JP2001297251A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system which can speedily transmit required information to a requiring user through a communication network such as the Internet. SOLUTION: The user attribute registration means 14 of a server computer 4 which constitutes an electronic mail distribution system 2 registers the attributes of the user of a personal computer 6 while correlating it to the user's electronic mail address of the Internet 10. A retrieving means 16 receives a retrieval instruction including the specifications of the attributes of the user from a personal computer 8 through the Internet 10, performs retrieval of a user database 12 according to the retrieval instruction, and extracts the user corresponding to the retrieval instruction interactively with the personal computer 8. An information transmitting means 18 sends electronic mail having contents specified by the personal computer 8 to the electronic mail address of the user of the personal computer 6 extracted by the retrieving means 16 through the Internet 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system, and more particularly, to a server computer, a plurality of first computers capable of communicating with the server computer via a communication network, and at least capable of communicating with the server computer via a communication network. The present invention relates to a communication system including one second computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various advertisement systems using the Internet, such as banner advertisements and e-mail magazine advertisements, have been proposed. Banner advertising is an advertising system that displays a banner for advertising on a web page and displays the advertiser's web page when the banner is clicked, for example, collecting a pay-as-you-go advertising fee for each click. .

[0003] An e-mail magazine ad has several lines of advertisements in an e-mail magazine, and a web page of an advertiser is displayed when a predetermined text or the like in the ad is clicked. This is an advertising system that collects advertising fees according to the number.

[0004] By adopting such an advertisement system, a so-called interactive advertisement can be realized, in which an advertisement is posted on a web page and the advertiser's web page can be accessed by the user's will.

[0005]

However, such a conventional advertising system has the following problems. In each of these advertisement systems, the advertisement posting area is small, so that it is impossible to sufficiently inform the user of the advertisement content.

[0006] In order to solve such a problem, there is a method of directly sending an electronic mail (e-mail) to a user. By using this method, the contents of the advertisement can be sufficiently communicated to the user, and by clicking a predetermined text or the like in the e-mail, the advertiser's web page is displayed, so that the interactive advertisement can be displayed. Can be realized.

[0007] However, in the conventional advertising system using e-mail, when an object to which e-mail is transmitted is selected,
In many cases, the advertiser was notified of the selection criteria, the advertiser searched the database, and reported the results to the advertiser. For this reason, it took a considerable amount of time from the advertisement request to the sending of the e-mail.

[0008] Further, if the user is dissatisfied with the search result, the same procedure must be performed again, so that it takes more time. Therefore, in order not to miss business opportunities,
In many cases, e-mail had to be sent while the target of transmission was insufficient.

The present invention solves the problems of the conventional advertising system and the like, and promptly sends desired information such as an advertisement to a desired target user via a communication network such as the Internet which can connect a number of computers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system capable of transmitting information to a communication system.

[0010]

The communication system according to the first aspect, the server computer according to the eleventh aspect, and the recording medium storing the program according to the twelfth aspect store the attribute of the user of the first computer in the communication address of the user in the communication network. Receiving from the second computer via the communication network a search command including designation of a user attribute, searching the user database according to the search command, and searching for a user corresponding to the search command. Is interactively performed with the second computer, and the extracted user is addressed to the communication address of the user.
It is characterized in that predetermined information designated by the second computer is transmitted via a communication network.

That is, a process of receiving a search command including designation of a user attribute between a server computer and a second computer, searching a user database according to the search command, and extracting a user corresponding to the search command. Is performed interactively.

Therefore, when requesting information distribution, the requester himself can search the user database via the second computer. For this reason, a desired search result can be obtained more quickly than when searching the user database by the administrator of the server computer.

Further, since information is transmitted to the user's communication address via the communication network, a large amount of information can be transmitted to the user.

That is, desired information such as an advertisement can be quickly transmitted to a desired target user via a communication network such as the Internet which can connect a number of computers.

[0015] In the communication system according to the second aspect, the search means does not give the second computer the information which can specify the user extracted according to the search instruction, and the statistical value related to the extracted user. Is displayed on the display device of the second computer.

Therefore, a person who intends to distribute information by using the second computer can know the statistical value of the extracted user without knowing who the user of the first computer is. . For this reason,
While protecting the privacy of the user, the requester of the information distribution can freely search.

In the communication system according to the third aspect, the search means displays on the display device of the second computer via the communication network to input the search command, and inputs the search command from the input device of the second computer. Search input recommendation process waiting for a search, a search input capture process for capturing a search command input from an input device of the second computer via a communication network in response to the search input recommendation process, and a search obtained by the search input capture process. A user extraction process for searching a user database according to a command and extracting a user corresponding to the search command, a statistical process for obtaining a statistical value related to the user extracted by the user extraction process, and a statistical value obtained by the statistical process An extraction result display process of displaying on a display device of a second computer via a communication network;
It is characterized by performing.

