorded discount activity; It also has: The updating means is used to update the operator specific information of the operator who has performed the previous record display operation to indicate that the previous record user identified by the user identification information obtained by the previous record is the previous record operator when the previous record display operation has been accepted in the previous record discount activity screen; and the operator determination means is used to determine whether the user of the previous record terminal device is the previous record operator based on the previous record operator specific information and the user identification information obtained by the previous record; The means for sending the information on the previous receipt screen is that if the cost of the previous preferential activity is higher than the ratio specified in the previous record of the previous budget, the information on the previous receipt screen will not be sent. If the user of the previous record terminal device is determined to be a previous record candidate and the user of the previous record terminal device is determined to be a previous record operator, the information on the previous receipt screen will still be sent even if the cost of the previous preferential activity is higher than the ratio specified in the previous record of the previous budget. In the gift giving system described in any of the request items 1 to 6, the notification information sent in the preceding note is an advertisement. A gift granting system as described in claim 12, wherein: The promotional activity expenses to be charged to the advertiser for implementing the promotional activities mentioned above are stored in the storage means; Also provided: A first adding means for adding the promotional activity expenses mentioned above to the promotional activity expenses stored above in response to the fact that advertising expenses different from the gift expenses required for granting the promotional gifts are generated as a result of sending the promotional information by the notification information sending means mentioned above; and The second addition means is used to add the pre-recorded gift fee corresponding to the pre-recorded gift given to any user in response to the fact that the pre-recorded gift is given to the pre-recorded preferential activity fee. In the gift giving system described in claim 13, the means for sending the pre-notification information does not send the pre-notification information to the pre-notification terminal device when the pre-notification activity cost is greater than a predetermined ratio of the budget set for the pre-notification activity. A gift giving system as described in claim 13, wherein, the aforementioned advertising fee is generated due to the user of the aforementioned terminal device taking at least a portion of the predetermined actions among the aforementioned actions. A gift giving system as described in any one of claim items 1 to 6, wherein the pre-record instructions displayed through the pre-record promotion activity screen contain pre-record conditions. A gift giving system as described in any one of claim items 1 to 6, wherein the previous record candidate determination means determines whether the user of the previous record terminal device is a previous record candidate based on the user identification information obtained from the previous record and the candidate identification information that can identify the previous record candidate. A gift giving system as described in claim 17, wherein the pre-recorded candidate specific information is information indicating the attributes of the user of the pre-recorded terminal device. A gift granting method is a gift granting method executed by a computer, and is characterized by comprising: A first candidate determination step is to perform determination processing based on user identification information used to identify a previous user and obtained from a terminal device to determine whether the user of the previous terminal device is a candidate extracted based on a pre-set attribute; and The notification information sending step is to send notification information to the previous record terminal device when the user of the previous record terminal device is determined to be a previous record candidate in the previous record first candidate determination step. The notification information is used to inform the previous record candidate of a preferential activity that will give a gift to the previous record candidate if the previous record candidate takes a specified action, and the notification information contains a link to a preferential activity screen showing a guide to the previous record preferential activity; and The step of requesting receiving information is to receive a request for receiving screen information from the pre-recorded terminal device, and the request for receiving screen information is used to make the pre-recorded terminal device display a receiving screen, and the receiving screen is a receiving screen that is specified to be displayed after the completion of the action specified in the pre-recorded record, and is a receiving screen that indicates the receipt of the pre-recorded gift; and The step of determining the second candidate is to further perform the pre-recorded determination process when the pre-recorded request has been received; and The received screen information sending step is to send the previously recorded received screen information to the previously recorded terminal device when it is determined by the previously recorded second candidate determination step that the user of the previously recorded terminal device is the previously recorded candidate; and not to send the previously recorded received screen information to the previously recorded terminal device when it is determined by the previously recorded second candidate determination step that the user of the previously recorded terminal device is not the previously recorded candidate.

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