Therefore, only by inputting a search command from the input device of the second computer in accordance with the instruction displayed on the display device of the second computer, the search is automatically performed and the statistical information about the extracted user is obtained. The numerical value is displayed on the display device of the second computer.

For this reason, the search can be easily performed via the second computer even if there is little knowledge about the database and the search.

[0020] In the communication system according to the fourth aspect, the search means may further display a statistical value on a display device of the second computer via the communication network, and then input the search command again. And a re-search input recommendation process for displaying on the display device of the second computer via the input device and waiting for the input of the search command from the input device of the second computer.

Therefore, when it is determined that the search result is not appropriate, it is easy to repeat the search as many times as necessary until a proper search result is obtained. For this reason, it is possible to quickly and appropriately narrow down users who distribute information.

In the communication system according to the fifth aspect, the search means can set an upper limit of the number of users corresponding to the search command, and if the upper limit is set, the search means corresponds to the attribute specified in the search command. If the number of users exceeds the set upper limit, randomly extract the set number of users from the users corresponding to the specified attribute, and use the extracted users as the output of the search command. It is characterized by.

Therefore, even if the number of users corresponding to the attribute specified in the search command becomes considerably large, setting the upper limit prevents information from being distributed to more users than the planned number. can do.

In the communication system according to the sixth aspect, the user database is configured to be able to substantially divide the registered users into a plurality of user groups irrelevant to the attributes of the users, and the search means includes: It is characterized in that a search command can be executed by designating an arbitrary divided user group.

Therefore, when a search is performed by specifying a certain user group and then a search is performed by specifying another user group, the same user is duplicated in the first search and the second search. It will not be extracted.

For this reason, for example, a first search is first performed by designating a relatively small number of user groups.
After distributing the information to the extracted users and watching the response, it is possible to determine whether to distribute the information to the remaining large number of users. In this way, information can be efficiently distributed.

In the case where the address (URL) of the client's web page or the like is described in the information to be distributed, it is possible to prevent a large number of accesses to the web page at one time due to the distributed information. For this purpose, the delivery date can be shifted for each user group.

[0028] In the communication system according to the seventh aspect, the user database can substantially divide the user into a plurality of user groups based on a user identification number irrelevant to the attribute of the user assigned to the registered user. It is characterized by having such a configuration.

Therefore, for example, the user can be easily divided into a plurality of user groups only by dividing the user by the user identification number.

In the communication system according to the eighth aspect, the information transmitting means displays the information on the display device of the second computer via the communication network so as to input a distribution request command including predetermined information, and inputs the instruction to the second computer. A distribution request input waiting process for waiting for the input of the distribution request command from the device, and a distribution request for capturing the distribution request command input from the input device of the second computer via the communication network in response to the distribution request input recommendation process. Based on the distribution request command obtained by the input capture process and the distribution request input capture process, an information distribution process of transmitting predetermined information via a communication network to a communication address of the user extracted by the search unit; It is characterized by performing.

Therefore, only by inputting a distribution request command including information to be distributed from the input device of the second computer in accordance with the instruction displayed on the display device of the second computer, the extracted address is transmitted to the extracted communication address of the user. ,
It is possible to transmit predetermined information via a communication network.

Therefore, desired information can be distributed more quickly and easily to desired users.

In the communication system according to the ninth aspect, the server computer obtains the user attribute from the first computer via the communication network, and associates the obtained user attribute with the communication address of the user in the communication network. And a user attribute registering means for registering in a user database.

Therefore, the user's attributes can be obtained directly from the first computer. Therefore, it is possible to accurately grasp the user attributes. In addition, it is possible to conclude a predetermined contract with the user when obtaining the user's attributes. For this reason, it is possible to clarify that the user is responsible for receiving information from the second computer with the consent of the user. That is,
In distributing information, highly accurate targeting becomes possible.

In the communication system according to the tenth aspect, the user attribute registering means displays on the display device of the first computer via the communication network so as to input the attribute of the user and the communication address of the user in the communication network. 1
Input recommendation processing of waiting for the input of the attribute and the communication address from the input device of the first computer; And a user attribute registration process of registering a user attribute obtained by the attribute input capture process in a user database in association with a communication address of the user in a communication network. I have.

Therefore, by simply inputting the attribute of the user and the communication address of the user in the communication network from the input device of the first computer in accordance with the instruction displayed on the display device of the first computer, the user database can be easily obtained. You can register to. For this reason, registration of the user in the user database can be promoted.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user database for storing an attribute of a user of a first computer in association with a communication address of the user in a communication network, and issuing a search command including designation of the attribute of the user. It receives from the second computer via the communication network, searches the user database according to the search command, extracts the user corresponding to the search command, and specifies the user specified by the second computer to the communication address of the extracted user. The predetermined information is transmitted via a communication network.

Therefore, when requesting information distribution, it is possible to give, via the second computer, a search command of the user database and predetermined information to be transmitted. For this reason, it is possible to quickly and easily perform a series of procedures from narrowing down users to whom information is to be transmitted to transmitting information.

Since information is transmitted to the user's communication address via the communication network, a large amount of information can be transmitted to the user.

That is, desired information such as an advertisement can be easily and quickly transmitted to a desired target user via a communication network such as the Internet which can connect a number of computers.

[0041]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of an electronic mail distribution system 2 which is a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The e-mail distribution system 2 can communicate with the server computer 4, a personal computer 6 as a first computer capable of communicating with the server computer 4 via the Internet 10 as a communication network, and the server computer 4 via the Internet 10. And a personal computer 8 as a second computer.

The personal computer 6 has a display device 6
a, input device 6b. The personal computer 8 also includes a display device 8a and an input device 8b. The electronic mail distribution system 2 in FIG. 1 is configured so that a plurality of personal computers 6 and personal computers 8 can be connected.

The server computer 4 includes a user database 12, a user attribute registration unit 14, a search unit 16, and an information transmission unit 18.

The user database 12 stores the attributes of the user of the personal computer 6 in association with an electronic mail address (e-mail address) which is a communication address of the user on the Internet 10.

The user attribute registration means 14 stores the attribute of the user of the personal computer 6 on the Internet 10
The process of registering the obtained user attribute in the user database 12 in association with the e-mail address of the user on the Internet 10 by obtaining the attribute of the user from the personal computer 6 through the personal computer 6
And interactively with.

More specifically, the user attribute registration means 14 performs an attribute input recommendation process, an attribute input fetch process, and a user attribute registration process.

The attribute input recommendation process is performed by displaying on the display device 6a of the personal computer 6 via the Internet 10 to input the attribute of the user and the e-mail address of the user's Internet 10 and from the input device 6b of the personal computer 6. This is a process of waiting for the input of the attribute and the e-mail address.

The attribute input fetching process is a process of fetching the user attribute and the e-mail address input from the input device 6b of the personal computer 6 via the Internet 10 in accordance with the attribute input recommendation process.

The user attribute registration process is a process of registering the user attribute obtained by the attribute input capture process in the user database 12 in association with the user's e-mail address on the Internet 10.

The search means 16 shown in FIG. 1 receives a search command including designation of a user attribute from the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10, searches the user database 12 according to the search command, and searches for a user corresponding to the search command. Is interactively performed with the personal computer 8.

In this embodiment, the search means 16
Displays the statistical value of the extracted user on the display device 8a of the personal computer 8 without giving the personal computer 8 information that can identify the user extracted according to the search command.

More specifically, the search means 16
Performs search input recommendation processing, search input capture processing, user extraction processing, statistical processing, extraction result display processing, and re-search input recommendation processing.

In the search input recommendation process, the search command is displayed on the display device 8a of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10 so as to input a search command.
This is a process of waiting for input of a search command from the input device 8b.

The search input fetching process is a process of fetching a search command input from the input device 8b of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10 in accordance with the search input recommendation process.

The user extraction process is a process of searching the user database 12 according to the search command obtained by the search input fetch process, and extracting a user corresponding to the search command.

The statistical process is a process for obtaining a statistical value related to the user extracted by the user extracting process.

The extraction result display process is a process of displaying the statistical values obtained by the statistical process on the display device 8a of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10.

In the re-search input recommendation process, the above-described statistical numerical values are displayed on the display device 8a of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10, and then the personal computer 8 is input via the Internet 10 again to input a search command. Is displayed on the display device 8a of the personal computer 8 and waits for an input of a search command from the input device 8b of the personal computer 8.

In this embodiment, the search means 16 can set the upper limit of the number of users corresponding to the search command. If the upper limit is set, the search means 16 corresponds to the attribute specified in the search command. When the number of users exceeds the set upper limit, the specified number of users are randomly extracted from the users corresponding to the specified attribute, and the extracted users are output as the output of the search command. It is configured.

Further, in this embodiment, the user database 12 is configured so that the registered users can be substantially divided into a plurality of user groups irrelevant to the attributes of the users. ,
It is configured to be able to execute a search command by designating an arbitrary divided user group.

More specifically, the user database 12 stores a user identification number (user ID) irrelevant to the attribute of the user assigned to the registered user.
It is configured to substantially divide the user into a plurality of user groups based on D).

The information transmitting means 18 in FIG.
To the e-mail address of the user of the personal computer 6 extracted by the
E-mail with the content specified from Internet 1
Send via 0.

More specifically, the information transmitting means 1
8 performs a distribution request input encouragement process, a distribution request input fetch process, and an information distribution process.

The distribution request input encouragement process is performed by displaying the instruction on the display device 8a of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10 so as to input a distribution request command including the contents (predetermined information) of the e-mail, This is a process of waiting for the input of the distribution request command from.

The distribution request input capturing process is a process of transmitting a distribution request command input from the input device 8b of the personal computer 8 in response to the distribution request input recommendation process to the Internet 1.
This is a process of taking in data via the “0”.

The information distribution processing is performed based on the distribution request command obtained by the distribution request input capture processing.
This is a process of transmitting an e-mail with the specified contents (predetermined information) via the Internet 10 to the e-mail address of the user extracted in step 6.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the server computer 4, the personal computer 6, and the personal computer 8 used in the electronic mail distribution system 2 shown in FIG.

The server computer 4 is a storage device, a hard disk 50 which is a recording medium on which a program of the present system is recorded, a CPU 42 which is a control device for executing the program recorded on the hard disk 50, a CRT 44 which is a display device, an input device. And a communication interface 52 for communicating with the personal computer 6 and the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10.

Hard disk 5 of server computer 4
0 contains the user database 1 in addition to the above programs
2 are stored. That is, the hard disk 50 corresponds to the user database 12 in FIG.

The CPU 42 of the server computer 6
Are the user attribute registration means 14, the search means 16,
Corresponds to the information transmitting means 18.

The personal computer 6 shown in FIG. 2 has a CRT 64 as a display device and a keyboard 66 as an input device.
And a mouse 68, a hard disk 70 as a recording medium storing a program for browsing information communicated via the Internet 10, a CPU 62 for executing programs and the like recorded on the hard disk 70, the Internet 1
0 is provided with a communication interface 72 for communicating with the server computer 4 via the communication interface 0.

The CRT of the personal computer 6 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 64 corresponds to the display device 6a in FIG. The keyboard 66 and the mouse 68 of the personal computer 6 of FIG.
Correspond to the input device 6b in FIG.

The personal computer 8 shown in FIG. 2 includes a CRT 84 as a display device and a keyboard 86 as an input device.
And a mouse 88, a hard disk 90 as a recording medium storing a program for browsing information communicated via the Internet 10, a CPU 82 for executing programs and the like recorded on the hard disk 90, the Internet 1
0 is provided with a communication interface 92 for communicating with the server computer 4 via the communication interface 92.

CRT of personal computer 8 in FIG.
Reference numeral 84 corresponds to the display device 8a in FIG. Keyboard 86 and mouse 88 of personal computer 8 in FIG.
Correspond to the input device 8b in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing (user information registration processing) for registering the user attribute of the personal computer 6 in the electronic mail distribution system 2. FIG. 6 is an example of a display screen displayed on the CRT 64 of the personal computer 6 when a user attribute is registered. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the data structure of the user database 12 registered as described above. The user information registration process will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the server computer 4 receives an access request for registering user information from the personal computer 6 via the Internet 10, the server computer 4 displays a screen (user information input form) as shown in FIG. CR of personal computer 6
Display on T64 and wait for input (FIG. 3, step S
1).

The user information input form displayed on the CRT 64 of the personal computer 6 includes information such as the user's first and last name, gender, state of residence, mail address (e-mail address), occupation, date of birth, and hobby. It is configured so that user attributes can be easily input.

The user of the personal computer 6
After these attributes are entered in the form shown in FIG. 6 using the keyboard 66 and the mouse 68, the “register” button 102 provided on the form is clicked using the mouse 68.

When the "register" button 102 is clicked, the server computer 4 takes in the input user attributes into the server computer 4 via the Internet 10 (FIG. 3, step S2).

[0098] The acquired user attributes are registered in the user database 12 (see FIG. 1) provided on the hard disk 50 of the server computer 4.

The data structure of the user database 12 is, for example, as shown in FIG. Each user is given a user ID (user identification number). The user ID is automatically given by the server computer 4 when the user attribute is registered. In this embodiment, user IDs are assigned in ascending order of 0, 1, 2,... In the order of registration.

As shown in FIG. 10, the user database 12 is configured to store user attributes in association with the user's e-mail address. For example, the first and last name of the user with the user ID "0" is "Taro Suzuki", the gender is "male", the residence prefecture is "Shizuoka", the occupation is "manager", and the hobby is "classic". Is stored in association with the user's e-mail address "taro @ momo ......".

Although not shown, the registration date of each user's attribute is also stored in association with the user's e-mail address. Further, the user database 12 is provided with a point column described later,
This point column is also stored in association with the e-mail address of each user.

In this embodiment, in order to encourage the user to register the attribute,
A message to the effect that a registered user is preparing a present is given.

That is, the server computer 4 displays the message on the CRT 64 of the personal computer 6 via the Internet 10. This message is displayed on the CRT 64 together with the user information input form shown in FIG. 6, for example.

In accordance with the message, a lottery is performed, for example, at predetermined intervals, and the present is given to the registered user who has become a winner.

Further, in this embodiment, after the user is registered, a consent is obtained from the user with respect to a rule that the reception of an e-mail from the information sender described later cannot be refused. By registering with the consent of the user, it is possible to prevent a trouble related to the distribution of the e-mail from the information sender. The above rules are also displayed on the CRT 64 together with the user information input form shown in FIG. 6, for example.

Next, the user database 12
A search / information transmission process performed when distributing information such as an advertisement by using a URL will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process (search process) for searching for a user using the personal computer 8 in the electronic mail distribution system 2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of an information transmission process performed after the search process. FIG.
8 to C of the personal computer 8 in the search process.
It is an example of the display screen displayed on RT84. FIG.
CRT of the personal computer 8 when transmitting information
It is an example of a display screen displayed at 84. FIG. 2, FIG.
The search / information transmission process will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this embodiment, a person (client) who desires information distribution is required to register the client in advance and obtain an authentication number prior to the search / information transmission processing. The client registration can be performed, for example, by accessing the server computer 4 from the personal computer 8 of the client via the Internet 10 and inputting the first and last name, the password, and the like.

In order to confirm that the client exists, the server computer 4 may be systematized so as to make a final client registration after contacting the client by telephone or the like.

The information of the client registered as described above is stored in a client database (not shown) provided on the hard disk of the server computer 4. The client inputs a personal identification number, an assigned authentication number, and the like from the personal computer 8, and after performing authentication based on information stored in the client database of the server computer 4, can perform a search / information transmission process. .

In this embodiment, the operator of the server computer 4 does not collect the cost from the client at the time of client registration, and only distributes the e-mail described later without collecting the cost from the client. Fees are collected from clients according to the number. Therefore, the client can perform various searches freely and free of charge until the electronic mail is actually delivered.

When the server computer 4 receives access from the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10 to request search and information distribution after client registration, a screen (search input form) as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 via the PC, and waits for an input (FIG. 4,
Step S11).

The search input form displayed on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 is configured so that the user's attributes, such as the user's gender, age, residence prefecture, occupation, and hobbies, can be easily input. .

In this embodiment, the range of users to be searched can be specified by the user ID. FIG. 7 is an input example in which a search target user is limited to user IDs “0” to “300000” and a search is performed. In the example of FIG. 7, since the maximum value of the user ID is “3847021”, it can be understood that the search is to be performed on about 1/10 of the entire registered users.

That is, registered users are grouped by user ID, and user IDs “0” to “30000
This means that the group specified by “0” is the search target. Since the user ID is only a management number assigned in the order of registration, it has nothing to do with the attribute of the user. Therefore, by grouping in this way, all registered users can be grouped regardless of the attributes of the users.

A search is performed under such conditions, and for example, an e-mail for the purpose of advertisement is delivered to the extracted users, and by seeing the reverberation, it is possible to predict the reverberation from all registered users. it can. If the distribution of this group is favorable, the remaining groups (user I
D “300001” or more) may be delivered to the same electronic mail.

When the address (URL) of the client's web page is described in the e-mail to be distributed, the user who received the e-mail is expected to access the web page. Therefore, in order to prevent a large amount of accesses from being concentrated in a short time, the above grouping can be used.

That is, all the registered users are equally divided into, for example, three groups by using the user ID, and a search is performed for each group under the same condition, and the distribution date is shifted for each group. do it.

If it is not necessary to specify the search range by the user ID, the item shown in FIG. 7 may be omitted. In this way, a search for all registered users is performed.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the maximum number of users to be delivered can be specified. By defining the maximum value, it is possible to limit the number of e-mails to be distributed even if the number of users corresponding to the desired attribute is large.

In this embodiment, when a user corresponding to a desired attribute obtained by the search exceeds the maximum value, the server computer 4 randomly corresponds to the maximum value from among the users. It is configured to extract a number of users.

Further, although not shown, in this embodiment, the designated number is randomly extracted from the registered users irrespective of the attribute of the user, and a desired e-mail is delivered to the extracted user. It is also possible.

Although not shown, it is also possible to specify the time of user registration and deliver a desired electronic mail. For example, a desired e-mail can be delivered to all users registered within the last one month.

Returning to FIG. 7, the client uses the keyboard 86 and mouse 88 of the personal computer 8 to enter the attributes of the user to be targeted in the form shown in FIG. Button 112 using the mouse 88.

When "search" button 112 is clicked, server computer 4 inputs the entered search input.
The data is taken into the server computer 4 via the Internet 10 (FIG. 4, step S12).

The user database 12 is searched based on the fetched search input, and a corresponding user is extracted (FIG. 4, step S13).

That is, matching between the fetched search input and the user database 12 (see FIG. 10) is performed, and the hit user is extracted.

The server computer 4 counts the number of extracted users and obtains the total number of extracted users as a statistical value (FIG. 4, step S14).

Next, the server computer 4 connects the CRT of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10.
84, the extraction result as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed (FIG. 4,
Step S15).

As shown in FIG. 8, the total number of users obtained in the previous step (“4
In addition to "12 people"), the inputted search condition is also displayed. In this example, since the maximum number of users to be distributed is specified as “300”, the actual distribution of the e-mail is performed when the server computer 4 randomly selects “412” users. “300 people” to be extracted.

In this embodiment, the extraction result displayed on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 is only the total number of users obtained in step S14. However, a statistical numerical value other than the total number of users, for example, information such as the number of males and females, and the distribution by age may be displayed.

As described above, by displaying only the above-mentioned statistical numerical values without displaying information that can identify the user on the personal computer 8 of the client, leakage of the privacy of the user can be prevented. it can.

Depending on the situation in which the system is used, for example, if the system is used in one company,
In a situation where an e-mail describing a message to be transmitted is delivered to an employee who satisfies a predetermined condition, information that can identify the user may be displayed on the personal computer 8.

Looking at the display screen shown in FIG. 8, if the client is dissatisfied with the search result, the mouse 88 is used to change the “search condition” button 122, the “add search condition” button 124, and the “search” button. Reset condition ”button 12
6. Or, click the “search end” button 130.

When the “Retrieve Condition” button 122, the “Add Retrieve Condition” button 124 or the “Retrieve Condition” button 126 is clicked, the server computer 4
Control returns to step S11 in FIG. 4, and a search input form (see FIG. 7) is displayed (FIG. 4, step S1).
6).

Among them, a “search condition modification” button 122
When is clicked, a search input form in a state where the immediately preceding search condition is input (a search input form in a state shown in FIG. 7) is displayed. Therefore, the client
This can be modified based on previous search criteria.

When the “add search condition” button 124 is clicked, the user extracted according to the immediately preceding search condition or the user corresponding to one of the users corresponding to the search condition to be added (OR condition) will be described. Is the subject of email delivery. Therefore, the client can select a wider range of distribution targets including the distribution target by the immediately preceding search.

When the "reset search condition" button 126 is clicked, a search input form in which all the previous search conditions have been reset is displayed. Therefore, the client can restart the search input from the beginning.

As described above, when the search result is not satisfactory, the search can be performed again and again in real time.

When "end search" button 130 is clicked, server computer 4 ends the search processing and returns to the state before the search processing (FIG. 4, step S1).
6).

When the search result is satisfactory and the re-search becomes unnecessary, the client clicks the “mail delivery” button 128 shown on the display screen of FIG. When the "mail delivery" button 128 is clicked, the server computer 4 proceeds to step S2 shown in FIG.
The control is shifted to 1 (FIG. 4, step S16).

That is, the server computer 4 is configured as shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the CRT 84 of the personal computer 8 via the Internet 10, the date and time of the desired e-mail delivery, the title of the e-mail,
It waits for the input of the contents of the e-mail (delivery sentence) (FIG. 5, step S21).

After the client makes the required input using the keyboard 86 of the personal computer 8 or the like, the client clicks the “mail delivery request” button 132 provided on the display screen of FIG. .

When the “mail delivery request” button 132 is clicked, the server computer 4 takes in the input delivery text and the like into the server computer 4 via the Internet 10 (FIG. 5, step S22).

The fetched distribution texts and the like are registered in a distribution history database (not shown) provided on the hard disk 50 of the server computer 4.

Further, in this embodiment, the determined search condition which is the search condition fetched in step S12 is also stored in the distribution history database. The reason for storing the search conditions instead of storing the user itself extracted as a result of the search is that storing the search conditions requires less data to be stored.

Therefore, when the storage capacity of the hard disk 50 of the server computer 4 is sufficiently large, for example, the user IDs of all users extracted as a result of the search may be stored in the hard disk 50.

Thereafter, when the desired delivery date fetched in step S22 is reached, the server computer 4 searches the user database 12 again based on the above-described determined search condition stored in the delivery history database. An e-mail is sent to the e-mail address of the user extracted as a result of the search, with the delivery sentence fetched in step S22 added with the title fetched in the same step (FIG. 5, step S23).

At this time, as described above, the number of users corresponding to the search condition is equal to the maximum value of the users to be distributed which is captured in step S13 (in this example, "300
If the number of persons exceeds the number of persons, the electronic mail is actually distributed to "300 persons" that the server computer 4 randomly extracts from the users corresponding to the search condition.

In this embodiment, after step S22 and before step S23, a check is made as to whether the contents of the delivery sentence are not against public order and morals. The check may be performed by the server computer 4 or an operator (human) of the server computer 4
May be performed.

In this embodiment, a point column is provided in the user database 12 as described above (see FIG. 10). When the user receives an e-mail from the client (for example, 1 point) or clicks a URL (see FIG. 9, URL 134) described in the received e-mail (for example, 1 point).
(00 points).

By giving a privilege such as a present to the user in accordance with the accumulated points, the user wants to deliver an e-mail, and can read the received e-mail or write it in the e-mail. Since the frequency of clicking on the URL is increased, the effect of distributing information such as advertisements can be enhanced.

As described above, in this embodiment, a search command including the designation of the attribute of the user of the personal computer 6 is received between the server computer 4 and the personal computer 8, and the user database 12 is stored in accordance with the search command. The process of searching and extracting the user corresponding to the search command is performed interactively.

Therefore, when requesting distribution of information by e-mail, the client itself can search the user database 12 via the personal computer 8. Therefore, a desired search result can be obtained more quickly than in a case where the search of the user database 12 is performed by the administrator of the server computer 4.

Also, since information is transmitted by e-mail to the user's e-mail address via the Internet 10, a large amount of information can be transmitted to the user.

That is, via the Internet 10,
Desired information such as an advertisement can be quickly transmitted to a desired target user.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the communication system includes the user attribute registration unit has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where search / information distribution processing is performed using a user database created by another system or the like.

In the above embodiment, as an example of dividing a user into a plurality of user groups based on a user identification number, a set specified as a set of user identification numbers between a lower limit number and an upper limit number is set. Although one group is used, for example, a set whose user identification number is an odd number is defined as one group, and a set whose user identification number has the same last digit is defined as one group. You can also.

Further, the method of dividing a user irrespective of the attribute of the user is not limited to the method of dividing the user based on the user identification number. For example, the user registration time can be stored, and the user can be divided into a plurality of groups based on the user registration time.

Further, the above-described block diagrams, flowcharts, tables, and the like are given as examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described block diagrams, flowcharts, tables, and the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the program and data of the present system are stored in the server computer 4, and the personal computer 6 and the personal computer 8 are controlled by the server computer 4 via the Internet 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, a part of the program and data of the present system may be stored in the personal computer 6 or the personal computer 8. Of course, a plurality of computers may be used as server computers. When a plurality of computers are used as server computers, the plurality of computers may be connected via a communication line (for example, the Internet).

In the above embodiment, the Internet has been described as an example of the communication network, but the communication network is not limited to the Internet. For example, LA
The present invention may be realized in a network that connects a server computer and a terminal device such as a personal computer via an N (local area network).

In this embodiment, the program of the present system installed on the hard disk is executed. However, the storage form of the program is not limited to these. For example, the program of the present system may be recorded on a CD-ROM, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic tape, or the like.

Furthermore, the program of the present system may be distributed via a wired or wireless communication line. Alternatively, the program of the present system may be installed in a main server computer, and a local server computer may execute the program of the present system via a communication line such as the Internet.

The recording form of the program or data is not particularly limited. In addition to the case where the program is recorded on the recording medium in a form that can be directly executed, the program may be recorded on the recording medium in a compressed form so as to be decompressed and used, for example.

In the above embodiment, the case where each function of FIG. 1 is realized by using a computer has been described as an example. However, a part of the function of FIG. 1 is configured by using hardware logic. You may.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of an electronic mail distribution system 2 which is a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a server computer 4, a personal computer 6, and a personal computer 8 used in the electronic mail distribution system 2 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a process of registering a user attribute of the personal computer 6 in the electronic mail distribution system 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing for searching for a user using a personal computer 8 in the electronic mail distribution system 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of an information transmission process performed after the search process.

FIG. 6 is an example of a display screen displayed on the CRT 64 of the personal computer 6 when a user attribute is registered.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the C of the personal computer 8 in the search processing
It is an example of the display screen displayed on RT84.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a C of the personal computer 8 in the search processing.
It is an example of the display screen displayed on RT84.

FIG. 9 shows a personal computer 8 for information transmission processing.
Is an example of a display screen displayed on the CRT 84 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a drawing schematically showing a data structure of a user database 12.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... E-mail distribution system 4 ... Server computer 6,8 ... Personal computer 10 ... Internet 12 ... User database 14 ... User attribute registration means 16. Search means 18. Information transmission means

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A server computer, a plurality of first computers communicable with a server computer via a communication network, and at least one second computer communicable with the server computer via a communication network. A communication system, wherein the server computer stores a user database storing attributes of the user of the first computer in association with a communication address of the user in the communication network; and a search command including designation of the attributes of the user. Search means for receiving, from the second computer via the communication network, searching the user database in accordance with the search command and extracting a user corresponding to the search command interactively with the second computer To the communication address of the user of the first computer extracted by the search means. And information transmitting means for transmitting predetermined information designated by the second computer via a communication network. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the search unit is configured to provide the second computer with information on the extracted user without giving information identifying the user extracted according to the search command. Displaying the statistical values on a display device of the second computer. 3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the search means displays the search command on a display device of a second computer via the communication network so as to input the search command, and displays the search command from the input device of the second computer. Search input recommendation processing for waiting for input of a search instruction, Search input capture processing for receiving a search instruction input from an input device of a second computer via the communication network in response to the search input recommendation processing, Search input capture processing A user extraction process for searching the user database according to the search instruction obtained by the above, and extracting a user corresponding to the search instruction, a statistical process for obtaining a statistical value related to the user extracted by the user extraction process, Extracting result display processing of displaying the obtained statistical numerical value on a display device of a second computer via a communication network; Performing the, those characterized by. 4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein said search means further displays said statistical numerical value on a display device of a second computer via a communication network.
Again, a second command is input via the communication network to input a search command.
Performing a re-search input encouragement process of displaying on a display device of the computer and waiting for input of a search command from an input device of the second computer. 5. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said search means is capable of setting an upper limit of the number of users corresponding to the search command. If the number of users corresponding to the attribute specified in the above exceeds the set upper limit, randomly extract the specified number of users from the user corresponding to the specified attribute, and Output of a search instruction. 6. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the user database is configured to be able to substantially divide a registered user into a plurality of user groups irrespective of user attributes. The search means is configured to be able to execute the search command by designating an arbitrary divided user group. 7. The communication system according to claim 6, wherein the user database divides the user into a plurality of user groups based on a user identification number irrelevant to a user attribute assigned to a registered user. That are configured to obtain. 8. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the information transmitting means is configured to input a distribution request command including the predetermined information via the communication network. Request for inputting from the input device of the second computer in response to the distribution request input encouragement process displayed on the display device and waiting for the input of the distribution request instruction from the input device of the second computer. Via a communication network, to a communication address of a user extracted by the search means based on a distribution request command obtained by the distribution request input fetching process, which is fetched through the communication network; Performing information distribution processing for transmitting predetermined information; and 9. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the server computer obtains the user attribute from a first computer via a communication network, and obtains the obtained user attribute in the communication network. A user attribute registering means for registering in the user database in association with the communication address of the user. 10. The communication system according to claim 9, wherein said user attribute registration means displays a first computer via said communication network so as to input an attribute of said user and a communication address of said user in said communication network. An attribute input recommendation process that is displayed on the device and waits for the input of the attribute and the communication address from the input device of the first computer; and a user attribute input from the input device of the first computer in response to the attribute input recommendation process. Attribute input capture processing for capturing a communication address via the communication network, and user attribute registration processing for registering the user attribute obtained by the attribute input capture processing in the user database in association with the communication address of the user in the communication network And performing. 11. A server computer, a plurality of first computers capable of communicating with the server computer via a communication network, and at least one second computer capable of communicating with the server computer via a communication network. A user database that stores attributes of a user of a first computer in association with a communication address of the user in the communication network, and a search command including designation of attributes of the user. From the second computer via the communication network, search the user database according to the search command, and extract the user corresponding to the search command interactively with the second computer Means and a second computer to the communication address of the user extracted by the search means. Server computer comprising the, information transmitting means for transmitting through the communication network the specified predetermined information from over data. 12. A server computer having a user database, a plurality of first computers capable of communicating with the server computer via a communication network, and at least one second computer capable of communicating with the server computer via a communication network.
A computer for recording a program for performing communication using a communication system comprising: a user database associated with a user attribute of the first computer in association with a communication address of the user in the communication network; Receiving a search command including designation of a user attribute from the second computer via the communication network, searching a user database according to the search command, and extracting a user corresponding to the search command; A program that interactively communicates with the second computer and causes the server computer to perform a process of transmitting predetermined information designated by the second computer to the extracted communication address of the user via the communication network. The recording medium on which it was recorded. 13. A server computer, a plurality of first computers capable of communicating with the server computer via a communication network, and at least one second computer capable of communicating with the server computer via a communication network. Providing a user database storing attributes of a user of a first computer in association with a communication address of the user in the communication network, and issuing a search command including designation of a user attribute to the communication network. Received from the second computer via the server, searches the user database according to the search command, extracts the user corresponding to the search command, and addresses the communication address of the extracted user to the predetermined address designated by the second computer. Transmitting said information via a communication network.